Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Kang Myeong Pharmacy in Chengdu
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I didn't get much sleep due to a minor disturbance, but it wasn't so bad as to cause any real hindrance.
Sleep is whatever—getting some or not doesn't matter much.
Of course, Seolha and Yeonhwa didn't seem to feel the same.
"You fell asleep soaked in drugs like that, and you're still drowsy?"
"No, Great Hero. I'm fine."
Seolha, caught yawning with her hand over her mouth as she approached me, tried her best to act unfazed.
Yeah, well, she fell asleep from the medicine, so she probably doesn't feel refreshed at all. And she's not yet at a realm where she can shake off sleepiness.
Anyway, we raced toward Chengdu.
A place that once served as the effective capital of the Ba-Shu lands, and home to the Tang Family of Sichuan.
Since we set out before dawn, we made it to Chengdu well before noon.
And true to its status as a great metropolis, the city was every bit as vast and bustling as Chang'an—no comparison needed.
"We can head straight to the Tang Family. Know the way?"
"No. This is my first time in Sichuan."
"Mine too."
"Well, yeah."
With no choice, we grabbed a passerby and asked.
The Tang Family is famous, so anyone should know.
"I-I don't know! I don't know!"
But the man I asked waved his hands wildly, claimed ignorance, and bolted.
What? Living in Chengdu and not knowing the Tang Family? That make any sense?
So I asked another man—same reaction.
Another one too.
What's going on? Is the Tang Family some unspeakable taboo now?
As I tried asking yet another person, an old man hobbled toward us.
An elder limping on one leg, leaning on a cane.
Moreover, there were clear traces of him having trained in martial arts. Though his dantian was gone.
He wasn't fully concealing his presence. It was truly absent.
I have solid knowledge in this area, so I could tell for sure.
"I happened to pass by and overheard, but..."
"Please speak, elder."
"You're headed to the Tang Family?"
"Yes."
"I don't know your reasons, but it's best not to go now. In fact, don't go at all unless it's truly urgent."
"What do you mean?"
"Outsiders?"
"Yes."
"You must not be up on local news."
"Indeed."
The old man paused, subtly scanning the surroundings without drawing notice, then lowered his voice.
"If you get tangled with the Tang Family, you won't be able to gain a foothold in Sichuan. So unless it's gravely important, forget it. Seems I've overstepped—I'll be off."
With that, the old man turned to leave.
"Elder, it doesn't matter. If you know the way, please tell us."
I spoke up, and he halted, back still turned.
Then he faced us again, expression inscrutable as he eyed me.
"Why the look?"
"Something you absolutely must do?"
"Yes."
"An appointment?"
"No. But they won't shut the door in our faces."
"How can you be so certain? The Tang Family isn't what it used to be. Just as I tried dissuading you, they'll turn you away too. No desire to draw in randos."
"Doesn't matter. I'll enter the Tang grounds. No one else can handle my business."
"Such confidence—from where?"
"Because it will happen."
The old man glanced over me, Seolha, and Yeonhwa, sighed, and spoke again.
"Follow me."
The old man hobbled off once more.
We trailed him into the back alleys of the streets.
The alleys seemed a maze at first glance.
Narrow paths and wider ones branching every which way—not just sharp right angles, perfect for losing one's bearings.
After trudging through them awhile, he slipped through a red wooden door, and we followed suit.
Inside was a pharmacy.
Or had been—it looked shuttered now.
Herb drawers crammed with small compartments, unidentified pouches dangling from the rafters, decoction pots, mortars, pestles, and the like.
And the faint, lingering herbal scents curiously soothed the mind.
"Wait here a moment."
He shuffled to the herb drawers, opening and shutting a few.
What on earth? As I pondered, a click sounded, and he reached under a lower drawer, pulling something out.
"Take this."
The old man thrust it straight at me.
"What is it?"
"You're going to the Tang Family, right? Deliver this. If they bar entry, say it's from Kang Myeong Pharmacy."
I paused to think upon hearing that.
What could it be? What's the story here?
Anyway, intriguing. Naturally, I accepted it.
Still, some things need clarifying.
"Why not deliver it yourself? And how do you trust me—a stranger—with this?"
"Didn't I say? Tangled with the Tang Family, no foothold in Sichuan. You're going anyway, so that's why. Any other reason needed?"
No real answers. Just repeats.
Doesn't want to talk? Trusts me with an unknown item but won't share the tale?
"This girl is from the Namgung Family. Namgung Yeonhwa."
At my words, Yeonhwa startled, then unveiled her face.
The old man, seeing her, gasped in surprise and smiled broadly.
"Namgung... Haha, you dodged disaster! Thank goodness! Is your father Namgung Kyung, perchance?"
"Y-Yes, elder."
"Kekeke. Right, that's it. I remember now. Hahaha. You look just like back then. Kekeke."
The old man laughed—as heartily as if his own kin had returned.
After a long bout, he finally stopped and regarded us.
"I am Dang Cheol. The current Tang head, Dang Mun-jeong, is my cousin."
As expected.
Running a pharmacy, I figured Tang ties.
Collateral branch, not direct line—I'd guessed that too.
No direct heir would live outside like this.
"I visited Anhui some ten-odd years back. Saw you then... Naturally, no memory on your end?"
"Sorry, elder."
"No need. Tiny lass back then—old coot's face wouldn't stick. All us geezers look alike, eh? Kekeke."
Yeonhwa flushed embarrassedly, and with the mood, Seolha quietly unveiled too.
"Hm? Isn't this girl the playmate with you?"
"You remember her too?"
I asked, and Dang Cheol, beaming, rummaged through memories.
"Namgung Kyung bragged endlessly about his little girl. Enough I'd recall her constant companion. Kekekeke."
Dang Cheol seemed utterly delighted.
Perhaps, in an unglamorous life, this past tie felt profoundly precious.
Makes sense. Tang Family man, trained in martial arts.
But now: no dantian, one lame leg.
Tang manor nearby, yet can't waltz in or even nod acquaintance.
Probably hunkered here, posing as unrelated to hide his identity.
"So, what's your tie to these girls? What bond brings you Tang-ward together? As said, Tang affairs are rocky now. Namgung-related?"
If Tang blood, this simplifies things.
Only knowing Yeonhwa might be one thing, but Seolha too? No deceiver here.
"Elder."
"Speak."
"One question. Your age this year?"
"Age out of nowhere? No secret—I'll declare proudly. Five years past sixty."
"I see. Then I'll call you little brother henceforth. Dang Cheol, was it?"
I switched to casual, and Dang Cheol's eyes bulged, jaw dropping.
Seolha and Yeonhwa matched him.
Ah, right. Never properly shared my age.
A bit shell-shocked?
"W-What!? Little brother!?"
"Me and the girls set up Ink Sword Grove in Chang'an—live there. No title? Just call me Grove Lord."
"What mad jest!? I look that easy in this state?"
He grilled me, yet subtly kept deference.
Probably knows it's no joke.
Just hard to swallow. Happens.
Proving prowess to others ain't easy.
But I've a dead simple method.
100% track record so far, top-tier.
I reached out; a distant herb pouch whizzed to my hand.
Dang Cheol's eyes grew huger. Shock etched deep.
"Hm. Nice aroma. What herb?"
"Bai... Baidan incense..."
"Oh? Baidan, huh. Heard the name only."
"Huh... Haha. R-Really... older than me...?"
"Kowtow in prayer?"
I grinned; he flinched, waving me off.
"No! No! Don't! Lowlifes'll notice!"
"What scares you so, skulking in whispers?"
"Told you! Situation here's rotten! Can't see the great Sichuan Tang Family suffering!?"
"Yeah, fair. Anyway."
I eyed Dang Cheol steadily.
Frail, aged frame; lost dantian; limping gait.
But eyes ablaze with undimmed passion.
The man's flame endured.
Buried in ashes, yet ever-ready to blaze anew.
Kindling fire? My specialty.
Doubly so for dantian-lost souls.
"Dang Cheol."
I murmured his name; he stared, nailed to my face.
"Don't you want your dantian back? Martial arts again? These two lost theirs once—now restored, see."
My words: his widest eyes yet.
Gazing at Seolha and Yeonhwa disbelievingly, they smiled, nodding slow.
"Well? Tempted?"
Dang Cheol looked out of it. Probably life's biggest shock.
Might not even know he's nodding.
Looked that way.