Poppy's Gentle Whisper
People were looking for someone. After all, if you received a gift, sampling it on the spot was a sight that, while not exactly proper etiquette, left everyone feeling rather pleased. Cheong popped the poppy leaf steeped in latex into her mouth and chewed. It was bitter at first, then strange. An indescribable, unknown flavor and texture. The preserved leaf never dissolved or broke down in her mouth; it only released a bitter, astringent juice that she sucked out. It wasn't bad enough to spit out, but it wasn't exactly tasty either. Since it wasn't food meant to be enjoyed for its flavor, she supposed there was nothing to be done about it.
She chewed thoroughly, drank down the juice, and swallowed the fibrous remnants with a gulp. How much time had passed? A hazy, medicinal warmth spread through her. She felt oddly buoyant, her heart at ease, and the whole world seemed to drift in soft, fluffy clouds. Cheong wobbled backward on her rear until her back met the wall, then slumped against it, limp and loose-limbed.
In truth, in the Central Plains, poppies were nearly as common as everyday medicine. Their effects were simply too excellent. They reduced fever, relieved indigestion, and stopped diarrhea. On top of that, they eased pain and hunger. There was no other herb in the world quite so miraculous. They were also hardy and easy to grow. It was common practice for common folk to plant a few in their backyards for medicinal use. It was equally common for female martial artists to carry them to prepare for the few difficult days each month. After all, the jianghu was a ruthless forest of blades and swords that showed no consideration for a woman's circumstances. So the other two didn't particularly try to stop her either.
Changbin, as usual, had nothing to say even when he might have, and merely averted his eyes in embarrassment. Paeng Daesan offered a single piece of advice.
“It's not good for a martial artist. You should only use it when you're truly desperate……”
As he spoke, he looked toward Namgung Sinjae. At least, Paeng Daesan thought he was looking at him.
“By the way, how does Brother Namgung know about such things? Enough to carry some around?”
“Hah. Is that a suspicious look in your eye, Brother Paeng? I didn't bring it. Elder Subigu gave it to me.”
“Elder Subigu? Why would he……?”
The Beggars' Union's Disciplinary Elder, Subigu Nugok, was famous for his obsession with secrets.
“When I first met my Sword Friend, well…… she was causing quite the ruckus. I thought to myself, what kind of ferocious woman exists in this world? The Elder must have seen the same thing and thought to give her some poppies.”
“Ah.”
Paeng Daesan's gaze shifted. Ruckus. Ferocious. What exactly had Elder Subigu witnessed to personally prepare poppies for a girl young enough to be his granddaughter?
“No need to look at me with such pity. In the end, I gained such a precious Sword Friend. Isn't that what they mean by 'fortune and misfortune are intertwined'? Isn't that right, Sword Friend?”
“Yeeees. Sword Frieeeend.”
Cheong raised her arm in reply. Poppies were potent by nature. If someone bit into one whole from the start and sucked it dry, of course they would get intoxicated. Normally, when trying poppies for the first time, people would finely chop them or brew them like tea to control the dosage. Paeng Daesan tilted his head.
What was this? She was acting like she'd never chewed poppies before.
“……Don't tell me. You—”
—Honored guests. Dinner has been prepared.
The servant's voice calling the guests cut Paeng Daesan off.
Cheong wasn't drunk. She had inhaled drugs. Strictly speaking, alcohol was also a type of drug, and drugs shared major branches; different branches produced different effects. Alcohol stirred the blood, lifted the mood, and led to hasty judgments. Opium, on the other hand, clouded the mind and provided a dreamlike comfort. Cheong was in an extremely relaxed state as the effects took hold. Just like when she had stayed at the Sinnyeo Sect. And at the Sinnyeo Sect, her behavior had been drilled into her through Seomun Su-rin's sword-flight Nuclear Noogies until it became habit. Habits tended to surface more strongly when the mind was clouded, so it was only natural that Cheong, hazy from opium, would reveal hers.
A light-footed, butterfly-like maiden glided down the path. Paeng Daesan frowned, and Changbin glanced at Cheong. Namgung Sinjae, as always, thought nothing of it. Having already seen every possible side of his Sword Friend, he was content as long as she wasn't being outright repulsive.
Wang Gae-yuk, the master of the Da Jeong Sect, and his children rubbed their eyes. Who was that? Was that the same 'her' from earlier? The woman who had chewed up the refreshments like they were mortal enemies who had murdered her parents. The same wild girl who had looked sleepy throughout their conversation and had even dozed off several times? And now she appeared as a maiden radiating elegance? It was quite the surprise.
Poppies made one forget hunger and induced a sense of fullness. Cheong slowly picked out only the delicious food and nibbled at her leisure. Amidst everyone's astonishment, there was exactly one person whose heart tickled with a different emotion—Wang Son-man, the second son of Wang Gae-yuk. It was because of the guest who smiled brightly and met his eyes throughout the meal.
Does Lady Seomun have feelings for me? It was hard to deny when her gaze was so blatant. Sometimes, when their eyes didn't meet, he wondered if she was focusing on something above his head, but she would quickly look back and offer a lovely smile.
A surge of pride welled up from the depths of Wang Son-man's heart. That's right. It was him! Not his elder brother, but him! Wang Son-man! Not his brother—him!
Proportionally, an uncomfortable air gradually emanated from the Jade Qilin seated beside him. Separate from the anxiety making his heart race at having offended a master, Wang Son-man's nose lifted higher and the angle of his chin rose. The Jade Qilin was too handsome; he probably hadn't even considered rising to the occasion in the first place. Realistically speaking, in this gathering, he—yes, he—was the most charming one here.
While Wang Son-man basked in his sense of victory and Paeng Daesan grew inexplicably more irritated, Cheong was simply content. This was what it meant to feel good just by looking at someone.
-324. What a beautiful number. Regardless of whether the mission window counted civilians as people or not, that bastard was a murim-in, so he was definitely a bad guy. His father had positive karma, his brother had positive karma, and even his constantly displeased younger sister only had –17. It was remarkable that one member of the family alone possessed over three hundred points of negative karma, as if shouting “I'm different!” Above all, she was deeply grateful and proud of him.
She had identified him as a person of interest during the afternoon tea gathering. Later, while listening to stories about the disappearance in her room, she had gotten a feeling. Ah. So it was that bastard! Why use the Da Jeong Sect's name? Because it worked well, of course. If the request came from the righteous Da Jeong Sect and promised a large sum, it would seem less dangerous and reduce the fear of repercussions. But for that to work, one had to be certain the request truly originated from the Da Jeong Sect. And if the second son himself was involved? Of course it would be believable. It was a kind of business card scam. All swindlers thought alike, it seemed. Cheong thought this with her drug-addled, excited mind.
How would this have played out in the game? She might have had to gather companions, find evidence, locate people, and seek witnesses. She might have enjoyed playing detective, shouting “The culprit is among us!” while selling out everyone else's honor—father, mother, grandfather, grandmother—except her own. In most games where you couldn't attack NPCs, they only became hostile after you uncovered the entire plot. Only then could you strike.
But this? Was this a game? Honestly, she didn't know. Did that mean she couldn't attack? No, it didn't. Status window? If you can block it, go ahead and try. Screw that. She would do as she damn well pleased. Even if the dick was gone, she believed a man's soul still had one.
Cheong's smile gradually turned vicious. Fortunately, the catastrophe of a girl overflowing with Heavenly Killing Star energy suddenly spewing killing intent never occurred. The meal ended at just the right time. As everyone rose after eating and headed back to their rooms, Cheong brushed past Wang Son-man and whispered.
“Young Master, I'll be waiting for you past the hour of the Rat at the side gate. Don't be late.”
A snort escaped Wang Son-man's nose.
Cheong even dozed off briefly from the drug's effects and arrived late. Of course, it wasn't her fault at all. The responsibility for her tardiness lay entirely with the uncivilized medieval Chinese primitives who didn't even have clocks in their rooms. Meanwhile, though Cheong didn't know it, the Da Jeong Sect had more than one or two side gates. So Wang Son-man spent the time until the hour of the Rat wandering between the sect's various side gates, his heart burning with anxiety.
Was she toying with me? Thinking about it, there was no reason for her to choose him over the illustrious Heavenly Martial Academy members. Even if she had, there was no reason to bother with the second son when the sect's heir was right there. But that gaze…… What if she was just late because she dozed off?
Thus, Wang Son-man paced for over an hour and a half. In modern terms, that meant he had spent three hours simply loitering around in hopes of getting laid. It was the sorrow of a man.
And finally—
“Ah. Young Master. I'm sorry I'm late.”
“Not at all, my lady. I only just came out myself. No, no, I didn't wait that long…… but it's fine.”
Wang Son-man started to give his usual reply, then realized the oddity and corrected himself. If she had only just come out after being over an hour and a half late, he couldn't say he hadn't waited long. That would make him the late one.
“Um, Young Master. This is a bit embarrassing to ask, but……”
“W-what is it?”
“Is there somewhere nearby where I could shout quite loudly without being heard?”
“Hrk.”
Wang Son-man unconsciously exhaled the breath he had been holding.