Clash Over an Insincere Apology
"And what were you doing here if you're not even from the Suxiang Sect?"
"Huh?"
Why was he suddenly so interested? Suspicion prickled at me until realization dawned, and I answered.
"I wasn't here to disrupt their training or just to goof around. Relax your face a bit."
"...That's not it."
Namgung Ryu-cheong bit his lip, his ears turning faintly red as he replied. I beckoned him to come along.
He didn't budge and asked again.
"So why were you here?"
He looked like he wouldn't move until I answered.
"Ah, I had something to give."
"Give what?"
"A spiritual elixir. I came to give it to Madam Seo. You know the Hundred-Day Pill?"
"Hundred-Day Pill? Why that?"
"Well... I can't take it myself?"
I shrugged casually.
"......"
Namgung Ryu-cheong's face stiffened.
I tilted my head in confusion, then opened my mouth to urge him on.
"Young master, we should hurry to Madam So..."
"How can you be so calm about it?"
"Huh?"
"How are you acting like nothing happened when your dantian is ruined like that?"
Out of nowhere? I scratched my cheek, glancing at his serious face, then at the empty air, then at my toes digging into the dirt.
"Do I really seem that calm?"
He nodded.
How should I respond? After a moment's thought, his clear face suddenly made me want to be honest.
"Mission accomplished, then. I'm trying to look calm."
"What?"
"I'm pissed off, wronged, full of resentment. But what good does freaking out do? Holding onto hope is fine. Clinging to regrets just eats you alive."
"......"
"It's already done."
Words I could never say to Father.
Come to think of it, what did he say to that girl back then?
I let out a deep sigh and turned my head. The good mood from hanging out with the Suxiang Sect disciples deflated in an instant.
A moment later, Namgung Ryu-cheong spoke.
"You..."
He stopped there and fell silent again. Only after a long pause did he continue.
"You don't need to be sad. You're way better than those idiots."
"Huh?"
I tilted my head. What? Was this... comfort?
Did Namgung Ryu-cheong just try to cheer me up?
His cheeks flushed red. It must've been genuine...
"Are you possessed or something...?"
He shot me a sideways glare and started walking ahead again.
"E-even if you comforted me, I don't have any more elixirs now!"
"I never asked."
He replied coolly, quickening his pace. Watching him, my sunken mood lifted as if it had never been, and a little hum escaped my lips.
"Hm hm hmm~"
Deep down, Namgung Ryu-cheong was just so kind.
"Right, did Uncle mention the elixir to you?"
"No."
"Really?"
I figured he'd give the azure crystal oil to Namgung Ryu-cheong.
Parents always want to pass the good stuff to their kids. I'd suspected it ever since Uncle Namgung Wan received it and didn't consume it right away, saving it instead.
Planning to give it bit by bit?
I called out to Namgung Ryu-cheong.
"You should be grateful to me."
"What nonsense is that?"
He glared like I was spouting rubbish.
"No, really! The day will come when you're thankful!"
This time, he didn't even turn around.
* * *
The moment we arrived at Madam So's pavilion, I couldn't believe my eyes.
A pale-faced woman and two boys around ten years old. One face was familiar.
Jang Cheol?
Why was that kid here?
The boy next to Jang Cheol was a stranger.
Namgung Ryu-cheong's expression was rigidly set. He didn't seem surprised, so he must've known about Jang Cheol already.
Madam So reached out to me.
"Ri-yeon, come here."
I masked my bewilderment and approached. She continued softly.
"Sorry to call you so suddenly. Someone wanted to see you. This is Madam Jang."
Madam Jang gave me a faint smile, her pallid face strikingly similar to Jang Cheol's—mother and son, obviously.
I bowed politely.
"I'm Baek Ri-yeon of the Baek family. Pleased to meet you."
"Must've startled you, asking to meet out of the blue."
Madam Jang's voice caught me off guard. Unlike her sickly complexion, her tone was firm, almost like a martial artist's.
At her glance, a maid brought over Jang Cheol and the unfamiliar boy. Jang Cheol looked dragged there unwillingly, while the other beamed cheerfully.
"You've met this one already, I assume. My eldest, Jang Cheol, and this is my second son, Jang O."
Jang Cheol stared at the floor, lips pressed tight.
Jang O, the opposite, grinned and greeted me.
"......"
"Hi. I'm Jang O."
What was this situation? I returned the greeting anyway.
"......Hi."
"......"
Namgung Ryu-cheong beside me glanced at Jang Cheol and Jang O once but said nothing.
Madam Jang spoke.
"O, step back for a moment."
"Yes."
Jang O retreated briefly, and Madam So continued.
"I heard there was a commotion at the market yesterday. Madam Jang came right away today to apologize for it."
"Apologize?"
"Yes."
Really? I looked puzzled. I'd already forced an apology from them at the market yesterday and sent them packing. And yet...
"Cheol."
"......"
Even as Madam Jang scolded him, Jang Cheol kept his mouth shut, face full of grievance. No remorse whatsoever.
Finally, her voice rose.
"Jang Cheol!"
She clapped a hand over her mouth with a handkerchief and hacked deeply. Only then did Jang Cheol speak.
"......Sorry for what I said yesterday."
This wasn't even a proper bow. It felt utterly insincere, but...
Madam Jang looked truly ill, so maybe it was best to let it slide.
As I nodded to accept...
Idiot.
Who just called me an idiot!
There was only one suspect here.
Namgung Ryu-cheong.
Astounded, I turned to him just as he spoke.
"Jang young master, sorry for what, exactly?"
It was Namgung Ryu-cheong.
"Doesn't look sincere at all. What are you even apologizing for?"
"......"
"......"
The room temperature seemed to drop two degrees.
Jang Cheol's face drained white, then flushed red.
Madam So forced a smile, grinding her teeth as she said,
"Ryu-cheong, come here."
"Mother, is this supposed to be an apology? Shouldn't Madam Jang have made sure her eldest son was properly convinced first?"
Madam Jang's eyes bulged, her breathing ragged. Jang Cheol's eyes naturally rolled back in fury.
"Who do you think you are, talking to my mother like that!"
"You're the one who smeared her face, Jang young master."
"What did you say? You little...! Think being a Namgung makes you all that?"
"That's all you've got...?"
"Enough, enough!"
Madam So intervened to stop the fight and scolded Namgung Ryu-cheong.
"Ryu-cheong! It's not your business—why butt in!"
"But..."
"One more word, and I'll throw you out right now! I didn't call you here for this!"
Namgung Ryu-cheong bit his lip, swallowing whatever he'd meant to say. Beside him, Jang Cheol ground his teeth, glaring at Madam Jang with resentment.
"I told you I didn't wanna come!"
Like a sulky child, Jang Cheol bolted from the room.
"Cheol, where are you going! Jang...! Cough, cough!"
Madam Jang's startled cry drowned in coughs.
I stared blankly in the direction he'd fled.
"Madam!"
Madam So's urgent voice drew my eyes to her. The coughing sounded dire—Madam Jang's condition was worse than I'd thought.
"Madam Jang, you should rest and calm down. Take care of your health first."
A faint bloody tang hung in the air. Her illness ran deeper than I'd guessed.
Madam So patted Madam Jang's hand and ordered the maid.
"Take Madam Jang to the side room. Have Jang O rest in another. What about Jang Cheol?"
The maid at the door replied.
"An outer maid followed him."
"Good."
Madam Jang and the second young master were escorted away, and Madam So wearily rubbed her forehead.