Chapter 233: Scandalous Rumor-1
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 233: Scandalous Rumor-1
"Taoist masters, it seems we’ll have to camp out in the open tonight."
The coachman spoke as he looked back at the Qingcheng Taoists seated behind him.
"Did you not say we would be staying at an inn today?"
Cheongsong asked back, sounding puzzled. Based on the schedule, he had been under the impression they would spend the night in a small nearby village. To suddenly be told they were sleeping outdoors naturally raised his suspicions.
"It seems the sun set faster than I anticipated," the coachman added, his voice thick with apology.
"Hmm, then it cannot be helped. Traveling through the mountains at night is dangerous."
Cheongsong nodded in agreement. Having spent over twenty years roaming Mount Qingcheng, he was well aware of the perils of night travel in the wilderness.
"Damn it."
Beside him, Cheongsu spat out a curse. He was clearly displeased by the sudden, unscheduled outdoor stay.
"If things weren't going to go according to plan, why bother handing out a schedule in the first place?" he demanded of the coachman.
"I am terribly sorry," the coachman apologized quickly.
"I don't want an apology!"
Despite the apology, Cheongsu’s temper showed no signs of cooling. The thought of being forced to sleep outside made his blood boil.
"Enough! Cheongsu, mind your tongue!"
Cheongsong began to scold him for his coarse behavior.
"How can a Taoist of the great Qingcheng Sect be so foul-mouthed? And how is it the coachman's fault that we must camp out? You know as well as anyone how quickly the sun dips below the mountain ridges!"
Cheongsong raised his voice further, reprimanding Cheongsu.
"Shouldn't they have predicted all that before giving us the schedule? How can people who make a living in transport be so incompetent at calculating a timeline?"
Provoked by Cheongsong’s scolding, Cheongsu snapped back defiantly.
"You! You really don't know when to stop! These men may be acting as coachmen right now, but they are martial artists of the Tang Clan. How dare you treat them like mere servants!"
Cheongsong’s voice rose in genuine anger. How could his junior be so incredibly rude? Though they were driving the carriage, these men were official martial artists of the Tang Clan. They were talents who could serve as combatants at a moment's notice. To degrade such individuals as "mere coachmen" was unacceptable.
In truth, the Qingcheng and Emei sects were currently benefiting from the Tang Clan's hospitality. Normally, they should have been taking turns driving the carriages themselves. Cheongsong felt a surge of fury at his junior’s immaturity—the boy was busy complaining instead of being grateful for the consideration shown to them. Was there no end to his arrogance?
"Hmph, 'martial artists of the Tang Clan' acting as mere coachmen... I suppose that says everything one needs to know about the Tang Clan's current state."
Cheongsu continued to sneer in response to the scolding. To him, it was laughable that men who barely looked second-rate were being called Tang Clan martial artists.
"You... you brat! Is this how I taught you?!"
Enraged by Cheongsu’s insolent remark, Cheongsong began to circulate his internal energy. This had gone far beyond a simple complaint. Not only had he insulted the martial artists present, but he had also insulted the entire Tang Clan. If this remark were to get out, it could escalate into a serious political incident.
Slap!
Cheongsong swung his hand and struck Cheongsu across the cheek.
Snap!
Cheongsu’s head whipped to the side from the force of the blow.
"Ugh..."
Cheongsu let out a groan at the stinging pain.
Grind.
He touched his cheek and ground his teeth. The fact that he had been slapped by the Senior Brother he respected so much filled him with bitter resentment.
"Apologize this instant!" Cheongsong roared.
"I... I won't!" Cheongsu shouted back.
He couldn't understand it. What had he done so wrong that he had to apologize? The Tang Clan was the one at fault, so why was he being blamed? Cheongsu glared at Cheongsong with eyes full of perceived injustice.
"What did I do that was so wrong that you had to hit me?!" he screamed, his voice trembling with indignation.
"How can you say you did nothing wrong? You insulted the Tang Clan!"
"What’s so great about the Tang Clan anyway?!"
"What?!"
"Aside from the Clan Head, the Poison King, that woman Dok Seo-si, and that lecherous bastard who goes around seducing young girls who don't know any better, they have no real power!"
"Wh-what did you say?!"
Cheongsong looked flustered by Cheongsu’s sudden outburst. They weren't alone right now. A martial artist of the Tang Clan was sitting right there in front of them. What on earth was he saying?
"Shut that mouth of yours right now!" Cheongsong yelled, his face pale with panic.
"Did I say anything that wasn't true?! Didn't you see it yourself, Senior Brother? That guy, supposedly the Tang Clan's greatest Rising Star, lured away a disciple of the Emei Sect! How can a clan inherited by such a man be normal?"
Cheongsu poured out the thoughts he had been harboring deep inside. He felt a surge of rage. It infuriated him to see his favorite Senior Brother constantly defending such a piece of trash.
"You... you! Shut your mouth!"
Cheongsong was equally furious. His anger was directed at his junior for speaking so recklessly when he was in a position where every word had to be measured.
"Did Young Master Jang not explain that matter himself?!"
"You are far too naive! A young man and woman disappear together in the middle of the night—how can you possibly believe his story?!"
Cheongsu raised his voice even louder, as if wanting to be heard.
"Even so, it is wrong to spout baseless speculation!"
"This is frustrating! The circumstances make everything clear, so why are you protecting him so much?"
"You little...!"
Cheongsong raised his hand again. He felt he had to shut that mouth, even if it meant using force. As Cheongsong’s hand went up, Cheongsu flinched and closed his eyes tight.
"That is enough."
It was then that Cheonggil, who had been watching the situation in silence, finally spoke up.
"Both of you are far too heated. Calm yourselves."
He spoke in a steady tone, looking between the two of them.
"Whew."
Hearing his words, Cheongsong let out a long sigh and slowly lowered his hand. As Cheonggil said, his emotions had become far too volatile.
"Cheongsu."
Once Cheongsong lowered his hand, Cheonggil called out to Cheongsu.
"......Yes."
"I know you are sensitive. And I know the situation is frustrating. However, that does not justify expressing your emotions in such a manner. Have you lost all sense of propriety toward your Senior Brother?"
Cheonggil looked at him with a heavy expression.
"And I have told you time and again to watch your words, yet it seems that habit is hard to break. Do you not realize that insulting the Tang Clan could turn into a political disaster? You are a third-generation disciple of Qingcheng. Do not forget your position."
Cheonggil scolded him quietly but firmly.
"............"
Cheongsu hung his head low. Hearing Cheonggil’s words, he realized just how immature his outburst had been.
"I am sorry, Senior Brother Cheongsong."
Still with his head bowed, Cheongsu apologized.
"Sigh... No, I am sorry for raising my hand against you."
Seeing Cheongsu apologize, Cheongsong also offered an apology. No matter how angry he was, he felt guilty for slapping his dear junior.
"............"
"............"
Silence fell between the two.
"Cheongsu."
Cheongsong called out to him in a calm voice.
"Yes, Senior Brother."
"I know why you were so angry. It must be because of what happened at the inn."
Cheongsong continued in a gentle tone.
"............"
Cheongsu didn't answer, keeping his head down.
"I know you were angry out of concern for me. But you cannot take that anger out on an innocent person."
"I am sorry."
"Offer your apology to the man driving the carriage. Your words must have caused him great distress."
"I am sorry, Great Hero," Cheongsu shouted toward the front.
"N-no, it's quite alright."
The Tang Clan martial artist accepted the apology, looking somewhat bewildered. The process of them fighting, reconciling, lecturing, and then apologizing happened so fast he seemed to have lost his bearings.
"Great Hero."
This time, Cheonggil, who was sitting next to Cheongsu, addressed the coachman.
"Please, speak."
"I offer my deepest apologies for this incident."
Cheonggil bowed his head slightly.
"Oh, no! Please, there's no need!"
As he apologized again, the coachman waved his hands frantically. To a member of a branch family like him, the status of a third-generation disciple of the Qingcheng Sect—one of the Nine Sects—was incredibly high. To have such a person bow to him felt overwhelming.
"We would like this matter to end here, between us, without escalating further," Cheonggil said quietly, looking at the coachman.
"Would that be possible?"
Cheonggil’s voice was so devoid of emotion it felt cold, bordering on chilling.
Gulp.
The coachman swallowed hard. He felt a silent pressure telling him to keep his mouth shut.
"Of course! It is absolutely possible!"
The coachman answered immediately without a moment's hesitation. He had no desire to go looking for trouble either.
"Thank you."
Cheonggil gave a satisfied smile. Of course, he didn't fully trust the man's word, but having intimidated him this much, he likely wouldn't go blabbing to just anyone.
Phew.
The coachman let out a silent sigh of relief. He felt that, somehow, the situation had been settled.
But is it true?
Once his mind was at ease, a question suddenly popped up. He wondered if what the Qingcheng Taoist said was true. Judging by their reactions, it didn't seem like a lie, and his expression began to darken.
It seemed this journey to the North Sea would be filled with many incidents.
*
"Hey, have you heard the story?"
Tang Gan, who was pitching a tent, spoke to Tang Jin, who was holding the ropes next to him.
"What story?"
Tang Jin asked back, tilting his head.
"The story about Young Master Jang."
Tang Gan lowered his voice to a whisper.
"Ah, the gentleman who's joining the Tang Clan as a son-in-law?"
"Yeah, him."
Tang Gan nodded in agreement.
"What kind of person does he seem like to you?"
"Well... he doesn't seem like a bad person. Though I haven't seen him do anything amazing yet."
Tang Jin shared his honest thoughts. A man they had never heard of had suddenly appeared as their superior, but they didn't harbor any resentment. They fundamentally believed in the survival of the fittest, and more importantly, he was the man chosen by their Clan Head, whom they revered like a god. There was no reason to complain.
"Man, you really didn't know."
Tang Gan spoke in a suggestive tone.
"Come on, what is it? Why are you dragging this out?"
Frustrated by Tang Gan’s stalling, Tang Jin thumped his chest.
"Listen. Do you know about Lady Seol of the Emei Sect?"
"Of course. How could I not know someone that beautiful?"
Tang Jin spoke with a dreamy, dazed expression. Even though he already had three children, Seol-hyang’s beauty was legendary, rivaling even that of Tang Seo-yoon. How could he not know her?
"Keep this to yourself. Word is, Lady Seol and Young Master Jang have... hit it off."
"Wh-what?!"
Shocked by Tang Gan’s scandalous revelation, Tang Jin shouted without realizing it. "Hit it off"—that meant he was having an affair. It was impossible not to be shocked.
"Shhh! Quiet! I told you this was just for you to know!"
Tang Gan put a finger to his lips, urging him to lower his voice.
"But does that even make sense? Isn't Young Master Jang the Young Lady's fiancé?"
"That's why I said it's a secret! You can't tell anyone!"
"That's insane! How could he cheat when he has the Greatest Beauty of Sichuan as his fiancée?!"
Tang Jin shook his head. No matter how he thought about it, it seemed impossible. Tang Seo-yoon was called the Greatest Beauty of Sichuan, and some even called her the Greatest Beauty Under Heaven. How could anyone cheat on her?
"Even the Greatest Beauty Under Heaven doesn't mean much if she's not by your side, right? And with Lady Seol's looks, I think it's entirely possible."
Tang Gan looked at Tang Jin with a face full of conviction. Tang Jin, however, still looked deeply skeptical.