Chapter 408: Rumors Spread.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 408: Rumors Spread.
A strange rumor began to circulate throughout the Central Plains.
It was the news that Jang Sun-woo—the disciple of the Poison King who had made even the Dragon and Phoenix tremble—had committed an act of infidelity and broken his engagement with Dok Seo-si.
Those who first heard the rumor scoffed.
To them, it seemed utterly preposterous.
Jang Sun-woo was an outsider who used the Tang Clan’s martial arts without even bearing the Tang surname. How could such a man possibly break off a betrothal with Dok Seo-si?
It was an unthinkable rumor.
However, the news that followed only added more credibility to the story of the broken engagement.
Lee Ye-seol’s camp had released their list of supporters, and Jang Sun-woo’s name was right there among them.
Upon hearing this, the people were struck with utter shock.
The general consensus was that Jang Sun-woo had dumped Dok Seo-si to hook up with Lee Ye-seol.
For a martial artist who was supposed to value his sect and master, this was an unthinkable betrayal. How could he choose Lee Ye-seol over Tang Jin-seol, whom the Tang Clan supported?
And to do so by breaking his engagement with Tang Seo-yoon, the precious daughter of the Tang Clan?
Countless people were aghast, and soon, they all began to badmouth Jang Sun-woo and Lee Ye-seol in unison.
Lee Ye-seol was despised as a wicked temptress who had seduced a man with a fiancée to bring him under her wing. Jang Sun-woo was branded a depraved traitor who had betrayed his master and his sect for the sake of lust.
The names of the two were on everyone’s lips, the subject of ceaseless gossip.
*
"Hmm."
Tang Jin-seol was sipping tea with a relaxed expression.
"Exquisite."
After savoring the tea, Tang Jin-seol let out a sigh of admiration.
Waking up early, taking a leisurely bath, and enjoying this single cup of peace was the only "drug" allowed to her in her fiercely competitive life.
How could she not marvel at it?
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Madam Tang!"
Suddenly, a frantic voice calling her name erupted from behind the door.
Hearing it, Tang Jin-seol’s brow furrowed deeply. She felt as though her one moment of permitted peace had been violated.
"Who is it?"
"It’s... it’s Tang Yeon!"
The person knocking was apparently her confidant, Tang Yeon.
"Come in."
Tang Jin-seol immediately regained her composure and spoke in a calm tone.
Creek—
"I greet Madam Tang!"
As soon as permission was granted, Tang Yeon threw the door open and bowed.
"What is the meaning of this rudeness so early in the morning? Is this how I taught you? Do you not realize that for someone bearing the Tang name to show such lack of etiquette is to smear the reputation of the Tang Clan itself?"
"I-I’m sorry! But this is so urgent, I had no choice."
Tang Yeon apologized hastily, her face flushed red. She seemed overwhelmed with shame at Tang Jin-seol’s scolding.
"No matter the situation, never forget your manners. You are a proud blood relative of the Tang Clan," Tang Jin-seol continued calmly.
"Yes, ma'am."
Tang Yeon nodded slightly before speaking.
"So, what on earth happened that made you forget your manners and come rushing here?" Tang Jin-seol asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
"It’s a disaster. Lee Ye-seol’s side has released their list of supporters!"
"How is that a disaster? There are still two or three months left until the contest, but what’s the problem with them making an announcement?"
Tang Jin-seol spoke, still maintaining her relaxed expression.
At first, she had been internally tense, thinking it was something truly serious. But hearing the actual news, she felt deflated. What was so special about a list of supporters?
If anything, it was something to mock them for—their sheer impatience.
With two or three months left until the succession contest, releasing a list of supporters this early was incredibly foolish. It gave her plenty of time to pressure or sabotage those supporters.
She understood the desire to make a mark, but it was a premature move.
"The announcement itself isn't the problem! The problem is the person on that list!"
"Why? Did they manage to recruit some geniuses from the Nine Sects?"
Despite Tang Yeon’s fuss, Tang Jin-seol remained composed. She felt no sense of crisis. She wasn't afraid of whoever might support Lee Ye-seol.
After all, she had Jang Sun-woo—the man called the future World’s Greatest Martial Artist—on her side. What was there to fear?
"They say Jang Sun-woo has joined Lee Ye-seol’s side!"
"…What did you say?"
Tang Jin-seol asked back, her expression one of utter incomprehension.
"They say the three characters of Jang Sun-woo’s name were written clearly on the support list!"
"What kind of nonsense is that!"
Tang Jin-seol’s face contorted as she screamed.
"It must be someone with the same name! How could a martial artist of the Tang Clan support Lee Ye-seol?"
"I thought it might be a namesake at first, too… but they say it’s definitely the Tang Clan’s Jang Sun-woo."
"Wh-What…!?"
Tang Jin-seol began to stutter. She simply couldn't wrap her head around it.
How could such a thing happen? Jang Sun-woo standing behind Lee Ye-seol?
He was the representative martial artist of the Tang Clan and the fiancé of her youngest sister, Tang Seo-yoon. How could such a man support Joo So-yang instead of her?
‘No! Something is wrong!’
She denied it. She had to.
Jang Sun-woo was a figure who embodied the will of the Tang Clan. If such a man stood behind Lee Ye-seol, it would mean the Tang Clan itself supported Lee Ye-seol, which was impossible.
The Tang Clan, with its insular, bloodline-centered mindset, would never betray her, a direct relative.
"This makes no sense! He is Seo-yoon’s fiancé!"
Tang Jin-seol’s voice rose, her face turning venomous.
"Send a carrier pigeon to the Tang Clan immediately! Right now!"
Tang Jin-seol glared at Tang Yeon, her face twisted like a vengeful demon.
"…Understood."
Tang Yeon replied, her entire body trembling. She seemed paralyzed by the murderous aura radiating from the woman.
"Go, now!"
"Y-Yes!"
Tang Yeon bowed quickly, turned on her heel, and scrambled out of the room.
Once she was gone, Tang Jin-seol began to bite her nails incessantly, looking like someone consumed by anxiety.
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
‘No… something… something must be wrong…!’
Tang Jin-seol gnawed at her neatly manicured nails, repeatedly denying the reality. She told herself that there had to be some mistake.
The image of the noble lady leisurely enjoying her tea had vanished. In her place remained only a woman shivering with unease.
*
"Ha."
Lee Jae-won let out a hollow laugh as he stared at a letter. The information written on it was simply unbelievable.
"Is what’s written here truly the will of the Heavenly Moon Palace?"
Lee Jae-won spoke with a dazed expression.
"It is. It bears the official seal of the Heavenly Moon Palace Master," replied Zhuge Tan, the Head of the Bi-yeon Pavilion.
‘Wow… that’s insane.’
Lee Jae-won marveled inwardly. The news was so radical that "insane" was the only word for it.
"To think Jang Sun-woo would actually betray the Poison King."
"I was also quite taken aback by the news. Was there really nothing between them that could have caused such a rift?"
"What do you think, Head of Bi-yeon Pavilion?" Lee Jae-won asked, looking curious.
"Hmm… one could make several inferences, but… the most likely reason… seems to be, well… a matter between a man and a woman."
The Head of Bi-yeon Pavilion spoke with an embarrassed expression.
"Are you saying my Ye-seol seduced Jang Sun-woo?" Lee Jae-won asked, his expression turning stern.
"According to the rumors, Jang Sun-woo broke his engagement with Tang Seo-yoon. And immediately after, he declared his support for the Young Lady. Given the circumstances, one can only assume there is some sort of relationship."
The Head of Bi-yeon Pavilion delivered his deduction based on the intelligence.
"Hmm…"
Lee Jae-won’s expression turned grave. He found the man’s words logical.
"Hah."
Lee Jae-won sighed again. Even thinking about it now, it felt absurd. He never imagined that his seemingly innocent and stiff-necked daughter would actually seduce a man like that.
‘They say it’s always the quiet ones who are the first to misbehave… and you’re the perfect example.’
Lee Jae-won clicked his tongue inwardly.
‘What a waste… such a waste.’
He felt a pang of regret. Lee Jae-won had been planning to "taste" his daughter’s virginity himself, perhaps under the guise of an accident, whenever the opportunity arose.
Thinking that such an opportunity had been snatched away made him feel a genuine sense of loss.
‘I wanted to give her that sex education personally.’
Lee Jae-won licked his lips in regret. Lee Ye-seol, with her slender frame and perfectly sized breasts, had a body that was very much his type.
The thought that he had missed out on tasting her by a hair’s breadth was disappointing.
‘Bye-bye, pretty pussy.’
Lee Jae-won bid a mental farewell to Lee Ye-seol’s beautiful pussy. His interest in her had plummeted now that he assumed she was no longer a virgin.
"First, we must verify the facts," Lee Jae-won said in a calm tone.
"I will send a letter to the Tang Clan immediately."
The Head of Bi-yeon Pavilion bowed slightly toward him, then turned and left the office.
Lee Jae-won watched his retreating back for a moment before turning away, sinking into deep thought. The sudden variable of Jang Sun-woo’s defection gave him much to consider.
‘I was going to play it safe and lean toward the Tang Clan’s side… but this changes everything.’
Lee Jae-won mused. It seemed things in this world rarely went according to plan.
After betting on the Poison King, he had intended to throw his weight behind the Tang Clan. Jang Sun-woo’s desertion was a completely unforeseen outcome.
‘There’s always one little shit who trolls as soon as people get together.’
Lee Jae-won frowned deeply, lost in thought. He felt the need to revise his plans to some extent.
A heavy silence began to settle over the office.
*
Slam!
The door flew open, and Lee Ye-seol, dressed in white, appeared. She looked extremely agitated, her face flushed with excitement and anger.
"What are you doing here?"
Sun-woo, who was sitting with his legs up on the desk, spoke as he looked at her.
"What is the meaning of this!" she shouted, glaring at him.
"What is what?" Sun-woo replied indifferently.
"Why did you spread such a rumor!"
"What rumor?"
"Don't play dumb! You spread the rumor that you and I are having an affair!"
Lee Ye-seol continued, her expression one of disbelief. She was currently furious. Because of the rumor that she had seduced a man with a fiancée, her reputation had hit rock bottom.
"I didn't."
"Then why on earth did the rumor turn out like this!" Lee Ye-seol yelled, her voice rising.
"How should I know?" Sun-woo countered, acting as if he had no idea.
"Eeeeeeek!"
Whether it was his annoying attitude or the situation itself, Lee Ye-seol let out a frustrated cry.
"I really don't know. I did say I committed an act of infidelity, but I didn't say a single word about who it was with."
Sun-woo protested, sounding somewhat aggrieved himself. He had indeed spread the rumor that he was dumped for being unfaithful, but he hadn't mentioned the other party at all.
He didn't want to mention Commandery Princess Gyeonghwa and risk offending the Imperial Family, nor did he want her name to be dragged through the mud of public gossip.
"That’s the problem!" Lee Ye-seol shouted. "Because you didn't reveal who it was, I’m the one taking the fall!"
"Ah… is that so?"
"It’s not just 'is that so,' it’s a fact! What are you going to do about it? My reputation is in the gutter right now!"
Lee Ye-seol argued, feeling utterly wronged.
She had every right to be. She had lived her life carefully, guarding her body and mind for the sake of a strategic betrothal. But in an instant, she had been transformed into the world’s greatest temptress—all because she had announced the disgraced Jang Sun-woo as her supporter.
If she had actually committed some act of infidelity, she wouldn't feel this cheated. But she was a woman who had never even properly held a man’s hand. From her perspective, it was infuriating.
"There’s nothing I can do, is there?" Sun-woo asked her shamelessly. "You’re the one who released the supporter statement."
"I thought you had already cleared things up with your mistress!"
"Then it’s your fault for announcing it without checking properly, isn't it?"
"Common sense dictates that you should have clarified those facts beforehand!"
"I have my own reasons for that," Sun-woo said with a calm face.
"Clarify it immediately!"
"Clarify what?"
"The rumor that you and I are in a relationship!"
"You can just do it yourself."
"The public isn't going to believe me that easily!" Lee Ye-seol snapped, her voice rising.
She was already frustrated to death, and his continued lack of cooperation was making her blood boil.