Chapter 864: Lee Hyun-kyung Comes to the Tang Clan
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 864: Lee Hyun-kyung Comes to the Tang Clan
In front of the main gate of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
"Yaaaaawn..."
Baek Dang-gi, a gate guard, let out a massive, jaw-splitting yawn. He was utterly exhausted from trying to soothe his son, who had been wailing day and night.
"Tsk, tsk. A fly’s going to fly right into your mouth."
The guard standing next to him, Tang Hun, watched Dang-gi with a look of disapproval before speaking.
"Ah... I’m sorry... Senior... It’s just that... Gyu-a was... crying all night... I couldn't get any sleep..."
Dang-gi spoke with an embarrassed expression. He felt quite sheepish about showing such a lack of discipline during his shift.
"So that little fellow is the culprit who turned you into a zombie, eh?"
"...That’s right... I think the little brat is hell-bent on killing his own father."
"Hahahaha! Don't be so dramatic. Humans don't die that easily."
Tang Hun burst into laughter.
"That’s only because... you haven't experienced it yourself, Senior."
"I have a seven-year-old son myself. Do you think I don't know the agony of childcare? Don't worry. Humans are creatures of habit. Eventually, you’ll get so used to the crying that it won't even bother you."
Tang Hun spoke with a beaming smile. He found the sight of Dang-gi suffering through parenthood quite amusing.
"......Is there no way to make him stop crying... before I 'adapt' to it? Please... share your secrets with me, Senior."
Dang-gi made a solemn, earnest plea. He figured that since Tang Hun had a seven-year-old, he might have some effective parenting strategies.
He was desperate. Because of his wailing son, he had only managed to sleep barely four shijin over the last three days. He hadn't even slept three hours a day. At this rate, he was certain his lifespan was being shaved away. He had no choice but to be desperate.
"How long has it been since Gyu-a was born?"
"It’s been two months now."
"Then there’s no way. Just give up."
Tang Hun spoke with a firm, decisive expression.
"......Aren't you being a bit too blunt?"
Dang-gi replied with a look of disappointment at the cold response.
"It can't be helped. A baby crying is simply the way of the world."
"Does it really have to be... 'the way of the world'?"
"Think about it. When you want to express a thought, don't you use words or actions?"
"I do."
"But a baby has no means of expression at all. So they have no choice but to cry. They're saying, 'Look at me.' That’s why they cry every single time."
".............."
Dang-gi fell silent. Hearing it put that way, it didn't seem entirely wrong.
"So, just endure it. It’s all part of the natural order."
"....Sigh.... I guess I should start by teaching him how to talk."
Dang-gi let out a deep sigh. He thought things might get better if the child could at least speak.
"Hahahaha! Give it a try. Though it’ll take at least another year."
".....It takes that long!?"
Dang-gi asked, looking shocked.
"Well, it varies from person to person, but that’s usually how long it takes."
"......Good grief."
Dang-gi looked devastated. Despair washed over him at the thought that he would have to suffer for at least another year.
"Tsk, tsk. Did you think learning to speak was easy? You’re looking down on language way too much..."
Tang Hun clicked his tongue.
"..........Still... isn't a year way too long?"
"What do you mean, long? You grew up the exact same way."
".....I heard that... Young Master Yeon-woo... is only six months old... but he already speaks quite well..."
"Well, isn't that because Young Master Yeon-woo was born with the bloodline of a great hero? It’s nonsense to even try to compare him to a normal case."
".......Bloodline really is important, isn't it?"
"Of course. There’s a reason people talk about the power of a bloodline."
"I guess the saying that 'nobility isn't hereditary' is all a lie."
"Naturally. Isn't that just something people say to comfort themselves? The seeds of kings and nobles are already decided. You have to be born a king to become a king."
"Suddenly, I feel depressed..... To think I could only pass down an ordinary bloodline to Gyu-a..."
"Don't be so gloomy. Even if you can't pass down a bloodline, you can pass down wealth, can't you?"
"I guess I’ll have to work like a madman for my son’s sake."
"That’s a good mindset. Hahahaha."
The two gate guards continued their cheerful banter.
Step. Step. Step.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps reached their ears. The two guards, who had been chatting, quickly turned their heads toward the source of the sound.
There, they saw an intellectual-looking young woman walking toward the main gate.
Tang Hun stepped forward and blocked her path.
"How impudent. Do you have any idea who I am?"
The woman spoke with a frown. She seemed highly displeased that Tang Hun had dared to block her way.
"The Tang Clan strictly forbids the entry of unauthorized outsiders."
Tang Hun spoke with a stern expression.
"Outsider? Do I look like an outsider to you?"
"If you are not an outsider, you may identify yourself."
Tang Hun spoke in a calm tone.
"I am Lee Hyun-kyung."
She looked at Tang Hun with cold, steady eyes.
"I am the niece of the current Clan Head, the Poison King, and a direct descendant carrying the true blood of the Tang Clan. Do I still seem like an outsider to you?"
She glared at Tang Hun, her gaze sharp and composed.
"........If you are Lee Hyun-kyung..... then you are the daughter of Lady Tang Jin-seol... who married out..."
Beside him, Dang-gi gasped and began to stammer. He knew the name Lee Hyun-kyung. How could he not? She was a descendant of the Tang Clan, carrying the direct bloodline.
"Fortunately, it seems you aren't entirely ignorant. Now, move aside. I must have an audience with the Clan Head."
She glared at Tang Hun with a frigid gaze. However, Tang Hun remained rooted to the spot, unmoving.
"Um.. Senior... maybe we should... let her through.."
Dang-gi whispered cautiously to Tang Hun. He felt that blocking her path any further would be a grave insult.
".......I must report this to my superiors first. Please wait a moment, My Lady."
Tang Hun spoke in a low, calm voice.
"Are you telling me to wait patiently at the gate until permission is granted? Me, a direct descendant of the Tang Clan?"
Lee Hyun-kyung knit her fine brows.
"That is correct."
"Do you perhaps not know who I am?"
"Of course I do. How could I fail to recognize a descendant of the Tang Clan who carries the direct bloodline?"
"Then I am puzzled. Why do you refuse to open the way?"
"Though you carry the direct bloodline, My Lady, you are technically an outsider who carries the surname Lee. The entry of an outsider is a matter that requires permission from above."
"I am an outsider?..... Me, who carries the direct bloodline?"
Lee Hyun-kyung looked at him as if he were speaking nonsense. How could someone with the direct bloodline be considered an outsider? It was a complete contradiction.
"Do you not use the surname Lee, My Lady? Therefore, you are an outsider."
"A mere gate guard has no authority to make such a judgment."
"I do. The authority to guard this gate has been entirely entrusted to me."
Tang Hun replied calmly.
"You are quite arrogant."
Lee Hyun-kyung’s face began to contort. The thought of being ignored by a mere gate guard filled her with uncontrollable rage.
"If I have seemed arrogant, I apologize."
"I don't need an apology. All I need is for you to get out of my way this instant."
"As I have said repeatedly, I cannot do that."
Tang Hun shook his head, refusing her.
"Your opinion doesn't matter."
Lee Hyun-kyung tried to brush past him.
Swish.
Tang Hun quickly raised his arm and blocked her, preventing her from passing.
"You cannot!"
He raised his voice, his expression turning stern.
"Take your hand off me!"
Lee Hyun-kyung’s voice rose in anger. Her patience had reached its absolute limit.
"I will not!"
A heated argument broke out between the two, their voices clashing.
'What do I do... this is... this is going to end badly, isn't it?'
Dang-gi watched the scene with anxiety. He had a feeling that another disaster was about to strike.
Slap!
And his ominous premonition was spot on. Tang Hun was suddenly struck across the face.
Flick.
Tang Hun’s head snapped to the side from the force of the blow.
".....Impudent..... Didn't I tell you to move? Do you find me amusing? How dare a mere gatekeeper block my path? Has my bloodline become a joke just because my father passed away?"
She glared at Tang Hun with cold eyes, her words sharp as needles.
"I may use the surname Lee, but the blood of the Tang Clan flows through my veins. I suggest you remember that fact."
Lee Hyun-kyung spoke in a haughty tone. She then attempted to walk past him again, thinking that this lecture was sufficient.
Swish.
However, Tang Hun raised his hand once more to block her.
"I do not allow... the entry of outsiders without permission."
He looked at her with eyes that remained as firm as ever.
"You persistent fool!"
Seeing this, Lee Hyun-kyung’s face flushed with rage, and she raised her hand again. She intended to slap him across the face once more.
Grab.
But her intention was thwarted. Someone had clamped down firmly on her hand.
'What!?'
Startled, Lee Hyun-kyung quickly turned her head to see who was holding her.
There, she saw a woman so beautiful that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her a peerless beauty.
'Wh-when did she!?'
Lee Hyun-kyung’s face turned pale. Fear surged through her at the realization that someone had gotten behind her without her even noticing.
"Who are you? Lick."
The woman spoke as she licked a bright red tang-gwa with her delicate tongue, her gaze filled with curiosity.
"L-l-let go of my hand!"
Lee Hyun-kyung tried to shake her off, looking flustered. But it was useless. No matter how much she struggled, there was no sign of the grip loosening.
"What’s the deal? Why are you playing around slapping my boys?"
Crack.
The woman slightly twisted her grip, wrenching the wrist.
"Aaaaagh!"
Thud.
Lee Hyun-kyung fell to her knees, letting out a scream. The twisting of her wrist had delivered an unbearable amount of pain.
"I... I am... Lee... Lee Hyun-kyung... I am Lee Hyun-kyung... Lady Hero!"
Lee Hyun-kyung spoke in a frantic tone. She was terrified that her arm might be completely snapped if this continued.
"Lee Hyun-kyung?"
The woman tilted her head as if she didn't know the name. It was the first time she had heard it.
"Lady Lee Hyun-kyung is the daughter of Lady Tang Jin-seol!"
At that moment, Dang-gi, who had been watching in silence, hurriedly spoke up to reveal her identity. He couldn't just stand by and let a disaster unfold.
"Ah, really? I thought I smelled something familiar."
The woman began to nod as if she understood. There was a reason she had smelled something familiar.
"That’s right!... My... mother is Tang Jin-seol!... My uncle is... the Poison King, Tang Jin-cheol... So... please... please let go of my hand, aaaaagh!"
When the woman seemed to recognize her, Lee Hyun-kyung began to plead desperately. The pain in her twisted wrist was only growing more intense.
Slide.
Upon hearing those words, a deep smile spread across the woman’s lips, and she released the arm.
Rub, rub, rub.
"Ugh..."
Lee Hyun-kyung quickly massaged her released wrist to dull the pain. A horrific throbbing was radiating through her entire arm.
Wham!
Suddenly, a dull thud echoed from her head, and Lee Hyun-kyung’s eyes began to roll back. Without warning, the woman had struck her squarely in the temple.
"Guh... uuuugh."
Thump.
Her body collapsed onto the ground. She had been knocked out cold.
"H-Head of the Jaegyeong Pavilion!!?... What... what is the meaning of this?!"
Seeing this, Dang-gi asked her with a look of utter bewilderment. What on earth was she doing, striking her so suddenly?
"Ah, I hit her unconsciously."
Yorang, the Head of the Jaegyeong Pavilion, spoke with a blank expression.
"Who on earth strikes someone in the temple 'unconsciously'?"
"When I looked at her face, I just felt this strange urge to whack her in the temple... so I did."
Yorang scratched her head sheepishly. Looking at the girl’s face had reminded her of Tang Jin-seol, which had annoyed her. Her fist had simply reacted to that annoyance.
"This is bad! The Clan Head will surely be furious."
"The Clan Head?"
"Isn't the Clan Head famous for doting on his niece? Even if the Cheonmu Alliance is gone, his affection for his niece wouldn't have vanished."
Dang-gi spoke with a serious expression. Tang Jin-cheol, having no daughter of his own, treated Lee Hyun-kyung like his own child. If news reached him that she had been beaten like this, his rage would be certain.
"You don't have to worry about that. He won't be mad."
Yorang waved her hand dismissively.
".......Pardon?"
"The Clan Head loves me waaaaay too much. He won't get angry over something like this."
Yorang’s eyes sparkled like starlight. Her gaze was filled with absolute certainty.
"So you can rest easy and get back to your duties."
Yorang spoke as if it were no big deal.
Grab.
She then slowly reached out, grabbed the unconscious Lee Hyun-kyung by the scruff of the neck, and hoisted her up.
"....I’ll take this one to the Clan Head myself.... It’ll be uncomfortable for her to keep lying on the ground like that."
Then, without a hint of hesitation, she turned around and began to walk inside.
Dang-gi and Tang Hun watched her retreating back with blank stares.