Chapter 867: Sun-woo Has Become King
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 867: Sun-woo Has Become King
Tang Seo-yoon and Tang Jin-seol stared each other down with smoldering intensity.
Neither woman looked away for even a second.
A battle of wills had begun.
After a long, tense silence, Tang Jin-seol finally spoke.
"…I won't… admit to it."
"…Are you truly serious?" Tang Seo-yoon asked, her eyes calm and sunken as she stared back.
"I am innocent, so why should I admit to any charges? It is utterly absurd."
Tang Jin-seol glared at her with venomous eyes as she continued.
"Kyung-ah will be heartbroken. To find out her own mother is such a shameless criminal…"
"Hmph, do you think I’ll yield to such threats?"
Tang Jin-seol scoffed and sneered.
"There is no way you could ever say such things to Kyung-ah. You’re far too soft. For you to drive a stake through the heart of your innocent niece… even a passing dog would laugh at the idea."
A mocking smile spread across Tang Jin-seol’s lips.
She knew her younger sister’s nature all too well. On the outside, Seo-yoon appeared to be a rigid, single-minded martial artist who cared for nothing else, but deep down, she was a gentle soul—kinder and more considerate than anyone.
There was no way such a woman could tell the girl the truth.
"Do you really think I can't?"
Tang Seo-yoon asked, her gaze unwavering. There wasn't a hint of hesitation in her eyes.
"Even if you do, I don't care."
"Are you saying you don't care if Kyung-ah gets hurt?"
"You underestimate Kyung-ah."
Tang Jin-seol grinned.
"She is my daughter. She is a viper who carries the cold-blooded lineage of the Tang Clan. Do you think she’ll just collapse and weep over something like this? No. She will burn with a desire for revenge—against the entire Tang Clan for framing and tormenting her innocent mother."
Tang Jin-seol maintained her cold smile.
"So, tell her whatever you want. It’s a pity she’ll be hurt, but if it becomes the catalyst for her to grow even further, I’m more than willing to accept it."
Her eyes sparkled with a hint of madness.
"You are truly monstrous, Sister."
Tang Seo-yoon looked at her with eyes as cold as the bitter northern wind. Contempt welled up within her at the sight of a woman willing to manipulate even her own daughter’s life for her own ends.
"Monstrous…? I’ll take that as a compliment."
Monstrous.
For a woman of the Tang Clan, what higher praise could there be?
"Sigh… It seems I can't win against you with words."
"Are you just realizing that? You’ve never been able to beat me."
Tang Jin-seol let out a chilling laugh.
"……"
Tang Seo-yoon stared at her in silence.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Then, she began to walk toward her. She didn't stop until they were inches apart.
"From now on, I will show you through actions, not words."
Standing right in front of her, Tang Seo-yoon spoke.
Whoosh—
Slap!
Without a moment's hesitation, she swung her hand and struck Jin-seol across the face.
"Do you think I’ll break under mere violence?" Tang Jin-seol spat, chuckling despite the blow.
"I have no intention of making you break. This is simply me venting my anger."
Slap!
Seo-yoon’s hand struck the other cheek.
Slap!
Slap!
Slap!
She began to rain blows down on both cheeks relentlessly, as if purging all her pent-up frustration.
After a while, blood began to trickle from Tang Jin-seol’s face. Her cheeks had split open under the relentless, heavy strikes.
"…Why? Why stop? Is your anger already spent? What a shallow rage."
Tang Jin-seol began to provoke her with a sickening smile, acting as if the bloody wounds on her face meant nothing.
"I’m stopping because my hands are getting dirty. I have no desire to be stained by your blood any longer."
Tang Seo-yoon flicked her blood-stained hand through the air.
"Heh heh heh… A viper of the Tang Clan shouldn't be afraid of blood."
She began to sneer with a cowardly laugh.
"I’m not afraid. I simply find it repulsive."
Tang Seo-yoon corrected her.
"Keke… There’s no need to make desperate excuses. I already know you have a soft, fragile heart."
Tang Jin-seol continued with her unsettling grin.
"Fragile… You still see me as the child I was. Even though I have grown this much."
"Does a person's nature ever truly change?"
"Then I suppose I must show you. That it can change."
Tang Seo-yoon spoke with a stoic expression.
Grab.
She reached out slowly and placed her hand directly over Jin-seol’s pulse point.
"…What are you planning to do?"
Her pulse point seized, Tang Jin-seol glared at her with venomous eyes.
"Something bad," Tang Seo-yoon replied nonchalantly.
Hummmmmmm—
The aura around her began to vibrate incessantly, forming a green current. This green energy soon concentrated into the hand resting on the pulse point.
The hand where the green energy gathered began to glow a searing red, like iron heated in a furnace.
"You… surely you don't!"
Tang Jin-seol screamed. She realized exactly what her sister was about to do.
"It’s going to hurt."
Tang Seo-yoon spoke with a dry, hollow expression.
Squeeze—
She applied pressure, crushing the pulse point with her hand.
"AAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!"
Tang Jin-seol’s scream tore through the air. A burning agony spread from her pulse point throughout her entire body.
"AAAAAGH!!! Let go! I said let gooooo!!!"
Tang Jin-seol began to thrash wildly, desperate to escape. She begged her to stop the poison from infiltrating her body.
Despite her frantic struggling, Tang Seo-yoon remained unmoved, calmly pressing down on the pulse point to ensure the Scorching Poison seeped even deeper.
"AAAAAAAAAGH!!! I curse you!!! Tang Seo-yoon!!!"
Soon, the torture chamber was filled with nothing but Tang Jin-seol’s agonizing screams.
*
Bang!
"Seo-yoon~"
Yorang burst through the door and stepped inside.
"Ah… You’ve come, Lady Yorang."
Tang Seo-yoon’s face, looking haggard and worn, came into view.
"Is something wrong? You look terrible."
"Ah… yes… I just went to see my sister for a moment…" Seo-yoon replied in a drained voice.
"That crazy bitch?"
"……Yes. She certainly isn't in her right mind."
"Why do you keep going when it exhausts you so much?" Yorang asked, genuinely puzzled.
Every time Tang Seo-yoon returned from seeing her, she looked like a ghost. Just dealing with Tang Jin-seol was enough to grind down anyone’s mental strength. Why did she put herself through it every time?
"…I have to do it. She’s a wicked woman… and if it’s not me, who knows her inside and out, she’ll be too difficult for anyone else to handle."
"Leave it to me! I don't care how wicked or malicious she is, one hit to the temple and she’ll be out cold!"
"Thank you for the sentiment, Lady Yorang."
Tang Seo-yoon smiled softly. She could feel Yorang’s genuine concern for her.
"By the way, how is Kyung-ah’s discipline going?"
"Oh, it’s going well. The kid is a bit sly, but her nature isn't so rotten that she’s beyond hope. She’s mingling with people well enough and listening to what she’s told."
Yorang spoke with a satisfied expression. Since she had smacked Lee Hyun-kyung across the forehead, the girl had become quite obedient. It felt like a successful disciplinary process.
"That is a relief."
A deep smile touched Tang Seo-yoon’s lips. Yorang had a better eye for people than anyone. If she said so, then it seemed Lee Hyun-kyung’s heart hadn't entirely taken after her mother’s.
"Ahem, it’s all thanks to my teaching methods."
Yorang cleared her throat, a subtle hint that she wanted more praise.
"I am truly grateful. If it weren't for you, Lady Yorang, Kyung-ah might never have had the chance to turn over a new leaf."
"Hehehe… It was nothing."
Yorang began to giggle happily. Tang Seo-yoon’s praise always felt good. Since Seo-yoon was someone who rarely relied on others, any compliment from her was undoubtedly sincere.
Hearing Yorang’s laughter, Tang Seo-yoon also let out a soft laugh. For a moment, the office was filled with the pleasant laughter of the two beautiful women.
Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!
Suddenly, someone began to pound on the door with frantic speed.
"Who is it?"
Tang Seo-yoon’s smile vanished instantly as she spoke.
"It’s me, Acting Clan Head."
A very familiar voice answered.
"Come in."
Tang Seo-yoon granted permission immediately.
Creeeeeak—
The hinges groaned as the door opened, revealing a noblewoman dressed in high-quality attire. It was Geum Jeok-hwa, the head of the Cabinet.
"Greetings to the Acting Clan Head and the Head of the Jaegyeong Pavilion."
She bowed politely as she entered.
"Greetings, Madam Geum."
Tang Seo-yoon acknowledged her greeting with a slight nod.
"What brings you here at such a late hour?" she asked, getting straight to the point. She couldn't imagine what would bring her here in the middle of the night.
"I apologize… I have urgent news to deliver, which is why I’ve taken the liberty of disturbing you so late."
Geum Jeok-hwa spoke with a hurried tone.
"Urgent news?"
Seo-yoon looked puzzled. What could be so pressing that she had to come at this hour?
"…I believe it would be faster if you read it yourself."
With that, Geum Jeok-hwa pulled a letter from her robes and handed it to Tang Seo-yoon.
Grab.
Tang Seo-yoon took the letter, looking bewildered. She couldn't understand why the other woman was acting so urgently.
Fwip—
Full of doubt, Tang Seo-yoon unfurled the letter. She began to scan the contents quickly to grasp the situation.
As she read further down the page…
Tremble, tremble, tremble.
Both of her hands began to shake uncontrollably. The information written in the letter was utterly unbelievable.
"Se-Seo-yoon? What’s wrong?"
Yorang asked, looking confused by her reaction. She couldn't understand why Seo-yoon was suddenly acting this way. It wasn't as if she were having a seizure, so why were her hands shaking so violently?
"La… Lady Yorang."
"Yeah?"
"I’m sorry, but could you do me a favor?"
"Just say the word! I’ll do anything!"
Yorang nodded, agreeing readily. She felt there was nothing she wouldn't do for her friend.
"Please gather all the wives in the First Conference Room immediately…"
"The wives?"
"Yes. There is a major announcement regarding Sun-woo."
Tang Seo-yoon nodded, her expression becoming more serious than ever before.
*
First Conference Room
Numerous women were seated, chatting about various things. The atmosphere was incredibly warm and friendly.
"Oh my, Yeon-woo is already taking his first steps?"
Un Ga-ryeo, a noblewoman with a gentle impression, spoke in surprise. She hadn't expected Yeon-woo, who was barely over six months old, to be walking already.
"Is that a big deal?" Yorang asked curiously.
"Of course. Usually, children don't start walking until after they’re a year old."
"Whoa, then our Yeon-woo is amazing!"
"Yes, indeed."
Un Ga-ryeo nodded in agreement.
"Yeon-woo is developing faster than other children… He’s learning to speak quickly and started walking early, too."
Bukgung Yeon began to boast about her child with a bright smile.
"Oh, he can speak as well?"
Un Ga-ryeo, who was sitting next to her, asked in shock. Having raised a child herself, she couldn't help but be amazed. She knew all too well that a six-month-old baby speaking was beyond the realm of a mere genius.
"Yes. It seems he’s already reached the stage where he can perfectly combine words."
"That’s right! The other day, he called me 'Mama Yorang'!" Yorang added with a delighted grin.
"Yeon-woo is truly a brilliant child. You must be so happy, Madam Bukgung."
Un Ga-ryeo spoke in admiration. To think he could already combine words.
"I’m so jealous. He must be at his cutest right now."
"He is my greatest happiness."
"Do you have enough breast milk?"
"Yes, I still have more than enough, so I actually have to express some of it."
"Yeon-woo is lucky he’ll never go hungry, hohoho."
The three women continued their conversation, centered around Yeon-woo.
"Hmm… It seems I’ve finally reached the Mid-Stage, Senior."
Kang Ha-yoon, a peerless beauty with a determined gaze, spoke with a grave expression.
"Congratulations. You’ve finally overcome the wall."
Ok-ryeong, a woman of elegant beauty with skin as white as jade, replied with a soft smile.
"…I’m embarrassed because I haven't completely surpassed it yet."
Kang Ha-yoon blushed slightly.
"Reaching that level at your age is something worthy of praise. You’re doing better than I was."
"…That can't be true. How could I… ever be superior to the Blood Sword Fragrance?"
"Oh, I never tell lies."
Ok-ryeong spoke with a playful expression.
"Have you thought about what kind of 'Will' you want to establish?"
"That’s what I’m worried about… I haven't quite grasped how to approach it yet."
"Hmm… It’s better to keep it simple rather than overthinking it. It’s the process of giving form to what you truly desire. In my case, it was the fastest sword…"
The two women began to discuss martial arts theory. The room was bustling, bordering on noisy with all the lively chatter.
It was in the middle of this lively scene that…
Creeeeeak—
The door opened, and a woman appeared.
A peerless beauty with a stern impression, the Acting Clan Head and the practical power within the Tang Clan.
It was Tang Seo-yoon.
"I apologize for requesting you all to gather so abruptly."
As soon as she entered, she bowed her head in apology. She felt she had committed a discourtesy by calling them so late.
"Not at all. Surely Madam Tang called us because there was a proper reason? Please, don't give it a second thought."
Ok-ryeong raised a graceful hand and waved off the apology. The Tang Seo-yoon she knew was not a rude person who would summon people without cause. She was a meticulous woman who did everything according to proper reason and procedure. If such a woman had gathered them in the middle of the night, there had to be a reason.
"That’s right, young lady. You don't need to worry about us."
"I happened to have plenty of time since Yeon-woo was sleeping. Madam Geum said she would watch over him for me as well."
"I was free too. It’s fine, Seo-yoon!"
The other women began to chime in, agreeing with Ok-ryeong. They all knew Seo-yoon’s thorough nature, so they had no complaints. They were simply curious. They wanted to know why they had been summoned.
"Thank you all for understanding."
Tang Seo-yoon gave a small nod.
"Then, I will get straight to the point."
She looked around at the wives seated in the room and spoke.
"Sun-woo has become King."
She spoke with an incredibly solemn expression.
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
"…Excuse me?"
"…What did you say?"
Upon hearing her words, the wives each let out a bewildered exclamation and tilted their heads. What on earth was she talking about so suddenly?
"Sun-woo has been appointed as a Commandery Prince in recognition of his merit in driving out the traitors."
Tang Seo-yoon spoke again, looking at the wives who all wore expressions of disbelief.
And upon hearing those words, every single one of them looked utterly stunned.
To suddenly become a Commandery Prince… how could such a thing happen?
Their eyes began to shake with pure shock.