Chapter 143
Chapter 143
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 143
Chapter Title: Bandits of the Way (2)
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Seeing Yi Gil-hwan of the Sanseo Golden Carp looking like a corpse from the mountains, Yong-myeong opened his mouth in a tone full of despair.
"H-How did it come to this?"
"It's senility. We couldn't afford a royal physician or the King of Medicine, but all the renowned doctors agreed on it."
"......"
"They say at Father's age, one's vitality changes from day to day."
Watching that sight, I thought to myself.
'Senility, my ass.'
Neither Yi Jung-young nor Yong-myeong seemed to notice it, but in my eyes, I could see thin, black tendrils wrapped around the Sanseo Golden Carp's body like vines.
The old man before me wasn't suffering from senility or an incurable disease.
'Hmm. At this rate, his sobriquet is going to slip out in front of others. I need to consciously think of him as my grandfather.'
Anyway, this was a curse.
A curse that slowly drained his life force, so doctors ignorant of curse-breaking arts would mistake it for senility.
'Well, if a young person were bedridden like this, in these times, even doctors might have considered curses at least once.'
But since the Sanseo Golden Carp was of advanced age, it was reasonable to conclude senility.
His sons, coveting his wealth and influence, might have half-induced or abetted that judgment.
'The culprits are probably the Demonic Cult, as expected?'
I had a rough idea of who was behind it.
Since curses were my specialty, a blueprint for resolving this situation was already forming in my mind.
'The problem is...'
The issue was that the curse on the Sanseo Golden Carp was too outdated.
If it had been the type inscribed with spell patterns like the curses I sealed in talismans, I could have unlocked it right here on the spot.
'But this is such an archaic curse.'
This was a curse crafted painstakingly using a medium like the great-uncle's hair, then activated by placing such items throughout the household.
'Each one has negligible power, but they gather inside the Sanseo Golden Carp's body and finally transform into chains that drain his life.'
To dispel such a curse, one had to destroy each hidden cursed object one by one.
'And to do that, I need to know the locations of those objects, known only to the caster.'
That wasn't impossible, though.
'The Tracing Curse spell.'
There was black magic to track the curse's origin.
'But to use it, I need to smear a drop of my blood on Great-Grandfather's body...'
It was then.
As I pondered these things.
Eon Yong-myeong, who had promised to hold back his leaking emotions, broke that promise.
"That makes no sense!"
He shouted sharply at Yi Jung-young.
"How could someone who was hale and hearty just a while ago suddenly succumb to senility? Does that even make sense?!"
"Whether it makes sense or not, it's happened, hasn't it? And you, who last saw Father two years ago, bring up 'just a while ago'... Hold on, what you're saying sounds like I'm the one who made Father like that?"
Well, I could understand why Yong-myeong was acting out.
'He's the guy who gets the sobriquet Fist of Affection in the original story.'
Witnessing his frail great-uncle dying would snap anyone's reason.
'I heard that in the Sanseo Branch of the Beggars' Clan, the maternal uncles are clashing over inheritance and treatment.'
However, there was no need to provoke Yi Jung-young further, who held the position of Young Manor Lord.
With the Manor Lord—his great-uncle—in that state, Yi Jung-young's word was law in this manor.
"Eut?!"
I grabbed Yong-myeong's neck demonstratively and pressed him down, sending a transmission to him.
[What are you doing?]
[Brother! This really makes no sense! You think so too, don't y—]
[I do. I think someone in the family might have contributed to Great-Uncle's condition. But once Great-Uncle gets up from his seat, it'll all be resolved. Whoever contributed or abetted it, the uncles will pay the price.]
[...Does that mean you have a way to save Great-Uncle?]
[Yes. But if you keep flying off the handle like this, it might get complicated.]
However, Yong-myeong's outburst wasn't entirely bad.
"Eldest Uncle must know Yong-myeong is a sentimental fellow. He's just shocked by Great-Uncle's appearance and can't quite grasp it."
I used silencing Yong-myeong as an excuse to address Yi Jung-young.
"Frankly, Uncle is already the Young Manor Lord—what would you have to gain by harming Great-Uncle? Only idiots with shit for brains would spout such nonsense."
I subtly defended Yi Jung-young.
"Hmph. I thought Yong-myeong was a pushover until now, but when he loses it, he can't even recognize his own uncle. And you, the notorious scoundrel, look decent by comparison."
Then, smoothly, I got to the point.
"With that in mind, would it be alright if Yong-myeong and I each hold Great-Uncle's hand once? That way, he'll realize the reality and calm down."
"Hmmm."
Of course, I didn't stop at mere request; I didn't forget to mention our strongest weapon at this point.
"The elder from the Beggars' Clan who escorted us here—I'm worried Yong-myeong might say something rash in front of him in his agitated state."
At my words, Yi Jung-young reluctantly agreed.
"...Very well. But don't go injecting your half-baked internal energy just because you learned a few moves at the academy. The doctors said it could backfire."
As I approached the Sanseo Golden Carp, while Yong-myeong held the bony hand first, I bit my lip to draw blood and smeared it on my thumb.
Then, I naturally rubbed the Tracing Curse spell onto the Sanseo Golden Carp's palm.
Swipe—
At that, red energy extended from the Sanseo Golden Carp's body and began scattering throughout the manor.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Creeeak—
The door to the rear garden where Great-Uncle lay slammed shut as if it would never open again.
Bang—
At the same time, Yi Jung-young returned Regret to me.
Did he consider that the bare minimum courtesy to kin?
"You saw on the way in, but there are too many guests, so I must attend to business. Ah, with the household in disarray, if you don't want to clash with anyone, don't wander around carelessly and invite suspicion. I'll assign Yun-young to you—stay with him and meet at the evening banquet later. Butler Ban."
"Yes, Young Manor Lord."
"The entourage that came with the nephews is at the Peaceful Rest Hall, right?"
"Yes. I believe the Peaceful Rest Hall Master is hosting them there."
"Escort the nephews there as well. And through the Peaceful Rest Hall Master, invite the great hero Mad Storm Hero and the students who escorted them to the evening banquet."
"Understood. I'll see to it. Young Masters, please follow me."
Yi Jung-young dumped us on a subordinate with feigned nonchalance and walked away.
Watching him go, Master at my waist clicked his tongue.
- Tsk tsk tsk, what a crafty one. I want to slap his cheek, but it's been ages since not having hands felt this frustrating.
'Let it be. That yellow-bellied scheming won't last much longer.'
- Oh ho. Things went well inside, I take it?
'Not well, exactly—it matched my expectations.'
- Expectations?
'Great-Uncle seems cursed. He's not on the verge of death yet, but his life force is dwindling by the moment.'
- ...Damn. When I fixed Ryeon-geum's blocked meridians, I told him to know his place, but how did his Demonic Cult descendants turn out like this? Anyway, it's regrettable.
'Why is Master apologizing? And curses can be lifted.'
- True, you're an expert in curse-breaking arts, Yong-un.
It was then.
How long had we walked, sharing a brief reunion with Master?
Butler Ban from the Sanseo Branch vanished to announce us at the hall bearing the plaque "Peaceful Rest Hall."
Yong-myeong noticed my bitten lip—where I'd drawn blood for the black magic—and mumbled an apology.
"I'm sorry. You held back your anger by chewing your lip like that, while I..."
Yong-myeong's outburst had ultimately helped.
Beyond that, there seemed to be some misunderstanding.
But hearing him pledge to listen better from now on, I simply nodded.
"It's fine."
As I patted Yong-myeong's shoulder.
Clack—
The Peaceful Rest Hall door opened.
A middle-aged man, who resembled Mother from her side family and oddly resembled Yong-myeong and me, hurried over to greet us.
"Nephews, you've arrived?"
"Second Uncle. Long time no see."
"...Long time no see."
"Yong-myeong, I tell you every time not to call me Second Uncle, but you always do. Kwon-young won't like it. Especially now that Father's like that—he's on edge. I'm fine, but I'm worried it'll splash onto you or Yun-young."
"...But how can I casually use Uncle's name."
"Ah, enough. Just call me Uncle Yun-young. Doesn't that feel more friendly? Come to think of it, Yong-un, it's really been ages. Yun-young came to the parental home often, but you were always grounded and couldn't join, right?"
"...Y-Yeah. Something like that?"
"Hahaha. Forgetting your tadpole days? I've heard you're soaring at the academy these days! When your parents visited Taewon and left without you, I kept telling them kids find their own way, so don't worry. That's why I wrote to Uncle Eon recently. See, wasn't I right?"
Unlike Eldest Uncle, who treated us like luggage or leeches, Second Uncle showed the complete opposite reaction.
'He's someone I've never met before, but he has a real talent for making one feel welcome.'
Even if he'd offered jade bedding after the greeting and asked if we wanted to buy, I'd have considered it once.
'Because of his background?'
Yi Yun-young was the second son but born of a concubine.
'Borrowing the Beggars' Sanseo Branch Master's words: a true gentleman, farthest from the succession race, and content to stay on the sidelines.'
Anyway.
Uncle Yun-young, who welcomed us so warmly, asked after Great-Uncle.
"So, how was Father?"
At Uncle's question, Yong-myeong glanced at me.
Without adding anything, he only spoke of what he'd seen.
"He didn't look good."
Meanwhile, I directly asked Uncle Yun-young.
"You're asking us that, when you're in the manor?"
"...Well, after Kwon-young started inviting curse-breakers to heal Father, even I can't enter the rear garden without your Eldest Uncle's permission. And he doesn't grant it easily. Oh dear. But didn't your brother say anything hurtful to you?"
"......"
"Tch. Seeing Yong-myeong's face, I know without asking. My bad. I apologize. Let's drop this and change the mood. Go fetch your classmates."
"Change the mood?"
The suggestion was welcome.
"Yes. Brooding won't make Father get up, and since you've come from Hobuk, you should see Shanshi's greatest landmark."
But I was planning to track the cursed objects from now on, so I furrowed my brow.
"A tour might not be ideal."
Yong-myeong smirked with the brightest expression he'd shown all day.
"You're saying you'll show us around the manor."
"Exactly, top of your class and still a smartass. Forgot already? Emperors have palaces, common houses have manors."
Ah, touring this house? Count me in.