Chapter 76
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Friend from the Tang Family (3)
"Mind if I sit?"
At my question, Dang Ok-gi pointed at her own face with her index finger and opened her mouth.
"You talking to me?"
"Who else is here besides you?"
With all the first-year students from the four great dorms gathered in one place, there were plenty of people around.
But Dang Ok-gi's surroundings were spaced out like she was social distancing—empty seats in front and on the sides.
Whether she was starting to notice the gathering stares or whether she was drawn by the savory aroma of braised pork wafting through the air, who could say.
In any case, Dang Ok-gi nodded reluctantly with a sour expression.
"Sure."
I set the Sichuan-style braised pork between us and pulled out a chair to sit.
In the meantime, her gaze had locked onto the braised pork that I'd specially asked Chef Jusa Gogo to make extra spicy—the stir-fried pork belly cooked in the Sichuan style.
Gulp.
Even as she unconsciously swallowed hard, the moment I settled into my seat, she pulled a straight face, furrowing her brow in feigned haughtiness.
"Why are you talking so casually?"
Oh, right—we hadn't exactly agreed to drop the formalities yet.
Recalling the original Dang Ok-gi on the way here, I'd gotten a bit heated when that Yun Hyuk punk blocked my path and tried to deal with him, and it must've slipped my mind.
But it didn't matter.
Dang Ok-gi was the type to bristle at formal speech and etiquette anyway.
And strictly speaking, it wasn't like we hadn't agreed to it.
'When Jeon Gal Seolji came to the inn proposing a wager that made sense to us.'
In the heated moment, Dang Ok-gi had spoken to me casually first. When I pointed it out, she'd flustered and insisted I do the same.
'Before Jeon Gal Seolji and Jeong Hyeon's duel began, I'd deliberately drawn a line during that minor incident to clarify right and wrong.'
So I had grounds to say it.
"Back at the inn, you were the one who suggested speaking casually first."
At my words...
Dang Ok-gi's face cracked for a moment as realization dawned.
"Did I...? Come to think of it, maybe I did?"
"No 'maybe' about it—you definitely did."
"......"
But she quickly composed herself, crossed her arms, and spoke again.
"Anyway! I overheard you talking with Senior Yun Hyuk up there a bit ago. Something about having business with a friend from Fragrant Orchid Hall? We're not exactly close enough to call friends, but since I suggested dropping formalities first, fine. So, what's your business with me?"
My business was obviously the Thousand Poison Pill.
'And as a bonus, building rapport to prepare for future troubles.'
But I couldn't bring that up right away.
To put it metaphorically, Dang Ok-gi was like a wounded wild beast.
Starting off with talk of the Thousand Poison Pill would make her bare her claws and lunge or retreat into a dark cave.
So instead, I pointed at the braised pork to change the subject.
"Azure Bamboo Hall's signature drink is Bamboo Leaf Green Liquor. Not sure if you've tasted this stuff, but assuming you haven't—it's sweet and kills the flavor of most side dishes."
"And?"
"That's why I asked Chef Jusa, who I know well, to prepare some spicy Sichuan-style braised pork."
"And?"
Dang Ok-gi grumbled but still listened intently.
Seeing her like that, I chuckled inwardly.
'Alright, here comes the technique.'
"You know how Sichuan cuisine has that tongue-numbing kick that only true foodies appreciate? I was thinking I had no one to share it with, and Sichuan naturally brought the Tang Clan to mind."
The technique was the Sichuan Tang Clan uppercut.
- Huh? The Tang Clan of Sichuan came up first? Not the Qingcheng Sect or Emei Sect?! Qingcheng, okay, but the head of Righteous Martial Academy is an Emei nun!
Master was right.
When I first read wuxia novels, the "Sichuan" in "Sichuan Tang Clan" made me think the Tang Clan was top dog in the region.
But the more you learn, Sichuan was packed with powerhouse sects.
'Emei Mountain and Qingcheng Mountain, bases of the Nine Great Sects' Emei and Qingcheng.'
With the Murim Academy's sword genius setting, the Jeon Gal Clan had its main house in Chengdu, Sichuan, and branch in Yongzhong, Hubei, so they counted too.
But I praised the Tang Clan above them all.
Not crudely as "Sichuan Tang Clan," but delicately as "Tang Clan."
In this world's lore, that was the kind of line that'd make any Tang Clansman feel a secret thrill.
And sure enough...
Twitch twitch.
Her lips quirked up involuntarily at my words.
I swallowed a laugh and continued.
"Well, you're the only Tang Clansman I know."
But ignoring her twitching lips, she shot back sharply.
"Hmph. Liar. You've got some ulterior motive, don't you?"
Like catching a frog while the cow backed up, she'd pierced the truth, but I didn't fluster and replied.
"Yeah, there's more to talk about, but let's eat first. You know it gets bad if it cools. Festival's in full swing—hard to reheat."
"...Fine. Sichuan food does lose its edge when cold."
She nodded in agreement but only gulped saliva.
No chopsticks yet.
Seeing that, Master tsked from my waist pouch.
- That Tang kid's acting like that 'cause she's worried I poisoned the food?
'Yeah, seems like it.'
- What a suspicious brat! Even when you bring it to her! Argh! Don't eat it then!!!
Master fumed, but I already knew the Tang Clan's folk were paranoid by nature, so I understood.
More than understood—I felt a twinge of pity.
'Just following her clan's training, but to other students, it's prime behavior to hate.'
There were grounds for suspicion here too.
This wasn't festival fare—it was special stuff I'd brought.
So I got it.
But understanding didn't mean letting it slide.
'Gotta rack up that debt of gratitude.'
To do that, I picked up my chopsticks first and spoke.
"Tch. Last time they barged into someone else's inn, they herded people like demons and flashed every poison needle they had. Now I bring hometown food to share, and you're side-eyeing it like it's poisoned. Guess you're right—we're not really friends, Dang Ok-gi."
Her face flushed beet red like a ripe persimmon.
Debt duly incurred.
I speared some braised pork.
"Good now? Oh, the liquor might be poisoned too."
I poured and downed a shot of Bamboo Leaf Green.
That was enough for her debt.
I nudged the plate her way.
"No regrets—try it. It's killer. Whatever, if not, more for me."
Then I ignored her pointedly and ate in silence.
Chomp.
Wounded beasts act like that.
They won't touch snacks offered to help until you look away—then they creep out.
"Whoa, spicy. That's the Sichuan taste."
Dang Ok-gi was no different.
After I proved it safe...
And filled my belly like take it or leave it...
Her chopsticks finally moved.
Chomp.
One bite.
Chomp chomp.
Two bites.
How long had her chopsticks been busy?
Hic.
Tears welled in her eyes—overwhelmed by the Sichuan flavors or emotion, hard to tell.
- Disciple... she's crying...
'Yeah... weird.'
It was unexpected.
After all, the original Dang Ok-gi had sky-high pride.
She was the type who endured being sidelined in Fragrant Orchid Hall, thinking I'm the one ignoring you, steadfast in her duties.
But thinking it over, it made sense.
'Her big moments of grit come later.'
Right now, she had every reason to struggle.
'High pride doesn't mean no pain.'
Her innate pride and Tang Clan arrogance weren't gone.
But she'd imagined academy life while prepping for enrollment.
Habits normal in her clan home sparked misunderstandings here, shattering those dreams.
'Her sharp words and actions, mismatched with her heart, dug the rift deeper.'
Plus, Fragrant Orchid Hall's dorm life was stiflingly cliquey.
It added up.
Since I understood, I just stayed quiet.
Cheap comfort would've been fake.
Slurp—
I poured and drank alone.
Sniffling, she'd polished off the plate—eyes and nose red from tears, mouth from spice—when she finally spoke.
"...Hic. So... sniff. What's the business?"
The mood had thawed, but bringing up the Thousand Poison Pill now might send the wounded beast back to her cave.
Instead, I pulled a document from my sleeve proving our small but precious promise and handed it over.
"...What's this?"
"Debt note."
"...Debt note?"
"Forgot our bet during Jeon Gal Seolji and Jeong Hyeon's duel? One nyang of gold on Seolji's win, one nyang as medical fee—two nyang total."
Clink.
"Pay up, Dang Ok-gi."
Dang Ok-gi couldn't pay the two nyang of gold.
'Knew she wouldn't.'
I'd expected it.
For commoners without murim ties, two nyang of silver was a year's living—but two nyang of gold was huge.
For the Tang Clan daughter? Pocket change.
'But Dang Ok-gi’s always broke.'
Early on, she tinkered with mass-producing the clan secret Thousand Poison Pill; later, surpassing it with the Ten Thousand Poison Pill. No academy or dorm support meant she footed material costs—always strapped.
Anyway.
She couldn't pay.
And Righteous Martial Academy opened.
With course changes during opening week, swaps were possible.
But for now, my classes matched hers almost perfectly.
First-years had tons of mandatory courses, plus overlapping electives.
I hadn't targeted her.
Just picked ones tied to my past life's skills for easy credits—coincidentally, her picks too.
Anyway.
Lots of overlapping classes.
"Now, apply the principle I just explained and practice sound transmission. Start with Dang Ok-gi, top of her class. Come forward and send a secret message to your confidant."
[Dang Ok-gi.]
"?"
[Pay your debt.]
"Don't say crap like that in class!"
"...? Student Dang Ok-gi? What did Eon Yong-un say to upset you?"
"S-Sorry."
Whenever we crossed paths, sometimes I'd freeze her...
...other times sweet-talk.
"Dang Ok-gi."
"What? Pay up?! I said I will! Soon as I get next month's allowance, for real!"
"No, not about that now."
"...Then what?"
"No one to eat with?"
"I-I do?"
"Even if, eat with us today. Asked Chef Jusa for chicken feet braised in mapo sauce—surprisingly good. Beats last time's braised pork."
Wheedle, coax, wheedle, coax.
Once per morning/afternoon meetup—ten times total.
Five days?
"Dang Ok-gi."
"Kyaaah!"
"...? Didn't say anything—why the wildcat glare?"
"You're gonna say pay up!"
"Yeah."
"Kyak! Last night, even in my dreams, you fiend!!"
"Pot calling kettle. You're the first to owe me and not pay like this. For reference, even Hwangbo Jun in the Murim Alliance's prison paid up."
"...Uh, the one numb from the waist down?"
"Yep."
"Ugh. I know it's my fault, but I'm broke!"
After exactly five days of wheedling...
"Or, I have a Thousand Poison Pill from home—want that instead?!"
Dang Ok-gi offered it herself.
Heh.
Plan working perfectly.