Chapter 102
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: A Different Kind of Scoundrel
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'Why on earth did the Tang Clan ask me to educate Tang Ji-in?'
It was because, from everything he'd seen so far, the man seemed like nothing more than a hot-blooded warrior, not much of a scoundrel at all.
"You were just thinking it, weren't you? This guy's fine aside from being a show-off, so why call him a scoundrel? What's the real issue? Something like that."
Cheon Taesan flinched but shook his head.
"No, I wasn't."
"It's fine. I'm used to that look by now. Do you know what my nickname is in Chengdu?"
"You have a nickname?"
There had been no mention of one in the reports Cheon Taesan had read.
"The Tang Clan's Lecher Wolf."
It meant the wolf of the Tang Clan who chased skirts—a disgraceful moniker for the heir of a prestigious family.
"Do you know how many of my illegitimate kids there are? Five? Six?"
At those words, Yeoseol muttered under her breath.
"That's not a scoundrel; that's a dog in heat."
Tang Ji-in didn't take offense and replied nonchalantly.
"I hear that one sometimes too."
"Wow! What an unusual scoundrel."
Yeoseol was amazed at how varied the world of scoundrels could be.
She realized her own experiences were far from broad.
The scoundrels she'd encountered always flew into a rage or resorted to violence when confronted with the truth.
Nangong Mubaek, Mak Ji-mong, and Mak Jin-yul had all been like that.
She'd assumed all scoundrels came with that level of brutality, rudeness, and malice.
"From what I know, chasing skirts doesn't make you a scoundrel. At best, they call you the Flower Prince; at worst, a lecherous demon. But if you're asking which is worse between a scoundrel and a lecherous demon, they're both the same. Like hardened shit or diarrhea—just shit with different names."
"Ouch, that wildflower girl's sharp words pierce my heart. Little beauty, I like you. You're way better than those who kiss up to my face and curse me behind my back. You're the first to insult me outright. Let's be friends."
Yeoseol stared at Tang Ji-in for a moment before speaking.
"I don't usually mingle with scoundrels. But I respect those who recognize their flaws and try to improve. Even so, a scoundrel doesn't deserve to be my friend. Maybe my servant, though."
Tang Ji-in clutched his chest with both hands, pretending to be in agony, then dropped to one knee before her.
"Little goddess, take this pitiful soul as your servant."
Yeoseol played along.
"Lost soul, become this goddess's servant. Purify your spirit and shed your lecherous scoundrel ways."
Tang Ji-in responded with fervor.
"I shall obey the goddess's will. I will be your faithful servant."
Watching the two goof around, Cheon Taesan couldn't help but smile.
Tang Ji-in was matching Yeoseol's childish energy perfectly.
"Truly, the world is full of all kinds of madmen. This goddess grants her servant peace."
"Thank you, my goddess."
Their antics showed no sign of stopping.
Tang Garyeong, who had been listening from outside, slipped into the carriage, embarrassed, and offered an excuse.
"I'm sorry. My little brother isn't usually like this. One day, he must have eaten something bad and just... changed."
"Sis, I'm just a bit playful, not weird. I still don't get why everyone calls me a scoundrel."
"Ji-in, why else would Father summon Scholar Cheon?"
"Pardon? Summon the Sword Scholar? For what?"
"What do you mean? To be your teacher, of course!"
"Oh, so the Sword Scholar's famous as a specialist in reforming scoundrels, and Father brought him for me."
Yeoseol asked,
"Where'd you hear 'Sword Scholar'? That's a term from Gangseo."
Yeoseol already saw Tang Ji-in, with his similar mental age, as a friend.
And he played along perfectly.
"Your servant frequents brothels and taverns like they're my own home. The storytellers there love talking about the Sword Scholar."
"Oh ho, really?"
As Yeoseol showed interest, Tang Ji-in seized the chance to win her favor.
"Now that he's killed the Demonic Cult's Fourteenth Demon Lord, the White-Haired Girl Demon O Ju-hyang, it'll spark a frenzy about the Sword Scholar across the martial world."
"That big a deal?"
"Of course, goddess—you wouldn't know. No late-stage talent has achieved that in the last century. Naturally, everyone's paying attention. ...But sis, I'm probably in for a beating when we get home, right?"
Forgetting Cheon Taesan and Yeoseol were there, Tang Garyeong snapped.
"You think?! How did you even get your hands on Formless Poison?!"
"How? I took it from the poison vault."
"How'd you get in there? You need the Family Head's permission!"
"I forged his seal, obviously."
"Good lord!"
Tang Garyeong smacked Tang Ji-in on the back.
"You idiot, you could get kicked out of the clan!"
"So be it."
Tang Ji-in wasn't fazed in the slightest.
"Sigh. What am I going to do with you?"
Tang Garyeong let out a resigned sigh.
"Sis, I heard you're betrothed to Young Master Seb next month. Is that true?"
As Tang Ji-in abruptly changed the subject to his sister's engagement, Tang Garyeong's eyes widened.
"Why bring that up in front of outsiders? Have you lost your mind?"
"What's wrong? This is the goddess, and that's my teacher."
Somehow, Tang Ji-in spoke with the eloquence uncharacteristic of the Tang Clan.
'With a personality like that, surviving in the Tang Clan must be tough.'
The Tang Clan, dealing in poisons and hidden weapons, emphasized quiet reserve and thoughtfulness.
Cheon Taesan had seen reports a year ago about talks of marriage between Tang Garyeong and Seb Hyeonrok of the Seb Clan.
Apparently, it had progressed to an official betrothal.
Tang Garyeong's face darkened at the mention.
When it should have brought a shy blush, if she were happy.
Tang Ji-in hinted slyly,
"Sis, want me to secretly poison that bastard for you?"
Startled, Tang Garyeong clapped a hand over Tang Ji-in's mouth.
"You say the wildest things! Outsiders might take it seriously."
Despite her panic, Tang Ji-in remained utterly calm.
"I don't get why Father wants to marry you off to that Seb Clan dog. The Seb Clan Head might as well be a filthy rich unorthodox sect."
Tang Garyeong glared and muttered,
"Don't you dare even think like that."
"If that jerk doesn't die, you can't marry the one you love."
In the end, unable to hold back, Tang Garyeong grabbed him by the scruff and dragged him out of the carriage.
"Out with you, you punk. Time for a proper beating."
Even acting like a brat, the affection in Tang Garyeong's eyes for her brother was clear.
Tang Jin-ok felt the same.
They adored their youngest.
'Siblings who love the youngest despite him tarnishing the family name...'
There were so many inconsistencies.
After that, Tang Ji-in wasn't allowed back in the carriage until they reached the Tang Clan.
'They entrust me with his education but keep him at arm's length? Why?'
Tang Jin-ok lectured Tang Ji-in nonstop at his side.
But Tang Ji-in just beamed innocently through the torrent, like a lunatic with clear eyes.
The thick fog that hid everything vanished, revealing Chengdu, the heart of Sichuan. Stepping into it, I couldn't hold back my admiration.
The old capital of Shu Han from the Three Kingdoms era, a land steeped in history.
Famous as the heaven-sent granary.
In other words, the Heavenly Granary.
Its fertile soil had fostered advanced agriculture.
That fertility made Sichuan renowned for its spirit herbs.
It was only natural that the Tang Clan, which prized medicinal and poisonous herbs, had taken root here.
Sichuan mountain herbs were famous, and rumors of abundant spirit herbs drew herb gatherers from afar.
Even with major sects like Emei and Qingcheng here, martial artists always named the Tang Clan first.
These three were honored as the pillars of Sichuan's martial world.
While the Nangong Family led the Five Great Families, the Tang Clan's prestige and fame rivaled it fiercely.
Standing before the Tang Clan's grand main gate, exuding authority, I took a moment to appreciate it.
Dozens of towering halls stretched out—all part of the Tang Clan.
Beyond the three-zhang-high stone walls lay the famed Tang Ga-ta, the residences of the branch families.
"Please rest in the Guest Hall. I'll report to the Family Head and escort you."
Tang Jin-ok was more deferential now than at first sight.
Not that it meant he liked me—his eyes remained cold.
They took the carriage with the poison expert inside and entered the clan.
"Brother, the Tang Clan is truly peculiar. Building the Guest Hall outside? It's downright rude."
"It's their tradition, and the martial world respects it. Wudang has the Horse Whip Gate, doesn't it?"
"Where they make everyone dismount and show respect?"
"Exactly. No one complains about Wudang's. Same for the Tang Clan."
Yeoseol had picked up plenty of martial world common sense, fueling our conversations.
Gazing up at the high walls, Yeoseol muttered,
"I'm worried about my servant. Sneaking out Formless Poison and using it in battle... he won't get off with just a scolding."
"Their rules are so strict, who knows what punishment he'll face."
I was a bit concerned myself.
Truth be told, thanks to Tang Ji-in, the Blue Dragon Group hadn't suffered much.
Without him, the Tang warriors and the Blue Dragon Group alike would have been wiped out.
"I'll explain later why I brought you here. Until then, don't reveal your martial prowess to anyone. Got it?"
Yeoseol stared at me, then grinned.
"Brother, you're planning something dangerous, aren't you? Stealing from the Tang Clan?"
I startled.
'Since when did Yeoseol get so perceptive?'
I gave an awkward smile.
"Yeoseol, we need to watch our words here. Lots of eyes on us."
She caught my meaning immediately.
"I sensed it too."
"No training your martial arts here either."
"Then what do I do?"
"Read books."
Her face fell at my words.
At times like this, she was every bit the young girl.
"I want to live drawn by my desires, not dragged along. It's not easy."
I reached to pat her head but hesitated.
Yeoseol grabbed my hand and guided it herself.
"You can live like that once you're grown, Yeoseol."
She looked up at me.
"Yeah? Guess I'll hold out till then."
"Good."
Sometimes, her sudden maturity left me with a vague sense of betrayal.
An hour later, Tang Jin-ok arrived at my quarters.
"The Family Head wishes to see you. Please freshen up and come."
I'd already bathed, so I just changed and followed.
The meeting with the Tang Family Head was sooner than expected.
I'd thought Tang Ji-in's issues would delay it until tomorrow.
'Am I finally meeting the Tang Family Head, Thousand Hands Soul Reaver Tang Myeong?'
The anticipation rivaled my encounter with the unorthodox lord Mak Yeo-heun. My steps quickened.