The Jealous Scholar
He spoke with conviction.
“I was taught that the duty between friends lies in loyalty. Unless Dan Yeop betrays me first, I will never abandon him.”
Son Yu-baek studied his grandson in silence before asking, “Did Dan Yeop say it himself? That he was in love with that woman?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.”
A low hum escaped Son Yu-baek’s lips.
In the past, Dan Yeop had claimed he had no woman he was seeing. So there was someone he secretly loved after all.
Since they were never together, it wasn’t a lie. Moreover, the woman was now dead, so everything had been cleanly settled. It must have been painful for Dan Yeop, but from Son Yu-baek’s perspective, it wasn’t a bad outcome.
“If you are Dan Yeop’s friend, you must stay by his side and make sure he doesn’t stray down the wrong path. Do you understand?”
“Yes! You needn’t worry. Dan Yeop isn’t the sort of friend who would do wicked things.”
“The Blood Emperor wasn’t a demonic figure from the very beginning either. You must ensure Dan Yeop walks the righteous path.”
“Yes, but Grandfather, do you know the Blood Emperor?”
“Originally, the Blood Emperor was a renowned chivalrous hero in Gangnam.”
“Pardon? A chivalrous hero? Not a demonic cultivator?”
“The relationship between the Five Peaks Sword Sect disciples who had advanced into Gangnam and Ak Mu-gun was never good. The Five Peaks Sword Sect disciples looked down on him. Then Ak Mu-gun killed several evildoers who hailed from the Five Peaks Sword Sect, and after that, their relationship became irreparable. The chivalrous hero Ak Mu-gun was gradually painted as an enemy of the orthodox sects by the Five Peaks Sword Sect, and in the end, he was branded a villain.”
“They turned a chivalrous hero into a villain based on rumors alone?”
“Of course not. Ak Mu-gun’s arrogant personality played a part as well. He said that if the Five Peaks Sword Sect disliked him without reason, then he would give them a reason to dislike him.”
“Pardon?”
“Whenever it concerned the Five Peaks Sword Sect, Ak Mu-gun swung his blade without hesitation. Though the Five Peaks Sword Sect was narrow-minded, it was still the leader of the orthodox factions. In effect, he was raising his sword against the orthodox sects.”
“Good heavens……”
“His beginnings were modest, but as time passed, Ak Mu-gun became steeped in slaughter. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Five Peaks Sword Sect created the Blood Emperor we know today.”
“I had no idea the Blood Emperor had such a hidden past.”
“If you told people now that the Blood Emperor was once a chivalrous hero, no one would believe it. That is simply how the world works. Do you think such hollow tragedies only happen to the Blood Emperor?”
“So that’s why you told me to watch over Dan Yeop and keep him from straying?”
“Do you think the Five Peaks Sword Sect will simply sit back and watch Haomun rise? Dan Yeop could very well become a second Blood Emperor. That is why I am telling you to help him avoid the wrong path.”
“Yes, I understand completely. I will engrave Grandfather’s words deep into my bones.”
“Go and rest now.”
“Yes.”
Son Ji-heon bowed respectfully to his grandfather and withdrew.
As he stepped onto the veranda, he spotted Son Yeon-hwa, who had just returned.
“Where is Dan Yeop?”
“Brother Dan has already gone inside.”
“You……”
When Son Ji-heon hesitated, Son Yeon-hwa shot him a glare.
“Why did you stop mid-sentence?”
After staring at his sister for a moment, Son Ji-heon suddenly asked, “Do you like Dan Yeop?”
“D-don’t say such strange things! If you’re drunk, go to sleep!”
70. I’d Sell My Soul to the Devil
The next morning.
Dan Yeop, who had risen late, was summoned to the inner hall.
Tang and dishes were laid out on the table.
Yu Hwa-yeong, Son Yu-baek’s daughter-in-law, smiled at the awkwardly standing youth.
“Please sit. Ji-heon will be here shortly. Father-in-law specifically instructed that even if you were late, Dan Gongja and Ji-heon must be fed.”
“I’m sorry. It’s because of us that……”
“What is there to apologize for? Your son’s friend is no stranger. It’s fine, so please make yourself comfortable.”
“……”
Dan Yeop bowed to Lady Yu and took a seat.
At that moment, Son Ji-heon burst in noisily and sat beside him.
“Wow! This is the first time I’ve been called over for a hangover cure. What’s going on?”
Lady Yu smacked her son’s back with a sharp slap.
“You should be grateful you made such a good friend. Grandfather said to eat without upsetting your stomach.”
“What about Yeon-hwa? She’s not the type to miss something like this.”
“She’s learning poetry and prose from Teacher Lee in the annex.”
Teacher Lee’s name was Lee Jeong-sin. He had passed the civil service examination and was waiting for an official posting while tutoring children from prominent families. He regularly visited Son-taek to instruct Son Yeon-hwa.
“Eh? Teacher Lee still comes to our house?”
Son Ji-heon looked at his mother with an incredulous expression. His younger sister was already renowned as one of the Three Beauties for her mastery of poetry, calligraphy, and painting.
“If there’s something left to teach, of course he’ll come.”
Lady Yu glanced sideways at Dan Yeop’s expression. However, Dan Yeop was focused solely on eating and showed no interest in Teacher Lee. Instead, Son Ji-heon pouted in displeasure.
“That Teacher Lee, isn’t he coming here with ulterior motives? Yeon-hwa is more famous than he is, so who’s really teaching whom?”
“Watch that loose tongue of yours. Don’t say such things outside.”
“Aww, do you think I’m an idiot? I’m only saying it because it’s just us. I’m pretty sure Teacher Lee has designs on Yeon-hwa. Tell him not to come anymore.”
“Why? What’s wrong with Teacher Lee? He passed the civil service exam, and his looks are decent enough. Of course, not as good as Dan Gongja’s, but still.”
She casually brought Dan Yeop into the conversation, but Dan Yeop remained absorbed in his meal.
“Anyway, I don’t like Teacher Lee. A man should be upright and honest. Why is he pretending to be a teacher and hovering around Yeon-hwa?”
“If you really dislike him that much, speak to your grandfather. He’s the one who hired Teacher Lee.”
“What does Yeon-hwa say? Did she say anything?”
“She can’t bring herself to say anything unpleasant to others. She’s too soft-hearted.”
“No, I mean, does she like Teacher Lee or not?”
“I don’t know. Yeon-hwa isn’t the type to say such things.”
“Aish, talking about Teacher Lee has killed my appetite.”
Only then did Dan Yeop show interest.
“You don’t like Teacher Lee, I take it?”
“He’s popular with women, but a man can tell at a glance whether another man is decent or not.”
“Well, that’s true.”
Dan Yeop nodded in agreement. He had experienced enough of that in his own life.
“From what I can see, Teacher Lee is no good. His appearance is fine, but something feels off. It’s like his outside doesn’t match his inside. In any case, I don’t like him. But apparently he’s popular with women.”
“Because he passed the exam and looks presentable?”
“Exactly.”
Lady Yu, who had been listening to the two young men, interjected.
“If he’s capable and handsome, he’s certainly an ideal son-in-law. Son, are you jealous?”
“Mother, that’s not it. When a man looks at another man, he just knows. Whether that fellow is the real deal or not.”
As the three of them were chatting about Teacher Lee in the inner hall, voices could be heard from outside.
“Dan Gongja is also talented in poetry and prose?”
“I’m not sure, but he probably is.”
“You believe it without even seeing it? How unfortunate. Today, I shall reveal Dan Gongja’s true nature in full.”
Soon after, a man and woman entered the inner hall. It was Son Yeon-hwa and Teacher Lee Jeong-sin.
Dan Yeop and Son Ji-heon paused their meal and stared at Lee Jeong-sin. Son Yeon-hwa quickly introduced Dan Yeop to the teacher.
“The person sitting across from Brother Son is Dan Yeop Gongja. Brother Dan, this is Teacher Lee Jeong-sin, who instructs me in poetry and prose. When I mentioned Brother Dan, Teacher Lee insisted on meeting him, so I brought him along.”
From her daughter’s words, Lady Yu immediately understood the situation. When Son Yeon-hwa had brought up Dan Yeop, the jealous Teacher Lee had used the introduction as an excuse to barge in.
Meanwhile, when Son Yeon-hwa referred to Dan Yeop as “Brother,” Lee Jeong-sin’s eyes twitched. Nevertheless, he forced a smile toward Dan Yeop.
“I am Lee Jeong-sin, who passed the civil service examination with the highest honors. At the request of Elder Son, I have been teaching the young lady. Upon hearing of Dan Gongja’s reputation, I came here with admiration.”
In that instant, Dan Yeop understood why Son Ji-heon disliked the man. Everyone in the inner hall had heard what he said outside the door, yet he claimed to have come with admiration!
Regardless, Dan Yeop, whose heart was heavy with Baek Yu-hwa’s death, had no desire for a long conversation.
“I am Dan Yeop.”
With those words, Dan Yeop returned to his meal.
Lee Jeong-sin, who had come looking for a fight, refused to give up and sat across from Dan Yeop.
“The young lady was boasting that Dan Gongja is skilled in poetry and prose.”
Son Ji-heon spoke in a deliberately calm tone. “Teacher Lee, my friend is not in a state to discuss poetry right now. He is grieving the recent loss of an acquaintance, so let us speak of it another day.”
“Young Master Son, poetry exists precisely to contain such sorrowful and poignant emotions. Even Li Bai and Du Fu……”
Startled by her brother’s words, Son Yeon-hwa quickly tried to stop the teacher.
“Teacher Lee, it seems today is not the right day. If I had known Brother Dan was going through something like this, I would not have brought you.”
Lee Jeong-sin had been growing increasingly agitated ever since Son Yeon-hwa kept calling Dan Yeop “Brother.”
“Not the right day? Poetry contains all of humanity’s joys, sorrows, loves, hates, and desires. Did I not teach you that poetry is life itself?”
People sometimes become reckless in front of the one they like. That was exactly what was happening to Lee Jeong-sin now. He should have stopped after Son Ji-heon’s words, but because of Son Yeon-hwa, he could not.
Realizing his own mistake as the atmosphere turned cold, Lee Jeong-sin forced a smile.
“Oh dear, it seems I spoke too theoretically. Life does not always go according to what one has learned. This is entirely my fault. Dan Gongja, please do not take my words to heart. I hope there will come a day when we can exchange poetry and prose. Lady Yu, Young Master Son, Young Lady Son, thank you for your hospitality. If the opportunity arises, let us meet again.”
After his farewell, he quickly rose and left.
This time, even Son Yeon-hwa did not see him off.
Son Ji-heon looked at Dan Yeop and said, “I was right, wasn’t I? That man is no good.”
This time, Lady Yu sided with her son.
“I will speak to your grandfather and make sure Teacher Lee never sets foot in Son-taek again. Yeon-hwa, that’s all right with you, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Brother Dan, I’m sorry. It’s my fault for bringing Teacher Lee…… You must have felt uncomfortable.”
Dan Yeop gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
“It’s fine. It wasn’t your fault, so don’t worry about it. You can know the depth of water from ten li away, but you can never know what’s in a person’s heart. If I had known Teacher Lee would act so recklessly, would you have brought him?”
“You’re right. I really didn’t expect Teacher Lee to behave like that. He was always such a refined gentleman……”
Son Yeon-hwa still could not believe Lee Jeong-sin’s outburst. The man who had always been considerate and kind had acted that way in front of her family and Dan Yeop. The Lee Jeong-sin from moments ago had seemed possessed.
Lady Yu smiled meaningfully.
“He’s still young, that’s all.”
***
After finishing breakfast, Dan Yeop returned to the annex and opened the white booklet.
Despite the chaos he had caused at Hwacheong Palace, there was not a single line about the heart demon. It was strange that the heart demon remained silent even though there was plenty to ask about Baek Yu-hwa.