Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Chapter 13 - Sichuan, Conclusion (2)
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It happened late that afternoon.
“The next mission has been assigned.”
Dang Hwa-seo returned to headquarters with a darkened complexion.
Her expression differed from her usual fatigue.
The squad members immediately realized this mission was out of the ordinary.
Yet even as they listened in tense silence, her following words came as a shock.
“We’re heading to the Tang Clan.”
Mok Ri-won’s fingertips trembled.
His face filled with astonishment turned toward Dang Hwa-seo.
She offered a bitter smile.
“The investigation in the Sichuan region is being obstructed by the Tang Clan. We must go there and secure their cooperation.”
No one present was unaware of the connection between Dang Hwa-seo and the Tang Clan.
Thus, they couldn’t help but imagine her feelings as she uttered those words.
“Little Sister…”
Mok Ri-won unwittingly opened his mouth.
But Dang Hwa-seo did not let him continue.
“We depart in two days. Everyone, prepare yourselves. Dismissed.”
Dang Hwa-seo left the office.
The squad members stood frozen, unsure how to react, when Mok Ri-won abruptly stood.
“I’ll go after her.”
With that, he exited the office.
*
Dang Hwa-seo stared blankly at the pond.
It was the spot where she had once shared drinks alone with Mok Ri-won.
She bit her lip.
Her fists clenched tighter than ever.
‘In the end…’
She was going back there.
Truthfully, it was something bound to happen eventually.
Dang Hwa-seo knew the value of her body better than anyone in the Tang Clan.
After all, a physique invulnerable to all poisons was the long-cherished dream of the Tang Clan—a miracle they could not guarantee creating again.
Dang Hwa-seo imagined what awaited her there.
How they might threaten her upon summoning her.
Or perhaps attempt to coax her instead.
She couldn’t know.
Too much time had passed since her departure.
But one thing was certain.
‘They won’t let me go easily.’
Gratitude repaid twofold, grudges tenfold.
The Tang Clan were venomous deviants who clung to such absurd family precepts, and they would surely demand compensation from her.
They would try to bind her by any means.
The thoughts tore at her heart relentlessly.
That was when Mok Ri-won appeared.
“Little Sister, so you were here.”
Dang Hwa-seo looked up.
Mok Ri-won approached carrying food boxes.
She gave a wry smile.
“…You’ve come.”
“You hungry? Have some. These dumplings are incredible.”
Mok Ri-won extended one toward Dang Hwa-seo.
Steam rose invitingly from the piping-hot, freshly made treat, drawing a soft chuckle from her.
“You didn’t harass the chef, did you?”
“They were prepping for dinner, so I just borrowed a bit.”
Mok Ri-won took a large bite of a dumpling.
He chewed contentedly, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
“Delicious, as expected. I doubt I’ll ever meet anyone as skilled in cooking as our chef for the rest of my life.”
Mok Ri-won urged her once more.
“Have a bite too, Little Sister! When you’re troubled, fill your belly first, right?”
“…Yes.”
Dang Hwa-seo gazed at the dumpling for a moment before taking a small nibble.
Rich juices burst forth, the tender meat warming as it slid down her throat.
A smile crept onto her face unbidden.
“…It’s delicious.”
“Told you. It’s good.”
Mok Ri-won chuckled.
Then, casting his gaze toward the distant pond, he suddenly spoke.
“You know, what’s Sichuan like?”
Dang Hwa-seo’s fingers twitched.
She pressed her lips together briefly before steadying her voice.
“…Cooler than here, but not bitterly cold—a fine place to live.”
“What else? I hear Sichuan’s full of great food.”
“Plenty of it. Though I’m not sure it’ll suit Young Hero Mok’s palate. Sichuan cuisine tends to be spicy and numbing.”
“Challenges are always a delight.”
A faint smile touched Mok Ri-won’s lips.
“I hear the scenery’s beautiful too.”
“Indeed, there’s no shortage of sights.”
“Getting excited already.”
Mok Ri-won’s eyes turned to Dang Hwa-seo.
“Will you show me around, Little Sister? Sichuan, I mean.”
Dang Hwa-seo regarded him with misty eyes before bursting into laughter.
“Is this your way of comforting me?”
“A sincere request. You know I’m clueless about the jianghu—can’t wander alone, hopeless fool that I am. I need you.”
“No plans to strike out on your own?”
She spoke playfully, yet couldn’t treat it purely as a jest.
The worst possible scenario lingered in her mind.
‘What if I can’t return from there…’
She might end up separated from Mok Ri-won.
To that, he responded directly.
“Don’t want to.”
Mok Ri-won flashed a bright smile.
“I don’t want to be apart from you. Not even after Sichuan. There are still too many places in the jianghu I haven’t seen, and I want to explore them all with you. That’s what’ll make it fun.”
Dang Hwa-seo’s eyes widened slightly.
Mok Ri-won continued.
“So don’t even think bad thoughts.”
“Young Hero Mok…”
“Should anyone trouble you there, I’ll give them a good flick on the forehead. Then make them apologize to you. You won’t have a thing to worry about.”
This was comfort.
Dang Hwa-seo knew it well.
Yet even knowing, it tempted her—for good reason.
‘…Would you really?’
Mok Ri-won was a man who kept his word, no matter the foe blocking his path.
His pure goodwill filled her with gratitude—and guilt.
She offered a bittersweet smile.
“What if you get hurt in the process?”
“I’m not so lacking in righteousness as to abandon a friend out of concern for my own safety. You’re that precious to me.”
Dang Hwa-seo let out a hearty laugh.
She averted her gaze from him, looking back at the pond.
Somehow, her worries had eased amid the laughter—an amusing turn.
She fidgeted with her lips before speaking.
“Do you know something, Young Hero Mok?”
“What?”
“Every time you say things like that, I feel this urge that’s hard to suppress.”
“Urge?”
“All sorts of things.”
No need to elaborate.
But one thing she could say for certain.
“…Still, thank you. For saying it.”
From the day they first met at the Gyeonghwaru in Suyang County, and onward.
Mok Ri-won was someone she owed endless gratitude.
He had reminded her of values she’d forgotten and restored her shattered resolve—a man to whom a million thanks would fall short.
Dang Hwa-seo looked to the sky.
The sun dipped low, painting thin clouds in ruddy hues as they drifted by.
‘Yes, what’s the point of worrying?’
With a faint smile, she reminded herself.
She mustn’t cower preemptively, even if threats loomed.
She had learned that courage from the one beside her.
“…Shall we head back? The dumplings were wonderful.”
“Of course! See you tomorrow!”
“Yes.”
Dang Hwa-seo smiled as she watched him dash straight to the dining hall.
Anxiety lingered, but fortunately, her heart felt a bit lighter.
*
The next day, the Dragon-Phoenix Squad finished preparations and set off.
The journey from Hubei to Sichuan was no short trip, marked by a few incidents along the way.
Amid it all, Dang Hwa-seo once more felt how earnestly they strove for her sake.
“Little Sister! Look over there! A theater troupe!”
Whenever passing through a village, Mok Ri-won sought out amusements and dragged her along.
“Lady Dang patron, when your mind is restless, reciting sutras is a fine remedy. Care to join me?”
Il-un awkwardly fussed over her alongside Hyeun.
“Sister, it’s because I’m your sister that I’m slipping you this in secret.”
Jegal San passed her some poison of unknown origin.
“A young lady must never appear slighted before her clan. Keep your back straight.”
Namgung Jincheon offered such sudden counsel.
Dang Hwa-seo found herself able to smile.
With them sharing her burdens and accepting their clumsy kindness without shame, she distanced herself from her worries.
By the time they reached Sichuan, Dang Hwa-seo fretted no longer.
“This is it. Tang Clan territory.”
She gazed upon the sprawling city and spoke.
A city entirely under the Sichuan Tang Clan’s domain.
Their influence extended even to the outskirts.
The city that had once shackled her, now a bittersweet memory.
A whirlwind of emotions surged within her.
It was then.
“Miss!”
Someone in maid’s garb rushed out from the city entrance.
Dang Hwa-seo looked on in great surprise.
“Hyang-ah!”
So Hyang.
She was one of the trusted aides who had fled the Tang Clan with Dang Hwa-seo, parted from on the way to the Murim Alliance.
How could she be here?
On the day they parted, Dang Hwa-seo had asked her to secretly gauge the clan’s mood—yet here she was, inside the Tang Clan, stirring natural curiosity.
“Have you been well? No injuries, I hope?”
So Hyang greeted her with a mix of worry and delight.
Dang Hwa-seo asked.
“Why are you here? Hmm?”
“I heard you were returning here. So I came back to the Tang Clan a little while ago and requested a position.”
“Such a dangerous thing!”
“With you arriving soon, what could they do to me? Worst case, I flee again.”
So Hyang flashed a bright grin.
Her cheerful demeanor eased Dang Hwa-seo’s mind somewhat, though worry persisted.
It was then that Mok Ri-won stepped forward.
“Long time no see!”
Emerging from behind Dang Hwa-seo, he greeted her brightly.
It made sense—after departing Suyang County, this reunion was a rare one, and people-loving Mok Ri-won was naturally thrilled.
“Ah, yes.”
So Hyang replied with a displeased frown.
Dang Hwa-seo stifled a giggle.
So Hyang’s words from before their departure resurfaced in her mind.
-Miss, that man doesn’t seem trustworthy at all. I worry he might hurt you…
Even at the moment of parting, she had eyed the oblivious-looking Mok Ri-won with suspicion.
Despite his fame now, he still didn’t measure up in So Hyang’s eyes.
“So, did the Tang Clan send you? To greet me?”
“Yes.”
“How are things in the Tang Clan now?”
“I haven’t fully grasped yet. Since I fled following you, they just have me doing odd jobs.”
No intention of sharing information.
Dang Hwa-seo smiled faintly.
‘Ever the same.’
Distrustful of others, concealing her true thoughts.
‘In that case.’
They were surely plotting a betrayal as well.
Dang Hwa-seo hardened her expression.
She turned to the squad members.
“Then let’s go in.”
The squad members nodded with stern faces.
‘As a squad leader from the Alliance, they can’t treat me lightly.’
Dang Hwa-seo was certain of it.
‘So I’ll enter thinking only of handling business and leaving swiftly.’
“Hyang-ah, lead the way.”
“Yes.”
Thus, Dang Hwa-seo returned to the hometown that had existed only in her memories.
“Young Lady, greetings.”
At the Tang Clan entrance, she met her welcomer.
“…Dang Un-gyeong.”
The one greeting her was her half-brother, Dang Un-gyeong.
They had met at the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.