Benefactor of the Sacheon Tang Clan (5)
The Yi Pil guard continued his story.
"But back then, we didn't know that. My father had already left. Later, my mother brought me to the Sacheon Tang Clan."
Somehow, the Yi Pil guard had been accepted into the Sacheon Tang Clan.
"I'm grateful they kept me from starving, but... even after coming to the Sacheon Tang Clan, I was always hungry."
What did that mean?
Hungry in a place as wealthy as this?
Was it a metaphor?
"My mother passed away soon after. She was already terminally ill, so she left me here."
He gave a bitter smile.
"But the Sacheon Tang Clan wasn't kind to me. I was always bullied. The problem was my exceptional talent with hidden weapons. My brothers' harassment grew worse, and in the end, at eighteen, I wrote a letter renouncing the Tang family name and ran away."
"So, how did you survive after that?"
"I wandered as a ronin until I saw the Eunhae Merchant Group's notice recruiting guards. I applied, and now I'm your lordship's bodyguard."
He spoke calmly, but was it really that simple?
No—speaking so calmly without anger meant he had surpassed his rage.
He had given up.
I sincerely comforted the Yi Pil guard.
"You've been through a lot."
"But I'm happy now."
"Even after running away at eighteen, you're this skilled with hidden weapons. That means your talent was extraordinary."
At Yeo Eung-am guard's words, the other two guards nodded.
Earlier, I'd sensed unease in Dang Junryeong's eyes. Now I knew why.
He feared losing his position.
Yi Pil's talent far surpassed his own, and the Sacheon Tang Clan valued skill above all.
So that's why they bullied him?
How petty.
"Who knew life would bring a day like this? Becoming a benefactor to the Sacheon Tang Clan and feasting my fill at that grand hall. Haha."
Tears seemed to mingle with his laughter.
But there was one crucial question here. Should I ask it? As I hesitated, Jin Yu guard spoke up.
"By the way, Yi Pil guard."
"Yes."
"Who is your father?"
That was the question.
"Jin Yu guard, that question..."
I tried to stop him, but Yi Pil guard opened up readily.
"My father is... the younger brother of the previous clan head and uncle to the current one."
He continued.
"Fortunately, he's not here now. He's been dispatched to the Murim Alliance."
What?
The Murim Alliance?
To me, who knew what that place was, those words were far from ordinary.
Dang Gyujeong returned to his study after the banquet.
It had been ages since he'd enjoyed a feast this much.
'Eun Seo-ho... What a talent.'
The Sacheon Tang Clan was notoriously greedy for talent, and Dang Gyujeong was no exception.
To him, the merchant Eun Seo-ho was utterly enticing.
Learning that this young man had saved his youngest son, he had quietly mobilized the clan's informants to investigate him.
And he learned of Eun Seo-ho's exploits.
Just three years ago, the Eunhae Merchant Group had been one of the top ten in Hubei Province.
But once Eun Seo-ho began actively managing affairs, it skyrocketed, now ranking among the top three in the province.
Rumor had it they'd surely crack the top fifty in the imperial merchant rankings announced at the winter solstice.
Eun Seo-ho's abilities were undoubtedly the driving force.
'And with that magnanimity and wisdom to boot...'
Otherwise, no matter how lavish the hospitality, he wouldn't have savored the food with such relish.
It was unavoidable.
The terror inspired by the name Sacheon Tang Clan.
They couldn't simply abandon that fear and approach warmly—it was impossible from the start.
Poison wasn't exactly a friendly thing.
In the end, the Sacheon Tang Clan became a place of dread. Guests attended banquets grudgingly and ate grudgingly, as if it were the natural order.
But Eun Seo-ho had enjoyed the feast with genuine delight, which pleased Dang Gyujeong.
'And he's only just eighteen.'
Moreover, his words had hit just right.
'Shall we push for a marriage alliance?'
The urge to take him as a son-in-law welled up fiercely.
As Dang Gyujeong thought of Eun Seo-ho, another figure came to mind.
'That boy...'
The one Eun Seo-ho called Yi Pil guard.
His real name was Dang Iphil.
The son his youngest uncle had fathered outside.
Dang Gyujeong had watched him grow up and knew he was always alone.
His talent with hidden weapons was exceptional. Truly, you can't steal bloodlines, he'd thought.
His youngest uncle had been gifted with hidden weapons too.
At the Murim Alliance's request for a hidden weapons master, the uncle was now training them there as an instructor.
"Hmm..."
He let out a low hum.
Memories surfaced of Iphil enduring all sorts of bullying.
Of course, he'd intervened each time, but the tormentors were mostly his half-brothers.
That must have hurt Iphil even more.
In the end, at eighteen, he fled.
His letter renounced the Tang surname, demanding nothing and asking they never search for him.
Others urged forming search parties immediately to avoid staining the Tang name.
But one opposed: Iphil's own father.
"Clan head, just let him go."
"Why, Uncle?"
"He's suffered too much here because of a worthless father like me. He'll be happier outside the clan."
"But the outside world is dangerous."
"He's not weak enough to die from mere danger. And staying in the clan is far more perilous for him."
"..."
"Thankfully, he only learned up to the martial arts taught to vassals, not the direct or branch techniques. Use that as pretext and decide not to pursue him."
At his earnest plea, Dang Gyujeong had let it drop.
And now, that boy was Eun Seo-ho's bodyguard.
He'd even saved Dang Gyujeong's son.
At first, he'd been shocked and considered greeting him.
But that would undermine his own decree.
So he chose to treat him as a stranger.
Those who grasped his intent avoided speaking to Iphil.
Treating him as an outsider from the clan, Iphil's expression gradually relaxed.
And at the banquet, he'd eaten with relish.
Back when he lived in the clan, Iphil had always poked at his food.
Seeing him eat heartily now felt heartwarming yet pitiful.
"Clan head, may I enter?"
The door opened, and his adjutant stepped in.
"Did you escort Young Master Eun Seo-ho and his group to the annex safely?"
"Yes."
But the adjutant hesitated.
"You have more to say?"
"Well... Dang Junryeong went to the annex."
"To the annex? To meet Young Master Eun Seo-ho?"
"No. He met... Dang Iphil. Er, Yi Pil guard."
Dang Gyujeong sighed.
"What a needless fuss..."
The next morning, I headed to the annex dining hall with Palgap.
"Welcome."
"Good morning."
The guards were already there.
Normally, they'd escort me to meals, but I'd made it clear there was no need here.
I'd eaten too much at the banquet yesterday, skipping dinner. Now, my stomach growled fiercely.
Oddly, eating well one day made you hungrier the next.
Soon, the maids brought out the food: soup, dishes, and rice.
The Sacheon Tang Clan served rice for breakfast, as I'd heard.
"Let's eat well."
I picked up my chopsticks, and everyone followed.
Then I noticed Yi Pil guard poking through his rice.
Come to think of it...
Every time he ate—before too—he'd rummage through his portion first.
I'd thought it a habit.
But habits like that don't form without reason.
It looked like he was searching for something in his food, but not the caution of a warrior against threats.
In thieves' dens disguised as inns, poison was common, so you'd check for insects or use detectors.
But rummaging like that meant something else had been in his food before—not poison.
Wait.
Something other than poison?
I recalled a line from yesterday's talk with Yi Pil guard.
"I'm grateful they kept me from starving, but... even after coming to the Sacheon Tang Clan, I was always hungry."
That wasn't a metaphor.
He was literally hungry in this abundant place.
Because something was in his meals.
Sand, metal shavings, bugs.
That's how the habit formed.
Who would pull such a cruel prank?
The maids serving the food, probably. But on their own initiative?
Dare tamper with a Tang clansman's meal, even if not direct heir?
The answer was obvious.
Other blood relatives—half-brothers or their mothers' orders.
Ha! Unbelievable.
Honestly, I couldn't empathize with Yi Pil guard's pain.
My two brothers were wonderful, willing to brave anything for me.
Pretending empathy without experiencing it would be false.
But now, fury boiled inside me. My mind cooled sharply.
This was just speculation.
But if true, I wouldn't let it slide.
They'd pay dearly.
Some might call it childish mischief not worth the fuss.
But that mischief scarred my guard deeply.
My purpose here was to sever the Murim Alliance's tendrils in the Sacheon Tang Clan.
Now, one more task.
"Young master, what's wrong?"
Palgap tilted his head at me.
"Huh?"
"Your face suddenly hardened like you bit a rock."
"Oh, it's nothing. Just thinking."
After breakfast, with dessert pastries and tea, the clan head's adjutant arrived at the annex.
"Did you rest well last night?"
"Yes, thanks to you."
Behind him stood a young lady exuding the Sacheon Tang Clan's distinctive poise and grace. I knew who she was at once.
The adjutant introduced her.
"Allow me to introduce her: the clan head's fifth daughter."
She cupped her fists in greeting.
"I'm Dang Subin."
"Eun Seo-ho."
In my past life, she was later called the Crimson Jade of the Sacheon Tang Clan.
The clan head's most cherished daughter and the clan's pride.
Her specialties: poison arts and scattering poisons.
A genius with toxins, able to administer them undetected.
But her brilliance faded too soon.
Dispatched to the Murim Alliance, she died on a mission.
A great loss for the clan.
But that was the future.
Why was this famous figure here now?
The adjutant continued.
"Today, Lady Subin will guide Young Master Eun and your group on a tour of the Sacheon Tang Clan."
I was slightly taken aback.
I'd expected a guide, but Dang Subin?
I didn't let surprise show.
"Pleased to meet you, Lady Subin."
"I'd heard you were handsome, but you're even more so. It's refreshing just looking at you."
The adjutant looked embarrassed.
"Lady, such words..."
Ah...
Right—Dang Subin was infamous for her bold appreciation of good looks.