The Real Black Curtain Lurks Nearby (5)

I was staying in a secluded pavilion when Dang Jo-woong came to visit.

His face had been tense during today's disciplinary meeting, but now that the scheme had been exposed, his expression was one of pure delight.

His eyes sparkling, he asked me, "Are you really going to spend time with me today?"

"Yeah."

"I thought for sure it wouldn't work out because of what happened this morning! I'm so happy."

"Good. I'm happy too."

The enthusiasm radiating from Jo-woong was almost overwhelming, even for me.

And that gaze of his, like he was looking at a legendary hero—it was a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bit much.

I'm not that kind of hero, I thought.

The truth was, my promise to spend time with him today was partly to use him to my advantage, and it pricked at my conscience.

Sorry, Jo-woong.

But I have no choice.

This is the only way to avoid drawing attention from Dang Yeon-chil, the unit leader.

If the person who forged the real evidence in my pocket was Dang Yeon-chil, then he was likely the one who tested them too.

Which meant there had to be a testing site somewhere.

Inside the Tang Clan grounds, no less.

To find it, my first priority was staying off Dang Yeon-chil's radar.

I planned to pretend to spend time wandering the Tang Clan with Jo-woong while probing the unit leader's dark secrets.

"Um... Young master?"

"Yeah?"

"Would it be okay if Sister Su-bin joins us today?"

"Dang Su-bin?"

"Yes."

I was about to ask why, but my instincts told me not to bother.

"Sure, let's do that."

At my words, Jo-woong immediately sent for a servant.

After his wet nurse died, they'd tried to assign him a new one, but he'd refused.

I could understand why—after nearly being kidnapped by someone he'd trusted and watching her die right in front of him.

Instead, he had a servant assigned by the clan head himself, so it was someone reliable.

A short while later,

"To think I get to spend time with such a handsome young master! I'm thrilled."

"Don't you have anything pressing to attend to?"

"Nope. Even if I did, I'd make time."

She was visibly excited.

I took Dang Su-bin and Dang Jo-woong on a stroll through various parts of the Tang Clan grounds.

At first, people eyed us curiously, but soon they shrugged it off as a simple outing and lost interest.

Exactly what I wanted.

As we wandered, I arrived at a remote spot I'd never seen before.

It looked like the entrance to a rear garden at first glance, but the atmosphere felt ominously eerie.

"What's this place?"

Dang Su-bin answered my question.

"We didn't have time yesterday, so we skipped it. Truth be told, it's a bit dangerous for outsiders."

"Dangerous how?"

"Haven't you wondered where we get the venomous insects like those in the poison cages, or the toxic herbs we harvest, right here in the Tang Clan?"

"No way—this is where you get them?"

"Exactly."

I eyed the red door in front of me.

A plaque on it read Bomangnim (寶滿林).

Treasure-Full Forest.

Anyone else might think it hid gold and jewels, but this was the Tang Clan.

To them, treasures were materials for poison techniques.

"I see why you didn't show me this place."

Best to walk past without a second thought.

If Dang Su-bin called it dangerous, it probably was.

But the moment I saw the name Bomangnim, something clicked.

In my previous life, when the third son, Dang Yeon-chil, had outmaneuvered his older brothers to become the Tang Clan's young lord, it had been huge news.

Rumors flew everywhere, and I'd collected and analyzed as many as I could.

Rumors aren't always reliable, but truth often hides within them.

One involved Bomangnim.

"That new young lord, the third son? They say he trained in a secluded forest and built his skills there."

"Word is, the secret training spot was the forest where generations hid their treasures, and he found a hidden manual inside."

True or not, on the surface, the place linked to Unit Leader Dang Yeon-chil was undoubtedly this Bomangnim.

A forest hiding treasures and one full of them? Too much overlap to ignore.

And if rumors said he trained here often, it meant he came and went frequently.

Which implied something was here.

So I have to go inside.

Ah, damn it.

It's so creepy. I really don't want to.

And after her warning, even less so.

But my gut screamed that entering here was the key to stripping off Dang Yeon-chil's mask.

I turned to Dang Su-bin. "Can I go in?"

"Pardon?"

She blinked in surprise. "You want to go inside?"

"Yeah. I'm personally curious about it. Is that a problem?"

She hesitated briefly.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked too much of you..."

"No, it's fine."

She shook her head.

"The first or second sector should be okay—even Jo-woong could handle it."

"Thanks."

"But don't stray from me. And take that special identity token I gave you—extend the cord long, hang it around your neck so it presses against your skin."

"Why's that?"

She explained, "The token's made from blood poison antidote. Normally, you'd have to hold it in your mouth for full effect, but even skin contact provides detoxification."

That's why they stressed never losing it.

"Carrying it blocks some poisons, but direct skin contact is surer."

"Couldn't just holding it in your hand work?"

"Sure, but we're warriors who fight with our hands. And who knows what might happen inside? Better to keep both free."

"Got it."

She gave a few more precautions after that.

"Remember what I said."

"Yes. I will."

"Alright, let's go in."

We stepped into Bomangnim.

I glanced back.

Three guards followed: Yi Pil warrior, Seo-u warrior, and Jin Yu warrior. Yeo Eung-am was back at the pavilion.

I couldn't rule out uninvited visitors while hunting the missing real evidence.

They were all solid allies guarding my back.

Telling them everything was risky, but struggling alone felt disrespectful to them.

Palgap had griped about it too.

So I'd decided to accept their help—and immediately sent a sound transmission.

Their eyes widened slightly before returning to normal.

They nodded subtly in response.

The forest inside was eerily silent.

Not even a single insect chirped. The stillness felt unnatural.

And I wasn't the only one who thought so.

"Huh? That's weird."

"Sister, no bugs are chirping."

I asked, "Do they usually?"

"Yeah. There are plenty of regular insects along with the venomous ones. You always hear them first when you enter... but not today."

She furrowed her brow.

"No chirps means a stronger predator showed up?"

"Sister, no snakes either."

"There are tons here."

"Yeah, they're key for poison research. But none today. Maybe a new venomous creature?"

Dang Su-bin ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and Jo-woong tilted their heads.

But I had a hunch.

I recalled the poison scorpion in the cage yesterday—it had locked eyes with me and fled cowering into the corner.

I'd thought it was because of the Golden Spirit in my sleeve, but it stayed cozy in there and rarely emerged.

And ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it had curled up right when our eyes met.

Was it really me?

Pretty likely.

Why?

The top suspect: my Hyunryong Seongche (Present Dragon Physique).

Dragons are kings, rulers.

Does this physique have some unknown aura even I don't sense?

Come to think of it, I'd never seen insects in Sichuan—or even Yunnan.

Eh... nice?

I grinned. If so, I'm the safest one here.

But if Dang Su-bin sensed danger and turned back, that'd be trouble.

"Well, maybe. No rule says bugs have to chirp or snakes show up, right?"

"True."

"Plus, someone manages this place. If anything happened, they'd report it to the clan first."

"Good point."

They nodded, convinced, and we pressed on.

About fifteen minutes later, stone stairs appeared ahead.

As we climbed the hill, Jin Yu warrior's sound transmission came.

I halted.

Footprints vanishing at the side—not the front—implied one thing: the side was the destination from the start.

Jin Yu warrior, as expected.

His expertise in pursuit and assassination gave him eagle eyes.

I called to Dang Su-bin. "Sorry, miss."

"Yes?"

"I think I dropped something on the stairs. Mind if I go back and grab it quick?"

"Can't be helped."

We retraced to the base. Pretending to search, I veered to the side.

Sure enough, faint footprints there.

Footprints mean a mechanism nearby.

I examined the side closely. Jin Yu pointed to one spot.

One stone among many, but worn smooth.

I pressed it.

Rumble rumble rumble.

The stones slid aside, revealing an entrance wide for two people.

Dang Su-bin and Jo-woong's shock was predictable.

"Huh? What's that?"

"A—a cave!"

Feigning surprise, I said, "Judging by your reactions, first time for you two as well."

"Yes."

"No idea."

"Shall we check it out?"

Her maid protested. "Miss, we shouldn't enter unknown places rashly."

"But I'm curious. It's fine—still first sector, no real danger."

"Well..."

"Go fetch some people."

"Understood."

The maid sighed and left Bomangnim to summon help.

"Let's go in, then."

"You too, young master?"

"Yeah. Jo-woong, it's risky for you—stay here. But I can't let you go alone."

Dang Su-bin's cheeks flushed faintly.

"Exploring an unknown spot with a handsome guy? Exciting."

"..."

I cleared my throat.

"After you."

We left Jo-woong, his servant, Yi Pil warrior, and Palgap outside and entered.

The air was damp and musty.

But night pearls embedded everywhere lit it well—no need for torches, which would've needed constant maintenance and ventilation.

Expensive, but practical.

How long had we walked?

"Huh?"

Dang Su-bin's eyes widened. I smiled.

Jackpot.