I Thought the Youngest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Family Was Hated - Chapter 12

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A bodyguard.
In truth, it was strange that one hadn’t been present until now.
After all, bodyguards existed precisely to prevent incidents like the hallucinogenic herb affair.
Had one been here from the start, such a thing would never have happened.
But why had there been none until now? Was it because of what the Nanny said?
‘That doesn’t seem to be it.’
I had more than a few questions.
While Gong Myo brought out the tea, the bodyguard in question stood in the Corridor.
The Maids surrounded him, conducting a thorough search of his person.
‘Did they always conduct such inspections?’
Perhaps it was something done specifically because he was a martial artist they were meeting for the first time.
I spoke while staring at his silhouette reflected in the door.
“Did Jo Man bring him? The martial artist, I mean.”
“Ah, I’m afraid I lack the eye to judge martial artists. As you can see, I’m rather frail.”
He waved his hand dismissively, raising his thin wrist as evidence.
“In fact, the Young Master gave me two tasks.”
“Two tasks?”
“Yes. One was to hire the Maids. And the other was….”
Before Jo Man could finish, the door swung open.
A man entered with long strides, adjusting his sleeves, and stopped when he saw me.
‘Wow.’
He was enormous. Even sitting in a tall chair and looking up at him, I had to crane my neck slightly.
His thick brows and stern expression made his first impression rather poor.
‘He’s almost frightening. Though quite handsome, actually.’
As I admired his face, Jo Man rose and approached the martial artist’s side.
He spread his palm wide, gesturing toward the martial artist as he spoke.
“The other task was to reintroduce this martial artist to you.”
“Reintroduce?”
Had I seen this man before?
I opened my eyes wide and scrutinized him carefully. The man simply bowed his head deeply without responding.
“Hmm?”
I tilted my head, resting my chin in my hand.
Shadows fell across the man’s eyes.
“About half a year ago, when I first saw you, Miss, you wept and collapsed.”
He spoke with a heavy voice.
“I did?”
Wept and collapsed? I had no memory of such a thing.
“You were quite averse to anyone approaching you at that time, Miss.”
Jo Man nodded as he spoke.
‘What?’
I see. That’s why there was no escort warrior.
Half a year ago, when my mind was still in turmoil, it wouldn’t have been entirely impossible.
“However, the security personnel stationed here were doubled compared to other locations, from what I understand.”
Jo Man clicked his tongue, mentioning how warriors swarmed the nearby rooftops like ants whenever night fell.
“Since you appear to be doing well now, the young master has called upon a warrior again. Here.”
Jo Man stepped back a pace, as if urging us to greet each other.
“Ah… yes.”
“I am Dang Dam, of the Commander’s Guard’s Asingi division.”
Dang Dam. The name sounded vaguely familiar somehow.
His face was certainly intimidating. Not in an ugly way, but there was something about him that made it feel like you’d be cut if you brushed past him.
“Are you quite all right, Miss?” Jo Man asked cautiously, ready to throw Dang Dam out immediately if I said otherwise.
Honestly, his presence was somewhat oppressive, but not enough to make me collapse in tears.
“Yes. I’m fine.”
I answered, trying to sound composed, and looked up at Dang Dam.
Collecting myself, I smiled softly and spoke.
“It’s nice to… meet you?”
“You must not use formal speech with me.”
“Oh, yes.”
My lips drooped. His tone was resolute from the start.
A typical warrior’s manner of speaking.
I examined him carefully from head to toe.
His speech, his angular hands, his thick neck—all typical of a swordsman.
So this is the sort of person who serves as a direct martial force unit.
“But if you’re from the Commander’s Guard, aren’t you supposed to be incredibly skilled at fighting? Is it really okay for you to be with me?”
“Martial prowess is cultivated to protect someone. I will use my strength to protect you, Miss.”
A textbook answer came out.
“…If I am not to your liking, you may cast me out.”
I heard his voice as he lowered his head.
‘Did I ask an unnecessary question?’
I’d only asked because I thought he might feel his pride wounded, having honed his martial skills only to escort a small young lady.
Dang Dam seemed to think I disliked him.
‘Come to think of it…’
His hunched shoulders caught my eye. So did his gaze fixed on the floor.
It felt as though he’d made himself as small as possible, fearing I might be frightened.
Dang Dam quietly approached me and knelt.
“However, if you would grant me but one more chance, I shall dedicate this life to protecting you, Miss.”
It was the moment I heard his solemn vow.
“I shall dedicate my life to protecting my family! Who is the last of the Murim!”
Some voice flashed through my mind.
A certain voice flashed through my mind.
?!
A thunderbolt struck through my mind.
Memories unfurled before my eyes in rapid succession, like a lantern show of the dying.
I remembered.
The memories of the two people I met today—Gong Myo and Dang Dam—became vivid.
There was a reason I had forgotten those memories.
They were not pleasant ones to hold onto.
Dang Dam fell in battle defending the Dang Family.
Gong Myo survived the annihilation.
***
Already, the memory was becoming distant.
The annihilation of the Dang Family.
It had not been accomplished in a single day.
Breaching the city walls of Sungdo in Sichuan, penetrating the inner fortress, and slaughtering every member of the Dang clan—it could not have been so simple.
Moreover, given the Dang Family’s specialty in poison, they held advantages in defense, so the war of annihilation stretched on considerably.
“The Poison Dragon’s poison master makes even collecting corpses difficult, doesn’t it?”
Each time I heard of Father’s and my older brothers’ notorious exploits during that process, I quietly shut my ears.
Stories came in rapid succession as victories and defeats alternated.
This person died, that person was killed.
The youngest died first.
Dang Lim.
Dang Gui-heon.
Dang Eum.
And Father.
When I heard of Father’s death, my legs gave way beneath me in relief.
Finally, I would not have to hear these tiresome reports anymore.
Did my heart tear with anguish?
No.
It was simply hollow. The more news of my family’s deaths came, the more hollow I became.
But it was not yet over.
“A desperate last stand, they say. Or something like that.”
“What was his name again? Dang Dam?”
The surviving members of the Commander’s Guard were still fighting.
I could not comprehend it.
Should they not have fled?
If they remained there, they would die anyway—why not abandon the Dang name and live even one more day?
They died soon after.
Along with the victory report came Dang Dam’s command, delivered like mockery.
“I shall offer my life to protect my clan! Ha, what a glorious family indeed.”
“Is it not? Hee-yeon.”
One of those giggling figures deliberately called out to me.
“Huh? Yeah.”
My mind elsewhere, I gave a vague nod.
That entire day, I couldn’t focus on anything.
My head burned while my body turned cold.
With Dang Dam dead, the destruction of the Dang Family would become official.
‘Dang Dam must have known as well.’
That they would soon perish.
Yet knowing this, they still fought to the bitter end—it felt as though they were choosing to follow him in death.
Why?
Because Dang Family blood ran through their veins?
Because they were a clan bound by such unbreakable bonds?
The moment I thought of it that way, the blood in my body turned to ice.
I trudged home along the moonlit path, my steps heavy and slow.
No one was around me. Just like my life.
I was alone now. Truly alone.
Then a shadow fell across my vision.
When I looked up, I saw a woman draped in a crimson cloak.
She approached me cautiously, one step at a time.
Her hidden face gradually came into view.
It was a face I’d never seen before.
“…Who are you?”
Wariness seized me first.
Given everything happening lately, she didn’t seem like someone approaching with good intentions.
“My name is Gong Myo, Miss.”
Miss?
I glanced behind me. There was no one else here but me.
Why would she call me that? Her hands looked more delicate than mine.
Seeing the confusion on my face, tears suddenly streamed down the woman’s cheeks.
I became even more flustered.
“Aren’t you mistaken about something?”
The woman covered her mouth and shook her head.
I stood there awkwardly as she wept, her shoulders trembling.
I had no idea what to do or say.
At least she didn’t seem to be here to harm me.
‘That’s right. Namgoong Do-hwi said he would protect me.’
Tears streaming down her face, she withdrew a small wooden box from her bosom.
It was truly small—something that fit in the palm of a hand.
“Please stay healthy, Miss…”
“Wait, I’m not the young lady you think I-”
Before I could finish speaking, she pressed a wooden box into my hands.
Then she turned and disappeared with unhurried steps.
“….”
Moonlight illuminated the crimson wooden box.
Dried blood clung to the lid.
Inside lay an abundance of withered flower petals.
A familiar fragrance brushed against my nose.
I sifted through the petals with my fingertips. They were all flowers from Sichuan.
“Gong Myo….”
There was a reason she had called me young lady.
She had been a member of the Dang Household.
How had she survived? I had heard that everyone in the city was dead.
‘And why did she come looking for me?’
I had nothing to do with the Dang Family anymore.
Why had she wept so bitterly upon seeing me, unable to speak a word?
Thump. Thump.
The blood that had grown cold began to pulse again.
I felt the blood coursing through my veins.
Everyone who carried this blood was dead.
Did I appear destined to follow them into death?
I crushed the withered petals in my palm.
The powdered petals scattered and flew away on a sudden gust of wind, like dust.
“…How foolish.”
The next day, the annihilation of the Dang Family was proclaimed throughout the realm.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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