I Thought the Youngest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Family Was Hated - Chapter 79

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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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At Dang Mu-seon’s words, I blinked.
‘Is that so…?’
Well, I had saved him, hidden him, bathed him, and let him sleep.
“I’m not unaware of why you’re doing this.”
“What?!”
I couldn’t help but startle at his words.
Dang Mu-seon knew the reason I was being so hesitant around that boy?
‘Surely Song Hak didn’t hint at anything…’
I was momentarily flustered, but fortunately, Dang Mu-seon had misread the situation.
“You want to build a bond with that pretty boy, don’t you?”
Of course, that wasn’t entirely wrong either.
“It’s friendship. Friendship!”
“Yes. Whether it’s friendship or affection.”
To my urgent denial, Dang Mu-seon waved his hand dismissively.
He seemed inwardly convinced it was affection.
“But you’re wrong. Your approach is completely flawed.”
He spoke with emphasis.
With a whooshing sound, a snake slithered out from between the floorboards.
The black serpent crawled up onto Dang Mu-seon’s shoulder and flicked its tongue.
It seemed to be acting cute, as if it knew its master was upset.
Dang Mu-seon stroked the snake absently while offering me counsel.
“Is that boy ordinary? He infiltrated the Dang Household, and though he was discovered, he never lost consciousness even when the patriarch unleashed such killing intent.”
Such a person was either extraordinarily brave or insane, Dang Mu-seon said, clenching his fist.
“You have to suppress someone like that. Only then will he settle down.”
“…But I want to get close to him. I don’t want to suppress him or hope he becomes docile…”
“Yeon-ah.”
He patted my shoulder and spoke with a serious expression.
“You should approach someone like that as if he were a beast. Until you’ve tamed him, you’re nothing but prey to him.”
Was I the only one who thought that was harsh?
But Dang Mu-seon wore a satisfied expression, as if this were the finest advice.
“Blindly being kind isn’t everything. That just makes him climb over you.”
When Dang Mu-seon smiled crookedly, the snake happily bumped its head against his chin.
‘That venomous creature. Despite its small size, it’s known to have a terribly vicious temperament…’
Had he tamed it? Just as Dang Mu-seon said.
“…Grandfather might be right.”
“Of course I am.”
I nodded and smiled faintly.
I had made up my mind.
I’d been so focused on wanting to look good because he would become incredibly strong in the future.
Just as Dang Mu-seon said, Jin Hwa had a strong heart. He would grow even stronger.
That’s why I need to train him from the start!
So that even after he grows, he can never harm me or my precious people.
‘And while I’m at it, I’ll give him just enough rewards so he can’t hate me….’
Dang Mu-seon watched me with my mind racing, his expression warm with approval.
“Here, give that to me.”
He reached out and took the plum pit I’d finished eating.
“Thank you.”
As I wiped my sticky hands, a sudden question came to mind.
“…But does he really resemble Kwon Wang?”
Dang Mu-seon’s expression grew noticeably rigid.
He gazed at the dense thicket swaying in the wind.
His narrowed eyes seemed to be recalling an old friend.
“Strangely enough, he does.”
It was an unexpected answer.
“Especially those eyes—they resemble his in a most mysterious way.”
“Then, could it be…?”
I looked at Dang Mu-seon with barely contained excitement in my eyes.
He glanced at me and shook his head flatly.
“That fool Kwon has been dead for ages. It’s just a coincidence. All those who’ve wallowed in filth from an early age have similar eyes—beast eyes, you might say.”
“Ah… I see.”
I’d hoped to learn something new, but it seemed I wouldn’t.
“So you really will train him?”
When I asked further, Dang Mu-seon answered firmly.
“Serving him is itself the training.”
“What? That counts as training?”
Perhaps he intended to teach me mental discipline.
He looked at my skeptical expression and spoke.
“If you knew how damaged that boy’s body is, you wouldn’t say such things to me.”
“What?!”
His body is damaged?
Unlike me, who had grown serious, Dang Mu-seon tossed the plum pit into the air and caught it, speaking casually.
“I don’t know what hardship he endured at such a young age or how he managed to draw out his inner energy… but as he is now, he cannot become anyone’s disciple.”
Even with Dang Mu-seon’s words, I couldn’t grasp the extent of Jin Hwa’s condition.
Since I knew nothing of internal injuries, I could only feel frustrated.
He set the plum pit down on the wooden floor.
As he placed it lengthwise, the pit quickly lost its balance and toppled over.
As if that plum pit were Jin Hwa himself, he spoke.
“A tower built haphazardly, you might say.”
Dang Mu-seon’s words carried profound meaning.
In my previous life, Jin Hwa had been consumed by madness and committed indiscriminate slaughter.
‘Where he dwells, screams erupt; where he departs, only viscous pools of blood remain.’
It was a famous phrase that described him without exaggeration.
‘But the Jin Hwa I saw before regression was quite different from the rumors.’
Typically, an unstable internal state destroys the body and, moreover, ravages the mind.
If Jin Hwa had walked the path of the Asura because of this reason….
Thwack!
Dang Mu-seon spoke as he tossed and caught the jujube seed again.
“Relax your expression. There’s nothing to worry about yet.”
“Really?”
“Yes. That boy needs to build his strength. He’s wrecking his body by recklessly chasing the righteous path.”
At Dang Mu-seon’s words, I recalled Jin Hwa, who hadn’t awakened even after his wounds had fully healed.
Could it be that it wasn’t because of the abdominal wound after all?
Only then did I understand Dang Mu-seon’s intention.
‘I see. Deliberately….’
It was to temper his body.
To build a sturdy dam capable of withstanding the broken current of his power.
“Yes, Grandfather.”
As I nodded, Dang Mu-seon added one more thing.
“So go ahead and have your fun. You’ve suffered enough caring for that boy.”
***
I descended from Jeungsan Peak and headed straight back to my Quarters.
Jin Hwa was in the Back Garden.
He seemed to be looking around, examining the Quarters.
“Ahem, hmm!”
I deliberately cleared my throat as I approached him.
Sensing my presence, Jin Hwa immediately lifted his head.
“….”
I held my head high, waiting for his greeting.
But nothing came back.
Instead, he merely stared at me oddly, hands clasped behind his back, ignoring me.
“Huh-?”
I raised my eyebrows and sent a warning glance toward Jin Hwa.
“What? Why.”
Jin Hwa furrowed his brow as if he didn’t understand.
“Why what?”
And he was even speaking informally?
I drew in a sharp breath and shouted loudly.
“Dang Dam! This guy won’t greet me!”
Dang Dam came rushing over like an arrow and glared at him sharply.
“…!”
Only then did Jin Hwa seem to grasp what had transpired.
He cast me a sidelong glance before bowing his head deeply.
“Welcome, Miss.”
Though he prostrated himself in deference, I found myself thoroughly satisfied.
“Good!”
A sly smile escaped my lips.
Training, taming—such concerns could wait for another day.
This was rather…
‘Entertaining, wasn’t it?’
I faithfully heeded Grandfather’s words.
Which meant I was thoroughly enjoying my servant Jin Hwa.
For instance…
“Ah. My shoulders are so stiff.”
As I rolled my arms and let out a groan, Gong Myo approached.
“Miss, shall I massage them for you?”
“Mm, no. Myo is busy enough as it is.”
I waved my hand dismissively and gazed toward Jin Hwa standing in the corner of the room.
“Why would I ignore my servant?”
As our eyes met, Jin Hwa’s eyes twitched slightly.
I pointed at him and smiled wickedly.
As he approached with heavy footsteps, I turned my back and swept my hair across my chest.
“Please.”
“…Yes, Miss.”
“Ouch. Haha. You’re not putting feelings into this, are you?”
Having him massage my shoulders like this was routine.
‘This is far too comfortable. I should keep him busy.’
“Oh. The candied fruits are all gone?”
I flipped over the empty bowl and pouted.
This time too, Gong Myo readily offered.
“Shall I fetch some more, Miss?”
“Mm, no. I want something different this time.”
I shook my head and subtly turned my gaze toward Jin Hwa.
To the boy who now flinched at the mere meeting of our eyes, I spoke brightly.
“Fetch me some Chilryeong Fruits, Jin Hwa!”
The brilliant crimson fruits that grew only at the peak of Chilryeong Mountains.
That was the training task I had assigned him today.
“Tch…!”
He ground his teeth audibly.
But soon enough, Jin Hwa bowed his head and bolted from the room.
“Hehehehe…”
I covered my mouth and stifled my laughter.
Gong Myo smiled as if she found me adorable.
“Miss, you truly have such a… such a deep heart.”
“Huh? Me?”
At Gong Myo’s words, I tilted my head in confusion.
“Did you maybe mix that up with ‘malicious’?”
“That couldn’t be…! You, you did that on purpose, didn’t you?”
“On purpose?”

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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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