The Reformed Genius of the Sichuan Tang Clan - Chapter 19

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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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Chapter 19
What needed to be reclaimed.
Dang Ray did not know what it referred to.
There was too much of it, and it would surely take time.
Yet Dang Yoohyeon was certain.
He knew what had to be reclaimed, and he would reclaim it.
“So it shall be.”
How could an elder stand idle when the young one took on such a burden?
Dang Ray drew a dark-brown wooden token from his sleeve.
The character for Black, carved into wood the color of ink.
The symbol of Heukgang-dae.
“You are a man of deep thought and can accomplish much alone, but there will come times when you require the aid of others.”
The wooden token rested in Dang Yoohyeon’s palm.
“When that day comes, seek out Heukgang-dae. Wherever it may be, we shall follow.”
Dang Yoohyeon understood the weight of trust.
He understood how difficult it was to believe in one proof, one sparring match, rather than in rumors that still flourished.
And he understood how closely Dang Ray must have observed him to reach such a decision.
‘It’s heavy.’
He’d received one like it before; the sight was familiar.
This token was a powerful one—it could mobilize Heukgang-dae even without the patriarch’s approval.
And unless the master of Heukgang-dae himself reclaimed it, there was no limit to how many times it could be used.
‘Whatever you have seen in me, I will not let you regret it.’
Dang Yoohyeon gripped the token tightly, as if afraid it might slip from his grasp.
“I hope what I am about to do aligns with your will.”
“I am confident it shall.”
At this assured reply, Dang Yoohyeon smiled faintly.
Then Dang Jongcheon muttered something low.
“There is nothing more to see here.”
He gave a curt nod, his expression serene even as he watched Dang Yoohyeon’s brow furrow.
“The time allowed to you ends here. From now on, Heukgang-dae alone shall conduct its training. You may leave.”
“Yes.”
Uncertain whether those first words were directed at him or at the members of Heukgang-dae, Dang Yoohyeon nonetheless nodded obediently.
He had already obtained what he came for—recovering his sense was enough.
“Safe travels.”
Dang Yoohyeon bowed slightly in response to Dang Ray’s farewell and stepped out of the Training Ground.
‘I’ve recovered my sense. Perhaps I should train more.’
The moment that thought crossed his mind, Dang Jongcheon called him back.
“You have been so busy moving on behalf of the family that others have borne the duties of the Direct Line that fall to you. Do you acknowledge this?”
“I do.”
“And do you intend now to shoulder your share once more?”
“Of course. I believe it is only right that I do so.”
“I hope those words are not false.”
Dang Jongcheon withdrew a bamboo slip from his sleeve and handed it to Dang Yoohyeon.
“Among the courses of Dok-hak-gak is Practical Fieldwork.”
Dok-hak-gak taught only the Direct Line and certain members of the Branch Line who would one day shoulder the family’s future.
Unlike Yeon-hak-gak, it cultivated a select few and taught the Literary Arts, Martial Arts, and Practical Fieldwork.
Literary and Martial instruction merely went deeper, but Practical Fieldwork required students to traverse Sacheon themselves, gathering intelligence and solving problems.
The difficulty varied vastly depending on where one was assigned and what tasks one undertook.
For this reason, some whispered that Dok-hak-gak existed to teach only the so-called prodigies with exceptional harshness.
“The adjustment will be difficult, given how late you begin, but I hope you do not give up—if only for the sake of those who have faith in you.”
Rather than answer, Dang Yoohyeon unrolled the bamboo slip.
Among the characters written in ink, only two names seized his attention.
Gwak Hwaran, proprietor of Gwolwol-ru.
Yeo Hongran, proprietor of Baekwharu—her sworn sister.
The moment he saw those names again—names he had glimpsed when he’d ransacked the ledgers of Jeokho-chae—Dang Yoohyeon understood.
The task assigned to him was the elimination of Gwolwol-ru.
‘My raid on Baekwharu exposed the nest.’
Dang Yoohyeon used the bamboo slip to conceal his smile.
This was an opportunity.
The chance for him—who knew Sacheon best and had been the first to grasp how deeply Gwolwol-ru had woven itself into the city’s web—to prune away the rot.
‘I can’t soil the hands of my descendants with something like this.’
It had always been the role of the upper waters to keep the lower waters clean.
Dang Yoohyeon folded the bamboo slip with a crisp snap.
“I won’t disappoint you.”
Disappoint—as if.
I’ll root out every parasite infesting Sacheon.
* * *
A few weeks later.
Dang Yoohyeon wandered the streets of Sacheon wearing a black hat pulled low.
With red pigment drawn across his face like a wound and clothes hanging loose, he looked every inch the drifter.
‘This should be enough—forgettable, easy to slip through.’
Yet watching the occasional Yeon-hak-gak student scattered through the crowd made him sigh.
No amount of disguise could hide someone walking around in fine silk with their face exposed for all to see.
The moment even one person remembered a face, covert movement lost its purpose.
‘If they broadcast themselves like that, who wouldn’t recognize them?’
Watching this, he felt the weight of his responsibilities—yet sensed they were still green, still learning.
‘Maybe I’ll have to gather them all and teach them properly….’
Dang Yoohyeon mixed the information about Gwolwol-ru from his bamboo slip with fundamentals of covert movement, melting into the crowd.
Then.
Tap.
Someone bumped his shoulder.
“Oh, pardon.”
For someone startled, the voice was remarkably calm.
Dang Yoohyeon turned to look at the offender.
His gaze, which had been at eye level, dropped.
He hadn’t even gotten a good look at the face, but that alone was enough to satisfy him.
“That was my fault, truly.”
A boy who looked about his age offered an awkward smile.
With his hair tied back in one neat knot, his large eyes were all the more striking.
‘Like a puppy.’
Dang Yoohyeon flicked his arm as if brushing off dust.
The purse he’d kept with stones inside, pretending they were coins, remained untouched.
‘Not a pickpocket, then.’
Judging by the clothes—worn and fraying in places—the boy was likely an errand runner for some inn.
No point getting him scolded by his master.
Dang Yoohyeon waved him off.
“It’s fine. Run along.”
The boy shook his head.
“I’m a man—how could I simply walk away? Let me at least buy you a drink.”
So he didn’t want to be treated like a child.
Or perhaps this was a meeting he was fated to have here.
Dang Yoohyeon studied the boy through narrowed eyes before answering flatly.
“As you wish.”
The boy then patted his own chest and said eagerly.
“You won’t be disappointed. It’s a hidden gem known only to the true locals of Sacheon.”
Not a locals’ favorite—more likely a place within Gwolwol-ru’s sphere of influence.
If he was being led somewhere Dang Yoohyeon didn’t know, it would all be the same regardless.
Dang Yoohyeon shrugged and followed without objection.
“The place I’m taking you to is known, among those who know, for its excellent Gungbo Jeonggung.”
“Is that so? This is my first time in Sacheon.”
“Your first time in Sacheon?”
“That’s right.”
“Then how fortunate! It’s a place that doesn’t open every day, so it would be hard to find on a first visit.”
“Lucky timing.”
Dang Yoohyeon spoke casually as he followed the boy into an alley.
“Now that I think of it, we never introduced ourselves. I go by Maeng San-ho—a drifter wandering here and there.”
“Ah, my apologies for the late greeting. I’m Seonwoo Yoon. Ashamed as I am to say it, I’m also a drifter, though currently working security at an inn.”
“Security work must keep you busy. Shouldn’t you be at your post?”
“I was fed up with it anyway, so I left early.”
“Straightforward.”
Dang Yoohyeon let out a low chuckle.
Quit? He seemed to be working diligently enough even now.
“It’s here.”
At Seonwoo Yoon’s words, Dang Yoohyeon followed his gaze in the direction his finger pointed.
An unremarkable two-story establishment decorated with red cloth. A crescent moon and a waning moon drawn at the entrance.
No explanation was needed.
This was Gwolwol-ru.
Or at least, a place where Gwolwol-ru could easily extend its reach.
‘Either way, it’s not a welcome sight.’
Without knowing the true nature of Gwolwol-ru—information the Dang family had failed to provide—any hasty confrontation was best avoided.
‘As long as I don’t stumble into some bothersome mess.’
Dang Yoohyeon quietly took a seat beside Seonwoo Yoon.
The rowdy chatter of drunken patrons pouring drinks made their presence fade into the background with ease.
“Waitress! One Palace Guard Chicken and two cups of clear wine!”
“Right away!”
“The clear wine’s decent here, isn’t it?”
“It is.”
Asking after ordering everything at once felt natural.
A few of these idiots aside, it looked like some of them had gotten their coffers picked clean before.
“Aren’t you uncomfortable wearing that?”
Seonwoo Yoon gestured toward the top of his own head.
Since he wore nothing, he was referring to the Black Hat that Dang Yoohyeon had on.
“You should take it off when you eat.”
“There are scars on my face—it’s unsightly. I was afraid others might be startled.”
“If that’s your concern, why not cover it with your hair?”
“A sound idea.”
Dang Yoohyeon removed the Black Hat and deliberately revealed the scars.
Seonwoo Yoon faltered at how convincing the disguise looked.
‘It seems he’d received different information.’
Anyone skilled enough to deceive those who practiced Disguise as a trade could fool most ordinary people without raising suspicion.
“You said it was unsightly.”
Dang Yoohyeon spoke softly, lowering his head to cover the scars.
Seonwoo Yoon then snapped to attention and waved his hand.
“No, it’s just—seeing your face, I was startled because you’re far more striking than I’d imagined.”
Were kids these days taught to compliment as a reflex?
Back in my day, the moment you thought someone looked decent, you’d go ahead and hit them—yourself or the other person—first and ask questions later.
The world’s gotten better, hasn’t it.
“Your order is ready!”
Just as he was pouring wine with practiced ease and reaching for a piece of the steaming Palace Guard Chicken—
Bang!
Someone struck the table where he sat.
The impact sent the cup spilling and scattered food across the surroundings.
‘Damn it. How filthy.’
Dang Yoohyeon clicked his tongue and tilted his head sideways to look up.
Behind a man who appeared to be the leader stood four burly ruffians in a line.
“Hey there, friend. Why’re you staring like that?”
“You don’t know who we are, do you? Better keep your eyes in check.”
“I don’t.”
At his blunt reply, veins bulged on the thugs’ foreheads.
“So some greenhorn with no sense of place has wandered in. Let me remind you of your position.”
“We’re the top Drifters running this whole Sacheon region. In order: Ilho through Oho.”
“Don’t understand what that means? In Sacheon, there’s nothing that doesn’t pass through our hands, and the moment you learn our real names, your life is forfeit.”
“Did you all take acting lessons at some theater troupe together? This is amusing.”
When Dang Yoohyeon shot back without changing his expression, Seonwoo Yoon tried to stop him.
“Mengsanho. I seem to have chosen the wrong place. Let’s go somewhere quiet.”
Seonwoo Yoon shook his head, silently urging him not to provoke further.
But Dang Yoohyeon merely rolled his eyes and looked at him.
“Why bother? The loud ones should be the ones leaving.”
Crack!
In an instant, Dang Yoohyeon’s fist struck Ilho’s face with tremendous force.
“Ugh…….”
Dang Yoohyeon pressed down steadily on Ilho, whose sunken face left him barely able to speak, and brushed the dust from his hands.
“I don’t have much patience, so it’s better if you decide quickly.”
Every eye in the tavern widened, fixed upon him.
“Do you want to take another beating, or will you leave quietly?”
Sacheon Dang Clan: Redemption of a Genius
Author |
Yi Il-yeong
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Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
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Editorial Department
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Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. – Dream Books
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G720:N+A063-20260615052
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No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. – Dream Books.

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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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