Surviving as the Sacheon Dang Clan’s Servant - Chapter 121

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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 121
29. The Definition of Family
After the tempest had passed, Yeon Liang lifted me—still fuming—into the air and laughed softly to calm me down.
“Easy now, sister. Easy. Easy.”
“No! Let me down! I need to land at least one punch on that monk’s face before this anger settles, I’m telling you!”
“But you didn’t land a single blow. You only took the hits.”
“Argh! This is infuriating!”
His matter-of-fact observation only kindled my rage further.
Even when I rushed at him, flailing and snarling, I couldn’t lay a finger on Beop Gong’s body.
As I stomped my feet in frustration, Beop Gong clicked his tongue and mocked me openly.
“You’re no match for me, little one. Did you really think I’d give the seat of sutra master to just anyone? Every martial cultivator who’s challenged Shaolin has faced me.”
“You know, you’re really unbearable?”
“Yeah. I hear that a lot. I’m rather excellent, you see.”
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
What manner of person is this!
If he weren’t friends with Yeon Liang, I’d force Extreme Poison down that loud mouth of his!
“I swear, when you’re asleep, I’m going to dissolve every last hair on your head!”
The moment I let out that roar, Beop Gong’s face went pale.
“Wait, wait. Little one. Don’t say such terrifying things. I’ve been growing this for a year.”
“Then you can simply grow it for another year!”
“Look, spare me the hair. It really was difficult to cultivate.”
“But you didn’t spare me!”
“All right, all right. I surrender. I surrender.”
He hastily waved both hands in defeat and retreated backward.
I glared at him, my lips pursed indignantly.
I would have relished leaving handprints across that irritating bastard’s back, but truth be told, my limbs were trembling so badly that standing had become a struggle.
Noticing my condition, Yeon Liang let out a rueful laugh and set me down gently. Then he crouched beside me and began poking my cheeks playfully.
“Sister. Are you sulking?”
“This isn’t sulking—this is fury. And that’s not even the real issue. How does someone just throw another person into an Evil Sect stronghold like that?”
“Martial cultivators shouldn’t be delicate. Besides, your left arm is the only injury. Everything else is intact. A scratch like that will heal with some salve. Stop complaining and apply this.”
Beop Gong shrugged and tossed a small vial to me. I caught it and narrowed my eyes suspiciously.
“What is this?”
“Jade Spirit Powder. Precious stuff. Apply it generously. That’s how you recover quickly.”
After answering, Beop Gong began gathering the scattered Evil Sect martial cultivators and binding them all together in one place.
As the paralysis gradually wore off, they began thrashing one by one—the sight resembled a fish market in turmoil.
Is he turning them over to the authorities? Even so, he’s a monk, and surprisingly merciful—
“Ahhhhh!”
Not even close.
The brutal image of him shattering their dantians in one motion made my whole body flinch. An instinctive ache bloomed across my lower abdomen.
“Are you really a monk, sir?”
“Buddhist Law forbids taking life, not severing the chains of wickedness. What that means is: don’t kill them, but everything else is permitted. As long as breath remains, it matters not whether I sever their limbs or destroy their dantians.”
“If you hadn’t joined Shaolin, you would have become a legendary demon.”
“Exactly. Aren’t I fortunate? Thanks to the Abbot taking me in, I’m now protecting the peace of Zhongyuan. Little one, what are you doing? Apply the medicine.”
Beop Gong, returning Yeon Liang’s rebuke, gestured to me.
I awkwardly rolled my eyes and looked down at the vial.
Shaolin’s Jade Spirit Powder was undoubtedly precious, but it wasn’t a remedy that would serve me well.
“I’ll apply it later, if you don’t mind.”
As I fumbled with the vial, Beop Gong frowned, as if to ask why I was stalling.
“Why? Apply it now.”
“Yes, Sohye. Apply it now. This isn’t idle talk—it really is precious. Monks use it like water, squandering it freely, but wanderers would drool for the mere scent of something like this.”
Yeon Liang backed him up.
Under the weighty gazes of both men, I looked away into empty space. My throat went dry.
If I showed my wound to them, my constitution would be exposed.
“Um… since it’s so precious, I’ll wash up and apply it afterward.”
“Apply it now. If you leave it as is, rust poison will set in. Are you worried about wasting it? Give it here.”
Beop Gong strode forward, took back the Jade Spirit Powder, and in one swift motion rolled up my sleeve and sprinkled the fine powder liberally over the long gash.
Yet the powder only turned crimson; the bleeding did not stop.
Beop Gong’s eyes widened in alarm.
“What? A wound this shallow should close immediately with Jade Spirit Powder. Why won’t the bleeding stop?”
“Ah, haha.”
I laughed awkwardly and tried to pull my arm away, but he stood as immovable as solid stone.
Beop Gong lowered his head to examine my wound, and his expression turned grave.
“Little one. The medicine isn’t working?”
* * *
After hearing the whole story, Beop Gong offered an apology with a face that showed no real remorse whatsoever.
“Ah, I’m sorry. Little one. I nearly did you in.”
“If you know that, then don’t do it again.”
“Right. Next time I’ll make sure to aim for a spot that won’t catch your sword.”
“No, I mean don’t throw it at all!”
Yeon Liang, watching our exchange, had grown dark-faced.
“……Sohye. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“It’s not exactly good news for people to know. It’s a weakness. Keep it secret. You too, Beop Gong.”
“Yes, yes. I stake my very hair on it. If anyone asks, I’ll say I know nothing.”
“Can’t you swear by something other than your hair? I can’t trust you one bit.”
“Do you know how rare it is for me to stake my hair and pledge my word? This is the first time ever.”
“That’s exactly what that means—you’re saying you won’t keep it.”
While Beop Gong grinned and teased me, Yeon Liang furrowed his brow and pressed hard at the corners of his eyes with both hands. He seemed to have a headache.
Seeing his grave expression, Beop Gong asked why he looked so troubled.
“Hey, Yeon Liang. The one who’s hurt is little one, so why are you looking like you’re dying?”
“I feel like an idiot for not noticing until now. Don’t talk to me—I need to think.”
At his sharp reply, Beop Gong and I exchanged glances and swallowed hard.
Yeon Liang seemed angry.
‘What’s gotten into him?’
‘Doesn’t he seem upset?’
‘Why?’
As Beop Gong and I whispered, moving our lips silently, Yeon Liang cradled his head and spoke.
“I’m going to get some air for a bit.”
Then he turned and walked away with long strides. Beop Gong, sensing the awkwardness, suddenly stood.
“Hey, little one. Wait here a moment. I’ll go talk to your brother and be right back.”
“Yes.”
I watched Beop Gong disappear into the distance, dragging Yeon Liang along, and bit my lip.
What did I say wrong? Why did he suddenly get angry?
* * *
Beop Gong didn’t stop walking until he was far enough that Dang Sohye couldn’t hear him.
Looking at Yeon Liang’s stiff face, he crossed his arms as if telling him to speak.
“You said the child gets frightened, so she can’t say a careless word. So what’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”
“It’s nothing. My heart just isn’t right.”
“Is it because of little one’s wound?”
“No. It’s just……. I’m wondering if I failed to earn that much trust.”
At his answer, Beop Gong’s expression shifted to utter disbelief.
“Huh? Look at this fellow. You’re actually upset that the Dang Clan’s little one didn’t reveal her weakness to you?”
Under Beop Gong’s reproach, Yeon Liang’s face went blank as if he’d been struck.
“……Damn. That’s it, isn’t it.”
He muttered and made a face, then splashed water on his face with a dry hand. Beop Gong, who had been staring blankly, burst out laughing.
“Ha-ha-ha! You’re acting like a lovesick fool, aren’t you? I would’ve kept it secret too. When your life is on the line, how could you tell anyone?”
“I know, so be quiet.”
“Ahahahaha! This is hilarious. If there was someone like you at Shaolin, we’d never stop laughing.”
Beop Gong tilted his head back and laughed for a long time, then wiped his eyes and asked.
“Yeon Liang. Do you really want to be that little one’s brother? She’s Dang bloodline. The Dang Clan is the most obsessed with bloodline ties in all of Zhongyuan. Once that girl gets herself even a halfway decent epithet, they’ll try to drag her back immediately.”
“I know, so be quiet.”
Yeon Liang took slow, deep breaths, and his eyes grew heavy and dim. The smile faded from Beop Gong’s face.
“You’re a tender-hearted one. Playing at family has been fun, hasn’t it.”
Beop Gong grumbled and crouched down beside Yeon Liang.
“Tsk, tsk. Sentient being, do not struggle in the snare of attachment.”
“I’m not going to a temple.”
“No, it’s not missionary work. You’re creating grasping attachment by your own hand, so I’m just saying this out of frustration. Grasping attachment becomes suffering, and suffering returns as karma. Don’t be greedy—let things flow as they will.”
“When did you start talking like a monk?”
“I am a monk.”
Beop Gong held up his prayer beads and made a face as if he’d swallowed bitter medicine.
“This is infuriating. I thought little one was relying on you. It turns out you’re the one relying on little one. Did you eat your age through a hole in the ground?”
“Stop it. You’re making me feel bad enough as it is.”
“Quit moping and wash your face. You’re scaring the child—her eyes are wide as saucers. Has she ever seen you angry before? She looked frightened.”
“…You’re right. The poor thing must be scared.”
Yeon Liang exhaled quietly, his voice hollow. Beop Gong rose with a gruff expression and patted Yeon Liang’s shoulder firmly.
“If you care for her so much, send her off with a smile. Don’t cloud her heart with your gloom.”
“I know.”
“You don’t know a thing. I can’t stand seeing a ox of a man dragging about like a wilted plant—wipe that miserable look off your face.”
Beop Gong kicked sharply at Yeon Liang’s shin. Yeon Liang nodded and forced his expression into composure.
‘Act like an adult. Act like an adult… Damn it.’
Repeating the words like an incantation, Yeon Liang clenched his jaw.
For a man who had never encountered a truly mature adult in his life, pretending to be one was an impossibly difficult thing.

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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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