Surviving as the Sacheon Dang Clan’s Servant - Chapter 57

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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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Episode 57
14. Poison King Manor? Remedy House?
It was deep into the night when we returned to the Dang Family compound after viewing Cho Ryeon’s paintings that Hwa Hong had collected and listening to Dang Ju Yeop’s playing.
As I quietly opened the door to Byeoldang, I found Dang Jung sitting there with a sullen expression on his face.
“You’re back?”
“G-Grandfather. Were you waiting in Byeoldang?”
“Geun Myeong told me you went to Wol Hyang Ru.”
“Well… yes…”
I smiled awkwardly and cast my eyes about. Was he going to scold me for leaving without permission?
Dang Jung came closer, looked me over from head to toe, then patted my head as if nothing were amiss.
“Going to fetch you seemed like too much fuss. I was waiting to see you come in safely, then I’d leave.”
I had expected a scolding, and my eyes widened in surprise.
He’d been worried for me.
“You were worried about me?”
“That fool Ju Yeop isn’t so foolish as to try anything against you in the middle of Seongdo.”
“Hehe, so you wanted to see me?”
As I asked, grinning widely, Dang Jung pinched my nose and shook it.
“Now this girl tries to tease her old grandfather.”
“Ow, that hurts.”
“Did you have a good time?”
“Yes, it was fun.”
“Then that’s all that matters.”
Though the outing had been nothing but trouble and incident, I nodded as if I’d simply had an enjoyable time.
I thought it best not to mention anything about Hao Gate.
‘If ever you have need, send word to me, Miss. It would be my greatest pleasure.’
The image of Hwa Hong, smiling with that seductive charm as he saw me off, lingered before my eyes.
What connection did he have to Cho Ryeon that he would help her daughter without question or suspicion?
I would need to learn more about my mother’s past.
…Wait. Now that I think about it, I never even found out what Ju Yeop does at that establishment.
It seemed I would have to visit Wol Hyang Ru again soon.
* * *
What happened at Wol Hyang Ru spread quickly through the city.
After hearing the full story, Dang Jung dismissed it lightly, saying as long as Dang Young Ho hadn’t been beaten, it was fine.
Dang Un chided me, saying I should still show proper respect to my eldest brother.
And Dang Ju Hui…
“Hey, youngest! You had a bout with Eight-Tenths, didn’t you?”
“Who told you that? It’s a misunderstanding. How could I possibly cross hands with my brother, who is like the heavens themselves?”
“You’re shameless. The whole city is already talking about it. Anyway, why won’t you do a martial match with me? Come on, with me!”
She pestered me all day long to spar.
Blast. That was supposed to stay out of Dang Ju Hui’s ears.
When I pretended not to hear and began repairing my whip blade, she whined and wrapped her arms around my neck. Her grip was so strong I could barely breathe.
“Just one second. Hmm? Just one second.”
“Deok Ju.”
“Yes, Miss. I beg your pardon, Miss Dang Ju Hui.”
At my call, Deok Ju, who had been standing quietly nearby, lifted Dang Ju Hui up and separated her from me. Dang Ju Hui’s face turned pouty.
“Are you trying to have me escorted away? When are you going to spar with me?”
“Your sister’s fists are lethal, Miss. Let’s wait another ten years.”
“I said I’d take it easy. Don’t you trust me?”
No. I don’t.
As I dropped to the ground in refusal, Deok Ju, taking my place, climbed up to the Training Ground and formally assumed a fist form stance.
“Please, make do with me instead.”
“Tsk.”
Muttering under her breath, Dang Ju Hui retied her hair and beckoned to Deok Ju. The expressionless Deok Ju bent low, then pushed off the earth and soared upward.
Boom-crack!
As their fists collided, a sound like thunder split the air. I hugged my knees and rubbed my goosebump-covered arms.
When the dust settled, I saw Dang Ju Hui grinning with bared teeth, laughing wildly. It was a cackle that lived up to her nickname—Mad Dog.
How could I possibly spar with someone like that? I was afraid she’d haunt my dreams.
With the grace of an acrobat, she did a backflip through the air, then rushed at Deok Ju with wild, frenzied eyes.
In her brilliant long robe fluttering around her, Dang Ju Hui threw punches with a grace that was almost wondrous.
Watching each joint articulate in seamless motion, you could only marvel at how a person’s body could move in such ways.
Dang Ju Hui might have made a fine idol or backup dancer, I thought. She’d probably excel at gymnastics too. However I looked at it, she was a talent born in the wrong era.
I watched the sparring match while indulging these idle thoughts. The two of them moved so impossibly fast that it felt like watching a video played at triple speed.
My eyes rolled back and forth, chasing their blurred movements, when someone quietly approached and stood beside me.
“Grandfather, you’ve arrived?”
“I was wondering why you hadn’t come, but it seems we’ve had an uninvited guest. Why does Ju Hui spend every day at your Byeoldang? Anyone would think she lives here.”
Right? Why does she come all the time?
Dang Jung settled into position naturally and crossed his arms. He scrutinized Dang Ju Hui with a disapproving gaze.
“Those movements are too wide. She’s just asking to be beaten wherever she goes. I’d like to know who taught her that.”
“Even I can barely see what’s happening clearly.”
“Well then, I suppose I’ll have to teach her Eye Technique Training too.”
Oh. I shouldn’t have said that aloud.
Dang Jung casually increased the scope of the training and rolled up his sleeve with a grumpy expression.
“Want a dried persimmon?”
“Just one, please.”
“Open up then.”
As I obediently opened my mouth, Dang Jung removed the stem of the dried persimmon and popped it into my mouth.
When I bit into the bright red dried persimmon dusted with fine powder, the soft flesh melted away on my tongue.
“Ah.”
“Mm.”
“Ah.”
“Munch.”
I ate the snacks Dang Jung offered me while observing the two fighters’ movements.
Unlike Dang Ju Hui’s unpredictable style, Deok Ju’s movements were straightforward. Yet straightforward didn’t mean weak.
When Dang Ju Hui unleashed fierce techniques in rapid succession, Deok Ju calmly and precisely deflected every single one.
It was remarkable how personality showed through in one’s forms.
When all her attacks were blocked, Dang Ju Hui grew frustrated and increased her speed. But whether Dang Ju Hui was simply slow or Deok Ju genuinely fast, I couldn’t tell.
Just as Deok Ju began subtly edging toward the edge of the training ground, weaving through incoming kicks, Dang Ju Hui let out a shout.
“Where do you think you’re going? We’re not finished!”
Dang Jung pointed a finger at Dang Ju Hui, who huffed and puffed indignantly.
“This is no way to fight. Thrashing about like a wild boar startled by an arrow only wastes your strength. Mind well—it’s a poor example.”
I am watching, but I can barely see it, Grandfather. Dang Ju Hui is so much faster than Dang Young Ho.
“Gather your inner power and focus it through your eyes. Then you’ll see better.”
……Did I say that out loud? I don’t think I did.
I blinked and asked.
“Grandfather, I’ve been curious about this for a while. Do you practice the Poison Heart Technique?”
At my question, Dang Jung pressed his temple as if exasperated.
“……This old man worries. If I meet someone with deep scheming, they’ll see right through me—no, they’ll swallow me whole. How am I supposed to send this out into the world?”
“Then don’t leave. I want to spend my whole life with you, Grandfather.”
“Nonsense. At your age, if you’re a martial artist, you should dream of becoming the Greatest Martial Artist Under Heaven or achieving the Unification of the Martial World. What would you do living with an old man like me? Here, eat this instead.”
Dang Jung chided me and pulled my cheek taut.
Yet, seeming not entirely displeased, he chuckled softly and placed a sugar-preserved plum into my mouth.
The Greatest Martial Artist Under Heaven of this age is already decided. I’d be satisfied if I could just get by without getting beaten wherever I go.
Now that I thought of it, what level was Namgoong Hui’s martial power at? Seeing him knock down ruffians in one blow at the Night Market, he seemed quite formidable even now. Was he stronger than Deok Ju? Or was he still weaker than her?
I was pondering his swordcraft when, in the blink of an eye, Deok Ju was kicked and sent tumbling out of the training ground.
Crash!
Dang Ju Hui dropped down on top of Deok Ju and brought her poison-coated Armor Plates down hard.
As Deok Ju twisted her shoulder to dodge the Armor Plates, Dang Ju Hui—grinning wickedly—drove her fist straight at Deok Ju’s face.
“Deok Ju!”
Startled, I cried out and rushed toward the two of them.
“No, sister! Don’t hit her face! Deok Ju, are you all right?”
As I hurriedly pulled them apart, Dang Ju Hui grumbled.
“Tch. No fun.”
Yet the way she let me drag her along suggested she had no intention of hitting Deok Ju again.
Deok Ju got to her feet on her own and wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth with a composed expression. Dark bruises were already forming around her eyes.
Dang Jung clicked his tongue.
“Foolishly exposing your face like that. The arms or legs would have sufficed.”
……Ah. She let herself be hit on purpose to end the sparring match. I’m sorry, Deok Ju.
“My, the family patriarch has arrived? I am honored to greet you, sir.”
The moment Dang Ju Hui saw her grandfather, she became demure and bowed with proper courtesy. For someone who had just left a fist-shaped bruise on another’s face, her manners were impeccably refined.
“Very well.”
Dang Jung, receiving the bow with characteristic flatness, tilted his chin upward.
Watching him, I had to stifle a laugh—Dang Ju Hui, her head bowed, was easily a hand’s breadth taller than grandfather.
Dang Jung, who had been studying Deok Ju intently, opened his mouth.
“Sohye. How much have you and Un read through already?”
“Um, well… we’ve just finished Shennong’s Materia Medica Classic.”
“Then it’s time you learned to prepare herbal materials. Take Deok Ju and go to the Uiyak Dang. Since the bet’s been thoroughly settled, brew up a decoction and have her eat it, then lend a hand around the apothecary before you return.”
“Work at the apothecary?”
What could I possibly help with? I don’t know anything.
Unlike my bewilderment, Dang Ju Hui’s face lit up with enthusiasm.
“Really? I can play with the youngest? This works out perfectly. There’s so much material that needs preparing!”
“Send her back before sunset.”
“Yes. I’ll remember. Come on, youngest. Let’s go.”
Dang Ju Hui seized my hand excitedly, tugging me forward.
“Wait? What? Sister, I haven’t even washed yet. My practice robes are soaked with sweat. Let me change clothes first! Hey, let me at least bathe!”
Despite my flailing protests, Dang Jung simply waved us off with an encouraging gesture.
Why is she so strong?
I was hauled bodily out of Byeoldang by Dang Ju Hui’s iron grip, dragging the whole way.

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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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