131

Chapter 131 - The Dang Family's Storm 2nd Volume - 4

From Daehung County in Hubei Province, passing through Yichang, all the way to Shaanxi Province.

Dang Geo Ho had pursued his experiment subject across this lengthy path.

Should he meet Hwa Rin again, she would surely be surprised yet welcoming. He would restrain himself from speaking of his own exploits, content to listen to the events she had experienced in the interim—that alone would fill her with joy.

When the atmosphere was ripe, he planned to lure her with the bait of official membership within the Dang family, offering her an independent command. She was always longing for affection; with just a little persuasion, she would eagerly embrace it.

If Dang Hwa Rin could become a master of poison, it would prove once and for all that he was capable of creating such a master with his own power. If the experiment failed, it would be a regrettable waste of all his effort, but he simply had to eradicate any trace of his test subject and begin anew.

Will his experiment of more than ten years succeed or fail?

With a heart thumping in excitement, Dang Geo Ho knocked on the grand manor door in Shaanxi Province.

"What do you mean she was left behind?"

The girl who should have rushed out barefoot at the news of his arrival was nowhere to be seen. Dang Geo Ho sensed something had gone awry solely based on this fact.

However, left behind, she was?

"Ho ho. That is..."

Dang Hwa Rin's mother forced an awkward laugh in an attempt to dodge Dang Geo Ho's fury.

"Are you even human?"

To think she would abandon her own daughter, and one so sick she could hardly move no less.

"Ho ho. Esteemed sir. That child is an adult now. She can take care of herself."

"You really are..."

Unable to contain his anger, Dang Geo Ho strode towards Dang Hwa Rin's mother.

"Protect the lady!"

Guards and servants, sensing a potential serious turn of events, surrounded Dang Geo Ho all at once.

"Worthless vermin."

Like swatting away pesky bugs, Dang Geo Ho casually waved his hand through the air.

"Kugh!"

"Huff!"

In an instant, everyone in the residence collapsed from the poison he had released. Ignoring the fallen, Dang Geo Ho turned his cold gaze on Dang Hwa Rin's mother, who trembled in fear.

"In my life, I have handled countless poisons, but never have I encountered a viper as filthy and vile as you."

"Ho ho ho, Dang sir, or should I say, Brother Geo Ho. Let us not stay here—come, let us converse in the bedroom."

A middle-aged beauty—though in her forties, she carried the visage of someone in her early thirties. This woman, who had ensnared the hearts of two heads of the household, resorted to seduction to survive.

"I handle serpents. I don't lie with them."

Dang Geo Ho gripped the viper-like woman's white nape with a single hand and lifted her up.

"Kerk!"

"You have been useful only because you cooperated with the experiment to turn Hwa Rin into a master of poison."

The poison that had intoxicated the head of the household was supplied by Dang Geo Ho.

"I am filled with a desire to reduce you to a mere puddle of blood, but for now, I shall spare your life for Hwa Rin's sake and take you with me."

That child had always despised her mother.

Their relationship had crossed an irreversible river due to this incident. If he could reunite with Dang Hwa Rin and offer her the chance for revenge against her mother, she would willingly embrace the poison circle.

Dang Geo Ho placed the poison he had drawn from his bosom into the mouth of Dang Hwa Rin's mother, who had already struggled to breathe, and she immediately lost consciousness.

"Dang sir! It is true the lady has erred, but this is not the way of the righteous. The world will condemn you for this!"

One of the watching guards cried out to Dang Geo Ho.

"...Indeed. You are right."

Dang Geo Ho surveyed his surroundings with a silent nod at the guard's words.

"Dang sir."

Perhaps the guard thought Dang Geo Ho had calmed his rage.

"There must be no witnesses."

This was the last thought of the guard in this world.

"Keeeuuugh!"

Dang Geo Ho employed his most potent poison on everyone present in the residence.

If there were no witnesses, there would be no one to point fingers. This was the reason Dang Geo Ho, possessing a malicious nature akin to snakes and scorpions, was still regarded as a great hero.

"Hwa Rin, where are you?"

Dang Geo Ho shouldered the unconscious body of Dang Hwa Rin's mother and exited the manor.

She was not in Yichang. She was not in Shaanxi Province. It would be best if she were in the inn where she was said to have been abandoned, but the likelihood of that was slim.

With his abilities, he couldn't find his experiment subject in the vastness of Central Plains. Should he forfeit the subject that was a step away from completion?

"It seems I must seek out power externally."

Dang Geo Ho's eyes, aflame with madness, knew not what it meant to give up.

*****************

The popularity vote was a success.

"Two sets of Sookjeong tea, please."

"Three sets of Hyang-A coffee."

They had directed their boundless enthusiasm into the vote. Thanks to that, the disturbances within the tea house were significantly reduced.

"That's incredible. Do you mean to tell me that the unrivaled beauty of Sichuan is losing to a mere courtesan?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"You wretch!"

"*Cough*"

Of course, the commotion hadn't completely vanished, but members of the literary society exercised restraint amidst the ongoing conflict.

"It seems the master is giving us a sign. If we don't want to be thrown out, we need to join in quietly."

A literary society member noticed my hint and spoke cautiously, bowing his head.

"Tch. Guess I'll have to indulge in a Sookjeong tea set."

"Let's drink the Hyang-A coffee we ordered."

The two factions of the literary society began consuming sets named after their favorite women. Please, let's end the ruckuses. Rather than fight, it's better to just order a special set, right?

"Indeed Sookjeong tea. One sip brings to mind the profound fragrance, reminiscent of the radiant beauty that is the unrivaled beauty of Sichuan from afar."

The man from the Sookjeong group praised the tea as though he were a culinary judge savoring heavenly flavors in a cooking manga.

Of course, Sookjeong tea was made from ordinary tea leaves.

"How amusing. This Hyang-A coffee is the one that truly balances sourness and bitterness, allowing one to experience the essence of Du-Eun Hyang's charm."

That too was made from ordinary beans.

"How about the pastries? The sweetness makes one think of the unrivaled beauty of Sichuan's face."

"These pastries bring to mind Du-Eun Hyang's sweet voice."

Both pastries were different in color only, supplied from the same source.

"If you try the Sookjeong tea set, you'll realize it's better than that trivial coffee."

The man pushed the plate of the Sookjeong tea set forward.

"This is the better choice. Try coffee and pastries instead of such tea."

"Enough. I know you're just trying to hurry up and order another one."

"Look who's talking."

Were the two factions to actually exchange and taste each other's choices, they'd swiftly realize the error of their ways, but it seemed like that revelation would take some time.

-------------

Running the popularity poll often presents amusing situations.

"Mr. Hwang has arrived. Shall I serve you the Sookjeong tea set?"

Mr. Hwang, a helpful member of the literary society, visited Dasogak today. He doesn't look well. Why can't he meet my gaze?

"No, I don't need the Sookjeong tea set."

Mr. Hwang shook his head vehemently in refusal. Perhaps his finances were tight.

"Then, how about an iced Americano?"

"No, give me the Hyang-A coffee set."

I was momentarily taken aback by Mr. Hwang's request.

"Mr. Hwang. Have you switched sides?"

Who was Mr. Hwang? He was an ardent member of the Sookjeong faction, emphatic enough to declare he'd take to the forefront if the rivalry between Dang family and Sichuan's number one beauty were real.

"Shh! Speak quietly, someone might hear you."

Mr. Hwang, startled, hastily scanned his surroundings. It looked like he really intended to order the Hyang-A coffee. Had he changed his loyalty? What startling news.

"Yes. I'll make one for you to start."

I added one more vertical stroke to the letter '正' on the chalkboard, then started preparing the Hyang-A coffee set.

"Brother! What on earth are you doing here!"

As I prepared the coffee, an indignant voice came from behind.

"Little brother. How did you get here?"

I turned around, surprised, to see Mr. Hwang and another man with a striking resemblance to him. It appeared to be his younger brother.

"I followed you secretly after hearing rumors that you were mingling with some group called the literary society instead of focusing on your studies. Brother, it's deeply regrettable that someone preparing for the civil service exams is keeping such low company."

Mr. Hwang's brother wore an expression of dismay, like encounters of young students caught at internet cafes instead of studying.

And what about the civil service exams?

'Mr. Hwang. You're not just a student, you're a scholar candidate.'

To take the provincial exams in the Central Plains, one must pass the local tests to qualify.

Passing these grants the status of a student eligible for administrative treatment and is considered among the promising elite even by the standards of Yichang.

Of course, the provincial and higher-level exams required to become an official are much more arduous.

Even the most brilliant minds might find them as challenging as if a badly scarred actor could snag an idol girlfriend – hence, some settled for being scholar candidates.

"Little brother. It's a simple reading club. For a student to join a book club isn't a matter of concern."

Mr. Hwang offered an awkward justification as if to say spending time in an internet cafe wasn't something a scholar should be reproached for.

"What one reads at a book club is crucial. What they indulge in but nothing more than erotic tales, mere lowbrow novels. Reading such will rot your enlightened brain. A true scholar should..."

Mr. Hwang's brother began to sermonize about the evils of pornography like an expert seen on morning shows.

It's been a while since I've had my own novel insulted like that. It's like smelling the trolls from my homeland in a stranger's words.

"And you dare to call 'The Dang Family's Storm' such trash? Are you insulting Ho-Pil, the author?"

Mr. Hwang's usually pleasant face seemed ready to explode. I'm fine, though.

Having popularity doesn't satisfy everyone. Having experienced so much online hate, a comment like that doesn't even scratch me.

Maybe I should intervene before this turns into a sibling quarrel.

"Two Hyang-A coffee sets are ready."

I interjected to calm down Mr. Hwang, who was on the verge of bursting from hearing his favorite work being insulted.

"I ordered only one."

"It's on the house. Enjoy it with your brother."

"Th-thank you."

Mr. Hwang had been so helpful to me; gratitude was the least I could express.

"And this is a service for the younger brother."

I handed the first volume of 'The Dang Family's Storm' to the younger brother, who looked disapprovingly at his elder. You don't know the taste of this novel; that's why you speak such nonsense. Hey! Try! Try!

"I don't need it. Recommending such filthy tales to me speaks volumes about the level of this bookstore."

Mr. Hwang's younger brother turned his head sharply, flatly rejecting the offer. If he were polite about it, at least. If Hwa Rin saw this, he'd be done in an instant.

Note to self: maintain composure. In the service industry, managing expressions is vital.

"Little brother!"

"A scholar should not be blinded by prejudice, for not learning leads to self-righteousness. How can one who studies cast aspersions upon his brother's preference without first-hand knowledge?"

I solemnly invoked a Confucian quote, albeit partially, that scholars hold in high regard, attempting to persuade him again.

"How dare you wield the words of Confucius as a barbarian?"

The younger brother looked at me, startled. What, he thought I was a savage barbarian still stuck in the Bronze Age, grunting and hassling through life?

That's the issue with people from the Central Plains.

"Even a barbarian knows and abides by such tenets. Would you not even consider a look?"

If a scholar like you doesn't act upon it, you'll be deemed lower than a barbarian.

I slyly insinuated in my words an encouragement for him to reconsider.

"Tch! I belong to the Yichang Literary Society. If this novel is as low and trashy as I suspect, then I shall pour forth scathing reviews under the society's name."

Yichang Literary Society? Do they research things like novels? So, this guy was a pure literature enthusiast from the Central Plains. Just give it a read, nonetheless. I'm confident in my writing, after all.

The younger brother took my book and retreated to a corner.

"Manager Kang, did you ever study for the civil service exams?"

Mr. Hwang, surprised by his brother's actions, asked me.

"I've merely overheard lessons on the Four Books and Five Classics. It's certainly nothing to boast about, unlike Scholar Candidate Hwang's accomplishments."

That's me, Kang Yoonho from Joseon, who isn't merely a scholar candidate but someone who even received private tutoring from those who passed the highest level of the state examinations. Of course, I hardly studied.

"Modesty as well. No wonder you resonate with the work of author Ho-Pil. Anyway, thank you. Here's the money for the set."

"You only need to pay for one."

"Please, take it all."

"It's alright."

It's a complimentary offering. Yet, Mr. Hwang was insistent on paying, despite my refusal.

Why is he doing this?

As I continued to decline the money, Mr. Hwang opened his mouth with an apologetic expression.

"Then... earlier, when you gave out two cups, I noticed you added just one stroke to the chalkboard for Hyang-A. Please, add another."

Mr. Hwang leaned in and whispered, wary of anyone overhearing us.

Ah, so that's why he wanted to pay for both.

"Yes, I'll add it now."

I was truly surprised by the fact that Mr. Hwang had switched allegiances. With that, I added another stroke to the letter '정' on the chalkboard.

*******************************

"Sigh. This is worrisome."

Mr. Hwang let out a deep sigh as he returned to his room at home.

He idolized his brother like the sky above. He boasted to the neighborhood about how his elder brother had passed the exams at a young age to become a scholar candidate, and he was so proud of it.

Even though, in truth, he wasn't such an impressive brother.

"It could reflect poorly on author Ho-Pil."

The content of 'The Dang Family's Storm' was enough to captivate anyone. However, his brother belonged to the Yichang Literary Society, despising popular novels and favoring classics instead.

While 'The Dang Family's Storm' was truly enjoyable, what if his brother publicly condemned it with harsh criticism, just because it wasn't his taste? It would tarnish author Ho-Pil's reputation, and Mr. Hwang would no longer be able to show his face at the literary society.

"Should I go talk to him even now?"

Even if it wasn't to his taste, he should be discouraged from making such remarks.

Just as Mr. Hwang was about to hurry to his brother's room, he heard a sound at the door.

"Brother."

Mr. Hwang's younger brother made his presence known at the door.

"Come in."

"B-brother."

"What's the matter?"

Mr. Hwang, taken aback by his brother's abnormal demeanor, opened the door. When his brother first entered, he wore a significantly shocked expression, but then he avoided eye contact upon entering the room.

"..."

"What's happened? Is it something serious?"

Mr. Hwang was startled by his brother's reaction, which he had never seen before. Could there have been some major family issue? However, his brother's response was beyond his expectation.

"Brother. I'm sorry, but... the foremost courtesan of Hubei, ah, ah, ah, no. By any chance, do you have volume 2?"