147

Chapter 147 - Temporary Closure - Part 1

I had a moment of relief, but now the real challenge begins.

With the scandal of Tang clan's internal strife and the poison issue becoming known, it was clear that I would have to go to the Sacheon Tang clan. If I were to survive within the maw of the tiger's den, I'd need to prepare in advance.

'I must convince the members of the Yi-Gak that I am the illegitimate child of the clan leader.'

It would suit the return of a tiger cub more to knock on the door in a palanquin, escorted by other tigers, than to show up shouting in vain at the tiger's den.

While I have no current desire to become the dark-haired tiger who cries 'I am now assuming the position of clan leader, father' before throwing the clan leader off a cliff, I must thoroughly prepare myself to act the part of the tiger cub.

'The members of the Yi-Gak won't believe it so easily.'

Imagine the shock to learn that the black-haired barbarian whom Yi-Gak leader almost strangled just moments ago is actually the illegitimate child and the only son (Jin) of the Tang clan leader.

It would be as preposterous as discovering that the masked hero armed with cutting-edge weaponry is in reality a flamboyant businessman shouting for attention, claiming to hail from Mars.

Even if a member of the clan who listened to my story explained it well, it would still be a tale heard from another.

'I have a way to convince them. The problem is the timing.'

I must crush the sprout of doubt at the perfect moment, when all members of the Yi-Gak have just enough time to acknowledge me as the clan leader's illegitimate child, but are not quite fully skeptical yet.

'I must create that timing myself.'

I refuse to just idly wait for the situation to unfold.

Time to lay the groundwork in advance.

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

"He descends."

As I was the first to come down from the attic stairs, the Yi-Gak members waiting on the second floor called out to each other.

'This is dangerous. There's a move at play here.'

The members on the second floor must be those trusted by the Yi-Gak leader. There's no telling if the leader would suddenly employ his close aides to capture us.

"Yi-Gak leader."

I called out to the Yi-Gak leader who was descending the stairs to prevent him from having other thoughts.

"...."

The Yi-Gak leader halted on the steps, giving me a look as if wondering what sort of cunning words I would unfurl this time.

That's a bit much. Don't be so openly bothered by it.

But I will unfurl my tongue if needed.

"It has been revealed that Tang Geoho conducted forbidden poison experiments, violating the family's code. Surely you do not plan to hide this matter just because it involves a direct descendant?"

I swiftly manipulated my inner energy, Soo-Yoon-Sim-Sang-Gyeol, to ensure my voice carried down to the first floor as well as the second.

A little insurance is always a good move. The words are directed at the Yi-Gak leader, but not just for him.

The production of poison was an offense that could bring severe punishment upon anyone within the Sacheon Tang clan. To defend or hide such actions would be a grave crime.

If the Yi-Gak leader orders my suppression here and now, let's make it seem as though he's protecting someone who violated a clan taboo.

"What's this?"

As expected, one Yi-Gak member, shocked by my audacity, halted their approach after overhearing the allegations against Tang Geoho. The surprise at the confirmation of the suspicions they held must be immense.

I continued my speech.

"Even now, Tang Geoho may be rushing towards this place. I don't know the extent of his forces, but it's unlikely he'd come alone intending to take Hwarin with him."

Shifting my gaze from the Yi-Gak leader, I looked at the startled members. I subtly appealed to the leader that remaining silent could result in the bloodshed of his own subordinates.

"You needn't tell me, for I was about to say it."

The Yi-Gak leader stepped fully down from the attic stairs and faced his subordinates.

"I would appreciate everyone prioritizing Hwarin's protection."

While addressing the Yi-Gak leader, essentially saying, isn't it better that even those on the first floor should be aware of this, I simultaneously informed the first-floor occupants that Tang Geoho was targeting Dan Hwarin, having committed a taboo and was now after the test subject.

Did everyone catch that? I've shared some crucial news, so if the Yi-Gak leader suddenly tries to suppress me, you'd better intervene.

"This child, I swore to protect her."

"Before entering the outhouse, and after coming out again—people are prone to change their minds."

"Barbarians may change their words just by visiting the privies, but a true Wulin righteous person understands the weight of their spoken words."

Such a fine example of the Wulin righteous indeed.

A racist, yet a perfect model of the orthodox faction? It's like hearing that a modern-day human rights activist who preaches equality at home turns out to be a slave owner.

"Everyone, come down to the first floor and gather!"

"Understood!"

Upon the Yi-Gak leader's command, all members on the second floor went down to the first.

"Your cunning isn't limited to just your tongue."

Did he pick up on the meaning behind my actions?

The Yi-Gak leader shot a remark at me, watching his subordinates descend.

"I'll take it as a compliment."

"Tch."

Refusing to be outwitted, the Yi-Gak leader let out a short click of his tongue.

"Hwarin, go ahead and start being introduced to everyone."

"Ah? Oh."

Still apparently shocked by the revelation of her illegitimacy, Hwarin nodded with a somewhat vacant expression.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"While you martial folks may not feel the cold in this weather, I need to put on a coat after the sun sets. I will fetch a coat from the attic and come down."

I turned to return to the attic for my coat.

"I will wait."

You need to go down. That way, I can create my timing.

"After all, there's only one way down. You have something to say down there, don't you?"

I can't escape, so go ahead and introduce Hwarin.

".... I will wait below."

The Yi-Gak leader shot me a look and then turned, heading down the stairs to the first floor.

"Huh?"

I caught the attention of Deputy Clan Leader Tang Pa, who was about to follow, drawing his gaze to me, and then silently nodded toward the attic.

'Come with me, don't go down.'

Tang Pa hesitated between following the descending Yi-Gak leader and climbing up to the attic after me; then he eventually chose to follow me.

Should my loyal hound be so indecisive? This one still needs training.

Climbing the stairs, I decided it was time to turn him into a trusty watchdog that, even fed the most extravagant mixed feed of devoted love by his master, would still bark 'Nuryahoe' at the sight of an intruder.

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

"What's going on?"

Tang Pa entered the attic with a confused voice and asked me.

"Tang Pa, when you see a chance, quickly spread the word that I am the illegitimate son of the Tang clan leader and the one who wields the Tang clan's arts. There's no need for a long-winded explanation. Just say: that dark-haired guy is the illegitimate son of the Tang clan leader. There was evidence shown in the attic and the Yi-Gak leader was reluctant to believe it because of my hair, but it certainly seemed convincing to me. That should be enough."

"It seems difficult to spread such a matter that is mired in scandal so freely."

"Nonsense. It's not a scandal to have an illegitimate child. It's common for a man to have illegitimate children with courtesans. It's hardly a scandal, more like something the Tang clan leader might get slapped on the back for by his wife."

"But…"

Tang Pa averted his gaze, hesitating. Tang Pa, I understand you're reluctant to discuss such salacious stories, but now is not the time for that.

"What do you mean 'but'? Do you not realize you're completely isolated right now?"

I spoke to Tang Pa after putting on my coat.

"Isolated, you say?"

"The Yi-Gak leader tried to steal my Bulmanghwan and wanted to ensure there were no known illegitimate children of the clan leader. But you openly defied him to prevent it. If the Yi-Gak leader hasn't given up, he'll try to take it again, and if that happens, you're finished too. Understand?"

I jabbed a finger onto Tang Pa's shoulder, showing him through my actions that this matter didn't just concern me.

"Right, you are."

Tang Pa, finally grasping that the situation wasn't over yet, opened his eyes wide.

"Tang Pa, why hesitate? You've already switched to my ship. What should you do first when you're the first to board?"

"I must row."

"Ha. Why should you row? You should be getting ready to recruit rowers."

You are not a mere rower. You're the navigator who commands them. I looked at him with a mix of disappointment and encouragement.

"Are you saying to gather allies?"

"That's right. Now you get it. Once every member of the Yi-Gak recognizes my true identity, even the Yi-Gak leader won't be able to harm me. Find those who will be quickly swayed to my side, preferably ones you can trust."

"I will do it as quickly as possible."

"Good. Tang Pa, let's do our best. Since we've started, let's sail together across the vast sea until we reach our destination. And when we do, think about how I will treat you, the first to board my ship, huh?"

"...."

They say the eyes are the window to the soul. Ambition flickered in Tang Pa's eyes as I watched.

Right, you didn't choose me over simple contemplation. This makes you easier to handle. Opening my mouth to dangle the most appealing bait in front of what must become my loyal dog, I said,

"When that day comes, you'll be among the Inner Chief's closest aides. Tired of the smell of medicine, aren't you? What would you prefer? Inner Chief? The Left Protector of the Young Chief?"

".... Given that I have a collateral bloodline, becoming the Inner Chief is out of reach, but I would like to attempt the role of Outer Chief."

The role of the Inner Chief is to manage the Inner Hall where the clan's direct line resides, whereas the Outer Chief oversees the clan's martial forces.

That's some ambition. Indeed, it takes this much to make the game interesting.

"That's the spirit! That resolve is crucial. I'm going to suggest we go out for a meal later. Have the people from Yi-Gak eaten?"

"We came in such a hurry we barely had any provisions on the way."

"Good. Then I'll propose going to a restaurant and while I buy time, you go ahead with the others, secure a spot, and do as I've instructed. You can do it, right?"

"Yes!"

"Let's see it, then. Outer Chief Tang Pa."

"Loyalty!"

As I patted his shoulder, calling him Outer Chief, Tang Pa smiled, perhaps visualizing his future, and bowed his head.

Creating a loyal dog isn't so hard, after all.

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

A meal is not something only found in an inn.

"Welcome to Gukhwaru. Are you expecting companions?"

A dining establishment within the Yi-Chang of Sacheon. As planned, the Yi-Gak leader, I, and a few other members arrived at Gukhwaru a little later than the rest.

"Is it really the branch head from Daseogak…?"

"It seems so."

Upon entering the restaurant, I overheard the whispers of the Yi-Gak members as they noticed me. It looked like Tang Pa did exactly as he was instructed.

"Hwarin, have you ordered the food?"

I sat down next to Hwarin who was already waiting and asked. The Yi-Gak leader took a seat opposite me with an uncomfortable look on his face.

"Not yet. The others haven't either."

"You should have ordered ahead. This place serves all the usual Sacheon dishes. Order something delicious."

I passed the menu to the Yi-Gak leader.

"I'll pay for it. Order whatever everyone wants."

The Yi-Gak leader took the menu and announced to the Yi-Gak members.

"Really?"

"Ah, after all the rushing here, I only had dry provisions. It's been a while since I had a proper meal."

"Though it might fall short compared to the tastes of Sacheon, food from Sacheon enjoyed outside of it has a special charm, doesn't it?"

"What will you have?"

The restaurant clerk approached the Yi-Gak leader, who seemed to be the leader of the party, prepared to take his order.

I wondered what the Yi-Gak leader's preference might be. Surely he wouldn't order something non-traditional like Carbonara in a Sacheon restaurant.

The Yi-Gak leader perused the menu thoughtfully before speaking.

"I'll have the Sacheon Jjajang."

"...."

A frigid silence without a hint of ice? The Yi-Gak leader's choice caused the faces of the members who were looking at the menu to stiffen.

"Here at Gukhwaru, we have Maratang, Yu Xiang Pork, Gongbao Chicken, Qingjiao Rou Si, and even special dishes that suit the palate of those from the Sacheon Tang clan!"

The clerk suggested more expensive dishes to the martial artists, somehow insinuating they should order the pricier items. Even a clerk can be quite the professional.

"Sacheon Jjajang for me."

He was a Yi-Gak leader not easily swayed.

"Then with the Sacheon Jjajang, we have Sweet and Sour Pork Set as well!"

"Just the Sacheon Jjajang."

"Yes, sir. One Sacheon Jjajang! And for the others?"

"Don't mind me, everyone should order what they want."

"...."

No one appeared to take the Yi-Gak leader's seemingly generous words to heart.

"Give me the Sacheon Jjajang as well."

"Me too, Sacheon Jjajang."

In the end, every order except ours became unanimously the same.

"Let's order what we want. Hwarin, don't worry about it being like breakfast or lunch, just order plenty."

I had no intention of yielding in this petty battle of wills initiated by the Yi-Gak leader.

"Whatever. I'm not, not thinking about it... Waiter, do you have any dishes that aren't so oily?"

Despite her denial, Hwarin quietly inquired of the server.

"If you're worried about calories, might I suggest our Gukhwaru's special 'Phantom Mapo Tofu'?"

"Phantom Mapo Tofu?"

"Yes, it's a Mapo Tofu that tastes like meat but doesn't use any. Created by a legendary top chef from Sacheon. If you're from Sacheon, there's no one who wouldn't know this culinary genius's dish."

"Okay, I'll have that then."

"Sure. And for you, Manager Kang, what will you have?"

"Me? I..."

They said they'd pay, so I feel inclined to order something expensive. But nothing really strikes me as 'the dish'.

"We've recently acquired the ingredients to make the legendary Crispy Rice Soup, would you like to try it?"

"I'm not really into Crispy Rice Soup."

It's a visually appealing dish but not to my taste. As I hesitated, a shadow fell across the table beside me.

"I'll have a Sacheon Jjajang as well."

Tang Pa took the seat beside me and placed his order. Sitting next to me, does that imply what I think it does?

I shielded my face with the menu against the Yi-Gak leader opposite me and turned to look at Tang Pa. Was he successful? Tang Pa nodded back to me.

'It looks like he told everyone. Quicker than I expected.'

Normally, it would have taken a day or two. Has his ambition accelerated the process?

With my face still hidden by the menu, I surveyed the surroundings. All the Yi-Gak members were looking at me, the difference being only whether they were blatantly doing so or not.

This is earlier than expected. However, in this situation, with everyone gathered...

The atmosphere dominated by surprise rather than suspicion about my identity. The timing is ripe, with interest in me at its peak.

'Now. Let's try that method.'