Chapter 75
“I am Dang Jin-hyeon of the Dang family. Why was the young master in that pond?”
My father asked, instructing Jo Yeopyeong to bring a cloth to dry him off.
Yu Jaheon hesitated before answering.
“Embarrassingly… I went out to catch a venomous snake.”
The young master of Cheonhwa Manor… went out to catch a venomous snake?
I looked at Yu Jaheon with a puzzled expression.
He still hesitated for a moment, then continued.
“The truth is, there’s a companion venomous creature raised within the manor…”
A what?
Yu Jaheon seemed more embarrassed by the fact that he had fallen into the water than by what he was about to say, and he continued.
“Lately it hasn’t been eating, and it seemed weak. I thought that if I brought it a new prey, it might recover a little…”
“So you went out to catch a venomous snake?”
“Yes, but I didn’t expect I’d slip and fall into the pond myself.”
I stared at him in disbelief.
Did Cheonhwa Manor really handle venomous creatures?
As far as I know, Cheonhwa Manor is just a martial arts estate…
Raising a companion venomous creature? That was unusual.
I murmured quietly, and Manhyeolsa, thinking I was talking about him, poked his head out.
I quickly put Manhyeolsa back into my sleeve.
Stay in there. Right now, he’s looking for a venomous snake.
Whatever kind of venomous creature he raised, it had to be dangerous if he was catching snakes to feed it.
Even though Manhyeolsa, one of the three greatest venomous creatures, would be safe, it still felt awkward to show him in front of a young master who was using snakes as bait.
“In any case, I apologize for showing such an embarrassing side to the benefactors of the Dang family.”
“It’s fine. But next time, you should be more careful.”
I replied immediately.
The young master of Cheonhwa Manor seemed a little clumsy and awkward at first glance.
He didn’t match the image of Cheonhwa Manor that I had heard from my father.
You can tell just by looking.
Learning martial arts meant cultivating the eye to observe.
Under my grandfather, I had learned martial arts, and in the process, I had developed some judgment.
And in my eyes, the young master of Cheonhwa Manor was a boy lacking compared to the reputation of his family and school.
After repeatedly expressing his thanks, the young master looked between my father and me and asked,
“Will you be staying at Akju?”
“I’ve booked a room at the inn down there.”
“Then why not stay at our manor? If you are my benefactors, my grandfather and father will surely give you a grand welcome.”
“Well…”
“Since you saved our lives, it would be improper to let you leave like this…!”
The boy spoke with spirited insistence.
My father looked at me.
“What do you want to do?”
I thought for a moment.
Whether we stayed at the inn or the manor, it was just one night.
Then…
“Then… why don’t we follow him?”
He insisted on treating us as benefactors. Ignoring that kindness would be impolite.
And I wanted to see Cheonhwa Manor myself.
I heard Cheonhwa Manor is a large estate filled with beautiful flowers.
It was a grand estate, a family that had expanded its influence and also functioned as a martial arts school.
The head of the manor inherited the position from the family line, but in other ways, it functioned like a martial arts sect.
They took in disciples and trained them, increasing the number of students.
In many ways, it was a unique place, yet it had subtle similarities to the Dang family.
Visiting it wouldn’t hurt.
The young master’s eyes lit up when he heard my answer.
“Yes! I’ll inform my father! Follow me, and if your bodyguards come along, I’ll arrange rooms for you.”
Excited, the young master led the way.
I looked at the back of his slightly overjoyed head and sent a secret message to my father.
[The person who just fell into the water is acting surprisingly energetic.]
[Children his age tend to forget bad experiences quickly. Either way, it would be impolite not to go after he said that much.]
My father handed the cloth Jo Yeopyeong brought to Yu Jaheon.
He also instructed the bodyguards stationed near the inn to come to Cheonhwa Manor.
“Father!”
Soaking wet, Yu Jaheon boldly slammed the door of Cheonhwa Manor open and stepped inside.
A middle-aged man who had come out with furrowed brows froze in shock when he saw Yu Jaheon drenched.
“What is this? What have you done?”
“Ah, don’t worry. I fell into the pond and got a little wet.”
“Why did you fall into the pond! At your age, how can you make such a mistake?”
He scolded loudly.
I flinched, feeling guilty for no reason.
Well, anyone could slip. He didn’t commit a crime, yet he was scolded so harshly.
At that moment, Yu Jaheon’s father caught my eye.
He was a well-built man, larger than my father, with thick arms, befitting a warrior skilled with a sword.
The head of the manor narrowed his eyes at me.
“No, you all are…?”
My father bowed politely.
“I am Dang Jin-hyeon of the Sichuan Dang family. We came to visit upon invitation of the young master of Cheonhwa Manor, taking the liberty to call upon you.”
“This is Dang Bi-ye of the Dang family. The young master invited all of us.”
The manor head’s eyes widened.
“The Dang family came to save…?”
Yu Jaheon excitedly spoke.
“The young master of the Dang family rescued me when I fell into the pond. I heard you were staying at Seoeum Inn down there, so I told you not to bother with that and instead stay at our manor. Is your mother inside?”
He seemed shocked hearing how his only son, the young master of Cheonhwa Manor, had almost drowned while trying to catch a snake.
As Yu Jaheon continued babbling, the manor head responded formally.
“I am Yu Pyeong-hyeok, head of Cheonhwa Manor. I cannot express enough gratitude for saving my lacking son.”
“Father, please provide them a place to stay.”
“No need to tell me. Go change your clothes! At your age, falling into a pond? Not practicing martial arts properly…”
After berating Yu Jaheon, Yu Pyeong-hyeok turned to us.
“Please allow me to host the benefactors of my son.”
“Then we shall take the liberty of staying one night.”
“You may stay as many days as you like. I will guide the bodyguards to their quarters and you two to the reception room.”
On the way, we saw a few disciples of Cheonhwa Manor. They looked at us in Dang family green robes with curious eyes, bowed, and hurried away.
Yu Pyeong-hyeok said,
“My only son is sometimes foolish and does strange things. He will succeed me as head, and later become the manor head, but at this rate…”
“The seasons of growth are like the ripening of fruits. The young master will grow well.”
“If only that happens, I have no further wishes.”
Yu Pyeong-hyeok shook his head.
“My wife’s health prevents us from having more children, so he is our only son, yet not very capable…”
“The fact he went to catch prey for the creature he raises speaks well of his character. By the way, the young master said there’s a venomous creature raised here. Is that true?”
Seeing my father’s interest, the manor head nodded.
“It’s true. From my grandfather’s time, this venomous creature has been carefully raised. It is intelligent; Cheonhwa Manor disciples do not get bitten and recognize their master.”
I listened intently, intrigued by the conversation between my father and the manor head.
A venomous creature that could recognize its master without biting disciples… what could it be?
Not long after, the manor head revealed the answer.
“The venomous creature, cherished since my great-grandfather’s time, is the Dokgakhwamang (Poison Horn Fire Python).”
