Chapter 48
The Aftermath of Charm (1)
A moment later,
“A tooth for a tooth, an eye for an eye,”
said Dang Sehwang in a voice as cold as ice.
Dang Gunwoo spoke even more fearfully.
“Not only did they dare to ally with heretical sects, but they even attempted to poison the family head. Would it not be proper to utterly punish them?”
It was clear he meant blood vengeance against all connected to Chil-suk.
I knew this would happen.
After a brief silence, Kang Yong-woon calmly voiced what he had been thinking.
“I heard his dying screams. You once said the direct line is equivalent to the collateral line and vice versa. I don’t know exactly what happened in the past.”
“It was a natural succession, honorable to all Dang blood relatives, and blameless before heaven,” said Dang Gunwoo, his voice filled with force.
“Yes, I have no doubt it was so. Otherwise, as with all the collateral branches I’ve seen, they wouldn’t have been close to the direct line at all.”
“Hahaha… You see rightly. There is no discrimination. All is merely misunderstanding.”
Dang Gunwoo and Dang Sehwang’s voices, strangely, sounded as if they were the ones wronged.
Naturally. People’s perspectives always differ.
Kang Yong-woon nodded slowly and delivered what he truly wanted to say.
“I hope the warm words and gentle response that tamed the poison could also be extended to those people. No one can guarantee that someone like me will come to the Dang family again a hundred, or even a hundred and fifty years from now, Elder.”
“…!”
“…!”
Dang Gunwoo and Dang Sehwang fell silent simultaneously.
It was the part about not being able to guarantee whether someone like him would visit the Dang family in a hundred or a hundred and fifty years that struck them.
Fate is unpredictable…
After such a long time, who knows what might happen?
Thinking that way, we’ve been lucky.
Hah! There’s no rebuttal to that.
Their thoughts grew heavy.
For the Dang family’s prestige, hierarchy, and above all, to uphold strict discipline or eradicate traitors, the spilling of collateral blood was necessary.
But after that?
What if, as Kang Yong-woon said, in a hundred or a hundred and fifty years, something like this happened again?
What if they allied with worse than heretics and tried to overthrow the family head?
What if they secretly stole poison like now and attacked descendants who couldn’t master the poison’s power?
It was inevitable to worry.
There was no law saying that the situation from a hundred and fifty years ago, when the family headship passed to their direct-line ancestor, wouldn’t repeat.
“-Hah! Don’t forget, family head. The collateral is direct line, and the direct line is collateral…”
Hearing Chil-suk’s screams firsthand, Dang Sehwang’s heart ached as if barbs were embedded in it.
“Even if you think me presumptuous, I cannot help it. Honestly, I stayed not to assist your training but to say this—!”
Kang Yong-woon slowly rose to his feet.
“Warm and gentle responses have the power to tame even that terrifying poison. Wouldn’t it be even easier with collateral relatives of the same blood?”
That was all.
Kang Yong-woon moved toward Dang Sobaeck’s quarters.
As for future matters, the former family head Dang Gunwoo and the current family head Dang Sehwang would handle them themselves. There was nothing more he could do.
By the time dawn broke,
Having poured out everything he wanted to say the previous night, Kang Yong-woon slept a deep, comfortable sleep.
“Good morning!”
Somehow, it felt good.
He didn’t know what the future held, but at least last night had passed without incident.
“The sunlight’s great, perfect weather for departure!”
He gathered the bundle that Imo had packed for him when leaving Sahakryeon and strapped it firmly to his back.
“Hmm. This sword won’t do.”
The sword given by Dang Sobaeck was completely ruined.
Its tip had shattered during the Thunder God Formation he had executed when tested for qualification.
“Should I ask Sobaeck for a usable sword, or just buy one on the road?”
What difference would it make anyway?
“Ah, whatever. Let it flow.”
Somehow, it felt joyful. Probably because he was about to set off on the road again.
“Yong-woon! Let’s eat!”
Suddenly, the door opened, and Dang Sobaeck entered, shouting loudly and widening his eyes.
“Oh? You’re leaving now?”
“Yes. As you know, we’ve already delayed too much.”
“Oh! Right. Not sure where you’re headed, but you were heading north, weren’t you?”
Kang Yong-woon just smiled.
Dang Sobaeck seemed disappointed, wanting to stop him but lacking justification.
“Training’s tedious… maybe I should just follow you this time? Could call it a practice journey.”
He was about to become a bothersome tagalong.
Kang Yong-woon immediately blocked that.
“Hahaha. I’ll pass. If you mess up training because of me, only I’ll be scolded by the elders.”
“If you’re scolded, we’ll both be scolded. And that won’t even be enough to punish you properly.”
“Really?”
“Of course. You’ve already obtained the Dancheol Iron Scrolls from your grandfather and father!”
“Really?!”
He only chuckled, surprised. That wasn’t what he had come for.
“Will the elders be in the dining hall?”
“Hmm. They’ll be there.”
“Let’s go. We have to say our goodbyes.”
“Yes.”
So the two of them headed to the dining hall.
So-gaju Dang Sohwi had arrived first, and the sons of cousins Dang Semyeong and Dang Segeuk were just entering.
“Welcome, Daehyeop!”
Unlike the first day, their greetings were warm and heartfelt.
It seemed Kang Yong-woon’s deeds had moved them deeply.
“Hahaha. Everyone’s here.”
“Let’s eat.”
Dang Gunwoo and Dang Sehwang also arrived.
After a warm meal, Kang Yong-woon took his leave.
“Thank you for your warm hospitality. I shall be on my way. Goodbye, Elders.”
“Leaving so soon?”
“I’ll rest more on the way!”
Dang Gunwoo and Dang Sehwang’s eyes widened, surprised.
“Hahaha. There’s urgent matters. Time’s short, so I must go.”
“Huh—!”
“Such a pity.”
They looked at each other, exchanged a glance, and nodded in agreement.
“Your advice yesterday was most helpful.”
“You didn’t sleep a wink last night. In the Dang family, favors are repaid twofold, grudges tenfold, and we couldn’t focus on the more important matters. Hahaha.”
Dang Sehwang and Dang Gunwoo spoke one after another, their words astonishing.
“Thinking about mastering the Grand Duke’s poison, your words were indeed right, Yong-woon.”
“The screams of Chil-suk were true. Ha. Collateral is direct line, and direct line is collateral. After all, we’re the Dang family, building life together. Hahaha.”
No bloodshed would occur. A true relief.
“The duties of the Yongdokwon will not be left to one person but rotated among all members of our bloodline.”
“The Dang family will change. The achievements we’ve attained will not be monopolized by the direct line but shared with all talented blood relatives, strengthening the foundation of the family. Hahaha.”
Good will returned as good will.
Kang Yong-woon felt a tingle at the tip of his nose.
“Wonderful, Elders. Truly magnificent, Family Head. Hahaha.”
He raised both thumbs and smiled warmly.
Meal concluded, he bid farewell to everyone in turn and stepped outside.
“I shall be off, then.”
Smiling broadly, he waved.
Just as he was about to leave, Dang Gunwoo and Dang Sehwang stopped him.
“Wait a moment.”
“It’s a small gift, but we want to give it to you.”
They each produced something from their robes and handed it to Kang Yong-woon.
“I don’t expect money… but we prepared this. Keep it. You’ll have a time to use it someday.”
“Though not of the Dang surname, this is proof we consider you equal to the direct bloodline of the family.”
Dang Sehwang leaned close and whispered about the gift.
“Really? This… is that kind of item?!”
He grinned.
“Yes. I hope you never need it, but if you do, it will save you at least once.”
Dang Sehwang spoke proudly.
“Thank you.”
After a bow, Kang Yong-woon turned resolutely and left the Dang estate.
“Ah, such a pity.”
“If it were up to me, I’d somehow keep that boy with us, Father.”
“Ha! If only the boy had the temperament of an ordinary girl, I’d have tried.”
“Ha! I thought about it too, Father. But you know his personality—it’s too cold to even bring up the topic.”
So, with lingering regret, the two watched Kang Yong-woon disappear into the distance.
An hour later, at the outskirts of the capital.
The city had become a mere dot, and unknown hills stretched like a folding screen before Kang Yong-woon.
“Good weather, great scenery…”
Even the wind felt perfect.
As if wanting to share it, Kang Yong-woon illuminated the heart of Simheun.
“Elders! Look at the scenery!”
They seemed to share the sentiment.
[Hahaha. Yes, truly wonderful.]
[The heart reflects the mood; your heart is proud of your good will. Hahaha.]
[Well done, child. We too feel proud to be with you.]
[Flow through life like the Grand Heavenly Skills, like a formation of flowing energy. Hahaha.]
They all praised him in unison.
Kang Yong-woon blushed and shouted in embarrassment.
“Ah, stop it! I only spoke out of concern!”
Luckily, good will had returned as good will; otherwise, he might have walked with a heavy heart.
[Hahaha. Alright, we’ve unnecessarily brought up the obvious.]
[Because it’s pleasing, child. Pleasing. Hahaha.]
[How about a reward for your good deed?]
A gift?
Hearing it would come from the Celestial Court, Kang Yong-woon’s ears perked up.
“A gift?! What is it?!”
It wasn’t greed—just curiosity.
[We’ve come to a consensus. Your inner power, that is, your essence, will rise a bit faster.]
Kang Yong-woon tilted his head.
‘Hmm? A voice I’ve never heard before?’
Apparently knowing his curiosity, a being of the Celestial Court revealed themselves.
[I, Irae of the Western Region, shall guide you, child.]
Irae of the Western Region.
Honestly, he didn’t know them well.
So he neither gasped nor expressed surprise.
“Thank you, Elder.”
He only bowed politely.
[Yes. Henceforth, you shall accompany me through mountains and fields to find certain medicinal herbs.]
Oh! Herbs?!
‘Elixirs? The legendary elixirs I’ve only heard of? Like Samwang, Gongcheongseokyu, etc?!’
To be guided by the Celestial Court to easily find such elixirs?!
Thump thump thump.
Kang Yong-woon’s heart raced.
[No need to burden yourself. Your good will has saved many lives; this is merely your reward. Hahaha.]
“Yes, understood, Elder. Please lead me to the legendary elixirs. I will take them gratefully.”
At that moment,
“Daehyeop Kang Yong-woon!”
A loud female voice rang out ahead.
Who could it be?
“Eh?!”
Kang Yong-woon’s eyes widened when he turned.
It was a familiar face.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Daehyeop.”
Grinning.
Her smile was like a winter ice flower.
It was Dang Soso.
