Chapter 72
“Hello, I am Tang Biye of the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
I stood beside my grandfather and politely greeted the martial experts of the Murim.
If I were to venture into the Jianghu someday, I might be able to call them great seniors by then.
But that time hadn’t come yet.
Many people showed interest in me, who stood behind my grandfather.
Part of the attention was because of the Ilpabi hanging visibly at my waist, as if deliberately displayed.
“I heard that at such a young age you’ve already taken your first step toward becoming a poison practitioner.”
“As expected of Senior Tang’s granddaughter!”
“What a joyous event for the Sichuan Tang Clan. To have already learned the basics of poison arts at that age—your future is promising.”
These were the remarks casually tossed at my grandfather by those who held great influence in the Murim.
Grandfather wore a pleased smile the entire time, clearly enjoying their praises.
‘Thank goodness.’
His expression had been dark ever since last night’s kidnapping incident.
But now that people were praising me one after another, he seemed to be in a good mood.
Since ancient times, it was said that a disciple reflects their master.
So, praising me was no different from praising my grandfather.
I stayed close to him and tried my best to answer every question politely and sincerely.
At that moment, the head of the Yujong Sect, Jang Jibaek, spoke.
“For someone so young, you’re quite clever. I have a niece around your age—I’m sure the two of you would make good friends. I shall arrange a meeting next time.”
The Yujong Sect was not a small or insignificant faction.
If I could build a good relationship with the sect master’s niece, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Similar proposals followed a few more times.
All of them came from leaders of fairly influential clans and sects in the region.
Grandfather nodded as if everything was completely natural.
But since this was my first time experiencing such things, I didn’t know how to respond and could only cling tightly to my grandfather’s hand.
After the banquet
As the 80th birthday banquet of the Namgung Clan Head was nearing its end, people began returning to their own sects and clans.
Grandfather also told the guards to begin preparations for departure.
I looked up at him.
“Are we going back now?”
“We’ve stayed long enough.”
“I feel a little sad though…”
“Seems like you developed a fondness for the Namgung household.”
“Yes, I liked it here because there were so many people.”
“Because there were many people?”
“Yes. At first, I was scared because there were too many unfamiliar faces, but after a while, the bustling atmosphere felt nice, and I liked being surrounded by people.”
Grandfather narrowed his eyes.
“So, you mean you’ve overcome your shyness in just a few days.”
“It’s all thanks to you staying by my side.”
“You really are good at flattering people.”
Father listened to our conversation with a gentle smile.
He occasionally handed me cool tea so I wouldn’t get thirsty.
While drinking the tea he offered, I looked up at grandfather.
Maybe now was the right time to ask.
“Grandfather.”
“Yes.”
“Where is the Tangshan Shrine?”
“It’s located near Chengdu. Why?”
“Then… could we stop by on the way back?”
Grandfather turned his head.
“What’s so important there that you wish to visit?”
“That’s where our ancestors’ tablets are, isn’t it? Since I’ve now been acknowledged as a proper member of the Tang Clan, I’d like to visit.”
Even I thought the excuse was flawless.
‘Perfect.’
At this rate, he might even build a Tangshan Shrine from scratch just to send me there.
“There won’t be much to see, but… very well.”
“Yes!”
“Then go with Jin-hyeon.”
Grandfather agreed readily.
I quickly turned toward Father.
He smiled faintly at me as if to say “good for you.”
Then he spoke to grandfather.
“What’s gotten into you that you’re granting what she asks?”
“I may have raised an insolent son, but that doesn’t mean I must also hate the granddaughter he bore.”
“Biye, thank your grandfather.”
“Thank you, Grandfather!”
I hurriedly bowed and thanked him.
Then, unable to suppress my curiosity, I asked again:
“But Grandfather, why won’t you go with us? Why only Father and me?”
“I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll be taking a different route. You and your father will stop by the shrine and return directly to the Tang Clan.”
“Where are you going?”
“That is not something you need to know.”
He cut me off decisively.
Understood…
There was no need to push for answers if he didn’t want to tell me.
Besides, where he was going mattered far less than the fact that I would be going to Tangshan.
‘Will I be able to search once I’m there?’
Realistically, exploring Tangshan alone would be nearly impossible.
But I still needed to go.
It was the only thing I could personally do.
However…
‘If it’s absolutely impossible, I’ll have no choice but to confess everything to Father and ask for help.’
If necessary, I could even reveal the fact that I regressed.
He probably wouldn’t believe me easily though.
But the poison technique manual must never fall into Tang Paejin’s hands.
No matter what.
Goal achieved.
‘Things turned out better than expected.’
When I came with grandfather to the Namgung Clan, I was just glad to leave the Tang residence.
I never imagined I’d get the chance to visit Tangshan as well!
At that moment, Father picked me up and combed my short hair gently with his fingers.
“We’ll probably leave tomorrow, so go say goodbye to Cheonghyeon in advance.”
“I’ll be able to see him again, right?”
“Of course. But since Hefei is too far, tell him to visit Chengdu next time.”
“You mean… I’m allowed to invite him?”
“There’s nothing wrong with that.”
Father poked my cheek.
“But you mustn’t grow closer to him than you are to this father of yours.”
“Oh, of course.”
“Of course?”
Grandfather asked sharply.
Uh oh.
I broke into a cold sweat and buried myself in Father’s arms, pretending not to hear.
Above my head, Father’s triumphant laughter rang out.
Grandfather alternated between looking at the two of us, then pressed down on my head with a hmph.
Father stroked my head.
“If you keep pressing her like that, she’ll stop growing.”
“If she takes after you, she could eat only one meal a day and still grow fine.”
“Still, don’t hinder her growth.”
“You’re too sensitive. Look at you siblings. I pushed you down so hard as children you practically sank into the ground, and you still grew up just fine.”
“She is different from us. Please treat her with care.”
“Oh, honestly…”
Grandfather clicked his tongue.
Farewell
“You’re already leaving?”
“Yes, everyone else is departing too.”
I pointed toward the lodging used by the guests.
It was much emptier than before.
Cheonghyeon looked at the empty rooms, then at me, and spoke.
“Still, the Lord of the Tang Clan and my grandfather are close friends, so I thought you’d stay longer.”
“An elder I know once told me that true friends should meet briefly once in a while so their feelings stay cherished.”
“Who says that?”
“My grandfather.”
“That sounds like wise advice.”
Namgung Cheonghyeon quickly changed his opinion.
After hesitating a bit, he spoke cautiously.
“Then before you leave, go see Yeon.”
“Yeon?”
“She seemed like she wanted to see you. She kept asking for you.”
“Isn’t she with your mother right now?”
“Mother is asleep after taking her medicine. It’ll be fine if we just go in, say hello quickly, and come out.”
I followed Cheonghyeon toward the residence of Madam Sohwa.
The place was filled with unseasonal flowers, hinting at the Namgung family’s skilled hands.
Crossing the grand threshold, I saw maids walking quietly, careful not to make noise.
They bowed politely when they saw us.
Cheonghyeon confidently walked to the innermost small room and spoke from outside.
“Yeona, it’s your brother.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than the door flung open.
A small child, her eyes covered, appeared with a bright smile.
