Chapter 76
“A Dugaekhwa-mang?”
A Dugaekhwa-mang… isn’t that the serpent that should be in Yunnan?
Why on earth would it be at Cheonhwa Mountain Villa in Aju…?
My father seemed equally taken aback.
“A Dugaekhwa-mang at Cheonhwa Mountain Villa?”
“The underground chamber of Cheonhwa Mountain Villa connects to the caves of the mountain. It lives there. It’s been there for a long time.”
The villa’s head, Mr. Yu, spoke calmly, as if he were introducing a pet dog at home.
‘No, a Dugaekhwa-mang isn’t a dog—it’s more like a rabid beast!’
Given its enormous size, it would be difficult to keep in most places. Yet, it had apparently lived deep within Cheonhwa Mountain Villa for a long time. That was astonishing.
I listened quietly to Mr. Yu before asking,
“So, when the young master said he wanted to capture a venomous snake and feed it…?”
“That too would be a Dugaekhwa-mang. Lately, it’s been weak and lying around, so I suppose he was worried in his own way.”
It was the first time I’d heard that a Dugaekhwa-mang could be tamed by humans.
A Dugaekhwa-mang is a giant serpent known to inhabit certain areas in Yunnan. Its fiery temper earned it the name Hwamang (Fire Python). Its toxic bite is deadly, and its tough skin resists blades, making it a formidable opponent for ordinary people.
Mr. Yu continued,
“We don’t know when it settled in Cheonhwa Mountain Villa. What’s important is that it obeyed the villa’s disciples quite well. Since then, our Yu family has cared for the Dugaekhwa-mang for generations. Though ‘care’ is a relative term; when the time comes, it feeds itself and hibernates in winter, so it’s not demanding.”
The villa head opened the modest reception hall door and offered a seat to the two of us.
“Gayoon, go and bring some tea.”
At his command, a disciple of Cheonhwa Mountain Villa nodded.
“Yes, Villa Head!”
The disciple soon returned with steaming Jade Dew tea.
I waited for the tea to cool slightly when a sound came from outside the door.
“Come in.”
After Mr. Yu spoke, a simply dressed woman appeared. She wasn’t strikingly beautiful but carried herself with grace and elegance.
“This is my wife. I called her because she wanted to express her gratitude.”
The woman waited calmly until Mr. Yu finished speaking.
“I am Peng Simyoung. I heard that you saved my son. I don’t even know how to properly thank you… Heona.”
Looking outside, she called for Yu Jaheon, who appeared in dry, clean clothes. His hair was still damp.
“Come forward and express your thanks again.”
“Yes, mother.”
Yu Jaheon, looking more confident than before, approached, bowed, and performed a respectful gesture.
“Sir Dokgun, Miss Dang, thank you for saving my life. I will never forget the debt of life you have granted me.”
He spoke like a well-educated young master of a noble family.
The woman nodded in satisfaction.
“Now, while your father and I converse with Mr. Dang, you may step outside.”
“Yes, mother. May I go with Miss Dang?”
Yu Jaheon said bravely.
I watched the steaming tea and widened my eyes.
Me?
“…!”
“I want to show Miss Dang around Cheonhwa Mountain Villa.”
“Is that alright?”
Simyoung asked me politely.
I nodded, holding my teacup.
“Yes, I’ll look around the villa.”
When I looked at my father for confirmation, he nodded.
“Go play with the young master.”
“Yes!”
I bowed politely to the villa heads and left the reception room.
Once we were a little away from the room, Yu Jaheon spoke cautiously.
“Miss Dang, I want to thank you once again for saving me.”
“Yes! But if you say it once more, it will be ten times, young master.”
“My mother said that no matter how many times I thank you, it’s never enough!”
The boy spoke cheerfully. His upbringing was clearly excellent.
As we walked, I noticed the villa disciples watching us with curious eyes. Yu Jaheon, sensing their attention, carefully led me somewhere more private.
Then he brought up the topic.
“Miss Dang, you keep a venomous snake in your arms, right?”
“….”
When did he see that? Could it have been when I peeked my head out earlier? I had told it not to!
I looked at him warily and said,
“Yes, I keep a venomous snake, but I cannot feed it to the Dugaekhwa-mang of Cheonhwa Mountain Villa…”
And even if I offered it as food, would it actually eat it? A Manhyeolsa is not called one of the world’s three deadliest poisons for nothing.
If the Dugaekhwa-mang were to succumb to a Manhyeolsa poison, that would be quite unlucky. I had absolutely no desire to kill a treasured venomous companion of the villa, not even a bit.
He waved his hand at my remark.
“Oh, no! I wasn’t asking to feed it. I just thought… the Dang family is known for mastery of poisons, the greatest poison family in the world, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Actually, the Dugaekhwa-mang has been weak lately. I thought that since you are the Dang family’s expert, you might know something about similar creatures…”
He glanced at my sleeve.
“And since you are also keeping a venomous snake in your sleeve, I thought you might know something about the Dugaekhwa-mang as well.”
“Why ask me instead of my father?”
“The person who keeps a beast knows it best. It seems that you, Sir Dokgun, don’t keep animals, so I thought to ask you, Miss Dang.”
There was no mistake in what he said.
But…
‘Still…’
I’m only eight years old.
I finally understood why the villa head sighed so heavily as I watched the young master grin.
‘Still…’
I am curious about the Dugaekhwa-mang. Maybe I should go see it?
A venomous creature wouldn’t attack me. And since it has been carefully raised here, it should be even calmer.
“Can I see the Dugaekhwa-mang?”
“Yes! Of course! I’ll show you!”
His excited face led the way. Two Dang family guards followed behind us.
Though not visible, Choyo must also be with us.
Meanwhile, in another scene:
“We received information that Dokgok was attacked by the Blood Demon Sect. It seems the sect has regained strength. They are presumed to have grown in power secretly, avoiding the attention of the Martial Alliance, led by the Young Sect Leader, Samnoe, and Samju Sect.”
Jeogal Seonyeon, Chief General of the Martial Alliance and the greatest strategist, looked at Dang Cheongi.
“You said Dokgok was attacked? The Lord of Dokgok is one of the top ten in not only the border martial arts but all of the central plains.”
“Yes. Taking advantage of the Lord’s absence, they killed roughly three thousand of Dokgok’s seven thousand disciples and seized the various poisons and venom Dokgok had collected.”
“The Lord of Dokgok?”
“He realized the situation too late and is now handling it. Once settled, he will leave to avenge his disciples.”
Dang Cheongi flinched slightly.
“The fact that the demon sect went to Dokgok means they were looking for something there…”
“They stole more than half of the thousand types of poisons Dokgok had gathered over hundreds of years.”
“Were there any losses for the demon sect?”
“Half of the roughly twelve thousand demon sect members who attacked Dokgok died by the disciples’ counterattack, but nearly six thousand survived.”
“So the number of combat-ready forces is twelve thousand…”
“They’ve been secretly increasing their numbers.”
Jeogal Seonyeon spoke again.
“The Martial Alliance is also investigating the recent child abduction case.”
“Was that also the demon sect’s doing?”
“It is currently suspected to be the work of Black Path, not the demon sect.”
“That’s somewhat fortunate.”
“The Alliance Leader is personally investigating, so results will come soon.”
“Chief General…”
Dang Cheongi spoke.
“You said twelve thousand demon sect members attacked Dokgok and stole almost half the poisons?”
“Yes.”
“Then next will be the central plains.”
“Since Dokgok, one pillar of the border martial arts, was hit, they will now turn their attention to the central plains as well.”
Dang Cheongi murmured to himself.
“I must return to the family.”
Images of Dang Bi and the family members flickered in his mind.
“I’ve been away for too long.”
