Chapter 50
“Add some honey if it tastes too bitter.”
“Th-thank you…”
Eun Sowol awkwardly accepted the tea that Dang Cheon-yu offered her.
They were now in his study, sitting around a table with refreshments.
It felt different from when they met Dokgo family’s head, Dokgo Cheon-woon. That meeting was as family, but now, it felt more like host and guest.
‘He’s… more normal than I thought.’
Sowol sipped her tea while glancing at Dang Cheon-yu. When their eyes met, he smiled kindly.
“You look much healthier than when we first met.”
“It’s all thanks to the Third Young Master and you, Sir. I’ll never forget your kindness.”
“Kindness? No, we’re simply repaying the favor you showed us. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have been able to save Jinmyeong.”
By the time Dang Cheon-yu had sent the secret guards, Eun Sowol and the group were already coming down the mountain.
“Have the investigations finished?”
“…Yes. Thanks to you, we caught all the slippery traitors who stained our family.”
Dang Cheon-yu sipped his bitter tea, matching the bitterness in his heart.
“I never thought our own family would be capable of such cruelty. Or maybe I was just too naive.”
Witnessing everything, he became furious and dug deep for the truth, uncovering the dark side of their family.
The matriarch had ordered the murder of Madam Oh through the Hongwol Trading Company.
When Dang Jin-hyo found out, instead of reporting it, he made a deal with her and tried to kill Jinmyeong too.
Even if they were rivals, Dang Cheon-yu never expected such evil from them—it was heartbreaking.
“…There’s something I want to ask you.”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“While investigating the bandits and Yongmun Mountain you mentioned, my men found suspicious traces.”
When Dang Jin-ak came down from the mountain, he had introduced Go Tae-hong and Won-ho to the secret guards.
Worried that Dang Jin-hyo might try to cover up the truth, they were ordered to investigate Hongwol Trading Company first. That’s where they noticed something strange.
“They found traces of demonic martial arts… Is it true?”
“…”
Dokgo Ryong silently sipped his tea.
“I can’t say for sure that it was demonic martial arts, but… I did feel something unnatural.”
“I’ve heard from Jin-ak just how skilled you are. And yet, you’re saying you’re not sure whether they’re part of the Demon Sect?”
“Yes. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.”
Dang Cheon-yu looked at him for a moment before giving a soft smile and shaking his head.
“It’s fine. You seem to be around my son’s age. It’s only natural you wouldn’t know much about a sect that vanished long ago.”
Sowol watched the two calmly talk as she chewed on a sweet.
‘Uncle… why are you lying?’
With his skills, he must’ve already figured out they were from the Demon Sect… right?
‘Or maybe… he really doesn’t know?’
She only saw the aftermath—when Dokgo Ryong had killed everyone and was capturing the Hongwol leader. So she didn’t know what happened before that.
“I’ve heard your circumstances from Jin-ak and Elder Dangpa. When are you planning to leave?”
“In two days.”
“And the child? Will she stay behind?”
At that question, Sowol felt anxious.
What if he says again that she can’t go with him—even in front of Dang Cheon-yu?
She glared at Dokgo Ryong nervously. But he stayed silent.
“Wouldn’t it be better to take her with you?”
Dokgo Ryong glanced at Dang Cheon-yu.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I heard you two raising your voices earlier. I now understand both your concerns and the child’s fear.”
“…It’ll be a difficult journey. And you still think I should take her?”
“What do you think the child truly wants?”
“She wants to fully recover and be healthy…”
“That’s a given. But isn’t there something else she wants?”
To stay by her uncle’s side.
He remembered her tearful eyes, begging not to be left behind.
And when he looked down, she was still looking up at him with those same worried eyes.
“I’m not trying to speak ill, but… the chance of finding that elixir is slim. What if she waits and waits for your return… and something bad happens while you’re gone?”
“…”
“Losing Jinmyeong nearly broke me. I also regret neglecting my children after my wife’s death. Don’t sacrifice the present for the sake of an uncertain future. But if traveling with her is too hard, we’ll care for her here…”
“It’s not… that difficult.”
Dokgo Ryong finally opened his mouth. He gently patted Sowol’s head.
“She hates being alone… I didn’t consider that enough.”
“Uncle…”
“Do you really want to come with me?”
Sowol quickly nodded.
“Yep! I like being with Uncle!”
Dokgo Ryong let out a soft chuckle.
“Alright, then let’s go together.”
Sowol’s face lit up. She jumped up and hugged him tight.
“Uncle, you’re the best!”
“You only say that when you want something…”
He clicked his tongue but couldn’t hide his smile.
Dang Cheon-yu smiled warmly watching their sweet bond.
“It’ll be a long journey. Let me help you pack. I’m sure I can provide useful supplies.”
“I’d appreciate it. Thank you, Lord.”
“Thank you, Lord!”
Sowol gave a deep bow, making Dang Cheon-yu laugh as he patted her head.
“Thank you too, little one. Jinmyeong said he wasn’t scared because of you. You’re a hero of our clan.”
All she did was comfort a crying child… but hearing the word “hero” still made her feel proud.
‘I’m… a hero too.’
Blushing like a peach, Sowol smiled brightly.
“Excuse me, Lord. The Third Young Master has arrived.”
“Let him in.”
The door opened, and Dang Jin-ak walked in.
“Father, I need to talk to you—Huh? Brother?”
He stopped mid-sentence, eyes widening at the sight of Dokgo Ryong and Sowol.
“We’ll leave now. Thank you for the tea.”
Sowol waved to him as they left, and he waved back, still stunned.
He stood frozen even after the door closed behind them.
“What were those two doing here? Did you call them, Father?”
“I needed to check something. Now, what did you want to say?”
Dang Jin-ak’s expression turned serious.
“We finished interrogating the Fourth Young Master. He says he didn’t try to kill Jinmyeong.”
Dang Cheon-yu’s faint smile faded. His eyes turned sharp.
“Are you sure?”
“…You know I wouldn’t take matters concerning Jinmyeong lightly. I didn’t go too far with him like you told me, but I’m certain he wasn’t lying.”
Dang Jin-ak had defeated all others during the heir contest. Though he hadn’t been officially appointed yet, he was effectively the heir of the clan.
Right after the contest, his first act was to investigate the crimes of the Matriarch and Dang Jin-hyo.
But even as the heir, it wouldn’t have been possible without the full support of the family head.
‘If not for that support, the whole clan would’ve been thrown into chaos by now.’
The conspirators were already crippled by Dang Jin-ak during the contest.
And since the heir contest in the clan was dangerous by tradition, anything short of death was often overlooked.
The Matriarch, Dang Jin-gang’s birth mother, and her allies, including Dang Jin-hyo, were furious at Dang Jin-ak’s harsh treatment.
They wanted revenge, but Dang Cheon-yu stood firmly behind him.
Thanks to that support, Dang Jin-ak was able to move against Hongwol Trading Company and the traitors.
But strangely, their stories didn’t match what the Hongwol leader had revealed.
“They claimed they weren’t trying to kill Jinmyeong, just using him to prevent me from entering the contest.”
Dang Jin-ak frowned as he recalled Dang Jin-hyuk during the interrogation.
‘It’s true! I swear! Do you think we’d dare kill him, knowing Father would destroy us? We only used him as bait to control you!’
Even with his heel cut and trembling in fear, he seemed to be telling the truth.
