Chapter 200

It’s not exactly a shocking revelation.

It was the same in Nanyang, and on the way to Hwasan, so whenever I was near Pang Dae-san, it was just a typical day to see women shooting daggers at each other.

In those moments, Qing would chuckle to herself, busy checking out the ladies’ faces, so I had never really cared much about it until now.

But oddly enough, my mood was souring.

Why were they making a fuss when I just wanted to hang out with my friend? It’s just some insignificant girls getting on my nerves.

They say if someone hates you for no reason, they actually want a reason to truly hate you.

Qing skillfully drifted over and plopped down right next to Pang Dae-san.

“Ugh, why are there so many women here? Don’t they have anything to do? Hey, I’m thirsty. Bring me some sweet fruit tea. With a lot of ice.”

“Are you okay?”

“Hurry up! Didn’t you hear me? I’m thirsty!”

“Our Qing is thirsty! Why are you just sitting there? Are you going to bring it or not?”

Pang Dae-san frowned.

It’s always true that the sister-in-law who nags is the most annoying; it was more infuriating with Tang Nan-ah chiming in than Qing outright demanding that he serve her.

Wasn’t she the one who used to follow him around, claiming to be his real partner or something?

Why did she suddenly switch sides, clinging to him like a leech and stirring the pot?

“What is this? It’s like the queen bee isn’t even trying.”

“What’s up? Can’t a thirsty person get a cup of tea? You’re embarrassed to be bossed around in front of all these onlookers, huh?”

Then there were murmurings from the onlookers—all in awe.

Pang Dae-san’s expression briefly blanked out before a sly smile crept onto his lips. It was probably a ploy to tease the audience, so he had no reason to hold back.

He’d already done it once, and it was pretty fun.

“I see. Between us…”

By the time Pang Dae-san returned with the fruit tea floating with ice, Qing took a quick glance and said,

“There’s not enough ice, you know. If it melts, it’s just going to taste bland and not refreshing at all. Seriously, do I have to explain everything? Ugh, you might look good, but you’re so dim-witted. What are you doing? Go get some more!”

There was a loud gasp as everyone listened in.

Pang Dae-san caught on to Qing’s ulterior motive from that sound.

Pang Dae-san raised his eyebrows in a dramatic fashion and responded with a pitiful look.

“Sorry. I’ll get it right away.”

One way or another, they matched well.

Pang Dae-san had plenty to vent to the spectators too.

If it meant messing with those women, he was all in.

“What is this? You poured fruit tea over the ice, didn’t you? This is just an ice block, not fruit tea! Did I say put in extra ice? Are you mad because I told you to get more?”

“That’s a misunderstanding. I think it’s just meant to be cold—”

“Enough! Don’t you know cold stuff isn’t good for women? How ridiculous! You can’t even get a simple thing like this right? Ugh, it’s like you’re brain dead…”

“I apologize. Just wait a moment.”

Pang Dae-san hurried off again.

“Hmm. This is a bit too much, but it’ll do. I’m not fully satisfied, but considering this is the effort he put in, it’s fine. But honestly, I’m not feeling cold drinks right now. Bring me hot tea instead.”

“Got it. I’ll be right back.”

And then Qing started throwing a fit again.

“Hey, this is way too hot! I’ll burn my mouth! Is there anything I can actually enjoy? Seriously, is this what you call service? I’m outta here! I’m leaving!”

“Uh, I’m really sorry. I was careless. What should I do to make it right?”

“Then just blow on it. Cool it down.”

So, Qing held the cup right up to Pang Dae-san’s lips, and he sat there puffing like a chump, doing everything she asked while looking completely caught in her net.

The women watching could hardly contain themselves.

Countless women were on the verge of tears, feeling like their pure-hearted dreams were being stomped on.

Some just couldn’t bear to watch anymore and fled upstairs or downstairs.

“How’s the temperature? Is it just right?”

“Where? Hmm. It’s decent. For a mountain, that is. This is how it should’ve been from the start. Can’t people use their brains? Anyway. Just glancing at the surface doesn’t mean you’ve got it going on; you really gotta have substance to back it up.”

“I’m sorry. Can you stay a bit longer?”

“Well, I mean, oh, by the way, I saw a hair accessory at the market that was really pretty. They say it’s from the western regions—two gold coins for it! It’s a flower shape, you see? Look, if you pin it in your hair, it’ll look perfect, right?”

Qing flipped her veil to hide her face.

“Two gold coins? What kind of hair accessory costs that much—”

“Don’t you think it’d look good?”

“Hmm.”

“It’d really look good, right?”

Pang Dae-san felt a chill run down his spine.

What exactly is this pressure I’m feeling?

Even knowing this was an obvious act, I could slowly feel the fear creeping in.

“… I get it. I’ll buy it for you—”

Just then, Qing shot up from her seat.

“I’m leaving. I can’t believe this.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Hey, don’t you realize why I’m doing this?”

“About the hair accessory? I can—”

“Forget it. You always act like this. Don’t you see how lost I feel?”

“Well… I’m sorry.”

“Sorry? What are you sorry for? Tell me.”

“I… uh…”

Pang Dae-san broke out in a light sweat on his forehead.

This… is this really acting?

“Ha. Seriously. When have I ever asked you to buy it for me? I only said it was pretty. And look at you, taking it to a whole new level. What’s up with that? There’s a limit to how petty you can be.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Then? If not, what did you mean? You know what? I’ve heard that if a lady stops to look at her crush in the street, she’ll mysteriously receive gifts a few days later. I don’t expect anything that extreme, but how can you be so indifferent? I’m not a beggar. What, don’t you have a couple of gold coins to spend on a mere accessory?”

“I’m sorry, I… I didn’t think it through.”

“Sigh. I really can’t deal with this. Let’s stop this conversation. I don’t want the hair accessory anymore, so leave it be. Don’t waste money buying it.”

“Fine… I understand.”

“But about that ornament. It has rubies and sapphires embedded into it, and what’s that shape again? Mandala? When you see it, you might just exclaim how beautiful it is naturally! I don’t usually say such things, do I?”

“Hmm. I think we should stop while we’re ahead.”

In the end, Pang Dae-san couldn’t take it anymore and… gave in.

He could no longer endure the immense terror that not even Do-gun’s Sword Aura could make him feel.

Qing smacked her lips, looking disappointed.

“How sad. It’s almost gone.”

“So, what’s the correct answer? Should I buy it or not?”

“Half and half? I might actually be asking you to buy it, but maybe I’m just saying it looks pretty? If it’s the first one, then not buying it means tragedy, and if it’s the second one, buying it might lead to the burden of two gold coins and that’s a mess too.”

“Hmm.”

“If you’re forced to pick an answer, then just breaking up is best. If a lady approaches like this? I’m already feeling generous, easing into a date? How will you communicate with someone who thinks like that? Just break up, or if you’re totally swept off your feet and can’t imagine your life without her, well, you’ll have to endure, right?”

“Hmm. Very true.”

Pang Dae-san shook his head, looking wearied.

As Qing chuckled and patted him on the shoulder.

“You don’t have to worry, Dae. You’re at a complete advantage, so those women only dare to be like this because they know you. If you just lower your voice and say, ‘It’ll be fine,’ they’ll be begging for forgiveness, clinging to your pants’ legs.”

Then Qing sipped her cold tea before switching to hot tea as if she remembered something suddenly.

“Oh! Dae, you’re unexpectedly sensitive, so you probably won’t be in this situation at all. Thanks for being helpful earlier. Just yesterday, I had a moment of deep self-reflection.”

Hearing my name called, I could tell she was genuinely concerned about my earlier behavior.

Pang Dae-san subtly averted his gaze.

“So, I’m thinking of wrapping up with the Dragon and Phoenix Association and training at Muchen Pavilion instead. The Swordmaster has agreed to teach me, so if you ever feel like dueling, just come by, and oh, be sure to drop by for a visit.”

“Is it Brother Namgung?”

“Honestly, the Swordmaster is kind of a rookie, but I find it hard to beat him in a duel. Maybe I’m just lacking some basics. Since Muchen Pavilion has plenty of rooms, drop by anytime without feeling pressured.”

“Hmm.”

“I guess Zhuge isn’t coming today. I should also tell Hyang to drop by. I can send word later. Well, have I seen everyone? The Swordmaster, Chang-bin….”

Just then, a youthful voice abruptly cut through Qing’s words as a tiny figure rushed over.

“Oh, hey, wait, no! Sister Qing! Is that really you?”

“Huh? Jun-ah! What are you doing here? Wow, you really recognized me?”

With his peculiar taste, Mo Yongjun had a remarkable ability to distinguish voices.

“Of course! Your voice hasn’t changed at all.”

“That’s a good observation! So, you haven’t been saying bad things and have been good all this time?”

“Well, I’ve slipped a few times… but only because I thought it was okay to do it for family… Is that fine?”

“Hmm. Family’s a different story. But if you mean the others, you haven’t said anything bad, right? Wow, how are you so good at listening? Come here.”

Qing pulled Mo Yongjun onto her lap.

Then Tang Nan-ah’s sharp voice pricked their ears.

“Who is this little brat? Why can she sit on a lap I’ve never sat on? Qing, how could you do this to me?”

“What nonsense is this? Why are you eyeing my lap when there are plenty of perfectly good chairs around? Here, this peculiar and lovely yet strange lady is Tang Nan-ah. Just try to be understanding, okay?”

“Hello, I’m Mo Yongjun.”

Mo Yongjun gave a brief bow.

Tang Nan-ah’s gaze was still not friendly.

“Mo Yongjun? Aren’t you Geomhwa’s younger brother?”

“Oh, you know my sister? Are you perhaps friends with her?”

“What a ridiculous thing to say. Hey! There’s a proper way to talk to people. How could you ask if you’re friends with her? Your sister has no friends!”

Tang Nan-ah bluntly shot that down.

Though a nine-year-old could be treated with some kindness, Tang Nan-ah, as usual, had no manners with anyone, regardless of age or gender.

“W-What? Really?”

“Ha. Did your sister ever bring a friend home?”

“Um, I don’t think she did…”

“See! Your sister has no friends.”

“Oh, so my sister has no friends…”

“Right. So don’t go around—ow!”

Tang Nan-ah got a light smack on the head from Qing.

“She can say whatever she wants. Those weird words coming from an unusual lady can just be ignored. And this handsome guy here is Pang Dae-san.”

“Oh! It’s you! Nice to meet you, sir! The brother-in-law I’ve only heard stories about! I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Wow, a family reunion! An epic moment, everyone gathered. The whole family weeps. So emotional.”

Qing burst into giggles.

Pang Dae-san’s eyebrow twitched.

“Kid. Brother-in-law, you said?”

“Sister said so! You’re the Great Hero Pang Dae-san, right? Are you the same person?”

“I am that Pang Dae-san. It seems your sister has mixed things up. That kind of thing doesn’t happen.”

“Oh, um. Sister Qing said not to talk about family recklessly, right?”

“Wow, Jun! You’re smart!”

Qing ruffled Mo Yongjun’s hair.

A wonderfully well-behaved little boy indeed.

“I’m not sure what your sister said, but initially, she’s gonna marry me to carry on the Pang family line—so she can’t marry me. She probably made a joke.”

Unlike Tang Nan-ah, who would tear into the child without mercy, Pang Dae-san chose his words carefully, showing understanding.

“Marrying you? What’s that?”

“Hmm. If a woman marries, she lives in the man’s house, did you know that?”

“Yep!”

“If the man lives in the woman’s house, that’s called a son-in-law. But I must continue my family line, so I can’t live in my wife’s house. Got it?”

“Ah! I get it. Thank you!”

Mo Yongjun bowed his head.

Pang Dae-san’s expression turned odd.

“You’re completely different from your sister.”

“What do you think? Is a kid cute or what?”

“Very much so. Blessing of a child, no doubt.”

Pang Dae-san hastily agreed.

Just being able to communicate without throwing fits is enough to be considered charming among kids.

But why are you still alone?

He usually roamed around without issue.

“Jun, how did you come alone?”

“Oh, I came with my sister. She’s with the Phoenix Association, and I… Oh! Right!”

His eyes widened in realization.

“Sister Qing, do you know who the jerk who bullied my sister is? I was hoping to catch him, and if you’re okay with it, can you help me look for him?”

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