Let out a sigh of relief, but this is just the beginning.
With the issues of the Tang Family and the poisoner now known in the Sichuan Tang Family, it’s obvious that I will end up going there. If I’m to venture into the tiger’s den and survive in the midst of it, I need to prepare in advance.
I need to make the guards believe I’m the illegitimate son of the Tang Family Head.
It would be more appropriate for me to knock on the door while being escorted by other tigers, instead of just shouting aimlessly into the tiger’s den.
Right now, I have no intention of becoming a black-haired tiger that shouts “I’m inheriting the position of the Head of Family, Father!” and throws the Tang Family Head off a cliff, but if I’m going to play the role of a cub, I must prepare thoroughly.
The guards won’t believe me right away.
The black-haired barbarian cub that had just been choking back before is, in fact, the illegitimate son of the Tang Family Head and his only child (truth).
It’s as absurd as discovering that the identity of a mysterious hero equipped with cutting-edge weapons is actually a fame-seeking businessman shouting “Mars Galka!”
Even if the Tang faction, after hearing my story to the end, explains it well, it’s ultimately just hearsay.
I have a way to provide certainty. The problem is the timing.
Giving the guards time to recognize me as the illegitimate son of the Head of Family while nipping any budding suspicion in the bud at the right moment is crucial.
I will create the timing myself.
I’m not going to idly wait for the situation to unfold.
Let’s do some groundwork in advance.
———————–
“He’s coming down.”
As I was the first to come down the attic stairs, the guards waiting on the second floor called out to each other.
This is dangerous. There’s another move left.
The members on the second floor are likely trusted by their leader. The leader might suddenly instruct his close subordinates to tie us up.
“Leader.”
I called out to the leader who was quickly coming down the stairs, trying to prevent him from thinking of anything else.
“…”
The leader stopped on the attic stairs, looking at me as if to say, “What cunning phrase are you trying to spin this time?”
Come on, don’t be so obvious about your displeasure.
I might be spinning some phrases.
“It’s been revealed that Tang Geoh has violated family rules and conducted experiments with poison. Are you really going to hide it as if it’s an affair with a direct descendant?”
I quickly invoked the Small Wheel Mental Image Technique to ensure my voice carried not just to the second floor but down to the first as well.
Let’s lay down some insurance. Though I’m speaking to the leader, I’m not talking exclusively to him.
Manufacturing poison is something anyone in the Sichuan Tang Family would receive severe punishment for. Just defending or hiding such acts is a serious offense.
If the leader orders me to be subdued here, it could be perceived as sheltering someone who violated family taboos.
“What?”
Just as I predicted, one of the guards almost approached me in response to my rudeness but then hesitated. They had likely been shocked to learn that my accusations about Tang Geoh were true.
I continued my speech.
“Right now, at this very moment, Tang Geoh may be rushing to Yichang. I don’t know how much power he possesses, but it’s unlikely he would come alone to take Lady Tang.”
I glanced at the leader, then shifted my gaze to the bewildered guards, subtly suggesting that they might see their comrade getting hurt if they remained silent.
“Even if you don’t bring it up, I was planning to.”
The leader had completely come down the attic stairs and was now looking at his subordinates.
“Everyone, please prioritize protecting Lady Tang.”
I suggested to the leader that people on the first floor should also be informed; at the same time, I let everyone on the first floor know that Tang Geoh had committed a taboo and was coming to target the experimental subject Lady Tang.
Did you all hear that? I shared good news, so if suddenly the leader tries to subdue me, you should step in.
“I promised to protect this child, didn’t I?”
“The person before entering and after leaving are of different minds.”
“It seems that barbarians change their words even after a brief stay in a restroom, but those of righteous factions know the weight of their words.”
Very well said, a shining example of righteousness.
A racist who appears proper—but isn’t that how it goes when a modern civil rights activist is found to have enslaved black men at home?
“Everyone, come down to the first floor!”
“Yes!”
At the leader’s command, all the guards on the second floor headed down.
“Ah, your skills are not just about your tongue.”
Did he realize the implication of my actions?
The leader cast a jab at me as he watched his subordinates exit to the first floor.
“I will take that as a compliment.”
Hwuh!
When I didn’t show any sign of conceding, the leader clicked his tongue.
“Lady Tang, go down first and have the others introduce you.”
“Oh? Okay.”
Lady Tang, perhaps still shocked by the “illegitimate child” remark, nodded absentmindedly.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“While you martial artists might not feel the cold in this weather, I have to wear an overcoat at night, so I’m just going to grab it.”
I turned back towards the attic to fetch my coat.
“I’ll be waiting.”
You need to hurry down; that way, I can create the timing I need.
“Isn’t there only one way down? Plus, you have something to say once you get down!”
I can’t escape now, so just go down and introduce Lady Tang.
“…I’ll go down and wait.”
The leader shot a glare at me before turning and heading down the stairs to the first floor.
“Oh?”
I nudged the deputy medical official, Dongpae, as he was about to follow and directed him with a nod back towards the attic.
You stay here and follow me.
Dongpae looked between the descending leader and myself before soon following me.
Is my supposed loyal dog really hesitating there? This guy hasn’t been trained enough.
While I’m at it, I’ll have to shake him into a golden puppy calling out “Nuyaho,” while feeding him a harem mix feast.
————————
Food isn’t only found at inns.
“Welcome to Gukharu. Do you have any companions?”
At the Sichuan restaurant in Yichang, I delayed things according to the plan, and then the leader and a few guards arrived late to Gukharu.
“Is the owner of Dasogeok really…?”
“It seems like he is.”
As we entered the restaurant, I overheard the guards whispering among themselves while watching me. I guess Dongpae did a good job following orders.
“Lady Tang. Have you ordered?”
I asked as I sat next to the waiting Lady Tang, while the leader took a seat awkwardly opposite me.
“Not yet. Neither have the others.”
“You should order ahead of time. They have pretty much every Sichuan dish here. Let’s order something delicious.”
I handed the menu to the leader.
“I’ll pay. Let everyone order what they want.”
The leader held the menu up and shouted to his guards.
“Are you serious?”
“Khuh. I only had dried rations running here, so it’ll be nice to eat properly for a change.”
“Although it might be less than Sichuan-style, isn’t eating Sichuan food outside of Sichuan special?”
“What will you eat?”
The server approached to take orders, approaching the leader, who appeared to be the group’s captain.
I wonder what the leader’s taste in food is. He wouldn’t order carbonara in a Sichuan restaurant, would he?
After some contemplation, the leader finally spoke.
“I will have Sichuan Jajangmyeon.”
“…”
In a place without ice, they can deliver an order like that?
On hearing the leader’s words, the expressions of the guards who had been looking at the menu turned stiff.
“Gukharu has Mala Tang, Yu Xiang Rou Si, Gong Bao Ji Ding, Qing Chao Rou Si. If you all are from the Sichuan Tang Family, we have specialty dishes that you’ll like!”
To suggest ordering more expensive food in front of martial artists—talk about professionalism even as a server.
“Just Sichuan Jajangmyeon.”
But the leader was not one to relent.
“That also comes with a sweet and sour pork set!”
“Just the Sichuan Jajangmyeon.”
“Yes, one order of Sichuan Jajangmyeon! What about the others?”
“Don’t mind me, just let everyone order whatever they want.”
“…”
It seemed like no one believed that the leader’s generosity was sincere.
“Give me a Sichuan Jajangmyeon.”
“I’ll have Sichuan Jajangmyeon too.”
In the end, all orders besides ours ended up unified.
“Let’s order what we want. Lady Tang, don’t hold back like with breakfast and lunch.”
I’m not about to lose this battle of wills with the leader.
“Crazy. Now I’m not even worried… Server! Any dishes that aren’t oily?”
Lady Tang expressed her doubts in response to my comment while quietly asking the server.
“If you’re worried about your weight, how about our special fantastic Mapo Tofu? It’s meatless but tastes like meat!”
“Fantastic Mapo Tofu?”
“Yes, it’s a dish by a legendary chef that no one from Sichuan hasn’t heard of!”
“Okay then, let’s have that.”
“Yes! What about you, Mr. Gang?”
“I will….”
They said they would fund it, but there’s nothing particularly appealing…
“Not long ago, we received equipment to also prepare a Legendary Nurungjitang. What do you think?”
“Nurungjitang isn’t my preference.”
While it’s visually appealing, it’s not really my taste. As I hesitated, a shadow cast over me.
“I’ll have a Sichuan Jajangmyeon.”
Dongpae sat beside me and placed his order. Did he really just sit beside me?
I obscured my face with the menu to prevent the leader opposite me from seeing it and turned my head to look at Dongpae. Did it succeed? He nodded back to me.
“So, he seems to have spread the news. Faster than I expected.”
I thought it would take a day or two, but it seems my encouragement fueled his ambition.
As I concealed my face with the menu, I looked around. All the guards of the leader were looking at me, not disguising the difference between their open gazes and their slight glances.
Faster than I imagined, but everyone’s gathered here now.
With everyone in the room, the atmosphere was dominated more by surprise than doubt about my identity. The interest in me was rising to a peak.
Right now. Let’s try that method.
