“I’ll take the faster route since we’re behind schedule.”
In an instant, the scenery around us changed from paved road to unpaved road due to the announcement by the guard unit.
“The carriage’s ride is pretty rough.”
What kind of carriage doesn’t have shock absorbers? I could feel the condition of the unpaved road through my butt as I spoke to Huaring.
“Right? Since we’re going to Sichuan anyway, wouldn’t it be enough to just take the main road? Why go through all this trouble?”
“They said our delay was because of us. I guess they can’t tolerate any delays considering the main road runs through major cities.”
“If we don’t take the main road, won’t we run into bandits again like last time? This place is perfect for them to appear.”
Huaring seemed worried, recalling the bandits we met during our travels together.
“That’s fine.”
“Huh?”
“There are no bandits that would dare mess with the Sichuan Tang Family.”
Huaring, with her purple hair, seemed uneasy about growing up without tasting the sweet nectar of the Sichuan Tang family, but coming from a prestigious lineage means having a powerful backing.
“I’m still uneasy.”
“Don’t worry. After a few more days, you’ll definitely feel it.”
No fox would not hold its breath when a pack of tigers passes by.
It’s not like everyone has black hair, and you can tell which family someone belongs to just by their hair color. With a parade of purple heads passing by, no bandit would dare to show up.
Unless they’re suicidal or capable of challenging the Sichuan Tang Family.
—————-
“Seems to be true.”
As we passed through the mountains without a single bandit in sight, Huaring marveled at that. I smiled, as if to say “See?” but honestly, I was a bit amazed too.
When traveling with Huaring, we were constantly worried about bandits and even met several times. Is today the day of some natural disaster when purple-haired people are seen, making everyone hide?
With no worries about bandits or guards, just the thought of dying, it was a truly relaxing trip.
Of course, despite the relaxation, there was something that kept nagging me throughout the journey.
“Is that black-haired person really the Tang Family Head’s illegitimate child?”
“Have you never seen someone eating pineapple pizza?”
“Just can’t believe it after seeing that.”
“I can’t believe our family had such a scandal.”
“Did Tang Geoh really do something like that…?”
“To suffer under such a cruel experiment. Tsk tsk.”
“So what happens if the Deputy Head passes away?”
“Don’t speak blasphemous words!”
Curious and cautious gazes. Whispers directed at us. The Tang Family’s warriors chatted about us for days on end.
They said they would treat us as guests, but I feel like an orangutan in a zoo.
First time seeing the black-haired illegitimate child? Stop talking behind my back and talk in front of me instead! I wanted to shoot back, but as an introvert, I might end up yelling “You purple little brats!” to manage my image, so I decided to keep my mouth shut.
“If you’re curious, come and ask instead of speaking so unpleasantly where we can hear you.”
Huaring showed her displeasure to those chatting. Just as I thought! Huaring can do what I can’t!
“Ahem.”
When the bandit-hating Tang Huaring glared at them, all the warriors, except for one, averted their eyes. One warrior kept staring at me until he approached.
Is he finally going to talk to me directly?
“Your name is Kang Yoon-ho, correct?”
The warrior’s attitude was quite polite. Normally, illegitimate children aren’t treated like family, but his attitude passed the grade.
“Yes. You’re one of the warriors who bought ‘The Rise of the Tang Family,’ aren’t you?”
Now that I think about it, he’s the warrior who was so moved that he threw a fortune at the book. Wasn’t he the origin of all evils?
“I was supposed to greet you again, but due to the circumstances, it was delayed. By any chance, did you write ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ too?”
“Yes. I’m Ho Pil.”
“Then may I ask something? Is Tang Jung the Tang Family Head?”
So that’s why he approached me; he was concerned about ‘The Rise of the Tang Family.’
“Tang Jung and the Tang Family Head are technically different people. But it’s true that the stories I heard from my mother were mixed for various reasons.”
We weren’t trying to reveal the scandal in detail. We just needed someone to catch on in urgent situations, mixing in real elements was just for that. Tang Jung is based on a true story but is a fictional character.
“I see! Based on a true story.”
“To be precise, most is fictional, and just a bit of reality is mixed in. I’ve never actually met the Tang Family Head.”
Being an illegitimate child, I must be cautious with my demeanor. Because I can’t refer to the Tang Family Head as my father due to my status as an illegitimate child.
“I see. Then I have a request, can you grant it?”
“What kind?”
When I asked the warrior back, he hesitated, looking at me.
Don’t tell me he’s trying to say, “If you agree, I will speak”? That’s the worst way to ask for a favor.
If he doesn’t know what the request is and I say no, he’ll clearly show his displeasure. People like that should have a law changed that requires their requests to be granted regardless.
As I waited for him to speak without showing my feelings, the warrior rummaged through something and pulled it out.
Oh? This is ‘The Rise of the Tang Family.’
When I looked at the warrior in surprise, he opened his mouth with a somewhat flushed face.
“Could you sign this ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ for me?”
Huh? A signature?
—————-
Looks like ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ is quite popular among the guard unit.
“I want one too!”
“Me too, please!”
“No! I bought it; why are you asking for a signature from him?”
“Fine! I’ll pay you back next time!”
“No, I don’t have your book!”
Once one person got a signature, the other guard members surrounded me asking for signatures.
“This is great! After reading ‘The Rise of the Tang Family,’ I felt so moved. This is truly our real face. Other martial artists misunderstand us.”
One of the guards, hugging the signed ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ as if it were precious, said to me.
“Haha. Is that so.”
I discreetly peeked at the guard unit commander who was pretending not to be paying attention. A few realized what I was implying and spoke up.
“I hope you don’t harbor too much resentment. It’s just that there’s prejudice against black hair; he’s actually a good person.”
“Indeed. He can be a bit rigid and simple, but he’s truly a trustworthy person.”
“The Tang Family Head didn’t send his son’s life with just anyone for no reason.”
Hearing comments like “Our kid may not do this or that, but he’s kindhearted,” felt like a compliment.
“I understand, but it’s hard not to let my feelings get the best of me.”
Aside from his actions towards me, he was somewhat mindful. If he hadn’t mentioned cutting off my limbs, I might’ve been moved to think, “Wow, there are truly upright people in this world!”
Just as I was turning away with a bitter expression, one warrior shyly pointed to the book I was holding.
“Could we take a look at the third volume of ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ that you have?”
“I promised the readers in Yichang I wouldn’t show it until everything is settled.”
That’s my life insurance. Who do they think they are trying to see it for free?
“But can the third volume be published?”
One of the guards asked worriedly.
“We can fix the content or change the future developments. I really want to publish the third volume.”
This is also my life insurance and my first hit in this world. If I can’t finish this, I might have to change my pen name from Ho Pil to Ji Wu.
I need to wrap this up successfully so I can continue to produce famous works in the future.
“That’s right. What a scandalous story it is. We’ve all seen it, but only the commander caught on. Is it just a word here or there that hints at it? If Ho Pil, the author, revises it, no one will notice.”
That’s exactly my point.
“Then is the third volume something we can see after everything is over?”
The warriors looked at me with longing. Everyone around also looked at the book in my arms.
‘This could be used as a bargaining chip.’
If it’s not just one or two people wanting to see it, I could try something.
“If we safely arrive at the Tang Family and finish our business, I’ll let you see it before the readers in Yichang.”
“Really?!”
The faces of the guard members brightened. Of course, I’ll show it. But it’s not for free.
“But on the condition that once we’re at the Tang Family, you say good things about ‘The Rise of the Tang Family.’”
You guys take me on a flower palanquin and manage public opinion a bit. Then, I’ll show it to you.
“That’s easy!”
“Of course! Not only for ‘The Rise of the Tang Family’ but for Ho Pil too!”
“This book is too precious to fade away like this! Naturally, we have to say good things.”
“Right! I want to see the romance between the two female swordswomen like sisters!”
“Hahaha.”
If I’m to live, you all must see the third volume. So you all become my shields.
I kept stirring their expectations for the third volume while talking about ‘The Rise of the Tang Family.’
——–
With no shortage of strength and gradually improving relations with the crew, obstacles always arise even on the smooth journey.
“The road is blocked here.”
Was there a landslide? The road we were supposed to take was blocked.
“This road is blocked too!”
Even the other road we attempted to take was blocked by mounds of dirt and trees.
“This is ominous. Bandits often use this method.”
As I observed the detours, I spoke to Huaring.
“Huh?”
“They block detours with mounds and lie in wait in places advantageous for them. It’s a classic bandit tactic.”
Since the Sichuan Tang Family was escorting us, it shouldn’t be a serious issue, but it was still unsettling.
The two blocked roads were quite wide enough for the carriage to pass easily. If they deliberately blocked such large roads, it could be quite a sizable bandit group.
“Everyone, stay vigilant!”
The guard commander seemed to think the situation could spiral out of control and shouted a warning to his crew.
The Tang Family warriors kept a close watch as we passed through the mountain road.
—————-
“We’ve reached a village. Was it just a regular landslide?”
Following the only remaining path, we arrived in a small, secluded village hidden in the mountains. Is it a mountain farming village? For such a place, there seemed to be some proper buildings.
“Welcome.”
In the only two-story building in the village, as we entered the inn, a bearded man greeted us.
The innkeeper, huh? Since it’s such a remote village, I guess there aren’t many guests.
“You all must be hungry. I’ll prepare a Carbonara for everyone.”
The guard commander confirmed everyone was seated and ordered food from the man.
“Carbonara? What is that?”
Is it possible this remote village doesn’t know about Carbonara?
“Does the innkeeper not know what Carbonara is? Then do you have Aglio Olio? I’ll take that instead.”
“Haha…”
The man showed a troubled smile.
“What kind of inn doesn’t have Aglio Olio? Then just bring whatever soup you have.”
“We don’t serve soup.”
“No soup in an inn! Then what are you serving?”
No pasta or soup? Is it really just boiled potatoes being served in this inn?
“If you order noodles, I’ll serve them all.”
The innkeeper mentioned noodles, which was a common dish in traditional martial arts.
“Noodles? Tsk, what kind of food is that… Fine, bring it.”
The guard commander looked displeased and sat down.
“We also have dumplings, how about those?”
Dumplings sounds good. With our journey being this long, surely we can’t end with just noodles?
It seems I’m not the only one thinking this; the Tang Family party turned to look at the guard commander upon hearing about dumplings.
“Bring the dumplings too.”
Feeling the unspoken pressure, the guard commander nodded and ordered dumplings.
“Order noodles and dumplings based on the number of people here!”
“Wait!”
The guard commander held the man’s sleeve, stopping his actions.
“Yes?”
“Only one dumpling per three people.”
“Aha. Ah, understood.”
The members exchanged glances, briefly showing grimaces before resuming their expressions of composure and waiting for food.
An inn after a long journey to Sichuan. Everyone was in a good mood from having a roof over their heads after several days, but I couldn’t share in their joy.
Something feels off.
This inn doesn’t serve pasta or soup, but it serves noodles? What’s going on? It feels like the genre just changed suddenly.
“Here’s some water.”
The innkeeper brought a glass of water to the people from the Tang Family waiting.
“Thank you. Do you have Juhyeopcheong?”
“Ah, that… I think we might have it. Shall I look for it?”
Suspicious.
Incredibly suspicious.
How can an inn skip Aglio Olio and soup, serve noodles and dumplings, and yet have Juhyeopcheong as a drink?
A sense of unease washed over me.
“I’ll let you know if I remember it later.”
I sent the innkeeper away and began surveying my surroundings.
I feel like I’ve just seen a two-eyed creature in a one-eyed world. The problem is, I’m the only one who realizes the peculiarities of the two-eyed creature.
Is this overreacting? No. Think, Kang Yoon-ho. Something feels off. Identify the weirdness. Look around desperately. A simple dish of Aglio Olio couldn’t have been skipped for noodles.
Noodles and dumplings. Even Juhyeopcheong is a luxury. Such alcohol isn’t something you can find in a village like this.
It’s as if someone who never ran an inn just threw out phrases…
Aha.
“Huaring, don’t drink that water.”
I raised my hand to stop Huaring from drinking the water.
“Huh? Why?”
“I think we’ve fallen into a trap.”
