Sichuan has been famous for silk since ancient times.
Especially the luxurious patterns and the feeling as if one is grabbing a fairy’s dress, known as Shujin (蜀錦), can yield a significant profit when sold in Sichuan, attracting many merchants from other regions.
“Welcome! What can I show you?”
In the capital of Sichuan Province, at a silk shop, the shopkeeper greeted the two mysterious women who entered while hiding their faces under wide-brimmed hats.
Covering one’s face with a hat like that while entering… No way they’re here to stir up trouble as martial artists, right? Suspicious. The shopkeeper concealed his wariness and waited for the customers to speak.
“Show me the best silk blanket in this shop.”
A young woman’s voice, which sounded quite assertive, rang out.
“Young lady, what you’re asking for is extremely expensive. Let’s start with a regular silk blanket.”
Even the ordinary silk blanket is pricey, and she wants the best? The shopkeeper couldn’t believe his ears.
‘Looks like this young one is just spoiled and came to touch the silk blanket.’
Such customers occasionally appear. Women who just come to feel Shujin without any intent to buy. He maintained a smiling face while secretly cursing them with his eyes.
As the shopkeeper showed no signs of moving, the woman sighed softly and took off her hat.
“I have the money, so show it to me.”
Upon seeing the woman with a rare beauty, the shopkeeper’s eyes widened. It wasn’t just because she was stunning, but also because of her hair and eye color.
“Gasp! Y-you are from the Sichuan Tang Family! Welcome! I’ll show you the most eye-catching Shujin!”
Lady Tang looked at the silk the shopkeeper hastily brought out and sighed softly before speaking.
“It looks plain to the casual observer but lacks substance upon closer inspection, doesn’t it?”
“There is some, but…”
“Show me that. But it must feel good enough that I can’t sleep without it.”
“Is it for a man?”
“My fiancé.”
“Why didn’t you say so earlier! I’ll show you something you can cozily snuggle with your husband! It’s a luxury you’d use for a high-ranking household!”
The shopkeeper hurried to pull out silk blankets that matched Lady Tang’s discerning eye. Just when Lady Tang, who had been feeling a bit slighted upon entering the shop, showed her smile for the first time.
“Hehe. The second blanket is nice. When I return, I want the same one.”
“Please take your time!”
If I had known things would turn out this way, I would have treated her better. The shopkeeper swallowed his regrets and cheerfully wished for her return.
—
“Master, let’s go to the next shop.”
Lady Tang pointed to the store in front of her.
“Didn’t that blanket look good? Why not buy it right away?”
“It’s for Yoon Ho to use, we should look at other places too. My pocket is hefty after all.”
The purse Lady Tang pulled from her chest looked quite stuffed.
“I never thought you’d even ask for blank checks from me.”
“Hehe. Because I made a big splash, I’ve managed to get a decent amount without needing blank checks.”
Murong Seob frowned at Lady Tang’s suggestion of a blank check but tried to accommodate her as best as he could. Thanks to that, Lady Tang managed to receive a satisfactory amount written on the check that made her forget months of hardship.
“Buying a gift for your fiancé is good, but wouldn’t it be better to send heartfelt gifts rather than too many, and send money to use where it’s needed instead?”
Dok Muhu had agreed to go to the market following his disciple’s persuasion after many months of hardship, but he couldn’t shake off the feeling that he might end up wandering the market till night.
“I know Yoon Ho.”
“You do?”
“Business deals, and Qipao. Others can take care of things, but he won’t take care of himself, will he? Just wearing whatever’s comfortable, putting on the same clothes without smell, working late and writing till he just collapses into bed without cleaning up. It’s clear as day.”
Lady Tang pinched her forehead with two fingers, shaking her head as if it were obvious.
“Sounds like you’re thinking of your husband.”
Dok Muhu smiled, recalling her late husband.
“He’s a guy who won’t take care of himself with money, so I’ll make sure to take care of Yoon Ho.”
Lady Tang placed her wrist on her hip. If Yoon Ho was busy with outside matters, then she had to look after him, even if he was far away.
“What pure devotion.”
Who exactly made this girl fall in love? Dok Muhu felt the impulse to see his disciple’s fiancé’s face again.
“Hehe. Next, let’s go check out some clothes. I’ll check for you too, Master!”
With a smile, Lady Tang tugged at Dok Muhu’s sleeve.
“Looks like you’ll be busy all day long. Alright, let’s go.”
That day, as the two women moved, the merchants in the capital of Sichuan smiled broadly.
“The antidote is complete, and I’m ready to leave.”
At the Tang Family Head’s Hall, Murong Seob, the representative of the Murong Family group, announced to the Tang Family Head that preparations were being made to return.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t attend to you more.”
“Why say that? You crafted an antidote that couldn’t be obtained anywhere else in the world at the Tang Family. On behalf of the Murong Family, I thank you once again.”
Murong Seob knelt on one knee and expressed his gratitude.
“How could I ignore those in distress? When do you plan to depart?”
“We intend to leave as soon as our doctor learns the method of crafting the antidote.”
Since they had received the antidote and method, it shouldn’t take long. The Tang Family Head nodded at Murong Seob’s words and opened his mouth to make a suggestion.
“Why not go with the doctors from the Guard Unit?”
“Our doctor is quite skilled as well.”
“I’ll send some martial artists from the Tang Family along for protection.”
“Are you talking about the Tang Family’s martial artists? There’s really no need for that.”
“What kind of bloodstorm might occur if the antidote appears in the Murong Family?”
“……!”
It was only then that Murong Seob realized the implications of the Tang Family Head’s words.
‘How much does he know?’
He had noticed that the Tang Family Head was aware of some issues within the Murong Family. Murong Seob kept his expression as controlled as possible while thinking.
Could it be that they noticed the Demonic Cult’s poison too? Or are they merely thinking of factional conflict? Or maybe, it’s just saying they want to help the Murong Family Head.
“I remember Lord Murong boasting about his daughter occasionally. I believe the rumors about your lord are greatly exaggerated.”
Tang Family Head Tang Baek-ho brought up a sensitive topic.
“Head….”
“What do you think? If the representative of the Murong Family permits, I shall prepare everything right away.”
Murong Seob couldn’t open his mouth freely.
The Tang Family Head offering to send help meant allegiance to his lord. But that implied that he would have to expose the Murong Family’s ties to the Demonic Cult.
Murong Seob thought deeply before replying.
“Family matters should be handled within the family, shouldn’t they?”
We can’t burn down the whole house to catch a pest. If a rumor spread that the Sub-Head was collaborating with the Demonic Cult, or that the Murong Family was a den of Demonic Cult members, it could lead to an irreparable blow for them.
Murong Seob politely declined.
“Indeed. That is a truth.”
“Thank you again, Tang Family Head, for your kindness. I will take my leave now.”
The Tang Family Head watched Murong Seob’s departure, gazing out the window until he left the head family hall.
The incident of the poisoned individuals associated with the Tang Family, which even the Tang House had ties to, was something that had to be kept absolutely confidential outside. That is, if the Demonic Cult were even more deeply involved, it would be natural for the family to want to resolve it internally.
“How far does this hand stretch; first the Tang Family, and now the Murong Family….”
Tang Family Head Tang Baek-ho gazed at the night sky, his expression bitter while contemplating the future of the Martial Arts World.
“Lady Tang, should we send the items that have arrived directly to the Seocheon Post Office?”
“We need to send a letter as well.”
Lady Tang gazed contentedly at the items that had arrived in the Secret Garden and said to her servant.
“Yes. If you provide the letter, I’ll have one of the Seocheon Post Office’s staff send it to the Tea Bookstore.”
“Thank you.”
Lady Tang had purchased gifts for Kang Yoon-ho for days with everything that came to her mind.
Sending cargo from the capital of Sichuan to Yichang will cost a fair amount, but using the Seocheon Post Office operated by the Tang Family as a middleman would prevent any issues.
“Now, I need to write a letter.”
Lady Tang confirmed everything was in order. After another check, she returned to her room to write the letter.
[To my beloved Yoon Ho.]
“Ugh… Why is it so embarrassing to write?”
The moment Lady Tang began writing the first line, her face turned hot, and she set down her brush.
I could say a hundred things verbally right now, but why does writing it make me blush? Lady Tang felt like her emotions were sticking to every letter.
It tickles. It’s embarrassing yet makes me feel good. I don’t want anyone to see this feeling. Maybe I should write the admonitions first?
Lady Tang scratched her ticklish arm and began writing.
[When the post office folk arrive, it’ll probably be autumn. I’ll send fall and winter clothes, so wear them. I’ll also send a winter blanket, so when it arrives, don’t just cover it; be sure to ask the regulars at the Tea Bookstore, Uncle Chang, to fill it with cotton……]
After reading her advice to her fiancé about the gifts, Lady Tang grabbed her hair in anguish.
“Sounds too much like a mom……”
She felt like a mother worrying for her son living far away due to exams.
“I-I want to write something more like a lover…….”
Motherly love is affection too, but she wished to write something more romantic. Lady Tang ended up glancing around the empty room, checking for someone watching, then continued her letter.
[Yoon Ho, every time you cover the blanket at night, you must think of me. Got it……]
“I’m crazy! Really crazy! Hufufufu.”
Lady Tang couldn’t hold it back and launched herself onto the bed.
“Let’s start with how I’ve been doing.”
Lady Tang stirred the air with her palm, finally calming her flushed face, then sat back at her desk.
[Yoon Ho, I have a master now. His name is Dok Muhu, and he’s incredibly famous.]
Just like Yoon Ho did, she was writing about what had happened since then. Lady Tang calmly continued.
[Recently, people from the Murong Family came to the Tang Family.]
There was a lot to write about.
[Yoon Ho, you should have seen the faces of the Tang family members. I want to see your expression of joy next to me.]
The news of having a master, creating the antidote, and achieving martial art skills came out more emotionally charged as Lady Tang described everything she experienced.
[Write back. I love you.]
A letter encapsulating half a year of Lady Tang’s feelings.
It was completed with that final sentence, full of her heart.
“I think it was a good decision to come to the Sichuan Tang Family.”
Days later, a martial artist of the Murong Family turned his head toward the distant Sichuan Tang Family and said.
“With the antidote, we can turn the tides.”
Murong Seob treasured the antidote in his embrace.
“If only the Head would awaken, we would sweep away those filthy scoundrels in no time. Our lord would become the Deputy Head of the Family.”
“Yes, exactly.”
“It must be impossible to die. The Sichuan Tang Family…. What an impressive clan it is. We too, from Yodong province, claim to be powerful, but what a difference there is.”
The powerful families of the affluent Sichuan region and the clumsy warlords of the barbarian-infested Yodong region were bound to differ, but the face of Murong Family’s martial artist was filled with bitterness.
“The Murong Family will become a formidable force like the Sichuan Tang Family.”
“I believe that everything will return to its original place if our lord stays with us.”
Although the current situation was grim, it was not without hope. As long as the Murong Family has the owner of Changbong Hall, Murong Sang-a.
If only the Murong Family could return to its former glory, it could be a clan that would command the world in the next generation.
The faces of the Murong Family martial artists, recalling the owner of Changbong Hall, were filled with trust toward their lord.
“This is really……”
“Don’t just admire it…….”
“……the Sichuan folk have such greatness……”
“The commotion at the back’s been noisy.”
As Murong Seob finished the conversation, he gestured with his chin toward the noisy rear section.
“Oh, it must be the gifts brought from the Tang Family.”
One of the Murong Family martial artists chuckled in puzzlement.
“Gifts?”
One of the martial artists of the Murong Family rummaged around to pull something out and handed it to the bewildered Murong Seob.
“We’ll be at the inn soon. Would you like to take a look?”
What the martial artist presented was an item that had stirred the Tang Family.
“……The Rise of the Tang Family?”
It was a book written by Kang Yoon-ho.
