T/l Penny
Chapter 144
Shock Therapy (2)
“…Phew.”
Pushing away the persistent courtship of Jegal Yong, Dang Soran caught her breath.
She had thought the atmosphere regarding the engagement would be ruined after Wi Cheonsang died and Namgung Yeon left.
However, Jegal Yong only approached her more, as if he had seized an opportunity.
Whether walking through the Tang Clan estate or strolling the streets of Chengdu, Jegal Yong followed her like a puppy.
While the women of Chengdu were busy being jealous seeing the handsome Jegal Yong chasing after Dang Soran, Soran herself was going crazy.
How can he be so shameless?
“Lady. I know you best. If you are with me…”
“Young Master Jegal. I am uncomfortable. Please step away.”
What do you mean you know me?
His personality was strange, and in her eyes, Jegal Yong wasn’t even handsome.
He looked like a gigolo and was frail.
To put it excessively, one could even call him effeminate.
A coward, a bookworm, someone who likes to adorn himself and even carries a fan.
That was not the ideal man Dang Soran had in mind.
She hoped the man she would spend her life with wouldn't be like that.
People’s charms vary, and previously she didn’t exactly have a standard for it either.
But as time went on, she was beginning to realize.
She seemed to like men who had a large build, didn’t bother with dressing up, were easy-going, brave… and perhaps even high-handed.
A man who handles leather well would be good. A man who lives alone seems fine too.
A man with gaps is good. Because they are fun to tease.
A man who sulks easily is also good. Because soothing him is entertaining.
A man with no money would be good. If he has too much money, he might spend it on strange things.
An unpopular man is good. Getting entangled in strange fights is bothersome.
But in the end, she wanted someone who wouldn’t be swayed by the name Dang Soran, and would treat her plainly, just like a woman from anywhere else.
Someone who wouldn't be swayed by the status of the Tang Clan’s eldest daughter, the Poison Phoenix Dang Soran.
Someone with the guts to pleasantly spank her buttocks…
“…Ah.”
Dang Soran blinked her eyes, shaking off the thought.
Now was not the time for such thoughts.
There was a place she had to go.
She had shaken off Jegal Yong, and Cheongwol was in the middle of training.
The only chance to meet Han Seojin alone was now.
Han Seojin would know that as well.
Dang Soran moved her feet busily and arrived at the location.
Although they hadn’t explicitly promised it in words, Han Seojin was there as if their minds were connected.
A tea house on the outskirts of Chengdu that they had been meeting at lately.
There were few customers inside, and the owner was a hard-of-hearing old woman, so there was no burden.
Standing there, leaning his back against the shop, his figure looked truly cool.
Dang Soran cleared her throat under her veil and tidied her hair a little.
She brushed off dust that might have settled on her clothes and frowned this way and that to loosen her facial muscles.
“…Ah. Ah.”
After checking her voice one last time, she suppressed her heart, which was starting to race with excitement, and approached him.
“Young Master!”
“This bastard Jegal Yong is really…”
Ugh. If you’ve done that much, just disappear already…
Does he have no shame?
Since things weren’t working out at all, I did consider just giving up.
Honestly, being a coward isn’t that much of a flaw.
“…”
…No. Thinking about it again, it is a flaw.
Wasn’t he the guy who gave up his father’s life and revenge for his older brother just to preserve his own life?
Didn’t he abandon the disciples of the Wudang Sect, the Sword Saint, and even the Hidden Dragon Society he fought alongside?
He speaks of righteousness with his mouth and forces it upon others, but when the moment comes for him to prove it, he crumbles…
He is a typical cherry-picker.
In the Central Plains (Murim), once you are engaged, it usually lasts a lifetime.
Divorce is practically non-existent.
Because the universal culture was like that, breaking it would even leave a stigma.
If a husband is abandoned by his wife, there must be a reason, right?
How poorly did she support him for the husband to abandon the wife? Especially, why take a woman who has already been married once?
…Labels like that, difficult to peel off, would be stamped on both sides.
So, since they can’t divorce, Dang Soran would be married off to Jegal Yong.
If they liked each other, I wouldn't know, but since Dang Soran hates it too, I feel uncomfortable as well.
Also, how would I know how Jegal Yong might betray the Tang Clan of Sichuan?
How can I watch that landmine being planted?
It’s a problem that becomes infinitely light if you think lightly of it, and infinitely heavy if you think heavily of it.
Eh, maybe there won't be a problem, I think, but… what if a problem arises? It will likely explode big.
“Phew.”
Besides, since we’ve come this far, it was a shame to give up.
But how do I shake him off?
“Pfft.”
Dang Soran let out a laugh from behind her veil.
“Do you dislike me marrying Jegal Yong that much?”
With Wi Cheonsang and Namgung Yeon gone, as if she had seen hope, Dang Soran was returning to her old self.
She threw jokes while smiling brightly.
“How much do you dislike it? Express it in words.”
“I just hate it. Just.”
“Pfft… Ah, should I just marry Jegal Yong? Suddenly I’m debating it.”
I was dumbfounded and my mouth fell slightly open.
…This brat. She still hasn’t fixed her attitude.
On the other hand, Dang Soran laughed looking at my stunned face.
“Ahahaha, do you dislike it to that extent? Look at your face!”
Soon, calming her laughter, she asked sensually, as if whispering.
“…Why? Are you going to punish me?”
Sensuality from Dang Soran. I wondered if I was mistaken, but I definitely felt it for a moment.
“I am ready to… play again, Young Master.”
“Yes. I am not ready. Don’t say such things outside.”
Only after I said that did Dang Soran return to her usual self.
“Earlier was a joke. Do you think I’m crazy enough to go to Jegal Yong? Even if it means dying, I won’t do that.”
“Yes, that’s a relief.”
“Fufu, I didn’t know, but it seems Young Master is quite the jealous type.”
“Are you saying I am jealous over you right now, Lady?”
“I didn’t say that, did I?”
“Lady, if you really think that, please go find a physician.”
“I’m visiting the physician right now. The Heart Demon Physician.”
She said the part about Heart Demon only with her lips while lifting her veil slightly.
Since it wasn’t something to say outside.
“You were here.”
At that moment, someone entered the tea house.
It was a familiar face.
Dang Soran also recognized the person and spoke.
“Mu-gyeol…?”
It was Mu-gyeol, a retainer of the Tang Clan and the Clan Leader’s errand boy.
“Miss, you were here as well?”
“Hm? You didn’t come to find me?”
Mu-gyeol shook his head.
“I came to find Shopkeeper Han.”
“Me?”
What is it? He’s not going to suddenly give me a treasure like the Detoxification Immortal Root again, is he?
Mu-gyeol put his hand into his robe and took out a short postcard-sized letter.
“The Clan Leader is looking for you.”
“Eh.”
“Pardon?”
I looked at the letter.
The content was telling me to come find him tonight.
“It’s true. It’s the Clan Leader’s handwriting.”
Dang Soran stuck her head close to me and peeked at the letter.
Mu-gyeol, flustered, suggested,
“Ah, Miss. It would be better not to stick so close to a strange man…”
Dang Soran pretended not to even hear it.
Sometimes when I look at her, it really shows that she is a young lady who grew up sheltered.
Mu-gyeol disappeared after delivering just that.
I continued to stare at the letter.
It wasn’t completely unexpected.
It’s probably about Wi Cheonsang. I told him he was strange, and he really turned out to be a strange guy.
…Let’s just make up some excuse and come out. It’s not like I’m going there to die.
Honestly, I’m a little tense, but it was bearable.
Knowing I didn’t do anything hugely wrong makes it…
“…”
I glanced at Dang Soran.
…Wait, isn’t it? If the Poison King finds out I spanked her butt, he might actually kill me.
Just in case, I asked.
“You didn’t tell the Clan Leader about our play, right?”
“Ah… That is…”
Startled by Dang Soran’s hesitant attitude, I asked.
“Don’t tell me you told him??”
“N-No… I mean, I didn’t speak specifically… just that you helped with my Heart Demons…”
I slapped my forehead.
Ugh, this crazy girl.
Are you in your right mind? Why would you talk about that!
Setting aside the Heart Demon relief, the play is SM; what parent would…
If we get caught, what are you going to do with this mess…
You might be fine if caught, but I will die.
At my expression, Dang Soran spoke urgently as if making an excuse.
“The C-Clan Leader ignored Young Master so much… without realizing it, I…!”
“Then wouldn’t the Clan Leader of the Tang Clan naturally ignore a beggar leather shop owner?”
“…”
No. It’s not it.
I gathered my wits.
If the SM play had been discovered, Dang Jeokcheon would have appeared himself just like when he screwed over Wi Cheonsang.
He would have put his foot on my back and told me to speak honestly if I wanted a comfortable death.
So it should still be okay.
…Probably.
As I sipped my tea like that, the next guest looked for us.
Since I had already told the beggars my location, it seemed the guest found me that way.
“Merchant Bang.”
“Young Hero Han. You were here.”
As Bang Biyeon appeared, Dang Soran covered her face with her veil and adjusted her posture demurely.
This transformation was always goosebump-inducing.
“Who is in front…”
“Ah, an acquaintance of mine.”
—Thwack!
A dull pain was felt in my shin.
Gritting my teeth, I looked at Dang Soran, and her hat tilted slightly askew. As if asking what’s wrong?
Fuck, then you’re an acquaintance, what else are you…!
Suppressing my sense of injustice, I looked at Bang Biyeon.
“Hmm, I wonder if I interrupted something wrong. Young Hero Han. It’s about work. Is it alright to converse here…”
Bang Biyeon was choosing his words while looking at my acquaintance.
He is a truly kind middle-aged man.
But, there was no need to be that considerate.
“If it’s work talk, you may speak.”
Unlike Cheongwol, Dang Soran doesn't care much about such things.
A previous conversation came to mind.
‘But is that really true? You don’t care if your husband goes to a brothel?’
‘…’
Making a complex expression, Dang Soran nodded vaguely.
‘…Well, wouldn’t it not matter? They say men sometimes go to brothels to talk openly… I have no intention of stopping tha…t.’
‘Oh. You’re more open-minded than I thought.’
‘Isn’t it merely relieving sexual desire… The important thing is that his heart is directed towards me, I think.’
Yet, that expression that seemed somewhat angry looking at me for some reason.
‘…Why are you looking at me like that?’
‘N-No, it’s nothing.’
Anyway, Dang Soran seemed like someone open to brothels.
Thinking about it, she would be more open-minded than Cheongwol, who is a nun.
In the first place, there is no place where the word 'pleasure' fits as well as Chengdu, so the signboard of Chengdu should be generous about this.
And if she would permit her husband, then for someone like me, well.
“Right, that is fortunate. Young Hero Han. I have spoken to the brothel, so let’s go there once. We can discuss the rest on the way.”
"…Brothel?"
Dang Soran expressed doubt.
I heard that recently Bang Biyeon, especially, talked for a long time about business with the Mistress of Unmongru (Cloud Dream Pavilion).
The procedure to sell my leather clothes was in full swing. Citing the success achieved in Weizhong, I heard he was striving to get a higher price.
It must be a meeting about that.
Perhaps telling them how to wear it and explaining what the charm points are wouldn’t be bad either.
“Will I happen to see them wearing it too?”
“If you wish to see, as much as you like.”
“…That’s crazy, really.”
Although not complete, I can see a preview of the Reverse Bunny.
And see how the clothes I made stitch by stitch are used.
My heart starts to race.
Right, I couldn't go before because of Cheongwol, right?
Let’s go secretly this time.
Coming to Chengdu and never visiting a brothel… honestly, it’s too unfair.
I drank my tea and stood up from my seat.
And then I said to the stiffened Dang Soran.
“I have some business, so I will take my leave. That… and keep it a secret from Lady Cheongwol…”
“…”
Before leaving the tea house, I applied a little water to my hand and tidied my hair.
Bang Biyeon laughed happily seeing that appearance.
“Haha, even if you don’t groom yourself, everyone will like you. Let’s go.”
“Still, going looking too dirty isn’t polite, haha.”
Just as I was about to move my steps.
—Clench!!
“Ack!” —Someone grabbed my wrist hard enough to make a sound.
—Crack!
It made a strange sound as if my wrist was twisted.
I just moved my lips silently before asking.
“La, Lady?”
It was Dang Soran.
Wi Cheonsang, Jegal Yong, and Namgung Yeon; she had imagined them all.
Sitting in a spacious room, drinking alcohol boisterously.
Forgetting normality for a moment and enjoying a deviation.
With courtesans by their sides, accepting the drinks they pour, exchanging jokes, and sharing stories.
The smell of powder would vibrate in the air, and music would tickle the ears.
She knows it’s a space that men cannot dislike.
Wi Cheonsang probably drank high-quality liquor and ate expensive food.
It didn't matter. She wasn't interested.
Jegal Yong seemed like he would cool off the heat with a fan and observe the women while glancing sideways.
Likewise, it didn't matter. She felt nothing.
Namgung Yeon… wouldn't he get along well with the courtesans? He would spend his time in his own way.
Again, no thoughts came to mind.
So she thought it didn't matter.
If she was going to understand men, shouldn’t she understand at least that much?
And if it were her husband, she should understand even more.
“I have some business, so I will take my leave. That… and keep it a secret from Lady Cheongwol…”
But what is this now?
Just those words make her blood circulate wildly through her body.
If she imagines it…
…Han Seojin looked more excited than anyone, giggling with the courtesans.
She felt like she could see him recklessly groping the courtesans’ breasts.
And anger soared at that. Enough that she couldn't even joke.
Thinking of him sharing physical contact with another woman, a corner of her chest ached heavily.
“Haha, even if you don’t groom yourself, everyone will like you. Let’s go.”
“Still, going looking too dirty isn’t polite, haha.”
Dang Soran glanced at Han Seojin.
Leaving her behind, excited to go meet courtesans.
Why is this so annoying?
…If you like me, you shouldn't do that, right?
Even if it’s sexual relief. Or whatever work it is.
She absolutely cannot understand. She doesn't want to understand.
—Clench!
Her hand grabbed Han Seojin’s wrist on its own accord.
She grabbed him with a very slight infusion of internal energy.
“Lady?”
Dang Soran fixed her expression and looked at Han Seojin.
And said with a smile.
“Hmm, I won’t keep it a secret.”
“…Pardon?”
“I’m going to tell Cheongwol. That seems more fun.”
“S-Suddenly why…”
“Pervert. Dirty. You’re going to a brothel? Can’t you even relieve your sexual desires alone?”
“No, just a while ago you said…”
“Where does a beggar have the money to spend at a brothel?”
“I’m not paying for it…”
“What if you get addicted to it? Are you going to go into debt to visit brothels?”
“Who would go into debt—”
“—You have spending habits too. Will you be able to marry like that? That’s why no one takes you. That’s why you’re so unpopular. Is it okay for you to boastfully speak of frequenting brothels when you’ve lived in Mt. Emei?”
It was difficult for Dang Soran to wait for Han Seojin’s words to finish. Her desire to provoke him grew, causing her to cut him off every time.
“…Recently at Mt. Emei, I’m actually quite popular—”
“—Wow, now even lying. Who on earth would take Young Master Seojin? Unless they are crazy. You’re ugly, your body is big so you’re clumsy, you have many gaps, you sulk easily, you have no money… If it were me, I’d hate it even if I died.”
“…”
“If you go to a brothel, you’ll just get laughed at, you know? By the courtesans. Pfft… Are you going to pay money to get laughed at by courtesans? If it’s that, then it’s okay to go.”
Bang Biyeon noticed the atmosphere and started to slip away from behind.
“Y-Young Hero Han. I will come back later, haha.”
…Yes, go quickly.
Dang Soran thought inwardly.
Han Seojin, unable to do this or that, let out a deep sigh.
“Damn it… Suddenly why, really…”
As Bang Biyeon left, Han Seojin seemed to think he lost his chance and sat back down.
Only then did the knot in her chest loosen, and Dang Soran could let go of his hand.
The sense of accomplishment that she stopped him pleased her more than ruining his plan.
Rather than feeling sorry for saying such things to him, she liked that the disgusting imagination didn’t become reality.
Han Seojin suddenly got annoyed.
“No, you said it didn’t matter if I went to a brothel!”
Dang Soran shrugged her shoulders.
“It doesn’t matter though?”
“How is that…! Ugh…”
Looking at the annoyed Han Seojin, Dang Soran ended up thinking a treacherous thought that she normally wouldn’t even hold in her heart.
I’m here, so why do you want to see a courtesan…
“…Ugh.”
But naturally, it was a kind of thought she couldn’t spit out of her mouth.
Because hiding her heart allowed her to be more provocative.
“Ah!”
And at the same time, a thought occurred to her.
“What, again.”
“N-No, it’s nothing.”
She got a slight sense of how she could strike out Jegal Yong.
But can I do it?
It’s too provocative of a plan.
Will Han Seojin play along?
But… But it is a plan to catch two rabbits at once.
While shaking off Jegal Yong…
…It was a plan to deepen things with Han Seojin.
Come to think of it, haven’t we not played for too long?