The Eldest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Clan Protects Her Family

Chapter 29: Traitor and Confidant

 
A low voice, laced with reproach, cut through the air. “Whether it’s a true miracle elixir or not, it’s still Yeonjuhwan. People would kill for a chance to obtain it, and she gave it to us.”
Yoonjin chuckled. “I never knew you cared about reputation so much, Cheolho.”

Cheolho, one of the Black Tiger Unit warriors who had accompanied Sohwa to retrieve the poisoned warriors, glared at him. “And you don’t?”
“I don’t concern myself with such frivolous matters.”
Cheolho scoffed. “The man who lectures us about dragons and illusions doesn't care about reputation? That’s amusing.”

Yoonjin's face hardened, but Cheolho ignored him, turning to his comrades. “I hear the White Tiger and Red Tiger Units are quite upset. They’re complaining about the unfairness of the Black Tiger Unit receiving five Yeonjuhwan pills.”
“That’s ridiculous! It’s not a reward! We risked our lives to obtain those pills!” one of them retorted angrily.
Cheolho shrugged. “I understand their frustration. If Miss Sohwa had brought them back to the main estate, they would have been distributed as rewards. They likely feel like something has been taken from them.” He looked at Yoonjin again. “If Yeonjuhwan was truly a reward, the White and Red Tiger Units would have been fighting tooth and nail to earn it. That’s the power of reputation.”

Yoonjin remained silent.
“But she used them all on us. On us, whose survival was uncertain, who might have died.”
Silence descended upon the Black Tiger Unit’s quarters.

Cheolho, his gaze still fixed on Yoonjin, asked his comrades, “Did you hear that Miss Sohwa was summoned to the Cleansing Sky Pavilion?”
They all nodded, having already heard the news. Only Hanwon, still recovering, looked up in surprise.
“Miss Sohwa? At the Cleansing Sky Pavilion? Why?”

He hadn't been privy to the recent events. The Cleansing Sky Pavilion was where the Elder Council convened. Being summoned there, unless you were a Clan Head or an elder, meant only one thing: punishment. A chilling realization washed over him. He finally understood the true value of the Yeonjuhwan, the pills he had so casually dismissed.
Cheolho’s gaze shifted abruptly towards Hanwon, his intense stare making him flinch. “Hanwon.”
“…What?”

“I thought you were going to die.”
Hanwon’s mouth opened and closed soundlessly. Cheolho chuckled. “Instead of being disappointed by the Yeonjuhwan, you should be thanking the one who saved your life.”
Hanwon sat up abruptly, his face flushing. “Don’t be ridiculous! I wasn’t disappointed! I was just… embarrassed that I couldn’t feel any difference. I thought it was because I was lacking.” The shame he had kept bottled up spilled out, a confession far less embarrassing than questioning his savior's generosity.
His comrades reacted similarly, some with embarrassment, some with newfound respect, and some with quiet contemplation.

Yoonjin observed them, his face impassive. The growing camaraderie within the Black Tiger Unit was unsettling.
Suddenly, everyone turned towards the door. Someone was approaching.
Creak.

They all stood up as the door opened. The deputy leader scanned the room, his gaze settling on Yoonjin.
“Yoonjin. Come with me.”
Yoonjin followed him without question. Once they were outside, the deputy leader spoke. “The Unit Leader wants to see you.”

Yoonjin flinched involuntarily. The Unit Leader had returned today. To be summoned immediately upon his arrival was… unusual. ‘What is this about?’ He searched his memories, but nothing came to mind.
He was still pondering this when they arrived at the Unit Leader’s office.
“Unit Leader, I’ve brought Yoonjin.”

“Excellent! Come in!” The Unit Leader’s voice was cheerful.
Though puzzled, Yoonjin entered the office. The Unit Leader, his face as bright as his voice, sat behind his desk, beaming. He slammed his hand on the desk excitedly. “Yoonjin! I heard you performed exceptionally well on Mount Emei!”
Performed well? Yoonjin frowned, but the Unit Leader, instead of explaining, turned to the deputy leader. “I see why you recommended him. He’s a valuable asset.”

He seemed genuinely pleased. “Ah! You must be wondering why I called you here.” He clapped his hands together. “The Anhui branch has agreed to compensate the affected branches. Young Master Namgung is personally delivering the reparations, and Miss Sohwa has agreed to receive them. And she has specifically requested your assistance.”
At the mention of Tang Sohwa’s name, Yoonjin’s brow twitched. He had a bad feeling about this. Judging by her words on Mount Emei, she clearly suspected him. He had been waiting for her to make a move, and now, her unexpected request filled him with a sense of unease.
The Unit Leader, however, mistook his surprise for joy. He chuckled, patting Yoonjin on the shoulder. “The Clan Head is also interested in this matter. This is a great opportunity for you.”

Yoonjin, instead of his usual obedient acquiescence, hesitated. “May I ask why Miss Sohwa has requested my presence?”
The Unit Leader laughed heartily. “Isn’t it obvious? She hasn't forgotten our Black Tiger Unit. Ahem, this is just between us, but it seems she made quite an impression on the elders during the Cleansing Sky Pavilion meeting. They say this compensation is largely due to her efforts.”
Though not usually privy to the inner workings of the clan, the Unit Leader couldn't be unaware of the incident involving the Divine Physician's troupe that had nearly brought the Tang Clan to its knees.

Tang Sohwa was the only one who had received such a lenient punishment, a mere confinement to the inner courtyard, after being summoned to the Cleansing Sky Pavilion. And the Third Elder, her father, seemed to hold her in high regard, based on what he had heard.
Though he wasn't privy to the details of the Elder Council meeting, he didn't care. He was simply pleased that the Namgung Clan was in trouble, delighted by their generous compensation, and overjoyed that the funds would finally allow him to expand the Black Tiger Unit’s quarters. Honestly, how could he justify cramming all those warriors into a single room?
While the White and Red Tiger Units, who handled external affairs, were assigned individual quarters, the Black Tiger Unit, specializing in covert operations, were forced to share a single room, under the dubious pretext of ensuring mutual accountability.

His warriors worked so hard! This was blatant discrimination! He could finally face them without shame.
A sense of relief washed over him. And gratitude towards the Tang Clan heiress, who hadn't forgotten them. To be entrusted with such an important task, extracting funds from the Namgung Clan, and to have a Black Tiger Unit member included… he was immensely pleased.
“It seems the elders want to test Miss Sohwa. If she handles this compensation smoothly, her position within the clan will be greatly strengthened. You’re fortunate to be a part of this! Haha!”

Fortunate?
He felt a growing sense of unease. If she truly suspected him, he had to find out how.
The Unit Leader frowned at his grim expression. “What’s with that face?”

“…I appreciate the opportunity, but I’m not confident I can fulfill such an important task.”
“I understand the pressure. But they’re not asking you to negotiate. You’re there as an escort. Just follow Miss Sohwa’s instructions. It’s no different from your usual duties. Isn’t this what you excel at?”
The Unit Leader’s cheerful demeanor vanished, his gaze sharpening.

The Black Tiger Unit operated in the shadows: gathering intelligence, creating diversions, carrying out assassinations.
Yoonjin, momentarily apprehensive, quickly regained his composure. Whatever the cunning woman’s intentions, this was an opportunity. A chance to observe her up close, to learn more about her. And since it involved the Namgung Clan, she wouldn't order him to kill them outright. If she requested information, he could simply contact his informant within the Namgung Clan. It would be an easy task.
He bowed his head. “I won’t disappoint you.”

“Good. Return to your quarters and prepare to enter the inner courtyard.”
“…The inner courtyard?” He couldn’t hide his surprise. The inner courtyard housed the Tang Clan’s most valuable assets, their secret manuals and treasures. It was also the exclusive domain of the main family.
“Miss Sohwa is currently confined to the inner courtyard. You’ll be stationed there for the time being.”

He had never been inside the inner courtyard. Only one other spy had access, and he was currently away on a personal errand. ‘I can’t believe I’m being given such an opportunity.’ Though a flicker of unease remained, he quickly embraced the positive. He didn't know her intentions. Perhaps she wanted to keep an eye on him, or perhaps she intended to try and turn him. Whatever her reasons, she would regret this.
He returned to his quarters and packed his belongings. When his comrades, curious about his sudden departure, asked where he was going, he simply told them he had been assigned to oversee the transfer of funds from the Anhui branch. Their envious gazes confirmed his good fortune. This was a chance to impress the Clan Head.
Ignoring their reactions, he entered the inner courtyard.

He had initially planned to find a way to stay close to Tang Sohwa, but he soon realized it was unnecessary. She kept him by her side constantly. She was a strange woman.
Instead of preparing to receive the Anhui branch, she spent her days sketching designs on silk, seemingly oblivious to everything else.
Thus, Yoonjin found himself spending his days in her company, a silent observer. Occasionally, the Young Master would visit, then quickly leave upon seeing him. An elderly craftsman from the forging room would arrive to receive instructions from Sohwa. Other than that, nothing out of the ordinary occurred.

It was a peaceful, uneventful existence, a stark contrast to the tension he had anticipated.
After ten days, she finally completed her sketches and asked for his opinion. He had no interest in embroidery, nor did he possess the skill to assess the quality of her work based on a simple sketch.
He offered a polite compliment, and she smiled enigmatically. She dismissed him, telling him he could return to his quarters.

It was a baffling decision.
And after her confinement ended, she didn’t summon him again. He had done nothing, absolutely nothing, until the day the Anhui branch arrived at the Tang Clan estate.