The Eldest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Clan Protects Her Family

Chapter 34: Trust

 
“Is this a declaration of war? Are you saying you’ll betray me?”
Tang Sohwa’s blunt question made Namgung Jin laugh. “No, that’s not what I intended.” He shook his head, still smiling.

“Then what did you intend?”
“Exactly what I said. I’m offering you my trust, and in return, I hope to earn yours.”
“I find your sudden generosity… difficult to understand.”

“After seeing the Tang Clan’s reaction to the Blood Cult’s resurgence, I no longer believe they’re involved. Or rather…” He paused, then continued, “I no longer believe you are involved.”
“So, you still suspect the Tang Clan.”
“I don’t mean to offend you. I simply believe the Blood Cult has infiltrated the Namgung Clan as well.”

Tang Sohwa traced the rim of the small jar with her finger, her expression thoughtful.
“They’ve likely infiltrated headquarters as well. My cousin, Cheong-hae, served at headquarters for nearly a decade. If he only recently noticed something amiss, that means they’ve been successfully manipulating the Martial Alliance for quite some time.”
“Why are you telling me this? If you don’t trust your own clan, or the Martial Alliance, I don’t see why you would trust me.”

He smiled faintly. “Do you trust the Tang Clan?” His gaze shifted towards the edge of the bridge, towards the guards and servants standing by the pond. “You don’t trust your own clan, nor the Martial Alliance. Yet, your desire to protect the Tang Clan is stronger than anyone’s.” His gaze returned to her. “That is why I’m offering you my trust. I believe we share the same goal.”
“…”
“I withheld information about the Blood Cult’s weapons from the Martial Alliance. The Four Seasons Lord was lenient, and I escaped punishment. However, if you were to reveal the existence of these poisonous insects, I wouldn't be so fortunate.” He had just handed her a weapon against him, and yet, his expression remained calm, devoid of fear.

He reiterated his offer of trust. “I want to eradicate the Blood Cult. And I believe you would be far more effective in wielding their weapons than the Martial Alliance.”
“You don’t know me.”
“Do I need to?”

“If you want to trust someone, shouldn’t you at least try to understand them?”
He chuckled and asked, “What have you been doing lately?”
Tang Sohwa frowned at the unexpected question. He shrugged. “Just trying to understand you. How the eldest daughter of the Tang Clan spends her time, what she thinks about.”
She stroked the small jar, her expression thoughtful. The report he had submitted to the Martial Alliance had omitted his encounter with Tang Hak in Sichuan. She had assumed it was a deliberate omission, a sign of his cunning. But perhaps it was a genuine gesture of goodwill. Perhaps he wasn't as cunning as she thought.

She decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.
As his gaze softened, his eyes losing their usual guardedness, she spoke. “I’ve been reading the Book of Lord Shang.”
“The Book of Lord Shang? You mean the writings of Shang Yang?” His eyes widened in surprise.

Shang Yang was a chancellor of the Qin state during the Warring States period, a ruthless reformer who had transformed the weak Qin state into a powerful kingdom.
Seeing his stunned reaction, Tang Sohwa smiled faintly. “You don’t seem fond of Shang Yang.”
He had considered feigning admiration, hoping to find common ground, then changed his mind. “I’m not.”

“Why not?”
“I prefer… adaptable individuals.”
“Wasn’t Shang Yang adaptable?”

“…Are you serious?” If there was a list of the most inflexible individuals in history, Shang Yang would be near the top. He had ruthlessly punished even his own lord’s brother, and he was the one who had devised the gruesome execution method of “death by five pains,” also known as dismemberment.
Seeing his look of disbelief, Sohwa chuckled inwardly. Indeed, “adaptable” wasn’t a word one would use to describe Shang Yang. He clearly knew who he was.
Her voice softened slightly. “May I ask you a question, Young Master?”

“Of course.” He seemed relieved by the change of topic.
But her question was unexpected.
“Can you perform Sammaejinhwa?”

“What?” Why would she ask such a thing? Though puzzled by the strange question, he nodded. “Yes, I can.”
“Can you demonstrate it?”
He glanced around the pavilion, then chuckled wryly. “My skill is… rudimentary. I can only ignite dry leaves.” The only dry leaves in sight were the lotus leaves in the pond. They seemed unusually large today, their surfaces glistening with moisture.

Tang Sohwa, following his gaze, smiled. “Then perhaps you can show me another time?”
“Of course.”
“It’s a promise.”

He chuckled. “I’ll be sure to keep it.”
She smiled as well.
He looked at her, a strange dryness in his mouth. ‘I can’t read her at all.’ He pushed the thought aside. There was no point in trying to decipher her motives.

Trust wasn’t about understanding. It was about accepting without question.
Suddenly, he sensed a presence near the pond. One of his warriors, despite his instructions to remain behind, was approaching the Hongso Pavilion. He was arguing with the maid, who was blocking his path. He was right. They couldn’t delay any longer.
“I should return now.”

“Yes. Safe travels.” She dismissed him readily, her lack of concern unsettling.
Though they had exchanged promises of trust, their parting was as formal and distant as their initial greeting. With a curt nod, he turned and walked away.

* * *
 
Upon returning to Anhui, the Young Master was inundated with work. Having neglected his duties while pursuing the Blood Cult, he was now faced with a mountain of tasks, leaving him little time for sleep.

Seeing his relentless dedication, his family members began to believe the rumors of his impending seclusion.
Thus, wherever he went, he was surrounded by well-wishers, eager to see him before his departure. It was no exaggeration to say that the entire clan followed his every move.
“Say, do you know how long the Young Master has been in there?”

“I arrived an hour ago, and he was already meeting with the Chief Administrator then. It’s been well over an hour.”
“Oh dear. I must see him today.” As this was the time for the young clan heir to receive instruction from the various departments, everything he discussed was relayed to the Clan Head. Thus, the clan members often preferred to approach him with their requests, finding him more approachable than their father.
“Haven’t you given up yet?” one of the Namgung Clan members asked, his eyes narrowed. The middle-aged warrior coughed awkwardly. “It’s not for my own benefit. Didn't you hear? The Blood Cult was using Tang Clan poison. Who knows what other toxins they might have acquired? We need to clear out that bamboo grove and begin training to build our resistance…”

“Tsk, give up. Do you think the Young Master has time for such matters now? Didn’t you see the Chief Martial Instructor’s outburst yesterday?”
“Ha, you’re right.” The Namgung Clan was in a state of financial turmoil due to the unexpected expenses. All construction projects had been halted, and two martial arts units had been sent to Martial Alliance headquarters to reduce expenses. They weren't being sent as official representatives but as assistants, a position of little prestige. It was effectively a demotion, a humiliating assignment that most clans avoided. Yet, the Namgung Clan had accepted the indignity.
Though a large number of warriors was a sign of a clan’s strength, it was also a financial burden. Feeding and equipping them was costly.

The Chief Martial Instructor, forced to send his subordinates away, was rumored to have broken his sword in frustration.
The warrior sighed. “It’s all because of that bastard. I heard he was the one who suggested concealing the Blood Cult’s presence.”
“Where did you hear that?”

“From the Anhui branch members. Someone dared to criticize the Young Master. The Anhui branch members beat him senseless, shouting that it was the bastard’s fault, not the Young Master's. Everyone heard it.”
“Silence! Hold your tongue!”
“What?” As the man reached out to cover his mouth, the warrior stepped back.

“Oh, sorry… Hiek!” His eyes widened in horror.
The young man standing behind him seemed unfazed. “Are you alright?” he asked calmly.
“Y-yes, I’m fine.”

The young man smiled. “I’m glad.”
The warrior wanted to slap himself. Of all the people to be standing behind him…
Those nearby exchanged nervous glances, but the young man simply smiled and turned to his companion. “Wait here for a moment.”

“Yes.” He entered the pavilion, the crowd parting before him as if by magic.
As the beautiful young man disappeared inside, the middle-aged warrior let out a shaky breath. “Damn it! Of all the…”
“You brought this upon yourself with your loose tongue.”

“Ha, he must have heard.”
“Even with cotton stuffed in his ears, he would have heard that.”
The man clicked his tongue, then fell silent, noticing the stranger standing beside him.

The young man emerged from the pavilion. “It seems he’s in an important meeting. He’s given orders not to be disturbed. I’ve relayed your message. He’ll send a response soon. In the meantime, I’ll escort you to the waiting area. Follow me.”
“Yes.”
As the bastard son and the stranger left, the crowd relaxed, the tension dissipating.

* * *
 

“Young Master, it’s Myeong-hyeon.”
Namgung Jin raised an eyebrow at the voice outside his door. He had instructed them not to disturb him unless it was urgent.
“What is it?”

“Someone from the Tang Clan has arrived with a message for you.”
“The Tang Clan?”
“Yes. They say it’s a letter from Tang Sohwa, the Clan Head’s eldest daughter.”

At the mention of her name, he flinched. They weren't on letter-writing terms. Had something happened?
“I tried to accept the letter, but the messenger insisted on delivering it to you personally. I believe you need to speak with him directly.”
Though Namgung Jin’s expression was unreadable, the Chief Administrator cleared his throat.

“That’s enough for today. We can continue this discussion tomorrow.”
“Yes. I’ll return tomorrow.”
Though he wanted to say he didn't want to see him tomorrow either, the Chief Administrator kept his words brief. He was drowning in work and wanted to be left alone.

Thankfully, Namgung Jin immediately stood up and left the room.
He approached the waiting messenger. “Where is he?”
“I’ve escorted him to the Western Heaven Hall.”

It was a low-ranking reception hall, typically used for receiving minor merchants or newly established trade partners.
“Escort him to the Ten Thousand Horizons Hall. I’ll meet him there.”
“What? Yes, Young Master.” The Ten Thousand Horizons Hall was far too grand for a mere messenger. But seeing the young master’s grim expression, he didn’t question the order.

Fortunately, the two halls were close. If he hurried, he could reach the Ten Thousand Horizons Hall before the Young Master and intercept the Tang Clan messenger.
He was right. Namgung Jin was delayed by the constant greetings and well-wishes from the clan members lining the hallways.
Growing impatient, he cut the conversations short, quickening his pace.

As he reached the Ten Thousand Horizons Hall, he saw an unfamiliar figure entering, a man dressed in black. Then, he saw his half-brother, standing beside the man, a faint smile playing on his lips.
“Brother.”
Namgung Jin nodded curtly, acknowledging his greeting.

“He says he has a letter for you from the Tang Clan.”
“Yes, I know.”
The Tang Clan messenger stepped forward, bowing respectfully. “I am Yoonjin of the Tang Clan. I have a letter for you from Miss Tang Sohwa.”

“You must be tired from your journey. Come in and have some refreshments.”
“That’s not necessary.”
Yoonjin immediately presented the letter. ‘All business, then?’ Namgung Jin chuckled inwardly, observing the taciturn warrior. He seemed to favor quiet, unassuming companions. Just like himself.

Eager to dismiss him, he accepted the letter.
And as he unfolded it, he realized that this messenger, this Yoonjin, was not simply a messenger. He was Tang Sohwa’s confidant.