The Eldest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Clan Protects Her Family

Chapter 35: Shifting the Wood to Build Trust

The paper, slightly larger than her palm, was filled with small, neat characters.
[I don’t understand why you dislike Shang Yang.]
It was an odd opening for such an urgent message.

Namgung Jin carefully read the letter, searching for her hidden meaning.
[He was the wisest man I knew. Since you don’t seem familiar with his accomplishments, I thought I would share a few.]
Her elegantly written words etched themselves into his memory.

[Shang Yang understood the human heart better than anyone. He didn’t concern himself with innate goodness or wickedness, but with the simple psychology of trust and suspicion. Thus, he could easily predict people’s actions without needing to understand their true nature. He skillfully manipulated people's hopes and fears, regardless of their status.]
Namgung Jin frowned. Shang Yang hadn't understood the human heart. He had disregarded it. He had ruthlessly punished anyone who broke the law, regardless of their social standing. Though he agreed that Shang Yang had used fear to control the masses, the idea that he had inspired hope seemed absurd.
As if anticipating his skepticism, she offered an anecdote.

[When Shang Yang introduced new laws, he was worried the people wouldn’t obey them. So, he devised a plan. He placed a wooden post in the southern marketplace and offered ten gold pieces to anyone who moved it to the north. However, the people scoffed, believing it was a trick. So, he increased the reward to fifty gold pieces. A man, tempted by the large sum, moved the post, and Shang Yang immediately paid him. Then, he introduced his new laws.]
Namgung Jin chuckled softly. He understood her message.
Trust.

That was what she was talking about.
[Though it’s unlikely everyone immediately embraced his laws, it’s undeniable that his actions inspired trust. What do you think? Do you still consider him a cruel man, when he demonstrated the importance of keeping promises, not with punishment, but with reward?]
She had been testing him, using their earlier conversation about Shang Yang to gauge his knowledge.

He understood the anecdote. “Shifting the Wood to Build Trust.” Demonstrating trustworthiness by keeping promises.
The only promise he had made to her was to demonstrate Sammaejinhwa.
He focused his internal energy, recalling his promise.

Whoosh.
A small flame erupted from his fingertips, consuming the letter, reducing it to ashes in an instant. She must have written on such a small piece of paper because he had claimed he could only ignite small, dry leaves.
‘How considerate.’ He pictured her meticulously writing those tiny characters and chuckled softly.
He turned his head, still smiling. “Now that I think about it…” He looked at Yoonjin. “It’s rude to dismiss a friend’s confidant so readily, especially after such a long journey. Come in. Let’s have some tea.”

He glanced at the crowd behind Yoonjin, some faces familiar, others not. Despite the smile on his face, his eyes darkened.
Yoonjin was the Blood Cult traitor Tang Sohwa had identified. It seemed she wanted to reveal his betrayal to the Namgung Clan, hoping to use him as bait, knowing that the Blood Cult would react once the news reached them.
And she was inviting him to participate in the hunt.

He decided to play along, showering Yoonjin with praise and attention, making him an even more tempting target. “Miss Tang Sohwa seems to value you highly.”
Yoonjin flinched, and he patted him on the shoulder. “As she should. Thanks to you, not only the Tang Clan but also the Namgung Clan, and indeed the entire Martial Alliance, will benefit greatly.” He feigned a slip of the tongue, covering his mouth with his hand. “Ah, I’m referring to your role in repelling the Blood Cult on Mount Emei. We can discuss the details inside. The Ten Thousand Horizons Hall is protected by a formation, ensuring complete privacy. We can speak freely there. Come in.”
“No, I…”

“Hush. We’ll talk inside.” He ignored Yoonjin’s hesitant expression and ushered him inside.
As they entered the Ten Thousand Horizons Hall, the formation activated, their voices fading away.
The gazes of the Namgung Clan members followed them, their curiosity piqued. But amidst the general curiosity, a few pairs of eyes held a sharper, more calculating glint.

* * *
 

“…Miss Sohwa summoned me?”
“Yes, you.”
“Are you sure? Did you misread the name again?”

“Are you insane? Just go!” Ranhee, holding a wooden training dummy threateningly, made Hanwon jump and quickly leave the training grounds.
He couldn’t hide his unease as he headed towards the designated location. ‘This is strange. There’s no reason for her to summon me.’
He passed through a bamboo grove behind the training grounds and saw a small pavilion. And there she was, a direct descendant of the Clan Head. ‘I wasn’t this nervous even when meeting with the Unit Leader.’ He clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to calm his nerves, as he approached the pavilion.

He hadn't interacted with the main family since returning from Mount Emei. He had assumed he would never have to see Tang Sohwa again, considering she spent most of her time in the Poison Pavilion. And now, she had specifically requested to see him. It was unsettling.
As if sensing his presence, she looked up from the wooden table where she had been sitting.
Their eyes met.

He bowed his head respectfully. “You summoned me, Miss.”
“I’m glad to see you’ve recovered.” She offered a cursory greeting, then averted her gaze. “Sit.”
He shook his head vehemently. “No, Miss. I’m comfortable standing.”

“Are you still unwell?”
“Ah, yes. I apologize.” Though he had fully recovered, he decided to accept her assumption.
She didn't press the matter further, turning to her maid, who discreetly left the pavilion. They were alone now.

He tried to calm his nerves, grasping at straws. ‘She’s the one who gave us the precious Yeonjuhwan. She’s a good person. There’s no need to be so nervous.’
As he wrestled with his anxiety, she silently poured herself a cup of tea.
After what felt like an eternity, she finally spoke.

“Do you know what kind of poison you were afflicted with?”
“Yes, Miss.”
“A member of the Tang Clan, poisoned by a Tang Clan toxin. Do you understand the implications?”

“…Are there implications, Miss?”
Her lips curved into a faint smile at his naive question. “It means there’s a Blood Cult traitor within the Tang Clan.”
“Ah, yes, of course, Miss.” He straightened his posture, his shoulders tensing. The assassin who had attacked him on Mount Emei wasn’t particularly strong. And that had bruised his ego. To be nearly killed by such a weakling was humiliating. He had been fortunate, incredibly fortunate, to have received the Yeonjuhwan and the Divine Physician's treatment. It was a second chance, a gift from the heavens. He would dedicate his life to finding that assassin and tearing him limb from limb.

Her calm voice, a stark contrast to the turmoil within him, cut through his thoughts. “I was angry at first, but now, I think it might not be such a bad thing.”
He frowned, confused by her words. But she seemed sincere, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Even the longest thread has an end. If you follow it, you’ll eventually find the source.”
Though her words sounded simple, the task was anything but. As he looked at her skeptically, she asked an unexpected question. “Have you heard that Yoonjin has left for Anhui?”

They shared quarters. He slept in the bed opposite Yoonjin. How could he not know?
“Yes, Miss.”
“Keep an eye on him when he returns. Observe who he meets, any changes in his behavior.”

His face hardened. “Do you suspect him of being a Blood Cult member, Miss?” His tone wasn't one of surprise, but of… displeasure. He was offended by her suspicion of his comrade.
The Tang Sohwa of his past life hadn’t been kind or trusting. The only people she relied on were her immediate family and high-ranking clan members like Tang Min and Tang Hae-han. They wouldn’t blindly follow her orders, not without proof.
But the Tang Sohwa of this life needed loyal followers, people who would act on her behalf, discreetly, without question.

Hanwon had been the first to be poisoned. He was the least likely to be involved with the Blood Cult, regardless of his loyalty. But as she had just witnessed, he wasn't the type to blindly follow orders. She couldn't simply demand his loyalty, order him to spy on his comrade. She needed a different approach.
She looked at him and shook her head. “No. But the Blood Cult will target him.”
“Why, Miss?” Because they would believe he had betrayed them. Instead of answering directly, she sighed softly. “He’s my guard now. They’ll try to recruit him, or at least monitor him, hoping to get to me.”

“What?” The Blood Cult was targeting her? Seeing his surprise, she explained calmly, “I’m the one who revealed their presence to the Martial Alliance. And Yoonjin is assisting me with the related matters.”
He knew that Yoonjin had helped her receive the Anhui branch, but having been confined to the inner courtyard, he didn't know the details of his involvement. And Yoonjin had been the only one to return to Anhui. ‘What could he possibly be doing…?’
Seeing the worry in his eyes, she softened her voice. “Yoonjin isn’t in danger now. I’m simply asking you to be cautious, to ensure his safety.”

His eyes lit up. “Yes, Miss! I’ll report anything suspicious immediately.”
She shook her head. “Suspicious isn’t enough. Report any deviation from his usual routine, no matter how small. A change in the servant who brings him water, a meal arriving a quarter of an hour late… anything could be a sign. And Yoonjin mustn't know. If he suspects he’s being watched, they’ll notice and change their tactics. It will only make your task more difficult.”
“Miss, I’m a member of the Black Tiger Unit. I’m trained in stealth and observation. I won’t be discovered.” He nodded resolutely, his earlier apprehension replaced by a newfound determination.

She looked at him, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. Hanwon, the most oblivious member of the Black Tiger Unit, the one who had been so easily poisoned by his own clan’s toxin…
“Good.” Once he witnessed Yoonjin’s betrayal with his own eyes, his loyalty would shift. She couldn't rely on blind loyalty, nor did she intend to demand it.
She believed that once he realized he had been manipulated by a Blood Cult member, his hatred for the sect would fuel his actions. Not for her sake, but for his own.

The conversation over, she stood up to leave.
“Miss,” he called out as she descended the pavilion steps.