“Ah, so you’ve finally decided to visit the Family Head?”
“I’m sorry, Family Head. I’ve been really busy lately…”
It was a bit embarrassing when the Family Head pointed out the current situation since I was in the middle of teaching the Poison Doctor how to flick the Family Head’s forehead.
“My apologies, I should have visited sooner…”
During the Sacheon City incident, I had asked the Tang Clan for help. Ultimately, the Tang Clan benefited sweetly from it, but that doesn’t change the fact that I asked them for assistance.
Considering the times, while it wasn’t incredibly late, the situation was a bit different. It was one thing to not have visited for a whole year, but it’s entirely another to be caught by the Poison Doctor’s carriage sent to check on me and taken to the Outcast Inn – I’d have no words to say if I had ten mouths.
“I didn’t call you here to blame you, hehe.”
The Family Head said with a generous smile.
“Yes, I’ve heard from Do-gyeong. You’ve reached your peak but haven’t created any sword energy yet?”
“Well, yes. Hitting my peak was right before I got on the Bicheongmacha…”
“I see. If the Poison Doctor’s work finishes up well, make sure to tell the Feng Ying Hall Master. Do-gyeong must’ve enlightened you, but the Tang Clan has its unique vision of infusing Qi into weapons. You can stay as long as you want for some intense training.”
“Thank you, Family Head.”
After some light banter about various topics…
“By the way, you’ve come to me, so it seems you’ve managed to wrap things up with the Poison Doctor?”
The Family Head suddenly jumped to the main point.
“I think I can take a step forward now.”
“Ah, so you’ve found the way. Truly, still the teacher…”
The Family Head let out a long sigh.
“Do you know how many years it’s been since the Poison Doctor returned to the Tang Clan?”
“I’m not quite sure…”
“It’s been seven years since they last visited the clan. Even then, they just passed through right after getting rid of their travel fatigue. And before that, it was just a drop-in every few years.”
“Hmm…”
“And now, they’ve even brought along what seems to be a maid or disciple…sigh, I can hardly imagine how I feel as the Family Head.”
So that’s what happened.
Surely at the level of the Poison Doctor, they wouldn’t need to wander around looking for poisons or herbs anymore. Despite saying they can’t stay at the Tang Clan because of patients, considering the clan’s strength, it lacks persuasion to say they couldn’t create a comfortable environment for the Poison Doctor to research.
“So this time, I had to take some strong measures. With their age, they can’t go on roaming the woods forever, and keeping them distanced from the clan isn’t good either.”
“That’s true.”
“So, I would like to make a request of you. Can you adjust the pace just enough to keep the Poison Doctor at the clan?”
“…I understand what you mean.”
For a moment, the Family Head stared at me intently.
While I understood the Family Head’s situation and thoughts, the one I owed a debt to was the Poison Doctor. The Poison Doctor right now was solely focused on returning that forehead flick to the Family Head, fully immersed in gambling.
Sorry, Family Head, but those ideas of vaguely teaching or going easy on them were impossible for me as the one teaching the Poison Doctor.
Noticing my thoughts reflected in my expression, the Family Head eventually nodded with a smile.
“Hehe, that makes sense.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Not at all. I feel like I’ve made an unreasonable request. I should have considered your position more.”
The Family Head said with a bright smile.
“By the way, when are you thinking of throwing down the gauntlet? I should prepare as well.”
“Hmm.”
The Family Head smiled calmly, but I could see that fierce determination in their eyes.
Since I rejected the Family Head’s proposal, they might think that to keep the Poison Doctor at the Tang Clan, the only way would be for the Poison Doctor to keep winning.
Could my refusal be counterproductive?
After a moment of contemplation, I shook my head. No, this was merely a backdrop for the duel between the Poison Doctor and the Family Head.
The Family Head was also a gambler.
Who would want to lose in a game that’s about to unfold?
It isn’t only gambling if money is involved. Both were prepared to gamble with important values of their own. The Poison Doctor decided to stand on the gambling table for their pride, and the Family Head was waiting for the Poison Doctor’s challenge to pull them back into the clan.
Even if I had accepted the Family Head’s proposal, ultimately, both would have collided because of their respective values.
It was merely a matter of timing.
“The opponent of the Family Head is the Doctor. I’m just an advisor in this.”
“I see. That’s valid.”
I clearly understood the Family Head’s intention.
Instead of a smooth agreement or compromise, they intended to crush the opponent’s will solely through a contest.
This was no longer just a battle over flicking the forehead.
I understood the essence of this duel as a power struggle between the Poison Doctor and the Family Head.
A clash of perspectives between the Poison Doctor, who turned their back on the clan for their medical advancement, and the Family Head, who wanted to bring the Poison Doctor back into the clan’s fold.
The two pillars of the Tang Clan stood opposed, fighting to enforce their will.
This duel erupted as a release for long-standing grievances, manifested in the form of the Family Head’s flick.
With the fiery determination in the Family Head’s eyes, I thought to myself.
This fight wouldn’t be easy.
*
Rye-ah was beaming these days.
It seemed she was quite happy playing with her sisters. She spent her days devotedly with Miss Yeo Il-ye and the Black Cat.
“I’m off to the academy! Sisters!”
“Practice hard and come back with your martial arts.”
“Hehe, I’ll be back!”
Having somewhat resolved her feelings towards me, she no longer puffed up her cheeks.
“It seems you and Rye-ah have grown pretty close?”
“Well… there are times when it’s a bit overwhelming, but basically, she’s such a cute girl that I can’t push her away.”
The Black Cat expressed a complex sentiment, and Miss Yeo Il-ye could only smile at the Black Cat’s thoughts.
“Do you know, Honorable Person? Rye-ah is considered a leader among her peers at the academy. The reason for her popularity is the magic tricks she learned from you!”
Is that so? It seems she diligently honed the magic she learned and is using it well.
It was worth staying up all night crafting that spell before leaving the Tang Clan.
“She’s really commanding those kids, huh? Like a general commanding her troops?”
“Exactly.”
It’s been over ten days since we stayed in the Tang Clan. During that time, it seems memories shared with Rye-ah had gathered, bringing joy to both of them.
I was glad that Rye-ah, as a common ground, had drawn the Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye a bit closer together.
“By the way, is today the day of the final showdown?”
“Indeed.”
“Hmm. On the first day, when we saw each other at the Family Head’s Quarters, I could swear you were getting played with.”
The Black Cat nodded, agreeing with Miss Yeo Il-ye, who witnessed the Poison Doctor being toyed with by the Family Head.
“The Poison Doctor and you must have anticipated their chances, otherwise, they wouldn’t have accepted the duel.”
“Make sure to prepare well, Senior. If possible, I’d like to see the familiar face of the Doctor win!”
“Me too. Please tell the Poison Doctor that we’re rooting for them.”
“Understood.”
It seems both were wishing for the Poison Doctor’s victory in their own way.
Today was the day of the showdown.
The day the Poison Doctor and the Family Head would compete against each other.
In a space strictly for the two of them, a true contest would unfold.
Before the final match, the Poison Doctor was double-checking their techniques.
Efficient and precise movements. No distracting flashy maneuvers and simply clear movements flowing to manipulate the cup and roll the dice inside.
Clink. Clink.
Knowing it was the day of the decisive battle, not even the usual noisy presence of Maki was felt in the quiet house, only the sound of dice rolling around inside the Poison Doctor’s cup could be heard.
The Poison Doctor’s cup came to a halt.
“Have you arrived?”
“How’s your condition?”
“Well, I’m not really sure. I can’t even remember the last time I was in the mood for a serious match. I can’t say I’m fully confident at this moment.”
“Then it’s my job to check for you.”
Even the legendary Poison Doctor couldn’t help but feel nervous about facing the Family Head. As I settled into the gambling table, the Poison Doctor swallowed hard and picked up the cup.
Clink.
And the Poison Doctor began to make their cup move.
The past week’s dedicated practice of gambling techniques was now unfolding before my eyes, which I began to observe quietly.
And when the cup eventually stopped…
“You did excellently.”
I could only say that with all sincerity.
“You’re ready.”
“…Thank you. If I hadn’t taken you as my master, I wouldn’t have dared dream of a match against Guanglie. No matter how it turns out, I owe you a debt.”
“I’ll accept your gratitude later.”
I smiled and stood up from my seat.
“For now, go meet the challenge.”
“…Right.”
The Poison Doctor brushed off and got ready to leave.
“I hope you win. The Black Cat and Miss Yeo Il-ye are both rooting for you.”
“Well, that’s nice to hear. It’s a wonderful thing to have someone cheering for you.”
With one last smile, the Poison Doctor began to stride forth.
The Poison Doctor, Tang Guanglie, of the Tang Clan.
A true showdown awaited in a space meant solely for the two of them.
The Poison Doctor headed toward the Family Head’s Quarters for that duel.
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