Guide of the Sichuan Tang Clan C24

Chapter 24

Did I hear that wrong?

The smile that had been tugging at Jeongho’s lips collapsed in an instant. Unless he had completely lost his mind, there was no way the words he had just heard could be real.

Kiss… lips…?

As he replayed Eunmyeong’s whisper in his head, his heart plunged heavily. The cheek where Eunmyeong’s hand rested burned, heat surging through his body until his entire frame felt feverish. Before he could even ask whether he had heard correctly, Eunmyeong’s face drifted closer.

Long lashes lowered gently. The sight was so achingly beautiful that Jeongho found himself unable to look away.

Time seemed to slow. Though he had never experienced anything like this before, Jeongho was known within the Tang Clan for learning quickly—whether it was martial arts, or anything else.

Eunmyeong let out a soft laugh, a sound as pleasant as birdsong.

“You have to tilt your head.”

He lightly held Jeongho’s cheek and turned his own head as well.

“And close your eyes.”

The distance between them shrank until their breaths nearly touched. If Eunmyeong was aware of anything at all, it was only himself—his expression remained relaxed.

“D-Daehyeop…”

“If you’re this flustered, what are you planning to do with other women?”

“There couldn’t possibly be other women…,” Jeongho protested, dragging out his words with a wounded air.

Any slight movement would make their lips brush. The hand Jeongho had placed at Eunmyeong’s waist trembled. He wanted nothing more than to pull Eunmyeong into his arms right then and there. Resisting that urge was more painful than taking a beating during sparring.

Perhaps mistaking his trembling for something else, Eunmyeong whispered softly,

“Sorry—are you having a hard time?”

“No. If you need this, Daehyeop, I’m fine.”

Having steeled himself, Jeongho obediently closed his eyes, just as Eunmyeong had instructed. Waiting quietly like that, he resembled a shy bride awaiting her groom in the bridal chamber.

How is someone this big looking… cute?

Eunmyeong smiled inwardly, thinking he must have grown far too accustomed to hulking men since coming here.

From the corner of his eye, he checked over Jeongho’s shoulder—toward another large figure. From afar, a vivid blue surge of energy could be felt. The tangled waves of power, twisted like knotted thread, were thrashing violently, reflecting their owner’s mood.

Just a little more.

A little more provocation should do it. Offering Jeongho an apologetic glance, Eunmyeong leaned in again.

Soft lips brushed Jeongho’s cheek—more a fleeting graze than a kiss. From the instant that faint breath touched him, Jeongho froze completely, unable to move.

At that moment—

BOOM!

A deafening crash erupted beside them. Fragments of stone torn from the ground swept across Eunmyeong’s and Jeongho’s legs.

“Are you insane—!”

Eunmyeong swore as he turned. The ground looked as though a meteor had slammed into it, leaving a crater large enough to fit several coffins.

At its center was a single throwing dagger.

Seeing the green cord attached to it, the owner was obvious. A chill crept up the back of Eunmyeong’s neck.

“Seriously—no matter how angry you are, you throw a dagger?!”

He shouted in the direction it had come from.

“If that had landed just a bit closer, it wouldn’t be the ground flying—it’d be me!”

“……”

“You tell someone to come running and then pull this crap—damn it, I nearly leapt across the river myself!”

Eunmyeong clutched his chest and drew a steadying breath. If they’d actually kissed, his head might’ve gone flying too.

Staring at the crater in shock, Jeongho stepped closer.

“Are you all right, Daehyeop?”

“My heart’s about to jump out of my chest.”

As if forcing it back into place, Eunmyeong pressed firmly against his chest. All the while, Mujin—who had thrown the dagger—stood calmly where he was, utterly indifferent.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

Jeongho reached toward Eunmyeong’s chest—

—and at last, Mujin opened his mouth.

“Food.”

“…What?”

Everyone turned to stare at him in disbelief. Eunmyeong asked cautiously,

“What did you say?”

“Let’s go eat.”

With that, Mujin turned and strode out of the training grounds, heading toward the dining hall.

Eunmyeong could only gape at his retreating back.

“Eat? Now? In this situation?”

He stood there blankly, realizing he still had no idea what kind of man Mujin truly was.

Mujin’s sour mood followed them into the dining hall.

A long table was surrounded by seats. Since afternoon training still awaited them, there was no alcohol—but dishes covered the table from end to end: meats he’d never seen before, braised fish, and countless other foods.

Though unfamiliar, Eunmyeong was the type who ate anything, anywhere. His appetite stirred, and he swallowed, reaching eagerly for his chopsticks.

He went for the braised fish first. The moment his chopsticks moved—

—several pairs of chopsticks descended from every direction.

“Huh?”

Jeongho on his left, Yujо on his right, and even those seated across from him were already picking apart the fish.

“If you were that hungry, you should’ve said something.”

Had he missed a cue again? Feeling awkward, Eunmyeong set his chopsticks down to yield.

Jeongho—who had been separating flesh from bone faster and more precisely than when throwing daggers—hurriedly placed a piece of fish onto Eunmyeong’s rice.

“N-No, Daehyeop!”

“That’s right, Eunmyeong! Eat first!”

Everyone’s gaze fixed on Eunmyeong’s spoon.

“Oh… okay.”

As soon as he took a bite, their expressions relaxed.

They looked like proud owners watching a cat enjoy its treat. Satisfaction radiated from their faces. It was hard to tell whether Eunmyeong was the one eating—or them.

“Try this too. And the meat.”

“You like sweet things, right? You’ll like that one.”

“Daehyeop, can you reach the side dishes over there?”

Side dishes piled onto his empty spoon as if they’d been waiting for this moment.

Ah.

It was familiar.

Just like the first time he’d been surrounded by espers.

S-rank guiding was nothing like lower-grade guiding. Having tasted pure, high-quality guidance for the first time, espers would trail after him endlessly, catering to his every need.

The same excitement and exhilaration filled these men’s faces now.

Eunmyeong bowed his head slightly and brought the spoon to his mouth—and instantly, more dishes followed.

“Try this too—”

“That’s enough.”

Mujin’s voice rang through the hall. It was low, as always—but seething with barely restrained anger.

“I had no idea the Tang Clan’s discipline was this disgraceful.”

“……”

“Is this how you behave even during sparring? Like headless chickens?”

Silence fell.

“To be this chaotic even during a meal… it seems your training has been insufficient.”

Jeongho sucked in a breath.

I’m dead.

“In the afternoon, you’ll all run the mountain. By evening, you won’t even have the strength to lift your chopsticks.”

Those who had been mid-movement froze. Even Yuseong, seated diagonally, carefully set his chopsticks down.

When the dining hall fell completely silent, Mujin—seated at the head—looked over them calmly.

Every single one of them irritates me.

Those fussing over Eunmyeong, and Eunmyeong himself, happily accepting it—everything fueled his temper. Suppressing the anger threatening to spill over, Mujin decided to deal with the irritants one by one.

“Jeongho.”

“Yes.”

Jeongho rose instantly.

“The sunlight is glaring. You—big head and all—should sit over there.”

Following Mujin’s gesture, Jeongho turned to see the seat by the window—at the very end of the table, farthest from Eunmyeong.

The intention was obvious.

Feigning ignorance, Eunmyeong added innocently,

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just close the window, Young Master?”

“You’re killing my appetite. Move.”

Only after meeting Mujin’s gaze once more did Jeongho reluctantly change seats.

Then it was Eunmyeong’s turn.

“Come sit here.”

“Why me? My seat doesn’t even get sunlight.”

Eunmyeong’s cheeky reply drew visible irritation onto Mujin’s face.

“You eat too much.”

“…Excuse me?”

It was the first time he’d ever heard that. Eunmyeong stared at him, stunned—as if struck from behind.

Sure, he was smaller than Mujin and lacked muscles, but still! He’d always maintained a lean figure. He’d even been careful lately because the food here was so rich!

“Don’t just eat everything they hand you. Sit here. If you can’t fight, you should at least be able to run—can that body even manage it?”

“…Ha.”

“And why do you think they keep feeding you? They’re fattening you up to leave you behind.”

“What nonsense—!”

Even knowing Mujin was just annoyed by the others acting overly familiar, Eunmyeong bristled. The calm, precise way Mujin stabbed at him made it worse.

Fatten him up? Like a pet?

Granted, their expressions did look like people feeding their precious child—but still!

And even if he wasn’t on Mujin’s level, Eunmyeong wasn’t exactly unattractive.

Maybe not a classic beauty, but I’ve been called cute plenty of times!

Enough was enough. Staying there would only invite more insults.

Grabbing his bowl and utensils, Eunmyeong walked over to Mujin’s side.

As he approached, those seated nearby subtly scooted away, creating space beside Mujin in an instant.

“…Wow.”

Watching Mujin eat as if nothing had happened, Eunmyeong let out a dry laugh. He set his utensils down entirely and placed a hand on Mujin’s thigh.

When he pressed down firmly—

Mujin’s chopsticks stopped.

“Our Young Master has a strange way of being jealous, doesn’t he?”

Wrinkles creased Mujin’s trousers.

notes

1. Daehyeop (대협) – A respectful form of address in murim fiction, often translated as “Great Hero,” used for skilled or respected martial artists.
2. Bi-do (비도) – A throwing dagger commonly used in murim settings, especially by the Tang Clan.