Guide of the Sichuan Tang Clan C5

Chapter 5

It was a fifty-fifty chance of survival.

Now that Eunmyeong took a closer look, the man before him had quite a youthful face. His height and build had hidden it at first, but the unguarded expressions, the raw honesty in his eyes—all betrayed his age.

A colt learns only when it’s whipped.

Watching Jeongho fidget impatiently, demanding an answer, Eunmyeong rose to his feet in slow, deliberate motion. The silk robes wrapped around him rustled softly.

“W–What are you doing now?”

Perhaps remembering the strange sensation from before, Jeongho visibly tensed. His wary eyes tracked Eunmyeong’s every move as the latter calmly placed a hand on his shoulder.

“What… what new sorcery are you—”

The end of his sentence faded as Eunmyeong sent another flow of energy through him—this time stronger, denser. Not merely calming the waves within him, but coiling around them, pressing them firmly down.

Veins bulged in Jeongho’s neck as he tried to resist. Yet, his body—so obedient to instinct—could not push Eunmyeong away.

It was as though he’d taken a forbidden drug; his lower abdomen tensed, his thighs trembled, and an unfamiliar heat pulsed through him. He looked up at Eunmyeong, breath quickening.

“Sorcery or not…”

Eunmyeong’s hand slipped from his shoulder to the back of his neck, deepening their contact. As skin met skin, Jeongho’s thoughts dissolved into blinding white.

And within that whiteness—only Eunmyeong’s face remained.

Seeing the dazed look in his eyes, Eunmyeong chuckled softly.

“Try pointing a sword at me again.”

His gaze curved like the edge of a wicked smile.

“I won’t touch you next time.”

When taming a wild colt, it was important to make clear who held the reins.

After sending one last pulse of energy through him, Eunmyeong finally withdrew his hand.

“Haa… haaah…”

Panting heavily, Jeongho collapsed to the ground. His body had taken in far too much energy at once.

He crouched, trembling, and lifted his gaze toward Eunmyeong. The fiery hostility that had once filled his eyes had melted into shock and fear.

To think there was such a powerhouse hidden within the Tang Clan!

In his mind, what Eunmyeong had done could only be explained as a manifestation of overwhelming strength. Only now did everything make sense—why the Young Master had not pushed Eunmyeong away, why he had allowed such proximity.

If he truly was healing the Young Master…!

Fragments of Eunmyeong’s earlier protests echoed in his mind:

It wasn’t me! I didn’t hurt him!

You shouldn’t take medicine without a doctor’s prescription!

Jeongho’s whole body trembled like that of a newborn fawn as he struggled upright. Sweat dampened his hair, but his eyes were fixed on Eunmyeong—burning with conviction.

If he truly possesses such power… then he can save our Young Master too!

The thought flashed in his mind, bright and desperate.

“Great Hero!”

With a thunderous thud, Jeongho dropped to his knees. The sheer weight of his fall made the floor shudder.

“Please forgive my insolence!”

He bowed deeply, cupping his fists in formal salute, his posture brimming with contrition. He seemed genuinely terrified that his earlier behavior might have offended Eunmyeong.

Eunmyeong blinked, utterly taken aback.

“Insolence?”

“Yes! I dared to threaten the Great Hero, not recognizing your greatness!”

Great Hero…?

Eunmyeong mouthed the unfamiliar term. He’d seen Espers undergo post-Guiding personality shifts before, but never had one dropped to his knees.

In the Guiding Center, it was common for Espers to walk in grumbling and walk out all smiles. The ones who called him names beforehand would suddenly turn into lovesick fools afterward—cooing pet names and confessing love as if struck by divine enlightenment.

But “Great Hero”? That was a new one.

When Eunmyeong didn’t respond, Jeongho cautiously lifted his head.

“Great Hero?”

“Ah… yes, yes. Great Hero. Go on.”

Honestly, it was still better than ‘darling’ or ‘honey.’ Exhausted, Eunmyeong waved for him to continue.

“Yes! I wish to apologize for my earlier rudeness and…”

“And?”

“And make a request…”

His voice grew smaller and smaller, as though he himself was embarrassed to be asking anything of the person he’d nearly strangled.

Eunmyeong sighed, looking down at the massive man bowing like a scolded child. Despite everything, he’d always been weak to younger people.

Though maybe not to the ones who just tried to choke me.

He’d started working as a Guide so early that he hadn’t even finished high school. Living differently from others, he’d developed a soft spot for young Espers or Guides who awakened early—always wanting to protect them somehow.

And Jeongho, for all his size, looked no older than a boy. When he’d blocked his escape and wrapped his hands around his throat, there’d been hesitation—uncertainty—in his eyes.

“I know this request is shameless. I know I have no right to ask forgiveness. But even if you do not pardon me…”

“You talk too much.”

“Still!”

Jeongho cut him off with a choked cry, voice thick with emotion.

“Still, even if you do not forgive me, please—please save our Young Master! My lord Mujin…”

He raised his head. His face was streaked with tears, his expression twisted with desperation. Sniffling, he grasped Eunmyeong’s trousers with both hands.

“If there is blame, let it fall upon me. My Young Master bears no guilt…”

Like a lover clinging to one departing forever, Jeongho clutched his legs tightly.

“If you could just do for him what you did for me… if you could use that same power…”

“…”

“After that, I will accept any punishment. If you demand my head, I will—”

Before he could finish, Eunmyeong flicked his forehead—hard.

“Ow!”

Jeongho yelped, covering his forehead and staring up in shock, confusion written across his face.

“You really don’t know when to stop talking.”

Eunmyeong clicked his tongue, flicking the man’s palm this time.

“And what’s this about offering your head? You’re just a kid.”

“G–Great Hero…”

“Honestly. You’ve barely lived, and you’re already talking about dying? You think dying’s easy?”

“P–Please calm down—”

“And what would I even do with your head?”

He wasn’t about to display it on an altar like a roasted pig.

With a click of his tongue, Eunmyeong dusted off his pants, but Jeongho held on tighter, refusing to let go—clinging like a persistent flea.

Eunmyeong sighed and looked toward the cell door. The guards who had been posted outside were gone—probably dismissed when Jeongho entered.

Still, better to be cautious. Lowering his voice, Eunmyeong spoke.

“Anyway, even if I do go out, it’ll count as an escape. I’m already imprisoned for supposedly trying to kill your Young Master.”

“That… that’s true.”

“And for the Tang Clan, nothing’s more unforgivable than killing one’s kin, right?”

“…”

“If I’m lucky, they’ll give me a clean death. More likely, they’ll want to tear me limb from limb.”

Jeongho’s face darkened with worry. He knew he was right—he had to think of another way. Only Eunmyeong could save his master now.

After a long moment of thought, Jeongho’s eyes lit up.

“If… if you treat him, and he wakes up afterward—then he can explain everything himself!”

“And what if he doesn’t wake up right away?”

“…”

“And if we’re caught on the way there—can you protect me?”

Jeongho’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. He clearly hadn’t considered that.

“Idiot.”

Eunmyeong glanced at his tear-streaked face, then untied the green headband from his own forehead—the one that bore the Tang Clan emblem. Holding it loosely in one hand, he used it to wipe Jeongho’s face roughly.

“If you’re not careful, you’ll end up in a cell next to mine. Got it?”

He rubbed hard, scrubbing away the tears with the same force he’d received in bruises earlier. Despite the roughness, there was a strange gentleness in the gesture.

“Y–Yes.”

Good. At least he listened well. Sitting there meekly, face buried in the headband, Jeongho looked just like a puppy that had finally stopped crying.

Satisfied, Eunmyeong gave his next order.

“Then get me a meeting with the Clan Leader—and my father.”

“…The Clan Leader?”

“Yeah.”

Jeongho stiffened. He clearly didn’t understand why Eunmyeong wanted to see them.

Eunmyeong, now done wiping the man’s face clean, stuffed the headband into his pocket. Then, with a deceptively gentle smile, he cupped Jeongho’s cheek.

Energy flowed once again. Jeongho’s tense expression softened instantly.

Leaning close, Eunmyeong whispered like a devil at his ear.

“All you have to do is deliver a message.”

“…”

“Tell them the prisoner, Tang Eunmyeong, seems suspicious—and that it’s best to interrogate him right away.”

A sly smile curved his lips.

“Got it?”

Not fully grasping the intent of the command, Jeongho nodded obediently.