Guide of the Sichuan Tang Clan C52

Chapter 52

Eunmyeong saw his mother wearing a flower-patterned apron. She hummed as she cooked, swaying her hips side to side—exactly the same as she had been when she was alive. As always, the tune and the hips were completely out of sync.

‘Ms. Park No-Rhythm.’

Eunmyeong, sitting at the dining table, called out to her.

Ms. Park No-Rhythm.

That was what he used to call his mother whenever she broke into her strange little dances whenever she was in a good mood.

‘Wait. The braised mackerel isn’t done yet.’

‘Ms. Park No-Rhythm. Can you stop cooking and look over here?’

Maybe because he’d already had similar dreams before, Eunmyeong immediately realized this was a dream. Before waking up, he wanted to see his mother’s face for just a little longer, so he urged her again.

‘Mom, it’s fine if we don’t eat the mackerel. Just come sit down for a moment.’

‘Why wouldn’t you eat it? You like braised mackerel.’

‘There’s lots of other food too.’

‘Other food my foot. You’re just like your father—only likes sweet things.’

Grumbling, his mother picked up the pot with both hands and came to the table. Seeing her face after so long made Eunmyeong’s expression soften.

Once seated, she didn’t lift her spoon right away. Instead, she propped her chin on one arm and stared straight at him. Since she normally would’ve already told him to hurry up and eat, Eunmyeong tilted his head in confusion.

‘What?’

‘I’m curious. What you’ll eat first.’

‘Huh?’

Was she telling him to go first? After a moment’s thought, Eunmyeong picked up his chopsticks. When he reached for the spinach next to the rice, his mother added,

‘You promised last time.’

‘Promised what?’

‘That you’d date lots of people.’

…Huh?

Before he could question her, she beat him to it. With the chopsticks she was holding, she lightly tapped his own.

‘Mom just hopes you won’t be picky.’

‘No, Ms. Park No-Rhythm, what are you even—’

Before he could finish, his mother suddenly sprang to her feet. Laughing brightly like a child, she clapped her hands.

‘If you’re going to do it, eat everything. Everything Mom prepared.’

She flipped the table—not in anger, but as if she meant to shove the entire spread into his arms. Rice, soup, side dishes, braised mackerel—the whole table came crashing down on him.

Help!

Crushed by the weight, Eunmyeong groaned.

‘It’s too heavy!’

If he ate all that, he’d die.

Ms. Park No-Rhythm!

Screaming internally, Eunmyeong snapped his eyes open.

His vision was blurry, as if he’d slept for a very long time. After blinking a few times, things finally came into focus.

‘Ugh.’

His body felt heavy. Was he still half asleep? For a moment he even wondered if the table was still on top of him. He looked down—

And found two naked men lying beside him.

Seo Seowon and Tang Mujin.

Still not fully processing the situation, Eunmyeong blinked repeatedly. Seowon was resting his head against Eunmyeong’s right side, clutching his robe. Mujin had buried his face against Eunmyeong’s left side, one arm wrapped firmly around his waist.

Is this what it feels like to be a king?

Sleeping between handsome concubines?

If he was going to transmigrate anyway, couldn’t it have been into some imperial harem novel? Why a murim story?

Lost in useless thoughts, Eunmyeong tried to speak.

“Uh…?”

He meant to call out to them, but no proper sound came out—only a dry, broken groan. As if they’d been waiting for it, both men lifted their heads at once.

“Physician!”

“Eunmyeong!”

The volume made Eunmyeong wince. Before he could even complain, his eyes were assaulted by the sight of them sitting up.

Both men were completely bare from the waist up. Broad chests, well-defined muscles, carefully honed abs—everything exactly where it should be on trained martial artists. From their ribs to their lower abdomens and even down to the pelvic line, there wasn’t a flaw to be seen.

Their trousers were hanging precariously low on their hips.

There’s… too much to look at!

Eunmyeong’s eyes darted everywhere. Mujin, watching him anxiously, placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Can you get up?”

“Why wouldn’t—khm. Of course I can.”

His voice cracked, and he cleared his throat as he lifted his head.

“…Huh?”

He’d lifted his head.

Only his head.

Nothing else moved.

Panicking, Eunmyeong planted both hands on the floor and tried to push himself up. Nothing happened. His body didn’t respond at all.

Even with his terrible stamina, this was new. He’d stumbled plenty while hiking Sichuan Great Mountain, but his body had still worked.

Failing to move his legs, Eunmyeong looked up at Mujin in disbelief.

“…What’s wrong with my body?”

“It’s always been like that.”

Mujin answered while glancing downward. Following his gaze, Eunmyeong saw his own softly rounded belly.

Damn it.

“No, not that body!”

He kicked uselessly in frustration. He wanted to spring upright, but his body had apparently gone on strike.

Watching him with concern, Seowon placed a hand on his forehead. Warmth spread through him, and Eunmyeong pressed his lips together.

“Thank goodness… you’re awake.”

Even as Seowon checked his temperature, Eunmyeong quickly examined him instead. Seowon was still unstable. His waves churned like magma, the channels stretched and damaged.

But at least now, the force suppressing the rampage was stronger.

Relieved, Eunmyeong let out a breath.

Seeing Eunmyeong check his condition first made Seowon’s hand tremble slightly. Afraid it would be noticed, he quickly withdrew it.

“You were asleep for a full week. It’ll take time before your body responds properly.”

“A week?”

“Yes. Even until dawn today, your fever wouldn’t break. The elders were quite distressed.”

A week.

He’d thought he’d only been out for a moment.

Muttering a week…, Eunmyeong stared blankly at the ceiling, then moved his hand.

Bomb One is checked. Time to check Bomb Two.

He reached toward Mujin—and immediately, a cool hand settled over his.

This one’s… not terrible either.

But wait. If he was the one with the fever, why were they naked?

Turning his head toward Mujin, Eunmyeong asked,

“I was the one burning up. Why are you two undressed?”

“……”

“Did it suddenly become summer while I was asleep?”

At the innocent question, Mujin folded his arms awkwardly, trying to cover the chest Eunmyeong always insisted was his.

When Mujin didn’t answer, Seowon finally spoke.

“Well… it was because, when you treat others… we thought that if we held you the same way, it might help…”

His face grew redder with every word. Mujin’s ears turned just as crimson.

“…Just in case.”

“So you lay there naked? Since when?”

“…The day before yesterday. No—two days ago.”

“What?”

Eunmyeong wriggled under the blanket and looked down.

Only now did he notice it.

He wasn’t wearing inner clothes.

He was wrapped in a robe—thin, loosely tied, clearly meant to be opened and closed easily.

Imagining Mujin and Seowon holding him like this—opening and closing his robe—made Eunmyeong’s face burn.

No wonder Mujin had gone mad back then.

And then another thought struck him.

Wait. The guiding I did wasn’t just one kind, was it…?

Remembering everything he’d done since coming here, Eunmyeong sucked in a sharp breath. Crawling back out from under the blanket, he stared at them suspiciously.

“Don’t tell me—”

“No. We didn’t do anything.”

“Absolutely not. I only wished to save you—”

The way both denied it so forcefully made Eunmyeong’s eyes narrow. Under his gaze, Seowon covered his face with one hand.

“…I’m sorry.”

Yeah. Something definitely happened.

At the very least, there had been kissing.

Mujin and Seowon both turned their heads away, unable to meet Eunmyeong’s eyes.

Considering he’d nearly died, this wasn’t the worst outcome.

He’d survived again—along with two walking disasters.

Deciding to think positively, Eunmyeong asked,

“Two days for sure?”

“…Three.”

Mujin confessed with a heavy sigh.

“Wow. You’re both shameless.”

“Ph-Physician…”

In his playful tone, Eunmyeong lightly traced his fingers across Mujin’s palm—a clear go on, keep talking signal.

Mujin tightened his grip and continued.

“That man—no, the Sword Master—will remain in the Tang Clan. No fixed duration. For now, I’ve arranged quarters in my own residence.”

“Was this agreed upon by the clan? There must’ve been heavy opposition.”

The teasing drained from Eunmyeong’s face.

Ideally, Seowon should have been brought in officially, under Mujin’s authority as Young Master, after successful guiding.

Too much blood was spilled.

Seowon had already destroyed half of Sichuan Great Mountain and injured countless martial artists. Even being suspected of qi deviation made him dangerous—letting him stay wouldn’t be easily approved.

Eunmyeong wiggled his fingers again—talk, or I let go.

“Please tell me. I need to know what I’m walking into.”

After hesitating, Mujin looked down at him.

“…The Clan Head is blocking them.”

“…What?”

Eunmyeong stared blankly.