The Eldest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Clan Protects Her Family

Tang Hae-han, puzzled, immediately asked back.
“What kind of support did the Shaanxi branch request?”
“I don’t really know. Father—no, the Clan Head—told me to go to the Medical Division and receive the handover. He said to hear the details there, so I came running.”

“You came out without even asking what kind of support they wanted?”
Tang Sohwa frowned slightly as if it were absurd, but Tang Hak answered firmly.
“Yes. I didn’t ask. The Clan Head dislikes it when I speak at length.”

“……”
As if to console him, Tang Hae-han asked in a gentle voice.
“Hak, don’t take this the wrong way and just listen. Have you ever thought about why… the Clan Head dislikes it when you speak at length?”

“No.”
A silence of unclear meaning followed.
Soon, Sohwa’s calm voice pushed aside the silence.
“I understand. This is Hak’s own way of survival.”

“Yes. The more he thinks, the harder it is to withstand the Clan Head’s pressure.”
“Mm? What is it I’m supposed to understand?”
As Tang Hae-han and Tang Sohwa sympathized with one another, Hak frowned. But before they could answer, someone called out to him.

“Little Clan Head!”
At the voice filled with delight, the three turned their heads toward the sound. It was the physician Jin-cheol. Tang Hak was also delighted and approached him.
“Physician! Have you been well?”

“Yes, I am always safe and sound.”
The old physician smiled and added,
“I’ll be ready within one hours. From the letter the Clan Head sent, the patient’s condition seemed grave.”

“What? You were the one who requested support from Shaanxi?”
“Yes. He told me to go to the Shaanxi branch.”
“What business do you have in Shaanxi, Physician?”

As their conversation grew long, Sohwa and Tang Hae-han exchanged glances and began to walk away.
If it was branch business, it was unrelated to them. It meant, let’s just go eat.
Just as the two weary talents of the Oral Transmission Pavilion were about to leave, Jin-cheol’s voice caught Sohwa by the ankle.

“It seems a disciple of the Mount Hua Sect in the Shaanxi branch has been struck by the Blood Cult. The physicians in that region could not find a treatment, so they requested my help.”
“What do you mean, a disciple of Mount Hua was struck by the Blood Cult?”
Sohwa cut in, interrupting Jin-cheol’s words.
“I don’t know the details, but they say the Shaanxi branch pursuit squad was ambushed by an unknown assailant. The aftereffects were unusual, so they suspect it is a blood attack.”

Sohwa asked again.
“What sort of aftereffects?”
“They say he is suffering from high fever and cannot regain consciousness, his body drying up and turning black. Hm, I too have never heard of such symptoms, so I can only know more once I see him.”

At Jin-cheol’s explanation, a sharp line formed on Sohwa’s brow. She recognized the symptoms.
Skin blackened as though burned by the sun.
Viscera dried out from evaporated fluids.

It was the very symptoms that, in her previous life, had led to the death of the Head Disciple of the Wudang Sect.
But unlike then, it was not a Wudang disciple but one of Mount Hua showing these symptoms. Moreover, he was still alive.
Back then, news had only reached the Tang after the victim had already died. Now, they had requested support while he still breathed.

Sohwa’s black pupils reflected Jin-cheol’s figure.
‘Since Jin-cheol is here, they must have asked the Tang for help directly.’
Sohwa, her gaze sinking, opened her mouth.

“If it is all right, I would like to accompany you.”
“What? Elder Sister, you?”
Tang Hak asked in surprise, and Jin-cheol, too, furrowed his brow slightly as he added his opinion.

“Forgive me, Young Lady, but the patient’s condition is critical. We cannot wait until you receive the Clan Head’s permission.”
Though Jin-cheol declined indirectly, Sohwa replied in an unhurried voice.
“It is not certain, but I believe I may know the treatment.”

At those words, Jin-cheol flinched.
“You know the treatment?”
In her previous life, Sohwa had studied the autopsy records of that Wudang disciple together with Tang Hae-han, searching for an antidote. She had formed many hypotheses, but with the victim already a corpse, she could not test any of them.

But now, it seemed possible.
Instead of speaking of her past, she made a convenient excuse.
“I cannot explain in detail, as it involves poisons I am researching in the Poison Transmission Pavilion, but I know a cure for a poison that causes similar symptoms.”

“What? You’ve been researching something alone again?”
Tang Hae-han showed curiosity, but Sohwa ignored him.
“In any case, we cannot be sure the Mount Hua disciple was struck by poison, but since the symptoms are similar, might not the treatment also be similar? I cannot be certain without seeing the patient myself, but I may be of help in the treatment.”

Jin-cheol hesitated at those words.
Their first encounter had left such a strong impression that he once considered Tang Sohwa a paragon of righteous scholars. But that illusion had shattered within three months of her stay in the Tang estate.
She was indifferent to others’ affairs and lacked compassion. The kindness she had shown to him and to Jeom-chil had been very much the exception.
Three years working in the Medical Division, while its physicians strained desperately to learn even a little from him, she showed no interest.

This was the first time Tang Sohwa had asked him for collaboration.
Thus, he did not think she was lying.
Seeing her take interest, it was surely connected to the work she held most dear in the Oral Transmission Pavilion.

That she would go so far as to insist on traveling such a distance meant she was not worried for the Mount Hua disciple but desperate to study the symptoms.
Jin-cheol himself, his confidence shaken at encountering symptoms he had never seen before, readily accepted Tang Sohwa’s proposal.
“Please tell me once you have the Clan Head’s permission. In the meantime, I will make preparations to depart.”

“Yes. It won’t take long.”
Tang Sohwa immediately went to the Clan Head to obtain approval.
In the three years since, Sohwa had developed an absurd number of new poisons and efficiently refined existing ones.

It was not like she created new poisons, but as if she were taking them one by one from a cupboard already full.
Thus, her standing had risen sharply.
The wealth received from the Namgung was immense, yet the Medical Division’s budget had been drastically reduced, making even the General Administrator revere her. In any organization, power lay with those who controlled money. Not only that, but she strengthened the lethality of the martial squads with her efficient poisons, so most household retainers held a favorable impression of her.

Though Sohwa’s martial arts had hardly advanced, the eyes upon the direct eldest daughter grew ever more attentive.
Thus, even though she could not be taught the clan’s martial arts, she came to hold a position nearly equal to that of the Little Clan Head.
With the situation as it was, the Clan Head could hardly oppose the request of a daughter invoking her Poison Transmission Pavilion research.

Though the thought that the outside was dangerous crossed his mind, his greater desire was to further solidify this child’s standing.
His eldest daughter was not a direct line competitor with ambitions of ousting the Little Clan Head, but a household member who, in the future, would aid the Little Clan Head should he face opposition from the Elders.
Tang Ji-ha was the Clan Head of the Tang before he was Sohwa’s father. Considering all circumstances, the Clan Head reluctantly granted Sohwa permission to accompany them.

Thus, the personnel moving to Shaanxi doubled. Hanwon, who served as Sohwa’s personal guard, was of course summoned, and on top of that, four more warriors of the Black Tiger Unit were attached.
Before departing for Shaanxi, Sohwa, while packing medicinal ingredients, sought out Grand Elder Tang Min. Though it was an absurd hypothesis, she thought to attempt that antidote as well, just in case.
Aside from the time spent persuading Tang Min to hand over the elixir, preparations did not take long.

Thanks to that, the Tang party was able to set out for Shaanxi at the break of dawn.
***
The Shaanxi Branch Head rubbed the deep wrinkles of his brow.

“Didn’t they say the internal injuries were all treated and he would open his eyes within a few days?”
“Yes, indeed the internal injuries have all healed, but…”
The physician hunched his shoulders.

“My apologies. This is the first time I’ve seen such symptoms.”
The Branch Head looked down at the patient lying on the sickbed.
The young disciple, once proud of his snow-white skin, had turned jet black. His appearance was wretched.

“The Tang Clan’s support will arrive soon. Jin-cheol will know the treatment.”
At the physician’s words to wait for Jin-cheol, the Branch Head left the hall without replying.
The young disciple was a Mount Hua Sect member who had entered the Shaanxi Branch last month. He was also the youngest of the branch, and this reconnaissance had been his first mission.

Beyond the division between Zhongnan and Mount Hua, every member of the branch felt guilt that they had failed to protect their youngest.
As Branch Head, Elder Tae-hwan of Zhongnan Sect’s heart was even more unsettled.
Because it was his subordinate who had been hurt, his heart surged dozens of times each day, waves of anger, helplessness, and storm-like turmoil colliding within him.

Trying to calm his confusion, the Branch Head turned his head as he walked between halls.
Now, like the night sky above, a thick, heavy sense of helplessness weighed upon his shoulders.
Just then, someone came running to him, breathless.

“Branch Head!”
A martial man bowed his head and hurriedly reported the reason.
“Elder Wu So of Mount Hua Sect has arrived!”

“Wu So?”
Wu So was not a Shaanxi Branch man. He was a Mount Hua Elder who led the elite Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
Wu So was notorious for his violent temper, but, surprisingly, he cherished his disciples dearly. He was also the very master who, wishing to broaden the young one’s experience, had personally recommended that disciple to the Shaanxi Branch.

Since relations between Zhongnan and Mount Hua were not good, there had been a tacit rule between their martial men not to interfere in branch matters if one was not of that branch.
But the Branch Head understood why Wu So had broken that rule and come running.
‘For a temper like his, if he endured ten days, he endured much.’

Letting out a deep sigh, the Branch Head asked,
“Very well. Where is he?”
“W-we guided him to the hall where the young disciple is.”

He said “guided,” but it would not have been guiding. They had simply obeyed Wu So’s command to lead him to the patient.
“Well done.”
The Branch Head patted the tense shoulder of the martial man and then walked toward the disciple’s quarters.

Upon arriving, the Branch Head involuntarily furrowed his brow.
In front of the hall stood some twenty martial men. Judging by their aura, they were Plum Blossom Swordsmen. It seemed all had come, shaken by their comrade’s misfortune.
Yet even facing the Branch Head, they did not show courtesy, but instead fixed cold gazes upon him.

Step.
From among the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, one strode straight toward the Branch Head.
It was Wu So.

Wu So came close enough to be rude.
“The bastard.”
A low voice came out, swallowing rage.

“Have you found him?”
Wu So did not even extend the bare minimum of courtesy to the Branch Head.
The Branch Head silently endured his sense of insult. His own displeasure at Wu So’s rudeness could not compare with the fury of a master seeing his disciple on the verge of life and death.

“They are scouring the mountain, but no trace has been found yet.”
The Branch Head unconsciously clenched his fist, for Wu So was letting his killing intent leak out.
It was utterly violent.

“What is the young disciple’s condition?”
“According to the physician, he should have woken, but he has not yet arisen. I have asked that Jin-cheol of Sichuan Branch be sent, so he will arrive soon. Then we will receive a proper diagnosis.”
To Wu So’s ear, those words sounded like admitting he had no plan. Wu So spoke with a frigid voice.

“We will take him back to Mount Hua.”
The Branch Head frowned.
“Did I °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° not say Jin-cheol will arrive soon? I understand your heart, but judge wisely. Do you think Mount Hua’s physicians better than Jin-cheol?”

“I speak not for the disciple alone, but for Mount Hua and Zhongnan.”
Wu So spoke, not hiding his wrath.
“If I entrust him to the incompetent Shaanxi Branch and the boy comes to harm, I will not be able to endure it.”

At his mention of the Shaanxi Branch, the Branch Head raised his voice for the first time.
“Do not cross the line.”
“Have I spoken falsely? What have you been doing all this time, Branch Head? With a hundred talents of Mount Hua and Zhongnan gathered here, you could not find a trace of the Blood Cult scum. Bringing in a quack physician, you push the young one’s life to the brink. Ah—was it because he is a Mount Hua disciple? Had it been a Zhongnan disciple, would you not have acted more capably? Perhaps I underestimated you, Branch Head.”

“Wu So!”
Around the Branch Head, a fierce gale arose.
At that force, the martial men of the branch who had been quietly watching all raised their guard. Confronted with the terrifying aura, the Plum Blossom Swordsmen likewise gladly drew up their internal energy.

The situation was on the verge of explosion.
At that moment, into that heated tension, a bright voice intruded.
“Um…”

A youth who looked not yet twenty approached with an awkward smile.
“I waited quite a while at the entrance, but no one came, so I entered. Forgive me for entering without leave. But it was an urgent matter of life and death, so I stepped in.”
The Shaanxi Branch martial men and Plum Blossom Swordsmen, poised for combat, frowned at the boy’s foolish demeanor.

Into their narrowed vision came the youth’s figure.
A green long robe over black martial garb. A cold, handsome face paired with a warm tone of speech.
One of the martial men near Tang Hak asked,

“…Might you be the Little Clan Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan?”
Tang Hak beamed and nodded.
“Yes, that’s me! Ah, I haven’t even introduced myself. Forgive me. I heard there was a gravely ill patient, but with all this fighting I wondered if war had broken out, so I rushed in without thinking. For a moment I feared I had come to the wrong branch.”

“……”
“But surely you wouldn’t be idly fighting with a suffering disciple inside, would you? Mount Hua and Zhongnan are famed as Daoist sects that cherish their disciples.”
The pure voice struck mercilessly against the hardened bones of the martial men.

“Ah, were you in the middle of sparring? Well, with the Blood Cult running rampant, now is the time to strengthen martial power.”
“Little Clan Head.”
Tang Hak, who had been chattering without pause, shut his mouth at the old physician’s voice. It was Jin-cheol, unable to bear it any longer, breaking into the scene.

At the harmless words, the faces of the Shaanxi Branch martial men and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen darkened to ashen hues. But oblivious to the mood, Tang Hak only turned his head at Jin-cheol’s voice, brightening with an even sunnier smile, clapping his hands together.
“Ah, Physician Jin-cheol!”
Turning forward again to introduce Jin-cheol, Tang Hak froze.

‘…Which one is the Branch Head?’
He could not tell to whom he should introduce Jin-cheol first.
This was not Tang Hak’s fault.

Of all branches, the Shaanxi Branch had the most frequent changes of Branch Head. They endlessly squabbled, pushing their own sect’s men into the seat and dragging them down again.
Ordinarily, one would memorize the Branch Head’s appearance, but in Shaanxi it was meaningless, so most skipped it. Having trained for two years in the mountains and rushed here, Tang Hak was no exception.
As he hesitated, trying to address the one who looked older, the elder sister at his back stepped forward, blocking his path.

She went before the middle-aged man who looked younger, pressed her hands together in a martial bow, and slowly lowered her head.
“I greet the Shaanxi Branch Head.”