Chapter 179 – To Gangseo-seong (3)

We all headed towards the medicinal hall where Pang Ji-hyuk was said to be, with Pang O-jin joining us on the way.

As we entered, we were greeted by the pungent smell of medicinal herbs and the medicinal hall owner, who seemed much more relaxed than the last time we saw him.

After exchanging pleasantries, he opened the door to the largest room.

“Hmm?”

A man who seemed to be practicing martial arts or playing a board game looked up at us.

He had sharp features, a muscular body, and an almost animalistic energy that was restrained yet palpable.

As soon as the typical handsome young man saw us, he stood up from his seat.

“Father, have you come?”

“Yes, is everything alright?”

“Well, my body has fully recovered, so there’s no problem.”

Pang Ji-hyuk scratched the back of his head with a sheepish expression.

Seeing this, Pang O-jin smiled contentedly and nodded his head.

“It was worth using the Sun Faction. Since the effects of the medicine are still lingering, focus on absorbing it while you meditate.”

“Yes. By the way, who are the people behind you…?”

“Ah, I’m sorry for not introducing them earlier. This is…”

Just as Pang O-jin was about to introduce us, Pang So-so stepped forward and spoke.

“I’m glad you’re safe, Father. This is my fiancé, Jin Ga-ga!”

“Jin So-chan, to be exact. I’m honored to have the title of Samjae Geomryong. Nice to meet you, hyung-nim.”

“Ah… I’ve heard about you. To be honest, I was a bit surprised at first, but since my father approved and you seem like a good match for So-so, I have nothing more to say. I’m So-ho, also known as the Little Tiger Sword, Pang Ji-hyuk. Please take care of my ugly little sister.”

“……?”

Pang Ji-hyuk reached out his hand as if to shake hands in a friendly manner.

I inwardly raised my eyebrows at his calm reaction and shook his hand in return. And then…

Squeeze.

Sure enough, he began to squeeze my hand with enough force to make the veins on the back of my hand bulge.

Of course, it didn’t hurt that much.

I’m sorry to say that Pang Ji-hyuk’s martial arts skills are at best mediocre. He may be the successor to Odae-sega, but he’s nowhere near my level.

Still, compared to other people, his reaction is quite intense.

With a faint smile, I shook his hand back.

“???”

Pang Ji-hyuk was taken aback by my nonchalant reaction, but before he could say anything, Pang So-so continued with her introductions.

“And this is my first wife, Hong Unni.”

“I am Lady Hong- the Heavenly Demon, Hong Yeon-hwa. Nice to meet you.”

“I heard that you have been close to the Heavenly Demon recently. So-so may be a bit of a nuisance, but she means no harm. Please be kind to her.”

“What? I already consider So-so as my little sister. You don’t have to worry about that,” Hong Yeon-hwa said, tapping Pang So-so’s shoulder and nodding her head. Finally, Pang Ji-hyuk seemed relieved.

“Haha! Honestly, I was a bit worried when I heard about it, but it seems there was no need…”

“We’re not done yet, Father. This is my second wife, Hong Unni.”

“….Huh?”

“She’s Lady Hong- the Brain Demon, Sama Mang. She’s also staying as a chef in the Pang family.”

“Uh…what? Another one…? But more importantly…if you’re the Brain Demon, then you’re from Sama-sega…you must be a master of a higher generation than me…”

Pang Ji-hyuk looked at Pang So-so with a desperate expression, as if asking her to tell him it was a joke.

Pang So-so ignored his desperate gaze and continued with her introductions.

“Lastly, this is Sama Yeoryeong, the daughter of Lady Mang.”

“I am Sama Yeoryeong.”

A short greeting, but Sama Yeoryeong politely took control of the situation.

In contrast, Pang Ji-hyuk’s calm demeanor disappeared, and he awkwardly replied with a bewildered expression.

Pang Ji-hyuk turned to Pang O-jin.

“What is going on, Father? I’m sure in your letter…”

“Well…it turned out that way. It was something that neither you nor I could interfere with.”

“But…is that even possible?! Even if it’s you, Father, to have the Forbidden Leaf of Pangga and the lineage of Sama-sega…what the hell is going on?!”

“I didn’t plan on it, but somehow…oh, and forget about the Forbidden Leaf of Pangga, but I think there will be a sexual battle. And the Yellow Prince will be involved.”

“What the hell is that?!”

Pang Ji-hyuk was shocked and looked at Pang So-so.

“So-so! Think about it again! We’re from Pangga and Odae-sega, having a concubine is not appropriate!”

“I won’t listen to my weaker older brother!”

“….!”

Pang Ji-hyuk was speechless, and everyone looked at Pang So-so in shock, even Hong Yeon-hwa, who was not familiar with common sense due to her special background.

But Black Pang Grey Mon didn’t stop there. Not only did she refuse, but she also started to threaten them.

“If you don’t like it, let’s have a duel! But if I win, I’ll reveal who Father has been secretly exchanging letters with to the whole town!”

“You, you! How do you know that?!”

“Hmph! You hid it quite well, but luck wasn’t on your side. My eyes can’t be deceived!”

Did he really not know? Pang Ji-hyuk started staggering in place, clearly in shock.

Tongue between his teeth, he secretly messaged Pang So-so.

– Hey So-so? Is this what you were planning all along?

– Yeah. To be honest, it’s getting tiring introducing everyone to my family like this every time. It’s getting old.

– But still, this is a bit…

– Ugh. Jin Gaga. Do you think I did this on purpose?

– Yeah.

– …

Pang So-so glared at him, her eyes sharp.

– Just kidding. So, what do you think?

– Honestly, I didn’t have any thoughts about it. Just having Father here is enough.

– …

Wait, so I was right?

Pang So-so grinned mischievously and leaned in closer.

“Ah. But the talk about the concubine was intentional. I brought it up to tell Father.”

Pang O-jin was persistently asking Pang Ji-hyuk who he had been secretly exchanging letters with, and Pang Ji-hyuk was clearly flustered.

“Do you have a fiancee?”

“Of course not. As the successor of Odae-sega and with Father’s age, we may not be engaged, but we have a betrothal.”

“But do you have someone you like?”

“It’s a political betrothal, so emotions are separate. But this time, Father was stupid. It’s not like the other party is someone else, it’s just the younger sister of my betrothed. There wouldn’t be any major political issues. But he’s so stupidly bound by duty that he’s still exchanging letters. I can’t break it off first, so we’re still exchanging letters.”

“Wow…”

Since the letters were addressed to the other party’s family name, no one would have suspected anything.

Except for Pang So-so, who had sensed something strange from the beginning.

By partially revealing the secret she had kept hidden until now, had she managed to divert the attention that was directed towards her?

Pang So-so…a scary kid…!

Trembling, he pulled Hong Yeon-hwa, who was next to him, into his arms.

“Hmm?”

As if not understanding what was going on, Hong Yeon-hwa tilted her head, but still entrusted her body to me.

The small body that fit perfectly in his arms, and the unique scent that resembled a flower, quickly calmed him down.

And Pang O-jin’s nagging was finally coming to an end.

“Phew…that’s enough. Let’s talk about this later. There’s something more important right now. It’s about what happened while you were unconscious, Ji-hyuk.”

Pang O-jin took a deep breath and briefly explained what had happened while Pang Ji-hyuk was unconscious.

The death of the Yangdong of Nokrim, the revelation of the conspiracy of the Sama clan, the betrayal of Ungga, and the upcoming war.

At first, Pang Ji-hyuk looked at me with a surprised expression, but as the story went on, his expression became more serious.

“…You woke up in that situation.”

“I’ll go too, Father.”

“You stupid son, bringing this up and following me.”

If Pang Ji-hyuk were to follow and head to Gangseo Castle, all of the direct descendants of the Pang family would be involved.

Of course, we plan to win. But things in the world don’t always go as planned.

What if something happens and we die during the war?

That would be the end of the Pang family.

Even if the Pang family continues, the martial artists who can be called experts will be completely used up.

Pang O-jin is worried about this and plans to leave Pang Ji-hyuk in Habeok and go on the expedition alone.

Pang Ji-hyuk, who was thinking for a moment, opened his mouth heavily.

“I still think that if someone has to stay, it should be So-so. Father knows So-so’s talent, right?”

“Yeah. But So-so and the entire family are involved in the Sama clan’s bribery. If we postpone it, it will only become a bigger problem when we come back. …In addition, this war is a sure defeat without the help of Cheonma, an absolute master.”

“Ha…that’s right.”

Pang Ji-hyuk sighed deeply and nodded his head.

“I understand, Father. I will protect this place.”

“Good thinking. When I come back, let’s talk about your engagement again. So-so has found her match, and there’s no reason why it can’t be you. What’s the point of being a high and mighty Pang family if we can’t even do that much?”

“…Yes.”

Pang Ji-hyuk nodded his head with a subtle expression.

Well, in the end, it’s just another woman from the same family.

In the heartwarming atmosphere where we naturally brought up the story of me and Pang So-so again, I sent another message to Pang So-so.

-Did you calculate everything up to this point?

-Yes, of course! I, Pang So-so, calculated everything from one to ten!

Well…I decided to pretend I didn’t notice my tongue twisting a little.

***

And three days later.

We set off towards Gangseo Castle with the elite warriors of the Pang family.