MUC 25

Chapter 25

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Sacheon Dang Clan… Dangpae…

Eun Sowol mulled over the physician’s words. She didn’t recognize the name “Dangpae,” but she knew the Sacheon Dang Clan well—it was a staple in martial arts novels. Sometimes portrayed as cunning villains who used poison, other times as helpful allies skilled in toxic remedies.

“How were they portrayed in the original story again…?”

In the novel, various clans band together to fight the demonic sect, but the Sacheon Dang Clan wasn’t particularly important. And the name “Dangpae” didn’t ring a bell.

Still, the one Sacheon figure she remembered was the infamous King of Poison…

“But even if we find out her exact condition, treatment won’t be easy,” the physician said cautiously, drawing everyone’s eyes to him.

“It would take a tremendous amount of money and time.”

Treating Jeolmaek Syndrome required rare and expensive elixirs tailored to the specific type. These were highly sought after by martial artists.

“That’s why most children born with Jeolmaek in common families are either abandoned or die untreated.”

A heavy silence fell. Then Lee Ji-cheol turned to Dok Go-ryong.

“How much do you have saved?”

“I’ve got a decent amount.”

Plus, with Dok Go Ildo having returned the silver ingots, it should be enough—

“Even middle-class noble families go bankrupt trying to procure such elixirs.”

With that, both men went quiet.

“…How much exactly are we talking about?”

“…Damn it.”

Eun Sowol clenched her tiny fists.

Everything suddenly clicked: why Dok Go Haeryang asked if she was sick during their first meeting, why she felt so unwell afterward, Dok Go Wi-pyeong’s cryptic remarks, and why the main character’s niece dies in the novel.

She had assumed she died because she was neglected by the Dokgo clan—but now it made sense.

“It was because I had Jeolmaek Syndrome.”

Whether or not the Dokgo family tried to treat her in the past didn’t matter. The point was: she died.

That was the harsh reality she now faced.

“You’ll regret taking the child. Even if you want to abandon her later, you won’t be able to.”

Dok Go Ildo’s words echoed in her mind.

A child with a deadly illness, who needs a fortune’s worth of herbs and medicine… even the legendary Living-Death Healer…

Dok Go Ildo had known all along.

“How cruel… If he knew, he should’ve told me sooner! If he had, Uncle…”

Would her uncle still have taken her if he knew the truth?

That one ripple of doubt swelled into a storm of anxiety.

“I’ll prescribe something to bring down the fever for now. But if that doesn’t help… it’s best to leave for Sichuan as soon as possible.”

After the physician left, Lee Ji-cheol sighed quietly.

“So, what will you do now?”

Dok Go-ryong scratched his head with a frown.

“What do you mean, what else? We’re going to the Sacheon Dang Clan…”

“…Uncle, I want to go back.”

She cut him off mid-sentence. He furrowed his brow.

“Go back? Where?”

“Didn’t Grandfather say he’d give me one chance?”

Dok Go-ryong’s face slowly hardened.

“Are you saying… you want to go back to the Dokgo Clan? Am I hearing this right?”

Eun Sowol fidgeted and then nodded.

“Yeah… I want to go back to the Dokgo Clan.”

There was silence. Then, from above her head came a hollow laugh.

She clenched her fists tighter and lowered her head.

If she had known about her illness earlier, she wouldn’t have cried and begged to be with her uncle. She would’ve quietly stayed in the Dokgo household.

Taking her in was already a burden. But now? A niece with Jeolmaek Syndrome? She was no longer just a burden—she was a ticking time bomb.

“G-Grandfather seemed rich! His house was huge, and he had lots of servants. He’ll be able to make me better.”

Going back would mean following the novel’s path—toward her death.

But it didn’t mean she was giving up.

“Now that I know my illness… there must be another way.”

Looking back, Dok Go Haeryang did seem to like her a little. If she could adjust and receive support for treatment, maybe she’d survive.

Resolved, she tightened her fists.

“I’m sorry for being a burden, Uncle. Please take me back to the Dokgo Clan.”

Again, there was no response. Worried he was angry, she added brightly,

“I-I’ll ask Mr. Pyodu to escort me if you won’t! I behaved really well, so maybe—”

“Sowol.”

She froze.

Dok Go-ryong never called her by name—only “kid.” And his voice this time wasn’t gentle—it was angry.

“Look me in the eye when you talk.”

A rough hand lifted her soft cheek. It wasn’t forceful, just firm.

She expected his usual coldness—but his expression hadn’t changed at all.

“Say it again.”

When she hesitated, he lightly pinched her cheeks until her lips puffed like a fish’s.

“Un-cuhl…?”

“So, what you’re saying is… Since I don’t have money or power like the Dokgo Clan, you want to go back to get treated, right?”

“N-No, that’s not what I meant—!”

“Oh really? You were the one whining about being abandoned, and now you’re going to abandon me because I’ve got nothing?”

“Nooo…! I said that’s not it!”

She swatted his hand away and shouted.

“Then what is it?”

“Geez! I just didn’t want to burden you, so I was going to handle it myself!”

She exploded.

“Elixirs are crazy expensive, right? And I’ll need a bunch! And even if you have money, it’s not like they’re easy to find! So how are you supposed to do that?!”

Dok Go-ryong folded his arms and gave her a look that said, go on.

“I don’t want to be a burden to you!”

She was on the verge of tears. She clenched her mouth shut and rubbed her eyes.

She didn’t care how he saw her now—he was already her true uncle. And she didn’t want to be a weight on him as she returned to that hellhole.

“You said no one liked you there. How do you know they’ll treat you?”

“…I’ll figure it out when I get there.”

“So basically, you’ve got no plan?”

“Grrr… I don’t even want to go back! But you don’t understand how I feel!”

“If you don’t want to go, then don’t.”

“Exactly! But I thought you—”

“Kid.”

He leaned forward, voice low.

She fell silent.

“When did I ever say I was struggling?”

“…Well…”

“Sure, I didn’t expect this Jeolmaek thing. But did you think I wasn’t prepared for anything?”

“…”

“You remember what the clan head said, don’t you? Then you must remember my answer too.”

“If she really has a serious illness, all the more reason I can’t leave her here. They’ll use it as an excuse to abandon her.”

As Sowol bit her lip, Dok Go-ryong lightly pinched her cheek.

“Whether it costs money, or it’s hard to find elixirs—that’s my problem. You just take care of yourself. Don’t run around catching a fever again.”

Her eyes welled up once more.

“Y-You’re really going to stay with me? Even though I’m really sick… I might make things hard for you…”

“That’s my business. Let me ask you again. Do you really want to go back to the Dokgo Clan?”

Hearing the sincerity in his voice, she shook her head.

“No… I want to stay with you.”

“Then that’s all I need. Geez, what kind of kid thinks up stuff like this?”

He pulled her into a hug and gently patted her back.

She sniffled and buried her face in his shoulder.

“…Sorry for saying mean stuff… I didn’t mean it.”

“I know, kid.”

“…Mmph.”

He felt her tears soaking into his shoulder—but Dok Go-ryong just kept patting her back as if nothing was wrong.