Chapter 43
Chapter 43
Buzz, buzz.
Tang Hyeon-gang tilted his head at the unusual commotion coming from the Medical Hall and stepped inside.
There, with grave expressions, physicians surrounded a martial artist of the Tang Clan. An old man clutched the martial artist in his arms, wailing in anguish.
“Why! Just why!”
“A–Ah… Aaaaargh!!”
The moment Tang Hyeon-gang saw the scene, he realized it. The Tang Clan martial artist before him was dead.
Though the collateral line suffered discrimination, they were still of the same blood as the direct line. The fact that someone of their own kin had died weighed heavily on Tang Hyeon-gang’s heart.
Just as he was about to offer a silent tribute to the deceased martial artist—
The Medical Hall Master suddenly approached him and spoke.
“Hyeon-gang.”
“Yes, Master.”
He had merely responded to his master’s call. Yet seeing the anger and sorrow etched across his master’s face, Tang Hyeon-gang felt puzzled.
“What is it, Master?”
“You were the one in charge of inspecting the condition of the medicinal herbs, were you not?”
“Yes. That is correct.”
Originally, it had not been a task he needed to handle, but due to discrimination, it had become his responsibility as well.
“It seems the greatest reason this treatment failed was the misuse of medicinal herbs.”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“The patient was in such urgent condition that the herbs were brought without being properly examined.”
For some reason, as his master continued speaking, an inexplicable sense of unease crept over him.
“The herb had spoiled.”
“……”
Thud—!
It felt as though a bolt of lightning had struck inside Tang Hyeon-gang’s head.
Trembling as though struck by a massive shock, he asked in a quivering voice,
“Did he… die because of the herb?”
“Brilliant Balance Herb. That is why he lost his life.”
Brilliant Balance Herb. Its efficacy was excellent, but it required careful management. Unlike other herbs, once Brilliant Balance Herb spoiled, it did not merely lose its effect—it became lethally toxic.
For any physician, it was common knowledge that spoiled Brilliant Balance Herb turned into a deadly poison.
Tang Hyeon-gang stared blankly at his master for a moment before shaking his head violently.
“T–That cannot be. I took particular care in managing that herb!”
“But it is the truth.”
“In the first place, managing the herbs is not solely my responsibility!”
“I know. That is precisely why I am telling you this. If this matter reaches the ears of the Clan Head, then you……”
The Medical Hall Master shut his eyes tightly, as though he did not even wish to imagine the outcome. Tang Hyeon-gang’s legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.
He knew. He knew the difference between the direct line and the collateral line, knew that the collateral line did not receive proper treatment. But this… this was too much.
What grievous sin had he committed for heaven and earth to punish him so cruelly?
What wrong had he done?!
Forcing strength into his weakening legs, Tang Hyeon-gang staggered toward the Herb Storage Room.
At some point, he broke into a run. As though he could not believe it—could not accept it unless he saw it with his own eyes.
When he arrived at the Herb Storage Room, a familiar voice reached his ears.
“Hey! You clearly said he wouldn’t die!”
Thud.
At the words coming from inside, Tang Hyeon-gang’s body stiffened like stone. He tried to move his hand, but it would not obey him.
From beyond the door came Tang Cheon-ju’s irritated voice. Others spoke in flustered tones.
“W–We must have made a mistake.”
“You sons of dogs!”
Tang Cheon-ju raged for quite some time, unable to calm himself.
“This whole matter is entirely that bastard Tang Hyeon-gang’s fault. It has nothing to do with us.”
“They won’t find out that we did it, right?”
“As long as they don’t discover that you switched the herbs, we’ll be fine.”
Those were not the words of a human being. What kind of life must one have lived to spew such madness?
Unable to endure any longer, Tang Hyeon-gang flung the door open.
He now understood that what he had heard was the truth. Shock? There was none. Disbelief? No such thought as, Surely they wouldn’t go this far just to discriminate against the collateral line, crossed his mind.
What filled Tang Hyeon-gang’s heart was dense hatred—and the rage he had suppressed until now.
Sensing that his presence was far from ordinary, Tang Cheon-ju instinctively opened his mouth.
“T–Tang Hyeon-gang, calm down.”
“Calm down? You’re telling me to calm down? Because of you, someone died. Do you not even feel shame as physicians? Just to torment me, you let another person die.”
At Tang Hyeon-gang’s furious rebuke, Tang Cheon-ju’s face twisted savagely. It was true that he had ordered the spoiled herb to be switched in.
But more than any shame as a physician, Tang Cheon-ju felt humiliated that he, a member of the direct line, was being spoken to in such a manner by mere collateral blood.
Yet Tang Hyeon-gang’s current aura was such that it would not have been strange if he killed someone then and there, so Tang Cheon-ju spoke in as steady a tone as possible.
“Let’s calm down first and talk.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You’re collateral line, and I’m direct line. You should at least observe proper manners.”
The fury rising from the depths of his heart made Tang Hyeon-gang walk slowly toward Tang Cheon-ju.
His vicious gaze alone was enough to make one retreat instinctively, yet Tang Cheon-ju did not step back.
It was the pride of the direct line—unwilling to yield to someone of the collateral line.
Thud!
Tang Hyeon-gang’s fist drove squarely into Tang Cheon-ju’s philtrum. His front teeth shattered, and his nose was ruined; Tang Cheon-ju lost his senses for a moment.
He had thought Tang Hyeon-gang was merely approaching to intimidate him. Yet contrary to everyone’s expectations, he had actually thrown the punch.
Still, possessing martial prowess that barely reached Second Rate Martial Artist, the blow was not overwhelmingly painful.
Had Tang Hyeon-gang reached First Rate Martial Artist, it would not have ended with broken teeth—his face would have collapsed inward, killing him outright.
“Stop it, you brat.”
Still unable to quell his anger, Tang Hyeon-gang raised his fist again toward Tang Cheon-ju.
“Enough!”
A voice infused with Internal Energy rang out, and everyone present turned toward its source.
“Master?”
“I followed you just in case, but I did not expect you to commit such an act.”
The cold words of the Medical Hall Master pierced Tang Hyeon-gang’s heart like a blade.
“As the Medical Hall Master, I cannot overlook this matter. Go home and cool your head.”
“……Understood.”
Tang Hyeon-gang could say nothing more. He slowly exited the room.
It could not be helped. Tang Cheon-ju was direct line, and he was collateral.
His master, after so many years, had chosen to prioritize the momentary pain of the direct line before him rather than the long-standing suffering Tang Hyeon-gang had endured.
At that moment, deep within his heart, Tang Hyeon-gang realized something.
Within the clan, there was not a single person on his side.
Two days passed after the incident, and a trial was convened within the Tang Clan.
Present were Tang Hyeon-gang’s master, Tang Cheon-ju with his nose wrapped in bandages, and his cronies. In addition, several individuals holding various positions within the clan had gathered.
Tang Myeong-ak, the Clan Head of the Tang Clan, stared at Tang Hyeon-gang with cold eyes and spoke.
His words were long-winded, but there was nothing remarkable about them. Negligent management of medicinal herbs and striking Tang Cheon-ju’s face. In brief, it amounted to that.
He merely spoke as though it were some grand transgression.
“……Are these the deeds you committed, Tang Hyeon-gang?”
The gazes of those looking at him were filled with contempt. Ordinarily, his heart would have felt as though it were crumbling under such stares, but the Tang Hyeon-gang of now was different.
“Yes, they are.”
At his calm response, everyone except the Clan Head began murmuring.
And among them, one person reacted most violently.
Smack!
An egg flew precisely into the back of Tang Hyeon-gang’s head and burst.
“My son died because of you!”
The old woman who had thrown the egg was none other than the bereaved family member of the victim in this incident.
She was so consumed by overwhelming grief that she seemed unable to distinguish reason.
Normally, such reckless conduct would never occur during a clan trial. It was, after all, a challenge to the Clan Head’s authority.
Others hurriedly restrained her, but she was so agitated that she nearly fainted.
Left with no choice, members of the clan carried her away. As they did, they looked at Tang Hyeon-gang with eyes filled with revulsion.
After calming the brief disturbance, Tang Myeong-ak regarded Tang Hyeon-gang with a chilling gaze.
“Does the accused have anything to say?”
“No.”
“……Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“Very well. I shall now pronounce the accused’s punishment.”
No matter how composed he tried to appear, at this moment even Tang Hyeon-gang could not help but swallow dryly.
He did not know what punishment awaited him. He could be imprisoned for life in the underground prison, or have his Dantian destroyed and the tendons of his limbs severed before being forced into hard labor.
“The accused shall no longer use the surname Tang and shall be expelled from the clan.”
At the completely unexpected words, Tang Hyeon-gang’s eyes widened.
Ordinarily, lifetime imprisonment in the underground prison would have been the norm. But expulsion?
The clan members also began to murmur. Isn’t the punishment too harsh? Isn’t this too much?
Tang Myeong-ak did not bother to silence the commotion.
And Tang Hyeon-gang realized why the Clan Head had made such a decision.
‘He already knew.’
That Tang Cheon-ju had switched the herbs. That Tang Cheon-ju had killed that woman’s son.
Blood rushed to his head, and the muscles in his face tightened.
His teeth ground together on their own. Quietly, Tang Hyeon-gang glared at his master.
His master wore an apologetic and pitiful expression. That made it all the more repulsive.
Because there was not only pity in that expression. There was a trace of guilt as well. That made it even more disgusting.
All the doubts began to unravel.
‘You all knew.’
Of course the Clan Head would not have been ignorant. Given his position, information naturally flowed to the ears of the Tang Clan Head even if he remained still.
A laugh nearly escaped him. It was laughable. Was it truly so hateful that he was of the collateral line? Was it such a sin that he was not born into the direct line?
Dense hatred settled into Tang Hyeon-gang’s eyes. Even seeing that, Tang Myeong-ak’s gaze did not waver in the slightest.
“This concludes the trial. The accused shall be given a Quarter-Hour. Leave the clan within that time.”
“……Understood.”
In order to make use of the opportunity granted by Tang Myeong-ak, Tang Hyeon-gang began to move swiftly.
Ordinarily, he should have been ordered to leave immediately. But Tang Myeong-ak had granted him a Quarter-Hour.
It meant he was being given time to at least gather his belongings. It seemed there was still a sliver of conscience left.
Returning to his Quarters, Tang Hyeon-gang packed his needles, his medical tools, and finally, a small amount of medicinal herbs.
There was no hesitation. No lingering attachment. With a face devoid of emotion, he looked like a doll stripped of all feeling.
With that same expression, Tang Hyeon-gang walked out of the Tang Clan.
“What should I do now?”
Leaving without a plan was one thing. But as a human, he needed somewhere that would provide food, clothing, and shelter—and to secure all three required money.
‘The money I have now is Two Nyang of Silver.’
For an ordinary commoner, it would have been a considerable sum. But unable to earn more, it was not so large after all.
If he rented a room at an inn and ordered meals, it would be gone in half a month.
He felt utterly lost about what to do next.
“Hmm? Great Hero?”
As Tang Hyeon-gang was deep in thought, someone called out from beside him. Turning his head, he saw the wealthy young man he had met two days prior.
Youngho looked at Tang Hyeon-gang and said,
“What a coincidence.”
Tang Hyeon-gang, also surprised, nodded.
“I apologize for not asking your name back then. It seems I can ask now.”
“……Indeed.”
Tang Hyeon-gang stared blankly at Youngho, unsure what name he ought to give.
Anyone could see that something was off about him, yet Youngho merely smiled faintly as though he did not mind.
“May I ask your name?”
At the thought of his name, Tang Hyeon-gang visibly wavered.
He was no longer a member of the Tang Clan. He could not use the surname Tang. Then what should he call himself?
When Tang Hyeon-gang remained silent, Youngho gave an awkward smile, sensing something amiss.
At that, Tang Hyeon-gang let out a faint chuckle.
‘Who am I to make this child uncomfortable? I’ll just tell the truth.’
“I am no longer a member of the Tang Clan. I was expelled just moments ago.”
“Ah……. I must have spoken carelessly. My apologies.”
Youngho did not know the full circumstances, but he looked at Tang Hyeon-gang as though he had said something inappropriate.
“It is fine.”
After hesitating for a moment, Youngho carefully asked,
“Do you perhaps have somewhere to go?”
“Somewhere to go……”
Tang Hyeon-gang answered with a bitter smile.
“Not particularly.”
“I see. In that case, would you not consider traveling with us?”
“Pardon?”
What… did I just hear?