Chapter 72

"So, why did you come here?"

Cheong-ra asked, harboring a subtle sense of anticipation. Of course, he didn't show any outward signs of it. He especially didn't want to appear desperate or pleading in front of Dang Ran-yeong. In response to Cheong-ra's question, Dang Ran-yeong produced a small tea canister.

"A new batch of high-grade Dragon Well tea just came in. I thought you might like to try it."

Though inwardly disappointed, Cheong-ra gladly accepted the tea canister Dang Ran-yeong handed him. As soon as he opened the lid, a fragrant aroma wafted out. Cheong-ra boiled water and carefully measured out some of the well-dried leaves before steeping them. He poured the clear, greenish tea into cups for himself and Dang Ran-yeong.

"Mmm..."

A look of satisfaction spread across Cheong-ra's face as he took a sip of the tea. The Dragon Well tea, which The Pavilion of Golden Fragrance served as if it were ordinary leaf tea, was actually very difficult to drink in normal circumstances. That's how expensive it was. Thinking that this was a luxury he couldn't indulge in anywhere else and that he should drink as much as possible while he was here, Cheong-ra looked up and was puzzled.

"Young Master Dang, why are you looking at me like that..."

Cheong-ra's question trailed off, unfinished. A seductive smile played on Dang Ran-yeong's lips. He gazed with interest at the frozen Cheong-ra before leisurely picking up the cup of tea the other had poured for him and taking a demonstrative sip. Then, with a soft clink, Dang Ran-yeong set down the teacup and said,

"Beauty, when I look at you closely, you seem wary of me, but your actions don't reflect that."

The teacup slipped from Cheong-ra's hand and fell to the floor. It shattered with a crash, and tea spread among the fragments. He staggered as he tried to stand up but ended up sitting back down. His mind was clear, but his body had suddenly lost all strength and wouldn't move as he wanted.

"Or is it that you don't mind whatever I do to you?"

In contrast to his curved eyes, Dang Ran-yeong's green-tinged pupils were cold. He grabbed Cheong-ra's arm and properly seated his tilting body back in the chair. Cheong-ra managed to lift his gaze and asked in a trembling voice,

"Why... in the tea..."

As the paralysis worsened, he couldn't even properly ask why poison had been put in his tea. All his muscles relaxed, making it difficult even to keep his eyes open. Dang Ran-yeong pulled a rope to summon Yeo-jin.

Though he knew the other was from the Tang Clan, the reason Cheong-ra hadn't refused the food and drink offered wasn't because he trusted the other. He didn't want to appear afraid of whether everything had been poisoned or not. Nevertheless, now that he had actually been poisoned, feelings of betrayal and anxiety washed over him.

Why had he been poisoned? Was it because he had learned about the Blood Cult's existence and needed to be dealt with? But if that were the case, there had been plenty of opportunities to do so at the Hengshan Sect. Moreover, Cheong-ra had already sent a detailed letter to his sect about what had happened at the Hengshan Sect today. If Dang Ran-yeong had wanted to stop that, he could have done so easily.

Fortunately, it seemed to be a paralyzing poison rather than a lethal one, but not knowing the other's purpose was frightening.

"Well then, shall we go?"

As Cheong-ra went completely limp, Dang Ran-yeong easily picked him up and slung him over his shoulder. Yeo-jin, who had come in response to the summons, was startled by this sight but quickly composed herself and bowed her head.

"You called for me, Lord Owner?"

"A teacup broke here. Clean it up."

"Yes, Lord Owner."

Saying this, Dang Ran-yeong opened the door of the guest room and left. Cheong-ra tried his best to resist somehow, but could only manage to twitch his fingertips. Where on earth is he planning to take me? With nothing to see but Dang Ran-yeong's broad back and the floor, Cheong-ra tried his best to at least keep his mind clear.

Dang Ran-yeong descended from the fourth floor pavilion and headed somewhere. He walked along a well-maintained path Cheong-ra had never seen before, then exited through a back door and loaded Cheong-ra into a carriage. Cheong-ra wished he would just lose consciousness, but while his body seemed unconscious, his mind remained clear, and his heart pounded wildly.

'Why is he suddenly doing this?'

He tried to guess why Dang Ran-yeong was doing this to him. However, he couldn't think of anything beyond having returned from the Hengshan Sect to rest, having a meal with Wi Je-ho, and fighting the mad tiger. Meanwhile, the carriage carrying Cheong-ra like a piece of luggage arrived somewhere. Dang Ran-yeong got out of the carriage and slung Cheong-ra over his shoulder again. Soon, an unfamiliar voice was heard.

"We greet you, Lord Owner."

"What about the Blood Cult bastards?"

"We apologize, Lord Owner. They developed high fevers and two of them died."

Cheong-ra's heart seemed to plummet. Why was the Blood Cult being mentioned here? Goosebumps spread across his body as he realized he had been brought to an ominous place, but there was nothing he could do. The paralyzing poison was so potent that he couldn't even twitch a finger. Dang Ran-yeong replied calmly,

"I thought I had cauterized them well, but perhaps the bleeding didn't stop properly. It can't be helped. Open the iron prison door."

"Yes, Lord Owner."

From somewhere, a faint screeching sound of metal scraping against metal was heard. Dang Ran-yeong crossed the main gate and strode forward again. It was a staircase leading downward.

A damp, musty smell wafted up strongly. The crackling sound of burning torches and a low, rumbling noise could be heard. It was undoubtedly underground. The most striking sound was undoubtedly someone groaning in pain. Iron bars and doors came into Cheong-ra's view. Beyond each were people imprisoned. Probably members of the vicious Blood Cult.

'Why has he brought me here?'

Cheong-ra's heart moved beyond anxiety to fear. It was clearly a place where Blood Cult members were captured and tortured. Being drugged and brought to such a place was far from normal.

Dang Ran-yeong opened two more doors as he headed underground. The screeching sound of iron doors opening and closing rang in Cheong-ra's ears. Finally imprisoned in the underground cell, Cheong-ra's heart sank. He was soon seated in a chair located in the center of the cell. From the cold touch against his body, he could tell it was made of iron.

He felt firm fingertips checking the pulse in his neck. Then his head was tilted back, and a pill was pushed deep into his mouth. The bitter pill slid down his throat.

"It seems Beauty's body is quite susceptible to drugs. I'll have to adjust the dosage next time."

Next time? Cheong-ra didn't know whether to be relieved that there might be a next time for him, or to be distressed that drugs would be used on him again.

As time passed, strength gradually returned to his body. While Cheong-ra struggled to move, Dang Ran-yeong lit a brazier that had been placed in a corner. The heat from the brazier warmed his body a little, but it wasn't welcome. The iron rod stuck in the brazier was clearly for torture. As the paralysis wore off, his body began to tremble with fear.

Cheong-ra looked around, panting. Torture devices were scattered everywhere. Hanging on the walls were tools for beating people, such as whips and clubs, and iron rings for tying or hanging someone could be seen on the walls and ceiling.

"Have you finished looking around?"

Dang Ran-yeong asked as he dragged the brazier a bit closer. Sparks fell to the floor. Cheong-ra's eyes trembled, filled with fear and anxiety. In contrast, Dang Ran-yeong's eyes shone with sinister and cruel pleasure. Amidst his fear, a dull pain throbbed in Cheong-ra's heart.

"Why... are you doing this to me?"

"Why am I doing this? Think about it carefully."

A strong hand gripped his chin and then released it. Dang Ran-yeong knocked on the iron door three times. After a moment, a presence was felt, and someone answered from beyond the iron door.

"Lord Owner, did you call?"

"Bring the box from the carriage."

"Yes, understood."

As the paralysis had worn off somewhat, Cheong-ra attacked Dang Ran-yeong from behind while he was conversing. He grabbed a nearby poker and swung it with all his might, but Dang Ran-yeong twisted his body and easily avoided it, as if he had expected it. In one fluid motion, he extended his hand like a hawk's talon.

"Ah!"

Cheong-ra let out a single, despairing cry as his wrist was caught and painfully twisted. Given his past experiences, he hadn't thought he could win by attacking, but his body, still affected by the paralyzing poison, was even more powerless than he had imagined.

Like a cat playing with a mouse, Dang Ran-yeong released his grip on Cheong-ra's hand. Gritting his teeth, Cheong-ra attacked again out of sheer stubbornness.

The poker, swung threateningly with inner energy infused, was nothing more than a stick before this man. After allowing Cheong-ra to swing it freely a few more times, Dang Ran-yeong easily snatched the poker with his hand. Then, using Cheong-ra's own momentum, he grabbed him and drove his knee into Cheong-ra's stomach. The impact made his vision go dark.

"...Gah!"

Cheong-ra staggered and coughed, pain exploding in his abdomen from the blow. Despite this, seeing that Cheong-ra's grip on the poker hadn't loosened, Dang Ran-yeong's eyes curved upward.

"It would have been nice if your strength had left you all at once, wouldn't it?"