Chapter 03
News quickly spread throughout the Tang Family that Dang Huiyeom was making a universal ointment in the kitchen.
Most people dismissed it as nothing more than the childish imagination and boasting of a young master.
Still, they were pleased to see the attitude of the direct heir who would one day lead the family.
Before long, the news also reached the ears of Dang Unsang’s wife, Eun Seollan.
“A salve that works with any poison, has no smell, and retains both moisture and stickiness so the poison won’t fade even after being applied to weapons… If such a thing truly exists, it would be like a dream.”
At her words, Dang Unsang raised his teacup with a faint chuckle.
“It’s just a child’s whim. Still, isn’t it good to see? I told him to try whatever he wanted.”
“Do you believe our Yeom will fail?”
“Wouldn’t it be stranger if he succeeded? I’m already thinking about how I’ll encourage him after he’s disappointed.”
“Oh dear… Surely no one would make trouble over it?”
“Come now, he’s only a child. Although Unhwa has recently been joining hands with the Council of Elders to oppose me, I doubt he’d stoop that low.”
The couple chatted casually, but Dang Unsang’s heart was anything but at ease.
The maturity date for promissory notes issued by the Tang Family was approaching.
After calculating everything, they would be able to repay the debt…
But only by selling several of the family’s ancestral fields.
Having to part with property passed down through generations was hardly a pleasant feeling.
Just then—
“Family Head, Butler Hwang requests an audience.”
“What is it?”
“Young Master Huiyeom says he has completed the universal ointment he mentioned before and has arranged a demonstration. He respectfully requests that you attend… However…”
Seeing the concern on the old butler’s face, Dang Unsang asked with a bad feeling.
“A demonstration? Who else is there?”
“The head of the medicinal storage, one Elder from the Council of Elders… and the Second Young Master.”
“…Hah.”
Dang Unsang’s expression stiffened.
The problem was that everyone gathered there held considerable influence within the Tang Family.
If Huiyeom’s so-called universal ointment turned out to be nothing more than nonsense…
He would be criticized for wasting the time of important people.
“Huiyeom invited them?”
“As if he would. It was the Second Young Master…”
“Hah!”
Dang Unsang let out an irritated sigh.
His younger brother, Dang Unhwa, had never bothered hiding his ambition to become the head of the Tang Family.
Normally, the family head’s authority within a martial clan was absolute.
But in recent years, that authority had weakened while the Council of Elders had grown increasingly powerful.
The former Supreme Family Head and the chairman of the Council of Elders—Dang Unsang’s father and grandfather—had both died in battle.
As a result, the Council had long since fallen under the control of the branch families.
And his incompetent younger brother was now borrowing the strength of those branch-family elders in hopes of replacing his own brother as family head.
“…My wife was right. I was careless. I never imagined Unhwa would stoop so low as to target his own young nephew.”
Even if Huiyeom failed, it would normally have been dismissed as nothing.
But politics had always been about turning small matters into major issues.
They would question whether Huiyeom possessed the qualities of a future family head…
Then use the incident as leverage to extract concessions.
“Once this is over, I’ll have a proper talk with Huiyeom.”
“Shouldn’t you suppress Second Young Master’s ambitions instead…?”
“I’d like to. But he’s the one securing funding through Chahwa Financial House using his connections. It isn’t that simple.
Besides, I still lack a proper justification.”
With a heavy expression, Dang Unsang rose to his feet.
“Let’s go.”
“I’m coming too.”
Following Butler Hwang, the couple headed toward Huiyeom’s room.
When Dang Unsang opened the door, everyone inside greeted him.
“So we’re the last to arrive? Thank you all for coming.”
“You’re late, Brother. Today is the presentation of your son’s first invention, yet you kept everyone waiting. I suppose the great head of the Tang Family is simply too busy.”
“Unhwa.”
The handsome young man was lounging in his chair with one leg resting on the table.
Hearing his mocking tone, Dang Unsang’s face darkened.
“Watch your mouth. Is that any way to speak to your elder brother and the head of the Tang Family?
Take your feet off the table this instant.”
“Oh, of course. My apologies, Brother.
Unlike the honorable gentleman that you are, I’m just a crude fellow who spends his time with street thugs.
A great man like you should be more forgiving.”
“What did you say, you little—”
“Enough, enough! Family Head, please maintain your dignity.”
“Elder Hong.”
The bearded old man who had been silently watching finally intervened.
“The Family Head bears the heavy responsibility of setting an example in all things.
If your younger brother behaves improperly, you should guide him through virtue and moral example.
That is the foundation of benevolent leadership.
Why resort to shouting and intimidation?”
“Elder Hong, let me return those very words.
Unhwa not only behaved disgracefully before his own nephew, but openly insulted me.
Is that truly proper conduct for an elder of this family?”
“Indeed, it was inappropriate.
But was it truly necessary to scold him so harshly in front of a child?
Couldn’t you have corrected him more gently?
Besides… today should be a happy occasion.”
As Elder Hong glanced toward Huiyeom, Dang Unsang bit his lip.
The meaning was obvious.
Your son is about to embarrass himself in front of all of us. Are you really going to keep acting so boldly?
At that moment, Huiyeom, who had quietly observed everything, smiled.
“Elder Hong.”
“…?!”
The omission of an honorific froze everyone.
Elder Hong’s face immediately hardened as though he had been insulted.
Dang Unhwa widened his eyes in disbelief.
“E-Elder Hong?”
Instead of backing down, Huiyeom simply tilted his head innocently.
“Is it strange for me to call Elder Hong ‘Elder Hong’?
According to the Tang Family’s rules, an elder from a branch family is beneath the Young Family Head.
Out of respect for your age, we normally address each other politely.
However…
Today you have shown grave disrespect—not only toward me, but toward my father, the head of the Tang Family.
Why should I continue treating you with courtesy?”
No one in the room had expected such audacity.
Elder Hong’s face turned bright red as he glared at Huiyeom.
“Y-you insolent child…!”
“I’m not finished.”
Cutting him off without hesitation, Huiyeom pointed directly at Elder Hong.
His voice rang clearly throughout the room.
“First.
You have committed insubordination.
The highest elder of the Tang Family is my father, the Family Head.
Yet you publicly criticized him.
You condemned Father for scolding my uncle, saying,
‘Must you really reprimand an elder in front of a child?’
Then what exactly are you doing now?
You are scolding the Family Head—the greatest elder of this family—in front of his own son.
Your words and actions contradict each other.
That is not the conduct of a gentleman qualified to lecture others about virtue.”
No one spoke.
“Second.
You interfered in family discipline.
Since ancient times it has been said,
‘Even the Son of Heaven does not interfere when parents or siblings discipline one another.’
By what authority do you interfere when my father disciplines his own younger brother?”
Silence filled the room.
“Third.
You attempted to pressure the Family Head under the pretense of my presentation.
Yes.
I may fail.
But even if I fail, how does that become an excuse to pressure the Family Head?
What kind of thinking is that?
The Council of Elders does not exist to oppose the Family Head.
Judging by your behavior…
It seems the Council may have ambitions beyond its proper role.
Am I wrong?”
“Y-you…!”
“Stop stammering and answer properly.
What exactly was your intention?”
Everyone stared in shock.
It was impossible to believe that such cold words, sharp eyes, and commanding presence belonged to a seven-year-old child.
None of the Tang Family members knew they were witnessing the natural aura of a man who had once built the world’s greatest defense corporation from nothing.
Ignoring their stunned expressions, Huiyeom continued.
“What is the purpose of the Council of Elders?
What is an elder?
Those who have devoted their lives to serving the family are honored with positions on the Council.
They are meant to use the wisdom of old age to assist the Family Head.
That is both the purpose of the Council and the duty of every elder.
So why have you chosen instead to cling to my uncle and pressure the Family Head?
Is this truly the will of the Council?
Or merely your own personal misconduct?”
“Y-you…!”
“Don’t just glare at me.
Answer.”
At that moment…
Huiyeom—rather, Jeong Pansu—was genuinely furious.
Having once been driven out of the very corporation he had built…
Watching people who were little more than appointed directors challenge the founder’s own bloodline disgusted him.
You people merely climbed onto a castle someone else built. How dare you act like its owners!
Elder Hong trembled with anger.
He felt as though a mouse had bitten his finger.
Humiliating.
Infuriating.
Yet…
There was nothing incorrect in Huiyeom’s words.
Traditionally, the Tang Family granted enormous authority to the Family Head and the direct bloodline.
There was even an old complaint among branch-family members and sons-in-law:
“If you’re not a Tang, you’re not considered a person.”
Originally, even the Council of Elders had merely assisted the Family Head.
The Council itself had always been led by the retired Supreme Family Head—the Family Head’s own grandfather.
The arrangement acknowledged the wisdom of experienced branch-family elders…
While ensuring they could never overpower the main family.
It was an open secret that the Council also existed to gather the branch families together where they could be watched and kept loyal.
But both the Supreme Family Head and the Council Chairman had died.
The Hidden Weapon Division had nearly collapsed.
Only then had this delicate struggle for power become possible.
The main family had weakened enough that the Council now dared challenge the Family Head’s authority.
Even so…
The family laws remained unchanged.
Everything Huiyeom had said was correct.
The moral high ground was entirely his.
If Elder Hong argued further…
He would only hand Dang Unsang a legitimate reason to move against the Council.
In the end, despite trembling with humiliation…
Elder Hong had no choice but to retreat.
“…This old man, Hong Ilgon, never harbored such improper intentions.
I merely stepped in because I disliked seeing brothers quarrel.
If the Young Family Head found my actions offensive, then I regret them.”
“Regret?”
Huiyeom raised an eyebrow.
“What you owe the Family Head is not regret.
It is an apology.
Shouldn’t you apologize to the Family Head for your disrespect and ask for his forgiveness?”
His attempt to brush the matter aside had failed.
Grinding his teeth, Elder Hong finally bowed.
“I apologize to the Family Head.
This old man spoke carelessly.”
“I accept your apology.
But be more careful in the future.
And Unhwa!
Surely you have something to say as well.”
“…I apologize, Brother.”
Dang Unhwa wore a dissatisfied expression.
But he wasn’t foolish enough to continue arguing after Elder Hong, his greatest supporter, had already backed down.
This time Dang Unsang turned toward Huiyeom.
“You too, Huiyeom!
You lecture others about virtue and etiquette, yet what kind of manners are these toward your elders?
Elder Hong faithfully served this family alongside the late Supreme Family Head for fifty years.
No matter that you are the Young Family Head, you may not treat him so carelessly!
Apologize immediately.”
It was a calculated political move.
By publicly reprimanding Huiyeom first, Dang Unsang prevented the Council from later using his son’s behavior as ammunition.
“Yes, Elder Hong.
This child acted rashly and committed a great offense.
Please forgive me.”
To everyone’s surprise…
Huiyeom immediately bowed without hesitation.
Seeing such a prompt apology, Elder Hong could only clear his throat awkwardly.
“…Very well.”
“Now then,” Eun Seollan said with a gentle smile, trying to ease the atmosphere.
“Since things have become rather tense, perhaps we should postpone today’s presentation.
Everyone looks thirsty. Why don’t we have some tea first—”
“I’m afraid that won’t do, Madam.”
Elder Hong immediately shook his head.
“So many people have already gathered.
There is no reason to delay.”
Although his tone remained polite…
It was obvious that if Huiyeom’s presentation proved unimpressive, he intended to tear it apart.
“Elder Hong,” Eun Seollan replied, frowning.
“He’s only seven years old.
Surely the prototype can’t be anything extraordinary.
Is it truly necessary for both the head of the medicinal storage and an elder of the Council to put so much pressure on a child?”
Dang Unsang also tried to stop him.
But Elder Hong simply bowed more respectfully.
“Pressure?
Whatever do you mean?
If the Young Family Head has created something that may benefit the family, naturally the Council should examine it.”
His repeated emphasis on “Young Family Head” made his intentions perfectly clear.
If Huiyeom failed…
He intended to destroy the boy’s reputation.
“Must you really go this far?”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand what the Family Head is implying.”
Just as the atmosphere threatened to become hostile again…
Huiyeom chuckled.
“It’s all right, Father.
I am confident.”
“What?”
“What did you say?”
“Please allow me to show everyone.”
He smiled calmly.
“This is the Tang Family Universal Ointment (唐家萬能膏) that I created…
And its related products.”
Huiyeom lifted the wooden box from beneath the table and placed it on top.
Then he slowly opened the lid.
Everyone’s eyes turned toward the contents of the box.
