Chapter 313 |
313. Guest (1)
“This actually works.”
“I told you it would.”
The Beast Palace Lord, whose lips still bore traces of the blood he had coughed up—yet whose sickly complexion had vanished, replaced by vitality—turned his head.
There, Black Claw was also hacking and coughing up clotted blood, but his life didn’t seem to be in danger.
Tang Sowol’s antidote, the incomplete yet effective results of his research, and my assistance together had fully eradicated the poison that had been devouring the Beast Palace Lord’s body.
Of course, the one who was essentially the heart of this treatment—Tang Sowol—was still pouting.
“This kind of thing isn’t poison arts at all…! But the detoxification is perfect, so whatever.”
“Hehehe. Lady Poison Phoenix is still displeased, I see. I, who survived thanks to her, am grateful nonetheless.”
Only then did Tang Sowol realize she’d been making a sour face in front of someone freed from decades of poisoning. She forced a soft smile.
A noble daughter’s grace, the warmth of someone who had just saved a life… yet compared to moments ago, it was so blatantly fake that—
I couldn’t help blurting something out.
“It doesn’t suit—”
“What was that, hmm?”
“I said it’s a relief you’re my fiancée. Otherwise I might have thought you don’t suit me at all.”
“Fufu. Don’t worry. That could never happen.”
…Yes, I swallowed the words quickly.
See? People say I’m sometimes oblivious and reckless like a demonic prodigy, but I am in fact very considerate.
While I shrugged inwardly, the Beast Palace Lord rolled his shoulders and neck before speaking.
“So what do you plan to do now? Naturally, just because the treatment is done doesn’t mean you must leave immediately. Stay as long as you wish.”
“Hmm. About that… actually, what was supposed to be a short outing somehow became far too long…”
“What was that?”
“My original plan was about a month, but it’s already been three months. I probably need to return right away.”
Tang Sowol laughed awkwardly as she said it.
And as she pointed out, we really had set out for a brief trip… and somehow ended up here.
We did send letters midway when it seemed we’d be late, but—Honestly, that barely counted as notice.
Once our business was done, we should’ve returned instead of lingering.
It really felt like nothing had changed from when I first entered the Tang Clan.
Then again… merely sitting around training would never have brought me to my current level.
This trip had allowed me to gather every fortuitous opportunity available; it was time to focus on digesting them.
Medicinal pills, martial manuals thought long lost, various treasures…
We brought back enough to supplement whoever needed them.
As originally planned:
– The Everfrost Iron Gauntlets for Seorin,
– The aggressive sound-art Heaven-Piercing Collapse Tone for Seol Lihyang,
– And for Tang Sowol, the poison of the Seven-Flame Five Poisons.
And the leftover medicines and techniques that didn’t quite fit us could simply be entrusted to the Tang Clan.
The Tang Clan was known for hidden weapons and poison arts, not limited to them.
Giving some medicines to Meng Yubaek wouldn’t be a bad idea either.
A closer relationship with the Beast Palace, Meng Yubaek growing stronger alongside the Seven-Flame Five Poisons…
All of that meant Tang Sowol could one day create even more potent poisons.
Besides, most of my companions were already at a level where elixirs barely made a noticeable difference.
Tang Sowol, who had eaten rare medicines since childhood until they no longer increased her internal energy, and now benefited more from rare poisons.
Seol Lihyang, who had devoured half the North Sea Ice Palace’s medicine stores alone and even absorbed the Ice Essence, making her internal energy one of the highest among Sub-Perfection masters.
And myself and Seorin, already in the Flowering Stage, who could simply draw in natural energy directly if needed.
The era of gaining strength through little tricks was over.
…Somewhat unfair, really.
Why did I only become this strong after gaining access to all my past-life knowledge?
“Hoo.”
“White Moon Sword Lord? Why the sudden sigh?”
Meng Yubaek, who had accompanied us out of concern for her father, tilted her head.
Pure joy that her family member was healed, sorrow that we would soon part, and anticipation for beginning anew outside Yunnan…
She had several emotions layered together, trying hard to hide them, exactly fitting for someone her age.
I let out a small laugh.
“It’s nothing. I just suddenly wondered why I became so strong.”
“Wow, you’re seriously the worst—”
“What was that?”
“N-nothing! I meant it’s a very master-like concern! You really are just like Lady Poison Phoenix!”
Meng Yubaek shook her head quickly, then nodded as if convinced of something.
Surprisingly, others also nodded with identical expressions.
Only Tang Sowol and I blinked at each other.
Watching all this, the Beast Palace Lord burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! I worried Yubaek would struggle in the Tang Clan… but it seems I worried for nothing.”
“Fufu, with the Tang Clan and Beast Palace joining forces, why would anyone shun her?”
“That may be, but hearts don’t move as the heart wishes.”
“???”
The Beast Palace Lord smiled meaningfully, while Tang Sowol tilted her head in confusion.
For some reason, the Beast Palace Lord’s mood improved even further, and he rose to his feet.
“You’re leaving soon—we cannot let you go without a proper send-off. Tonight, I’ll host a grand banquet. Will you attend?”
“If you’re inviting me, of course.”
I shrugged as I answered.
It was the day before we left the Beast Palace.
***
“We… we’re finally here??”
“Yes. That’s the Tang Clan.”
“Wow…”
The moment we crossed out of Yunnan, the atmosphere changed dramatically.
Even though we traveled on the back of O-Gong (the great centipede), the long journey had worn Meng Yubaek out.
But now her eyes sparkled brightly.
“It’s huge! Are the Centipede Sect people inside too?”
“They’ll be here, yes—but not for long.”
“Are we… are we getting kicked out…?”
“That makes it sound harsh. Not at all. If a separate sect stays inside the Tang Clan estate, it’ll look like a subordinate branch. So they’ll prepare a separate manor for you. Fortunately, the Centipede Sect is small, so it won’t take long.”
“But we don’t have money…”
“No need to worry. The Beast Palace paid in advance.”
“Father…!”
Eyes shining with emotion, Meng Yubaek looked up at the sky.
The Beast Palace Lord may have sent her away, but not because he disliked her—he even gave considerable funds as support for the Centipede Sect.
And he said nothing directly to Meng Yubaek—so very characteristic of a father.
Anyway, they would be able to live comfortably for a while. What came after depended on Meng Yubaek herself.
We finally arrived at the Tang Clan.
After announcing our return at the front gate, we headed to Tang Jincheon’s office.
I expected Jincheon to be sitting with a terrifying expression and arms crossed—But what I found was something I never imagined.
“Sword King? Brother Namgung? What are you both doing here??”
“Mm.”
Namgung Dowi, upon seeing my face, nodded and spoke to the very exhausted Tang Jincheon.
“Since the White Moon Sword Lord has arrived, we’ll follow the Poison King’s suggestion for the negotiations.”
“Thank you.”
Namgung Dowi stamped a stack of documents Tang Jincheon had pushed toward him with a sigh.
Then he and his son, Namgung Jong, stood before me.
“Long time no see, White Moon Sword Lord.”
“Yes, it has been. Was the last time at Shaolin?”
“Correct. Already half a year ago… and you’ve grown stronger again. Truly remarkable.”
“Yes, Father. At this point, I should probably call him Brother instead.”
Feeling danger from how well the father and son were getting along, I instinctively stepped back half a step.
“You’re praising me too much. What brings you both here?”
“Of course, we came to see you. We heard rumors you cut down the man called Bloodflame Fist Demon, whose body was like Diamond Vajra, and wondered if it was true.”
“Oh…”
“And also, the Chief tossed a pile of documents at me saying if I didn’t get them stamped we’d starve together—so we handled that as well.”
“That sounds like the main issue here.”
I looked frantically at Tang Jincheon, but he only wore an expression of relief—no, satisfaction—no, worse, a smug look as he stared at me.
“Sorry to trouble you the moment you return home, but I’ll count on you, son-in-law. Think of it as clearing the backlog.”
“…Yes.”
“Then we’ll go have a meal and talk more. Ah, and you—you’re the daughter of the Beast Palace… no, now the Centipede Sect Leader. Your sect members are diligent. Even when told they could rest, they insisted on helping since they’re guests.”
“Did they?”
“They did. A superior’s virtue is shown through his subordinates. Be proud. By the way, I’ve heard the Seven-Flame Five Poisons is here too…”
“Oh, O-Gong is outside. Too big to fit in here.”
“Oh! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a living spiritual creature. I’m looking forward to it. Sowol, how was the Seven-Flame Five Poisons’ venom?”
“Fufu. Very fun. I’ll show you during dinner.”
A warm atmosphere… with me excluded.
It seemed no one would be helping me.
Fine. I’m the one who returned late anyway.
If it’s come to this, I’ll face it head-on.
I inhaled deeply and turned to the two Namgung swordsmen, who were staring at me with aggressively shining eyes.
“Hoo. It’s been a while—talking alone won’t do. How about a spar?”
“As expected of you! You always speak my language!”
“I look forward to it, brother Cheon!”
Their bright, almost glowing eyes…At this point, it bordered on madness.
“But what’s that talk about the Namgung Clan starving? Even if things are worse now, you’re still the Namgung Clan.”
“Hmm? Ah, that. It’s nothing major. Lately there have been rumors that the Tang Clan will use you to completely crush the Namgung Clan and even steal the Sword King’s title. So our work has been decreasing.”
“That’s complete nonsense.”
“Of course. I know you, and I know the Poison King—why would I doubt?”
“I’m relieved there’s no misunderstanding.”
“Mhm. Besides that, we’ve had merchants attacked even though the Green Forest bandits stopped moving, some traitors were caught selling internal intel to the Hao Clan, some branch families were being agitated into rebellion… A few problems here and there. I brought the young master here to keep him safe. But it’s fine.”
“That’s not fine at all!”
This was not the time for a spar.
Clearly, something was happening inside the Namgung Clan.
But Namgung Dowi spoke in a steady voice.
“I know. Something is interfering with the Namgung Clan.”
“Then—?”
“But what can I do?”
“…What?”
“My sword can cut more than it cannot…But right now, I don’t even know what I should cut.”
“It simply isn’t time to draw my sword. Not yet.”
“Ah.”
Then it became clear why Namgung Dowi left the clan during such a time.
Yes, he trusted his capable retainers…
But more importantly—leaving was part of a trap.
A display of confidence bordering on arrogance.
But after seeing the Sword King’s blade many times, I knew—
It was justified arrogance.
The moment the rats mistook this for opportunity and stuck their heads out—The king’s sword would sever their miserable necks.
“By the way, was that Bloodflame bastard’s Diamond Vajra Body truly that tough? I heard even the Alliance Leader’s strikes couldn’t break it.”
As Namgung Dowi revealed curiosity and competitive spirit, I couldn’t help but wonder—
Was sparring with me actually his main reason for coming,
and the Namgung Clan’s trouble only the side matter?