Chapter 13. Sichuan Tang Clan (5)
Out of the blue, Tang Sowol presented me with a rare elixir as a gift.
"…?"
"This isn't something I'm giving you myself. Uncle asked me to deliver it to you, Cheon Hwi-da. But, if you want to thank me, I won't stop you."
Even though it clearly wasn't something she had prepared herself, Tang Sowol puffed up proudly. Seeing her exhale through her nose in satisfaction, I chuckled quietly and nodded.
"I'll think about it."
"How about skipping the thinking and just acting on it right now?"
"I'll think about that too."
"Tch!"
Along with the black elixir pill was a letter. Curious, I opened it. In short, it was a note thanking me for saving Tang Sowol and asking me to take care of her in the future.
However, it didn't specify exactly what kind of elixir this was.
"It seems to have quite an impressive aura. Do you know what kind of elixir this is?"
"Hmm, this is Hundred Poisons Pure Blood Pill."
"I've never heard of that before."
"It's a rare elixir that's difficult to make, so it's almost never distributed outside the Tang Clan. It's no wonder you don't know about it."
"Is it a powerful elixir?"
"Of course. Hundred Poisons Pure Blood Pill is an elixir made by carefully combining a hundred different poisons. The poisons cancel out each other's toxicity, leaving only medicinal properties behind. While it doesn't greatly improve internal energy, it's extremely beneficial for the body."
"I've heard of something similar before. In the Hebei Peng Clan, there's an elixir that aids in external martial arts cultivation. Is this a similar type of elixir?"
"It's similar but slightly different. Hundred Poisons Pure Blood Pill strengthens the organs and meridians, but it doesn't enhance bone or muscle growth."
"Hmm."
If it has such an effect, it's a perfect elixir for me right now.
Improving my external martial arts quickly would certainly be ideal, but even if I can't, I can take my time and train gradually.
The meridians, however, are different.
Unlike the sons of prestigious martial arts families, who undergo foundation-building rituals at a young age, consume countless rare elixirs, and learn high-level martial arts, I lacked a proper foundation.
The reason I suffered so much due to my internal energy in my past life wasn't without cause. My meridians were narrow, and the internal energy I accumulated was turbid. The higher I climbed in martial arts, the more restricted I felt by these limitations.
Although I managed to resolve the internal energy issue by mastering Raging Wave Death-Stealing Art, which allowed me to refine my energy by converting killing intent into power, the problem with my meridians remained.
No matter how delicately I could control my energy, the narrowness of my meridians meant I couldn't channel large amounts of internal energy at once.
Because of this, I had sought out various elixirs. But all I could find were mediocre ones, none of which had a significant impact.
Hundred Poisons Pure Blood Pill alone wouldn't completely resolve the fundamental problem, but since it was considered a precious elixir even within the Tang Clan, it would certainly improve my condition.
"I'll have to visit and thank your uncle sometime."
"Uncle holds a rather special position within the Tang Clan, so unless you're with Father, you won't be able to meet him anytime you want."
"Well, if I stay here long enough, there's bound to be a chance encounter. That'll be good enough. Now, if you don't mind, I'll take the elixir."
"W-what? R-right now?"
She probably didn't expect me to take it immediately. Tang Sowol blinked her black eyes in confusion. Amused by her dazed expression, I chuckled and swallowed the pill.
Since it was a potent elixir, I had braced myself for some difficulty in absorbing it… but after circulating my energy through the Small Heavenly Circulation twice, over seventy percent of its energy had already been absorbed into my meridians.
So, this is what they meant by saying it wouldn't significantly enhance internal energy. There didn't seem to be anything more I needed to do.
I didn't feel any immediate difference, but over time, the absorbed energy would gradually strengthen and widen my meridians.
"Hoo…"
I exhaled deeply and opened my eyes, only to find Tang Sowol's face filling my vision.
We weren't so close that our breaths could touch, but we were near enough that I could see my reflection in her eyes.
With her hands on her hips, Tang Sowol glared at me from up close.
"Cheon Hwi-da, what sort of thoughtless behavior is it to suddenly take an elixir in the middle of a conversation?"
"Well, elixirs should be taken as soon as they're obtained, shouldn't they? Of course, that assumes you're in a safe place or with someone you trust."
"No one's going to take it away, so why the rush? What reason could you possibly have for being in such a hurry?"
"It's not just elixirs. Even food was often snatched from me. There are people in the world who pick up their swords just because they're hungry, and I was one of them."
"Ugh! If you say that, what am I supposed to do now?"
I smiled faintly at her grumbling and nodded.
"Still, you have a point. I'm no longer a wretched beggar or a wandering swordsman barely surviving on a single blade. I'm now the prospective son-in-law of the Tang Clan."
"W-what?"
"At the very least, I should act in a way that wouldn't embarrass my betrothed, don't you think?"
Tang Sowol's eyes darted around nervously, as though she didn't know where to look. Her lips quivered slightly, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't bring herself to speak. It was quite amusing to watch.
Just as I was enjoying her flustered reaction, she seemed to come to a decision. Slowly, she opened her mouth, her expression now determined.
"T-then, although it might be a little early, how about I show you around and let you experience what's expected of you as my fiancé?"
"What's expected of me as your fiancé, huh… That phrase sounds rather suggestive. Should I expect something inappropriate?"
"I've always wondered… do you not feel embarrassed at all? How can you say such things with a straight face?"
"Because I know what it's like to regret missing an opportunity after hesitating. So now, I choose not to hesitate."
For a brief moment, I gazed at the air, recalling memories from my previous life.
Just then, Tang Sowol's expression turned slightly sour, and she spoke in a cold tone.
"Hmph. So, someone once made you regret, huh?"
"There's no one now, so you can stop pouting."
"What's that supposed to… Oh…"
Her eyes widened in realization, and she began fidgeting nervously, stealing glances at me as though she'd said something wrong. She wasn't entirely off the mark.
Seeing her look flustered, I shrugged nonchalantly and spoke in a calm tone.
"Don't worry about it. It's really nothing. Now, back to the topic at hand—am I right in thinking what I'm thinking? If so, hurry up and give me an answer."
"All I meant was that, as the Tang Clan's future son-in-law, you should know about the clan's inner workings. That's all it is, so don't get your hopes up for anything strange."
"Too bad. Still, getting to tour the Tang Clan sounds good. To be honest, I was getting a little bored, going back and forth between my room and the training grounds. Can we start right away?"
"Of course. Then how about we begin with the medical hall, which should be the place you'll be most familiar with? If you come with me, I can show you places you wouldn't normally have access to."
"I am curious about that. But is this really related to what a son-in-law is supposed to do?"
"The Tang Clan's medical hall is just as important as our poison hall. You've experienced it firsthand, haven't you? The fine line between poison and medicine."
"Indeed. Even if I won't be working directly in the medical hall, I need to understand how it operates."
"Exactly! After the medical hall, we can visit the forge and the poison hall. Then we'll stop by the training grounds where the inner guards practice, and finally, we'll end at the guest hall, where the clan's hired warriors reside. That should bring us right to dinnertime!"
"I'd love to see everything. But are you sure it's fine to show me all this? Despite the engagement talk, it's still just a verbal promise for now."
"Hehe. It's not about what's said—it's about who says it. No one in the Tang Clan takes Father's words lightly, not even Father himself. Besides…"
"Besides?"
"Even if you were to see everything, the Tang Clan's expertise isn't so shallow that you could replicate it just from looking. So stop worrying and just follow me."
Tang Sowol laughed softly, then took a few steps forward before turning back to look at me, her eyes brimming with expectation.
Her gaze was so openly beckoning that I had no choice but to step beside her. Only then did she seem satisfied, resuming her steps with a pleased expression.
"Do you see that tree over there? I planted it when I was little. I wondered if a seed would really grow into a tree, so I secretly planted it… and, lo and behold, it actually sprouted."
"Hmm, I see."
I gave a vague response, half-listening to her cheerful chatter as we walked side by side.
"Hey! You weren't really listening, were you? You just gave me a random answer!"
Ah, I've been caught.
Though she grumbled a bit, Tang Sowol still led me through the Tang Clan, starting at the medical hall and ending at the guest hall, just as she had promised.
Back when I was with the Black Lotus Sect, I had risen to the rank of a branch leader. Because of that, I had thought, How impressive can the Tang Clan really be?
But I was wrong.
The Tang Clan was far more impressive and infinitely more complex than I had imagined.
The Black Lotus Sect was an organization formed by gathering unorthodox martial artists, so naturally, it operated by the law of strength.
As such, its members valued power above all else, whether it was martial strength, wealth, or some other form of influence.
Perhaps because of that, craftsmen and physicians didn't receive much respect in the Black Lotus Sect.
After all, they didn't fight directly, and their work benefited others rather than themselves.
But the Tang Clan was different.
Maybe it was because they revered the art of poison and hidden weapons, or perhaps it was simply a difference between the orthodox and unorthodox sects.
Whatever the case, it was clear that those who worked for the Tang Clan carried a sense of pride and fulfillment.
By the time we finished the tour of the guest hall, I finally understood something: Tang Sowol hadn't just wanted to show me around; she had wanted me to see the Tang Clan for what it truly was.
I began to comprehend why the Tang Sowol of my previous life had been so attached to her clan, why she had been so obsessed with revenge, and why she had wanted to build something with me.
Now, I could see it more clearly.
"This is a good place. The Tang Clan."
"Isn't it? It's your home now, too, you know."
"Home, huh…"
Come to think of it, while I had stayed in many places over the years, I never really had a place I could call home.
"Hmph! Do you understand now what kind of person you kidnapped?"
Tang Sowol tilted her chin upward slightly, smiling smugly. Her posture caused the line of her neck to stand out, drawing attention. Seeing this, I nodded seriously in response.
"Yes. The next time I kidnap someone, I should only do so if I'm confident I can escape from the entire Tang Clan."
"Couldn't you start by considering a peaceful solution instead?"
"I tried that, but you wouldn't listen."
"Ah…"
Embarrassed, Tang Sowol quickly averted her gaze. I moved to stand in front of her, so that wherever she looked, her eyes would meet mine.
"When having a conversation, you should look the other person in the eye."
Startled, Tang Sowol reflexively slapped my shoulder. She didn't use internal energy, and her strength was controlled, so it didn't hurt.
"What was that for?"
"When words don't work, you resort to force. Isn't that something you taught me?"
"If I recall correctly, you still lost to me despite that approach."
Tang Sowol narrowed her black eyes in annoyance and began lightly hitting my shoulder repeatedly, as if trying to dispel her embarrassment.
Slap! Slap!
Although it didn't hurt, we inevitably drew attention.
Well, it couldn't be helped. Anyone from the Tang Clan would naturally be curious seeing me and Tang Sowol playfully bickering like this.
"Is that him?"
"He looks younger than my son."
"Come now, he must be an impressive person, just like the young lady."
"They seem to get along well."
"Well, considering how much the Clan Leader pampered her when he brought him here…"
They probably thought they were whispering, but to martial artists like us, their voices were perfectly audible.
Tang Sowol, who had been fervently smacking my shoulder, froze mid-action and slowly lowered her hand. The atmosphere grew slightly awkward, and she cleared her throat with an exaggerated cough.
"Ahem. Anyway, we've completed a full circuit. Shall we head back now?"
"Let's do that. It's just about time to train a bit and then get some sleep."
"You really love training, don't you, Cheon Hwi-da?"
"Who truly loves training? It's just something that needs to be done. It's necessary."
"Necessary, huh… But, you know, too much solitary training isn't good either."
"Hmm?"
"Martial arts aren't something you perform alone—they involve interacting with others. So, what I'm saying is…"
Tang Sowol fidgeted, as if hesitant to speak, but eventually, she seemed to resolve herself and looked straight at me, opening her mouth to say something—
Only to have her words drowned out by a shout from the distance.
"Sowol-ah!!!"
Turning toward the source of the voice, I saw a man in green martial robes running toward us, waving enthusiastically.
His face bore a striking resemblance to Tang Sowol's.