Chapter 42. The Engagement Ceremony (2)
"I heard a lot happened in Guangdong Province, so I came to check on your condition as soon as things were settled… Yet here you are, full of energy, swinging your sword as if nothing happened, junior brother."
A few days after returning to the Tang Clan, I was in the training yard, using "training" as an excuse to escape, when Tang Cheong appeared, shaking his head at me.
"I heard you fought until exhaustion dealing with the Hao Mun in Guangdong. If you're feeling inadequate because of that, there's no need to rush. You're already far stronger than one would expect for someone your age."
"Thank you for the concern, but that's not the reason. While I did realize my shortcomings, I know all too well that impatience can lead to ruin."
"This insufferable brat. Then tell me—what exactly happened that has you swinging your sword so fiercely here?"
"Well, the thing is..."
I sheathed my sword and began explaining cautiously.
***
"Brother Cheon! How does this outfit look? Does it suit me?"
After finishing my morning training, I cleaned myself up and returned to my room, only to find Tang Sowol standing there, arms outstretched like she owned the place.
As was typical of Tang Clan attire, the base color was green, but gold embroidery and flowing decorative embellishments made it quite ornate.
It looked less like martial attire and more like something a noblewoman would wear—something luxurious.
Of course, she looked stunning. How could Tang Sowol, wearing fine clothes, not be beautiful?
I was startled by her sudden appearance, but soon nodded and spoke.
"It suits you. It's refreshing to see you in something fitted rather than the usual loose garments."
"Goodness. Are you saying you don't usually like how I dress?"
"How did you come to that conclusion?"
"Just answer me—do you prefer looser clothes or ones like this?"
"I don't have a preference either way."
Tang Sowol frowned slightly, clearly dissatisfied, and pouted as she spoke.
"So, no matter what I wear or how much effort I put into dressing up, you don't care at all?"
"That's not true."
Alarm bells rang in my head, and I instinctively denied her accusation.
"What I meant was, even if you wore rags and went unwashed for days, you'd still look beautiful to me."
"Hmm. But that's a separate matter. Surely you have a preference, don't you?"
"Well... yes, I suppose so."
"Then, from that perspective, how does this outfit fare?"
Faced with her unusually persistent questioning, I paused to think before replying.
"I think this one's better. It feels fresh because it's different from your usual style. But why are you suddenly asking this?"
"I'm deciding what to wear for our engagement ceremony. So, you're saying you prefer something that feels different from the usual, right? Since it's a special occasion, it's better to wear something unique. Alright, I'll try on another outfit with a similar feel."
"Wait. What do you mean you're going to try on another outfit here?"
"Exactly what it sounds like. If this were a wedding, there'd be a specific outfit I'd have to wear. But since it's just an engagement ceremony, as long as it's formal, the attire is relatively flexible."
"Why not just settle on the one you're wearing now?"
"Oh, come on. I've got a few more prepared; we need to compare them! Unless... am I being a bother?"
"No, it's fine. We still have some time before the meal anyway."
"Great! After I decide on my outfit, let's have a meal and then pick out your outfit together."
"That sounds—"
"Hmm? What was that?"
"I mean, I'm looking forward to it so much I'm speechless," I said with a strained smile.
***
"And that's how I spent the whole day either critiquing outfits or giving my thoughts on her choices while she changed."
"Junior brother… Are you bragging to me right now?"
"Excuse me? Did you even listen to what I just said, senior brother?"
"Was I wrong? Sounds to me like Sowol wants to show you her best side. She even let you help pick out her outfit."
"I was hoping you'd focus on the part where I was tortured all day…"
"How is that a bad thing? Don't tell me you found our Sowol bothersome?"
Tang Cheong's gaze sharpened slightly as he stared at me. Letting out a long sigh, I quickly shook my head.
"Of course not. I didn't mean it that way. Would you like to hear more?"
"Hmph. Let's hear it, then."
There was something vaguely prickly about his reaction. Even Tang Cheong, who dotes on his youngest sister, might find what I'm about to say exhausting.
"This happened the next day..."
***
"Brother Cheon, would you like to try this tea?"
"What's this?"
"It's tea brewed with crane spirit grass."
"Are you trying to poison me?"
Crane spirit grass is infamous as a highly toxic herb. Consuming it raw would melt the organs of even a seasoned martial artist. When combined with other poisons, it creates the infamous Seven Steps Soul Chasing Poison—a lethal toxin that kills within seven steps.
And now Tang Sowol was offering me tea brewed with it.
Had I unknowingly done something to upset her? I stared at her face, searching for a clue.
But no matter how hard I thought, I couldn't recall doing anything wrong. Just yesterday, I'd spent all day helping her pick out clothes.
Catching my gaze, Tang Sowol chuckled gleefully.
"Haha! Do you really think I'd serve you something harmful? Don't worry; it's diluted to a safe level."
"That's a relief, but… why are you giving me poison tea in the first place?"
"Because it's necessary."
"You're not planning to poison me and use the antidote as leverage to make me do things, are you?"
"Do you think this is some kind of poison sect?! Of course not! I mean… I might want to have you do a few things, but…!"
"So, there is something."
"Absolutely not! This is for your benefit, young hero."
"How can poison be beneficial? Even if some poisons can be medicinal when used correctly, crane spirit grass is notorious for being pure poison."
"You're very knowledgeable, young hero. Most people without poison-related training wouldn't know that."
"Well, my betrothed specializes in poison, so I thought I should learn a bit."
I'd picked up some basic knowledge from the books I'd read at the Tang Clan's poison library, along with things I'd learned in my past life.
It wouldn't directly help me with martial arts, but knowledge of poisons and medicine is always useful.
Hearing this, Tang Sowol smiled approvingly and nodded.
"Well done. That's a great attitude to have. Shall I pat your head as a reward?"
"No need. And stop treating me like a child."
When I gave her a pointed look, Tang Sowol raised her hands in mock surrender, still smiling.
Her smug grin irritated me more than usual, so I asked again, half-grumbling.
"Fine. How exactly is diluted poison supposed to be good for me?"
"Crane spirit grass is highly toxic, but that also means you can develop a strong resistance to it."
Tang Sowol explained that by drinking increasingly concentrated crane spirit grass tea, I could eventually build complete immunity to its poison.
She continued, "In doing so, you'll also develop resistance to many plant-based toxins. It's incredibly versatile!"
"Huh… That does sound impressive. But if it's so great, why doesn't everyone build immunity to it?"
"That's simple. First, most people don't know how to properly extract and dilute the poison. A single mistake could kill you. Who would gamble their life on that?"
"I see. And the second reason?"
"Money," she said with a knowing smile.
"Money?"
"Exactly. Crane spirit grass is extremely rare and can't be cultivated artificially. Even a single root costs a fortune. And building immunity requires a constant supply. The expense would be enormous."
"And yet, you're giving it to me?"
"Impressed, are you? But don't worry too much..."
Tang Sowol raised her index finger, and from its tip, a dark, viscous droplet formed.
"Thanks to my Poison Spirit Constitution, I can generate it myself."
Ah. That explained it. With her unique constitution, once she'd absorbed the poison, she could reproduce it indefinitely without additional cost.
Relieved, I looked down at the tea.
"Fine. I'll give it a try."
"Go ahead. Drink it all in one go."
Under her expectant gaze, I drank the tea in one gulp.
And immediately, I regretted it.
"Ugh!"
"Brother Cheon?!"
My body felt feverish, my stomach churned, and pain radiated from my core—classic symptoms of poisoning.
Clenching my teeth, I used all my inner energy to suppress the toxin. Meanwhile, Tang Sowol panicked, her hands fluttering nervously.
"W-why is this happening? I was sure the dilution was perfect…"
Supporting my swaying body, she mumbled incoherently.
I exhaled sharply and asked, "Did you account for the enhanced toxicity caused by Self-Poisoning Hybrid Grass?"
"…Ah."
Her dumbfounded expression was the last thing I saw before closing my eyes.
Thankfully, I only ended up with a mild fever and stomach cramps. Still, I spent half the day stuck in the restroom.
***
"So, there was a slight mishap, but it was an effort to help me buildmy resilience to poison. That's all."
"Sounds like Sowol went to a lot of trouble to get you something beneficial," Tang Cheong said with a sly grin.
"Please don't make it sound like she gave me some miraculous tonic, senior brother."
"Well, isn't that what it was?"
That might apply to Tang Clan members like him, but not to me.
Suppressing my complaints, I sighed, only for Tang Cheong to suddenly heave a deep sigh of his own.
"Hah. I came here to tell you that the Hao Mun offered a Gongjin Pill as an apology, but instead, I've spent all this time listening to your stories."
"You should've led with that!"
The Gongjin Pill was a high-grade elixir, just barely in the upper tier.
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[TL]
Happy Christmas! <*~*>