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Ghostly Flower and the Engaging Chaos

“There exists a thing known as Ghostly Flower.”

It blooms only in the damp regions of the west.

Though it appears beautiful, it is a type of poisonous plant that induces dreadful illusions upon accidental ingestion.

Rumor has it among some circles that the Demonic Faction concocts hallucinogens from it, making it quite a notorious poison.

Furthermore, it’s also used to extract confessions from criminals, and can even be employed as a torture poison if taken further.

Squirm, squirm.

The Poison King knows.

He knows there’s a certain flavor to Ghostly Flower.

If one has sufficient tolerance to the poison, it could be a sought-after plant nationwide.

Of course, the average person lacks such immunity, unable to endure or cultivate it.

That’s why the Poison King favored the Ghostly Flower.

It was his own… no, to be precise, it was only enjoyed within the Tang Clan.

He could relish better flavor at a much lower price than other expensive tea leaves.

On a night when the full moon shone brightly.

Slurp.

The master of the Tang Clan, the Poison King, sat alone on the floor, sipping Ghostly Flower Tea.

He preferred this tea over harsh spirits.

The only difference was that all such teas were crafted from poisonous plants.

As he enjoyed the scenery, taking two or three sips, someone approached from behind him.

A woman cautiously drew near and bowed her head in respect.

“…Did you call for me, Master?”

The woman’s name was Nahi.

On the surface, she worked as a maid for the Tang Clan.

But in essence, she was the deputy leader of a secret assassination group operating under the Tang Clan, the Bi-Chal-Gwi Corps.

Without looking at Nahi, the Poison King spoke.

“What do you see?”

Upon hearing his words, Nahi slowly knelt on one knee.

With her gaze cast downward, she began to report in a calm voice.

“Three on the left of the entrance. Two positioned at the top, and four members placed inside. All nine have been discovered.”

Nahi began reporting about an incident that occurred a few hours ago, and as the Poison King listened, he cast Nahi a strange look.

It was a displeased expression.

“Is your report incorrect?”

“…”

“Including you, ten in total. They must’ve been spotted by Gu Gongja?”

“…I apologize. I will rectify this.”

Nahi’s head lowered even further. The Poison King was right.

She too had indeed been noticed by that youth.

Nahi clenched her white hand into a fist.

-That person didn’t seem like someone who would do maid work.

The youth’s words buzzed in her ears. How was she caught?

Was her response inadequate?

No, she was skilled at concealing her presence, and was relatively adept at it.

Moreover, under the Poison King’s order, she had been sincere in her work.

It seemed that the young Gu Yangcheong recognized her the moment he saw her.

‘The first nine were understandable in some way.’

That she herself was recognized was something Nahi hadn’t anticipated.

Did the Poison King read her thoughts?

He chuckled softly and said, “Don’t worry too much. Thanks to you, I experienced something amusing.”

“…”

The Poison King smiled as he took another sip of Ghostly Flower Tea.

At first, it was a simple test.

Hearing how extraordinary Gu Yangcheong was piqued his interest, leading him to play a little trick.

To think he would sprinkle Qi outright the moment he entered!

Who would have thought he would discover even the deputy leader Nahi?

She was a formidable figure, mastering the assassin’s art.

If Nahi wished, she could certainly infiltrate the Seven Night Assassins under the King of Demons as well.

That the Child of Gu Family would discern her true identity so easily was astonishing.

‘How did he do it?’

The Poison King could only see it as curious.

Moreover, thanks to Nahi’s previous message, he could erase the trace of his daughter who was hiding nearby.

If Nahi could notice her, then surely she would easily detect the presence of Tang Soyeol hidden in the backroom.

The Poison King had made substantial preparations in advance for this.

Recalling that, he couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.

‘…For someone of my age, I’m doing everything for my daughter.’

What a sight to behold, he sighed.

Additionally, although it was ostensibly for Tang Soyeol’s benefit, like everyone else, the Poison King initially had reservations about Gu Yangcheong.

What father would want to send his precious daughter to someone who carouses with women?

In the beginning, he had determined to find a way to tear them apart.

But now, his thoughts had changed a little.

‘At that age, already in the Transformation Realm…’

Upon meeting Gu Yangcheong directly, the Poison King was certain.

He had undoubtedly crossed the peak and reached the Transformation Realm. Before the age of twenty?

That was an unrecorded level in history!

Seeing Gu Yangcheong’s potential and future, it didn’t seem bad—rather, it was remarkably promising.

In the Poison King’s eyes, Gu Yangcheong was guaranteed to become the greatest in the world in the future.

It felt as though he had inherited his father’s talent.

Seeing that,

He might not have gotten along with others, but,

He believed his child would be different.

Breaking through the Central Plains governed by the Three Eminent Beings, and rising to the highest position.

Moreover, contrary to rumors about being a womanizer, Gu Yangcheong didn’t seem like that at all.

It might not be accurate, but wasn’t it said that heroes were often drawn to women?

Considering the value Gu Yangcheong possessed, he could exceed that kind of expectation.

Not to mention, his daughter was infatuated with him.

‘No wonder she acted so lovey-dovey.’

The Poison King shook his head, recalling his daughter.

He knew that his daughter’s judgment was far from ordinary.

What sort of man could satisfy the gaze of Tang Soyeol?

Yet, someone who matched those eyes had suddenly appeared.

If Tang Soyeol was so smitten with Gu Yangcheong as to risk running away from home, then the Poison King was prepared to acknowledge it.

If it were an average guy, he would have torn them apart by any means necessary.

But if it was Gu Yangcheong, who was already making a name for himself across the Central Plains at such a young age, with a good chance of becoming the greatest, the Poison King could accept it.

‘I never expected him to give such a response in front of me.’

The Poison King recalled a remark Gu Yangcheong made at the dining table.

– I dislike that.

When he had said to stay away from Tang Soyeol, the Poison King himself seemed to be addressed so boldly.

Unless the marriage with the Nangong Clan was annulled, staying away from his daughter was out of the question.

Gu Yangcheong declared he would do neither.

How could he be so audacious?

Was it the impudent defiance of youth?

No matter what it was, it was a selfish statement.

Yet the Poison King believed Gu Yangcheong had the talent to bear such selfishness.

Had Tang Soyeol not intervened prematurely, he might have learned deeper answers, which was a slight pity.

The Poison King reflected on that and nodded slightly.

‘Well, if he wants to take my daughter, he better reach the pinnacle.’

He cherished his daughter like treasure.

It would be better to give her to someone with a secured future than an incompetent fool with nothing.

‘But there’s one snag.’

If he were to be betrothed to her in the future,

It would mean having to send his precious daughter as a concubine.

That was something the Poison King could not easily permit.

After all, it would create a significant gap with the Nangong Clan.

Clink.

As the teacup trembled with motion, the Poison King exhaled.

‘This aspect… will be hard to concede.’

It had already been an engagement, it seemed.

Even so, it didn’t matter. There were ways.

Though it might not be entirely clean, that was the issue.

After swallowing the tea he was stirring, the Poison King collected his breath and looked at Nahi.

“We will set out in three days, so prepare thoroughly without gaps.”

“Understood. What should I do about tomorrow’s schedule?”

“The leader… No, I shouldn’t call him that now. Since Nakgeom is coming this way, just be mindful of that.”

“Yes, Master.”

Although he was still in the position of the leader, as he mentioned, Nakgeom would soon step down.

After that, there would likely be much talk surrounding the head of the Martial Alliance.

‘The Wudang Sect will certainly attempt to pounce once again.’

It was a well-known tale that the sect leader from Wudang was eyeing the leader’s position.

This time would likely be no different.

Unexpectedly enough, however…

‘There are rumors of the Sword King wanting the leader’s seat.’

Whispers floated about the Peng Family’s master wanting to take the Martial Alliance’s helm.

Recalling that, the Poison King couldn’t help but smirk.

‘Impossible.’

Could that incompetent fellow even dream of sitting in that position?

It seemed utterly implausible.

It would instead be more likely for the Sword King’s son to step up.

Yet he still coveted the leader’s position.

‘Seems he is unaware of his standing.’

Just like before, he was still a greedy man as big as his stature.

‘In fact, I wouldn’t care who it lands on.’

The Poison King’s eyes turned cold.

In fact, having the Sword King as the leader would be more convenient.

Being a fool, he would be easier to handle.

The surprising part was that the Sword King, who once seemed to share a similar vibe, exhibited no interest in this matter.

‘Something had changed.’

Perhaps it was the atmosphere.

More accurately, the momentum had shifted.

The prickly feeling he once sensed from Nangong Jin lessened. It was filled with the sharp energy of Sword Mastery, like the Sword King’s title.

It hadn’t been long, yet what had transpired?

As he pondered, tsk, tsk. The Poison King momentarily closed his eyes, clearing his mind.

‘It doesn’t matter.’

Whatever changes there were within them, they were of no concern to him.

What was significant now was a different matter.

His daughter’s future was valuable, no doubt.

Yet, what mattered even more to the Poison King was something beyond that.

“Nahi.”

“Yes, Master.”

Nahi raised her head at the call of the Poison King.

What met her gaze was the luminous full moon above.

Matching it, there were deeply glowing, dark green eyes.

Though the Poison King wore a smile, Nahi felt herself shrink away at the sight of it.

“Convey this to the Tang Clan: tell them to start heating the experimental platform right away.”

“…Understood.”

After delivering her reply, Nahi slowly faded into the darkness.

She carried out her master’s commands.

Right after Nahi disappeared, the Poison King turned his head back toward the moon.

The Poison King thought.

What a uniquely bright night it was; perfect for sipping tea.

Having finished my meal with the Poison King, I returned to the inn where I was staying.

As I entered the building, I immediately patted my belly.

“…I feel nauseous.”

My stomach felt quite upset.

I wondered if this was the effect of the nerves I had been holding onto finally showing up.

Recalling the previous meal, I had to catch my breath.

‘That man was a lot more slippery than I expected.’

I grimaced as I pictured the Poison King’s tone and expressions.

He was indeed a rather difficult individual to deal with.

Based on my direct interaction, I would say:

‘He felt the most like a clan leader.’

Among the heads of the Four Great Clans that I had met, he seemed the most like a genuine clan leader.

He may not wield overwhelming strength, but he certainly had a political adeptness, controlling the flow of conversation and the atmosphere.

Thanks to that, I needed to concentrate hard to not get swept away by the current.

‘What does he want from me?’

The Poison King looked at me as if he wanted something, but I had no clue what it might be.

Let alone,

‘…Is he letting that go?’

It felt as if he were letting me off the hook for my rudeness.

The absurd statement that I wouldn’t give up the engagement or Tang Soyeol seemed evident.

I’m sure he heard it, yet during the meal, he hadn’t brought it up at all.

Could it be because Tang Soyeol had interrupted?

Thanks to that, the conversation might have switched to the main topic without lingering.

Yet, I couldn’t help but feel a ball of discomfort.

‘For the time being, we set out in five days.’

Thankfully, I had succeeded in setting the schedule for the Journey to Sichuan.

It seemed the Poison King wasn’t overly concerned about who was accompanying us.

In fact, it felt more like he was pleased with it—though that might just be a misconception.

‘As for the Paewoocheol side… Did Woo Cheol say he would handle that?’

Like the Tang Clan, Paewoocheol, which was also rooted in Sichuan, was set to accompany us.

When he mentioned going with the Tang Clan, he wore a subtle expression, but he hadn’t said it was a problem, so I felt it would be okay.

Now, what remained was:

‘Finishing the training in five days.’

Accomplishing the training assigned by the Pejon within that timeframe.

To that end, I figured I would likely head to the cave even now, with it being nighttime.

As I had that thought and moved, suddenly—

Tug.

Someone pulled at my sleeve.

Following the direction of the force, I turned to see it was none other than Tang Soyeol.

After having dinner, I was walking to the inn with Tang Soyeol.

Meanwhile, when did she start grabbing me?

I looked at her oddly, and Tang Soyeol smiled at me.

Her signature eye smile felt unusually deep.

Since we had left the dining hall, Tang Soyeol hadn’t said a word to me.

Whenever I glanced at her, she merely smiled, engaging in little conversation.

Overall, it was apparent that she was in a good mood just from her smile.

Seeing that, I ultimately took the initiative to ask.

“What’s up?”

“Hmm?”

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

“Hehe! No, I’m not!”

“…Okay.”

Surely, good things would be good. Thinking so, I decided to continue walking.

After arriving at the inn and parting ways with Tang Soyeol, I headed to my room.

I planned to hastily grab clothes and head straight to the cave.

It appeared that in order to complete my training, I’d need to minimize sleep, so I was preparing for several all-nighters.

The moment I stepped into my room.

“What the…?”

I grimaced upon noticing something bulging on my bed.

Clearly, someone was lying on my bed.

I sprang up right after confirming that.

“…Who the heck is this?”

Could it be another Sleeping Dragon? This had happened before, could it be Woo Hyeok again?

Why does he keep showing up like this?

Without hesitation, I ripped the blanket off.

“I clearly told you not to come…”

Just as I was about to rant while pulling the blanket down—

I had to shut my mouth in an instant upon seeing the figure lying on my bed.

It wasn’t the Sleeping Dragon. There were not one, but two people snoozing on my bed.

Had the noise stirred them?

One of them rubbed her eyes and sat up groggily.

“Gong…za-nim…?”

The woman who yawned softly and rose was Wi Seol-Ah.

The other one, who continued to sleep unaffected, was Nangong Bi-ah.

“What the….”

I exchanged glances with Wi Seol-Ah, contemplating this absurd situation.

Just as I barely regained my composure and was about to question Wi Seol-Ah about what was going on—

Creeeak-!

The door I had closed swung open abruptly, and someone entered.

“Gongza-nim…! Actually, I wanted to talk….”

“Ah.”

Striding boldly into the room was none other than Tang Soyeol.

I turned my gaze sharply to her, realizing I needed to handle the situation unfolding in the room.

Yet, upon witnessing the scene in the room, Tang Soyeol stood rigid, her face frozen like stone.

 

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