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I opened my eyes wide at the bizarre remark from Tang Juyeok.

…Taste, you say?

‘Am I crazy?’

Only after hearing those words did I begin to understand why the Poison King looked at me that way.

That gentleman, does he think I fancy Nahi in a different way?

“That’s not it. Am I insane?”

“Well, what’s the difference? They say ‘heroic charm’ for a reason.”

“No, that’s not true…!”

“Anyway, please take good care of my lacking little sister. I hope to hear a different title next time we meet.”

“…Huh?”

“Hahaha!”

He said that while patting my shoulder.

It didn’t hurt much, but for some reason, my heart felt heavy.

Thinking this was wrong, I quickly tried to clear up the misunderstanding.

At that moment, Paewoocheol spoke to me.

“By the way, Hyungnim.”

“Yes?”

“Where’s Jiseon Hyungnim?”

He was asking about Cheol Jiseon.

“Oh. That guy.”

Cheol Jiseon, who was staying in Sichuan, seemed to have changed since the meeting with Shin Yi. He frequently went in and out.

Upon hearing that Shin Yi would be joining us, he got stuck in another carriage.

‘He must mean he doesn’t want to see my face.’

It seemed he had an issue with Shin Yi.

I even asked if he was thinking of going somewhere else, but he merely said—

-…I think I should go with you.

and then fell silent.

‘I originally intended to hold onto him and drag him along.’

Cheol Jiseon’s skills were something I needed.

If he had said he wanted to return to his clan, I would have tried to stop him.

But since he was the one saying he wouldn’t go, it was a relief from my perspective.

‘Otherwise, I would have had to use somewhat violent methods to keep him. What a relief.’

As I lightly nodded, Paewoocheol wore a somewhat disappointed expression.

“…That’s a pity. Training with Jiseon Hyungnim was quite enjoyable.”

“…Was it only you who enjoyed it?”

It seemed like Paewoocheol was pushing Cheol Jiseon around unilaterally. Even a bit aggressively.

I still remember how Cheol Jiseon was flailing about helplessly.

“He just thought Jiseon Hyungnim needed some training.”

“Well, that’s true.”

A body that’s hard to consider a martial artist.

A fragile constitution paired with an extremely timid voice.

Paewoocheol might have found Cheol Jiseon suffocating.

But—

“Don’t worry.”

“Huh?”

“Anyway, I’ll be the one managing him from now on.”

“Oh.”

Seeing as I couldn’t bear watching that sight anymore.

I originally planned to have full control over Cheol Jiseon from now on.

‘He’s unaware of this, though.’

From Cheol Jiseon’s perspective, it would be an unfortunate matter, but if I were to keep him by my side, he’d need to be somewhat developed.

I intended to prepare him to the point he could at least act human.

Just as I was thinking this.

“Your Highness, everything’s ready.”

Moyong Hi-ah approached and spoke to me.

Hearing those words and looking around, everything indeed seemed ready.

…Impressive.

In any case, it was evident that Moyong Hi-ah excelled in this area.

“Shall we head out immediately?”

“Yes. Let’s go right away.”

There was no need for further delay.

I was busy, but it was about time for the Tang Clan to get moving too.

I decided to set off without hesitation.

I clasped my hands together and performed Pogo for Tang Juyeok.

“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave.”

This was a courtesy not just to Tang Juyeok but also to the Poison King.

Aware of that, Tang Juyeok quietly returned the gesture.

In the meantime, Paewoocheol continued to wear a look of disappointment, so I nonchalantly mentioned he should come to Gu Clan next time and moved on.

I boarded the carriage right away.

Moyong Hi-ah followed and got into my carriage.

Seeing this, I asked.

“Why are you getting in here? What about Baek Cheon-gyeom, your senior?”

“Didn’t you hear…?”

“Huh? What?”

“Aunt went ahead to Mount Shan.”

“…What?”

Moyong Hi-ah said that as if she were a bit worn out.

She went to Mount Shan ahead…?

“…Why…?”

“…I don’t know. I don’t want to know either.”

Moyong Hi-ah spoke with a hint of annoyance and slumped down next to me.

Why did Baek Cheon-gyeom leave early?

No, to begin with—

‘Wasn’t she supposed to be my guard?’

The person who claimed she would protect me acted on her own whims instead of fulfilling her duty.

She was someone I found utterly incomprehensible.

Now, I decided to give up on understanding her.

She’s probably just a quirky lady… With that thought, my mind felt at ease.

It was about time to set off, so I tried to close my eyes for a moment.

Bang-!

The carriage door, which had been closed, burst open, and someone rushed in.

“Whew….”

The intruder was none other than Tang Soyeol.

The problem was, Tang Soyeol looked far from normal.

Her hair was unkempt, and the weariness was evident in her eyes.

“Tang Young Lady?”

Moyong Hi-ah gasped in surprise, questioning her.

“…I’m so tired….”

“…”

Seeing her like that made me frown.

Given her state, it seemed related to the King of Demons.

Fortunately, she didn’t appear injured, but Tang Soyeol almost collapsed as she flopped onto the carriage.

The space wasn’t very large, making her fall onto Nangong Bi-ah.

Witnessing this, Moyong Hi-ah asked.

“…Should I get you some water?”

“I’m…fine….”

Why on earth did she come here?

That was puzzling, yet I couldn’t bring myself to ask; I knew why Tang Soyeol was in such a state.

“Are you okay?”

The only thing I could say was this.

Whether it was alright to go together or if she had made up her mind to proceed like this.

I couldn’t ask such things.

With great difficulty, I prompted her for an answer.

Tang Soyeol looked at me with weary eyes and managed a weak smile.

“I’m okay.”

“…”

Though she looked exhausted, her voice somehow held its ground.

Hearing Tang Soyeol’s answer made me want to bite my lips.

No words came out, even though I had so much to say.

Not wanting to ask any more questions, I closed my eyes again.

Neighing-!

Not long after, I heard the horses whinnying energetically.

The carriage began to move little by little.

‘Is it actually going back?’

Only now did it hit me.

That I was heading home.

How long has it been since we were off to Gu Clan?

Amidst the fleeting comfort I’d barely managed to grasp, an intense unease began to rise within me.

Clatter-!

The wheels turned.

It felt as if they were wobbling, yet as the horses started galloping, they naturally regained their balance.

I felt that movement while keeping my weary eyes closed.

The rattling sensation and the wind from outside brushing against my hair.

Despite the uncomfortable circumstances, I could finally take a moment to rest, thanks to the fact that one task was completed.

Maybe that’s why.

On the way home, I could finally get some proper sleep after a long time.

Thus, as the carriage gained speed, time passed swiftly.

Time really flowed rapidly.

Summer faded.

Autumn approached.

Before long, autumn departed, and winter arrived once more.

Repetitions of such farewells continued.

Three years.

Before I knew it, three years had passed.

To someone watching, it might seem like a short time.

But in that brief period, countless events unfolded in the Central Plains.

The first news was that the Martial Alliance publicly announced the wrongdoing of the Tang Clan.

The revealed news claimed that the Sichuan Tang Clan had conducted human experimentation for their own benefit and had been abducting children for many years for these experiments.

As the news spread, many were infuriated.

-Punish the Tang Clan!

-How can a righteous faction commit such deeds?

The ripple effects were far greater than expected.

Although it was said they executed the elders who planned the incidents, it was hardly satisfactory to quell the public’s anger towards the Tang Clan.

-The Tang Clan is no longer one of the Four Great Clans.

-How can we call a family that has committed such evil?

Such discussions began to emerge and spread across the Central Plains.

Moreover, it didn’t help that the Tang Clan ceased all businesses while entering Sealing Gate to issue an apology.

As the seasons changed, fewer people referred to the Tang Clan as one of the Four Great Clans.

The tales of the once-glorious Tang Clan began to fade.

What remained now were discussions about which clan would rise to take the place of the empty Four Great Clans.

The second incident was a report that started from Sichuan, revealing that the Red Demon Gate had begun to open at a low tier level.

At that time, it caused quite a commotion.

The appearance of the Red Demon Gate, which hadn’t been seen for centuries.

Consequently, there was significant damage for a while.

While demonic beasts appeared, the peace of the Central Plains held because the dangers of green and blue demonic beasts were relatively low.

Also, the martial artists who could deal with them possessed relatively low skill levels.

However, it was not the case with the Red Demon Beasts.

Master-level martial artists needed to work together to hunt them down.

As a result, the importance of master-level martial artists surged significantly.

Fortunately, despite the expectations of immense damage for over five years, and even ten, the damage caused by the Red Demon Beasts proved to be remarkably lesser than anticipated.

The reason was that as soon as the news of the Red Demon Gate’s emergence spread,

[An Anonymous Informant] disclosed the countermeasures against the Red Demon Beasts through the Beggar Clan.

-Red Demon Beasts possess shields made of ki.

-The shields protect their entire bodies and rotate around them.

-While these shields have the capability to absorb bets, master-level martial artists, if they focus extremely well, can find a gap in the rotating shield.

-Target that spot.

At first, it was hard to believe such a claim.

But it wasn’t long before it was verified that it was indeed true.

Thanks to that.

As the countermeasures spread, the projected calamity was significantly mitigated.

Furthermore, the opening frequency of the Red Demon Gate was notably lower compared to other tiers.

What’s crucial here is that, regardless of what it was, the title of the era known as the peace period had been tarnished.

The third incident was that

[The leader of the Martial Alliance has changed.]

Immediately after Nakgeom Jangcheon’s departure, the alliance had to appoint a new leader, and a political struggle ensued.

The selection of the leader occurred secretly within the Martial Alliance, so little was known, yet the information that did surface indicated that the Sect Leader of Wudang and the Pang Clan Leader had clashed over the position.

Shortly thereafter, news arrived that Wudang’s Sword Master ascended to the position of leader following Nakgeom Jangcheon.

This was an unprecedented event.

It marked the first time since the founding of the Martial Alliance that a martial artist from a sect became the leader.

And lastly, the fourth incident was.

The Red Demon Gate rampaging from Cheonghae.

As a result, news spread of Cheonghae Ilgeom, the leader of the Kunlun Sect, dying.

 

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