---

Many people were lined up.

A Black-haired Woman gazed at her hands as if she were filled with excitement. Looking at Bong-Soon, Tang Soyeol asked.

“…Bong Young Lady, are you feeling good?”

“Yep!”

Bong-Soon responded with a bright smile upon hearing the question.

“I felt so good. I want to touch it again. Should I ask that brother to let me touch it again when I see him?”

“…I don’t know about the touching part, but my heart did skip a beat.”

And calling him “brother.” Upon hearing that title, Tang Soyeol felt a dizzying sensation.

Shin Ryong of Shaolin.

An emblematic figure among countless geniuses referred to as the generation of Yuseong and one of the most famous martial artists in recent years.

With attention already focused on his sudden appearance, it was astonishing that that Shin Ryong would allow someone to touch his head.

Tang Soyeol thought she might faint from watching.

…And even more so.

‘What does it mean to let someone touch it?’

Shin Ryong permitted Bong-Soon, who came running to touch his hair, to do so.

It was all the more bizarre.

‘Is it consideration?’

If one were to say he was pure and kind-hearted, one would be accurate yet somewhat lacking in describing Bong-Soon.

Did Shin Ryong treat her this way out of pure innocence?

Known as a compassionate figure from Shaolin, it was certainly possible.

‘But….’

It didn’t seem to Tang Soyeol that Shin Ryong looked at Bong-Soon in the same way.

Compassion and consideration.

It felt somewhat different from those sentiments.

At least, that was how it looked to Tang Soyeol.

‘No way.’

It couldn’t be, right?

There’s no way that a figure from Shaolin, who is known to abandon all desires and follow the Buddha’s path, would succumb to desire.

Tang Soyeol just thought it was her misunderstanding.

“Bong Young Lady.”

“Yep?”

“That was really a lucky situation earlier. Asking a bald… I mean, someone lacking hair, to let you touch their head is quite rude.”

Though it wasn’t really about lacking hair, Tang Soyeol bewilderingly rambled on due to her flustered state.

“Yep! I understand!”

Bong-Soon, either roughly getting the statement or simply smiling, nodded her head.

Then she told Tang Soyeol.

“So then, I will save that brother, not kill him. Because I’m thankful.”

“…”

That was a rather chilling statement in a certain way.

It was even more unsettling given her innocent expression when she said it.

“Bong….”

“There’s about to be a deadline! Everyone, please line up!”

Just as Tang Soyeol was about to ask Bong-Soon something, a warning rang out from a martial artist.

“Ah! I need to go now! Sister, I’m going ahead!”

“Wait—!”

Before Tang Soyeol could warn her, Bong-Soon dashed away, the color of her neck token fluttering behind her.

Tang Soyeol shouted after her.

“Don’t forget what the Prince said! Moderation!!”

“Okay!”

Bong-Soon cheerfully waved her arm without looking back, prompting a deep sigh from Tang Soyeol.

“Oh dear, what a headache….”

Of all days… coincidentally, it was also the day of the preliminary round.

Gu Yangcheong had asked her to just let things slide, but she was feeling more drained than she had expected.

A mischief-maker who couldn’t be restrained.

How had such a woman become acquainted with Gu Yangcheong?

‘What is he planning now?’

Tang Soyeol narrowed her eyes, recalling Gu Yangcheong.

Three years had passed since the incident with the Tang Clan.

During that time, Gu Yangcheong had been excessively busy.

Excluding the moments he had spent in solitude training, his life had been a blur of madness.

Gu Yangcheong had engaged in an unfathomable amount of training every single day.

If he had some free time, he would either study poison with her or go out.

That going out appeared to have some sort of purpose behind it too, his expressions had been full of pressure continuously.

Then he would return to training again.

She had hardly seen him properly rest or sleep.

As time gone by, she began to recognize unfamiliar faces.

The ones he would bring back were all individuals with some form of trauma, and Gu Yangcheong’s gaze toward them was as cold as ice.

Was it disgust?

Or avoidance?

He displayed such emotions yet continued to save people without pause.

What on earth was he gathering people for?

She was curious but dared not ask.

She knew it would only make Gu Yangcheong troubled.

Once, there had been a time filled with the stench of blood.

What had he been doing then? Tang Soyeol had never been able to ask.

Later, she found out that he had exterminated a demonic faction that was invading a village while also fighting off a demon beast.

As for the reason, Gu Yangcheong only had commented that.

[I just needed to vent my anger a bit.]

That was how he explained it, but she knew it was much deeper than that.

He was slowly becoming immersed.

As days flowed by, Gu Yangcheong was changing bit by bit.

His realm heightened, and his wisdom grew.

The clan leader of the Tang Clan and the Poison King had remarked that Gu Yangcheong was far more intelligent than expected.

A natural scholar, they would say.

He had never asked for clarification twice on any knowledge shared, and the majority of what he had seen, he memorized it at once.

This was something expressed when they were alone.

Gu Yangcheong would have attained at least the elder level if he had been born into the Tang Clan.

To Tang Soyeol’s eyes, the Poison King’s expression suggested he was adequate for the clan leader position, but he likely withheld that comment due to pride.

An outstanding talent.

If the Poison King’s evaluation was so, Gu Yangcheong certainly surpassed mediocrity.

Yet, he frequently downgraded himself somewhat harshly.

He would mutter that he was slow-witted or lacking talent.

If he had been a genius, surely this task would have been easy for him.

‘What kind of genius is he talking about?’

Who does Gu Yangcheong consider a genius?

Is it the Three Eminent Beings up in the sky?

Or perhaps the other Six Dragons and Three Peaks?

If it were Three Eminent Beings, one could comprehend, but comparing against the Six Dragons and Three Peaks felt slightly misplaced.

‘No matter how you slice it. Isn’t Gu Gongja even more outstanding?’

Tang Soyeol also considered herself to be among the Six Dragons, known as Poison Phoenix.

Comparing her alongside Gu Yangcheong, he undoubtedly triumphed.

No, there was no comparison to even be had.

Who would dare to compare?

In Tang Soyeol’s eyes, Gu Yangcheong was a heaven-sent genius.

His innate power, cleverness, and commanding presence.

All of that with a handsome face.

There wasn’t anyone more perfect than Gu Yangcheong.

Aside from a bit (?) of a hot-headed personality and excessive fortune with women.

‘Fortune with women….’

The term made Tang Soyeol smile wryly.

“Ha.”

Then she let out a deep sigh from within her.

What a vexation.

‘What should I do?’

On the day Nangong Bi-ah departed for the North Sea, Tang Soyeol still remembered the expression Gu Yangcheong had made.

At that time, she became convinced she could never take her place.

Undergoing hellish training had finally elevated her level to heights only dreamed of.

‘What a shame….’

Tang Soyeol felt an inexplicable sense of regret.

Despite having worked incredibly hard just to be by his side, she couldn’t comprehend what it was she was regretting.

Was she seeking a place that couldn’t be attained now?

She didn’t think so, yet she knew.

‘It’s never easy to give up.’

No matter how much one lets go, some things are just not easy to release.

As she reflected on this, Tang Soyeol smiled wryly.

At that moment.

“Tsk.”

A strange sound echoed from behind.

Tang Soyeol wiped the smile off her face and turned to regard the source of the sound.

Not far away, a man, who drew attention among the people around, was staring at her.

The man was someone Tang Soyeol recognized.

His scowling face indicated he was looking at her disapprovingly.

Yu Tan-Geom.

A martial artist known for his exceptional swordsmanship and high level in the Transformation Realm.

He was the one who had had a minor conflict with Tang Soyeol last time.

Seeing him here meant he was likely participating in the preliminary rounds as well.

“…”

Yu Tan-Geom’s gaze fixed on Tang Soyeol as they locked eyes.

It was rather interesting.

The emotions that once boiled vigorously at the thought of him quickly cooled down upon their meeting.

Her body and gaze began to settle.

As she peered at Yu Tan-Geom like a stone on the ground, he began to walk slowly toward her.

Closing the distance gradually.

When they were less than three steps apart, Yu Tan-Geom spoke to Tang Soyeol.

“I see that friend isn’t here today.”

At Yu Tan-Geom’s remark, Tang Soyeol nodded slightly.

“If that friend, could you clarify whom you’re referring to?”

“The one who’s mentioned as the Poison Phoenix of the Gu Clan. That young one who insulted me.”

“…”

“I was quite curious and looked into who they were. Turns out, they were more impressive than I expected.”

A hint of a smile appeared on Yu Tan-Geom’s lips.

“I wondered why they acted so confidently against me… Well, if that friend is truly so outstanding, it makes sense. I was like that at their age too.”

As Gu Yangcheong’s story came up, a furrow formed in Tang Soyeol’s eyebrows.

“With that kind of talent, they’re bound to be arrogant. I’ve heard they just barely passed their coming of age. At such a juvenile age, that’s quite concerning.”

Seeing him talk as if he knew much made it seem he had gathered quite a lot of information.

“That’s what you’d think. They believed rumors of their talent and acted that way.”

Rumors of talent.

What that meant was quite clear.

After all, not many believed the rumors about the youngest Transformation Realm Martial Artist attributed to Shin Ryong.

The tale of him single-handedly blocking off Transformation Realm Martial Artists must also be false. The event at Shinryong Temple must have had other interventions involved.

Yet, despite those circumstances, the rumors had spread to such a point that the faction merely let it be.

That was the story of them in connection with Poison Phoenix.

Of course, it was strange due to Yu Tan-Geom’s brief engagement with Poison Phoenix but still, it felt inevitable.

Though many had stated that Yu Tan-Geom had not shown his full strength during their engagement.

That was expected.

How could someone at the Late-Stage of Talents ever match Yu Tan-Geom in a contest of swords? It must have simply been that Yu Tan-Geom chose to give them courtesy.

People tended to believe that.

Listening to Yu Tan-Geom, Tang Soyeol then said.

“Senior, I’m curious what exactly you wish to convey.”

She interrupted him, appearing fatigued by the conversation.

That caused Yu Tan-Geom’s expression to twist.

“Such rudeness from you, my dear Tang Young Lady. It seems that neither you nor that friend of yours yet grasp your place.”

Right, so a guesswork made from such absurd rumors had caused him to puff up with indignation.

A child from a prestigious family unable to forget the past.

He still looked oblivious about his circumstance.

“Arrogance….”

Tang Soyeol chewed on Yu Tan-Geom’s words before letting out a laugh.

Not the smile she reserved for Gu Yangcheong but a full-on derisive chuckle.

“Who’s speaking to whom here…?”

“What?”

Yu Tan-Geom clenched his teeth and opened his mouth, but Tang Soyeol was quicker.

“Isn’t it you, Senior, who is blindfolded and unable to look outside? While that friend might still be youthful, you’ve long past the age for such folly. That’s unfortunate.”

Even if we are youthful and ignorant, you’re way past that threshold, are you not? Isn’t it pitiful?

The implied meaning was there.

“Ha. You little…!”

Yu Tan-Geom grasped what she meant and reached out to catch Tang Soyeol.

Yet.

Swish—!

“What?”

All that met Yu Tan-Geom’s outstretching hand was emptiness.

Tang Soyeol had already disappeared.

Where did she go?

Yu Tan-Geom appeared caught off guard as he looked for Tang Soyeol.

Suddenly—

“…!”

Yu Tan-Geom flinched.

Something was pressing down on his back.

“Do you know?”

The voice that reached him sent a tremor through his breath.

It was Tang Soyeol.

She had suddenly grabbed him from behind!

When did she move so quickly?

Yu Tan-Geom hadn’t even noticed.

“The plum wine at the Yeonghwa Inn isn’t quite as tasty. Isn’t it strange? It’s advertised as the main product, yet its flavor is disappointing.”

A somewhat abrupt statement, but Yu Tan-Geom’s body stiffened at her words.

The Yeonghwa Inn.

That was the name of the inn where Yu Tan-Geom had stayed.

“The prices are a little more than the surroundings but the walls are thin, so soundproofing is poor. I found that Hwa-Wol Young Lady seems a bit more vocal than Yang-Wol Young Lady.”

“…”

Cold sweat trickled down his back.

Hwa-Wol was the name of the courtesan Yu Tan-Geom had spent last night with, while Yang-Wol was the name of the courtesan he had shared company with the night before.

“Wha…what are you talking about?”

“I’m merely expressing my concern for a senior.”

How chilling.

Yu Tan-Geom was already aware of what those words entailed.

“Senior, I’ve noticed that you drink with your left hand. Strangely enough, you’re right-handed.”

“So you….”

“After finishing your training, you’d always drink plum wine. Did you enjoy it? Two bottles two days ago, four yesterday. With the martial arts tournament just around the corner, might I suggest you cut back on the drinking?”

Yu Tan-Geom’s cheeks began to tremble.

Given that he was in Hanam, intending to suppress his Qi perception, how was it that she had observed him so thoroughly?

“Ordinary habits can be dangerous to break. After all, you never know when someone might poison a drink you’ll consume after training, right?”

“Y-you!”

Turning on him in a fury, Yu Tan-Geom whipped around.

At that moment.

Tap.

Something sharp pressed against Yu Tan-Geom’s heart.

It was Tang Soyeol’s dagger.

In a position so close that no one else could see, Tang Soyeol held her dagger to Yu Tan-Geom’s heart.

“Don’t send people to me unnecessarily. I’m getting tired of cleaning up after it.”

Tang Soyeol whispered in his ear with a light breath.

“From now on, live in fear. Whatever it is you do, you never know what I might do to you.”

Whether you go to the lavatory,

Eat,

Drink,

Or even embrace a woman.

I can do anything to you, so please live carefully.

As Tang Soyeol delivered her warning, Yu Tan-Geom’s pupils quivered incessantly.

Was it due to her warning?

Yu Tan-Geom could no longer speak, just staring silently at Tang Soyeol.

Watching him, Tang Soyeol sparkled with a bright smile.

“Until next time, Senior.”

With that light greeting, she gracefully made her exit. As she walked away, she wondered.

‘Should I kill him?’

He was becoming quite a nuisance by sticking around like this.

Only because he hadn’t mentioned Gu Yangcheong, she had initially let it slide and wanted to avoid an overt confrontation, all because Gu Yangcheong had appeared cool for trying to protect her.

‘He’s speaking a bit too freely for his age.’

At this rate, she thought she might just need to clear him out.

As those thoughts crossed her mind, Tang Soyeol made her way toward her own path.

 

---