In fantasy novels, powerful clans like the Namgoong are often described as having vast territories. But I think I might have underestimated what "vast" really means.
"Are you sure this isn't a city?" I asked, standing in front of the Jiang clan's gate.
I expanded my mana perception. Four massive gates stood at each cardinal direction, and the entire area was enclosed by high walls. Just by scanning the mana flow within, I could sense well over a hundred thousand people living here.
"Yeah… I get what you're feeling. But this really is the Jiang family's territory," Tianluo replied.
"And I'm supposed to become an honorary grand elder in this clan?"
"Yep. That was the will of the late Grand Elder Jiang."
"…"
I stopped being surprised. This kind of thing was starting to feel… normal in this absurdly vast world.
"Hey! You guys got here before us!" Kagura called out as she arrived with Ballack from the Adventurer's Guild.
"Looks like it," Tianluo said casually.
"Hoho, for a mage, you're dressed more like a frontline brawler," Ballack teased.
"Hm… but I've got to admit, you're just as handsome as Tianluo. Though Tianluo still a little ahead," Kagura added with a grin.
"Really? Maybe I should ask Mei for her opinion then," I said nonchalantly.
"Ahaa… So you are interested in Mei, huh?" Kagura smirked.
"Huh? Seriously?" Tianluo looked at me in surprise.
"Which part of what I said gave you that idea?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Sure, I was a little interested in Mei, but I was pretty confident I hadn't shown anything suspicious. No weird expressions, no strange behavior.
"Woman's intuition," Kagura replied with a playful smile.
"Oh yeah? Who's to say I'm not actually interested in you?"
"…"
Kagura only smiled and stepped closer, her movement slow, deliberate.
Then she leaned in closer than necessary. Her soft lavender scent wrapped around me, something floral with a hint of spice. Perfume? Shampoo? I couldn't tell, but it suited her. I held still, refusing to flinch or back away.
Her lips were inches from mine now, her breath brushing my skin. If someone took a picture from behind, it would absolutely look like we were about to kiss. My heart pounded louder than I liked to admit.
Tianluo and Ballack, traitorous bastards that they were, just watched with bored expressions, like they'd seen this scene a hundred times.
Kagura's hand brushed lightly against my chest just the fingertips, barely a touch and I swear it sent a jolt through my spine. Then, just as I thought she might actually close the gap between us...
She stopped. Smirked. Turned her face slightly away.
"Yeah. You're not into me."
"...Huh?"
"Your heart raced, your face flushed a little... but your eyes? They didn't hunger. No spark of real desire. Just... appreciation." She tapped a finger on my chest. "You liked the view, sure but that's about it. Put a different pretty face in front of you, and the reaction would've been the same."
I exhaled, realizing I'd been holding my breath. "You're scary good at that."
"I know," she said sweetly, then turned to walk ahead, hips swaying just enough to remind me she knew the effect she had.
"Though," I muttered, "that view really was something..."
Tianluo clapped me on the back. "Careful, brother. That's a dangerous path."
Ballack chuckled. "Fan the flames too much, and you'll get burned."
I sighed. "Wasn't fanning anything... just appreciating the fire."
"…Fair. But can you really tell the difference between being interested in a person and just general attraction?" I added
"Trust me she can," Tianluo said.
Ballack nodded silently.
So she really saw through me when I mentioned Mei earlier.
"So you are into Mei?" Tianluo asked.
"…(sigh)… You could say that. But is that gonna be a problem now that I'm about to become an elder?"
"That's one issue, but…" Tianluo hesitated.
"Yuemei is already engaged," Kagura said bluntly.
"Hmm… Is it one of those political arrangements where the couple doesn't even like each other?"
"No, it's not one of those political arrangements. They've genuinely been in love for years. Mei and Lin An were childhood friends who naturally grew into a couple. The engagement just made official what was already obvious to everyone."
Yup. Another novel trope bites the dust. And just like that, my first love ended before it even began.
No point in sulking. Time to train my poker face.
"I see… Well, that's that then. It's not like I was in love or anything. Just… intrigued."
With that, I stepped into the Jiang family residence.
Tianluo and the others exchanged glances, then followed behind me.
*
Meanwhile...
"Grrh… As expected of the Jiang clan. They even have an elite guard protecting Jiang Bailou's successor," growled a bloodied man clad in black.
Before him stood another figure in matching attire his opponent surrounded by the chaos of battle as their squads clashed violently.
(The patriarch warned us not to speak to enemies… better to avoid exposing our identities. That means there's only one option: kill the guards and capture the target.)
"All forces. No retreat! Full assault! Wipe them out!"
"Tch, the guards around Jiang Bailou's successor are too skilled. What's the plan, Captain?" one attacker asked.
"We can't afford to retreat. If he enters the Jiang clan's main estate, we'll never reach him. This is our only chance!"
Both sides clashed again. The battle was fierce. Blood was spilled, lives lost. Yet not a single civilian noticed even though the fight took place in broad daylight.
Such was the silent war of professional assassins.
In the end, only the two captains remained, both fatally wounded.
"For the Xiao Clan!" one captain roared as he charged, bleeding but unyielding.
"For the Cao Clan!" the other cried out in unison, his final strike mirroring his rival's.
They launched their final attacks and died nearly simultaneously.
*
"Greetings to the patriarch."
Tianluo gave a simple salute as we met the head of the Jiang family. Though it seemed formal, I could tell it was mostly just a polite habit. Kagura and Ballack nodded respectfully.
"Welcome to the Jiang clan, Mr. Gaia Matera. I've heard quite a bit about you from both of my children. I'm Jiang Liang, the current patriarch. Pleased to meet you," Jiang Liang said warmly.
I activated a magic circle embedded in my eyes, a spell I call Soul Eye. It allows me to read the essence of a person's soul. Carving a circle directly onto the body allows fast spellcasting, but it's extremely dangerous. A slight miscalculation in design could be fatal. Simpler circles are safer, but also nearly useless.
"It might sound overpowered, but all Soul Eye really does is let me sense sincerity and buried malice in a person's words. Helpful? Sure. But hardly all-seeing."
(Yup. Not fully sincere, but no hostility either.)
"Nice to meet you, too. I'm Gaia Matera. I was Jiang Bailou's student though I only recently found out who he really was. I always just called him 'Sensei.'"
The elders and people around the room began whispering, but strangely, I didn't sense even a hint of malice.
(Weird. In most stories, there's always at least one guy who hates me and challenges me to a duel. What's going on?)
"Mr. Gaia, regarding your appointment as honorary elder we plan to hold the ceremony in three days. We need time to prepare, and we're also waiting for Elder Sanghyuk to emerge from seclusion," Liang explained.
"Understood," I nodded. I didn't know much about this, so nodding was my safest bet.
After a short chat, Tianluo escorted me to the guest residence where I'd be staying until the ceremony.
As we walked, I admired the Jiang clan's territory, an intriguing blend of sci-fi and traditional Chinese architecture.
According to Tianluo, my temporary residence wasn't far from the patriarch's hall, and also close to where his adventurer party stayed.
Along the way, I spotted Yuemei training with a man dressed in black-and-white robes. His long black hair was tied into a rat-tail ponytail. A faint pink aura surrounded them both.
(So that's Mei's fiancé…)
I immediately put on my best poker face, turned my gaze away, and looked straight ahead. Hopefully, no one noticed.
Unfortunately, Kagura did. She just patted my shoulder and gave me a knowing smile.
As expected… this woman might really have an ability similar to my Soul Eye. Some kind of ether skill, maybe?
When we arrived, Tianluo gave me a quick tour of training grounds, bath areas, and other important spots.
After that, they returned to their place, and I went into my room.
With everything that happened, I hadn't even had a chance to dive into my second origin… or unlock the memories from my past life.
If my hunch is right, I might be able to use the Supreme Heavenly Demon Martial Arts, just like Ryu Ryeon…