Chapter 67. No Leaving the Manor
Cheon Hwi-da, along with the Dark Soul Unit and its leader, descended from Zhongnan Mountain and made their way to the Tang Clan.
As expected, they encountered an ambush by assassins. However... as long as the King of Assassins wasn't present himself, it wasn't a serious threat.
After all, they had the leader of the Dark Soul Unit, a seasoned supreme martial artist, on their side.
Thanks to that, even though they faced significantly more first-class assassins and Soul Reapers than last time, they managed to dispatch them with much greater ease.
With this matter taken care of, there shouldn't be any major problems later on, even when the Ghost Shadow Thief returns to the grave he has prepared for himself.
Aside from the assassins, the journey to the Tang Clan was uneventful. Upon arrival, I and Tang Sowol were met with mixed gazes of concern and relief from the clan retainers and household members, who had already heard the news.
Then, we heard Tang Jincheon declare,
"From now on, the two of you are forbidden from leaving Chengdu for the next three years."
"What? F-Father, why?!"
"Hm. To be honest, if every time you two go out, you end up in situations like this, even I would impose a restriction…."
"Be quiet! Whose side are you even on, sir?!"
"Wait, was there even a side to take here?"
As I let out a long sigh, Tang Jincheon spoke again, his voice slightly trembling.
"Sowol. And you, my future son-in-law. To put it plainly… I am anxious and afraid."
"Father???"
"You are both strong for your age. And I, too, am strong enough to be counted among the ten greatest martial artists in the Central Plains… But even so, the mere thought of you encountering someone beyond your level, in a place beyond my reach, terrifies me."
"Well…"
Even Tang Sowol couldn't immediately respond. She hesitated, perhaps taken aback by how directly her father voiced his concerns.
The sharpness in her gaze softened, her lips—previously pressed in stubborn defiance—relaxed, and her hands, which had been resting on her hips, slowly returned to her sides.
Because she knew.
She knew that everything we had gone through was far from ordinary. That it had been dangerous. And, most importantly, that it had happened far too often.
If all martial journeys were like ours, there wouldn't be so many young prodigies wandering alone after leaving their sects.
"Of course, I'm not saying you should never leave Chengdu for the rest of your lives. I just wish for my anxious heart to be at ease… at least until you both achieve a higher level of martial attainment."
"…Father…"
Tang Sowol fell silent for a moment before speaking in a calm voice.
"In three years, the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering will be held."
"I can't stop you from attending that. Besides, seeing how quickly you both are growing, I believe three years will be enough for me to rest easier."
In truth, even a first-class martial artist wouldn't be easily beaten up wherever they went. At that level, one could serve as the head of a small martial hall or join the combat units of a respectable sect.
That was likely why Tang Jincheon had felt assured enough to allow Tang Sowol to step into the martial world in the first place.
…Only for her to get kidnapped by me right away.
Regardless, Tang Sowol was now significantly stronger than she had been back then.
Her hidden weapon techniques, which had been somewhat unrefined, had vastly improved after training under the leader of the Dark Soul Unit. She had even mastered Soul-Chasing Flying Butterflies, albeit only one technique from the set.
And as for her poison arts? There was no need to even mention it. It had already been some time since she'd become capable of bringing down supreme martial artists stronger than herself.
Though her poison arts had grown more potent due to the Purple Flower Poison Enhancing Grass, the real reason for her rapid improvement lay elsewhere. She had fought real battles, faced mortal danger, and, through those experiences, gained a deeper understanding of martial arts as a whole.
For martial artists, crisis is opportunity. As long as one doesn't die, one always walks away with something.
That was how I had managed to reach the supreme realm with an unorthodox martial path.
And that was also how Tang Sowol, in my previous life, had broken through her long-standing bottleneck and reached the Flowering Stage at a relatively young age.
But realization alone isn't enough—it must be internalized.
Tang Sowol was no exception. She had accumulated an immense amount of high-density experience in a short period, and now she needed time to organize and make it her own.
The same applied to me. After all, I had just stolen and learned a portion of Zhongnan's martial arts and received the essence of the Ghost Shadow Steps.
…Though I wasn't sure if we really needed three full years for this.
Then again, perhaps Tang Jincheon wasn't just referring to the time needed to digest martial comprehension.
Tang Sowol was already a fully matured first-class martial artist. I had an advantage since I had already broken through once before, so reaching the supreme realm was easier for me. But Tang Sowol… she was going to have a much harder time.
Countless warriors spend their entire lives as first-class martial artists, never managing to take that next step. The wall to the supreme realm was high—immensely so.
However, Tang Sowol's talent, physique, and the Tang Clan's resources were a fortuitous encounter in and of themselves.
Perhaps when Tang Jincheon said three years, he meant…
"Sowol. Three days from now, I will begin teaching you the Universal Return Divine Art . Within three years, I will ensure that you break through the bottleneck."
"W-Wait! Isn't that a martial art only my brother is allowed to learn?!"
"Your brother has always been more inclined toward hidden weapons than poison arts. He also has more talent in that area. That is why I have decided to pass down the Reverse Guiding Three Yang Return Art to him instead. You need not worry."
"That's not the problem! I understand that the Universal Return Divine Art focuses on poison arts and that the Reverse Guiding Three Yang Return Art suits my brother better… But both of those techniques are exclusively meant for the Clan Leader and the Young Clan Leader! Father!"
"That is true. However, the decision to pass Universal Return Divine Art to you was made long ago."
"…What?"
"The moment you were born with the Poison Spirit Physique within the Tang Clan, it was unanimously agreed upon—by myself, the elders, and all the clan retainers. Naturally, Tang Cheong was also informed when he officially became the Young Clan Leader, and he agreed to it as well. So, there is no need for you to worry about complicated matters. Just focus on mastering the Universal Return Divine Art. It is no ordinary technique—you must take it seriously."
"Ugh…"
Tang Sowol couldn't find the words to respond, tilting her head in confusion.
Well, I understood her reaction. The Universal Return Divine Art was one of the Tang Clan's most treasured techniques.
For someone like Tang Sowol, who had never once desired the position of Young Clan Leader, this must have come as a shock.
But in the end, she would learn it.
At least, in my past life, she did.
According to her, the Universal Return Divine Art was a technique that allowed one to infuse various poisons into their internal energy.
Most poison arts naturally cause the user's internal energy to become poisonous as their mastery increases. However, they typically only develop one or two types of poison, and their efficiency isn't particularly high.
As a result, poison users often carry external poisons to augment their techniques—just like the leader of the Blood Venom Unit had done.
But the Universal Return Divine Art was different. It allowed the user to refine and absorb various poisons, merging them into their internal energy and using them selectively at will.
Thanks to this technique, once mastered, the practitioner would not only attain absolute poison immunity but, upon reaching the Flowering Stage, their internal energy and even their physical body would become completely infused with poison—transforming them into a true poison entity.
…Now, doesn't that sound familiar?
That's right. The Universal Return Divine Art wasn't just about controlling poison—it was about becoming poison itself.
It was only natural that this technique closely resembled the Poison Spirit Physique, a constitution that made one more akin to poison itself rather than a human being.
Then, does this mean that learning the Universal Return Divine Art would be meaningless for Tang Sowol, who was already born with the Poison Spirit Physique?
Of course not.
Rather, the Poison Spirit Physique was said to maximize its potential when combined with the Universal Return Divine Art.
The only issue was that, in my past life, she had only begun learning it after reaching the Supreme Stage.
…Well, I'm sure Tang Jincheon has his own plans. If she's truly talented enough to reach Flowering Stage through poison arts, he must have some method in mind, even if it's a little early.
More than anything, a father who cherishes his daughter as much as Tang Jincheon would never put her in harm's way.
I lightly patted Tang Sowol's shoulder as she remained flustered.
"Everyone is fine with it, so what are you hesitating for?"
"H-However…."
"Don't tell me you're planning to overthrow your brother and take the position of Clan Leader?"
"Of course not! I have no such ambitions! Besides, I know very well how much my brother has done for me. I could never betray him like that!"
"Then it's settled. Stop overthinking it and just focus on training."
"This isn't as simple as you make it sound! There are matters of legitimacy, tradition… things far more complicated than you realize!"
"I don't know about that. Seems to me like you're making an easy decision unnecessarily difficult. The elders are fine with it, your brother is fine with it, and you're fine with it—so what's the problem?"
"…Is that so?"
Tilting her head in confusion, Tang Sowol blinked at me. She might have been troubled, but to me, she just looked adorably lost, which made me chuckle a little.
But before I could tease her further, Tang Jincheon spoke with an odd expression.
"Tell me, son-in-law. I know it's strange for me to say this, but… don't you have any ambition?"
"Ambition?"
"It's rare for a woman to become the Clan Leader, but it's not unheard of in the Tang Clan. If Sowol truly wished for it, she could absolutely take the position."
"That… might be true."
"Becoming the husband of the Tang Clan's leader would grant you tremendous power and influence over Sichuan. Even if you're a son-in-law rather than a direct successor, that's still an enviable position, don't you think?"
"I have no interest in that. From the very beginning, I was never after the Tang Clan—I was after Tang Sowol herself."
"Hoo…"
"Besides, even if I were to take control of the Tang Clan, it wouldn't suddenly grant me enlightenment or help me break through to the Flowering Stage. More likely, I'd just be buried under political matters and unable to focus on martial arts. Isn't that exactly what's happening to you, father-in-law? And wasn't that also the case for the Sect Leader of Zhongnan?"
Because I know.
I know that someday, the Heavenly Demon will invade.
I know that even those who have reached the Flowering Stage will be powerless before his overwhelming might.
I know that the once glorious Five Supreme Clans and Nine Great Sects will crumble into dust.
I know that Tang Sowol's hair will turn white from despair as she watches the Tang Clan fall.
Even though the Tang Clan was far more powerful than I had originally thought, it still wasn't enough.
Not nearly enough to withstand the inevitable destruction brought by the Heavenly Demon.
Unless Tang Sowol was willing to abandon her clan and run, I only had two objectives.
To make myself and my loved ones stronger than we were in my past life—so that I could protect them.
And to warn the martial world of the Demonic Cult's impending threat, so that they could prepare.
Beyond that, no amount of wealth or prestige meant anything to me.
Perhaps sensing the truth behind my words, Tang Jincheon sighed and shook his head.
"A daughter who refuses power even when it's offered… and a son-in-law who couldn't care less about the Tang Clan's authority… You two really are a perfect match. A pair destined for each other."
"F-Father?!"
"Oh, I completely agree."
"Cheon Hwi-da! Just what exactly are you agreeing with?!"
Flustered, Tang Sowol's face turned red as she jumped up in place before furiously smacking my shoulder.
It didn't hurt.
But if I kept teasing her, she might actually get mad, and from past experience, I knew better than to push my luck.
So, I just let her hit me as Tang Jincheon let out a small chuckle and gently intervened.
"Enough. Don't bully your fiancé too much, Sowol."
"Bully?! That wasn't my intention…!"
"If you're really that troubled, take three days to think about it. But for now, there's something more important."
Saying so, Tang Jincheon opened his arms and pulled Tang Sowol into a light embrace.
"I should have said this sooner, but… I'm just glad you're safe, my daughter."
"Ugh… I-I'm sorry for making you worry, Father."
Watching the touching father-daughter moment, I clapped lightly before Tang Jincheon released Tang Sowol—only to suddenly turn to me with his arms still open.
"You worked hard too, son-in-law. How about a hug?"
"Mm… I'll pass."
"Good. Honestly, I regretted offering the moment I said it."
Then don't ask in the first place.
***
Later that night, before returning to my room, I made a brief stop at the Outer Court Hall.
There, I handed Seol Lihyang a manual on Glacial True Qi.
"Picked this up on the way."
However…
"…Did you seriously just stop by to dump trash on me the moment you got back?"
…What kind of reaction is that?! Even after giving her something valuable, she still acts like this!