"Ah... Young Master!? Doing this suddenly...!"
I could feel Tang So-yeol flustered by the sudden touch within my arms. It was only natural, given that I had grabbed her ear out of nowhere.
But I had no intention of letting go.
"...What did you just say?"
I didn’t want Tang So-yeol to overhear my conversation with the person in front of me.
"What's with the sarcasm? You’re getting on my nerves." "Sir."
As I spoke with a slight sneer, the elder known as Tang Bwi’s expression crumbled. His face, which had been laughing mockingly, twisted, and one of his eyebrows raised.
It was quite an amusing expression, in a different way.
"I’ve heard that you’re a young hero of the Central Plains, but it seems you lack manners when dealing with others. I’ll say it again, I am an elder of the Tang Clan. Do you not realize how dangerous your actions are right now?"
A senior figure from the Tang Clan's high-ranking bloodline. The insults I was hurling at him could be taken as an attack against the entire Tang Clan.
Are you acting this way even though you know that? The old man was warning me, his tone laden with displeasure.
I couldn’t help but laugh at such an obvious statement. How could I not?
"Do you know what I find most filthy and irritating?"
I could feel Tang So-yeol’s ear growing increasingly hot.
"Those pompous old bastards pretending to be noble when they’re nothing but rotting filth. People like that rot society."
When people start to decay, they only get worse with age. Once they begin to rot, they infect those around them too.
One could argue that a decaying person is even worse than actual garbage.
Tang Bwi's face twisted hideously at my words.
"How dare you... even after I showed courtesy, you dare act so arrogantly! It seems you use your talent as a shield, unafraid of the world."
I chuckled at the anger in his voice.
"Wow, you’re one amusing bastard." "You...!"
"And you expect me to be polite to someone who shoved poison down my throat?" "...!?"
"No matter how shameless you are, that's pushing it. Do I look like some fool to you?"
I grinned widely as I spoke, and Tang Bwi flinched.
Yes, this bastard.
The one who fed me the poison of the Purple Chrysanthemum. It had to be him.
Although…
‘There’s a chance it might not be.’
My doubt wasn’t about whether this old man was involved—it was just that he might not be the mastermind who ordered my poisoning.
The fact remained that this old man was part of the scheme.
"...What nonsense are you spouting? Poison, you say!"
Momentarily taken aback, Tang Bwi’s face flushed as he shouted, looking as though he was utterly offended. His expression screamed of innocence and disbelief.
"How dare you utter such nonsense...!" "Then maybe wipe off that stench before you speak. It’s irritating."
Tang Bwi’s expression changed abruptly at my added comment. Yes, there was a scent.
A subtle fragrance I had noticed from the food—a scent likely from the Purple Chrysanthemum poison—was lingering on this old man.
Could that comment have struck a nerve? Tang Bwi spoke, looking at me with disbelief.
"You're spouting nonsense. The Purple Chrysanthemum is a scentless poison. Do you think it's possible to smell something like that?"
Is that so?
But I can definitely smell it. Not a strong scent, but I could clearly sense something strange.
‘Sensing a fragrance from a scentless poison.’
Could it be because I had reached Mandokbulchim—Immunity to All Poisons? Could that be why I was perceiving a scent that shouldn't exist?
Though, even my attainment of Mandokbulchim isn’t something I’m fully certain of.
‘I haven't had a proper chance to confirm it.’
However, I was sure of one thing—I had developed a strong resistance to poison. But that wasn't the issue at hand right now.
"A scentless poison, you say." "I don’t know what kind of suspicions you hold, but your words are offensive to the Tang Clan..."
"Funny thing is, how did you know it was the Purple Chrysanthemum? I never mentioned it."
"...!"
Tang Bwi, who had been speaking enthusiastically, shut his mouth and froze. That sight was truly amusing.
"Too bad—looks like your head isn't exactly the sharpest. You need to be smart to pull off evil deeds, you know?" "Ha…"
A low sigh escaped him. With that sigh, the atmosphere around us shifted suddenly.
I tightened my hold around Tang So-yeol.
Hummm.
Drawing on my energy, I thickened the barrier around us to shield her from noticing anything.
"...Annoying, bothersome brat, aren’t you?" "So, you’re done with the act? Why not keep it up?"
That would’ve made it even more satisfying to finish him off. A slight shame.
Tang Bwi looked at me with changed eyes. Dull and murky, they held things unseen when he’d been laughing.
"I only intended to glimpse your face, but now you’ve gone and created trouble." "That wouldn’t have been necessary. I was planning to pay your people a visit myself."
Not that I’d expected it to be this soon. In a way, it’s fortunate.
"What is your goal? What purpose do you pursue to act like this?" "My goal…"
I needed a moment to consider Tang Bwi's question. I thought about it, but nothing really came to mind.
So I decided to be honest.
"Just fulfilling a request, really." "A request?"
"Someone important asked me to overturn the nonsense you’re all up to." "Ha."
Tang Bwi chuckled as if he found it absurd.
"And who, pray tell, would dare to say such a thing?" "...Oh, I wouldn’t put it that way."
Especially not someone like you calling them ‘trash.’
According to the hierarchy of the Tang Clan, he was as good as the Tang Clan itself. To be frank, even if she returned and told the Poison King to grovel, he should obey her like a dog.
Calling her ‘trash’—he’d face harsh judgment for those words in the afterlife.
Unaware, Tang Bwi continued with a sneering smile.
"This is the Tang Clan. Soon to be the greatest faction in the Central Plains." "Oh."
Quite the self-esteem. Tang Bwi was dreaming of something he hadn’t achieved even in his previous life.
The Tang Clan became the refuge they barely escaped to after the Namgung Clan's near destruction and Sichuan's takeover. Knowing that, I found his ambition laughable.
"But here you are, a mere rat crawling in to muddy the waters. I even went out of my way to give you a kind warning—do you truly not fear the Tang Clan?"
As expected.
The poison sent to me had indeed been a warning. A message telling me not to act rashly.
Though calling it ‘kind’ was ironic.
"You’re full of deadly intent, yet putting on airs? Pathetic." "..." "Still putting on an act..."
They weren’t planning on just warning me. If they were, none of this would’ve started in the first place.
Tang Bwi’s expression changed slightly as if confirming my words.
"So, you're doing this even though you understand?" "Since earlier, you seem to be mistaken..."
Among Tang Bwi's words, one in particular grated on me. You think I'm acting out knowingly? Wrong.
It was precisely this—
"You are not the Tang Clan."
It grated on me that this old man claimed to be the clan itself.
"You’re just one of its rotten roots. Know your place before you spout nonsense."
It was Tang Bwi who was ignorant. Just an elder barely supporting one of the pillars, secretly plotting in the shadows.
Why he held such arrogance was beyond me.
Calling himself the Tang Clan insulted the memory of the Poison Queen, who sacrificed her eyes and life to protect it. Such a thing must not be allowed.
"So, until I come for you, stay put. Run if you must. I’ll let you go in honor of your courage if you do."
"You... Do you even know where you are!?"
Hooo—
Unable to hold back any longer, murderous intent burst forth from Tang Bwi’s body.
The aura of someone in Haegyeong, fitting for an elder of the Four Great Houses. I nodded as I sensed it.
With the Poison King's residence not far from here, exuding such killing intent here held significance.
It meant Tang Bwi wasn’t particularly afraid of the Poison King. He had a way to conceal or handle the situation if he tried to kill me here and now.
That much was clear.
Looking into Tang Bwi’s eyes, I wanted to ask the core question.
"Will you?"
The question of whether he would actually fight me here.
Though he was a skilled martial artist in Haegyeong and adept in poison techniques, he didn’t feel particularly intimidating.
If he wished, I could grant his desire.
After all.
I had been wanting a fight. With that thought in my gaze, I stared at Tang Bwi.
A pause.
Suddenly, I noticed his body falter. What could he be thinking?
For some reason, fear, or perhaps dread, flickered in his gaze. I could feel those emotions.
Why?
‘I haven’t even released any intent.’
I was simply looking at him, considering a fight, yet why was this old man feeling such things?
I didn’t know.
Watching him silently, I made the first move. I released my hold on Tang So-yeol’s ear and pushed her away slightly.
Then I smiled.
"Thank you for the advice, Elder Il."
"...?"
Tang Bwi’s expression wavered at my suddenly changed tone. His face read, “What’s this guy doing?”
"Thank you so much for thinking of me so highly. I truly appreciate it."
"...What are you—"
"Thank you for inviting me to dine with you next time. I look forward to it. Haha, I’ll definitely be there."
"..."
Tang Bwi's expression grew so distorted, it was almost grotesque. It only took a few seconds for his confused look to turn to one that screamed, “What the hell is wrong with this guy?”
"Well then, please rest well."
"..."
Even at my polite farewell, Tang Bwi stood motionless. I shot him a glance.
Are you going to continue?
‘If so, then do it.’
As I conveyed that look, Tang Bwi ground his teeth briefly before turning away.
Should I see it as him retreating first? It didn’t seem that way.
"Excuse me... I have matters to attend to. I hope the lady enjoys her time as well."
After giving a polite farewell to Tang So-yeol, Tang Bwi walked away at a slow pace. I too watched his back with a hint of regret.
‘Not yet.’
Now was not the time. I had a plan in mind. For now, stirring things up a bit would suffice.
I also saw this as a worthwhile gain.
‘I confirmed that he’s worth killing. That’s enough.’
For now, that would do. Thinking so, I narrowed my eyes.
"Ah."
I had completely forgotten about Tang So-yeol, who had been in my arms all this time. I quickly looked down at her.
"Sorry, did I... huh?"
As soon as I checked on her, I had to pause.
"...You."
No wonder—Tang So-yeol’s face was entirely flushed, including her ears.
"Are you okay? What’s wrong with you?"
Had I accidentally emitted some heat?
The warmth coming from Tang So-yeol's face was intense. It wouldn’t be strange if steam started rising from her head.
"What the... why are you..."
Just as I thought to check her forehead in concern.
"...I... I... I’ll be going!"
Tang So-yeol slapped my hand away and bolted off. The problem was, she ran in a direction that didn’t lead anywhere.
I thought to call after her, but she had already disappeared swiftly.
"Hmm..."
Watching her go, I scratched the back of my head.
Did she have something urgent to take care of?
‘Well... she can handle it herself.’
I decided not to worry about it.
******************
A day had passed.
Normally, we should have all gone to the prefecture yesterday, but the schedule was pushed back because I collapsed from poisoning early in the morning.
Thanks to that, our schedule had become a bit tight.
We now had to head straight to the Sichuan branch of the Baekhwa Trading Company in the prefecture. After that, I planned to meet with Paejon.
There were preparations to make for the upcoming training.
Given the changes in my physical condition, it was time to reassess and set a new direction.
Just as I was preparing to move for the busy day ahead…
"...What did you say?"
I had to confront something entirely unexpected.
Blocking my path was none other than the Tang Clan's assassin, Nahi. She wasn’t here as my subordinate, but as a messenger on behalf of the Poison King's orders.
However…
The information she brought was the issue.
"Repeat that. What exactly happened?"
At my urgent request, Nahi, who was kneeling on one knee, cautiously replied.
"A letter has been sent from the head of the clan to your family, informing them that the Young Master was nearly poisoned to death by the Tang Clan."
"..." "It is expected that the messenger will arrive within five days at the latest."
In other words, news of my poisoning would reach my father in Shanxi.
A cold sweat broke out on my back as I heard that.
It seemed…
'...This might be a bit of a serious problem.'
It looked like an unexpected issue had arisen.