The marriage between the daughter of the Hwangbo Clan and the head of the Namgung Clan. Logically, the Hwangbo Clan would benefit more from this union.
Of course, Hwangbo Hyeji and Namgung Myeong weren’t trying to form a political marriage. Setting aside the benefits for their families, they simply had feelings for each other.
Whether they were officially in a romantic relationship or not, one thing was certain: there was a noticeable romantic air between them.
However, it seemed that the head of the Hwangbo Clan had said something that interfered with their relationship.
‘It’s obvious why the head of the Hwangbo Clan would disapprove of the marriage.’
Namgung Jincheon’s death had left the Namgung Clan’s position in a delicate state.
Although there was Myeolsa Cheon-gun, his actions were rather radical. There were rumors that he was using demonic energy. It might cause a backlash.
No one could predict what would happen to the Namgung Clan at this point.
For the head of the Hwangbo Clan, it would make sense to wait until the Namgung Clan stabilized before the marriage took place. Or, he might prefer to marry Hwangbo Hyeji off to a more stable family.
“Arrogant bastard.”
Seo-jun clicked his tongue as he started walking. Chun-bong tapped his arm.
“Hey, hey, you really want to fight?”
“Of course. I’ll make his head nice and concave.”
How dare he reject a marriage proposal from the head of the Namgung Clan? Who did he think he was?
He was ridiculously arrogant.
“Aren’t you supposed to be busy right now? What’s a clan head doing creeping into Anhui?”
Namgung Sua, who was following behind, smiled faintly.
“The Hwangbo Clan and Namgung Clan aren’t far apart. There are also plenty of other sects nearby.”
Most importantly, the Black Lotus Union couldn’t move recklessly right now. Even if the head of the Hwangbo Clan stepped away for a moment, there was little chance of any problems.
“Is that so?”
Seo-jun scratched his chin.
“Anyway, go ahead and rest first. I need to have a talk.”
“You’re really not going to cause any trouble, are you?”
Chun-bong grabbed Seo-jun’s ear and pulled him, then looked around before whispering.
“If you’re going to hit him, do it secretly.”
Ah, Chun-bong really knows me well.
“Of course.”
Namgung Sua chuckled and kissed Seo-jun on the forehead.
“If you need any help, let me know.”
Her straightforward gaze made it seem like anything could be possible with her.
‘I’ve got to do this right.’
Knowing that most people from the Namgung Clan were blind to love, Seo-jun knew he had to handle this well.
He couldn’t let them get too close and wander off onto a strange path.
Sua, even if she became the Celestial Demon, would probably still smile and joke, saying, “Then I guess I’ll be the Celestial Demon’s wife?”
“Alright. I’ll be a little late, so go ahead and rest.”
Seo-jun waved his hand and started walking.
He didn’t head directly to the building where the head of the Hwangbo Clan was staying. He had one more stop to make before that.
“Hey, old man. Already sleeping?”
He knocked on the door with his foot, and Pae Jin-gwang came out, scratching his head.
“What is it?”
“I haven’t seen you around lately.”
Seo-jun passed by Pae Jin-gwang and entered the building without asking.
“Ugh, the smell of alcohol.”
There were bottles of alcohol piled up in the corner. It seemed like Pae Jin-gwang had been holed up all day drinking.
“Aren’t you training these days?”
“I am.”
“Still drinking?”
“I’m not drinking all day long.”
He tossed an empty bottle in the corner and opened a new one.
Seo-jun nodded while holding the bottle and grinning.
“You really have a bad attitude.”
Despite his words, Pae Jin-gwang also found a new bottle and cracked it open.
There was no need for cups. The bottles clinked together with a sharp sound.
Seo-jun took a large gulp of the alcohol and asked.
“Did you hear? The head of the Hwangbo Clan is here.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Didn’t you say you didn’t get along with him?”
It was because the head of the Hwangbo Clan coveted Pae Jin-gwang’s title of the ‘Poison King.’ Although he didn’t know all the details, he had heard about it.
“He’s the one who doesn’t like it. I don’t care.”
“Hm…”
Seo-jun tilted the bottle back, the strong alcohol coursing down his throat.
“Ah, what’s going on?”
Pae Jin-gwang furrowed his brows as Seo-jun scratched his head.
“What’s going on?”
“This isn’t like you. Did someone beat you up?”
“Yeah, I got beat up.”
“Seriously?”
Someone was able to beat up Pae Jin-gwang?
The same Pae Jin-gwang who was at the peak of Hwagyeong?
“Getting punched just makes it hurt more.”
“Isn’t that the problem?”
“If someone’s neck is cut off, they don’t have much to say about it.”
“Still, pain is pain.”
“It’s better than a broken heart.”
Pae Jin-gwang’s words caused a strange expression on Seo-jun’s face.
“You’re saying something that doesn’t suit you.”
“That’s what happens when you live long enough.”
“Ugh, I really don’t want to grow old.”
“You’re such a disrespectful brat.”
Pae Jin-gwang chuckled. He tilted the bottle, shaking out the remaining liquor before tossing the empty bottle into the corner.
“Namgung Jincheon... I didn’t expect him to go down like that.”
“...”
“He reached an incredible level, but he moved too hastily.”
Pae Jin-gwang, too lazy to open the seal of the bottle, just struck the neck of the bottle. The neck flew off cleanly. He poured the liquor straight into his mouth and exhaled deeply.
“Still, it wasn’t a completely futile death. He left something behind. What should I say... there’s something that continues after him.”
“Leave behind? Once you’re dead, that’s it.”
Seo-jun propped his chin up and watched Pae Jin-gwang. Something felt off. Was the old man getting senile?
“So, old man, are you trying to leave something behind too?”
“Now it’s too late for that.”
“Right. Too late.”
“Isn’t it the kind of thing you’re supposed to say it’s not too late?”
Pae Jin-gwang chuckled as he threw the empty bottle into the corner.
Woong—
Seo-jun’s Hogongseobmul snatched the bottle mid-air. He pulled it towards him and, with a simple flick of his hand, the broken neck of the bottle rejoined perfectly, as if it were a new bottle.
Looking at this, Pae Jin-gwang spoke.
“Anyway, the thing is... that bastard at least left something behind. I’m left wondering, what will I become?”
“Bullshit. Where is this bastard even going?”
Seo-jun used Hogongseobmul to bring the bottle neck from the corner of the room. Rubbing his fingers along the seam between the neck and the body, the broken part joined cleanly, as if it were a new bottle.
“If you don’t die, you just stay alive.”
“And does it happen as you wish?”
“Of course. Why do you think I raised my level of cultivation?”
The higher a martial artist’s level, the more clearly they can imprint their will upon the world. Their lifespan increases dramatically too.
Seo-jun chuckled.
“If you don’t want to die, then just don’t die.”
“Easier said than done.”
“Scared?”
“Shut up.”
“Chickened out?”
Seo-jun tossed the bottle, and Pae Jin-gwang caught it. The trace of the broken neck disappeared completely.
“Such strange tricks you pull.”
“Enough of that. Come on, follow me.”
Seo-jun stood up. Pae Jin-gwang got up after him.
“Where are we going?”
“To see the head of the Hwangbo Clan.”
“Why him?”
“Going to give him a beating.”
“Are you crazy? Right now?”
“He’s being disrespectful.”
Seo-jun stretched his body, and suddenly Pae Jin-gwang spoke.
“Hwagyeong people tend to be extreme.”
“What?”
“It’s true. They don’t care about others’ opinions, and they don’t reach those levels while in their right mind.”
Not many people would put on a show in front of their dog.
Hwagyeong warriors were no different.
“They usually have something they obsess over.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“I’m just telling you. Those Hwagyeong people aren’t like Namgung Jincheon, that bastard.”
Seo-jun let out a small laugh at Pae Jin-gwang’s words.
“Ah, you must’ve been locked in your room recently, so you didn’t hear the rumors.”
Who was he? Myeolsa Cheon-gun Seo-jun. Recently, he had encountered more than one Hwagyeong-level martial artist.
“Seems like they’re all the same. In the end, they’re the type who don’t care about others’ opinions.”
“The problem is they’re too strong.”
“When their heads explode, they all die.”
“Now that’s some obvious shit you’re spitting.”
Seo-jun kept walking toward the building where the head of the Hwangbo Clan was staying.
“The head of the Hwangbo Clan will die if his head explodes.”
Pae Jin-gwang froze in shock.
“Hey, you crazy bastard! Don’t go there!”
“Would you, old man?”
Seo-jun laughed and ran. Pae Jin-gwang chased after him.
And then—
Kwaaahhh—!!
Seo-jun crashed through the roof, making eye contact with a man.
“Are you the head of the Hwangbo Clan?”
A peculiar energy surrounded the man, as if he had merged with space itself. Definitely Hwagyeong-level.
“What are you doing here?”
But something felt off. He had expected the head of the Hwangbo Clan to be a muscular macho type, but this man was unexpectedly slender.
“Ugh, this crazy bastard...!”
Pae Jin-gwang, who had caught up, stood behind Seo-jun. He was too late. He smacked his forehead.
The head of the Hwangbo Clan narrowed his eyes.
“Poison King?”
“Been a while, huh? Tuwang.”
“What the hell is this nonsense in the middle of the night?”
A massive aura surged from the head of the Hwangbo Clan’s body. Despite his small frame, the energy resembled a giant carrying Mount Tai.
Pae Jin-gwang sighed.
“It’s a long story to explain…”
“Eh?”
Seo-jun cut off Pae Jin-gwang’s words.
Hwagyeong warriors don’t care about others? He himself had never cared about others’ opinions since his third-rate days.
It meant he was fundamentally different from the other Hwagyeong warriors.
“So, you’re the head of the Hwangbo Clan?”
“That’s right. What about it?”
“Then, you’re a disrespectful bastard.”
Seo-jun raised his hand.
“What gives you the right to argue with the head of the Namgung Clan? You want to get a beating?”
“…You crazy bastard.”
Pae Jin-gwang covered his mouth, looking like a helpless young girl.