A tense silence fell.
The head of the Hwangbo Clan looked at Seo-jun as though he were a madman. Pae Jin-gwang quietly nodded.
“Yeah, he’s definitely crazy, no doubt about it.”
“Hey, that’s a bit harsh.”
Seo-jun clicked his tongue and waved his hand. The wind that rose naturally pushed away the debris from the ceiling.
He summoned a chair with Hogongseobmul and sat down. The head of the Hwangbo Clan narrowed his eyes.
“I never invited a guest.”
“This is the Namgung Clan’s territory. If we’re being technical, you’re the guest here. You really don’t have any common sense.”
“…You’re running wild without fear of heaven.”
“Oh, are you afraid of the heavens? What’s the point of fearing the heavens when you can’t even leave your house?”
To begin with, how could a person from the Namgung Clan fear the heavens? That was nonsense.
Seo-jun frowned at the head of the Hwangbo Clan, and Pae Jin-gwang intervened.
“It’s Tuwang Hwangbo Ryung.”
“Ryung, huh?”
“Madman.”
Pae Jin-gwang looked at Hwangbo Ryung. Hwangbo Ryung clicked his tongue.
“This must be Myeolsa Cheon-gun.”
“Myeolsa Cheon-gun? Since when did he get a new title?”
Pae Jin-gwang shrugged and pulled a chair to sit down.
The sudden three-way confrontation made Seo-jun prop his elbow on his knee and rest his chin in his hand.
“So, you know why I’m here, right?”
“Is it about Hyeji’s marriage?”
“You know? Then how about you quietly back off?”
Why was this old man, who should be peacefully training, meddling in the marriage of a young couple from a distant generation?
“I don’t see any reason to get deeply involved with the Namgung Clan in this situation.”
“The kids will figure things out on their own.”
Pae Jin-gwang scratched his chin.
“You’re still a kid, aren’t you?”
“Ugh, old man. You’re being serious right now.”
Pae Jin-gwang shut his mouth.
Hwangbo Ryung looked at Seo-jun with a strange gaze. Suddenly, he threw a punch.
Whoosh—!
The movement, as if it transcended space itself, cut through the air with rapid precision. The punch, which had reached Seo-jun in an instant, stopped just before his face.
Boom—!
Without warning, Seo-jun’s demonic sword, now floating in the air, blocked Hwangbo Ryung’s fist. It was Igieogeom.
“So, you want to give it a try?”
Since it wasn’t a punch thrown with full intent, Seo-jun didn’t react strongly.
“Not bad.”
“Oh?”
Testing me, huh? Seo-jun smiled.
“Let me see…”
It was probably Taesan Byeongryeok Shin Kwon (The Great Mountain’s Thunder Fist), right?
Thunder roared—! Seo-jun’s demonic sword spun, enveloped in the power of thunder, swinging like a fist.
Boom—!!
Hwangbo Ryung was forced to step back two paces from the force. His eyes twitched.
“This is…”
“What? Should I release it like the Samjae Sword Technique in a marketplace?”
Pae Jin-gwang, trying to be polite, covered his mouth.
“…Crazy bastard.”
“No, old man. We’re on the same side, right?”
“Count me out.”
“That’s not happening.”
Pae Jin-gwang looked at Hwangbo Ryung in disbelief.
“Now, how am I supposed to take this situation?”
“Don’t ask me. Ask him.”
Pae Jin-gwang pointed at Seo-jun. Seo-jun smiled and stood up. He walked over to Hwangbo Ryung and leaned in close, making him frown.
“What is it?”
“Marriage.”
“…Do as you please. At this point, the Namgung Clan won’t be shaken.”
“Pretty cool of you.”
“But there’s one thing I’m sure of.”
Hwangbo Ryung pushed Seo-jun’s face away. Seo-jun stepped back before his hand could touch him and stared at him intently.
“I’ve heard you use demonic energy.”
“So?”
“Is it true?”
“Is that something that needs to be said?”
Of course, he used it.
“Well, I don’t sense it.”
Just then—
Clunk! The door hurriedly opened as if someone sensed trouble.
“Clan Head!”
It was Hwangbo Jun. Seo-jun waved at him, smiling at the familiar face.
“Don’t you have anything to do? You’re always running around everywhere.”
“Hah.”
Hwangbo Jun, having assessed the situation, gave a slight nod.
“Let’s get to work.”
Thud, the door slammed shut. Hwangbo Ryung clicked his tongue.
“Spineless fool.”
“I don’t think that’s true.”
Seo-jun chuckled and tilted his head back. The faint moonlight filtered through the hole in the roof.
“Beautiful view.”
Laughing, Seo-jun kicked the ground and leaped. He landed on the roof, crouching down and looking down at Hwangbo Ryung.
“Well then, I’ll take it that it’s settled?”
“Do as you please.”
Hwangbo Ryung clicked his tongue. Pae Jin-gwang hastily climbed up and stood next to Seo-jun.
“You’re not leaving me alone here, are you? It’ll get awkward.”
“Why not take this chance and challenge him to a duel for the Poison King title?”
“Shut up.”
“If you don’t want to, then don’t.”
Seo-jun smiled widely.
“Guess I’ll see you next time. Thanks for showing up.”
****
The next day, Seo-jun visited Namgung Myeong. As expected, Hwangbo Hyeji was standing by his side.
“Myeong-ah.”
“Hyung-nim, what happened yesterday...?”
“I handled it. When are you two going to hold the wedding?”
“Eh...? No, um... we’re planning to wait a little while first.”
“Really?”
Seo-jun glanced at Hwangbo Hyeji, who was blushing. He smiled.
“You can call me 'brother-in-law' now.”
“I-I can’t...”
“You can take your time.”
Seo-jun picked up a document from the desk where Namgung Myeong had his papers neatly arranged.
“By the way, anything strange going on these days?”
“Well... I can’t say there’s nothing, but it hasn’t been anything that would trouble you, hyung-nim.”
Seo-jun had been making his vengeance against the Black Lotus Union so obvious, but the Namgung Clan had also been moving quickly since Namgung Jincheon’s death, their anger still fresh.
Aside from the Hwagyeong, the Namgung Clan’s strength was among the top of the sixteen prominent clans. They didn’t necessarily need Seo-jun’s help.
Namgung Myeong didn’t want to add unnecessary burdens on Seo-jun, who already seemed busy.
But Seo-jun had no particular thoughts on it. His eyes scanned the document.
“Flooding of demonic beasts near Mount Hwang… Should I go?”
Flooding of demonic beasts. It had been quite a while since that happened.
The last time he had dealt with a flood of demonic beasts, his father-in-law had come to pick him up.
“Excuse me?”
“Never mind. I’ll go.”
“But… aren’t you busy?”
“It’s settled for now, so I have some free time.”
Seo-jun tucked the document into his coat. He figured he could stop by the chief’s office on the way.
“Ah, thank you…”
“No need for thanks.”
Seo-jun waved and walked away from Namgung Myeong. Before leaving the room, he flashed a small smile and waved at Hwangbo Hyeji.
“Have a good time.”
“Aah…! T-Thank you, Jingi Jaecheon-sunbae!”
Hwangbo Hyeji bowed repeatedly. Seo-jun felt a little lighter.
****
Before heading to Mount Hwang, Seo-jun stopped by to see Namgung Sua. He sat her on his lap and boldly massaged her chest. It was a personal paradise.
“Stop it….”
Namgung Sua chuckled softly.
“Is it really that nice? It’s just a lump of fat.”
“It’s the mysterious principle inside that fat. It’s just like Chun-bong’s cheek fat.”
Namgung Sua shifted her body while leaning against Seo-jun’s chest. Her eyes, half-closed, gazed up at him.
“Isn’t it lacking? I could do other things for you.”
“It’s still a bit too early to have a child…”
Namgung Sua’s eyes narrowed playfully. She whispered in Seo-jun’s ear.
“Did you know that most sects have techniques to prevent pregnancy?”
“…What?”
Is that actually a thing? Seo-jun was surprised.
“I’ve learned quite a bit without going that far.”
Namgung Sua’s red tongue brushed her lips sensually. Every move she made had an oddly seductive quality. Seo-jun’s eyes rolled.
“Hmmm…”
At this point, wasn’t it fine to just do it before the engagement? Seo-jun seriously thought about it.
Just then, Chun-bong burst into the room.
“Sister!!!”
Chun-bong stomped her feet as she glared at Namgung Sua. Namgung Sua chuckled, adjusting her clothes as she stood up from Seo-jun’s lap. She leaned down and whispered in Seo-jun’s ear.
“Tonight, I’ll be waiting, okay?”
Chun-bong jumped up in shock.
“W-Wait for what!?”
“Hmmm, maybe I should have been the first to do it, right?”
“I-I don’t….”
Chun-bong’s face turned bright red as she stammered.
“Well, I think it’s a bit too soon…”
“If you’re around my age, having a child wouldn’t be strange at all.”
For someone like Namgung Sua, having five children by now wouldn’t be unusual.
Seo-jun kept his mouth shut, knowing better. Instead, he gestured for Chun-bong to come closer.
“Chun-bong, come here.”
“Hmph.”
Chun-bong didn’t even hesitate, rushing into Seo-jun’s arms.
Seo-jun pinched her cheek, making eye contact.
“When did you grow up like this?”
“Are you mocking me…!”
The little Chun-bong, who hadn’t grown at all, raised her eyebrows sharply.
“No, I really mean it.”
It wasn’t her physical growth that Seo-jun was referring to, but rather how he saw her. Compared to the past, her body had certainly grown a lot, but to Seo-jun, she still looked like a child.
The image of her as a little girl was still vivid in his mind... but now she was fully grown, waiting for her marriage.
“I might just devour you.”
“Ah—!” Seo-jun nipped her cheek, and Chun-bong squirmed in response.
“Gyaaah!”
Flailing, Chun-bong grabbed Seo-jun’s face, pushing him away. Their eyes met.
“Do whatever you want!”
Then, with a quick motion, Chun-bong leaned in and kissed him. Almost immediately, she jumped out of his lap and ran off, her figure disappearing from his sight in an instant.
Impressive agility. Truly a top-tier martial artist.
Seo-jun raised an eyebrow and looked at Namgung Sua. As their eyes met, Namgung Sua laughed quietly. Seo-jun couldn’t help but laugh too.
“Really…”
After laughing for a while, Seo-jun stood up. He gently kissed Namgung Sua on the forehead, and she smiled up at him.
“Are you leaving?”
“Yeah, I’ll be back soon.”
Seo-jun stood still for a moment, gazing at Namgung Sua’s face. She tilted her head slightly, and Seo-jun smiled.
“When your father’s funeral is over, Namgung Myeong’s coronation will happen, right?”
“Yeah, I think it’ll be around the same time.”
“Then the engagement ceremony should be soon… Hmmm.”
No, wait. Why the engagement ceremony?
Seo-jun, who had been deep in thought, finally spoke.
“Why don’t we just get married?”
“Hmm?”
Namgung Sua’s mouth opened slightly in surprise.
“Wasn’t the engagement supposed to be a formality to avoid outsiders’ judgment? We don’t really need that anymore.”
“I-I… I like that…”
Namgung Sua’s cheeks turned bright red. Seo-jun smiled at her.
“Then, I guess our titles might change?”
Namgung Sua hesitated and spoke.
“If it’s a different title… then maybe… ‘Sang-gong’?”
“If it’s ‘Sang-gong,’ I’d have to speak formally, don’t you think?”
“Then, how about… ‘Yeobo’?”
Seo-jun scratched his cheek, feeling strangely itchy all over.
“Well, we can decide on the titles later.”
“…Yeah. I’ll think about it.”
Seo-jun chuckled as he started walking away.
“Anyway, I’ll be back.”
****
“Sudden flooding of demonic beasts could be connected to the Demon Cult,” said the chief officer, Jin Ga-wee.
Seo-jun muttered under his breath.
“The Demon Cult…”
“Yes. It feels oddly suspicious.”