Through the small window of the carriage, I could see the familiar sight of Chengdu in the distance.
“So, nothing happened after all.”
“It sounds like you were hoping sothing would go wrong. Is that just my imagination?”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just that when everything goes smoothly without any problems, you start feeling uneasy, you know?”
“I’ve never felt that way,” Tang Sowol replied, tilting her head as if she couldn’t understand.
I glanced at Seol Lihyang, seated across from . She nodded in agreent, as if she understood perfectly.
“Yeah, I get it. Like, you think, ‘There’s no way my life could go this smoothly. Life’s supposed to be more ssed up and shitty than this.’ Right?”
“Exactly. So it’s not just , then.”
“I didn’t say anything to you or Tang Sowol, but honestly, I’ve been feeling the sa way,” Seol Lihyang said.
She had a small book spread out on her lap. It wasn’t a martial arts manual—just a basic book to help her learn to read and write.
If soone could personally tutor her one-on-one, it wouldn’t be an issue. But in the Tang Clan, there weren’t many who practiced yin-based martial arts.
They could teach her the basics, but to reach higher levels, she would have to understand the specific anings of the texts on her own.
Whether it was understanding the deeper anings of martial techniques or applying them in practice, everything would co after that.
That’s why Seol Lihyang had started learning to read—just as I had with the help of the Ironblood Hall’s leader in my past life.
“Still, I’m surprised the patriarch agreed so easily to this. It’s not like the techniques are the Tang Clan’s core martial arts, but they still ca from the clan’s vault, didn’t they?”
“Your influence must have been significant, young hero. Even though we haven’t had the official ceremony yet, you’re already considered part of the Tang Clan. And if it’s for repaying a past debt, how could they not offer their support?”
“I thought they might at least attach so conditions or show a bit of reluctance.”
“If they did, then it wouldn’t be a proper repaynt of a favor. Besides, I think my father saw so of my own situation in Miss Seol’s circumstances.”
While the martial world is vast, those born with unique constitutions are extrely rare.
That also ans it’s hard to find anyone who can truly understand the talents and drawbacks associated with such constitutions.
Though Tang Sowol and Seol Lihyang had different constitutions, they both faced difficulties because of them.
Perhaps Tang Jincheon wanted to give Tang Sowol soone who could relate to her.
Though, in truth, the person Seol Lihyang got along best with wasn’t Tang Sowol—it was .
“Whatever the reason, I’m grateful for it. I never thought I’d learn to read in this lifeti, and now I’m even going to beco a guest of the Tang Clan.”
“Do you know what a guest’s responsibilities are?” I asked.
“Nope. But I know what I’m supposed to do. Tang Sowol explained it. I’ll live in a nice house, eat good food, wear warm clothes, and practice martial arts. When necessary, I’ll do work for the Tang Clan. Oh, by the way, Cheon Hwi, what does this word say? I learned it last ti but forgot.”
“It’s ‘silkworm cocoon.’ And yes, you pretty much got it right. I understand how you feel. Sotis, having sothing go wrong makes you feel better, even if your body suffers for it.”
“Exactly! As long as it’s nothing too serious, of course.”
“Sothing like the carriage wheels breaking or getting stuck in the mud for a while would be just about right.”
It wasn’t just Seol Lihyang who felt that things were going unusually well. I felt the sa way.
I had uncovered the people behind the attack on Tang Sowol, sothing I hadn’t known in my previous life. As a result, I’d gained insight into the Demonic Cult’s activities at this ti, beco aware of hidden restrictions on my abilities since returning, and even unexpectedly encountered and saved Seol Lihyang.
There had been difficulties, but the rewards outweighed them.
Most importantly, I’d been able to let go of one of the biggest regrets of my past life.
Seeing nod in agreent, Tang Sowol pouted slightly, as if she felt left out.
“If things are going smoothly, isn’t that sothing to be happy about? Why worry about problems that haven’t happened yet? Co here, young hero. I need to discuss sothing with you.”
“What is it?”
“Didn’t we agree to hold the engagent ceremony as soon as we returned to Chengdu? Since it’s just an engagent, it doesn’t need to be grand or involve a lot of people, but we still can’t do it half-heartedly.”
“That’s true. The Tang Clan would have to maintain appearances, even for an internal event.”
“Exactly. So let’s discuss it. We won’t have much to do ourselves, but if you have any preferences, we should make a list in advance.”
Tang Sowol patted the seat beside her. It seed like she was trying to change the subject a bit forcefully, but it wasn’t a bad topic to focus on, so I decided to play along.
I scooted over and sat right next to her. “Alright. So, what do we need to decide?”
“The order of the ceremony will follow Tang Clan traditions, but we need to decide on the location and the guest list.”
“Hmm. I’m not too picky about the location, but I’d prefer sowhere outdoors rather than inside. I get uncomfortable in cramped spaces. As for guests...”
The first face that ca to mind was the Ironblood Hall’s leader.
He’d been a ntor, almost like a parent to , ever since I t him as an orphan. He was the one who told to look beyond the sword, taught everything he knew about martial arts, and encouraged to live a life for myself, not just for survival.
But the Ironblood Hall’s leader I knew no longer existed.
Just as Tang Sowol and Seol Lihyang had beco different people in this tiline, the current Ironblood Hall leader was the sa person, yet not the sa.
With a bitter smile, I shook my head. “There’s no one. I have no family, no friends.”
For a mont, silence filled the carriage. Then, Tang Sowol awkwardly patted my shoulder, wearing an uneasy smile.
“Th-that’s alright! The Tang Clan is your family now, isn’t it?”
“Yeah! I’ll be your friend, too. That should be enough, right? Isn’t that right, Sister Tang?”
“I appreciate the thought, but I’m fine. And Tang Sowol, could you not pat my shoulder? It still hurts.”
“Oh? Sorry. Is the injury from last ti still bothering you?”
“It’s mostly healed. It wasn’t a broken bone, just so bruising. I thought it would be better by the ti we got to Chengdu, but we left sooner than I expected.”
“I didn’t think my father would decide to leave Yeonju the very next day, either. But we’ll have to make sure you’re okay before the ceremony. Can you show your shoulder?”
“What’s the point? It’ll be covered by clothes anyway.”
“Still, let take a look. If your shoulder hurts, your posture will be affected, and you’ll flinch whenever you move. That won’t do at all.”
“It’s fine. I can endure it. It’s not that bad.”
“There’s no need to endure it. We can address it right now.”
“Is there a dicine for bruises? I thought it was just a matter of circulating internal energy to speed up recovery.”
“There’s no dicine, but I can numb the pain, at least.”
With a mischievous grin, Tang Sowol grabbed the fabric of my shirt around my shoulder and pulled it down.
Swoosh.
In an instant, my shoulder was exposed. I was about to ask what she was doing when she tucked her hair behind her ear and leaned in.
A flash of pink as her tongue darted out.
“Bleeeh...”
Just like before, she began licking the bruised area on my shoulder. The sensation was both ticklish and damp, and it was sothing I could never quite get used to.
Even though it was the third ti she’d done it, it still made feel embarrassed. I turned my head slightly, avoiding her gaze, and found Seol Lihyang staring with wide eyes from behind her book.
“Eep!”
Startled, she froze in place, her face bright red, though her eyes sparkled with curiosity. Clearly, she wasn’t planning on intervening.
Unable to stop or even respond, I stayed stiff as a board until Tang Sowol finally pulled back, leaving my shoulder thoroughly coated in saliva.
I quickly adjusted my clothes and moved my shoulder. It felt slightly numb, but it wasn’t stiff, and the pain had lessened considerably.
It must have been her unique application of the numbing poison she’d used before. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was the only way to administer it.
When I stared at her, she t my gaze with an innocent expression, as if nothing had happened.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Do you really not know why I’m asking?”
“If you’re about to thank , there’s no need. It’s sothing any fiancée should do.”
“That’s not what I ant. Why did you do that here? There are other people around.”
“Well, I’ve already done it in front of the Dark Soul Unit, so why be embarrassed now?”
“Co on, be honest. You’re just getting a kick out of licking , aren’t you?”
“Maybe a little. It’s fun to see your reaction,” she said, sticking out her tongue playfully.
I let out a half-amused, half-exasperated sigh. “You’re developing a strange hobby.”
“And? Did you dislike it?”
“Tell honestly.”
“I didn’t say I disliked it.”
“And if you were to be a bit more honest?”
“It felt good, but... I’d appreciate it if you chose the location more carefully.”
“Alright. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Tang Sowol giggled and nodded.
Just then, there was a sudden thud and crash! The carriage ca to an abrupt stop.
Instinctively, I reached out to steady Tang Sowol, but...
“Ugh!”
Seol Lihyang, who hadn’t been close enough to grab onto anything, banged her head against the ceiling.
“Ow... What the heck just happened?”
Rubbing her head with one hand and fumbling for her dropped book with the other, Seol Lihyang looked dazed.
As if in response to her question, one of the Dark Soul Unit mbers knocked on the side of the carriage.
“Are you all alright? One of the wheels broke. I’m afraid you’ll have to step outside for a bit.”
“Yes, we’ll do that,” Tang Sowol replied promptly.
Then she turned to with an intrigued expression.
“I can’t believe the wheel actually broke. Young hero Cheon, you really called it.”
“Yeah, that was unexpected. Still, at least now I don’t have that uneasy feeling hanging over .”
“And it broke just as we were about to reach Chengdu. I suppose we should be grateful for that.”
We exchanged amused smiles before turning to Seol Lihyang. She was the only one who seed to have been hurt by the incident.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. My head hurts a bit, but at least I didn’t bite my tongue or anything. I’ll be alright,” she said, glancing between and Tang Sowol.
Then a faint, resigned smile spread across her face.
“Yeah, this makes sense. My life was never going to be that easy, was it?”
It was a smile tinged with a bit of bitterness.
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