Chapter 29: The Iron Maiden (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 29: The Iron Maiden (1)
The road to the Tang Clan was, without a doubt, the most comfortable stretch of our journey so far.
This was likely because it was a main thoroughfare leading directly to a major town. Whatever the reason, the escorts, usually so tense, seemed to have relaxed considerably. Perhaps their ease was due to traveling alongside the Namgung Clan entourage.
In any case, the journey to the Tang Clan proceeded without a single hiccup.
“After I tasted yakgwa for the first time, the potato I was holding just didn’t seem appetizing anymore.”
“Yeah.”
“The yakgwa was just that good… I feel a bit sorry for potatoes, but I have to admit, yakgwa is tastier.”
“Yeah.”
“Why is a potato even called a potato?”
“Yeah… Wait, what?”
While the road itself was trouble-free, that didn’t mean trouble couldn’t find us from other sources. Case in point:
Why does this lunatic, Namgung Bi-ah, keep coming over here?
A headache bloomed behind my eyes every time I looked at her.
Why… Why are you always here!?
There was a perfectly good blue carriage waiting for her, so why did she insist on riding with us? To make matters worse, Wi Seol-Ah was absolutely no help, chattering away to Namgung Bi-ah incessantly—completely ignoring my explicit instructions not to.
I really need to have a serious talk with her…
What was even stranger was the other Namgung lunatic’s sudden indifference. Given how Namgung Cheonjun had been acting towards me until now, I’d half-expected him to be shadowing my every move. Instead, he was quietly sequestered in his own carriage.
“So he’s just fine with this situation?”
I truly could not fathom the thought processes of these lunatics.
The day wore on, and the sun began to set. I could understand Namgung Bi-ah’s stamina, given she was a martial artist, but Wi Seol-Ah’s ability to talk tirelessly all day, even when we had to walk parts of the route, was genuinely impressive.
I guess she’s just been built different since birth…?
“…Then again, with how much she eats, it’d be weird if she did get tired.”
Wi Seol-Ah consumed vast quantities of food, but even a short walk seemed to burn it all off instantly. She truly had a blessed constitution.
Meanwhile, I ate far less than her, and yet this stupid hip of mine was already showing signs of gaining fat.
Life is so unfair…
As I stared blankly at the darkening sky, a shout came from the front of the caravan.
“I can see the Tang Clan’s flag!”
Sure enough, in the distance, a green flag emblazoned with the character for ‘Tang’ was visible. The group waiting for us appeared to be slightly smaller than our combined Gu and Namgung entourage.
As soon as I spotted the flag, I hurriedly straightened my robes.
Sigh, my hair got all messed up during that nap.
This is exactly why meeting with noble clans is such a hassle…
At least I didn’t have to extend such formal courtesy to the Namgung Clan, thanks to the antics of Namgung Cheonjun and Namgung Bi-ah. For that, I was somewhat grateful.
I prepared to disembark as the carriage slowed to a halt. Stepping out, I saw Namgung Cheonjun already exchanging greetings with a man from the Tang Clan.
“It’s been a while, Cheonjun.”
“I hope you have been well, Brother Tang?”
“Is something troubling you? You look a bit weary.”
“It’s likely just the long journey.”
“Ah, of course, you’ve come from quite a distance. I must admit, I didn’t expect you to attend as well.”
“My sister was determined to come, and I was uneasy about sending her alone.”
“Ah, Lady Bi-ah. Yes, that makes perfect sense. I often think this, but you Namgung siblings seem to have an excellent relationship. Meanwhile, our Soyeol only grows fiercer with each passing day.”
After sharing a laugh with his counterpart, Namgung Cheonjun turned and spotted me.
“Oh, Young Master Gu! Please, come join us!”
Since when are we on such familiar terms that he can call me over with that kind of smile?
Seeing him act so amiable, knowing his true nature, made me feel slightly ill.
As I approached, I got a clear look at the man speaking with Namgung Cheonjun. He appeared to be in his thirties, with a surprisingly innocent face for someone bearing the Tang bloodline. This was the Young Lord of the Tang Clan, Tang Jooyeok. I didn’t know his current title, but in my past life, he would later be known as the Thousand Poisons Sovereign during the Demonic Cult's rise.
Tang Jooyeok looked my way and walked over with calm, measured steps to greet me.
“So you are the Young Master from the Gu Clan. I had heard members of the Gu Clan would be joining us. Thank you for making the long journey. I am Tang Jooyeok.”
His courteous demeanor towards someone much younger than himself gave me an immediate sense of his character. I returned the respect in kind.
“I am Gu—“
I caught myself just in time, remembering the fake name I’d given the Namgung siblings.
Why did I do that?
That brat Gu Jeolyub was nothing but trouble. I’d disliked him from the moment I first met him.
“I am here in place of the Lord of the Gu Clan. He asked me to convey his deepest apologies for being unable to attend the event personally,” I said, inventing an excuse on the spot.
Thankfully, Tang Jooyeok didn’t seem to mind, a smile gracing his features.
“That is perfectly understandable. Lord Gu is a busy man. This is merely a small festival for our clan; we are simply grateful you could grace us with your presence.”
Just as this exchange of pleasantries was winding down, Namgung Bi-ah joined us. She gave a slight bow of her head to Tang Jooyeok.
“It’s been a while, Bi-ah.”
“Hello.”
“You grow more beautiful each time I see you; I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“…Thank you.”
“Ah, that’s right. Our Soyeol caused you some trouble, didn’t she? My apologies. The girl still has much maturing to do.”
“It was no trouble… I gave my promise.”
“Thank you for your understanding. Soyeol has been waiting for some time. Cheonjun, Young Master Gu, you should all proceed inside before night falls. We will guide you.”
Finally… the long journey was over, and we had arrived at the Sichuan Tang Clan.
The trip would have been far more pleasant if not for Namgung Bi-ah constantly hovering nearby and Namgung Cheonjun shooting me death glares for no apparent reason…
Sigh… I just want a dumpling.
What a shitty experience this trip turned out to be.
* * *
The Tang Clan of Sichuan.
A noble clan whose reputation stretched across the province, renowned for their peerless knowledge of poisons and blacksmithing.
The Namgung Clan was known for their ‘Sword Art,’
The Peng Clan for their ‘Spirit,’
And the Moyong Clan for their ‘Keen Eye.’
Compared to these great clans, the Tang Clan might have been considered a step behind by some, but they possessed something the other three did not. The Tang Clan’s Military Exhibition existed for precisely that reason.
While their martial arts were infamous for their use of poison, their skills at the forge were also incomparable. The weapons crafted by their master blacksmiths were widely regarded as masterpieces, true works of art. The Tang Clan produced the majority of the weapons used by the Murim Alliance and were especially respected for having forged the Sword Venerable’s own blade. Countless clans would line up for a chance to acquire a Tang-forged weapon.
“The problem is, they don’t hand out these weapons lightly.”
Whether it was due to their noble status or simply pride, they were notoriously reluctant to give their creations to outsiders, even for vast sums of money—not that they needed it.
In essence, the Military Exhibition was a platform for the Tang Clan to boast about their near-perfect weapons. My guess about their motive was something like: “Look how skilled we are. Treat us well, and perhaps we might grant you one of these weapons.”
Something along those lines.
I had heard a rumor that the Tang Clan sometimes gifted a weapon from the Exhibition, but it wasn’t something I cared about. Of course, if I somehow got my hands on one, I could sell it for a fortune. But their reasons for showing off were irrelevant to me.
I need to focus on finding the secret vault.
I could not forget the real reason I had come here: the Golden Nature Clan and their secret vault. I had only three days after the Military Exhibition began. My only clue was a vague location, and I wasn't even entirely sure about that. If I failed to find the vault within those three days, my only recourse would be to go to the Beggar’s Sect and leak the information about it.
“…How complicated.”
“Young Master, what are you thinking about so deeply?”
“It’s nothing.”
Wi Seol-Ah spoke up, noticing my troubled expression.
Under Tang Jooyeok’s guidance, we finally entered the Sichuan Tang Clan estate. I had been here in my previous life, but seeing it again, with only faint memories to go on, was astounding. The clan grounds seemed even larger than the Heaven Market I had visited during Nine Dragons Day.
When all is said and done, they are indeed a noble clan.
The foundations of the Orthodox factions were on a completely different scale.
After arriving and settling into my quarters, I decided to take a look around. No one had forbidden me from exploring, so I figured it was permissible. I announced I was going for a walk, and with Wi Seol-Ah quickly tagging along, we set off.
Following a path for a while, we came upon a forest. How vast did a clan's grounds have to be to contain an entire forest? Crick, crick. The sound of crickets accompanied each step. As I walked deeper, drawn by the chorus of insects, I noticed fireflies flickering between the trees and realized summer was approaching.
After a short while, I stumbled upon an artificial lake. It wasn't large, but it was intricately designed, with delicate decorations that even I had to admire. The sight of fireflies dancing over the water, with lotus flowers floating on the surface, was undeniably beautiful.
“Wow…!”
If someone like me could appreciate its beauty, Wi Seol-Ah was utterly mesmerized. A brilliant smile lit up her face as she watched with glittering eyes. For a moment, I wondered if I should pat her head.
I decided against it.
“It’s so pretty, Young Master!”
“I agree.”
Wi Seol-Ah began to chase after the fireflies, dancing with them. Watching her, I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand.
Sometimes, I found myself searching for traces of the Wi Seol-Ah I had known in my previous life.
Like right now.
The Wi Seol-Ah before me didn’t have hair like moonlight, nor eyes sharp and cold as ice. Instead, she had hair as black as the night sky and a face that was always brimming with joy. She was so different from the girl of my memories.
So, why do I keep looking for that other Wi Seol-Ah in her?
I smirked at my own foolish thought.
“Why am I even thinking about this? It’s pointless.”
“What?”
“It’s nothing. Let’s head back; it’s almost time for bed.”
We had admired the scenery long enough. As I turned, already looking forward to a good night’s sleep in a proper bed after the journey…
“Who are you?”
A sharp voice cut through the quiet.
I turned towards the sound and saw Namgung Bi-ah looking at me with a surprised expression. Standing beside her was someone else—the owner of the voice, who spoke to me again.
“Outsiders are not permitted here. I ask you again, who are you?”
As the moonlight fell upon her, her face became clear.
And I remembered exactly who she was.
The green eyes, strikingly vivid even in the night, were a dead giveaway.
The Poison Queen, Tang Soyeol.
She was the first person in Tang Clan history to achieve the Ten Thousand Poison Immunity, rendering her invulnerable to any toxin. She was the ‘Iron Maiden’ who would single-handedly hold off thousands of demons in Sichuan in the near future.
And,
In my past life, she was one of the people I had killed with my own hands.