This Is What You Wished For (3)
The moment he heard the Family Head's words, Han Cheong-un's eyes flashed.
Seo-yeon. There's no mistake. It's that Tang Seo-yeon.
Han Cheong-un took a sip of his tea, maintaining a calm expression to hide his inner turmoil.
He looked back at the Family Head and spoke.
"Is there a young lady in the Tang Family who is unwell?"
At that, Tang Myeong furrowed his brow and replied.
"I let my emotions get the better of me. It was a slip of the tongue, so please forget it."
It was a subtle warning not to pry any further.
"My apologies."
Han Cheong-un took a step back for now.
At the same time, he thought to himself.
That was close. If I try to approach her recklessly, I'll be kicked out of the Tang Family immediately.
That would be troublesome.
Han Cheong-un had two purposes for coming to the Tang Family as a guest.
One was to recruit Tang Jin, who had been his vice leader and right-hand man.
The second was to prevent the bloodbath of the Tang Family.
Tang Seo-yeon was the most crucial figure in preventing that tragedy.
However, it was practically impossible for an outsider male to approach the precious daughter of the Tang Family.
I must bide my time. First, I need to blend into the Tang Family.
Even after that, Tang Myeong continued to converse with Han Cheong-un about various topics.
"Where did you learn your martial arts?"
"I am self-taught."
"You possess remarkable talent for your age."
"You flatter me."
Such calm, ordinary dialogue continued.
It was like a routine interrogation, and Han Cheong-un answered most questions truthfully, except for the part about his regression.
After all, even if he said he had died in the distant future and come back to life, no one would believe him.
"Hmm, I see. Well, I understand the gist of it."
Having finished the basic questioning, Tang Myeong let out a small sigh and sipped his tea.
Whether the answers he received here were true or not could be verified through a separate investigation.
There was no need to press further right now.
"I do not know if you are aware, but our family does not allow even our guests to eat the bread of idleness."
"I am aware."
"In that case, you must work in a position related to our family. Is there a specific task you desire?"
The duties of a guest were diverse.
Working as a guard for the family was the most common, while others were dispatched to merchant groups or escort agencies. However, Han Cheong-un wanted something else.
"If possible, I would like to take charge of Young Master Tang Jin's training."
"Training? Jin's?"
"Yes. If you leave him to me, I am confident I can help the young master's martial arts take a massive leap forward."
"Hahaha. You?"
Tang Myeong glanced at Han Cheong-un's spear.
The spear. It was the most practical weapon for a human to handle.
Even an ordinary person who didn't know a single martial stance could become a decent soldier with just a spear in hand.
In that sense, it was the polar opposite of the Tang Family's hidden weapon arts.
Unlike the spear, which could be mastered quickly, one had to train for at least three years just to reach the starting line of properly utilizing hidden weapons.
Yet, a young boy wielding a spear was boldly claiming he would elevate Tang Jin's martial arts?
Under normal circumstances, one might fly into a rage, accusing him of looking down on the Tang Family's martial arts. However...
"I like people with guts."
"Is that so?"
"But blusterers are an exception."
"I see."
Tang Myeong stared intently at Han Cheong-un and spoke.
"If my son's skills truly take a massive leap forward as you claim, I would gladly bow and beg for your teachings. But what if they do not?"
"Then I will do whatever you ask."
"What if I tell you to live the rest of your life as a guard for the Tang Family without pay?"
"You will at least feed me, right?"
"Well, of course..."
"Then that works out perfectly. I won't have to worry about making a living for the rest of my life."
At Han Cheong-un's cheeky banter, the corners of Tang Myeong's mouth twitched upward.
He has bold character.
Just as he said... Tang Myeong liked bold young men.
"Very well. I shall entrust my son to you."
"Thank you."
"Is there anything you need?"
"Ah... In that case, could you summon one of the Tang Family's blacksmiths for a moment?"
"A blacksmith? What for?"
"To forge a weapon for your son to use."
He was going so far as to choose the weapon himself?
Tang Myeong could not comprehend the youth's intentions.
However, he was a man who, once he decided to trust someone, would believe in them until the results were shown.
"Fine. I will speak to the blacksmith. If you tell him it is my command, he will cooperate fully."
"Thank you."
Han Cheong-un smiled.
It seemed he would easily achieve his first goal in coming to the Tang Family.
Spending time with Tang Jin would naturally restore their close bond.
Though their first meeting hadn't been very pleasant, was Tang Jin the type of man to hold a grudge just because he took a few hits?
He's probably forgotten all about it by now.
The next day.
"Tch, what a load of crap."
Tang Jin made no effort to hide his blatant sulking.
"You brat! By order of the Family Head, you are to serve this young hero as your master and seek his guidance for the time being. Fix your attitude this instant!"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever!"
"You insolent rascal!"
Tang Chan, who was Tang Jin's cousin once removed, flared up in anger, but Tang Jin's sullenness remained unbroken.
Losing to a kid ten years younger than him was embarrassing enough, but now he had to learn from him?
The pride of Tang Jin, born and raised as the direct heir of a prestigious family, simply would not allow it.
Watching Tang Jin, Han Cheong-un thought to himself.
Vice Leader. You were absolutely right.
Memories of the past naturally surfaced.
Specifically, the words a heavily intoxicated Tang Jin had grumbled in complaint.
"The past version of me needs to be beaten to a pulp, over and over again. Even then, it's a toss-up whether I'd actually snap out of it."
The hand gripping his spear shaft twitched instinctively.
Han Cheong-un had always been a good leader who listened to his vice leader, Tang Jin.
So, shouldn't he remain faithful to those words here as well?
"Ahem, Chief Manager."
"Ugh..."
"Please leave the rest to me."
"Very well. Please, do not spare the rod."
"Understood."
With Tang Chan gone, only a beaming Han Cheong-un and a sour-faced Tang Jin remained in the training ground.
"I believe our introductions were a bit lacking before. I am Han Cheong-un."
Han Cheong-un clasped his hands politely in greeting. At that, Tang Jin raised his chin high and spoke.
"I am Tang Jin. Direct descendant of the Sichuan Tang Family Head."
I'm a young master from a highly influential family. Don't mess with me, got it?
"As you know, I have received permission from the Family Head to oversee your martial arts training."
Yeah, I got full permission from your dad.
"My teaching methods might be a bit harsh, but I trust that Young Master Tang Jin will follow along well."
Rebel, and you're dead.
"Hmph! What could a guy like you possibly know about the Tang Family's martial arts to guide me? Stop talking nonsense."
Tang Jin desperately wanted to avoid Han Cheong-un's instruction. The memory of the beating he had received previously was simply too vivid.
Tang Jin was also a martial artist, and his body was well-accustomed to the pain of training.
But the memory of that time...
Seriously, how does someone beat a person like that? And how did he thrash me to the brink of death without breaking a single bone?
That was what made it even more terrifying.
If he had been seriously injured, the family would have stepped in to protect him. But since he was just in excruciating pain while his bones and muscles were perfectly fine, even the family physician...
"It's nothing serious, so stop making a fuss. Sigh, and here I am, busy as can be..."
...had reacted like that.
He had felt deeply wronged.
And it was all because of that guy.
Tang Jin tried to glare fiercely at Han Cheong-un, but...
"Is there something on my face?"
"Ah... No, it's nothing..."
He instantly chickened out and lowered his gaze.
He did it so quickly that even he was flustered by his own reaction.
Since when did I lack venom like this?
Tang Jin felt a surge of indignation.
No matter how badly he had been beaten, this was too damaging to his pride.
I am a descendant of the great Sichuan Tang Family.
Steeling his resolve, Tang Jin tried to raise his head again...
"Is something the matter?"
"No... Nothing..."
...but he quickly looked away once more.
He couldn't understand it.
"Ahem... Ahem..."
What was this?
It wasn't just submission born of fear.
The moment he tried to stand up to that brat, an inexplicable resistance welled up from deep within his heart.
What on earth was this feeling?
"I have prepared something for your training, but the blacksmith said it would take a few days. So, in the meantime, we will focus on simple spars to assess your current skills."
"Understood..."
It was driving him crazy.
What on earth was going on?
Three days had passed since the training began.
There wasn't any particularly brutal hell-training.
Han Cheong-un literally only engaged in spars to gauge the level of the martial arts Tang Jin currently practiced.
In the process, Tang Jin realized two things.
First, this young kid was far stronger than him.
Out of sheer frustration during their spars, Tang Jin had unleashed his ultimate techniques with full sincerity, but the opponent dodged them effortlessly, as if they posed no threat at all.
His defeat in their previous duel hadn't been due to carelessness or arrogance.
There was simply a massive gap in pure skill.
And second...
"So, your mastery of the Soul-Chasing Flying Butterfly has not yet surpassed the sixth stage."
"That... is correct."
"And you are capable of both applying and neutralizing Crane Crest Red and Snow Poison Flower?"
"Well, yes."
"What about the Seven Steps Soul-Chasing Poison?"
"I haven't been permitted to learn that yet."
"Tsk, tsk. You need to work harder."
"..."
Tang Jin was utterly dumbfounded.
Is this guy secretly from the Tang Family?
To Tang Jin's shock, Han Cheong-un possessed an incredibly deep knowledge of the Tang Family's martial arts and poisons.
He didn't just know many names.
He knew the exact types of martial arts a direct descendant could learn, and even the precise order in which they mastered the poisons.
This was not information an outsider could easily obtain.
Who is it? Which crazy bastard leaked such confidential information to the outside?
He didn't know who it was, but whoever had carelessly blabbed about the family's training system was a criminal.
Once their identity was revealed, they would be severely punished according to family law...
No, they just need to be beaten to a pulp. They need to get thrashed exactly as much as I did, Tang Jin thought.
At any rate, three days passed in that manner, and the next day,
Han Cheong-un appeared at the training ground with a broad grin.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Ah, the item I ordered has finally arrived."
"..."
"Take a look. This is the signature weapon I personally ordered for you, Young Master Tang Jin."
"A signature weapon..."
Tang Jin smirked.
To a martial artist of the Tang Family, the term "signature weapon" was quite foreign.
After all, weren't most of the weapons they used hidden weapons thrown from the hand?
Their recovery rate was low, and losing them in actual combat was a common occurrence.
Therefore, the higher one's mastery in the Tang Family, the less they relied on specific weapons.
Only those who could display their full capability even with a cheap, rusted flying dagger were recognized as true masters.
Once one reached the absolute peak, they had to be able to use everyday objects like chopsticks or coins as lethal tools.
That was the kind of master the Tang Family acknowledged.
Yet, a signature weapon?
"Ahem, look here. It seems you still don't understand how things work..."
Tang Jin coughed to point it out, but Han Cheong-un opened the box first.
"Behold. This is the Silver Flowing Flying Dagger, which will become your signature weapon."
"..."
The moment he saw it, Tang Jin was rendered speechless.
A sharply honed flying dagger connected to a thin silver thread.
This was an unorthodox weapon that no one in the Sichuan Tang Family used.
"You connected a flying dagger to a thread sword?"
"Indeed."
Tang Jin stared silently at the weapon.
Theoretically speaking, such a hybrid weapon was not practical.
Flying daggers required speed.
Thread swords required stealth.
If one could master two weapons with such different characteristics, it would indeed be a tremendous advantage.
However, the reality was that both of these weapons were extremely difficult to handle.
And he was supposed to wield them together?
Even Father couldn't pull this off.
Cool-headedly speaking, he should reject it. However...
What is this?
The moment he laid eyes on the weapon, his heart pounded involuntarily. He could naturally picture himself fighting with it.
A countless horde of the Unorthodox Faction rushing at him.
He would throw the Silver Flowing Flying Dagger to face them. And...
"Come! I am Tang Jin, the vice leader of..."
"Huh?"
"Is something wrong?"
"No... Ah... It's nothing."
Tang Jin shook his head, breaking out in a cold sweat.
For a moment, he felt as if he had been possessed.
What was that strange delusion that had just flashed through his mind? Even when he tried to recall it, the memory remained hazy.
He only felt that it was something incredibly important.
If I hold that weapon, will that memory return?
Tang Jin reached out and grasped the Silver Flowing Flying Dagger.
Despite it being his first time holding it, it felt strangely familiar in his hand.
"How do I wield this?"
"..."
"Young hero?"
"Ah, it's nothing. I was just deeply moved..."
Han Cheong-un nodded with a pleased expression. Then, looking at Tang Jin, he spoke with a resolute face.
"You asked how to wield the weapon, correct?"
"Yes. I do not know how to use this weapon. But if you teach me, I will diligently..."
"Ah, that's fine. I don't know either."
"..."
The words *Are you kidding me, you bastard?* surged up to his throat, but he barely managed to hold them back. Han Cheong-un continued.
"I know that weapon suits you perfectly. However, I don't know how to wield it. I mean, I know a few techniques in theory, but it's not like I can demonstrate them for you..."
"Then how on earth are we supposed to train?!"
As Tang Jin shouted in frustration, Han Cheong-un replied.
"Hahaha. That's simple."
Whoosh!
Han Cheong-un raised his spear and pointed it straight at Tang Jin. He declared:
"There is no better training in this world than real combat."
"...Huh?"
"From now on, I will push you right to the brink of death. I suggest you do your best to defend yourself with that weapon."
"So you mean right now..."
"Let us begin."
"W-Wait a minute!"
"There are no timeouts in training!"
With that, Han Cheong-un's spear split into dozens of shadows, fiercely thrusting toward Tang Jin's vital points.
"You crazy bastard!"
Tang Jin of the Sichuan Tang Family. His suffering was bound to continue for a while longer.