Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Forms of Address
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When it comes to martial arts realms, from third-rate martial artists to first-rate ones, the distinctions are based on internal energy cultivation and the proficiency in techniques.
From peak experts onward, they can wield sword qi, and changes occur in their bodies as well.
This allows them to unleash their martial arts with even greater power.
Even without deliberately channeling internal energy to their ears, their hearing sharpens starting from the peak expert level.
No matter how quietly Dang Harin whispered right next to Yuseong, Nangong Yurin—a peak expert who was focused—couldn't possibly miss it.
"What did you just say?"
"You heard that? Ah ha, the youngest... no, maybe not? Anyway, you're a peak expert, right?"
"I asked what you just said."
"I'm not one of your clan elders, and some outsider points out my lack of caution, so I just muttered to myself about it. By the way, how old did you say you were, Miss Nangong? You must hear that a lot... you know."
*Old hag.*
Dang Harin hadn't said it outright, but Nangong Yurin got the message.
A sneer played at the corners of Dang Harin's mouth.
It made her nerves sharpen as Dang Harin kept poking at her.
Hadn't Dang Harin been the one plastered right next to Yuseong first?
And in that outfit, no less.
Of course, Nangong Yurin admitted she'd been wrong to point out the lack of caution first.
She apologized sincerely for that part.
She didn't want to look rude in front of Yuseong, like Dang Harin.
"I'm sorry if I came across too sharply. But since Yuseong seemed uncomfortable, I just wanted to say we should do as he asked."
As Nangong Yurin spoke, Dang Harin, who had been smirking, opened her mouth.
"Yuseong... Miss Nangong, did you know? I've been watching for a while, but you're the only one here calling the Divine Physician 'Yuseong.' Everyone else calls him Divine Physician or Medical Pavilion Leader."
"What does that matter?"
Nangong Yurin shot back at Dang Harin while stealing a glance at Yuseong.
Ever since Yuseong had saved her from the aftereffects of the Emperor Sword Form, she'd called him by name instead of Medical Pavilion Leader.
In hopes of growing a little closer.
No one else had thought it strange, but Dang Harin zeroed right in on it.
"Well, if you two have some deep relationship, I'll apologize. It'd be wrong of me to butt in on lovers. Did I overstep?"
Dang Harin's expression made it seem like she knew something.
Nangong Yurin replied in a subdued voice.
"No."
"Really? You're sure there's nothing there?"
Dang Harin rested her chin on the table, her ample chest propped up, and leaned her face close to Nangong Yurin.
Eyes turned that way.
In that fleeting moment, Nangong Yurin’s gaze flicked toward Dang Harin's chest before meeting her eyes again.
*I'm done for...*
She tried to stay composed, but her voice sharpened despite herself.
"I told you, no."
"Ah ha, so you're *not* close. Then maybe it's one-sided—"
Nangong Yurin’s heart sank.
"Miss Dang, that's enough. Miss Nangong and I are about the same age, so I just told her to call me comfortably. I'm still getting used to it myself."
Just as the awkward question was about to drop, Yuseong cut Dang Harin off.
He hadn't paid much mind to Nangong Yurin changing how she addressed him before, but for some reason, it felt like he needed to say it now.
The two women were on edge, ruining his meal.
He hoped that would settle it, and both Dang Harin and Nangong Yurin would eat quietly now.
"Ah, I see. But Divine Physician, we're not just around the same age—we're exactly the same age, right? Want to be friends? Since it's not some special relationship..."
"..."
Yuseong now understood why Nangong Yurin had been so flustered in front of Dang Harin.
The woman had a knack for drawing people in.
***
The Murim Alliance is an organization formed by various righteous sects and Murim families to safeguard peace in the jianghu.
Some actively lend their strength to the Alliance and share in its benefits, while others—even from the righteous faction—only cooperate in times of crisis.
The Tang Clan of Sichuan used to be the former but is now clearly the latter.
In other words.
Being the Medical Pavilion Leader of the Murim Alliance didn't put Dang Harin in a superior-subordinate relationship with him.
And.
Dang Harin saw no need for formalities in such a relationship.
Her father, the Tang Clan Head, could handle the formalities just fine. As for her, she preferred getting chummy with someone as talented as Yuseong.
The result was this.
"Yuseong!"
"Yes, Miss Dang."
"Yuseong, Yuseong, Yuseong!"
"..."
Dang Harin called Yuseong's name right in front of Nangong Yurin. Brazenly.
When she'd suggested they be friends—especially with the Heavenly Fortune Stone matter pending—he'd half-heartedly agreed, thinking it might help to get closer.
Even though he'd said he wasn't used to it and would keep calling her Miss Dang, she had no hesitation calling his name.
Yuseong gave up and shook his head.
Then he noticed Nangong Yurin, her head slightly bowed, eyes downcast.
She looked like a puppy with its tail between its legs, stirring his pity.
He picked up a soup dumpling and placed it on her plate.
Soup dumplings were a common Sichuan meat-juice delicacy.
Freshly served, steam rose invitingly—they were best eaten hot.
"...?"
Nangong Yurin looked up in surprise, eyes widening.
"Those are tasty. Try one."
"Ah, ah... Th-thank you, Yuseong..."
Nangong Yurin had been deflated, feeling like Dang Harin had seen through her feelings.
But just from Yuseong giving her a bite of food, her spirits lifted.
It was also touching that he'd sided with her, saying she could call him Yuseong in front of Dang Harin.
Buoyed, she took a bite of the soup dumpling he'd given her.
Warm meat juices flowed into her mouth from the hot dumpling.
The flavor was utterly divine—
"Here, Yuseong. Say 'ahh.' I put a mild poison on this one just now. Can you show me if you can really detox without even spitting? Just once?"
The moment she reflexively looked up at Dang Harin's voice, she saw.
Dang Harin holding a soup dumpling with her chopsticks, right in front of Yuseong's mouth.
"No, even if it's mild, asking me to eat poison—"
"Ahaha! Just kidding, kidding. Nothing's on it. Come on, ahh~"
Naturally, Yuseong didn't take the bait.
Dang Harin grinned and popped the whole dumpling into her mouth.
"I really didn't put anything. Mmm, delicious."
Nangong Yurin lost her appetite.
*Why does this taste off? No way she poisoned mine...*
She poked at the half-eaten dumpling with her chopsticks for no reason.
***
The Qingcheng Sect and the Tang Clan of Sichuan were several days' journey apart by carriage.
The Murim Alliance group departed for the Tang Clan of Sichuan—their next destination—amid farewells from the Qingcheng Sect Taoists.
They still needed to stop by the Tang Clan and request active support for Alliance matters.
And as only Yuseong and Jegal Yeongyeong knew, they had to resolve the Heavenly Fortune Stone processing.
It would be wise to secure ties now, since they'd need help later to forge an orichalcum sword from the Heavenly Fortune Stone.
Fortunately, things seemed to be off to a good start.
"Ahaha! Really? Elder Cheongun, you have so much worldly experience. I've only ever lived in Sichuan!"
Jeongu Taoist had stayed at the Qingcheng Sect, and Dang Harin joined the carriage to the Tang Clan.
She made a fine conversation partner for the talkative Elder Cheongun.
They traveled with the existing Tang Clan members who'd been staying at the Qingcheng Sect, but Dang Harin insisted on riding with Yuseong.
Using friendship as an excuse.
*'I was wondering how to get the Tang Clan to process the Heavenly Fortune Stone and what favors to offer, but becoming friends with Dang Harin worked out well.'*
From what Yuseong had observed.
Dang Harin might be immature, but she brimmed with confidence in poisons—and backed it with real skill.
She'd spilled all sorts of details on detox methods for the poison that afflicted Yucheon Immortal. Yuseong only understood parts of it, but it sounded plausible.
Upon arriving at the Tang Clan, she'd preemptively suggested researching poisons together while the Alliance members negotiated.
*-Yuseong, if you help, I can test deadly poisons to my heart's content, right?*
He recalled Dang Harin wetting her lips with her tongue.
Even after he'd demonstrated his detoxification ability, for her to think of experimenting with deadly poisons on her own body...
She was undoubtedly a poison maniac.
***
The group finally arrived at the Tang Clan of Sichuan.
Tang Clan warriors must have sent word ahead, as several people waited outside.
The identity of the most distinguished-looking one among them was soon revealed.
"Father!"
Dang Harin shouted loudly, waving her hand.
While Elder Cheongun exchanged greetings with the Tang Clan Head, Yuseong surveyed the surroundings.
People bustled about energetically.
An oddly festive air hung in the atmosphere.
"Yuseong, what? Something weird?"
"No, just... Is this the usual vibe?"
A few days had passed since they'd shared the carriage.
Yuseong had started speaking casually to Dang Harin as well.
She kept calling him Yuseong casually, so it felt more awkward for him alone to use formal address and "Miss Dang."
She soon cleared up his question.
"Oh, that? My little sibling's getting married soon. That's what they're prepping for. The Tang Clan is usually so quiet it's boring to death."
*Little sibling getting married?*
Usually, families married off from the eldest downward in order.