Chapter 430: If I Break My Promise Again, I’m a Dog. A Dog.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 430: If I Break My Promise Again, I’m a Dog. A Dog.
"Are you serious?"
Despite Sun-woo’s heartfelt answer, Tang Seo-yoon continued to glare at him with eyes full of suspicion. It was clear she didn't find his words particularly trustworthy.
"I’m serious. If I break my promise again, I’m a dog. A dog."
Sun-woo stared back at Tang Seo-yoon, his eyes burning with sincerity as he spoke.
Tang Seo-yoon stared at him in silence for a moment before finally nodding. She figured that even if he was a guy whose head was filled with semen instead of brain fluid, he wouldn't go out of his way to increase the risks he was facing.
Right, regardless of everything else, he is my lover. I should trust him.
Tang Seo-yoon soon felt a pang of regret. Although Sun-woo had repeatedly acted in ways that undermined her trust, she was still his lover. How could she, in that position, not trust him? It was simply illogical.
"I’ll believe you," Tang Seo-yoon said, her eyes now filled with confidence as she looked at him.
"Yeah, I won't disappoint you."
Sun-woo nodded with a firm expression, as if responding to her trust.
"By the way, what’s this about Kang Ha-yoon coming to the Tang Clan?" Sun-woo asked, his curiosity piqued.
He couldn't understand why she, who had beaten the White Tiger Hall Master to a pulp, would be visiting the Tang Clan alongside him. It didn't make sense.
"They’re calling it a punishment," Tang Seo-yoon replied, her expression turning stiff again as she adopted a formal tone. It seemed she intended to resume the meeting.
"Punishment?" Sun-woo asked, confused.
"Apparently, the fight itself started because Kang Ha-yoon resisted arrest."
"Arrest? Kang Ha-yoon?"
"Yes. I was told the Law Enforcement Hall issued an arrest warrant on charges of embezzlement, bribery, and other counts of misconduct."
"That’s ridiculous!" Sun-woo raised his voice in protest.
It was an utterly absurd claim. The Kang Ha-yoon he knew wasn't the kind of person to do such things. She was a true hero who lived and died by the chivalric code. How could someone like her commit acts that went against the very essence of chivalry?
It had to be a frame-up. No, it was definitely a frame-up.
"I agree that it’s nonsensical. The Phoenix Hall Master’s upright character is famous throughout the Murim," Tang Seo-yoon said, nodding in agreement. "It must be a false accusation. And Kang Ha-yoon likely knew that as well. That’s probably why she resisted and turned the White Tiger Hall Master into a mess."
"…So that’s how it happened."
Sun-woo spoke as if he finally understood. When he first heard that the Phoenix Hall Master had suddenly turned the White Tiger Hall Master into a semi-invalid, he couldn't wrap his head around it. Both the Phoenix Unit and the White Tiger Hall were representative martial organizations of the Cheonmu Alliance, so he couldn't imagine them fighting each other.
However, if it was a reaction to a frame-up, it was perfectly understandable. Given her rigid personality, she wouldn't have let it slide.
"Then why is she coming to the Tang Clan?"
"Well, they say the one who tied the knot must untie it. It seems they’ve sent her to nurse the White Tiger Hall Master, whom she personally wrecked. Until his wounds heal, at least."
"So it’s a sort of exile."
Sun-woo nodded as he spoke.
"Yes. Honestly, considering the charges, even a lifetime in prison wouldn't be enough, but since she is the wife of the Cheonmu Alliance Leader, I suspect they commuted her sentence."
"…I see."
Sun-woo nodded, finding her logic sound. As she said, for someone who had nearly crippled the White Tiger Hall Master, the punishment was quite light. If anyone else had done such a thing, they wouldn't have escaped death—or at the very least, they would have spent the rest of their lives repenting in a cell.
"Were there any other instructions?"
"They told us not to treat the Phoenix Hall Master as a superior. Since she is merely a caregiver performing her duties, they said not to treat her with the luxury afforded to a guest."
"…Well, it wouldn't be much of a punishment if she were treated comfortably," Sun-woo agreed, nodding.
"And there was one more command."
"What is it?"
"They requested that the Divine Dragon personally go out to meet Kang Ha-yoon and the White Tiger Hall Master."
"The Divine Dragon?"
"Yes. Jang Sun-woo, they mean you," Tang Seo-yoon said calmly.
"Is that guy crazy? Why is he asking someone who was kicked out of the Tang Clan to go meet them?" Sun-woo asked, looking dumbfounded.
"It seems he knows you’re still staying at the Tang Clan."
"…Damn it. I should have stayed in the form of Tang Jin-cheol."
Sun-woo frowned as he spoke. He had originally planned to live in the Tang Clan under the guise of Tang Jin-cheol after his official expulsion. He figured that someone who had been kicked out hanging around the clan would only arouse suspicion.
However, he had been so busy "picking flowers" here and there lately that the thought had completely slipped his mind. That seemed to be the root of the problem—for them to specifically point him out and order him to bring them in.
"Can't we just say I left?"
"Too many people saw you today. Lee Jae-won will just think you refused him."
"No, who does he think he is, giving me orders?" Sun-woo spat out, his voice laced with annoyance.
"It doesn't matter if you refuse. But he’ll definitely hold a grudge deep in his heart."
"That’s what makes it so annoying…"
Sun-woo knew all too well how petty Lee Jae-won could be. If he refused the proposal here, it would surely lead to significant disadvantages—not just for himself, but for the Tang Clan as well.
"You don't have to go if you don't want to," Tang Seo-yoon added calmly. "Just because he pointed you out doesn't mean you’re obligated to go."
"Won't it cause trouble for the Tang Clan?"
"It doesn't matter. If we use the excuse that we can't give orders to someone who has already been expelled, he won't be able to say anything to our faces."
"Hmm."
Hearing her words, Sun-woo fell into thought for a moment. As she said, it wasn't an order with absolute binding power. They could just use his expulsion as an excuse.
"I’ll go."
Sun-woo finally reached a conclusion.
"Are you sure?" Tang Seo-yoon asked, looking worried.
"I don't want to go looking for trouble for no reason," Sun-woo said calmly.
While it was a golden opportunity to sour Lee Jae-won’s mood, he didn't want to poke a hornet's nest. Given Lee Jae-won’s petty nature, he would surely try to get revenge somehow. Besides, it wasn't a particularly burdensome task, so he didn't feel a strong aversion to it.
And above all…
I kind of want to see Kang Ha-yoon.
The thought of meeting Kang Ha-yoon as soon as possible had crossed his mind. She was the woman Sun-woo liked most. Among all of Lee Jae-won’s heroines—who were mostly obsessed with his cock—she was the heroine among heroines, the one who shouted for chivalry and personally practiced justice.
His heart throbbed at the thought of meeting her again.
Last time, I only barely heard her voice.
They had met before, but it was a meeting that left much to be desired. Because of the dire situation of being pursued, he hadn't been able to face her properly. Of course, an unexpected event had occurred, making it a quite pleasant memory, but a lingering regret was still a regret.
Sun-woo planned to resolve that regret this time—by actually facing her and talking to her.
Thump, thump, thump.
Sun-woo felt his heart racing.
My favorite! I’m coming!
Meanwhile, Tang Seo-yoon looked moved by Sun-woo’s decision. Ever since he returned from the North Sea, he hadn't stepped foot outside the clan. His reasoning was that since everything could be handled within the clan, there was no reason to go out.
Yet, he had chosen to leave the Tang Clan now, following an order from Lee Jae-won, the person he hated most. How could she not be moved? She was certain he was worried about the potential disadvantages the Tang Clan might face. Otherwise, why would that lazy man choose to step outside?
"…Thank you," Tang Seo-yoon said slowly, hiding her touched emotions.
"What for? It’s only natural," Sun-woo replied as if it were no big deal. "Where should I go to meet them?"
"The letter says they want you to meet them at the Cheonmu Alliance branch in Hubei," Tang Seo-yoon said, lifting the letter and reading its contents.
"Hubei Province… it’s not far. Do you know exactly where the branch is?"
"The Hubei branch of the Cheonmu Alliance is in Wuhan."
"Wuhan?"
Sun-woo’s face scrunched up slightly at her words.
"What’s wrong?"
"Nothing. Just… hearing the name Wuhan makes me feel a bit uneasy."
"Do you have bad memories of Wuhan?"
"You could say that." Sun-woo nodded slightly.
"Sun-woo, if you feel uncomfortable, you don't have to go," Tang Seo-yoon said calmly. She didn't want to send him if he disliked it.
"No, it’s fine. It’s a story from the other world anyway."
"The other world?"
"It’s just something."
Sun-woo brushed it off and cut the conversation short. He felt that if she kept pressing, he’d end up having to explain how he had been transported from that world to this one.
"Alright, I won't ask any more."
Tang Seo-yoon nodded, seemingly accepting his answer. Everyone had secrets they didn't want to share. She didn't want to pry into those secrets, as she considered it very rude.
"Anyway… hmm… from the Tang Clan to Wuhan…"
Sun-woo looked thoughtful, roughly calculating the distance from the Tang Clan to Wuhan in his head.
If I go at full speed, I could get there in a day… but hmm… it’s been a while since I’ve been out. Do I really need to rush?
In truth, for Sun-woo, who had reached the Profound Realm, the distance from the Tang Clan to Wuhan wasn't that far. If he set his mind to it, he could reach it in a single day. However, he didn't want to spend his first outing in a long time in such a rush. He wanted to travel leisurely and see the sights.
"I should take about three days and go at a relaxed pace."
"Can't you get there in a day?" Tang Seo-yoon asked, puzzled.
She had heard that Sun-woo had reached the Half-Immortal Stage. Therefore, she could infer that he could reach Wuhan in an instant if he wanted to. It was only natural for her to be confused when he planned to leave with a generous three-day window.
"I could, but it’s been a while since I’ve been out. I want to wander around a bit more leisurely," Sun-woo confessed his honest feelings.
"Hmm… I won't stop you if that’s what you want, but… it’s very inefficient."
She began to stroke her chin thoughtfully. Sun-woo smiled slightly, finding the sight adorable.
"If you live life only caring about efficiency, where’s the fun in that?"
"I suppose you’re right."
Tang Seo-yoon nodded, seemingly convinced by his words.
"Sun-woo! Sun-woo! Sun-woo!"
Just then, Yorang’s excited voice rang out from beside them.
"What is it, brat?"
Sun-woo turned his head to look at Yorang.
"You’re going out, right?"
"I guess you could say that."
"I’m coming too!" Yorang said with a bright expression.
"As if," Sun-woo retorted bluntly.
"Whyyyyyyy!" Yorang whined.
"Did you forget what happened the last time I took you with me?"
"In the end, the Tang Clan got rich!" Yorang shouted back.
Strictly speaking, she wasn't wrong. Thanks to the destruction of the Hwangbo Clan, the Tang Clan had regained its old fame and accumulated significant wealth even after streamlining some of its businesses.
"I almost died back then, you know?"
But the process had been grueling. They had paid a massive price to achieve that result. If luck hadn't piled upon luck, not only Sun-woo but the entire Tang Clan would have been annihilated.
"But you lived, didn't you?"
"That’s because I’m amazing."
"Then there’s no problem! You’re still amazing, so you’ll live this time too!"
"Oh, get lost." Sun-woo snapped back.
"I’m going!"
"No!"
"I’m going!"
"No!"
Sun-woo and Yorang began to exchange heated arguments.
"Seriously, why are you throwing a tantrum now when you never used to?"
"I want to go out for once!"
"Then do it later."
"No! I want to go play with you!"
"I’m not going there to play!"
"Then what is it!"
"I’m going to conduct a transaction between two groups with aligned interests!"
"I’m a spiritual being, I don't know what that means!"
"Don't lie! I know you understand everything!" Sun-woo raised his voice in irritation.
How could she be so stubborn when she had already learned more than enough about human society?
"I don't know, I don't care, I don't care!"
"Where did you even learn that 'I don't care' attitude?"
Sun-woo frowned, horrified by Yorang’s learning ability. Where on earth had she picked up such a bratty phrase?
"Take me! I said take me!"
Yorang threw a fit, pointing her finger at Sun-woo.
Wham!
Sun-woo’s fist immediately slammed into the top of Yorang’s head.
"Gyaaaaaaah!"
Yorang let out a loud scream as a wave of immense pain washed over her.
"Stop throwing a tantrum!"
"Grrrr!"
Yorang glared at Sun-woo after being struck. She felt wronged. She just wanted to be with him, so why was he being so cold-hearted?
"You meanie!"
Crunch!
Yorang suddenly lunged at Sun-woo and began to bite his arm.
"Aaaaah! Let go! Let goooo!"
Sun-woo screamed in pain as a sharp sensation shot through his arm.
The two of them began to bicker and scuffle, quickly turning the office into a complete mess.