Dear Siblings
It is not particularly strange for siblings to walk hand in hand. However, if they are fully grown adults, walking hand in hand can actually look rather peculiar to onlookers.
Because of this, Tang Ga-in deliberately clung to Tang Hwi's arm, leaning against him as if to project the image of exceptionally close siblings. In reality, she was surrendering her body to the man she loved, subtly seducing him with coquettish movements, but to an outside observer, it merely looked like sibling affection.
Thus, no one found it odd to see the two of them wandering around, enjoying the performances and talent shows prepared by the clan. Of course, that only applied to the members of the Tang Clan who actually knew who they were. Many of the visiting martial artists from outside had no idea of their identities, so they naturally assumed the two were lovers. The visitors from the Qingcheng Sect were no exception.
"Senior Brother, look over there. They say the women of the Tang Clan are all peerless beauties, and it seems the rumors are true. Even that couple looks so harmonious... I'm jealous."
"Stop it. How can you cultivate the Dao if you're casting your eyes on someone who is already taken... Oh, my."
"Right? They say this place once boasted the greatest beauty in Sichuan, and my eyes are certainly feasting today."
These were some of the guests from the Qingcheng Sect, dressed in neat blue martial robes with swords slung at their waists. Since the elders handled the important discussions, the second-generation disciples who had tagged along to gain experience usually spent their time enjoying the festivities. Spotting them, Tang Hwi gave Tang Ga-in a subtle nudge to make her step back slightly, then offered a polite greeting.
"It is a pleasure to meet the distinguished Daoists of the Qingcheng Sect. I am Tang Hwi of the Sichuan Tang Clan."
"Pleasure to meet you. I am Mujeong, a second-generation disciple of the Qingcheng Sect."
"Pleasure to meet you. I am Mu Jan, also a second-generation disciple of the Qingcheng Sect."
Looking at the senior and junior brothers of the Qingcheng Sect, known by their respective titles of Red Dragon and Azure Cloud Sword, Tang Hwi smiled.
"Ah, so you are the renowned Red Dragon. Please understand that I do not yet have a title of my own, so I cannot introduce myself with one."
"Do not worry about it. If we judged people solely by the titles circulating in the world, why would we even need eyes? It might sound a bit self-serving, but I do not hold prejudices. Please, feel free to speak comfortably with me, Daoist friend."
"Understood, Mujeong."
"......"
Mujeong was utterly dumbfounded. He had never in his life met someone who would take a polite, casual remark so literally and immediately drop all formalities to speak to him in such a casual, informal tone. All Mujeong could do was stand there, completely dazed.
As everyone stood frozen in shock at Tang Hwi's conversational style, Tang Hwi let out a bright smile.
"I was only joking."
"Ah... Aha? A joke, was it? Ahaha. You certainly startled me for a moment."
Attempting to clear the awkward air, Mujeong turned his gaze toward Tang Ga-in and asked,
"By the way, what might your name be, young lady? You appear to be this Daoist friend's lover."
"Mind your manners, Mujeong. She is my younger sister."
"Hoho. Hello there. I am Tang Ga-in of the Sichuan Tang Clan. I am Brother Tang Hwi's younger sister."
"Ah...?"
Once again dumbfounded, Mujeong instinctively turned his head toward his junior brother, who had carelessly referred to the two as lovers.
This bastard...?
Mu Jan was staring off at a distant mountain, babbling about how beautiful the scenery was to avoid Mujeong's glaring eyes. He had practically set up his senior brother to look like a vulgar creep who made inappropriate assumptions, only to slip away completely unscathed.
Primordial Heaven Master. Primordial Heaven Master... This, too, must be my karma.
To think he had wandered around with such a fellow as his junior brother.
What do I do now?
To put it with a bit of exaggeration, he had just asked a perfectly normal pair of siblings if they were in an incestuous relationship—an incredibly rude question. If they had bad tempers, it wouldn't be surprising at all if they struck him with a poison hand right then and there. He needed to apologize before things escalated, but the problem was that Mujeong also lacked real-world experience. How much experience could a second-generation disciple really have? Lacking the wisdom of age and the quick wit to handle unexpected situations, he decided to act like a true Daoist.
"The two of you seemed so exceptionally close that I mistakenly took you for lovers rather than siblings. I have committed a grave discourtesy against you both. Will you accept my apology?"
"Yes! I gladly accept your apology."
"O-Oh? Thank you?"
While relieved that his apology was accepted, Mujeong couldn't help but find Tang Ga-in's bright, beaming face rather strange.
She looks... happy about it? No, surely I'm imagining things.
Her expression was far too joyful to be a simple trick of the light. However, Mujeong quickly dismissed it as his own misunderstanding.
What kind of crazy woman would be happy about being mistaken for her brother's lover?
Just as he brushed off the odd feeling and prepared to continue the conversation with a lighter heart,
"I am sorry, but I have not accepted your apology yet."
"Uh, excuse me?"
"Ga-in may have accepted it, but as the other party who was misunderstood, I believe I also have the right to receive an apology."
Tang Hwi offered a bright smile to the utterly bewildered Mujeong.
"And I absolutely detest apologies that consist of mere words."
"......"
Mujeong opened his mouth as if to say something to Tang Hwi, who was shamelessly displaying his greed, but he quickly shut it, unable to find any leverage. No matter how one looked at it, he was the one who had committed the blunder. While Tang Hwi was certainly petty for using a slip of the tongue to extort him, if Mujeong tried to make excuses and run away without paying some sort of price, he would be the one branded as narrow-minded. Tang Hwi was currently a nobody, whereas Mujeong was a member of the Nine Dragons and Six Phoenixes and bore the prestigious title of Red Dragon. If rumors spread, he would undoubtedly become the target of gossip. Prominent figures were always targeted by the jealousy and emotional malice of others. The real issue was that he had provided the pretext in the first place; if he returned to the sect like this, his stubborn master would surely skin him alive.
There are too many eyes watching. I cannot talk my way out of this. In that case, is giving him what he wants quickly the only way out?
Though lacking in experience, Mujeong possessed the sharp, decisive judgment of an elite martial artist. Reaching a conclusion, he let out a bitter laugh.
"I am sorry, but there is not much I can offer you. Though I am called the Red Dragon, in reality, I am merely a second-generation disciple, so my actual authority is quite limited."
"I have heard that Young Hero Mujeong is currently learning the Red Sunset Sword. At this rate, you will eventually learn the Azure Cloud Red Sunset Sword, and I am well aware that a spiritual elixir is bestowed upon those who learn that technique."
At Tang Hwi's subtle demand for the elixir, Mujeong gasped in shock.
"Are you seriously asking for the Cheonghong Dan?! Absolutely not...!"
The Cheonghong Dan was an elixir reserved for the future sect leader. Although it was known to be a step below the Mount Hua Sect's Purple Sunset Pill or the Shaolin Temple's Great Return Pill, it was still an exceptionally potent spiritual medicine. It only seemed slightly lacking when compared to the massive scale of the Qingcheng Sect; to any mid-to-small-sized sect, it was a peerless treasure.
"I am not asking for it for free. I am not a completely shameless bastard."
"...I see."
Mujeong's eyes narrowed. Tang Hwi's words, though brazen, suggested he possessed at least a shred of conscience. It could be interpreted as a declaration that while he would extort something, he wouldn't go overboard and would only take what was fair to compensate for the offense.
"I am proposing a trade."
"A trade, you say?"
"In our Tang Clan, the Young Patriarch has the authority to choose a single secret manual or spiritual elixir. I intend to choose an elixir that grants Ten-Poison Immunity. Although it is a step below the Qingcheng Sect's treasured Cheonghong Dan, you must know well that consuming it would not be a bad deal for you, Young Hero."
"That is... true."
One might argue that anything short of All-Poison Immunity is useless, but even Ten-Poison Immunity was an incredibly rare and valuable ability. Achieving true All-Poison Immunity was a legendary feat; only a handful of people in the entire history of the Jianghu had ever reached it. For anyone who did not specialize in poison arts, Ten-Poison Immunity was an absolute treasure.
"Ten-Poison Immunity. Ten-Poison Immunity, indeed."
"It is not a bad offer. Considering your realm and potential, you could eventually circulate your qi to expel minor poisons, but you will not always have the luxury of time in an emergency. I assume you are not some greenhorn who does not understand how much of a difference that slight edge can make in a life-or-death situation."
He wasn't wrong. Trying to fight an opponent of equal caliber while simultaneously circulating qi to suppress poison was more than just a waste of inner energy—it was like walking on a razor's edge where death could strike at any second. Mujeong knew all too well what real combat was like, far removed from the peaceful sparring matches of the orthodox sects.
After pondering Tang Hwi's proposal deeply, he finally made up his mind.
"Very well. I shall accept your proposal."
"I look forward to our transaction."
They shook hands to seal the deal. Once the senior and junior brothers of the Qingcheng Sect departed, Tang Hwi turned back to Tang Ga-in.
"Now, shall we go back to enjoying the festival?"
"Yes, Brother."
Clinging to Tang Hwi's arm once more, Tang Ga-in let out a silly giggle and whispered to him,
"They called us lovers. What do you think about that?"
"What is there to think? We are siblings, but we are also lovers who love each other. Why even bother asking?"
"Hmph. Even if I know it, I still want to hear you say it. When you denied it so firmly to extort that Daoist, it made me feel a little insecure. You have to take responsibility for this. Okay? Take responsibility~♡"
"......Fine."
Staring down at his younger sister, who was slyly pressing her groin against his hand whenever she thought no one was looking, Tang Hwi suddenly leaned in.
Smooch.
Just as she had done, he caught a moment when no one was watching and planted a light, swift kiss on her lips.
"There is your responsibility."
"...Eh? H-Hah?!"
Tang Ga-in was instantly, utterly defeated.