This Is Why They Targeted You
Jegal Gyeong and his party emerged from Black Dragon Hall.
“Haa. I thought I was going to die because of Rin.”
Jegal Gwang heaved a deep sigh.
His uncle Jegal Gyeong nodded as well, then issued a low warning to his niece Jegal Rin.
“What you said just now was an extremely dangerous remark, Rin. If the Tang Clan Lord hadn’t been fond of you… we would have died here today.”
The world’s greatest master had been poisoned.
And in the Sichuan Tang Clan, of all places—the foremost masters of poison under heaven.
This was a matter of the gravest importance.
Regardless, Jegal Rin remained deep in thought.
“Are you listening to your uncle?”
At Jegal Gyeong’s words, Jegal Rin muttered quietly.
“Who on earth could have done something like this? Against the world’s greatest, mmph!”
Her twin brother Jegal Gwang, standing beside her, clamped a hand over her mouth.
“You idiot! I told you to stop making dangerous remarks.”
Jegal Rin struggled free of his grip in frustration.
“That’s not the point—whoever did this has some serious guts. To pull off something this enormous against the world’s greatest master. How do they plan to deal with the aftermath?”
Jegal Gyeong’s face went ashen at the way Jegal Rin blurted things out without the slightest regard for their surroundings.
“Rin!”
Jegal Gyeong shouted once more, scanning the area.
Only those who guarded the Clan Lord in the darkness were present. Fortunately, no one else was around.
“No—if you fail to kill them cleanly, you’ll face the wrath of the world’s greatest. The Tang Clan Lord can definitely cure the poison, can’t he?”
“Wh-what!?”
Jegal Gyeong recoiled in shock.
In truth, he already knew that the Tang Clan Lord had been poisoned by an unknown toxin. It was a secret known only to a select few, including his elder brother, the Jegal Clan Lord.
“Y-you mean detoxification is possible?”
“It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible either, right? Why are you so surprised?”
Jegal Rin looked up at Jegal Gyeong with an innocent face.
“I-is that the truth?”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn’t you tell the Tang Clan Lord?”
“I thought the Tang Clan Lord would be able to detoxify it himself.”
The poison that had struck Tang Baek was one they had never seen before. They called it the Soul-Sealing Extreme Poison—an extreme toxin that sealed the soul. Even the world’s greatest master could not detoxify it.
“You mean your eyes can see the method of detoxification, Rin?”
Jegal Rin felt something odd about Jegal Gyeong’s reaction.
“Don’t tell me I’m the only one who can see it?”
“Of course. You…”
He stopped mid-sentence and checked their surroundings once more, then carefully opened his mouth again.
“Because you were born with the Heavenly Eye, you can see the Clan Lord’s symptoms and the detoxification method.”
“Ah.”
Only then did Jegal Rin once again recognize her own special nature.
“So what is that detoxification method?”
At Jegal Gyeong’s question she answered at once.
“The inner core of a Yin-Yang Twin-Headed Snake with three hundred years of internal energy, Soul Brightening Wood, and Sun Liquor are needed.”
The Yin-Yang Twin-Headed Snake was from Kunlun. Soul Brightening Wood came from Mount Tai. Sun Liquor was in Zhongjing, so none of them were impossible to obtain.
“Hmm… Each and every one of them is extraordinary.”
“Lastly, we need the Yin Soul Ice Thread of the Snowy Yin.”
At the words “Snowy Yin,” Jegal Gyeong’s body stiffened.
“Y-Yin Spirit Ice Fox?”
The Yin Spirit Ice Fox was a legendary fox living in the Heavenly Mountains, and the Yin Soul Ice Thread referred to the tail hairs that the Yin Spirit Ice Fox scattered to mark its territory.
“This last material will be the hardest to obtain.”
“Hard to obtain is an understatement. The Yin Spirit Ice Fox is a legendary spiritual beast—no one even knows if it truly exists.”
“The fact that it has a moniker like Snowy Yin means it does exist, so it’s not completely impossible.”
“But still…”
Jegal Gyeong remained skeptical. A spiritual beast that never even showed its shadow. Even if one searched the entire martial world, there was no guarantee of finding it. It had never revealed itself to humans to that extent.
“It’s better than searching for the Black Dragon Gold Pill, which has zero chance of existing.”
“You have a point there.”
The Black Dragon Gold Pill was an elixir forever forgotten by the Tang Clan. If the Black Dragon Gold Pill had existed, the Tang Clan Lord would have taken it long ago.
“I must report what you’ve said to the Tang Clan Lord.”
Just as Jegal Gyeong turned to head back into Black Dragon Hall, a boy’s muttering reached the ears of the three.
“This is why those bastards targeted you.”
Tang Cheonwi had come to Black Dragon Hall to meet his father, Tang Baek.
Jegal Rin knew the antidote for the Soul-Sealing Extreme Poison, so they killed her first. I thought they just killed her to keep me in check, but that wasn’t it.
The eldest son of the Tang Clan. The legitimate heir born of the main wife. On top of that, if his wife’s family was the Jegal Clan, what would happen? His position as successor would become even more solid. No one would dare raise a rebellion against him.
The Jegal Clan was sacrificed because of me as well.
The Tang Clan and the Jegal Clan had been extremely close. His grandfather and the Supreme Elder of the Jegal Clan had been sworn brothers. He had heard they greatly regretted never being able to marry their children to each other. The words that the Supreme Elder of the Jegal Clan would even offer his heart for his grandfather were famous throughout the martial world. That was how good the relationship between the two families had been.
After Jegal Rin died, the relationship between the Tang Clan and the Jegal Clan did sour.
This too had gone according to the intentions of the forces that rebelled against the Tang Clan.
They’re more bold and greedy than I thought.
They were the ones who had annihilated the Jegal Clan in order to devour the Tang Clan. He could not think of it simply.
See? You’re already entangled with this woman.
As Hwancheonjihwan spoke slyly, Jegal Gwang strode over.
“Wi, long time no see.”
He pulled him into a tight hug.
“Gross. Get off.”
“Still as cold as ever, I see?”
Jegal Gwang looked extremely glad to see him.
“Have you eaten? Are you healthy? Don’t neglect your martial arts training. You’re a late bloomer, so there’ll come a day when you shine.”
The guy chattered nonstop at him. In his previous life, it had been Jegal Gwang who informed him that his younger brother was in danger. He was also the one who had uncovered the secret history of how the Tang Clan and Jegal Clan had been annihilated. The moniker he gained then was Sword Demon.
“I get it, so stop talking.”
“But you… seem a little different?”
“You’re imagining things.”
“No… You used to have a completely shitty—I mean, tyrannical personality.”
“How can you tell from a brief look?”
“I can tell.”
Jegal Gwang looked him straight in the eyes as he spoke. Well, this guy knew him as well as Yuhyeon did. He had noticed the change in his atmosphere from before.
“I need to greet the Head of Chilryeongak, so step aside.”
“What the—! You’re not usually like this.”
“What about me?”
“You’re a total bastard and the most ill-mannered guy under heaven. Who are you, and where’s my friend Cheonwi?”
Jegal Gwang pretended to draw his sword. Cheonwi stared quietly at the sight.
“What’s with that look? Don’t tell me you’re looking at me like I’m pathetic?”
Jegal Gwang always acted dignified, but in front of him he often did silly things. It meant they were that comfortable with each other. When the Jegal Clan fell, that guy had tracked down and killed every last one of the culprits who destroyed his family.
“Yeah, this side of you suits you better.”
“Out of nowhere?”
This time Jegal Gwang eyed him with suspicion. He circled around him with a serious expression.
“Have you got some terminal illness?”
“No.”
“Then why are you being like this to me? It’s scary.”
Cheonwi chuckled at the guy’s behavior. It must be hard to adapt. His past self had been a tyrant who committed all sorts of mad acts. The strange thing was that Jegal Gwang, known as the Earth Dragon, was closest to him. The combination of a tyrant and the genius Earth Dragon among the Six Dragons. Everyone found it strange. If Jegal Gwang hadn’t said those words, he himself would have wondered.
You seem so free, the opposite of me. I want to learn that freedom from you, so let’s be friends.
Those were the words he had heard from Jegal Gwang five years ago when the other boy came to play at the Tang Clan. After that, they had become friends.
“Never mind.”
Putting his thoughts aside, he greeted Jegal Gyeong.
“It is an honor to meet the Head of Chilryeongak for the first time.”
“You know of me?”
Jegal Gyeong used half-honorifics toward him. It was the courtesy due to the young master of the world’s foremost clan.
“Aren’t you this guy’s uncle and sword master?”
Jegal Gyeong’s eyes gleamed. He turned his head slightly to look at Jegal Gwang. The guy scratched his head and said,
“I wanted to brag about it to Cheonwi, so I wrote it in a letter, Uncle.”
The Jegal Clan specialized in formations and strange gates and tactical arrays. But lately they had begun applying those brilliant minds to martial arts as well. Thanks to that, they had created the finest sword arts. The one who led that effort was none other than the Head of Chilryeongak, Jegal Gyeong.
“There are no secrets between the Tang and Jegal Clans, but…”
“He’s a friend I can trust. Don’t worry.”
The fact that the current Jegal Clan’s swordsmanship was outstanding was still unknown to the martial world. The martial world was a place of mountains of blades and forests of swords. The more hidden cards one had, the higher the chance of survival. If it became known that the Jegal Clan had properly mastered sword arts, they would become targets of vigilance from rival clans. Knowing this, Tang Cheonwi changed the subject.
“I have no friends besides this guy, so rest assured. More importantly, it would be best to keep the fact that Jegal Rin knows the antidote for the Soul-Sealing Extreme Poison tightly under wraps.”
“You know about the Soul-Sealing Extreme Poison as well?”
“Roughly.”
“Even so, as the young master of the Tang Clan…”
“I know why you’ve come here. As much as possible, please refuse my father’s proposal.”
Jegal Gyeong’s eyebrows twitched.
“You mean refuse marriage to my niece?”
“It’s for the sake of the Jegal Clan. I trust you’ll understand what I mean. Then I’ll take my leave first.”
Having said only what he needed to, Tang Cheonwi entered Black Dragon Hall. Watching his retreating back, Jegal Gyeong muttered,
“He’s different from the rumors.”
“They’re exaggerated lies.”
“To have such a deep heart… I think I can vaguely understand why your father wants to marry Rin into the Tang Clan.”
“You figured Cheonwi out from that brief conversation?”
At Jegal Gwang’s question, Jegal Gyeong nodded.
“He harbors a vicious poison in his heart, yet he does not wish to harm those who do not oppose him. To think that is the heart of a fifteen-year-old child… You’re the first one besides Gwang that I’ve seen like this.”
It was close to the highest praise. Praise he rarely gave even to the Six Dragons and Four Flowers, who were called the greatest among the rising stars.
“I heard he only has third-class martial arts… What is this sense of incongruity?”
“You felt it too, Uncle?”
“It seems you received the same impression as this uncle of yours, Gwang.”
The two turned their heads to look at Jegal Rin. Their eyes wanted to hear the opinion of the child who possessed the Heavenly Eye.
“I’ve decided on that older brother.”
That single answer was enough. Jegal Rin, who had a strong sense of pride, had readily called him “older brother.” This meant that he possessed some hidden ability that no one knew about. Moreover, a power that Jegal Rin would find interesting.
“Do as you wish, Rin.”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
Jegal Rin smiled brightly. The surroundings brightened as if illuminated.
Tang Cheonwi sat facing his father, Tang Baek.
The silence continued. His father only drank tea, saying nothing. About fifteen minutes had passed when his father finally opened his mouth.
“You’ve been up to some truly bizarre things lately.”
“I have no memory of causing any trouble.”
“Heh.”
The corners of his father’s mouth curled upward. It was a chilling smile. The air around them froze with coldness.
“Not only did you cripple three of the collateral line, you even killed an assassin from Yuhongak, and you still claim you have no memory of causing trouble?”
Killing intent that tore the entire body to shreds swept over him. In reality, his skin tore and blood sprayed.
“I only followed the rules of the Tang Clan.”
“What?”
“They insulted me, the young master. Are you telling me to just stand by and watch those who challenge my authority?”
“If that was your own power, it would be fine, but I cannot tolerate establishing authority by borrowing others’ strength.”
“Who says I borrowed others’ strength?”
His father frowned.
“You mean you took care of the Yuhongak assassin alone as well? Without help from your maidservant?”
It seemed his father also knew Choeun’s true identity. Of course he would. As Clan Lord, his father’s eyes were spread throughout the entire Tang Clan.
“Even with my dantian ruined, I am the one who absorbed the Black Deep Abyss. This blood of mine holds everything of the Tang Clan.”
He grinned at his father.
“So it wasn’t with the maidservant’s help or by luck, but your own skill?”
Then he shrugged his shoulders.
“Otherwise, would I have appeared before you so confidently? In the past, I would have hidden behind Yuhyeon and waited for your anger to subside.”
“You talk a good game.”
“I take after someone with a shitty personality.”
“Are you roundabout insulting me?”
“Does it sting?”
“Shut up and state your business.”
Despite the insolent attitude, his father let it slide. Toward such a father, he brought up the main point.
“Please permit me to establish a unit.”
“You who’ve been cooped up in the family just eating rice have no such authority.”
“Can’t I start earning my keep now?”
“You mean to establish merit?”
“I understand an epidemic is spreading in Jamun Village. I’ll go establish merit there.”