An Uninvited Guest
Rattle-rattle.
"Gwang-ah."
"Yes, Uncle."
The two men rode in a carriage, dressed in the robes of scholars. Had a sword not rested beside them, anyone would have mistaken them for mere academics.
"That tyrant of the Tang Clan—can we trust him?"
The boy who looked about fifteen answered with a radiant smile.
"Of course. That guy may seem blunt on the outside, but to those who open their hearts to him, he's truly warm."
The boy's name was Jegal Gwang, successor of the Jegal Clan and a talent destined to lead the next generation. Among the Six Dragons and Four Flowers, he was known as the Earth Dragon.
Seated opposite him was the middle-aged scholar Jegal Gyeong, Gwang's uncle—called the White Literary Sword, head of Chilhyeon Pavilion, and the younger brother of the Jegal Clan head.
"Still, I can't help feeling uneasy. To think we must arrange a political marriage between Rin and that tyrant…"
"Nothing has been decided yet. That's why Rin came herself—to see Cheonwi with her own eyes."
"If that boy takes a liking to Rin, the Tang Clan will push the marriage through, won't they?"
The Sichuan Tang Clan stood as the foremost family under heaven. Tang Cheonwi was its eldest son, born of the late first wife—blood of pure legitimacy. And what place did the main bloodline hold in the Tang Clan? Short of some grave stain, he was the man who would rise to clan head.
"Do you think Rin would just sit still for that? She'd run away from home without a second thought."
"That would be even worse."
"And the Tang Clan head isn't the sort to force matters so recklessly."
"When it comes to his child, he might be different."
Worry gnawed at Jegal Gyeong. The Tang Clan was more ruthless and self-centered than any other house. Bringing his niece into such a family filled him with dread.
"Uncle, you're fretting more than I am—how is that supposed to work?"
"Are you saying you don't worry for your own sister?"
"Rin's personality is the complete opposite of mine. Honestly, I'm more worried about my friend Cheonwi. He might get crushed under Rin's momentum."
His twin sister Jegal Rin was nothing like him. Where Gwang was mature and composed, Rin had been born with the spirit of a true man of valor.
"The Tang Clan might be the ones to wave us off first."
"Ahem… now that you mention it, that might well be the case. Haha."
Jegal Gyeong thought of his niece and burst into hearty laughter. She was a tomboy through and through. The image of her as the lady of the foremost clan under heaven already struck him as absurdly funny.
"It doesn't suit her at all."
"Right? So stop worrying so early. We might get rejected first."
Jegal Gwang was certain. The moment his friend Tang Cheonwi laid eyes on his twin sister Jegal Rin, the boy would want nothing more than to flee.
"I only hope we can settle things amicably for both sides."
No sooner had Jegal Gyeong spoken than the carriage came to a halt.
"My lord, we have arrived at the Tang Clan."
"We shall alight."
They had reached their destination at last. Jegal Gyeong and Jegal Gwang stepped down from the carriage.
"It's magnificent every time I see it."
"Whoa…"
"It's been a long time for you as well, Gwang, hasn't it?"
"Yes, Uncle. Aside from a vague memory from when I was very young, I haven't been here."
Jegal Gwang stood with his mouth hanging open, overwhelmed by the grandeur of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
"It seems even larger than before."
"It does, doesn't it? There's a reason they're called the foremost clan under heaven."
The two of them continued to marvel before the main gates of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
"But why hasn't Rin come down from her carriage?"
"Perhaps she's still asleep?"
Jegal Rin had ridden in a separate carriage.
"I'll wake her."
Jegal Gwang walked back to the carriage immediately behind them.
"Rin-ah, we've arrived at the Sichuan Tang Clan. From here we have to walk."
The instant he opened the door to his twin sister's carriage—
"Rin-ah?!"
The interior was completely empty.
"Uncle! Rin's gone!"
"What did you say?!"
Jegal Gwang and Jegal Gyeong locked eyes.
"It seems…"
"Don't tell me—!"
"Rin must have slipped out of the carriage on her own without us noticing."
"Blast it!"
In the next breath both men launched themselves toward the Tang estate.
Bang!
A girl with long flowing hair strode straight into Poison Dragon Pavilion as if she owned the place. She was beautiful enough to dazzle the eyes, and she walked with unhesitating confidence.
"What is this place? It's so gloomy."
She looked around as though the residence belonged to her, then raised her voice.
"Is anyone here?!"
Internal energy rode in her call. Even so, silence answered.
"I was sure it was here. Did I come to the wrong place?"
Just as she reached for the door to a room in Poison Dragon Pavilion—
"Who taught you to walk into someone else's home without the master's permission?"
Tang Cheonwi appeared.
She studied him carefully.
"You're the master of this place?"
"Speaking so informally right from the first meeting."
"That pretty-boy look of yours is really not my type."
She called him a pretty boy, yet there was a fragile, decadent beauty to him—an unkempt air one never saw in the children of great houses. Through the cascade of his hair, fierce eyes stared out, the gaze of a beast ready to devour her.
"Still the same habit of complaining right to my face."
The man gave not an inch. He had to be the master of this place—Tang Cheonwi.
"You know me?"
"The precious jewel of the Jegal Clan. Blue Lotus Flower Jegal Rin."
She was one of the Four Flowers. That title was the one she hated most.
"From now on call me Flying Swallow Sword, not Blue Lotus Flower."
Ignoring her request completely, Tang Cheonwi asked,
"Why are you here? The Sichuan Conference hasn't started yet."
"I came early to see what kind of person you are."
"Now that you've seen me, I'd appreciate it if you left. I still have training to finish."
Jegal Rin stared blankly. She had just been told to get out. Young masters from every famous house usually burned with eagerness just to catch a glimpse of her. And yet—
Tang Cheonwi waved a hand as though she were a nuisance, showing not the slightest interest.
Hmph. Does he think acting cold will make me find him refreshing and pique my curiosity?
Countless men had thrown themselves at her, inventing every possible scheme to win her attention.
But… the longer I look at him, the more I feel like I'm being pulled in.
Jegal Rin found herself staring intently at Tang Cheonwi's face, expression dazed. Without the sound of his voice she might have kept staring forever.
"Still not leaving? Does the Jegal Clan teach its people that it's fine to watch someone else's training?"
His gaze was terrifyingly cold. Not a shred of affection or interest colored it.
Jegal Rin reeled from the shock.
How can he look at me with eyes like that?
It was a feeling she had never experienced before. In that moment of confusion—
Wait. What is that?!
Something she had not noticed until now entered her vision. Tang Cheonwi's surroundings were steeped in green.
This entire place is blanketed in his energy!
She possessed one special gift—a talent she had carried since the moment of her birth. The Heavenly Eye. An insight that could pierce through anything.
I heard we're the same age. Is this even possible?
Very little surprised her. From childhood she had seen many remarkable people. Tang Cheonwi was different. She had never encountered anyone her own age who wielded power this vicious. Even comparing him to her twin brother—the genius among geniuses—was impossible. It was enough to make her hair stand on end.
So the image of the tyrant is just a disguise. This energy is the real Tang Cheonwi…
Discovering his aura had startled her. Now, though, it was fun. As if fresh life had been breathed into her dull existence.
"As expected of the Tang Clan's young master. They say the main bloodline of Sichuan Tang inherits tremendous power. It was true."
At her words Tang Cheonwi's brow furrowed.
"I've confirmed who you are, so I'll be going. I can come play again, right?"
Her voice had turned friendly.
"I refuse."
"Why?"
"I hate having strangers enter my territory."
"You're friends with Brother Gwang, aren't you? Then that makes us close too. I'm your friend's little sister."
She stated her case calmly and thoroughly.
"Anyway, never come back. You interrupt my training."
"Then I'll come properly next time."
Refusing to yield, she fired back. Just before stepping out of Poison Dragon Pavilion she turned and delivered a line that sent a chill down the spine.
"See you later, Brother Tang."
The muscle beside Tang Cheonwi's eye twitched.
Hwancheonjihwan mimicked Jegal Rin perfectly.
"See you later, Brother Tang."
"The flow of energy feels strange, doesn't it?"
"Haah."
Tang Cheonwi let out a long sigh.
"It brings back bad memories."
The recollection was sharp and vivid. In his previous life Jegal Rin had also entered a political marriage with him. The result: she died on the way to the Sichuan Tang Clan.
"You don't like that girl? Being born with the Heavenly Eye makes her the best possible bride, doesn't it?"
It was not only her. Everyone entangled with him had died. This life would be no different. Keeping his distance was the safest course.
"I just… don't want to get involved. I don't want anyone dying because of me either."
Many factions watched him with hostile eyes. The moment Jegal Rin became linked to him she would become a target. He could not let the same tragedy from his previous life repeat itself. Above all else, his younger brother came first. He had no spare energy to look after her.
"Sorry to say this, but that child is already entangled with you."
"I can just ignore her."
"She doesn't look like the type to give up easily."
True enough. Jegal Rin did not know how to quit. Once she set her heart on someone, she found a way to take care of them no matter what. She was a woman with a man's temperament—someone who valued loyalty and friendship above all.
"Aren't you overthinking this? With your abilities, it's nothing but needless worry."
Hwancheonjihwan continued.
"And you already told that maid Choeun to go find the people on the list. You're planning to raise them, aren't you?"
"Yeah."
"So you intend to build a force of your own."
"It'll make protecting my brother easier."
"Then think simply. With you, you'll protect every person you hold dear."
That was true. Had he not returned to the past? The ones who killed his brother were the same ones who had tormented him. His goal remained singular: revenge against them.
Perhaps exposing a weakness through Jegal Rin was the better path. That way the ones watching him would reveal themselves.
"How much have you even seen of me to place that much faith in me?"
"It's not faith in you. It's faith in the Tyrant Blood Poison Qi and the Dark Blood True Scripture you've mastered. Don't get the wrong idea."
Hwancheonjihwan spoke primly. Listening to the ring, Tang Cheonwi's thoughts settled into place.
Since when did I start fretting and worrying before I even act?
The more he became entangled with ties from the past, the softer his heart grew—afraid that someone might be hurt because of him.
Before those bastards make a move, I need to step forward first and force a reaction out of them.
"Oh, that girl Choeun seems to have returned."
No sooner had Hwancheonjihwan's voice faded than—
"Young Master."
"How did the errand go?"
"I managed to recruit several of the people written on the list."
"How?"
"I used the name of Dark Dragon Pavilion."
Dark Dragon Pavilion belonged to Yuhyeon.
"Well done. The rest said they would think it over?"
"How did you know?"
"The ones who refuse always have conditions of their own."
"If you tell me what they want, I will go back and persuade them."
"No need. Those ones will come looking for me on their own two feet."
Choeun tilted her head. The ones who had rejected recruitment were not easy targets. They possessed solid backing and powerful martial arts; neither greed for money nor hunger for power moved them. They were the most difficult sort.
"Are the ones you recruited outside?"
"Shall I have them enter?"
"They came all the way to Poison Dragon Pavilion. I should show them what they want to see."
Until now they had been warriors without any faction. They would not have rushed over just because they were summoned. They had something they wished to confirm for themselves.