Chapter 104
After returning from the training ground, we all gathered, and Tang Sowol finally continued with what she had intended to say earlier.
"Brother Cheon, we've been given Sobriquet!"
"Well, you made enough of an impression to deserve one."
As I nodded indifferently, Tang Sowol's expression turned slightly sullen.
"Aren’t you the least bit curious, Brother Cheon?"
"Sobriquet hold no meaning. Whether the world praises or scorns me, my sword belongs to me alone. Better to spend that time training, even a little more."
"Hmmm. But what’s your real feeling?"
"You and Seol Lihyang were the ones who did most of the fighting at the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering. All I did was get kidnapped, so I doubt I received a flattering epithet."
At my blunt reply, Tang Sowol chuckled and shook her head.
"Don’t worry. You’ve been given a rather cool epithet." "What do you mean by that?"
"Well... that’s the part that’s a liiittle awkward..."
Though she trailed off, Tang Sowol soon waved her hand as if brushing it away and continued.
"Shall we start with mine and Lihyang’s first?"
"You’re trying to deflect so blatantly that it’s making me nervous... but go on then."
I reluctantly nodded and turned to Seol Lihyang. As expected, though she seemed a bit dazed by the news of receiving an epithet, her face brimmed with anticipation.
"An epithet... for me?"
Her grinning mouth twitched without rest, her hips wiggled slightly, and from time to time she’d glance at Tang Sowol with glittering eyes, urging her on without words.
Her reaction was so obvious that everyone present couldn’t help but smile.
Even Seo Mun-Hwarin, who had been sulking over her plummeted social dignity, relaxed her expression.
"Ahem. Since Lihyang seems quite eager, I won’t drag it out too long. To get straight to it... I’ve been given the epithet Flying Butterfly, Poison Phoenix."
"Wait a second. I know how impressive your poison arts are, but during the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering, you only demonstrated hidden weapon techniques."
"Yes, that’s true. But it would feel a bit off to give an epithet based solely on the hidden weapons when my poison arts are my main focus."
"Well... I suppose that would seem like teasing."
"Exactly. There’s an unspoken rule—when giving Sobriquet to the Tang Clan’s participants after the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering, they include your actual main martial art, even if it wasn’t used during the event. Besides, I once took down a top expert from the Demonic Cult with poison, a while ago."
So, at the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering, she showed a fluttering footwork like a butterfly—hence Flying Butterfly. And since poison arts are her specialty, Poison Phoenix was added.
A bit convoluted, but I suppose that’s how the epithet was formed. At least Tang Sowol seemed pleased with it, which was good.
As I nodded, Seol Lihyang leaned forward slightly toward Tang Sowol and asked,
"Sister Tang? Then what about my epithet?"
"Hehe, you were really dying to know, weren’t you? Well then, you’ll be happy to hear it. You’ve been given a very lovely epithet too."
As Tang Sowol smirked and lifted the corner of her mouth, Seol Lihyang gulped audibly.
Amid her building anticipation, Tang Sowol slowly spoke.
"You’ve been given the epithet Pure Sound, Ice Blossom."
"Pure Sound, Ice Blossom! I’m happy... but a bit embarrassed too, since it has ‘blossom’ in it."
She blushed while smiling. I chuckled softly at her reaction.
"Why? I think it suits you well."
"Really?"
"Of course."
An epithet containing ‘flower’ is usually reserved for women who are not only beautiful but also exceptionally skilled.
And in that sense, Seol Lihyang is more than worthy of being compared to a flower.
Her long black hair contrasts strikingly with her fair skin. Her expressive face only enhances her refined features.
Though traces of youth remain in her face, she’s undeniably growing into a proper young lady.
Even with her Pure Yin Physique concealing her figure’s curves, there’s an oddly seductive air about her.
If she isn’t likened to a flower, then who could be?
"So relax, and just enjoy it."
"Hehe. That’s a relief..."
She chuckled sheepishly, but then suddenly stiffened and looked toward Tang Sowol.
Tang Sowol, puzzled by her glance, quickly waved a hand and smiled as if to reassure her.
"It’s fine, Lihyang. I actually like my phoenix epithet better, since I value martial skill more... and besides, I never expected to receive a ‘flower’ epithet in the first place."
"Huh? But why not? You’re way more—"
"No, no. It’s not that. The ‘flower’ epithet is generally only given to unmarried women."
"...What?"
Seol Lihyang’s eyes widened, and Tang Sowol gently continued.
"I haven’t gone around making a big deal about it, but I also haven’t hidden the fact that Brother Cheon is my fiancé, right? It’s been a few years now, and most people who should know already do. We’re not married yet, but since I’m spoken for, I can’t be called a flower that shows its beauty to all."
"Ah."
Finally understanding, Seol Lihyang slowly nodded in a daze. Then she began sneaking glances at me.
Normally I wouldn’t have thought much of it, but after what she showed during our sparring, and her recent, more frequent teasing, the meaning wasn’t hard to guess.
Now it was my turn to be conscious of Tang Sowol’s gaze.
Of course, Tang Sowol, who no doubt knew everything, only smiled quietly and brought the conversation back to the main topic.
"Now, lastly, we come to Brother Cheon’s epithet."
"What kind of epithet could it possibly be for you to stall so much...?"
Unlike Tang Sowol or Seol Lihyang, I had been given Sobriquet before.
It happened twice before my regression, after all.
Though they were infamous—Blood Wolf and Sword Demon—they were useful. Not prestigious, but effective in keeping useless trouble away.
Of course, in this life, I expected something less... sinister.
I hadn’t gone overboard, nor had I held back. And I was now the prospective son-in-law of the prestigious Sichuan Tang Clan.
They wouldn’t give me something ridiculous.
"Bloodflame Sword Demon."
“......?”
"Your epithet is Sword Demon."
"...Who on earth gave me that epithet?"
I already disliked that it contained Sword Demon, the same epithet I had before regression. But even more concerning was the Bloodflame part.
No matter how you spin it, it’s far too ominous an epithet for a martial artist of the orthodox sects.
Annoyance bubbled up to my throat, but I quieted down as Tang Sowol continued.
"They say it was given directly by the Black Lotus Sect Master."
"I see. Then it can’t be helped."
The Black Lotus Sect Master had seen me fight the Black Sky Sword Emperor. He’s one of the few who glimpsed the image etched into my heart.
He was also the one who gave me the Sword Demon epithet in my previous life, so in a way, this was inevitable.
And since it came from him, who would dare object?
If the epithet spread from Zhejiang all the way to Wuhuan City, there’s no changing it now.
Still, just because I had to accept it doesn’t mean I liked it.
To be exact, I didn’t mind it for myself—it was the Tang Clan I worried about.
I carefully looked toward Tang Jincheon. He casually sipped his tea, unconcerned.
"It’s fine. You didn’t do anything wrong. And to be honest, I expected it from the moment I saw your martial arts."
"Father-in-law..."
"I know you possess overwhelming killing intent, but you’re not controlled by it. You’ve grown rapidly without falling into qi deviation even once. No matter what your past holds, the Tang Clan has accepted you. So it’s fine."
"Thank you."
I bowed deeply. Tang Jincheon chuckled and poured poison into his remaining tea, turning it into a bubbling toxic brew.
Then, without hesitation, he drank the obviously deadly liquid in one gulp, eyes widening.
"Still. That’s that, and the Black Lotus Sect Master who dared give my son-in-law such an epithet—I'll have to settle that score someday."
...He doesn’t look fine at all. No matter how I look at it, he seems very angry.
"Wait. Tang Sowol, didn’t you say it was a cool epithet?"
"Huh? Isn’t Bloodflame Sword Demon an incredibly badass name?"
"...??"
"...??"
She and I stared at each other, blinking.
I tilted my head to the left, she copied me. Tilted it right, she copied again. Kind of cute, honestly.
We tilted back and forth like that for a moment—until realization hit me like a brick.
"Wait... You seriously think it sounds cool?"
"Of course! It’s got four strong-sounding words. How could it not be cool?"
Such a matter-of-fact response. Her voice even carried a hint of frustration, as if she couldn’t understand my confusion.
"Well... I suppose public opinion doesn’t matter. As long as my fiancée likes it, that’s enough."
"Hehe, I knew you’d see it that way."
She smiled brightly, finally satisfied.
Well, even if it does sound like a demonic epithet, the fact I’ve gained one is worth celebrating.
I’ve grown quite a bit now, and recovered a large portion of my past-life martial prowess, so it’s about time I began involving myself more in Murim affairs.
Having an epithet makes recognition easier—saves trouble on both sides.
Actually, a demonic-sounding epithet might even help.
The reason I’ve decided to start involving myself in Murim affairs now is simple.
Before my regression, as a child, I was so focused on survival that I had no energy for anything else...
Later, when I could eat regularly and no longer feared starving or being beaten to death, I finally began paying attention to rumors in Murim.
And that happened around this age.
So soon, incidents I remember will begin cropping up again in the ever-chaotic Murim.
If I time it right, I might gain something—or resolve things for the better.
Of course, I’m not doing this for fame or power.
Didn’t I recall it during my light spar with Seo Mun-Hwarin?
My goal is ultimately to face the Heavenly Demon.
Though the Heavenly Demon is truly worthy of the title of greatest under heaven, that doesn’t mean the other Flowering Stage experts are weak.
During the early phase of the Demonic Cult’s invasion, half of the Nine Great Sects and Five Supreme Clans’ top masters died—either from underestimating the Heavenly Demon or from clashing egos.
The remaining half joined forces with the Black Lotus Sect to confront him, but they were annihilated too.
In other words, Zhongyuan faced the Heavenly Demon with only half its strength.
If they had been cautious from the start—if they had prioritized the greater good and survival over pride—maybe the outcome would have changed.
My personal growth is important, but uniting Murim’s power is just as vital.
Fortunately, I’ve spent my life among the unorthodox, so I understand their mindset well, and now I belong to an orthodox clan.
It’s worth a try.
To do that, I need to be acknowledged by Murim.
What was the biggest recent commotion again...?
While trying to recall it, I heard Tang Jincheon speak again, finishing another cup of poison tea.
"Ah, I almost forgot. I just heard something from the Murim Alliance Leader. I think you should know about it."
"Huh? What is it?"
"Remember when you and Sowol went to Shaanxi and all hell broke loose? That elixir the Ghost Shadow Thief stole from the Demonic Cult and handed to the Alliance?"
"Of course. Who could forget a drug made from people? ...Don’t tell me something’s happened again?"
"It’s similar. The incident is in a different region, but it’s clear the Demonic Cult is involved."
Tang Jincheon sighed lightly before continuing.
"In Hebei Province, a similar elixir has been circulating. It’s slightly less potent in boosting internal energy, but has fewer side effects."
"What?"
"And because of that elixir, the Peng Clan and the Yeon Clan are at each other's throats. It’s complicated, so the Alliance Leader and I will handle it—but be careful not to get caught up in it."
"No way..."
A memory flashed through my mind.
The conflict between the Peng Clan of Hebei and the Jinju Yeon Clan.
It had ended with the dual suicide of both heirs.