Chapter 105
“Huu...”
A sigh slipped out on its own. What I had heard from Tang Jincheon was enough to leave my head spinning.
The Peng Clan of Hebei and the Yeon Clan of Jinju—those two families had never gotten along.
Of course, it wasn’t baseless hostility. There were reasons behind it, all valid in their own ways.
First of all, both the Peng Clan and the Yeon Clan were located in Hebei Province.
Hebei was vast, yes, but not so vast that two prominent clans could coexist without conflict.
In fact, several generations ago, back when the Yeon Clan still practiced corpse-controlling arts, they were one of the Five Supreme Clans.
But once they could no longer use such arts, alongside the sealing of several of their talismanic techniques, they ceded their place to the Peng Clan.
Because of that, conflicts over interests—large and small—remained frequent between the two families.
Even their martial arts posed a problem. The Peng Clan was known for its innate physique, outstanding external techniques, and domineering sword arts that made full use of those traits.
The Yeon Clan, on the other hand, had developed a unique external art derived from corpse-manipulation techniques, altering their own bodies and using that foundation to form a powerful martial art style.
Different methods, but ultimately overlapping results. For proud martial artists, it’s no surprise they’d find each other detestable.
Moreover, the Peng Clan, hot-tempered and blunt, despised the Yeon Clan’s eerie and secretive atmosphere, while the Yeon Clan resented the Peng Clan for taking their former position—deeply insecure about it.
Everyone in Murim knew: when those two clans meet, a fight breaks out.
But that wasn’t why I felt so overwhelmed right now.
The current dispute over the elixirs—between the Peng Clan and the Yeon Clan.
In my previous life, it ended with both heirs committing suicide together.
And it had all been orchestrated by the Demonic Cult—that’s what made it so frustrating.
“I had a rough idea, but still…”
Back when we interrogated the Demonic Cult elites who ordered the attack on Tang Sowol, we learned they were preparing to invade Zhongyuan.
The Heavenly Demon, who had already reached the Extreme Demon Realm, was likely aiming for an even higher realm, and to guarantee a more decisive and overwhelming victory, they were trying to divide the Murim of Zhongyuan.
In fact, after Tang Sowol’s face had melted away on one side, the Tang Clan became fiercely hostile toward the unorthodox sects.
The Peng and Yeon Clans, both having lost their heirs, stopped fighting for the moment but grew colder—merely watching each other’s misfortunes.
Whether it was the Demonic Cult’s doing or not is unclear, but whenever the Black Lotus Sect tried to expand its power, all sorts of incidents occurred, preventing it from ever leaving Zhejiang Province.
The conflict between the orthodox and unorthodox reached a peak. Even within the orthodox sects, internal strife was common.
And the unorthodox sects, despite the Black Lotus Sect’s existence, couldn’t unite as one.
Then, the Heavenly Demon invaded in that chaos. No wonder half of our forces were wiped out before we could properly respond.
I’ve recovered most of my former martial prowess, and incidents I remember are about to begin surfacing.
If possible, I want to help resolve these conflicts smoothly and unite Zhongyuan’s Murim.
But achieving peace in Murim is something even the massive Murim Alliance hasn’t managed after decades of effort.
Trying to solve it alone—it’s no wonder it feels impossible.
So I sighed deeply again, and seeing this, Tang Sowol quietly approached and asked,
“Why the gloomy face, Brother Cheon?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Sighing like that nonstop... It’s enough to drive me crazy with worry. Please tell me before I die from frustration.”
“It’s just... I’ve been thinking about what your father-in-law told me—about the Peng Clan and the Yeon Clan.”
“Ah, yes, that bothered me a bit too. Their relationship’s always been bad, but hearing the Demonic Cult is involved makes it more concerning.”
“Well. It seems the Demonic Cult’s plan has already been disrupted, so that’s a relief at least.”
The Ghost Shadow Thief had stolen and revealed the elixir made from ground-up humans.
It could quickly provide immense internal energy, but due to the mix of different people's energy, the side effects were severe—most users succumbed to qi deviation.
In my previous life, unaware of the elixir’s origins, when an inferior version began circulating in Hebei Province, the two clans fought over it, trying to monopolize it.
Both the Peng and Yeon Clans possess strong internal techniques. Since the weaker elixir had diminished effects and side effects, they likely thought their arts could suppress the risk.
Though, in reality, I’m sure the elixir was still tainted. Why would the Demonic Cult give something good to the Murim?
There were many ways to stir conflict. That was just one of them.
But in this life, Tang Sowol and I rescued the Ghost Shadow Thief and exposed the existence of the elixir.
Surely, the Murim Alliance Leader would’ve informed the Peng and Yeon Clans directly.
Naturally, they’d know how the elixir was made.
According to Tang Jincheon, the two clans weren’t even fighting to monopolize the elixir this time.
Each accused the other of colluding with the Demonic Cult to destroy them.
At this point, it seemed like the Demonic Cult didn’t even matter—they were just fighting because they wanted to.
As I shook my head, Tang Sowol looked at me curiously and asked,
“This is a little surprising.”
“What is?”
“That you care this much. If it were someone close, I’d understand—but this is the first time I’ve seen you concerned over someone you barely know.”
“To be precise, it’s not completely someone else’s business.”
What was really on my mind was the possibility of improving relations between the Peng and Yeon Clans.
Not to the point of reconciliation, of course—but perhaps they could at least unite in the face of a powerful external enemy.
That said, I couldn’t explain this to anyone. Doing so would mean revealing that I’d regressed.
So I spoke of another reason—one that was still true and sincerely held.
“The plan may have been disrupted, but the Demonic Cult’s involvement still worries me. They once targeted you, after all. Who knows what foolish dreams they’re still chasing? If their goal hasn’t changed, they might come after you again.”
“Ah... So you’re saying you’re worried about me?”
“...To summarize, yes.”
“Hehe... heheh...!”
Tang Sowol began laughing strangely.
When I stared at her blankly, she finally wiped her mouth and composed her expression.
“Ehem. So! I understand your thoughts now. Then how about this?”
“You have a plan?”
“Maybe not a plan exactly, but at least we can gauge the atmosphere between the Peng and Yeon Clans.”
Tang Sowol shrugged, raising her chin with confidence.
And then... she just kept holding her chin up.
Not understanding the gesture, I blinked at her, only for Tang Sowol to tilt her chin again as if urging me.
With a sinking feeling, I cautiously reached out and tickled just beneath her chin with my fingertip.
She shivered, then smiled in satisfaction and continued.
“Do you recall how the younger generation of the Five Supreme Clans and Nine Great Sects didn’t return home right after the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering but stayed behind to socialize?”
“Oh, right. I remember hearing that.”
With so many pillars of the orthodox sects gathered in one place, it’d be a shame to part too quickly.
The elders discussed heavy matters with the Murim Alliance, while the younger generation had their own informal gathering to build camaraderie.
“You don’t mean...?”
“Yes. It’s called the Dragon and Phoenix Meeting, held after the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering. At some point, it became tradition for the winner to host the others... and the invitations just arrived today.”
As she said that, Tang Sowol grasped my hand, which was still under her chin, and held it tightly with both of hers.
“I imagine the heirs of the Peng and Yeon Clans will be attending. And since I did promise to take you there, I was thinking we could go together...”
“You’re trailing off. There’s something you want, isn’t there?”
“Oh no. Nothing big, really. You don’t need to worry.”
“I’ve learned firsthand how annoying that answer is.”
I chuckled, gently tickling the inside of Tang Sowol’s palm with my finger as I asked,
“Go ahead and say it. What do you want me to do?”
“It’s nothing major... Just... could you help me save face?”
“Ah.”
Now that I thought about it, it was necessary.
Though Tang Sowol had proven she’d reached the Peak Stage at the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering, she had only demonstrated her hidden weapons and poison arts.
Compared to other Peak Stage heirs, she might still seem lacking.
She’d also been in seclusion for three years, completely absent from the public eye.
And as for me—her fiancé—I only made a brief impression before swinging my sword a few times and then getting kidnapped by Seo Mun-Hwarin.
Of course, everyone now knows that Seorin is Seo Mun-Hwarin and a master of the Flowering Stage. She’s someone no heir could hope to defy.
Still, it couldn’t be helped if others underestimated me. I hadn’t shown them anything.
I personally didn’t care. My martial prowess would soon speak for itself, and I don’t concern myself with others’ opinions.
But Tang Sowol was different.
The Tang Clan had pinned hopes on her to win the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering. She was probably excited to show off her fiancé to her long-time friends.
And I ruined all of it by getting kidnapped by Seo Mun-Hwarin.
I had told her in advance, but it was more of a one-sided notice than a request.
Tang Sowol had gone along with my selfish request without complaint, even handled all the fallout from my absence.
She even thanked me for at least informing her in advance this time.
Now that I think about it, I really am kind of a jerk.
No, I was definitely being unfair.
After thinking it over, I made up my mind and nodded.
“I get it.”
“Then...!”
“Yeah. I’ll make sure to show them properly this time.”
“Properly...?”
“Yeah. You said you wanted to save face, right? I’ll make it so no one can look down on you. I’ll make them envy you.”
“Uuh... Brother Cheon? You’re already amazing, so just acting normal is more than enough, really?”
“Don’t worry. I’ve lived at the Tang Clan for over three years now. I’ve just been too lazy to bother, but I know the etiquette expected in formal settings.”
“You were lazy all this time?!”
Tang Sowol screamed in shock, but I just nodded casually.
Of course, simply behaving politely wouldn’t mean much.
This is a gathering of the most promising young elites in all of Zhongyuan. Their pride runs deep.
So I’ll mix in a little unorthodox flair. After all, in the unorthodox sects, if you seem weak, you get eaten alive.
And when it comes to commanding presence, the orthodox can’t hold a candle to the unorthodox.
It’s a matter of survival.
And I’d made quite a name for myself among those blustering, deadly martial artists.
“You can look forward to it.”
“Just act normal! Normal, do you hear me?!”
Tang Sowol looked like someone crushed under the weight of her own invitation, but… well, that wasn’t my concern.