Chapter 134
It had been four days since the heads of the Yeon and Peng Clans returned.
At first, the two of them acted like they were just itching to fight, and the atmosphere around them had been nothing short of bloodthirsty.
But once they learned of the Demonic Cult’s plan targeting all of Hubei Province, and how Peng Woojin had risked his life to protect Yeon Ga-hye—escaping with only an injured arm—their attitudes started to change.
They still bickered, but it no longer had the sting of real hostility.
In that context, the two clan heads summoning me and Seol Lihyang separately was likely because the situation between Peng Woojin and Yeon Ga-hye had reached a resolution.
Their eyes, now calm and composed, were different from when we first met. Not cold—on the contrary, their gazes now held clear friendliness and curiosity.
In fact, when looking at me, there was even a bit of admiration.
“Honestly, when Woojin first told me, I thought he might be exaggerating a bit... but now, I’m a little jealous of the Poison King.”
“Ha! It’s not that your son is lacking, it’s just that Young Hero Cheon is exceptional. Why are you getting so sensitive about your own son?”
“Because, unlike some people’s sons, he’s a well-mannered young man. And besides, just as he’s your son, he’s my future son-in-law.” “Ga-hye also turned out to be a very kind and well-raised child—unlike someone else’s daughter.”
“Of course she is. She’s my daughter, after all.”
Clan Head Peng let out a long sigh with a face that said he had a lot to say but was holding back.
It seemed the marriage between Peng Woojin and Yeon Ga-hye was being resolved in a positive direction.
Well, considering the various circumstances and conditions, forcing them apart would have been a poor choice.
After all, while the Peng and Yeon Clans were busy feuding, the Demonic Cult tried to use that opportunity to wreak havoc in Hubei.
For the sake of justice—which the orthodox sects treasure so highly—letting go of old grudges and joining hands was the wise move.
And Peng Woojin and Yeon Ga-hye now had a history of running away from home together (which, well, Tang Sowol and I may have encouraged—secretly).
On top of that, the fact that the two of them had already “done everything” had started to circulate quietly.
Given all that, uniting them was the best choice for both them and their clans.
Just as I felt quietly proud of how differently things had gone compared to my past life, Clan Head Peng turned toward us.
“We’ve gone on long enough. The reason we called you two here is to thank you.”
“Thanks to you, both my daughter and Yeon Ga-hye avoided great misfortune. As a father, and as a clan head, I bow my head in gratitude.”
With that, Clan Head Peng bowed deeply. Clan Head Yeon followed a moment later.
For a martial master at the Flowering Stage, and a leader of a powerful clan, bowing to someone not yet even in his twenties was no small gesture.
Even Seol Lihyang, unfamiliar with the customs of Murim, looked flustered and quickly bowed in return, her face showing the weight of the moment.
“N-no, really! If we’d known and didn’t act, that’d be different—but once we knew, of course we had to do something. And honestly, we were just really lucky this time...”
“Exactly. If you continue like this, we’ll feel too burdened. Please raise your heads.”
As I bowed as well, the two clan heads finally lifted their heads.
“Then let’s end the sappy part here.”
“What do you mean ‘sappy’? You’re trying to gloss over proper etiquette again. This is exactly why people think the Hubei Peng Clan is so crude.”
“And yet they also say we’re refreshingly bold. Anyway, in this case, I just thought showing our gratitude in another way would be more appropriate. You stubborn Yeon bastard.”
“Ah, right. That.”
Nodding, Clan Head Yeon pulled out a wooden case from his sleeve.
“From what my daughter told me, your martial techniques are excellent, but your inner energy is lacking, making it difficult to fully spread your wings. I also heard you’ve learned a form of Yin-based Qi cultivation, which has some parallels with the Yeon Clan’s techniques. So I prepared this.”
He opened the wooden case slowly, and immediately, a chilling energy poured out from within.
“Dark Spirit Yin Pill. An elixir made to enhance Yin energy and guide Demonic Aura into the dantian.”
“Wow...”
As if drawn to it, Seol Lihyang stared blankly at the dark violet pill.
Clan Head Yeon, with a proud smile, pushed the box toward us.
“As you likely know, most of the Yeon Clan’s martial arts are based on demonic energy—remnants from our past days of using jiangshi techniques. But absorbing demonic energy into a living body is difficult. That’s why this pill was created—to prepare the body before practicing our core martial arts. I thought it’d be perfect for a young lady like yourself who just reached the Peak Stage.”
“Tsk tsk. He talks like it’s just a basic body-prep elixir, but that’s a rare pill usually reserved only for direct bloodline training. If he had one more child, he probably wouldn’t have had a spare.”
At Clan Head Peng’s comment, Seol Lihyang’s dazed eyes refocused.
“Huh?! Is it really okay for me to accept something that valuable...?”
“Of course. You’ve more than earned it. Unfortunately, most of the Yeon Clan’s elixirs are infused with Yin or Demonic energy, so we couldn’t find one suitable for Young Hero Cheon. Instead, we recently captured a spiritual creature—one that uses an extremely potent poison. So we’ve brought the elixir from that.”
He handed me a different wooden case—larger, heavier, and tightly sealed, much more secure than the box with the Dark Spirit Yin Pill.
From the way it was sealed, it was clear this was a pill so toxic that just exposing it to air could cause poisoning.
Even if I couldn’t use it myself, it would be incredibly valuable for Tang Sowol and the Tang Clan’s research.
“Thank you. While spiritual centipedes appear from time to time, it’s rare to find one with a toxic core, and even rarer for it to be refined into an elixir. Father-in-law will be pleased.”
“We owe the Poison King quite a bit for this incident. I’m glad it’ll be appreciated.”
Clan Head Yeon smiled warmly.
I never thought Tang Jincheon’s behind-the-scenes efforts to keep things smooth would pay off like this.
I’d originally planned to give it to him directly, but now I’ll pass it to him quietly instead.
He can either use it for research or prepare it himself and give it to Sowol later.
Since he’s had a rough time with all of this, I should give him a moment to save face now and then.
As I nodded inwardly, Clan Head Peng smirked and spoke.
“Don’t look so disappointed. What I brought is specifically for the Blood Flame Sword Demon himself.”
“You mean me?”
“Don’t play dumb. Didn’t Woojin specifically say to thank you with Heavenly Tiger Pill? I’m not blaming you—after all, you’ve more than earned it.”
“I only pretended to be surprised out of politeness. But wait, didn’t you say you were just going to consider it? How did you find out?”
“Well, neither my son nor I are good at lying. It was written all over our faces. I just asked a little, and he spilled everything.”
He chuckled, then pulled out a case and a hefty pouch as if he’d had them ready.
“I’d gladly give you a couple Heavenly Tiger Pill, but unfortunately I only have one on hand. I brought it as an emergency pill just in case. Instead, I’ve included a Body-Fortifying Pill I personally use.”
“A Body-Fortifying Pill?”
It wasn’t the name of any specific elixir—just a general term for pills that strengthen the body. Useful only when one's health was failing, but not particularly helpful to most martial artists.
Seeing my doubt, Clan Head Peng shrugged.
“I get why you’re unsure, but the Peng Clan’s version is a little different.”
“I’m not disappointed—just surprised.”
If it’s a pill used regularly by someone with Peng Clan’s natural physique, it’s probably no ordinary thing.
“That’s good. You know how some energy-retention pills taste better than others? This one’s like that. Among all our body-fortifying pills, this one’s especially effective.”
“Even useful for the Poison King?”
“Heh. Absolutely. But it’s not like a regular pill that boosts stamina the moment you eat it.”
“Then how does it work?”
“Take one before and after your training. Your physical development will progress at a different pace entirely.”
“Ah...”
So it’s a supplement for external martial training.
While the name fits, it works on a different principle than traditional energy-replenishing pills.
“Of course, it’s tailored for Peng Clan’s physique and techniques, so I don’t know how effective it’ll be for you.
It’s not something we normally let outside our clan.
But it’s good for your body regardless, so I brought it in hopes it’d help.”
“It’s exactly what I need right now.”
“At first, I wasn’t sure, but after seeing you a few times, I figured it out. Your body and inner energy just haven’t caught up to your recent realizations, right?”
“That’s right.”
“The Poison King really has his hands full. Given your age, your marriage into the Tang Clan, and their unique practices, I’m sure they didn’t hold back their support.”
“All I feel toward my father-in-law is gratitude... and guilt.”
The Tang Clan was fiercely loyal to its own. While wary of outsiders, they were warm and generous once someone entered their circle.
After my formal engagement to Tang Sowol, I’d frequently received elixirs.
Even so, the speed at which I recovered my former strength was extraordinary.
Especially considering Tang Clan’s elixirs were usually poison-based and had to be substituted with externally sourced ones for me.
“With the Heavenly Tiger Pill and Body-Fortifying Pill, you should be able to address your current issues.”
“Yes. These are exactly what I need. Thank you.”
“Not so fast with the thanks. They’re some of the best we can offer outside the clan, but... don’t you think it’s a bit unbalanced if we end it here?”
Raising a finger, Clan Head Peng continued:
“One request. As long as it doesn’t harm the clan or go against justice, I’ll grant a single favor.”
Even with limitations, this was a promise of help from a master at the Flowering Stage.
Various thoughts flashed through my mind, but—before I knew it—my mouth moved on its own.
“Then... would you spar with me sometime? Not right away, of course. I’ll need time to absorb the pills properly.”
For a moment, Clan Head Peng looked stunned—but then he burst into hearty laughter and nodded.
“Hahaha! Of course! Right now, we’re all busy with the Demonic Cult situation, and you’ll need time to absorb the Heavenly Tiger Pill. But contact me when you’re ready—I’ll prepare a full feast and be waiting!”
Good. I thwarted the cult’s plans, revealed their danger, helped mend the Peng-Yeon feud, and now secured a future sparring match with the Peng Clan Head.
I’d say the goals of this trip to Hubei were more than achieved.
Feeling proud, I nodded to myself—only to hear Seol Lihyang grumble beside me in disbelief.
“Honestly, how can someone be this consistent? If only you gave even half as much attention to other people as you do to martial arts...”
I could guess exactly who she meant by “other people,” so I quietly pretended not to hear.