I Kidnapped the Youngest Daughter of the Sichuan Tang Clan

"Brother Cheon, I have a small favor to ask."

"Go on."

Several days had passed while waiting for Master Jeong Hyeon’s preparations. I had just finished my daily training, and with some spare time, even completed a light sparring session with Tang Sowol.

Now lying sprawled on the ground, completely exhausted, Tang Sowol curled her lips up mischievously and continued speaking.

"The sun is scorching, but I don’t have the strength to lift even a finger. Might Brother Cheon perhaps become my shade?"

"...Are you asking me to just stand next to you? I’m no tree."

"You’re sturdier than most trees. Looking up from here, you look larger than usual. I feel like a delicate woman such as myself could be lifted up in one swoop..."

She suddenly stopped.

"Oops. Please pretend you didn’t hear that."

Tang Sowol pretended to be flustered, but I knew the truth. That was no accident—she brought it up on purpose. "Lewd girl. You can just speak plainly, you know."

"Then, please carry me without protest."

As soon as I finished speaking, she said it like she'd been waiting for it. I let out a short laugh and crouched beside her head.

"You're stretched out like a corpse, but still full of confidence, I see."

"Oh my? Could it be you're planning to do something indecent to me while I can't move? Perhaps gag me with those large hands of yours so I can’t make a sound? Like in those books poking out of Hyang’s bundle…!"

"Is Seol Lihyang reading books like that these days?"

"She seems pretty hooked, actually. Sneaking them into even Shaolin Temple and reading them in secret."

"Well, I suppose she’s at that age."

"Hmph. Aren’t you the same age as Hyang?"

"I am at that age too."

Just as Seo Mun-Hwarin’s rejuvenated body was affected by her Rejuvenation, I too was influenced by the youthful body I gained after my regression.

This body at this age… is energetic in many ways.

I nodded and pulled Tang Sowol’s cheek for no reason, though she couldn’t move.

It wasn’t as stretchy as Seo Mun-Hwarin’s, but it had a softness beyond that.

And above all, seeing Tang Sowol’s usually composed face all twisted up like that was oddly amusing.

As I kept poking and pulling for a while, she grinned and opened her mouth.

"Wasn’t that enough enjoyment? I think I’ve paid you in advance."

"A little disappointing, perhaps, but I can’t have my fiancée rolling on the floor all day."

Saying so, I slid my arm under her neck and knees and picked her up.

Her body naturally pressed against my chest. Still, it felt a little different than usual.

"...You’re damp."

"I was sweating, so it can’t be helped."

"Well, that’s true, but…"

"Brother Cheon likes me even when I’m all sweaty. I know that."

"That... sounded a bit off."

The damp Tang Sowol chuckled softly. I shook my head and placed her down on the floorboards a short distance away. I sat next to her.

Despite claiming she had no strength to move a finger, she squirmed her way over and rested her head on my knee with a content sigh.

"Whew. If only Hyang were here, it’d be nice and cool."

"Seol Lihyang is not a walking ice cellar."

"That’s something you can only say because you’ve never slept holding her in summer."

Tang Sowol gave me a pitiful look, as if I were some poor starving child.

But in truth, I knew very well how useful Seol Lihyang could be in the summer.

Ever since she mastered Yin-type internal arts, I’d often gone to her for a cool breeze or cold water during the hot season.

And before my regression, I had even hugged her while sleeping a few times, just like Tang Sowol said.

...Though she kept grumbling about whether I was actually sleeping.

I shrugged and fanned Tang Sowol with my hand. It wasn’t as cool as Seol Lihyang, but with a bit of internal energy guiding the air, it was at least somewhat refreshing.

While enjoying the breeze with her eyes closed, Tang Sowol suddenly spoke as if she’d remembered something.

"Oh right, lately, more people have been subtly sounding me out—asking if I have any interest in becoming the clan head."

"That's troublesome."

Right now, the Tang Clan in Sichuan was rivaling the Namgung Clan for first or second place. But given a little more time, it would become the undeniable top clan in the world.

That also meant it was growing large enough to attract parasites aiming for the spoils.

"Are these voices coming from within the clan?"

"Thankfully, no. As the Tang Clan's power has grown, there’s been an increase in contact with outside groups—merchant guilds, minor sects, and such."

"I see. So it’s external forces trying to stir things up."

Well, of course. Anyone trying to push Tang Sowol into the clan head position now could only be an outsider.

Unlike her older brother Tang Cheong, the current heir, who’s stayed relatively quiet, Tang Sowol had been involved in many major events with me.

To someone unaware of the inside workings, Tang Cheong might seem less capable than Tang Sowol.

But that’s far from the truth.

Because of the age gap, Tang Cheong had started heir training long ago, and was now gradually taking over various responsibilities.

It was natural that he focused on internal affairs and reduced his external presence.

And it wasn’t as if he lacked martial ability either—he’d already reached the Sub-Perfection level, and there were whispers that he’d reach the Flowering Stage by middle age.

He might not be as innately talented as Tang Sowol, but he was more than qualified to be clan head.

Moreover, Tang Sowol had always stated she had no interest in inheriting the position, and her actions supported her claim, so no one doubted her sincerity.

If someone within the clan tried to back her for some big move, it could have caused a messy family conflict…

But if it was just some outsiders trying to test the waters, the response was simple.

"Just take what they offer and pretend you don’t know anything."

"Isn’t that a bit... shady?"

"The real shady ones are the ones trying to stir up trouble in a perfectly functioning household. And more than anything, they won’t even be able to complain."

Who would dare openly admit they bribed the youngest sibling left out of succession, trying to start a power struggle?

Even if someone did, it wouldn’t matter.

"They’re just bottom-feeders who can’t do anything but whine. If they want to change anything, they should reach the Flowering Stage."

"Ugh, but I’m still far from becoming an Absolute Master."

"My power is your power."

"Goodness. You're going to hit me with a line like that here...?"

Tang Sowol's voice was half-dumbfounded, but the corners of her mouth twitched up.

She gave my thigh a couple of light slaps, her energy clearly returned.

"Well then, if you say so, I guess I’ll just take what they give and play dumb."

"Make sure to inform your father and brother ahead of time, so there’s no misunderstanding."

"Of course, I was planning to. Hehe. For some reason, doing something a bit naughty in secret makes my heart race."

"...Is that really something to get excited about?"

"Well, it feels like I’m a bit closer to Brother Cheon, doesn’t it?"

"I'm a righteous orthodox martial artist, you know..."

“No one seems to believe it, but anyway, it’s true.”

As I grumbled, Tang Sowol's slender finger gently pressed against my lips.

"Don’t pout so much. It ruins my handsome face."

"That sounds like you're claiming my face as your own."

"Oh my, didn’t you just say that what's yours is mine?"

"That’s not exactly what I meant…"

"And it works both ways. I’m also yours, Brother Cheon. This time, I won’t run away in the middle, so… could you spare some time for me?"

"I can spare time, sure… but here at Shaolin? With your father in the room next door?"

"Ack. Then after we return to the Tang Clan."

"Weren’t we heading to the Murim Alliance right after this to deal with the Demonic Cult’s schemes?"

"Ugh! Then I’ll go with you to the Murim Alliance! I’m a Sub-Perfection level martial artist, so I should be of some help!"

"I believe your father is going with us to the Murim Alliance as well."

"...The world has become a cruel place."

Tang Sowol went limp again, expressing her disappointment and sadness with her whole body. I chuckled and gently brushed aside her dark green hair.

"Come now, there’ll be a good opportunity soon. Besides, as you said, we’re already engaged. No need to rush, is there?"

"For me, the need to rush is overflowing."

"Hm?"

"Do you remember that I’m five years older than you?"

"...Oh."

Martial artists tend to marry later than commoners, but twenty-five is about the age when people start getting married.

"Besides, Hyang and Sister Hwarin keep giving me these pitiful looks whenever they get the chance..."

"That was your condition. Accept it gracefully."

"But you said it’s the right age for that sort of thing! Why are you so indifferent? Don’t tell me you were born with some special constitution that gives you talent but leaves you disabled in other ways?!"

"Hey now. I’m perfectly fine. Didn’t you confirm that personally last time—"

"Eiit!"

Tang Sowol twisted my face with a pout. Her hands moved with determination, as if to return the favor for what I’d done to her earlier.

The back-and-forth roughhousing lasted a while.

Then, off in the distance, a young novice monk came running toward us.

A familiar face—we’d seen him often while staying at the guest quarters, helping with errands.

Breathing hard, the novice monk blinked at our appearance, then cautiously spoke.

"Uh... the Abbot says he’s ready. He asked you to come after dinner."

"Finally!"

We weren’t jumping straight into removing the Restriction Seal.

First, he needed to identify what kind of seal had been placed on me. That was what these preparations were for.

For me, who didn’t even know who had placed the seal, this would be valuable information.

After dinner, and only after going through a proper cleansing and purification, I finally arrived at the Main Buddha Hall.

Unlike in the daytime, the hall at night carried a strangely eerie atmosphere. Perhaps it was because of the unknown dharma instruments laid out before Master Jeong Hyeon.

Assembled with me were Tang Sowol, Seol Lihyang, Seo Mun-Hwarin, and even Tang Jincheon.

With everyone gathered, Master Jeong Hyeon, who had been sitting silently with eyes closed, slowly opened his mouth.

“I’ll say this beforehand, but… don’t get your hopes up too much. Compared to my master, I am rather unskilled when it comes to esoteric Buddhist methods.”

“I’m already grateful enough that you’ve gone to such lengths for me.”

I gave a polite bow and stepped forward. Master Jeong Hyeon, looking apologetic, averted his gaze.

“This might hurt a bit.”

“…Excuse me?”

As I blinked in confusion and tried to confirm what he meant, the ceremonial staff in his hands suddenly swung toward my head without warning.

CLANG!

I instinctively drew my sword and blocked it.

“You mustn’t block it!”

“Ah… my apologies?!”

I held back the urge to say it was his fault for not warning me earlier.