What exactly is the duty of a betrothed?
If one were already married, the answer would not be so difficult.
Bear an heir, raise them well, and weather the household's affairs together, big and small.
Everyone knows that, don't they? Of course, that's not to say it's easy to uphold.
At any rate, for those already married, the duties are clear—but when it comes to those merely betrothed, the answer becomes a bit more ambiguous.
They have promised to marry, yet the ceremony has not been held. Is there truly any duty incumbent upon such a betrothed?
There may be much debate on this matter… but I am of the opinion that there is, to some extent.
It may only be a promise, but a promise certainly carries weight.
Besides, even setting that aside, considering everything Tang So-wol has done for me and the consideration she has shown me all this time, it's only natural that I'd want to treat her well.
"That's why I put a little thought into it."
"Please change into it again."
Tang So-wol shook her head without a moment's hesitation. She was so resolute that even I, who am not usually easily hurt, felt a bit deflated.
Perhaps it was because I had spent so much time with women whose emotions showed plainly on their faces. I unconsciously caught my lips, which had been about to pout, and forced them back in. Though it seemed I was a little late.
"Hoo. Please put your lips back in."
"Mmph."
Tang So-wol pushed my lips back in with her palm. The warmth of her body heat and the softness of her skin traveled from my lips, and I swallowed her unique scent along with a hint of complaint. And then.
Slurp.
"Eek! No, if you have something to say, just say it—why did you suddenly stick your tongue out?!"
"You're the one who blocked my mouth so I couldn't talk, Tang So-wol."
"That's…! …You're right."
Tang So-wol nodded as if she was convinced. I let it slide as she rubbed her damp hand back and forth on my back, then checked my attire once more.
The Tang Clan's signature green martial robes. Not an ordinary uniform—a fairly luxurious one. Fine enough quality that one could infer one's status just from the clothes alone.
However, that might work on commoners, but it wasn't all that effective against martial artists.
Whether I had backing or not, martial artists were always people ready to cut someone down or be cut down themselves.
So to project intimidation against martial artists, I needed a different approach from the very clothes I wore.
For example… a bloodthirsty aura that suggested I had survived countless battlefields.
Before the regression. When I had just reached the Peak Realm and received the alias of Blood Wolf.
How many martial artists had picked fights with me as I was beginning to make a name for myself?
Those who simply wanted to defeat me and gain fame, those who wanted to break me and bring me under their command, and even those who wanted to nip me in the bud before I could grow stronger than them.
It was only after cutting down countless jackals of the Unorthodox Sects that I realized the truth.
That I had been an easier target all along because I looked too young, too easy to push around…!
So, after a bit of trial and error, the trick I settled on is the look I have now.
In fact, ever since I made a habit of carrying myself like someone who's seen a few sword fights, the number of people picking fights with me has dropped considerably.
Tang So-wol's eyes, with their faint green tint. I stared into them, looking at my own reflection.
I had deliberately worn the clothes from my fight with the Black Heaven Sword Gate, not new ones.
They were clean enough, but if you looked closely, your gaze would naturally be drawn to the sword marks on the collar and sleeves.
Proof that I had dodged blades by margins of less than an inch.
And the sword at my waist—what about that?
It was already a famous blade, and even sheathed, the black sword gave off a considerable presence.
I had carefully maintained it, polishing it until it gleamed like new, but I deliberately wrapped the hilt with the leather from my previous sword.
Most people would pass over this without a second thought… but those with sharp eyes, or those who had already decided to judge me from the start, would see it differently.
It made me look like someone who cherished his sword but never neglected to wield it.
If all of that was meant to make the opponent notice something on their own, then what followed was what I needed to plant an impression directly into their minds.
The most important thing was, of course, my gaze.
A calm, steady gaze that seemed unshakable by any trivial matter. And eyes that swept over the opponent lightly, as if searching for a weakness.
That alone could give off a sharp impression, as if I would cut them down at the slightest provocation, but a gaze alone was still a little lacking.
That was where Aura came in.
The Crazy Wolf Life-Stealing Art naturally carried killing intent, and thanks to that, the Aura I emitted was quite fierce.
Since I wasn't going there to show off my strength, I planned to keep it in check, but if I used it well, I could seize the attention of the entire gathering at once.
Only after confirming my reflection in Tang So-wol's eyes did I nod.
"No matter how I think about it, it seems fine."
"Eep!"
Was it because we were facing each other at a distance close enough to feel each other's breath? Tang So-wol's face flushed as she turned her head away.
Before long, she began speaking again while glancing at me from the corner of her eye.
"W-well, you know. I think the current young hero Cheon is so very much like a young hero that it's quite impressive? It's a bit like when we first met, I suppose…"
"I'm not so sure, but if it's all right, couldn't we just go like this?"
"But for an occasion like this, it would be better if you dressed a bit more properly…"
"If it's all right, let's set off quickly."
"Ugh. No. This really isn't right…"
For some reason, Tang So-wol seemed troubled. Because her steps were slower than usual, they ended up being a little late.
***
The venue for this Dragon Phoenix Gathering was the Namgung Clan's mansion.
Surprisingly, the Namgung Clan had apparently purchased an entire villa in Muhan City—a place they only visited once every five years at most—just to stay comfortable.
"Doesn't the Tang Clan have something like that?"
"If we did, we wouldn't have to worry about lodging. In truth, this is just the Namgung Clan being particularly particular, even among the Five Great Families."
Of course, it wasn't as if the Sichuan Tang Clan or other families couldn't afford to buy a mansion in Muhan City.
It was just that the cost-benefit calculation didn't quite work out, and there was also a prevailing sentiment that the Dragon Phoenix Gathering was part of a martial world journey—a chance to step out of the family's embrace and see the world.
So why, then, did the Namgung Clan go out of their way to secure a mansion in Muhan City?
The reason was simple. The Namgung Clan had a family tradition of being the best, at any time, in any field.
Perhaps the arrogant martial art of the Jewang Geomhyeong had been etched into the Namgung Clan's very mindset.
Or perhaps, conversely, it was because they were people who strove to possess the arrogance and the ability to match it that they created such a unique martial art as the Jewang Geomhyeong in the first place.
In any case, because the Namgung Clan was a family that wouldn't be satisfied unless they were the best, it was likely that after winning like this, they invited others to their villa in Muhan City.
They probably thought that no matter how good an inn they rented, it wouldn't match the level of a place they managed themselves.
After all, the Namgung Clan was a family that frequently produced winners at the Dragon Phoenix Gathering.
"Let me ask now that we're here—does the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering have any participation requirements? Seeing that the Eon Clan is coming, it doesn't seem like only the Five Great Families and the Nine Great Sects and One Gang are invited."
"There are none. The Gathering itself wasn't organized by anyone in particular; it was just a meeting held with the sentiment that since you'd come all this way for the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, it would be a shame to turn right back around. However, if I had to pick something close to a condition… the winner. That is, the host's invitation is the condition."
"I see. I roughly get the gist of it."
It didn't have to be the Five Great Families or the Nine Great Sects and One Gang. If a place was famous enough to be impossible to ignore, or even if not, if someone showed talent, they'd be called.
Walking alongside Tang So-wol, who kept letting out deep sighs and then softening her expression whenever she looked my way, we soon arrived at a large mansion.
It wasn't on the level of the Tang Clan or the Zhongnan Sect we'd visited before, where a small town was contained within the grounds, but for a single mansion, it was remarkably large and lavish.
The appearance seemed to show off the Namgung Clan's ostentatious nature well.
The moment the Namgung Clan martial artist standing guard at the gate caught sight of me, he narrowed his eyes and placed his hand on the sword hilt at his waist.
"Who goes there! How dare you, some Unorthodox Sect scum, come before the great Namgung Clan… huh?"
Of course, upon seeing the Tang Clan's martial uniform up close, his expression turned confused.
The gatekeeper looked back and forth between me and Tang So-wol. Then, as if he finally understood the situation, he bowed his head.
"I-I apologize! I didn't realize you were members of the Tang Clan, so I—"
"Haa."
Tang So-wol took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut, but when she opened them again, she wore a hollow smile, as if she had resigned herself to something.
"I'll let the mistake from earlier slide. I suppose it was a situation that could be misunderstood."
"…"
Even though Tang So-wol had said it was fine, the gatekeeper still couldn't straighten his back. As we passed him and stepped inside, only then did he raise his upper body.
Tang So-wol looked back at the gatekeeper, who was letting out a sigh of relief, and naturally linked her arm through mine.
"Ah, and that part about 'young masters' was wrong."
"What mistake have I made now…"
"This person is my betrothed."
"Ah."
Tang So-wol flashed a grin at the gatekeeper, whose face had gone blank, and strode confidently past him.
She whispered softly toward him.
"So you've finally realized how efficient this is."
"Surely not. If I had my way, I'd want to change your clothes this very instant."
"If it was that bad, you should have said something before we left."
"And who was it that shoved their face right up to mine and left me no chance to speak…!"
Tang So-wol shot him a sharp glare, but then, as if all the steam had gone out of her, her shoulders drooped.
"Ehew. It's too late to do anything about it now. Since things have come to this, I'll trust in young hero Cheon's methods for once."
"Don't worry. When have I ever betrayed your expectations, Tang So-wol?"
"If you can't talk properly, just don't."
Tang So-wol shook her head, then let out a small laugh.
My realm was already nearing Transcendent Peak. The easiest way to make my presence known was to simply release my Aura as I pleased.
Even if I held back my killing intent as much as possible, the Aura born from the experience I'd built up in my previous life combined with my current realm would be difficult for even the most impressive rising talents to handle.
But I wouldn't do that. Tang So-wol would dislike it, saying it was too blatant.
…So I just had to let it leak out secretly, right?
As I stepped inside, I could see the rising talents who had arrived earlier, already enjoying a light round of drinks.
In an instant, gazes converged on us. It must have been because we'd arrived a little late.
Whether the flood of stares felt a bit burdensome, or whether it was the nerves of appearing at such an event after a long time, Tang So-wol tightened her arms, which were already crossed.
I clung close to her side, slowly surveying the surroundings while subtly raising my Aura.
Feeling this, their faces stiffened one and all. The exceptions were the martial artists of the Zhongnan Sect, who had ties with me, Wi Ji-suryeon, who was supposedly Tang So-wol's friend, and Namgung Jong, the host and organizer of the Dragon Phoenix Gathering.
I felt a quiet sense of pride, thinking this was enough to show proper courtesy.
Pinch.
"Kkuk!"
Tang So-wol pinched my side. Then her lips moved faintly as she sent a Voice Transmission.
"Withdraw your Aura at once."
"…"
Feeling a bit deflated, I immediately gathered my Aura back in.
She caught me.