"Do you like the new sword?"
Tang So-wol, who had changed out of her ornate going-out clothes into something more comfortable, said this in a slightly prickly tone.
"Let me ask just in case. Surely you're not sulking because I went to get the sword alone?"
"What age do you think I am, that I'd sulk over something like that? Though I do think that if you were going to act like a proper betrothed and come out, you could have at least finished the job properly."
"True. You're five years older than me, so something like this wouldn't hurt your feelings."
At my words, Tang So-wol's lips began to jut out, her face going blank as if she'd just been struck.
At the sight of Tang So-wol, who was clearly sulking no matter how you looked at her, I let out a snicker and added one more remark.
"I prefer mature women."
"…Specifically?"
"I see. Specifically, someone who looks good in green, who boasts about being the older one like a child, but who also takes the trouble to guide her sudden betrothed around, and who wants to take him out and show him the things she loves, saying they should do something befitting a betrothed couple."
"Hmph. Fine. I'll let it slide this time, in consideration of the young hero's sincerity."
Tang So-wol nodded with a deliberately haughty air. But did she know that her cheeks were already flushed red?
I didn't bother pointing it out. It was too entertaining to watch her fan herself with her folding fan out of nowhere, or smile vacantly at the sky.
And so, when we were about halfway to the meeting place, Tang So-wol spoke in a low voice.
"Young hero Cheon. You really intend to go to those who bought your death, following in your father's footsteps?"
"That's what I intend to do."
"…"
Tang So-wol kept her silence instead of answering. Her face was set with resolve.
***
The reception room we arrived at shortly after. I made a light sound at the door before opening it, and a scene similar to the last time greeted us.
Food filled the table—not excessive, but not lacking either—and Tang Jincheon waited at the head seat.
The difference, however, was that Tang Cheong, who hadn't been there before, and a middle-aged man I'd never seen occupied seats of their own. And the atmosphere felt oddly heavy.
Tang Jincheon was someone who, even amid his busy schedule, often made time to share dinner with Tang So-wol. But today, it seemed he hadn't called us just to see our faces.
No, that was probably true. Tang Cheong aside, they wouldn't have brought an unfamiliar face to this table for no reason.
Tang So-wol seemed to sense the tension too, speaking up with a slightly nervous expression.
"Uncle is here as well."
"Well. You seem to have guessed the gist of it, but this time I have something fairly important to discuss."
The middle-aged man shrugged. He wasn't burly, nor did he radiate Aura, yet his appearance was oddly threatening.
Despite that, his manner of speech was light—a peculiar man in many ways. …And his title as Tang So-wol's uncle gave me some idea of who he was.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Cheon Hwi, who has recently become bound to Tang So-wol."
"Name's Tang Yujin. I usually work as the clan head's Personal Guard, so we won't have many chances to see each other, but it's good to meet you like this. Did you like the gift I sent last time?"
"Yes. It was exactly what I needed, so I put it to good use."
"Then I'm glad. …You'll need to stay in good health, after all."
"?"
I tilted my head, having not quite caught the softly muttered remark. Tang Jincheon cleared his throat and spoke up.
"Ahem. Now that the greetings are done, let's take our seats."
"Yes."
As I sat down beside Tang So-wol, Tang Jincheon's brow twitched. But perhaps he was already used to it, for he soon returned to his usual demeanor.
"Let me start. As Yujin said, there's something I need to discuss—though it's rather an unpleasant topic."
Well, that was only natural. It already weighed on my mind, and once I heard the details, I wouldn't be able to eat a single bite.
Tang Jincheon picked up a piece of dried meat, chewed it with a satisfied nod, and then opened his mouth.
"Now that I think of it, So-wol. I heard you went out to Market Street with young hero Cheon today…"
It was idle chatter, close to small talk. What interesting things had happened today, whether the new sword pleased her, and whether life in the Tang Clan was comfortable.
Tang Jincheon kept up a warm atmosphere, chatting on this and that topic, but as the meal drew to a close and the conversation began to run its course, his Aura shifted.
"…Now, let's get to the main point."
It wasn't that he was releasing his Aura or anything of the sort. It was simply that his presence had become more pronounced.
But for a master of the Harmony Realm to reveal himself as he truly was—that in itself was a form of pressure, and of authority.
Tang Jincheon, revealing the side of him that was not Tang So-wol's father but the clan head of the Sichuan Tang Clan, opened his mouth.
"I've found the mastermind behind the attack on So-wol. They say he's a pawn of the Demonic Cult."
"I heard from my brother. However, there is one thing I'm curious about."
"Speak."
"Where did you get that information? There had been no news for quite a long time."
"You're right. At first, I commissioned the Beggars' Sect, but all we got were people who cooperated under someone's orders without knowing what was going on—lending money, providing carriages, and the like. The real head never showed. So I'd half given up…"
Up to this point, it was the same as the story he had heard before the regression.
"Then suddenly, the Haomun contacted us. They said the ones who committed this deed were Demonic Cultists who had snuck into Guangdong Province and incited Unorthodox Sect martial artists who bore a grudge against the Tang Clan, and that they themselves had no connection whatsoever to the matter."
"That's rather sudden. The Haomun, all of a sudden?"
"I thought so too. So I sent the information the Haomun provided straight to the Beggars' Sect for cross-verification—not a single word of it was false."
I see. Now it was starting to make sense.
Unlike before the regression, the ones who had missed their chance to pull out had been caught by the Haomun, and the Haomun, for their part, had been afraid of drawing the Tang Clan's anger, so they had handed over the information right away.
The Haomun's main headquarters was in Guangdong Province, where the culprits had been discovered—of course they wouldn't want to be suspected.
As I nodded inwardly, Tang Jincheon continued in a flat voice, as if stating the obvious.
"Tomorrow. I'll turn those bastards into a handful of poison ashes myself."
"Take me with you."
"Hm?"
"They were the ones who tried to kill Tang So-wol, but at the same time, they were also the ones who tried to kill me. Whether it's a favor or a grudge, isn't it the way of the martial world to repay what one has received?"
"Your words make sense, but… are you really sure about this?"
"I was taught that revenge is not something to be carried out by another's hand."
At that, Tang Jincheon shook his head with a somewhat softened tone.
"Tsk. Saying 'another's hand' is a bit hurtful, you know. Soon you'll be a member of the Tang Clan yourself."
"Then let me follow the Tang Clan's Family Precept. Favor is repaid twofold, grudge tenfold. I have yet to repay my tenfold grudge."
"…If you put it that way, I understand. We'll depart before noon tomorrow, so prepare yourself in advance."
"Yes."
A ready acceptance. Naturally, it was only to be expected.
At this point in time, when the Heavenly Demon's existence was not yet known, the Demonic Cult was being severely underestimated.
No, in truth, they really were weak. It was the Heavenly Demon who was strong—not necessarily the Demonic Cultists themselves.
Even during the full-scale invasion of the Central Plains, there had been no Harmony Realm masters other than the Heavenly Demon. That said it all.
To deal with a mere pawn of such a Demonic Cult, there was no need for Tang Jincheon, who boasted one of the highest martial levels in the Central Plains, to move personally.
Therefore, this was an example.
An example to firmly re-establish the clan's standing by thoroughly crushing those who had dared to harm his own daughter, a daughter of the Tang Clan.
Repaying both favor and grudge to an excessive degree—that was the Tang Clan's way of dealing with the karmic debts that clung to one like a spider's web the moment one entered the martial world.
Since they had mobilized overwhelming force, my joining in wouldn't change anything. That was probably why they had accepted so casually.
Tang So-wol listened to the story with a calm expression, having already heard it before. After a brief moment of thought, she spoke.
"Father."
"Speak."
"May I go along as well?"
"You too?"
"Yes. As young hero Cheon said, regardless of what happens, isn't this revenge ours? Even if you are my father, I cannot simply leave it in someone else's hands. Above all…"
"Above all?"
At Tang Jincheon's questioning echo, Tang So-wol hesitated for a moment before continuing with a slightly flushed face.
"If young hero Cheon is going, I can't very well just wait at home. After all… we're not strangers to each other anymore."
"…"
Tang Jincheon wore a complicated expression in silence. Seeing that, Tang So-wol hastily added a word.
"And besides, isn't Father going to be right there with us? There's no reason for me to be afraid."
"Hmm."
It was an obviously cute bit of flattery. But even knowing it was flattery, could he help that it secretly pleased him?
Tang Jincheon's lips twitched as if he were struggling to hold back a laugh. Maintaining a stern expression with visible effort, he nodded.
"Very well. I'll allow it, but only after you confirm one thing. How much of the purple poison-nurturing herb have you absorbed?"
"Almost all of it. Even now, I can use my poison art at a decent level, and in three days, the absorption will be complete, allowing me to fight at full strength."
"Perfect. It'll take at least three days to reach Guangdong Province anyway, so focus only on traveling and absorbing during that time."
"Yes!"
Tang So-wol replied with a bright smile, as if she had just received a gift. At that moment, Tang Jincheon finally gave in and let a pleased smile slip.
It was then that Tang Cheong, who had been quietly watching from the side, cut in.
"Father, I…"
"Cheong-ah. You must stay and guard the household. The Poison Blood Corps and the elders will remain, but how can the clan head's own blood kin be completely absent from the estate?"
"No, Father. I was just about to ask you to buy me a souvenir on your way there, since I'll be keeping the household safe in your absence."
"What?"
"I hear the Hundred Flowers Wine of Guangdong Province is quite famous. Honestly, it's hard to believe—they say it's wine brewed by monkeys. Aren't you curious what it tastes like?"
"…"
Tang Cheong shrugged his shoulders with a shameless face before Tang Jincheon, who was dumbfounded.
"I only mentioned it because it would make a perfect toast for the celebration."
"R-right. It is something to celebrate."
Tang Jincheon reluctantly agreed.
What was this? Did the Tang Clan have a tradition of celebrating every time a Karmic Debt was repaid?
I tilted my head inwardly for a moment. Then Tang Jincheon let out a deep sigh that rose from the very bottom of his chest.
"Hah… So-wol. And young hero Cheon."
"Yes?"
"What is it, Father-in-law?"
"Once you return from finishing this matter, I will hold your betrothal ceremony."
Having said that, Tang Jincheon continued in a tone that showed he was not at all pleased about it.
"After the betrothal ceremony, you may call me father-in-law. And I, in turn, will call you son-in-law rather than young hero."
"Understood, Father-in-law."
"Not now—later! That's for after you return and the betrothal ceremony is complete!"
"I'll keep that in mind, Father-in-law."
"Grrrk…!"
Tang Jincheon clutched the back of his neck.
He wished she wouldn't glare at her future son-in-law as if she wanted to devour him whole.