I recited the oral formula that Tang So-wol had taught me in her past life.
At first, Tang Jincheon frowned, skeptical. But by the time I'd finished the latter half, his expression had shifted to something close to shock and disbelief.
"…I am the clan head of the Sichuan Tang Clan."
"I know."
"I'm saying I'm a man who can do more things than he cannot. Especially when it comes to poison and hidden weapons."
"Who in the world would deny the authority of the Tang Clan?"
"However, there were far more things I couldn't do for my daughter."
"…"
Guilt, relief, and a faint sense of satisfaction. At this moment, Tang Jincheon, who bowed his head to me, was not the clan head of the Sichuan Tang Clan, nor a master of the Harmony Realm—he was simply a father.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"I failed to protect So-wol when she was in danger. But you managed it."
"Even without me, things would have worked out somehow. And strictly speaking, I was also one of her kidnappers. Please don't worry about it."
"The Poison Spirit Constitution is a rare gift that any martial artist of the Tang Clan would envy as much as the Heavenly Martial Body. But for So-wol, as a woman rather than a martial artist, it must have been nothing short of a curse. You resolved that."
"I merely happened to know the oral formula. Perhaps, even without me, she would have found a way on her own."
"Perhaps so. But regardless, it remains true that you handed over the treasure from your bosom without a moment's hesitation."
"That is because I know the Family Precept of the Tang Clan."
"Had that been the case, you would have set conditions first."
"…"
He truly leaves one with nothing to say.
It was true that I had no intention of receiving compensation. I was merely returning to Tang So-wol what she herself had created. It felt somewhat unseemly to make a show of generosity over something so natural.
"All this time, I believed the only thing I could do for So-wol was to find her a good marriage as quickly as possible."
"For someone who possesses so much, you are far too modest."
"Actually, that was also the reason I wanted to make you So-wol's betrothed. I don't know your feelings, but So-wol seemed to take quite a liking to you, so I pushed it forward. Using the Tang Clan's wealth and authority as bait."
"Ah, Father?!"
Tang So-wol, who had been listening quietly while watching the atmosphere, flushed red. Tang Jincheon let out a hearty laugh at that.
For a wanderer like me with no home or status, whether I married or not made no difference at all… but.
For someone like Tang So-wol, a daughter of a prestigious family, to remain unmarried was said to be a great flaw in itself. And failing to bear children was an even greater one.
It was something I, abandoned at birth and raised as an orphan, found hard to understand. But for Tang Jincheon and Tang So-wol, it must have been a serious concern.
I nodded inwardly for a moment. Then Tang Jincheon opened his mouth in a cautious tone.
"…Given how things have turned out, it's right that I tell you now. I apologize, but I've been looking into your background for some time."
"You did well. No matter how much of a benefactor he is, if he's to be a son-in-law candidate, we need to know what kind of man he is."
"I'm grateful for your understanding. I have many questions about your past, but… I won't pry."
"I'm thankful you're willing to say that."
"However, there is one thing I'd like you to answer."
"What is it?"
"Young hero Cheon. Are you by any chance connected to the Heavenly Killing Star?"
"?"
I was caught off guard by a question I had never once considered.
Heavenly Martial Body, Poison Spirit Constitution, Nine Yin Severed Meridians, Nine Yang Severed Meridians, and so on. Though rare, there are those born with special constitutions in this world.
These constitutions bestow extraordinary talents, but they come with a price commensurate with that gift.
For example, the Heavenly Martial Body grants absolute talent in martial arts alone, but perhaps because the talent is so overwhelming, it is said that the bearer loses interest in everything else in the world, their emotions becoming extremely faint.
Tang So-wol's Poison Spirit Constitution grants her the body of a Poison Human, which can only be obtained through Bone-Exchange Rebirth, but as time passes, bearing offspring becomes increasingly difficult.
Those with the Severed Meridian Constitution gain sharp intellect and a body that accumulates internal energy quickly, but they must live with a time limit hanging over their heads.
Since ancient times, these constitutions have been objects of both admiration and resentment. A great talent is fine, but how many people would also love the price that comes with it?
The owners of these constitutions born with remarkable qualities, those who worry about them, and those who purely immerse themselves in research out of curiosity.
Many people have pondered solutions over long periods of time. And they were able to come up with their own answers.
The cold-heartedness of the Heavenly Martial Body was a problem that could be solved by learning martial arts from various sects to avoid growing tired of it. For that reason, when someone with the Heavenly Martial Body appeared, it became an established rule for the Nine Great Sects and One Gang to jointly seal their fate.
The Poison Spirit Constitution was believed to have no solution other than quickly producing an heir, but… before the regression, Tang So-wol succeeded in figuring out how to control each and every bodily reaction of a Poison Human.
The Severed Meridian Constitution had its treatment established after countless physicians researched it. It required the difficult conditions of precious spiritual medicines and the aid of outstanding martial artists, but it was no longer an incurable disease.
The Heavenly Killing Star was also one of these special constitutions.
A constitution that, in exchange for martial talent rivaling the Heavenly Martial Body, made it difficult to control the Killing Heart.
However, unlike the previous constitutions, the accompanying side effect harmed others rather than the person themselves, making it more severe—yet there was the difference that not even a clue to solving it was in sight.
And so, it was called the Heavenly Killing Star, for it was a fate of slaughter ordained by heaven, beyond the reach of human hands.
The principle was to kill immediately upon discovering someone born with the Heavenly Killing Star. Even if one showed mercy, the tacit agreement was to drag them to prison, watch over them for protection, and kill them when their Killing Heart ran rampant.
That is precisely why the Heavenly Killing Star is such a dangerous and feared existence. It has, after all, brought calamity and bloodshed to the martial world of the Central Plains on more than one occasion—so it is only natural.
And yet, he was asking me if I was one.
Perhaps it was because I narrowed my eyes without realizing it. Tang Jincheon hurriedly shook his head.
"Don't misunderstand. I'm not suspecting you of being a Heavenly Killing Star. Didn't I see how you managed to suppress that vicious killing intent the moment you laid eyes on So-wol's face? That's something a Heavenly Killing Star—no, something most martial artists wouldn't be able to do."
"That's true."
"The reason I suddenly brought up the Heavenly Killing Star is none other than your martial art."
"You mean my martial art?"
"Yes. While you were unconscious, I took your pulse briefly to check your condition… and you possess an internal energy of a very peculiar nature."
"Ah."
I understood what Tang Jincheon was trying to say. The internal energy built through the Crazy Wolf Life-Stealing Art has killing intent melted into it.
That's why, while lacking in purity, its power doesn't fall behind other divine arts.
The problem, however, is that it's unstable enough that falling into Qi Deviation at any moment wouldn't be surprising.
But the killing intent dwelling within it originates from my own life. No matter what others might think, I at least won't be devoured by the killing intent of the Crazy Wolf Life-Stealing Art.
…However, other people don't know this fact.
In Tang Jincheon's eyes, I must look like someone who picked up some extremely dangerous demonic art from who knows where.
If he's done a background check on me, that impression would only be stronger.
An orphan who had scraped by on just enough food to survive at the bottom of a rural black path gang suddenly one day slaughtered the black path bastards with a reverse blade and vanished without a trace.
That kind of thing can't happen without some fortuitous encounter. And sure enough, I happened to be practicing a martial art that was powerful but unstable.
As expected, Tang Jincheon continued in a grave tone.
"Even the old monsters of the Unorthodox Sects can't handle internal energy with a nature like yours. If there were someone capable of that…"
"You believe I'm not the Heavenly Killing Star, but that I've learned the martial art the Heavenly Killing Star left behind."
"…That's right. If that's the case, you might be fine for now, but it will only get more dangerous as time goes on. In the past, you might not have had any proper options, but that's no longer the case."
"What do you mean by 'no longer the case'…"
"If you wish, I can give you the Tang Clan's internal energy cultivation method. Since you'll have to build your internal energy from scratch, I'll also provide spiritual medicine to support you. So how about setting down that dangerous martial art?"
"…"
Of course, even if he said he would teach me the Tang Clan's mental cultivation method, he wouldn't pass down their secret arts.
Still, since the clan head himself had brought it up, he wouldn't hand over some shoddy martial art. At the very least, it would be a method of ascension.
Martial arts of ascension hold techniques that are hard to obtain even with money. Of course. A martial art of ascension guarantees reaching the Peak Realm as long as one practices it diligently.
It's only because this is the Tang Clan that they can afford to offer one. For a small or mid-sized sect, even a rumor that an ascension martial art is circulating would spark a bloody feud.
This was a clear gesture of goodwill from Tang Jincheon. But it was a goodwill I could not accept.
"I'm grateful for the offer, but I must decline."
"May I ask why?"
"However humble it may be, I want to climb a mountain I built myself, not one that belongs to someone else."
"Even if you can't see an inch ahead, and you might slip and fall down the slope at any moment?"
"However winding and narrow the path, it is my path. I cannot abandon it so easily. And even if I do fall, as you say… if there is someone beside me to catch me, I'm certain it will be fine."
"Hoh."
Tang Jincheon let out a sigh that sat somewhere between admiration and pity, and nodded.
"If that is your resolve, I understand. But do remember that my offer from earlier remains open at any time."
"I will keep it in mind."
As I gave a slight bow, Tang Jincheon smiled with satisfaction.
"Ah, and the oral formula you shared with me seems roughly correct, but I'll have our people verify it separately as well."
"Please do. I merely passed along something I happened to hear, so the Poison King would know far better than I."
"Hmm… I said I wouldn't pry, yet here I am asking again—my apologies. But could you tell me how you came to learn this formula? Honestly, I'm too curious to hold it in."
Understandable. That formula was created by Tang So-wol when she reached the same Harmony Realm as Tang Jincheon.
Tang Jincheon was called the best in the Central Plains when it came to poison arts. A poison art containing martial knowledge on par with his own must have been a fresh stimulus to him.
But even if I told him the truth, I doubted he'd believe me, so I had no choice but to fudge the details.
"If one were to name the foremost poison art in all the vast Central Plains, the Sichuan Tang Clan would naturally come to mind. But that doesn't mean poison arts are the sole property of the Sichuan Tang Clan, does it? I'll simply say that I had a fortuitous encounter."
"…Haha! I see. The Central Plains has always been a wide place. Perhaps I've been blinded by the empty title of Poison King and let my vision narrow. I understand. That's enough."
Tang Jincheon smiled pleasantly even at the mention of another master of poison arts, then picked up the utensils he had set down.
"It seems our conversation ran long during the meal. The food has cooled a bit—I'll have it reheated."
Tang Jincheon called for the head chef with a cheerful demeanor. After that, they exchanged a bit of small talk and finished the meal with genuine focus on eating.
***
It was on the way back to our respective rooms with Tang So-wol after the meal.
"Ugh. I'm stuffed."
"That's unsightly, young hero."
"Come now. We've already shared every shameful sight imaginable back in that cave. I'd appreciate it if you didn't scold me over something this trivial at this point."
"I-I did try to be considerate, you know?! I've never shared anything embarrassing with you!"
"I know. You went all the way back and forth across that distance every time you needed to relieve yourself. Honestly, it was so inconvenient that I couldn't bring myself to do the same."
"Eeek! Stop! Let's stop talking about this topic! At the very least, it's forbidden in front of me!"
Tang So-wol let out a small shriek and slapped my back repeatedly. She didn't use her internal energy, but she also didn't control her strength, so it stung quite a bit.
Even so, why did I find it amusing to see her react so fiercely?
Tang So-wol continued bickering with me for a long while after that, but then, as if all her strength had drained away, she let out a deep sigh.
"Haaah… Honestly, I'm so embarrassed. The conversation went in a completely different direction than what I had worried about, and on top of that, the side effects of the Poison Spirit Constitution that I had been agonizing over were resolved so simply."
"Well, I suppose such things happen when you live long enough."
"It's not often that everything falls into place this perfectly. Be honest with me, young hero Cheon. How long have you been planning this?"
"Planning? What are you talking about?"
"My engagement, the position of your betrothed!"
Tang So-wol, who had bitten her tongue at the word "betrothed," teared up and clamped her hand over her own mouth.
"Th-That was careless of me."
"Just answer the question…"
Tang So-wol's voice had lost its strength as she spoke carefully, afraid she might bite her tongue again. I chuckled and shook my head at the sight of her.
"I didn't deliberately aim for the position of betrothed. I had no idea they'd try to marry me off just because I saved her life once, and you didn't know either, did you, Tang So-wol?"
"Hmm. That's true."
"Still, I see. If you're asking whether I intended to place a debt on the Tang Clan—more precisely, on you—then of course I did."
"Ah…"
Tang So-wol let out a sound of disappointment and continued in a voice drained of strength.
"I'm just curious, but when did it start?"
Let me think. Excluding the story from before my regression, it would have to be that moment.
"From the very first moment I saw you."
"…?"
Tang So-wol tilted her head, as if she couldn't quite understand what she had just heard.
I added a brief explanation toward her.
"It was from the moment I met your eyes, heard your voice, and saw your troubled smile."
"…!"
Only then did she seem to begin understanding what she had heard, her eyes growing rounder and rounder.
"Y-Young hero? What was that just now…!"
Tang So-wol's flustered voice. Pretending not to hear her words, I quickened my pace.
Even for me, facing her right now was difficult.