Fame

"I'm at Transcendent Peak now."

"…?"

Seol Ri-hyang puffed out her chest as she said that.

Though she struck the same pose as Seomun Hwa-rin, a certain part of her figure was emphasized far more aggressively—but that wasn't what mattered right now.

"Already?"

"…No? Actually, I might be mistaken. I don't really know what the Transcendent Peak realm feels like, so maybe I'm just confusing myself."

About half of the confidence that had swelled up drained away in an instant, and Seol Ri-hyang's posture returned to a normal angle.

I raised my Qi Sense and examined Seol Ri-hyang closely.

The amount of internal energy I sensed was noticeably greater than the last time I'd seen her, but for Seol Ri-hyang of all people, internal energy could never be a measure of her level.

That was only natural—she had been born with an immense talent for energy arts, and most of the Spiritual Medicine's power she had drunk like water at the North Sea Ice Palace still lay dormant within her meridians.

Over the past few months, her internal energy had grown by leaps and bounds every time she woke up, and even a small trigger could cause it to surge as if she had achieved some tremendous Enlightenment.

…That said, the amount of growth was unusual, but she was someone with precedent, so it was too early to make a judgment.

The fact that her Aura had become more refined was part of the same context.

Unlike other Martial Artists, Seol Ri-hyang was a peculiar case where even examining her internal energy or Aura made it difficult to gauge her exact martial level.

If that was the case, then wouldn't it be better to find out in a more direct way?

"The greatest difference between the Peak Realm and the Transcendent Peak is the ability to handle internal energy as if it were part of your own body. You were already handling it well before, but handling it well and becoming one with it are clearly different things. Perhaps…""

"You mean something like this?"

The moment Seol Ri-hyang tilted her head, cold air began to gather around me. Not just a drop in energy, but at a density visible to the naked eye.

"Huh."

For a moment, I couldn't believe my eyes.

It's a difficult feat to materialize internal energy directly into the space around you.

Projecting your energy into empty air with nothing but will as the medium—this is what Martial Artists call the Void Grasp.

No matter how talented Seol Ri-hyang was in energy arts, this seemed impossible. I rubbed my eyes and looked again.

Only then did I fully understand what Seol Ri-hyang had done.

"I see. So you didn't even need to use a Yin Art—you managed to do this much using nothing but an ordinary voice as your medium."

"Yeah. Of course, this is about the limit. If I wanted to use real power, I'd have to unleash a Yin Art."

To put it in terms of the sword, it was like being able to casually flick out a strike that previously required loosening up the body and pushing concentration to its absolute limit before unleashing.

Looking only at the results, it was similar to my Sword-Mind Unity, but she'd achieved it by handling the internal energy carried within her voice more freely, rather than relying on a Yin Art itself.

Once she grew accustomed to her own enlightenment and level, she'd be able to do even more.

"Congratulations. Given what happened in the North Sea, I figured you'd rise soon enough… but I didn't expect it to be this soon."

"Heheh. I guess it just happened while I was fighting with my head in the clouds."

Seol Ri-hyang said that as if she were embarrassed. At the same time, a martial artist who had been following her around since the Black Alliance—whose name I didn't know, but whose face I remembered—opened his mouth.

"Would it be alright if I said a word to the White Moon Sword Lord?"

"Hm? Go ahead."

"The Ice Demon Sister from back then was truly incredible!"

"S-Sister?"

No matter how I looked at him, he seemed older than Seol Ri-hyang, but I decided to let it slide.

After all, in the Unorthodox Sects, wasn't the stronger one the older brother or sister?

"Could you tell me a bit more in detail?"

"Of course!"

The woman of the Black Alliance beamed at my words and rattled off her account at full speed. Every time she recalled the events of that day, her eyes sparkled — it seemed she was thoroughly smitten with Seol Ri-hyang.

Only after I had listened to her lengthy tale for quite a while did I finally speak.

"So, let me get this straight… While you were descending the mountain to seek help as I had instructed, the Green Forest pursuers cut across a shortcut, forcing you into a fight, and even an assassin joined the fray midway through?"

"Yes!"

"The battle descended into chaos, the wounded grew in number, and you were slowly being pushed into a disadvantage. The moment one person fell, you'd all be slaughtered — and right at that crisis, Seol Ri-hyang suddenly attained enlightenment."

"That's right!"

"And the reason wasn't that she feared her own death, nor that she feared for her comrades' lives, but that she worried I might be in danger if she got held up in a place like that?"

"Isn't it amazing?!"

"…"

This was the first time I'd seen someone talk about nearly dying in such a cheerful voice.

Seol Ri-hyang must have made quite an impression back then.

…Come to think of it, Seol Ri-hyang had always gotten along well with everyone—Tang So-wol, Seomun Hwa-rin, the vice-captain of the Dark Soul Squad who taught her basic martial arts, the vice-captain of the Poison Blood Corps who occasionally sparred with her, and many other female martial artists besides.

At this point, I had to figure there was something I didn't know.

Whether it was a constitutional trait stemming from her Pure Yin Constitution or just her natural personality, I couldn't say.

Either way, seeing most of the people dispatched from the Black Alliance look at her as if enchanted, with uncertain expressions on their faces—that was a good thing as far as I was concerned.

Doesn't that mean most of them can be recruited into the Tang Clan?

They lack backing, but they're rising talents with outstanding skills—surely, given a bit more time, they'll become a great help.

I opened my mouth toward Seol Ri-hyang, who was covering her face with both hands and trembling at the consecutive gold payments, and Seomun Hwa-rin, who was grinning beside her and poking her in the ribs.

"I see. So you were trying to end the battle quickly, even by attaining enlightenment, because you thought I'd be in danger."

"Eeuk!"

"What's the matter. I've been through it a few times myself, so I understand. You don't need to be so embarrassed. …I see. So you felt the same way I did."

"Hyaaah!"

Seol Ri-hyang clutched her head, embarrassed at having her hidden feelings suddenly exposed.

I let out a small laugh at the heartwarming atmosphere that had settled over the group.

"At any rate, I'm glad no one died. Don't worry too much about the injured either. You all volunteered for something the Tang Clan started, didn't you? Even if you're part of the Black Alliance, the Tang Clan will see to your treatment."

As soon as I finished speaking, sighs of relief echoed from all around.

They must have been worried inwardly—none of them looked to be in good shape, even if they hadn't died.

Internal injuries were the baseline, and in severe cases, some people could barely move one of their arms.

"Ah, since we're on the subject, let me tell you our plans from here on out. We've defeated the Green Forest's Chief Bandit, so this concludes our punitive expedition against the Green Forest. We'll hand over the axes to the government office ahead and report this matter, then immediately return to the Tang Clan."

"W-we're finally returning?"

"Yes. While I finish my business at the government office, have the necessary supplies prepared in advance. It'll take quite a while to reach Sichuan Province. No, wait. It might be fine to enjoy ourselves here properly for today before we leave."

This time, even the martial artists belonging to the Tang Clan let out cheers of joy.

They had been chasing and fighting the Green Forest bandits without rest, so they must have been exhausted. And this time, it had been dangerous too.

I handed the money pouch filled with gold coins to Seol Ri-hyang and headed to the government office with Seomun Hwa-rin.

***

Even after showing them the great axe used by the White Peak Mountain King, the officials found it hard to believe that we had truly defeated the Green Forest's Chief Bandit.

To them, I also mentioned that we had slain the Slaughter King and told them where the body remained.

Only after verifying this did the officials begin to believe, and they jumped up and down, showering us with praise that was almost overwhelming.

It was literally overwhelming, so I let it wash over me, enjoyed a good day of rest, and from the next day onward, we began our journey back to Sichuan Province.

Because we had injured members, instead of using Lightness Skill we hired a carriage, and it was only after a full twenty days of travel that we finally returned to Chengdu.

And within less than a month, word had spread across the entire Central Plains.

"Son-in-law! Do you hold some grudge against me? To think you'd try to kill your father-in-law through overwork!"

"It's a misunderstanding…"

Even as he said this, Tang Jincheon was grinning from ear to ear.

And why wouldn't he be? Hadn't the reputation of the Tang Clan, which people were already saying might become the greatest clan in the world before long, risen even higher?

Not only those who wanted to invest with an eye on the future, but even merchants focused on the present were flocking in, desperate to establish trade relations with the Tang Clan.

The Green Forest was one thing, but the Imperial Court had also officially designated them as such.

The Murim Alliance had sent the bounty that had been hanging over the Chief Bandit Leader's neck, and the Imperial Court, in a grand gesture, had granted three years of tax exemptions along with various other privileges.

The Black Alliance went even further—the Lord of the Black Alliance himself sent a letter saying he would help in any way he could, and to name whatever we needed. It was probably because of their deep grudge against the Green Forest.

Of course, taking down the Chief Bandit Leader didn't mean the Green Forest would vanish entirely.

The White Peak Mountain King had attacked us with several bandit leaders in tow, but surely not all of them.

Somewhere, no doubt, surviving members of the Green Forest were holding their breath, biding their time for the days ahead.

Just as they had when other Chief Bandit Leaders died throughout the Green Forest's needlessly long history.

But at least for a while, the Green Forest would go quiet. Even if a new Chief Bandit Leader emerged, the odds were high that he wouldn't be as aggressive as the White Peak Mountain King.

The White Peak Mountain King had simply been a madman. Originally, the Green Forest wasn't such a violent group—like in the old stories Seomun Hwa-rin sometimes shared. The ones who acted violently all died quickly anyway.

Ah, by the way, the Chief Steward had fainted.

Thanks to Tang Jincheon's enthusiastic support, his subordinates had doubled, and he'd been overjoyed at the prospect of finally getting three full sijin of sleep. And then an even bigger bomb had dropped on top of that…

A pity, really.

I shook my head and was silently wishing the Chief Steward well (he was still alive, after all) when someone knocked on my door.

"Young hero Cheon? Would it be alright if I came in for a moment?"

"Since when did you need permission to enter? The door isn't locked—just open it."

"My, my. So careless."

Saying that, Tang So-wol stepped inside, looking as she always did—casually comfortable yet properly composed.

However, in her hand was a bottle of liquor.

"That's a rare occasion. I never thought you'd be the one to suggest a drink first, Tang So-wol."

"I'm not saying I dislike alcohol, am I? I just don't enjoy it without a reason."

"I'm already tired of empty flattery. I'd rather not hear it from you too."

"Hehe. I've known young hero Cheon for a long time now, but there are still parts of you I find hard to understand. You need fame, yet you find the attention that comes with it burdensome. Most people pursue fame because they want that kind of attention, you know?"

"Unfortunately, your betrothed is far from being an ordinary person."

As I shrugged, Tang So-wol let out a small chuckle and sat down across from me.

She pulled some simple snacks from her bosom, completing the modest drinking party, and held out a cup to me.

Reflexively accepting it, she quietly poured me a drink and asked.

"So, what has the young hero Cheon, who finds attention so burdensome, been doing cooped up in his room?"

"Nothing much. I was just reorganizing the enlightenment I gained this time."

"Ah! I heard from Unni Hwa-rin. They say you tore apart the Seomun Clan's secret art and made it your own martial art?"

"…Just so you know, I did receive proper permission."

"Of course. The young hero Cheon is someone who follows the rules well, after all."

Tang So-wol handed me the bottle and held out her own cup. As I tilted it to pour, I suddenly felt her gaze on me.

It wasn't my face or my cup — her eyes were quickly scanning my neck and arms.

I flinched at the sight of her searching for something. Tang So-wol noticed my reaction and let out a giggle before speaking.

Her tone was gentle. But the words she carried were anything but dismissible.

"I heard about it from Sister Hwa-rin. It may have ended with a kiss, but it seems you did more with her than you've done with me."

"Ah."

A chill ran down my spine in an instant.

Tang So-wol was fundamentally generous. Partly because her constitution made pregnancy difficult, and partly because she genuinely liked Seol Ri-hyang and Seomun Hwa-rin.

But that generosity was premised on her being respected as the first wife.

"Dear me. Don't make such a flustered face. It's a close call, but this much is fine."

"Is that true?"

"Yesss. From now on, all we have to do is accomplish something even greater together, isn't that right?"

"…"

Tang So-wol said this and licked her lips.

It was a sight reminiscent of a snake eyeing its prey.