Growth

What is growth? There may be many answers to that question, but this is what I think.

Growth is being able to do what you couldn't do before, and being able to see what you couldn't see before.

"This is the eye level between you and me."

"Staring at the top of my head and talking about eye level?!"

Seol Ri-hyang yelped and put distance between us. Even as she quickly backed away, she naturally curved her trajectory to hide behind Tang So-wol—the whole process was remarkably smooth.

"Now that I look at it, your footwork has become quite natural."

"…I don't want to hear that kind of compliment from you, Cheon Hwi."

Seol Ri-hyang, who had only poked her head out, let out a dumbfounded remark. Tang So-wol, as if agreeing with her, nodded vigorously.

"Yep. Actually, it's not just the footwork. Your whip technique is quite impressive too, and I heard you've been gradually learning the Yin Art lately, since it suits you better."

"Sister Dang?! Weren't you supposed to be on my side right now?!"

"Oh my. Isn't it only natural to take the side of my betrothed?"

Tang So-wol laughed playfully, abandoning Seol Ri-hyang to stand beside me. Seeing that, a look of betrayal welled up in Seol Ri-hyang's eyes.

"Eek! Eeek…!"

Unable to say anything, she just stomped her feet with a squeaking sound. At the sight, Tang So-wol and I looked at each other and giggled.

"Well, don't be too upset. To be honest, Tang So-wol and I just did what we were already good at."

"Yes, indeed. Usually, reaching the Peak Realm before the age of thirty is enough to be hailed as a genius, yet the young hero Cheon here has done so at just fifteen. But Miss Seol's story is a little different."

He was right.

In my case, I naturally carried over the enlightenment from before my regression, and I had even melted in the gains from this life on top of it, so it was only natural that I grew stronger quickly.

No, even calling it "growing stronger" was a joke. For me, it was closer to reclaiming the power I once had.

Tang So-wol was in a similar situation. Born in the poison-handling Tang Clan with the Poison Spirit Constitution—one that made her a poison creature in her very being—she had eaten all manner of Spiritual Medicine and mastered divine arts as a direct-line descendant of the clan head. On top of that, for the past three years, the Harmony Realm master Tang Jincheon had personally overseen her training with full concentration.

It was an achievement made possible by Tang So-wol's diligent training, but one could not deny that the circumstances supporting her had aligned perfectly as well.

Seol Ri-hyang, on the other hand? She had received a fair amount of support for a retainer, but it was nothing compared to Tang So-wol, who was of the direct line.

Moreover, before coming to the Tang Clan, she had known no martial arts at all, and her body was gaunt from not having eaten properly.

"Aren't we starting from different starting lines? This is the result of three years of diligent training, so you should be prouder of yourself."

"…Well, isn't it all because Sister Tang and the clan head helped me so much? Of course, you too, Cheon Hwi."

Receiving sincere praise, Seol Ri-hyang shrank her neck in embarrassment. The corners of her mouth twitched, and anyone could see she was barely holding back a smile.

This appearance was exactly like Seol Ri-hyang before the regression. She had a bit of a twisted personality, so even when praised honestly, she couldn't accept it honestly.

And apart from her Pure Yin Constitution, perhaps she simply had talent in Yin Arts. Even though her legs were fine and her circumstances had changed, she still ended up seeking out and mastering Yin Arts, making her seem even more like her past self.

The same was true for Tang So-wol. Perhaps it was because she had reached the Peak Realm and mastered the Myriad Streams Return to Origin Divine Art, the greatest poison art of the current era.

Tang So-wol's eyes and hair were dyed a distinct dark green, just like before the regression.

Seeing the two of them and recalling the events of my previous life was something that happened often, so I had grown used to it, but…

"Her color is pretty no matter when you look at it."

"…Is it my turn next?"

Tang So-wol made a face that was half wariness and half delight at my thoughtless remark. When I stared at her, wondering what was going on, she narrowed her eyes and continued.

"But having been born a woman of the Tang Clan, how could I simply stand by and take it? Here, I'll take the first move."

"What do you mean all of a sudden…"

I tilted my head for only a moment. Tang So-wol looked up at me by the height of two finger joints and spoke.

"As you said earlier, young hero Cheon, you are quite tall."

"I'll grow even taller. Specifically, tall enough that you, Tang So-wol, can kiss me directly if you stand on your tiptoes."

"Eeuk! N-now that I think about it, your face has become much more refined too. It's a shame you've lost some of your cute charm, but I think this look is handsome in its own way?"

"From now on, I'll be the one doting on you, Tang So-wol, so I suppose the balance will be about even."

"Auuugh… Young hero, your martial arts were already amazing, but they've become even more incredible now. Even though my journey through the martial world ended up being cut short, I met young hero Cheon along the way, so I'll have plenty of stories to boast about when I meet my friends and tell them about my travels."

"Thank you. But I won't boast about you to anyone. I want to be the only one who knows your good qualities, Tang So-wol."

"…?"

Tang So-wol blinked for a moment, chewing over what he meant. Before long, understanding dawned on her, and she leaped in place with a shriek.

"Hyaaak!"

Then, as smoothly as flowing water, she retreated backward and crouched down behind Seol Ri-hyang.

This was a composition I felt I had seen just moments ago. However, though she had grown a bit, Seol Ri-hyang was still small of frame—there was no way Tang So-wol could hide behind her.

She was only partially obscured, and Tang So-wol's face, clearly visible, was flushed bright red.

In that state, she wrapped one arm around Seol Ri-hyang's legs and, with her other arm, pointed her index finger at me with a snap!

"That's cheating! That's absolutely cheating!"

"Wasn't the rule to compliment each other until one side felt embarrassed?"

"It's roughly the same. But where in that just now was there a compliment…!"

"Hmm."

Thinking it over carefully, she had a point.

As I nodded along, a voice that sounded less bored and more lifeless reached my ears.

"If you're done, shouldn't we get going? We can't keep the clan head waiting too long."

Seol Ri-hyang said that with a sour expression, as if she'd just witnessed something unsightly. Well, fair enough. We had been dawdling quite a bit.

I helped Tang So-wol, who was still crouching, to her feet.

"Then let's go greet your father-in-law."

This was my first time going out in three years. Though it was to participate in the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, there was no rule saying I couldn't stop by a few places along the way and enjoy myself.

I'd need to receive plenty of travel expenses.

It seemed I still hadn't grown accustomed to the Tang Clan. The generosity I had in mind and the generosity Tang Jincheon had in mind were two very different standards.

"…Hear me out, son-in-law. We're about to set off on a long journey today, and the first thing out of your mouth is that gold coins are inconvenient to carry, so could I mix in some silver?"

"Unless one is being extravagant, silver coins are also a considerable sum."

"You're the son-in-law of the Tang Clan, escorting the daughter of none other than the Poison King himself. You ought to stay at fine inns along the way."

"Hmm. Fine inns have spacious rooms, so sharing one room would be…"

"Wait a moment."

Tang Jincheon cut me off and flicked a finger toward the ceiling. At the same time, a vast surge of internal energy shot out in that direction, and one of the pearl ornaments on the ceiling rattled.

Just what was he planning, to use Void Grasp here of all places…?

Honestly, I was taken aback, but since this wasn't something I'd get to see often, I decided to focus on the moment.

How Tang Jincheon's internal energy maintained its power even outside his body, how the nature of the energy that shot out changed the moment it caught the pearl, and so on.

To be honest, even watching closely, I couldn't quite grasp it right now, but if I committed it to memory, it would surely help someday.

And so I was engraving the scene into my mind… but unfortunately, the time Tang Jincheon spent demonstrating Void Grasp was far too short.

Before I knew it, he had the pearl in his hand and placed it on the desk. Closer to my side than his own.

"The day's bright, so it's hard to tell, but this is a night pearl. It'd fetch a good price if sold."

"Why are you bringing this out all of a sudden?"

"Stop talking nonsense about a single room—grab at least two."

"…"

Wait—he actually used the Void Grasp just to pry out the night pearl embedded in his wall to bring up that topic?

Even after three years had passed since the formal engagement, this kind of behavior was bound to stir up some stubbornness on my end as well.

I accepted the night pearl and gave a small bow.

"Thank you. I'll share a room with Tang So-wol, and send Seol Ri-hyang to another room, so you can see your grandchild soon."

"What?!"

Startled, Tang Jincheon snatched the night pearl from my hand with the Golden Capture Technique and hurled it straight toward the ceiling.

Tracing an unnatural arc as if it were a hidden weapon, the night pearl wedged itself back among the decorations, returning to its original spot.

Tang Jincheon put on a deliberately brazen expression.

"Let's just pretend that never happened."

"Yes, of course. Understood. However, it's been over three years since the Engagement Ceremony, so I'm a bit curious when you'll permit the actual Marriage."

"…If it were up to me, I'd postpone it another seven years."

"If you insist on making it a full ten, I'll take Tang So-wol and run away right now."

"Oh."

Tang So-wol, who had been giggling from behind, reacted as if the idea tempted her, and Tang Jincheon let out a sigh.

"…If I had opposed it, I wouldn't have held the Engagement Ceremony in the first place. But it's not time yet. We know what kind of man our son-in-law is, but others don't."

"So you're saying I should make a name for myself."

"Exactly. It's not a must, but it would be preferable—and it's not like it's difficult for you."

"That's a very long way of saying to do my best at the Dragon Phoenix Gathering."

"…Hah, this son-in-law of mine. While you're at the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, go ahead and win the whole thing. And when you get there, make it known in style whose betrothed you are!"

"Yes. Just leave it to me."

When he answered with such confidence, Tang Jincheon let out a dry laugh.

"Tsk. How is it that you get more sly by the day?"

"Isn't that just a sign of how close I feel to my father-in-law?"

"You really are a man through and through."

Tang Jincheon shook his head, but a smile lingered at the corners of his mouth. After laughing and chatting for a good while, he rose from his seat and straightened his posture.

Then he came over and lightly patted my shoulder and Tang So-wol's.

"This time you'll be going without an escort… but well, it should be fine."

"Don't worry. Even if we're unlucky enough to run into a Transcendent Peak martial artist, I can at least manage to run away."

"With all your limbs intact?"

"That one's a bit harder to promise…"

As I frowned slightly and ran through various scenarios in my head, Tang Jincheon let out a hearty laugh and gave my shoulder a rough pat.

"That was a joke. If you're that worried about this, you might as well not leave the house at all."

"I suppose that's true."

In all the vast Central Plains, there were at most a hundred or so Transcendent Peak martial artists living in the same era.

How often would you happen to run into someone worthy of being called one of the Hundred Great Masters of the World, let alone make an enemy of them?

"Go on ahead and enjoy the sights you've been missing. I have too much work to do, so I'll arrive in time for the start of the main rounds."

"You're coming too, father-in-law?"

"Did you know? The Tang Clan has never won the Dragon Phoenix Gathering since it began."

"Well, rules are rules, I suppose."

Hidden weapons were also restricted to those without blades, and poison was banned outright.

For the Tang Clan, whose main arsenal consisted of poison and hidden weapons, this was practically like being told to fight with their hands and feet bound.

"But thanks to my son-in-law, I think we'll finally get our first victory this time, so I suppose I should go watch."

Tang Jincheon nodded with a look that was joyful yet tinged with a hint of bitterness.

"I've been keeping you too long when you need to be on your way. Go on, then. And be sure to get a separate room."

"I will. I'll see you in Muhan City, father-in-law."

After offering a polite fist-and-palm salute, I picked up the luggage I had prepared in advance and stepped out through the Tang Clan's main gate.

It was the day my three-year ban on leaving the estate finally came to an end.