EP.29 The Iron Woman. (1)
The Iron Woman (1)
The road to the Tang Sect was more comfortable than any road we had traveled so far.
Perhaps it was because this was a road connecting a village to a city, and thus well-maintained.
Thanks to that, the guards who had always been on edge seemed to have relaxed a little.
Or perhaps it was because we were traveling alongside the prestigious Nangong Clan.
Whatever the reason, the result was that there were no major problems on the road to the Tang Sect.
"So you know, Sister. When I first ate the yakgwa, I was holding a potato, and the potato looked so tasteless."
"Yeah."
"Yakgwa is so delicious... I'm sorry to the potato, but yakgwa seems more delicious."
"Yeah."
"Why is a potato a potato..."
"Yeah... Yeah?"
Except for those two.
Why does that crazy Nangong Bia keep coming this way?
Every time I saw her, my head ached.
'Why on earth does she keep coming?'
There's a blue carriage sitting right before my eyes, so why does she insist on coming over here to walk?
Meanwhile, Wi Seol-a, who clings to Nangong Bia's side and chatters like a bird every time she comes, was also not listening.
I should give her a good scolding one of these days...
"It's also strange that that Nangong bastard isn't paying any attention."
Given the behavior he's shown me so far, I thought Nangong Tianjun would be sticking close to Nangong Bia and following her around, but he just stayed silently in the carriage.
"I guess this kind of thing is fine too."
The thoughts of a madman were truly unpredictable.
Some time must have passed since our departure, as the sun was slowly setting.
Nangong Bia was a martial artist so that was understandable, but Wi Seol-a, despite walking for so long, was still energetic and kept talking to Nangong Bia without resting.
Is it true that they're different from the very beginning?
"...Actually, it would be strange if she wasn't energetic after eating that much."
Wi Seol-a had a big appetite, and the fact that she only became slightly rounder after eating so much was probably because she moved a lot while eating.
Honestly, I thought that might be the mystery of the human body.
I ate less than Wi Seol-a, but fat was already gathering at my sides.
Life...
After looking at the sky for a while, someone shouted from among the gathered crowd.
"The Tang Sect's flag is in sight!"
It was true. A green flag with the character Tang (唐) written on it could be seen in the distance.
The number of people seemed slightly fewer than the combined forces of the Gu and Nangong clans.
I hastily straightened my clothes.
Ah, I took a nap earlier, did my hair get messed up?
Encounters with prestigious clans were troublesome because of such trifles...
Still, since Nangong Tianjun and Nangong Bia had already caused trouble with the Nangong side first, there seemed to be no need for that, which was fortunate in a way.
The carriage slowly stopped, and I also got up to prepare to go out.
When I stepped out of the carriage, Nangong Tianjun was already out and greeting the people of the Tang Sect.
"It's been a while, Tianjun."
"Have you been well, Brother Tang?"
"Is there something tiring you lately? Your complexion doesn't look good."
"The journey was long, so that must be it."
"Well, you came from far away. I didn't expect even you, Tianjun, to come."
"My sister promised to come... I couldn't leave her alone."
"Ah... Young Lady Bia... Hmm, that makes sense. I always feel it, but Tianjun, you siblings have such good affection for each other. Our Xiaolie's temper grows fiercer by the day."
With a typical fake smile, Nangong Tianjun turned his gaze to me.
"Ah! Young Hero Gu! Please come this way."
Since when were we close enough for him to call me so brightly?
Not knowing his true intentions made my stomach burn as if I had indigestion at that flawless act.
As I approached, I could see the young man who had been greeting Nangong Tianjun.
The young man had a face that appeared to be past thirty, and for a bloodline of the Tang Clan known for their proficiency in poison and hidden weapons, he had a remarkably gentle impression.
He was the Tang Clan's young master, Tang Zhuye.
I didn't know his current title, but he was the man who would later be called the Poison Lord of Thousand Commanders (毒代千君) after the appearance of the Demonic Cult.
Tang Zhuye saw me and approached with calm steps, offering his greeting first.
"So you are Young Hero Gu. I heard from the Gu Clan that you would be coming to our clan. You must have had a hard time traveling such a long way. I am Tang Zhuye."
From his manner of showing courtesy even to me, who was much younger, I could catch a glimpse of his character.
I returned the courtesy accordingly.
"I came on behalf of the Gu Clan's..."
As I was about to introduce myself by name, I remembered that I had told the Nangong people my name was Gu Jueye. Ah, why did I do that.
Anyway, Gu Jueye, this bastard is no help. I didn't like him from the first time I saw him.
"I came on behalf of the head of the Gu Clan. He asked me to convey his apologies for not being able to attend."
I casually brought up words my father hadn't even said and tried to gloss over it.
Fortunately, Tang Zhuye didn't seem to particularly mind and continued to wear a smile.
"Head Gu must be busy with work, so it's only natural. This is merely a small festival hosted by the Tang Clan, so we're grateful you came at all."
As the formalities were coming to an end, Nangong Bia also approached from afar.
Nangong Bia slightly bowed her head in greeting to Tang Zhuye.
"It's been a while, Bia."
"Hello."
"Bia grows prettier by the day. I almost didn't recognize you."
"Thank you..."
"Oh right, I heard our Xiaolie threw a tantrum? I'm sorry, she's still immature and made you suffer."
"No... it was a promise."
"Thank you for understanding. It seems Xiaolie has been waiting eagerly, for both you, Tianjun, and Young Hero Gu. It would be best to leave before the night gets late, so let us depart. We will guide you."
Finally... Following Tang Zhuye's guidance, I was able to enter the Sichuan Tang Sect, ending the arduous journey.
I didn't know the reason, but if it weren't for Nangong Bia sticking right next to me and that Nangong bastard's son glaring at me like he wanted to kill me, it would have been a decent journey...
'Ah... I want to eat mandu.'
It was truly an exhausting journey.
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Sichuan Tang Sect (四川唐門).
A righteous prestigious clan rooted in the Sichuan region for centuries, it was known as the foremost in the Central Plains when it came to iron and poison.
In sharpness, the Nangong Clan.
In ferocity, the Hebei Peng Clan.
In delicacy, the Murong Clan.
Compared to these three clans, the Tang Sect might be a step behind in everything, but conversely, the Tang Sect possessed something far superior to those three.
The Tang Weapon Exhibition was one of the things created from that confidence.
The secret martial arts they used were famous for hidden weapon techniques and poison arts, but the Tang Sect's skill in handling iron was incomparable to any other place.
Weapons crafted by artisans who handled iron as the finest in the Central Plains.
To describe them, it would not be a waste to use the word art.
The beloved sword of the Sword Reverend was made here, of course, and the place that forged the swords of successive Martial Alliance Leaders was also the Tang Sect.
The Nine Sects One Faction and other clans that used swords would line up waiting for a sword touched by the Tang Sect.
'...Not that they give them easily.'
Whether it was the Tang Sect's reputation or pride, they did not easily hand over the weapons they made to outsiders.
Even if one tried to buy them with money, it was unlikely that the Four Great Clans of the Central Plains would ever be in a situation where they were short of money and had to sell.
Anyway, the Tang Weapon Exhibition was ultimately like a festival to showcase the high-quality weapons the Tang Sect had made over a year.
If I were to guess the underlying reason, it would be something like:
We can make things this well.
If you're good to us, we might give you something like this.
Something like that.
Actually, it was said that sometimes during the Tang Weapon Exhibition, they would give away one of the items showcased.
It didn't particularly appeal to me. Of course, if I received one, I would sell it at a high price.
I didn't know what intention or political purpose the Tang Sect had in showing these things, but that wasn't my purpose.
'I need to prepare to find the secret archive.'
Let's not forget the reason I came to Sichuan.
The Geumcheon Yeon Clan. I came to find the secret archive of the Geumcheon Yeon Clan.
Three days after the Tang Weapon Exhibition ends. The given time is only these three days. The information I know is only the region where the secret archive is located and its surrounding environment.
Even that was not accurate information.
If I couldn't find the secret archive within these three days, I might just release all the information about the Geumcheon Yeon Clan to the Beggar's Sect in a fit of desperation.
'...It's complicated.'
"Young Master, what are you thinking so hard about?"
"It's nothing."
As I was groaning and holding my head, Wi Seol-a spoke to me.
I had entered the Sichuan Tang Sect following Tang Zhuye's guidance.
Although I had been here in my previous life, unlike when I relied on vague memories, the majesty of the Tang Sect I saw again was immense.
Compared to the Cheonil Merchant Group I had gone to because of the Nine Dragons Association before, the Tang Sect was even larger.
'As expected of the Four Great Clans.'
Those called the roots of the righteous faction were different in scale. Now, following the guidance, I had come out thinking I would look around a bit before unpacking and going to bed.
Since no one told me not to go anywhere, I figured it would be fine to look around a little.
When I said I was going for a walk, Wi Seol-a immediately followed me out, and we started walking together.
Following the path, a forest filled with trees appeared. How large must the clan be to have a forest?
Chirp chirp. With every step, the sound of crickets could be heard.
I moved my steps slowly, following the sound of crickets that filled the forest.
Seeing the fireflies gradually appearing ahead, I felt that summer had arrived.
Following the path, an artificially created lake appeared. It wasn't enormously large, but as much as it was small, I could feel it was delicately decorated.
Fireflies flying with light and lotus flowers floating on the water—a scene that made even me, who had virtually no sense of aesthetics, feel it was beautiful.
"Wow...!"
How much more for Wi Seol-a—as expected, Wi Seol-a's eyes widened at the same time as she beamed with a smile.
Seeing that, I briefly considered patting her head.
In the end, I didn't.
"It's so pretty, Young Master!"
"It is."
Wi Seol-a swayed as if dancing, following the fireflies. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand at that sight.
Sometimes.
There were times when Wi Seol-a overlapped with her appearance from my previous life.
Like right now.
The current Wi Seol-a didn't have the hair that seemed to embrace the moon, nor the eyes that held blades like fallen frost.
She had black hair resembling the night sky, and a face that was always smiling as if something was so happy.
The situation had changed so much from back then.
Why do I look for her in the current Wi Seol-a?
At the passing thought, I let out a soft laugh.
"What am I thinking, it's just a foolish lingering attachment."
"Hmm?"
"It's nothing. Let's head back slowly, it's time to sleep."
This should be enough sightseeing.
Since I had arrived at my destination, I thought I could sleep comfortably tonight and was about to turn back, dragging Wi Seol-a along, when...
"Who are you?"
A sharp voice that seemed to pierce my ears was heard.
I turned my head toward the direction of the voice.
There stood Nangong Bia, looking at me with a surprised expression, along with another person.
The owner of the voice was that person. The woman of unknown identity spoke to me again.
"This is a place where outsiders cannot freely come and go. Who are you?"
As the moonlight shone, the woman's face hidden in the shadows became visible.
Only then could I immediately recognize who she was.
The proof was the deep green of one eye that was clearly visible even in the middle of the night.
Poison Consort (毒妃) Tang Xiaolie.
The first person in the Tang Sect's history to be immune to all poisons (萬毒不侵).
The Iron Woman who would later stand alone against the thousands of demonic practitioners that flooded into Sichuan.
And.
She was also the woman I killed with my own hands in my previous life.