Chapter 29: Iron Woman. (1)

The road to Dangmun was more comfortable than any road I had traveled before.

Perhaps it was because it was a road connecting a village to a city, so it was well-maintained.

Thanks to that, even the guards, who always maintained a sense of tension, seemed to have relaxed a bit.

Or perhaps it was because we were traveling with the prestigious Namgung family.

Whatever the reason, the result was that there were no major problems on the road to Dangmun.

“So, you know. Unni, when I first ate the yakgwa, I was holding a potato, and the potato looked so unappetizing.”

“Mm.”

“The yakgwa is so delicious… I feel sorry for the potato, but I think the yakgwa is tastier.”

“Mm.”

“Why is a potato a potato…”

“Mm… Mm?”

Everyone except them.

Why does that crazy Namgung Bi-ah keep coming this way?

It gave me a headache every time I saw her.

‘Why on earth is she coming here?’

There’s a blue carriage right in front of my eyes, so why does she have to come over here and walk?

Meanwhile, Wi Seol-ah, who stuck close to Namgung Bi-ah and chirped whenever she approached, also didn’t listen well.

I need to scold her properly sometime…

“It’s strange that that Namgung guy isn’t paying attention for once.”

Based on his actions towards me so far, I thought he’d be sticking close to Namgung Bi-ah and following her around, but Namgung Cheon-jun was just staying silently inside the carriage.

“So this is okay, huh?”

The thoughts of that crazy bastard are truly impossible to fathom.

Time had passed since we departed, and the sun was beginning to set.

Namgung Bi-ah is a martial artist, so that’s understandable, but Wi Seol-ah, despite walking for so long, seemed energetic, talking to Namgung Bi-ah without pause.

Is she really different from the start?

“…Actually, it seems strange that she isn’t energetic after eating like that.”

Considering how much Wi Seol-ah eats, and that it only results in her getting a little round, maybe it’s because she moves around a lot while eating.

I actually thought that might be the mystery of the human body.

I eat less than Wi Seol-ah, but the fat is already accumulating on my sides.

Life…

After staring at the sky for a while, someone among the gathered people shouted.

“I see the Dangmun flag!”

It was true. Far away, a green flag with the character Tang (唐) written on it was visible.

The number of people seemed slightly less than the combined numbers of Gu Clan and Namgung Clan members.

I quickly adjusted my clothes.

Ah, I took a nap earlier, I wonder if my hair got messed up.

Meetings with prestigious families are annoying because of this kind of pointless stuff…

Still, it was fortunate in a way, because Namgung Cheon-jun and Namgung Bi-ah had already caused a scene with the Namgung side, so there seemed to be no need for that.

The carriage stopped slowly, and I also prepared to get up and exit.

As I stepped out of the carriage, Namgung Cheon-jun was already out, greeting the Dangmun people.

“It’s been a while, Cheon-jun.”

“Have you been well, Elder Brother Dang.”

“Have you been dealing with something tiring lately? Your complexion doesn’t look good.”

“It’s probably because the journey was long.”

“Right, you came from far away. I didn’t expect even you, Cheon-jun, to come.”

“My sister said she was coming… I was worried leaving her alone.”

“Ah… Miss Bi-ah… Hmm, that makes sense. I always feel that you and your sister have such good sibling affection. My Soyeol is becoming more ill-tempered by the day.”

‘Haha’ He flashed a typical smile full of pretense and then turned his gaze towards me.

“Ah! Young Hero Gu! Come over here.”

Since when did we get so close that he’s calling me so cheerfully?

If I didn’t know his true intentions, his appearance wouldn’t have betrayed him, but it made my stomach churn as if I had indigestion.

As I approached, I saw the young man who was greeting Namgung Cheon-jun.

The young man had a face that looked past the age of twenty, and despite being from the Tang family, known for their proficiency in poison and assassination techniques, he had a surprisingly gentle impression.

He was Tang Ju-yeok, the young master of the Tang family.

I didn’t know his current alias, but he was the man who would later be called ‘Poisonous Substitute for a Thousand Lords’ (毒代千君) after the emergence of the Demonic Cult.

Tang Ju-yeok saw me, approached with calm steps, and greeted me first.

“You must be Young Hero Gu. We heard word from the Gu Clan that you were coming to our family. You must have had a hard time on the long journey. I am Tang Ju-yeok.”

Seeing him show courtesy even to me, who was much younger, I could glimpse a little of the character he possessed.

I returned the courtesy accordingly.

“From the Gu Clan’s…”

I was about to introduce myself by stating my name, but then I remembered that I had introduced myself as Gu Jeolyub to those Namgung bastards. Ah, why did I do that?

Anyway, this Gu Jeolyub bastard is no help. I didn’t like him from the first time I saw him.

“I have come on behalf of the Gu Clan’s Clan Leader. He asked me to convey his apologies for not being able to attend.”

I tried to gloss over it by vaguely mentioning things my father hadn’t actually said.

Fortunately, Tang Ju-yeok didn’t seem to pay much attention, maintaining his smile.

“Clan Leader Gu must be busy with work, so of course, that’s understandable. It’s just a small festival hosted by the Tang family, so we are grateful just for your attendance.”

As the perfunctory greetings concluded, Namgung Bi-ah also approached from a distance.

Namgung Bi-ah bowed slightly to Tang Ju-yeok and greeted him.

“It’s been a while, Bi-ah.”

“Hello.”

“Bi-ah, you’re getting prettier every day. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“Thank you…”

“Ah, right, my Soyeol threw a tantrum, didn’t she? I apologize, she’s still immature and caused you a lot of trouble.”

“It’s alright… It was a promise.”

“Thank you for your understanding. Soyeol seems to be waiting eagerly, as are Cheon-jun and Young Hero Gu. It would be best to depart before it gets too late, so let’s head out now. We shall escort you.”

Finally… Following Tang Ju-yeok’s guidance, we were able to end the arduous journey and enter Sichuan Dangmun.

For some reason, if it weren’t for Namgung Bi-ah sticking right next to me, and that Namgung brat glaring at me like he wants to kill me, it would have been a decent trip…

‘Ah… I just want to eat dumplings.’

It was undeniably a truly arduous journey.

---

Sichuan Dangmun (四川唐門).

It was a righteous, prestigious family that had taken root in the Sichuan region for centuries, known as the best in the Central Plains regarding iron and poison.

In sharpness, the Namgung Family.

In imposing presence, the Hebei Peng Family.

In delicacy, the Moyong Family.

Compared to these three families, the Dangmun might be a step behind in everything, but conversely, the Dangmun possessed something far superior to those three.

What was called the Tang Weapon Exhibition was one of the things created from that confidence.

Their unique martial arts using poison are famous for assassination techniques and poison arts, but the Dangmun’s skill in handling iron is truly incomparable to any other place.

Weapons and tools crafted by artisans renowned as the best in the Central Plains at handling iron.

It would not be an exaggeration to call this art.

Not only the beloved sword of the Sword Master but also the place that had made the swords of the Martial Alliance Leaders for generations was the Dangmun.

The Nine Great Sects and other families that use swords were lined up, waiting for swords touched by the Dangmun’s hands.

‘..Though they don’t give them out easily.’

Whether it’s the Dangmun’s reputation or pride, the Dangmun does not easily hand over the weapons and tools they create to outsiders.

Even if one tried to buy them with money, it seemed unlikely that the four great families of the Central Plains would ever be desperate enough for cash to sell them.

In any case, the Tang Weapon Exhibition is essentially a festival concept showcasing the Dangmun’s highly perfected weapons crafted over a year.

If I had to guess the underlying reason, it would be: ‘We make things this well.’

‘If you treat us well, we can give you things like this.’

Something like that, perhaps.

It is said that sometimes, during the Tang Weapon Exhibition, they even gave away one of the showcased items.

It’s not something that particularly appeals to me. Of course, if I received one, I would sell it for a high price.

I don’t know what intentions or political motives the Dangmun has for showcasing this, but my purpose is different.

‘I need to prepare to find Bi-go.’

Let’s not forget the purpose of coming to Sichuan.

It was to find Geumcheon Yeon-ga’s Bi-go.

Three days after the Tang Weapon Exhibition ends, this is the only time given. The only information I have is the region where Bi-go is located and the surrounding environment.

Even that wasn’t accurate information.

If I can’t find Bi-go within these three days, I might just throw caution to the wind and release the information about Geumcheon Yeon-ga to the public.

‘…This is complicated.’

“Young Master, what are you thinking so hard about?”

“It’s nothing.”

As I was groaning and clutching my head, Wi Seol-ah spoke to me.

I entered Sichuan Dangmun under Tang Ju-yeok’s guidance.

I had visited before in my past life, but unlike relying on hazy memories, the majesty of Dangmun I saw again was immense.

Just comparing it to Cheonil Sangga, which I visited before because of the Gu-ryong Guild, Dangmun was even larger.

‘As expected of the Four Great Families.’

These roots of the righteous sects are on a different scale. Right now, following the guide, after unpacking my luggage, I came out intending to look around a bit before bedtime.

Since there was no instruction not to go anywhere, it should be okay to look around a bit.

Wi Seol-ah, who immediately followed when I said I was going for a walk, and I started walking a bit.

Following the path, we came upon a forest filled with trees. Just how large must a family’s estate be to have a forest?

Chirp chirp. The sound of crickets could be heard with every step.

Following the sound of crickets filling the forest, I slowly moved my steps.

Seeing the fireflies appearing little by little, I felt that summer was approaching.

Following the path, we came upon a lake that seemed artificially made. It wasn’t incredibly large, but it felt delicately decorated for its size.

The sight of fireflies flying around, illuminating the area, and lotuses floating on the water made even me, who possesses absolutely no sentimentality, feel that it was beautiful.

“Wow…!”

How much more so for Wi Seol-ah? As expected, Wi Seol-ah’s eyes widened, and she broke into a smile.

Seeing that, I briefly considered patting her head.

But I didn’t in the end.

“It’s so beautiful. Young Master!”

“It really is.”

Wi Seol-ah swayed as if dancing along with the fireflies. Seeing that, I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand for a moment.

Sometimes.

Wi Seol-ah overlaps with her appearance from my past life.

Just like now.

The current Wi Seol-ah doesn’t have the hair that shone as if embracing the moon, nor the eyes that held a blade like frost.

She has black hair resembling the night sky and a face that always seems happy, as if smiling about something.

The situation is so vastly different from back then.

Why am I looking for her in the current Wi Seol-ah?

A passing thought made me chuckle.

“What are you thinking? It’s just a ridiculous lingering attachment.”

“Huh?”

“It’s nothing, let’s head back soon, it’s time for bed.”

I think I’ve seen enough by now.

Since we’ve reached our destination, I felt like I could sleep comfortably tonight, so as I was about to turn back, pulling Wi Seol-ah along.

“Who goes there?”

A sharp voice that seemed to pierce my ears was heard.

I turned my head in the direction the voice came from.

There stood Namgung Bi-ah, looking at me with a surprised expression, along with another person.

The owner of the voice was that very person. The unidentified woman spoke to me again.

“This is a place that outsiders cannot freely enter. Who are you?”

As the moonlight shone, the woman’s face, previously hidden by shadows, became visible.

Only then could I recognize who she was at once.

The single, deep green eye, clearly visible even in the middle of the night, was the proof.

Poisonous Consort (毒妃) Tang Soyeol.

The first person in Dangmun history to possess immunity to all poisons (萬毒不侵).

She is the Iron Woman who later single-handedly repelled thousands of demonic cultivators who swarmed into Sichuan.

And.

In my past life, she was also a woman I personally killed.