Chapter 417: Did you come alone?

Night had fallen. It was the time when the warriors of the Tang Clan and the Pae Clan began their night watch and patrols.

Sensing that the time had come, I sat up.

“…”

The moment I sat up, I sensed an unknown presence beside me.

What is it?

After confirming it, I let out a small sigh.

There’s only one person who would occupy my spot beside me at this hour.

‘When did this one get in here?’

The culprit, as I expected, was Namgung Bi-ah.

The sleeping space was already cramped enough, and with someone tall constantly crowding in, it was becoming suffocating.

Moreover.

‘Why didn’t I notice?’

The problem was that I didn’t even wake up when she came in and lay down next to me.

No matter how accustomed I’ve become to Namgung Bi-ah’s presence, this feels a bit dangerous.

While Namgung Bi-ah’s presence is usually subtle, not even noticing her approach while asleep is…

What if someone were to stab me in the neck…

‘She wouldn’t do that to me, though.’

To think my guard could drop this much. I couldn’t tell if it was because Namgung Bi-ah’s skills had improved, or if my own vigilance had simply died off.

I really need to be more careful.

Thinking so, I sat up.

“…”

Carefully getting up so as not to wake Namgung Bi-ah, I gently stroked her hair.

She doesn’t seem to take special care of it, yet it still feels like silk.

This feels perverted.

The moment I realized it, I immediately let go and got out.

Stepping out of the carriage, Baekryeon Geom was already waiting for me outside.

She must have seen inside the carriage when I came out. She looked at me and smirked somewhat lewdly.

“It’s the prime of your youth.”

She must have seen Namgung Bi-ah lying in the carriage. What am I supposed to do about that woman’s shamelessness?

“…It’s nothing like that.”

“Oh, sure, I know everything.”

“You don’t seem to know anything at all? What is it you think you know…”

“Everyone’s like that when they’re young! Why are you asking so many questions! I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything, okay?”

…Please.

I had a lot to say, but for now, I had to deliberately ignore Baekryeon Geom’s usual shamelessness.

Because there was something more important to do.

Looking in the direction I sensed it, I repeated my anxiety inwardly.

‘Will it last a day?’

According to predictions, it was possible.

I hoped so too, but it was still uncertain.

Hwarureuk-

As I enveloped myself in heat, I felt a subtle warmth emanating from Baekryeon Geom.

Even though she’s a woman with a strange personality, she’s a master, so she’s quite perceptive.

She doesn’t ask where I’m going or what I’m doing.

Yet, judging by the fighting spirit I felt from Baekryeon Geom and the fact she seemed to have just finished maintaining her sword…

It seemed she had a hunch about what I wanted from her.

‘As expected.’

She doesn’t feel like someone I can easily dismiss. After grasping that much, I immediately increased my speed and leaped.

My destination was the place where the Green Forest bandits of Ghost Gate Mountain gathered.

---

Duke of Poison (Dokgun), Tang Bi-seong.

He was the previous master of the Tang Clan and the current grandfather of the Poison King.

People of the Central Plains believed that if he were alive, someone called the Poison Venerable (Dokjon) would have been added to the Three Venerables, making them the Four Venerables (Sajon). He was the transcendent of the previous generation.

A master of poison arts, said to have been closest to achieving absolute immunity to poison.

He was a figure respected by the Tang Clan, credited with significantly raising the clan’s somewhat diminished status.

However, in reality, he wasn’t quite the great figure he was made out to be.

At least, not to Tang Deok.

-A failure.

I remember Tang Bi-seong’s gaze, looking down on me with icy eyes.

Behind the cold stone floor, piled high were corpses, all of young children who looked no older than nine or ten.

All of them had received the Tang surname under Tang Bi-seong’s care.

-Clan Head. This child, at least, has the bone structure you desired…

A man spoke urgently to Tang Bi-seong, but Tang Bi-seong’s gaze didn’t change.

-Even if the body is perfect, it’s useless if they can’t learn poison arts. Dispose of it.

The moment he heard those words, Tang Deok wailed.

He cried out, begging them to spare the child.

Despite Tang Deok’s cries, Tang Bi-seong didn’t stop walking.

After Tang Bi-seong’s footsteps finally faded away.

As only Tang Deok’s cries filled the underground room.

The men who had remained silent beside him moved towards Tang Deok.

Only when their hands obscured Tang Deok’s vision could he finally awaken from the long nightmare.

His closed eyes opened, and his dark pupils gazed at the moon.

Only then did Tang Deok realize he had been having a nightmare.

“…Hoo.”

Immediately after lifting his heavy eyelids, Tang Deok moved his massive body.

It was truly a fucked-up dream.

The memories I couldn’t forget, even if I wanted to, were still vivid.

‘Is it because the time to act is approaching that these memories surface more?’

As I drew closer to my desired goal, the memories I wanted to forget felt even clearer.

It couldn’t be helped. Tang Deok knew that he was living in the present precisely because he couldn’t forget.

Ppudeudeuk.

Loosening his muscles, Tang Deok walked onward.

Pushing aside the bushes and moving a short distance, I came upon a place where many men were gathered.

At Tang Deok’s appearance, the men immediately rose from their rest.

“Chaeju.”

“What’s the situation?”

“It looks like we’ll set up camp and spend the night here.”

Tang Deok’s gaze shifted somewhere.

Although the dense bushes obscured the view, Tang Deok knew that the bastards from the Tang Clan were gathered far away.

The bloodline of that old man I’d tear to shreds if I could.

If Tang Deok had one eternal regret.

‘I should have killed that old man.’

Duke of Poison, Tang Bi-seong. The fact that I couldn’t kill that damned man with my own hands.

Ppadeudeuk.

Remembering that, my fists clenched involuntarily.

After all that bullshit he pulled, to just die of old age in the end.

Anger and killing intent began to seep from Tang Deok’s body, causing the surrounding bandits to tremble.

The aura was that rough and terrifying.

Tang Deok spoke, looking at the men with eyes full of killing intent.

“Our destination is around the time they cross the river. We wait until then.”

“At our current speed, it’ll take seven days and nights to reach the river, won’t it?”

In response to the man’s question, Tang Deok suddenly reached out and grabbed the man’s head.

“Ack…”

The massive hand was large enough to grip the man’s head with just one hand.

“So, should we just charge in and die like dogs?”

“…Nnngh…”

“Even if we’re in a hurry, we have to do what needs to be done, right?”

“Y-yes… sir…”

Only after hearing the man’s reply did Tang Deok release his grip.

Tang Deok was the most eager to charge in and tear them all to shreds right now, but…

Charging in recklessly when the Poison King and even the Clan Head of Pae Clan were present was simply impossible.

That’s why we decided to wait until they crossed the river.

With the Tang Clan transporting prisoners, and in the somewhat limited situation aboard a ship, there was a good chance of success.

It’s a perfect situation.

It was the first time in twenty years that the Tang Clan had taken charge of operating the transport.

For Tang Deok, who had been waiting for the right moment, this was like a miracle.

Therefore, Tang Deok decided to exercise patience.

Having waited for such a long time, seven more days? I could endure it.

If I could endure it and bring about the downfall of the Tang Clan.

I could endure anything.

Tang Deok forcibly suppressed his killing intent and took a breath.

I couldn’t afford to mess this up while intoxicated by emotion.

“Report back when the scouts return. Especially.”

A glint appeared in Tang Deok’s eyes as he gave the order.

“So Yeomra. Bring any information you find about that brat.”

“Yes.”

Tang Deok uttered the nickname, grinding his teeth inwardly.

The part that remained unknown was that guy.

It was questionable how he found the scouts I sent earlier.

It was even less understandable how he knew I was behind them.

‘How did he know?’

How did he know and even provoke me like that?

Does the Poison King know about this too?

Perhaps fearing that, Tang Deok had to alter his plans slightly.

What’s important is what So Yeomra knows about me, and the word he conveyed to me.

[Failure.]

So Yeomra definitely told me to convey that.

Seeing that…

‘…This guy, could it be…’

Does he know not only my name but also my identity, something no one else knows?

‘That’s impossible.’

Everyone who knew about what happened back then met their death.

Everyone involved, including my own brothers, died.

Except for the Tang Clan bloodline, that is.

‘But how does that guy know?’

It was too pointed to be a mere coincidence.

Could it really be a coincidence?

Tang Deok felt an unsettling doubt rising in his chest.

Clenching the spear in his hand, Tang Deok recalled.

‘If I catch him, I’ll have to ask before killing him.’

I intended to catch him anyway, and once caught, I’d just interrogate him.

As Tang Deok walked through the bushes, having resolved this.

“…!”

Tang Deok suddenly stopped walking.

And stared somewhere with eyes filled with tension.

Although the dense, tall trees blocked the view, Tang Deok could sense it.

That something was far ahead.

Immediately, Tang Deok swung his spear in the direction where the unknown presence was felt.

Huuuk-!

Kwagagagak-! Immense power erupted from the spear tip, shattering all the trees in front with the resulting wind pressure.

However, that powerful energy didn’t last long.

Kung-! Hwarureureuk-!

The endlessly advancing energy reached a certain point, then suddenly popped like a ‘pung!’ and dissipated.

Tang Deok could feel it.

That someone had blocked his attack.

Furthermore, I could sense it.

A dense heat radiating from beyond.

Dense and hot.

Tang Deok leaped towards the energy.

As the distance narrowed, it became clear. Far away in the darkness, a crimson flame burned alone.

Judging by the heat, I could tell.

That flame was telling Tang Deok.

‘I am here. Come find me quickly.’

‘To me?’

Tang Deok’s lips curled upwards as he increased his speed.

Embers grazed his cheek.

A moment passed like that, and Tang Deok reached the center of the flame.

Kuuung-!

As Tang Deok’s massive body hit the ground, an tremendous sound and wind pressure erupted.

A dust storm mixed with dirt obscured the view, but…

Huung-!

In the instant Tang Deok swung his spear, the figure vanished from sight.

The view cleared again. Confirming what lay beyond, Tang Deok let out a chuckle.

“…This is absurd.”

Truly absurd.

Tang Deok spread his senses wide to check for presence, but no matter how much he checked, all he felt was the person before him.

Sensing that, Tang Deok asked.

“Did you come alone?”

In response to Tang Deok’s question, the young man answered.

“As you can see.”

“…Ha, you came alone, without any backup?”

“Why would I need that? Just in case you were scared, the Poison King isn’t here.”

While I couldn’t easily believe that, another question arose in Tang Deok’s mind first.

“What confidence do you have?”

Tang Deok looked at someone, grinning menacingly.

Though his build was small, his presence was undeniable.

He stood clad in flames, hands behind his back.

The young man simply stared back at Tang Deok without any reaction.

Watching him, Tang Deok continued speaking.

“You should be hiding in the shadows, holding your breath so as not to be discovered. Did your youthful impetuosity get the better of you, making you show your face like this?”

At Tang Deok’s words, the young man finally tilted his head and asked.

“Hide? Why would I?”

“You should hide. If you’re caught, I’ll devour you…!”

Tang Deok couldn’t help but know who this young man was.

How could I not recognize the one who dared to provoke me so brazenly?

A young master who uses fire arts.

Remembering just these few distinctive traits made it very easy to know his identity.

“Nice to meet you. So Yeomra.”

Haha.

What was so funny?

At Tang Deok’s words, the young man, So Yeomra, suddenly burst into laughter.

Seeing that, Tang Deok’s brow furrowed deeply.

“What are you laughing at? Have you gone mad right before death?”

“Ah, sorry. Maybe it’s because I haven’t seen you in a while? You’re kind of funny.”

“What did you say?”

“You’ve always been an idiot since way back when.”

At So Yeomra’s taunt, a menacing aura burst from Tang Deok’s body.

“…How dare you… The world elevates you, but you don’t know your place. Do you know who I am to speak such words…!”

“Who are you? Just a half-finished failure.”

Was it that statement?

Tang Deok’s reason snapped in an instant.

It was certain. That guy knew something.

Confirming it actually made me feel better.

“Alright, I will definitely kill you right here.”

Just as Tang Deok gripped his spear, ready to unleash his energy.

Kkureureuk.

“…!”

Suddenly feeling pain, Tang Deok clutched his stomach.

Just as Tang Deok was about to panic at the strange sensation tightening around his body.

A voice came from the front.

“I’m glad you seem to like the gift I sent.”

Mixed in the voice was unmistakable amusement.

Sabak.

The footsteps grew closer.

So Yeomra approached Tang Deok, met his gaze, and said this.

“First, let’s talk slowly.”

Seeing So Yeomra’s eyes as he spoke, Tang Deok inwardly gasped.

It was because, for some reason, his pupils were glowing purple.