Chapter 427: It’s been a long time.

About three days had passed.

Before I knew it, we had left the mountains and forests behind, and villages with people gradually began to appear.

Around this time, a sense of stability started to settle in people’s hearts.

Since our purpose was transportation, it was a journey where we constantly maintained a sense of tension, prepared for any potential ambushes.

Now that we’ve reached areas under Tangmun’s influence, there shouldn’t be any problems with the transport.

These were people who hadn’t had a chance to relax their expressions, but now everyone looked relieved.

They even cracked silly jokes.

Claiming they were conserving strength, they even sparred with each other, something they hadn’t done before.

As expected, watching fights is fun; it was quite entertaining to spectate.

Every time I saw this, I knew the journey was nearing its end.

However.

Unlike the comfort everyone else felt.

The problem was that I, conversely, harbored more complicated feelings.

Kku-uk.

I tried circulating my internal energy throughout my body.

The energy, originating from my dantian, flowed through various parts of my body.

‘Tsk.’

I’ve been consistently monitoring my condition, but there’s been no progress at all.

This problem started after I hatched Jeoksusa from the magic stone.

The energy that was drained then was gradually recovering, but the speed was incredibly slow.

It wasn’t just me who realized this; Paejon noticed it too.

When it started interfering with my training, I got chewed out, asking what on earth I’d been up to.

‘Damn it.’

To be scolded at my age.

The self-loathing was no joke.

Shaaaah….

As if sensing my bad mood, the snake poked its head out from my sleeve and observed me.

“What are you looking at? You messed up the whole plan. What are you going to do about it?”

Shaaa….

As if understanding, it licked my finger with its tongue, seemingly apologetic.

Watching that, I let out a continuous sigh.

‘Ah, my head.’

Taking my frustration out on a demonic beast, my situation is pathetic. After all, I hatched it myself, so blaming this guy is also strange.

Clutching my throbbing forehead, I looked out the carriage window.

The carriage was still running.

The scenery changed without pause.

Watching it, I thought about the future.

We would arrive at Tangmun before long.

If that happens.

‘First, I need to go get the White Horse Stone.’

Originally, upon arriving at Tangmun, I was supposed to unpack, then follow Jamryong to see the Wudang Monster Immortal.

After that, I was supposed to visit Paegado with Pae-ucheol.

The plan was to finish all of that and then go get the White Horse Stone, but…

Now, I had to prioritize getting the White Horse Stone.

‘My condition is terrible.’

It wasn’t a physical problem, but an internal one.

The fact that the drained energy wasn’t recovering properly, and…

Because of this, using Tuapacheonmu or other martial arts became very difficult.

‘Ugh….’

Furthermore, I hadn’t even managed to stabilize the imperfections that arose from reaching the Hwagyeong realm amidst the rapidly changing situation.

For now, consuming the White Horse Stone to replenish my energy was the priority.

Shaaaah.

Jeoksusa flicked its tongue repeatedly, looking at me.

“What is it, punk?”

This snake fellow really had nothing else to do but come out.

Shaa?

Staring at me, tilting its head, or flicking its tongue.

I guess that’s its job.

“Honestly, this is better.”

Than that guy who kept making grumbling noises about being hungry,

or that incessantly noisy old man, just having this one stare is preferable.

If it had tried to drain my energy because it was hungry, I would have thrown it away immediately.

At least this one doesn’t waste my energy.

It only occasionally craves demonic beast meat.

‘What a strange creature.’

It doesn’t eat normal food; it only eats demonic beast meat.

Demonic beasts usually eat anything they’re given without discrimination, so I don’t know why it’s being picky.

‘Should I consider this a good thing?’

If it ate magic stones, that would be troublesome, but eating meat is better.

After all, when hunting to obtain magic stones, demonic beast meat is a common byproduct.

It doesn’t whine about being hungry either.

One day it was just listless, and I wondered why, only to realize it was hungry.

Since it didn’t ask for food, I didn’t even realize it was hungry.

‘I’ve never raised a demonic beast before.’

I haven’t even raised a normal animal, let alone a demonic beast, so I didn’t know about this.

“Couldn’t you tell me because you were being considerate?”

Shaaa….

Its posture, bowing its head as if intimidated, bothered me.

I remembered how it couldn’t even ask for food when it was hungry.

‘…How irritating.’

Whenever I thought of that, irritation suddenly surged.

It reminded me of my past self, and that feeling wasn’t good at all.

“Next time, just say something. I’ll feed you while I’m at it.”

Shaa.

It’s not that I’m seeking it out to feed it; I’ll feed it incidentally while getting the magic stone.

I don’t intend to raise it.

Thinking that, I nodded.

The creature seemed pleased and started flicking its tongue even faster.

Seeing that, I waved my arm away in disgust.

“Hey! You’re getting saliva on me!”

I yelled, and the creature startled and retreated back into my sleeve.

Is this bastard really a demonic beast? Why is it so timid?

As I wiped the saliva off my hand, a voice came from above the carriage.

“Oh! Looks like we’re arriving soon!”

It was Baekryon Geom, who had been lounging on top of my carriage.

I don’t know why she abandoned the comfortable carriage to lie on the ceiling, but at the voice, I poked my head out the window.

Then, I saw something in the distance.

Seeing it, I frowned slightly.

“Seriously…. That was damn long.”

Was it spring when we first departed?

Now, as we were about to arrive, it was already summer.

Is it coincidence?

I think it was summer when I came here a few years ago too.

It had to be the same season.

Recalling that, I let out a chuckle.

Back then, my body was at best third-rate, but in just a few years, I had reached the Hwagyeong realm, and my reputation spread across the Central Plains had changed considerably.

Should I call it a sense of nostalgia?

‘Not really.’

I’m just keenly aware that time has passed.

Leaning my body back against the chair, I took a breath.

Finally, after months of travel.

We had arrived in the province where Sichuan Tangmun was located.

---

I remember when I came to Sichuan to find Geumcheon Yeonga’s Bigo.

It would have been strange not to remember it, given the number of incidents that occurred around that time.

Including discovering Wi Seol-ah hiding in the carriage around the time we departed.

That was also when I met Namgung Bi-ah for the first time in this life.

How surprised I was when I saw Namgung Bi-ah’s face.

Internally, I was shocked, thinking, ‘Why is that crazy bitch here?’

In a way, wasn’t that the time when many things started to change?

That was also when my relationship with Wi Seol-ah began to change significantly.

And it was around this time that my relationship with Namgung Bi-ah took a completely different turn.

The gradual shifts began to change drastically.

That must have been around the time I set foot on Sichuan soil.

Kiiiiiik.

A massive gate opens.

It looked twice the size of a normal person’s gate. It was quite large compared to the gates of the Nine Families.

My family’s gate was only about a jang (approx. 3 meters) tall, requiring even my father to bow his head to pass.

As the gate opened, numerous people were lined up inside.

“We congratulate the Family Head on their return.”

-Congratulations!

As soon as Dokwang appeared, cheers erupted momentarily.

…Wow.

Seeing all the servants come out, clapping continuously and cheering.

What should I call this…

‘What kind of ridiculous spectacle is this?’

That’s about the only thought I had.

Even the people busy working came out; what is this all about?

Looking at Dokwang’s or Tang Soyeol’s reactions, it seems like this is expected.

This is expected…?

‘Maybe I’m just not used to it because Father always kept things low-key.’

Seeing that Moyong Hi-ah and Namgung Bi-ah also showed no particular change in expression, it seems most other families welcome guests this way.

Kkeudeudeudeuk.

As I walked, I heard a strange sound.

It was Tang Deok clenching his fist aggressively.

Confirming that, I immediately sent a telepathic message.

-Relax.

Hearing my command, Tang Deok trembled and unclenched his hand.

It’s natural for him to react that way in the enemy’s lair, but it had nothing to do with me.

It would just be troublesome if we were discovered, so I had to make sure he followed orders.

‘Should I have told him to wait outside if I’d known?’

Well, we’re here now, what can be done?

Turning my gaze from Tang Deok, I looked forward again and saw several white-haired elders facing Dokwang.

‘Looks like the elders.’

They seem to be the elders of Tangmun.

“We congratulate the Family Head on their return.”

To the elders’ greeting, Dokwang lightly nodded.

Seeing that, I could understand one thing.

‘Dokwang seems quite powerful.’

I could tell that Dokwang’s position as Family Head was quite outstanding.

In families where the Elder Council holds significant power, the elders or the Family Head wouldn’t act like that.

For example, the Namgung family tended to have strong elders.

‘More accurately, Cheonjun’s power is strong.’

The absolute authority isn’t the Family Head.

The Namgung family was the prime example of the problems arising from that.

‘Since it’s Tangmun, that process might be somewhat diluted…’

Although it’s not solely focused on commercial influence like the Moyong family.

Tangmun is no different in that regard.

The Family of Iron.

Tangmun was the supplier of the highest quality ironware throughout the Central Plains.

Because of this, everyone knows that Tangmun’s influence isn’t limited to just power.

Putting that aside for now.

‘I want to go inside quickly.’

First, I wanted to unpack and get some rest.

I was mentally and physically exhausted, so I needed to rest comfortably on the day of arrival.

Just as I was wondering when this welcoming ceremony would end.

“This is dragging on forever. When will it end?”

At the words spoken by someone, the companions behind me looked over in surprise.

Did they really just say that? I thought they had guts, but…

It was Baekryon Geom.

‘That old lady is definitely crazy.’

To actually say that in this atmosphere.

Even I wouldn’t dare do that.

“I’m starving to death. Ugh…”

“Auntie, please…”

As Baekryon Geom spoke with continuous sighs, I saw Moyong Hi-ah, her ears bright red, trying to stop her.

Honestly, I felt a bit relieved.

While Moyong Hi-ah was busy trying to stop Baekryon Geom, I looked towards Dokwang.

It seemed like the conversation was about to wrap up.

Just then, one of the elders added something, causing Dokwang’s shoulders to twitch slightly.

It seemed some important matter was discussed.

Seureuk.

Dokwang raised a hand, and the surrounding cheers instantly fell silent.

If he could end it like that, why didn’t he do it sooner?

As I glared, seemingly displeased, Dokwang turned his head towards me and spoke.

“The journey must have been arduous; you’ve worked hard.”

His demeanor, speaking with his hands behind his back as if welcoming us, felt somewhat solemn.

“We have prepared rooms for the guests in advance, so please rest well today and meet us at the banquet when the sun sets.”

A banquet.

It’s not something I’m particularly interested in.

Saying it officially like this must mean I can’t skip it.

Unlike the grand welcoming ceremony, the conclusion felt rather anticlimactic.

Dokwang excused himself from us and disappeared somewhere with the elders.

The remaining party members were guided by the servants to their respective assigned quarters.