“Sichuan…?”
The doubts that had been overshadowed by the joy of reuniting with Baek Woo Jin began to surface one by one.
Now that she thought about it, it was strange.
Why did he take down Tang Je Woo…?
It was hard to believe that he had beaten him to a pulp simply because he had seen him coming out of the female dormitory.
Even if his explanation was true, the fact that he suggested a trip right after that, especially a three-month trip to the Sichuan she despised the most was suspicious.
“You… do you perhaps know something?”
The thought crossed her mind that he might know something about the Tang clan, maybe even about her. Unconsciously, she shot him a sharp question.
No one likes exposing their weaknesses to others, especially not to someone they feel more than just fondness toward.
I’ll have to tell him someday, but…
She knew that with someone she cared for, it was probably better to share her secrets. And eventually, she would have to reveal her weaknesses to him.
But now was not the time.
What am I thinking?
She had it all wrong. She had momentarily forgotten the fact that she and he could never be together.
Just because they were face-to-face, here she was imagining a future together. Wasn’t it laughable?
“Know what?”
Baek Woo Jin’s question snapped her out of her thoughts.
That…
She was at a loss for words. She couldn’t just demand to know whether he was aware of the Tang clan’s secrets.
While she hesitated, Baek Woo Jin continued.
“I don’t know anything. After all, Miss Tang hasn’t told me a thing.”
“……”
His response was meaningful. It sounded as if he might know something, yet chose not to bring it up.
But that can’t be…
The secrets of the Tang clan, and her own, were the most guarded of all secrets. They were known only to the head of the clan, the young master, and a few within the council of elders who decided the clan’s most crucial affairs.
All of them were people who would lay down their lives without hesitation for the prosperity of the Tang clan. There was no way an outsider could know these secrets.
That must be right…
She forced herself to stifle the rising anxiety.
Sichuan…
Though she had been born into the Tang clan in Sichuan, she knew little about what was delicious there or what sights it held.
The only things she had seen as a child were the endless poisonous plants in the Tang clan’s gardens and a lotus pond overtaken by poison.
It was her birthplace, yet it felt like a foreign land. Once this time had passed, she might never have another chance to see what lay within the place where she was born and raised.
“…Alright. I’m a little embarrassed to say this, but I don’t actually know much about Sichuan either. Don’t expect me to be much of a guide.”
Baek Woo Jin nodded his head with a smile.
“Wandering aimlessly without a destination is also part of the romance of travel.”
He said that then reached out and wrapped his arm around Tang Seon Yeong’s waist.
“Oh!”
She let out a surprised, almost cute sound as she was pulled toward him by his sudden touch.
“B-Baek Woo Jin….”
This was only the second time she’d seen his face so close, close enough to feel his breath.
He was even more impressive than before, but this time she found herself admiring not his overall appearance, but each feature. His eyes, his nose, his lips…
The soft smile on his lips spread as he spoke.
“Can you open your mouth for a moment?”
His low voice sounded as sweet as the lullabies her old nanny used to sing to her.
“Ah, ah…”
Without realizing it, she closed her eyes and parted her lips.
Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst right out of her mouth.
What on earth is he going to do…?
The memory of their previous kiss came rushing back to her. Their lips touched, and their tongues greeted each other fiercely.
Maybe this time he’d go right in, and his tongue would meet hers again, evoking the same intense feeling that only someone who experienced it could understand.
Ah, hurry…!
Every moment stretched into what felt like an eternity, and she found herself aching for him to do something, anything, without delay.
Just as she was about to consider opening her eyes and leaning toward him herself—
Pop!
A sharp, refreshing sound rang out, and suddenly, something flooded her mouth.
Ugh!
It was liquor.
A cold liquid poured into her mouth in a steady stream, and after a brief moment of shock, she began to gulp it down. The rich, profound flavor of the alcohol made her eyes fly open in surprise.
What… What is this drink?!
A mysterious taste that she had never felt anywhere else lingered in her mouth.
As the alcohol slid down her throat and deep into her body, a refreshing sensation washed over her, making her shiver involuntarily.
“Ah…”
She licked the lingering traces of the alcohol from every corner of her mouth, savoring it down to the last drop, then looked up at Baek Woo Jin with a face full of longing.
“What kind of alcohol is this?”
Her gaze showed an intense desire as if she would spend every last coin to get more.
A deep smile curved on Baek Woo Jin’s lips.
“It’s a liquor made from the core of the White Tiger we captured.”
“Wh-What?”
Before she could even cry out in disbelief, a fierce energy began to stir within her.
“Ugh…!”
A powerful force surged from her stomach.
With a frown on her face, she put her hand on her abdomen and looked at Baek Woo Jin. His smile remained, and it seemed that this energy was indeed coming from the drink he just gave her.
I’ve never heard of anything like this.
She had never heard of anyone making liquor from the inner core of a divine beast. No, was there even a single person who would dare attempt such a mad thing?
It was the inner core of a divine beast that had lived for hundreds of years. Its worth was comparable to the Shaolin’s Great Elixir, one of the most coveted elixirs in the martial arts world.
The very idea of making liquor from such a thing was shocking enough, but even more shocking was that he had given it to her.
“I gave the other team members just one drink each, but Miss Tang drank the equivalent of two.”
He had even shared it with all of the team members, not just her.
For a martial artist, there was no such thing as an end. No matter how powerful they became, they would endlessly crave to step into a higher realm.
What a strange man, really.
He was a man who followed a path completely different from ordinary men.
“Let’s save the rest of this conversation for later and start with breathing exercises.”
Because he was different, she had fallen so deeply for him.
“…Alright.”
She smiled and closed her eyes.
***
“I-I’m sorry, Miss…”
Just like Baek Woo Jin had said, Tang Je Woo brought news that he would need at least three months of recuperation due to broken arms and legs, as well as severe internal injuries.
He had beaten him so thoroughly that there wasn’t a single uninjured spot left, which made her feel a little sorry for him, even though she had wanted to give him a good beating herself.
I want to leave as soon as possible.
She was already prepared. Whatever happened from now on, she was ready to endure it.
So she resolved to enjoy this brief freedom as much as she could, enough that she would have no regrets even if she died.
For that reason, each passing day felt incredibly precious to her.
However, they couldn’t leave on the journey right away.
When Baek Woo Jin met her again, he asked for ten days. When she asked why, he explained that since it was a rare trip, he needed time to make thorough preparations.
“Fufu.”
That answer made her very excited. She couldn’t help but wonder what he could be planning that would take a full ten days.
“All right.”
Finally, the day of departure arrived.
She had spent so many sleepless nights over those ten days eagerly waiting for this moment.
…
…
She packed everything they might need for the trip. Poisons and concealed weapons to deal with any bandits they might encounter, a few daggers for emergencies, and camping supplies.
Once fully prepared, she arrived at the gate of the academy where they agreed to meet. Soon, she saw Baek Woo Jin approaching. He was waving his hand as he drew near.
A tiny white tiger cub poked its head out from his arms and started glancing around with curious eyes. Its adorable face made her smile without realizing it.
“Here…!”
She started to wave back to greet him, but her good mood quickly vanished as she noticed the group trailing behind him.
“You… what is this?”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
Baek Woo Jin smiled back as if he was oblivious to her feelings.
Suddenly, the ten days she’d spent in restless excitement felt like a complete waste.
Behind Baek Woo Jin stood the members of the Divine Dragon Team, all lined up in a neat formation. This could only mean that this so-called “trip” was just a pleasant-sounding excuse; in reality, he was calling for them to take on another team mission.
“I’ve been waiting so long for this…!”
She couldn’t bring herself to say more, so she closed her mouth and turned away. She then reluctantly joined the team members standing nearby.
“Hurry up, let’s get going.”
With those words, she lowered her head.
Though she was angry, a deeper sense of embarrassment weighed on her. She felt foolish for having been so eager; she also wondered if her feelings had been completely exposed, and feared that this might have put her at a disadvantage.
“We’re heading out.”
Whether he noticed her frustration or not, Baek Woo Jin simply flashed his usual cheerful smile as he announced their departure and strode ahead.
It was the same grueling pace as before. The team members, who had gained more experience, skill, and internal energy, had shed a layer of inexperience and were now able to cover even more ground than they had during their first team mission.
“This is as far as we go for today. I know everyone’s exhausted, but let’s set up camp and rest once we’re done.”
The exhausted team members staggered as they set up the camp.
They started a fire and used tents to arrange their sleeping quarters. After a simple meal of dried rations, everyone except the night watch lay down and closed their eyes in preparation for sleep.
The first night watch was assigned to Tang Seon Yeong. Throughout the journey, she hadn’t spoken a word and simply followed in silence.
“Haa…”
All she could do was sigh.
“You’ll make a hole in the ground with all those sighs.”
A voice sounded behind her.
It was Baek Woo Jin.
She pressed her lips together and refused to answer. Without hesitation, Baek Woo Jin sat down next to her and took a drink.
“Disappointed? Were you expecting a trip for just the two of us?”
“Wh-What are you…!”
He hit the mark in the head.
“…It’s not that. I just had things on my mind, that’s all.”
She tried to answer coolly, but she knew it was far too late for that.
“A trip for just the two of us—it’d be nice.”
The world might be one of flashing swords and fierce battles, but nature remained beautiful.
Unlike Earth, where technological advancement had damaged much of the natural world, here, just a glance showed mountains draped in green and forests thick with trees. A sight that delighted the eye.
He wanted to visit Suzhou and Hangzhou, the earthly paradise, and even pay a quiet visit to Shaolin Temple someday to take in its serene landscape and atmosphere.
“But there’ll be plenty of time for that later.”
“Yes… I suppose for you, there will be.”
Tang Seon Yeong replied with a slight mocking tone.
“Whether I’ll ever have such freedom… I’m not sure.”
She doubted she ever would.
Right. I should just see this as a good thing.
She calmed herself. Although the sweet two-person trip she had dreamed of for ten days had been canceled, she decided that it was still worthwhile to be of help to someone for the first—and perhaps the last—time.
She tried to keep a bright expression and asked him.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t heard anything about this mission. What exactly is it?”
“Oh, I didn’t tell you yet?”
Baek Woo Jin scratched his chin as if he just realized this.
“According to my sources, there’s some pretty bad people hiding out in Sichuan.”
“Bad people?”
“Yeah. Apparently, there’s a father there who’s made life miserable for his daughter.”
“A father…?”
“What was his name again…?”
A smirk formed on Baek Woo Jin’s lips. His grin was mischievous, almost like that of a playful boy.
“Yeon Shin, I think.”
Tang Seon Yeong stared at him in shock.
Yeon… Shin…
The Poison King, Tang Yeon Shin.
He was the head of the Sichuan Tang clan and Tang Seon Yeong’s father.
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