Chapter 64
Cheonghyeon!
It was a familiar, welcoming voice.
“Come in.”
As Namgung Uiryong finished speaking, the door opened and Cheonghyeon stepped inside.
He greeted everyone politely.
“Greetings to the esteemed guests of the Tang family. I am Namgung Cheonghyeon.”
“I was wondering when you would arrive.”
“I was talking with my mother, so I’m a little late. My apologies.”
He bowed his head.
Hm?
When he mentioned his “mother,” his expression seemed to darken slightly—was that just my imagination?
“There’s no need to apologize. Cheonghyeon, I heard you two have met before? Greet Miss Tang.”
Cheonghyeon slowly turned his head toward me.
He was dressed more formally than the last time I’d seen him.
“Miss Tang.”
Perhaps because elders were present, his tone was particularly polite.
“It’s been a while. I hope the journey here wasn’t too tiring…”
“Oh, no. I came comfortably.”
Was it because I’d grown used to him? The formal version of Cheonghyeon somehow felt strange.
Watching us, Namgung Uiryong spoke to him.
“Take Miss Tang and show her around the Namgung estate. Introduce her to some people if you wish.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
He turned toward me.
I sat there blankly for a moment before hurriedly standing up.
Then, bowing to both the head and the young master of the Namgung family, I said,
“Then I’ll take my leave. See you again soon.”
“Go on.”
“Cheonghyeon, remember that Lady Bi’s health is fragile. Be careful.”
The first was from Namgung Uiryong, the second from Namgung Taegang.
“Yes, don’t worry.”
After offering a polite final bow, Cheonghyeon led me out of the room.
As I walked past my father, I caught sight of his gentle smile.
Then, beneath the table, he subtly pointed to his sleeve.
[There are many people within the estate, so in case of emergency, draw out the Blood Serpent. The Flying Dagger is good, but the dagger doesn’t move on its own.]
I heard his voice through sound transmission.
[There are many people. Be cautious.]
Father worried a lot—but not without reason.
I nodded slightly.
Namgung Taegang and Tang Jinhyeon also left together soon after.
Now, only Namgung Uiryong and Tang Cheongi remained in the Namgung guest hall.
“He’s a polite and well-mannered boy. Taegang must be proud.”
“Not necessarily. He still lacks in some ways.”
Though Namgung Uiryong said it that way, there was more regret than disapproval in his tone.
“Why do you say that?”
“When he wields a sword, he thinks too much—and worries too much about others’ eyes.”
“Is there anyone competing with him within the Namgung family?”
“No, that’s not it. He just pays far too much attention to his surroundings—it’s frustrating.”
Namgung Uiryong sighed and drank his tea.
“Well, I suppose that’s my own greed talking.”
“It’s not greed. One day Taegang will succeed you, and eventually Cheonghyeon will succeed him. It’s only natural to have expectations.”
“Even that has been troubling me lately.”
“Troubling? How so?”
“I’ll speak of it later. For now, about your granddaughter…”
At the mention of Tang Bi, Tang Cheongi paused.
“She already has a poison affinity, I hear.”
“You’ve already observed her?”
“That’s why I invited you here.”
“I suspected as much…”
Namgung Uiryong laughed heartily.
“Rumors spread quickly. I also heard the girl has a Mandokbulchim body—immune to all poisons.”
“It’s the Dokryeong constitution.”
A body not only immune to all poisons but capable of commanding them—a higher level even than Mandokbulchim.
So his correction was necessary.
“Dokryeong constitution, you say?”
Namgung Uiryong’s eyes widened.
Even someone merely immune to all poisons would be considered an unparalleled genius.
But Dokryeong!
She’s truly a pillar who will one day support the Tang Clan of Sichuan!
It was extraordinary news—but for the Namgung family, also slightly unsettling.
Every great clan and sect strives to produce the strongest under heaven within their own ranks.
No one celebrates when such a prodigy emerges elsewhere.
Namgung Uiryong wasn’t entirely free from that feeling—but mostly, he was proud of his old friend’s granddaughter.
He knew well how much Tang Cheongi had suffered because of his children; perhaps that made him even more pleased.
“So, her illness was false?”
“No, it was real. Her health was poor for seven years.”
“But she’s fine now?”
“Yes.”
“And the Flying Dagger you asked to be returned—it’s for her?”
Tang Cheongi nodded.
“To be born a girl of the Tang family means facing ancient traditions, strict rules, and countless injustices.”
Tang Bi’s path would not be an easy one.
Even if the Flying Dagger couldn’t clear that path, it could at least guard her against the beasts that might lunge from the dark along the way.
Understanding now why Tang Cheongi wanted the dagger back, Namgung Uiryong nodded.
“Then what about the snake I saw inside her sleeve?”
“You noticed even that in such a short time.”
“I also caught a glimpse of what looked like herbs in her sleeve.”
“I don’t know about the herbs, but the snake is called Manhyeolsa. Its venom has no antidote, so aside from yourself, others should stay away.”
Namgung Uiryong might be able to withstand the Manhyeolsa’s poison—but others certainly couldn’t.
It was a chilling warning.
But he didn’t take offense.
After all, a warrior of the Tang Clan was expected to carry at least one deadly toxin.
That was only proper.
Of course, in Tang Bi’s case, the poison seemed a bit extreme—but it wasn’t Namgung Uiryong’s place to interfere in Tang family matters.
“You truly cherish that girl.”
Tang Cheongi only smiled in reply.
Then he set down his now-cool teacup and said,
“By the way, why did you really call me here?”
He continued,
“You didn’t summon me just to give my granddaughter a gift, nor out of some sentimental wish to celebrate your eightieth birthday together.”
Tang Cheongi’s voice carried a sharp edge.
He turned to his old friend, the Sword Emperor Namgung Uiryong.
“Tell me your reason.”
Namgung Uiryong, after quietly observing him for a moment, finally spoke.
His deep voice filled the room.
“The Blood Demon Cult’s movements… are strange.”
“Are you in a bad mood?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“But you look like you’re in a bad mood, Cheonghyeon.”
Step—
Cheonghyeon, who had been walking briskly, suddenly stopped in place.
Then he turned to look at me.
“On a joyous day like this, how could I possibly be in a bad mood?”
His voice was slightly cold, even though he was smiling.
I blinked, looking at him.
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
He nodded.
Then he glanced at my sleeve.
“Did you bring that snake again today?”
“Mm-hm. It’s always with me.”
But I couldn’t take it out.
I could feel Manhyeolsa sleeping inside my sleeve.
Usually, it moved a little, but when it slept, it didn’t move at all.
When it slept, I always tried to move quietly too.
“Well, just to warn you—don’t take it out in front of my mother. She doesn’t like snakes.”
I nodded quickly.
“I don’t plan to take Manhyeolsa out anywhere in the Namgung estate. It won’t leave my sleeve, so you don’t have to worry.”
“Were you told by the elders not to take it out?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
As we walked down the corridor, Cheonghyeon lifted his head and looked ahead.
A crowd of people filled the area beyond.
They were all probably guests of Namgung Uiryong.
“I heard only people with ties to the family were invited…”
“Still, there are so many.”
“Yeah. I wonder if there were this many people at my grandfather’s birthday, too.”
Given that my grandfather was also the head of the Tang Clan, perhaps there had been.
But I’d never seen it myself, so I couldn’t know.
Father might, though.
After looking over the bustling crowd, Cheonghyeon suddenly turned back around.
“Where are you going?”
“Do you want to go into that crowd?”
I looked again at the swarm of people—countless heirs and disciples from various clans and sects, with the occasional seasoned elder among them.
And I replied,
“No.”
My father wasn’t here, nor was my grandfather.
To step into that sea of people without anyone to guard me—it would be no different from walking into a battlefield.
At least, that’s how it felt to me.
“Then come with me.”
Namgung Cheonghyeon firmly took my hand.
