Martial Arts Masochist

“…Is it alright if I come in?”

The Poison King looked at the young man who had risen to his feet and let out a quiet inward sigh.

The antidote had done its job, it seemed.

At the very least, there would be no resentment or hatred from his daughter.

…And unintentionally, he wouldn’t have harmed this young man either.

“Ugh…”

The man rolled his eyes, scanning his surroundings. The air was clearly hostile toward him.

And rightly so. Even setting aside the use of Black Extremity Powder, the Clan Leader had already sensed the subtle power struggle between them.

They both knew he was trying to ruin his daughter’s marriage prospects.

Subduing Jegal Yong with sheer guts had been impressive, but the Poison King had seen through the impure motives behind it.

“There are probably ears listening.”

The Clan Leader once again indirectly requested to be let inside.

In the end, the young man nodded.

“Come in.”

Entering the room, he scanned the area.

No one was there.

The Clan Leader let out a long breath and immediately erected a barrier of qi around them.

“This is the third time we’ve met.”

The Clan Leader opened the conversation.

The first had been when he crawled out of Soran’s room.

The second during the daytime game.

The third now.

“I am Dang Jeokcheon of the Tang Clan of Sichuan.”

It was a belated self-introduction.

Han Seojin cupped his hands in response.

“I am Han Seojin.”

“Hmm.”

A brief silence followed before the Clan Leader spoke.

“How’s your body?”

“…Ah, yes. It’s fine.”

“You’re quite sturdy. Even with the antidote, you should’ve been bedridden for days.”

“…”

Han Seojin still looked confused.

The Clan Leader continued.

“There was a misunderstanding. The Black Extremity Powder… I didn’t use it to harm you.”

Even this drew a look from Han Seojin as if to say, why bother saying that?

“It’s fine. I’m the one who accepted the game knowing full well. I’m not blaming anyone.”

The Clan Leader swallowed a hollow laugh inwardly. What kind of guy is this?

“I thought you had taken the Detoxification Immortal Root.”

“…Ah.”

Only then did Han Seojin seem to understand, nodding his head.

And then silence.

He truly didn’t seem to harbor any resentment or seek an apology.

To wear such a clear expression even after surviving a brush with death.

The more the Clan Leader came to know this man, the more bewildering he found him.

As the long silence stretched on, Han Seojin rolled his eyes and spoke.

“Did you come here to say that?”

“…”

No, that wasn’t it. There was a far graver issue.

The Clan Leader steeled himself and looked straight at Han Seojin.

You’re a fine young man. A good one, but…

“I can’t accept you.”

“Pardon?”

“Exactly as I said.”

Han Seojin furrowed his brow, genuinely looking puzzled.

His demeanor up to now had been impressive enough, but this evasion was disappointing.

It would’ve been better if he’d admitted it straightforwardly like a man, as he had before.

“I don’t recall ever saying I wanted to become a retainer of the Tang Clan…”

“That’s not what I mean.”

“…?”

“I can’t give my Soran to you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Hm?”

“Ah.”

Han Seojin realized his slip of the tongue and shut his mouth.

But his shock was plainly evident.

He gauged the situation for a moment, then let out a deep sigh.

Scratching his head, he said,

“Clan Leader. That’s not it.”

“It is. No more excuses. This conversation won’t end otherwise.”

“It really isn’t. It’s true I’m trying to sabotage the marriage… but I have no intention of getting together with Lady Soran.”

Trying to ruin the marriage but with no desire to be with Dang Soran.

Was he saying he’d just interfere because he couldn’t have her?

“…So you’ll just keep her from marrying for life?”

“No. That’s not—”

Han Seojin blinked for a moment, then seemed to steel himself as he met the Clan Leader’s gaze directly.

And then he spoke.

“Clan Leader. To be honest, I’m just trying to dissuade her because all the candidates you’ve chosen feel off.”

“Feel off?”

“If you pick someone else, I won’t say a word. But I’ll oppose these ones.”

“What right do you have to oppose?”

“…Fair point, but isn’t it human nature to warn a friend against marrying someone strange?”

“That may be, but people don’t risk their lives for meddling.”

Han Seojin averted his eyes instead of defending himself.

The Clan Leader didn’t press the point and moved to the next question.

“And what exactly feels off? They’re all fine men.”

“Well… for starters, isn’t Jegal Yong a coward?”

“He might be, but that’s no reason to block a marriage.”

“Do you really think that? It’s Lady Soran’s marriage.”

“…What about the others?”

Han Seojin couldn’t open his mouth. It wasn’t that he had nothing to say, but that he couldn’t say it.

His face twisted in distress, and in the end, he spoke.

“It’s just a feeling.”

“Hah, a feeling. What a convenient excuse.”

“…”

But even as the Clan Leader rebuked him, Dang Soran’s words lingered in his mind.

The one who had resolved her heart demon was this man.

The Clan Leader studied him.

The energy of Cheongwol, standing out just as clearly as Dang Soran’s own.

He’d heard that Cheongwol too was being consumed by her heart demon, via Muwol Satae.

A violent, brutal one that had her butchering bandits in a remote corner of Emei Mountain.

Yet the recent news about Cheongwol was different.

They said she was walking straight once more.

Cheongwol’s energy and Dang Soran’s energy.

Cheongwol’s heart demon and Dang Soran’s heart demon.

“…”

What if this man was truly resolving heart demons?

What if he had already guided two misguided later-generation talents back to the righteous path?

What if he was a heart demon healer?

What if he possessed knowledge unknown to him?

What if his actions toward Dang Soran weren’t born of lust, but solely to address her heart demon?

He couldn’t entirely dismiss the possibility.

There might be something in his gaze that he himself couldn’t see.

It was enigmatic.

The Clan Leader had never encountered a being like this.

His breadth of mind alone was extraordinary.

Even facing the patriarch of the Tang Clan of Sichuan, he didn’t yield an inch.

The attitude of one with absolute conviction in his beliefs.

Was it normal for someone born into such humble origins to possess this confidence?

…Regrettable. What a regrettable man.

If only his martial prowess were higher. Or if he were at least wealthy.

If only he weren’t a beggar who could provide a sturdy shield for Dang Soran.

Of course, the Tang Clan of Sichuan could step in and handle everything.

But that was something his pride wouldn’t allow.

Even if the Tang Clan of Sichuan fell one day, it had to be someone who could fully protect his daughter.

To begin with, if word spread through the Central Plains that a beggar and Dang Soran were together, the finger-pointing would be obvious.

Especially the insults and criticism aimed at Dang Soran.

“…I don’t trust feelings.”

The Clan Leader said as much.

These were men he had carefully selected and vetted.

He had no intention of dismissing a beggar’s advice outright, but he couldn’t be swayed by baseless claims.

That was the burden of being a clan leader, faced with countless choices.

Without his own standards, the clan would sway like a reed.

Here, he wanted to stand firm.

“Seojin, young master. So no more interference. Don’t put strange ideas in my daughter’s head.”

“…Is this a warning?”

Han Seojin asked cautiously.

The Clan Leader shook his head.

“No.”

Setting aside whether he believed Dang Soran’s words, he was resolving her heart demon, at least.

That possibility alone made him worth a fortune. He wouldn’t threaten such a person.

“It’s just a request.”

Han Seojin nodded and said,

“If it’s a request… I’ll try a bit harder.”

“…What?”

“Those men… they really feel off…”

Haha. He laughed awkwardly, making excuses.

Like the Clan Leader himself, he too was pushing his will through.

Seeing that expression, a smile tugged at the Clan Leader’s lips.

In the end, this man hadn’t been cowed even before him.

“Haha…”

This guy.

…His guts alone were truly extraordinary.

****

After the Clan Leader left, I cautiously lifted the blanket where Cheongwol lay.

“…You sure you weren’t noticed?”

“I hid my presence. It’s fine.”

“How’d you know the Poison King was coming?”

“I’m sensitive to presences.”

…Is that why she became the Life-Pursuing Ghost?

Could she sense people’s energies more keenly than others?

Lost in such idle thoughts, I noticed Cheongwol seemed in a better mood than before.

Her face looked like it would break into a grin if poked.

“What’s up?”

When I asked,

“…What?”

Cheongwol countered.

“…”

Realizing further prying would yield nothing, I nodded toward her.

“We’re both awake now, so go.”

“What?”

“Go back to your room. If you keep freeloading at the Tang Clan—”

“—I’m tired.”

“I’m tired too, so get up—”

“—Clan Leader.”

“…”

“…I’ll watch over you since we don’t know how your body will hold up through the night. Lie down quick.”

Yes, ma’am.

I had plenty I wanted to say, but no desire to argue further.

She showed no sign of budging anyway.

I slowly lay down beside Cheongwol.

Fortunately, unlike before, she didn’t get mad even without patting.

****

That news arrived a few days later.

“Clan Leader.”

Late at night.

As the Clan Leader mulled over his meeting with Han Seojin, a retainer approached.

Mokyeol, who served as both Dang Soran’s guard and the Clan Leader’s capable sword.

Mokyeol said,

“Clan Leader, you need to come out.”

“What’s wrong?”

Mokyeol pressed his lips tight, clenching and unclenching his fists in hesitation.

A rare bewilderment flickered across his face.

He spoke.

“The Lord of the Hao Gate has arrived.”