Chapter 16
Perfect Score
Drinks a whole jug of wine without refusal.
Only today do I feel like I finally understand who this phrase was meant for.
"...Are you really okay, sister?"
"Hm? I'm fine?"
"……."
You really don’t look fine, though.
Hehe.
Tang Gyujin’s cheeks were completely red.
She seemed to be enjoying drinking after such a long time.
At this rate, most people would have already collapsed from being drunk.
The problem was, ever since finishing the first glass, she had been pouring drink after drink down without stopping.
I don’t even know how many wine jars have already piled up in the back.
Dangon too, and really, are all the people with the surname Tang such heavy drinkers?
"So that guy was grinning slyly while hanging around with the other junior sisters, and honestly, what a disgrace—such a disgrace—"
Since I normally enjoy the drinking gatherings themselves rather than the alcohol, I was mostly the one listening to the stories.
Most of what Tang Gyujin was pouring out were stories about her life in Cheongseong Sect.
The smile never once left her lips as she spoke.
It seemed that place had a warmth completely different from the suffocating Guryong Branch Family.
Perhaps the reason Tang Gyujin, despite having the unusual talent of Cheongmyeong Guimyeongeun, still possessed such a proper personality was not simply because of the doctrines of Cheonji Ilgimun, but also thanks to the unique atmosphere of Cheongseong Sect.
Thanks to that, I was able to clearly piece together the lineage of the second-generation disciples of Cheongseong Sect, even though I had never met them even once.
"Is that so?"
"I'm telling you it is! Just hearing it annoys you too, right?"
"Well, since I wasn’t the one who experienced it, it’s hard for me to say anything but—"
"But?"
"I think I can tell one thing."
"Hm? What?"
"Sister, you like that Senior Brother, don’t you?"
"A-are you crazy!?"
Tang Gyujin’s face turned bright red as she shot up from her seat and started pointing at me furiously.
Didn’t she say she gets swayed by every little thing that Senior Brother says, and that when he hangs around with other junior sisters, she somehow gets boiling mad inside?
If that’s not romantic feelings, then what is it?
"Huh? As far as I know, Young Master has never had any experience in romance, has he? Then how is it that you’re so good at giving love advice—"
"The less you know about a subject, the sharper you tend to be in theory, don’t you think?"
"Ooh, indeed! Just like how Young Master had never practiced martial arts before, but once you began, you mastered them with such ease!"
"Truly, wisdom that reaches the heavens—"
These guys are definitely messing with me, aren’t they?
"Or not, whatever."
I set down my cup with a faint smile.
Tang Gyujin’s face wasn’t just flushed anymore—it looked like it was on the verge of exploding.
"………Don’t spout nonsense! Keep it up and you might get stabbed in your sleep, you know?"
Wouldn’t people think I’m an idiot if they heard I got stabbed by my sister during a drunken rant?
I nodded as if I understood, but for some reason, the thought that something amusing was about to happen soon made me grin on my own.
"...You look suspicious."
Tang Gyujin narrowed her eyes at me.
"Surely not. I’m innocent. The very embodiment of purity, innocence, and integrity—Tang Woon-hwi. Don’t you know?"
"Nope. Still suspicious."
"Ahem! Anyway, when is that Senior Brother supposed to arrive?"
"Why are you curious about that?"
"Just because?"
"Gah! Do you really have a death wish!?"
It was said that, around the time Tang Gyujin descended the mountain, Cheongseong Sect would also send their future sect leader—the Senior Disciple—to pay respects to Amjon.
I wrapped it up playfully, but in truth, it was a rather serious matter.
I couldn’t help but think that maybe Cheongseong Sect was using Tang Gyujin as an excuse to probe Amjon’s intentions.
From their perspective, it must have been alarming when Amjon suddenly announced the formation of a direct special task force.
Perhaps they might even use the Cult as an excuse to not only unify Sichuan’s martial world but also expand their influence over the entire western martial world.
Judging from Amjon’s current reputation and ambition, it was entirely possible.
However, it seemed that Tang Gyujin was still unaware of the larger conflicts and negotiations flowing beneath the surface between great powers.
「Indeed, this is something that must be closely observed during Amjon’s visit.」
「Depending on the situation, you may also be able to use it to your advantage—」
I still couldn’t see the full picture, but little by little, I was starting to glimpse how the current martial world was moving.
"Anyway, if you spout useless nonsense again, you’re dead. Absolutely dead."
"Yes, yes. I’ll be careful. But asking you to tell me isn’t a joke. You’re family to us, aren’t you, sister? So as your younger brother, it’s only right I pay my respects."
Though Tang Gyujin wore a rather reluctant expression, the reasoning was sound, so she had no choice but to answer.
"I did receive a letter saying he’s almost here."
"Good. I’ll keep that in mind."
"...You’re still suspicious."
I quietly shifted the topic.
"Anyway, by then the manor will surely get noisy. Blood relatives who were away will gather, we’ll have to prepare rituals for Amjon, and guests will be coming from everywhere... Phew! Honestly, at times like that, locking myself away in the White Pavilion sounds like the best option."
"Probably, right? More importantly, don’t you have any fun stories? You’re living out in the mundane world, so romance and such must be part of your everyday life, no?”
"I don’t have anything like that. Who would ever like someone who was treated like a crippled bastard son?"
"Why do you think no one would? Besides, you even have a fiancée, don’t you?"
"...Did I?"
"Hm? You didn’t know?"
"This is the first I’ve heard of it."
Wait a second. I feel like I’ve seen this somewhere before.
A broken engagement because the fiancée didn’t like the arranged marriage, only for it to turn out the ex-fiancé was actually a hidden master pretending to be weak... I always wanted to try that one, but could I actually get to?
Judging by the fact there’s been no contact all this time, maybe they heard the bad rumors about me and deliberately went into hiding.
"Who is this so-called fiancée of mine?"
"Oh my, oh my. Father really didn’t tell you, did he? Curious?"
"Actually... no. I’m not very interested.”
"Yeah. I figured as much."
Marrying someone I’ve never even seen? That’s absurd. Besides, that person was engaged to “Tang Woon-hwi,” not me—it has nothing to do with me at all.
If we just keep treating each other as if we don’t exist, won’t it just quietly fizzle out?
I’m sure that’s what they want too.
"Or maybe I could introduce a nice—"
"Not interested."
"I haven’t even said anything yet?"
"Weren’t you about to ask if I’d like to be introduced to someone?"
"Well, yes, but—"
"There’s an order to everything. If you, sister, get married first, then I’ll follow after."
"I’ve never thought about anything like that, though?"
"Then neither have I.”
"Ugh, you just can’t let me win a single word."
* * *
The more drinking buddies, the better.
The real drinking companion arrived only after several hours had passed.
"Apologies for being late, Young Master. Some old friends kept clinging to me, so it took some effort to shake them off and come."
"U-uncle Dangon!?"
Tang Gyujin, who had been teetering on the edge of drunken collapse, suddenly snapped wide awake.
Dangon gave a faint smile.
"To meet you again here, young lady. I should have greeted you separately after our encounter at the Search Pavilion, but I’m late in doing so. Forgive me."
"No, not at all! I should have been the one to come greet you first!"
Tang Gyujin fidgeted restlessly, then quickly sent me a sound transmission.
『Your so-called drinking buddy… don’t tell me it was Uncle Dangon?』
The bold sister who had proudly declared she’d teach me drinking culture as an older sibling, saying my friend was her friend too so I could invite as many as I wanted, was nowhere to be found.
『You boasted that you’d teach my drinking buddy the Way of Drink, didn’t you? Hehehe! I’ll be looking forward to it.』
『Say something that makes sense! Why didn’t you tell me earlier it was Uncle Dangon!』
『Because you didn’t ask?』
『You little—!』
Tang Gyujin now glared at me as if she were about to devour me whole, then quickly slid the chair beside her far back.
"Please, have a seat here, Uncle!"
"Ahem! You really didn’t have to go this far, but thank you."
Dangon took his seat and looked over the table piled high with dishes.
"You’ve ordered quite a lot again today. Surely you didn’t put it all on my tab?"
"Oh, can I?"
"Did that sparring match earlier rattle your brain or something?"
Ah, now the sharp tongue refuses to leave his mouth.
I filled Dangon’s cup to the brim with bamboo-leaf liquor.
Between us, Tang Gyujin looked like she’d just seen a ghost, glancing back and forth between me and Dangon.
『You—』
『Yes?』
『Why are you speaking so casually to Uncle Dangon!? That’s disrespectful!』
『Well… it just kind of happened?』
『Are you insane?!』
Truth be told, when I first heard Tang Gyujin call Dangon “Uncle,” I almost jumped out of my skin too.
For the past ten days, even though I had called him “Martial Master,” my tone was practically casual, almost bordering on disrespect.
And Dangon hadn’t seemed to mind much either.
『Do you even know who Uncle Dangon is? He may not have sworn a blood pact with Father, but calling him a sworn brother wouldn’t be an exaggeration! During the Cheongseong Blood Affair, he saved Father’s life in a moment of crisis and even received the title of “Qishi” from the Clan Head!』
According to Tang Gyujin’s explanation, Dangon held a much more significant position within the Guryong Branch Family than I had expected.
It was just that he himself didn’t flaunt it.
Had he wished, he could have easily taken the seat of a hall master in almost any pavilion.
So, with genuine sincerity, I clasped my fists and bowed to Dangon.
“Martial Master.”
"...Why so suddenly?"
He looked at me with an expression like he had just witnessed something bizarre.
"I didn’t know about your relationship with the Branch Family Head all this time, and I acted rudely. I apologize. Please accept it."
"……You’re ruining the taste of the liquor, so please stop. With such fine food and drink before us, what nonsense are you spouting?"
Dangon sharply turned his head the other way.
『See that?』
『……Impossible!』
By now, this kind of relationship suited me and Dangon best.
Trying to suddenly act all proper would only make both of us cringe.
"Did you have a good talk with the friends from Guangpungdae?"
"...You saw that?"
Why is he so startled?
Like someone who got caught playing a prank they thought would never be noticed.
"Yeah. I saw you in the spectator seats with Dangtae and Dangjin, the hall masters, didn’t I? Standing out that obviously—wouldn’t it be stranger if I hadn’t noticed?"
So when he said he was late because he’d been with some friends, those friends must’ve been them.
"Heh! You must’ve been completely focused on your match, yet you still noticed that? Truly, your eye for detail is impressive."
Guangpungdae.
A word that anyone from the Guryong Branch Family—especially the heir—couldn’t help but react to. Tang Gyujin quietly glanced between us, gauging the mood.
Dangon scratched his cheek, then held out his cup.
"It’s a bit difficult to talk about this sober. Would you pour me a drink?"
"As much as you’d like."
Clink—
As soon as the cup was filled, Dangon drained it in one go.
"Ahh! Now that’s the taste.”
"You were evaluating me, weren’t you?"
"…Well, yes. Sort of."
"And? How was it?"
"How do you think it was?"
"Perfect score."
"Honestly, if nothing else, your confidence is unmatched!"
"Am I wrong?"
"You’re right! And that’s exactly what makes it more irritating! Seriously, how can a person have no sense of humility whatsoever?"
"I’d say that’s part of my charm."
"This is why I didn’t want to talk about it while sober!"
Dangon grumbled as he set down his cup.
Tak!
"I’ll be counting on you to keep showing that good side from here on out.”
"Yeah? Good."
"……Aren’t you going to ask anything else?"
Dangon, uncharacteristically, kept sneaking glances at me.
"Hm? Is there more I should ask?"
"You know, things like—what I think of you, whether my view of you has changed, what the evaluations of the other men are, and so on."
"No. What you’ve said is enough. It means you’ve seen potential in me, right?"
If he had gotten overly excited just from seeing a bit of talent, or started waving flattery right in my face, I actually would’ve been disappointed.
Those kinds of opportunists were the ones I had no use for.
It wasn’t only they who judged me. I was also gauging the level and capability of the old Guangpungdae.
"Well, that’s true, but—”
"Then what about our martial uncle’s opinion? Do you still think I’m lacking, like I was ten days ago?"
"……."
Dangon furrowed his brow, unable to answer right away.
It looked like he wanted to say something, but was hesitating, probably worried I’d put on that smug face again.
"Mm-hweh-heh-heh! That silence is the answer! That’s enough for me!"
"...Can’t you do something about that laugh?"
"This is my charm!"
"Charm, my ass!"
Even while grumbling, Dangon was sneaking a smile—already filled with goodwill toward me.
Truthfully, the Guangpungdae was something nice to hold in my hands if possible, but even if I didn’t, it wouldn’t be a real problem.
The most important thing here was how the people of Guangpungdae would treat me in the future.
With today’s events, Tang Yuchang has effectively been eliminated from the succession race,
and Tang Gyujin and I now stand shoulder to shoulder.
Namgung Sanyeong will surely start scheming to drive me out at any cost.
When the real confrontation begins, will they side with me?
But judging from Dangon’s reaction, it seemed likely they would.
Even if not, at the very least, they’d try to remain neutral.
The old Guangpungdae was the pillar of the Nine Dragons branch.
I had perfectly demonstrated the Guangpung Arts—the very identity of the Guangpungdae—and even proved my strength.
Winning their favor meant I had secured a solid foundation, something that couldn’t be bought even with gold.
At last, the stage had been set exactly as I wanted.
Now then.
What card will they play next?
Chronicles of the Reincarnated Demon God
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