As I emerged from my meeting with the Blue Sea Lone Sword, the evening was already well underway. Though there was still some time until the scheduled dinner, I headed to the meeting spot, knowing I didn’t have enough spare time to fit in any training.

“If I get caught, that old man will be furious.”

Skipping training, especially with someone as relentless as the Tyrant, would surely invite another “training session” that was little more than a beating.

“He enjoys hitting people more than he lets on.”

I was certain of it. He seemed to take out his frustration from years of suppressed training on me.

“Damn, I really need to get stronger.”

At this rate, I’d need enough strength just to avoid getting pummeled. Yet every time I faced him, I was reminded of how far I had to go.

“He crushes me without a second thought.”

The gap was absurd.

I once tried challenging him seriously, betting on the outcome, but that ended in total defeat.

“Every path is blocked.”

My bouts with the Tyrant weren’t simply about competition. His movements destroyed mine, seizing every gap in my defense.

The Tyrant’s combat skills were unparalleled. Despite my own cultivation in the Fire Realm, he remained an insurmountable opponent.

As a result, every training session left me battered and bruised.

“The old man also pointed that out once.”

I had to admit, I lacked hand-to-hand combat skills. I focused too much on the broad, explosive attacks that came with fire techniques, but lacked the finesse and control necessary for close combat.

Facing the Tyrant was making it painfully clear how much I lacked.

“I have to try harder.”

Thankfully, the Tyrant was an excellent teacher, albeit a harsh one. I was slowly improving, practicing movements with the Sky Piercing Technique to increase my agility.

The pain of this training was almost unbearable, as if I were constantly walking on a bed of nails, with knives twisting in my gut.

“If I can’t endure this, how will I go further?”

It was only pain, after all. I could handle that.

Except when the pain was so intense I almost fainted.

Stumble.

I momentarily lost my footing.

“…Almost passed out there.”

Shaking my head clear, I kept walking. This kind of suffering was becoming a routine, and before I knew it, I had arrived at the inn the Poison King had arranged.

Looking up at the grand building before me, I thought:

“Maybe I should’ve walked slower.”

It was closer than I expected.

After some hesitation, I sighed and walked toward the inn.

At that moment, a flood of information rushed into my senses, immediately alerting me to multiple presences around me.

“Three on the left, two above, four in front.”

The guards stationed around the inn all radiated an intense aura. The distinctive scent and energy in the air identified them as Tang Clan warriors.

“They’re just guards.”

Their eyes were on me, but I sensed no hostility.

“But it’s irritating to be watched.”

I gathered my energy, focusing it to make it sharper and more aggressive. Within seconds, I projected a hostile aura back at them.

I felt their reactions ripple through the air as they hesitated, clearly surprised by my response.

“How should I handle this?”

Tempted to provoke them further, I reconsidered, knowing I was on Tang Clan territory.

“I’d better leave it at this.”

As I retracted my energy, their stares lessened. I glanced at the leader, whose wide-eyed expression showed just how taken aback he was. Satisfied, I stepped into the inn.

Inside, I was greeted by an opulent interior. Though I had seen several inns, this one, rented by the Tang Clan, was the most lavish by far.

As I glanced around, someone approached and bowed.

“Thank you for coming.”

Judging by her attire, she was a Tang Clan servant, but something felt off. She, too, was a martial artist. If I hadn’t been close, I might not have noticed.

“They’re all martial artists.”

I continued observing my surroundings. It seemed the entire inn was occupied solely by the Tang Clan, and every servant was a martial artist.

“Could it be because of the prisoner transport?”

The Tang Clan was transporting prisoners to Sichuan for the League, so it made sense they’d bolster their defenses. Still, it was a bit much.

Finally, I arrived at the door, and the servant opened it for me.

“Oh! You’re here!”

The Poison King, looking as genial as ever, rose to greet me. He radiated warmth and hospitality, so unlike the other heads of the Four Great Clans.

But I didn’t let my guard down. Of all the clan leaders, the Poison King was the one I trusted the least.

As if reading my thoughts, he addressed me.

“I heard you had some trouble on your way here.”

He was referring to the guards around the inn and the servant who’d escorted me. So he knew about everything.

I met his gaze with a polite smile.

“I apologize if I acted out of curiosity and caused any offense.”

“Oh, nonsense! There’s no offense at all. Young men are often curious. Don’t worry about it.”

The Poison King’s smile broadened as he waved it off. I glanced around the room. It was just the two of us—there was no sign of Tang So-yeol.

He must have noticed my searching gaze, as he explained:

“My daughter will be joining us a bit later.”

“Oh? Is something holding her up?”

“No, I just told her to come later.”

“Excuse me?”

I blinked, taken aback, and he continued with his usual smile.

“There are some things I wanted to discuss with you alone.”

A chill ran down my spine. The fact that he’d deliberately created an opportunity for just the two of us was unnerving.

What did he want to discuss?

“If you’d prefer, I could call her now.”

“No, it’s fine.”

I knew better than to say anything that might upset him. Tang So-yeol was, after all, his daughter.

He seemed pleased with my response and gestured toward the table.

“You must be hungry. Let’s eat first.”

“…Yes.”

The spread was impressive, but I was hesitant to eat. As I mulled over my options, the Poison King took a bite and spoke.

“Hmm? Why don’t you eat? There’s no need to be so reserved.”

“Ah… my stomach is a bit uneasy.”

“Already? You’re too young for that.”

I nodded, though inwardly, I was relieved there seemed to be no poison in the food. Surely, he wouldn’t poison me without reason.

“Besides, I haven’t done anything to provoke him.”

As I finally reached for a bite, he spoke again.

“Gu Gongja, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

“Yes?”

“When do you plan to take my daughter?”

“…What?”

My chopsticks froze mid-air. I looked at him, startled, and found him staring back, his green eyes narrowed.

“What did you mean by that?”

The Poison King’s gaze grew intense, as he repeated his question.

“Do you intend to take So-yeol with you?”

What? The question left me dumbfounded. He was talking about taking her… but in what sense?

“Take her? What do you mean by that?”

The Poison King’s expression darkened.

“Are you just toying with her then?”

“Toying? That’s not—”

“Don’t lie! It’s clear she has feelings for you. Are you just going to leave her without taking responsibility?”

I was speechless. I had heard the rumors, after all. There was talk that “So Yeomra” had wooed many daughters from prestigious families.

“Who the hell started that rumor?”

I never courted anyone. Yet, here he was, demanding an answer.

“Tang So-yeol getting married?”

The idea caused a strange pang in my chest.

The Poison King’s words made sense. If I couldn’t take responsibility, it was better to let her go.

But as much as my rational mind understood, a part of me refused to accept it.

I took a breath to steady myself.

“Forgive me, Tang Gaju. But as you know, I’m already engaged. I can’t just take So-yeol with me…”

The Tang Clan’s direct daughter couldn’t be taken lightly. But before I could finish, he interrupted.

“If it’s about your engagement, I can handle that.”

“…What?”

His words made me flinch. He was suggesting breaking off my engagement with Namgung Bi-ah just so I could be with Tang So-yeol.

He’s willing to go that far?

But no. That wasn’t what I wanted.

“Apologies, but I cannot accept that.”

His face twisted with disappointment, and the air grew heavy with tension.

“So you won’t take responsibility then?”

“I didn’t mean—”

“Then what is it? Are you going to take her as a concubine?”

“…I…”

“Make up your mind, Gu Gongja. So-yeol has shown her feelings, but I won’t let her stay by your side if you’re going to leave her hanging.”

His words were reasonable, and yet…

“So-yeol’s getting engaged…”

The idea of her being with someone else was infuriating. I didn’t want that.

In a desperate attempt to steady myself, I thought of something to say.

“I don’t want her to leave.”

My words surprised me. I hadn’t meant to speak, but they came out on their own.

The Poison King’s reaction was instant; his eyes narrowed.

Just as I tried to think of a way to explain myself, the door burst open.

“Is that true?”

Standing in the doorway, Tang So-yeol looked at me with her eyes wide.

She ran over, her cheeks flushed, and grabbed my hands.

“Gongja-nim, is it true? You don’t want me to leave?”

“…You?”

I had no idea she was there. I hadn’t sensed her presence at all.

“Is it really true?” she asked again, her voice bright with excitement.

Still holding my hands, she turned to her father.

“Did you hear that, Father? He doesn’t want me to leave!”

“…Yes, I heard.”

The Poison King sighed as he watched his daughter’s reaction.

And then it dawned on me.

“They planned this.”