Chapter 21 - Why Are You Competing Over Me??
“Jackpot.”
[What are you talking about.]
“It just means I’m thrilled, basically.”
I put the poison pouch I’d swiped(?) from Tang Siyuk on the table.
The Black Ox Gourd is a tool that stores and discharges poison. In other words, the more types of poison it holds, the stronger it becomes.
What’s more, the poisons Tang Siyuk had were far more versatile than those of the Poison Blood Demon Art. The latter were usually fatal and had very obvious characteristics—anyone could tell they were poison just by looking.
On the other hand, Tang Siyuk’s poisons were less about lethality and more about incapacitating or inconveniencing the opponent. That was probably because the Tang Clan insisted on branding themselves as a righteous sect.
At any rate, his poisons were far more broadly applicable.
He even gave me notes that described the effects, antidotes, and recipes for each poison. That was probably the Tang Clan showing their confidence—that this level of information leaking wouldn’t matter to them.
“Hehehe… now it’ll be hard for anyone to even tell I used poison. That’s the point.”
[Don’t laugh so frivolously with my body.]
“Then take back your body, why don’t you?”
[You insolent creature…]
Skybreaker Sword trembled in rage, but it was currently tied tightly to the bedpost. Bound with all my might, it could do nothing but tremble.
[Untie me!]
“Nope.”
[I said untie me, now!]
“Use sword energy if you want out.”
[I used it all earlier!]
“Well, who told you to act on your own like that?”
Right after sending Tang Siyuk off and returning to my room, I tied Skybreaker Sword up as punishment. If it had launched itself at Tang Siyuk just now, it could’ve caused irreversible consequences. Killing the son of one of the Five Great Clans in the courtyard of a righteous sect? That’s suicide.
And not just any of the five, but the Tang Clan—whose people were more vicious than mad dogs. If word got out, I might not even be able to drink a single sip of water in the Martial World. I’d be sleeping when a hidden weapon would come flying at my forehead.
[You arrogant monster! Without me, you’re nothing!]
“Hey, Skybreaker.”
I spoke.
“Let’s be real. Do you honestly think I couldn’t have handled this situation without you?”
[…]
“No, right?”
[Damn it.]
“So cooperate a bit, will you? I understand this world better than you think. Don’t you want your body back?”
[…I do.]
“Then don’t let pride get in the way. No matter how we get there, our goal is the same.”
Returning Skybreaker Sword to its original body, and me returning to my original world—that’s what I want.
Some might look at my situation and say, “Why not just live it up in the Demon Cult?” But even just the Martial World was already different from my understanding of the world. The Demon Cult takes it a step further. A place where people fight and die at the drop of a hat isn’t somewhere I can live comfortably.
Skybreaker Sword didn’t respond. It seemed to be sulking. Honestly, that thing might have a grown body, but emotionally it’s no different from a kid. Well, considering the way it grew up, it’s no wonder. It basically grew up under extreme gaslighting.
The fact that it’s changed even this much from being around me for such a short time is impressive.
“Skybreaker, don’t worry. I’ll get your body back, no matter what.”
[…Thanks.]
“What was that? Didn’t catch it? Did you say thanks?”
[I said get lost.]
“Oh, sure. Enjoy being tied up all day.”
The best way to deal with childish people is to be childish right back.
***
The next day.
Yun Yeopja visited early in the morning.
Though he was a master who had reached the Transcendent Peak Realm, his complexion wasn’t good.
It happens sometimes—when someone receives a sudden epiphany but fails to fully absorb it, they fall into Qi Deviation. Was that what happened to Yun Yeopja?
But the moment he opened his mouth, I knew it wasn’t that.
“Did you sleep well last night?”
It was the smell of alcohol that gave it away.
“I recovered well and slept deeply. But you, Master, you don’t look well?”
“I drank a bit too much at the banquet…”
“Couldn’t you just circulate your internal energy to flush out the alcohol?”
Martial artists can drink absurd amounts precisely because they can expel the alcohol with internal energy. Even a First-rate martial artist can manage it, so seeing a Transcendent Peak master like Yun Yeopja suffering from a hangover was…
“I couldn’t just waste the drinks that were given in celebration.”
Should I say he was unusually kind or innocent? He really was like a man drawn perfectly with a ruler. At first, I found this side of him a bit burdensome.
‘But now, it’s just free real estate.’
I’d helped such an upright and kind person reach new heights. Unless I do something outrageous, Yun Yeopja is likely to side with me in most situations. Oh, right—can’t let him find out I’m from the Demon Cult.
“Well then, shall we eat? Some hot soup might help you feel better.”
“Sounds good.”
I called for the innkeeper’s son and ordered hot soup and other dishes. Seeing how much I was ordering, Yun Yeopja asked,
“You didn’t eat that much yesterday. Why are you ordering so much today?”
“Oh, someone else is joining us.”
“Who… ah?”
Sensing the presence of someone coming upstairs, Yun Yeopja looked surprised. Tang Siyuk was practically sprinting up the stairs, followed by a pack of Tang Clan cabbage worms.
“Haah, haah. Sorry I’m late.”
“Why bother running after you’ve already arrived?”
“How did you… As expected, I can’t hide anything from you, Eastern Sword Dragon.”
I mean, come on. I’ve been doing this long enough to know what people say when they’re late. And there’s no way someone from the Tang Clan—a descendant of one of the top sects—should be out of breath from running.
Anyway, Tang Siyuk was acting entirely different from the arrogant guy he was last night. Despite losing his poison pouch, he was grinning ear to ear.
[He’s probably trying to win the Clan Heir Competition.]
‘Clan Heir Competition? Oh.’
The Tang Clan is famous for holding Clan Heir Competitions. Since the sect originated in the gray area between righteous and unorthodox paths, they prioritize results over righteousness. Tang Siyuk may be the third son, but if he outperforms his siblings, he has every right to become clan head.
And connections count as results too. He thought I was a successor of the Medicine Immortal, and if that were true, it’d be a huge asset. Even the Tang Clan respects the Medicine Immortal when it comes to medicine.
Yun Yeopja watched us talk and commented in surprise.
“You two seem… unexpectedly close?”
“Haha… yes, well. I just misunderstood Eastern Sword Dragon a bit, didn’t I? Didn’t realize what an incredible person he was.”
“Sorry to interrupt, but…”
I turned to Tang Siyuk.
“Eastern Sword Dragon? What’s that?”
“Huh? Oh, you left the banquet early, so you didn’t hear. It’s your nickname. Last night, you scared off the infamous Black Shadow Corps of the Heavenly Demon Cult with just your presence. A lot of martial artists saw it.”
So that’s how I got the nickname?
“Yes. Congratulations. Do you know how hard it is to get a proper nickname on your debut in the Martial World? I mean, even I don’t have one—”
Whatever he kept rambling about, I wasn’t listening anymore.
‘This is so embarrassing.’
As Tang Siyuk said, getting a proper nickname is hard. Even the Three Talents of Qinghai had to band together to get one. Even Yun Yeopja didn’t have a formal nickname despite his Taoist title.
From now on, people might react with, “You’re not that Eastern Sword Dragon, are you?” That’s why I’d staged that performance in the first place—to earn a nickname. But still, this is mortifying.
Eastern? I’m not from the East.
Sword Dragon? I’m not great with a sword.
And yet, they’re calling me Eastern Sword Dragon.
“Anyway, congratulations.”
“Forget it. Don’t call me by the nickname. Just call me ‘Brother’.”
“What? But…”
Given Tang Siyuk’s misconception that I’m a successor of the Medicine Immortal, I’d be his great-uncle at the very least. But I can’t exactly ask him to call me Great Master Uncle either.
Even if I’m pretending to be the successor of the Medicine Immortal, there are probably still people out there who had real relationships with him.
‘There will be those who see me as just a walking elixir pouch.’
Martial artists are ultimately people obsessed with strength. Some may lose their minds and come for me. So I couldn’t openly reveal my identity unless it was absolutely necessary.
“Anyway, that’s Martial World stuff. I’m not a man of the Martial World, remember? Just passing through.”
“Truly, your character is extraordinary… Understood. I, Tang Siyuk, will serve you as my elder brother.”
He said it with emotion welling up in his voice. What’s with all the drama?
Yun Yeopja, watching all this, said dryly,
“Looks like something happened last night while I wasn’t around?”
“Hahaha, indeed.”
Tang Siyuk said, his grin wide.
“My elder brother asked me to keep it a secret. My apologies, Master.”
“…I see.”
With that, Yun Yeopja pulled something out from his robes and handed it to me. My eyes widened as I saw what it was.
It was a small wooden badge. A white dragon soaring into the sky was etched onto the luxurious black ebony surface. On the back, the characters for Kunlun were written.
“This is…”
“A Kunlun Token.”
With a proud smile, Yun Yeopja looked at Tang Siyuk as if to say, See that?
Tang Siyuk was stunned speechless. And understandably so.
Holy crap.
The Kunlun Token was a symbol of the Kunlun Sect. Most sects had a symbol like this, and holding one meant you carried that sect on your back. Whether as a VIP guest or an official representative, having that badge meant you spoke for Kunlun itself.
Not something you just hand out to anyone.
“I originally intended to give this to you. That’s why I was late—I went to the main sect to get approval. They said they would give it only if they judged you to be righteous. But how could I not give it to the benefactor who helped me ascend to the Transcendent Peak?”
He pushed it toward me with a “Take it already” look.
“Uh… uh…”
This was my original goal. With that token, I could enjoy a peaceful Martial World life under the Kunlun banner, even without Yun Yeopja nearby. But I didn’t expect to receive it now.
“Thank you.”
I’m not usually someone who grabs at things like this, being from the land of Eastern etiquette—but if I didn’t accept this now, I’d be a fool.
That’s when—
“M-Me too…!”
Tang Siyuk pulled something out from his pocket as well. At first I thought he’d made a new poison pouch, but it was a small green token. Unlike the Kunlun Token, it wasn’t ornate.
“Young Master!”
The Tang Clan martial artists behind him freaked out and tried to stop him, but Tang Siyuk couldn’t be deterred.
“Silence! Do you know who this is?!”
“Y-Yes?”
“Be especially respectful to him. Treat him with more reverence than you do me!”
The Tang Clan martial artists gave reluctant nods. Then Tang Siyuk turned to me again.
“This is a Lesser Tang Token, given only to direct descendants of the Tang Clan. We each get three, to be given only in the case of important relationships.”
In terms of usefulness, it might even surpass the Kunlun Token. Kunlun had the aura of a noble gentleman. The Tang Clan? More like a rabid dog. Owning a Lesser Tang Token meant you were on friendly terms with that rabid dog.
“You’re giving that to me?”
“Yes. This is my first Lesser Tang Token. Please accept it!”
I took the Lesser Tang Token too. But Tang Siyuk wasn’t looking at me—he was staring at Yun Yeopja with a How do you like that? expression.
Yun Yeopja clenched his fist.
Sparks flew between their eyes.
Why are you two competing over me? Are you kids desperate for praise or something? This isn’t some NovelBin…
Oh. Right. It is a NovelBin world.
The sudden jolt of reality hit me—thankfully, the innkeeper’s son arrived with a tray full of delicious-smelling food.
Then—
“Whoops.”
The innkeeper’s son tripped and spilled tea at my feet.
“I-I’m so sorry!”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry.”
“As expected of you, Elder Brother.”
“Overreacting to every little thing makes you petty. A true martial artist, a true strong one, should always be magnanimous.”
I said it partly for Skybreaker Sword’s benefit. And sure enough, it responded.
[Hey, monster.]
But the next thing it said was completely unexpected.
[That innkeeper’s son. He’s from the Demon Cult.]