Chapter 40. Return (2)
"A talent for seductive arts."
A cold silence fell within the carriage.
Perhaps it was because of my current position—resting my head on Tang Sowol's lap as though using her thighs as a pillow—but I could feel her hand on my head subtly tense.
It was only then that I realized how my words might have sounded.
I had essentially told someone who nearly became a tool for training in seductive arts that it was a shame she hadn't learned them. And I'd said it while lying on my fiancée's lap, no less.
I quickly shook my head in denial.
"It's a misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding... is that so?"
"I... I think I'll pass on martial arts altogether..."
Tang Sowol's voice was calm and steady, while Seol Lihyang, taking note of her tone, quietly inched away from her.
I attempted to sit up and clarify, but...
Gently.
Tang Sowol placed her hand on my forehead and lightly pushed me back down, leaving me no choice but to continue speaking from my reclined position.
"I'm not saying she should train in seductive arts. I'm just pointing out that she has a talent for that kind of thing."
"So, what you're saying, Brother, is that Miss Seol has an innate talent in that... area?"
"You... you've been looking at her like that all along?"
Tang Sowol began poking my cheek repeatedly with her finger. It didn't hurt, but there was an odd pressure to her gesture.
Meanwhile, Seol Lihyang frowned but didn't seem entirely opposed to the conversation.
Eventually, she sighed and grabbed Tang Sowol's hand to stop her from continuously poking me.
"He's talking about the Pure Yin Constitution."
"Oh!"
"That's right... I almost forgot about that."
Tang Sowol's face reddened, embarrassed at her earlier misunderstanding. Seol Lihyang, on the other hand, simply nodded as if this were someone else's issue entirely.
Of course, that made sense. She likely knew nothing about martial arts or her unique constitution.
"How much do you know about the Pure Yin Constitution?" I asked.
"Honestly, not much. Other than my Poison Spirit Constitution, I'm not familiar with these things. I assume it's related to yin energy, like the Nine Yin Severed Veins?"
"I just found out I have this constitution. Is it... a good thing?" Seol Lihyang asked, looking uncertain.
Both of them seemed clueless. That was understandable. If not for what I'd learned from Seol Lihyang in my previous life, I wouldn't have known about it either.
The Nine Yin Severed Veins was so infamous that other yin-based constitutions often went overlooked.
Perhaps embarrassed by her earlier reaction, Tang Sowol tried to pull her hand away. This time, I firmly grasped her hand and began to slowly trace my fingers along hers, one by one.
Every time I slid my fingers between hers, she flinched slightly but didn't pull away, likely because she'd just been poking my cheek moments ago.
"The Pure Yin Constitution is completely different from the Nine Yin Severed Veins," I began to explain. "The Nine Yin Severed Veins is a condition where key meridians are blocked, causing an abnormal buildup of yin energy. The sheer volume and intensity of that energy mean those with the condition rarely live beyond their twenties without intervention."
"W-wait, am I going to die?! I'm fifteen now, so... does that mean I only have five years left?!"
Seol Lihyang panicked and started counting the years she had left on her fingers.
Seeing this, Tang Sowol chuckled behind her hand.
"Don't worry. The name Severed Veins is given to conditions that result in death due to blocked meridians. Since your condition is called the Pure Yin Constitution and not the Pure Yin Severed Veins, it shouldn't be that severe."
"Tang Sowol is right," I added. "The Pure Yin Constitution does involve a high amount of yin energy, but it's not life-threatening. Its key trait is the purity of that yin energy."
"Purity?"
"Yes. Naturally, people accumulate impurities over their lives. It's not a bad thing—it's a natural byproduct of living and interacting with others. However, these impurities can hinder martial arts training."
That's why many clans and sects start training their disciples in martial arts at a young age, before too many impurities have accumulated.
As people age, their meridians narrow, and their ability to circulate internal energy becomes less efficient.
Even I started training in martial arts relatively late at fifteen. It wasn't too late, but compared to those raised in prestigious families, nourished with rare elixirs and techniques from childhood, I had a lot of catching up to do.
The Hundred Poisons Pure Blood Pill I'd recently taken had helped to some extent, though.
"The Pure Yin Constitution, however, naturally resists the buildup of impurities. The purity of the yin energy naturally washes away most impurities."
The Lord of the Bright Moon Pavilion had likely intended to absorb Seol Lihyang's pure yin energy to cleanse his own internal energy of impurities.
After hearing my explanation, Seol Lihyang scratched the back of her neck awkwardly and asked, "Um... so what's the point of not having impurities? You said it's natural to have them."
"It may be natural, but being free of impurities is special. It allows for faster cultivation and greater efficiency. Even if you start learning martial arts late, you can still achieve greatness."
"So... I have a talent for martial arts?"
"Isn't that what I've been saying this whole time?"
"Hehe. I just wanted to hear it again. No one's ever told me I'm good at anything before."
Seol Lihyang chuckled sheepishly.
In my previous life, she had reached the pinnacle of martial arts despite training in a flawed technique.
Though she lacked the eerie presence she had back then, if she learned proper martial arts now, she could aim even higher.
While I was nodding to myself, Tang Sowol, who had been listening intently, asked cautiously, "Brother, I think the most important thing about a constitution like this is not just the talent it provides but the drawbacks that come with it. Do you know if there are any issues with the Pure Yin Constitution?"
"Of course. While it doesn't lead to an early death, it does come with its own problems. The high amount of yin energy and its purity can cause minor issues if left unchecked."
"W-what kind of issues?" Seol Lihyang asked nervously, swallowing hard.
Recalling what I'd learned in my past life, I answered, "For starters, you'll be extremely sensitive to the cold. Your complexion may be pale, your limbs weak, and you might experience hallucinations or hear things that aren't there."
"That sounds serious!"
"It is. While it won't kill you, it's enough to drive someone mad. Fortunately, there's a clear solution."
"Phew. So there's a way to deal with it, huh?"
"If there wasn't, I wouldn't have brought it up in the first place."
"Stop dragging it out and tell me already! I'm desperate here!"
Amused by her urgency, I smiled and said, "The solution is simple: train in a martial art that manipulates yin energy."
"There's a martial art for that?"
"Of course. The most common would be techniques related to the seductive arts, but—"
"Stop right there! I knew it!" Seol Lihyang pouted, her face suspicious. "You're just trying to make me learn something weird!"
Her sudden pause and nervous glance at Tang Sowol suggested she'd realized this wasn't the kind of conversation to have in front of one's fiancée.
Thankfully, Tang Sowol either didn't notice or chose to ignore the implication, laughing playfully.
"There are other options too, aren't there, Brother?"
"Yes, there are. Martial arts involving cold yin techniques or those that manipulate ghostly energies are also deeply connected to yin energy."
In her past life, Seol Lihyang had learned Ghostly Wail of Yin Spirits, a technique she'd received as a reward from the Black Lotus Sect and improved upon with help from the Ironblood Hall's leader.
While I knew the basics of the technique, I had no intention of teaching it to her now.
That technique had been fueled by her bitterness and pain, which no longer existed in her current life. Without that foundation, it would lose much of its power.
Besides, she no longer needed to rely on such techniques now that her leg was healed.
"Among the available options, cold yin techniques are the easiest to find," I added. "What do you think, Tang Sowol?"
"The Tang Clan's secret vault contains a few basic cold yin techniques. If we search carefully, we might even find something better."
"That's reassuring. But are you really willing to go that far for her?"
"Of course, it's not my decision to make," Tang Sowol said with a grin. "It will ultimately depend on what my father decides."
"True enough. There's no point in us making a fuss over it now. The patriarch has the final say."
When the conversation turned to Tang Jincheon, Seol Lihyang's expression grew uneasy.
"Do you think he'll allow it...?"
"If you want to train as a martial artist and pledge yourself to the Tang Clan, he'll probably help you to some extent."
"Exactly," Tang Sowol added. "Brother Cheon is already part of the clan, and you're the daughter of his benefactor. It would be a shame to let someone with such potential slip through our fingers."
"Potential... me?"
Seol Lihyang pondered for a moment before nodding with a determined expression.
"Alright. I'll give it a shot. You said you were just repaying a favor, but it felt like you solved all my problems out of nowhere. So now it's my turn."
"Your turn?"
"Yes. Just as you helped me, I want to help someone else next. In the martial world's terms, I want to repay my debt."
I never expected to hear such words from Seol Lihyang—or anyone, for that matter.
After all, while I'd repaid favors in the past, I'd never been the one to extend a hand first.
As I stared blankly at her, Tang Sowol gently ran her fingers through my hair and said softly, "Brother Cheon, did you know? The Tang Clan repays favors above and beyond because of moments like this."
"I see."
"Yes. Just as it's important to decisively eliminate enemies, it's equally vital to cultivate friends."
I'd always focused on grievances and revenge—on taking or being taken from.
But now, things were starting to change.
With a small smile, I murmured, "It looks like I'll be busy when we return."
This recent battle had taught me something. My body was still too weak to fully utilize the insights I'd gained.
I'd been planning to take my time building my strength and cultivating my energy, but now I realized I needed to accelerate the process.
I briefly mapped out my plans in my mind, only to be interrupted by Tang Sowol's cheerful voice.
"Brother Cheon, I suppose you are excited for our engagement ceremony?"
Ah... I had completely forgotten about that.
It seemed my plans would have to wait a little longer.
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[TL]
Happy Christmas! <*~*>