Chapter 4
It had been two days since Tang Ha-ryeong shut herself in the room.
Lee Seon’s daily routine remained unchanged.
“Yawn.”
Did I sleep through an entire day?
The moon shone brilliantly in the night sky.
Rising at his own leisure, he fetched some water from a nearby stream.
‘Ah, my neck and shoulders feel stiff.’
He stretched his neck and shoulders as he walked, then paused momentarily.
He turned back and stopped in front of the closed door.
She’s not dead, right?
He leaned his ear against the door.
Sss. Sss.
He could still sense a faint presence.
Looks like she’s still alive and well.
Having confirmed there was no issue, Lee Seon peacefully sipped his tea.
He savoured a cup of tea, enjoying the cold night air.
As he placed the well-dried leaves into the cup, the water instantly turned a deep black.
The fragrance wafting from the steaming water was both pungent and unique.
“This is a new scent.”
Maybe I can look forward to it a bit?
After taking a moment to enjoy the aroma, he slowly swallowed the tea.
The mysterious blend of hot water and green juice filled his mouth, and he exhaled, “Pah,” letting out a breath.
Lee Seon smiled quietly.
“How is everything that grows in this mountain so utterly tasteless?”
Oh well.
He poured the water from his cup onto the ground.
Hiss.
The plant that got hit by the black liquid immediately wilted.
There really is such a thing as too much poison.
Lee Seon grumbled to himself.
Having too much poison meant it was a natural fortress, one that didn’t need special defenses to keep out intruders. But conversely, it also meant it was an inhospitable place that merchants couldn’t easily access.
Thanks to that, getting a decent cup of tea was like reaching for the stars.
He’d been wandering the mountains in search of tea-worthy herbs, but they were hard to come by.
Chewing on the remaining leaves in his cup, Lee Seon sighed.
Why do I even drink this stuff?
He was trying a cup a day because the old man nagged him so much, but he couldn’t figure out what made it appealing.
On a hot day, there’s nothing better than gulping down cool stream water.
‘That’s why you’re still a kid.’
“If drinking this tasteless thing is what it means to be an adult, I’d rather stay a kid.”
Lee Seon sprawled out on a wide rock.
“The weather’s greaaaat.”
People have always gotten sentimental at night since ancient times.
They’d recite a poem or two, get drunk on their own words, and then regret it the next morning.
It’s the natural order of things.
Lee Seon decided to let himself go with that flow.
“The night… is full.”
The faint sound of chirping insects.
The moonlight illuminating the surroundings.
It stirred a peculiar sentiment that echoed through a man’s heart.
But more than anything, what truly moved this man’s heart—
Was none other than the sight of a half-naked beauty.
“…What’s she doing?”
Lee Seon squinted his eyes and looked closely.
Tang Ha-ryeong was barely dressed in what remained of her tattered clothes.
Moreover, she was glaring at him, a look that strangely shook his heart.
Lee Seon focused his vision and observed her closely.
Her skin, clear and pale like white jade, was accentuated by seductive curves.
If a celestial maiden were to descend from the moon, she would probably look like this.
Lee Seon, who had been dazed for a moment, shook his head and slapped his own cheek.
Get a grip. Why would a celestial maiden descend to this place filled with nothing but poisonous plants and beasts?
Judging by her attire, she’s more of a temptress than a celestial maiden.
“Oh, it’s Tang Ha-ryeong.”
She looked slightly different now compared to when she entered the room, which is why he didn’t recognize her at first.
Even when her face had been pale from poison, he still thought she was beautiful.
But after going through Rebirth, Tang Ha-ryeong was now even more radiant.
Her skeletal structure and muscle forms had been adjusted, erasing even the slightest flaws she had before.
With a hint of exposed skin and her flushed cheeks, she was now exuding a dangerously alluring aura.
Unable to resist, Lee Seon asked a question.
“By any chance, have you trained in some form of Seduction Technique?”
“Why would I train in such a vulgar art?!”
Tang Ha-ryeong snapped back.
People called her Dokbong (Poison Peak).
Considering that the title of Five Dragons and Three Peaks was given to those with the highest achievements in orthodox martial arts, it was clear that Tang Ha-ryeong was a truly exceptional martial artist, even without the Tang Clan’s name.
“If it’s not a seduction technique, then what’s with the way you look?”
Lee Seon scratched his head.
If it’s not some sort of seductive art, then there’s no other way to explain her current appearance.
“Wh…!”
Tang Ha-ryeong started to shout but stopped herself.
She realized that she couldn’t even begin to explain her current appearance.
She didn’t have a single intact piece of clothing left, which is why she was in such a disgraceful state.
“Sigh.”
A faint trace of moisture appeared at the corner of her eyes.
The full moon shone brightly tonight.
Under the moonlight, her eyes glistened as if reflecting the night sky.
What could she do when her clothes had nearly all burned away?
During the process of stabilizing the Yin and Yang energy in her body, her clothes had disintegrated.
Ha. Now I just feel pitiful.
Seeing Tang Ha-ryeong sniffling and on the verge of tears, Lee Seon scratched his head.
“It was just a joke.”
She glared at him with narrowed eyes.
“Stop staring at me like that.”
Tang Ha-ryeong knew she was beautiful.
But never before had a man looked at her with such blatant gazes.
Who would dare to openly stare at a direct descendant of the Tang Clan?
The notoriety of the Sichuan Tang Clan alone made it an almost impossible feat unless one had immense courage.
However, the situation was different now.
They were in an isolated mountain where no one would recognize her.
Moreover, what would a rural boy who didn’t even know about the Sichuan Tang Clan understand?
Lee Seon chuckled.
“Got it. If you’re worried about something like that, it seems like you’ve recovered. Congratulations.”
Lee Seon nodded.
“…Th-thank you.”
However, Tang Ha-ryeong seemed to be hesitating, fidgeting in place as if she wasn’t done speaking.
It felt like she was subtly asking for something as she glanced at him.
“But, you know…”
Where is this conversation going?
Lee Seon’s eyes narrowed.
He barely had anything, and the little he did have was poisonous.
He fed her, housed her, and even gave her poison to cure her. What more could she want?
If she’s not holding a knife, then this is no better than a thief.
Wait, she’s squirming like she needs something.
“Do you need to use the restroom?”
“…It’s not that.”
Lee Seon clicked his tongue and pointed to a corner of the house.
“I told you, it’s not that!”
Tang Ha-ryeong glared at him, and Lee Seon scratched his head in thought.
What on earth does she want to hear?
He had already congratulated her on her Rebirth.
His eyes wandered around and stopped at the teacup on the ground.
“Ah, was it that?”
Lee Seon finally seemed to understand and gestured in front of him.
Tang Ha-ryeong glared at him for a moment and then sighed deeply.
It seemed like expecting this man to pick up on hints was a lost cause.
“If you have any spare clothes, could you lend me a set?”
**
“You could have just asked for it directly.”
“I’m sorry, alright?!”
Tang Ha-ryeong snapped back with a sulky expression.
What should she do with this carefree man?
Tang Ha-ryeong crossed her arms and looked at Lee Seon.
If it weren’t for him, she would have died.
With death right at her doorstep, even she had given up on her own life.
But this stranger, whom she had never met before, had gone above and beyond to help her, doing everything with utmost sincerity.
While she didn’t like how he handled her so casually, there was no denying that Lee Seon was her saviour.
“Your name is Lee Seon, right?”
“Yeah.”
Lee Seon nodded lightly.
“My name is Tang Ha-ryeong.”
At this, Lee Seon gave her a strange look.
“We’ve already introduced ourselves, haven’t we?”
He really doesn’t know.
It wasn’t just the Tang Clan; it seemed he didn’t recognize her either.
Tang Ha-ryeong chuckled softly.
“Just in case you forgot.”
“There’s no way I’d forget. Our first meeting was so intense.”
At his words, Tang Ha-ryeong’s face turned red.
‘W-what are you saying!’
It wouldn’t have been easy to carry her all the way through these treacherous mountains.
She never thought of herself as heavy, but…
Climbing a mountain alone was hard enough, let alone with an unconscious patient on one’s back.
If she thought about why he would put in so much effort for a stranger, it was almost too obvious.
Come to think of it, this whole situation felt like something out of an old tale.
A virtuous and upright man rescuing a woman in distress.
It was just like one of the stories she loved reading as a child, now unfolding before her eyes.
Thump, thump.
Tang Ha-ryeong suddenly became aware of her own heartbeat.
Lee Seon chuckled.
How could he forget the woman who tried to kill him the moment they met?
On top of that, she was a memorable woman in many ways.
It would be hard to forget her, even if he wanted to.
“…It’s hot.”
Tang Ha-ryeong waved her hand in front of her face as if she were fanning herself.
“Are you suddenly feeling a surge of Yang energy?”
Although the poison he fed her was potent, she had already completed Rebirth.
There shouldn’t be any remnants of poison left in her body.
Lee Seon reached out to touch her forehead.
Tang Ha-ryeong pulled her head back, avoiding his hand.
“I think my body has always been like this…!”
“Well, that’s a peculiar constitution.”
Puzzled, Lee Seon withdrew his hand.
“Anyway, you’re sure your body is fine?”
“Yes. I’m completely fine.”
Tang Ha-ryeong smiled brightly.
Through Rebirth, her internal energy and overall physical abilities had been enhanced.
“That’s great. So when are you leaving?”
“…Huh?”
—
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