Archive of Our Own ^beta

It all started a week after the… conclusion, of the incident. Of Chung Myung’s first marriage proposal.

The Tang family had come over to celebrate the eradication of the anonymous thief who dared set his eyes on their infamous swordsman. Although the Beast Palace and Ice Palace couldn’t make the trip, they made sure to send their regards with abundant gifts.

Everything was well, even the raging demon of Mount Hua had, although confused at first, joined in on the festivities.

Ah yes that’s right… All was well.

That was until a member of the Tang Family had tackled their sajae to the ground.

Still riding off the high of getting that prince scoundrel out of the picture, almost all the disciples instantly began to unsheath their swords.

That is until Chung Myung held up a hand to them, wide eyes only staring at the boy on top of him in what could only be described as a mixture of nostalgia and disbelief.

Whispering something neither disciples nor elders could discern, Chung Myung lay there with a hopeful smile creeping onto his face. And the boy above him—Tang Bo they later learned was his name—laughed in relief and elation.

“Hyung-nim, I made it.”

After this, the Tang Family apologised profusely on behalf of Tang Bo, immediately grabbing the bastard by the robes and attempting to drag him back to Sichuan, but good lord did that man know how to resist authority.

Whenever anyone laid a single hand on him, he immediately reached for the nearest dagger—either his own or an unfortunate family member’s—and started throwing like his life depended on it.

Tang Gunak tried to reason with him from afar, but was ignored the moment he mentioned heading back home, being retorted with a confident response from Tang Bo.

“My home is wherever my hyung is.”

Everyone turned to Chung Myung, who had flushed pink with embarrassment and responded quietly with a mumble. Much to the outrage of everyone involved.

“Let him.. do what he wants.”

And ever since that godforsaken day, the moment those words were spoken, that damned brat wouldn’t leave their sect.

He wasn’t slacking around, no, or else Chung Myung would have beat the hell out of Tang Bo and tossed him to the street dogs himself. He’d, in fact, been training quite diligently; every morning from dawn to dusk, he’d join the disciples and practise his daggers not too far away.

All the disciples would have almost been pleased with how hard Tang Bo worked!

That is, if he wasn’t training so close to their sajil.

Oh yes, he did train from dawn to dusk; it’s all true.

But every single hour was spent by Chung Myung’s side. He was constantly talking to him, even if sometimes Chung Myung just chose to remain silent and listen. He spoke one-sidedly so enthusiastically, as if glad that Chung Myung was just there!

And there was so. Much. Touching.

Chung Myung may not have noticed. No, it’s almost guaranteed he didn’t notice, knowing him, who was always rejecting their own affection, yet obliviously accepting Tang Bo’s. Even if he himself did not notice, the disciples all did. And they hated it.

Tang Bo almost always had a hand placed on their youngest, whether playing with his hair, entangling their hands, “fixing” up his robes, cupping the other’s face in his palms-?!

The prince of a foreign land had by now been long forgotten, only a distant memory.

Now, in the mountain ranges of Shaanxi province, where the Mount Hua sect dwelled.

Sichuan, where the Tang Family resided for generations now and to come.

Nanman where the beasts and humans coexisted as peacefully as they could.

The Northern Ice Sea, a long journey away, where the Ice Palace made their home.

Even the Evil Sects, where Jang Ilso and his troops lay in wait.

In all these diverse areas there would soon be one single common belief.

Tang Bo was enemy number one.

______________________

“Hyung-nim!”

Baek Cheok glared in annoyance at the grating voice, the other Five Swords not hesitating to follow his lead. The target of their ire seemed oblivious to the hatred he was receiving as his wide smile failed to falter.

Tang Bo stumbled slightly, almost tripping over the rough training ground, before being grabbed by the collar and swiftly hoisted up.

Staggering on his feet, he whipped around with a knowing smile, facing the irritated face of the sect’s most infamous asura.

“There you are!”

“Yes yes, here I am.”

Rolling his eyes with false disdain, Tang Bo immediately clung onto Chung Myung by wrapping his arms around his waist with a growing smile, being met with a yell of indignation.

“Hyung your waist is so small now, tsk you need to eat more…”

Chung Myung? Eat more? Hey who is this fucker to be adding fuel to the fire?

“This yangban, let go!”

“Ah I’ve been away so long, and I’m being told to leave once again? Cruel, so cruel hyung-nim.”

“Tang Bo, you stupid slimy leech!!”

Crack!

“Sasuk, your wine bottle has broken.”

“Jo Gul, yours as well.”

The Five Swords looked back down at their table, each bottle or plate in their hands displaying a web of cracks, alcohol spilling over the table.

Tang Soso’s face screwed into fury at this scene, as she reached over to her sheathed sword.

“Screw this nonsense! Sago, come, let’s deal with that thieving crook ourselves!!”

“Hold her back, quickly!!”

“Someone grab onto Soso!”

“I got her, I got her..!”

Yoon Jong and Hye Yeon, both leaping over the table, restrained Tang Soso back to the table, muffling her retorts in case Chung Myung decided to investigate the disturbance.

Finally they’d calmed down their samae, though she continued to hold a resentful look on her face, directing it to a distant Tang Bo and Chung Myung.

“Sasuk! Can’t you see the atrocities occurring right before us?!”

Baek Cheon bit his lip, his downturned gaze turning back to the happy couple pair before them.

Tang Bo was gushing all over a flustered Chung Myung without a care in the world.

It made him sick.

“Soso’s right. Let’s behead him here and now.”

“Sasuk?!”

Hand clenching around his sword hilt with a burning fury in his eyes, Baek Cheon began to stalk toward Tang Bo with murder in his eyes, screams and protests from his fellow disciples being heard from behind.

“Sasuk, you bastard, stop!!”

“Righteous Sword, my ass!”

“Don’t you think that demon may stop you first?!”

“He’ll thank me when the mourning phase is over!”

As Yu Iseol and Baek Sang wrestled a defiant Baek Cheon to the ground, Jo Gul turned towards Yoon Jong, who was still restraining Soso.

“Hey… Sahyung?”

“...Yes, Gul?”

“I know everyone’s pissed, but… Doesn’t that pair look good? I mean, at least Chung Myung seems happy.”

Silence encompassed the area. Everyone struggling, either holding someone back or being held back, stopped in their tracks. Even a few of the second and third grade disciples who had been walking by dropped their jaws in shock.

“..What? What did I say?”

“.. Get him.”

“No- Sahyung!”

However, no one cared for Jo Gul’s pleas, as their beatings mercilessly started, and wouldn’t end for quite some time.

“This fool! Stupid bastard!!”

“Why don’t we just marry him off then if he seems so happy, huh?! Moron!!”

“..Die.”

Perhaps if only this idiot hadn't spoken blasphemy. He could have avoided this fate.

In the distance, Tang Bo turned his head towards the scuffle, a mischievous smile on his lips.

“Marriage, hm… Hahah, well if they’re trying to stop such a thing then I’m afraid I should hurry up then?”

“What the hell are you talking about now?”

Chung Myung spoke, an exasperated expression on his face. Tang Bo shook his head with a smile.

“Nothing, nothing at all.”

“Then get that dopey grin off your face. It’s time for a few thousand laps up and down the mountain.”

Suddenly Tang Bo froze instantaneously, resembling a statue for a moment before Chung Myung chuckled.

“Come on, it’s not a long distance is it? You’ve run all the way across the Central Plains just to see me!”

“Well… That was then, and this is now! And besides , I can see you every day now, can’t I?”

Tang Bo resisted desperately, though with futile efforts, as Chung Myung’s neck snapped to look at him with an expressionless face.

“Not if I bash your skull in and send you to the underworld for the second time, hm?”

“...Yes, hyung-nim.”

Seeing the pitiful expression on a despondent Tang Bo’s face, Chung Myung grimaced. Looking away, he murmured.

“Just a… few hundred laps, then.”

Immediately lighting up at these words, Tang Bo rushed to pull the other into an embrace, much to Chung Myung’s chagrin.

“Heh, I love you too hyung-nim…!”

“Tsk, bastard.”

______________________

As shocking as it was, the sect's disciples were not the most affected.

No, on the contrary, the elders had it the worst. After the five-month hell of dealing with the prince, Hyun Jong thought perhaps he would be free. Free from the hell of having to fight to stop his most precious disciple from being sold off as a bride to another country.

Not only that, but he’d had to deal with Hyun Young!

…

There was no need to expand on that; the very name of Hyun Young explained for itself well enough.

But no, no he wasn’t free just yet.

Because the Tang Family had betrayed them in the most vile way possible. One of their family members, a kid from a distant relative who’d accompanied them out of formalities, was now all friendly with their Chung Myung. And sure, he could write it off as them just being friends! Just being buddies and pals, good old comrades.

But you see, good friends don’t blush while the other tries to hand-feed you medicinal pills.

So no, Hyun Jong thinks, fuming with exhaustion and a deep-rooted protectiveness for their youngest. This is not over.

That was what he thought until Tang Bo knocked on the door to the Sect Leader’s Residence, surprising Hyun Jong and the two elders sharing tea beside him.

Well, surprise wasn’t the right word for Hyun Young.

Unimaginable maliciousness worked, though. Yes, that did the trick.

“You.”

Faced with such unrestrained resentment, it’s a shock Tang Bo still smiled as freely as he did.

“Yes, yes, me indeed. Calm yourself, elder.”

“Don’t tell me to calm down, you grandson stealing thief-!!”

Hyun Young had already begun leaping over the table, ready to slice the poor child to shreds before either Hyun Jong or Hyun Sang could stop him.

That is… until Tang Bo pulled out a piece of paper, stopping him in his tracks.

The two stilled in each other’s presence, Tang Bo smirking confidently, then whispering something to Hyun Young, whose shoulders began to tremble. Then he finally spoke again in a sickly sweet voice.

“Come on now, Esteemed Elder of Mount Hua, won’t you please sit down and listen to what I have to say?”

For once, Hyun Jong actually wished Hyun Young would be his regular self. Screaming and denying the other person of anything they didn’t deserve. But, he sat down. Silently, without complaint.

Hyun Young complied. To a matter most likely involving Chung Myung.

On any other day Hyun Jong would be over the moon! In fact, out of everyone in the sect, hell… the Shaanxi province itself, he’d be the first one celebrating!! However, at a time like this…?

Immediately, his head jerked back to the smug child before him. Particularly the photo in his hand. Particularly a photo with dashes of black, white, a clear blue sky and were those pink eyes-?

Before it was fully registered, Tang Bo stuffed the drawing back into his billowy sleeves. His poker face didn’t fall, even when meeting the Sect Leader’s stern gaze.

“So, esteemed elders. Sect Leader. I have a request.”

“…Speak then, dear guest.”

Although he wanted to deny this request immediately, it would do him no harm to hear Tang Bo out. Perhaps it was something simple? Maybe just a suggestion for their meal plan. He understood if it may take others a bit of time to adjust to their arduous lifestyle.

Giving the other the benefit of the doubt, all the elders stared curiously at the other. Who just smiled . And as he opened his mouth, every single person in that room wished they hadn’t even allowed him to speak.

“The disciple Chung Myung and I will be sleeping together.”

…

What?

What?

Whaaattt??

“WHAT?!!!”

Hyun Jong screamed. No, not the aggressively protective Hyun Young, nor the fatherly Hyun Sang. Hyun Jong. The Sect Leader of Mount Hua, shrieked as if he was throwing a tantrum befitting a child.

Tang Bo was again unaffected. Hyun Jong wished he had that sort of demeanour. Then he could beat this brat into a bloody pulp with a smile on his face.

That was sadly not the case as he began to unsheathe his sword.

“…Sect Leader.”

Tang Bo spoke with only the slightest tinge of nervousness, stepping back, wary of the oncoming danger.

“Sleeping… together.. no. Never. Over your dead body.”

“Isn’t the phrase over your own dead body?”

“I know what I said!!”

Hyun Jong yelled as he swung his sword without hesitation, Tang Bo dodging by a hair.

“My, you’re so aggressive, what’s the problem? Taoism doesn’t forbid such a thing, does it?”

Tang Bo questioned with an innocent look on his face. That’d be the last look on his face if Hyun Jong had anything to say about it.

“Hyun Sang, and you?! Why are you simply sitting-! There…”

Trailing off, Hyun Jong finally saw the sight behind him, too caught up amid his hubris to notice.

Hyun Sang seemed to be restraining a demon- no. It was Hyun Young.

Finally snapping out of his stupor, Hyun Young had also unsheathed his sword. Hyun Jong couldn’t be more proud of his sajae.

“You bastard! I’d sooner slit my own throat and the Sect Leader’s throat before such a thing happened!”

“Exactly!!”

“Hey Sect Leader, you know he means you, right?”

Though both his sahyung and sajae vehemently ignored his concerns. Hyun Sang only sighed. Restraining Hyun Young was the best he could do in this situation. Tang Bo however seemed to be doing his very best to worsen the situation.

“Elders please! It’s not such a big deal… We will simply be laying in each other’s arms!”

Stop.

“Every morning. And every night.”

Stop talking Tang Bo.

“Do you think hyung would look better in green nightwear, pink nightwear, or none at all-?”

Even Hyun Sang couldn’t restrain Hyun Young anymore, as he screamed and began rapidly swinging his sword with unconcealed rage.

“You bastard, no bribery is worth Chung Myung’s innocence!!”

“That’s corre-! Bribery?”

Having the sense to look abashed, Hyun Young turned away with a sense of guilt radiating off of him.

“…Well. He showed me a photo of Chung Myung, looking so happy. And told me if I agreed to everything he spoke of during this meeting.. The photo would be mine…”

“Ah. Ahaha… Is that so? Ahahahaha!”

“Hahaha..?”

Nervously Hyun Young laughed along, the two armed elders chuckling together, seemingly not a care in the world.

Crack!

Hyun Jong aimed a sword strike at the other, breaking the table. He turned back to a now unrestrained Hyun Young, expressionless.

“Hey. Why did you dodge?”

“If I don't dodge, who will assist the Sect Leader in mutilating this brat?!”

“Shut up! I’ll kill you both!!”

As the two now screamed at each other, Tang Bo grinned, stepping out of the hall to meet with an awaiting Chung Myung.

“Ah, there you are.”

“Hyung-nim! My, the kids here are just as lively as your sahyung, so nostalgic.”

“When it involves you, that’s never a good thing…”

Chung Myung sighed, feeling exhausted already, though Tang Bo seemed to be on top of the world.

“So, how did they take the news that we’d be sharing a room now?”

At this curiosity, Tang Bo perked up, not even trying to mask the glee in his smirk.

“Spectacularly.”

“Hahh.. I’m not even going to ask.”

The Mount Hua disciples watched the pair resume their affectionate gestures with spiteful stares, their uniforms stained a vivid sparkling pink, with arms full of glitter as they scrubbed out Tang Bo’s now former room, the remains of a failed prank shamefully displayed all over them.

______________________

The Tang Family was humiliated.

No, not by any of the Ten Great Sects… Nor the Five Families. Hah. Worse.

It was by one of their own.

The many assassins sent to attack their relative came back beaten up and bruised, needles wedged inside acupuncture points and striking nerves with the precision of an expert. 

In another life, they would be proud of producing such a master. In another life, they would train him well and raise him to be a respectable elder of their family.

But in this life, they didn’t have that no. In this life, they had a lovesick fucker who was clearly trying to bed the family head’s dear friend.

A family head who spent his days gathering as much information about this “Tang Bo” as possible, muttering to himself in a sleepless daze.

“Will that poison work..? No. No, he’s proving to be immune to most poisons based on the reports. Then maybe daggers… yes, yes. The reports don’t mention much about the dagger techniques; perhaps they didn’t try them all. I’ll have to correct that mistake.”

Tang Pae couldn’t watch this anymore. He’d dealt with the declarations of battle against that “thief” or whoever the prince was. But when it was a member of their own family, Tang Gunak took it even harder, seeing it as an act of betrayal.

Though why he was acting like a vengeful ex out for blood, Tang Pae could only wonder.

“Family Head..?”

“Stupid, friend-stealing piece of shit. Not even worth the stains on my boots, family betraying bastard…”

Maybe he’d ask Tang Gunak to rest another time. He seems a bit preoccupied currently.

Turning around, Tang Pae then saw Tang Jopyung entering inside the room, immediately bowing respectfully.

“Esteemed Elder! What brings you here?”

“Ah, no grandchild, I was simply curious. The Head mentioned something about Tang Bo..?”

Sighing, Tang Gunak finally put down the brush, his incessant writing ceasing. Tang Pae silently heaved a sigh of relief.

“No, Grandfather… just- just a family betrayal of the highest order.”

Hey, why are you making it sound so casual? No, your words and speech don’t match…

Tang Jopyung shook his head with fond exasperation on his face, though not lacking curiosity.

“Tell me grandchild, what happened?”

Tang Gunak bit his lip, clearly hesitating, but unable to deny an earnest request from Jopyung.

“Well, Grandfather. There’s… been another suitor for Chung Myung, the Tang Bo boy from our more distant relatives.”

At this Tang Jopyung paused, and the Family Head braced himself. Tang Pae understood why. The minute he heard that their benefactor had gotten a marriage proposal he’d been fully prepared to wage war against the foreign nation. When questioned as to why, he had the most peculiar response.

“Why? Why, Grandfather would have my head if I didn’t protect the Sword Saint’s hand in marriage!! Why else boy?!”

They’d almost forgotten the fact that Tang Jopyung had incorrectly assumed Chung Myung was the same revered Chung Myung from years back.

With this in mind, both Tang Pae and Tang Gunak braced themselves for a scream of outrage and cry of war, but… none came.

Instead, Tang Jopyung’s eyes brightened with relief and nostalgia.

“Tang Bo? Are you sure his name was Tang Bo?”

“…Yes? Grandfather, why are you-?”

However, Tang Jopyung ignored Tang Pae’s questioning, instead choosing to cheer in excitement.

“Finally! Finally!!”

“Huh?”

“Do you know how long Grandfather had been pining for the Esteemed Sword Saint?! Do you?!!”

“But he’s not- oh.”

Realisation slowly dawned onto the similar faces of father and son.

Tang Jopyung thought that- the current Tang Bo was the same as the Grandfather he’d known years ago. And apparently, there was speculation of a budding romantic relationship between the ancestors… Oh lord.

“Wedding! Have they declared a wedding yet?!”

These words struck Tang Gunak like lightning, causing Tang Pae to sweat.

‘Oh no.’

“We- wedding?!”

“Yes, hopefully, Grandfather has proposed already! Ah, maybe not. He was a bit shy when it came to the Esteemed Sword Saint…”

“Never.”

“Hah?!”

“I’ll never allow a wedding! Ah, as the family head, they’ll have to ask for my blessing, won’t they? I’ll refuse. Yes, perfect…”

Tang Jopyung immediately glared at his descendant, disdain clear in his eyes.

“How dare you sabotage our dear ancestors’ relationship?!”

However, with this topic, it seemed Tang Gunak was not willing to back down, even when it came to his elder.

“It should be sabotaged. I refuse to accept it! That damned Tang Bo is absolutely not good enough for my friend! Absolutely not!!”

“Haahh? I did not sit through fifteen-hour rants from my grandfather, hearing the words ‘He’s just so… you know?’ until my ears bled , for you to deny them their happy ending!!”

Tang Pae edged away nervously, the atmosphere practically choking him. Did he have to remind these two men that they were talking about different people?!

______________________

The Nanman Beast Palace, at the very least, took it better than everyone else. That was, at least… until the turning point.

Though they didn’t hear it from the expected source, such as fleeting gossip or the merchants' diverse talks.

No, no in fact…

The source came right to their doorstep.

“Beast Lord! Long time no see, hm?”

“Hahah, Dojang! And.. this young fellow attached to your hip..?”

“Ah, ignore it. It’s just a leech, a leech.”

Chung Myung waved him off, inviting himself inside Maeng So’s residence with a nonchalant demeanour. Tang Bo, meanwhile, was quite literally attached to Chung Myung’s hip, arms wrapped around his waist with his legs dragging behind him.

“Hyung, you know I’m not as fast as you yet! Why are you running across the Central Plains without me?!”

“Hahh, you moron. The Sect Leader said I must! To collect the ingredients we’re lacking for medicinal pills, the chicks may need it.”

“Tsk.”

Tang Bo looked away with annoyance, clearly seeing the plot to get rid of him.

There wasn’t any demand for the pills just yet, and there were most likely more pressing matters Chung Myung could attend to. But he chose to send his best disciple to a faraway province, by himself, for ingredients they didn’t even need to go receive personally?

Tang Bo wouldn’t let them win . 

It’s all too similar to Chung Mun’s actions in the past. Always trying to “keep his sajae safe from deplorable bastards” or whatever, Tang Bo wasn’t listening. 

As he grumbled to himself, Chung Myung slowly detached the other from his side, facing an incredibly confused Maeng So.

“..Dojang?”

“Hah?”

“Do you perhaps want my blessings..? I appreciate the thought, but I don’t think I'm qualified to-?”

“What?!”

Flushing pink from both a mixture of embarrassment and fury, Chung Myung shook his head.

“No, no! Nothing like that now!”

Now?

“It’s just- we need to collect a bit more grass for our medicinal pills.”

“...That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

Maeng So narrowed his eyes in suspicion but shrugged it off. If the dojang didn’t wish to tell him, he wouldn’t insist. 

“Alright then, I’ll just ask a servant to procure it from outside. We can enjoy some tea inside.”

“Hah? Not alcohol?”

“Perhaps not yet, Dojang. I assume you still need to make a long trip to the Ice Palace after this?”

“Hahh, that’s not incorrect… fine then.”

Tang Bo glanced towards Chung Myung, and, seeing no opposition, nodded in agreement as well.

Observing this, Maeng So waved closer to a nearby servant, instructing him to bring back a batch of the requested goods; the man immediately complied and set off.

The three then sat within the spacious hall, Tang Bo draping himself over Chung Myung’s lap on the couch, whereas Maeng So took his own spot upon a lone chair.

Tang Bo then turned to scrutinise Maeng So, observing what kind of person his hyung had befriended and-...

He was huge.

What the hell did this man eat? Elephants?! He wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case.

Maeng So shifted under the wide-eyed gaze of Tang Bo. Feeling a slight sense of awkwardness at the unexpected presence of an unknown person, Maeng So tried his best to make small talk with the other.

“So! Esteemed guest..?”

“Ah. Tang Bo is what I go by. And you Beast Palace Lord?”

“Hahah, just Lord is fine!”

Feeling an easiness in the atmosphere, Chung Myung let out a sigh of relief. Honestly, he’d been worried Tang Bo would have tried picking another fight. Especially after the disciples had pranked him a few days before, ruining a perfectly good dorm room!

The elders as well had been particularly hostile. Hyun Young especially was always seen with his sword unsheathed, as if preparing to behead his target at any moment.

But it’s a relief that at least one person didn’t totally detest Tang Bo’s company.

“So you.. like the Plum Blossom Sword Saint, do you?”

Oh no.

Chung Myung’s head snapped to Tang Bo with a questioning look in his eyes of ‘what the actual fuck are you trying to pull?’ but the other didn’t meet his eyes. No, actually, Tang Bo stared longingly at the Plum Blossom Sword Saint’s shrine, visible at the end of the room.

Shit.

Maeng So’s entire attitude completely changed at this question; the man’s eyes glistened with eagerness.

“Like? Hah! It’s more than like! It’s adoration! Worship! The Plum Blossom Sword Saint changed all our lives!!”

Chung Myung glanced away, feeling a bit too out of place in this conversation. Though Tang Bo seemed to fit right in.

“He’s able to do that isn’t he, heh? Truly such an incredible individual. I like him as well.”

“You truly are a fine young man, who wouldn’t like the Plum Blossom Sword Saint?”

“Ah, it’s true, haha! Especially taking into consideration his looks.”

“Yes, yes- hm?”

Maeng So looked bewildered as Tang Bo simply continued, dazed with stars in his eyes, neither noticed a flustered Chung Myung’s emotional turmoil nearby.

“Spectacular jawline, as if it was a stroke of pure utter genius from a master painter.”

“..Hey Dojang, your friend is going a bit off track I think..?”

Maeng So hesitated, because there was such conviction in Tang Bo’s eyes he’d almost believed it was the right track, as if this was definitely where the conversation was meant to lead.

“Oh, don’t forget his hair; although it was usually messy, he could always make it work for him. Whether on a floor drunk off his ass or on the battlefield with a bored look in his eyes..”

Maeng So continued trying to get Chung Myung’s attention, but the swordsman only covered his face with his hands, radiating embarrassment from every pore of his body.

“Shut him up, just shut him up..”

“And that mouth! Seriously, he could make any expression look attractive!! A smirk? Awestruck. A frown? Lost for words. Even just a simple sigh could have you swooning!”

Maeng So blankly observed a rapidly reddening Chung Myung, who was attempting to bury himself into the couch out of sheer shame. He hoped the swordsman succeeded. Maybe at least one of them could escape whatever hell this is.

“Have I even started on those eyes? Such a gorgeous colour of pink, sometimes being mistaken for a shade of red on the battlefield when the blood reflects in his eyes…”

“Young Tang..?”

“Hm?”

“That is a hand-drawn photo.”

Gesturing to the portrait of the Plum Blossom Sword Saint Tang Bo had been looking at, Maeng So hoped the young man would get the message.

Based on the slow blink he received, Tang Bo did not in fact receive the message.

“...It’s hand-drawn. With brush and ink.”

“Hah, so?”

“So… there’s no colour in that picture.”

Tang Bo chuckled, wagging his finger as if scolding a child. Normally Maeng So would be more focused on the disrespect, but he was too irreparably confused to fathom it.

“You misunderstand, Lord. The Plum Blossom Sword Saint precedes art.”

“Precedes… art?”

“Oh fuck, no.”

Chung Myung muttered from the couch, a last-ditch attempt to stop Tang Bo’s useless ramblings.

“You think the Sword Saint applies to mere human standards of colour?”

Any normal, sane person would reply, ‘Yes, Tang Bo, because the Sword Saint is also a human, you psychotic bastard,’ but regretfully, no one within the room was sane.

This was because Maeng So nodded with… understanding?

“Ah, you’re right..!!”

“Huh?”

Chung Myung bolted upright, wide-eyed as he stared at Maeng So with a betrayed look.

“The Sword Saint is beyond comprehension! Such a.. a great man cannot abide by our silly little rules.”

Seeing Tang Bo nod in agreement, Chung Myung clenched his fists.

‘Silly rules? No! Those are the laws of nature, you morons!! Do I look like I precede the laws of nature?!’

Wanting to spit out these words, Chung Myung simply shook his head. He knew deep in his heart…

You cannot reason with a madman. Much less two of them.

As Chung Myung listlessly fell back onto the sofa, Tang Bo tutted as if disappointed.

“But it appears you hardly worship the Sword Saint at all here then…”

“Hah?”

For the first time during this bizarre encounter, Maeng So’s eye twitched in annoyance. Tang Bo only sighed and continued.

“How can you call yourselves true worshippers of the Plum Blossom Sword Saint when you don’t know these simple facts?!”

“Keuk-!!”

‘Hey.

Hey, is seeing colours in a black-and-white drawing simple?

It seems more on the lines of delusional…’

Chung Myung thought this as the two glared at each other with disdain.

“Then what are you saying? That Nanman is unworthy of worshipping the Sword Saint!?”

“No, he should be worshipped regardless of the knowledge of uneducated believers! I’m simply enlightening you all on the truth, so listen intently, Lord.”

Tang Bo turned his sights once again to the portrait of the Sword Saint, pointing towards it with a harsh look.

“Wrong!”

“Hah?”

“Although it’s beautiful, it… it is inaccurate as well. The jawline is too sharp and angled incorrectly. Also, his eyelashes are too short; they’re at least four centimetres longer.”

Maeng So, stupefied at the sudden influx of information, stared in awe. Meanwhile, Chung Myung stared with something more akin to disbelief.

“Space his eyes slightly farther apart. The nose slopes to the left, but it actually should slope to the right. Also, you failed to include a hair tie he had. Trust me, he always wore it!”

At these words, Chung Myung’s already red face was soon hidden behind his hands once again, unable to handle this humiliation.

“And also, he had a birthmark! Right over-!”

Twack!!

“That’s enough.”

Tang Bo stared up from the ground he’d been punched to, knowing the only one who could do that without him realising was…

“Hyung, why?! I was just educating them on everything to know about the Plum Blossom Sword Saint!”

“Shut up! Shut up!!”

Chung Myung raised his fist again, ready to pummel a certain dagger wielder to the ground. Said dagger wielder could see this and began sweating nervously.

“Haha.. Hyung, let's hold on now?”

“I’ll kill you a second time!!”

Shrieking, Tang Bo scrambled away, hastily dodging the oncoming fists of rage.

“Lord! Lord help me- what are you doing?!”

Contrary to his expectations, Maeng So faced directly away from the conflict before him. With an irritated look on his face, he mumbled.

“Tsk, thinking you adore the Plum Blossom Sword Saint more than me… Bastard.”

…

‘That’s the reason you’re going to let me die here today?! I won’t survive!!’

Almost as if reading Tang Bo’s thoughts, Chung Myung then unsheathed his sword.

“...H-hyung..”

“Your grandson created this sword, you know… My pure qi helped with the production greatly.”

“Grandso- you mean Ah-Pyung? That cute kid is still around?”

However, Tang Bo was vehemently ignored. As Chung Myung began swinging the Dark Fragrance Plum Blossom sword swiftly through the air, he glared at a confused Tang Bo.

“It’s named after you… so should I behead you with it as well?!”

“Where’s the logic in that?!”

It seemed Chung Myung didn’t care about logic anymore. But with how he spouted bullshit with a clear conscience constantly, did he ever?

About to slice Tang Bo like a fruit on a cutting board, Chung Myung raised his sword, until…

“Ahem!!”

“..Hah?”

All three heads turned to the voice, seeing a guard stand there with a befuddled look, holding a large sack of-

“The grass? I got it Lord, it took a while since I didn’t exactly know how much you needed and-..”

Swiping the sack immediately, Chung Myung turned to Maeng So with an awkward look.

“Thank you, Lord, for your.. generosity.”

“Yes, erm.. it was a… pleasure.”

“You hesitated?”

“Just take the compliment. And take your eccentric little... lover?”

“He’s not- we’re just… it’s complicated!!”

  Maeng So raised an eyebrow, holding up his hands to indicate he understood. Chung Myung just bit his lip, the humiliation being too much to bear.

“Ugh.. we’ll be going now.”

“Yes, yes. Say hi to the Seol So-baek boy for me, hm?”

“Yeah, sure. Next time, you’d better bring out that alcohol of yours, though!”

“Of course! Without fail.”

Both nodding, Maeng So lightly slapped Chung Myung on the back as a farewell, the action almost sending him flying, but luckily, the swordsman held his ground.

“Goodbye, Dojang! And… please take your- whatever he is out.”

“Yeah.. on it.”

Sighing, Chung Myung looked around, seeing no sight of Tang Bo.

“Bo-ya?”

“Hyung! Here!!”

And there he was, waving to Chung Myung from the palace entrance, already outside.

“...What are you doing out there?”

“Just excited for our.. next trip! This was a fun one, wasn’t it? Come on, I want to see the Ice Palace!”

Seeing the excited Tang Bo, Chung Myung shook his head with exasperated fondness, giving one last farewell to Maeng So.

As the two left the palace, Chung Myung noticed a large.. bundle. An object of some kind wrapped in a large blanket, was being carried by Tang Bo.

“Brat. What is that?”

However under his scrutinising look Tang Bo only smirked.

“A gift. For you, hyung-nim! I’ll show you outside the city.”

“Mm… okay.”

Chung Myung admits now that he should have pushed harder, and seen what that was. But sadly, he did no such thing.

…

Meanwhile, back in the palace, Maeng So sighed, slumping onto a seat with a sigh. He hadn’t felt this exhausted in ages, yet that young Tang seemed to drain his spirits quicker than the beasts he interacts with.

Though he wasn’t a bad person, just… eccentric?

However, the overconfident nature in which he spouted off such nonsense about the Plum Blossom Sword Saint was aggravating. Extremely aggravating.

..He cannot lie though; the way he got the Dojang himself to blush was incredibly impressive. The last (and only) time he’d even heard of that happening was with some, erm.. prince fellow?

In his own eyes, the two make a great pair, so though he may not particularly like Tang Bo, he wishes them well.

While in his own contemplation, a servant took it upon himself to approach Maeng So in a haste.

“L-lord! Something terrible! Terrible!!”

Raising an eyebrow, the large man stood up with a frown, not expecting such a severe problem so soon. Should he call Dojang back for assistance?

“What’s the matter then?”

“Th-the Plum Blossom Sword Saint’s precious shrine it.. oh it’s too unbearable!!”

The servant cried out, trembling. Maeng So’s eyes widened as soon the young man spoke of exactly what occurred.

Fists shaking, a ferocious expression of fury was soon painted across the Beast Lord’s face.

“Guards!!”

“Lord!”

Soon, the troops assembled, attentive of their Lord’s orders.

“Tang Bo! Find that Tang Bo boy and behead him on sight.”

Maeng So’s look of rage shot a spike of fear through all their hearts, resentful at whoever caused this sight.

“Bastard, dared… to steal-!”

…

“-The Plum Blossom Sword Saint shrine photo?!”

Chung Myung shrieked.

Though Tang Bo simply looked proud. Chung Myung wanted to smack that smug look right off.

“I know, it was surprisingly easy! Tsk, stupid bastards… If I had a shrine for you Hyung, it would be guarded with the heaviest security in the entire Central Plains!!”

“Oh? Oh and what security would that be?”

“Myself.”

Chung Myung didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Whack!!

So, instead, he decided to choose the neutrality of the two options and decked Tang Bo straight across the face.

As a master-class expert in the art of Chung Myung abuse, Tang Bo immediately shot back up without sparing a reaction.

“Please Hyung..!! Can’t we keep it?”

“Who the fuck is ‘we’?!”

“Pleaseee…?”

Tang Bo clasped his hands together and teared up slightly, putting on his best pleading face.

Now Chung Myung wants to say he didn’t care and wacked Tang Bo in the face for a second time, as he rightfully deserved.

He wants to say that he forced Tang Bo to return the painting, and then they headed to the Northern Ice Sea.

But if he did, then he’d be a bigger liar than he already was, and there’s no use ruining his reputation like that.

So yes.

Chung Myung and Tang Bo headed onwards to the Northern Ice Sea Palace with an inaccurate ink drawing of the Plum Blossom Sword Saint and a sack of grass.

______________________

Tang Bo didn’t expect this.

Okay, granted, he didn’t have many expectations at all, but hey, with what little information he was given can you blame him?!

With what he’d heard from his hyung, the Ice Prince, Seol So-baek was proclaimed head of the Ice Clan much earlier than he should have been due to a few circumstances.

He’d also assisted Chung Myung with overthrowing a plot to revive the Heavenly Demon, which was making Tang Bo realise, hey. He might have been missing a lot in his hyung’s life lately.

He doesn’t remember much after that. Well, other than the fond expression Chung Myung had on his face as he remembered this “Seol So-baek”.

After he saw that, his only expectation was that Seol So-baek would make great target practice.

Well guess he had to throw that idea out the window because hey!

“Dojang!!”

It’s an actual kid!?

Tang Bo gaped at the white-haired child, who immediately ran up excitedly to greet Chung Myung, cheeks flushed red from running all the way here.

Chung Myung did call him a kid. He said he was young and that he was a bit childish as well.

But he did not expect a genuine child?!

Oh god, was Tang Bo getting old? He just assumed a kid meant an inexperienced adult cause, well, all adults now were like kids to him and hyung-!

Oh god, Tang Bo was getting old.

As the green bastard contemplated where his life led so far, Seol So-baek took the two inside the ice palace, with Chung Myung dragging Tang Bo behind.

“Welcome, Dojang! Sorry if the place is messy. We hadn’t been expecting a visit…”

“Tsk, don’t apologise; it’s nothing anyways.”

As Chung Myung waved nonchalantly, Tang Bo finally snapped out of his stupor.

“Ah, hyung, should I take this sack for you? It might be heavy!”

“...Does this fool even hear himself right now?”

“What if you overexert yourself?!”

“Carrying a bag of grass?!”

With the two arguing in front of him, Seol So-baek stood without a purpose, the guards around him not knowing quite what else to do either. Then the young prince lit up with an idea, calling over a guard.

“Dojang! If it’s too much trouble, then can we take your belongings right now?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, sure.”

Throwing the sack at the guard, Chung Myung stared at Tang Bo, still holding the painting in his hands. The dagger wielder turned towards the guard.

“No.”

With the guard nodding reluctantly, the sack was soon transported away.

“So, Dojang! Is there anything you need? Anything at all? Water, alcohol, tea?”

“Why is this kid just listing beverages? This isn’t a restaurant!”

“Yes, Dojang!!”

The sight of a sect’s disciple lecturing a palace lord in his own territory was a strange one indeed. Though the soldiers stationed nearby just smiled warmly, being used to this sight.

Sighing, Chung Myung then finally got to the core of the matter.

“Hey brat-..”

“Yes hyung/dojang?”

…

Tang Bo turned to face an expressionless Seol So-baek, who simply stared at him.

“..Hyung. Was clearly talking to me.”

“No, I think this guest is incorrect. Dojang was speaking to me.”

“Hah! Clearly, you are mistaken. Right, Hyung?!”

Chung Myung blankly stared at a confident Tang Bo. And shattered his worldview.

“No, I was talking to the young brat.”

Jaw-dropping, Tang Bo stilled in his place out of pure shock. Ignoring the other, Chung Myung told a now smug Seol So-baek what they required. In a similar fashion to Maeng So, he ordered a guard to retrieve the crystals.

The two turned back to a now tearing-up Tang Bo.

“..Bo-ya.”

“No! No, why, hyung?! Brat is supposed to be my pet name! What is this betrayal?!!”

“Pet name?! Since when?!!”

“Forever! The beginning!! The moment I challenged you, you said, ‘Hah? What is this brat spouting nonsense about? Come, I’ll smash your head in if you want to die so badly.’ right?!”

“You remember that-?”

“Of course I do!”

Tang Bo cried out, not looking too far off from the image of a wife catching her husband in the middle of a scandalous affair.

“Okay, okay! Uhm, do you want your nickname?”

“Pet name! Pet name!!”

“Fine, fine! Should I keep a special one just for you, then..?”

Remaining silent, Tang Bo sulked. However, he nodded hesitantly, as if not wanting to say it himself.

“Okay, uhm… What about Bo-ya? That’s yours! Never called anyone else that.”

“That’s because it’s my name.”

“Right.. right. Oh!”

Suddenly lighting up, Chung Myung pointed at Tang Bo confidently.

“Leech.”

“..You- you’ve never called anyone leech?”

“Not a single soul.”

“Even during my… absence?”

Immediately, Chung Myung shook his head with a smile as Tang Bo gasped.

“Hyung, that’s so romantic!”

Hey.

Hey, is being called a leech really so romantic ? 

However, Tang Bo was already jumping into Chung Myung’s arms, who had no choice but to catch him begrudgingly with an exasperated smile on his face.

Seol So-baek, meanwhile, just stared at the two and trembled, much to the swordsman’s confusion.

“...Young prince?”

“No, no I..”

“Huh?”

“I don’t want an in-law!!”

…

Huh?

Seol So-baek cried out, turning to the pair with fury.

“No! No, no, no!! Dojang is like family; he’s a dear friend, the most amazing mentor ever!”

“Hehe, well, am I really that great-?”

“You are absolutely spectacular and capable! So that’s why…”

Seol So-baek’s gaze then focused solely on the man being held by his mentor’s arms.

“You can’t marry such a rude man!!”

Chung Myung dropped both his jaw and Tang Bo.

Tang Bo didn’t mind much because he too was wide-eyed at the response from the ice prince. At first, he was shocked, yes, but then he was pissed.

“What?! Why, why can I not marry my hyung?”

“Because you stink.”

Tang Bo can admit that such brutal honesty stung.

However, luckily, Chung Myung came to his aid.

“Hey, no, brat.. that’s just the poisons he carries.”

“Yes! Yes, just poisons you lil shi- annoyance.”

But Seol So-baek still shook his head with disappointment.

“Why are you defending yourself? If you really love Dojang, you would immediately throw those repugnant weeds into the nearest ocean!!”

“Weeds? Weeeddss???”

Tang Bo faced Seol So-baek with a furious expression.

“These are herbs specially cared for and looked after by the Tang Family! We have staked lives getting it from other countries!! Do you know how hard it was… To steal from the Family Head’s chambers?!”

Chung Myung simply gaped at Tang Bo with unconcealed disbelief, but the other continued his rant while Seol So-baek glared at him with distaste.

“No, the herbs aren’t the worst part… You dare doubt my love for hyung?”

Slowly, Tang Bo’s hand reached into his sleeve with an expressionless gaze. Seeing this Chung Myung immediately stepped in between the two, knowing what was going to come.

“Okay, stop! No one stinks, and no one is going to be used as target practice.”

“Tsk.”

Tang Bo removed his hand from his sleeve while Seol So-baek simply turned his gaze to Chung Myung. Immediately, his eyes lost their fury, and he hugged his Dojang sadly.

“Dojang…”

“Hahh.. Yes?”

Pointing to the man across from them, the young ice prince pouted and asked with hesitation.

“Are you.. sure?”

Chung Myung simply chuckled, patting the younger one on the head.

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m sure.”

“Mmm… Okay.”

With a heavy heart, Seol So-baek turned back to Tang Bo, who smirked smugly. The young ice prince really looked the part of a petulant child.

“You may not be on the same level as Dojang’s previous suitor..”

“Wait, what?”

“Cause he was a prince and stuff, and you’re just some guy…”

“No, no stop, who?”

However, Seol So-baek vehemently ignored the persistent questioning, continuing on with his own speech.

“But if you make the Dojang happy, then I suppose you’re alright.”

“I don’t- a suitor..? Did someone try to propose to Hyung?”

Rolling his eyes, Chung Myung clapped his hands, bringing the attention back to him.

“Hey, it seems like your guard’s finally back, brat.”

“Ah-? Oh! Yes, here are your crystals, Dojang.”

Graciously taking the large sack from his guard along with the grass which had been taken previously, Seol So-baek wearily handed both back to the swordsman, who gave a polite nod.

“Nice work. Next time you visit, I’ll take you out to town as a thank you, alright?”

At this the young ice prince’s despondent expression was immediately replaced with a bright smile.

“Really-?! Ah.. well erm, such a thing is unnecessary.. but I won’t reject Dojang's kindness!”

“Yeah, yeah. See you, brat!”

Carrying the materials in one hand, Chung Myung grabbed a still Tang Bo’s hand in his other as they left the palace.

“Come on, leech, we’re heading back to Shaanxi.”

“S-suitor.. another suitor… target practice..?”

“Why does it always come back to target practice with you, huh?!”

______________________

Jang Ilso was by no means a man with a short temper. In fact, it was he who constantly made others lose their temper, never reverse.

The only exception to this rule has been Mount Hua’s Chivalrous Sword, who seemed to know just how to pull at his strings.

Such an entertaining individual that Jang Ilso regrets not meeting him under different circumstances because if previous events had played out in any other way, perhaps they could have been friends. Maybe more, if he really played his cards right, but ah.. what’s done is done.

However, that didn’t mean he’d allow other people to have the privilege of ever possessing what he could not.

Take that prince, for example. Now, there was no reason for him to be pissed about a marriage proposal to the swordsman because it made sense.

He was a worthy suitor, talented in many areas, a surplus of funds, and a face that was quite easy on the eyes. At least when it wasn’t spouting curses and insults at you that would make your ancestors toss and turn in the grave.

So yes, it should have been expected that one day, someone other than Jang Ilso would see these traits and decide to wed the swordsman.

That didn’t mean he had to like it.

But enough about the prince; one must let the dead rest after all.

No, in fact he’d rather talk about the swordsman's new suitor. Seems that Mount Hua’s Chivalrous Sword moved on quickly. 

From what he’s heard, in the past month, a Tang family member had been living it up with the swordsman, being in contact with him all day, every day. Tsk, it had irritated him to no end when he found out. The first one was an easy fix, a quick and easy assassination, though it took a few months of planning due to foreign variables.

Jang Ilso would have thought the second suitor would be easier, considering the familiarity of the Tang’s martial arts and the boy's young age.

That was his mistake, one he’d already foolishly done with his swordsman. What made him think another, such as Chung Myung could not appear? Every single attempt at taking his life failed spectacularly. 

Assassins came back mutilated, dismembered, and sometimes even disfigured on top of it, veins bulging through translucent skin with blood pumping through and stained of a sticky, murky blackness.

Poison.

Obviously, it was expected. They were dealing with a member of the Tangs, after all. But the strange thing is, the suitor had an almost laughable relationship with his family. Tang Gunak clearly did not hesitate to speak out with his hatred for the boy. 

But then… where did Tang Bo get such an exquisite poison if not from his family?

The only possible answer was he either smuggled it through from a family member— doubtful, he’s a member of distant relatives, and no one of the main family has a positive connection to him —or… he created it himself.

At this realisation, Jang Ilso grinned, feeling that this just got infinitely more fun.

“Oh, Swordsman… you always bring around such interesting people. I’ll have to thank you someday.”

…

Interesting was one word to describe him.

Hateful was more accurate, though, as the moment Jang Ilso strutted into Hua-Um prefecture with a smile on his face and tried to wave to a now glaring swordsman, he received five daggers aiming straight for his head without fail.

Jang Ilso swiftly turned his neck to dodge the oncoming attempts on his life, even redirecting the fifth dagger to be stabbed into the dirt behind him.

“Tsk.”

 Hearing the disappointed sound, Jang Ilso turned to see the person who’d had the audacity to even try and take his head out of curiosity more than real anger. Soon, he was faced with a young man, no more than the swordsman’s age at best, glaring at him like he’d just slaughtered his entire family.

“My, and who are you to dare try to take my head?”

“Hahhh? Your head is the last thing on my mind; what the hell is your relationship with my hyung?”

For the first time in a while, Jang Ilso blinked with confusion.

That’s what the brat wanted to know-? Not why every citizen on the street ran away once he arrived? Or why he had an entire troop of warriors situated behind him?

Well, he couldn’t deny his interest was peaked.

“Simple. I am the swordsman’s dearest rival.”

At this response, Tang Bo’s jaw dropped.

“D-dearest-?”

“Rivals, yes.”

“Hyung!!”

Ignoring the very person he’d tried to murder mere minutes ago, Tang Bo ran to a bored Chung Myung.

“Hm?”

“Is it true? Is what this snot-nosed brat saying the truth?!”

The young man cried out with fear, though Chung Myung only rolled his eyes, patting the other on the shoulder as a reassurance.

“Ugh, don’t worry. He’s not dear to me in any way.”

“..And is he your.. rival?”

“Bo-ya, I know you don’t really care about that part.”

Nodding, said Bo-ya, turned to the grinning annoyance with apathetic eyes.

“Okay, you can go now.”

“..Hm? No, no, I think I’d rather stay. This is very interesting.”

Jang Ilso’s eyes flickered between the two, noticing how the Tang boy hadn’t let go of the swordsman since he arrived.

“So you’re the so-called suitor, hm?”

“Of course I am! Is there any other who could take that place?”

“That prince seemed to get along with him very well, did he not?”

These words struck Tang Bo worse than lightning ever could.

“Wh- what?”

Chung Myung knew exactly where this was going, as he glared at Jang Ilso with disdain.

“Hey, you dog-like bastard-?”

“Why, if I recall correctly, there was a rumour going around that the swordsman came back from the other’s country blushing with a rose in his hair?”

At this revelation, Chung Myung closed his mouth, not exactly being able to deny the accusation. Both Jang Ilso and Tang Bo stilled at this response.

“H-hyung?!”

“Look, he just kept flirting, and okay, maybe I was a bit flushed alright, but it was a hot country too!!”

“Swordsman… my, is it really so easy to seduce you? Maybe I should have simply done such a thing instead…”

“Why are you trying to seduce me now too???!!!”

Chung Myung cried out, putting his head in his hands. He didn’t know anymore, this whole place was filled with crazy people.

“Hyung.. it’s okay! I understand…”

“Hah?”

“No one has flirted with you before other than me, so you have no way to deal with it! Like a disease…”

“Huh?”

“We’ll build up a resistance and find a cure!”

Chung Myung slowly stared back at the dirt beneath him. Maybe reincarnating messed Tang Bo up in the head. No, not maybe, more like a definite yes.

Jang Ilso meanwhile shook his head in mock pity.

“Now is such an explanation really-?”

However, all he received was another attempted dagger to the head.

“You. So you’re trying to seduce hyung, too, huh? Huhhh?”

If people thought Chung Myung looked like an asura, they should have seen Tang Bo right now. A face that would make many faint at the mere sight of it…

“Hmm, well, I’ve never tried so far. But maybe I should if such a thing is so easy..?”

Chung Myung barely held Tang Bo back from lunging at the man with only his daggers remaining left to assist him. Meanwhile, Jang Ilso smirked and stared at the swordsman instead.

“Well dear-”

“He is not your dear.”

“...Well, dearest swordsman, this has been fun, hasn’t it?”

“Not at all, but that’s not that much of a surprise. I hardly expected anything from you.”

Waving off the useless formalities, Chung Myung just wished the annoying bastard would leave already. No, actually, why had he come here in the first place?

While he remained perplexed, Jang Ilso turned back to a seething Tang Bo.

“..My poor assassination team is in shambles because of you.”

“Hahh , that was you? Tsk, I should have known at first sight… Now I wish I hadn’t sent their bodies back so respectfully.”

Jang Ilso internally thought, 'That was respectful?’ but said nothing. It seemed best to remain courteous in front of the swordsman.

“Right. Well, in any case, you aren’t expecting me to stop, are you?”

“If you do, it just confirms you’re a coward and don’t deserve any place near my hyung. So really, that’d be preferable.”

“Then I’ll be sure to continue!”

Ending off the conversation with an enthusiastic tone, Jang Ilso immediately turned away from the chaos he’d caused without a care. Soon, though, he stopped in his tracks.

“Ah, one last thing.”

“For fucks sake- what?”

“Swordsman, try to stay away from princes nowadays, alright? Else, they might suffer the same fate as their predecessor.”

With these last words, Jang Ilso chucked an item towards the two, Tang Bo swiftly catching it. His eyes slowly widened in recognition, an empty glass bottle in his hands with an all too familiar smell.

“This…”

“Bo-ya?”

Chung Myung shook the other’s shoulder with barely hidden concern.

“What is it?”

“..Just some fancy smancy alcohol. No need to dwell on it, hyung-nim!”

Though suspicious, Chung Myung opted to believe his friend, as Tang Bo simply stuffed the bottle in his sleeves for a later time.

Although he hated that bastard who’d been trying to assassinate him and seduce his hyung, he had to begrudgingly give him props where props were due. Killing a prince couldn’t be easy.

“So, hyung!”

“Hm..?”

“I thought after we discussed the prince, you’d told me everything there is to know…”

With these words and a glare from Tamg Bo, Chung Myung flinched.

“That- uhm..”

“He put gave you a rose for your hair hm… tch pretentious bastard-”

“No, he uhm, moved some of my hair aside and then put the rose in.”

“What??!!”

Chung Myung’s eardrums rang as Tang Bo’s screech was heard from miles away.

“Never…”

“Huh?”

“I’m never dying again!!”

“That’s against the laws of nature?!”

“Us being here is already against the laws of nature; I’m sure I can do it again!!”

“Crazy leech…”

______________________

Hyun Young wouldn’t say he was a strict man. He was just a bit too.. realistic. Being head of a finance hall for a sect that was only depleting more and more by the day did that to a man.

So is it really that hard to believe that he would worship Chung Myung so much? The disciple who’d singlehandedly solved almost every problem in the sect for simple rewards? It was well known by this point that the youngest was very much the favourite of everyone in the sect, but especially Hyun Young.

So, when Tang Bo, the man who’d made multiple innuendos toward his favourite disciple, started to get down on one knee and bring out a ring box…

Yeah. Okay, he may have punted the kid into the nearest wall.

Causing every disciple to gawk in shock, Hyun Young glared at them, clearly indicating the little shits to mind their own business. Though the Five Swords, who’d seen the occurrence, nodded with approval and gave him a thumbs up.

Nodding back, Hyun Young turned to the two people, his main focus. His precious grandson (self-proclaimed), who was staring at Hyun Young bewildered, and…

“Ow- Elder!! I am trying to do something here?!”

“Tch, you’re still here?”

“Obviousl-!”

However, the poison master’s words were cut short as Hyun Young ran towards him, unsheathed his sword, and swung it down with ease. But the little brat dodged swiftly, running away with haste.

“And where are you going-?!”

His question was soon answered as Tang Bo hid behind an exasperated Chung Myung.

“...”

“...”

“..So this is nice?”

“Bo-ya, what the fuck were you doing?!”

“Well, hyung, I can’t tell you, it’s a surprise!!”

“This surprise is going to get you killed.”

Shaking his head with a sigh, Chung Myung gestured to a now calm, smiling Hyun Young.

“Chung Myung, hello!”

“Hello, Elder…”

“There appears to be something behind you… a nasty pest. Let grandpa get that for you, okay?”

“Uhm, but… I like this nasty pest.”

Tang Bo’s eyes shone gleefully at these words while Hyun Young stiffened.

“Really, Hyung, you like me?”

“Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Hmm, I see Chung Myung… but why do you like him?! Of all the people!! Don’t worry, if you really want to get a lover, grandpa will find someone better.”

With all the chaos, more disciples started to edge closer with intrigue; the Five Swords who previously left came back confused. Soon, even the other elders became involved, as Hyun Jong turned to a fuming Hyun Young.

“Hyun Young? Is something the matter..? Ah.”

As soon as Hyun Jong saw Tang Bo clinging to a now flustered Chung Myung, he too glared at the pair. 

“Chung Myung, back away from the trash slowly.”

“Sect Leader I.. can’t.”

With that, all the younger disciples gasped, the elders simply having their mouths wide open because holy shit. Chung Myung never outright disobeyed the sect leader like that, especially without explanation. Blinking slowly with bewilderment, Hyun Jong coughed into his hand, trying to compose himself.

“E-erm.. right. Well, why can’t you?”

“Well, Tang Bo still needs to tell me something? Can’t he do that first?”

“If you must…”

With a sigh, Hyun Jong allowed Tang Bo to say his share, with the other only grinning smugly.

“Oh? Why, thank you for the opportunity Sect Leader. It is very appreciated.”

While Tang Bo slowly climbed off of Chung Myung, Hyun Jong frowned in confusion.

“What did he mean by that..?”

“Sect Leader…”

Turning to the horrified voice, Hyun Jong was awaited by a ghostly pale Hyun Young, who looked like he’d aged centuries in mere minutes.

“Hyun Young?! What-?”

“You’ve doomed us all…”

Not understanding what he meant, Hyun Jong turned back to the pair and- oh.

Tang Bo kneeled down on the ground with one knee.

“My darling Hyung-nim, whom I adore and cherish with my life..”

Oh no.

“Many have pursued you in my absence, as far as I’ve heard. Last week, I found out even my own cousin had done so before…”

Oh no.

“So, let’s make sure no one tries to do such a thing by showing you are taken for good.”

Oh no.

“Will you, Chung Myung, of Mount Hua, do me the honour of becoming my husband?”

There was, at first, silence. Nothing. No one spoke a word or even breathed a sound.

But then Chung Myung’s already flushed face started to darken as the blood rushed to his cheeks and his clenched fists shook. Everyone half expected he would punch Tang Bo, even Tang Bo, until he let out a trembling voice.

“..Yes.”

And that’s when everything went ballistic.

______________________

So no one took the news well, to put it gently.

The Five Swords instantly tried to attack the pair, but with Tang Bo immediately crying out in joy and tackling a laughing Chung Myung to the ground, they hesitated. Soso was the only one willing to still try and puncture her cousin's spine but was stopped by Yu Iseol.

The Tang Family.. was… certainly a case. They say all of Sichuan shook from the pure rage in Tang Gunak’s scream once he’d received the letter. He, of course, sent a return letter, but the contents were incredibly… diverse . Only curses and death threats spewed out on the first page, promises of pain and agony and inevitable death. Tang Bo’s only response was to laugh and say, “Such cute kids they are.”

Though the second page was much nicer, sending congratulations and praises to Chung Myung, telling him how the other bastard was so incredibly lucky to have him, and he could easily do better. There seemed to be some clear favouritism in play…

The Nanman Beast Palace wasn’t any better, though. The letters were mostly the same usual threats and screaming for the dojang to run away before it was too late. They also made a few claims of unlawful theft? Tang Bo denied the allegations, while Chung Myung didn’t utter a word regarding them.

Surprisingly, Seol So-baek was the most receptive to the whole thing, wishing them both a great wedding and honeymoon. Though he did say a few… colourful words as well. Stating that if Tang Bo ever broke the other’s heart, he would, quote, “...personally shove the bouquet so far up his ass, he’ll be shitting petals for seven months.”

And somehow, beyond all human comprehension, Jang Ilso found out about the whole thing. There wasn’t anything too obvious to state about him, but Tang Bo did have to deal with a surplus of assassins recently… Luckily his fiancee—holy shit, his Hyung was his fiancee!! —assisted in dealing with those vermin.

In the end, Tang Bo may have made himself a public enemy, immediately being hunted down by various people the moment he left Mount Hua.But it was all worth it once he saw the seething faces of the bastards responsible for it at his wedding; he just grinned, grabbed his hyung-nim by the waist, and pulled him in for their first kiss as a real couple.

So if you asked Tang Bo whether going through the trouble of pissing off everyone close to his hyung was worth it? He would give you a definite yes because how else would he have married his beloved swordsman?

And if you told him, “Well, pissing them off had nothing to do with getting married; you could have done that at any other time,” he would deny you ever said that.