“Would you mind helping me?”

“Oh my? Just like that, for nothing in return?”

Tang Sowol licked her lips, her eyes curving like a crescent moon.

Of course, she was probably half-joking. Most of the time, she made such suggestive remarks only to ask for something trivial in the end.

However, after three years, her beauty had flourished even more. And now that she had reached the Peak Stage, her body had become more balanced, naturally drawing the attention of those around her.

Just a moment ago, Chu Jeongsan had been looking at me with sympathy. Now, his gaze was that of someone witnessing betrayal.

Shrugging once, I returned to the table where Tang Sowol and Seol Lihyang were seated.

“Tang Sowol. Do we really need to act like this?”

“And what exactly is ‘this’? I wouldn’t know, so why don’t you explain it to me, Brother?”

“Hmm. If someone overheard, they might think I’m asking for something outrageous.”

“Weren’t you?”

“As you mentioned earlier, tracking poisons isn’t too difficult. So, I’d like to ask you for something that isn’t too difficult either, Brother Cheon.”

Tang Sowol beamed, looking as if she was thoroughly enjoying herself. That expression alone made me uneasy. Just what was she planning to make me do?

As I let out a deep sigh, she waved her hand at me.

When I leaned in closer, she whispered softly into my ear.

The warmth of her breath and her distinct scent instantly melted away any tension in my body. I knew I was walking right into this, and yet, there was no way to resist.

Like a prisoner awaiting execution, I half-resigned myself and waited.

Whisper, whisper.

“…Is that really all?”

“Heavens, Brother Cheon, do you not trust me? Anyone would think I make unreasonable demands all the time.”

“Well, you certainly give off that impression. I was expecting to be stripped to the bone today.”

“But aren’t we already one and the same? What’s mine is yours, and what’s yours is mine. So what would be the point in stripping anything away? Now then, let’s get up. Lady Seo has been glaring at us for a while now.”

Turning slightly, I saw Seol Lihyang with a twisted expression, as if she had just been force-fed something unbearably bitter.

Tang Sowol chuckled at the sight, then grabbed her hand and stood up.

“Come now, lead the way. We should solve the problem quickly and finish our meal in peace.”

“Well... I don’t know about you and Tang Sowol, but Seol Lihyang looks like she’s going to choke on her food at this rate.”

***

“I am Tang Sowol of the Tang Clan. I heard you need help finding Golden Toad. Is that correct?”

“Yes. This deal is of utmost importance to our Golden Flower Merchant Guild. If you find Golden Toad for us, we will compensate you generously.”

“I feel the same way! I can’t promise you anything grand, but if you can clear my name, I will do whatever I can to help!”

Chu Jeongsan and Seo Mun-Hwarin’s desperate expressions didn’t faze Tang Sowol in the slightest. She simply nodded confidently.

“I don’t need a grand reward. I would, however, like to take a small sample of Golden Toad’s poison. Would that be acceptable?”

“As long as it doesn’t harm Golden Toad, you may take as much as you wish!”

“Thank you. And this young lady here is?”

“I am Seo-rin.”

“?”

Tang Sowol tilted her head at Seo Mun-Hwarin’s strange way of speaking but quickly turned to me and, as if understanding something, nodded.

...What? Why was she looking at me like that?

Suppressing the sudden surge of frustration, I watched as Tang Sowol gave Seo Mun-Hwarin a reassuring smile.

“Lady Seo, are you also participating in the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering?”

“That is correct. Though it is a bit early for me, I decided to step into the martial world.”

“Well, if you miss this year’s event, you’d have to wait five more years. That makes sense. May I ask where you’re from?”

“I... I hail from Jiangxi Province. My sect is a small, privately inherited school, and my master instructed me not to reveal our name until I reach a certain level of attainment. I apologize for that.”

Her speech was oddly formal, like someone reading from a book.

She was clearly nervous, but her words flowed smoothly, suggesting she had memorized this explanation in advance.

Unfortunately, Seo Mun-Hwarin had no talent for deception. Her introduction sounded outright suspicious.

Tang Sowol tilted her head again at the awkwardness but soon glanced at me once more and nodded as if reassured.

I had no idea what part of that clumsy explanation had convinced her.

At the very least, when I fabricated my backstory, I made it sound natural—mentioning my origins in Zhejiang Province, covering up my past, and even explaining my martial arts lineage.

I shook my head in disbelief, but only briefly.

Tang Sowol, still smiling, continued, “Well then, how about we have a meal together while you tell me more about Jiangxi Province? I’ve always wanted to visit, but I never had the chance.”

Though she was smiling, her fingers kept poking my back.

Come to think of it, we were originally supposed to pass through Jiangxi Province on our journey, but I had abducted her in Hubei Province instead.

Half of her words were meant for me.

Seo Mun-Hwarin, oblivious to this, widened her eyes.

“Are you truly willing?!”

“Of course. I’m not doing this for a grand reward. As a member of the righteous sects, I simply wish to do the right thing.”

“Huh!”

Perhaps because every time she tried to set out into the world, something forced her to return home early, Tang Sowol looked quite pleased with her first real attempt at playing the role of a righteous martial artist.

Meanwhile, Seo Mun-Hwarin seemed deeply moved by such straightforward kindness—something rarely seen in the unorthodox martial world.

To any observer, we looked like noble disciples of the Tang Clan, stepping forward to right an injustice.

But knowing the truth, I could only suppress my laughter.

Still, I barely managed to keep myself from laughing out loud before Tang Sowol cleared her throat and changed the subject.

“Ahem. Now then, let’s get to the details. Could you explain everything that happened leading up to Golden Toad’s disappearance?”

“Of course. Up until I went to bed last night, I personally confirmed that it was safely in its cage.”

“Was there anything unusual?”

“Nothing in particular… Oh! Now that I think about it…!”

Chu Jeongsan slowly began recounting the events, and Tang Sowol listened patiently before nodding as if reaching an easy conclusion.

“Well, let’s start with the most important part. Lady Seo did not steal Golden Toad. I don’t know why she was wandering the third floor, but she certainly isn’t the culprit.”

“See?! I told you—it was not I!”

“Then… where in the world did Golden Toad go?!”

Seo Mun-Hwarin looked triumphant, while Chu Jeongsan grew increasingly frantic. Before the tension could escalate, Tang Sowol calmly intervened.

"First of all, I can see that the Golden Flower Merchant Guild took great care in preparing to transport Golden Toad, seeking advice and making thorough arrangements. However, there seems to be one overlooked detail."

“An overlooked detail?”

“Yes. As you know, Golden Toad is a spiritual creature that thrives in places filled with Yang energy and naturally accumulates such energy within itself. However, being a toad—an entity innately attuned to Yin energy—it cannot withstand its own Yang energy. To cope, it surrounds itself with a protective layer of poison imbued with extreme Yin.”

“That is correct. That’s why we not only fed it high-Yang food but also confined it in a specially designed cage to prevent any Yin energy from leaking out.”

“That is indeed the proper method to ensure safety. But that safety only applies to humans. Now, could you take us to where Golden Toad’s cage is located?"

"Of course."

Leading the way, Chu Jeongsan took us to his room on the third floor.

There, in the middle of the room, was the empty cage.

Tang Sowol crouched down in front of it, reaching inside and feeling around as she spoke.

"Ensuring that no one gets exposed to Golden Toad’s poison and Yin energy during transport is important. However, sealing the Yin energy inside also means that it accumulates within the cage itself."

Withdrawing her hand, Tang Sowol revealed her fingertips, now dusted with a thin layer of white frost.

"As I mentioned earlier, Golden Toad is a creature that lives in environments rich in Yang energy. But if it were forced to remain inside a cage where its own poison trapped excess Yin energy, what do you think would happen?"

“…Could it have frozen to death?"

"If that were the case, there would at least be a body left behind. More importantly, a spiritual creature has an incredibly strong life force—it wouldn't perish so easily."

"Then where could it have gone?"

"To escape the cold of the cage, it would have sought out the warmest place it could find. Even though it’s a spiritual creature, a toad is still a toad. It couldn’t have gone far..."

Muttering softly, Tang Sowol lightly licked the traces of Golden Toad’s poison from her fingers. Then, without hesitation, she turned toward the window.

Creak.

She carefully pushed the half-open window wider.

There, basking in the sunlight with a drowsy expression, was a golden toad.

"Fortunately, it’s summer. The warmth from the sun must have been enough for it."

“W-What?!"

Chu Jeongsan was initially stunned, but his expression soon shifted to a mix of embarrassment and disbelief.

“…I must apologize to Lady Seo. I was wrong to accuse you so hastily."

"H-Huh? Oh! It's fine! I mean, honestly, who would have expected the toad to be up here? It’s not like it could have climbed up on its own.”

Seo Mun-Hwarin, still staring in amazement at the living spiritual creature, waved her hands dismissively.

Chu Jeongsan, too, let out a deep sigh and shook his head with a troubled expression.

"But still, I did draw my sword and accuse you without proof. I will make amends for that. You mentioned you're attending the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering, correct? That means you'll be heading to Wuhan. Have you arranged accommodations yet?"

"I have not. But as a martial artist, must I be picky about where I sleep? As long as I have a roof over my head to shelter from the rain, it will be enough."

"In that case, why not stay at an inn run by the Golden Flower Merchant Guild? I will provide you with a letter—present it, and you will be allowed to stay free of charge."

"Are you serious?!"

"Of course. I would also like to extend this invitation to the three members of the Tang Clan who helped us. What do you say?"

Tang Sowol, Seol Lihyang, and I exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.

"There’s no reason to refuse. We’ll gladly accept."

"Though we only asked for some of Golden Toad’s poison, solving our lodging problem is certainly a bonus."

"With so many people flocking to Wuhan for the event, finding a good inn later would be difficult anyway. This works out well."

Seeing our positive response, Chu Jeongsan visibly relaxed, exhaling a deep breath of relief.

Ultimately, this incident had forged a beneficial connection between the Tang Clan and the promising newcomer, Seo Mun-Hwarin.

To outsiders, it appeared to be an act of goodwill and trust. But as a merchant, Chu Jeongsan surely had his own calculations. Not that it mattered, since it benefited us all.

"Well… Honestly, I was quite worried for a moment, but I’m relieved that it all worked out. That said, while we've identified the problem, I'm still unsure of how to prevent it in the future. If you have any advice, I would be grateful."

"You don't need to overcomplicate it."

Tang Sowol repositioned the cage near the window.

At that moment, Seol Lihyang stepped forward and placed her hands on it.

The frost that had formed inside the cage rapidly melted away, vanishing in an instant.

She had likely used her Glacial True Qi to absorb only the excessive Yin energy.

As for the lingering poison, Tang Sowol had probably already neutralized it.

Before long, the cage was completely free of Yin energy.

Golden Toad glanced at it, then, with a little wobble, turned around and leaped back inside.

"Spiritual creatures are much smarter than people think. As long as they are provided with comfortable living conditions, they often prefer the safety of captivity over struggling in the wild. If you maintain the right balance, you won’t have to worry about it escaping again."

As she gently stroked Golden Toad’s back and collected its poison, Tang Sowol smiled in satisfaction and gave a few final instructions on how to properly care for it.

***

That evening, after parting ways with Chu Jeongsan, we gathered to drink.

Drunk, Tang Sowol threw one arm over my shoulder while wildly waving her other arm through the air.

"Listen to this! Our dear Brother Cheon, he actually—"

Her words slurred in a ridiculous way, making not only Seol Lihyang but also Seo Mun-Hwarin look visibly exhausted.

Though for a completely different reason, I, too, found myself utterly astonished.

So this was possible...

Even if one's height stopped growing, a poison gland could still continue to develop?