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Chapter Text

Hyeonjong, alongside Hyeonsang and  Hyeonyeong, had been basking in the improvements in their sect.

It was no stranger to anyone in Mount Hua that Hyeonyeong, the finance manager and 3rd elder of the sect, was finally allowing himself to feel greedy for their sect. Having funds for their sect, actual funds, had him in great moods. So, spoiling the disciples with lavish meals, fixing up the barracks and training grounds? Buying good equipment and more? All already covered, and he had funds to spare thanks to the lucrative businesses that Mount Hua had regained its position of. In all his years of living, he never felt better. And all thanks to their mad dog. 

It was also no stranger to anyone in Mount Hua that Hyeonsan, the head of the martial arts office and 2nd elder of the sect, was never prouder of his students... well... Cheong Myeong's disciples- never prouder. He has seen them grow to new heights, to quicker developments and finally seem to resemble what he always assumed the past Mount Hua disciples would be like in skill at their ages. He finds himself eager and happy to go to each training session, to oversee what new tricks Cheong Myeong decides to implement- excited to take over in his place and work the kids to the bone, though with less verbal abuse. They all have grown so well, and he is even more excited to train his own disciples by himself when they take new ones on in later years. To put it all into practice himself, to get the full accomplishment he had been longing to feel for his students for years. In all his years of living, he never felt better. All thanks to the spitefire that is their mad dog.

And it was no surprise to anyone how happy Hyeonjong, the sect leader and first elder of the sect, had become in these times.  Simplifying  it all would be difficult, but he truly, in all his years of living, has never felt better. And it is all thanks to their mad dog, the little beggar turned miracle, Cheong Myeong. 

So, it is no surprise that during a time when Cheong Myeong was back home, he and his closest friends and fellow disciples training each day, eating together and resting together with little event... would make the elders want to do something nice for them all when Cheong Myeong was around to enjoy it too. 

But they didn't all expect to have the same train of thought until they brought it up with each other during a meeting.

So they were in agreement. 

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"Everyone! Before we start our training, I would like to make an announcement! Me and the other elders have been talking." The way Hyeonsan began had everyone's rapt attention, even Cheong Myeong was paying attention... though he was doing so more for the fact that he hopped the interruption would be worthwhile- he wanted to whip these brats to shape after all. "With our most recent supply of high-quality swords from the Tang family, we had noticed everyone wasn't as enthusiastic after the initial change had been implemented... and we realised it was due to a lack of personalisation. So we want everyone to tell us what they individually would love in a sword, and we will send someone to ask the Tangs to create those personalised weapons! Of course, it can't be too drastic, but adding even a simple initial would be a great change, wouldn't it?" he smiled brightly, and immediately, excited murmuring erupted amongst the disciples. As sure, little details wouldn't really affect the use of the sword much, but the fact is? Personalised weapons that would be truly theirs- something they got to choose specifically to add and could recognise? Well, with hellish training, even such a little thing was a rewarding prospect. 

Yet the cogs in Cheong Myeong's brain were turning.

"Sect elder," Cheong Myeong, for once, let the kids be excited and slack off to chatter amongst themselves as he enquired him about this, "Have you and the other elders thought about who is going to ask those poison-aholics about this?"

"Ah, well- we hadn't gone that far into planning this. We just wanted to make the promise now to get everyone in good spirits"

"I will have it handled!"

"Bu-"

"I will have it handled", he repeated with his sadistic and stubborn grin. Causing Hyeonsan to sigh with a soft smile and relent. Because he has long since learned that their youngest disciple was too stubborn to listen to a simple no or rejection. 

"I will inform the others. Just don't get yourself hurt somehow, alright?"

And with that? Cheong Myeong, now with permission, had started training with a cheeky grin. Finally- finally, he had the opportunity to deal with those stuck-up bastards; maybe he could give that Tang Zhan a proper beating this time around. Get that sect leader of theirs to get an even better hold of its elders so they can finally change. Oh. He will make use of this opportunity. No way in any afterlife will he let this carry on for long. He was going to change that sect for the better, or he would die trying. Because he wouldn't be able to face Bo-ya in the afterlife if he didn't make a better attempt to fix his sect... he had to make a better attempt at fulfilling his last wish... or... he... well- 

Cheong slapped both of his cheeks at once, squishing his face and tried to snap out of it.

It wouldn't do him much good right now to focus on something such as that.

Because Bo-ya wouldn't turn in his grave if he tried. And he now had the opportunity to do so, to try for him. He even knew exactly who to bring. Coincidentally, Baek Cheon, Yu Iseol, Jo Geol, Yun Jong and especially Tang Soso had shivered in that exact moment, all slightly faltering with their boulders when they were doing these hellish squats. Jo Geol almost even dropped it upon his fingers, immediately working harder in hopes Cheong Myeong wouldn't notice it and make his life harder. In fact, all 5 of them felt themselves sweat more at the effort... their sixth sense was filled with a common dread. 

They suspected their days would be suddenly filled with stress once more. That something was afoot as Cheong wouldn't be practically going crazy with that gleeful face for nothing. Nor would it suddenly drop to something so serious that he slaps himself and eyes each of them with a goal that screamed nothing but an upcoming predation. They were going to be roped into something again, and no doubt they will suffer from grey hairs young. Because the amount of stress he caused them each was unhealthy. So much so that Baek Cheon had to psyche himself up to just look into a mirror to ensure he hadn't yet started going grey. If his beauty was ruined because of Cheong Myeong when he was still so young? He would probably never recover...

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Training had finished for the day, and the dreaded moment had come. Cheong Myeong had dragged them all outside. And informed them all that they were going, just when Tang Soso felt like she had truly settled in as a disciple and gotten the hang of training. But when Cheong explained his, albeit half-baked, plan? Well, for one, Baek actually celebrated the small victory that there was even a plan to begin with. Quickly followed by the other two boys, obviously thanking the heavens for such a development. Because this was Cheong. The brat who always considered himself a good enough plan for every situation. 

Though Tang Soso brightened. Because, what he wanted to achieve? She had been wanting the same since childhood. Though unaware that his reasonings weren't really for her self-righteous reasons, more to fulfil someone else's righteous wants. She found herself respecting him even more. She had long forgotten her plan to try and marry him, but she wouldn't deny the passion for it did reignite just for a moment, before he picked at his ear with a facial expression only a mother could love. 

So she quickly forgot that train of thought. But it was settled. This was finally happening, and she was practically bouncing on her feet in excitement. And each of them, minus Iseol, who was happy to just stand and listen idly as she normally did, took turns asking about the details. Hoping to solidify a better plan of action than just to pressure the head of the sect to start with small changes, like allowing any daughter of the Tang Sect to have the option to join Mount Hua, using Soso as a reassurance that things would turn out all right. And normalising letting women of the family carry poisons too, for safety and hidden weapons. Not even for martial arts, something small that could be used to untie bindings in case of a kidnapping. Something that won't be searched for, as it is well known that the women of the Tang family didn't get taught any of the hidden weapon-based martial arts. And working on small changes for now, and then seeing how much easier it will be in later visits to bring about more positive changes. Until eventually future generations or, even better yet, this generation can abolish the sexist rules and the backwards mindsets, fixing the sect in rules that do no good.

So, of course, Tang Soso was the happiest of the bunch. Her lifelong wish was actually having efforts made to accomplish it. 

And the others were more just secretly relieved that what Cheong Myeong actually had in store for them wasn't something crazy. Like kidnapping someone from the sect and anonymously requesting the changes as ransom. Such a plan wasn't something they'd consider above Cheong after all. His morals were so questionable that any good deed had to have some sort of catch to it. And with this, the catch was supposedly obvious. So there was no real need to worry.

Well. That isn't true. 

They would end up eating those words when they realised that making this plan wasn't all Cheong Myeong had in store for them. No. There was always a catch, even to such a nice meeting like this. Midnight training until dawn... 

They were going to spar all night and risk being beaten bloody if they didn't comply. How wonderful. 

At least they weren't going travelling the very next day. It would take time to receive every single request from each disciple. So they should at least have tomorrow to sleep. Yet tomorrow's training would be a hell worse than normal with the added insomnia. 

Chapter Text

Tang Soso and Cheong Myeong were the only two out of their little group to start the day energised. The other 4 were not so lucky.

Cheong was a monster in every sense of the word. It only made sense that a full-nighter of just sparing and training hellishly was not something that would exhaust him completely for the day. That he would start his routine of training the kids, being a good elder (despite being, physically, the youngest of the bunch) and not being too harsh today. He was, of course, distracted by the fact that he was finally going to be fulfilling Tang Bo's final wish in some measurable capacity, and that did mean it was the rare time in life when he was not bothered too much about anyone slacking off. In fact, when he asked everyone to race to the top of the mountain and back? He forgot to put a penalty for the last half of the group. So when inevitably everyone who was last awaited for a punishment and realised Cheong Myeong hadn't noticed? A silent consensus was made that whoever reminded him would be deader meat than the chicken that would be served for dinner.

And as for Tang Soso? Her enthusiasm had saved her from feeling any exhaustion. She was too excited to even attempt to sleep today, so she wasn't feeling the sleep deprivation yet. Too happy and energetic for the amount of non-stop training she had gone through. She had even skipped her way up the mountain at some points. Arriving in first place, which was usually only an accomplishment managed by Geol or Jong or Baek or Iseol. For the latest recruit, she did the best out of everyone- even the well-rested. It probably helped that she somehow inherited Tang Bo's energy. Honestly, Cheong Myeong would be constantly freaked out by her if he ever let himself fully register just how similar in energy and spontaneity, and everything she was to him. It would haunt him more than his Bo-ya's ghost would! 

But to summarise, she was on cloud nine. And her ego was definitely better satiated thanks to her being first for the first time ever. Though those who should be celebrating her were at the back of the pack. Which was odd in normal circumstances, but everyone in the sect, minus Soso, was used to seeing them in such a state. Meaning they all could tell their senior brothers and sister had done extra training and didn't comment on how they struggled. 

Well struggled was a kinder way of putting it. They looked drained of life. They all had managed to complete the morning training, yet Geol, Jong, Baek and Iseol were all currently on the ground. Wheezing, half dead and clawing at the air, the ground or merely still. Even though this morning's training had no stakes, the four of them were worse for wear anyways. Obviously in too worse of a state to realise the accomplishment of their friend who had surpassed them this once. Though Cheong Myeong did praise her. Not something he would normally do for any reason, but he was emotional today, and the source was a Tang. So it wasn't too unexplainable why he was being extra nice to her today.

Anyways. Ignoring all this, Cheong Myeong hauled his 4 half-dead seniors on his shoulders as everyone headed towards the mess hall to consume breakfast. Yet there was a line forming at the door. Out of the ordinary. So Cheong dropped his friends carelessly at Soso's feet like the bastard he is. As if they were mere luggage, causing a chorus of slightly pained, but mostly exhausted groans. Before walking ahead and seeing a setup at the doors to the food hall.

It was Elder Hyeonyeong, sitting with a quill and scroll, behind a table that was set out, happily sitting in his chair as he was talking to each disciple, making some notes and then finally letting them inside in an orderly fashion.

An attendant from his finance sector was with him, who seemed to be holding a few backup scrolls. 

And thankfully, Cheong wasn't an idiot. He realised what this was about without needing to go and further investigate. He had wondered how the sect elders were going to get everyone's personalised requests for their sword orders, and he wasn't going to scoff at the efficiency this method posed. Everyone was hungry, and they weren't going to delay any answers because all his senior brothers and sisters were honestly eager to get to breakfast despite their eagerness to get personalised weapons. So Cheong Myeong went back to where Soso was in line, currently doing her best with her limited, albeit superior to his, medical knowledge to ensure the 4 wouldn't pass out from exhaustion... Yeah, it seemed Cheong had gone too hard on them that night. With how energetic Soso was, he figured they were just exaggerating, but maybe she was becoming a bit of a monster as well. Or she was running on pure adrenaline. He wouldn't put it past her. He knew exactly how persistent she could be. It gave him the chills. He wanted to take a swing at her just for it. But she was busy nursing the others whilst waiting in line for their turn, so he held off this once.

And stood around, bored out of his mind. His hands rested on the back of his neck as he kicked a rock. It was good to have this moment of peace, sure. Cheong Myeong did have his own eyebags caused by his own exhaustion after all. He was tired, but more so a bit restless. He didn't want to be standing around whilst he could be heading over to the Tang family and doing something productive. But at the same time, he wouldn't have any excuse to be there if he weren't patient. Plus the others... well, minus Soso were in no condition to travel yet. 

And just to check- he spared a glance at their ghastly faces before looking away. Whistling like he wasn't guilty. But he was. They were a mess... and probably should be excused from training to recover. Honestly, princesses, the lot of them. Couldn't handle a little... okay, he was excessive alright?! Is that what you want to hear!? Damn him! He will let Soso take them to bed for today after they stuffed them with some food, because if they weren't in good shape tomorrow to travel, Cheong Myeong would lose his patience! Be grateful he will even let them rest!

He kicked the dirt in annoyance, and the remaining senior disciples in line could be found sweating. Cheong Myeong, being in a bad mood, was never a good sign. Did he realise he didn't punish anyone extra today? Did he get annoyed by someone somehow? Did the Gods just hate them all today? They didn't know, but they all knew that Cheong would work them to the bone just like their best seniors before he left them again. What did any of them do in their past lives to deserve such a fate at the hands of the devi- The Mad Dog of Mount Hua- Whatever they did? They were truly sorry. Spare them soon, please.

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Baek found himself slumped against the table in the mess hall alongside all the other 3rd and 2nd-grade disciples. Well, only he and Iseol and the other two juniors were physically slumped over. It wasn't even that he was physically beaten up that badly. It was merely exhaustion piled on exhaustion. Nothing to be too ashamed about. It isn't like it was in his control and something he should scold himself over. But what irritated him was that the actual guilty party had the nerve to look guilty for once. Sure, sometimes that bastard wouldn't hide his amusement or anger at him whenever he beat him up. But this was one of the rare times Cheong Myeong looked actually guilty and it pissed him off. He wasn't delicate, and it isn't like he is in that bad of a condition. One of those situations where it looks worse than it is. He truly was just struggling against closing his eyes and groaning from exhaustion. Not dying.

Cheong acting guilty was more just a stab to his ego than anything else. Which is why he was pissed off against the table. Before doing his best to reach out to grab a dumpling in his hand. Too tired to care for etiquette and chopsticks. And feeling more crude than that bastard by his own lack of manners, he stuffed that dumpling into his mouth. Chewed and then swallowed, though not without difficulty.

Logically? It's better to prioritise gaining energy, and eating helps. Even though every fibre of his being hated him for it.

And he seemed to be in the same boat as Geol, who had managed to call out with some difficulty, "Senior brother- how can you even eat... I can barely move my mouth," then he followed it with a frustrated huff. Obviously, with Cheong Myeong right beside him, he couldn't say much else. And so much for him supposedly being barely able to move his mouth. Sounded like he could speak just fine to Baek. 

But before he could call him out for it? Cheong swiftly struck the back of his head with a fist "Stop complaining, senior brother. You can move your smart mouth just fine. I'm not going to keep hand-feeding you everything in life- there comes a time when a boy must learn to eat by himself and become an even older boy. Considering you are still far from being a man." Which sounded like random, nonsensical olden wisdom that just had no place at this table. Yet Cheong wasn't one to care. 

"Hey! Since when did you hand-feed me anything?! You jerk! Here I am struggling, and you strike me when I'm down?! This is abuse, I say!" But Geol made no extra move to do anything about it. Not really meaning what he said in an aggressive way, despite the outburst. It was truly just the banter, and it was the new normal Baek had adapted to. 

"You are like a baby lamb who can barely walk! And I've found myself the unwilling mother helping you out!"

"Stop with the random metaphors!!! You aren't making any sens-" and Geol was cut off by a loud snore that drew everyone's attention. And huh, Jong was asleep already. "Senior brother, you lucky bastard..." He instead mumbled under his breath, and Baek had to admit he was envious, too. Yet he refused to try and sleep anywhere near the food they were eating. 

But then he decided to see what Iseol and Soso were doing because they were just so quiet. And damn. He had to bite down on his tongue from more jealousy as Soso was currently feeding Iseol like a mother pampering their cute child. He wished to be pampered like that by a girl, too. Especially now that his arms failed him, so he looked away and tried to ignore the sight of Soso tending to her because he would be fueled with envy.

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Iseol woke up feeling lightheaded. Dehydrated. So she simply drank water. Re-energised. It helped that Soso shared the female barracks with her since there were few female disciples. She was able to help her rest comfortably. Though she would need to thank her at a later date, as it seems Soso has already awoke. Not in bed.

Well, later today at least. So she got ready for the normal routine of early morning training- to find the others already up but... not training?

Which did confuse her as it was their normal, but instead they had luggage on hand... so, oh- they must be ready to depart. And making use of her little presence, she left the way she came before she was noticed by even Cheong Myeong and readied a rucksack of essentials for the journey. And went back out and joined the group as if she had always realised they would be heading out as early as possible.

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They had left Mount Hua surprisingly unceremoniously this time around. Both Cheong and Soso practically rushed everyone out. Both having their reasons for wanting to get to the Tang Family as soon as possible. Cheong had been the last to arrive with his own packed satchel and an extra one filled with scrolls of all the personalised weapon orders and other scrolls written by the sect leader for the head of the Tang family. And that was really it. They just left without saying goodbyes, as it wasn't a journey that would be so treacherous to need goodbyes. 

And so they were off. And all are surprisingly anxious. 

Cheong had let them sleep off the night without hassle and even let them, somewhat, sleep in for the day. Didn't even make them do any last-minute morning training. So, of course, they had been tense going down the mountain. Anticipating a sudden training proclamation that was an excuse to beat them up. 

But Cheong seemed to be too lost in his thoughts. Most likely being an abnormal person again, who couldn't be his own age. Always seeming older and beyond his years. That didn't mean they were safe from anything. 

Cheong was such a monster... such a demon that travelling with him could be more of a challenge and fear than any training could do. Sometimes they'd placate him with alcohol, but they weren't making any pit stops. Cheong wanted to get there fast, and Soso was only encouraging it. They were surprisingly effective when they worked together. But it meant an unpredictable, sadistic time bomb was in their midst, and it did no wonders for their nerves....

And logically, walking around aimlessly would be no help.

So Jong went ahead. And seemed to have the insight to use some savings Cheong had gotten from the head of finance to rent out a wagon for them all to use... and Soso did the kind thing and offered to pull it. Iseol, who was more well-rested thanks to her assistance, decided to show her appreciation now by assisting her. So the girls dragged the boys along on the wagon. Talk about gender role reversal. Because look at our 4 passenger princesses?

They didn't pull the wagon the entire time. They took intervals with the others. Baek and Cheong were next, then Geol and Jong. But eventually Cheong decided to pull the thing along himself. They were going too slow for his liking, and Baek's assistance didn't hurry things along.

Yet it was surprisingly a good thing. As Cheong burned off a little of his steam. 

And this still didn't do any good for anyone's nerves, as he was still unpredictable. You could tell these disciples lived in fear of Cheong Myeong. Even from a distance as despite him doing all of the work, none of them dared to look lazy or ungrateful for it. 

And that was how they spent the entirety of the trip. In an unsteady limbo of trying to not piss Cheong off who genuinely was so focused on his Bo-ya's last moments that he had forgotten about the responsibilities of training his brats behind him. That he wasn't even going to be angry unless they did something deliberate against him. He was that unfocused...

Because he was getting closer and closer to the family that his best and only friend wanted to fix. And he was being mushy by caring too much about it.

Chapter Text

Going to Sichuan was much easier this time than it was the last time. Well... for Baek, Iseol, Jong and Geol. Soso was still bouncing with excited energy in the cart as Cheong Myeong dragged them along. It being her first time travelling back home with the group, she was unaware of the hell the other four had gone through the last time they made their way to Sichuan, the territory of the Tang Family Clan.

The others did eventually develop an uncomfortable acceptance, yet were unwilling to put their guards down. Because the last time they travelled this way? They were beaten over and over, and were fatigued but beaten stronger. A frustrating and confusing cycle that devastated them at first. Contradicting their perception of being physically assaulted. Which was still a hard concept for them to grasp. But it had happened, and the fact that they were already going through the deja vu of returning here, but without the beating, made them uneasy. Guards up, because they did know better with their youngest sect brother. That at any moment, he could test them. 

And when they arrived, making sure to pay someone to return the cart to Mount Hua's region... well, it was somewhat odd to have had such an easy journey. They had barely trained, as if Cheong Myeong was merely trying to rush there. Unusual, as he was always the one who insisted on training first. It was a nice change of pace for their sore muscles. So Geol was confused. Because that keen bastard was never this agreeable. 

"Hey Jong- do you think something is wrong with Cheong? He seems weird," he whispered, hand cupping his mouth to speak in this hushed tone into his senior brother's ear. 

To which Jin fully nodded, agreeing without question, "He seems to have his mind elsewhere, but I trust Cheong won't do anything that will be too drastic. He seems to be in a good mood, despite being definitely less crazed... or maybe even more crazed than normal."

"You call that a good mood?" To which Jong shrugged this time. 

"Well, he's not in a bad mood", to which the logic was simple and made sense. Though this wasn't like their normal brat's good moods. So it was truly nothing more than weird. 

"Oi- hurry up, you slow pokes!! There's going to be a feast with our names on it, so get lazy, then you good-for-nothings!" Cheong Myeong called back, annoyed by their slacking. 

They were all headed to Jo Geol's home, because it gave him the opportunity to check in with his family, and allow the six of them a bit of luxury to enjoy. Such as lavish food. Cheong's gluttony had suffered back home, where he couldn't enjoy a meal so lavish. He was sick of meat like some of the rest of the disciples, and Geol's family had some of that good stuff.

Yet... once they got to the unnecessarily large gates, a familiar dynamic played out where Baek, Iseol, Jong and Cheong gave upturned, judging glances towards Geol... and this time towards Soso too. 

Simply because they were rich bastards, who grew up with that good life. This life where they could eat lavishly without realising that most people didn't get to have such a rich palette. These 4 bums certainly didn't. They probably didn't understand the value of a meal before Mount Hua, and Soso never knew the poverty of Mount Hua either. Lucky bastards who lived the rich-rich life. That was what was on their minds as the gates opened. 

And Geol could feel those familiar judging glances, and the sudden divide in their group between social class. Though he was just grateful that he wasn't on the other divide by his own this time, not the sole one being judged. But it certainly didn't reassure him that Soso seemed not to register it all. Why would she? No one said anything aloud, and her mind was still focused on her sect. Hell, even the simple fact that she would soon reunite with her brothers and father to show off her development and be an example, like Iseol was to her, to the rest of her family, that the women of the Tang Clan were plenty capable of martial arts. 

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"Second Master Geol!! What a pleasant surprise! You will make your parents incredibly happy to see you again- come, come! I know that you and your company won't stay for long, there isn't much reason to, but your parents would love an extended visit," the old man who greeted them at the gates spoke with teary eyes. Ever the overly emotional elder who greeted them last time. Who also didn't hesitate to hug Geol again, repeating the awkward history. 

At least he wasn't bawling his eyes out like Geol came back from an army... Though Mount Hua under Cheong Myeong was a definite contender for the army... but Geol still felt a little awkward at seeing Mister Sam so emotional over his return "thank you Mister Sam, I know it is out of the blue, but we were hoping to stay the night" And he pat his back to try and calm him a little, because he didn't know what else to do at that moment whilst the others looked on. 

"Of course-yes-yes we will arrange it immediately-" then he turned back and called out "Arrange rooms for the young master and his company!! And someone inform the Masters that their second son has arrived!!" Before snapping back to Geol, "Goodness, young Master, your timing is unfortunate. Your brother left for a business trip just this morning, you must have missed each other on the way here"

"Oh, well, it isn't the worst thing to miss him for now. When will he be back? I think we will be in Suichan for a while before we return to Mount Hua, we have a lot of orders to wait for"

"In 2 months, I do not know all of the details, but it might be quite the lucrative trip-"

"OI! I'm happy you both are reuniting, but it's rude to leave us unattended and ignored outside of the gates!!!" Cheong Myeong called out, making Baek face palm. The trip was going so well, he was being so agreeable (yet also disturbingly inactive), but he just had to open his mouth. Curse Geol for holding them up, making Cheong impatient... Baek just pleaded silently with the heavens that his annoyance would fade before it became their shared problem.

Thankfully, it wasn't too long after that when they were finally ushered in, when Geol's parents greeted him and his friends, but looked towards the divine dragon with weariness fitting towards Cheong Myeong. 

Guiding everyone inside to talk, to learn of their plans and to merely catch up. Why? Because they were doting parents.

And Baek had to stop himself from showing his resentment for that. Because jealousy would be unwarranted and unsightly right now. Iseol actually had to smack his head to help straighten him up, so that was already embarrassing enough. At least no one noticed, she was the healthiest among them, her presence so negligible her acts were naturally unobserved. Though it was also just unfair to be jealous about a living situation. Especially his young sect brother's happy family, who treated them so hospitably. Though Cheong Myeong's scoffs helped ease his ego. Made him feel slightly normal for his crude emotions. And also made him question his morals. Glad he was so used to burying those questions, as he didn't want to process how much Cheong had affected his righteous mind.

It did also did not help that he couldn't help but notice how at home Tang Soso seemed to be, more so than even Geol was at the moment. She really was a born and bred noblewoman. Seeming right at home with the luxuries around her, eating the array of snacks given to them all with an elegance that somewhat impressed and ticked him off at the same time. 

Cheong seemed to merely give her a passing glance and let her be. Iseol- Baek had to look around for her once more, because her low presence made him forget she was right beside him- was as quiet and dull as always, and Jong was surprisingly also being quite respectful. Understandable as the oldest of their current Cheong generation of the sect, but also not something he expected anymore between the 6 of them, after all, with Cheong Myeong, all of them had become... embarrassingly rowdy.

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"So! You 6 are heading to the Tang Estate? I'm proud that Mount Hua was able to develop such a connection, that it was you all alongside my son who established the friendship... but are you sure it will be safe? There could be resentful elders or even youngsters among the Tangs still left since the last time each of you ventured here and... made a commotion" Geol's father shared his concerns with a surprising gentle firmness. The master of this house was fair to be concerned. He was around when Cheong was stabbed, his son was injured despite his victory against a Tang, and for the initial targeting of his home by the Tangs. And not really around for the resolutions the group had.

"Father, we will be okay. No one will be poisoned or hurt, and if anyone tries, we can hold our own. Mount Hua is strong, stronger than their poisons"

"HAHA!! Well said, you snott-nosed kid! I will happily drink to that- look at you making me a proud old man!" Cheong called out with childish glee, taking that moment to down the bottle of sake he had his grubby hands on... causing every one of the Mount Hua disciples to side eye him, looking at him with confused regret. Because he was the youngest in that room. And Jin merely shook his head towards Geol's father's confusion, a suggestion to just... not think about it. It wouldn't make sense, no matter what he would think of it anyway. Cheong Myeong was an enigma better left unsolved.

"Well... I would like everyone's word that my son won't get into any conflict that isn't necessary for his honour as a man. And as a Mount Hua disciple... I realised I cannot change his path, nor ensure his safety, but his honour I will ensure." This mere statement stunned the said son. Because how could he even break the news to his father that with their bastard of a wild card... his honour is already long go-

"Of course. I stake my own honour to ensure my sect brother's own will never be tarnished, keeping his, yours and Mount Hua's name clean" Baek, for his credit stood, bowed and lied through his teeth. Because he had as much of a tarnished honour as the rest of them. Geol couldn't even look any of them in the eyes when they deceived his father just to spare his feelings. He felt so ashamed that he suddenly wished his afterlife to take him now and spare him this guilt. To which Soso patted his back to offer some measure of comfort. 

Baek, for his credit, kept his head down too, not facing the relieved father in the eyes either, because he knew what he just said was messed up too. He may not be able to even sleep tonight. Damn.

"Can we have seconds, please? I haven't had crab since I was home!" Soso said cheerfully, she seemed to be the only one truly enjoying herself on this trip. And you know what? Baek merely thought, good for her. His resentment calming after his morally questionable stunt. 

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"Father... you know I don't need you to babysit me when I dose my own food with poison for cultivation"

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.

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"I'm merely impressed at how much you are managing to consume already. It is a shame... that you are stubbornly refusing to learn the techniques to utilise that poison... but it is still honourable in itself, you are still paying homage to it all by at least concentrating your blood and gaining an immunity despite your resistance to focus on anything but healing arts and hidden weapons." 

Tang Gunak straightened himself from leaning over his youngest son's shoulder. He was a rowdy child, one whose behaviour could rival that divine dragon... it was why he was so willing to allow Cheong Myeong of Mount Hua rob him blind. He saw the personality of his son in him... The excessive drinking, the greed, the genius found rarely in each generation, the secrecy, feeling like he was older than his actual age... the random ideas that rivalled the long-held traditions of their sect, the many attempts, begging and arguments to try and convince him to change it all, back when the elders prevented him from doing so... Straining their relationship... It made Cheong Myeong more tolerable; he had practised with his own child for so long. On how to handle a child like that.

And it made him so much more grateful that Cheong Myeong had changed their sect for the better, as he could slowly start listening to his son, changing small things... and making his Bo happier than he had ever seen him. 

Though he would do everything in his power to keep these two disorders away from each other. If their chaos clash...? It would mean a horrid fate for both Mount Hua and the Tang family.

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"Ha! Stubborn? Me? Father, you know nought of stubbornness," Tang Bo chuckled, chomping on the potatoes of his meal, and the potato berries that accompanied them. Smiling as if nostalgic. 

"I believe I do. But ignore me, I have duties I must attend to. You should train with your elder brother after your meal. I'm sure you will beat him with ease, as is normal, but do make sure to teach him along the way. Your genius should be used for more than yourself" 

And with that, Gunak left the room. And Tang Bo could finally sigh. It was odd having a sect leader as a father, it was odd that his ideas were being indulged, and it was depressing being a teenager once more. 

He looked at his plate of poisoned goodies and grew dreary. Because poison was the very thing that killed him.

Yes, he collapsed in Cheong Myeong's arm, yes, he was dying, but the simple pain relief, the only healing Cheong could even do...? That saved his body from dying from shock. Allowing him to focus his energy on surviving... even when shaky hands and tears no longer were felt on his whitening skin. Enough time to focus his qi on stopping the bleeding. Enough time for the Tang family to find him, despite having fled when that demon threatened the entire livelihood of all... and brought him back from the brink of death...

And yet, when he heard of Cheong's victory and death from his medical cot? When he was recovering from the worst moments of his life, knowing he couldn't help his one true friend as he faced a man he was even scared to face... just to learn Cheong did it, but his life... and basically all of Mount Hua's was forfeit? He freaked.

He tried to jump out of bed- to make a run for it- to... to... he didn't know. Disprove it- or somehow bring him back from death, just like he was...

And like an idiot? Through his grief, he didn't even see him- or who it even was... but he fell onto a fellow elder. Who had an open wound... which grazed his own. And the sheer poison of his blood... and the fact that his own poison arts were so undertrained? His sickly body couldn't handle it, and the irony of the Master of Shadows dying to Poison despite his family lineage... was one of the secrets the Sect still held.

He wouldn't repeat that same mistake... and he also long realised that living was so depressing when he still had no best friend left beside him.

He sighed once more, ate his fill of his poisoned meal... and began to meditate, to cultivate and concentrate the poison and force a quick immunity... because living life by the motions was helping a lot. And at least he could fulfil his own last wish and fix his own family, take care of them all when he put the unfair burden on his deceased best friend unnecessarily, as Cheong... didn't live to even take care of himself.

...

Chapter Text

Cheong Myeong was a brat, a drunkard, wise beyond his current incarnation's years, reckless, insensitive, not at all empathetic... we could go on and on. But he wasn't unaware of anything going around him. He wasn't stupid; his intelligence was up for debate. Instead, he could be credited for the fact that he was at least aware of everyone being in their own little worlds. Baek and Geol sharing guilty looks, Soso getting comfortable feeling spoiled for the first time in months, Iseol was an enigma not even the Sword Saint could crack... Jong was actually being oddly like Elder Sister today. He was quite tame and quiet, so that he wasn't noticed. And Geol's father, to his credit, was doing his best not to inquire his son about one of the two females in their group. To his credit, Cheong could only tell he was curious because the guy was treating Soso nicely to see how his son would react... or he was doing so because he recognised her as a Tang. Either or. It seemed Iseol was at least not on his radar, probably because she had so little presence he forgot to consider her.

And Cheong could tell merely because he had exploited people who sucked up to him so much that he could recognise the pattern in others, too.

Ha. That would be a fun, awkward conversation between father and son, for Geol to haunt himself over with later.

He was also aware that the Tang clan would know that they were here. Would they find it disrespectful that the disciples of Mount Hua didn't greet them first? Happy that they gave them enough time to prepare for their arrival? After all, they neglected to send word ahead. Or maybe one of the sect elders sent a letter ahead of them. Cheong's mind was filled with the Tang clan a lot lately. 

The last wish of Tang Bo was to take care of them in his place... and all he did was secure leadership of the current Sect Head. Tang Guak... and get rid of some of the corrupt bastards. But Tang Bo would never be satisfied with that. 

He let himself think that he would be... the journey for the Primordial Panacea ingredients was a greedy quest that he had wanted to rush back to. He let himself believe it was enough to fix the influence of power upon the sect... without actually ensuring better livelihoods for the family, he didn't really do anything to correct their bias towards poison rather than their hidden weapons... so little done. So much that could be done, apart from the obvious sexism that he and Soso plan to correct this time. He hadn't really fulfilled Tang Bo's dying wish, and that revelation had crushed him...

And it was haunting him recently.

Just like the spies of the Tang clan outside this room.

It wouldn't be foolish to assume Tang Guak had added at least one to Geol's family home. Not to monitor, but to ensure the safety of their closest link to Mount Hua here, through Geol's family. Obviously, because Geol is from Mount Hua, if that was not clear.

Though if these spies were around, they would be like ghosts... like the ghost he misses the most at the moment. His Bo-Ya. 

...

He needed to get his mind off that brat... he was getting too distracted from his food, and if he didn't eat like the glutton he usually was, it would only concern the kids around him. It wasn't as if Cheong Meong was blind to the fact that he had been acting off this entire time. That he hasn't been acting normally. Guilt would do that to a person. Yet he shouldn't allow it to affect him as much as he has been letting it. He was going to fix his mistakes now, and he will get over the worst of it because he is doing something about it.

It wasn't too long after that when Baek noticed the familiar sight of Cheong stuffing his face with little to no care about manners. Even downing a bottle of sake as if it were water. It had taken him long enough to eat properly. To act somewhat normal again. One of the few comforting moments of that night. Yet Baek couldn't help how his own stomach twisted with the fact that he found this brazen display of eating like a swine, from someone who influences their sect so much, as a comforting sight. How far had he fallen now? He stopped being able to tell a few thousand training sessions ago.

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They all hadn't even retired for the night when a guest from the Tang sect showed up in a Palequin of sorts. It was Tang Ho, the one who had first faced Geol and lost in this very place. 

He was eventually greeted inside, due to the non-hostile intent and Geols father's hopeful optimism that now that Mount Hua and the Sichuan Tang Clan were now friends would mean he could trust them all together in his home. Yet he did seem to still bow respectfully as if he still had to act subservient to the Tang Family.

"I will not interfere in this family greeting for too long, I am merely here to see my own sister- where is- Soso!" Tang Ho beamed when he spotted her sitting amongst the others "You look stronger, Father will be proud and our cousins jealous. Even Zhang will envy you at home." He joked as Soso and him naturally came together for an embrace, her abandoning her quickly food to do so. It seems Soso wasn't just doted on by her father but truly cared for by her own family. Ignoring the envious other disciples, he continued. Somewhat rude in the sense he wasn't really acknowledging the others yet, but Cheong could appreciate a straight-to-the-point rational person who was merely distracted by seeing the sister he had missed for the past months.

"I am here on Father's orders, I will admit. He wants you home tonight, and for your fellow disciples to come tomorrow morning." And as if predicting the protest about to come, he turned to bow deeply, arms folded above his head towards both Cheong and, surprisingly, Iseol "I am aware that such a request to separate you all must seem sudden, rude and unfai,r but please before any reasonable protest, let me defend my father's decision. This is the first time sister Soso has returned to her home in months after the first time leaving home. Mother and our other brothers, and especially father, have missed her so. And we do not want to bother our friends of Mount Hua whilst we baby her. If possible, we would like to keep our family reunion and the arrival of Mount Hua a separate junction. So we can celebrate Soso's return tonight and then celebrate her as the friend of the Tang Clan by being a part of Mount Hua alongside all of you arriving at our humble home."

His words were oddly practised, and after moments of silent scrutiny being shared amongst the group, Iseol bowed back and said, "It is Soso's decision. We would prefer it to be welcomed wholeheartedly as a group, but we understand the familial aspect of the scenario. So it is up to her."

The way the pressure of the situation switched to Soso actually seemed to relieve her brother. Thanking Iseol kindly before turning to his sister, "We do have your bed set up for you, and I'm quite sure everyone wants to hear of your progress together. Even our youngest brother is curious about how you have developed as a fighter. But again it is father's request. Usuall,y he has a reason for haste, so whatever you say".

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Soso had left with her brother. It seemed the palequin was to ensure safe travel within the night, as it was already dark when they had left. But it was probably an unnecessary precaution considering the two were both martial artists... In all honesty, the entire scenario was an oddity for Jong. For Tang Gunak to have such a thing, decided so hastily, and rushed it without at least ensuring the interaction would have gone 100% smoothly? Out of the ordinary. But it was Soso's brother and blood family. She should be fine, and they were all going over tomorrow. It was probably for something silly, such as the well-heard about, but known little of, Tang Secrets or something along those lines. 

"How much do you want to bet she gets to go first because of rich privilege?" Cheong spoke up.

"I'll take it. I think it's a family secret type of thing."

"I'm siding with Cheong", Iseol said, all of a sudden appearing next to Cheong, who was getting better at pretending he didn't just have a heart attack at her jump scare.

"I think she's actually, you know, having family time? Like he said they would?" Geol, of course, being the rich boy with a loving family, couldn't really support either side, so he was left with just trusting Tang Ho's words. 

"I bet doing laundry for the next year, he gave the genuine reason, too. I rather trust noble honesty still exists." Baek spoke up. Mainly hoping for truthful humanity to still exist in the world after seeing the disciples around him care not for it more and more.

Bets were made, two vs two vs one.

"Laundry- plus money to buy some alcoho-" Cheong started but was cut off by a curt-

"Don't push it, we are supposed to be Taoist" by Baek, who, for once, retired to bed without wishing anyone goodnight. Obviously, done with everyone's shenanigans for the day.

....

Unlike Baek, the others stayed up to socialise with Geol's father a bit longer. Who acted as if he never even heard them make such bets because he had learned not to get involved when it came to business between Mount Hua and the Tang Clan.

Chapter Text

It was kind of Jo Pyung, Geol's father, to trust them all in the same room for the night after how they wrecked it the last time. It was kind of him to still be so hospitable despite how he was aware that trouble seemed to follow them... It was kind of him to act as if it didn't bother him that his son had seemed to be fully integrated into this sect despite their own family traditions. Yet he wouldn't think his actions as anything grand. He was glad that he was witnessing how much more grown Geol seemed to have become, how more assured he was of his own capabilities and the pride he bore evolving to be greater than ever. Pride in himself and his sect and his friends. A father wished nothing more than for his son to be in such good spirits... yet after taking in a peek at the quarters he had lent his son and his friends... it was revealed that none of them were particularly merry at that moment.

And, like the wise merchant of the four seas, he knew better than to touch any of that. They were all budding adults... soon enough. He didn't need to interfere with this teenage angst. Especially not that of martial artists. He wasn't stupid. So he retreated. Obviously, knowing that they would have noticed him checking in, and hoping they appreciated his lack of interference. Because, again, he knew better than to get involved with whatever was going on inside that room.

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Jong, arguably, had been keeping himself better behaved than most of the people in this room. Not an uncommon situation, but it was odd to be the only sane one in the room. Usually Geol or Iseol was fine, sometimes Baek was fine instead of Geol and him... it was less rare to be punched in the face by a baby than Cheong Myeong to have his head on his shoulders... but Iseol was arguably the most composed, albeit maybe the most weird of the group. Now his perception of reality was getting more skewed.

"We have to do something about this!! Why did we just let Soso go off on her own? We have responsibility for her well-being! She is our sect member- are we so crass to not have at least escorted her to her family home?!" Baek was obviously freaking out. 

"Shut Up! I'm trryYying to drink you, bratty-... BrAt!" Cheong was, pretty much, acting more normal than before. Taking swigs of sake, raising his drunken fist as if he was contemplating shutting him up himself or if he wasn't worth the time it could take to drown himself in another pint of this devil's drink.

"She is a big girl. We can trust her judgement and to look after herself. She is with family"

"Who are you convincing with that sorry excuse of reassurance?! Yourself?!" Baek would have seemed crude in such a moment... if he wasn't completely valid for finding her attempt meek. Just look at her. Squatting in the corner... drawing aimless circles on the floor, mushrooms growing on her head. Despite how calmly spoken Iseol just was, she was obviously depressed. Hardly the show of confidence in Soso. And she just grumbled in return... which made sense. She spoke up for once. It was already a miracle. And lastly... Geol was, for once, partaking with Cheong. A faraway look of guilt in his eyes. Staring blankly at the walls. Obviously, now that he was drunk, he seemed to be lost in his own world rather than grasping any sanity Jong needed him to have in this moment.

"Why are you even getting pissy about it now, you brat!!! Earlier, you were all like Oh, I bet laundry that she is spending time with her family- blah bla- hic- blah BLAH!!!"

"OBVIOUSLY, we were in front of that idiot's dad! I know better than to raise my concerns in front of others!! Iseol obviously does too!! Just look at her now compared to when Soso was getting ready to leave."

"All great points, everyone! But we can just- leave early tomorrow? Make sure she is alright then- or Sajae, want to do one of those nightly excursions of yours?" Jong was now having to try to reason with a drunkard time bomb, a comically depressed Sister, a supposedly righteous yet stressed Hyung and a dissociated fool he called a best friend. "Maybe the rest of us then can go to bed early- you know, so that we can wake up early. You know, like we thought you were doing when you left so dramatically earlier," he turned to face Baek, who just scoffed. Real mature. Maybe he should just give him a beatin-

"No, not up to wasting the alcohol to sober up", Cheong just gruffed, thereby destroying one attempt at giving the two supposedly older people any chance of reassurance.

Damn, was this going to be a long night? 

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Tang Ho instinctively reached out to help Soso down from the palanquin, but she had jumped down herself by the time he offered his hand. Odd, but not entirely out of character for her. She was independent enough to handle such a thing since she was tall enough to get out herself... Ho wasn't exactly trying to baby his sister, though it was hard to separate how he used to help spoil her with how she was now. Someone who could leave their sect on her own, someone a part of another sect. A grown woman not overly fond of the more... chivalrous mindset of their family. He himself didn't get it, but he was encouraged to give any woman princess treatment, and that has stuck with him. Only when Soso started to bring up her initial concerns did Tang Ho ever consider the treatment differently, patronising... And he curses himself for not knowing in moments like these what is too much and what is politeness.

But she paid it no mind right now. She was happy to see her family, and Tang Ho was happy to see her in good health. "It is good to see that they have treated you well in Mount Hua. Do you attend training as rigorously as you should? Have you learned new Taoist scriptures? I'm sure it is a much different environment there than it is here."

"We tend to learn more practically... I think a lot of the original scriptures are lost or just verbally spoken, since I did not have to study at all to catch up. But it is different... it is nice to be equal."

"You are equal anywhere, except in terms of experience and age. I am sorry that you couldn't find such an equal footing here, and instead elsewhere. But you should be seeing changes being made around here"

"Yeah, that would be great- ... Huh?" Tang Ho had to suppress an eye roll at her confusion. Standing in front of the closed gates so late at night, knocking and waiting to be let in.

"Do you truly not believe Father, our brothers and I wouldn't try to make some changes now that we have the opportunity? Tang Bo, especially, he is our youngest, but as soon as he had a say, he was very much like his namesake. Preaching like he was an elder and wanting to make changes... he very well may be the next Dark Saint in politics alone. And since the more troublesome elders have gone? Father has been making changes at a decent pace. Not too soon or too drastic, but enough that they will build a foundation for future changes."

And Soso was admittedly just... gobsmacked. She was under the impression for so long that she could be the catalyst for any change in their family, and to hear that it had been happening without her..? Of course, it made her happy, but also... was she disappointed? The door opened, and Tang Ho led the way inside. Soso followed behind him, a pace after him. And it was late now, she didn't expect anyone to greet them, but the sight of her father approaching alone, happy and relieved to see her? She couldn't deny a moment of childish behaviour and ran to him. Enveloping him in a hug that he reciprocated. Maybe she was just looking for some comfort for her momentary guilt, maybe she had missed him more than she cared to admit. Before she left, she was spoiled, and now that she has returned, she has appreciated him so much more. 

"Ho, go and inform your brothers to go to the main room. We shall join shortly," Tang Gunak said with a fondness he reserved just for his children. And watched as Ho left as Soso finally let go, taking a step back to look up at her father. Feeling like his little girl all over again. But she was also different now, more aware of what hells this world had to offer. "Dear Soso, you look stronger, you must have worked hard", were the first words he had spoken to her, and they were the best thing she had heard him say in a good while. Not that he never spoke fondly, but because it was validating.

"I have, Cheong Myeong is a beast."

"Ah, I'm sure he serves as good competition"

"...competition? He's practically our second instructor" This revelation shouldn't have surprised Tang Gunak; he was aware of that boy's martial prowess and strength... but it was still jarring to hear that one of the youngest Sajae of their sect handled instructing the older students.

"...Then he must work alongside some of the upper generation of disciples-"

"He teaches the Baek students as well."

And so he just sighed. That was on him; to expect any sense of normalcy on such a dragon was his own fault. But also just... more reason to prevent him from interacting with Bo. Bo was too independent of his own training to even humour a bra- a young, inspiring martial artist who ruled over even his own hyungs. "Of course. Well, I shouldn't have expected any less," He merely smiled now. After all, it wasn't good to dwell on that boy, less risk stress...

But as he started to escort his daughter... he knew he had to say one thing.

"Please do one thing for me, not as a sect leader but as my daughter. Do not mention Cheong Myeong to Bo under any circumstances." He could see the moment Soso processed his words, her utter confusion- and the moment that would have been a protest if he didn't raise a hand to silence her "I know he is a good person, a genius and a lot of good for his sect... and also not exactly the most righteous... but think about it for a moment. Bo has luckily never heard of him yet, and I would rather let that still be the case until he matures. He is a teenager, and his personality... is too similar to Cheong Myeong in ways I hadn't realised until I thought deeply of it. They would clash. It could risk the friendship of our sect and also put two geniuses on bad terms... I do not wish for either to destroy the other in a moment of childish chaos until they both grow wise enough to greet each other as allies."

And that was the start of the greatest challenge of Soso's life. "What about when Cheong and Iseol and Baek and Jong, and Geol come tomorrow? Won't he hear of him then?"

"Bo isn't aware of even what sect you went to. And he isn't all too interested... and I thought of that already. I have assigned him some tasks for tomorrow and have assigned three retainers to ensure he never crosses paths with Cheong Myeong. Of course, he will grow curious and want to meet your sect members, so I plan to busy Cheong Myeong busy with some high-quality drinks whilst you introduce him to the rest. After briefing your friends, also not to mention him."

"Father, I don't know if I could do this in good conscience."

"Sadly, you have to. I have written my concerns to your sect leader, and he agrees... nothing good would come of it yet. You can clear your conscience once both are older and better adapted at meeting others... and I will apologise on your behalf as it was my request."

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Soso knew that this would be hard... on her, her mental health and her conscience... But she also seemed to know better than her father now. Walking alongside him inside the main hall, where her closest friends and family welcomed her with open arms, with gifts and a party just for her. Welcoming her back home... celebrating her as the first of their female members of the clan to be a martial artist... Because compared to him, she just knew in her gut feeling... it was going to go all wrong.

And she found herself barely able to make eye contact with Tang Bo that entire night of celebration.

Chapter Text

My laptop is glitched like crazy- and I have learned with my other work- that I write better on my laptop than on my phone- so until I can work it out- or get a new one- I might not be able to post for a while longer?

If it becomes too long then I am just gonna use my phone but the quality will probably suck- and I apologise for that in advance.

But this has been an issue for a bit now, hence why I have yet to post the next chapter as I just hadn't the opportunity to write it-

Wish me luck- we all need it in hopes I get the next chapter out. And not a shitty version of it.