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“Taoist hyung,” Tang Bo managed to mutter even though he’s already coughing blood, “please take care of the Tang clan for me.”
Tang Bo has no regret. He found happiness nearing the final moment of his life. He even died in the arms of someone he cherishes more than his own life. It couldn’t get any better for Tang Bo. He will be asking for too much if he craves for more, and Tang Bo doesn’t want to be greedy. His life ended in a fulfilling tone, and that’s already enough for him.
So now, tell him why he’s awake as a thirteen years old boy who is currently lying helplessly in bed and is unable to move?
“It’s lethal poison, sir.” Tang Bo pry his gaze to the voice next to his bed. The man who is speaking is wearing the green robe that the Tang clan use, but Tang Bo swears he has never known any Tang that looks like that.
“Lethal poison?”An older man with a stern expression replied, “So someone is trying to purposefully poison my son?”
“It seems so, sir.”
Tang Bo could see the way the older man clenched his fist. He’s furious and releasing a strong killing intent. Well, not as strong as what Tang Bo usually deals with his hyung-nim, but still enough to make him surprised that someone from the Tang clan could do something like that.
Alright, maybe he underestimated his own clan too much, but could anyone blame him?
Anyhow, Tang Bo could barely lift his fingers. This is not good, he thought to himself. He needs to know what is going on right now, but (supposed to be) his body refuses to cooperate.
Weird, He thought again, I should’ve been immune to poison. Heck, I drink poison for fun.
Tang Bo sighed. He sighed quite loud that he startled both men in the room. The older one is the first to react, immediately approaching him and cupping both of his cheeks, caressing it with a surprising amount of fondness that Tang Bo never felt before.
“Bo,” The older man looks like he’s holding back his tears, “oh, son… you’re alive…”
Well, duh. Tang Bo refrain from saying it out loud.
Instead, Tang Bo weakly asked, “...where is this? Who are you?”
The older man's expression immediately stiffened. Hurt, even. Though, he quickly regained his composure and answered calmly, still cupping both of Tang Bo’s cheeks, “You’re in your room, Bo. I’m… your father. Do you at least remember that much?”
Huh?
Tang Bo could swear he almost felt like he’s dying again.
He doesn’t remember his father looks like THAT.
Or, maybe not. Tang Bo wasn’t sure if he even remembered his own father’s face, considering it’s been a long time ago and it’s not like he received the best treatment from his father to the point that he could remember his face for all of his life.
Tang Bo unconsciously squinted. He’s trying to make sense of everything that is happening right now.
“Patriarch, sir,” The other man, who Tang Bo almost forgot even existed in the same room, approached the older man, “the lethal poison in his body has been neutralized, but we still need to be cautious of the after effect.”
The older man, who makes Tang Bo’s eyes immediately widen after hearing the other man called him patriarch, trying to suppress his anger, “I understand. Thank you, Jian.”
The other man, who is apparently named Tang Jian, nodded and left the room.
Now, it’s only the patriarch and Tang Bo. None of them talk, but inside, Tang Bo wants to scream on top of his lungs, how the heck did I become a patriarch’s son?! And how did I get poisoned?! If I’m a patriarch’s son, should I at least be immune to poison?! God, this clan is so hopeless! Of course, he didn’t say it out loud.
The patriarch now sits on the side of Tang Bo’s bed, gently brushing away the strands on Tang Bo’s forehead, “Rest well, Bo. I’ll meet you again tomorrow.”
Tang Bo didn’t move. Well, he can’t move even if he wants to, but if he can, he certainly wouldn’t move.
The touch of a loving father is something he never thought he would crave.
It’s been two weeks since Tang Bo woke up in the body of a thirteen year old. He learned a lot of things, such as: it’s been a hundred years since his death, his name in this life is conveniently also Tang Bo, his father is Tang Gunak the patriarch, and the Tang clan’s elders still are incompetent bastards.
Lovely.
Tang Jian said that it might take him six months to completely recover. However, Tang Bo has learned some tricks so that now he can walk and run again after just two weeks. No, it’s not a good thing. His old self could do it in under a minute, the fact that now he needs two weeks is concerning to him. Just how weak is this body?
But, anyway. He also met people that are supposed to be his siblings. Tang Pae, Tang Myung, Tang Ho, Tang Zhan… but the one that became really close to him is his supposed-to-be older sister, Tang Soso. Perhaps it’s because he’s the youngest of them all so that his siblings, especially Tang Soso, dotes on him? Either way, it feels nice to be pampered once in a while.
Wait, no. That shouldn’t be his focus right now. He should be thinking more about this body and the Tang clan’s family condition.
His body is one thing, but the current condition of the Tang clan is far from alright. Doesn’t he already have a promise with his hyung-nim that he would take care of his clan? He doesn’t think his hyung-nim would be someone to break a promise at someone’s deathbed like that… or does he perhaps failed to survive too?
It’s been a hundred years and Tang Bo hadn’t heard any single mention of Mount Hua sect, much less his hyung-nim’s name.
Ah, right. Tang Bo stared into the ceilings of his room. He’s probably dead too.
A sudden pain in his chest makes him unconsciously curl like a cat on his bed. He’s pretty sure it’s not poison, he knows the difference. Perhaps it’s this body’s unstable teenager hormone that makes him emotional? Probably. Yes, it must've been that.
It’s not like Tang Bo is not used to loneliness. He’s always been lonely in his life, at least before he met Cheongmyeong. He’s already used to the feelings of being outcasted, feared, and disrespected. He theoretically has a better life now with a patriarch father and siblings who dotes on him… so why does he still feel like a sharp fang is gnawing on his heart?
“Bo!” The voice of Tang Soso could be heard from outside of the door, “do you want to eat some snack?”
Tang Bo immediately got up from his bed, excitement building inside him. He keeps reminding himself that he’s a man old enough to have grandchildren, yet it seems like the nature of this child’s body is something that he couldn’t fight. So, he opened the door and greeted Tang Soso, “Noona, what snack did you bring?”
Tang Soso smiled, “Some tanghulu, would you like some?”
Tang Bo can’t help but to smile back, “Yes.”
Both of them sit near a pond, enjoying the way the wind brings petals to flutter away in spring. This feels unfamiliar for Tang Bo. He’s so used to hiding himself in his own room, only getting out when a matter so urgent occurs that the elder has to send a child to make him leave his room.
Maybe this isn’t so bad. Tang Bo chews on his tanghulu.
Then, Tang Bo heard Tang Soso’s giggle. He threw a confused expression, which made Tang Soso giggle even more.
“Sorry, sorry,” Tang Soso pinched Tang Bo’s cheeks, “I was worried that you’re feeling unwell, but it seems like you really have recovered.”
Tang Bo wanted to scoff at Tang Soso’s audacity to pinch his cheek and underestimate his healing ability, but he decided not to. Perhaps Tang Bo just has a soft spot for people much younger than him or it’s just Tang Soso’s affection for her little brother in general that makes Tang Bo wouldn’t dare to react negatively to her.
“I was worried, you know,” Tang Soso's expression became a bit melancholic, “I heard that father already punished the culprit who poisoned you. You must be very scared, Bo.”
Then, Tang Soso reached out and hugged Tang Bo.
Someone hugged him.
He never had those before. At least, not in his previous life.
“I’m sorry I can’t do much, Bo…” Tang Soso buried her face on Tang Bo’s shoulder, “I wish I can do more, I wish I’m allowed to do more.”
Ah, right. Tang Bo realized something. This clan… is still as bad, if not worse, even after my death.
Tang Bo didn’t say anything. He just let his small fingers wrap around Tang Soso, reciprocating the hug that he didn't know he needed all this time.
That night, Tang Bo couldn’t sleep. He’s thinking of what he can do for his own clan. He couldn’t depend on anyone ever again. He doesn’t blame Cheongmyeong, but Cheongmyeong is not here anymore with him. He needs to solve his own matter with his own hands. He must, or else his clan will crumble soon.
But, he’s just thirteen years old and was born with a weak physique, what could he possibly do? Even his father couldn’t do anything against the elders. They’re stupid and stubborn, but they have the authority.
Tang Bo came to a conclusion: He needs to get stronger.
If he couldn’t win in political matters, he at least needs to get stronger to gain recognition. People won’t hear you if you don’t have anything to show off to. He needs something, anything to prove himself, and being strong is the fastest and easiest way to do so.
Thus, Tang Bo prepared some poison. First, he needs to build up his poison tolerance. He can do it once, that means he can do it twice. He started with the tamest one first. He almost passed out on the first few tries, but he eventually managed to get used to it. Trying out poison means that he also needs to learn how to mend himself, which correlates with Tang clan’s medicine specialization. Two birds with one stone.
Within a few months, Tang Bo already became used to poison, mostly thanks to his control of qi because his physical body is just not reliable enough. He could see his fingertips starting to have a shade of black. A sign of incompetence in his end, but still a progress regardless.
Of course, Tang Gunak was worried when start to notice the dark fingertips on his son. Though, Tang Bo managed to convince him with a made-up heartwarming excuse, “I can’t keep burdening you, appa. I want to be strong for you.”
That seems to work well. Too well that Tang Gunak was about to bash his head on the wall to prevent himself from crying.
Okay, maybe everyone in this family has issues. Tang Bo has long accepted that.
After poison and medicine, he learned how to throw daggers while slowly building up his stamina. He got Tang Zhan to teach him how to do so. While Tang Zhan is clearly lacking in so many aspects in terms of skill, he’s surprisingly a fitting teacher for Tang Bo’s currently lacking body. Well, he can just make up for the skill by practicing alone.
He was given a second chance and he won’t waste it.
For three years, Tang Bo kept trying to improve all of his previous life’s abilities. He also became closer with his supposed-to-be family in this life. Sure, there were assassination attempts towards him here and there, but it became a normal occurrence to him and he ended up catching all the culprits instead while slowly building up his name in the Tang clan.
He gained the title “Inviolable Poison of Tang clan” due to his previously mentioned achievement. Tang Bo still thinks that “Dark Saint” suits him better, but who is he to deny a title bestowed upon him?
With that title, he could sometimes sneak up to an important meeting and utter his opinion. Sometimes he got ridiculed or scoffed, but that’s nothing new to him. Slowly but surely, he’s going to fix the Tang clan all by himself.
Or so he thought.
“The winner is… the divine dragon from the Mount Hua sect!”
No way. Tang Bo couldn’t believe what he’s seeing right now. No way, no way, no way.
“Hyung-nim!” Tang Bo couldn’t help it, he ran towards Cheongmyeong. Tang Soso and Tang Zhan tried to stop him at first, but the way Tang Bo looks right now, they just couldn't bring themselves to do so. Even if they’re confused on how Tang Bo knows him, they still let Tang Bo slip away from their grasp. Tang Bo has always been their precious little brother, but they never see him being this alive before.
Cheongmyeong is as surprised as Tang Bo, “Bo-ya?”
Tang Bo loves his current family. He loves how Tang Gunak would pat his head while praising him for doing even the simplest thing and how his siblings would hug him whenever they noticed he’s not at his best condition. He truly loves his current family.
But… seeing someone from his past, someone who knows his real self, someone who knows what hardship he has gone through…
Tang Bo just couldn’t help it.
“Hyung-nim!” Tang Bo ran as fast as he could, just to see Cheongmyeong averted his gaze, “hyung-nim…?”
“I’m sorry.” Cheongmyeong didn’t dare to look at Tang Bo.
“For what? What are you sorry for, hyung-nim?” Tang Bo is confused.
Tang Bo didn’t even know Cheongmyeong could make a gaze filled with guilt like that as Cheongmyeong spoke, “For not able to fulfill our promise. For not protecting your clan.”
Our promise. Tang Bo repeated the words in his mind.
A giggle and tears escaped Tang Bo, “What are you talking about, hyung-nim? You’re here right now. You’re protecting my people right now.”
“I’m late, Bo-ya.”
“But, you still came.”
Tang Bo walks closer to Cheongmyeong. Slowly, Cheongmyeong tried to look Tang Bo in the eyes.
“It’s nice to meet you again, hyung-nim.”
Tang Bo is not alone. He doesn’t have to do everything by himself, and so does Cheongmyeong. This time, Tang Bo wants to cherish everything he has and work on his duty to protect those he loves. Perhaps, this second chance is what he needed to truly understand what it means to love and be loved by people who care for him and he cares about in return.
What he couldn’t obtain and do in his previous life, he can obtain and do it now. He’s surrounded by warmth. Despite being his imperfect little self, far from being one of the strongest he used to be, he never feels like he’s beyond saving.
Thus, Tang Bo whispered to himself.
In this life, please, give me a chance to make them happy.