Chapter 374
The *Dokryonggak* (Poison Dragon Pavilion) master, Tang Ho-ryong, rose from his seat to greet his guest.
The towering man who had just entered exuded an indescribable aura of authority.
“You must be tired from your long journey.”
“This is nothing compared to the hardships the Sichuan Tang Clan has endured. Once again, please accept my deepest condolences.”
Despite his rough appearance, the man’s voice was low and gentle, yet it held a power that commanded attention.
Was it the aura that only a leader of men possesses? The man’s calm yet deeply penetrating gaze suddenly reminded Tang Ho-ryong of someone.
‘This feeling… It’s as if I’m facing another Elder Brother.’
That realization left Tang Ho-ryong somewhat perplexed.
He had heard that the man before him wasn’t even forty yet, still quite young.
On the other hand, his elder brother was not only older but also a highly respected figure in the martial world.
A patriarch of iron and blood who accumulated countless merits during the Great War between the righteous and the demonic, and who rebuilt their fallen clan into an even stronger force.
*Mandoksura* (Lord of Ten Thousand Poisons) Tang Sa-dok.
Tang Ho-ryong, the acting head of the Sichuan Tang Clan, sighed inwardly as he thought of his elder brother, who had yet to regain consciousness.
‘Please wake up soon and lead us again, Patriarch.’
Tang Ho-ryong was a warrior by nature.
Though he prided himself on his expertise in poisons and hidden weapons, leading the clan was an entirely different matter.
Recently, with the flood of issues coming from all sides, he barely had time to dwell on the grief and anger of losing his kin.
‘I wish someone like him were in my place right now.’
In that sense, Tang Ho-ryong couldn’t help but envy the man before him.
It wasn’t just a first impression; he had heard enough rumors about the man to know better.
Even if only a fraction of those rumors were true, the man had the capability to lead a family with ease.
“Master Tang, is there something on my face?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I’ve been so overwhelmed that I’ve been rather rude.”
At Tang Ho-ryong’s hasty apology, the man nodded gravely.
“No, it’s understandable. You’ve gone through such a harrowing ordeal.”
The truth was, the damage inflicted upon the Sichuan Tang Clan this time was beyond the word “harrowing.”
Nearly ninety family members lost their lives, and most of the clan’s premises were destroyed.
The only solace was that they managed to preserve the clan’s lineage, but it would take a very long time to regain their former glory.
“The righteous martial artists of Sichuan are rallying to help us, but… I fear for the future.”
If the *Mandoksura* (Lord of Ten Thousand Poisons) Tang Sa-dok were here, he wouldn’t have shown any signs of weakness, but Tang Ho-ryong was different.
At his candid words, the man gently caressed his teacup with his long fingers.
“I believe you already know why I’ve come here.”
“You’ve come to investigate the Three Gates Bloodshed, as I understand it.”
“To be precise, when I first left Hanan, it was to track down the culprit who assassinated the late Poison King Tang Sa-dok and *Gyeongcheonshinni* (Heavenly Spirit Immortal). But the situation changed drastically on the way here.”
“Yes, it did. *Amcheon* (Dark Heaven), those monstrous bastards revealed their claws.”
“Although there was a precedent in Hanan, for them to be so bold as to attack not just one but three of the most renowned sects in the world at once is proof that war is imminent.”
Small chaos begets greater chaos.
However, the existence of *Amcheon* (Dark Heaven) was no longer something that could be hidden, nor was there any reason to hide it.
It had been seven weeks since that horrific day of the Three Gates Bloodshed.
By now, rumors without legs would have traveled a thousand miles, and countless messenger pigeons would have flown across the land.
And instead of chaos, what emerged was unity.
“I heard that the righteous martial artists began to unite in Hanan right after the *Shaolin Bloodshed*. So does that mean…”
“They are still in the preparation stages. But yes, it is inevitable.”
The man continued in a weighty tone.
“Which is why I am suggesting that you come to Hanan.”
“Hanan…”
“Yes. What you fear is about to happen.”
After a brief silence, Tang Ho-ryong spoke.
“I appreciate the honor of your invitation, but I cannot leave my place at this time. As you know, as acting head, I must stay with the family…”
“Master Tang.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“As you said, you are the acting head of the clan. Naturally, you cannot leave the family behind.”
“…”
Only then did Tang Ho-ryong realize the meaning behind the man’s suggestion, and his mouth fell open.
It was something he had never even dared to think of.
“So, you’re suggesting… relocating the main family?”
“Perhaps.”
The man’s transparent gaze, as if seeing right through him, turned toward Tang Ho-ryong.
“Master Maejonghak told me that a conflict greater than the Great War between the righteous and the demonic would soon break out.”
“The Sword Saint…”
Tang Ho-ryong swallowed hard.
This was likely not just the opinion of the Sword Saint alone.
The recent *Shaolin Bloodshed* had awakened the anger and vigilance of countless righteous martial artists, and the new *Moorimmaeng* (Martial Alliance) was already preparing for its inception.
The entire righteous martial world was bracing for the impending war.
‘Can the main family survive in such a situation?’
The question that suddenly crossed his mind made his heart sink.
The Sichuan Tang Clan had already suffered an unprecedented blow in its history.
Moreover, the *Cheongseong Sect* and the *Emei Sect* had also lost significant power.
If the enemy attacked again, there would be no way to stop them.
“Sigh…”
Tang Ho-ryong, with a desolate expression, let out a deep sigh as a quiet voice reached his ears.
“Master Tang, what do you think is the reason the Sichuan Tang Clan has endured for hundreds of years?”
“That is…”
“It’s because it is the *Tangmun* (Tang Clan). Even if you remove the first two characters, that fact does not change.”
“If you decide, the righteous martial world will support the *Tangmun* (Tang Clan).”
Trembling, Tang Ho-ryong barely managed to speak.
“We have made many enemies over the years. Even among the Nine Great Schools and the Five Noble Families, there are those who find our main family uncomfortable. Will this really be okay?”
“All will be done in a fair and just manner. Rest assured and find a new home. Hanan, Shaanxi, or…”
A soft smile appeared on the man’s lips.
“Shanxi would be nice as well.”
“Shanxi?”
“Just say the word. There’s plenty of land.”
Tang Ho-ryong suddenly recalled something he had forgotten.
The man before him was not only the leader who unified the Shanxi martial world but also the greatest landowner and wealthiest man in Shanxi Province.
“Thank you. Truly, thank you, Master Jin!”
“No need for thanks.”
At that moment, Jin Wi-gyeong, the young lord of the *Tae Won Jin* family, graciously and authoritatively returned the bow of the acting head of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
Thud.
“I heard you called for me.”
As the door to the hall creaked open, Jin Wi-gyeong saw a young man poking his head in and shouted with the force of a lion’s roar.
“Youngest Brother!”
It was a charge akin to that of an enraged bull.
Watching the reunion of the two brothers, which seemed like a mix between a hug and a collision, Tang Ho-ryong recalled one of the rumors about Jin Wi-gyeong.
‘They say he dotes on his younger brothers to death.’
The leader who unified the Shanxi martial world and the greatest landowner in Shanxi Province had vanished, leaving behind only a doting older brother.
‘Well, he’s still young, so he lacks the experience and composure of my elder brother. Yes, that must be it.’
Tang Ho-ryong had no idea about Mimi-chan’s existence.
* * *
“Youngest Brother!”
Jin Wi-gyeong, who rushed at me with tears streaming down his face, grabbed me in a tight hug.
I’ve been in the martial world for two years now, so I expected this much of a reaction.
Crack!
…But I didn’t expect this.
No, what’s with the sound of bones dislocating? I sighed as I felt my whole body being squeezed like an anaconda in the Amazon rainforest.
Although I let him hug me out of joy,his reaction was the most intense I’ve ever experienced.
“Hold on, Brother. Let’s talk after you let go.”
“Brother? Didn’t I tell you to call me hyung? You’ve changed, you’ve really changed!”
“Okay, okay, just let go now.”
“Why are you speaking so formally? You used to speak informally when you were younger! You’ve changed, you’ve really changed!”
“Let go, damn it.”
“Gasp, you never used to curse even when you were at your worst! You’ve really changed…”
“Geez, what a drama.”
Is his main job being a martial artist and his side job a Dementor?
Feeling like my soul was being sucked out, I shuddered and reached out.
Whoosh, thud!
Jin Wi-gyeong’s massive body flipped over and crashed to the ground with a heavy thud.
One of the elderly men from the Sichuan Tang Clan who had been watching gasped in shock.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. This is just how we play.”
“Ah, but still…”
“See? He’s getting up just fine.”
As I said, Jin Wi-gyeong got up without a scratch, tears of joy welling up in his eyes.
“You’ve gotten stronger. As expected of our youngest.”
At his unchanging demeanor, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“You haven’t changed at all.”
“Haven’t changed? Do you know how worried I was for the past two months? I couldn’t sleep at night, I lost my appetite, and I became all skin and bones.”
I muttered as I looked at his massive, muscular build.
“You look pretty well-fed to me.”
Two months… has it really been that long?
I suddenly realized that the time to return was drawing near.
If I spend ten days in one world, only about an hour passes in the other…
‘So it’s been about six hours. The plane might be landing soon.’
It’s perfect timing. I was exhausted from overcoming the great mountain that was the *Seocheon Magun* (Western Heavenly Demon Army).
Without wasting words, I cut to the chase.
“When are we leaving?”
“Our youngest, you must have been through so much… Huh?”
Jin Wi-gyeong, who had been anxiously checking my condition, suddenly froze.
“What did you just say?”
“You came to take me with you, right? Oh, and the Three Demons too.”
Jin Wi-gyeong’s eyes widened in shock.
“How did you know?”
The elderly man who seemed to be an important figure in the Sichuan Tang Clan also looked surprised as he spoke.
“Master Jin, weren’t you here to investigate the incident?”
“That’s true, but some of the investigation team, including myself, will be returning to Hanan. Just before arriving in Sichuan, I was given the mission to escort the Three Demons, who were among the main culprits behind the Three Gates Bloodshed.”
“Then what about the discussion regarding the main family…”
“It still stands. However, it’s going to be difficult for the *Tangmun* (Tang Clan) at the moment.”
“Yes, the Patriarch is still unable to travel long distances, and we need to seek the approval of the other family members as well.”
“Yes. And…”
Jin Wi-gyeong, who had been chatting quietly with the elder, suddenly sent me a secret transmission.
-But how did you know?
-It was just a hunch. The situation made it seem likely.
-Ah, our youngest must have overcome such great trials that he’s become even smarter!
This feels a bit annoying.
In truth, it wasn’t a hunch at all. I knew because of the quest that popped up about escorting the Three Demons.
“So when are we leaving?”
At my question, Jin Wi-gyeong, who had just finished his conversation, spoke.
“Since you already know, let’s make it as soon as possible. Are you ready?”
“All I have with me are my two balls. I’m ready to go.”
Plus, the two burdens wrapped in bandages.
Jin Wi-gyeong nodded and asked.
“Master Tang, where are the Three Demons?”
The elder, who was addressed as Master Tang, replied.
“They are bound and under strict surveillance. After we crushed their balls, they’ve been trying to kill themselves at every opportunity, so you must be cautious.”
“…I can imagine.”
If I were in their shoes, I’d want to die too.
In any case, the conditions for a swift departure were in place.
After pondering for a moment, Jin Wi-gyeong gave a decisive answer.
“Then let’s leave in half an hour. Is that alright?”
“No problem.”
Just as I answered without hesitation, urgent footsteps and a loud shout were heard from outside the hall.
“The Patriarch! The Patriarch has awakened!”
Jin Wi-gyeong corrected himself in a lukewarm tone.
“Let’s make it an hour then.”
“…Yes, that sounds good.”
Damn, I was close to getting away with the *Mandokjihwan* (Ten Thousand Poison Cure).
