Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: If You Get Too Pissed Off, Start with the Young Master
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Just as the spot a storm passed through isn't quiet, the Nine Dragons Branch Family remained abuzz even after the Dark Lord had departed.
"Was what the Dark Lord said really sincere?"
"Is there no chance he'll change his mind?"
No one dared leave their seat carelessly after he was gone.
Third-rate ronin and renowned scholars alike shared the same mindset in that moment.
Tang Ho-san dismissed the skeptical questions with a simple wave.
"You all know this already, don't you? The Branch Leader isn't the type to try scooping up spilled water."
Everyone nodded gravely.
The reason the Dark Lord was hailed as the supreme figure in Sichuan's martial world today wasn't just his unparalleled martial prowess.
It was due to his righteous deeds over the past decades and the weight of his words, which he never uttered lightly.
Thus, Tang Ho-san's explanation—that this announcement couldn't possibly be false—left them all nodding in agreement.
Truth be told, they didn't doubt the Dark Lord's true intentions.
It was just that his decision to pass on the Dual Flame Three Yang Convergence Art was too monumental to accept easily.
But with Tang Ho-san affirming it so confidently, they had no choice but to start calculating rapidly in their heads.
'He said he'd teach the Dual Flame Three Yang Convergence Art, but that's basically the same as raising disciples en masse.'
'He might even select a true successor from among them.'
'If that's the case—'
'We could privatize the new Whirlwind Corps.'
'It might even influence the Tang Clan itself...!'
The Dark Lord hadn't officially announced a successor yet.
The Tang Clan had a young lord, but no one considered him the true 'heir' in the meaningful sense.
An heir was someone meant to inherit the predecessors' achievements and elevate them further.
That was why the gossips speculated in unison that whoever received the Dark Lord's signature ultimate art, the Dual Flame Three Yang Convergence Art, would be the 'real' successor.
Thus, the current young lord, who hadn't inherited it, might succeed to the Tang Clan Lord's position but fell short of carrying on the Dark Lord's legacy.
Tang Ye-won was the only other name floated, but even that wasn't certain.
With things turning out this way, however, it led to the conclusion that the new Whirlwind Corps Commander could very well be the Dark Lord's successor.
'Though he mentioned eight candidates, including the Qingcheng Divine Sword—'
'Nothing's set in stone yet, so the board could flip anytime.'
In the end, all their various thoughts converged on one conclusion.
—The Dark Lord's successor might emerge from our own ranks!
Flames of ambition ignited in their eyes.
Even those who had subtly shown wariness or hostility toward the Dark Lord.
'There's probably no one else who can toy with the crowd's hearts so freely.'
Tang Ho-san let out a hollow chuckle as he watched them.
It was uncanny how a mere shift in focus had turned those wary of the new Whirlwind Corps into allies.
At the same time, his heart raced at the realization that his long-cherished dream was finally within reach.
"......"
Tang Ho-san gazed up at the sky.
It was exceptionally clear.
* * *
Once the commotion settled, a modest after-party began.
With the Demonic Cult practically at their doorstep, they couldn't hold a grand banquet, but sharing light refreshments and conversation was feasible.
Fears of the Demonic Cult had eased considerably thanks to the Lion Blade King's enlightenment and the Dark Lord's majesty.
This allowed the scholars to discuss various topics.
Talk of the new Whirlwind Corps dominated, but with rare figures gathered from all corners, business proposals flew back and forth as well.
"So if you could steer the Heaven-Earth Express toward this direction—"
"I think I heard once that you hold the mining rights for White Mountain Iron in Guangxi from Ghost Gate. That's why I'm asking—"
But the biggest crowd was elsewhere.
The eight individuals the Dark Lord had spotlighted as potential Whirlwind Corps Commander candidates.
They were already being dubbed the Whirlwind Eight Prodigies or, as prospective successors handpicked by the Dark Lord, the Post-Dark Eight Stars—odd nicknames indeed.
Some were celebrities, others head-scratchers as to why they were included.
Yet with the Dark Lord's personal endorsement, crowds swarmed them relentlessly.
Amid all that, however, the one drawing the most attention was someone else entirely.
The man who had sworn brotherhood with the Lion Blade King and now threatened Yi Cheol-san's position as Sichuan's top young talent.
The Little Reborn Half-Fiend, Tang Un-hwi.
That was me.
"Young Master Tang, I—"
"Our sect believes Young Master Tang—"
I'd planned to share a drink with the Lion Blade King after the sparring ended... but the guy suddenly got summoned by the Dark Lord and scurried off.
Of course, knowing how useless these flies were, I'd stationed Wind Pavilion agents around beforehand, but it wasn't enough.
They were clamoring nonstop just for a glimpse of my face.
Annoyed, Tang Gon flashed an irritated scowl and shook his poison pouch.
"Ahem!"
"Oh right, I forgot I had a meeting with Hero Baek later!"
"You too? Let's go together! It's been ages since I paid my respects to the hero! Haha!"
They all tucked tail and scattered.
"As expected!!"
I cackled while watching the spectacle.
Tang Gon furrowed his brow sharply.
"What's 'as expected' this time?"
"You really don't know?"
"Mind your words. Keep babbling, and I'll flip this table on you."
Tang Gon placed his hand under the table where I was drinking.
"Hey, then I won't say it."
"Damn it!"
"Curious? Want me to tell you?"
"Never mind."
I grinned and refilled Tang Gon's cup.
"How's it feel, Master?"
"......"
A question loaded with meaning.
Drip by drip.
Tang Gon held his silence until his cup was full.
Truth was, beyond the spectators, his nerves were already frayed over other matters.
"Not sure."
"Huh? Weren't you looking forward to this moment the most?"
"I was. Probably the most anticipated day of my life."
"And yet?"
"Now that it's here... my head's a mess. Wondering if I can really pull it off."
I could guess what was troubling Tang Gon.
"You're scared you can't live up to the old Whirlwind Corps' glory, right?"
"...Yeah. To be honest, that's it."
Tang Gon had been appointed Chief Instructor this time.
Tang Ho-san still had to lead the Nine Dragons Branch Family.
Evidently, the mental pressure was no small thing.
Makes sense—with the Tang Clan throwing full support, the new Whirlwind Corps had to outshine the previous one. Not feeling the heat would be weirder.
"I get it, I'm worried too. The guy who spent his days boozing in bars suddenly becomes Chief Instructor... Is this that 'the tavern slacker turns out to be the legendary martial corps commander' trope?"
Tang Gon's face twisted spectacularly.
"Keep teasing, and I'll get up right now."
"Whoa! It's just a joke between us!"
I swiftly grabbed Tang Gon's hand.
"What's 'us' supposed to mean?"
"What else? Master and disciple."
"......"
"Right?"
"......"
"I respect you immensely, Master. I wouldn't be who I am without you."
For a split second, Tang Gon's pupils wavered.
A pensive expression.
I flashed a grin.
"Drink what I poured you first. It's getting cold."
"...Damn it! Can't even talk without pissing me off!"
Tang Gon grumbled as he downed the tea in one gulp.
Thud!
Drip by drip—
I refilled his cup and spoke.
"Master."
"What?"
"Remember when you first agreed to teach me?"
"How could I forget? That's when my wallet started drying up!"
"Hey, that was ages ago—still griping about it, new Whirlwind Corps Chief Instructor?"
"To me, it's still ongoing. I'm paying off that debt even now."
"Heh heh heh heh! Really? Didn't know."
"Can you do something about that damn laugh?"
"Why? I love hearing it!"
"The listener's just annoyed! And you know Chief Instructor has the power to boot troublesome members? Want a demo on yourself??"
I quickly bowed my head.
"Sorry! I'll watch my behavior!"
"Be careful. Just once, and young branch lord or not, I'll send you straight to hell."
...Whoa, didn't see that coming.
No matter what anyone says, teasing Master is the best! Power trips don't suit him!!
"You look like you're plotting to rile me up again."
"Heh heh heh heh heh! Me? This unworthy disciple is simply so awed by Master's boundless authority that I can't string words together!"
"Cut the out-of-character act and finish what you were saying."
"Alright?"
Tang Gon refilled my cup too.
I swirled mine around.
My reflection smiled faintly on the rippling surface with every twirl.
"Not thrilled about it, but I hear I've got this Little Reborn Half-Fiend nickname now? Top of the Post-Dark Eight Stars, they say."
"Not embarrassed gilding your own lily?"
"You think this is new for me?"
"......"
"Anyway, that's not the point. Without your help, I wouldn't have made it this far—that's what I'm saying."
"......"
Tang Gon's lips pressed into a thin line.
I meant it.
Of course, I credit my master for who I am today.
And for life, he'll always be my one true mentor at heart.
But separately, I could confidently say Tang Gon's guidance was eighty percent of what let me live as 'Tang Un-hwi.'
He'd become indispensable to me.
And now his shoulders were weighed down?
How could I just watch?
"Your skills are proven. What more do you need?"
I puffed up pretentiously, tensing my shoulders.
To others, mere bragging or obnoxiousness—but to Tang Gon, it'd look different.
"Make another me, like you did with me. Treat the obedient ones well, grind the defiant ones. Still won't listen? Easy—chop 'em."
"......"
"Sichuan's top geniuses are all gathering, right? Mold them however you want. The results will speak for themselves."
"......"
"Worrying's fine. Even fretting's good—it shows you're thinking hard. The outcome'll be amazing. But doubting your own skills? Well—"
I narrowed my eyes.
"Isn't that needless worry?"
Tang Gon brooded long, then scratched his head irritably.
"Haa! Fuck!"
He slammed down his teacup, grabbed the entire teapot from the table, and chugged it straight.
Anyone'd think it was booze.
His throat must've been parched from frustration.
"Hearing that from my no-good disciple pisses me off! But damn it, it's all spot-on, so I can't argue! Ugh!"
"Eheheh."
"Don't laugh. My guts are churning."
"That's the hangover."
"Ugh, that mouth!"
Tang Gon wiped tea from his lips with his sleeve, eyes gleaming.
"Fine, let's do it. Worst case, we fail—what's the big deal?"
"That's the spirit."
"And if I get too pissed off in the process, we start by chopping the young master. That'd feel damn good, huh?"
"What'd you say, you old geezer?"
After that, Tang Gon and I bickered for a good while longer.
But it was fun.
He finally felt like the Tang Gon I knew.