Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: The Value of the Tang Clan
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"If it's about what happened earlier, you don't need to—"
"Not that. It's about what Mother and Yuchang did to you all this time."
"……."
Silence fell for a moment.
"I'm truly sorry. Let me apologize on their behalf."
I scratched the back of my head vigorously. How on earth was I supposed to respond to this?
"Raise your head."
"That's—"
"I trust you're not about to ask me to forgive those two."
"……."
"If that's what you were going to say, I'd appreciate it if you left now."
My thoughts on how to handle Tang Gyujin hadn't changed much.
If she came charging in soon to avenge Namgung Sanyeong and Tang Yuchang, who were about to become toast? I'd just crush her the same way.
Otherwise? I'd leave her be.
That would be enough.
The value that 'Tang Unhwi' had received from the Tang Clan all this time.
"I know. I know it's not that easy. Still, I wanted to make sure to pass this on to you."
Tang Gyujin didn't offer much opinion on the matter either. She must be conflicted herself. No matter how much she hated them, they were still her parents and brother.
I nodded silently.
After that, we just exchanged some pointless small talk.
"But where on earth did you learn such martial arts? That curse poison too, and your energy circulation was unusual from the start."
"My current master is Elder Tang Gon."
"You learned it from Uncle Tang?"
Uncle Tang?
Had she called Tang Gon that way?
I'd always spoken to him casually...
"Yes. Thanks to you, sister."
"??"
Tang Gyujin's face filled with confusion.
She couldn't possibly connect the dots between Namgung Sanyeong, Tang Gon, and me.
But I just smiled, giving no proper answer.
"How have you been all this time, sister? I heard through a letter that you came down the mountain this time with your friends—"
As we chatted about this and that, time flew by.
"I heard you're going to duel Yuchang. You okay with that?"
"Do you think I'll lose?"
"I saw your energy earlier... but you can't underestimate Yuchang. Especially after he wins—that's when the real trouble starts."
It seemed she was hinting that Namgung Sanyeong's hidden trump card wasn't to be taken lightly.
"It's fine. I've already got plans for that."
"Plans?"
"A plain duel would just be boring, wouldn't it?"
"??"
I flashed a bright smile at the baffled Tang Gyujin instead of answering.
A grin!
「...He's plotting something again! The young lord is scheming!」
The lingering spirits shuddered.
* * *
The next day, at noon.
Tang Gyujin only realized what Unhwi had meant after arriving at the secondary training ground where the duel was set.
"It's not every day you get a chance like this! Just five nyang! Just five nyang for the famous pumpkin taffy from Zhongjing—"
"Mats for sale, mats! These mats are woven from fabric brought all the way from the distant Western Regions, from the Parthia Kingdom—"
The training ground teemed with peddlers and spectators. Warriors and servants from the Nine Dragons Branch Family, and even outsiders.
It seemed everyone who was bored and had nothing better to do had flocked here.
But the biggest issue was.
"Place your bets, place your bets! The current odds are a whopping 164 to 1! So, will you bet safe for a tidy profit, or go against the odds for a massive payout?"
In one corner, they were openly running a betting pool.
'Why does it feel like... things are turning out a bit... no, very different from what I expected...?'
Everything was chaotic.
In truth, this was all the result of rumors Unhwi had spread over the past day.
—Second Young Master and Third Young Master are having an official duel at noon.
—The loser has to serve the winner as big brother for life.
—The loser agreed not to show his face at the upcoming clan head's visit event.
None of these were matters the Nine Dragons Branch Family could ignore.
Of course, those who dismissed Unhwi snorted that he couldn't possibly beat Tang Yuchang.
But the conversation between the Inspection Department—who had tried to stop the duel—and Tang Gon sparked an even bigger stir.
"Young Master Unhwi and Young Master Yuchang are dueling?"
"Yes. The estate is in an uproar over it. So, as their master, what are your thoughts—"
"Why would they go through with a fight that obviously shouldn't happen?"
"Right! Then, to prevent disaster, we'll try to dissuade Young Master Unhwi—"
"Yeah. Good luck talking sense into Young Master Unhwi. He doesn't listen to me. Poor Young Master Yuchang."
"...Pardon? Aren't you mixing things up?"
"Huh? No?"
"!?"
"Young Master Yuchang's gonna get wrecked like a dog? Imagine getting beaten in front of that many people. Ugh! What a shitshow that'd be?"
"!!!"
"!!!"
Tang Yuchang losing?
The problem was that while Tang Gon always seemed indifferent, he never spoke empty words.
It meant he wasn't just taking Unhwi's side because he was his master.
This caused the rumors to snowball, drawing massive attention from the household staff.
The Duel of Ruin.
Since losing once meant forfeiting all privileges in the branch family, people watched the match with even greater excitement—
"...How dare you... make me look like... a circus monkey?"
Crunch!
Tang Yuchang couldn't tolerate this situation.
He had always been raised with Namgung Sanyeong's teachings to uphold the dignity of nobility.
A noble being born with the blood of the Tang Clan—lords of Sichuan—and the South Palace Clan—rulers of Anhui.
So today, he planned to sternly reprimand Unhwi for his wrongs and make him feel the gap between them firsthand.
To him, this bout wasn't a duel but discipline.
That's why he chose a secluded spot, but who knew so many would show up!
Seeing the betting pool in the corner nearly made his mind go blank.
If this was all the bastard son's scheme to rile him up... it had succeeded completely.
"Hoo—"
But his anger was fleeting.
Tang Yuchang circulated his Dark Shadow Energy to vent all his pent-up rage.
Getting worked up over something like this was pointless.
If that punk dragged in street market tactics, he'd counter with the same—
『Did you really come out just because I called? Didn't expect you to be so obedient. Who else but a mama's boy? Aww, who's a good boy? Good job, good job.』
The bastard's sneering transmission pierced his ears, shattering his composure.
Crack!
"Y-Young Master?"
The servant assisting Tang Yuchang jumped in fright.
His grip had tightened, shattering the hidden weapon in his hand.
"...Tell Mother. We need to change plans. After this duel ends, consider eliminating that Unhwi punk if necessary."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Tang Yuchang's eyes gleamed ferociously.
『Hey, hey. Ease up on the glare. It was just a joke, no need to get serious.』
Ignore it, ignore it.
Playing into his hands would be falling right into his trap—
『Wonder who he takes after to have zero social skills. Tsk. Oh, like his mom?』
『...Shut. Up.』
Tang Yuchang ground his teeth, glaring at Unhwi smirking across the training ground.
『Dakcha.』
『...I said shut up!』
『Dakchaera, I said! Ouch! So scary!』
This time imitating him comically... he couldn't take it anymore.
Snap!
Something in Tang Yuchang's mind broke.
"Tang Unhwi!"
His face bulging with veins, Tang Yuchang shot to his feet.
* * *
「His reason snapped.」
「Still, holding out that long against that ain't bad, right?」
As Tang Yuchang exploded and leaped onto the training ground, all eyes turned to him.
Peddlers selling roasted chestnuts, children playing with their parents—everyone froze like statues.
Silence blanketed the training ground.
"Come up here! I'll rip out that sly tongue of yours and toss it to the pigsty!"
His face beet-red as he rampaged—utterly ridiculous.
He had no idea.
Just from that display, the crowd had already decided the superiority between us.
As the defender receiving the challenge, he should have treated me accordingly.
No matter my provocations, he needed to maintain utmost composure.
Refuse the duel, or if accepting, approach it as bestowing guidance—at least then he'd break even.
Unlike me with nothing, he had too much to lose.
If he won as defender? He could plant the image of enlightening the deficient me.
If he lost? A warrior's defeat is just circumstantial; gracefully concede and aim for a rematch.
With Namgung Sanyeong behind him and his established position, recovery was possible.
But his wrong judgment this time ruined it all.
Charging out first in front of this crowd, yelling for me to come up.
To anyone watching, it looked like he was challenging me.
He'd suddenly become the challenger.
While I became the defender.
Now, even if he lost, no comeback.
He'd plummeted from grace straight to ruin.
Even winning wouldn't salvage anything.
He'd just be seen as a fool barely reclaiming his spot.
Either way, self-inflicted ruin—tied by his own noose.
「Truly astonishing mind games—」
「From the moment he stepped into this duel, his fate was sealed.」
Tang Yuchang roared again like a lion.
"Come out already—!"
I smiled and slowly ascended the training ground.
Leisurely steps. The composure of a defender accepting a challenge.
"Tang Unhwi of the White Combat Unit. A nameless foot soldier without a title. May we have a fine match."
I performed a dignified salute, bowing my head slightly.
The formal courtesy before a duel.
In official bouts, mutual respect and etiquette are key.
"Scared now that you're up here? Too late."
Tang Yuchang smirked rudely in contrast.
This stark difference would be etched in everyone's eyes.
Flash!
Tang Yuchang stepped into Dark Shadow Step.
With hazy shadows, countless afterimages charged, needles blotting the sky.
Violent Rain Pear Blossom Needle
Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers
"Dark Shadow Step and Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers!?"
"And wielding the Peerless Plum Blossom Needle, which no second-rater is allowed—even so proficiently!"
The experts among the spectators rose in admiration.
All qualms about Tang Yuchang's earlier unbecoming impatience vanished in an instant.
『Every one of these needles carries ultra-concentrated paralytic poison at the tip. I don't know how you've been detoxifying till now, but no one's here to help anymore—impossible!』
His smirking demeanor felt different from before.
Seemed like an act to lure my carelessness. Not entirely brainless after all?
Lucky me. The first guy I'm crushing post-reincarnation isn't a total idiot.
Facing the sky-filling needles, I spun my body wide.
No escape in this cramped training ground anyway.
Only option: deflect them all at once and smash straight into Tang Yuchang.
Whoosh!
Wind rose from my toes, instantly becoming a gale enveloping me.
"N-No way!?"
Those who recognized it widened their eyes in unison.
The gale turned into a fierce whirlwind, sweeping away every falling needle.
Rumble!
"M-Mad Wind...!!"
"Mad Wind Dance! Mad Wind Dance has appeared!!"
"What? Mad Wind Dance? How does Young Master Unhwi—"
As even the rest fell into shock, I donned the Mad Wind like armor and stomped the ground hard.
Boom!
Screee—
Mad Wind Dance
Mad Wind Burst
I shot toward Tang Yuchang like a streak of light, unleashing a body slam.
Shoulders and back aligned to blast the foe in one strike.
"Hup—"
Tang Yuchang urgently activated Dark Shadow Energy to retreat, hurling more hidden weapons, but none pierced the Mad Wind.
His face drained pale.
Boom!
"Gaaack—"
Tang Yuchang screamed, flung out of bounds in one blow.
"!"
"!"
"!"
The crowd was stunned. Some covered their gaping mouths.
Vanquished in one move.
No one imagined their young master—who at seventeen had mastered Dark Shadow Energy and Heavenly Maiden Scattering Flowers—would fall so easily to 'Tang Unhwi,' treated like a cripple just months ago.
But my target wasn't trash like Tang Yuchang to begin with.
Something higher.
Heir to the Nine Dragons Branch Family. Qingcheng Sect's pinnacle genius.
Sichuan's rising star.
Only by breaking that would my standing truly change.
"Sister."
I turned my head.
Tang Gyujin stared at me in shock.
"Will you accept my duel?"