Chapter 178
Chapter 178
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 178
Chapter Title: Put Your Arm Down
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I felt Dangryong's body stiffen up in an instant.
It was a shame I couldn't properly read his expression since our faces were so close, but he was surely failing at keeping a straight face.
"Puhahaha! The Young Branch Leader should see this ugly mug of his too!"
"Your expression control is sorely lacking, my lord. It's the face of someone who's taken a solid hit."
"How dare you insult Young Master Il?"
The escorts drew their swords in unison, pointing them our way.
The one who seemed to be the escort captain was even baring blatant killing intent.
I released my arm from around Dangryong's shoulder and turned my gaze toward them.
I twisted one corner of my mouth.
"You'd better lower your arms."
"You think a bit of fame outside makes you all high and mighty? Get on your knees and apologize to Young Master Il right—"
"Lower your arms. Unless you want to die."
I unleashed my aura.
Kiiiiiaaa!
With a horrific wail, a gale carrying demonic energy exploded outward in an instant.
"!!"
"!!"
"!!"
The escorts' faces turned pale.
They never dreamed I'd possess an aura that overwhelmed them.
The only one who could withstand my presence head-on was the escort captain.
Even he had a rigidly set face, clearly resisting with all his might.
"You lot are from the Guardian Hall, right?"
The Guardian Hall was an organization that broadly protected the Inner Court and more narrowly safeguarded the direct bloodline.
"And this is the successor to the Nine Dragons Branch Family, the new master of the Gale Wind Corps. Hierarchically speaking, I'm not in a position to take informal talk from the likes of you. What do you think?"
Among the many branch families and sub-branches that formed the foundation of the Tang Clan, the Nine Dragons Branch Family boasted the highest rank.
The former status of the Gale Wind Corps, which stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Luyeok Corps, went without saying.
In terms of ceremonial hierarchy, Tang Hoseon came after the Clan Head, Vice Head, Elder Council Leader, and Luyeok Corps Leader. In other words, fifth in line.
So, what about the Young Branch Head? Sixth.
By pure numbers alone, Tang Hoseon outranked even Tang Ja-myeong, the heir apparent to the main house.
Of course, with the weight of the main house behind him, Tang Ja-myeong wouldn't take orders from Tang Hoseon, but conversely, Tang Hoseon was too lofty a figure for Tang Ja-myeong as well.
They'd apparently been on brotherly terms in their youth, but who knows now.
Thus, there was no reason for me—the publicly declared successor to the fifth-ranked ceremonial position—to take informal lip from Dangryong, a mere household servant without any official title, let alone from Guardian Hall underlings riding his coattails.
Sure, Dangryong was mentioned as a potential successor to the Dark Lord.
But so what? I'd learned the Ten Thousand Forms Art from that bald geezer too. If we're talking successor dynamics, doesn't that put me in the mix as well? No reason to lose out to Dangryong.
He must have eyes and ears planted everywhere, so he'd heard it—the fact that the Dark Lord held me in special regard.
The Dark Lord was a hero from a branch family who seized the Clan Head position. There was no rule saying the successor had to come from the direct line like him.
No, his fondness for me likely carried a silent warning to the direct descendants as well.
Shape up, or there'll be no seats left for you lot.
Dangryong knew his grandfather's temperament well, which was why he'd come to me.
Using the Namgung Oh incident as an excuse to pressure me.
He figured since I'd groveled to him as a child, nothing had changed now that we'd grown up.
That someone like me would be easy to handle.
And by securing the Nine Dragons Branch successor's backing, he'd gain an edge in the succession struggle.
But what a shame.
I'm not the Dang Un-hwi you think you know.
If you wanted to deal with me, you should've brought a proper gift.
And pulled this petty trick instead?
"I won't warn you twice. Lower your arms."
This was my warning to Dangryong as well.
The escorts remained rigid.
Ping.
"Fine. If you won't lower them, whatever."
Heat infused the gale.
The moment the hot wind was about to erupt, hidden weapons flew in first.
Pfft-pfft-pfft-pfft!
"Urk!"
"Cough!"
"Grk!"
The escort captain and the five escorts clutched their right arms and staggered back.
Over a dozen hidden weapons were embedded in their forearms and shoulders.
It was a hidden weapon technique boasting incredible speed and stealth.
"Who gave you permission to draw your swords without my say-so? What is this rudeness?"
Dangryong glared at his escorts with a razor-sharp gaze.
Oh? Look at that.
"Hwi-a is like a blood brother to me, no different from Yeo-won. Pointing a sword at him is the same as pointing one at me—how dare you sully my face?"
The escort captain immediately lowered his eyes.
"I-I'm sorry, my lord."
"If you're going to apologize, do it to the person involved, not me!"
"This lowly one has been rude to the successor of the Nine Dragons Branch Family. I dare not beg for mercy. But the blame for this lies entirely with me. Please punish only me."
"……."
Dangryong continued to glare coldly at the escort captain.
A hollow laugh escaped me.
Why pretend you don't know that tirade is aimed at me?
No matter how much of a Nine Dragons Branch successor you are, you're still beneath me. To me, you're just the kid who couldn't even meet my eyes properly and groveled back in the day. The main house throne will be mine too, so wouldn't it be best if you stayed my little brother forever?
I just smiled quietly.
Take it as you will.
"I don't have the authority to punish yet, since I'm not officially under the main house. Forgiving or not is up to those with the power. I'll leave this to my brother. They're his people, after all."
"…Very well. Thanks for understanding."
"No big deal. Between us."
Dangryong smiled bitterly.
But his pupils had cooled to ice.
He'd thought I'd play the pushover and let it slide if he stepped in like this.
But I'd tossed the ball back to him, so now he had to wrap it up.
There were plenty of eyes watching.
If he let it go without real punishment, people would see it as favoritism, and his reputation wouldn't fare well.
But punishing harshly might erode the loyalty of his followers.
So, which would he choose?
Slash!
Dangryong brought his hand blade down with emotionless eyes.
The escort captain's left arm hit the floor. His eyes bulged red with burst vessels, but not a groan escaped.
Weeping斩 Ma Sok.
Pretty ruthless.
"I hope you'll let this end here, for the sake of my face as well."
"Of course. Honestly, I was only thinking confinement at most. Feels like my prank blew it out of proportion—sorry about that."
"Thanks for understanding. Seems we've both come up short today, so let's set a proper time later to talk reunion."
"Sure. Call me anytime."
Dangryong nodded and turned away.
The escorts hurriedly picked up the severed left arm and supported the escort captain.
Dangryong's footsteps as he left Hyunmu Pavilion were heavier than when he'd arrived.
I felt the stares from the apprentice students and household servants. I glanced at them and returned to my quarters.
"How do you think Young Master Il will react, my lord?"
"With his face lost in front of everyone, he might nitpick the Young Branch Leader's every move from now on—"
'No. He won't. If anything, he'll try to help.'
"Pardon? But he crippled someone he favored—will he just sit still? This is the Tang Clan we're talking about."
'The Tang Clan doesn't live purely on pride. Especially now, it's all about calculated gains.'
'??'
'It's like that.'
I ignored the puzzled spirits on my face and entered my room.
My roommate Hong Ryeo was out, leaving a chill in the air.
I was tired and thought of resting, but it seemed a new guest meant no sleep tonight.
At that moment.
Clink!
A blood-red blade hovered under my chin before I knew it.
『Stay still.』
A languid yet sharp, beautiful voice came from behind.
A smile tugged at my lips.
You've come.
At last, the guest I'd been waiting for had arrived.
The Vampire Witch.
* * *
On the way back to the Solitary Dragon Hall, Dangryong's already quiet escorts were especially silent today.
Even Escort Captain Cheonsu Indo Neung Somun kept his lips firmly shut.
He wasn't originally Tang blood; he was a guest retainer and outsider to the main house.
But Dangryong had taken a liking to his ruthless nature and sharp mind, promoting him from the Guardian Hall to the Solitary Dragon Hall. He was publicly acknowledged as Dangryong's right-hand man.
And Dangryong had just cut off that right-hand man's arm.
Neung Somun, who knew well how much his lord cherished his subordinates, could guess the pain his master was feeling.
That's why he endured the lingering agony without complaint.
Compared to what Dangryong was going through, his own pain was nothing.
Just as the cold sweat beading on Neung Somun's forehead dripped down his cheek to the floor.
Dangryong slowly turned and spoke.
"How's the wound? Feeling better?"
"…It's fine."
Neung Somun finally opened his mouth. He forced a smile, but couldn't stop his lips from trembling.
"I went a bit hard, didn't I? Forgive me. There were too many eyes around."
"It's a decision our wise lord made after due consideration. Whether I understand or not is beyond my station."
"Thanks. For saying that."
Dangryong truly appreciated Neung Somun.
He knew the depth of his loyalty, which allowed him to make that call.
"But, if I may be so bold, might I ask one question?"
"Ask away."
"What are your plans for the Little Vitality Half Evil?"
"Hmm. That's been on my mind too."
Dangryong stroked his chin and muttered.
"He's changed—a lot tougher than the rumors. I nearly got stabbed myself. If I'd underestimated him, my head might've rolled."
"…In my view, no one fits 'real or fake' better than him."
"Real or fake. Spot on."
"He's dangerous."
"Very."
"He doesn't seem the type to serve under anyone."
"That too."
"Then—"
"That's exactly why I want him more."
Neung Somun nodded gravely.
"A wise judgment. A man like that must be pulled to our side, lest he goes to the Dark Tiger Hall or Heavenly Emperor Hall."
Dangryong grinned.
He liked this side of Neung Somun.
Normally, one might resent Un-hwi or blame their lord in such a case.
But Neung Somun harbored none of that.
Despite his brutal nickname of Thousand-Hand Man Butcher, he possessed keen reason that allowed cold judgments when needed.
Take Un-hwi, Neung Somun had advised, and Dangryong accepted.
It showed their vessels were utterly unlike ordinary men's from the start.
「…Dragon Pool, eh. True to the Dark Lord's blood, he's no one to take lightly.」
The demon flying overhead clicked its tongue lightly, circled, and headed toward Hyunmu Pavilion.
Reincarnated Demon God Temple