Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Hidden Fangs
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The Life-Reaping Hand.
Of the Eight Great Secret Arts of the Dang Clan, it was the most difficult hidden weapon technique to master—a true masterpiece.
So how could the frail Dang Ryeong have possibly learned it?
“My apologies.”
Dang Ryeong said, looking around the silent arena toward Dang Pae in the viewing stands.
“My brother's attack was so powerful that I used this technique without thinking.”
Was it because a major incident had occurred at the tournament he himself had proposed?
Despite the sudden accident, Dang Pae's expression, as he sat in the stands, remained unchanged.
“How is it that you can use the Life-Reaping Hand?”
Everyone in the Dang Clan had believed that Dang Ryeong had given up on practicing martial arts.
They thought his visit to the Secret Cavern had been a mere formality. To think he had mastered the Life-Reaping Hand, a technique known to be incredibly difficult to even practice.
At Dang Seong's question, Dang Ryeong replied with an awkward expression.
“Long ago, I saw Father use it against Heo Juk, the Poisonous Hand… I admired the art so much that I chose to learn it.”
Dang Ryeong had once traveled the martial world with Dang Pae, and during that time, Heo Juk, a formidable rival and a master of the Unorthodox Faction, had ambushed them.
At that time, Dang Pae had dispatched Heo Juk in a single breath while still seated on the coachman's box. The technique he used was the Life-Reaping Hand.
—Mmm.
The clan members in the arena were all stunned. To think that Dang Ryeong had perfectly mastered one of the clan's secret arts.
“Ahem.”
Standing on the stage, Dang Seong cleared his throat and glanced at Dang Pae.
He wondered if the tournament should be stopped, considering a son had just died a tragic death.
“Kugh…”
Just then, with a groan, Dang Bi, who had collapsed after being struck by the dagger, staggered back to his feet.
“No, how…?”
Dang Seong looked as if he would faint from shock upon seeing Dang Bi rise. Dang Ryeong, the one who had unleashed the Life-Reaping Hand, was just as astonished.
*Glint.*
As Dang Bi pulled out the dagger embedded in the center of his chest, something glinted from beneath his torn clothes.
“The Silver Scale Armor?”
Astonishingly, Dang Bi was wearing the Silver Scale Armor under his clothes—a treasure of the Dang Clan, armor that had been bestowed upon Dang Gon.
‘To think that man was right.’
Dang Bi stared intently at the masked man below the stage, Bu Eun-seol, who had visited him a few days ago.
***
“Hahaha! My eldest brother has perfectly mastered one of the clan's secret arts?”
Hearing the masked Bu Eun-seol's words, Dang Bi had let out a hollow laugh.
“That is correct.”
“Don't be ridiculous. My brother gave up on martial arts a long time ago.”
“Then let me ask you this. Why would a man who has given up on martial arts enter the Secret Cavern?”
“What?”
“A man as intelligent as him, simply to waste time?”
Bu Eun-seol had heard every detail Dang Gon knew about Dang Ryeong.
And he had learned that Dang Ryeong entered the Secret Cavern, where the clan's secret arts were kept, and stayed for a full ten days.
In that moment, Bu Eun-seol had surmised that Dang Ryeong had learned a secret art and, by now, would be proficient enough to use it smoothly.
“He's insane.”
Dang Bi had scoffed, as if the words weren't even worth listening to.
“If my brother had learned a secret art, why hasn't he used it until now? He endured countless insults from members of other clans for being weak in martial arts.”
“Because he is not as dull-witted as you.”
“What did you say?”
“A predator only reveals its sharp fangs when it hunts.”
Bu Eun-seol had once again pushed the wooden box containing the Silver Scale Armor toward Dang Bi's feet.
“Whether you believe me or not is up to you.”
With those words, Bu Eun-seol had left.
That day, Dang Bi hadn't believed a word of it. But the Silver Scale Armor was a treasure that protected the body.
Thinking he had nothing to lose, he had worn the armor onto the stage.
“To think my own brother would use such a venomous trick on me.”
Gazing at the deep mark left on the Silver Scale Armor, Dang Bi trembled with a sense of betrayal.
“Eldest Brother. How could you do this to me!”
To Dang Bi's desperate cry, Dang Ryeong replied in a chilling voice.
“Second Brother. The main family is a house built on blood.”
“Brother!”
“Among Father's siblings, do you know why only Uncle Dang Seong remains?”
A madness flickered in Dang Ryeong's eyes.
“Because the other siblings would surely have turned traitor. It is the tradition of the main family to cut down the seeds of betrayal before they can sprout.”
Dang Bi was well aware of this fact.
But he had thought his relationship with Dang Ryeong was different. No matter how much they bickered, Dang Ryeong had always maintained a gentle demeanor.
“I believed that even if I became the Clan Head, I could still get along with you, Brother!”
At Dang Bi's shout, Dang Ryeong shook his head.
“Is that so? But I planned to eliminate you anyway once I became the Clan Head.”
“What did you say?”
“Your ambition is great, but your mind is slow. You would surely have rebelled one day, using my weak body as an excuse.”
Dang Ryeong gestured toward Dang Gon, who stood in the distance.
“Our third brother also knew his place in the past... but things are different now.”
Dang Bi's eyes lost their focus.
‘So that's how it was.’
The face of Dang Ryeong he knew was nothing more than a mask he had crafted.
The real Dang Ryeong was not only ruthless but also a man of great ambition.
“You truly were a man fit to be the head of the main family, Brother.”
“I'm glad you understand. So, will you give up?”
“Hahaha.”
Dang Bi suddenly burst out laughing.
“Now I understand why Father forced us to ingest poison. It's because he knew all too well the blackness of your heart, Eldest Brother.”
*Rip.*
Tearing off his top and casting aside the Silver Scale Armor, Dang Bi bared his teeth.
“If I give up, you'll easily defeat that whelp Dang Gon and become the Clan Head.”
A vicious killing intent poured from his eyes.
“Unfortunately for you, that plan won't come to pass.”
*Sssshaaaa!*
A murky yellow poison energy began to emanate from Dang Bi's body.
He had finally drawn upon the Five Venoms Serpent Transformation Art, one of the Dang Clan's secret arts.
‘This... is troublesome.’
Dang Ryeong sighed as he watched Dang Bi.
‘The original plan was for Dang Bi to fall in a single blow from the Life-Reaping Hand. But...’
Dang Ryeong looked toward Dang Gon in the distance, and at Bu Eun-seol beside him.
*Smirk.*
When their eyes met and Bu Eun-seol gave a slight smile, rage boiled up inside him.
‘So that bastard was the one who orchestrated this.’
Even if Dang Gon harbored such venom, he wasn't skilled in scheming. Giving Dang Bi the Silver Scale Armor was certainly Bu Eun-seol's plot.
‘In any case, I must finish Dang Bi quickly.’
Dang Ryeong glanced down at the throwing dagger hidden in his sleeve.
The Life-Reaping Hand. It was an infallible dagger art, but Dang Bi had already experienced it once. A perfect surprise attack like before would be difficult.
‘To deal with Dang Bi, who has mastered the Five Venoms Serpent Transformation Art to its peak...’
*Click.*
Dang Ryeong drew a flexible sword hidden at his waist.
‘I must use the Sun and Moon Sword, not the Life-Reaping Hand!’
“Haaap!”
Just then, Dang Bi's muscular body, pouring out the Five Venoms Serpent Transformation Art, charged forward.
Watching him, Dang Ryeong gripped his flexible sword and unleashed the Sun and Moon Sword Style with all his might.
*Thwip.*
The stiffened flexible sword was embedded in Dang Bi's chest. It had narrowly missed his heart, but it was a fatal wound, one from which it was questionable if he could ever fully recover.
And Dang Bi's hand had struck Dang Ryeong's shoulder.
His shoulder was struck by a palm strike brimming with the power of the Five Venoms Serpent Transformation Art.
“Even using my ultimate technique... I'm no match for you, Brother.”
Dang Bi looked down at the sword in his chest and fell to his knees.
*Thud.*
As Dang Bi collapsed, waiting medics rushed to carry him away.
“The winner is Dang Ryeong!”
Despite having witnessed this gruesome fight, Dang Seong's voice was unchanged.
The expressions of the watching Dang clan members also didn't change much.
The Dang Clan is a family forged in blood.
It was a history that always repeated itself, and it was also the driving force that kept the Dang Clan strong.
“Next up are Dang Gon and Dang Cheong.”
When his name was called, Dang Gon looked at Bu Eun-seol and Heuk-pyo and nodded.
“Well then, I'm off.”
Unlike before, Dang Gon's expression was now very composed, and his eyes were cold.
*Whoosh.*
Just then, Dang Cheong leaped onto the stage with a graceful movement technique.
“Brother.”
“Cheong.”
After a brief greeting, Dang Gon's face was filled with a dignity it hadn't possessed before.
Only after watching the fight between Dang Ryeong and Dang Bi did he realize what burdens the position of Young Lord entailed.
‘To become the Clan Head means to become a ruthless guardian who can protect the Sichuan Dang Clan no matter what.’
Having finally realized everything, Dang Gon stared at Dang Cheong and said.
“I want you to face me with all your strength.”
Drawing up his internal energy, Dang Gon gazed at her with cold eyes.
His demeanor was much like Bu Eun-seol's when facing an enemy.
“Uncle Seong.”
Just then, Dang Cheong looked at Dang Seong and spoke.
“I... I forfeit.”
As Dang Seong showed a surprised expression, Dang Cheong smiled brightly.
“Even if I win the tournament, I can't become the Clan Head anyway, can I?”
“But...”
“Besides, it looks like my third brother has finally come to his senses.”
Turning around, Dang Cheong looked at Dang Gon and winked.
“Before, he was definitely not Young Lord material... but now, he's worth looking forward to, isn't he? Right?”
‘So that's what it was.’
Dang Gon could finally understand Bu Eun-seol's words.
—When you grow up receiving more love than you deserve, sometimes you fail to realize it.
‘I was loved.’
By his father, Dang Pae. By his youngest sister, Dang Cheong. And by the clan members who saw his potential and supported me.
And by the friend and his servant watching me from afar.
He had not been alone.
“I can forfeit with peace of mind, right? Third Brother?”
Dang Cheong asked with a smile, and Dang Gon nodded gravely.
“I will not disappoint you.”
“The winner is Dang Gon!”
Dang Seong once again raised his voice and announced loudly.
“For the final match, Dang Ryeong, ascend the stage!”
*Thud.*
At those words, Dang Ryeong stepped back onto the stage.
His left shoulder was all but shattered, and his body was considerably exhausted.
Despite this, Dang Ryeong's presence still surpassed Dang Gon's.
*Shing.*
As Dang Gon unhesitatingly drew the sword from his waist, Dang Ryeong smiled faintly.
“You've changed.”
The Dang Gon of the past would have declared that he would never fight an injured Dang Ryeong.
But he was different now. For the sake of victory, he could relentlessly exploit his enemy's weakness.
He had become ruthless enough to slit the throat of his own kin for the sake of the match.
“If you had shown this side of yourself sooner... I would have set everything aside and dealt with you first.”
Dang Ryeong looked at Dang Gon with an expression of regret.
“You are truly fortunate.”
“That's right. I am very fortunate.”
Smiling faintly, Dang Gon brought his hands together in a salute.
“Shall we begin?”
“Huhu. Very well.”
Dang Ryeong drew his flexible sword and nodded.
“Let's make this a fight with no regrets.”
Dang Ryeong smiled brightly.
‘I have no regrets.’
I was born with a weak body, but I secretly endured harsh training to overcome my heavenly curse.
But in that time, the unexpected Dang Gon emerged as a hidden dragon.
‘No, I had anticipated everything.’
Dang Ryeong had many opportunities to kill Dang Gon.
But he had been curious to see if Dang Gon could truly overcome his own limits and become someone who could threaten him.
And the answer, the result, was right before his eyes.
‘I was too complacent.’
To become the head of the Sichuan Dang Clan, one had to be more ruthless than anyone. Because I failed to be so, this has happened.
‘Trying to kill my second brother out of impatience, too.’
When Dang Gon suddenly rose through the ranks, Dang Ryeong grew impatient and made a poor judgment.
If he hadn't tried to kill Dang Bi? He wouldn't have injured his shoulder either.
‘What a shame.’
Dang Ryeong felt a sense of regret.
That he couldn't show Dang Gon the entirety of the martial arts he had achieved.
And that in this final battle, there was only defeat.