Chapter 103
Chapter 103
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: A Generous Offer
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Ironheart Pavilion.
This was the residence of the Young Lord of the Sichuan Dang family, the heir who would one day become the Family Head.
*Slurp.*
Dang Gon was sipping tea in a pavilion overlooking a beautiful garden.
Across from him sat Bu Eun-seol, dressed in black martial arts attire.
“I've been so busy these past few days, I haven't had a chance to see you.”
After a fierce, half-day battle, Dang Gon had defeated Dang Ryeong by a razor-thin margin.
Afterward, he was officially named the Young Lord of the Dang family and moved his residence to the Ironheart Pavilion, located opposite the Qiankun Pavilion where Dang Pae resided, in what could be called the heart of the inner court.
Upon becoming Young Lord, he was granted serving maids to manage his household, the family's finest guards, and the authority to learn all eight of the Dang family's secret arts.
“So why the long face?”
Bu Eun-seol looked at Dang Gon, who sat with a glum expression.
He had finally achieved everything he wanted, yet he didn't look very happy.
“I don't know. This wasn't the ending I had hoped for.”
Unfortunately, three days after the tournament, Dang Ryeong quietly passed away.
The palm strike he had taken from Dang Bi had already melted several of his meridians, and on top of that, he had fought Dang Gon to his limit for half a day.
Furthermore, Dang Bi, after recovering from his injuries, left the region.
He was wracked with guilt, believing Dang Ryeong had died because of his palm strike. He also lacked the confidence to serve under Dang Gon.
“Don't talk as if you've already achieved everything.”
Bu Eun-seol said forcefully, looking at Dang Gon.
“Your life is just beginning.”
He still needed to master the Eight Secret Arts to become strong enough to never lose, and he had to earn the trust of the Dang family's blood relatives.
Not only that, but he also had to expand his connections and solidify alliances with the heirs of various factions and families... The list of things he had to do was piling up like a mountain.
“You're always right.”
Dang Gon let out a small laugh.
“And it always makes me feel ashamed.”
This young man, who looked a year or two his junior, always possessed the insight and values of an old man who had lived to his twilight years.
“Don't think like that. You are a wise and outstanding person yourself. Believe in yourself.”
As Bu Eun-seol stood up, Dang Gon spoke with a look of regret.
“Are you leaving?”
Dang Gon knew.
He knew that Bu Eun-seol had already finished preparations to leave with Heuk-pyo. But he didn't want to let him go just like this.
“Can't you stay a little longer? I have so much to do.”
“From now on, you must work together with the blood relatives of the Dang family. There's nothing more I can do to help.”
“I know, I know. Just stay a few more days. Now that I'm the Young Lord, I'll open up the family's wine cellar...”
“That's alright. Let's save it for next time.”
Bu Eun-seol said with a gentle smile.
“Won't our next meeting be all the more welcome if we part with a little regret?”
“I suppose so.”
Dang Gon took a deep breath and gave a faint smile. Then, he took out a small command token from his robes.
It was the Young Lord's token, which could be used to command anyone in the Dang family except for the Family Head, Dang Pae.
“You and I... and this family, we will share life and death with you.”
Dang Gon said, his voice filled with passion.
“Please, take it.”
“That would be a loss for me.”
“Huh?”
For once, Bu Eun-seol grinned.
“I plan on living a little longer than you. If we share life and death, wouldn't that be a loss for me?”
At those words, Dang Gon's eyes widened with emotion.
He realized this small joke was Bu Eun-seol's way of conveying his true feelings.
*Knock, knock.*
Just then, a knock on the door was followed by the delicate voice of a serving maid.
“Young Lord. A guard from the Qiankun Division has come looking for Young Master Bu.”
“The Qiankun Division?”
The Qiankun Division was the personal guard that protected the Family Head, Dang Pae.
Why would a warrior from the most formidable guard unit in the Dang family be looking for Bu Eun-seol instead of him?
“Let him in.”
At Dang Gon's words, the door opened, and a muscular, middle-aged man entered and bowed respectfully.
“U Myeong of the Qiankun Division greets the Young Lord.”
“What is it?”
“The Family Head is looking for Young Master Bu.”
“My friend? Why?”
“He only ordered that he come to the Qiankun Pavilion.”
“Very well. Lead the way.”
As Bu Eun-seol rose from his seat, Dang Gon stood up as well.
“I'll go with you.”
“My apologies, but the Family Head ordered me to bring only Young Master Bu.”
“Hmm.”
Seeing Dang Gon's displeased expression, Bu Eun-seol waved his hand.
“I should go see him.”
***
Qiankun Pavilion.
This was the residence of the Sichuan Dang family's Head.
It shared its name with the residence of the Murim Alliance's Leader, because the very first Alliance Leader had been the Head of the Sichuan Dang family.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
The serving maid led him into a reception room filled with luxurious furniture.
As Bu Eun-seol took a seat, an inner door opened, and a middle-aged man in ornate robes slowly walked out.
It was Dang Pae.
“Family Head.”
Bu Eun-seol rose from his seat and bowed his head respectfully.
He did so not because the man was the Head of the renowned Sichuan Dang family, but because he was the father of his dear friend.
“I heard you were leaving today.”
“That is correct. But the reason you summoned me is...”
“Hahaha. How could I simply let the benefactor of my family leave without a word?”
Dang Pae was a master of the Supreme Celestial Realm, on par with the leaders of the Nine Sects One Alliance and the heads of the Eight Great Families.
Having transcended even the Transcendent Realm, he would normally exude an aura so intense it would be hard to breathe, but right now, he radiated an atmosphere as gentle as a spring breeze, as if he had found a long-lost love.
And for good reason—to Dang Pae, Bu Eun-seol was like a gift from the heavens.
Not only had he awakened all of Dang Gon's latent abilities, which had been a source of disappointment, but he had also dealt with Sim Dok, the Vice-leader of the Blood Toxin Valley.
Because of that, the Dang family's reputation had spread beyond Sichuan to Hunan and Hubei, and countless young people were now hoping to join the Dang family's outer court.
“Thanks to you, Gon has realized his potential as the Young Lord, and our family's reputation grows by the day.”
A smile played on Dang Pae's lips as he looked at Bu Eun-seol.
“The young masters of the Poison Arts Hall even requested to be placed under Gon's command. I heard it was because of you and the boy you brought with you.”
Dang Pae paused for a moment, then nodded and said.
“Thanks to you, the two things that gave me the biggest headaches have both been resolved.”
“I only helped a little from the side.”
“Hahaha. Humble, too.”
Dang Pae's gaze swept over Bu Eun-seol's handsome features with satisfaction before he asked cautiously.
“If I may ask, could you tell me which school you belong to?”
“That is...”
“Don't worry. It doesn't matter even if you're not from the Orthodox Faction but from the Demonic Path.”
Dang Pae said calmly.
“Our family also has ties with a few demonic factions. Just because our paths are different doesn't mean we must reject one another.”
In truth, not just he but all the Dang family's blood relatives suspected that Bu Eun-seol was not a master from a prestigious orthodox sect.
If he were, it was impossible that they wouldn't have known of him.
Nevertheless, Dang Pae asked about his origins because he had another motive.
“I am traveling the Jianghu under strict orders not to reveal my school.”
“I see.”
Dang Pae, with a look of disappointment, spoke in a suggestive tone.
“Do you have a destination in mind after leaving our family?”
“I do not.”
“I see. In that case...”
Dang Pae cleared his throat once more and said in a low voice.
“I heard you've met Cheong.”
“I have.”
“What did you think of her?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean...”
Dang Pae stared intently at Bu Eun-seol's face.
His martial arts were one thing, but his appearance, aura, and demeanor were all flawless.
Gazing into Bu Eun-seol's eyes, which were as clear and still as an autumn sky, Dang Pae finally got to the point.
“Have you any thought of becoming a son-in-law to our family?”
“A son-in-law?”
“If you are amenable, I am willing to personally arrange a match between you and Cheong.”
If anyone else had heard this, they would have jumped in shock and questioned Dang Pae's sanity.
This was the same Dang Pae who had publicly declared he wouldn't even let his daughter meet a man unless he was an heir to one of the Nine Sects One Alliance or the son of the Murim Alliance Leader.
And now he was offering Dang Cheong's hand to Bu Eun-seol, a self-proclaimed wanderer of the Jianghu?
‘With his character and martial skill, his school must be incredible, even without knowing its name. It's best to secure him early.’
“I...”
“Don't answer so quickly.”
Dang Pae wore a very serious expression.
“Becoming Cheong's husband means you would not only be able to learn all of our family's Eight Secret Arts, but you would also become a figure who leads the world, running the Dang family alongside Gon.”
“...”
“And though it's unbecoming for me to say so myself, Cheong is not only skilled in the four arts of zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting, but she is also a talented woman known as the number one beauty in Sichuan.”
“I am grateful for your kind offer, but I have many things to take care of after my journey through the Jianghu is over.”
“I'm not asking you to decide right now.”
Faced with Bu Eun-seol's firm reply, Dang Pae smiled like a cunning old fox and took a step back.
“Cheong will have her own opinion, of course, and who knows how the threads of fate between people will weave themselves.”
Dang Pae gently patted Bu Eun-seol's shoulder and said.
“In any case, you are a friend who has shared life and death with Gon, are you not? You too will start a family one day, so I'm just asking you to think about the future.”
“I understand.”
“You must have received the Young Lord's token from Gon... Is there anything you want from me? I will grant you anything.”
Bu Eun-seol, who had been deep in thought for a moment, shook his head.
“There is nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“That is correct.”
“Think about it carefully. There's still plenty of time.”
“There is nothing.”
At the firm reply, Dang Pae's expression faltered.
The Head of the great Sichuan Dang family was offering to grant him anything, yet he flatly refused without a moment's hesitation?
“Ahem.”
Dang Pae cleared his throat and said quietly.
“Our family has the most skilled hidden weapon craftsmen in the world. Do you know how to use hidden weapons?”
“I have never learned.”
“Is that so? Then I'll have our craftsmen make you an excellent hidden weapon device. With one of our devices, even a decent master wouldn't be able to dodge with just a flick of your finger.”
Despite Dang Pae's subtle persuasion, Bu Eun-seol once again shook his head.
“That won't be necessary.”
“Hmm. In that case...”
After a moment of contemplation, Dang Pae seemed to think deeply about something, then slowly took out a thin booklet from his robes.
On its pristine cover, which looked recently made, were two characters written in cursive script: Treasured Dagger Manual.
“As you know, the foundation of our family's hidden weapon arts is the art of the flying dagger...”
Dang Pae's eyes showed a flicker of pain, as if he was recalling Dang Ryeong, who had quietly passed away after the tournament.
Though he projected a cold and unshakable image as the Family Head, in reality, he was not such a heartless person.
“Take it. It is a gift from me.”
“I cannot.”
The martial arts of the Dang family were never taught to outsiders.
“Are you worried that accepting it rashly would make you a member of our family?”
Dang Pae joked, a benevolent smile on his face.
“It's alright. This isn't a Dang family martial art, but simply a collection of insights I gained while using the One-Hand Soul Reaver.”
Handing the manual to Bu Eun-seol once more, Dang Pae murmured quietly, as if to himself.
“And since Gon uses a sword, he won't have any need for this manual.”
His voice was so quiet it was almost inaudible, but it was laden with deep regret.
Bu Eun-seol, who had been standing stiffly, accepted the manual and bowed his head.
“Thank you for your generosity.”
“Whenever you're in trouble, don't forget that our family has your back.”
Dang Pae chuckled and looked at Bu Eun-seol.
“Well, though I imagine your school is quite powerful as well.”
“Thank you.”
“I wish you good fortune in your martial endeavors.”
“Farewell.”
Bu Eun-seol slowly turned around.
Dang Pae watched Bu Eun-seol's departing figure and muttered to himself.
“I wonder where on earth they raised such a talent.”
His voice was thick with regret.
He had genuinely wanted to welcome Bu Eun-seol as his son-in-law.
“There will always be another chance.”
Dang Cheong was not a flower that sat demurely, waiting for attention. She was a woman like a bee, seeking out beautiful flowers herself.
“He can truly be called a dragon among men... so that child of mine won't stay idle, either.”
Knowing Dang Cheong's personality well, Dang Pae smiled with satisfaction and turned away.