Chapter 414
Chapter 414
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 414
Chapter Title: The Young Patriarch's Resolve
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The next day.
Sichuan Dang Clan, Bongjeong Pavilion conference hall.
A steady rain was falling outside.
Dang Gon gazed out the window as a chill wind blew in.
‘How strange.’
A bizarre thought crossed Dang Gon’s mind as he recalled the report on the Venom Demon Sect from his trusted subordinate.
‘It’s enough to make a ghost weep. Commander Sunwoo. It’s not like he could have done anything.’
Dang Gon had consistently treated Sunwoo Jin, a third-rank commander of the Martial Alliance, and his men with the utmost courtesy and respect.
But he had never expected a mere third-rank commander to resolve this matter.
He knew all too well that war was inevitable. That was why he hadn't paid much attention to Sunwoo Jin's actions.
And yet, something strange had happened.
Jin Cheon-gon, the lord of the Venom Demon Sect which had joined the Demonic Alliance, had suddenly tucked tail and fled with his men.
The Dang Clan’s startled intelligence network had scrambled to uncover the reason, but in the end, they could only report that they didn't know.
‘Hmm.’
As Dang Gon stroked his chin, lost in deep thought, the door slid open.
*Screech.*
Two figures entered, walking shoulder to shoulder. It was Jang Song and Hyeong-geuk.
Before Dang Gon could even offer a sneer, Jang Song spoke first.
“Lord Jin seems to have returned, unable to bear the weight of his own rash words. Involving the Demonic Alliance in such a matter would be making it too big of an issue, would it not?”
Jang Song spoke with an exceptionally grave expression.
“Though they are called one of the Three Venom Sects, the Venom Demon Sect has always walked its own path.”
It was a ridiculous excuse.
Dang Gon, who had been staring at the two with impassive eyes, spoke coldly.
“Just say what you want to say.”
The words were utterly insulting.
But Jang Song spoke with a very relaxed expression.
“I request a duel.”
“A duel?”
“That’s right.”
A sinister smile touched Jang Song’s lips.
“We’ve come all this way from Yunnan. It would be a shame not to witness the Dang Clan’s Eight Great Arts, wouldn’t it?”
‘So they plan to cling to this until the very end.’
Even with Jin Cheon-gon gone, the conflict with the Three Venom Sects was not about to end just like that.
‘They can’t wage an all-out war right now, so they mean to blunt our edge.’
Though the Venom Demon Sect had retreated, the other two sects had also grown into forces that could not be ignored.
If the fight could be concluded with a mere duel, it wasn't such a bad proposition.
‘This isn’t a bad offer for the main house, either.’
It didn't matter, since he would win anyway. Having finished his thoughts, Dang Gon nodded.
“Very well. Where?”
“Is there a need to go far? I understand the Dang Clan has many fine training grounds.”
Jang Song’s words brought a look of surprise to Dang Gon’s face.
To request a duel, they must be confident of victory. He had thought they would surely scheme to hold a large, public duel to tarnish the Dang Clan’s prestige.
But they wanted to hold a quiet duel within the Dang Clan’s grounds?
‘They intend to defeat me and break the main house’s morale.’
Dang Gon saw through their plan.
With Dang Pae ill, he was the one responsible for the Dang Clan. What if he were to be defeated in this duel, in front of the direct bloodline members of the clan?
—The lord of the Yunnan Three Venom Sects defeated the main house’s Young Patriarch. We would have no chance of victory if we were to wage war against them.
The Dang Clan members would begin to doubt Dang Gon’s abilities, and they would have little hope of victory in the all-out war to come.
“Fine.”
But Dang Gon agreed readily.
He, too, was confident that there was no chance he would lose to the lords of the Three Venom Sects.
“It’s raining today, so let’s meet tomorrow, around the Hour of the Ram, at the main house’s training ground.”
Jang Song and Hyeong-geuk looked at each other and smiled.
Then, still smiling, they nodded.
“Very well. We will see you then.”
As they turned away, their eyes glinted with a dark light.
But Dang Gon didn't see it, as their backs were already turned to him.
***
Jeongsim Pavilion.
This was the residence in the outer court that the Dang Clan had provided for Bu Eun-seol and the elite squad members.
When news of Jang Song and Hyeong-geuk’s duel request spread, Bu Eun-seol gave an order to Tae Mu-ryong and Jeong Jong-do.
“When the duel begins tomorrow, on my signal, have the main unit arm themselves and wait at the Dang Clan’s main gate.”
Tae Mu-ryong’s expression instantly hardened.
Did this mean a major enemy force might descend upon the Dang Clan tomorrow?
As Tae Mu-ryong was at a loss for words, Jeong Jong-do, who stood beside him, spoke cautiously.
“Commander. Besides the two of us, the rest of the members are fresh recruits who have just finished their training, are they not? If a force strong enough to attack the Dang Clan with intent were to invade… our current members would be no match for them.”
“We are not trying to fight, but to defend. So that no one can enter.”
“So that no one can enter…”
After a moment of bewilderment, Jeong Jong-do let out a soft "Ah."
“I see. As long as we are guarding it, no matter who they are, they will not be able to pass. To touch our unit would be the same as challenging the Alliance itself.”
“Exactly.”
A smile graced Bu Eun-seol’s lips.
“It doesn't matter who the opponent is. To be honest, the probability of such a thing happening is very low. This is merely a precaution, and secondly, since we’ve been treated so generously by the Dang Clan, it’s a way to earn our keep.”
At that, Tae Mu-ryong, who had been listening silently, had a realization and asked.
“Commander, you believe there is a high probability that there are forces within Sichuan acting in concert with the Three Venom Sects.”
“That is correct.”
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
“Seeing how the three lords of the Three Venom Sects have entered the Dang Clan’s territory and are picking a fight so brazenly, it’s highly likely they have secretly positioned allied forces nearby.”
Jin Cheon-gon had certainly said he had deployed an assassination squad within Sichuan.
Of course, assassins were unlikely to attempt entry through the main gate.
But he intended to position the elite squad there based on the judgment that there might be other forces working with them.
“Isn’t that impossible?”
Jeong Jong-do spoke up then.
“No matter how much the Yunnan Three Venom Sects have grown in power recently, how could they dare to move troops into Sichuan?”
“This plan of theirs wasn’t made in a day or two.”
Tae Mu-ryong said to Jeong Jong-do.
“They must have been preparing to strike the Dang Clan for a long time, so they could have taken their time and secretly positioned them.”
“Slowly…”
Jeong Jong-do’s eyes narrowed as if he had realized something.
What if the Three Venom Sects had infiltrated small groups of troops, little by little, in advance? The Dang Clan might not have been able to detect it.
“That could be possible.”
As Jeong Jong-do nodded, Tae Mu-ryong said to Bu Eun-seol.
“Considering they are requesting a duel even after the Venom Demon Sect has retreated, it seems highly probable that they have troops in position.”
Bu Eun-seol gave a faint nod at Tae Mu-ryong’s analysis.
‘He’s certainly similar. Both in talent and temperament.’
Like Yu Un-ryong, Tae Mu-ryong possessed the natural insight and sharp mind of a strategist.
That was a blessing for Bu Eun-seol.
Having a brilliant strategist meant that any plan he devised had a high chance of success.
*Knock, knock.*
A knock on the door was followed by the low voice of a young squad member.
“Commander. A warrior from Cheoljung Pavilion is requesting your presence.”
‘Cheoljung Pavilion.’
Cheoljung Pavilion was where the Young Patriarch, Dang Gon, resided.
“I understand.”
Answering immediately, Bu Eun-seol said to Tae Mu-ryong and Jeong Jong-do.
“In any case, when I give the signal, have the members ready to move out swiftly.”
“Understood.”
As the two men cupped their hands in a salute, Bu Eun-seol stepped out of the pavilion.
A young warrior with sharp eyes and a cold aura about him cupped his hands.
“Unjeong, of Cheoljung Pavilion, greets the Commander.”
“What is the matter?”
“The Young Patriarch commanded before entering his cultivation. He asked that the Commander be brought to Cheoljung Pavilion around the Hour of the Monkey.”
“I understand. Let’s go now.”
Unjeong immediately led the way through the Dang Clan’s inner court to the guest hall within Cheoljung Pavilion, where Dang Gon resided.
“The Young Patriarch will be out shortly. Please wait here for a moment.”
“Very well.”
After Unjeong left, a servant brought tea.
Bu Eun-seol sat calmly, sipping his tea.
*Dung, dung, dung. Ching, ching, ching.*
But something was strange.
A very faint noise could be heard from somewhere. It was a deeply unpleasant and grating cacophony.
‘Is he interested in music?’
Feeling a sense of oddity, Bu Eun-seol was about to shake his head when…
—*Knghhh.*
Amidst the faint noise, a very subtle groan mixed with pain reached his ears.
‘Qi Deviation?’
Bu Eun-seol immediately sensed that the groan belonged to Dang Gon.
Such a pained groan during cultivation could only mean one thing: he had fallen into Qi Deviation.
‘Dang Gon!’
Rising from his seat, Bu Eun-seol did not immediately head toward the sound. Instead, he stamped his foot with a grave expression.
*Thump.*
As a low vibration spread, the senses of his Void-Shattering Mind's Eye naturally activated.
He was trying to grasp the structure of the pavilion first, just in case.
‘Is it over there?’
He ran down a long corridor and saw a firmly shut door.
*Dung, dung, dung. Ching, ching, ching.*
And from inside the door, the same unpleasant noise that had been grating on his nerves was now even louder.
‘This is his training chamber? In a place so easily accessible?’
Bu Eun-seol couldn't understand.
Normally, a training chamber was built in a secret, secluded location to avoid disturbances and prevent any outsiders from entering.
It would typically have a sturdy iron door and a lock on the inside.
And Dang Gon was the Young Patriarch of the Dang Clan.
How could the second most important person in the clan be using a solitary room, one where sounds leaked outside, set up inside his own residence, as his training chamber?
*Click.*
He hurriedly opened the door and saw Dang Gon sitting cross-legged, cultivating.
‘Just as I thought…’
Bu Eun-seol’s eyes flashed as he surveyed the training chamber.
Dang Gon was not just sitting and cultivating normally.
Sharp, long needles were set up where he sat cross-legged, and the chamber was filled with Qi-Scattering Powder, which disperses internal energy, and Soul-Bewitching Incense, which causes one to lose consciousness.
On the opposite wall, a long rope was connected to a drum and a gong that could be struck from outside, constantly making noise.
‘He was training his spirit at the same time.’
Dang Gon had intentionally created an environment where cultivation was nearly impossible, one that could induce inner demons.
He was training his internal energy and his spirit all at once.
‘Is he practicing poison arts as well?’
The jars displayed on one side contained lethal poisons that could kill with a single drop.
“Ughhh.”
Just then, Dang Gon groaned again, his eyes still closed.
It seemed he had overexerted himself ahead of the duel and had reached a point where he couldn't escape the inner demon on his own.
“Get a hold of yourself.”
Bu Eun-seol shouted clearly, immediately placing a hand on Dang Gon’s back and infusing him with his internal energy.
‘He failed his breakthrough. And more than once…’
Bu Eun-seol’s gaze darkened as he examined Dang Gon’s body.
His body bore the marks of excruciatingly arduous training.
Countless failures and frustrations, and the desperate scars of constantly teetering on the edge of life and death…
Despite all that, Dang Gon’s talent had yet to blossom, forcing him to repeat this harsh training.
*Woooong.*
Just then, as Dang Gon’s cultivation reached its peak from the infusion of Bu Eun-seol’s true qi, a faint vibration emanated from his body.
*Hoo.*
Finally regaining his senses and finishing his cultivation, Dang Gon quickly pushed Bu Eun-seol’s hand away.
“You’ve wasted your precious true qi.”
Blood filled Dang Gon’s mouth as he smiled sheepishly.
It seemed he had been biting his lip hard to stay conscious.
“How did you get here?”
“I heard a loud noise. So.”
Finally grasping the situation, Dang Gon smiled faintly.
“My apologies. My cultivation took longer than planned… I suppose the sound was quite loud.”
If Bu Eun-seol had not come, he would have fallen to his inner demon, his internal energy would have been greatly diminished, or he would have suffered severe aftereffects.
Yet, despite having crawled back from the brink of death, Dang Gon’s expression was perfectly calm.
“Why did you build your training chamber in a place like this?”
At Bu Eun-seol’s words, Dang Gon gave a bitter smile.
“After seeing me cultivate, the Patriarch had this training chamber prepared for me here.”
It was a strange answer.
As Bu Eun-seol tilted his head in confusion, Dang Gon spoke.
“I’m sorry, but my training isn’t over yet… could you wait just a moment? It will be over soon.”
“I understand.”
Before Bu Eun-seol could even finish his reply, Dang Gon walked over to the poison jars that emitted a foul stench.
Bu Eun-seol watched him impassively for a moment before stepping out of the training chamber.
Outside, Bu Eun-seol found traces of many people having come and gone near the door.
As he carefully examined the tracks, Bu Eun-seol finally understood what Dang Gon had said.
‘So that’s it.’
Since he was risking his life to cultivate, Dang Gon must have found himself in dangerous situations every time.
That was why Dang Pae had prepared a training chamber in a place where people could come and go frequently, where anyone could easily hear Dang Gon’s sounds.
So that someone could help him immediately if he was in danger.
‘Why is he going this far?’
The cultivation method Dang Gon was using was akin to self-mortification. Even at the Wolf Fang Pavilion, which emphasized practical martial arts, it was a training method only for those who had staked their lives on their martial arts.
A dangerous training method where a single misstep could be irreversible.
And the Young Patriarch, the future leader of the Dang Clan, was doing it.
Even on the day before a duel.
‘Hmm.’
Bu Eun-seol swallowed a groan.
Judging by the marks of arduous training on Dang Gon’s body, he should have been more than capable of achieving a breakthrough.
He should have already reached a high realm, yet he was still unable to break through that thin shell.
‘A breakthrough is something that happens naturally when all conditions are met.’
In other words, Dang Gon was still lacking something.
‘Dang Gon has talent no less than the Dang Clan Patriarch.’
It was said among the people that the Dang Clan’s Young Patriarch, Dang Gon, was not particularly talented or gifted.
But Bu Eun-seol knew.
If Dang Gon were to begin his breakthrough… he would leap several stages at once and become a master of incredible martial prowess.
*Creak.*
Just then, the sound of a door opening was followed by a thud.
*Thud, thud.*
With heavy footsteps, Dang Gon, his body tattered like a rag, entered the guest hall where Bu Eun-seol was sitting.
“I’ve shown you a disgraceful sight.”
Dang Gon, who had walked with difficulty, collapsed onto a chair at the table. As if on cue, a servant brought a cup of cool, fragrant tea.
After calming his breathing for a while, he downed the tea in one gulp and spoke with a bitter expression.
“Usually, I can finish without any trouble. But I suppose with the duel ahead, my mind was a little scattered.”
“Why do you go this far?”
Bu Eun-seol’s face was filled with concern.
“The Dang Clan has many excellent martial arts. Is there really a need to train your spirit and internal energy simultaneously in such a way?”
“Aha. So you know of this training method.”
Dang Gon smiled, looking embarrassed.
“Indeed, such a training method is too archaic and dangerous, unbefitting for the scions of a great clan.”
Muttering self-deprecatingly, Dang Gon let out a sigh.
“But I must become stronger as quickly as possible. If I do things the way others do, I will only become as strong as they are.”
“Is the Dang Clan doubting the Young Patriarch’s aptitude?”
“Well, that could be one reason.”
Shaking his head, he walked over to the window.
“But… that’s not the only reason.”
Dang Gon gazed at the full moon visible outside the window and murmured faintly.
“I have a wonderful friend. And I have always received nothing but help from him.”
Dang Gon’s eyes deepened as if he were recalling a distant memory.
“I became the Young Patriarch thanks to him, but with my current abilities, I can be of no help to him. So… I am simply striving to be able to stand beside him as quickly as possible.”
Bu Eun-seol remained silent.
The friend Dang Gon was talking about. He could guess it was himself.
“If you are friends, is there really a need to stand side by side?”
Bu Eun-seol smiled gently.
“For friends who share their hearts and souls, their mere existence is a great source of strength.”
“He is walking a path of thorns that others do not.”
Dang Gon let out a deep sigh and said.
“That path will be so lonely and full of danger. That is why I wish to stand tall as quickly as possible, to become someone who can help him.”
Dang Gon must have been keeping up with news of Bu Eun-seol.
And to help him, the successor of the Demonic Alliance…
He was striving to become a person of a similar level.
“I’ve spoken needlessly.”
Shaking his head, Dang Gon stared intently at Bu Eun-seol and said.
“The reason I called for the Commander so urgently is not for nothing…”
“I know.”
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
“When the duel begins tomorrow, I will position my unit in front of the Dang Clan’s gate. To prevent any foolish tricks.”
“I see. I thought as much.”
Dang Gon smiled faintly.
“Commander Sunwoo is not only highly skilled in martial arts, but also intelligent and bold.”
Then he spoke with a resolute expression.
“But there is no need for that.”
He said, boldly. And something completely unexpected.
“Whatever tricks they pull, whoever attacks the main house. Leave them be.”
Dang Gon spoke with a powerful expression.
“That is what I wanted to ask of you, why I called the Commander here.”
Surprisingly, Dang Gon had also seen through Jang Song and Hyeong-geuk’s scheme.
And yet, he was asking him not to stop their plot.
“I don’t quite understand the Young Patriarch’s words.”
As Bu Eun-seol showed a look of surprise, Dang Gon continued.
“As I said before, it was my uncle, Dang Seong, who contacted the Martial Alliance. My uncle’s heart has weakened considerably since the Patriarch fell ill.”
In the Dang Clan, the Patriarch’s power was absolute, and Dang Pae was one of the most outstanding figures in the clan’s history.
When such an iron-willed man suddenly collapsed and could not rise from his sickbed, Dang Seong also became restless.
He was at a loss.
“The fact that the Three Venom Sects have long been preparing to attack the main house is hardly new information. And with the Patriarch having fallen, they must have thought there was no better time than now.”
A powerful aura, as if looking down on the world, flowed from Dang Gon’s eyes.
“But I intend to turn this crisis into an opportunity. I will soundly defeat the schemes of the Three Venom Sects’ lords and make the prestige of the main house widely known.”
As Dang Gon clenched his fist, a heat that could melt steel flowed from his eyes.
“How the main house put down its roots in Sichuan. And who the hegemon of Sichuan is!”
Bu Eun-seol nodded.
‘He has already become a fine candidate for Patriarch.’
Dang Gon was not avoiding the trial but was preparing to use it as a stepping stone to leap even higher.
And that was likely influenced by the friend he had always wanted to stand beside.
“I understand.”
Bu Eun-seol nodded and said.
“As you’ve said, my unit and I will not intervene.”
After all, helping Dang Gon would not be in his capacity as Sunwoo Jin.
Secretly stepping in as the Martial Soul Lord would not be breaking his promise.
“Thank you for understanding.”
Dang Gon cupped his hands.
“If we had met at a better time, we could have drunk and talked all night. It’s a great shame.”
Bu Eun-seol smiled warmly.
That was Bu Eun-seol’s sentiment as well.
As a smile formed on Bu Eun-seol’s lips, the same smile appeared on Dang Gon’s face.
True men of character need few words. With just a look, the two had come to an understanding.
“May I ask one thing?”
“Of course.”
“Why is the Commander going to such lengths for the main house? The Martial Alliance’s intentions are clear, after all.”
It was all too clear that the Martial Alliance had no intention of helping the Dang Clan in this matter.
Otherwise, they would never have sent a third-rank commander to a dispute between clans.
But contrary to that, the young third-rank commander was helping the Dang Clan with all his heart…
From Dang Gon’s perspective, it was bound to be both strange and puzzling.
“May I hear the reason?”
Bu Eun-seol touched his ear as if it were no big deal.
“It’s a bit much to say to the Young Patriarch.”
“Why is that?”
“It’s really nothing.”
“If possible, I would very much like to hear the reason.”
Dang Gon looked at him with a serious expression. His eyes were innocent, like a child full of curiosity.
Though he usually maintained the solemn and dignified demeanor of a Young Patriarch, in front of someone he liked… he was once again returning to his true self.
‘He hasn’t changed.’
Bu Eun-seol, inwardly swallowing a laugh, scratched his cheek with an embarrassed look.
“It’s just…”
Then he said with a nonchalant expression.
“I don’t like the Three Venom Sects.”
Dang Gon’s eyes widened.
His expression was dazed, as if he had been struck on the back of the head.
“Hahaha. Hahahaha!”
Dang Gon burst into a roar of laughter and nodded.
“So there is a young eccentric in the Martial Alliance as well.”
For a moment, he thought of the most peculiar oddball he knew.
Without knowing that the two were one and the same person.
“Then I will take my leave first.”
As Dang Gon cupped his hands, Bu Eun-seol asked.
“Are you going to the training chamber again?”
Noticing the deep concern in his brow, Dang Gon gave a faint smile.
“In the martial world, isn’t every day a matter of life and death?”
“…”
“A martial artist only rests easy… when their life is over.”
Those were words Bu Eun-seol had once said to Dang Gon.
*Thud, thud.*
Turning and walking with grim determination toward the training chamber, he showed the air of a man who had transcended life and death.
Since he was not in a position to cast everything aside and roam the martial world…
He had always been risking his life like this, training within the Dang Clan.
‘Don’t you worry about a thing.’
Bu Eun-seol watched Dang Gon walk away with a faint smile on his lips.
‘The Dang Clan will be fine.’
As he turned, a red glint flashed in his eyes.
His help as Sunwoo Jin ended here.
From now on, as the Peerless Grandmaster of the Demonic Path… he intended to sweep away the riffraff lurking around the Dang Clan in a single stroke.