Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: A Test of Trust
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Avoiding Bu Eun-seol’s murderous gaze, Dang Ryeong stammered.
“Gon, ah, Gon. For now, go back to the Cheong-yang-so-chuk with them and rest.”
“Understood.”
The Sichuan Tang Clan.
The renowned Tang Clan of Sichuan, which had built its fame over many generations, was originally a village of artisans who specialized in crafting hidden weapons.
However, as they produced a variety of hidden weapons, they naturally became masters of their use, and they also began to research the poisons applied to them and their corresponding antidotes.
As the generations passed, the Tang Clan became the orthodox martial family of hidden weapons and poisons, and those who inherited their techniques made a name for themselves in the martial world.
‘It’s vast.’
Bu Eun-seol’s eyes gleamed as he surveyed the expansive interior of the Tang Clan estate.
In truth, the direct and collateral blood relatives of the Sichuan Tang Clan numbered less than a hundred.
But when you included the outsiders who served the clan, the experts of the Outer Courtyard, its scale rivaled that of the Nine Great Sects.
“This is where I stay.”
Dang Gon, who was guiding them through the pavilion, wore an embarrassed smile.
It was because his residence, the Cheong-yang-so-chuk, was not in the Inner Courtyard where the direct lineage lived, but in the Outer Courtyard.
“Please don’t misunderstand. This place has a spacious garden… and I chose it because it’s close to the training grounds.”
Dang Gon said with a carefree laugh.
“I suppose it was fate anyway. If I’d known I would give up my claim as the successor like this, I wouldn’t have needed to go to the trouble of mastering the sword…”
A bitter smile lingered on his lips.
Dang Gon was not only skilled in martial arts but also lacked nothing in talent or disposition.
However, being born of a concubine and facing opposition from those around him, he was unable to learn the eight secret arts of the Tang Clan, the Tang-ga-pal-dae-bi-jeon, which were reserved for the direct lineage.
As a result, he had no supporters within the clan, leaving him with no choice but to practice swordsmanship.
*Knock, knock.*
Just then, the low voice of a servant girl came from outside.
“The First Young Master has arrived.”
“My brother? Show him in at once.”
A moment later, with the soft sound of a sliding door, a pale-faced Dang Ryeong entered the room, a wide smile on his face.
“Brother.”
Dang Gon, his face lighting up with pleasure, bowed respectfully, and Dang Ryeong smiled warmly.
“What’s with the stiff formalities between brothers?”
“Then I’ll be on my way.”
At Dang Ryeong’s arrival, Bu Eun-seol’s expression hardened, and he turned away abruptly.
“Ah, yes, of course.”
As Bu Eun-seol left with Heuk-pyo, Dang Ryeong stared blankly after them.
“He seems to dislike me.”
“N-No, that’s not it. He’s just a bit cold in his expression and speech.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. In reality, he’s very manly… and a very good person.”
As Dang Gon scratched his head, Dang Ryeong let out a soft smile.
“Heh heh. You’ve made a good friend.”
“Pardon?”
“I heard he broke through the encirclement for you, risking his life several times. Such a friend is very hard to find in the martial world.”
“That’s not it.”
Dang Gon shook his head with an ashamed expression.
“He is not my friend.”
“What do you mean? Just a moment ago, he said with his own mouth…”
“We merely made a deal.”
Dang Gon bowed his head, looking embarrassed.
Sensing there was a deeper story, Dang Ryeong quickly changed the subject and extended his arm.
“First, have a seat. Let’s sit and talk. Bring some tea.”
At Dang Ryeong’s command, the servant girl outside brought in warm tea.
*Trickle.*
Dang Ryeong, personally pouring tea for Dang Gon, smacked his lips and sighed.
“Your face has gotten even thinner.”
After taking a sip of tea, Dang Ryeong spoke in a gentle voice.
“For the time being, rest well here at the Cheong-yang-so-chuk. I will soon persuade Father to put a stop to Dang Bi’s tyranny.”
“It’s alright. You don’t have to worry about it anymore.”
“What do you mean, it’s alright?”
Dang Gon shook his head.
“I returned to the main house to tell the Clan Head that I am renouncing my claim as successor.”
“What? Why?”
Dang Gon spoke with a tormented expression.
“Am I not an outcast anyway? No matter how hard I try, the result will be the same. I’ll only cause trouble for those around me.”
“But that fiend Dang Bi doesn’t know when to give up.”
Dang Ryeong’s eyes hardened as if he had made a decision.
“Don’t do that. Think about it a little more. I will help you.”
“Pardon?”
“First, I will give you the experts from the Poison Arrow Faction and the Eight-Armed Faction under my command.”
Dang Gon’s eyes widened at the unexpected offer.
“With that much, you should at least be able to withstand Dang Bi’s clutches while you’re in the main house.”
“I cannot accept. How can I take my brother’s subordinates…”
“It’s fine.”
Dang Ryeong smiled and patted Dang Gon’s shoulder.
“I will speak to Father. For now, just rest.”
“Thank you, brother.”
As Dang Ryeong left, Dang Gon couldn’t hide his moved expression.
*Click.*
Shortly after Dang Ryeong’s departure, Bu Eun-seol and Heuk-pyo re-entered the room as if they had been waiting.
Seeing the two, Dang Gon spoke with excitement.
“My eldest brother has decided to help me!”
“Help you? How is he going to help?”
As Bu Eun-seol frowned, Dang Gon relayed the entire conversation he’d had with Dang Ryeong.
But something was strange.
“Why… are you looking at me like that?”
Dang Gon realized that not only Bu Eun-seol but also Heuk-pyo was looking at him as if he were pathetic.
“Did I do something wrong?”
Bu Eun-seol looked at Dang Gon and sighed.
“What kind of person is Dang Ryeong?”
“My eldest brother… is not in good health, but he is always generous to those around him. The reason I can give up my claim as successor so easily is because my eldest brother is here…”
Dang Gon’s words trailed off.
It was because Bu Eun-seol let out a sigh so heavy it seemed the ground might collapse.
“So this is why you couldn’t build a faction.”
“What do you mean by that?”
At that, Heuk-pyo scratched his head with an awkward expression.
“Third Young Master, you are too good-natured and trust people too easily.”
Even Heuk-pyo was saying strange things, making Dang Gon blink.
“What does that mean? Don’t tell me you both suspect my eldest brother?”
Bu Eun-seol crossed his arms and frowned.
“There is only one reason he would give you his forces. It’s because you are a buffer, a shield that can block Dang Bi.”
“What are you talking about? Why would my eldest brother, who has the largest faction, be wary of my second brother?”
“The Young Master is right.”
Heuk-pyo, who had been listening quietly, carefully opened his mouth.
“If the Third Young Master renounces his claim, Dang Bi can relax and focus solely on dealing with the First Young Master. But if the Third Young Master remains a contender, Dang Bi has to deal with two opponents, which divides his forces and power.”
“Hahaha, that’s a stretch.”
“Although I may be young, I’ve rolled with the vagrants of Dong-pyo-seo-rang, so I believe I know more about conspiracies and schemes than anyone.”
Heuk-pyo spoke again.
“If the First Young Master was truly worried about the Third Young Master, shouldn’t he have given you not just two factions… but at least one of the personal guard units composed of experts from the collateral branches?”
As a vagrant who dealt with information, Heuk-pyo was well aware of the Sichuan Tang Clan’s structure and factions.
There was only one way to gain real power in the Tang Clan.
It was to receive the support of blood relatives who held high positions in the clan.
Gaining the support of experts from the Eight Factions and Five Grottoes, who had no particular right to speak or authority, was useless.
“I understand what you’re saying.”
Dang Gon turned away with a pained expression.
“But my eldest brother would never do such a thing.”
Though his words said otherwise, his expression showed that he had already realized everything.
There was no way a direct blood relative of the Sichuan Tang Clan would have less insight than a young boy like Heuk-pyo.
He had known it all deep down but had been turning a blind eye to reality.
“I’m tired.”
Forcing a bright smile, Dang Gon said to Bu Eun-seol.
“I’m going to rest for a bit.”
He was smiling, but Dang Gon’s eyes were filled with anguish.
Born as the third son of the Tang Clan, he had no one in this world on his side. He had to bear and solve everything alone.
“Give it to me.”
Just then, Bu Eun-seol calmly held out his hand.
After blinking for a moment, he let out a sound of realization.
“Ah, right. Now that everything is over.”
Dang Gon nodded with a bitter smile.
“I almost forgot. I’ll have someone replenish your hidden weapons soon.”
Then he turned to Heuk-pyo and said.
“You’ve worked hard too, so I’ll give you a fine gift. Just wait for about an hour.”
But Bu Eun-seol still had not retracted his outstretched hand.
“Is there… something else you need?”
“Yes.”
Though momentarily flustered, Dang Gon soon beat his chest and nodded.
“Just say the word. If it’s something I can give… I’ll give you anything!”
“I-hwa-su-yeop.”
Bu Eun-seol stared intently at Dang Gon and said.
“Give that to me.”
For a moment, Dang Gon’s pupils trembled, and the smile on his lips slowly faded.
“Why are you suddenly asking for the I-hwa-su-yeop?”
“Wouldn’t it be strange for me to stay here without receiving the I-hwa-su-yeop?”
Bu Eun-seol gestured toward the guest quarters and said.
“No one would kick out a friend who wants to stay at his friend’s house for a while, would they?”
“You are…”
Dang Gon could not hide his moved expression.
Those like him, who were wealthy or held high positions, often found it hard to make true friends.
Because a true friend is one who stays by your side when you have nothing, when there is no one else around.
Just like now.
*Ssk.*
Dang Gon took out an I-hwa-su-yeop from his robes and offered it to Bu Eun-seol.
Never since he had started learning martial arts had his hand trembled like this.
“Hmph.”
Tucking the I-hwa-su-yeop into his robes, Bu Eun-seol said in a low voice.
“Now that I’ve received this, you can treat me casually from now on. I will also treat you casually.”
Having received the I-hwa-su-yeop, Bu Eun-seol and Dang Gon had become friends who transcended status and affiliation.
“I understand.”
As Dang Gon smiled and nodded, Bu Eun-seol spoke.
“And I have a favor to ask.”
“Gladly. Ask me anything.”
“Become cold-blooded. Enough to sever even the bonds of kinship.”
Bu Eun-seol looked at Dang Gon with a chilling gaze.
“At least for as long as I am here.”
“That is…”
“If you do that, you will be able to become an excellent successor to the Tang Clan.”
Dang Gon was at a loss for words.
What Bu Eun-seol had said meant that he, too, would be participating in Dang Gon’s fight for succession.
“I won’t say thank you.”
Taking a deep breath, Dang Gon looked at Bu Eun-seol and spoke firmly.
“I will become a friend you won’t be ashamed of.”
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol simply turned away.
But on his lips hung a faint smile, just as there had been when he first met Dang Gon.
***
Su-un-gak.
Located in the southwest of the Sichuan Tang Clan’s Inner Courtyard, this was the residence of the clan head’s second son, Dang Bi.
*CRASH!*
Slamming his fist on the rosewood table, Dang Bi shouted at the leader of the Jeol-dok-dae, Dang Sa-un.
“Didn’t you say you could definitely stop him!”
“I am deeply sorry.”
Dang Sa-un said in a low voice, his head bowed.
“I predicted that the First Young Master would see the Clan Head… but I did not expect the Clan Head to permit it.”
“And you still call yourself the leader of the Jeol-dok-dae? If you made such a prediction, you should have prepared a countermeasure!”
He was truly being twisted and wrung out like a rag.
Dang Bi was blaming Dang Sa-un for his failure to kill Dang Gon.
‘Why did the Clan Head choose the second young master as the successor?’
Dang Sa-un thought to himself, letting Dang Bi’s nagging go in one ear and out the other as he kept his head bowed.
Dang Bi had a great talent for martial arts, but his personality was impatient and fierce.
Because of this, the subordinates under his command always had to walk on eggshells, living in constant anxiety.
“In any case, that bastard Dang Gon has entered the main house. What are you going to do now?”
After raging for a good while, his anger seemed to subside, and Dang Bi asked coldly.
Only then did Dang Sa-un snap back to his senses and answer immediately.
“He may have entered the main house, but it was a narrow escape, was it not?”
“So?”
“The Third Young Master will surely meet with the Clan Head and declare that he is renouncing his claim as successor.”
“Hmm…”
As if deep in thought, Dang Bi furrowed his brow and stroked his chin.
“My older brother won’t just let that happen, will he? And that bastard has that Bu… whatever his name is, by his side, doesn’t he?”
“No matter how great that man may be, this is the Tang Clan. The power of an outside force means little in a succession dispute.”
To become the successor, one needed the support of blood relatives within the Tang Clan, not an outside force.
Even if Dang Gon brought the leader of the Martial Alliance himself, it would have no bearing on the selection of the successor.
“Still…”
Dang Bi glared at Dang Sa-un and said in a chilling voice.
“What if that bastard doesn’t renounce his claim as successor?”