Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: The Rightful Successor
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In Baek Mu-heun's eyes, Dang Yeon-hwa had a striking number of wrinkles on her forehead—proof of just how often she must have been consumed by anger.
‘Considering what she endured because of Dang Baek-ho...’
But despite it all, she had endured for a long time, steadily gathering evidence and building a cause for the greater good. It was clear she possessed a character of unwavering integrity.
Facing Dang Yeon-hwa, Mu-heun observed her not as a warrior, but as a physician. To Dang Yeon-hwa, his eyes seemed as tranquil as a deep lake.
‘First off, his appearance and impression are completely different from what I imagined.’
She felt a power in his gaze, as if it could pierce through to a person's very soul. Within that gaze lay a resolute will and a righteous heart.
‘Is he truly a member of the Demonic Cult...?’
Dang Yeon-hwa wore sturdy, black martial arts attire, well-tailored to her frame, with a firm sash tied at her waist.
She wore comfortable shoes, and a dagger was tucked into her belt, a sign that she was always ready for battle.
A few ring-like ornaments adorned her wrists, creating a faint, clear sound like flowing water as they clinked together.
Looking at Dang Yeon-hwa, Mu-heun realized it at once.
‘As I thought...’
Dang Yeon-hwa was no mere master of the Tang Clan. She was something more—a woman who had never lost the dignity of a true successor.
Her steadfast demeanor was enough to command respect from all around her, and she lacked nothing to be the head of the Tang Clan.
Her appearance wasn't just a reflection of her age and power; it was a testament to the path she had walked, holding all the wisdom and experience she had gained.
The two did not know each other well, but Baek Mu-heun believed that her integrity, dignity, and strength were all essential for rebuilding the Tang Clan.
However, contrary to Mu-heun's thoughts, Dang Yeon-hwa's expression was tinged with suspicion and a subtle hostility.
Dang Yeon-hwa's thoughts were thus:
‘I've seen countless people who maintain a righteous facade, whether they're from the Orthodox Sects, the Unorthodox Sects, or the Demonic Cult. I will not grant you my trust until I know your true nature.’
Dang Yeon-hwa asked in a sharp voice.
“Who are you?”
“I am the last disciple of the Divine Doctor of Sichuan, and the sixth disciple of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult's Leader.”
“...!”
But Mu-heun had no intention of making a good impression from the start.
Naturally, Dang Yeon-hwa had only known Mu-heun as the last disciple of the Divine Doctor of Sichuan, raised within the Demonic Cult.
She had intended to ask how he had managed to defeat Dang Baek-ho, assuming that the cooperation of Gu Pae-seon, the Cloud Dragon of Kunlun, and the masters of the Martial Alliance had played a significant role.
And yet...
‘The sixth disciple of the Demonic Cult Leader?’
As far as Dang Yeon-hwa knew, all of the Cult Leader's disciples were at the Transcendent Realm. But wasn't this man still as young as a fledgling?
Unable to shake her doubts, Dang Yeon-hwa asked again.
“Do you know what happened to the Tang Clan?”
“I killed Dang Baek-ho and eliminated all the remnants who followed him. Of course, I had the help of Elder Pae-seon and my subordinates, but I was the one who killed the Poison King, Dang Baek-ho.”
Mu-heun calmly recounted the events.
“Furthermore, the reason the Tang Clan was brought to this state was simply because I sought Dang Baek-ho's death, not the destruction of the clan itself. That is why I wish for the Tang Clan to be rebuilt. I was also the one who asked Gam Pa-pa to find you.”
“...!”
Finding his explanation utterly unbelievable, Dang Yeon-hwa's guarded gaze sharpened.
“How can I believe you? The Tang Clan is now in a state of catastrophic ruin. You did all this, and now you've called for me to reverse it? You insolent fool! Your arrogance knows no bounds.”
“Not everyone was wiped out. I will explain everything.”
Mu-heun replied with a serious expression and explained the sequence of events in detail—from Kunlun to Emei, Qingcheng, and finally to the Tang Clan. He even mentioned that those sent to the Western Regions were masters who had fallen out of favor with Dang Baek-ho.
“So, masters like Dang Mu-seung and Dang Mu-ryong are on their way back, and while Dang So-so is in seclusion, she will return soon?”
“Yes, that is correct. If such outstanding warriors and masters had remained in the Tang Clan, how could I have dared to cross its threshold?”
Dang Yeon-hwa was even more bewildered. Had this young man anticipated all of this and orchestrated events to specifically target and eliminate only those loyal to Dang Baek-ho?
And at first, she hadn't noticed because the young man seemed exhausted, but as time passed, the energy emanating from him was growing stronger.
Now, it was completely different from when she first saw him, reaching a level that could only be described as the Transcendent Realm.
“I can't help but be astonished. But why did you do all this? Was it simply for your master's revenge? Or has a member of the Demonic Cult suddenly awakened to a sense of justice?”
Dang Yeon-hwa was still on edge with Mu-heun, the disciple of the Demonic Cult Leader.
“It was partly for my master's revenge, but the most important reason was the last will he left behind.”
“His last will?”
“Yes. My master, the Divine Doctor, was creating a great formation in cooperation with the Tang Clan before he came to the Demonic Cult. It is called the Myriad Fragrance Grand Restoration Formation, and it possesses incredible healing power.
But Dang Baek-ho betrayed my master and decided to misuse the Myriad Fragrance Grand Restoration Formation for other purposes.”
“...Misuse? What are you talking about?”
“It was the horrific act of capturing orphans and turning them into Poison Blood Demons. The underground cavern beneath Dang Baek-ho's office is still intact, so you can go and see for yourself. The failed test subjects from his attempts to create Poison Blood Demons are there.”
“...!”
“My master realized Dang Baek-ho's plan and began to flee with the relevant documents before they could be misused. That was when Dang Baek-ho ordered the Golden Fang Poison Claw to kill my master.”
“What?!”
“Realizing he would be killed if he remained in Sichuan, or anywhere in the Central Plains for that matter, my master fled until he reached the Demonic Cult. That is when he met me.”
“Hah...”
“While teaching me, my master told me to set all of this right.”
“...Did he truly leave such a will?”
“He did. And he asked me... he pleaded with me to save his long-time disciples.”
Hearing Mu-heun's story, Dang Yeon-hwa's sharp hostility softened. It matched what Gam Pa-pa had said, and she could sense a genuine feeling of longing in his words.
Furthermore, considering his age, it didn't seem like he was acting. If he were, he would have to be a completely cunning old fox, but wasn't he still a young man?
Dang Yeon-hwa began to trust Mu-heun.
“The Divine Doctor's disciples... Do you know where they are now?”
“Gam Pa-pa has gone to retrieve them, so we will know soon.”
“...I see. Though you are of the Demonic Cult, you are better than those of the Orthodox Sects...”
“I only did what had to be done.”
“No, those capable of such a feat are extremely rare, even among the Orthodox Sects. It seems I have misunderstood you. I sincerely apologize.”
“It's alright.”
“And... for excluding Dang So-so and the others from this affair, I am truly... truly grateful. If someone like you had set your mind to it, they would surely be dead as well.”
“...Then I have a request.”
“What is it?”
“I only eliminated Dang Baek-ho to end his depravity. I wish for the Tang Clan to remain strong. No, I hope it prospers even more than before. Therefore, please lead the clan yourself, recall the masters who left, and make the Tang Clan greater than ever.”
“What? Hahahahahaha!”
Hearing Mu-heun's words, Dang Yeon-hwa let out a laugh before shaking her head.
“There's no need to ask. That is my own desire, and a duty I must fulfill.”
“Thank you.”
“...I promise you. The Tang Clan has already suffered a great wound, but if I become the Family Head, I will raise it up again. And from then on, the Tang Clan will never again engage in vile acts like those of Dang Baek-ho.”
“...”
“Furthermore, I promise that while the Tang Clan may be hostile to the Demonic Cult, it will never be hostile to Baek Mu-heun of the Demonic Cult.”
“...Seeing you, it seems the Tang Clan's restoration is only a matter of time.”
Mu-heun also smiled as he continued.
“Dang Baek-ho's remnants are already gone, and with your leadership, many will follow you.”
“Thank you. But, I have a shameless request to make.”
“What is it?”
“Please remain hidden here for the time being.”
“Of course.”
“You're not going to ask why?”
“This is Chengdu, Sichuan. All those who died have families here. Although they paid for their sins, their families will not see it that way.”
“You understand well.”
“As the next head of the Tang Clan, you need to embrace their pain and lead them forward. It would do no good for members of the Demonic Cult like us to show ourselves in the midst of that.”
“Indeed...”
“In fact, if you, Dang Mu-seung, and Dang Mu-ryong were to claim that you drove us out after we devastated the Tang Clan, it would be easier to win the hearts of the people in Chengdu.”
“...Who in the world are you?”
Dang Yeon-hwa sensed the sincerity in Mu-heun's words and was once again astonished by his strategy. It wasn't that she hadn't considered it herself; she had spent the entire day traveling here pondering how to rebuild the Tang Clan in Chengdu.
However, asking Mu-heun, who had done so much for them, to play the villain again felt far too shameless. That was why she had hesitated, planning to bring it up slowly.
But now, she realized all that worrying had been for nothing.
This man, Baek Mu-heun, was a person of far greater breadth and depth than she had imagined.
“Alright. I will sort things out here, and we shall meet again. At that time, I will give you the finest reward I can offer.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, go find Gam Pa-pa. Shouldn't you see your senior brothers and sisters?”
“...Yes, I should.”
Mu-heun's heart swelled with emotion.
‘Finally...’
Having met and come to an agreement with Dang Yeon-hwa, Mu-heun left the remaining cleanup of the Tang Clan to her and departed for the Sichuan branch of the Martial Alliance to find Gam Pa-pa.
Left alone in the scorched Tang Clan estate, Dang Yeon-hwa began to organize the family's affairs in a hurry, as if every moment was precious.
Now the one who would lead the Tang Clan, she made a firm resolve and took charge of all its matters. It was a filthy, arduous, and difficult path, but as the original successor to the family headship, she felt a deep sense of responsibility and moved with swift precision.
The first thing she did was to release the bound captives.
The captives tied up by Mu-heun fell into two groups. The first were the servants and workers who had simply done as they were told without a second thought. They were powerless and thus innocent of any crime.
Dang Yeon-hwa released them, let them rest for a while, and then had them assist in the restoration of the Tang Clan.
The second group consisted of the children of renowned and prestigious families in Sichuan.
Despite being children of prominent families who could have led merchant guilds or climbed to greater heights, they had been taken hostage by Dang Baek-ho. They learned low-level martial arts in the Tang Clan and were destined to live mediocre lives, neither strong nor weak.
Thus, even though they had learned martial arts, they had no intention of risking their lives for the Tang Clan.
These were the ones who had surrendered early, having no desire to die fighting against Mu-heun and his group.