Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: The Tang Family Training Grounds in Chengdu (1)
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There are places known as the so-called prestigious orthodox sects.
The most representative examples would be the Nine Great Sects and Eight Schools of the righteous martial world or the Five Great Families.
These are the ones who have built up their fame over long years, solidified their authority, and clung to their vested interests.
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Even though many had suffered damage close to outright sect closure these days, they still had deep reserves.
The immense heritage passed down from their ancestors, overflowing talents, stable foundations.
That's why they could endure.
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And that was made crystal clear by the sight of the Sichuan Tang Family.
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The Tang Family's situation wasn't good. Many who could be called experts had died, and quite a few had fallen victim to unknown poisons.
Their prestige as hegemons of Sichuan had faded, and now they were barely scraping by within the Tang Family fortress, but they possessed everything needed to rise again at any moment.
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That made the Namgung Family feel all the more regrettable. It wasn't a house that should crumble so easily.
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The Tang Family put my suggestions into action right away.
Gathering qi from multiple people to compensate for what one alone couldn't handle.
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In other words, group surgery.
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Of course, there were plenty of trial and error. A few dangerous moments too.
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But since I was there with them, it never reached the worst-case scenario.
Even if two or three of the Tang Family's promising young ones pooled their qi, it was about the same level as what I could handle with ease, so blocking that much was no trouble at all.
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Practice without failure. That's an incredibly valuable experience.
The amount of practical knowledge gained is on another level.
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Each attempt becomes a precious asset, a record, a boost to confidence.
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That's why, in just one day, they managed basic treatments for the Tang Family's key figures who had been injured.
Those with shattered dantians. Those who had lost their dantians and accumulated impurities in their bodies.
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They no longer had to lie in bed all day.
No longer had to complain of pain and discomfort. They could now hold onto hope.
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Thanks to that, the Tang Family's treatment of me rose even higher.
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It was already top-notch, but now it felt like it was breaking all-time highs?
The Poison King, head of the Tang Family, even used the words "benefactor of the Tang Family" toward me at dinner.
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Of course, I understood the fuss since I'd actually done something for them.
Yeah. They'd be grateful.
I get how someone who suddenly shows up in tough times and resolves the crisis feels more precious than all the sycophants hanging around in good times.
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But even amid the Tang Family folk's attitudes, I still sensed lingering unease.
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Probably because I hadn't asked for any repayment from them yet.
They must be wondering what I'll demand. That's what's making them uneasy.
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People are crafty.
It's nothing new—guys who demand your bundle after you save them from drowning, or those whose faces change completely coming out of the bathroom compared to going in.
They act like they'd hand over their liver and gallbladder when borrowing money, but when repayment time comes, they brazenly field a steel-plated face?
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So I just watch. How will they act?
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It'll be a good way to evaluate them.
Will they become reliable allies we can maintain good relations with and depend on going forward?
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Or will they turn into shameless, conscienceless types blinded by immediate gains?
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Should be entertaining to observe. At least I won't be bored.
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Honestly, I'm not doing this for any reward.
If I were after compensation, I'd have been more calculating and stingy. No need to hand it out like a sucker.
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And it's not just the Tang Family. Seolha and Yeonhwa were the same, even Yeon Yang-cheon whom I met on the way here.
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Of course, from Seolha and Yeonhwa, I'm getting quite satisfying compensation with those fresh, luscious bodies.
But since they enjoy it even more, that can slide.
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Anyway, the reason I'm doing this is nothing special. Just having the leeway.
It's like asking gamers why they like it when characters they've raised get stronger—the answers would be similar.
Fun, amusement, growth, change, nurturing.
The joys you see in those things.
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That's a big reason why I hand out opportunities so freely.
Interest. Enjoyment.
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Maybe that's the "reason for living" I've found.
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In any case, I help and observe the Tang Family like this.
I have no intention of stepping to the front lines to resolve their crises for them.
The Black Heaven Alliance is their problem to solve. You've gotta catch the fish yourself.
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I already taught them how to fish—if they can't even do that, why bother teaching more?
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At least it's a relief they don't have the gall to shamelessly ask for that.
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If they did, I'd be disappointed and leave the Tang Family. No reason to stick around.
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And so another day passed, and tonight in the Tang Cheon Pavilion, I lay down embracing Seolha and Yeonhwa.
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Then I asked Yeonhwa, who was clinging tightly to my side.
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"Yeonhwa. Jealous?"
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"Pardon? Jealous of what...?"
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"The Tang Family's situation."
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"Ah...."
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Yeonhwa gave a faint smile in response.
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She'd been like this all day today.
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Seolha was similar, but she didn't show it as openly.
But Yeonhwa couldn't hide her envious gaze watching the Tang Family members all pulling together with hope.
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"Don't worry. Your brother is doing fine. Not sure when, but he'll rebuild the Namgung Family with his own hands. Then you can help out when the time comes."
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"You think... that could happen?"
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"Yeonhwa, if the Great Hero says so, then it will be. We just wait quietly."
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Seolha, firm to the point of blind faith. She reached out and stroked Yeonhwa's cheek in comfort.
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Seolha's great in every way, but sometimes she's a bit scary.
She gives off vibes like she'd die if I told her to.
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She needs to tone it down a bit.
But it's not at a worrying level yet, so it'll be fine.
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In any case, seeing Yeonhwa nod in agreement, I spread out my qi sense as usual.
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Hm. No one's around. Well, there weren't any yesterday either—would be weird if there were today.
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So I naturally embraced Seolha and Yeonhwa.
Lewdly. Messily. Just like always. As if it were my own home.
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Third day at the Sichuan Tang Family.
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Their hospitality was to my liking.
I could feel, bit by bit, their sincere intent to treat me with utmost respect.
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The Tang Family head openly declared in front of everyone that I could go anywhere in the Tang Family freely.
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In a martial clan, that's quite unconventional.
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That "anywhere" included places like the training grounds.
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In truth, if I wanted to see, I could peek without anyone noticing.
But declaring it openly versus not is a world of difference.
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Yet from those words, I sensed something else.
What can I say. A vibe like, "Please grace our training grounds too, watch over the kids, and grace us with your valuable advice"?
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The Tang Family head already had some idea of my skills.
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So that declaration cost the Tang Family nothing.
Only gains, if anything.
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See? Not ones to waste opportunities. Calculating too.
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Anyway, when they put it like that, I had to pay a visit. Plus, the Tang Family is fairly large and splendid.
Lots to see. Might as well drop by the training grounds while sightseeing.
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It'd be good experience for Seolha and Yeonhwa too. Maybe even have them spar with some Tang kids.
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Experiences like this aren't easy to come by anywhere.
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After spending the morning at the medical hall, I took Seolha and Yeonhwa to the training grounds after lunch.
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Strolling leisurely, like out for a casual walk.
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The training grounds we arrived at were indeed a bit different from others.
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Tang Family members rarely used bladed weapons.
With their signature poison and hidden weapons arts, there was no need.
They'd rather throw one more hidden weapon in the time it'd take to swing a sword or saber.
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So the training grounds had plenty of setups for hidden weapons.
Trees hanging from ropes, targets, wooden pillars, planks, that sort of thing.
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Every one covered in dense marks from hidden weapons—it showed how diligently they trained daily.
Even now, many young Tang Family disciples were sweating buckets, practicing individually.
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"Welcome, Forest Lord. This one is the Training Hall Master, Tang Majeong."
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As I entered the training hall, a man promptly appeared and bowed politely to me.
Extra courteous, thanks to the family head's prior announcement.
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"No need to make a fuss. Just dropping by."
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"Haha. How could we just stand around gawking when such a noble guest honors us? Is there anyone in particular you're looking for? Just say the word."
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The Training Hall Master Tang Majeong responded with a cheeky, fawning grin.
Checking him out, he seemed around peak late-stage.
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A bit low for a training hall master. And he didn't look that old either—mid-thirties?
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The aftermath of the Righteous-Demonic-Evil Great War must have hit here too.
With major losses among the skilled, average power naturally dropped.
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"No one in particular.... But could I ask a favor? I hate seeing these kids slacking off instead of training. Maybe have them pair up for some sparring?"
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At my words, Yeonhwa pouted a little.
Meaning why phrase it like that. Adorably.
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"Haha, is that so? Perfect timing then.... There's just the right fellow. Shall we go together?"
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"Sure."
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So we followed Tang Majeong across the training grounds.
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Tang Family kids watching us pass—elders, women, all sorts.
Some stealthily trailed us. Others got scolded by their peers for staring.
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Eventually, Tang Majeong led us to an empty training area.
Then he turned to us and said,
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"Here we are."
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"No one's here?"
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"He's right here. Right here."
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Grinning brightly, he patted his own chest.
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"What a fun guy."
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I'd half-guessed from eyeing the empty grounds, but didn't expect him to go for it so boldly.
Well, opportunity favors the bold.
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There are times to play modest, but sometimes you gotta step up shamelessly.
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"Alright then. Seolha, want to go first? Go get some pointers."
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"Yes, Great Hero."
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With that, Seolha stepped to the center of the training area and drew her Cloudy Flow Sword.
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Seeing Seolha's pitch-black blade, Tang Majeong eyed it with curious interest.
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"Seolha of Ink Sword Grove. Please give me some pointers."
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"The pleasure's mine."
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They bowed to each other, then immediately began sparring.