Chapter 47: Hearing About the Godok Hall - Part 2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 47: Hearing About the Godok Hall - Part 2
'The Godok Hall!?'
Sun-woo was puzzled by Tang Jin-cheol’s words.
The Clan Head had summoned all his sons, including Tang Se-gi, to the meeting hall and begun discussing the matter of succession.
Of course, from Sun-woo’s perspective—as someone who intended to steal the Poison Essence and flee—this had absolutely nothing to do with him. He had been letting the words go in one ear and out the other, until a term he had never heard before cropped up.
Sun-woo had read every single page of High School Senior Goes to Murim, yet the "Godok Hall" was something he was hearing for the first time in his life.
He subtly turned his head to scan the room. Everyone wore grim expressions, and in the case of Un Ga-ryeo, Tang Se-gi’s mother, she looked as if she were on the verge of tears.
Though he didn't know exactly what it was, he could tell instinctively that it was nothing good.
"Clan Head, that is too cruel! Please, reconsider."
With reddened eyes, Un Ga-ryeo pleaded for him to rethink the decision.
"The matter is already decided. There will be no reversal!"
"But..."
"Great Matriarch."
Tang Jin-cheol, his expression hardening, addressed her by her official title rather than her name.
It was a reminder that they were in a formal setting. It was also a silent warning not to infringe upon his authority as the Clan Head.
If a mere woman were to act out of turn during a clan meeting, the Clan Head’s authority would be diminished. No matter how much Tang Jin-cheol loved her, this was something he could not tolerate.
She wiped her falling tears with her sleeve and bowed her head deeply. She simply couldn't bring herself to look at her children.
"You all likely know of the Godok Hall."
As if confirming his words, the faces of most of the brothers stiffened. They, too, were well aware of the Godok Hall’s notoriety.
It was a place so fearsome that it was used as a threat to scare them when they were children: 'If you don't listen, I'll send you to the Godok Hall.'
"However, you likely do not know the details, so I shall explain them thoroughly."
At his words, everyone perked up their ears and began to focus.
"The Godok Hall is a massive facility created generations ago by our ancestor, the Poison Emperor Tang Tae-gang, who was the Greatest of All Time. As the saying goes, 'a hero loves his women,' and the Poison Emperor had many wives in his day. Naturally, many children were born. This created a problem. Every single child who inherited the Poison Emperor’s blood was so exceptionally talented that it was impossible to distinguish between them, making the appointment of a Young Clan Head difficult."
Tang Jin-cheol took a half-breath to compose himself before continuing.
"The situation was much like the one we face now. The Poison Emperor desired a successor stronger than anyone else, and to realize that wish, he constructed the massive facility known as the Godok Hall. Built atop a Poison Zone, the interior of the Godok Hall is filled with countless poisonous creatures and toxic mists. Furthermore, because various traps and mechanisms are installed within, one's life cannot be guaranteed. In such a place, you will fight and fight again until only one of you remains alive."
Everyone gulped at his words.
Tang Jin-cheol’s explanation was even more brutal than they had imagined.
They could accept the fact that it was a Poison Zone filled with toxic creatures and mists, and that there were lethal traps. But the statement that they had to fight until only one remained left them speechless.
It was, quite literally, an evil custom that incited fratricide.
It was then.
"Are you telling us to slaughter our own brothers!?"
The third son, Tang Gi-mun, stood up and raised his voice. His face was flushed crimson with agitation.
"That is correct."
"I cannot accept this! No matter how much we compete for the position of Young Clan Head, to kill one another... what kind of absurdity is this!?"
"If you cannot accept it, then you may give up."
Tang Jin-cheol cut him off firmly.
If you don't like it, don't do it.
In fact, Tang Jin-cheol’s personal feeling was that he wished every single one of them would quit. It wasn't as if he found the death of his children pleasant.
"Entry into the Godok Hall will be on a voluntary basis only. If there is anyone who does not wish to enter, turn around and walk out that door right now."
This was the only moment to see his sons' true hearts.
If the choice were delayed, they might be forced into the Godok Hall later through external pressure or threats.
However, contrary to his hopes, not a single person left their seat.
Tang Jin-cheol lamented inwardly.
He had expected at least a few sons to give up, but not one of them turned to leave. No matter how sweet power was, to participate in such a mad act of forced fratricide?
They were clearly out of their minds.
And the most baffling thing was that the youngest son, Tang Se-gi, was still in his seat.
He could understand the others, but he had expected Se-gi—who hated pain more than death and loathed bothersome things even more—to be the first to leave. Yet, perhaps out of greed for the position of Young Clan Head, he remained.
'Foolish boy. You've decided to die.'
The Godok Hall was not a place one could survive through mere luck.
The martial arts to withstand the lethal toxins of the Poison Zone, the survival skills to endure for months, the ruthlessness to cut down even one's own flesh and blood, and a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of luck.
Only when all these factors aligned could one finally pass through the Godok Hall.
It was pitiful to see that the fool didn't seem to realize the gravity of the situation at all.
However, since he would be filtered out by the next condition anyway, Tang Jin-cheol didn't pay him much mind.
"As I said, the Godok Hall is a Poison Zone. It is filled with incredibly high concentrations of poisonous qi. If someone without the proper qualifications enters, they will be poisoned before they can even take a step. As the Clan Head, I do not wish for my beloved children to die in vain. Even if you have decided to enter of your own will, anyone who has not reached the 5th stage of the Ten Thousand Streams Return to the Source Divine Art by the day of entry will lose their qualification."
At those words, the faces of several sons turned ashen. They clearly hadn't reached the 5th stage.
"Furthermore, even after entering, you will be given a chance to withdraw midway. However, those who withdraw will not only lose their eligibility for succession but will also lose their rights as legitimate sons and be treated as members of a branch family. Entry into the Godok Hall will be in one month. Decide carefully!"
Hearing Tang Jin-cheol’s words, the candidates for Young Clan Head fell into deep thought.
They had expected a competition, but they never imagined such a worst-case scenario as the Godok Hall would be presented.
They would have to take the lives of their own brothers with their own hands.
No matter how much they craved the position, could such an act of defying heavenly principles and committing fratricide ever be justified?
What was the Clan Head thinking to make such an extreme choice?
The term "Godok Hall" gave them much to ponder.
Meanwhile, Sun-woo was also lost in thought.
Honestly, since he planned to just take the Poison Essence and bolt, he had no reason to enter something like the Godok Hall. He barely had enough time to scramble around during his remaining five months; why would he waste it on a succession struggle?
Sun-woo concluded that he wouldn't enter.
For Sun-woo, who had transformed into Tang Se-gi, there was neither the leisure nor the reason for such a thing.
Conveniently, Tang Jin-cheol had even provided a perfect excuse. It would be perfectly natural to refuse entry by using his low martial arts level as a pretext.
He was feeling relieved when he heard Tang Jin-cheol’s unexpected words.
"The one who ultimately passes through the Godok Hall will be appointed as the Young Clan Head and will be permitted to take the Poison Essence."
In an instant, the eyes of everyone in the room widened.
This was something even the Elders and the Council of Elders were hearing for the first time.
They had agreed to the opening of the Godok Hall, but taking the Poison Essence was an entirely different matter.
"Clan Head, what on earth do you mean by that!?"
"This is the first we've heard of this!"
"This is preposterous! The Poison Essence can only be taken once one has become the Clan Head!"
"This is absurd!"
"Please, reconsider!"
The hall, which had been filled with silence, was now charged with heat and began to overheat.
"Enough."
Tang Jin-cheol’s shout, short but infused with internal energy, cooled the heat to some extent.
However, the Elders and the Council members still couldn't suppress their agitation.
The Great Elder, Tang Ju-gi, was the first to speak.
"The achievement of the Poison Essence is only possible for the one who has ascended to the position of Clan Head. Even if one's appointment as Young Clan Head is confirmed, they cannot take the Poison Essence."
It was exactly as he said.
What was the Poison Essence?
Was it not the quintessence of poison, created by pouring in massive amounts of silver for nearly decades?
Only after gathering dozens, hundreds, thousands of types of poisonous creatures and leaving them for decades within a Poison Zone—which emitted toxic qi so lethal one could be poisoned just by breathing—could the Poison Essence finally be formed.
The base materials alone required a significant amount of silver, and maintaining the lethal Poison Zone where the essence was buried required meticulous management.
Since even the most potent toxic qi would eventually dissipate over time, new poisons had to be poured into the zone every day, and the optimal temperature and humidity had to be maintained to prevent the qi from escaping.
Consequently, the management costs were astronomical.
It was often said that more than 30% of the Tang Clan’s budget went into creating the Poison Essence.
Yet, despite the enormous sums spent over decades, the Tang Clan never gave up on creating it. It was a mystical artifact worth far more than its cost.
The Poison Essence was, quite literally, the treasure of treasures that those who practiced Poison Arts dreamed of.
Generally, as one's realm increased, the control of internal energy became more fluid, making it possible to burn away poison within the body if it infiltrated.
Therefore, while Poison Arts might be lethal to low-level warriors, they were merely a nuisance and not a significant threat to martial artists who had reached a high realm.
However, the poison contained within the Poison Essence was on a different level.
If a practitioner of Poison Arts could fully absorb the Poison Essence, they could not only create an ultimate poison capable of sending even a Super-Peak master to their deathbed but also gain the foundation to reach the supreme realm known as the Transcendent Realm.
For example, had not the current Clan Head, Tang Jin-cheol, absorbed the Poison Essence to reach the absolute realm of the Transcendent Realm?
To bestow such a valuable Poison Essence upon a mere Young Clan Head appointment was unthinkable.
Being appointed as the Young Clan Head didn't guarantee becoming the Clan Head. An unfortunate incident could lead to death, or a grave mistake could lead to impeachment.
It made no sense.
They had to stop this.
The Clan Head was currently too overwhelmed by emotion. It was the role of the Council of Elders and the Elders to prevent this.
"Clan Head, absolutely not!"
"I can never agree to this!"
"Withdraw your words. You are currently being swayed by your emotions."
One after another, they began to raise their voices in opposition.
"I shall ask you this. Then, who should consume the Poison Essence?"
"That is, of course, the one who has ascended to the position of Clan Head."
"I ask again. Who else but the one who passes through the Godok Hall can succeed to the position of Clan Head?"
"..."
"..."
Silence fell over the hall.
He was right.
The Clan Head had clearly declared that he would strip any legitimate son who failed to enter the Godok Hall of all rights related to succession. This meant that even if the position of Young Clan Head became vacant due to some unfortunate event later, they would have no right to sit in that seat.
"But what if the appointed Young Clan Head fails to become the Clan Head due to some unfortunate incident?"
"The position of Young Clan Head will remain vacant until the next generation's Poison Essence is completed."
"That is preposterous!"
"This is a competition incomparable to any before. Shouldn't there be a prize of equal value?"
"Even so, the Poison Essence is..."
"Enough. I have already made my decision. Whoever passes through the Godok Hall will be able to ascend to the position of Clan Head. And even if the Young Clan Head dies or steps down due to an unfortunate incident, as long as I am alive, no one who has lost their qualification will ever be appointed as the Young Clan Head. There will be no reversal."
Tang Jin-cheol spoke each word with power, his firm expression conveying his sincerity.
Seeing his unwavering will, the Elders and Council members were plunged into a dilemma.
It was certainly something they wanted to stop, but they had no justification to do so. They had lost their grounds the moment they agreed to the opening of the Godok Hall.
"I obey the Clan Head’s command."
The Great Elder Tang Ju-gi, the Clan Head’s closest confidant, was the first to speak.
"I obey the command!"
"I obey the command!"
"I obey the command!"
With him as the lead, everyone began to voice their agreement.
In the end, the Poison Essence would fall into the hands of the one who passed through the Godok Hall.
Watching this scene, excitement began to flicker on the faces of the candidates for Young Clan Head.
If they passed through the Godok Hall, they would secure a position that would free them from all political attacks and threats of assassination.
In the current situation where various factions were vying for power, even if they were appointed as the Young Clan Head, they could still suffer from the political offensives of opposing factions or the danger of assassination.
But if they absorbed the Poison Essence, the situation would change.
They would be completely designated as the next Clan Head.
Everyone would protect the Young Clan Head who had absorbed the Poison Essence, and no one would dare covet the position of Clan Head.
If they could just pass through the Godok Hall, they would literally gain everything.
It would be a lie to say they weren't excited.
The guilt of having to kill their brothers had long since been forgotten.
Only greed and ecstasy remained on their faces.
Except for one person—Tang Se-gi.