Chapter 64: The Succession Contest Begins—Part 2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 64: The Succession Contest Begins—Part 2
After declaring the opening of the hall, Tang Jin-cheol began his address to the gathered members of the clan.
"There are massive gates situated at each of the four cardinal directions surrounding the Godok Hall. The candidates for the position of Young Clan Head will enter the hall through these gates, one person every half a shijin."
Having finished his explanation, Tang Jin-cheol held up a crimson tablet.
"The rules of the contest are simple. Each candidate will be issued a Blood Tablet. Your names are inscribed upon them. The one who seizes every single Blood Tablet shall become the Young Clan Head."
Tang Jin-cheol took a breath before continuing.
"The method of seizure is unrestricted. You may kill to take them, steal them, deceive for them, or even trade for them. I solemnly pledge that as long as you secure the Blood Tablets, this Clan Head will hold no one accountable for the methods used, and I will guarantee the position of Young Clan Head to the victor."
At Tang Jin-cheol’s words, the light in the candidates' eyes began to shift.
The clear, disciplined gaze of martial artists was replaced by a look of raw, unbridled greed. Their predatory stares naturally gravitated toward the Blood Tablets held by the Clan Head.
The Blood Tablets—the keys to obtaining everything. It was impossible not to covet them.
"Furthermore, for this particular Godok Hall, I have established a special regulation allowing for mid-contest withdrawal. If there is anyone who wishes to give up, knock on the gates at any time! I shall allow you to leave. However, a weakling who chooses their life over their honor has no right to be a direct descendant. Those who withdraw will be demoted to collateral status and shall be barred from participating in any clan affairs henceforth."
Tang Jin-cheol wore a look of grim determination.
As a father, mid-contest withdrawal was the final mercy he could offer. But it came with a heavy price. One might save their life by withdrawing, but they would live the rest of their days in disgrace.
"The clan elders and seniors will guard each gate, and no outsiders shall be permitted entry. The contest within the Godok Hall will be carried out solely by the qualified candidates. Should anyone commit the foul act of smuggling an unqualified person into the hall, they shall face death, regardless of who they are!"
To prevent any foul play, the Clan Head had stationed his closest confidants at each gate.
Today was the day that would determine the power structure of the Tang Clan, the family known as the greatest in the Central Plains. It was certain that countless conspiracies and slanders would be flying about. No one could predict what might happen.
Because of this, he had taken even more thorough precautions. He had invited not only his own subordinates but also external figures to guard the gates. No one would dare commit a foul. Or rather, even if they did, they would be caught by any means necessary. They would be severely punished for the crime of interfering with the sacred contest.
His thoughts concluded, Tang Jin-cheol turned around to look at his sons standing in attendance. Many of them he might never see again. To ensure he never forgot them, he scanned each of their faces with an even more intense gaze.
Finally, he shouted, "My proud sons, enter the Godok Hall! Go and seize your honor!"
"Yes, Father!"
The candidates answered in unison and began to disperse, heading toward their assigned gates.
Waaaaaaah!
Waaaaaaah!
Amidst the cheers of their kin, they quickened their pace. They marched forward to claim their glory.
*
Four gates were positioned around the Godok Hall, and each candidate was randomly assigned to one.
The First Young Master, Tang Jeong, was assigned to the North Gate. He had wanted to walk proudly through the main gate in front of everyone, but the luck of the draw had unkindly sent him to the north.
Neigh!
Tang Jeong climbed onto his black steed with a dissatisfied expression. The Godok Hall grounds were vast, larger than most forests. To reach the North Gate at the far edge, he had to travel by horse.
Though he was disgruntled, the sensation of being in the saddle after a long time wasn't bad.
"Hyah!"
Tang Jeong spurred his horse forward. He wanted to enter the Godok Hall as quickly as possible. To him, the other candidates weren't a major concern. Not only was he the strongest in terms of martial arts, but he also had an assistant.
Tang Jeong’s mind was filled with only one thought: entering the hall and claiming the Blood Tablets.
.
.
.
.
After riding for some time, a massive gate began to appear before him. It was the North Gate of the Godok Hall.
Tang Jeong increased his speed, heading straight for the gate. He needed to enter the hall before sunset to secure a shelter, water, and food.
As he drew closer, he spotted someone who had arrived before him. Upon identifying the figure, Tang Jeong snorted. A person who had no business being there was standing right before his eyes.
Tang Jeong reached the gate, dismounted, and approached the early arrival.
"What took you so long? I thought my neck was going to snap from waiting," the man said.
Tang Jeong let out a mocking laugh. The man spoke with feigned nonchalance, but Tang Jeong knew all too well that his insides were likely rotting with anxiety.
"What do you think you're doing here, Tang Se-gi?"
The man was the stain of the Tang Clan, Tang Se-gi. This ruffian had actually shown up to enter the Godok Hall, completely unaware of his own place. It was so absurd that Tang Jeong couldn't help but scoff.
"Is there somewhere I'm not allowed to go?"
"Of course. Do you really think a scoundrel like you can enter the Godok Hall?"
Tang Jeong’s sneer deepened. Being a direct bloodline descendant wasn't enough to enter the Godok Hall. One had to have reached the 5th stage of the Ten Thousand Streams Return to the Source Divine Art to qualify. There was no way a guy who was only at the 3rd stage could have reached the 5th in just a month.
"Or did you just come here to save face?"
The verification of one's martial arts took place right before entry. He had surely come just to keep up appearances. No matter how much of a ruffian he was, if he gave up without even trying, everyone would mock him. He was likely planning to make some excuse about how he narrowly failed the qualification.
"Heh." A laugh escaped Tang Jeong's lips.
"Man, you talk way too much. Shut your trap and get lost already."
Sun-woo spat out his annoyance at Tang Jeong, who was acting all high and mighty. Since Tang Jeong was first in the entry order, Sun-woo had been forced to wait for him. He was already annoyed that the guy arrived late, and now he was wasting even more time with useless chatter.
"What? Are you talking to me right now?"
"Who else is here, you dumbass?"
"Y-you... you suicidal bastard!"
Tang Jeong stopped laughing, his expression turning cold as he began to radiate murderous aura. He could insult Tang Se-gi, but the reverse was not allowed. In his eyes, Tang Se-gi was less than a bug crawling on the ground.
To Tang Jeong, Tang Se-gi was nothing more than a reckless brat who relied solely on the luck of his birth. He was a pathetic excuse for a human who lived in a blessed environment where he could have anything—martial arts, elixirs, money—yet never put in a shred of effort.
That was why he despised him and always looked at him with contempt. And yet, this piece of trash had just cursed at him. It was unthinkable. To him—the First Young Master of the Sichuan Tang Clan, a Peak Realm master, and the rightful heir to the position of Clan Head.
"Crazy bastard."
From Sun-woo's perspective, the situation was ridiculous. Who was the one who started with the sarcasm and provocation? It was the man right in front of him, Tang Jeong. And yet, he was acting all offended and leaking murderous intent just because Sun-woo told him to get lost?
The guy was a total psychopath. It seemed like the Tang Clan was built on bad land, considering it was filled with lunatics like Tang Se-gi, Tang Jeong, and Tang Seo-yoon.
"What? A crazy bastard? You really don't value your life!"
Tang Jeong began to circulate his poisonous qi. If he stayed quiet after being insulted by such trash, the whole world would laugh at him.
It was then.
"Both of you, stop this at once."
A man's voice rang out from behind them. It was Elder Tang Mu-deuk, who was guarding the North Gate.
"Fighting between successors is only permitted within the Godok Hall. Be aware that violating this rule will result in the forfeiture of your qualification to enter!"
At Tang Mu-deuk’s words, Tang Jeong waved his hand, dispersing the poisonous qi he had been gathering. He couldn't afford to cause trouble before even entering.
"The Elder just saved your life."
Tang Jeong licked his lips regretfully. If Tang Mu-deuk hadn't intervened, Tang Se-gi wouldn't have walked away unscathed.
"Whatever, you moron," Sun-woo snorted.
Of course, Sun-woo was well aware that reaching the Peak Realm at such a young age was an incredible feat. Tang Jeong would have been praised as a genius wherever he went. Even so, the guy was far too overconfident. Even a Peak Realm master could lose their life to a child if they let their guard down—that was the nature of the Murim.
But Tang Jeong was arrogant and conceited. This was likely a side effect of growing up like a greenhouse flower within the clan, practicing martial arts in total safety.
Tsk, tsk.
Sun-woo clicked his tongue inwardly. This guy looked like the type who would be the first to die a screaming death once he entered the Godok Hall.
"I get it, so just hurry up and go inside."
Sun-woo gestured dismissively with his chin. He was tired of dealing with him.
"You insolent brat!"
Tang Jeong shouted once more before turning away. He didn't want to deal with that ruffian either. He didn't want to waste his energy on an idiot who wouldn't even be able to enter the hall.
Tang Jeong approached Tang Mu-deuk. "How do I prove myself?"
Without a word, Tang Mu-deuk pointed to a blue stone wall next to the gate.
"That wall is made of Blue Steel Stone. Its hardness and poison resistance are incomparable to ordinary stone. You have one chance. Use the Ten Thousand Streams Return to the Source Divine Art to melt that wall. If you penetrate more than three inches into the stone, you pass."
Tang Jeong smirked. He felt the qualification level for the Godok Hall was far too low.
Thump, thump.
Tang Jeong walked silently toward the stone wall. As he walked, he began to concentrate his poisonous qi and internal energy into his hand. To him, this was child's play. For someone who had already reached the Peak Realm, penetrating three inches was no problem at all.
'I'll punch a hole right through it!'
Soon, green poisonous qi began to take shape around Tang Jeong’s hand. It was the Poison Palm.
Swish!
Tang Jeong swung his hand rapidly, and his Poison Palm began to dig into the Blue Steel Stone.
Sssssss...
The sound of the stone wall melting filled the air. Tang Jeong’s hand continued to sink in until it stopped about halfway through.
"Pass!"
Seeing this, Tang Mu-deuk declared him successful. Internally, he was deeply impressed. To achieve such a feat at such a young age... it was like seeing the Clan Head in his youth.
"Tch."
Despite his remarkable achievement, Tang Jeong withdrew his hand with a look of dissatisfaction. It seemed halfway was his limit. Still, even this was an incredible accomplishment.
Tang Jeong turned around with a proud expression to look at Tang Se-gi. If the fool had eyes, he would surely be shocked by this display.
"What?" Sun-woo replied bluntly to Tang Jeong’s stare.
If he was done, he should just get his ass inside. Why was he lingering?
Tang Jeong’s face flushed red. 'That... that damn ruffian!'
Did he not realize how incredible this achievement was? Blue Steel Stone was on a completely different level of hardness compared to other rocks. To have melted halfway through it and receive such a lukewarm reaction...
This was surely because Tang Se-gi’s understanding of the Ten Thousand Streams Return to the Source Divine Art was so low.
'Stupid bastard.'
Tang Jeong glared at Sun-woo with irritation.
"What, do you want a compliment or something?" Sun-woo added indifferently.
"Hmph."
Tang Jeong turned away. He decided the man wasn't worth his time.
"You may enter immediately," Tang Mu-deuk said, concentrating his internal energy to heave open the massive iron gate.
Rumble!
The iron gate slowly groaned open, revealing a pitch-black tunnel inside.
"Follow this passage, and you will reach the interior of the Godok Hall."
Without a moment's hesitation, Tang Jeong rushed into the tunnel, eager to start collecting Blood Tablets as soon as possible.
Rumble!
Once Tang Jeong disappeared into the passage, Tang Mu-deuk closed the iron gate again.
Thud.
Then, he turned his gaze toward Sun-woo. "Young Master Tang Se-gi."
"Yes?"
"I have a message from the Clan Head."
"What is it?" Sun-woo asked, curious.
"He said that if you fail the verification, it will be treated the same as a mid-contest withdrawal."
Sun-woo frowned. In short, it was a threat telling him not to act out of bravado and just give up. Irritation flared within him. He didn't know why everyone, from this guy to that guy, kept trying to force him to quit.
"I just have to go over there, right?"
Without another word, Sun-woo walked toward the stone wall next to the one Tang Jeong had melted. He began to use the Yin-Yang Harmony Divine Art to mimic the Ten Thousand Streams Return to the Source Divine Art.
Before long, green poisonous qi began to emanate from his body.
Vroooooom!
'Not bad,' Tang Mu-deuk thought, slightly impressed. He had thought the boy was just a scoundrel, but it seemed he had actually been training.
Soon, the radiating poisonous qi gathered into Sun-woo's palm.
Whoosh!
A moment later, his palm began to glow with a vibrant green light. It was the Poison Palm.
Sun-woo swung his Poison Palm and struck the stone wall.
Ssssssssss...
Instead of an impact sound, the sound of something melting echoed out.
Ssssssssss...
In an instant, Sun-woo’s hand passed completely through the stone wall.
"That wasn't so hard."
Tang Mu-deuk’s jaw dropped in shock. Tang Se-gi—the one everyone called a ruffian—had just punched a hole straight through the Blue Steel Stone that even Tang Jeong, the strongest candidate, could only penetrate halfway.
"I can go in now, right?"
Snapped back to his senses by Sun-woo’s voice, Tang Mu-deuk hurriedly shouted, "P-pass!"
At the elder's response, Sun-woo broke into a grin.