138
“Welcome, Brother. This is the pride of our Tang Clan, the provincial capital of Sichuan, Seong Do!”
Dang Si Hyeok said with a bright smile, pride shining through.
Seong Do, the capital of Sichuan province.
Seong Do was the most prosperous, massive, and vibrant city I'd seen since possessing this body in this world.
The streets teemed with life. Even those toiling away wore smiles on their faces.
Some even waved cheerfully when they spotted the Tang Clan's insignia.
In the Divine Cult, high-ranking warriors make people tremble and kowtow in fear.
'Must be a great place to live.'
Truth be told, for a city dominated by a major clan on the level of the Five Great Families, it wasn't bad at all.
Often, a clan's ethos shaped the entire city's atmosphere.
For instance, Hefei, the capital of Anhui where the Nangong Clan held sway, was described as eerily quiet and subdued.
'A livable place like this would have been half-destroyed and on the brink of annihilation if I hadn't changed the future.'
In this world's original story, Martial Return, the Tang Clan suffered devastating losses, half their forces wiped out.
By the One-Eyed Poison Arrow.
And that one-eyed hunter, Cho Ryang, was back at the Sado family, eating well and growing strong.
'Come to think of it, Cho Ryang became the One-Eyed Poison Arrow after being captured and brainwashed by Chu Tae Su.'
That line of thought led to another.
It was in the future, but the One-Eyed Poison Arrow had deliberately targeted Sichuan and the Tang Clan.
'Why?'
The Tang Clan wasn't pushovers. Sure, if the Divine Cult focused its full might, they'd crumble in three days—but that wasn't wartime.
A schemer like Chu Tae Su wouldn't just “casually” attack the Tang Clan without reason.
There had to be a purpose.
'Maybe I'll uncover it during this visit to the Tang Clan.'
Lost in thought, I heard Dang Si Hyeok ask cautiously.
“Brother?”
“Hm?”
“Is something bothering you?”
“No, nothing. I was just looking around in awe. Especially this spicy aroma—brings back memories.”
A street vendor's skewer scent wafted over right on cue.
“Indeed, I've heard Easterners love spicy food too.”
“Though it's a bit different from Sichuan's spice.”
Sichuan meant mala, and mala meant Sichuan.
“Ugh, I have no idea how anyone eats that stuff.”
Paeng So So grimaced.
“How would bland northerners like you know spice?”
“You picking a fight? Wanna die? Huh? Big trouble for the Tang Clan—one young master candidate down.”
Dang Si Hyeok recoiled in horror as Paeng So So glared.
Our group's makeup was bizarre.
Me, Sa Wol, and Tak Horak from the Divine Cult.
Dang Si Hyeok and his faction from the Tang Clan.
And Paeng So So with her Iron Fan Corps.
A recipe for disaster if left together.
Yet we'd traveled as one.
Because Dang Mugi had taken Dang Si Yul and his cronies ahead first.
He'd likely swept away any tails or relic-hunters along the way.
Otherwise, we couldn't have reached Seong Do incident-free after nearly half a month.
Not even a single bandit in sight.
“Once we return to the clan, I'll serve you properly...”
Dang Si Hyeok trailed off oddly, so I asked.
“Something on your mind?”
“Well...”
He scratched his head.
“It's not worry, exactly. I just don't know how to express my gratitude.”
He continued.
“If I bring my Iron Flag Corps back with the clan's token, I'll be treated as a faction leader, not a guest.”
“It's fine. I chose this. And I traveled safely thanks to you.”
“No.”
Dang Si Hyeok shook his head.
“Only after reaching Peak did I realize, seeing how Grandfather treats you, just how extraordinary your realm is.”
“...”
“You could've handled yourself without us. Yet you insist on entering as my token holder—doesn't that mean you're backing me?”
Misunderstandings and misconceptions.
Torture for most, but convenient for me.
“Am I even worthy of young master?”
“Dang Si Hyeok.”
I clapped his shoulder.
“The wicked are self-assured; the good doubt themselves. So you're good.”
Dang Si Hyeok's face crumpled with emotion.
[There it is again, that silver tongue.]
'Rhetoric.'
“Keep doubting yourself like this. Others will trust and follow you—like me.”
“Brother!”
He lunged for a hug, but I wasn't having it.
“Wanna hug me instead?”
“Don't be ridiculous.”
“Tch.”
Paeng So So had no clue Sa Wol was glaring daggers at her back for the irreverence.
Anyway.
That's how we reached the Tang Clan.
The grand gates stood wide open, a middle-aged man at the center.
Dang Si Hyeok's beaming smile told me who it was.
The Tang Clan head, Chasing Soul's Smile Dang Mun Su.
That gentle smile hid the ruthless leader of this venomous clan.
[They say he smiles only for family—hence Chasing Soul's Smile.]
“Father!”
Dang Si Hyeok rushed forward, embracing him like a tearful reunion. Seemed like a habit.
For a Tang Clan member, he was unusually affectionate. The baby of the family, maybe?
Dang Mun Su hugged back with a smile.
But as his gaze hit us, the warmth vanished.
Yes, that's the Tang Clan way.
“Welcome, Eastern Sword Dragon.”
“My thanks for the hospitality.”
I offered a clasped-fist salute; he returned it.
[...No smile, but that's a warm welcome.]
'Exactly.'
Not some minor sect—the hegemon of Sichuan personally greeting a guest and matching my salute.
Probably Dang Mugi's influence.
And I was right.
“I've heard from Grandfather. You enter as the holder of Si Hyeok's Iron Flag token.”
“Correct.”
“One last question. Wouldn't you prefer guest status? As Yao Xian's heir, we'd treat you royally.”
“As you've heard. I'm here as the holder of Third Young Master Dang Si Hyeok's Iron Flag token.”
“...I see.”
Soon.
Dang Mun Su smiled at me.
“Truly welcome, Eastern Sword Dragon. Rest easy.”
Gave me chills.
Our quarters were a modest annex. Modest, but a three-story pavilion.
“See you at dinner. Need to unwind.”
Paeng So So got separate lodgings—perks for frequent Five Great Families visitors.
“No signs of surveillance.”
Sa Wol reported after scouting the place.
“Drop the masks and relax.”
“Hoo!”
Tak Horak beat Sa Wol to it.
“Thought I'd suffocate! For real!”
For a blabbermouth like him, telepathy-only chats must've been torture.
No choice.
Black Shadow Corps assassin-tracker or not, he leaked info nonstop.
Fine to me, but not others.
“Doesn't feel as cutthroat as expected.”
Tak Horak spoke up, as usual.
His Black Shadow experience showed—he'd gauged the clan en route.
“Low-rank warriors look content. Means they trust the leadership.”
“...”
“Inner areas aren't heavily guarded. Likely formations or traps instead.”
“...”
“Also—why the stare? Something on my face?”
“No.”
Couldn't admit his competence stunned me speechless.
“In short, the Tang Clan is off-guard. Shall we take out Dang Si Yul now?”
“Mission on hold for now.”
In the Cult, suspending a mission meant traitor.
Especially one from the Heavenly Demon.
But Sa Wol and Tak Horak just nodded—no doubt, thanks to built trust.
To avoid overzealous interpretation, I took the lead.
“Young master contests often turn bloody. We eliminate Dang Si Yul naturally, prop up Dang Si Hyeok as successor... and turn the whole Tang Clan friendly to us.”
(To me.)
Casually suggesting assassination—I'd become a true martial artist.
Or just done with pretense.
“Stand by and regroup till then. Rest up from the journey.”
“Understood.”
“Understood!”
They said that, but these loyal Cultists wouldn't rest.
Fresh from a bath, craving sleep, but Sa Wol took the roof, Tak Horak the ground floor—for “protection.”
'Sigh—thought the super peak act was tiring. Can't drop it fully.'
Cult's super peak pretense, plus Eastern Sword Dragon + Yao Xian heir in the jianghu—brain overload.
[But mistakes are fewer now.]
'I'm used to it.'
Back in my world, I'd outact Hollywood pros.
As I rested.
“Brother.”
Dang Si Hyeok visited, cleaned up—now every bit the noble heir.
Handsome and sharp-featured, too.
“Grandfather invites you to dinner.”
“Of course.”
“But...”
“Hm?”
“They'll tally merit points then. Merit points are—”
“I know.”
Like Cult missions, young master candidates performed tasks.
They compared via contests, quantified as merit points.
Simple: contribution to the clan.
“I'll join, whatever it takes.”
Curious.
How much value would the Tang Clan place on me—Yao Xian's heir and Eastern Sword Dragon?
[That sets your jianghu reputation.]
Time to check.
“Let's go.”
“Yes, Brother.”
Acting as the Heavenly Demon