Chapter 139: Saving Tang Ja-seong (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 139: Saving Tang Ja-seong (3)
I returned from my walk.
Just as I was about to enter the guest hall, Tang Bin blocked my path. She approached me cautiously.
When she reached me, she stared at my face with a look of deep distress.
"Is something the matter?" I asked.
Despite her being a nuisance, I kept my tone polite.
"I... I have a favor to ask."
Her voice was awkward, barely a squeezed-out whisper, as if asking me for anything was the last thing she wanted to do.
Since I had absolutely no desire to grant any favors for Tang Bin, I didn't respond and simply kept walking. I was using my body language to show her I wasn't interested, but Tang Bin followed me regardless, undeterred.
"I know it's rude to ask this of you, Young Hero Eo, but you're the only one I can turn to."
I stopped in my tracks and looked at her.
"I'll listen, but I won't promise to grant it."
I didn't want to get dragged into the Tang Clan's business and suffer for it.
"My brother is currently undergoing a test to prove his worthiness as the successor to the Tang Clan. But that test involves a battle against the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect. They've been threatening our clan under the instigation of the Divine Light Sect. Because of that, Father announced that if my brother could defeat the experts of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, he would pass the succession test. My brother took the Tang Clan Eight Heroes and went to fight them. Please... please help him."
Seeing Tang Bin on the verge of tears as she blurted out her plea, it was clear she was terrified of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect's experts.
"If it's Young Hero Tang, he should be able to win regardless of how strong they are."
"No, he can't! The clan isn't providing any support other than the Eight Heroes. We originally heard there were only about fifteen experts from the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect, which is why only the Eight Heroes went, but the information I received today says there are nearly fifty of them. No matter if my brother is the Poison Dragon of the Sichuan Four Dragons, he can't defeat fifty experts at once. I just heard they've set up a formation on a mountain near the clan, and that's where he went. Please, Young Hero Eo, help my brother."
Had Tang Bin finally matured?
Usually, kids her age would think the Poison Dragon could easily slaughter fifty experts. But the moment one begins to perceive reality coldly, illusions and romance shatter, and one grows up.
To be blunt, even for someone like Chu Bong-hwa, handling fifty first-rate experts alone would be a tall order.
Whether it's a war or a skirmish, it all comes down to a clash of forces. No matter how absolute a master is, they cannot easily win against a concentrated group. If that weren't the case, Xiang Yu would have ruled the world instead of Liu Bang, and Lu Bu would have unified the Three Kingdoms.
The Divine Light Sect itself has many powerful individuals who wouldn't lose to the Murim Alliance, but there was a reason they were drawing in other factions. The Divine Light Sect lacked a broad power base, while the Murim Alliance had the entire martial world at its back.
If skill levels are similar, it's only natural for the side with the greater force to win. This is why I don't like fighting alone.
Pushing those thoughts aside, I replied with a serious expression.
"Isn't that a succession test for the Tang Clan? How can I possibly interfere? It's not my place to get involved."
"If you grant my request, I'll do anything you want. Anything! So please..."
Hearing that, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
Even if I head there now, it'll likely be over by the time I arrive. If Tang Ja-seong won, he'd be incredibly grateful for my attempt to help. If he died, simply recovering his body would put the Tang Clan in my debt. Either way, the story of my chivalry in trying to save him would spread throughout Sichuan. No matter how I look at it, this isn't a losing bargain.
Moreover, looking at Tang Bin promising "anything," there was one thing I wanted. There was something that would be very useful later when the bastards from the Divine Light Sect inevitably came for revenge.
I'll just ask for that.
"Very well. I will help Young Hero Tang."
Tang Bin, who had been on the verge of giving up, burst into tears at my words. I could tell how much she had been worrying.
"Th-thank you."
"In exchange, do not forget your promise to do anything I ask."
"O-of course."
As she answered, her face turned a soft shade of red.
What on earth is she imagining?
I clicked my tongue inwardly and walked briskly toward the guest rooms of the government office. I had to assemble the Blood Wind Squad and explain the situation to Chu Bong-hwa.
Danyeong looked disappointed that I was leaving so suddenly. However, she had already heard the news from Tang Bin and understood.
"My younger brother's favorite hero lately is the New Dragon of Sichuan. He would be so happy to meet you. When he arrives, you'll come visit, won't you? I hope I'm not being too forward with this request."
"When does your brother arrive?"
"He'll be here in three days."
"I understand. I shall see you in three days. It's not like my face is plated in gold; there's no reason I can't show it."
When I accepted with a joke, Danyeong beamed with joy.
How virtuous.
I found myself swallowing hard for no reason. Seeing Danyeong's devotion to her brother touched my heart. It wasn't like I was going into battle for her; I could certainly grant a simple request like that.
After parting with Danyeong, I used my lightness skill for two shijin [four hours] and arrived at the nameless mountain near the Tang Clan. Fortunately, it wasn't too far from the government office where we had stayed, so we arrived quickly.
Of course, the fact that the Blood Wind Squad had become masters and their lightness skills had improved was a major factor. In the past, a distance that would have taken a full day took only four hours, showing just how much their skills had grown.
I had come as fast as I could, but based on the timing, I judged that the fight between Tang Ja-seong and the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect would be nearly over. Even if my calculations were off, I figured that with Chu Bong-hwa, Jeok Yeong, and the Blood Wind Squad by my side, we could hold our own.
Tang Ja-seong wasn't the type to go down easily; I believed he was a master capable of neutralizing at least half of the enemy experts. Chu Bong-hwa, in particular, was a great source of comfort.
When I looked at Chu Bong-hwa and smirked, she scolded me.
"You silly fellow."
"Where are they?"
Even after being insulted, I kept grinning, which made Tang Bin look at me strangely.
"They are at the mountain peak."
Hearing that, I smiled again and shouted.
"Let's go!"
Thanks to my companions, I felt a surge of confidence. As we headed toward the summit, I asked Tang Bin, "Why is the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect targeting the Tang Clan?"
Tang Bin thought for a long time before speaking. She looked like she was debating whether it was okay to reveal the clan's secrets to me.
"The Divine Light Sect has proposed an alliance with our clan several times. But the Sect Leader refused. As you know, our clan is quite stubborn. Because of that refusal—perhaps to break our spirit—the experts of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect flowed into Sichuan and began clashing with us. They started interfering with our business interests, leading to repeated conflicts. That's why the Sect Leader gave my brother the mission to wipe them out, making it his succession test."
"That sounds like the Tang Clan. Even the Nine Demons Chamber wavered at the Divine Light Sect's proposal, yet the Tang Clan rejected it flatly."
Tang Bin's eyes sparkled at my praise.
"Even if our clan is more reclusive than others, we are still a sect of the Central Plains Murim with a history deeper than most. We cannot simply throw away that pride in an instant."
She was right. That's why tradition is both terrifying and magnificent. Progress and the future only exist when there is a foundation of tradition.
"You are absolutely right."
As I agreed, Tang Bin's expression softened considerably.
"But why did the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect set up their formation at the mountain peak? Isn't that a dead end?" Jeok Yeong asked.
"Usually, those who use poison prefer places where the wind flows downward. That way, their poisons are more effective. That's why poison users stay at the summit even when they're on a mountain."
Hearing Tang Bin's explanation, it made perfect sense.
"Let's hurry."
Tang Bin, anxious, hurried ahead. The sight of a sister worrying so much about her brother strangely tugged at my heartstrings. I circulated my internal energy and activated my Rain-Step Flight.
"We shouldn't be dawdling. Let's move!"
Chu Bong-hwa looked at me strangely when I suddenly shifted from loitering to being in a hurry. We used our lightness skills and rushed toward the peak.
"As expected!"
I couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. Chu Bong-hwa, beside me, asked, "What's 'as expected'?"
Tang Ja-seong had taken down nearly half of the fifty experts from the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect. However, the Tang Clan had also suffered heavy losses.
The Tang Clan Eight Heroes had been reduced to only two. Tang Ja-seong himself was bleeding from various wounds, likely from hidden weapons, staining his green martial robes red.
The battle was reaching its climax. The experts of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect held hidden weapons and poison pouches, preparing for a final showdown, while the remaining Tang Clan members reached into their robes as well. Since both were poison-specializing sects, the outcome would be decided by poison and hidden weapons.
Tang Ja-seong's hands hung limply at his sides, looking as if he had lost the will to fight.
"Brother!"
At Tang Bin's cry, Tang Ja-seong looked toward us.
"You've done something unnecessary!"
Tang Bin shot back, "I'd rather you accept help than see you get hurt!"
Tang Ja-seong gave a small smile, as if he understood his sister's heart.
"It has been a while, Young Hero Eo."
"It seems we meet again under difficult circumstances."
As I clasped my hands in greeting to Tang Ja-seong, the experts of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect glanced at us warily. When Tang Bin tried to jump into the fray, Tang Ja-seong barked an order.
"Stop! This is my fight. It is not your place to interfere. Fall back!"
Tang Bin flinched and stopped. She was, after all, a martial artist raised in the Tang Clan. If I had to choose between a warrior's pride and the safety of my kin in this situation, I'd choose kin every time. But Tang Bin, educated by the Tang Clan, knew that helping Tang Ja-seong now might actually wound his pride and insult him.
So, I said to Tang Bin, "I believe in Young Hero Tang."
Believe in him, my foot. I was just terrified of getting caught in the poison if I got too close. This was a battle between poison and poison—an extremely dangerous situation.
"Hahaha!"
Suddenly, Tang Ja-seong burst into laughter.
"In this situation, even my own sister doesn't trust me, yet only the New Dragon of Sichuan believes in me!"
I played along with his rhythm and babbled, "I don't think the Poison Dragon of the Sichuan Four Dragons is only capable of this much. You are the only one in the Murim called the Poison Dragon. That name is not for show, and I don't believe a man named Tang Ja-seong has only this much skill. Please, show us a strength worthy of the name Poison Dragon."
Honestly, I was just saying whatever came to mind. But Tang Ja-seong seemed genuinely moved by my long-winded speech.
"Only you truly understand me. Since Young Hero Eo has come all this way for me, I shall reveal the ultimate technique I have kept hidden for so long. This is a matter of courtesy to my true friend."
Even as we chatted, the experts of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect remained motionless, keeping a wary eye on both Tang Ja-seong and us. They seemed relieved that we weren't joining the fight.
"I will finish you all."
Wearing his green gloves, Tang Ja-seong pulled something from his robes and scattered it into the air.
"Meteor Transforming Rain!"
At the same time, an expert from the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect shouted, "Strike!"
I jumped back in surprise. Meteor Transforming Rain was the stage just before the Tang Clan's greatest ultimate technique, Ten Thousand Flowers Rain. It was a lethal technique that supposedly only the elders of the Tang Clan could perform. The fact that Tang Ja-seong had mastered this method meant he truly could be considered the head of the Sichuan Four Dragons.
From his hands, all sorts of the Tang Clan's famous hidden weapons—Yama's Laugh, Soul-Severing Thread, Six-Soul Net—soared into the air. Simultaneously, the experts of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect threw their own poisons and weapons at Tang Ja-seong and the remaining heroes.
Watching the Meteor Transforming Rain, I felt a sense of confusion.
I don't understand why he's throwing the weapons into the air instead of at the enemy.
The Ten Thousand Poisons Sect's weapons were flying toward Tang Ja-seong, while his own weapons were just floating in the sky. It looked like they would just fall to the ground if left alone.
But then...
"Hah!"
Tang Ja-seong suddenly inhaled and exploded with internal energy.
"Oh! Body Protective Aura!"
Jeok Yeong marveled at Tang Ja-seong's momentum. But the important thing was that it wasn't just a simple Body Protective Aura. The momentum Tang Ja-seong released simultaneously struck the hidden weapons floating in the air and enveloped his body.
The hidden weapons were propelled outward in all directions like arrows, while the energy surrounding Tang Ja-seong became a protective barrier. The weapons fired by the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect were all deflected by his aura. Meanwhile, the weapons propelled by his internal energy pierced through the experts of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect.
It was truly a masterpiece of a technique.
Could I block that?
I wondered if I could stop it even if I used Thunderbolt Shaking Heaven to create a protective aura.
"Aaargh!"
The experts of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect collapsed one by one like falling stalks of straw. Once they were all down, Tang Ja-seong's knees buckled, and he slumped to the ground.
"How was it, Young Hero Eo?"
Tang Ja-seong wanted to hear my thoughts after showing off his ultimate move.
"I am proud that the Tang Clan is the Sichuan Tang Clan, and I am proud that Young Hero Tang is one of the Sichuan Four Dragons. Furthermore, that Meteor Transforming Rain was the most beautiful technique I have ever seen."
It was a cliché compliment, but Tang Ja-seong looked satisfied.
"It's not over yet."
"What?"
No sooner had Chu Bong-hwa spoken than figures hidden underground like moles burst forth. Exactly four of them leaped out and lunged at Tang Ja-seong. But Tang Ja-seong had poured all his internal energy into the Meteor Transforming Rain; he had nothing left and could only stare at them blankly.
The Ten Thousand Poisons Sect was more meticulous than I thought. Without even thinking, I instinctively thrust out my right hand.
Swish!
The Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet on my wrist shot out like a flash of lightning.
Slash!
The bracelet sliced the throat of the first man and flew toward the second. However, the second man noticed his comrade's death and managed to deflect the bracelet with his sword. But the bracelet didn't lose its momentum; it dove in, aiming for the throats of the third and fourth men.
Clang! Clang!
Whirrrr!
In the end, the Golden Qi-Poisoning Bracelet was retracted after killing only one man.
It's not as powerful as I thought. Once they're aware of it, it seems too easy to block.
Just as I was about to use Rain-Step Flight to charge at them, the remaining men wobbled and face-planted into the dirt. Seeing blood streaming from their noses and mouths, a thought occurred to me.
Oh, I see. When the bracelet was launched, it sprayed poison. Since those bastards haven't mastered orthodox internal arts, they immediately suffered Qi Deviation. Come to think of it, even if the physical strike isn't that powerful, the fact that the bracelet circles the area is a devastating attack in itself.
I was so impressed by the bracelet's unexpected effectiveness that I rubbed my wrist several times. Tang Ja-seong forced himself to stand and clasped his hands toward me.
"You truly are the New Dragon of Sichuan. To take down four experts of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect in a single move..."
His eyes were full of admiration. Six of the Eight Heroes had died trying to kill these people, and he had barely managed to deal with the rest using his hidden trump card, yet I had effortlessly finished off four experts. As a martial artist, he was deeply moved.
"I've unintentionally interfered in your fight. I'm sure you could have handled them even without me, Young Hero Tang."
When I offered a bit of flattery, Tang Ja-seong smiled.
"I thank you for your consideration. You are now a benefactor to me. We of the Tang Clan are very clear about our debts and grudges."
With that, he fell silent.
What? If you're so clear about debts, tell me right now what you're going to give me. Don't just settle it with words.
I grumbled inwardly.
"Let's withdraw."
There was no reason to stay in this blood-soaked place, so I spoke to the Blood Wind Squad. The squad members, looking disappointed that they hadn't even gotten to fight, didn't move immediately and instead scanned the battlefield.
Crazy bastards. If you love fighting this much, it's only a matter of time before you become ghosts.
Now that they had become masters, their instincts to test their own strength were squirming within them.