154
Chapter 154: You Are the Sword King.
“The prestige and benefits of the family, coercion, and righteousness—those aren’t my grand reasons. You could call it a simpler reason, perhaps.”
Tang Qihu, who had been lost in thought for a moment, stood up and brushed the dust off his martial uniform.
“Shall we talk while walking?”
“As you wish.”
Mu Hwi followed Tang Qihu and took in the sights of the Sacheon Tang Family. Along the way, he naturally encountered many family members.
The family members who saw Tang Qihu walking with Mu Hwi bowed their heads in respect.
“Family Head.”
“Ah, Ok-hyeon. Are you off to research a new mixture for the Black Flow Poison?”
“Yes.”
“Be careful.”
“Please don’t worry.”
At Tang Qihu’s concern, the family member named Ok-hyeon smiled faintly and bowed his head.
From then on, Tang Qihu greeted each family member he met warmly, and the family members didn’t seem to find his behavior particularly unusual.
Watching this, Mu Hwi could roughly gauge the usual atmosphere of the Sacheon Tang Family.
“It seems harmonious.”
“Does it? I’m glad it comes across that way.”
When the laughter of children echoed from beyond the wall, Mu Hwi and Tang Qihu paused for a moment to look over the wall.
“Eek! Here it comes!”
“You’ll never hit that target!”
“Just wait and see!”
The children of the Sacheon Tang Family were playfully sparring among themselves. Despite their young age, perhaps because they were of the Tang Family’s bloodline, they treated all kinds of hidden weapons as toys.
Some of the weapons even resembled those Tang Qihu had used in the martial contest. Mu Hwi watched the children’s bright smiles.
“The children seem to be having fun playing.”
Tang Qihu also watched the children laughing and running around, following Mu Hwi’s gaze.
“When I was their age, I never laughed like that. The family members my age were the same. The main family back then was truly desolate.”
Tang Qihu smiled bitterly as he recalled his childhood.
“It seems the Tang Family’s atmosphere was very different in the past.”
Tang Qihu simply nodded.
“In the past, the main family outwardly upheld righteous principles, but in reality, it was closer to an unorthodox sect. The main family would stop at nothing for the sake of poison and hidden weapons, and the family members operated under the principle of the strong rule. Back then, the core family tenet of the Sacheon Tang Family—the strong rule—was something even the young couldn’t escape.”
Once martial training began, so did endless competition. To the Sacheon Tang Family of that time, the family member standing right beside you was merely a competitor who shared your blood and surname.
In the Sacheon Tang Family, anything was permissible to bring down a competitor, as long as it didn’t kill them.
The family believed this method would greatly enhance the achievements in poison and hidden weapons and cultivate the ruthlessness required to wield them.
“The other family members who grew up with me took this for granted, but strangely, I despised that kind of Sacheon Tang Family. I doubted whether a family where members shed each other’s blood could truly be normal. The elders considered me an oddity.”
“Family Head!”
The young children of the Sacheon Tang Family, who had been playing among themselves, spotted Tang Qihu and waved. Tang Qihu waved back.
“So that’s when it started. When you began thinking of changing the Sacheon Tang Family.”
Tang Qihu nodded with a solemn expression.
“Back then, children in the Sacheon Tang Family didn’t act like children, and the adults were like demons. That wasn’t the kind of family I envisioned, so I resolved to become the Family Head.”
During his time as the Later Blooming Genius, Tang Qihu experienced many martial sects of the martial world. In particular, the Namgung Family and the Baekri Family—collectively known as the Three Great Families alongside the Sacheon Tang Family—left a deep impression on him.
He modeled many family teachings after those of orthodox sects, especially focusing on the education of children.
Though poison and hidden weapons were widely regarded as despicable and vicious in the martial arts world, if they were used for righteous causes and wielded with responsibility, then even while using poison and hidden weapons, the martial artists of the Sacheon Tang Family could remain righteous.
This was a core teaching that Tang Qihu adapted from the orthodox sects’ emphasis on the responsibility of martial arts and applied to the children’s education.
It was also the pivotal phrase that transformed the Sacheon Tang Family from the ground up. Thanks to the new changes centered around this phrase, the family became what it is today.
“The Tang Family has become what you envisioned, so why are you wavering?”
Mu Hwi glanced at Tang Qihu’s profile as he spoke candidly about the past.
“The Paewangseong revealed its ambitions in Sacheon, and even with the formation of the Sacheon Alliance, it was difficult to stop them. On top of that, my brother left the family and soared even higher, making me doubt whether the path I’ve led the main family on is truly the right one.”
Tang Qihu emphasized that the Sacheon Tang Family was, first and foremost, a family of blood-related members before being a martial sect.
The Poison Dragon of Sacheon argued that before being a family, it was a martial sect whose value lay in its martial prowess.
There were many reasons, but the difference in ideology regarding the Sacheon Tang Family was the main cause of the Poison Dragon of Sacheon abandoning the family.
Listening to Tang Qihu, Mu Hwi nodded.
“You’re worried that the Sacheon Tang Family has changed, but at the cost of its martial prowess weakening. That’s why you posed that question at the end of the martial contest.”
“Correct.”
After a brief silence, Mu Hwi slowly spoke.
“I don’t believe reverting to the old Sacheon Tang Family would make it strong again.”
“Why do you say that?”
“In mastering martial arts, mindset is just as important as talent, isn’t it? Your teachings have given the descendants a clear direction—righteousness. That will unleash far greater power than the old ‘the strong rule’, which only encouraged stepping on others to climb higher.”
Tang Qihu stopped walking and looked at Mu Hwi.
“The martial arts of the Sacheon Tang Family are inherently strong. If the descendants uphold your teachings and each cultivates the right mindset and conviction, they will shine in time. What you’re seeing now is merely growing pains.”
Tang Qihu fell silent at Mu Hwi’s words. He watched the children playing without a care in the world. Mu Hwi added while observing them.
“And if a family can’t even achieve something as simple as making children smile like this, how could it accomplish anything greater?”
Tang Qihu smiled faintly and looked at Mu Hwi.
“The current Hwasan Sect has regained its past glory, but if you become its leader, I think it will soar even higher.”
Hearing this, Mu Hwi grinned.
“By then, the Hwasan Sect will be known as the Number One Sword Sect in the World.”
“Hahaha!”
Tang Qihu burst into hearty laughter at Mu Hwi’s words. Then, with a serious expression, he clasped his fists.
“Plum Blossom Sword Lord. I will deeply cherish your advice.”
Mu Hwi also clasped his hands together.
Watching Tang Qihu walk away with lighter steps, Mu Hwi was lost in thought.
Sect Leader, Clan Head, Family Head.
Leading a sect wasn’t just about solving immediate challenges like the number of disciples, finances, martial prowess, or interests.
Leading a sect meant becoming the focal point for its members, reflecting on the past and present to shape the future.
“Sect Leader… It might give me a headache later.”
Muttering with a smile, Mu Hwi followed Tang Qihu’s back.
***
“Eat this.”
Dokgo Yul, who had come to the Tang Family after hearing Mu Hwi was there while staying at Cheongseong, was immediately handed a medicinal pill.
Dokgo Yul stared blankly at the pill Mu Hwi held out, tilting his head.
“What is it?”
“A medicinal pill made from the inner core of the Horned Fire Python.”
At the mention of the Horned Fire Python, Dokgo Yul’s eyes widened. The pill, made from the python’s inner core and blood mixed with various rare herbs by the Tang Family’s physicians, had yielded a considerable amount.
Even after distributing it to all the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, there were ten pills left. Five were given to the Tang Family, and the remaining five would be taken back to the Hwasan Sect. Mu Hwi handed one of them to Dokgo Yul.
“If you take this, most poisons won’t affect you, and it’ll significantly boost your inner energy.”
“Such a precious pill… Are you sure I can have it?”
“It’s just extra. Don’t overthink it and take it.”
“Hmm. I’ll gratefully accept.”
Dokgo Yul grinned broadly as he looked at the pill in his hand. Mu Hwi frowned at his expression.
“You should’ve stayed in Honam. What brought you to Sacheon in this situation?”
“I couldn’t stand watching the Paewangseong wreak havoc. It’s been irritating since they first targeted the Dokgo Association just because I was the Sword Devil’s disciple.”
“Even with the Dokgo Association’s support, the Sacheon Alliance is fighting an uphill battle.”
Dokgo Yul nodded without hesitation at Mu Hwi’s words.
“Just because victory is unlikely doesn’t mean there’s no reason to fight.”
Seeing Mu Hwi’s expression remain stern, Dokgo Yul chuckled.
“My master faced the Paewangseong alone, didn’t he? Compared to that, this is a walk in the park.”
“I heard even the Sword Devil didn’t recklessly confront the Paewangseong. He moved with a clear understanding of the difference in strength. You should keep that in mind too.”
“Understood.”
Dokgo Yul tucked the pill into his sleeve and pointed to the Ghost Eternal Sword on his back.
“I’ll be heading to the frontlines soon, so there won’t be another chance. Let’s spar now. The situation in Honam wasn’t exactly ideal for a martial contest.”
Mu Hwi let out a small sigh and nodded.
“I’ll only beat you up enough not to hinder your fighting.”
***
“Halt.”
The Sword King, leading the Baekri Family’s martial force toward Sacheon, suddenly raised his left hand.
At his signal, the force behind him stopped in unison.
Frowning, the Sword King glared at a man standing alone in the middle of the road.
“Sword King. It’s been a while.”
The Sword King’s hand moved to the sword at his waist as he studied the man clad head to toe in black.
A sharp sword aura emanated from the Sword King’s body, causing his empty right sleeve to flutter.
The man nodded, sensing the aura.
“Sword King. In the past, you were a fallen man, but now you bear the title of Sword King without the slightest inadequacy. Losing your right arm may have been the catalyst for your enlightenment.”
The Sword King’s eyes narrowed at the man’s words.
“You know me? Who are you?”
“I am called Heukcheon. I’ve never met you in person, but I’ve observed you from afar a few times. Compared to your past self—defeated by the Sword Saint and living in seclusion—you’ve changed remarkably.”
Heukcheon took a step forward.
The reaction from behind the Sword King was immediate.
The Baekri Family’s martial artists recoiled in shock, widening the distance despite Heukcheon merely taking a single step.
Though he emitted no aura, Heukcheon’s mere presence unsettled them.
The Sword King studied Heukcheon with a grave expression.
“I’ve heard of the Black Night Palace Lord, but you seem far beyond that. Is the current Palace Lord a puppet, and are you the true master?”
“You’re mistaken. He is indeed the Black Night Palace Lord. No need to call him a puppet—he’s my disciple.”
At Heukcheon’s mention of the Palace Lord as his disciple, the Sword King sighed and slowly drew his sword.
Heukcheon’s facial muscles twitched slightly.
“Sword King. What do you intend to do?”
“Blocking our path like this—isn’t it to hinder our advance to Sacheon?”
“Correct. Take your family members and retreat. I’ll spare you then. I’d like to see how your sword has changed, but there will be a better occasion later.”
“Are you aiding the Paewangseong?”
Heukcheon shook his head.
“The martial arts world’s affairs and my actions are unrelated. I merely act as I please. There’s a child in Sacheon who has caught my interest.”
The Sword King’s sword aura grew sharper at Heukcheon’s words.
“The Hwasan Sword Saint.”
Heukcheon nodded.
“Sword King, if you proceed, I doubt the outcome will be very entertaining.”
The Sword King exhaled deeply and turned to the family members behind him.
“All of you, retreat. Return.”
An elder of the Baekri Family suddenly noticed the Sword King’s expression. His face was eerily calm, prompting the elder to ask,
“Will the Supreme Family Head be joining us?”
“Why ask when you already know? Lead the family members away quickly. Who knows when his mood might change!”
With that, the Sword King turned his head, and the elder could no longer see his face.
“Understood.”
The elder bowed toward the Sword King’s back before swiftly leading the family members away. Heukcheon asked,
“Why aren’t you leaving?”
“The title of Sword King weighs too heavily for me to flee simply because I value my life.”
“I still remember vividly how you tried to escape reality after your defeat by the Sword Saint. You’ve truly changed.”
Heukcheon clasped his hands behind his back and slowly clenched a fist. In response, the Sword King assumed a sword stance—not that of the Heavenly Wing Sword Technique, which he created in his later years, but the Baekri Family’s sword stance.
Seeing the unwavering resolve in the Sword King’s eyes as he abandoned the Heavenly Wing Sword Technique, Heukcheon nodded.
Discarding the Heavenly Wing Sword Technique meant he had fully overcome his defeat by the Hwasan Sword Saint.
“I acknowledge you. You are the Sword King.”
As Heukcheon spoke, darkness began creeping toward the Sword King.