Chapter 34
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Tang Family's Greatest Secret Technique: Heavenly Thunder
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"I don't know about that sort of thing. All I know is Heavenly Thunder."
At Dan Hyeong-u's words, Tang Ho-gwan smiled faintly and nodded.
"You don't need to worry about me. I'll handle it myself."
Dan Hyeong-u turned his gaze forward again at Tang Ho-gwan's nonchalant reply.
The others were thrown into great confusion by Tang Ho-gwan's words. Dang Mun-yeong felt the same way. And Heavenly Thunder, of all things. Could that stoic man really have mastered that legendary technique?
"Gr-Grandfather..."
Dang Mun-yeong stammered in her shock, but Tang Ho-gwan turned to her with a warm smile.
"That's enough. Let's not talk about it anymore."
Dang Mun-yeong couldn't bring herself to say more after that. She simply observed Dan Hyeong-u more closely with newfound curiosity.
As everyone stared in stunned silence, Tang Ho-gwan paused in thought before turning to Jo Seol-yeon and speaking.
"What are your plans from here?"
He addressed her like a kindly grandfather. Jo Seol-yeon was a bit taken aback by his gentle tone but answered calmly.
"I'm going to rebuild the escort bureau."
Tang Ho-gwan nodded.
"That's the spirit. From now on, whenever the Tang Family transports goods through Henan Province, we'll make sure to use the Henan Escort Bureau."
"P-Pardon? Is that really true?"
Jo Seol-yeon gasped in surprise. It was an incredible opportunity—a tremendous favor. There had to be some condition attached, something impossible to refuse.
"No need to overthink it. It'll be on good terms, anyway. The only condition is that one or two Tang Family members join every escort mission until we get what we want."
Jo Seol-yeon's expression stiffened slightly at his words. She had an inkling of what the Tang Family desired. But it was far too good an offer to turn down.
"Sounds good to me."
Dan Hyeong-u was the one who replied. He flashed a faint smile at the astonished Jo Seol-yeon before turning back to Tang Ho-gwan.
Jo Seol-yeon forgot everything else in her shock at Dan Hyeong-u's unmistakable smile.
Now, Dan Hyeong-u could smile.
Chapter 4. Tang Family's Greatest Secret Technique: Heavenly Thunder
The journey back to Henan was so peaceful it bordered on boring for a while. Hyeong Pyo took it even easier than usual. Normally, the return trip after an escort mission was relaxed, but not this relaxed. Still, that's how it was now. He needed time to plan their next steps carefully.
In any case, the uneventful peace continued.
For the first three days, at least.
The group had settled down for the night and were resting as they saw fit. Thanks to the porters' campfire and evening meal, everyone could relax comfortably.
While the others sat or lay down, Dan Hyeong-u alone stood motionless.
The fact that he stood even while sleeping had come as a huge shock to Dang Mun-yeong. It seemed utterly impossible for a human. At first, she'd tried staying up to watch him sleep without rest, but she'd never fully confirmed it.
In any event, three days had passed, and Dang Mun-yeong still found the sight of him standing without sitting fascinating.
As a result, her gaze had lately been fixed on Dan Hyeong-u almost constantly. It was only natural—he was a type of person she'd never encountered before. And knowing he held the key to perfecting Heavenly Thunder only fueled her curiosity even more.
Umun Hye, meanwhile, was deeply wary of Dang Mun-yeong's attention. Her interest went beyond mere curiosity; it bordered on excessive. Fewer rivals was always better.
And Jo Seol-yeon was stuck between the two women, helpless to do anything but get through each day.
Three days passed like that. On the third evening, Tang Ho-gwan—who hadn't spoken a word until then—finally approached Dan Hyeong-u.
"Care for a spar?"
Dan Hyeong-u, standing silently, stared blankly at him.
"I'll win."
Dang Mun-yeong, nearby, bristled at his curt words, but a gesture from Tang Ho-gwan kept her silent. He knew exactly what she was about to do without even looking back.
"I know that already. That's not what I mean by a spar. You know that, right?"
Dan Hyeong-u pondered Tang Ho-gwan's words for a moment, then nodded.
The instant he did, Tang Ho-gwan broke into a beaming smile.
"Ha ha! My thanks. Now, where should we do this..."
As Tang Ho-gwan looked for a suitable spot, Dan Hyeong-u drew his sword and swung it a few times. The blade moved so fast it was nearly invisible, leaving everyone around him in awe.
Only Hyeong Pyo gave a wry smile. The sight reminded him of his own spar with Dan Hyeong-u long ago. He'd laughed off the Three Talents Sword Art back then.
Dan Hyeong-u had swung his sword just like this. Hyeong Pyo still clearly remembered the mutter that had echoed in his mind.
[Now I can hold back from killing you.]
Then the falling lightning... and fading consciousness.
That was all Hyeong Pyo remembered from back then.
The wry smile on his face soon turned to a pleasant one. In truth, the memory wasn't bitter at all. It had shown him Dan Hyeong-u's mercy.
Hyeong Pyo smiled faintly at Dan Hyeong-u, then glanced around. Seeing everyone's faces grow tense filled him with amusement.
"How about over here?"
Tang Ho-gwan called out from a good distance away. Though far off, his voice carried clearly thanks to his internal energy, audible to all.
Dan Hyeong-u swung his sword a few more times, nodded, and walked toward Tang Ho-gwan.
Tang Ho-gwan shot Dang Mun-yeong a meaningful glance. She nodded back and watched the two men intently, determined not to miss a thing.
"Well then, shall we begin?"
The words had barely left Tang Ho-gwan's mouth when Dan Hyeong-u's sword flickered.
Flash!
Lightning crashed down alongside it, and Tang Ho-gwan's body crumpled to the ground. Even as he blacked out, he had no idea what had happened.
"Grandfather!"
Dang Mun-yeong cried out in alarm and leaped forward. To her eyes, it looked as if he'd been struck dead by lightning.
Rushing to his side, she carefully checked him over and let out a sigh of relief. He had merely fainted. With fresh astonishment, she looked at Dan Hyeong-u. Who in the world could subdue her grandfather in a single move?
Tang Ho-gwan, her grandfather and a Tang Family elder—one of the highest-ranking at that—was stronger and more fearsome than anyone.
"As expected of Heavenly Thunder."
It was truly the stuff of legends. If they could just acquire it, the Tang Family's future would be paved with glory.
As Tang Ho-gwan came to amid worried stares from Dang Mun-yeong and a few others, exactly fifteen minutes had passed since the spar began.
"Ugh."
He clutched his head as he opened his eyes. It felt like his skull might split. But the pain faded quickly, and he sprang to his feet as if nothing had happened.
"What a letdown. Ha ha."
Rather than deflated, he looked embarrassed. He slunk off to one side, away from the crowd, and sat down. Only Dang Mun-yeong followed. Who among them would dare approach him carelessly?
Seated apart, Tang Ho-gwan circulated his energy briefly. Dang Mun-yeong stood guard beside him. After a short session, he tilted his head in puzzlement. No internal injuries. No external ones either.
He had clearly gathered his energy and braced himself. Their internal forces should have clashed, leaving him wounded from the impact that knocked him out.
"Ha ha ha."
All he could do was laugh. Dan Hyeong-u must have used internal energy; the sheer force of his thunderous aura had called down lightning, after all. No one could do that without it.
"The more I see, the more inscrutable he becomes."
Tang Ho-gwan murmured softly, then glanced at Dang Mun-yeong beside him.
"What did you make of it? See anything useful?"
She shook her head.
"It ended too fast. All I saw was the lightning..."
In truth, even that had been a vague glimpse despite staring wide-eyed. It was embarrassing to call it "seeing" anything.
"It's not just today. Keep watching closely from now on. I'm sure you'll figure it out."
Dang Mun-yeong nodded solemnly at his expectant words. Wasn't that exactly why she'd endured this grueling trip to Henan?
She replayed the duel in her mind. More important than the lightning itself was why it fell. If she could integrate that into Ten Thousand Flowers Amidst the Clouds, Heavenly Thunder would be complete. No one else might manage it, but she could. After all, she was the Secret Peak's Dang Mun-yeong.
From that day on, Tang Ho-gwan and Dan Hyeong-u sparred once every evening. The moment they settled camp, he'd request a match, and Dan Hyeong-u never refused, fainting him with Heavenly Thunder each time.
After a fortnight, Tang Ho-gwan decided a change was needed. They'd gained nothing in that time—just endless knockouts.
It didn't harm his body or cause issues, but the daily embarrassment—and pain—was too much. His pride was taking a hit.
He walked a bit apart from the group with Dang Mun-yeong to discuss it. Daytime was better for such talks than night.
"Mun-yeong, this isn't working. Got any ideas?"
She sighed at his question.
"Sigh... I've been racking my brain, but nothing comes to mind."
How could Dang Mun-yeong feel at ease? Watching her grandfather get struck and faint every night was hardly pleasant.
She'd watched with burning intensity, analyzing every movement and energy flow without fail. Yet no clues emerged.
It wasn't about stealing the technique. They just wanted to unlock the path to Heavenly Thunder. But it wasn't so simple.
"Ugh, can't just demand he teach us outright..."
As Tang Ho-gwan muttered, Dang Mun-yeong bit her lip.
Right. What we're after is Heavenly Thunder. If we can obtain it, what's there to hesitate over?
She steeled her resolve deep within.
Another day passed, and night fell once more.
The group ate casually, anticipating the usual spar between Tang Ho-gwan and Dan Hyeong-u. Though not a small party, they carried no cargo or wagons, pushing straight toward Heo Fortress. Villages were scarce, so they camped often—and tonight was no exception.
The porters had even prepared a suitable open space. By now, watching Tang Ho-gwan get zapped had become entertaining for them.
Everyone waited eagerly, but after sitting, Tang Ho-gwan showed no sign of moving, content with energy circulation. The porters murmured, but even they nodded in understanding. After a fortnight of daily defeats, it was time to quit. Only natural.
They figured they'd have given up after a day in his shoes—and nodded admiringly at the Tang Family's tenacity. In their minds, Dan Hyeong-u had ascended to godhood: the Thunder God who summoned bolts at will.
With the evening's match canceled, people went about their business and bedded down. That's when Dang Mun-yeong made her move.
She'd waited as long as possible, refusing to stir until Umun Hye and Jo Seol-yeon were asleep. Only when nearly everyone slumbered did she rise quietly and approach Dan Hyeong-u.
"Um... Young Hero Dan."
She addressed him as courteously and cautiously as she could. She'd come with resolve, but her body and heart trembled anyway.
What wouldn't she sacrifice for Heavenly Thunder? Dang Mun-yeong had approached him ready to offer her blooming youth.
"Um..."
She couldn't continue.
Dan Hyeong-u stood silently, gazing at her impassively.
"Speak."
At his word, Dang Mun-yeong's lips parted as if compelled.
"Please teach me Heavenly Thunder."
She startled herself with the shameless, rude request. Dan Hyeong-u had no reason to grant it. But that's what she'd say next.
She'd give him everything she had.