My Beloved Sisters
It was an occasion worthy of a grand celebration. Not only had Tang Ga-hui undergone a complete metamorphosis to reclaim her legendary beauty, but she had also ascended to the Super-Peak Realm alongside her younger sister, Tang Ga-in. Considering that only three of the generation's elite among the Nine Dragons and Six Phoenixes had reached the Super-Peak Realm, the fact that both sisters had attained such a height was a feat worthy of a clan-wide festival.
Yet, amidst this joyous occasion, Tang Suryeon found herself facing an incomprehensible mystery. She had experienced much in the Jianghu before attaining the Transcendental Realm, and raising her own family had allowed her to understand the heavy burden her predecessor had carried. Yet, even with the profound wisdom and perspective of a Transcendental master, she could not fathom Tang Hwi's staggering rate of growth. The deep, unfathomable presence radiating from her fully recovered son made even her flinch.
"Hwi. Have you... reached the Master Realm?"
"Yes, Mother. I recently fell prey to a Heart Demon, but thanks to the devotion of Sister and Ga-in, I was able to regain my senses and overcome it. Once the fog cleared, I found I had broken through the wall."
"...It is hard to believe, but with you standing right before me, I have no choice but to accept it."
The early Peak Realm. He had been her sore spot, a boy who had barely crossed the threshold of martial arts and could not even defeat his younger sister. Yet now, he had bypassed the Super-Peak Realm entirely and shattered the barrier to the Master Realm. Overcoming a Heart Demon could certainly trigger a breakthrough, but could it really produce such an extreme miracle? Reaching the Super-Peak Realm would have been shocking enough, but he had leaped right over it to stand as a Master. Had anyone in the entire history of the Jianghu ever accomplished such a miraculous feat?
Facing a reality that shattered every piece of common sense she had accumulated throughout her life, Tang Suryeon struggled to conceal her shock. Yet, she could not deny that this was incredibly joyous news. Her daughters had reached the Super-Peak Realm almost simultaneously, and her son had attained the Master Realm at barely twenty years of age. What parent wouldn't rejoice at their children's brilliant success? A small but deep smile graced Tang Suryeon's lips.
"I am so relieved. Ever since you mended your relationship with Ga-hui... you have lifted a tremendous weight off this mother's shoulders."
"I am merely doing what I should have done from the very beginning, Mother. I failed to show filial piety as a son, I was rash as a martial artist, and I neglected my duties as a brother. I am simply trying to make amends now, late as it may be."
"Yes. I see."
Her son's growth filled her with nothing but pride. Seeing the once-reckless, immature scoundrel turn over a new leaf, put in the effort, and reap such magnificent rewards brought an overwhelming sense of parental satisfaction.
"And now, I intend to put my efforts toward being chosen as the Young Patriarch."
Tang Suryeon flinched. He aims for the position of Young Patriarch.
Looking at his age and his breakthrough to the Master Realm, there was certainly no issue. His late-blooming talent was so explosive that it completely overshadowed all his past misdeeds. Frankly, the sheer pressure he exuded was on par with the clan's Pavilion Lords, suggesting Tang Hwi had already reached the mid-stage of the Master Realm. However, with Tang Ga-hui now recovered and poised to reclaim her position, and Tang Ga-in possessing a solid foundation of support, this would trigger a three-way succession battle.
Although Tang Hwi had no political backing, he was undeniably the strongest. On the other hand, his sisters' martial prowess was far above average, even if they paled slightly in comparison to him. If the three of them clashed, it would inevitably cause immense friction within the clan. As the Patriarch, Tang Suryeon could not help but frown at the looming conflict. Sensing her anxiety, Tang Hwi spoke up to ease her mind.
"Do not worry, Mother. Sister will likely forfeit her claim to the position of Young Patriarch."
"What do you mean by that? Her face is completely healed now, so why would she...?"
"She confessed to me that she can no longer bring herself to trust men."
"Ah."
Understanding dawned on Tang Suryeon, and her eyes grew bitter. The Moyong Clan had demanded the dissolution of the engagement with a massive sum of compensation the moment Ga-hui's face was ruined. Tang Ga-hui, who had shared a decent relationship with her fiancé, had shut herself away in her room due to that deep emotional wound. It was only natural that even after her recovery, she would view all other men through the same lens of distrust. Tang Hwi continued his explanation.
"She said she intends to live as a spinster, and therefore cannot become the Patriarch. She does not wish to let her personal desires prevent the direct line of the family from continuing."
"If a Patriarch has no heirs, even the branch families are permitted to challenge for the position of Young Patriarch. When that happened during the reign of the predecessor before last, a bloodbath ensued within the clan. It is a choice typical of Ga-hui and her tender heart."
Even with multiple direct heirs, succession was a bloody affair; if the branch families were thrown into the mix, it would escalate into a full-scale political war. In fact, actual skirmishes had broken out all over the clan back then, severely weakening the Tang Clan's power during that generation. Though it was an act that dragged the clan down, the branch families had been unwilling to let slip their once-in-a-lifetime chance to seize the patriarchate. Since Tang Hwi framed it as Ga-hui's concern over this very issue, Tang Suryeon readily accepted the explanation.
"Yes. It is a choice very much like her. And as for Ga-in..."
"Don't tell me... Did she also say she would forfeit her claim?"
"She didn't explicitly say she would forfeit, but she doesn't seem to have much greed for the position. When I told her I would be aiming for the Young Patriarch seat and suggested a friendly competition, she looked rather reluctant. It seems she was merely striving to fill the void left by Sister and me all this time, rather than harboring any genuine desire to lead the clan."
"Sigh. I honestly do not know whether to call this a blessing or a curse."
Tang Suryeon's expression grew complicated. A Patriarch did not necessarily have to be the strongest. While strength was a virtue, being the absolute strongest was not a requirement. The Patriarch was a position responsible for the lives of every single clan member, a role that demanded absolute caution and left no room for reckless behavior. Ideally, Tang Ga-in, who possessed a strong support base, would become the Patriarch, while Tang Hwi, with his overwhelming martial power, would support her as the head of one of the Four Pavilions. But the world rarely conformed to one's desires. Tang Suryeon had never expected both Ga-hui and Ga-in to have absolutely no ambition for the throne.
At least the silver lining is... my children get along well.
At the very least, they wouldn't engage in a bloody fratricidal war over the succession like other clans. Come to think of it, rumors were currently circulating that the eldest and second sons of the Moyong Clan were locked in a fierce political struggle for the succession. Given that rumors from Liaoning had reached their intelligence network in Sichuan, it was safe to assume they were true. While she secretly felt they deserved it—especially after the Moyong Clan had unilaterally broken off the engagement without prior consultation—Tang Suryeon swallowed a sigh, realizing she had her own unique set of worries to ponder.
"Do not worry, Mother. I will do my utmost to earn the recognition of the Four Pavilion Lords. Of course, I must prove my worth with results first."
"Do you have something in mind?"
"We are hosting a banquet to celebrate Sister's recovery, are we not? Please put me in charge of organizing it."
Tang Suryeon's eyes narrowed. She could not fathom what Tang Hwi was plotting by asking for that role. Meeting her suspicious gaze, he smiled nonchalantly and spoke.
"I will ensure it is the most magnificent return banquet for Sister. It is time to remind the world that the Tang Clan is not to be trifled with, and to repay the pain inflicted upon my sister tenfold."
At the mention of "revenge," something clicked in Tang Suryeon's mind, and she furrowed her brow.
"Are you planning to invite the Moyong Clan?"
"Yes. But rather than inviting the entire Moyong Clan, I intend to invite the Iron Dragon, Moyong Geon, who is currently at the Murim Alliance. The official pretext will be that we wish to receive the congratulations of the Murim Alliance."
"Hwi. Surely you don't mean...?"
"Yes."
A chilling smile played on his lips. He was smiling, but there was no warmth in it. It was a venomous intent, a cold resolve to exact vengeance upon the scoundrels who had dared to hurt his flesh and blood. Yet, even as he wore such a vicious expression, not a single shred of hostile aura escaped him. It was proof that he possessed absolute control over his internal energy.
"I must warn you beforehand: if you plan to stage a reckless revenge drama, I cannot permit it as the Patriarch of the Sichuan Tang Clan."
"Which means that as long as it is not reckless, and as long as I can return tenfold the humiliation to our opponent, you have no objections."
"Are you confident?"
"Yes. I am entirely confident."
Seeing Tang Hwi's unwavering confidence, Tang Suryeon's sharp demeanor softened. Had his words been born of mere childish bravado, she would have scolded him severely.
But it seems there is no need for that. He has truly grown into a man.
"Tell me, then. This mother would like to hear what kind of plan her son has devised."
Tang Hwi then laid out his plan to Tang Suryeon. It was a masterstroke that would kill three birds with one stone: upholding the Tang Clan's pride, returning the resentment Tang Ga-hui harbored tenfold, and bringing himself one step closer to the position of Young Patriarch. Listening to the entire scheme, Tang Suryeon let out a dry laugh. Had her son truly overcome his Heart Demon? The plan was highly likely to succeed, yet it left an impression of being incredibly relentless and petty. It was a bizarre demeanor—as if he had matured, yet remained utterly childish in his vindictiveness. Perhaps, Tang Suryeon thought, her son had not overcome his Heart Demon at all, but had instead embraced it and was learning to live in perfect harmony with it.