The Tang Clan's Silent Rebirth
Word spread rapidly through the Sichuan Jianghu that the people of the Sichuan Tang Family had returned.
Moreover, the news that the sect masters and one hundred experts from three of Chengdu's major sects had been wiped out along with their direct descendants sent shockwaves through the martial world.
How could the Tang Family still be standing intact after being reduced to rubble with not a single pillar left standing
And even more astonishing was the fact that despite the sheer number of martial artists lost in the attack, the Demonic Cult's six elite forces had been annihilated and only the Bright Moon Immortal had managed to escape with his life.
CLANG! CLANG!
Dozen after dozen of carriages were entering Tang Family Town.
Timber from Meihua Zhuolu.
Medicines from Jangga's Pharmacy.
If we work at this pace, the outer perimeter will be completely demolished in three days and the demolition work should take about two days.
That's fast progress.
Thanks to the help of our Tang Family brothers, the construction is moving along at an unprecedented speed.
Not only first-class and second-class experts, but even peak masters had rolled up their sleeves and were lending their strength on the site.
Huge pillars were being lifted with a flash of light while the wood itself was being sliced into lumber with Sword Qi, making the entire project move at an astonishing pace.
The village elder glanced at the map and spoke up.
We should start restoring the Tang Family buildings soon.
At those words Tang Myung looked at the ruined buildings that still stood untouched.
The Tang Family buildings had remained in their collapsed state without so much as a single hand touching them.
Of course the Tang Family experts had entered and removed what they could carry, including the bodies that had been recovered.
But the buildings themselves had not been touched in any way yet.
We will not touch the buildings in Tang Family Town.
Then you intend to leave them like this
Once I bring down the Demonic Cult, I will rebuild everything from the ground up.
Tang Myung studied the map and pointed to the area directly in front of the Tang Family Castle.
That is where I plan to build the Tang Family.
Then how do you intend to do it
As long as we have a roof over our heads for now, that will be enough.
Still, for the Tang Family to settle for so little...
That is enough for now.
Understood. When the blueprints are ready I will report back.
Thank you for your hard work.
You're welcome.
And...
Tang Myung turned to the village elder.
We will also build a martial arts academy in Tang Family Town.
A martial arts academy
We will not teach the family's own martial arts there.
But just as everything in the universe is connected, the Tang Family also possesses martial arts that are not our own.
But not the third-class techniques taught at every village school.
These are skills that can at least reach first-class expert level if studied diligently.
We will teach those techniques at the academy for anyone in Tang Family Town who wishes to learn.
People will surely be happy about that.
Then I will take my leave.
At those words one of the Milyeong Unit members carried him on his back and leaped down from the tower in a single bound.
Once the village elder had descended, Tang Myung turned to Tang Jang.
How is the training going for the soldiers
Progress is smooth.
Tang Myung nodded and looked west.
The distant place his gaze could not reach was where the Demonic Cult was hiding.
Just as Tang Myung looked west, a group of mounted riders approaching from the direction of the Tang Family came into view.
Young Family Head.
Tang Myung looked at him and turned his head.
Zhuge Mun, the Flying Swallow Scholar of the Zhuge Clan, has arrived.
Zhuge Mun was the young family head of the Zhuge Family.
Tang Jang gazed at him for a long moment before speaking.
Tang Myung smiled brightly and leaped down from the tower.
TATATAT!
Tang Myung lightly kicked the tower and landed on the ground, waving his hand.
Zhuge Mun!
A man riding on the horse smiled and waved back.
Tang Myung!
The man then kicked his horse's flank and leaped forward in a single bound.
Tang Myung.
Zhuge Mun reached out and grasped Tang Myung's shoulder.
I'm truly grateful... I'm sorry.
For what
The Sichuan Tang Family...
Zhuge Mun sighed and looked at the ruins of the Sichuan Tang Family before continuing.
Thanks to your letter, we were able to escape disaster.
Ah... I'm glad.
Then what happened
The Zhuge Family received a letter from the Demonic Cult warning that they would target us next.
So we activated the entire Seoljin array and searched for any possible assassins who might be hiding in the shadows.
Assassins
Since the Zhuge Family is located deep in the inland regions of the Central Plains, even the Demonic Cult would find it difficult to send their experts without us noticing.
Therefore it had to be a small number of people... assassins.
I see.
And... we were able to identify twelve assassins who had infiltrated the Zhuge Family.
Only twelve in the Zhuge Family... they must have been formidable experts.
That's right. All of them were top-tier masters.
Fortunately it happened while we had already prepared in advance after receiving the letter...
Zhuge Mun sighed and shook his head as he spoke.
I wouldn't call it fortunate at all.
Six of the elders of my family were assassinated.
Six...
But... thanks to the Seoljin array being activated in advance, the assassins were unable to move freely after carrying out their mission, which is why it ended this way.
Is the Young Family Head alright
My father is unharmed.
He received the letter and immediately activated the Seoljin array at his residence.
That's good to hear.
Zhuge Mun gazed at Tang Myung quietly.
I heard the news of the bloodbath at the Sichuan Tang Family and our family immediately gathered experts and rushed over here.
Really
But the damage was already done and the poison in the Tang Family had already spread too far for us to do anything about it.
Thank you.
Thank you? The only thing we've done for you is return the favor you showed us.
Zhuge Mun bowed deeply and Tang Myung smiled back.
I'm grateful that you didn't forget us and came to check on us.
Tang Myung then noticed the people who had come with Zhuge Mun.
The group accompanying Zhuge Mun were all sturdy, robust men who didn't look like typical Zhuge Family warriors.
Zhuge Mun smiled at the curious gaze.
These are the carpenters who have been working with my family for generations.
I think they will be useful to the Tang Family so I brought them along with me.
Thank you.
Tang Myung bowed to the carpenters who had dismounted from their horses.
Thank you for coming to help.
We were only following the Young Family Head's orders.
What work do we need to do first
The blunt question made Tang Myung smile as he looked at the Milyeong Unit member.
Please guide them to the village elder.
Yes, Young Family Head.
The Milyeong Unit member led the carpenters away and Zhuge Mun asked.
Is there anything else you need
Right now we need time.
Time...
Zhuge Mun watched the bustling activity around them.
With this many people, bringing more would actually be too many.
That's right. Ah! Come, have some tea with me.
Tang Myung led Zhuge Mun into a tent set up to the side for welcoming guests.
The tent had been prepared in case visitors arrived.
As Tang Myung entered, the maidservant bowed her head and began preparing the tea cups.
Zhuge Mun looked around the interior.
Will you be staying here
It's a place prepared to receive guests.
As for sleeping... make do with whatever is available.
That sounds tough.
Tang Myung was momentarily silent at the word "tough" before forcing a bitter smile.
It will happen sooner or later.
Of course it will.
Tang Myung poured tea into the cups and said.
Tell me about life in the Central Plains.
The Central Plains...
Zhuge Mun accepted the cup, nodded, and began explaining the current situation in the martial world.
...So there is a growing opinion that a martial alliance should be formed.
A martial alliance...
Not only that, but the Demonic Cult destroyed the Sichuan Tang Family and attacked us as well, even targeting the Zhuge Family.
In a situation like this, the Central Plains cannot simply sit by idly.
Discussions are already underway centered around the Nine Great Sects and the Five Major Sects.
Among the Righteous Faction, the Blood Palace Palace, Paekcheon Gate, and the Green Forest have all begun their own discussions.
Tang Myung listened quietly before letting out a soft laugh.
A martial alliance... I see.
What will the Tang Family do
Us
The Five Major Sects include the Tang Family as well.
Don't you have to attend the martial alliance
Tang Myung answered without hesitation.
If we attend the martial alliance right now, it will be clear that the fallen Tang Family is trying to rely on it to survive.
The Zhuge Family... will join only when the time is right.
A proud look crossed Zhuge Mun's face.
That's good to hear.
What do you mean
You've grown quite a bit since we last met.
Zhuge Mun smiled, stepped forward, and stood up.
I should be going.
Already
I was worried about seeing you looking so downcast.
But now that I see you, you've grown so much that I look small in comparison.
Zhuge Mun lightly tapped Tang Myung's shoulder.
This is an unusual conversation to have in a situation like this... but congratulations.
Congratulations
On graduating from the title of Young Expert.
Zhuge Mun smiled and turned to leave.
I won't be far behind.
Zhuge Mun left the tent and Tang Myung watched him go, then let out a heavy sigh.
Whether one wins or loses is not the point.
I simply cannot lose.
Tang Myung walked out of the tent and stepped into the open air.
***
The information network of the Sichuan Tang Family was slowly starting to recover its former function.
Tang Myung sat with the leaders of the five units and reviewed the reports brought back by the Milyeong Unit.
The Nine Great Sects and the Five Major Sects of the martial alliance, along with the martial artists from various minor sects, have been dispatched to the three locations of Seokjip, Baekok, and Paltang.
Approximately two hundred people are stationed at each location for a total of six hundred.
What about Qingcheng and A-mi
Qingcheng and A-mi have dispatched twenty disciples and elders to Paltang.