An Uninvited Duel
Tang Myung was walking into Chengdu alongside the Tang Family's masters. It was to purchase additional supplies of ingredients and timber needed for the Tang Family Town.
Originally, there was no need for the Family Head, Tang Myung, to take action himself. Yet he had done so directly to demonstrate that the Sichuan Tang Family still stood firm.
Tang Myung was sipping tea from the proprietor of a fabric shop and conversing.
“When will the new uniforms for our main family be ready?”
“Around six days. That should suffice.”
Six hundred pieces for the Tang Family's uniforms would be a considerable quantity. Agreeing to deliver them within six days was the shop owner's commitment to his best effort.
“Once complete, send thirty pieces at a time.”
“Understood.”
After completing the transaction, Tang Myung took out a banknote from his pocket and handed it over.
“The amount is substantial.”
“Keep it. When the main family people arrive and place the order, present it.”
“Understood.”
Tang Myung took one more sip of tea, then rose from his seat.
“I’ll be on my way, then.”
In response, the shop proprietor bowed repeatedly and, after a moment of hesitation, retrieved a small pouch filled with tea from the side.
“It’s nothing special, but it’s from the heart.”
“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”
Tang Myung smiled as he accepted the pouch, prompting the proprietor to bow with a head lowered in respect.
“It’s truly fortunate that the Tang Family remains strong.”
“The Tang Family will remain strong in the future as well.”
“Of course it will.”
As he left, Tang Myung glanced at the smiling proprietor.
“Where shall we go next?”
Tang Myung’s question drew the steward Tang Jin-su’s gaze to the ledger in his hand.
“Everything needed has already been purchased.”
Tang Jin-su replied, and Tang Myung nodded before shifting their steps toward the teahouse.
“You’re going to the teahouse?”
Tang Myung entered the Dragon Phoenix Teahouse in response to the question.
“During this time, the main family people have worked tirelessly. The road ahead is long, but we must allow ourselves some rest. I’ve prepared a small gathering for them.”
Tang Myung’s words earned Tang Jin-su’s nod.
“Wise words.”
Tang Myung stepped inside, and the shop assistant rushed out to bow deeply and lower his head.
“Young Master… or rather, the Family Head, you’ve arrived.”
Recognizing Tang Myung at once, the assistant continued bowing.
“Brother Jang, long time no see.”
Tang Myung’s reminder of his name brought a bright smile to Brother Jang’s face.
“This is where the Family Head likes to come often. I’ll seat you properly.”
Brother Jang’s offer led Tang Myung to glance toward the window. He had once enjoyed watching people pass by from that spot.
After a brief pause, he shook his head and said,
“Is Lord Wang there?”
“Indeed. Please wait a moment.”
Brother Jang hurried inside, and soon a stout, gray-haired old man approached hastily.
“Family Head, you’ve come.”
The teahouse owner arrived, and Tang Myung returned the bow.
“It’s been a while.”
“……I truly apologize. I should have come to greet you myself.”
Seeing the old man blanch with anxiety, Tang Myung smiled and shook his head.
“That was not my intent. I simply meant… after enduring hardships, I was glad to see an old friend and felt like offering a greeting.”
“Your words are most kind.”
Tang Myung swept a glance around the teahouse.
“Brother Zhang is still doing well, I see.”
“No matter how the world turns, liquor always sells.”
Lord Wang sighed and added,
“When people are happy, sad, or angry… emotions always lead them to drink.”
“Correct.”
“That is why I would like to ask Lord Wang for a favor.”
“A favor?”
“As you know, our main family has matters to attend to, and thousands of people in Tang Family Town are working hard.”
“A pity. Indeed, a pity.”
“So I plan to hold a small gathering to comfort them.”
“Are you ordering food?”
“I would love to have the teahouse prepare something to bring along… but food tastes best when freshly made. So I intend to invite skilled cooks from the area.”
“Yes, that makes sense.”
Lord Wang nodded at once.
“I understand. If you tell me the date, I will gather not only the cooks from our teahouse but also renowned ones from nearby.”
Guessing his intent and speaking first, Tang Myung smiled and said,
“Thank you. Then three days from now…”
“Who is this? Isn’t it the Family Head of the Sichuan Tang Family!”
The sudden voice from behind made Tang Myung frown and turn.
If the tone had been welcoming, he would have smiled, yet this one was distinctly confrontational.
Turning, he saw a young man in luxurious silk robes entering with two old men.
“Yuji Cheong?”
Tang Myung’s expression clouded with confusion. Yuji Cheong was the eldest son of the Yuji Family. And the Yuji Family… one of the families listed among the new Five Great Families after the Sichuan Tang Family’s fall.
Yet Yuji Cheong had no right to provoke him like this. Or perhaps… he was a close friend with whom he once shared bonds.
Even if he was not to his liking, normally he should have greeted him with a smile.
“Ah!”
Tang Myung narrowed his eyes in realization.
‘Not the usual.’
Yuji Cheong was here to probe the empty spot left by the Tang Family among the Five Great Families and had come to provoke him.
The Yuji Cheong who had smiled and approached him only recently to curry favor…
As Tang Myung remained silent, Yuji Cheong stepped forward with a laugh.
“Hahaha! I heard the Tang Family had burned and disappeared, so I thought maybe you needed help, and here I am. A teahouse even in broad daylight. It seems you haven’t fallen that far yet.”
Tang Myung’s masters behind him stiffened at the words.
Step!
The two old men who had accompanied Yuji Cheong also advanced slightly. Tang Myung smiled in response.
“It’s been a while since I met a friend. To think that Yuji Gege has become so skilled with such sharp words… I accept your challenge to a duel.”
Yuji Cheong’s face flashed with surprise.
“A… duel?”
He had not exchanged even a few words and was already being challenged.
“Since I welcome you, please do not take my request lightly. Think of this as the only place where we can settle things. I am Tangga Biryong, the Family Head of the Tang Family. Come!”
Tang Myung rose his inner energy as he spoke.
“The Family Head of the Sichuan Tang Family, Tang Myung, formally challenges Lord Yuji Cheong of the Yuji Family to a duel!”
The air thundered.
Tang Myung’s inner energy spread outward like a cold cry.
Yuji Cheong’s face paled.
The gap in strength between him and Tang Myung was obvious. He had never imagined the Family Head of the Tang Family would issue a duel challenge.
Especially not like this, with just a few words exchanged.
At the sight, one of the old men bowed and said,
“Family Head, may I have a word?”
Tang Myung returned the bow.
“I will heed the words of the Sword Protector of the Yuji Family.”
Five protectors existed within the Yuji Family, and the Sword Protector was one of the Peak masters.
“Although you are of similar age, Young Master, you are still a late-stage expert. You do not match up to the hero Tang Myung of the Tang Family. How can you speak of a duel?”
Even though he had not yet earned the title of hero, the Sword Protector deliberately used it to highlight the disparity between Tang Myung and Yuji Cheong.
The Sword Protector’s soft words carried inner energy. Tang Myung smiled and replied,
“A duel between friends need not concern rank.”
“Does that mean that if someone is a friend, they can challenge anyone to a duel?”
Tang Myung’s inner energy rose as he smiled.
“As I stand here, anyone of my age would not refuse a duel with anyone.”
The Sword Protector sighed softly and looked at Yuji Cheong.
“Please withdraw the challenge politely.”
Yuji Cheong stared at him with a rigid face.
“Refuse…? Can the elder not refuse on my behalf?”
His own refusal would damage his pride.
“It is a formally issued challenge. We cannot refuse.”
“Then what about my pride?”
“Pride is not an issue in a duel. The Family Head Tang Myung… is strong.”
Yuji Cheong’s face hardened at the Sword Protector’s emphasis that he could never win by declaring strength.
His pride was wounded. He had reached the position of Family Head, yet it was only a seat left vacant after the previous Family Head had been killed by the Demonic Cult.
In that case, both he and Tang Myung were merely late-stage experts.
Yuji Cheong’s face twisted under the transmission. He then looked at Tang Myung.
“Since the Family Head of the Tang Family has personally issued the challenge, I cannot refuse.”
The Sword Protector’s face twisted.
‘This fool…’
The Sword Protector looked at Yuji Cheong with a stern expression. Yet Yuji Cheong had plans in mind.
‘In any case, Tang Myung is roughly the same age. And since it is a duel, neither poison nor hidden weapons can be used… the outcome will be clear after the fight.’
“Since it is a duel, I assume you will not use poison or hidden weapons.”
“Hahaha! It is the same as telling me not to use poison and hidden weapons and forcing me to fight with hands and feet tied. But—”
Tang Myung looked at Yuji Cheong.
“I’ll take that into account.”
He stepped out of the teahouse, and Yuji Cheong took a deep breath before following.
Already a crowd had gathered before the teahouse. The inner energy of the voices between Tang Myung and the Sword Protector had drawn people.
As the Tang Family and Yuji Family members emerged, the crowd quickly made way, stepping back.
Tang Myung scanned the onlookers and then faced Yuji Cheong.
Yuji Cheong was descending from the teahouse, a sword in hand.
He claimed a public square prepared by chance before the teahouse and drew his sword with a sharp clang.
“Ah, but why is there an issue in Sichuan?”
“The Wulin Alliance includes our main family. I was en route to comfort the main family warriors fighting on the Demonic Cult’s battlefield.”
Yuji Cheong then glanced at the Tang Family warriors.
“And, incidentally… I came to offer condolences to the Tang Family, once one of the Five Great Families.”
The Tang Family warriors’ faces turned cold. And… Tang Myung let out a cold chuckle.
“Your sympathy would suffice.”
Silver threads unfurled from his sleeve.
Yuji Cheong’s eyes sparkled.
“You said you would not use hidden weapons.”
Tang Myung smiled.
“Hidden weapons are invisible attacks… my silver dragon is a part of my innate skill. Are you calling this silver dragon a hidden weapon too?”
“That… is not easily visible.”
Tang Myung smiled again.
The silver threads pulled back into his sleeve.
“Originally… you told me not to use my innate skill either.”
“It was you who first said you would not use hidden weapons.”
Yuji Cheong’s shout made Tang Myung laugh.
“In that case, even invisible fast attacks would count as hidden weapons.”
“That’s…”
“Enough. Using the silver dragon against you seems laughable.”
Tang Myung turned toward his masters.
“Uncle, lend me your whip.”
One of the Tang Family masters pulled the whip from his waist and tossed it over.
Tang Myung caught it lightly and swung it twice in the air.
Crack! Crack!
He looked at Yuji Cheong and asked,
“Is this also considered a hidden weapon?”
“Hmph! Start.”
Yuji Cheong raised his sword. Tang Myung, whip dangling, looked at him with a smile.
‘I’ll tear your clothes to shreds… along with your skin.’