A Blood Oath in Silence
A brief glance was exchanged, and the assassin’s eyes met Tang Myung’s.
“What would you have me do?”__
“I will have you escort Wiji Cheong back to the main family.”__
“Do you believe it’s possible?”__
“Is there any reason it wouldn’t be?”__
“Would you let me handle it?”__
The assassin’s voice was ice-cold as he extended his hand. The sword in Wiji Cheong’s grip flew straight into his palm with a whoosh.
It was the technique of moving objects through the air with inner energy from a distance.
Every expert from the Tang Family watched in stunned silence. That power was extraordinary.
“Can the grand master assassin alone stop the main family’s operations?”__
Before the voice had even faded, Tang Mi-ryeong stepped into the courtyard.
Tap!__
Tang Mi-ryeong cupped her hands and bowed her head to Tang Myung.
“The head of the Pyeonbok Unit has returned.”__
Tang Myung looked at her for a moment, then turned to the assassin.
“If it’s just the grand master assassin, then I believe it’s possible.”__
Tang Myung’s words brought a cold gaze from the assassin as he studied Tang Mi-ryeong.
“I’ve heard the Tang Family’s throwing weapons are unmatched in the jianghu. I’d be honored to learn from you.”__
Tang Mi-ryeong smiled.
“I’ve long admired the reputation of the Five Great Lords of the Wiji Family. I’d be grateful if you’d teach me a single move. But…”__
She raised her hand, and a fan of throwing knives suddenly unfolded in her palm.
“Here, this might inconvenience the civilians. Would you mind relocating to a quieter spot?”__
The weapons were aimed at the assassin, yet any dodge or deflection would send them flying harmlessly outward. She was simply warning him.
The assassin looked at Tang Myung, who nodded in approval.
“Nothing will happen before the grand master assassin arrives.”__
“If I beat Tang Ye-ryeong, you’ll release him, correct?”__
“Indeed.”__
“Good.”__
Whoosh!__
The assassin kicked the ground and leapt away, chasing after the fleeing soldiers. Tang Mi-ryeong bowed once more to Tang Myung.
“I’ll be back shortly.”__
“You must… win.”__
“I don’t plan on losing.”__
Flames of inner energy erupted from her body.
‘The Samyang Divine Art… you’ve mastered it.’__
Tang Myung gave a subtle nod.
Whoosh!__
Tang Mi-ryeong vanished after a final kick at the ground. Tang Myung turned his gaze to Wiji Cheong. Beside him stood the old man who had been with the assassin, already applying medicine to his wounds.
Tang Myung looked at the old man.
“I apologize, but would you bring a table and chairs outside?”__
“Understood.”__
The servants hurried to place them outside. Tang Myung sat down.
Tap!__
Tang Myung studied Wiji Cheong.
“It must hurt. Sit.”__
Wiji Cheong’s face remained rigid.
“What are you planning? Do you actually want to start a war?”__
“War?”__
Tang Myung chuckled.
“A Wiji Family like you? Against ours?”__
“What did you say? You think we’ll lose even though the family head and elders have been slaughtered?”__
Tang Myung shook his head.
“It’s not about losing… the Wiji Family that dares to challenge us will be wiped out.”__
“You think this is talk, you insolent fool!”__
“Use your head instead of your mouth. The main family is the Tang Family of poisons and throwing weapons.”__
“What does that have to do with…”__
“In duels or sparring, throwing weapons are allowed, but deadly ones are not. Poisons are strictly forbidden. But in war?”__
Tang Myung’s gaze turned icy.
“Is there a reason the main family shouldn’t use poisons and weapons with high lethality?”__
“That’s… cowardly.”__
“Where is cowardice in war? And why would we create weapons and poisons we never plan to use? Do you think we’re fools?”__
Tang Myung looked at him steadily.
“The main family never used poisons and weapons against the jianghu’s righteous path not because we feared their eyes, but because we could win without them.”__
Tang Myung glanced at Wiji Cheong’s body.
“Right now, just like you.”__
Wiji Cheong’s face twisted in anger. Tang Myung was from the Tang Family.
And in this sparring, Tang Myung had defeated him without using any weapons or poisons.
If he had used them…__
Tang Myung watched Wiji Cheong’s hardened expression.
“If you want war, then do it anytime.”__
Tang Myung studied him quietly.
“Hmm.”__
Wiji Cheong swallowed hard. He realized Tang Myung’s words were serious.
“You certainly have confidence.”__
“Not confidence. I know I can do it.”__
When the servants returned with the teapot and cups, Tang Myung poured tea into a cup and placed the pot before Wiji Cheong. The young man glared at the cup, then turned his face away.
Tang Myung watched him coolly before shifting his gaze.
The old man who had come with Wiji Cheong stood there.
“Man Song, it’s been a long time.”__
The old man bowed respectfully.
“I have no words to express how honored I am to see you here.”__
“Our positions are different, after all.”__
He was Man Song, one of the elders of the Wiji Family, and Tang Myung’s sword instructor.
If Tang Hong was Tang Myung’s uncle, then Man Song was Wiji Cheong’s elder protector.
Man Song had guarded Wiji Cheong since he was a child.
Because Tang Myung and Wiji Cheong had been close since childhood, Man Song knew him too.
After greeting Tang Myung, Man Song glanced at Tang Hong behind him.
Tang Hong returned a small bow, his eyes filled with sorrow.
The current situation was infuriating yet frustrating.
Tang Hong and Man Song had both served the young family head for years and shared many drinks and late nights.
But now they faced each other as enemies.
Tang Myung took a sip of tea. Wiji Cheong, watching him, discreetly signaled Man Song.
Man Song looked at Tang Myung.
“Are you really planning a war?”__
“If you wish it… yes.”__
“Is it necessary to escalate like this? You’ve already lost and been wounded.”__
Tang Myung studied the old man.
“Do you know me, Man Sword Master?”__
Tang Myung had seen him many times. They had spent long hours traveling together. Yet Man Song claimed not to know him?
“I… know.”__
“No, you don’t.”__
“What do you mean?”__
“You still show me respect?”__
“That’s… the Tang Family…”__
Man Song’s face stiffened. He finally understood the weight of Wiji Cheong’s words.
“Let me be simple. If someone before the Wiji Family head said, ‘Kill Wiji Dan-il,’ would you still be alive?”__
Mentioning the Wiji Family head, Wiji Dan-il, froze both Man Song and Wiji Cheong’s faces.
No one would have dared utter such words in the Wiji Family’s presence.
“Hmph! The grand master assassin will defeat that woman and return.”__
Wiji Cheong’s words made Tang Myung laugh.
“No, he won’t win.”__
“What nonsense. The grand master assassin’s martial skill is the strongest among the Five Great Lords.”__
“Still, he won’t win. The burden is different.”__
“What burden?”__
Tang Myung looked at Wiji Cheong.
“The grand master assassin is fighting against you and the Wiji Family’s reputation.”__
“Tang Mi-ryeong is in the same situation.”__
Tang Myung shook his head.
“Our family head… is fighting for the Tang Family’s future and survival.”__
“Future and survival?”__
“Yes. Showing them the future where anyone who challenges us will be slaughtered. Therefore… our family head will never lose.”__
Tang Myung smiled and looked toward one side.
“And I have not lost.”__
Wiji Cheong followed Tang Myung’s gaze with uneasy eyes.
His face twisted further.
Tang Mi-ryeong led the charge, followed closely by the assassin. Blood stained the assassin’s clothes everywhere. It was clear who had won.
“You used poison cowardly!”__
“Why is poison cowardly?”__
“Because it is poison.”__
“Then when you die, you’ll call it cowardly too.”__
Wiji Cheong gnawed his lip. Tang Myung stood.
Tang Mi-ryeong bowed.
“I’m back.”__
“Thank you for your hard work.”__
Tang Myung then turned to the assassin, who had just returned. The assassin stood before Wiji Cheong without a word, bowed, and waited.
Wiji Cheong bit his lip, then glared at Tang Myung.
“Kill him.”__
Tang Myung studied him.
“Think carefully. Killing you will start a war with the Wiji Family.”__
“Do you fear war?”__
Wiji Cheong sneered.
“And you were the one who said war would happen. Why are you afraid now?”__
Tang Myung’s hand moved. Crack!__
“Aaaah!”__
Wiji Cheong glared at Tang Myung’s hand that had struck his cheek, filled with rage.
The assassin and Man Song also gripped their swords, faces furious.
The Tang Family experts aimed their throwing weapons at them, yet they tightened their grips as if ready to fight at any moment if Wiji Cheong ordered it.
“S-stop!”__
Wiji Cheong’s voice trembled as both men bit their lips and glared at Tang Myung.
Tang Myung spoke calmly.
“I… fear war.”__
“Of course you do. Fighting the main family means the Tang Family will be exterminated.”__
Wiji Cheong’s face lit with triumph.
“No, that’s not it.”__
Tang Myung shook his head.
“If the main family and the Wiji Family go to war, the main family will win without question. And the Wiji Family that enters Sichuan will be wiped out.”__
“Nonsense.”__
“You’re mistaken.”__
Tang Myung looked at him.
“It’s a war. One of the two must die. So… is there any reason the main family should hesitate to use poison?”__
“That’s…”__
Wiji Cheong couldn’t speak. Tang Myung continued.
“I said this earlier: in duels and sparring, the main family doesn’t use poison. But if it’s necessary to kill, the main family will not hesitate.”__
Tang Myung glanced at the assassin.
“Grand Master Assassin, please explain. If the main family uses poison, can the Wiji Family defeat us? Or even survive?”__
The assassin’s face remained stern.
“If poison is used that way, the jianghu’s righteous path will condemn us.”__
“It’s war. One lives, one dies. What condemnation from the jianghu matters?”__
Tang Myung’s sharp question made the assassin hesitate before sighing.
“The main family… will lose.”__
Tang Myung looked at Wiji Cheong, who had said “lose” instead of “extermination.”
“If you insist on war, then go ahead. But I fear war. The reason is… I know my choice will cause the main family’s descendants to spill blood.”__
Tang Myung watched Wiji Cheong quietly.
“That’s why I struck you. Seeing you decide on revenge out of pride while the blood of our descendants hangs in the balance… it was pitiful and infuriating.”__
“It’s the same for you. You’re doing this out of pride too.”__
“If I were still the young family head, I would have laughed at your rudeness…”__
Tang Myung pointed to Wiji Cheong’s wounds.
“I would have forgiven you. But I am the family head. The family head of the Tang Family that is already facing crisis.”__
Tang Myung looked at him.
“That is why I must spill blood to protect the main family’s pride.”__
Protecting the Tang Family now meant protecting its pride. If that pride fell, the people would lose hope.
Therefore, Tang Myung would do this. For the sake of the Tang Family.