Chapter 43
**CHAPTER TITLE: The Heavenly Grant Forest Awaits**
Three hundred people approached the Heavenly Grant Forest. At the front stood Tang Hong and Tang Jang.
“Tang Jang hyung-nim, this is the Heavenly Grant Forest.”
Tang Hong pointed to the thickly forested area. Tang Jang gazed at it for a long moment before speaking.
“There are already people from the main house gathered there.”
“They must have gathered and begun preparing the new grounds.”
“Yunnan’s Heavenly Grant Forest…”
Tang Jang turned his head slightly, eyes narrowing. There, a stern-looking old man was leaping excitedly back and forth around the forest entrance, laughing brightly with every jump.
He seemed like a madman to any observer, yet his movements were swift as the wind.
Yet his face overflowed with joy, as though returning to the Heavenly Grant Forest brought him immense happiness.
“Such a high-level expert, yet just a simple servant?”
“It’s not just because of my brother. Great-Grandaunt has four such servants.”
Tang Jang lowered his voice slightly and added,
“And in my eyes, that old man appears the weakest among them.”
“The strongest expert is the weakest servant?”
Though Tang Jang was speaking as a martial artist, he himself could barely hold his own against such a powerhouse.
“A high-level expert like that is the weakest servant?”
“When we came here, we left each servant behind as scout and escort. The old man kept trying to trade with the others and ended up staying last after getting beaten.”
“That high-level expert got beaten?”
“Don’t be surprised. The first one to leave was… good grief, a Gang Qi Materialization expert.”
“Gang Qi Materialization? A servant?”
“They were drawing lots among themselves to decide who left first… and the first one to leave turned out to be the weakest. So the one who drew the winning lot was laughing as he left, and he actually released his energy… whoa, I saw a Gang Qi Materialization expert for the first time in my life.”
“So?”
“So? The Gang Qi Materialization expert tried to change the drawing results and what was he supposed to do? Naturally, the first to return was that person.”
“Hah, Great-Grandaunt is truly formidable. Ruling a Gang Qi Materialization expert like that.”
“Formidable…”
Tang Hong fell silent for a moment, then shook his head with a laugh.
“You’ll see for yourself when you meet her.”
“Hmm, why do you guard your words about Great-Grandaunt so carefully?”
Tang Jang had asked about Tang Mi-mi several times already, but Tang Hong had never given any details.
Simply that an incredibly strong adult lived in the Heavenly Grant Forest and that Tang Myung’s order had decided the relocation of the Tang Family.
Since the Family Head had made the decision, even if there were doubts, following the family rules was only natural. Tang Jang simply obeyed.
Thus, the households under his leadership had slipped away from the safer areas and headed toward the Heavenly Grant Forest.
Ahead, the monks were sprinting forward with their light-stepping techniques.
Tang Jang stepped forward to meet them.
Whoosh!
As Tang Jang rushed out, the monks ahead froze. They had halted when Tang Jang looked ready to fight.
“Tang Family members?”
“Indeed… but what business does the main house have with us?”
Tang Jang cupped his hands in greeting. The senior monk returned the bow and bowed his head.
“Yizhen from Great Menglong Temple. We have come to welcome the Tang Family members.”
“Great Menglong Temple…”
[It is the overlord of the southern Yunnan region.]
The Milyeong Unit’s transmission reached Tang Jang’s ears.
Tang Jang glanced toward his followers. Among them, Milyeong Unit members were hiding in concealment.
He could not tell who they were, however.
“Why have the monks from Great Menglong Temple come to greet us?”
“We received orders from the owner of the Heavenly Grant Forest.”
“Orders?”
Tang Jang’s face showed bewilderment at the casual mention of receiving an order from the overlord of southern Yunnan.
Even if it was on the edge of the central region, it was still a regional overlord. Yet this Great Menglong Temple was moving after receiving an order?
“We shall guide you.”
Yizhen led the way, leaping into the air. The Tang Family followers followed closely behind.
Upon reaching the front of the Heavenly Grant Forest, Tang Jang could see the grand gates.
In front of the forest entrance stood an enormous gate…
「Sichuan Tang Family」
A large plaque bearing the characters “Sichuan Tang Family” hung prominently.
“Sichuan Tang Family…”
Tang Jang’s and his followers’ eyes reddened at the plaque. How much sadness and rage had they felt upon seeing the scorched plaque of the burned Sichuan Tang Family…?
Although it was not actually Sichuan, the plaque’s name still fit in a way, but what did it matter? The place where the Tang Family followers stood was the Sichuan Tang Family.
As Tang Jang looked at the plaque, Tang Hong’s gaze shifted to a massive rock nearby. On the rock were inscribed words.
「Anyone who enters the Heavenly Grant Forest without permission shall die.」
“We can sense the Tang Family’s aura.”
Tang Hong smiled and looked at Tang Jang.
“Let us proceed. The Family Head is waiting for us with bated breath.”
At Tang Hong’s words, Tang Jang nodded and passed through the gates. Admiration shone in Tang Hong’s face.
Beyond the gates lay a road wide enough for a carriage to pass.
When he had arrived before, no such road had existed.
“When did you pave this road?”
Yizhen smiled in response to the question.
“To bring food and supplies into the Heavenly Grant Forest by carriage, we had to improve the road.”
“Ah, so the Great Menglong Temple lent assistance.”
“Hahaha! No. Most of the work was done by the owner of the Heavenly Grant Forest. We simply improved the road to carriage standard.”
Tang Hong bowed his head respectfully to Yizhen.
“The Great Menglong Temple has helped our main house greatly. We are truly grateful.”
Yizhen returned the bow with a smile.
“Our temple and the owner of the Heavenly Grant Forest share a fine connection. Therefore, we shall do our utmost to assist the Tang Family. Namu Amida Butsu.”
Tang Hong smiled and replied,
“We repay favors tenfold. If the main house ever needs our help in the future, please come to the Sichuan Tang Family anytime.”
“Hahaha! Understood. Let us go, then.”
The Tang Family followers cupped their hands to Yizhen and hurried along the road.
When the speed lagged because the followers carried the weak martial artists and children in their arms, distant Tang Family experts were seen dashing forward with their light-stepping techniques.
“Hyung-nim! The Family Head!”
Tang Jang’s cry drew the followers’ attention. In the distance, the Tang Family experts and Tang Myung were rushing toward them.
The leaders of the Pyeonbok Unit, Cheonbi Unit, Muryeong Unit, and Manmu Unit, along with the martial artists, ran toward them. Cheers erupted from the Tang Family followers.
“Family Head!”
“Hyung-nim!”
“Tangqing-ah!”
Tang Jang shouted as the followers ran toward them, shouting and waving.
“Tang Family Visa Unit Leader Tang Jang! Greetings to the Family Head!”
The followers hurriedly straightened their postures and cupped their hands to Tang Myung, bowing their heads.
“Tang Family Follower Tangqing, greetings to the Family Head.”
“Tang Family…”
“Tang Family…”
At the loud shouts, Tang Myung smiled and cupped his hands while bowing.
“I grant permission for the main house’s return.”
Tang Jang smiled at the words.
“Thank you.”
Tang Jang looked at Tang Myung and could not stop smiling. It was the first time he had seen Tang Myung since the family’s troubles began.
He had grown so much that he seemed like an entirely different Young Family Head from the one Tang Jang remembered.
A smile appeared on his face.
‘When the Family Head grows, the main house’s crisis will end.’
“We shall move to the Tang Family Castle. All members of the five units, take care of the followers.”
“Yes!”
The members hurriedly carried the children one by one, then the weak martial artists.
As the members began attending to the followers, Tang Myung stomped the ground.
“We return to the Tang Family Castle.”
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
The followers shouted vigorously and leaped after Tang Myung.
The newly arrived followers wandered through the bustling Tang Family Castle, being introduced to one another.
Tang Myung, meanwhile, led Tang Jang toward the place where Tang Mi-mi was.
Tang Mi-mi was smiling and playing while holding a newborn baby in her arms. After a long period of living alone, she loved playing with the young followers of the Tang Family.
Therefore, besides the times she watched the young followers train, she spent her days caring for the children.
“Tang Mi-mi Great-Grandaunt.”
Tang Jang stood before her and stared in astonishment at the appearance of someone who looked so young.
‘Could it be… Rejuvenation?’
Tang Jang cupped his hands and bowed his head, recalling the legendary Rejuvenation in the martial world.
“Tang Jang greets Great-Grandaunt Tang Mi-mi.”
Following Tang Jang’s etiquette, Tang Mi-mi sat the child on her lap and said,
“Are you the strongest expert of the current Tang Family?”
“Yes.”
“I will make a gesture toward you. Block it.”
“…”
“Yes!”
Tang Jang straightened his posture, pride stung by the command to block. Tang Mi-mi glanced down at the child.
“Our little baby will taste something delicious later.”
Smiling, Tang Mi-mi made a light gesture toward Tang Jang.
And…
Tang Jang’s figure was flung backward.
“Kweuk!”
Swoosh!
Tang Jang’s body was pushed back, carving a long trench in the ground.
Groaning, he tried to block with all his strength, but it was useless. Tang Jang’s body was pushed back nearly ten zhang before stopping.
“Kweuk!”
The intense pain of his arms trembling uncontrollably made Tang Jang stare at Tang Mi-mi in shock.
Between Tang Mi-mi and himself lay a long trench from being pushed back.
It was not because Tang Mi-mi had held back her hand; if she had intended to injure him, Tang Jang would have had his limbs torn apart on the spot.
Staring at Tang Mi-mi with eyes full of awe, Tang Mi-mi clicked her tongue.
“The so-called strongest expert of the Tang Family cannot even block one gesture?”
“Forgive… forgive me.”
“You must become strong. Only then can the main house return to Sichuan. Do you understand?”
“Great-Grandaunt is here, so how could we fail to return to Sichuan?”
Tang Jang’s words were natural. Even if he was not a Gang Qi Materialization expert, he was a recognized powerhouse under the heavens.
If that was not enough to withstand one gesture, who would dare challenge the Tang Family now that Tang Mi-mi was here?
“Go!”
Tang Jang shuddered at Tang Mi-mi’s loud shout. And… the child in her arms began to cry in fear.
“Waaah! Waaah!”
“Oh dear, this silly old woman scared our baby because of that foolish man. Oh, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Tang Mi-mi comforted the child and handed it to the mother standing nearby.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t pay attention to my own child.”
“It’s all right. They’re all crying.”
The mother smiled, took the child, and carried it away while soothing it. Tang Mi-mi looked at Tang Jang.
“Do you know what you did wrong?”
“Forgive me.”
“If you don’t even know what you did wrong, why apologize?”
Tang Jang cupped his hands and bowed.
“…”
“I relied on Great-Grandaunt.”
Tang Mi-mi looked at him and spoke.
“When did the Tang Family begin using its family prestige to assert itself?”
“This grandson is ignorant… forgive me.”
After a moment’s silence, Tang Mi-mi opened her mouth.
“You must become strong. You must protect the family by becoming strong.”
“I will protect the family.”
“The Family Head has opened the Samyang Divine Art. Starting today, you will learn the Samyang Divine Art.”
Tang Jang stared at Tang Myung in surprise.
“The Samyang Divine Art is the Family Head’s martial skill. How?”
“For the main house to survive, the Family Head’s martial skill must exist. This is also my choice and decision as the Family Head. Follow.”
Tang Myung’s firm words made Tang Jang look at him with surprise. He had not expected Tang Myung to assert his authority as Family Head.
But…
‘Yes. Now the main house needs a Family Head capable of making such decisions.’
In times of crisis, the Tang Family needed a leader to set direction and guide them, not a Family Head good to everyone.
Tang Jang cupped his hands to Tang Myung and bowed his head.
“I shall follow the Family Head’s orders.”
At Tang Jang’s etiquette, Tang Mi-mi stood up.
“Follow me.”
Tang Mi-mi walked ahead, and Tang Myung and Tang Jang followed behind.