The Silver Dragon's Return
Twenty riders were galloping along the official road that linked Yunnan to Sichuan, the hooves thundering like war drums against the packed earth.LT__p>Dak-dak! Dak-dak!LT__p>The Tang Clan warriors from the Heavenly Grant Forest had been riding without pause for days. Their faces held the same bright anticipation as they closed in on the city they had lost for more than a year.LT__p>“Young Master! One more hour and we reach Chengdu.”LT__p>Tang Hong called out cheerfully, and every Tang Clan member’s face lit up with genuine joy.LT__p>Tang Jang slowed his horse and drew up beside the Young Master.LT__p>“Riders are approaching from the front.”LT__p>Tang Myung looked ahead, yet nothing registered in his eyes. He focused his inner energy and moments later the oncoming horses appeared. Even from a distance, the riders were unmistakably familiar.LT__p>The Yuji Clan. LT__p>“It’s Yuji Cheong.”LT__p>Tang Myung raised his hand slightly. LT__p>“Stop.”LT__p>The Tang Clan experts brought their mounts to a gentle halt. LT__p>“I wonder how they’ll react.”LT__p>Tang Myung muttered. Tang Hong’s face turned cold as he studied the approaching riders. LT__p>“If they behave arrogantly, I’ll teach them a lesson.”LT__p>“Hah! In that case you’ll have to wait your turn.”LT__p>Tang Myung glanced at the Tang Clan experts with a faint smile. They sat motionless, faces stern, eyes fixed on the Yuji riders. LT__p>When the Wulin Alliance experts arrived, they had understood one truth: the Yuji Clan was eyeing the empty seat left by the Tang Family. And the Yuji Clan was led by Yuji Cheong, once a mere follower who had groveled at Tang Myung’s feet. LT__p>That was why the Tang Clan masters felt nothing but hostility toward the Yuji Clan. LT__p>“No one here has followed the Yuji Clan as closely as I have. So… Young Master, allow me to go first.”LT__p>Tang Hong’s firm declaration brought nods from the others. As the one who had accompanied the Young Master on every mission and met Yuji Cheong most often, his sense of betrayal ran deepest. LT__p>Waiting on horseback, the Yuji Clan riders finally drew close. LT__p>“Tang Myung Young Master!”LT__p>The voice calling his name made Tang Myung grin and glance at Tang Hong. LT__p>“No need to strike anyone.”LT__p>“Tch! That’s the classic Yuji Cheong flattery.”LT__p>Tang Hong snorted, already sensing the man’s true nature from the voice alone. Tang Myung shook his head slightly. LT__p>“You must have heard about the Tang Family at the Wulin Alliance.”LT__p>Yuji Cheong was the classic “weak before the strong, strong before the weak.”
Had the Tang Family appeared weak, he would have struck immediately. But the story of the Heavenly Grant Forest had made him lower his tail at once. LT__p>As they exchanged greetings, Yuji Cheong galloped forward with a bright laugh. LT__p>“Hahaha! Tang Myung Young Master! It’s truly wonderful to see you!”LT__p>His warm smile in this new life stood in stark contrast to the cold, calculating man Tang Myung remembered from before. Tang Myung smiled back, though a shadow crossed his eyes. LT__p>The sight was no longer pitiful; it was tragic. Yuji Cheong was the lord of one region, yet the efforts to become one of the Five Great Families had reduced him to this. LT__p>“Yuji Hyung has been well?”LT__p>“Hahaha! Home is home—yesterday is today and tomorrow is today. And calling me ‘hyung’? Young Master is the proud head of the Sichuan Tang Family, while I am but a mere later-stage expert.”LT__p>“That is public duty. This is private friendship. Let us not draw lines so sharply. Let us be comfortable.”LT__p>“Hahaha! If that is the case… I will behave.”LT__p>With a laugh Yuji Cheong and Tang Jang, Tang Hong performed cupped-hand greetings. The two returned the gesture. LT__p>Tang Hong then turned to Man Song beside Yuji Cheong and gave the same courteous bow. LT__p>Both men had protected the Young Master for years and were close. LT__p>Man Song returned the bow and sent a voice transmission. LTGT