The Inevitable Rebirth of the Tang Family
As the outlines of Chengdu began to emerge on the horizon, a surge of emotion washed over the faces of the Tang family retainers.
'Soon we'll see the capital.'
'Our home.'
'Our home...'
Watching the retainers' faces light up with heartfelt joy, Tang Myung closed his eyes for a brief moment. In his mind's eye, he saw the Tang Family Estate shattered and reduced to rubble.
The burning Tang Family from the first war... the shattered Flying Heaven Pavilion... and the reconstruction efforts at the Tang Clan Castle... He drew a deep breath, recalling every agonizing detail.
'Let's go.'
'Yes, Young Master!'
The Tang experts quickened their pace, and Jeong Myeong stepped up beside him.
'I promised you a gift.'
Tang Myung turned to him in surprise.
'You were preparing a guest inn, weren't you?'
'How could an inn be a gift between you and me?'
'Then did you prepare something else?'
'Hehe! You'll find out when we reach the Tang Clan Castle.'
As they exchanged words, Tang Myung spotted the bustling activity in Tang Family Town.
Hundreds of people lined up before the town, watching their arrival.
Startled, the retainers exclaimed, 'Tang Family Town people!'
Tang Myung's eyes widened in astonishment, then he turned to Jeong Myeong.
'You don't mean...'
Jeong Myeong smiled.
'Didn't I say I'd give you a gift?'
'This... is truly a precious gift.'
'Hahaha! I thought you'd like it.'
Jeong Myeong's words drew the Tang retainers' gazes. The Tang experts dropped into full bows, heads lowered in respect.
'We express our gratitude for Young Master Jeong's consideration.'
'Thank you.'
'We are deeply grateful.'
Even Tang Jang bowed deeply, moved. Jeong Myeong smiled warmly.
'There is no great merit.'
Jeong Myeong laughed and gestured to the Jeong clan experts. They immediately slowed their horses.
The Tang experts had made way for them to approach first.
Tang Myung nodded slightly to Jeong Myeong, then slowed his horse as they neared the Tang Family Town residents.
He could see that Tang Family Town had been largely restored.
Ruined buildings remained, yet order had returned. New halls and estates rose in the distance.
'Did Jeong Family help rebuild Tang Family Town?'
'No. When we arrived, the Tang Town people were already cleaning up. We only provided materials and food.'
Jeong Myeong smiled at Tang Myung.
'And you said you were coming.'
'Thank you.'
'Hahaha! Friends! True friends!'
At those words, Tang Myung dismounted and approached the Tang Town residents.
Tang Town Mayor Hong Paldan bowed deeply in joy and performed the full ceremony.
'We greet Young Master Tang Myung!'
'We greet Young Master Tang Myung!'
'We greet the Young Master!'
The Tang Town people bowed deeply, and Tang Myung returned the gesture, then took Hong Paldan's hand.
'You've all worked hard.'
'No, not at all. The Tang Family has suffered greatly.'
As in his previous life, Tang Myung shared stories with Hong Paldan.
When the Tang experts emerged from hiding, the Tang Town people had rushed over.
But the experts soon left again.
The Tang Town people wanted to follow, yet they knew they could not, so they returned to Chengdu.
Fortunately, the experts' business dealings posed no problem.
They secured jobs at Chengdu businesses and provided inns for rest.
Hearing this, Hong Paldan gathered the people and began cleaning.
They cleared the burned ruins from the outside and started rebuilding.
Once the exterior was restored, construction began in earnest.
Tang Town villagers moved in, bringing supplies from the businesses and help from friendly clans, slowly restoring the town to its former glory.
As Hong Paldan explained, Tang Myung headed toward the Tang Clan Castle.
The road from Tang Family Town to the Tang Clan Castle was already spotless, as if it carried the residents' lingering feelings.
Other paths still showed traces of fire, yet the main road was well-maintained.
'We wanted to clean the Tang Clan Castle too, but the poison is too strong... We cannot enter.'
'Well done.'
'And...'
Hong Paldan pointed to the blue-robed warriors lined up to the side.
'The Clear Cloud Sword Gate and the Righteous Sword Gate have protected the Tang Clan Castle during our absence.'
Tang Myung looked at the two clans. Both were inner disciples of the Qingcheng Sect.
'I am Cheong-un Geom-hyeop Lee Jin-chung, Patriarch of Clear Cloud Sword Gate. Greetings, Tang Young Master.'
'I am Il-seom-gak Ho-gun, Patriarch of Righteous Sword Gate. Greetings, Tang Young Master.'
Lee Jin-chung possessed a broad, sturdy build, looking more like a soldier than a warrior.
Il-seom-gak Ho-gun was lean and agile, with sharp features.
'Your great names have long been known to me.'
In response to his greeting, both men bowed deeply with warm smiles.
'We are grateful that you have looked after the estate during our absence.'
'As fellow warriors of the jianghu, it was only natural.'
Tang Myung glanced at the two men and their disciples behind them, then reached into his sleeve and pulled out a bamboo tube.
He took out two Hundred Cleansings Pills and offered them to the two men.
'Presenting these as thanks is not proper etiquette... yet this is all I have to express my gratitude.'
Confusion flickered across the men's faces as they examined the pills.
Tang Myung transmitted a voice: 'Blood Cleansing Pills. An elixir that dissolves stagnant qi and blood.'
'There really is such an elixir? It should neutralize poison and venom, right?'
'It helps with qi circulation and breathing. I apologize, but may I ask you to continue looking after the estate in the future?'
'Of course. We will worry no more.'
The men smiled brightly and bowed, then Jeong Myeong looked at Tang Myung.
'What is it? What is it?'
Jeong Myeong's voice transmission reached him. Tang Myung shook his head slightly and gazed at the Tang Clan Castle.
'Were there any people inside?'
'Not after we took up our watch.'
'You mean there were before?'
Tang Myung's question made the two men hesitate. His eyes had turned icy.
Lee Jin-chung bowed and said, 'We didn't verify it ourselves, but word spread in the jianghu that Tang Family poison and black energy are being traded.'
'The Tang Family's poison and black energy...'
Tang Myung stared coldly at the Tang Clan Castle.
'Look closely.'
Tang Myung ordered, and Tang Jang bowed, then leaped into the castle with the escort unit.
As the Tang experts entered, Lee Jin-chung called out urgently, 'Young Master Tang, the poison inside the Tang Clan Castle is too intense... It will poison you...'
Realizing who he was speaking to, Lee Jin-chung fell silent.
'Thank you for your concern.'
Tang Myung quickly said there was no problem and offered the pills to Jeong Myeong and Man-song.
'Take one each.'
Jeong Myeong accepted the pill with a relieved smile and tilted his head.
'Hundred Cleansings Pill?'
It was the same one Tang Myung had given him in his previous life.
'We're going inside.'
Tang Myung stepped toward the Tang Clan Castle. Jeong Myeong swallowed the pill and followed. Man-song did the same.
Tang Myung glanced at Lee Jin-chung.
'The poison inside the Tang Clan Castle is difficult to endure. I advise you not to enter in the future.'
'Understood.'
Lee Jin-chung bowed deeply. Tang Myung looked at him and Ho-gun.
'I will surely repay this kindness from the Tang Family in the future.'
Warmth filled their faces. Hatred a hundred times over, kindness ten times... Though the words sounded petty, the jianghu understood their true meaning.
If one harbored a grudge against the Tang Family, no matter how small, revenge would come without fail. That was why the jianghu avoided offending them.
Even the smallest slight would escalate into a great matter.
Conversely, kindness was always repaid, and the Tang Family repaid even small debts with great interest.
Having heard these words from the Young Master, the two men knew a magnificent repayment awaited.
Tang Myung and Jeong Myeong walked into the Tang Clan Castle. Jeong Myeong scanned the desolate surroundings.
'Young Master.'
Tang Myung turned to Man-song.
'Is there something you wish to say?'
'May I ask about the Tang Family's future direction?'
Tang Myung's sudden question made Jeong Myeong glance at him.
'Man Song, why ask that?'
'Then I can set the Young Master's path.'
'My path?'
Jeong Myeong looked puzzled, and Tang Myung smiled at both.
'Take good care of Man Song for me.'
'Me? I always take care of him.'
Jeong Myeong nodded in understanding. Tang Myung said,
'Before the Tang Family becomes strong enough, we will not leave Heavenly Grant Forest.'
'Strong enough... That's quite abstract. How long do you plan to stay?'
'About ten years.'
Jeong Myeong exclaimed in surprise.
'Ten years?'
'That's necessary... to gather enough strength to fight the Demonic Cult.'
'Fight the Demonic Cult... Is that your plan?'
Jeong Myeong's face filled with bewilderment.
The Demonic Cult... A single force that fought against the entire Central Plains. Even the jianghu trembled at the mere mention, yet none dared march into the Ten Thousand Mountains to confront them.
In a direct clash, the jianghu would win, but the price... the devastation... was terrifying.
Fight the Demonic Cult?
Tang Myung gazed at Jeong Myeong's face, then at the burning and ruined Tang Family halls.
'The Tang Family has come to this... Would you have us sit idly by? A family that never lets even the smallest grudge go unavenged?'
Tang Myung spoke coldly.
'If we let the Demonic Cult's attack pass without response, who in the world would call the Tang Family the Tang Family's Flying Dragon?'
The phrase 'Tang Family's Flying Dragon' made Jeong Myeong speak urgently.
'Why say that?'
'No, the most accurate description of the Tang Family is indeed Tang Family's Flying Dragon. A dog that bites anyone who dares touch it. That is the Tang Family. That is why the world leaves them alone.'
Tang Myung's firm words made Jeong Myeong reply,
'Do you think you can build such power within ten years?'
'I do. No, I will without fail. Even if I have to die a hundred times.'
Jeong Myeong took the words as resolve, yet Tang Myung spoke from the heart.
Even if he had to die a hundred times, he would use his experience to strengthen the Tang Family.
Tang Myung walked forward with determination, and Jeong Myeong and Man-song followed.
At the Flying Heaven Pavilion, Tang Myung paused, then took out the bamboo tube again.
He shook the incense inside, and a spark ignited. He lightly waved it out and planted the incense in the ground, offering it to Jeong Myeong.
Jeong Myeong lit it with a bow. Tang Myung began recounting the story he had given Jeong Myeong in his previous life.
Emotion stirred in Jeong Myeong's face as he learned that Tang Cheon-deuk had cherished him despite pretending to dislike him.
Watching Jeong Myeong, Tang Myung slowly circled the Flying Heaven Pavilion.
As he completed the circuit, recalling the departed Young Master and Elders, Tang Jang appeared.
'Do you have anything to report?'
'It's the doing of a thief called One Ming Thief.'
The name made Tang Myung frown.
'A thief entered the estate...'
The killing intent in Tang Myung's voice and eyes was unmistakable.