The Silver Dragon Challenges the Black Blood Hall
Known as the day thief, a master thief famous for stealing not at night but during the day.
He was also renowned for leaving bright names on the spot where he had stolen goods.
“Apply the Scratching Poison to the halls of the Tang Clan Castle and its surrounding areas.”
Yuji Cheong’s eyes filled with fear at the mention of Scratching Poison. It was one of the Tang Clan’s ten forbidden poisons.
Among the ten forbidden poisons, it was the only one with a detoxification agent... yet its effects were so vicious that the Tang Clan had designated it as a forbidden poison.
If one fell victim to Scratching Poison, they would feel overwhelming itching across their body until they burst into uncontrollable laughter. No matter how hard they tried to hold it in, the torment was unbearable. They would scratch until their flesh and bones were torn to pieces.
Tang Myung had once told him how terrifying it was, and Yuji Cheong already knew how deadly it was.
“And send someone to the main house to dispatch personnel to capture the day thief.”
“As you command.”
Tang Jang, along with the Tang Clan’s expert warriors, scattered in all directions.
Watching those expert warriors depart, Yuji Cheong said softly.
“But if the poison spreads and an unrelated person enters the area, what then?”
“Those who enter the main house without our permission cannot possibly be unrelated.”
“Even so, if a commoner accidentally enters... just in case.”
Tang Myung quickly interrupted Yuji Cheong’s words.
[Our Detoxification Unit is the only one allowed entry. Common civilians cannot enter.]
Yuji Cheong hurriedly closed his mouth after hearing Tang Myung’s transmission.
He cleared his throat, glanced at the Flying Heaven Pavilion, and looked around.
“The Demonic Cult... who exactly are they?”
“...”
Tang Myung remained silent for a moment before his gaze swept over the desolate grounds of the Tang Clan Castle.
He then quietly observed the ruins of the Flying Heaven Pavilion.
Yuji Cheong stood beside him, licking his lips at the sight.
The current state of the Tang Clan was telling him exactly what the Demonic Cult was.
The expert warriors of the Tang Clan who had spent a day in the Tang Clan Castle greeted the people of the Tang Clan Town.
“If you need anything in the future, speak to the owner of the Baihua Wine House in Chengdu. He will arrange to have the items sent to all the business sites in Sichuan Province.”
“We were just discussing that with the owner.”
Tang Myung nodded at Hong Pal’s answer and asked softly.
“Were there any people in the business who thought strange thoughts while we were away?”
“Those who live under the Tang Clan’s shadow would never dare such thoughts.”
Tang Myung nodded at Hong Pal’s reply.
Unlike in previous lives, none of the businesses had changed their plaques. Perhaps they had assumed that the Qingcheng Sect would handle the Tang Clan’s security, so the Tang Clan would not fall.
‘How fortunate.’
Tang Myung looked quietly at Hong Pal and said, “Live well.”
“Of course. I plan to live until the day the Family Head marries and has grandchildren.”
Tang Myung nodded at the words and mounted his horse, declaring, “Then take care. I will meet you again... smiling.”
Tang Myung bowed, and the people of the Tang Clan Town bowed back, lowering their heads.
Tang Myung turned his head slightly as he watched the Tang Clan Town residents.
“We head for Geumcheon.”
Tang Myung urged his horse to a gallop, and the followers began to trail after him.
Geumcheon was located at a crossroads. Riding toward Mount Qingcheng from there would take three shichen.
In case of emergency, it was a good place to retreat, and it was also advantageous for receiving support from the Qingcheng Sect.
The Martial Alliance had established its temporary headquarters in Geumcheon.
One year since the Martial Alliance was founded...
And only a few months after relocating to Geumcheon, a large manor suitable for the Martial Alliance had not yet been built.
Instead, the Zhuge Clan had turned one of the villages into the Martial Alliance headquarters. Using the existing manor, inns, and wine houses as a base, they demolished what needed to be demolished and built what needed to be built, creating a grand Martial Alliance hall.
At the entrance of the Martial Alliance stood a long line of people having their identities checked to enter.
As the Tang Clan people approached the long line, the martial artists recognized them.
“The Tang Clan.”
“I heard they came from Yunnan. It seems they’re here for the Martial Alliance event.”
“Still... the Tang Clan is really doomed. A Tang Clan Castle with hundreds of years of history has fallen to this.”
“What can be done? It’s true that the flowers of a hundred days fade.”
The Tang Clan experts glared coldly at the people murmuring among themselves.
The martial artists quickly lowered their heads or turned aside. It was true that the Tang Clan had fled to Yunnan after suffering at the hands of the Demonic Cult, but they also possessed experts that even the Tang Clan could not handle.
“The common people of the world are always like this.”
“Enough.”
Tang Myung’s words caused the Tang Clan experts to give one last glare before turning away.
As the Tang Clan experts passed through the line and headed for the entrance, a group of people rushed forward from the gate.
“We greet the people of the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
Tang Myung dismounted and bowed with folded hands upon seeing a middle-aged martial artist who bowed politely.
“I did not expect to meet such a great hero here.”
The man smiled and bowed in return.
“Because there is a major issue in the martial world, I have joined the Martial Alliance with this humble hand to help.”
“If your hands are small, the hands of the world’s heroes must be ashamed.”
The man was a renowned hero known as the Righteous Hero in the martial world.
“Please come inside.”
Tang Myung followed the man toward the Martial Alliance and asked, “Are you in charge of guest reception?”
“Both the Blood Demon Mountain’s Blood Lord and I are handling it.”
“Blood Demon Mountain?”
“Given that the Martial Alliance was formed by combining the righteous and demonic forces...”
The Righteous Hero glanced at the line of people waiting outside. Among those in line, several had the appearance of wicked individuals.
“The righteous and demonic martial artists are coming together. That is why we have set up separate guest reception for them.”
“Wouldn’t that make it chaotic? Isn’t that okay?”
“Relationships among martial artists cannot be avoided, can they?”
The Righteous Hero laughed.
Tang Myung asked, “It seems something happened.”
“The moment they see someone with a grudge, they draw their swords. They seem to have forgotten this is the Martial Alliance.”
The Righteous Hero shook his head slightly and continued.
“That is why we have set up several dueling arenas.”
“No fighting in public, only in the dueling arenas, is that right?”
“Correct.”
“Are you satisfied with dueling?”
“These are arenas with no rules. The participants will settle their own life-or-death outcomes.”
“There will be deaths?”
Tang Myung’s question made the Righteous Hero nod.
“When it ends, one of the two must die.”
“Is that the rule set by the Demonic Cult?”
“Correct. Anyone who fights in the Martial Alliance must be prepared to risk their life.”
Tang Hong said softly, “Won’t problems arise? The relatives of those who enter the dueling arenas will also attend the Martial Assembly.”
“Tang Hong Hero’s words are correct.”
Tang Hong smiled at the mention of his nickname.
“Though it’s my nickname, it’s been a while since I last heard it. You sound like a different person.”
The Righteous Hero nodded at Tang Hong’s words and said, “Because many people will die, relations will keep arising. But...”
The Righteous Hero shook his head.
“Even if you tell them not to, those who are going to fight won’t listen.”
“That is true.”
“Without the dueling arenas, fights would break out across the entire Martial Alliance. But now that they are confined to the arenas, it is like having management.”
Tang Hong sighed at the Righteous Hero’s words.
“With the righteous and demonic forces in one place, trouble is inevitable.”
“Even the Martial Alliance is struggling with this problem and has finally settled on these dueling arenas.”
Tang Myung looked at the Martial Alliance hall in response to the Righteous Hero’s reluctant answer.
“The Martial Alliance has several problems too.”
“To be honest... it was hastily built.”
The Righteous Hero looked at Tang Myung.
“I feel sorry for the Tang Clan’s affairs as well...”
“Tang Myung!”
The Righteous Hero frowned and turned his head after being interrupted by a cry.
There stood an old man in black robes, accompanied by twenty black-robed martial artists.
The sudden cry caused the passing martial artists to turn and look at the old man and the Tang Clan people with curious eyes.
Tang Myung was one of the top late-stage experts in Sichuan, bearing the nickname Silver Dragon of the Heavens.
Anyone who heard the name would know who he was. Moreover, the Family Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan had fallen, yet here he was.
Calling Tang Myung’s name so openly...
“Black Blood Hall’s Jang Young.”
“Why is Jang Young provoking Tang Myung?”
“Even if the Tang Clan falls, it is still the Tang Clan. The Black Blood Hall should be able to exterminate them.”
The people looked at the Black Blood Hall people with eyes full of doubt and curiosity.
Jang Young shouted at Tang Myung, “If Tang Myung has courage, challenge me to a life-or-death duel!”
The doubt in the people’s faces vanished, replaced only by curiosity and anticipation of something entertaining.
“Black Blood Hall’s Jang Young has challenged the Tang Clan Family Head to a life-or-death duel!”
“Whoa! This is going to be really fun!”
The Righteous Hero hurriedly bowed and said, “Hero Jang, the Family Head is here to attend the Martial Assembly. Suddenly...”
“Hmph! There is no one here who is not attending the Martial Assembly! Everyone came for the Martial Assembly! And the Martial Alliance has decided to resolve relations in the dueling arenas!”
Jang Young looked at the martial artists watching and said, “I demand a life-or-death duel with Tang Myung!”
The martial artists shouted in response.
“That’s right!”
“It follows the rules set by the Martial Alliance. The Martial Alliance has no reason to stop it!”
“Correct!”
“But Jang Young is a Peak expert and a renowned figure in the martial world. Demanding a life-or-death duel from a late-stage expert is too much.”
“Hmph! Demanding a life-or-death duel from a late-stage expert who is less than half your age makes Jang Young’s face thicker than a pig’s.”
“Correct. A life-or-death duel has to be on equal terms. How dare the Black Blood Hall demand one from the Tang Clan, especially from the Family Head?”
The Tang Clan experts glared coldly at Jang Young at the people’s shouts.
“Family Head, let me kill him.”
Tang Hong stepped forward with murderous intent, but Tang Myung raised his hand to stop him.
He then looked at the Righteous Hero.
“Where is the dueling arena?”
“Even if the opponent demands a duel, you are not obligated to accept it.”
“The Tang Clan does not avoid battles fought on foot.”
Tang Myung looked at Jang Young.
“Besides, if I back down, the martial artists will laugh. They will say the Tang Clan feared the Black Blood Hall and avoided the duel.”
Jang Young’s face twisted at Tang Myung’s dismissive words.
“I will tear your limbs off and kill you.”
Tang Myung shook his head at the murderous voice and looked at Tang Jang.
“Announce the life-or-death duel between me and the Black Blood Hall’s previous hall master.”
Tang Jang’s face showed concern.
But he quickly gathered his internal energy and spoke.
“At the dueling arena, the Tang Clan Family Head Tang Myung will face the previous hall master of the Black Blood Hall, Jang Young, in a life-or-death duel.”
Tang Jang’s cry spread quietly through the Martial Alliance.
The martial artists raised their heads at the cry. Those with sufficient internal energy were surprised by the majestic force, while those who could not sense it were shocked by the content.
“Tang Myung dueling with Jang Young?”
“That’s impossible. No matter how famous Tang Myung is as Silver Dragon of the Heavens, Jang Young is already in the ranks of renowned figures.”
The people moved toward the dueling arena with expressions of worry for Tang Myung and anticipation.