Chapter 101
Tang Gon frowned as if he had eaten spoiled food.
"Father wants me... to become Family Head?"
"That's right."
"Hahaha."
Tang Gon let out a weak laugh and shook his head.
"How could that be? Did you look at the tournament bracket and still say such a thing?"
Bu Eun-seol, who had been observing Tang Gon's slumped shoulders, downed a glass of liquor in one go before speaking.
"Let me ask you something. How does Tang Ryeong's martial arts compare to Tang Bi's?"
"As you know, Elder Brother has always had a weak constitution. Even at full strength, he wouldn't stand a chance against Tang Bi—he couldn't even properly face me in a fight."
"I see."
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
For some reason, seeing that smile made Tang Gon feel both reassured and irritated.
"What's so funny?"
"From what I see, you've received so much love growing up that you've become blind to it."
"Love? Are you drunk?"
Bu Eun-seol set down his glass and replied.
"Tang Bi will never defeat Tang Ryeong."
"What are you talking about? Tang Bi can't defeat Elder Brother?"
"And Tang Ryeong will use the martial arts tournament as an excuse to kill Tang Bi. Most likely."
"Elder Brother killing Tang Bi? Hahaha..."
Tang Gon burst into disbelieving laughter and gulped down his drink as if swallowing the absurdity whole.
"That's the most ridiculous joke I've ever heard in my life."
Tang Gon shook his head in disbelief as he stared into Bu Eun-seol's clear eyes.
"Elder Brother has had a weak constitution since childhood, and his lungs are frail—he barely practiced martial arts, focusing solely on academics. How could he possibly defeat Tang Bi?"
"Have you ever personally confirmed that he hasn't trained in martial arts?"
Tang Gon gave a hollow smile and shook his head again.
"Well... Elder Brother was always holed up in his study, so how would I know?"
"Tang Ryeong is strong. Stronger than you or Tang Bi."
Seeing the certainty in Bu Eun-seol's gaze, Tang Gon felt an uneasy chill crawl up his spine.
"Are you saying Elder Brother has been deceiving everyone all this time?"
"That's right."
For a moment, Tang Gon was speechless.
Bu Eun-seol's skills had already reached the Transcendent Realm. With that level of insight, he might have perceived something Tang Gon couldn't.
"Why? Why would Elder Brother do such a thing?"
When Tang Gon finally managed to ask, Bu Eun-seol answered calmly.
"Because he is brilliant—and ambitious."
"..."
"People like that always hide their true selves. Until they achieve their purpose."
Bu Eun-seol had spent years preparing the corpses of the deceased.
During that long time, he had listened to Bu Jan-yang's stories about the myriad faces of human life—their greed and schemes.
And those tales had given Bu Eun-seol knowledge and insight surpassing even that of an old man who had lived seventy years.
"Even if everything you say is true... Elder Brother has no reason to kill Tang Bi."
As Tang Gon shook his head, Bu Eun-seol picked up his glass again.
"I didn't say he would only kill Tang Bi."
After downing the drink in one go, he broke the long silence with a heavy voice.
"He will kill you too."
"Why... why would Elder Brother kill me?"
"He has lived all this time concealing his true self, enduring in silence. Do you really think he would feel secure just by becoming the successor?"
Bu Eun-seol's smile carried a hint of killing intent.
"He will eliminate every possible threat. Otherwise, all the years he endured would become meaningless."
"Why would Elder Brother see us as threats?"
Bu Eun-seol gazed at his empty glass and spoke.
"Tang Ryeong truly is physically weak. But think of it the other way—both of you still retain the qualifications to become the next Family Head at any time. Tang Cheong is an exception, of course."
Tang Gon let out a sound like a stifled groan.
"Even if everything you say is true—how? Father organized a martial arts tournament, not a slaughter."
Bu Eun-seol chuckled dryly.
"Accidents can't be prevented. No one in this world can guarantee that."
Tang Gon fell silent.
Though he possessed the Poison Heart, when it came to reading people or devising schemes, he simply couldn't match Bu Eun-seol.
"Judging by how you're speaking, you must already have a countermeasure for this. Am I wrong?"
"Of course."
Tang Gon's face brightened as he asked,
"What method do you have?"
Bu Eun-seol shook his head, his eyes glinting.
"Before that, tell me everything you know about Tang Ryeong. Every last detail, no matter how trivial."
Inside the Water Cloud Pavilion, the Small Training Ground.
There, Tang Bi—stripped to the waist—was hurling hidden weapons and palm energy at the wooden dummies erected around him.
Swish! Whirr! Crack!
With every extension of his hand, terrifying palm energy and poisonous energy surged forth in tandem.
Each time his fingers brushed the leather pouch at his waist, dozens of hidden weapons embedded themselves into the wooden dummies.
"Heh heh heh... Hahahaha!"
Tang Bi's laughter, having halted his movements, echoed through the space.
"No matter how you look at it, Father has already marked me as the next Young Clan Head."
Ever since Tang Pae's declaration that the successor would be chosen from the winner of the Martial Arts Tournament, Tang Bi had been in high spirits, diligently honing his skills.
In martial arts, no one could surpass him. He was convinced the tournament was merely Tang Pae's ploy to officially name him as heir.
"Haa..."
After washing himself clean, he headed toward his bedroom, a faint smile on his face.
Just as he was about to lie down in his bed in good spirits—
"You live a more disciplined life than I expected."
Before he knew it, a masked man in a night suit was sitting leisurely at the table across from him.
"Who are you?"
Tang Bi, whose temper was so explosive that even the word bastard wouldn't suffice, was now displaying an unusually cautious demeanor.
Because the masked man before him had infiltrated the Inner Courtyard—a place teeming with Tang Clan's direct-line masters.
Not only that, he had slipped alone into the Water Cloud Pavilion, located at the very heart of the estate. Tang Bi had instantly recognized that this was a master far beyond his own ability to handle.
'There's no benefit in provoking a master who walks a higher path than me.'
"You ask who I am?"
The masked man's voice was deliberately altered—rough and deep.
"I'm the one who's here to save you."
"Save me?"
Instead of answering, the masked man lowered the large wooden box he had been carrying onto the floor.
"What is that?"
"An item that will save your life."
The masked man pushed the wooden box toward the foot of Tang Bi's bed.
"Make sure to use it during the Martial Arts Tournament the day after tomorrow."
"This is..."
Tang Bi's eyes flashed with disbelief as he opened the wooden box.
"So it was you."
With an irritated expression, Tang Bi shoved the box back toward the masked man's feet.
"Tch, I don't need this trash. Take it back."
Then he stared at the masked man as if unable to comprehend.
"Even if your martial arts are formidable, this is the Inner Courtyard. No master, no matter how skilled, could infiltrate alone... How did you get in?"
"Because I can control my killing intent."
"What does that mean?"
The masked man waved his hand dismissively.
"Regardless, if you don't use this, you'll die."
His voice remained low and rough.
"He's been concealing his true strength for a long time. Not only that, he plans to use the Martial Arts Tournament as an excuse to eliminate you completely."
"He'll kill me? Why?"
"Because he needs to remove you to ensure no future threats to his position as Young Clan Head."
"Hahaha! What nonsense. Haven't you heard from that idiot that my older brother and I are on good terms?"
As Tang Bi cackled, the masked man's eyes flashed in the darkness.
Then, in that same low voice, he spent a long while relaying several pieces of information to Tang Bi.
Once he had finished, the masked man spoke again.
"Whether you believe me or not is your choice."
After listening in silence for a while, Tang Bi finally furrowed his brow and shouted,
"You're spouting nonsense till the very—"
His irritated outburst cut off abruptly.
The masked man had vanished without a trace.
"..."
Staring at the wooden box left behind, Tang Bi muttered under his breath.
"Don't make me laugh, you fucking lunatic."
Tang Bi let out a cold snort and pushed the wooden box into a corner of the room.
At last, the martial tournament to determine the Young Clan Head of the Tang Clan commenced.
All direct blood relatives of the Tang Clan had gathered at the training grounds set up in the eastern Martial Hall of the Inner Courtyard.
Under a shaded canopy with chairs arranged for comfortable viewing, Tang Pae, the Family Head, sat observing the proceedings.
"Then let us now begin the martial tournament to select our Young Clan Head!"
Tang Seong, standing on the martial arts stage, announced in a low voice.
Since this was essentially a contest between the four direct descendants of Tang Pae, the only spectators aside from the specially invited Bu Eun-seol and Heuk-pyo were the elders and direct blood relatives of the Inner Courtyard, lending the atmosphere a solemn gravity.
"First, Tang Ryeong and Tang Bi. Both of you, step onto the stage."
At Tang Seong's words, Tang Ryeong and Tang Bi, who had been waiting on either side, slowly ascended the platform.
"Elder Brother."
Tang Bi spoke flatly as he observed Tang Ryeong, whose pallid complexion bore clear signs of illness.
"What's the point of us sparring like this anyway?"
"What do you mean?"
"Elder Brother, your body is weak. Even the slightest exertion leaves you short of breath, doesn't it? Just forfeit."
Tang Bi clasped his hands together and spoke politely, prompting a dry smile from Tang Ryeong.
"My body has been like this for years. Don't concern yourself with it."
Just then, Tang Seong raised his hand and shouted loudly:
"Then let the match begin!"
"Well then, Elder Brother. I'll go easy on you!"
As the match commenced, Tang Bi let out a short battle cry and extended both palms.
Rather than the Tang Clan's secret technique, the Five Poisons Silk Transformation Art, he unleashed the Thousand Poison Mist-Heart Palm.
Whoosh—!
Dozens of curved palm shadows rained down around Tang Ryeong's body.
Though Tang Bi had a fierce temperament, his talent in martial arts was exceptional.
Each fluttering palm shadow brimmed with dense Internal Energy, and his transitions between stances were flawless, leaving no openings.
Sssss—!
Unable to find an opening to counter, Tang Ryeong relied on his footwork to evade the barrage of palm shadows.
But Tang Bi, as if anticipating every one of his movements, deftly altered his techniques.
Tap.
Tang Ryeong barely managed to retreat, gasping for breath.
"Haa... haa..."
Beads of sweat were already rolling down his forehead.
At a glance, Tang Bi's attacks seemed aimed at crushing Tang Ryeong's body, but in truth, they were designed to force him into submission with his hands raised.
"Will you concede?"
Tang Bi withdrew the Thousand Poison Mist-Heart Palm momentarily and spoke in a composed voice.
"I'll continue."
"Elder Brother, I'll launch a swift offensive now. I need to conserve my stamina for the next match. Do you understand?"
"A sound strategy."
Seeing no sign of Tang Ryeong backing down, Tang Bi sighed.
"Elder Brother, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Despite his violent nature, he had always relied on and respected Tang Ryeong, who remained gentle.
Had that not been the case, he would have already used the Five Poisons Silk Transformation Art to crush him mercilessly.
"Here I go!"
Drawing his Internal Energy to its utmost limit, Tang Bi unleashed the Thousand Poison Mist-Heart Palm once more.
Despite his words, he refrained from using True Void or the Five Poisons Silk Transformation Art, sticking only to the Thousand Poison Mist-Heart Palm at full strength.
Whoooosh—!
The cascading palm techniques linked together like rings, completely enveloping Tang Ryeong's body.
Though Tang Ryeong moved swiftly, the Thousand Poison Mist-Heart Palm had already sealed off every possible escape route.
"Eldest Brother!"
Tang Gon, watching from afar, shouted urgently.
"Admit defeat!"
If he didn't concede, the dozens of palm shadows Tang Bi had unleashed would pummel Tang Ryeong's body like a drum.
Flash—!
But suddenly, a brilliant light erupted from Tang Ryeong's hand.
"Gahk—!"
At the same time, Tang Bi let out a piercing scream and collapsed to the ground.
"That's impossible..."
Every member of the Tang Clan present widened their eyes in shock.
Embedded in the center of Tang Bi's chest—right at his Life Gate Acupoint—was a single, razor-sharp hidden blade.
"One Strike... Life-Stealing Technique?"
Tang Seong, standing at the edge of the martial stage, gasped in astonishment.