Chapter 103
Iron Core Pavilion.
This was the residence of the Sichuan Tang Clan's Young Clan Head—the successor who would one day become the Family Head.
Sip.
Tang Gon was drinking tea in a pavilion overlooking a beautiful garden.
Seated across from him was Bu Eun-seol, clad in plain black martial robes.
"It's been days since I last saw you. I've been too busy."
After half a day of fierce combat, Tang Gon had narrowly defeated Tang Ryeong by the slimmest of margins.
Since then, he had officially become the Young Clan Head of the Tang Clan and moved his residence to the Iron Core Pavilion—located directly across from the Heaven and Earth Pavilion where Tang Pae resided, at the very heart of the Inner Court.
Upon becoming the Young Clan Head, he was granted attendants to manage his household, the clan's elite escort corps, and the authority to learn all Eight Great Secret Arts of the Tang Family.
"But why do you look like that?"
Bu Eun-seol studied Tang Gon's face as Tang Gon sat with an uneasy expression.
Though he had finally achieved everything he desired, his expression was far from bright.
"I don't know. This wasn't the ending I wanted."
Unfortunately, Tang Ryeong had quietly passed away three days after the martial arts tournament.
The palm energy strikes he had suffered from Tang Bi had melted several of his meridians, and on top of that, he had pushed himself to the limit during his half-day battle with Tang Gon.
Moreover, Tang Bi—once he recovered from his injuries—had left for Beyond the Pass.
He couldn't bear the guilt of knowing Tang Ryeong had died from the injuries he inflicted, nor did he believe he could loyally serve under Tang Gon.
"Don't speak as though your journey is already over."
Bu Eun-seol met Tang Gon's gaze firmly.
"Your life is only just beginning."
From now on, he would need to master the Eight Great Secret Arts perfectly to become strong enough to never lose to anyone. He would have to earn the trust of the Tang Clan's bloodline.
Not only that—he would have to expand his network, solidify cooperative relationships with successors of various sects and noble families... The mountain of tasks ahead of him was immense.
"You're always right."
Tang Gon let out a dry chuckle.
"And it always makes me feel ashamed."
This young man, who looked barely a year or two his junior, possessed the insight and values of an old man who had lived through countless sunsets.
"Don't think like that. You too are a wise and remarkable person. Have faith in yourself."
As Bu Eun-seol rose from his seat, Tang Gon spoke with a reluctant expression.
"Are you leaving?"
Tang Gon already knew.
That Bu Eun-seol had finished preparing to depart with Heuk-pyo. But he didn't want to let him go like this.
"Can't you stay a little longer? I have much to do from now on."
"From here on, you'll need to work alongside the Tang Clan's blood relatives. There's nothing I can help with."
"You know what I mean. Just a few more days. Now that I'm the Young Clan Head, I can open the family's wine cellar wide—"
"That's enough. Next time."
Bu Eun-seol smiled faintly.
"A little regret will make our next meeting all the more joyful, won't it?"
"I suppose so."
Tang Gon took a deep breath, a faint smile touching his lips. Then he reached into his robes and retrieved a small command plaque.
It was the Young Master Token—authority to issue commands to every member of the Tang Clan except the Family Head, Tang Pae.
"You and I... and this family will share life and death together."
Tang Gon's voice burned with conviction.
"Please accept it."
"That's a loss for me."
"Huh?"
Uncharacteristically, Bu Eun-seol grinned.
"I'll likely live a little longer than you. If we share life and death, wouldn't that put me at a disadvantage?"
At those words, Tang Gon's eyes widened with emotion.
He realized this small joke was Bu Eun-seol's way of expressing his feelings.
Knock knock.
Just then, a light tapping sounded at the door, followed by the delicate voice of an attendant.
"Young Clan Head, a warrior from the Heaven and Earth Guard has come seeking Young Hero Bu."
"The Heaven and Earth Guard?"
The Heaven and Earth Guard was the direct personal guard unit protecting the Family Head, Tang Pae.
Why would a warrior from the most fearsome personal guard unit in the Tang Clan come seeking Bu Eun-seol instead of him?
"Let them in."
At Tang Gon's command, the door opened, revealing a muscular middle-aged man who bowed respectfully.
"U Myeong of the Heaven and Earth Guard pays his respects to the Young Clan Head."
"What is the matter?"
"The Family Head seeks Young Hero Bu."
"This friend? Why?"
"His Lordship simply commanded that he be brought to the Heaven and Earth Pavilion."
"Very well. Lead the way."
As Bu Eun-seol rose from his seat, Tang Gon stood as well.
"I'll accompany him."
"My apologies, but the Family Head ordered only Young Hero Bu to be brought before him."
"Hmm."
When Tang Gon made a dissatisfied expression, Bu Eun-seol waved his hand dismissively.
"I'll go alone."
Heaven and Earth Pavilion.
This was the residence of the Sichuan Tang Clan's Family Head.
It bore the same name as the hall where the Martial Alliance's leader resided—because the very first Martial Alliance leader had been the head of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
"Please wait here for a moment."
Following the attendant's guidance, Bu Eun-seol entered a banquet hall filled with lavish furnishings.
The moment he took his seat, the inner doors slid open, and a middle-aged man in embroidered robes strode in leisurely.
It was Tang Pae.
"Family Head."
Bu Eun-seol rose and bowed respectfully.
Not because the man before him was the renowned leader of the Sichuan Tang Clan, but because he was the father of his close friend.
"I heard you were leaving today."
"That is correct. But the reason you summoned me...?"
"Hahaha. How could I simply send off my family's benefactor without a word?"
Tang Pae was a master of the Extreme Heaven Realm, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the leaders of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang and the heads of the Eight Great Clans.
Having transcended even the Transcendent Realm, he should have radiated an aura so oppressive that one could scarcely breathe—yet now, he exuded a warmth like spring breeze, as if reunited with a long-lost love.
And for good reason.
To Tang Pae, Bu Eun-seol was nothing short of a gift from heaven.
Not only had he fully awakened Tang Gon's latent abilities—something Tang Pae had long lamented—but he had also eliminated Sim Dok, the deputy master of Blood Poison Valley.
Thanks to that, the Tang Clan's fame had spread beyond Sichuan, reaching as far as Hunan and Hubei, and now countless young martial artists aspired to join the Outer Courtyard of the Tang Clan.
"Thanks to you, Gon-i has awakened to his potential as the Young Clan Head, and our family's reputation grows by the day."
A pleased smile played at the corners of Tang Pae's lips as he regarded Bu Eun-seol.
"The young masters of the Poison Arrow Party even petitioned to serve directly under Gon-i. When asked why, they cited you—and that boy you brought with you."
Pausing briefly, Tang Pae nodded slowly.
"Thanks to you, two of this Family Head's greatest headaches have been resolved."
"I merely assisted in small ways."
"Hohoho. So modest as well."
Tang Pae's gaze swept over Bu Eun-seol's striking features with satisfaction before he cautiously ventured:
"Might I ask which sect you belong to?"
"That is—"
"Worry not. Even if you hail from the Demonic Path, it matters not to me."
Tang Pae spoke plainly.
"Our clan maintains ties with several Demonic Path factions as well. Though our paths differ, there's no need to deny one another."
In truth, not just Tang Pae but all the Tang Clan's blood kin had already surmised that Bu Eun-seol was no orthodox sect master.
Had he been a master of the prestigious orthodox factions, they would have recognized him immediately.
Yet the reason Tang Pae inquired about his origins was because he had another hidden motive.
"I am under strict orders not to disclose my sect while traveling the martial world."
"I see."
Tang Pae's expression flickered with disappointment before he continued in a suggestive tone:
"After leaving our clan, do you have a destination in mind?"
"No."
"Is that so? Then..."
Clearing his throat once more, Tang Pae lowered his voice.
"I heard you met Cheong-i."
"I did."
"And how was she?"
"How do you mean?"
"Well..."
Tang Pae studied Bu Eun-seol's face intently.
His martial prowess aside, his looks, his qi, even his very presence—there was not a single flaw to be found.
Gazing into Bu Eun-seol's eyes—still and clear as an autumn sky—Tang Pae finally broached the real subject.
"Have you ever considered becoming our clan's matrilocal son-in-law?"
"A matrilocal son-in-law?"
"If you alone are willing, I would personally arrange for Cheong-i's hand in marriage."
Had anyone else heard these words, they would have leapt in shock, questioning Tang Pae's sanity.
This was the same Tang Pae who had once declared that he would never permit his daughter to so much as meet a man—unless it was the heir of the Nine Great Sects and One Gang or the son of the Martial Alliance's leader.
But to suggest that Bu Eun-seol—a self-proclaimed wanderer of the martial world—become Tang Cheong's matrilocal son-in-law?
'With his caliber and martial arts, even without seeing his sect, his sect must be extraordinary. It's best to stake our claim early.'
"I..."
"Don't answer hastily."
Tang Pae wore an exceedingly cautious expression.
"Becoming Cheong-i's matrilocal son-in-law means you, too, can master all of the clan's Eight Great Secret Arts. Moreover, you would stand alongside Gon-i in leading the Tang Clan and shaping the future of the martial world."
"..."
"And though it's unbecoming for this family head to say so, Cheong-i is not only skilled in the Four Arts of the Scholar but is also hailed as Sichuan's Greatest Beauty."
"I appreciate your kindness, but I have many matters to settle after my travels through the martial world."
"I'm not asking for an immediate decision."
At Bu Eun-seol's firm refusal, Tang Pae retreated a step with the sly grin of a fox.
"Cheong-i will have her own thoughts on the matter, and who knows how fate may unfold between people?"
Tang Pae patted Bu Eun-seol's shoulder gently as he spoke.
"After all, aren't you Gon-i's sworn friend who shares life and death with him? You'll build a family of your own someday, so give it some thought."
"Understood."
"You must have received the Young Master Token from Gon-i... Is there nothing you desire from this family head? I'll grant you anything."
After a moment of deep contemplation, Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
"There is nothing."
"Nothing at all?"
"Correct."
"Think carefully. There's still plenty of time."
"There is nothing."
The resolute reply made Tang Pae's eyes widen in disbelief.
The head of the Sichuan Tang Clan—one of the most prestigious families in the martial world—had just offered him anything he desired, and he refused without hesitation?
Ahem.
Tang Pae cleared his throat and spoke softly.
"Our clan houses the finest artisans of hidden weapons in the world. Do you know how to use concealed weapons?"
"I have never learned."
"Is that so? Then I shall have our artisans craft you an exceptional hidden weapon device. A single flick of the wrist with one of our devices would leave even a master unable to evade."
Despite Tang Pae's subtle persuasion, Bu Eun-seol shook his head again.
"That won't be necessary."
"Hmm. Well then..."
After a brief pause, Tang Pae seemed to ponder deeply before slowly retrieving a thin booklet from his robes.
Its pristine cover, seemingly newly made, bore two characters in cursive script: Dagger Mastery Manual.
"As you may know, the foundation of our clan's hidden weapon arts lies in the Flying Dagger Art..."
For a moment, Tang Pae's eyes flickered with sorrow—perhaps recalling Tang Ryeong, who had quietly passed after the martial tournament.
Though he maintained the ruthless, unshakable demeanor expected of a family head, he was not truly so cold-hearted.
"Take it. A gift from this family head."
"That won't be necessary."
The Tang Clan's martial arts were never taught to outsiders—no transmission beyond the gates.
"Are you refusing because you fear accepting would bind you to our clan?"
Tang Pae chuckled warmly, his smile benevolent.
"Worry not. This is not a manual of the Tang Clan's martial arts—merely insights I recorded while mastering the One-Hand Life-Taking Art."
Once more, he extended the secret manual to Bu Eun-seol, murmuring almost to himself,
"And Gon-i wields a sword, so he would have no use for this manual anyway."
His voice was so soft it was nearly inaudible, yet it carried profound regret.
After a brief hesitation, Bu Eun-seol accepted the manual and bowed.
"I am grateful for your generosity."
"Remember—whenever you face hardship, this clan stands behind you."
Tang Pae smirked as he studied Bu Eun-seol.
"Though I imagine your own sect is formidable enough."
"Thank you."
"May fortune favor your martial path."
"Then."
Bu Eun-seol turned away slowly.
Tang Pae watched his retreating figure and whispered under his breath,
"Where on earth did they raise a prodigy like him?"
His voice was thick with regret.
He had genuinely wished to welcome Bu Eun-seol as his son-in-law.
"There will be another chance."
Tang Cheong was no delicate flower, sitting demurely and waiting for attention. She was more like a bee, seeking out the most beautiful blossoms herself.
"A true Dragon Among Men... That girl won't stay idle either."
Well acquainted with his daughter's temperament, Tang Pae smiled faintly before turning away.