Chapter 90
Bu Eun-seol's brow furrowed as he stared at the man standing at the center of the Reed Field.
Because that man was none other than Tang Gon.
'A family dispute, then.'
Just as Bu Eun-seol's interest waned in an instant and he was about to turn away—
Swish. Thud.
Heuk-pyo, who had landed beside him atop the towering Great Tree where they had been standing, widened his eyes.
"Huh? Poisonous Caltrops?"
Though he had muttered it low, almost under his breath, the sharp ears of the Tang Clan's masters could not be deceived.
"Who's there?!"
Fwip fwip fwip fwip!
One of the Tang Clan's masters, having pinpointed Heuk-pyo's location, swiftly unleashed eighty-six Poisonous Caltrops.
"Hmph."
Bu Eun-seol let out a low scoff as he reached for the Ink Sword strapped to his back.
Shring!
The moment the blade was drawn, a frigid aura spilled out in all directions.
Clang clang clang clang!
Amid the sound of metal clashing in rapid succession, the Poisonous Caltrops that had been raining down suddenly veered sharply and shot back the way they had come.
This was the second form of the Formless Heavenly Flow—Return to the Original Owner—a technique that reversed the trajectory of hidden weapons.
—What the hell is this?!
The Tang Clan's masters, caught off guard, scattered in all directions as their own weapons came flying back.
Thunk thunk thunk.
As the returned Poisonous Caltrops embedded themselves into the ground, only Tang Gon remained in the center of the Reed Field, panting heavily.
"Hah... hah..."
Black blood seeped from the wounds where the weapons had grazed his clothes, and the sword in his hand was nearly shattered, its blade chipped beyond recognition.
Though his injuries weren't life-threatening, his desperate posture made it clear he wouldn't last much longer.
Tap.
When Bu Eun-seol descended from the Great Tree, the Tang Clan's masters' eyes flashed.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"None of your concern."
Bu Eun-seol's cold voice dripped with disdain as he looked down at the Tang Clan's masters, who had raised their eyebrows in challenge.
"We're just passing through."
In an instant, the expressions of those surrounding the Reed Field turned peculiar.
Though Chongqing was separate from Sichuan, it was still under the Tang Clan's influence. And yet, this man was treating them—armed with the Tang Clan's weapons and garb—like a swarm of flies?
"Esteemed elders, let's not misunderstand."
Sensing the tension thickening, Heuk-pyo, who had been hiding in the tree, quickly dropped to the ground and clasped his hands together.
"We truly are just passing by. We have absolutely no intention of interfering in the Tang Clan's affairs."
"Dispose of them too."
At that moment, a middle-aged man who appeared to be the leader alternated his gaze between Bu Eun-seol and Heuk-pyo before speaking.
"They've already seen what they shouldn't have."
Heuk-pyo's face instantly paled.
The look in the man's eyes and his expression made it clear he intended to bury them both right then and there.
"G-Great Hero, please, let's not—"
Just as Heuk-pyo began waving his hands in panic,
"Don't."
Tang Gon, still gasping for breath and covered in blood, lifted his head and smiled.
"If you provoke him, you'll be the ones who die."
"..."
"Just let them go. And then... let's settle this between us."
The middle-aged man chuckled dryly at Tang Gon's words.
"Had this been within the main estate, I would have naturally obeyed the Third Young Master's orders. But..."
"Keep the family's business within the family. Isn't my head what you're after anyway?"
"Hmm."
The middle-aged man exhaled deeply before stepping behind Bu Eun-seol and speaking coldly.
"Forget what you saw today. Understood?"
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol turned his head and grinned, baring his white teeth.
The middle-aged man's pride seemed wounded as his eyebrows shot up. And then—
Whoosh!
Suddenly, the man unleashed a surge of pitch-black Palm Energy from both hands, aiming straight for Bu Eun-seol's back.
This was the Sichuan Tang Clan's pride—the Fire Poison Divine Palm.
"Watch out—!"
Tang Gon, sensing the danger, shouted—but it was already too late.
The middle-aged man's attack had been too abrupt, and the distance was far too close.
"Aaaagh—!"
A bloodcurdling scream echoed as blood sprayed in all directions.
Yet, astonishingly, Bu Eun-seol—without even turning around—had drawn his sword and cleanly severed the middle-aged man's wrist.
"How...?"
Tang Gon's mouth hung open in disbelief.
The technique the middle-aged man had used, Ghost Phantom Shadowless, was an assassination move specialized for ambushes—within ten feet, it was said to be infallible.
Even if one knew an ambush was coming, cutting down a Tang Clan master's wrist without so much as turning around should have been impossible.
"Not bad."
Bu Eun-seol nodded approvingly as he examined the Ink Sword in his hand.
The reason he had been able to perform such a feat was thanks to the Heaven-Transcending Art—Fluorescent Sword Control—a technique that instinctively detected killing intent and defended against attacks without conscious thought.
"Grrr... Kill them!"
The middle-aged man, clutching his severed wrist, roared, and the surrounding masters immediately drew hidden weapons from their leather pouches.
"Aaaah—!"
But before they could unleash them, another scream tore through the air.
Bu Eun-seol had closed the distance in an instant with Swift Shadowless, weaving through the Tang Clan's masters with his swordplay.
Flash!
Every time the gleaming dark light of his blade reflected, another body fell without fail.
Having already faced the Hell Blood Citadel's Blood Ghost Society—experts in hidden weapons and poison arts—Bu Eun-seol had no trouble dismantling the Tang Clan's masters, who employed similar tactics.
"Ugh... Uuugh...!"
Realizing they stood no chance, the middle-aged man bellowed,
"R-Retreat!"
At his command, the Tang Clan's masters withdrew in perfect unison, as if they had been waiting for the order.
Bu Eun-seol made no move to pursue them, sheathing his sword with a nod.
"As expected of one of the Eight Great Families."
Even with their lives hanging by a thread, their retreat was disciplined, their formation unwavering.
The Sichuan Tang Clan's long-standing reputation in the murim was clearly not unearned.
"Should I say thank you?"
Tang Gon staggered to his feet, offering Bu Eun-seol a weary smile. Though exhaustion lined his expression, there was an undeniable nobility and grace in it.
"Don't bother."
Bu Eun-seol's reply was icy.
"I only intervened because it was an ambush. No need for gratitude."
As he turned away without hesitation, Tang Gon called out.
"Wait! If you leave like this, you'll face considerable trouble ahead."
"Trouble?"
Bu Eun-seol glanced back, and Tang Gon's lips twisted into a bitter smile.
"The men you just drove off like stray dogs were none other than Deung-gwang-yeong, the Hall Leader of the Black Hand Society, and his elite forces."
"So?"
"If you walk away now, that viper of a Hall Leader will report lies to the Family Head. And you'll be hunted relentlessly by the main house."
"Sounds entertaining."
Bu Eun-seol turned away again, and Tang Gon bit his lip.
'Straightforwardness is the only way with him.'
Right now, Tang Gon needed to return to the Tang Clan to survive—but without the aid of a formidable master, it was impossible.
"Help me."
In the end, he swallowed his pride and spoke plainly.
"I must return to the main house. But without the assistance of someone like you, it's hopeless."
Thud.
Only then did Bu Eun-seol halt.
"Did you kill your own brothers?"
Tang Gon's pride flared, his eyes flashing.
'Does he think I'm weak just because I'm asking for help?!'
But when he met Bu Eun-seol's unreadable gaze, he realized the underlying question:
—Why would your own family want you dead?
Given how much Bu Eun-seol despised showing concern for others, this was his roundabout way of asking.
'He could've just asked directly... This man is utterly devoid of warmth.'
"If I had slaughtered my brothers, Hall Leader Deung would've brought a palanquin to carry me back in triumph."
Tang Gon shook his head with a wry chuckle.
"The main house has long tolerated infighting among successors. This is just another step in that process."
"You mean they allow kin to kill each other?"
Heuk-pyo, standing beside Bu Eun-seol, gaped, and Tang Gon sighed deeply.
"Our clan was built on blood. The path to succession demands it."
Drawing a slow breath, Tang Gon continued.
"Even if that blood belongs to your own brothers."
In short, the Tang Clan permitted fratricide in the name of succession.
Bu Eun-seol, who had been listening silently, finally spoke.
"So that man was sent by your brother?"
"Indeed. Likely my second brother. He's always sought my demise."
"And you still wandered the Martial World alone?"
Tang Gon's expression turned sheepish under Bu Eun-seol's pointed remark.
"What power does a bastard son have? No backing, no foundation... I had to find my own way."
Only then did Bu Eun-seol understand why Tang Gon had so readily offered him the Pear Blossom Leaf.
He had hoped to forge strong alliances in the Martial World to bolster his standing.
"My eldest brother is frail by birth, so he rarely shows himself. That's why the second brother targets me."
Tang Gon's gaze drifted to the distant sky, his face bleak.
"I pride myself on my talent and martial skill, but alas, I lack support. Even the youngest daughter of the main house holds more sway than I do."
Wiping blood from his brow, Tang Gon spoke softly.
"I thought if I ventured into the Martial World, I could make worthy allies... But it's over now."
Support and friendship couldn't be forced.
Only now realizing this, Tang Gon seemed ready to abandon everything.
"I'll return to the main house and renounce my claim. But..."
"But they won't even let you go back."
"Precisely. My second brother won't stand idle if I return alive."
Tang Gon shook his head.
"He's paranoid. He'd assume I might change my mind at any moment."
His gaze locked onto Bu Eun-seol.
He had laid bare his clan's affairs and his own shame. Now, the choice was Bu Eun-seol's.
"Will you escort me back to the main house?"
Though his words were firm, the confidence in Tang Gon's eyes had faded.
The road back to the Sichuan Tang Clan would be a journey of death.
And since he was going only to relinquish his claim, there would be no grand reward. Who would risk their life for such a task?
"I hear the Tang Clan has excellent hidden weapons."
Bu Eun-seol's sudden remark was unexpected.
"I bought a hidden weapon device from a forge once, but I couldn't find ammunition for it."
Rolling up his sleeve, he revealed a slender bracelet-like device—the genuine Wicked Incense hidden weapon apparatus he had acquired in the back alleys of Dongting Lake.
"A genuine Wicked Incense device?"
At Tang Gon's question, Bu Eun-seol nodded.
"Can I find ammunition for this at the Tang Clan?"
Though puzzled, Tang Gon nodded.
"Of course."
"Good."
Bu Eun-seol removed the device and tossed it to Heuk-pyo.
"Y-You're giving this to me?"
"Since ancient times, all great masters of Lightness Art favored hidden weapons."
Bu Eun-seol's tone was indifferent as he met Heuk-pyo's eyes.
"Since I was just in need of a good one... we might as well go."
Heuk-pyo broke into a wide grin.
And Tang Gon suddenly understood something about Bu Eun-seol.
'He's not cold and unfeeling...'
Watching Bu Eun-seol's retreating back as he strode ahead, Tang Gon allowed himself a faint smile.
'He just can't be honest.'