Chapter 67: Dangga's Twelve
Dangga's Twelve were the elite organization of Dangga, sworn to protect the family head and obey only his commands. Selected purely on talent regardless of background, they endured grueling training from a young age and, upon completion, were assigned numbers from one to twelve based on their performance. As the head's personal guard, they received unlimited support, boasting unprecedented prowess—every member a peerless transcendent realm master.
Even peak realm experts could found their own sects, and transcendent masters were fit to lead major factions as heads or elders. No other power would deploy so many transcendent experts in one unit. With five such masters, they'd form five separate forces, each led by one, for maximum efficiency. That was the standard approach across the martial world, including for Dangga—but not for its head.
He kept these twelve solely for his protection, solidifying his power at the apex of a rigid hierarchy. He despised any breach of this structure, deeming disobedience a direct challenge to his authority—even from his own children. In Dangga, the head's word was divine law; the penalty for defiance was death, enforced foremost by the Twelve themselves. No elder or division outranked them—only the head's direct kin held higher formal status.
This explained the Twelve's formal deference to Dang Jeong-a, and why she couldn't easily command them. If they chose to follow her, they did; if they left to report to the head, they did. All stemmed from his orders, leaving her no grounds to refuse. Currently, the Twelve acted on the head's directive.
The Yun-Nam Evil Faction Alliance: Formed by the five strongest evil sects in lawless Yun-Nam as its core. Not every evil group joined, but none escaped its influence. Boseon Sword Gate, Daeri Sword Gate, Blood Extreme Sect, Shinpyeong Spear Family, Kunming Black Blood Sect. These five shared one trait—a deep tie to Dangga.
"Strike the master of the Southern Forest?"
In the gathering of alliance leaders, Number One of Dangga's Twelve nodded, arms crossed.
"The head's command."
One spoke curtly, offering small vials to the leaders. Their faces twisted at the sight.
Gu Du—a rare venomous parasite, tiny yet insidious, burrowing into vital spots like the heart, brain, or dantian. Removal was near impossible. Once implanted, hosts needed periodic doses—not to kill the worm, but to suppress it. Miss a dose, and it ravaged the body with excruciating pain, devouring organs at horrifying speed until inevitable death. Even internal energy was sustenance; attacks only spurred its growth.
An inhumane taboo in the martial world, yet Dangga's head had the Twelve implant it not just in these five leaders, but their heirs. They had no choice but absolute obedience.
The head risked universal outrage for this due to a grudge from one incident and insatiable ambition for supreme power. Dangga's remote location and reliance on poison and hidden weapons earned quiet disdain from orthodox sects, despite its status as one of the Five Great Families—thanks to the Twelve and their ruthless nature. Unlike Moyongga, respected border guardians, Dangga faced prejudice.
Then came the incident that enraged the head: the Murim Alliance's formation. Invited to an orthodox council too distant to attend, he returned to find they'd formed the alliance, elected their own leader, and monopolized key posts. Worse, a clause mandated obedience to the alliance head in emergencies.
To the head, who ruled like a god and brooked no rivals to his authority, this was humiliation beyond fury. Direct confrontation was impossible—even mighty Dangga couldn't fend off the entire alliance. His solution: absolute military might and rivaling influence.
Might was prepared; influence was the issue. He needed forces fearless even against the full alliance, at minimum enough to avoid being cast aside. Enter Yun-Nam's chaos: Leaking Southern Forest and Poison Wasteland gold mine intel culled weak evil sects while profiting, then binding the alliance with Gu Du.
The plan progressed covertly—until one obstacle: the Southern Forest Beast King and his beastkin. Late to their isolation and strength, the head saw them as fatal to his gold vein ambitions. Threats like Gu Du wouldn't work; supplies were exhausted. He resolved to exterminate them eventually, seizing this chance with Tian Ailang's Octagonal Serpent hunt to dispatch the Twelve with full discretion.
Stunned by Tian Ailang's rapport with the Beast King and kin, One saw opportunity and mobilized at once.
"A Qi master named Tian Ailang exists. He, the Southern Forest Beast King, and beastkin will hunt the Octagonal Serpent—a celestial beast. Success or failure, it'll cripple them. When weakened, we end it. Lead all evil forces to blanket the Southern Forest in a dragnet—no escapes. You elites strike the beastkin directly. The transcendent Qi master and the Southern Forest Beast King are ours."
The leaders gulped at One's words.
"Tian Ailang? The mining battle hero?"
Shinpyeong Spear Family's head, tied to officials, had heard of the Qi master who'd fought an earth-shattering battle with Palace Eunuch Paeng.
One eyed the fearful head, unleashing killing intent.
"I know your meager capabilities well. Ditch any delusions and handle the beastkin."
"Y-yes, understood."
The leaders nodded, swallowing amid his terrifying pressure.
* * *
Tian Ailang, Dang Jeong-a, and Maeng Geon sat around the crackling campfire in the darkened camp.
"The Octagonal Serpent's weakness?"
Maeng Geon pondered Tian Ailang's question.
"Hm... Honestly, no idea on weaknesses. But I know its traits. I was young and vigorous once too."
He chuckled awkwardly, continuing.
"First, it's thirty zhang long—huge. Eight horns on its head, each man-sized. The skull alone is massive."
"Whoa."
Tian Ailang marveled. Maeng Geon smirked, spreading his arms.
"Body thick as a house—nothing it couldn't swallow. Armored like crocodile hide, teeth like crashing boulders. Body slams felt like oncoming mountains."
Dang Jeong-a nodded eagerly at his vivid gestures; no report matched on-site detail. Maeng Geon shifted uncomfortably under her stare. He tolerated her for Tian Ailang's sake, but her Dangga schemes in their turf irked him. Clearing his throat, he pressed on.
"That hide was absolute defense; slams and bites could've felled even me head-on. Worst: poisons from the horns—nightmare unlike any. Hope's in speed. Fast, but we can dodge. Exploit that?"
Tian Ailang, cross-legged, closed his eyes for mental simulation, visualizing scenarios. Guessing his intent, Maeng Geon and Dang Jeong-a cleared the area, watching amid awkward silence.
After one gak (fifteen minutes), sweat beaded Tian Ailang's brow. Two gak (half-hour), sweat poured, sparks crackling. His trance lasted a full sijin (two hours).
Opening his eyes, he met Maeng Geon's eager stare and Dang Jeong-a's calm gaze.
"Well? Spill it."
Maeng Geon skipped mental training himself, breaking walls with fists till they yielded. He'd heard transcendent masters advanced via visualization but never seen it. He burned for answers.
Tian Ailang shared his insights. Maeng Geon gaped in shock and absurdity; Dang Jeong-a matched his reaction.