Chapter 78
Like the earth hardening after a typhoon passes, in Tian Ailang's eyes, the Dangga now seemed the same.
'Not that the man who killed the patriarch and the Dangga Twelve is in any position to think that way.'
Tian Ailang felt a touch of bewilderment at how the Myeondok Pavilion Lord and the Dangga warriors, who had looked ready to kill him moments ago, now treated him like a benefactor with utmost hospitality. No matter how he sliced it, he was the one who had slain their patriarch and key forces. It was astonishing to see such a clear line drawn in their actions.
Murim folk like himself had their share of strange convictions, but the people of Dangga struck him as having a sharp, immediate divide between thought and deed. Once branded an enemy, they pursued with ruthless tenacity; once deemed a benefactor, they acted as if no other thought existed.
Tian Ailang hadn't expected a welcome upon returning to Dangga in the first place. He figured a fight might break out, given that he'd killed their important figures—and he had no intention of meekly accepting any aggression. Still, he'd come back for a decisive resolution.
"You found Go Dok?"
As he followed Dang Jeong-a toward the patriarch's quarters, Tian Ailang asked. At their side walked Dang Yeom, the Myeondok Pavilion Lord, and the Dangga Seven Shadows. Dang Yeom was accompanying them to check the unverified poisons in the underground vault beneath the quarters, while the Seven Shadows attended Dang Jeong-a as her aides—a gesture from her to motivate them, as they would play major roles in the new Dangga. In truth, due to their prior ostracism, this was the Seven Shadows' first time seeing the patriarch's quarters.
The other Dangga warriors had dispersed to their posts to detoxify remnants, repair poison-damaged buildings and assets, and tend to the evacuated people.
Dang Jeong-a answered Tian Ailang's question about Go Dok. "Yes. He was in the underground beneath the patriarch's quarters."
Tian Ailang felt relieved. If they hadn't found Go Dok and the Yunnan Unorthodox Alliance fell apart as a result, that would have been a headache in itself.
"I'll confirm his state and send word to the Haomen Lord, so if he needs any help, I'd appreciate it."
"Of course."
Dang Yeom stepped back a pace, gazing intently at the rapport between Tian Ailang and Dang Jeong-a. He observed Tian Ailang closely. Though his face held the freshness of youth, his expression carried the leisure of a seasoned warrior, and a subtle confidence in his own prowess shone through his gait and bearing. Having slain the Dangga's top expert, the patriarch, single-handedly, he clearly possessed a realm beyond Dang Yeom's measure.
'A latent dragon.'
Dang Yeom nodded quietly. The young man before him hadn't yet soared into the vast sky of the world, but he was already a fully formed dragon. Soon, he would become a divine dragon that commanded nature itself, unbound by its whims. Few knew his true worth now, but in time, all would seek him out—and be swayed by the winds he stirred. Those who rode those winds would soar the heavens; those who didn't would be swept away and dashed down.
Whether this latent dragon brought fortune or calamity was unknown, but if the heavens had permitted his arrival at Dangga as the natural flow, they would have no choice but to decide: board his winds or refuse.
Judging by Dang Jeong-a, though, she had already embarked on the dragon wind.
Dang Yeom gave a faint smile.
* * *
The situation at Dangga sorted itself out swiftly. Tian Ailang checked Go Dok's condition in the patriarch's quarters and sent word to the Haomen Lord. For a clean finish, the Haomen Lord would likely come personally to deliver Go Dok to the Yunnan Unorthodox Alliance leaders.
In the meantime, Bang Deok had wrapped up matters in the market district and arrived with the young lord. When a Beggar Clan vice leader showed up out of the blue, Dang Yeom tensed. Especially after Bang Deok opened with, "I'm not here to grill you on the old patriarch's misdeeds, so no need to get too worked up."
But as Bang Deok's explanation unfolded, Dang Yeom, the Dangga Seven Shadows, and the young lord—who'd just learned of the old patriarch's atrocities—all nodded in stunned agreement.
If Dangga handled its internal affairs well, public opinion would focus solely on the poison that had spread to the market. A major mishap in Dangga's experiments had occurred; the patriarch died protecting the clan. Civilian lives hung in the balance, but Dangga and the Qi Arts Patriarch joined forces to avert disaster. Dangga deeply regretted the incident and pledged full compensation and aid to the populace.
That was the story people would hear. Much of Dangga's wealth would go toward relief and managing opinion, but avoiding grave blame while preserving reputation was no loss at all.
Listening to Bang Deok, Dang Yeom broke into a cold sweat. Tian Ailang and Bang Deok showed no sign of it, but had Dangga attacked Tian Ailang and turned hostile, they clearly would have shaped opinion to destroy rather than defend the clan.
Tian Ailang inwardly approved, watching Dang Yeom. A high-ranking figure with keen insight would help smooth relations going forward.
Afterward, Tian Ailang and Bang Deok rested at Dangga for a few days. Treated as honored guests with every courtesy, they still had no lavish feasts or fine liquors—the entire clan maintained a somber, mourning atmosphere after the patriarch's death. Announcing it publicly was deferred until the new patriarch's selection. Bang Deok shuttled to the market, managing opinion as needed.
The poison had been so vicious and destructive that intact buildings were scarce; all hands were busy with repairs.
Thus, amid Dangga's frenzy, Tian Ailang enjoyed the utmost leisure. Even the strongest sword dulls or bends if overused without respite. He spent the time soothing his weary body and focusing on recovery.
After days of massive reconstruction, Dangga held a crucial meeting on filling the vacant patriarch seat. As an outsider, Tian Ailang waited quietly in his room; Bang Deok, as usual, had gone to check on the Beggar Clan folk in the market.
Knock knock.
A Dangga warrior arrived to escort the resting Tian Ailang to the patriarch's quarters. Traces of his battle with Dang Cheon-geum still lingered—half-ruined halls, a desolate front courtyard where figures awaited him.
Tian Ailang spotted Dang Jeong-a in the center. Flanking her were Dang Yeom and Dang Sang-ho.
'Ho.'
Grasping the meaning of their positions, Tian Ailang walked slowly toward Dang Jeong-a.
Dang Yeom spoke to the approaching Tian Ailang. "By unanimous accord, this is Dang Jeong-a, our new patriarch."
Tian Ailang first glanced at Dang Sang-ho. Unexpected. Power always seeks to rise, never descend—or so he'd heard. The young lord, who had wielded authority and could have claimed the seat by custom, had yielded it so readily?
Meeting Tian Ailang's gaze, Dang Sang-ho showed not his usual ferocity or smugness, but a bright smile. "I've heard you saved my sister multiple times in crises. Thank you."
He bowed politely to Tian Ailang.
"Haha..."
Utterly unforeseen, Tian Ailang let out a hollow chuckle. He could feel the man's deep affection for his sister. Tian Ailang had pegged Dang Cheon-geum as a haughty, arrogant weakling, but this was a surprise.
He turned to Dang Jeong-a. Dangga favored green, it seemed—her warriors wore it, and she donned a simple green martial robe that suited her well.
"Congratulations on your ascension, Patriarch."
Tian Ailang offered formal respects. Dang Jeong-a beamed. "Thank you. It's all thanks to you, Patriarch Tian."
Tian Ailang gave an awkward smile. "I'm not sure I merit hearing that here, but I'm grateful. With you at the helm, I can trust the Dangga. As long as you're there, I believe it'll be a staunch ally to the Qi Arts Clan."
"Naturally. But I hear you're leaving at once."
Tian Ailang nodded. "I've gotten word from the Haomen Lord on my next destination—no reason to linger."
Dang Jeong-a, knowing his circumstances, nodded with a wistful smile. She longed to keep him as Dangga's guest forever, but knew he never would. "Might I ask where you're headed?"
Tian Ailang gazed northward, hazarding a guess. "The North Sea Ice Palace."
* * *
North Sea Ice Palace.
A mysterious sect somewhere in the perpetually snow- and ice-shrouded north, with scant contact to the outside world and thus little known. Yet each rare emergence into murim brought displays of staggering prowess, etching it deep into memory.
The village where its people lived was the palace itself, ruled by the Ice Palace Lord. The ice arts cultivated by the lord and its warriors were said to be unrivaled under heaven.
Ice Palace Lord Seol Eom scowled as he read the letter—from the Haomen Lord, tied to him by old bonds.
"The Demonic Cult's Black Wind Corps is marching on the Ice Palace, even bringing the Blood Cult's cavalry?"
He read on. "And their numbers... a full three thousand."
Seol Eom's face hardened coldly. He'd heard plenty of the Black Wind Corps' fame, all cavalry. Word had reached even the Ice Palace of how a mere hundred had annihilated a three-thousand-strong alliance at the edge of the Divine Might Realm. Their leader then had mastered the Blazing Sun Arts, making it all the more memorable.
Now bolstered by three thousand cavalry—not infantry—it was no wonder his expression grew grave. Even mustering every Ice Palace warrior yielded barely three hundred. His worries deepened.
"Father, what worries you? Fear ill befits a North Sea warrior. Let me lead the vanguard!"
Seol Eom looked at his only daughter, Seol Hwa. In the harsh North Sea Ice Palace, men and women alike were tough, but his daughter was fiercer still.
He gestured for her to wait and finished the letter. "...The Qi Arts Patriarch and reinforcements are en route, so hold and defend? And the price is Ice Whites?"