Chapter 228
Chapter 228
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 228
Chapter Title: Riding the Tiger's Back
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The Blood Rain Guest shed his shackle-like moniker and reclaimed his true name, Jang Il-nam. The feast at Dang Manor, which had begun on the last day of the twelfth lunar month, continued for several days.
Of course, this wasn't a banquet solely for Jang Il-nam. Great families invariably held such celebrations to welcome the New Year.
That said, the feast had grown larger and longer to accommodate the visitors from afar and to spread the name of Dang Manor far and wide.
On the third day after the New Year, as the festivities were winding down.
Jang Il-nam found himself gripped by a subtle unease.
The people here wouldn't object, but what if the righteous martial artists who hadn't come to Chengdu rejected him with stubborn disdain?
Jang Il-nam confided his worries to Dang Mujin, who gave a clear response.
"You needn't worry too much about that. Elder Yeongheo and Lady Hyeangbaek are here, after all."
The gathered crowd was a motley assortment.
Some were fairly renowned, others mere ne'er-do-wells.
There were righteous warriors from great clans and rogue unorthodox fighters wandering alone.
Yet Dang Mujin was certain that two among them carried undeniable prestige.
Yeongheo, head of the Qingcheng Sect. Hyeangbaek, head of the Emei Sect.
Their presence without voicing opposition implied that, with a little leeway, the Qingcheng and Emei Sects had acknowledged Jang Il-nam.
To eye Jang Il-nam with suspicion would be seen as a challenge to the authority of the Qingcheng and Emei Sects.
The unorthodox fighters might not care, but the righteous ones wouldn't dare gossip about Jang Il-nam's status.
With two uninvited sect leaders in attendance, fortune had truly smiled on Jang Il-nam in every way.
Only then could Jang Il-nam fully shake off his anxiety.
*
Lady Hyeangbaek departed Dang Manor after barely a day, but Elder Yeongheo lingered leisurely until the feast's end.
There were minor reasons, but his primary purpose in coming to Dang Manor was to relay messages through the righteous martial artists arriving from all corners.
Elder Yeongheo had once sent out messenger pigeons to no avail.
But a message via pigeon and one delivered person-to-person carried different weight—especially since the latter allowed for direct pressure.
"Your dao title is... Bokwoo-ja, was it? Yes, from the Zhongnan Sect. Good. I'll remember that. I sincerely hope for a positive outcome."
"Yes..."
"Don't forget. Mount Wudang. Mount Wudang! We're gathering there this autumn, at the Mid-Autumn Festival. Make sure to pass it on! I trust you, Bokwoo-ja!"
"Y-Yes. Understood..."
Like a thug in a back alley memorizing a face while shaking someone down for coin, Elder Yeongheo meticulously pressed each chosen messenger. This was the only way to boost the odds of people showing up.
Of course, not every sect would send representatives.
But Elder Yeongheo had no intention of dawdling further. Such a clear opportunity wouldn't come again easily, so he specified a firm date and location.
Choosing Mount Wudang was the result of careful calculation.
The area around Mount Wudang was somewhat remote, but centrally located in the Central Plains—unlikely to draw complaints about the site.
Moreover, it was well-known that Yeongbo, head of the Wudang Sect, had leg troubles. Even the boldest wouldn't push to move it closer to their own turf.
The Wudang Sect's influence also lagged behind others, so it could be framed as consideration for weaker sects, softening objections.
Hosting a meeting or two wouldn't suddenly elevate Wudang's voice to match the established powers.
'Stubborn holdouts like Nangong Jincheon might skip it again, but most of the rest should come.'
The Nangong family were blunt by nature, Nangong Jincheon especially so.
Their stronghold at the eastern edge of the Central Plains also made them apathetic to threats from the western Demonic Cult.
'You have to cut loose the dead weight. Trying to drag everyone along ruins the whole thing.'
As that thought crossed his mind, one fact flitted through Elder Yeongheo's head.
Among Dang Mujin's friends was a rather handsome young man.
'Namgung Myeong, was it? I vaguely recall hearing Nangong Jincheon's eldest son had a similar name.'
Of course, Elder Yeongheo didn't think Namgung Myeong was the heir.
What family head would banish their firstborn to a distant land? Besides, the Namgung Myeong he'd seen had a prosthetic arm and was missing one limb.
'Still, as Nangong blood, he'll be somewhat useful.'
A superior seeking out a junior risked losing face.
Yet Elder Yeongheo boldly approached Namgung Myeong. A thirsty man digs his own well, after all.
He broached the subject casually.
"You there, Young Master Namgung. Might you have any relation to the Sword Ghost... no, Nangong Jincheon?"
Elder Yeongheo would have been thrilled if Namgung Myeong were merely a nephew.
But Namgung Myeong's reply exceeded imagination.
"Are you speaking of my father?"
"...No way. You're the eldest son of the Nangong family?"
"Yes."
He'd half-suspected, but it was true.
Whatever the reason for leaving Anhui Province for remote Sichuan, it was perfect.
Elder Yeongheo laid everything bare to Namgung Myeong.
He needed him to persuade Nangong Jincheon to come to Mount Wudang by the Mid-Autumn Festival.
But Namgung Myeong shook his head. Approaching his father felt awkward, and traveling from Sichuan to Anhui was a huge hassle.
"I can't."
"Is there some reason?"
"He won't listen to a word I say."
"Surely not. Even the sternest, most gruff fathers heed their own flesh and blood. Especially from a fine, upstanding son like you—the family heir, no less."
Namgung Myeong skipped the long explanation and pointed to his left arm.
"My father cut off this arm."
Elder Yeongheo was speechless.
'...What on earth did the boy do?'
Only then did Elder Yeongheo realize Namgung Myeong might have been exiled from his clan.
In a situation that could backfire, he scrapped the plan to use Namgung Myeong to sway Nangong Jincheon. It left a bitter taste.
*
Finally, having achieved nearly all his goals, Elder Yeongheo was packing up when Three-Eyed Buddha approached Dang Mujin and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Dang Mujin."
"Yes?"
"Go tell Elder Yeongheo you'll join him on the trip to Mount Wudang."
"Me? How could I intrude on a gathering of sect leaders?"
Dang Manor wasn't on par with the massive sects.
Nor was Dang Mujin a nominal manor lord.
But Three-Eyed Buddha scoffed.
"You're one of the few who's seen the new Demonic Cult Leader up close. In fact, aside from the cultists themselves, you're the only one who's confirmed him. They can't ignore your account when discussing the cult's stirrings."
"Hmm."
"Elder Yeongheo will seek your cooperation last. He's hesitating because bringing it up first feels awkward. If you take the initiative, he'll welcome it with open arms."
"Will you be coming too, Elder?"
"Me? Why would I?"
"You're the only one who's fought the Leader, aren't you?"
Three-Eyed Buddha shook his head.
"No. If I go, I'll have to duel Divine Victory to the death. Any other time, maybe—but not now."
On the day Dang Mujin wed Dan Seol-yeong, even Manryeok Monk—who lagged a couple levels behind Three-Eyed Buddha—had shot him uncomfortable glares.
It was an auspicious occasion unfit for brawls, and defeat was obvious, so nothing happened.
But Divine Victory was different. He matched Three-Eyed Buddha in skill and, for Shaolin's pride, couldn't let things slide sloppily.
The other leaders and heads would surely eye Divine Victory with unspoken questions: 'A Shaolin traitor stands before you—do you plan to look the other way?'
Faced with that, Divine Victory would clash with Three-Eyed Buddha to save face, whether he wanted to or not.
For Divine Victory to yield would tarnish Shaolin as a whole.
In any case, Three-Eyed Buddha couldn't attend, but if Dang Mujin did, Elder Yeongheo would be overjoyed.
Yet Dang Mujin wasn't drawn to the suggestion. Attending offered no clear benefits. A round trip to Mount Wudang would take months easily.
But Three-Eyed Buddha, reading his thoughts, added more.
"It'll be burdensome, I know. But this is a huge opportunity for you."
"Building ties with Elder Yeongheo would be nice. But traveling far for just that feels like..."
"No, that's not it. Look at the bigger picture."
Three-Eyed Buddha hoisted Dang Mujin like a toy and spun him around. The full vista of Dang Manor spread before him.
"Most Central Plains folk still don't know Dang Manor. Only the well-informed or those who read our letters closely do. If you insert yourself among the power players now, it'll help immensely. You'll spread Dang Manor's name, raise your voice before them. It'll aid us greatly, known or not, when we expand later."
"Expand Dang Manor further? Isn't that too hasty? The name 'Dang Manor' already weighs heavy on me."
"I get the burden. But it's not hasty."
Three-Eyed Buddha paused, then elaborated.
"Everything has its timing. Building family power is no different. Miss this golden chance, and no effort may raise us up."
"We can delay that. I don't even think we must expand."
Three-Eyed Buddha frowned.
"Others scramble for chances to advance—will you just stand back and watch? Fail to move forward, and you fall behind. Your choices are advance or retreat."
"Hmm."
He had no urge to rush ahead. But retreating? No. People can't easily let go of what's in hand—and Dang Mujin was no exception.
Unintentionally, he'd elevated the family, and the current weight felt burdensome.
Yet returning to Dang Clinic held no appeal. He wouldn't relegate 'Dang Manor' to a pipe dream.
Three-Eyed Buddha patted Dang Mujin's back with a large hand.
"Think it over seriously. The choice is yours, but it looks like nothing to lose."
"I think so too."
"In the Central Plains, might, money, and connections matter most. Just stepping into that circle gains you unexpected networks. Represent Dang Manor, etch our name in their minds—what do you say?"
Dang Mujin pondered. This chance wouldn't return.
One issue: lead Dang Manor forward, or consolidate and await the next?
If life's one shot at riding the tiger's back arose, should he mount up?
After deliberation, Dang Mujin decided and sought Elder Yeongheo.
"I hear you're heading to Mount Wudang soon. Mind if I tag along?"
As Three-Eyed Buddha predicted, Elder Yeongheo beamed with joy.
"With you along, Young Master Dang, it'd be perfect! To reach Mount Wudang by Mid-Autumn, we leave around summer. Timing works?"
"So late?"
"The guests here will spread word across the Central Plains, leaders decide, then head to Wudang—that needs buffer. Their backsides are heavy, you know."
"Ah, I see."
Belying his stern looks, Elder Yeongheo smiled warmly.
"Plus, a loose timeline eases their burden. Speed matters, but so does turnout—and plenty."
Elder Yeongheo's words rang true. Knowing departure was summer, not immediate, eased Dang Mujin's mind greatly.
Elder Yeongheo added cautiously.
"If you can't make it, tell me early. I'll need another from Dang Manor as witness."
Dang Mujin felt the respect in those words.
It strangely delighted him.
Unimaginable just years ago.
Back then, Dang Mujin had to bow and scrape before mere branch instructor Jin Song, let alone Elder Yeongheo or Yellow Spirit Master.
His resolve hardened.
Life comes once.
If the tiger's back offered one lifetime ride, why not close your eyes and hop on?
Dang Mujin would test how far he could take Dang Manor on his own strength.
"I'll set everything aside and come—no worries."
Dang Mujin's demeanor unchanged, Elder Yeongheo couldn't guess his inner shift.
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