Biwon Forest Ablaze
Tang Mansong's face twisted the moment he confirmed the scene before him.
"Young Master, those are the people of Jamun Village. At this hour every night, they go into Biwon Forest to tend it."
"Village Chief, you manage Biwon Forest by day, and your son by night, do you not?"
"My boy takes the night shift so his old father won't have to suffer."
"Watch carefully. There is a secret here you know nothing about."
The villagers who entered Biwon Forest moved as they always did. First they inspected the medicinal herb beds, then, after a long while, shifted over to the poison herb fields.
"They're acting exactly as usual, aren't they?"
"That's because the darkness hasn't fully settled over the Sabi Herb yet."
Just then, the shadows swallowed the Sabi Herb, and thin red lines appeared across its leaves.
"Now."
The villagers drew powder from their robes and scattered it over the Sabi Herb.
"Is that also part of tending poison herbs?"
"What in heaven's name are those people doing?!"
"Look. Wherever the powder touches, the red lines on the Sabi Herb's leaves are vanishing."
"I see it."
"That powder is ground Sahwa Herb. It's used to conceal the Sabi Herb's true nature."
"…"
"And that isn't all. When Sahwa Herb powder touches Sabi Herb, a new poison qi is born in the air."
It was called the Jade Fire Poison Epidemic.
"You mean… that is the cause of the plague?"
Tang Mansong's voice trembled.
"It is."
"Why would they do something so insane?!"
"You're asking why they would throw even their own lives away for this, aren't you?"
"I am."
"Because that man is not your son."
"What did you say?!"
"Your son already fell to the one standing there."
Thud.
Strength left Tang Mansong's legs. He sank to the ground, struggling to breathe.
"Tell me it's a lie."
"Members of the Demonic Cult excel at disguise and infiltration. In the art of changing faces especially, no one in the world can match them."
That was what made the Demonic Cult so terrifying. More than once, the family or friend you had seen only yesterday had already become someone else.
"You're saying a Demonic Cultist killed my son and took his place?"
"Not only your son. Roughly half the village are Demonic Cultists."
"How could such a thing happen?!"
"Because there is a traitor inside the Tang Clan."
That was how the enemy had slipped into Jamun Village so easily.
"Kh…!"
Tang Mansong shook with rage.
"You still have a grandson to save, do you not? From what I understand, the epidemic has hit him hardest of all."
At the word grandson, the old man dropped to his knees.
"Young Master, help us. Tell me how to kill those bastards who deserve to be torn apart."
"I came here precisely to deal with the traitor and the Demonic Cultists. Get up. The ground is cold."
Tang Cheonwi helped Tang Mansong to his feet.
"Will you trust me now?"
"You have opened this dull old man's eyes, Young Master."
"Then do not be shocked by what I do next."
"I understand."
Together they descended toward Jamun Village.
At the entrance to Biwon Forest—
"Village Chief, the moment you go inside, hide at once and watch."
"Why?"
"If you're present, they will never drop their disguises."
"Very well."
The instant Tang Mansong opened the illusion formation, he slipped swiftly to the side and vanished from sight.
Tang Cheonwi strode forward and raised his voice.
"You've all been working hard."
Those tending the fields flinched.
"Who… are you?!"
"Forgive the late introduction. I am Tang Cheonwi, sent by the Clan Head's order to inspect Jamun Village."
Their shock lasted only a moment. The man at the front clasped his fists in a formal salute, his face drawn with illness.
"Tang Chisam greets the Young Master."
"You accept that I am the Young Master rather quickly."
Of course you do. You've been watching me in secret since the moment I arrived in Jamun Village.
"Only the Clan Head, his direct bloodline, and the people of Jamun Village can open Biwon Forest. More than that, you look so much like the Clan Head that I knew you at a glance."
"That's the one thing I hate hearing most."
"If I've given offense, I apologize. But what business brings you into Biwon Forest?"
"I believe I can resolve the cause of the epidemic."
"What?!"
Tang Chisam jerked back in open alarm.
"If I can cure the epidemic, that would be good news for all of you, would it not? Why so startled?"
"Ah—no. It's only that hearing someone claim to cure this vicious plague caught me off guard for a moment."
Tang Cheonwi pushed between them and stopped before the Sabi Herb.
"This is a poison herb called Sabi Herb. When it combines with Sahwa Herb, it produces effects like an epidemic."
"I-Is that true?"
They even act surprise well. Does the Demonic Cult teach that too? What a miserable place to live.
"Yes. Now that we've found the cause, all that remains is the solution."
"So… what is the solution?"
"We burn everything here to the ground."
Tang Chisam laughed inwardly.
Heh heh. They said he was a madman, but he's worse than the rumors.
Biwon Forest was the heart of the Tang Clan. Without these medicinal and poison herbs, the clan would be in serious trouble. Even if the Tang Clan's martial arts now centered on swordsmanship, what made that swordsmanship so feared was still their Poison Use Technique. Fighting a man who wielded sword, hidden weapons, and poison arts together was a nightmare.
Burning Biwon Forest was no different from abandoning the Poison Use Technique entirely.
It was a grave insult. The two were not even in the same realm. With a tyrant like this as heir, of course the Tang Clan was suffering.
They had to die as well. Their identities were disguises. If they simply vanished without a sound, the Tang Clan would grow suspicious. Better to make it look as though internal strife had claimed everyone together.
Tang Chisam's companion nodded. Eyes met all around the group. Receiving the signal, Tang Chisam moved to stop Tang Cheonwi.
"Young Master, this place is the core of the Tang Clan. If you burn it all, how will you answer to the Clan Head?"
"Biwon Forest is not the only place with poison and medicinal herb beds. The clan has them inside as well. Even if this place is reduced to ash, we simply bring seedlings from the clan and plant them again."
The corner of Tang Cheonwi's mouth lifted.
The easiest way to end the epidemic. More importantly, if I burn this place, that creature will fly into a rage. I can force it to show itself. And through it, I can wipe out every disguised Demonic Cultist. What better solution could there be?
"But—!"
"That is an order from the Young Master. Burn the poison herb fields and the medicinal herb fields. All of them. Now."
"The Clan Head may kill us all for this."
"I will take full responsibility. Hurry."
Feigning reluctance, Tang Chisam brought a torch. Then, as if asking one last time—
"You truly mean to burn it?"
"Even the Young Master may not escape unscathed."
"Please reconsider…"
The villagers pretended to plead for Tang Cheonwi's sake.
"I already gave you the order."
At his unyielding words, Tang Chisam and the villagers smiled faintly.
This fool has no idea what fate is about to hit him.
Because of you, the Tang Clan will fall.
Thank you for being born a tyrant. In your next life, try being a decent man.
They wiped the smiles away in an instant—but Tang Cheonwi saw them clearly.
The smiles of victors.
You've finished your mission to ruin Biwon Forest, so taking my head on the way out would be the perfect prize. Too bad. It's going to go the other way. Not one of you is leaving this place alive.
Flames rose over Biwon Forest.
Firestorms swept through the medicinal and poison herb beds alike. Black smoke clawed up into the night sky. The blaze grew fiercer by the second, and in moments half the fields of Biwon Forest had been swallowed by the flames.
If it means I can claim the Yin Spirit Ice Fox, damage on this scale is a price I'm willing to pay.
It was time to leave. Stay any longer and he risked being trapped inside the firestorm and reduced to ash.
The moment he started to move, Tang Chisam and the villagers blocked his path.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"I'm afraid we can't let the Young Master leave this place."
"Why not?"
"You still don't understand?"
As if I wouldn't. I already know exactly what you are.
"Hmm."
"Your instincts are rather dull."
"Heh heh. Enough teasing. The boy might start crying."
They drew weapons from their robes—chain-sickles and short blades.
"Do we still look like the rabble of Jamun Village to you?"
"If you couldn't even notice this much, we find that rather disappointing."
As if their attitudes had finally clued him in, Tang Cheonwi recoiled in exaggerated shock.
"You're not people of the Tang Clan!"
"Heh heh. He finally noticed."
"How can anyone be this stupid?"
Tang Cheonwi took a step back.
"Who are you?!"
"Us?"
"Will this tell you?"
Crunch.
Crack-crack-crack!
The sound of bones snapping filled the air. Their skeletons shifted, and entirely different faces emerged. They bared the brands carved into their shoulders and chests.
"Have you ever heard of the Dokma Sect?"
"The Demonic Cult?!"
They laughed, the sound blending with the roar of the surrounding flames.
"Starting to grasp the situation now?"
"You understand why you're not leaving here, don't you?"
They lounged in total ease. The mission to ruin Biwon Forest was already a success. All that remained was to take the Tang Clan Young Master's head as a bonus.
"If we offer your head to the Sect Master, he'll be very pleased."
They licked their weapons and advanced with unhurried steps.
And then—
The frightened expression vanished without a trace. Tang Cheonwi looked down on them with pure arrogance.
"Ha. Acting is harder than I thought. This sort of thing doesn't suit me."
Smashing things and killing people was far easier.
For a moment, Tang Chisam and his companions stood blank at the sudden change in demeanor. Only a moment—then they threw their heads back and roared with laughter, throats fully exposed.
"Kwahahaha!"
"Where do you get the nerve to put on airs?"
"Don't tell me you're counting on some bodyguard who followed you in secret?"
They had considered it from the moment Tang Cheonwi appeared. Would the Young Master really come without escorts to protect him?
"Why would I need bodyguards? I'm stronger than they are."
They dismissed the arrogant claim as pure bluster.
"Besides, there's someone else who'll handle you for me."
Tang Cheonwi's smile deepened. He pointed behind them and went on.
"Doesn't the back of your neck feel a little cold?"
At his words, Tang Chisam and the others turned—
and met a pair of enormous eyes burning with red light, killing intent pouring from them in waves.