Dominion Over Kin's Blood
The eyes of the two elders excluding Blood Elder widened as large as bowls.
"Cheonwi, what do you mean by that?"
"Asking whether it's all right to kill Cheong means something must have happened in the Tang Clan!"
Tang Bi's expression remained unchanged.
"Will you tell this grandfather the reason?"
"It's not only my youngest aunt. I may also clash with the Chief Manager's Bureau, the Ghost King Pavilion. No—I will clash with them."
At Tang Cheonwi's words, Blood Elder's gaze shifted to Yin Elder.
"I-I know nothing of it. How long has it been since I washed my hands of Tang Clan affairs, yet you look at me?"
"Youngest, are you claiming to be blind right before our eyes? We know full well that your eyes are planted all across the Tang Clan."
"Th-that's..."
Under Blood Elder's interrogation, Yin Elder turned his head toward Tang Bi, seeking help.
"Cheonwi, stop circling around it and speak plainly."
"I intend to set the corrupted Tang Clan right."
"Internal strife has always been a tradition of the Tang Clan. Yet even when blood relatives brawled and beat one another, killing was forbidden..."
Yin Elder chimed in from the side.
"We too fought tooth and nail in our prime, yet now we can't live without one another."
"The Tang Clan of today is not the one you grandfathers knew. They are drawing in outside forces to wage their shadow wars. Grandfather, aren't you deliberately looking the other way as well?"
The reason Tang Bi had retired.
A truth no one else knew lay hidden there.
"Didn't you seclude yourself to treat the Soul-Sealing Extreme Poison?"
The eyes of the Three Elders, Tang Bi among them, wavered.
"You know of the Soul-Sealing Extreme Poison as well? Don't tell me... they used that poison on you too?"
At that instant, an immense killing intent swept outward.
A fierce wind rose through Poison Forest Valley.
With every passing moment the wind became a typhoon.
Not only that—the ground shook violently, as though an earthquake had struck.
The absolute master of the previous era.
Tang Bi, called the Killing Emperor among the Six Seats of the Heavenly River.
His overwhelming aura crushed Poison Forest Valley beneath it.
"I... was not struck by it. After all, there was no need to be wary of a wastrel like me who did nothing but cause trouble..."
Even so, Tang Cheonwi clenched his teeth and spoke through to the end.
"That is a relief. This grandfather was worried."
The aura blanketing the whole of Poison Forest Valley vanished in the blink of an eye.
Tang Bi, who had so casually reined in power of that magnitude.
It was no empty boast that he had once been called the greatest under heaven.
"I know that Grandfather is also overlooking the Tang Clan's present state in order to learn the origin of the Soul-Sealing Extreme Poison."
"Continue."
"If you will only grant me leave, I will set the Tang Clan right in my own fashion. And the bastards who used the Soul-Sealing Extreme Poison—I will crush them thoroughly."
Tang Cheonwi's gaze was resolute.
Resentment filled it to the brim.
Tang Bi sent a sound transmission to his brothers.
[It seems he has learned that his mother was killed by the Soul-Sealing Extreme Poison.]
Blood Elder nodded.
[That is why his eyes hold such sorrow.]
Poison Elder spoke bitterly.
[If only I knew the materials of the Soul-Sealing Extreme Poison, I could fashion an antidote... It is because I am incompetent.]
At Poison Elder's self-reproach, the youngest, Yin Elder, scolded him.
[What changes if Third Brother blames himself? The problem is those who used the Soul-Sealing Extreme Poison. Brother, simply keep Eldest Brother's condition from worsening. I will handle the rest...]
Tang Bi cut Yin Elder's words short.
[If we step forward, the matter will only grow larger. I think we should leave it to Cheonwi.]
Blood Elder's voice came.
[Will it be all right? When he learns how deeply his mother is involved, it will be hard for him.]
[If he is my grandson, he will overcome the pain.]
[Still, let us not speak to Cheonwi of his mother.]
[There is no need to revisit facts he already knows.]
Tang Bi reached his decision and called to Tang Cheonwi.
"Cheonwi."
"Yes, Grandfather."
"What made you change your mind?"
Yin Elder put in from the side.
"I'm curious why a fellow who did nothing but cause trouble suddenly came to his senses."
"Quiet. Eldest Brother is questioning Cheonwi. This is not your place to speak."
At Blood Elder's scolding, Yin Elder muttered under his breath.
"Does Blood Elder Brother hate me?"
"What are you mumbling?"
"Nothing."
In that interval Tang Cheonwi answered the question.
"Because everything got on my nerves."
"Got on your nerves?"
"Yes. I decided that if I wanted any peace, I had to erase every single thing that irritated me."
At those words Tang Bi threw back his head and laughed.
"Kuhahaha!"
It was a great laugh that shook the heavens.
The sky over Poison Forest Valley rang like a great bell.
"Just like my grandson. Indeed—if something gets under your skin, you wipe it out completely."
"Are you granting me permission?"
"Do as you will. This grandfather will watch from within this Poison Forest Valley."
At the ready leave, Tang Cheonwi spoke once more.
"Even if I kill blood kin—are you still fine with that?"
"If you have the ability, what is the difficulty? Above all, I have never once forgiven a wrong merely because the culprit shared my blood. Rather, I slit their throats with my own hands."
The reason every one of Tang Bi's cousins had died.
And the reason only the brothers remained.
It was because Tang Bi had killed every blood relative who rebelled or refused to obey.
"Reign over the blood of your kin. That is the destiny of the Tang Clan's true bloodline."
The present clan lord, Tang Baek, had never reigned over blood.
That was why the rotten portions had grown so swiftly.
The Tang Clan had swollen only in size; its insides were festering and ready to burst.
When Tang Cheonwi declared he would cut those parts out himself, what reason was there to refuse?
Tang Bi granted permission without hesitation.
"I am very much looking forward to seeing how our eldest grandson will put the Tang Clan in order."
Tang Cheonwi left Poison Forest Valley two days later.
The Three Elders and his grandfather had held him fast; he could not get away.
Had he not said he must attend the Sichuan Gathering, he would never have escaped Poison Forest Valley.
That was how thoroughly the elders had worked him over.
[Whoa—pulling out a whole mountain of precious medicinal herbs and poisonous plants from Poison Forest Valley? Special treatment, pure special treatment.]
Countless rare medicinal herbs and poisonous plants grew in Poison Forest Valley.
Many things that never appeared even in Biwon Forest thrived there.
But external outflow was absolutely forbidden.
They could be used only within Poison Forest Valley itself.
[Why do the old men like you so much? It's far too much just for favoring you as true bloodline.]
When he had asked Poison Elder Grandfather whether he might take just a few of the medicinal herbs and poisonous plants, Poison Elder Grandfather had used even an A-frame carrier and pulled out a whole load for him.
[Why? Why? I truly have no idea.]
"My ears hurt. Stop muttering."
[What is there to like about a guy like this? I can't understand it.]
While listening to Hwancheonjihwan's grumbling, he arrived at Poison Dragon Pavilion.
Tang Saeng was planting basic medicinal herbs and poisonous plants in the training ground.
"Working hard, I see."
"Hup!"
Tang Saeng, still swinging the hoe, started so violently he sat down hard on his backside.
"Y-Young Master!"
"Why so surprised?"
"There was no presence at all. I apologize."
"Plant these as well. They're fairly potent poisonous plants and medicinal herbs, so be careful."
He emptied every plant from the sacks.
Looking at them, Tang Saeng began to stammer.
"Y-Young Master, these p-plants are—!"
"Soul Severing Grass, Seven Treasure Snake Shadow Grass, Mountain Spirit Flower, Human Face Mushroom Grass, and Bright Earth Heart, aren't they?"
"Th-that's right! They're extremely precious!"
It was not only poisonous plants.
Among the medicinal herbs were Scale Body Leaf, Snake Shadow Ban, Yin-Yang Harmony Grass, and more—things obtainable solely from Poison Forest Valley.
"Can you make them all take root here?"
"I'll do it even if it costs my life."
"Don't stake your life. Just work hard."
"Yes!"
Vitality returned to Tang Saeng's face.
Treasures he would never have glimpsed in a lifetime now lay before his eyes.
Plants, mushrooms, and flowers he had never seen even in Biwon Forest.
For him it was a chance at priceless experience.
Rustle—
Choeun appeared without a sound.
"It seems the matter you went for went well."
Her voice was the same as always, yet she seemed considerably surprised.
"Did you go to obtain those poisonous plants and medicinal herbs?"
"Among other things. More importantly—did Father look for me?"
"He did. He said you are to participate in the Sichuan Gathering. Immediately."
It was the expected outcome.
He simply had not known he would leave today.
"There's still more I need to finish before heading to the Cheongang Clan... Hmm."
"Is there anything I can help with?"
Leave it to Choeun?
"Then deliver this to Tang Jo."
A newly written manual whose ink had barely dried
It was the formula he had composed bit by bit while in Poison Forest Valley.
He had already received Father's permission to form a new unit.
All that remained was to give them a martial art to cultivate.
"Six Poison Heart Formula... An unfamiliar heart method..."
She revealed her curiosity.
The pursuit of unknown martial arts.
She, too, was a martial artist like any other.
"You may learn it as well."
"Even me...?"
"When you deliver this heart method, instruct Tang Jo and the others: the moment they become the Armryongdae, betrayal means only death."
"I will convey it clearly."
Leaving those words, he went to the main gate of the Tang Clan.
Many people stood waiting at the main gate.
Tang Baek spoke to Tang Ildo with an expressionless face.
"Where is Cheonwi?"
"Well... I still have not found him."
"Where did he vanish to?"
"According to Choeun, he went out for a stroll."
Tang Ildo kept silent as Choeun had instructed.
If word spread that the Young Master had entered Poison Forest Valley, the Tang Clan would be thrown into uproar.
Unaware of that fact, Tang Cheong snapped at Tang Ildo.
"If you were ordered to escort the Young Master, shouldn't you have looked after him beforehand!"
Her tone was venomous.
Anxiety lay beneath it.
"It is not only our Tang Clan that is going—the Jegal Clan travels with us as well. Tsk."
Even so she scolded the Young Master's conduct, going so far as to drag in another clan, the Jegal Clan.
Jegal Gyeong, the leader of the Jegal contingent, spoke with a pleasant expression.
"Please do not concern yourself on our account, Lord of Yuhongak. Waiting with composure is also a form of study."
"If Yuhyeon is going, that friend Cheon will certainly insist on going too."
Jegal Gwang knew how deeply Tang Cheonwi cherished his younger brother.
Would he not worry when that young brother left the clan for another house?
He would surely wish to follow out of concern.
And sure enough—
In the distance a leisurely figure could be seen approaching.
"Look there. Was I not right?"
Everyone turned to look at Tang Cheonwi.
"Tsk."
Tang Baek only clicked his tongue and said nothing.
Instead Tang Ho roared.
"You brat! Can't you hurry!"
Tang Ho pretended to be furious.
That way his elder brother would scold his nephew less.
"I'm late."
"If you're late you should at least pretend to run!"
With Tang Ho venting the anger, the other brothers had no chance to step in.
"I had to preserve the Young Master's dignity."
Even so Tang Cheonwi said what needed saying.
"Greetings are finished. Let us depart at once."
At Tang Cheonwi's insolent manner Tang Cheong was about to shout, but Tang Baek's voice came first.
"Do not bring shame upon the Tang Clan."
"The Tang Clan's representative is Yuhyeon—how could we be shamed? Rather, he will raise the Tang Clan's renown."
Tang Cheonwi curled the corners of his mouth upward.
His father's sound transmission reached his ear.
[Was it your doing?]
[What do you mean?]
[Do not play dumb. I know it was you who planted that strange power in Yuhyeon's body.]
Father did not know the details.
[It is not a power that will harm Yuhyeon, so do not worry.]
[How did you do it?]
Father was not worried.
Rather, curiosity showed.
[Ordinary spiritual medicines could never fill the vessel of a Latent Poison Body completely.]
[It is a secret.]
Father's brow furrowed.
An expression of displeasure.
Then he soon bid farewell.
[Do not think of returning as a corpse. Even if you die, come back to the Tang Clan to die.]
It was a warning typical of Father.
Another journey abroad.
Having touched his youngest sister, he filled the words of caution with curses.
"I'll be back."
He thought Father's sound transmission had ended, yet a teasing tone arrived.
[I have taken a liking to Jegal Rin. She looks as though she could properly suppress an insolent fellow like you. Get along well while you travel together.]
[Spare me the dull jokes.]
[I am a man who has nothing to do with jokes.]
[I'll handle it myself, so stay out of it.]
The moment he boarded the carriage he shouted loudly enough that the sound transmission could no longer reach him.
"Depart!"
Watching that scene, the corners of Tang Baek's mouth curled upward.
Seeing his elder brother's faint smile, Tang Ho...
"Elder Brother, do you realize your expression is the same as Cheonwi's?"
He said it while pointing at that look.
But Tang Baek hastily erased the smile.
"Me? Impossible. To say I resemble that unlucky son of mine. At least I do not make others uncomfortable."
Leaving those words, Tang Baek turned away.
Gazing at his back, Tang Ho muttered,
"Not as much as Clan Lord Elder Brother, though."