Entering the Sichuan Dang Clan
When it came to Sichuan, there was something my father had told me in the past.
Rather than a casual remark, it was more of a warning.
“Son.”
“Yes?”
“If you ever find yourself in Sichuan, you must always act with the utmost caution.”
For a man who usually spent his days daydreaming about women with a goofy grin, his expression was uncharacteristically serious.
“Why?”
“Because Sichuan is an incredibly dangerous place.”
“Come on. Is there anywhere in this land that isn't dangerous?”
The world was crawling with people carrying swords, and someone was getting sliced to pieces every other day. In a godforsaken world like this, where wasn't dangerous?
I swallowed a mouthful of dry side dishes as I thought this.
“Even by those standards, Sichuan is a place where you must be exceptionally careful.”
Watching me, my father had continued his warning.
It wasn't like I was planning to go to Sichuan anyway. I had just asked what kind of place it was, so why was he reacting like this?
Only then did I perk up my ears and pay a bit more attention.
“Historically, it was a gathering place for the Unorthodox Faction. Although the Alliance cleaned it up in the past and brought relative stability... the old habits of that era still linger.”
I had heard of it before. Some Unorthodox group called the Bicheon Sect, or something like that, had established a base in Sichuan and ruled over it.
But one day, the Martial Alliance stepped in and, after a grueling battle, drove them out of Sichuan.
“Some things simply do not disappear with the passage of time. Especially the bad things.”
“Are you saying those things are still left in Sichuan?”
“Indeed. Especially since the clan that grew in size and claimed to be an Orthodox noble family after the Bicheon Sect vanished is also incredibly dangerous.”
“A clan... Don't tell me it's...”
“The Sichuan Dang Clan.”
The Sichuan Dang Clan.
A family based in Sichuan that wielded immense influence.
While they were known for their exceptional metalworking, they possessed a far more famous and dangerous trait.
The Dang Clan deals in poisons and hidden weapons.
Behind the saying that the finest swords in the Central Plains were forged by the Dang Clan, there was another:
All the poisons in the Central Plains reside within the Dang Clan.
Beware of their hospitality.
Carefully inspect any food they offer.
Guard against their smiling words and reaching hands.
I didn't quite understand why he viewed an Orthodox noble family as so dangerous, but even to me, the Dang Clan seemed rather perilous.
“Though it's highly unlikely, if you ever cross paths with someone from the Dang Clan, you must keep your wits about you.”
“Where would I even meet someone from the Dang Clan? I live cooped up in this backwater village every day.”
“Hey, what's wrong with worrying in advance? Your father is showing concern for you, yet you...”
“Yes, yes. It really won't happen, but if I ever do meet the Dang Clan, I'll be careful. If I ever see them, that is.”
Going to Sichuan was absurd enough, but meeting the Dang Clan? Ridiculous.
Back then, I had laughed it off, absolutely certain it would never happen.
“...Yet here I am.”
I grimaced as I stared at the massive gate before me.
The Sichuan Dang Clan.
The plaque hanging on the gate read exactly that.
One of the Five Great Families of the Murim.
The clan known as the hegemon of Sichuan.
...I never imagined I'd actually end up here.
I had expected to go my entire life without any connection to them.
I never dreamed I would walk into this place on my own two feet.
As I stood silently staring at the gate, Cheon Ui-jin approached my side and spoke.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. More or less.”
Honestly, I wasn't alright. I had lost track of how many days we had spent in the carriage.
No matter how masterfully Chu-gong drove the carriage, there was a limit to human endurance.
To make matters worse, a deeply unsettling incident had occurred on the way, forcing us to rush here even faster.
I looked down at my hands.
“...”
A slight tremor and a heavy, bloated feeling still lingered in my stomach.
I knew this wasn't just the aftermath of a grueling journey.
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to ignore it.
Throughout the entire trip, I had been utterly exhausted.
Just dealing with that is exhausting enough.
I looked at Cheon Ui-jin and Do-hyeong with a look of sheer disbelief.
Are these guys not tired at all...?
Throughout the journey, the two of them had pushed through their training.
This meant they kept swinging their swords even at the expense of their sleep.
At most, they couldn't have slept more than four hours a day.
And they did that every single day without fail.
They were truly insane.
“...Is something the matter?”
“No. I just thought you guys were crazy... I mean, amazing.”
“Pardon?”
“Anyway, are we just supposed to wait here like this?”
I spoke while looking ahead. It felt like we had been waiting for quite a while since our arrival, yet no one had come out.
Was our notification delayed? That didn't seem likely.
Are they trying to play mind games with us?
I narrowed my eyes slightly as I stared at the Sichuan Dang Clan.
If they were going to start with power plays right off the bat, this was going to be incredibly exhausting.
Should I just knock on the gate?
Just as I was about to raise my hand and pound on it—
Creeeeak!
As if they had been waiting for that exact moment, the gate swung open.
Several people emerged from the slowly opening gate to greet us.
“Apologies for keeping you waiting.”
The man at the front spoke. He looked to be a man slightly past his thirties.
“We welcome the esteemed guests of the Cheongwol Gate.”
Oh.
I marveled inwardly as I looked at him.
I had a good idea of who he was.
Slightly upturned eyes. Fair skin for a man.
A height just under seven feet, yet with a slender frame.
A somewhat chilly impression...
And a single mole right by his ear.
Observing all of that, a name came to mind.
“I am of the Dang Clan—”
“Greetings, Young Patriarch.”
“...!”
The man faltered at my words.
“You are the Young Patriarch, Dang Jun, correct?”
When I spoke with a smile, the man nodded with a peculiar expression.
“...Correct. I am Dang Jun, the current Young Patriarch of the Dang Clan.”
Dang Jun.
Known by the moniker 'Poison Tiger,' he was the Young Patriarch of the Dang Clan.
He was said to be a formidable martial artist who had been famous since childhood.
His physical traits were exceptionally distinct, making him very easy to recognize.
Dang Jun seemed curious about how I had recognized him, but as expected of someone holding the position of Young Patriarch, he immediately composed his expression.
Just then—
“I am Do-hyeong of the Cheongwol Gate.”
Do-hyeong stepped forward first to greet Dang Jun, as he was the leader of this delegation.
“It is a pleasure to meet you.”
As Dang Jun returned the courtesy, his gaze shifted toward us.
“I am Cheon Ui-jin of the Cheongwol Gate.”
Cheon Ui-jin greeted him, meeting his gaze. Left with no choice, I had to follow suit.
“I am Bang Seong-yeon of the Cheongwol Gate.”
“...”
After I introduced myself, Dang Jun's gaze locked onto me.
The meaning behind his look was singular:
So, it's you.
He only looked at me for a brief instant.
But the clear intent carried in that split second was impossible to miss.
Oh, boy.
I forced a smile, trying to keep my composure.
It seemed the Dang Clan already knew my name.
Has the rumor spread further than I thought?
The descendant of the Sword Saint has appeared.
Such rumors had already been slowly spreading since we were in Anhui.
The Cheongwol Gate might have tried to suppress it, but I knew from the start that it would be impossible to stop.
...After all, I caused quite a massive scene.
Dozens of people had witnessed me defeating the Young Azure Sword of the Namgung Clan.
Would every single one of those witnesses keep their mouths shut? There was absolutely no reason for them to do so, so of course they wouldn't.
Since the Martial Alliance had no reason to block the rumors either, the news was spreading in all directions.
...I even heard whispers about myself in the local prefectures, so that says it all.
Even in the few villages we passed through before arriving, I could hear people talking about me.
Of course, even without those rumors...
They probably would have dug up information on me anyway...
Considering the conditions the Dang Clan had requested from the Cheongwol Gate, it was more accurate to say they had actively sought me out rather than just hearing about me.
The descendant of the Sword Saint must personally bring the Full Moon.
That had been their condition.
“Please, follow me.”
Dang Jun spoke politely, turning around.
As he turned, the servants marched forward in perfect alignment.
“Hmm.”
I followed them into the Dang Clan estate.
Stepping inside, a thought crossed my mind.
It smells like iron.
That was my very first impression of the Dang Clan.
The interior was massive.
Proving that their reputation as the greatest clan in Sichuan and one of the Five Great Families was no exaggeration, the estate boasted an immense scale and breathtaking scenery.
Even the areas one might easily overlook in passing were elaborately decorated.
The pillars erected along the pathways, the ponds constructed beside the side roads, and so on.
It was obvious at a glance that immense care had been put into cultivating the estate.
How luxurious.
Compared to the Cheongwol Gate, this place could be described as far more sophisticated.
I walked along, enjoying the sights as if I were sightseeing.
After walking for a short while—
“We are here.”
Dang Jun stopped in front of a residence and spoke to the servants.
“You there.”
At Dang Jun's command, the servants approached to take our luggage.
Since I barely had anything, I handed it over without a second thought.
Except for the wooden case I was holding.
Dang Jun stared at the case in my hands for a moment. He seemed to know exactly what it was.
“...Let us proceed,” Dang Jun said, his tone noticeably quieter than before.
“The Patriarch is waiting.”
Tension surged within me at those words.
Here it comes.
Given the reason for our visit, I had expected this, but...
To think I'm going to meet the Patriarch of one of the Five Great Families...
Meeting the head of one of the Five Great Families was a massive deal for me.
And on the very first day of our arrival, no less.
Creak.
Dang Jun entered the residence first. The servants did not move.
I assumed we were meant to follow, so I slowly stepped inside after him.
It was a long, wide corridor.
Strangely, unlike before, the smell of iron had vanished completely, replaced by a subtle, drifting scent of flowers.
It was incredibly fragrant.
It felt pleasant, so I savored the scent as I followed Dang Jun.
After walking a bit further, a door appeared ahead.
“Father. It is Dang Jun. I have brought the guests.”
As Dang Jun reported in a calm voice, a presence made itself known from inside the room.
“Enter.”
With permission granted, Dang Jun slid the door open.
Slide.
As the closed door opened, a man was revealed sitting at a table inside.
“Welcome.”
He was a well-dressed, middle-aged man. He looked exactly like what Dang Jun would look like when he grew older.
His eyes were much sharper, and he possessed a sturdier build than Dang Jun.
I immediately bowed my head.
“Greetings, Patriarch of the Dang Clan.”
As soon as the three of us paid our respects, the sound of the man rising echoed.
“You must be tired after your long journey. I am Dang Gyeong-ak, the Patriarch of the Dang Clan.”
I felt a shiver.
This man was someone who didn't even need to introduce himself.
The Poison King, Dang Gyeong-ak.
One of the Five Kings of the Realm, who were hailed as the strongest in the current Central Plains.
He was a master who had reached an astronomical height through his mastery of poisons and hidden weapons.
“It is truly an honor to meet the young lights of the Cheongwol Gate. Please, raise your heads.”
Dang Gyeong-ak spoke with a smile. I forced myself to look up at his words, but...
...Ugh.
I couldn't bring myself to look him in the eye.
Was it because I was too intimidated to look at Dang Gyeong-ak? That was true as well. How could anyone easily look one of the Five Kings of the Realm in the eye?
But...
...This is driving me crazy.
That wasn't the only problem.
“You young men are all quite handsome. The future of the Cheongwol Gate is exceptionally bright.”
Dang Gyeong-ak scanned the three of us as he spoke.
“Now, let me ask.”
At that moment—
"Who is it?"
Dang Gyeong-ak's voice overlapped with another voice.
Hearing the words, I focused on his back.
There was no need to search. The culprit was right there.
“Which of you is the descendant of Elder Yoo?”
"Which one of you is that fucking bastard's disciple?"
“...”
Clinging to Dang Gyeong-ak's back was an incredibly terrifying entity.
The moment I saw it, I realized it with absolute certainty.
...My life is a joke.
This trip wasn't going to go smoothly either.