The Hegemon of Sichuan
After Ju Woo-jin departed, Tang Hwa-pyeong, now alone, sank into contemplation.
“It means there could be someone within the Tang family colluding with the Demonic Cult.”
Ju Woo-jin had been blunt and direct.
There was a traitor inside the Tang family.
The Tang family, the hegemon of Sichuan—could such a thing really happen?
Though the thought crossed his mind, doubt lingered as well.
What lent credibility to the young man’s words was none other than Do-gon’s movements.
“Even traveling by carriage from Qinghai Province to Chengdu would take at least three full days.”
Ju Woo-jin had made the journey.
And only by driving the horses without rest, like a madman, could it even be possible.
The real issue was Do-gon.
Any martial artist who had reached that level of cultivation could cover the distance far faster using lightness skill.
That part was not the problem…… The single thing that did not add up was this.
“How did he find the main estate without wandering or losing his way even once?”
Exactly as Ju Woo-jin had said.
Unless someone had already informed Do-gon that the target was at the Tang family, he could never have arrived so quickly.
From the very beginning, a traitor had given Do-gon the location, and Do-gon had come straight to the Tang estate without pause.
“How dare they.”
Tang Hwa-pyeong’s body trembled with fury.
The title of one of the Five Great Families had never been granted lightly.
History itself proved it, and the records bore witness.
Countless times they had crushed and endured the bloody calamities brought by the unorthodox and demonic factions, until at last they stood as masters of the Central Plains martial world.
Countless clans were scattered across the Central Plains.
Even now, families rose and fell by the day.
Yet the Five Great Families had survived and flourished for hundreds of years.
What sustained them was their martial strength, their knowledge, and the respect they commanded.
But now a crack had appeared in that foundation.
“Is anyone outside?”
“Yes, my lord. I am waiting.”
A servant’s voice answered from beyond the door.
“Summon the young master at once.”
“Yes, my lord.”
If a traitor existed, they had to be found.
Tang Hwa-pyeong called for his eldest son, Tang Cheong—the most trustworthy member of the family and his own firstborn.
* * *
“Will the family head truly listen to me?”
In truth, Ju Woo-jin was only half-convinced.
The towering pride of the Tang clansmen was something no martial artist could fail to notice.
He had spoken of a traitor right to the family head’s face……
“Still, there is hope.”
Tang Hwa-pyeong was not a man blinded by stubbornness.
Ju Woo-jin placed his hope there.
Rather than clinging to pride, the family head would first seek the truth.
As the head of a great house, he would not commit the folly of letting arrogance rule him.
“Haa…… At this rate, I won’t make it back before the Heavenly Gathering.”
He had planned to return within a month, but the schedule was tighter than expected.
It seemed unlikely he would make it back before the festival began.
“Still, I gained strength.”
The Thousand-Year Dragon Saliva Essence.
Far from fully refining it, traces of its energy still lingered throughout his meridians.
If he could make it completely his own, his internal energy might reach nearly sixty years’ worth.
It was an elixir the Heavenly Demon should have consumed.
Of course, taking it did not mean he could relax.
The Heavenly Demon……
“That monster will find another way to achieve the Demonic Immortal Body.”
To him, the Thousand-Year Dragon Saliva Essence was nothing more than a minor snack.
Regardless, what mattered was recovering his former level as quickly as possible and then surpassing it.
That was what counted.
* * *
The next day.
Before the sun had risen, a Tang family servant came to wake him.
“Young master, our youngest young master is looking for you.”
“Ah, I’ll be right out.”
Still half-asleep, Ju Woo-jin left the room without delay.
Following the servant, he was led to a part of the Tang estate he had never seen before.
The Tang family’s manor was no smaller than the Ju family’s, but what stood out was the strong medicinal scent that permeated every corner.
It was likely due to their unique study of poison arts.
“This is the place. I shall take my leave.”
The servant bowed respectfully and retraced his steps.
“Hmm.”
They had gone quite deep into the inner compound.
Before him stood a single hall.
Unlike the medicinal smell elsewhere, this place reeked of metal and oil.
Creak!
Unlike the smell, the door hinges had apparently not been oiled, greeting him with a loud metallic screech.
“Come in.”
“……”
For a moment, Ju Woo-jin almost failed to recognize the man.
Hollow eyes, a face etched with exhaustion, and a figure that looked even thinner than two days ago.
Tang Jin.
He spoke.
“I thought about what you said. When I need to clear my head, striking metal works surprisingly well.”
“……”
“Last time you said walking helped clear your mind……”
“Anyway, I made a sword. Want to see it?”
Tang Jin quickly changed the subject.
Ju Woo-jin gave a small smile and nodded.
Tang Jin went straight to a corner and brought out a single sword.
“Oh.”
Ju Woo-jin could not help but admire it.
For something forged in only two days, the sword’s quality was exceptional.
“It’s much better than the one I used before. As expected……”
There was one faction in the Central Plains renowned as master craftsmen.
The Iron Martial Faction.
A coalition of famous artisans from across the land, their creations sold like wildfire in every city.
The Tang family, however, was different.
They did not mass-produce like the Iron Martial Faction.
Once a year, or sometimes once every few years, the Tang family’s storehouse would open, and on those days they earned enormous sums.
Weapons crafted by the meticulous and stubborn Tang artisans.
Famous collectors and martial artists who had tasted Tang weapons would wait eagerly for those rare occasions.
“Do you like it?”
Without hesitation, Ju Woo-jin nodded.
“My subordinate will be pleased. It’s impressive.”
“Heh, actually, I was thinking of making one for you as well.”
“Pardon? For me?”
“Yes. The Ju family is a sword clan, after all, so a sword would suit you best.”
Ju Woo-jin recalled the sword from his previous life.
It was not counted among the legendary divine or treasured blades, yet it had fit his hand better than any other.
More than anything, he only needed a sword that would not break.
When he unleashed both the Jade Heaven Descending Dragon Qi and the White Dragon Sword Scripture, the blade had to withstand that immense force.
Just like his father’s beloved Tiger White Pointed Sword, which boasted extraordinary durability.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’ll gladly accept it.”
“Come by the Tang family anytime. Or I could visit you instead.”
“You’re always welcome.”
“By the way, the Heavenly Gathering is starting soon, isn’t it? I’d like to go, but unfortunately I’ll have to focus on forging your weapon this time. Maybe next year.”
Ju Woo-jin smiled warmly and nodded.
“Thank you.”
After a long pause, Tang Jin spoke quietly.
“I hesitated for so long. The truth is, I want to become a master craftsman. I want to stand among the few true artisans under heaven and create my own masterpieces.”
“You will.”
And indeed, in his previous life, Tang Jin had become an extraordinary craftsman.
A once-in-a-generation genius, they had called him.
“So you’ve finally decided on a direction.”
“Yeah. Listening to you two days ago made me realize something.”
Tang Jin’s expression had brightened considerably.
“I was ashamed of hammering metal…… Knights and heroes who roam the martial world with swords are impressive, of course. But the work of forging fine weapons so they can become heroes…… that’s no less noble.”
“Isn’t the truly impressive person the one who takes pride in whatever work they do?”
“Mm. You’re right.”
Tang Jin stretched with a refreshed look and stood up.
“You’re leaving now, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I’ll pay my respects to the family head and then depart.”
“Take care. Let’s meet again next time.”
Ju Woo-jin bowed and left the hall.
He handed the sword to Muyoung right away.
“This is……?”
“It’s your sword. It should be far superior to the ones issued by the Ju family.”
“Y-You’re really giving this to me?”
“Yeah. Why? Is there a problem?”
“N-No, it’s not that…… It’s just so valuable……”
Muyoung accepted the sword with a deeply moved expression.
It was not made of ten-thousand-year cold iron or specially refined steel, but it was still a sword forged by the Tang family.
“Well, thanks to you I’ve formed a connection. Consider it payment for that. Heh.”
“I will protect you with my life, young master. I swear it.”
“……”
Ju Woo-jin smiled faintly.
A single sword had deepened Muyoung’s loyalty even further.
“In my past life, there was never anyone this trustworthy by my side.”
“Pardon? Did you say something?”
“No, just talking to myself.”
Ju Woo-jin brushed it off and turned away.
It was time to leave the Tang family with a light heart.
* * *
The carriage departed.
Tang Hwa-pyeong watched from afar as it disappeared into the distance.
At his side stood a young man who bore a striking resemblance to him.
“As expected of the Ju family, Father.”
“You saw it too?”
“Yes. I also learned that the rumors are not entirely trustworthy.”
Tang Cheong, Tang Hwa-pyeong’s eldest son and the young master of the Tang family.
He had been quietly astonished when he saw Ju Woo-jin.
“Perhaps the Ju family deliberately kept him hidden. The world works that way. Some fathers spread false rumors to conceal their outstanding children.”
“If that’s the case, then the Sword Sovereign is truly remarkable. Most fathers would be itching to boast about a talented son.”
“Hahaha, you rascal. Now that you’re a father yourself, you can understand that feeling a little?”
At Tang Hwa-pyeong’s laughter, Tang Cheong lowered his head in silence.
“By the way, have you begun the investigation?”
“Yes. As you ordered, I’ve mobilized the Golden Sword Unit. It may take some time.”
“It won’t be easy. We must finish as quickly as possible. If there truly is a traitor, we need to deal with them before they notice.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
At Tang Cheong’s reply, Tang Hwa-pyeong finally felt some of the tension ease.
If a traitor truly existed, he intended to punish them with the full, merciless might of the Tang family’s ways.
* * *
Jiangxi Province, Nanchang.
In the Sword Soul Hall—the main hall of the Ju family—all the elders had gathered, including Ju Tae-seong.
With the Ju Family Heavenly Gathering fast approaching, every elder had assembled in one place.
Yet their expressions were grave.
“Ju Woo-jin again?”
The first to speak was, as always, the Great Elder Ju Sang-geon.
Ju Tae-seong nodded quietly.
“So, what kind of trouble has he caused this time?”
“It wasn’t trouble. It seems he was attacked by someone from the Demonic Cult……”
“What?”
Ju Sang-geon’s face twisted at Ju Tae-seong’s words.
“The Demonic Cult? After what happened at Jade Flower Mountain……”
“Yes. I’ve already dispatched the Seungryongdae to investigate the traces. I’ll report on that matter separately later.”
Ju Tae-seong handled matters cleanly.
He had not become the head of the family for nothing.
“I just received word that the Jeokryongdae is escorting Ju Woo-jin back.”
He looked at the other elders and spoke in a low voice.
“Preparations for the Heavenly Gathering will proceed as planned. And……”
All eyes turned to Ju Tae-seong.
The elders seemed to already know what he was about to say.
“Once the Heavenly Gathering ends, I will need to visit the archipelago.”
“So it has come to this after all?”
The Fifth Elder, Ju Tae-hwi, sighed and asked.
The archipelago referred to the Zhushan Archipelago in Zhejiang Province.
It had always been a source of friction with the unorthodox factions, but for the family head himself to move meant the situation had grown quite serious.
“Over ninety percent of the supplies being transported to the family this time were stolen. This is clearly crossing the line.”
Anger laced Ju Tae-seong’s words.
He had never shown mercy or forgiveness to those who dared provoke the Ju family.
Perhaps Ju Woo-jin’s decisive nature was inherited from him.
“If the family head moves personally, we can breathe easier.”
“The Zhushan Archipelago will recover quickly, hahaha.”
The elders nodded with sighs of relief.
But Ju Tae-seong had not finished.
“On this trip to the archipelago…… I intend to bring Seung-hyeok.”
“……”
“……”
It was a shocking statement.
At Ju Tae-seong’s final words, the elders’ expressions shifted in various ways.
Some looked pleased.
Others looked displeased.
Within the family, an invisible struggle for the next seat of power had begun.