Chapter 177
Chapter 177
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: The Tang Clan's Path
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The Peak realm is the state of inducing change through qi.
A sword master's sword aura manifestation, a sound master's voice alteration, a poison master's qi poison.
It's called the Peak realm because they've reached the pinnacle in handling qi.
Then what of the Superlative realm?
The answer is simple.
The state of inducing change through the mind.
The state where man among heaven, earth, and humanity asserts his existence to heaven and earth.
In truth, it's a strange thing.
A martial artist's internal energy is ultimately the qi of great nature.
Thus, qi altering the natural world of heaven and earth is no oddity—it's merely flowing with the current.
But how can a mere human's spirit imprint its presence upon heaven and earth?
The correct answer is the Dao.
This is precisely the difference that elevates martial arts to divine arts.
"Poison and hidden weapons are inherently means to kill one's foe. Thus, our clan's martial arts harbor no Dao."
Silence hung in the clan leader's office.
The conversation began with a single remark from the clan leader to the young clan leader.
"But Clan Leader, isn't it the same for swords and blades, weapons born to slay?"
"You're right. So, what do you think the difference is?"
"Even thievery has its Dao. If our clan's martial arts lack one, might it be due to our short history?"
Tang Jun, who had pondered deeply, offered his answer, and Tang Xing smiled in satisfaction.
"Exactly. The Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans claim poison and hidden weapons can't possess a Dao, so our arts are limited. But that's not the truth. We inherited incomplete martial arts, and with our brief history, we couldn't refine them. That's why the Tang Clan has no Dao."
Yet the young master from the Baek Clan had proven that the Tang Clan could cultivate its path and forge its own Dao.
"Yeon-a's enlightenment will form the backbone of all our poison arts. At last, we can establish a true martial theory for poison arts, beyond mere venom handling."
What were poison arts to the Tang Clan until now? Simply mixing poisons well and dispersing them effectively.
In other words, they were venom-handling techniques with clear limits, no matter how polished—not true martial arts that could elevate realms through Dao and enlightenment.
This was also why Young Clan Leader Tang Jun had trained in hidden weapons over poison control arts.
"Of course, there have been elders who attained enlightenment in qi poison before. But an individual's brilliance can't serve as a clan's foundation."
What Tang Xing and Tang Jun didn't know was that this had been a concern deeply pondered by the regressor, Yang-hui.
Which was why he considered Baek Heon-so as the next clan leader.
"Brother Hui has accomplished something monumental. Now we can steadily produce Peak realm poison masters."
"More grains of sand allow a taller sandcastle. In a way, we've drawn markedly closer to our clan's long-cherished aspiration."
Recalling that aspiration darkened both men's faces.
"Even so... it's still arduous."
"Indeed. Easier now, but the path remains treacherous."
The Tang Clan's aspiration: To create a divine art capable of reaching the Superlative realm.
It was laughable. They'd never produced even a single Superlative expert—how could they craft such an art?
It was like drawing a map without ever ascending the peak.
Thus, Baek Yang-hui's existence had become immensely vital.
His recent feat was akin to sketching that map with eyes closed.
Innate qi. To the Tang Clan, it was like clairvoyance piercing the heart.
"Jun-a. We must learn more about Baek Yang-hui."
He'd said he'd help as a friend, without recompense.
But a clan leader couldn't take words at face value.
Even if sincere, they must be interpreted from all angles.
That was the duty of one who led a clan.
"We owe Baek Gongzi a great debt. The finest gift is granting what the other desires. So, tell me everything you know of him."
"Brother Hui is... a truly good man. He possesses exceptional martial talent, matched by his depth of mind, and even his other gifts are extraordinarily outstanding."
Yet what had impressed Tang Jun most was something else.
"I stake my position as Tang Clan young leader on this: Brother Hui has the makings of a true hero. His righteousness... is about protection."
Looking back, it was so. His behavior was so peculiar it could warrant a 'freakish' moniker without surprise.
But at its core lay a righteous heart bent on safeguarding.
"I trust you. I believe that boy is more than worthy to be our Tang Clan's ally."
"Yes, exactly, haha."
"Good. Any other peculiarities?"
Tang Jun thought for a moment before replying.
"Just my hunch, but he seems strangely fond of our clan. Especially toward me—he treats me differently from others."
He'd heard from Blood Lord Gu-ak about their first meeting.
A novice kid casually calling a man twenty years his senior 'Gu hyung'—it had left him utterly dumbfounded.
Yang-hui was indeed far from conventionally polite.
But.
"We speak casually, yet he always showed me unwavering respect. Beyond my young leader status—some inexplicable reverence, perhaps."
Thinking on it, Yang-hui was particularly soft on him.
According to Chui-dal, he showed weakness only toward him.
He didn't know why, but he was grateful.
"In other words, even if you're a bit rude, Baek Gongzi would overlook it?"
"That's true, but..."
Tang Jun looked uneasy. The glint in Tang Xing's eyes was ominous.
"We owe a debt, so we repay it. But separately, there's a task for you."
"What is it?"
"He spoke of friendship. But family is dearer than mere friends."
"You mean engagement? But... honestly, I doubt it's feasible."
"Why?"
Tang Jun spoke of Zhuge Seol-ha.
Beauty beyond mortal bounds. Superhuman allure from her constitution.
Plus the bond of master and disciple.
"A formidable rival indeed. Our clan has many lovely daughters, but if one won't do, what of two? Or three? I'd even arrange three wives and four concubines if needed."
"Still, I think not. Brother Hui isn't the lecherous type at all. Plus, it'd trouble him..."
"Jun-a."
Tang Xing cut him off in a grave tone.
"It's for the clan. You can do it, right?"
Mention of the clan sobered Tang Jun's face.
By tradition, once the young leader matured, the clan head entered lifelong seclusion, devoting himself to innovating martial arts.
Decades, even, confined like a prisoner.
Thus, the Tang Clan's leader and young leader were inevitably those who loved the clan most.
"For the clan. Yes. I'll make it happen. Sorry to Brother Hui, but... for the clan."
"Yes. For our Tang Clan."
"I'll make Brother Hui part of the Tang Clan family, no matter what!"
And so.
The Tang Clan's boisterous bride-hunt operation commenced.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Quite some time had passed. In that span, twenty Tang clansmen had been forged into poison immortals immune to a hundred venoms.
In exchange, Yang-hui faced relentless assaults from countless foes.
The attack method was singular.
Full-body charges.
"Baek Gongzi! Premium beef arrived at our Tang inn today! This girl's cooking rivals Sichuan's top chefs. Won't you give me a chance to serve you?"
"Sorry. I have business—gotta go."
Reject and flee, only for another woman to sidle up and loop her arm around his.
"Baek Gongzi! Hot day—how about cool drinks at the tavern?"
"I can't hold my liquor."
He slipped free before contact and bowed his head, fleeing again.
But another beauty appeared.
"Baek Gongzi!"
"Busy. Full. Not bored. Need to circulate qi, so solo training. What else? Oh right."
"I wanted to ask for help researching Sword Pavilion poison countermeasures."
"Ooh, that's tempting... No, I'll do it with Brother Tang."
"Then he'd just call me over?"
"Right. Brother Tang's the root of evil. Elder Tang Yang... also Tang Clan."
Wow. No escape?
"Anyway, I'm off."
"Ah, Gongzi! Gongzi!"
Fleeing nonstop drew inevitable sighs.
He must've rejected them a hundred times by now.
Yet the Tang women were all undaunted warriors, fighting on through seven defeats and eight battles.
'At this point, shouldn't they give up?'
He'd even asked seriously once.
Deliberately cold to shake her off.
"Miss, I have zero interest in you. Clan or not, have you no pride?"
Clinging to a disliked man wounds a woman's heart deeply.
Such words should send her away...
"Pride? None here."
Utterly futile.
"For the clan... I'd offer this body like mere straw."
That made him seem the one pressuring—guilt trip?
"And I don't dislike you anyway."
"Pardon?"
She eyed him like fine beef or premium goods.
"Handsome."
Hm. Undeniable.
"Young, fit."
Plain fact.
"Talents on top?"
Talent-wise, he'd sulk without 'world's best' praise.
"Catch him once, lifelong riches guaranteed."
"...True."
"Right? So just once..."
"Sorry."
He leaped into his room and slammed the door.
"Gongzi! Gongzi! Just once!"
He plugged his ears.
'Is this... right...?'
To realize the Tang-Baek non-aggression pact, he needed to give more.
But already this besieged—what of later?
He might never escape the Tang Clan.
"Haa. Feels like repaying grace with resentment now. Right, Chui-dal?"
Chui-dal beside him retorted.
"Don't whine on a full belly. Makes me wanna hit you."
"You punk?"
For reference, Chui-dal shared Yang-hui's room for a simple reason.
They'd been bunking together lately.
"True, hyungnim. Honestly... jealous."
Baek Heon-so on the other side joined in.
For reference, Baek Heon-so shared for a simple reason.
They'd been bunking together lately.
The real little brother complained why only with Chui-dal, so now three men crammed one room.
'Sigh. If not for Tang Clan.'
The Tang had given the Baek group a whole annex.
Plenty of spare rooms.
Yet three to a room? Simple reason.
Night intruders expected.
Lovely beauties surnamed Tang.
'One slip, and I'm done—live-in son-in-law. Stay vigilant.'
"Decided. Lads, we leave Tang Clan for a bit."
"Got it, hyungnim. Where to?"
"Huh? Leaving? Food's been great lately..."
Opposing reactions from the two brothers.
Yang-hui smacked Chui-dal and continued.
"A world's-best strategist pursues two birds with one stone."
No way he'd trek to distant Sichuan just for the Tang Clan.
Sichuan offered gains aplenty.
"Hyungnim finally embracing strategist life?"
"Another scheme! Exciting!"
"Brats, just follow. Let's go."
Sichuan. Remote even in Central Plains, historically sidelined, yet brimming with exotic goods and produce.
Hub where Yunnan, Southern Man, and Western Regions wares converged en route to the Central Plains.
And Sichuan itself teemed with local riches.
Money everywhere—strike right, make a fortune.
'Time for Baek Book Merchant Group to expand beyond Gangseo. Plus grow home turf business.'
A prime opportunity had arisen.
'Now, shall we become benefactors to the world's three great tycoons?'