Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: The Tang Clan's Arrival
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Deep in the mountains lay a secluded valley. In the center burned a campfire, while bundles of goods towered like a mountain off to one side.
Atop the pile fluttered a flag. With every gust of wind, the six embroidered characters Sichuan's Great Tang Clan danced in the air.
"Young Master, is there anywhere you're feeling unwell?"
A stern-faced man sitting beside a boy posed the question.
The boy, who had been staring blankly at the campfire—Young Clan Leader Dang Geun—snapped to attention and replied spiritedly.
"Of course not, Escort Leader. I'm doing just fine."
Even after the long journey from Sichuan, his response remained full of vigor.
The Escort Leader smiled as he gazed at Dang Geun.
Truly, the Young Master was born with the spirit of a great man.
Among the escorts, there was a saying like this:
A one-day escort run required three days of rest afterward. A three-day run demanded ten days off. And after a ten-day journey, you'd need at least a full month to recover.
This spoke to the grueling hardship of sleeping outdoors.
If even seasoned, battle-hardened escorts felt this way, how much more so for a boy who was merely fifteen, still in his early scholarly years?
He crossed that perilous Sword Pavilion and spent over two months camping and traveling. On his first foray into the martial world at such a young age, he must be exhausted.
There were only three main routes from Sichuan to the western reaches of the realm.
Heading to the old Han-Zhong region of the Three Kingdoms era and slipping into Shaanxi Province.
Or traversing the treacherous Sword Pavilion with its famed plank roads.
Or taking a boat down the renowned Three Gorges of the Yangtze to Hubei.
Among these, the path chosen by Dang Geun, the Escort Leader, and the rest of the Tang clansmen was the plank road of Sword Pavilion.
"A warrior roaming the rivers and lakes must always beware of camping. Even those who cultivate martial arts can fall ill if they grow careless. If you sense anything amiss, tell me at once."
Dang Geun had lost his father at a young age and shouldered a burden far heavier than his years.
The Escort Leader's words carried genuine concern for him, and Dang Geun was well aware of it.
"I will. Thank you, Escort Leader."
Dang Geun answered firmly, then let out a small sigh moments later.
"Still, it's a real worry. I wonder when I'll get to rip that bastard Saek Gwangho-ri limb from limb."
Bastard. It wasn't a word easily uttered by the heir of a renowned clan—let alone a young clan leader.
But the Escort Leader said nothing.
He fully agreed that Saek Gwangho-ri was a bastard, and besides, most Tang clansmen had fierce temperaments by nature.
"We should have caught and killed him back at Sword Pavilion. Once we left Sichuan, there's no way to track him down."
The Tang Clan's prestige was growing by the day, but that held true only within Sichuan.
Outside, their intelligence networks and connections were woefully inadequate.
Dang Geun gave a wry smile.
Even calling ourselves a clan, we're still limited by our roots as a new martial family.
The Escort Leader was a taciturn man by nature and couldn't find words to comfort Dang Geun.
Instead, it was the Deputy Hall Master of the Medicinal Poison Hall, traveling with them, who spoke up.
"Don't be too impatient, Young Master. One of the goals of this journey is finding a suitable location for a branch hall, after all."
Viewed across the entire realm, Sichuan was an isolated backwater.
The mighty Yangtze River flowed along its borders, serving as a natural barrier—that said it all.
Sichuan itself had fertile plains aplenty, but the routes leading west were all treacherous beyond measure, making travel arduous.
"Saek Gwangho-ri's last known whereabouts were headed toward Jiangxi. A stroke of luck, really. Jiangxi lacks any major sects that dominate the martial world."
"That's fortunate, but... isn't it also full of black path gangs? That would make it easy for him to hide."
Suddenly, Dang Geun ground his teeth.
"I swear on my position as Young Master: I won't return until I've soaked that mangy dog in poison and killed him. To steal our beast aphrodisiac and use it as a human lust poison!"
It was made for animals, but even fed to humans, it had a mild effect.
More precisely, it stimulated one's yin energies.
That was exactly why Saek Gwangho-ri, who forced himself on women anyway, had bothered stealing the aphrodisiac to dose them.
"At least that mangy dog Saek Gwangho-ri couldn't keep from his lusts even while fleeing. Thanks to that, we can keep tracking him."
"The Escort Leader is right, Young Master. Excessive haste is worse than leisure. Take it easy."
Dang Geun nodded at the advice from the Escort Leader and the Deputy Hall Master.
For a boy on his first martial outing, counsel from experienced warriors was worth its weight in gold and jade.
Still, his youth brought worries in equal measure.
"Even after catching Saek Gwangho-ri, there's the issue of where to establish the branch hall. Sigh."
For the Tang Clan to set up a branch outside Sichuan wasn't a choice—it was a necessity.
Because they could no longer expand within Sichuan itself.
The reason was simple.
Sichuan had always been the domain of Emei and Qingcheng.
"To evade Emei and Qingcheng's scrutiny, we must establish a branch hall. It's no exaggeration to say this journey carries the future and fate of our main house."
Dang Geun bit his lip and muttered to himself.
"If not for the restrictions on our main house..."
Even with pressure from Emei and Qingcheng—members of the Nine Great Sects—Sichuan was vast, and the Tang Clan was the fastest-rising new martial family of late.
In other words, they could endure the checks and expand their forces if they wished.
Yet the reason the Tang Clan sent their young clan leader on this distant journey to establish a branch:
It was simple.
If Emei and Qingcheng said no...
The Tang Clan had to obey.
"What can we do? It's the limit of a main house raised by the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans."
"Damn it. 'Don't forget you're tools of the Yi Dok Je Dok'? Hah!"
The Medicinal Poison Hall's Deputy Hall Master laughed bitterly, while the Escort Leader bared his fangs and growled.
They were right.
Sichuan Tang Clan. Their origins lay with the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Clans.
"Enough. Complaining changes nothing. Only diligent effort can shape our future. Let's drop this and sleep for tomorrow..."
A rustling sound approached from afar.
All the warriors tensed their senses and turned toward the noise.
"Over there... We saw your fire and came."
A group of three or four merchants emerged.
Confirming they weren't foes, the Escort Leader signaled, and all the warriors adopted postures of proper courtesy.
"If it's not too much trouble, may we impose for just one night?"
The merchants brightened at the sight of the clearly martial Tang clansmen and made their request.
But it was short-lived.
Sichuan's Great Tang Clan. Upon reading the flag, the merchants' faces paled dramatically. Before Dang Geun could even grant permission, they blurted out questions.
"Eek! Are you nobles of the Sichuan Tang Clan by any chance?"
"...That's right."
"F-Forgive our rudeness! We'll be on our way!"
Dang Geun nodded with a wry smile.
He didn't bother with empty courtesies like saying it was fine and to stay the night.
They wouldn't listen anyway, and even if they did, they'd spend the night trembling in terror.
"Heh heh heh. I wonder when our clan will shed this infamy."
"Meeting people who judge by baseless rumors—it's not the first or second time, hah!"
"This too is a challenge our clan must overcome."
Wudang embodied the black-and-white Taiji.
Thus, its disciples were mostly gentle and magnanimous in their Taoist demeanor.
The Namgung Clan's sword was the Emperor and Heaven-Soaring.
Thus, its warriors exuded an aura of dominance over all.
Then what of the Sichuan Tang Clan's warriors, who wielded poison and hidden weapons?
At least, those who had never met them said this:
True to their martial arts, every Tang clansman was vicious and underhanded.
"Let's turn in. We have a busy day tomorrow."
"Understood, Young Master."
"Especially you, Escort Leader. You must track while traveling, so rest is crucial."
"I'll be extra careful, Young Master."
And so the next day's sun rose.
The Tang clansmen set off at once.
They traveled toward their next destination all day, receiving reports intermittently from warriors who split off from the main group to scout and track.
In their haste, as the sun began to dip, they arrived at a small village.
"Young Master, this is Woryu Village, the outskirts of Okan County. How about we stop here, stay at an inn, and rest for the night?"
"I was just about to suggest the same. Now that we've reached a village, it's time to shake off the travel fatigue."
However, entering the inn brought another unpleasant experience.
"Welcome... T-Tang Clan? Are you nobles of the Sichuan Tang Clan?"
"That's us."
The innkeeper, beaming at the rare group of guests, caught sight of the "Tang" character on their uniforms and froze in fear.
Even here, our clan's infamy has spread.
Dang Geun smiled wryly and opened his money pouch.
He had learned from experience that when acting as customers, money could wash away some of that infamy.
"Prepare rooms for everyone, hot water for bathing, meals, and liquor. The rest is yours, innkeeper."
"Such a large sum... Thank you!"
The innkeeper snatched the silver bundle and scurried off.
He still looked terrified, but if they showed the courtesy befitting righteous warriors during their stay, positive rumors about the Tang Clan might spread.
After the errand boys showed them to their rooms, the group gathered on the first floor to await their meal.
"Um, Tang warriors."
A trembling errand boy approached, legs shaking.
The Escort Leader spoke on Dang Geun's behalf.
"What is it? We won't hurt you, so stop shaking and speak."
"Th-The Baek Clan Manor sent a letter."
The eyes of the Escort Leader, the Deputy Hall Master, and Dang Geun widened.
"Baek Clan Manor? We don't know the place, but how did they know we're here?"
"I don't know... A courier just asked me to deliver it..."
The Escort Leader took the letter, inspecting it carefully.
"No poison or traps."
Dang Geun took it and began reading.
Soon, his eyes bulged.
"No way!"
"Young Master, what's wrong?"
"The Baek Clan Manor has captured Saek Gwangho-ri alive and is holding him!"
"Really!?"
"Hahaha! They want to forge ties with our main house through him! The letter politely invites us!"
"What great news, a boon! Hey, errand boy! How far is it from here to Baek Clan Manor?"
The shout made the frightened boy tremble harder.
Dang Geun handed him a piece of silver. Buoyed by the extra income, the boy answered.
"From Woryu Village to Baek Clan Manor in Okan County, it's three shi."
"Three shi! At a brisk pace, two should suffice!"
"Hahaha, Young Master! How about we finish here and dine at Baek Clan Manor for dinner?"
"Great idea! They say they'll prepare a feast upon our arrival!"
Since leaving Sichuan, the Tang clansmen had received no warm welcome.
A single letter conveying such hospitality from Baek Clan Manor was enough to excite them all.
"Once we finish eating, we depart at once!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Tang clansmen left Woryu Village with renewed vigor, marching swiftly.
No—they flew like the wind, employing lightness skills.
Even the Medicinal Poison Hall's physicians could keep up; every one was a Tang warrior.
Not a single soul lacked lightness skill, and they reached Okan County before dusk.
About then, Dang Geun spotted a group of warriors standing at the hilltop entrance.
"Hm? Young Master, their auras are no ordinary matter."
"So they seem."
Half a dozen warriors and their apparent leader, a handsome man.
Are they from Baek Clan Manor?
The Tang clansmen slowed and approached the strangers.
Dang Geun stepped forward as representative and cupped his fists in salute.
"Pleased to meet you. I am Dang Geun of the Tang Clan. Are you from Baek Clan Manor?"
The handsome man's eyebrow twitched upward.
That was the moment.
"Ah, Brother Dang!"
Dang Geun struggled to hide his surprise and turned to the new group that appeared.
Brother... Dang? We just met...?
Curiously, the newcomers had a child at their forefront.
The boy grinned at him, then scowled at the original handsome man.
What in the world is going on?
Thus began a bizarre three-way standoff.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Little Brother, do you really need to go out to greet them?"
"Of course. We have esteemed guests coming, don't we?"
"...Not just trying to score points to win our bet?"
"Do I look like that petty to you, big brother?"
"..."
"Tsk. Should I show you what a real petty person looks like...?"
"No need. I never saw you as petty, Little Brother."
Baek Yang-hui chuckled at Gu-ak's words and glanced back at the retainers following them.
They're all trapped by their preconceptions.
Tang clansmen are vicious and underhanded. That's why they use poison and hidden weapons.
Having heard such worldly rumors, everyone wore displeased expressions.
In truth, it's the complete opposite.
Well, it would vanish soon enough once they met the Tang clansmen.
After admonishing them not to show it outwardly, he quickened his pace.
Thus, when they reached the border of Okan County.
A welcome face in the distance. Baek Yang-hui couldn't help calling out.
"Brother Dang!"
The young version of that rigid Brother Dang. Quite the rarity.
As he approached with that thought, his gaze shifted slightly to the side.
A handsome man conversing with the Tang clansmen, flanked by six warriors.
A Namgung Clan pup... why is he here?
The situation began unfolding entirely differently from what he remembered in his past life.