Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed as he looked down at the fallen poison warriors.
“Unique shields,” he remarked.
Examining the cleaved shield’s cross-section, he noticed a strange sheen, suggesting it was forged with a special metal alloy, not mere iron. This explained why his ink-black sword, capable of slicing through iron like paper, struggled to cut through.
“These shields seem designed to counter a master with specialized swordsmanship.”
Shim Dok’s eyebrows twitched upward. Though he didn’t respond, his silence confirmed Bu Eunseol’s observation.
“You think you’ve won by cutting down the poison warriors?” Shim Dok snapped, regaining his composure and summoning his poison technique with full force. “Don’t make me laugh! You lot are nothing—”
Flash! Bu Eunseol swung his ink-black sword again, sending two streams of sword energy toward Shim Dok’s left and right.
He’ll shift the sword energy to target my head! Shim Dok thought, having observed Bu Eunseol’s swordsmanship. He quickly unleashed his Ink Soul Residual Blood Claw to deflect the energy.
Whoosh!
But instead of falling downward, the sharp sword energy crisscrossed around Shim Dok’s shoulders, spinning rapidly.
Splat!
Blood sprayed into the air as Shim Dok’s arms went limp. The precise sword energy had severed the tendons in both shoulders.
“Ugh,” Shim Dok groaned.
The flesh wounds were minor, but the two streams of inner energy in the sword strike had partially melted his meridians. With inner energy exceeding two cycles, the strike naturally produced an effect akin to Internal Heavy Hand techniques.
“Argh,” Shim Dok gritted his teeth, swallowing a groan as searing pain burned through his shoulders. “You bastard!” he roared, attempting to summon his Asura Ghost Blood Poison Technique again to spread poison around him.
“...!” But his eyes widened in shock.
His dantian felt completely blocked, preventing him from channeling his energy.
What… what is this? The two strands of energy that had pierced his shoulder blades had melted most of the meridians along the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Channel.
“What… what kind of swordsmanship is this?” Shim Dok asked, fear creeping into his voice.
The martial world had countless sword techniques, but none melted meridians with a single cut.
“A technique I created,” Bu Eunseol replied.
“You created it?” Shim Dok exclaimed.
“Yes,” Bu Eunseol said, giving Shim Dok a faint smile. “You should be proud. This is the first time I’ve infused so much energy into it since entering the martial world.”
Shim Dok swallowed hard. Bu Eunseol’s bright smile looked like a demon baring white teeth in the darkness.
Shoo!
Tang Gon unleashed his Poison Spirit Dissolving Technique, gradually clearing the poisonous mist.
“Finish him,” Bu Eunseol said, pointing at Shim Dok.
Tang Gon frowned. “His shoulders are crippled. He’s already done. What’s left to finish?”
“Have you forgotten my words already?”
“I haven’t. But a venomous heart and slaughter are different, aren’t they? The family uses poisons and hidden weapons but walks the righteous path—”
Bu Eunseol shook his head. “I’m saying, how can you, who shows mercy even to enemies harassing the family, fight and spill blood within your own house?”
“That’s…”
“Do you want to be a hero of the martial world? Or the patriarch of the Tang Family?”
Do you want to be a hero of the martial world? Or the patriarch of the Tang Family?
Bu Eunseol’s words echoed in Tang Gon’s mind. To live as a martial world hero, he’d have to leave the Sichuan Tang Family entirely. A patriarch bore the heavy responsibility of protecting kin from countless enemies.
“You’re right,” Tang Gon said, pulling a Blood Dart from his robes, his eyes gleaming with solemn resolve. “Those who challenge the family must all die. That’s the iron rule of the Sichuan Tang Family.”
Whoosh!
He launched the Blood Dart, severing Shim Dok’s throat in one strike.
Swish!
As he retrieved the circling dart, Bu Eunseol shook his head. “Don’t retrieve the weapon.”
“Why not?”
“To show that a Tang Family member killed Shim Dok.”
“You want me to take all the credit?”
“My contribution was a single cut to his body, which wouldn’t have been possible without your Poison Spirit Dissolving Technique.” He spoke lightly, but Shim Dok had effectively been defeated by Bu Eunseol alone.
Yet he insisted on giving all the credit to Tang Gon.
“I can’t do that,” Tang Gon said, shaking his head firmly.
Bu Eunseol snapped irritably, “Do you think I’m doing this to boost my fame?”
“But—”
“I told you. You can become a worthy heir to the Tang Family.”
You can become a worthy heir to the Tang Family. On the day he received the Pear Blossom Leaf, Bu Eunseol had said this, and he’d upheld those words ever since.
“Why… why are you helping me so much?” Tang Gon asked, his voice thick with emotion.
Bu Eunseol grumbled, “My fault for picking the wrong friend.”
Friend. One of the most common words in the world. But from a true man’s lips, it was worth more than a thousand gold and heavier than Mount Tai.
“You…” Tang Gon, deeply moved, stepped forward with open arms.
“Don’t even think about hugging me or saying thanks,” Bu Eunseol said, recoiling with a grimace. “If you do, I’ll demand the Pear Blossom Leaf back.”
He turned and strode out of No-Return Cave.
***
Blood Poison Valley, rising as a power in Sichuan, was attacked, and Deputy Leader Shim Dok was killed!
Blood Poison Valley, rapidly expanding its poison techniques and influence to threaten the Sichuan Tang Family, was suddenly raided. Its rare creatures and extreme poisons were destroyed, and Deputy Leader Shim Dok was slain.
Who was Shim Dok?
A peak-level master who roamed the martial world for decades, his poison techniques so formidable that even Tang Family experts struggled to counter them.
The ones who raided Blood Poison Valley and killed Shim Dok were the Tang Family’s third son, Tang Gon, and the Poison Battle Clan’s warriors!
An unbelievable rumor began spreading through the martial world. Shockingly, it was Tang Gon and the Poison Battle Clan who had killed Shim Dok.
No way!
At first, martial artists dismissed it as absurd gossip. But as various intelligence networks confirmed the news, the martial world began to buzz.
***
Seohwa Pavilion Study
Bang!
The study door swung open violently, and a man with blazing eyes stormed in—Tang Bi.
“Brother!” he shouted, glaring at Tang Ryeong, who sat at a rosewood desk writing. “Why did you give him the Poison Battle Clan?”
“What do you mean?” Tang Ryeong asked.
“Don’t play dumb!” Tang Bi snarled, stomping his foot and baring his fangs. “Tang Gon and the Poison Battle Clan hit Blood Poison Valley!”
He pounded his chest in frustration. “It’s the talk of Sichuan—no, the entire martial world! They say the Tang Family produced a prodigy!”
The rumor had spread so quickly because, on Bu Eunseol’s orders, Black Leopard had leaked it to intelligence networks. Unaware of this, Tang Bi believed Tang Gon’s fame was echoing across the heavens.
“Haha,” Tang Ryeong chuckled softly. “The third brother merely dealt with a nuisance threatening the family.”
“Then have you heard this rumor?” Tang Bi pressed.
“What rumor?”
“They say the Tang Family’s lesser patriarch has been decided as Tang Gon! Because the other two sons were hiding like turtles!”
“Hm,” Tang Ryeong’s face stiffened at Tang Bi’s crude words. “So, one of the turtles came crawling to the other?”
“Brother, that’s not what I meant—”
“Enough,” Tang Ryeong said coldly, setting down his brush. “The third brother achieved a great feat. I supported him with the Poison Battle Clan to keep him safe.”
“Brother—”
“You’re criticizing the third brother, who elevated the family’s name. That disrespects not just me but the entire family.” Tang Bi’s expression shifted.
He realized too late that attacking Tang Gon, who had earned merit, would only damage his own standing and reputation.
“I… didn’t think of that,” he said, clasping his hands and bowing. “Thank you for enlightening me, Brother.”
“Go,” Tang Ryeong said.
“I’ll take my leave.” As Tang Bi left dejectedly, a murderous glint flickered in Tang Ryeong’s eyes.
“This is troublesome.” Tang Ryeong had long known that Patriarch Tang Pae secretly favored Tang Gon as his successor.
He’d overlooked it because Tang Gon lacked the qualifications to become lesser patriarch. But now, things had changed. Tang Gon was undeniably qualified to be the heir.
“No choice,” Tang Ryeong said, a cruel smile forming as his gaze fixed on Tang Bi’s retreating back.
***
Tang Gon returned to the Sichuan Tang Family to unprecedented fanfare.
Elders and kin, including Tang Pyo, greeted him at the gates, and Tang Pae bestowed lavish rewards. Tang Gon received the Silver Shell Armor, a family treasure; Bu Eunseol was given a Jade Pearl; and each Poison Battle Clan recruit received fifty gold taels. Tang Ryeong and Tang Bi sent subordinates with congratulations, but their gestures were perfunctory—they didn’t visit in person.
Days later, Tang Pae announced shocking news.
The lesser patriarch will be decided by the winner of a martial tournament!
The family’s kin were stunned. Until now, the lesser patriarch, destined to become the next patriarch, was chosen solely by the patriarch. A sudden tournament to decide it?
The matchups are Tang Ryeong versus Tang Bi, and Tang Gon versus Tang Cheong.
A tournament was surprising enough, but including Tang Cheong, who couldn’t become patriarch, as a candidate?
The kin were baffled.
Tang Ryeong, Tang Bi, Tang Gon, and Tang Cheong all have comparable support and distinct strengths and weaknesses.
All were qualified to be patriarch, so their martial prowess would decide the winner. When this reasoning was explained, the kin nodded in agreement.
Tang Pae’s words were logical and impartial, and who could defy the patriarch’s command?
With four days until the lesser patriarch was decided, tension hung over the family.
***
Cheongyang Pavilion, Banquet Hall
Having returned from Blood Poison Valley, Tang Gon was unwinding, drinking alone with Bu Eunseol.
“What a whirlwind,” he said, downing a large cup of Southern Spring Vintage Wine and shaking his head with a laugh. “The family’s affairs, the rumors spreading through the martial world… it feels like a dream.”
“It’s no dream,” Bu Eunseol replied.
Tang Gon chuckled. “Not long ago, I thought I was a loner in this vast world, with no one to rely on.” Wiping his mouth, he looked at Bu Eunseol. “But since you came… I’ve been formally recognized by Father and gained support rivaling my brothers.”
Picking up his cup again, he smirked. “Not to mention, I’m now known as the one who killed Deputy Leader Shim Dok. They even gave me a nickname—Tang Family Soul Gatherer or something.”
In a flash, Tang Gon had gained everything. But he hadn’t achieved it alone. Without Bu Eunseol, it would’ve been impossible. Perhaps that’s why his expression soured as he drank.
“What’s with that face? Don’t like the nickname?” Bu Eunseol asked.
Tang Gon gave a bitter smile. “It just feels like all this is a dream.”
“What do you mean?”
“Father never wanted me as lesser patriarch,” Tang Gon said, setting down his cup. “Even setting aside everything else, my martial skills can’t match Tang Bi’s. Holding a tournament means he’s choosing that ruthless Tang Bi.”
Sighing deeply, he shook his head. “I thought I’d finally caught up to them. I even had hopes. But a tournament… and against Tang Cheong, of all people? I feel wretched.”
“You’re mistaken,” Bu Eunseol said, filling his cup with a smile.
“Your father wants you to be the lesser patriarch.”
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