Iron Heart Pavilion.
It is the residence of the young master of the Sichuan Tang family, the heir destined to become the next head.
Slurp.
Tang Gon was sipping tea in a pavilion overlooking a beautiful garden. Across from him sat Bu Eunseol, dressed in black martial attire.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, with how busy I’ve been these past few days.” After a fierce half-day battle, Tang Gon had defeated Tang Ryeong by the slimmest of margins.
Thereafter, he was officially named the young master of the Tang family and moved his residence to the Iron Heart Pavilion, located at the heart of the inner courtyard, opposite the Qiankun Pavilion where Tang Pae resided.
Upon becoming the young master, he gained authority over the household servants, the Tang family’s elite guards, and the right to train in all eight of the family’s secret techniques.
“But why the long face?” Bu Eunseol looked at Tang Gon, who sat with a sour expression.
Despite achieving his ultimate goal, Tang Gon’s demeanor was far from bright.
“I don’t know. This isn’t the ending I wanted.” Tragically, Tang Ryeong passed away quietly three days after the tournament.
The palm strike from Tang Bi had melted several of his meridians, and his half-day battle with Tang Gon, pushing him to his limits, had taken its toll. Furthermore, Tang Bi, upon recovering from his injuries, left for the outer regions.
He was consumed by guilt over Tang Ryeong’s death, caused by his own strike, and lacked the resolve to serve under Tang Gon.
“Don’t talk like someone who’s accomplished everything.” Bu Eunseol spoke firmly, looking at Tang Gon. “Your life is just beginning.”
He had to master the eight secret techniques to become strong enough to never lose, earn the trust of the Tang family’s relatives, build connections to strengthen alliances with other sects and clans, and tackle a mountain of tasks awaiting him.
“You’re always right.” Tang Gon gave a wry smile. “And it always makes me feel ashamed.”
This young man, who seemed a year or two younger than him, possessed the insight and values of an elder who had lived to twilight.
“Don’t think like that. You’re wise and exceptional too. Believe in yourself.” As Bu Eunseol stood to leave, Tang Gon spoke with a reluctant expression.
“Are you leaving?” Tang Gon knew.
Bu Eunseol had already prepared to depart with Black Leopard. But he didn’t want to let him go like this.
“Can’t you stay a bit longer? I have so much to do now.”
“What lies ahead, you must face with the Tang family’s kin. There’s nothing more for me to do.”
“I’m just saying. Stay a few more days. Now that I’m the young master, I’ll open the family’s wine cellar wide and…”
“No thanks. Let’s do it next time.” Bu Eunseol smiled faintly and said, “A little longing makes the next meeting sweeter, doesn’t it?”
“You’re right.” Taking a deep breath, Tang Gon gave a faint smile. He reached into his robes and pulled out a small token.
It was the Young Master’s Token, which allowed him to command all members of the Tang family except the head, Tang Pae.
“You and I… and this family will share life and death together.” Tang Gon spoke with a fervent voice. “Accept it.”
“That’s a loss for me.”
“Huh?” Bu Eunseol grinned, uncharacteristically.
“I’ll probably live a bit longer than you. If we share life and death, doesn’t that put me at a disadvantage?” At those words, Tang Gon’s eyes widened with emotion.
He realized this small jest was Bu Eunseol’s way of expressing his care.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, a knock on the door was followed by the delicate voice of a maid.
“Young Master, a guard from the Qiankun Brigade is here for Young Master Bu.”
“The Qiankun Brigade?” The Qiankun Brigade was the personal guard unit protecting the family head, Tang Pae.
Why would one of the most fearsome guards in the Tang family seek Bu Eunseol instead of him?
“Let him in.” At Tang Gon’s command, the door opened, and a muscular middle-aged man bowed respectfully.
“Wu Ming of the Qiankun Brigade greets the Young Master.”
“What’s the matter?”
“The Family Head requests Young Master Bu’s presence.”
“This guy? Why?”
“He only instructed to bring him to the Qiankun Pavilion.”
“Very well. Lead the way.” As Bu Eunseol stood, Tang Gon rose as well.
“I’ll go with you.”
“My apologies, but the Family Head instructed to bring only Young Master Bu.”
“Hmm.” As Tang Gon frowned, Bu Eunseol waved a hand.
“I’ll go see him.”
***
Qiankun Pavilion
This is the residence of the Sichuan Tang family’s head. It shares its name with the pavilion where the leader of the Martial Alliance resides, as the first Martial Alliance leader was a head of the Tang family.
“Please wait here for a moment.” Guided by a maid, Bu Eunseol entered a luxurious banquet hall filled with elegant furnishings.
As he took a seat, an inner door opened, and a middle-aged man in splendid robes walked out slowly.
It was Tang Pae.
“Patriarch.” Bu Eunseol stood and bowed respectfully.
This was not out of reverence for the renowned head of the Sichuan Tang family, but because he was the father of his friend.
“I heard you’re leaving today.”
“Yes. May I ask why you summoned me…?”
“Hahaha. How could I let the family’s benefactor leave so easily?” Tang Pae was a master of the Supreme Heaven Realm, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the leaders of the Nine Great Sects and the heads of the Eight Great Clans.
Having surpassed even the Pinnacle Realm, he could exude an overwhelming presence, but now he radiated the warmth of a spring breeze, as if reuniting with a long-lost love. And for good reason—Bu Eunseol was like a gift from the heavens to Tang Pae.
Not only had he awakened Tang Gon’s dormant potential, but he had also dealt with Shim Dok, the deputy leader of the Blood Poison Valley. This had spread the Tang family’s fame beyond Sichuan to Hunan and Hubei, attracting countless young martial artists hoping to join the family’s outer courtyard.
“Thanks to you, Gon has realized his potential as the young master, and the family’s reputation grows by the day.” Tang Pae’s smile overflowed as he looked at Bu Eunseol. “The young masters of the Poison Battle Hall even requested to serve under Gon. When I asked why, they said it was because of you and the boy you brought.”
Pausing briefly, Tang Pae nodded and continued,
“Thanks to you, the two most troubling issues for this family head have been resolved.”
“I only helped a little from the side.”
“Hahaha. And humble to boot.” Tang Pae, pleased with Bu Eunseol’s refined appearance, cautiously asked, “May I know which sect you hail from?”
“That…”
“Don’t worry. Even if you’re from the unorthodox path, it doesn’t matter.” Tang Pae spoke calmly. “Our family has ties with several unorthodox sects. Different paths don’t necessitate mutual denial.”
In truth, not only Tang Pae but all the Tang family’s kin suspected Bu Eunseol wasn’t from an orthodox sect. If he were from a renowned orthodox sect, they would have known.
The reason Tang Pae asked about his origins was because he had an ulterior motive.
“I’m under strict orders not to reveal my sect while traveling the martial world.”
“I see.” With a regretful expression, Tang Pae asked in a subtle tone, “Do you have a destination after leaving our family?”
“No.”
“I see. Then…” After a brief cough, Tang Pae spoke in a low voice. “I heard you met Cheong.”
“Yes.”
“What did you think of her?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well…” Tang Pae stared intently at Bu Eunseol’s face.
His martial prowess aside, Bu Eunseol’s appearance, demeanor, and aura were impeccable. Gazing into Bu Eunseol’s clear, autumn-sky-like eyes, Tang Pae finally got to the point.
“Have you ever considered becoming our family’s son-in-law?”
“Son-in-law?”
“If you’re willing, I’d like to arrange a match with Cheong.” If anyone had overheard this, they would have been shocked and questioned Tang Pae’s sanity.
Tang Pae had publicly declared he wouldn’t allow Cheong to meet any man unless they were the heir of the Nine Great Sects or the Martial Alliance leader’s son. Yet here he was, suggesting Bu Eunseol, a self-proclaimed wanderer of the martial world, become Cheong’s husband?
‘With his talent and martial prowess, his sect must be extraordinary. It’s best to secure him early.’
“I…”
“Don’t answer hastily.” Tang Pae adopted a serious expression. “Becoming Cheong’s husband means you’d not only master all eight of our family’s secret techniques but also join Gon in leading the Tang family and shaping the martial world.”
“…”
“And though it’s awkward for me to say as the family head, Cheong is skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and is known as Sichuan’s greatest beauty.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I have many matters to attend to after my travels.”
“I’m not asking for a decision now.” At Bu Eunseol’s firm response, Tang Pae smiled slyly and took a step back. “Cheong has her own opinions, and who knows how human connections might unfold?”
Tang Pae gently patted Bu Eunseol’s shoulder and said,
“You’re already Gon’s sworn brother, sharing life and death. You’ll eventually start a family, so just consider it for the future.”
“I understand.”
“You must have received the Young Master’s Token from Gon… Is there anything you’d like from this family head? I’ll grant anything.” After a moment of deep thought, Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Yes.”
“Think it over. There’s still time.”
“Nothing.” At the resolute reply, Tang Pae’s eyes widened in disbelief.
The head of the Sichuan Tang family was offering to grant any wish, and he was flatly refused?
Ahem. Clearing his throat, Tang Pae spoke softly.
“Our family has the finest hidden weapon craftsmen in the world. Do you know how to use hidden weapons?”
“I’ve never learned.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll have our craftsmen make you an exceptional hidden weapon device. With our devices, a mere flick of the hand can take down most masters.” Despite Tang Pae’s subtle offer, Bu Eunseol shook his head again.
“I’m fine.”
“Hmm. Then…” After a moment of thought, Tang Pae seemed to ponder deeply before slowly pulling a thin book from his robes.
Its pristine cover, likely newly made, bore the words Hidden Blade Treasury in cursive script.
“As you know, the foundation of our family’s hidden weapon arts is the throwing knife technique…” Tang Pae’s eyes briefly showed pain, perhaps recalling Tang Ryeong, who had passed away quietly after the tournament.
As the family head, he maintained a cold and unshaken demeanor, but in truth, he was not so heartless.
“Take it. It’s a gift from this family head.”
“I’m fine.” The Tang family’s martial arts were never taught to outsiders.
“Are you worried accepting it would bind you to our family?” Tang Pae smiled warmly, tossing in a jest. “It’s fine. This isn’t our family’s martial art, just notes on the insights gained from using One Strike, Life-Stealer.”
Handing the manual to Bu Eunseol again, Tang Pae muttered under his breath,
“And since Gon uses a sword, he won’t need this manual.” His voice was so soft it was barely audible, laced with deep regret.
Bu Eunseol, standing still for a moment, accepted the manual and bowed.
“Thank you for your kindness.”
“If you ever face hardship, remember the Tang family has your back.” Tang Pae smiled faintly and looked at Bu Eunseol. “Well, I imagine your sect is formidable too.”
“Thank you.”
“I wish you luck in your martial journey.”
“Then…” Bu Eunseol slowly turned to leave.
Tang Pae watched his departing figure and muttered softly,
“Where on earth did they raise such a prodigy?” His voice carried deep regret.
He genuinely wanted Bu Eunseol as a son-in-law.
“There’ll be other chances.” Tang Cheong wasn’t a flower waiting demurely for suitors. She was a bee seeking out beautiful blooms. “A true dragon among men… She won’t stay idle either.”
Knowing Tang Cheong’s personality well, Tang Pae smiled warmly and turned away.
Comments