Bu Eunseol, traveling alongside Tang Gon, had finally reached the outskirts of Sichuan’s capital.
If he fully unleashed his movement techniques, he could arrive at Tang Family’s stronghold within a day.
In a deep forest near Jayang.
Clank. Bu Eunseol sheathed his ink-black sword. Standing side by side, Tang Gon stretched his arms overhead.
Whoosh. Thud. A circular hidden weapon spun widely from the distant sky, landing in his hand. It was the Blood Reaper Dart, one of the eight legendary hidden weapons of the Tang Family.
Drip, drip, drip.
Blood-like red stains trickled down the cheeks and foreheads of Bu Eunseol and Tang Gon. They had just fought a fierce battle against the elite warriors of the Tang Family’s Poison Forest Clan.
“Phew…” Tang Gon let out a deep sigh, speaking in a low voice. “I’ve lost count of how many times this has happened.”
On their journey from Jinjeong Mountain back to Sichuan’s capital, the short trip had been nothing short of a blood-soaked path.
At every turn, elite warriors sent by the Tang Family’s second son, Tang Bi, lay in ambush, and even assassins from the Blood Hand Sect poured out. Despite deliberately taking remote routes to avoid people, they couldn’t escape their pursuers.
“I’m sorry.” Tang Gon, looking at the blood-soaked Bu Eunseol, wore an embarrassed expression. “If it weren’t for your extraordinary swordsmanship protecting me, I would’ve surely lost my life to the Blood Hand Sect’s assassins this time.”
The Blood Hand Sect.
One of the most vicious assassin groups in the martial world, they didn’t hesitate to implant explosives or hidden weapons in their own bodies. For such ruthless assassins to be hired en masse and attack… under normal circumstances, survival would’ve been impossible.
But Bu Eunseol not only sensed the assassins’ attacks in advance but also used his Radiant Sword Control to block every strike aimed at Tang Gon.
“It’s a promise, so don’t worry about it,” Bu Eunseol said calmly as he turned away, prompting a wry smile from Tang Gon.
“By the way, I can’t figure out the origin of your swordsmanship. Could it be the technique you learned at this Thousand Swords Society?”
“Yes.”
“What a pity. If I’d known I’d give up the successor’s position, I’d have sworn an oath and learned that swordsmanship myself.” As Tang Gon grumbled with regret, a sound pierced the air.
Flap.
A shadow soared through the distant sky like a great roc. It was Black Leopard.
Thud.
Landing on the ground, Black Leopard cautiously asked the blood-drenched Bu Eunseol and Tang Gon, “Are you alright?”
“No need to worry,” Bu Eunseol said, waving his hand. “What’s the situation with the Tang Family?”
If he used his movement techniques, he could reach the Tang Family’s gates directly. But the closer they got to their destination, the more meticulously the pursuers set their traps. Bu Eunseol had sent Black Leopard ahead to scout the Tang Family’s situation.
“Well…” Black Leopard hesitated, glancing at Tang Gon before continuing, “The main road is lined with warriors in green robes. But the Tang Family is pretending not to notice.”
“Blue robes mean they’re the elite Poison Extinction Squad under my second brother’s command,” Tang Gon said, his expression darkening instantly.
Black Leopard, noticing this, asked, “Are they strong?”
“Strong isn’t the issue… If the Poison Extinction Squad is here, it means my second brother is there too.” Realization hit Black Leopard, and his mouth fell open.
The second son of the Tang Family’s patriarch, Tang Bi, was guarding the gates with his elite warriors? To enter the Tang Family, they’d have to confront Tang Bi, a direct blood relative. But such an act was unthinkable in Sichuan’s lands—it must never happen.
“So we can’t kill or harm him,” Black Leopard said.
“Exactly,” Tang Gon replied, glancing at Bu Eunseol.
Bu Eunseol had reached a level of mastery so profound that even Tang Gon couldn’t gauge his limits. But could he pass through Tang Bi, who had inherited the Tang Family’s secret techniques, without harming him? It seemed impossible.
“This’ll be interesting,” Bu Eunseol said with a faint smile, causing Black Leopard’s expression to shift.
“Young Master, he’s the second son of the Tang Family. If you harm him, entering the Tang Family will be impossible.”
“I’ll handle it.” Bu Eunseol’s lips curled into a smile.
Dozens of elite warriors unleashing poison techniques and hidden weapons. He only needed to block them, not counterattack. This was the perfect chance to push his Supreme Heavenly Flow and Radiant Sword Control to their limits.
“The assassins so far were too predictable, using obvious killing techniques. It was boring,” Bu Eunseol muttered with a gleeful expression, baring his white teeth. “Now I can finally test myself properly.”
With a faint smile, Bu Eunseol spoke to Black Leopard in a low voice.
“I’ll break through there, so you follow slowly with him.”
Thud! Whoosh!
Bu Eunseol shot into the sky, using his movement techniques to speed toward the main road near the Tang Family’s gates like a gust of wind.
“…” Black Leopard and Tang Gon exchanged terrified glances.
—We have to stop him!
The same thought flashed through their minds.
Swish! Boom!
Tang Gon and Black Leopard simultaneously unleashed their movement techniques, chasing after Bu Eunseol.
“Stop!”
“Young Master!” They pushed their techniques to the limit, but they couldn’t even catch a glimpse of Bu Eunseol’s back.
“He’s being reckless because of me!” Tang Gon thought, misunderstanding the situation.
He believed Bu Eunseol was charging into battle alone to prevent a fratricidal conflict.
“Wait!”
Boom!
Tang Gon poured every ounce of his inner energy into his movement technique. Finally, passing the main road, the massive gates of the Sichuan Tang Family came into view. Before the gates stood dozens of warriors in green, lizard-like armor—the Poison Extinction Squad. And in front of them, Bu Eunseol, with his sword slung diagonally across his back, was slowly lowering his stance.
“Stop!” Tang Gon roared with a lion-like shout, landing beside Bu Eunseol. “No need to worry. Let’s… let’s fight together!” Seeing Tang Gon panting heavily, Bu Eunseol frowned.
“I’ll do it alone.”
“Heh heh heh, so you’ve finally come.” At that moment, the ranks of the Poison Extinction Squad parted, and a large man stepped forward, laughing arrogantly.
His thin lips and dark circles gave him a sinister, cruel appearance.
It was Tang Bi, the second son of the current Sichuan Tang Family patriarch.
“But you’ll never set foot in our family’s stronghold.”
“I need to see the patriarch!” Tang Gon shouted.
“Young Master!” Black Leopard, arriving at Bu Eunseol’s side, added, “You absolutely cannot kill them.”
“Stay out of this,” Bu Eunseol said, frowning as Tang Gon and Black Leopard interfered, taking a step forward.
He was curious about how the Poison Extinction Squad would confront him and whether his Supreme Heavenly Flow and Radiant Sword Control could hold up against the Tang Family’s elite.
“I can’t let you go alone,” Tang Gon said hurriedly, stepping beside Bu Eunseol. “And even if it costs me my life, I won’t let you get hurt!” It was a declaration of standing together, even in death, but Bu Eunseol’s eyes showed deep disappointment.
“You insist on joining?”
“What… do you mean?”
“If you join, their attacks will split in two directions, won’t they?”
Stunned by the unexpected response, Tang Gon stammered, “You want to fight alone… because you don’t want their attacks divided?”
“Exactly. I want to face their full strength.” Tang Gon’s eyes widened as if he’d been struck on the back of the head.
He realized Bu Eunseol was a battle maniac who thrived on life-or-death combat.
“Even so, you can’t…” In that moment, deep disappointment flashed in Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
Seeing this, Tang Gon reluctantly slumped his shoulders.
“…Fine. Do as you wish.” But then he added firmly, “But if anything happens to you, I’ll cut down every expert in the family to save you.”
It was a moving statement, but Bu Eunseol shook his head calmly.
“That won’t happen.” Drawing his ink-black sword, Bu Eunseol stepped forward confidently.
The clash between Bu Eunseol and the Poison Extinction Squad, one of the Tang Family’s greatest forces, was imminent.
“Wait.” A man stepped forward from beside Tang Bi, clasping his hands together. “I am Tang Sa-un, leader of the Poison Extinction Squad.”
Tang Sa-un, the son of Tang Seong, the third of the patriarch Tang Pae’s five brothers. Since Tang Seong supported Tang Bi as the successor instead of the eldest, Tang Sa-un served as the leader of Tang Bi’s Poison Extinction Squad.
Clank.
Bu Eunseol sheathed his sword again. He couldn’t ignore a formal greeting from a Tang Family expert.
“Bu Eunseol.”
“I know. You’re the champion of the Martial Arts Tournament,” Tang Sa-un said respectfully. “But this is an internal matter of our family. Doesn’t a third party interfering in a successor dispute go against the martial world’s code?”
Bu Eunseol’s eyebrow twitched. He hadn’t expected Tang Sa-un to use persuasion rather than force to make him back down.
“I’m no third party,” Bu Eunseol said firmly, staring at Tang Sa-un. “I am Tang Gon’s friend.”
“Friend?”
“Yes. No one stands by while their friend is killed before their eyes.” Tang Sa-un’s expression shifted.
“You’d die for him?”
“I won’t die,” Bu Eunseol said, coldly raising the corner of his mouth. “I came to bring him into the Tang Family, not to die.”
“So you’re resolved. Very well,” Tang Sa-un said, observing Bu Eunseol’s determination and raising one arm without hesitation.
“Open the formation!” The Poison Extinction Squad was one of the Tang Family’s most formidable forces.
Their Five Poison Sandfire Formation unleashed the family’s vaunted poison techniques without restraint, impossible to counter with mere martial prowess.
“Stop!” At that moment, the Tang Family’s gates opened, and a warrior in black martial robes rushed out. “Cease fighting and let Tang Gon and his companions enter the family!”
“What?” Tang Bi spun around, startled. “Who gave such an order?”
“Enough!” a sharp voice called out as a gaunt man stepped forward from the gates.
His face was pale, but his eyes were clear as a lake, exuding both solemnity and an otherworldly grace.
It was Tang Ryeong, the eldest son of the current patriarch, Tang Pae.
“Let them in, Sa-un,” Tang Ryeong ordered sternly.
Tang Sa-un glanced at Tang Bi before replying, “I’m sorry, but I cannot follow that order. This is a fair—”
“Our father, the patriarch, has ordered them to be admitted,” Tang Ryeong interjected firmly.
“The patriarch… said that?” Tang Sa-un asked.
Tang Ryeong nodded decisively.
“Yes. Let them in.” Tang Bi’s face hardened.
Grit. Clenching his teeth, he gave Tang Sa-un a slight nod. Tang Sa-un clasped his hands and bowed.
“I obey. Dissolve the formation!” At Tang Sa-un’s command, the Poison Extinction Squad stepped back in unison.
“Hmph!” Tang Bi snorted, storming inside.
Tang Sa-un clasped his hands toward Tang Ryeong.
“I’ll take my leave.”
“Do so.” As Tang Sa-un and the Poison Extinction Squad fully retreated, Tang Ryeong smiled at Tang Gon. “Welcome back.”
“Eldest Brother,” Tang Gon said, clasping his hands as Tang Ryeong patted his shoulder.
“You’ve been through a lot. Your face looks worn.”
“It’s nothing,” Tang Gon said, his voice choked with emotion as he bowed his head.
Tang Ryeong patted his shoulder again before turning to Bu Eunseol, clasping his hands.
“You must be Bu Eunseol, Young Master Bu.” Tang Ryeong bowed slightly, his clear eyes meeting Bu Eunseol’s. “I heard you risked your life to bring my third brother here. I’m deeply grateful for your great kindness…”
Raising his head, Tang Ryeong faltered. Bu Eunseol was glaring at him with a terrifying, fiery gaze.
Clang! Bu Eunseol irritably sheathed his sword and turned away coldly.
“No need for thanks. It was my business.”
Caught off guard by Bu Eunseol’s icy demeanor, Tang Ryeong stammered, “Did… did I do something wrong?”
“No.” But Black Leopard, watching the scene, struggled to suppress a laugh.
Tang Ryeong had stopped the Five Poison Sandfire Formation to save Bu Eunseol. From Bu Eunseol’s perspective, it was as if he’d been about to savor a rare delicacy only to have it snatched away at the last moment.
Unaware of this, Tang Ryeong was bewildered by Bu Eunseol’s hostile attitude.
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