Chapter 3

Chapter 3

 

As the great hall fell silent around Dang Myeong, Dang Cheondeuk spoke.

“Do you understand what you are saying? You are dismissing this clan’s sense of righteousness and honor, and abandoning our blood allies.”

“The Demonic Cult is using an eastern feint.”

“An eastern feint?”

“They are attacking Qingcheng and Emei to draw our clan out.”

Dang Myeong went on to explain. The Tang Clan’s poison arts were strongest on the defensive, so the Demonic Cult was trying to lure them outside.

“So you are saying that if we go out, their masters will be waiting in ambush.”

“Yes.”

Dang Myeong nodded, then looked at Dang Cheondeuk.

“You were planning to send the Secret Serpent Unit and the Flat Bat Unit as reinforcements.”

“How did you know that?”

“If Uncle Dang Jang goes, then even an absolute master of the Demonic Cult can be dealt with. And with Aunt Dang Miryeong there, even if the enemy comes in great numbers, she can handle them with Myriad Flower Rain.”

At Dang Myeong’s words, Dang Cheondeuk looked at him for a moment, then nodded.

“You have grown.”

At those words, the people of the Tang Clan looked at him. Dang Myeong kept speaking.

“If the Secret Serpent Unit and the Flat Bat Unit leave the main house, the Demonic Cult will quietly shift its forces and strike us by surprise.”

“The Secret Serpent Unit and the Flat Bat Unit are strong.”

At Dang Jang’s words, Dang Myeong saluted with clasped fists and bowed his head.

“How could I, as a disciple of this clan, not know how strong they are? But our enemy is the Demonic Cult. If the Black Wind Unit and the Blood Death Unit move at the same time…”

Dang Jang narrowed his eyes.

The Demonic Cult was a force that could wage war against the entire martial world as a single sect.

Even as the strongest expert in the Sichuan Tang Clan, Dang Jang could not face the commanders of two Demonic Cult units at once.

And if they were struck by surprise, the danger would be even greater. Poison was most effective when used from a prepared position. If it had to be used suddenly, its effectiveness would be cut in half.

“Would they really be able to move their main force while still surrounding Qingcheng and Emei?”

At Dang Miryeong’s question, Dang Myeong answered,

“If the Demonic Cult lays siege, our clan will focus on defense and wait for reinforcements. We will not step a single foot outside the main house.”

Dang Cheondeuk thought for a moment, then said,

“That is true.”

“Qingcheng and Emei will be the same. Those two sects will do nothing but rely on their formations and their mountain gates and defend themselves. In that situation, shifting their main force will not be difficult.”

“So their real target is us.”

“Yes. Once our two units are gone, the Demonic Cult’s main force will come for the Tang Clan. The hardest place to attack during a Demonic Cult invasion is our main house… so they are using an eastern feint to remove us first.”

At Dang Myeong’s words, Dang Jang said,

“If that happens, Qingcheng and Emei will move and strike their rear.”

“They…”

Dang Myeong let out a sigh.

“They will not move.”

Dang Jang frowned.

“If what you are saying is true, then Qingcheng and Emei would watch our clan fall into danger and still refuse to act. They are not petty people.”

“It would not be because they are petty. It would be because they would have a justification.”

“A justification?”

“The Demonic Cult will leave some of its forces at Qingcheng and Emei, then attack our main house. If that happens, Qingcheng and Emei will have a reason to claim they cannot come to our aid because they must deal with the Demonic Cult themselves.”

There was logic in Dang Myeong’s words, and Dang Jang turned to look at Dang Cheondeuk. Meeting that gaze, Dang Cheondeuk thought for a moment, then said,

“But these are all just words, are they not? And if we do not send troops, then Qingcheng and Emei will remain in danger. If we stand by while our blood allies suffer, the martial world will call our clan cowards.”

Then Dang Cheondeuk looked at the senior figures of the clan.

“The Young Lord’s opinion has some merit… but this is the Sichuan Tang Clan. We cannot stand by while our blood allies are in danger. Is there anyone here who agrees with the Young Lord?”

At those words, Dang Hong saluted with clasped fists and bowed his head.

“Dang Hong, commander of the Flying Heaven Unit, believes the Young Lord’s words make sense.”

Dang Hong had indeed lent weight to his argument, but Dang Myeong already knew it was not enough.

“Anyone besides the commander of the Flying Heaven Unit?”

“The Young Lord’s words have some merit, but this is the Sichuan Tang Clan. We must rescue Qingcheng and Emei.”

At Dang Jang’s words, the other masters also nodded. Looking at them, Dang Cheondeuk spoke.

“I will send the Secret Serpent Unit, the Flat Bat Unit, and ten masters from the Elder Hall. Sixty in total.”

At that decision, conflict flickered across Dang Myeong’s face.

It changed.

Originally, only fifty from the two units had gone. But this time, ten masters from the Elder Hall had been added.

Dang Cheondeuk had found some merit in his words and increased the force.

After a moment, Dang Myeong saluted with clasped fists and bowed his head.

“I will go with them.”

“You? By your own argument, this relief force is marching straight into certain death.”

“That is exactly why I will go as well.”

Dang Myeong looked at Dang Cheondeuk.

“The strategy I offered was not meant to save my own life. I offered it for the sake of our clan.”

Dang Cheondeuk looked at him for a moment, then nodded.

He was right.

If Dang Myeong were not part of the relief force, then his proposal would look like an attempt to protect himself out of fear of the Demonic Cult’s reputation.

But if he joined the relief force himself, then the meaning changed completely. He would be marching out despite knowing the danger.

“Very well. Prepare to depart at once. We leave in about an hour.”

“Yes, Clan Lord!”

Dang Myeong answered and hurried out of the pavilion. Watching him, Dang Cheondeuk called out,

“The Young Lord will remain for a moment.”

Dang Myeong stopped and looked at Dang Hong.

[Tell the Flying Heaven Unit that there is more than a ninety percent chance this mission ends in death.]

[More than ninety percent… Young Lord, do you truly believe it will be that bad?]

[…Yes. So if they have anything they have been saving, tell them to bring it all out.]

[Understood.]

Dang Hong left the hall with a grim face, and Dang Myeong walked toward Dang Cheondeuk.

“Are you still certain of what you said?”

“If you ordered me to prove it by offering up my head, I could do that. But not now.”

“Why not?”

“Because I need my head when I fight the enemy.”

“That means…”

Dang Myeong looked at Dang Cheondeuk, then bowed deeply.

With his head lowered, he continued,

“I probably will not see you again, Father.”

“…You are that certain?”

“Yes.”

“Then why did you not try harder to persuade me?”

“I thought I could persuade you… but for a moment, I forgot how stubborn this clan is.”

At that answer, Dang Cheondeuk gave a small laugh.

“Yes. The Tang Clan’s stubbornness is second to none.”

He looked at Dang Myeong and asked,

“Then how should we overcome this crisis?”

“Empty the Tang Clan Tower, and spread the Ten Great Forbidden Poisons there. The poison has to spread as widely as possible.”

“The Ten Great Forbidden Poisons, over a wide area… You truly believe the Demonic Cult’s main force is coming here.”

“Yes.”

At Dang Myeong’s answer, Dang Cheondeuk closed his eyes for a moment, then took a small jade bottle from his robe.

“It is the Cheonbo Pill. Take it.”

“The Cheonbo Pill is passed down to the Clan Lord.”

The Cheonbo Pill was a precious spirit pill meant to make up for any shortcomings in strength when the Tang Clan’s young lord rose to become Clan Lord.

It was so precious that even the head of the Sichuan Tang Clan could only take it once in a lifetime.

“It would have been passed down to you when you became Clan Lord. And if your words are true, then there may never be another chance to give it to you.”

Dang Cheondeuk opened the bottle and took out a golden pill. Dang Myeong was about to say something, but Dang Cheondeuk flicked a finger.

Pop!

“Ghk!”

Worthy of the head of the Sichuan Tang Clan, the family of hidden weapons, the pill shot straight into Dang Myeong’s mouth.

Gulp.

Startled, Dang Myeong grabbed at his throat, but Dang Cheondeuk pressed him down by the shoulder, seated him, and placed a hand on his head.

“There is no time. Circulate your qi.”

Fwoosh!

At those words, Dang Myeong drew up his inner energy.

Dang Cheondeuk’s energy joined with the qi of Dang Myeong’s Manryu Return-to-Origin Divine Art and spread through his entire body.

Then the energy of the Cheonbo Pill moved quietly with that current, becoming one with it.

***

Dang Myeong stood with the members of the Flying Heaven Unit. Dang Hong must already have explained the situation, because every man there wore a resolute expression.

Dang Myeong looked at them one by one, taking in every face.

Thank you. Truly.

Inwardly, he thanked the men who had once died for him and for the Tang Clan, carving a path open with their lives and holding the enemy back.

“Dang Myeong.”

At the sound of someone calling his name, Dang Myeong turned.

Dang Jang was approaching with the twenty-four members of the Secret Serpent Unit.

Most Tang Clan masters had quick, lean builds, but every member of the Secret Serpent Unit was solidly built.

Bringing his men with him, Dang Jang looked at Dang Myeong and asked,

“Did you take the Cheonbo Pill?”

“Yes.”

“So the Clan Lord truly believes your words.”

“…Yes.”

Dang Jang thought for a moment, then asked,

“How much of it did you absorb?”

“Thirty percent.”

Dang Jang nodded.

“I do not fully believe everything you said. But even if I do not, if events unfold the way you described, I can already predict the scale of the damage. So… until we reach Qingcheng Mountain, the command will be yours.”

“Thank you.”

Dang Jang looked at him as if puzzled when Dang Myeong accepted without hesitation.

“It is a heavy burden. You will not refuse?”

“I am thinking only of how to reduce the damage to our clan. And I am sorry to say this, but we can only reduce the damage if I hold command.”

“That is rude, and arrogant, exactly as you say. But… I hope you are right.”

Dang Myeong nodded.

A moment later, the Flat Bat Unit arrived.

They were wrapped head to toe in thick outer robes. And whenever they moved, a faint metallic clinking could be heard.

In other words, they were openly covered in hidden weapons from head to toe.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Even Dang Miryeong was wearing an outer robe as she saluted with clasped fists. Dang Jang looked over the gathered warriors from the two units and the Flying Heaven detachment.

“This mission is to rescue Qingcheng and Emei. And the one in command is the Young Lord, Dang Myeong. If a unit commander’s order conflicts with Dang Myeong’s order… you will follow Dang Myeong.”

“Yes, Commander!”

“Yes, Commander!”

After saluting, Dang Miryeong looked at Dang Jang. He gave a small nod, then turned to the great gates of the Tang Clan, standing wide open.

They were so massive they looked more like the gates of a fortress than the doors of a clan residence.

“We move.”

Whoosh!

Dang Jang launched himself forward with his lightness skill, and the Tang Clan warriors followed after him.

Flap! Flap!

Their outer robes streamed back in the wind, and the sight was magnificent.

***

As they raced from Chengdu, where the Sichuan Tang Clan stood, toward Qingcheng Mountain, Dang Myeong brought the terrain in the area to mind.

There had been traces of battle here when he had passed through before to ask for help.

Here.

After scanning the area, Dang Myeong quickly sent a voice transmission to Dang Jang.

[It is an ambush.]

At those words, Dang Jang kept his eyes fixed ahead and sent a voice transmission to Dang Miryeong.

Then the message spread in an instant in every direction.

[Miryeong.]

At Dang Jang’s transmission, Dang Miryeong gave her outer robe a slight flick, and in that same instant, the robes of the Flat Bat Unit moved with her.

Then—

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Daggers began firing into the area around them.

It was not just many. It was an uncountable storm of blades, pouring straight into the nearby forest.

The moment Dang Myeong said ambush, they blanketed every suspicious area with hidden weapons.

And then—

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Some of the daggers exploded, scattering black energy in every direction.

“Aaaargh!”

“Argh!”

Screams rang out from all through the forest.

At those cries, Dang Jang’s face went hard.

Dang Myeong was right.

With that thought, Dang Jang gave a hand signal.

Whoosh!

At the signal, the members of the Secret Serpent Unit moved their fingers in a blur.

Shhhk. Shhhk.

Poison spilled from their hands and began spreading through the designated area.