Chapter 39
The Dang Family of Sichuan (2)
He explained how he had encountered the heretical sorcerers,
and roughly how the Black Lotus Sect and the Martial Alliance were entangled.
Through that experience, he had been able to identify their formation techniques and rescue Jin Jo-yeon.
“Thus, their attack wasn’t just for revenge. Perhaps they intended to completely eliminate me as well.”
“Krrr—!”
Dang So-baek’s expression grew darker by the moment.
“So, you mean those heretical sorcerers planned to make me a puppet and control me? To swallow me up entirely?!”
“Don’t worry too much. As you heard from Lord Jang Won-pyeong, I’ve already completely uprooted that sorcery.”
After calming the trembling Jin Jo-yeon, Kang Yong-woon offered advice to Dang So-baek.
“Perhaps the Martial Alliance’s Grand Military Commander sent a secret dispatch to the Dang Sect about this matter, So-baek. To undermine from within. Like the Black Lotus or Jin-sang. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Krrr—!”
“How about Jin-sang?”
Jin Jo-yeon asked, his voice full of concern, as if deeply worried.
“Honestly, I can’t know everything,” Kang Yong-woon replied honestly.
“Jin-sang isn’t only gathered at the headquarters; at least a few high-ranking members must be outside, right?”
“Y-Yes, that’s true.”
Jin Jo-yeon’s face remained tense.
Kang Yong-woon smiled faintly and continued.
“Don’t worry too much. From what I saw, you were the starting point. And from the time we went to meet the previous head of the family, until I moved with you, everyone I saw was completely normal.”
“Oh! Really?!”
Only then did Jin Jo-yeon’s expression lighten.
Dang So-baek, who had been quietly listening, glanced subtly at Kang Yong-woon and asked:
“Yong-woon. You can tell them apart directly, right? I mean, you just… know when you see them?”
What could he hide?
“Yes. That’s right. I can tell. No matter how they disguise themselves, if they’ve mastered the heretical sect’s unique internal energy, my eyes cannot be deceived.”
“I see.”
Dang So-baek nodded firmly, then unexpectedly made a request.
“Could you visit our main family, the Dang family?”
He wanted Kang Yong-woon to inspect it.
To see if the heretical sorcerers, who tried to turn Jin Jo-yeon into something entirely different through sorcery, had also meddled with the Dang family.
At that moment:
Ziiiiing—
A resonance spread through his chest.
Warm, abundant, and incredibly mysterious, Kang Yong-woon could instinctively tell:
‘It’s the Heart Signal.’
Since he hadn’t activated the Great Heaven Divine Skill with hand seals, they weren’t observing this directly, yet it felt like they were sending a signal.
‘Is it true? Do the elders truly want me to visit the Dang family first?’
It seemed so.
As Kang Yong-woon understood, the resonance faded.
‘Then…?’
He nodded firmly.
“Of course.”
Upon returning to Seongdo, Kang Yong-woon immediately headed to the Dang Sect.
“See you next time, Yong-woon.”
“Yes. Travel safely, Jo-yeon.”
“Heh heh heh. Don’t worry about that, my friend. I’m an expert at these matters myself.”
Jin Jo-yeon shook Kang Yong-woon’s hand warmly, then turned around with satisfaction. Yet, even as he walked away, he kept glancing back, as if unwilling to let go.
“Heh heh heh. Seems he really doesn’t want to leave. I’ve never seen the Third Young Master like this before.”
Nam-goe Jong-gyeong smiled warmly at Kang Yong-woon.
“Thank you, Hero.”
“Thanks, my foot. I didn’t do much.”
Jong-gyeong raised his voice slightly, though his expression remained smiling. It seemed his pride was wounded that he couldn’t handle the three heretical sorcerers personally.
“What do you mean?! Because of you, Hero, I survived, and you even protected Jo-yeon!”
He snorted.
“No need to flatter me…”
Jong-gyeong’s faint smile gained weight in his voice.
“Just wait. I don’t know when, but next time we meet, things will be completely different. Seeing the martial arts you displayed last time shocked me. Now I intend to accomplish the task I’ve long postponed.”
Determination flashed in Jong-gyeong’s eyes. After the battle with the heretical sorcerers, he seemed to have resolved himself firmly.
“Yes, Hero. I look forward to that day. Ha ha ha.”
With a hearty laugh, he sent them off first.
“Let’s go, Yong-woon.”
“Yes.”
He headed to the Dang family in Sichuan with Dang So-baek.
‘What kind of place is the Dang family?’
He had already seen the Martial Alliance, visited the Black Lotus Sect, and experienced the large-scale Jin-sang, known as the Hyunrim.
[Dang family? They’re tough. Yeah.]
[They’re called tough because they handle poison well, but also because they’re really nasty.]
[They can be stubborn too.]
[But they’re loyal.]
[Yeah. Loyalty is certain. They’re strict in cutting ties, but once they give their heart, you gain a formidable ally.]
This was the elders’ reaction to his plan to briefly visit the Dang family.
As expected, the Heart Signal had indeed reflected the elders’ wishes. Despite Kang Yong-woon’s apologies, they simply laughed, not scolding him in the slightest.
“Over there, Yong-woon.”
“Ah!”
Kang Yong-woon exclaimed.
At the place Dang So-baek pointed, the famous Dang family of Sichuan stood, as he had only heard in stories.
‘Even the buildings carry a sense of history and tradition.’
It was true.
Though not as numerous as Jin-sang’s Hyunrim, the Dang family’s buildings exuded classical elegance, each steeped in history.
“Truly magnificent, So-baek. The noble dignity and proudness that have survived through centuries seem to halo the Dang family itself.”
“Ha ha ha. Most people would tremble at the mere name ‘Dang family.’ Thank you for seeing it favorably.”
Dang So-baek’s words were accurate. The Dang family’s principle was to repay kindness twofold and enmity tenfold, a fact well-known in the martial world.
“Let’s go, Yong-woon. I want to introduce you to someone.”
“Introduce?”
“Yes. Heh heh heh.”
Dang So-baek smiled mysteriously.
In a dark cave, without a single ray of light,
A pair of eyes burned red like embers, tracing perfect circles.
“Hahaha! What? That fool Jeokhwa-jun failed again?”
He seemed utterly delighted.
His unrestrained laughter shook the entire cave.
“Yes, Exalted Jeokhwa-jun.”
“Following the failure at the Black Lotus, even the matter of Jin-sang’s Third Young Master under Baekryeong’s supervision failed.”
Exalted Jeokhwa-jun suddenly voiced his curiosity.
“But I wonder… The Black Lotus affair failed because of the direct involvement of Red Dragon King, fine. But why did Jin-sang’s matter fail?”
That was what he wondered.
Although mocking them, he knew well the power of Jeongryeong Hwehon Sorcery, used by Jeokhwa-jun and Baekryeong.
“That hasn’t been determined yet.”
“Kill me, Exalted Jeokhwa-jun—!”
Thud. Thud.
Two subordinates from Baekryeong slammed their heads onto the floor.
Frowning, Jeokhwa-jun waved his hand lazily.
“Enough. Stand.”
Whoosh. Whirrr.
A powerful, invisible force rose.
The two Baekryeong were forcibly lifted.
“T-Thank you, Exalted Jeokhwa-jun—!”
“O-oh, Exalted Jeokhwa-jun—!”
They bowed again in awe. Complete obedience.
Satisfied, Jeokhwa-jun began self-praise in a much softer voice.
“No need to grasp at many things. Look at me. After His resurrection, I already created the most necessary weapon in Sichuan!”
“Yes, Exalted Jeokhwa-jun—!”
“The one who provides the most certain weapon to conquer the martial world after His resurrection is none other than Exalted Jeokhwa-jun.”
He spoke chillingly.
“The Black Lotus’s power is unnecessary, Jin-sang’s gold is unnecessary. A certain poison alone is sufficient to conquer the martial world.”
Poison—!
Jeokhwa-jun planned to prepare a heretical world through poison.
“Tell Eunryeong: Soon He will resurrect, and until then, we must extract as much poison as possible. Understood?!”
“Certainly, Exalted Jeokhwa-jun—!”
“We shall relay your command, Exalted Jeokhwa-jun—!”
The Baekryeong’s robust voices echoed through the cave.
After half a day:
Dang So-baek, who had come to see his parents at the inner residence, was more overwhelmed than expected.
“You brat—!”
“Do you even have a brain?!”
“As a proud bloodline of the Dang family, how dare you disregard all elders and relatives?!”
Because of Dang So-baek’s previous letter.
Having heard from Kang Yong-woon about the heretical sorcerers, Dang So-baek insisted on checking whether they had also meddled with the Dang family.
Naturally, he mentioned Kang Yong-woon.
Having shown the ability to easily identify heretical sorcerers at the Black Lotus and Jin-sang, he argued Kang Yong-woon could make them feel at ease.
“Check?! Fine, of course!”
“But why does an outsider do the checking?!”
“Who is this brat Kang Yong-woon to subject all our elders and bloodline to his inspection? Huh?!”
Dang So-baek had underestimated the pride of the Dang family.
Ignoring that pride and moving with the naive thought ‘He’s my friend, so it’s fine’ resulted in a harsh rebuke.
“Do you take our family lightly?”
“Answer me! Explain why our family should endure such a disgrace!”
Following the father, the eldest uncle, the younger uncle, even the elder brother and sub-family head Dang So-hwi fiercely scolded Dang So-baek.
“I apologize.”
Dang So-baek could do nothing but apologize.
“I was simply too concerned that the heretical sect, believed long gone, had extended its influence even to my close friend Jin Jo-yeon…”
Dang So-baek’s bowed head reflected his complex feelings.
‘Phew—! I understand the elders’ words.’
Yet, on the other hand, he couldn’t fully comprehend.
‘Why can’t they think that a simple check might ease our minds?’
He couldn’t erase the thought: Why are they so offended?
“Enough—!”
Then, the eldest of the Dang family, who had been silently watching, spoke.
The previous family head and revered in the martial world as the “Solitary of Poison,” Dang Gun-woo.
