Chapter 40
Sa-cheon Dang-ga (3)
The deep, steady voice of Dang Gun-woo resonated quietly.
“You all already know how sincere Soback is without me saying it, so it’s best to stop here.”
“But, Father… That child entrusted the safety of our bloodline to an outsider. What if that Kang Yong-woon harbors ill intentions toward our family?”
“That’s right, Father. If we’re not careful, his three inches of tongue could cause division within our clan.”
His elder uncle, Dang Se-myung, and younger uncle, Dang Se-geuk, raised their voices particularly strongly.
At that moment—
Flash!
A lightning-like radiance shot from Dang Gun-woo’s eyes, sweeping over the two of them in an instant.
Startled, the two men finally fell silent.
Dang Gun-woo fixed his gaze on them and continued in his deep voice:
“Do you see your nephew Soback as a fool? A fool who cannot tell people apart or discern right from wrong—do you think that of him?!”
Impossible!
Unlike Soback’s father, Dang So-hwi, who had secluded himself for family training due to succession lessons, Dang Soback had frequently traveled the martial world since childhood.
This meant he had plenty of experience.
And wasn’t he recognized for that experience in the martial world as one of the brightest names among the new masters, one of the Seven Pillars and Three Blossoms (칠주삼화)?
“He’s a child who directly fought heretical sorcerers who reappeared after more than a hundred years. Moreover, they even cast their spells on Cho-yeon, who is already mentioned as a potential successor to the heretical sect’s leadership.”
“Ha—! Father, you are right. From Soback’s perspective, concern was natural.”
The clan head, Dang Se-hwang, finally relaxed. Bolstered by the support of his predecessor, Dang Gun-woo, he also subtly defended Soback.
“But, Father… how can we trust that brat Kang Yong-woon?”
“Just because Soback became friends with him, we don’t even know his sect or his purpose for traveling, do we?”
Dang Se-myung and Dang Se-geuk still voiced their doubts.
Soback might feel unfairly judged, but their suspicion was natural.
“Our Dang clan is different from other families.”
“As you know, Father, because we handle poisons, our descendants are very precious.”
“And precious as they are, we know each other very well, Father.”
“We know each member so thoroughly that there’s little about them we don’t know—their personality, martial skills, even their habits.”
“No matter what tricks the heretical sorcerers try, if one person changes behavior, we will notice.”
Their numbers were few.
They knew each other so well.
Thus, no heretical sorcerer would dare attempt anything against the Dang clan.
A cold smile curved on the lips of the lone master, Dang Gun-woo.
“Have you mastered the heretical sorcery? Judging by your words, you seem confident you can counter whatever spells they unleash.”
“Eh—?”
“What do you mean by that—?”
Startled, the two uncles froze as Dang Gun-woo unleashed an unexpected stern rebuke:
“Do not speak recklessly without knowing. The heretics—along with the demonic and blood sects—once dominated the world. The wickedness of their techniques caused countless deaths in the martial world.”
“Ah….”
“Uh…”
Dang Se-myung and Dang Se-geuk finally fell silent.
Dang Gun-woo’s voice softened slightly as he continued:
“I do not mean to frighten you. But since some events have already occurred, it’s necessary to confirm things at least once. Understand?”
He then turned his gaze toward the current clan head, Dang Se-hwang.
“That’s my opinion, Head. Even if one makes a mistake… it’s foolish to pass up an opportunity to confirm things rather than uphold one’s pride.”
That was the end.
Dang Gun-woo, having nothing more to say, stood up and left.
“Father… are you going there?”
“Yes.”
Dang Se-hwang hurriedly rose, his question met with a heavy nod from Dang Gun-woo.
The clan head’s concern was clear.
“Please don’t overexert yourself, Father. If it’s too dangerous, can’t we just seal it and pass it on to the next generation?”
All the clan’s blood relatives shared the same sentiment.
“This is a site accumulated over centuries, Father. It’s natural that it cannot be controlled by human power.”
“Exactly, Father. Above all, I fear for your health.”
Dang Se-myung and Dang Se-geuk echoed their concern.
Dang Gun-woo looked at his children, a resolute light shining in his eyes.
“How long can we delay if we do not abandon the Dang Clan Tower? Covering it is only temporary. Therefore, for your sake and the future generations, I will do what I must. Yes. If successful, we will reach the legendary Poisonous Territory, won’t we? Hahaha.”
Dang Gun-woo laughed heartily, determination evident, and disappeared.
“Father—!”
Everyone’s expressions grew heavy.
Though none would openly admit it, they clearly did not believe in the so-called legendary Poisonous Territory.
Time passed.
“Ahem. Our discussion has strayed.”
Dang Se-hwang regained focus. Then, abruptly, he directed a very serious comment toward Dang Soback:
“I will personally test whether that child Kang Yong-woon truly has the capability.”
“Father—?!”
Soback’s face went pale.
A test? From the clan head himself?
Soback felt Kang Yong-woon’s life was as fragile as a candle in the wind.
Kang Yong-woon wandered alone inside the annex.
He was practicing using the Great Heavenly Divine Art (Daecheon Shingong) in the form of his pupils, albeit briefly.
“When I leave here, nothing unusual will happen, and I will head straight toward Mount Zhongnan. Really.”
He repeatedly sent apologetic thoughts to the elders in the Palace of the Gungchang.
Of course, the reply was always the same:
[Hahaha. Like flowing water, child.]
[Do not worry—!]
[The future always changes with your choices. The righteous flourish, the unrighteous perish. Always remember the teachings of the ancients.]
The meaning was that even if one takes a detour, walking the right path is fine.
His mind churned.
“Can I really live according to the will of heaven, like the Daecheon Shingong diagrams suggest?”
It felt burdensome.
He needed to find his grandfather, complete the lost martial arts of the family, and then pursue the extremely personal goal of restoring the clan.
“Most likely, I will clash with those who do not want this…”
He worried whether he could still follow heaven’s will or the greater purpose.
“Eh, I don’t know. Great Dao has no sect. If I live for others without selfish ambition, a path will emerge.”
Kang Yong-woon, having roughly settled his thoughts, changed the topic to lighten the mood.
“I gave a name to the martial technique you elders taught me during the fight with the heretical sorcerers.”
Surely they would be curious.
But no.
[Hmm. That is just a stepping stone, child.]
[It’s merely a means for you to protect yourself until you are ready.]
[It is strong, but do not become obsessed.]
[You must look further—!]
Kang Yong-woon froze.
“Just a stepping stone?!”
He didn’t understand. Wasn’t this martial art the one they joyfully taught him, claiming the time had finally come?
“Then, why now…?”
He could not help but wonder what the elders truly expected of him.
“Ha! I don’t know.”
Surely there was some deeper purpose.
After putting the question aside, Kang Yong-woon suddenly spoke:
“It’s called Thunder God Technique (Nae-shin-gyeol). The stepping stone or means the elders taught me.”
Was the name too grandiose?
[Hahaha! I see. Yes, it suits it well.]
[Even a simple-minded fellow can be good at naming.]
Only the two familiar voices of the elders playfully complimented him.
Then—
“Yuna—!”
The door swung open, and Dang Soback appeared.
“You’re here… Huh? Why that expression?”
Kang Yong-woon’s eyes widened at Soback’s extremely pale face.
“What happened?”
“Well… um, it’s like this…”
Soback hesitated, struggling to continue.
“…The clan head, Father, wants to test your qualifications, Yong-woon.”
“…!”
The test by the head of the Great Sa-cheon Dang-ga.
Kang Yong-woon was momentarily speechless, stunned by the unexpected situation.
[Do not worry, child.]
[The reason you came here like flowing water is exactly for this.]
[Face it wisely and without fear.]
As if long awaiting the moment, the elders of the Gungchang stepped forward.
They all insisted Kang Yong-woon should undergo the test by the clan head.
“Eh, I don’t know. He’s my friend’s son; they wouldn’t possibly kill me with a test.”
After a brief thought, Kang Yong-woon nodded readily.
“Alright. Let’s go take the test.”
“Yes. Test? Or… just escape… Huh? Go? To Father?”
Dang Soback misinterpreted Kang Yong-woon’s words and was surprised.
“Yes. Go. To the clan head.”
“Is that really okay?”
A grin spread across Kang Yong-woon’s face.
“He’s my friend’s father; he wouldn’t kill me, right? We’re going now, so let’s borrow a practice sword. Mine broke fighting the heretical sorcerers.”
Soback was dumbfounded.
He couldn’t believe Kang Yong-woon was asking to borrow a practice sword without knowing the clan head’s temperament!
‘Ha! Sorry, Yong-woon. You won’t die, but it might be painful enough to feel like it.’
Soback silently apologized in advance.
“Use this. It’s the Cheonggang Sword I usually used for training.”
“Thanks, Soback.”
The two headed toward the clan head Dang Se-hwang’s training hall.
Moments after entering,
Flash!
A piercing light shot from Dang Se-hwang’s eyes upon seeing Kang Yong-woon, exuding a subtle murderous aura that even made the skin tingle.
Yet,
“Wow! He’s really strong!”
Having felt the martial arts of the Red Dragon King firsthand, Kang Yong-woon was impressed but not intimidated.
Wrinkle.
Dang Se-hwang’s eyelids twitched violently.
He sensed something in Kang Yong-woon that was entirely different from what he had expected.
“Huh! Truly clear.”
Any doubts seemed ridiculous now.
But Dang Se-hwang remained resolute.
“Whether by choice or not, you dared to trace the heretics’ marks in the Dang clan. You must prove your worth.”
Feeling is one thing, proof of qualification is another.
He coldly spoke:
“Indeed, your courage is commendable.”
“Malhak Kang Yong-woon greets the clan head of Dang-ga.”
Kang Yong-woon did not mention being Soback’s friend, bowing politely.
“Hohoho. The spirit is commendable—.”
Dang Se-hwang seemed to have realized why Kang Yong-woon omitted that he was Soback’s friend.
“Father! Please be lenient—”
“That’s enough. You may step back now—!”
Dang Soback tried to intervene, but Dang Se-hwang cut him off coldly.
“It’s alright, Soback.”
“Yong-woon.”
“Do not worry. Step aside now.”
“Ha! Understood. Please…”
Soback left with a face full of concern, unable to finish his sentence.
