Chapter 48 : Sichuan Tang Clan (2)

Chapter 48: Sichuan Tang Clan (2)

Dark Heaven Divine Sword, Tang Myung.

The greatest master in the history of the Tang Clan.

And a unique figure who, despite being a warrior of the Tang Clan, had never practiced poison arts.

Unusually, he had mastered sword techniques and became the strongest in the world through his sword alone.

Before Tang Myung, the Tang Clan had two branches.

One was the Poison King Lineage, which practiced poison arts and primarily used poison.

The other was the Dark Heaven Lineage, which used poison as well but specialized in stealth techniques.

After Tang Myung, a new branch emerged.

The Divine Sword Lineage.

They had existed in the clan before, but unlike the Poison King or Dark Heaven branches, they had not been part of the clan’s core. They had never stepped into the spotlight.

They were closer to weaponsmiths than martial artists.

But after the Dark Heaven Divine Sword appeared, they took up the sword.

Descendants of the Tang Clan who trained in swordsmanship and refused to learn poison arts.

Naturally, being a family with a long history, the Tang Clan had its own sword techniques. It was because such foundations existed that someone like Tang Myung had been able to rise.

Even so, the Tang Clan's core was poison arts.

Those who dealt in stealth techniques might emphasize that aspect, but they still trained in poison.

The Divine Sword Lineage was different. Anomalous.

They rejected poison arts.

“Being part of the Tang Clan but rejecting poison… aren’t they just crazy?”

It was like a Beggars’ Sect disciple declaring they wouldn’t become a beggar. A fundamental betrayal.

“At first, there were so few of them that it didn’t matter. But now their numbers have grown, and it seems to be causing problems within the Tang Clan. Their voices have grown louder too.”

“Even within a single clan, such things can happen, huh.”

Jin Ha-un found it strange, but it was only natural. In a force of that size, internal strife was inevitable. When including the retainers and servants who didn’t bear the Tang surname, the Sichuan Tang Clan numbered in the thousands.

“They worship the secret manuals of the Dark Heaven Divine Sword, so we don’t know what problems might arise. Hopefully, they’ll just thank us and that’s the end of it… but if they try to nitpick, things could get ugly. Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

At Ma Choong-won’s words, the other two glanced nervously.

“It’ll be fine.”

Unlike them, Jang Woo-hyun spoke calmly, as if he truly believed nothing would happen, and that attitude made Hwang An shiver.

He couldn’t bring himself to say the usual "Don’t fight."

It felt like the moment he said it out loud, something really would happen.

‘If this goes wrong...’

Just as one of the Ten Demonic Paths had been wiped out, perhaps one of the Five Great Clans would be erased.

If it was Jang Woo-hyun, he was more than capable of doing it.

‘No! Absolutely not!’

Hwang An cautiously opened his mouth.

“Brother Jang.”

“Hm?”

“Leave this to me.”

“What?”

“Returning the secret manual to the Tang Clan. I’ll do it. You must not step forward. I’ll handle it somehow.”

“Yes, hyung. I’ll help as well.”

Sensing something similar, Jin Ha-un nodded vigorously this time without his usual smile.

“Are you afraid I’ll end up fighting again?”

“Uh… not exactly, it’s just… I think it’s better if I do it.”

“Don’t worry. Nothing happened even when we met the Heavenly Tyrant Sect.”

‘That was because we were on the same side!’ Hwang An swallowed the words and forced a smile.

He really had to do something this time.

“The secret manual of the Dark Heaven Divine Sword…”

The elderly man introduced by Ma Choong-won was named Tang Un-jang and belonged to the Divine Sword Lineage. He was more a craftsman of the Tang Clan than a martial artist.

Tang Un-jang, with trembling hands, took the secret manual that Jang Woo-hyun handed over and examined it slowly.

“It is! It is! This is one of the secret manuals left by the Divine Sword! It’s the very one Tang Ga-ryang stole!”

Tears welled up in his eyes as he stared at the manual, and then he stood up and bowed several times.

“Thank you. Truly, thank you! I thought we’d never see this again. Thank you so much for helping us recover the manual left by the Divine Sword!”

Tang Un-jang, despite being far older, bowed without hesitation to Jang Woo-hyun, who was much younger.

“I’ll take this to inform the clan. Master Jang, you are a benefactor of the Tang Clan.”

Hwang An was momentarily stunned. He had expected conflict but things were going smoothly, and all the tension he had built up was suddenly released.

Then, shortly after…

Hwang An realized he had relaxed too soon.

Once Tang Un-jang delivered the news and led them to another location, things went exactly as Hwang An had feared.

When they arrived at the designated place, more than a dozen Tang Clan members were seated around a massive table, staring at their group.

The seat of honor was mysteriously empty, but everyone else wore tense expressions.

There was no open hostility or pressure, yet the atmosphere alone was oppressive.

Only Tang Un-jang, sitting to the side, looked troubled as he glanced between both parties.

“Ahem. Ahem.”

As Hwang An awkwardly cleared his throat in the uncomfortable silence, Jang Woo-hyun casually strolled over and sat in one of the empty chairs. Jin Ha-un and Hwang An sat on either side of him.

One of the Tang Clan members raised a hand.

A servant approached and placed teacups in front of the three, then stepped back. A middle-aged man, seemingly the representative, finally spoke.

“I am Tang Jeong-yeop of the Tang Clan.”

“He’s the head of the Eight Hands of the Tang Clan.”

Hwang An whispered to Jang Woo-hyun.

The Eight Hands were the Tang Clan’s main force. In terms of hierarchy, they were roughly equivalent to the Sword Yakshas of the Asura Sword Sect, though individual strength might differ.

Tang Jeong-yeop was the leader of the Eight Hands and a top-tier expert—someone respected wherever he went in the Martial World.

But that meant little to Jang Woo-hyun. Whether it was the Eight Hands or anything else.

“Jang Woo-hyun.”

He spoke only his name, yet murmurs broke out across the room. Even without any grand titles, his name carried immense weight.

The man who fought the Asura Sword Sect alone.

While the Tang Clan surpassed the Asura Sword Sect in strength and influence, the Asura Sword Sect was still a force to be reckoned with.

And Jang Woo-hyun had taken them on alone and crushed them.

That alone proved his exceptional prowess.

No one present here, no matter how proud of the Tang Clan they were, would dare to challenge the Asura Sword Sect single-handedly.

And having taken down two of the Three Sword Kings, it meant his martial prowess was at least Master Level. Even within the Tang Clan, those at that level numbered less than ten.

“You brought the Dark Heaven Divine Sword’s secret manual, I hear. May I ask how you came across Tang Ga-ryang?”

“I’ll explain.”

As discussed beforehand, Hwang An stepped forward in Jang Woo-hyun’s place.

“Tang Ga-ryang was working with the Asura Sword Sect.”

Tang Ga-ryang, the Jade-faced Poison Master, had been hiding within the Asura Sword Sect to evade pursuit, and in exchange for their protection, he had taken on tasks for them.

That was why Tang Ga-ryang had appeared before Jang Woo-hyun during his battle with the Asura Sword Sect—and ultimately why he was killed. Hwang An briefly summarized the story.

“Did you witness his martial arts?”

“As rumored, he used throwing needles. This is another secret manual he left behind.”

Hwang An handed over another nameless book. Those around Tang Jeong-yeop examined it and nodded in his direction.

“Thank you. You dealt with an enemy of our clan and returned a secret manual. However… this is a sensitive matter…”

“Did he read it?”

Someone interrupted Tang Jeong-yeop’s words.

It was a thin man with a sharp look in his eyes. The most noticeable thing about him was the long sword hanging at his waist.

He hadn’t taken his eyes off Jang Woo-hyun from the beginning.

“I skimmed it briefly to understand what it was…”

“I wasn’t asking you. One Sword, One Kill., did you read the manual?”

“I did.”

Everyone’s attention turned to Jang Woo-hyun at his curt response.

“I’m the one who recovered it—can’t I read it?”

His tone had changed.

Since they were being rude, there was no reason for him to stay polite.

The man began trembling and burst out in fury.

“You bastard! How dare you lay hands on another family’s secret manual! What of honor? There are things one must not do!”

Jang Woo-hyun frowned.

He couldn’t understand the man’s sudden outburst.

“What’s your problem? Does someone like this really exist?”

Encountering a character like those found in stories—one who suddenly escalated a situation without reason—Jang Woo-hyun felt both annoyed and strangely fascinated.

“‘Bastard’? Suddenly? You lunatic!”

“San-ah, lower your voice.”

Tang Jeong-yeop tried to calm him, but the man wouldn’t stop.

“To look through someone else’s secret manual without permission… Did you not consider the consequences? That’s the Tang Clan’s secret manual!”

“Tang Jeong-san! He’s a guest of the family.”

“What kind of guest is he? That’s the Divine Sword’s secret manual! He touched something that important without permission—how can you call him a guest?”

Several around Tang Jeong-san nodded in agreement and began voicing similar opinions.

Before long, the dozen people in the room split into two sides, raising their voices. Most of them, rather than supporting Tang Jeong-yeop, seemed to side with Tang Jeong-san, clearly displeased that Jang Woo-hyun had read the secret manual.

Though the conversation revolved around him, Jang Woo-hyun didn’t care much.

He found both Tang Jeong-yeop and Tang Jeong-san’s foolish bickering absurd, and his focus waned. Boredom began to creep in.

Before he realized it, the Tang Clan members no longer looked like people.

‘Ants are chirping.’

Ants were gathered beneath his feet, making noise.

But the commotion was so small it didn’t reach him—it didn’t even register in his ears.

Still, they kept chattering. One ant even bared its teeth, trying to bite him.

‘Should I squash them?’

Jang Woo-hyun raised his thumb, as if preparing to crush a bug.

Tap.

Just as he was about to move his hand, someone grabbed his arm.

He turned his head to see Jin Ha-un’s tense face.

“Hyungnim…”

Jin Ha-un shook his head. He must have sensed something.

Seeing his pale face brought Jang Woo-hyun back to himself.

‘Ah…’

He finally understood why he had dreamed such strange dreams.

Now, if he didn’t consciously stay focused, people no longer looked human.

Everything felt trivial.

He had risen so high that everything else looked tiny.

Like ants.

‘At this rate, I’ll become the Martial World’s greatest slaughterer.’

He chuckled helplessly at the absurdity of his own condition.

“Thanks.”

He expressed his gratitude to Jin Ha-un and patted him on the shoulder—as if to say not to worry.

“I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry.”

And as soon as he finished speaking, he released his Dispersing Mist Skill.

The force radiated outward from him.

Hwaaaa—

Just the release of his energy caused the teacup in front of him to fall to the ground.

Clatter! Crash!

“What in the—!”

“What’s going on…?”

Startled by the immense pressure, the warriors of the Tang Clan who had been arguing all jumped to their feet.

Some gathered their energy, others reached for their weapons.

Everyone’s focus was now locked on the monster before them.

Regardless, Jang Woo-hyun remained seated, looking around at them as he spoke.

“So this is how the Tang Clan treats its benefactors? You spoke of honor, didn’t you?”

When his gaze landed on him, Tang Jeong-san flinched and took a step back.

“Is this the Tang Clan’s version of honor toward a benefactor?”

The confident tone and the fact that he didn’t even stand while addressing them stung their pride. The faces of the Tang warriors flushed red.

“How dare you…”

“Do you know where you are?!”

“You threaten us here?!”

The Tang Clan warriors raised their voices.

Jang Woo-hyun laughed once and then raised his aura again.

Rumble…

The pressure thickened.

Jang Woo-hyun was just sitting, yet the Tang warriors had to brace themselves and draw upon their internal energy just to withstand the pressure.

“Threaten? You think this is threatening?”

Thump.

He lightly tapped the table in front of him.

Crack. Crumble—

The massive table shattered and collapsed into dust.

It was a single, casual strike, but from that alone, everyone in the room could estimate the extent of his strength. He was even stronger than what was rumored in the Martial World.

“You think you’ll get out of this safely after behaving like this in the Tang Clan?!”

Jang Woo-hyun turned to the one who had just shouted and stood up.

The pressure intensified even more.

The weight of his energy crushed down on their bodies. He had simply stood up—but the entire atmosphere shifted.

Everyone felt their shoulders weighed down.

Thud.

“Guh…”

Those with weaker martial skills couldn’t withstand it and dropped to their knees.

“The Tang Clan? So what? Want me to start the massacre from inside?”

At those words, Hwang An shut his eyes tightly, and Jin Ha-un whispered softly from the side.

“This… this isn’t how you resolve things.”

Jang Woo-hyun let out a faint smile at his brother’s words, then turned his head to the side. In truth, he had never planned to massacre anyone.

“What do you think?”

As his gaze shifted, the closed door opened, and a middle-aged man with a strong presence stepped into the room.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Tang Moon-sung. I serve as the head of the Tang Clan.”