Chapter 103

Iron Center Pavilion.

This was the residence of the Young Patriarch of the Sichuan Tang Clan, the one who would become the Patriarch in the future.

Slurp.

Tang Gon was drinking tea in the pavilion overlooking a beautiful flower garden. Sitting opposite him was Bu Eunseol, dressed in black martial attire.

“I haven’t seen you for a few days because I was busy.”

After a fierce bloody battle lasting half a day, Tang Gon had defeated Tang Ryeong by a margin of half a move. Afterward, he officially became the Young Patriarch of the Tang Clan and moved his residence to the Iron Center Pavilion, located in the heart of the Inner Court, opposite the Heaven and Earth Pavilion where Tang Pae resided.

Upon becoming the Young Patriarch, he received authority over the maidservants in charge of housekeeping, the Tang Clan’s supreme guard unit, and the right to learn all of the Tang Clan’s Eight Great Secret Arts.

“But why is your expression like that?”

Bu Eunseol looked at Tang Gon, who was sitting with a sour expression. He had finally achieved all his desired goals, yet his face did not look very bright.

“I don’t know. This isn’t the ending I wanted.”

Regrettably, Tang Ryeong had passed away quietly three days after the tournament ended. His meridians had already been partially melted by the palm strike he took from Tang Bi, and on top of that, he had fought Tang Gon for half a day, pushing himself to the limit.

Furthermore, Tang Bi, having recovered from his injuries, had left for outside the pass. It was due to guilt that Tang Ryeong had died because of the single palm strike he had delivered, and the lack of confidence to serve under Tang Gon with loyalty.

“Do not speak as if you have achieved everything.”

Bu Eunseol looked at Tang Gon and spoke forcefully.

“Your life is just beginning.”

From now on, he had to perfectly master the Eight Great Secret Arts to become stronger than anyone else, and gain the trust of the Tang Clan’s blood relatives. Not only that, but he had to expand his connections and solidify cooperative relationships with the successors of various sects and families… There was a mountain of work to be done.

“Your words are always right.”

Tang Gon chuckled.

“And they always make me feel ashamed.”

This young man, who looked a year or two younger than himself, always possessed the insight and values of an old man in his twilight years.

“Do not think like that. You are also a wise and outstanding person. Believe in yourself.”

As Bu Eunseol rose from his seat, Tang Gon spoke with a regretful expression.

“Are you leaving?”

Tang Gon knew. That Bu Eunseol had already finished preparing to leave with Black Leopard. But he didn’t want to let him go like this.

“Can’t you stay a little longer? I have much to do in the future.”

“The work ahead must be done by joining forces with the blood relatives within the Tang Clan. There is nothing for me to help with.”

“It’s just a manner of speaking. Stay a few more days. Now that I’ve become the Young Patriarch, I’ll open the main house’s wine cellar wide…”

“That is enough. Let us do that next time.”

Bu Eunseol smiled brightly and said, “Shouldn’t there be a little regret so that we are happier to meet next time?”

“Indeed.”

Taking a deep breath, Tang Gon wore a faint smile. Then he took out a small command token from his bosom. It was the Young Patriarch’s token, capable of issuing orders to everyone in the Tang Clan except the Patriarch, Tang Pae.

“You and I… and the main house will share life and death with you.”

Tang Gon spoke with a passionate voice.

“Please accept it.”

“A loss for me.”

“Huh?”

Bu Eunseol grinned, unlike his usual self.

“I will live a little longer than you. So if we share life and death, isn’t it a loss for me?”

At those words, Tang Gon’s eyes widened with a moved expression. He realized this small joke was Bu Eunseol’s way of conveying his heart.

Knock, knock.

At that moment, along with the sound of knocking, a maidservant’s delicate voice was heard.

“Young Patriarch. A guard from the Heaven and Earth Squad has come looking for Young Hero Bu.”

“Heaven and Earth Squad?”

The Heaven and Earth Squad was the direct royal guard unit protecting the Patriarch, Tang Pae. Why would a warrior from the most terrifying guard unit within the Tang Clan seek Bu Eunseol, not him?

“Let him in.”

At Tang Gon’s words, the door opened, and a muscular middle-aged man bowed politely.

“Woo Myeong of the Heaven and Earth Squad greets the Young Patriarch.”

“What is the matter?”

“The Patriarch is looking for Young Hero Bu.”

“This friend? Why?”

“He merely ordered him to come to the Heaven and Earth Pavilion.”

“Very well. Lead the way.”

As Bu Eunseol stood up, Tang Gon stood up with him.

“I will go too.”

“I apologize, but the Patriarch ordered me to bring only Young Hero Bu.”

“Hmm.”

As Tang Gon wore a dubious expression, Bu Eunseol waved his hand.

“I will go and see.”

***

Heaven and Earth Pavilion.

This was where the Patriarch of the Sichuan Tang Clan resided. The name was the same as the pavilion where the Martial Righteous Alliance Leader stayed, because the first Martial Righteous Alliance Leader was a Patriarch of the Sichuan Tang Clan.

“Please wait here for a moment.”

Guided by a maidservant, he entered a banquet room filled with luxurious furnishings. As Bu Eunseol sat down, the inner door opened, and a middle-aged man dressed in splendid clothes walked out slowly.

It was Tang Pae.

“Patriarch.”

Bu Eunseol rose from his seat and bowed politely. Because he was not just the Patriarch of the Sichuan Tang Clan whose name shook the world, but the father of his friend.

“I heard you are leaving today.”

“That is correct. But the reason you called me…”

“Hahaha. How could I just let the benefactor of the main house go?”

Tang Pae was a master of the Supreme Heavenly Realm, on par with the Sect Leaders of the Nine Great Sects and One Faction, and the heads of the Eight Great Families. Having transcended even the Transcendence Realm, he would normally emit an aura intense enough to make breathing difficult, but now he exuded an atmosphere like a spring breeze, as if he had found a long-lost love.

It was understandable, for Bu Eunseol was like a godsend to Tang Pae. He had awakened all of Tang Gon’s abilities, which had been regrettable until now, and even dealt with Deputy Valley Master Sim Dok of the Blood Poison Valley.

Because of that incident, the Tang Clan’s fame was spreading beyond Sichuan to Hunan and Hubei, and countless young people were hoping to enter the Tang Clan’s Outer Court.

“Thanks to you, Gon has realized his abilities as the Young Patriarch, and the main house’s fame has risen day by day.”

A smile rippled on Tang Pae’s lips as he looked at Bu Eunseol.

“The young masters of the Poison Arrow Hall even requested to be under Gon’s command. When I asked the reason, they said it was because of you and the boy you brought.”

Pausing for a moment, Tang Pae nodded and said, “Thanks to you, the two matters this Patriarch considered most troublesome have both been resolved.”

“I merely helped a little from the side.”

“Huhu. You are humble as well.”

Scanning Bu Eunseol’s handsome appearance with satisfaction, Tang Pae asked cautiously.

“Might I know where your sect is?”

“That is…”

“Do not worry. It does not matter even if you are from the Unorthodox Faction, not the Orthodox.”

Tang Pae spoke calmly.

“The main house also has ties with several Unorthodox sects. Although the paths are different, there is no need to deny each other.”

In truth, not only he but all the Tang Clan blood relatives guessed that Bu Eunseol was not a master from a prestigious Orthodox sect. If he were a master from a prestigious sect, they couldn’t possibly not know him.

Yet, Tang Pae asked about his background because he had an ulterior motive.

“I am traveling the Gangho under strict orders not to reveal my sect.”

“I see.”

Wearing a disappointed expression, Tang Pae spoke in a suggestive voice.

“Do you have a specific destination after leaving the main house?”

“I do not.”

“I see. In that case…”

Clearing his throat once more, Tang Pae spoke in a low voice.

“I heard you met Cheong-ie.”

“Yes.”

“How was she?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well…”

Tang Pae stared intently at Bu Eunseol’s face. Martial arts were martial arts, but in terms of appearance, aura, and atmosphere, he lacked nothing. Looking into Bu Eunseol’s eyes, clear and still like the autumn sky, Tang Pae finally brought up the main topic.

“Do you have any thoughts of becoming a son-in-law who marries into the main house?”

“A son-in-law, you say.”

“If you are willing, I intend to bridge the gap with Cheong-ie myself.”

If anyone else had heard these words, they would have jumped in shock and doubted Tang Pae’s sanity. Tang Pae was the one who had publicly declared he wouldn’t allow his daughter to even meet a man unless he was the successor of the Nine Great Sects or the son of the Martial Righteous Alliance Leader.

Yet he was recommending Bu Eunseol, who claimed to be a wanderer of the Gangho, to become Tang Cheong’s husband?

‘With that character and martial arts, his sect must be tremendous even without seeing it. It is better to preemptively secure him.’

“I…”

“Do not answer easily.”

Tang Pae wore a very serious expression.

“Becoming Cheong-ie’s husband means not only can you learn all of the main house’s Eight Great Secret Arts, but you will also become a figure who runs the Tang Clan alongside Gon and leads the world.”

“……”

“And although it is strange for this Patriarch to say it himself, Cheong-ie is not only skilled in the four arts—zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting—but also a talented woman called the First Beauty of Sichuan.”

“I am grateful for your kindness, but after my Gangho travels end, I have many matters left to handle.”

“I am not telling you to decide now.”

At Bu Eunseol’s firm answer, Tang Pae laughed like a cunning serpent and took a step back.

“There will be Cheong-ie’s opinion as well, and who knows how human relationships might turn out in the meantime.”

Tang Pae patted Bu Eunseol’s shoulder gently and said, “Are you not a friend who shares life and death with Gon anyway? You will also start a family someday, so give it some thought for the future.”

“Understood.”

“You must have received the Young Patriarch’s token from Gon… Is there nothing you desire from this Patriarch? I will grant anything.”

Thinking deeply about something for a moment, Bu Eunseol shook his head.

“There is nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“That is correct.”

“Think carefully. There is still plenty of time.”

“There is nothing.”

At the resolute answer, Tang Pae’s eyes became mismatched in size. The Patriarch of the Sichuan Tang Clan, renowned under the heavens, offered to grant anything he desired, yet he flatly refused?

“Ahem.”

Clearing his throat, Tang Pae spoke softly.

“The main house has the most outstanding hidden weapon artisans in the world. Do you know how to use hidden weapons?”

“I have never learned.”

“Is that so? Then I will have the main house’s artisans make you an excellent hidden weapon mechanism. With the main house’s mechanism, even a decent master won’t be able to dodge with just a flick of a finger.”

Despite Tang Pae’s suggestive words, Bu Eunseol shook his head once more.

“I am fine.”

“Hmm. In that case…”

Pondering for a moment, Tang Pae seemed to think deeply about something, then slowly took out a thin booklet from his bosom. On the cover, which looked recently made, two phrases, Compendium of Daggers were written in cursive script.

“As you know, the foundation of the main house’s hidden weapon arts is flying dagger techniques…”

Perhaps recalling Tang Ryeong who had quietly passed away after the tournament, a hint of anguish surfaced in the corners of Tang Pae’s eyes. He showed a cold and unwavering appearance because he was in the position of Patriarch, but in reality, he was not such a heartless person.

“Take it. It is a gift from this Patriarch.”

“I am fine.”

The Tang Clan’s martial arts were never to be leaked outside. They were absolutely never taught to outsiders.

“Are you worried you’ll become a member of the main house if you accept it blindly?”

Joking, Tang Pae wore a benevolent smile.

“It is fine. This is not the martial arts of the Tang Clan, but merely a record of the insights gained while using the One Hand Life Stealer.”

Handing the manual to Bu Eunseol once more, Tang Pae muttered low as if to himself.

“And since Gon uses a sword, he won’t need this manual.”

The voice was so small it was almost inaudible, but it contained deep regret. Standing still for a moment, Bu Eunseol accepted the manual and bowed his head.

“Thank you for your kindness.”

“Don’t forget that the main house is behind you whenever you have difficulties.”

Chuckling, Tang Pae looked at Bu Eunseol.

“Well, although I think your sect must be formidable as well.”

“Thank you.”

“I wish you martial fortune.”

“Then.”

Bu Eunseol slowly turned around. Watching Bu Eunseol leave in the distance, Tang Pae muttered softly.

“I don’t know where on earth they raised a talent like that.”

There was deep regret in his voice. Because he truly wanted to welcome Bu Eunseol as a son-in-law.

“There will be an opportunity someday.”

Tang Cheong was not a flower that sat demurely waiting for attention. She was a woman like a bee seeking out beautiful flowers.

“Since he can be called a dragon among men… that child won’t stay still either.”

Knowing Tang Cheong’s personality well, Tang Pae smiled with satisfaction and turned around.