Chapter 94: Chapter 94
Tang Bi-cheon had not been able to sleep properly for even a single day since returning to the Sichuan Tang Clan.
Whenever he closed his eyes, it kept lingering in his head. The defeat of that day, the disappointment of the people, and Cheon Woo-jin’s eyes.
“Cheon Woo-jin…”
Tang Bi-cheon muttered his name under his breath. Even the pronunciation slipping past his lips had reached the point of being loathsome.
Sitting in his luxurious office and glaring into empty air, Tang Bi-cheon spoke in an irritable tone.
“Master Won-dang.”
“Yes, Young Clan Leader.”
Tang Bi-cheon was still alone inside the office.
Only Master Won-dang’s answer was heard from within the darkness.
Keeping his gaze fixed on empty space, Tang Bi-cheon continued.
“Wouldn’t it be fine to proceed with the grand scheme now?”
“It feels somewhat premature, but…”
Master Won-dang trailed off on purpose. It was because he sensed that Tang Bi-cheon’s resolve was already firm.
The grand scheme Tang Bi-cheon spoke of was the establishment of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance that would become the new sky. Of course, the central pillars would be himself and the Sichuan Tang Clan.
The foundation had already been laid. During his time as the president of the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering, he actively utilized that environment.
Originally, the Sichuan Tang Clan was a ferocious clan competing with the Namgung Clan for the top seat among the Five Great Clans. Since wings called the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering were attached to that ferocious might, how great was the power he had wielded during that time?
It was even more so because Tang Bi-cheon practically acted as the acting clan leader of the Tang Clan.
“Let us proceed. There is no other answer.”
Tang Bi-cheon thought so.
From the start, it was impossible to become the true clan leader of the Tang Clan.
Because his father, the Poison King, was alive. Even if he had fallen into dementia, he could not escape his shadow.
The world feared and respected the insane Poison King far more than the sound-minded Tang Bi-cheon.
It was also the catalyst that caused Tang Bi-cheon to seek power outside rather than within the Sichuan Tang Clan.
Furthermore, now that he could no longer enjoy power in the Martial Alliance, there was only one path for Tang Bi-cheon to take.
“Are you outside?”
“Yes, Young Clan Leader.”
The tender voice of a maidservant was heard from outside.
Tang Bi-cheon had her summon a certain man.
It was an essential matter prior to the grand scheme.
How much time had passed like that?
“Young Clan Leader. Did you call for me?”
It was an aged voice. Unlike a martial artist of the Tang Clan, it was calm and clear, carrying a subtle profundity.
It was also the voice Tang Bi-cheon was most wary of within the Tang Clan.
“Enter.”
Soon the door opened, and a gray-haired old man carefully stepped inside. Even while bowing his head, he stared intently at a shadow in the darkness.
“The Master was here as well.”
“…”
No answer returned.
Few within the Tang Clan dared ignore his words, but the old man let it be. Because he already knew that Master Won-dang, backed by the Young Clan Leader, was holding the Tang Clan and shaking it.
“First Elder. I intend to put the grand scheme into action now.”
The Tang Clan’s First Elder, Tang Myeong-un, looked at Tang Bi-cheon with startled eyes. He already knew what kind of world the Young Clan Leader dreamed of. Tang Myeong-un also had no intention of bowing his head to Bukli Cheon forever. He was a martial artist of the Tang Clan, after all.
However, he had not expected Tang Bi-cheon to proceed so swiftly and impatiently.
“Could it be that without my knowledge, you elicited the agreement of the other Five Great Clans or the Nine Great Sects and One Clan?”
As far as Tang Myeong-un knew, there were three factions that had promised to share the same will with the Tang Clan. Considering that all three were factions belonging to the Nine Great Sects and One Clan and the Five Great Clans, it was truly a tremendous combat force.
However, the problem was that even if the four factions joined hands to create the Righteous Heavenly Alliance, the remaining combat strength in the Martial Alliance was far greater.
At Tang Myeong-un’s worried question, Tang Bi-cheon clicked his tongue.
“That much preparation is sufficient. Just when would we convince half of the Nine Great Sects and One Clan and the Five Great Clans? The Martial Alliance may have already noticed to some extent. It is a matter that can no longer be delayed.”
“…However.”
“Enough.”
Tang Bi-cheon silenced Tang Myeong-un.
In any case, the elders of the Tang Clan were all the Clan Leader’s brothers.
In other words, they were Tang Bi-cheon’s uncles.
Even so, Tang Bi-cheon did not respect them. He merely tried to reign over them as the Young Clan Leader.
Tang Bi-cheon clicked his tongue toward Tang Myeong-un and spoke.
“Four factions including us among the Five Great Clans and the Nine Great Sects and One Clan have withdrawn from the Martial Alliance in a single instant. Though the Martial Alliance might be stronger, could they really face us with all their might?”
“…It would be difficult.”
While the Demonic Cult and the Black Overlord Castle kept their eyes wide open, the Martial Alliance’s Chief Strategist Sima Hwi would not make such a foolish judgment.
“That is right. Once the Righteous Heavenly Alliance is established, an all-out war will not break out for at least the next ten years. Furthermore, among the factions remaining in the Martial Alliance, there are surely cowards who harbor resentment toward Bukli Cheon for harming their vested interests, yet could not muster the courage to sympathize with us.”
Seeing the Righteous Heavenly Alliance truly established, those cowards would be tempted belatedly. Rather than bowing their heads to Bukli Cheon who oppressed them, it would be advantageous to become masters of a new world together.
Tang Bi-cheon had no intention of casting them away. With the demeanor of a magnanimous man, he would absorb them all.
As he absorbed additional members of the Five Great Clans and the Nine Great Sects and One Clan one by one in that manner, the day would come when they stood shoulder to shoulder with the Martial Alliance.
Tang Bi-cheon was convinced that such a world would arrive before his age exceeded forty. Moreover, that he would become the master of that world.
Becoming the alliance leader of the greatest coalition under heaven at the mere age of forty.
“…”
Tang Myeong-un swallowed his saliva. The Young Clan Leader’s words were not entirely absurd. If the one making such an assertion had been the Poison King rather than Tang Bi-cheon, he would have followed with his life on the line.
No, even if it was Tang Bi-cheon, he would have believed and followed if it were a decision made in a right state of mind. Because that was the Tang Clan.
But Tang Bi-cheon was not in his right mind right now. At least, that was how it appeared to Tang Myeong-un.
While Tang Myeong-un maintained his silence, a metallic voice resembling iron echoed from within the darkness.
“Young Clan Leader, you speak truly rightly. When that day comes, even the Namgung Clan will bow their heads to the Tang Clan.”
“…”
Tang Myeong-un’s gaze turned toward the darkness.
The moment the Young Clan Leader began going mad was precisely when that Master Won-dang appeared.
The problem was that it was not just the Young Clan Leader. Those who received Master Won-dang’s aid already exceeded eighty percent of the Tang Clan’s leadership.
They had grown strong. The Young Clan Leader was also already strong enough to rival the heads of other Nine Great Sects and One Clan and Five Great Clans.
At the same time, they were going mad. Gradually losing their reason, they were becoming beings obsessed solely with objectives and power.
Tang Myeong-un was truly sorrowful. But there was no other measure he could take.
‘If only the Clan Leader were intact…’
He would have immediately crushed that bastard Master Won-dang’s head and set the Tang Clan upright as it originally was.
But it was a meaningless wish. The Poison King was already in a state where he could not even handle chopsticks properly, relying on a maidservant’s assistance.
Tang Myeong-un closed his eyes tightly.
It was then.
Master Won-dang, who had been hiding in the darkness, revealed his figure. He placed a pill taken from his robes onto the table.
“First Elder, please take one as well.”
“…”
Tang Myeong-un looked at it without a word.
He was someone who suspected that the Tang Clan leaders going mad was entirely due to that pill. Naturally, he did not want to take it.
But Master Won-dang urged him with a subtle voice.
“Hasn’t the time come for you to trust me? Haha, I know you are cautious, but the other elders, including the Young Clan Leader, took it long ago. What happened to them all? They gained strength. The grand scheme will unfold soon. First Elder must also prepare.”
Tang Myeong-un intuitively realized. If he refused that pill, he would never leave this office alive.
Tang Bi-cheon clicked his tongue.
“Why give such a precious thing to someone who doesn’t even want to eat it? You always say what you have to give me is lacking.”
“Haha, aren’t we one family?”
Tang Myeong-un cursed inwardly. Just since when did that rootless bastard of a Buddhist master become family of the Tang Clan?
But he could not utter it outside his mouth.
As Tang Myeong-un hesitated, Tang Bi-cheon’s cold voice followed.
“Aren’t you going to take it?”
“…”
The Young Clan Leader’s deep green ocular radiance glared at him ominously. In the end, Tang Myeong-un picked up the pill.
Soon after swallowing the pill, Tang Myeong-un’s attitude changed abruptly, asserting that they must hurry the grand scheme and arguing dozens of plans until he left the office.
* * *
Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader and the Black Tortoise Squad arrived in Sichuan.
The mission was to secure evidence that the Sichuan Tang Clan was plotting rebellion.
“It certainly won’t be easy. But if we investigate persistently, something will turn up, right?”
When Zhuge Rin said so while unpacking her simple baggage, Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader nodded.
The most important thing in this mission was stealth. Because if the Sichuan Tang Clan noticed their movements, they would hide their tails.
“So individual actions are strictly prohibited for everyone. First, let us watch the situation for today and establish a plan.”
The members of the Black Tortoise Squad each nodded.
If they could only secure proper evidence, measures would be taken against the Tang Clan at the Martial Alliance level.
Perhaps still feeling uneasy, Zhuge Rin gave instructions once more.
“Our mission is not to clash head-on with the Tang Clan, but strictly…”
Before Zhuge Rin’s words could finish.
A figure swished past her side.
The wind left behind by the vanishing figure made her hair flutter briefly.
“…”
A moment of silence.
Following that, as if prearranged, Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader, Zhuge Rin, and the members of the Black Tortoise Squad leapt into motion in sequence.
* * *
The Clan Leader Hall of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
It was the place where the Poison King suffering from dementia spent most of his day. He merely sat on an extravagant chair and stared into empty space, and that was all.
Around the time he was spending that usual routine.
“Father.”
Tang Bi-cheon came to visit.
Even though his son arrived, the Poison King merely looked into empty space.
Tang Bi-cheon continued what he had to say as if familiar with it.
“I intend to establish the Righteous Heavenly Alliance. I have already convinced the other Five Great Clans and Nine Great Sects and One Clan, but… in order for me to ascend to the position of Alliance Leader, I need Father’s seal. In any case, the world fears Father, not me.”
The Alliance Leader had already been decided as Tang Bi-cheon, but once it was actually established, someone would surely show a different attitude. Because by nature, a person is different when entering the latrine and when coming out.
The Poison King, still looking into empty space with vacant eyes, spoke in a low voice.
“That is not right.”
“No. The one who fears me more than Father is…”
“There is no need for the Righteous Heavenly Alliance.”
Tang Bi-cheon’s eyebrows twitched.
‘So that’s what he meant.’
Calming his breath, Tang Bi-cheon simply nodded. His father was originally a stubborn man, but it had grown even worse after he was afflicted with dementia. Even if he persuaded him by giving a thousand reasons for the necessity of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance, it would never work.
“Yes, understood. Then I shall die at the hands of Alliance Leader Bukli Cheon.”
Only then did the Poison King look at Tang Bi-cheon.
“Who is Bukli Cheon? How could you die to that bastard? When I am here.”
“…Because Father opposes it.”
The Poison King knitted his brows slightly. He was already in a state where he could not make normal judgments. In his mind, he was merely weighing which was more desirable to avoid: his son’s death or the founding of the Righteous Heavenly Alliance.
“Still, the Righteous Heavenly Alliance is…”
“Yes, it will merely cause turmoil in the Righteous Path. Understood. Father, thank you for everything until now. They say a child dying before their parents is the worst filial impiety. I am simply filled with grief.”
Tang Bi-cheon persuaded his father by taking his own life hostage. No, he coaxed and manipulated him gently. It had always been like this until now. Aside from asking to inherit the clan leader position, he had obtained every permission in this manner.
It was something only Tang Bi-cheon could do. Because Tang Bi-cheon was the only person in the world whose face the Poison King recognized.
* * *
Having obtained the seal, Tang Bi-cheon put his father to sleep deep within the Clan Leader Hall and stepped outside with a satisfied face.
However, an uninvited guest was waiting.
“What is it?”
Deep green pupils were glaring at him. Within the Tang Clan, there were only three people who could emit ocular radiance of such vivid color.
The Poison King, who was the Clan Leader, and himself, his son.
And his younger sister, Tang So-yeon.
“You’re dragging even Father into your dirty ambition?”
“Be quiet. Father is sleeping.”
“What? Establishing the Righteous Heavenly Alliance? You’ve truly gone mad.”
Tang Bi-cheon’s pupils wavered slightly. The grand scheme was known only to the leadership favorable to him. Naturally, Tang So-yeon was not supposed to know.
“How did you know?”
“Do you think I’m a crippled idiot who wouldn’t know what’s happening within the clan? I am also the Clan Leader’s daughter.”
“Is that so? Father didn’t seem to remember you, though.”
“…”
Clenching her lips tightly, Tang So-yeon glared at Tang Bi-cheon.
Regardless, Tang Bi-cheon smiled faintly and continued speaking.
“Isn’t it a good thing for you as well? Compared to your peers, aren’t you insignificant anyway? Are you as remarkable as those two bastards, Cheon Woo-jin and Song Yi-yeon? Or are you as noble as the Young Clan Leader of the Namgung Clan? It would be different if you at least had convictions of your own like Mount Hua’s Plum Blossom Sword Expert. You are nothing. Just cling to me in the new sky and eat up the crumbs.”
“…You crazy bastard.”
Tang So-yeon’s deep green ocular radiance gleamed menacingly. Her elder brother was truly mad. Just why on earth did Father always listen to the words of such a bastard?
Tang So-yeon even resented the Poison King for no reason. No, she felt disillusioned with this entire family known as the Sichuan Tang Clan.
Tang So-yeon spun around abruptly.
Watching the back of his younger sister walking away with huffing steps, Tang Bi-cheon suddenly asked.
“Where are you going?”
Naturally, no answer returned.
Tang Bi-cheon intuitively sensed it. His younger sister’s steps were heading toward the Martial Alliance.
“Tsk.”
Lightly clicking his tongue, Tang Bi-cheon immediately bounded forward.
He charged across the long corridor in an instant.
Feeling killing intent, Tang So-yeon turned her head. Tang Bi-cheon had already arrived right before her eyes with glistening pupils.
Tang So-yeon was also a skilled martial artist. Setting aside her startled heart for a moment, she drew the dagger at her waist right away.
However.
A step faster than that, Tang Bi-cheon’s hands moved.
Crash!
The two fell at the same time.
Tang Bi-cheon choked his younger sister’s neck with both hands.
Tang So-yeon’s face turned red in an instant, and capillaries in her eyes burst. No matter how mad this bastard was, she had not expected him to actually try to kill her.
Tang So-yeon brandished her dagger.
Clang!
But only the metallic sound was heard. It was because Tang Bi-cheon wore armor woven from Celestial Silk beneath his martial robe. Soon, strength left her hands, and the dagger she had been holding rolled onto the floor.
Strength gradually surged into the hands strangling her neck.
“Yes. I knew a day like this would come. Ever since you entered the realm of a poison man before me, I foresaw this day.”
“You crazy bastard…”
“Yet, what can be done? In the end, the one who fully accomplished that realm was me. You were merely called a genius for a brief moment in your childhood.”
As the veins on the back of Tang Bi-cheon’s hands stood taut, Tang So-yeon’s eyes slowly closed. Because blood was not flowing to her head, her consciousness was fading.
Tang So-yeon intuitively sensed that death had truly drawn near.
Gathering what little strength she had left, she drove her knee upward.
“Urgh!”
Tang Bi-cheon instantly clutched his groin and rolled on the floor.
He certainly would not have draped Celestial Silk over that area as well. Since it was an attack imbued with internal energy, he might no longer be able to fulfill his function as a man.
Tang So-yeon bolted down the long corridor.
‘He’s crazy! He’s really crazy!’
Those eyes that tried to kill her.
Just thinking about them sent chills down her spine.
At that moment, Tang So-yeon realized that the groaning heard from behind had stopped. She did not have the courage to look back. Why did this corridor feel so exceptionally long today?
The moment she poured more internal energy into her two legs and kicked off the ground.
Her head was yanked backward. In an instant, her body floated into the air and was slammed onto the floor.
Tang So-yeon struggled to endure the pain felt in her back. Tang Bi-cheon was looking down at her.
Bloodshot eyes and the blood-soaked crotch of his trousers. In his hand was the dagger she had dropped earlier.
Unable to withstand the fear at that grotesque sight, Tang So-yeon let out a scream. It was truly a sharp scream imbued with internal energy, but…
In this vicinity, there was no one who would protect Tang So-yeon from Tang Bi-cheon. The Tang Clan was the king of Sichuan, and the one seated upon that grand chair was none other than Tang Bi-cheon.
For that reason, the Tang Clan’s retainers, elders, and martial artists all closed their ears.
However, there was a single person who did not care about such things.
Someone grabbed Tang Bi-cheon’s wrist as he was about to stab down with the dagger.
“Still a broken family as ever. Brandishing a dagger at your own sibling just as your father did?”
Tang Bi-cheon turned his head with an irritable expression.
“Who dares…!”
But Tang Bi-cheon’s words could not continue.
An unfamiliar yet somehow familiar face.
Soon, Tang Bi-cheon recalled his identity.
“D-Dok-ra-su! How did you…!”
A madman obsessed with poison.
Black Elder’s friend and traitor.
The man whose life was saved by Cheon Woo-jin.
The Black Killing Society. In other words, the leader who led the gathering of those who wanted to kill Black Elder.
He grinned, revealing yellowed teeth.
“Where does this insolent bastard get off talking back to his elder uncle?”
Suddenly, Dok-ra-su’s gaze turned toward Tang Bi-cheon’s groin. It was damp with blood. It was a region that could not be forged through martial arts. Soon, Dok-ra-su wore an extremely serious expression.
“Did it burst? Aigoo, the Tang Clan is ruined as well…”