Chapter 840

In the Sichuan Tang Clan, a family built around its bloodline, the Family Head’s authority was absolute. No—even if Tang Sadok hadn’t been the Family Head, that probably wouldn’t have changed much.

The title Myriad-Poison Asura was enough to inspire both awe and fear.

“Our family’s Benefactor must be tired after his long journey.”

At Tang Sadok’s words, the crowd around me naturally began to disperse.

The Sichuan Tang Clan’s martial artists, along with the visitors from Emei, Qingcheng, and the Beggars’ Sect, saluted Tang Sadok and me before returning to their places. Not without urging us to visit their sects, too.

“So these are the pillars of the Fire Dragon Pavilion I’ve heard so much about.”

Tang Sadok had been taking a good look at the members of the Fire Dragon Pavilion while I exchanged greetings with the others. Then he suddenly paused.

“As I understand it, every member of the Fire Dragon Pavilion is young. Have you been struck by some deadly poison?”

Namho, the old young man he’d singled out, answered with a face like he’d bitten into something foul.

“Nothing of the sort.”

“If not poison, then qi deviation?”

“You trying to start something with me?”

“Ah, I only asked because I couldn’t sense any internal energy. In that case, perhaps your age is…”

“Seventy-five. I’m traveling with these fellows for a while, for reasons of my own.”

“My apologies. That was rude of me.”

“I understand. We’re both getting old. It happens.”

Though Namho practiced no martial arts, Tang Sadok regarded his confidence with interest. He showed kindness to Ju Hwaran, granddaughter of the Escort King, and to Song Ilseom, who’d reached an impressive realm at a young age. As for Sama Pyo and Taishan, who strictly speaking belonged to the demonic, heterodox arts, he simply gave them a silent nod.

And then…

“What happened to that fellow?”

“Uh, well. Something happened on the way here.”

“It must have been quite something, for his face to swell up that much. Was it Dark Heaven?”

“No. Actually, I hit him a few times.”

A brief silence settled over us.

Tang Sadok looked back and forth between me and Hyuk Mujin, who was slung over Taishan’s shoulder like a sack of luggage, then sighed.

“I’ll have someone look after your subordinates. For now, unpack and visit the Medical Hall in the Outer Court. They’ll treat him well.”

At Tang Sadok’s gesture, a guard waiting nearby came forward. Taishan spoke in his usual flat voice.

“Taishan. And us. Not moving. No—we are not moving. Until Pavilion Master gives the order.”

“Ah, of course. There should be food ready for you, too.”

“I’ll go, then, Pavilion Master. See you later.”

“……”

He really was a lunatic.

I mean, if he was going to do that, why say anything in the first place?

I stopped Ju Hwaran with a glance as she started to smack Taishan upside the head, then followed Tang Sadok toward the Inner Court.

“You earn people’s trust wherever you go. Here in Sichuan, and even among subordinates who’ve only recently joined you.”

I answered with a quiet laugh. Watching the others slowly disappear from sight, I said, “Seems the same goes for you, Great Hero Tang. I didn’t expect them to still be at the Sichuan Tang Clan.”

“It’s something I’m truly grateful for. I felt ashamed to keep relying on them, so I told them more than once that they were free to go… Yet they’ve stayed with our family all this time. They’re treating the sick who haven’t yet recovered and continuing to help rebuild the clan.”

“I may not have seen everything, but the Outer Court already looks much as it used to.”

“Rebuilding is only an excuse. They’re stationed here in case Dark Heaven attacks again. I know that, so I can’t bring myself to tell them to leave.”

“What?”

“I have to face the truth. If what happened last time happens again while they’re gone, I’ll have two choices as Family Head: abandon the home our family has built over generations and flee, or make one last stand and see the clan wiped out.”

My eyes widened before I could stop them. I hadn’t expected the Family Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan—one of the Central Plains’ most renowned great clans, famous for its pride—to say such a thing.

Knowing Tang Sadok as I did made it all the more surprising.

“What? Was that more honesty than you expected?”

“Mm. I suppose it was.”

“I understand. Especially since you knew what I was like before all this happened.”

“Of course. Back then, you really…had quite a temper.”

“Hah. I was.”

Tang Sadok let out a hearty laugh, and I gaped at him.

“Are you sure you’re feeling all right?”

“I’m perfectly fine. I’ve simply decided to change.”

“Still, be careful. They say when someone changes too suddenly, it means they’re about to die.”

“Hahaha. You’re still honest to a fault. Though that is your greatest charm.”

“Um, sorry, but I have my own preferences.”

“And jokes like that aren’t bad, either.”

“I’m serious.”

“…I take back what I said. You do have a talent for getting under people’s skin.”

Tang Sadok shook his head as we walked on.

We crossed the Outer Court, then the Inner Court, and entered the Rear Court. At some point, the presences that had been following us unseen vanished altogether.

“Is the old—no, is my Master staying in the Rear Court?”

“He is. He arrived two days ago.”

That timing made sense.

I’d woken briefly, then spent three more days asleep. Once Jeok Cheongang understood what had happened, he’d headed for Sichuan without delay. The rest of the party had stayed behind to watch over me while I slept, so naturally they’d traveled more slowly.

“I’m glad he’s still at the Tang Clan. I was worried something might have happened to him.”

“Worried? Have you forgotten what kind of man your Master is?”

“His title sounds terrifying, but once you get to know him, he’s full of holes. He has a surprisingly soft side, too.”

“Huh.”

Tang Sadok let out a disbelieving chuckle.

“You may be the only person in the world who could talk about the Fire King that way. Then again, he cares for you so much that nothing serious has happened even under these circumstances.”

“These circumstances? Did something happen?”

“Well… Never mind. It’ll be quicker if you see for yourself.”

What on earth was going on?

A few things had been bothering me. Jeok Cheongang had come on ahead long ago, yet he was still at the Sichuan Tang Clan. And Tang Sadok had seemed intent on leaving the Fire Dragon Pavilion members behind.

No way…

Unpleasant possibilities flashed through my mind.

Had Dark Heaven attacked Jeok Cheongang while he was traveling alone?

Or had the condition I thought had fully healed worsened after his fight with the Southern Heaven Demon Empress?

Or maybe…

My thoughts were still chasing one another when I spotted a small thatched cottage among the plants and trees of the Rear Court, deep within the Sichuan Tang Clan’s grounds.

Then a voice boomed like thunder, reaching my ears from more than a hundred jang¹ away.

“Get up this instant!”

“I’m not getting up! I can’t get up!”

“That boy is in danger!”

“There are still patients here who need treatment!”

“He’s my Disciple!”

“They’re my patients!”

“How many times have I told you that boy’s life is in danger if you don’t go now?”

“If it were that bad, would I still be here? I heard about his condition and was sure he’d be all right—that’s why I said we should wait here! I’ve told you hundreds of times!”

“No, but you—! I’m telling you, I don’t think that’s what’s going on!”

“A physician makes that judgment, and I’m the physician!”

“One martial artist knows another martial artist’s condition best. And I am Jeok Cheongang, the Fire King!”

“My Master is both the Divine Physician and the Slaughter Saint! I inherited his teachings in full, so I know better than you do, Elder!”

“Hey, are you talking back to this old man because you’re counting on that man’s backing?”

“Oh, so you’re going to insult my Master to my face?”

“You insolent brat!”

“You know what? Do your worst! Strike my pressure points, kidnap me—I don’t care! But if you drag me away by force, I’ll refuse to treat him!”

“Would you look at this quack! Fine! I’ll count to three! If you don’t get up with that damned travel bag by then, you’d better be ready! One!”

“Two, three! Happy?”

“You dare—!”

“Do whatever you like! I’m going to gather herbs!”

Bang!

With that last shout, the cottage door flew open.

An old man came charging out, looking as though he’d kicked the door open himself. He straightened his wildly mussed white hair, fuming.

“As if I don’t have enough to do already. Once or twice would be bad enough. I’m so sick of this, I ought to quit!”

Even allowing for the help of internal energy, his voice was loud enough to carry an impressive distance. Naturally, it set off the person who’d been shouting inside.

“Hey! Stop right there! You’re barely seventy, you little infant! How dare you! Is that how your Master taught—”

The thunderous voice cut off.

A middle-aged man had rushed out of the cottage, only to freeze when his eyes met mine. A breeze stirred his red hair, making it flicker like flames.

Rustle.

The air grew heavy. The old man, about to snap back, sensed that something was wrong and turned around.

He stared at Tang Sadok and me in silence, then finally spoke.

“Welcome, both of you.”

His voice was gentle, his smile as serene as a Daoist immortal’s. As if nothing had happened. But I’d seen and heard everything, so I wasn’t fooled.

Now I understood what Tang Sadok had meant. I understood why he’d left the Fire Dragon Pavilion members and even the guards behind.

How ugly…!

There was no other word for it. This was too ugly.

Listening to a seventy-year-old Divine Physician and a Fire King over a hundred years old squabble so fiercely made my own heart feel smaller.

If anyone else in Murim had witnessed it, I’d have bet both of Hyuk Mujin’s balls that Jeok Cheongang would earn a new title to go with Fire King.

The Disgrace King, Jeok Cheongang…!

It had been so long since I’d seen him. I ought to have been glad. He’d come all this way for me and was roasting the Divine Physician like a peanut; I ought to have been moved. But that wasn’t easy.

“Ah, what lovely weather.”

Tang Sadok was already gazing at a distant mountain, as though he’d known exactly what was coming. His mutter sounded strangely hollow.

Jeok Cheongang looked at me with somber eyes and spoke in a heavy voice.

“Your body…?”

“I’m fine…”

“How much…did you hear?”

I answered sadly.

“Nothing… I didn’t hear anything.”

Jeok Cheongang looked up at the clear sky and sighed.

“Fuck. You heard everything…”

The Master and Disciple, reunited after so long, couldn’t look each other in the face for a while.

It was summer.