The Tang Manor

Among the few who managed to escape the Tang Manor before Tang Mujin unleashed his deadly poison was Jo Eul-hyeon, a strategist known for his keen judgment.

Jo Eul-hyeon’s decision to leave the Tang Manor was based on two critical insights.

First, he had discovered that Tang Mujin had mastered a highly advanced poison technique.

Ever since his uncle, Jo Gwan, the hope of the Sangsan Jo family, was killed by Tang Mujin and Namgung Myeong at Nogunsan, Jo Eul-hyeon had been gathering information on the two. This allowed him to gain a detailed understanding of Tang Mujin’s poison skills.

Tang Mujin’s poison techniques were far beyond the simple methods of assassins who merely coated their weapons with poison. Jo Eul-hyeon suspected that Tang Mujin’s mastery might rival that of the distant Southern Wudumen, known for their deadly poisons.

The second, and perhaps more crucial reason, was that Jo Eul-hyeon had been closely observing the movements of Gwang Yeom-ra.

Most of the martial artists in the demonic sect underestimated Gwang Yeom-ra, mocking him as a coward who was only good at running away. But Jo Eul-hyeon thought differently.

While others who faced Tang Mujin ended up dead, Gwang Yeom-ra had survived multiple encounters. The fact that he was the only one left to be mocked was precisely because he was the only one who survived.

“Gwang Yeom-ra wouldn’t have left the Tang Manor without a plan. I’ll follow his lead.”

With this in mind, Jo Eul-hyeon fought desperately, shaking off the persistent Hong Geol-gae, and made his escape from the Tang Manor.

He looked back.

Nothing seemed amiss. Just the chaotic sounds of battle.

A thought crossed his mind.

’…Did I leave for nothing?’

But within moments, something strange happened.

Like a gust of autumn wind flattening a field of rice, the martial artists of the demonic sect inside the Tang Manor began to collapse one by one.

Jo Eul-hyeon watched, wide-eyed, unable to breathe.

There were no screams, no blood. It was impossible to tell if they were dead. They simply fell and stopped moving.

Not everyone fell. About half remained standing, while the other half lay motionless.

Jo Eul-hyeon wasn’t an expert in poison techniques, but he could guess that selectively poisoning only half the people was far more difficult than poisoning them all.

‘Can the master of the Tang Manor really choose who lives and who dies with poison? Is that even possible?’

It seemed absurd, yet the evidence was undeniable.

None of the orthodox martial artists inside the Tang Manor were poisoned, despite the chaotic melee. The master had precisely targeted only the demonic sect’s fighters.

Perhaps the master poisoned only half to showcase his prowess. Such thoughts crossed Jo Eul-hyeon’s mind.

Finally, the terrified demonic sect fighters began to murmur.

“A-ah…”

Their murmurs quickly turned into screams and shouts.

“Run! It’s sorcery! Run!”

Even if they weren’t dead yet, being incapacitated on the battlefield was as good as a death sentence.

Those who remained standing fled the Tang Manor with all their might, ignoring the traps and mechanisms that might shoot spears or open pits beneath their feet.

In that moment, a few holes in their bodies seemed a small price to pay for survival.

Jo Eul-hyeon watched them flee and thought.

’…How did Gwang Yeom-ra and the strategist predict this and escape? Do they know something more?’

Determined to find Gwang Yeom-ra and the strategist, Jo Eul-hyeon set off, his legs trembling slightly.

The martial artists of the Ami and Cheongseong sects witnessed Tang Mujin’s poison techniques for the first time, fully prepared and executed.

Even though Tang Mujin was on their side and had explained his methods before the battle, the orthodox fighters felt the same unease as the demonic sect.

‘This feels more like sorcery than martial arts…’

The head of the Cheongseong sect, Gong Ryeong-ja, felt this way, and the more traditional-minded nuns of the Ami sect felt it even more strongly.

Tang Mujin’s poison techniques lay outside the realm of conventional martial arts.

Hwang Ryeong-ja, who had watched over Tang Mujin since he was a child at the Cheongseong sect’s branch, knew that Tang Mujin’s heart wasn’t evil.

Moreover, he had no intention of letting anyone carelessly label it as sorcery. A rift with Tang Mujin could lead to serious problems.

Hadn’t the previous head, Yeong Heo-ja, repeatedly emphasized maintaining good relations with the Tang Manor?

With a cheerful voice, Hwang Ryeong-ja praised Tang Mujin.

“Thanks to the master of the Tang Manor, my eyes have been opened! Your techniques are always so innovative!”

Only then did people recall an important criterion for sorcery.

If the enemy uses it, it’s sorcery; if an ally uses it, it’s an innovative technique.

“You’re too kind.”

“How did you learn such an innovative technique?”

Hwang Ryeong-ja hoped for a plausible answer from Tang Mujin.

Perhaps an insight related to the universe, or the precise manipulation of internal energy.

But Tang Mujin, never having considered how others might perceive his techniques, answered candidly.

“I’ve had the poison extracted from toxic substances for a while, but its potency was too slow to be practical in battle.”

“Ah, I see…”

“So, I devised a method to first spread a silent, symptomless poison, and only when it mixed with another would the effects manifest. It’s tricky to use, but its power is unmatched. If the blood-sucking insects had been a bit more diligent, I could have poisoned them all. It’s a pity.”

”…”

No matter how they thought about it, the explanation was far removed from ordinary martial arts.

Yet the martial artists of the Cheongseong and Ami sects desperately ignored this fact.

‘Yes, it’s an innovative technique. One that requires poisons and insects… Such a technique.’

After half a day of mental adjustment, they managed to accept Tang Mujin’s “innovative technique.”

Gwang Yeom-ra and the strategist were hiding not far away, observing the chaos at the Tang Manor.

If Tang Mujin’s warning had been mere bluff, they would have returned to join the fight.

But soon, the Tang Manor turned into a scene of pandemonium. Exchanging glances, Gwang Yeom-ra and the strategist thought.

‘Tang Mujin, that guy, really did something after warning us.’

Their estimation of Tang Mujin rose slightly.

He seemed to be a man of loyalty, integrity, and consideration.

As they watched the situation unfold, Jo Eul-hyeon appeared before them.

Gwang Yeom-ra and the strategist had discreetly withdrawn from the battlefield after hearing Tang Mujin’s warning.

They worried that Jo Eul-hyeon might question or blame them, so they were a bit on edge.

However, Jo Eul-hyeon’s tone was unexpected. There was no anger in his voice.

“Senior.”

Jo Eul-hyeon was much younger, almost like a nephew to Gwang Yeom-ra and the strategist.

Gwang Yeom-ra responded casually.

“Senior? No need for such formalities. What’s the matter?”

“Do you know what happened at the Tang Manor?”

“Isn’t it obvious? The master of the Tang Manor used his poison techniques.”

A flash of fear crossed Jo Eul-hyeon’s eyes.

”…How did you know to withdraw before the poison was unleashed?”

It sounded like an accusation, but there was no intent to blame in his voice. It was more like pure curiosity or self-reproach.

Of course, they couldn’t answer honestly.

They couldn’t say they were in cahoots with the master of the Tang Manor and had been tipped off about the poison. That was out of the question.

The strategist, understanding this, remained silent.

Gwang Yeom-ra gave a vague answer.

“We’ve faced him more than once. The master of the Tang Manor is not someone to be underestimated.”

“I never underestimated him. But I truly sensed nothing!”

“At first, neither did I. But after facing him several times and surviving, you start to sense it instinctively. You get a gut feeling that if you linger, you’ll die.”

A hint of admiration flickered in Jo Eul-hyeon’s eyes as he looked at Gwang Yeom-ra.

It was the look of a young man gazing at a veteran who had survived thirty years on the battlefield.

Gwang Yeom-ra’s heart tingled.

‘It’s been so long since I’ve seen that look…’

Memories of disappointment and sorrow filled Gwang Yeom-ra’s mind.

Back in the demonic sect, even insignificant members would subtly mock him.

The leader’s gaze no longer held the trust it once did. It was only natural, given his repeated failures and retreats.

It was frustrating and shameful, but the truth was undeniable. He had no excuses.

But in this moment, Gwang Yeom-ra thought of a way to redeem himself.

The “lost but fought well” strategy.

With a dramatic air, Gwang Yeom-ra spoke.

“Jo Eul-hyeon, you might think I’m a coward.”

“No, I don’t.”

“No, you’re right. I’m a coward. I’ve always been overly cautious. But all those reckless ones? They’re dead. It’s hard to count how many top-tier warriors have been killed by the head of the Tang family. The likes of the Twin Blood Hermits, the Blood-Faced Wolf, the Ghost King… Even that strange monk, Sun Na-seung, was killed recently.”

“I’ve heard. I assumed he must be quite formidable.”

Gwang Yeom-ra scoffed.

“Formidable? No, the head of the Tang family is not someone you can just describe as formidable.”

Gwang Yeom-ra paused, letting the weight of his words settle.

Woo Ho-beop waited quietly for him to continue.

“Woo Ho-beop, you know the nickname ‘Three-Eyed Buddha,’ don’t you?”

“Yes. I’ve never met him, but I’ve heard he’s an extraordinary master. I also know he left the Demonic Cult to stay with the Tang family.”

“Exactly. The Three-Eyed Buddha saw the potential and capabilities of our cult leader clearly, yet he turned his back on him and pledged loyalty to the head of the Tang family.”

Woo Ho-beop was shocked.

Did that mean the Three-Eyed Buddha, a master of his caliber, saw more potential in the head of the Tang family than in their own leader?

“Loyalty? I heard it was more of a cooperative relationship.”

“No. If you meet them, you’ll see. The relationship between the head of the Tang family and the Three-Eyed Buddha is more like that of a lord and his vassal.”

“I can’t believe it.”

Gwang Yeom-ra chuckled softly.

“Can’t believe it? It’s not just the Three-Eyed Buddha. Haven’t you heard that even the infamous Blood Rain Guest knelt before the head of the Tang family?”

“Ugh…”

Woo Ho-beop had heard of the Blood Rain Guest’s notorious reputation.

The ruthless wolf of the southern martial world.

A man so cruel that no one dared to become his disciple.

When he heard rumors that such a man was staying with the Tang family, and that he had settled his grudges in an unheard-of manner, Woo Ho-beop was filled with questions.

The biggest question among them: Is it even possible to bury such tangled grudges like a spider’s web?

Gwang Yeom-ra offered an explanation.

“The Blood Rain Guest submitted to the head of the Tang family and pledged loyalty. In return, the head of the Tang family promised to protect him. It was just one man’s declaration, but the orthodox martial artists had to bury all their grudges against the Blood Rain Guest. Why do you think that is?”

“That’s…”

“It’s simple. The orthodox ones knew what would happen if they defied the head of the Tang family.”

The Blood Rain Guest spoke, locking eyes with Woo Ho-beop.

“And they were afraid of that outcome.”

”…!”

Though there were some inaccuracies in the story, Gwang Yeom-ra didn’t mind at all. In fact, he preferred that Tang Mu-jin be overestimated. After all, the praise of “fought well despite losing” only holds weight if the opponent is strong.

And to Woo Ho-beop, the story was compelling.

It was better to think that his uncle, the pride of the Sangsan Jo family, had fallen to a great evil rather than to some mediocre novice.

Yet, Woo Ho-beop still couldn’t fully believe Gwang Yeom-ra’s words.

“But the aura I sensed from the head of the Tang family didn’t seem to reach the pinnacle. Of course, his prowess was beyond that of an ordinary master, but…”

Gwang Yeom-ra sneered at Jo Eul-hyeon.

“Listen. The previous Woo Ho-beop also died at the hands of the head of the Tang family. Do you know what level his martial arts were at that time?”

Jo Eul-hyeon recalled the appearance of the head of the Tang family. He seemed to be around the same age as Jo Eul-hyeon.

So when the previous Woo Ho-beop died, the head of the Tang family must have been just over twenty.

“Could it have been the pinnacle?”

“No. It would have been better if he had surpassed the pinnacle. But back then, the head of the Tang family was merely first-rate. A first-rate warrior killed a top-tier master.”

”…!”

“Does that make sense to you? No, it doesn’t! A mere first-rate fighter swinging a sword a hundred times couldn’t even cut my sleeve! But the head of the Tang family did it! He’s someone who accomplishes the impossible, beyond your understanding.”

Woo Ho-beop stood there, stunned.

It seemed like he was looking at Gwang Yeom-ra, but in reality, he was replaying the scene of the Demonic Cult warriors falling one by one in his mind.

Gwang Yeom-ra shook his head sadly.

“The head of the Tang family is such a person. Someone who can only be judged by standards made for him alone, not by existing martial arts criteria. You shouldn’t try to understand him; you should just accept him.”

Gwang Yeom-ra turned his back on Woo Ho-beop and spoke.

“Go back. Even if you have to bear disgrace, return to Cheonsan. You’re too young to die here.”

And spread the word in Cheonsan that I fought well despite losing.

Gwang Yeom-ra wanted to say that, but he kept the thought to himself.

Woo Ho-beop felt a deep sense of shame.

Hearing about the head of the Tang family made him realize how remarkable Gwang Yeom-ra was.

‘Gwang Yeom-ra, what kind of battles have you fought until now, without a single word of excuse…!’

Woo Ho-beop Jo Eul-hyeon had set two goals when he joined the Demonic Cult.

To learn new martial arts and revive the Sangsan Jo family. And to avenge his uncle by eliminating his two enemies.

He had achieved great success in learning new martial arts, almost fulfilling his first goal.

But no matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t bring himself to believe he could kill the head of the Tang family. In fact, he doubted he could even survive another encounter with him.

‘Should I just give up and return to Cheonsan for now?’

Exactly the reaction Gwang Yeom-ra had hoped for.

But Woo Ho-beop Jo Eul-hyeon shook his head vigorously.

“No. It’s too early to give up. I won’t abandon you, senior.”

Not the reaction Gwang Yeom-ra had wanted.

“I’m young. If I survive, there will be a chance to kill the head of the Tang family someday.”

To survive without running away, a young warrior needed the guidance and advice of an experienced senior.

And it was obvious who would provide that guidance and advice.

Woo Ho-beop looked at Gwang Yeom-ra with eyes full of trust.

”…”

Gwang Yeom-ra had gained a follower.