The Inner Conflict

For Woo Ho-beop, the best way to describe Jo Eul-hyeon’s inner turmoil was with the word “contradiction.”

He longed to avenge his uncle by taking down Tang Mu-jin, yet he dreaded the thought of facing him.

He wanted nothing more than to raze the Tang family estate to the ground, but he knew he might not make it out alive if he dared to enter.

This sentiment wasn’t unique to Woo Ho-beop; other martial artists who had ventured into the Tang estate and returned shared similar feelings—fear and unease. The morale of the demonic sect’s warriors had plummeted.

Had they faced an overwhelming master and lost half their number to the sword, their spirits might not have sunk so low. In such a scenario, some might have been spurred by a reckless desire for victory, while others might have sought enlightenment or honor through brave combat.

But poison was different.

Poison wasn’t something that inspired ambition or offered enlightenment.

Facing poison, one couldn’t display courage, and dying from its effects, trembling and convulsing, was far from honorable.

On top of that, there was the fear of the unknown.

The dead didn’t know why they died, and the survivors didn’t know why they lived.

“Was it carelessness? Mercy? Or just a cruel joke? Why were we spared?”

No one knew.

In the end, the warriors of the demonic sect tacitly abandoned their plans to attack the Tang estate.

The defeat was too bitter to simply brush off as a one-time loss.

Yet, there was one person who hadn’t given up entirely: Jo Eul-hyeon.

“If I can’t enter the Tang estate, I can’t defeat Tang Mu-jin. But is it right to waste time like this?”

Jo Eul-hyeon refused to give up and continued to ponder.

There’s no better way to organize one’s thoughts than a walk. Dressed in simple clothes, Jo Eul-hyeon strolled through the streets of Chengdu, lost in thought, listening to the conversations around him.

It was during one of these walks that he overheard something intriguing.

“What? The Tang family has left Chengdu?”

“Yeah. With martial artists roaming around lately, they were worried something might happen, so they sent their family away.”

“Really…”

“Be careful yourself. Don’t wander into secluded areas and run into martial artists…”

Jo Eul-hyeon had stumbled upon a significant clue. He asked the old man who shared the information one more question.

“Do you know where the Tang family went?”

“That, I don’t know.”

Having found a lead, there was no need to rush.

Jo Eul-hyeon spent the next few days gathering information about the Tang estate. After three days, he finally got what he was looking for.

“Hey, young man, are you the nephew of that old doctor, Chu Sam?”

“Yes. I came to Chengdu because my uncle promised to teach me medicine, but he’s not here. No one knows where he went, and I can’t enter the Tang estate…”

“I heard that old Chu Sam followed the Tang family to Dongting Lake. They haven’t been gone long, so if you hurry, you might catch them before they get there.”

With this promising lead, Woo Ho-beop eagerly shared his plan with Gwang Yeom-ra.

“If we can’t enter the Tang estate, we’ll take the Tang family hostage!”

Gwang Yeom-ra was taken aback by Woo Ho-beop’s plan.

“He seemed afraid of Tang Mu-jin, yet he hasn’t given up? I thought we could let this slide…”

This wasn’t what Gwang Yeom-ra wanted, so he subtly tried to dissuade Woo Ho-beop.

“No matter how much you hate Tang Mu-jin, targeting his family is a bit much, isn’t it?”

“What do you mean, ‘a bit much’? In the world of martial arts, family deaths are common, whether in righteous or demonic wars.”

“I know, but… we shouldn’t abandon our pride as martial artists.”

“Elder Gwang Yeom-ra, you know why I joined the demonic sect. It all started when Tang Mu-jin killed my uncle. I have the right to take his family.”

Unlike other demonic sect warriors who fled after committing crimes, Woo Ho-beop had never done anything wrong.

When his uncle, Jo Gwan, died, and their family’s martial arts were lost, he sought out the demonic sect for guidance instead of accepting their inevitable downfall.

Gwang Yeom-ra feigned anger.

“The right to kill his family? Where does that come from? Besides, your uncle was a martial artist.”

“Isn’t a martial artist’s family almost like martial artists themselves? I’ve heard Tang Mu-jin’s wives know some martial arts.”

Gwang Yeom-ra shook his head.

“If you call that being a martial artist, then who isn’t one?”

“I heard that even the Blood Rain Guest followed them. Tang Mu-jin must have thought his family could be attacked, so it’s fair game.”

It was a strange logic—since the opponent was prepared, it was okay to attack. Gwang Yeom-ra considered refuting this flimsy argument but held back, worried it might seem like he was siding with Tang Mu-jin.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Woo Ho-beop wasn’t finished.

“Also, as you know, Tang Mu-jin isn’t a normal martial artist. He fights with sorcery, not martial arts. It’s better to use unconventional methods to take him down than to kneel before something so vile.”

Gwang Yeom-ra found Woo Ho-beop burdensome.

He couldn’t clearly explain the situation or easily control it.

Woo Ho-beop’s favor with the sect leader was also a problem. One wrong word, and he could draw suspicion from both Woo Ho-beop and the sect leader.

So Gwang Yeom-ra resorted to generalities.

“The sect leader tasked us with eradicating the righteous sects in Sichuan and taking control of the region. It might feel frustrating now, but we’ve achieved quite a bit.”

“Like what?”

“We’ve wiped out the Qingcheng and Emei sects and driven the remnants into the Tang estate. Abandoning all that to chase the Tang family to Dongting Lake is foolish.”

“I’ll take a few men. If that’s not allowed, I’ll go alone. I’ll capture the Tang family and make Tang Mu-jin kneel.”

Woo Ho-beop spoke with determination, his eyes fixed on Gwang Yeom-ra.

”···.”

There was no clear reason to stop Woo Ho-beop.

Moreover, if Woo Ho-beop kept talking, even the pure-hearted Left Ho-beop might be swayed.

Left Ho-beop hadn’t attacked the Tang estate hastily, remembering Tang Mu-jin’s kindness, and was only aligning with Gwang Yeom-ra because he wasn’t on Tang Mu-jin’s side but the sect leader’s.

If Left Ho-beop had to choose between Tang Mu-jin and the sect leader, he would undoubtedly choose the sect leader.

Gwang Yeom-ra realized this and was startled.

“No… What am I thinking? I’m not on Tang Mu-jin’s side either.”

He almost let his plans get derailed while trying to keep a backup plan. In the end, Gwang Yeom-ra couldn’t stop Woo Ho-beop and nodded slightly.

“···Fine. Go. Be careful.”

“Yes. I’ll pick a few subordinates and head out.”

Woo Ho-beop turned and left confidently.

Gwang Yeom-ra watched him go, deep in thought.

Could Woo Ho-beop really capture the Tang family?

“···It’s possible. Woo Ho-beop’s skills aren’t far behind mine or Left Ho-beop’s. Meanwhile, the Blood Rain Guest is said to have stopped at the threshold of mastery, so the chances of stopping Woo Ho-beop are slim.”

The Tang family wouldn’t expect Woo Ho-beop to pursue them, so they couldn’t hide. It was only a matter of time before they were captured.

If the family was captured, would Tang Mu-jin surrender?

It was uncertain. But if he had to guess, the answer was likely no. People tend to value their own lives above all else.

So who would Tang Mu-jin blame for this?

“I can’t avoid responsibility either.”

Moreover, it was a shame to lose the connections painstakingly built with the righteous sects.

“I can’t let go of this lifeline.”

An idea came to him.

A way to avoid Tang Mu-jin’s wrath without revealing his connection to him.

Gwang Yeom-ra immediately put his plan into action.

Tang Mu-jin remained within the Tang estate, preparing for a possible second attack from the demonic sect’s warriors.

But there was no sign of an impending assault.

Even the righteous sect warriors seemed less tense.

They relaxed, thinking the demonic sect wouldn’t attack, and even if they did, Tang Mu-jin would repel them with his formidable skills.

As a result, the righteous sect warriors looked at Tang Mu-jin with trust and confidence.

“As long as we have the Tang family head, we’ll be fine.”

This delicate peace lasted for several days until one night, a sudden spring rain fell over Chengdu.

Listening to the unexpected rain, Tang Mu-jin sensed a faint presence near the Tang estate.

Few dared to move stealthily through the night streets of Chengdu, especially near the Tang estate.

“···Namgung Myung?”

Dang Mujin stepped outside, heading toward the source of the noise he had sensed. Instead of Namgung Myung, he found Gwang Yeom-ra, drenched from the rain. Despite the unexpected encounter, Dang Mujin remained calm.

“Gwang Yeom-ra. What brings you lurking around the Tang family estate?”

Gwang Yeom-ra shook off the raindrops and grumbled, “You’re slow on the uptake. I’ve been waiting for you near the estate for the past two nights.”

“You were waiting for me? Why?”

“Let’s cut to the chase. I heard your family fled to Dongjeong Lake. Is that true?”

Dang Mujin’s eyes sharpened. “How do you know that?”

“I didn’t find out myself. It was that rascal Woo Ho-beop, snooping around Chengdu. You should’ve kept the people there quiet.”

Dang Mujin felt as if he’d been struck on the back of the head.

…Was I too complacent?

No, it wasn’t a matter of complacency. With dozens leaving Chengdu together, how could he possibly keep it a secret?

Gwang Yeom-ra clicked his tongue. “Tsk. Anyway, Woo Ho-beop left, planning to take your family hostage. I came to warn you.”

Gwang Yeom-ra had no qualms about revealing Woo Ho-beop’s plan, as they weren’t particularly close.

“When did he leave?”

“The day before yesterday. I’ve been waiting to meet you since Woo Ho-beop disappeared. I’ve done my part, so handle the rest yourself.”

”…Understood.”

As Dang Mujin turned to head back to the estate, Gwang Yeom-ra called out to him.

“Hey. Is that it?”

“What now?”

“Aren’t you going to thank me?”

In the chaos, it hadn’t crossed his mind, but Gwang Yeom-ra was right. He had risked betraying the cult he had long been a part of, waiting in the rain like a drenched rat just to help Dang Mujin.

Dang Mujin bowed respectfully. ”…Thank you. I’ll repay you someday.”

“Forget it. Just go.”

With that, Gwang Yeom-ra quietly slipped away, careful not to be seen by other cult members.

As Dang Mujin returned to the estate, he pondered.

‘Judging by the circumstances, Gwang Yeom-ra’s story seems true. Even if it’s a lie, I have no choice but to believe it.’

‘Besides, it’s unrealistic to think the cult members would retreat so easily. They must have other plans.’

Now, Dang Mujin had to stop Woo Ho-beop from reaching Dongjeong Lake.

But who should go?

Logically, Dang Mujin should stay at the estate. As the head of the Tang family, his presence was crucial, especially since his poison techniques were most effective when defending a position.

Dang Mujin could single-handedly perform the work of dozens by staying put.

‘Should I send Hong Geol-gae or Elder Wi Jin-hyang?’

While Hong Geol-gae was a good match against Woo Ho-beop, he might not be able to handle a chaotic battle. Wi Jin-hyang might manage, but it wasn’t certain.

After a moment’s thought, Dang Mujin shook his head.

‘No, this is something I must handle myself.’

In moments like these, he had to take action personally.

Dang Mujin was both the head and the protector of the Tang family.

Sitting idly by, waiting for his family to return safely, was out of the question.

Dang Mujin made up his mind.

‘I will go myself.’

He gathered what he needed and explained the situation to Gong Ryeong-ja, Hyang Baek-sa-tae, and Wi Jin-hyang.

Gong Ryeong-ja and Hyang Baek-sa-tae grew anxious.

It was clear to everyone that Dang Mujin was the estate’s greatest strength.

Yet, they couldn’t easily stop him.

The estate was nearly empty of family members.

They couldn’t ask him to stay and protect the estate without his family.

Finally, Wi Jin-hyang spoke up.

“Go.”

Dang Mujin asked, “Are you sure it’s okay?”

“If you stay, you’ll be too worried to sleep. But I can’t tell you to take your time. Hurry back.”

His mind was already half made up.

Dang Mujin didn’t hesitate, bowing to Wi Jin-hyang and the two elders before stepping outside.

The rain had intensified. Dang Mujin donned a tightly woven bamboo hat and a raincoat before heading out.

He spotted a figure standing by the estate’s gate.

It was Hong Geol-gae, soaked to the bone, who spoke to Dang Mujin.

“Let’s go.”

“Wouldn’t it be better for you to stay at the estate?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Didn’t you see me handle Woo Ho-beop?”

“I did, but the estate…”

“While you were getting your gear, I spoke with Elder Wi Jin-hyang. Don’t worry, let’s go.”

With Hong Geol-gae joining him, Dang Mujin felt a wave of relief.

He was confident that nothing would go wrong.

Yet, he had another concern.

“But if you leave, people might not look kindly on you.”

Hong Geol-gae chuckled.

“There are no other sect members here, so why would they care if the leader leaves? Besides, if anyone complains, it’ll be Hong Gyeon of Cheonryeong, not Hong Jusan of Gyucheo.”

Dang Mujin laughed too. It was just like Hong Geol-gae to be both responsible and carefree.

“Alright. Let’s get going.”

Together, Dang Mujin and Hong Geol-gae stepped through the estate’s gate and into the rain.

The rain in Chengdu grew heavier, until all that could be heard was the sound of the downpour.