The Genius Youngest Disciple of the Wudang Sect

Chapter 382

The Sichuan Tang Family had been both a sect and a family since ancient times. One might ask how it could be both, but since the Tang Family had maintained their own bloodline while simultaneously accepting disciples from outside, they could be considered both. Thus, while some referred to them as the Tang Family, it was not uncommon to hear others call them the Tang Clan.

"Wow.... The atmosphere is unusual, isn't it? Anyone would think a war had broken out."

Around the Sichuan Tang Family, numerous warriors in bluish-green martial uniforms were keeping a sharp eye on their surroundings. Bluish-green was the color that symbolized the Sichuan Tang Family, meaning they were all warriors of the Tang Family. Even though they were in the middle of a large city like Chengdu, with many people who didn't know martial arts walking around, the warriors of the Sichuan Tang Family didn't seem to let their guard down. Well, as I said, they were indeed in the middle of a war. They were fighting with the Four Evils Alliance for dominance over Sichuan.

"With that kind of atmosphere.... I wonder if they'll even let us in."

"I know. It really feels like they're in a fight with the Four Evils Alliance."

I could feel my senior brothers getting nervous at their solemn attitude. My senior brothers had also gone through numerous fights with me and crossed the line between life and death, but they had not yet experienced a large-scale fight—that is, one big enough to be called a war. Combat and war differ by only one character, but their atmosphere and the meaning they carry are vastly different. Especially since war itself involves the death of countless people, it felt even heavier.

"Let's go toward the main gate for now."

Since the official representative of our group was Un Cheol, he went to the main gate where a plaque reading 'Sichuan Tang Family' was hung and spoke to the warrior guarding it while cupping his fists.

"Greetings. We are Taoists from the Wudang Sect. We have come from Hubei Province to see the Sect Leader."

"Wudang Sect warriors...?"

He scanned the five of us from top to bottom and spoke in a somewhat suspicious voice.

"Do you have anything to verify your identity?"

"Here is the entry token of the Wudang Sect."

"Understood. Please wait a moment."

The warrior took Un Cheol's entry token, went inside, and returned shortly. He handed the token back and said:

"I was told that Taoists from the Wudang Sect would be coming. The entry token seems to be in order.... Please come in. It's not that I doubted you, but we have some circumstances right now."

He spoke in an ambiguous manner, as if apologizing but not quite. I understood the situation he was in. Currently, they were being pushed back in the fight against the Four Evils Alliance and were barely holding onto Chengdu. Although Chengdu is a huge city, the original territory of the Sichuan Tang Family was the entire northern part of Sichuan Province, so they must feel extremely cornered right now.

"Not at all. Identities must be verified."

Un Cheol skillfully accepted his words, and we naturally went inside. Un Cheol, who used to not even know how to make small talk and wouldn't speak unless prompted, had clearly improved a lot.

"If you wait here for a moment, someone will come to take you to the inner court. I have to return to my post, so I'll take my leave."

The warrior bowed disciplinedly and turned back the way he came. The atmosphere I felt inside the Sichuan Tang Family was even more solemn than what I had felt outside. Well, they were being pushed back day by day in the fight against the Four Evils Alliance, so if someone were to walk around laughing loudly at a time like this, they might be branded as mentally ill or thought to be a spy for the Four Evils Alliance, so everyone had to be careful with their expressions and actions.

"Hwi-ya. Is... the situation that bad right now?"

"It seems so. I'll have to hear the details to be sure."

Un Mi, who was right next to me, whispered in my ear. The atmosphere here must be bad enough for him to feel it too.

"I wonder if they'll even have the leisure to listen to our talk of reconciliation in this state. Originally, restoring a relationship is something you can do when you have peace of mind. Right now, the Sichuan Tang Family doesn't seem to have any leisure at all."

Un Jeong added a word. It was as he said. Originally, in a few years, the Sichuan Tang Family would lose most of the Chengdu area to the Four Evils Alliance. Naturally, they had no leisure to be friendly with the orthodox martial world again, and conversely, since it was a place the orthodox martial world wasn't close to, they didn't even think of helping. In the first place, the Sichuan martial world had never asked for help.

"Are you the Taoists from the Wudang Sect?"

While we were looking around with worried eyes, a servant who looked barely over ten years old came out to get us.

"Yes. We are from the Wudang Sect."

"Please come this way. I will take you to the Family Head. Originally, there are several procedures for welcoming guests, but due to the various situations facing our family, we intend to omit them and take you directly to the Family Head, so please understand."

"Not at all. It's actually better."

We walked briskly behind the servant. As Un Cheol said, this was actually a good point of being in a war. I absolutely detest empty formalities.

The servant led us quite a distance. To show how large the manor of the Sichuan Tang Family was, after walking for a bit, a fairly large forest appeared before us. It seemed to be an artificially created forest by transplanting trees of considerable age, and I felt a strange sensation looking at it. It was because I felt as if the forest were alive and moving. Just as I was debating whether to ask about it, the servant spoke.

"We are about to pass through the forest, so you must follow me closely. Especially, you must be careful not to let your feet slip to either side. This is because various poisonous creatures live in the forest on both sides of the path to the inner court. We have sprayed medicine that poisonous creatures dislike only on the path where people can go to prevent them from approaching. Among them are poisonous creatures for which even the Tang Family has no antidote and is still researching, so it will be a big problem if you are bitten."

"Ah. Understood. We will be careful."

I flinched inwardly and tried my best to follow only the path the servant walked. No matter how much it was me, poison techniques were scary, so I couldn't relax my tension throughout the passage through the forest. And after passing through the forest, a beautiful meadow that looked like it came out of a painting unfolded, and a three-story pavilion stood upon it. As we were staring blankly at the pavilion, feeling as if we had entered a dream, the servant let out a small laugh and said:

"Most people who come here for the first time show that kind of reaction. It is one of the prides of our Sichuan Tang Family."

The servant's voice was full of confidence. I thought it was a beauty well worth being confident about. Even I, who have almost no aesthetic sense, was this impressed.

"This way."

We went to the front of the pavilion following the servant, but uniquely, there was not a single person guarding this place. When I made a puzzled expression, the servant, who seemed quite quick-witted, saw my expression and immediately explained.

"You seem puzzled because there are many people guarding the outside of the forest, but not a single one here?"

"Yes. That... is so."

"Actually, I told a lie a moment ago. Originally, I should never tell outsiders, but since you look kind, I'll tell you a little. Instead, you must not tell anyone that you heard it from me, okay?"

The servant continued in a boasting voice.

"Actually, I said earlier that we sprayed medicine on that path to prevent poisonous creatures from approaching, but that was a lie."

"Then?"

"The direct descendants of the Sichuan Tang Family learn special poison techniques from a young age. One of them is a poison technique that is harmless to humans but emits a poison that poisonous creatures can feel, preventing them from approaching. It makes other poisonous creatures mistakenly believe that a stronger poisonous creature has appeared, so they cannot come near."

"Ah, that means... if one is not with a direct descendant of the Sichuan Tang Family, they might be attacked by poisonous creatures even if they come by that path."

"Exactly. You are quick to understand."

The servant said with a grin. Judging by what he just said, the servant was not an ordinary servant but seemed to be a direct descendant of the Sichuan Tang Family. Even if he looked young, a direct descendant of a great family cannot be taken lightly. Especially a direct descendant of a family like the Sichuan Tang Family. It was because one could not easily gauge what kind of martial arts he had learned and what kind of poison he harbored since childhood.

"Excuse me, but may I ask your name? You seem to be a direct descendant of the Sichuan Tang Family. I am Unhwi of the Wudang Sect."

When I first cupped my fists and greeted him, he responded with a smile.

"I am Tang Gyuseon. So you are Unhwi Dojang."

"I am Un Cheol."

"I am Un Jeong."

"I use the Taoist name Un Shik."

"I am Un Mi."

My senior brothers also realized from my words that Tang Gyuseon was not just a servant but a direct descendant of the Sichuan Tang Family, and they all cupped their fists and greeted him.

"It would be good if my father were in a state to have a proper conversation right now. You seem like good people...."

Tang Gyuseon muttered to himself in a barely audible voice and then spoke again.

"Please come this way for now. We've arrived."

We followed him into the pavilion. I thought it would be very flashy, but unexpectedly, the inside was very simple with no particular decorations. Tang Gyuseon led us to a large door at the very back and spoke softly in front of it.

"Family Head. I have brought the guests."

Then a voice was heard from inside.

"Tell them to enter."

Tang Gyuseon turned toward us and cupped his fists politely.

"You may open the door and enter. I hope you achieve what you desire smoothly. I'll take my leave now."

He disappeared with quick steps. I thought I should remember the name Tang Gyuseon. It was because I felt a strong conviction that he would distinguish himself in a few more years, even though he looked very young now.

"Shall we go in then?"

"Yes. Let's do that."

Un Cheol pushed the door slightly. The door opened very smoothly, as if it were well-maintained. Entering the door, we were surprised once more in a different sense. We thought there would be something very grand and massive, but on the contrary, a very simple office appeared. And a man sitting at a desk at the end of the back wall, constantly reading and processing various reports. I recognized at a glance that he was the Family Head of the Sichuan Tang Family.

"Greetings to the Family Head of the Sichuan Tang Family. I am Un Cheol of the Wudang Sect."

This time too, we took turns introducing ourselves one by one. Then the Family Head of the Sichuan Tang Family answered indifferently, as if he weren't very interested.

"Nice to meet you. I am the Family Head of the Sichuan Tang Family, Tang Jincheol. I received the letter that you were coming a while ago. You have something to return to our Sichuan Tang Family?"

"Yes. That is so."

"I appreciate the sincerity of coming all the way here, but could you show it to me quickly? I don't know if you know, but the situation of our family is not very good right now."

"Yes. Understood."

I fumbled in my bundle and handed the cloth wrap labeled 'Sichuan Tang Family' to Un Cheol, and he took it and handed it to Tang Jincheol. Tang Jincheol unwrapped the cloth without much emotion, checked the contents, and... said with a small sigh:

"I understand the intent of the orthodox martial world. But.... I'm sorry, but I don't think I can give you an answer right now."

"May I ask the reason?"

"What we need right now is not this kind of hollow relationship. In a situation where the Sichuan Tang Family might be destroyed in a few years, we cannot play at being friends now. I've spent as much time as I can, so please return."

He issued a dismissal in a cold voice. We, who never expected him to be so firm, could not hide our bewilderment.

(End of Chapter)