The Genius Youngest Disciple of the Wudang Sect

Chapter 383

He told us to withdraw, but we could not. If we were to withdraw now, I knew all too well what the future of the Sichuan martial world would become. As it stood, the Sichuan Tang Family would be gradually pushed back by the Four Evils Alliance, barely managing to maintain only a few areas of Chengdu, and would be unable to control the continued growth of the Four Evils Alliance. This would remain a problem even after the conflict with the Four Evils Heaven, which would lead to the near-disintegration of the Four Evils Alliance. Having been hunched over for so long, they would fail to properly re-absorb Sichuan, which was essentially an empty house, and would let time slip away. As a result, the Demonic Cult would enter Sichuan almost without bloodshed. If they had been stopped to some extent even in Sichuan, the orthodox martial world would have been able to buy a day or two more to prepare against the Demonic Cult bastards, and perhaps they would not have collapsed so futilely.

"Hmm.... I said there is nothing more to talk about, so why are you not leaving? Ah! Since you haven't left, let me add one more thing.... Even if you go to the Emei Sect and the Qingcheng Sect, you will likely receive a similar answer. They must also be in a difficult situation just looking after themselves right now...."

He spoke in a somewhat regretful voice. I did not miss the moment his heart loosened and hurriedly opened my mouth.

"Family Head. Could you please listen to our story for just a moment? The reason we came is not simply to deliver that symbol and propose a reconciliation that is merely words."

"A reconciliation that is not merely words?"

"Yes. We have come here to share stories that will practically be of help to the Sichuan Tang Family and the Sichuan warriors, and to help if there is anything we can do."

I felt my senior brothers flinch at the words that had not been agreed upon beforehand, but fortunately, it was to a degree that even I, who was close by, could barely feel it, so the Family Head did not seem to notice at all.

"Stories that will be of help...?"

"I believe the Family Head has already grasped that the leader of the Four Evils Alliance changed recently."

"Yes. It was originally a man named Dokgo Ju-gwak, but I heard it changed to someone else."

This was information he naturally knew. Even if they had weakened, it would be nonsense for the Family Head of the Tang Clan, one of the Five Great Families, not to know what even third-rate warriors were talking about in inns.

"His name is Huang Jianjiu."

"Huang Jianjiu...?"

He tilted his head as if he were hearing it for the first time. That was only natural. It was a story I was also hearing for the first time. Huang Jianjiu was someone who, in my past life, would never have come to the forefront until his death. If it weren't for me, Dokgo Ju-gwak would never have left the Four Evils Alliance to follow the Demonic Fire Hall Master, and it would have been enough for Huang Jianjiu to remain only under Dokgo Ju-gwak's shadow until he lost his life in the conflict with the Four Evils Heaven.

"He was originally a subordinate of Dokgo Ju-gwak. Elder Maeng Gwang-gae said that our side also had a very hard time finding out his name."

"Our side?"

"Ah! I mean our orthodox martial world. I am particularly close with Elder Maeng Gwang-gae of the Beggars' Sect."

"Heh.... Is the information power of the Beggars' Sect at that level?"

I nodded slightly. Fortunately, he seemed much more interested in my words than before. Although the name Huang Jianjiu was actually known through the Hao Mun, not the Beggars' Sect.

"First, I will tell the Family Head all the information I know about the Four Evils Alliance. And although we are third-generation disciples of the Wudang Sect, we are warriors who have been recognized by the Sect Leader and dispatched to help the Sichuan Tang Family. I hope we can do something helpful for the Sichuan Tang Family within our power."

I spoke as if appealing to him. Anyone seeing this might think it was funny. I was appealing to the Family Head to please let us help. Usually, the person asking for help would take such an attitude.

"You all...."

The Family Head of the Sichuan Tang Family stood up abruptly from his seat. He had been sitting indifferently in his chair talking to us until now, but it seemed he finally felt like standing up.

"You were sincere.... The orthodox martial world truly wanted to restore the relationship with us...."

Fortunately, his voice was filled with emotion.

"Yes, Family Head. We are sincere. So please let us talk for a moment."

"Would it be just a talk?"

He picked up the symbol of the Sichuan Tang Family that we had carried here. That symbol was a hidden weapon in the shape of a shuriken, slightly larger than a person's palm.

"Have you seen this before?"

"No. Actually, it's my first time seeing the contents."

"This hidden weapon.... It was used by one of our ancestors. It must be at least three hundred years old."

"To think such an old item is still so intact. The technology of the Sichuan Tang Family is amazing."

"Hehe.... Since I've decided to accept the intent of the orthodox martial world, there's no need to flatter me like that."

"It's not flattery, it's the truth. A hidden weapon that can be used for hundreds of years. It's truly the first time I've seen one in my life."

"It's a hidden weapon made of Cold Iron, a legendary metal. It's called the Head-Bursting Flyer because it's said that if you handle this hidden weapon perfectly, you can burst the head of whoever the opponent is with a single strike."

He examined the hidden weapon as if admiring it and continued.

"I'll tell you the truth. When the Sichuan martial world and the orthodox martial world last held a friendly match, my father and the Grand Family Head could not contain his anger and ended up throwing this Head-Bursting Flyer at his opponent. He broke the promise not to use killing moves in the duel."

"I... had no idea such a thing happened."

"Fortunately, the warrior hit by the hidden weapon did not die, and Perfected Hwa Gong of the Huashan Sect, who was the representative of the orthodox warriors at the time, took the Head-Bursting Flyer and told him to come find him when he felt like taking it back."

"Feeling like taking back the Head-Bursting Flyer means...."

"It meant to sincerely apologize and ask for forgiveness from the warrior hit by the Head-Bursting Flyer. He almost died, after all."

"It's a story... very different from the facts we know. It's the first time I've heard it."

He chuckled.

"That point can also be said to be where our Sichuan Tang Family lost to the orthodox martial world."

"Lost again. What do you mean by that?"

"To be honest, what I just told you is a story that could be a disgrace to our Sichuan Tang Family. But the orthodox warriors who were here at the time have not breathed a word about that day's events to anyone else until now. The reason we've been hiding only in Sichuan all this time.... In the end, it might be because of the shame that my father passed away without being able to make that apology."

The Family Head had a bitter expression, but on the other hand, he also looked relieved. It seemed it was the first time he had told someone else a story he had unintentionally hidden until now.

"Yes. Since it's come to this, let's eat first. I heard a moment ago that you seem to know the Four Evils Alliance well.... How about we have a time where I also ask things I'm curious about while eating, and you tell me what you can answer to my questions?"

"Those are welcome words. Actually, we came here in a hurry and haven't eaten yet."

"Then it's even better. Although our Sichuan Tang Family is being pushed back in various war situations by the Four Evils Alliance bastards, we're not at a level where we can't even treat a precious guest."

He had already become a completely different person from when we first met.

"Follow me. Surely you haven't arranged a place to stay outside the manor? I'll give you a room, so stay at the manor."

He personally led us past the forest that was said to be teeming with poisonous creatures and gave us an empty room not too far away. That place had six beds facing each other, enough for up to six people to sleep in one room. And the Family Head told us to rest for a while as it must have been hard coming a long way. He said he would send someone to get us when dinner was ready.

"Hwi-ya. I stayed still because I didn't know how the situation was going.... Is it going well?"

"Yes, senior brother. It's going well."

"Unhwi-ya. If you had told us a bit, we wouldn't have been so surprised earlier."

"Right. Actually, it's the first time I've heard that story too, and it was so hard pretending to know."

I had no choice but to apologize to my senior brothers in turn.

"That's how the situation turned out. My master told me not to tell anyone because it's a matter related to the Tang Family's shame unless the Family Head came out strongly against it.... I couldn't say it."

"Yes. I fully understand."

"Thank you for understanding."

Since I couldn't tell my senior brothers everything I knew, I just glossed it over like this today, and my senior brothers let it slide. I suddenly wondered if a day would ever come when I could tell my senior brothers everything. Of course, logically speaking, I know that the things that happened to me are not easily understandable, but still, if it's not anyone else but our room's senior brothers, wouldn't they believe what I say?

"Let's rest for a bit for now. Maybe it's because I used a lot of mental energy, but my body feels tired."

Un Shik said that and was about to lie down on the bed, and the other senior brothers also began to take a rest on their beds one by one. And I was the same. Not wanting to think complicatedly for now, I also lay down on the bed, and so we spent time lying down for the first time in a long while.

* * *

Even if I said we rested without doing anything, that time was barely over an hour. This was because after that time, someone came to get us. Apparently, the dinner preparations for us were already finished.

"Oh? Young Master Tang. We will meet again."

"Unhwi Dojang. I thought we would meet soon, but I didn't know it would be this immediate."

The person who came to get them with a beaming smile was Tang Gyuseon. Contrary to the impression that the Sichuan Tang Family mainly uses their hands, the Sichuan Tang Family values footwork and movement techniques very importantly above all else. Thinking about it, it might be a very natural thing, as the warriors of the Sichuan Tang Family very often did not use ordinary weapons like swords or sabers, so it was to avoid clashing with the opponent head-on. Tang Gyuseon was the same. Despite his young appearance, I could immediately feel that both his footwork and movement techniques were excellent.

"Dojang. May I ask one thing before we depart?"

"Please speak. Anything is fine."

Then Tang Gyuseon turned his head this way and that as if checking his surroundings and opened his mouth.

"How on earth did you persuade my father? I also have something to persuade my father about.... I want to be taught that method a little."

I thought for a moment.... and told Tang Gyuseon, thinking there would be no better answer than this.

"Sincerity."

"Sincerity?"

"Clashing with sincerity about what you want and what you intend to do, that is the method."

I showed him a relaxed smile. Tang Gyuseon was looking at me with eyes that seemed impressed.

(End of Chapter)