Tang Gon grimaced as if he had eaten spoiled food.
“Father wants me… to become the head of the family?”
“That’s right.”
“Hahaha.” Tang Gon let out a weak laugh and shook his head.
“That’s absurd. Are you saying this even after seeing the tournament bracket?” Bu Eunseol, who had been watching Tang Gon’s slumped shoulders, downed a cup of wine in one gulp and spoke.
“Let me ask you something. How does Tang Ryeong’s martial arts compare to Tang Bi’s?”
“As you know, Elder Brother’s health is frail. Even at his best, he couldn’t handle Tang Bi, let alone me.”
“I see.” Bu Eunseol gave a faint smile.
Seeing that smile, Tang Gon felt oddly reassured yet irritated.
“What’s so amusing?”
“In my view, you’ve grown up surrounded by so much love that you’ve become blind to it.”
“Love? Are you drunk?”
Bu Eunseol set down his wine cup and said, “Tang Bi can never defeat Tang Ryeong.”
“What do you mean? Tang Bi can’t beat Elder Brother?”
“And Tang Ryeong will likely use the martial arts tournament as an excuse to kill Tang Bi. Probably.”
“Elder Brother, kill Tang Bi? Hahaha…” Tang Gon let out an incredulous laugh and downed his wine as if swallowing his disbelief. “That’s the most absurd joke I’ve ever heard.”
Staring into Bu Eunseol’s clear eyes, Tang Gon shook his head in disbelief.
“Elder Brother has been frail since childhood, with weak lungs, barely training in martial arts and focusing only on scholarly pursuits. How could he possibly defeat Tang Bi?”
“Have you ever personally confirmed that he hasn’t trained in martial arts?” Tang Gon gave a hollow smile and shook his head.
“Well… he’s always holed up in his study, so how could I know?”
“Tang Ryeong is strong. Stronger than you or Tang Bi.” Seeing the certainty in Bu Eunseol’s eyes, Tang Gon felt an uneasy sensation, as if something were creeping up his spine.
“Are you saying Elder Brother has been deceiving everyone all this time?”
“Exactly.” For a moment, Tang Gon was speechless.
Bu Eunseol’s skills had already reached the pinnacle of mastery. With such insight, he might indeed have perceived something Tang Gon couldn’t.
“Why? Why would Elder Brother do such a thing?” Regaining his composure, Tang Gon asked, and Bu Eunseol replied calmly,
“Because a brilliant mind with ambition will always conceal their true nature.”
“…”
“People like that hide their true selves until they achieve their goals.”
For years, Bu Eunseol had prepared the bodies of the dead for burial, listening to Bu Zhanyang’s tales of human nature, greed, and schemes. Those stories had given him wisdom and insight far beyond that of a seventy-year-old elder.
“Even if everything you say is true… there’s no reason for Elder Brother to kill Tang Bi.” As Tang Gon shook his head, Bu Eunseol picked up his wine cup again.
“I didn’t say he’d only kill Tang Bi.” Downing the cup in one go, he spoke in a heavy voice after a long silence. “He’ll kill you too.”
“Why… why would Elder Brother want to kill me?”
“He’s lived his entire life hiding his true self, biding his time. Do you think someone like that would feel secure even after becoming the heir?” Bu Eunseol gave a chilling smile. “He’ll eliminate every potential threat. Otherwise, all the years he’s endured would be for nothing.”
“Why would he see us as threats?”
Bu Eunseol stared at his empty wine cup and said, “Tang Ryeong is, as you say, frail. But that means you and Tang Bi could always reclaim the position of heir. Of course, Tang Cheong is an exception.”
Tang Gon let out a groan-like sound.
“Let’s say you’re right. But how? Father organized a martial arts tournament, not a bloodbath.” Bu Eunseol let out a soft chuckle.
“Accidents can’t be prevented. Not by anyone in this world.” Tang Gon fell silent.
Even if he had the ability to read minds, he couldn’t match Bu Eunseol’s knack for understanding people or devising strategies.
“If you’re saying all this, you must have a plan, don’t you?”
“Of course.” Tang Gon’s face lit up as he asked,
“What’s the plan?” Bu Eunseol shook his head, his eyes glinting.
“First, tell me everything you know about Tang Ryeong. Every detail, no matter how small.”
***
Inside Suyun Pavilion, in the small training ground.
Tang Bi, shirtless, was hurling hidden weapons and palm strikes at wooden targets set up around him.
Whoosh! Swish! Boom!
Each swing of his hand unleashed devastating palm force laced with poison. Every time his hand brushed the leather pouch at his waist, dozens of hidden weapons embedded themselves in the wooden targets.
“Hahaha!” Tang Bi’s laughter echoed through the area as he stopped his movements. “No matter how you look at it, Father has already chosen me as the next head.”
After Tang Pae’s declaration that the successor would be chosen through a martial arts tournament, Tang Bi was, for once, in high spirits, diligently practicing his martial arts. No one could match him in martial prowess. He believed the tournament was merely a ploy by Tang Pae to select him.
“Phew.” After washing up, he headed to his bedroom with a smile.
As he lay down contentedly on his bed,
“You lead a surprisingly disciplined life.” Across from him, at the table, sat a masked figure in black night attire, lounging casually.
“Who are you?” Tang Bi’s temperament was so volatile that the term “hothead” barely sufficed.
Yet now, he remained remarkably composed, not lashing out. Because the masked figure had infiltrated the inner courtyard, teeming with the direct-line masters of the Tang family. Moreover, they had reached Suyun Pavilion, the heart of the compound, alone. Tang Bi instantly recognized that this was a master beyond his ability to handle.
‘Provoking someone stronger than me won’t do any good.’
“Who am I?” The masked figure’s voice was deliberately rough and low, as if altered. “I’m the one who’s going to save you.”
“Save me?” Instead of answering, the masked figure set down a large wooden box they had been carrying on their back. “What’s that?”
“Something to save your life.” The masked figure slid the box toward Tang Bi’s bed. “Make sure to use it during the tournament in two days.”
“This is…” Opening the box, Tang Bi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “It was you.”
With an irritated expression, Tang Bi pushed the box back toward the masked figure’s feet.
“Hmph, I don’t need this. Take it back.” He looked at the masked figure, puzzled. “Even with your high martial skills, this is the inner courtyard. No matter how skilled, no one could infiltrate here alone… How did you get in?”
“Because I can suppress my killing intent.”
“What does that mean?”
The masked figure waved a hand dismissively and said, “If you don’t use this, you’ll die.” The masked figure spoke in a low, rough voice. “He’s been hiding his true strength for a long time. And he plans to use the tournament as an excuse to kill you completely.”
“He’s going to kill me? Why?”
“Because eliminating you ensures no one threatens his position as the next head.”
“Hahaha! What nonsense. Didn’t he tell you that my brother and I are on good terms?” As Tang Bi laughed heartily, the masked figure’s eyes gleamed in the darkness.
In a low voice, they told Tang Bi several things at length. After finishing, the masked figure said again, “Believe it or not, that’s up to you.”
Tang Bi, who had been listening for a while, finally frowned and shouted,
“You keep spouting nonsense…” He stopped mid-sentence.
The masked figure had completely vanished.
“…” Staring at the wooden box, Tang Bi muttered in a low voice, “Don’t make me laugh, you lunatic.”
With a cold sneer, he shoved the box into a corner of the room.
***
Finally, the martial arts tournament to decide the next head of the Tang family began.
In the training ground set up in the eastern part of the inner courtyard, all the direct-line relatives of the Tang family had gathered. Overlooking the arena, a shaded canopy and chairs were prepared for the family head, Tang Pae, to comfortably observe the matches.
“Let the martial arts tournament to select the next head begin!” Tang Seong, standing on the platform, announced in a low voice.
Since this was a contest among Tang Pae’s four direct children, the audience consisted only of the inner courtyard’s elders and direct relatives, excluding the specially invited Bu Eunseol and Black Leopard, and the atmosphere was solemn.
“First, Tang Ryeong and Tang Bi, step onto the platform.” At Tang Seong’s words, Tang Ryeong and Tang Bi, waiting on either side, slowly ascended to the arena.
“Brother.” Tang Bi spoke calmly, looking at Tang Ryeong, whose face was pale and sickly. “What’s the point of us fighting? It’s just a formality.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your health is frail, and even a moment of intense movement leaves you short of breath, doesn’t it? Just forfeit.” Tang Bi spoke politely, clasping his hands, and Tang Ryeong gave a dry smile.
“Has my condition ever been any different? Don’t worry about it.” At that moment, Tang Seong raised his hand and shouted,
“Begin!”
“Here I come, Brother. I’ll go easy on you!” As the match began, Tang Bi let out a short battle cry and extended both palms.
Instead of using the Tang family’s secret Five Poison Death Flower Technique, he unleashed the Thousand Poison Mist Heart Palm.
Whoosh!
Dozens of palm shadows curved through the air toward Tang Ryeong. Though Tang Bi had a fierce personality, his talent in martial arts was exceptional. The fluttering palm shadows carried deep internal energy, and his execution of techniques was flawless.
Swish.
Unable to find an opening to counter, Tang Ryeong used his footwork to evade the onslaught of palm shadows. But Tang Bi, as if anticipating every move, skillfully altered his techniques.
Thud.
Tang Ryeong, barely finding a path to retreat, gasped for breath.
“Haa… Haa…” His forehead was already dripping with sweat.
At first glance, Tang Bi’s attacks seemed aimed at crushing Tang Ryeong, but in reality, they were designed to force him to surrender.
“Will you give up?” Pausing his Thousand Poison Mist Heart Palm, Tang Bi asked in a relaxed tone.
“Let’s continue.”
“Brother, from now on, I’ll attack swiftly to conserve energy for the next match. You understand what I mean, don’t you?”
“A good strategy.” Seeing no sign of Tang Ryeong backing down, Tang Bi sighed.
“Brother, don’t blame me for being ruthless.” Despite his ferocious nature, Tang Bi relied on and respected the always gentle Tang Ryeong.
Otherwise, he would have already used the Five Poison Death Flower Technique to utterly defeat him.
“Here I go!” Raising his internal energy to its peak, Tang Bi unleashed the Thousand Poison Mist Heart Palm again.
Though he spoke of attacking swiftly, he didn’t use the Five Poison Death Flower Technique, sticking to the twelve forms of the Thousand Poison Mist Heart Palm.
Boom!
The wave-like palm techniques linked together like a chain, completely surrounding Tang Ryeong’s body. Though Tang Ryeong moved quickly, the Thousand Poison Mist Heart Palm had already sealed off all his escape routes.
“Elder Brother!” Tang Gon, watching from a distance, shouted. “Admit defeat!”
If he didn’t, the dozens of palm shadows Tang Bi unleashed would pummel Tang Ryeong like a drum.
Flash!
Suddenly, a brilliant light burst from Tang Ryeong’s hand.
“Argh!” At the same time, Tang Bi let out a scream and collapsed to the ground.
“How…?” Everyone in the Tang family audience widened their eyes in shock.
In the center of Tang Bi’s chest, at the Mingmen acupoint, a sharp throwing knife was embedded.
“One strike… Life-Stealer?”
Tang Seong, standing at the edge of the platform, gasped in astonishment.
