One Strike, Life-Stealer.
It is the most difficult to master among the eight secret techniques of the Tang family, an unparalleled hidden weapon art. How could the frail Tang Ryeong have mastered it?
“I’m sorry.” Tang Ryeong, surveying the silenced arena, spoke to Tang Pae in the stands. “The second brother’s attack was so fierce that I instinctively used this technique.”
Was it because a major incident had occurred during the martial arts tournament he himself had proposed? Even with this sudden accident, there was no change in Tang Pae’s expression as he sat in the stands.
“How could you wield One Strike, Life-Stealer?” Everyone in the Tang family believed Tang Ryeong had given up on practicing martial arts.
They thought his visits to the secret vault were merely ceremonial. To think he had mastered One Strike, Life-Stealer, a technique known to be incredibly difficult to learn? In response to Tang Seong’s question, Tang Ryeong said with an awkward expression,
“In the past, I saw Father use it against Heo Juk, the Poison Hand Flying Crane… I admired that technique and chose to train in it.”
Tang Ryeong had once accompanied Tang Pae on a journey through the martial world, during which Heo Juk, a formidable rival and a master of the unorthodox sects, ambushed Tang Pae. At that time, Tang Pae, seated in the carriage, dispatched Heo Juk in a single move, using none other than One Strike, Life-Stealer.
—Mmm.
The relatives in the arena were all stunned. To think Tang Ryeong had perfectly mastered a secret Tang family technique.
Ahem.
Tang Seong, standing on the platform, cleared his throat and glanced at Tang Pae. Since his son had died during the tournament, he wondered if the event should be halted.
Ugh.
At that moment, Tang Bi, who had collapsed from the throwing knife, staggered to his feet with a groan.
“How…?” Tang Seong was shocked to see Tang Bi stand, and so was Tang Ryeong, who had unleashed One Strike, Life-Stealer.
Flash.
As Tang Bi pulled the knife from his chest, something gleamed between the torn fabric of his clothes.
“Silver Scale Armor?” Astonishingly, Tang Bi was wearing the Silver Scale Armor, a treasure of the Tang family that had been bestowed upon Tang Gon, beneath his clothes.
‘That man was right.’ Tang Bi stared intently at Bu Eunseol, the masked figure who had visited him days ago, standing below the platform.
***
“Hahaha! You’re saying Elder Brother perfectly mastered one of the Tang family’s secret techniques?” Tang Bi burst into mocking laughter upon hearing the words of the masked Bu Eunseol.
“That’s right.”
“Don’t make me laugh. Elder Brother gave up on martial arts long ago.”
“Then let me ask you this: why would someone who gave up on martial arts enter the secret vault?”
“What?”
“Would someone as intelligent as him waste time like that?” Bu Eunseol had learned every detail about Tang Ryeong from Tang Gon.
He had heard that Tang Ryeong had entered the secret vault, where the Tang family’s techniques were kept, and stayed there for ten days. At that moment, Bu Eunseol deduced that Tang Ryeong had mastered a secret technique and was likely proficient in it by now.
“You’re insane.” Tang Bi snorted, dismissing the words as unworthy of consideration. “If Elder Brother had mastered a secret technique, why hasn’t he used it until now? He’s been insulted countless times by members of other clans for his weak martial arts.”
“Because he’s not as dull-witted as you.”
“What?”
“A beast only bares its sharp fangs when it hunts.” Bu Eunseol once again slid the wooden box containing the Silver Scale Armor to Tang Bi’s feet. “Believe it or not, that’s your choice.”
With those words, Bu Eunseol left.
That day, Tang Bi didn’t believe a word of it. But the Silver Scale Armor was a treasure that could protect his life. Thinking there was nothing to lose, he wore it and stepped onto the tournament platform.
“To think Elder Brother would use such a vicious move against me.” Staring at the deep marks left on the Silver Scale Armor, Tang Bi trembled with a sense of betrayal. “Elder Brother, how could you do this to me!”
In response to Tang Bi’s anguished cry, Tang Ryeong spoke in a cold voice.
“Second Brother, this family is built on blood.”
“Brother!”
“Do you know why only Uncle Tang Seong remains among Father’s siblings?” A glint of madness flickered in Tang Ryeong’s eyes. “Because the others would surely betray him. Cutting off the seeds of betrayal in advance is the tradition of this family.”
Tang Bi was well aware of this truth.
But he had believed his relationship with Tang Ryeong was different. No matter how much they bickered, Tang Ryeong had always maintained a gentle demeanor.
“I thought even if I became the head, I could get along with you!” At Tang Bi’s cry, Tang Ryeong shook his head.
“Did you? But if I became the head, I planned to eliminate you regardless.”
“What?”
“You’re ambitious and foolish. You’d surely use my frail health as an excuse to rebel one day.” Tang Ryeong pointed at Tang Gon, standing in the distance. “The third brother used to know his place… but now he’s different.” Tang Bi’s eyes lost focus.
‘So that’s how it was.’ The Tang Ryeong he knew was nothing but a mask. The real Tang Ryeong was not only cold and ruthless but also a highly ambitious schemer.
“Brother, you truly are suited to be the head of this family.”
“I’m glad you understand. So, will you give up?”
“Hahaha.” Tang Bi suddenly burst into laughter and said, “Now I understand why Father insisted on mind-reading. It was because he knew your dark intentions all too well.”
Rip.
Tearing off his upper garments and discarding the Silver Scale Armor, Tang Bi bared his teeth.
“If I give up, you’ll easily defeat that fool Tang Gon and become the head.” A fierce killing intent emanated from his eyes. “Unfortunately, it won’t go according to your plan.”
Hiss!
A yellowish poison aura began to emanate from Tang Bi’s body. He had finally unleashed one of the Tang family’s secret techniques, the Five Poison Death Flower Technique.
‘This is… troublesome.’ Tang Ryeong sighed as he watched Tang Bi. The original plan was for Tang Bi to fall in a single strike from One Strike, Life-Stealer. But… Tang Ryeong glanced at Tang Gon and Bu Eunseol standing beside him.
Grin. As Bu Eunseol met his gaze with a smile, rage boiled within Tang Ryeong.
‘That bastard orchestrated this.’ Even if Tang Gon harbored malice, he wasn’t skilled in schemes. The Silver Scale Armor was undoubtedly Bu Eunseol’s doing. ‘I need to finish Tang Bi quickly.’ Tang Ryeong looked down at the hidden knife concealed in his sleeve. One Strike, Life-Stealer was a flawless throwing technique, but Tang Bi had already experienced it once. A perfect ambush like before would be difficult now.
‘To deal with Tang Bi, who has mastered the Five Poison Death Flower Technique to its peak…’
Click. Tang Ryeong drew a soft sword hidden at his waist.
‘Instead of One Strike, Life-Stealer, I’ll use the Sun-Moon Sword!’
“Hah!” At that moment, Tang Bi’s muscular body charged forward, unleashing the Five Poison Death Flower Technique.
Watching him, Tang Ryeong gripped the soft sword and unleashed the Sun-Moon Sword Technique with all his might.
Thud, thud, thud.
The rigid soft sword pierced Tang Bi’s chest. It narrowly missed his heart, but it was a critical wound that made recovery uncertain. Tang Bi’s hand had almost reached Tang Ryeong’s shoulder. His shoulder had been struck by a palm filled with the Five Poison Death Flower Technique’s power.
“Even with my full strength… I’m no match for you.” Tang Bi looked down at the sword in his chest and fell to his knees.
Thud.
As Tang Bi collapsed, the waiting attendants hurriedly carried him away.
“The winner is Tang Ryeong!” Despite witnessing this brutal fight, there was no change in Tang Seong’s voice.
The expressions of the watching Tang family relatives remained largely unchanged as well.
The Tang family was a clan built on blood. This was a recurring history, the driving force that kept the Tang family strong.
“Next, Tang Gon and Tang Cheong.” Hearing his name called, Tang Gon nodded at Bu Eunseol and Black Leopard.
“Here I go.” Unlike before, Tang Gon’s expression was calm, his gaze cold.
Whoosh.
At that moment, Tang Cheong ascended the platform with graceful movement.
“Brother.”
“Cheong-ah.” Tang Gon’s face, unlike before, was filled with dignity.
Having witnessed the fight between Tang Ryeong and Tang Bi, he had realized what it meant to bear the title of the next head.
‘To become the head means becoming a ruthless guardian who will protect the Sichuan Tang family at all costs.’ Finally understanding everything, Tang Gon stared at Tang Cheong and said,
“I hope you’ll face me with all your sincerity.” Raising his internal energy, Tang Gon gazed at her with cold eyes.
His demeanor was strikingly similar to Bu Eunseol’s when facing an enemy.
“Uncle Seong.” At that moment, Tang Cheong looked at Tang Seong and said, “I’m forfeiting.” As Tang Seong looked surprised, Tang Cheong gave a bright smile.
“Even if I win the tournament, I can’t become the head, right?”
“But…”
“And it looks like Third Brother has finally come to his senses.” Turning, Tang Cheong winked at Tang Gon. “You never seemed like head material before… but now, you’re worth betting on, aren’t you?”
‘So that’s what it was.’ Tang Gon finally understood Bu Eunseol’s words.
—When you grow up surrounded by overwhelming love, sometimes you fail to see it.
‘I was loved.’ By his father, Tang Pae, by his youngest sibling, Tang Cheong, by the Tang family relatives who recognized his potential. And by his friend and his friend’s attendant, watching him from afar.
He was never alone.
“Will it be okay if I forfeit with confidence, Third Brother?” As Tang Cheong asked with a smile, Tang Gon nodded heavily.
“I won’t let you down.”
“The winner is Tang Gon!” Tang Seong raised his voice and announced loudly. “For the final match, Tang Ryeong, step onto the platform!”
Thud.
At those words, Tang Ryeong ascended the platform again. His left shoulder was shattered, and his body was visibly exhausted. Yet, Tang Ryeong’s presence still surpassed Tang Gon’s.
Shing.
As Tang Gon drew his sword from his waist without hesitation, Tang Ryeong gave a faint smile.
“You’ve changed.” The old Tang Gon would have refused to fight an injured Tang Ryeong.
But now, he was different. For victory, he could ruthlessly exploit an enemy’s weaknesses. Even if it was a blood relative, he had become cold enough to cut their throat for the sake of winning.
“If you’d shown this side of yourself earlier… I would have dealt with you first, above all else.” Tang Ryeong looked at Tang Gon with a regretful expression. “You’re truly fortunate.”
“You’re right. I’m incredibly fortunate.” With a faint smile, Tang Gon clasped his hands together. “Shall we begin?”
“Hahaha. Very well.” Tang Ryeong nodded, drawing his soft sword. “Let’s make this a fight without regrets.”
Tang Ryeong smiled brightly.
‘I have no regrets.’ Born with a frail body, he had secretly endured grueling training to overcome his heavenly curse. But in the process, an unexpected Tang Gon had emerged as a hidden dragon.
‘No, I foresaw everything.’ Tang Ryeong had had multiple opportunities to kill Tang Gon. But he was curious whether Tang Gon could truly overcome his limits and become a threat.
And now, the answer—the result—was before him.
‘I was too complacent.’ To become the head of the Sichuan Tang family, one had to be more ruthless than anyone. His failure to be so had led to this outcome.
‘Even trying to kill the second brother out of haste.’ When Tang Gon suddenly rose as a threat, Tang Ryeong had made a rash decision in his impatience.
If he hadn’t tried to kill Tang Bi, he wouldn’t have injured his shoulder.
‘What a pity.’ Tang Ryeong felt regret.
Regret that he couldn’t showcase all the martial arts he had mastered to Tang Gon.
And that this final fight would end only in defeat.
