Jeongsim Pavilion
This was the outer residence provided by the Tang Clan for Bu Eunseol and the Supreme Branch members.
When news of Jang Song and Hyeong Geuk’s duel request reached them, Bu Eunseol gave an order to Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo. “During tomorrow’s duel, when I give the signal, have the branch arm themselves and stand guard at the Tang Clan’s main gate.”
Tae Muryong’s face stiffened. This implied a major enemy might attack the Tang Clan tomorrow.
As he struggled to respond, Jeong Jongdo cautiously spoke. “Branch Leader, except for us two, the other members are fresh recruits who’ve just completed training. If a force strong enough to attack the Tang Clan comes, our members won’t stand a chance.”
“It’s not about fighting—it’s about guarding. Ensure no one can enter,” Bu Eunseol clarified.
“No one can enter…” Jeong Jongdo murmured, then exclaimed in realization. “I see. As long as we hold the line, no one, no matter who they are, can pass. Attacking our branch is akin to challenging the Alliance itself.”
“Exactly,” Bu Eunseol said, smiling. “It doesn’t matter who they are. Honestly, the chances of such an event are slim. This is just a precaution, and secondly, since the Tang Clan has treated us generously, we should earn our keep.”
Tae Muryong, who had been listening silently, realized something and asked, “You believe there’s a high chance of forces in Sichuan colluding with the Three Poison Sects, don’t you?”
“Yes,” Bu Eunseol nodded. “For the three sect leaders to boldly challenge the young patriarch within the Tang Clan, it’s likely they’ve secretly stationed allied forces nearby.”
Jin Cheongon had mentioned an assassination squad in Sichuan. While assassins wouldn’t attempt to enter through the main gate, Bu Eunseol was preparing to deploy the Supreme Branch in case other allied forces were involved.
“Isn’t that impossible?” Jeong Jongdo asked. “Even if the Three Poison Sects have grown powerful recently, how could they dare deploy forces in Sichuan?”
“This plan wasn’t made in a day or two,” Tae Muryong said to Jeong Jongdo. “They’ve been preparing to attack the Tang Clan for a long time, so they could have secretly stationed forces over time.”
“Over time…” Jeong Jongdo’s eyes narrowed as he realized something.
If the Three Poison Sects had gradually infiltrated small forces, the Tang Clan might not have noticed.
“That’s possible,” Jeong Jongdo nodded.
Tae Muryong said to Bu Eunseol, “Even though the Poison Demon Sect retreated, their request for a duel suggests they’ve likely stationed forces.”
Bu Eunseol nodded faintly at Tae Muryong’s analysis. ‘He’s quite similar—to Yoo Unryong, in both intellect and temperament.’
Like Yoo Unryong, Tae Muryong had a natural gift for insight and strategy—a boon for Bu Eunseol. Having a skilled strategist increased the chances of success in any endeavor.
Knock, knock.
A young branch member’s voice came from outside. “Branch Leader, a martial artist from Cheoljung Pavilion requests your presence.”
‘Cheoljung Pavilion.’
That was where Young Patriarch Tang Gon resided.
“Understood,” Bu Eunseol replied immediately, turning to Tae Muryong and Jeong Jongdo. “Prepare the members to move swiftly when I give the signal.”
“Yes, sir,” they responded, clasping their hands.
Bu Eunseol stepped outside, where a sharp-eyed young martial artist with a cold aura bowed. “I am Unjeong from Cheoljung Pavilion, greeting the Branch Leader.”
“What’s the matter?”
“The Young Patriarch ordered me to escort you to Cheoljung Pavilion at the hour of the Dog, before he enters meditation.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
Unjeong led the way through the Tang Clan’s inner grounds to the guest hall in Cheoljung Pavilion, where Tang Gon resided. “The Young Patriarch will arrive soon. Please wait here.”
“Understood.”
As Unjeong left, a maid brought tea. Bu Eunseol sipped it calmly, sitting in the guest hall.
Dong, dong, dong. Ching, ching, ching.
Something was off. A faint, discordant noise reached his ears—unpleasant and jarring.
‘Does he have an interest in music?’ Bu Eunseol wondered, shaking his head at the oddity.
Groan.
Amid the faint noise, a barely audible, pain-filled moan reached him.
‘Deviation?’
Bu Eunseol instantly recognized the moan as Tang Gon’s. Such a pained sound during meditation could only mean qi deviation.
‘Tang Gon!’
Rising from his seat, Bu Eunseol didn’t immediately rush toward the sound. Instead, he stamped his foot with a serious expression.
Thud.
A low vibration spread, activating his Heart-Eye Sensing Technique to map the pavilion’s layout in case of an emergency.
‘There?’
He dashed toward a long corridor where a tightly closed door stood.
Dong, dong, dong. Ching, ching, ching.
The unpleasant noise grew louder from within the door.
‘Is this the meditation chamber? In such an accessible place?’
Bu Eunseol couldn’t comprehend it. Typically, meditation chambers were secluded, built to prevent disturbances and unauthorized entry, secured with sturdy iron doors and internal locks. For Tang Gon, the young patriarch and second most important figure in the Tang Clan, to use a chamber where sound leaked out so easily?
Click.
Opening the door hurriedly, he saw Tang Gon seated in a lotus position, meditating.
‘As expected…’
Bu Eunseol’s eyes flashed as he surveyed the room. Tang Gon wasn’t meditating normally. Sharp needles were embedded in the floor beneath his lotus position. The chamber was filled with qi-dispersing powder and mind-dazing incense. On the opposite wall, long ropes connected to drums and gongs outside produced incessant noise.
‘He’s training his spirit and mind together.’
Tang Gon had deliberately created an environment where meditation was nearly impossible, one that could induce demonic deviation, to train both his inner force and mental fortitude simultaneously.
‘Is he also practicing poison arts?’
Jars lined one side of the room, containing deadly poisons that could kill with a single drop.
Groan.
Tang Gon, eyes closed, groaned again. Perhaps due to pushing himself before the duel, he seemed unable to escape the deviation on his own.
“Focus!” Bu Eunseol called out sharply, placing his hand on Tang Gon’s back and infusing him with inner force.
‘He’s failed to break through multiple times…’ Bu Eunseol’s expression darkened as he examined Tang Gon’s condition.
His body bore the scars of grueling training—countless failures, setbacks, and brushes with death. Yet, Tang Gon’s potential remained unawakened, forcing him to endure such harsh training repeatedly.
Hum.
As Bu Eunseol’s energy flowed into him, Tang Gon’s meditation reached its peak, and a faint vibration emanated from his body.
Huff.
Finally regaining his senses and completing his meditation, Tang Gon pushed Bu Eunseol’s hand away. “You’ve wasted precious energy.”
His mouth, stained with blood, suggested he’d bitten his lips to stay conscious.
“How did you get here?” Tang Gon asked.
“I heard a loud noise,” Bu Eunseol replied.
Realizing the situation, Tang Gon smiled faintly. “My apologies. My meditation took longer than expected, so the noise must have been louder.”
Had Bu Eunseol not intervened, Tang Gon might have succumbed to deviation, suffering severe qi loss or lasting damage. Yet, despite brushing against death, his expression remained calm.
“Why set up a meditation chamber here?” Bu Eunseol asked.
Tang Gon smiled bitterly. “When the patriarch saw me training, he arranged this chamber for me.”
It was a strange answer.
As Bu Eunseol tilted his head, Tang Gon said, “I’m sorry, but my meditation isn’t finished yet. Could you wait a moment? It’ll be quick.”
“Alright.” Before Bu Eunseol could finish replying, Tang Gon walked toward the jars emitting a foul stench.
Bu Eunseol watched calmly, then stepped out of the chamber. Outside, he noticed traces of frequent comings and goings near the door. Examining them, he finally understood Tang Gon’s words.
‘I see.’
Training with his life on the line, Tang Gon must have frequently fallen into dangerous situations. Thus, Tang Pae had placed the chamber in an accessible location where his cries could be heard, ensuring help could arrive quickly if needed.
‘Why go to such extremes?’
Tang Gon’s training method bordered on asceticism, a practice even the battle-hardened Nangya Pavilion, which prioritized practical martial arts, reserved for those who staked their lives on their skills. For the young patriarch, who would lead the Tang Clan, to undertake such a perilous method—especially the day before a duel?
Grunt.
Bu Eunseol swallowed a groan. Judging by the traces of grueling training on Tang Gon’s body, he should have long surpassed the breakthrough stage. Yet, he remained trapped, unable to break through the thin barrier.
‘A breakthrough happens naturally when all conditions are met.’
Something was still lacking for Tang Gon.
‘He has talent rivaling Patriarch Tang Pae.’
The martial world considered Tang Gon’s talent and potential unremarkable, but Bu Eunseol knew otherwise. If Tang Gon achieved a breakthrough, he could leap several stages, becoming a master of immense prowess.
Creak.
The door opened, followed by a heavy thud. Tang Gon, his body tattered like rags, walked heavily into the guest hall where Bu Eunseol sat.
“I’ve shown you an unsightly sight,” Tang Gon said, collapsing onto a chair.
A maid promptly served cold fragrant tea. After calming his breathing, Tang Gon drank deeply and said with a wry smile, “Normally, I’d finish without issue, but with the duel looming, my focus must have wavered.”
“Why push yourself so far?” Bu Eunseol asked, his expression filled with concern. “The Tang Clan has many excellent martial arts. Is it necessary to train your spirit and inner force so harshly?”
“You know this training method,” Tang Gon said, smiling shyly. “Indeed, it’s too archaic and dangerous for a scion of a great family.”
Muttering self-deprecatingly, he sighed. “But I need to become strong quickly. If I train like others, I’ll only be as strong as them.”
“Is the Tang Clan doubting your potential?” Bu Eunseol asked.
“Well, that’s one reason,” Tang Gon replied, shaking his head.
He walked to the window. “But that’s not the only reason.”
Gazing at the full moon outside, he murmured faintly, “I have a remarkable friend. I’ve always received his help.”
His eyes deepened, as if recalling distant memories. “Thanks to him, I became the young patriarch, but with my current abilities, I can’t help him. So, I strive to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him as soon as possible.”
Bu Eunseol fell silent, realizing Tang Gon was referring to him.
“Does a friend need to stand as an equal?” Bu Eunseol asked with a gentle smile. “A true friend, whose heart aligns with yours, is a pillar of strength by their mere presence.”
“He walks a thorny path others avoid,” Tang Gon said, sighing deeply. “That path is lonely and fraught with danger. I only wish to rise quickly and become someone who can aid him.”
Tang Gon must have been following Bu Eunseol’s exploits, striving to match him to support the heir of Majeon. “I’ve said something unnecessary,” Tang Gon said, shaking his head and looking at Bu Eunseol intently.
“I called you here because…”
“I know,” Bu Eunseol said, smiling faintly. “When the duel starts tomorrow, I’ll position my branch at the Tang Clan’s gate to prevent any foul play.”
“As expected,” Tang Gon said, smiling faintly. “Branch Leader Seon, you’re not only skilled in martial arts but also intelligent and bold.”
Then, with a resolute expression, he said, “But there’s no need for that.”
His next words were unexpected.
“No matter what tricks they pull or who attacks the clan, let them be.”
Astonishingly, Tang Gon had also seen through Jang Song and Hyeong Geuk’s schemes but was asking Bu Eunseol not to intervene.
“I don’t understand,” Bu Eunseol said, surprised.
“As I mentioned, it was my uncle, Tang Seong, who contacted the Alliance,” Tang Gon explained. “Since the patriarch fell ill, Uncle has been very shaken.”
The Tang Clan’s patriarchal authority was absolute, and Tang Pae was one of its greatest figures. His sudden illness had left Tang Seong frantic and directionless.
“It’s no secret that the Three Poison Sects have been preparing to attack us for a long time. With the patriarch down, they must think now is the perfect opportunity,” Tang Gon said, his eyes radiating a commanding aura that seemed to dominate the world. “But I intend to turn this crisis into an opportunity. By decisively defeating the Three Poison Sects’ leaders, I’ll proclaim the Tang Clan’s might.”
His clenched fists and eyes burned with a heat that could melt iron. “I’ll show how the Tang Clan took root in Sichuan and who the true hegemon of Sichuan is!”
Bu Eunseol nodded. ‘He’s already a worthy patriarch.’
Tang Gon wasn’t avoiding the trial but using it as a stepping stone to soar higher, likely influenced by the friend he wished to stand beside.
“Understood,” Bu Eunseol said, nodding. “As you wish, my branch and I will stand down.”
He wouldn’t be helping as Seon Woojin anyway. Acting covertly as the Martial Soul Command Lord wouldn’t break his promise.
“Thank you for understanding,” Tang Gon said, clasping his hands. “If we’d met in better times, we could’ve drunk and talked all night. What a pity.”
Bu Eunseol smiled warmly, sharing the sentiment. Their smiles mirrored each other. True men needed no lengthy words; a single glance was enough to forge a bond.
“May I ask one thing?” Tang Gon said.
“Of course.”
“Why are you going to such lengths for the Tang Clan? The Alliance’s stance is clear.”
It was obvious the Martial Alliance had no intention of aiding the Tang Clan, or they wouldn’t have sent a third-class branch leader for a factional dispute. Yet, this young branch leader was wholeheartedly helping, which puzzled Tang Gon.
“Can you tell me why?” he asked.
Bu Eunseol casually touched his ear. “It’s a bit embarrassing to say to the Young Patriarch.”
“Why’s that?”
“It’s really nothing special.”
“If possible, I’d like to hear it,” Tang Gon said, his eyes filled with childlike curiosity.
Though usually solemn and dignified, in front of someone he liked, he reverted to his true self.
‘He hasn’t changed,’ Bu Eunseol thought, suppressing a smile and scratching his cheek awkwardly.
“Well…” he said with a nonchalant expression, “I just don’t like the Three Poison Sects.”
Tang Gon’s eyes widened, as if struck on the back of the head.
“Haha! Hahaha!” He burst into laughter, nodding. “The Martial Alliance has its share of eccentrics.”
Unknowingly, he thought of the most unique person he knew, not realizing they were the same.
“I’ll take my leave,” Tang Gon said, clasping his hands.
“Are you returning to the meditation chamber?” Bu Eunseol asked.
Discovering the concern in Bu Eunseol’s eyes, Tang Gon smiled faintly. “The martial world is a place where you risk your life every day, isn’t it?”
“…”
“A martial artist only rests when their life is over.”
Those were words Bu Eunseol had once said to Tang Gon.
Turning, Tang Gon walked resolutely to the meditation chamber, exuding an aura that transcended life and death. Unable to roam the martial world freely, he staked his life on training within the Tang Clan.
‘Don’t worry,’ Bu Eunseol thought, smiling faintly as he watched Tang Gon walk away.
‘The Tang Clan will be fine.’
As he turned, a red glint flashed in his eyes. His role as Seon Woojin ended here. Now, as the supreme master of Majeon, he would sweep away the riffraff lurking around the Tang Clan in one fell swoop.
