Dokwang Tang Hochang.
His fame as one of the ten great masters of the world is known throughout the entire martial arts realm.
Once a member of the righteous sect, he had been ridiculed for cowardly using poison and conspiracies, yet he rose from obscurity in the Tang family to his current position. His remarkable achievements allowed him to wield the title of “Wang” (King) as a nickname that only a select few could bear.
News that he had broken his long seclusion quickly spread throughout the martial world.
Numerous gossips in Murim speculated about why Tang Hochang emerged, particularly referencing the recent revelation by Jeongalgyun, as this was connected to the recently annihilated Dogose family.
Confirming such speculations, after Tang Hochang stepped into the martial arts world, the first person he encountered was Gwonwang Son Yuseong, another of the three kings.
“It’s been a while, Son-gah.”
“Yeah, it has been a while, Tang-ga.”
It was a well-known tale in Murim that these two once had a close friendship but drifted apart as their intentions diverged in their later years.
“Seeing you come right back after saying you wouldn’t, this must be some important matter, huh?”
“You know me well.”
“After all, we’ve known each other for a long time.”
As Son Yuseong chuckled with a smirk, Tang Hochang looked at him intently and said in a hushed voice.
“I’ll be direct. I need your help this time.”
“Is it perhaps related to the recent controversy surrounding the royal family?”
“Exactly. I plan to lead those who sympathize with me and protest in front of the Seongcheonmun.”
“If you, a distinguished master of Murim, step up, a lot of people would surely gather. Why do you need to involve me?”
“Because those guys laid a hand on my granddaughter.”
As Tang Hochang spoke with a stern expression, Son Yuseong burst into laughter.
“You do seem to be in quite the hurry! I’ve never seen you so humble in my life!”
“So, will you help or not? Just say it quickly.”
When Tang Hochang pressed again, Son Yuseong chuckled, putting down the teacup in his hand.
“I will help. My disciple was about to die because of guilt anyway.”
“Your disciple…?”
“The one eavesdropping on us outside the window.”
Pointing outside, Son Yuseong indicated, and Tang Hochang shifted his gaze.
“I’m sorry! Master! But I had to hear this!”
As Son Yuseong said, someone had indeed been eavesdropping, and a large shadow popped out from outside.
“Who are you…?”
“Nice to meet you! Elder Tang! I am Jeongalgeondam, a disciple of Master!”
His body, composed of muscle, was honed to such extremes that it instantly made sense he was Son Yuseong’s disciple.
‘He reached a supreme state at such a young age.’
However, having seen countless strong figures in his life, Tang Hochang was more interested in the name than in Son Yuseong’s personal achievements.
“If you’re Jeongal…”
Jeongalgeondam immediately bowed and said.
“Jeongalgyun, who was a military official in the Murim Association, is my grandfather.”
“Continue.”
“I have no intention of defending my grandfather’s misdeeds just because he’s family. In fact, he ought to be condemned for turning a blind eye to such matters and plotting from behind. However, regardless of his sins, he is my only grandfather. Please, allow me to help in this matter on his behalf.”
Listening quietly to the disciple’s words, Son Yuseong responded.
“Seems so.”
“Is this the reason you’re called for aid, Son?”
“The stubborn lad will carry the burden of sin with him for life unless he pays his dues somehow. Even if it’s something his family did.”
“Don’t you think it’s a bit shameless in front of the victim? Even if he had nothing to do with it, it doesn’t change the fact that Jeongalgyun lived in luxury on the blood money.”
“Yet if you don’t allow it, he’ll live the rest of his life tormented. He carries guilt he didn’t need to, unlike his old grandfather who was shameless.”
“…Hmph, what childish nonsense.”
Tang Hochang spoke while looking at Jeongalgeondam, who was gazing at him with nervous eyes.
“Young man, let me be frank.”
“Yes!”
“Even if you do this, I won’t forgive Jeongalgyun. He’s nothing but a lowly beast who aimed at my son-in-law, daughter, and granddaughter for his selfish gain.”
“…Yes, that is undoubtedly my grandfather’s fault, without excuse.”
“Still, you’re willing to help me? Even if you won’t hear good words for it?”
To Tang Hochang’s question, Jeongalgeondam’s eyes sparkled as he replied.
“Yes. I will still help. It is the only atonement I can offer right now.”
Confirming the unwavering resolve in him, Tang Hochang sighed softly and muttered in lament.
“If only Jeongalgyun had half as much shame as his grandson, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“So, will you accept my disciple’s proposal?”
Under Son Yuseong’s repeated urgings, Tang Hochang gave an incredulous look.
“What nonsense is this after making an offer I can’t refuse? If your disciple doesn’t participate, you won’t either.”
“Hahaha! You know me too well, Tang-ga!”
Laughing heartily, Son Yuseong slammed his hands on the stone table, causing Tang Sosu, who had been waiting outside for their conversation to end, to spring inside in shock.
“Grandfather?! What’s going on?!”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Sosu. It’s just that Son-gah here can’t control his strength again.”
As Tang Hochang said this, pointing to the broken table, Tang Sosu looked back and forth between Son Yuseong and the table, awestruck.
*
On August 3rd, Year 21 of the Chenghua Era.
Martial artists armed with swords began to gather in front of the Forbidden City, where the emperor resides.
They were all individuals who had come together in agreement with the contents of the manifesto published by Dokwang Tang Hochang, aiming to expose the secret relationship between the former Murim Association leader, Weijichun, and the royal family, as well as the wrongful actions committed behind the reputation of the hero of the Great War, and the royal family’s breach of the principle of non-infringement.
Unaware of this, citizens stopped passing martial artists to ask what was happening, receiving the response:
“We’re going to protest in front of the Seongcheonmun against injustice!”
As word of the martial artists’ protest spread, even ordinary folks unrelated to the matter began to flock to Seongcheonmun to witness the event.
“I never thought I would get to see all three kings gathered in one place!”
“That just shows how significant this matter is, doesn’t it?”
Yoo Taejeong, who had traveled from Guangdong to Beijing to participate in the protest, turned his head upon hearing a sudden voice.
“Who are you?”
Looking into the eyes of the goat-bearded warrior clenching his fists, he stated.
“I’m the Throne Master from Hunan, known as the Swift Knife.”
“Oh! Swift Knife! That name sounds familiar!”
Yoo Taejeong exclaimed in excitement before clearing his throat and adopting a similar stance.
“I am Yoo Taejeong from Guangdong, known as the Soul-Severing Knife.”
“Oh ho! Soul-Severing Knife! What a spine-chilling title!”
“Hahaha! I hear that often.”
Instantly bonding, the two started sharing information about the upcoming Seongcheonmun protest.
“I heard that this protest is being led by the highly respected Dokwang Tang Hochang himself.”
“He must be unable to contain his anger after learning the full details. The fact that Dokwang treasures family is well known.”
“Leaving aside Dokwang, do you know why Gwonwang and Geomwang are joining the protest?”
“I’ve heard that Dokwang personally asked Gwonwang for help, but I don’t know much about Geomwang.”
“Either way, with two of the three kings participating, they can’t help but get swept up in the atmosphere, right? There’s also the righteous cause of helping Murim.”
“Well, that makes sense.”
As the two talked away the time, Tang Hochang stepped up onto a wooden makeshift platform and shouted with a booming voice.
“I want to express my gratitude first to all who have gathered here today at my request in front of Seongcheonmun!”
Hearing Tang Hochang’s voice, the Seongcheonmun plaza fell silent, as if a mouse had died.
With everyone holding their breath to hear his voice, Tang Hochang raised his voice with vigor.
“The righteous sects of Murim have been deceived by the Ming Dynasty royal family for an extremely long time! They pretended to extend a hand of peace while sharpening their swords behind the scenes, violating the solemn promise made by the Ming Taizu regarding the principle of non-infringement!”
Echoing his words, voices of agreement erupted sporadically from the crowd gathered before Seongcheonmun.
“Right! Right!”
“Are they about to break a promise made directly by Ming Taizu?”
Before their angry voices subsided, Tang Hochang continued.
“I lost my son-in-law and daughter to their blades! My son-in-law, whom I didn’t think much of as I saw him as a mere thief of my daughter, was still a precious family member to me!”
His impassioned words resonated deeply with some martial artists gathered there, who nodded with somber expressions.
They were all individuals who had lost siblings, family, masters, or sworn brothers due to the schemes of Weijichun, Jeongalgyun, and the royal family.
“If those who ordered this still have a conscience! They should come out now and sincerely apologize to those of us who have lost family and do whatever it takes to ensure such events never happen again!”
Right! Right!
“All martial artists of the land! Rise! Today here! We will fight to reclaim our rights!”
Waaaaaaaaaaah!
After concluding his long speech and descending from the platform, thunderous applause erupted from the martial artists.
‘The die has already been cast.’
Waving at them, Tang Hochang calculated coolly in his mind.
‘Now, depending on how the other side reacts, the outcome will differ.’
He thought this while gazing at the firmly closed Seongcheonmun.
Just then, the heavy sound of creaking echoed as the massive doors of Seongcheonmun began to open.
Soon, a familiar face emerged among the soldiers behind the doors, causing Tang Hochang to gasp.
“What the?!”
If his eyes weren’t deceived, the individuals standing there were the leaders of the evil sects.
