[The Color Demon is heading towards Hubei.]
The beginning of The Rise of the Tang Family tells the story of Tang Jung chasing the Color Demon towards Wuhan, the busiest city in Hubei.
The pavilions seem to touch the sky. The pavilion Tang Jung found was the most famous one among them.
As soon as you enter the first floor, a beauty you’ve never seen before greets you. But the true merit of this pavilion is unveiled as you ascend its floors.
With each floor, the drinks get tastier and the women more beautiful. However, with each ascent, the cost multiplies fivefold in this legendary pavilion.
[How did you get here!?]
The Color Demon was at the very top. The guards of the pavilion had all fallen before the Color Demon, while the courtesans, under the spell of aphrodisiacs, crawled on the ground.
[Your wickedness ends here.]
[How dare you challenge me!]
A swift battle ensued. Normally, the Color Demon would have won, but Tang Jung was not the same Tang Jung he once was.
“Welcome. To my Poison Space—”
“I’m here! Poison! Space!”
Hwang Seong couldn’t help but cheer.
Tang Jung’s secret martial arts and formation. Initially, it had been mere bluster, but on the way to Hubei, he managed to actually create the martial arts he had envisioned.
“Even the Color Demon won’t be able to keep up in Tang Jung’s Poison Space.”
A space prepared for one individual, filled with all the poisons and darkness that the Sichuan Tang Family boasted. A one-man army. It was both a formation and a martial art.
The moment the Color Demon stepped into the Poison Space, they wouldn’t know whether they’d be hit with dark arts or poison.
It would only be when the Color Demon’s head falls to the ground that they’d finally realize how they had died.
[I’ll concede your Poison Space. But if I don’t approach, then it’s over. Farewell!]
[Are you cowardly running away!?]
“You filthy bastard! Fight me!”
The Color Demon acknowledged Tang Jung’s Poison Space for the first time. The infamous Color Demon was frightened and turned away. The martial arts Tang Jung created on the way to Hubei were not mere illusions.
Hwang Seong felt a bit regretful that the Color Demon fled, but he also felt a strange satisfaction knowing that it was fear of the Poison Space that drove the Color Demon away.
[Miss. My name is Du Eung-hyang.]
Finally, the number one courtesan of Hubei, Du Eung-hyang, made her appearance.
Coming from Joseon, Du Eung-hyang was the only flower in the world, a jewel carved by the master artisan of the ages.
“Is it time to share my fortunes with the top courtesan of Hubei?”
Gulp. Hwang Seong loosened his pants for a moment before flipping to the next page.
[Fortunately, the girl has avoided the poison.]
“Why isn’t she affected by the aphrodisiac? This can’t be right!”
Is it possible that Ho Pil the writer listened to the knaves’ advice not to use the same trope again?
No. He wanted to see the top courtesan of Hubei, struggling and gasping from the aphrodisiac.
Hwang Seong instinctively straightened the book he was reading and checked the remaining pages. Luckily, it was still thick. There was still hope.
[Must I truly share my fortunes to cure the poison? All the other courtesans have succumbed.]
[Yes. We must hastily share affection.]
[These girls were saved by the young master. Can the young master take them all?]
“Sharing with all the top courtesans of the highest floor. Hehehe. Ho Pil has planned this all along.”
[No.]
“Why not!”
It’s not like he was going to sleep with all the top courtesans, yet he’s being denied the opportunity to take them all.
[Why not?]
[I came to save them, not to take them like the Color Demon. Surely they each have a man in their hearts. Bring them to me quickly.]
“Oh dear. This Tang Jung, what a stubborn fellow.”
Being too upright is a problem too. Opportunities like this come only once in a lifetime. Hwang Seong strangely felt regret for Tang Jung’s consistent bad luck with women.
[Are you perhaps too noble to take a humble courtesan, the young master of the Sichuan Tang Family?]
[Haha. A woman from a martial arts family is still a woman that must be saved. How could I think such a thing?]
[……. I’ll bring them right away.]
“Hehehe. He’s smitten! The top courtesan of Hubei is smitten! Yes, yes, more the merrier with the best courtesan right before me.”
For the best woman, sacrifices need to be made. Hwang Seong scolded himself for not realizing Ho Pil’s true intentions at that moment.
The Color Demon continued to appear in Wuhan. For more than a month, with the help of the top courtesan of Hubei, Du Eung-hyang, Tang Jung kept chasing the Color Demon through the streets of pavilions.
[May I call you brother?]
[I have someone in my heart.]
“Tang Jung, you fool. You should allow that.”
It’s a chance to be the only man the top courtesan calls brother. How could he refuse?
[Hehe. Brother. I just want to call you brother; there’s nothing else behind it.]
Du Eung-hyang said naturally, yet she seemed somewhat lonely.
“Ugh! What am I to do? The top beauty of Sichuan is great, and the top courtesan of Hubei is great too! Surely by the time I reached volume one, I thought it would only be sleeping with the top courtesan of Hubei.”
Sleeping with the top courtesan of Hubei while marrying the top beauty of Sichuan. The members of the Tea and Book Club predicted this even before volume two came out, but Du Eung-hyang was just too enchanting.
Tang Jung’s pursuit of the Color Demon grew fiercer with each passing day, yet he always seemed one step behind.
[Brother, use me as bait. If you do, the Color Demon will surely come!]
“Really brave of you. How can a woman think of using herself as bait to catch the Color Demon?”
Hwang Seong fell deeper into Du Eung-hyang’s charm.
[If that is your true wish, then I have a plan. Will you trust me?]
[I always trust you, brother.]
“Please… Don’t say things like that! Tang Jung’s beloved is Gu Suk-Jung of the Sichuan Tang Family! Why! Why are you trying to worm your way into my heart!”
Dear brother. Now that’s a line that would move a man’s heart. Hwang Seong held onto his wavering emotions as he continued reading.
[Stop!]
At the highest floor of the pavilion where the Color Demon had come, Tang Jung unleashed the poison-laced dark arts to thwart the Color Demon from approaching Du Eung-hyang.
[Shallow poison. Such paltry poison cannot affect me. Tang Jung, I know you care for this girl. If you don’t want to see her die, then drop all your dark arts.]
[No! Brother!]
[Ugh!]
Tang Jung set down all the dark arts and poison pouches he had.
“No! If I do this, I can’t use my Poison Space! I’ll be defeated by the Color Demon!”
As Tang Jung disarmed himself, the Color Demon ceased threatening Du Eung-hyang and approached him instead. Then he picked up a pouch that had fallen to the ground.
[Poison Dust? If the poison can affect me, then this girl here will die too. Is that what you want to see!]
“No! Du Eung-hyang, being an ordinary person, if she’s poisoned, she’ll die! Tang Jung, what do you plan to do?”
Are you planning to kill our dear little sister? This brother cannot bear to see that. Hwang Seong read on with a tense heart.
[No. You are already poisoned.]
Tang Jung’s pouch was empty. By dropping his dark arts, his basic poison had been dispelled.
[Ugh! How? This girl hasn’t been poisoned!]
[Triple Poison. The extreme poison of the Sichuan Tang Family only activates when one has been poisoned by three types of poison.]
[Three types of poison? I’m sure the poisons you used were only two… Ugh! This girl!]
As the Color Demon staggered, Du Eung-hyang pushed him away and rushed to Tang Jung. Then she laughed at the Color Demon and spoke.
[Poison is not something that only the Sichuan Tang Family can utilize. That drink you took with those filthy hands of yours. What was in that poisoned wine?]
Triple Poison. It was the poison art created through the collaboration of Du Eung-hyang and Tang Jung!
“How can you use such a trick! Not only incredibly righteous but also a brilliant strategist, you’ve outdone yourself! Impressive! Truly impressive!”
[You lowly scum, how dare you insult me!]
[It’s over for you!]
[That can’t be!]
The Color Demon used a smoke bomb that released white smoke. Knowing not what poison might be in that smoke, Tang Jung had to give up the pursuit and hurriedly protect Du Eung-hyang.
Fortunately, the smoke was just simple white smoke. But by then, the Color Demon had already vanished.
[I can’t believe I let this chance slip, Hyang-a. I missed the opportunity you gave me.]
[Don’t be disappointed, brother. As you said, now that she’s affected by the triple poison, she’ll need to recuperate for half a year.]
[Hyang-a.]
[Ugh. Brother! I think I’m poisoned.]
Du Eung-hyang staggered and leaned against Tang Jung.
[No, the poison you drank isn’t anything serious.]
Triple Poison only works when the three poisons are combined. There was no effect from just one poison. Tang Jung looked at her with a puzzled expression.
[No. It’s extreme poison.]
[What do you mean by that?]
[I’m poisoned by your charm.]
“Hehehe. This is unbearable. Truly.”
[Hyang-a. You are such an enchanting woman. But.]
Tang Jung held her body up and turned away as he spoke.
[I know. There’s no place for me in your heart because you have someone else. But the one you love has already shared a night with you under the influence of an aphrodisiac, right? Then.]
Du Eung-hyang took a mouthful of the aphrodisiac left by the Color Demon.
[No! Hyang-a!]
[Brother, take my first time that’s so poisoned by your charm.]
“Unbelievable. To use an aphrodisiac on herself just to be unable to resist and connect with Tang Jung. Is she truly a genius of seduction!”
[Miss. This is our first time, but I know all the courtesan’s arts.]
[No… This can’t be real.]
[It seems I have lived until today for you, brother.]
“Wow. A maiden courtesan. The top maiden courtesan of Hubei. A maiden courtesan who knows all the night techniques. Who on earth thought of such a thing?”
[Hyang-a. The aphrodisiac used by the Color Demon. I didn’t think so, but no matter how I look at it, it seems like one that only exists in the Sichuan Tang Family. We’ll have to chase after the Color Demon. When I catch him and return, Hyang-a, I will take you from this miracle!]
[I will be waiting for that day, brother.]
The two promised to reunite, hand in hand and bare.
“Why? Whywhywhy! Are you leaving again! Tang Jung! This isn’t right!”
Why does this guy leave every woman he meets behind? One is the top beauty of Sichuan, and the other is the top beauty of Hubei.
Hwang Seong felt regret as he read the last page.
[Next Volume Preview.]
Tang Jung will meet the two top female swordsmen in Hubei. One has a cold, beautiful face, while the other has a gentle disposition.
The three of them will chase after the Color Demon together, and during the pursuit, the two beauties will unexpectedly develop feelings for Tang Jung. They will become rivals over one man, though they share a bond like sisters.
In the meantime, Tang Jung will fall victim to the Color Demon’s surprise attack and will find himself affected by the aphrodisiac this time.
What will the choices of the two beauties be?
Hwang Seong, upon seeing the next volume preview, could only echo the same words as before.
“Next volumeeeeee!”
