The Greatest Family in the World.
As someone born into the Martial Arts World, everyone dreams of becoming the best in the world at least once. Typically, it’s a dream held by the young masters of prestigious families who have faced reality at least once and made compromises.
Tang Geoh must have had a lot of grievances as a member of the Sichuan Tang Family. They are certainly one of the most renowned families in the Martial Arts World, so it’s understandable to feel emotional when disparaged from behind.
It would have been better if he used those feelings as fuel for his self-cultivation, sharpening his skills. But why does he go around cutting, sweeping, and poking other people’s bodies?
What? You want to create a family that makes everyone bow their heads?
You don’t have the confidence to become the greatest, so you just want to be the commander of the Greatest Demonic Army, huh? Just admit it.
Although I found it absurd, I couldn’t help but interject into Tang Geoh’s argument, which was very much in line with how a martial artist would think, to rebuff him and put an end to the Guard Unit’s worries.
“Just because everyone bows their heads doesn’t make a family the greatest in the world.”
I utilized the Small Wheel Mental Image Technique to ensure everyone could hear me.
“Who are you?”
If you’re asking who I am, it’s only natural for me to answer.
The last survivor of the Kang family. Murong Sang-a’s fiancé. The Heavenly Killing Star’s childhood friend. The mischievous best buddy of the Tang Family’s lady. Lady Tang’s close friend. The author of The Rise of the Tang Family, Ho Pil.
“I’m a guest of the Sichuan Tang Family. For now, I am the spokesperson for the Guard Unit, just like your Black-clad men.”
I had a lot to say, but I suspected he’d sulk if I claimed I didn’t know who he was, so I kept my words brief.
Tang Geoh looked at the Guard Unit Leader with a puzzled expression at my declaration. The Guard Unit Leader nodded, affirming my role as spokesperson.
“This is fun. A black-haired guest making the Guard Unit leaders twitch… right. What did you just say?”
“I said that just because everyone bows their heads doesn’t make a family the greatest in the world. That is the path of the faction-loving fools who enjoy subjugating others, not the path of the greatest family.”
If I had a choice, I’d say to him, “Isn’t that something the Demonic Cult would do? Have you gone mad?” But I was afraid a beam might come flying my way, so I cited the examples of factions instead.
“If everyone bows their heads, that family will be the greatest in the world.”
Tang Geoh laughed at me as if I were absurd.
You’re laughing now? Let me tell you who’s the funny one.
“That’s ridiculous. If strength could define the greatest, where is the Qin Dynasty of Emperor Shi Huang now? And how did the undefeated supreme ruler turn into a laughingstock?”
First, I countered his logic by using the two most famous people known for their strength.
“…Because they were lacking in strength.”
If you’re weaker than those two, you’d better bring in a god! Even Tang Geoh seemed uncomfortable with his own words, averting his gaze.
Let’s strike while there’s a gap in his logic.
“You cannot create the greatest family in the world by making everyone bow their heads.”
I shook my head at him, as if to say he was spouting foolish nonsense.
“Do you want to say the same as the Guard Unit Leader, that the greatest family is a far-fetched story?”
How can you say such harsh words? To treat someone like the Guard Unit Leader that way… My expression almost cracked for a moment.
I barely managed to maintain a relaxed smile and, after glancing at the tense faces of the Guard members and the Guard Unit Leader, I looked at Tang Geoh and shouted with determination.
“No. The greatest family is one that makes everyone lift their heads in admiration. To be the greatest family, you should feel the awe in their faces, not just force them to bow their heads. If you make them bow just to obscure their faces, and there’s a look of contempt hidden there, how can that be called the greatest family?”
Not a deviation from the way, but a righteous way.
We may be on a difficult path, but we walk with dignity on the straight path. That’s how the Sichuan Tang Family has been and will be in the future.
Our path is not wrong. It may be tough and distant, but at the end, the greatest family awaits us. Don’t be swayed by delusions.
I could see the Guard members nodding, smiles appearing on their faces at my words.
“Tch… Guard Unit Leader. Since when did a black-haired person represent the Tang Family?”
Tang Geoh, pressed by my logic, clicked his tongue and asked the Guard Unit Leader.
“Keep going.”
Why are you staring so hard? The Guard Unit Leader didn’t look at Tang Geoh but turned to me, speaking with a smirk.
“You said you would gain strength to create the greatest family for your clan? How can someone who claims to prioritize the family conduct cruel experiments on their kin?”
“A few sacrifices are necessary.”
“Few? Hey! What did you just say?”
Hwa Rin’s indignant voice came from behind.
“Hwa Rin, just a moment. Hold on.”
I caught Hwa Rin as she tried to rush out and managed to steer her to the side.
Although I felt an impressive softness on my arm, I couldn’t afford to pay attention to that now, so I decided to temporarily store it away in my brain’s “Hwa Rin’s Mad Movie” folder.
That bastard Tang Geoh keeps pulling this you survived one, so it’s fine logic. Then I’ll shatter that too.
“You called it a trivial pain?”
I questioned Tang Geoh back.
“Indeed. For the sake of the family, I can endure that much sacrifice.”
“Oh really? Then let me ask you something. What about the other illegitimate children of the Color Demon? Do they share the same thoughts as you? If even one of them says yes, I will reconsider my thoughts.”
Of course, I’ll never get that answer. Ever.
“…”
The first look of discomfort appeared on Tang Geoh’s face. You bastard. I know that all those other illegitimate children you experimented on are dead.
“Other illegitimate children… Could it be that…?”
“The only survivor from the poison experiment is Lady Tang.”
“How could such things happen under the guise of humanity?”
“The Tang Family’s sins run deep…”
Even the Guard members seemed to sense the fate of the other illegitimate children from Tang Geoh’s expression, lamenting in their voices.
“How can one who has lost their way discuss becoming the greatest family?”
I declared toward the one who was no longer a person but a barbarian.
“You arrogant little barbarian! It is the powerful who decide what is right and what is wrong. If the Sichuan Tang Family becomes the greatest family, we can easily trample over the trivial complaints of the powerless.”
“When those powerless ones bow their heads in admiration, that will be when you become the greatest family.”
“…”
Tang Geoh could no longer respond to my words.
—–
“Guard Unit Leader! Is this truly your will?”
With his mouth shut, Tang Geoh finally issued a final ultimatum to the Guard Unit Leader.
“…His will is the will of the Tang Family.”
“You’ll be met with a dog’s death. Who will remember such foolishness?”
“I will remember.”
I shouted with a firm voice.
“What?”
“I will not forget. Everyone here will remember. Because the Sichuan Tang Family’s motto is…”
‘The Sichuan Tang Family does not forget.’
Sometimes, it is necessary to leave words unspoken and let them linger in everyone’s hearts. I looked around at all the members of the Guard Unit without finishing my sentence.
Did they also have the same resolve? They all seemed to be contemplating the words that filled their hearts, either nodding, smiling at me, or thumping their chests.
“Heh! You’ll regret this!”
Tang Geoh turned back to the Black-clad men.
Is it starting now?
“Maybe it’s because of the snake’s tongue, but you really do well against snakes.”
As I watched Tang Geoh’s figure, the Guard Unit Leader approached me and offered a word of praise.
“Nice speech.”
Can’t you just give a pure compliment?
“I’m glad I could see the purple heart within your black hair. Continue to hold onto that heart that seeks righteousness and the courage to risk your life moving forward. Keep it and use your tongue to fight for your family.”
The Guard Unit Leader spoke to me with a kind smile like that of an elder from the family.
“What did you just say?”
“Guard Unit members! Prepare!”
Ignoring my words, the Guard Unit Leader turned and shouted to the members of the Guard Unit.
We’ve started something, but can we survive it?
But the hopeful part is that we have the numbers on our side. I heard that this was a troop assigned to the Tang Family head and they contain quite a few skilled fighters.
“Yoon Ho, this was brought to you by the family.”
As I was monitoring the situation, Hwa Rin handed me a small orb.
“What is this?”
It was a green orb, glistening beautifully—a sight even I, unversed in jewels, could tell was expensive.
“Poison-neutralizing pill. If you hold it in your mouth during a fight, you won’t be infected by the usual toxins.”
Poison-neutralizing pill? Isn’t that cutting-edge bio-technology in the martial arts world? This must be incredibly rare!
When I glanced with admiration at the family crest, it seemed the Guard Unit Leader had handed it to me. If you’re going to give it, give it directly!
“Yoon Ho, if anything happens, run.”
Hwa Rin looked worried as she spoke with a stern expression.
“Where would I run to in this situation? And you should be the one worrying.”
“Is that so… Thanks for before.”
After receiving Hwa Rin’s gratitude, I turned my head away.
Right now, the only thing I can trust is the Guard Unit. I looked at the Guard Unit Leader with a concerned gaze as he shouted to the unit members who were ready for battle.
“Are you afraid?”
“No!”
“Do you want to run away?”
“No!”
“Do you wish to be forgotten?”
“No!”
“I! We! These children! Will remember today! For the future of Sichuan, let us fight together!”
“Charge!”
The decisive battle has begun.
