“The third volume of The Rise of the Tang Family will be distributed tomorrow!”
A few days after the Tang family group arrived, the eagerly awaited news echoed throughout the Sichuan Tang Family.
“What?! Is that true?!”
“They said they’ll distribute it from noon in front of the Head Family’s Hall, so we can finally see the two female swordsmen, like sisters, Tang Jung and Lady Tang!”
Worries about potential issues with just-in-time distribution of the third volume of The Rise of the Tang Family had circulated, but upon hearing this news, many sighed in relief.
“Great! We need to move right away!”
A few members of the Tang Family quickly got up and turned around.
“Where are you all going?”
“To the Head Family’s Hall!”
“The distribution is tomorrow!”
“That’s why we have to go now!”
“…?”
———
“What’s going on?”
The next day, those who had flocked to the Head Family’s Hall for the distribution of The Rise of the Tang Family couldn’t hide their shock.
“Why is the line so long?”
So many members of the Tang Family had gathered in front of the Head Family’s Hall that it was hard to tell where they all came from.
“Don’t even get me started! As soon as the rumor spread, people just laid out their mats and started camping right there. I’ve never seen anyone sleeping outside the Head Family’s Hall before.”
“What?! Is that true?”
With lodgings scattered throughout the Sichuan Tang Family, sleeping outside the Head Family’s Hall was something nobody had ever witnessed before.
“Talking to the guards who went with Author Ho Pil, they said this is just the daily routine at the Tea Bookstore.”
“Good grief. We came all the way early in the morning, and if we’re not careful, we might not even get our share.”
Although they could see piles of books in the distance, there was also a thick line of people waiting. After waiting eagerly for today, the thought that they might not be able to read Volume 3 made several people rush over to join the line.
“Finally, I can read The Rise of the Tang Family Volume 3!”
“I’ve been waiting for months! It’s been torture like living with a wife!”
“What did you say?!”
“Wife? Why are you in the front of the line?!”
“I’ll see you later!!!”
“Hahaha.”
Everyone else laughed at the one person who couldn’t join in on the fun.
“By the way, where’s that friend we were supposed to come with? We can only get one book per person.”
A martial artist from the Tang Family asked a guard who had come to line up.
“They said a group from the Murong Family came to visit, so he went to work.”
The guard sighed with disappointment.
“From the Murong Family? Why didn’t you go?”
“They said they didn’t want to make a scene, so they’d rather just rest quietly.”
“What’s a group from the faraway Murong Family doing here?”
“How would I know? Just keep lining up.”
Countless guests flowed in and out of the Sichuan Tang Family daily. A group coming from the distant Murong Family was noteworthy but not exceptionally special.
“Why exactly is the distribution taking place in front of the Head Family’s Hall?”
One martial artist glanced at the entrance of the Head Family’s Hall.
“Right. The Head of the Family is currently receiving treatment and recuperating elsewhere.”
“Because the guards stationed at the Head Family’s Hall are just lying around doing nothing. Seems like they’re making them do this.”
“Tsk, tsk. Don’t talk nonsense like a yogurt cup licker.”
A man working as a clerk at the Tang Family turned around, clicking his tongue at a distant comment.
“What do you mean by that?”
“They’re releasing Author Ho Pil’s new work in a place where the Head of the Family isn’t present. It clearly has political implications.”
The clerk looked as if he were a brilliant strategist, shrugging proudly.
“Could it be?! A succession struggle issue?”
Several people, who had been listening closely to the clerk’s words, gasped and responded.
“Yeah. Now that you mention it, there are people secretly admiring Author Ho Pil, feeling regretful that Yoon Ho-Jin left the Tang Family. Maybe the Head of the Tang Family is trying to support him indirectly.”
“Indeed. Now that I think of it, it seems like something’s amiss.”
Kang Yoon-ho was known to have left, claiming he wasn’t his father’s son and renounced all his rights. Yet, nobody knew the true feelings of the Head of the Tang Family.
It was no surprise that such whispers began to spread.
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
One martial artist outright rejected the idea with a look of disbelief.
“Nonsense? Think about it. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get a book.”
“The person who decided the distribution location was Elder Councilman! Elder Councilman supports the Head of the Family! Other members of the Elders’ Council agreed as well!”
The martial artist dismantled the clerk’s wild ideas in an instant.
“What?! The Elders’ Council supported this? Then why…?”
Before the clerks’ and surrounding people’s questions could continue, it was swiftly answered by a loud shout.
“We will now proceed with the distribution of The Rise of the Tang Family Volume 3!!!!”
“Wahhhh!”
“Cough, cough! Will we finally see the Tang Family again?”
Because at the front of the line waiting for The Rise of the Tang Family Volume 3, an unexpected figure was standing.
“Huh?”
“Yes. Elder Councilman. Here you go.”
The Tang group delivered Volume 3 to Elder Councilman.
“Is that Elder Councilman? And behind him are the members of the Elders’ Council?!”
“Hahaha! Sorry to everyone, but I’m going to be the first to read Volume 3 of The Rise of the Tang Family!”
With a beaming smile, Elder Councilman held The Rise of the Tang Family Volume 3 high.
Why was Elder Councilman and the Elders’ Council at the front of the line? What was the reason for the Head Family’s Hall being the distribution spot? Latecomers were completely bewildered.
Until one of the martial artists, who knew the whole situation, spoke up.
“Actually, the Elders’ Council lives close to the Head Family’s Hall.”
“…”
It was such a simple reason.
———-
Inside the Head Family’s Hall of the Sichuan Tang Family.
While the outside buzzed with excitement over the release of The Rise of the Tang Family Volume 3, the atmosphere inside the Hall was vastly different. The Head of the Tang Family, Tang Baek-ho, was looking at a visitor who had unexpectedly brought dire news from the Murong Family.
“The Head of the Murong Family was poisoned by a mysterious toxin?”
When he suddenly came in asking for a confidential meeting, Tang Baek-ho thought something significant was at hand. He never expected this kind of news.
“Yes. They said that if it’s the Sichuan Tang Family, they can definitely cure it, so I rushed here non-stop from Liaodong.”
The representative of the visiting group and a branch member of the Murong Family, Murong Seob’s face showed fatigue from over half a year of travel, but his eyes were full of determination to find a healer.
‘Don’t mention anything about the Demonic Cult.’
As a middle-aged man with much exterior experience and a martial artist, Murong Seob began weaving a plausible lie that would be acceptable to the Head of the Tang Family.
Since Liaodong was a place filled with numerous barbarians and power struggles, it was easier to inform them about the Murong Family’s bad news without even bringing up the Demonic Cult.
“The Meteoric Sword Master. I have met the Head of the Murong Family, Murong Cheon, several times. He was a role model for a ruler who worked tirelessly for his clan.”
The Head of the Tang Family recalled Murong Seob’s description of the Head of the Murong Family, Murong Cheon.
Not only had he spent a lifetime working to revive a declining family, but he was also known for demonstrating the strength of the Murong Family’s signature martial arts, Meteoric Sword Technique, throughout the Martial Arts World.
As both a head and a martial artist, his admirable achievements made it shocking that Murong Cheon had fallen victim to such a toxin.
“If the Sichuan Tang Family can only help, the Murong Family will never forget this. Not just the gift I brought today, but also the highest-grade ginseng, among other things…”
“You don’t need to.”
Tang Baek-ho said with a smile.
“Yes?”
Not accepting the offering? Did that mean he wouldn’t help? Murong Seob looked at Tang Baek-ho with wide eyes.
“Of course, I will help. The gifts are more than enough; let the remaining treasures be used for the Murong Family.”
As the head of the Sichuan Tang Family, Tang Baek-ho wouldn’t ignore someone with whom he had connections.
“Are you serious?”
“Surely the Meteoric Sword Master wouldn’t have come personally, but do you have a list of symptoms specifically written down?”
“A royal court physician wrote down the symptoms and the treatment journal.”
Murong Seob handed Tang Baek-ho the paper that detailed the symptoms of the Head of the Murong Family.
“Let’s see… Hmm?”
As he read through Murong Cheon’s symptoms, the expression on Tang Baek-ho’s face suddenly turned serious.
The smile that had been on his lips faded away, and his gaze became fixed on the paper, as if nails had been hammered into it.
“Do you perhaps recognize this poison?”
“It’s a familiar symptom.”
“Then do you know the cure?!”
Murong Seob’s face lit up with hope. The toxin that had potentially harmed many physicians was now recognized by the Sichuan Tang Family!
“…You should rest up for a while.”
Tang Baek-ho’s answer was far from what Murong Seob had expected.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’m only familiar with the symptoms. A family physician who knows the specifics of this toxin is currently out of the area; I will have them contacted. You should just rest, and I’ll let you know.”
The Head of the Tang Family’s resolute gaze was now directed at Murong Seob.
It was a clear signal that there was nothing more to discuss. With a feeling of urgency, Murong Seob gave his thanks to Tang Baek-ho.
“Understood. I will withdraw for now and wait.”
Murong Seob departed with his party, ensuring that rumors about the family wouldn’t spread.
———–
“Head of the Family, you called?”
The Guard Unit Chief hurried to the Head of the Tang Family after being summoned.
“Guard Unit Chief, come read this.”
Tang Baek-ho handed the Guard Unit Chief a paper detailing Murong Cheon’s symptoms, his expression grave.
“What is this? Who has been poisoned?”
“The Head of the Murong Family, Murong Cheon, has been poisoned by a mysterious toxin.”
“The Meteoric Sword Master? I thought he was just ill?”
“Rumors in the martial world often circulate to obscure truths.”
“Let me read this carefully… Hmm?”
The Guard Unit Chief’s expression shifted, crumpling slightly in dismay, a reaction remarkably similar to Tang Baek-ho’s when he read the document from Murong Seob.
“Do you know what kind of poison it is?”
Tang Baek-ho rested his chin on his hands, inquiring in a tone that sought confirmation.
“I have seen those symptoms daily; there’s no way I wouldn’t recognize them.”
The Guard Unit Chief raised the paper with a disgusted expression.
It was understandable that both Tang Baek-ho and the Guard Unit Chief would react similarly. The symptoms outlined were far too familiar.
“Indeed, it’s the toxin from Tang Geoh.”
A deep sigh escaped from Tang Baek-ho’s chest.
“Yes. The poison that had previously afflicted the Head of the Tang Family. Why is it appearing in the Murong Family?”
“A martial family representing a single city. The poisoned individuals are the Head of the Sichuan Tang Family and the Head of the Murong Family. Quite the coincidence, isn’t it?”
“Could it be?”
The Guard Unit Chief’s eyes widened.
“It must be the Demonic Cult.”
The toxin from the Sichuan Tang Family on the western edge of the Central Plains had been used in the eastern Murong Family of Liaodong. The only common thread was one possibility.
The Demonic Cult.
“It seems that Tang Geoh has handed over his poison to the Demonic Cult. Do you think the Murong Family is aware of this?”
“While the representative of the Murong Family was explaining, he cleverly avoided the crucial parts. They must have some inkling.”
“If a figure who must keep their head down like Tang Geoh has defected, it must be a serious player.”
“At minimum, it could involve the Elders’ Council, and in the worst case, direct descendants.”
Tang Baek-ho nodded at the Guard Unit Chief’s deductions.
“Even if we press for answers, they won’t confess. Just like how we kept the events around the toxin a secret, they would rather die than face such disgrace.”
“There are certainly many who would love to take the position left vacant by the Murong Family. They likely came all the way to Sichuan so discreetly for that reason.”
The Sichuan Tang Family had to work relentlessly to root out anyone associated with Tang Geoh and the Demonic Cult due to the recent poison incident.
It was fully understandable why the Murong Family hadn’t made an official statement.
“Do you plan to help them?”
The Guard Unit Chief asked, worried about any entanglement with the Demonic Cult again.
“I’ve promised to help them. Regardless of the situation, the toxin that has poisoned the Head of the Murong Family is also a toxin from the Tang Family. As the Head, I must take responsibility.”
Tang Baek-ho had no intention of rejecting a hand reaching out for help.
“Truly the Head of the Family.”
The Guard Unit Chief nodded respectfully, casting a look of admiration at Tang Baek-ho.
“Is there a chance for a cure?”
“Too much time has passed since the poisoning… but we do have a child capable of curing any poison.”
The toxin crafted with utmost care by Tang Geoh had stumped even the best physicians and brought countless others to their knees.
However, that had only been true until recently.
There was already someone in the Sichuan Tang Family who had successfully treated the exact same toxin.
“Bring Lady Tang to me.”
