Chapter 1421
Is this Sichuan Tang Clan? (1)
A thunderbolt has struck Sichuan Tang clan.
“Where is the Thunder Cannon [뇌격포(雷擊砲) – noegyeogpo]?”
“The Thunder Cannon is in the forbidden weapon, isn’t it? It cannot be released without the Lord’s command!”
“Are you going to mutter such nonsense even after Tangga has become a sea of flames? Open it immediately!”
“Yes, understood!”
The tightly sealed door of the Forbidden Hidden Weapon Armory [금용암기고(禁用暗器庫)] opened. Tangga’s artisans dedicated their lives to creating the best hidden weapons stored there.
Hidden weapons, which even such craftsmen forbid the use of against humans because their power was so brutal, are now revealed to a world for the first time in decades.
“Open the Heavenly Poison Repository [천독고(天毒庫)] as well!”
“But, Elder, the Heavenly Poison Repository…”
“Do you want to die by my hands?”
Without permission from the Lord, the most crucial doors of Sichuan Tang Clan swung wide open.
Those with determined eyes wasted no time and leaped into the repository, stuffing their sleeves with vials containing the purified essence of Sichuan Tang.
Witnessing this, Tang Byeok nodded heavily.
There was no one here properly equipped to fight. Facing Sapaeryeon under such circumstances would be futile resistance, at least for ordinary sect.
‘But we are the Tang clan.’
Because they were Sichuan Tang, they could fight. Even if those weapons fell into the hands of novices who didn’t understand martial arts, they were capable of killing peerless masters. That was because they were the weapons created by Tangga’s craftsmen, who dedicated entire lives to crafting such weapons.
“Elders! Check if there are any abnormalities in the formation [진(陣]! Not a single mistake can be allowed!”
“Yes, understood!”
Upon hearing Tang Byeok’s words, the Elders dashed throughout the clan to ensure that all the trap formations [절진(絶陣)] were properly activated, ready to defend against external intruders.
“All who can fight, step forward! No, even those who cannot fight, step forward! This is a fight to protect Sichuan Tang Clan! If Tang Clan ceases to exist, so will you. You must defend the clan with your lives!”
Driven by Tang Byeok’s passionate cry, all those bearing the surname Tang rushed out.
Among them were those who had spent their lives managing poisons in dimly lit chambers, those whose footsteps faltered due to the side effects of studying toxins, and even women who bore the surname Tang but were never officially recognized as members of Sichuan Tang. They all dipped their sleeves in poison, grasped the chilling hidden weapons, and prepared to fight for Tang clan.
And that includes the craftsmen who have never put down their hammers in their lifetimes.
“What’s going on here?”
One of the young craftsmen asked, and an older member responded almost dismissively.
“It seems Sapaeryeon is attacking.”
“S-Sapaeryeon? At a time like this?”
With the Lord absent and no one left to fight, why would Sapaeryeon choose this moment to attack?
“It seems Qingcheng and Emei have already fallen. We’re likely next.”
“Us…?”
The young craftsman’s face paled.
“Shouldn’t we run then? If Qingcheng and Emei couldn’t handle them, how are we supposed to?”
“Where would we run to?”
“Um…?”
An elderly man cleared his throat and spoke.
“Running away might save our lives. But this place will be gone. The workshop of the Tang Clan, to which we’ve dedicated our entire lives.”
The young craftsman turned to look behind him, gazing at the grand workshop.
“Do you think we could rebuild this workshop once it collapses?”
“That’s…”
This workshop held the unique techniques and craftsmanship of the Tang clan that no other workshop could replicate. Rebuilding it from scratch?
“…It would be difficult.”
“Indeed.”
The elderly man agreed. They were craftsmen, after all. They understood the immense challenge of rebuilding a workshop that had accumulated centuries of Tang clan’s expertise.
Some things were made without them even knowing how. While the techniques have been put into practice, some items are still around, and they continued to use them. But there are things they know how to make, yet can’t even obtain the materials anymore.
But how can they rebuild this workshop?
The collapse of this workshop means the collapse of the Tang clan. It means everything their ancestors dedicated their lives to in this workshop will turn to ashes in the current generation.
Can they accept that? Can they allow it?
“You can run away.”
“What?”
“You young ones, you should live on. But we’ve lived enough. We can’t just stand by and watch this workshop collapse. We’d rather die fighting.”
The elderly man reached out and grabbed the sword that was displayed in the workshop.
Clang!
As the sword was drawn from its sheath, a shimmering gleam radiated from its blade. It was clearly no ordinary sword. The artisan who stared at the sword nodded heavily.
“We must fight. Even if it seems futile, we must fight. It’s our duty as those bearing the Tang name.”
“…”
“Our ancestors fought like this to protect the Tang Clan. Now it’s our turn.”
The young craftsman bit his lip at the seemingly straightforward words.
“Where would we even go?”
“Um?”
“I am also a craftsman of the Tang clan! And even if I were to wield a sword, wouldn’t I wield it better than the elders who are at least one year younger than me? Nowadays, there are those who can only use small hammers.”
“Heh heh. What a cheeky fellow.”
The young craftsman reached out and grasped the stack of completed flying needles [비침(飛針)] he had just finished.
“We must fight. If defending this workshop means fighting, then we must fight. This is the Tang Clan, and isn’t this workshop part of the Tang Clan? But where are the Tang Clan members? Tang family members should be in the Tang Clan.”
The elderly craftsmen looked at the determined young man with warm eyes.
“Right. That’s the way Tang people live.”
“Let’s go then. Is it over there?”
“Go ahead first. I’ll follow soon.”
“Yes!”
As the young craftsmen dashed out of the workshop, one of the craftsmen who was watching rose to his feet. His steps led him deeper into the workshop.
Clang!
Clang!
The steady echo of small hammer resounded.
At first faint, as if it might cease at any moment, the sound of the hammer grew louder. The craftsman, heading to the deepest part of the workshop, bowed to the old man hammering in front of a small furnace.
“Elder Shinsu [신수(神手) – divine hand].”
Clang!
His softly spoken words were drowned out by the striking of the hammer.
“Elder Shinsu.”
Once again, the call went unheeded, and still the sound of the hammer persisted. Watching the old man hammering away, the craftsman spoke up once more.
“Grandfather.”
At this, the striking of the hammer lessened slightly.
“We will fight to defend the workshop. Grandfather, you should… avoid getting involved…”
Clang!
The sound of the hammer grew louder again, silencing the craftsman. A small hammer striking against the blazing metal heap, sparks flying from its impact.
Watching the old man in silence, the craftsman slowly nodded. The old man’s eyes lacked proper focus, their haziness raising doubts about whether he truly understood what he was doing.
Where would such a person go if they were to leave? Even if he were in full possession of his mind, the old man wouldn’t leave the workshop. Everything he had dedicated his life to was right here.
This old man is truly the soul of the Tang clan. Shouldn’t he be where he rightfully belongs?
“Do as you wish, Grandfather.”
With a deep bow, the craftsman turned away.
Alone after the craftsman’s departure, the old man turned the metal he held with tongs, then thrust it into the furnace. Sparks flew into the empty air.
The clouded eyes of the old man, Tang Jopyeong, were fixed on the blazing furnace.
⁃ Jopyeong-ah
“…”
– Those damn bastards will end up dying buried under the name I created. Worthless fools who don’t know what comes first and what comes last. Those who value what I’ve created more than themselves can’t possibly find the right path. If you ever truly become a Tang Clan master craftsman, you must change things like this. Do you understand?
‘Grandfather.’
It was something Amjon [Tang Bo] had said to him once. While stroking his head with his hand.
Tang Jopyeong gripped the tongs and pulled the heated iron from the furnace.
‘Did I say I would do that?’
He couldn’t remember well. All he remembered was that the hand stroking his head was warm.
So what did Tang Jopyeong do then?
Did he truly fulfill his grandfather’s request? Or did he become the kind of person his grandfather cursed?
Clang.
The small hammer struck the glowing iron.
Melting, forging, cooling, striking.
All these processes ultimately eliminate all the impurities and leave only the purest and most righteous. What remains is further strengthened by the power of human hands.
That’s the Tang clan’s craftsmanship. What he has been doing all his life.
Clang!
The small hammer strikes the heated iron.
Clang!
The hammer, tirelessly striking the iron, slowly lowers. Tang Jopyeong, weakly lowering the hammer, looked up with a blurred gaze.
The Tang clan workshop.
Everything touched by his hands.
Tang Jopyeong, silently watching over the workshop, lifted the hammer once more.
Clang!
The rhythmic sound of the hammer. Yet, strangely, a faint sense that it would soon cease permeated the air, growing quieter and quieter.
“All members of the Tang Clan are preparing to resist according to Head Elder’s orders.”
Tang Oe slowly nodded. Then, glancing around cautiously, Tang Byeok spoke up.
“Head Elder, once you finish this task, obtaining the heirloom shouldn’t be difficult. Even if the Lord opposes, everyone in the family will support you.”
Tang Oe lost his martial arts. Under normal circumstances, regaining his former position would be impossible. But this situation was different. If Tang Oe could command the remaining members to prevent the disaster, then losing his martial arts wouldn’t matter at all.
In that case, the reestablishment of the Council of Elders wasn’t just a dream…
“Head Elder.”
“…Yes?”
Tang Oe’s sudden voice caught Tang Byeok’s attention.
“Don’t call me Head Elder. I am not the Head of the Council anymore .”
“…Yes. Grand Elder.”
“If by some stroke of luck we manage to stop Sapaeryeon, I’ll be locked in Tang Clan’s back rooms once again.”
Tang Byeok opened his eyes wide.
“W-what are you saying, Grand Elder! You are the one who is saving the Tang Clan.”
“Do you think I’m doing this because of some petty power struggle?”
There was a hint of bitterness in Tang Oe’s expression.
“Power? It’s important, yes. But what’s even more important is the Tang Clan. Even that power comes from the Tang Clan. My dissatisfaction with the Lord was because I didn’t consider him capable of leading the clan, not because I sought to fulfill my own ambitions.”
“Grand Elder…”
“Risking my life, even sacrificing the lives of others, to protect this Tang Clan. That’s all I’m trying to do. What comes after is not for an old man like me to decide. Even if it’s bitter, I must accept it now.”
Tang Oe narrowed his eyes slightly.
He still didn’t particularly like Tang Gunak. No, it would be more accurate to say he regarded him as an enemy. But such relationships were trivial in front of the Tang family name.
“We must protect it. We must protect it by any means necessary. I am a Tang family member. It’s the duty and belief of someone who has lived their entire life in the Tang clan.”
“…I understand what you mean, Grand Elder.”
At that moment.
“Elder! A messenger from the Lord!”
“What?”
Tang Byeok swiftly turned his head.
“Well it’s for the chief administrator, but this…”
“Bring it here! Right away!”
“Yes! Here!”
The one reporting rushed in and handed over a jade-green letter.
“Bring it here.”
Tang Oe reached out to take the message, preventing Tang Byeok’s attempt to take it himself. Opening the seal, Tang Oe slowly lowered his head as he read the contents of the message.
“May I ask what it says?”
As Tang Byeok inquired, Tang Oe chuckled and lowered his head.
“It seems he’s telling us to abandon this place and flee.”
“…What?”
Tang Byeok looked at Tang Oe incredulously, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“The Lord is still merciful. That’s why I can’t let my guard down.”
Tang Oe extended the message he held towards the lamp. The burning paper slowly charred and rose in flames.
“In the meantime, deliver the news to the Four Seas merchant guild… Who does the Lord of the family think he is?”
Tang Oe lowered his hand as the burning paper was gently set down. The paper containing the Lord’s orders turned to ashes in an instant.
“The enemies will come soon, so prepare quickly. Today will be a long day.”
“Yes, Grand Elder.”
As Tang Byeok bowed and left, Tang Oe sank onto the bed, laughing lightly.
‘Tang Clan…’
He wouldn’t let the Tang clan collapse.
Even if he remained as a failure, he would be a failure of the Tang clan. That was Tang Oe’s final determination, who was dedicated to the Sichuan Tang Clan his whole life.
‘Ancestors, watch over us.’
Until the moment of his death, he would remain a member of the Tang clan. That would never change.
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