Chapter 1427
So, is this flying dagger a failure? (2)
Leisurely footsteps resounded. It was Jang Ilso walking slowly through the center of the Tang manor.
While he had been momentarily delayed by the old man, it was a trivial matter. Thoughts of Tang Jopyeong had already been cleanly erased from his mind.
Instead, what caught his attention were the partially collapsed buildings of the Tang manor. The intact structures and the ones consumed by fire scattered around seemed to mirror the current state of Gangho’s powerhouses.
A strange sensation washed over him.
“Ryeonju! We’ve searched thoroughly, but it seems there’s no one left here.”
“You’re wasting your efforts. Even if there were, it would be meaningless.”
At Jang Ilso’s reprimand, Jeok Ho bowed deeply.
It’s customary for a family of the Tang’s stature to have at least one hiding place within the estate. Suspecting that they might have set fire to the building as a disguise and hidden there, they have searched in vain. Confusion flickered across Jeok Ho’s face.
‘Does that mean… the Tang clan truly abandoned this place and fled?’
The Tang clan, one of the Five Great Families?
Even Jang Ilso hadn’t predicted such a situation. If anyone had foreseen even a hint of this, they wouldn’t have wasted their efforts, would they?
“Hmm.”
As if understanding his thoughts, Jang Ilso let out a faint sneer.
“…Which one?”
“..Yes?”
“Did the Tang clan lose their minds? Or is my influence greater than I thought? Enough to make the Sichuan Tang Clan flee like cowards, leaving their home behind?”
It’s probably both.
If they were the Tang clan he knew, they would have never abandoned their manor. The fact that they fled means that the current Tang clan is not the same as the one he knew.
And even if they have changed, they wouldn’t have made this choice if the one coming to crush them wasn’t him, Paegun Jang Ilso. Even at the risk of death, they would have fought here.
Jang Ilso’s eyes sank gloomily.
Regardless of the reasons, something unexpected happening is never pleasant. It felt like pouring cold water on the fire in his heart that rose while destroying Emei and Qingcheng. An inexplicable discomfort gnawed at his stomach.
“Sichuan Tang Clan… Anyway, those involved with Cheonumaneg are all a pain in the neck. Or should I say those involved with that brat?”
A chuckle escaped from Jang Ilso’s lips.
It’s unlikely. From this distance, there’s nothing Hwasan Geomhyeop could do.
But Jang Ilso couldn’t shake the strange feeling that Hwasan Geomhyeop might have had some influence on what had happened.
“Such a troublesome kid.”
Even though he made sure to push him thoroughly eastward, to think hed’d still be a nuisance from this far away.
Jang Ilso slowly licked his lips. There was an evil glint in his eyes.
“Ryeonju!”
One of the Red Dogs rushed forward and bowed before Jang Ilso.
“We’ve found traces of their movement. It’s to the north.”
Jang Ilso nodded. Naturally, it would be to the north. There’s no other way for them to survive.
“What’s the scale?”
“It seems to be everyone. It looks like they’ve all moved at once, including those who are considered the collateral family.”
Jang Ilso’s eyes narrowed as if surprised by the news.
“All at once?”
“Yes!”
His crimson lips twisted momentarily.
“Hmm. So… you’re saying that everyone, even not the main family, have gathered and are fleeing together?”
“Yes, Ryeonju!”
Jang Ilso laughed in disbelief.
“How peculiar. The Tang clan is known for its strict distinction between direct and collateral lines… And yet, not only are they gathering everyone who isn’t a direct descendant, but even non-family members and children who haven’t learned martial arts? All fleeing together?”
“…”
“Well, if they’re going to change, they might as well…”
Jang Ilso’s gaze turned to the north.
“It would have been better if they had played a little smarter. Don’t you think?”
Jeok Ho nodded.
If they had scattered the members of the family in all directions with the resolve to accept some casualties, Jang Ilso would have found it difficult to deal with. Without knowing whom to capture and whom to let go, he couldn’t be sure.
But fleeing in one direction like that is akin to waving your backside and inviting pursuit, isn’t it?
“I’m not one to chase after people, but… It would be cruel not to respond to such a tempting offer. Prepare yourself. We need to catch them before they leave Sichuan.”
“Yes, Ryeonju!”
The Red Dog immediately responded to his command.
“Oh, but before that…”
“Yes?”
Jang Ilso slowly surveyed the partially collapsed buildings of the Tang estate.
“If someone has made a big decision… Helping them carry out that decision would be the act of a kind-hearted person, wouldn’t it?”
A radiant smile brightened Jang Ilso’s face.
“Set it all ablaze. Let not a single thing bearing the name of the Tang clan remain in Sichuan. Scatter even the ashes to the wind, so that nothing remains.”
“Yes, Ryeonju!”
With a nod, they all dashed off without hesitation. Jang Ilso’s lips parted slightly.
“How will it be… Tang Gunak.”
How would he accept this outcome?
With the Tang clan now without its roots, given their nature, they would never regain the prestige they once held.
Yet, would Tang Gunak truly see this choice as the right one?
Despite the descendants of the Tang clan cursing and resenting Tang Gunak for generations, can one truly praise those who left the clan for their departure? Even though the Tang clan will never again be seen as a powerhouse in the Central Plains?
“Hypocrisy, indeed, can be a disease.”
Jang Ilso chuckled.
It’s regrettable. Pitiable. Could there not be a modicum of mercy extended to them?
Flames roared from all directions.
The slowly rising flames soon swelled to monstrous proportions, engulfing the remaining Tang clan’s pavilions.
Everything belonging to the prestigious Tang clan, the kings of poisons, was now engulfed in flames.
The colossal inferno, visible throughout the entire city, resembled a beacon signaling the subjugation of Sichuan under the reign of Sapaeryeon.
The flickering light cast deep shadows on Jang Ilso’s face as he watched the burning pavilions with a peculiar smile before decisively turning away.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes!”
His mercy towards Tang Gunak was to enable him to easily shed his regrets. If those fleeing were all to perish, there would be no need to hide his inner turmoil – he could openly express their anger and resentment, even towards the Tang family’s ruins caused by their futile attempt to save their lives.
“I truly am too soft-hearted for my own good,”
Jang Ilso laughed menacingly, taking light steps forward.
Their destination lay to the north, where the Tang clan’s members had fled.
❀ ❀ ❀
Paaar!
Tang Gunak, driving forcefully into the ground, momentarily slowed down with a hint of hesitation.
Glancing back, he noticed the widening gap behind him once again. Despite knowing the importance of staying together, his feet kept rushing ahead, leaving others behind.
He bit down hard on his lips.
He knew.
They were already tired to the point of exhaustion. Even if they weren’t tired, there were few who could keep up with the light arts skills deployed by Tang Gunak at full strength.
So, there was no need to keep displaying this urgency, revealing his anxiousness. It was pointless and only made his heart more restless.
Despite knowing this fact all too well, his mind kept racing ahead, leading him to make mistakes.
Tang Gunak glanced down briefly, seeing Chung Myung tucked by his side.
‘Hwasan Geomhyeop.’
Tang Gunak knew too well. He knew how much he was pushing them. Right now, both Hwasan Geomhyeop and the Five Swords were not in normal condition. Anyone with even a little knowledge of medicine would foam at the mouth and insist on rest. It was absolutely necessary.
But Tang Gunak’s stubbornness was making it difficult for them. For the sake of something that might already be too late.
But…
“Lord Tang!”
At that moment, Hyun Jong, who had stuck close by, gasped for breath and spoke.
“Lord, I apologize. I know you’re in a hurry, but our formation…”
Tang Gunak bit his lip with even more despair.
Why apologize at a time like this?
It’s not just Hwasan that’s failing to keep up, but also the elite warriors of the Tang clan. So why did Hyun Jong bow his head to him?
With a heavy heart, Tang Gunak spoke.
“I’m sorry. But please, just a little more effort. We’re almost in Sichuan, and Chengdu is within reach.”
“Yes! Don’t worry. Even if my legs burst and I die, we will arrive at Tang manor and die there.”
At those words, Tang Gunak glanced back.
Sure enough, the Five Swords following Hyun Jong wore determined expressions. Despite deep down wishing to collapse right there and then.
‘If…’.
If even one person from Tang clan can be saved at the end of this forced march, Sichuan Tang Clan will incur a debt to Hwasan that it can never repay. Tang Gunak engraved this fact clearly in his heart.
And at that moment.
Beep beep beep!
Everyone hurriedly looked up at the sharp cry from the sky.
“It’s a messenger bird! Clearly from Sichuan’s Beggars Sect branch!”
Thinking quickly and acting swiftly.
Tang Gunak slammed the ground and leaped into the air. He reached out and caught the flying bird with precision.
Thunk!
As he landed, he swiftly opened the tube hanging from the bird’s foot and checked the message inside. Tang Gunak’s face visibly hardened as he read its contents.
“Lord, what’s the content?”
“…Take a look.”
Tang Gunak handed the letter to Hyun Jong. As he read its contents, Hyun Jong’s expression also hardened.
{Haomun’s forces, along with another force, are moving southward in the direction of Diancang. Maninbang is chasing survivors of Sichuan Tangga northward.}
Although it conveyed the situation succinctly, the meaning behind it was anything but simple.
“Does this mean they’ve split up?”
“…Seems like it.”
Confusion flickered in Hyun Jong’s eyes.
If they had targeted one direction, they could have responded together. But if they’ve split into two groups… Helping both is impossible.
Dividing already insufficient manpower into two could result in the worst-case scenario of both Hwasan and Tangga being annihilated separately.
Yoon Jong, hearing the situation from behind, shouted as if there was no need to even think about it.
“What are you thinking? We should head north first! Tang clan is there, isn’t it!”
Of course, this was an obvious and almost trivial conclusion.
However, the perplexity and anguish on Hyun Jong and Tang Gunak’s faces deepened even further.
“…So this is it.”
Hyun Jong muttered with a slightly trembling voice. Tang Gunak bit his lip.
– Diancang must be definitely rescued.
The words from Beop Jong, conveyed by Beop Gye. Only now did they painfully realize the true intention behind those words.
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