Chapter 1531
What do you know? (1)
It was a statement that made hearts tremble.
Whether they understood Tang Soso’s words or not, they all felt the weight of what she said. However, Tang Gunak, who undoubtedly belonged to the former group, showed no reaction. His expression remained unchanged, his calm eyes simply staring at Tang Soso.
“Medical support, huh.”
“Yes.”
“Are you suggesting we use the Tang clan as physicians?”
Tang Soso shook her head slightly.
“That’s not all. If we were just physicians, it wouldn’t mean much.”
“And what do you mean?”
“We need physicians who can protect themselves on the battlefield, who can provide robust support when there are no injured, and who can save lives.”
Tang Gunak’s eyebrows twitched. However, he didn’t immediately refute her, choosing instead to keep his mouth shut.
Whether it was due to the pressure from her father or because she still had much to say, Tang Soso raised her voice slightly.
“This is what I realized after joining Hwasan and experiencing numerous battles.”
“Go on.”
“Medics are absolutely essential on the battlefield.”
“The Tang clan is already on the battlefield. The Sichuan Tang Clan will be the first to rush to where the enemy is.”
“Yes, that’s true. The Tang clan does not fear the enemy. But in its current form, we cannot be present on every battlefield simultaneously. It’s impossible.”
A few who had been listening in silence nodded. Tang Soso spoke with unwavering confidence.
“I am convinced that dividing the Tang clan into smaller groups and having them accompany each sect or mission is the best way to maximize the power of the Sichuan Tang Clan!”
As if feeling that this alone wasn’t sufficient, she added.
“Even if our poisons and hidden weapons are depleted, the medical skills of the Tang clan will always remain.”
“I agree with her, Lord.”
Tang Pae once again stepped forward to support Tang Soso. However, no one else dared to speak. They knew how sensitive this matter was for the Tang clan.
Even Chung Myung kept his mouth shut, merely observing Tang Soso and Tang Gunak in silence.
After what felt like an unbearably long pause, Tang Gunak finally spoke.
“It’s a good idea.”
Tang Soso’s face brightened for a moment at the affirmation. But only for a moment.
“But it’s too hasty.”
“…Father!”
Tang Gunak shook his head.
“Your attempt to incorporate your experiences into the Tang clan’s practices is commendable. If we can gradually develop the family based on what you’ve seen and felt, the Tang clan will eventually regain its former glory.”
It might sound like praise and approval, but Tang Soso felt a solid and impregnable wall within those words. A high wall, one that seemed impossible to overcome no matter what she did.
“But you are overestimating yourself. The reason they managed to cross that deadly line was not because your medical skills were excellent.”
Tang Soso silently looked at Tang Gunak.
“It was because they were strong.”
“That is…”
“Medicine can revive a fallen person and make them fight again. But it takes a long time. Even the divine doctor wouldn’t have the ability to immediately lift a wounded person on the spot.”
Tang Soso bit her lip tightly.
“But a short-term decisive battle is not everything…”
“Listen till the end.”
His voice was low and stern. Tang Soso, unable to muster the courage to defy him, closed her mouth.
“In the end, the Tang clan treating the injured from the rear only creates gaps for two people. Even in a situation where a single swing of a knife or a dagger could decide the outcome. Do you understand?”
At these words, Tang Pae’s face hardened as well.
“Lord. But that is…”
“Do you think fighting Sapaeryeon is easy enough to afford such leeway?”
“…”
“Increasing the survival rate is, of course, good. But that only holds meaning if we win. If we lose the fight against Sapaeryeon , then surviving means nothing.”
It wasn’t wrong. At least, it sounded that way.
“But what if the war drags on…?”
“Wanting to wield a sword, throw hidden weapons, and use poison learned through pain is natural for a warrior.”
Tang Gunak looked at his son and daughter with gentle eyes.
“It wouldn’t have been easy to suppress that natural desire and decide to save even one more person.”
Tang Pae’s shoulders trembled slightly. Tang Gunak nodded slowly.
“That intention is enough.”
Although it was different from the direction Tang Gunak, the family head, pursued, their direction should be respected as well.
“Filling in what is lacking doesn’t always yield better results. If having a doctor accompany us could bring dramatic effects, the Sichuan Tang Clan would already be known as the greatest sect in the world.”
Tang Pae flinched as if struck in a vulnerable spot. It seemed he hadn’t thought that far.
“What matters in war is ultimately securing a power stronger than the opponent, whether it’s military force or strategy.”
Tang Gunak exhaled deeply.
“Everyone believes most strongly in what they’ve seen with their own eyes. What you experienced naturally opened a path for you, but an individual’s perspective and a sect’s perspective are inevitably different.”
By now, everyone could tell what Tang Gunak would say next.
And it was also a fact that Tang Gunak’s decision as the family head was not entirely wrong.
“Therefore, I must reject your proposal…”
“That’s wrong.”
…But one person.
Even as Tang Soso, who had first spoken, was trying hard to come to a reluctant agreement, someone else stepped forward to directly oppose Tang Gunak.
For a moment, a look of bewilderment spread across Hyun Jong’s face.
“Iseol-ah!”
“That’s wrong. Those words.”
The faces of those present turned pale in an instant.
Though Cheonumaeng was a group that didn’t flaunt authority, it was still rare for a mere disciple to directly contradict the head of a sect. Moreover, this was not simply a matter concerning Cheonumaeng. The only ones who could rightly debate this issue were the Tang clan’s members themselves. Even Alliance Leader Hyun Jong had remained silent on the matter…
“Th-that’s not…”
“Because Soso is here.”
Yu Iseol, however, seemed completely unfazed by the bewildered gazes pouring in from all sides. Her calm voice continued.
“Because Soso is here. I can fight.”
Tang Gunak frowned slightly and asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Hmm.”
At this, Yu Iseol furrowed her brow and remained silent for a moment. It wasn’t because she was displeased. It was the look of someone pondering how to convey what she was feeling.
Fortunately, her contemplation did not last long. There was no need for her to explain herself.
Instead of answering, Yu Iseol glanced sideways.
“…”
The person who received her gaze flinched and then met her eyes. Understanding her intention, he let out a deep sigh and spoke.
“I agree with Soso as well.”
“Baek Cheon-ah!”
“How could they?”
Un Am turned pale and fidgeted restlessly.
If trouble broke out here, today would undoubtedly be remembered as the day of the “Hwasan’s Second Generation Disciples Rebellion.”
However, Baek Cheon, the focal point of this so-called rebellion, quickly regained his composure and spoke calmly.
“Lord Tang said that increasing our power is the way to win.”
“That’s right.”
Tang Gunak’s tone also changed. Even he could not treat Baek Cheon as casually as he did Tang Pae or Tang Soso.
“What Soso wanted to say is simple. We have faced situations where we had to fight with every ounce of strength… no, even beyond our strength.”
“…”
“And the reason we could do so without looking back was because Soso was behind us. Even if I fell here, Soso would treat me.”
Tang Gunak’s brow furrowed more deeply.
“The confidence that comes from having someone you trust with your life behind you is something those who haven’t experienced it can never understand. They can’t grasp how much strength it provides and how it lightens the sword.”
Listening quietly, Tang Gunak responded in a slightly cold voice.
“As I said earlier, if that really made a difference, the Tang clan should have become the greatest sect in the world. After all, no one has more physicians behind them than we do.”
“That’s not true.”
“Hmm?”
“Sadly, the Tang clan is the only sect in the world that can’t gain that confidence. If I, as a medic, have another medic behind me, how comforting can that be?”
Tang Gunak was momentarily at a loss for words. He had never considered this line of reasoning before, so he was taken aback.
“And actually, I don’t believe the Tang clan hasn’t benefited from having medics behind them.”
This could be interpreted as saying the Tang clan hadn’t become the greatest sect simply because they were weak. Tang Gunak frowned.
“Be careful with your words.”
“No, I don’t mean it in the way you think. What I mean is that the Tang clan has likely reaped the benefits of having medics behind them, but they haven’t realized it. In fact, medical skills aren’t significant during peaceful times, are they?”
“Hmm?”
“How often does the Tang clan have to fight to the death in group battles during normal times? It’s only in such large-scale wars that the true effect of medical skills can be seen.”
“Ah…”
“That’s true.”
Jo Geol and Yoon Jong nodded blankly.
The Tang clan ‘s medical skills are, in essence, a power that only becomes meaningful when lives are at risk.
“In other words, the Tang clan truly shows its strength when faced with a crisis. So, the secret to the Tang clan being the strongest on the battlefield, as the family head mentioned, might not just be because of poison and hidden weapons.”
Tang Gunak let out a faint groan.
“Hmm. I understand what you’re saying.”
“Yes. Thank you for understanding.”
“But… it’s difficult to take your words at face value.”
In this matter, Tang Gunak remained steadfast. In fact, Tang Gunak was a stubborn man, showing leniency only to a select few.
“Even if what you say is correct, it’s just a personal sentiment.”
At yet another rejection, Jo Geol and Yoon Jong shook their hands. Yu Iseol’s expression that rarely showed frustration, changed, and even Tang Soso let out a sigh.
However, Baek Cheon seemed to believe that the conversation was not yet over.
“A personal sentiment…”
He smiled faintly at Tang Gunak.
“May I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
“Has anyone in the history of the Sichuan Tang Clan ever supported a member of another sect from behind?”
“That is…”
If one were to search, there might be a case. During the past Great Demonic War, the Tang clan’s Amjon was said to have stuck to Maehwa Geomjon like a thread to a needle. However, Amjon died during the war and couldn’t provide detailed accounts of those times.
“Isn’t that correct?”
“For the most part, yes… I suppose.”
“Then it means we are the only ones who have fought with our lives on the line with a Tang clan member behind us.”
This was an undeniable fact. Those Five Swords had walked a path where it was a miracle they were still alive. If Five Swords had suddenly become three or two, no one would have been surprised. It had been that perilous.
“Even you, Lord Tang, haven’t had a similar experience, have you?”
“You’re right, but this concerns the Tang clan…”
“You simply can’t understand it.”
Baek Cheon boldly cut off Tang Gunak’s words. Simultaneously, the eyes of Five Swords widened in surprise.
“We who have experienced it say it helps, so why do those who haven’t experienced it insist that it doesn’t? What…?”
“…”
Everyone could guess that the trailing end of Baek Cheon’s sentence was essentially, ‘What do you know?’ and they couldn’t help but smile in resignation.
“That crazy bastard…”
Chung Myung’s dazed mutter perfectly captured the feelings of everyone present.
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