Thud.
Tang Pae collapsed right there and fell face down.
"Ugh…"
He was so exhausted that breathing properly was difficult. Dust rushed in through his nose, but he didn't even have the strength to turn his head to the side.
"Tsk."
Soon, Chung Myung clicked his tongue in deep displeasure, the sound brushing past his ears.
"So weak and frail…"
That voice seemed to pierce both his ears and body.
"What? You say poisons and secret techniques must be handled delicately?"
"…"
"Nonsense you're spouting. Poison flies on its own, and secret techniques dance by themselves if left alone? In the end, poisons and secret techniques are used by people. How can those whose hands tremble from lack of stamina use secret techniques like assassination?"
"Ugh…"
"It's not that delicate martial arts don't require stamina training; the more delicate the martial art, the better the stamina must be. Tang family's martial arts can be completely ruined by the slightest tremor. Even I, watching from outside, know this—so why don't you who use those martial arts understand it?"
Chung Myung looked around at those who had fallen and then swiftly turned his body.
"When the sun rises tomorrow, we start again. Anyone who shows up late can expect to die."
Tang Pae glanced briefly at Chung Myung's retreating back as he shuffled away, then buried his face in the ground again. A worried voice came from beside him.
"…Hyung."
"…"
"Hyung… are you okay?"
"…Do you think I am?"
"…"
"Ugh…"
Tang Pae painfully moved his legs and returned to the lodging.
He wanted to just sleep right there, covered in dirt, without washing his face or anything. The only thing that barely stopped that impulse was the responsibility of being the head of the Tang family.
No matter how hard it was, a person like the head of the Sichuan Tang family couldn't just lie down and sleep on the training ground floor, right?
"…I'm dying, dying."
"Me too."
"You startled me!"
Tang Pae shouted in surprise. Then he saw Tang Zhan lying on the bed. Tang Pae grabbed his pounding chest and scolded.
"What are you doing? Without saying a word in someone else's quarters!"
"Ugh."
Tang Zhan struggled to get up. His arm supporting the bed trembled, showing he was also quite exhausted from the training.
"It's nothing else."
Tang Zhan began and furrowed his brows sharply.
"The younger siblings and uncles have quite a lot of complaints."
"…"
"It seems everyone finds it hard to speak directly in front of the young lord, but lately, whenever there's time, complaints pour out behind the scenes."
"Hmm…"
Tang Pae sighed deeply.
"What kind of complaints?"
"Well… we know this training is necessary, but the appearance is just too bad, isn't it?"
At Tang Zhan's words, Tang Pae silently frowned. He understood what Tang Zhan meant. Even necessary training must have proper form. For the Sichuan Tang family members to be rolling on the floor under the orders of Mount Hua's third class disciple certainly doesn't look good.
"Every time passersby whisper, their pride is hurt a lot. Especially the uncles."
"Hmm."
"So, about that…"
Tang Zhan glanced cautiously at Tang Pae. Judging by his furtive looks, Tang Zhan hadn't come here entirely by his own will. Surely, the uncles had pushed him.
"Could you please tell the lord?"
"To the lord?"
"Yes."
Tang Zhan nodded.
"Most of the training Taoist Chung Myung is conducting can be done by the lord as well. Of course, we understand the family lord is busy with official duties, but still…"
"Impossible."
Before Tang Zhan could finish, Tang Pae cut him off. As if there was no room for discussion.
"It's not even worth mentioning. Never bring up such talk in front of me again."
"Hyung."
"Even if I say don't speak."
"But…"
Tang Pae firmly shook his head.
Actually, forbidding mention of certain matters isn't the role of the lord of the Tang family. Listening to words that cannot be said to the solemn family head and conveying them is also part of the head's duties.
But in this matter, he had no intention to yield.
"Are you doubting our father's ability now?"
"N-no way. I just…"
"So, do you think father is just watching, unable to understand the family's complaints?"
"That is…"
Tang Pae's eyes narrowed.
"There is a suitable person for every matter. If father thinks Mount Hua's Sword Saint is the right one for this, the family members should simply follow that."
Tang Zhan silently nodded. To argue would be to challenge the family lord's authority. He didn't know about elsewhere, but in Sichuan Tang family, it was unthinkable.
Though he had softened since meeting Chung Myung of Mount Hua sect, the Poison King Tang Gunak was originally a symbol of absolute authority within the Tang family. Especially after dissolving the elders' council and taking full control, no one dared deny his authority.
But even as he nodded, Tang Jan's expression clearly showed he was still unconvinced.
Seeing that, Tang Pae tightened his lips slightly.
"Zhan, you don't understand."
"It's not that… hyung."
"Is that petty pride really that important to you?"
"…Hyung?"
Tang Pae looked at Tang Zhan with cold eyes.
"Does being criticized in front of people and rolling on the dirt floor damage the family's honor? Does running around under the orders of Mount Hua's third class disciple embarrass you?"
"…I…"
"You've got fat on your belly."
Tang Zhan closed his mouth. Tang Pae's cold gaze rendered him immobile.
"Pride isn't protected by wearing fine clothes and acting arrogantly. You feel shame when your clothes get dirty and you look ridiculous, but why don't you feel humiliation when Mount Hua, once not even considered a rival, surpasses us?"
Tang Zhan could not answer.
"Our family is Mount Hua's foremost ally."
"Yes, hyung. I know. So…"
"But on this trip to the Southern lands, the Tang family did not accompany. It was Namgung and Green Forest who stayed by Mount Hua's side, not us. Do you understand what that means?"
"…"
"Of course, the family lord could have gone personally. But… do you really think it was right for the family lord to assist that Mount Hua's Sword Saint and head to the Southern Lands? Really?"
"N-no!"
"Right. That must never happen. Then I'll ask. Why did the Tang family fail to participate in this Southern land's trip, more important than anything else to block the Demonic Cult and protect the Central Plains?"
"Well…"
Again, Tang Zhan could not answer. He knew the answer but lacked the courage to say it. But Tang Pae spoke firmly, as if pouring salt on the wound.
"Because we are weak, you and I."
"…"
"Isn't that so?"
"…Yes."
Tang Zhan bowed his head deeply.
Of course, the elders of the Tang family could have stepped forward. But the talent Mount Hua's Sword Saint wants is not just someone strong. It's someone who can coordinate with their hands and feet.
If Tang Pae or Tang Zhan were as strong as Baek Cheon, would Chung Myung have really left them behind and headed to Gangnam? No.
Both Tang Pae and Tang Zhan already felt it. They were not trusted, so they couldn't go to Southern Land together.
"After enduring that humiliation… now you say your pride is hurt? Is that something the direct line of the Sichuan Tang family dares to say?"
His voice was full of fury. Tang Zhan dared not raise his bowed head. The anger in the voice was fierce, and he could not refute a word.
"Namgung's lord, Namgung Do-Wei, recently lost his father but still bore the Namgung name and headed to the Southern Land. He already represents the Namgung name. But…"
A bitter laugh escaped Tang Pae's lips.
"My younger brother, of the same age, is complaining about being embarrassed and losing face rolling on the dirt floor in front of people. Where does this difference come from?"
"Hyung.."
"Today Namgung underwent the same training as us. But they finished much earlier and returned in good shape. You saw that, right?"
"…Yes."
"Even after seeing that, those words came easily from your mouth."
Tang Pae's cold voice now pierced Tang Zhan's heart. It was rare to see Tang Pae so furious.
"Is your pride hurt?"
"…"
"My pride is hurt too. But not because of trivial face. Because I have clearly seen with my own eyes that the great Sichuan Tang family and its warriors are falling behind other sects."
Tang Pae gritted his teeth.
"Is there anything more shameful to a warrior than being weak?"
"But, hyung. We use different martial arts from them… we…"
"Shut your mouth."
A chill was in Tang Pae's voice.
"There's nothing wrong with what the Mount Hua's Sword Saint says. We've always used that excuse to not train. If lacking skill, develop stronger poisons and deadlier secret techniques. So, has our Tang family ever once reached the top in the world with that mindset?"
Tang Zhan was speechless.
"If you can't learn anything from those in front of you, it's already over. You don't have to come to training from tomorrow. No, tell everyone who skips training to stay away. I'll take responsibility."
"Hyung."
Tang Pae spoke firmly.
"But I will follow this training to the end. Rolling on the floor is nothing. I don't care if I have to shove mud in my mouth. I will definitely become strong. Someday, when I become the family lord of the Tang family, I will never hear that I am weaker than Namgung's lord or Baek Cheon of Mount Hua, even if it kills me."
"…"
"Tell them that. But!"
Tang Pae frowned deeply and glared at Tang Zhan. His face seemed to show a glimpse of Tang Gunak.
"If anyone speaks ill of the Mount Hua's Sword Saint, who took on hardship doing what they all didn't have to, tell them that I, the young lord, will punish them directly without the family lord's intervention. If someone with the Tang name acts like an ungrateful beast, they will be treated like one."
"…"
"Do you understand?"
"…I will keep that in mind."
"Go."
"…"
"Go now!"
Tang Zhan bowed deeply and left. Tang Pae sighed as soon as the door closed.
It might have been a bit harsh, but it couldn't be helped. It was time for Tang Zhan and others to face reality.
"…It's not easy."
Another long sigh escaped his lips.
"…Hmm."
A low sound came from Chung Myung lying on the eaves.
"Tsk."
He raised a bottle of liquor with a face that showed annoyance at everything. Unfortunately, it had long been empty, and no drop fell even when shaken.
"Tsk."
Just as he was about to get up, grimacing at the bitter taste.
"Here it is."
"Huh?"
At the sudden voice, Chung Myung turned his head. Tang Gunak had appeared beside him, offering the bottle with a gentle smile.
"…What is this?"
"May I sit?"
"Of course."
Tang Gunak perched beside Chung Myung.
"Let's drink together. I want to drink a little today too."
"If I drink with the family lord, I'm happy."
"Is that so?"
Tang Gunak chuckled softly, took a sip from the bottle, then looked up at the night sky and spoke.
"You must be having a hard time too."
At the unexpected words, Chung Myung quietly looked at Tang Gunak.