Chapter 25 – Gratitude Should Be Repaid with Wealth

Chapter 25 – Gratitude Should Be Repaid with Wealth

“Brother, did you know that the warriors of the Tang Clan would come?”

“Yes. That is why I dragged out the time, you know? If we want to capture them all alive, we do not have enough hands.”

At Namgung Yeon's question, Tang San-ho replied indifferently.

At that moment, one of the warriors who was clearing up the situation approached, clasped his hands in salute, and paid his respects.

“Greetings, Young Master. As soon as we heard the story from the innkeeper, we rushed over. Are you hurt anywhere?”

Scanning Tang San-ho, who looked perfectly fine, the warrior murmured in self-talk-like relief, 'I was so startled. We had only been patrolling the outskirts, so we never imagined they would be hidden so deep inside.'

“Yes, I am not particularly hurt. Is everyone else alright?”

“Of course. Capturing fleeing bandits is no trouble at all. Furthermore, did you not already capture them all, Young Master?”

“Yeon's contribution was great.”

Seeing Tang San-ho attribute the share of credit to Namgung Yeon, Tang Jae-shin asked.

“But why did you go alone, what would you have done if we could not find you, Young Master?”

“Ah… I left first because there was no time. At that time, I did not know the exact location either, so I could not tell you.”

And besides, he had something to rely on; tapping his nose and smiling, Tang San-ho pulled a small incense pouch from his bosom.

Thousand-Mile Tracking Incense (Cheonri Chujong-hyang).

It was one of the secret techniques of the Sichuan Tang Clan, an incense that allowed one to track a target for a thousand miles if applied to the body. Since those who had not learned the secret technique could not smell any scent, it was widely used for tracking after transferring the scent to an enemy.

Tang San-ho had applied the scent to himself and guided them using his own body as a beacon.

“Although the Thousand-Mile Tracking Incense is a family secret technique, there are those who have not learned it. Yet you went alone relying on that?”

At Tang Jae-shin's puzzled expression, Tang San-ho opened his eyes wide as if it were obvious and said.

“I knew that Brother Jae-shin, who has learned the secret technique, was out patrolling Chengdu…… and I thought that if you knew I was here, you would definitely arrive in time.”

Tang San-ho had remembered that Tang Jae-shin had once spoken about the Thousand-Mile Tracking Incense.

The warriors, who had bound all the members of the Red Blood Gang, breathed a sigh of relief and said.

“It is a stroke of heaven's luck… First, let us return to the Tang Clan branch to receive treatment.”

Coincidence added to coincidence, preventing an accident.

Everyone thought so and breathed a sigh of relief.

“………”

However, Tang Jae-shin alone did not think that way. He was convinced. This was no coincidence, but a destiny forged by Tang San-ho.

If Sawol had not asked the maid at the guest house about Namgung Yeon's whereabouts.

If Tang Jae-shin had not stopped by the annex to say goodbye before leaving the Tang Clan branch.

If he had dismissed what they had discussed about the Thousand-Mile Tracking Incense in the past as trivial.

It was Tang San-ho who gathered numerous pieces and fitted them together as one. Therefore, this could not be called luck.

'Lucky? Not a chance.'

The cleverness of predicting what would follow and preparing them with the Thousand-Mile Tracking Incense even while urgently pursuing Namgung Yeon. At the same time, that hasty kindness, which did not even consider the danger to himself, had prevented the accident.

'…As expected, my thoughts were right.'

Thus, Tang Jae-shin confirmed once again that his thoughts were correct.

That Tang San-ho was a perfect ally who would never let go of what he once held in his hands.

Tang Jae-shin was a remarkable person in many ways.

He had certainly despaired before Tang San-ho's talent, but he soon realized a certain fact. That was the reason Tang San-ho had brought despair upon him. The cause was the servant named Sawol. Simply because he had scolded a single servant, Tang San-ho had presented all kinds of humiliation and frustration before him. He was resentful, but it was an indisputable defeat, and even if he went back, he could not win.

Thus, the conclusion he reached was this. If I cannot win, let me become someone held in that child's hand. Tang Jae-shin knew that the ghost-like Tang San-ho was boundlessly soft toward his own people.

The current situation also proved that.

'If I dedicate my entire life, I too can become one of his people.'

Though he was still just one of the notable rising stars, once he stepped into the martial world, countless people would recognize his worth. Originally, a connection was something that had to be built up from when what he held in his hands was scarce to make it feel even greater.

Tang Jae-shin, who had been arrogant and unstoppable, finally found the lord to whom he would pledge his loyalty.

The young master of the family who would surely rise to greater heights.

Having witnessed with his own eyes the warmth he displayed and the cold-headed martial prowess that was the exact opposite of it, there was nothing he could do.

Tang San-ho was that kind of person.

A person who made even those who held ill will toward him stand on his side.

***

The Tang Clan's Medical Hall was turned upside down.

Tang San-ho, who had dashed out during training, had returned with Namgung Yeon, the young master of the Namgung Clan, who was in a terrible mess.

Upon hearing the news, the first to rush over was, of course, Sawol.

“…Young Master!”

Looking at his pale face before he could even finish his sentence, Tang San-ho replied half-heartedly.

“Uh, Sawol. That……”

But before he could even react, Sawol's storm-like nagging poured out. Worries disguised as nagging, such as how he could think of going there alone, whether he was hurt anywhere, and what on earth all this was about…… piled up, but the one who was most curious about that at the moment was Tang San-ho.

“Right, since we are talking about it, let me ask. What on earth is this all about? Why did you leave without a word?”

Namgung Yeon, who had turned pale with the thought of having caused trouble, grew even paler when the question was directed at him.

He did not answer, but pulled out a small jar from the clothes he had taken off, which had turned to rags.

“What is that?”

“……I heard they found something precious, and I wanted to give it to you as a gift, Brother, so I just…”

When they opened the jar he slid forward sheepishly, something resembling a translucent bundle of thread was visible.

“What is this?”

As Tang San-ho tilted his head and picked it up, Tang Jae-shin instead opened his eyes wide in surprise.

“I-Is this… Heavenly Silk? Oh my, how on earth did you obtain this?”

Heavenly Silk (Cheonjamsa).

It was a thread spun by the Heavenly Silkworm, which possessed spiritual energy. Since the Heavenly Silkworm itself was a spiritual beast, it was extremely difficult to obtain, and because so many recognized its value, there was even a saying that it cost whatever the seller named.

Even a single thin strand could not be snapped by human strength, and it boasted a durability that would not be cut even by a blade carrying sword qi.

If woven into clothes, this Heavenly Silk became a suit of armor called the 'Heavenly Silk Treasure Robe' that blocked most attacks, and if infused with internal energy, it became a weapon capable of slicing the opponent's neck with an invisible thread.

Stealing a glance at Tang San-ho, Namgung Yeon hesitantly continued speaking.

“So…… a merchant who came to Sichuan for the assembly showed you the Heavenly Silk, is that it? And you went to buy it?”

It seemed the merchant had calculated that since he was a young master who looked like he had plenty of money, he would be able to sell it for a generous price. Of course, the merchant's discernment was excellent, Namgung Yeon indeed had a lot of money, and he was willing to pay whatever the price of the Heavenly Silk was.

“Hmm, I get that, but…… why on earth did you get tangled up with those guys again?”

“Because they threatened me by taking a young child hostage. However, I did not pursue them without thinking either! I mean, they said there were clearly only three of them… and if they fought again and lost this time too, they would leave Sichuan without regret……”

“………”

Like a young master of an orthodox sect, Namgung Yeon did not know how to doubt others.

An orthodox warrior's 'If I lose, I will depart without regret' was a verbal contract, but to the unorthodox path, it was nothing more than blackmail and deceit.

“Sigh, right…… What sin could you possibly have, it is the fault of the bastards who lied and threatened you. Still, from next time, you must never follow a stranger. Understood?”

Namgung Yeon, who had directly experienced the unexpectedly spicy blackmail of the unorthodox path, nodded his head so hard it seemed it might fall off.

It was at that moment.

Once again, the door of the Medical Hall was flung wide open.

The one who rushed in this time was Tang Hae-soo.

“You……!!”

His pale face was extremely familiar. Feeling a sense of déjà vu, Tang San-ho greeted him half-heartedly again.

“Uh, Brother. That……”

And without fail, Tang Hae-soo's nagging crashed in like a wave. The nagging, which was a level more stinging than before, beat against his ears.

Tang San-ho calmly settled Tang Hae-soo down and repeated the story from just now. He explained that they had ended up like this due to this and that, that they were both safe and not seriously injured, and that since the treatment was finished, he should rest assured now. By the time he finished speaking up to here, exactly fifteen minutes had passed.

“Then…”

Just as he was about to say he would leave since things were sorted out, the door of the Medical Hall opened yet again!

The one who entered as if pouring in was the Leader of the Craftsmanship Hall, Tang Mu-seon.

“Young Master…!!”

“………Ah…”

Tang San-ho unconsciously opened his mouth and let out a short sigh.

“I rushed over as soon as I heard the news. Are you alright?”

'Ah, this…… Is it an infinite loop, a regression story, or something like that…?'

With the same scene repeating with only the characters changing, Tang San-ho ended up understanding the feelings of Dormammu facing Doctor Strange.

Just as he was about to offer a greeting with a face more exhausted than when he swept away the Red Blood Gang.

Slam!

Following that, the Clan Leader Tang Hwa-seon entered, opening the door of the Medical Hall for the fourth time.

“………”

Having seen even that sight, Tang San-ho stood dazed for a moment, then pulled up the corners of his mouth to hang a hollow smile.

“……?”

“Where are you going?”

“Young Master?”

“Brother…?”

Then, leaving behind those who were looking for him, he grabbed the doorknob of the Medical Hall.

“Ah, I think it would be faster to go outside and make an announcement……”

However, even that did not go according to his will.

“Is everyone here?”

Outside the door, the Leader of the Ten Thousand Poisons Hall Tang Yi-seon and the Leader of the Martial Hidden Hall Tang Tae-seon had just arrived.

“We hear that the guests from the Namgung Clan have just passed through the city gates.”

Along with the news of another guest.

Blue Sky Namgung Clan .

A prestigious family called the head of the Five Great Families.

Based in Hefei, Anhui, it was a family of swords and a wealthy clan of the prosperous Jiangnan.

Warriors wearing light blue martial robes engraved with cloud patterns and the retainers under Clan Leader Namgung Cheon knocked on the gates of the Sichuan Tang Clan.

***

Countless rumors circulate in the martial world.

According to street gossip , Clan Leader Namgung Cheon and Young Clan Leader Namgung Hyun of the Namgung Clan were said to be extremely domineering and arrogant in their momentum.

Gulp.

That was the reason Tang San-ho was standing in front of the door of the Cloud Joy Hall with a rather tense expression.

'Come to think of it, I have never heard of Yeon's moniker or any rumors about him. Could it be that the two powerful figures of the family were so terrifying that there was no room for rumors about anyone else to spread…?'

Though it was hardly his fault that the Joraengi rice cake ran away from home, Tang San-ho somehow could not feel free from the responsibility.

This was because 1. he himself was the Dark Flower, 2. he had taken on the role of temporary guardian, and 3. Namgung Yeon had been injured in the process.

After contemplating for a moment while holding the doorknob, Tang San-ho finally opened the door.

“Did you call fo…… Oh?”

It was the very moment he was about to pay his respects. The man sitting inside rushed over quickly and grabbed Tang San-ho's hands.

“Benefactor! I heard you saved my younger brother. How can we ever repay this gratitude?”

“……?”

“Ah, my greetings are late. I am Namgung Hyun, the Young Clan Leader of Namgung. I greet the Young Master of the Great Sichuan Tang Clan.”

Only then did Tang San-ho realize that the rumors of the martial world were truly not to be trusted.

From Namgung Hyun smiling with his moist eyes gently curving, to the Cloud Joy Hall filled with gifts, and even Clan Leader Namgung Cheon shaking his head in embarrassment on the opposite side. Nowhere did they look like domineering and arrogant leaders of a great family.

After all, was he himself not the beauty-that-eclipses-the-moon-and-shames-the-flowers, Young Lady Dark Flower, in the martial world?

“I am Tang San-ho. I greet the Clan Leader and Young Clan Leader of Blue Sky Namgung.”

Once he had paid his respects to the Clan Leader of Namgung again and sat down, Namgung Hyun spoke as if he had been waiting.

“Benefactor. I have brought a precious spirit medicine that I heard you like. Please do not refuse.”

“……Spirit medicine?”

Feeling a sense of déjà vu at the words of Namgung Hyun, who was like a magpie repaying a favor, Tang San-ho looked to the side with rabbit-like eyes. 'Then did this Joraengi rice cake also know that I was the Dark Flower?' As he narrowed his brows in a sense of betrayal, Namgung Yeon subtly avoided his gaze.

There was another rumor in the martial world.

The rumor that the Namgung Clan possessed a wealth that would make them sad if they were second in the world. Indeed, that rumor was true. Tang San-ho asked, his eyes, which had grown even larger than before, sparkling like glass beads.

“Heh… is it really alright for me to accept all of this?”

Right, what does it matter if the Joraengi rice cake causes a bit of trouble.

His intention to interrogate him about exactly when he had found out melted away.

Indeed, gratitude should be repaid with wealth. The effect of financial therapy was magnificent.

Furthermore, the gifts they prepared were not just this. At the final gift that appeared, not only Tang San-ho but everyone in the Sichuan Tang Clan could not help but gape in astonishment.