Book 5 Chapter 14
The Showdown Between Tang Mungcheon and Biryuyeon
"Surely, you're not planning to use poison in this martial arts competition (比武)?"
Tang Sam asked, half in disbelief.
"What do you think?"
Tang Sam felt foolish for asking. The answer was already decided, even without asking.
Originally, the Tang Clan did not use poison in martial arts competitions. It was difficult to neutralize, and doing so would only label them as cowards. Therefore, Tang Clan members would refrain from using poison during competitions, opting for hidden weapons (暗器), flowing leaf flying knives (柳葉飛刀), or just the ink whip (墨鞭).
The Tang Clan's whip techniques or flying knife skills were also renowned in the martial world, as formidable as hidden weapons and poison. However, Tang Mungcheon, standing right before him, was a scoundrel who secretly employed poison and hidden weapons in both competitions and duels, regardless of the rules. Tang Mungcheon was a man to whom such unspoken rules did not apply.
His poison-using skills were so subtle that no one could detect his use of poison. Moreover, the competition rules had no clause prohibiting poison. Of course, there was no clause prohibiting hidden weapons either. The only stipulation was that one must not kill the opponent. The rest was left to individual discretion. This was especially true for the people of the Sichuan Tang Clan, who used poison for amusement.
Nevertheless, Tang Sam was more worried about Tang Mungcheon this time. If he weren't a member of the same clan, he wouldn't have cared what happened. But the true green robe he wore had led him here. Tang Mungcheon, sitting before him, was wearing clothes of the same color.
It was a garment permitted only to the elite of the Sichuan Tang Clan. While he would welcome Tang Mungcheon being severely beaten, he did not want to see a person from the Tang family, wearing the true green robes, publicly disgraced. Judging by his older brother's personality, if he knew poison was used, he would undoubtedly retaliate tenfold. Of course, this was assuming he wasn't poisoned himself.
"You will regret this."
Tang Sam offered his earnest advice, but Tang Mungcheon, with an arrogant expression, paid him no mind. He seemed utterly uninterested, as if the wind were blowing past.
"Heh heh heh! For you, who has never beaten me since childhood, to offer advice! How laughable."
Tang Mungcheon's contemptuous sneer turned Tang Sam's face as hard as stone. As he said, Tang Sam had always been the one to lose to Tang Mungcheon since his youth. And he had done so quite faithfully… Therefore, Tang Mungcheon's current condescension was perhaps natural. But now, if he had the chance, he intended to make Tang Mungcheon feel how much he had changed. While Tang Mungcheon had seemed quite fearsome in the past, seeing him today, he appeared to be nothing much, which was surprising even to himself. Honestly, the current Tang Mungcheon posed no burden to him at all.
"I warned you that you would regret it. It would be best to devise another method soon. Otherwise… you will surely lose to that person."
Tang Mungcheon's face turned red and then pale at Tang Sam's 칼날 같은 말.
"How dare you…"
Three coins were flicked forward from his hand. Since direct descendants could not use hidden weapons that spilled blood, coins were used as a disciplinary measure. Even ordinary coins, in Tang Mungcheon's hands, could be more fearsome than any hidden weapon. Tang Mungcheon assumed the three coins he flicked would naturally deliver a disciplinary blow to the impudent Tang Sam. After all, Tang Sam had never defeated him before!
The three coins, alternating and circling through the air with a racket, flew towards Tang Sam from both sides with a time lag. It was the skillful technique of the Three Rings Flying Whirlwind (三環飛旋), enhanced with the secret of the rotating compass. However, the Tang Cheolyeong, known as Tang Sam to his peers, was no longer the Tang Sam of old.
Tang Mungcheon knew Tang Sam before he went to Mount Emei. The Tang Sam standing here now had seen hell on Mount Emei and was still seeing hell frequently. The difference in their skills was as vast as the sky and the earth.
For Tang Sam, who endured bone-grinding training on Mount Emei and still diligently threaded beads every single day without fail, such a change was nothing. It merely looked like child's play. Moreover, he already knew the Three Rings Flying Whirlwind, and could now execute it twice as complexly. The three coins, flying while constantly changing positions, appeared perfectly still in mid-air. Tang Sam's own achievements were surprising.
Tang Sam unraveled Tang Mungcheon's Three Rings Flying Whirlwind technique by simply spinning around three times and flicking his fingers three times.
Tang Mungcheon's eyes widened in astonishment at Tang Sam's sudden martial prowess.
"You, you dare to block my Three Rings Flying Whirlwind… Your skills have improved a lot, Cheolyeong!"
"There's no need to be surprised by something so trivial," Tang Sam said curtly. A vein throbbed on Tang Mungcheon's forehead. He felt indignant.
"Go away! I don't want to see your face."
He was given his eviction notice. Tang Sam also had no desire to stay there any longer. His business was already concluded.
"I came for the sake of kinship and family honor. With this, my responsibility towards our bloodline is complete. For the last time, I warn you: it will be better for your well-being if you don't use poison tomorrow. And give it your all from the start. That is the only way to maintain your honor."
Having said all he had to say, Tang Sam turned his back as if his task was done and disappeared like the wind.
Only the faint sound of Tang Mungcheon gnashing his teeth could be heard behind him.
"Such a temper…"
Tang Sam didn't forget to add a parting remark.
One could know a disciple by their master. In that sense, Tang Mungcheon was very dangerous. It was highly probable that Tang Mungcheon's prized poison would be useless. On Mount Emei, he hadn't not considered using poison out of frustration. Furthermore, he had even practiced with weak poisons. But it was no use. For some reason, the poison had no effect. He didn't know why. However, he had nearly died in the process.
His master had immediately identified him as the culprit, somehow knowing. It was a horrifying memory that sent a chill down his spine just thinking about it. While using poison in martial arts competitions wasn't forbidden, it looked bad. Tang Sam's wish was for his cousin, Tang Mungcheon, to stop tarnishing the family name. Setting aside his worries, the day of the semi-finals arrived nonetheless.
"Can he win? His opponent is the notorious 'Poisonous Razor' Tang Mungcheon, among the seniors. He's not someone an elementary school freshman should lose to."
The protagonist, with one eye covered by an eye patch, looked at the martial arts arena where the semi-finals were about to begin. He asked his junior disciple, Na Yerín, who sat calmly beside him. The eye patch on her left eye, which would look unsightly on anyone else, only made her stand out more.
"The outcome is not yet decided. There's no guarantee that Senior Tang Mungcheon will win this match."
Na Yerín seemed unable to agree with Dokkoryeong's opinion. Furthermore, there was an unexpected firmness in her words.
"Ho ho… How unexpected. For you, who is considered to have the most accurate judgment, to say such a thing! Then, does this mean that this first-year student possesses enough skill to contend with Tang Mungcheon? In fact, the 'Poisonous Razor' Tang Mungcheon excels in methods other than martial arts. That poses a more difficult problem for his opponents. Moreover, he doesn't hold back or restrain himself in martial arts competitions. Yet, you say he can contend?"
Na Yerín nodded slightly in silence. It was a tacit affirmation.
"Ho ho!"
A quiet exclamation, and a spark of interest lit up in Dokkoryeong's eyes. She knew better than anyone that her junior disciple never spoke in vain.
"However, I don't like this first-year student!"
"Did something happen?"
As far as she knew, Dokkoryeong had no reason to meet this man named Biryuyeon. And she wasn't the type to associate with such a strange man (alas, this was Na Yerín's current evaluation of Biryuyeon).
"I saw him with the Twin Ghosts. Rumor has it they're in league!"
"I see."
She nodded as if she understood. Being in league meant that this Biryuyeon was a member of the Young Misses' Benevolent Society (愛少姐會). Of course, she knew this well, having been a member who wielded a sword there herself, but she then realized how much Dokkoryeong despised that place. She treated members of the Young Misses' Benevolent Society as less than insects.
The Young Misses' Benevolent Society! She had heard the notorious reputation of that place (not only among men, but especially among women) until her ears were ringing. Not only had she heard of it, but she had also become its persistent target. There was no way they would leave a beauty of unparalleled allure untouched. However, their advances were blocked by her personal guards, and they failed to achieve their intended purpose.
Naturally, she couldn't possibly like the place. Moreover, the Young Misses' Benevolent Society was considered the arch-nemesis of female martial artists!
Furthermore, she suddenly remembered the item taken by the intruder in her room a few days ago. Although she didn't show it outwardly, her face flushed and burned slightly. As a woman, she couldn't be indifferent to that matter.
Biryuyeon was the most likely suspect based on the traces left in the room at the time. The unfortunate thing was that while there was suspicion, there was no concrete evidence. Moreover, there was the incident at the Yunhyang Pavilion, which she would rather not remember. The more she tried not to remember it, the more it remained in her memory.
The Biryuyeon standing on the martial arts arena now was there under the pretext of keeping a promise he made to her at that time. This was despite the fact that the promise was quite disadvantageous to herself. Honestly, even she, who had brought up the topic, hadn't expected Biryuyeon to go this far.
She had almost instinctively felt that he was extraordinary from the moment he wasn't captured by her gaze, but she never imagined he would go this far… It seemed defeating the "Swift Sword Dragon" Wi Jicheon back then wasn't just luck.
"If that skill is real…"
He might actually keep his promise to her.
"…"
What would happen then? What should she do? She still couldn't come up with a clear answer.
However, not only Dokkoryeong, but all the witnesses awaiting the match were negative towards him. Who was the 'Poisonous Razor' Tang Mungcheon that he would lose to a mere first-year freshman who just entered the academy this year? They were all looking forward to seeing the unsightly sight of that impudent freshman, rejoicing. In fact, it was a miracle that this freshman had lasted this long. Wasn't it a match won purely by luck, without any particular skill?
'A lucky but unskilled freshman' was the common opinion of the world, and the ridiculous nickname "Lucky Streak" (運數大通) "Hit-the-Piano" (擊打琴) was humorously given to mock him.
In fact, looking at Biryuyeon's five matches so far, there was no part where his skills could be glimpsed. The only glimpse of his abilities was in his match against Jeon Okgi in the quarter-finals.
His matches always had a bewildering, empty, and anticlimactic content. It was like a phantom without form. No strength was felt at all. Yet, he always won. And no one noticed that he had achieved victory in a short amount of time. And that was the most important fact that people overlooked.
It was as if everyone was under an illusion.
Tang Mungcheon, from the Sichuan Tang Clan, stood arrogantly, letting the hems of his fluttering true green robes be swept by the wind. The true green robes (眞綠衣) were clothes permitted only to the direct lineage of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
The true green robes with the Sichuan Tang Clan's four characters were not something anyone could wear. Nor could they be bought with money. They were permitted only to the direct descendants of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
Major martial arts sects in the martial world all have their own unique colors and patterns. These help distinguish their origins and prevent accidents. It allows for a partial confirmation of identity at a glance, even without words.
Any sect, once it designates its official color or symbol, does not change it unless there is a special circumstance. Humorously, although everyone kept quiet about it, there had been several disputes over them.
"Will he be okay?"
Hyoryong asked Jang Hong, unable to shake off his worry. This was the first time Biryuyeon had faced someone who used poison. Jang Hong's expression, who knew more about Tang Mungcheon than he did, was currently hardened.
"…We can only trust him…"
He had given all the advice he could yesterday. Of course, he doubted if he had properly listened, but now they could only wait for the results.
Biryuyeon met Tang Mungcheon's gaze, who was looking at him with a rather arrogant stance, head-on. Tang Mungcheon's expression slowly contorted, as if he found Biryuyeon's gaze unpleasant.
He had heard exhaustively from Jang Hong last night about the person before him. His ears were still ringing. Jang Hong had grabbed his ears and urged extreme caution.
'Old age just makes you worry more.'
Jang Hong's appearance yesterday was exactly like that.
Biryuyeon disliked Tang Mungcheon's condescending attitude from the start, the way he proudly and arrogantly looked at him. He had already determined the moment he saw him that he was an unpleasant fellow based on his aura.
At first, he thought Jeon Okgi was the only one with the "superiority complex of a prestigious family." But seeing Tang Mungcheon standing before him now, it seemed there were many such people.
There were often rascals in the world who thought that as long as they had money, background, and power, everything would be fine. Added to that, if they had a modicum of martial arts skill, they became utter scoundrels.
They were despicable individuals who greatly mistook themselves as chosen and treated the weak and commoners like dogs or insects. In their eyes, the weak were not worth living. Or rather, they naturally thought they were creatures made to obey and serve them. Tang Mungcheon, Biryuyeon's opponent, was like that.
If one is the child of a prestigious family, or a direct disciple of a great sect, what good is that? Do they think their pedigree will protect them until they die of old age? If so, it is nothing but a childish, idiotic notion. There are no other words for it.
Yet, Tang Mungcheon, one of those types of people, was showing off, pretending to be important, strong, and wise in front of Biryuyeon. And with all his might! Biryuyeon hated that kind of person the most. Biryuyeon's heart couldn't be at ease. He couldn't stand to watch such a sight any longer.
Tang Mungcheon still glared at Biryuyeon with an arrogant attitude. It was about time to stop, considering the atmosphere. Statistically, these types of people have not a shred of consideration for others, making them insensitive and dull.
They fail to realize they are digging their own graves. They seemed completely oblivious to the subtle killing intent that was closing in on them.
Biryuyeon asked,
"You said you'd use poison?"
Tang Mungcheon nodded proudly, as if it were something to boast about. It was as if he were asking why he was asking the obvious.
"Ah ha! Then you're an idiot!"
However, Tang Mungcheon became furious at Biryuyeon's subsequent reckless remark. In his life, Tang Mungcheon had never encountered anyone acting so recklessly in front of him.
"You punk! How dare you…!"
Tang Mungcheon roared, his eyes blazing. It was a clear indication of his anger. Biryuyeon inwardly chuckled at Tang Mungcheon's reaction. Here was another one like Jeon Okgi.
"What of it? If I knew your background, power, or status, would your martial prowess increase by 20 times, or would I become 100 times weaker? If you think so, it's a big mistake and a grave misjudgment, so I'd advise you to sober up with cold water."
Biryuyeon's tongue was as sharp as a viper's. Tang Mungcheon's face turned progressively darker as he listened.
"Wh-what… What did you say! Did you finish speaking?"
"I haven't finished yet, so wait a moment."
Biryuyeon's curt reply. Tang Mungcheon's anger deepened.
'Come to think of it, my master said so!'
Thinking about it now, that seemed right. Wasn't it all true?
Poison…
Come to think of it, Biryuyeon had asked about poison long ago.
Biryuyeon's consciousness completely ignored the being named Tang Mungcheon before him and leaped across the eight-year river of time.
When Biryuyeon turned 14, he asked his master,
"Master! What kind of people use poison?"
His master replied without hesitation,
"Fools!"
"Then what about someone who uses poison on hidden weapons?"
"Weak fools!"
"What about someone who uses trickery?"
"Idiots!"
"Then what about someone who rushes in headfirst, knowing it's futile?"
"Morons!"
It was a clear answer. Very easy to understand. In this regard, his master was indeed commendable. Only this… forgetting the rest!
"Ah ha! I see!"
Biryuyeon clapped his hands. It felt good to understand and realize something.
"So, next time I meet a weak fool, moron, or idiot who uses untraceable poison and hidden weapons together, I should deal with them, right?"
His master nodded as if it were natural. He even praised him for understanding so well.
"Yes! It's very simple. After all, if the first attempt at poisoning fails, it's over. Especially those who try to win by using poison when they don't even know the opponent is immune are truly fools."
"It kind of reminds me of Master," Biryuyeon said with an understanding expression.
"What did you say?"
"Thwack!"
As always, a fist flew and hit Biryuyeon's head.
"Hmm…"
Bad memories surfaced for no reason. In return, that guy faces death.
"What do you want to see?"
Biryuyeon asked, his smile still on his red lips.
"What kind of goblin game is this?"
Tang Mungcheon, who was in a standoff, asked suspiciously. He only had one thought: to crush this impudent brat as quickly as possible.
"Shall it be from four days ago, or five days ago?"
Ignoring the opponent's reaction, Biryuyeon continued to force Tang Mungcheon to choose.
"Stop your nonsense and attack! It's annoying!"
Tang Mungcheon, who was not one to answer nonsensical questions, had no words to reply.
"You said you'd do as I wished."
Tang Mungcheon was displeased by Biryuyeon's sly smile.
"Do what?"
"I'm kindly asking whether you want to see what I ate four days ago or five days ago. Are you going to completely disregard my kindness like this? This is unacceptable."
Tang Mungcheon's eyes shot up to the heavens, and his eyes blazed with fire.
What was he supposed to see? Let alone five days ago, it was impossible for what he ate three days ago to still be undigested! Biryuyeon's words implied he would make him vomit everything inside him. Naturally, Tang Mungcheon's eyes blazed, and he lost his temper.
Now that he had lost his temper, no amount of reasoning would work. Rationality was gone. In contrast, Biryuyeon remained leisurely and confident. Tang Mungcheon wondered where that absurd confidence came from.
Tang Mungcheon felt as if he would give anything, even a hundred poisons, if he could turn the person before him into a pool of blood. However, since using lethal force that results in the opponent's death would lead to disqualification, he regretted that he had to use a weak poison. But even though it was weak, it was the muscle-twisting poison (碎筋毒) that would contort all the muscles in the body if poisoned. He secretly administered the poison with a sinister smile.
Tang Mungcheon had no doubt that Biryuyeon would be poisoned. But that was his most fatal mistake. It was wrong from the start to use poison as a means of attack.
"You…, you…, you…, you…!"
Tang Mungcheon stammered, pointing his trembling arm with his eyes wide with astonishment. Or rather, 'stammered' was a more accurate description.
"Why?"
Biryuyeon's reaction was as if nothing had happened, as if asking what was wrong.
"Why, why is nothing happening? H-how can you stand there so fine?"
Normally, Biryuyeon should have been writhing on the floor, screaming and clutching his twisting muscles. But now, Biryuyeon was as calm as if nothing had happened. Furthermore, there were no signs of poisoning anywhere on his body. The choice of poison and the reading of the wind were both accurate. It was a perfect administration of poison, deserving of praise. Yet, the opponent remained unfazed by the renowned Tang Clan's poison.
"That's why I told you. You're an idiot!"
It was Biryuyeon's triumphant declaration.
"H-how can this be…?"
Tang Mungcheon was dumbfounded by the unbelievable reality.
"It's best to give up on trying to do anything to me with just this. That's why you're called a weak fool."
Biryuyeon's parting words, meant to rub salt in the wound.
Tang Mungcheon couldn't give up here. Tang Mungcheon of the prestigious Sichuan Tang Clan, one of the Eight Great Clans, couldn't just give up and collapse here. He drew an ink whip (墨鞭) from his waist. If poison didn't work, it was now hidden weapons and martial arts. Biryuyeon maintained a relaxed posture, as if ready to face him at any time.
"Gasp gasp!"
Tang Mungcheon, seemingly exhausted, was breathing heavily. His fatigue was evident. Despite wielding the poison whip and throwing hidden weapons whenever he had an opening, none of them grazed Biryuyeon's body. His pouch of hidden weapons grew lighter, and his shoulders ached, yet the opponent showed no signs of distress.
Tang Mungcheon experienced the feeling of utter devastation for the first time in his life. Biryuyeon's body might have been an untouchable demon, a phantom, or a mirage to him. Otherwise, how could such a thing happen?
Looking at Tang Mungcheon, who was breathing heavily and looked pale, Biryuyeon suddenly had a benevolent(?) thought: he wanted to give Tang Mungcheon, who had worked so hard to administer poison and hidden weapons, a rest. People should rest when it's time. Pushing oneself too hard would only harm the body.
Biryuyeon clenched his fists tightly for Tang Mungcheon's comfortable, pleasant, and long rest. It had been quite some time since he had used them.
"Th-that… That!"
Tang Sam, who was watching, squeezed his eyes shut. The other Zhuque Brigade members did the same. If they saw that again, it would bring back painful memories they had tried hard to forget.
The name of the martial art that would forever be etched in the Zhuque Brigade's minds was the Three Beatings Fist Technique (三伏毆打拳法)!
A long scream followed, a scream like a pig's death rattle. A voice that sent chills down the spines of those who heard it. And so, thanks to Biryuyeon's relentless hand, Tang Mungcheon received a rather long rest. It was a sudden and unexpected rest, as if it had fallen from the sky.
Now Tang Mungcheon no longer needed to focus on martial arts training. Or rather, he couldn't even if he wanted to. He would be confined to his bed for at least one to two months. This was all thanks to Biryuyeon's consideration born of pity(?). Was it excessive kindness…?
It was an example of how excessive kindness could cause considerable harm to others.
Finally, Biryuyeon's advancement to the finals was decided. However, there was no cheering, only silence. It was a meager reception compared to his achievement.