Chapter 1446: I Cannot Do It Alone (Part 1)

"...It's a mess."

Tang Soso looked at the chaotic Tang Family with a grim face.

"Why on earth is this happening, Soso?"

"Well... um."

As if trying to say something, she opened her mouth but quickly shook her head. Then, with a sigh, she spoke.

"The Tang Family is much more complicated than it seems on the surface. And the members living inside are oppressed by strict laws and constraints."

"That's not that different from other sects..."

"The Tang Family is different. Before coming to Mount Hua, my dream was to escape from the Tang Family and live freely. Isn't that clear?"

"...I see."

"Yeah. You were planning to marry Chung Myung, right?" [*CHOKE*]

"Do you want to die? Why bring up that story now?"

"...I'm sorry."

That statement alone was enough for a rough understanding. Tang Soso was someone who would fight to change anything unreasonable. It was frustrating for her to live quietly, considering how strict the Tang Family's rules were.

"Being suppressed for so long, the pressure built up for hundreds of years, and then it burst..."

Worry flashed in Tang Soso's eyes as she looked at the chaos in the Tang Family. No matter how evil the Tang Family might be, she was concerned about whether they could handle this situation smoothly.

'Father...'

Meanwhile, Tang Gunak was looking around with an exhausted face.

"Why is that our fault in the first place?"

The person criticizing with a harsh tone was Tang Yeonhong, known for his seriousness among the craftsmen in charge of the workshop.

Even though Tang Gunak wasn't very talkative, he was highly trusted among the craftsmen. However...

"Even if we make everything you asked for, you can't use it properly and come back to complain. Isn't it because of you guys?"

Hearing Tang Yeonhong's reprimand, Tang Jahoga's eyes widened.

"Are you saying that our skills were insufficient to use the hidden weapons properly?"

"Huh?"

Tang Jahoga stared at Tang Yeonhong as if he couldn't believe it.

"I just realized how great the craftsmen of the workshop were. They made everything for the Tang Family, but we, fools, couldn't even properly eat the meal they prepared for us. Isn't that right?"

"Brother, calm down."

"Do I look calm? Is he isn't insulting us, what is he saying?"

At that moment, someone who had been silent burst into laughter.

"The words of the cratsmen might be a bit exaggerated, but it's not entirely wrong. You keep asking for more poison, but when we provide them, you just throw them carelessly during battles. Do you know how delicate poisons are?"

"What?"

"Even if we give you a poison that can last for a month, you use it all in one battle and come back desperate. Isn't that because of your lack of skill?"

"Have you finished speaking?"

Tang Jahoga's eyes turned bloodshot with anger.

"Do you think we have nothing to say? We risked our lives to earn money with those mediocre items, but what did you guys do? You spent your time on expensive poisons and rare minerals and wasted them in the name of research! If you had just protected that money, the Tang Family would have prospered twice as much!"

"Watch your words! Protect it? Do you even know what research is?"

"Why should I know that? In the end, it's a fact that you wasted the money. Look at the situation now! If we weren't here, could you even make those fancy poisons and hidden weapons? Look at these guys!"

"Brother! Your words are too much!"

The fight, which seemed to have calmed down for a moment, flared up again, and insults were thrown from all sides.

Watching those who were supposed to work together baring their teeth at each other, Tang Gunak pressed his throbbing forehead.

'Was it like this?'

He had expected discord, given the vastly different roles each person played. However, Tang Gunak had never imagined that the conflict would become so intense.

At first, they seemed hesitant, glancing at him before speaking. But as one by one started to voice their complaints, it seemed like they had completely forgotten the existence of the family head.

The craftsmen, who had been suppressed under the dominance of the martial disciples, vented their anger. And as the men of the Tang Family exchanged accusations, the women of the Tang Family watched with cold eyes.

'It was festering inside.'

A bitter laugh escaped.

Though not explicitly stated, Tang Gunak took pride in the dominance of the Tang Family he controlled. It was a confidence in the Tang Family that had escaped the decaying swamp called the Elder Council, that had begun to exert influence not only in Sichuan but throughout the entire Central Plains.

But now, he had to admit that the Tang Family he knew was not everything. Perhaps even he, the head of the Tang Family, had been only looking at the outer shell of the Tang Family.

'They've endured it well in this state.'

The Tang Family had maintained the same system for hundreds of years. Despite changing times and a changing world, the Tang Family remained unchanged.

The side effects were not outwardly visible; instead, they festered inside. Those who shared the Tang surname secretly harbored mutual resentment towards each other.

If the Myriad Man Manor hadn't attacked the Tang Family,

Tang Gunak might have lived his whole life without knowing this fact. He might have finished his life with a sense of pride, looking at the castle named the Tang Family built higher on a shaky foundation. He might never have realized that the castle walls, which began to warp from the foundation, could collapse miserably at any moment.

Tang Gunak suddenly looked at someone. Chung Myung, who was looking at him from a distance with a peculiar expression.

'There are things you can't know unless you lose.'

Tang Gunak keenly felt the meaning behind those words.

"There's no need for useless words! As soon as we go to Shaanxi, gather the remaining money and replenish the poisons. What is a Tang Family without poisons?"

"Do those poisons fly and knock people down by themselves? Even without poisons, hidden weapons can exert their power. But what can you do with just poisons? Of course, we need to establish a workshop!"

"Poisons or workshops, do you not know that without us, you are nothing? You foolish..."

"What? Say it again!"

Just as the clamor was about to rise again, Tang Gunak's powerful voice penetrated their ears.

"Stop!"

The noise ceased as soon as they heard him. Even in such a situation, the authority of the head of the Tang Family was still alive.

"We gathered here for a conversation. Not to blame each other."

"...Yes, Gaju-nim."

"Please don't become agitated."

Watching them retreat, suppressing their emotions, Tang Gunak sighed.

"I know there are many emotions built up between you all."

"Gaju-nim..."

The chief officer, sweating cold sweat, spoke up.

"I apologize. At a time like this... We should all show restraint."

"No."

Tang Gunak shook his head.

"At a time like this, open and honest conversation is needed even more. Perhaps... If not now, there might never be a chance."

Of course, this might be an inappropriate moment. However, Tang Gunak considered this gathering to be extremely important. If they could find some space in their hearts to hide and suppress their emotions, this opportunity for sincere conversation might disappear forever.

"So, don't hide anything and talk freely about what the problem is. And..."

Tang Gunak glanced at everyone.

"To ensure that the Tang Family continues to be the Sichuan Tang Family, let's discuss what needs to be changed going forward."

The eyes of the Tang Family members wavered slightly.

In fact, Tang Gunak didn't display any special attitude or appeal for something different than usual. However, it was still clear that he was expressing his true feelings at this moment.

At that moment, Tang Gunak's gaze turned towards the Tang Family women sitting on one side.

"And you too."

The women of the Tang Family looked at each other instead of opening their mouths.

"I know it won't be easy. But I am merely a person who can offer opportunities. Accepting those opportunities is entirely up to you."

Unease flickered in the eyes of the Tang Family women.

They had raised their voices countless times. Sometimes with small complaints, sometimes with intense resistance. However, their voices were ultimately silenced at any time.

Knowing that, should they repeat it? Should they try to change something that hadn't changed for hundreds of years?

No, there was no reason to. Although they might pretend to listen for a while now, the Tang Family would eventually return to being the Tang Family. And they would have to pass on that fate again to the children they bore.

Tang Gunak, noticing the strangely cold gaze of the Tang Family women, sighed deeply and spoke with a sigh.

"Honestly, it won't be easy to regain the glory of the Tang Family."

It was truly a discouraging statement. However, the disciples waited for Tang Gunak's next words without showing signs of disappointment.

"No, perhaps it might be possible. If I sacrifice my life, sacrifice your lives, sacrifice everything... In our next generation, the name of the Tang Family might resonate throughout the world again."

Tang Gunak suddenly looked up at the sky. The bright sky where no stars that looked down on him could be seen anymore.

"But... what is that for?"

"..."

"The reason for the existence of the Tang Family is to protect the members of the Tang Family and those who come after. So, what meaning is there in sacrificing your lives to preserve fame and strength?"

"Gaju-nim."

"What I want to discuss now is not how the Tang Family can rise again as the Tang Family. It's about how to prevent the Tang Family from repeating its past mistakes. How to become the Tang Family that the ancestors initially wished for, where everyone can be happy."

Tang Gunak, speaking slowly with added emphasis, lowered his head slowly.

"I cannot do it alone. No one can do it alone."

Although it was a slightly softer voice than usual for Tang Gunak, there was a clear sincerity in it.

"So, please speak. I request it."

Tang Gunak's sincere gaze once again turned to the women of the Tang Family.

After a short silence, Tang Sobu stood up from her seat. Bewildered looks were directed at her.

"Sobu?"

Tang Sobu took a few steps forward and sat down again.

It was only a couple of steps. At most, it was just a few steps closer to sit down again. However, the significance of those steps was by no means small. The women of the Tang Family looked at Tang Sobu and then stood up in unison, approaching her.

Tang Sobu hesitated before speaking.

"Well then..."

"Speak."

Tang Gunak nodded.

"Um, can we learn martial arts by any chance? Instead of getting married into a powerful family, can we go to Mount Hua and become disciples of the Mount Hua Sect?"

The young women of the Tang Family widened their eyes at her words. Especially those who had a premonition of their own fate couldn't help but be on edge, as the answer to this question would determine everything.

"...Is that what you want?"

"No... no, Gaju-nim. We understand what we must do for the family. We learned it since we were young. We know the duties are given to those born in ordinary households are starving and cultivating fields, while we are well-off. However..."

"Still... I just wanted to ask once. If it's really possible."

Tang Gunak nodded.

"If that's what you want, and if that's a way for you to be a little happier, then do so. However, my thoughts are a bit different."

Disappointment settled on Tang Sobu's face, which had shone with cautious anticipation.

The next words would be the true intention of Tang Gunak. In the end, nothing would change. It would turn out that way...

"Instead of learning martial arts at Mount Hua, how about learning the martial arts of the Tang Family."

"...Huh?"

"If you wish, I'll permit you to remain in the Tang Family without getting married. Starting from this very moment."

It was a declaration that would directly overturn the laws that the Sichuan Tang Family had upheld for hundreds of years.