Chapter 1530: Now It's My Turn (Part 5)

Disband the Tang Family.

These words came not from anyone else but the lips a Tang Family's female member.

Sect leaders from other factions, the Five Swords, and even Chung Myung were left speechless, their jaws hanging open.

"S-Si, Siju... Have you lost your mind?"

Hye Yeon's words were enough to leave no room for further discussion.

The eyes of Tang Gunak displayed a mix of bewilderment, anger, and sorrow. As those eyes turned towards Hyun Jong and Un Am, the two quickly lowered their heads.

"Ah, you misunderstood!"

"Soso! What in the world are you saying?"

In case sparks were to fly, Hyun Jong and Un Am jumped in alarm. Even if Tang Soso was a disciple of Mount Hua, could they really expect her to say such things? If that were true, even if a spear pierced their faces while sleeping, they would have nothing to say.

"Ah..."

Tang Gunak sighed, unable to find the right words. Even if she was his estranged daughter, it was quite a shock to hear that the family should be disbanded coming from her mouth.

Just as his stern eyes began to moisten, Tang Soso added.

"I may have expressed it too strongly, but to be precise, I mean to change the Tang Family's system."

"Change the system?"

The interest sparked in Tang Gunak's eyes as he looked at Tang Soso again. His daughter's gaze was straight and clear. It wasn't a joke or a casual remark; it was a statement of intent.

"Are you discussing the weakening of the Tang Family's power?"

"No."

Tang Soso firmly shook her head.

"Even if the Sichuan Tang's forces were intact... No, even if they were more robust, there's something that needs to be done."

"Please be more precise."

"The Tang Family doesn't contribute much in battles."

Tang Gunak's eyes twitched.

This was an unforgivable statement, even if it came from his daughter. To degrade the power of the Tang Family, which excelled on the battlefield, was absurd.

However, Tang Gunak held his tongue, listening to Soso's continued explanation.

"To be precise, with the current system, the Tang Family can't 'properly' unleash its power."

Hyun Jong interjected with a worried expression.

"…Soso, that's…"

"Maengju-nim, please wait a moment."

Tang Gunak interrupted Hyun Jong and spoke to Soso.

"My daughter wouldn't say such things lightly. I want to hear more."

"Hmm."

Hyun Jong withdrew with a faint sigh.

Tang Gunak looked at Tang Soso with renewed interest. Upon reflection, there was no one else who could simultaneously understand the Tang Family from within and from the outside as much as Tang Soso. Considering her unique freedom from the Tang Family's closed nature, he wondered if she might have something valuable to say.

"Continue."

"Yes."

Tang Soso nodded and continued.

"Of course, the Tang Family has the ability to sweep through the battlefield. But the biggest problem with the Tang Family is that what one person can do, two or three people end up doing."

"…"

"Throwing poison that one person scatters doesn't become twice as powerful when two people throw it together. Similarly, throwing a hidden weapon technique that one person uses doesn't travel twice as far when two people throw it."

"Um."

Tang Gunak narrowed his eyes.

"That's a mistake. Even if it doesn't increase the power, it can widen the range and fill the space more densely without extending the distance."

"Yes. That's a valid point. But is that really efficient?"

"What do you mean?"

"Even if all those things are true, the problem still remains. To cover a wider range, you have to throw more poison, and to pack the space more densely with hidden weapons, you have to throw more hidden weapons."

Tang Soso's face was full of conviction and determination.

"In the end, it only accelerates the consumption of poison and hidden weapons. In short battles, it might not matter, but if the conflict persists, eventually, both poison and hidden weapons will run out. What can the Tang Family do then? Nothing but watch from the sidelines."

"That's…"

"I agree with Soso's words."

Tang Gunak's gaze turned towards Tang Pae.

He was nodding with a stern expression.

"As we escaped from Southern Island, I too felt it clearly. If the decisive moment comes quickly, the Tang Family can demonstrate a power stronger than any other sect in the world. Especially in battles involving multiple individuals. However, if the conflict lasts a little longer, there will be nothing the Tang Family can do."

Tang Gunak's eyes turned cold.

Tang Pae was the Sogaju of the Tang Family, openly criticizing the Sichuan Tang Family.

"Be careful with your words, Tang Pae. The Tang Family is not as weak as you think. Do you really believe the predecessors of the Tang Family were unaware of such issues?"

"Yes. They could have prepared for it somehow. If we hadn't lost the furnace and hadn't lost the poison storage."

Tang Gunak was momentarily speechless. His son's words struck a painful chord.

"There is insufficient time to restore both. No matter how hard we try, if the war continues, the production of poison and hidden weapons will inevitably fall behind the rate of consumption. What can the Tang Family do then?"

Fundamental limitations and situational constraints.

The siblings were piercing through the sensitive points of the Tang Family. From Tang Gunak's perspective, it was truly uncomfortable and awkward.

Yet, there were two reasons why Tang Gunak couldn't bring himself to be angry. One was that he wasn't someone to lose his temper hastily, and the other was that these siblings were the ones who had directly experienced the most desperate battles in the current Tang Family.

And if one more reason had to be added, it would be this.

"It seems you've already discussed this among yourselves."

"Yes."

"That's correct."

Tang Gunak, with a firm resolution, spoke briefly.

"Continue."

"If the Tang Family wants to establish its reputation, there is an easy way. Prepare enough poison and hidden weapons, use them all in a single battle, and then withdraw. Since the Tang Family, depleted of poison and hidden weapons, will not be a threat to other sects, the justification will be sufficient."

Tang Gunak's eyebrows twitched.

In other words, it meant prioritizing justification and remaining resources, minimizing sacrifices. From the Tang Family's perspective, it might be acceptable, but to other sects, it could be embarrassing to hear. This wasn't the appropriate place for such discussions.

However, Tang Gunak didn't pay any attention to these concerns. Because it wasn't a path that the Sichuan Tang Family could choose in the first place.

"What if that's not the solution?"

"We need to find another way."

Tang Pae stated firmly.

"Not showcasing strength, not relying on weapons, but still a path where the Sichuan Tang Family shares its fate with everyone."

Tang Gunak's face grew heavy.

"...Are you suggesting that fighting alongside Mount Hua isn't the solution?"

He still vividly remembered how strong the Sichuan Tang Family was on the Yangtze River. How formidable the Tang Family, fighting in harmony with Mount Hua, had been.

But Tang Pae, decisively shaking his head, asked.

"Is the Tang Family a sect meant to assist Mount Hua?"

"..."

"As Gaju-nim mentioned, if we follow behind Mount Hua, it may reduce weaknesses and increase power. But that would mean the large sect of the Sichuan Tang Family would only move as an auxiliary force for Mount Hua."

"Uh."

"How much burden do you think that would be for the Heavenly Comrade Alliance?"

Tang Gunak stared at Tang Pae piercingly. It was because of mixed emotions.

Tang Pae had prioritized raising the status of the Sichuan Tang Family above all. Wasn't it this very mindset that led him to not consider the broader picture and even launch a surprise attack on Chung Myung after perceiving Tang Gunak's defeat?

Now, Tang Pae was saying that the Sichuan Tang Family shouldn't be a burden to others.

Even though there were clear ways to gain advantages and minimize losses, it wasn't not easy to wholeheartedly embrace or regret the changes. Tang Gunak took a deep breath before speaking.

"I've heard enough. Now, what matters is the plan you've prepared. How do you think we should proceed?"

Instead of answering, Tang Pae looked towards Tang Soso.

From now on, it was Tang Soso's domain.

"Gaju-nim seems to consider the Tang Family as a faction that sect its strength when unified. Of course, that statement is not entirely wrong. However, in my view, the real strength of the Tang Family lies in its versatility."

"Versatility?"

"Yes. The Tang Family can do everything. It can adapt to changes in the surroundings, provide support for dozens alone through hidden weapons, and, most importantly... it can save those who are injured. Just having one person from the Tang Family can significantly change the survival rate."

Those who greatly agreed with this statement were the Five Swords and the Sogajus.

They keenly realized how important the presence of a doctor was during their recent journey to Southern Island. To exaggerate a bit, without Tang Pae and Tang Soso, more than half of the group might have ended up buried in Gangnam's land during the process of escaping Southern Island.

No, considering the inability to conserve power, except for a few, it might have been impossible for anyone to return alive.

"What does that mean?"

"We need to divide the personnel of the Tang Family. Instead of gathering in one place and moving as a sect, we should divide into groups of four or five. By doing so, we can support those on the battlefield."

Tang Gunak's eyebrows twitched.

"For what purpose?"

"For mobile medical support, in line with the mobility of elite marital arts troops."

Tang Gunak's eyes sank into contemplation.

"That means..."

For some reason, he closed his mouth again, possibly because there was much to ponder. After a long deliberation, Tang Gunak raised his head.

"To divide the Tang Family means that I won't be able to give orders to all these individuals."

"Yes."

"In other words, the Tang Family's disciples will have to follow the orders of someone other than the Tang Family."

"Yes, Gaju-nim."

Tang Gunak's voice became sharper.

"The one issuing those orders will be none other than the lords of other sects, the elders, and even senior disciples. The fact that the Tang Family's disciples will have to obey the orders of a random senior disciple means... do you understand what that implies?"

"Yes."

This time, Tang Pae responded. Rage overflowed from Tang Gunak's eyes.

This was more than a suggestion to dismantle the Tang Family; it was a statement that those of the Tang lineage would have to endure the humiliation of following the instructions of another sect. If the one giving orders was the Heavenly Comrade Alliance, it might be bearable, but following the commands of others was an unacceptable act.

"Explain why we have to endure all of that. If you can't provide a proper answer, I will make you pay for insulting the family's dignity."

As Tang Gunak, he asked the question with a certain determination. However, the answer came out easily, as it had already been prepared.

"Because I am confident."

"Confident in what?"

Tang Soso calmly replied, facing Tang Gunak's energy head-on. Her unwavering voice conveyed to Tang Gunak with absolute clarity.

"That the movements of this Tang Family will change the dynamics of the battlefield. Perhaps forever."