CHAPTER 12

The Value of the Tang Family

"If it's about what just happened, you don't have to—"

"Not that. I mean what your mother and Yuchang have done to you all this time."

"..."

A heavy silence filled the air.

"I'm really sorry. I'll apologize on their behalf."

I scratched the back of my head. I wasn't sure how I should respond to that.

"Raise your head."

"But—"

"I trust that you weren't about to ask me to forgive them."

"..."

"If that's what you were going to say, I'd appreciate it if you left."

My thoughts on Dang Gujin's treatment hadn't changed much.

If he tried to avenge Namgung Sanyeong and Dang Yuchang, who were bound to meet their downfall soon, then I'd just crush him like the others.

If he didn't? I'd leave him be.

That was enough.

The price that 'Dang Unhwi' had paid for being part of the Tang family.

"I know. I know how difficult it is. But I still wanted to tell you this."

Even so, Dang Gujin didn't argue back. He must have been conflicted too. No matter how much he hated them, they were still his parents and siblings.

I simply nodded in silence.

After that, we just made idle chit-chat.

"By the way, where did you learn those martial arts? That poison technique too, and your inner energy control was different from the norm."

"My martial master is currently Dang Gon."

"You were trained by Uncle Dang?"

Uncle Dang?

They called Dang Gon that?

I'd been speaking informally to him this whole time…?

"Yes. Thanks to my mother."

"???"

Dang Gujin's face was full of confusion.

To her, the connections between Namgung Sanyeong, Dang Gon, and myself must have been impossible to piece together.

But I only smiled and didn't bother explaining.

"How have you been, Sister? I heard through a letter that you descended the mountain with your friends this time—"

Time passed quickly as we talked about various things.

"I heard you're going to have a duel with Yuchang. Will you be alright?"

"Do you think I'll lose?"

"I saw your inner strength just now, but… you mustn't underestimate Chang-ah. Especially after you win."

It seemed like she was trying to warn me about some hidden card Namgung Sanyeong had prepared.

"I'll be fine. I already have a plan."

"A plan?"

"Just having a regular duel would be boring, wouldn't it?"

"???"

I responded to Dang Gujin's confused expression with a bright smile.

Grin!

「…He's scheming again! The young master is plotting again!」

The spirits shuddered.

The Next Day, Noon.

Dang Gujin finally understood what Unhwi had meant only after arriving at the secondary training ground where the duel was to take place.

"This is a rare opportunity! Only five nyang! Just five nyang for the finest pumpkin candy in Chongqing—"

"Mats for sale! Mats for sale! These mats are woven from the finest fabric brought all the way from the distant Western lands of Persia—"

The training ground was packed with peddlers and spectators. Martial artists from the Nine Dragons branch, servants, and even outsiders.

People who had nothing else to do had gathered like moths to a flame.

But the biggest issue was—

"Place your bets! Place your bets! The current odds are a whopping 164 to 1! Will you play it safe and win a little, or take the risk and win big?"

A full-blown gambling ring had formed in one corner.

'Somehow… this is turning out very… no, completely different from what I imagined…'

Everything was chaotic.

In reality, it was all the result of the rumors Unhwi had spread the day before.

— The second and third young masters are having an official duel at noon.

— The loser has sworn to serve the winner as his older brother for life.

— The loser has also agreed not to show his face at the upcoming family head's visit.

For the Nine Dragons branch, none of these matters could be taken lightly.

Of course, those who dismissed Unhwi sneered at the idea that he could stand against Dang Yuchang.

But when the inspection department tried to intervene, their conversation with Dang Gon only fanned the flames further.

"Unhwi and Yuchang are having a duel?"

"Yes. It's causing quite a stir in the manor. As his martial master, what do you think—"

"What's the point of fighting a battle you can't win?"

"I knew it! Then, to prevent a disaster, we should stop Unhwi—"

"Yeah. Try stopping him. He never listens to me anyway. Poor Yuchang."

"…Excuse me? Did you misspeak?"

"Huh? No?"

"!?"

"Yuchang's going to get his ass handed to him. Just imagine getting beaten to a pulp in front of all those people. Ugh. How humiliating."

"!!!"

"!!!"

Dang Yuchang losing!?

The problem was that while Dang Gon usually appeared indifferent, he never said anything he didn't mean.

That meant he wasn't just taking Unhwi's side out of obligation as his martial master.

Because of this, the rumors snowballed, pulling the entire household's attention.

A Battle of Destruction.

Losing meant throwing away all privileges in the branch family, making the duel even more thrilling to watch.

"…How dare he make me look like a zoo animal?"

Crack!

Dang Yuchang could no longer contain his fury.

He had been raised with the belief that nobility must maintain their dignity, a teaching ingrained in him by Namgung Sanyeong.

The Overlord of Sichuan, the Tang Family, and the rulers of Anhui—he was a noble who carried all of these legacies in his blood.

So when facing Unhwi today, he had planned to sternly reprimand him and make him realize their difference in status.

To him, this was not a duel but a lesson.

That's why he had chosen a secluded location, never expecting such a massive crowd.

And when he saw the gambling ring in the corner, his vision nearly went black.

If this was all a ploy by that bastard of a half-brother to provoke him… it had certainly succeeded.

"Hoo—"

But his anger was brief.

Dang Yuchang circulated his Dark Shadow Qi, expelling his pent-up frustration.

He wouldn't let himself be swayed by petty tricks.

If that bastard wanted to fight like a street thug, then he'd simply answer in kind—

『Oh? You actually showed up just because I told you to? I didn't expect you to be so obedient. Who's a good little mama's boy? Good job, good job.』

The half-brother's mocking transmission stabbed into his ears, breaking his composure instantly.

Crack!

"G-Gongja?"

His servant gasped.

The moment he clenched his fist, the hidden blade he was holding shattered.

"…Tell Mother. We may need to alter our plans. After the duel, we should consider eliminating Unhwi if necessary."

"I-I shall obey!"

Dang Yuchang's eyes gleamed with malice.

『Hey, relax a little. You're making such a scary face over a little joke?』

Ignore him. Ignore him.

If he reacted, he would only be playing into that bastard's hands—

『Honestly, I wonder where you got that lack of social skills from. Oh, your mom, maybe?』

『…S-Shut up.』

Dang Yuchang gritted his teeth and glared at Unhwi, who was smirking on the other side of the arena.

『Shut your damn mouth.』

『"ShuT YoUr dAmN MoUtH~!" Oh nooo, so scary!』

But when Unhwi mimicked him in an exaggerated, ridiculous tone… he snapped.

Thud!

Something inside Dang Yuchang's mind broke.

"DANG UNHWIIIIIIII!"

He shot to his feet, face flushed with rage.

「He's lost it.」

「Still, he held out longer than I expected.」

As Dang Yuchang stormed into the arena, every spectator's attention turned to him.

Street vendors paused their sales. Children playing with their parents went silent.

A hush fell over the training ground.

"Get up here! I'll tear out that deceitful tongue of yours and toss it into a pigsty!"

He was fuming. It was amusing to watch.

But he didn't realize it yet.

That his fate was already sealed the moment he stepped into this duel.