CHAPTER 15

 Tang Hosan

Mad Wind Dance ( Gwangpungmu)

Demonic Wind Hammer ( Mapungtoe)

It is not the "退(퇴)" that means thigh but the "槌(퇴)" that means hammering. The downward strike, driven with all the force gathered from the twisting motion of the body and the rotational energy, crashes down like a thunderbolt, turning itself into a terrifying weapon.

It was no wonder it felt as if the very air was splitting apart.

A hammering strike infused with the Demonic Wind conjured by the devil himself.

For Tang Gujin, who had lost his sword, this situation was overwhelmingly unfavorable.

Ascending Dragon Kick Technique (등룡각법, 登龍脚法) Soaring Sky Kick (승천각, 昇天脚, Seungcheongak)

Though he tried to use the Qingcheng Sect's kicking techniques, there was no way the Qingcheng Sect's unarmed techniques could be as formidable as its swordsmanship.

However, through his genius, Tang Gujin successfully merged it with the Three Yang Returning Vital Energy Technique (도반삼양귀원공), a unique martial art of the Sichuan Tang Clan that could momentarily amplify Yang Qi (陽氣, positive energy).

Soaring Sky Kick → Explosive Yang (폭양, 爆陽, Pokyang)

Yang Qi is inherently explosive in power.

Perhaps that's why he thought it was the only way to counter the Demonic Wind Hammer.

Indeed, Tang Gujin seemed to have trained in his clan's martial arts alongside Qingcheng Sect's swordsmanship, showing an impressive level of proficiency.

Naturally, the newly evolved Soaring Sky Kick appeared incredibly fierce.

Even I couldn't confidently guarantee victory.

But one thing was certain.

Regardless of the winner or loser, both would walk away with significant injuries.

Yet, despite knowing this, we were both willing to give our all, unable to suppress the excitement surging through us.

Just as our collision was about to unfold—

"I think this game has gone on long enough."

A thunderous voice suddenly roared from the sky, followed by something dropping between us.

BOOOOM!

A middle-aged man stood there, effortlessly blocking my descending kick with his right hand and Tang Gujin's rising kick with his left—lightly.

"Father…?"

A face that looked like a perfect blend of Tang Gujin and Tang Yuchang.

The master of the Nine Dragons Branch Family (구룡분가, 九龍分家, Guryong Bunga)—Tang Hosan—had arrived.

Shocked by the completely unexpected presence, Tang Gujin quickly stepped back and bowed.

Even the sinister blue aura surrounding her vanished as if it had never existed.

"I greet the Branch Family Lord!"

"I greet the Branch Family Lord!!"

The spectators all shot up from their seats and bowed as well.

It was only natural—they were in the presence of the lord of the manor.

"Six years have passed… Hmm!"

"I heard you barely trained and spent most of your time in seclusion, but it seems that was a lie. To have reached this level..."

Even the specters who knew Tang Hosan seemed slightly surprised.

I, too, was taken aback.

No matter how legendary the Mad Wind Corps (광풍대, Gwangpungdae) was, they were still just a military force.

Even if he was their leader, at most, I assumed he would be on par with a high-ranking elder of the Demonic Cult.

It seemed I needed to revise my assumptions.

He was at the level of a Grand Marshal.

Perhaps even an individual that Yeon Unhui would struggle to defeat upon her return.

Why, then, had such a man remained as nothing more than the head of a branch family?

"Do you have something to say to me?"

Tang Hosan had been receiving the greetings of his household when he turned to look at me.

It was because I had been standing still, staring blankly, without bowing.

"…I greet the Branch Family Lord."

Of course, I couldn't reveal my true feelings, so I hid my reluctance as best as I could and bowed.

"But, may I ask why you are here?"

"This is the Nine Dragons Branch Family. Is there anywhere I am not allowed to go?"

"Of course, as the lord of the manor, there is no place you cannot go. I was merely concerned that our poor skills might be unworthy of your esteemed eyes."

In other words, I was subtly implying that his presence had completely killed the excitement.

"Hmm."

"…?"

But instead of responding, he simply stared at me.

Even Tang Gujin and the other household members gaped at me.

That's when I realized my mistake.

Until now, Tang Hosan had always been the one giving orders, with everyone else merely listening and obeying.

No one had ever questioned him so directly.

Especially not Tang Unhui, who had never dared to meet his father's eyes.

And yet, here I was, calling him Branch Family Lord instead of Father, intentionally keeping my distance.

I had been too caught up in the moment to properly gauge the situation.

I was just about to think of a way to recover from this blunder—

"I like it."

…Wait, what? That was unexpected.

"I heard rumors that your personality had changed, but it's even more than I imagined."

I had expected him to be furious. Why was he reacting like this?

"As you said, your pathetic skills failed to impress me in the slightest."

Wow. The way he speaks.

"One of you was especially disappointing."

His gaze turned particularly cold toward Tang Yuchang.

"Fathe—"

"This is a formal setting. Watch your words."

"S-Sorry, I—"

"The Clan Lord will be visiting soon."

Tang Yuchang's voice didn't even reach Tang Hosan.

It was outright disregard.

The same treatment Tang Unhui had once received.

Tang Yuchang was devastated.

"The Clan Lord wishes to personally select capable individuals to serve as his hands and feet. Even now, members of the Tang Clan are flocking to the main manor. Do you intend to earn his ire with injuries from reckless duels?"

Tang Hosan scanned the crowd before bellowing—

"Until the Clan Lord's arrival, all intense training and duels are strictly prohibited! Disperse at once!"

A command from the Branch Family Lord was absolute.

The household members scattered in an instant.

"You two, return as well."

His gaze finally landed on me and Tang Gujin.

We simply clasped our fists and complied.

Even as he left, his eyes never once acknowledged the despair-stricken Tang Yuchang.

I don't like him.

That was my first impression of Tang Hosan.

He ignored Tang Unhui when he was weak, only to show interest now that he showed promise.

He treated his children like disposable tools.

Tang Yuchang was a prime example—now that he had lost his value, he wasn't even worth a glance.

And yet…

It was all going according to my plan.