The Reformed Genius of the Sichuan Tang Clan - Chapter 17

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 17
Look at how you answer without even asking what troubles me.
This is why I don’t care to associate with dark-hearted people.
And yet, even thinking that, I found myself curious what he’d reveal.
“Do you know the saying: ‘If you would know the strength of the Dang Family, speak of the Heukgang Division’?”
Of course I knew it. From ancient times, the Dang Family had maintained several divisions.
The Heukgang Division—raw martial power.
The Nockmu Division—assassination.
The Baekdok Division—poison arts.
The Cheolyik Division—protection detail.
And lastly, the Cheongrin Division, which oversaw all the Family’s clandestine affairs.
Of these, the Heukgang Division was the embodiment of the Dang Family’s martial might, renowned for mastering not only Throwing Blades but also swords, spears, and every conceivable weapon.
There was even a saying that they rose at dawn and retired long after nightfall.
“Go and find them. You’ll obtain what you seek.”
“Thank you for the counsel.”
“They’ll still be asleep now, so visit them once day breaks.”
“Understood.”
Dang Yuhyeon twitched his fingers and summoned Dang San.
“Brother.”
“Hmm?”
“Would you take me back to my Quarters?”
My body had no strength left.
I could move if I pushed myself, but with someone right here who looked ready to help, how could I squander the chance to return comfortably to my Quarters?
“Of course.”
No hesitation at all.
Was it because he wouldn’t bother with an opponent he could swallow whole? Or was it simply the affection of an older brother for his younger sibling?
Either way, it didn’t matter.
‘As long as he gets me back to my Quarters, that’s all I need.’
What mattered was tomorrow, not today.
‘Let’s see just how strong this Heukgang Division really is.’
And recover my own strength while I’m at it.
* * *
Dawn was breaking.
Dang Yuhyeon made his way to the Annex Training Grounds where the Heukgang Division trained.
“Hah! Haaaah!”
Booming shouts echoed from within.
A good sign.
It meant their passion for Martial Techniques matched the volume of their voices.
The moment he was about to enter the training grounds.
“What brings you here at this hour?”
Dang Jongcheon stopped him.
Though his tone carried no particular inflection, there was an unmistakable sense of exclusion in it.
‘Have I wandered somewhere I shouldn’t be?’
A member of the Dang Family should be able to walk freely through the Dang compound.
Dang Yuhyeon quickly concealed his cool gaze and offered a respectful bow.
“I greet you, Elder.
“Spare the courtesy. Answer my question.”
“I’ve come to request permission to observe the Heukgang Division.”
Dang Jongcheon’s eyebrows twitched.
The look was clearly one of disbelief—you?
I hadn’t expected his perspective to shift in an instant, but perhaps it was time it did.
“During recent training, I’ve come to recognize my own shortcomings. While considering how best to address them, I thought observing the Heukgang Division—which embodies the Dang Family’s martial prowess—might prove beneficial. That is why I’ve come.”
Dang Jongcheon let out a soft hum through his nose.
“The Heukgang Division ordinarily forbids observation to all but a select few approved by the Family Head and the Division Commander.”
There was no way observational permission would be granted to Dang Yuhyeon, who was neither a Sub-Family Head nor anything more than a scattered branch member.
Not even with the recovered Secret Manual in hand.
‘The question is whether to leverage the Acupuncture Poison Records, or unveil a fresh Secret Manual.’
Dang Yuhyeon quickly sifted through his mind and selected Secret Manuals pertaining to weapon mastery.
Yet even if he were to offer a Secret Manual, wouldn’t he first need to understand their Martial Prowess to present one suited to their level?
‘What if I teach them Martial Techniques mismatched to their abilities and damage their bodies?’
That’s absolutely impossible.
“But if you travel with me, that changes things.”
As Dang Jongcheon passed him by, Dang Yuhyeon watched with a blank expression.
“Why are you lingering? Come on.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll follow right away.”
Even as Dang Yuhyeon trailed after Dang Jongcheon, he could read nothing from the man’s back.
The fact that he could enter a place normally forbidden—that was clearly a kindness.
What had drawn forth such favor?
The emergency council and the Study Hall. Save for those two, they had no common ground.
‘Perhaps it’s better to think he approves of what I’ve been doing.’
Dang Yuhyeon decided not to dwell on it further.
The human heart, after all, sways like reeds in the wind.
Creak—
The moment Dang Jongcheon opened the door and stepped inside, the sound of clashing blades abruptly ceased.
The Heukgang Division members, who had been sparring in pairs, all bowed in unison toward him.
“We greet the Thirteenth Elder and Second Young Master!”
“Dispense with the formalities.”
Dang Jongcheon waited for them to rise, then addressed Dang Rui, the Heukgang Division head.
“The Second Young Master has realized a shortcoming during his training and wishes to observe. Ordinarily this would not be permitted, but I ask that you allow it for my sake.”
“There is no question, sir. I shall prepare an additional seat at once.”
“That won’t be necessary. He’s been given a rare opportunity—I won’t burden him with ceremony. Standing to observe will suffice.”
“Very well. This way, if you please.”
Once they ascended to a spot overlooking the entire training grounds, Dang Rui projected his voice using Internal Power.
“Resume your sparring!”
“Yes, sir!”
After a brief acknowledgment, the Heukgang Division members resumed their matches.
Clang! Clang! Clash!
At first they seemed mindful of the unfamiliar newcomer, but soon they refocused entirely on their opponents.
‘Good discipline.’
Yet good discipline did not necessarily translate to good skill.
‘Too many unnecessary movements.’
The Oroe Yeonhwan, the Chuon Bijeop, the Yeonhwan Sipbi—
Their execution of Blade Techniques was not poor. Given how many martial arts have fallen into disuse, one could even say it was respectable.
But did any of them show promise of mastering these Blade Techniques?
No.
All of them were seduced by flashiness and had forgotten the essence—how could they ever achieve mastery?
To truly master the Dang Family’s Blade Techniques, one would need to be faster, sharper, stronger than they were now.
Otherwise, there was only death.
Death without survival, death without defense, death without protection.
‘When should I teach them this?’
Dang Yuhyeon swallowed a sigh and looked toward Dang Jongcheon and Dang Rui.
They too merely watched the Heukgang Division members in silence.
Likely they were using Sound Transmission to share their assessments of the members’ abilities and future plans, keeping their words from other ears.
‘If only I could eavesdrop on that conversation.’
But his Martial Prowess fell far short of such a feat.
‘A shame.’
Just then, Dang Rui suddenly turned to Dang Yuhyeon with a question.
“Second Young Master, what do you make of our members’ skill?”
Dang Yuhyeon did not answer immediately, only turned his head.
‘Should I speak plainly or hold back?’
The deliberation was brief.
This concerned the Dang Family—a few harsh looks were a small price to pay.
Besides, his reputation had already sunk once; even if he somehow raised it, there was nowhere lower for it to fall anyway.
“Their fundamentals seem solid. Worthy of the Heukgang Division, truly. However—”
Dang Yuhyeon singled out the members he had observed closely, one by one.
“That one’s hips drop too far back, and that one lacks follow-through when launching the Throwing Blades. He’ll dislocate his wrist at this rate. And that one—”
Dang Yuhyeon’s critique continued for half an hour.
As his assessment deepened, the training members’ eyes flickered and their movements began to falter.
Deputy Division Head Yang Moseol furrowed her brow at the cutting evaluation.
She barely restrained her rising anger and offered a measured suggestion.
“Master. If that’s what you think, we too would like to receive instruction from you. What do you say to sparring with our members?”
Even as she spoke the words aloud, she seemed to sense the wisdom in the proposal, and she turned to Dang Rui seeking his approval.
“If our members strengthen themselves under your guidance, it would benefit them greatly.”
“Hmm. What do you think, Master?”
He had been waiting for this question alone.
Dang Yuhyeon’s lips curved into a smile.
“A fine opportunity. I’m grateful for the proposal.”
Yang Moseol’s growl was soundless, though his tone seemed tinged with arrogance.
Dang Yuhyeon noticed the subtle twitch of her facial muscles but made no issue of it.
Dang Rui and Dang Jongcheon likewise knew what expression she wore, yet neither moved to stop her.
“Division Captain. Bring a worthy opponent for the master.”
“Understood.”
Yang Moseol’s eyes swept quickly across her members.
She had already chosen a candidate in mind from the moment she first broached the idea.
“All of you, halt! Clear the Sparring Arena except for Hwang Jeongcheol!”
“Yes!”
As if waiting only for her command, the members moved in perfect unison, gathering their throwing blades and departing the Sparring Arena.
Left alone, Hwang Jeongcheol brushed the dust from his clothes and loosened his body with light movements.
‘A newcomer? ……Peak Level martial prowess. He hasn’t been here long, that much is certain.’
He had harbored no wish to spar with a master.
Yet designating an inexperienced newcomer at Peak Level as his opponent was nothing less than a slight—an insult couched in courtesy.
For though it was said that even a newcomer to the Heukgang Division possessed martial prowess equivalent to three seasoned soldiers, the implication remained clear.
‘If he hasn’t fully hardened yet, all the better. I’ll set him right before he treads the wrong path.’
Dang Yuhyeon took his place on the Sparring Arena, still smiling.
With the very man who had rendered such a scathing judgment of the Heukgang Division now standing before him, Hwang Jeongcheol steadied his breathing with deliberate calm.
‘Play with him awhile, then crush him.’
‘Understood.’
Yet immediately after receiving the sound transmission, the spark of fury that ignited in his eyes could not be hidden.
“I, Division Captain Yang Moseol, shall judge this bout. Let the sparring begin!”
“I look forward to learning from you.”
“And I from you.”
Dang Yuhyeon and Hwang Jeongcheol clasped their fists and assumed their stances.
Screech—screech—screech—screech—screech!
Hwang Jeongcheol swung his arm in a wide arc and unleashed his throwing blades.
Five silver streaks tore through the air.
The Oroe Yeonhwan.
‘How dare he look down on the Heukgang Division! Master or not, I owe him nothing!’
Dang Yuhyeon watched the blades streak toward him, then swung his arm as casually as shrugging off an outer robe.
Screech—screech—screech—screech—screech!
With that single motion, the blades spun rapidly and flew away.
Clang! Clang-clang! Clang—!
The blades, taking the form of birds in flight, batted Hwang Jeongcheol’s aside.
To Oroe Yeonhwan answered Oroe Yeonhwan.
Returned in kind, mirror-perfect.
As if to say: I am the textbook—observe and learn.
“Tch!”
Hwang Jeongcheol thrust his hand into his sleeve to draw fresh blades.
But before his fingers could grip a single one, blades materialized before his eyes.
“Damn it——!”
Boom—boom—boom—!
Hwang Jeongcheol twisted his body and tumbled across the ground in a graceless roll.
He remained sprawled on the earth, unable to rise at once.
For a member of the Heukgang Division—boasting the Dang Family’s highest martial prowess—to be bested by one scarcely past adolescence would surely be humiliation.
Yet his inability to rise stemmed from more than mere shame.
After the Oroe Yeonhwan, a blade had suddenly appeared.
Though the technique was identical, another attack had followed immediately after the first.
He had felt the true gulf in martial prowess.
Dang Yuhyeon looked down at him and gave a slight nod.
“Why? Surprised?”
Sichuan Dang Family prodigy who turned over a new leaf.
Author |
Lee Il-young
Publisher |
Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
Editor in Chief |
Editorial Department
Published by |
Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. – Dream Books
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7F Gwangseong Building, 28 Bongeunsa-ro 114-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
UCI |
G720:N+A063-20260615052
Blog |
blog.naver.com/dreambookss
Twitter (X) |
@dreambookss
Submissions |
[email protected]
The contents of this book may not be used in any form or by any means without written permission from Samyang C&C Co., Ltd. – Dream Books.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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