The Reformed Genius of the Sichuan Tang Clan - Chapter 28

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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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Chapter 28
Late into the night.
At Dang Roe’s summons, the members of Heuk-gang-dae gathered in the training grounds of Heuk-mu-gak.
Behind Dang Yu-hyeon, who stood on the platform, hung a map of Sa-cheon and a hastily sketched diagram of Gwol-weol-ru’s structure, drawn from Seon-woo Yoon’s testimony.
“The Heuk-gang-dae Master once displayed his trust in me, and today I announce the evidence of that trust in this place.”
Dang Yu-hyeon drew out the wooden plaque, held it aloft, and tucked it away again.
“According to information obtained during the Practical Training Class at Heuk-mu-gak and the testimony of victims met at merchants’ shops in Sa-cheon, it seems Gwol-weol-ru dares to exploit the common folk of Sa-cheon.”
These things needed to be stated plainly beforehand to avoid future trouble.
If rumors spread later that he’d used Heuk-gang-dae to earn a higher score, his reputation would be ruined.
In the Practical Training Class, it mattered not whose help one received or what methods one employed, but if one’s true intent was distorted, all the reputation carefully built would crumble to nothing.
“As a member of the Dang family, who rules as the hegemon of Sa-cheon and bears the duty to preserve its peace, I cannot overlook this.”
Every eye that had been quiet now flashed with anger, as though all shared Dang Yu-hyeon’s sentiment.
“Therefore, I mean to destroy Gwol-weol-ru alongside Heuk-gang-dae and rescue the common folk.”
“I have a question.”
It was Hwang Jeong-cheol who raised his hand alone in the silence.
“Go ahead.”
“According to your words, Dang Yu-hyeon, even without us Heuk-gang-dae, we would be sufficient help—so why did you seek us out?”
The question was posed with genuine curiosity, without a hint of disrespect.
Likely the others harbored similar thoughts.
For something so sudden, it was not a bad reaction.
“Because it must be Heuk-gang-dae.”
Dang Yu-hyeon tapped Deok-yang on the map with a long pointer.
“Gwol-weol-ru has confined common folk in Deok-yang. They’ve bound several warehouses with oil-soaked rope, hidden them near the forest, and taken these people as hostages to exploit their families.”
“You saw this yourself?”
“Yes. If we move carelessly, the hostages will die or the exploited families will be slaughtered.”
If they rescued the hostages first, Gwol-weol-ru would put those families on the front lines or kill those no longer useful as puppets.
Yet if they ambushed Gwol-weol-ru to rescue the exploited first, they could not guarantee the hostages’ lives.
They could die at the slightest disturbance.
Perhaps they’d used enough oil that the area wouldn’t explode outright—showing some awareness that chaos would disadvantage them—but if fire spread, rescue would be equally difficult.
Therefore, sufficient forces capable of being deployed to both locations must move with speed.
“If Heuk-gang-dae, which symbolizes the martial might of the Dang family, were to take on this task, you would certainly succeed.”
Dang Yu-hyeon believed in Heuk-gang-dae.
More precisely, he believed in their conviction and strength, which had not wavered throughout their long history.
And so, the moment the plan was set, he sought out Dang Roe without hesitation.
“How could we fail to step forward in a matter that serves Sa-cheon?”
As Dang Roe gave his assent, Yang Mo-seol, the deputy commander standing foremost, stepped forward and offered the same gesture of agreement.
“We will follow your will, Dang Yu-hyeon!”
“We will follow your will, Dang Yu-hyeon!”
The rest of Heuk-gang-dae echoed the same.
The wariness and contempt from their first meeting had vanished without a trace; now all looked upon him with eyes of trust.
This was recognition of his strength, and a pledge to forget all past dishonor.
Then he owed it to them to live up to that trust.
‘There will be no more wayward second son of the Dang family.’
Neither would there be a Dang house without its treasured sword, nor a Sa-cheon bereft of its former glory.
‘I will restore them myself.’
Dang Yu-hyeon clenched his fist.
“I will do my utmost so that you will not be disappointed.”
He then indicated the map again with the pointer several times.
“Now, let me explain the strategy.”
“Yes!”
“Gwol-weol-ru wields considerable influence in Sa-cheon’s underworld. Therefore, we will divide ourselves into three units. One will rescue the hostages, one will neutralize Gwol-weol-ru’s sphere of influence, and the last will assault Gwol-weol-ru directly. For convenience, I will call them the First Unit, Second Unit, and Third Unit respectively.”
If Gwol-weol-ru’s influence were vast, there was no knowing when, where, or how they might mobilize forces.
They had already crippled two of their assets, but the rest must be rendered useless to make cleanup easier.
By leaving no time for response, they would prevent any foolish attempt to flee with the Wol-yeong Sword.
“The hostages in Deok-yang are in the most urgent situation, so we rescue them first. While the First Unit saves the hostages and guides them to the Dang house, the Second Unit infiltrates shops within Gwol-weol-ru’s sphere of influence and cuts off their support. Only after all this is complete does the Third Unit assault Gwol-weol-ru.”
“Do you have units assignments in mind?”
“I still know too little, so I will leave the command structure to the Heuk-gang-dae Master.”
“I will obey your command.”
He might know Heuk-gang-dae of the past, but not Heuk-gang-dae of the present.
No matter how brilliant a strategist, without knowledge of one’s own forces, defeat in battle is inevitable.
It would be far better to entrust them to Dang Roe, who knew them well.
“Please tell me the date. I will make the necessary preparations.”
“By the Hour of Rooster tomorrow.”
“I shall obey your command.”
“The First Unit must be especially careful. The ropes are oiled, so fire will spread easily.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
* * *
And so, back to the present, Dang Yu-hyeon stood before Seon-woo Yoon.
“You showed me trust, so I’ve come to take you as promised.”
As proof of that trust.
“Come. I owe you a debt.”
“W-what? How did you—”
“Don’t you trust me? You promised. Said you’d come get me.”
Dang Yu-hyeon made no mention of Chu Hoon-hyang, merely kicking aside the man he’d pierced with his Concealed Blade before stepping inside.
“First things first—we save those who can be saved, then we talk.”
He moved behind Seon-woo Yoon, cutting the ropes with his blade while simultaneously assessing Seon-woo Hee’s condition.
“There’s a patient here! High fever, loss of consciousness!”
“Checking now!”
Yang Mo-seol, who came running at Dang Yu-hyeon’s shout, examined Seon-woo Hee’s state, then mixed medicine into a water container and poured it into her mouth.
“It’s simple fever, but the lack of timely treatment has made it severe. Her young age seems to have slowed recovery.”
“The family should oversee her care.”
“That appears to be the case.”
“I’ll be joining the Third Unit, so please look after the others.”
“You have my word.”
Dang Yu-hyeon turned Seon-woo Yoon back around at once.
“I’d like to watch over him until he recovers, but for now, until this matter is settled, your sister will be protected by the Dang family. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes. Of course. …Thank you.”
“Good. Take this first.”
“Mmph.”
Dang Yu-hyeon withdrew a few Intermediate Spirit Medicines he’d set aside earlier when looting the Red Tiger Bandits, pushing them into Seon-woo Yoon’s mouth.
Perceptive enough not to spit them out or ask questions despite his mouth being full of medicine, the boy simply chewed and swallowed.
“How’s your body?”
“Much better.”
“Good. Don’t worry about this place anymore—follow me. We have somewhere else we need to be.”
“Are we going to Gwol-weol-ru?”
“Yes.”
As Dang Yu-hyeon rose to his feet, Seon-woo Yoon naturally fell into step behind him.
“Have you learned the Light Body Technique?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll go slowly, so keep up.”
“Understood.”
Pat-pat!
Dang Yu-hyeon launched himself forward.
Pat-pat-pat!
Seon-woo Yoon followed, propelling himself after him.
‘So fast…!’
Despite his own confidence in the Light Body Technique, keeping pace with Dang Yu-hyeon’s speed proved overwhelming.
‘Of course—he’ll be fighting the Master of Gwol-weol-ru, so he must be a Master of the Highest Caliber at minimum. Rumors really can’t be trusted.’
As they bounded through forests and vaulted over tall pavilions, Seon-woo Yoon ventured carefully, “How will you draw out the Master of Gwol-weol-ru?”
“I won’t draw her out—I’ll find her.”
When Seon-woo Yoon tilted his head in confusion, Dang Yu-hyeon continued.
“When a person is cornered, they flee to the place they believe safest. Or they go where there’s something they must take with them when they escape.”
Considering Gwak Hwa-ran’s nature, she would choose the latter.
She would be too reluctant to abandon everything for her own life.
“So she’ll have somewhere hidden—a Concealed Blade cache or the like.”
“Ah…! I know where that place is!”
‘Perfect.’
Dang Yu-hyeon had deliberately told Seon-woo Yoon nothing of how he would tear down Gwol-weol-ru or how he would kill Gwak Hwa-ran.
It was not because of internal family matters.

That way, even if Seon-woo Yoon grows curious, he’ll broach the subject first.
All that remained was to wait for the right moment.
Exactly like now.
“Then guide me there later.”
“Not now?”
Dang Yu-hyeon came to a halt near Gwol-weol-ru.
The quiet street lay empty of pedestrians, yet Heuk-gang-dae members were spread across it like a carpet.
“I need to watch Gwol-weol-ru crumble with my own eyes.”
When Dang Yu-hyeon turned his head, Dang Roe, who had been commanding the troops, bowed before him.
Sharp eyes lingered long on Seon-woo Yoon, searching, yet he asked nothing about the sudden addition to their numbers.
It was a question unnecessary to the execution of orders.
“All preparations are complete.”
This meant the poison could be released at any moment.
“Release it.”
“Yes!”
The moment Dang Yu-hyeon’s command fell, the Heuk-gang-dae members thrust their hands into their sleeves in unison.
Small crimson bottles emerged between their fingers as their hands reappeared.
Whoosh! Whoosh-whoosh!
Without any signal, they threw the bottles inward simultaneously.
Decades of synchronized breathing made it possible.
Crash.
A dingy purple mist crept upward.
A sour stench pricked the nostrils.
Soon, anguished screams and pleas for mercy grated against the ears.
Setting aside the ear-splitting shrieks, Dang Roe reported quietly.
“It is done.”
“Advance.”
“Your command shall be obeyed.”
The Heuk-gang-dae members pushed through the Poison Mist and entered Gwol-weol-ru.
“We’ll head to Bi-dong.”
“Yes!”
The light is darkest beneath the lamp—Bi-dong, which Seon-woo Yoon had guided them to, lay nearby.
Through an entrance disguised as a well, down a hidden passage, they would reach the highest level of Gwol-weol-ru.
Thump. Thump.
Their quickened pace—urgent as the situation demanded—stopped at the same place at once.
In the heart of Bi-dong, where gold, ledgers, and precious weapons lay stored, hung the Wol-yeong Sword.
“Found it.”
Dang Yu-hyeon strode forward and seized the blade.
A softly luminous scabbard of dark jade, adorned with a single white jade ornament that gleamed alone.
Unmistakably the Wol-yeong Sword.
‘At last, you’ve returned.’
Just as Dang Yu-hyeon was about to sink into old memories, a sharp voice rang from behind him.
“Who dares set foot in my Bi-dong!”
Dang Yu-hyeon merely turned his head to look back.
“Have you fared well all these years, Gwak Hwa-ran?”
Sa-cheon Dang Family Prodigal Returns Transformed
Author |
Lee Il-young
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(Pvt.) Samyang C&C
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© Samyang C&C – The contents of this book may not be used in any form or by any means without the written permission of 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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