The Reformed Genius of the Sichuan Tang Clan - Chapter 54

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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 54
As Dang San’s match drew to a close.
Exclamations burst forth once more from the platform where the sect leaders sat.
“Truly, this is a match of exceptional quality. I can scarcely believe it’s merely a preliminary round.”
“Both the Yeol Dok Gangho and the Mu Young Jamsa are performing brilliantly — the Dang Clan’s disciples are making quite the impression this year. I must confess, I envy you, Dang Clan Master.”
“You’re too kind.”
Dang Gangheon answered the sect leaders’ praise with a light bow.
Though he wore a smile, his wariness ran deep beneath the surface.
‘These are only preliminaries.’
‘When my disciple faces them in the main tournament, they’ll be crushed in an instant.’
Seo Munhyun of Jongnam, as if speaking their true thoughts aloud, cleared his throat and opened his mouth.
“The Yongbong Tournament still has much ground to cover. I wonder what caliber of skill we’ll witness from the younger generation tomorrow.”
In plain terms, it meant the Dang Clan’s excellence ended today.
Dang Gangheon, who had weathered such checks more than once, merely shrugged.
“One learns tomorrow’s affairs only when tomorrow arrives.”
“You seem quite confident?”
“Does that not hold true for everyone seated here?”
……
Once he reframed it as a matter affecting all of them rather than one family alone, Seo Munhyun clamped his mouth shut.
Dang Gangheon, as if the exchange left a bland taste, turned his gaze back to his own disciples.
The other sect leaders said nothing more, yet all harbored the same thought.
Perhaps this Yongbong Tournament would become a stage for the Dang Clan to shine.
* * *
The next day.
Morning broke on the main tournament.
Dang Youxuan waited for his turn, his eyes fixed on the Tournament Arena while his ears remained open to his brothers.
“Must have been uncomfortable sleeping in an unfamiliar place. Did you rest well?”
“Yes.”
“Elder brother, you’re not feeling nervous, are you?”
“I suppose I might be.”
“You took quite a long walk yesterday — aren’t you tired?”
“I’m fine.”
To questions that seemed caught between jest and concern, Dang Youxuan had been answering readily when he suddenly brushed the back of his right hand.
‘Someone approaches.’
Dang Youxuan, as if dusting off his sleeve, felt for the Poison Needle hidden within.
The presence he sensed through his inner perception was a swordsman of Jongnam.
And a formidable one at that.
‘A heavy yet clear presence. By ranking, this would be a Second-Rank Disciple.’
The instant cold metal touched his fingertip, Dang San brushed the back of his hand in turn.
‘Enough.’
Dang Youxuan withdrew his hand with a murmur.
Only after confirming there was no needle in his hand did Dang Eunho pat his back playfully and speak with amusement.
“Looks like you forgot that you have an old friend of our elder brother’s?”
“I’ve never brought anyone into the Dang Clan, so how would he know?”
“Even so, you mentioned him a few times…… Ah. When he wasn’t around, right?”
“Yes. It was when Youxuan had his hands quite full.”
‘Ah, I see.’
They were glossing over Dang Youxuan’s carefree younger days without dwelling on them.
“I certainly was busy back then.”
“So brighten up. You look rather fearsome when you furrow your brow.”
“Do I?”
Dang San poked his brow pointedly, and Dang Youxuan shrugged.
“I have an old friend in Jongnam. Yun Han — he’s a Second-Rank Disciple who earned a sobriquet that suits him quite well.”
“What generation disciple is he?”
“Twenty-eighth, I believe.”
‘My friend is of the seventeenth generation. Isn’t that awfully young?’
As Dang Youxuan nodded in agreement despite his inner thoughts, Yun Han of the High Cloud Sword drew near and offered a respectful bow with clasped fists.
“And who might this be? Is this not a member of the Dang Clan?”
His manner of speech carried both warmth and playfulness, much like Dang San’s own.
‘So they really are old friends, then?’
The other brothers, already acquainted, greeted him warmly.
“It’s been a while, Yun Han.”
“Ah, Dang Eunho. How have you been?”
“I’m always doing well, thank you.”
“And Dang Young—it’s been ages. You’ve grown even lovelier. That hair ornament suits you wonderfully.”
“Hehe. Just as I’d expect from Yun Han. You notice everything at a glance!”
“Hah. My eye’s not completely dead yet.”
Yun Han pressed his thumb and forefinger to his chin.
Then, wearing a subtle smile, he gazed steadily at Dang Youxuan.
Reading the look, Dang San extended his hand.
“My younger brother, Dang Youxuan.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
The greeting was stiff but proper, and Yun Han’s eyes lit up as he strode forward until he loomed directly overhead.
Dang Youxuan lifted his head into the shadow cast by the taller man.
The eyes looking down at him trembled quite noticeably.
Oddly enough, it was neither fear nor confusion.
“Wow.”
He covered his mouth as though struck by sudden shock.
“So this is the short-haired Dang San’s younger brother.”
‘Hm.’
In an instant, the tension crumbled away and his shoulders sagged.
If there had been no one watching, he would have smacked his own forehead.
“You two have never met before?”
As though voicing Dang Youxuan’s thoughts, Dang San spoke with exasperation.
“No—but I’ve never seen brothers resemble each other this closely.”
“You have an older brother yourself, don’t you?”
“Ah, come on. Are an older brother and younger brother the same thing? I wish I had a younger brother to play with instead of a frightening one.”
Yun Han puckered his lips and then suddenly whipped his head around.
His eyes gleamed so brightly it felt oppressive.
“I’ve heard plenty of stories about you. If only I had a younger brother like you, I would’ve treated him so well.”
‘Is that so.’
“If you’re really dissatisfied, be born again in the next life.”
“What? And you call yourself a friend after saying that?”
“I do.”
“Cruel bastard.”
They bantered as though looking out for each other, but to Dang Youxuan’s eyes it was merely the everyday bickering of children—nothing more.
Had he truly been eighteen, he might have envied the existence of someone close beyond family.
But he had grown too worn to indulge such sentiments.
To one who had approached eighty winters, youth seemed infantile.
“So then—why did you come?”
“You certainly catch on fast. Too fast, actually.”
Yun Han complained that there was no fun in the surprise now that he’d made the journey.
‘It would be stranger if there were no intent behind it.’
Dang Youxuan had already suspected as much.
Though Jongnam and the Dang Clan lived at a relatively short distance, they maintained no particular closeness requiring regular contact.
Moreover, the Nine Sects had always drawn a clear line, as though suggesting they differed fundamentally from the Five Great Families, and so relations had remained distant and formal throughout.
It was certain that watchful eyes would follow Yun Han’s visit, yet for him to seek out Dang San meant there was sufficient reason to bear that cost.
Perhaps, for instance, to assess the much-rumored Dang Youxuan in person.
“I came to collect you, and also to see that younger brother you’re always bragging about. Any objections?”
“Why would there be?”
‘I’m the one with objections.’
Dang Youxuan did not trust Yun Han.
Dang San, who disliked gossip, would never volunteer to speak of his younger brother.
‘If he’s a friend of Dang San’s, approaching would be convenient enough.’
It was more likely that, rather than from his own will, he had been instructed by his sect to investigate Dang Youxuan under the pretext of family connections.
‘The old ones’ schemes are transparent enough.’
When Dang Youxuan offered no further response, Yun Han began to circle him, examining him from various angles.
“This is your first competition?”
“Yes.”
“If you’re anything like Dang San, you’ll leave quite a few girls heartbroken.”
“Is that so?”
It was his way of letting anyone who approached him pass with a good-natured laugh.
But what about this?
‘That one, I pioneered it.’
Dang Youxuan let out a faint smile.
“Ha ha. This is trouble. I should warn the young ladies of Shaanxi not to go to Sichuan. If they meet the Dang brothers, the tears of rejected women will form a river.”
“Ha ha.”
Dang Youxuan laughed politely at the absurd joke.
Yun Han’s eyes lost their gleam, as if that wasn’t the reaction he’d hoped for.
Just then, Dang San stepped in and patted Yun Han’s shoulder lightly.
“Stop bothering my younger brother. We should be going.”
“Oh, protecting him? You’re a dependable older brother.”
Yun Han laughed quietly and surveyed the Tournament Arena.
The face he turned held no trace of mirth—only sharpness.
His narrowed eyes tracked a form moving through the dust cloud.
One of the figures showed signs of obvious exhaustion; the match appeared close to its end.
“I really should be going.”
His voice was now full and true—no longer raised for effect.
Yun Han smiled brightly and waved his hand.
“Then let’s see each other again next time.”
“Take care on your way!”
Beside the brothers waving their hands, Dang Youxuan answered with only a nod.
The moment Dang San rose from his seat, Yun Han turned away without hesitation.
‘I wasn’t his real purpose, was I?’
They hadn’t talked seriously for a long time, so he couldn’t say for certain, but the man didn’t seem like a bad sort.
Had he been merely following sect orders, he wouldn’t have treated Dang San and his brothers so warmly.
Since his target was Dang San or Dang Youxuan, he only needed to make a good impression on them.
Whether he was conscious of the awkwardness between them, or had already gathered the information he sought, he’d withdrawn at the right moment.
Whether it was courtesy ingrained in his nature or quick judgment, something about him didn’t feel entirely contemptible.
‘Well. Even on barren ground, flowers bloom.’
Dang Youxuan shrugged and leaned back in his chair.
What mattered wasn’t Yun Han’s intentions or those of the Jongnam Sect.
“The sixth match is between Dang San of the Sichuan Dang Family and Yun Han of the Jongnam Sect!”
It was Dang San’s match.
Sichuan Dang Family Genius Turned Over a New Leaf
Author |
Yi Il-yeong
Publisher |
Samyang C&C Co., Ltd.
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Editorial Department
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No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of 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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