Chapter 4 : Chapter 4

Chapter 4. This is What You Wished For (1)

Sichuan.

Sichuan Tang Clan, Qingcheng Sect, Emei Sect.

Sichuan, where three major powers of the Orthodox Faction were located, was a stronghold of the Orthodox Faction.

But at the same time, it was also a frontline where battles with the Unorthodox Factions, who coveted this territory and were constantly looking for opportunities, never ceased.

Therefore, the sects of Sichuan always focused on increasing their power. For example…….

“You want to become a retainer?”

“Yes. That is why I have come.”

They would accept plausible-looking warriors as retainers and keep them as guests, borrowing their strength when needed. However…….

“You?”

“Is there a problem?”

The gatekeeper guarding the main gate of the Sichuan Tang Clan showed reluctance.

‘It’s been a while since a wanderer has come. But isn't he too young?’

There were quite a few people who came to the Sichuan Tang Clan wanting to become retainers. From shabby wandering warriors to retired military officers, and sometimes disciples of other sects would stay for a while due to their circumstances.

But.

If they accepted them all, the Tang Clan's finances would go bankrupt.

Isn't it only natural to be selective about accepting retainers?

The gatekeeper looked at the young man, or perhaps boy, in front of him.

On the outside, he was quite handsome, and it seemed like he would make women's hearts ache when he grew up. But…….

“How old are you?”

“I will soon be sixteen.”

“That means you're still fifteen.”

“Well, that’s true.”

“Too young.”

Even if he had learned martial arts, it was an age where it would be difficult to achieve even a minor accomplishment, let alone a major one. But…….

“Is that a problem?”

The other party asked back calmly.

He showed confidence as if his age was not a problem at all.

“Young warrior, our Tang Clan does not accept just anyone as a retainer. You must have skill.”

“Then I just have to prove that skill.”

“Are you confident?”

“Would I have come if I wasn't?”

The gatekeeper sighed.

Honestly, he didn't trust him at all. Wasn't he too young?

Still, if he had to get beaten up to come to his senses, then it couldn't be helped.

“What is your name?”

“It is Han Cheong-un.”

“Wait here for a moment.”

And a short while later.

A person came out from inside and greeted Han Cheong-un.

“Are you the young warrior? The one who wants to become a retainer of our Tang Clan.”

“That is correct.”

He looked at Han Cheong-un for a moment and then said.

“Follow me.”

“Yes.”

Thus, Han Cheong-un crossed the threshold of the Tang Clan and entered.

‘Has it been decades?’

Han Cheong-un was lost in reminiscence as he looked at the scenery of the Tang Clan. He remembered two versions of the Tang Clan.

One was the appearance of a large manor filled with splendid pavilions like now. And the other was…….

‘It was a ruin.’

Pavilions that had all burned down, leaving only bare pillars.

Most of the blood relatives of the Sichuan Tang Clan had died, and the remaining ones were scattered all over the country.

The Sichuan Tang Clan, which had been a powerhouse of Sichuan and one of the Five Great Families, had been brutally destroyed.

Han Cheong-un remembered that scene clearly.

‘This time, absolutely…….’

“……warrior?”

“Huh? Oh, I apologize.”

He had been lost in thought for a moment and had not heard what the other person was saying. When Han Cheong-un apologized, the other person frowned and clicked his tongue.

“Tsk.”

And he continued to speak.

“If you want to become a retainer of our clan, you must show that you have the ability. We can't accept any Tom, Dick, or Harry, can we?”

“Your words are most reasonable.”

“So, what is the young warrior's talent?”

As he said that, the man looked intently at Han Cheong-un's spear.

“I use the spear a little.”

“A spear……”

“Is that a problem?”

“No, there is no problem. Let's go to the training ground.”

And the place Han Cheong-un arrived at was the training ground used by the warriors of the Sichuan Tang Clan. And…….

“Dang Ho.”

“Yes. Uncle.”

“Test this young warrior here. He is one who wishes to become a retainer of our Tang Clan.”

“This little brat?”

The one called Dang Ho looked at Han Cheong-un bluntly.

Han Cheong-un smiled and said with a clasped fist salute.

“My name is Han Cheong-un.”

“Your age and sect?”

“I will soon be sixteen.”

“So you’re fifteen.”

“…….”

Just let it go.

“Ahem, and I don't really have a sect.”

“You don't?”

“When I was young, I learned the basics at a training center of the Murim Alliance, and after that, I trained on my own.”

“A complete wanderer.”

Dang Ho sighed and said.

“A duel in the Tang Clan rarely ends without injury. If you don't want to get hurt, just give up and go.”

“That is for me to decide.”

“Fine. If that's the case, well then…….”

And so, the two stood in the training ground to have a duel. Naturally, others also gathered to watch their duel.

Dang Ho said with a clasped fist salute.

“Dang Ho of the Sichuan Tang Clan.”

“I am Han Cheong-un.”

After greeting each other, the person acting as the referee shouted.

“Begin!”

At the same time, Dang Ho's hand moved quickly.

It was ridiculous to drag out the time against a wanderer like him.

Wasn't he a blood relative of the great Sichuan Tang Clan?

‘A wanderer like this should be easily……. huh?’

He was gone.

The brat who should have been hit by his hidden weapon and collapsed in pain was gone.

Instead…….

“It's going to hurt.”

Huh? What is?

“Keoheok!”

The question was soon answered.

He felt a heavy blow strike his side.

At the same time, his body flew out of the training ground. On this day, Dang Ho experienced for the first time that a person could fly through the air against their will.

Kwwaaang!

Dang Ho lost consciousness and collapsed.

* * *

The atmosphere turned cold.

One move.

A blood relative of the Sichuan Tang Clan had fallen in just one move.

No matter how much of a test match it was, it was impossible not to have their pride hurt here.

“I will be your opponent this time.”

Immediately, one person came up onto the dueling stage.

“Dang Jung of the Tang Clan.”

“I am Han Cheong-un.”

“I am different from my younger brother, so be careful.”

“I will.”

The duel continued.

Dang Jung, who had confidently said he was different from his brother…….

Whack!

“Kkeu……. kkeueueuk…….”

He wasn't very different.

He collapsed in one exchange, just the same.

Han Cheong-un, who had yielded the first move, dodged the flying hidden dagger and dug in.

And he stabbed him in the solar plexus with the handle of his inverted spear.

Thud.

Dang Jung gasped in pain, unable to breathe, and fell forward. At that…….

“I will be your opponent.”

“No, this time I…….”

“Leave it to me.”

The warriors of the Tang Clan rushed in with fire in their eyes. Seeing this, Han Cheong-un sighed inwardly.

‘This place is really like a hornet’s nest…….’

The Sichuan Tang Clan.

They were also called the Unforgettable Tang Clan.

Once you create a grudge with them, they are people who will never forget it and must repay it to be satisfied.

And just think about their main weapons.

Poison and hidden weapons.

What optimized means for revenge are those?

To hold a grudge against the Tang Clan was like saying you could never drink a sip of water comfortably, let alone eat a meal, for the rest of your life.

Since it was the Tang Clan, he had expected this to happen. But…….

“Stop!”

Not everyone in the Sichuan Tang Clan was a hot-blooded youth.

The middle-aged man who had guided Han Cheong-un here shouted and stopped the excited youths. And…….

“Are your eyes just for decoration? After seeing the first two being subdued in one move, did you think you could win with your skills?”

“…….”

“…….”

No one answered.

Honestly, they had stepped forward in excitement, but if they calmly considered their chances of winning, they had none.

He who had silenced the youths said to Han Cheong-un.

“You have great skill for your young age.”

“You praise me too much.”

“With your level of skill, you should certainly be accepted as a retainer of the clan.”

“So, do I pass?”

“That's right. But before that, we must save our clan's face once.”

“Will the elder step forward himself?”

At that, the opponent let out a smirk.

“I can't very well do that. There's a certain standing, and it would be too forward of me to step up, wouldn't it?”

And he continued to speak…….

“Go and bring Jin.”

“Yes.”

Hearing those words, a strange smile formed on Han Cheong-un's lips.

‘I’ll be meeting him sooner than I thought.’

* * *

A short while later.

“Did you call for me?”

The person who appeared after being called was a young man who looked to be in his mid-twenties.

A slender face with eyes that gave a slightly cool impression.

According to Han Cheong-un's memory of his face, one of his eyes should have an eye patch, but…….

‘He was still fine at this time.’

It was good to see him again like this.

The Vice Grand Master of the Evil-Annihilating Squad and Han Cheong-un's right-hand man.

A man who was a comrade-in-arms and a brother who was with him until the final battle.

Azure Nether Poison Hand Dang Jin.

[Leave this place to me and go, Grand Master!]

[Not a single one will pass before they step over my dead body.]

[I am Dang Jin, the Vice Grand Master of the Evil-Annihilating Squad! Any who wish to die, step forward!]

‘It's really tearfully good to see you.’

Han Cheong-un's heart swelled.

He didn't know how reassuring it was to have that man.

How many life-and-death crises had they overcome together?

The reason he came to Sichuan first as soon as he had obtained the minimum power after regressing was to get this man.

It was so good to meet him again like this…….

“What's with this little brat?”

It should have been boundless, but he was suddenly brought back to reality.

“…….”

Before Han Cheong-un could reply, the steward of the Tang Clan chimed in from the side.

“You brat! How can the direct descendant of the Tang Clan be so rude? Will you not show proper manners?”

“I just called a brat a brat. What else should I call him?”

“You brat, Dang Jiiiin!”

The clan elder who was shouting at the top of his lungs.

The punk who was grumbling with an openly annoyed expression in front of him.

Watching this scene, Han Cheong-un thought.

‘What? Is this punk? Is this the Dang Jin I know?’

This isn't it.

The Dang Jin Han Cheong-un remembered was a man who was brave in battle and humble and prudent in his daily life, trusted by everyone in the Evil-Annihilating Squad.

But who was this punk who seemed to have a long way to go before he matured?

‘Ah, now that I think about it…….’

A memory from the past came to mind.

* * *

One day.

The Evil-Annihilating Squad, which had set up camp in the mountains as the sun set while they were on the move, each found a spot and rested.

Han Cheong-un was also drinking cheap hard liquor with Dang Jin, using beef jerky as a snack.

After a few drinks had been exchanged and they were feeling the effects of the alcohol, Han Cheong-un said.

“The Vice Grand Master made a great contribution in this mission as well.”

“I only did what I was supposed to do.”

“It is thanks to you that our Evil-Annihilating Squad is running properly. I am always grateful.”

“Hahaha. You praise me too much, Grand Master.”

As they were pleasantly exchanging drinks, Han Cheong-un asked.

“There's something I've wanted to ask you for a while.”

“Please speak.”

Dang Jin replied politely.

Han Cheong-un carefully revealed what was on his mind to him.

“When we were recruiting for the Vice Grand Master of the Evil-Annihilating Squad, everyone else refused, but you personally volunteered, didn't you?”

“That is correct.”

“Why is that?”

“I saw hope in you, Grand Master. I thought you would lead this tiresome war to victory and at the same time avenge our clan.”

Han Cheong-un smiled bitterly and said.

“Even so, wasn't your pride hurt?”

“My pride?”

“I am just an unknown warrior with no roots. But you are a descendant of a prestigious family, the Sichuan Tang Clan, are you not? To be under an unknown warrior like me……”

“Hahahaha…….”

Dang Jin laughed heartily.

“What is it?”

“Hahaha. I was just reminded of the old days.”

“The old days?”

“Yes. In my foolish younger days, I also thought like that. I wasn't even that great myself, but I would put on airs because I was a direct descendant of the great Sichuan Tang Clan and look down on others.”

“……You did?”

Han Cheong-un couldn't imagine it.

Dang Jin was always a humble and prudent person who treated others with courtesy.

Although there was only about a ten-year age difference between them, he was an exemplary figure who made him think, this is what they call a gentleman.

But he had been like that?

Seeing Han Cheong-un's surprised expression, Dang Jin let out a smirk.

“I have also been through a lot. My clan was ruined, I suffered hardships, and I came to a position where I had to lead the remaining blood relatives……”

He tilted his cup again and said with a bitter face.

“The situation and the position made me who I am. In the past, I was not the kind of person you think I am, Grand Master.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“It's true. If you had seen me back then, Grand Master……. Tsk, I don't even want to imagine it.”

“…….”

“Thinking about it now, back then, I needed to be beaten like a dog at least once.”

“Who would do that to a direct descendant of the Tang Clan?”

“That's the problem. That's……. ”

“…….”

“Damn it, back then I was a good-for-nothing brat who didn't know the ways of the world and had no manners. I really needed to be beaten to a pulp and then some. I should have come to my senses before the clan ended up in this state. Tsk…….”

“…….”

* * *

‘Yes, something like that happened.’

Han Cheong-un finished his reminiscence. And…….

“Alright, I'll do it. I’ll do it, alright?”

“Ugh……. Then go up on the dueling stage and show some respect.”

Dang Jin, who had nonchalantly gone up at the words of the clan elder, nodded his head roughly and said.

“Dang Jin of the Tang Clan.”

“…….”

“Consider it an honor that I am personally gracing you with my presence. Got it?”

The Vice Grand Master's words were right.

The immature brat in front of him needed a harsh lesson.

Han Cheong-un nodded his head and said.

“I am Han Cheong-un. I'll tell you in advance……”

“Huh? What……”

Han Cheong-un gripped his spear tightly and said with a smile.

“This is what you wished for.”

“……?”

The time for a harsh lesson had arrived.

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