Yu Sa-yeon and I went out.
Sa-yeon was dressed in a black robe like an outcast. Since we were meeting a member of the Tang Clan, we wanted to keep it as discreet as possible. Outside, we were disguised as the Black Cat, so we left her at the inn.
As we entered the promised alley, a peculiar dagger caught my eye.
An array formation.
It seemed this alley had a light labyrinth set up. Sa-yeon and I nodded and slightly raised our qi to protect our heads.
The standard for distinguishing martial artists starts from the third-rate. In fact, in the martial world, third-rate individuals aren’t even recognized as martial artists, but there is still a distinction between third-rate and those below that.
Third-rate refers to those aiming to sense qi. The boundary between third-rate and non-third-rate is treated ambiguously for this reason. If they can’t actually manipulate qi but can only sense it, they can’t prove whether they even possess the ability to sense qi.
Thus, unless an expert directly tests a third-rate using their techniques, there is no way to distinguish a non-third-rate from a third-rate person.
Second-rate refers to those whose goal is qi control. Since they have at least reached a minimal level to feel qi, they can be perceived as individuals capable of seeing the martial forest through their qi perception.
What does it mean for a second-rate to move qi? Stripping away all the vague philosophical discussions, it simply means they are cultivating their qi. If third-rate opens their eyes to sense, second-rate is the stage where they move qi with those opened eyes. Just breathing helps build qi, but the real question is whether one can willfully engage in that cultivation.
Possessing the ability to move qi according to one’s intent is the goal of the second-rate, and it showcases the capabilities of that level.
Then we have the first-rate.
From the first-rate onward, anyone can be acknowledged as a martial artist. They’ve mastered qi sensing and are aiming for qi filling, the next level up. If third-rate is about opening the senses and second-rate is about accumulating power, then first-rate is about utilizing that power.
Qi filling. Filling the body with that power. Just as you need to put force into your fists and limbs to strike an opponent, you would imbue that intent into your qi, leading to the term ‘yiqi’ as well. A person with such intent begins to realize it, and that realization becomes the path, so even if it’s humble and unremarkable, it can still be called a dao.
Whether first-rate is considered a martial artist or if the distinction starts from second-rate is an eternal debate among martial artists, much like the chicken-or-egg dilemma or who the true lord of the Three Kingdoms is, Liu Bei or Cao Cao.
Nevertheless, the prevailing opinion these days is that, despite individual differences, second-rate and beyond are generally acknowledged as martial artists.
They’ve trained to levels nearly indistinguishable from first-rate, but still, their level is second-rate. Since it isn’t first-rate, I can’t employ the technique of qi filling.
Let’s say infusing qi into my arms to enhance strength is a first-stage enhancement. This is something I can do once I reach second-rate and learn the technique of control. However, to make my arms even stronger, or to harden my skin, or to endure beyond the limits of my joints, at least qi filling would be necessary.
Control has a lower ceiling of power that can be enhanced, and no matter how much qi is inflated beyond the natural realm, one won’t achieve it.
Once you reach first-rate and learn qi filling, you can strengthen your skin to prevent it from tearing easily or unleash power that surpasses several times your physical strength in an instant.
Of course, reaching first-rate doesn’t mean the limits of strength suddenly disappear, so you don’t transform into a superhuman overnight. It merely opens up possibilities.
In blunt terms, a second-rate martial artist lacking martial knowledge would likely lose against someone with naturally gifted physical conditions. Why? Because no matter how one manipulates qi, it can’t surpass the enhancement of a naturally stronger body. Thus, when matched against someone with enhanced physical capabilities, it becomes a disadvantage.
However, a first-rate martial artist cannot lose to someone ignorant of martial techniques. The very foundation of fighting techniques changes. While a second-rate might struggle against a basic attack, by the time one reaches first-rate, it’s possible to unleash advanced techniques without wasting qi or overloading the body.
But then again, it just wouldn’t be an efficient fighting method to do it that way.
“Let’s proceed.”
It’s a labyrinth just tricky enough to lead someone astray if they don’t raise their qi. It must be a trap set by a Tang Clan member who doesn’t want their meeting with the Sacheon Outcasts exposed to others.
After walking a bit, there stood a man dressed in Tang Clan attire.
“You’ve arrived. They say the leader of the Sacheon Outcasts is a woman; could that be you, Yu Sa-yeon?”
“I’m the innkeeper, Yu Sa-yeon.”
“I am Tang Do-gi.”
Tang Do-gi let out a deep sigh.
“First and foremost, I must express my deep regret for how things have turned out.”
It was a very stiff phrase to qualify as an apology, yet considering his standing as a paramount figure in the Sacheon Martial World, it signified a deep sense of remorse.
“Let’s start with explaining the circumstances.”
Anyone who has worked in a position that involves upper-lower relationships knows that it’s rare for a superior to explain the details to a subordinate. They usually just give orders. It’s merely the difference between whether the orders are given with a casual tone or a more polite manner.
To lay out the internal dealings of the Tang Clan signifies not just an expression of apology but that resolving this matter would be particularly challenging.
“First, I should mention the matter of Tang Do-gyeong running away. He attacked a courier delivering a message to the Hwang Gold Clan, snatched the document, and hastened to the Hwang Gold Clan; that’s when the Clan Head was already fuming with rage.”
He ambushed a courier to steal a letter and then headed straight for Sacheon City?
Not a great hero—just a crazy guy.
“The innkeeper deduced that Tang Do-gyeong’s target was Miss Yeo Il-ye, given that the only relevant news would be about the Ten Prodigies and her recent ascension to Peak Stage.”
This prediction was logical so far.
But why?
“The Clan Head was furious and immediately summoned strong members from the clan, but gathering many Peak Stage fighters isn’t that simple, is it? And besides, sending an elder just to catch a mediocre second-rate martial artist wouldn’t have been proper…”
An elder has their dignity too. No matter how renowned Tang Do-gyeong might be as a second-rate martial artist, it would be a disgrace for an elder to personally capture a family member.
“Most importantly, the fact that Tang Do-gyeong was heading towards the Hwang Gold Clan was the biggest dilemma. The immediate task was for the Clan Head to calm down and retrieve Tang Do-gyeong rather than concerning himself with the Sacheon Outcasts.”
“That’s true.”
“No matter how enraged the Clan Head was, it didn’t make sense to enter the Hwang Gold Clan to pull Tang Do-gyeong out. It also wouldn’t be plausible for brave members of the Tang Clan to create a ruckus in Sacheon City just to apprehend him. Aware of this, Tang Do-gyeong logically chose to meet Yeo Il-ye in Sacheon City instead of going directly to the Jeomchang Faction because this would be the easiest path for him.”
Isn’t this a disaster waiting to happen?
Listening to this was giving me a headache. I already knew that the Tang Clan was a prominent family and that due to their position, they had no influence within Sacheon City. But not even causing a stir within the city?
This wasn’t reasonable at all. If the Tang Clan’s martial artists clashed with Tang Do-gyeong inside Sacheon City, the entire affair would become public knowledge. News of their conflicts with the Governor would also spread like wildfire.
If that happens, it might be better to let Tang Do-gyeong and Yeo Il-ye duke it out inside Sacheon City.
If the first scenario brings disgrace upon the Tang Clan, the latter brings disgrace on Tang Do-gyeong.
“So, the Clan Head proposed two options. One was sending me into Sacheon City to persuade Tang Do-gyeong. If I meet Yeo Il-ye first, I would explain the situation and convince her to lure Tang Do-gyeong out to the Jeomchang Faction.”
“The second option was to place a few experts from our clan within the Jeomchang Faction. Although Yeo Il-ye has been frequently visiting Sacheon City lately, she would eventually have to return to her home faction. If she couldn’t meet her within Sacheon City, Tang Do-gyeong would eventually be led back towards the Jeomchang Faction.”
Tang Do-gi let out a deep sigh.
“And then I arrived in Sacheon, and guess what? The rumor was circulating that Tang Do-gyeong lost a bet and was robbed of the Blood Jade Plaque by the Sacheon Outcasts. I became frantic and investigated, only to find that it seemed to be true. Ah, there’s no need for you to confirm, as I already have my answer.”
Tang Do-gi pounded his chest in frustration.
“It’s enough to drive one mad! That crazy kid not only stole a letter meant for the Hwang Gold Clan but then went to the Nine Great Sects’ disciple to challenge them to a martial arts match and ended up losing the Blood Jade Plaque? And to a Sacheon Outcast, of all people? Ugh…”
Before he could finish, Tang Do-gi realized that the Sacheon Outcast he was venting to was right in front of him and just sighed in exasperation.
“I hope you understand how frustrated I feel. I misspoke earlier, but in any case, my anger boiled over when I heard that news. I tried to track down Tang Do-gyeong… only to find out he’s frequenting the Sacheon Outcasts’ inn.”
Tang Do-gi looked up at the sky. It seemed like his anger was bubbling over uncontrollably.
“The moment I heard that news, I felt like the sky was turning dark. I immediately set up an ambush near the Outcast Inn that day and met Tang Do-gyeong when he showed up in the morning. I dragged him along and exploded with rage. But that little brat just glared at me and started getting angry in return!”
Just looking at Tang Do-gi’s ever-changing expression painted a clear picture of the situation.
He probably wanted to scream, “Don’t you know how much the Tang Clan’s reputation would drop if you’re seen associating with the Sacheon Outcasts?!”
But Tang Do-gyeong, who has been mingling with the Outcasts lately, probably countered with, “Do you have any idea how passionate and excellent the Outcasts are?!”
However, whether the Sacheon Outcasts were truly cultivating the correct attitude of martial artists or not was none of Tang Do-gi’s concern. What mattered to him was that Tang Do-gyeong’s connection with the Outcast Inn was damaging their clan’s reputation. How was he supposed to control a troublemaker who didn’t comprehend what was at stake?
“Thus, I conveyed the Clan Head’s warning. I know I probably shouldn’t say this, but do you have any idea how many messes Tang Do-gyeong has caused? Honestly, even if I laid everything out, it would take two nights to recount! At this point, the patience of the Clan Head and the elders has reached its limit. They warned him that if he doesn’t return this time, he’ll be erased from the family registry!”
The Tang Clan is a lineage-based group.
With their active adoption of the son-in-law system, they boast a vast number of members that should more accurately be termed the Tang Clan tribe rather than merely the Tang Clan.
There’s even a village called Tang Clan Village where all the members reside.
They place a high value on familial bonds.
The effective declaration of disownment is an actual death sentence. Well… they probably don’t actually intend to sever ties, but disowning someone typically only happens for heinous crimes, like kin murder or seriously harming the foundation of the Tang Clan.
So when the consequence of disownment was mentioned, it meant they wouldn’t just sweep Tang Do-gyeong’s antics under the rug anymore but were genuinely ready to punish him severely. The warning meant there would be no leniency, and he was to return without exception.
“Well, that led to him saying he had some unmovable vow and ignoring me and just strutting right into the inn!”
“Ah…”
It was a straightforward, instinctual observation about Tang Do-gyeong’s behavior. But why was the good guy getting called a troublemaker? Oh, right, Yeo Il-ye, the Outcast Slayer, also held the title of Hong Juk-gun, so I guess it makes sense he’d be perceived this way.
Tang Do-gyeong, who threw aside everything around him, chasing only his ambitions, certainly showed the side of a brotherhood but dropping everything regarding family in pursuit of his desires…
Isn’t that a bit too open-minded?
