“Please return to the Tang Clan. They’ll surely find a way to sedate you, whether with a poison or a sleep herb!”
Ho Cheon-an never intended to persuade Tang Do-gyeong. He thought that since he’d already branded him as a crazy guy, the Sacheon Outcasts wouldn’t have to intervene because the Tang Clan experts would take care of it themselves.
However, due to Tang Do-gi’s frenzied state, things had spiraled out of control before they could even act. From Sacheon City to Jeomchang and back, traveling normally would take about seven days, five considering their anger, but to arrive in just three days? And on the dawn of the third day, no less?
“Now, there’s only one answer left.”
There was no justification left to stop the allies any longer. And the Outcasts, who held bad feelings toward the Tang Clan… If the Tang Clan forced Tang Do-gyeong, a full-scale war between the Sacheon Outcasts and the Tang Clan would ensue.
“Tang Do-gyeong returning of his own volition.”
It didn’t matter if the allies didn’t acknowledge it. It was Tang Do-gyeong’s choice, leaving no grounds for objection, and the other Outcasts wouldn’t support him either.
“Tang Do-gyeong treated the Outcasts sincerely. I don’t know why he did so… but surely he wouldn’t want to see them bleed because of him.”
Tang Do-gyeong closed his eyes. Ho Cheon-an, Yu Sa-yeon, the Tang Clan members, and the Sacheon Outcasts all held their breaths, awaiting Tang Do-gyeong’s choice.
“Thank you, Brother Ya. I’ve sorted out my thoughts.”
With a refreshed expression, Ho Cheon-an smiled too. If he had chosen a bloody option, he wouldn’t have looked so relieved; he’d have looked regretful instead.
“So then, will you return to the Tang Clan?”
Tang Do-gi looked at Tang Do-gyeong with a hint of hopeful anticipation. The Tang Clan experts also sighed, loosening the qi they had injected into their sides. They didn’t relish the thought of spilling blood just to retrieve a relative.
“Uncle.”
But Tang Do-gyeong didn’t answer Tang Do-gi’s question. He merely called out.
“…Right.”
Tang Do-gi felt a vague unease wash over him as he stared at Tang Do-gyeong.
“When I wagered against Brother Ya at the Hwang Gold clan’s doorstep, I was merely distracted by Miss Yeo Il-ye and the Outcast’s young lady. I thought the swordsmanship of Miss Yeo and the martial arts of the Outcast young lady would greatly aid me in perfecting my own style.”
Tang Do-gi didn’t respond, but Tang Do-gyeong continued.
“So, I was vexed and made my way to the Outcast Inn. I mentioned the Tang Clan’s internal rules, but the truth was I couldn’t accept the fact that I, someone who seemed merely like Iryu, was toyed with by an Outcast.”
“No matter how much I become an expert and shed my obscurity, I couldn’t bear to imagine that Outcast proudly flaunting to others how they tricked Tang Do-gyeong with the Blood Jade Plaque.”
“I thought of them as those who gather others together to deceive, yet Brother Ya gave me an opportunity despite my bluster. He said I could come anytime if I was frustrated about losing the Blood Jade Plaque.”
“When did I…”
Ho Cheon-an thought this but felt it wasn’t the time to interject, so he simmered in silence.
“So, while going back and forth to the Outcast Inn, I spotted Outcasts training. Hearing rumors about the Sacheon Outcasts gave me quite a shock. Not one of them was slacking off, and their martial arts weren’t things that could be completed in just a couple of days.”
“Seeing the Outcasts, who received unbearable judgments yet persevered on their path reminds me of myself. Alone, honing my own martial arts in a Tang Clan that refused to recognize the merits of the other self-taught styles.”
“Tang Do-gyeong!”
“Do you remember the day I met you, Uncle? I shared everything with you!”
Tang Do-gyeong shouted.
“Yet how did you treat me? Upon meeting those Outcasts who walked their paths despite harsh external judgments, enthralled by Brother Ya’s composed demeanor… You only looked at me with those eyes that said, ‘Oh, another child has gone and caused trouble!’”
“How many times do you think I have embarrassed the clan’s reputation? Are you planning to cause more trouble? How can I just sit by and watch that?”
“Are you talking about being scorned for being no better than a dog fighting? I have never acted shamefully as a righteous faction member, so how have I tarnished the Tang Clan’s name?”
Tang Do-gyeong spoke boldly but calmly. He wasn’t carried away by a momentary rage or the present circumstances—he was simply expressing the true feelings he had nurtured all along.
“If I had been powerful in the Tang Clan, would my moniker as an honorable guest have become one of shame? If I were allowed to create and refine my own martial arts style independent of the clan’s interference, why would those rumors be tolerated?”
“The clan has been fretting about another incident like what happened with my father, so aren’t you just letting that nickname suppress me?”
Tang Do-gi offered no rebuttal.
“Why do you think I detailed my visits to the Outcast Inn to you? It’s because I knew it would tarnish the clan’s reputation. Still, I chose to visit the Outcast Inn to train myself through gambling with Brother Ya and interacting with them, wanting to understand them better.”
“…Do-gyeong.”
“It’s true that I desired to connect with them, feeling a sense of kinship for the first time in my life. However, all I received in return was threats of disconnection. Then let me ask you, what can I do while carrying the Tang surname?”
“As someone with the Tang surname, you are meant to act righteously. How can you even say such things?”
“That’s a sound argument, Uncle. But it’s increasingly hard to act appropriately as a Tang. I want to drop the ‘Tang’ from my name.”
Tang Do-gyeong made his resolution clear.
“I wish to sever ties.”
Tang Do-gi looked up at the sky.
“I’m sorry.”
Tang Do-gi turned around and spoke to the group.
“Listen, my friends… I have a request. Can you all lower your weapons just this once?”
“…Do-gi, brother!”
“You won’t stay still at Yulbatang either, will you?”
“I know. But this is a request just once.”
The five Tang experts exchanged glances and sighed. With a sound like a flick of the whip, they returned their weapons to their waist.
“I’ll give you a week. No matter what the clan says, I won’t budge for a week. So gather your thoughts and return.”
“Don’t expect me to come back.”
“In exactly a week, I will send a letter to the Tang Clan at this time. In that case, the main house will likely begin the process of severing ties. The family head has already spoken it out loud. You’ll need to come back before that.”
“….”
“I’ll be waiting at Soyo Inn.”
The Tang Clan’s experts deployed their martial arts and quietly vanished. The crowds, once caught up in the unexpected commotion, had hidden themselves in the face of the overwhelming aura but gradually started to murmur among themselves.
“Great Hero…! I never expected you to think so highly of us, this coming from Jeong Mo!”
“Brother Tang!!”
“Even if the Tang Clan comes next time, I will draw my sword and fight!”
“I will too!”
The Outcasts, moved by Tang Do-gyeong’s words, surged forward in excitement. Ho Cheon-an made a strange face as he saw some of the Outcasts even shedding tears in their emotional fervor.
Tang Do-gyeong had severed ties with the clan to his followers’ joy!
Seeing the faces of the Outcasts looking like they’d give him anything if only they could, Ho Cheon-an abandoned the carefully laid plans for future enrichment. Now, neutrality and faction meant nothing. Everyone had become fervent followers of Tang Do-gyeong.
Ho Cheon-an watched as Tang Do-gyeong led the entire group of Outcasts into the Inn.
“What are you thinking, Senior?”
Black Cat, who had been carrying a popped rice bag for who knows how long, asked Ho Cheon-an.
“Hmm…”
Black Cat thought Ho Cheon-an’s expression looked strange.
She hadn’t expected this scenario either. Who would have predicted that Tang Do-gyeong would suggest severing ties here, and that Tang Do-gi would agree to it? Knowing how Tang Do-gyeong concentrated on his own style and the backstory that led him to this moment, Black Cat was still astonished.
Even if she knew the story, she never envisioned he’d leave the Tang Clan behind.
But part of her mind understood that choice wasn’t all that surprising. After accumulating such experiences, he might well choose to sever ties.
Astonishing, but certainly possible.
That was Black Cat’s impression of the recent events. If she had only listened to what Tang Do-gyeong said at that moment, she would have resonated even more with his choice.
“Still, why does he have that expression?”
Black Cat was overwhelmed with a feeling that made her want to laugh.
Indeed, Ho Cheon-an wore a face as if he had witnessed the “impossible.”
“What’s going on in Senior’s head? What is he thinking? What plan is he forming for the future? Who knows what an unruly ball of yarn will do next. It’s completely unpredictable, yet thrilling.”
Seeing Ho Cheon-an deep in thought, Black Cat snickered.
