Chapter 143:

Chapter 143:

Poison to the Tang Clan, Medicine to the Tang Clan

“An organization aiming to unify the martial arts world... Do you have any idea who these Shinchun people might be, Master?”

Without hesitation, Tang Pae-jin replied to Mu-jin’s question.

“I suspect they might be related to the Demonic Alliance.”

The Demonic Alliance, the arch-nemesis of the Murim Alliance, was a coalition of dark sect forces.

Given that their goal was to induce internal strife within the orthodox sects, it was reasonable to suspect them.

However, while nodding in agreement with Tang Pae-jin’s words, Mu-jin was thinking of something else.

‘The Demonic Alliance might be involved, but they aren’t the main players.’

In the second part of the novel, the final enemy was Hyeok Jin-gang, the Heavenly Sword Emperor and leader of the Demonic Alliance.

Although he fought against the Heavenly Demon in the epilogue, the battle was interrupted by Shin-seung, leaving hints for the third part.

In any case, if Hyeok Jin-gang were the head of Shinchun, there would have been no reason for the novel to end like that or for a third part to exist.

Nevertheless, Mu-jin had a simple reason for not correcting Tang Pae-jin’s words.

‘Well, we still need to deal with the Demonic Alliance anyway.’

Even if they mistakenly believed Shinchun was the Demonic Alliance, it didn’t harm Mu-jin’s position.

“Of course, it could also be people related to the Heavenly Demon Cult. But the problem isn’t whether they’re from the Demonic Alliance or the Heavenly Demon Cult. The issue is that someone powerful enough to pose a challenge to my father is hiding their identity and moving covertly.”

“Indeed, to thwart their plans, we need to first prevent conflicts among the orthodox factions.”

“I understand that too... but will Emei and Qingcheng believe us?”

Tang Pae-jin’s furrowed brow deepened, bringing a silence to the main hall.

The silence was then broken by Tang-gak, who had kept his mouth shut, which was unlike his usually troublesome temperament.

“That’s precisely why I stayed behind, Master.”

“Father?”

Tang Pae-jin tilted his head in confusion at his father’s unusual use of ‘Master’ instead of his usual terms of endearment like ‘boy’ or ‘son.’

But Tang-gak, ignoring Tang Pae-jin’s reaction, continued speaking.

“Heh heh. After passing the position of Master to you, I lived as an old man without interest in the martial world. However, my granddaughter often visited me and shared interesting stories. Especially, the recent tales she told after returning from the Yongbongji Conference were quite fascinating.”

“The Yongbongji Conference?”

Tang Pae-jin looked puzzled while Mu-jin felt an inexplicable unease.

“Yes. So-mi told me she found an interesting disciple of Shaolin at the Yongbongji Conference. And recently, she mentioned that Shaolin’s actions have significantly changed.”

Ignoring Tang Pae-jin’s perplexed gaze, Tang-gak stared directly at Mu-jin.

“So, I have a request for you. Could you help our Sichuan Tang Clan, Shaolin Dragon?”

“!!!”

Tang Pae-jin looked at Mu-jin in shock upon hearing the title ‘Shaolin Dragon.’

“...How long have you known?”

On the other hand, Mu-jin, maintaining a blank expression, wondered if Tang So-mi had given Tang-gak a hint.

But it was an unnecessary suspicion.

“Heh heh. Do you remember the time we went to Unhyangwon together?”

Apparently, he overheard the Head of Unhyangwon calling him the ‘Shaolin Dragon.’

“So, what kind of help are you asking for? Although my skills are outstanding among the younger generation, they can’t compare to Senior Dark King.”

“So-mi told me. Recently, Shaolin has started forming connections with the secular world. They’ve begun business with Cheonryu Sangdan and established relations with Wudang. So, how about forming a connection with our Sichuan Tang Clan this time?”

Before Mu-jin could respond to Tang-gak’s request, Tang Pae-jin spoke first.

“Father, what do you mean? Are you suggesting that our Tang Clan needs to extend a hand to Shaolin?”

“You know as well, Master. Emei and Qingcheng have already allied. Even for our Tang Clan, handling the two sects of the Nine Great Sects alone won’t be easy. Even if we prevail, there will inevitably be a lot of bloodshed among our kin.”

“Our Tang Clan is not easily defeated. Moreover, aren’t you still healthy and strong, Father?”

“Heh heh. While I appreciate you thinking highly of me, I am getting old. A single fight now requires me to rest for half a month. We must start preparing for the time when I am no longer here.”

Perhaps it was because his father, who had always been proud of his strength, was showing signs of weakness for the first time that Tang Pae-jin had a momentarily confused expression.

However, he was a man who had lived as the head of his family. He quickly regained his composure and organized his thoughts.

It was foolish to cling to his pride when his nasty father was showing his weak side.

“Mu-jin So-hyeop, can you establish a connection between Shaolin and Tang Clan?”

Tang Pae-jin asked with a serious expression, and Mu-jin, looking at him, fell into thought for a moment.

‘I didn’t plan on moving with this in mind.’

An alliance with the Tang Clan? It was something he had never even considered before. But, thinking about it, it wasn’t a bad idea.

No, it was actually a good idea.

“Thank you. And I’m sorry, but may I ask for one more thing?”

“A request of this level isn’t even considered a request. Speak freely.”

“I would like you to make me a specific medicine.”

“By medicine, do you mean an antidote?”

Mu-jin shook his head at Tang Pae-jin’s question.

If building a resistance to poison was a recent necessity, the second thing Mu-jin desired had been a daily wish since he had possessed ‘Mu-jin.’

It was something he had delayed because it seemed difficult to create at Shaolin.

However, the Tang Clan, renowned for their expertise in poisons, had likely conducted various biological and chemical experiments, making it feasible.

What Mu-jin had always wanted to make was...

“A protein supplement.”

The precious powder of fitness enthusiasts.

* * *

After Mu-jin had left.

“Are you alright?”

“Ugh. Don’t worry about me.”

Despite Tang Pae-jin’s worried inquiry, Tang-gak, who had been hiding his pain, waved his hand dismissively while groaning.

Tang Pae-jin, who had been looking at him sympathetically for a moment, spoke with a complex expression.

“I wonder if it was the right decision to seek help from Shaolin.”

“As the head of the family, you speak weakly.”

“I’m only saying this because I’m in front of the elder.”

Tang Pae-jin replied with a bitter smile and continued.

“But why did you show such a weak side to the Shaolin Dragon?”

Mu-jin might not have noticed because Tang-gak hadn’t shown his pain, but Tang Pae-jin, Tang-gak’s son, could sense it.

The original Tang-gak was not someone who would say things like ‘I’m old’ or ‘You should prepare for when I’m gone.’

But the answer that came was quite a bitter one.

“You already know from the medical officer that it’s hard for me to fight any longer.”

The Dark King Tang-gak.

He was already nearly eighty years old, an elderly man. He maintained balance only with immense internal energy and a high level of martial arts.

But the severe internal injury he suffered this time completely broke that balance.

The month-long rest was just to alleviate the pain.

The medical officer had said:

– If you overexert yourself in martial arts one more time, you will immediately lose your life.

Tang-gak could no longer live as a martial artist. He could only participate in one last battle if he was prepared to lose his life.

“Now that this has happened, I have a lot of thoughts. Whether it’s better to feign strength out of pride and suffer bloodshed, or to somehow protect the family and its people.”

“You’ve chosen the latter.”

To his son’s question, Tang-gak silently nodded.

Looking at his father, Tang Pae-jin had a complex expression.

The Tang Clan had a history of not easily trusting outsiders.

This was due to their history of being despised for using hidden weapons and poisons, which led to them being labeled as eccentric and ruthless.

Tang-gak was a person who embodied that prejudice perfectly.

For such a father to first show weakness and ask another sect for help...

“It seems you liked the Shaolin Dragon.”

“Heh heh. Not just him, but also Shaolin. Though they’re isolated from the world and live in the mountains, there’s no need to worry about betrayal from them.”

“Yes. And in my opinion, he didn’t seem like a young man who would recklessly harm our family.”

While Tang-gak and Tang Pae-jin were discussing Mu-jin...

Mu-jin, who had left the hall earlier, was currently...

“Here.”

For some reason, he was with Tang Pae-jin’s precious youngest daughter, Tang So-mi.

“Here, you don’t have to worry about anyone listening to our conversation. Feel free to speak, Monk Mu-jin.”

And they were alone.