Yes, I’ll remember that. (2)

“A… Alive…?”

Tang Sangsu, the chief administrator of the Tang clan, who had somehow managed to lead the surviving members of the family, stared blankly at the retreating Maninbang.

Even seeing it with his own eyes, it was hard to believe.

Although Jongnam’s vanguard had arrived, followed by the appearance of Hwasan Geomhyeop, the number of warriors from Maninbang who had crawled to this place was overwhelmingly large. If Jang Ilso had decided, he could have easily massacred everyone here.

But surprisingly, Jang Ilso withdrew too easily. It was so neat that one might wonder if there was any need to chase after Sichuan Tang in the first place.

They were alive. Yes, they were now alive.

‘Why?’

It was a development too different from what was expected. Despite the situation being one to be thankful for, doubts flooded in before relief. However, with the following events unfolding subsequently, Tang Sangsu’s doubts could only be naturally resolved.

“Ch-chief, look! Over there! They’re coming!”

At someone’s shout, he raised his head.

“Oh…”

Immediately, his eyes widened. A massive cloud of dust rose as a group approached across the dry land. The moment he saw the familiar figure at the forefront, a cry mixed with tears burst from Tang Sangsu’s lips.

“I-it’s the Lord!”

Poison King Tang Gunak. He was leading the elite forces that had left the Tang clan for some time. They were even accompanied by Hwasan’s swordsmen.

“O-Over there too!”

This time, Tang Sangu’s gaze turned north. Another group of warriors was approaching from there. The vanguard of Jongnam showed a reaction. They were undoubtedly Jongnam’s swordsmen.

“It’s Jongnam! Jongnam!”

Strangely, Hwasan, Tangga, and Jongnam seemed to have arrived at a similar time.

“Oh…”

Finally, Tang Sangsu understood why Jang Ilso had retreated without hesitation. No matter how many soldiers he led with Maninbang, he wouldn’t have been able to handle the simultaneous attack from Hwasan, Jongnam, and Sichuan Tang clan.

Thud.

Only then did Tang Sangsu’s legs give out under him. Nevertheless, he had escaped the clutches of the vicious Maninbang.

“Chief!”

“Lord! Over here, here!”

At Tang Gunak’s shout, Tang Sangsu hastily stood up again and shouted. Spotting him, Tang Gunak rushed towards him like folding the earth itself.

Crack!

Tang Gunak’s gaze, who had come to a halt, flickered.

“My Lord.”

He had seen the numerous corpses around him. Elders who sacrificed themselves to block Maninbang, craftsmen who screamed under the tyranny of Maninbang’s swords.

Moreover, those who were lucky enough to survive were in no better state. Children were crying themselves hoarse, and women who had collapsed from exhaustion were exerting all their strength to comfort those children, even though they had none left.

It was brutal and tragic.

Though complete annihilation had been avoided, it was by no means a situation with minimal casualties. Who could have imagined that the mighty Sichuan Tang would be reduced to such a state?

“I apologize, my Lord.”

Tears streamed from Tang Sangsu’s eyes. If only he had been a little wiser, if his decisions had been a little faster, perhaps these people wouldn’t have died. Faced with the corpses of those who might have survived if only he had acted differently, what could he possibly say?

“I failed to prevent the deaths of our family members! I… I failed to stop the workshop from burning, the poison repository from crumbling. My hesitation cost us everything..”

Tang Sangsu burst into tears, his whole body trembling as he cried out.

“Please kill me, please! My Lord. Kill me…”

With a firm grip, Tang Gunak grabbed Tang Sangsu’s shoulders, as if trying to calm his trembling body.

“Don’t say such things.”

“My Lord…”

“Instead, people are alive, aren’t they? That’s all that matters. Weapons and poisons are not more important than people.”

“…Thank you.”

Moved by Tang Gunak’s words, Tang Sangsu collapsed in tears. Tang Gunak looked down at him and bit his lip.

“Check on the wounded and the exhausted! Immediately!”

“Yes, Lord!”

With determined faces, Tangga’s warriors scattered, responding in unison.

“M-Mother!”

“Mother! Where are you!”

“Those who are injured, come here! No, I’ll go to you. Just raise your hand!”

Turning away from the faces of the warriors and seeing his subordinates who had returned as fathers or someone’s children, Tang Gunak turned his head. He was struck by the lone figure before them.

It was Chung Myung, now sitting there as if he had no strength left even to raise a finger. Tang Gunak sighed deeply and approached him.

“Where’s Jang Ilso?”

“Gone.”

Chung Myung spoke without even glancing up.

“He laughed arrogantly, then pulled his ass out of this without hesitation.”

Tang Gunak’s thick eyebrows twitched slightly. It was because he could imagine the expression Jang Ilso would have had. However, he quickly erased any emotion and spoke shortly.

“You did well.”

“…What do you mean?”

Chung Myung turned his head to look at Tang Gunak. Unexpectedly, there was a chill in his gaze, causing Tang Gunak to stiffen momentarily.

“All the people who were going to die have already died, so what exactly did I do well? If we had arrived a little sooner, those who died could have survived.”

“…If you hadn’t arrived when you did, they all would have died.”

“If I had been a little stronger…”

“…”

“…If Hwasan had been a little stronger, they wouldn’t have died. If I had made wiser decisions and been a little more composed…”

Tang Gunak involuntarily closed his eyes tightly.

The deaths of his clan members were the most tragic and heartbreaking for Tang Gunak to see. But it seemed that Chung Myung felt an even greater responsibility in this situation. Tang Gunak opened his eyes and spoke.

“You…”

At that moment, a piercing scream echoed from somewhere.

“Lord! Elder Tang Oe is here!”

Tang Gunak’s head snapped around. The one who had screamed was a person, who was checking if any of the elders had survived.

Tang Gunak pounded the ground with force. Rushing over, he took Tang Oe from person who was carrying him as if snatching him away.

“How is he?”

There was no immediate answer. Tang Gunak bit his lip slightly. No, there was no need for an answer in the first place. From the moment he touched the elder’s body, he had a gut feeling.

“Elder…”

Tang Gunak looked down at Tang Oe. His body was mutilated and poisoned, his arms severed. Even the most skilled healer couldn’t save him now.

Tang Oe’s unfocused eyes shook slightly, as if recognizing Tang Gunak, and he faintly moved his lips. Understanding the meaning of his movement, Tang Gunak bit his lip once again.

“Yes.”

Tang Gunak took out a needle from his sleeve and stuck it into Tang Oe’s body. This would momentarily restore some strength, but he would meet his death sooner than expected, like a candle burning brighter just before it extinguishes.

“Lord…”

“Yes, please speak, Head Elder.”

Tang Gunak has never liked Tang Oe. No, there were times when he even hated him.

But in this moment, what use were such pent-up emotions? They melted away like snow, leaving nothing. How could he harbor the same hatred towards the old man who had become like this, just to protect their family?

“…I’m sorry.”

These were the first words Tang Oe spoke as his face regained some vitality. Tang Gunak’s face stiffened at the unexpected words.

“Elder…”

“I… I was too foolish…”

Tang Gunak’s hand, which was holding onto the frail body of the elder, trembled slightly. Tang Oe’s face was filled with profound regret.

“I was… I was foolish… I burdened the Lord too much…”

“Please don’t say such things! Elder, I…”

Tears welled up in Tang Oe’s blurry eyes.

“L-Lord…”

Tang Gunak squeezed Tang Oe’s hand.

“I’m listening.”

“Tangga… Our Tangga has lost too much… It will be difficult for it to return to its former state. It can’t be as it was before. So, Lord…”

“Yes.”

“Follow your own will, ignore the law… That is what’s best for the family.”

“Elder…”

“In the end… it will be like this…”

Tang Oe, who had been looking at Tang Gunak’s face, turned his gaze away with difficulty. He could see the members of the clan, who were looking at them with concern. Even though they must be exhausted themselves, they were worried about him.

‘Tangga is here.’

The true Tang clan was not within the confines of its walls.

Suddenly, a man walking towards Tang Gunak caught his eye. He didn’t seem familiar, yet he was someone unforgettable.

‘Hwasan Geomhyeop…’

He should have felt hatred. But he didn’t.

Instead, he felt a sense of relief. The fact that this man was standing by Tang Gunak’s side. His words from before were still vivid in his memory.

What the Tang clan needed most right now was someone like him.

“Lord… Please… I entrust them to you…”

“Elder!”

Tang Oe’s head slowly drooped. And then his body slumped. Now all that remained was for it to cool down quickly…

Gazing down at the elder, Tang Gunak raised his head and closed his eyes. His sturdy shoulders trembled slightly. Yet, after a brief moment, he gently laid Tang Oe on the ground and stood up straight. He was the Lord of the Tang clan. He had no time or the luxury of drowning in sorrow or succumbing to pain.

“Recover the bodies of the elders.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

Tang Pae nodded faintly, his voice choked with emotions.

These were not just ordinary elders. They were interconnected through blood within the Tang clan. Those who perished here were fathers, grandfathers, irreplaceable brothers.

“Lord Tang…”

Hyun Jong approached Tang Gunak and spoke cautiously, as if he did not know how to comfort him. Tang Gunak just shook his head.

“It’s not time for sorrow, Alliance Leader.”

“…”

“Rather, it’s time to rejoice. I was able to meet those whom I thought I would never see again. It’s all thanks to you, as the Lord of Sichuan Tang Clan I thank you. We are grateful.”

“Please don’t say such things. I’m just deeply sorry.”

With a deep bow towards Hyun Jong, who had been present since a while ago but had not yet spoken, Tang Gunak turned slowly.

His gaze fell upon those who had arrived earlier but hadn’t spoken yet.

“Instead, we should express our gratitude over there.”

Hyun Jong nodded heavily in agreement as he followed Tang Gunak’s gaze.

Jongnam.

If they hadn’t arrived before Cheonumaneg, those who survived wouldn’t have even reached half of what they are now.

Tang Gunak approached where the swordsmen of Jongnam were gathered. Then, a man in the center stepped forward to greet Tang Gunak.

The Sword Under the Heaven [천하검(天下劍) – cheonha-geom], Jongli Gok [종리곡(鐘離穀)].

He was the Sect Leader of Jongnam, who had quite strained relationships with Hwasan.

“Lord Tang Gunak of Sichuan Tang Clan greets the Sect Leader of Jongnam.”

“Jongnam’s Jongli Gok greets the lord of Great Sichuan Tang Clan.”

The two men bowed deeply. Simultaneously, a subtle tension spread in all directions.