Chronicles of the Reincarnated Demon God - Chapter 15

Chapter 15 – Tang Ho-san

Wild Wind Dance

Demonic Wind Hammer

By twisting the body dramatically, the rotational force could be concentrated into a thunderous downward strike. This move, even alone, was an overwhelmingly fearsome weapon.

The illusion that the air was cracking apart was caused by this very technique—a hammer blow infused with the demonic wind conjured by the practitioner’s malevolent energy.

For Tang Gyu-jin, who had lost her sword, this situation was wholly disadvantageous.

Rising Dragon Kicking Technique

Ascending to Heaven Kick

She resorted to responding with the Qingcheng Sect’s kicking technique… but as a sect renowned for their swordsmanship, their unarmed attacks lacked power…

However, with genius inspiration, Tang Gyu-jin incorporated the Sichuan Tang Clan’s Three-Yang Reversal Technique—known for its ability to amplify Yang energy—and successfully created an entirely new martial technique.

Ascending to Heaven Kick – Exploding Yang

Yang energy, by its nature, possessed explosive power. Tang Gyu-jin likely considered this the only method to counter the Demonic Wind Hammer.

Indeed, Tang Gyu-jin showed formidable proficiency not only in the sword arts of the Qingcheng Sect but also in the martial techniques of the Tang Clan.

Her newly evolved Ascending to Heaven Kick seemed incredibly sharp and threatening.

Even I couldn’t guarantee my victory.

But one thing was certain: When the duel concluded, both the victor and the defeated would be left with significant injuries.

Despite the looming risk of severe injuries, we continued to fight at our fullest, fueled by a thrill that couldn’t be stopped.

But then, just as we were about to clash once again…

『I think this game has gone far enough.』

A thunderous voice echoed from the heavens, and something dropped between us.

Boom!

Or rather, someone. The figure effortlessly blocked my descending leg with his right hand and Tang Gyu-jin’s rising kick with his left.

“Father…?”

His face was a mixture of Tang Gyu-jin’s features and Tang Yu-chang’s. The master of the Nine Dragons Branch Family, Tang Ho-san, had arrived.

Startled, Tang Gyu-jin stepped back and bowed deeply.

The blue ghost that had enveloped her vanished like it had never been there.

“Greetings, Branch Family Head!”

The spectators all stood abruptly and paid their respects. It was a natural response to the sudden appearance of the ruler of the estate.

「It really has been six years. Hmm…」

「I heard he spent most of his time in seclusion, but that must’ve been a lie. To possess such skill!」

Even the ghosts familiar with Tang Ho-san seemed a bit surprised. To be honest, so was I.

No matter how legendary the Wild Wind Squad had been, it had still been a mere combat unit.

At best, I’d thought its leader might be on a similar level as an elder within the Heavenly Demon Cult. But now, it seemed my assessment needed correction.

Tang Ho-san might even rank as one of the devotees—those just below the cult lord hierarchically.

His prowess was such that even if I fully returned as “Yeon Woon-hwi,” I couldn’t be assured of my victory against him.

What could keep someone of his caliber as a mere branch family head?

Tang Ho-san, having received the greetings of the attendants, turned his gaze toward me as I stood idly without offering a bow. “Do you have something to say to me?” he asked.

I concealed my reluctance and greeted him respectfully. “…Greetings, Branch Family Head.” Then, I asked, “May I ask why you’re here, sir?”

“This is the Nine Dragons Branch Family. Is there anywhere I cannot go?”

“Of course not. As lord of the manor, you are permitted anywhere. My concern was merely whether our meager skills might offend your esteemed eyes.”

It was a thinly veiled way of saying his presence had dampened the mood.

“Hmm…”

“?”

‘What’s with this silent stare?’

Tang Ho-san’s eyes were fixed on me, and Tang Gyu-jin and every attendant stared with mouths agape.

Only now did I realize my mistake.

Tang Ho-san was accustomed to issuing commands and receiving replies. No one questioned him or dared to scrutinize his actions, least of all his son, Tang Woon-hwi, who had never even been able to meet his father’s gaze directly.

Furthermore, I had referred to him consistently as “Branch Family Head” instead of “Father,” maintaining deliberate distance.

It seemed the lingering rush of adrenaline had clouded my judgment.

Just as I was wracking my brain to find a way to recover from this misstep…

“I’m very pleased,” Tang Ho-san said, surprisingly. “I heard rumors about your shift in personality, but this exceeds my expectations.”

I had fully anticipated anger, so his reaction caught me off guard.

“But indeed, your meager skills evoked no emotion in me whatsoever,” he added.

Ouch. Way to have no tact.

“And one of you was outright disappointing,” he said as his cold gaze settled on Tang Yu-chang.

“F-Father—”

“This is an official gathering. Don’t forget your manners,” Tang Ho-san interrupted curtly.

“Y-yes, my apolo—”

“The clan head’s visit is imminent,” Tang Ho-san declared, cutting Tang Yu-chang off entirely.

The look of utter disregard Tang Ho-san gave was the same look he’d once reserved for “Tang Woon-hwi.”

Tang Yu-chang looked utterly defeated.

“The clan head wishes to personally select talented personnel. Even as we speak, members of the Tang family are converging upon their estates. Suffering injuries in this interim and causing concern for the clan head would be unacceptable.”

Tang Ho-san clasped his hands behind his back and surveyed the surroundings with an authoritative air.

“Extreme training and duels are prohibited until the clan head’s visit. Dismissed!”

The branch family head’s command was absolute, and so the attendants dispersed in haste.

“You two should return to your quarters as well,” he ordered, his gaze falling on myself and Tang Gyu-jin.

I bowed respectfully in reply.

Tang Ho-san’s final glance at the despondent Tang Yu-chang was devoid of even a shred of sympathy.

The first impression I had of Tang Ho-san?

I didn’t like him.

The man who had once ignored “Tang Woon-hwi” entirely, showing no interest in him when he was deemed useless, was now taking a keen interest the moment I displayed potential.

He treated his children as disposable tools.

Look at Tang Yu-chang.

Tang Ho-san had deemed him worthless, and now he didn’t even merit a glance. The pathetic fool was so devastated that he couldn’t snap out of his daze until he returned to the Red Pavilion.

He looked like a man who’d lost his home.

It was clear just how much his father’s acknowledgment meant to him—or perhaps it was the realization that the role of branch family head he had aspired to had suddenly slipped away.

But this was exactly the outcome I’d been hoping for.

“…Father truly doesn’t care about how hard we’ve worked, does he? Only results matter to him,” Tang Gyu-jin mused as we relocated to the White Pavilion following the duel.

Already free of the sword ghost form, she was sipping tea that I’d poured for her.

Yet her expression remained tinged with bitterness.

A father who neglected his children and roamed outside. A mother who imposed her own dreams upon her children.

Caught between such parents, Tang Gyu-jin had worked tirelessly to unite her fractured family but had ultimately failed, leading her to leave home.

I couldn’t imagine how she felt now—not that I particularly cared to know.

What I could appreciate, however, was how truly special the love and care my master had given me was.

Despite not being of his flesh and blood, he had cherished me even more than those who were.

For that, his kindness was beyond my ability to ever repay in full, no matter how hard I might try…

And so I resolved to work even harder.

“…”

I silently sipped my tea before placing the cup back on the table.

“There’s an old saying,” I said, breaking the silence. “ ‘When a person changes suddenly, it is an omen of death.’ ”

“What—?”

“Fortunately, the branch family head is the same as ever. Don’t you agree, Sister?”

Tang Gyu-jin stared at me in silence.

“Why not let it go? He’s always been this way.”

For a moment, she looked at me strangely…

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“…No, it’s nothing. I just realized you must see no difference between my mother and our father.”

I smiled in lieu of a response.

Tang Gyu-jin needed to fully understand how dysfunctional this family was.

She sighed and asked, “Well, the fun’s gone. What should we do now?”

“Per the family head’s orders, I suggest we rest well and prepare for the clan head’s arrival. We can settle our score then.”

Tang Gyu-jin broke into a wide grin. “You’re saying we’ll fight for real next time? No holding back?”

“Of course.”

“Excellent.”

We both laughed, eager for the match to come.

* * *

The Clear Wind Tavern was once again abuzz with activity thanks to me.

I, however, was thoroughly annoyed.

“Young Master! Young Master! Just a moment of your time, please—”

Nope. Not interested.

“Ahem-ahem! I’ve always believed the second young master is far superior to the third young master—”

Good for you. Keep believing.

“Do you need any support? If it’s money, my wife’s family—”

Why would a Tang Clan member beg for money?

“Would you care to see my daughter’s portrait? She’s the most beautiful woman in Sichuan, if I may say so myself—”

I can tell just by looking at you that’s impossible.

The tavern was overflowing with people trying to curry favor with me.

I had no prominent maternal family, and I was unmarried with no in-laws. I didn’t even have a formal master-disciple relationship to boast of. My background was essentially nonexistent.

To them, I was a newfound treasure waiting to be claimed.

But that train had already left the station.

“They’re annoying, so stop them from coming near me,” I told the tavern owner.

“Of course, Young Master! I’ll ensure your peace isn’t disturbed!” he replied, bowing so low that he nearly touched the floor.

He even cleared the entire top floor for me, posting guards to ensure no one bothered me.

His diligence stemmed from the knowledge that my patronage alone brought in enough customers to pack the place to bursting. Losing me would mean a huge financial hit, so he wasn’t taking any chances.

Honestly, the man was a shrewd businessman.

Thanks to him, I finally had the peace to enjoy a drink with Tang Gyu-jin as promised.

“Is it really okay to order this much food?” she asked, looking overwhelmed by the endless dishes arriving at our table.

“It’s fine. I always eat like this,” I replied.

“Always?!” Tang Gyu-jin suddenly grabbed both my hands, her expression turning uncharacteristically serious. “Woon-hwi, you…”

Oh no… Was she going to scold me about wasting food, or—

“…Must be rich!”

…What?

“Let’s always stay close forever, all right? Don’t forget, we have an unbreakable sibling bond!”

“…Does the Qingcheng Sect not feed you?”

“They do,” she muttered.

“Then why—”

“It’s a Taoist temple,” she said, her expression shifting to one of resigned enlightenment.

“…Ah.”

I had nothing to say but plenty to pity.

“All we ever eat is grass! How is anyone supposed to thrive like that? At this age, we need hearty meals to grow stronger! But no, just greens every day! No wonder everyone’s so frail!”

She vented her frustration at an almost comical speed.

“People should be allowed some indulgence! Good food, fine wine! That’s what makes life worthwhile! But no, all those ascetic, rigid monks…” she rambled, on and on.

I wisely refrained from mentioning that all the food here was being charged to her mother’s tab.

Some things were better left unsaid.