The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel-Chapter 156: Journey to Sichuan - 4

The Greatest Clan Under Heaven.

Among martial artists, there isn’t a single one who hasn’t dreamed at least once of becoming the Greatest Under Heaven. Usually, it’s the kind of dream harbored by young masters of prestigious clans, who’ve already tasted reality and learned to compromise.

It must’ve eaten at Tang Geo-ho, being from the Sichuan Tang Clan, to be so full of resentment. Sure, they’re one of the most renowned clans in the martial world, but when you’re talked about behind your back, it’s only natural to feel a little bitter.

Still, if he’d turned that bitterness into fuel for self-improvement and refinement, that would've been admirable. But instead—why the hell did he turn to cutting open and slicing up other people?

What? You want to create the Greatest Clan Under Heaven, one that makes all bow their heads?

Just say it straight—you know you’ll never be the Greatest Under Heaven yourself, so you’re settling for being the commander of the greatest Poisoned Ones battalion.

As ridiculous as it was, Tang Geo-ho’s logic was so fittingly martial artist-like that I had no choice but to butt in, both to shut him down and to end the Vice Pavilion Head’s inner struggle.

“Just because everyone lowers their heads doesn’t mean you’re the Greatest Clan Under Heaven.”

I activated the Soyoon Mental Resonance Technique and spoke so all could hear.

“Who the hell are you?”

If you ask who I am, it’s only natural to answer.

The last surviving member of the Kang family. Fiancé of Murong Sang-ah. Childhood friend of the Heavenly Killing Star. Blood brother of the prank-loving heir of the Tang Clan. Closest friend of Tang Hwa-rin. Author of Storm of the Tang Clan, pen name Ho-pil.

“A guest of the Sichuan Tang Clan. For now, I speak in place of the Vice Pavilion Head and his silent men in black.”

I had more to say, but I figured pretending not to know him would make him sulk, so I kept it short.

Tang Geo-ho looked curiously at the Vice Pavilion Head, who nodded, confirming I was speaking on their behalf.

“This is getting interesting. So you’re the guest who makes the Vice Pavilion Head twitch just at the sight of your black hair, huh? Alright, what did you just say?”

“I said, a clan where all bow their heads isn’t the Greatest Clan Under Heaven. That’s the path of those demonic sect bastards who love domination and subjugation—not the path of a truly great clan.”

Honestly, I wanted to say, “Only cult bastards would talk like that. Are you possessed or something?” But knowing he’d probably throw a throwing knife at me, I settled for calling it the demonic path.

“If everyone bows, then that clan is the Greatest Under Heaven.”

Tang Geo-ho sneered at me like I’d just said something absurd.

Oh, you're laughing? Let me show you what’s really absurd.

“Nonsense. If strength alone determined greatness, then where is Emperor Qin’s dynasty ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ now? What of Xiang Yu, the Unmatched Champion of a Hundred Battles—why is he remembered as a tragic laughingstock?”

Let’s start by tearing down his logic with the most famous figures known for brute force.

“...Because they lacked power in the end.”

If you're going to say they fell because they lacked strength and authority, then you’d better summon a god to make up for it. Tang Geo-ho looked away awkwardly, clearly unconvinced by his own words.

When there’s a crack in the logic, strike immediately. freёnovelkiss.com

“The Greatest Clan Under Heaven isn’t something you create by forcing people to bow.”

I shook my head with a look that said, You really are spouting pathetic nonsense.

“So you’re saying, like the Vice Pavilion Head, that the Greatest Clan Under Heaven is just an empty fantasy?”

How dare you. Comparing me to the Vice Pavilion Head? That almost made me lose my composure.

I forced a calm smile, then looked at the nervous faces of the Vice Pavilion Head’s subordinates, the Vice Pavilion Head himself, and Hwa-rin—before shouting at Tang Geo-ho with conviction:

“No. The Greatest Clan Under Heaven is the one that makes all lift their heads in awe. When they look up at you, their faces should show reverence—that is the true mark of greatness. If you force their heads down with power, and all you see are expressions cursing your family behind hidden faces, how in the world can you call that greatness?”

Not the crooked path of tyranny—but the right path.

We walk the righteous road, even if it’s long and hard. That has always been the way of the Sichuan Tang Clan, and it shall remain so.

Our path is not mistaken. It’s long and painful, but at its end lies the true Greatest Clan Under Heaven. Don’t let yourself be swayed by delusion.

I saw the Vice Pavilion Head’s men nodding with smiles forming on their faces.

“Tch... Vice Pavilion Head. Since when did a black-haired brat get to speak for the Tang Clan?”

Cornered, Tang Geo-ho clicked his tongue and turned to the Vice Pavilion Head.

“Keep talking.”

Why are you staring at me like that? The Vice Pavilion Head didn’t even glance at Tang Geo-ho. He just smiled and egged me on.

“You claim to be doing this for the clan—to gain power and make it the Greatest Under Heaven? Then how could someone who claims to care about their clan perform cruel experiments on their own kin?”

“A small sacrifice is sometimes necessary.”

“Small? Hey! What did you just say?”

Hwa-rin’s voice, cracking with rage, rang out from behind me.

“Hwa-rin. Just hold on. Breathe.”

I grabbed Hwa-rin as she tried to storm forward and barely managed to turn her aside.

Her arm was soft to an overwhelming degree, but now was not the time to focus on that. I filed that sensation into the “Tang Hwa-rin Mad Movie Folder” in the magpie corner of my brain for later.

This bastard Tang Geo-ho. He just keeps pulling out that same "they didn’t die, so it’s fine" excuse. Fine. Let’s crush that next.

“You said it was a small pain?”

I asked him again.

“Yes. For the clan, such sacrifice is justified.”

“Is that so? Then tell me—those other bastard children of the Lecher you experimented on. Did they think the same? If even one of them agreed with you, I’d reconsider my stance.”

Of course, I’ll never hear that answer. Not ever.

“...”

For the first time, Tang Geo-ho’s expression showed genuine discomfort. Yeah, bastard. We all know every last one of those other test subjects died.

“Then... those other children—?”

“You’re saying Tang Hwa-rin is the only survivor of those Poisoned One experiments?”

“How could someone wearing a human face do something so monstrous!”

“The Tang Clan’s sins run deep...”

Even the Vice Pavilion Head’s subordinates seemed to sense the fate of the other children from Tang Geo-ho’s expression. Their voices were filled with dismay.

“How can someone who’s lost the way of humanity speak of becoming the Greatest Clan Under Heaven?”

I declared this to the bastard who was no longer worthy of being called a person.

“You barbarian brat! Right and wrong are decided by those with power! If the Sichuan Tang Clan becomes the Greatest Under Heaven, then the weak can be crushed underfoot like ants!”

“Only when the powerless look up at you and smile in awe—only then can you claim to be the Greatest Clan Under Heaven.”

“...”

Tang Geo-ho could say no more.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

-----

“Vice Pavilion Head! Is this truly your will?”

Unable to respond to the argument, Tang Geo-ho finally lashed out with an ultimatum to the Vice Pavilion Head.

“...His will is the will of the Tang Clan.”

“You’ll all die for nothing. No one will remember such foolishness.”

“I will remember.”

I shouted back with unwavering confidence.

“What?”

“I won’t forget. None of us here will forget. Because the Sichuan Tang Clan’s family motto is...”

‘The Sichuan Tang Clan does not forget.’

Sometimes, it’s better not to say a phrase aloud—let it live in people’s hearts instead. I fell silent and looked around at the Vice Pavilion Head’s men.

Perhaps they were prepared too. Some thumped their chests, others gave me quiet smiles or nodded, as if silently repeating the words to themselves.

“Tch! I’ll make you regret this!”

Tang Geo-ho turned away and returned to the black-clad men.

It’s starting, huh.

“You handle snakes well, fitting for someone with a snake’s tongue.”

As I stared after Tang Geo-ho, the Vice Pavilion Head approached and offered what sounded like a compliment.

“What a way with words.”

Was it so hard to give me a pure compliment?

“I’m glad I got to see the noble heart inside your black-haired head, something I had not seen before. Keep that spirit alive—your pursuit of the right path, your courage to risk your life. Wield that tongue of yours for the sake of the clan.”

The Vice Pavilion Head smiled warmly, like an elder giving heartfelt advice to a younger relative.

“What did you just say?”

“All members of the Vice Pavilion! Prepare yourselves!”

Completely ignoring my question, the Vice Pavilion Head turned to his men and shouted.

I’ve done it now... I wonder if I’ll survive.

The only hopeful part is that we have the numbers. They were part of the force carrying out a mission from the Tang Clan Head, so I’d heard we had a fair number of masters among us.

“Yun-ho. Dang-Pae told me to give you this.”

As I watched the scene unfold, Hwa-rin handed me a small orb.

“What is it?”

It was a gleaming green sphere—so radiant that even someone like me who knows nothing about gemstones could tell it looked expensive.

“Antidote Orb. If you keep it in your mouth during the fight, it’ll keep most poisons from affecting you.”

Antidote Orb? That’s like the pinnacle of biotech anti-poison items in wuxia novels. Must be insanely rare, and she’s just giving it to me?

I glanced at Dang-Pae in gratitude, but he just shrugged and looked toward the Vice Pavilion Head. Huh? So it wasn’t Dang-Pae who gave it to me, but the Vice Pavilion Head? Then why not just hand it over himself?

“Yun-ho. If things get too bad, run.”

Hwa-rin spoke firmly, her face tight with worry.

“Where would I even run to right now? And really, you’re the one who should be worried.”

“...Maybe. Anyway, thanks for what you said earlier.”

Receiving Hwa-rin’s quiet thanks, I turned my head away.

Right now, all we can count on is the Vice Pavilion. I looked at the Vice Pavilion Head anxiously, but he didn’t even acknowledge my gaze. Instead, he addressed the fully prepared fighters:

“Are you afraid?!”

“No, sir!”

“Do you want to run away?!”

“No, sir!”

“Do you wish to be forgotten?!”

“No, sir!”

“I, we, and these children—

—will remember this day! So let us fight together for the future of Sichuan!”

“Loyalty!”

The final battle had begun.