Chapter 409: The Lazy One Investigates (4)
What does it mean to be strong?
There would be countless answers to this question. Those who have experienced strong individuals would each have their own responses.
Of course, Dang Yong-min also had his own answer regarding this.
For him, strong individuals were, in simple terms, "entities to be avoided."
Why is that?
Those with limited understanding of strong individuals might tilt their heads in confusion. To the people of Jianghu, strong individuals are always objects of admiration.
However, Dang Yong-min's thoughts were entirely different.
'You only think that way because you haven't experienced it firsthand.'
He understood the yearning for strength. But there is a world of difference between becoming that strong individual and merely staying around them.
As someone from the Sichuan Tang Clan who had seen and experienced numerous strong individuals, Dang Yong-min could confidently say that all recognized strong individuals were anything but normal.
There was no other way.
While there are geniuses who seemingly fell from the sky, most strong individuals are those who have spent their lives working hard to achieve their martial prowess.
Isn't that a good thing?
Absolutely not!
How many of such people exist in the Central Plains? If all those deemed Jianghu individuals were thrown into the Yangtze River, the river would not only overflow but become completely blocked.
Do those many Jianghu individuals not put in effort?
Most do.
The desire to become strong resides in everyone. Though it may vary based on the family one was born into or the martial arts one cultivated, the reason why those who started from similar starting lines show differences is because the ones who obtained that status of a strong individual practiced to the brink of madness.
Take the Demon King, for example.
Right now, he maintains a certain status and bears responsibilities, so he lives relatively like a human. But before becoming the clan head, the Demon King devoted himself to training without sleeping for even a single hour per day.
Having plunged into closed-door training for eleven and a half months of the year, in the end, the previous clan head couldn't even recognize the Demon King's face. Despite being his own child.
That is what it means to be strong.
Even the Demon King, born from a prestigious family like the Sichuan Tang Clan, had to push himself to the limit for 350 days a year in closed-door training to attain the status of a "top expert in the world".
Is this something to be emulated?
Of course. However…
The issue is that the extreme training of these individuals inevitably leads to side effects.
What would be the mental state of a person who has spent 350 days a year in a lightless basement, undergoing closed-door training? Especially if they lived that way for not just a few years, but several decades.
Those who have disregarded the social skills and intuition necessary to live among humans, solely clinging to their strength, are the current strong individuals of Jianghu.
The greatest misconception among those who have a superficial understanding of Jianghu is the belief that strong individuals are undoubtedly virtuous and possess well-rounded personalities.
'That's impossible.'
What kind of character can there be in humans who don't even know their parents' birthdays and don't care whether their children live or die while spreading poison? Personality is formed through learning and experience. What kind of learning and experience exist in a dark training chamber?
Thus, Dang Yong-min could confidently assert.
The most dreadful beings in Jianghu are the strong individuals, and the ones that should be approached with caution are also the strong individuals.
If possible, it would be best for a peaceful life to avoid entangling with them.
But…
'Why is this brat getting involved with me?'
Dang Yong-min felt like crying.
In front of him stood a rather annoyingly smug youth, belly out and eyes squinted.
Wi Yeon-ho.
The second son of the Guangdong Clan and the eye of the storm that is currently turning Jianghu upside down.
Wi Yeon-ho was indeed the most perfect example and counterexample of Dang Yong-min's aforementioned "theory of strong individuals."
At a very young age, Wi Yeon-ho stood shoulder to shoulder with the world's strong individuals. According to Dang Yong-min's theory, Wi Yeon-ho should be different from other strong individuals. He had not practiced as much as the other strong individuals yet. In principle, it would be normal for one who had not spent a lifetime immersed in training to avoid the antisocial personality disorders experienced by those reaching the end of a long journey.
But Wi Yeon-ho reinforced Dang Yong-min's theory in another way.
This brat had already reached that point without going through that terrifying training. He was even pioneering new realms that other strong individuals had not dared to approach.
Even the greatest Demon King had not suffered because of Wi Yeon-ho.
Watching those who once wreaked havoc across the land struggle against an absurd brat like Wi Yeon-ho was truly a delight. They were receiving back exactly what they had given out, truly a case of karma.
That is wonderful. Truly wonderful, but…
The problem is that this brat's mischief does not confine itself to just the strong individuals.
"Why is there no answer?"
"..."
Dang Yong-min's face twitched. Wi Yeon-ho was looking at him with a deeply contemptuous expression.
'That brat's mouth.'
Knowing the simple truth that all troubles stem from the mouth, why had he humiliated Wi Jeong-han in front of Wi Yeon-ho?
Wi Yeon-ho jogged his neck back and forth as he approached Dang Yong-min.
"Did you not hear what I said, Uncle?"
"U-Uncle?"
"Yes, Uncle."
Indeed, to you, I must seem like an uncle; I can't be a young man, can I? Hehehe…
Cold sweat began to trickle down Dang Yong-min's forehead.
Seeing that, Wi Yeon-ho puffed out his cheeks.
"I don't have a hobby of bullying older gentlemen. If I did, my father would get angry…"
Wi Yeon-ho glanced back at Wi Jeong-han and tilted his head.
"Would he?"
A hopeful expression appeared on Wi Jeong-han's face.
"Hmm, since you're no longer a child, if you want to do something, I can't stop you."
"Really?"
"Hmm."
Wi Yeon-ho smiled at Wi Jeong-han and then turned his head back to Dang Yong-min.
"Is that so?"
"Hey, Young Hero Wi."
"Yes?"
Dang Yong-min quickly surveyed the surroundings. Once he confirmed that there was no one looking this way, he awkwardly smiled and spoke.
"I will admit that I misspoke. And I apologize. Who in the world would dare to disregard the Guangdong Clan and the esteemed sword?"
"But you were the one who disregarded it?"
"...There are times when a person wants to show off in life, right? Especially when there are opinions that need to be negotiated, one might say something unreasonable as if it's natural."
"Hmmm."
Wi Yeon-ho scratched his chin.
"Are you okay with your neck?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"No, I was just imagining how you might act with other sects since you are so stiff with us. You look like you might hurt your neck from pushing too hard."
Dang Yong-min became as silent as a cicada in winter. If he found something to refute here, his name would not be Dang Yong-min, but Jo Hyun-il.
"My master said, 'The flower that blooms for ten days will not keep its fame and ability for a lifetime.' So, one should not lose courtesy when doing well; otherwise, the ridicule upon falling will be lessened."
"…Is that so?"
"Of course, that gentleman never kept to that."
When asked why the Master did not know what humility was, Baek Mu-han answered very confidently.
"I am a flower that does not wither and my abilities only increase. Why should I pretend to be humble like those other worthless things?"
"...What are you trying to teach?"
"Hmm?"
"Never mind. Anyway!"
Wi Yeon-ho waved his hand and said.
"My father said it should be done secretly. This means there are things that should not be shown to the clan. Therefore, we cannot undergo any inspections."
"But we also have our position…"
"If you were looking for a position, you shouldn't have called us. Anyway, our position is like this, so if there's something to argue about, take it up with the clan leader. We have been given full authority for this investigation. Right, Father?"
"I don't remember receiving such…"
"Yes?"
"Oh, no, thinking about it, it seems we might have."
Wi Jeong-han diligently licked his lips.
'That scoundrel.'
Thinking about it, it might be fortunate that this brat was lazy. If he were as sharp as he was, with a knack for deceit, he would have become an enormous headache in the martial world.
No. He was already a significant headache as it was.
"Is that okay then?"
"Cough, cough."
Dang Yong-min took a step back, unable to say anything.
Considering the logic and reason, he had many things to say, but such matters were of no use here. He knew better than anyone that in the martial world, strength often prevails over reason.
"Well then, I'll be leaving."
As Wi Yeon-ho sauntered away, Wi Jeong-han smirked and followed him.
Dang Yong-min's face contorted as he watched the two of them walk away.
"Isn't that a bit too much?"
"Yes?"
"It seems like it could have been resolved nicely."
"Why would we do that?"
Wi Yeon-ho waved his hand dismissively.
"The entire world knows how much the Sichuan Tang Clan disregards and intimidates other sects; we have no need to treat them kindly. They need to experience some hardship themselves to understand."
"While that might be true."
Wi Jeong-han forced a smile.
The fact that the Sichuan Tang Clan is oppressive to other sects is well-known throughout the world. Unlike other families and prestigious clans that were trying to maintain their face, the Sichuan Tang Clan was a faction that knew how to use its infamy to its advantage.
While they would show courtesy to sects of similar standing, they were notorious for intimidating those they believed they could overpower with sheer force.
'Even so, to intimidate…'
Wi Jeong-han looked at Wi Yeon-ho with renewed eyes.
No doubt, the impression of the young Wi Yeon-ho lingered too intensely in his mind. No matter how much his child grows, a father will always feel a sense of unease and doubt.
The entire world has already begun to raise Wi Yeon-ho up. Only he could not acknowledge this fact.
Just a moment ago, the scornful remark made by Dang Yong-min about the Guangdong Clan became his tail between his legs the moment Wi Yeon-ho stepped in. This was irrefutable proof that Wi Yeon-ho's reputation had surpassed both Wi Jeong-han and the entire Guangdong Clan.
'It's about time to acknowledge it and concede.'
Now, the representative of the Guangdong Clan is no longer Wi Jeong-han but Wi Yeon-ho. It is time to accept that fact.
With a mixed emotion of satisfaction and regret, just as Wi Jeong-han was about to open his mouth, Wi Yeon-ho cut him off.
"By the way, Father."
"Yes?"
"How long will the report take to arrive?"
"Since I have brought back the adaptation, it should be quick, maybe three days at most."
At that moment, Wi Yeon-ho's face distorted sharply.
"Only three days?"
"..."
"What kind of nonsense is that? How can it be that fast? What's the distance from here to Luoyang?"
"..."
"Ugh."
As Wi Yeon-ho seemed to seriously ponder something, Wi Jeong-han shook his head.
"Absolutely make sure I will lose you somewhere you don't know, so don't think about trying to keep the adaptation."
"Whoa? You are a ghost."
"...Ugh."
Wi Jeong-han seriously contemplated whether he could really trust this brat with the clan.