Failed Possession Chapter-99

## Ch-99.

—

Aunt.

Father’s younger sister.

Tang Seou’s father is the current Lord of the Assasin sect and the head of the Tang Clan—**Dark King Tang Yushin**.

Tang Yu-ryeon.

Among the Tang Clan members who had introduced themselves earlier, there had been no one bearing the name “Tang Yu-ryeon.”

Tang Seou’s gaze was directed this way. More precisely, she was looking at Haryeong, who stood behind Yuri. Tang Seou had not called her “Haryeong.” The words she spoke while looking at her were:

—It’s been a long time, Aunt Tang Yu-ryeon.

If what Yuri understood was correct,

then Tang Yu-ryeon was Haryeong’s real name, and Haryeong was someone whom Tang Seou called “Aunt.”

In other words—Haryeong was the younger sister of the Dark King, Tang Yu-shin.

“…”

Yuri realized that he had been under a great misunderstanding all this time. Haryeong was not the Dark King’s illegitimate child. That also meant the circumstances tying Haryeong to the Tang Clan were far, far more complicated than Yuri had imagined.

To be the younger sister of the current Clan Head, the Dark King, meant she was the daughter of the retired Supreme Head—the Poison King.

Why the Tang Clan had ostracized Haryeong was something Yuri could now understand. Her very existence overturned the line of succession of both the Tang Clan and the Salho gate.

The Supreme Head, the Poison King, had retired roughly twenty years ago. Though Yuri did not know Haryeong’s exact age, she was surely older than twenty—meaning she must have been within the Tang Clan even before that.

And the current Clan Head, the Dark King—how had he accepted the existence of a much younger half-sister who could almost be counted among his children’s generation? As she was far younger, the line of succession would not be overturned in his own generation. But in the next? If that distant younger sister proved far more outstanding than his children?

“Aunt?”

The smile did not leave Tang Seou’s face. With crescent-shaped eyes, she stared directly at Haryeong behind Yuri.

“Surely you don’t mean to say you don’t remember my face? Well, twelve years have passed since you left the Tang Clan, Aunt, so it wouldn’t be strange if you didn’t.”

Though her elder brother and a collateral relative stood right beside her, it was Tang Seou who carried on the conversation. She chuckled softly and brushed a hand along her own cheek.

“We were both young back then, so of course faces change. But I can’t imagine our clever Aunt forgetting my name, can I?”

The faint tremor ceased. She had steadied her shock. Haryeong quietly ground her molars once before stepping forward.

“Forget? Of course not. It has simply been so long since I heard the name Tang Yu-ryeon that I was momentarily startled.”

Standing beside Yuri, Haryeong fixed her gaze upon the three members of the Tang Clan across from them and continued:

“It has been a long time. Young Master Tang Seo-jin, Miss Tang Seou, Uncle Tang Mu-seok. Time truly flies like an arrow—twelve years have passed before we knew it. Seeing you both, I can feel just how astonishing the changes brought by time can be.”

Her lips twitched beneath the mask of indifference.

“You have both grown very dignified.”

She expelled only the sentences, her emotions restrained. It was the art of conduct she had once been forced to learn in the Tang Clan.

“You’ve changed a great deal as well, Aunt.”

Tang Seou understood that those words were a veiled mockery. And so her smile deepened, while Tang Seo-jin’s brows twitched. Tang Mu-seok, being from a collateral branch, seemed uninterested in involving himself; his expression did not change.

“Why are you here?”

“Isn’t it obvious? We came to greet you and your companions.”

“Since when did you care enough to come all the way from the distant Tang Clan to see me?”

“A member of our family crosses the sea to the continent and earns the splendid epithet ‘Dark Flower’—of course we must come to greet her.”

Despite the sharp exchange, the smiling curve on Tang Seou’s face did not fade.

“Besides, you did not come alone, did you? Young Hero Cloud Dragon and Young Hero Sword Dragon. Especially since our grandfather, the Supreme Head of the Tang Clan, shares a connection with the Sword Emperor.”

Her curved eyes shifted toward Yuri and Estor.

“It was long ago, but it left such a strong impression that I remember it clearly. Twenty years ago, the Sword Emperor personally visited the Tang Clan.”

“I could barely walk at the time,” Tang Seou continued lightly, “but I have heard of it.”

“It was an unavoidable misunderstanding, and one that was cleanly resolved. So…”

“You wish to invite us?”

Yuri spoke.

The Tang Clan members’ gazes turned toward him. Especially Tang Seo-jin and Tang Seou, who made no attempt to hide their deep curiosity and interest as they sized him up.

‘So that is the Cloud Dragon.’

Though the rumors came from across the sea in the West, among the rising generation he was the one receiving the greatest attention and building the most renown.

Cloud Dragon Yuri.

Just a few months ago, he had been a nobody. He had borne the epithet Thunder Cloud, but it was not a name known in the open. Nor had he been famous in the shadows.

The names of the Tang Clan and the Salho gate were regarded like grim reapers in the underworld. Among the many assassin sects, the Salho gate stood at the top.

To make a living killing people—and yet not only maintain a sect, but have a single family reign as its overlord.

The Tang Clan claimed they distinguished between those who should be killed and those who should not.

The measure for that distinction was righteousness.

They did not accept contracts to kill chivalrous warriors.

That was what they proclaimed publicly—but few in the world believed it. Just as few believed the Tang Clan’s claims that they would withdraw from the business of killing and be reborn as a legitimate martial house.

The fact that they had not been exterminated despite the distrust and fear they inspired—and the many enemies they possessed—was itself proof of the Tang Clan’s strength.

A man who once drew little attention even in the shadows—who had been nothing—now received the attention of the Tang Clan, considered a hegemon of the underworld. Tang Seo-jin and Tang Seou were already past the age to be counted among the rising generation, but they could not help but take note of Yuri, whose influence bridged generations.

‘I thought the best among the rising generation was the Sword Dragon.’

And yet even that Sword Dragon had lost in a martial bout. Tang Seo-jin, who had once been called a Dragon himself, felt a competitive fire toward Yuri—the Dragon of this generation.

‘Why is he traveling with that lowly wench?’

Tang Seou felt a different curiosity. That wench had once served as the escort of Elena Heinderga before gaining the presumptuous epithet Dark Flower. She had earned it by trailing behind Elena Heinderga’s tail.

That much she knew. But then why had that wench not returned to the Assassins’ Tiger Gate? Why was she traveling with the Cloud Dragon? Why had she returned to the East with him?

“Yes.”

Tang Seou smiled sweetly and nodded.

“You two are companions of our family, and thus guests of the Tang Clan. So we will personally escort you…”

“No.”

Yuri cut her off before she could finish. Tang Seou’s eyes widened, clearly not having expected such a blunt refusal.

“…Pardon?”

“I said no. I have no intention of going to the Tang Clan right now.”

“Wait… I truly don’t understand why Young Hero Cloud Dragon would respond like that. Why refuse?”

Tang Seou forced a curve onto her twitching lips.

“And we did not come here solely to host Young Hero Cloud Dragon and Young Hero Sword Dragon as guests. We came to bring back our family member, Aunt Tang Yu-ryeon—”

“Haryeong-nim.”

Once again, Yuri cut her off sharply. Haryeong blinked in surprise and looked at him.

“Yes?”

“I am not going to the Tang Clan.”

Call it stubbornness if you will. Yuri knew full well that he was being obstinate.

“So you should not go either. If you truly wish to go, then go after we finish our business.”

The Tang siblings’ gazes shifted toward Haryeong. Tang Mu-seok kept his distance.

Haryeong had once said she wanted to make the Tang Clan look back and regret casting her out. Yet when she now stood face to face with them, she was deeply shaken.

It was the same even now. Anyone could see that this relationship was fraught with discomfort and complicated history.

Why summon Haryeong back after casting her aside so long ago? Because of the fame she had recently gained? Even so, was it not ultimately an excuse to invite Yuri and Estor through her?

Perhaps there were other reasons. But the Tang Clan did not state them openly. Yuri had no desire to speculate on motives he had not heard directly.

[Why are you doing this?]

[Pathetic Haryeong-nim, do you want to go to the Tang Clan?]

[…]

[Then stay still.]

He was not pushing the reason solely onto Haryeong.

If Haryeong did not wish to go, then Yuri did not wish to go either.

That was all.

“That is excessively rude.”

Tang Seo-jin frowned and spoke.

“Young Hero Cloud Dragon. We came all this way to greet you. We have waited here under this blazing sun for quite some time.”

Though Yuri’s fame was on the rise, before the names of the Salho gate and the Tang Clan, he was still insignificant. Even if the Orsia Family—home to the Sword Emperor—stood as the head of the Pride martial house, the Tang Clan was not one that must bow unconditionally.

And this was not the West, but the East.

“We went this far for you, and yet your attitude is truly…”

“Who asked you to come greet us? We never made such a request. You set up camp here on your own and created an atmosphere where we must follow you no matter what—that, in my view, is extremely rude.”

From the very beginning—leaving dozens foaming at the mouth sprawled across the ground, and showing indifference even while surrounded by hundreds—it had been a display. A performance of just how formidable they were.

“The weather is indeed hot. But perhaps it feels hotter because you chose to wear pitch-black clothing under this blazing sun. And wasn’t it your subordinates behind you who endured the heat and hardship?”

“Your reply is exceedingly rude.”

Tang Seo-jin’s lips curled upward. A green light flashed within his dark pupils.

“I understand that the cultures of West and East differ, but when someone shows this much sincerity…”

“It is troublesome to speak of sincerity when you do as you please without being asked.”

Yuri answered with the same smiling expression.

In truth, there was no need to sharpen his tone to this extent. He could have responded kindly, politely, and left open the possibility of another time.

But Yuri did not want to.

Why?

The reason was not hard to find. The Alderan Exposition. Haryeong had been excessively sharp and sarcastic toward Lacy then.

Right now, Yuri was no different from Haryeong had been at that time.

Tang Seo-jin and Yuri did not withdraw their gazes from one another. Both wore smiles, but no one present believed either of them was smiling sincerely.

The air carried the scent and taste of iron.

It was the smell of blood.

The killing intent slowly rising from the assassins of the Salho gate pressed down upon Yuri.

Though Tang Mu-seok was the eldest and highest in rank present, he had no authority to decide anything. The ones who could make decisions here were the Tang siblings—and between them, the one with greater influence was the younger sister, Tang Seou.

‘They’ve flared up.’

Tang Mu-seok swallowed a sigh as he looked at the siblings.

The Tang Clan was one of the foremost prestigious houses in the Eastern martial world. The assassins of the Salho gate, ruled by the Tang Clan, obeyed the direct lineage of the Tang family without question.

Growing up in such an environment inevitably bred authoritarianism and obstinacy.

Tang Seo-jin, who had once earned the epithet Dragon, possessed not merely sufficient confidence in his strength—but excessive confidence. In his life, there had been few things he had desired and failed to obtain. And like most martial artists of the black path, when things did not go his way, he sought to resolve them by force.

His younger sister, Tang Seou, was a treasured jewel who monopolized affection. In her insistence on doing whatever she wished, she was even more extreme than Tang Seo-jin. And once she felt interest in something, she clung to it obsessively.

“You intend to refuse the Tang Clan’s invitation?”

Tang Seou’s smile distorted. That refusal stirred in her a novel sensation. They—the direct lineage of the Tang Clan—had come personally to extend the invitation. And he dared refuse?

“When the Tang Clan invites me, must I say ‘It is my honor’ and follow without question?”

Of course you must. That was what she thought, though she did not say it aloud.

“This is troublesome. We came all this way to host you, and even caused… this unwanted commotion.”

Tang Seo-jin spread his arms as if displaying the situation for all to see.

“With so many eyes upon us, what would become of the Tang Clan’s face if we failed to take you with us?”

“Ha.”

It was absurd—causing trouble of their own accord and then speaking of face.

In the end, Eastern martial artists truly were no different from sword-wielding bandits.

“Since each of us has our own position to consider, how about this?”

Tang Seo-jin spoke as though granting a great concession.

“Let us settle it with a spar—to decide whether you go to the Tang Clan or not.”

“A spar?”

Estor, who had been suppressing his boiling anger, twitched his brows. He had no desire to endure any longer and stepped forward.

“We clearly refused, so what nonsense is this about a—”

“Very well.”

Yuri pushed Estor back and answered in his stead.

“In respect and consideration of Lord Tang Seo-jin’s position, I will grant you this spar. But you must accept the outcome without condition.”

“Accept it? Hahaha, of course. So, will you step forward yourself?”

Tang Seo-jin smiled faintly and looked toward Estor.

“I would not mind if my opponent were Young Hero Sword Dragon. Or better yet—how about this? I shall fight consecutive matches on my own.”

“Haha.”

Once again, Yuri could not suppress a hollow laugh.

Tang Seo-jin’s confidence was not without basis. It had already been five years since he ascended to the Fifth Rank and earned the epithet Venomous Dragon. Now well past thirty, he had already reached the Sixth Rank.

Though they called it a spar, the outcome seemed already decided.

“Consecutive matches won’t be necessary. Let us settle it with a single bout between us.”

“Good. Let me say this beforehand—do not worry too much.”

Tang Seo-jin drew a folding fan from his waist as he spoke.

“I will naturally refrain from killing techniques. I will not use poison either. Ah, of course—you may fight at full strength.”

—Fwaak!

The black folding fan snapped open. Yuri could not discern its exact material, but it did not seem to be made of mere paper.

He fixed his gaze upon the black fan—and beyond it, Tang Seo-jin’s chilling smile.

“And… even if you lose, I will harbor no ill will toward you. I hope you will do the same.”

“Of course.”

“Haha, I like that straightforward answer. In the East, such sparring is also a form of exchange to build camaraderie between martial artists. Even if one loses, one thinks, ‘I have gained a valuable lesson,’ and laughs it off.”

Should he break an arm or a leg?

Or crush his nose?

Tang Seo-jin pondered what kind of defeat to gift that insolent brat. He had to bring him back as a guest, so he could not cripple him or inflict too humiliating a loss.

He would keep within a line where he could say, It could not be helped…

“Through exchanges like this, bonds are forged. One day we might even become elder brother and younger brother. Cloud Dragon, I hope you gain a fine lesson.”

Subtle—

No, blatant—words and gestures declaring that he would win.

“I shall learn a move.”

Yuri smiled and nodded.

A Sixth Rank Dark Soul Venomous Dragon.

No killing techniques. No poison.

Even accounting for that, not an easy opponent—under ordinary circumstances, Yuri would not have sought such a fight.

And yet—

Why was it?

He felt that it was winnable.