Chapter Text
TIME FLIES (WHEN YOU CAN’T DIE)
A Rewrite
Hope is a fickle and dangerous thing. It misleads people, causing them to focus on dreams that are unlikely to come true rather than the reality they're facing. More often than not, it crushes people hard until they can no longer stand back up.
Everyone knows this, and yet it changes nothing. After all that's just how humans are.
Sometimes hope can be born from even the slightest sign of a heartbeat.
✿✿✿
War is cruel. It’s a place where you either kill or be killed. Once you step foot on a battlefield, there’s no turning back. It is now your life on the line. Tang Bo knew this well, after all he has lived in the world of murim for over 70 years.
“Cough! Cough,” Tang Bo struggled, choked by the blood pooling inside his mouth.
Tang Bo is adept at medicine. He'd seen countless injuries and wounds on others before, he's an expert basically, so he can easily tell that he is currently..dying.
Not that you have to be a genius to do so, anyone would be able to tell someone is dying when said person has a sword lodged into their abdomen. Literally.
He shifted slightly, the hole on his chest stinging every time he did so. It’s his fault really, he had let his guard down on a battlefield, this is just the price he has to pay.
‘At least he is fine for now...’
Every single fiber of his being is screaming in pain, but at the same time he feels numb.
His eyes stared at the starless, gloomy sky. He thinks and thinks. He thought about a lot of things. He thought about the Tang family, about his regrets, and...about Cheong Myeong. His Hyung-nim. He had encouraged- well, forced him to continue on with the battle and leave him be. He won't be able to hold back his tears otherwise, he doesn’t want Cheong Myeong’s last memory of him to be him crying.
“Such a shame that there’s no stars tonight….ah, whatever. My Hyung-nim is already the brightest star in the whole wide world,” Tang Bo said, smiling weakly.
If Cheong Myeong hears that he'll definitely beat his ass and call him corny. He could imagine him saying stuff like—
“Ah, this leech still spits out nonsense even while dying! Do you want me to kick your ass across the river to shut your mouth huh?!! If you have the energy to yap then get up!”
Haha.
Tang Bo has a lot of regrets. Many of them are definitely about his family. Though he's the Great Elder by title, there's not much he'd done for the family. Had he realised this sooner maybe..maybe….
“...”
He laughed again, weakly this time. There's no use imagining ‘what ifs’ now. It's fine, the family will be fine. After all, he had entrusted them to his Hyung-nim. Cheong Myeong, despite his roughness, is a man of his word. If he said he'll cut off the Heavenly Demon's head then that's what he'll do.
This does make Tang Bo wonder. Once the war is over..what would become of Cheong Myeong..? His priority would definitely be to stabilize Mount His again, that's for sure. But after all that is over, what then?
..would he find someone he loves and pursue them? Or maybe someone else confessed to him.
“...”
No way, who in this world—other than him ofcourse—could stand that madman?? The mere thought of Cheong Myeong in a romantic relationship with someone else is unimaginable to him.
But…if he does find someone though..Tang Bo hopes he’s at least happy.
Yeah.
Hyung-nim's happiness comes first.
If Cheong Myeong is happy then, then Tang Bo too will be happy.
Tang Bo closed his eyes, the starless night sky now out of view. He..feels sleepy. Very sleepy. He probably wouldn't wake up again if he closed his eyes now.
To be honest, he doesn’t want to die; if he had a choice, he would get up and go to his Hyung-nim immediately because God forbid that man treat himself like a human.
He’s probably injured right now with no Tang Bo to stitch him up again. Seriously, does that man think his body is made out of rags that people can just stitch up together again anytime it rips??
“Please be safe Hyung-nim..,” Tang Bo said weakly as he felt his consciousness slowly slip away from his grasp.
He honestly had no idea where he'll end up after death, but if he gets a second chance in life.…then he hopes he can spend it with his Hyung-nim. Maybe also try to actually fix everything that is wrong with his family. Do his job as an elder.
He closed his eyes.
‘I love you, Cheong Myeong-ah’
Those are the words he had never uttered to Cheong Myeong, he doesn't dare to. He's too scared he'll ruin what they already have.
They are also one of Tang Bo's biggest regrets.
How he wishes to say that directly to his Hyung-nim..but alas
It's too late now.
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“Hold on tight okay, Bo-yah? I'll get you out of here
I promise.”
✿✿✿
In the room provided to him, Cheong Myeong sat down on his bed, sighing. He had told his chicks that he needed some time to prepare for the spar so that they'll leave him alone. In reality though...Cheong Myeong groaned as he laid down.
“Ugh, those snake like bastards! How dare they contaminate such good food with poison?! Anyways, it should be fine now since I burned it all out right away..”
Cheong Myeong looked at the flame surrounding his hand. Luckily he noticed right away and managed to prevent the others from eating the food too.
‘It would be no problem if I eat it, but it'll be troublesome if they did’ Cheong Myeong thought, looking at his own calloused, scarred hand.
“What was on that old man's mind when he decided to do this huh? He's so sure he wouldn't get caught. Ck ck, such confidence. This also confirms a couple of things..”
One, that great elder is directly supporting this Tang Hak guy, and is probably planning to push the boy to claim the position as the next family head so that he can have a puppet to move around.
Second, this also shows the power struggle Tang Gunak is experiencing. If those people are truly afraid of him or at the very least respects him they wouldn't dare harm a guest of the Tang family, one that's particularly close with the family head too.
In conclusion, to unleash Tang Gunak's full power as the family head this..elder council or whatever needs to be gone.
“How troublesome.”
The corner of his eyes catches something green— his hair tie.
Green.
..just like his.
“Well not exactly, but I guess close enough..,” Cheong Myeong mumbled as he gently took the piece of fabric in between his fingers.
He had changed his hair tie as soon as things stabilized back then. It's….strange not to wear a green one. He has gotten used to it now.
(Even in his past life, in the middle of the war, when his hair tie was bloodied and tattered he never changed it.)
He fidgeted with the worn out fabric for a bit. Maybe he should find a better quality one here before they depart..
“Even after 100 years, your annoying genes still persist in your family. They're really annoying, you know?”
…
“In the end your worries came true, Bo-ya. Those old pricks are too prideful in their poison arts, they’re like a frog stuck in a well. They probably think they can rule all of Kangho with their poisons or something..,” Cheong Myeong shrugged.
“But don't worry,” he continues, his tone softening. Carefully he brought the green hair tie close to his lips.
“There are some people who are pretty competent here in your family. Other than that I'm also here now..”
Cheong Myeong was a bit busy dying, resurrecting and trying to keep his sect from falling to its grave back then..so he's a bit late, but Tang Bo probably wouldn't mind, right? He'd understand.
“I'll fulfill my promise to you. You know I'm not one to go against my promise or do things so-so right? So just wait a bit more patiently, I'll help them,” Cheong Myeong smiled softly, but it quickly turned into a mischievous grin.
“Though my kind of help is a bit different than usual!”
‘Yah! This bastard is going to squeeze my family dry!!!'
What? If you don't like it then come back to life and do it yourself!!
✿✿✿
Tension filled the air as everyone held their breath. There, on the battle ground stood two people. One is the Great Elder of the Tang family and the other a rising star in the murim world. No one would have expected this outcome, hell they didn’t even expect the Mount Hua girl to survive, let alone win! And now Mount Hua’s Divine Dragon is going to fight their Great Elder.
“Poor boy, he doesn't know what he's getting himself into”
“Yeah, it's a shame, truly. He had potential, but unfortunately he's too arrogant. There’s no way that young boy stands a chance against the great elder!”
“Right!”
Everyone in the area has a surprised expression, some mixing with pity. Well, more like a sneer veiled by words of concern. Baek Cheon doesn't blame them though, this is probably very surprising for them he's sure. Because this is also a huge, HUGE surprise for him.
It was one thing to challenge Tang Oe, but asking said elder to disband the elder council in the off chance that he loses? Crazy. Truly crazy!
‘Ahh, this bastard! Why does he always do things without telling us first?!’ he could feel a headache coming in. Dammit, he might get grey hair soon because of that brat!
Tang Gunak stared at the Mount Hua disciples with a little pity. To think that they have to live with such a person..truly admirable. But this is no time to be leisure. He had heard of the Divine Dragon's feat of defeating one of Wudang's elder, how could he not? But Tang Oe is different. He specializes in poisonous strikes. If they proceed with the fight..the Divine Dragon might end up a blackened cadaver.
He knows of the boy's prowess. However, should anything go wrong in their battle and Cheong Myeong's life become at stake..
“You want us to be your… friend?”
“Yes!”
“..I don't understand, everything you've asked for so far had a reason. But..i don't see a reason for this one. Why are you asking this..?”
“Why..huh?...well, let's just say it's a whim”
A whim. He stepped forward despite the risk of losing his life, all that upon a mere whim..
The hidden dagger glinted slightly under Tang Gunak's robe. His eyes are set on the battlefield, filled with determination.
He won't let his new friend die on his watch, he will see to it that Mount Hua's Divine Dragon survives this duel alive. And if he must wage war with the Elder Council then so be it. After all, that's what friends are for, is it not?
To give without expecting anything in return..perhaps that's the true meaning of friendship.
Contrary to the tense atmosphere around, Cheong Myeong stood there calmly. He's aware of the various gazes set upon him. He's also aware of the differing opinions they have about this duel. He would also think this duel is utter nonsense if he's a normal 3rd grade disciple, but he's not.
Everyone is scared of the poisons of the Tang family because of how deadly it was. But there's a reason the Tang family hadn't been able to be the best in the world.
He recalls a conversation he had with Tang Bo,
“When you hear the name of the great Tang family, you'd probably think it's a great house on par with the Namgung family. But in reality, the Tang family hasn't once produced a warrior that could be called ‘the greatest master in the world’ whereas the Namgung family and the Paengs have had several.
This is because of the toxins we use! The power to send someone to hell and back just with a couple of needles had rendered them fearless against the rest of the world. That's where the problem lies!
While being fearless is good at times, because of this they're often overconfident about their poison. They couldn't care less to hone their dagger techniques resulting in their prowess chipping away as time goes on.
Sure, using poison could work on normal people and some veterans to an extent, but what if they came across a formidable opponent such as yourself, hyung? Their heads would be chopped off in mere seconds!
But no matter how much I try to put some sense into those dimwits, they won't listen!!”
So he said.
However, it's true. Run-of-the-mill masters might be greatly troubled by the poisons they use, but in the face of grandmasters with absolute prowess? They are but a small trifle. Incurable poison? There's no such thing. It just means that the antidote is yet to be discovered, not that it couldn't be detoxified.
There are actually countermeasures you can take to deal with these poisons. In fact, Cheong Myeong knows two of such methods himself. That is why the outcome of this duel is obvious.
Cheong Myeong aimed his sword at the person on the opposite side, “On guard, Elder. That or admit in front of the crowd that you refuse my terms because you're afraid that I'll defeat you.”
Tang Oe scoffed at the boy in front of him, the Aura surrounding him started to change.
“Very well then, if you insist. I will do the honor of granting you the most excruciating demise a human can inflict upon others.”
His poison imbued qi slowly but surely leaked out affecting even those outside the battle arena. Yoon Jong flinched when he felt his cheeks sting despite being outside of the battle ground area.
“Ack- the air stings my skin! What is this?!”
“Quick, cover your skin and step as far away from the battle area. Elder Tang Oe's qi is filled with enough poison to kill all those standing in its way!” Tang Gunak said hurriedly.
Even those who grew up around poison can be affected by this, let alone those who've never had any experience with poison. The Mount Hua disciples definitely don't have the immunity needed to face this ever coming cloud of poison.
Despite this, Cheong Myeong still stood straight and unwavering. He's not afraid of the poisons, just this won't be enough to kill him. He won't let it. After all, this is his chance to fulfill his long overdue promise to a certain friend.
‘Back then we were so busy doing as we wished, we didn't leave any guidance to the youngsters. We failed to do our job as Elders. Maybe that's why they turned out like this..but don't worry, Bo-ya. I'll beat them up until they come to their senses!’
As I've said, if you don't agree with my method then come back down and deal with it yourself!
Cheong Myeong smiled a little, this almost felt a bit nostalgic. It's as if he can feel the man’s presence here.
His smile froze.
Wait..
…
I can feel his presence??
Before he can even comprehend what he’s feeling, a loud explosion shook the battleground. Everyone instantly tensed, including the two men about to fight. It was silent for a moment before a buzz of murmurs exploded amongst the crowd.
“What was that??”
“Are we under attack?!”
“Who would dare..!”
The disciples of Mount Hua unsheathed their swords in reflex, eyes scanning for the cause of the distruption. There are no visible smoke anywhere despite the loud explosion, however they can see birds flying away north of the battleground. They’re running away from something. But only a dense forest is visible as far as the eyes can see. Why is there a forest inside the Tang Family Residence anyway?
“Lord, is there anything inside or beyond that forest?” asked Baek Cheon.
But just before Tang Gunak could answer, someone in a tattered green robe came running in a panic.
“Lord! My Lord!! It's an emergency- there, he, the building-!” The man was talking frantically, his words barely audible through his raging breaths.
“Speak clearly! Who dares interrupt my spar?!”
Tang Oe spoke in rage, his blazing eyes scarring the man even more. Though, the man already looks rather shaken since the start. It's like…he's seen a ghost.
“Take a breath and speak. What happened?”
“Yes Lord! Sorry. The North Pavilion is in a state of emergency and needs your attention immediately! The seal, it’s- cough cough—!”
Deg.
The man wobbled and fell, either because of panic, or exhaustion, maybe both. Tang Gunak quickly walked towards the man to help him stand up.
The Mount Hua disciples flinched when they felt the heavy atmosphere. Everyone in the Tang family has become tense, even more than before. What could be inside that pavilion..? Even Elder Tang Oe's face froze, gone is his earlier rage replaced by a serious expression.
Tang Oe clicked his tongue and turned towards Cheong Myeong, “We’ll settle this later, don’t you dare back off from this spar. I’ll teach you a lesson soon, young man!!”
Cheong Myeong only returned his words with a scoff.
“Lord Tang, we need to head there quickly,” said one of the elders there, which was received with a nod.
Enhancing his voice for all to hear, Tang Gunak spoke firmly, “This spar will continue at a later time. Everyone other than the elders shall return to their respectful abode. That..includes our guests, apologize for the inconvenience. Zhan, escort them.”
“Yes, Lord!”
Without waiting any longer, Tang Gunak and the elders depart for the North Pavilion. The remaining Tang family members retreat with murmurs and whispers, theories filling the air yet no one dares speak loudly, some even look..terrified? The Mount Hua disciples are quickly approached by Tang Zhan and Tang Soso.
“Greetings, taoists,” Tang Zhan greets them with a formal bow, but the smile on his face doesn’t retain that same formality. “I congratulate Miss Yu Iseol for her victory, i-”
His words are quickly cut short by Tang Soso who basically shoved him aside and ran straight to Yu Iseol.
“Miss, are you okay? The poison?” she asks, worried.
Yu Iseol gave her a small nod accompanied by a small smile.
“Saw it clearly?”
Tang Soso was startled by the question at first, but then she smiled brightly. Her eyes practically shone with admiration as she spoke, “Yes! you are..you are incredible, miss! I aspire to be like you one day.”
They smiled at each other. The other Mount Hua disciples gasped seeing this. Yu Iseol is, after all, a very stoic person who rarely shows emotions. Though it has changed slightly since they started training under Cheong Myeong. However she usually expresses more..aggression than smiles.
A cough interrupted this moment, Tang Zhan continued speaking, “As much as i hate to interrupt this happy moment it’s best that we return first and continue our conversation inside. In this situation, staying outside can be a little dangerous”
“It’s that serious?”
“Sahyung, the patriarch and the elders wouldn’t have rushed like they did if it’s not.” Jo Gul says, answering Yoon Jong’s question.
Tang family is very strict in all the sense, that includes hierarchy. If a problem needs both the family head and elders to immediately act then it’s definitely not a small thing.
“That's correct. The situation right now can be considered an emergency, though the chance that there will be direct harm to people is low, it's there. Anyways we should really—”
“Yah! You.”
Tang Zhan flinched, and sighed, having been interrupted once more. What's with people and their apparent hobby of cutting people off today?
The Mount Hua disciples, previously a bit lost because of the sudden situation, finally snapped and looked towards the owner of that voice. Right. Cheong Myeong! Everything was so sudden they forgot what they're originally here for.
Baek Cheon stepped up to stand beside Tang Zhan, preparing himself to stop Cheong Myeong thinking that the boy would be furious about his spar being interrupted. But contrary to what he believed, Cheong Myeong's face is..calm?
‘No, no no, that's not calm. Cheong Myeong is..’
Tense? Confused..?
“Cheong Myeong-ah..”
Cheong Myeong didn't respond. He stormed right past Baek Cheon as if possessed and grabbed Tang Zhan's shoulders, hard.
“Cheong Myeong what are you-!”
“Yah, this bastard?”
They were about to come forward and subdue Cheong Myeong but Tang Zhan blocked them with his hand, the meaning clear; stay still.
Worried complaints can be heard from the Mount Hua disciples standing behind Tang Zhan, but they didn't move. This probably looks like the Divine Dragon's usual antics, usually that'd be the case too but..
To Tang Zhan it's rather different.
Instead of anger or the outrageous expressions he'll somehow make as usual, the young taoist's face looks pale, he looks very on edge.
“Tell me what's inside that pavilion,” said the boy coldly.
“Mount Hua Divine Dragon–”
“Tell me what's inside that damned pavilion now!!”
Tang Zhan swallowed his saliva, for some reason he's nervous. The existence of that pavilion is widely known in the Tang family, the fact that there's something, or someone sealed inside that place is also a public secret. They know that there's a previously banished Tang family elder living inside that palace, but only the head of the family, the elders, and the next in line to be the family head knows what's inside. One thing he's sure of though, that place is a secret to everyone outside of the Tang family, the mere existence of it shouldn't have been known, so he's really not supposed to tell anyone.
And yet, and yet..
“...Everyone in the Tang family has been taught not to approach that place ever since they're young. It has become kind of a tradition for the past 100 years. We were only told that the person inside is a Tang family member banished a long time ago, and that he's unstable,” Tang Zhan pursed his lips as if weighing his decisions, but he sighed and continued anyway
“That's all they told to most of the family members but…if it helps, I heard that when the current Tang family head was in his early years of being appointed that position, the Elder inside that palace escaped and broke into a raging fit, damaging a pretty significant amount of property and..people.”
The atmosphere became tense hearing this. Tang Soso, too, became tense after hearing it.
It is true, that is the story going around but..
‘..I don't think he's violent all the time though. When I saw him he just looked....pitiful'
Seeing the gloomy stares Tang Zhan scrambled to clarify. "
Ah! No one is heavily injured! Nor did anyone pass away. It's just a bit of an inconvenience I suppose. With the property damage and everything. They managed to subdue him afterwards..but I really don't know the identity of that person. The ones who have the right to do so are, well, already heading there.”
Baek Cheon's eyebrows scrunched, “in other words, the ones that know who's inside are..the elders and the head then?”
“Correct,” Tang Zhan nodded.
“...”
Cheong Myeong didn't say anything. His hands are still tightly grabbing Tang Zhan's shoulder. Thang Zhan touched one of his wrists gently. He is confused seeing the swordsman's reaction, yes. But for some reason he..feels a bit of pity and guilt too.
“That's all I know, Dojang. Truly.”
After a couple of seconds Cheong Myeong finally let go of his grip and sighed.
“Fine, whatever,” he grumbled and backed away.
The disciples of Mount Hua breathed a sigh of relief. They have no idea what had gotten into the mad man for a moment there. But then again, he does tend to be like that. Undecipherable. Like a giant transparent wall is separating their world and..his.
“Shall we go then?” said Tang Zhan, sighing in relief at the lack of interruption this time as he led the Mount Hua disciples back to their accommodation.
Everyone else had returned to their respective abode, so the walk back is quick and quiet. A little too quiet actually. Tang Zhan sweats.
‘Why am i so nervous? Shouldn’t this be a good thing?? No, no this silence is too nerve wrecking, someone please speak- anything..!’
“Say, young master? I have something to ask,” asked Jo Gul
’Thank you swordsman!!’
With a smile Tang Zhan answered, “Of course, what is it?”
“Is whoever inside that pavilion thingy really that dangerous?”
Tang Zhan paused on his track and turned around to stare at Jo Gul, who’s sweating bullet at the unexpected reaction. The other Mount Hua disciples also noticed this and quickly nudged the boy’s side.
“Gul-ah!”
“Ah-ha! I mean no offense ofcourse! I’m just…well, curious! Everyone seems terrified at the news of him possibly breaking out again so uh, i’m..just..wondering if you know how strong he is…?” the man quickly clarifies. And why he's sealed inside that place— which is left unsaid.
Tang Zhan stayed quiet. He’s not mad, no. He can tell that there’s an unspoken reason behind that question, he’s sure everyone present has thought about it too. They just didn’t dare speak it out loud.
It is strange. When people mention seals and sealing rituals or just any rituals in general people’s first thought would probably be of the Wudang sect or Shaolin, but the Tang family? It’s simply unheard of. If whoever inside is really that dangerous, then why did they keep him inside there for so long? Why didn't they get rid of him, let him out of his misery? Who is truly locked inside that place, why and who locked him there?
That’s probably what they’re wondering. Unfortunately he doesn't have the answer to that either. It's information exclusive only to the higher ups of the family. Who is he to question them?
“I don’t know. It’s not exactly something they say to just anyone, even me. Though if you’re really curious, the Divine Dragon might have a better chance at finding that out than me, after all he's pretty close with the Lord now,” says Tang Zhan while smiling slightly.
“Right…speaking of Cheong Myeong, hasn’t he been awfully quiet?”
Dread washes over them.
Cheong Myeong, quiet?
Yu Iseol quickly turned around, and just as everyone has feared— Cheong Myeong is nowhere to be seen.
“...Cheong Myeong-ah??!!!?!”
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To Be Continued..