Chapter 559: Chapter 1447: I Cannot Do It Alone (Part 2)
The individuals who had frozen in silence like ice suddenly turned to look at each other. Confirming the shock in each other's eyes, they trembled for a moment.
Teaching martial arts to the women.
In some places, it might not be a significant matter. However, it was certainly not the case in the Tang Family.
What would happen if the Shaolin Sect invited a nun to its ground? If the Emei Sect, consisting only of women, accepted male disciples, what kind of uproar would that cause?
The meaning of what Tang Gunak had just said wasn't much different. It meant breaking all the laws and principles of the Tang Family that had been upheld for centuries, the very foundation that the ancestors had steadfastly protected.
"G-Gaju-nim!"
Amidst the frozen crowd, Tang Sangsu urgently spoke with a raised voice.
"Are you saying that women within the family will be taught internal energy cultivation and combat skills?"
"Ah..."
Sighs echoed from various corners in response to Tang Sangsu's words. Strictly speaking, the martial arts of the Tang Family were not limited to poison and hidden weapon techniques alone. The family undoubtedly possessed basic internal energy cultivation methods and martial arts skills.
Of course, in the past, unless one was chosen, there were strict restrictions even in teaching martial arts. But in the current situation, wouldn't those restrictions be lifted?
Some felt a sense of relief, while others tried to conceal their disappointment. However, at that moment, Tang Gunak firmly declared.
"No. I will teach everything within the Tang Family."
His gaze fell upon the women of the Tang Family.
"If the individuals themselves wish for it."
A heavy silence ensued. It felt like a colossal lightning bolt had struck. The shock on the Tang Clan members surpassed even when Tang Gunak first made his declaration.
"G-Gaju-nim..."
"Impossible!"
Someone shouted vehemently.
It was Tang Byeok, who, having committed a sin, had kept his mouth shut until now. [Could also be "Tang Pyo", forgot these old ppl]
"This cannot happen, Gaju-nim! Not teaching poison and hidden weapons techniques to the women is a longstanding tradition of the Tang Family!"
Tang Byeok looked around with a distorted face. His eyes were filled with anger, as if he wouldn't forgive anyone who agreed with that ridiculous opinion.
Under normal circumstances, even if someone like Tang Byeok was an elder, there would never have been a direct confrontation against Tang Gunak's words. But those who received Tang Byeok's gaze at that moment couldn't meet his eyes and bowed their heads.
The words 'ancestors' and 'laws' that Tang Byeok mentioned were as powerful and solid as ever.
For a moment, even the Tang Family women, who had momentarily harbored the two letters 'hope,' unavoidably turned their heads.
However, only one person, Tang Gunak, faced Tang Byeok's gaze directly.
"Why can't it be changed?"
"Gaju-nim!"
"Answer me, Elder. Why is it impossible?"
"Are you asking that because you really don't know?"
Tang Byeok spoke harshly.
"The Tang Family's poison is useless once it's detoxified. Many Tang Family members have sacrificed their lives to protect the secret of that poison!"
"..."
"The hidden weapon techniques of the Tang Family are the same! Unlike the sword, once the hidden weapon leaves the hands, its trajectory cannot be changed! If the trajectory is known, its power is bound to be halved. Moreover, the Tang Family's hidden weapon techniques must be used in conjunction with poison! How can you teach such martial arts to women?"
His voice was becoming agitated and trembling. Unable to suppress his agitation, Tang Byeok continued to shout.
"If all of this is because Gaju-nim wants to exercise absolute authority by taking advantage of the absence of the elders, I will stake my life to prevent it!"
It was a speech that seemed to directly oppose the authority of the family head. However, Tang Gunak didn't get angry; instead, he calmly replied.
"No. Answering my question comes first, Elder Tang Byeok."
"W-What do you mean?"
"That's just a discussion about the weaknesses of the Tang Family's martial arts, not a reason why they cannot learn it."
For a moment, Tang Byeok stared at Tang Gunak as if he had been struck on the back of his head. Was Tang Gunak driven mad by the burning poison and crumbling martial arts hall? That thought crossed Tang Byeok's mind.
"Gaju-nim. They are women."
"I know."
"Please listen to the end, Gaju-nim. It's not about ignoring the women of the family. I'm simply stating that they will eventually leave the family! Who can guarantee that those who have joined another family will keep my secret for a lifetime? Women? Are the Tang Family's laws directed only towards women? It's the same for men! Don't you know, Gaju-nim, that those who have learned the Tang Family's martial arts cannot abandon the Tang Family name as long as they are alive!"
They cannot abandon the Tang Family name.
Listening to it may sound obvious, but the meaning was different in the Tang Family. When someone who has mastered the family's martial arts opposes or refuses to remain in the Tang Family, the Tang Family mobilizes all its power to eliminate that person. That has been the method the Tang Family has used for centuries to uphold their martial arts.
Tang Gunak took a deep breath before speaking.
"Of course, I understand that protecting our martial arts is crucial. However, if the methods have become outdated and meaningless, it is also the duty of the descendants to find new methods."
"...What are you talking about?"
"I will give them the opportunity to learn martial arts, whether it's poison or anything else."
"Gaju-nim..."
"But!"
Tang Gunak stared firmly at Tang Byeok.
"The laws of the Tang Family will apply equally to the women who learn the martial arts of the Tang Family. They cannot leave and must become ghosts of the Tang Family."
"What, are you saying..you'll keep them bounds to the Tang Family for the rest of their lives?"
"There's nothing that can't be done, right?"
Tang Gunak shrugged his shoulders.
"In various regions, there are martial arts sects where women learn martial arts for a lifetime. There's no reason why the women of the Tang Family can't choose that path. I'm not forcing that life onto them; I'm just opening the way for those who want to walk it."
Tang Byeok's face turned crimson.
Even though he racked his brain, he couldn't come up with a counterargument. Not teaching the martial arts of the Tang Family to women was to prevent the leakage of poisons and hidden techniques. If they lived their entire lives with the men of the Tang Family in the Tang Family, wouldn't the risk of leakage disappear?
"But that way is not what the ancestors prescribed!"
Tang Byeok's shout made Tang Gunak's expression rigid.
"The Tang Family members! Those who bear the Tang surname are sacrificing themselves to protect the Tang Family! And yet, Gaju-nim, why are you discussing denying and changing the ways that the ancestors of the Tang Family have pondered over for so long?"
"..."
"Are you saying that you are greater than all the previous family heads and more magnificent than all the ancestors of the Tang Family? That's arrogance and wickedness!"
At that moment, Tang Gunak glared at Tang Byeok with an incredibly cold gaze.
"Haven't you heard my words?"
"Gaju-nim!"
"I've already said it. What value is there in sacrificing their lives to gain fame and strength?"
"Now, Gaju-nim..."
"Even our ancestors are mere humans, not flawless!"
"What are you saying now...?"
Astonished, Tang Byeok couldn't even continue his words. Tang Gunak spoke with an unwavering voice.
"If I have to deny them to change the family, I will do it without hesitation. If I have to become the greatest family head to change the family, then so be it!"
"Gaju-nim!"
"Listen until the end!"
Tang Gunak shouted. It was an enraged voice, yet it resonated in everyone's body as if each word had been engraved.
"I cannot give up the honor of the family. That is the reason I became the family head."
"..."
"But the family head of the Tang Family must be the parent of all the Tang Family members. I will not take the sacrifices of the Tang members for granted."
Tang Gunak looked at each of them as if engraving it into their eyes.
"Not just the women. Those who make poison, those who create hidden weapons, those who, despite being affiliated with the Tang Family, are not of the Tang lineage and must live as outsiders. Everyone!"
"..."
"At present, it is impossible to embrace all of them and reclaim the glory of the Tang Family. No one can achieve the impossible. So, there is only one remaining method."
Tang Gunak bit his lip and declared.
"That is to change the Tang Family."
Tang Byeok, bewildered, mumbled.
"Do you have the capabilities to do that, Gaju-nim?"
"..."
"Answer me. Do you have the capabilities to embrace all of that and make the Tang Family a better place? Is it something any family head in history has ever done?"
Facing Tang Byeok's gaze, Tang Gunak finally lowered his head.
"No. I don't have that ability."
"See...!"
"But the Tang Family must have it. That's why I gathered everyone. If I alone cannot accomplish it, then together we can."
"..."
"It's the same for everyone."
Tang Gunak declared firmly.
"It is meaningless to vent dissatisfactions on each other. Trying to gain a bit more power within the tightly closed framework is nothing more than a futile effort that gnaws away at one's own life. What we truly need to fight against is not each other! It's the rigid laws of the Tang family."
The Tang family members looked at Tang Gunak with blank faces. Many things came and went in their minds as they repeatedly disappeared. It was an intuitive understanding. Perhaps at this moment, they were experiencing something larger than the burning of their family.
"Think. Think and propose. How we can achieve what we want to do. What needs to change. And what I need to change."
"..."
"If that's only my will, then I will be overstepping. But if it's the collective thoughts of everyone!"
Now everyone was staring at Tang Gunak as if entranced.
"Then that is the will of the Tang family."
The family members bit their lips. There was an uncontrollable passion pushing in a corner of their hearts.
Tang Byeok could sense that the tide had already turned against him just by looking at their expressions. He uttered his final words with a suppressed voice, as if groaning.
"Remember, Gaju-nim."
Tang Gunak turned to Tang Byeok with a cold gaze.
"The world is not so forgiving. Everything has a reason. The ancestors must have had a reason for creating the laws of the Tang family. If what you, Gaju-nim, are trying to do fails, you will be remembered as the one who severed the history of the Tang family with your own hands."
It was a curse packaged as concern. However, Tang Gunak, who received the curse, instead wore a faint smile.
"The elder doesn't know what a family head is."
"Uh...?"
The green robe enveloping Tang Gunak fluttered in the wind.
"Those who lack that level of determination cannot become the head of the Tang family."
Tang Byeok, who seemed to be trying to say something, bit his lips several times and finally lowered his head deeply. Tang Gunak, who was closely watching everyone, spoke.
"Speak."
"..."
"If you don't speak, nothing will change! Speak out loud!"
Tang Gunak's gaze turned to Tang Pae.
"Sogaju!"
"Yes."
"Speak!"
Tang Pae, with calm eyes, carefully opened his mouth.
"Gaju-nim. Gathering our thoughts together, can we surpass the wisdom of the ancestors?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"You're stating the obvious. Doesn't your question already contain the answer?"
"Uh... yes?"
Tang Gunak smiled slightly.
"What made us who we are now is none other than the teachings of the ancestors and their efforts."
"..."
"If what we have decided is wrong, the ancestors must have taught us how to overcome this crisis. Our every concern, every thought, contains the will of the ancestors. In the end, our will is the will of the ancestors."
In the distance, Chung Myung clenched his fist in an instant. His mouth opened involuntarily.
"The lineage..."
"The lineage is ultimately that! Don't doubt yourself!"
Tang Gunak completed what he said.
Chung Myung closed his eyes.
- Hyung-nim. Still, I'm still a member of the Tang family.
His smiling words seemed to echo in Chung Myung's ears again.
Encouraged by Tang Gunak's words, people began to speak one by one.
Chung Myung, who looked at them as they quickly became noisy, glanced at the tearful Tang Soso and shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, shall we cook some rice?"
"Sahyung?"
"It will take a while."
Chung Myung, looking back at Tang Gunak, who was surrounded by everyone, smiled.
"Moving forward means just that."
As Chung Myung said, the gathering that started like this didn't end for a long time. When Tang Gunak finally stood up after a long conversation and faced Hyun Jong, the morning sun that had risen had once again began to set over Shaanxi.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone