Tang Clan

Overview

The Great Tang Family/Clan (당가 — 唐家), the Sichuan's Tang Clan (사천당가 — 四川唐家), the Best Poison Masters in the World, the Rulers of Sichuan Province, known for their expertise in both poisons and medicines. Tang Clan. A distinctive martial arts clan that has gained fame throughout the central plains for specializing in poison (毒) and stealth weapons (暗器).

The Sichuan Tang Clan (사천당가 — 四川唐家) was recognized in the murim for its exceptional martial prowess and had become a prestigious clan. However, some people inevitably criticized them behind their backs. This was because the Sichuan Tang Clan was known for its unique handling of poisons and stealth weapons, which were considered by some in the murim to be unconventional or underhanded methods.

Criticism of poisons and stealth weapons as treacherous methods used by assassins or dark practitioners was often heard, but it was ultimately pointless. The fact of the matter was that whether one died from a sword cut, a spear stab, or poison and stealth weapons, death was still death. Additionally, it was wrong to immediately associate the Sichuan Tang Clan with poisons and stealth weapons. The core of the Sichuan Tang Clan's techniques lay in their use of body techniques, long-range techniques, gold needle techniques, and other comprehensive martial arts. Poisons and stealth weapons were merely supplementary methods.

Most people knew this fact, but some chose to ignore it. Naturally, the Sichuan Tang Clan was aware of the surrounding criticism but chose to lightly ignore it and steadfastly pursued their own path. They were a family of martial artists before they were poison and stealth weapons experts.

Structure

Ancestor

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  Tang Qi-Ryeo  

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Supreme Patriarch

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Patriarch

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Elders' Council

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Grand

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First

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Second

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Third

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Fourth

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Fifth

High-Ranking Figures

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Successors

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Young Patriarch

Halls' Masters

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Medicine King

Direct Descendants

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Song Yoon-Cheon

The wish for "Disease-Free Eternal Life" (무병장수 — 無病長壽) has been a very old one among people. Conversely, it also means that not suffering from illness and living out one's predetermined lifespan is not an easy feat. In this desire for immortality and longevity, the practice of medicine naturally developed. Song Yoon-Cheon had also been involved from somewhere at the beginning of this development.

• "Actually, being Immortal & Eternal made medicine entirely useless."

Since no illness could harm him, there was no need for him to learn medicine. Nevertheless, Song Yoon-cheon was dedicated to studying medicine. If we must delve into it, the main reason was his desire to spend a bit more time with good people. People often died from trivial reasons, and so it was a natural inclination to want to delay that. However, learning and advancing in medicine was not easy.

• "Rather, I’d rather seclude myself in a mountain valley and practice martial arts."

To clarify, martial arts do not always show results directly related to their causes. However, through some inference, one could highlight the advantages and correct the disadvantages. But medicine is different from martial arts. Even with the same cause, different results might occur, and completely different causes could yield the same results.

• "Looking back now, it was at a level that was almost embarrassing to call medicine."

Even now, but especially in the past, diseases were referred to as "Demon of Illness" or "Epidemic Deity." People would blame diseases on demons or spirits, leading to all sorts of bizarre and excessive treatments. Song Yoon-cheon wandered the world for a long time to study proper medicine, eventually finding a reputable doctor.

• "Are you the renowned Tang Qi-Ryeo (당기려)?"
• "I don’t know if I’m renowned, but I am Tang Qi-ryeo."

At that time, the most famous doctor was Hua Tuo (화타), but there were rumors that even Hua Tuo could not compare to Tang Qi-ryeo. Song Yoon-cheon requested him to teach medicine.

• "If I teach you medicine, what will you give me in return?" —Tang Qi-ryeo
• "Naturally, I will offer the corresponding compensation." —Song Yoon-Cheon
• "Compensation? Gold and treasures? Shiny things?"
• "Yes, I don’t know how much you want, but if you just tell me..."
• "I don’t need material wealth." —Tang Qi-ryeo was cleanly rejecting Song Yoon-Cheon.
• "Why?"
• "Although it’s not much, I have enough. I don’t need anything more here."

When asked why he refused, it was revealed that he had been treating several wealthy patrons and was financially sufficient, without any desire for money.

• "Do you have any particular requests then? If my proposal doesn’t suit you, please make a suggestion yourself."

After a moment of contemplation over Song Yun-cheon’s counterproposal, Tang Gi-ryeo opened his mouth.

• "I am confident that my medical skills are unmatched by anyone. What are you good at?"

At that time, Song Yun-cheon’s greatest skill was injuring or killing others, but he could not openly reveal that.

• "...If I had to say, it would be martial arts."

After a moment of hesitation, Tang Gi-ryeo used a more refined expression.

• "Are you that strong?"
• "It should be at a similar level to your medical skills."
• "Hmm... Is that so?"

Tang Gi-ryeo’s gaze, full of suspicion, swept over Song Yun-cheon’s entire body. He was neither exceptionally large like a great general or warrior, nor particularly muscular. The only sign that he was a swordsman was the sword sheath revealed at his waist. However, since the surroundings were filled with either doctors, patients, or their guardians, there was no convenient way to prove it.

• "Then let’s do this. Let’s mutually inform each other. I will teach you my medical skills, and you will teach me your martial arts. I think it’s a fairly reasonable deal. What do you think?"
• "I naturally agree. Oh, but before that, let me ask one more thing."
• "What is it?"
• "What does a doctor intend to use martial arts for?"
• "You’ll understand naturally once you observe."

Thus, Song Yun-cheon began learning medical skills from Tang Gi-ryeo, the best doctor of the time. As promised, Tang Gi-ryeo always accompanied Song Yun-cheon like an assistant and practiced medicine. In return, Song Yun-cheon taught Tang Gi-ryeo martial arts, from very Basic Movements to Internal Energy Techniques (내공심법 — 内功心法), Fist Techniques (권법 — 拳法), Palm Techniques (장법 — 掌法), Foot Techniques (각법 — 脚法), and various other forms.

• "I’ve never seen anyone improve so quickly."
• "You’re stating the obvious."

And during this process, Song Yuncheong and Tang Gi-ryeo both recognized each other as geniuses or monsters. Despite the significant differences between martial arts and medicine, they had many similarities, making their skills complementary. Song Yuncheong devised new treatment methods under Tang Gi-ryeo’s guidance. Tang Gi-ryeo practiced secret techniques and poison arts that Song Yuncheong had not explicitly taught him. The tools necessary for treatment became small and sharp secret weapons, and the medicinal herbs used for treatment turned into poisons.

Soon after, Song Yuncheong understood why Tang Gi-ryeo, a physician, wanted to learn martial arts. The sound and vibrations of a group of bandits charging on horseback caused the already distressed patients to turn pale with fear. The physicians treating the patients also showed signs of intense nervousness. As a physician who saves lives, Tang Gi-ryeo was almost as precious as a living treasure, making abduction a common risk.

• "To save someone, you need the qualifications and determination"

Tang Gi-ryeo said calmly as he stepped forward. Qualifications and determination. Soon, strength was needed. The ability to protect oneself from external threats and, furthermore, to protect those around oneself. In this harsh world, mere words are not enough.

The goal of the bandits attacking the Tang family physician was quickly revealed. They aimed to kill the patients and other cumbersome elements, seize what they had, and capture valuable figures like the physicians to sell them at a high price. Although there was a shortage of physicians, the demand was always high. Thus, from the bandits' perspective, this attack was a very rational choice, given that there were many who were incapacitated by injuries or chronic diseases. However, the bandits did not know that Tang Gi-ryeo’s hands, which saved lives, were quite formidable.

A small dagger that had been cutting through the abdomen and removing tumors from a person’s internal organs flew and deeply embedded itself into the bandit’s forehead. Without a care for this scene, Tang Gi-ryeo took a step and leaped off the ground, soaring above the bandit’s head. The tiny needles in his hand drilled into the bandit’s crown. Then, he threw a pouch filled with a fine white powder made from a medicinal herb, causing it to burst out in a puff. The bandits who inhaled it began to vomit blood. Among the bandits who couldn’t even catch their breath from continuous coughing, Tang Gi-ryeo moved. With movements lighter than expected from a physician, death accompanied him.

Those watching were in shock, unable to close their mouths at the unexpected appearance of Tang Gi-ryeo, who was usually strict but prided himself on his excellent medical skills in treating patients. The shock was immense, seeing a healer who saved lives become a warrior who killed. It was as if they received treatment from hands that took lives. Tang Gi-ryeo, having dealt with all the bandits, asked Song Yuncheong:

• "Do I look strange to you too?"
• "No, not at all. Rather, it’s more realistic and pleasing to see."
• "…I want to become a little stronger. Strong enough to protect everyone."
• "If you wish, it’s not impossible."
• "Good, I’ll ask for your help in the future as well."
• "As will I."

Song Yuncheong dedicated himself to perfecting his medical skills until he was called a Divine Doctor. And Tang Gi-ryeo trained his martial arts until he was said to be the Best in The World. As Song Yuncheong’s medical skills approached the level of curing all diseases and there were few stronger than Tang Gi-ryeo,

• "Thank you for your hard work. It doesn’t matter when, but let’s meet again."
• "If fate allows."

With a brief farewell, Song Yuncheong left Sichuan and they never met again. Since that day, quite some time passed, and Tang Gi-ryeo, the physician of the Tang family, also married. And he had children who resembled him exactly. The children carried on his legacy. The grandchildren of those children also carried on the legacy. So much time passed that no one could retain the name Tang Gi-ryeo in their minds. However, Tang Gi-ryeo’s medical skills and martial arts did not fade but rather improved further. As the Greatest Physicians in Sichuan and the Strongest Martial Artists, the Tang Family naturally became the Representative Family of Sichuan. This was the birth of the Sichuan's Tang Clan.