Danggunak

Dang Gun-ak (當群岳).
He is the son of Dang Myeong (當銘), the former head of the Dang family. He resembles his father so much that some mistook Dang Gun-ak for Dang Myeong. He is the current head of the Sichuan Dang family. He is a supreme master first witnessed by the Five Swords of Hwasan (Cheong Myeong, Yun Jong, Jo Geol, Baek Cheon, Yu I-seol) in the martial world. Although the epithet 'Poison King' is a customary title for the head of the Sichuan Dang family, it is said that for Dang Gun-ak, the title 'King of Poisons' is not an exaggeration, as he is a master among masters. 5 characters 9 chi. Dark eyebrows. The ends are upturned, giving him a slightly fierce impression. His eyes are sharp, and his nose is prominent, giving him an overall intense look. He sports a neatly trimmed black beard. His lips form a straight line. His hair is always neatly tied up and secured with a silver hairpin. He appears dignified and cold, often causing young children to burst into tears upon first sight.

Several years later, he became the leader when the Cheon-u Alliance was reorganized. For reference, the alliance leader is Hyeon Jong, the head of Hwasan; the commander is Cheong Myeong; the strategists are Im So-byeong, the Green Forest King of the Seventy-Two Green Forest Villages, and Je Gal-ja-an, the Wise Scholar of the Je Gal family; the leader is Jong Ri-gok, the head of Jong Nam; the leader of the Sichuan Dang family is the Poison King Dang Gun-ak; the palace lord of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace is Meng So; the grand elder of the Gaebang sect is Pung Yeong-sin-gae; the head of the Mo Yong family is Mo Yong Wi-gyeong; the deputy leader is Baek Cheon; the young monk Hye-yeon of Shaolin; Jo Geol; Yun Jong; and the Ruthless Sword Namgung Do-wi of the Namgung family.

When he first encountered the Five Swords of Hwasan, he revealed a demonic way of thinking, stating that one must be willing to do anything for the family's benefit, and displayed a ruthless side by intimidating Jo Pyeong, the head of the Sahae Trading Company. However, this was closer to the facade he adopted due to complex power struggles with elders like Dang Oe, the head of the Elder Council. Before Cheong Myeong's visit, he was so constrained that he couldn't even arrange his own marriage as he pleased. However, after regaining full authority, he becomes the most chivalrous among the established orthodox sect figures, excluding the Hwasan sect. Meanwhile, although his initial image was that of a stern, persistent, and cold head of a prestigious family, perhaps blood will tell, or perhaps the 'Cheong Myeong-ification' is progressing, his eccentricities are slowly blooming (...). He never considered carrying more than 12 throwing knives in his sleeves until he heard a casual remark from Cheong Myeong, which turned his face white and earned him the nickname 'Sichuan Huhdang-ga' (Sichuan Empty-Minded Family). The Dang family's secret technique involves using 12 throwing knives, but the act of carrying more than 11 throwing knives itself is not part of the secret technique, yet he hadn't thought of it. This was true not only for Dang Gun-ak but for all warriors of the Dang family. For over 100 years (...). Several years later, during a meeting about the rescue plan for the Hae Nam sect within the newly formed 'Cheon-u Alliance,' which devolved into a mess, he pondered whether he should have accepted Beop-jeong's suggestion to return to the Nine Sects/Five Great Families. The reason was absurd: if presiding over the chaotic meeting was torture for Beop-jeong, it would have been the best way to torment him (...).

Dang So-so becomes very upset when she is injured to the point where he can't easily fix it, and this often manifests as anger. Not only So-so, but Dang Gun-ak also becomes ferocious (?) when faced with a patient, which seems to be a characteristic of the Sichuan Dang family. However, So-so's personality has been influenced by Cheong Myeong, leading to her 'Cheong Myeong-ification.' It's likely the same for Dang Gun-ak.

As a warrior, he shows a fondness for strong weapons. During his visit to craft a steel sword, he was captivated by the sight of eternal iron (...) and asked for a piece of iron as hard as eternal iron to create hidden weapons as a fee. Later, since Cheong Myeong, who had visited the Ice Palace, said he would sell iron to the Dang family, he will likely be able to make countless hidden weapons.


- Cheong Myeong
Dang Gun-ak's closest friend and benefactor. Their first meeting was when Dang Gun-ak, who had come to confront Jo Geol after Dang Jan was defeated by him, had a sparring match with Cheong Myeong. During this, Dang Pae launched a surprise attack on Cheong Myeong, making it far from a good start. However, Dang Gun-ak admitted defeat to Cheong Myeong, Cheong Myeong defeated Dang Oe, the supreme elder of the Dang family, and subsequently helped dismantle the troublesome Elder Council. Dang Gun-ak, in turn, stormed the Maninbang headquarters and blocked Jang Il-so's attack on Hwasan. Through these various events, they have developed a very deep friendship. In fact, excluding the Hwasan sect members, he is Cheong Myeong's closest friend. Several years later, when Hwasan reopened its gates, they sparred again. During this match, he used a killing technique he developed, showing immense trust by believing Cheong Myeong would surely block it. They interact to the extent that Cheong Myeong confides in him about his vision for Hwasan's future. However, it's amusing that he calls Cheong Myeong by nicknames like 'Hwasan's Divine Dragon' or 'Hwasan Sword Master' instead of his name.

- Hyeon Jong
The head of the Hwasan sect. Aside from Cheong Myeong, Hyeon Jong is the person Dang Gun-ak has the most contact with. Hyeon Jong himself was initially flustered by the fact that such a prominent figure as the head of the Sichuan Dang family personally visited Hwasan. However, several years later, at the martial arts tournament for the most talented young martial artists in the world, Dang Gun-ak pulled Hyeon Jong's seat to the head table, marking the beginning of their active exchange, both publicly and privately. Over time, Dang Gun-ak shows great trust in Hyeon Jong's character and leadership. Similarly, a few years later, during the Hae Nam arc, they confide in each other about their worries. Immediately after the battle of Muguangsan, when Baek Cheon went missing, Dang Gun-ak resolved to do everything he could to prevent Hyeon Jong from being held responsible.

- Dang So-so
Dang Gun-ak's daughter. According to Dang family tradition, she could not be taught secret martial arts, but otherwise, she was doted on. He cherished his only daughter, Dang So-so, immensely, and when she announced she would marry Cheong Myeong, Dang Gun-ak, knowing Cheong Myeong's temperament, strongly disapproved. His reason was that while Cheong Myeong was a good martial artist, he was not a good person. Later, when Dang So-so, inspired by Yu I-seol, decided to join Hwasan, he allowed her to pursue her dreams, thinking it was better than marrying into another influential family as a daughter of a prestigious family. From then on, his major comedic trope is his wavering eyes as he sees his daughter, who used to be like a young lady from a prestigious family, becoming increasingly distant with each appearance. He is shocked when So-so, having changed significantly from her previous self, declares she will break the heads of other sects to elevate the names of Hwasan and the Dang family (...). Although he is somewhat happy knowing she is happier than when she was in the Dang family, he also harbors resentment (?) towards Hwasan, muttering, 'Those damned Hwasan bastards, daring to... my daughter...' (...) when he sees Dang So-so harassing Im So-byeong along with other Hwasan disciples. Considering that Dang So-so's internal energy was described as the highest among the Hwasan disciples during her early admission, it shows how much Dang Gun-ak cherished his daughter. Furthermore, when his other cherished child, Dang Jan, finds Dang So-so overwhelming, he initially disapproves, calling his son weak for complaining. However, when Dang Jan retorts that his elder sister (Dang So-so) is also his father's daughter, he immediately concedes, showing his doting fatherly nature throughout the work. Dang So-so also seems to deeply respect her father. When they meet after a long time, she greets him with a vigorous 90-degree bow.

- Im So-byeong
Several years after meeting the Five Swords of Hwasan, after the Janggang Massacre, Hwasan went into seclusion to strengthen its combat power. It was during this time that they began to have significant interactions while collaborating on maintaining security along the Yangtze River and the Plum Blossom Pier. Later, as practical partners in the Cheon-u Alliance, they developed a sense of camaraderie due to the heavy workload, establishing themselves as a comedic duo.

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He is currently the strongest in the Dang family and a master of throwing knife techniques and poison arts.

He uses the Chuhonbi (追魂匕), a leaf-shaped throwing knife that was formerly the beloved weapon of Dang Bo, as his weapon. When he exerts his full power, his sleeves swell as if about to burst, and a vortex begins to swirl around his body, indicating that his surging internal energy is manipulating the surrounding energy. After the Janggang Massacre, he went into seclusion and underwent three years of harsh training. Even while the disciples of Hwasan, excluding Cheong Myeong, watched his sparring match, they had to dodge his movements.

During the Muguangsan battle, he held his own against Dam Yeo-hae, the Heavenly Face Monk, who had previously gained the upper hand against Heo Gong, a high-ranking elder of Muguang, after annihilating A-mi and Jeomchang. In fact, the Heavenly Face Monk, who had been taunting the Five Swords, completely lost his composure the moment Dang Gun-ak appeared.

He is the first person in the story to have defeated Cheong Myeong. When Cheong Myeong first fought him, he was shocked, saying, "Are you trying to kill me?" at the request to withstand 10 stances, and was so overwhelmed that he couldn't even pay attention to the surrounding surprise attacks. Although Cheong Myeong endured all 10 stances, this was because Dang Gun-ak unleashed the first stance as a display. Without it, Cheong Myeong might have lost. At the time, Cheong Myeong was fighting on par with a Muguang sect elder, albeit a weaker one, and even after absorbing the energy of the Hunwon Dan to become stronger, Dang Gun-ak was strong enough to make Cheong Myeong genuinely fear for his life before the fight even began. Furthermore, during his sparring match with Cheong Myeong, Dang Gun-ak fought under special rules of a one-on-one duel using only hidden techniques without poison, a situation most disadvantageous for a Dang family warrior. Despite this, he pushed Cheong Myeong to that extent. Later, when training the Dang family alongside Hwasan, Cheong Myeong assessed that Dang Gun-ak would be the only one in the Dang family capable of fighting the Demonic Cult.

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Upon meeting Dang Jan, who had returned after being defeated by Jo Geol at Sahae Trading Company, Dang Gun-ak was greatly surprised to hear that Cheong Myeong had mentioned the Twelve Throwing Knives, one of the Dang family's ultimate secret techniques, and went to find him directly. In a bet with Cheong Myeong (if Cheong Myeong could withstand Dang Gun-ak's 10 stances, Cheong Myeong would win), he unleashed his final stance. However, his eldest son and young master, Dang Pae, broke the promise and intervened, stabbing Cheong Myeong. Dang Gun-ak apologized to Cheong Myeong, admitted defeat, and they became friends.


Afterward, he entrusted Dang So-so to Hwasan and formed an alliance with them. It was also a good way to pass down the Dang family's medical arts to Hwasan, as Dang So-so wished after being inspired by Yu I-seol. After Hwasan repelled the Maninbang's invasion, he single-handedly went to Maninbang and negotiated with its leader, Jang Il-so, who intended to finish off Hwasan with a follow-up attack, thereby preventing it. He formed the Cheon-u Alliance with the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace, Northern Sea Ice Palace, and Hwasan. Immediately after the Maninbang's invasion of Hwasan, he single-handedly stormed Maninbang for his friend Hwasan and effectively warned Jang Il-so to cease his conflict with Hwasan. According to Hong Dae-gwang, there was considerable opposition at this time. Even though Dang Gun-ak's status was absolute after the downfall of Dang Oe, the head of the Elder Council, it was a dangerous act to openly oppose the head of the family. In fact, when Dang Gun-ak made a surprise visit to Maninbang, Jang Il-so judged that if Maninbang willed it, even the Poison King would have difficulty escaping alive. Yet, he undertook such a risky venture to uphold his oath of friendship with Hwasan. Later, Cheong Myeong, upon hearing the news, commented that he had been reckless. He openly criticized the Nine Sects who had signed a non-aggression pact with the Sapye-ryeon. Upon hearing from Ja-o Gae that the Shaolin, Gongdong, and Gaebang sects had done nothing for five days despite seeing the Namgung family on the verge of annihilation, he could not hide his anger and gnashed his teeth, demanding why they had done nothing. Just before this, after Namgung Do-wi, severely injured, ascended to the riverbank, Beop-jeong, who was trying to prevent the shame of the Shaolin, Gongdong, and Gaebang sects from being revealed, threatened Ja-o Gae, who was about to tell Do-wi Hwasan's location, to keep quiet. However, Ja-o Gae scoffed at this, tore off his Gaebang insignia symbolizing his sect's identity, and, along with other beggars, escorted Namgung Do-wi to Hwasan, preserving the last shred of conscience for the Gaebang sect. It is curious to imagine how Dang Gun-ak would have reacted to Shaolin, given the harsh scolding he gave the Gaebang sect. And as if this were not just talk, even when the Dang family had to withdraw from the Yangtze River, he remained until the end for the sake of the civilians, and although he refused to be a shield for the Nine Sects and retreated to the Dang family, he added the condition that the Cheon-u Alliance would help the civilians who wished to leave the Yangtze River.

After the subjugation of Heukryongchae, Shaolin lost its grip, leading to the division of the Nine Sects and Five Great Families, and with Hwasan in seclusion, he had been protecting the Yangtze River region and coordinating various issues within the Cheon-u Alliance. However, as he was reaching his limits, after Hwasan reopened its gates, he rushed to Hwasan, sparred with Cheong Myeong again, and then returned to Sichuan. As Hwasan's seclusion neared 1000 days, coordination with the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace and Northern Sea Ice Palace was faltering. This was because the alliance was possible due to Hwasan being the central point, and the outer sects still harbored animosity towards the Central Plains sects other than Hwasan.

As a side note, while protecting the Plum Blossom Pier, he was also working on creating new stances for the Twelve Throwing Knives. When Cheong Myeong, after fighting with supreme masters, found it difficult to retrieve his throwing knives, he asked, "Is there a reason to use only twelve throwing knives according to the stance name? Since you carry so many hidden weapons on your body, wouldn't it be better to have spare throwing knives so you don't have to worry about them running out?" This left Dang Gun-ak speechless (...).

Later, when the Namgung family occupied the Plum Blossom Pier and the conflict between orthodox and demonic sects escalated around the Plum Blossom Pier and the Yangtze River, he, along with Hwasan, helped the civilians who wished to avoid war to relocate. He showed concern for the civilians living along the Yangtze River who would have trouble adapting to city life, planning to relocate them to areas near Chengdu, which were not their territory but had nearby rivers, and even pondered if there were better places. Dang Gun-ak remarked that it would be a disaster if he couldn't even rely on Cheong Myeong and his group, who were less than half his age. When Namgung Do-wi, barely escaping the Plum Blossom Pier thanks to the sacrifices of Namgung Hwang and the elders, sought help from Hwasan, Dang Gun-ak, naturally, led the Dang family members to participate in the rescue of the Namgung family. He demonstrated the might of the Sichuan Dang family, the master of poison, by turning a squadron into hell with just a few poison bombs. He was about to fight the Black Dragon King when he landed on the Plum Blossom Pier, but Cheong Myeong preempted him, and the fight was averted.

During the Hangju Mahwa, he was about to go to Hangju, but Cheong Myeong, wary of the Sapye-ryeon's threat, dissuaded him, and he ended up guarding the north of the river.

Later, while staying near the Yangtze River, when the members of the Cheon-u Alliance began training in the Hwasan style (...), Cheong Myeong, lacking time to care for the other five swords, proposed that Dang Gun-ak train with them. Delighted at the opportunity to throw throwing knives at people, he smiled like Cheong Myeong and threw knives at the five swords. While drinking with Dang Gun-ak, Cheong Myeong asked him to train them so that they would absolutely not die.

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He is a founding member of the Cheon-u Alliance. After witnessing the hypocritical actions of the Nine Sects and Five Great Families during the Heukryongchae subjugation, Dang Gun-ak declared his withdrawal from the Five Great Families, thus ceasing to be one of them. Following Dang Gun-ak's official declaration after the Janggang Massacre, the withdrawal from the Five Great Families was formalized.