Chapter 9 : Sichuan Tang Clan (4)

Chapter 9: Sichuan Tang Clan (4)

The Sword Emperor, Yoo Jinhak, appeared alone without the divine honor guard of Mount Emei or any separate escort.

In an instant, as if he had always been there, Yoo Jinhak stood still, and the members of the Tang Clan felt a rush of complex emotions.

‘How could his energy be this intense…!’

‘Is that man truly the same kind as us?’

‘This pressure is simply unreal.’

They were simultaneously experiencing rage at the intruder who had trespassed without permission and fear from facing an unknown existence.

‘We must stop him.’

Only just regaining composure, the Dark Flower Unit Leader, Tang Bi, moved to protect his lord.

No matter that he was the Murim Alliance Leader, it was completely improper to storm into the clan’s conference hall without awaiting an escort.

It might mean he was furious.

He slowly moved his hand toward his sword hilt.

Preparing himself to strike if Yoo Jinhak revealed any hostility.

“Hmmm?”

But as if already aware of his intent, Yoo Jinhak’s gaze turned to Tang Bi.

Fzzzt!

It was just eye contact.

Yet suddenly, the internal qi within Tang Bi’s body began to churn chaotically.

His breath caught, and his vision gradually blurred.

It was due to the overwhelming disparity between the two.

In that moment, Tang Bi realized.

If the other party so willed, no one here would walk away alive.

Just before he lost consciousness—

Saaa—

Another energy began to seep in, stabilizing his condition.

‘…Clan Head?’

At some point, Tang Muyeol had risen from his seat and naturally placed a hand on Tang Bi’s shoulder.

Then, Tang Muyeol broke the silence in the hall.

“Clan Head of the Tang Clan, Tang Muyeol, greets the Alliance Leader.”

“We, we greet the Alliance Leader!”

Once Tang Muyeol paid his respects first, the other Tang Clan members also snapped out of their daze and followed suit.

In response, Yoo Jinhak gave a benevolent smile and spoke.

“Haha, it's good to see you, Clan Head Tang. It’s been several years since the last annual meeting.”

“That’s right. Time has flown.”

“It looks like you've gained quite a few white hairs since then.”

“Yes, I've reached the age of knowing the mandate of heaven, after all.”

“Hoho, is that so? They do say time flows like a river.”

At a glance, it seemed like lighthearted small talk about their well-being.

But the watching members of the Tang Clan nervously gulped.

It felt like two masters sizing each other up before a duel.

“I received your visit notice in a hurry, so I apologize for not preparing a proper welcome.”

“Ha! Such empty formalities are meaningless. You needn't concern yourself, Clan Head.”

“Thank you for graciously accepting the apology. Given the history between the Alliance and our main clan, let us not dwell on minor breaches of etiquette committed by either side.”

At Tang Muyeol’s words, the watching Tang Clan members were utterly shocked.

It was because of the phrase, ‘minor breaches of etiquette committed by either side.’

Indeed, even if he was the leader of the Murim Alliance, trespassing on the clan’s territory without permission was a great offense.

But who in the current martial world could dare challenge the Alliance Leader?

Moreover, there was also the matter of what Sewoon had done.

No one in the hall expected Tang Muyeol to speak such pointed words, so all eyes turned to Yoo Jinhak’s reaction.

Yet contrary to expectations, there was no trace of anger on the Alliance Leader’s face.

Rather, his eyes glimmered with a curious interest.

“You are mistaken, Clan Head. I had every intention of waiting.”

“Clan Head, what are you saying to the Alliance Leader who has graced us with his visit?”

Yoo Jinhak frowned for the first time.

The one who interrupted with a fuss was none other than Tang Hoyeol.

Noticing the Alliance Leader’s unexpectedly gentle demeanor, he jumped in, hoping to secure some kind of connection.

“And you are…?”

“I am Tang Hoyeol, the Chief Escort of the Ten Thousand Seas Escort Agency! To meet the Alliance Leader is a blessing beyond lifetimes…!”

“I see. Chief Tang.”

Tang Hoyeol could say no more.

Yoo Jinhak’s now cold gaze fell upon him.

“Could you kindly refrain from involving yourself in our conversation?”

Yoo Jinhak’s most detested type of person was the one who flattered and fawned.

Tang Bi had merely suffered the backlash of a passive defensive qi field.

But what Yoo Jinhak was now directing at Tang Hoyeol was filled with clear intent.

“Guh—Ack!”

Tang Hoyeol felt pain and pressure far beyond what Tang Bi had endured.

But only for a moment.

Once Yoo Jinhak withdrew his frostbitten glare—

“Huff. M-my apologies.”

Tang Hoyeol scurried away in utter disgrace.

Immediately after, Yoo Jinhak’s aura returned to that of a mild, old Taoist.

“Hrm, anyway, as I said, I meant to wait. But the older I get, the better my hearing becomes, it seems.”

Yoo Jinhak turned and began walking slowly toward one person.

The only person in the vast hall who met his gaze without a flicker.

“This young Daoist has suffered misunderstandings and harm because of this old man, and I could no longer bear it.”

Toward Sewoon.

As Yoo Jinhak looked at Sewoon with eyes filled with sincere remorse—

‘Wait, what is this?’

‘Why is he looking at the one who was crippled by him like that?’

‘…Could it be that Young Master Sewoon was telling the truth all along?’

All the Tang Clan members were dumbfounded.

As all eyes focused on him, Sewoon respectfully cupped his fists and spoke to Yoo Jinhak.

“I’m sorry. As you can see, I won’t be able to serve the tea I mentioned.”

“Haha, that’s quite alright. I’m already full from the wine of an old monster.”

“That’s a relief to hear.”

“Though looking at you now…”

Yoo Jinhak looked Sewoon up and down and smiled faintly.

“It seems you’ve made another step forward in that short time.”

Sewoon was genuinely surprised.

He hadn’t even circulated his qi internally, yet the man had instantly noticed that his cultivation level had advanced just by looking at him once.

Of course, he had already closed his upper Dantian, so that part would have gone unnoticed.

‘As expected, he’s someone I must never let my guard down around.’

Sewoon resolved that he would always maintain the highest level of caution when facing Yoo Jinhak.

He offered a slight nod and continued speaking.

“It was merely a stroke of luck.”

“Hmm, I see. Let us postpone our private exchange for now. Considering the current situation, let’s first resolve the matters at hand.”

“Yes, let’s do that.”

With a smile that had remained as if he were talking to a grandson, Yoo Jinhak suddenly hardened his expression.

Clink.

Then he turned properly to face Tang Muyeol and the Tang Clan members.

“I now stand here not as Yoo Jinhak, but as the Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance.”

Swaa!

The moment Yoo Jinhak finished speaking, every member of the Tang Clan was utterly shocked.

They instantly realized just how much consideration he had been giving them until now.

An overwhelming presence filled the room in an instant.

What in the world was about to happen?

It was the common question in the minds of the Tang Clan members.

And the first thing Yoo Jinhak did was something even Sewoon hadn’t expected.

How could he?

“First, I sincerely apologize on behalf of the Murim Alliance to the Clan Head and all members of the Tang Clan.”

That the Alliance Leader of the Murim Alliance would bow his head in apology to them.

The Sword Emperor, who had never once bowed his head even after hundreds, thousands of life-and-death battles over the years, was bowing to them now.

“Alliance Leader!”

“P-please don’t do this!”

Even the clan members present hurriedly tried to stop the Alliance Leader, thinking this went too far, but Yoo Jinhak continued without pause.

“I should have taught more strictly and prepared better in advance to prevent such a situation from ever occurring.”

“For the injuries caused by a disciple of my sect, the Alliance will provide all necessary resources for medical treatment.”

“Furthermore, as an expression of apology to both the victim and the Tang Clan, the Alliance will also issue a substantial compensation payment.”

Each of these responses was unprecedented, and the Tang Clan members couldn’t hide their astonishment.

Only one person, Tang Muyeol, watched Yoo Jinhak calmly.

The leader of the current strongest organization in the martial world.

The powerless head of a fallen clan.

The gazes of the two men crossed in midair.

Eventually, Tang Muyeol quietly spoke.

“I will accept the compensation meant for the victim, but I will not accept any for the clan.”

“Clan Head!”

Tang Hoyeol looked absolutely dumbfounded.

Refusing compensation—what nonsense was this?

This was a decision made directly by the Alliance Leader.

The compensation from the Murim Alliance could very well exceed the Tang Clan’s annual budget.

As glances filled with unease turned toward the Clan Head—

Tang Muyeol continued speaking.

“Because the clan did nothing to uphold justice.”

“Ah…”

Sighs leaked from various corners in response to the Clan Head’s words.

Only then did they realize why Tang Muyeol had made such a decision.

“It was entirely Sewoon—he did it all with his own strength.”

The Tang Clan members who had briefly been blinded by greed hung their heads in shame.

A deep shame pierced their chests.

Yes, how could they dare accept money?

Just moments ago, hadn’t they thrown stones at the Young Master who used even his innate true qi to save their clan?

Breaking the silence, Tang Muyeol addressed Yoo Jinhak.

“Instead, I humbly request that the Alliance publicly reveal the full truth of this incident across the martial world of Sichuan.”

Sewoon’s chest ached at his father’s plea.

The reason for such a request was because of the Qingcheng Sect.

To cover up this disgraceful incident, Qingcheng would spread unfavorable rumors about Sewoon instead.

‘Even in my past life, the rumors spread without mentioning any of Lee Hoseong’s crimes.’

It required a great deal of money to spread rumors.

But the current Tang Clan couldn’t match Qingcheng’s financial power.

“I understand. The Alliance will post detailed notices throughout Sichuan Province.”

Realizing the reason for such a request, the Alliance Leader nodded with a bitter expression.

Even he expected that Qingcheng wouldn’t repent but would instead resort to such underhanded tactics.

“And although I already said this on-site to the young Daoist, let me reaffirm it here. I swear on my name—Qingcheng will never be able to hold the Tang Clan accountable for today’s incident.”

“Thank you, Alliance Leader.”

Tang Muyeol respectfully bowed to the Alliance Leader.

It seemed like things were finally settling down.

‘Phew, looks like it’s mostly over.’

Sewoon let out a quiet sigh internally.

It was a decent outcome.

Before they knew it, the way the clan members looked at Tang Muyeol and Tang Hoyeol had completely changed.

“Now, lastly…”

But it seemed it wasn’t over just yet.

‘Hmm?’

For some reason, Yoo Jinhak was staring intently at Sewoon.

And then he spoke.

“Young man, have you ever considered becoming this old man’s disciple?”

A completely unexpected question left his lips.