Book 7: Chapter 22

Book 7: Chapter 22

Tang Eunrang, the Minor Clan Leader of the Sichuan Tang Clan, declined the tea and personally poured from the liquor jar on the table.

“It’s true that the Sichuan Tang Clan can pull out of this deal at any time. However...”

After downing a full cup, she set it down with a clatter and looked at Yeon So-hyeon.

“I, no, the Sichuan Tang Clan sincerely hopes for your success, Eldest Young Master. That is also an undeniable truth.”

Although she was honestly revealing the Sichuan Tang Clan’s intentions, Deputy Clan Leader Tang Gwi-hu only sat silently beside her with a smile.

Even though he was senior to the Minor Clan Leader in age, rank, and experience, he was now merely an advisor.

The decision was up to the one with the authority.

“Although the Sichuan Tang Clan cannot directly exert influence in Luoyang, feel free to request anything you need from me.”

“Thank you for clearly stating your stance.”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded.

Both the Sichuan Tang Clan and Yeon So-hyeon wished for the plan’s success.

There was no disagreement.

Minor Clan Leader Tang Eunrang’s straightforward attitude drastically reduced the unnecessary time spent on the meeting.

Perceptive judgment and bold execution.

Despite being only in her prime, she was indeed a person the Sichuan Tang Clan could confidently put forward as the decision-maker.

“Then please take a look at this.”

Yeon So-hyeon took out a sheet of paper from his chest and handed it to her.

“This is...!”

Tang Eunrang’s deep green eyes widened upon confirming the contents of the paper.

Tang Gwi-hu’s eyebrows twitched, and he stroked his chin with his characteristic smile.

“Oh, it’s the pledge signed by the former clan leaders of Mount North Mang. Eldest Young Master, may I perhaps...?”

Yeon So-hyeon raised his hand, signaling him to examine it freely.

Tang Gwi-hu, who received the pledge from Tang Eunrang, unfolded a document he had prepared from his chest.

They were samples for comparing and analyzing the handwriting of the former clan leaders.

“The handwriting perfectly matches. But...”

He pointed to a blank space on the pledge.

“What about the former clan leader of the Yang Clan?”

Yeon So-hyeon smiled brightly.

“Unfortunately, he was unable to attend.”

At that smile reeking of blood, Tang Gwi-hu inwardly let out a hollow laugh.

‘To think someone in their mere teens...’

Tang Eunrang, who had been silently lost in thought, slapped her solar plexus.

“Hmph. Fifteen people are more than enough. It doesn’t matter if one is absent.”

She looked at Tang Gwi-hu.

“What do you think, Uncle?”

“I share the same judgment as the Minor Clan Leader. So...”

His gaze lingered on the pledge before turning to Yeon So-hyeon.

“If we observe for a few more days, we can definitely verify the authenticity of this pledge through the movements of the former clan leaders.”

As expected of the head of an intelligence organization, he remained cautious until the end.

“Hmm.”

Tang Eunrang shook her head.

“There’s no need for that.”

“Minor Clan Leader?”

She raised her gaze and looked straight at Yeon So-hyeon.

“Until now, the Sichuan Tang Clan has always demanded clear proof from you first, Eldest Young Master. But that only leads to a one-sided relationship.”

She had made her decision.

Tang Gwi-hu closed his mouth.

“This time, the Sichuan Tang Clan will show trust in you first, Eldest Young Master.”

She took out a small silver ornament from her chest and placed it on the table.

“Eldest Young Master, show this token to Tang Gogyu.”

Tang Gogyu.

A person referred to as the sage of the Tang Sect.

He was none other than the representative of the investment group that had come to Luoyang, led by various individuals from Sichuan.

“Does that mean...?”

Tang Eunrang nodded to Yeon So-hyeon, who had noticed something.

“That’s right. The families belonging to the investment group led by Tang Gogyu are actually all families that the Sichuan Tang Clan has secretly nurtured.”

She grinned.

“The moment you show this token, those families will immediately transfer the Sichuan Tang Clan’s funds to you, Eldest Young Master, under the guise of investment.”

Yeon So-hyeon inwardly expressed a small admiration.

‘To think that even the constituent families of the investment group were the Sichuan Tang Clan’s prepared agents.’

When he confirmed that the Minor Clan Leader Tang Eunrang and Deputy Clan Leader Tang Gwi-hu had personally entered Luoyang along with the shadows, he had been skeptical.

Indeed, there was no other way to describe it than the Sichuan Tang Clan that had ruled the vast and fertile Sichuan for such a long time.

“...Phew.”

Tang Eunrang poured herself a full cup of liquor, downed it, and said,

“Originally, that amount was supposed to be delivered only after you had completely taken control of the Valley of Sin, Eldest Young Master.”

“Then it must be a considerable sum.”

She showed Yeon So-hyeon a meaningful smile.

“I’ll just say that it’s too large an amount to give in advance to show trust.”

She laughed, “Haha!”

Her hair with a hint of green swayed beautifully.

“I believe that’s enough to maintain a good relationship with you in the future, Eldest Young Master, don’t you think?”

Yeon So-hyeon silently picked up a small liquor jar, filled her cup, and then filled his own empty cup.

Tang Baek refused without any room for doubt, and Tang Eunrang nodded her head without any lingering attachment.

“The rumor that your heart for the main family left with you when you followed your aunt to Luoyang was true. I understand.”

The aunt she referred to was Tang, the Grand Elder, the mother of the Minor Patriarch.

While they conversed, Tang Gwi-hu, who had received updated information from a shadow agent, called out to her.

“Minor Clan Leader.”

She excused herself to Yeon So-hyeon and received the report through Tang Gwi-hu’s sound transmission.

“Hmm.”

She frowned and said to Yeon So-hyeon,

“According to the report I just received, it seems there was someone from 2nd Young Master’s side behind the delay in fire suppression by influencing the district heads of Tanlong and Jiaxia.”

Tang Gwi-hu let out a small sigh at her bluntly revealing all the information.

Tang Eunrang ignored him and calmly added,

“It seemed like your intelligence organization was busy, so we did a little investigation on our side.”

“...Is that all?”

Yeon So-hyeon gave Tang Eunrang a wry smile.

“In the first place, even if they were behind this fire, I wouldn’t find it strange at all.”

He shook his head.

“Moreover, at this very moment, they are probably analyzing my forces’ response to the fire in detail.”

Using the fire and underworld organizations for a show of force and reconnaissance.

The underworld was nothing more than a disposable tool to them, so in Yeon So-hyeon’s mind, it was something they could easily come up with.

“Besides, this is just the beginning.”

Tang Eunrang agreed with Yeon So-hyeon’s words.

“They were only unable to respond immediately due to your move, but it’s not impossible for them to take follow-up measures.”

“Those follow-up measures are probably already underway.”

“But you’re still confident, Eldest Young Master?”

“Of course.”

Tang Eunrang smiled as she flipped the hood of her cloak over her head.

“Then, I wish you luck.”

***

Luoyang Sword House, 2nd Young Master’s faction.

In the spacious and luxurious front courtyard, a black carriage made of rare metals was waiting.

Its appearance somewhat resembled the Eldest Young Master’s armored fortress.

Six famous horses with silver manes harnessed to the carriage snorted.

“...So, what level is the Eldest Young Master’s martial arts proficiency? What? If the information is unreliable, at least secure the quantity!”

In front of it, the elders of 2nd Young Master’s faction were pacing around.

“...Seven families participated in the fire suppression, with the Gong family of Mount North Mang at the forefront, making it a total of six?”

“The mobilization power of the House of Compassion is more impressive than expected. It seems they were a bit more organized than what we had previously grasped.”

Even at a time when the Daeseon Guild was reorganizing, their analysis work continued without much disruption.

It was because there were renowned information traders in Luoyang who cooperated with 2nd Young Master’s faction.

“So?”

Ahn, the head of the Daeseon Guild, pushed up his glasses and asked his subordinate again.

“The attack on the Daeseon Guild was the doing of the Crescent Moon Pavilion, which holds the Minor Patriarch’s Sword House Bronze Plaque?”

They seemed to have finally caught the tail on this side as well.

“We can’t be certain yet, but...”

Ahn’s expression contorted as he roughly flipped through the reports handed over by his subordinate.

“T-That son of a...!”

Someone tapped the shoulder of Ahn, whose hand holding the report was trembling.

“Calm down, Elder Ahn.”

It was a fellow elder from the same Gangnam faction.

“The follow-up response is already firmly underway, isn’t it? It’s only the beginning, so why are you so agitated?”

Ahn’s expression settled.

“...I know.”

“The analysis is also progressing smoothly.”

The fellow elder smiled with his arms crossed, gazing at the people busily moving about in the courtyard.

Everyone was frantically running around as if it were daytime in the deep of night.

Then he pointed to a corner with his chin.

“Besides, isn’t our Gangnam faction’s situation much better than that guy’s?”

Ahn’s gaze turned to the corner.

There, Elder Hahu, who couldn’t rest his anxious footsteps for a moment, was pacing back and forth.

“...Hmm.”

That Elder Hahu from the Luoyang faction, who had been in charge of command at the grand meeting hall today.

“What a ridiculous sight.”

The fellow elder, who had been mocking him for a moment, said to Ahn,

“Anyway, although we can’t directly stop those old horses from Mount North Mang, we can preemptively block those who will try to move in the future.”

They currently held no official positions.

If they wanted to do something, they had no choice but to mobilize someone with an official position.

“...But it’s impossible with our power alone.”

“Of course.”

The fellow elder shrugged his shoulders.

“That’s why we’re here waiting for our lord, isn’t it?”

As soon as his words ended, the head butler shouted in a sharp voice,

“2nd Young Master is arriving!”