Chapter 119. Confirmation

From here and there came the sound of people drawing in sharp breaths. All seemed to be in shock.

Then, someone else cut into the conversation.

"No, Clan Head! You cannot be so certain!"

A man who appeared to be one of the headquarters' martial members strode forward with a reprimanding voice.

"The Alliance Leader requested Young Lady Tang and the Divine Physician to attend him in his quarters for treatment. Did you not also grant permission, Clan Head? And yet suddenly you claim she was abducted and create such a disturbance—what are you doing?"

He looked helplessly toward the Four Seasons Hall Lord.

"And besides, why have you left our Hall Lord in such a state? Surely you weren't planning to storm into the Alliance Leader's quarters? Clan Head, do you even know how many Alliance members are waiting for an audience with the Leader? If all of them claimed urgency and broke down the doors, the headquarters would have collapsed many times over. There are rules and discipline—if the Alliance Leader said to wait, then you must wait! Moreover, tomorrow the Leader himself will preside over the awards ceremony. If you just endure three more hours, you can see him then!"

At those words, disappointment appeared on the faces of the Alliance members.

The mood shifted toward condemning the Tang Clan Head's selfish behavior.

Encouraged by the murmurs, the headquarters's martial artist raised his voice.

"Hall Lord, oh dear Hall Lord, are you all right? Heaven help us, if everyone lashed out at the headquarters' members in anger like this, what use would headquarters have at all?"

"Then why not simply open the door?"

Tang Hae-han could not bear it and stepped forward, shouting.

"If So-hwa is inside the Alliance Leader's quarters, then send her out. What is so difficult about that? All we asked was to confirm that So-hwa was safe, yet it was the Alliance Leader who refused that simple request!"

Tang Hae-han tried not to lose control, but his voice kept rising.

"So-hwa went in carrying the tracking incense, but its trail did not lead to the Leader's quarters—it went toward the northern mountain of the headquarters! At mid-slope, it vanished like a ghost! Someone seems to be impersonating So-hwa, and all we ask is to verify it—why are you blocking this?"

"The Alliance Leader is not meeting with anyone at this time, not just the Tang Clan Head but—"

"Which is why we said we don't need to meet the Leader—just let So-hwa come out!"

"The Leader commanded you to wait—"

"Tracking incense does not last forever! The Leader may say to wait one day, but after a day passes, So-hwa may never be found again!"

Tang Hae-han cut off the headquarters' martial artist's words with an urgent reply.

"So-hwa has surely been abducted by the Blood Sect. She has become their target. And that is partly your fault as well!"

Tang Hae-han's body trembled as he glared at the Alliance members surrounding him.

"So-hwa reported the Blood Sect's rampage to the Murim Alliance, and when news came that Alliance members in far-off Shaanxi had suffered at the hands of the Blood Sect, she rushed to aid them. She even risked her life to go to the Hubei branch, where she gave her medicine and skills to save Hubei's members—though she had no need to do so."

The more he spoke, the more Tang Hae-han shook with the sting of betrayal.

"So, of course, she became a target of the Blood Sect! They wouldn't dare lay hands on the Alliance Leader, or the elders here, or masters like the Tai Chi Sword Saint. Instead, they abducted So-hwa—whose martial ability is weaker—as an example, did they not?"

Tang Hae-han was not usually one to be consumed by emotion. He preferred to categorize, to analyze, to pursue logic and reason.

Had it been someone from another sect who was kidnapped, he, too, might have crossed his arms and watched, saying rules came first.

Paradoxically, it was because he understood that detached stance of the bystanders that his own fury swelled all the more.

At this very moment, So-hwa was in the Blood Sect's hands, suffering who knew what kind of cruel tortures. Yet these people would finish watching this scene and then return to their rooms, curl up under soft blankets, and sleep in comfort.

"So-hwa..."

That stiff, cynical Tang So-hwa would never meekly obey the words of the Blood Sect.

She would resist, she would provoke them, she would cause a scene—and in the end, she would be met with savage tortures, suffering needless pain.

With no sense of social grace at all, that was surely how it would be.

The surge of extreme anger made his voice turn calm instead. Tang Hae-han's tone cut sharply like a blade, as though weighing right and wrong.

"Is this the reward for suppressing her fear and striving for the safety of Alliance members? Is it truly such a great request to ask only to confirm whether she’s alive? Ah, yes, following the rules is important. So even now, while So-hwa may be enduring unspeakable deeds at the hands of the Blood Sect, we must endure and wait until the Alliance Leader bestows us the favor of his presence, like some act of grace! For such is the Alliance, is it not? To follow the Murim Alliance's rules, to honor the Alliance, by turning our backs on members in peril. So-hwa should have done the same. If she had, she would not have drawn the eyes of the Blood Sect."

(T/N: Very well said! *clap* *clap* *clap*)

The Tang Clan young man’s sharp words went on, yet no one tried to stop him.

Hearing only the silence around him, Tang Hae-han spoke in a calm voice.

"Though we are bound in alliance, sworn to help one another in times of hardship, I will not ask you for aid. I only ask that you let me confirm whether my younger sister has been abducted by the Blood Sect. We will find her ourselves!"

Yet again, anger surged up uncontrollably.

"I have no intention of asking for the Murim Alliance's help anyway..."

"Hall Lord."

The Tai Chi Sword Saint cut off Tang Hae-han's cold voice and called to the Four Seasons Hall Lord.

Zhuge In-hwi's gaze shifted to the Tai Chi Sword Saint.

"Open the door."

"......"

"When an Alliance member is in danger, it leaves a poor impression if the Alliance Leader is seen to turn his back."

Zhuge In-hwi, who stood with his back to the quarters door, turned his gaze forward again.

He could feel the countless eyes fixed on him—youths peeking their heads over the wall, elders standing atop it quietly watching the scene below, and the Plum Blossom Sword Guards and Wudang experts who filled the passageway.

The once-cynical atmosphere had grown heated.

Whether clans or sects, martial artists grew up alongside their brothers and fellow disciples, forming bonds of deep affection—bonds strong enough that, at times, they would even lay down their lives.

The plea of Tang Hae-han, that cousin elder brother, had stirred their hearts.

If one's own brother or fellow disciple were in danger, and the Alliance members turned their backs—

Those gripped by desperation and fear now waited for the Alliance Leader's answer.

Their gazes remained fixed on that residence, still silent and unresponsive.

Zhuge In-hwi could retreat no further.

If he once more spoke of rules and demanded that they all disperse, it would leave the impression that the headquarters cared nothing for the peril of its own members.

Such a thing would plant a fundamental doubt about the very reason for the Alliance's existence.

Zhuge In-hwi was no fool.

He nodded, placed his hand upon the door, and dispelled the formation that only the Alliance Leader had personally taught him.

Clack.

The sound of metal loosening rang out, and the heavy door opened wide.

As the Tang Clan Head's stepped forward, the Black Sky Demon addressed him.

"Clan Head."

When the Clan Head looked at him, the Black Sky Demon spoke with a calm expression.

"When you see So-hwa, do not question her there. Bring her out here. Do not decide alone, but listen to the opinions of all."

"All" did not mean the Tang Clan.

At this moment, the Alliance members sided with the Tang Clan, but those gazes could at any time turn into blades against them.

It was necessary to show everyone, openly, that a Blood Sect member had impersonated an Alliance member.

Understanding this, the Tang Clan Head gave a small nod and stepped into the Alliance Leader's quarters.

The place was so small that Zhuge In-hwi and the Clan Head quickly reached the main hall.

The Divine Physician, already outside due to the commotion, widened his eyes at the sight of the Clan Head. Tang So-hwa, standing beside him, did the same.

The Clan Head flinched.

For a moment, he wondered if he truly had been mistaken.

Tang So-hwa glanced between the Clan Head and the Four Seasons Hall Lord and asked.

"What is going on?"

But Zhuge In-hwi said nothing. At that silence, Tang So-hwa quickly slid her gaze past him.

"Father, what is happening? It seems you came here because of me. What is this all about?"

"......"

"Father?"

Tang Ji-ha's jaw muscles twitched.

It was Tang So-hwa's voice.

Yet he clenched his fist tightly, forcing himself not to waver. His gaze slid to the Divine Physician, who stood beside her.

"Thank you."

At those brief words, the Divine Physician closed his eyes.

The silence unsettled Tang So-hwa, and she began to grow wary.

"Um..."

"Young Lady Tang."

The Four Seasons Hall Lord cut her off, speaking in a calm voice.

"Please step outside for a moment."

"What? Why?"

Tang So-hwa asked in surprise.

"It is fine. Just come out."

Tang Ji-ha spoke to So-hwa.

But sensing something was strangely amiss, Tang So-hwa shook her head.

"No. I cannot leave the Alliance Leader right now. His condition is very—"

"I will tend to the Alliance Leader. You should go."

When the Divine Physician added his voice, Tang So-hwa was left without a reply.

The Tang Clan Head walked forward with a cold face.

"Ah—Father! I'll go! I'll go! Please let go of me! Ah, it hurts!"

Tang So-hwa cried out in fright as Tang Ji-ha dragged her away, his expression dark.

When the Tang Clan entourage waiting outside saw their Clan Head and Tang So-hwa, their eyes widened.

Thud.

The Clan Head threw Tang So-hwa down onto the ground as if to cast her aside, then looked down at her with a sigh.

"Speak with your own mouth who you truly are."

"F-Father, why are you doing this?"

Pressed by the countless eyes fixed upon her, Tang So-hwa shrank back. Soon, clear water welled in her wide eyes.

"I'm scared. Please, don't do this."

She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and sobbed.

The Alliance members who did not know Tang So-hwa glanced at the Tang retainers. Shouldn't someone stop this? It looks like the Clan Head has mistaken his own daughter and is scolding her unfairly.

But when they saw the faces of the Tang retainers, they fell silent.

Their faces had turned deathly pale—

As though they had seen a ghost.

And into that silence rang out the voice of Young Lady Tang.

"What did you hear that makes you doubt me? H-heuk, why won't you believe my words?"

The voice alone was enough to break one's heart.

Yet the Tang Clan Head's gaze remained cold.

Tang So-hwa turned her eyes to Tang Hak and crawled toward him on her knees.

"Hak-ah, stop Father, please. I'm so scared."

Tang Hak's eyes reddened.

This person was not his sister.

The real Tang So-hwa would never crawl across the floor weeping so piteously.

She frantically looked around as tears fell.

"This is all a misunderstanding. I don't know what you've heard, but I'm being framed, Father."

"......"

"H-heuk, don't look at me like that. Did I, perhaps, bring shame to your honor? Why are you doing this to me?"

Tang So-hwa pleaded desperately.

Little by little, fear began to creep across the faces of the Tang retainers.

What in the world was that?

The same face, the same voice. How could anyone imitate another so perfectly?

Perhaps changing its plan to gain the sympathy of the Alliance's martial artists instead of the Tang Clan, Tang So-hwa looked around and cried out.

"Help me! Save me! Taoist Master Muso! You gave me the Token of Gratitude, did you not? You must help—Aagh!"

A hidden weapon struck the back of Tang So-hwa's hand.

The expressionless Tang Clan Head's hand was stretched out.

He looked down at her bleeding hand and the hidden weapon he had thrown.

"H-heuk, it hurts! It hurts so much! Father, why are you doing this? Why won't you listen to me?"

The Clan Head listened in silence to Tang So-hwa's desperate cries.

The floor she pressed her hand upon grew soaked with blood.

The wound on the back of her hand did not heal and kept bleeding.

"... You are not my daughter."

The Tang Clan Head's gaze slowly lifted to the Four Seasons Hall Lord standing at the doorway. He had yet to step outside and remained within the Alliance Leader's quarters.

"Hall Lord, do you know the identity of this one? You are the one who gathers all the information of the Central Plains—do you not know?"

The Tang Clan Head addressed him not as Zhuge In-hwi, but as the Four Seasons Hall Lord.

Zhuge In-hwi continued to watch Tang So-hwa's face.

At last, the Hall Lord took a step forward.

Step.

Crossing the threshold of the quarters, the Hall Lord approached Tang So-hwa and placed his hand upon her forehead.

Rrrip.

The leather mask imitating human skin tore away, revealing the face of an old man.

"Hiik!"

The panicked Blood Sect member tried to cover the hole, but everyone present had already seen his true face.

"A reckless Blood Sect rat daring to infiltrate the Murim Alliance's headquarters."

The Hall Lord's chilling voice cut through the silence.

"Where is Young Lady Tang?"

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