Chapter 121. A Request That Cannot Be Refused

A chilling atmosphere settled over the hall.

The Alliance Leader, as though brushing aside that coldness, immediately continued speaking.

"If you believe it is unfair that only the Tang Clan is allowed to leave, then you may go as well to search for Young Lady Tang. In that case, you can personally keep watch over the Tang Clan. Those who accompany the pursuit will be slowly verified after returning."

The Zhuge Clan Head spoke again.

"In other words, what the Alliance Leader means is that since there are Blood Sect spies among us, you intend to inspect every Alliance member. However, the Tang Clan alone is allowed to go outside, and you will verify them only after they return."

Though the Zhuge Clan Head subtly distorted the Alliance Leader's words, the Alliance Leader did not waver and answered briefly.

"That is correct."

"And if the Tang Clan does not return, what will you do then?"

Someone asked discontentedly. To this, the Tang Clan Head replied.

"Once I find my family member, I will return and submit to as much interrogation and examination as you wish."

The Tang Clan Head turned his gaze from the elder of the Qingcheng Sect.

Though a few revealed uneasy expressions, none refuted the Tang Clan Head's words.

To stop him now would mean a life-and-death duel. It was not that they feared such a duel, but there was no justification for it. What reason could there be, worthy of all tongues wagging, for fighting to the death with a member who only wished to leave and search for his child? Even the Zhuge Clan Head, who had raised the issue, had fallen silent.

As silence stretched on, the Alliance Leader opened his mouth.

"The Tang Clan may go. You need only record the names of those who leave the headquarters."

"Yes, we'll do that."

The Tang Clan Head rose to his feet at once. But then, Tang Min, who stood behind him, blocked his path. Tang Min's gaze was fixed on the Alliance Leader.

"Alliance Leader."

With a serious expression he had never shown before, he spoke.

"Our missing family member may be a child hard to fathom, but she does not act frivolously. Yet that child left a tracking incense trail as she entered your quarters."

Tang Min continued in a flat, emotionless voice.

"Moreover, before leaving, she even asked our Clan Head to safeguard the Token of Gratitude from Master Muso. Yet in the Alliance Leader's quarters, there was a Blood Sect member imitating that child."

Tang Min's voice remained calm, without rise or fall.

"As you mentioned at the beginning of this Assembly, the Martial Arts Tournament is an important event of the Murim Alliance. Yet you, the Alliance Leader, used illness as an excuse and did not show yourself for over ten days, only to appear today in perfectly good health. And it was you who requested that the Tang Clan send the Young Lady So-hwa along with the Divine Physician."

Tang Min's cold gaze fixed on the Alliance Leader.

"Is all of this a coincidence?"

A heavy silence fell.

Tang Min's sharp voice cut through the stillness as he asked again.

"It seems as though you already knew the Blood Sect bastards were targeting the Tang Clan's family member. Am I mistaken?"

No one dared to intervene in the exchange.

The faces of the Tang Clan Head and the Tai Chi Sword Saint darkened, while those listening wore puzzled looks. For the Black Sky Demon, famed for his reckless temper, was questioning with a strange calm.

Yet the Alliance Leader's expression remained composed—like one who had seen Tang Min in such a state before.

Tang Min drew in a deep breath, closed his eyes, then opened them again. Everyone thought the Black Sky Demon would finally erupt in violence, but instead, Tang Min spoke words wholly unexpected.

"If you have no connection with those bastards... then help us."

The Black Sky Demon, suppressing his rage, made a difficult plea.

"We request the headquarters' support in finding our family member."

Tang Min had discerned that something was hidden behind Tang So-hwa's disappearance. Thus he set aside his pride and asked for aid.

As a branch of the Tang Clan within the Murim Alliance, he formally sought the headquarters' support. The Alliance Leader seemed to know of the hidden truth.

The eyes of dozens attending the Assembly all turned toward the Alliance Leader.

Yet the Alliance Leader acted as if none of them existed. He only gazed into the eyes of the Black Sky Demon, keeping silent.

Through the old man's gaze flowed memories forgotten by all. The eyes of a long-time comrade stirred up buried recollections.

The stench of blood from Jin Yin Mountain, long forgotten, filled his breath.

He could not refuse the Black Sky Demon's request. Too many times had that man cast aside his life to follow him into the jaws of death.

'Were it not for the way things stand now...'

After a long while, the Alliance Leader finally opened his heavy mouth.

"I understand the Tang Clan's situation. However, with the Blood Sect having infiltrated the headquarters, it is difficult to send out the headquarters' forces."

Facing the Black Sky Demon's disappointment, the Alliance Leader spoke of his true intention.

"Therefore, allow me to accompany you alone."

Shocked gazes turned toward him. Yet the Alliance Leader did not care about such reactions. He only added, as though in excuse to the Black Sky Demon,

"I tried my best to protect Young Lady Tang So-hwa."

A sigh naturally slipped out. Along with it came a powerless thought.

'But it seems even this cannot be avoided.'

At that moment, someone clicked their tongue.

"I will go as well."

The Tai Chi Sword Saint, who had been quietly watching the situation, spoke.

"From the start, I was not meant to attend the Martial Arts Tournament, so my absence will not hinder the event. Therefore, I shall accompany you."

The Tai Chi Sword Saint glanced at the Wudang Sect Leader seated beside him, as though seeking permission. He gave a small nod, supporting the Sword Saint's choice.

As if he had expected it, the Sword Saint smiled and looked toward the Black Sky Demon. Then, to break through the heavy atmosphere, he began to jest.

"Besides, just look at that. The ones going out now are clearly too few in number, aren't they? Someone has to watch their backs."

As the Tai Chi Sword Saint rose from his seat, someone from Mount Hua also stood up.

"If this is the path of pursuing the Blood Sect, then we must also be part of it. Mount Hua owes the Blood Sect a great debt."

The Sect Leader of Mount Hua did not restrain Muso, as if he had already given permission. In fact, his gaze was sharper than Muso's. Clearly, Mount Hua's resentment toward the Blood Sect still ran deep.

If one wished to accompany them, now was the time. The atmosphere encouraged it. Yet no others stepped forward.

The Alliance Leader fixed his gaze upon the elders of Mount Hua and Wudang.

By coincidence, those who volunteered were the very ones who always remained behind to guard the retreat. Now they were stepping forward. It was unfamiliar. Of course, this was not a situation where the disciples they once protected with their lives were in danger.

The Alliance Leader did not speak. He only gave a small nod.

Then, beside him, Zhuge In-hwi spoke to the Alliance Leader.

"If you are leaving the headquarters, then I too will go with you."

"That is unnecessary."

Yet this time, when the Alliance Leader had not opposed the others' offers to accompany him, he cut him off sharply. It was strange, but Zhuge In-hwi replied in a calm tone.

"This is an incident that took place within the headquarters, so the Four Seasons Hall must be informed. Seeing those who are accompanying, I cannot in good conscience send members of Autumn Pavilion. They would only become a burden. It is right that I go."

"You must remain and root out the Blood Sect. What business does a brat who still has milk on his lips have to follow us?"

The Alliance Leader deliberately tried to provoke him, humiliating him in front of everyone. But Zhuge In-hwi did not waver. The Four Seasons Hall Lord simply repeated his claim.

"If this is the path leading directly to the Blood Sect's stronghold, then the Four Seasons Hall must know of it. Moreover, from what the Tang Clan's physician just said, it seems Young Lady Tang So-hwa and the Blood Sect bastard have entered a formation. You will need me."

Perhaps everyone secretly wished for Zhuge In-hwi to accompany them, for no one, including the Tang Clan, tried to dissuade him.

It was then.

"With the Alliance of the Five Noble Clans, the Zhuge Clan must, of course, lend its strength as well."

The Zhuge Clan Head, with a composed expression, supported the Four Seasons Hall Lord.

"Hall Lord, take a few of the Zhuge Clan's disciples with you. Many of them are skilled in formations, and they will be of help. Our main estate is nearby, so it will not take long to summon them."

Zhuge In-hwi's gaze slid over at the Zhuge Clan Head's words.

Up until now, the Zhuge Clan Head had constantly tried to provoke the Tang Clan Head, yet now he spoke of the Alliance of the Five Noble Clans and suggested taking martial artists of the Zhuge Clan along. Anyone could see this was not a proposal for the sake of the Tang Clan.

It was blatant—emphasizing the Zhuge Clan's ties to the Four Seasons Hall Lord again and again.

Even after plainly seeing the status of those who had stepped forth to aid the Tang Clan—Alliance Leader, Taiji Sword Saint, Taoist Master Muso, and the Four Seasons Hall Lord—the Zhuge Clan Head still offered up disciples of the Zhuge Clan. His intent was clear: preserve valuable manpower and hand over a few expendable lives.

The Four Seasons Hall Lord met the Zhuge Clan Head's eyes and smiled.

"Thank you. Then, Juwon and Daejeong... Ah, may I choose which ones will accompany me?"

When Zhuge In-hwi spoke familiarly of the Zhuge Clan's family members, the Clan Head, seemingly pleased, immediately replied.

"Of course. If the Hall Lord selects them, it will be an honor for those children as well."

"Thank you, Clan Head."

The Hall Lord's lips curved.

"Then send Juwon, Daejeong, Hyeonso, and Cheon-yu."

At Zhuge In-hwi's words, the Zhuge Clan Head's face stiffened.

Cheon-yu.

She was Zhuge Cheon-yu, the direct daughter of the Zhuge Clan. Outwardly doted upon, but in truth used as leverage to secure financial power. Recently, a marriage proposal had been exchanged with the Anguk Merchant Guild, the largest financial syndicate in the Central Plains.

For the Clan Head, sending her was not simply sending a child—it was the same as putting forth the Zhuge Clan's vast wealth.

Yet Zhuge In-hwi's expression did not change in the slightest as he calmly spoke.

"We must depart quickly, so I will take them at once. Since all of them came along for the Martial Arts Tournament, two quarters of an hour will be enough for preparations, will it not?"

"......"

The Zhuge Clan Head was struck into silence, unable to act either way, when the Alliance Leader spoke again.

"Deputy Alliance Leader, in the meantime, interrogate the Blood Sect member in the dungeon and root out any others who have infiltrated. I feel sorry leaving all the work to you while I depart, but I ask this of you."

"Yes, leave it to me."

The Alliance Leader closed the meeting as though the Zhuge Clan's family members' affairs were of no concern to him.

Having missed the chance to object, the Zhuge Clan Head forced a smile.

After the storm of chaos had passed.

For the first time in all the countless repeated cycles, a force had been assembled to rescue the Master of Ten Thousand Poisons.

The moment the Alliance Leader and a little over ten martial artists departed, the headquarters bolted all its gates shut.

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