Chapter 129. The Condition for Composure

At the strange words, the Black Sky Demon's face turned serious.

But the conversation didn't continue. The others had already crossed into the new area.

From behind came the boisterous voice of the Tai Chi Sword Saint.

"Seems like the headquarters is doing well? You keep using expensive Nightlight Pearls as markers. How many did you bring anyway?"

The Alliance Leader only twisted his lips in response.

The group continued moving through the dark forest. Despite having had no sleep and no rest, they didn't slow down, walking for quite some time.

It was when dawn broke and sunset was visible again.

"What is that?"

Muso frowned and asked.

A tree with a trunk stretching all the way to the ground stood densely. It almost blocked the entire red sky. When Muso confirmed what it was, he scowled.

At first glance, it looked like a willow swaying, but the branches were snakes opening their mouths and moving in search of prey.

Frightened eyes turned to the Alliance Leader.

The Alliance Leader grasped the head of a snake rushing toward him and glanced back.

"Can't you see? It's a snake."

The Alliance Leader said it nonchalantly.

"What's strange about snakes living in a forest? Walk carefully."

"No, it's not one or two snakes!"

The Black Sky Demon shouted in disbelief, but the answer came from Four Seasons Hall Lord.

"Seems like a snake's den."

"Are the people at the headquarters deaf? You think I asked because I didn't know that?"

There was no path in the forest. Pushing through the trees, their skin had already often brushed against branches. But now, they would come into contact with snakes instead of branches.

It was hard to step forward—not fear, but disgust.

Yet, having come this far, they reluctantly moved ahead.

The Taoists walking in front, considering killing a living being a sin, didn't touch the snakes. Strangely, the creatures also didn't touch the Taoists.

The Black Sky Demon clicked his tongue and put away the shuriken in his hand.

The young martial artists of the Zhuge Clan huddled together and walked through the writhing mass of snakes. They were still young and had no experience in the Murim, much less in entering a snake's den—despite being members of a great clan. Zhuge Cheon-yu, in particular, her expression tense, seemed unable to endure it.

At that moment, a huge snake, perhaps seeing Zhuge Cheon-yu as easy prey, lunged at her. Reflexively, she drew her iron thread.

Thock.

"Gah!"

The snake, which had swallowed something, choked. Looking closely, it was a flying dagger.

Tang Hak, with a calm expression, approached, pulled the sword from the snake's mouth, and threw it far away. He had blocked the snake's mouth with the hilt rather than the blade, clearly intending not to kill it.

It was an exceptional stealth technique. Using stealth to avoid harm is said to be even harder than using it to strike.

'Even the life of a small creature is not taken lightly.'

Zhuge Cheon-yu's lips curved slightly.

After the Martial Arts Tournament, many mocked and belittled Tang Hak, but Zhuge Cheon-yu saw something different in the Young Lord.

To be considerate of others from the start meant being strong enough to afford such composure.

She wanted to thank him, but stayed silent, interrupted by a sharp shout from ahead.

“How many times must I tell you! A flying dagger isn’t thrown—it rides the wind!”

Tang Hak flinched at the Black Sky Demon's scolding voice. The Grand Elder, walking ahead, fully turned his body to berate the Young Lord.

“I told you until your ears should be calloused—you have to send it on your internal energy, so that when you redirect your flow, you can recall the flying dagger! Why on earth are you still walking over to pick it up yourself?”

"G-grand Elder, everyone can hear you."

Tang Hak said, trying to intervene cautiously.

But the Black Sky Demon only shouted louder.

"Let them listen! If mastering the technique were as simple as hearing it, life would be far easier. You’d have perfected it long before I lost my temper! Now I’m burdened with all this baggage in my old age, and I can’t even grow old in peace!"

Under the unrelenting scolding, Tang Hak bowed his head with a gloomy expression.

Quick-witted Zhuge Cheon-yu turned her gaze away, pretending not to notice. She struggled to hide her discomfort.

Still, no matter how different each clan's atmosphere might be, she couldn't understand the Tang Clan's reaction. Such behavior was unimaginable in the Zhuge Clan.

The elders, including the Clan Head, never scolded the Young Lord in front of outsiders.

Of course, every year they would oust older brothers from the Young Lord position, humiliate them, and break their spirits—but only within the Zhuge Clan.

The ones embarrassed were the former Young Lords; the one holding the Young Lord position always received respect.

Zhuge Cheon-yu tilted her head subtly to glance back.

The Tang Clan Young Lord hunched his shoulders, appearing like a soaked puppy with a face so cold it might as well be ice.

'... Making himself look pitiful with that face—that's quite a skill.'

Though concerned, Zhuge Cheon-yu managed to turn her gaze forward.

Yet, it felt like they were walking the same path endlessly.

If the Alliance Leader hadn't planted the Nightlight Pearls to mark the boundaries, they might have wondered if they were going in circles.

After checking the boundaries a few more times, the Alliance Leader took out a Nightlight Pearl and spoke in a low voice.

"This is just before the west gate."

"Alliance Leader."

Muso suddenly interrupted him.

The Alliance Leader turned to face him, signaling he would listen.

"It seems the formation is divided into zones. Is it really necessary to take everyone all the way in front of the west gate?"

Suggesting they split just a dozen or so people sounded odd. Muso glanced back as the Alliance Leader remained silent.

"All we need is to draw attention for one hour. Is it necessary to bring these children along as well?"

The Alliance Leader couldn't help but chuckle softly—Muso's blunt reasoning amused him.

His gaze fell on the young martial artists. The Zhuge Clan youths were terrified. They hadn't come willingly—they had been dragged along by the Clan Head's order. Their pitiful expressions were probably what made Muso uneasy.

The Alliance Leader spoke as if pondering, weighing his options.

"However, if those left behind make a mistake and trigger the formation, the forces from the east gate could rush over here. If the east gate troops concentrate behind the formation, our retreat could be blocked."

Isolation—this was the worst-case scenario for anyone infiltrating enemy lines. Yet Muso did not flinch; he calmly looked back at the young martial artists.

"Will you disturb the formation?"

"Absolutely not! We will never disturb it! Even within the Zhuge Clan, our ability to work with formations is recognized. Nothing you worry about will happen!"

One of the Zhuge Clan's previously terrified martial artists shouted with determination.

Tang Clan Head added his voice in agreement.

"I agree with Taoist Master Muso. It's better to leave them behind than worry about managing them. If the Zhuge Clan's daughter gets hurt, it will be a serious disgrace to my face."

The Tang Clan Head did not hide his unease. Being conscientious, he was worried that while trying to save his own daughter, he might inadvertently endanger the Zhuge Clan's daughter.

The Alliance Leader noticed their opinion had shifted and nodded.

"Then the support from the Zhuge Clan ends here."

"Yes, we'll quietly guard the path here!"

Before the young martial artist could continue his enthusiastic declaration, the Tang Clan Head spoke.

"Young Lord."

"Yes, Clan Head."

"You stay here and protect them."

The Zhuge Clan youths all frowned at once.

'... Who's protecting whom?'

They could not hide their disbelief. Tang Hak's face flushed with embarrassment.

"No, I will fight alongside you."

"Don't make me repeat myself."

"... Yes."

Tang Clan Head's cold, cutting tone immediately silenced Tang Hak.

The others understood why the Tang Clan Head left the Young Lord behind, yet the Young Lord seemed hurt—he appeared to seek recognition from the Clan Head rather than his own safety.

However, considering the martial skills of those heading to the west gate, it was natural that Tang Hak could not accompany them. Alliance Leader, Tai Chi Sword Saint, Black Sky Demon, Taoist Master Muso, Tang Clan Head, and Four Seasons Hall Lord. The ones with the lowest martial arts among them were actually elite martial artists of the Tang Clan of Sichuan.

It was such an obvious choice that no one comforted Tang Hak or even paid attention. Only Zhuge Cheon-yu cast a few glances toward the Young Lord.

Silently, the Alliance Leader and the martial artists disappeared ahead.

Tang Hak, left at the rear, lifted his head bitterly. But knowing the Zhuge Clan youths would mock him, he did not look back.

Then he heard an unusual suggestion from behind.

"Young Lady, perhaps we should stay at the rear? Everyone will come out soon anyway, so it might be better for us to stay at the end."

Frowning, Tang Hak turned.

"Didn't you hear? I said not to disturb the formation!"

"Oh, who said we'd disturb it? We just plan to wait in front of it."

A Zhuge Clan youth replied, unable to hide his irritation. Another youth nearby added support.

"We're just baggage anyway. It would be more efficient to be in front, since it would be more helpful to them if we retreat quickly without falling behind."

"Exactly. And didn't you hear the Tang Clan Head? If the Young Lady gets hurt, the Clan Head's face will be disgraced."

"Stop it."

Zhuge Cheon-yu cut off the clan member's chatter.

She did not sound angry; she smiled and spoke on their behalf.

"Please understand, no ill intent is meant. Everyone is inexperienced, and being in the heart of the Blood Sect's base naturally makes them nervous."

Tang Hak, seeing Zhuge Cheon-yu bow her head slightly, was too surprised to speak. Then she raised her head again and spoke softly.

"I also think it's better for us to move ahead with the next formation. Since our martial arts are weaker, if we confront the Blood Sect, we'd be a burden to the others. If we go first and place the Nightlight Pearls to guide the path, retreating will be more efficient, don't you think?"

Speaking gently, she expressed her thoughts, then added with a sweep of her eyes.

"Of course, I will respect the Young Lord's opinion. What do you think?"

The Zhuge Clan youths swallowed hard. They wondered why she was being so formal. Her excessive politeness was the problem.

Tang Hak wanted to stay and wait, uncertain of the situation, but with four of them having a different opinion, he had no choice.

'... Perhaps my judgment is wrong.'

Reluctantly, Tang Hak nodded.

"... Very well."

In the end, all the young martial artists remaining in the formation moved to the rear of the formation.

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