Chapter 153
"What do you mean, the Hao Sect? Are you telling me those lowly wretches dared to lay a hand on our clan?"
"Clan Leader, how can you be certain of that?"
The First Elder cautiously asked.
In response, Tang Jin-ryong pulled a letter from his robe and threw it onto the table.
It was a letter with the Scarlet Lotus Hall's vivid red seal—correspondence from Namgung Cheon-rui, the alliance leader of the Murim Alliance.
"It's a direct message from Alliance Leader Namgung. He says those rats caught wind of the business we were conducting with the Peng Clan and ambushed Jin-ryong to sabotage it."
"Are you referring to the Soul-Bewildering Powder operation?"
"That's correct. We scattered Soul-Bewildering Powder in their lifeline, the pleasure district, so they held a grudge and struck back in revenge."
Tang Jin-ryong's fist trembled violently. Yet, among the elders, some still looked uncertain.
"But Clan Leader, we have suspicions but no solid proof. Is there any conclusive evidence that it was the Hao Sect?"
Indeed, in the past, Gal Seo-ryeong and Jaseong's group had meticulously erased all traces from Hebei.
Everyone who witnessed them, including Peng Clan's three brothers, Tang Jin-ryong, and Peng Yun-ho—the Peng Clan head and one of the Ten Great Experts—had been killed.
No survivors meant no testimony, leaving only circumstantial evidence behind.
"Evidence, huh..."
Tang Jin-ryong twisted his lips into a chilling, cruel smile. "I have no need for proof."
"Excuse me...?"
"My son is dead. My own flesh and blood died a miserable death far from home! And you want to talk about evidence?!"
Slam!
A fierce aura of poison burst from Tang Jin-ryong's body.
A violet haze coiled through the main hall, suffocating the elders.
It was the wrath of a father unhinged, a killing intent befitting an absolute expert.
"This clan head will not rest until I have unleashed this rage! I will behead those wretches, rip open their bellies, and appease my son's soul with their filthy blood!"
Tang Jin-ryong's murderous intent filled the study.
The elders shuddered and lowered their heads. To oppose the clan leader's mood now would mean death.
At that moment, a normally cautious elder finally spoke up.
"Clan Leader, isn't the Hao Sect presently linked with the Tianxia Association?"
"That's true."
"Though they're mere dark path scum, their numbers cannot be dismissed. On top of that, the Hao Sect's recent rise in presence means that rash action could easily backfire."
Hao Sect's dominion, having swallowed the Tianxia Association, was already infamous across the martial world.
They were no longer just an information group, but had become a massive power in their own right.
"That's why we must be all the more cautious."
Tang Jin-ryong slowly stood. His eyes flashed dangerously.
"And so... Namgung Cheon-rui and I will take action ourselves."
"...!!"
Shock rippled in the elders' gazes.
Two great figures, both ranking among the Ten Great Experts: the Alliance Leader and the Sichuan Tang Clan Head moving directly would shake the world.
It was not mere retaliation, but a declaration to erase the Hao Sect itself from existence.
"The alliance leader suggested we use this opportunity to uproot the Hao Sect once and for all. We cannot let those vermin pollute the martial world any longer."
Tang Jin-ryong stroked the poisonous dagger at his waist.
"I will keep it short. Track down the main base where the Hao Sect's leader resides. Only by cutting out the heart of their organization will this fight end."
"...!"
"All the answers will be there. The one who killed my son, the one behind it all—they're all there."
All the experts of the Tang Clan gathered in the audience hall knelt as one, lowering their heads.
"We accept your command!"
Their thunderous voices echoed through Heavenly Poison Pool.
After hundreds of years at the pinnacle of the orthodox factions, the Sichuan Tang Clan had finally declared all-out war.
The Murim Alliance and the Sichuan Tang Clan.
The giants of the orthodox world were now pointing their blades at the shadowy Hao Sect.
But there was one thing they had failed to realize: even their anger and thirst for vengeance were mere pawns in someone else's meticulous calculation.
* * *
At the same time,
Jaseong returned to Ansun in Guizhou City, the headquarters of the Scarlet Lotus Hall.
It had been a long journey: felling Zhongnan, exposing the Hebei Peng Clan's conspiracy, and sending ever-greater ripples through the martial world.
The road back was stained with blood, yet the streets of Ansun still seemed peaceful.
The warm glow of red lanterns from the Red Light District lit up the streets, and the laughter of courtesans drifted into the night sky.
The strange but nostalgic blend of liquor and food aromas filled the air.
The people here lived ordinary days, oblivious to the storms raging in the martial world.
Jaseong watched it all, quietly murmuring to himself.
'For their sake, I cannot stop right now.'
His eldest big brother, his sister-in-law, and their unborn child, cut down in the Red Light District.
He would allow no more tragedies like that to happen.
"Kkiruruk!"
Mansul sat calmly perched on Jaseong's shoulder, wagging its tail, clearly delighted to be home after so long.
Soon, Jaseong's group entered an inn at the edge of Ansun's Red Light District.
[Drunken Immortal Pavilion (醉仙樓)].
It was the new stronghold for the Scarlet Lotus Hall of the Hao Sect.
Outwardly, it looked like a normal three-story wooden inn, but the inside was another story.
Hidden below was an arsenal and secret room. The third floor held lavish quarters for the hall lord and their close associates.
Newly remodeled as a fortress with the funds taken from the Tianxia Association.
"Hall Lord!"
As Jaseong entered, a woman welcomed him warmly from inside Drunken Immortal Pavilion.
A beauty, with catlike upturned eyes and a gentle, curved face, dressed in a peach-blossom pink skirt—she was Hyang-I, chief secretary and the one who took care of the inner workings of the Scarlet Lotus Hall.
"Hyang-I big sis!"
Lee Rin, overjoyed to see Hyang-I, called out and rushed over to embrace her.
"Little Palace Lord, you've worked so hard."
Hyang-I returned Lee Rin's hug with a broad smile.
"And I've set the table with all the delicacies you love best. Please, come in. You too, hall lord."
Led by Hyang-I, Jaseong's group ascended to the largest chamber on the second floor.
A spread of dishes awaited on the round table—a banquet carefully prepared to celebrate the hall lord's return.
Steaming Dongpo pork, simmered long in soy sauce and wine, seemed so tender it might fall apart at the touch of chopsticks.
The scent of scallion and ginger atop the glossy, fatty meat tickled the nose.
"This is the dish you like most, hall lord."
At Hyang-I's words, Jaseong smiled faintly. Truthfully, it had been his late eldest big brother's favorite.
Beside it sat golden crispy Peking duck.
Thin slices of duck, wrapped in pancakes and dipped in sweet sauce, filled the mouth with a savory, sweet flavor.
Qingzhengyu, a dish of whole steamed freshwater fish topped with ginger and scallion and finished with hot oil, gleamed in pristine whiteness, moist and tender.
The subtle soy-sauce aroma seeped into each bite.
Mapo tofu brought the unique numbing heat of Sichuan, while sweet-and-sour pork's tangy sauce and crispy batter was a delight.
Other dishes—fried noodles, dumplings, and assorted vegetable stir-fries—filled the table.
"Wow, after gnawing on nothing but jerky for so long, my jaw was aching. Finally, real food! Heheh."
Lee Rin picked up a piece of Dongpo pork and put it in her mouth.
Her face brightened at the tender, melting texture.
Gu Janghu quietly enjoyed the Qingzhengyu, silently expressing his delight by never letting his chopsticks rest.
"Kkiruruk!"
Even Mansul shoved its head into a bowl of meat, gobbling away.
Amid this rare, peaceful meal, Dokgo Yeon suddenly spoke up.
"It seems it's time for me to return to Poison Valley."
She raised a wine cup toward Jaseong.
"Hall Lord, I've learned much from this experience."
Jaseong silently nodded while accepting her cup.
"Thank you for everything. With Poison Valley's help, I could uncover the mastermind behind Soul-Bewildering Powder."
"We're just as grateful, hall lord. Thanks to you, we were able to clear our name. I'm sure we'll be fighting alongside each other again soon—especially once I become Poison Valley's young head. Our alliance will be even stronger then."
Dokgo Yeon smiled and nodded. In her gaze glinted ambition, but also clear trust toward Jaseong.
Then, her eyes drifted to a rather unexpected person: Gu Janghu, quietly savoring his steamed fish.
"Great hero Gu, could you spare a moment to speak with me before I go?"
"...?"
With a frosty smile, Dokgo Yeon invited him. Both Jaseong and Lee Rin looked puzzled.
'What could those two possibly have to talk about in private?'
But Gu Janghu alone knew the reason.
* * *
A small garden at the back of the inn. Moonlight touched the pond, and the night breeze rustled the willow branches.
Only crickets filled the secluded silence.
Dokgo Yeon turned to face Gu Janghu and spoke.
"Have you given thought to the proposal I made last time?"
"... Proposal?"
"I asked you to become Poison Valley's son-in-law. To marry me."
At Dokgo Yeon's direct confession, Gu Janghu could not help but clear his throat awkwardly.
"I appreciate your offer, ms. Dokgo. But... I cannot be your spouse."
"... Pardon?"
"Becoming son-in-law of Poison Valley means I must go there. But I have too much left to do here."
Gu Janghu answered calmly, and a look of utter disbelief appeared on Dokgo Yeon's face.
"I don't understand... You're turning down an offer to marry into a great unorthodox clan just to be a mere bodyguard for the Lord of Scarlet Lotus Hall Hall?"
"..."
"I mean, all the young men of the noble clans have asked for my hand in marriage. I have stunning looks, a quick mind, and I'll soon be recognized as young leader by my own lord... Why...?"
Dokgo Yeon genuinely couldn't fathom it.
And considering her background, it was understandable: she had it all—beauty, ability, family.
What could she possibly lack?
"There are better men than me. I'm not the man you imagine."
Gu Janghu replied evenly. Dokgo Yeon bit her lip, slightly embarrassed.
'She should back down now,' Gu Janghu thought, seeing the stiffness growing on her face.
But surprisingly, his attitude only made Dokgo Yeon's heart pound sharper.
"Well, I understand your feelings, great hero Gu. Still—"
"...?"
"I'm not a woman who gives up."
"Excuse me?"
"Remember this, great hero Gu. You'll accept my offer in the end."
Dokgo Yeon left those words behind and turned away. She looked dignified, but somehow lonely as she retreated.
Unbeknownst to them, there were secret spectators.
[Kkakkakka! It's oddly satisfying to see that Poison Valley girl get shot down so bluntly.]
Hiding in a tree, Lee Rin sent telepathy to Jaseong.
Her face said she'd only followed out of curiosity, wondering what Dokgo Yeon and Gu Janghu might say—never expecting such an entertaining scene.
Unlike her, Jaseong replied with a flat expression.
[I thought it'd be something grand, but it was just a sudden marriage talk. How disheartening.]
[Huh? What do you mean? Marriage is a huge deal! For a woman, a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime, exhilarating event!]
[Hmm. Is that so.]
As she watched Jaseong's unenthused face, Lee Rin pouted.
[... Great hero, really.]
[What was that?]
[Nothing. Anyway, let's hurry back before the protector notices us.]
Under the moon, their shadows stretched long. Above their heads, the starry night glittered.
Meanwhile, far away in Sichuan, the great storm of Tang Clan and the Murim Alliance was gathering—hurtling straight toward the Hao Sect.