The next day, in the Tang Clan’s Bongjeong Pavilion.
It was the grand meeting hall where the clan’s leadership discussed major matters.
At the center of the table sat Tang Gon, with Bu Eunseol in white robes standing beside him. Across from them sat three middle-aged men in vibrant clothing, their expressions cold.
They were the top branch leaders of the Three Poison Sects of Yunnan.
Though titled branch leaders, as the sects had no deputy leaders, they held power second only to the sect masters. As prominent figures of Yunnan’s poison sects, all three exuded formidable auras.
‘Strange,’ Tang Gon thought.
He was more concerned about Bu Eunseol standing calmly beside him than the three branch leaders. His composed stance seemed almost as if he were posing as a subordinate.
‘Even as a third-class branch leader, he’s here as the Alliance’s special envoy. There’s no need for this.’ Tang Gon shook his head bitterly. ‘Is he trying to curry favor with me?’
As a newly appointed third-class branch leader, he must be brimming with ambition. Perhaps he desperately wanted to build ties with the young patriarch of one of the Eight Great Families.
‘Well, he seems capable enough to have such ambitions.’
Tang Gon felt as if he’d gained an army with Bu Eunseol by his side. It was the kind of energy wave only felt from exceptional young talents.
‘They say he’s the Boundless Master’s successor.’
Upon Bu Eunseol’s arrival, Tang Gon had mobilized his intelligence network.
He conducted a detailed investigation into Seon Woojin, the Supreme Branch Leader.
Horizon Flying Blade, Seon Woojin.
A master from a merchant background, renowned for his intelligence while traveling trade routes. He had also defeated Cheon Hwain in a duel for the branch leader position, indicating his martial arts were exceptional among the younger generation.
‘But he’s backed the wrong horse,’ Tang Gon thought, clicking his tongue at Bu Eunseol. ‘To be dragged into a mission the Alliance has abandoned.’
The three branch leaders from the Three Poison Sects shared the same sentiment.
‘The Alliance has clearly washed its hands of this.’
They smirked triumphantly.
They knew Tang Seong, the outer estate leader, had requested the Alliance to mediate this conflict. And the Alliance had sent the leader of a newly formed third-class branch as a special envoy.
In other words, the Alliance had declared it would not interfere in the conflict between the Tang Clan and the Three Poison Sects.
This fight was as good as won.
“Have you considered it?” a middle-aged man with pale, powdered skin spoke to Tang Gon.
It was Jin Cheongon, the branch leader of the Poison Demon Sect.
“Isn’t it better to resolve this peacefully than to fight and spill blood?”
Tang Gon didn’t respond immediately, sipping his tea. At his leisurely demeanor, a middle-aged man with a goatee, Jang Song, the branch leader of the Poison Leaf Sect, spoke up.
“With the patriarch ill, shouldn’t you avoid causing a major incident?” At Jang Song’s words, Hyeong Geuk, the branch leader of the Poison Bee Sect, who had been glaring at Bu Eunseol, smirked.
“Shouldn’t the Tang Clan’s Eight Great Secret Arts evolve further, just as our sect’s techniques have advanced brilliantly?”
Bu Eunseol raised an eyebrow.
The demand of the Three Poison Sects was clear.
Instead of waging war, they were demanding the Tang Clan hand over its Eight Great Secret Arts.
‘That’s their game,’ Bu Eunseol sneered inwardly.
To demand the secret arts of the Tang Clan, known as Sichuan’s foremost family among the Eight Great Families?
It was tantamount to declaring war.
“What do you think, Young Patriarch?” Jin Cheongon asked.
Tang Gon curled his lips.
He knew the Three Poison Sects’ rapid growth was backed by an external force. They saw this as a golden opportunity to extend their influence into Sichuan, especially with the patriarch bedridden.
“If you keep stalling, I’ll have no choice,” Jin Cheongon said with a cold smile.
Jang Song nodded. “Exactly. No need to choose punishment over reward.”
Hyeong Geuk chimed in, “With the patriarch unwell, is there any need to escalate this?”
As they bantered noisily—
Clink.
Tang Gon set down his teacup, breaking his silence, and clapped his hands.
Clap.
With a broad smile, he said, “Now that we’re all here, let’s start talking.”
The three branch leaders’ expressions soured.
Tang Gon’s casual clap to start the conversation—wasn’t that something done to get children’s attention?
And saying “let’s start talking” implied their previous words were mere nonsense.
“Ahem,” Tang Gon said with a leisurely expression. “With the Alliance’s special envoy here, I expect this will move quickly.”
He looked at the three branch leaders.
“For generations, there have been pointless conflicts between our clan and the Three Poison Sects.” He grinned. “Of course, I understand your perspective. Your roots were nearly uprooted by our clan multiple times.”
The branch leaders’ eyebrows twitched.
“Perhaps that’s why our clan’s ways changed. Our ancestors’ leniency ended up causing unnecessary strife.”
“What are you saying?” Jin Cheongon began, but Tang Gon cut him off.
“Share our Eight Great Secret Arts? Then what will the Three Poison Sects offer?”
Jang Song smirked. “Naturally, we’d offer comparable techniques. For example, if you share the Ten Thousand Flower Rain, we’d offer our Whirlwind Grafting.”
“Haha, how could our clan’s secret arts align with yours?”
“You’re saying you won’t comply,” Jin Cheongon said.
“Correct,” Tang Gon replied, looking down at the branch leaders with a powerful aura emanating from him.
They were slightly taken aback but soon smirked slyly.
‘Perfect.’
They hadn’t expected the Tang Clan to accept their demands.
They were merely creating a pretext for war.
With Tang Pae bedridden, the Tang Clan’s strength was halved, making it an ideal time.
Tang Gon falling for their provocation was something to be grateful for.
‘The Alliance’s envoy is a nobody.’ The Three Poison Sects’ only concern was the Alliance actively mediating the conflict.
If the Alliance intervened, they’d have to retreat to Yunnan immediately. But the Alliance had sent a newly formed third-class branch leader.
It was a clear declaration they wouldn’t interfere, even if the Three Poison Sects waged war.
“Negotiations are over,” Jin Cheongon said with a menacing expression. “We offered a peaceful resolution, but you wouldn’t listen.”
“Is that so? I didn’t realize demanding another’s secret arts was a peaceful offer,” Tang Gon retorted coldly.
Jin Cheongon bared his teeth in a grin. “From now on, the Three Poison Sects, including our sect, are enemies of the Tang Clan. Remember that.”
The other two branch leaders stood and turned to leave.
The war between the Sichuan Tang Clan and the Three Poison Sects of Yunnan was about to begin.
“Wait,” Bu Eunseol, who had been silent, spoke up. “I won’t allow this fight.”
The three branch leaders, about to leave, paused.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Hyeong Geuk asked.
Bu Eunseol replied calmly, “The Sichuan Tang Clan is a pillar of the righteous martial world. I cannot permit such an unjust fight.”
“A third-class branch leader thinks he can oversee this?” Jang Song’s eyes glinted.
Bu Eunseol smiled gently. “Why not?”
“With twenty third-class branch members?” Jang Song asked.
“It sounds like you’re saying you could wipe out our branch, sent as the Alliance’s special envoy,” Bu Eunseol said with a mild expression, looking at Jang Song. “Is that what you mean?”
The unexpected response made Jang Song flinch.
‘Does the Alliance actually intend to mediate?’
Even as a third-class branch, they were here as the Alliance’s special envoys.
If a single hair on their heads was harmed, the Alliance would intervene immediately.
If that happened, the Three Poison Sects would have to seal their gates or, in the worst case, face annihilation.
“That’s not what we meant,” Hyeong Geuk, who had been silent, stepped forward. “The Alliance is intervening? Isn’t this your own decision?”
“Who knows,” Bu Eunseol replied with a leisurely expression.
Hyeong Geuk’s brows furrowed. ‘What’s this third-class branch leader banking on?’
Jin Cheongon stepped forward. “If the Alliance intervenes, so be it. We’ll request aid from Majeon.”
The Poison Demon Sect had recently joined Majeon. If the Alliance intervened, the Corps could as well.
“That’s fine,” Bu Eunseol said calmly.
Jin Cheongon’s expression changed. ‘Did the Alliance really decide to intervene? No, that’s impossible. Didn’t they give us clear information?’
After a moment of stunned silence, Jin Cheongon snorted. “Fine. I’ll send a message to Majeon immediately.”
Whether Bu Eunseol was bluffing could be confirmed by mobilizing their intelligence network.
As he moved to stand, Tang Seong, watching from afar, paled.
This was something the Tang Clan had to avoid at all costs.
If Majeon intervened, even with the Alliance’s support, the Tang Clan would become a pawn in a power struggle between the two alliances.
“Branch Leader Seon, shouldn’t we avoid this?” Tang Seong interjected. “If Majeon gets involved, the Alliance will be in a difficult position.”
“It’s fine,” Bu Eunseol said, waving it off casually.
“How can that be fine?” Tang Seong exclaimed.
“I’ll take full responsibility,” Bu Eunseol replied nonchalantly.
Tang Seong’s eyes widened as if he’d seen a ghost.
‘What is this third-class branch leader blabbering about?’
To openly claim responsibility for a factional conflict?
Even the Alliance’s hall leaders or grand leaders wouldn’t dare say such a thing. Yet a third-class branch leader with no status or power was boldly making such claims?
“This will be interesting,” Jin Cheongon said, baring his sharp teeth with a confident smile. “I’ll send a carrier pigeon to Majeon at once. If the Alliance is intervening, things will get exciting.”
“Good. Shall we say one day?” Bu Eunseol said with a smile. “Come back here tomorrow. I need to confirm if you actually sent the pigeon to Majeon.”
Jin Cheongon’s eyes flared red. “You think I won’t?”
“Who knows,” Bu Eunseol said with a faint smile. “Will Majeon really intervene in the affairs of a Yunnan poison sect?”
“Fine!” Jin Cheongon, furious, turned to leave.
“Wait!” Tang Seong jumped up as if burned. “Branch Leader Seon! Branch Leader Jin! The discussion is getting heated. Let’s take an hour’s break and resume.”
“Hmph,” Jin Cheongon ignored him and stormed out, intent on sending the pigeon.
“Branch Leader Jin!” Tang Seong called, chasing after him, but Jin Cheongon was already gone.
“This will be fun,” Jang Song said.
“See you tomorrow,” Hyeong Geuk added, both sneering as they left.
“This… this is…” Tang Seong, sweating coldly, stammered.
Bu Eunseol clasped his hands. “Young Patriarch, I’ll take my leave.”
Tang Gon nodded. “Go ahead.”
As Bu Eunseol left briskly, Tang Seong grabbed Tang Gon’s sleeve, nearly collapsing.
“Do you know what that third-class branch leader just did? He’s spouting nonsense with no authority or ability!”
“It’ll be fine,” Tang Gon said calmly.
“Fine? How?”
“This fight with them was inevitable, wasn’t it?” Tang Gon replied.
“That’s true, but if Majeon intervenes, it changes everything,” Tang Seong said, groaning. “If Majeon gets involved, this becomes a power struggle between the two alliances. Our clan will be their proxy.”
When alliances like the Martial Alliance or Corps intervened, the conflict could become a prolonged war, stripping the Tang Clan of agency.
Even if they won, the clan’s foundation and power could collapse.
But Tang Gon said calmly, “Didn’t Branch Leader Seon say he’d take responsibility?”
“What does that even mean?”
“He told me yesterday to trust him and that he’d do his best.”
“You’re just sitting back because of that?” Tang Seong exclaimed.
Tang Gon smiled faintly. “He doesn’t seem like a mere ambitious youth. They say he’s a strategist who turned the Supreme Branch into an intelligence unit overnight. He likely has a way to prevent Majeon's intervention.”
“Hmm,” Tang Seong muttered.
“Why don’t you rest for a day, Uncle?” Tang Gon said, looking at him with pity. “Haven’t you been overworked in the patriarch’s place?”
Tang Seong lowered his head.
The Tang Clan’s patriarchal authority was absolute, and Tang Pae was one of its greatest figures.
But with his sudden illness, Tang Seong had been overwhelmed.
Tang Gon, the young patriarch, paled in comparison to Tang Pae, with average martial arts and intelligence. So Tang Seong had been running himself ragged to fill the patriarch’s shoes and protect the clan.
But he couldn’t avoid the war with the Three Poison Sects.
‘Was it inevitable?’ Tang Seong thought, envisioning the Tang Clan in flames.
Wiping cold sweat, he stood. “Fine. I’ll rest.”
He couldn’t trust Tang Gon or that third-class branch leader.
In the end, he alone had to prepare for the coming war.
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