I Will Start Doing Business In Jungwon From Today [EN]: Chapter 123

< The Might of the Nine Great Sects 1 >

“However, there’s one thing we need to make clear.”

As Yoo Gyusung cautiously opened his mouth, the other two frowned again. They found it hard to understand why he was making things so complicated and adding so many unnecessary details.

“Yes, yes. We should clarify everything.”

Even as Gong Gyeon spoke sarcastically, Yoo Gyusung’s serious expression didn’t change.

“It’s fine to compare my martial arts with those of the two great warriors, but we must never compare the martial arts of our sects. This isn’t about determining the superiority of Wudang, Mount Hua, or Shaolin, but about assessing individual martial skills.”

The eyes of the two men changed as Yoo Gyusung finished speaking.

Only a victor could say such a thing.

It was the kind of statement made to protect the reputation of a sect and prevent it from being tarnished when someone was defeated.

Yoo Gyusung had essentially declared to the two that his martial arts were the highest.

However, the two couldn’t get angry and lash out.

They were well aware that the martial arts contest between the three of them might just be an act of confirming a predetermined outcome.

“Of course. Martial arts are a personal achievement. It’s impossible for anyone to fully embody the martial arts of their sect. You’re stating the obvious, Great Warrior Yoo. Haha.”

Gong Gyeon laughed first, trying to ease the frozen atmosphere, but anxiety still lingered in the eyes of the two men.

They weren’t just ordinary disciples but carried the burden of being the next leaders of their respective sects. They couldn’t deny that defeat would damage the reputation of their sects.

“Now, let’s stop talking about the obvious and deal with what’s in front of us.”

Noh Hyegwang relaxed his stiff expression and vigorously knocked on the massive gate of the Tang Clan.

* * *

The head of the Tang Clan, his sons, and the three envoys from the Murim Alliance [Martial Arts Alliance] sat side by side with teacups in front of them.

“The fact that three representatives of the Murim’s leading figures have come all the way to this remote Sichuan [province in China] doesn’t seem like a blessing for our Tang Clan.”

Tang Neung spoke first, but the three men simply sipped their tea without any particular response.

“There have been many incidents in Sichuan recently, but those are matters for Sichuan. For the Murim Alliance to send people over matters that haven’t even left Sichuan seems like an attempt to oppress our Tang Clan, wouldn’t you say?”

The first to speak was Yoo Gyusung of Wudang [a Taoist sect known for its martial arts].

“The principles of the Jianghu [the martial arts world] cannot differ inside and outside of Sichuan. The principles that must be upheld are the same everywhere in the Central Plains [historical region of China]. Although it’s an issue within Sichuan, it concerns matters of principle.”

“Are you saying that our Tang Clan has violated the principles of the Jianghu?”

Tang Ok glared at Yoo Gyusung as he flared up, but Noh Hyegwang lightly tapped the table with his finger.

“Hey, Third Son.”

Tang Ok’s eyes narrowed at the somewhat presumptuous tone.

“Do you not realize what kind of gathering this is?”

“What?”

Noh Hyegwang placed his sword on the table.

“This is the Sword of the Mount Hua Sect Leader. Those friends brought one each as well.”

Noh Hyegwang gestured with his eyes, and Yoo Gyusung took out a jade pendant from his pocket.

“This is the Wudang Spirit Tablet.”

However, Gong Gyeon frowned and scratched his bald head.

“Do we originally have to bring one of those? I was just told to come.”

Noh Hyegwang smiled, winked at Gong Gyeon, and turned to Tang Ok.

“Still can’t grasp it? Your status as a son doesn’t exist in this place. This is a place where the leaders of each sect are having a discussion.”

Tang Ok sized up his father.

“If you’re thinking of hiding under your father’s shadow whenever you’re in trouble, you’ll never sit in the seat of the Tang Clan’s head. Still don’t know that?”

Tang Neung stepped forward to defend his third son, who was speechless with shame.

“Ahem, this… I told them to listen carefully, hoping it would be of some help in life… They haven’t matured yet, so they closed their ears and opened their mouths. I’m sorry.”

Tang Neung shouted at his children.

“All of you, close your mouths and only listen. I’ll kick out anyone who makes even a sound from now on.”

Noh Hyegwang chuckled.

“The Tang Clan Head’s love for his children is truly great. But he still doesn’t tell them to leave.”

Tang Neung also chuckled.

“My children should at least keep their eyes wide open and watch exactly what kind of humiliation our family is suffering. That way, they’ll know who to repay the humiliation to. Haha.”

“It’s not humiliation. In this case, it should be called repentance.”

Yoo Gyusung spoke softly.

“Repentance? Our Tang Clan?”

Tang Neung’s face turned red.

“Just joining hands with the Black Faction of Sichuan is already a betrayal of the righteous path of the Murim world. Furthermore, you held the Black Faction of Sichuan in your hands, using them like limbs, and hid another identity as the head of the Black Faction. That is what the venerable Tang Clan must repent for.”

Yoo Gyusung didn’t mince words. Perhaps he didn’t know how to speak indirectly.

“All these facts are based on the testimonies of six members of the Sichuan Black Faction. Moreover, their testimonies have been thoroughly verified, so their credibility is sufficient.”

“What? The Sichuan Black Faction?”

“That’s right. We’ve imprisoned them in the Murim Alliance’s prison.”

Tang Ok felt a sense of impending doom.

It was a mistake to trust those members of the Silent Knife Society. They had already sent six members with connections to him to the Murim Alliance.

Tang Neung spoke mockingly to the composed Yoo Gyusung.

“Now the Murim Alliance is openly oppressing our family. You’re arresting some unknown people and framing the Tang Clan as the head of the Black Faction? Do you expect us to acknowledge and accept that?”

Gong Gyeon, who had been silent, opened his mouth.

“Then shall we hold a grand assembly in the Murim Alliance? Should we summon all the leaders of the Nine Great Sects and the heads of the noble families and re-examine those six members of the Black Faction? Fairly?”

The expressions of the Tang Clan father and son changed.

“Ah, that Tang Ok, the third son, must attend. Because there are welcome faces waiting.”

Tang Ok couldn’t meet the eyes of the Shaolin monk. He didn’t have the confidence to maintain a calm expression when facing those welcome faces.

Noh Hyegwang once again confirmed the true nature of the two men.

As expected, they were martial artists.

The true nature of a martial artist is revealed when they fight.

Although the two men weren’t holding swords, they were wielding terrifying blades against the Tang Clan. Quite sharp.

Noh Hyegwang opened his mouth.

“Tang Clan Head. We didn’t come here representing the righteous Murim world. We’ve only come to deliver the words of Alliance Leader Muryong Hwi.”

“Alliance Leader? Oh ho, so Muryong Hwi, that old fox, is trying to tie my hands and feet, and Shaolin, Wudang, and Mount Hua are helping him?”

Tang Neung seized on a pretext, and his momentum increased.

“Even the gatekeepers of the Murim Alliance know that the Muryong family and our Tang Clan are sworn enemies. Isn’t that right? It’s just absurd that the Nine Great Sects are involved in this political scheme.”

“Are you implying that we’re foolish enough to be swayed by the political schemes of noble families?”

“Don’t nitpick my words. I’m just saying it’s unfortunate that you’ve been swayed by a scheme.”

Yoo Gyusung interjected.

“There are numerous witnesses to the facts. If you consider this a scheme, then I’ll take it as a denial.”

“Of course. Our Tang Clan has never been involved with the Black Faction even once!”

The Tang Clan had nothing left but this. They had no choice but to thoroughly deny and deny.

“Then there’s no helping it.”

Noh Hyegwang gripped the Sect Leader’s sword.

“No matter what the Clan Head says, we’ll do our work first.”

“What exactly is your work?”

“We’re informing you of the Murim Alliance’s decision.”

The Tang Clan father and son swallowed hard.

“The Tang Clan will be sealed off for five years. If you accept this, we’ll bury this matter.”

Everyone’s faces twisted miserably.

Five years!

If they locked the gates and stayed out of sight for five years, no one knew how much the Tang Clan’s power would diminish.

“Are you going to erase our Tang Clan from the Jianghu based solely on the words of a few members of the Black Faction? Even a passing dog would laugh at that!”

Tang Neung shouted, enraged.

“Every month, on the first six days, five hundred *nyang* [unit of currency] from each gambling den. Three hundred *nyang* each from various brothels. Two hundred *nyang* each from illegal liquor vendors. A total of over three thousand *nyang* of silver was collected.”

Yoo Gyusung recited slowly.

“Also, the money received for eliminating the Flying Eagle Clan, a Black Faction sect that ran the best gambling den in Sichuan, was two thousand *nyang*. This is the testimony of a man named Woo Beon. He said it was the price for eliminating a competitor.”

It was an undeniable fact. After declaring that they had committed an unspeakable act, the warriors of the Tang Clan attacked and annihilated them.

Everyone in Sichuan knew about this incident that had happened a few years ago.

Noh Hyegwang confirmed again.

“Of course, you’ll claim that even this is a fabrication, right?”

“It’s not a claim. The truth right now is that it’s a fabrication!”

Tang Neung shouted.

“All of this is a fabrication by the Muryong family. Now that the Namgung family is gone, if only our Tang Clan disappears, the Muryong family will truly stand tall as the foremost family in the Murim world.”

“The Alliance Leader is already called the Sword Saint. What more would the greatest expert in the Jianghu gain from plotting such a thing?”

“It’s obvious. Jo Gwangryun must have instigated it. When a major incident occurred among the Black Faction in Sichuan, Jo Gwangryun happened to be here in Sichuan. Didn’t you know that?”

Noh Hyegwang’s face hardened rapidly at the mention of Jo Gwangryun’s name, and Gong Gyeon shook his head at the sight.

“You slander the Muryong family to cover up the Tang Clan’s faults, and now you’re dragging in innocent people? This is going too far, Great Man.”

“Wh-What? Going too far?”

Tang Neung trembled. Even if he was the next leader of Shaolin, wasn’t he a junior in terms of Murim seniority? He couldn’t bear the crushed pride of being judged by such a person.

At that moment, Noh Hyegwang stood up abruptly.

“Until now, I was an envoy delivering the words of the Murim Alliance. From now on, I’m returning to being a disciple of Mount Hua.”

Everyone didn’t know what it meant and began to stare at his mouth.

“If the Tang Clan had made some kind of agreement with the Black Faction, Mount Hua would have ended it with a warning. But the Tang Clan, which is obsessed with making money with a heartless face using the Black Faction, cannot be forgiven. In particular, the fact that they called Mount Hua brothers in the same Murim Alliance is reason enough for annihilation.”

Everyone gaped at the enormity of the declaration coming from Noh Hyegwang’s mouth.

Gong Gyeon, in particular, was going crazy and jumping up and down.

It was Noh Hyegwang, not the Tang Clan, who had truly gone too far. He knew he was hot-tempered, but he didn’t know he was this crazy.

“Also, the crime of daring to lump the disciples of Mount Hua together as schemers cannot be forgiven, but it is excluded from the reason for annihilation because they didn’t know.”

Everyone was bewildered by the following words, and Yoo Gyusung, who was still calm, added an explanation.

“Jo Gwangryun of the Jo family formed a relationship with Mount Hua before coming to Sichuan. He is a disciple of Mount Hua.”

The Tang Clan couldn’t believe the current situation that was unfolding unpredictably.

That cunning Jo Gwangryun was a disciple of Mount Hua? It was more than just adding wings to a tiger.

Money, power, and even a strong supporter.

Now, if you touch Jo Gwangryun, the Plum Blossom Sword will fly.

But there was no time to think about this and that. Because Noh Hyegwang started to run wild.

“Now, state the Tang Clan’s intentions accurately. Are you rejecting the Murim Alliance’s proposal?”

“What if we reject it?”

Tang Neung’s pride hadn’t been completely broken yet.

“Then I’ll state Mount Hua’s intentions.”

Noh Hyegwang raised the Sect Leader’s sword high.

“Mount Hua is not generous enough to forgive the Tang Clan, which has committed all sorts of heinous acts while wearing the mask of a righteous sect. Clan Head Tang Neung! And Tang Ok, the third son, who became his hands and feet! I will ask for their sins by taking one arm from each of them!”

< The Might of the Nine Great Sects 1 > End