Chapter 43
Chapter 43
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: The Virtue of Transactions (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"The Red Sword Trio has arrived?!"
"Yes, that's right."
Tension etched deeply across Myeong's face.
"All three of them, and the leader himself came along."
Lady Hwang Inhwa jumped in surprise.
"Hong In?!"
Hong In, the leader of the Red Sword Trio, was the second son of the Hong Sword Clan head and a powerhouse who rivaled the top late-stage experts of Wulin.
It was no exaggeration to say he might even be stronger than Hong Myeong, the captain of the Red Sword Squad and the young clan head.
"Where are those bastards right now?"
"They're in a private meeting with the sect leader."
"This is no time to sit around. We have to go."
"Miss, the sect leader..."
Myeong let out a sigh. Lady Hwang Inhwa had already straightened her appearance and was heading for the door.
Besides Sect Leader Hwang Gyu, her father, no one in the sect could stop her.
In the end, Myeong followed her to the sect leader's chambers.
Clunk.
Just then, the outer door to the sect leader's chambers swung open, and three swordsmen strode out.
Lady Hwang Inhwa unconsciously swallowed hard.
It's really them, the Red Sword Trio.
Their aura was utterly different.
The air grew heavy in an instant, yet it was razor-sharp. A piercing presence that made it hard to approach carelessly.
It was a murderous intent she'd never felt even from the sect elders.
"Hm?"
The man in the center spotted her and smiled.
"It's been a while."
Lady Hwang Inhwa met his gaze with a confident expression.
"Leader Hong, you've come in person."
"You've grown a lot since I last saw you."
She didn't miss the faint admiration laced in his cool tone.
Nor the strange hunger beneath it.
Lady Hwang Inhwa's chin lifted slightly.
No man was immune to a woman's charms, and a true woman knew how to play with that interest.
At least, that's what she believed.
"You're as impressive as ever, Leader."
"Why not call me 'big brother' like you used to?"
"I couldn't possibly. This is official business."
Hong In smirked as if it were ridiculous.
"I have no official business with you."
It was a jab at her pride, but she didn't get flustered.
She knew his personality well from before. He pretended to keep his distance from what he desired, enjoying the tease it caused.
And she was no different.
"Your tongue's as sharp as ever, Leader."
"Cold, you mean."
"Your eyes don't look so cold to me."
"Is that really how it seems?"
"No need to go far. I'll treat you to tea sometime when there's a chance."
Lady Hwang Inhwa turned her head away sharply.
She'd feigned nonchalance on purpose, but she was certain she'd cracked his pride just a little.
"Tea?"
Hong In chuckled softly and turned away.
"Let's go."
There was no lingering hesitation in his steps as he led his subordinates away.
Lady Hwang Inhwa was inwardly flustered. Normally, Hong In would fire back with something provocative at this point, but he'd just left.
He's gotten better at this, has he?
Apparently, she wasn't the only one who'd grown in their absence. She forced herself to maintain a composed front.
Myeong sighed inwardly.
What on earth is this nonsense?
In his eyes, Hong In had no real interest in her.
To put it bluntly, it was just the casual attention any pretty girl might attract—far from true romantic affection. Yet she seemed to think otherwise.
So frustrating.
She hadn't come for any important reason; it was just to show her face to him.
And one more thing.
"Send word that I wish to see the sect leader."
She said it loud enough for Hong In, who hadn't gone far, to hear clearly.
It was obvious scheming—to create the impression that she'd been handling sect business with the leader since morning.
A moment later.
The gate guard opened the door.
Myeong followed Lady Hwang Inhwa into the sect leader's chambers.
"Father."
Hwang Gyu, his eyes fixed on a letter, asked calmly.
"What is it?"
Myeong suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
The voice was even, but instinct told him the sect leader was in an extremely foul mood.
"I heard the Red Sword Trio arrived."
"Didn't you see them yourself?"
"Yes, I did."
"So, what is it?"
Lady Hwang Inhwa felt an inexplicable unease.
He's in a bad mood.
Truth be told, her instincts weren't bad. It was just her strong pride and self-love that rendered them useless.
"Why did the Red Sword Trio come to the main sect? Are they proposing an alliance with the Hong Sword Clan?"
Unexpectedly, Hwang Gyu's reaction wasn't negative.
"How did you know?"
"W-Wait, it really is?"
Hwang Gyu's gaze deepened as he looked steadily at his daughter.
"Do you grasp the main sect's current situation?"
"Pardon?"
"You don't."
Lady Hwang Inhwa was flustered but tried to act confident.
"I'm sorry. I don't know."
Pretending to know when she didn't was worse than admitting ignorance boldly.
It wasn't wrong, but Hwang Gyu felt a pang of bitterness.
Truly frustrating.
Just absorbing what was spoon-fed made one second-rate at best, no matter how well they did it.
A father, a leader, a superior shouldn't have to teach everything. One must actively seek to learn.
Not as a mere member of the organization, but for oneself. Only you can raise your own value. Even scraping the bottom now, raise it, and you'll be first-rate anywhere.
How can she be so brazen?
Honesty over lies? That was basic.
Ji Hwa wouldn't act like this.
She sought out even lowly warriors to learn what she didn't know without being told. If unsure what she needed, she'd listen intently without speaking.
Endless curiosity. A keen sensitivity to the organization's mood. That was why he favored his eldest.
I didn't even spoil her that much.
Was it just innate talent?
Hwang Gyu suppressed his anger with effort.
"We sent Ji Hwa and Elder Yeomgeom to the Murong Clan, along with my personal guard."
"What?!"
"The three who left last evening haven't returned."
Lady Hwang Inhwa swallowed dryly without realizing it.
She could see why her father was in a foul mood.
"No way... Did that Murong Bi bastard get them?"
Hwang Gyu didn't answer.
He wanted to snap that he wouldn't be so troubled if he knew, but now wasn't the time for outbursts.
"Malicious rumors about the main sect are spreading through the city."
"Rumors?"
"That we're backing the Black Tiger Gang."
"...!!"
"Even rumors that Ji Hwa and Elder Yeomgeom went to the Murong Clan for revenge over the Black Tiger Gang."
"Th-That's..."
"Our informants have been trying to quash them since dawn, but it's not easy. Too many people sharing them; we can't trace the source."
That was why rumors were so fearsome.
Once on the public's lips, they didn't fade until some 'result' from the 'process' emerged.
They might die down eventually, but the damage to the Ten Sword Sect in the meantime would be immense.
"No way this is..."
Lady Hwang Inhwa's voice trembled faintly.
"Rumors from the Murong Clan?"
Hwang Gyu's eyes gleamed.
"What makes you think that?"
"No proof, but it's too coincidental. Murong Bi topples the Black Tiger Gang, and the next day we send my sister and an elder. Then the rumors start."
"..."
"It fits together too perfectly for coincidence."
Hwang Gyu's sharp gaze softened slightly.
Her vessel isn't bad.
If she could temper her pride, she might grow into talent rivaling Ji Hwa. His blood ran true, it seemed.
"I think so too."
"Then we should act decisively."
"Only if we look at surface appearances."
"Pardon?"
"Before active defense, we need a firm decision."
"What...?"
"Ji Hwa and Elder Yeomgeom are missing. What does that mean?"
Lady Hwang Inhwa's face clouded over.
"Th-That..."
Not expecting an answer, Hwang Gyu continued immediately.
"It means our operations have been stalled since the Black Tiger Gang's annihilation."
"...?"
"Murong Bi's martial arts overpowering three people is unlikely. The Murong Clan's forces exceeding expectations doesn't make sense either."
"Then?"
"The biggest possibility? A third party's intervention."
"A third party?!"
Honestly, Hwang Gyu hadn't wanted to consider it. Too simplistic.
But reviewing scenarios and eliminating improbables led here.
"Even the shadow agent we sent to the Murong Clan hasn't returned."
Lady Hwang Inhwa's mouth fell open.
"Even if lacking power, a shadow agent could escape. Not returning means dead or captured."
"..."
"Do you think the Murong Clan has that kind of strength?"
It'd be more believable if a cat had killed a massive wolf.
Lady Hwang Inhwa understood why her father suspected a third party. Nothing else explained it.
"A third party is backing the Murong Clan. That's part of their true power."
"No way... The 'decision' you mean is..."
She swallowed hard.
"All-out war?"
Hwang Gyu, gazing steadily at her, handed over the letter he'd been reading.
She took it respectfully and read, her eyes widening.
"This is?"
"Yes. The Hong Sword Clan has extended a hand to the main sect."
"Why now?"
"They've heard the rumors too."
"...!"
"They had two choices: Ally with the Murong Clan to sway opinion and attack us outright—a declaration of war—or..."
"Like this letter: Handle the Murong Clan for us, and we'll cede a few key businesses. A negotiation."
"Exactly."
We'll clear your nose; you uproot a couple pillars.
"Nothing to lose for the Hong Sword Clan. They can fabricate a reason for the raid. But if we move, we give up a lot."
"No loss for us either. They don't know about the third party, and even if they do, we weaken their forces."
A smile finally crossed Hwang Gyu's face.
"Precisely."
"Good idea..."
"We should also send someone to check on Ji Hwa's safety."
Lady Hwang Inhwa's expression stiffened briefly.
But only for a moment.
"Yes, we should."
Hwang Gyu sighed deeply.
"Truly frustrating. Never felt this stifled running the main sect."
Lady Hwang Inhwa felt embarrassed.
Truth be told, if she hadn't meddled with the Black Tiger Gang, things wouldn't have escalated like this. Her father surely knew.
"Anyway, with the situation like this, no recklessness from you. Go to the finance hall and review the work your sister handled..."
That was when it happened.
"Sect Leader!"
A swordsman burst in without announcement, his face full of urgency.
An ominous chill twisted Hwang Gyu's features.
"What now?!"
"M-Murong Bi has appeared in the city!"
"What?!"
"That's not all! He's with some Flower Sword Squad members, and they've got Miss Ji Hwa bound!"
Hwang Gyu shot to his feet.