Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Tensions at the Summit
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The ones who ascended to the fifth floor were a few young men and women.
Among them, the most refined young man at the front was clad in pure white robes, holding a white feathered fan in one hand.
His face stiff, he spoke up.
"The window seats are already taken. I always sat there whenever I came here."
The manager bowed his head, looking troubled.
"Someone arrived early this morning and claimed the top floor. My deepest apologies."
"We came before nightfall on purpose, and yet someone's already taken the seats."
As the young man's disappointment showed plainly on his face while he glanced at Hyeok Mulin, a woman standing behind him stepped slightly forward.
She wore vibrant crimson palace robes, her long lashes framing captivating eyes that gleamed seductively—a bewitching beauty.
"Isn't it more important who you're enjoying the view with than where you sit? Let's just take the seats next to it."
"Lady Tang Ha-rin..."
The young man looked at her, nodded, and addressed the manager.
"We'll sit over there, then."
"Yes, this way, please."
They settled at the table to the left, ordered dishes, and began chatting amiably.
Hyeok Mulin hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but being so close, their conversation naturally drifted into his ears.
'The orthodox faction's younger generation.'
Surprisingly, their group included members from the Tang Clan of Sichuan and the Zhuge Clan, leaders of the righteous sects.
Then again, those who casually ascended to the top of such a high-end restaurant weren't ordinary folk.
From the conversation, it seemed Zhuge Hyeon, the young master of the Zhuge Clan, was leading the gathering.
Sitting across from him was Tang Ha-rin, the eldest daughter of the Tang Clan, with a small girl beside her—Tang Soso, the youngest of the Tangs.
Centered around these three were Song Seontae, young leader of the Great Red Gate, a famed fist-fighting sect in Sichuan, and Du Wonpyeong, heir to the Du Baek Merchant Group, one of Sichuan's top three trading houses.
'Nothing unusual here.'
There had always been those who curried favor with the Nine Great Sects and Six Great Clans.
And the Zhuge and Tang Clans were well aware of it.
They simply arranged such meetings, figuring it might pay off someday.
"It's been ages since we all gathered like this. And seeing little Lady Tang Soso makes the mood even brighter."
"Soso rarely gets permission to go out, so I hope she enjoys the meal."
Tang Ha-rin stroked her sister's head with a fond yet slightly pitying expression before turning and continuing.
"It's been a while for me too. Nice to see you all. I hope nothing major's happened in the meantime?"
Song Seontae and Du Wonpyeong quickly replied.
"Hahaha. With the Tang Clan steadfastly guarding Sichuan, how could anything go wrong? All is peaceful."
"Young Master Zhuge seems sharper and more poised with each passing year. What's your secret?"
"Hoho, nothing special. You're too kind."
Zhuge Hyeon gave an awkward smile before asking Tang Ha-rin.
"How's the atmosphere in the Tang Clan lately?"
"The unorthodox are acting strangely, so the elders are keeping a close watch. And one business venture we were pursuing fell through, causing some setbacks..."
A failed business deal.
Hyeok Mulin, recognizing it as the Man Gold Battleground, continued his meal without a flicker of emotion.
Their talk mostly revolved around Sichuan's current state.
But even after some time, one thing still puzzled him.
Then Tang Ha-rin voiced the very question on Hyeok Mulin's mind.
"By the way, Young Master Zhuge, what brings you to Sichuan? Has something happened?"
The Zhuge Clan's home base was clearly in Hubei Province, yet here he was crossing regions to meet with Sichuan's younger generation.
It was undoubtedly deliberate.
Zhuge Hyeon glanced briefly at where Hyeok Mulin sat.
'No internal energy detectable. Just an ordinary man, not a martial artist.'
No need for sound transmission.
Lowering his voice before delving into sensitive matters, he said.
"Truth be told, my father sent me here."
"The Great Strategist of the Martial Alliance?"
"Yes. The Alliance received word of an abnormal amount of weapons flowing into Sichuan. Father can't move easily himself, so he ordered me to investigate."
Du Wonpyeong nodded as if recalling something.
"Now that you mention it, our merchant group has seen weapon sales double recently. I was just thrilled at the increased revenue, unaware of any suspicions."
"As expected. But it's still just suspicion, so everyone, no rash moves. I'll check things personally, one by one."
"Personally? Then you'll be staying in Sichuan for a while."
Zhuge Hyeon nodded at Tang Ha-rin's words.
"Yes. I'll reside in Chengdu for the time being and gauge the overall situation."
"Oh, then might the Great Red Gate have the honor of hosting you? Our sect is centrally located, perfect for traveling anywhere in Chengdu."
"Please visit our Du Baek Merchant Group as well. We have Sichuan locked down, so gathering information will be a breeze."
"Haha, thank you all for treating my business as your own. I won't forget your help."
Hyeok Mulin tuned out their conversation after a moment and focused on his meal.
It wasn't particularly useful information from his perspective anyway.
He already knew most of it from the Secret Affairs Hall reports, and there was no need to reveal himself and draw swords against these righteous youngsters here.
About half an hour later, footsteps approached from below once more.
Soon, three or four men appeared on the fifth floor.
The leader had a diagonal knife scar across his nose and seemed to have subordinates trailing him.
He eyed Hyeok Mulin's table and smirked.
"That seat's taken already."
The manager paled, flustered and at a loss.
The top floor was hard to book even once a month, yet three groups today?
'And of all times, when Saha Gang's second young master, Mu Chabi, visits.'
The Saha Gang was a massive unorthodox organization based in Sichuan.
As one of the five pillars of the Saheuk Alliance—a coalition of unorthodox sects formed to rival the Martial Alliance—they wielded influence rivaling the Nine Great Sects.
With the Saha Gang's second young master showing clear displeasure right in front of him...
Despairing at the world, the manager desperately tried to placate him.
"Young Master Mu, forgive us. We won't charge for the top floor—please, quell your anger."
Mu Chabi glared ahead for a moment before heading to the empty table on the right.
He sat with his men, picked some dishes, and was about to call the waiting manager when he turned and caught sight of someone.
"Tch."
"Hah."
He locked eyes with the righteous youngsters opposite, furrowed his brow, and clicked his tongue.
Zhuge Hyeon, Tang Ha-rin, and the others sighed deeply and set down their chopsticks.
"Bad day."
"Ruined my appetite."
"That's our line."
Like water and oil, the righteous and unorthodox factions couldn't mix—yet here they were, coincidentally in one place.
The righteous youngsters and Mu Chabi with his men bristled, glaring daggers at each other.
They bared their teeth with genuine loathing.
Hyeok Mulin, dining amidst them, simply watched with interest.
'So this is the relationship between the righteous and unorthodox.'
No wonder the Martial Alliance couldn't easily move against his cult.
With mortal enemies practically within arm's reach, brandishing swords, dispatching men all the way to distant Shinkang would leave their own homes vulnerable to flames.
They lived together in the Central Plains yet eyed each other's throats like beasts in waiting.
This fierce divide between the two groups was something the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had never experienced, making it a novel sensation for him.
"Living in Hubei and still chasing skirts all the way here—you must be blind with lust."
Mu Chabi jabbed at Zhuge Hyeon, who instantly flared with sharp hostility.
"Unorthodox scum truly lack manners."
Zhuge Hyeon's internal energy surged toward Mu Chabi from all sides.
Mu Chabi countered with his own razor-sharp aura, as if he'd been waiting.
Their energies clashed evenly, the pressure paling the faces of Song Seontae, Du Wonpyeong, and Mu Chabi's subordinates.
Even among Sichuan and Hubei's top youngsters, this power struggle left most breathless.
Yet Tang Ha-rin calmly shielded young Tang Soso and observed.
'Of all days to run into this.'
Zhuge Hyeon visiting Sichuan after months, only to immediately cross paths with Mu Chabi.
The Saha Gang, gnawing at Sichuan, were people she despised associating with.
She itched to hurl daggers, but with the Saheuk Alliance behind them, open combat was impossible—not to mention victory wasn't guaranteed even if it started.
Thus, whenever they met face-to-face, posturing like this was the best either side could do.
'Wait, wasn't there someone already here before us and them?'
Suddenly, she recalled the complete stranger sharing the space with them.
No matter the hatred, they couldn't harm unrelated bystanders.
Her gaze flicked sideways.
"...Huh?"
Her eyes captured a man, and her head tilted involuntarily.
He'd finished eating and was leisurely sipping tea.
As if solely evading Zhuge Hyeon and Mu Chabi's auras, utterly unaffected.
Who the hell was he?
His face was partially obscured, but Tang Ha-rin was certain he was an outsider.
She knew every Sichuan man of that age with the wealth to solo the top floor of the Four Emperors Tower.
None matched his attire or aura.
Her pupils filled with questions and curiosity.
Then Mu Chabi across from her glanced her way.
'Who’s she looking at?'
Noticing Tang Ha-rin suddenly distracted and staring aside, Mu Chabi followed her gaze.
The man by the window entered his view.
'That guy...?'
He'd forgotten about the first occupant amid the clash.
But now, seeing him calmly sipping tea, unaffected by their power struggle, Mu Chabi was stunned.
'Is that even possible?'
He sensed no presence or martial aura from him.
Just some rich kid, yet how?
Mu Chabi's mind couldn't comprehend it.
But it didn't end there.
Scraaaape.
"Getting tired now."
Having savored his tea, the man rose casually, passed between them impassively, and descended the stairs.
At that absurd sight, Mu Chabi unwittingly dropped his energy output.
Staring blankly at the stairs, a hollow voice escaped his lips.
"...Huh?"