Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Hao Clan vs Sichuan Tang Clan
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Thud-.
When the Sichuan Tang Clan warriors drew near Qingyue Pavilion, Munseok was the one who stepped forward.
He had the Hao Clan enforcers—including me and the youngest—wait behind him, then went ahead and bowed his head to them.
“I am Mun, the manager in charge here. It is an honor to meet the renowned warriors of the famed Tang Clan of Sichuan.”
“…….”
But they showed no reaction whatsoever, as if they couldn’t care less whether Munseok bowed in greeting or not.
Some of them were even furrowing their brows.
Yeah, figures.
For those guys, packed tight with pride in belonging to one of the Five Great Families, meeting the Hao Clan—made up of the absolute dregs of the underworld—wouldn’t exactly thrill them.
‘Still pisses me off.’
Anyone could see that Munseok, the clear senior here, had bowed deeply, but those arrogant pricks treating him like dirt weren’t exactly winning any likability contests.
It was one of the reasons I hated the orthodox faction bastards, too—and one reason I wanted to beat the crap out of them.
That said, my original deal was just to hold the fort, and poking these poison frog assholes wouldn’t lead to anything good, so I decided to stay put.
Fortunately, before I could get even more pissed, one of the Tang Clan warriors—who looked like their leader—finally spoke up.
“The Grand Elder will arrive soon. Clear everyone out of the pavilion except the Pavilion Mistress.”
“…You mean everyone except the Pavilion Mistress?”
Munseok looked troubled at the Tang warrior’s arrogant command.
And understandably so, since Hao Clan enforcers were stationed on every floor of the pavilion right now.
They were a safety measure the Hao Clan had put in place to prevent any unforeseen incidents, but these guys wanted to disarm even that.
Naturally, Munseok refused… .
“Hahaha… that won’t do… .”
Shing-.
“…!”
Instead of replying, the Tang warrior pressed a dagger to Munseok’s throat. Others might not notice, but a bitter scent wafted from the blade at Munseok’s neck.
…As expected of poison frogs—they’d coated it with venom.
“I’d appreciate it if you realized that even talking to trash like you is a trial for me.”
“…….”
“The Grand Elder’s orders were to subdue you by force if you don’t cooperate. It’d be great if you could keep my hand from moving any further.”
“…….”
Munseok glared silently at the warrior.
Uncle Munseok’s martial prowess wasn’t all that high. Naturally, he was no match for this Tang Clan warrior.
But Munseok had that feral edge unique to someone who’d scraped by at the bottom for decades. That sharp, savage aura of his was every bit a match for the Tang warrior’s.
Tension hung thick in the air, one spark away from explosion… and naturally, I… .
‘Whoa, shit… this is getting fun… .’
Was watching the whole scene with thrilled eyes.
Sichuan Tang Clan versus Hao Clan—what a total mismatch jackpot.
The two groups hardly ever crossed paths, so I’d never seen their beef play out in any murim tale.
But here they were, right in front of me, snarling and ready to throw down.
So, who’d win?
If it came to full-on war, the Tang Clan would crush the Hao Clan without breaking a sweat.
The Tang Clan was just that prestigious… . In the murim novels I’d read, they were sometimes the runt of the Five Great Families litter, but in this world, their power was immense.
Think of them as one pillar of the Three Tops among the Five Great Families, alongside the Nangong and Hebei Peng Clans.
That didn’t mean the Hao Clan lacked hidden strength, though.
Sure, they lagged far behind in raw martial skill, but they outclassed the Tang Clan in numbers and intel.
They’d struggle short-term, but long-term? They could definitely land a solid hit on the Tang Clan.
Shing-.
I spotted one of the Hao Clan enforcers slyly reaching for his scabbard.
Swish-.
On the Tang side, someone was slipping a hand into their baggy sleeve.
It was the perfect moment—anyone could strike first without it seeming off. That’s when… .
‘Everyone, stand down.’
“…!”
“…!”
The Hao Clan Mistress’s voice transmission reached my ears.
Judging by the others’ reactions, it had gone out to everyone here.
I was a bit surprised. At a glance, her martial arts didn’t seem that advanced, yet here she was, sending transmissions from the top of the pavilion to this whole crowd.
Running a massive organization like the Hao Clan clearly wasn’t for just anyone.
As I mulled that over, her transmission continued. The gist was this:
‘I’ll greet the Grand Elder alone. Withdraw everyone from the pavilion.’
“…Didn’t you hear? Your clan leader said to do it.”
“…….”
The Tang warrior smirked smugly at Munseok.
Uncle Munseok clearly didn’t like the Hao Clan Mistress’s decision, but unable to defy her order, he sighed and commanded his subordinate.
“…Those are the leader’s orders. Tell everyone inside to come out and line up.”
“Yes, sir!”
One guy dashed inside at the command… .
Rumble-.
Soon, a horde of enforcers started pouring out.
‘They really prepped a ton.’
This gig must be huge for the Hao Clan folks. Explains why they paid me top coin just to hold position.
Anyway, with the enforcers from inside joining up, the Hao Clan side now outnumbered the Tang Clan guys several times over.
Qualitatively, the Tang warriors had the edge, but this made it a fairly even matchup.
That’s when… .
Thud-.
“…He’s here.”
My senses picked up approaching footsteps just as another group of warriors appeared at the street’s end.
They wore the same baggy-sleeved robes, instantly marking them as Tang Clan, but something was different this time.
Unlike the others in black robes and masks hiding their identities… the old man in the center sported the Tang Clan’s signature flashy purple robes.
He was a man somewhere between middle-aged and elderly, with a face that screamed nasty temper. His expression oozed the arrogance and confidence unique to orthodox faction old-timers.
And… .
‘…A master.’
…I could feel the skill backing up that arrogance and confidence.
His aura was so potent, you’d buy him as the Tang Clan Leader. Could everyone here except me rush him at once and win?
I ran the odds and shook my head.
No chance.
The guy was just that strong. I figured he was the Grand Elder the Tang warriors had been calling.
And sure enough, the moment he arrived, the Tang warriors—who’d been too stiff-necked to bow properly before—now bent at the waist.
“We greet the Grand Elder.”
Munseok, acknowledging his presence, shed his feral aura and bowed deeply once more.
“This Mun dares to greet the Tang Clan’s Grand Elder once again.”
“…….”
The Grand Elder, true to form among Tang warriors, didn’t even glance at Munseok and asked his own men.
“Was it done as I ordered?”
“Yes, Grand Elder. Per your command, we cleared everyone from the pavilion except the Hao Clan Mistress. No presences remain inside besides hers.”
“Good.”
With that, he turned toward Qingyue Pavilion’s entrance.
Then… .
“…….”
“…….”
…Our eyes met, just for a second.
Did Tang Grand Elders develop that kind of intuition?
My aura right now matched the other Hao Clan enforcers beside me, yet he stared right at me.
Well… .
Swish-.
…Must’ve been his imagination, since he moved on quick.
Still, a Tang Clan Grand Elder, huh. No idea on the name, first time seeing the face, but something felt familiar.
…Where’d I hear about the Sichuan Tang Clan’s Grand Elder before?
I racked my brain for a moment. That’s when… .
Sniff sniff.
“…Hm?”
I caught a whiff from where the Grand Elder had passed and immediately sensed something off.
**
The Grand Elder entered the pavilion, leaving the rest of us outside—everyone except him and the Hao Clan Mistress.
That didn’t mean the rest of us just stood around.
We locked in a stare-down with the enemy, ready to draw swords at the first sign of trouble inside. That was our job.
Among us, I approached Munseok, standing at the front of the Hao Clan group, and asked to talk.
“Uncle Munseok.”
“You have a message for me? Good timing—I wanted to speak with you too. Everyone, give us some space.”
After saying that, he led me behind a burly Hao Clan enforcer and asked.
“What do you want to say?”
“You look like you’ve got something to say first.”
“Fair enough, then… .”
Munseok glanced around to ensure no one else could hear, then whispered in my ear.
“You already figured those guys are from the Sichuan Tang Clan, right?”
“Yeah.”
“No need to worry, though. They won’t attack unless provoked. But I’ve got a favor to ask. See that guy up front, looks like the Tang leader? That rude prick keeps flaring his aura to dominate. Could you step up and aura-clash with him for me?”
“…An aura clash, huh. Got it for now. But I’ve got something to say too.”
“What is it? Speak freely.”
Munseok nodded, so I asked him slowly.
“Give me a reason why I should help the Hao Clan.”
“…What?”
Munseok looked utterly baffled, his face screaming *what the hell are you on about?*
“Didn’t I already promise you 200 gold nyang once this is over? If you’re saying that’s not enough… !”
“For just holding position and aura-clashing? 200 gold’s plenty. But… .”
“But… ?”
“What’s coming next? 200 gold won’t cut it.”
“What do you mean… ?”
Sensing the unease in my words, Munseok’s face darkened. I kindly explained to him.
“…In a bit, those poison frogs are gonna slaughter every last Hao Clan member.”
The truth only I had noticed.