Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: What’s Important is the Contract (2)
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His boldness left Pang Ho-san at a loss for words.
"Nothing more to say? Then be on your way."
Having neatly wrapped up the conversation, he resumed detoxifying the beggars.
By the time he had treated most of the people there, the sun had fully set.
"Good work."
Gu Hwan-gae had approached before he knew it.
His face looked gaunt, as if he had been handling other matters.
"Just doing what needed to be done."
"Hm. Those guys... Blood Cult, right? General Seol mentioned it earlier."
"You met him?"
"Yeah. No point sticking around here for me. Blood Cult... I've heard of them."
The Blood Cult had been lurking in the Central Plains for ages.
There was no way the Beggars' Sect wouldn't know of such enemies.
As Dang Yu-wol fell silent, Gu Hwan-gae pondered for a moment before asking slowly.
"You. What's your real connection to the Blood Cult?"
"We're the kind of foes who can't live under the same sky."
"That's all?"
"What else could there be?"
He knew a great deal about the Blood Cult.
He was even familiar with their poisons.
That made it hard to dismiss as mere enmity.
'But digging deeper would drag in Sacheon Tang Clan matters. I can't get involved that far.'
"Is there nothing the Beggars' Sect can do to help?"
"Your help so far is more than enough."
-Wouldn't it be easier with the Beggars' Sect's aid?
'Sure, but the Blood Cult has infiltrated them too.'
Considering their schemes, it was better to keep distance for now.
"I see."
Gu Hwan-gae let out a bitter sigh and nodded.
For now, this would have to do. He'd head to the main branch later for a proper investigation.
"You haven't eaten while treating everyone, right? Let's grab a bite."
"Still work left to do."
"Work? What kind?"
"Well..."
Dang Yu-wol explained what had happened earlier.
About the man named Pang Ho-san arriving with a woman called Ran.
And how they had both been poisoned.
"The eldest son of the Northern Hebei Pang Clan?"
Gu Hwan-gae was startled upon hearing the name Pang Ho-san.
"You know him?"
"Of course. Wait a sec. This'll take a while, so let's eat while we talk."
He vanished in a flash and returned with some snacks in hand.
"Ever heard the moniker 'Tiger Might Earth Tyrant'?"
"No."
He hadn't even in his previous life.
Gu Hwan-gae looked incredulous at Dang Yu-wol's response.
"You don't know the Three Heroes of the Central Plains Chaos?"
"Not my area of interest."
"Still."
"And I've only been active for a few months."
Most of his knowledge of the martial world came from Blood Cult records in his previous life.
He knew nothing they hadn't documented.
"Hmm... Fair enough."
"So? Any issues?"
"Pang Ho-san, the eldest son of the Northern Hebei Pang Clan, was known for his prodigious martial talent from a young age."
"Oh ho."
"True to that, he mastered the Pang Clan's domineering arts to perfection."
"I see."
"On his martial debut, he made his name by defeating the unorthodox masters Wang Gwi-ga-cheol and Black Water Ghost Sword..."
"Impressive. Taking down unorthodox elites right out of the gate."
"Yes. He built even more fame afterward."
"Really? But what's the Three Heroes of the Central Plains Chaos?"
"When chaos erupted in Jiangxi, Pang Ho-san teamed up with Mo Yong-hyeok of the Mo Yong Clan and Gi Yeol of the Zhongnan Sect."
-Impressive affiliations all around.
"The trio earned the title after capturing the unorthodox rebel leader Gui Mu-gyeong."
"How's their skill level?"
"From what I know, all three are in their late thirties, on the cusp of transcendent realm."
Reaching transcendent in one's thirties was extraordinary.
Yet why weren't they in Blood Cult records?
'Maybe they died before the Blood Cult fully mobilized.'
Dang Yu-wol recalled Pang Ho-san's poisoning.
It might have been what derailed his career.
-If he's alive, he'd be a huge asset against the Blood Cult.
'The Northern Hebei Pang Clan was one of their adversaries too.'
No reason not to help, then.
"And that guy's poisoned?"
"Yes. Seemed like a tonic gone wrong."
"A tonic..."
"Something amusing?"
"More like the Northern Hebei Pang Clan's structure."
Gu Hwan-gae took a swig of liquor.
"Know the clan head practices polygamy?"
"No."
"To dominate a vast region like Northern Hebei, clan arts alone aren't enough. He needs allied families' power."
-Nothing beats blood ties for alliances. Same then as now.
'But mismanage it, and it's worse than nothing.'
"Trouble over the clan head position?"
"Right. Pang Ho-san has a younger brother, Pang Ho-cheon."
"He's gunning for the seat too?"
"Yeah. Talented too. Without Pang Ho-san, he'd be young clan head."
But Pang Ho-san was an insurmountable wall.
Plenty would want that wall removed.
"So you suspect those loyal to Pang Ho-cheon poisoned him."
"High possibility."
He shrugged lightly.
"Clan internals are off-limits, even for the Beggars' Sect."
"You've already spilled."
Dang Yu-wol chuckled and popped a dumpling in his mouth.
The food was gone before they knew it.
"Stomach full. Time to handle the rest."
"Treating Pang Ho-san creates another karmic tie."
"Sure. Ruining their sneaky poisoning."
"You okay with that?"
Dang Yu-wol chuckled.
Pang Ho-san could definitely help against the Blood Cult.
This debt? He'd gladly accept.
Four days later, Pang Ho-san arrived.
With Ran. He sat before Dang Yu-wol, visibly tense.
"Can it be detoxified?"
"Of course. Give me your hand."
"Ran. You first."
"But Young Clan Head! You were poisoned too!"
"I can endure. You can't. You passed out yesterday."
"Umm... Yes. Understood."
Ran extended her hand, and Dang Yu-wol inserted a needle into the back of it.
He offered the medicine prepared over four days.
"Here. Take this."
"Yes."
She swallowed it.
Soon, black blood dripped from the needle.
"You're detoxified. Might get dizzy for a bit, so eat well and rest."
Ran bowed gratefully.
Dang Yu-wol gave her a cursory reply and offered different medicine.
"Pang Ho-san. Yours."
He cautiously took and swallowed it.
"Three times a day, before meals, for ten days. Builds resistance."
"Thanks. You saved my life. I'll repay this debt."
-Oh ho.
'Hook, line, and sinker.'
The words he wanted to hear.
Dang Yu-wol stared at him intently.
"For real?"
"I, Pang Ho-san! A man who lives by righteousness and dies by loyalty!"
"Ooooh."
-Put some soul into the admiration.
"No matter what, I'll repay this debt!! Oh, right. You're from Sacheon Tang Clan."
"Yes."
"Sacheon Tang Clan... Fine. When I become clan head, I'll support you fully."
"If you say that much."
Dang Yu-wol grabbed paper and brush, scribbled quickly, and presented it.
A few short lines.
[One. I, Pang Ho-san, Young Clan Head of Northern Hebei Pang Clan, will fulfill one request from Dang Yu-wol no matter what.
Two. I, Pang Ho-san, Young Clan Head of Northern Hebei Pang Clan, upon becoming clan head, will unconditionally support Sacheon Tang Clan in matters not against righteousness or loyalty.]
"Thumbprint."
"Uh, umm. Is this necessary?"
-Still green. World's a scary place.
Dang Yu-wol was firm, and Pang Ho-san reluctantly stamped it.
"Ugh..."
His expression didn't brighten.
Grateful for the save, but questioning if this was right.
-But the print's done. Too late.
'Gonna milk this good.'
"I wouldn't think a man called Three Heroes of the Central Plains Chaos, Young Clan Head of Northern Hebei Pang Clan, and Tiger Might Earth Tyrant would go back on his word."
"Hoo. Fine. Done is done. Call me brother from now on, talk casually. Okay?"
"Sure."
"You too. You seem way younger."
By reincarnation and regression, he was over a hundred.
But that hardly mattered.
"To make this contract real, I need your help too."
"Help? With poison?"
"Yes."
His voice was serious.
Tinged with melancholy.
"The one who gave me the Harmful Shadow Tower was none other than my second mother."
"Hm."
"My birth mother died when I was young."
"Same here."
"Oh? I see."
Instant camaraderie.
"After that, Second Mother treated me like her own son, same as my brother."
Pang Ho-san clenched his fist slightly.
Anxiety.
And anger.
"I don't want to believe she'd poison me."
"So you want an investigation."
"Yes. And Ran was already off even back at the clan. Maybe she..."
"I can look into it."
"Really?"
"But I head to Henan once this wraps up. Can't right away."
"Not asking immediately. I need to go to Ran's home first."
"Why come here then? You're from Northern Hebei, right?"
"On my way to her clan. Heard martial artists were gathering here, so I helped."
"Why there?"
"To get marriage approval."
"Y-Young Clan Head!!"
"Ran. Saving you was just a righteous act."
"But..."
"You decided to serve me for life after that, but I won't hide my feelings for you."
"Ahhh..."
Ran blushed.
Pang Ho-san pulled her close.
"I love you, Ran."
"Young Clan Head..."
"Can you call me Pang Ga-ja from now on? Not Young Clan Head?"
-Nice timing.
'Take it elsewhere.'