Chapter 220: Checking the Strength-2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 220: Checking the Strength-2
"A total of fifteen people. Among them, one is at the Super-Peak Realm, two are at the Peak Realm, five are First-Class masters, and the rest are all Second-Rate."
Un-jeok-ja finished speaking with a calm expression.
While it felt slightly lacking compared to the Emei Sect, it was by no means a shameful showing of force. In the first place, dispatching two Elder-level masters for a task like this was an enormous commitment.
"That is acceptable."
At Un-jeok-ja’s words, Bulsok nodded, looking satisfied. She felt that this level of strength was superior to most mid-sized sects. With two masters equivalent to Sect Leaders of the Nine Sects present, a mid-sized sect wouldn't even bear comparison.
"Now, let us hear the strength of the Tang Clan."
Having finished, she turned her head to look at Sun-woo. If the Tang Clan’s forces were added to this, they wouldn't even fear a direct confrontation with the North Sea Ice Palace.
"..."
Sun-woo hesitated for a moment. He felt that his numbers were woefully inadequate compared to the forces they had just listed.
"Young Master?"
Bulsok called out Sun-woo’s name. It was a prompt for him to quickly reveal the Tang Clan’s strength.
"A total of twenty people. Among them, one is at the Super-Peak Realm, one is First-Class, and the rest are all Second-Rate."
At her urging, Sun-woo quietly revealed the Tang Clan’s numbers.
"..."
"..."
As Sun-woo finished speaking, a heavy silence began to hang over the tent. It would have been better if someone had reacted, but no one opened their mouth.
Sun-woo began to feel a heavy pressure. He knew it would be insufficient, but he hadn't imagined the gap would be this large, leaving him even more flustered.
"Um... Young Master."
Bulheo, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke up.
"Yes, please speak."
"We are well aware that the Tang Clan is short-handed. We also know that many were lost during the Demonic Cult's attack. However, isn't the force you've dispatched now far too meager?"
She continued, her expression clearly uncomfortable.
"I apologize."
Sun-woo offered his apologies.
"This isn't something that can be settled with a simple apology. Dispatching this search party is an opportunity to show the sincerity of the Sichuan Alliance. And yet, you fill such an important position with nothing but Second-Rate masters? Do you think that makes any sense?"
"I am sorry. However, the Tang Clan lacks surplus forces, so this was an unavoidable choice."
"Fine, I wasn't even expecting Peak or Super-Peak masters. Since the direct bloodline was wiped out during the Demonic Cult's attack, there wouldn't be many masters left. But couldn't you have at least sent some First-Class masters?"
"It wasn't just the direct line; many of the collateral bloodlines were also killed. Even now, these are people we've barely managed to scrape together by squeezing our remaining numbers."
Sun-woo offered his own defense. What was he supposed to do when there were simply no people? Those who died during the Poison Demon's attack weren't just the direct bloodline. A significant number of the collateral bloodline had also met their end, and many among them were quite accomplished. Since those people were all dead, there was no way a proper dispatch could be made.
"I don't know. I really don't know what the Tang Clan's true intentions are."
At Sun-woo’s words, Bulheo frowned and spoke sarcastically.
Sun-woo’s brow furrowed deeply. Irritation surged within him because she was acting like a bitch despite clearly knowing the circumstances. However, he soon suppressed his anger. He realized that gaining nothing would come from an emotional spat here.
"The Tang Clan was fully aware of these shortcomings."
"If you were aware, you should have reinforced the numbers."
"Did I not clearly state? This is the maximum force the Tang Clan can squeeze out."
"That's strange. Just looking at the gate guards protecting the manor, they seemed to have at least reached the First-Class Realm. Why did you not dispatch them?"
Bulheo badgered him in a critical tone. She was speaking based on what she had seen upon entering the Tang Clan.
"Are you telling us to pull out even the forces defending the clan?"
Sun-woo raised his voice and shouted at her. To tell him to pull out even the gate guards—what kind of reckless talk was that?
"Hmph, who knows? Whether you've only left enough to defend, or if this is a trick to conserve your strength."
Bulheo snorted in response to Sun-woo’s words. It seemed she didn't have a shred of trust in the Tang Clan.
Sun-woo felt his suppressed anger beginning to boil over.
"Did the Tang Clan not agree to bear all travel expenses and provide every convenience for the journey to the North Sea because our strength is lacking?"
Sun-woo glared at Bulheo Satae, his voice rising.
"Even so, who would have thought there would be such a void in strength? Setting aside the lack of Peak masters, does it make sense to have only one First-Class master?"
"What do you want me to do when there are no people!"
Sun-woo and Bulheo Satae began to yell at each other, their voices clashing.
"Enough!"
Un-jeok-ja, who had been listening silently, finally spoke. His voice was laced with significant internal energy, causing it to ring loudly throughout the tent.
"What do you think you are doing!"
He scolded them, looking back and forth between Sun-woo and Bulheo Satae.
"Bulheo Satae! This is not a place created for slandering one another, is it?"
"..."
Hearing Un-jeok-ja’s words, Bulheo Satae fell silent like a mute who had eaten honey. What he said was true. The reason they gathered today was to confirm their strength and discuss a suitable strategy. To blindly criticize just because the strength was a bit low was incredibly thoughtless.
"The Tang Clan may be lacking in strength, but they have provided every convenience, including expenses. How can you slander them so!"
Un-jeok-ja spoke to her with a stern expression.
"The journey to and from the North Sea takes half a year. Do you have any idea how much money over fifty people will spend during those six months?"
"...I am sorry. My thinking was shallow."
At Un-jeok-ja’s blunt words, Bulheo Satae soon apologized. Upon reflection, he wasn't wrong.
"Direct your apology to Young Master Jang."
At her apology, Un-jeok-ja turned his head and pointed toward Sun-woo. Bulheo Satae’s face twisted as if she had swallowed a toad.
"I am sorry, Young Master Jang. I was disrespectful."
She eventually turned her head and apologized to Sun-woo.
"It is fine."
Sun-woo accepted her apology. In his heart, he wanted to bash her head in regardless of any apology, but he was currently carrying the name of the Tang Clan. He had to be careful with every action and word. Having received her apology, Sun-woo vowed to himself for the future. He thought that if an opportunity ever arose, he would crush her thoroughly.
"Now then, since we have confirmed our strength, next regarding the search operation..."
As the fight ended, Bulsok, who had been watching the atmosphere, spoke up. The conversation naturally shifted toward the search operation. Sun-woo could only focus on Bulsok Satae’s words while harboring his discomfort.
*
"We shall call it a day."
Bulsok Satae continued, looking around at the group. While it couldn't be called perfect, they seemed to have established a decent framework. Though she wanted to finish everything out of greed, she thought it better to get some sleep for tomorrow's sake.
"I will take my leave first."
As soon as she finished speaking, Sun-woo addressed those in the tent. He intended to leave quickly, fearing his irritation would only grow if he stayed any longer. Having finished, Sun-woo turned around and walked out of the tent. Those sitting in the group merely watched his retreating back.
"Bulheo Satae, your words were too harsh."
Un-jeok-ja spoke, looking at Bulheo.
"So I'm the only bad one here?"
Bulheo replied with a sharp glare.
"Ahem, why must you speak so extremely?"
At her gaze, Un-jeok-ja cleared his throat before continuing.
"Who was the one who suggested we break his spirit!"
She glared at Un-jeok-ja as if it were unfair.
"Did I know you would take it that far?"
Un-jeok-ja avoided her gaze, looking embarrassed.
"Huh?"
Seol-hyang looked at them with a puzzled expression. Weren't these the same people who were shouting and fighting just a moment ago? What was this sudden talk? Breaking his spirit?
"Senior Sister, what is going on?"
She whispered to Bulsok, who was beside her.
"It's nothing much."
Bulsok replied as if it were trivial.
"Just a useless power struggle."
"A power struggle?"
"They intend to seize leadership of the search party."
"Then, could it be that the reason Senior Bulheo berated Young Master Jang was...?"
Seol-hyang looked at her with a look of realization.
"Yes, it was to break his spirit."
Bulsok nodded in response. Seol-hyang’s eyes widened like saucers. She hadn't even imagined that the whole scene of shouting and causing a fuss was a calculated move to break Jang Sun-woo’s spirit.
"Why go to such lengths?"
She asked Bulsok, still not fully understanding.
"Because if they don't seize leadership, they'll be in a position where they have to take orders."
Bulsok answered calmly.
"Is that a problem?"
"The masters representing the three sects have all joined this search party, and their pride would be wounded if they had to take orders from anyone else."
"So they tried to break Young Master Jang's spirit?"
"Exactly. They want to exclude the Tang Clan's master and fight for leadership among themselves."
"Did you know about this too, Senior Sister?"
She sent a questioning look toward Bulsok.
"This is the first I've heard of it."
Bulsok shook her head. The alliance between Bulheo and Un-jeok-ja was news to her as well. Seeing those who usually growled at the mere sight of each other work together to make a fool out of one person made her shake her head in disbelief.
'I suppose that's what pride does.'
She shook her head from side to side.
"I feel sorry for Young Master Jang."
Seol-hyang said, sounding pitying.
"He certainly didn't seem to be thinking about leadership at all, so it must have felt like a bolt from the blue."
Bulsok rarely agreed, but she did this time. Honestly, being late and delaying the schedule was something he could be criticized for a hundred times over, but criticizing him for the lack of strength felt like too much. Everyone knew the Tang Clan was short-handed, so why criticize him so vitriolically? It was embarrassing even for those listening.
Thump.
Seol-hyang, who was beside her, stood up.
"Where are you going?"
"Yaaaawn... I should be heading off to sleep now too."
Seol-hyang replied with an exaggerated yawn.
"Are you really going to sleep?"
Bulsok looked at her with a very suspicious gaze.
"Of course. This isn't Emei; do you think I'd actually cause trouble?"
"Hmm..."
Bulsok thought for a moment before finally nodding. As she said, this wasn't Emei. No matter how reckless she was, she wouldn't be able to run wild as she pleased. Once permission was granted, Seol-hyang smiled and began to walk away. Her steps were incredibly light.
*
Tramp, tramp.
Coming out of the tent, Sun-woo walked slowly into the forest. He felt like he wouldn't be able to sleep if he went now, so he intended to take a walk to cool his head.
'Damn it.'
Sun-woo cursed as he recalled Bulheo Satae berating him. He was well aware of how meager the Tang Clan’s strength was.
In the case of Qingcheng, half of the dispatched personnel consisted of First-Class masters or higher. Moreover, even Un-jeok-ja, known as the First Sword of the Imperial Palace, had come. In the case of Emei, two Super-Peak masters had come. They were far better than any random rabble. All of them were high-level forces that couldn't even be compared to the people the Tang Clan had brought.
Sun-woo felt frustrated. In his heart, he wanted to shout that he was a master of the Transcendent Realm, but he had already promised Tang Seo-yoon to hide his stage. He couldn't recklessly reveal his martial arts just to soothe his own feelings.
"Sigh."
Sun-woo let out a long sigh. The thought of spending half a year with them made his irritation rise.
Step, step.
It was then. A very cautious sound of footsteps began to be heard from behind.
'What is it?'
Feeling suspicious, Sun-woo stopped in his tracks. He soon felt the footsteps getting closer. Sun-woo slowly turned his head.
"Ah, I'm caught."
And where he turned his head, he saw a woman with a playful smile.
"What brings you here, Lady Seol?"
Sun-woo asked her indifferently. He didn't particularly feel like dealing with anyone from the Emei Sect.
"I came to see you, of course, Young Master Jang."
At Sun-woo’s question, Seol-hyang replied with a refreshing smile.
"Me?"
"Yes!"
She answered energetically.
"What is it?"
Sun-woo felt puzzled by her answer. Why would she suddenly come looking for him?
"I have a favor to ask..."
At Sun-woo’s question, Seol-hyang fidgeted and spoke.
Sun-woo tilted his head in confusion.