Chapter 380: Accepting the Deal
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 380: Accepting the Deal
'Should I beat her or not?'
Sun-woo stared at Lee Ye-seol, locked in a serious dilemma.
It wasn't easy to decide which path to take. His heart screamed at him to tie her up, beat her to a pulp, and then finish her off with Scorching Poison.
How could a mere hostage have the audacity to propose a deal? She should have been groveling at his feet, offering everything she had while calling him 'Master.'
However, if he chose violence, it was uncertain whether he could get any real cooperation from her. If her pride was wounded and she decided to lead him in the wrong direction or refuse to help, all his efforts would be for naught.
Scowl.
Sun-woo’s face twisted into a deep frown. He hated the situation. Lee Ye-seol was clearly exploiting his urgency. She seemed to fully realize just how dangerous a time bomb Yorang had become.
"What do you want?" Sun-woo finally asked, his voice low and heavy.
He intended to hear her out first. If she spouted some nonsense about being sent back to the Cheonmu Alliance or demanded her freedom, he wouldn't hesitate to inject her with Scorching Poison. Finding Yorang was vital, but keeping a close watch on Lee Ye-seol was equally important.
"Just so you know, don't even think about asking to be released," Sun-woo added in a flat tone.
"I’m well aware that such a request wouldn't work on you," Lee Ye-seol replied, nodding slowly. "I only want one thing. I want your support."
"What?" Sun-woo asked, looking puzzled.
Support? What kind of nonsense was this now?
"An official notice has been issued by the Cheonmu Alliance. It states that the successor to the Alliance Leader will be chosen through a competition," Lee Ye-seol explained calmly.
"And what does that have to do with my support?"
"The Alliance Leader said that bringing excellent talent under one's wing is a virtue of a ruler. To participate in the succession competition, one must gather five Rising Stars under the age of thirty. And they must be exceptionally talented individuals." Lee Ye-seol’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.
"Are you insane? Do you really think I’d agree to that?" Sun-woo scoffed.
He thought she was delusional. What was his official status? He was the Clan Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan, the ruler of Sichuan. He was the disciple of the Poison King Tang Jin-cheol and the fiancé of the Poison Scribe Tang Seo-yoon. How could he, a man tied to the very marrow of the Tang Clan, abandon Tang Jin-seol to support Lee Ye-seol?
"Yes. I’m telling you this because I believe it’s a very real possibility," Lee Ye-seol said, her expression dead serious.
"Cut the crap. Just take the Scorching Poison."
Sun-woo dismissed her words as nonsense and began to gather his poisonous Qi. He figured it would be faster to force cooperation out of her than to waste time with word games.
"Wait... Wait a moment!" Lee Ye-seol cried out, her face pale with urgency as she saw the poison gathering. "I will be participating in this succession competition!"
"So what?"
"If I participate, I will inevitably run into my father. Have you devised a way to keep me quiet then?"
"..."
Sun-woo froze, a look of bewilderment crossing his face. He hadn't thought that far ahead. He had only just heard about this succession competition; how could he have planned a way to silence her?
"Then what do you plan to do? I’m your prisoner now, but there’s no telling what I might say once I’m standing in front of my father."
"You still haven't learned your lesson, have you?" Sun-woo threatened, thrusting his glowing red hand forward.
"Control through fear is only temporary. It’s never absolute. Even if I suffer pain that makes me soil myself, if my father is right there, I will tell him everything that happened to me." Lee Ye-seol’s voice was firm.
"Then just don't participate," Sun-woo countered flatly. If she didn't go, the problem was solved.
"It’s awkward for me to say this myself, but I am currently the strongest candidate for the succession. If I suddenly don't show up, people will get suspicious."
"Just say you had a sudden epiphany and realized that the pursuit of power is futile."
"Hah, do you think people will believe that? They’ll definitely suspect something. Especially the leadership of the Cheonmu Alliance who support me—they won't just accept it. They’ll come looking for me at the Tang Clan."
"..."
Sun-woo fell into deep thought, his expression grim. She was right. Out of all of Lee Jae-won’s children, she was the closest to the succession. Her status as the child of the primary wife earned her the support of the conservative elders, while her martial prowess, beauty, and military record won over the younger martial artists.
If she suddenly withdrew, suspicion was inevitable. It wouldn't stop at suspicion; many would likely flock to the Tang Clan to check on her well-being.
'This feels like a checkmate,' Sun-woo thought. This was becoming much more of a headache than he had anticipated.
"I am proposing an alliance to the Tang Clan," Lee Ye-seol continued quickly, sensing his hesitation. "An alliance where we liquidate all past grievances and move forward toward a future-oriented relationship."
"The Tang Clan can't keep me locked up forever, can they? Let's use this opportunity to wash away our grudges. If I can ascend to the position of successor, I will forget everything that has happened. Not only that, I promise the Cheonmu Alliance's support will be no less than what Madam Tang receives." Her eyes were wide with anticipation.
"..."
Sun-woo remained silent, his face grave. He had never imagined Lee Ye-seol would make such a proposal. He expected her to whine for her release at most, but an alliance?
"There’s nothing for the Tang Clan to lose. You can repair a broken relationship and receive immense support the moment I become the successor."
"And what about my relationship with Madam Tang?" Sun-woo asked, incredulous at how she only spoke of what benefited her.
How could there be nothing to lose? The moment he accepted her proposal, his relationship with Tang Jin-seol, the Clan Head's sister, would be utterly ruined. All the rapport they had built would become useless.
"Madam Tang is already an out-married member, isn't she? In this situation, isn't it better to choose the more profitable option?"
"Profitable?"
"Yes, profitable. For example, clearing all past grudges, or cooperating in the search for the Sixth Lady... things like that."
"..."
Sun-woo looked conflicted. Her logic wasn't entirely flawed. In fact, it might even be better. By supporting her, he could potentially solve two urgent problems at once.
"This isn't a decision I can make on my own," Sun-woo said firmly.
He couldn't decide this unilaterally. He needed to consult with Tang Seo-yoon, the Great Matriarch, and Geum Jeok-hwa. He couldn't make a reckless promise just because he was tempted.
"Well, I didn't expect an immediate answer," Lee Ye-seol said, nodding slightly. "Then let's change the terms of the deal."
She looked directly at Sun-woo.
"Make the proposal to the Clan Head. Ask him what he thinks about supporting me."
"To the Clan Head?"
"The final decision rests with the Tang Clan Head anyway."
"Will that be enough for you?"
"It’s enough. If the Clan Head is wise, he will accept my proposal." Lee Ye-seol spoke with confidence.
She was certain that Tang Jin-cheol would accept. Her offer was rational and efficient. While someone blinded by family affection might refuse, the Tang Jin-cheol she knew would surely agree. He was a man who prioritized the glory of his clan over personal sentiment.
"Fine. I'll pass it along."
Sun-woo nodded. Since it wasn't a commitment to unconditional support, he saw no harm in agreeing to relay the message.
"Good."
Lee Ye-seol nodded back. She turned slowly and began to walk out.
"Where are you going?" Sun-woo asked.
"Follow me. Consider this a down payment." Lee Ye-seol glanced back with a small smile.
Sun-woo followed her, and soon, the two of them had completely left the office.
*
"Kuaaaaaaaaagh!"
Entering a mountain village, Yorang let out a monstrous roar as she moved her massive body. With every scream, a terrifying amount of poisonous Qi erupted from her. The poison splattered in all directions, instantly corroding everything it touched.
Chickens, pigs, and cattle were dissolved, and even the buildings began to crumble.
Whoosh!
Boom!
Whoosh!
Boom!
She swung her massive legs, continuing her path of destruction. Inns, fabric stores, blacksmith shops, butcher shops, and private homes—nothing was spared. She was tearing the village apart, leaving it in ruins.
"Kuaaaaaaaaagh!"
Even after destroying so much, Yorang’s rage seemed unquenched as she let out an even louder roar. She continued her rampage as if determined to crush every last thing in sight.
'...Yorang.'
Ok-ryeong watched Yorang with a heavy heart. She didn't have a clear solution. She had managed to lure Yorang away and evacuate the villagers safely. There had been some friction during the evacuation, but after she sliced a building in half, everyone had become very cooperative.
Yorang had arrived the moment the last person was clear. Since then, she had been destroying the village without pause, creating a Poison Zone with her breath and smashing buildings with her giant limbs. She was like a living natural disaster.
Ok-ryeong was torn. She wondered if she should kill her now. Thanks to the quick evacuation, there were no casualties, but there was no telling what would happen next. If the agitated Yorang moved on to a larger town, people would die.
While this small village was easy to clear, a larger settlement would inevitably suffer loss of life. She had to decide: stop her before the worst happened, or wait for her to calm down?
"Kieeeeeeeeeek!"
Yorang’s cry rang out again. To Ok-ryeong’s ears, the sound was agonizingly mournful. It sounded as if she were wailing in pain and sorrow.
'Are you suffering too, Yorang?'
Ok-ryeong wondered if Yorang was in pain. She had known Yorang for a long time, and she knew better than anyone that Yorang’s true nature was far from destructive. Though she was a Spiritual Being, she had the innocent heart of a child. She was a girl who preferred chatting over fighting and eating sweets over human flesh.
And yet, here she was, destroying a village and creating a wasteland of poison while crying out in sorrow. She had to be expressing her agony—the agony of becoming a monster driven only by instinct.
Grip.
Ok-ryeong tightened her grip on her sword hilt. She wondered if the kindest thing would be to give her peace. Yorang was suffering. She was screaming. Watching her friend turned into a monster broke Ok-ryeong's heart.
Bite.
Ok-ryeong bit her lip hard.
'I'm sorry, Yorang.'
She apologized silently. If only she were stronger. If only she had reached the Profound Realm, she might have been able to suppress her. But her current cultivation was only at the Upper Stage of the Transcendent Realm. At this level, the only way she could grant her friend peace was to end her life.
'I won't let you suffer anymore.'
Hummmmmmm.
Internal energy began to surge around her body.
Whoosh!
The fluctuating energy was absorbed back into her form, which then began to emit a brilliant, pure white light. Before long, her entire body had transformed into light itself.
Swish!
Ok-ryeong turned into a streak of photons. She lunged toward Yorang, her blade of pure white light flashing toward the monster.