Chapter 669: You Have a Nasty Habit with Your Hands.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 669: You Have a Nasty Habit with Your Hands.
"Yaaaaawn."
Baek Dang-gi, a gate guard, let out a massive yawn.
He hadn't been able to get a wink of sleep because he’d spent the entire night carousing. His strength was sapped, fatigue weighed heavily on him, and his head kept nodding as drowsiness washed over him in waves.
"Get your head in the game!"
Tang Hun, who was standing beside him, raised his voice in a sharp rebuke, his expression twisted in clear disapproval.
"I’m sorry... Senior... I just didn't get much sleep last night..."
At Tang Hun’s scolding, Dang-gi spoke up with an embarrassed look.
"Do you call that an excuse? Haven't I told you time and again? A VIP is arriving today, so you mustn't show even a hint of sloppiness!"
"Well... you see... I really did intend to go to bed early... but my wife is like a bear, she just wouldn't let me go..."
"I understand you're in the honeymoon phase, but don't bring your exhaustion to the workplace."
"...Understood."
"Go wash your face and come back!"
"It’s fine. I’m wide awake now."
"If I see you slacking off again, consider it reflected in your performance review."
"...Understood."
Dang-gi nodded slightly and fell silent.
"............"
".........."
A heavy silence settled between the two gate guards. Dang-gi felt awkward after being scolded, and Tang Hun, who had done the scolding, didn't feel particularly great about it either.
After some time had passed, Dang-gi, who had been keeping his mouth shut, finally called out to his senior.
"Um... Senior."
"Speak," Tang Hun replied in a calm tone.
"Who exactly is the VIP coming today?" Dang-gi asked, his face full of curiosity.
Upon hearing the question, Tang Hun’s brow furrowed deeply. His irritation with the dim-witted junior flared up again.
"Wasn't there a massive announcement about this yesterday?"
"Well... to be honest... I was nodding off then, too..." Dang-gi admitted, looking sheepish.
"Sigh..."
Tang Hun let out a long, heavy sigh. At this point, his irritation had transcended into pure disbelief.
"I’m sorry."
Perhaps sensing Tang Hun’s mood, Dang-gi apologized immediately.
"........Just be careful from now on," Tang Hun said weakly, looking at Dang-gi. He didn't want to waste any more energy. It didn't seem like scolding the man would do much good anyway.
"Understood."
"The VIPs visiting the Tang Clan today are the vanguard."
"The vanguard?" Dang-gi asked back, looking puzzled.
"Didn't the Cheonmu Alliance declare war on the Demonic Cult?"
"They did."
Dang-gi nodded. Even someone as out of touch with world events as him knew about the Cheonmu Alliance’s declaration of war. It was that famous.
"After the declaration, the Cheonmu Alliance requested that the Tang Clan serve as a logistics base."
"A logistics base!?"
"That’s right. They decided it would be more efficient to secure supplies at the Tang Clan, which is on the way, rather than gathering everything at the Alliance and then heading to Mount Tianshan."
Tang Hun continued in a level voice.
"Then the vanguard visiting today is...?"
"Exactly. They are the vanguard of the Cheonmu Alliance." Tang Hun nodded. "I heard about five hundred people are expected to arrive."
"Five hundred!?" Dang-gi asked in shock.
"Why are you so surprised? Thousands more will be coming in the future."
"No, I mean, does the Tang Clan even have enough space to accommodate that many people?" Dang-gi asked, unable to wrap his head around it. Even though the Tang Clan estate was vast, he doubted there was enough room for thousands of people.
"Well, didn't most of the pavilions end up empty after the Tang Clan Blood Incident? We should be able to accommodate them to some extent."
"Even so, isn't it a bit much to house thousands?"
"Hmm... they’ll probably secure space by setting up temporary barracks in the open lots... or they might take up long-term residence in the inns within Chengdu."
Tang Hun spoke after appearing lost in thought for a moment.
"The businesses in Chengdu are going to have a field day."
"Perhaps... a larger population naturally stimulates the economy." Tang Hun nodded in agreement.
"What did the Cheonmu Alliance promise in return?" Dang-gi asked curiously.
The Tang Clan was providing a place for thousands of people to stay. Surely, they must have received something significant in exchange.
"As far as I know, nothing was specifically promised."
"What?"
Dang-gi asked back, his face a mask of absurdity. What on earth did that mean?
"I don't understand. Why should the Tang Clan provide them with such convenience?"
"Is it not for the greater good?"
"If it's for the greater good, everyone should sacrifice. Why is the sacrifice being forced only on the Tang Clan?"
"Won't they give us something once the war is over? It seems the Alliance doesn't have much to spare right now because they're securing war materials."
"I don't get it! Then they should have at least gotten a verbal promise! How can they accept such a ridiculous proposal for nothing in return!?"
"The Clan Head must have his reasons. How can ordinary people like us understand the thoughts of an extraordinary man like him?"
Tang Hun spoke calmly. It wasn't that he didn't understand Dang-gi’s point, but this was a decision made by the leadership, including the Clan Head. How could they possibly object?
"Even so...!!!"
Dang-gi was about to protest again. No matter how much he thought about it, it just didn't make sense.
Thump.
Suddenly, the ground began to vibrate significantly.
"Huh?"
Dang-gi looked confused at the sudden tremor.
Thump.
The ground shook again, even harder than before.
"Look ahead!" Tang Hun shouted, his face tight with tension.
"Ah, yes!"
Startled, Dang-gi quickly turned to look forward.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
And then he saw them. Hundreds of martial artists marching toward the Tang Clan, carrying flags emblazoned with the character for 'Heaven' (天).
'Ah...'
Seeing this, Dang-gi realized. The vanguard of the Cheonmu Alliance he had only heard about had finally arrived.
Thump.
Thump.
The vanguard began to march in, keeping perfect formation and order. Even at a glance, their discipline was incredibly tight. Dang-gi watched them nervously as the lead group reached the main gate.
After a moment...
"Halt!" Tang Hun suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs.
Thump.
The hundreds of men stopped in unison.
"State your business for visiting the Tang Clan!" Tang Hun yelled, looking at the man in the lead.
"We are the vanguard from the Cheonmu Alliance! Open the gates at once!" the man in the lead shouted back, speaking down to him as if giving an order.
"Identify your affiliation and name first!"
"Can you not see this flag? We are the vanguard of the Cheonmu Alliance! Open the gates this instant!"
"No one shall cross the threshold of the Tang Clan without proper identification!" Tang Hun shouted back, his head held high and stiff.
"What! You arrogant brat!"
The man in the lead scowled fiercely. He was displeased with Tang Hun’s behavior. A mere gate guard was acting so stiff-necked. How could they give such a cold reception to the heroes who had traveled thousands of miles from Jinan to Sichuan to subjugate the Demonic Cult? It was preposterous.
'A mere gatekeeper of the Tang Clan...'
The man’s irritation began to boil over into rage.
"I am the Small Fist Dragon, Lee Jae-sun! How dare a lowly gatekeeper stand in my way!"
The Small Fist Dragon, Lee Jae-sun.
He was the son of the Cheonmu Alliance Leader, Lee Jae-won, and Eon So-so. Having inherited the Eon Family Fist, the martial art of his maternal family, he was a renowned Rising Star who had earned the title "Small Fist Dragon" at the young age of twenty. It was this man who had appeared at the Tang Clan as the unit leader of the vanguard.
"Identification comes first!"
Despite Lee Jae-sun revealing his identity, Tang Hun remained stubborn. In truth, he could have been more flexible. He had already seen the 'Heaven' flag and knew full well that the man in front of him was the son of the Alliance Leader.
But Tang Hun did not budge. The Cheonmu Alliance were strictly guests. If he were to open the gates while ignoring protocol, the Tang Clan’s prestige would inevitably plummet. How could a host act so subserviently to a guest? It was unthinkable.
Thus, Tang Hun maintained his rigid, principled stance for the sake of the Tang Clan’s dignity.
"I’ve never seen such a stubborn mule!" Lee Jae-sun roared.
He loathed Tang Hun’s attitude. This was his first time serving as a unit leader in charge of hundreds of men. Although he was only twenty and lacked the experience to lead such a large group, his father’s favoritism had allowed him to bypass those requirements. Lee Jae-sun knew this well, which was why he wanted to perform his duties perfectly—to prove he had the necessary capability.
And yet, a mere gatekeeper was blocking him. A gatekeeper, the lowest of the low, was obstructing his chance to prove himself. How could he not be irritated?
"Open the gate! If you don't, I’ll open it by force!"
"Present your identification token! Without proper identification, not even the Cheonmu Alliance Leader himself can pass through here!"
"What!? You... you bastard!!"
At those words, Lee Jae-sun’s temper flared, and his voice rose. His rage peaked at the mention of his father. How could a lowly gatekeeper invoke the name of a great hero? It was absurd.
"You won't learn until you see your own coffin!"
Lee Jae-sun began to walk forward. He looked ready to slap the arrogant gatekeeper’s face then and there.
"Unit Leader... perhaps you should just cooperate for now..." the sub-unit leader beside him whispered. He didn't want things to escalate because of this immature young master.
"The Alliance Leader has been insulted, and you want me to just stand here?"
"No... strictly speaking, it wasn't an insult..."
"The Cheonmu Alliance Leader is a hero who saved the Murim! He is a great man whose name will be etched in history! How is the attitude of this man, who shows no respect for such a hero, not an insult!?"
Finishing his sentence, Lee Jae-sun turned back around. He marched straight toward the gatekeeper without a hint of hesitation.
Step. Step. Step.
Stop.
Lee Jae-sun stopped right in front of the gatekeeper’s nose.
"Say that one more time." Lee Jae-sun spoke, his face contorted like a vengeful demon.
"No one can pass through this gate without identification!"
Slap!
Lee Jae-sun raised his hand and struck the gatekeeper across the face. Tang Hun’s head snapped to the side.
"Say it again."
"Without identification...!"
Slap!
"Say it again."
"Without..."
Slap!
"Again."
Lee Jae-sun asked and struck, over and over. He intended to see just how long that stiff neck would hold out.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
After the wet sound of impacts had echoed for a while, Tang Hun’s cheek was in a wretched state. The skin had split, revealing raw red flesh, and blood flowed incessantly from the wound, eventually covering his entire face.
"Do you know who I am?"
".........I heard you are the Small Fist Dragon."
"That’s right. So what exactly do you think you’re doing right now?"
".......I am merely doing my duty."
"Is your duty to block my path?"
"Without... identification... there is no entry.... This is the rule set by the Tang Clan..."
"Do you think that rule stands above the Cheonmu Alliance?"
"Of course!" Tang Hun replied immediately, without a moment’s hesitation.
"Sigh..."
Lee Jae-sun let out a deep sigh. His irritation was reaching a breaking point. To place the Tang Clan above the Cheonmu Alliance—how could anyone be so ignorant?
"Hey, let's just keep going then."
Lee Jae-sun raised his hand high. They say a rod is the only cure for a madman. It seemed this ignorant fool needed a proper beating.
Whoosh!
Lee Jae-sun swung his hand, channeling his internal energy. His palm, as hard as a rock, flew through the air.
Grab.
Suddenly, his swinging palm came to a dead stop. His wrist had been caught, halting his movement.
'Wha... what!?'
Startled by the sudden turn of events, Lee Jae-sun’s eyes went wide. What on earth was happening?
"You have a nasty habit with your hands."
A razor-sharp voice pierced Lee Jae-sun’s ears. It was a cold, indifferent voice, like the Bitter Cold Northern Wind.
With a bewildered expression, Lee Jae-sun slowly turned his head to the side.
And then, he was struck with horror.