Chapter 9
Episode 9
The Sichuan Tang Family (4)
The Sword Emperor, Yoo Jin-hak, arrived alone—without the Divine Doctor of Ami or any accompanying guards.
In the blink of an eye, he stood before them as if he had always been there. The members of the Tang family felt a complicated mix of emotions.
'How can his presence be so...!'
'Can we even consider him human?'
'This pressure is absurd.'
They were torn between anger toward an intruder who had trespassed into their territory without permission and terror at facing an incomprehensible entity.
'We must stop him.'
Tang Bi, leader of the Tang Elite Unit, barely regained her composure and moved to protect her master.
Even if he was the Martial Alliance Leader, barging into their meeting hall without waiting for an escort was anything but normal.
Perhaps it meant he was furious.
Slowly, her hand drifted toward the hilt of her sword.
If Yoo Jin-hak showed hostility, she would be ready to strike at any moment.
"Hmm?"
But as if sensing her intent, his gaze shifted toward her.
—!!
Crack!
Just a single glance.
Suddenly, the qi within her body began to churn violently.
Her breath hitched, and her vision blurred.
The sheer gap between their martial prowess was overwhelming.
In that instant, Tang Bi realized:
If he truly willed it, no one in this room would survive.
Just as she was about to collapse—
Whoosh.
Another energy seeped into her, stabilizing her condition.
'...Family Head?'
Unbeknownst to her, Tang Mu-yeol had risen from his seat and placed a hand on her shoulder.
Then, he shattered the silence in the hall.
"Tang Mu-yeol, head of the Tang family, greets the Alliance Leader."
"W-We greet the Alliance Leader!"
Following Tang Mu-yeol's lead, the Tang family members hastily bowed.
In response, Yoo Jin-hak offered a genial smile.
"Hoho, it's good to see you, Family Head. It's been years since we last met at the annual conference."
"Indeed. Time flies."
"And it seems a fair number of white hairs have sprouted on your head since then."
"Yes, I've already reached the age of knowing heaven's will (zhi tianming—fifty years old)."
"Ah, is that so? Truly, time flows like a river."
On the surface, it seemed like a casual exchange of pleasantries. But the Tang family members swallowed nervously, tension thick in the air.
It was as if two masters were sizing each other up before a duel.
"I apologize for the lack of formal reception. The notice of your visit arrived too suddenly."
"Hoho, what does etiquette matter? Please, don't trouble yourself over such trivialities."
"Your gracious forgiveness is appreciated. Given the longstanding ties between the Alliance and our family, let us overlook any minor discourtesies on either side."
—!
The Tang family members were stunned by Tang Mu-yeol's words—particularly his phrasing: "minor discourtesies on either side."
No matter how high the Martial Alliance Leader's status, trespassing into their territory without permission was a grave offense.
But in the current martial world, who would dare call out the Alliance Leader's mistake?
Especially with Se-woon's incident still unresolved.
None had expected Tang Mu-yeol to deliver such a pointed remark, so they watched Yoo Jin-hak's reaction intently.
Surprisingly, the Alliance Leader showed no anger.
Instead, his eyes gleamed with intrigue.
"Family Head, you misunderstand. I had intended to wait, but—"
"Ah, Family Head! How could you show such disrespect to the Alliance Leader?"
Yoo Jin-hak frowned for the first time.
The one interrupting with exaggerated concern was none other than Tang Ho-yeol.
Sensing the Alliance Leader's unexpectedly mild demeanor, he seized the chance to ingratiate himself.
"And you are...?"
"Tang Ho-yeol, chief of Manhaepyoguk! Meeting the Alliance Leader is an honor beyond—"
"Enough. Chief Tang."
Tang Ho-yeol's words died in his throat.
Yoo Jin-hak's icy gaze pinned him in place.
"Would you kindly remove yourself from our conversation?"
The type of person Yoo Jin-hak despised most was sycophants who groveled before authority.
Earlier, Tang Bi had suffered from an unconscious backlash against her defensive qi.
But the pressure Yoo Jin-hak directed at Tang Ho-yeol carried clear intent.
'Ghk—!'
Thus, Tang Ho-yeol endured pain and terror far beyond what Tang Bi had experienced.
But it lasted only a moment.
As Yoo Jin-hak withdrew his frosty glare—
"Ugh... M-My apologies."
Tang Ho-yeol retreated in disgrace, his face twisted in humiliation.
Immediately, Yoo Jin-hak's aura returned to that of an ordinary old man.
"Ahem. As I was saying, I had planned to wait. But age seems to have sharpened my hearing."
He turned and walked toward one person—the only one in the vast meeting hall whose gaze remained unwavering.
"When I heard this young friend had suffered misunderstandings and harm because of my disciple, I could no longer remain patient."
Toward Se-woon.
The sight of Yoo Jin-hak looking at Se-woon with warm, apologetic eyes left the Tang family members utterly baffled.
'What in the world...?'
'Why is he looking at the one who crippled his disciple like that?'
'...Could Se-woon's words have been entirely true?!'
They were dumbfounded.
Under the weight of everyone's stares, Se-woon clasped his fists in greeting and spoke.
"My apologies. As you can see, I won't be able to serve you the tea I mentioned earlier."
"Hoho, no matter. This old man's belly is already full of fine liquor."
"Glad to hear it."
"But from the looks of it, you..."
Yoo Jin-hak's eyes swept over Se-woon before curling into a faint smile.
"You've taken another step forward in such a short time."
—!
Se-woon was genuinely startled.
Without even probing his energy, Yoo Jin-hak had instantly discerned his advancement in cultivation.
(Though he had already sealed his upper dantian, so that much remained hidden.)
'I can't let my guard down around him for even a second.'
Se-woon resolved to maintain maximum vigilance whenever facing Yoo Jin-hak.
With a light nod, he continued.
"Just luck."
"Hmm, is that so? Well, we can save our personal conversation for later. Given the circumstances, let's settle the matters at hand first."
"Of course."
Yoo Jin-hak, who had been smiling warmly as if chatting with a grandson, suddenly hardened his expression.
Thud.
He turned to face Tang Mu-yeol and the Tang family members, posture now formal.
"From this moment, I stand before you not as Yoo Jin-hak, but as the Martial Alliance Leader."
—!
Whoosh!
The instant his words ended, the Tang family members were struck with awe.
They realized just how much restraint he had shown until now.
An overwhelming presence flooded the room.
What was about to happen?
The question echoed in everyone's minds.
And then, Yoo Jin-hak did something even Se-woon never anticipated.
Who could have predicted—
"First, I offer my sincerest apologies, on behalf of the Martial Alliance, to the Family Head and all members of the Tang family."
—!!
—that the Martial Alliance Leader would bow his head to them?
The Sword Emperor, who had faced countless life-and-death battles without ever yielding, was lowering his head to them.
"A-Alliance Leader!"
"Y-You mustn't!"
Horrified, the Tang family members tried to stop him, but Yoo Jin-hak continued.
"I should have disciplined my disciple more strictly to prevent this from happening."
"The Alliance will provide all necessary resources for the treatment of the injured family members."
"Furthermore, as a gesture of apology to the victims and the Tang family, we will offer substantial compensation."
Each measure was unprecedented, leaving the Tang family speechless.
Only Tang Mu-yeol remained composed, his gaze steady on Yoo Jin-hak.
The leader of the strongest faction in the martial world.
The powerless head of a fallen family.
Their eyes met in silence.
Then, Tang Mu-yeol spoke softly.
"We will accept compensation for the victims, but not for the family itself."
—!
"Family Head!"
Tang Ho-yeol looked aghast.
Refusing compensation? That was absurd!
This was a decision made by the Alliance Leader himself.
The amount offered could exceed the family's annual budget!
As discontent flickered in the eyes turned toward him, Tang Mu-yeol continued.
"Because our family did nothing to uphold justice."
"Ah..."
Understanding dawned on the Tang family members, and sighs escaped them.
Now they grasped why he had made that choice.
"Everything was accomplished solely by Se-woon's own efforts."
Those who had been blinded by greed bowed their heads in shame.
Guilt stabbed deep into their hearts.
How could they accept money?
Just moments ago, they had been hurling insults at their young master—the one who had risked his innate qi to save their kin.
Breaking the silence, Tang Mu-yeol addressed Yoo Jin-hak.
"Instead, I ask that the Alliance ensure the full truth of this incident is revealed throughout Sichuan's martial world."
—!
Se-woon's chest ached at his father's request.
He knew this plea was directed at the Qingcheng Faction.
To cover up this disgrace, Qingcheng would surely spread malicious rumors about Se-woon.
'In my past life, the rumors omitted all of I Hoseong's atrocities.'
Spreading rumors required vast resources.
But the current Tang family couldn't match Qingcheng's financial power.
"Understood. The Alliance will post detailed notices throughout Sichuan."
Realizing the reason behind the request, Yoo Jin-hak nodded with a bitter expression.
He, too, expected Qingcheng to resort to underhanded tactics rather than reflection.
"And though I already conveyed this to Se-woon at the scene, let me reiterate: I swear on my name that Qingcheng will never hold the Tang family accountable for today's disturbance."
"Thank you, Alliance Leader."
Tang Mu-yeol bowed respectfully.
With that, the situation seemed resolved.
'Whew. That should wrap things up.'
Se-woon exhaled inwardly.
It wasn't a bad outcome.
Already, the family members' gazes toward Tang Mu-yeol and Tang Ho-yeol had shifted.
"Now, for the final matter..."
But it seemed things weren't over yet.
'Hm?'
Yoo Jin-hak was staring intently at Se-woon for some reason.
And then—
"Ah, yes. By any chance... would you consider becoming this old man's disciple?"
!?
—he dropped a bombshell no one saw coming.