Chapter 142
Chapter 142
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: Namgung Clan's Sudden Arrival
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The Namgung Clan had shown up out of nowhere at the Baek Clan Manor.
There were two main schemes the Namgung Clan could pull off here.
First: slipping a spoon onto someone else's table.
"Our main house has no choice but to subdue the black path forces in Gangseo."
Setting aside their proclamation of Heaven-Covering righteousness, they had to march west for the ten-year pact with the Tang Clan no matter what.
The core of the ten-year pact was allying with the Tang Clan to extend influence over Honam. They couldn't start anything without bordering Honam first.
"The Namgung Clan doesn't know the details of the ten-year pact. But given our main house and the Tang Clan's positions, they've probably guessed at it."
In that situation, if they lent aid to the subjugation and established Namgung influence in Gangseo?
They could checkmate whatever moves the Tang Clan or Baek Clan made afterward.
"They don't want the subjugation to succeed, so it's not the first option."
Therefore, the second.
The Namgung Clan's goal could only be to flip the table entirely.
The problem was how.
"Maybe I should poke around a bit."
"Our main house plans to set up a defensive line at the border between Gilju and Muju."
Tang Gun raised his hand.
"The black path forces in Gangseo stretch from the north down through Gukang, Wonju, and Gilju. Do you know why we're prioritizing the southernmost Gilju area, Brother Hui?"
"Before I answer, let me ask the Young Tang Clan Leader this: Could the Tang Clan shake up northwest Honam?"
Tang Gun wore a troubled expression.
"I don't think so. Our main house respects the Baek Clan's banner and wants to help gladly, but our forces there are just the branch division's full strength."
-Brother Hui, the Baek Clan hasn't met the ten-year pact conditions yet. Our main house has to be cautious too.
After hearing the transmission, he nodded.
"That's why. To stop the fire from spreading, we need to strip away Honam's black path murim of any pretext to intervene as quickly as possible."
Among Gukang, Wonju, and Gilju, Gilju's five black path gangs were backed by Honam black path murim.
They had to drive them out to limit the battlefield.
No matter what happened, they needed to fend off outside interference by calling it Gangseo murim's internal affair.
"I see. If black and white paths clash on a grand scale, it could spark a murim war."
"Might be overthinking it, but caution never hurts."
"But isn't the main enemy in this black path sweep the Black Mirror Gang?"
It was true. They dominated two of the three regions and boasted as Gangseo's top clan.
"Exactly. If we only prepare for attacks from Gilju, the Black Mirror Gang won't just sit idle."
"Then don't we need a sharper plan, Young Master?"
Yang-hui's answer was simple.
"The Black Mirror Gang's Wonju. Gilju, reached by Honam's hands. And our Muju. We make the border where the three states meet the battlefield."
"In other words, a three-way battle."
"One where we face two out of three."
"Young Master, if it plays out that way, isn't it a loss for our house? Judging by the number of warriors and force size, we can't avoid disadvantage."
This was true too.
Even if the Heaven-Covering Baek Clan held sway over Muju and Namchang, it was still far short of the Black Mirror Gang.
"The Black Mirror Gang fattened up over years by sucking up interests in those two regions."
"In terms of force, if they're ten, even combining Baek Gate, Jeongwol Gate, and Namcheon Martial Hall leaves us at seven."
"Add Gilju's black path gangs at about four... so the enemy is at least double our size."
"Even counting the Tang branch forces, it's not that bad, but still."
This was the calculation before the Namgung Clan offered help.
Adding Young Clan Leader Namgung Cheon-hu and the full Heavenly Sword Squadron meant they matched and exceeded the Black Mirror Gang.
"They'd be fourteen total. We'd be around twenty. But don't count on all ten of theirs."
"Young Namgung Clan Leader, in a three-way clash of brute force, don't you think we'd have the edge?"
Namgung Cheon-hu stroked his chin.
"Numerically inferior, but qualitatively superior. My Heavenly Sword Squadron and I could wipe out one black path gang overnight if we move."
Since they were all peak experts, it was obvious.
"I know. But they'll prepare too."
"What preparation works against the Heavenly Sword's roar? Make it a three-way standoff like Baek Young Hero says. Then we'll pick off Gilju's five black path gangs one by one."
Feint east to strike west, plus hidden troops in plain sight. Pretend full frontal war, then hit the rear with peak expert elites.
It sounded like the best play for now at first glance.
"So you don't want a full three-way war?"
This guy who just moments ago said he'd follow as a subordinate now chimed in with his own opinion?
Meant he had his own direction in mind.
"Wise counsel, thank you. Clan Leader, I think we should go with the strategy Young Namgung proposed."
"I agree."
The meeting ended with deploying forces to Seohang County at the three states' border.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Inside Yang-hui's quarters at Baek Clan Manor.
Yang-hui handed tea to his seated guests.
"Thanks, Brother Hui."
"No trouble. Seol-ha, have some too. Want some, A-du?"
"Yes, senior brother."
"Nah, I don't like tea. It's bitter."
"Knew it. What about you, So?"
"I'll have a cup, brother."
Sipping his tea, Yang-hui sensed the awkward vibe.
Come to think of it, today was the first time Tang Gun and Jeon Seol-ha faced each other.
"No wonder it's awkward."
The Jeon Clan was one of the Eight Great Clans and Five Great Families that had the Tang Clan on a leash.
Of course they'd be awkward around each other.
Unless like Namgung Cheon-hu looking down openly, but Jeon Seol-ha wasn't the type.
"Brother Tang, this is Jeon Seol-ha. As you know, my clan's junior sister. Seol-ha, you know Brother Tang too, right? Call him brother casually."
"If senior brother is on brother terms, I'll call you Brother Tang too."
"Got it, little sister."
Even after introductions, the awkwardness lingered.
Well, nothing for it in the short term.
Time would sort it out, he figured, and changed the subject.
"As I mentioned before, the showdown with Gangseo's black path is set. I want to check your thoughts again beforehand. First, A-du."
"Huh?"
"We're going to smash some bad guys. Wanna come?"
"Yeah. Yang-hui's a good guy. I'll come."
"And Seol-ha?"
Jeon Seol-ha plucked her pipa once.
"Any female hero of murim must uphold righteousness. I'll join too."
"That lets me call in the Jeon Clan if things go south."
Just in case, he asked.
"Your uncle might object, but okay?"
"It's Master's ordered Thousand Li Journey, so even if Father objects, nothing he can do."
Jeon Seol-ha's face brimmed with anticipation and curiosity.
Well, at that age, one gets excited about heroic tales from wild stories.
Her attitude suggested she'd step up later if backlash hit the Jeon Clan.
"Still, gotta keep Seol-ha out of danger as much as possible."
To that end, figuring out Namgung Cheon-hu's scheme was key.
"Brother Tang. What's Namgung Cheon-hu's game coming here?"
The Namgung Clan wouldn't send forces out of pure goodwill.
Tang Gun, who'd fought alongside at Sword King Tomb, agreed.
"Definitely scheming something. It's the Namgung pups, after all."
Suddenly, Jeon Seol-ha asked curiously.
"Couldn't it just be goodwill? Or subjugating black path together and claiming a share."
"No way, junior sister."
"No way, little sister."
"Copycat, junior sister. Namgung bastards are rotten inside."
"All Five Great Families are... whoops, sorry, that was rude. My apologies, little sister."
Seeing Tang Gun and Yang-hui rebut in unison, Jeon Seol-ha looked exasperated.
"Anyway. Top priority is figuring out the Namgung scheme."
"No method right now. Have to watch their moves over time and guess."
"Not necessarily."
"Hm? Got a good idea, Brother Hui?"
Yang-hui grinned at Tang Gun.
"If you don't know, just ask someone who might. Right?"
"True, but..."
As unease crossed Tang Gun's face, Jeon Seol-ha looked amused.
"You're plotting something ridiculous again, aren't you, senior brother?"
"I've never done anything ridiculous."
"I mean it figuratively. Anyway."
"Well... yeah, good idea hit me. Everyone, let's go."
Tang Gun, A-du, Jeon Seol-ha, and Baek Heon-so followed Yang-hui out.
Yang-hui stopped by a steward's quarters to report he'd step out for air briefly.
"Out for leisure in this crisis, Young Master?"
"Because it's this crisis. We're fighting together, so syncing up while I'm out."
"Hm. Little Young Master."
"Yes, Steward."
"You stay. Both young masters leaving isn't good."
"Eek?"
Baek Heon-so, who'd reached first-rate through grueling training, looked wronged at Yang-hui.
Yang-hui averted his eyes slyly.
"Brother!"
"Ahem! Permission granted, let's go!"
"Brotheeer!"
The four exited the main gate and unleashed lightness skill.
"Brother Hui, where to anyway?"
"Yeah, senior brother. Tell us the destination."
"To meet the Black Mirror Gang Leader."
Short reply. Tang Gun's eyes widened.
"Huh? For real?"
"Ahaha, classic senior brother! Doesn't care about consequences!"
Yang-hui smirked at giggling Jeon Seol-ha like she'd expected it, then boosted his qi.
"Gotta hurry with the time we have. Can't keep up? Left behind!"
Thus, two shichen later. They left Muju, reached Wonju, and kept running.
"Sigh, wonder where he is."
"The Black Mirror Gang Leader?"
"Yeah. Not in Gukang anymore, probably nearby. Chui-dal's never around when I need him."
Intel division Baekik Hall leader Yeo Un-hyeok and disciple Chui-dal were away training.
Couldn't get network intel via Yeo Un-hyeok; main house intel wasn't at full strength.
"Oh yeah, senior brother mentions this Chui-dal guy a lot. What's he like?"
"Ah, you haven't met. He's here. Ugly otter-lookin' guy."
Noting Jeon Seol-ha's curiosity, he halted.
"Wandering further's a waste. Better call him here."
Prime shopping district in Wonju.
The group climbed the tallest nearby pavilion.
"Brother Hui, how to call?"
"Not yelling for the Black Mirror Gang Leader, right?"
"Of course not. Seol-ha, lend the pipa?"
"Here."
Taking Heavenly Sound Pipa, Yang-hui infused qi and plucked a string.
Charing!
Qi-laden notes spread everywhere.
Subtle enough for only peak experts to sense, but once felt, impossible to ignore.
Charing!
After spreading tones for about one gak.
"Didn't expect this."
With a thick voice, five shadows appeared on the pavilion roof.
"Tang Clan's Young Leader. And Baek Clan's Young Master."
A hulking man with massive spear, impressive figure.
Four peak experts standing behind.
Yang-hui waved with a sly smile.
"Yo, Black Mirror Gang Leader. Came with questions."
Tang Gun, pained expression, clutched his forehead.
Jeon Seol-ha kept smiling, eyeing Yang-hui and the gang leader alternately.
A-du just blank.
"Brat, what possessed you? Trying to be a hostage for your gang's victory?"
Yang-hui snorted back instantly.
"This girl's a Jeon Clan lady, that monk's Shaolin. Really taking hostages? Wanna escalate? Gilju idiots maybe, but you don't want that. Right?"
"......"
Even under the gang leader's sharp glare, Yang-hui just grinned.
"Just chat before the big fight. Not hard, yeah?"