Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Third-Rate Martial Family Becomes World's Best
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"Hyeongsan Yinblood. Let's talk."
Hyeongsan Yinblood couldn't hold back the snort rising in his throat.
It was only natural.
"Talk? What talk! After stabbing us in the back like that! Do you have no conscience at all?!"
Hearing an unorthodox man prattle on about conscience was utterly ridiculous, but Namgung Cheonhu kept his true feelings from spilling out.
It chafed him to endure such insolence from a lowly cur, but patience was required for now.
"There are too many eyes watching. If you have no intention of talking inside, then be on your way."
"......"
Even in his rage boiling over, Hyeongsan Yinblood couldn't issue an expulsion order.
He may have lost his composure, but as a man of cunning disposition, he could at least distinguish the bigger picture.
"Follow me."
Hyeongsan Yinblood headed to a spot hidden from the other unorthodox men.
The moment he stopped, Namgung Cheonhu spoke up.
"First, let's clear up the misunderstanding. You said I stabbed you in the back. Allow me to ask in turn: how exactly did I do that?"
"Well...! Well...!"
Hyeongsan Yinblood, who had been about to explode in fury, clamped his mouth shut.
'Now that I think about it.'
"I see you've realized it. You never passed on any information to this Young Clan Leader about when or how we entered Gangseo Province."
It was the truth. Though he had made a secret pact with the Namgung Clan, he hadn't trusted them enough to share proper intelligence.
"Our pact was that this Young Clan Leader would pass information to you, and you would use it to inflict damage on the Baek Clan Manor. I ask again: how did I stab you in the back?"
Hyeongsan Yinblood had risen to his current position through martial prowess and schemes alike.
He immediately grasped Namgung Cheonhu's intent.
"Even so, we must address this. Why did you attack us? And at the forefront, no less."
Namgung Cheonhu gave a wry smile.
"It was Baek Yang-hui, that young whelp's trap."
"Did he uncover our pact?"
"Impossible. With no evidence, how could he?"
If the pact were exposed, it would be Namgung Cheonhu, not Hyeongsan Yinblood, who fell into dire straits.
The unorthodox side could claim they merely tried to exploit the orthodox alliance, but the orthodox world would never tolerate it.
"I kept it as secret as possible. Only one subordinate knows of the pact. Ah, that brings up another question."
Namgung Cheonhu's eyes narrowed.
"Baek Yang-hui acted as if he knew of the pact's existence. If not from my side, then the leak must have come from yours, Hyeongsan Yinblood. How exactly do you manage your subordinates?"
Hyeongsan Yinblood couldn't bring himself to deny it.
After all, the Young Clan Leader of the prestigious Namgung Clan reaching out to the unorthodox was no small matter.
To be honest, he had shared the facts with a few subordinates precisely to use it as leverage.
'I can't admit that.'
He had already suffered massive losses; putting himself in a disadvantageous position now would drive him mad.
But as if reading Hyeongsan Yinblood's mind, Namgung Cheonhu shifted the topic.
"One thing's certain: Baek Yang-hui harbors just as much hostility toward our Namgung Clan as he does toward the Honam folk. Today's disaster stemmed from him."
"So he was targeting you and me."
"Exactly. That was the trap's true nature."
"Why should I believe you, Namgung Cheonhu?"
"I came here alone into the lion's den to prove it, but if you won't believe me, there's nothing more to say."
In truth, Hyeongsan Yinblood was already convinced by Namgung Cheonhu's words.
Realistically, there was no reason for Namgung Cheonhu to extend a hand first only to betray them.
And the Namgung Clan's Heaven-Covering Sword Unit had taken the heaviest losses, making them sacrificial pawns much like the Hyeongsan Sect.
'Baek Yang-hui. What a terrifying bastard.'
He had tried to pit the Hyeongsan Sect and Namgung Clan against each other based on mere suspicion alone.
It was no ordinary scheming; the man had a heart closer to that of the unorthodox or demonic paths.
"So, why come here alone?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"I suppose so. Simply crushing the Baek Clan's spirit isn't enough for you, is it?"
Killing intent flickered in Namgung Cheonhu's eyes.
"The Baek Clan Manor... is dangerous. This Young Clan Leader intends to wipe their line from existence."
"Dangerous, you say. Can't deny that."
Indeed, the Baek Clan Manor—no, Baek Yang-hui specifically—was far too dangerous.
Because of his exceptional talent?
No.
No matter how talented, a single individual couldn't overcome a clan.
Of course, history was full of lone experts toppling factions, but he was still young.
The real danger lay in the fact that he had never failed once.
'It's beyond mere scheming prowess. This is heaven's favor.'
"Hyeongsan Yinblood, with Honam already claimed, you've been eyeing expansion into Gangseo Province. Why not divide it together?"
"By exterminating the Baek Clan Manor?"
"And claiming their vacant spot."
Gangseo Province lay between the Hyeongsan Sect's Honam and the Namgung Clan's Anhui.
To Hyeongsan Yinblood, it was an utterly tempting proposal.
"You're serious, Young Clan Leader. Are you sure? The tighter we clasp hands, the greater the risk of exposure."
"When a greater peril looms, how could I fear this minor one?"
"Fair enough. So, what's the plan?"
Though he spoke of sharing Gangseo, what mattered was the scheme.
The Baek Clan Manor was a mid-sized force in Gangseo under the protection of the Tang Clan, Jeon Gal Clan, and Shaolin.
"A half-baked plot won't cut it. Do you agree?"
"I do. We need to rig the board so no scheme of theirs can work."
"In that case, this Young Clan Leader has an idea."
"Let's hear it."
"Throw the fights. Lose every battle on purpose."
It sounded absurd, but Hyeongsan Yinblood instantly grasped the intent.
"Lull them into complacency, then strike?"
"Our forces still hold the advantage. Sweep them away in one go, and no worries remain."
It was sound logic.
"I'll boost your authority with staged victories, then pave the way. Massacre the Baek Clan Manor in a single stroke."
Hyeongsan Yinblood briefly indulged in the fantasy.
Tearing apart the foster parents before that arrogant brat's eyes.
What silver tongue would he unleash this time?
How sweet it was.
"Very well. I'll trust you once more. But I need proof."
And so, the pact forged in shadows was sealed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In the Baek Clan Manor's senior council chamber, Yang-hui posed a question.
"With the situation changed, our established strategy must adapt as well. Thus, I ask the Clan Leader: what should our clan do?"
"You seem to have thoughts on the matter. Speak them."
Instead of offering options himself, Yang-hui glanced at the Little Scholar.
The Little Scholar quickly stood.
"On that note, allow me—ah, since it's my first time here, some may not know me. I am Little Jia, returned after handling matters in Namchang. The Young Master calls me the Little Scholar."
Even in a setting like this, adding that line... what a strong need for recognition.
"Our clan has two paths. First: seize the opportunity and pounce like tigers to claim the Gang Leader."
The Honam unorthodox had sent the Black Alert Room's chief and five gang leaders to aid their Gang Leader.
With their reinforcements gone, striking the Gang Leader now maximized gains.
"But in truth, sparing the Gang Leader yields even greater profit."
"Why is that, Little Scholar?"
"Simple. The Gang Leader's commoners, known as guest clansmen, deeply resent outside invaders."
"Ho, and so?"
"Exactly. We lure the Honam unorthodox back to the Gang Leader after they regroup. Being unorthodox, they'll treat the commoners cruelly. When resentment peaks and our clan swoops in to save them...?"
Previously, the Little Scholar had urged Yang-hui to claim the Gang Leader and make it, along with Akam County, their main base.
A true base went beyond mere conquest; it required all commoners to revere the Baek Clan as one body.
"It may seem a loss short-term, but long-term, it's the easiest way to win over the insular guest clansmen."
Finishing, the Little Scholar gazed confidently at Yang-hui.
As if asking, 'This is the right answer, isn't it?'
'Insufferably cheeky for a kid, but his brain is sharp as ever.'
Yang-hui had just informed him of the victory over the Honam unorthodox, leaving no time to ponder.
Yet in moments, he had pieced it all together and devised the optimal play—worthy of the strategist title despite his youth.
"As the Little Scholar says. Our clan faces two choices. We await the Clan Leader's command."
"......"
Baek Mu-ryang, who had silently surveyed Yang-hui and the rest.
A sigh soon escaped him.
"Hui-ya."
"Yes, Clan Leader."
"Son, sometimes I feel like you're testing me."
Yang-hui briefly reflected on himself.
'Is it any wonder Father thinks that...?'
It could come across as a misunderstanding.
Of course, he hadn't intended any real test.
Merely...
"Not at all. I know the decision you'll make, and I admire the man who makes it."
'Because Father will choose differently from me.'
Ultimately, the Baek Clan should bide time until the guest clansmen's suffering peaked, then move to rescue them.
The reason was straightforward.
It benefited the Baek Clan most.
The faster the Baek Clan grew, the more lives they could save.
'But... this very mindset stems from Father.'
The leader of a third-rate martial family, possessing only second-rate skill, yet earned the title Peerless Righteous Helper.
The righteous man of unyielding Heaven-Covering Justice most suited to it.
"I simply wanted to hear you choose the first option and declare it."
At the unexpected reply, Baek Mu-ryang smiled faintly.
"Yes, you're right. In my view, we must move at once. Turning a blind eye to suffering cannot be called righteousness."
A refusal to abandon even the smallest—words most fitting for him.
Yang-hui smiled back and countered.
"Why is that? Our clan's Heaven-Covering Justice need not factor in. Others won't know."
Even if the Baek Clan delayed action, no one would see it as greed.
With Honam unorthodox involved, preparing thoroughly and fighting defensively was the norm.
"I guarantee it: every clan renowned across the land will wait for the right moment to seize the Gang Leader."
He could say it with certainty.
That was precisely why they had grown renowned enough to be called great clans.
"Perhaps so. But."
Baek Mu-ryang rose and scanned the chamber once more.
"This Clan Leader shall move immediately to strike the Gang Leader. We will protect all its people as our own. Speak if any object."
As expected, no one opposed.
Thus, the Heaven-Covering Baek Clan's expedition to the Gang Leader was decided.
'Alright then, shall I make my move as well.'
If Father refused to abandon even the small, then as his son, it fell to him to scheme a way they advanced without loss.