Chapter 30
Footsteps—
As the Martial Artists of the Sichuan Tang Family drew near Cheongwolru, Munseok stepped forward.
He had me and Youngest, along with the other Haomun Fighters, wait behind him, then stepped forward and bowed his head to them.
“I am Mun, the Chief Manager here. It is an honor to meet the renowned Martial Artists of the Tang Family, a prestigious family of Sichuan.”
“...”
But they showed no reaction, as if they didn't care whether Munseok bowed in greeting or not.
Some even frowned at him.
It was to be expected.
For those men, brimming with pride as Martial Artists of the Five Great Families, a meeting with Haomun—a group made up of the lowest rungs of the Demonic Path—would certainly not be a pleasant one.
Still, this leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Even though Munseok Ajae, clearly an elder, had bowed deeply, these arrogant and disrespectful men treated him with disdain. Naturally, I couldn't see them in a good light.
My dislike for the Righteous Faction was also one of the reasons I wanted to beat them up.
However, what I had originally agreed to do was simply hold my position, and nothing good would come from provoking those *Poison Frog* bastards, so I decided to remain still.
Fortunately, before I got even more annoyed, one of the Tang Family Martial Artists, who appeared to be their leader, spoke up.
“The Grand Elder will arrive soon. Remove everyone from the Courtesan House except for the House Mistress.”
“...You mean everyone except the House Mistress?”
Munseok's face showed dismay at the arrogant declaration of the Tang Family Martial Artist.
This was because Haomun Fighters were stationed on every floor of the Courtesan House.
Those Fighters were a safety measure prepared by Haomun to prevent any unforeseen situations, but now these men were trying to disarm even that.
Naturally, Munseok expressed his refusal, but...
“Haha... that would be difficult...”
Shing—
“...!”
Instead of answering, the Tang Family Martial Artist pressed a dagger to Munseok's throat. Others might not have known, but a bitter scent emanated from the dagger.
...True to a *Poison Frog*, it was coated in poison.
“I'd like you to know that even conversing with trash like you is an ordeal for me.”
“...”
“The Grand Elder commanded us to forcibly subdue anyone who isn't cooperative. I'd appreciate it if you didn't make me move my hand any further.”
“...”
Munseok silently glared at the Martial Artist.
Munseok Ajae's martial prowess wasn't very high. It was clear he was weaker than that Tang Family Martial Artist.
However, Munseok possessed the unique ferocity of someone who had lived a life at the bottom for decades. That sharp and fierce Aura certainly didn't fall behind the Tang Family Martial Artist's.
As the tense situation continued... I, of course...
*Wow, this is actually pretty interesting...*
I was watching the scene with keen interest.
Sichuan Tang Family versus Haomun? It was clearly a *super-fun* match even just to look at.
Since the two groups didn't have much contact to begin with, I had never seen their conflict in any wuxia novel.
But now, they were growling and fighting right before my eyes.
So, who would win?
Naturally, if it came to an all-out battle, the Sichuan Tang Family would easily defeat Haomun.
The Sichuan Tang Family was a prestigious family, after all... In wuxia novels, the Sichuan Tang Family would sometimes appear as the lowest ranked of the Five Great Families, but in this world, their power was formidable.
If you had to compare, it was one of the three pillars of the Five Great Families, alongside the Namgung Family and the Hebei Peng Family.
That's not to say Haomun lacked potential.
Of course, their martial prowess was far inferior, but their numbers and intelligence network surpassed the Sichuan Tang Family.
In the short term, it would be difficult, but in the long term, they could somehow deliver a blow to the Sichuan Tang Family.
Shing—
Among the Haomun Fighters, one was seen subtly reaching for his scabbard.
Swoosh—
One was seen reaching into his wide, flowing sleeve on the Sichuan Tang Family side.
It was truly a moment when it wouldn't be strange for anyone to attack first. Just then...
Everyone, stop.
“...!”
“...!”
The Haomun Leader's Sound Transmission reached my ears.
Based on the reactions of the others, it seemed to have reached everyone present.
I was a little surprised. At first glance, her martial prowess didn't seem that high, yet she was sending a Sound Transmission to so many people from the top of the Courtesan House.
Indeed, managing a large organization like Haomun must not be something just anyone can do.
As I was thinking that, her Sound Transmission continued. The general content was as follows:
I will meet the Grand Elder alone. Please withdraw all personnel from the Courtesan House.
...Didn't you hear? Your Clan Leader told you to do so.
“...”
At this, the Tang Family Martial Artist looked triumphantly at Munseok and spoke.
Munseok Ajae seemed displeased with the Haomun Leader's decision, but he couldn't disobey her orders, so he sighed and commanded his subordinates.
“...It is the Clan Leader's order. Tell everyone inside to come out and line up.”
“Yes, sir!”
One of the men, having received this order, went inside...
A rush of footsteps—
Soon, a large number of fighters began to emerge.
They really prepared a lot.
This matter must indeed be very important to the Haomun guys. That's why they paid me such a high price to hold my position.
Anyway, with the Fighters from inside the Courtesan House joining them, the number of Haomun Martial Artists became several times that of the Sichuan Tang Family's men.
Of course, the Tang Family men were far superior in quality, but at this point, they could at least contend on equal terms.
Just then...
Footsteps—
“...They're coming.”
As the sound of footsteps reached my senses, another group of Martial Artists appeared at the end of the street.
They too wore wide-sleeved martial robes, making it clear they were Sichuan Tang Family Martial Artists, but this time something was different.
Unlike the other Martial Artists who wore black martial robes and masks to conceal their identities, the old man in the very center wore the Sichuan Tang Family's distinctive flamboyant purple martial robes.
He was a man who appeared to be somewhere between middle-aged and elderly, with a rather ill-tempered face, and his expression exuded the arrogance and self-importance characteristic of a Righteous Faction *old-timer*.
And...
*...A Master.*
...I could feel the skill that underpinned his arrogance and self-importance.
The Aura emanating from him was strong enough to make one believe he was the Family Head of the Sichuan Tang Family. If everyone here, except me, were to rush him all at once, could they defeat that man?
After roughly assessing the possibility, I shook my head.
They probably couldn't win.
That man was strong to that extent. I could guess that he was the Grand Elder whom the Tang Family Martial Artists had been calling earlier.
And as if to confirm my guess, as soon as he arrived, the Tang Family Martial Artists, who had been so unyielding, bent at the waist and bowed their heads.
“We greet the Grand Elder.”
Munseok, perhaps acknowledging his presence, dispelled all his previous fierce aura and bowed deeply once more.
“This humble Mun dares to greet the Grand Elder of the Tang Family once again.”
“...”
The Grand Elder, just like the other Tang Family Martial Artists, didn't even glance at Munseok and instead asked one of his Martial Artists.
“Was it done as I commanded?”
“Yes, Grand Elder. As per your command, all personnel except the Haomun Leader have been removed from the Courtesan House. No one else's presence can be felt inside.”
“Good.”
Hearing that, he turned towards the entrance of Cheongwolru.
Then...
“...”
“...”
...For a moment, his eyes met mine.
I wonder if intuition develops when you're a Grand Elder of the Sichuan Tang Family.
The Aura emanating from my body must be similar to that of the other Haomun Fighters next to me right now, yet one of them glared at me.
Well...
Swoosh—
...He quickly passed by, perhaps thinking it was just his imagination.
Anyway, the Grand Elder of the Sichuan Tang Family was a Mister whose name I didn't know and whose face I was seeing for the first time, yet something about him felt familiar.
*...Where had I heard about the Sichuan Tang Family's Grand Elder before?*
I had to ponder for a moment, searching for that trace in my memory. And then...
Sniff, sniff.
“...Hmm?”
I caught a scent from where the Sichuan Tang Family Grand Elder had passed and immediately noticed something strange.
**
The Grand Elder entered the Courtesan House, and everyone else, except the Grand Elder and the Haomun Leader, remained outside.
That's not to say the remaining people did nothing.
The role of the remaining people was engaging in a Clash of Auras with the opposing side and preparing to draw their swords immediately if anything happened inside.
And among them, I approached Munseok Ajae, who stood at the very front of Haomun, and asked to speak with him.
“Munseok Ajae.”
“Do you have something to tell me? As it happens, I also had something to discuss with you, so let's step back for a moment.”
Munseok said that, then led me behind a burly Haomun Fighter and asked me.
“What do you have to say to me?”
“You seem to have something to say too, Mister. Go first.”
“Alright, then...”
Munseok glanced around to make sure no one else would hear, then whispered into my ear.
“You must have noticed by now that those guys are from the Sichuan Tang Family, right?”
“Yeah.”
“But there's no need to feel burdened. Those guys won't attack unless absolutely necessary anyway. However, I have a favor to ask. See that man at the front, who seems to be the leader of the Tang Family Martial Artists? That rude fellow keeps emitting his Aura, trying to assert dominance. Could you perhaps step forward and engage him in a Clash of Auras?”
“...A Clash of Auras, huh. I understand for now. But I also have something to say.”
“What is it? Tell me anything.”
As Munseok nodded, I asked him slowly.
“Quickly, tell me why I should help Haomun.”
“...What?”
At my words, Munseok's expression turned bewildered. His face looked like he wanted to ask me what on earth I was talking about.
“Didn't I clearly promise to pay you 200 Gold Gwan once this matter is over? If you're trying to say that's not enough...!”
“Simply holding my position and engaging in a Clash of Auras is enough for 200 Gold Gwan. However...”
“However...?”
“I have a feeling that what's about to happen won't be enough for 200 Gold Gwan.”
“What do you mean by that...?”
Perhaps sensing something unsettling in my words, Munseok's face soured slightly. I explained it kindly to him.
“...In a little while, those *Poison Frogs* are going to kill all the Haomun people.”
The truth that only I had noticed.