Tang Giju

After staring at me with a complicated expression for a moment, Tang Jeonghu spoke.

“That was indeed an astonishing move. However, that alone is not enough for me to believe that you are truly the heir of the Seonu Clan. Furthermore, even if it is true, if you genuinely wish to become the Tang Clan’s resident son-in-law, should not the Seonu Clan formally submit a marriage proposal first?”

I answered vigorously, as though I had been waiting for those words.

“You are absolutely right! So please grant me a little time! If the Clan Head gives me even a short while, I will return to the Seonu Clan immediately and have them formally submit a marriage proposal! May I do so?”

Tang Jeonghu stared at me for a moment with an unreadable gaze, then eventually nodded.

“There would be no harm in that. If you truly do so, I will temporarily suspend the marriage negotiations with the Hongsa Sword Sect and wait.”

At those words, On Jeung’s face turned deathly pale, and he cried out desperately.

“C-Clan Head!”

Tang Jeonghu glanced at On Jeung and added,

“However! I cannot wait very long. You should hurry.”

“Understood! I will depart for the Seonu Clan immediately!”

After saying that, I turned my head toward Tang Yeo-eun.

She had been watching everything I did with tears in her eyes and a deeply moved expression.

I gazed warmly at her for a moment, then smiled and spoke.

“I will return, Yeo-eun.”

She silently nodded.

To anyone watching, it would have looked like two devoted lovers communicating through their eyes.

Tang Jeonghu and On Jeung, who were watching us, wore extremely displeased expressions.

Tang Jeonghu’s gaze appeared complicated, while On Jeung’s face had completely twisted.

However, we had not actually been speaking with our eyes.

We had communicated through voice transmission.

During that time, I had conveyed much more to her.

—Listen carefully, Yeo-eun. My claim that I am the heir of the Seonu Clan was a lie. Therefore, there is a high chance that formally submitting a marriage proposal will be impossible. This is probably all I can do for you—buy you a little time. So you must handle the rest yourself. Do not forget that only you can change your own life. I believe in you, Yeo-eun.

Tang Yeo-eun looked briefly flustered after hearing my transmission, but she soon smiled and nodded.

Although she smiled like a devoted lover, her eyes shone with the clear light of firm resolve.

Just as they had when she said we should go rescue Do Munseung.

After that, I immediately left the Sichuan Tang Clan.

I had judged that moving as quickly as possible would be better, if only to reduce the number of variables.

I believed I understood why Tang Jeonghu had sent me to the Seonu Clan.

After Seonu Jin left the Tang estate again, the Tang clansmen dismissed from the Great Hall all returned to their respective positions.

The Poison-Dark Sovereign Tang Jeonghu, the Clan Head, did the same.

However, a short while later, Tang Jeonghu had to meet someone who came to his office.

“Clan Head, it is your son, Giju.”

He was Tang Giju, Tang Jeonghu’s eldest son, known as the Poison Dragon, and the eldest of the Tang Clan’s famous younger-generation talents, the Four Talents of Tang.

Tang Jeonghu answered his visit.

“Enter.”

Tang Giju carefully opened the office door, stepped inside, respectfully bowed once, and went straight to the point.

“Clan Head, this son does not understand.”

Tang Jeonghu smiled meaningfully at his words.

Then he asked,

“What do you mean?”

“I mean your decision to give that man Seonu Jin an opportunity. His martial prowess was certainly quite astonishing, but it is not something we desperately need at present. On the other hand, the Hongsa Sword Sect is a force we absolutely require. Therefore, I do not believe the two were even worth comparing.”

Tang Jeonghu nodded at his words and said,

“Yes, that is correct. You have grown somewhat more thoughtful.”

Tang Giju’s expression brightened at his father’s praise.

Then he carefully asked,

“Then why…?”

However, Tang Giju could only freeze at Tang Jeonghu’s next words.

“Even so, you are still unqualified to become Clan Head.”

His expression was cold, and his tone cutting.

Under his father’s icy gaze, Tang Giju immediately lost his confidence and lowered his head.

“I-I apologize, Clan Head.”

All four of the Four Talents of Tang were Tang Jeonghu’s sons and young geniuses called the future of the Tang Clan.

Therefore, everyone in the martial world was convinced that one of the four would certainly become the next Tang Clan Head.

However, Tang Jeonghu himself found all four unsatisfactory.

That included his eldest son Tang Giju, but all four sons feared Tang Jeonghu far too much.

Of course, Tang Jeonghu knew that they had become that way because he himself had treated them in a manner that made them so.

However, should someone qualified to become the Tang Clan Head not retain at least his own venomous resolve, no matter how severely he was oppressed?

Just like that bastard Seonu Jin, who had confronted his presence head-on earlier.

Tang Jeonghu gazed contemptuously at Tang Giju, who stood with his head lowered and spirit crushed, then opened his mouth and asked,

“Do you know what you are apologizing for?”

Tang Giju answered in a nearly inaudible voice.

“…For daring to disturb the Clan Head’s mood with my inadequate insight….”

Tang Jeonghu clicked his tongue.

To think the best answer he could produce was merely that he had disturbed Tang Jeonghu’s mood—it was truly pathetic beyond words.

Nevertheless, the fact remained that this fool was still the closest to becoming the next Tang Clan Head.

Tang Jeonghu forced down his anger and asked in a low voice,

“Think carefully. If I had announced there that I would take On Jeung as my son-in-law instead of Seonu Jin, how do you think the clan members would have reacted?”

Tang Giju cautiously answered,

“Of course, I believe the clan members would have reacted poorly. However, if the Clan Head has made a decision, why should the reactions of mere clan members matter?”

Tang Jeonghu sighed at his response.

As expected, this fool still had a long way to go before he could become Clan Head.

“Listen carefully. At a crucial moment, a Clan Head must sometimes enforce his own will even if every clan member opposes him. However! Precisely for the sake of that moment, he must demonstrate that he listens well to their opinions in other, less important decisions. Only then will they trust and follow him during a crucial moment, even when his judgment differs from theirs.”

Tang Giju listened respectfully to Tang Jeonghu’s words with an admiring expression.

Tang Jeonghu took some comfort in the fact that his son at least possessed a willingness to learn and continued.

“Do you believe a Clan Head who lacks the clan members’ trust can remain in power for long? If the clan members cannot trust the Clan Head, it is no different from the Clan Head being unable to trust them. What duties can you entrust to people you do not trust? If you become Clan Head, do you intend to handle every matter of the Tang Clan by yourself?”

Tang Giju finally looked as though he understood. He bowed deeply and expressed his gratitude.

“So that was the reason. Thank you for enlightening my inadequate understanding, Clan Head.”

After thinking briefly, he asked again.

“Then did you believe that obtaining the Hongsa Sword Sect this time was not particularly important?”

Tang Jeonghu firmly shook his head as though the answer were obvious.

“No. It is certainly important.”

Tang Giju looked at him with a puzzled gaze.

His expression showed that he did not understand.

Tang Jeonghu smiled faintly at his son and asked,

“However, why force through something that will naturally happen on its own if we simply allow a little time? Giju, can you guess why I told that boy Seonu Jin to visit the Seonu Clan?”

Tang Giju sank into thought for a moment.

However, he could not understand what Tang Jeonghu meant.

What possible connection could Seonu Jin’s visit to the Seonu Clan have with taking On Jeung as a son-in-law and bringing the Hongsa Sword Sect under their control?

After thinking for a long time, Tang Giju ultimately lowered his head and spoke.

“I apologize, Clan Head. With my inadequate insight, I cannot possibly fathom your profound intention.”

Tang Jeonghu clicked his tongue again and said,

“Tsk, tsk. You fool. Think carefully. I gave that boy Seonu Jin time. However, that is the same as giving On Jeung time as well. While Seonu Jin visits the Seonu Clan, how do you think On Jeung will behave? That serpent of a man.”

Tang Giju’s face suddenly brightened upon hearing those words.

He exclaimed as though he finally understood.

“Ah! Then?!”

“Yes. A man like On Jeung will never allow Seonu Jin to return alive and set foot inside the Tang estate again. He will probably try to kill Seonu Jin by any means necessary during that time.”

“Indeed! Then there was no need for us to intervene at all! If we wait, the matter will resolve itself!”

However, Tang Giju, who had shouted excitedly, suddenly recalled something and asked Tang Jeonghu again.

“But what if, despite that, Seonu Jin returns to the Tang Clan perfectly alive?”

Tang Jeonghu smiled faintly and answered,

“If that happens, would it not mean that On Jeung is truly useless? Or perhaps that Seonu Jin is far more formidable than we imagined.”

Then, as though recalling Seonu Jin’s appearance earlier, he smiled and said,

“If that truly happens, it would mean he possesses more than enough value to be welcomed as a member of the Tang Clan. Although we currently need the Hongsa Sword Sect, such a man would undoubtedly benefit the Tang Clan even more in the future. Therefore, it does not matter to us whether he returns or not, does it?”

Tang Giju listened with an impressed expression, bowed deeply once more, and said,

“Indeed! This son is truly impressed by the Clan Head’s wise calculations!”

However, Tang Jeonghu, who was smiling with satisfaction as he thought of Seonu Jin, failed to notice something.

Tang Giju’s eyes had turned cold beneath his deeply lowered head….

At the same time, the Hongsa Sword Dragon On Jeung rushed into the quarters where the Hongsa Sword Sect disciples were staying, his face distorted.

Without warning, he struck his direct subordinate No Jiwang, who had been chatting idly with his companions.

“You stupid bastard!”

Thud!

“Ghuuuk!”

No Jiwang, who had been struck like a bolt from the blue and sent rolling across the floor, hurriedly asked On Jeung with a bewildered expression,

“Y-Young Master, why are you doing this?!”

However, On Jeung did not answer.

He merely continued beating him mercilessly.

“You worthless bastard! This is all because of you!”

Thud! Smack! Pow! Thump!

“Ghuuuk! Ack! Urgh! Gaaah!”

Because they had accompanied On Jeung in the Great Hall, his subordinates knew the situation and understood that No Jiwang had merely followed On Jeung’s orders.

However, none of them dared say anything.

They knew that if they interfered unnecessarily, they would be beaten along with him.

On Jeung finally stopped only after No Jiwang had completely lost consciousness and lay twitching.

“Uuuugh.”

On Jeung kicked No Jiwang, who had been reduced to a ragged mess and was groaning weakly, and shouted,

“Throw this useless bastard away!”

The subordinates who had watched the beating without even daring to breathe loudly hurriedly carried No Jiwang outside.

On Jeung watched them with the contempt one might show an insect, then collapsed into his chair and shouted at the remaining subordinates.

“What are you doing?! Should you not be devising a solution?! A way to overturn this situation!”

However, no solution would suddenly appear merely because he pressured his subordinates.

They only watched one another nervously.

At that moment, someone entered the room and spoke.

“I suspected as much, and sure enough, this is what you were doing. You are utterly pathetic.”

The person who spoke was Tang Giju, the eldest of the Four Talents of Tang, who had been in Tang Jeonghu’s office only moments earlier.

At his appearance, On Jeung, who had been sitting arrogantly like an emperor until that moment, jumped to his feet in surprise and cried out,

“B-Brother Giju! You have come?!”

Tang Giju shouted at him with a cold expression.

“You stupid fool! How long do you intend to keep disappointing me?! I repeatedly told you to watch your conduct at least until you became a member of the Tang Clan! Yet you could not restrain yourself for even that long and coveted another man’s sword?! And you failed to recognize that he was Hwa Yeong-bin’s sworn younger brother?! You idiotic bastard! Do you even possess a brain?!”

As the heir of the Hongsa Sword Sect who had lived without lacking anything, On Jeung had probably never heard such abuse anywhere else.

Moreover, his own subordinates were all listening.

On Jeung’s face flushed crimson with terrible humiliation and rage.

However, the words that emerged from his mouth were pitifully servile.

“I-I apologize, Brother. It was all due to my inadequacy.”

On Jeung could never defy Tang Giju.

The Hongsa Sword Sect had continued growing under the Tang Clan’s protection, and On Jeung had eventually even been considered as a resident son-in-law, all because Tang Giju had selected the Hongsa Sword Sect as part of his own faction and nurtured it.

Tang Giju glared at On Jeung coldly, then finally sighed and asked,

“So what do you intend to do now?”

On Jeung lowered his head even further and answered in a shrinking voice.

“I-I am currently considering….”

Tang Giju roared,

“You stupid bastard! Can your mind truly not work even that much?! You should make arrangements so that the man called Seonu Jin can never return alive and set foot in the Tang estate again!”

On Jeung abruptly raised his head.

His face brightened as though he had never imagined such an excellent idea.

“Ah! Of course! As expected of you, Brother! You are incredible!”

Tang Giju continued while glaring at him contemptuously.

“Did you not say that you recently established ties with a useful assassin sect? Contact them immediately and submit a request. Tell them that no matter how much it costs, they must kill him.”

Of course, it would be the Hongsa Sword Sect, not Tang Giju, that paid however much money was demanded. Nevertheless, On Jeung repeatedly thanked him as though he had received an immense favor.

“Yes! Understood, Brother! Thank you! I will make certain not to disappoint your expectations!”

“Tsk!”

Tang Giju clicked his tongue and began walking out of On Jeung’s room. Then he suddenly turned back and spoke.

“And… investigate whether it is possible to contact the Dark-Blood Fragrance.”

Everyone present, including On Jeung, froze rigidly.

“Th-The Dark-Blood Fragrance?”

Alongside the Demonic Sect’s Nine Abyssal Yin Demon, Gi Eum, the Dark-Blood Fragrance was one of only two assassins ranked among the Thirty-Six Stars of the World.

A god of death positioned directly beneath the absolute masters of the martial world.

Tang Giju was now telling On Jeung to make contact with such a figure.

Tang Giju spoke again.

“We must also prepare for the possibility that the assassin sect fails, must we not? That is why I am telling you to find a way to contact the Dark-Blood Fragrance. Why? Can you not do it?”

On Jeung hurriedly shook his head.

“N-No! I will begin investigating with all my effort immediately!”

Tang Giju stared at On Jeung as though he were a pathetic insect, shook his head once, and turned away.

On Jeung was excessively greedy, stupid, and pathetic, but even so, Tang Giju could not abandon the plan to marry him to Tang Yeo-eun and make him a resident son-in-law.

If the Hongsa Sword Sect, effectively his own hands and feet, became a true Tang Clan force, Tang Giju’s influence within the Tang Clan would grow by the same amount.

For Tang Giju, who sought to become the next Clan Head, it was an enterprise he could never abandon.

Therefore, Tang Giju could not allow that man Seonu Jin to remain alive either.

For Tang Giju’s sake, he absolutely had to die.

Tang Giju’s eyes gleamed as coldly as a serpent’s.