Chapter 253: Guest Of The Party (2)
Chapter 252 – Guest Of The Party (2)
Since he was an old man whose internal energy could be seen as profound at a glance, the assassins watched him on guard with tense expressions.
Namgung Cheon narrowed his eyes and looked at the old man of the Tang Clan.
Having handled poisons so much, all the fingernails of his fingers were missing, and his hands were also stained green.
‘The Green-Handed Poisoner…’
Namgung Cheon stared at him.
He also remembered meeting the Green-Handed Poisoner in his past life.
Normally, whether to hide his identity or for appearance, he wore thin gloves.
‘However, the fact that he has removed his gloves like now means…’
He would use poison at a moment’s notice.
‘It has been a long time.’
Namgung Cheon was someone who had clashed hands at least once with most famous righteous martial artists. Naturally, he had also fought the Green-Handed Poisoner, and at that time, he had nearly died after being hit by the Emerald Jade Powder that the poisoner had developed independently.
‘Seriously, when I think of that time…’
A killing intent seemed to rise within him for no reason.
Had he not met the Thousand Poison Elder and received treatment then, his life would have been lost nine times out of ten.
‘Sigh, forget it. Just forget it.’
Since he had decided to live a new life, he could not bring along the grudges of his past life.
Toward the Green-Handed Poisoner who finally arrived close by, Namgung Cheon cupped his fists politely.
“I greet the Green-Handed Poisoner.”
“Ho, are you that Namgung Cheon who is rising as a Divine Dragon lately?”
“Yes, that is me.”
Normally, he should have shown modesty, but the sight of him admitting it coolly was unexpected, yet not entirely unlikable.
‘He is an interesting fellow as rumored.’
Wrapping up his thoughts, the Green-Handed Poisoner smiled faintly and asked:
“Even though you are in the prime of your youth, you recognize me.”
“I knew by looking at the color of your hands. If one does not know the Green-Handed Poisoner in the Jianghu, they cannot be called a martial artist.”
“Chuckle. Seeing that you only say things that are good to hear, your social skills are quite something.”
Leaving a compliment that was not quite a compliment, the Green-Handed Poisoner turned to Namgung Geom this time and showed courtesy first:
“This Tang of the Sichuan Tang Clan greets the Namgung Patriarch.”
“Let us skip the cumbersome formalities. I am glad to meet you again like this.”
The two had a connection from when they worked in the Martial Alliance long ago.
Since Namgung Geom held a higher position at that time, the Green-Handed Poisoner was showing strict courtesy even until now.
Once the greetings ended in that way, the Green-Handed Poisoner swept a sharp gaze around and spat out a ringing voice:
“How dare you do such things in Sichuan without the Tang Clan’s permission?”
Facing the poisonous aura exuded from his entire body and his eyes as sharp as a snake’s, even the assassins who were said to be highly skilled swallowed hard and retreated hesitantly.
Among the assassins, a woman wearing light black attire walked out gracefully.
“It is an honor to meet Elder Tang. However, this is a matter between the Killing Valley and the Namgung Clan, so please do not interfere.”
Since the Namgung Clan already knew their identity anyway, the woman spoke casually.
However, the Green-Handed Poisoner had no intention of backing down at all.
“Hmph! Who is interfering with whom now? The Namgung Clan are guests who have come to visit our family. I came out to greet the guests under the Patriarch’s orders. Yet, if mere assassins run rampant, what will happen to my reputation?”
“If you insist on acting this way, we have no choice either.”
“Right, you assassin bastards are those who bite by any means once you find prey. However, the same goes for our family. If you insist on interfering with us to the end, I have no choice but to show my resolve.”
Ssssss.
The hands of the Green-Handed Poisoner, who finished speaking, began to be deeply stained jade green.
The assassins retreated flinching, but the woman snapped with a cold sneer:
“I have heard that the Elder is a poisoner worth a hundred men, but it will be difficult for you alone against our Valley.”
“Girl. Who said I was alone?”
“What?”
“Do you think our family would lack sincerity in welcoming guests?”
“What…!”
At that moment, the thickets shook, and martial artists wearing yellow uniforms slipped into view.
The woman’s eyes shook violently.
“The Sichuan Tang Clan!”
The other assassins also showed clear signs of panic as they saw the Sichuan Tang Clan martial artists who suddenly appeared.
Originally, an assassin’s primary mission was to minimize unnecessary fights and carry out a surprise attack to eliminate the target.
However, if it turned out like this, the loss was bound to be greater than the gain.
Even if they were lucky enough to eliminate Namgung Geom and Namgung Cheon, the damage would be too heavy.
The assassins rolled their eyes here and there, holding even their breaths.
It was difficult to wiggle even a finger.
The target was right in front of them, yet they could not even fly hidden weapons.
If they played with hidden weapons incorrectly in front of the Sichuan Tang Clan, their wrists would be chopped off.
What to do?
While the woman used her brain, the Green-Handed Poisoner let out a fishy laugh.
“Why are you rolling your brain like that? It is probably not the time for you to be dilly-dallying.”
“What does that… Ah!”
At the moment something came to mind, the woman spun around.
Sure enough, did the face of one of the assassins not turn pale as he staggered and fell to one knee?
Thud!
“Cough, cough, bleh!”
The assassin, who vomited a bucket of blood, trembled with a pale face.
‘Poisoned…!’
When on earth did he administer the poison!
The woman turned back to the Green-Handed Poisoner with a shocked look.
The Green-Handed Poisoner sneered and murmured:
“I did not release expensive poison on trash like you, so if you return quickly and recuperate for a few days, you will avoid major injury. Get lost immediately.”
“…”
“Your actions are slow.”
“We are returning today, but to say this is the end…”
“If your tongue is long, the Jianghu is a good place to die, girl.”
“…”
The woman’s brow distorted sharply.
She glared intently at the Green-Handed Poisoner, but ultimately turned around.
Led by her, the assassins who had surrounded them vanished as if seeping into the forest.
Once the surroundings were cleared, the Tang Clan martial artists also lowered their guard, stepped onto the official road, and lined up.
The Green-Handed Poisoner smiled.
“Since we have driven away the flies, shall we go now? The Patriarch has received the message and is waiting.”
“I did not know you would come all the way to greet us. Thanks to you, the nuisance has been resolved. Thank you.”
“Not at all.”
The Green-Handed Poisoner wore a bitter smile as he looked at the wrecked carriage.
“Please ride in the carriage prepared by our family.”
“It seems we must do so.”
“But, ahem. What is this smell…”
“Ah… here.”
Only then did Namgung Geom thrust forward the baby he had been holding in one hand. Whenever it had fallen asleep, the baby was sleeping peacefully while exuding a foul stench.
“What baby is this?”
“I picked it up on the way.”
“Mmm?”
The Green-Handed Poisoner wore an expression indicating it was hard to understand.
Could one even pick up such a thing?
Well, since the world was so rugged, there were times when one saw abandoned babies occasionally while wandering the Jianghu.
“If it is fine, how about the Tang Clan taking it in? It seems it would be good to bring it in as a servant.”
“I will speak well to the Patriarch.”
The Sichuan Tang Clan was a place where even servants had great momentum, backed by the family’s power. If the suckling child entered as a servant of the Tang Clan, it would live a far more humane life than being taken in by the Killing Valley.
“Then please take it quickly.”
“Mmm… I worry the baby might be hurt if I receive it… Since I have practiced poison arts after all… Hahaha.”
“It is fine. It is a baby well-wrapped in swaddling clothes. If anything, you can wear gloves.”
“Groan. Then…”
In the end, the Green-Handed Poisoner held the baby in an awkward posture.
* * *
Tang Go-ryun was walking in the inner courtyard of the Patriarch’s Hall with his hands behind his back. Just then, the Chief Administrator, who was passing nearby, discovered Tang Go-ryun and greeted him.
“Patriarch, where are you headed?”
“No. I am just taking a walk. It seems about time for the Namgung Clan to arrive.”
“Since Elder Tang Wu-deok went in person, they will arrive without any trouble.”
“I suppose so.”
Tang Go-ryun nodded and moved his steps silently.
Actually, it was not that he worried they might not arrive safely.
What kind of person was Namgung Geom?
Although his family’s power had declined, he was still one who spread his grand reputation in the Jianghu.
A person whom ordinary people found it difficult to even look in the eyes.
Furthermore, was Namgung Cheon not a newly rising Divine Dragon?
What problem would there be for such people?
It was just that he did not understand why the Namgung Clan was visiting the Tang Clan at this point.
For the Patriarch and the Young Patriarch to visit in person during this critical situation was surely no ordinary matter.
‘Could they have been displeased at the Seven Great Clans Conference last time?’
However, Tang Go-ryun soon shook his head.
Namgung Geom was not one to harbor such minor matters until now. Furthermore, if that were the reason, there would be no cause for him to visit Sichuan.
“In your opinion, why do you think the Namgung Patriarch is visiting our family?”
“Well. If I dare to speak with my shallow knowledge, I wonder if it has to do with the unorthodox martial artists attacking the Namgung Clan recently.”
“Ah… come to think of it, that did happen. That matter is also truly hard to understand.”
“The same goes for me.”
Although it was said that the Namgung Clan was rising recently, it was still a family with weak influence.
Yet, why on earth did the unorthodox martial artists attack the Namgung Clan?
‘It is certain that things I do not know are occurring secretly in the Jianghu.’
Even to find out about that, the Namgung Clan’s visit was not something to be brushed off lightly.
“Have you made sufficient preparations?”
“Yes, the lodgings where the guests will stay were checked in the morning, and the wine and food to be served at the banquet are also plentiful.”
“Good work. Since they must have come a long way, let them rest comfortably after exchanging brief greetings.”
“Of course. I will do my utmost.”
Just as Tang Go-ryun nodded and was about to enter the Patriarch’s Hall.
A servant ran over in a flurry and reported:
“Patriarch, guests have arrived!”
“Oh, it seems they have arrived already. Let us go.”
“Yes, Patriarch.”
The servant tried to add something, but Tang Go-ryun and the Chief Administrator hurried forward first.
As the two walked rapidly past the inner courtyard and entered the outer courtyard, they saw people gathered in the distance, buzzing with noise.
‘Good grief, these people. There is no need to gather like that just to greet them.’
Although it was right to show courtesy to guests visiting the Tang Clan, it was also true that it felt a bit excessive.
At the moment he finally confirmed the faces of the guests surrounded by the Tang Clan members, Tang Go-ryun’s expression trembled.
The Chief Administrator, who was following closely behind, almost bumped into Tang Go-ryun’s back but barely managed to stop.
“Patriarch…?”
Was Tang Go-ryun not opening his eyes wide and keeping his mouth wide open at what he saw?
The Chief Administrator, who shifted his gaze along that line of sight, opened his eyes even wider in shock than Tang Go-ryun.
* * *
“It is an honor to welcome you two to our family. The Patriarch has been busy with preparations to welcome you for several days.”
The Green-Handed Poisoner Tang Wu-deok spoke with a bright smile.
Namgung Geom nodded with his usual rigid expression.
“There was no need for that. At any rate, thank you.”
“Haha. Is the Namgung Clan not rising again while harboring grand energy lately? It is indeed a good thing.”
“Indeed. From the Sichuan Tang Clan’s perspective, it might be a good thing. As our clan gains strength, it will be better to keep the Murong Clan in Zhejiang in check.”
“Hahaha, rather than just such a reason…”
The Green-Handed Poisoner wiped away cold sweat and tried to smile.
Namgung Cheon watched that sight with pity and shook his head inwardly.
‘To think I rode in the carriage alone with this old man. Do you know how hard it must have been? He is an old man without a single grain of social skills. He even tried to beat a suckling infant for not listening.’
Even so, since there was now one person to share the awkwardness, his mind was far more comfortable.
However, the Green-Handed Poisoner found it difficult to endure this awkward atmosphere.
‘No matter what I say, he reacts like a block of stone… Good grief.’
Was the expression ‘not a single drop of blood would come out even if pricked’ not perfect?
How many people under heaven could make the Green-Handed Poisoner this perplexed?
Although everyone trembled with fear upon hearing the moniker Green-Handed Poisoner.
Yet, strangely, whenever he met Namgung Geom’s blade-like gaze, he found himself flinching involuntarily.
Whether that was the case or not, Namgung Cheon watched the clouds passing outside the window with a comfortable mind.
How long had it been since he obtained peace of mind?
Since the adults were together, there was no need for a young person like him to intervene.
Moving along with all his tension released like that, it seemed he had dozed off.
Feeling the carriage slow down, he opened his eyes slowly to find that they had already entered the bustling Chengdu of Sichuan.
“Now, we have arrived. Please alight, you two.”
The Green-Handed Poisoner alighted from the carriage quickly with an expression that said he was finally liberated. It was a nimble movement that almost fit the expression of leaping down.
Once Namgung Geom and Namgung Cheon also alighted, the Green-Handed Poisoner walked in the lead and guided them.
Entering through the grand main gate revealed a vast estate, and occasionally the whispering voices of passersby looking in this direction could be heard.
‘As expected of the Sichuan Tang Clan. The scale of the estate is humongous.’
Namgung Cheon clicked his tongue inwardly.
Although the Namgung Clan was also expanding currently, the Sichuan Tang Clan seemed far wider.
Walking for a long time like that, they entered the inner courtyard, and it was just when they walked a bit further and arrived at the Patriarch’s Hall.
Unexpectedly, did two giant-statured martial artists not block the Green-Handed Poisoner?
“Elder, you cannot enter right now.”
“We are sorry, Elder.”
The Green-Handed Poisoner looked at the two martial artists with an absurd expression and instructed sharply:
“What is this behavior? Did you bastards not even know that guests were visiting today? These are guests who came from the Namgung Clan. The Patriarch is waiting right now!”
“We are sorry. There was an order not to let anyone in right now.”
“What?”
The Green-Handed Poisoner asked back in panic.
Namgung Cheon and Namgung Geom also merely exchanged glances at the unexpected situation.
Bending his brow deeply, the Green-Handed Poisoner asked:
“Why would the Patriarch issue such an order?”
“We also do not know the details, but currently, the Patriarch is meeting a guest who arrived first.”
“A guest who arrived first?”
The Green-Handed Poisoner tilted his head.
Was there such a schedule?
Who on earth is it that even the visit of the Namgung Clan members is put off?
Bending his brow, the Green-Handed Poisoner asked:
“Just who is that guest?”
The next moment, an astonishing answer dropped from the martial artists’ mouths:
“The Martial Alliance Leader has visited.”
“The Patriarch is currently conversing with the Alliance Leader.”
“…!”