Chapter 254: Guest Of The Party (3)
Chapter 253 – Guest Of The Party (3)
Guided to the Guest Hall, Namgung Geom and Namgung Cheon merely looked down at their teacups with dark faces.
A long silence ensued, but the two had long forgotten the awkward atmosphere as they were lost in their own thoughts.
In fact, since they fought together while holding the baby, their awkwardness toward each other had also dissolved considerably.
“Hmm.”
Namgung Geom let out a heavy groan and lifted his teacup.
Namgung Cheon muttered, looking at the tea in his cup:
“Does it not seem that the Alliance Leader, that old serpent, has made the first move?”
“Hmm.”
Namgung Geom, who groaned again, set down his cup and said:
“From the perspective of someone growing old, the term old serpent is not very pleasant to hear.”
“Grandfather. Is that the problem right now? And Grandfather is not an old serpent, but…”
“But?”
“An old… fox?”
“What did you say?”
“Or… a tiger…?”
For some reason, Namgung Geom wore a warm smile. However, a faint energy gathered in his hand that set down the teacup.
“Certainly, you seem to have become much more comfortable.”
“Haha… Ah, that is not the problem right now.”
“Ahem.”
Because Namgung Cheon quickly changed the subject, Namgung Geom did not pursue it further either and released the energy gathered in his hand.
The two had not noticed that their terms of address for each other had naturally changed before they knew it.
Namgung Geom let out a blunt voice and cast his gaze out the window.
“I was also surprised.”
In the Patriarch’s Hall beyond the pavilion over there, the Tang Clan Leader and the Alliance Leader would be exchanging close conversations by now.
There was no way to know what the contents were.
However, it was certain that this situation was by no means advantageous to the Namgung Clan.
Namgung Cheon stood up from his seat, paced, and said:
“Surely that wily serpent will try to drive a wedge.”
“Since we have come to the Tang Clan, perhaps the Alliance Leader has noticed something about the Demonic God Pill.”
“Undoubtedly. Even if he did not know already, he will have noticed by now.”
“So, what is your opinion?”
Namgung Geom stared at Namgung Cheon.
“Probably, the Alliance Leader will try to alienate the Tang Clan Leader from our clan. If so…”
“He might also urge them not to manufacture the Demonic God Pill.”
“Yes. That is highly likely.”
“Then persuading the Tang Clan Leader will not be an easy task.”
“Even so, we must persuade him by any means. Because the Demonic God Pill will be the key to overturning the state of affairs in the Jianghu.”
“Hmm. If the Alliance Leader drives a wedge, what do you think he will say?”
“Well. Would he not say that our clan has colluded with the Demonic Cult?”
“Will the Tang Clan Leader truly believe such an absurd claim?”
“Grandfather. Believing it or not is not important. It is simply a matter of the Tang Clan Leader’s will. According to his decision on whether to join hands with the Alliance Leader or our clan, his belief will also differ.”
At Namgung Cheon’s answer, Namgung Geom looked at him with a slightly surprised expression.
‘This fellow, when did he grow so much…’
It felt like just yesterday that he was clicking his tongue while looking at his weak-hearted grandson, yet was he not truly a completely different person?
Perhaps he had failed to recognize and ignored such talent all this time?
Namgung Cheon’s current remarks were like those of someone who had rolled around for decades in the Jianghu where conspiracies and trickery ran rampant.
If he had this degree of insight, it seemed there would be no problem in entrusting the Namgung Clan to him immediately.
But…
‘It is not a matter to be decided as if passing it off. As much as I couldn’t do before, I will be a shade for you.’
Namgung Geom firmed his resolve inwardly and nodded.
“That is a valid point. However, the fact that the Alliance Leader is meeting him before us is an disadvantageous situation in many ways.”
“That is true. After all, from the Tang Clan Leader’s perspective, he will look at us with some preconceptions.”
“Do you have a clever move to persuade such a Tang Clan?”
“Hmm. Well.”
Namgung Cheon groaned softly and fell into thought.
What if the Alliance Leader met the Tang Clan Leader and truly tied our clan with the Demonic Cult?
Would the Tang Clan Leader really abandon the Martial Alliance and join hands with the already declined Namgung Clan?
No matter how much he thought, the risk factor was too great.
Even if he did not believe the Alliance Leader’s words, the courage to turn his back on the Martial Alliance was not easy.
Namgung Cheon let out a sigh.
“Honestly, I am not confident. However, it is clear that we must manufacture the Demonic God Pill at all costs.”
Originally, bread that one cannot eat looks more delicious.
Although he had no obsession with the Demonic God Pill in the first place, now that things had turned out like this, he grew even greedier.
Just then, a voice was heard from outside the Guest Hall, and the Chief Administrator entered.
“You two have waited long. I am truly sorry. The Patriarch has asked me to bring you in.”
“Had I known the Tang Clan Leader was this busy, I would not have committed an discourtesy in the first place.”
Namgung Geom said in a cold voice.
Knowing there were thorns in the words, the Chief Administrator repeatedly bowed his head and apologized:
“I apologize once again. It was unavoidable because the Alliance Leader visited suddenly. Please understand with broad tolerance.”
Namgung Geom did not argue further either and stood up.
* * *
Moving along the corridor, Namgung Geom and Namgung Cheon soon arrived at the Patriarch’s Room. The Chief Administrator shouted toward the inside first:
“Patriarch, I have brought the guests from the Namgung Clan.”
Soon, the instruction to enter dropped, and following behind the Chief Administrator, Namgung Geom and Namgung Cheon walked.
Namgung Geom, who was entering the room, slightly knitted his brow for an instant.
‘He hasn’t left yet.’
At the place where his ice-like gaze flew, Martial Alliance Leader Mok Cheon-ak was sitting at the table with a sly smile.
Tang Go-ryun stood up from his seat first and welcomed them:
“Welcome! It is an honor for the Namgung Patriarch to visit such a long way. Has the Young Patriarch also been well?”
“I have committed a discourtesy during your busy time.”
When Namgung Geom responded coldly this time too, Tang Go-ryun smiled awkwardly and said:
“I am the one who is sorry. As you can see, there were circumstances…”
When Tang Go-ryun finished speaking, only then did Mok Cheon-ak rise sluggishly, drawing a sly smile.
“Who is this? To meet the Namgung Patriarch here. This is indeed a strange connection.”
“Indeed. We sent a message to the Tang Clan early on, but what brings the Alliance Leader all this way?”
“Haha. In terms of a long way, your clan’s would be further.”
“However, is the position of the Alliance Leader not extremely busy?”
“That is true. Lately, I really have no peace of mind. Those unorthodox martial artists are running rampant. At any rate, is it not because connection touched us that we met again like this? Sit here. Since we met after a long time, let us converse together.”
Mok Cheon-ak invited Namgung Geom as if it were his own home.
As Namgung Cheon and Namgung Geom approached the table and sat, Tang Go-ryun instructed the servant to bring tea.
However, Namgung Geom raised his hand to stop him first.
“That is enough. I have already drunk tea to the point of being sick of it. It seems the same for you two.”
He indirectly criticized the fact that that much time had passed.
Tang Go-ryun answered with an awkward smile:
“Then shall we just talk?”
“Let us do so.”
Namgung Geom, who threw out words bluntly, stared at Mok Cheon-ak sitting opposite him.
Mok Cheon-ak had no intention of leaving his seat at all.
‘Does he plan to sit here until the end?’
It was to the point where he wondered if the expression ‘like a thorn in the eye’ was meant for times like this.
Whether he knew such thoughts or not, Mok Cheon-ak spoke to Namgung Cheon with a faint smile:
“Young Patriarch, it has been a long time.”
“Well, not that long. Since I saw you at the Seven Great Clans Conference too.”
“Haha. Is that so?”
“By the way, are you really not busy? Right now the unorthodox martial artists are causing a fuss. It seems you wouldn’t have time to idle around here.”
Despite Namgung Cheon’s blunt words, Mok Cheon-ak did not lose his smile.
“Indeed. Keeping the peace of the Martial World is not easy. Still, thanks to your active role, is the Namgung Clan not safe like this, and have the Eon Clan and the Paeng Clan not been protected?”
“I am glad you know that well.”
Despite Namgung Cheon’s cheeky reply, Mok Cheon-ak did not withdraw his smile.
However, at Namgung Geom’s cold tone that followed in the next moment, his expression also had no choice but to harden temporarily.
“Did someone who thinks of the Jianghu’s peace like that let the remnants of the Demonic Cult go?”
“…!”
Instantly, the room was enveloped in silent shock.
Namgung Cheon had also not guessed that Namgung Geom would act this aggressively.
‘Letting remnants of the Demonic Cult go? Well, if it is that wily serpent, it makes perfect sense.’
Actually, for Namgung Geom, such an aggressive remark was highly intentional.
He judged that if the Alliance Leader tried to tie the Namgung Clan to the Demonic Cult, it might be better to launch a preemptive strike instead.
As expected, Tang Go-ryun looked at Mok Cheon-ak with a startled expression, then turned his head back and asked:
“Patriarch Namgung Geom, what on earth does that mean?”
“Ah, did you not know? The fact that the Alliance Leader spared the remnants of the Demonic Cult long ago.”
“Is that true? Why on earth…?”
Beside the panicked Tang Go-ryun, Mok Cheon-ak stared at Namgung Geom with cool, sunken eyes, and then smiled gently.
“Haha, Patriarch Namgung Geom, really. Why bring up a matter from so long ago now?”
“Then do you not do so lately?”
“Patriarch Namgung Geom. How can you shame me like this? Haha. It is true that my skills were lacking back then, so I failed to root out the remnants of the Demonic Cult. Even so, I am speechless that you scold me in this manner today.”
At this point, to resolve the awkward atmosphere, Tang Go-ryun tried to smile and stepped in:
“Haha… so that is what it was. Past regrets are comforted with a cup of wine. Even so, since the Demonic Cult was subjugated in the end, has today’s peace not been maintained?”
“I am thankful that at least you understand. Actually, there were many adversities until achieving today’s peace.”
At Mok Cheon-ak’s words, Namgung Geom sneered coldly this time as well.
“The Alliance maintained peace, but the Jianghu still seems turbid. Otherwise, why would the unorthodox martial artists have attacked our clan?”
“Now that you mention it, I heard you went through quite a lot of trouble this time.”
“Just as you said. It was an incomprehensible matter. Why on earth the unorthodox martial artists attacked our clan.”
“Actually, I was discussing that part with the Tang Clan Leader. Patriarch Namgung, do not worry too much. Our Alliance will take the lead in investigating.”
Namgung Geom replied while sneering inwardly:
“I am relieved that the Alliance is doing so. Then, since the subject has come up…”
“Speak.”
Namgung Geom glanced back at Namgung Cheon.
Whether they had become of one mind before they knew it, Namgung Cheon caught the meaning, grinned, and spoke:
“If the Alliance is going to help our clan anyway, why don’t you select us as a Special Disaster Clan?”
“A Special Disaster Clan.”
At the unexpected request, the Alliance Leader stroked his beard, hiding his panic.
“However, that is not a matter I can decide alone…”
“Come on, don’t act stingy when you are the Alliance Leader. Didn’t you say you would help us materially and spiritually?”
“Did I say such a thing?”
“Huh? Then if that was not your meaning, did you just say you would help only in words? This, this is truly disappointing.”
“You are expecting and being disappointed all by yourself.”
“Just help us generously, will you? Our clan suffered heavy damage this time. While you help the Eon Clan and the Paeng Clan well, is there perhaps another reason you ignore only our clan?”
“How could that be?”
Mok Cheon-ak chuckled with a cool, firmed expression.
“If not, why not?”
“As I said, the procedure is not that simple. However, I will instruct it to be reviewed positively.”
“Thank you, Alliance Leader. I will be waiting for good news.”
Namgung Cheon cupped his fists nonchalantly. Namgung Geom glanced at Namgung Cheon and smiled faintly.
‘It seems I have also adapted to his way before I knew it.’
Meanwhile, Tang Go-ryun said with a smile:
“It is indeed fortunate. Good things happen when we meet together like this.”
“Indeed. By the way, shouldn’t the Alliance Leader go to sleep now?”
“Huh? Me?”
Mok Cheon-ak frowned. That arrogant brat was jumping in without warning again.
To even interfere with his bedtime now. Was he not truly cheeky?
Namgung Cheon grinned.
“I heard that elderly people need to go to bed early to be healthy. Shouldn’t you go to sleep now?”
“Hmm. Your Patriarch and I are peers.”
“Whaaaat? Really! No, Alliance Leader! Did you protect the Jianghu’s peace all by yourself? Why did you receive all the trials of the years with your entire body?”
“Hahaha.”
Mok Cheon-ak smiled and narrowed his eyes.
Should I just kill this bastard right here?