Chapter 24: Blood Debt (6)
The Sect Leader of the Tiger Pit Sect, Ho Yeon-am.
He was sitting near the lowest seats of the grand banquet hosted by the Namgung Clan.
Among the heads of prominent sects and clans in Anhui Province, he appeared slightly shrunk.
“Phew…”
Ho Yeon-am let out a small sigh so that no one could hear.
However, there was one person who heard his sigh.
Ho Ye-yang.
She was scanning the expression of her father, who was locked in worry.
“…”
However, there was nothing she could do.
Because this was not a problem unique to Ho Yeon-am alone.
<Joint Covenant>
The contract that the Namgung Clan distributed to other sects and clans.
In it, contents like the following were written down.
First, all Orthodox organizations gathered in this place shall enter under the umbrella of the Namgung Clan.
Second, the Namgung Clan shall share a portion of the family’s secrets with the organizations that have entered under their umbrella.
Third, the organizations that have entered under the umbrella of the Namgung Clan shall pay a certain amount of protection fees to the Namgung Clan every quarter…
.
.
To explain the contents of the treaty simply, it was this.
It meant they had to offer a certain amount of money in exchange for receiving the protection of the Namgung Clan.
This was a forced option given to all organizations in Anhui Province.
In the Heterodox path, weak groups offered ‘tribute’ to strong groups, and in the Orthodox path, weak groups paid ‘protection fees’ to strong groups.
Only the names were different; in the end, it was the exact same structure.
However, the Tiger Pit Sect was a sect whose income was not good enough to pay protection fees to the Namgung Clan.
Meanwhile, there were several gossipers watching Ho Yeon-am, who was worrying.
They lowered their voices and whispered among themselves.
“This time, the Tiger Pit Sect was invited to this place instead of the Cao Family Manor.”
“The Cao Family Manor had money at least, so they could barely maintain their qualification to be in this place, but… will the Tiger Pit Sect be able to do that?”
“Will they be able to, my good man? Who doesn’t know that the Tiger Pit Sect is declining.”
“But if they accept such a declining sect under their umbrella, isn’t it a loss for the Namgung Clan too?”
“The Namgung Clan only has to throw a portion of their sword art casually, so what loss would they have? Rather, it is only the Tiger Pit Sect, which has ended up having to pay a massive protection fee, that is weeping.”
“I thought the Tiger Pit Sect destroyed the Cao Family Manor and the Black Path Gang, but I guess that wasn’t the case?”
“The Tiger Pit Sect? Tsk, my man. Speak sense. The Tiger Pit Sect is a sect with neither money nor power. How could they have destroyed the Cao Family Manor and the Black Path Gang?”
Just as the gossipers said, the Namgung Clan’s proposal was a condition hard to accept for the Tiger Pit Sect, which was a weak sect.
Not only the Tiger Pit Sect, but several small sects and clans gathered in this place were also wearing worried expressions.
Right at that moment.
“Aha—everyone’s expressions are quite dark.”
An old man walked before the invitees, including Ho Yeon-am.
Everyone stood up from their seats and clasped their hands in greeting.
“We greet the Northern Palace Elder.”
“Ah, that’s enough, that’s enough. What is the point of such formality between us? Sit down, everyone.”
The elder of the Namgung Clan, Namgung Paeng-saeng.
His giant body and long beard were of a style reminding one of Guan Yu from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but his eyes were slit like a snake’s and his nose was sharp like a hawk’s beak, making his impression seem not very good.
The inner minds of others looking at such a Namgung Paeng-saeng were actually not kind.
‘An old fox has appeared.’
‘What a damn money demon.’
‘What kind of insidious trick is he showing up to play again.’
Namgung Paeng-saeng was someone who had worked as an elder since the time of the former family leader, managing numerous subordinate organizations.
Unfitting for his giant body and deep martial arts, he was quick-witted and had insidious schemes, leading treaties with subordinate organizations unfairly and frequently doing other things behind their backs.
As if to prove that the invitees’ thoughts were correct, Namgung Paeng-saeng opened his mouth.
“I drafted the treaties in this joint covenant myself. How is it?”
At those words, the invitees’ expressions froze for an instant.
However, there was no one stupid enough in this place to reveal their true feelings to an elder of the great Namgung Clan.
In the end, everyone had no choice but to force a laugh and cater to Namgung Paeng-saeng’s whims.
“Haha—hahaha—I wondered why the contract contents were so fair. They were indeed the work of the Northern Palace Elder.”
“Oh dear, aren’t you showing too much consideration for our convenience?”
“Since we receive the protection of the Namgung Clan this year too, we feel so reassured!”
“On top of that, we can also be transmitted the secret sword art of the Namgung Clan, so this feels like a dream.”
“Also, the protection fee is set very reasonably. Hahahahaha—”
Just then, a strange light gleamed from the eyes of Namgung Paeng-saeng, who was nodding with a pleased face.
He was looking at Ho Ye-yang, who was sitting next to Ho Yeon-am.
“Look who it is. Is it not the rumored Sect Leader of the Tiger Pit Sect?”
Namgung Paeng-saeng approached Ho Yeon-am with a friendly smile.
And placing his hand on his shoulder, he opened his mouth.
“Right. This is your first time attending the grand banquet, correct?”
“Yes, Elder. It is an honor to meet you like this.”
“Hahahha—honor indeed. We will see each other often in the future. The Cao Family Manor matter is regrettable. Is it not?”
“Elder. I swear I have absolutely no connection to the secret story of the Cao Family Manor…”
“Sure, sure—who said anything? I know best that our Tiger Pit Sect Leader is a clean and honorable person. That is why I invited you to this place like this, is it not?”
Namgung Paeng-saeng let out a broad laugh.
And then he whispered in a low voice audible only to Ho Yeon-am.
“Today’s opportunity will be a very good one for the Tiger Pit Sect. If you are transmitted the secret sword art of the Namgung Clan, the level of your martial artists will rise greatly, will it not? I understand that the Tiger Pit Sect operates an escort agency, so then the escorts of the Swift Tiger Escort Agency will also become much stronger. Then naturally, income will increase, and the scale will grow too.”
“Haha—we do not have plans to increase the scale yet…”
“Even if you don’t, you must have them now. That way you can leave a profit even after paying the protection fee. Is it not so? Hahaha—”
At Namgung Paeng-saeng’s words, Ho Yeon-am had to shut his mouth without even being able to finish what he wanted to say.
One was free to refuse the recommendation.
At least, on the surface, it seemed so.
However, in truth, Namgung Paeng-saeng’s words were closer to coercion than a recommendation.
It was the logic of power where refusal was impossible in the first place.
Just then, Namgung Paeng-saeng’s gaze turned toward Ho Ye-yang beside him.
He asked slyly.
“Our Lady Ho is soon seventeen, correct? You are reaching marriageable age soon. It is regrettable that the marriage talk with the Cao Family Manor fell through.”
“That was merely a rumor, and I have never discussed marriage talks with the Cao Family Manor, so it is fine.”
“Ah, is that so? It was so famous that I did not know.”
At Ho Ye-yang’s polite words, Namgung Paeng-saeng’s eyes narrowed further.
“Does our Lady Ho dislike a husband with a large age gap?”
“I have not thought about it yet, so I do not know.”
“Aha~ you can’t just have no thoughts. You must think about it. Since you are this pretty. Well, it would also be fine to enter as a concubine rather than someone’s wife. How is the world these days? Hasn’t the trend that one must enter only as a primary wife already become outdated? They say young people these days prefer to become the concubine of an old and capable man rather than the primary wife of a young and incompetent man.”
Just then, Ho Yeon-am raised the hem of his robe in a polite tone to block Namgung Paeng-saeng’s front.
“Elder. I will offer you a cup of wine.”
“My good man. Am I not in the middle of a serious discussion with your daughter right now? This is all talk for the sake of the Tiger Pit Sect doing well, so listen quietly.”
Namgung Paeng-saeng subtly emitted his momentum.
Before the internal energy openly released by a peak expert, Ho Yeon-am let out an uncomfortable groan.
At that very moment.
“What are you doing over there?”
There was someone who dispersed Namgung Paeng-saeng’s internal energy in a single blow.
Namgung Pa. The young leader of the Namgung Clan was standing there.
At that momentum, as if a large tiger had come down from the mountain, the gathering fell quiet.
“…”
Namgung Paeng-saeng quietly withdrew his internal energy.
Then he quietly clasped his hands toward Namgung Pa.
“Mmh. It was nothing major, Family Leader. I saw a welcoming face among the distinguished guests and shared a few words temporarily.”
“Whether it is major or not is for me to hear and judge. I believe I asked what was going on?”
Namgung Pa’s brow furrowed.
His gaze was gradually being honed sharp like a blade ground on a whetstone.
But Namgung Paeng-saeng slyly avoided Namgung Pa’s gaze with a slippery attitude.
Then he tapped Ho Yeon-am, who was beside him.
“Hahaha—perhaps because the important event is right before us, the Family Leader is very sharp. Since they said they had things they were curious about regarding the joint covenant, I offered a few words of advice. Is that not so?”
Namgung Paeng-saeng’s gaze, turning his head, was visible only to Ho Yeon-am.
His gaze had transformed into something as cold as ice before they knew it.
Ho Yeon-am had no choice but to nod.
“Yes, well. That is correct.”
“Hahaha—look. It is truly nothing major, so it would be better for the Family Leader not to worry about it further. If the Family Leader’s composure is disrupted over such a trivial matter, wouldn’t that be a bigger problem? It might bring bad luck before the important event for no reason.”
Namgung Paeng-saeng tried to gloss over this situation, and it went according to his intention.
“Then, Tiger Pit Sect Leader. Come find me if there is anything else you do not know next time. Since we must finish sharing the story we couldn’t complete today. Understood?”
After whispering to Ho Yeon-am in a powerful voice, he strode away and vanished beyond the banquet hall.
After Namgung Paeng-saeng left, Namgung Pa looked at Ho Yeon-am with a frown, as if displeased.
“If the Northern Palace Elder made some slip of the tongue… no, he definitely did. I will apologize on his behalf, Tiger Pit Sect Leader.”
“Ah, no. How could the Family Leader…”
As Namgung Pa bowed his head, Ho Yeon-am stood up from his seat in surprise.
However, Namgung Pa still looked quite uncomfortable.
“That senile old man is a vassal from my father’s era, so even I cannot control him well. I am also keeping him with me because I have no choice.”
“How can you say such words? To someone like me.”
“What is wrong with you? We are to become reliable allies of our Namgung Clan. Also, only if I disclose such internal circumstances will you understand the Northern Palace Elder’s rudeness. I am someone who has at least that much sense of shame.”
Namgung Pa turned his head and looked back at Ho Ye-yang in the adjacent seat.
“It appears that an old man of our clan said something rude to you. I apologize to you too.”
“No. I am fine.”
Looking at Ho Ye-yang, who bowed her head in a calm tone, Namgung Pa thought.
‘Her appearance as well as her attitude would not fall behind compared to our Yul-i. I heard this child also passed the examination of the Ascending Heaven Academy… perhaps she could become a good rival and friend.’
Namgung Pa, who had much interest in child education and was well-informed of various news, already knew the fact of Ho Ye-yang’s admission to the Ascending Heaven Academy.
Just then.
Clang—
A bell chimed from the far side of the sky.
It was the bell announcing the first watch.
“The time for the blood oath has come.”
Namgung Pa hurriedly headed to the front of the banquet hall.
There, a platform where he could look down on those gathered today at a glance was prepared.
Eventually, Namgung Pa looked down at everyone, including Ho Yeon-am and Ho Ye-yang, and opened his mouth.
“To the hero compatriots within Anhui Province who have gathered in this place, I, Namgung, offer my gratitude.”
Prior to the stage of the ritual, Namgung Pa wished to explain the purpose and significance of this gathering.
…However, the audience’s gazes were focused much more toward another place beyond him rather than toward Namgung Pa.
A face like a flower and appearance like the moon. A beauty that makes the moon hide and flowers blush.
It was precisely the direction from which Sword Flower Namgung Yul was walking.
Unrivaled Spear Ghost