The Eldest Daughter of the Tang Clan of Sichuan Protects the Family-Chapter 153

Chapter 153. Authority
Namgung Jin had secretly smuggled that Gu poison into himself without the headquarters' knowledge.
Yet, judging by Zhuge In-hwi's demeanor, he seemed already aware that Namgung Jin had concealed the poison.
"... Did you also see that Gu poison, Hall Lord?"
"Yes. I went to the Anhui branch myself to retrieve the corpse. The Young Lord tried to hide it, but such Gu poison, as small as dust, can never be removed completely. I simply covered for him and watched, wanting to see what he intended to do."
"......"
"But it seems Young Lady Tang knows that poison rather well."
So-hwa did not deny it.
This made the conversation easier, so she continued speaking of the Gu poison.
"If you examined the body, then you must have noticed something odd. The Blood Sect members with red hair carried no Gu poison, yet the one they pursued did have it in his body, did he not?"
"That's right."
"In the Blood Sect, there are those who inherited the Blood Demon's arts, and there are the bloodlines from the Outer Regions he forcibly subjugated."
Seeing that the Hall Lord was fully focused, Tang So-hwa spoke slowly.
"I didn't meet every Outer Regions bloodline during my time in the Blood Demon's Jin Yin Mountain, but none of them had true devotion to the sect. They neither placed meaning in it nor revered the Blood Demon. Even the sect's disciples called them heretics and scorned them."
She recounted plainly what she had seen.
"Yet those so-called heretics still followed the Blood Demon. Some because their martial arts were too weak to resist, others because his Gu poison was planted in their bodies."
"Then the Blood Sect member who carried that Gu poison that day was also of the Outer Regions bloodline?"
So-hwa nodded.
"He was a descendant of the Ice Palace lord."
She recalled what she had once heard in the Blood Demon's secret archives: that among those descendants dispatched to the Central Plains, one had perfected the Ice Palace's arts.
Her tightly closed red lips parted.
"They say among the Ice Palace lord's heirs, there was one who mastered the North Sea Ice Palace's art to completion. He gathered his kin and fled to the North Sea. And though the Blood Demon pursued them, they have managed to remain hidden for over three years."
For the first time, the ever-unmoved Zhuge In-hwi's brows lifted faintly. So-hwa, gauging his reaction, posed a counter-question.
"Isn't it strange? The North Sea Ice Palace is one of the Five Palaces of the Outer Regions. A man who perfected its formidable ice arts did not seek the Blood Demon's recognition, nor build his power within the sect, nor live in comfort for himself. Instead, he chose the arduous path of gathering his kin and fleeing to the North Sea."
Her gaze dropped to the table. Zhuge In-hwi's hand rested upon it, which was bathed in the red light of the setting sun.
As she watched the subtle tapping of his fingers, she spoke her conclusion.
"It seems to me that man's goal is to reclaim the North Sea Ice Palace."
So-hwa's voice lowered.
Returning to her starting point, she spoke slowly, emphasizing each word.
"If the descendant of the Ice Palace Lord reclaims their roots, it will stir the other exiled bloodlines."
The first bloodline to resist the rule of the Blood Demon.
Silence lingered.
Zhuge In-hwi had continued to listen to her words without much reaction.
But now his fingers no longer moved—they had stopped.
"Does the Young Lady believe they can reclaim the North Sea Ice Palace?"
"Yes, I think it's possible. They were born with bodies refined through the Blood Demon's painstaking modifications. I cannot say for certain, but the one said to have perfected the Ice Arts must be none other than the last Palace Lord."
Even though the last Palace Lord failed to protect his own bloodline, that man had safeguarded it—and continued to do so still.
The descendant of the Palace Lord whom she had met at Emei Mountain was different from the Blood Sect members. They had sought to protect an old man and a young girl. When news came that they had died in Anhui, the Divine Physician had gone without food for over a month, a sign of the trust the Yeonju Group had placed in them.
So-hwa believed the North Sea Ice Palace could become a turning point.
The rebuilding of the Five Palaces, who knew the path of righteousness.
If they reclaimed the Ice Palace, they might earn the reverence of the exiles in a way different from the former Palace Lord.
If those who restored the pride of their bloodline gained recognition under heaven, then surely great unrest would stir in the hearts of the heretics within the Blood Sect.
She believed that even the indolent descendant of the Great Desert Solar Palace would begin to long for the pride of their bloodline.
Zhuge In-hwi, wearing an unreadable expression, finally spoke.
"Perhaps it is luck, but the headquarters has already sent envoys to the north to open relations."
"Yes, I am aware."
With the price of spirit herbs containing yin energy—like the Extreme Ice Grass—skyrocketing, the headquarters had dispatched people to the North Sea branch to request an exchange.
"With the Four Directions Hall joining, it shouldn't be too dangerous for you, so I won't stop you from leaving for the North Sea. In about a week, the Hall Lord will arrive there."
As Zhuge In-hwi spoke, he searched his robes. Finding he had left something behind, he let out a small sigh.
"In my haste, I forgot the token, but I'll bring it to you later. It's the token shown when the Four Seasons Hall requests cooperation from the Four Directions Hall, so the Hall Lord will surely help you."
"... The Four Directions Hall Lord has gone to the North Sea?"
At those words, So-hwa grew tense.
The Four Directions Hall Lord was a woman she knew.
Peng Sihyeon was an elder of the Peng Clan and a long-time martial artist at the headquarters. He had been close to her father and had once been romantically involved with the previous Clan Head, Namgung An.
In her previous life, So-hwa was falsely accused of poisoning Yeon-ah and was imprisoned in Namgung's dungeon, the Four Directions Hall Lord had come—using the headquarters' mediation as an excuse—to rescue her.
The Four Directions Hall Lord had invoked the prestige of the Five Noble Clans to placate Namgung Hyun, and under pressure as an inspector of the headquarters, had forced Namgung Hyun to free So-hwa of his own accord.
So-hwa recalled Peng Sihyeon from that time.
Even in her old age, the Four Directions Hall Lord had been a martial artist who retained a clear vigor and noble bearing.
She had also been the one to deliver So-hwa the birthday gift hidden beneath the Tang Clan estate.
Peng Sihyeon had handed her a green silk robe and comforted her, telling her to wait a little while—that the Tang Clan was striving to bring her back.
Though the hope she left behind turned into deep despair, Peng Sihyeon had left a positive impression.
After the Tang Clan fell, when Namgung Hyun punished her for Yeon-ah's death, Peng Sihyeon restrained Namgung Hyun in the name of the headquarters.
She was the only one of the headquarters who had not turned her face away from the last direct descendant of the ruined Tang Clan.
Now, Peng Sihyeon would be barely middle-aged.
Would it be right to drag into this matter a Four Directions Hall Lord who would be even more righteous and daring than before?
This was a woman who, even in retirement age when she could have rested, had gone so far as to trouble the Namgung's Clan Head.
'... If she senses anything suspicious, she'll lock me away regardless of whether I'm a direct descendant of the Tang Clan or not.'
So-hwa needed the North Sea Ice Palace's bloodline to come to her willingly. That would be impossible with the Murim Alliance's full might at her back.
After a moment's thought, she shook her head.
"I do not wish to beg the Four Directions Hall Lord for aid."
"Then I cannot allow you to go to the North Sea alone."
Zhuge In-hwi concluded without emotion.
"Your martial arts is not extraordinary. You would be pitiable in the open Murim. Furthermore, you currently possess vast knowledge of the Blood Sect, and I need you. Even if the North Sea Ice Palace matter seems important, I do not think you have the odds; I will find another way."
"Do you think another way has a better chance of success?"
So-hwa let out an involuntary hollow laugh.
"Since you are a person who knows everything, as you said, you must have noticed that the Alliance leader made a deal with the Blood Demon. For me, this place is more dangerous than the North Sea."
"......"
"I don't have much time left, so I can't find a perfect solution within that time."
When Zhuge In-hwi failed to answer, So-hwa took a step back.
"I agree that I have no chance going alone. Moving silently by myself and facing an unexpected disaster would be impossible."
She accepted the Hall Lord's concern without resistance.
"There is someone who will go with me. A martial artist with excellent skill, though not famed even in the Outer Regions—someone who can move in secrecy."
"You mean to take your escort with you?"
"No. I will not involve the Tang Clan in this matter."
She answered plainly.
"There is one who was disgracefully expelled from the headquarters. Having hidden away for a time, he will be ashamed to show his face—so it will be less burdensome for him as well."
Zhuge In-hwi's tone showed mild incredulity.
"You expect Namgung Jin, the Young Lord, to help you?"
"Yes."
Though skeptical, Zhuge In-hwi listened; So-hwa spoke with resolve.
"There is no need to beg and strain your throat like you do now, Hall Lord."
Watching the faint clouding of the man's eyes—already dim—she added,
"Friends first show trust, after all."
"Were you two friends?"
"As far as I know, yes."
"Perhaps that is merely the Young Lady's assumption."
"......"
She could not understand why people assumed she had no friends. On the bright side, that remark meant the mood had relaxed enough for it to be remarked upon.
The conversation was drawing to a close. To prove it, Zhuge In-hwi drew something from his robe. Wrapped in red cloth, an object was placed upon the table.
"Still, one cannot deny you have many fortunate ties."
He unveiled the cloth.
"The Taoist Yeon-ah wished to hand you the Cold Iron. I've just come from confirming with the Wudang Sect's Leader that they agree to the transfer."
The revealed Cold Iron gave off a faint glow.
"Is this truly the item you need to go to the North Sea?"
So-hwa nodded.
"I do not know what you intend to do, but the Cold Iron cannot be handled in an ordinary smithy. Are you aware?"
"I am."
"Then how do you intend to use it?"
So-hwa had asked the Platinum Pavilion to prepare a smithy, but could not answer aloud. When she remained silent, Zhuge In-hwi spoke again.
"I do not mean to pry. I only wish to help you use the headquarters' smithy."
"I appreciate the offer, but it is unnecessary. If we use headquarters' smithy, the Alliance Leader and others will find out."
"You need not worry about that."
The Four Seasons Hall Lord cut off So-hwa's doubts with a calm voice.
But he did not give the reason.
Perhaps it was a method he could not reveal, for he changed the subject.
The new words had nothing to do with the Cold Iron.
"The Young Lord will likely awaken in three days."
Even so, So-hwa could not help but be drawn into the topic.
"He still hasn't woken up? Is his condition very severe?"
The Hall Lord shook his head.
"No. He was put to sleep deliberately. The Divine Physician said the pain would be unbearable if he woke, so it is better to keep him asleep while treating him. In three days, he will rouse his consciousness and continue the treatment."
So-hwa did not question whether he trusted the Divine Physician. Her sharp demeanor slowly settled down again.
"And so, when the Alliance Leader ordered me to uncover your weak point, I told him it would take three days."
"......"
"When the Young Lord awakens, I intend to send him straight to the Tang Clan's quarters. It will aid in restoring the Tang Clan's reputation. Before the headquarters opens its gates and everyone departs, the achievements of Young Lord Tang Hak must be made known."
"Reputation?"
"Are you not resentful, Young Lady Tang? You stake your life to protect the Central Plains, yet rumors spread that you are a spy for the Blood Sect, and they are talking about locking you up in prison."
So-hwa had no concern for her reputation, nor did she care for the reaction of other sects.
From the beginning, she had no intention of "to protect the Central Plains," so there was nothing to feel wronged about.
When she stayed silent, Zhuge In-hwi sighed.
"You may have found a way to escape to the North Sea through a hidden passage, but if you vanish while being linked to the Blood Sect, you will be branded with disgrace—far heavier than Namgung Jin's. Even the Tang Clan itself will be suspected of harboring the Blood Sect's spies."
The Tang Clan's reputation—this was indeed a concern. With her father's strained withdrawal from the headquarters, it was hard to expect trust from other sects.
Thus, she listened more closely to the Hall Lord.
With his experience and authority, he might have a better way.
"Is there a way to leave without arousing suspicion?"
The Hall Lord gave a short reply.
"Just trust me."
As So-hwa was about to ask further, warmth drained away like an ebbing tide.
"Within three days, prepare the casting mold."
When the Hall Lord rose to his feet, the sound barrier dissolved, and noise from outside filtered in.
The Four Seasons Hall Lord left her only with a smile, saying nothing of how he intended to help.
He knew that, with the barrier lifted, she could no longer discuss the North Sea.
In other words, it was not a proposal but a command.
So-hwa swallowed her many questions and simply watched his departing back, without moving to see him out.