Chapter 411: The Lazy One Meets (1)
The elders of the Tang Clan couldn't help but be surprised when they saw who entered the room.
Of course, to some extent, they could have anticipated it.
Dang Yong-min had no place to seek help other than from the Jegal Clan. Judging from the current situation and Dang Yong-min's statements, it was evident that someone from the Jegal Clan would come to assist them.
That was the general expectation.
However, the person who entered the room was someone who exceeded their expectations.
The one who entered was indeed from the Jegal Clan. But…
"Young Master So?"
Dang Pyeong exclaimed in disbelief.
The person who entered was Jegal Mun-in, the Young Master of the Jegal Clan.
'The Young Master came in person.'
Dang Pyeong couldn't suppress his surprise.
A Young Master, in this case, is akin to a crown prince of a nation and someone who should be handling the major affairs of the clan. He could be considered the most important person after the clan head. Especially in the Jegal Clan, which places great importance on legitimacy, the power associated with the title of Young Master was tremendous.
Such a person was now here to aid the Sichuan Tang Clan.
"I, Jegal Mun-in of the Jegal Clan, offer my greetings."
As Jegal Mun-in politely clasped his hands together, Dang Pyeong realized his mistake and straightened his voice.
"It must have been quite a journey. I am deeply honored that the Young Master has come to visit us directly."
Jegal Mun-in smiled warmly.
"I am overwhelmed by your hospitality. Please, feel free to speak. I am still just a novice and not worthy of being entertained by such a renowned clan as the Sichuan Tang Clan."
Dang Pyeong chuckled heartily.
"If the Young Master of the Jegal Clan is not worthy of being entertained, then how many in the world can claim such hospitality? As the saying goes, excess in courtesy begets proportionate response, so it would be wise for you to shed your humility."
Jegal Mun-in smiled lightly.
"This way, please."
Dang Yong-min stood up to guide Jegal Mun-in to his seat.
Once seated, everyone's gaze was focused on Jegal Mun-in.
"It would be nice to exchange pleasantries and start, but I must ask for your understanding as we do not have such time."
"Of course."
Dang Yong-min cleared his throat a few times before speaking.
"It is true that we sought assistance from the Jegal Clan, but I did not expect the Young Master to come in person. We are grateful for the spirit of the Jegal Clan."
"It would have been better for the elders of the clan to come rather than myself, but I feel honored to be welcomed in this way."
"Perhaps it is a foolish question, but may I ask why you personally came here, Young Master?"
At Dang Yong-min's question, Jegal Mun-in lightly smiled.
It was quite a departure from proper decorum. However, Jegal Mun-in did not particularly enjoy beating around the bush. Time was limited, and how much could be accomplished within that time would determine the efficiency.
"It pertains to the matters related to the Martial Alliance. It is not something one can easily contemplate."
"Indeed."
"Moreover, I have heard that those from the Martial Alliance are from the Guangdong Clan."
"Hmm."
Dang Yong-min nodded while exhaling softly. Seeing his reaction, Jegal Mun-in smiled.
"Since the Guangdong Clan, which is making waves across the world, has entered Sichuan, we cannot neglect to verify the situation."
"…Are you concerned about Wi Jeong-han or Wi Yeon-ho?"
"Of course, it is Wi Yeon-ho."
Upon hearing Wi Yeon-ho's name, the faces of the Tang Clan members slightly twisted.
"Young Master Wi Yeon-ho is a dangerous person."
"I am aware. It is precisely because he is dangerous that I must verify it with my own eyes."
"Anyone who has been close to Wi Yeon-ho has suffered misfortune. You should be careful…"
Jegal Mun-in had a smile on his face.
"Those who treat a bomb without knowing it is a bomb naturally suffer misfortune. But I know that Wi Yeon-ho is a bomb. Therefore, there should be no issues."
"However…"
As the conversation started to lengthen, Jegal Mun-in spoke in a slightly lowered voice.
"Ultimately, the reason you requested assistance from the clan is because of that fellow, isn't it?"
"…That is correct."
While the Demon King and the Martial Alliance were both tormenting them simultaneously, if one were to dissect it, all problems ultimately stemmed from Wi Yeon-ho.
If Wi Yeon-ho were not present, the Demon King would not have the audacity he currently does, and if the one from the Martial Alliance were not Wi Yeon-ho, he would not dare to move about so brazenly to investigate the Tang Clan.
Ultimately, all troubles originated from Wi Yeon-ho.
"If it were possible to solve everything immediately, it would be great, but I also need information. First and foremost, I need information regarding the strange happenings occurring within the Sichuan Tang Clan…"
Jegal Mun-in slightly closed his eyes.
It seemed he was organizing his priorities in his mind, and after a moment of closing his eyes, Jegal Mun-in opened them and began to speak.
"I also need to see that Wi Yeon-ho with my own eyes. Then the conclusion will become clear."
Dang Yong-min slightly narrowed his brows. This alone was insufficient.
"Young Master."
"Yes, Elder."
"I must once again commit an impudent act. Will you be able to resolve this situation after confirming everything here?"
Jegal Mun-in's eyebrows twitched slightly.
"I may be merely Jegal, but I am not that clever, and I do not quite understand what Elder is concerned about. After all, are we not all in the same boat? Should we not speak freely about it?"
"Cough."
Dang Yong-min cleared his throat and continued speaking.
Jegal Mun-in's words were correct. After all, they borrowed the power of the Jegal Clan to oust the clan head. In this situation, what face do they have and what is there to hide?
"It's an embarrassing thing to say, but the power of the Sichuan Tang Clan is mostly in the hands of the clan head. Even if we cooperate as much as possible, there aren't many who would oppose the authority of the clan head within the clan. Are you okay with us not being a great help?"
Jegal Mun-in smiled gently.
However, his true intentions were entirely different.
'A cunning old man.'
Even when he should speak plainly, he still kept his true intentions hidden. This likely meant he was preparing an escape route should things go wrong.
Despite sensing the entire situation, Jegal Mun-in did not show any signs of displeasure.
After all, this was a deal.
There are no dealings that end with both sides happy. That would be a flawed deal. It is normal for one side to incur a loss in a transaction.
"You don't need to worry about that."
Should I poke at him a little?
"I have already received support from the Tianshu League."
"Oh, from the Tianshu League?"
"That person also expresses deep concern about this matter. If there are means to normalize the Tang Clan, they will spare no support."
"Hmm, I see."
This time, Dang Yong-min's face slightly frowned.
The fact that he referred to the alliance leader as 'that person' instead of the leader gave the impression that he was slightly stepping back. Though it may seem trivial, each of these words influences the outcome in the future.
"It must be a difficult matter, but for the Tianshu League to make a decision like this, I thank you on behalf of the Tang Clan."
"…It's nothing to be thankful for."
Jegal Mun-in smiled lightly.
It seems he wanted to confirm that the Tianshu League would support them no matter what. Yielding appropriately to the old raccoons pressing for urgency is one method.
"The Tang Clan is the most important force of the Tianshu League. It cannot simply turn a blind eye to the struggles of that force. Do not worry. Now that I have taken on this task, I will certainly mobilize the power of both the Jegal Clan and the Tianshu League to normalize the Tang Clan."
"Thank you."
Dang Yong-min deeply bowed his head.
Dang Pyeong also wore a satisfied expression.
'This is not the time for pleasantries.'
Jegal Mun-in did not disregard them. While they were currently acting like naive old men who know nothing, they were the elders of the Sichuan Tang Clan, known to be as treacherous as a snake.
At the moment they become clumsy, the one bleeding after being bitten by those venomous fangs would be himself.
"I would like to move immediately, but…"
Jegal Mun-in reached out and lifted the tea placed in front of him. This was a sign that he did not doubt them at all.
"Hastily consumed food can be hard to digest. For now, please prepare a place. I need to assess how the situation is progressing."
"Of course."
Jegal Mun-in and the elders of the Tang Clan exchanged smiles, both awkwardly hiding their true feelings.
"The Sichuan Tang Clan…"
As Jegal Mun-in was led to his accommodations, he looked around the room.
"It doesn't seem as severe as I expected. What do you think?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a person dropped from the ceiling.
Clad in a black night suit, they knelt before Jegal Mun-in and said, "There is no surveillance."
"Isn't that strange?"
Jegal Mun-in opened his fan.
As the fan spread with a whoosh, he began to wave it.
"Letting loose the Young Master of another family that has entered their own belly without even monitoring… Is that boldness or does it mean they think someone like me doesn't need monitoring?"
"Neither, I believe."
"Ah, that would make sense. That means Wi Yeon-ho is so threatening that I must be completely freed, right…?"
Jegal Mun-in reached out to grab the report placed on the table. It was a report detailing how the investigation team from the Martial Alliance had acted since arriving at the Sichuan Tang Clan. Of course, the ones who provided this report were the elders of the Tang Clan.
"Wi Yeon-ho, Wi Yeon-ho…"
Jegal Mun-in closed the fan and lightly tapped his head.
"An incomprehensible person."
How Wi Yeon-ho had moved from his re-emergence in the martial world to arriving at the Sichuan Tang Clan was perfectly lodged in his mind. Yet, no matter how much he analyzed it, Wi Yeon-ho was an incomprehensible person.
"He is extremely impulsive and honest with his feelings. Generally, humans tend to act according to their own ways, but this Wi Yeon-ho is so swayed by his surroundings that even that tendency becomes ambiguous."
Those with strong opinions are easy to predict.
But Wi Yeon-ho had no absolute opinion. The saying "whatever you hang on your ears will be an earring or a nose ring" fits Wi Yeon-ho's subjectivity perfectly.
"What say you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Can you infiltrate Wi Yeon-ho's residence and keep watch over him? There is a difference between what others see and what I see. The paper reports written by others cannot be considered as living information. Can you go and confirm what kind of person he is?"
"Your orders shall be followed. I will merely obey."
"That is what I expected. So go and check. Bring back confirmation of what kind of person he is."
"I receive my orders!"
As the one in the black attire disappeared, Jegal Mun-in reached for the teapot. He quietly poured the tea into his cup.
"I wonder what poison is in this tea?"
Jegal Mun-in raised the teacup as if he were looking forward to it.
The tea inside the cup rippled gently.
"No matter what poison it is, it won't compare to the poison contained in the nation you hold."
Jegal Mun-in downed the tea in one go.