Part 1
Chapter 47. What Musso Failed to Grasp
So-hwa emerged from the Lord of Medical Hall’s room with an awkward expression. Tang Hak, who had been waiting outside for quite some time, quickly lowered his outstretched arms and followed his sister.
"Why are you coming out so early today? Did you just decide to give up the whole root?"
"No, they said it's no longer needed."
"Huh? All of a sudden?"
Though her face was expressionless, it seemed even she didn't understand, tilting her head slightly.
"... They say Elder Muso will procure it."
"Really? Even though the branch leader is from Mount Zhongnan, and yet someone from Mount Hua is stepping up... I can't believe it."
"Mount Zhongnan or Mount Hua, now's not the time to argue over those things. Aren't even the disciples of Mount Hua at the Shaanxi branch in danger?"
"Um, can I be honest?"
"No."
Though he couldn't hide his uncomfortable expression, Tang Hak shut his mouth.
Honestly!
To be completely honest, even if Mount Hua managed to acquire the Extreme Ice Grass, they'd probably just distribute a little to their own disciples and pretend they couldn't get more.
Why would Mount Hua use such a precious elixir on disciples from Mount Zhongnan?
With a snort, Tang Hak stepped out of the pavilion and flinched. He silently thanked his sister for stopping his mouth. That was because Muso and dozens of Plum Blossom Swordsmen were lined up in front of the pavilion.
If he'd spoken wrongly, he could've been in serious trouble.
Unlike Tang Hak, who shrank back out of guilt, So-hwa looked calmly at the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
At that moment, Muso approached Tang So-hwa.
Stopping just a hand's breadth away from her, Muso asked,
"I heard you're going to the Hubei branch—is that true?"
"Yes."
Did he come all the way here just to ask that?
So-hwa found it odd, but as Muso's expression seemed strange, she explained her reason for going to Hubei.
"I heard young taoist Myungdan was attacked by the Blood Sect at the border of Hubei and Shaanxi. The enemy may have crossed into Hubei, so the treatment method and medicinal ingredients must be delivered to the Hubei branch quickly."
As far as she remembered, the person attacked by Fire Art at this time was originally a disciple of Wudang.
When So-hwa said that, Muso's expression contorted even more.
"That's why I ask. Hubei is dangerous right now, and you intend to go there alone?"
"I'm not going alone."
At her words, Muso's gaze slid over. Seeing the Black Tiger Unit martial artists standing in front of the pavilion, he narrowed his eyes. They had been hiding their presence completely, but now, perhaps due to wounded pride, they suddenly asserted their presence.
They weren't people to be taken lightly. They seemed to be several levels above Myungdan, at least.
'... Did the Clan Head of the Tang Clan send his own people?'
Muso was surprised at the Clan Head's generosity, but recalling the people who had visited the Shaanxi branch, he understood.
The Young Lord of the Tang Clan, the divine physician, and his eldest daughter.
None of them were unimportant to the Clan Head.
With a slightly subdued voice, Muso said:
"As you said, the bastard might really be using martial arts from the Solar Palace. Most martial artists in the Central Plains don't know how to deal with Fire Art. Are you still alright with this? Martial arts have natural affinities—no matter how skilled your guards may be, their strength might not work on him."
"That is why I must go even more. Doesn't the Hubei branch also not know how to deal with the Fire Art?"
"You..."
Muso suddenly spoke in a heavy voice.
"Are you saying you don't care even if it becomes dangerous?"
The Plum Blossom Swordsmen standing behind Muso also looked grim.
So-hwa raised her eyes at the somber atmosphere.
It seemed the Taoists of Mount Hua were gravely misunderstanding something.
'... Do they think I'm risking myself for the sake of the Hubei branch?'
Unbelievable—but Muso couldn't hold back and added more. His regretful tone pierced So-hwa's eardrums.
"Your heart for justice is admirable, but before practicing justice, you must also know how to value yourself."
"..."
A classic misunderstanding from a Taoist who revered righteousness.
Contrary to Muso's belief, So-hwa wasn't going to Hubei because she was worried about the pursuit unit. It was actually the opposite.
She was overexerting herself because she feared the Hubei branch might disband the pursuit unit out of fear from this incident.
So-hwa intended to deliver the treatment method so that the martial artists of the Hubei branch wouldn't fear Fire Art. So they could respond immediately if afflicted.
Afraid of getting hit by Fire Art? When there's a way to survive it? And the divine physician even came all the way to Hubei alone to tell them?
With that, the Hubei branch wouldn't dare mention disbanding the pursuit unit out of pride.
Moreover, this was something So-hwa had to do herself. If she entrusted the delivery to the Shaanxi branch, the traitor might intercept the Extreme Ice Grass.
As Muso said, it was a bit dangerous, but it was worth the risk.
'The head disciple of Wudang was afflicted around this time in my past life—something must be around this area.'
If Blood Sect's weakness was between Shaanxi and Hubei, then they absolutely needed to reinforce the boundary between the two.
At that moment, Tang Hak, who had consistently opposed So-hwa's trip to Hubei, stepped in.
"Elder sister, the danger is one thing... but we don't have much time. If we stop by Hubei, we'll be late for the Alliance of Noble Clans."
In truth, So-hwa was more worried about this than her safety.
She absolutely had to attend this year's Alliance of Noble Clans.
'Because it will be the first time I meet Namgung Hyun.'
Though she hesitated, fearing her plan might be disrupted, it seemed she could just barely keep to the schedule if she made a swift trip.
The Blood Sect's trail was flickering in two places—she couldn't afford to miss either one.
Namgung Hyun, and the strange Blood Sect bastard who used the lost martial arts of the Solar Palace.
So-hwa spoke as if she had made up her mind.
"I'll just deliver the medicinal ingredients to the Hubei branch and return right away, so I should be able to make it in time."
If by any chance the Wudang disciple were to encounter that Blood Sect bastard and lose his mind like Myungdan, they might never be able to find information about the bastard.
So-hwa couldn't say that aloud and kept her mouth shut.
At times, it was frustrating to be the only one carrying this anxiety.
Just then, a shadow fell into her view.
When she looked up, she saw Muso holding out his hand. In his hand was a small wooden token. It was a tag with a red knot resembling a plum blossom.
"What is this?"
"I wanted to give you a token of gratitude, but I came down to the branch in such haste that I didn't bring one."
When he moved the fingers holding the wooden piece slightly, the Taoist name written on it came into view. Muso. It appeared to be his name token.
Not being a member of the Mount Hua Sect, she didn't know what it signified.
In the past, the Tang Clan hadn't had much exchange with Mount Hua, so it was natural she wouldn't be familiar with their customs. If Tang Min had been here, he might've recognized it at a glance, but the Tang So-hwa, with her limited knowledge of the Murim, could only wait for an explanation.
As he watched the Young Lady of the Tang Clan quietly gazing down at his name token, Muso curled the corners of his lips.
"Come visit Mount Hua one day. I'll exchange it for a proper token of gratitude then."
So-hwa looked up at him with a sour expression.
'Is he making fun of me?'
Mount Hua was a mountain infamous for its cliffs. She'd heard that many people died trying to climb it.
"... I'll just accept the sentiment."
Perhaps it really was a joke—Muso burst out laughing heartily.
"Are you participating in this year's Murim Alliance Martial Arts Tournament?"
"Unfortunately, I'm not devoted to martial arts, so I won't be representing the Tang Clan."
"I figured as much."
"......"
Now she was certain—he was teasing her.
Just as she was feeling unsure whether this was the Mount Hua Sect's way of expressing gratitude, Muso tossed the name token. So-hwa, caught off guard, instinctively caught the wooden piece in her hand. Then Muso said with a smile:
"Still, come and watch at least. I'll give you the token of gratitude then."
This was the first time So-hwa had seen someone promise to give a token of gratitude. If he really intended to, couldn't he have just sent someone to the Tang Clan with it? It's not like a token of gratitude was the size of a pavilion.
Despite the uneasy look on So-hwa's face, Muso said nothing more. He simply offered a single martial salute, then turned and left with the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.
"Elder Sister......"
Just then, a shocked voice came from behind.
"Did Elder Muso just say he'd come to the Martial Arts Tournament... and give you a token of gratitude...?"
"So what?"
Tang Hak's already pale face grew even whiter. Whether it was an unspoken agreement among martial artists or not, Tang Hak was clearly stunned.
"The Murim Alliance Martial Arts Tournament is a place to boast about outstanding, promising talents. That's why not only the sect leaders and clan heads attend, but also the masters of those martial artists, the branch leaders, and even the Alliance Leader himself. All the important people gather there."
"... Even I know that much."
"It's a public declaration in front of those people! That Elder Muso, who leads the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, considers you his benefactor! He's saying, 'If you touch her, you're all my enemy!'"
"Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"
So-hwa remained calm despite Tang Hak's fuss.
"I'm the daughter of the Clan Head of the Tang Clan and the leader of the Sichuan branch. How many people in the world would dare make an enemy of me? It's not that big of a deal."
"..."
Tang Hak looked at So-hwa with clouded eyes from behind.
'Do you truly believe, with your nature, that you have no enemies?'
Hearing no reply, So-hwa turned and looked back at Tang Hak. He quickly put on a gentle smile, hiding his improper thoughts. Then, his sister held out Muso's name token to him.
"You keep this."
"Pardon? But it was given to you, how could I..!"
"You're the one participating in the tournament anyway, and you've come as a representative of the Sichuan branch. So it's only right that you carry it and return it to Elder Muso."
If the giving of the name token at a Murim Alliance event was a declaration of backing, then it made more sense for Tang Hak to receive it.
It was a good thing that so many eyes would be on her younger brother, who had once disappeared to the Yangtze River without telling the family.
Pushing away the thoughts that always made her anxious, So-hwa once again extended the name token.
But her brother only gave a gentle smile and stepped back.
"Elder sister, that would be disrespectful. Elder Muso gave it to you, so this connection belongs to you."
Tang Hak turned back while descending the stairs as if fleeing.
"Han-won! Escort my sister to Hubei with the Black Tiger Unit. I'll return to Sichuan with the divine physician right away."
Most of the escort force was the Black Tiger Unit. Saying he would leave all his strength behind, Tang Hak quickly disappeared. So-hwa, left holding the name token in the air, let out a breathless laugh.
Who was worrying about whom now?
"Young Lady."
Han-won cautiously called to her. When she turned around, she saw the martial artists of the Black Tiger Unit with anxious expressions.
"We are grateful that you trust us, but the danger is real."
"So, are you saying we should return to the Tang Clan?"
"No, it's not that..."
Han-won trailed off and glanced down the steps of the pavilion. So-hwa flinched.
The heat on her back was intense. When she turned around, the martial artists of the Shaanxi branch were approaching.
"While you were discussing with the Lord of Medical Hall, the leader of the Shaanxi branch arranged for guards to accompany you to the Hubei border. And they said the Hubei branch would come out to meet you once you arrive at the border."
"Ah."
She had cursed the branch leader internally for lacking conscience since he didn't show up while the Lord of Medical Hall was bothering her—but it seemed he had at least a bit of conscience after all.
So-hwa tucked the name token into her sleeve and curled her lips slightly.
"In that case, it would not be polite to refuse their kindness."