Book 12: Chapter 21: Ten Thousand Generations

“By the way, it is a truly fascinating thing.”

Tang Gwi-ho said so and slowly walked forward.

He was completely defenseless, a posture perfect for being attacked.

“…….”

Abbess Chongmu could not take any action.

For she was already completely incapacitated.

“That white-haired poisonous old demon, who has troubled our Tang Family for a truly long time…”

Although Tang Gwi-ho himself was now the Vice Patriarch of the Sichuan Tang Family.

And the white-haired poisonous old demon was merely Abbess Chongmu.

Originally, even before he was born.

She was a person who spread her notoriety.

Even in the vast land of Sichuan.

For that long time, there was almost no one who could match her ability to hatch wicked schemes.

At the same time, her political sense was reminiscent of high-ranking ministers in the Imperial Capital.

And even her martial arts ability was that of someone who had surpassed the wall.

“But for such a poisonous old demon to be caught so easily.”

He raised his hand clad in a deer-skin glove and playfully tapped the wrinkled forehead of the kneeling Abbess Chongmu.

“And twice, at that.”

Battle.

The battle was not long enough to be called a battle.

The outcome of a battle was often dependent on its preparation.

In the world, it was difficult to find a family that could prepare for battle as deeply and thoroughly as the Sichuan Tang Family.

“…K-Kill me.”

Those words, which came from the mouth of Abbess Chongmu, whose arm was severed and one eye was melted.

Under normal circumstances, would have been enough to enrich and satisfy Tang Gwi-ho's spirit.

“Unfortunately.”

Tang Gwi-ho was not excited.

“Killing you or keeping you alive is not within my jurisdiction.”

Because the one who caught the white-haired poisonous old demon twice was not him, but Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.

Would the Buddha's palm be like this?

Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon had spread a massive net and already won before she even arrived.

Having been caught in the net once, she walked into his trap even in a situation where she could have escaped.

“…You bastard! You will regret keeping me alive!”

Although they were words in which a resentment deep enough to chill one's chest could be felt, Tang Gwi-ho did not even snort.

His shadows did not care, either.

There was no need to worry about her, whose dantian had melted from the inside.

“Leader. The loading of the nuns is complete.”

In the cage-like carriages made of metal, the nuns were bound in rows, loaded exactly as reported.

“Any casualties?”

“None.”

They were precious bodies.

At the very least, they.

Had to remain breathing until they could testify regarding the attempted assassination of the Tea Fan Maidens, be investigated for the charges, and be officially executed.

“Ensure they are transported along the pre-designated route. Since people must already be coming from Sichuan, we will be able to meet them halfway.”

“What about this one…?”

The shadow's gaze turned toward Abbess Chongmu.

“Do not worry about this one.”

A seductive smile hung on Tang Gwi-ho's lips.

“Since the Eldest Young Master requested it of me, I will deliver her to the Eldest Young Master personally.”

The shadows bound Abbess Chongmu and gagged her mouth with a specially designed muzzle.

“Guaaaa-!”

“Oh dear, do not be so afraid.”

Tang Gwi-ho showed a mischievous smile toward Abbess Chongmu, who was struggling and howling like a beast.

“Surely, the Eldest Young Master would not eat you or anything?”

It was a mocking joke made by Tang Gwi-ho, who did not know the true identity of the Dark Venerable.

Yet surprisingly, the truth.

Was sometimes closer to the joke.

* * *

Although the cloudless sky was clear and bright.

The appearance of the city streets near the Valley of Sin was a mess.

Black smoke rising here and there.

With the smashed shops and the chaotic streets, it was doubtful whether this was truly the bustling street of Luoyang called the Moon Palace.

Although the corpses had been cleared in a hurry, the dark red bloodstains still remaining on the paving stones.

Revealed all too clearly what had transpired here last night.

The aftermath of Luoyang's underworld being virtually mobilized in its entirety.

Looting, arson, and murder.

To list the damage one by one, this street had taken a massive hit, to the point where there would be no end.

“Here they come!”

When the clerk, who had been peeking outside from time to time, shouted that, the shop owner, who was sorting out the messy shop together, threw away his broom.

“Let's go see right now!”

Rumble.

The clerks and the owner ran down the stairs in a single crowd.

Since it had already been a long time since the shop's doors were completely smashed, there was no need to lock up.

“I see them over there!”

“They are coming this way!”

On the street, the residents of the street had already poured out, forming a bustling crowd.

Most of them were people who were embarrassed or saddened because their business capital had been completely destroyed and looted.

Yet for some reason, traces of despair could hardly be found on their faces.

“Make way!”

At the very front of the procession.

A warrior of the Luoyang Sword Family, riding a warhorse that walked proudly, shouted loudly.

“It is the escort of the criminals!”

Instantly, a commotion arose in the gathered crowd.

“Don't push! I said don't push!”

Those who were trying to come forward somehow.

“Ah, damn it! I can't see properly from here!”

And those who were trying to step back under the control of the warriors became tangled.

However, all of them.

Once the criminals actually showed themselves, they stopped their movements and held their breath.

“…….”

“…….”

Stripped of their luxurious silk clothes.

Those wearing worn-out white robes instead were bound in rows to a rope, walking barefoot through the street.

They kept their faces, which looked at least ten times older overnight, deeply bowed, but.

“Is that person…?”

“Is that not surely Elder Son?”

Whispering voices flowed from the crowd.

Because they were elders of the Luoyang Sword Family who were so famous in Luoyang, this place was filled with people who recognized them.

“Elder Hahou is over there as well.”

They were the elders of the Second Young Master's side who had executed the operation last night.

Having been captured at the Third Dock by the warriors of the Sword Family's War Department, they were being transported to the Main Family.

“…….”

Among them, there was one who grit his teeth, wearing a humiliated expression at his name being called.

“This is a frame-up! I was merely out in the city for external business!”

There was also one who still shamelessly shouted nonsensical words.

“…….”

And there were those who walked with a calm expression, like the one-eyed Elder Hahou.

“Are those people…”

“…truly the culprits who moved the underworld to create this mess?”

Even while whispering like that.

Among the gathered people, there was no one who dared to shout at them.

Even if they were bound like this and walking barefoot through the streets, they were still elders of the Sword Family.

Between them and the people forming the crowd, a vast difference in status and power existed.

Luoyang's deep and powerful underworld extorted immense tribute from the shopkeepers of the bustling streets.

That tribute flowed to their master, the Second Young Master's side.

Therefore, the elders of the Second Young Master's side were beings of the heaven beyond heaven.

However.

“You motherfuckers…!”

A small stone, thrown with all his might by someone along with an insult, flew into the procession.

Although that small stone missed terribly and fell to the ground.

That was enough.

“To think you call yourselves elders of the Sword Family…!”

This time, a stone thrown by another person grazed past one of the elders.

“Can you still call yourselves elders of the Luoyang Sword Family, the greatest family under heaven, even after this?!”

For the number of stone-throwers to go from one to two, and from two to three, was not a very difficult thing.

“Damn bastards!”

For three to become ten, and ten to become dozens, was even easier.

“Go to hell!”

Due to the commotion that had lasted all night, the ground was full of broken and smashed paving stones.

Once ignited, the crowd, regardless of age or gender, threw stones at the elders.

Whack!

Although a stone flew and hit a head, tearing the skin and causing blood to flow.

“…….”

Elder Hahou walked with his eyes closed, enduring the stones.

“Kugh…!”

However, not everyone possessed internal energy to have the body of a superhuman like Elder Hahou.

Crack!

“Hieek…!”

When a stone thrown with considerable force struck his shoulder, the elderly elder collapsed on the spot with a deflating scream.

“…Tch.”

At that, the warriors, with reluctant expressions, stepped forward and began to deflect the stones flying in dangerous paths one by one.

No matter how guilty the criminals were.

It was because they could not allow them to be stoned to death on the street before receiving judgment at the Main Family.

“Why are you shielding them?!”

The damage they had to suffer unilaterally.

The pain they had to endure unilaterally.

The anger of the victims, who had to remain silent because they lacked power, gradually began to explode.

“Are you all ultimately in league with them as well?!”

“Are family members of the Sword Family just family members of the Sword Family after all?!”

“If that is the case, you should have taken them quietly and out of sight!”

“Are you mocking us because we are powerless commoners?!”

It was difficult to ignite a crowd, but once ignited, the flames were bound to spread uncontrollably.

“Prepare for combat!”

In that situation, the warriors of the War Department gritted their teeth and gripped the hilts of their swords.

“Listen, people of Luoyang.”

However, the clash they had feared did not occur.

“Our Luoyang Sword Family is neither protecting the criminals nor mocking you.”

Though low.

The heavy voice, which seemed to echo directly inside everyone's heads, instantly stopped the crowd's movements.

“The criminals must be made to pay a severe price in accordance with the sacred code and laws of the Main Family.”

A giant middle-aged man approaching from the rear of the procession bore a great sword on his back.

“Sword Peak Mountain Splitter!”

“Is that Elder Yeom of the Sword Family…!”

The crowd gathered here could not fail to recognize the victorious general who had cleaned up the mess last night.

Elder Yeom raised a hand stained with dried blood to those who recognized him and continued speaking.

“As you must have heard just moments ago. The Eldest Young Master of the Main Family and the Supreme Executive Council deeply feel the responsibility and have promised to spare no compensation and support!”

Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon and the Supreme Executive Council's movements were agile.

They dispatched people and posted notices everywhere, admitting responsibility and promising compensation.

“…….”

“…….”

That was the reason why, although the faces of those gathered here were dark, they were not filled with despair.

“Surely, there must be those among you who have lost loved ones. I also know that such loss cannot be healed by mere monetary compensation.”

“…….”

Watching the crowd drop the stones in their hands one by one, Elder Yeom politely clasped his hands.

“I express my deepest regrets to you all in this manner.”

To the point where the touch-and-go situation of a moment ago felt like a lie.

Elder Yeom's response was effective.

“I will not ask you to please trust the entire Main Family. Nor will everything change all at once. However.”

He lowered his clasped hands and spoke with a humble attitude and a confident voice.

“In the current Main Family, there is surely someone whom you can trust.”

Meeting the gazes of the crowd, he asked.

“Is that not so?”

To that question.

There was a gentle change in the crowd's expressions.

Someone in the rear ranks raised their hand high.

Instead of holding a broken stone, someone raised a voice and shouted while waving a tightly clenched fist.

“In the Sword Family, we have the Eldest Young Master!”

At that shout, the crowd realized.

That on this street, no longer.

In this bustling area.

They realized that the Second Young Master's faction, which had reigned through the underworld, no longer had a place to stand.

Although.

In a world where people live, there could not be a lack of dark places.

At least in the future, there would be no organizations wielding absolute power at their whim.

“Long live the Eldest Young Master!”

It was unknown who had shouted first.

“Long live!”

“Long live!”

The sounds of the crowd shouting long live spread in all directions.

“…….”

For some reason.

The heads of the Second Young Master's side's elders were bowed.

Even more deeply than when the stones were raining down.