Chapter 31 – Where Do You Think You’re Running

Chapter 31 – Where Do You Think You're Running?

The Assembly of the Five Great Families was already rushing toward its final stage.

Only two days of the assembly remained.

During the assembly, the elders of each family were busy sharing political discussions regarding the state of the Jianghu and the conflict between the orthodox and unorthodox factions.

However, there was someone in the Tang Clan Estate who was even busier than them.

“Brother, are you stopping by the Zhuge Family's guest quarters again?”

“Yeah, the Go match with the Young Clan Leader hasn't finished yet.”

It was none other than Tang San-ho.

Namgung Yeon, who happened to run into San-ho as he popped up here and flashed there, asked.

“I heard you decided to have lunch with the guests of the Paeng Clan.”

“Miss Paeng asked me to teach her the pigment preparation method after the meal. I didn't know that reading the *Chuo Geng Lu* the other day would be useful in this way. I might as well transcribe a copy and give it to her.”

Reading books was one of San-ho's hobbies.

The reading, which he had started to gather as much information as possible after opening his eyes in the Central Plains' martial world, had at some point become an indispensable pleasure. It continued without discriminating between genres, covering various martial arts manuals, Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist scriptures, and even diverse miscellaneous practical books.

The knowledge he expanded in that manner also played a significant role in winning the goodwill of each family.

“The *Chuo Geng Lu*? You read all of that?”

Among them, the *Chuo Geng Lu* was an essay collection of over thirty volumes, which contained various recorded methods of pigment preparation. It was thanks to this that he was able to prepare the perfect gift when he learned that Paeng Ju-hyeon was interested in painting.

Reading a practical book, not even a martial arts manual, from cover to cover. When Namgung Yeon asked in surprise, San-ho nodded.

“As expected, you are amazing, Brother… By the way, I heard you are discussing swordsmanship with Brother Hyun in the afternoon. Does that mean you are coming to Namgung's guest quarters?”

“Yeah, that's right. Being able to discuss swords with the Young Clan Leader of the Namgung Clan, a prestigious family of swords, is an opportunity I can't miss.”

As Tang San-ho spoke while even nodding his head, Namgung Yeon asked as if he could not understand.

“…Where are you coming from right now, then?”

“I'm on my way back from the Murong Clan's guest quarters.”

“Why there of all places?”

“Since the Third Young Master and the Fourth Young Master said they wanted to change their swords, I introduced them to the swords forged by the artisans of the Craftsmanship Hall.”

“The skill of the Sichuan Tang Clan's artisans is indeed the best under heaven. But did you give such precious things as gifts?”

Hadn't they clearly been on bad terms with the Murong Clan?

To the question filled with curiosity, San-ho opened his eyes wide and replied.

“No? I sold them at a very high price.”

“Ah…”

“Why? Do you need one too?”

“I-I'm fine…”

Quietly winning people's hearts.

Since he knew what the other party wanted better than they did, drawing them to his side was an easy matter.

Although it was San-ho who first reached out his hand, soon everyone came to seek him out.

In that way, talking with the guests who sought him, having meals, and learning new things, a day would pass by in a flash.

“By the way, how did you know all of that?”

“Well… since stories about you, Brother, could be heard here and there, I naturally came to know. But why on earth are you so busy? Is there really something going on?”

“What do you mean, something going on? Well, is there any other news you've heard?”

“News? Could it be…”

Namgung Yeon quickly scanned his surroundings and whispered softly into San-ho's ear.

“Are you really planning to travel the Jianghu? Or perhaps you've met a young lady you like?”

“Where did you pick up such strange nonsense again?”

“Please tell me. This younger brother will assist you with all his heart.”

Seeing Namgung Yeon's face, which looked quite serious and solemn, San-ho let out a chuckle.

“Forget it. Just let me know if any interesting rumors start circulating.”

***

Was it not said that words have a way of becoming reality?

The next day, a strange rumor began to circulate in the Tang Clan Estate.

“Again?”

“This time it's the Zhuge Clan's guest quarters. What on earth is happening?”

“No, how could such a thing be possible? Of all places, it's the guest quarters where the martial artists of the great families are staying.”

“Tell me about it. Yesterday, they said it happened in the guest quarters where the guests of the Hebei Paeng Clan were staying, right? It's truly a mystery that would make even ghosts weep, seriously…”

“The maidservants of the other guest quarters are saying that it's best to keep a low profile to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.”

It was none other than a rumor that a thief had broken into the guest quarters where the guests of the great families were staying.

Bad deeds travel a thousand miles.

Bad rumors are bound to spread quickly.

The rumor, whose origin was unknown, spread rapidly through the mouths of the maidservants. And, as was the case with all rumors, flesh began to be added to it little by little. In that way, it took less than half a day for everyone in the Tang Clan Estate to learn of that strange rumor.

“Family Head, I heard a strange rumor…”

It was the same for the guest quarters where the Murong Clan was staying.

Having heard the rumor, Family Head Murong Seol-ju, the Chief Steward, and Museong Squad Leader Murong Do sat in the parlor with grave expressions.

A brief silence flowed, and Murong Do opened his mouth again.

“I heard that the Young Master of the Tang Clan has been going around the guest quarters of the families and… *cough*, touching the guests' belongings.”

“…”

As he spoke with hesitation as if it were too embarrassing to say, the Chief Steward also chimed in from the side.

“I have also heard that rumor. There is no way an outside bandit would have invaded a place where the martial artists of the families reside. Unless it is the Young Master of the Tang Clan, would it not be impossible to even enter the guest quarters of the families?”

“Family Head, I do not wish to suspect him carelessly either, but… it is a fact that the circumstances point toward the Young Master.”

“Sigh…”

To Murong Seol-ju, who was only letting out a deep sigh, Murong Do voiced his opinion.

“Then, could it be that the one who attacked the Young Clan Leader a few days ago was also the Young Master?”

“My goodness… Then does the Chief Steward think that the room being messy at that time was not a trace of a physical struggle, but…”

“He must have been looking for something worth stealing.”

The Chief Steward said, nodding as if certain.

“But steal what? Is there something missing?”

“Did the Young Clan Leader not have the secret manual found in Xinjiang? Could it be that?”

“Oh my…! Family Head, where is that secret manual now?”

Hearing the Chief Steward's words, Murong Do opened his eyes wide and looked at Murong Seol-ju.

“…It has disappeared.”

“How could this happen… Then, did the Young Master of the Tang Clan truly…”

“No wonder it was strange. Was the Young Clan Leader not afflicted by poison? If it is someone who used poison in the Tang Clan Estate, their identity is obvious!”

As if he knew it would be so, the Chief Steward raised his voice and continued.

“This is not something to be overlooked like this. We must summon the Young Master immediately and make him confess the truth of the matter!”

“Have you forgotten that when we sought the Young Master on the day of the attack, even the Family Head of the Tang Clan stepped forward? We must think carefully.”

“Carefully? Squad Leader. The Young Clan Leader of Murong was attacked. How can you speak of being careful? Furthermore, is the Tang Clan not taking full charge of the treatment? However, if the Young Master is the real culprit, how can we trust the Tang Clan? How do we know if they are hiding the antidote?”

“That may be true, but it is at times like this that we must be careful. In the end, we could not find the real culprit that day either, could we?”

“What would be the reason the Tang Clan is not stepping forward to find the real culprit? It must be because the Young Master is the culprit!”

“…”

As Murong Do and the Chief Steward raised their voices at each other, Murong Seol-ju closed his eyes tightly with a sorrowful expression.

To think that similar things had occurred in other families as well.

The Chief Steward raised his voice once more.

“This time, we must definitely clarify the truth. Where could there be clearer evidence than this?”

“But are we not currently in the middle of the Assembly of the Five Great Families? It is not the time to act rashly. My desire to catch the real culprit is earnest, but I am concerned that a situation might arise where Murong is put in danger.”

“That is why it has to be now! Since the other families have suffered the same damage, if Murong steps forward, they will also add their strength. Since there are many watching eyes, the Tang Clan will not be able to do anything foolish either.”

At that time, Murong Seol-ju, who had been quietly listening to the exchange of arguments, asked in a heavy voice.

“…So, what is the Chief Steward proposing we do?”

“Send Murong's warriors to bring the Young Master here. Now is the opportunity. We must make him bring the antidote and the secret manual as quickly as possible.”

“…Mmm…”

“Family Head, you must make a decision before it is too late. For the assembly has only two days remaining.”

At the repeated urging, Murong Seol-ju finally raised his gaze slowly and looked at Murong Do.

“…Museong Squad Leader. Go to the detached villa with your members and bring the Young Master of the Tang Clan. If by any chance a confrontation arises, I will permit the use of swords.”

“Yes, Family Head. I shall receive your command.”

Having received the Family Head's command, Murong Do assembled the members of the Museong Squad with a stiffened face.

***

Late that evening.

A figure clad in black night clothes lightly vaulted over the wall of the ownerless detached villa.

The owner of the detached villa, Tang San-ho, had vacated the villa as he was led away by Murong's warriors. Since the incident was a rather serious matter, he would not be able to return here until the truth was uncovered.

Since it was not just an individual problem but a matter entangled between families, there was plenty of time.

The figure, who had blended into the complete darkness, took steps while carefully scanning the surroundings.

Without a sound, and without a trace.

Entering the parlor, the black figure carefully scanned the interior.

An interior where only faint moonlight filtered in.

He began to search the bookcase where books were organized with bloodshot eyes.

Had about the time it took to drink a cup of tea passed like that?

“…”

*Click.*

In the gaze of the black figure who opened the drawer, an iron fan engraved with the crest of the Zhuge Family entered his view.

An iron fan framed with precious coral gold.

Upon opening the drawer beneath it, several items that clearly belonged to the Namgung and the jade hairpin of the Paeng Clan were inside.

“Ha…”

The rumor had indeed been true. The shameful and shocking rumor that the Young Master of the Tang Clan had laid hands on the guests' belongings.

A very faint sound was heard from a corner of the dark parlor.

“…It really was this fellow's doing. How dare he, when he doesn't even know what that is…”

The figure's eyes flared with fury.

No wonder.

He had not been able to find it even after searching the Young Clan Leader's room inside out.

That meant the secret manual had already been moved somewhere in Murong's guest quarters, rather than the Young Clan Leader's room.

However, even when he searched the guest quarters so that others would not notice, the secret manual was nowhere to be seen. But seeing this situation, he understood.

'It was because this fellow stole it that I couldn't find it.'

By chance, the Young Master of the Tang Clan had stolen the secret manual that had been moved from the Young Clan Leader's room.

'Then it is certain to be here somewhere…'

However, even after searching the spotless, dust-free bookshelf and the display cabinet next to it, the object of his search did not appear.

It was at that moment.

When he reached his hand beneath the chest of drawers just in case, he felt something catch at his fingertips.

Fumbling around, the texture of paper brushed against his touch.

A book hidden in a place invisible to the eye like this.

It meant it was the secret manual he was looking for.

It was the moment when the figure, who had finally laid hands on what he wanted, pulled the book from the bottom of the cabinet.

“I found…!”

“Found you.”

A voice that should not have been heard in the darkness rang out clearly.

“…!!!”

Even though he had not heard a breath, let alone a trace.

The black figure, clutching the book in his hand, froze in an instant. A spine-chilling presence that could be felt even without being seen. Along with a gaze like a dagger and a cold voice. His back was drenched with sweat from tension without his even realizing it.

It was a moment that felt like eternity.

*Whoosh!*

The black figure, hastily regaining his senses, swiftly threw his body through the half-open window.

He had not been exposed yet.

If only he could escape from here, he would stand a chance.

*Thud!*

However.

From behind the figure who had exited the parlor in an instant, words that could not be understood at all were heard.

“…Torong, bite him!”