Chapter 440

One elder said.

“Even excluding the retainer warriors, thirty percent of the relatives participated in the rebellion. Moreover, those from teenagers to twenties who had resentment against Poison Dragon are direct descendants. If we kill them all, our Tang family will soon have its bloodline cut off.”

Another elder voiced his opinion.

“However, if we simply forgive them like this, discipline will not be established. We must make an example of them so such things never happen again.”

Neither side was wrong.

The leaders looked at Tang Ha-ran. Decisions must always be made by the head. Because the head is the person who must take responsibility for those decisions.

Unlike other families, the Tang family, which valued ability over gender due to the scarcity of direct descendants, allowed the family line to continue based on merit rather than gender discrimination.

Therefore, the privileges one could enjoy as family head were only possible on the foundation of unlimited responsibility.

Taking responsibility equal to the authority one possesses.

That was the duty of a decision-maker and the fundamental duty of a leader that must never be avoided.

The leaders entrusted the decision to Tang Ha-ran, but also glanced at Jin Ja-gang sitting beside them.

How much Jin Ja-gang’s opinions influenced Tang Ha-ran was also an important evaluation factor in Tang Ha-ran’s role as acting family head.

This was Tang Ha-ran’s first test as acting family head.

However, Jin Ja-gang surprisingly didn’t say a single word, and Tang Ha-ran also didn’t even look toward Jin Ja-gang.

It was Tang Ha-ran’s will to judge and decide independently from Jin Ja-gang’s influence in family matters.

The leaders were quite admired by Tang Ha-ran’s firm resolve.

Having such firm resolve while the family faced a crisis of catastrophe was praiseworthy.

However, the first decision-making power given to Tang Ha-ran was truly a difficult matter.

The leaders, moved by Tang Ha-ran’s will, offered advice one by one.

“If you won’t judge emotionally, you can view this matter from two perspectives.”

“First, according to the Five Rules of the Clan, it violates Protecting Family and Defending Country.”

Protecting Family and Defending Country. Protect the family and fight for the country.

“Second, according to the Tang Family Rules, it corresponds to ‘Those who harm blood relatives shall be expelled from the family.'”

Those who harm blood relatives shall be expelled from the family.

Tang Ha-ran nodded gratefully at the leaders’ advice.

Tang Ha-ran looked around at each of the leaders present, then opened her mouth as if having made a decision.

“First, I will decide the punishment for the retainer families who participated in the rebellion.”

Everyone focused their attention.

“I will not hold ordinary warriors accountable. However, squad leaders who led more than ten warriors will receive one year of imprisonment, hundred-man commanders will receive three years of imprisonment and be demoted to ordinary warriors after their sentences end. Thousand-man commanders will be executed to take responsibility.”

The leaders stirred.

“Isn’t the punishment too light? One year, three years?”

“Traditionally, retainer families who plotted rebellion had their men purged and their women and children made into slaves as an example. Also, the direct descendants of the instigators were imprisoned for life, never to see sunlight.”

However, Tang Ha-ran’s words didn’t end there.

“Furthermore, while the family heads are imprisoned, I will provide living expenses to their households so they won’t suffer financial hardship.”

Those words surprised the leaders even more.

“When funds are already insufficient.”

Tang Ha-ran persuaded the leaders.

“The chaos in the martial world is not ordinary. If we don’t quickly restore internal order and gain the loyalty of retainer families, we’ll eventually fall to external enemies rather than internal ones due to internal strife. We must find ways for everyone to cooperate and coexist.”

The leaders pondered Tang Ha-ran’s words thoughtfully.

“Well… Since both traitors and loyal subjects came from the same families, killing them all wouldn’t solve the problem.”

“Rather, comforting them could be an opportunity to unite everyone in the current crisis.”

“But let’s not forget the saying that internal blades are more fearsome.”

“Then what punishment do you plan for the direct descendants?”

Tang Ha-ran took a short deep breath and spoke firmly.

“Those known as the instigators have already fled. No matter how many days it takes, I will definitely capture and execute them. However, I will give the rest an opportunity.”

“An opportunity?”

“I will give them the opportunity to either be expelled from the family or be sent to distant places to serve the family.”

The leaders fell into deep contemplation.

It wasn’t a perfect plan that everyone could agree with. It gave the impression of being too soft.

Of course, considering the Tang family’s current situation, it could be called the best available plan.

After King of Hell Tang Qing fell, Tang Gwi-ok conducted excessive bloody purges to suppress dissatisfaction while failing to properly control the Tang family. While this had the effect of silencing people, it rather made those harboring resentment burrow deeper inside.

However, Tang Ha-ran wanted to bring them to the surface and give them opportunities instead.

While everyone was hesitating without easily agreeing, one person suddenly asked Jin Ja-gang.

“Poison Dragon. Though you weren’t born into the main family, you’re now properly a member of the main family. I’d like to hear your thoughts.”

Jin Ja-gang responded with a surprised tone.

“My thoughts probably aren’t important.”

“In this meeting, anyone can speak directly to the acting family head. Even if it’s not reflected in the decision, we can still hear your thoughts.”

All the leaders nodded as if they shared the same sentiment. In fact, they also wanted to hear his thoughts, knowing how exceptional Jin Ja-gang was.

Wasn’t he the one who destroyed King of Hell Tang Qing not through force but through legitimacy?

So they couldn’t help but be curious about what thoughts Jin Ja-gang held.

Jin Ja-gang answered without hesitation.

“I have never let anyone live who drew a blade behind my back without my permission.”

Startled.

The leaders flinched.

The elder who had asked became even more embarrassed.

Stories of Jin Ja-gang passing through the main gate of the Tang Family Compound were already spreading within the family. They said he gave them a chance to open the gate, but when they didn’t, he killed all the warriors guarding the gate. Even in the midst of rushing to see Tang Ha-ran!

However, asking Jin Ja-gang wasn’t without benefit.

It made them think it was truly fortunate that Jin Ja-gang hadn’t become family head.

Compared to Jin Ja-gang, Tang Ha-ran’s plan was truly the best of the best.

The leaders decided to follow Tang Ha-ran’s decision one by one without significant opposition.

***

“Waaah! Waaah!”

Jin Ja-gang returned to the room first and comforted the crying child while holding her.

After a while, Tang Ha-ran finished her remaining business and returned to feed the child.

“Phew.”

Tang Ha-ran let out a small sigh.

Jin Ja-gang asked with a smile.

“Is it difficult?”

“No. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I shouldn’t say it’s difficult at this level.”

It was a very Tang Ha-ran-like response.

“By the way, thanks to what you said, my plan worked out quite well. The retainer families seem to rationally accept that they can serve again after a few years of punishment, and most of the direct descendants chose to work for the family rather than exile since many were only simple participants. Thank you.”

Jin Ja-gang smiled slightly.

Tang Ha-ran stretched with a somewhat tired face.

“I need to bathe after feeding her. Can you pat the baby’s back for a while?”

“Of course.”

Tang Ha-ran called her maid to prepare bath water. After nursing the child, she entrusted her to Jin Ja-gang. While Tang Ha-ran bathed, Jin Ja-gang held the child supporting her bottom and patted her back.

The child burped comfortably. Poisonous energy mixed slightly with her breath.

Jin Ja-gang patted the child while removing the poisonous energy.

Before long, the child fell asleep.

When Tang Ha-ran returned, Jin Ja-gang asked.

“But shouldn’t we decide on the child’s name soon?”

Without grandfather or grandmother, they had to name her themselves. During the three days they were together in the poisonous energy, they put their heads together but couldn’t come up with a suitable name.

“Giving a childhood name isn’t easy either. He could have at least given her a name before leaving.”

This was grumbling about Tang Qing. Tang Qing quickly organized the inner compound and left immediately. Thanks to this, Bian Bu, Woon-jeong, and So-so were safe without major injuries. Only Sword Empress Im Yi-eon was bedridden after overexerting herself before fully recovering.

“Given his strong pride, he couldn’t remain here. He wouldn’t want to burden others with his debts either.”

Tang Ha-ran chuckled. She remembered Tang Qing deliberately not naming the child as revenge against Jin Ja-gang. She couldn’t understand why everyone became childishly proud over trivial matters when dealing with Jin Ja-gang.

“So let’s go with Little Poison Dragon for now.”

“No.”

“Why? I think it’s nice because it reminds me of you.”

Jin Ja-gang gave her a look as if asking what she was talking about.

“What do you mean Little Poison Dragon for the child? That’s not even my name, just a nickname.”

“Something easy to call with appropriate meaning would be good. In that sense, if we call her Little Poison Dragon, naturally people who hear the name will know the child’s father is Poison Dragon.”

“Don’t try to persuade me. Childhood names should be pretty.”

Tang Ha-ran pondered thoughtfully.

“Since she was born in poisonous energy, how about Dok-cheon! Sounds strong and good, right? Good, Dok-cheon!”

[TL Note- Dok-cheon means Poison Heaven.]

“That’s strange for a girl’s childhood name!”

“Just try calling her.”

Jin Ja-gang looked at the child.

“Dok-cheon-ah.”

Sleeping peacefully.

“See? She doesn’t like it.”

“She just seems to be sleeping?”

Tang Ha-ran made a humming sound and came over to put her arm around Jin Ja-gang’s shoulder. Then she rested her cheek against him and looked at Jin Ja-gang’s face from right beside him.

“Then since she was born in summer, how about Ha-hwa? Though personally I don’t like it because it seems too delicate.”

Jin Ja-gang showed a slightly interested expression but shook his head.

Tang Ha-ran smiled.

“This is the first time I’ve seen you being greedy.”

“I’ll ask Scholar Bian Bu later and get his help.”

While Jin Ja-gang and Tang Ha-ran were enjoying a moment of peaceful time, a maid came from outside with a message.

“The Poison Sect’s Three Cliques and a Qingcheng Sect elder have arrived. They say they have urgent matters to discuss.”

Tang Ha-ran sighed slightly and got up.

“Show them to the office.”

***

Among the Poison Sect’s Three Cliques, Baek Oh-sa, who had become the new representative of Funeral Parlour, greeted acting family head Tang Ha-ran and Jin Ja-gang.

Seeing Jin Ja-gang come out holding the child, Elder Bok-cheon opened his eyes wide.

“Ho, so that’s the child of you and the acting family head.”

Pleasure Heaven’s leader Yuk Ha-seon also couldn’t contain his fondness and opened his eyes wide.

“But is it already okay to have contact with outsiders?”

Leper Mound’s Thousand Face Demon, the old official, chuckled.

“Worrying is also fate. What we should be careful of isn’t the child who received Poison Dragon’s blood, but ourselves.”

“Ah.”

Yuk Ha-seon agreed. Then he couldn’t take his eyes off the child and looked at her lovingly.

“What’s her name?”

“Not yet…”

Tang Ha-ran interrupted Jin Ja-gang’s answer.

“We were thinking of naming her Little Poison Dragon or Dok-cheon.”

“Ah, I see.”

But Baek Oh-sa stared at the child and said.

“For Poison Dragon’s child, she’s ugly.”