Chapter 157. Opening of the Headquarters

The Tang Clan Head's face was haggard.

He was worn down by a night-long council.

It wasn't from lack of sleep, but because no matter how he turned it in his head, he could see no way forward from this dire situation.

The members of the Murim Alliance argued that the headquarters should be opened, yet at the same time agreed that Tang So-hwa of the Tang Clan of Sichuan must be kept from leaving.

Each sect was eager to withdraw for their own safety, yet wanted the Tang Clan's direct descendant tied down in the headquarters.

In the end, that was the conclusion they reached.

The Tang Clan Head's worries deepened. He, too, was concerned for his clan and wished to return, but how could he leave his daughter behind in the midst of such chaos?

"Clan Head."

At the voice of the Black Sky Demon, the Tang Clan Head lifted his gaze.

"I understand your thoughts are troubled, but we should be going. Now, more than ever, one must cling to gatherings where people are watching. If you're absent, tongues will wag, and the aftermath will not favor the Tang Clan."

At the Grand Elder's words, Tang Ji-ha gave a nod.

At first, he had thought bringing Tang Min here would be a burden. Now, he considered it a blessing. Each time his resolve wavered, Tang Min steadied him.

The two left the Tang Clan's quarters as dawnlight spread.

A proclamation was to be made from the headquarters, summoning all sect leaders, clan heads, and elder-level figures to the training grounds. Not for a spar, of course—there was simply no other place large enough to hold the assembly.

Tang Ji-ha had already guessed what they intended to announce.

"... They must be declaring the opening of the headquarters."

Though opinions had clashed during the meeting, there were a few moments when consensus had been reached—and opening the headquarters was one of them.

As if to lighten the mood, Tang Min shared good news.

"I saw earlier—the Young Lord's condition has improved a great deal. It would be best if he could resume training soon."

"Even if the gates open, he won't be able to leave immediately."

Tang Ji-ha's reply was cold, but Tang Min continued brightly, unfazed.

"Ah, and I hear So-hwa went to the Four Seasons Hall yesterday."

"The Four Seasons Hall?"

Tang Ji-ha's brows furrowed, but the Black Sky Demon gave a low laugh.

"They say So-hwa herself brought the Young Lord back from the Four Seasons Hall. It seems she has grown close to the Hall Lord—fortunate, is it not?"

"How is that fortunate?"

The Black Sky Demon curved his lips into a cryptic smile.

"Until now, I thought that if So-hwa ever left the Tang Clan estate, no one would be willing to accompany her, and she might die quickly. But it seems she has more talent for winning people over than I imagined."

Words that began with criticism of his daughter ended as praise, leaving Tang Ji-ha unable to respond appropriately.

The Black Sky Demon, unconcerned with the Clan Head's reaction, pressed on without pause.

"I can't tell whether the girl's threatening people or winning their hearts. No—truthfully, I suspect it's threats. But since I haven't seen it myself, I'll just leave it as a guess. Either way, it seems So-hwa's survival instincts are stronger than expected, so, Clan Head, you may set aside some of your worries. If I vouch for someone's ability to survive, then it's no small thing."

When Tang Ji-ha's gaze clouded over, Tang Min openly showed his irritation.

"Come now, Clan Head. I may be treated like this at home, but outside, everyone trembles at a single word from me."

Of course, Tang Ji-ha knew what kind of treatment Tang Min received outside. And he knew well enough that people trembled at Tang Min's words not out of awe, but for other reasons.

Even so, instead of replying, he chose silence.

That was a survival tactic he had learned back when he was the disciple of the Black Sky Demon.

Tang Min, who had been lounging casually, suddenly shifted to a serious tone.

"You cannot protect her forever. I've been lucky to survive to this age, but can you guarantee you'll still be alive next year? The year after? If you suddenly die, how will she manage then?"

"......"

"Treasures aren't kept safe just by hiding them away. This world is full of madmen who will smash down doors to seize what they covet."

Tang Ji-ha began to grasp what he was saying and listened quietly.

"In the Murim, ties of fate matter just as much as martial skill. If I were strong enough to crush everyone underfoot, that would be ideal—but that's not the only path to survival. If it were, then only one in ten would survive, while nine in ten would all be dead. My own strength is valuable, yes, but forging bonds with those stronger than myself, keeping them at my side—that too is a way to live."

"......"

"So if you truly want to protect her, then let her grow on her own to some degree. The Young Lord may build strength through martial cultivation, while So-hwa may build allies by weaving ties of loyalty. Both paths are valid."

Tang Min gave a crooked smile.

"They're both doing well enough."

The Black Sky Demon spoke with an easy expression.

"They take dangerous risks, yes, but in turn they bind dangerous people to their side. In the end, So-hwa may outlive even the Young Lord. We cannot remain by their side forever—so let them make their own way in their own generation."

Tang Min raised his voice now, as if to spur him on.

"And above all, wipe that death's-head look off your face. When you seem so timid and dispirited, those inside will look down on you, Clan Head. And what did I say would happen if people think I'm easy prey?"

"You said even the petty ones will come running at you."

The Black Sky Demon dropped his hearty demeanor and spoke in an icy voice.

"So then—let us enter with pride."

He clapped his hands once.

"Do you recall what I used to tell you when you were young, whenever you didn't want to attend the Alliance of Noble Clans?"

Tang Ji-ha remembered, but he kept his lips shut, unwilling to speak it aloud.

Tang Min, however, had no intention of sparing his pride and forced the words out.

"It wasn't the Namgung Clan or the Peng Clan who shut you out.”

“I have never been cast aside.”

"It is you who chose to ignore them."

Perhaps because of the vast internal energy he had amassed in seclusion, Tang Min paid little heed to the Clan Head's killing aura, his mouth quirking into a smirk.

"And now, Clan Head, you've aged enough—surely brushing aside a mere fifteen sects should be nothing to you?"

Tang Ji-ha understood the Grand Elder's words.

Unwittingly, he had let himself sink into the feeling of isolation.

But it was true—no matter what weaknesses the others thought they had found in the Tang Clan, there was no need to be swayed by them.

His expression turned cold as he straightened his bearing.

"Yes. Let us go."

Having put his doubts to rest, the Tang Clan Head entered the council hall with a changed demeanor.

***

The martial arts arena was already filled to capacity.

The Tang Clan Head recalled the Alliance Leader holding a meeting here not long ago.

Aside from the fact that bright sunlight now lit the arena instead of darkness, the atmosphere was much the same.

A handful of headquarters members faced a crowd of Alliance martial artists.

The arena was packed with elder-level figures, so any youthful faces stood out immediately. The Four Seasons Hall Lord, standing upon the headquarters dais, was no exception.

The Deputy Leader presided over the proceedings from the center of the platform.

It seemed the Alliance Leader would not be attending today.

"Today, we intend to reopen the headquarters."

The announcement stirred no surprise—everyone had expected it.

The Deputy Leader's voice carried across the silence.

"Preparations will be complete by the hour of the dog (7–9 p.m.), when the gates will be opened. If you have urgent affairs, you may depart today. Of course, you may also remain within the pavilions if you wish. Just inform the chief steward before leaving, and for those who remain, report the number of your party."

He went on to explain the procedures for reopening. Though the details were not short, no one interrupted, and so his words concluded quickly.

"In addition, there is something to address regarding the recent unfortunate incident within headquarters."

At this, the Tang Clan Head swallowed hard.

He expected they would mention So-hwa.

"The Four Seasons Hall Lord will speak further on this."

When the Deputy Leader withdrew, the Hall Lord stepped forward.

Yet something about the air felt strange.

The Hall Lord stood in silence for a time before speaking.

"Before I say anything, there is something I must show you."

As his slow voice brushed against the ears of the gathered, the guards by the doors moved toward one side.

They folded away the screens behind the dais, revealing several wagons concealed there.

Not just one—many wagons, each laden with fragments of mineral.

Zhuge In-hwi waited as the martial artists tipped the mineral out.

Soon, a mound taller than a man rose between the dais and the Alliance members.

The five-colored mineral gave off a peculiar glow.

It was not beautiful—rather, it was unsettling.

As every gaze fixed upon the pile, the Hall Lord spoke evenly.

"On the day of the fire at the Hubei branch, this was discovered within the ruins. It is called Five Minerals Powder. Since the matter was already shared among the fifteen sects, I trust everyone present knows what this is."

He continued, speaking slowly.

"We kept it in the archives of the Four Seasons Hall, but someone attempted to break in and steal it."

As Zhuge In-hwi spoke, the headquarters martial artists who had carried the mineral moved toward the doors.

Boom!

They slammed the entrance of the martial arts arena shut.

The Hall Lord observed the scene calmly, his voice even.

"Since this is a dangerous item that could be stolen at any moment, we shall destroy it here and now, before all of you."

At once, the Tang Clan Head's gaze shifted to the right. The Young Lord of the Zhuge Clan had half-risen from his seat, clearly startled.

Before anyone could object, the Hall Lord snatched up a live coal from the dais and hurled it.

Whoosh!

The flames caught instantly as the wind fanned them, and the pile of mineral blazed. Smoke began to curl upward, rising into the sky.

"Hall Lord, what madness is this?!"

Someone shouted, covering their nose.

"As I said, it is a dangerous thing. That is why it must be destroyed in full view of everyone here."

"But this smoke—!"

"It will be over soon. Please, return to your seats."

A certain elder of the Qingcheng Sect opened his mouth to protest further, then abruptly fell silent. It was as though he had been mesmerized by the Hall Lord's words, and he sank back into his chair.

When Zhuge In-hwi had kindled the blaze, the wind shifted again. Like a broom, it swept the smoke forward, fanning it broadly. By the time the Qingcheng elder had stood again, the smoke had already washed over those nearest him.

Zhuge In-hwi then turned the air currents, guiding the fumes upward toward the heavens. His tone remained measured.

"From this point forward, you will not remember these words until the brainwashing is over.”

He looked upon the silent assembly and continued.

"In the Summer Pavilion, anonymous reports of secrets are frequent. Few dare to leave their names. Yet the flood of information we have received of late has been... peculiar. Normally, the documents that reach the Four Seasons Hall have a clear aim. Their blades point toward someone. But these reports—there was no target, no edge. I thought it strange."

He paused, as though hearing an answer from the still crowd, then went on.

"Now I understand. What the sender gave us was not a sword, but a shield. Information meant to protect our members. Therefore, I will use it according to the person's intent."

The meaning of his cryptic words pressed into the minds of those present.

"Five Minerals Powder reacts differently depending on a person's constitution. When first exposed, one must always have a guardian nearby. Some awaken within a quarter of an hour, while others linger between life and death for three full days."

Zhuge In-hwi quietly laid out the properties of the mineral.

"The principle of Five Minerals Powder lies in its smoke. Once inhaled, it damages the organ that governs memory. To shield the existing memories, the organ fabricates false ones, replacing every sound and impression with illusions. These newly formed memories take precedence, suppressing even the emotions that once accompanied the true ones. In effect, it is no different from brainwashing."

Though his words were chilling, those seated before him showed no reaction.

"Worse still, Five Minerals Powder's potency is such that even the faintest wisp can wound the organ. If the dosage is excessive or if one were to ingest it directly, consciousness would be lost, and in grave cases, life itself. In fact, at the Hubei branch, Five Minerals Powder once caught fire all at once. Dozens collapsed, teetering on the brink of death."

By fortune, a visitor that day had noticed the Five Minerals Powder's reaction. The toxins were swiftly purged before the organs were destroyed, and thus, lives were spared.

The audience, their senses dulled by the smoke, listened blankly to the Hall Lord's voice.

"But even this fearsome substance has its limits. The human body possesses the power to restore itself. The organ that governs memory, too, recovers within roughly a month. Once it heals, it casts aside the false memories and recalls what was lost. Yet this reprieve applies only to the first exposure. The second takes two months to recover, the third three months. Repeated exposure, however, inflicts permanent damage—those memories never return."

Zhuge In-hwi's gaze swept across the dozens of gathered Alliance members as he came to the crux.

"If this is your first time encountering the Five Minerals Powder, then in a month you will remember these words. If you have already been exposed before, it may take months—or you may never recall this moment at all."

"......"

"In a month, the truth will reveal itself. I swear to aid you. I will find the sects infiltrated by the Blood Sect and drag the traitors out. The informant who warned us sent this message to protect the Alliance, and I shall use it to safeguard our people."

The rising smoke unraveled like a thread, dissolving into the sky.

At his gesture, masked guards moved among the dazed members, carrying sheets of paper. They dipped the men's fingers in ink, pressing seals onto the documents, then wiped the traces away.

The writings declared proof that the bearer had been subjected to Five Minerals Powder's brainwashing.

The guards fastened small pouches to each member's waist as Zhuge In-hwi continued.

"One person uncovered the Five Minerals Powder's secret and created an antidote to resist it. Yet its effect is short-lived, so the Medical Hall is refining it even now. What I hand you today is that antidote. It will not shield you long, but should you enter a place steeped in Five Minerals Powder's smoke, take it. Even in your dazed state, your instincts will compel you to use it."

The Hall Lord sensed the work was nearly done.

This was his first time wielding the Five Minerals Powder. Thus, he revealed only what he was certain of. No one could know how those who recovered their memories later would react.

That was all he intended to say.

At last, the thin column of smoke dispersed completely, and the burning ritual finished.

Zhuge In-hwi meant to stop here.

A month hence, when the Alliance members regained their memories and returned, he would reveal the truth: that the one who had crafted the antidote was Tang So-hwa, thereby restoring her honor.

Words and reason were his sharpest blades—he trusted he could clear her of all suspicion.

‘And yet…’

Something caught in his chest.

To think that a young maiden, more than ten years his junior, had risked her life to venture north, while for a full month she would be branded a spy—that unsettled him.

‘Necessary though it may be…’

As the ashes cooled to gray, he closed his eyes.

"... These words as well—you will only recall them once the brainwashing fades."

The Hall Lord had no intention of bending the Alliance's will with the Five Minerals Powder.

‘And yet... is such a plea too much to ask?’

To beg them, when they regained their memories, to set aside their interests for a moment and look upon the truth—surely there was no harm in that. It would rest solely on their will.

In the end, the words he had tried to swallow slipped free.

"While you struggle against your own minds, Tang So-hwa of the Tang Clan of Sichuan will depart to dismantle the Blood Sect. Her mission is sanctioned by the Four Seasons Hall, not the act of a fugitive fleeing interrogation. I, as its Hall Lord, vouch for this. When you recover today's memories, I ask only that you remember the hardships she has endured."

What he meant as a brief note kept lengthening.

Steeling his heart, the Hall Lord made his quiet appeal.

"Please... know that the one who placed the antidote in your hands defied the Blood Sect's ruthless designs, uncovered its secret alone, and sought only to protect you."