Chapter Title: Point Cang Regression 008
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Bang!
"Damn it all! When the hell did Point Cang's strict rules crumble into this mess...!"
"Hahaha, calm down, brother. Isn't this a gathering with our esteemed guest who's come from afar?"
Clink.
Gwan-jong, who had slammed the table in fury and vented his rage, watched as his empty cup filled once more with clear liquor.
Only then did he realize his blunder, his face flushing red.
"I-I'm sorry, brother. I've shown my ugly side here, Great Hero Tang."
"Hm? Hahaha! No need. I fully share Elder Gwan's anger. Isn't it always the case that one rotten fish spoils the whole pond, no matter the group?"
"Exactly! That arrogant punk wouldn't dare spout such nonsense at this old man if he wasn't out of his mind...!"
"Hahaha! Seems like you've got a lot bottled up inside. Come on, let's have a drink. Isn't a shot of liquor the best way to wash away these woes?"
After several rounds exchanged amid Gwan-jong's endless complaints.
The green-robed man, who had listened with a constant smile to the gripes and grumblings, subtly shifted the conversation with a gentle tone.
"By the way, Elder. That insight from the founding master you mentioned earlier... was it about the Sun-Piercing Sword?"
"Hmph! How should I know? I'd have to pry open that insolent brat's mouth to find out..."
"A mere third-generation disciple bested Elder Gwan-ho that easily? The man they call Point Cang One Flash...?"
"Ha! Point Cang One Flash, my ass. Brother Gwan-ho's just getting old. What a disgrace, losing to some third-generation punk like that?"
"...Haha, surely it was to impart a great lesson? Or perhaps some misunderstanding."
Gwan-jong's irritable snort, his face flushed from the heavy drinking, made the green-robed man's expression stiffen briefly before he smiled brightly once more to soothe him.
His left hand then subtly brushed the lip of the liquor bottle.
"Come on! I've upset your mood with my careless words. Let me offer this drink as an apology—please accept it."
"Hey now! Who do you take Great Hero Tang for? My heart is as vast as the sea, so no offense taken. Ah! Of course, I'll gladly take that drink."
Whether his mood had lifted or he'd simply abandoned all restraint to the alcohol.
Gwan-jong bellowed with laughter, mimicking a hearty demeanor, and gulped down another cup.
At the same moment, a faint liquor scent wafted subtly near his airways.
"Kuhahaha! Fine stuff!"
Despite the aroma being utterly different from the previous drinks, Gwan-jong—his reason fully drowned—could only grin foolishly in delight.
In the end.
Thud.
"Guhhh...!"
He slumped headfirst onto the table, sinking into deep slumber.
"...Tch."
The other old man, Yun Merchant Leader, who had silently watched him, finally let out a long sigh thick with irritation and frustration.
"How is it that even at seventy, he hasn't changed a bit... What an embarrassing sight, Great Hero Tang."
"Hahaha! Nonsense. Thanks to him, we've gleaned some top-secret info, haven't we?"
He naturally set down the bottle on the table, uncorked a fresh one, and filled his own cup and Yun Merchant Leader's in turn.
"We nearly faced a major setback. Insights from the founding master, of all things... Hah!"
Gulp.
Shaking his head as he drained his cup, the green-robed man spoke gravely of his inner concerns.
"I'm not sure if Elder Gwan-jong can play his part before the Beast Palace enters Yunnan. As you well know, Yun Merchant Leader..."
Was it too awkward to badmouth his own blood kin in front of family?
The green-robed man hesitated, glancing sideways, while Yun Merchant Leader nodded gruffly, drowning his frustration in drink.
"I've dealt with this stubborn fool for over seventy years. No one knows him like I do. If he weren't blood, I'd have killed him long ago."
"Oh dear... My apologies. I didn't mean it that way—please don't misunderstand."
"No matter. That's not the point. If this blockhead fails to spark a pro-Beast Palace faction inside Point Cang Sect just as they push into Yunnan, our grand plan crumbles."
The green-robed man's smile vanished as he glanced at Gwan-jong, letting out a small affirming sigh.
"...Indeed. That's my biggest worry too."
"Hooo!"
Unable to contain his mounting frustration, Yun Merchant Leader pounded his chest with wrinkled fists.
"The fortune I've poured into propping this idiot up to elder status rivals a million gold! And he comes back humiliated by a mere third-generation disciple...!"
"..."
It was undeniable fact, leaving no room for retort; silence hung for a moment.
Suddenly, the green-robed man's eyes flashed coldly as he suggested an alternative in a subtle tone.
"Since things have come to this, why not recruit the boy instead? A young punk who's spent his life cooped up in the sect gates shouldn't be too hard to sway..."
"...Recruit him?"
He'd just lamented dumping a million gold already.
And now, spend more?
'This slimy viper...!'
Unable to fully hide his displeasure, Yun Merchant Leader responded stiffly.
"Listen, Great Hero Tang. Even if Yun Merchants are Yunnan's top traders, our coffers don't overflow endlessly."
"Hahaha! What whining! Every tea leaf circulating the realm passes through Yun Merchants these days."
"Urgh! Great Hero Tang, instead... why not poison him at our house? It's the cleanest, surest way..."
The suggestion slipped out with a sly smile.
But the reply came as an icy glare.
"Yun Merchant Leader. Retract that nonsense. Are you suggesting we turn our main house into a mere murder tool over tea?"
"What?! Tool? How dare you! I'm old, but my mind's sharp as ever!"
"Then why stir trouble between our house and Point Cang? They'd suspect us first if their disciple dies of poison—you know that."
His gaze was merciless, as if he'd dissolve the man into venomous sludge at the slightest provocation.
Yun Merchant Leader paled and trembled, waving his hands desperately in apology.
"Misunderstanding! My frustration got the better of me—I spoke out of turn! Please forget it."
"We never forget favors or grudges. You know that?"
"..."
"Remember well: our house's aid turned Yun Merchants from a backwater outfit into what it is today."
Under the barrage of chilling warnings, Yun Merchant Leader nodded frantically.
"O-Of course! Absolutely!"
"...Let's end it here for today. Think seriously on my earlier proposal. Farewell."
Gone was the affable smile; the green-robed man departed with a face cold and emotionless.
Left alone at the table, Yun Merchant Leader bit his lower lip until it bled, staring silently for a long while.
How much time passed?
"...That little bastard dares...!"
Shiver, shiver!
Shame and rage surged late, shaking him for another stretch.
Glancing at his brother still face-planted in slumber, he irritably jammed a bottle to his lips.
Gulp, gulp, gulp!
His white beard and collar soaked as he poured the fierce liquor down, briefly.
Bloodshot eyes glaring at the half-open door, Yun Merchant Leader muttered chillingly.
"If that's how you want to play it, I'll have to change my approach."
Thoughts of the Sichuan Tang Clan—his longtime backer and perilous escape from their leash—began filling his grudge-laden mind.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Gwang-il's standing soared steeply overnight.
The biggest factor was, undeniably, his own overwhelming martial prowess.
It wasn't just from besting second-generation disciple Tong-ryeol.
Strictly speaking, the shocking defeat of Point Cang's top master, Elder Gwan-ho, was the primary catalyst.
A lesser but significant part: he'd directly inherited the founding master's legacy.
Some stubborn traditionalists among the elders even pushed hard for treating third-generation disciple Gwang-il as the sect's supreme authority.
Of course, the protagonist's frantic refusal sank that perilous debate quickly.
Still, the fact remained: Gwang-il had inherited the founder's legacy.
And every disciple, from Sect Leader down, now sought his teachings.
Thus, Gwang-il found himself in a quite troublesome, awkward spot.
"How's the food? To your taste, Grand Senior Uncle?"
"..."
"Oh no... Does the mortal fare not suit an ancient one like you?"
"Enough, Master. If even you tease me like this, how am I supposed to live on?"
Gwang-il, enduring relentless ribbing across the meal, irritably scrubbed his dry face.
"This isn't the time for such carefree bliss...!"
"Foolish boy. With that Narrow Tip Sword, what can't you do?"
Tong-cheon eyed his weary disciple, then smirked reassuringly with a straight face.
"I'm heading to Yun Merchants right after this. Not just you—even Grand Uncle Gwan-ho's fuming about that Narrow Tip Sword..."
"No!"
"Whoa!"
Tong-cheon, calmly picking at his food with chopsticks, startled at the sudden shout and jumped in his seat.
"You brat! What barbaric behavior at the dinner table...!"
"Absolutely not! Yun Merchants are a hard no—never!"
"What? Yun Merchants are Elder Gwan-jong's family, tied to our sect since the previous generation. What's so off-limits?"
"..."
'That's exactly why it's a no, Master.'
Swallowing the words that rose to his throat.
Gwang-il calmed his boiling heart and calmly offered an alternative.
"I have a better idea. Please grant this disciple's request."