“I swear I did not put the aphrodisiac in the tea!”

“If you didn’t put the aphrodisiac, then you’re saying you put something else.”

“That...!”

A guest of the Tang Clan.

Inside the thickly curtained room, a conversation continued between Tang Clan Head, Tang Munryong, and Tang Gajin.

Munryong was certain that the incident at the banquet was the work of his son.

But Gajin protested his innocence.

“The only thing I was ordered to put was a poisonous herb that causes stomach pain...!”

Munryong’s face darkened coldly.

“...You said you gave the order?”

“Yes, yes...! To the servant who prepared Namgoong Seolhwa’s tea...”

“Even to a servant from the Zhuge Clan?”

“...!”

A deep green aura began to quietly spread around Munryong.

How could the Zhuge Clan prevent their servant from speaking?

And killing the servant to silence them would only worsen matters.

Now, with suspicions and evidence mounting, it was impossible to deny the truth any longer.

“Ha...”

Munryong pressed his throbbing head.

“Still, I swear I truly did not put the aphrodisiac! Someone must have switched the poison midway! If only we catch the one who swapped the medicine...!”

“Try telling people you did not put the aphrodisiac. Who would believe that?”

“!”

Gajin had belittled Namgoong Seolhwa for growing up in a tavern district.

Given his past attitude, no one would believe him now, even if he swore innocence.

“Besides, now that the matter has reached this point, what you intended to put is no longer important.”

“What matters is who ordered this.”

“Everyone saw that because of your scheme, that girl nearly lost her life. What will change if you say now it wasn’t the aphrodisiac?”

Only then did Gajin begin to grasp the gravity of the situation.

A mere prank to cause trouble for Namgoong Seolhwa had escalated beyond control.

“Your petty grudge is dragging down the entire clan. Because of what you did, our family lost the chance to rise as the hegemon of Central Plains.”

Pain flickered across Munryong’s face.

“How long must I endure your arrogance?”

“Father, I really did not intend for this to happen. I swear...!”

“It’s all my fault.”

Born with a poison resistance defect among the Tang’s poison arts lineage, Munryong’s son had grown up shielded by the clan’s influence.

Even when causing trouble or bringing shame to the family, he was overlooked—until now.

Having confirmed that his son was the culprit, Munryong had no choice left.

The upper hand in the negotiation had already slipped away.

Sensing the danger, Gajin hastily grasped Munryong’s sleeve.

“Father, please cover this up just this once. If you handle this now, I swear I will never do such a thing again.”

“If you return to the main house, you will be placed under strict house arrest.”

“Father!”

The Tang Clan’s discipline was notoriously severe.

Especially for those who harmed the family’s honor.

Since Gajin was the clan head’s son, he would not be stripped of internal energy or physically harmed.

“But you will enter the training hall for three years, consuming the Byeokgok Pill, and cultivate your character. If you want to become greater, you must kill your current personality.”

“Father! I still have much martial art to learn at the main house! You promised to appoint me as the next clan head soon!”

“Do you think someone who can’t even consider the family’s honor deserves that position? Then learn to kill that pitiful pride of yours first.”

Munryong turned and left without another word.

It was the first time he had ever shown his back to his son.

****

Namgoong Mucheon quietly regarded the man seated before him.

The reason for his visit was obvious.

“This is precious tea leaf brought from Sacheon. I brought some as a gift for the Zhuge Clan, but a little remains.”

Tang Munryong personally poured the tea and offered it to Namgoong Mucheon.

After staring at the shimmering tea for a moment, Mucheon spoke coldly.

“Am I to drink the tea served by the Tang Clan Head?”

Munryong, who was about to pour his own cup, hesitated.

Yet he smiled faintly and met Mucheon’s gaze with forced calm.

“Say what you wish.”

“My granddaughter collapsed at the gathering of the Five Great Clans, coughing up blood. Is that truly the first thing you want to say to me?”

The smile vanished from Munryong’s face.

He rose, assumed a formal posture, and bowed deeply toward Namgoong Mucheon.

“My thoughts were short-sighted. I failed to discipline my son, resulting in harm to Your Clan Head’s granddaughter. I bow my head in apology. I am prepared to accept any demand to atone, so please do not hesitate to speak.”

His tone showed sincere remorse, unlike before.

Munryong remained bowed until Mucheon spoke.

A brief silence passed before Mucheon asked,

“Is your son truly remorseful?”

“He reflects on his mistakes and is in seclusion. Once he returns to the Tang House, he will be strictly placed under house arrest.”

“Bring that child before my granddaughter and make him kneel.”

“...!”

Munryong’s eyes widened slightly.

Despite this humble apology, the Namgoong side wanted Gajin to personally beg for forgiveness.

Ordering one’s own child to kneel before another clan’s heir was no easy matter.

But if kneeling could quell Namgoong’s wrath, it was a small price to pay.

“It shall be done.”

“Sit down now.”

Munryong straightened and finally took his seat.

Still, his position was far from dignified.

“If the Tang heir offers a sincere apology, I will not make this a bigger issue. That is what my granddaughter desires.”

“If you do so, I would be grateful.”

“However, now that things have come to this, there are matters to settle.”

“Speak freely.”

“I want the Tang Clan’s support in establishing the [N O V E L I G H T] Orthodox Alliance.” 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Munryong lowered his gaze to the table.

The expected main topic had come.

In the past, he might have demanded the title of Alliance Leader, but now he dared not even mention it.

Still, he could not simply concede everything.

“Then what will the Tang Clan gain?”

“The right to become the Alliance Leader.”

For the first time, Munryong met Namgoong Mucheon’s eyes.

From the beginning, Mucheon had assumed he would become the Alliance Leader.

That was why he had resisted by any means the Tang Clan’s attempt to take the position, insisting it be promised to the Tang Clan instead.

He had done so to prevent the Central Plains’ hegemony from passing to the Namgoong Clan all at once.

But the right to become leader?

Had he never intended to take the position himself?

“I want to set the martial world right.”

“...”

“Therefore, the Alliance Leader should be someone worthy of representing the Orthodox Alliance. It does not have to be me.”

“Who do you consider suitable?”

“That must be decided by a method that gains everyone’s approval.”

From the beginning...

“So that was the plan from the start.”

Munryong finally understood the grand vision Mucheon held for the Orthodox Alliance.

He had thought it was just a game to gather the Five Great Clans and play at leadership.

But Mucheon’s true desire was not for petty power or influence.

It was the genuine unity of the righteous sects.

“That will not be easy.”

If that is truly what you want.

It would only make it harder.

“Will the sects follow the clans’ will?”

“They must.”

“You will have to give more than you gain.”

Perhaps some will covet the Alliance Leader’s position.

Assuming they agree with the goal of forming the Orthodox Alliance.

“Those who understand the purpose will surely join.”

Munryong’s expression grew complicated.

To unite the righteous sects, restore order to the martial world, and prepare for threats—

What could be a more ideal goal?

But if that were truly possible, and the Tang Clan took the Alliance Leader position—

Munryong clenched his fist.

With a resolute expression, he said,

“If we can gather the sects’ wills, the Tang Clan will use all means to support the cause.”

His gaze was unwavering.

Namgoong Mucheon knew this was no empty promise.

“I will do my best to persuade the sects.”

“Thank you.”

Munryong bowed his head.

The Orthodox Alliance.

Thus, the wills of the Five Great Clans including the Tang Clan united, and the grand journey began.