“I’m sorry, Big Sister... I didn’t expect Young Master Tang to be there...”

“We promised we’d block them from bothering you... Sorry, Sister.”

In the end, the three of them left the inn without managing to eat properly.

“It’s alright. We expected this, didn’t we? It’s not your fault.”

More importantly...

[The one who lost face was the Tang brat, so why are you two sulking?]

As the Fat Imugi pointed out, Tang Gajin was the one who came out of this at a disadvantage.

Sure, he started the provocation, but Seolhwa had deliberately aggravated him, knowing full well about his hot temper.

And Tang Gajin, stupid as he was, had walked right into her trap.

“Still... when you scolded Young Master Tang like that, it felt really good, Big Sister.”

Hwarin giggled, unable to hide her honest feelings.

“You shouldn’t show that side of yourself, Hwarin.”

Ung, who was pretending to scold Hwarin, wasn’t much different.

“But... this time, even I found it satisfying, Big Sister. All this time, we’ve endured Young Master Tang’s rude behavior for the sake of the clan’s interests... We’ve never properly stood up to him.”

The Namgoong Clan was leading the effort to unify the {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} great families.

With Clan Head Namgoong Mucheon gathering strength toward that purpose, the last thing his grandchildren could afford was to create unnecessary conflict.

Especially with the Sichuan Tang Clan—the one family showing the most lukewarm attitude toward unity.

Their attitude made it clear they’d pull out of the alliance at the first opportunity.

Tang Gajin, emboldened by that stance, had been openly provoking the Namgoong Clan without restraint.

“Thanks to you, Big Sister, maybe he’ll be more careful now.”

“Not a chance.”

Seolhwa glanced over at Ung.

“If he was the type to reflect after getting humiliated once, he wouldn’t behave like that in the first place.”

There was a reason Tang Gajin was called the Prodigal Scion of the Tang Clan.

He hadn’t earned that nickname after just one or two incidents.

It was a title born from endless, thoughtless, repeated provocations, without a shred of self-reflection.

“But just because we want unity doesn’t mean we have to be dragged around like fools.”

No matter how much the families preached about unity, it was ultimately a relationship based on mutual benefit.

They wouldn’t be here unless they wanted something.

If we’re going to steer this in our favor...

Seolhwa turned to glance toward the inn they had just left.

At the window, Tang Gajin, who had been glaring daggers at them, flinched when their eyes met and disappeared from view.

“Let’s head back.”

“Yes, Big Sister.”

****

Upon returning to the Zhuge Clan estate, Seolhwa went straight to see Namgoong Mucheon.

Having just returned from meeting the Zhuge Clan’s Grand Elder, Namgoong Mucheon greeted her warmly.

“Have you eaten?”

“Not yet.”

“Then come eat with me. Your father is dining with the other Young Masters from the families.”

“Aren’t you joining them, Grandfather?”

“From tomorrow onward, I won’t have a choice. Why rush into it?”

Namgoong Mucheon nonchalantly called for the attendants to prepare food.

Before she knew it, Seolhwa found herself seated across from him.

Having skipped a proper meal at the inn, she found herself eating with surprising ease.

“You still eat well, I see.”

“The kitchen staff here must be skilled.”

“You’ve always been like that. Never picky, eating anything set before you.”

“Maybe because there’s no food I dislike.”

One of the few blessings after returning to life was rediscovering the joy of eating.

In her previous life, she hadn’t even had the senses to enjoy taste, nor the chance to eat good food. She’d only eaten to survive.

Namgoong Mucheon quietly observed Seolhwa, then pushed more food in front of her.

When she finally set down her utensils, Namgoong Mucheon, having waited patiently, asked:

“Now then, why did you come looking for me?”

“I wanted to know if you’ve spoken to the other clans. About the Alliance.”

Before leaving home, Seolhwa had asked Namgoong Mucheon to unite the orthodox factions under one banner.

Through letters, she had kept updated on the gathering’s progress, outlining her specific vision.

The Martial Alliance.

In her previous life, that name hadn’t even been mentioned until three years after the Blood Demon Cult’s rise.

The Martial Alliance must be formed as soon as possible.

Establishing the Sado Union to block unorthodox forces from falling under the Blood Demon Cult, and forming the Martial Alliance to prevent the collapse of the orthodox factions.

Preserving and strengthening the power needed to oppose the Blood Demon Cult.

That was the only method Seolhwa saw to prepare for the Blood Demon War.

With the unorthodox factions already secured under the Sado Union, the next step was founding the Martial Alliance.

“How are they reacting? The Four Great Families, I mean.”

“I’ve broached the subject. But... it’s not easy.”

A shadow of concern crossed Namgoong Mucheon’s face.

“Convincing the Peng Family and the Murong Family wasn’t difficult.”

The Hebei Peng Family, known for their aggressive nature, would gladly welcome the idea of a Martial Alliance.

They wanted to crush and eradicate the unorthodox factions more than anyone. There was no way they’d oppose the proposal.

The Murong Family, meanwhile, was the maternal family of Namgoong Cheongsan’s wife, Murong Yeonhwa.

Given the close ties between the two families, it was only natural they’d agree.

“The problem lies with the Zhuge Clan and the Tang Clan. The Zhuge Clan can’t outright refuse, not after the help they received from us, but they’ve grown timid.”

Over a decade ago, the Zhuge Clan fought a brutal war with the Assassins Guild.

It started with the assassination of one of their members by the guild, and both sides suffered heavy losses.

During that war, the current Grand Elder Zhuge Cheongsong inhaled poison deployed by the guild and suffered severe internal injuries.

He survived, but was forced to step down as Clan Head and has remained in recovery ever since.

Since then, the Zhuge Clan had adopted a defensive stance, avoiding conflict with other factions as much as possible.

Especially after the Blood Ghost of the Assassins Guild took over, reviving their strength—the Zhuge Clan had kept their heads down even more.

“A strategist for the Martial Alliance should come from the Zhuge Clan. We need them.”

“I agree. But if they refuse to move, what good are they?”

Even if they agreed in principle, a strategist who avoids stepping forward would be useless.

“It’ll take time. What about the Tang Clan?”

“They’re the complete opposite of the Zhuge Clan. Stubborn as ever. Their family is insular, always putting their interests first. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to sway them.”

The Sichuan Tang Clan.

Masters of poison, known for their unmatched cohesion.

Their skills with poison were unrivaled in the Central Plains, earning them a reputation as a bloodline-centered sect.

But with that pride came arrogance—a tendency to look down on other sects and families.

Just look at Tang Gajin’s attitude earlier.

The way he openly disrespected the Namgoong Clan, the way he casually brought up her time in the gambling dens.

Such rudeness was ingrained in him by the Tang Clan’s arrogance.

And the fact that they let him behave like that meant the family condoned it.

Poison-Resistant Constitution... he must be a treasured asset to the Tang Clan.

Add to that his status as the precious eldest grandson, and that explained everything.

“What does the Tang Clan want?”

“The Alliance Leader’s position.”

Namgoong Mucheon’s answer nearly made Seolhwa laugh.

The leader of the Martial Alliance?

No matter how proud they were, wasn’t that a bit too greedy?

“What did you say to that?”

“I plan to persuade them with other terms. It’s not that I doubt the Tang Clan’s martial prowess, but the position of Alliance Leader must go to the most qualified.”

Seolhwa believed without a doubt that Namgoong Mucheon was the most qualified for that role, but she simply nodded.

Even with the strictest standards, there was no one else suitable.

“If we secure the Tang Clan’s cooperation, then the Five Great Families will be united.”

“Exactly.”

The issue with the Zhuge Clan remained unresolved, but uniting the Five Great Families would be a major step forward.

Once the great families stood together, the other prestigious families would follow, making it easier to persuade the sects.

Namgoong Mucheon, seeing Seolhwa deep in thought, reached over and gently patted her head with a smile.

“Don’t worry so much. One way or another, I’ll make sure the families unite at this gathering.”

Trust your grandfather.

His steady, resolute gaze conveyed that message clearly.

Seolhwa nodded quietly.

****

On her way back from Namgoong Mucheon’s quarters, a long, dark shadow slithered up her leg and slipped into her sleeve.

—You’ve been watching?

[Just as expected. He’s brooding over how to get back at you after today’s incident.]

—Think he’ll act on it?

[Hard to say. He’s still a Tang Clan heir. Would he really be that reckless? At most, more provocation.]

—Probably.

But it would only take a spark for that provocation to turn into jealousy and rage.

—Keep an eye on him for now.

[What about my promised treats?]

—Inside my sleeve. Help yourself.

[Just one?]

—The rest after this is over. I’ll give you two extra as a bonus.

[Deal.]

The Fat Imugi emerged briefly from her sleeve, then disappeared into the shadows.

Watching its presence fade, Seolhwa quietly turned back toward her quarters.