Chapter 85

I can assure you that Jang Dae-san had never been so shocked since he entered the Jianghu.

It all started with a letter that arrived half an hour ago.

"Who brought this?"

"It was sent by someone, but even after questioning the messenger, I couldn't find out."

The letter stated that Jang In-geol was being held hostage and demanded 100,000 silver taels for his release. It also threatened that Jang In-geol's life would be forfeit if the terms were not met.

"Crazy bastard!"

At first, he thought it was a prank. Who would dare to play such a trick with his son in Infinite? He never dreamed that the threat could be real.

Still, just in case, he sent someone to look for his son, but he was already out. He had ordered him to stay home and not go out because of the Jeong Sword Sect matter, so he felt a little uneasy.

He sent people to find Jang In-geol's whereabouts. But Jang In-geol was nowhere to be found, not even near the house.

While he was searching for Jang In-geol, another item arrived.

It was the ring that Jang In-geol always wore.

That's when the Palm Heart Clan was turned upside down.

Military Advisor Yang Pil ran around and brought one piece of news.

"It seems that young Master Jang has joined that matter."

Jang Dae-san, who was blankly staring, realized that 'that matter' was the Jeong Sword Sect affair.

"What?"

Jang Dae-san jumped up.

"It seems certain. Someone saw him going out with Chungso."

"That foolish bastard!"

Jang Dae-san couldn't contain his anger and threw a punch. A display case on one wall shattered and collapsed. He had told him to be careful, but he had committed such an absurd act.

Jang Dae-san quickly said,

"Contact Heo Pil-ju immediately! Stop the operation for now. No. First, find out how far it has progressed!"

"That's, there's a problem."

Yang Pil was flustered.

"What problem?"

"We've lost contact with Heo Pil-ju."

"What?"

Jang Dae-san's expression hardened at the unexpected situation.

"The Jeong Sword Sect is currently empty."

"What does that mean? Are you saying that Heo Pil-ju was defeated instead?"

Yang Pil couldn't answer.

They had overwhelming power. Heo Pil-ju could have easily crushed the Jeong Sword Sect without even needing a surprise attack.

Jang Dae-san couldn't understand this result. His breathing became rapid, and his face turned red.

"You must remain calm in times like these."

Jang Dae-san calmed his breathing and sat down. As Yang Pil said, getting agitated wouldn't solve the problem.

"So, does that mean the letter is true? Our In-geol has been kidnapped by those bastards?"

"It's not certain, but it's highly likely."

"The Jeong Sword Sect Leader? No, no. He's not the kind of person who would do this. Even if he knew we were involved."

Jang Dae-san accurately understood Jeong I-chu's character.

"I think so too."

Yang Pil suspected internal betrayal.

"Heo Pil-ju might have had other intentions."

Jang Dae-san slowly shook his head. Heo Pil-ju had been doing business with the Palm Heart Clan for a long time. He had lived by trust, so there was no way he would betray them now. Anyway, he would find out what happened when he went to the meeting place.

"Is the money ready?"

"We're preparing it now. We'll be able to prepare it in time."

Recently, there had been significant financial losses due to the Ancient Sword Merchant and the Iron Brigade, but they still had enough spare funds to gather 100,000 silver taels.

"You mustn't go in person. It's highly likely that it's a trap aimed at you, Clan Lord."

"It's my only son."

"It's too dangerous. I'll go instead."

Jang Dae-san shook his head again.

"I'll go myself."

Jang Dae-san turned his gaze out the window. Staring into the darkness, Jang Dae-san gritted his teeth. He didn't know who it was, but they had chosen the wrong person. He would show them exactly how he had climbed to this position.

"I'll make them pay the price."

One hour later.

Jang Dae-san arrived at the meeting place. The meeting place written in the letter was an abandoned house near Infinite.

Jang Dae-san didn't think this was a trap aimed at him. If it were a trap, they would have demanded more plausible conditions than money. Especially if they had Jang In-geol in their grasp.

Jang Dae-san carefully entered the abandoned house and saw someone standing with their back turned.

"You've come?"

The man asked without turning around.

Jang Dae-san calmly asked,

"Where is In-geol?"

"Your son is fine. Don't worry."

"To dare to plot such a thing, you must be a very bold person."

Jang Dae-san suppressed the urge to rush at him and smash his head.

The man slowly turned around. Jang Dae-san was surprised to see his face.

It was a familiar face. The large mole next to his nose was distinctive. It was Im Yun-oh of the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan. The very same person who had robbed the Ancient Sword Merchant.

Jang Dae-san's heart sank.

'So, he really was the one who robbed our Ancient Sword Merchant.'

He had expected it, but when he confirmed that the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan was involved, Jang Dae-san felt all the strength drain from his body. At the same time, anger surged. He had been working like a dog for them until now. And now they were discarding him like an old shoe?

"So, it really was you!"

Jang Dae-san shouted, and Im Yun-oh smiled leisurely.

"Yes. I was the one who orchestrated both the Ancient Sword Merchant and the Iron Brigade incidents."

Jang Dae-san asked gloomily,

"Why?"

Im Yun-oh shrugged.

"As you know, I'm just following orders. I'm sure Clan Lord Jang knows the reason better than I do."

It was the moment everything became clear.

The Northern Sky Hegemon Clan had begun the process of eliminating his Palm Heart Clan.

'Damn it!'

Jang Dae-san gritted his teeth, realizing that he had been too complacent. He should have reacted immediately when the Ancient Sword Merchant was robbed. His doubts had led to this situation. Anger surged, and his whole body trembled.

"To be honest, I have no personal grudge against Clan Lord Jang. That's why I can tell you this."

Im Yun-oh clearly showed that it was an unavoidable situation rather than animosity towards him.

Jang Dae-san decided to use him as much as possible, even if only a little.

Jang Dae-san said earnestly,

"Lord Im, please tell me more if you know anything."

"Hehehe."

Im Yun-oh clearly seemed to know something.

Jang Dae-san handed Im Yun-oh the money he had prepared.

"Lord Im, I won't forget your favor!"

He suspected that Im Yun-oh might be pocketing the money instead of it going to the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan.

But what mattered now wasn't the money. The Palm Heart Clan was now facing a life-or-death situation.

"Alright. I'll tell you. Elder Peng, one of the Four Great Elders of the main family, has stepped down, and Kwon In-chan has taken his place. This is a recent event that hasn't been publicly announced yet."

"........!"

Jang Dae-san's eyes widened. He felt like he knew what was going on without hearing any more.

Peng Soon-deok, who was originally one of the Four Great Elders, was a backer of the Palm Heart Clan. He had been steadily bribing him, but that connection had been cut off. To make matters worse, Kwon In-chan, who had become the new elder, was someone he had a very bad relationship with.

"Damn it!"

Kwon In-chan must have been plotting to expel the Palm Heart Clan and had persuaded the Northern Sky Hegemon Clan Lord.

Im Yun-oh clicked his tongue and shook his head.

"Do you have any idea why I'm so readily revealing the secrets of the main family?"

Jang Dae-san nodded.

He knew that Im Yun-oh was also connected to Peng Soon-deok. He probably didn't have a good relationship with Kwon In-chan either. He could tell just from the fact that he had called him Kwon In-chan instead of Lord Kwon earlier.

"So, they've finally decided to push us out?"

Im Yun-oh didn't answer Jang Dae-san's question. His expression revealed the answer. The expulsion of the Palm Heart Clan was already a foregone conclusion.

"Leave Hubei right now. Find a good place and live out the rest of your life in peace. We won't chase you down and harm you there. That's the only advice I can give you. Wait here. I'll send your son to you soon."

Im Yun-oh hurriedly left the abandoned house.

Jang Dae-san stood there blankly.

"Kwon In-chan! That damned bastard!"

It was all the work of that damned bastard.

As Jang Dae-san was venting his anger, someone stumbled inside.

It was Jang In-geol.

"In-geol!"

Jang In-geol's appearance was wretched. His face and clothes were covered in blood, but thankfully, he hadn't suffered any fatal injuries.

"Ugh........"

Jang In-geol groaned. He said something, but it was unintelligible.

"Aaaaaaaaargh!"

Jang Dae-san's cry of rage shook the abandoned house.

The Palm Heart Clan's nightmare was only just beginning.