The Eldest Daughter of the Tang Clan of Sichuan Protects the Family

Prologue

Azure Heavens. True to the reputation of the greatest clan under the heavens that resembled the sky, the sky on the Clan Head's birthday was blue.

As if keeping pace with the clear weather, the sound of bright laughter and string instruments flowed ceaselessly from the pavilion. However, the pond beneath the pavilion did not reflect the sky.

A green-hued surface covered with lotus leaves. In front of it stood a woman dressed in green ceremonial robes. She stared at the red pavilion for quite some time.

A maid standing beside her cautiously called out, reading the mood.

"Madam......"

The woman did not turn her head, as if she hadn't heard the young maid's voice.

The maid thought that might actually be a relief. Rather than meeting her gaze, it was more comfortable to steal glances and read her mood like this.

Perhaps it was because the woman was a daughter of the Tang Clan of Sichuan that she was intimidated.

Wasn't there a saying? That one should never make enemies with someone in green robes — an old saying in the Murim. The green robe symbolized the Tang Clan of Sichuan.

In terms of cruelty, which clan would dare put forth its name before the Tang Clan? One might be struck by a hidden weapon or poisoned to death before even realizing what happened. Their ruthlessness was said to resemble the unorthodox sects, and although they vied for the title of the greatest under the heavens, they were quietly despised.

Of course, now the title of the greatest clan under the heavens was something no one dared to associate with the Tang Clan.

Whatever thoughts were going through her mind, the chest of the woman in green robes briefly rose. Letting out a long breath, she finally began to walk.

"M-Madam!"

The maid bit her lip with a panicked expression. But she did not dare block the way. Though she had been confined to a separate residence, she was still the Clan Head's only wife. Was she not now the matron of the Namgung Clan?

Even if both the main family and the branch family of the Namgung Clan had come to disregard her, it was not something a mere maid was permitted to do.

Above all, she didn't want to get on Tang So-hwa's bad side.

Tang So-hwa had never ventured into the Murim, yet she had earned a title. She was called the 'Master of Ten Thousand Poisons' (萬毒解師), as it was said that there was no poison she did not know. Many martial artists owed her their lives, had their poisoning symptoms cured by her, something even renowned physicians could not accomplish.

However, there was an unsettling word hidden within the seemingly respectful title.

Poison (毒).

It was suspicious that the word had been included. The claim that she could cure ten thousand poisons meant, conversely, that she could handle ten thousand poisons, which sounded like a warning to be cautious.

The maid hurriedly followed the matron, unsure of what to do. She mustn't disturb the banquet, but she also didn't have the courage to block her path. To those of high rank, her life might be insignificant, but to the maid, her own life was the most precious thing in the world.

'Madam!'

The maid stomped her feet as she followed, feeling helpless.

"Ah, today is a day where you can indulge a bit more!"

"Chang-hyun is right. On a day like this, the Clan Head should show some joy."

"With all the good things happening, isn't this truly a double celebration? Haha."

Double celebration.

The words of a heavily intoxicated servant of the Namgung Clan made the maid flinch. She swallowed dryly as she watched Tang So-hwa's back as she walked ahead.

Five years ago, the previous Clan Head of Namgung lay on his deathbed. For reasons unknown, he had called Namgung Hyun, who had been living as a son-in-law in Sichuan, and on the day before his death, he left a will asking Hyun to temporarily take over as Clan Head until the Young Lord of Namgung could grow up.

His long-time friend, the Clan Head of the Tang Clan, defied opposition within his household and sent his son-in-law and daughter to the Namgung Clan, setting a time limit until the Young Lord of Namgung could fully take his position.

However, Namgung Hyun showed no intention of relinquishing the position. What was expected to take only a few months turned into five long years spent in the Namgung estate.

And at some point, the Tang Clan of Sichuan began to fall into ruin.

The exact reasons were unclear, but it seemed as if the Tang Clan was being abandoned by the heavens. Misfortune struck the clan relentlessly.

The Young Lord, while crossing the Yangtze River, disappeared in an accident. Their businesses collapsed for unknown reasons, and a group posing as the Tang Clan spread poison and disrupted the Central Plains, forcing the Murim Alliance to expel them.

That was just the beginning. Strange accidents continued to plague the clan, making one wonder if someone was deliberately trying to bring about their downfall.

The continuous misfortunes weakened the Tang Clan's finances, and their administration became paralyzed. It was impossible to avoid the decline of their household.

So much so that even Tang Ji-ha, the famously proud Clan Head, had bowed his head and asked his son-in-law for help.

But before he could even attempt to reorganize the clan, disaster struck again. The Demonic Sect that swept through Kunlun quickly swallowed up Sichuan. The Clan Head of the Tang Clan asked Namgung Hyun for assistance, but Namgung Hyun persuaded him to wait, saying he would convince the Murim Alliance to assist together, and sent him back.

Upon hearing those words, the Clan Head returned to Sichuan, where his retainers were fighting, and died in battle there.

Namgung Hyun did not ignore the Tang Clan, who were his in-laws and a long-standing allied clan.

He simply did not rush to their aid.

The problem began there.

Sichuan's situation had become critical.

In fact, the Taoist priests, who had heard of the Demonic Sect's rampage, arrived in Sichuan even faster, making it clear that Namgung had essentially refused to help.

Wudang, Mount Hua, and Zhongnan — the Taoist sects competing to be the greatest in the Central Plains — tried to save Sichuan, but by then, not only the Tang Clan but all the sects in Sichuan had already been massacred.

Still, it couldn't be said their journey was in vain. They annihilated the advancing forces of the Demonic Sect and protected the Central Plains.

Even so, regret remained.

From the perspective of the surviving bloodline of the Tang Clan.

Tang So-hwa briefly closed her eyes.

It felt like a distant past, yet less than a year had passed.

Even so, the Namgung retainers seemed to have erased it from their memories, as if it had happened long ago.

Musicians sang, and dancers performed to enliven the mood.

Tang So-hwa slowly opened her eyes again.

This was the Clan Head's birthday banquet, prepared for over a month, and it was indescribably lavish. The fact that she, who had remained in an isolated annex, could no longer restrain the fury boiling inside and had set out on her own feet spoke volumes.

Tap.

Her fine silk shoes pressed lightly against the well-polished wooden floor.

She had only climbed a few steps when the raucous chatter abruptly ceased. Her head was already visible to those seated on the platform.

True to her past reputation as the treasured jewel of the Tang Clan, even with renowned courtesans from Anhui gathered, Tang So-hwa stole all attention in an instant.

People who had been momentarily struck speechless averted their gazes, glancing around awkwardly.

Tang So-hwa captured them one by one in her graphite-black eyes.

At last, her gaze reached the Clan Head seated at the very end. Namgung Hyun did not look away. With his gently sloped eyes, he simply met his wife's stare.

Seated among brawny martial artists, her husband's frame looked especially delicate. His features were refined for a man, and in his youth, he was often called handsome—but time had changed him greatly. Though he still retained the characteristic neat dignity of the Namgung Clan, there was something pitiful about him now.

The tongue that once spoke of chivalry was soaked in liquor, and the eyes that once dreamed of righteousness had grown dim.

No—perhaps he had always been that kind of man.

Tang So-hwa swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat.

The man who had returned to the Namgung Clan and even sent misbehaving maids to her annex as punishment had treated her coldly. No one found this strange. Even she, after enduring five long years, had grown used to his attitude and brushed it off without much thought.

That's why she realized it too late.

Namgung Hyun hadn't changed—he had never loved her to begin with.

The illegitimate son of Namgung, who had once sweetly whispered his affection to her with a gentle face, had been preparing all along.

For the past year, Tang So-hwa retraced the past. Where had it all gone wrong?

And she found the answer in Namgung Hyun.

This could not all have been a coincidence.

You used me to infiltrate the Tang Clan and carve us apart from within.

But why? Was the position of the greatest noble clan in the world so important? Was our clan wiped out simply because we were in your way?

No—it couldn't be. Namgung had always been named first when discussing the greatest clans under heaven. They didn't need to destroy the Tang Clan to maintain that position.

There had to be something she didn't know.

But she realized it too late, and now, she could no longer figure out what had gone wrong or why Namgung Hyun had led the Tang Clan to ruin.

And yet, it was all meaningless.

Even if she understood the reason, could her father return to life?

Could she find a crane in the cold riverbed?

Could she save the retainers who were cast aside without understanding the reason?

Tang So-hwa gazed at her husband and slowly parted her lips.

"How do you feel?"

Namgung Hyun furrowed his brow at her cryptic words.

As if to answer his unspoken question, Tang So-hwa slowly opened her hands wide, releasing her grip. Her wide sleeves cascaded like a waterfall, reflecting the sunlight. The green silk sparkled, momentarily disrupting Namgung Hyun's vision.

"This is the ceremonial robe my father had made for me last year on my birthday."

Tang So-hwa's red lips curved upward.

It no longer mattered whether she understood the reason they destroyed the Tang Clan.

The reason was no longer important.

What mattered was that the Tang Clan had fallen to the Namgung Clan.

That was the only fact that remained.

Her words flowed slowly, as if each one carried a deep sorrow.

"There is a saying, you know."

Her soft voice carried an unusual weight.

"That one should never make enemies with someone in green robes."

The attendees, who had been indulging in the festivities, awkwardly covered their mouths with their sleeves or cleared their throats, lowering their chopsticks.

Anyone recognized as a member of the Namgung Clan, seated at the same table as the Clan Head, could detoxify most poisons with their internal energy. But the very presence of the Tang Clan of Sichuan carried such a heavy weight that it made the feast feel ominous.

And when the words came from the mouth of the one known as the 'Master of Ten Thousand Poisons,' it was enough to kill the appetite of anyone in the room.

"So-hwa."

Namgung Hyun spoke her name in a low tone.

"I know your heart, but this..."

He was about to say something when he stopped, his words choked off.

Coughed.

Blood sprayed from his mouth as a violent cough shook his body.

"Clan Head!"

Shouts and cries echoed throughout the hall. But the sharp cries were soon drowned out by his ragged breaths.

"Hoo-eok!"

Cough, keok, ker-eok.

The Namgung retainers clutched their throats and collapsed. They didn't understand what had happened, but they glared at Tang So-hwa with bloodshot eyes. Yet, Tang So-hwa did not even spare them a glance as she walked calmly towards the center.

No one dared to block her path as she neared her husband.

The dancing girls, who had been screaming in panic, huddled by the pillars, holding their breath, while the retainers and guards convulsed on the ground, foaming at the mouth.

Namgung Hyun, despite the blood pouring from every orifice and his face turning a deep shade of purple, retained his composure.

"H-how...?"

Every time he tried to speak, blood splattered from his mouth. Tang So-hwa looked down at the bloodstains on her ceremonial robe.

She took a cloth from her sleeve and gently wiped the droplets of blood from her robe.

To her, the robe was more important than her husband's life, teetering on the brink.

That small, deliberate act spoke volumes, and the veins in Namgung Hyun's eyes bulged with rage.

Even as the poison, far from being purified by the internal energy he tried to channel, joyfully sank deeper into his dantian, his entire body trembled uncontrollably. The poison swarmed through his veins like a horde of ants, gnawing away at his vitality. His hands and feet shook violently, and he could no longer even hold a sword.

At that moment, a cold voice seized Namgung Hyun's fading consciousness.

"You've prepared for over twenty years, yet do you think I cannot endure for a single year?"

Namgung Hyun gathered what little strength he had left to ask, but the words could not form.

Tang So-hwa, as though she didn't need a response, knelt and gently wiped the blood from her husband's mouth. She smiled as she spoke.

"Hyun, you think you are clever, don't you?"

The tone was one that had once been used by Tang So-hwa when she was the treasured jewel of the Tang Clan and Namgung Hyun, the despised illegitimate son of the Namgung Clan. It slipped from her lips with a warmth in her eyes, but the voice was as cold as ice, drilling into the eardrums like a sharp dagger.

"Yes, you are clever. You drove your older brother—the one once hailed as the greatest genius of the Namgung Clan—out of the picture. Even in your old age, you managed to ascend to the position of Clan Head. You took me in and, with remarkable patience and quiet resolve, waited for years to orchestrate the destruction of the Tang Clan. Against all odds, you accomplished the impossible—something few believed achievable in your weakened state. I must admit, you are truly remarkable."

Her words were warm, but her gaze as she looked at her dying husband was cold and detached.

"But there is something you don't know."

"Ugh, argh..."

Her deep, abyss-like eyes slowly lifted, and her lips curled slightly as she spoke quietly.

"I've hated you for a very long time."

"Ugh..."

"When your concubine lost her child due to poison, and you blamed me for it, I was honestly... surprised."

She squinted slightly.

"I thought it was a good thing for Yeon-ah to gain your favor and bear your child. I never wanted to breathe the same air as you. Especially when I had to hear your breath, it would send chills down my spine."

Namgung Hyun's eyes widened, as though struck by shock. Tang So-hwa smiled faintly and shrugged.

"I, too, for a long time, wanted you dead. But I'm not like you. I don't have powerful martial skills or a host of allies. The only thing I could think of was... this."

She lifted a white porcelain teapot.

"To quietly wait and cut off your breath when the time came."

A soft, clear sound rang out as the poison-filled cup was poured.

"I've been burning incense around you for the past six months. A mild poison, enough to bring death without any struggle. I've made sure you'll feel the agony of your organs decaying, your veins bursting, until you die in torment."

Tang So-hwa took off one of her earrings. As she turned the red jewel, a tiny pill fell out. She dropped the pill into the wine.

With a smile, she raised the cup and brought it to Namgung Hyun's lips.

"Patience, and more patience—this is the way you and I have always operated. Maybe that's why we ended up together as husband and wife."

The sound of the porcelain cup striking the table echoed through the air.

Tang So-hwa drank her wine in one go, took a small breath, and then looked at her husband, whose life was slowly fading away.

"Let’s meet again in hell."

It was the most effective poison, prepared with the intent to bring swift, painless death. In poison techniques, no one could surpass Tang So-hwa in the Tang Clan. The poison she prepared for herself was guaranteed to work.

Blood streamed from Tang So-hwa's red lips as she watched her husband. Before she could even feel the pain, her breath stopped.

The one regret she carried in this life was her inability to carve those words into his very eardrums—that she would repay her unfulfilled resentment, even in the depths of hell.

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(T/N): Heluu~ This is my first time translating a wuxia novel, so I hope you can bear with me with the terms. If there are any inconsistencies, feel free to point them out in the comments. I’d really appreciate it.

04/26 - I did some proofreading from prologue to c25.