Volume 6 Chapter 12 – Out of Control

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Translated by Rain

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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To the point of putting yesterday’s commotion to shame, the street in front of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment at dawn was enveloped in deep silence.

With the dawn breaking in the distance, the morning mist softly scattered the light, and the green leaves showing their faces between the paving stones tilted their heads with dew condensed on them.

In the waiting pavilion located on the street, the on-duty contacts who had stayed up all night sat comfortably spaced out, listening to the birds chirping and dozing.

Those among them who started their day a bit early came out to the street to stretch, or simply finished washing their faces at the well in the pavilion’s courtyard, and sat gathered blankly before the brazier where tea water was boiling, enjoying the warmth.

Even in such a leisurely and peaceful atmosphere, the contacts occasionally glanced at the corner of the waiting area.

“…”

Those sitting there were the Buddhist nuns of the Emei Sect.

Sitting in upright postures and watching the main gate of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment with faces showing not a speck of drowsiness, they were those who had quietly come under the cover of deep night after last night’s commotion.

Looking at them, the contacts whispered in small voices.

“To see them return so shamelessly like that after tucking their tails and fleeing yesterday, they are indeed something.”

“Should we say their ascetic training is deep, or their facial skin is thick?”

At that moment, a group of Emei Sect’s Buddhist nuns revealed themselves in the mist over there.

It was the shift that had returned after resting at the Reception Hall’s lodging.

“Were there any unusual matters?”

It was the proctor nun, whose strangely sensitive attitude did not soften even after resting.

“Other than three maids with the same face coming out and heading somewhere about half a shijin ago, there are no unusual matters.”

“Where did they head?”

“As for that…”

The proctor nun wore a displeased expression, but she did not press them further.

For the most important thing to them was the Tea Fan Maidens.

“In that case, you guys should return to the lodging now and rest…”

The proctor nun’s words trailed off.

It was because figures revealed themselves at the main gate of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment.

“Ugh…! I ended up eating too much breakfast!”

“My stomach feels a bit bloated…”

“Ah, I want to go back to bed again right now.”

Those who revealed themselves one by one in the mist were none other than the Tea Fan Maidens.

They, who still had a slightly tired look, appeared fully prepared to go out.

“You guys…!”

Although Emei Sect’s Buddhist nuns rapidly drew closer, the sight of the Tea Fan Maiden ladies cowering could no longer be seen.

“Halt.”

A cold warning like the northern wind blowing snow.

“Those who are not authorized cannot approach any further.”

Rather, at the restraint of the Special Duty Unit member guarding the main gate, the Buddhist nuns could not even approach the Tea Fan Maidens further and merely stamped their feet.

“We merely wished to converse with the Tea Fan Maidens…!”

“It does not matter.”

The momentum quietly emitted by these warriors was not violent like that of the Second Young Lady.

“Grr…!”

However, even while doing so, there was a chilling aspect that did not allow Emei Sect’s rash actions.

“Good morning.”

At Sangwan Nan-hwa’s calm voice as always, the proctor nun raised her eyes.

“Sangwan Nan-hwa! By any chance, you haven’t forgotten your situation and done something foolish behind our backs, have you?”

The tall Tea Fan Maiden, An Song-gyeong, shrugged her shoulders.

“Something foolish? They were all significant conversations and decisions related to business.”

“No way?! You didn’t make important decisions on your own without even consulting the Emei Sect, did you?!”

Sangwan Nan-hwa answered in a quiet tone.

“We, the Tea Fan Maidens, have officially entered into an agreement with the Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family and have come to participate in the joint project of the Eldest Young Master and the Fourth Young Master.”

There was no need for the Emei Sect to know the story of the Tea Fan Maidens’ owner changing yet.

However, what Sangwan Nan-hwa revealed just now was sufficient to make the Emei Sect members jump up.

“What does that…?!”

The other Tea Fan Maidens also smirked and slightly assisted An Song-gyeong’s provocation.

“Do not worry. No way we would make decisions where we lose out ourselves, right?”

“If you speak in such a threatening way, wouldn’t those who hear misunderstand…?”

“To make such important decisions on your own, you are truly out of your minds!”

The proctor nun felt dizzy.

“Are you not even afraid of the future consequences of daring to oppose the Emei Sect?!”

Sangwan Nan-hwa tilted her head.

“Strange. Listening only to what you are saying right now, it sounds as if the Emei Sect will not permit us, the Tea Fan Maidens, to expand our business in Luoyang.”

“That is…!” the proctor nun was left speechless.

“Does the Emei Sect not wish for the expansion of the Tea Fan Maidens in the first place?”

No.

It was not like that.

The Emei Sect wanted to possess the Tea Fan Maidens who were growing at a terrifying pace; there was no reason to lock up that potential in Sichuan.

Only, because of the tangible and intangible pressures received after setting foot in this Luoyang Sword Family, the proctor nun had merely poured out remarks crossing the line out of the sensation of gradually losing control over the Tea Fan Maidens.

“No. It is not like that…”

“Then what is it?”

“This nun merely wished for you not to do anything foolish…”

An Song-gyeong snorted.

“Just what does that foolishness refer to?”

Due to the violence Emei Sect had committed against the Tea Fan Maidens as if breathing up to now, she had temporarily become unable to even distinguish where the line between doing something foolish or not lay.

“Tea Fan Maidens, do not press the proctor too hard.”

The one who rescued the cornered proctor nun was the Emei Sect’s carriage that revealed itself through the mist.

“Everyone, calm down.”

The one who revealed herself from inside that carriage was the deputy general director nun.

“It seems the proctor got excited and made remarks that left you with no choice but to misunderstand.”

Appearing with a group of administrative Buddhist nuns and wearing a benevolent expression, the deputy general director nun spoke toward the Tea Fan Maidens.

“Our Emei Sect had and has absolutely no intention of hindering the expansion of the Tea Fan Maidens’ business in the past, present, or future.”

She wore a benevolent expression.

“We merely wish to look after you so that you, being young, do not enter a wrong path.”

* * *

Last night.

“Ultimately, if we ruin the joint project of the Eldest Young Master and the Fourth Young Master, the Tea Fan Maidens will become a useless piece to them.”

At Abbess Chongmu’s words, the deputy general director nun spoke, unable to hide her shock.

“We are going to obstruct the joint project of the Eldest Young Master and the Fourth Young Master?”

Her eyes trembled.

For no matter how much she thought about it, that could be nothing more than hitting a rock with an egg.

“Foolish thing!”

At her expression, Abbess Chongmu burst into a hoarse laugh.

“Is it only us who wish for the joint project of the Eldest Young Master and the Fourth Young Master to fail?”

“Ah…!”

“Even if they cannot personally step forward to sabotage due to circumstances, if we move instead, there are plenty of people in this Sword Family who would roll up their sleeves and help as much as we want.”

Abbess Chongmu’s eyes narrowed.

“The old man of Diancang whom I met just now is also one of those people.”

“I see…!”

It was Abbess Chongmu who did not reveal her heart even to those who could be called her limbs under normal circumstances.

There were not many occasions where someone like Abbess Chongmu kindly explained the situation and intentions as she did now.

“We only need to borrow the strength of those people and target the decisive moment.”

“Indeed…”

At those words, the deputy general director nun nodded, yet cautiously brought up a word in a slightly anxious tone.

“But wouldn’t stepping into the middle of the power struggle of this vast family be dangerous, after all?”

At her words, Abbess Chongmu chuckled.

“This is strictly a measure to resolve the worst-case scenario.”

“If so…?”

Abbess Chongmu’s eyeballs glinted.

“As long as the Tea Fan Maiden children do not exceed the limit, their entry into Luoyang is beneficial to us, who will ultimately gain possession of the Tea Fan Maidens.”

It was exactly as she said.

If the Tea Fan Maidens successfully settled in Luoyang, that was equivalent to saying that the Tea Fan Maidens would succeed in the entire Central Plains.

“So, as soon as day breaks tomorrow, go find the Tea Fan Maidens, cater to those children’s moods, and soothe them.”

It meant that they had to reclaim initiative over the Tea Fan Maidens, stick close by their side, and get their hands on all information.

“Only then, if it is revealed that those children played some foolish tricks, can we take measures immediately, can we not?”

“…I will obey your command.”

“Remember. No matter what happens, you must stick close to those children.”

At the thick killing intent, the deputy general director nun swallowed dry saliva.

“…But, after borrowing strength from here and there to obstruct the joint project of the Eldest Young Master and the Fourth Young Master, if the Tea Fan Maidens do not commit any foolish actions and we do not need to take measures, won’t the situation become troublesome?”

“For us? Why?”

Abbess Chongmu wore a smirking smile.

“By then, we would have already returned to Sichuan.”

The deputy general director nun’s expression became dumbfounded.

* * *

“Proctor, apologize to these children!”

At the deputy general director nun’s words, the proctor nun bowed her head with a stiff expression.

“…I am sorry.”

Glaring at the proctor nun with a displeased expression, the deputy general director nun smiled gently toward the Tea Fan Maidens.

“…Out of excessive concern for you, the proctor ended up listing excessive words.”

Sangwan Nan-hwa shook her head.

“No. That can happen.”

“As expected, your magnanimity is broad…!”

Since she accepted the apology readily, the deputy general director nun spoke in a subtle tone.

“Could you perhaps let me know under what conditions you made the deal with the Eldest Young Master of the Sword Family? While looking around the Sword Family yesterday, I spotted a tea house with a great view.”

“That is…”

At those words, the Tea Fan Maidens smiled bitterly.

“As expected, that must be difficult, right?”

At their reaction, the deputy general director nun waved her hands for no reason.

“In that case…”

She was someone who had not even thought that the Tea Fan Maidens would readily reveal the terms of the contract in the first place.

“Could you perhaps arrange a meeting between Abbess Chongmu and the Eldest Young Master of the Sword Family? If you could just arrange a meeting once, there is nothing more I would wish from you.”

Instead of troubling the Tea Fan Maidens further, arrange a meeting.

The meaning of those words was the calculation to skip them and directly open a dialogue with the Eldest Young Master.

“Pfft…!”

At those words, laughter ultimately burst out from An Song-gyeong’s mouth.

Even before the Emei Sect’s Buddhist nuns could display signs of embarrassment, the Tea Fan Maidens burst into laughter one by one.

At their laughter that burst out of nowhere, the deputy general director nun’s brow furrowed.

“…Whatever the reason may be, it is an action that makes the opponent exceptionally displeased. Have you forgotten who this nun is?”

Sangwan Nan-hwa, who had been wearing a bitter smile at the laughter of her fellow Tea Fan Maidens, shook her head.

“It seems you are still under an illusion.”

“An illusion…?”

* * *

Last night.

To the former sect leader of Diancang who was returning to his quarters, a warrior asked.

“To ruin the joint project of the Eldest Young Master and the Fourth Young Master. Can that old woman really accomplish such a great role?”

At those words, the former sect leader’s eyes widened, and wild laughter burst from his mouth.

“That old woman, against that devilish Eldest Young Master?”

After laughing for a while, he wiped the tears that formed in his eyes.

“Surely, since that old woman is also no ordinary person, she must have a trump card. But…”

The former sect leader smiled, showing his yellow teeth.

“In the first place, the picture that our lord and the Grand Strategists wish for is not the collapse of the joint project of the Eldest Young Master and the Fourth Young Master.”

* * *

“An illusion, what do you mean by that?”

At the deputy general director nun’s words, upon whose face anger was beginning to faintly gather, Sangwan Nan-hwa let out a small sigh.

Whether to call them arrogant, or say they do not know their place.

She opened her mouth.

“Does the Emei Sect still believe you can control this situation?”

“…We are not trying to control the situation, but merely wishing to have a conversation.”

It was the deputy general director nun, whose reply was delayed due to having her sore spot pricked.

“In that case, how about you try to grab an opportunity directly?”

“Directly?”

At Sangwan Nan-hwa’s words, puzzlement rose on the deputy general director nun’s face.

At that moment,

“Everyone, clear the way and bow your heads! The Eldest Young Master of the Main Family is arriving!”