The Tang Clan was accused of kidnapping orphans and conducting human experiments.
One day, this news spread across Zhongyuan.
As one of the Four Great Clans and the supplier of seventy percent of Zhongyuanâs iron goods, the Tang Clan held a prestigious position.
Before the Blood Demon War, they were considered a sect of the unorthodox faction. However, their contributions to halting the bloodshed elevated them to an orthodox sect. For many years, they were a pillar of righteousness, trusted by countless martial artists.
The protectors of Sichuan.
The Sichuan Tang Clan.
The revelation of their unimaginable atrocities left many in shock.
It was said that hidden beneath their grounds were piles of childrenâs corpses alongside the bodies of demonic beasts.
Upon reviewing the records, the Martial Alliance discovered that these experiments had been ongoing for over a century.
A century.
One hundred years.
How many children had died during that time?
People were enragedâfuriously so.
The Poison King did not attempt to explain or deny the accusations. Instead, he sealed the clanâs gates. But the publicâs anger did not subside.
They demanded the Tang Clan be labeled as enemies of the martial world.
That the Four Great Clans not only expel them but banish them to the unorthodox faction and see them punished.
Despite public outcry, the Martial Alliance ultimately did not comply.
They concluded that the elders had conducted the experiments without the Poison Kingâs knowledge. The Poison King executed those elders immediately and declared his judgment on the matter.
Considering the Tang Clanâs past contributions as one of the Four Great Clans in safeguarding Zhongyuan, the Martial Alliance decided not to punish them further.
Instead, they restricted their monopoly over trade through the Alliance. Furthermore, the Tang Clan would be barred from participating in or voting for the election of the next leader of the Martial Alliance for three generations.
Though the Martial Alliance imposed these sanctions, they were not particularly harsh.
In truth, the punishment seemed lenient.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Given the scandal, many of the businesses that had dealings with the Tang Clan would naturally sever ties on their own.
Moreover, the Tang Clan had historically avoided involvement in Martial Alliance leadership affairs. To many, this felt like nothing more than a performative punishment.
Public opinion held that while the Tang Clan had indeed committed crimes, the Martial Alliance had offered them leniency out of respect for their past contributions.
A clan that had killed countless lives for the sake of human experiments.
A Martial Alliance that sought to gloss over it.
The issue remained a subject of heated debate, but a series of incidents that followed reduced public suspicion toward the Martial Alliance.
Howeverâ
The Tang Clanâs reputation did not recover.
âThose damn bastards. How could I have ever believed that Sichuan was safe under their protection?â
âThe Four Great Clans? An orthodox sect? How could they commit such vile acts under the banner of righteousness?â
âThe Poison King didnât know about this? Do you honestly expect us to believe that?â
The Tang Clanâs standing plummeted further with each passing day.
Although it was claimed that neither the Poison King nor his immediate family were involved, few believed it.
How could a clan head be unaware of what was happening within their sect?
No one believed it. Even if it were true, they would refuse to accept it.
In their minds, the Tang Clan was already a den of evil.
âOf course, a place that deals in poison has a dirty underbelly.â
âThey were unorthodox to begin with. The Martial Alliance merely overlooked it.â
âPeople talk about them being craftsmen now, but this was always a place founded by assassins. It was never trustworthy.â
These words filled the air.
Insults against the Tang Clan.