"What? You want me to move the Beggars' Sect?"

"Yes. And it would be even better if you could move the Cheongcheon Alliance as well."

Baekta wore a bewildered expression at the words of Cheonyeong, who had returned and had a private meeting with the Black Scorpion chief, Biata.

To ask him to move the Beggars' Sect to the border of Sicheon and Yunnan out of the blue...

"Yunnan is currently suffering from smugglers. That's why the branch was moved forward."

Baekta nods as if he understands as Cheonyeong explains the situation in Yunnan.

"If the Beggars' Sect moves to seal the border and crack down on the smugglers, Yunnan will move its branch back."

"Hmm."

"How about it?"

"What?"

"It's a good opportunity."

"A good opportunity?"

"Yes."

"What do you mean?"

"You're stupid..."

Baekta frowns at Cheonyeong's direct nagging.

"You, you're a candidate for future leader, right?"

"That's right. But why?"

"How many competitors do you have?"

"About... five?"

"They're all probably about as skilled as you, right?"

"That's right."

"But, do you think they can achieve as much as you can now?"

"Huh?"

"It's enough to just go to Yunnan alone and find out information, but you're going to step up and solve Yunnan's difficulties, and peacefully move the forward-deployed branch back. Not only that? You're also preventing the secondary damage that could occur if the smugglers' poison were to be smuggled into the Central Plains and fall into the hands of evil people."

"Ah!"

Baekta's eyes widen at Cheonyeong's explanation.

"Do you get it now?"

"Y-yes."

Baekta nods his head vigorously.

If it's that much of an achievement?

He'll be far ahead.

He'll be one, no, three or four steps ahead of the other competitors for the position of future leader.

Not only that? The reputation of the Beggars' Sect will naturally rise as well.

But.

"Are you going to hand over all that great achievement to me now? It would be a chance for the name of the Tang Family's estate to be known to the world at once."

Cheonyeong smirks and shakes his head at Baekta's words.

"You idiot."

"Huh?"

Although Cheonyeong nagged him again, how could he be in a bad mood?

At this moment, Baekta wouldn't have cared if he had been called a fool, an idiot, or a mutt.

"Yes, of course, as you say, the name of the Tang Family's estate will be known. But can the Tang Family's estate withstand such a reputation?"

"What?"

"The Tang Family's estate is small. So small that it can't even withstand that much of a reputation. People will think. How did the unheard-of Tang Family's estate accomplish such a thing? And then they'll be suspicious. Was there some kind of behind-the-scenes work? Isn't it a sect that secretly joined hands with Yunnan?"

"Ugh."

"But the Beggars' Sect is different. Because it's the largest in terms of scale in the Central Plains. And you're a candidate for future leader. Everyone will nod their heads at the achievements you've made without any suspicion."

"Well... that's true."

"That's enough."

"That's enough?"

"Of course. It's better to invest in the future than to raise a reputation that I can't handle right away and receive suspicious glances from people."

"The future?"

"You'll become a future leader someday... and then a leader."

"A-a leader?"

"You weren't planning on not becoming one?"

"I have to! Of course I have to! That's my dream!"

"Then do it. Just don't forget that I'm your friend."

"But... are you sure it's okay? It's as if you've solved all of Yunnan's problems, but you haven't gained anything."

Cheonyeong smiles sinisterly at Baekta's words.

You punk, do you really think I'm that stupid?

I've already gained enough.

Trade with the Black Scorpion Clan, and the poison that will become the secret weapon of the Tang family.

But he couldn't tell Baekta the truth. He didn't know how this punk would react if he heard that he was trading poison.

Sometimes, what you don't know is medicine.

And then.

"I'll get you. The future leader of the Beggars' Sect."

Baekta trembles as if he were deeply moved, as Cheonyeong smiles, hiding his true feelings.

Baekta was specialized in suspicion and inference. He was also proud of being smart.

But at this moment, his thoughts had stopped as if he had become a fool.

How could this be?

Cheonyeong had given up an achievement that anyone would covet.

Just because they were friends...

"Cheonyeong."

"Don't look at me like that. You're a man."

"I'm sorry."

"..."

"Actually, I misunderstood you."

"Misunderstood?"

"I just thought you were a snob who was obsessed with profit. And I thought you were a cunning punk who always had to be watched."

"This punk..."

He saw it correctly. As expected, he's a punk with extraordinary insight.

"But, I realized that my thoughts were wrong."

"..."

"How can you call someone who gives up his achievements without any conditions just because they're friends cunning? How can you call them a snob?"

"..."

"I've decided! I will consider you a friend until I die. And even if someone curses and slanders you! I will stand by your side and believe in you."

Cheonyeong smirks, looking at Baekta who is making a vow with a serious expression.

It's a bountiful year.

With this, he had obtained the right to trade with the Black Scorpion Clan, obtained poison, and even gained a reliable beggar punk.

"Myeongseon."

"Speak. I will listen attentively!"

"You should be moving, not listening."

"Huh?"

"It's until tomorrow morning."

"..."

"Hurry up and send a message to the Beggars' Sect, you idiot. Don't you have a carrier pigeon?"

"Ah!"

Baekta jumps up at Cheonyeong's words.

"I see! I'll do it right now! I'll contact the Sicheon Upper Faction, no, the Cheongcheon Alliance. Since I know Yunnan's intentions, not only the Beggars' Sect, but all the Orthodox Factions of Sicheon will move!"

"Do that. And, don't ever mention me. This has to be purely your achievement. Got it?"

"Cheonyeong..."

Now his expression is as if he's about to cry.

You innocent beggar punk.

No matter how smart you are. Let's see if you're a match for me, who has lived twice.

With this, he had properly put a ring through the beggar's nose.

Cheonyeong smiles with satisfaction, looking at Baekta who is running out and even waving his hands vigorously.

Now, go! Baekta!

Eat your achievements, grow up well, and take the position of the leader of the Beggars' Sect!

I'll suck you dry!

"Keu-heu-heu-heu..."

"...?!"

Yongcheon flinches as Cheonyeong laughs sinisterly.

"Family Head."

"Keu-heu-heu... huh? Why?"

"You lied to Baekta, didn't you?"

"Huh?"

"That laugh... is suspicious."

"Keu-heum! What's suspicious about it?"

"It's always been like that. Whenever you have a sinister thought."

This punk. He doesn't even understand words well, but at times like this, his intuition is extraordinary.

"Yongcheon."

"Huh?"

"Just pack your things."

"My things?"

"We have to go home."

"Yeah!"

***

The next day, Biata came to see Cheonyeong as soon as the sun rose.

The second meeting with Biata.

The atmosphere was completely different from the previous one.

"You... what on earth have you done?"

"What?"

"I just received a message from the kids at the border."

"..."

"You really moved the Beggars' Sect."

"I told you. That I would move the Beggars' Sect. Don't tell me you doubted me."

"Well..."

"Well, that's that. Anyway, since I've shown you my efforts, now you, Chief, have to move too, right? And inform the other tribes of the current situation. It would be troublesome if a fight broke out due to a misunderstanding, wouldn't it?"

"You mean this? Of course I have to."

"And the forward-deployed branch..."

"I have to move it back. I have to move it back right away!"

"That's good."

Cheonyeong nods his head with a smile and says.

"Oh!"

"...?"

"This matter, please keep my involvement a secret."

"Huh? You want me to keep it a secret?"

"Yes. There are various circumstances. Instead, if anyone asks, please spread a rumor that Baekta of the Beggars' Sect made a deal with you, Chief."

"Baekta of the Beggars' Sect?"

"Yes."

"No, why?"

"Because he's my friend. A promising one."

Biata looks at Cheonyeong for a moment and then bursts out laughing.

"Heh, you're really a person I can't figure out."

"Everyone says that."

"Anyway, I see. I'll tell the tribe members to keep everything about you a secret."

"Thank you. Then I think I'll be leaving now."

"Leaving? Already?"

"Already? It's only been a day since I saw you, Chief, but it's been quite a while since I came to Yunnan. It's troublesome if the family head is away from home for too long. There are so many things to take care of."

"That's true, but..."

Biata wears a regretful expression.

Tang Cheonyeong. He was a much greater person than his first impression.

At first, he had only considered him a bold young family head of a new family. He had only felt grateful because he was the person who had made his son change his mind.

But now he looked completely different from before.

The makings of a giant, no, he might already be a giant.

Perhaps he just hadn't revealed his true self yet...

"You'll be busy from now on too, Chief."

"Huh?"

"You have to persuade the chiefs of the other tribes under the Five Poisons Gate for me as soon as possible."

"Ah! That's right. That's right."

Biata nods his head repeatedly, realizing the meaning of Cheonyeong's words.

"Heh heh, it seems the trade with you was a very good decision."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah! I'm in the mood to ask you for a trade."

"That's a very grateful thing to say."

"Grateful? I mean it."

"That's why I'm even more grateful."

Cheonyeong smiles brightly at Biata and says.

"I will form a delegation for trade and send them soon."

"Do so. The Black Scorpion will always welcome the guests of the Tang Family's estate as distinguished guests."

"The Tang Family's estate is the same. Come and visit the Tang Family's estate in Ganyang, Sicheon, anytime. I'll prepare good wine and food."

"Let's do that."

Biata takes Cheonyeong's extended hand.

With both hands, as if he would not let go...

"Um, I think you should let go now."

"Huh?"

"I'm sweating."

"Ah! I'm sorry. I was so regretful, ha-ha-ha!"

Biata, who had let go of his hand and laughed heartily, says.

"Even if you're leaving, please wait a moment."

"Pardon?"

"How can I send you away empty-handed, you who have solved the headache of all of Yunnan?"

"Are you giving me something again?"

"Yeah! Of course. I won't keep you long. Just wait a moment."

"..."

Biata repeatedly urges him and goes outside.

He hadn't asked for it, but since he was offering to take care of it himself, there was no reason to refuse.

And with him who had returned was.

"It's a horse? But the color is... d-don't tell me? It's not a Ferghana horse, is it?"

Cheonyeong asks, pointing at the horse with a crimson mane that Biata was holding by the reins.

"Hoh? You seem to know a lot about horses. That's right, it's a Ferghana horse."

"A-a... a Ferghana horse?"

"That's right."

"All five of them?"

"Only yours, but the other four are also Dawan horses."

"Ugh!"

Not only Cheonyeong, but also Baekta's mouth fell open.

A famous horse among famous horses, a horse that is said to be worth a thousand gold.

Moreover, it's not a horse from Yunnan. In other words, it must be something they had obtained with great care.

He's giving such a horse as a gift?

One for each person?

Really?

"It is my sincerity to maintain a long relationship with you."

"No, but..."

"It has to be this much for your eyebrows to fly when you come to Yunnan, doesn't it?"

Biata winks and smiles.

And then.

"But who are they?"

Cheonyeong asks, pointing at the three middle-aged men who had come with the horses.

"Guards."

"Pardon?" 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Yunnan is more dangerous than you think. I can't just send the distinguished guests of the Black Scorpion Clan away. They will escort you to the Tang Family's estate."

"No, you don't have to go that far..."

Cheonyeong, who was about to refuse, soon shuts his mouth.

Because of Biata's telepathic message that was transmitted with the horse.

Although they were nominally guards, their true identity was that of experts who handled the poisons of Yunnan.

It was an enormous favor.

In other words, wasn't he saying that he would not only permit the trade but also dispatch experts to the Tang Family's estate for a while to teach them?

And for free.

Such a... good person.

He really gives without holding back.

"...Thank you, Chief. Since you say it's a favor, I will accept it with a happy heart."

"Please continue our relationship for a long time. Family head of the Tang Family's estate."

"Yes."

Cheonyeong's party gets on the horses with happy hearts and leaves Yunnan.

Having obtained the great blacksmith Danya, the right to trade, a famous horse, and even the heart of a beggar punk.