Taoists are pure.

Since the foundation is to seek the Tao by transcending the secular world, they pretend to be so.

Of course, there are those who are not.

Some seek the Tao in the secular world or seek enlightenment through life among the common people. However, it is difficult for such people to maintain a firm resolve compared to those who pretend to be transcendent while being close to alcohol, women, and wealth.

Those who are commonly called "corrupt monks" or "drunken Taoists" are precisely such people.

Wary of this, they choose the easy way.

Building a Taoist temple deep in the mountains, living in seclusion, and following rules of moderation.

Therefore, there were not many entertainment facilities in the areas where Taoist temples were located.

At least the Taoist temples of the martial world, which seek to realize the Tao through martial arts, were better off. At least they had inns or taverns.

But would Taoist punks, who only care about what others think, live extravagantly?

The reality was that there were some, but not many.

Because of this.

"Hah, it's like a marketplace."

Cheonyeong, who had just arrived on the hill leading to Gwanhyeon, a small village at the foot of Blue Green Mountain, laughed in disbelief at the scenery below.

The small village, which seemed to have just over a hundred households including shops, was bustling with people. The sight of them swarming and moving was like watching a colony of ants entering and exiting a single hole in a line.

"It's quite bustling, isn't it?"

"Hmm."

"Still, it seems the Blue Green Sect put a lot of effort into making it this much."

"That?"

"Yes, I heard they were so short on manpower that they would hire anyone who could hold a hammer and had them build lodgings day and night."

At Lee Cheongik's words, Cheonyeong pointed to the warehouse-like buildings built outside the village with a dumbfounded expression.

Anyone who could hold a hammer?

That's why it looks like that.

Hadn't he already seen the carpenters of the Divine Works Pavilion? They were people who put their heart and soul into even a single nail.

'If you can hold a hammer' meant that the Blue Green Sect had saved money.

"It seems the Blue Green Sect was overwhelmed because so many people flocked here. I heard that insignificant families or sects couldn't even get a warehouse-like lodging like that and had to set up tents nearby."

"Good for them."

"Pardon?"

"Isn't it ridiculous?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"The Blue Green Sect, I mean."

"..."

"In the first place, they didn't distinguish between the Orthodox and Unorthodox, and if they offered the Seventy-Two Faction Swords as a prize, they should have expected the scale to grow."

"Well, that's true, but."

"Also, will only the participants come? The escorts and servants who attend the participants, and the masters of the families who come to observe the matches will also come. Even if they limited the number of companions who could climb to the Taoist temple, not a few would come. The scale of the entourage is no different from the prestige of the family. The entrance must be dazzling."

Cheonyeong's words were right.

The number of people was the prestige of the family. Hadn't even the Lee Family come with over thirty people?

"It's been a year since I heard the news of the Assembly of Elders being held. But, no matter how short-handed they were, they built the lodgings like that? It's like they're comfortably waiting in the Taoist temple while giving their guests a stable."

"Th-that's probably because it's still before the tournament. In the Taoist temple..."

"I wonder. Don't you know ten things by seeing one?"

Lee Cheongik smiled awkwardly, as if he was uncomfortable with the direct criticism of the Blue Green Sect.

"Also, the people gathered there are those who live with their swords drawn, usually divided into the Orthodox and Unorthodox. To gather them in one place and expect no friction. I don't know if they're being optimistic or just thoughtless."

Even though he was from a secular family of the Blue Green Sect, he couldn't refute Cheonyeong's words, which were no different from a reprimand.

Because he himself thought Cheonyeong's words were right.

"Let's go for now. The Lee Family has prepared a lodging in advance, so the Family Head will not have to sleep outside."

At those words, Cheonyeong smiles.

He remembered the flustered expression of the elder who had said he had prepared an entourage when they first arrived at the Misan Lee Family.

He had never imagined that the number of people from the Tang Family's estate would exceed ten. He must have hastily revised the number of people who would accompany the young master. He couldn't have sent the Tang Family's people back.

This is how you treat guests. Not by building warehouses like that and pretending to be a benevolent Taoist!

But Cheonyeong did not criticize the Blue Green Sect any further.

Although he didn't like what the Blue Green Sect was doing, he didn't want to hurt the feelings of Lee Cheongik, who had been considerate of him.

"I'm sorry if my words were uncomfortable. I'm not the type to hide what I feel inside."

"Not at all. Not at all. Every word you said was right. Let's go now. We've come a long way, so shouldn't we unpack and rest?"

"Yes."

Lee Cheongik, who was sweating at Cheonyeong's words, hurries his steps.

"By the way, I heard from Wonik that the Family Head has had some kind of achievement?"

"It's a small one. Rather, it seems the young master has achieved something much greater."

"Yes, I have."

Although the question was returned, Lee Cheongik said quite confidently.

He was not a person to make empty boasts.

Seeing that he even felt a subtle sense of pride in his words, it must be incomparable to before.

"I'm looking forward to it."

"You can look forward to it."

"I just hope we don't meet in the early stages. Young Master."

"Oh my, that's what I should be saying. Hahahaha!"

While they were changing the subject and exchanging compliments, their procession arrived at the entrance of Gwanhyeon. He could hear the whispers of the people who were camping in tents around them.

"Looking at the flag at the front, it's the Lee Family of Misan."

"That must be the Lee Family's Sword Dragon, Lee Cheongik. His complexion is indeed bright."

"Hmm? But who is that?"

"Who?"

"The one next to the Lee Family's Sword Dragon."

"Well... I've never seen him before."

"Still, judging by his clothes and the horse he's riding, he doesn't seem to be from an ordinary family."

"Thinking about it that way, he looks like the son of a rather large merchant group."

"That's right. Surely the Lee Family's Sword Dragon wouldn't be traveling with just anyone."

Those who did not know Cheonyeong's identity tilted their heads and wondered. But no one mentioned the name of the Tang Family's estate.

That was their position for now.

As they passed the tents and warehouse-like lodgings and entered the village, the atmosphere changed from before. The clothes of the passersby, and the aura they exuded.

A laugh suddenly escaped him.

Staying outside the village and staying inside the village. It seemed that even this small village had classes and statuses.

"It's over there."

Lee Wonik, who was in charge of the entourage, pointed to a pavilion located on the outskirts of the village.

"Welcome. We've been waiting for a long time."

As the procession arrived, a man who seemed to be the owner of the pavilion came out to greet them with a pleased expression.

But he had a bundle of luggage in both hands?

Where is he going... ah?

A pavilion with a yard, with a wooden fence to mark the boundary. This was not an inn or a tavern, but a place where a villager lived.

After a simple handover, the owner received the promised money, waved his hand, and left.

The Assembly of Elders special.

The other houses would probably be similar. The house next door, and the one next to that.

Since it wouldn't be a village where martial artists lived, they must have paid the homeowners extra and rented the entire house to stay.

Thanks to that, the homeowners seemed to be going on a long trip for a change.

"Leader Jeolyeong."

"Yes! Young Master Lee."

"Quickly set up tents in the yard to make up for the lack of lodging and unpack. Also, prepare for the meal in parallel. So that our distinguished guests can rest sooner."

At Lee Wonik's command, Jinlip gathers the warriors of the Lee Family's Jeolyeong Unit and assigns them their respective tasks.

Unpacking, and preparing to cook.

"Yongcheon."

"Yes?"

When Cheonyeong called, Yongcheon stared at him with blank eyes.

Ah, this clueless punk.

"Help them."

"Why?"

"Um, because I trust you the most?"

The first part and the second part of the sentence were completely unrelated, but he tried it just in case, as Sanghui used to do.

"Okay!"

It worked.

Why on earth did it work?

Yongcheon, who had smiled broadly, began to move the Green Warrior Unit to help the Lee Family. Well, it was fine as long as his intention got through.

"Family Head, you don't have to go that far."

"Not at all, Young Master. Thanks to you, we get to wait to go up to the Taoist temple in a good place, so we should at least do this much. The Lee Family's generosity is enough for now. Please do not refuse."

"But the Family Head is my benefactor."

"Benefactor..."

Those words were wrong. The Lee Family and the Tang Family's estate were in a symbiotic relationship.

He gained enlightenment because of him?

That was a coincidence. He had said a few words, and he had gained enlightenment on his own.

Rather, thanks to them giving up the Ongjin Ferry, the Tang Family's estate had earned a huge amount of money. It was an undeniable fact that those funds had become the driving force for the development of the Tang Family's estate.

In other words, a relationship of mutual help?

But, if you say you're a benefactor, there's no reason to refuse.

Cheonyeong, who had smiled slyly inside, said with a serious expression.

"Young Master."

"Yes?"

"Do not forget. That grace."

The Lee Family and the Tang Family's estate thus unpacked their belongings amicably on the outskirts of Gwanhyeon.

Although they had stopped by Misan, there was still time until the Assembly of Elders. To go up to the Taoist temple, they would have to stay here for at least ten days.

While the food was being prepared, Lee Cheongik gave various instructions to Jinlip, and Cheonyeong was left alone to look around.

The village, filled with martial artists, was like a miniature version of Sicheon.

The outskirts, not the center. That would be the position of the Lee Family in Sicheon. If he hadn't come with the Lee Family, the Tang Family's estate would probably have had to be among the people in tents even on the outskirts of the village.

Anyone could see that they were just extras.

Except for a few of the martial artists gathered in Gwanhyeon, they were no different from flower decorations in the feast called the Assembly of Elders. But after the Assembly of Elders was over, everyone would know.

The fact that my Tang Family's estate is no mere extra.

"Well, well, who is this? Isn't it the Lee Family's Sword Dragon?"

Just as Cheonyeong was looking around near the fence, a group of people approached.

A young man in a white robe embroidered with a splendid pattern, with fierce tiger eyes...

"Ah! Brother!"

Lee Cheongik, who recognized the young man in white, ran up to him with a bright expression and greeted him.

"I heard you were coming. You're quite late."

"It's because I was escorting my party."

"Party?"

"Yes."

Lee Cheongik looked at Cheonyeong and introduced him.

"This is the family head of the Ganyang Tang Family's estate. Family Head, this is the young master of the Iksan Gwak Family."

"Ganyang Tang Family's estate?"

"Yes."

Since he had been introduced by Lee Cheongik, Cheonyeong, who could not pretend not to know him, bowed his head politely.

"I am Tang Cheonyeong."

"Ah, I'm Gwak Wolhyeop."

The young man in white, Gwak Wolhyeop, nodded his head with an expression as if he had never heard of him before.

This bastard. When a person greets politely, you receive it so carelessly?

At the rude greeting, Cheonyeong narrowed his eyes, but considering Lee Cheongik's position, he did not show it.

Gwak Wolhyeop, who had soon turned his head as if he was not interested, introduces the people by his side.

"By the way, you haven't seen him before, have you?"

"...?"

"Don't be surprised when you hear this. This friend is the famous Short Breaking Spear, Go Yeonggil."

"So you are the Short Breaking Spear? I have heard much of your high reputation."

"Hahaha! How can I compare to the Lee Family's Sword Dragon? I can't tell you how happy I was to hear that the young master was participating."

"You praise me too much. It is an honor to meet you like this."

As Lee Cheongik greeted him with excessive politeness and joy, Gwak Wolhyeop said with a proud expression.

"It's too early to be honored. Is it just the Short Breaking Spear? This is the Chungyeong Saber, Lee Saek."

"No way? You mean the Chungyeong Saber I know? It seems I am opening my eyes today!"

"This is disappointing. You seem happier to see him than me."

Go Yeonggil opens his eyes in a sulky way at Lee Cheongik's excessive praise.

"Hahaha! How could that be? If you were offended, please forgive me."

"Now, now, let's not be like this. It's hard for us to meet like this, so how about we have a drink?"

"A drink? That sounds great."

A drinking party is quickly decided.

But Short Breaking Spear? Chungyeong Saber? He had never even heard of them.

They couldn't possibly be part of the Twelve Dragons, and they must be from families or sects of a similar scale to the Lee Family.

Where did these mediocre punks come from?

"Ah! The Family Head should join us too."

"Pardon?"

Do I have to? I don't really want to go.

"Please come with us. You are a precious person to me, so how can I go alone? Take this opportunity to get to know the others as well."

"Hmm."

As Cheonyeong frowned as if he was reluctant, Gwak Wolhyeop asked with a curious expression.

"Your distinguished guest? Who on earth is he..."

"Ah, he is the one whose name has been ringing loudly in Sicheon recently, one of the Thirteen Dragons of Sicheon."

At Lee Cheongik's words, Gwak Wolhyeop and his party were simultaneously surprised and pointed their fingers.

"Then he's that Flood Dragon!?"

Silence fell. And under Cheonyeong's murderous gaze, a forced smile deepens.

Th-these X-head bastards... are you asking to die!

It's annoying enough to be treated as an extra, but what about the Flood Dragon?

Let's see, is anyone watching?

(End of Chapter)