"Hey. Mr. Gwak."

Silence falls upon the group at Cheonyeong's abrupt call, his face contorted. It is the bewilderment of those who have faced an unexpected situation.

They blink their eyes, grasp the situation, and look at each other's faces, recognizing the truth.

And after the silence passes, Gwak Wolhyeop finally realizes that 'Hey, Mr. Gwak' refers to him. Nevertheless, he confirms again.

"Perhaps me?"

"Yes, you."

Cheonyeong points him out.

"Ah, me."

Gwak Wolhyeop's face, who had nodded his head, begins to turn bright red.

"Me-e?!"

"Yes, I said you."

"Th-this damn punk! Who are you calling 'hey'!"

He, after talking about the flood dragon.

Gwak Wolhyeop was not the only one who flared up in anger.

"This punk is now! He's spouting nonsense just because he has a mouth!"

"Apologize immediately, you punk!"

Dan something and Chung something join in and shout at Cheonyeong. The one who was flustered by the sudden situation was Lee Cheongik.

But Cheonyeong was not one to care about such things.

"You punks, you're speaking informally to me on our first meeting. And you're noisy too."

"F-Family Head. Why are you doing this? Just a moment, just a moment, please calm down."

"Young Master, do I look like I can calm down?"

"Pardon?"

"Even if the principles of the martial world have fallen to the ground, there are courtesies to be observed on a first meeting. Not only did you greet me without sincerity and call me a flood dragon to my face, but now you're calling me a punk, so aren't you really people who don't know any manners?"

"Th-that's."

Lee Cheongik looks at both sides and is at a loss at Cheonyeong's words.

Of course, he knows that the other party was wrong.

But.

"Get out of the way! I can't stand such a hooligan!"

"Brother!"

"Hey! Hey! Who do you think I am! You country bumpkin from a rural village!"

Cheonyeong smirks and picks his ear at those words.

"You punk, you talk too much."

"What? You punk? You ill-mannered punk! How old are you, you punk!"

"Hah, now you're talking about age again? I'm old enough."

"What did you say?"

"And if you want to be treated like an elder because of your age, you've got the wrong person. I'm not that kind of person."

A deep furrow appears on Gwak Wolhyeop's brow at Cheonyeong's sneering words.

"You're truly a reckless punk! It was a meeting with Cheongik for the first time in a while, and I was trying to be patient because you were his precious guest!"

"Then don't be patient."

"What did you say?"

"I'm saying this just in case you don't know, but I'm the one who's been patient. I'm still being patient because of the consideration the young master has shown me."

It was true. If he hadn't been patient, his fist would have flown already.

Sagyo, flood dragon. He already had a deep-rooted anger towards the character 'gyo' (狡).

Where did he look like he fit the word 'gyo'?

"Th-this wicked punk! The rumor that there's a flood dragon in Ganyang is rampant, and it seems to be true! I will fix your rotten mindset today!"

Cheonyeong sighs as if the ground would collapse and says at Gwak Wolhyeop's words, who was running wild and shouting.

"Tsk tsk. Pathetic, so pathetic. You don't even know how to gauge your opponent's skill, you only have a temper, so you're treated like an extra."

"You pu-unk!"

Gwak Wolhyeop, unable to bear Cheonyeong's ridicule any longer, rushes towards Cheonyeong.

Kung! 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

His fist, which had closed the distance by stomping on the ground forcefully, extends towards Cheonyeong's face.

The corners of Cheonyeong's mouth tear up and soar.

Yes, of course you have to come out like this.

Peok!

Cheonyeong, hit in the face by Gwak Wolhyeop's fist, collapses weakly.

"...Huh?!"

A look of bewilderment appears on Lee Cheongik's face, who was surprised by Gwak Wolhyeop's attack.

He was hit? This easily?

Although Gwak Wolhyeop's level was not so low, considering Cheonyeong's skill, it was truly absurd.

He should have been able to dodge it, so why on earth?

"Tsk tsk, he was a punk who only talked big without any skill."

"That's right. I was a little expectant because he was called one of the Thirteen Dragons of Sicheon, but it seems the rumors of the world are not to be believed."

Although the Short Breaking Spear and the Chungyeong Saber spoke with ridicule, Gwak Wolhyeop himself couldn't hide his bewilderment.

He was hit? But the feeling in his fist...

If he had been hit, there should have been a sense of impact, but it felt as if he had hit cotton, and he felt nothing.

"Keuk, keuk keuk keuk."

"...?"

Suddenly, Cheonyeong, who had been lying on the floor, begins to let out a strange laugh. And he slowly gets up.

Tuk, tuk.

Cheonyeong, who had dusted off his clothes, says to Gwak Wolhyeop with a humorless face.

"It's a pity. If you had come with an escort, you could have lasted a little longer."

"Wh-what?"

"The war of words ended a little while ago, and you started the fistfight first. Not me. Remember that. I wasn't like this before, but since I became a family head, justification is important."

Cheonyeong grins and walks over at Gwak Wolhyeop's startled appearance.

What is it, you punk!

I was hit first, so from now on it's self-defense!

"Tsk tsk, this punk hasn't come to his senses even after being hit. Brother Gwak, leave this punk to me. A single blow is perfect for such punks! I will fix his habits for good!"

The Short Breaking Spear, Go Yeonggil, aims his spear, holding it upside down, at the approaching Cheonyeong. Since he was from the Orthodox Faction, he didn't want to harm him with the blade.

But Cheonyeong smirks at his appearance.

Ah, you first? Spear-wielder?

Hwi-ik!

Wind rose from the fiercely swung spear.

But with just a twist of half a step, the spear cuts through the air.

"Huh?"

Go Yeonggil wears a puzzled expression at Cheonyeong's easy dodge.

And tuk.

Cheonyeong's hand, which had swung as if chasing a fly, touches Go Yeonggil's cheek.

Tu-ga-ga-gak!

And Go Yeonggil's body is thrown back at a tremendous speed and gets stuck in a corner.

"Huh? Uh-uh?"

The Chungyeong Saber's mouth falls open at the sight he couldn't believe even after seeing it with his own two eyes.

What... was that just now?

Didn't he just touch his cheek? With a 'tok'? Why is the Short Breaking Spear stuck over there?

In the meantime, he doesn't move at all.

"Ah, sorry. It's something I've newly realized recently, so I can't control my strength well. I'll be careful with you from now on."

As the brightly smiling Cheonyeong continues to approach, the Chungyeong Saber steps back without realizing it.

"W-wait a minute!"

"..."

"Wait a minute, you punk!"

As Cheonyeong shows no sign of stopping, the Chungyeong Saber swings his sword, scabbard and all.

It's the law of nature. Even a mouse, when cornered, will bite a cat, won't it? Of course, that's just a mouse, and Cheonyeong was no cat.

Teok!

"...?!"

The scabbard, swung with all his might, is caught too easily in Cheonyeong's hand.

"Chungyeong what?"

"..."

"What's so full about this light thing? Your skill doesn't live up to your name."

"Th-this punk!"

Although he wanted to cut him down immediately at the words full of ridicule and disdain, the scabbard wouldn't budge.

Eu-deuk!

The Chungyeong Saber, who had gritted his teeth, kicks up at Cheonyeong.

Huk!

But his straight-extended foot only cuts through the air, and before he knew it, Cheonyeong's hand covered the Chungyeong Saber's face.

Kwa-ak.

"Full of openings. You could have just let go of the sword."

"Ugh!"

The scream didn't last long.

"I'll fill you up. With pain, to the brim!"

Hwi-ik!

Cheonyeong trips the Chungyeong Saber and slams him into the ground.

Ku-u-u-ung!

A loud noise.

Since he had fallen on the back of his head, there was no way he would be fine. The Chungyeong Saber's limbs, which had been trembling, go limp.

"All that's left is 'hey', huh?"

Cheonyeong smiles coldly and looks at him, and Gwak Wolhyeop, who is in front of his gaze, can't move.

Like a fly caught in a spider's web.

What on earth? The Short Breaking Spear and the Chungyeong Saber with just one attack?

The movements weren't even big. Just, pak, pa-pa-pak! and it was over.

"Oh, what was it again? Flood dragon?"

"..."

"Well, I heard I'm called that. But I really hate that character. For a very long time."

To be precise, from the time some old man gave it to him against his will.

As Cheonyeong's eyes shine murderously, Gwak Wolhyeop swallows dryly without realizing it.

He was not at a level he could face.

What could he do, who had already been pushed back by his momentum?

The only thing he could rely on was.

Gwak Wolhyeop looks at Lee Cheongik with a pleading gaze.

Cheongik! Help me! Save me from the clutches of this monster-like punk! Or at least, send a message to my family!

As he continues to look at him with such eyes, Lee Cheongik wears a serious expression and shouts quickly.

"Wonik!"

"Pardon?"

"Block the fence with the Shadow Severing Brigade and block the outside view! Also! Send people to the residences of the Gwak, Go, and Lee families and tell them that the drinking party will be late, so hurry!"

"Pardon?"

"You punk! Can't you hear my command! Move quickly!"

"Ah, I understand!"

Lee Wonik, who had been flustered for a moment at Lee Cheongik's shout, convenes the Shadow Severing Brigade and blocks the fence.

Yongcheon, who had sensed the strange atmosphere, also moves the Green Warrior Unit and joins in.

"You?"

Gwak Wolhyeop was just bewildered.

That's not what I meant with my eyes.

What is this situation? You're not thinking of helping me, you're blocking the view of the people with a wall of people?

But Lee Cheongik had no other choice.

The water was already spilled. The fight had started, and if he couldn't stop it, it was better to think about cleaning up. Wasn't Tang Cheonyeong a person who wouldn't listen even if he was told to stop? No matter what the previous conversation was, since Gwak Wolhyeop had thrown the first punch, the justification was on Cheonyeong's side.

Gwak Wolhyeop started the fight first, and Tang Cheonyeong responded.

That had to be the whole story of this incident. It had to be concluded that way.

What if this incident escalated into a fight between families?

There was no way Tang Cheonyeong would stay still with his personality. He wasn't sure about other things, but that was certain. Wasn't the Tang Family's estate a place where the family law was to repay a grudge tenfold?

Even when his younger brother, Lee Wonik, had acted like a hooligan, he was the one who had tried to fight the Lee family. Even though the Tang Family's estate at that time was so small that it couldn't even be compared to the Lee family.

But it was different now. The Tang Family's estate had grown large enough, and Tang Cheonyeong was much stronger than before. To the extent that it exceeded his expectations.

"Cheongik! You now!"

"Shut up! You stupid punk!"

Lee Cheongik shouts at Gwak Wolhyeop's words.

"Ugh?"

"You should be grateful for my choice now. Because I saved not only you, but also your family."

"Th-that's what?"

"Just grit your teeth. Because he's in front of you now."

"...?!!"

Gwak Wolhyeop, who had turned his head at Lee Cheongik's words, sees Cheonyeong standing in front of him.

"Who's the flood dragon?"

"..."

"You should have chosen your words more carefully."

He could see his clenched fist.

And it comes down hard on him.

Ah, damn it.

Kwajik!

"Keuk!"

The heavy impact felt as if his mind would fly away.

It hurts. It was a level of pain he had never felt before in his life.

Like the other punks, just collapse like this...

Teok.

But contrary to Gwak Wolhyeop's wish, his body stops as it is about to collapse.

"You're not getting off this easy."

"..."

"You're the oldest, right? Then I'll let you set an example."

Cheonyeong grabs Gwak Wolhyeop by the scruff of his neck and laughs.

An example? By getting beaten more?

Ah, damn it.

Peok!

"Keuk!"

Peok-peok!

"Kkwae-ek!"

Gwak Wolhyeop was beaten up, unable to collapse or lose consciousness, held by the scruff of his neck by Cheonyeong.

He had never been beaten like this even by his parents in his life.

And his screams spread far beyond the fence.

"Tsk tsk, it seems it has already started."

"It can't be helped. It would be strange if they didn't bicker when a bunch of hot-blooded punks are gathered."

"Leave them be, what would they do but scratch and bite, fighting like kittens."

No one who heard the screams paid much attention.

To the large sects located in the center of the village, it was just a squabble between small and medium-sized sects.

"Keuk keuk, that's great. I hope they get their participation canceled after fighting like that."

To those staying in the tent village outside the village, it was just an opportunity to reduce the number of competitors.

Peok! Peok! Peok-peok!

"Get a grip! You punk! You need to be beaten more! Who's the flood dragon!"

Of course, for Gwak Wolhyeop, all that time was pain.

The Tang Family's Departure from the World