Thanks to No Gwanyeong's direct involvement, most of the branches were brought under control without major incident. A few tried to honor their ties with the Blue Serpent Sect, but their resistance was merely feeble. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Everything proceeded smoothly.

The exclusive trading rights with Yunnan and the stability of the Yangtze River transport route.

With conditions that everyone coveted, the merchant groups of Seongdo responded to contracts with the Tang Family one after another.

It was natural that Gongsun Seung, who led the negotiations, played a major role. He was remarkably skilled at handling merchants. He was no ordinary person.

Furthermore, thanks to forces from various regions coming to establish connections with the Tang Family and launching gift offensives almost daily, the Tang Family's influence expanded beyond what the Blue Serpent Sect had possessed.

As a result, the Outer Hall's workload increased significantly.

However, Chun-il was adapting faster than anyone.

As the saying goes, a dog learns manners in three years at a tavern. Having accumulated experiences that others would not encounter in a lifetime, it was only natural.

* * *

"Family Head."

"Oh, Outer Hall Master."

After finishing his dawn training and beginning his day with warm tea, Cheonyeong welcomed Outer Hall Master Chun-il.

"Is it difficult?"

"Difficult? I've never been more excited than these days."

Though his face bore the fatigue of increased work, Chun-il appeared brighter than ever.

"Then I'm relieved."

Cheonyeong smiled faintly and sipped his tea.

"Would you like a cup?"

"Is there no alcohol?"

"This?"

"I was joking, just joking. Who drinks alcohol in the morning?"

Cheonyeong glared at Chun-il with narrowed eyes as he waved his hands dismissively.

You dare say that?

You, for whom a single cup of alcohol is a daily routine.

"I've quit drinking."

"As if you would quit."

"I'm serious."

"Let's say you did. But what brings you here so early?"

"Ah! A disciple from the Blue Green Sect brought a letter."

"A letter?"

"Yes, it's said to be from the Changlim Sword Saint."

Chun-il handed over the letter he had brought, and Cheonyeong tore open the envelope with an expressionless face. As Cheonyeong slowly read, the corners of his mouth gradually split into a smile.

The content was related to the Nine Dragons Meeting that took place at the Cheongcheon Alliance.

Something about assassins, something about the Cheongcheon Alliance's response, and a request for future cooperation from the Tang Family.

However, at the bottom of the letter was the true intention of the Changlim Sword Saint, written additionally.

As long as the Tang Family keeps its promise, the Blue Green Sect will respond once to any request from the Tang Family, no matter what it may be.

After reading the letter brought by the Blue Green Sect's senior disciple to the end, Cheonyeong could not hide his satisfaction.

There was even the official seal representing the Sect Leader of the Blue Green Sect.

How could he not understand the intention contained within?

It was subtle pressure and a gag order.

After all, if he so much as breathed a word that he had manipulated the Blue Green Sect's martial competition, neither side would have any face left.

There would be no way to hold one's head high in the martial world.

But there was no particular reason to spread rumors.

He had gone to strike down those Jinkagu bastards for his own revenge, and he had even obtained the Blue Green Sect's promise in the process. What could be better than this?

"Hehehehe."

Cheonyeong smiled with a sinister expression and carefully folded the letter, placing it in his chest.

After all, precious things should be kept well hidden and used only when absolutely necessary later.

Who knew?

Perhaps when the Tang Family faced a crisis in the future, the Blue Green Sect would become a lifeline.

"I should ask Danya for something like a family record."

Whether his heart felt full because of the letter or because of how Sichuan currently viewed the Tang Family, Cheonyeong gazed out the window with a satisfied expression.

The sunlight is beautiful.

Beneath that sunlight, martial artists were training intensely.

"It seems they're all on edge."

Chun-il followed Cheonyeong's gaze outside and let out a quiet laugh.

It was understandable.

For the newly recruited Blue Serpent Sect members, the Tang Family's martial forces would naturally be a concern.

The Samgyeong, which had possessed martial strength comparable to the Dokgak-gwi, had been completely annihilated by the Green Warrior Unit and Blue Warrior Unit led by Inner Hall Master Sanghui.

The casualties were minimal.

So naturally, they would think the Tang Family's martial strength was far superior to theirs, and they would believe they needed to work harder to establish themselves in the Tang Family.

The same was true for the Green Warrior Unit and Blue Warrior Unit.

Having fought the Samgyeong, they knew their position better than anyone.

If Danya's weapons had not existed?

They would not have survived until now.

They had to work harder.

However, the resolve deep in their hearts differed.

The Dokgak-gwi felt their pride wounded at falling behind younger martial artists, but the Green Warrior Unit and Blue Warrior Unit feared losing everything they had gained upon becoming martial artists of the Tang Family.

But what did the reason matter?

For Cheonyeong, he was simply satisfied with how they strived to become stronger without being told.

"Chun-il."

"Yes."

"From now on, you will have much to do. Managing the branches and coordinating with external forces is the responsibility of the Outer Hall."

"The Elder helps greatly, so it's manageable."

"Learn much from his side. He is an excellent person."

"I'm already doing so."

"Good."

Cheonyeong nodded as he looked at Chun-il.

He had grown much.

That boy who used to steal and eat brewery dregs.

"By the way, if we're to prepare for a wedding, shouldn't you return to the main family soon?"

"Huh? A wedding?"

"Didn't you know?"

"..."

"That's strange. Sanghui said she would finally have her wedding with Yongcheon and spread the news all over town?"

"She spread the news?"

"Yes, she said you told her directly. The news has already spread throughout the Seongdo branch. Gongsun is already selecting guests to invite."

"Wow!"

What an absurd girl.

When did she complain that the Family Head had to go first? Yet somehow her face turned red even as she refused.

Suddenly he felt like causing trouble.

But.

"We should have her marry. She's had feelings for years. And it seems Yongcheon has feelings too."

"Feelings? The Family Head just doesn't know. These days they're openly stuck together. It's so unpleasant to watch."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Yongcheon, that bastard, pretends not to while peeling pumpkins all by himself. Oh, and yesterday the night patrol saw the two of them coming out from near the water mill."

"What about the water mill?"

"You didn't know?"

He did not.

These guys, since when.

Amid all the busyness, they've been nurturing quite the romance.

But on the other hand, he felt sorry for not showing consideration even though he knew their feelings, as he focused only on his revenge and the Tang Family's growth.

He should return to Ganyang and have their wedding soon.

And wasn't there another reason to return to the main family in Ganyang?

Jinkagu.

Questions still remained unanswered.

Why did they know about the Samyang Divine Art? And what did they seek to gain by creating chaos at the Blue Green Sect?

Thanks to inciting the Changlim Sword Saint and moving the Cheongcheon Alliance, he had temporarily slowed their movements. But he could not rest easy.

He knew them better than anyone.

They would surely have begun investigating the Blue Green Sect and would learn about him. Or perhaps they already knew.

They would never leave a protruding stone that had toppled their carefully built tower.

Under any circumstances.

Now he had to prepare to face them.

He could not rest easy until the moment he severed the neck of Salju Jin Gu-myeong.

"Chun-il."

"Yes."

"Contact Baekta. Tell him I wish to meet at the Three Yang Hall."

"Then?"

"The Seongdo branch has stabilized enough. Now I must return. To Ganyang."

"I will summon the elders."

* * *

Through an elders' meeting, it was decided that Chun-il would become the temporary branch master of the Seongdo branch until an appropriate person in charge was selected.

Seo Gu-pyeong, the former commander of the Dokgak-gwi, took the position of vice branch master.

It was what he desired, and Cheonyeong judged it appropriate, so he readily agreed.

Cheonyeong stood before the main gate with the procession that had finished preparing to return to Ganyang.

"You, now that you're branch master, you're not going to drink alcohol all day, right?"

"Ugh, why are you bringing up old stories?"

At Cheonyeong's words, Chun-il frowned while glancing at Seo Gu-pyeong.

"Don't worry, Family Head. I will assist the branch master well."

"You must. The Outer Hall Master has no self-control when it comes to alcohol."

"Hahaha! I won't take my eyes off him for a moment."

When Seo Gu-pyeong answered Cheonyeong's mischievous joke with a hearty laugh, Chun-il suddenly shouted.

"Ugh, really!"

"Hahahaha!"

Finding it amusing, everyone burst into laughter.

The two who had crossed swords with each other had become one.

"Chun-il."

"What?!"

When Chun-il answered irritably, Cheonyeong approached and called softly, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Little brother."

"..."

"As always, I'm counting on you. If you need anything, contact me anytime."

"Tch! Just go already."

"Alright, you brat."

At Chun-il's pushing hand, Cheonyeong pretended to be helpless and mounted his horse.

And at that sight, No Gwanyeong smiled subtly.

It was unexpected.

He thought he was merely a genius born with martial talent, but he was also skilled in the art of employing people.

Revealing Chun-il's shortcomings before his subordinates could not be considered proper conduct as a Family Head. It might create a more familiar feeling, but there was a risk that the Outer Hall Master could be looked down upon by his inferiors.

But his final words before departing.

Little brother.

A quiet word, but no one failed to hear that title.

Cheonyeong had subtly emphasized to everyone that the Outer Hall Master was his family. For the Dokgak-gwi, who had directly witnessed him bring down the Sect Leader of the Blue Serpent Sect and the Ghost Hand, it would have resonated deeply.

He was the one who had destroyed the Blue Serpent Sect to avenge his father.

Who would dare disrespect one called his "little brother"?

But it seemed only he had understood that deep meaning with his mind rather than his heart...

"Really sinister, isn't he?"

"Huh?"

"The Family Head, I mean. I realized it later, but every single word he spoke was calculated."

"..."

"I fell for it too. Something about giving me a chance on behalf of heaven. My heart raced so much back then. I should not have been deceived then. If I hadn't, I wouldn't be suffering like this. Ugh."

At the sight of Gongsun Seung, who kept complaining and boarded the carriage and closed the door, No Gwanyeong's expression became blank.

It seemed he was not the only one who understood with his mind.

Gongsun Seung, the collateral branch Family Head of the Tang Family.

How could one be called a collateral branch Family Head when there was no blood relation, not even the same surname? The Tang Family truly had no system.

But that was only what he thought at first.

How shocked was he when he saw Gongsun Seung presiding over meetings with merchants?

The merchants, each confident in their hardened experience in the rough world, how flustered they became.

The way Gongsun Seung examined each proposal written by the merchant groups and obtained what he desired made one involuntarily admire him.

Another genius possessed by the Tang Family.

Cheonyeong's appointment of him as collateral branch Family Head, which made no logical sense, and entrusting the entire Tang Family's finances to him suddenly became understandable.

"I must protect him well. He will need special protection."

No Gwanyeong murmured to himself as he watched the carriage Gongsun Seung had entered.

"Everyone, we return to Ganyang!"

"Yes!"

As No Gwanyeong's thought continued, Cheonyeong shouted loudly and the Tang Family's procession advanced toward Ganyang. Though the procession bore no flag symbolizing the family, no one was unaware that they were the Tang Family.

The Tang Family now possessed over five hundred martial artists across Seongdo, Ganyang, and fifteen branches—a mid-tier family of Sichuan.

Passersby stopped in their tracks to witness the impressive sight of Cheonyeong and the Tang Family leaving Seongdo.

And.

"Hehehehe, the opportunity has come faster than expected."

A shadow hiding at the corner of an alley secretly followed behind the Tang Family.

The Tang Family's Departure from the World