A quiet morning, the world still asleep and peaceful.

The sun had not yet risen, but the dawn light spreading like a fan painted the eastern sky.

Trickle.

As steam rose from the tea in the cup, Cheonyeong gazed out the window of his quarters.

Chirp, chirp, chirp.

On a tree with long branches hanging over the compound wall, early-rising birds chirped. It was a peaceful morning they rarely experienced.

Home was so good.

Though he had only slept one night, his body felt refreshed as if fatigue had lifted, and his mind was at ease.

"Family Head."

Just as he was savoring the tea with a pleased smile, a voice called him from outside.

"Come in."

With permission granted, a Green Warrior Unit martial artist entered respectfully and offered a scroll held in both hands.

"What did you write? Wasting time. Next time, just report verbally."

"I will remember."

Cheonyeong laughed and unfolded the scroll he received.

"Let me see."

The scroll contained information compiled overnight from the pigeon-mail Baekta had sent.

At Sangilru in Noru Mok, Cheonyeong had met with Baekta and provided some information.

He mentioned that while researching the fire bombs obtained in the Blue Green Sect, he discovered a place suspected to be their source...

The war with the Blue Green Sect, the assassin's attack.

Though Baekta was surprised at how Cheonyeong knew such facts amidst the chaos, he didn't suspect a thing.

The position of commander was right before his eyes, and he had accumulated numerous achievements through Cheonyeong. With his pupils full of greed for immediate merit, what suspicion would he harbor?

He would believe even if told a deer was a horse.

"Hmm? This fellow, he certainly has good momentum."

Cheonyeong smiled with satisfaction at the contents written on the scroll.

Four locations: Hunan, Hubei, Shaanxi, and Shanxi.

Places where he had operated as an assassin, and where Jinkagu had numerous branch organizations and safe houses. He had merely pointed out the locations, and Baekta had planned and executed everything.

That was sufficient.

Baekta immediately informed the Sichuan Beggar Gang headquarters of this fact, and that day hundreds of pigeon-mails carried the news to martial sects throughout the land. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Of course, the Changlim Sword Saint's appeal played a significant role.

No, even without his appeal, there would have been no shortage of those willing to move.

For martial artists who had only dealt with minor matters like bandit extermination and rogue suppression, the eradication of an assassin organization was incredibly attractive.

Those crazy for merit, upon receiving the news, immediately dispatched martial artists to attack Jinkagu's subordinate organizations.

Twenty-two locations fell that way.

Baekta, riding the momentum, began investigating other regions based on information discovered in the four areas.

With precedents already established, finding the answers would be much easier, and the Beggar Gang, with its investigation personnel, was second to none. In fact, they could be called the best in the world in that regard.

So proactive.

Truly a person whose desire for fame pierced the heavens.

"Hehehehe. Jin Gu-myeong, you must be losing your mind."

Thinking of Jin Gu-myeong, who must be furious at the unexpected simultaneous attacks, Cheonyeong chuckled with pleasure.

It was probably the first time something like this had happened.

With safe houses and branch organizations simultaneously attacked, he couldn't possibly keep his wits about him.

Jin Il-hak's death?

There was no time to think about such things.

But with a nagging concern, Cheonyeong had also made separate preparations for the Tang Family's safety.

Tang Family, recruiting guests.

It was different from when the family was first established.

They were no longer a fledgling sect carelessly sending letters for talent recruitment.

Now they confidently had footholds in both Ganyang and Seongdo, commanding fifteen subordinate branches.

That wasn't all.

Now there were quite a few renowned martial artists.

First, Ahn Chilgang, one of the Ten Greats of Sichuan's Orthodox Faction, served as an Elder. Though called one of the Ten Greats, rumors suggested he could match the Western Three Sovereigns and the Eastern Fist.

Next, it became known that Sanghui had defeated Ban Myo-saeng, the commander of the Three Heavenly Ghosts that the Blue Green Sect boasted, in a direct confrontation. With the Dokgak-gwi martial artists openly acknowledging it, the title "Twin Asuras" inevitably spread throughout Sichuan.

Moreover, rumors subtly spread in the markets that the true winner of the Assembly of Elders was not Yu Seongyeon, who received the title "Blue Cloud," but Cheonyeong.

How did people know?

Because Cheonyeong had spread it directly through Baekta.

What could the Blue Green Sect say about rumors?

The goal of manipulating the competition to make Yu Seongyeon the Sect Leader's successor had already been achieved, so it no longer mattered who the champion was.

In any case, the attention toward the Tang Family extended beyond Sichuan to the Central Plains. With such circumstances and recruitment of guests underway, the world's attention would focus on the Tang Family for some time.

Jinkagu, which had to cut off its tail and hide, waiting for the situation to calm, couldn't possibly target the Tang Family.

All eyes would be focused on them.

Click.

Cheonyeong folded the scroll and spoke.

"Tell Baekta that I received his pigeon-mail well."

"Yes, Family Head!"

The Green Warrior Unit martial artist withdrew, and Cheonyeong gazed out the window.

Morning was fully here.

The quiet dawn had already disappeared.

Outside, the sounds of carpenters expanding the Tang Family's scale and blacksmiths producing the Tang Family's weapons echoed.

Come to think of it, he had promised to buy a mine...

That would be much cheaper, and he should have Gongsun Seung look into it.

The martial artists' training continued.

The newly joined Dokgak-gwi, despite not yet having permanent quarters, trained at White River. It was admirable how they strived to learn more and quickly adapt to the Tang Family.

The existing household members were the same.

They were making efforts not to lose their positions to the newly joined martial artists.

When determination changed, action naturally changed.

There might be competitiveness within it that could intensify, but he planned to observe for a while. Though excessive competition could backfire, for development's sake...

"The assembly will begin soon."

Though only a day had passed since his return, there was no time to rest.

There was a mountain of work to do.

He needed to check on the Tang Family and Ganyang, which had been left empty for a while, handle business with merchants who had established connections through Yunnan trade, and reorganize the organization for the newly accepted martial artists.

Of course, before that.

"Are you outside?"

"Yes."

"Tell Gongsun Seung and the Great Blacksmith that I wish to meet them at the Medical Hall before the assembly."

"Understood."

Speaking with authority, Cheonyeong quickly prepared and headed to the Medical Hall.

* * *

The Tang Family's Poison Research Hall.

A place that researched poison while simultaneously handling medicine.

The first director was a physician named Jang Il-seok who had operated a medicine shop in Ganyang.

"How is he?"

As soon as Cheonyeong entered, he went to No Gwanyeong, who was lying in the medical room receiving treatment, and asked.

"I can endure."

No Gwanyeong, greeting him with a smile, flexed his forearm muscles to show he was still sound.

"Really! I told you not to move like that!"

Jang Il-seok, standing nearby, shouted angrily, and No Gwanyeong wore an awkward expression.

"He says it's fine, but here you go."

"Quiet! Does the Elder think he's in his prime like the Family Head? Honestly, no sense, no sense."

"Damn, you're annoying. My body may be old, but my spirit is no less than in my prime."

"You're joking. An old man at that."

"What? What did you say? I am the Ghost Hand! Ghost Hand!"

"What does that matter? In the medical room, I am king."

"Huh! Such a person exists? Family Head, look at what he's doing. Completely hopeless. His medical skills are terrible too! He's of no help to the Tang Family."

"Who said that? I saved you when you were injured and couldn't move, and this is the thanks I get?"

"What's your problem, you bastard!"

"Hey! I said don't move!"

Cheonyeong, watching the two bickering old men, let out a deep sigh.

They were doing well.

They had become very close in that short time.

When Cheonyeong had summoned the Hyeon Gal clan martial artists to Sangilru in Noru Mok, Jang Il-seok had come with them.

Having cared for him throughout the poison treatment, they spent considerable time together, and with similar ages and stubborn personalities alike, they had become close.

Cheonyeong, observing them quietly, let out a small laugh.

Judging from his clear voice, he seemed to have recovered completely. There was no need to worry anymore.

"Director, how is the corpse poison?"

"There's still some remaining, but it seems it will be detoxified soon."

Jang Il-seok answered respectfully, and Cheonyeong's eyes widened in surprise.

The corpse poison is already being detoxified?

That wasn't that kind of poison.

Cheonyeong grasped No Gwanyeong's wrist and flowed his energy through it.

"Hmm!"

Jang Il-seok's words were correct.

The sinister energy of the corpse poison felt in No Gwanyeong's body was faint.

"The Family Head's emergency treatment was excellent. Using heat in the needle to control the poison—in all my years devoted to medicine, I've never seen such a method."

"But still, how is the corpse poison being detoxified so quickly?"

At the expression full of disbelief, No Gwanyeong and Jang Il-seok exchanged glances and smiled.

"The Hyeon Gal clan warriors have been of great help."

As Jang Il-seok pointed, the Hyeon Gal clan warriors sitting to the side wore proud expressions.

"They said this vicious poison was their first encounter, but being so versed in poisons, they quickly adapted and found a solution, didn't they?"

"A solution, you say?"

"Yes, they confidently said they might even create an antidote soon."

"What! An antidote?"

Cheonyeong looked at the Hyeon Gal clan warriors again.

At their increasingly proud expressions, Cheonyeong shook his head.

Were they really that capable?

Jinkagu didn't use corpse poison for nothing.

Though there were many materials for corpse poison, the most vicious was using the dead.

That's why it wasn't well-known, not even researched.

Only mad people like Jinkagu, who valued human life less than flies, could manufacture it. Therefore, naturally, no antidote existed.

Creating an antidote?

That was incredible.

If that succeeded, it would be of great help in future fights with Jinkagu.

As Cheonyeong looked with mixed disbelief and anticipation, a Hyeon Gal clan warrior who had been listening silently spoke.

"Don't be surprised. Family Head, your merit. Heat blocks poison. Without it, we would struggle."

"..."

"Thank you. New poison. Learned well. You are excellent. Central Plains person."

Their Mandarin was poor, so their praise was awkward.

He understood, but why were they speaking informally?

They might as well learn proper speech while learning.

Cheonyeong laughed awkwardly.

"Only one regret."

"What?"

"Unfamiliar poison. One patient. Perfect antidote. Difficult."

"Imperfect?"

"Yes. Few samples."

"Hmm..."

Though not perfect sentences, Cheonyeong understood sufficiently.

An imperfect antidote.

Unfortunate.

Cheonyeong gazed intently at No Gwanyeong.

"Uh, Family Head?"

"Yes?"

"Why is your gaze... suspicious?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like you're wondering if the treatment was worth it. Like if the poison had been treated a bit less, you could have obtained a perfect antidote... that kind of look."

"T-that can't be! How could I harbor such thoughts for an antidote? Hahaha!"

"Your eyes were full of greed when you said it wasn't."

"Hahaha, Elder. You joke too much."

"Your voice is trembling."

At the question with narrowed eyes, Cheonyeong could only laugh awkwardly.

...The Elder certainly had sharp perception.

The Tang Family's Departure from the World