"Hey, you bastard! You son of a bitch!"

The family meeting was naturally loud.

Sanghui's unexpected pregnancy that no one had anticipated.

Cheonyeong scolded Yongcheon like a father sending off his daughter to marriage.

It was natural to scold a grown woman for getting pregnant before the wedding ceremony.

If this were a noble family, both of them could be expelled without complaint.

"No, why just me?"

Feeling wronged at being scolded, Yongcheon knelt in a corner of the Three Yang Hall, raised his hands, and pouted with his mouth sticking out about five fingers.

Yongcheon's punishment was nothing special in the Tang Family's daily routine that began with training, but this time was somewhat different.

"Family Head, I didn't do it alone."

As Yongcheon complained resentfully while glancing at Sanghui, who sat comfortably sipping tea, Cheonyeong's stern order immediately came down.

"Shut up, you bastard! Pregnant women are exempt!"

"..."

"Ah, to just let that be. How can you be so thoughtless even as you age?"

Really, a child bearing a child.

A person who should now be a husband, no, a father.

The future really looks dark.

But the faces of those attending the family meeting were full of joy.

The Tang Family's first child.

Except for a few, most had grown up on the streets, so the meaning was great.

A child born in a proper home.

Born with the Family Head and five uncles.

And with the Divine Work Pavilion Master and Physician Jang, who could serve as grandfather, and even Ghost Hand Ahn Chilgang.

That wasn't all.

Not only the Tang Family's household members but all of Ganyang would bless this child.

And it would be raised within that blessing.

Though it had a somewhat foolish but strong father and a mother whose eyes could spin in any direction.

Starting with that child, all children born in the Tang Family would never be abandoned alone on the streets.

They would grow under the Tang Family's shadow and develop pride as members of the Tang Family.

Watching Yongcheon, Cheonyeong made another resolve.

To make the Tang Family a comfortable hill that all these people could rely on.

"Gongsun Family Head."

"Yes, Family Head."

Gongsun Seung, who had been chuckling while watching Yongcheon, pulled out pre-prepared documents.

"I think the wedding date should be about two months from now. What do you think?"

"First, I'll check both of their birth charts and see if there's a good date during that time."

"And I'd like the scale to be as grand as possible."

"Of course. It's the Tang Family's first wedding. I've tentatively budgeted about one hundred gold pieces."

"One hundred pieces?"

"Yes."

It was an excessive amount of money to hold a wedding.

But none of the family members showed an expression of regret about the money.

"And according to the date, I'll request cooperation from all inns and taverns in Ganyang, including the Mandok House, to prepare to receive guests."

"Who will be invited?"

"The Gongsun Family's stewards are already classifying those who have established connections and notable figures from various places. I'll receive the Family Head's approval today and send out invitations."

"Hmm, good. I'd like you to handle that part, Gongsun Family Head. But don't make distinctions between orthodox and unorthodox sects among the guests."

"Of course. Naturally. I won't undermine the Family Head's declaration of equality between orthodox and unorthodox."

"Good. Gongsun Family Head, put in some effort."

"There's no need to ask. My nephew is being born, so as an uncle, I can't help but care. I'll make it the most splendid wedding ceremony under heaven."

"Ah, since you mention it..."

"Yes?"

"According to the Poison Research Hall director, pregnant women need to rest for a while."

"..."

"It seems the Inner Hall Master will need to rest until the delivery..."

"Sigh, yes. I understand. So be it. What can I do? She's been doing it alone until now."

"I'm sorry. I have nothing to say."

Cheonyeong scratched his cheek with a very embarrassed expression.

"Family Head."

"Yes, Divine Work Pavilion Master. Please speak."

"Once the wedding is held, shouldn't we prepare a newlywed home?"

"Of course."

"So I was thinking, this would be a good time to expand the Tang Family a bit."

"Yes? Expand?"

"Yes, I've been thinking about it for a while. Would you look at this?"

Ahn Chilgang unrolled a rolled-up piece of paper on the table.

"What is this?"

"It's an aerial view of the Tang Family that I've conceived."

"An aerial view?"

"Yes, first, I'll create an inner courtyard centered on the Three Yang Hall, and outside the current compound wall..."

Ahn Chilgang revealed his plan to the Tang Family's officials gathered at the table.

The structure was divided into three concentric zones centered on the Three Yang Hall.

First, the inner fortress had the Poison Research Hall of Jang Il-seok, the Divine Work Pavilion of Danya, and the Divine Work Pavilion Master's quarters positioned around the central Three Yang Hall.

"I'm thinking of making this place where the Tang Family's main buildings and the Family Head's direct bloodline reside. Next, the outer fortress..."

The outer fortress was arranged to surround the inner fortress and served as the living space for the Tang Family's household members.

Finally, the Divine Work Pavilion, previously used as lodging for the Dokgak-gwi, would move outside the outer fortress along with the martial hall, study hall, martial arts training ground, and practice field.

"Could this be the Deep Nested Folded Fortress Formation?"

"As expected, you recognize it. That's correct. I conceived it to prepare for possible external invasions."

"Excellent."

Cheonyeong nodded while carefully examining the aerial view.

Three fortress walls arranged with overlapping edges and three districts.

The closer to the inside, the stronger the depth of the arranged buildings, making it easy to defend against external attacks.

And at the center of that concentric arrangement, the most important things of the family would be positioned.

If the plan succeeded, the Tang Family would be reborn as a massive fortress.

However, it was excessively closed off.

"It will take considerable time, won't it?"

"Yes, it might be my last project in this life."

"Good. Let's do it this way. The arrangement is good."

What did it matter if it was closed off?

There was no better structure to protect household members.

Afterward, discussions were actively held about selecting martial artists to accept as guests, issues regarding trade with Yunnan, and the matter of a new branch leader for the Seongdo branch.

Time passed busily.

As each person devoted themselves to their assigned duties, time passed, and the wedding of Yongcheon and Sanghui was approaching.

But as the saying goes, man's fate is like the old man of Sou.

How could there always be only good things?

Fortune and misfortune are changeable, and even heaven cannot predict them, as they say.

If the Tang Family had remained merely a small rural sect, no one would have cared.

But as they grew into a respectable mid-tier martial family and gained prominence, similar-sized sects around them began to feel uneasy.

Perhaps they would be threatened by what they had built.

Everyone had already seen the Blue Green Sect, which had been several times larger, collapse.

* * *

"The Tang Family?"

"Yes, a martial sect based in Ganyang."

At the middle-aged man wearing a four-direction official's hat's answer, the elderly man who had been standing with his hands behind his back, looking out the window, smiled faintly.

"Hmm, the Ghost Hand entrusted his final years there?"

"Though he took the position of Elder, since he's a man like the wind, I'm not entirely certain."

"The Ghost Hand established himself in a newly rising martial family..."

The elderly man turned from the window to look, and the middle-aged man, as if it were disrespectful to meet his eyes, quickly stepped aside and bowed his head.

Meng Sheguang, the Former Sect Leader of the Black Heaven Sect.

He was the very person who had made the current Black Heaven Sect into a massive force that divided Sichuan's Orthodox Faction equally with the Nine Dragon Gang.

It had been ten years since he had handed over the Sect Leader position to his grown eldest son and begun a leisurely life in the back rooms.

Thus, the current Sichuan calls him an old, decrepit tiger who had achieved great deeds in a long history of war and now sat in a cave.

But that was not the truth.

His beard, shining with silver, gave off an air of nobility, and his eyes, hard as steel, contained the weariness of a difficult life journey, emanating experience.

Though approaching seventy, his bearing showed his body was not frail but rather more solid.

"You seem to view the Ghost Hand's actions differently."

Yin Youyuan, the middle-aged man, carefully asked while refilling the tea.

Though he had held the position of Grand Administrator of the Black Heaven Sect for a long time, managing all affairs, it was still difficult to face Meng Sheguang.

"Perhaps the Ghost Hand will ultimately reject my courtship."

"Do you believe he will settle in the Tang Family?"

"Hmm."

As Meng Sheguang nodded, the middle-aged man furrowed his brow.

Ghost Hand Ahn Chilgang.

Meng Sheguang had sent people to the Ghost Hand over ten times, far exceeding the three visits of respect. For over ten years.

He had even promised the position of Grand Elder of the Black Heaven Sect, but the answer that came back was always rejection.

Even after handing over the Sect Leader position to his son and living in seclusion from the world, Meng Sheguang hadn't given up on the Ghost Hand, always having Yin Youyuan report directly on his movements.

"Youyuan."

"Yes, Former Sect Leader."

"Tell me about the Tang Family."

After taking a sip of tea, Meng Sheguang buried himself deep in his chair and asked. Yin Youyuan, as if knowing what would be asked, slowly poured out information.

All information about the Tang Family known in Sichuan so far.

From the humble beginning as a family composed of vagrants to the overall process of their growth.

"Huh, that fellow is quite remarkable, isn't he?"

"Yes, after the Blue Green Sect incident, he began to gain prominence in Sichuan's martial world, and he's rapidly expanding his power by bringing down the Blue Green Sect."

"You said he was in his early twenties?"

"That's correct."

"Sichuan's young dragon?"

"That's what people are calling him."

"No, no. Now he could be called a great python without shame."

"You hold him in such high regard? Though what he's achieved is remarkable for his age..."

"He might truly become a dragon."

"Yes?"

"Isn't he already a talent hidden in a bag?"

"..."

"Do you know how many forces rise and how many families disappear in a year? In Sichuan alone, it's countless. How many forces in the world shine briefly before disappearing?"

At Meng Sheguang's words tinged with laughter, Yin Youyuan listened quietly.

"Now I understand why the Ghost Hand chose him."

"What do you mean?"

"Equality between orthodox and unorthodox."

"...?"

"Isn't it similar to the Ghost Hand? Though he belonged to the unorthodox faction, he was stubborn and independent. He lived by his own will rather than by the logic of orthodox and unorthodox. If it didn't suit him, he wouldn't bow to any martial artist, no matter how great. If it went against his will, he wouldn't hesitate to risk his life against any force."

"Thus, the young martial artists of the unorthodox faction admired the Ghost Hand."

"Were only young people? Even the old man who harbored nine cunning snakes worked as hard as I did to obtain him."

The old man harboring nine cunning snakes.

This referred to Huang Yeseong, the Leader of the Nine Dragon Gang.

The closest friend and the most sharply opposed enemy during Meng Sheguang's time as Sect Leader.

"He also understood. That when our generation passes, there must be a pillar to support the next generation firmly."

"The Sect Leader is doing well even now."

"No, no. Rong doesn't know hardship. Nor does he know fierceness. He merely inherited everything by meeting a good father. If the Black Heaven Sect faces danger, he will surely waver. That's why I wanted to place the Ghost Hand by that child's side. Until he becomes solid."

"He's already solid. And I'll help him well."

"I know your abilities aren't lacking. That's why I placed you as Grand Administrator, isn't it?"

"I'm always grateful, Former Sect Leader."

"But something is lacking."

At Meng Sheguang's shaking head, Yin Youyuan smiled bitterly.

Meng Sheguang was a stern father.

And he had already achieved feats no one else could.

That's why his son seemed lacking to him.

"Youyuan."

"Yes."

After pondering for a long time in silence, Meng Sheguang spoke quietly.

"It seems I won't obtain the Ghost Hand."

It was time to give up.

Yin Youyuan, thinking one long task had finally ended, nodded, but Meng Sheguang, whose eyes held a sinister light, smiled coldly.

"But if I can't obtain the Ghost Hand, then I should obtain the Tang Family, which has become his master."

"Yes?"

At Meng Sheguang's words, Yin Youyuan couldn't help but ask back.

"I heard there's a marriage in the Tang Family."

"That's correct. It's said to be a wedding between someone called the Vice Family Head and someone called the Inner Hall Master."

"Why would only they be of marriageable age?"

"Yes?"

"The Tang Family Head should also be of marriageable age. He should meet a good match."

At Meng Sheguang's words, Yin Youyuan lifted his bowed head sharply.

"Send Serling as an envoy and convey my intentions. Tell them that I, Meng Sheguang, wish to establish a connection with the Tang Family."

At those words, Yin Youyuan's eyes widened.

He finally understood what Meng Sheguang meant by obtaining the Tang Family.

Meng Sheguang had many children.

Besides Meng Rong, the eldest son who inherited the Sect Leader position, there were five brothers and three daughters.

Among them, Meng Serling was the youngest daughter.

Just barely coming of age.

What could it mean to send her as an envoy to the Tang Family and establish a connection?

It was a political marriage.

As was customary among martial family descendants, he intended to marry off his daughter to the Tang Family Head.

The Tang Family's Departure from the World