After leaving Danya's quarters and returning to the Three Yang Hall, Cheonyeong sat deep in thought.

No matter how much authority over its disposal had been transferred to him, he couldn't help but feel sorry for Gongsun Seung.

It was the only keepsake left by his grandfather.

But there was no choice.

The poem remaining in the amber was clearly left by the Samyang Divine Master through some method.

It was remarkable that characters were engraved inside, but he didn't need to know the craftsmanship.

What mattered was that traces of Samyang remained at Junshan.

"As expected, Jinkagu took the commission from the Gongsun Family for this."

Cheonyeong's eyes narrowed.

Perhaps Jinkagu had been after the Samyang Divine Art for a long time. He simply hadn't known that fact.

At that time, what Cheonyeong obtained as an outsider was only a portion of the Samyang Divine Art—one volume.

Seeing the phrase "continued in this volume" on the last page, he had cursed at the Samyang Divine Master's wit.

But the place where he obtained the one volume had nothing to do with Junshan in Dongting Lake.

Perhaps at that time, Jinkagu had obtained this amber necklace.

Unlike the changed history, the assassins and their subordinate assassins that day had completed their mission and returned to Jinkagu's safe house.

So then, did Jinkagu obtain the Samyang Divine Art at that time?

Then why did they pursue him with the entire organization when he obtained the secret manual?

Unresolved questions accumulated.

What was written in the one volume he possessed was a tedious introduction to the Samyang Divine Art and internal energy cultivation methods.

Even that was only written up to developing the middle dantian using the heart, and the method to open the upper dantian, the water sea, was not described.

"The introduction, the beginning of everything."

With a quiet murmur, countless questions lined up in Cheonyeong's mind.

What if what Jinkagu obtained was only this volume or the next one?

Without the introduction, it was natural not to understand what came after, and having only techniques without the operation of internal energy was even more natural to be incomplete.

The core of the Samyang Divine Art lay in how to operate the Samyang true energy.

When Samyang was contained in the Six Harmonies, its power differed by heaven and earth.

"Jin Guming must have had quite the heartache."

Recalling Jin Guming at the time of his death, looking at him with greedy eyes asking for the secret manual, Cheonyeong chuckled.

"Then it was worth going all out."

Eventually, he had to go to Junshan.

He had to go there directly and confirm what was left behind.

The problem was justification.

This was a time when all of Sichuan's attention was focused on the Tang Family. If he moved, Sichuan would watch.

When he visited Dongting Lake before, hadn't that damned Noh Sang-gae spread the word?

Moreover, Jinkagu was also a problem.

The safe house and point organization where he had revealed his location had been devastated by Baekta's efforts.

For now, they were hiding their traces out of fear of the martial world's gaze, but they were surely grinding their teeth in rage.

If Jin Guming knew that Jin Yiseon's death at the Blue Green Sect was because of him, and had sent Jin Il-hak to make that clear, then Jin Guming must have guessed that the assassins who disappeared at Dongting Lake were due to him.

Then he would be hiding somewhere, closely watching the movements of Cheonyeong and the Tang Family.

Go to Dongting Lake in such circumstances?

To where the Gongsun Family, who had lost the amber necklace, was located?

After Jin Il-hak's death?

If Jinkagu's eyes were hidden somewhere watching the Tang Family, the suspicious Jin Guming wouldn't miss it.

He had to move slowly and carefully.

Naturally enough that suspicion was impossible.

"Hmm, I need a more solid justification... What would be good?"

Just as Cheonyeong was deliberating deeply.

"Family Head."

The door of the Three Yang Hall opened and Gongsun Seung arrived with a stern face.

"Ah, Gongsun Family Head."

Cheonyeong greeted him warmly.

And he remembered that he should apologize first for the amber he had destroyed.

"Gongsun Family Head, about the necklace I entrusted to you before."

"Yes?"

"I broke it. I'm sorry."

"Ah... that's fine."

"Hmm?"

"Didn't you already entrust its disposal to me, Family Head?"

"That's true, but..."

As Cheonyeong awkwardly scratched his head, Gongsun Seung let out a deep sigh and spoke.

"The necklace isn't important right now."

"Why? Is something wrong?"

"Sigh, the Yangtze River waterway is blocked."

"The Yangtze River waterway... is blocked?"

What was this about?

The Yangtze River waterway that had been flowing well was blocked?

"Actually, that's..."

The Tang Family controlled the Wonggin wharf where the waterways of northern Sichuan converged. The waterway flowed south, passing through Ziyang, Neijiang, and Rong'an wharves before merging with the main Yangtze River.

The problem was that the three wharves were controlled by different sects.

Until now, they hadn't stopped merchant ships bearing the Tang Family flag because of the agreement with the Beggar Gang.

But then.

"The waterway is blocked at Neijiang wharf."

"Neijiang wharf?"

"It's an area managed by the Minglun Chamber."

Minglun Chamber.

He remembered seeing it in the compendium of Sichuan forces compiled by the Beggar Gang.

A sect within the top fifty.

One of the mid-tier unorthodox sects with its base in southeastern Sichuan, with a similar scale to the collapsed Qingshe Sect.

"The Minglun Chamber is blocking the waterway and searching all passing ships."

"Why would the Minglun Chamber?"

"Officially, they've asked for cooperation saying they're searching for fugitives..."

At Gongsun Seung's words, Cheonyeong frowned.

Searching for fugitives.

As a sect managing a wharf, it was certainly possible.

But.

"...But? It seems there's more to it?"

"Yes."

"What part?"

"According to the ship captains, other ships were sent through after a formal inspection, but only ships bearing the Tang Family flag are being treated harshly, and not a single one has gotten through."

"So it's intentional?"

"Based only on what the captains say, it seems so."

"Why?"

"I don't know either. Perhaps they're upset that we travel freely with our agreement with the Beggar Gang without paying tolls. Several merchant groups near Neijiang wharf have even made escort agreements with us for trade."

"So only our ships?"

"Exactly. For now, it might be just what the captains felt unilaterally, so perhaps we should send an investigation team."

"Hmm..."

Cheonyeong frowned while looking at the map of Sichuan.

Why on earth would the Minglun Chamber do this?

The fight with the Qingshe Sect had ended.

What benefit would they gain from becoming enemies with the Tang Family? They might even create friction with the Beggar Gang.

"What's the damage?"

"Five merchant ships are detained on the third day. Depending on the delivery deadlines of the goods they're carrying, but currently, losses are estimated at about fifty taels of gold. If the situation continues, subsequently departing merchant ships will also be delayed continuously, and... sigh, the damage can't even be calculated."

"Damn. What's this sudden nonsense? So have you contacted the Beggar Gang?"

"That's... they only said they're sorry."

"What?"

"That's all the response they sent."

"The Beggar Gang, this bastard!"

Cheonyeong's face contorted.

Could it be that he didn't go when invited for drinks and is now sulking?

But the damage was too severe to dismiss it that way.

"The atmosphere among the merchant groups connected with us is ominous. Some have already shown signs of distrust, and if the Neijiang problem isn't resolved quickly, many will defect."

"Hmm..."

Since Gongsun Seung had analyzed it, it would be accurate.

Of all times, why now?

This might be the time when he needs to leave the Tang Family for a while because of the Samyang Divine Art.

"But, Family Head."

"Why?"

"Could it be that the Black Heaven Sect is behind this?"

"The Black Heaven Sect?"

"Yes."

At Gongsun Seung's difficult question, Cheonyeong tilted his head.

"Why would the Black Heaven Sect?"

"Isn't the reason obvious?"

"Obvious?"

"Yes."

"What?"

"Huh, did you forget?"

"...?"

"I'm talking about Meng Serling, who is staying at the Tang Family."

"Meng Serling... the Black Heaven Sect's daughter?"

"Yes."

"Why her? I already refused."

"That's exactly it."

"Hmm?"

As Cheonyeong tilted his head the other way in confusion, Gongsun Seung sighed as if exasperated.

"Sigh, all the geniuses are dead. You usually pretend to be so smart."

At Gongsun Seung's words, Cheonyeong squinted one eye.

There was conceit in his words.

This really...

"What are you saying? Explain in detail."

"I have no choice. I've already given you all the clues, yet you don't understand, so I have to explain it to you."

As Gongsun Seung pointed to the location of the Minglun Chamber on the map on the wall as if boasting, Cheonyeong looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"Look, see where the Minglun Chamber is located."

"Hmm..."

"Who's behind it?"

"Black Heaven... huh?"

Only then did Cheonyeong's eyes widen.

The Minglun Chamber was in the shadow of the Black Heaven Sect.

They weren't united under the name of alliance or coalition, nor were they a subordinate organization, but they followed the Black Heaven's will.

"It's the Beggar Gang. A big shot who manages all the western waterways of Dongting Lake—why would he say he doesn't know this time or can't get involved? Just because he's afraid of the Minglun Chamber?"

"Then?"

"I think the Black Heaven Sect is involved in this matter."

"The Black Heaven... could it be? Because you refused the political marriage?"

"That's my thought. Isn't it a massive sect evaluated as one of the four heavens of Sichuan? They could have just sent a letter or summoned you, but they personally brought the birth chart to the person involved."

"..."

"And the Family Head coldly refused. The rumors are already spreading. The Tang Family, which just rose to mid-tier status, wounded the pride of the Black Heaven Sect."

"Ha!"

Cheonyeong couldn't help but let out a hollow laugh.

He had been so focused on Samyang that his mind had gone rigid for a moment.

Hearing Gongsun Seung's explanation, everything became clear.

"...So it's pressure?"

"Yes."

"The giant's pride was wounded, but since a giant can't directly step forward, they're moving the sects below to deal damage to the Tang Family?"

"That's what I think."

Cheonyeong thought so too.

Anyone could see it that way.

The refusal of the political marriage was coming back as the giant's childish revenge.

Since the Black Heaven had moved, naturally the Beggar Gang couldn't move either.

"You said Meng Serling is the current sect leader's sister?"

"Yes, she's the youngest of three daughters, I hear."

"What a terrible person this Black Heaven Sect Leader is."

"Huh?"

"Marriage is a major matter of human relations where families are bound and the two parties should be willing... but from the very start of having his own sister personally bring the birth chart instead of sending an envoy, it's outrageous."

As the smile at the corner of Cheonyeong's mouth grew deeper and became desolate, Gongsun Seung's face showed difficulty.

Wait, did I say something wrong?

I just said it because I thought it might be the case.

If the Family Head suddenly says to attack directly...

"Family Head, please calm down first. I didn't mean it that way."

"No, no. It's truly despicable. His sister is still staying at the Tang Family, yet he's scheming behind the scenes, pressuring the Tang Family and causing massive damage?"

"F-Family Head, that's not what I meant."

It seemed he had said something he shouldn't have.

That mouth corner, stretching wide to the cheekbones... this is bad. This isn't good.

"Fine, I'll meet him directly."

"Yes?"

"I'll go to Neijiang myself."

"Yes?"

"The Black Heaven Sect's daughter is still staying at the Tang Family, right?"

"That's true, but..."

"Bring her."

"..."

"Listen, Gongsun Family Head. What are you doing? Can't you hear? That's an order."

"...Yes."

Cheonyeong spoke with desolate eyes, and Gongsun Seung answered with drooping shoulders.

Ah, I'm done for.

He knew that expression on the Family Head's face.

No matter what he said to persuade him, the Family Head would absolutely not stop.

Moreover, this Tang Family was overflowing with people who shouted "yes" no matter what he said.

I shouldn't have shown off my knowledge about war and such... I've just created more work for myself.

The Tang Family's Departure from the World