It was only one night.

The evil rumors about the Tang Family that had spread throughout southern Dongting Lake were replaced with rumors about the Zhuge family.

Crash!

"This damn!"

Zhuge Wuhui's angry fist destroyed the table.

He couldn't contain his rising anger.

When he had his subordinates investigate, they reported that even casual conversations at drinking establishments had turned into curses against the Zhuge family.

Wasn't it the same method?

Someone had spread rumors just like they did.

No, it was worse.

What they had spread about the Tang Family was merely a few words, but the rumors about them had been witnessed directly by people, who even added confirmation.

They hurriedly confirmed the source of the rumors and investigated internally to determine who had impersonated them to deliver letters to the ruffians and how they had learned about their stay there.

But there was no progress.

He was even uncertain whether to send news to the main family, so he had only prepared paper for a report letter but hadn't yet picked up the brush.

"S-Second Young Master!"

"What? Why are you making such a fuss!"

Huang Yunshang rushed in urgently, and Zhuge Wuhui's words were anything but pleasant.

Wasn't his head already about to explode from confusion?

"Something terrible has happened."

"Something terrible?"

What else could it be?

Though angry, Zhuge Wuhui couldn't help but ask with a deeply furrowed brow.

"Tell me. What's happened?"

"The ruffians in southern Dongting Lake have been attacked all at once and destroyed. Gongbaek, Lim Cheol-young, and Gong Han-su—all three have been captured and taken to the Gongsun family estate."

"What!"

Zhuge Wuhui's eyes widened as he shouted.

What was this suddenly?

Why them?

He had heard that only Tang Cheonyeong was at the Gongsun family...

"Could it be? The Beggar Gang helped him?"

"No."

"No?"

"According to our investigation, those who eliminated the ruffians identified themselves as belonging to the Tang Family."

"Tang Family martial artists?"

"Yes."

"How is that possible! Didn't you say there was no report of them arriving at the waterways and docks!"

"That's correct. We investigated thoroughly at your command, Second Young Master... but it seems they switched to land routes before entering Dongting Lake."

"What!"

Zhuge Wuhui clenched his teeth with a contorted face.

It felt like he had been hit.

He had assumed they would definitely use the waterway...

"C-Could it be...?"

Suddenly, a suspicion crossed Zhuge Wuhui's mind.

The suspicion immediately became certainty, and everything that had happened in southern Dongting Lake was suddenly organized.

"Tang Cheonyeong, that bastard?"

There was no other way to make sense of it.

Only he could explain it.

From the sudden arrival of ruffian factions to the malicious rumors about the Zhuge family, and even the elimination of ruffians by the Tang Family in a single night.

He had been waiting.

Until everything was prepared.

Like a tiger crouching carefully in the bushes until it was certain it could bite through the leash of its prey.

"Ha! I've been properly played. Completely played."

"Second Young Master."

"..."

"What should we do? The main family's martial artists will arrive soon. Should we attack the Gongsun family as soon as they arrive?"

"Hmm..."

It was a painful mistake. He should have investigated more carefully...

But it was too late to turn back.

All the infamy had been directed at the Zhuge family, and with the ruffians eliminated, the Tang Family had properly won the hearts of the people around Dongting Lake.

If he pressed the Gongsun family now, it would only add to his infamy.

"Yunshang."

"Yes, Second Young Master."

"Send a message to the martial artists who departed from the main family."

"What message?"

"We're abandoning the south."

"What?"

"Spilled water cannot be gathered. We'll return to northern Dongting Lake for now."

"But haven't you already sent a letter to the Family Head?"

At Huang Yunshang's words, Zhuge Wuhui ground his teeth.

Because of his boastful claims, the family head would surely reprimand him given his nature.

How could he not know his father's temperament?

But there was no choice.

His scheme had been too hasty and imperfect.

Tang Cheonyeong

His mistake was viewing him as an inexperienced family head of a rural family.

He's a snake.

Cunning and vicious...

Once his moves were read, any other scheme would result in the same defeat.

He needed to return and carefully think of a new strategy to deal with him.

"You want to compete with me in strategy? Fine, I'll show you why those bearing the Zhuge name are considered the greatest wise men in the world."

Zhuge Wuhui spoke with sharp, narrowed eyes, grinding his teeth.

"Yunshang, prepare quickly."

"Understood, Second Young Master."

* * *

In the courtyard of the Gongsun family, three figures knelt with their heads bowed.

They were the leaders of the ruffians who had been eliminated the night before.

"Ha, you're truly remarkable. I'm newly amazed at the Family Head's execution."

Oweng Gae, who had arrived early in the morning, couldn't help but click his tongue at Cheonyeong's efficiency.

He had provided information about the ruffians' bases, but he never imagined they would be eliminated in just one night.

"What's there to praise about this?"

Cheonyeong laughed and deflected Oweng Gae's compliment.

He was in a good mood.

Externally, he had been able to eliminate the ruffians, and internally, he had found the book he had been searching for all this time. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Seung's contribution was significant.

Even though he had become his subordinate, he never expected him to have no hesitation in excavating his ancestor's tomb.

He should have brought him earlier...

In any case, he had decided not to destroy the Samyang Divine Skill's secret manual he had found inside.

It would be placed on the Tang Family's bookshelf and become the family's martial art.

"I should ask Gongsun Seung to build a library. And I'll ask Danya to create mechanisms so people can't access it carelessly."

The family's core secret manual would be kept there, so he couldn't allow just anyone to come and go.

Besides, he needed a space to preserve the martial arts stored in Yongcheon's mind, transcribed into books one by one.

One thing that kept bothering him was that the records of the other eight immortals, who were said to be friends of the Samyang Divine Immortal, were not recorded.

If he had just known that information, he would have left immediately...

"Branch Chief."

"Yes?"

"Do you happen to know when Baekta will arrive?"

"Ah, if you mean Hu Gae... he must have left Chongdan by now."

"Even if he travels diligently, it will take at least half a month."

"Yes. I've sent several messengers, and he said he had something to find and bring back."

"Hmm."

At those words, Cheonyeong smiled.

What he would bring back was naturally the records about Gongsun Yuan that Cheonyeong had requested.

And if he had left Chongdan, it meant he had found them.

Then it was settled.

For now, he would wait for Baekta.

And for half a month, what needed to be done was clear.

Cheonyeong approached the ruffians kneeling in the courtyard.

"Let me see, your names are Gongbaek, Lim Cheol-young, and Gong Han-su?"

"Y-Yes!"

They nodded immediately at his words.

Hadn't they felt the Tang Family's terror firsthand the night before?

It must have been terrifying.

Even without seeing it, it was easy to imagine.

The Tang Family's martial artists who entered battle would not retreat, and they would not hesitate to take lives for the family.

Because that's how he had taught them.

There was only one thing these men needed to do now.

Somehow look good to him and preserve their lives.

"You bastards."

"Yes! Family Head!"

"Want to live?"

"Yes! If you spare us, we will never forget your kindness for the rest of our lives. Furthermore, from now on, we will bow three times a day in the direction of Sichuan where the Tang Family is."

"You bastards..."

The sight of them struggling desperately to survive was truly pathetic.

But how could he trust you?

If he spared you, you would surely go to another place and cause trouble again...

"Forget the bowing. Let's do one thing instead."

"O-One thing?"

"Yes."

"What?"

"You know northern Dongting Lake, right?"

"Huh?"

"Tonight, attack it."

"What?"

At Cheonyeong's words, not only the three but also the Tang Family's martial artists nearby and Beggar Gang Branch Chief Oweng Gae looked shocked.

Attack the north suddenly?

What kind of nonsensical thing was he saying?

"Um, what do you mean?"

"We've reformed today. We will never do ruffian things again."

"That's right. I met the Tang Family today and became virtuous..."

"Shut up."

"..."

"..."

"..."

They each tried to appeal to their change, but Cheonyeong cut them off with one word.

"You bastards, am I asking for much? I'm just asking you to do what you've always done."

"But..."

At Cheonyeong's words, the three looked at each other's faces in confusion.

"Don't overthink it since you've always done it. Taverns, wine houses, shops... just destroy everything you see. Just be careful not to hurt people."

"Huh?"

"That's all."

"But..."

"And we'll go. When we do, don't look back—just run. Then it's over. Understand?"

"..."

"Once you leave Dongting Lake, I absolutely won't chase you. I promise."

Cheonyeong spoke in a persuasive tone, and the three blinked.

"After this, I won't care what you do or where you go. If you do this job well. Understand?"

They slowly nodded, gauging the situation.

"Good, then shall we start the work now? We need to move diligently from now to gather the surviving ones and rush to the north. I'll even prepare a boat to cross Dongting Lake for you."

"A boat?"

"Yes. So shall we start heading out? Huh?"

Cheonyeong personally helped them up as if encouraging them, and even untied their bonds.

The ruffians were ruffians, but the Tang Family's servants watching tilted their heads in bewilderment.

What was his real intention?

"He's definitely plotting something sinister."

"Huh?"

Yongcheon muttered quietly with sleepy eyes, and Gongsun Seung looked at him.

"See that smile at the corners of his mouth?"

"Yes."

"Doesn't it look like he's laughing 'kekekeke' ominously?"

Now that he mentioned it...

"I know—when the Family Head is in this state, he's definitely plotting something. I'm sure of it."

"What is he plotting?"

"How would I know? That sinister mind of his?"

Yongcheon shook his head.

"Tonight will probably be another sleepless night."

"Why?"

"Ugh, you're so oblivious. Didn't you hear what the Family Head said earlier? When those bastards attack the north, we'll pursue them."

"Ah!"

Yongcheon pretended to be quick-witted.

But Gongsun Seung already knew and was just going along with him.

Though Yongcheon was usually a slow-witted bear, this time he had helped the Gongsun family.

But Oweng Gae still didn't understand the situation.

Why exactly?

"Branch Chief."

"Yes?"

"You're in contact with the northern branch, right?"

"Ah, yes."

"Then let's send a message."

"What message?"

"Just... tell them to do nothing. No matter what happens."

"Nothing at all?"

"Nothing at all."

"..."

Cheonyeong laughed with a grin.

That Zhuge bastard, I heard everything that day.

How you secretly took over the north.

You think I'd leave you alone after you touched the Tang Family?

Go ahead and scheme for a hundred days.

I'll shake things up so much your mind can't keep up.

(End of Chapter)