The ruffians were fast, but the Tang Family was even faster.

The Zhuge family's martial artists, who couldn't receive help from the patrol soldiers and Beggar Gang, numbered only about fifty. By the time they belatedly joined the cleanup operation, the situation was already being resolved.

"Here, here! Move them quickly! There shouldn't be ruffian corpses on the streets where pedestrians walk! Move them to an alley where they can't be seen!"

"Yes!"

The Tang Family's martial artists collecting corpses were visible.

"The damage seems quite severe. I'm sorry we didn't arrive sooner."

"Not at all. We're grateful you came at all."

"Do you happen to know the amount of damage?"

"Huh? The damage amount?"

"Yes."

"Why do you ask?"

"The ones who fled from the Tang Family caused this damage. If we had handled it promptly, there would have been no losses."

"What do you mean?"

For the merchants in conversation with the Tang Family's martial artist, it was bewildering.

Wasn't this the first time something like this happened?

"Please tell us the exact damage amount. The Tang Family will bear all of it."

"Really?"

"Then I'll come back later. I need to find all the damaged locations."

"...Yes."

After greeting them and leaving, the merchant watching the departing green-robed martial artist's face brightened.

It wasn't just one place.

While some were collecting corpses, on the other side, some of the Tang Family's martial artists helped clean up broken items from shops, while others investigated the damage amounts.

And they consistently said the Tang Family would bear all losses.

Naturally, favorable impressions were created.

"Here, please take this."

"I'll help too. We can handle this."

"Where is the Tang Family located?"

"Ha ha! I wish all martial artists in the world were like the Tang Family."

Not just merchants, but even passing pedestrians helped with the work of the Tang Family's martial artists.

It seemed like they had become one group.

The martial artists of Zhe Xian, belonging to the Zhuge family, could only stand frozen with their swords drawn.

There was nothing they could do.

The ruffians were already completely gone, and the situation was being organized smoothly.

"The Zhuge family?"

"...Yes?"

"Judging by your clothes, you're Zhuge family martial artists? You're late to the fight, and if you're not going to help, move aside. We're busy—why are you blocking the way?"

"..."

A martial artist in green robes gave a reproachful look to Zhe Xian's martial artist in a loud voice that everyone nearby could hear.

Of course, it was Cheonyeong's instruction.

And such an action was enough to create resentment among the people.

Those sweating while helping versus those standing idle just watching.

The difference was something people could easily feel without explanation.

"Tsk, I thought the Zhuge family with their reputation would be something special."

"Right. They came secretly saying they'd protect us and told us not to worry anymore..."

"Those who talk big are always like that."

"When it really mattered, they were nowhere to be seen. What kind of behavior is this?"

"Well, didn't the Tang Family handle everything?"

"Did you hear the rumors from the south?"

"Huh? I heard about that too. People were cursing so much that I wondered, but seeing it today, I understand now."

It was contempt bordering on ridicule, and words bordering on blame.

The eyes of the patrol soldiers scattered by the ruffians were no different.

After all, it was the Tang Family who had resolved the incident.

Eventually, Zhe Xian had no choice but to retreat without even getting close.

And Zhuge Wuhui was there as well.

Having witnessed the entire situation, Zhuge Wuhui was furious enough to burst.

It's said that the hearts of the common people are like reeds that sway in the slightest breeze, but wasn't this too much?

In just one night...

He had spent considerable time carefully building goodwill while watching the eyes of his superiors, but that bastard had obtained the people's hearts with cunning schemes in that short time.

It felt like a carefully built tower crumbling down.

What made him angrier was that he couldn't do anything as the situation reached this point.

"Um, Second Young Master."

"..."

"Is it really true that the Tang Family orchestrated this?"

Even Guo Xian, who had watched the situation together, asked with a doubtful expression.

"Do you think I would tell you something that didn't happen?"

"No, that's not what I mean... it's just the situation..."

When Zhuge Wuhui answered irritably, Guo Xian frowned and showed his displeasure.

"Your words are sharp."

"Ah, I apologize. I didn't mean to say anything to you, Guo Baihuo..."

"Hmph!"

Realizing his mistake, Zhuge Wuhui tried to make excuses, but Guo Xian already seemed hurt.

Tang Cheonyeong...

It's because of that bastard. He ruined everything.

Thousands of fires burned inside him.

His pride was deeply wounded by the fact that he had been defeated by a rural bumpkin.

He had no choice but to show him.

He had to go directly and reveal that bastard's cunning schemes.

He should have done it from the beginning.

How meticulous could a scheme be that was devised by someone who lived by the sword?

If he went and debated with him, that bastard would surely run out of words and reveal his true nature.

That was the only way now.

He had to give up the south reluctantly, but he couldn't give up the north as well.

He would definitely unmask that bastard and reveal his cunning before everyone.

"Yunshang!"

"Yes, Second Young Master!"

"Find Tang Cheonyeong's location immediately!"

"Huh?"

"You bastard! Didn't you hear! I will go with Guo Baihuo and expose that bastard's schemes before everyone!"

At Zhuge Wuhui's words, Huang Yunshang made a troubled expression.

He was too excited.

In that state, would he praise him for doing well? That was impossible.

The situation had no advantage for them at all. What could he accomplish by going there?

Surely disaster would follow.

He needed to stop him.

For now, they should retreat, and when the main family's martial artists arrived, then they could carefully unravel the tangled knot.

"Second Young Master, now that the situation is resolved, let's return to the estate..."

Crack!

Before he could finish speaking, Huang Yunshang saw stars before his eyes.

"You bastard! Can't you hear what I'm saying?"

"..."

"If you receive an order, you must carry it out immediately! How dare you, as a bodyguard captain, contradict your master! Should I punish you with a disciplinary rod for disobeying orders!"

Zhuge Wuhui shouted angrily, glaring with bloodshot eyes.

Yet Huang Yunshang couldn't back down. He immediately knelt and bowed his head.

"Second Young Master! Now is not the time. Please..."

"Shut up!"

"Second Young Master!"

"What are you all doing! Arrest bodyguard captain Huang Yunshang immediately and take him back to the estate!"

At the thunderous command, the martial artists of Zhe Xian hesitated, not knowing what to do, and Zhuge Wuhui's anger intensified.

Already wounded in pride, he felt disrespected even by his own subordinates.

At that point, the image of the Jade-faced Divine Dragon—handsome and intelligent—had completely disappeared.

That's what anger does.

It makes one forget composure, blocks the ears from hearing, and clouds judgment.

Even when a brief pause would make the danger clear, one still takes the step forward.

Eventually, even a sword was drawn.

With bloodshot eyes filled with anger, Zhuge Wuhui growled at the martial artists.

"Should I cut off the bodyguard captain's head here for disobeying orders?"

At that point, the martial artists had no choice.

They grabbed both of Huang Yunshang's arms to restrain him.

There was no turning back now.

If they stopped that footstep blinded by anger, bloodshed would surely occur within the family.

"...Then I'll go with you."

He had to follow and stop him somehow.

When Huang Yunshang stood up with a hardened face and spoke, Zhuge Wuhui glared at him with sharp eyes and shook his head.

"Not necessary."

"Second Young Master!"

"You are no longer my bodyguard captain. Take him away!"

"S-Second Young Master!"

"What are you all doing! Will your necks be cut off too!"

Spewing anger, the martial artists dragged Huang Yunshang away.

His cries were heard, but Zhuge Wuhui had already turned away as if his ears were blocked.

"Find Tang Cheonyeong's location! I will meet him directly!"

"Yes!"

* * *

Jingxiang Tower, located in the center of northern Dongting Lake's streets.

At the entrance, a black dragon ascends with a fluttering aura, and fierce green-robed martial artists block the approach of onlookers.

But there was no discomfort on the onlookers' faces.

Rather, knowing they couldn't enter to see the person inside, they still poked their heads out curiously.

"Thank you so much."

"Thanks for what? I just did what needed to be done."

Inside the badly damaged wine house, Tang Cheonyeong was receiving gratitude from Jingxiang Tower's owner, Zhang Segong.

"So what's the damage amount?"

"Oh, that's fine. Just the fact that you personally came out to chase away the ruffians and helped with the cleanup is something to be grateful for. I couldn't possibly ask you to cover the damages too."

"That is the Tang Family's rule."

"Huh?"

"The Tang Family does not cause damage to others."

As Cheonyeong smiled and explained, Zhang Segong broke into a broad smile.

"With you saying such things, I don't know where to put myself. But how could I just sit idle in the face of such kindness?"

"..."

"The official patrol soldiers didn't know what to do, but the Tang Family stepped forward and worked so hard for Dongting Lake's streets, and even cared for the merchants' difficulties. I must treat you to a grand feast."

"No, there's no need to go that far."

"I won't hear refusal. Please consider it my heart."

"Well, then."

Cheonyeong smiled and nodded.

"What is Chef Huang doing? Hurry and start the fire to cook. The Tang Family's heroes must be hungry."

"Yes! I'll prepare it right away!"

"We must show the best flavors of Jingxiang Tower."

"Oh, don't worry, master! Everyone! Let's start quickly!"

"Yes!"

Chef Huang rushed to the kitchen with an excited face.

Along with the delicious aroma of cooking, bottles of wine brought by the servers filled the table.

"Here, have a drink."

"Thank you."

Cheonyeong, accepting the wine offered by Zhang Segong, smiled.

But when will he arrive?

By this point in the situation, he should have come running with fire in his eyes...

Cheonyeong thought of Zhuge Wuhui.

By now, he must be burning with thousands of fires.

The northern Dongting Lake streets he thought he had secured were slipping away in an instant.

The wine filled to the brim of the cup went down his throat, and warmth rose from within.

That was when it happened.

Outside, among the onlookers, there was a commotion, and a disturbance arose among the Tang Family's martial artists guarding the entrance of Jingxiang Tower.

It was obvious who it was.

"Should I go check?"

At Yongcheon's question beside him, Cheonyeong put down his cup and nodded with a smile.

"Invite him inside."

"Huh?"

"Isn't he a distinguished guest? Jingxiang Tower isn't ours, so we can't forcibly block the entrance."

"Understood."

Yongcheon nodded and went outside.

At the entrance of Jingxiang Tower, Zhuge Wuhui, his face full of poison, and his martial artists were in confrontation with the Tang Family's martial artists.

"Step aside."

"Yes!"

At Yongcheon's words, the Tang Family's martial artists moved to both sides.

"The Family Head has instructed us to invite you inside. Please come in."

"Hmph!"

Zhuge Wuhui snorted and stepped inside, with Zhe Xian following behind.

Thud!

After letting Zhuge Wuhui inside, Yongcheon firmly struck his iron ball on the ground, blocking Zhe Xian.

"You too want to come in? If you have any sense, you should know your place."

(End of Chapter)