"What is this?"

The martial artists of Zhe Xian, blocked by Yongcheon, couldn't hide their bewilderment, and soon their eyes widened as they took a stance to act.

"Why? Want to try? Then try."

Yongcheon grinned and lifted his iron ball.

"This bastard!?"

But despite their irritation, none of Zhe Xian's martial artists moved.

Not only was Yongcheon's imposing presence, standing large at the doorway, quite fierce, but the surrounding gazes were unfavorable.

"Aren't those Zhuge family martial artists?"

"Yeah, they are. Tsk tsk, what were they doing that they only show up now..."

All around, there was only criticism directed at them.

"What are you trying to do now?"

At that moment, Guo Xian, whose path had also been blocked, spoke in an unpleasant tone. But his gaze was directed at Zhe Xian, not Yongcheon.

"Step back."

"Huh?"

"Don't you see the people's gazes? The chaos from the ruffians just ended, and you're trying to fight the Tang Family who suppressed that chaos?"

"Ah, that is..."

At Guo Xian's rebuke, Zhuge Wuhui, who had gone inside, commanded with his eye twitching.

"Step back."

"...Understood."

As Zhe Xian's martial artists relaxed their stance and retreated, Guo Xian sighed and spoke to Yongcheon.

"You also move aside."

"..."

"Ahem! I am Baihuo, responsible for northern Dongting Lake's streets—Guo Xian!"

Since he wore official robes, Yongcheon understood.

But...

Looking troubled, he glanced at Cheonyeong, who smiled and nodded. Only then did Yongcheon step aside.

"Please come in."

"Hmph!"

With an annoyed expression, Guo Xian followed Zhuge Wuhui inside.

Since an official had appeared, Cheonyeong stood and bowed respectfully.

He had already heard of his position, hadn't he?

"First time meeting you. I am Tang Cheonyeong, the Family Head of the Tang Family."

His greeting was impeccable, so both Guo Xian and Zhuge Wuhui had no choice but to return the greeting.

"I am Guo Xian, handling military affairs for the Baihuo rank. I lead Dongting Lake's patrol soldiers."

"I am Wuhui, the second son of the Zhuge family."

"Oh, so you hold the position of Tongpan? You seemed so unassuming that I didn't recognize you. It's an honor to meet such an esteemed person."

Cheonyeong looked startled and bowed even deeper.

Of course, Zhuge Wuhui completely ignored him.

It was for provocation.

He was the son of Hubei Province's most famous family and one of the most prominent in the martial world—the Zhuge family. Moreover, having been defeated by this man's schemes twice already, how could he endure such disrespect?

Naturally, his expression was irritated.

His teeth clenched.

"My, such excessive courtesy."

But Guo Xian, unaware of the tension between them, also bowed in response to the unexpected courtesy.

Though the Tang Family's name hadn't spread throughout the world, wasn't the Family Head still a person of status?

The excessive courtesy was rather burdensome.

"But what brings you here?"

Asking with a full smile, Guo Xian glanced at Zhuge Wuhui and spoke.

"Ahem! First, thank you for handling the ruffians who caused the commotion."

"Thank you? Any martial artist with proper sense should do what's necessary, setting everything else aside. Besides, we also bear some responsibility."

"Responsibility? What do you mean?"

"Ah, it seems you haven't heard what happened in southern Dongting Lake yet."

"What happened?"

As Guo Xian's eyes narrowed, Cheonyeong stood quietly, glancing sideways at Zhuge Wuhui who was glaring at him, and smiled slightly.

I know everything, you bastard.

How could I not know?

The patrol captain and Zhuge Wuhui came together.

What did that mean?

It meant they had already made a deal, and when the ruffians caused chaos, they met for useless desk talk.

The conversation that went back and forth was obvious.

From Zhuge Wuhui's perspective, having lost the southern region he had been targeting all along because of Cheonyeong, how could good words come out?

So he must have said it.

That everything was orchestrated by Tang Cheonyeong.

Originally, he was the one who had spread malicious rumors about the Tang Family, and being intelligent, he would have noticed Zhuge Wuhui's scheme when the ruffians attacked.

But it was the same in the south, and his words lacked force.

It was the Tang Family that had actually moved, and they had already promised to compensate for all damage to shops and homes, gaining tremendous favor.

"Actually, not long ago, I purchased the estate of the Gongsun family, a prestigious family in the south."

"Mm, I heard about that. You were planning to establish a branch, weren't you?"

"A branch? Who said such a thing?"

"Well..."

At the counter-question, Guo Xian looked flustered and couldn't speak, glancing at Zhuge Wuhui.

Well, then you know who it was.

But Cheonyeong, concealing his true thoughts, waved his hand.

"Oh no, that's not it. How far apart are Sichuan and this place... would I be so greedy as to expand my territory this far?"

"That, that's so? But I heard that you had colluded with the Gunsan Faction, the source of trouble in Dongting Lake..."

"Ah, a contract?"

"Huh?"

At Cheonyeong's words, Guo Xian looked confused and blinked, and Zhuge Wuhui's eyes visibly twitched.

He must be burning inside.

With Guo Xian present, he couldn't speak openly.

"Ha ha, it seems rumors spread strangely. It's not that we colluded with the Gunsan Faction, but rather we made a contract for a more progressive direction."

"Progressive... contract, you say?"

"Isn't that how all martial world factions operate?"

"..."

"Since we're in the position of escorting merchant caravans, we inevitably clash with the Gunsan Faction. This sometimes leads to fights, our people die, and the merchant caravans suffer damage as well, don't they?"

"That's true."

"So we made a contract. We'll pay tolls regularly, so please let the ships bearing the Tang Family's flag pass safely."

"Ah... but would the Gunsan Faction make such a contract?"

"Isn't it a matter of how you present it? I wasn't born a martial artist, so I have some connections in the merchant world."

"So you convinced them? How exactly?"

"More is better."

"More is better?"

"Yes, even if I don't know much about the martial world, I have quite a reputation in Sichuan's merchant circles. I have many merchant associations under my command. So from the Gunsan Faction's perspective, rather than taking risks each time for plunder, they preferred stable income."

"Ah..."

At Cheonyeong's explanation, Guo Xian nodded as if it made sense.

"Well, if you need confirmation, I can bring the Gunsan Faction leader to verify. You can also inquire with the Beggar Gang or our merchant ships that travel the Yangtze."

"There's no need to go that far..."

"Shouldn't misunderstandings be cleared up? Since we've made a contract that no one had ever achieved before and have been succeeding, there are naturally many jealous people. Like someone."

Cheonyeong now openly looked at Zhuge Wuhui and provoked him.

Like you, that bastard.

"Why, there are people who can't stand seeing others succeed, aren't there?"

"Indeed, many."

At Cheonyeong's words, Guo Xian agreed, and Zhuge Wuhui's face, now reduced to a "someone," twisted grotesquely.

"Then, what about the ruffians? Someone told me..."

"I incited them, didn't I?"

"Ahem."

"Anyway, you know how it is when you can't stand seeing your in-laws buy land?"

"What do you mean?"

"When I purchased the Gongsun family estate, it was the same. As you mentioned, there were many malicious rumors—about establishing a branch, colluding with ruffians. As if someone deliberately spread such rumors."

"Was that so?"

Guo Xian laughed awkwardly.

Wasn't that exactly what Zhuge Wuhui had told him?

"But truth always comes to light, doesn't it? Everyone came to know that my reason for purchasing the Gongsun family estate was for Gongsun Seung, the previous family head."

"Gongsun... ah, that young family head?"

"Oh, you know of him?"

"I know of him. It's been a while, but I always thought his death was suspicious..."

"He's alive."

"A-Alive?"

Guo Xian's eyes widened.

He had never thought he was alive.

Hadn't Zhuge Wuhui said nothing about him?

"That's why I purchased the Gongsun family estate. For him."

"Oh! Really? He's truly alive?"

"Yes, by a narrow escape. He's currently staying at the Gongsun family estate to rebuild the family. Someday, the will of Gongsun Yuan will continue. If you wish, I can have him brought here."

"Ha! Such a thing... truly wonderful. Really wonderful. I was mistaken and harbored unnecessary suspicions. I spoke carelessly without knowing. I apologize."

Guo Xian was delighted to an exaggerated degree.

Indeed, the Gongsun family had once received the respect of both commoners and officials.

Was there anywhere in Dongting Lake with greater influence than them?

Everyone had lamented their collapse, but hearing they would be rebuilt, Guo Xian's expression became wistful as he recalled the past.

"Ha ha, what is there for Guo Baihuo to apologize for? It was just rumors. Ah, you've already experienced it yourself, haven't you? Second Young Master of the Zhuge family?"

As Cheonyeong turned his head and asked with a smirk, Zhuge Wuhui's eyes flared.

"What are you trying to say?"

"I also heard. The baseless rumors about the Zhuge family that spread in southern Dongting Lake. Someone's scheme, I hear, led ruffians to where you were staying? That must have been quite troublesome?"

"..."

"Anyway, you can't stand seeing others succeed, can you? How could the Zhuge family collude with ruffians? Right?"

Though the Family Head spoke as if sympathizing, Zhuge Wuhui knew he was being provoked, backed by Guo Xian.

"But it's strange, isn't it?"

"What is?"

"Why did rumors spread that I incited the ruffians? I simply pursued those who fled during the cleanup. Shouldn't rumors about the Zhuge family, falsely accused of colluding with ruffians, have spread first?"

"What?"

At Cheonyeong's words, Zhuge Wuhui could no longer contain himself.

Initially, he had planned to provoke Cheonyeong into revealing the truth before everyone, but instead, he was the one being defeated.

Though Cheonyeong spoke in roundabout ways about rumors, wasn't this directly pointing to him as the culprit?

He wanted to tear that constantly needling mouth apart.

"Could it be that you, Second Young Master, are the source of the rumors?"

"What?"

"Ah, just making conversation. Just making conversation."

Cheonyeong waved his hand, but Zhuge Wuhui's eyes trembled.

Even Guo Xian, who had become almost an ally, was now looking at him with suspicious eyes.

Moreover, Cheonyeong's voice had been loud enough to be heard outside Jingxiang Tower, and people were murmuring.

It was intentional.

That bastard was trying to pin all of the Zhuge family's crimes on him.

He had to stop it immediately.

"Don't speak such nonsense! How is that just making conversation! A rural bumpkin from Sichuan dares insult the Zhuge family's name! I can't listen to this anymore!"

As Zhuge Wuhui stood up indignantly and pointed, Cheonyeong smiled sinisterly.

Foolish bastard.

The moment you became emotional, you were already finished.

You of the Zhuge family, thinking yourself the smartest in the world.

Now I'll show you how terrifying a human tongue can be as a weapon.

(End of Chapter)