"We didn't know you were a disciple of Sword Immortal Changlim."

"What? What difference does it make whether I'm the Sect Master's disciple or not!"

"That is... well..."

"You foolish fellows! I clearly instructed you to treat people properly since the Nangong family is unavoidably causing trouble! Yet you..."

"We apologize."

After assessing the situation, Nangong Seong-hwi called over the patrol squad and scolded them. Cheonyeong watched quietly.

"I will summon you again soon for questioning. Hand over the wharf duties to someone else and return to the Anjian branch to reflect."

"Yes."

The patrol squad members, having been reprimanded for some time, left with drooping shoulders.

"You are the Tang Family Head, correct?"

"Huh?"

"I am Nangong Seong-hwi, the Nangong Family Head. Through the Successor Beggar, I heard of the events in Sichuan and have greatly admired the Tang Family Head. I'm delighted to finally meet Sichuan's young dragon."

"Ah, yes... I'm Tang Cheonyeong."

At Nangong Seong-hwi's warm greeting, Cheonyeong smiled awkwardly and returned the courtesy.

"So the Taoist is a disciple of Sword Immortal Changlim."

"Seong-hwa of the Green Blue Sect greets the Nangong Family Head."

"Ha ha, you're too courteous."

"..."

"Sword Immortal Changlim is of the same generation as my father, so despite the age difference, you and I are of equal standing."

After the introductions were complete, Nangong Seong-hwi bowed and apologized.

"I'm truly sorry about this."

"Oh, well..."

"It was my oversight for not being thorough. My family has an important matter, so I instructed those coming and going at the Anjian wharf to investigate and identify anyone appearing suspicious. The young ones got ahead of themselves. I will discipline them properly, so I hope you'll forgive us generously."

"No need to mention it."

In front of people and in their territory, his family's martial artist had fought. It would have been understandable to be displeased, but Nangong Seong-hwi showed no such signs.

"Rather, I fear we reacted too sensitively. I apologize."

"Ha ha, that's not so. You did what was necessary. Aren't the four seas one family? You pointed out the faults of the main family's martial artists and personally disciplined them. I should be thanking you instead."

"..."

"Above all, I'm grateful you took care not to harm the young ones."

Watching Nangong Seong-hwi thank Yu Seong-yeon again, Cheonyeong smiled slightly.

The Nangong Family Head.

It seemed the upper waters were clean.

He had expected at least some pride and arrogance from being a member of a famous family.

"Well then, don't apologize with words alone—treat us to a meal. In such situations, there should be an exchange to make things clean, shouldn't there?"

"Th-The Tang Family Head?"

"Cheonyeong?"

At Cheonyeong's words, Yu Seong-yeon and Beakta startled and called out as if to stop him.

What?

Did these fellows think meals came for free?

They didn't spend a single coin...

"Though it may be rude, as you can see, we're beggars and Taoists. Ha ha."

At Cheonyeong's words, Nangong Seong-hwi laughed heartily and replied.

"Ha ha! Rude? Not at all. I should have invited you to the main family for a banquet, but since you'll accept an apology through a meal, I'm grateful."

"Then, might we order something expensive?"

"Of course, order the most expensive food at the inn. Distinguished guests have arrived, how could the Nangong family, which takes pride in being Anhui's host, provide inadequate hospitality? Order as much as you like."

"Then I won't hold back. Innkeeper!"

Cheonyeong winked at Beakta and Yu Seong-yeon, then called out to the inn owner.

Of course, the two felt embarrassed at Cheonyeong's shameless behavior.

Ugh, a Family Head with no sense of propriety.

He'd surely become bald like a Shaolin monk someday.

But would Nangong Seong-hwi act thoughtlessly?

He had already heard about Tang Cheonyeong from Beakta.

They had been searching for the Manggongbaek for already a month with no significant progress, and even if found, there was no guarantee of capture.

Moreover, if the Manggongbaek's poison was as severe as Beakta suggested, many martial artists would surely be sacrificed in the capture process.

His desire to save his niece Nangong Seon-yeong was as strong as anyone's, but the innocent casualties that might result from the Manggongbaek had always been a concern.

Then Cheonyeong Tang appeared.

Someone proficient in poisons.

Moreover, someone claiming to be orthodox-leaning but far more aligned with righteousness.

But he needed to be certain.

What kind of person was he?

His niece's life was at stake—he couldn't simply trust Beakta's words, could he?

So what did a meal cost...

And if he proved to be trustworthy, Nangong Seong-hwi would kneel and beg for his help.

* * *

"The Nangong family is controlling Guhua Mountain."

"Huh? Guhua Mountain? Since when?"

"About a month?"

"Hmm."

Actually, it was fortunate.

A month.

Beakta would already be using the Beggar Gang's network to investigate Byeon Gil-tae, but Cheonyeong had been internally worried that Jingagu might be targeting him first.

But if the Nangong family had been sealing off Guhua Mountain for a month, those dispatched by Jingagu wouldn't be moving easily.

"Hmm, then we can't enter Byeol-un Inn right away?"

At Cheonyeong's question, not Beakta but Nangong Seong-hwi answered.

"Not at all. How could we block the path for someone of confirmed identity?"

"Then that's fortunate."

Cheonyeong nodded and answered casually.

"Don't you wonder why we're controlling it?"

"Huh?"

"Huh?" 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Is there a need to ask?"

"Well, normally..."

"I'm not particularly interested in other people's affairs."

Cheonyeong smiled and returned to eating.

As the saying goes, he would understand Nangong Seong-hwi's intent immediately. Surely he hadn't failed to grasp it?

The man was currently testing him.

For what reason, he didn't know—nor did he particularly care. Whether the Nangong family controlled Guhua Mountain or not, what did it matter to him?

As long as it didn't interfere with his plans, that was all.

"Wow, this is really delicious?"

"..."

"Huh? Why aren't you eating?"

"...Just watching you eat makes me full, you bastard."

"Same here."

Beakta and Yu Seong-yeon answered as if reproaching Cheonyeong's shamelessness.

"What's the point of being reserved? You fellows, think about the host's position too. If you eat so little, won't the Nangong Family Head feel hurt? In such situations, eating deliciously is proper etiquette, isn't it? Isn't that right, Nangong Family Head?"

Rather, Cheonyeong rebuked them and sought agreement from Nangong Seong-hwi.

"Ha ha! You're absolutely right. I'm truly pleased that you're eating so heartily."

"See, you fellows?"

Cheonyeong glared at his two companions and hurriedly brought food to his mouth.

Nangong Seong-hwi watched quietly and smiled.

There was no pretense.

Moreover, he appeared straightforward and direct in character.

There seemed to be no particular malice...

"Well, stop eating now and listen to what I have to say."

When Beakta, unable to bear it, tapped the table to bring up the matter, Nangong Seong-hwi stopped him.

"Successor Beggar."

"Yes."

"I'll speak."

"Hmm, very well. After all, it's the Nangong family's matter."

When Beakta closed his mouth, Nangong Seong-hwi looked at Cheonyeong with a serious expression and spoke.

"Tang Family Head."

"Huh?"

"Actually, the reason we're controlling Guhua Mountain is because of a spiritual creature."

"...A spiritual creature?"

"Yes."

"Oh! That's impressive! A spiritual creature, you say—no wonder there were so many martial artists at the wharf. So that was the reason."

"Yes."

"Sigh, I wonder why there are no rumors of such spiritual creatures in Sichuan. You're fortunate. Spiritual creatures are gifts from heaven, they say."

Cheonyeong lamented, recalling the spiritual creatures his family had been unable to find despite having herb gatherers and hunters searching everywhere since the family's founding.

For Nangong Seong-hwi, this was intentional.

He wanted to see his reaction.

Normally, even if someone claimed to have no interest, their eyes would sparkle with greed at the mention of a spiritual creature, wouldn't they?

But in the Tang Family Head's eyes, expression, and voice, Nangong Seong-hwi saw no sign of greed.

Then where...

"Have you heard of the Manggongbaek?"

"Ah, that white snake?"

"You know of it?"

"Well, since I'm quite interested in such matters, I'm fairly knowledgeable about the spiritual creatures that exist as legends in various regions. The Manggongbaek is said to contain extreme yang energy, but I've heard that only records remain and no one has actually seen it?"

"That's correct."

"It seems you discovered suspicious traces on Guhua Mountain."

"Yes, so our family is currently searching."

"The Manggongbaek... that's quite significant."

Even knowing the spiritual creature's identity, Cheonyeong showed no greed.

Nangong Seong-hwi had expected that if the martial artist knew about the Manggongbaek, he would show at least some desire...

But didn't he appear completely uninterested?

Was he truly uninterested?

Or was he pretending to be uninterested?

"You seem indifferent to rare treasures. Knowing about the Manggongbaek, you could certainly covet it."

At Nangong Seong-hwi's probing words, Cheonyeong burst into laughter.

"Why would I?"

"Huh?"

"My family's motto is 'Never forget a grudge.' It's also our family precept."

"That's quite a terrifying precept."

"Depending on how you hear it. Anyway, why would someone like me covet another's possession?"

"Another's possession?"

"Of course. Spiritual creatures are originally gifts from heaven. Thus, they're only granted to those with whom fate connects."

"..."

"You know how herb gatherers shout 'Found it!' when they dig ginseng in the mountains? They're announcing to heaven that they're the owner."

"Is that so?"

Cheonyeong answered with a smile.

"Yes, if someone forcibly took it, they would surely receive heaven's punishment. Because they're not the owner heaven designated."

"Does the Tang Family Head believe in superstition?"

"No, I believe in human grudges."

"Grudges?"

"Yes, surely heaven wouldn't strike lightning from a clear sky, would it?"

"Well..."

"But humans can strike lightning from a clear sky."

"..."

"If you're sealing off Guhua Mountain and controlling those coming and going, doesn't that mean the Nangong family has already claimed the spiritual creature?"

His tone was matter-of-fact.

"So why would I covet it? That would be nonsense. I don't want to incur the Nangong family's grudge. It would be troublesome. Of course, the reverse applies as well."

"The reverse?"

"Yes, if the Nangong family incurred my grudge... even if they were no match for me, I could torment them until death."

"I see."

At Cheonyeong's words, Nangong Seong-hwi nodded with satisfaction.

He truly was as he appeared.

The lack of emotion shown toward the spiritual creature was because all calculations in his mind were already complete.

But would he fight the Nangong family without hesitation if they incurred his grudge?

For a Family Head of a family founded only a few years ago, that was quite bold.

Yet for some reason, those words sounded sincere.

Was it confidence in his abilities?

Or the recklessness of a young martial artist?

But what did it matter?

He had already made his decision and chose to believe what Beakta had told him and what the Tang Family Head was saying.

"Tang Family Head."

"Huh?"

"Could you help us?"

"Help, you say?"

"We need to find and capture the Manggongbaek, but currently, we lack someone proficient in poisons."

"..."

"Yet through the Successor Beggar, I heard that you're deeply knowledgeable in poisons."

"Myeongson seems to have boasted about me quite a bit."

Cheonyeong smiled awkwardly and glared at Beakta, while Nangong Seong-hwi made his request with sincerity.

"I dare ask—please help us capture the Manggongbaek."

(End of Chapter)