Nangong Seong-hwi's request for help.

He spoke of saving Nangong Seon-yeong, the Nangong family's eldest daughter born with the Seven Yin Severed Meridian, while adding that he hoped many casualties wouldn't follow in the process.

There was nothing to deliberate about.

It was a matter of owing a favor to the great Nangong family.

Though it was possible to speak differently later after receiving help, drawing up a contract was essential. But with Beakta as the Successor Beggar and Yu Seong-yeon, who might become the next Green Blue Sect Master, present, what did it matter?

"Very well, let's do this."

At Cheonyeong's straightforward decision, Nangong Seong-hwi's eyes widened.

"Really?"

"Well, it's about saving a person..."

"Thank you."

Nangong Seong-hwi grasped Cheonyeong's hands with a brightened face.

"However, you must follow my instructions exactly."

"Is that so?"

"And I will resolve my personal matters before helping the Nangong family."

"Of course. If there's anything I can help with, I'll help with anything."

"First, you should let go of my hands."

"Haha! Forgive me, I'm just so happy!"

At Cheonyeong's words, Nangong Seong-hwi laughed heartily and released his grip.

"You've thought this through well. No wonder I can't help but like you."

"That's right. The four seas are one family, so we should help each other when times are difficult. Just as you helped the Green Blue Sect, I'm confident you'll provide great help to the Nangong family. Tang Family Head."

Beakta and Yu Seong-yeon smiled brightly and praised Cheonyeong.

"Ha ha, thank you both as well. I must hurry and inform my father of this good news. He's been quite interested in the Tang Family Head, and hearing that you'll help us will surely bring him great joy."

Nangong Seong-hwi beamed with a broad smile.

Just then, Cheonyeong smiled widely, formed his thumb and index finger into a circle, and spoke.

"Then first... shall we discuss the compensation?"

"Huh?"

"Huh?"

"What?"

"Compensation. When you work, you naturally deserve to be paid."

"..."

"..."

"Since I'm quite high-level personnel, it's one gold tael per day, no matter how many hours I work. Nangong Family Head."

Only Cheonyeong was smiling brightly at that moment.

Why were they looking at him like he was an insect?

Beggars receive alms, and Taoists receive donations—that's all.

But not me.

My dependents keep increasing, so naturally I need to be paid for my work.

* * *

The Yesung Village where Byeol-un Inn was located lay south of Guhua Mountain.

It wasn't far from Anjian, and after establishing a contract for one gold tael per day, riding the horse provided by the Nangong family made the journey quick.

The place was already full of Nangong family martial artists, but Cheonyeong began examining everything carefully from the village entrance.

He needed to search for traces of Jingagu assassins that might be present.

"What are the scouts saying?"

Cheonyeong asked quietly as he walked, carefully observing the village and its inhabitants.

"They said they found nothing particularly unusual."

"Traces of assassins?"

"Not yet. Even if they're here, they probably can't move openly."

"Hmm."

That seemed right.

With so many Nangong family martial artists already in the village.

"Nothing unusual at Byeol-un Inn?"

"Nothing."

"Then that's good."

Cheonyeong, looking at Byeol-un Inn which had just come into view, spoke to Nangong Seong-hwi.

"Nangong Family Head."

"Yes?"

"Could you clear out Byeol-un Inn?"

"Huh?"

"Remember? I said I would help, but I'd resolve my personal matters first."

"..."

"And I'd prefer if no one entered the inn no matter what happens inside."

"Understood."

At Cheonyeong's words, Nangong Seong-hwi nodded and ordered his subordinates. The inn quickly became noisy.

The Nangong family martial artists who had been staying and the inn's guests came outside, their expressions displeased, but they didn't complain.

Only Byeon Gil-tae, the inn owner, wore a bewildered expression.

"You all stay here. I'll go alone."

"Will you be alright?"

At Yu Seong-yeon's concern, Beakta scoffed dismissively.

"If he's not alright, who would be? Just do as he says."

"But... what exactly is this about?"

"Why do you want to know? He said it's personal."

Beakta pulled Yu Seong-yeon's hand.

"Myeongson."

"Huh?"

"Pull back the scouts too."

"Okay. I don't know what it is, but be careful."

At those words, Cheonyeong smiled slightly.

"I don't know what it is, but..."

Come to think of it, Beakta had never once asked why.

Why he wanted to investigate the Eight Immortals, or why he was searching for their descendants.

He had grumbled about Cheonyeong's requests but complied, simply watching over him from the side.

Was that what "friend" meant?

That was it.

Having faith that whatever you did wouldn't be wrong.

As the inn was cleared, Cheonyeong walked alone and stood before the door.

Beakta had already thoroughly investigated and discovered that Byeon Gil-tae, the owner of Byeol-un Inn, was one of the Eight Immortals' descendants.

If his ancestor's will had been passed down to him, Byeon Gil-tae would know the Samyang Divine Skill.

Given that Jingagu might already be targeting him, there was no reason to hesitate.

With Nangong's martial artists standing guard, why take the long way around?

When iron is hot, you must strike it quickly.

Cheonyeong entered the inn.

From now on, this place was a completely different world from outside.

As Cheonyeong confidently entered and sat nearby, Byeon Gil-tae, unprepared to greet him, wore a bewildered expression.

"Could you bring me some water?"

"Huh?"

"You have a guest, don't you?"

"Ah..."

Byeon Gil-tae couldn't understand what was happening.

Suddenly, the Nangong family's martial artists had cleared the inn, and now a young man had entered alone.

Moreover, the Nangong family's martial artists had withdrawn from the inn and were standing as if forming an encirclement.

"Here..."

But not forgetting his duty as an innkeeper, Byeon Gil-tae brought a cup of lukewarm water and carefully placed it on the table.

"I am Tang Cheonyeong, Family Head of the Tang Family."

"Huh?"

"Your name is Byeon Gil-tae, correct?"

"Yes, that's right, but how do you..."

Byeon Gil-tae nodded while watching Cheonyeong's expression.

"Have you heard of the name 'Eight Immortals'?"

"..."

At the mention of the Eight Immortals, Byeon Gil-tae startled, and Cheonyeong smiled and nodded.

"You have heard of it. That's fortunate. I won't need to take a roundabout path."

Byeon Gil-tae, watching Cheonyeong, narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brow.

"Who are you?"

"Someone who has inherited the Samyang Divine Skill."

"What?!"

At those words, Byeon Gil-tae's eyes became as large as lanterns.

The Samyang...?

How did that name come from this man called Tang Cheonyeong?

"You seem to know of it as well. That will make conversation easier. First, would you sit and talk with me for a moment?"

At that moment, the bewilderment vanished from Byeon Gil-tae's expression, and his trembling hands steadied.

Until now, he had been Byeon Gil-tae, the innkeeper. Now he had become Byeon Gil-tae, descendant of the Eight Immortals.

His bearing was full of firmness as a bonus.

There was no need to hide.

This was someone who had come knowing his past and his identity.

"Can you verify that you've inherited the Samyang?"

"Of course."

Cheonyeong smiled and grasped the water cup on the table.

As he channeled the Samyang true energy into the cup, its contents bubbled and boiled, soon releasing steam.

"Hmm."

Byeon Gil-tae nodded with a stern expression.

He had also learned the Samyang.

Following the will passed down through his ancestors.

So how could he not recognize the same type of internal energy?

The boiling of the water cup was certainly due to the Samyang's internal energy.

"Your progress is remarkable."

"I've reached the Two Heavens, but the path to the Strong Palace still remains unclear."

"Hmm, you look young yet have already reached the Two Heavens. That alone is remarkable."

At Cheonyeong's words, Byeon Gil-tae clicked his tongue in admiration and pulled his chair to sit across from Cheonyeong.

"Which of the Eight Immortals' will do you inherit?"

At Byeon Gil-tae's question, Cheonyeong paused to think.

What should he say?

For a moment, he considered lying, but decided it wouldn't be proper.

Though they were meeting for the first time, weren't they now martial artists who had learned martial arts from the same source?

Broadly speaking, they had become fellow disciples.

Cheonyeong spoke seriously, shaking his head.

"I am not a descendant of the Eight Immortals."

"Huh?"

"I have merely learned the Samyang and am continuing its will."

"Ah, but... how did you learn the Samyang if you're not a descendant of the Eight Immortals?"

"Well, there have been various circumstances, but it's not easy to explain. I do, however, have a deep connection with the Gongsun family."

Byeon Gil-tae watched Cheonyeong speak calmly.

"Why didn't you answer with a lie? You came looking for me using the Eight Immortals' names, and if you know the Gongsun family, you could have easily lied."

"I thought there was no benefit to deceiving you."

"No benefit to deceiving?"

"Yes."

"Hmm..."

A brief silence fell.

Byeon Gil-tae appeared to be deep in thought.

And after a while, his expression relaxed as if he had organized the complexity in his mind, and he asked with clearer eyes.

"Since you're not a descendant of the Eight Immortals, you must have obtained the Samyang through a different path."

"That's correct."

"And mentioning the Gongsun family was to tell me not to be wary of you."

"Thank you for understanding."

"Then what of the Dongyan family?"

"Dongyan?"

"I heard it's another name for Elder Gongsun Yuan, called that among his friends."

"I see. You need not worry about the Gongsun family. It remains as it was."

"Ah... but how do you have a connection with the Gongsun family?"

"The family suffered a calamity, and I took in their direct line."

As Byeon Gil-tae listened to what had happened to the Gongsun family, he nodded silently. Cheonyeong added unexpectedly.

"It's surprising."

"What is?"

"That except for your initial shock, you haven't shown a moment of wariness toward me."

At that, Byeon Gil-tae smiled slightly.

"Should I have been wary?"

"I'm not a descendant of the Eight Immortals, after all."

"That may be true, but I sense no malice from you."

"Malice..."

"And when you said you were continuing the will of the Samyang, your words were full of sincerity."

"I see."

"Then we should naturally test each other, so what's the point of being wary?"

Byeon Gil-tae laughed clearly.

He recalled part of the will Gongsun Yuan had left at Gunsan.

Nurture the later generation.

Since he had divided the Samyang's secrets into front and back sections, the most outstanding of the eight you cultivate will obtain the back section.

Cheonyeong smiled and nodded.

"Long words aren't necessary then."

"According to the will."

"Shall we change locations?"

"No need. If you've reached the Two Heavens, I haven't reached that level, so verification should suffice."

"Understood. I'll do my best."

Cheonyeong understood his meaning.

By "verification," he meant he would test Cheonyeong's internal energy. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

(End of Chapter)