The long journey through Anhui came to an end, and the path split into three directions.

"If it's them, there's nothing to worry about."

Cheonyeong smiled as he recalled those who had departed competitively toward Guangdong and Guangxi.

"Where shall we go?"

"First, we must go to Dongting Lake."

"The place where the Tang Family has a branch."

"The Secondary Family Head is there. Though blunt, he's simple and honest, so you'll get along quickly. By now, the Inner Family Head might have arrived as well."

"Then we'll stop briefly at Dongting Lake and then head directly to Sichuan?"

"That's right. From now on, we must wait."

"I understand."

"Let's hurry and depart. We need to arrive early and wait."

"Yes, Family Head."

Cheonyeong bid farewell to the Nangong Family Head and boarded the Yangtze River.

On the way there, he had traveled comfortably with Sanggun Namgwangro's help, and on the way back, he used a merchant ship contracted through the Nangong family's arrangements.

Anhui was Nangong territory, but the waterways were different.

That was the domain of water pirates, was it not?

Since he was on close terms with Sanggun Namgwangro, there was little concern, but Nangong Seong-lim seemed different.

Despite Cheonyeong's assurances, he insisted on sending martial artists as escorts.

With the Nangong family's banner symbolizing the Family Head planted at the bow, no one dared block their passage.

Merchant ships moved aside to clear the way, and checkpoints at each section allowed them through without inspection.

It was truly swift sailing.

Yet something was strange.

On the fifth day after departing from the Nangong family.

Cheonyeong gazed at a merchant ship in the distance with narrowed eyes.

"Family Head? Is there a problem?"

When Byeon Gil-tae asked with confusion, Cheonyeong smiled faintly and shook his head.

"Nothing serious."

"...?"

Though he seemed uncomfortable, since he said it was nothing serious, Byeon Gil-tae quickly lost interest and sat down by the railing.

"By the way, shouldn't you rest a bit?"

"Yes?"

"Your complexion doesn't look good."

"That is... it's my first time on a boat."

Byeon Gil-tae laughed awkwardly and scratched his head.

He was suffering from seasickness.

Over five days, Cheonyeong had witnessed him retching several times, his stomach churning.

"Go inside and rest."

"But you're here, Family Head. How can I—"

"Why? Are you worried about an attack?"

"How could that be? Even if there were unrighteous people, the Nangong family's escorts are everywhere. Moreover, who would threaten you, whom the Sword Emperor has acknowledged?"

Indeed, was he not on close terms with the water pirates as well?

Yet Byeon Gil-tae remained at his side because he believed it was proper etiquette.

Though he had only recently become a family member, someone had to stay by the Family Head's side and attend to him.

"Senior Brother, just go inside and rest. Your seasick face makes me more uncomfortable."

"I apologize."

"What an apology? It's your first time on a boat, so it's natural you're not accustomed."

"Then I'll rest a bit."

"Good."

Cheonyeong smiled and sent Byeon Gil-tae into the cabin.

Then he turned his gaze back to the river.

His eyes were fixed on a merchant ship he had been observing.

A ship without a flag.

Since boarding the Yangtze after leaving the Nangong family, it had maintained an ambiguous distance and followed them.

When the Nangong ship changed course and docked at a wharf, the merchant ship also followed and docked.

Moreover, if they had docked, there should be some activity, people disembarking or boarding but it remained silent.

No one got off or on.

Furthermore, when Lee Gang-yeong returned and the ship departed, the merchant ship followed after a time delay.

The pursuit was certain.

Jingagu?

Or someone else?

Whoever it was, if they were following him and watching from a distance, could their intentions be good?

As the boat left Anhui Province and entered the waterways of Hubei Province, Cheonyeong called Lee Gang-yeong.

"Commander Lee."

"Yes! What do you need this time? Just command me, and I'll return quickly."

At Lee Gang-yeong's words, Cheonyeong shook his head.

"What is the next wharf?"

"Jichun. It's the first wharf we'll encounter after entering Hubei."

"Hmm, then I have a request."

"...Yes?"

"You and the Nangong martial artists will disembark at the next wharf. And pretend to return to the Nangong family."

"That cannot be. The Family Head of the main family strictly ordered me to protect you until you reach Sichuan."

"Who said you have to really go? Just pretend. Just pretend."

"Pretend? What do you mean?"

"For now, I only have suspicions, so it's difficult to explain in detail. First, disembark and pretend to return, then take the land route and follow immediately after."

"...?"

Lee Gang-yeong was simply confused.

Go pretending to leave, then come back?

What did that...

"Could it be...?"

Realizing something, Lee Gang-yeong turned his head toward where Cheonyeong had been observing.

"Hey!"

"..."

"If you stare so openly, even rats will notice."

At Cheonyeong's smile, Lee Gang-yeong asked with a stern expression.

"I see. So that's why you gave me such an order."

"It's still just suspicion. Well, I'd prefer it to be nothing. Anyway, since you seem to have noticed, you understand what I mean, right?"

"Yes."

"Good."

Cheonyeong smiled wickedly.

The person who held the position of Nangong's commander was quite perceptive.

Sending him away was to deceive the pursuers' eyes.

But could he simply send them away?

The affairs of the world rarely go as planned, so unexpected variables might put them in danger.

First, he would send away the Nangong martial artists.

Of course, it was a pretense.

That way, he could lure out the suspicious fellows who had been following him all along.

And if, after he was attacked, the Nangong martial artists came pursuing via the land route?

A reverse encirclement.

Those fellows would be caught in his trap without escape.

"Commander Lee."

"Yes."

"This matter must proceed carefully. The other side must truly believe it, so absolutely do not tell your subordinates."

"I will do so."

"I will look for a pharmacy as soon as I disembark at Jichun."

"A pharmacy?"

"Yes, my senior brother has been suffering greatly from seasickness."

"Ah!"

"It will be easy to follow."

"Don't worry."

"Then I'll see you then."

A covert plan was devised, and the boat soon arrived at Jichun Wharf.

Lee Gang-yeong made a show of bowing several times, then departed with the Nangong family's martial artists, borrowing a separate boat.

The Nangong family had left.

Except for himself and Byeon Gil-tae, only the merchant ship crew remained on board.

As the boat was about to leave the wharf, Cheonyeong focused on the merchant ship that was now openly following them.

"Well, let's see how they react now."

Cheonyeong called the ship owner.

"Ship Owner."

"Yes?"

"Let's stay at Jichun Wharf for a while."

"What do you need?"

"My senior brother's seasickness is severe. I should find a nearby pharmacy and have some medicine prepared."

"Ah!"

The ship owner nodded at Cheonyeong's words.

Indeed, he had suffered the entire journey and was now resting in the cabin with a pale face...

The ship owner found nothing strange about it.

The martial artists who came with the Nangong family were extremely courteous, so they must be very important guests.

If he asked, it was natural to comply.

"Understood. I'll wait at the wharf, so take your time and return."

"Yes."

Cheonyeong disembarked with Byeon Gil-tae.

He waited deliberately so that those who had been following could pursue him.

Pretending to search for a pharmacy near the wharf, he walked slowly, glancing sideways at the boat.

As expected.

For the first time, there was movement.

Several people were unloading cargo.

But looking closely, the cargo had no purpose.

With no one to receive it, what was the point of simply placing it on the wharf?

Good, let me confirm who these fellows are.

As Cheonyeong and Byeon Gil-tae walked deep into the village, the pursuing boat stirred with commotion, and a group of people rushed down and followed them.

* * *

"Which way did they go?"

"They just left the village."

"Left the village?"

"Yes." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

At his subordinate's words, Jin Sanxian, the middle-aged man who had disembarked from the boat, furrowed his brow.

"Were there any unusual circumstances?"

"Nothing particular. They only stopped at a nearby pharmacy and asked a few questions."

"Hmm..."

Many thoughts crossed Jin Sanxian's mind.

As one of Jingagu's upper-heaven experts, he had been observing Cheonyeong since he arrived at Guhua Mountain.

But he couldn't get close.

The Nangong family's martial artists were guarding, so he only confirmed that he had helped capture the Manggongbaek.

After all, what was important was Byeon Gil-tae.

After the Manggongbaek's capture ended and Cheonyeong, who had stayed at the Nangong family estate, boarded the waterway, Jin Sanxian immediately pursued with his assassins.

But why did he stop at Jichun Wharf again?

Until now, every time they stopped at a wharf, he had the Nangong martial artists buy something.

Wine, snacks, and such.

But this time, the Nangong martial artists left, and he disembarked personally.

What was the reason?

"Gwangryong."

"Yes! Upper-Heaven Expert!"

"Follow him discreetly."

"Yes!"

"Manyang, go to the pharmacy and confirm what he said, then follow."

"Yes!"

"The rest of you follow slowly, tracking the marks Gwangryong leaves."

"Understood."

At Jin Sanxian's command, Gwangryong and Manyang separated from the group and headed in different directions.

"Kuk, Sanxian. Why are you being so cautious?"

"..."

"After all, there are no Nangong martial artists, just him and Byeon Gil-tae, right?"

Another middle-aged man beside Jin Sanxian, Jin O-byeong, spoke mockingly.

"Hmph! Do you think he's so easy to deal with?"

"..."

"Yi-seon and Il-hak definitely died by his hand. That means his strength exceeds that of an upper-heaven expert. There's no harm in being careful."

"Well, fine. But remember this. Since I was called from Guangdong, the Samyang that Byeon Gil-tae possesses must be mine. Later, you must never say otherwise."

"Just help diligently. I'll tell the Cult Master that we obtained the Samyang thanks to you."

"Kuk kuk, good."

Jin O-byeong laughed harshly and nodded.

And Manyang, who had gone to the pharmacy, returned.

"Seasickness medicine?"

"Yes. It seems Byeon Gil-tae's seasickness was severe. However, the pharmacy lacked certain herbs, so Tang Cheonyeong said he would go find them himself."

"I see."

Jin Sanxian, his suspicions somewhat eased, moved his assassins.

Like beasts lured by prey, they quickly closed the distance.

Not knowing that place was a trap.

(End of Chapter)