What Cheonyeong asked of Oh Neunggae was to secretly move the Beggars' Sect's Sichuan Merchant Guild in the successor's name to protect the Tang Family's main house and all its branches.

Furthermore, he added the condition that no one else must notice.

It was an unreasonable request.

How could the Beggars' Sect move for a single martial arts clan?

"It is for the great cause of the martial world."

"…Even if you say so, moving the Merchant Guild is not something I can do."

"It's not the Branch Head moving, but the successor, Baekta."

"Pardon?"

"Baekta."

"The, the successor?"

"If you don't believe me, you can check."

"Hmm…"

Oh Neunggae frowned.

If it was the successor, it was certainly possible.

Hadn't he already been designated as the next Sect Leader, and weren't the elders of the headquarters giving him their full support, saying he had brought glory to the Beggars' Sect's name by achieving various merits?

Of course, it went without saying that behind it all, the influence of Baekta's guardian, Hyeolgu, who had raised the wildcats, was abundant.

But how would Oh Neunggae know about such detailed matters?

"Then will the successor take responsibility?"

"That's a given. Why else do you think he went to Guangxi?"

"…"

"To devote his body for the sake of the martial world…"

"I understand. I will send a message to the Sichuan Merchant Guild."

As Oh Neunggae nodded, a sly smile appeared on Cheonyeong's lips.

This kid, he seemed like he would give his liver and gallbladder, but he's being unnecessarily strict about this.

But wait a minute, will this be enough?

Cheonyeong stroked his chin and pondered for a moment.

Didn't he not know what the Jingagu, who must be filled with venom after being thwarted by him so far, would do?

It was something that had to be carried out secretly, but…

Well, it's a good thing if even one more person lends a hand.

While I'm at it, I'll turn the Tang Family into an impregnable fortress.

"In addition, one more thing."

"Yes?"

"Please deliver a letter."

"Where shall I send it?"

"To Sword Immortal Changlim of Green Blue Sect and Grand Supreme Elder Maeng Segwang of the Black Heaven Gate."

"Pardon?"

At Cheonyeong's words, Oh Neunggae made a surprised face.

Not just Oh Neunggae, but Nam Gwangro next to him, and even Yongcheon and the family members next to him, had their eyes wide open.

"A, a letter to those two?"

"Yes."

"What kind of…"

"That I am inviting them to the Tang Family."

"You don't mean both of them together? In one place? On the same day?"

"Yes, that's right."

Oh Neunggae stared blankly at the smirking Cheonyeong.

Two of the Three Western Sovereigns, excluding the eccentric Daoist of Kunlun.

He was going to gather them, who were divided between the righteous and unorthodox and had been at odds for a long time, in one place?

Was he crazy?

No matter how much the Tang Family had declared itself to be between the righteous and unorthodox, and no matter how well-acquainted Tang Cheonyeong was, what kind of chaos was he trying to stir up by gathering those two together?

"Lord Tang."

"Yes?"

"Do you not know what it means to gather those two in one place?"

"Do I need to know?"

"No, that's not it…"

"Surely, two gentlemen of their age wouldn't fight just because they're divided between righteous and unorthodox, would they?"

There were many things to be surprised and worried about.

Why would they fight?

How old were they?

What was more concerning than that was the attention that would be drawn when the two gathered.

But weren't the reasons overflowing?

In the case of Sword Immortal Changlim, he could say he was just visiting since his disciple was staying as a guest, and for Maeng Segwang, rumors could spread that it was an apology for the friction they had last time.

Yes, the dates just happened to overlap.

The dates…

That's how it would be to the public.

"I'll take care of it, so Branch Head, please send the letters to those two."

"Th-don't tell me the reason is…"

"For the sake of the martial world?"

"Hah!"

At Cheonyeong's words, Oh Neunggae burst out laughing.

This wasn't some trending phrase.

What was all this about everything being for the sake of the martial world?

"Hah, I understand. Lord Tang must have something in mind. I will send the letters right away. Is there anything else you would like to ask?"

"There is not. I, Tang Cheonyeong, will remember for a long time that the Branch Head has granted my request."

"Your words alone are thanks enough. Then I will send the letters promptly."

"Yes, I ask for your continued interest in the Dongting Lake branch in the future."

"What are you saying? Aren't the Tang Family and the Beggars' Sect closer than anyone?"

As Oh Neunggae stepped outside, he casually mentioned the friendship between the two factions, and Cheonyeong smiled faintly.

For the Beggars' Sect to be the first to mention their friendship.

It was a moment that truly made him feel the passage of time.

In truth, compared to the Beggars' Sect, wasn't the Tang Family a far too small place?

It was probably because of Baekta.

"Then I will see you later."

"Yes."

After Oh Neunggae left, Cheonyeong spoke to Nam Gwangro.

"Brother."

"Hm?"

"Let me borrow the Black Dragon Ship."

"The Black Dragon Ship?"

"Yes."

"You're not coming with me?"

"Pardon? Why would I go with you?"

"No, you're inviting Sword Immortal Changlim and Maeng Segwang. I haven't been to the Tang Family yet either."

"That's because…"

"I'm disappointed. Aren't you and I brothers?"

When Nam Gwangro made a sullen face, Cheonyeong sighed.

"Brother."

"What."

"Are you sulking?"

"Who's sulking!"

He was sulking.

For sure.

A man who was the leader of a water fortress and was even being mentioned as the next Grand Fortress Lord of the Yangtze River Water Fortress…

But what could he do?

He had to appease him well.

There were so many things he could be used for.

"If you go to the Tang Family, who will protect Dongting Lake?"

"Protect what?"

"Don't you know why I'm calling Sword Immortal Changlim and Maeng Segwang to the Tang Family?"

"Do I need to know?"

"Of course you need to know."

"What?"

"You heard what I requested from the Beggars' Sect's Sichuan Merchant Guild earlier, right?"

"Hm?"

"Hah, I'll only tell you, Brother."

As Cheonyeong lowered his voice as if telling a secret, Nam Gwangro's ears perked up.

Only to you, Brother…

Only to you.

"Right now, the Tang Family is being threatened by those assassin bastards called the Jingagu."

"What?"

"I told you I was attacked on the way here, didn't I?"

"Ah, right."

"Now, those bastards might attack the Tang Family. That's why I asked the Merchant Guild for help and invited those two to the main house. To protect my family members."

"Then of course I should go too!"

"No, Brother, you must protect Dongting Lake."

"What?"

"The branch in Dongting Lake is a very important place to me."

"…"

"Please, you must protect it."

"Hmm."

As Nam Gwangro nodded at Cheonyeong's words, this time Yongcheon flared up.

"Lord! Why are you entrusting the Dongting Lake branch to someone else? As the Branch Head, I will!"

"Yongcheon."

"…"

"Take good care of the Fortress Lord. Make sure he is not inconvenienced during his stay."

"Pardon?"

"You and I are brothers, right?"

At Cheonyeong's words, Yongcheon blinked his eyes and then answered vigorously.

"Of course! A brother closer than one who shares blood is you and I! We're family!"

Yongcheon glanced at Nam Gwangro and puffed out his chest.

It seemed he wanted to show that he was the closer one.

But why on earth was his use of honorifics and casual speech so arbitrary every time?

"Yongcheon."

"Yeah!"

"You and I are brothers, and the Fortress Lord is my older brother."

"…Huh?"

"Just as my father is your father, my older brother is your older brother too."

"Ah!"

"So don't be rude. Take good care of him, as an older brother. Got it?"

Yongcheon, who had been frowning, brightened his face at Cheonyeong's words and spoke to Nam Gwangro.

"Brother! I look forward to your guidance! I will serve you as my older brother from now on! Please forgive my rudeness just now."

As expected, Yongcheon held no grudges.

Didn't his tone and posture change as soon as his words fell?

"I look forward to your guidance as well."

Nam Gwangro, who didn't seem to dislike Yongcheon's magnanimous appearance, smiled and accepted the greeting.

"Anyway, I'll leave the Dongting branch to you, Brother. Yongcheon is not an unskilled fellow, but… I'm just not at ease."

"Hmm, it's a pity I can't go to the Tang Family again, but if you say so, I'll do it. I'll make sure those assassin bastards can't even come near the Dongting branch."

"Thank you, Brother."

Cheonyeong bowed his head and thanked Nam Gwangro, who promised with all his might.

"But, Lord."

"Hm?"

After the general conversation was over, Yongcheon twisted his body as if he had something to say to Cheonyeong.

"Um… when do I go to the main house?"

"Why the main house?"

"Well, they said Sanghui is due any day now…"

"Any day now… huh? Has it already been that long?"

"Aren't you being too indifferent? It's your first nephew."

"Ah, sorry. I'll go back first, check the situation, and let you know."

"Okay."

Although he had a worried expression, Yongcheon nodded at Cheonyeong's words.

A child was about to be born… it was understandable.

Since he couldn't be by her side.

He felt a sense of guilt for no reason.

* * *

"Is that the place?"

"Yes, it is."

"Hmm…"

On the main road of Ganyang.

An old man sitting in an inn looked at the Tang Family with his attendant.

His name was Jin Palhyo, and he held the highest position in the Jingagu, excluding Jin Gumyeong's five bodyguards.

The head of the High Heavenly Ghosts.

He had received the Lord of Assassins' order not to leave a single ant alive among the lives residing in the Tang Family.

"Tang Cheonyeong?"

"It is said he left Dongting Lake on the Black Dragon Ship a while ago."

"The Black Dragon Ship?"

"Yes. It seems the man borrowed it as he has a connection with the Gunsan Fortress Lord."

"Interesting. A water bandit's ship… Does he not care about the gazes of the world?"

"It is said the Tang Family has even signed a contract with the Gunsan Fortress."

"A peculiar fellow. It must mean he's young. Since he's young, his own thoughts must come before the world's eyes, and so he must have clashed with the Jingagu without knowing his place."

Jin Palhyo sneered with a sinister smile.

"Sloppy fools… to be beaten so badly by a mere brat in his early twenties."

He was referring to the four High Heavenly Ghosts who had died before.

"Sagung and Yukseong?"

"They are waiting in disguised identities at the east and west gates, respectively."

"Since Tang Cheonyeong has not yet returned, tell them to rest for a while and sharpen their blades."

"Yes."

"The attack will take place on the night Tang Cheonyeong arrives."

"I will relay the message."

"Also, finish it as quickly as possible, and secure only the man named Byeon Gil-tae before leaving."

"Yes."

It was when he was relaying the orders in advance.

Suddenly, the Tang Family he was looking at became noisy.

An old man in neat attire had visited, and the leaders of the Tang Family were rushing out to greet him, making a fuss.

"Hm? Who is that?"

Jin Palhyo, puzzled, focused his inner vision.

It was quite a distance, but there was no way he, who had already reached a high realm in the Hyeogan Method, would not recognize the old man's face.

But that face…

"Ch-Changlim?"

It was him.

One of the Three Western Sovereigns and the Sect Leader of the Green Blue Sect, known to be the strongest with the sword in the west.

He had entered the Tang Family.

Why on earth was he there?

"I heard his disciple is staying at the Tang Family."

"Changlim's disciple?"

"Yes."

"That's strange."

At the assassin's words, Jin Palhyo nodded.

If that was the reason, he might just stop by for a while.

As he was thinking that, another commotion arose at the main gate of the Tang Family.

An old man and a young woman.

"M-Maeng Segwang?"

It was definitely him.

Another of the Three Western Sovereains and the warrior who had led the great faction of Sichuan, the Black Heaven Gate.

"Wh-why is he here?"

"…"

He whipped his head around, but the assassin, who had been answering so well until now, also had a bewildered face this time.

(End of Chapter)