Maeng Segwang stared intently at Cheonyeong.

The flow of an era.

If left alone, he would become a great obstacle to his own son.

Why hadn't he thought of it?

The time when the Black Heaven would become the master of Sichuan and spread its wings to fly.

Though his son didn't meet his expectations, a father's heart was like that.

Wasn't it the wish of all fathers that even their lacking and insufficient sons would do better than themselves?

He could probably stop it now.

He was still a sprout, and Maeng Segwang had enough power to crush the Tang Family.

But his pride wouldn't let him.

For them, who had been the masters of the era, to trample on a newly growing sprout.

With that thought, he looked at Il-woo.

He was as calm as ever.

A carefree fellow.

Should he go with the flow of the era? Or should he go against it for a while?

It would have been good if the marriage had been arranged.

Maeng Segwang, who couldn't answer his numerous worries, decided to watch a little longer.

For now, he would leave it to his son.

Because this was their era now.

Though he might have to step in someday…

A long silence flowed in the awkwardness, and the one who broke it first was Maeng Segwang.

"Changlim!"

"…?"

"Here, have a drink."

At the sight of Maeng Segwang holding the liquor bottle and looking at him, Changlim smiled and nodded.

It was a cup of reconciliation.

It wouldn't solve all the years of animosity, but Changlim readily raised his cup.

"Ah, good."

"Heh heh, what is this? This one cup of liquor has been so difficult for so long."

"Indeed. I am only ashamed for being needlessly stubborn."

"Yes, it's shameful. The deep chasm won't be filled immediately, but time will solve that as well."

"Haha, Immeasurable Buddha."

The filled cup was emptied.

It was an interesting sight.

At the young Tang Cheonyeong's tantrum, the giants who had held Sichuan in the palm of their hands had immediately changed their stance.

But Cheonyeong didn't know what they were thinking when they changed their minds.

Just that they didn't want to be cursed by the world, or that they were determined to marry their daughter off to him…

He could only vaguely guess.

"Hey, Lord Tang."

"Yes?"

As the cups were filled and emptied repeatedly, Maeng Segwang asked in a low voice.

"But what is the reason you invited us both here? You surely didn't call us just to have a drink?"

"I was curious too. Surely you have something to ask?"

When even Il-woo became curious, Cheonyeong put down his cup and smiled faintly.

Indeed, could they have not noticed anything?

Now that the awkward atmosphere had eased, it was time to get to the main point.

"I have a favor to ask."

"A favor?"

"Yes."

As Cheonyeong nodded, the two men spoke with curious eyes.

"You, asking us for a favor… that's quite curious."

"Immeasurable Buddha, it seems you were not a lone general after all."

At the sight of the two smiling faintly, Cheonyeong smiled awkwardly and scratched his head.

"I would like you both to stay at the Tang Family for a while."

"Hm?"

"What do you mean by that?"

Wasn't it strange?

Since they had come by invitation, it was only natural that they would stay.

"I'll tell you without hiding anything. The Tang Family may be attacked."

"What?"

"Who would dare to target the Tang Family?"

Pausing for a moment, Cheonyeong said with a serious expression.

"Changlim, you already know, don't you?"

"Are you perhaps talking about the culprit from the Craftsmen's Guild?"

"That is correct."

"Hmm, truly wicked fellows. To think they are targeting the Tang Family even while in hiding."

Il-woo nodded.

He already knew about the Jingagu.

Hadn't Il-woo gone to the Cheongcheon Alliance and even held the Nine Dragons Assembly because of it?

And he was still looking for them.

Recently, he had even found and annihilated one of their subordinate organizations.

So, what would they think of Tang Cheonyeong?

Assassins were quick to hear rumors, so they would be grinding their teeth, wanting to tear apart Tang Cheonyeong and the Tang Family who had been obstructing them.

"It wasn't a favor."

"Pardon?"

"Now that I see it, isn't that matter deeply related to Green Blue Sect as well? Protecting the Tang Family is the duty of Green Blue Sect. I will stay and protect it as Lord Tang has requested."

"Thank you for saying so."

As Cheonyeong conveyed his deep gratitude, Il-woo smiled and waved his hand.

"What is there to be thankful for? Rather, I am sorry. Because of Green Blue Sect's affairs, your family is even being targeted by assassins… and I only disturbed the atmosphere with my needless stubbornness."

"Not at all. I was excessive as well. I forced people who have been at odds for a long time to sit at a drinking table out of my own greed."

"Haha, that was a bit much."

Il-woo, who winked playfully, said again.

"But, sitting together like this and drinking openly, I wonder what need there was to be on edge. I suppose I have not yet achieved the Dao. To be so narrow-minded. Immeasurable Buddha."

The low chant of his Daoist title represented his heart.

But Maeng Segwang's face was full of ill temper from beginning to end.

These guys…

Weren't they talking about things only they knew, leaving him out completely?

He didn't like that Il-woo, who knew the inside story, seemed closer to Tang Cheonyeong than he was.

As someone who dreamed of being his father-in-law in the distant future.

"It's quite a sight to see you two whispering."

"Pardon?"

"Yes, are you happy talking about things only you two know, leaving me out?"

"Ah!"

At the grumbling of the silent Maeng Segwang, Cheonyeong laughed awkwardly.

Well, that was understandable.

"You're having a grand time. If this was the case, I don't know why you called me. You two could have just talked amicably."

"Ah, it's not like that. It's about what happened at the Craftsmen's Guild."

"The righteous faction, the righteous faction."

"Pardon?"

"You talk about the righteous and unorthodox, but will an unorthodox person like me be able to live with this sorrow?"

"…"

At the sight of him crossing his arms and even whipping his head away in a huff, Cheonyeong sighed.

Why was he sulking again?

He was really no different from a child.

"This is what happened."

Cheonyeong slowly began to explain his ill-fated relationship with the Jingagu, and Maeng Segwang, not wanting to be left out, opened his ears wide and focused.

In addition to what Il-woo knew, the things that had happened while he was going to and coming from the Namgung Family.

"And their headquarters is said to be in the Qilian Mountains."

"Hmm, so that's how it was."

"Hah! Their headquarters is in the Qilian Mountains?"

"Yes."

"Those damn assassin bastards have hidden in a deep place. But then, shouldn't you be heading to the Qilian Mountains instead of protecting the Tang Family?"

"I would like to do that, but I feel the damage would be immense if I were to leave without preparing."

"Damage?"

"Yes, they are fellows who will not shy away from any means to achieve their goal. Besides the Tang Family, the people of Ganyang could also be harmed."

"Hmm."

"I will leave once the preparations are complete. They are originally very cautious and agile fellows, so if too many people move, they might hide in another place."

"But no matter what, wouldn't it be dangerous for you to go alone? Qilian is a rough place. How do you know what kind of preparations they have made?"

At Maeng Segwang's words, Il-woo nodded in agreement, as if he had the same thought.

Preparations?

Could it be that he hadn't even prepared for that much?

When it came to the habits of assassins, no, the Jingagu, the person who knew them better than anyone was himself.

Hadn't he experienced being chased?

So he knew.

Because to escape well, he had to know about the ones who were chasing him.

"I'm not going alone."

"Hm?"

"I plan to take the main force of the Tang Family."

"The main force of the Tang Family?"

"That's right. The Tang Family's elder in Chengdu, Gwi-su."

"If it's Gwi-su, I would be relieved, but…"

"Baekta will be here soon too. And the senior disciple of Green Blue Sect, Yoo Seongyeon, will come with him. So I ask. May I receive Seongyeon's help?"

"Haha, help? I am only grateful that you are including that child in the task of driving out a wicked group of young heroes."

Il-woo nodded, and Maeng Segwang pouted, as if he didn't like something.

"They're all righteous faction bastards. If I knew this would happen, I would have taught Seoryeong martial arts."

At the sight of Maeng Segwang regretting that he couldn't send his own daughter along, Cheonyeong let out a dry laugh.

Trying to connect with him in any way possible…

"What does it matter? I am between the righteous and unorthodox. I believe that you, Elder, will protect the Tang Family."

"I understand. As you requested, I will stay at the Tang Family for a while. It's not like a sinister fellow like you would go into a fight with no chance of winning, and from the looks of it, you seem to have become strong enough to steam and eat an assassin organization, so I won't worry."

"Thank you."

"What's there to thank me for? I'd just be guarding the back room if I went back to the Black Heaven Gate anyway. But, don't forget that I helped you."

"Don't worry, Lord Tang. I will also stay here and protect the Tang Family."

At Maeng Segwang and Changlim's permission, Cheonyeong smiled with satisfaction.

With this, the safety of the Tang Family was guaranteed.

As long as they were protecting it, the Tang Family would be an impregnable fortress, safer than any other place in the world.

What remained was the Jingagu headquarters in the Qilian Mountains.

With the safety of the Tang Family guaranteed, he planned to slowly make preparations.

Jin Gumyeong might have known about the deaths of the High Heavenly Ghosts, but he would never dream that their base had been revealed.

Because he would be believing in the Gu like it was gospel.

It was the same in his past life.

Wasn't the expression on his face when he, an assassin, had removed the Gu and escaped, so vivid?

By the way, if this was the case, it might be better if they attacked the Tang Family.

So he could wipe them all out and reduce their forces.

Smiling sinisterly, Cheonyeong looked at his clenched fist.

The new power he had obtained after opening his Middle Dantian.

With this power…

Jin Gumyeong, now you too will be in the position of being hunted.

I will return to that time when you raised me.

As Sagyo, the assassin who was more cunning than anyone in a fight against the enemy.

Right now, my contract target is you.

And the Demonic Cult is after the Samyang?

That will never happen.

I am Tang Cheonyeong.

I will never be robbed of what I should have.

* * *

An inn a little away from the Tang Family.

At a time when it had become quiet after all the drunkards had gone home, a secret conversation was taking place in a corner of the inn.

"Tang Cheonyeong has returned. We have confirmed that Byeon Gil-tae is with him. What should we do?"

"Hmm…"

At the words of the Special Grade Simhyeon, Jin Palhyo frowned, scratching the innocent table with his fingernail.

What on earth was going on?

"For now, we wait."

"…"

"We need to watch the situation more."

"Understood."

He couldn't make a decision right away.

The original plan was to aim for the night Tang Cheonyeong returned.

Since Tang Cheonyeong had returned and Byeon Gil-tae was with him, it was only right to take action.

But the monsters who had visited the Tang Family made him hesitate.

He couldn't just attack recklessly.

He had to watch.

Changlim and Seoak wouldn't stay at the Tang Family forever, would they?

However.

"Hyeon."

"Yes."

"We need to scout inside the Tang Family."

"Understood. How many should we send in?"

"For now, one. We need to find out if infiltration is possible first. If the infiltration is successful, we will increase the number one by one from then on and scout the Tang Family in detail."

"Understood."

(End of Chapter)