Another group of guests arrived at the Tang Family.

"Welcome."

"Have you been well?"

The one greeting Tang Cheonyeong, who had come out to meet them, was none other than Sword Emperor Namgung Hyeok.

After greeting the newly arrived Namgung Hyeok, Cheonyeong barely acknowledged Namgung Seonyeong next to him and asked.

"Elder, the matter you went for…"

"This person is quite impatient. Let's catch our breath. Have a drink of liquor too."

"The liquor is always ready."

At Cheonyeong's words, Namgung Hyeok clicked his tongue and gestured to the Azure Sky Brigade, and a middle-aged man walked over.

"Are you the one who was looking for me?"

"That is correct. I am Tang Cheonyeong."

"I am Yeon Wihyeon."

The middle-aged man who revealed his name looked quite displeased.

The descendant of the Eight Immortals from Guangdong.

"This friend has great skill. He didn't back down even against the Azure Sky Brigade, so I had quite a hard time bringing him. He was stubbornly resisting, so I had no choice but to subdue him myself and then relay your words, you know?"

As Namgung Hyeok spoke, praising himself, Cheonyeong nodded.

He thought he knew why Yeon Wihyeon looked displeased to see him.

He had fought with the suddenly appearing Namgung Hyeok and was forcibly dragged here, so there was no way he would be in a good mood.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. There are many eyes watching, so let's talk in detail later. There are other people waiting inside."

Baekta, who had gone to Guangxi, had already arrived first.

"Hmph."

He seemed reluctant, but he obediently followed Cheonyeong.

"Heh heh, so this is the Tang Family. Quite something."

"The Divine Crafts Pavilion Master put a lot of effort into it, as if he intended to leave behind his life's work. It may just be my feeling, but I think it is by far the most outstanding estate in the Central Plains."

At Namgung Hyeok's admiration upon entering the Tang Family, Cheonyeong didn't bother with false modesty.

Humility?

Why was that necessary?

He was just saying that what was done well was done well.

Namgung Hyeok accepted Cheonyeong's attitude as if it were natural.

No, it was something to be proud of.

The structure, formed like concentric circles, was quite something, and the arrangement of the pavilions was also extraordinary.

"Hah, the skill of the person called the Divine Crafts Pavilion Master must be great. To think of such a structure. It's a closed structure, but it's not stuffy, and it's optimal for defending the inside. I feel like I want to ask for advice when I renovate the Namgung Family later."

At Namgung Hyeok's words, Cheonyeong smiled and replied.

"He is one of the people I trust the most."

"Indeed, it seems so. It seems I did well to come to the Tang Family."

Namgung Hyeok, who nodded as he looked around, subtly gestured to his granddaughter.

"Seonyeong."

"Yes, Grandfather."

"Look around carefully. For the future."

Namgung Hyeok said it as if in passing, but Namgung Seonyeong, who was not ignorant of his inner thoughts, blushed without a word.

On the way to Guangdong, she had had many conversations with her grandfather about her relationship with Tang Cheonyeong.

It was about a political marriage, as was the case with most women of martial families.

That was probably the reason he had taken her along to Guangdong in the first place.

Namgung Hyeok had said he would leave the choice to her, but how could she choose if she didn't know anything?

Although he had seen her naked body, it was for treatment, and it was an unavoidable situation.

So she wanted to see.

What kind of person he was.

She had already finished talking with her grandfather that she would judge after that.

Of course, it seemed he still didn't know.

"Elder, for the future? What do you mean by that?"

"It's just something I said. Hahahat!"

When Cheonyeong narrowed his eyes and caught his words, Namgung Hyeok looked at a distant mountain and burst into a hearty laugh.

Somehow, it was suspicious.

Could this be?

Is this the kind of situation I'm thinking of?

To think I'd have woman troubles I wasn't fated for.

But he couldn't question the sinister intentions of a person who had gone all the way to Guangdong for his request, so he had no choice but to pretend he didn't know.

"Let's go. There are guests who arrived first."

"Guests?"

"You'll know when you go inside. When I told them the Sword Emperor was coming, they were all delighted."

Namgung Hyeok, who followed Cheonyeong into the Samyang Hall, couldn't hide his surprise when he found a familiar face among those waiting.

"Changlim?"

"It's been a while, Sword Emperor."

Il-woo smiled and greeted Namgung Hyeok warmly.

"Hmph! Have your eyes gone bad? Why is Changlim before me?"

"Seoak? You too?"

It was surprising.

Changlim and Seoak.

Didn't he know their relationship all too well?

They had been in a competitive relationship in Sichuan for a long time, and as someone who knew of their ill-fated relationship in their youth, Namgung Hyeok couldn't believe they were in the same place.

"Don't be surprised and sit down."

"Hah!"

Namgung Hyeok, who was laughing in bewilderment, had his gaze suddenly land on a woman.

One with a pure and fresh beauty…

"She's my daughter."

"Huh?"

"She came to the Tang Family with me because of some business."

"What?"

At Maeng Segwang's words, Namgung Hyeok's expression changed rapidly.

"Both of them?"

"What do you mean, both of them?"

Namgung Hyeok pointed to the woman sitting with Maeng Seoryeong and looked her up and down.

She's holding a baby?

I haven't heard that Lord Tang got married.

Damn it, am I one step too late?

As if realizing his gaze, Sanghui, who was next to Maeng Seoryeong, smiled faintly and greeted him.

"I am the Inner Hall Mistress, Tang Sanghui. I have heard much of the Sword Emperor's fame. Thank you for visiting the Tang Family."

"…Tang?"

"Yes, I am the Lord's sworn sister."

"Ah!"

Namgung Hyeok was visibly relieved.

It was a relief.

That the baby's father was not Tang Cheonyeong.

But it was strange.

For some reason, didn't Maeng Segwang's daughter and the Lord's sworn sister look too close?

Like sisters…

"Grandfather, I think I'll go sit next to the Inner Hall Mistress."

"Hm? Ah, yes."

At Namgung Seonyeong's words, Namgung Hyeok nodded.

It was a relief.

Didn't she know her place well?

If the Lord's sworn sister and Maeng Seoryeong were together, it was clear that her influence in some area was significant.

He was truly pleased that Namgung Seonyeong had acted with quick wit.

He could leave the rest to her.

Since she was a wise child.

But Namgung Hyeok glared at Maeng Segwang.

That sinister fellow.

He had already recognized the man and made the first move. It was a pity that he lived so far away.

"What are you doing? Don't tell me you, Elder, also don't get along with those two?"

"Hm?"

"Hah, I invited those two, and they were bickering so much."

"Not at all. What reason would I have to not get along with Changlim or Seoak?"

"That's a relief."

Cheonyeong, who had been worried that he would have to mediate again, swept his chest.

"For now, let's have some tea."

"Hmm, let's do that."

Namgung Hyeok, who had taken a seat, just listened quietly to the conversation going back and forth.

He felt inexplicably displeased at the sight of them looking so close. Weren't they only talking about things he didn't know?

But Qilian Mountains?

"Will it really be alright? To think you'll attack an assassin organization with just you guys."

When Changlim asked with a frown, Cheonyeong smiled and nodded.

Himself, Gwi-su, Baekta, and Yoo Seongyeon.

And the descendants of the Eight Immortals.

Because they were also involved in the ill-fated relationship with the Jingagu.

"It's not good to have too many. And the successor of the Beggars' Sect has agreed to mobilize the wildcats. They are people who move secretly, so they will be of great help."

"I know, I heard it was something that had to be carried out secretly. I have some idea of your skill, but you never know what variables there might be in a task… How about going with one of us?"

At Il-woo's concern, Cheonyeong shook his head.

Why wouldn't he know?

It would be easier if one of Changlim or Maeng Segwang helped.

But if that happened, putting aside the fact that the Demonic Cult, the backer of the Jingagu, would be revealed, the Samyang would become known to the world.

That was not good.

The descendants of the Eight Immortals who had not yet been found could also be in danger.

It wasn't that he didn't trust Changlim and Maeng Segwang, but wasn't it that the fewer people who knew a secret, the better?

So, this task had to be led by him, and it had to be carried out as secretly as possible.

At least until the Samyang Divine Art completely became the Tang Family's martial art.

Above all, in this fight, he intended to act not as the Lord of the Tang Family, but as an assassin.

With the cruel and sinister appearance of that time.

But Namgung Hyeok, who had been listening quietly, smirked and said.

"From what I hear, are you guys worried about Lord Tang right now?"

"Hm? What do you mean? It's a fight against sinister assassins, so of course we should be worried."

"Oho? You guys don't know?"

"Hm?"

"My, I thought you were close enough to know everything… but it seems that wasn't the case."

"What do you mean? Do you perhaps know the level of Lord Tang's realm?"

"Of course. I saw it myself."

"Really?"

"Hahat! My, my. You didn't know, both of you didn't know. It was something only I knew?"

"…"

"An assassin organization? I don't know what kind of fellows they are, but Lord Tang alone will be enough."

"Is, is he that strong?"

Changlim, who had seen Cheonyeong's martial prowess and the assassins at the Craftsmen's Guild, was beyond surprised.

"Of course! Lord Tang is at a similar level to me."

"Pardon?"

"What do you mean? Similar to you?"

It wasn't just Il-woo.

Even Maeng Segwang's eyes went wide.

The Sword Emperor said that?

Although they were separated by the east and west of the Central Plains, wasn't he the Sword Emperor whose skill was already well-established?

Judging from the rumors related to him and the realm he had achieved, the Sword Emperor was stronger than them.

But Lord Tang was similar to him.

What on earth had happened in the meantime?

Il-woo and Maeng Segwang made bewildered faces at the story they were hearing for the first time, and Namgung Hyeok smiled the smile of a victor at having something only he knew.

But it was nonsense.

Similar?

There was still a huge gap between them and Cheonyeong.

"Stop it. Why are you exaggerating so much? How can I be compared to you, Elder?"

"Exaggerating? I don't know how to do such a thing."

"Hah, anyway, as the Elder said, you don't have to worry about me. You two just protect the Tang Family well."

"Hmm, I understand."

At the words of the sighing Cheonyeong, Il-woo and Maeng Segwang nodded.

"Hm? What does that mean? Why are they protecting the Tang Family?"

"Ah, I asked them to."

"You did?"

"Yes, the assassin organization I'm trying to fight might target the Tang Family, so I asked them separately. They readily agreed to do so while I'm away at the Qilian Mountains."

"Hmm."

At Cheonyeong's words, Namgung Hyeok pondered.

His request…

But the pondering was not long.

With his clear personality regarding debts of gratitude and enmity, Tang Cheonyeong would never forget the help.

Suddenly, it had become a two-way battle for the seat next to him, so his Seonyeong couldn't be pushed out, could she?

"Then I will help too."

"Pardon? You, Elder?"

"Yes."

"No, you don't have to…"

"I have nothing to do even if I go back to Anhui anyway. I'll stay for a while to see Sichuan on this occasion. I will protect the Tang Family. The Azure Sky Brigade will also be of great help."

At Namgung Hyeok's decision, Cheonyeong blinked blankly.

Somehow, the defense of the Tang Family had become even more solid.

The Sword Immortal, Seoak, and even the Sword Emperor.

It was to the point where they could have a go at the Demonic Cult.

Since he himself was stepping up to protect it, was there a need to refuse?

"I will not forget the help of the three of you."

The next day, after expressing his gratitude with a bright smile, Cheonyeong immediately left for the Qilian Mountains.

It was a truly reassuring feeling.

Enough to fight to his heart's content without worrying about those he left behind.

I'm coming soon, Jin Gumyeong.

To end the tiresome, ill-fated relationship that has continued since my past life.

(End of Chapter)