The Black Heaven Gate of Samhap County was a clan that held the eastern part of Sichuan Province as its territory and exerted immense influence with branches in twelve counties.

The walls surrounding the estate were large and high, showing how prestigious a family the Black Heaven Gate of that era was.

The current Black Heaven Gate Lord, Maeng Yung.

His name had not made a stir in the martial world, overshadowed by the prestige of his father, who was one of the Three Western Sovereigns and called Seoak, but no one denied his reign.

He was only lacking compared to the name of Seoak; he too was one of the strong men of Sichuan and was always respected by the people for his fair and just handling of affairs despite being of the unorthodox faction.

Such a man was furious from the early morning.

He, who would usually have smiled and accepted the greetings of a passing servant, ignored them today, and his hurried steps were so urgent that his guards had to hastily follow.

His steps, which had left the main hall, soon arrived at the rear garden located at the edge of the estate, and without even giving the gatekeeper time to open it, he kicked the door open, looked around the garden, frowned, and headed in one direction.

Because the person he was looking for was in the place with the window wide open.

Approaching the pavilion with the open window in one stride, he flung the door open without even asking for permission.

"Father!"

"…"

At the call of Maeng Yung, whose voice was raised as if he were very angry, Maeng Segwang, who was tending to a bonsai, turned around and smiled.

"What brings you here so early in the morning? Would you like a cup of tea?"

"Is tea the problem right now!"

Even at Maeng Segwang's gentle suggestion, Maeng Yung, who could not calm his anger, shouted.

It was rude words and actions, but Maeng Segwang did not blame him.

Because he had guessed the reason he had come, and the reason he was angry.

"Hoo, sit down. I was just feeling thirsty myself."

But Maeng Segwang, without showing any sign, picked up the teapot that a servant had boiled and left.

"Father!"

"My, my, did you have a good dream last night? Why is your voice so loud? Sit down."

"…"

"I said sit down."

At the repeated suggestion, Maeng Yung, who had been glaring with gritted teeth, finally sat down.

Trickle.

"You're very angry, aren't you? I know. Calm yourself down first."

Steam rose from the teacup.

It must have been difficult to control his emotions.

The cause was probably himself. Because he thought he had been stabbed in the back by the father he trusted.

"Now, speak."

Maeng Segwang, who had taken a sip, asked Maeng Yung, who hadn't even touched his teacup.

"What happened?"

"What do you mean, what?"

"The Tang Family! The Tang Family!"

"Why the Tang Family?"

"Why, you ask? The Tang Family has built a branch in Geumdang County!"

"Hmm, did they come from that side? Well, since it's adjacent to Chengdu, it would be a priority to start there."

Maeng Segwang nodded as if it were no big deal.

Were they finally making a move?

He had expected it.

But, the method was unexpected.

A branch…

Seeing that they had chosen such a crude method, it seemed they were trying to create a pretext, even if it was forced.

A laugh escaped him.

It must mean that they couldn't attack first out of consideration for him.

It would have been easier if they had just gotten married.

But Maeng Yung was only displeased with his father's appearance.

"Is this something you can say so calmly right now? Is this something to laugh about?"

"If I'm not calm?"

"Pardon?"

"Did the land have an owner?"

"Father! The Tang Family has invaded the territory of the Black Heaven Gate! It's the same as openly picking a fight!"

At Maeng Yung's words, Maeng Segwang nodded.

It had already been a month since the incident in Qilian.

Maeng Segwang, who had returned to the Black Heaven Gate that day, had not left his residence in the rear garden.

Although he had openly instigated them at the Jingagu that day, he had not thought that the beginning would be them.

Geumdang County.

It was a place adjacent to the east of Chengdu, the central city of Sichuan, and had been the territory of the Black Heaven Gate since Maeng Segwang's time.

It was also a place that bordered Chengdu, which the Tang Family had taken over by destroying the Cheongsa Gate.

The Tang Family must have considered many places to expand its territory and had finally made a choice.

But his intention had reached the Black Heaven Gate.

Although it was an adjacent place, he had marked the largest seat in eastern Sichuan to be brought down first.

Not a bad choice.

What need was there to waste strength by bickering with weak clans?

If the Black Heaven Gate were to be defeated by the Tang Family, all the spheres of influence in the eastern region would fall into their hands at once.

Maeng Segwang stared intently at his son.

"So?"

"Pardon?"

"Why are you bringing the matter of the Tang Family expanding its forces to me and questioning me?"

"Father!"

"The Black Heaven has had, has, and will have many enemies. The Tang Family is just one of them, so why are you so excited and not calm? I have always taught you to maintain your composure. Tsk, tsk."

When Maeng Segwang even clicked his tongue, Maeng Yung's eyes widened.

"An enemy? Is the Tang Family the same as any other enemy?"

"Is it different?"

"It is different! It is a place that you, Father, have backed. It is a place you have marked as Seoryeong's spouse. Seoryeong is also staying there all this time. So how can it be the same!"

Maeng Yung's anger grew stronger, and even his breathing became rough.

"Yung."

"Speak."

"I have never backed them."

"Pardon? What do you mean by that? At the Naegang ferry, it was you, Father, who stopped the children I sent."

"That was a natural thing to do."

"What do you mean, natural?"

"How could the Black Heaven Gate interfere in the affairs of the Tang Family and the Myeongryun Chamber?"

"Father! Do you think I don't know that you instigated the Myeongryun Chamber to test the Tang Family!"

"That was a request as Seoak Maeng Segwang, not as the former Black Heaven Gate Lord. This was something I also told the Myeongryun Chamber Lord at the time."

"What does that mean…"

He was so angry that he almost asked what kind of bullshit that was, but Maeng Yung shut his mouth.

"Don't get excited. The objective facts are so. I stepped forward as my daughter's father that day. But you are different. You are the one who currently leads the Black Heaven Gate. If the warriors move on your command, that is the will of the Black Heaven Gate."

"Father!"

"Why do you keep calling me that? As I said, I have no connection with the Tang Family. Also, Seoryeong staying at the Tang Family is not the will of the Lord, but her own. I am respecting the will of that child who has chosen her own path to win a man's heart."

After finishing his words, Maeng Segwang calmly drank his tea.

Maeng Yung, who was glaring at him with the corners of his eyes trembling, said as if trying to suppress his anger.

"Then, you won't mind whatever I do from now on?"

"It never mattered in the first place."

"I plan to not forgive the Tang Family for setting foot in my territory."

"That is something for you, the Gate Lord, to decide, not me."

"The Tang Family may disappear from Sichuan."

"The martial world is originally like that. If they collapse, unable to withstand the attack of the Black Heaven Gate, that will be the path of the Tang Family."

Maeng Segwang said calmly.

Maeng Yung, who had been glaring for a long time, shot up from his seat.

"I understand. Then, Father, please do not do anything more from now on."

"Do not do anything?"

"Yes. Nothing. After today, you should not leave the rear garden, nor should you meet anyone."

"What? Are you saying you're going to confine me?"

"This is! An order from the Gate Lord to a family member!"

"An order?"

"Yes!"

"Hah…"

At Maeng Yung's order of confinement, Maeng Segwang let out a hollow laugh.

No matter how angry he was.

But how could he not understand his son's position?

"I will do so. I have nowhere to go recently anyway."

"…"

When Maeng Segwang obediently nodded, Maeng Yung gritted his teeth, glared, and then whipped around and left.

"Chief Steward Eun!"

"Yes, Gate Lord."

"From now on, do not let a single ant into the rear garden! If by any chance my father wishes to go out, report to me without delay. Do you understand!"

"I will obey your command."

"Sijin!"

"Yes, Gate Lord."

"You are to immediately inform all the clans under the Black Heaven Chamber that my father has been confined to the rear garden. If from this moment on, there is anyone who hesitates in my command out of consideration for my father, I, as the Gate Lord, will personally punish them with an exemplary punishment!"

"Understood."

At the sound of the stern shouting from outside, Maeng Segwang smiled faintly.

His son had made the right judgment and given the right order.

As a son, it might seem disrespectful, but as a Gate Lord, it was a decision he naturally had to make.

Seoak Maeng Segwang.

He was a person whose existence alone had a huge influence on the unorthodox faction of Sichuan.

Since there was no one under the Black Heaven Gate who did not know that his recent movements were towards the Tang Family, if he were to wander around, people would hesitate for a moment.

Because there were still more people who were wary of him, the former Black Heaven Gate Lord and one of the Three Western Sovereigns, than of his son, the current Gate Lord.

But if it became known that he was confined by the Gate Lord's order, it would be seen as a tacit approval of the fight between the Black Heaven Gate and the Tang Family.

His son had made a decision as the Gate Lord before the fight with the Tang Family.

"That boy, I thought he couldn't distinguish right from wrong because he was angry… but he was thoughtful."

Such a son was enough.

He could be said to be worthy of being the Black Heaven Gate Lord.

The authority of the Gate Lord was something that no one should be allowed to surpass.

Even if that person was Seoak or his father.

But his heart was heavy.

Tang Cheonyeong was already 'one who had crossed the boundary'.

Even at his young age, his martial prowess was already close to his own.

Also, since he had endured a fierce battle to the point of overcoming a life-or-death crisis, he would develop day by day.

A month since that day.

He didn't know what the boy would be like now.

He was worried about his son, Yung, and he was worried about the Black Heaven Gate.

Because the Tang Family, Tang Cheonyeong, should not be taken so lightly.

But what could he do?

The martial world was such a place.

Eat or be eaten.

That was the clan he had founded, and it was the same for the clan his son had inherited.

For now, he had no intention of interfering.

In his son's affairs, or in Tang Cheonyeong's affairs.

"It would have ended without much trouble if they had just gotten married."

Maeng Segwang was still just disappointed about that.

Although he had taken a liking to Tang Cheonyeong, how could such a feeling compare to his own child?

He was just going to keep his distance for a while and watch his son's response.

If he could overcome the current trial, Maeng Yung would grow even stronger.

Of course, if the existence of the Black Heaven Gate was at stake, he would have no choice but to step in.

* * *

Geumdang County, Sichuan Province.

Cheonyeong was looking down at the street from the second-floor window of the Manhwa Pavilion, which he had chosen and bought as a temporary branch.

The street was quiet.

The merchants had closed their businesses early and gone home, and the pedestrians did not walk unless it was for a special reason. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Because the Tang Family had suddenly bought the Manhwa Pavilion in Geumdang County, which the Black Heaven Gate had occupied.

To the public, it was an inn business, but from the perspective of the martial world, it could only be seen as a branch.

This was the same as a direct challenge to the Black Heaven Gate, and as the Black Heaven Gate's branch watched with murderous eyes day after day, people also came to know.

"Lord."

"Yes."

"The Black Heaven Gate Lord has confined Seoak to the rear garden."

"The Elder?"

"Yes, the rumor is widespread."

At No Gwanyeong's words, Cheonyeong smiled.

"The Black Heaven Gate Lord has made the right judgment. It seems the Elder did not insist."

"Because he is his son."

"Thanks to that, the Black Heaven Gate will unite around the Gate Lord."

"That is not very good news for us. Since Seoak, who has been respected by the unorthodox faction, has suffered the hardship of being confined, the view of us, who have provoked them by buying an inn in Geumdang County, will not be good."

"I know. It's no different from a ridiculous pretext in the first place. They probably won't stand for it. We'll have to have a proper fight."

At Cheonyeong's words, No Gwanyeong sighed.

"That's right. Since all of Sichuan's attention is focused on this."

"This is not a fight that will drag on for long. The direction of the Sichuan factions will change depending on how the fight in Geumdang County goes."

"Yes."

"Was there no other news from the main house?"

"There was not. It seems the Dongting Lake branch has settled down quite a bit."

"I was quite worried, but it seems Yongcheon is doing well."

"I have issued a preparation order to the Chengdu branch. The One-Horned Brigade Leader is ready for dispatch and is on standby."

"Good."

Cheonyeong smiled and nodded.

Just then, the outside of the inn became noisy, and a messenger rushed up to the second floor.

"Reporting to the Lord! Someone has come from the Black Heaven Gate's Geumdang branch."

"Please show them in."

It was the news he had been waiting for.

It was the first start of the Sichuan conquest he had planned since returning from Qilian.

No matter how much he thought about it, there was no other way.

The Nine Dragons were far away, so he had to overcome the Black Heaven first.

If he extended his hand first, would they take his hand?

No matter how much he had grown, the Tang Family was no different from a child compared to the Black Heaven.

So he had to throw a tantrum, asking them to take his hand.

A fight was inevitable, but there was no suitable pretext.

That was the reason he had bought an inn in the territory of the Black Heaven.

It would be a forced pretext, and an absurd reason.

But sometimes, a war starts from that absurd pretext.

A Tang Family member has set out.