While the battlefield was being cleaned up by the Beggars' Sect's wildcats, Cheonyeong, sitting in front of a campfire, recounted the events that had transpired, and they nodded silently.

It was a story hidden in history.

Three hundred years ago, the Samyang Divine Lord, the Eight Immortals, and the Demonic Cult.

The reason the Jingagu was created.

And even the words he had exchanged with Wiji Gang.

There was no reason to hide it anymore.

Although their paths and personalities were different, they were trustworthy people.

"Samyang… I've heard of it vaguely as well."

"Hmm."

At Namgung Hyeok's words, Maeng Segwang nodded.

And Namgung Hyeok spoke.

"Then what do you plan to do now?"

"Pardon?"

"If you're right, the Demonic Cult is wary of the Samyang."

"…"

"They must have wanted to completely erase the shadow of the Samyang for a more certain conquest."

"It seems so."

Cheonyeong had the same thought.

That must be the reason they had been searching for the Samyang for so long through the assassin organization called the Jingagu.

To find the secret manual of the Samyang and learn how to counter it.

Because they wouldn't have wanted to taste the bitterness of defeat again.

"But, he was full of confidence. He seemed not to care about Samyang."

"From what I hear, it seems so. But he's the third. He wouldn't have been in a position to ignore the will passed down in the Demonic Cult."

"Yes."

"Hmm, by the way, it seems there are complicated circumstances within the Demonic Cult as well."

"Complicated circumstances?"

"Yes."

Namgung Hyeok nodded and continued.

"That friend named Wiji Gang, he was amazing. He's still young, but the aura I felt was not ordinary. If we had fought, even I or Seoak would have had a hard time guaranteeing a win fighting alone. It was understandable that you struggled."

Cheonyeong didn't answer that.

Because he thought that his answer might somehow be seen as ignoring the two who had lived for the realm of martial arts for a long time.

"If he, the third, has that much power, a storm of blood will soon blow in the Demonic Cult."

"A storm of blood?"

"Yes."

"What do you mean?"

"The Demonic Cult is a place that worships power. So they want the strong to become the master."

"…"

"It means that seniority is not necessary to become a successor."

"Isn't that the same in the Central Plains?"

"It's different from the Central Plains. They rise by stepping on the corpses of the defeated."

"Ah."

"Three, or even more, the strongest among them will become the successor of the Demonic Cult. By stepping on blood and corpses."

The words Wiji Gang had said came to mind.

That he had thought of using him as a tool to deal with the two above him.

"Hoo, perhaps the moment a new Cult Leader is decided, another disaster will befall the Central Plains. The power of the Demonic Cult, prepared for so long, will be terrifying."

Namgung Hyeok's expression turned serious.

Because he felt that the Demonic Cult's dispatch of troops was not far off.

"But, it won't be right away. It seems you need to prepare as well."

"Prepare?"

"Yes. If you have inherited the true legacy of the Samyang Divine Lord, and they consider the Samyang so important, you will be their target. Before conquering the Central Plains, they will want to root out the Samyang."

"I see."

He had thought so inwardly.

"I'll ask again. What do you plan to do?"

"…"

"I heard quite a few stories while staying at the Tang Family."

Namgung Hyeok said with a smile.

Anhui and Sichuan were far apart.

Unlike the adjacent Qingcheng or Black Heaven Gate, all he had were rumors he had heard.

But while staying at the Tang Family, he had heard the story from its founding until now, and he couldn't help but be inwardly amazed.

"Between the righteous and unorthodox… a good phrase. That there is no distinction."

"…"

"But now you must decide."

"Pardon?"

"Now that you know your enemy is huge, you can no longer go on alone."

"That's true, but…"

"It's difficult to change your will. But can you face the Demonic Cult alone?"

"…"

"It's impossible. It's not an easy task even if you work for your entire life."

"…"

"Even the figure of the Samyang Divine Lord had the help of the Eight Immortals. Although history may have turned its back on them, at that time, he must have gathered forces through them."

Namgung Hyeok's words made him think a lot.

"The Demonic Cult is a huge place. They have only pursued strength, and only the strong have survived and ruled, so there is no one who can face them as a single faction. So you must unite, you must rally. Only then will you be able to fight them."

"…"

"Sometimes for profit, sometimes by sharing your heart, you must become friends. No one lives alone in the world."

Namgung Hyeok tried to show him the way, as if persuading him, and Maeng Segwang just nodded without a word.

"…Please give me your teachings."

After pondering for a moment, Cheonyeong spoke politely, and Namgung Hyeok smiled with satisfaction.

"Enter the ranks of the Five Great Families."

"The Five Great Families?"

"Yes. It might seem like a vested interest. You might not like the look of it. But if you are included in their faction, you will have more to gain. Right now, your voice wanders the outskirts of Sichuan, but the moment you belong to the Five Great Families, it will shake the world."

"…"

"I'm not ignoring the unorthodox faction, but while the unorthodox unite for profit, the righteous unite for a cause. If you fight the Demonic Cult, it is for the sake of the Central Plains, so the righteous will help."

At Namgung Hyeok's words, Cheonyeong thought deeply.

Faction.

A lone general can become the number one under heaven, but he cannot create the number one family under heaven.

He needed people, and he needed a faction.

And he had already experienced it.

The third young master of the Demonic Cult.

Even though he was not yet a successor, he was strong.

Even if he fought again, he would not be able to win.

He had to cultivate his skills, and as Namgung Hyeok said, he had to cultivate his faction.

But the Five Great Families…

"I will think about it."

Cheonyeong answered after a long while, but Namgung Hyeok just smiled and nodded.

Because in the end, the decision was his to make.

"But don't think for too long. For some reason, it seems their rampancy is not far off."

"Yes."

Namgung Hyeok's words ended.

And as if waiting for that moment, Maeng Segwang continued.

"Tch, talking as if the righteous faction is the master of the Central Plains."

"No, what I mean is…"

"Enough! What's with the excuses? It's the truth."

Maeng Segwang, who had snapped curtly at Namgung Hyeok, spoke to Cheonyeong.

"The Sword Emperor's words are not wrong. But, do not exclude the unorthodox for that reason. The reason the righteous and unorthodox have divided the Central Plains is because their power is equal."

"I think so too."

"If it were me, I would choose the righteous for the cause, but I would unite the unorthodox for profit."

"For profit?"

"I haven't watched you for long, but your disposition is closer to the unorthodox than the righteous."

At Maeng Segwang's words, Cheonyeong let out a bitter smile.

It was true.

He was the type to value practical interests more than a cause.

"I was actually a little surprised."

"…"

"The Sword Immortal and the Sword Emperor. I never thought I would be in the same place as those two. You made it so. Also, in Sichuan, you made the righteous and unorthodox harmonize through you, even while staying between them."

Maeng Segwang's words added another worry.

"The Sword Emperor is right. What you need now is a title. Enter the ranks of the Five Great Families, and the power of your voice will spread throughout the world. And share the profits to embrace the unorthodox faction."

Cheonyeong nodded.

Perhaps he had been leading his family as Maeng Segwang said all along.

He had formed connections with the Beggars' Sect, Qingcheng, and the Namgung Family, and had become one with the Yangtze River Water Fortress by sharing profits.

"Ah, but don't think that I or the Sword Emperor over there will help you."

"…"

"Friendship is friendship, and a faction is a faction. Especially, I am the Grand Supreme Elder of the Black Heaven. If you expand your faction, the Black Heaven will have no choice but to confront you."

"I understand."

"But I'll give you one piece of advice. If you win, absorb rather than destroy. Even if they walk the path of the unorthodox faction, they are reluctant to serve a master whose hands are full of blood. Because they think that the blood on those hands might become their own."

"I will also think deeply about that. Thank you for your words, Elder."

Cheonyeong sincerely bowed his head and expressed his gratitude to the two.

"Ah! Come to think of it, there is one more way."

"Pardon?"

"There is a way to enter the Black Heaven without shedding blood."

"Enter without shedding blood?"

"Yes. A way to put the Black Heaven under you without fighting, shall we say?"

"That is…?"

Cheonyeong, who had been making a puzzled face, soon let out a sigh-filled dry laugh and shook his head.

He was doing so well.

He had almost respected him sincerely.

"I will not listen to that."

"Huh?"

"Because I think I know what you're going to say."

"No, why! Is there an easier way in the world than becoming family?"

As expected.

No, why was he always like that, not even thinking about his daughter's position?

"It's no use being stubborn. I have no thoughts of it yet."

"You son of a bitch! Why do you hate it when I'm feeding it to you! Do I have to grab your trouser legs and beg?"

"Still, what can't be done, can't be done."

"You ill-mannered brat!"

It was absurd.

Why was that an ill-mannered thing to do?

Marriage wasn't some child's play.

"Um, excuse me, Lord Tang?"

"Yes?"

"Listening to Seoak's words, it doesn't seem so bad."

Namgung Hyeok, who had been pondering for a moment, said with a serious expression.

"If I just help, people will object, but if you become the son-in-law of the Namgung Family, hmm, if you do well, you might be able to enter the ranks of the Five Great Families a little faster…"

"Why are you like this too, Sword Emperor?"

"What do you mean, why? You've already, Seonyeong's na… ahem!"

Namgung Hyeok suddenly cleared his throat while speaking, but Maeng Segwang quickly caught on and his eyes went wide.

"What? You saw her naked? Naked!?"

"…"

"You son of a bitch! Who gave you permission! That's absolutely not happening!"

"My, you didn't know? Haha, I didn't get to say that. It can't be helped. He's already seen all there is to see with my granddaughter."

"What, you bastard? Who gave you permission!"

"That's how the world is. Since he has seen the body of a grown woman, it is the way of a man to take responsibility."

"Shut up! Naked or whatever, I was much earlier!"

"Naked is…"

"Shut up! Why are you stepping in? You're a grandfather, but I'm a father!"

At the sight of the two suddenly bickering, Cheonyeong let out a sigh that could make the ground sink.

Just a moment ago, there were no such wonderful adults in the world.

Why were they like this when they were doing so well?

The Demonic Cult might attack at any time, so was this the time to fight over marriage?

And he was the person in question.

Leaving the two, who couldn't overcome their excitement and were even grabbing each other by the collar, Cheonyeong got up and walked through the Jingagu.

"Lord, it seems the cleanup is almost done."

At the words of the approaching No Gwanyeong, Cheonyeong nodded.

The remaining cleanup was the Beggars' Sect's share.

Although Jin Gumyeong had been taken, they would investigate what was left in the Jingagu and find out many things, and through that, they would inform the Cheongcheon Alliance about the threat of the Demonic Cult.

That could be left to them.

The world below the mountain could be seen in the distance.

Sichuan would probably be somewhere beyond that mountain.

What he had to do was to decide the path the Tang Family would take from now on.

Since the ill-fated connection with the past had ended with the Jingagu.

"It means it's just the beginning."

Cheonyeong smiled faintly.

(End of Chapter)