"Tang Family's estate?"

"Yes."

"Hmm..."

Nam Gwangro frowned and searched his memory, but it was a name he had never heard before.

Isn't it strange?

Although he was clearly a punk who would be called a dragon for his age, he had a name he had never heard of.

Why would the little devil?

And to reach out to them?

Nam Gwangro felt he wanted to know a little more.

According to Ojang, he had come to demand compensation without any manners, but for now, he would put that issue aside.

"I am the Gunsan Stronghold Chief, Nam Gwangro. Others call me the Lord of the Xiang River."

"Lord of the Xiang River?"

"Yes."

Cheonyeong tilted his head, but as expected, there was no way of knowing.

How would he know a water bandit's martial name?

He had no particular connection in his past life either. But the Lord of the Xiang River...

According to the old story, didn't the empresses of Emperor Shun, Ehuang and Nüying, become gods after throwing themselves into the Xiang River, that is, Dongting Lake, in grief upon hearing of his death?

That god is called the Lord of the Xiang River.

The god of the Xiang River.

Even if that name was an exaggeration, it would not be known only to the Unorthodox Faction. With such a proud expression, it was clear that the Orthodox Faction also called him that.

He could tell without even having to witness his skills.

To have the name of a god as his martial name.

And he seemed to have a rather magnanimous personality. Seeing that he didn't show any displeasure at his informal speech despite the large age gap.

Didn't most of the punks he had met so far get angry first, talking about age and what not?

"By the looks of your reaction, it seems you don't know about me."

"Since I've been cooped up in Sicheon, my knowledge is narrow."

"Keuk keuk, is that so? Then I'm even more curious. Why would the little devil ask you to watch the pleasure boat you were on?"

"Little devil?"

"Yes."

"Who's that?"

"The Dongting Lake North Branch Leader, Baekta."

"Ah!"

Cheonyeong exclaimed and frowned at the sight of Nam Gwangro speaking as if he were grinding his teeth.

So that's why, he had thought that pigeon punks were flying around at a late hour at the Jeonghwa-ru...

That chatterbox punk who seemed light-hearted and talkative. Was it him?

In the end, it meant that the friendly attitude he had shown, talking about Nosanggae and what not, was all an act.

Cheonyeong recalled the rambling conversation of that day.

It wasn't exact.

Because he had been rambling on about this and that, and what he had heard.

But a few key words and actions.

-I hear the Tang Family's estate uses hidden weapons.

Come to think of it, it seemed to have been a deliberate question to gauge his reaction.

He must have deduced a lot from just one flying needle that had killed Godon, and had put him on the list of suspects.

As expected, you can't be complacent with those beggar punks. It wouldn't have been easy to find a connection to him...

No wonder he had become a branch leader at that age with four knots.

It meant that the punk Baekta was a sinister punk who had hidden a blade in his carelessness.

And one more thing.

Nam Gwangro's expression and gaze when he mentioned Baekta. It couldn't be seen as a good relationship.

How else would he be called the little devil?

Since Nam Gwangro and Baekta clearly did not have a good relationship...

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and as they say, people become closer when they gossip behind someone's back.

Until just a moment ago, he had thought he might have to fight the Gunsan Stronghold Chief, but a person has to be quick to change.

If so, there's no need to...

Cheonyeong instantly grasps the interests and draws a conclusion in his head.

What words and actions would be more beneficial to him.

"That damn beggar punk, finally..."

Cheonyeong, who had organized his thoughts, immediately frowned and cursed.

The target was, of course, Baekta.

Then Nam Gwangro shows a helpful reaction.

"Huh?"

"I'm talking about that punk Baekta. Sinisterly investigating others' backs. Anyway, those Beggars' Sect punks are a problem."

"...You don't have a good relationship with the Beggars' Sect?"

"Should I?"

"That's not it, but..."

"I originally despise punks who are nosy about others' affairs."

As Cheonyeong slightly changed his tone to a respectful one and cursed the Beggars' Sect, Nam Gwangro's frowning face slightly relaxed.

As expected.

What a transparent punk. Even if his skills are outstanding, it seems he doesn't know how to hide his inner thoughts.

What if it's respectful language?

The person who could even kneel if necessary was me, Tang Cheonyeong.

A person like Nam Gwangro, who easily reveals his personality, if you just scratch his itchy spot a little, take care of him, and take his side...

"Hmm, it seems the Tang Family's estate is not an Orthodox Faction. Is it an Unorthodox Faction?"

"Ahem, if it's not an Orthodox Faction, it's an Unorthodox Faction? Where is such a dichotomous way of thinking?"

"Huh?"

"So to speak, shall we say it's between Orthodox and Unorthodox?"

"Between Orthodox and Unorthodox?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, between Orthodox and Unorthodox... it seems you've chosen a rather difficult path."

"Difficult? On the contrary, it's better."

"Better?"

"Of course."

Cheonyeong nods his head as if it were obvious.

"Heh, hey, little brother."

Before he knew it, Nam Gwangro was calling Cheonyeong closer, and Seong Ilgwang, who was beside him, quickly ordered tea to be brought.

"It's like this, but since you're still young, I'll give you a piece of advice."

"Please speak. I will listen attentively."

"Listen attentively? Keuk keuk."

He seems to be in a good mood because he's being taken care of. Well, it's not like he's in the same Unorthodox Faction, so who would use respectful language and say they would listen attentively to a water bandit?

Although it's called the Yangtze River waterway stronghold, and a huge axis of the Unorthodox Faction. In the end, it was a criminal organization that the country was having a headache over.

"It may be rude, but since I've never heard of a place called the Tang Family's estate, it must not be a very large family in Sicheon."

"That's right. It hasn't been long since I raised a fallen family."

"Yes, I thought so. Although I heard from my subordinate that your skills are great... that's not the power of the family."

"I suppose so."

"Between Orthodox and Unorthodox, it sounds grand and good, but there is no more dangerous choice."

"Is that so?"

"Of course. As they say, a person must have a strong backer."

"You mean to hide in the shade of a big tree."

"That's right, that's right. You're quick to understand."

Although Nam Gwangro said, patting his knee, Cheonyeong, who had been pondering for a moment, shook his head.

"I will gratefully accept the advice you have given me, thinking of me."

"Huh?"

"But my thoughts are different."

"..."

"A big tree may have a wide shade and be cool. But, the sapling underneath cannot grow tall, being covered by the shade."

"Hmm."

"If a man has set his mind to establish a family, he must aim for a high place. Would it be right to live a comfortable life under a big tree?"

"..."

"And, being between Orthodox and Unorthodox is not necessarily dangerous. It means you can be on anyone's side if it's beneficial. Whether it's Orthodox, Unorthodox, or even Demonic."

"Heo!"

Nam Gwangro couldn't help but exclaim at Cheonyeong's words.

To think there was a punk like this.

The many families that live in the martial world do not hesitate to form connections with larger forces and rely on them.

But this punk is different.

He is thinking of joining hands with anyone if it is beneficial, and he is trying to stand shoulder to shoulder with the big trees at any time.

Nam Gwangro felt he knew Cheonyeong's personality.

This punk is a stubborn, self-willed general.

He had chosen a very difficult path to live in the martial world, where my side and your side are clearly divided.

But why?

Although he had just met him, for some reason, if it was this punk...

"So that's what the Tang Family's estate is."

"That's what it is."

"My, my."

Nam Gwangro drinks the silver needle tea prepared by Seong Ilgwang and falls into his own thoughts.

"But may I ask one thing?"

"Speak."

"Why does a water bandit listen to the request of the Beggars' Sect?"

"Huh?"

"Isn't it strange? The two are clearly divided into Orthodox and Unorthodox, and they must be eager to get at each other's throats."

"..."

Nam Gwangro frowned and was troubled by Cheonyeong's question.

"Please speak. Who knows? I might be of help."

"Hmm."

His face frowns even more.

It was something that made him angry just thinking about it. How on earth could that punk find out the place where he had hidden his funds every time?

In his heart, he wanted to catch that punk Baekta right away and get a confession, but... the backer of the Beggars' Sect made him hesitate.

Also, it would be troublesome if a rumor about him hiding money got out.

If the main stronghold found out.

It was natural that he would be summoned by the general chief and beaten, and he might have to vomit out all the hidden money.

"I told you, right? I am a person who can join hands with anyone if it is beneficial."

"I know that, but..."

Cheonyeong smiled brightly at the sight of Nam Gwangro's trailing words and said to the surroundings.

The place his glance was directed at. His own subordinates.

In other words, it meant that the fault he was caught by Baekta was something that his subordinates should not know.

"Chief."

"Huh?"

"It's a hot day, shall we take a short walk?"

"...?"

"On a day like this, it seems fitting to walk in a quiet place where we won't be disturbed by others."

Nam Gwangro nods as Cheonyeong gets up and smiles.

"Let's do that."

Nam Gwangro, who had gotten up following Cheonyeong, said to Seong Ilgwang.

"You guys don't follow. I will have a friendly chat with Family Head Tang."

"Pardon? You're going to have a private meeting?"

"Why?"

"That... his intentions are still unclear..."

"Keuk, Gwang."

"Pardon?"

"Are you worried about me?"

"...I'm sorry. Chief. Please go ahead."

Well, who was worried about whom?

The Lord of the Xiang River, Nam Gwangro. He was one of the top strong men among the water bandits of the Yangtze River.

* * *

While walking inside the stronghold, leaving the water bandits behind, Cheonyeong was able to find out his secret worries.

Nam Gwangro's shame.

In the end, it was money.

Hidden funds for his retirement. Money that even the general chief of the Yangtze River did not know about.

Baekta had found out the place where it was stored every time and had used Nam Gwangro, no, the water bandits.

Saying it was a request and what not...

A dirty beggar punk. To threaten with money of all things.

To Cheonyeong, who valued money more than anyone, what Baekta was doing seemed nothing but a low-class act.

Even if that money was accumulated by stealing from others.

"Hmm, although I asked you to speak, is it okay for me to know such a precious secret? We just met today."

"That's right. I don't understand it either. But for some reason, you seem to be tight-lipped."

"What if I go somewhere and blabber about it?"

"Heh heh."

Nam Gwangro waved his hand at Cheonyeong's question.

Peok! U-ji-jik.

Although it was a light gesture, the large tree that was hit by it broke at the bottom and tilted to the side.

No wonder he had spoken so easily about Baekta and his hidden funds... he had the skill to shut his mouth.

"That's a very clear answer."

"I'm not called the Lord of the Xiang River for no reason. It may sound like I'm boasting... but there are only a handful of people in Honam Province who can fight me on the water."

"...I will never reveal it."

"Of course, you should. I'll probably chase you to the ends of hell."

"Just thinking about it gives me the creeps."

"Keuk keuk."

"Hmm, but what should we do about Baekta..."

"What do you mean, what should we do? There's no way. We just have to keep moving it around. It doesn't seem like that little devil punk has any intention of telling anyone else."

"Then you'll just keep being swayed?"

Nam Gwangro's face deepened with worry at those words.

"Hmm..."

"Why don't you try this instead?"

"This?"

"Create a borrowed-name account."

"A borrowed-name account?"

"Yes."

Cheonyeong began to pass on his long-held secret method.

The assassins' disguise method.

Assassins use various borrowed-name accounts.

In his experience, that method had never been discovered, not even by the Beggars' Sect.

"You mean to use the identity of a dead vagrant?"

"Yes. If you slip them some money, you can easily make a name tag."

"Heo!"

"If you go around a few times, even if someone digs into your background, they will only reach the vagrant, and they won't be able to find out that the source of the money is you, Chief."

"There was such a method!"

"And another thing, buy land or buildings and rent them out."

"Buildings?"

"Yes. It's not for immediate use, but for your retirement, right?"

"Ah!"

"With the identity of a dead vagrant who is no different from a ghost, the money will continue to accumulate in the battlefield. No one will know that the owner is you, Chief."

"Heo! How did you think of such a thing?"

Nam Gwangro, whose head seemed to have cleared, exclaimed in admiration.

Did Cheonyeong think of it on his own?

Cheonyeong was a dud when it came to handling money.

If he had been bright in commercial matters, he wouldn't have needed Gongson Seung.

He had just recalled a similar case.

The way a certain shameless punk he had killed in his assassin days had accumulated his wealth.

Anyway, the bad guys are smarter.

"Thank you! Thank you so much! Thanks to you, I won't have to be swayed by that little devil punk anymore!"

"Don't mention it."

Cheonyeong showed humility towards Nam Gwangro, who was even holding his hands tightly.

"Instead, about me..."

"Don't worry. I'll make sure to keep my mouth shut."

"Not just the water bandits."

"Don't worry! I'll take care of the boatman part as well."

"Thank you."

"I should be the one thanking you. Ha ha ha! I will remember the name of the Tang Family's estate forever."

Cheonyeong wore a smile at Nam Gwangro's words.

It was a good thing.

With this, he might be able to escape the Jinkagu's investigation network a little.

Also, a friendship with a water bandit.

And not just any water bandit, but a person with a great position in the Yangtze River.

He might be of great help later.

When the Tang family eventually runs a security escort service, they will be guaranteed safety near Dongting Lake...

The compensation he had come to receive was enough with that.

"By the way, may I ask one thing?"

"What is it?"

"How were you so confident?"

"Pardon?"

"I mean, earlier. You weren't intimidated at all in the Gunsan Stronghold. And you were planning to extort compensation from me. It's something that's absolutely impossible without confidence in your skills."

"Well."

Cheonyeong smiled and picked up a stone from the floor.

It would be faster to show him with actions rather than words.

The stone that flew at Cheonyeong's gesture flew towards a nearby tree.

Ping! Peo-eok!

Nam Gwangro's eyes widened at the sight of a hole being blown through it with a loud noise.

"If it's in my hand, anything can become a weapon."

"...Ojang's words were not an exaggeration."

Nam Gwangro shook his head.

With this level of hidden weapon technique, he thought that he might have tried to kill him when he entered the main stronghold, regardless of his martial arts level.

Well, it wouldn't have been possible.

"I'll be going now. It would be troublesome to arouse Baekta's suspicion."

"Without taking a boat?"

"Aish, that would be even more suspicious."

"Hmm... I see. See you again."

Their private walk for two ended.

Cheonyeong left, and the remaining Nam Gwangro follows Cheonyeong's back as he swims away.

"Keuk keuk, the Tang Family's estate. It seems Sicheon will be noisy soon."

(End of Chapter)