The conversation between those who had reunited seemed endless.

Cheonyeong spoke about all the things he had experienced since first visiting Dongting Lake.

The pirates sitting around him sympathized with his words, sometimes expressed amazement, and sometimes laughed.

They truly seemed like a family reunited after a long time.

Yu Seong-yeon, observing them, found them puzzling.

"Why are you staring blankly?"

"It's just... I'm wondering if these are really pirates."

When Cheonyeong asked, Yu Seong-yeon glanced around and whispered.

"I've only heard that pirates are a vicious group who plunder others' things without reason."

"Why whisper? That's the truth."

"Yes?"

Cheonyeong smiled and looked at Namgwangro as he spoke.

"Pirates are vicious, that's right. Stealing others' belongings is their profession."

"F-Family Head!"

At Cheonyeong's loud voice, Yu Seong-yeon's eyes widened and he observed the atmosphere around them.

Wasn't it dangerous to say such things openly in front of pirates?

"Brother, isn't that right?"

"Yeah, that's correct. I'm not lacking in viciousness. Other people's things? I'm only sorry I can't steal more."

Contrary to Yu Seong-yeon's worries, Namgwangro burst into hearty laughter and acknowledged it.

"Yeah, we're pirates after all."

"You've become too good lately thanks to the Tang Family."

"That's what I'm saying. These days, merchants think of Gunsan Faction as if we were saints?"

Even the nearby pirates voiced their agreement.

The only one bewildered at that gathering was Yu Seong-yeon.

No one likes being called vicious.

But the pirates, far from being upset, acknowledged it and lamented that they weren't more vicious.

Why?

"Listen, Taoist of Qingcheng."

"Yes?"

"But there's one thing wrong in what you said—they don't act without reason either."

"What do you mean?"

Yu Seong-yeon, still observing those around him, asked in a lowered voice.

"Why did you become a Taoist?"

"Well..."

"You must have had a reason."

"..."

"They became pirates for the same reason. I don't want to deal with the usual sob stories, but everyone has a reason."

At Cheonyeong's words, Yu Seong-yeon unconsciously nodded.

"Saying they steal without reason isn't a valid criticism of them."

"Is that so?"

"Stealing with a reason somehow feels more justified, doesn't it? In the end, it's all for their own benefit. Whether there's a reason or not, the essence is the same—taking things. That's the world, whether orthodox or unorthodox. Don't make unnecessary distinctions about who's right and who's wrong."

"...I see?"

"It's okay to curse them. They won't expect your understanding either. And they hear curses every day anyway, so what's one more?"

"..."

"However, they're still just people. That's how I see the world."

At Cheonyeong's words, Yu Seong-yeon made an ambiguous expression.

His words seemed like sophistry at first glance, yet they also seemed to contain noble principles.

But one thing became clear.

The world as Cheonyeong saw it.

Vaguely, his choice to take the righteous path began to make sense.

There were no distinctions.

It was merely divided by who recorded history and whose power was greater.

Such was the world.

Whether there was a reason or not, the strong took from the weak.

"Sigh, Family Head, you always complicate my feelings."

"What's complicated about it?"

"..."

"You just live as a Taoist of Qingcheng. Just as they live as pirates. People always think from their own perspective. When interests clash, they fight, and the stronger one wins. That's the world. And later we might draw swords and fight each other, but for now, let's drink. It's enjoyable."

Cheonyeong smiled broadly and offered a cup, and Yu Seong-yeon accepted it with a subtle laugh.

It was a long drinking session.

A gathering without worldly concerns.

Eating and drinking.

There was neither orthodoxy nor heterodoxy there.

Only people.

As one by one fell asleep from drink and bedtime approached.

Cheonyeong asked Namgwangro.

"Brother."

"Huh?"

"Is there a place where you can clearly see the south of Dongting Lake?"

"The south of Dongting Lake? Why? Want to enjoy the scenery?"

"Well, it's a nice day, isn't it?"

As Cheonyeong smiled, Namgwangro tapped his shoulder and spoke.

"You're quite sentimental too."

"I was born into a family of scholars. I enjoy reciting a poem over a cup of wine."

"You're joking."

Namgwangro looked at Cheonyeong with a suspicious expression.

"Ah, so there is such a place? Or not?"

"There is. It's a place I sometimes go to when I'm feeling down."

"Can you see all of the south of Dongting Lake?"

"Yeah, of course. On clear days, you can even see the distant southern land."

That was it.

"Brother, it's been a while. Shall we take a walk together, chatting leisurely? To get some fresh air and sober up from the drink?"

"Oh! Sounds good. But why sober up from the drink?"

"Yes?"

"Brother, you drink to get drunk. Let's go while drunk. And bring plenty of alcohol to drink there! Hahahaha!"

Namgwangro immediately gathered the alcohol nearby.

But... entire jars? Two of them?

"Hmm, should I bring one more? The night is still long..."

"I think that much is sufficient?"

"Is it? Then you gather the side dishes."

"Yes."

As Cheonyeong gathered dried meat and such, Yu Seong-yeon, who had been sitting among the pirates, stood up to follow.

"Why are you coming?"

"Yes?"

"Just stay here and drink."

"Yes? Here?"

Yu Seong-yeon stood up awkwardly and blinked.

"Taoist, that's right. Let's have a drink as the Family Head said. When else will we get to drink like this?"

"That's true. Next time we meet, we might draw swords against each other."

"No, that's..."

Biksudae Leader Igon and Vice Faction Leader Seong Il-gwang each grabbed one of Yu Seong-yeon's arms and pulled him back.

"Tell us that story from before. What happened during the Jang In-ji Gathering?"

"Ah, I was curious about that too. What was the Family Head like?"

"That was..."

He seemed to be in a difficult position.

He was nominally a member of the Nine Great Sects, and as Changlim's successor who might inherit the position of Sect Leader, it wasn't easy for him to mingle with pirates and drink.

Though Cheonyeong had spoken, hearing it didn't mean he understood everything or changed his thoughts.

"Family Head, I also..."

Yu Seong-yeon came seeking help with a troubled expression, but Cheonyeong just smiled and said.

"I hope you become close."

"Yes?"

"It's a rare opportunity. You said you wanted to see a wider world, didn't you?"

"Well..."

"Who knows? Maybe the friendship you build now will greatly help your life later. I'll be going then."

Cheonyeong turned away from Yu Seong-yeon and walked off.

Yu Seong-yeon, watching his departing figure with bewilderment, laughed helplessly.

A wider world isn't like this.

The lack of distinction between orthodox and unorthodox is the Family Head's thinking, not mine.

"Come on, Taoist! Have a drink with me!"

"Yes?"

"What are you doing? You said to tell us about the Jang In-ji Gathering!"

"Ha, well, shall I?"

Yu Seong-yeon couldn't turn away from the pirates' hands grasping at him.

He lacked worldly experience and, above all, he was kind-hearted.

* * *

Having left the pirate base, Cheonyeong climbed to the southern peak of Gunsan Island with Namgwangro.

There was hardly a peak to speak of.

Too low to be called a mountain.

It was merely a low hill with a rocky outcrop jutting up.

But because the surroundings were low, Dongting Lake was clearly visible.

To the east, beyond the river, the lights of taverns and wine houses created a sleepless city that flickered brilliantly, and to the south, under the clear moonlight, the shadow of distant land was visible.

"Look, how is it? Isn't it great?"

"..."

"It's not high, but standing here overlooking all of Dongting Lake, you feel like a god."

Namgwangro held a pleased smile and brought a jar of alcohol to his lips.

It seemed so.

Namgwangro's appearance, with his hair flowing in the cool river breeze blowing down the mountain, truly looked like the god of the Xiang River, befitting his title.

"I really like the name Sanggun. It makes me feel like a god. Though I'm not that great yet."

At the sincere words Namgwangro conveyed with a faint smile, Cheonyeong spoke.

"Brother."

"Huh?"

"It's a goddess."

"What?"

"Sanggun. Originally it's a goddess."

At Cheonyeong's words, Namgwangro's expression changed strangely.

"A-A goddess?"

"Yes."

"What the! Why a goddess! Why!"

It seemed he hadn't known until now.

At his expression of seeming wronged, Cheonyeong laughed and looked south again.

"Ah, damn it! I naturally thought it was male! I should change it or something!"

Namgwangro snorted in displeasure, but Cheonyeong's mind was already occupied with other thoughts.

This was the place.

We two part to the southeast.

You and I have parted to the southeast.

If the poem left on the gourd was written by Samyang Shengjun himself, the "I" in that line was likely Samyang Shengjun.

Samyang Shengjun had viewed the world from this place.

Looking at the distant south, he expressed his feelings in a poem called "Deng Ake Yang Lou" (Ascending Ake Yang Tower).

But who was "you"?

A friend? A lover? Or an enemy?

It was still unknown.

Wasn't Samyang Shengjun a person from quite long ago?

"I'll need to consult with Baekta about this later."

"Huh? What? You're asking that bastard Soeak for help?"

At Cheonyeong's murmuring, Namgwangro, who had been troubled about his new title, immediately showed his displeasure and frowned.

He still seemed to dislike Baekta.

Well, having been blackmailed with retirement funds, it was understandable.

Regardless, for now he needed to find what Samyang Shengjun had left in this place.

If it were merely passing sentiments, he wouldn't have left a poem on the gourd.

Looking at how the last sentence after the poem began with those connected by, it was clear that Samyang Shengjun intended to convey his will in the gourd to someone who would continue Samyang.

Cheonyeong carefully observed his surroundings. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

What Samyang Shengjun had left.

To find it, he first needed to clear his mind of distractions.

"Brother."

"Why?"

"Shall I create a title for you?"

"Huh? You'll create a title for me?"

"Yes, after all, the name Sanggun was given to you by others, wasn't it? Meaning to rule like the god of Dongting Lake."

"That's true."

"There's no one who holds you as dear as I do, so I'll create one for you."

"Really?"

At Cheonyeong's words, Namgwangro's expression brightened.

Creating a name.

It felt like sharing something precious with each other.

"Please do. I know your learning well. And since meeting you, Gunsan Faction has undergone great changes. If you give me a name, I think I could carry it through the rest of my life."

"I'm grateful you think so. Then..."

At Cheonyeong's words, Namgwangro swallowed hard.

"Let's go down first."

"Huh?"

"A good name doesn't come easily. Besides, I can't create it while drunk. Once my head clears from the wind here, I'll create it with sincerity."

"Very well."

"Aren't you coming?"

"Huh?"

"I need some time alone."

"What?"

"Your presence makes my mind restless. I want to meditate too."

At Cheonyeong's words, Namgwangro stared blankly.

...He's telling me to leave.

Why is his sense of timing so poor?

(End of Chapter)