"Well, that's what I'm thinking now. It's too good a place to pass up. And we have a relationship with Gunsan Faction anyway."

Cheonyeong didn't bother to deny it.

There had already been friction with Zhuge Wuhui, and Gongsun family would immediately serve as a branch, so unnecessary denial would only breed suspicion.

He spoke honestly about what needed to be said and hid what needed to be hidden.

Instead, he casually mentioned Gunsan Faction's name.

"As I thought. Indeed, it's not something to pass up. It's quite unfortunate. We've been eyeing that place for a long time too..."

"Oh, if I'd known, the Tang Family should have yielded."

"Yielded?"

"I was simply thinking of purely buying the Gongsun family's estate, but things got complicated, didn't they?"

"..."

"The Zhuge family's Second Young Master was too greedy and caused trouble for the Tang Family... ahem!"

Cheonyeong reminded Tianguang once more of Zhuge Wuhui's mistakes.

"Ha ha! It seems our Zhuge family will have to apologize earnestly for a while."

"Well, it's not necessarily like that. Anyway, since we've obtained it, we plan to manage it well. It's quite far from Sichuan where the Tang Family's main base is, so support will be difficult, and there will be many enemies, but..."

"That's true. And now that you've obtained a branch and even signed an exclusive contract with Gunsan Faction, it seems you'll have the Yangtze in one hand."

"It's not quite that. We're also paying tolls."

"Still, there will be substantial profits. Soon all the merchant groups in Sichuan will be seeking the Tang Family's flag."

"That would be wonderful."

"Wonderful? At this rate, it won't be long before the Tang Family's name stands alongside the Five Great Families. Ha ha!"

Hidden intentions behind pleasantries.

Cheonyeong realized that this was Tianguang's way of probing him.

He wanted to know.

How the Tang Family would act now that they controlled Dongting Lake.

It had always been that way.

Just as the Nine Sects had supported the orthodox path, the Five Great Families had sustained the martial world.

The Nangong of Anhui, the Huangbo of Shandong, the Peng family of Hebei, the Murong of Liaodong, and the Zhuge of Hunan.

These families, representing each region, had been the masters of the world.

Cheonyeong knew.

How much calamity the Five Great Families of the past had brought upon other families to protect their names.

They would do the same if ever threatened.

And from the Zhuge family's perspective, they wouldn't want a family to emerge in Dongting Lake that could threaten their position.

Wasn't Dongting Lake in Hunan, close to Hubei where the Zhuge family was rooted?

However, it was still too early.

The Tang Family hadn't yet come to represent Sichuan.

Objectively, they possessed strength far inferior to the Five Great Families, and if war broke out, there was a high possibility of losing everything in an instant.

Powerless poison was merely arrogance.

Now was the time to hide his claws and crouch.

Until the Tang Family grew into a great family representing Sichuan.

"Please, don't even speak such things. How could the Tang Family possibly compare with those great families? We haven't even dreamed of representing Sichuan yet. We're just fumbling about, unable to properly manage what we have."

Cheonyeong waved his hands in surprise.

"Is that so?"

"Of course. The Five Great Families represent their regions. The Tang Family hasn't even dreamed of representing Sichuan. We're struggling just to manage what we have."

"Hmm, but you didn't seem that way here in Dongting Lake..."

"We were lucky. Just lucky."

Cheonyeong drank from his teacup, hiding his gaze.

Conveniently, Gongsun Seung arrived with the damage calculation.

The timing was perfect.

Tianguang, spending more time with this person would bring no good.

He was different from a youngster like Zhuge Wuhui.

Though not particularly old, he had become a sharp, pungent ginger through numerous experiences.

Given even the smallest clue, he would dig and dig again.

But he had to receive what was due.

"Oh! Gongsun Family Head. So, how much is the damage?"

"Exactly six hundred and seventy taels. In gold."

"What? That much?"

"The ruffians caused so much damage to civilian homes..."

"Oh, that's quite a sum..."

Cheonyeong deliberately looked at Tianguang.

As if applying pressure.

"It's quite a lot."

"It is a lot."

"Then how about three hundred taels?"

"...Didn't you say earlier that there's no negotiation in compensation?"

"The amount seems excessive and would be a heavy burden. I don't lack that much shame."

At Cheonyeong's self-praising words, Tianguang smiled inwardly.

There had never been such a vulgar person...

"Anyway, it's clearly our fault this time, so I'll go back and speak well to the Family Head."

"I'd be very grateful if you did."

"Oh, by the way, do you know something?"

"What?"

"I'm not saying this with any ulterior motive, but our Family Head has several daughters."

"...Huh?"

"Please don't misunderstand. I just noticed you seem to be of marriageable age already."

Tianguang scratched his head and laughed.

Marriageable age? Daughters?

What kind of person did this bastard think he was?

He was probing ahead of time.

A chicken rib, as they say—not worth eating, but not worth discarding either.

If such a decision came from above, they would make him a son-in-law and keep him nearby to use.

A kind of political marriage strategy.

Perfect to consider as one of various methods to use against a spirited young Family Head.

Of course, he had to bite eagerly.

That way, he could maintain a peaceful relationship with the Zhuge family for a while.

The Tang Family had to become a chicken rib.

Cheonyeong deliberately made his eyes sparkle, showing interest.

He swallowed dryly, moving his Adam's apple noticeably.

"Did you say the Zhuge Family Head's daughter?"

"Yes."

"Then with such a great family as the Zhuge..."

His expression was dreamlike.

Anyone would believe he coveted the marriage, so ambitious and without doubt.

"Ahem. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have..."

"No, it's just between us."

"If it becomes a good connection... ha ha ha!"

Cheonyeong trailed off and even laughed heartily.

But internally, he just wished the man would leave quickly.

From hiding his true feelings so much, he was getting facial spasms.

"Oh! Warrior Tian."

"Yes?"

"Don't many of the Zhuge family's merchant ships travel the Yangtze in Hubei Province?"

"That's right. That's why we wanted to obtain Dongting Lake, isn't it?"

"Hmm, I'll have to meet Gunsan Faction Leader again."

"..."

"Perhaps in the future... ahem! It's never bad to make a good impression early."

When Cheonyeong revealed a sinister smile, Tianguang smiled knowingly.

"Then I'll take my leave."

"It was a pleasant meeting. When you go back to the Zhuge family, please tell the Second Young Master that I'm very sorry. Tell him that next time we meet, I'll apologize sincerely and treat him generously. Please, definitely tell him."

"I'll convey it."

Cheonyeong waved his hand until Tianguang disappeared from sight, leaving the Gongsun family estate.

"Family Head."

"Hmm?"

"Did you really covet the Zhuge family's daughter?"

Gongsun Seung asked with a furrowed brow, and Cheonyeong nodded.

"Did it seem that way?"

"Huh?"

"Did it really look to you like I was a bundle of ambition coveting the Zhuge family's daughter?"

"Extremely. Your face even turned red."

"Good."

"What's good about it?"

"If you saw it that way, then Tianguang probably saw it the same way."

"Huh?"

"Phew, that bastard hides himself so well. It was so hard to deceive him."

"Deceive?"

"Yeah, you probably noticed too, didn't you? He didn't seem to come with good intentions. It felt like he was trying to understand us?"

"Well, his perception was good."

Indeed, Gongsun Seung had good instincts.

Didn't he grasp the atmosphere without being told?

"Anyway, it's fine. We'll have peace for a while."

"What do you mean?"

"Think about it. The Zhuge family—would they just let it slide that their son came back beaten? If they think I'm easy, they'll attack immediately."

"Then couldn't we just establish friendly relations?"

"Friendly relations? Is that even possible?"

"...?"

"Seung, the martial world isn't a soft place. If things go wrong, you can target even your own brother's back."

"Isn't that just for unorthodox sects?"

"Just unorthodox? I've seen monks do it too."

"Really? When?"

"There is."

Buddhism?

No, even Shaolin is a martial world force.

Factions exist within it, and numerous conspiracies occur to become the abbot.

Of course, because of Buddhism's position, they don't do it openly.

They disguise it as an accident, or secretly cause someone to go mad during cultivation.

It's a place where unexpected conspiracies run rampant.

People speak of orthodox and unorthodox sects, but in the end, it's all the same.

"Sigh, they're no different from the merchant world, where they treat even family lives as trivial for profit."

Gongsun Seung's expression became gloomy as he alluded to his own story.

No different from the merchant world?

That's nonsense.

This side at least involves drawing swords.

The intensity of cruelty is different.

Massacres happen quite regularly.

"Anyway, write a letter to Gunsan Faction Leader." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"To Gunsan Faction Leader?"

"Yes. Since I worked so hard to deceive him, I need to show how vulgar I am and how obsessed I am with the Zhuge family's daughter. Our income should be sufficient, so tell him not to touch the Zhuge family's ships if possible. If necessary, we'll cover those losses ourselves."

"Really? The losses would be significant."

"We're getting three hundred taels anyway."

"Come on, you're not really going to give it?"

"I will."

"Huh?"

"That's how this world works. If something goes out, something must come in. That's how relationships are maintained. If I show sincerity, they'll show sincerity too. So the Zhuge family won't stab us in the back. And the Zhuge Family Head is someone who cares greatly about reputation."

"This is too complicated. Anyway, I understand. I'll do as instructed."

"And stay at the Gongsun family for a while and help Yongcheon a bit. As you said, whether we recruit martial artists or scholars, let's expand the scale."

"Are you perhaps planning to leave the branch to the bear?"

"Yes. You said it yourself—expand the Tang Family's scale and give other people opportunities to grow. So I've decided. The first branch director of the Tang Family's Dongting Lake branch will be Secondary Family Head Yongcheon."

"No, that's a bit..."

"It's fine. Aside from me, he's the strongest in the Tang Family. And he cares much more about the family than I do."

"I know that, but his shortcomings are too obvious."

"That's why I'm leaving you with him."

"..."

"Do it that way until Sanghui arrives. When Yongcheon becomes branch director, Sanghui will come too... then hand over the branch affairs and return to the main family."

Cheonyeong smiled slightly.

Yongcheon's shortcoming.

He was simple.

His thinking was very short-sighted, and he believed that what he heard and what he saw was all there was.

Reliable but clumsy.

That's why he was keeping Gongsun Seung with him.

Quick-witted, wise, and with persistence regarding profits.

"I don't think he'll listen to me."

"He will. I'll tell him. His greatest advantage is that he treats my words as absolute truth and follows them."

"I know he's loyal. It's just that we don't get along. Couldn't you at least stay until the Dongting Lake branch is established? I'll do my best to develop it."

"Unfortunately, I can't."

"Huh?"

"I have other things to do."

"Other things?"

"Yes. Soon when Baita arrives..."

He had to leave.

Perhaps Jingagu had found the Samyang Divine Skill scattered in other places.

That couldn't be helped.

But what if they hadn't found it yet and were just trying?

Cheonyeong's gaze turned cold.

And around the time he was teaching Gongsun Seung the basics of the Samyang Divine Skill, Baita arrived.

(End of Chapter)