"Damn it, what the hell is this…"

High Heavenly Ghost Jin Palhyo couldn't smooth out his furrowed brow.

Because Changlim and Maeng Segwang, whom he had assumed were just visiting for a short while, showed no signs of leaving the Tang Family.

And on top of that, even the Sword Emperor of the Namgung Family.

His head throbbed on its own.

"What the hell is this bastard trying to do? Is he trying to create a martial alliance in Sichuan? What?"

The monologue that burst out from his frustrated heart was, of course, not polite.

"What are we going to do?"

"It's been a while since Tang Cheonyeong returned. We can't just keep spending time like this."

At the words of the High Heavenly Ghosts Jin Sagung and Jin Yukseong, who were sitting with him, Jin Palhyo's insides burned even more.

It had already been five days, and the Jingagu assassins who had come to Ganyang were doing nothing but waiting.

"Palhyo, you have to choose. Whether to go back or proceed as planned."

"Yes, our current identities are short-term. If we stay too long, we won't be able to avoid people's suspicion."

At their words, the corners of Jin Palhyo's eyes trembled minutely.

He knew it too.

The problem was their disguised identities.

This was all because of the atmosphere in Ganyang.

He had lived a long life, but this was the first time he had seen a place like this.

It wasn't even a clan village, so how could everyone living here know each other?

If they killed someone and tried to impersonate them, they would be caught at once.

Was that all?

Even the beggars and vagrants all knew each other.

And while dreaming of becoming a member of the Tang Family, they had even formed an organization called the 'preliminary Tang Family' or something and were even checking the identities of newcomers.

He had traveled here and there carrying out numerous contracts, but he had never been to a place where it was as difficult to disguise one's identity as Ganyang.

So, the Jingagu assassins had no choice but to disguise themselves as passing merchants or travelers.

And they had already stayed like that for five days.

People were looking at them with strange eyes.

Well, it was understandable that they would whisper, since the so-called merchants weren't leaving on business trips, and the so-called travelers weren't thinking of sightseeing anywhere else.

The whispers would soon turn into suspicion.

What a closed-off bunch of people…

To treat outsiders so poorly.

Because of that, he was in a position where he had to worry about word of them reaching the Tang Family before they even started their mission.

"Palhyo!"

"I know! I know too!"

At the urging words, Jin Palhyo shouted.

He wasn't staying still because he didn't know, but because he couldn't think of any other way.

"Hyeon!"

When Jin Palhyo called out irritably, the Special Grade Simhyeon, who was by his side, answered politely.

"What happened to the man we sent into the Tang Family?"

"That… he couldn't get in."

"What?"

"We tried to disguise him as one of the people who come and go from the Tang Family, but they check the people who come and go so thoroughly."

"Couldn't you have aimed for the back door?"

"Money doesn't work."

"What did you say?"

"We tried to slip some, but even the back gatekeeper was appalled. The working women were the same."

At Hyeon's words, Jin Palhyo ground his teeth.

What thorough bastards. How much must they have drilled the gatekeepers and workers that even bribes don't work?

"So, this time, we're going to try a different method."

"What is it?"

"We're going to use the fact that we're disguised as merchants."

"Merchants?"

"Yes. Many merchants come and go from the Tang Family, trying to establish a connection."

"So?"

"I don't know how far we'll be able to reach, but it seems it will be possible to get close that way."

"Hmm…"

As Jin Palhyo hummed and pondered, Jin Sagung offered his opinion.

"A poor plan."

"…?"

"I have already looked into the merchants who come and go from the Tang Family. The person they are meeting is a steward belonging to a branch family."

At his words, Jin Yukseong also nodded.

"I think so too. The only place they are allowed is the outer courtyard. It seems it will be difficult to get inside."

At their negative opinions, Jin Palhyo frowned and muttered as if to himself.

"Hmm, a merchant… perhaps we can meet Tang Cheonyeong."

"What?"

"What do you mean by that?"

When Jin Sagung and Jin Yukseong showed curiosity and asked again, Jin Palhyo smiled sinisterly and said.

"We don't necessarily have to meet for a deal, do we? And we can just create a reason why Tang Cheonyeong has no choice but to meet us."

"Make it so he has no choice but to meet? What do you mean, Palhyo?"

At Jin Sagung's question, Jin Palhyo said.

"Samyang."

"What?"

"We'll form a merchant group and get inside first. And then we'll leak information about the Samyang to draw him out."

"Nonsense! Don't you know that we must never divulge anything about the Samyang!"

"Of course, I know very well."

"But how?"

"In any case, that man Tang Cheonyeong already knows about the Samyang. That's why he saved Byeon Gil-tae and brought the descendants of the Eight Immortals from Guangxi and Guangdong."

"…"

"But, just as we found out that much, it's clear that he has only found out that much as well."

"How can you be so sure?"

"If he knew about the other descendants of the Eight Immortals, he would have already called them."

Nodding slightly, Jin Sagung said.

"Hmm, so you're saying you'll pretend to be a descendant of the Eight Immortals and use the Samyang as bait to lure out Tang Cheonyeong?"

"Yes, I will disguise myself as a descendant of the Eight Immortals."

"Hmm…"

"Surely he won't bring the old men to that meeting. Moreover, since it's his own house, he'll be off his guard."

"And after that?"

"We kill him, secure one of the descendants of the Samyang, and escape."

After pondering for a moment at Jin Palhyo's words, the two slowly nodded.

The same sinister smile as Jin Palhyo's appeared on their lips.

"We'll need a lot of shields."

"A hundred should be enough."

"Not bad."

The decision was made.

They were planning to sacrifice all the assassins they had brought with them.

After all, assassins were consumables that could be raised at any time with enough time, and what was important was the 'objective'.

* * *

In the Tang Family, looking after the affairs of the merchant world was the job of the branch family, the Gongson Family.

Although Gongson Seung had gone to Dongting Lake and was absent, the stewards he had raised remained and were handling the Tang Family's merchant affairs.

"Samyang?"

"Yes, they say they want to see the Lord about that matter."

"Hmm."

At the words of the steward, Dam Munyang, who was in charge of meeting with the merchants in place of Gongson Seung, Sanghui frowned.

Samyang…

It was the martial art she had learned from the Lord.

Something that only those with the Tang surname knew.

She had been told that Byeon Gil-tae, who had come with Cheonyeong before, and Yeon Wihyeon and Jeon Yang, who had come from Guangdong and Guangxi, also used the Samyang.

Didn't he call them Senior Brothers?

It was a little strange.

When he had passed on the Samyang to them, he had surely said it was a family martial art that must never be known to others…

An outsider had learned the Samyang?

But since the Lord said so, she had just accepted it as she always did.

But now, another person who knew about the Samyang had come to visit.

And according to the steward, they wanted to have a private conversation with the Lord.

"What should I do?"

"Where are they?"

"They are in the Sangmun Hall in the outer courtyard. It's a name I've never heard before, the Gyoak Merchant Group, so I haven't guided them anywhere else yet."

"Gyoak?"

"Yes."

Sanghui tilted her head.

It was a name she had never heard before.

But since they had mentioned the Samyang, she couldn't pretend not to know.

Since all those who knew the Samyang were away, she had no choice but to meet them herself.

Because Cheonyeong had wished for it not to be known to others.

"Hoo, alright. I will meet them myself."

"Yes."

After the steward left, Sanghui was also hurrying to get ready to leave when Maeng Seoryeong came in with Namgung Seonyeong, carrying a tray of fruits.

"Sister Tang, where are you going? Where's Seongchan?"

"A guest has arrived. I left Seongchan with the steward's office for a while."

"A guest?"

"Yes."

"Oh my, you should have left it to someone else. You're still recovering."

"It's alright. Doctor Jang said that moving around from time to time is actually good for recovery."

"Hmm, then you should have dressed more warmly. It can't be helped. Let's go together."

"Together?"

"Yes, I was just looking around the Tang Family with Miss Namgung."

At Maeng Seoryeong's words, Sanghui looked at Namgung Seonyeong.

By the way, it seems their goals are similar…

Is it alright for them to get this close?

The quick-witted Sanghui had already more than noticed.

The Lord's luck with women has exploded.

It would be a relief if that insensitive man didn't just hurt them.

Sighing inwardly, Sanghui shook her head.

"I have to meet them alone. There are things to be discussed in private."

"What's the problem? We just won't be present at the meeting. You're going to the Sangmun Hall, right?"

"Yes."

"Then we'll just go with you to the entrance. To look around the Tang Family as well."

"Alright, then."

At Sanghui's permission, the three women headed towards the Sangmun Hall in the outer courtyard.

As the three beautiful women, each with a different atmosphere, walked together, the members of the Tang Family lost their minds, their eyes following their steps.

"Isn't that the Inner Hall Mistress?"

"Elder, where have you been?"

"Hmm, I was just on my way out to train. I was getting restless just sitting around."

Maeng Segwang, whom they met by chance on the way, acknowledged them, and Sanghui and Namgung Seonyeong bowed their heads.

"You're very diligent."

"Of course. I'm different from those who think they get stronger just by closing their eyes and meditating, or those who think they get stronger just by swinging a sword."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, you have to move various parts of your body for it to develop evenly. But where are you going?"

"A guest has come to the Sangmun Hall."

"Hmm, then why are you taking those two with you?"

"Ah, they said they wanted to look around the Tang Family on the way."

"Haha, it seems you've gotten quite close in that short time. Good…"

Maeng Segwang, who was letting out a hollow laugh, suddenly glanced at Namgung Seonyeong.

Unless he was a fool, he could more than guess.

That she too was aiming for the position his own daughter wanted.

Otherwise, why would she be following a woman she had just met?

"Oh my, look over there, Miss Namgung. They say the Divine Crafts Pavilion Master carved that himself."

"Amazing. It seems not only his architectural skills, but also his carving skills are top-notch. I'd like to visit him once later." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"Then shall we go together later?"

"That would be great."

While Sanghui and he were talking, Maeng Segwang felt like his insides were about to explode as he watched his daughter talking kindly with Namgung Seonyeong.

Not even knowing that her place might be taken…

To be so soft.

It seemed he would have to end his training for today here.

Since his dull-witted daughter wouldn't even notice, he was going to find out exactly what that foxy Namgung Seonyeong was after.

"Ahem! It's a good thing you're going to the Sangmun Hall. I was just on my way there myself."

"Pardon? You, Elder?"

Sanghui looked at him with a prim expression.

It seemed she had already noticed, but Maeng Segwang feigned ignorance and quickened his pace.

"Let's go, the guest will be waiting."

"Yes, let's do that."

A moment later, Sanghui, who had arrived at the entrance of the Sangmun Hall, saw the people of the merchant group waiting in a line in front of it.

Since the flag of Gyoak was planted, they must be the ones who had requested a private audience with the Lord.

Since the Lord was absent, she would have to say that she had come out to represent him for now…

But, just as Sanghui was about to go inside, Maeng Segwang grabbed her wrist.

"Elder, what's wrong all of a sudden?"

Frowning at the painfully grabbed wrist, Sanghui felt that something was strange.

An unspeakably cold light was flowing from Maeng Segwang's eyes.

"Are they the ones? The ones who asked to see you?"

"Pardon? Yes, to be precise, they said they wanted to see the Lord."

"Is that so? Hmm, that's quite strange."

"Pardon?"

As Sanghui made a puzzled face, Maeng Segwang stroked his chin and frowned.

"Is the economy bad? Or has the world become too peaceful?"

"Pardon? What do you mean?"

"It's just funny, that assassins are running a merchant group instead of thinking about trading lives."

(End of Chapter)