"Big Brother!"

"Be quiet. Let me think."

"What's there to think about? He's just a vagrant punk, isn't he? Let's strike now."

Jangyong, a man with snake-like eyes who was clearly a good-for-nothing at a glance, said as he slung a broadsword over his shoulder.

"Hmm... he's not to be taken so lightly."

The man called 'Big Brother', Andeukseong, shook his head.

"Hah! You're so frustrating."

"The Chamber Master only told us to observe and report back."

"Of course, that's what he said. But you saw it too, Big Brother. He's gathered a bunch of vagrant children and is playing leader. All that talk about the Tang Family's estate, it's just a vagrant gang."

"Didn't you hear what the bearded man said?"

"What? That he took down fifteen men at the abandoned lumber mill?"

"Yes."

"I can handle that many guys by myself."

"Keuk, are you really that confident?"

"Pardon?"

"Fifteen men had their arms and legs broken without being able to throw a single proper punch."

"Those kinds of guys..."

"The one guarding Ahn Chilgang's house was Eunmakseo."

"..."

"Do you think you could do it?"

"Well, that's..."

Eunmakseo was of similar skill to Jangyong.

"If I use my sword, I'll win."

"The kid used his fists."

"Keung."

"He broke his wrist and knocked him out with one blow. Could you do that?"

"Tch!"

Jangyong, unable to claim confidence in front of his big brother who knew his skills all too well, scowled.

"That's not how you fight. He's only seventeen, but to win, we must be fully prepared."

"Full preparations for a brat like that..."

"Tsk tsk, it is said that a tiger uses its full strength even when catching a rabbit."

"Stop using unnecessarily difficult words."

"You punk. Let's go back for now. More importantly, that kid's name is Tang Cheonyeong. I must report this to the Chamber Master at once."

"Why is that?"

"Right, you wouldn't know. But you've at least heard the name Mandeok Estate, right?"

"I know it. Isn't the place those guys have settled in the Mandeok Estate?"

"Yes... Mandeok Estate. Its owner was Tang Munseong."

"Tang... Pardon? Then that kid named Tang Cheonyeong is."

"The son of the Mandeok Estate."

"Is, is that so?"

"I heard the Chamber Master brought down the Mandeok Estate and that the son fled four years ago... I didn't know he was alive. And he even learned martial arts in the meantime."

"Could he have come for revenge?"

"That, I cannot say."

"..."

"But if he took Old Man Ahn, it's a possibility. Revenge against us, who destroyed his family."

"That makes no sense. He's only seventeen. Who does he think he is to take revenge on the Yin Hand Chamber? With just a few vagrant children..."

"Well... but isn't it strange?"

"What now?"

"The beggars are not seen at the site of the Mandeok Estate."

At Andeukseong's words, Jangyong's face showed a sudden realization.

Come to think of it, the swarm of beggars from the Beggars' Sect was nowhere to be seen.

They had definitely set up a base there, calling it a branch or what have you.

"You know why the big boss couldn't sell off the Mandeok Estate site, right?"

"That's because of those merchant bastards."

"Right. Because the merchants who were indebted to the Mandeok Estate rose up, as if regretting it late. After that, the Beggars' Sect occupied it, so we couldn't touch it."

"That's right."

"But the Beggars' Sect is gone. Those beggar bastards... they gave up the site to the son of the Mandeok Estate, who established a ridiculous name like the Tang Family's estate."

"What... what does that mean?"

"I don't know either. But, one thing is certain: we can't touch them carelessly. Because the Beggars' Sect might be backing them."

"Pardon? Then isn't that a big problem?"

"It is a big problem. The Beggars' Sect is not a place for our Yin Hand Chamber to mess with. But if the Tang Family's estate, backed by the Beggars' Sect, attacks us, the story changes."

"Pardon?"

"At that point, we will also ask the Cheongsa Sect for help."

"Ah!"

It was just as Andeukseong said.

If the Beggars' Sect was their backer, the Yin Hand Chamber alone would have a hard time.

"Let's go back for now. Once we report what we've observed, the Chamber Master will make a decision."

"...Yes."

Jangyong couldn't say more and just nodded his head.

* * *

After discussing the structure of the Tang Family's estate with Old Man Ahn since morning, Cheonyeong went to find the Beggars' Sect branch without even having breakfast.

"Tsk, they ran away secretly... but they couldn't have gone far."

Last night. The Beggars' Sect had moved their lodgings.

Finding them was easy. He just had to find the place swarming with beggars.

"Branch Leader!"

"...Huh?"

When Cheonyeong appeared, Nosanggae's eyes shot open and he turned around.

"You... why?"

"Why? Did I come to a place I shouldn't have?"

"No, it's not that... what if someone sees you?"

"So what if they see? It's just a landlord visiting his tenant."

Cheonyeong let out a dry laugh at Nosanggae's words.

The reason the Beggars' Sect left the Tang Family's estate was obvious.

Because they were vile?

No.

Having been immersed in the martial world as an assassin for over twenty years, how could Cheonyeong not know the ways of the martial world?

The reason the Beggars' Sect left the Tang Family's estate was likely out of concern that a children's fight would escalate into an adult's fight.

In truth, the Yin Hand Chamber was not of a scale or power to concern the Beggars' Sect.

How could a bunch of guys who just swagger around in Ganyang compare to a massive sect like the Beggars' Sect?

It was a place that stood shoulder to shoulder with the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families that spanned the world.

The problem was what came after.

If the Yin Hand Chamber made an issue of the Beggars' Sect being behind the Tang Family's estate, other powers from the Unorthodox Faction might step in.

No matter how much the Unorthodox Faction folks were a group that gathered and scattered based on profit, it was said that blood is thicker than water.

If the Beggars' Sect stepped in and expelled the Yin Hand Chamber from Ganyang, the Unorthodox Faction would not stand idly by.

It was obvious that a power larger than the Yin Hand Chamber would take issue with it.

Naturally, a fight would break out, and the chaos would be incomparable to the damage that would occur from a fight between the Yin Hand Chamber and the Tang Family's estate.

Nosanggae must have left the Tang Family's estate out of concern for that.

However.

"Tsk tsk, the members of the Beggars' Sect are so... cowardly."

"What did you say?"

"Isn't it true? You ran away because you were afraid a spark might fly your way while I fight the Yin Hand Chamber."

"No, it's not that..."

"Enough. I swear, they say there's no one to trust in this world... there's a limit to how far the martial world's code of honor can fall. How can an Orthodox Faction turn a blind eye to someone in a difficult situation?"

Even though he knew his intentions, Cheonyeong deliberately poked at him, and Nosanggae couldn't hide his predicament.

"Look here. That's not it. You're saying this because you don't know the ways of the martial world yet..."

"Ah, is it because I don't know?"

"Uh-huh?"

"Right, it was because I didn't know. The Beggars' Sect would have obviously known they were from the Yin Hand Chamber... but you deliberately told me to go to the abandoned lumber mill."

"Ah, no... that was."

"And what about Old Man Ahn? You knew it happened because of the Yin Hand Chamber, didn't you?"

"That's..."

To be precise, he had made the introduction... but he had forgotten the details concerning Old Man Ahn.

He had no excuse even if he had ten mouths.

He should have looked at the information records as Oyong had said.

Whatever the reason, from an outside perspective, wasn't what Cheonyeong said the truth?

"...I'm sorry about that. But, leaving the Tang Family's estate was."

"It's fine. I, being generous of heart, will try to understand that problem."

"Huh?"

"Instead, just do one job for me."

"A job?"

"Yes. I'd like to formally request information from the Beggars' Sect."

"A request... I'll hear it out first. But information about the Yin Hand Chamber is not possible."

Nosanggae drew a firm line, but Cheonyeong looked as if he was hearing something utterly bizarre.

"Eh? Who asked for information on the Yin Hand Chamber?"

"Huh?"

"You've misjudged me, and by a long shot."

"What do you mean by that?"

"What I need is not information on the likes of the Yin Hand Chamber."

"Then?"

"Just find one person for me."

"A person?"

"Yes."

A question arose in Nosanggae's eyes.

"Who?"

"You know of Anga Mokhyang, right?"

"...Old Man Ahn's former business?"

"Yes. There was a servant girl who worked there. Named Jeomrye."

"Jeomrye..."

"Just find out where that person is."

"Why that person?"

"Do I have to tell you that too?"

"Not necessarily, but."

"Then that's settled. This is the request fee."

Nosanggae looked at the single silver coin Cheonyeong took out from his pouch and shook his head.

"The request fee is not needed."

"Why? Are you going to offset it with the rent again? Who do you take me for, a pushover?"

"No, let's call this payment for my apology."

"..."

"The matter with the abandoned lumber mill and Old Man Ahn was not intentional at all. It was purely a mistake. But, since you went through unnecessary hardship because of me, I'll find that servant named Jeomrye for free."

"Well, that's good for me."

He saved money.

What a relief that he thought of it that way.

"It'll be as fast as possible, right?"

"...Half a day."

"That fast?"

"Do not underestimate the Beggars' Sect."

"Who said I was underestimating them."

Cheonyeong smiled brightly at Nosanggae's words.

Who would ever underestimate the Beggars' Sect?

One hundred thousand members.

That saying didn't circulate for no reason.

It wasn't because there were actually one hundred thousand beggars in the world, but because the Beggars' Sect's information network was that fast.

Of course, the number might actually be over one hundred thousand...

Anyway, half a day.

Ahn Chilgang had clearly said that the servant named Jeomrye had the ledger with the names of the officials who took bribes.

That would be enough.

He planned to reward her generously as well.

It was an item that would completely remove the government officials from the upcoming fight with the Yin Hand Chamber.

Just you wait.

Did they think the target of revenge was only the Yin Hand Chamber?

Those official bastards who condoned the Yin Hand Chamber's behavior and took bribes behind the scenes. I'll make you guys beat the ground and wail too.

"Then I'll be going now."

"You're leaving already?"

"Why? Now that you've left, you're starting to miss the house?"

"..."

"You know, right? It's no good for the Yin Hand Chamber to find out I came here."

"Hmm..."

"If the Yin Hand Chamber ever takes issue with our relationship, just say it was a business relationship."

Cheonyeong's words weighed heavily on Nosanggae's chest.

Didn't it sound like he was saying it out of concern for him?

Making him feel even more sorry...

"Look here."

"What now?"

"May I ask one thing?"

"What is it?"

"Which side are you on?"

"What do you mean, which side?"

"Are you Orthodox, or are you Unorthodox?"

"I told you I haven't decided yet."

"You will have to decide. Before you start fighting the Yin Hand Chamber in earnest."

"..."

"It will be a tougher fight than you think."

"Hmm... is that so?"

"It will be."

Nosanggae couldn't bring himself to say that there was another power behind the Yin Hand Chamber.

But if he said he would stand on the side of the Orthodox Faction... he was thinking of helping, even if it meant overextending himself.

A Beggars' Sect Branch Leader had that much decision-making power and strength.

"Hmm, well. No matter how much I think about it, I don't particularly feel like relying on anyone. Just, know me not as Orthodox or Unorthodox, but as the Tang Family's estate of Ganyang."

"..."

"Instead, one thing is clear."

"One clear thing?"

"Yes."

"What is that?"

"The Tang Family's estate will become the world's greatest hidden weapons sect."

"What? Hidden weapons?"

At Cheonyeong's words, Nosanggae's eyebrows bent in different directions.

What kind of nonsensical talk was this now? Hidden weapons?

For a moment, he recalled what the beggars under his command had said.

That the stone-throwing of the warriors with the Tang surname was superb, and that Cheonyeong had taught them the skill.

Where on earth did he pick up something like that... but that wasn't important right now.

"Do you know what you're saying?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're calling yourself Unorthodox."

"Pardon? Why is that Unorthodox?"

"Of course it is! It's a cowardly weapon."

"..."

"If you use hidden weapons, no one will consider you part of the Orthodox Faction."

At Nosanggae's words, Cheonyeong smirked and said.

"My goodness, how can someone who is the Branch Leader of the Beggars' Sect have such a narrow-minded view?"

"What?"

"It's the first time in my life I've heard that Orthodox and Unorthodox are divided by the weapon one uses."

"What do you mean?"

"Divine Archer, Hwang Piljae."

"...!"

"Wasn't he someone who stood tall in the Orthodox Faction with only his archery skills?"

"Th-that's..."

"Honam, Flying Dagger Sect. Can you say they are Unorthodox?"

Nosanggae couldn't say anything.

The figures Cheonyeong mentioned were people anyone would call Orthodox.

"In the end, it's not a matter of the weapon one uses, but what path one walks, isn't it?"

"But, no matter what, hidden weapons are..."

"The weapons of an assassin? I know."

"..."

"Then what should I use? Sword, saber, spear... fist and palm?"

"..."

"There are already plenty of those. If a latecomer learns those, can they survive by competing with countless warriors? I think it's absolutely impossible. They probably won't even be able to make a name for themselves."

"Umm..."

"Just you watch. See what kind of reputation the Tang Family's estate will get with hidden weapons, which others call despicable and cowardly."

That was both an answer and a promise to himself.

In the fierce martial world, how could one win by being the same as others?

One had to be different in some way.

Furthermore, the martial world was already teeming with numerous powerful individuals and huge sects.

To compete with them, having something like a poison needle should be fair.

(End of Chapter)