A few days after the Beggars' Sect proposed a mediation to the Tang Family's estate.

"What does that mean? What did the Tang Family's estate do?"

"W-well... they say the Tang Family's estate did not accept the Beggars' Sect's mediation proposal."

"What? Those brats! They ignored the words of the Beggars' Sect?"

"The Beggars' Sect Branch Leader said so..."

"You son of a bitch!"

The Patrol Hall Master Andeukseong's report made Lee Ilpyeong's face contort.

He couldn't help but be angry.

When five of his subordinate organizations were smashed, he had intended to charge in immediately and cut off their heads, but there was nothing at the Tang Family's estate.

He couldn't find where the punks had vanished to.

Moreover, public opinion in Ganyang was getting worse by the day.

The people who had been unable to move, pressed down by the Yin Hand Chamber's power, had started rushing to the government office to report them, as if a dam had burst.

About the numerous evil deeds the Yin Hand Chamber had committed over the years...

Since a martial family had caused harm to the common people, the government office did not overlook it, and several of his men were already under investigation.

Soon, the government's investigation might close in on him as well.

In that situation, with the Tang Family's estate and the people of Ganyang in an uproar, he couldn't figure out what to deal with first.

"Jeong Hapryeo, that incompetent fool..."

Jeong Hapryeo, whose corruption was discovered and arrested overnight, was of no help.

After all the bribes he had given the punk...

"What the hell is all this chaos because of a few brats."

The Yin Hand Chamber, which he thought was unshakable, was wavering.

Just six of them.

Because of a neighborhood boss who gathered some vagrant children and called it a family.

"I should have chased them to the end and killed them back then."

Lee Ilpyeong regretted not having chased and caught Cheonyeong four years ago when he found out he had escaped.

"Dammit..."

What was he to do?

He had received news that Ghost Hand No Gwanyeong had left the Blue Serpent Sect.

What reason could there be for Ghost Hand, a renowned name even in the Sichuan Unorthodox Faction world, to come to a rural city like Ganyang?

On the surface, it was to help a younger brother in difficulty as an elder of the Unorthodox Faction, but the hidden meaning was surely to swallow the Yin Hand Chamber whole.

So, a few days ago, he had accepted the request from the Beggars' Sect.

Mediation.

Although he had suffered a huge loss due to the Tang Family's estate, if they just had a truce, the Blue Serpent Sect would lose its justification to interfere.

He thought he could just accept the Blue Serpent Sect's kind gesture of help, treat Ghost Hand well, and send him back.

Hadn't he already prepared a hefty bribe to give him?

But the Tang Family's estate, not knowing its place, had rejected the Beggars' Sect's mediation proposal.

What was he to do now?

He had no choice but to end the fight quickly.

He had to somehow find the hidden Tang Family's estate punks and cut off their heads.

"Patrol Hall Master!"

"Yes, Chamber Master."

"Are the Tang Family's estate brats still nowhere to be seen?"

"That is correct. Nowhere in Ganyang..."

"You stupid and incompetent fool! What the hell are you doing?"

"..."

"Don't you know this whole mess is because of you?"

"Pardon?"

"It's because you let your tail get caught, isn't it! Why did you reveal to the hunters' association that the Yin Hand Chamber was backing them!"

"Chamber Master, what are you talking about? That matter was all..."

"Shut up! Are you trying to make excuses now!"

As Lee Ilpyeong's voice turned sharp, Andeukseong clamped his mouth shut and bowed his head.

No, why was it his fault?

He was the one who came up with the idea of using the hunters' association to attack the Tang Family's estate in the first place.

Moreover, wasn't it the Chamber Master who had the deep-rooted grudge against the Tang Family's estate?

"Dammit... nothing but useless things everywhere."

"I apologize."

Although he apologized because of the anger, Andeukseong's voice was full of sullenness.

"Apologize? Apologize? Hmph! Get out now, don't even think about sleeping, and find them. If you fail to find them, I will cut off your head first!"

"...I will keep that in mind."

"Get out!"

"Yes."

At the harsh words, Andeukseong stood up with a hardened face.

"Chamber Master! Chamber Master!"

"What's all the commotion!"

Just as Andeukseong was about to leave, a messenger rushed in from outside, making a fuss.

"There is something you must see immediately."

"Something I must see immediately?"

"Yes!"

"Come in."

As permission was granted, the messenger hurriedly ran in and handed what he was holding to Lee Ilpyeong.

"What is this?"

"It is a notice posted all over the streets of Ganyang."

"A notice?"

Lee Ilpyeong unfolded the crumpled notice in his hand.

It didn't take long for his two eyes to tremble minutely.

"Th-this punk..."

The notice began with 'A Proclamation to Ganyang'.

Inside, the numerous evil deeds the Yin Hand Chamber had committed, starting with the Mandeok Estate incident, were written in tiny letters.

And it was in fine calligraphy.

Every word was right and had such a strong appeal that it naturally made one curse.

It felt as if he had been cursed at right to his face.

"This... was posted on the streets of Ganyang?"

"Yes. It was packed in every alley. As soon as it was discovered, we dispatched our subordinate warriors and collected all of them, but..."

"But?"

"From what we've found out, it was posted at dawn..."

"Then, does that mean everyone who was going to see it has already seen it!?"

"It seems so..."

"You son of a bitch!"

Unable to contain his anger, Lee Ilpyeong tore the notice in his hand to shreds.

His strained eyes became bloodshot, and he gritted his teeth automatically.

The end of the notice.

The sins committed by Lee Ilpyeong and the Yin Hand Chamber are so great that I, Tang Cheonyeong, will punish them on behalf of heaven.

I will visit the Yin Hand Chamber at a set date and time, so I urge those who have repented of their sins even now to leave the Yin Hand Chamber quickly.

Also, the innocent people of Ganyang should refrain from entering or leaving to avoid being caught up in the fight with the Yin Hand Chamber.

It was as good as a declaration of war, with the date and time specified.

What else could it be but a challenge to fight for the position of master in front of all the people of Ganyang?

And he was even thinking about the safety of the people, the nerve.

"What the hell is this bastard up to!"

He was a madman.

A sudden appeal through a notice?

Moreover, who did he think he was to order his subordinates to leave the Yin Hand Chamber or not?

"This punk, he's gotten so arrogant just because he plundered a few subordinate organizations. His confidence is piercing the heavens. Fine! This is for the better. There's no reason to refuse when the punk is coming to his own deathbed."

A chilling killing intent began to swirl in Lee Ilpyeong's angry eyes.

"So, what's the atmosphere in Ganyang like?"

"Well... everyone is hoping the Tang Family's estate will win..."

"Keuk keuk, of course they are. Of course they are."

Lee Ilpyeong let out a sinister laugh and revealed a chilling killing intent.

"How fortunate is it that the punk I was looking for is coming on his own two feet? On this occasion, I must root out not only the young punks of the Tang Family's estate but also all those who have raised a banner against the Yin Hand Chamber."

"..."

"Everyone will find out. What they are doing right now."

Lee Ilpyeong took a moment to breathe, trying to swallow his anger.

"Where is the Blue Serpent Sect's elder said to be?"

"We received a message that he left in the morning, so he should arrive in half a day."

"Half a day, you say?"

"Yes."

"Hmph..."

After organizing his thoughts for a moment, Lee Ilpyeong ordered the messenger.

"You, go immediately and find the Guest Reception Hall Master and tell him."

"Yes!"

"Prepare to receive Ghost Hand with honor, and prepare a grand feast for the date the Tang Family's estate brat has announced."

"A feast?"

"Yes. A feast. Call for many dancers, musicians, and courtesans. I will show them. How futile the delusions of the Ganyang punks were, and how strong this Lee Ilpyeong is to the Blue Serpent Sect."

"..."

"I will cut off their heads to fill the feast table, and draw their blood to fill my cup and drink."

"I will deliver the message quickly."

As the messenger ran out, Lee Ilpyeong called for Andeukseong again.

"Patrol Hall Master."

"Yes, Chamber Master."

"It seems there's no need to look for those punks anymore."

"..."

"Issue a general mobilization order immediately and gather the warriors at the main chamber."

"A general mobilization order?"

"Yes. A general mobilization order. I have to let them know what a reckless fight they have started."

"But they will laugh. At the sight of us using our full strength to catch a few brats..."

"Keuk keuk, full strength? Who said that?"

"Pardon?"

"The reason for issuing a general mobilization order is the concern that those punks will get scared and run away."

"..."

"I let him go in the past. I thought he was just a thirteen-year-old brat and that it would be a loss to chase him, so I left him alone. But what happened? A rat-like punk, having learned a few lines of martial arts, is trying to bite the cat's nose, isn't he?"

"..."

"I plan to teach those brats a clear lesson. What happens when you act up, not knowing how high the sky is."

Lee Ilpyeong, muttering as if making a vow, did not know.

That the ones coming for them were no ordinary brats.

* * *

A clear face and a slender build.

A gaze that held a chill.

Ghost Hand, No Gwanyeong.

Although he was a retainer temporarily staying due to a long-standing connection with the Blue Serpent Sect Master, he was treated as an elder and was a master among masters, known as one of the Ten Prowess of the Unorthodox Faction in the Sichuan martial world.

No Gwanyeong, who had received an extravagant welcome upon arriving at the Yin Hand Chamber, frowned at the seat facing Lee Ilpyeong.

"You're refusing my help?"

"Refuse? That's preposterous. How could I not know that the Blue Serpent Sect's consideration and the Elder's concern are as vast as the sea?"

"But why are you asking me to leave it to you?"

"Well..."

At No Gwanyeong's clearly displeased question, Lee Ilpyeong showed a look of difficulty and handed him a neatly folded piece of paper.

"What is this?"

"It is a notice that the young punk from the Tang Family's estate posted to slander the Yin Hand Chamber."

"Slander?"

"That is correct."

No Gwanyeong unfolded and read the notice with a hand that had not lost its displeasure.

"Hmph."

"He's a cunning one. Before the fight, he's using a scheme to create public opinion and try to shake our Chamber, can you believe it?"

"Is that so?"

"Yes, as you can see, didn't this punk include content that is as good as a declaration of war against us?"

"Hmm..."

No Gwanyeong saw it too.

Hadn't he openly written down the date and time?

He didn't know if he would really appear at that moment, but...

"Everyone has already seen this notice, so what would people think if you, Ghost Hand, were to help?"

"..."

"I understand your heart in wanting to help the Yin Hand Chamber out of affection, but I am afraid that your great name will be tarnished by getting involved in a fight between brats."

At Lee Ilpye-ong's words, No Gwanyeong wore a look of bewilderment.

He was right.

What kind of people were martial artists?

Regardless of Orthodox or Unorthodox, they were people who lived on their pride.

It was even more so for those who were called masters.

The Sect Master had told him to be sure to get his hands on the Yin Hand Chamber on this occasion, but now that the notice was posted and the rumor that the Yin Hand Chamber and the Tang Family's estate were having an all-out war had spread, it had become difficult to make a move.

Also, the Yin Hand Chamber Master hadn't asked for help...

But he had a strange feeling while reading the notice.

Why did the punk post the notice?

He had already looked into the fight between the Tang Family's estate and the Yin Hand Chamber.

The ones who established the Tang Family's estate were only seventeen years old.

An age that belonged to the youngest among the rising generation.

Moreover, their main force was only six.

The difference in strength with the Yin Hand Chamber was considerable.

Then they should have been secretive.

Like when they attacked the Yin Hand Chamber's subordinate organizations.

That way, the chances of winning would be higher.

But to so openly aim for an all-out war and declare it?

Was it the recklessness of a young martial artist who had tasted victory?

Well...

Looking at his handling of things so far, he didn't seem that stupid.

Then there was an intention.

If the Yin Hand Chamber gathered all its forces at the main chamber because of the notice, the fight would surely become more difficult...

To let everyone know of his revenge?

Or was he confident of winning against the Yin Hand Chamber with just six people?

A faint smile formed on No Gwanyeong's lips as he mulled over his thoughts.

Hah! This punk...

Now that I see it, what he was aiming for was the Blue Serpent Sect.

What if this punk had heard that he was coming?

He wouldn't have been pleased. So, he came up with a scheme.

To post a notice and let everyone know, so that the Blue Serpent Sect couldn't interfere in their fight...

"Keuhat-hat! This young punk!"

"...Pardon?"

Lee Ilpyeong tilted his head at the sudden laughter.

"Ah, no. It's nothing. I just laughed because the young punk seemed so arrogant and presumptuous."

"Ah, that's what I was saying."

Lee Ilpyeong nodded at No Gwanyeong's evasion.

Stupid fool.

It seems you can't see Tang Cheonyeong's scheme, which is so obvious to my eyes.

It seems the Yin Hand Chamber is done for.

He had already lost to the seventeen-year-old martial artist in strategy and schemes.

He thought that perhaps the end of this fight was already decided.

There was a rumor that the Family Head of the Tang Family's estate was a genius...

"Ghost Hand, I humbly request... please enjoy the feast we have prepared and observe the brats' antics. I will surely crush the Tang Family's estate, which is acting up without knowing its place in the world."

Urging him again, Lee Ilpyeong subtly placed a chest he had taken out on the table.

"I hope it will be an enjoyable feast, Ghost Hand."

Ttal-kkak.

As the chest opened, a yellowish light poured out.

It was a bribe.

No Gwanyeong, who had let out a small laugh, nodded his head.

At this moment, in No Gwanyeong's heart, the curiosity about the young martial artist named Tang Cheonyeong was growing larger than the greed for the gold bars.

What kind of punk was he?

A punk whose schemes were so deep even at a young age.

What was the extent of his martial prowess?

Teok.

No Gwanyeong placed his hand on the chest full of gold bars and smiled.

"From the looks of it, you've already finished your preparations. Do as you wish."

"Thank you, Ghost Hand."

The two smiled at each other.

But the meaning was different.

Lee Ilpyeong would not be able to protect it, and the Blue Serpent Sect would not be able to interfere.

No Gwanyeong had decided to rather... watch their fight and extend a hand to the winner.

To the one who would become the new master of Ganyang.

(End of Chapter)