"You're not kidding me, are you?"

"Ahem! Kidding! This book is the cream of the crop among the information the Beggars' Sect possesses!"

You left something so important to gather dust?

More than that.

"The Ganyang branch is ranked fiftieth?"

"It's a very objective evaluation."

"The one who got beaten by me without even being able to put up a proper fight... is the branch leader."

"You son of a bitch! That's only you! Only you! You're just unnecessarily strong!"

As he kept bringing up the past, Nosanggae finally even shouted.

"Why are you shouting? I just stated what everyone knows."

Bba-deuk.

To grind one's teeth while smiling, that too was a skill.

"Tch! I don't know if it's the cream of the crop, but it seems to have almost no credibility."

"Shut up. Do you know how much time and effort the Beggars' Sect dedicates to making this every year?"

"You're putting in a lot of useless effort."

"Useless effort! Are you ignoring the Beggars' Sect right now?"

I never ignored them.

I just stated what I saw.

If the numbers were even remotely similar, I might not have known, but for the place where Nosanggae, who had lost to me, was the branch leader to be ranked fiftieth... it didn't make sense.

It could only be seen as an evaluation where the Beggars' Sect's pride was excessively involved.

"Hah, of course! You are strong. To overestimate a little, you'd probably be in the top hundred in all of Sichuan's Orthodox and Unorthodox factions."

"Top hundred?"

"Of course! You may not believe it, but I guarantee it. You are strong enough to receive that kind of evaluation."

Overestimate?

It's an underestimate.

He had seen Ghost Hand No Gwanyeong, who was called one of the Ten Prowess of the Sichuan Unorthodox martial world, in person.

He was strong.

To the point where it was suffocating.

But that was all.

If he had used his hidden weapons, he was confident he could have achieved a draw.

With a very objective evaluation.

"But this evaluation is not about you, but about the Tang Family's estate."

"What's the difference?"

"I told you, didn't I? It's an evaluation of places with a scale of fifty or more. The Tang Family's estate wasn't even applicable in the first place."

"Then, why did you write the name?"

"Because of you."

"...?"

"It was written because you are stronger than necessary. Enough to handle a sect of about fifty disciples on your own."

"That's what that means."

"That's not what that means!"

He's getting worked up for no reason.

"When our Beggars' Sect compiles this directory, we consider various factors."

"Well... go on. I'll at least listen."

"You punk!"

"Please maintain your courtesy towards the Family Head."

"Keung..."

Nosanggae, who had shown his annoyance, began his explanation.

The Sichuan Power Directory created by the Beggars' Sect.

The rankings, which were made without distinguishing between Orthodox and Unorthodox, considered a wide variety of factors.

Financial power, number of disciples, reputation, and even recent influence.

"If you were to be excluded from the Tang Family's estate, what kind of evaluation do you think it would receive?"

"Well..."

He couldn't answer.

Because he had never thought about it. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"It's nothing. The Tang Family's estate."

"..."

"Even if we mobilize just a few of our Beggars' Sect branch kids, we could wipe out the Tang Family's estate without you in an instant. That's the current Tang Family's estate. Probably others would say the same."

"Hmm..."

Cheonyeong frowned at Nosanggae's words.

Of course, his evaluation couldn't be said to be completely correct.

If one were to consider financial power, number of disciples, reputation, and influence, the Beggars' Sect's evaluation might be right, but they still didn't accurately know his true skills, or the skills of Yongcheon and the other kids.

Because they had never properly revealed them.

But based on his own experience of having faced both of them... the skills of Nosanggae and Yongcheon were evenly matched.

Nosanggae would probably be slightly ahead.

But what if Yongcheon used hidden weapons instead of his iron pestle?

It would be a certain victory.

Also, if it were the guys with the Tang surname in the Tang Family's estate, even if they couldn't beat Nosanggae, they could at least hold their own.

Of course, on the assumption that they used hidden weapons.

But isn't a war between forces not something that is done by one warrior, or a few warriors?

The reason the Yin Hand Chamber collapsed was because they were weaker than the main force of the Tang Family's estate, which was only six.

To the point where they couldn't even get their three-character name on the Beggars' Sect's power directory.

And as Nosanggae said, the Tang Family's estate, excluding himself and the other Tangs, was just a group of vagrants with the form of a family.

In the end... skilled warriors had to be recruited.

And to recruit personnel?

He had to make the name of the Tang Family's estate known.

"Although it's just a ranking we've made, this evaluation is no different from an objective indicator that can confirm how well-known the names of the martial families or sects existing in Sichuan are."

"Hmm... so, if the ranking goes up?"

"It means the reputation has risen."

"Then how do I raise the ranking? Should I subjugate some mountain bandits or something?"

"On what grounds?"

"Pardon?"

"Although they are thieves, the Green Forest is also a martial faction. If you go on a subjugation without any justification, the Green Forest of the world will make the Tang Family's estate their enemy."

"Hmm. Then what should I do? Do I have to run an escort agency to be attacked by mountain bandits?"

"The Tang Family's estate, an escort agency?"

"Tch, come to think of it, that's a bad idea. I don't have the leisure or the funds to create an escort agency right now."

"Is that all? Running an escort agency is a job that requires being away for a long time. Do you have any personnel you can spare from your family?"

"Hmm..."

A sigh escaped him naturally.

In the end, it was a problem of people.

Even if he ran an escort agency, for a safe escort, he would have to go himself or send one of the Tangs.

He couldn't spare a single person.

"Forget the escort agency. It's troublesome in many ways, and the competition is fierce. Aren't the most numerous things in the martial world escort agencies and martial arts schools? And there's no guarantee you'll meet mountain bandits during an escort."

"That's true."

It was already a saturated market.

It wasn't a business that the Tang Family's estate, which lacked manpower, time, and funds, could jump into.

"Then what would be good? To gain a reputation that would make the pearls hidden in the mud of various places come running with their socks on?"

"For the Tang Family's estate, which has no history or tradition, to make a name for itself, it has to get involved in a major incident."

"A major incident?"

"Yes."

"For example?"

"Hmm, fighting a higher-ranked sect or achieving a brilliant military exploit in the subjugation of a great demon head?"

"Are you kidding me? I can't just go to war with any sect for no reason."

"That's right."

"What about a great demon head? Is there a punk causing trouble nearby?"

"There isn't. Lately, even the Demonic Cult has been quiet."

"..."

"It was just an example."

It was absurd.

Even if he gave an example...

Unless he cooked up some conspiracy and started a demonic war, it was an impossible story.

"Ah! Then what about winning a martial arts tournament held in various places?"

"A martial arts tournament?"

"Yes. There's no better opportunity for a martial artist to make a name for themselves than a martial arts tournament. If you show off your ultimate technique, people will surely be interested. If you need, shall I write you a letter of recommendation?"

"The one who got beaten..."

"Shut up."

"Ahem."

Nosanggae smiled and reached for his back, gripping his beggar's staff.

Even if he fought, he would win anyway... but they said you shouldn't bully the weak.

"Ah, come to think of it, I heard Cheongseong is holding a martial arts tournament next year."

"Next year?"

"Yes. In the past, Cheongseong used to gather the sects established by their vassal disciples and hold a tournament. It was quite large. Should I call it a festival of the Sichuan martial world?"

"So?"

"This time it's a little different. The scale has grown. They're giving a chance to participate regardless of Orthodox or Unorthodox. I heard there's a huge reward at stake too."

His heart wavered a little at the huge reward.

But.

"So you're telling me to participate?"

"Yes. If you participate in such a big tournament and even get a prize, the reputation of the Tang Family's estate will rise in an instant."

"Hah... the reward is tempting, but how can I wait until next year? The Inner Hall Master is about to collapse from overwork as it is. Are there no other tournaments?"

"Other tournaments?"

"There are many major sects in the Unorthodox Faction too, aren't there?"

Nosanggae clamped his mouth shut and stared at Cheonyeong's words.

Damn it, from his expression, even if he knew, he wouldn't tell me.

He had heard clearly when the Blue Serpent Sect's Ghost Hand came.

He did not want him to become an Unorthodox Faction member.

Wasn't the reason he was helping so diligently now to coax him into walking the path of the Orthodox Faction?

"Think about it. How the reputation of the Tang Family's estate can be raised."

"Why should I? I'm not the Tang Family's estate, but the Beggars' Sect."

"What do you mean, why? Have you forgotten that we were once in a landlord-tenant relationship?"

"That contract? I've already torn it to shreds and burned it without a trace."

"...Are you going to be like this between people from the same Ganyang?"

"People from Ganyang? The Beggars' Sect Branch Leader is a rotating position."

"You're so cold."

"If you really need it, you can think about it yourself."

"You're going to give me a pickaxe and tell me to dig my own well, instead of giving me a gourd of water when I'm dying of thirst?"

"That what... the Thirteen Classics? You're a genius who has read such things."

"Dammit, how long ago was that... and it's been a long time since I've severed ties with Confucius and Mencius."

"Keuk keuk."

Nosanggae, who had been chuckling, suddenly stopped laughing and said with a serious expression.

"Hey, Family Head Tang."

"Why?"

"Live according to the natural order. If you try to eat in a hurry, you'll even choke on water."

"..."

"Making a family's name is not something that happens overnight. It can take hundreds of years. That becomes history, and tradition. In fact, it hasn't been long since it was founded, has it? The Tang Family's estate has driven out the Yin Hand Chamber and is taking control of the commercial district. It is already taking firm root in Ganyang. With that, you have already achieved a great accomplishment."

It was heartfelt... bullshit.

After writing the name at the very bottom of the book called the directory.

A whopping two hundred...

Although it was a bad reputation, it was good for building a reputation when he lived as an assassin.

He would just cut off the head of some skilled punk, and throw a piece of paper with his name written on it next to it, and that would be the end.

Then the reputation of the person he killed would all become the assassin's.

Although he would be destined to be chased for the rest of his life thanks to gaining that reputation.

"Instead of that, let's think about it together. How the Tang Family's estate can make a name for itself in Sichuan."

"I'm telling you, it's not something that just comes out like that."

"Ah, really! You're a Beggars' Sect Branch Leader!"

"And you! You're a genius!"

Just as they were bickering.

"Family Head! Family Head!"

"...?"

A figure in a familiar uniform rushed into the Beggars' Sect branch.

Definitely a first-generation member of the Hoyeon Brigade who had become Chunil's disciple.

"Huh? Aren't you... Myeongseok?"

"Hah, hah, I pay my respects to the Family Head."

Myeongseok, without even catching his ragged breath, approached Cheonyeong and knelt.

What's the matter?

For him, who belonged to the Outer Hall, to come looking for him...

And with such a desperate expression and covered in sweat?

"Did the Outer Hall Master get drunk and cause trouble?"

"Pardon?"

"That son of a bitch! He complained so much about studying!"

"That's not it. You must go to the Myriad Virtue Inn at once."

"Huh? It's not?"

"No."

Cheonyeong frowned.

If Chunil didn't get drunk and cause trouble, why did he come in such a hurry?

And why the Myriad Virtue Inn all of a sudden?

He had a slight suspicion.

Since the construction had been finished so quickly, he wondered if the Divine Work Pavilion Master had done a shoddy job...

"Don't tell me? Did it finally collapse?"

"...Pardon?"

"That's not it either?"

"Family Head, you must go quickly. The Outer Hall Master is in danger."

The Outer Hall Master... is in danger?

What kind of nonsense was this?

But Myeongseok's expression was unusual.

Although he didn't ask what had happened, it was clear that Chunil's life was in danger.

Assessing the situation?

He could do that when he got there.

Kuu-uuu...

Cheonyeong's foot stomped the ground with all its might.

"Hey, Tang..."

Peong!

Nosanggae tried to say something, but the moment his leg straightened, a huge gust of dust rose.

Swiiiii...

Then Cheonyeong's figure shot forward, and the dust followed like a tail.

"Hah! He's gotten faster, much faster."

Nosanggae clicked his tongue at the sight of Cheonyeong, who had already become a small dot.

He could tell just by looking at the lightness skill that shot forward by temporarily releasing internal energy.

Cheonyeong was much stronger than when he had fought the Yin Hand Chamber, no, than when he had beaten him up.

It wasn't as if he was secretly hoarding and eating spiritual medicines or spiritual pills.

"What on earth kind of martial arts did he learn and master?"

Nosanggae was still just curious about the internal energy of the martial arts Cheonyeong was practicing.

Seeing him grow so rapidly, it seemed like a heaven-defying demonic art...

"No, no. A demonic art can't have such a pure and upright presence. By the way, what's going on at the Myriad Virtue Inn?"

Curiosity.

It was no different from a chronic disease for a Beggars' Sect member.

Moreover, wasn't it related to Cheonyeong, whom he had been watching most closely lately?

"Hey. You said your name was Myeongseok, right?"

"Pardon?"

"Let's go together. To hear what happened."

The Tang Family's Departure from the World