It had been a month since Cheonyeong left Dongting Lake with Gongson Seung and entered Sicheon.

He had come by taking the Yangtze River tributary that was connected to the Dongting Lake North Ferry.

Baekta, who had become an accomplice in the incident, would take care of the past events, but in case someone recognized Gongson Seung's appearance, he had changed his appearance several times and switched boats, so it took quite a long time.

And finally, the Ongjin Ferry could be seen faintly in the distance.

"That's Ganyang."

"It's quite far, isn't it?"

"Right?"

Cheonyeong, who was pointing at the Ongjin Ferry, smirks.

"From that Ongjin Ferry, it's the territory of the Tang Family's estate."

"The ferry?"

"Yes."

"That's amazing. You haven't been re-establishing the family for long, and you've already acquired a ferry."

Gongson Seung, who had heard a rough explanation of the Tang Family's estate from Cheonyeong on the way, clicked his tongue.

"Of course it's amazing. Because the family head is me."

Gongson Seung smirks at the sight of Cheonyeong praising himself so naturally.

But he had a right to be proud.

Looking on the way, there was only one tributary of the Yangtze River that extended to Sicheon and was connected to Ganyang.

Yungchang, Naegang, Jayang, Ganyang. Past the four counties lined up to the north, to Seongdo.

Among them, the Ongjin Ferry was a place where all the goods of Seongdo, the central city of Sicheon, gathered.

In other words, it was one of the places that all the ships carrying goods to the world along the Yangtze River had to pass through.

"Hmm, it's a huge transportation hub."

"Huh?"

"We must do business related to transportation."

"Transportation, like a security escort service?"

"The land route is a given, and since you have the river route as well..."

Gongson Seung's eyes sparkle as he looks at the waterway.

The way he stroked his chin and thought deeply reminded him of some old-fashioned merchant.

He would be perfect if he wore a hat similar to a Tongtianguan, a wide-sleeved outer garment, and held a fan.

A kid who's not like a kid.

But he liked that precociousness.

This punk. They said he was a genius who had mastered mathematics... he's a born merchant.

Looking at his expression, he was surely already planning in his head how to best use the Ongjin Ferry.

It was a real relief.

To have obtained a punk like this.

In the meantime, he had been doing both commercial and martial affairs, and had been paying attention to the operation of the family, so he had not been able to concentrate solely on martial arts.

What if Gongson Seung took charge of the financial and business aspects of the family?

He would be able to accelerate his training, which had been postponed, and advance the Samyang Divine Art, which had entered a period of stagnation, by one stage.

It had already been about a year since he had achieved the Transformed Body...

It was time to achieve the Filled Body, which would bring about the complete flowering of the lower dantian.

Not only that?

Since he would have time, he would also be given time to train the family's warriors to be stronger, and naturally, the Tang Family's estate would become stronger.

Much more than before.

In a form befitting the ruler of Ganyang, no, Sicheon, whom no one could ignore.

"Hmm, but it's strangely quiet."

"Huh?"

Cheonyeong, who had been clenching his fist in a happy imagination for a moment, snaps to his senses at Gongson Seung's words.

"Look over there. There are many boats docked, and there are many goods piled up on the ferry, but why are there no people to be seen?"

"...Huh? Come to think of it."

Gongson Seung tilted his head as he looked at the approaching Ongjin Ferry.

He was right, there were few people.

This can't be... wasn't it always a bustling place?

"Is it break time?"

"Break time?"

"Yes."

"That can't be."

"..."

"With so many goods on the ferry, there's no way they would be taking a break. No porter would rest leaving unloaded goods."

"Is that so?"

"Hmm, it seems there's a problem."

Cheonyeong frowns at Gongson Seung's words.

A problem...

"Let's go and see for now."

"Yes."

Soon the boat reached the ferry, and Cheonyeong hurried his steps.

There was no way Yongcheon would have been playing around without working. The Outer Hall Master, Chunil, and the other family members would be the same.

Although they might make mistakes because they were not good at their work, they were not punks who would cause problems by not doing it.

Because they were punks who would even pretend to fall on their swords if he told them to.

So he was even more anxious.

The east of Sicheon, where Ganyang was located, was a place where the Unorthodox Faction was dominant, and the west was where the Orthodox Faction's power was strong.

And the Ongjin Ferry was no different from the boundary point.

When the Lee family was in charge, there would have been no major problems, but now that the Tang Family's estate had taken possession, it was different.

The Tang Family's estate had already declared itself to be between Orthodox and Unorthodox, and its scale was so small that a rumor had not even properly spread in Sicheon.

If they found out that the Tang Family's estate had taken possession of the Ongjin Ferry, which had huge profits, anyone would be greedy.

If the current problem was a problem of such a power struggle...

"Huh? Family Head Tang?"

Just as Cheonyeong was walking busily, a familiar voice was heard.

"Deputy Branch Leader?"

The one who recognized Cheonyeong was Oyong of the Ganyang Beggars' Sect branch, who was begging nearby.

"I heard you went to Dongting Lake, it seems you're on your way back now."

"Yes."

"Huh? The boy behind you, by any chance?"

Oyong glances at Gongson Seung and trails off.

What is this? Could it be that Baekta, that loose-lipped punk, had told him everything...

"By any chance, did you have a hidden child?"

"Pardon?"

Cheonyeong frowns at Oyong's whispered words as he looks around.

Are you crazy?

I'm not even married yet. And the age doesn't match for a hidden child!

Do I look that old?

How could a deputy branch leader of the Beggars' Sect make such a misunderstanding out of the blue?

In the meantime, he was relieved. Although he was misunderstood, it seemed he knew nothing about Gongson Seung.

Fortunately, it seemed Baekta had kept his promise.

"Ahem ahem, by the way, the atmosphere of the ferry is strange. It can't be this quiet."

"Huh? It seems you haven't heard the news from the family members."

He hadn't heard. No, there was no way he could have heard. Because there was no way to send a carrier pigeon.

"What news? As I expected, is someone really aiming for the interests of the Ongjin Ferry?"

"Pardon?"

"...No?"

Cheonyeong smiles awkwardly as his prediction is wrong.

"Well, there have been a few such attempts. The nearby Unorthodox Faction intentionally interfered, or the ruffians ran rampant and caused trouble."

"..."

"But each time, the Tang Family's estate handled it well."

"Ah, really?"

"Yes. The Deputy Family Head was busy running around. Since his skills are considerable, the disturbances have decreased a lot recently. Except for the Divine Work Pavilion Master, aren't the martial arts of the five leaders of the Tang Family's estate all outstanding?"

"Hoo."

Cheonyeong stroked his chest at Oyong's words.

Although there were troublemakers, it seemed they had handled it well.

Well, had he put them through hell training for no reason?

The skills of the leaders of the Tang family, including Yongcheon, were not to be underestimated anywhere. Although it was limited to a local peripheral sect...

But if that's not it, why are there no people?

"It's a strike."

"A strike?"

"Yes. It's been about ten days. A commotion broke out because the shippers declared a strike and are not loading the goods."

"..."

"You see those goods over there? Since there are no shippers, it's been like that for several days. Because of that, each merchant group is also having a headache."

"Hmm."

This was a problem he had not expected at all. A strike...

"At least the Tang Family's estate is helping to load the goods, so it's barely operating..."

"The Tang Family's estate?"

"Yes."

"I don't see them."

"Of course."

Oyong nodded his head, and Cheonyeong tilted his head.

Of course he didn't see them.

"Today is negotiation day."

"Negotiation?"

"Yes, but it won't be easy."

"Why?"

"We're having difficulties every time. Because there's a chronic problem."

Oyong wears a troubled expression.

He didn't understand.

If they were having difficulties in negotiations, it meant that their opinions were clashing.

What kind of demands were the shippers making...

"Family Head."

"Huh?"

Gongson Seung tugged on Cheonyeong's sleeve while he was deep in thought.

"Let's go and see for now."

"I guess we should."

"Yes."

* * *

The Ongjin Ferry management office.

It was the first branch established by the Tang Family's estate.

"Aigoo, I should do it for you. Of course."

"Then, will the loading really resume from tomorrow?"

"Of course, of course. It should be so. I will try to appease the shippers well."

"Hoo, please do so. The complaints of the merchants who use the ferry are not just one or two."

"Don't worry. More than that... how about a drink tonight?"

"A drink?"

"Yes. I'm grateful that you always trust us and entrust us with the work, so I wanted to treat you to a big meal."

Chunil swallows his saliva at the words of Chusaeng, a merchant who runs a shipping company at the Ongjin Ferry.

The Ongjin branch was the first branch of the Tang Family's estate, and since there was a shortage of talent, Chunil was serving as both the Outer Hall Master and the branch leader.

"Hmm... thank you for the offer, but let's have a drink next time. The family head of the main family is away."

"Oh dear, that's a shame. I heard that the branch leader likes to drink, so I prepared some good alcohol."

"G-good alcohol?"

"Have you heard of Geomnan-chun?"

"G-Geomnan-chun? That famous one?"

"Of course. That's the one."

Chunil's Adam's apple moves greatly as Chusaeng nods his head.

"How about... I make some arrangements?"

Chusaeng asks slyly, observing Chunil's reaction.

I want to drink it.

Geomnan-chun, one of the famous liquors of Sicheon, which is said to be made by drawing water from Okbi-cheon.

Just one drink...

Just one drink...

He wanted to at least feel the taste on the tip of his tongue.

That much should be fine. Wouldn't the Family Head forgive him?

Just as he was pondering and pondering.

"Hall Master! Hall Master!"

"...?"

The urgent voice of the Outer Hall warrior, Myeongseok, was heard from outside.

"What is it?"

Just as Myeongseok was about to answer Chunil's annoyed question, who was desperate for a drink.

Deu-reu-reuk!

The door opened.

And then.

"Outer Hall Master, have you been well?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"...F-family Head?"

Cheonyeong appeared with a happy expression.

"I hear you're in charge of both the Outer Hall Master and the branch leader's work. You've had a hard time."

Cheonyeong's greeting made Chunil extremely flustered and he shot up and shouted.

"I-I didn't drink it!"

"...Huh?"

"I just thought about it. Just thought! Really!"

Cheonyeong tilts his head at Chunil's words, who is even glaring.

"What are you talking about? What didn't you drink, and what did you think about?"

"Huh?"

"This punk is making me suspicious."

"Ah, that's... hahaha."

Chunil scratched his head, as he himself thought it was awkward.

"By any chance, Family Head Tang?"

"Yes. I am Tang Cheonyeong, the family head of the Tang Family's estate. Who are you?"

"So it is you. I am Chusaeng, who runs a shipping company at the Ongjin Ferry. It is an honor to meet you like this."

Chusaeng bowed deeply and greeted him.

A shipping company... it was a business partner with a close relationship with the Tang Family's estate, which had made the ferry its territory.

"Ah, Lord Chu. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"I heard you were on a long trip, so to meet such a famous person in person is an honor of three lifetimes."

Cheonyeong smirks at Chusaeng's polite words, with his hands gathered in front of him.

An honor of three lifetimes...

What a flatterer.

Still, it felt good. As if he were being treated well.

But Gongson Seung, who was next to Cheonyeong, was looking at Chusaeng with a questioning gaze.

(End of Chapter)