The Chief of Staff stared at Cheonyeong.

A youthful face, a confident gaze without any intimidation.

He had already heard a little about him.

The one who had an appointment with the Governor.

Guhwang was the middleman, and since he had said that someone else actually had the tiger skin... this youthful young man must be the owner.

Then he must be a hunter.

It's surprising.

To hunt a tiger at that age.

He certainly has the spirit for it.

But even so, it's not a gaze that a mere hunter would have.

Although he was a low-ranking military official called the Chief of Staff, how could he not have an eye for people?

Realizing that the boy in front of him was different from other hunters, he asked.

"How old are you?"

"Haa, everyone says that. Why are you so curious about other people's ages? Does your response to my attitude change depending on whether I'm old or young?"

As Cheonyeong asked back bluntly, the Chief of Staff laughed.

"Oh, you've misunderstood my words."

"Misunderstood?"

"I asked your age because you seem outstanding for your age, there was no other intention."

At those words, Cheonyeong's expression softened slightly.

This reaction... is unexpected.

Usually, they would be embarrassed and get angry.

He was the only one who had a different reaction among those who had asked his age.

Moreover, it was a voice full of sincerity, and wasn't it an apology?

"...I'm seventeen."

Cheonyeong obediently revealed his age.

What can he do?

A polite answer came back to his blunt words.

"Seventeen... I thought you looked young, but you're truly amazing. To hunt a tiger at that age."

The Chief of Staff, who nodded and smiled, revealed his identity.

"I am Han Utae. I am the Chief of Staff of the Ganyang military camp, and I am temporarily serving as the head of the Lord Governor's escort, who is inspecting Ganyang under the orders of the Lord Jihyeon."

"I am Cheonyeong. I misunderstood and was rude."

"No. It was a question that those who try to exert power with age often ask, so it's understandable."

As the atmosphere softened after they exchanged names, Guhwang clutched his chest.

He felt like he had stuck his head into the jaws of hell and come out.

"But... are you a martial artist?"

"Why do you ask?"

"You just don't seem to be just a hunter. It's not easy to have such an aura among your peers."

"...Since you've already figured it out, even if I say no, it will only arouse suspicion. As you can see, I am a martial artist."

At those words, Han Utae nodded as if he had expected it, and Guhwang's eyes widened.

He felt as if his heart had suddenly dropped.

A martial... artist?

You? At that age?

On the first day he saw him, he hadn't even thought of it because of his appearance and the age he had heard.

What kind of people are martial artists?

Those who are above the law.

No, to be precise, they were those who were outside the law.

Whether they were from the righteous or unorthodox sects, weren't martial artists ruffians who wouldn't hesitate to draw their swords if they were displeased?

Seeing the Chief of Staff nodding, is that guy really a, a martial artist?

To such a martial artist, he...

"A, are you really a martial artist?"

At Guhwang's words, Cheonyeong let out a small laugh.

Putting aside the stuttering, what is this way of speaking where informal and formal speech coexist?

"Yes."

"Ah... so you were..."

Guhwang, who had learned Cheonyeong's identity, hunched his shoulders as if he were completely intimidated, unlike before.

"As expected, I thought so. Although you're seventeen, if you're a martial artist, hunting a tiger wouldn't have been that difficult. Seeing that you're doing the work of hunters... it doesn't seem like you have a sect you belong to..."

At Han Utae's words, a strange light flowed in Cheonyeong's eyes.

Hoo? He's quite something.

He didn't become the Chief of Staff for nothing.

To be able to predict the opponent with just a few words and his aura.

"By any chance, can I know which school you studied under?"

"It's rude to ask about an opponent's background in the martial world."

"I apologize for that too. But, as I said, I am a military officer carrying out the mission of escorting the Lord Governor. Although it has been a long time since the government and martial arts have been separate, please understand that it is an unavoidable procedure for me."

"Hmm..."

Cheonyeong looked at Han Utae.

His expression and eyes.

He didn't seem to be the kind of official who just takes bribes.

A person faithful to his duties.

"You're unexpected."

"What is?"

"In my opinion, you don't seem to be someone who would remain as just a Chief of Staff."

At Cheonyeong's words, Han Utae laughed and shook his head.

"Young brother, you think too highly of me. With my skills, even the position of Chief of Staff is too much for me."

"Well, skill is not the same as position."

"Haha, well."

"By the way, you asked earlier, right? About my background."

"Will you tell me?"

"It's not something to hide."

"Then please tell me."

"By any chance, do you know of Mandeok Estate?"

"Mandeok Estate?"

"Yes."

"Of course I do."

"I am the only son of that place."

"What?"

At Cheonyeong's words, Han Utae's eyes widened.

"Y, you're the son of Mandeok Estate?"

Guhwang was the same.

One had been a military official in Ganyang for a long time, and the other had been in business in the leather street for nearly twenty years.

At that time, Cheonyeong was too young to know them, but they knew Mandeok Estate all too well.

Mandeok.

A family that had shown great kindness, befitting its name.

"Is it true? Are you really the son of Hwarim, that person?"

"...Huh? Do you know my father too, shop owner?"

At Guhwang's surprise, Cheonyeong tilted his head.

Hwarim was another name for Cheonyeong's father.

A garden where flowers bloom and trees are lush.

It was a very fitting name for his alias, who had always shown kindness to those who came and went.

Of course, he didn't think it was good.

Because his father was only good. Like his name.

"Wait... come to think of it, your name is Cheonyeong? Yes! It was definitely that. Cheonyeong!"

"That's right."

"Ah... it's true. His features... he looks just like him."

Guhwang, who was surprised, avoided his gaze for some reason.

He could roughly guess.

He is a person from Ganyang.

If he knows Mandeok Estate, there's no way he hasn't received its helping hand.

And after hearing that he was the son of Mandeok Estate, another memory must have come to mind after the joy.

Aversion...

Despite the earnest cries of a ten-year-old boy left alone.

Perhaps the reason he can't meet his gaze is the shame he feels about it.

Also, since he knew that he had returned as a martial artist, he must have felt fear.

"Seeing the attitude of shop owner Gu, it seems you are indeed the son of that person, Hwarim."

"Huh? Do you know my father too, Chief of Staff?"

"Of course I do. It's a pity. His matter... such a precious person, how could he... hmm, as a person of the government, I can't help but feel sorry for you."

"Why you, Chief of Staff?"

"That's... hmm, no."

Han Utae's face hardened.

But he seemed to know the reason for that too.

A reaction that was the same as Guhwang's, yet different.

At that time, the creditors had colluded with the local officials to create a debt that didn't exist and swallowed Mandeok Estate.

How many officials would have taken bribes?

They would have accepted the back money and approved the documents created by the creditors.

Han Utae's apologetic eyes must have stemmed from that.

The shame he felt as a fellow official...

Although it was unintentional, the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

"Please go in."

"...Young master. I..."

At that moment, Guhwang called him. It was a very trembling voice, as if he was trying to make an excuse for what had happened long ago.

But Cheonyeong didn't want to hear it.

What would change if he apologized now?

It was all in the past.

Too much time had passed to ask why he had turned his back in the past.

Seven years?

No, over twenty years.

His hot heart had cooled down, and his anger was deeply stored and hardened.

What was left was only revenge for the grudge of the past.

Because that was the path he had to take.

"There's someone waiting for the tiger skin."

"..."

"Let's talk about the details later. We have plenty of time now that I'm back."

At Cheonyeong's words, Guhwang couldn't continue and just bowed his head.

"Chief of Staff, may I go in now?"

"Of course. I'll guide you."

"Thank you."

"But."

"...?"

"Receive an apology and go. Wasn't that the cause of the commotion? It's not like you were causing a scene for no reason."

Ah!

At Hwang Utae's words, Cheonyeong looked at the official who had first blocked his way.

His expression was one of bewilderment, perhaps because the situation was turning out completely different from what he had thought.

"What are you doing! Apologize at once, or do you want to be punished by military law for insulting the Lord Governor's guest!"

As Han Utae shouted, the official finally bowed his head and apologized.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know you were the young master of Mandeok Estate and committed a great discourtesy."

Cheonyeong, who received his apology, approached the official and said.

"Your apology is wrong. It's not because I'm the young master of Mandeok Estate, but you should have apologized for doing something wrong to anyone."

"Yes? Yes. I'll keep that in mind."

At Cheonyeong's words, the official bowed his head again and answered.

Keep it in mind, my ass.

With a face that doesn't understand at all.

He's just apologizing because he was surprised by Han Utae's threat.

But he decided to let it go.

He had received the apology as he had intended, and the guests waiting for the tiger skin inside must be getting impatient.

Cheonyeong turned his back on the official and walked towards the back garden.

But, his appearance was completely different from when he first came.

Guhwang was following behind Cheonyeong like a criminal.

Ever since he found out that Cheonyeong was the son of Mandeok Estate.

* * *

The meeting ended only in the evening.

The Governor's mouth was stretched from ear to ear when he saw the tiger skin.

He was so worried that his mouth might tear all the way to his ears.

Getting the name tag he wanted was also easy.

The Governor, who was fascinated by the tiger skin, was so happy, so what could the Jihyeon do?

He heard "name tag issuance..." and the permission was granted immediately.

Also, since Han Utae and Guhwang, who had a guilty conscience, testified that he was the son of Mandeok Estate, proving his identity was also easy.

They must have wanted to atone for their past mistakes even a little.

Nonsense.

It's not a problem that can be resolved with just a few words.

The family was ruined.

In the first place, the person who should have received the apology was not him, but his father.

Since he had been dead for a long time, Guhwang's apology is useless.

Anyway, he had achieved his goal of visiting Returning Star Pavilion.

You damn officials.

How can you be so sloppy with your work.

You promise to issue a name tag for one tiger skin?

Well, thank you.

He had bought the Governor's heart with the tiger skin, and had even captivated the Jihyeon's heart by giving him a huge discount.

When he said that his comrades were there but they were vagrants and didn't have name tags, the Lord Jihyeon laughed heartily and told Han Utae to take care of it right away.

He didn't like the way he did things, but he thought this is why people give bribes.

It's so easy.

He felt proud as he came out with a heavy bag full of gold coins.

But let's use it sparingly.

If he's going to rebuild his family from now on, won't it cost a lot of money?

The money he earned from selling skins and medicinal herbs?

Not even close.

"Hey, the commission..."

"No, sir. Young master! What commission? It's out of the question."

As Cheonyeong, who had left Returning Star Pavilion, asked to settle the account, Guhwang refused flatly.

"Keep it."

"Then... I will."

He didn't ask twice.

Since he himself didn't want it... why should I?

Cheonyeong let out a small laugh as he watched the back of Guhwang, who was disappearing as if he were running away.

He seems to be a person who knows at least a sense of shame.

I saved money.

The grace my father bestowed is finally returning like this.

But I'll be seeing a lot of them from now on.

Those who turned their backs on Mandeok Estate.

This is just the beginning.

Mandeok Estate will be reborn with a new name.

Because from now on, I'm the head of the family.

Cheonyeong, who had parted with Guhwang, returned to the inn with a cheerful step...

"It's five silver coins."

"Yes?"

He was dumbfounded.

How much? F, five silver coins?

To say it again, one silver coin is one bag of rice.

It's enough money for a poor family to live on for a couple of months if they save it...

Did five people eat that much?

"Ahem! I've taken off a few bottles of alcohol."

The inn owner came out himself and handed Cheonyeong... the bill for what the children had eaten.

"Captain! You're here?"

"Oh, the food was so delicious."

"Captain, try this. The alcohol is like honey water."

"..."

At the words of Yongcheon and the children, Cheonyeong's cheeks twitched.

Ho, honey water?

When did you guys ever eat something like that?

"You've worked hard, captain. Shall we go up to our rooms to sleep now? I'm so full I can't even breathe."

Yongcheon pats his belly, which is as big as a mountain, and smiles with satisfaction.

And looking at him, Cheonyeong said.

"Hey guys."

"Yeah!"

"Get out!"

"Huh? Get out? Are we going to another inn?"

Shut up.

You vagrant bastards who can't remember your tadpole days after growing one back leg.

From today, we're sleeping outside.

And if your stomach is full, you have to digest it.

Follow me.

I'll show you a hell of training.

(End of Chapter)