It wasn't long after leaving the Tang Family's estate that they arrived at the entrance of Ganyang.

But...

Why are there so many people gathered here?

He had clearly written on the notice to refrain from entering or leaving to avoid being caught up in the fight.

The cheers from here and there made it seem as if they had been waiting for them.

Anyone would think it was a festival, not a war.

"It's One Cup Child! The one who brought peace back to Saemgol, One Cup Child!"

From a distance, someone chanted Chunil's title.

"Keum!"

He's happy.

For a vagrant who used to steal lees...

"Huh? Is that woman the Twin Flash Asura?"

"Looks like it. There's only one woman... that's right, a sword in each hand."

"She's too... pretty to be an Asura."

"You silly woman, an Asura originally took refuge in Buddha and became a guardian deity of Buddhism. Of course she has to be pretty."

"Is that so?"

"Waaaah! Twin Flash Asura!"

This time, they chanted for Sanghui.

It seemed to be because of the incident where she had plundered the gambling den.

That wasn't all.

"Look at that iron pestle. Is it real?"

"Of course, I saw it myself! He smashed the money-lending house built by the Yin Hand Chamber with that!"

"What a strong man, a strong man. How can he swing something like that?"

Excited by the people's words, Yongcheon puffed up and swung the iron pestle around.

These guys...

Somehow, they seemed to be gaining more fame than him, the Family Head.

"Dammit! I have to do something too..."

And Hwangsama was envious of that.

Still, the Family Head... is me.

"Hey, Yongcheon."

"Yeah?"

"Did you post the notices in every alley as I told you?"

"Yeah!"

"But... why are there so many people?"

"Well, I don't know either."

Yongcheon answered with a bright expression.

It must be nice to not know so many things.

"Ho ho, Family Head."

"Yes?"

"It seems, everyone wishes for you, Family Head, to become the master of this Ganyang."

"Heeh?"

"Look. Aren't the eyes of the people looking at you and the warriors of the Tang Family's estate full of expectation?"

At Ahn Chilgang's words, Cheonyeong looked at the people and frowned.

Expectation?

For what?

"You saved the brewers who were being exploited in Saemgol, and you brought those who were lost in gambling to their senses. Is that all? The calligraphy and painting shop that was extorting high-interest loans caught fire and all the ledgers were burned, right?"

"..."

"The people know. Who should be the master of Ganyang. They have come out like this to cheer, hoping and wishing. That you, Family Head Tang, will save Ganyang from the evil deeds of the Yin Hand Chamber."

Cheonyeong couldn't help but let out a dry laugh at Ahn Chilgang's words.

The human heart was truly a funny thing.

He hadn't destroyed the Yin Hand Chamber's subordinate organizations for the people.

The starting point was Yongcheon's injury, and the goal was to repay his own grudge.

It just... coincided. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

His grudge and the people's...

But, what if... he were to lose to the Yin Hand Chamber?

Would the people cheer for him like they were now?

Or... would they turn a blind eye and ignore him like in the past?

"Keuk, keuk keuk keuk... I suddenly feel like losing."

"Pardon? What did you say?"

"It's nothing. I just felt like being rebellious for no reason."

"What does that mean?"

Ahn Chilgang, who had no way of knowing Cheonyeong's inner thoughts, tilted his head in confusion.

He really wanted to try it.

Because he knew all too well that people's hearts were less reliable than reeds in the wind.

But... not today.

Also, although it was an unwanted situation, the cheering people had raised the confidence of the Tang family members to its peak.

The Yin Hand Chamber would surely fall.

Cheonyeong moved forward, and behind the merchants, the people of Ganyang who were cheering for the Tang Family's estate followed.

At that moment, a feast was in full swing at the Yin Hand Chamber's estate.

It was a feast for Ghost Hand No Gwanyeong, but in reality, it looked as if they were already celebrating their victory.

"Heok! Wh-what is that?"

The warrior guarding the gate of the Yin Hand Chamber's estate widened his eyes at the sight unfolding before him.

The Tang Family's estate, led by Tang Cheonyeong.

And behind them... an enormous number of people were following.

It was like a wave.

A huge wave made of a crowd of people seemed to be filling the main road of Ganyang and surging forward.

"What the hell... is going on? Didn't they say there were less than twenty?"

"That's what I heard too... just a bunch of brats... huh? Isn't that the innkeeper?"

"Huh?"

"That's, the owner of the cloth shop? What is this chaos? Why are they? Behind the Tang Family's estate?"

The warriors, who recognized the faces of some of those following the Tang Family's estate, couldn't hide their bewilderment.

But was the pressure from the numbers ordinary?

One of the warriors, who had been backing away, startled by the surging crowd, rushed inside in a panic.

He had to report it quickly.

Because somehow, the situation was unfolding completely differently from what the Yin Hand Chamber had expected.

* * *

"Umm..."

Lee Ilpyeong, who had come out leisurely after receiving the guard's report, frowned and let out a groan.

Why the people...

Are they all going to join forces and try to bring down the Yin Hand Chamber?

But the bewilderment was brief.

Lee Ilpyeong looked at the figures of the Tang Family's estate standing before the people with cold eyes.

Tang Cheonyeong.

The five lined up behind him.

And ten more behind them.

A total of only sixteen young brats.

The people behind them?

For now, they stood proudly, full of expectation, but once the Tang Family's estate punks were trampled, they would surely scatter in all directions.

Perhaps it was for the better.

Because they would soon find out how futile the hope that filled their eyes and expressions was.

The moment hope turns to despair, they would never dare to challenge the Yin Hand Chamber again.

Lee Ilpyeong, who had looked around with an arrogant expression, glanced at Ghost Hand No Gwanyeong, who was standing at a distance, and said to Cheonyeong.

"Tang Cheonyeong. It's been a long time."

"..."

"You've grown a lot."

Cheonyeong said nothing at Lee Ilpyeong's sneer.

"But... when you see an elder, shouldn't you greet him first? Why are you holding your neck so stiffly?"

"..."

"Go on, greet me first."

At those words, full of ridicule, Cheonyeong burst into the laughter he had been holding back.

"Keuk, keuk keuk keuk."

"...?"

"You're talking shit. Were we on greeting terms?"

"What?"

"How many years I've waited to see your face... you probably don't know. Of course you don't."

He had returned through thirty years of time.

"But you look better than I thought. Is it because your livelihood has improved so much? To think a guy who was just a freeloader at the Mandeok Estate is now the Yin Hand Chamber Master... you've made it big. But, do you know where your grave is?"

Lee Ilpyeong's face contorted at Cheonyeong's taunt.

A punk who was only seventeen...

It was a bluff. He was surely acting recklessly, buoyed by the support of Ganyang.

He had heard he had gained quite some skill, but what could he do with only sixteen people?

"Ho ho, that punk. His mouth has gotten quite sharp. But perhaps because he's young, he can't grasp the situation properly."

"You think so? I think you're the one who can't grasp the situation."

"What did you say?"

"Can't you see the people's expressions? They all have expressions that say they wish you would get lost from Ganyang."

"The people... keuk keuk."

Lee Ilpyeong sneered at Cheonyeong's words.

"Yes, they all look that way. But... what does that have to do with anything?"

"..."

"What can they do? Do you think they'll help the Tang Family's estate and fight the Yin Hand Chamber? Them? Nonsense. They are no different from dogs and pigs."

"Dogs and pigs?"

"If you whip them, they go this way and that way... they're tamed like that. But do you think such punks would even think of helping you?"

"Really? Hmm, that's a rather dangerous statement."

"What did you say?"

"Isn't it? You just... insulted the people of Ganyang. It is said that the will of the people is the will of heaven. Do you think you can live well while ignoring the will of heaven?"

"The will of the people? The will of heaven? Keu keu keu keu. As expected, you're young, so young. Then go ahead and try. Do everything you can with those dogs and pigs."

Laughing loudly, Lee Ilpyeong provoked Cheonyeong with a contemptuous expression.

"I should. Of course... but it seems there's some misunderstanding."

"A misunderstanding? What's a misunderstanding?"

"This... is the Tang Family's estate's business."

"What?"

"The Tang Family's estate does not receive help from outsiders."

"From outsiders?"

"It means only the Tang Family's estate will deal with the Yin Hand Chamber."

"The Tang Family... ha, uhat-hat-hat! You mean to fight me with only sixteen people?"

"Yes."

"You're mad. You're really mad."

"..."

"A reckless punk. Fine, then go ahead and try. You'll find out how much of a bravado your choice is now."

"Of course I will. But before that."

Cheonyeong scanned behind Lee Ilpyeong and stopped at one spot.

"I will ask you, sir."

"...?"

"What about you, sir?"

At Cheonyeong's question, Ghost Hand No Gwanyeong, at whom his gaze had landed, let out a small laugh.

An amazing punk.

When he saw the notice, he had already guessed his objective, but...

He had accurately pointed him out among all these people.

"Do you know me?"

"Are you not the great hero, Ghost Hand No Gwanyeong from the Blue Serpent Sect?"

"The name is correct, but this is the first time I've been called a great hero."

"It's my prerogative to call you what I want."

"Well, that's true."

No Gwanyeong nodded and looked at Cheonyeong.

"But... what do you mean by 'what about you'?"

"It is as I said. This fight is between the Tang Family's estate and the Yin Hand Chamber."

"I know."

"What about the Blue Serpent Sect?"

"...Well? What do you think?"

"They say shrimps side with crabs."

"Shrimps..."

At Cheonyeong's words, No Gwanyeong, with a faint smile, clasped his hands behind his back.

That one action was enough of an answer.

"The Yin Hand Chamber Master said so. That I should just enjoy the feast... I intend to do so. Just in time, a rare spectacle has also occurred."

"That's a relief. I was worried I might have to prepare for a fight with the Blue Serpent Sect after the Yin Hand Chamber."

"What? Keuk, keuhat-hat-hat!"

No Gwanyeong couldn't hold back his laughter.

Wasn't he a truly audacious punk?

To think about a fight with the Blue Serpent Sect, putting him aside.

But instead of being displeased by his audacity, his interest in the punk only grew.

What on earth was this punk?

His spirit was truly extraordinary; it was fun just talking to him.

But Cheonyeong looked at his laughter calmly.

The Blue Serpent Sect?

If you were involved in the matter of the Mandeok Estate, you too will one day be met as an enemy.

But not right now.

"I will express my gratitude for you stepping back."

"There's no need for thanks. Go about your business comfortably."

"Yes."

No Gwanyeong slightly bowed his head in response to Cheonyeong's respectful greeting.

Of course, the face of Lee Ilpyeong, who was listening to their conversation, couldn't help but turn red and blue.

These guys...

Weren't they talking as if he, who was right in front of them, wasn't even in their sight?

It was disregard.

Lee Ilpyeong, his pride scraped to the bone, glared at Cheonyeong with eyes full of killing intent.

He would show them.

Who the master of this Ganyang was.

"Punk, are your last words finished?"

"...They weren't last words, but I've said all I have to say."

At the smiling reply, Lee Ilpyeong unleashed his surging anger and said.

"Originally, as an elder, I should have given you a handicap, but since you have declared war... I will treat you as an equal!"

"Do as you please."

At Cheonyeong's taunting expression, Lee Ilpyeong shouted roughly.

"What are you all doing! Seize that punk immediately and make him kneel before me!"

"Yes! Chamber Master!"

At Lee Ilpyeong's shout, a portion of the Yin Hand Chamber's warriors drew their murderously sharp blades and rushed towards Cheonyeong.

You should have done that sooner.

If you had drawn your swords from the beginning, it would have been easy.

Because you started with a conversation, we came back the long way for no reason.

Anyway, if you're going to be like this... I can mess you up as much as I want, right?

(End of Chapter)