After the fight with the Yin Hand Chamber ended, the members of the Tang family returned to the ruins of the Tang Family's estate.

A few of the surviving Yin Hand Chamber members turned themselves in to the authorities. It was an atonement for the harm they had caused to the common people.

Cheonyeong had simply threatened them kindly and calmly with eyes full of killing intent.

I'll let you live.

But if you've committed a crime, isn't it right to pay the price?

A voluntary surrender took place.

And a few others left.

Promising never to set foot in Ganyang again...

The aftermath of the Yin Hand Chamber was to be handled by the Chief Constable, Han Utae, who had come after the fight was over.

The wealth accumulated through their evil deeds... all that wealth...

Keuk-heuk!

I should have secretly plundered it.

It was confiscated by the government and returned to those who had been harmed by the Yin Hand Chamber.

All he managed to get was the chest that No Gwanyeong had generously left behind. Although it was full of gold, the saying 'the more, the merrier' didn't exist for nothing.

Ah! There was the wealth of the Mandeok Estate, right?

I'm a victim too.

When Cheonyeong argued, Han Utae said.

That the case was still under investigation.

That he would return it as soon as the investigation on Jeong Hapryeo was over.

He felt a great sense of loss, but what could he do?

When the law of the land was so...

Well, since he said he would return it later, Cheonyeong even went so far as to press Han Utae, saying he must return it.

And the remaining ones.

Including the injured, a total of twenty.

"Why aren't you leaving?"

"Well... we have nowhere to go..."

"What do you want me to do about you having nowhere to go?"

"If you let us stay at the Tang Family's estate... we will serve you with all our loyalty."

Is it a habit for these guys to bow their heads and beg?

A sigh escaped him naturally.

Was the Tang Family's estate some kind of shelter for people with nowhere to go?

Even though he hadn't made a distinction between Orthodox and Unorthodox...

And they were just punks whose skills were barely a toe, no, a toenail in the martial world.

In a word, they were of no help to his forces.

Accepting such punks would only be a waste of food. So, he was about to refuse.

"Family Head."

"Yes?"

Ahn Chilgang, who had been watching the situation, approached and said.

"Please accept them."

"Pardon? Accept them? What do you mean by that?"

"Don't you need people to establish the Tang Family's estate anyway?"

"No, even so..."

"Since you, Family Head, have completed my revenge, we must now clear the remains of the Mandeok Estate and build new buildings."

"Well, yes..."

"I can call the carpenters, but we need people to do the menial work under them. The members of the Tang family can't set aside their training to work, can they?"

"Are you saying we should use them as laborers?"

"Yes."

"Hmm..."

Cheonyeong pondered for a moment at Ahn Chilgang's suggestion.

Laborers...

Well, he did need people to seriously rebuild the family.

Even if it was a martial family, how could a family be run with only warriors?

After pondering for a moment, Cheonyeong said to the Yin Hand Chamber members who were bowing their heads.

"You guys... are you confident you won't hold a sword from now on?"

"Pardon?"

"If you have no intention of putting down your swords, then leave... I have no intention of accepting such a person as a warrior of the Tang Family's estate."

At those words, the Yin Hand Chamber members looked at each other's faces and murmured.

"...We will. If you just accept us, we will work hard at anything."

"Good. Then let's make a formal contract."

"A contract?"

"Of course. It's always good to be certain about things. Of course, we have to make a contract. But, if you can't forget that you were once a member of the Yin Hand Chamber and harm others, it won't end with just a verbal scolding."

"We understand."

"Good."

Cheonyeong, who had accepted the twenty Yin Hand Chamber members as laborers with a nod, looked at the members of the Tang family.

Hmm, who would be good?

Anyway, since he had accepted the laborers, he needed someone to manage them...

Come to think of it, it was about time to start organizing the structure.

Wasn't Baekgang, who was in charge of the Hoyeon Brigade, the only one with a job right now?

Chunil?

That punk was out.

It would be a relief if he didn't gather the laborers and drink with them.

Yongcheon... was too soft-hearted.

"Ah! Sanghui."

"Huh? No, yes?"

"From today, you are the Inner Hall Master."

"Inner... Hall... Master?"

"Yes."

"What is that?"

Sanghui tilted her head and asked.

He didn't know what change of heart she had had after the destruction of the Yin Hand Chamber, but... Sanghui had started treating him with respect.

"Hmm, in a word, you're the person in charge of the place that handles the internal affairs of the Tang Family's estate. Should I say you're in charge of the household affairs? There are many things, but for now... managing the laborers?"

"Ah, household affairs?"

"Huh?"

"If it's household affairs... what the women of each family do..."

Sanghui glanced at Yongcheon and her cheeks flushed slightly.

Did you only hear that part?

You incredibly lewd kid.

I said managing the laborers!

"Can you do it?"

"I have to. It's your order, Family Head..."

"Good. From now on, Sanghui, you are the Inner Hall Master."

"Inner Hall Master. Hehehe."

Sanghui wore a pleased expression.

Hadn't she been thirsty for success and fame ever since Baekgang took charge of the Hoyeon Brigade?

"Ah, and Sanghui."

"Yes?"

Cheonyeong beckoned her over and whispered in a small voice.

"...You know, right?"

"What... is it?"

"Those guys, their origin is the Yin Hand Chamber."

"Well, yes..."

Everyone knew that.

"You know who was responsible for Yongcheon's injury, right?"

"...!"

Sanghui's eyes shot open in an instant.

"Manage them well. But don't beat them."

"...Yeees."

It seemed no further explanation was needed.

Because Sanghui's eyes, as she glared at the Yin Hand Chamber members hired as laborers, were gleaming with a cold killing intent.

It's cold, so cold.

It seemed she would... manage them well on her own.

And since he had appointed Sanghui as the Inner Hall Master anyway.

"Chunil."

"Yes! Family Head!"

Was it because he saw Sanghui get a position?

Chunil's eyes sparkled with expectation, and he looked at him with a burdensome gaze.

"You are the Outer Hall Master."

"Huzzah!"

"..."

"Ah, no, Outer Hall Master Tang Chunil will serve you, Family Head, with all his loyalty."

Why are you even kneeling?

Don't do that.

In a place that's no different from a ruin.

"Master, congratulations on becoming the Outer Hall Master."

"Heh heh! It's all thanks to you guys."

Chunil let out a hearty laugh, even receiving congratulations from the two kids he had taken as disciples.

Only a three-year age difference...

Like an old man...

"Chunil."

"Yep!"

"Do you know what the Outer Hall does?"

"Well... no?"

As expected.

I knew it.

"The Outer Hall, as the name suggests, is the place that handles external affairs. For now, it will probably be about going around the Ganyang city center where the Tang Family's estate is, solving the merchants' difficulties, and maintaining public order from unruly people."

"Public order! Of course! That's the job I wanted! Family Head! Outer Hall Master Tang Chunil! From now on, with all my heart..."

"Don't go around the inns drinking."

"..."

Chunil's mouth clamped shut.

This bastard... his thoughts are so visible, it's a big problem.

"Keep this in mind, if you get drunk and cause trouble... I won't go easy on you, even if you're family."

"Yessir."

Eyes full of joy from receiving a position, and a face covered in disappointment.

Still, Chunil would do well.

Since he had smashed Okru-dang in Saemgol last time, he was called One Cup Child and had quite a bit of recognition among the people.

"Well then, that's settled. Yongcheon is the self-proclaimed and publicly acknowledged Vice Family Head anyway... for now, the Outer and Inner Halls are enough. Let's think about the other positions gradually."

"Yes! Family Head!"

The members of the Tang family answered in unison at Cheonyeong's words, and the congratulations from the children they had taken as disciples followed.

However.

"Um... Family Head?"

"Yeah?"

"What about me?"

"..."

"Is there... nothing?"

Hwangsama asked.

But... there was nothing.

The Inner and Outer Hall Masters, who were in charge of the affairs inside and outside the family, had been appointed, and there was even a Hoyeon Brigade Master to train the new disciples, so it was enough.

"Gradually..."

"..."

"Next time, for sure."

"..."

"Really. I promise."

The more Cheonyeong spoke with an awkward smile, the more Hwangsama's lower lip protruded.

Why again... only me...

Damn Family Head, I'm going to go astray!

The two disciples looked at Hwangsama, who was squatting in a corner with a face full of disappointment, with pity and comforted him.

"Family Head."

"Ah, Old Man Ahn. Then now..."

"Before that, there is something I would like to ask of you, Family Head."

"Pardon?"

"Please accept me as well."

"Accept... you?"

"Yes."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Ho ho, what do you mean? I am asking you to accept me as a member of the Tang family."

"No, why would you, Old Man Ahn?"

Cheonyeong's eyes widened at the unexpected request.

"Actually, I have been thinking about it for a long time. Back then, if you, Family Head, had not carried me on your back and taken me to the clinic, I don't know what would have become of my life."

"That was then, but. Now that the Yin Hand Chamber has fallen, you'll get your old business back."

"Family Head. I am already over sixty."

"But..."

"Although I have spent my whole life going from one construction site to another, I have an eye for things."

"..."

"Back then, like the elder from the Blue Serpent Sect said... I think you, Family Head, will one day become a great person. Please allow me to spend the rest of my life by your side."

"Hmm..."

"I beg of you."

At the repeated request, Cheonyeong finally nodded his head.

"I look forward to working with you."

"It is I who..."

Ahn Chilgang smiled brightly and looked at him.

Old Man Ahn's request was actually a good thing for Cheonyeong.

To grow the Tang Family's estate in the future, many buildings would be needed.

He might not be the best craftsman known in the martial world, but a person like Old Man Ahn would surely be of help.

"Then from now on, I will call you the Divine Work Pavilion Master."

"To give an old man like me the name 'Divine Work'... I have received an undeserved name. I will devote myself to the Tang Family's estate, Family Head."

"I'll be counting on you."

Shingong.

It refers to making things with divine skill.

This was a stepping stone for the future.

For now, it would only be buildings, but someday, it would grow into a place that produced all the weapons used by the Tang family.

"I look forward to working with you, Divine Work Pavilion Master."

"Thank you, Vice Family Head."

"The Divine Work Pavilion Master is the greatest elder of our Tang Family's estate. Please take good care of us."

Yongcheon and Sanghui offered their congratulations and greetings to Ahn Chilgang.

"Please take good care of our Hoyeon Brigade's building. It would be nice to have a spacious training ground too."

"Ha ha, you mean this? Hoyeon Brigade Master. It is for the pillars who will become the mainstay of our Tang Family's estate in the future. I will do my best to take care of it."

Ahn Chilgang smiled and nodded at Baekgang, who was already making a request.

"Instead of this, now that the organization is in place, how about we hold a feast? Family Head."

"A feast?"

"Yes. We've brought down the Yin Hand Chamber, so there should be a celebration."

"Hmm... is that so?"

"Of course, it is."

"Alright, one day of rest won't make a big difference, will it? Let's start the full-scale reconstruction of the Tang Family's estate from tomorrow."

"Ooooh!" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Everyone cheered at Cheonyeong's decision.

He was pleased.

The members of the Tang family, the laborers who had just been hired today, and the new family member, Ahn Chilgang, all looked happy.

Just one person.

"D-divine... even Old Man Ahn got a position... why only me..."

Only Hwangsama was looking at Cheonyeong with a resentful gaze.

* * *

"Now, bring those materials over here!"

Under the leadership of the Divine Work Pavilion Master, Ahn Chilgang, construction was in full swing at the Tang Family's estate.

The debris was neatly cleared, and materials for building new buildings were pouring in without rest.

"Haap! Cha-hap!"

In one open space, Baekgang was busy training the Hoyeon Brigade, and in the temporarily made dining hall, white steam was rising as the women Sanghui had brought prepared meals for the Tang family members.

He was proud.

Although he had abandoned the name Mandeok Estate and started with the name Tang Family's estate, how could he not be proud, looking at the reconstruction of his family?

The problem was...

"There's... no money..."

Cheonyeong stared blankly at the money pouch that was showing its bottom.

At first, it contained the money earned from selling leather and medicinal herbs, and later, the money No Gwanyeong had given was added.

But.

The money paid to the women cooking in the Inner Hall, the money spent on materials to build the pavilion in the Divine Work Pavilion.

That was all...

And it was only one building to be used as lodging.

The money...

It was there... but now it's gone.

"Family Head! We don't have enough money to buy food ingredients."

"What? You've already used it all?"

"Already? How many people do we have?"

At Sanghui's words, Cheonyeong took out the remaining silver coins in his pouch with a trembling hand and handed them over.

You can't skimp on food.

They were growing children...

"Family Head, it seems we need to buy a little more materials."

"Pardon? Are we short on materials?"

"Yes."

"It can't be helped."

Cheonyeong took out money for Ahn Chilgang as well.

The pouch was getting lighter and lighter.

At this rate... it seemed it would be completely empty in a few days.

There's no money...

"Family Head, money!"

"Family Head, money!"

"Money!"

You son of a bitch!

Money, money, money!

Am I a money-lending house?

I haven't even built the buildings properly yet, why does it cost so much money?

And the Mandeok Estate's assets haven't been recovered yet.

Also, there was still revenge left.

The Jingagu.

But in this situation, far from building up strength for revenge, he might have to raise the Tang family members as hunters and herb gatherers.

"Um, Family Head?"

"What! Why! How much! Why does the Outer Hall need money? To drink?"

"Pardon?"

Unable to hold it back, Cheonyeong shouted, and the Outer Hall Master, Chunil, wore a puzzled expression.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Huh?"

"The merchant association is asking to see you."

"The merchant... association?"

"Yes. They said they would like to have a business discussion with you, Family Head..."

"..."

"If you're not in the mood, shall I tell them to do it next time?"

Cheonyeong's mouth split wide to his ears at Chunil's words.

That's not it.

If the merchant association wants to meet, I should drop everything and run.

Of course, that's right.

They said it's a business discussion...

(End of Chapter)