When doing business, one faces various problems.

And most of them are difficult to solve alone.

So, people gather with others who do similar work.

To solve problems a little more easily...

Doesn't a group of people voicing their opinions together exert much greater power than one person alone?

The hunters' association I met before was a place created with just that purpose.

To protect the rights and interests of hunters.

They would divide hunting grounds to avoid overlap, and adjust prices so that the captured animals were sold for a fair value.

Of course, it wasn't always right.

Groups formed for the purpose of profit are originally like that.

Organized resistance against things that go against their interests.

The reason the hunters' association had swarmed the inn before was for the same reason.

Because the hunters had suffered a huge loss in income due to Cheonyeong.

Anyway, such associations appear in various forms.

Liquor merchants, inn unions, blacksmith gatherings, and so on.

The merchant association that had requested a meeting with Cheonyeong was a place where the heads of such organizations gathered.

In other words, the people who turn the wheels of Ganyang's economy.

It made sense.

The government, the martial world, and commerce.

Although it is said that these three, which surround the people, do not interfere with each other in principle, their organic relationship cannot be denied.

Especially the commercial world, which always has one foot in both the government and the martial world.

Because their purpose is profit.

Is there a right way in business?

They are the ones who do not neglect either the government or the martial world if they can make a little more profit.

Now that the Yin Hand Chamber, which had existed as a huge pillar of Ganyang even if it was an Unorthodox Faction, had collapsed, it was only natural for them to contact the Tang Family's estate.

A faint smile appeared on Cheonyeong's lips as he headed to the place where the merchant association was waiting with Chunil.

He was short on money anyway... so how fortunate was it that the merchant association wanted to meet?

It also meant that the name of the Tang Family's estate had grown to the point where they had to extend a hand...

Suddenly, Cheonyeong glanced up at the sky.

Are you watching?

Your son is rebuilding the family.

Although he was a father he truly resented, at times like this, he missed him quite a bit.

Perhaps he would be smiling with satisfaction, saying he did well.

Even though the path the family was to take was a little different...

"We're here."

"...Hoeseong-ru?"

"Yes, they said they would prepare a spot in the rear garden."

Cheonyeong nodded with a satisfied expression at Chunil's words.

Hoeseong-ru.

He had been here before.

To sell the tiger skin to the provincial lord who had visited Ganyang.

The name was also very good.

Hoeseong, where the stars gather.

Stars, a word that was not lacking in calling those who lead a sect.

Also, he was pleased that it was a place where those in such positions gathered.

What kind of place was Hoeseong-ru?

It was the best place in Ganyang.

He had heard that there were over a hundred people working here.

In other words, the most expensive, high-class tavern.

"Hehehe."

He could already hear the sound of money rolling in.

Chunil flinched and looked at him, but Cheonyeong paid him no mind and walked confidently towards the rear garden.

"Halt."

"...?"

As he reached the entrance of the rear garden, a man with a sturdy build blocked his path.

Hoh?

For a merchant's warrior, his presence is quite something.

His neatly tied hair, and his clothes that reeked of nobility.

Standing opposite him, the appearance of himself and Chunil, with their carelessly tied hair and shabby clothes, looked shabby.

Should I have... dressed up a little?

First impressions are important.

But what does appearance matter?

Wasn't he now, in name and reality, the master of the Tang Family's estate who would be responsible for the Ganyang martial world?

"Chunil."

"...Yes?"

"Ahem. Introduction."

"Ah!"

As Cheonyeong cleared his throat and prompted him, Chunil finally spoke to the warrior.

You punk, I'm the Family Head.

I have dignity and face, can I announce myself directly?

Sigh, to think I have to teach even this, there's a long way to go.

"Um, this person is..."

"Family Head Tang."

"Yes."

"Hmph."

The warrior looked Cheonyeong up and down. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Wait a moment. I will inform those inside."

"..."

What's with this bastard?

His stiff attitude, and the smile on his lips...

He was slightly displeased.

Does this punk not know my face?

There couldn't be anyone in Ganyang who didn't know about the fight between the Yin Hand Chamber and the Tang Family's estate.

Also, since the merchant association had requested first, there was no way they wouldn't know he was coming...

But he had no intention of making unnecessary trouble.

Because it was the first meeting.

Not long after the message was sent inside, a servant girl came out to greet them.

"The elders have asked me to escort you inside."

Unlike the warrior, the servant girl greeted him politely and guided him.

Just as he was about to step inside the gate...

"He's younger than I thought."

"I know, right. Well, even though the Yin Hand Chamber had a bad reputation, they weren't that strong of an organization."

"Tsk, do the elders really have to meet such a brat?"

"I heard they only have six members, including the Family Head."

"I heard it was sixteen."

"You too. You have to exclude the brats who were wandering the vagrant villages."

"True."

Although it was a small voice, Cheonyeong heard it clearly.

The disregard and ridicule towards the Tang Family's estate.

These bastards...

His fists clenched tightly, but Cheonyeong showed no expression and crossed the threshold.

Somehow, he had a bad feeling, and he thought that the meeting with the merchant association would not be very pleasant.

As he followed the servant girl inside, many people were already filling the rear garden.

"Family Head!"

"Ah, Shopkeeper Gu."

The first to spot him and greet him was Guhwang, who ran the leather shop.

But for some reason, his expression was not bright.

What should I say, he looked full of worry...

Why on earth?

Putting aside the complicated thoughts that arose, Cheonyeong looked around and said.

"More people have gathered than I thought."

"Yes. All the merchants of Ganyang have gathered."

"Ah, is that so? Come to think of it..."

Cheonyeong spotted the people he had seen at the hunters' association sitting in one corner and gave them a nod, but they flinched when their eyes met and turned their heads away.

It seemed the memory of being beaten was still fresh.

"But why are you outside?"

"Of course, I have to be outside. It's not a place for me to be."

"Pardon? I thought you held a rather high position in the merchant association... was I wrong?"

"Aigoo, how could that be? Who am I... I just gathered the merchants who opposed the Yin Hand Chamber and acted separately."

"Ah... so that's how it was."

Cheonyeong finally nodded his head.

Well, what great power would a leather shop owner have?

"Family Head Tang."

"Yes?"

"You must brace yourself."

"Pardon? What do you mean?"

"Whatever decision is made, I will stand on the side of the Tang Family's estate."

Just as Cheonyeong was about to ask in detail about Guhwang's meaningful words, the servant girl called out as if to hurry him.

"Family Head Tang, this way."

At the wide-open pavilion gate, Cheonyeong put aside his questions and smiled, greeting Guhwang.

"Then I'll see you later. Come visit the Tang Family's estate. We're just in the middle of building a new pavilion."

"Yes."

Cheonyeong couldn't hide a strange feeling at the sight of Guhwang bowing politely.

He didn't know why, but he even looked anxious.

"Well, that's a problem for later... for now, making money is important. Chunil, you wait here."

"Huh? Are you going alone?"

"Yes."

"I understand."

Shaking off the worries in his head, Cheonyeong entered the pavilion in the rear garden.

Inside the brightly lit pavilion.

Eight figures of various ages were sitting there.

"Welcome, Family Head Tang."

The one who greeted him with a bright smile was.

"I am Im Saeng, in charge of the Ganyang Inn and Tavern Union."

"Ah, Lord Im. It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Cheonyeong of the Tang Family's estate."

"Ha ha! I know, I know. How could I not know the Family Head of the Tang family, who has recently caused such a stir in Ganyang?"

"You flatter me."

"Now, come this way. I will introduce you to the leaders of the Ganyang Merchant Association."

"Yes."

Im Saeng took Cheonyeong and began to introduce the people one by one.

First, the hunters' association.

A face he already knew, and since it was a bad connection, a lukewarm greeting was exchanged.

"Family Head Tang, thank you for the grace you have bestowed upon the Saemgol distillery."

"Don't mention it. I just did what I had to do."

Since he had been helped by Chunil, the reaction of the Saemgol Distillery Union head was full of goodwill.

Other than that, they were all faces he didn't know.

The blacksmith street, the market street merchant association heads.

"That person over there is Lord Go Hyeon, who is the head of the Ganyang Merchant Association. He is a person who is well-connected not only in this Ganyang but also in the government and martial world of the Sichuan region."

At Im Saeng's introduction, the old man sitting at the head of the table gave a slight nod.

"Go Hyeon."

It was a short greeting, and the blatant condescension was grating, but Cheonyeong bowed his head politely.

Although he was the Family Head of the Tang Family's estate, it was a newly established place.

In comparison, they were the long-standing maintainers of Ganyang.

And old.

He could probably speak informally.

"I am Cheonyeong of the Tang family."

"I've heard your name many times. Please sit."

"Yes."

At Go Hyeon's invitation, Im Saeng guided Cheonyeong to his seat.

But.

"Please sit, Family Head Tang."

"..."

Although Im Saeng had personally pulled out a chair for him, the seat was somehow... not to his liking.

The leaders of the merchant association sat on the left and right of Go Hyeon, who was at the head of the table.

And Cheonyeong's seat was at the very end.

"This is..."

"Your seat."

Im Saeng grinned, his mouth splitting wide, at Cheonyeong's question.

This is my sea...t?

Cheonyeong's brow furrowed deeply.

The head of the merchant association, the center of Ganyang's commerce.

The master of the Tang Family's estate, who had brought down the Yin Hand Chamber and become the center of the Ganyang martial world.

Although commerce and the martial world were in an organic relationship, since they belonged to different worlds, their positions as representatives of their respective domains should have been equal.

But didn't the position of the seat seem to say that he was below them?

Now... what are these guys trying to do?

The attitude of the warrior at the entrance, and the words of Guhwang whom he met in the rear garden.

The smile vanished from Cheonyeong's lips, and he looked at Go Hyeon with narrowed eyes.

"Family Head Tang? What's the matter?"

Im Saeng asked, still grinning.

Now that he looked... his eyes were full of ridicule.

The laughter of those who feel superior while looking at someone inferior to them.

In other words, he was invited, but he was an unwelcome guest.

Their attitude.

"...It's nothing."

Cheonyeong, who had relaxed his hardened expression, smiled brightly and sat down.

Let's just hear them out.

What they're trying to say, having called me here.

As Cheonyeong sat down, Go Hyeon opened his mouth with a solemn expression.

"First of all, thank you for responding to our call. On behalf of the merchant association, I thank you."

"Yes."

"For a long time, our Ganyang..."

The more the hackneyed words continued, the more uncomfortable Cheonyeong's mood became, and the smile on his lips grew wider.

Call? Respond? You?

They're really acting like my superiors.

It was a blatant treatment of him as a subordinate.

"Now that the martial world of Ganyang has changed from the Yin Hand Chamber to the Tang Family's estate, we have great expectations for you. We hope you will do your best to help our Ganyang Merchant Association in the future. Now, let's get down to the things you have to do..."

"...?"

Just as the long speech was continuing, Cheonyeong raised his hand and cut Go Hyeon off.

"Wait a minute."

Go Hyeon, with a displeased look, frowned and asked.

"What is it?"

"What are you talking about right now?"

"What do you mean, what am I talking about?"

"I don't seem to understand what I'm hearing."

"Understand?"

"Yes. I came here to exchange greetings since you called... but you're talking about helping, and things I have to do. The way you're speaking, Association Head... it seems you're thinking of the Tang Family's estate as some subordinate organization of the merchant association?"

In other words, it meant, 'Do I look like freshly cooked barley rice to you?'

(End of Chapter)