"Are you going to leave it like this?"

"..."

"You saw it, didn't you?"

As the opening ceremony reached its peak, the atmosphere became boisterous.

Im Saeng whispered to Go Hyeon from the merchant association, which had been alienated as everyone flocked around Cheonyeong.

"Before we knew it, that punk became the center. If we leave it like this, the Myriad Virtue Inn might surpass my Hoeseong-ru and become the number one inn in Ganyang."

Im Saeng was right.

The flow of the atmosphere was like that.

Cheonyeong's ambition was something that would entice anyone in Ganyang.

Even though nothing had started yet...

It was just a three-story pavilion that had been built, but the government officials, the merchants who had clung to him, and the people who had participated in the opening ceremony and were greedily eating the free alcohol and food.

Everyone was treating Cheonyeong as if he were the master of Ganyang.

"Association Head, look over there. The association heads who were once with us are wagging their tails at the young punk of the Tang family."

"..."

"Association Head!"

At the repeated urging of Im Saeng and the leaders of the merchant association, Go Hyeon frowned and glared at Cheonyeong, who was surrounded by people and laughing.

"Umm..."

Go Hyeon recalled the master of the Mandeok Estate, Hwarim Tang Munseong.

How could he not know him?

Although Tang Munseong, who had set his heart on scholarship, had a different path from him, he was a more famous person than anyone in Ganyang.

But he was a person who was only good-natured and had no greed.

He was a kind and simple person who thought only of others' profits rather than his own.

But his son.

He was different from his father.

The sneer on his face was full of sinister gloom.

He looked like a beast ready to bite his neck at any moment.

Had he seen wrong?

Was he not a puppy whose teeth had just grown in, but a tiger cub?

"Association Head!"

As Im Saeng finally kicked his seat and stood up, shouting, Go Hyeon raised his hand to calm him down.

"Im Saeng."

"Yes."

"Sit down."

"Association Head!"

"I said sit down."

"...Keung."

At the calm words, Im Saeng gritted his teeth, swallowed his anger, and sat down.

"Im Saeng, get a grip."

"Do I look like I can get a grip? I'm about to lose the position of Hoeseong-ru to such a brat."

"Don't you get it?"

"..."

"The reason that punk invited us, and the reason he revealed his ambition as if targeting us in front of everyone."

"...Pardon?"

"It's a declaration of war. He's saying, 'I'm different from you.' That's what he wants to say."

"How could I not know what that means?"

"There's only one thing to do."

"..."

"It's been thirty years. Since I've had this Ganyang commercial world in the palm of my hand."

Go Hyeon's gaze grew cold.

It was an expression that made it impossible to know what he was thinking, but his cold voice was tinged with anger.

"Do you know how many trials there have been? And do you know how many challenges I have faced?"

"..."

"I have overcome all of those and risen to this position. I will not be easily deprived of it."

"By any chance, do you have a plan?"

"Look."

"...?"

"As you said, they are all gathered around that punk."

The nature of the smile on Go Hyeon's lips changed.

It was a sneer.

"For now, it might seem like he's something. The young punk's ambition might seem cool. Developing Ganyang, what-not... what a ridiculous punk."

"..."

"But, it's just an uncertain future."

"Association Head... please tell me your intentions clearly. My insides are about to burn to a crisp."

"The Tang Family's estate is a martial family."

"...A martial family?"

"Although they have intervened in the affairs of a merchant family, their identity has not changed. It was already decided when they fought with the Yin Hand Chamber."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Why should we dirty our hands?"

"Pardon?"

"What kind of place is the martial world?"

"..."

"Even the government doesn't care about their affairs at all. Even if someone dies from a stray sword... they don't even investigate. Because it's the affair of a martial family."

"D-don't tell me? Are you saying we should use an assassin?"

Im Saeng's voice became so low it was inaudible.

"An assassin? You fool. That's not it. If we use an assassin, it will be a mysterious death, and there will be people who pursue it. Also, aren't we the most likely suspects behind it?"

"Hmm..."

He was right.

Since they were at odds with them right now and chewing on their gallbladders, anyone would put the merchant association on the list of suspects.

"It has to be a justifiable death."

"Justifiable?"

"Of course, it has to be a death that anyone can accept."

"..."

"If that punk dies, how long do you think the Tang Family's estate will last?"

"Well..."

"Not even a day. If that punk dies, it's the end."

Go Hyeon's eyes, shadowed with killing intent, shone brightly.

"Isn't it good? Leather? Medicinal herbs? The punks trained by the Tang Family's estate? All of that will become ours. The merchant association, loaded with high-quality goods, will be able to expand even further."

"That's true, but..."

"The Myriad Virtue Inn? Now, look around. Even in your eyes, isn't it no less than Hoeseong-ru?"

"Well, yes..."

It couldn't be denied.

They said Ahn Chilgang, who was once called the best carpenter in Ganyang, had poured his heart and soul into making it.

"It will get better. When the interior decorations are completely finished, and the operation begins in earnest."

"It probably will."

"This Myriad Virtue Inn will become yours."

"...Pardon?"

"If that punk just dies and disappears."

Im Saeng and the people of the merchant association swallowed hard at Go Hyeon's words.

"Is there... a way?"

"There is. Just as that punk used the ways of the commercial world to fight us, we can use the ways of the martial family."

"The ways... of a martial family?"

"Of course. That's right."

"What on earth?"

The members of the merchant association gathered their heads around Go Hyeon and began to whisper something.

And Cheonyeong, while laughing and talking with the people, glanced at them.

Tsk tsk, I see it, I see it.

It seems these guys are plotting something again.

But to be so careless.

How on earth did such a thing dominate the Ganyang commercial world for thirty years?

It seems there was a real lack of talent.

Although the merchant association's appearance was quite serious and even felt weighty, to Cheonyeong, who was seventeen, no, who had been through the mill in his long life as an assassin, it just looked like the foolish antics of country bumpkins.

"Hey, Family Head Tang."

It seemed the conversation was over.

Go Hyeon, who had stood up from his seat, approached Cheonyeong with the merchant association.

"Thanks to you, I was treated well."

"Are you leaving already?"

"The merchant association has a lot of work, so I can't be away for long. I'm sorry I can't celebrate for a long time."

"Oh dear... then it can't be helped."

"Today, I have heard your hopeful ambition well. How earnest your heart is for Ganyang. Your late father would also be pleased."

...You're kidding me.

A person who should be grabbing me by the scruff of my neck, what's with the out-of-place compliment?

"Thank you. I too am just sad that my father is not here in this good place."

Cheonyeong smiled and played along.

But he was dying of curiosity.

What they had been plotting.

"If there is anything I can help with, please ask the merchant association at any time. I too will help with all my heart and soul, like the others."

Cheonyeong wore a sinister smile at Go Hyeon's pleasantries.

Oh? Help me?

This is... too good to be true.

I didn't ask for it, but since you're offering first, I can't not accept.

I don't know what you're plotting, but I have to get what I can.

They say you have to seize an opportunity when it comes.

"Is that true? That's great. I was short on money anyway."

"...Pardon?"

"Actually, my ambition was big, but. I'm still lacking in many things."

"Uh-huh?"

Go Hyeon's expression, who had been about to leave after some perfunctory courtesies, turned lukewarm.

"Since you've offered first like this... it's shameless, but I'll take some help."

"..."

"Sanghui!"

Before Go Hyeon could say anything, Cheonyeong smiled brightly and called for Sanghui, who was entertaining guests downstairs.

"Yes! Family Head!"

"H-how much did you say we spent this time?"

"Pardon? Hmm, roughly..."

"What? We spent that much?"

"Pardon?"

"Aigoo, you should have been more frugal. No matter how good a thing we're trying to do, with such a large spending. What? You need at least five hundred nyang? Where are we going to get that kind of money all of a sudden? Anyway, you're really... sigh, you're so unplanned."

"...Huh?"

Sanghui hadn't said a word yet.

But, I'm unplanned?

What about my spending?

You executed everything.

Sanghui blinked her eyes with a bewildered expression as Cheonyeong spoke without giving her a chance to cut in.

"You see. We're so disorganized. So, since you said you'd help... if you could generously donate about five hundred nyang, it would be a biiig! help to the development of Ganyang."

"F-five hundred nyang?"

"Yes. The government officials, their salaries are obvious... where else would there be a place with that much money but the merchant association? If you would willingly help the poor people of Ganyang, this Tang Cheonyeong will remember the grace of the merchant association for a long, long time."

"..."

Cheonyeong smiled sweetly and looked at Go Hyeon.

With his hands respectfully gathered...

With a loud voice, as if to make sure everyone heard... it was almost a shout.

But five hundred nyang.

It was an enormous amount.

Of course, the people couldn't help but murmur, and their gazes naturally turned to the merchant association head, Go Hyeon.

"F-five hundred nyang... such a large sum..."

"...Is it too much? Then four hundred nyang?"

"Pardon?"

"Three hundred... nyang? Anything less than that is a little difficult..."

It was absurd.

A guy asking for help is haggling?

But what on earth was this atmosphere?

The lower the amount, the more clearly revealed on the people's faces was... disappointment?

These crazy punks!

Is three hundred nyang the name of a dog!

"Hmm, it seems three hundred nyang is also difficult. Well, you must have taken a big hit from losing your business partner in the capital... it can't be helped. If the merchant association doesn't help, I'll have to find a way to solve it myself."

It was cunning.

They say a pretty person looks pretty no matter what they do, and the image of Tang Cheonyeong in the eyes of the Ganyang people was just like that.

Anyone could see it was forced and nonsensical, but the people were looking at him as if he were a heartless miser.

Th-this damn young punk has only learned bad things... he's inciting them?

Although he felt as if he had become a villain for no reason, Go Hyeon forced a smile, suppressing his anger.

"I-I have to give it. Of course. You're using it for a good cause..."

"Huh? Is that true?"

Cheonyeong's eyes widened as he tightly gripped Go Hyeon's hands.

"Thank you. Thank you, Lord Go! Where else would there be such a generous person as you, Lord Go? This Tang Cheonyeong! From now on, I will respect and respect your good governance!"

"There's no need for respect."

"Aigoo, what do you mean, no need? Where else in the world would there be someone who would so willingly give five hundred nyang?"

"...Five hundred nyang?"

"Pardon?"

"No, just a moment ago, you definitely said three hundred..."

"Five hundred."

"..."

"When can I come to receive it?"

"..."

"It's shameless of me again, but I'm in a hurry for the money."

"Ho ho, ohohoho..."

"I will visit you tomorrow."

"Y-you do that."

Go Hyeon had answered so without realizing it.

And he saw Cheonyeong's smile, his eyes shining like a snake's from under his chin.

This son of a bitch...

"Magistrate! Did you see? This is the kind of person Lord Go is."

"Hmm, as expected of the richest person in Ganyang, his spending is also big."

"Of course, of course. Shouldn't the government give him a plaque of appreciation for this?"

"A plaque of appreciation?"

"Of course. He has donated a fund of five hundred nyang for the poor. I plan to engrave a letter of appreciation for Lord Go in one place of the Myriad Virtue Inn."

"Oh! Then I can't lose either! Ha ha! Family Head Tang is deep in thought for his age."

"Why do you think I was called a prodigy? Ha ha ha!"

"Of course, that's right. Now, receive a cup of my alcohol. You have a very good personality."

No matter how playful the words were, to the magistrate, Cheonyeong's words sounded only beautiful and pretty.

Should I say even his rude words were packaged as being good-natured?

Well, who was he getting a promotion because of?

Cheonyeong, who was responding to the magistrate's call, glanced at Go Hyeon and said.

"Aren't you leaving?"

"Huh?"

"You said you were leaving. I won't see you off far."

"..."

Cheonyeong, who had let go of his hand, rushed over to the magistrate.

Go Hyeon's eyes twitched minutely as he watched his back.

This punk, on purpose...

He had been swept up in the atmosphere and had been ripped off for a whopping five hundred nyang.

There was no pushover like this.

Moreover, although it was called a fund, where would that money be used?

"Wahahahaha!"

"..."

Go Hyeon gritted his teeth and left the Myriad Virtue Inn at the sound of Cheonyeong's hearty laughter.

Fine, I'll give you five hundred nyang.

But in return, you will have to give up your life.

(End of Chapter)