After the Myriad Virtue Inn opened, the Tang Family's estate hurried to prepare to accept new family members.

The vagrants of Ganyang...

Hah, dammit.

To think a day like this would really come.

At this rate, as the kids said, he might really become the number one vagrant king of the Central Plains.

He had publicly announced it to everyone at the opening ceremony, so he couldn't just pretend it didn't happen.

But, although he would accept them, he had no intention of accepting just anyone.

They would work as members of the Tang family in the future, and some of them would become warriors of the Tang family.

So, there should be proper regulations for accepting them.

"...Encourage good and punish evil."

"Encourage... pardon?"

"What's that?"

"..."

The leaders of the Tang family blinked with blank expressions at Cheonyeong's words.

I'm sorry.

I didn't consider your intellectual level.

To think these guys are the leaders of the Tang family...

"Just memorize it."

"Huh? Memorize it?"

"It's the recruitment regulation for those who will become our Tang family members in the future."

"Ah... recruitment regulation."

Do they even know what they're nodding at?

"Justice will prevail, what goes around comes around, you reap what you sow."

"Justice... ah, wait a minute! Say it one by one. One by one."

Shut up.

As if you'd know even if I said it one letter at a time.

Dammit, whatever I do, the academy must come first.

By inviting the scholar from the private sector who had offered to teach writing at the Myriad Virtue Inn's opening ceremony.

"In summary, we only accept those who have no disqualifying reasons."

"Pardon? Dis... what?"

"Hah, just pick the good ones."

At Cheonyeong's sigh-filled words, the leaders of the Tang family exclaimed as if they had gained a great realization.

"Good... ah, is that what it means?"

"I thought it had some great meaning."

"Me too."

"I know, right, using difficult words for no reason."

"Anyway, you always have to show off that you've learned."

"Tsk tsk."

"..."

Really, looking at you guys, the future of the Tang family is so dark.

It was something even the academy kids would know...

"Anyway, from now on, go around the vagrant villages and pick out only those kinds of guys. If necessary, get help from the Beggars' Sect Branch Leader."

"I understand."

"For now, send them to the Myriad Virtue Inn, the leather shop, the pharmacy, and the Divine Work Pavilion to work, and keep a separate record of those who show promise."

"A record...?"

"..."

"You have to know how to write..."

Yongcheon scratched his head as the representative.

"Hah, just remember their names."

"I understand."

"And Baekgang, you take another look at the guys the kids have selected and select those who are worthy of becoming warriors of the Hoyeon Brigade."

"Pardon? Warriors of the Hoyeon Brigade?"

"Yes, the second generation of the Hoyeon Brigade."

"The second generation, I understand."

Just as the recruitment meeting for the vagrants was ending and he was about to dismiss them, Sanghui raised her hand.

"Family Head, I have something to say."

"Yeah?"

"Newcomers are good, but it would be good to have experienced people."

"Experienced people?"

"Yes. I've realized it since becoming the Inner Hall Master. The amount of work I have to handle as the Inner Hall Master is like a mountain."

"Hmm... go on."

"As I worked, I felt what I was lacking."

Cheonyeong nodded at Sanghui's words.

"Then, this time, I realized it while watching the Divine Work Pavilion's construction of the Myriad Virtue Inn."

"The Divine Work Pavilion?"

"Yes. Their capabilities were different."

"..."

"Although the Divine Work Pavilion Master's ability is outstanding, he also hired some of the carpenters who used to be at Ahn-ga Mokhyang."

"He did."

Sanghui was right.

The first thing Ahn Chilgang did after deciding to become a member of the Tang family was to hire the carpenters who used to work at Ahn-ga Mokhyang.

"The structure was different."

"The structure was different?"

"Yes. The Divine Work Pavilion Master didn't necessarily decide and handle everything. The trivial matters were handled by the trustworthy carpenters who judged and worked on their own."

"Hmph..."

"But, other than the Divine Work Pavilion, there is no such thing in other places. Especially when I compared it to the Inner Hall that I'm in charge of, my heart felt heavy."

He could feel her hardship in Sanghui's words.

Lately, among the Tang family members, excluding himself, the busiest was Sanghui.

What kind of place was the Inner Hall?

It was the place responsible for the food, clothing, and shelter of the Tang Family's estate, ensuring that the family members did not feel any inconvenience.

Since the Divine Work Pavilion was in charge of the 'shelter', or home, part, it was food and clothing.

She was in charge of what they ate and what they wore.

And recently... even managing the funds.

Because she had to handle so many things, Sanghui had been spending days as busy as Cheonyeong.

"I'll try my best, but my ability is still sorely lacking. For the development of the Tang Family's estate, we need people with professional abilities, Family Head."

"Hmm..."

Cheonyeong nodded his head.

He understood.

She had lived as a vagrant, learned martial arts from him, and then became the Inner Hall Master, that was all.

That punk...

It seemed she had realized her own shortcomings and had been observing the Divine Work Pavilion carefully and worrying.

They say the position makes the person.

Cheonyeong, who was just pleased with Sanghui's worries, suddenly glanced at Yongcheon.

"Huh? Why? Do you have something to say to me? To help Sanghui? Alright! If the Family Head asks so, I will step up."

"..."

Yongcheon smiled brightly and showed his confidence.

Would it be helpful if you stepped up?

No matter how he thought about it, Sanghui was too good for him.

"Tsk tsk, it will naturally improve as you do it, what's there to worry about... Look at me! Understanding the internal affairs of Ganyang, managing the shops, and maintaining public order. How well is the Outer Hall running? You saw how the people from the distillery helped out on their own last time, right?"

Chunil shrugged his shoulders and chided Sanghui.

It was natural that he received a glare from Sanghui.

But... you just went around drinking with people. What did you do?

"Chunil."

"Yes!"

"Aren't you finding out about the internal affairs of Ganyang through the Beggars' Sect?"

"Well, yes..."

"The shop owners are managing the shops, and has there been anything to manage in terms of public order since the Yin Hand Chamber?"

"..."

"Chunil."

"Yes, Family Head."

"Shut up."

"...Yes."

As he reprimanded with a smile, Chunil lowered his gaze with a sullen expression.

He kept pouting his lips, as if muttering to himself.

"You idiot, if you just stay quiet like me, you'll at least be in the middle. Why do you have to step up for no reason and get yelled at?"

Cheonyeong said to Baekgang, who was sneering at Chunil.

"You shut up too."

"...Yes."

The shrunken Baekgang and Chunil.

And then.

"Dammit, you guys at least have positions to complain about. I..."

Hwangsama's sullen voice was heard.

"Family Head, really, why are you discouraging the kids? From what I see, they're doing just fine."

Acting like a Vice Family Head, Yongcheon comforted the three with drooping shoulders.

Hah.

People's hearts are so fickle.

When he accepted and taught them, it seemed they could do anything...

But now that he had formed a family, wasn't Sanghui the only useful one?

And he couldn't just kick out the guys he had already given the Tang surname to and had been living with like brothers...

"Family Head."

"Yes?"

"The Inner Hall Master is right. What the Tang Family's estate needs now are people with abilities."

Ahn Chilgang said, siding with Sanghui.

I know.

How could I not know?

But who would come?

The Tang Family's estate, which had driven out the Yin Hand Chamber and restored peace to Ganyang.

The Tang Family's estate, which had started trading with two merchant groups in the capital and had finally opened a shop in Ganyang.

That was all.

It was a level that only the people of Ganyang would acknowledge.

Although his heart was already number one in the world, who would even know the name of the Tang Family's estate outside of Ganyang?

Just one or two villages over, people would probably tilt their heads.

The Tang Family's estate? What's that?

That would be the reaction.

No matter how many recruitment notices he put out, and how many posters he put up in various places, talented high-level individuals would never come.

But as Sanghui said, as the Divine Work Pavilion Master said, high-level personnel were needed.

For the Tang Family's estate to firmly establish itself as the most prestigious family in Ganyang... to expand beyond Sichuan and into the world...

"Sanghui."

"Yes."

"I know well what you're saying."

"..."

"Don't worry. I'll think about it. I'm sorry, but please bear with it a little longer."

"I'm sorry. You're already busier than anyone else... I feel like I've just added to your worries."

"Don't be sorry. Thanks to you, I'm a little more certain about what I have to do in the future."

Cheonyeong smiled brightly and patted Sanghui's shoulder.

"Now, shall we end the meeting and get to work?"

"Yes, Family Head."

After the meeting ended, the day of the Tang Family's estate began.

The members of the Tang Family's estate began to move busily to carry out their respective roles.

But Cheonyeong's heart was just heavy.

The words Sanghui had thrown.

The need for talent.

It was a problem he had to solve from now on.

"...In the end, to recruit people, I have to raise my reputation first."

Now that he had taken the spot by driving out one Yin Hand Chamber, it was time to strengthen the internal affairs.

How long would a tower built without a foundation last?

Although he didn't know what kind of plotting the merchant association would do.

"Hey, but... what did the Family Head say earlier? Justice what?"

"Justice will prevail?"

"Ah! That's right. But what does that mean?"

"How would I know?"

"...Well."

Look at that, look at that.

The level of conversation between the so-called leaders of the Tang family...

His chest felt tight.

Those ignorant punks.

First of all, whatever it was, he had to build an academy first.

* * *

After hearing Sanghui's troubles, Ahn Chilgang sought out the people who had belonged to Ahn-ga Mokhyang and did not hesitate to go to great lengths to call them.

Thanks to his help, it became a little easier, but it was still not enough.

Cheonyeong first invited the scholars from the private sector and created an academy.

Because to become a proper warrior, it was natural to be well-versed in both literary and martial arts.

Although the leaders had rebelled, saying they had never studied writing before and couldn't study with the children.

"The Tang Family's estate has no need for ignorant punks! If you don't reach a certain level, I'll make you do menial work, whether you're a hall master or whatever, so just know that!"

Cheonyeong had neatly smoothed it over with a stern warning.

Of course, a little violence was used in the process.

The Tang Family's estate was slowly stabilizing like that.

What was left was.

"They said they won't come."

"Why?"

"Well... because it's the Tang Family's estate?"

"You son of a bitch!"

Cheonyeong's face contorted at Nosanggae's words, which were as if it were a matter of course.

Lately, Cheonyeong had been living at the Beggars' Sect branch.

For the sake of recruiting talent.

Who else would know the talents of various places as well as the Beggars' Sect?

But the answer that came back was...

The Tang Family's estate? Where's that?

Or, Pfft!

Or even, crunch!

Most of them had thrown away the envelope without even opening it.

"You son of a bitch! How much have I paid for information so far! If it's going to be like this, give me my money back!"

"Ahem! Customer! That's not the Beggars' Sect's fault, is it? It's because the reputation of the Tang Family's estate is only that much."

"What's wrong with the reputation of the Tang Family's estate?"

"Huh? You don't know that?"

"..."

"Tsk tsk, so dull. It can't be helped. I'll have to let our customer know his place. Oyong!"

Nosanggae called for the Vice Branch Leader, Oyong, at the sight of the fuming Cheonyeong.

"Go and bring the Sichuan Power Directory."

"Yes!"

Oyong, who had received Nosanggae's order, brought a thick and shabby book.

"What is this?"

"What do you think? It's a document that records the rankings of the families and forces established in Sichuan with fifty or more disciples, based on an objective evaluation."

"Hah, you really made all sorts of things."

"Because it's the Beggars' Sect."

Nosanggae smirked and opened the book.

How long had it been tucked away that dust flew out when he turned the pages?

"Let's see... alright. Here it is."

"...?"

"You see here?"

"...Tang... Family... estate?"

"Yes, you see the ranking too?"

He saw it.

The number two hundred and seventy... one was written in front of the name.

"The position of the Tang Family's estate in Sichuan."

"...Two hundred?"

"Yeah."

"Two hundred and seventieth place is... Cheongyang Martial Arts School?"

"It's a place run by a vassal family of a disciple of a disciple of a disciple of the Cheongseong Sect... anyway, a very distant vassal family."

"Not a family, not a sect, but just a martial arts school is above the Tang Family's estate?"

"Of course."

Cheonyeong looked at Nosanggae with narrowed eyes.

"Then... what about the Ganyang branch?"

"Here."

Fifty...

"Pardon?"

"It's an objective ranking. It's an evaluation that the Beggars' Sect makes once a year after a very precise assessment."

"...Didn't you get beaten by me last time?"

Nosanggae flinched at Cheonyeong's words.

(End of Chapter)