The year changed.

And many changes came.

Cheonyeong turned eighteen, and the Tang Family's estate was becoming different from before.

The mulberry fields have turned into a blue sea.

It was an expression for when the world had changed beyond recognition. Like that saying, the appearance of the Tang Family's estate these days was changing day by day.

With the efforts of the Divine Work Pavilion Master and the carpenters, two more buildings were completed in addition to the Three Yang Hall, and the members of the Tang family no longer had to live a life that was no different from camping out.

The hellish training of the Tang family leaders, which had started with Chunil's knees, had now become a daily routine.

In turn, Baekgang incorporated the training he had received into the Hoyeon Brigade's training, turning the lives of the trainees into hell as well.

Thanks to that, the Tang Family's estate was always full of groans and gazes full of venom.

It was a good thing.

Because it meant that the Tang Family's estate was getting stronger and stronger.

Also, the morning run to Cheonja Mountain with the dawn had become a daily routine in Ganyang.

It was to the point where one could say that the morning of Ganyang began with the morning run of the Tang Family's estate.

In addition, to enhance the results of the training, the sandbags worn on the body were changed into the form of armor.

It was thanks to the money he had taken from Go Hyeon.

When the merchant association collapsed, the merchants needed a place to be the center, and that center became the Tang Family's estate by unanimous consent.

Should he say it was a family that combined martial arts and commerce, which had never existed in the martial world until now?

Someone might point a finger and call it a heretical act that had abandoned the pride of a martial artist, but what did it matter?

In the first place, the Tang Family's estate was a place that did not even distinguish between Orthodox and Unorthodox.

What was so important about the distinction between martial arts and commerce?

It was enough if the members of the Tang family lived well.

But.

"Family Head, I would like to have a martial arts academy."

"A martial arts academy?"

"Yes."

After the regular merchant association meeting ended, Guhwang came to Cheonyeong's residence, which was prepared behind the Three Yang Hall.

It was for Guhwang, who had become the secretary of the merchant association by unanimous consent for the reason that he had been the first to join hands with the Tang family, to give a settlement report to Cheonyeong.

But a martial arts academy all of a sudden...

As Cheonyeong was at a loss, Guhwang said cautiously.

"Don't you already have the experience of building the Tang family's school?"

"Well..."

It was because of the idiots of the Tang Family's estate.

To teach them how to read, as most of them were illiterate, having been born as vagrants.

Fortunately, the scholars who had been buried in the wilderness of Ganyang helped, and there were considerable results.

Now, eight teachers took turns teaching, so not only the Tang Family's estate but all the children of Ganyang were receiving the benefits of education.

They did not even distinguish by status or age, and even the vagrant children attended the school.

But a martial arts academy is different.

"If it's funds, we will contribute little by little."

Funds are not the problem.

Now there is quite a bit of leeway.

The donations sent from the shops under the Tang family and the merchant association, and the considerable money he had taken by robbing Go Hyeon.

The compensation from the Lee family would come soon, and according to the General, Han Utae, the past incident would be resolved and the property of the Mandeok Estate would also be returned.

The problem is that there is no one to teach.

Weren't the only warriors in Ganyang the people of the Tang Family's estate?

"Family Head."

"Yes."

"Now we are no different from the family members of the Tang Family's estate."

"Family members?"

"Of course. Not only us, but the whole of Ganyang can be said to be the family members of the Tang Family's estate."

That's what you guys think.

I'm the Family Head, so why are you guys talking about family members as you please?

The ones who had pretended not to see when the Mandeok Estate was collapsing were now trying to stick to the Tang Family's estate now that it had gained some fame.

But Cheonyeong, hiding his inner thoughts, repeatedly showed his reluctance.

"Secretary, no matter what, a martial arts academy is a bit difficult."

"Why so?"

"The leaders of the Tang family are already overwhelmed with their current work."

Cheonyeong's words were true.

Having grown so suddenly, the leaders of the Tang Family's estate were working without a moment's rest.

Of course, the hellish training that Cheonyeong had created took up the largest portion...

"Aren't there the first-generation warriors of the Hoyeon Brigade?"

"The first-generation members of the Hoyeon Brigade?"

"Yes."

"But they..."

What the first-generation members of the Hoyeon Brigade were learning was, at best, the Tang family's basic heart law, the Gentle Flowing Meridian, and the Six Harmonies Fist.

There was the Welcoming Wind he had taken through Lee Wonik, but the research was not yet finished, so he couldn't even teach it.

What kind of instructors could such guys be?

"Family Head. I see it as a good opportunity."

"..."

"I heard that you are looking for children with outstanding talent among the vagrant children."

"That's right."

"So isn't it a very good thing?"

"Is that so?"

"Of course. Consider it as creating an evaluation process."

"An evaluation process?"

"Yes. If you establish a martial arts academy and teach, it will be of great help in selecting talented children."

"Hmm... it's not a bad method, but."

"Please give it a try."

At Guhwang's repeated persuasion, Cheonyeong finally nodded his head.

To teach.

This is an act that is also of great help in learning.

Should I say that when you teach, you become more proficient in what you already know?

And if a situation arises where they are inferior to the disciples they are teaching, they will devote themselves to training even more diligently.

He himself had been like that.

He had learned things while training the leaders of the Tang family that he had not known when he was learning, practicing, and developing on his own.

Would his pride endure being inferior to Yongcheon?

That damn talented punk.

That's what it means to teach others.

It will also be helpful to the children of the Hoyeon Brigade.

In other words, a series of processes of growing into a martial arts academy, the Hoyeon Brigade, and a martial arts academy instructor is created.

And just in time, isn't there a suitable person to oversee the martial arts academy?

Tang Hwangsama, the only one among the six Tangs who had no position and whose mouth was always sticking out.

He could entrust it to that punk.

"I understand. I will ask the Divine Work Pavilion Master to build a martial arts academy soon."

"You have made a good decision."

The establishment of the martial arts academy was decided.

"Now, then, I will report on the settlement of the merchant association."

Guhwang's number game began.

His head ached on its own, and his face frowned.

Hah, other things feel so easy, but why is this moment so tiring?

He was about to get dizzy every time Guhwang flicked the abacus.

"Um... can't you just take care of it, Secretary?"

"That won't do. Although I am acting as an agent, you, the Family Head, are the head of the merchant association, so you must receive the report accurately."

Guhwang jumped up and refused at Cheonyeong's words.

Hah, I really don't want to...

He understood Sanghui's feelings.

He might have to find a financial general manager for the Tang Family's estate as soon as possible.

After a long, long time, Cheonyeong saw Guhwang off, looking as if he had aged several years at once.

"Then, I will see you at the settlement next month."

"Yes, please take care."

Cheonyeong, who had been waving at the departing Guhwang, sat down without realizing it.

"Heu-eu... damn number game."

Now he couldn't even analyze the flow of where the money was coming from and how it was being used.

The amount of money coming in had increased, but it was not being managed at all...

"Family Head, Family Head."

"...Yeonwoo?"

The voice he heard while resting for a moment was none other than the Inner Hall warrior, Yeonwoo.

"Come in."

As permission was granted, Yeonwoo carefully opened the door and approached Cheonyeong.

"If there is something to report, the Inner Hall Master should have come, so why did you come?"

"The Inner Hall Master is out for a while... and I couldn't see any of the other leaders."

"It can't be helped, so what is it?"

"A guest has come to the gate and is looking for you, Family Head."

"Me?"

"Yes."

"Who is it?"

"Well... he didn't reveal his identity, and said he needed to see you, the Family Head, about a retainer matter."

"A retainer?"

"Yes."

Hmm, a retainer refers to a person who stays in a house with power.

Also called house guests, they were mostly reclusive figures invited and served by a family.

But their essence was that of a freeloader who lived off others' houses and just ate.

Especially in Cheonyeong's case, he had very bad feelings about them.

Because the former Yin Hand Chamber Master, Lee Ilpyeong, had once been a retainer of the Mandeok Estate.

Hadn't he, who had been invited by his father, eventually become a deep-seated enemy?

"We don't accept retainers, so tell him to leave."

"But he is very adamant."

"He won't go?"

"Yes, he has sat down on the floor. If we force him out, the rumors about the Tang Family's estate might not be very good..."

"Hmm, I understand. I'll go out and see for myself."

"Yes."

At Yeonwoo's troubled expression, Cheonyeong had no choice but to go outside.

How could the Family Head ignore the difficulties of his family members?

There weren't even that many people.

Privately speaking, wasn't the rank of the first-generation member of the Hoyeon Brigade and Inner Hall warrior, Yeonwoo, about that of Cheonyeong's nephew?

As he went out the main gate with Yeonwoo, just as he had said, a middle-aged man with a bushy beard was sitting with his back straight, looking at the main gate of the Tang Family's estate.

"This is the Family Head of the Tang Family's estate."

"Oh! You are the Family Head of the Tang Family's estate."

At Yeonwoo's introduction, the middle-aged man shot up and greeted him with a sharp bow.

"Yes, I am the Family Head of the Tang Family's estate."

"Indeed! You are as young as the rumors say."

"...Yes. But who are you?"

"I have heard of the fame of you, the Family Head, who has recently been called one of the Thirteen Dragons of Sichuan and the Flood Dragon of Ganyang..."

"Pardon? Who, no, the Flood... Dragon of Ganyang?"

"Yes."

Cheonyeong frowned at the man's answer.

From the feeling of the conversation, that title was clearly referring to him...

The Thirteen Dragons of Sichuan meant that there were thirteen guys with roughly similar abilities, but the Flood... Dragon of Ganyang? A flood dra-gon?

Of course, not just anyone gets the name 'dragon'.

One gets such a title when one has outstanding qualities and has achieved a feat that others can recognize.

Mainly for young scholars...

Like Heavenly Dragon or Sword Dragon.

But a flood dragon?

What was that?

A dragon without horns and scales.

A dragon is a dragon, but it's a bit lacking to be treated as a dragon, and it's too outstanding to say it's not a dragon...

In other words, it means it's about the level of a great serpent, that is, an imugi.

"..."

Cheonyeong's face, as he quietly recalled the meaning, contorted viciously.

You son of a bitch!

What kind of bastard put such a title in front of someone else's name?

Moreover, not even Sichuan, but the Flood... Dragon of Ganyang?

What do they take me for, the Family Head of the Tang Family's estate, to make me look so shabby?

As Cheonyeong was silent, the man, not knowing that he was furious, continued to speak.

"As you may have heard, I am Jangpyo, the One Sword of Dongpyeong, who is renowned in the vicinity."

...I haven't heard.

After thinking for a long time, he barely recalled that the name of a small village far north of Ganyang was Dongpyeong.

In other words, it meant that Jangpyo had made a name for himself in a tiny village called Dongpyeong.

"I heard that the Tang Family's estate needs people."

Who?

Although he had sent letters to talented people in various places, he hadn't particularly posted a notice.

"Hearing that the newly established Tang Family's estate is in difficulty, how can I, as a reclusive warrior, pretend not to know? Therefore, I have come, not minding the thousand li, to ask to be a retainer."

Only then could Cheonyeong understand the meaning of the man's words.

Please give me some food, as I will become a freeloader on my own accord. was what it was.

"Actually, considering my reputation, I should ask for more... but if you just provide me with a place to stay and the treatment of a retainer, I will help the Tang Family's estate without asking for anything."

The man's words ended.

Not only was he asking for food, but he was also asking for a house.

This punk... is a freeloader.

Cheonyeong, who had been pretending to be in deep thought, said briefly to the person who was the One Sword of Dongpyeong and used the name Jangpyo.

"...Get lost."

The Tang Family's Departure from the World