Kkiiik.

For the first time in a while, the main gate of the Tang Family's estate was thrown wide open.

The Tang family warrior selection, which had been held every day recently, also took a break for today.

Cheonyeong, wearing a white robe with a dragon pattern embroidered in black thread on one shoulder, looked at the members of the Tang family lined up behind him.

The leaders of the Tang family, wearing armor with a faint luster over their light black robes, and behind them, the warriors of the Hoyeon Brigade, wearing green robes.

They looked quite respectable now.

Although their numbers were still not large, they had a neat feeling, unlike before.

Of course, that was all money.

But what could he do?

If he wanted to welcome money... no, guests, the host had to be prepared.

The eldest young master of the Lee family.

One of the Twelve Dragons of Sichuan, and the one who represented the Lee family head, was coming to the Tang Family's estate to discuss the matter of compensation.

News had come from the Beggars' Sect, which had taken on the role of mediator at the Lee family's request, that he had left Misan around dawn, so it was about time for him to arrive now that the sun had passed its zenith.

His heart was pounding.

How much compensation were these punks going to give, to the point of setting up the Beggars' Sect as a mediator and even notifying them of the visit date?

The reason for his considerable expectation was that the Tang Family's estate's spending had increased quite a bit recently.

They say you spend as much as you earn...

The main pavilion, the Three Yang Hall, the Great Courage Pavilion to be used as the dormitory for the Hoyeon Brigade, and the Martial Music Hall where the Inner Hall, which was in charge of the household affairs, stayed.

Although it would take time to complete, there were already three buildings.

Not only that, but there were also a slew of buildings to be built in the future according to discussions with the Divine Work Pavilion Master.

Moreover, recently, at the request of Secretary Guhwang, he had taken over a pavilion with a garden on the outskirts of Ganyang and established a martial arts academy, accepted additional students, and recruited new family members.

Was that all?

There were even people who commuted to take care of various miscellaneous tasks.

As the number of people increased, the amount of money needed was not just a penny or two.

Food expenses, clothing expenses, and various weapons to be used by the warriors.

"Hah..."

It was good to see the Tang Family's estate growing, but it cost too much money.

Especially, what was the main weapon of the Tang Family's estate?

It was hidden weapons.

If you consider just one, it's a flying needle that doesn't cost that much, but since each warrior had to have hundreds of them, it cost much more than raising punks who just carried one sword. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

This was why he couldn't help but feel that it was not enough, even though his income had increased.

As expected, a financial general manager was urgently needed.

Someone who could efficiently manage and inflate the money earned...

"Family Head!"

"...?"

Cheonyeong, who had been lost in thought, raised his head at Yongcheon's voice.

The road connected to Misan that Yongcheon was pointing to with his hand.

A carriage was approaching.

The flag of the Lee family was planted and fluttering, and the only person who could be called a guard was the coachman.

The person who met Nosanggae, who was waiting at the entrance of the road leading up to the Tang Family's estate, and exchanged simple greetings, got out of the carriage and slowly approached the main gate of the Tang Family's estate and stopped.

"...Hoh?"

It was unexpected.

A punk who was the eldest young master was walking, leaving the carriage behind?

The eldest young master of the Lee family, which had a much greater reputation than the Tang Family's estate, had lowered himself.

"It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am Cheongik of the Lee family."

"..."

It was an extremely polite greeting.

Neither excessive nor lacking, and his neat posture overflowed with dignity.

Even though he must have known that it was a new family and that the family head was younger than him, no trace of disregard could be found in the eldest young master's eyes.

Also, although he did not show it, the prayer contained within him warmly pressed down on the surroundings.

More than anything... he was handsome.

Not just handsome, but a handsomeness that suited a gentle smile that made the viewer's heart feel at ease.

The Twelve Dragons of Sichuan.

Being called by that name, it was clear that his martial arts would not be low either.

In the end, a punk with a lot of blessings... who had everything.

"Ahem! Family Head Tang?"

As Cheonyeong was silent, Nosanggae coughed and urged him to act.

It meant to receive the greeting.

And since the words that came were polite, it was only right that the words that went should also be polite.

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

Cheonyeong deliberately spoke in a half-formal tone.

Although that was his position as the master of the Tang Family's estate, he thought that the eldest young master of the Lee family, Lee Cheongik, might get angry.

But.

"I have heard much about you. I hear that your name, Family Head Tang, has been resounding throughout Sichuan lately."

"..."

He didn't fall for it.

Lee Cheongik bowed his head as if it were natural, unlike Lee Wonik or Jinrip before.

How could brothers have such different characters?

By any chance... did they pick up one of them and raise him?

Leaving behind the question he couldn't bring himself to ask, Cheonyeong stepped aside and guided Lee Cheongik into the Tang Family's estate.

"You must have had a long journey. Please come inside."

"I will follow."

"Then..."

Even though he had given way, he did not walk ahead, so there was no need to provoke him further.

Lee Cheongik.

He is the epitome of the upright scion of the Orthodox Faction that one would commonly imagine.

Polite, and living as if justice were the goal of his life.

Dammit, this is troublesome.

If there's no pretext to pick a fight, there's no way to inflate the compensation, is there?

A single palm cannot clap.

A clap needs two hands to make a sound, but that punk is so polite, upright, kind, and even smiles well...

It seemed he was wrong to try to extort additional compensation.

Cheonyeong, while smiling on the outside, let out a deep sigh inwardly in disappointment.

...It's over, it's over.

* * *

The negotiation began without a separate banquet being prepared.

Cheonyeong had Yongcheon bring Lee Wonik and the warriors of the Lee family.

Wasn't it the basis of a transaction to build trust by showing each other what they had?

"Big Brother!"

Lee Wonik, who had been called to the Three Yang Hall, trembled his eyes and whimpered as soon as he saw Lee Cheongik.

He must have been overwhelmed with sorrow, as they were blood relatives.

But.

"Stay there."

Lee Cheongik raised his hand and firmly stopped him from approaching.

"Big Brother...?"

"Tsk! The Family Head of the Tang Family's estate is present. Can't you stop! How can you be so thoughtless!"

"...B-big Brother."

"Since the negotiation has not yet begun, you, the culprit and hostage of this incident, should follow the will of the Tang Family's estate. Do not even open your mouth until the negotiation is over, and wait."

Lee Cheongik's voice, as he chided his younger brother, was stern and serious.

Since Lee Wonik was treated like that, there was no way Jinrip, Jangpae, and the escort warriors could open their mouths.

They just stood with their heads bowed low like criminals.

"I apologize, Family Head. My younger brother is still immature."

Cheonyeong wore a faint smile at Lee Cheongik's apology.

The Lee family head had succeeded in one of the two.

A punk with firmness within his gentleness...

Although it was a matter of the distant future, he had a feeling that when Lee Cheongik's era came, the Lee family would enjoy a prosperity with much more respect than now.

"I don't mind. Isn't it a reunion after a long time?"

"Thank you for your understanding."

"The thanks... let's save it for when the negotiation is over and we have both achieved a satisfactory result."

"Yes."

At Lee Cheongik's answer, Cheonyeong said to Sanghui.

"Inner Hall Master."

"Yes, Family Head."

"Please provide chairs for the Second Young Master of the Lee family and the others. And serve them tea so that their hearts may be at ease."

"Pardon?"

"Won't the Eldest Young Master be uncomfortable?"

"Yes, I understand."

At Cheonyeong's words, Sanghui stood up and moved busily to carry out the order.

"Thank you for your consideration."

"This Family Head has a personality of treating those he calls 'punks' like punks, and those he calls 'sirs' like sirs... You can think of the consideration now as a result of your own words and actions."

At those words, Lee Cheongik smiled faintly and looked at Cheonyeong.

Just as Cheonyeong had, Lee Cheongik also couldn't hide his surprise.

The young family head of eighteen.

But the presence he faced was more than he had thought.

His gaze contained a power that unconsciously intimidated people.

They say the position makes the man.

Experienced people in high positions naturally have such a prayer imbued in their bodies, but considering his age... the Tang Family Head must have been born with it.

A person who will stand above others.

Although it was a gentle gaze, Lee Cheonyeong had taken in everything with his eyes from the moment he entered the Tang Family's estate.

Three pavilions.

Solid.

It was clear that a rather famous carpenter had built it after long deliberation.

Seeing that the name of one of the buildings was the Martial Music, the sixth star of the Big Dipper, which symbolized wealth and nobility, it was clear that the remaining buildings would also be named after the seven stars.

The traces of careful consideration were evident even in one building.

Also, the green-robed boys with young faces that the Tang Family's estate was raising.

Although they looked like mere martial arts academy students, the faint poison in their eyes would act as a huge potential for their future growth.

And the five leaders who had come in with him.

Although they were waiting silently, they were protecting the Family Head's side as if guarding him.

Although they had not formed a formation, he could tell just from their expressions, actions, and cautious steps.

The fact that they were prepared to protect the Family Head at any moment.

In other words, the Tang Family's estate's ousting of the Yin Hand Chamber and occupation of Ganyang was probably not a coincidence.

But how could that be?

He had heard he was only eighteen...

How could he have established the Tang family alone at that age and settled down so quickly?

His head was filled with curiosity about the Tang Family Head.

And one thing was certain.

A warrior who would live in the same era as himself.

If his personality was to treat punks and sirs differently as he said, it would be good to be his friend, but the moment he became an enemy, it would be quite tiring.

"Shall we start our conversation with a cup of tea?"

"Let's."

As he recommended the tea that Sanghui had brought, Lee Cheonik leisurely savored it.

"The Tang family's finances are not solid, so we could not prepare high-quality tea. Please understand."

"What does the type of tea matter? The sincerity of the person who brewed it is fully imbued, so it is a treat that is incomparably extravagant."

It was a very embellished statement.

But that embellishment made the atmosphere even softer.

Even Sanghui, who had not shown a smile to anyone but Yongcheon, wore a faint smile.

"My, the hearts of the women of Misan must have been quite shaken."

"How could that be? I don't even have a marriage prospect yet, even though I'm of marriageable age."

Lee Cheongik showed humility.

But Cheonyeong knew.

A punk like this would have received numerous marriage proposals.

But, he probably just wasn't interested.

By the way, how do I cook this punk to extort compensation?

"Shall we start with an explanation of the situation?"

As Cheonyeong was about to bring up the past incident, Lee Cheongik shook his head.

"I have already heard about that part from the Vice Brigade Master of our family's Shadow Severing Brigade, so let's skip it."

"...Skip?"

"Yes. The people of Ganyang have already seen everything, and the Beggars' Sect Branch Leader has even acted as a notary, haven't they? Our family is fully aware of the sin we have committed against the Tang Family's estate."

Cheonyeong sighed inwardly again at the sight of Lee Cheongik continuing the conversation as if bowing his head first.

It seemed the compensation was getting smaller and smaller.

"This is the compensation that our family has determined... I don't know what you will think."

Lee Cheongik took out an envelope from his bosom and placed it in front of Cheonyeong.

What is this?

From the looks of it, it seems like a document...

"Five hundred nyang of gold."

"...Five hundred... pardon?"

At those words, Cheonyeong lost his composure and his eyes widened.

Cheonyeong was at least better.

The Tang family leaders, including Yongcheon, had their mouths agape.

"F-five hundred nyang? In gold?"

Nosanggae even let out an exclamation.

"In addition, we will withdraw our family's branch at the border of Ganyang and Misan."

"A branch..."

Cheonyeong tilted his head at Lee Cheongik's words.

And then.

"You're abandoning Ongjin Island!??"

Nosanggae, who had realized the meaning of Lee Cheongik's words, forgot his composure and shot up, shouting.

"That's right."

"Hah! How can you?"

Cheonyeong just looked at Nosanggae's reaction, who was about to be surprised and fall over, in confusion.

Ongjin Island?

Where is that?

"Family Head Tang, Ongjin Island is a riverside area occupied by the Lee family."

"A riverside?"

"Yes."

"So... what?"

"You dense person! It's a ferry!"

"A ferry...?"

"Yes! A ferry connected to a tributary of the Yangtze River. It's the waterway of the central region of Sichuan Province. If the Lee family withdraws from Ongjin Island, the Ongjin Ferry will be no different from an ownerless mountain. And if someone occupies that place, the profit... hah, it's incalculable."

At Nosanggae's words, Cheonyeong blinked his eyes and looked at Lee Cheongik.

What did it mean that the Lee family was withdrawing its branch?

It meant that it was fine for the Tang Family's estate to occupy it.

But it was excessive.

Five hundred nyang of gold was already more than enough for compensation.

"Hey, Eldest Young Master."

"Yes, Family Head."

"Money is good to have a lot of... but the Lee family's compensation is too excessive."

"Is being excessive a problem?"

"Well, because too much has an intention behind it."

As Cheonyeong's eyes narrowed, Lee Cheongik smiled faintly and said.

"Actually, Ongjin Island was not in the plan. But, after meeting you in person, Family Head, I made up my mind. I want to be a friend of the Tang Family's estate."

"A friend?"

"Yes, a friend who helps each other in difficult times. To wash away the grudges of the past, we should at least give up one ferry. Isn't that right?"

At Lee Cheongik's words, Nosanggae couldn't hide his surprise and just kept letting out hollow laughs, and Cheonyeong just stared silently.

A funny statement.

Wasn't it the Tang Family's estate that had vowed to repay grudges tenfold?

But to become friends with money?

"Keuk, keuk keuk. Eldest Young Master, you are a very interesting person."

"..."

"To wash away grudges with a ferry and move on to a developmental relationship, that's quite something."

Cheonyeong, with a sneer, stood up from his seat and approached Lee Cheongik.

"To say we're friends is absurd."

"...Is that so?"

As Cheonyeong shook his head, Lee Cheongik wore a disappointed expression for the first time.

"A friend is out of the question. Because a word is missing in front."

"...Pardon?"

"Good!"

"...Pardon?"

"From now on, the Lee family is our Tang Family's estate's go~od! friend."

Cheonyeong extended his hand and smiled brightly.

A grudge?

What's so important about that?

It's a ferry...

A huge interest that is in charge of the Yangtze River logistics...

I wonder if I had any grudge with the Lee family.

I don't even remember.

(End of Chapter)