"Family Head Tang, the Assembly of Elders... do you have any intention of participating?"

Lee Cheongik, who was preparing to leave the next day and was being seen off, asked.

He had already asked several times.

"As I've said, I don't have enough time just taking care of the family."

"If it's because of the family, I will recommend a good talent."

"A recommendation?"

"Yes. The financial manager you need right away..."

Cheonyeong waved his hand with a small laugh, cutting off Lee Cheongik's words.

Lee Cheongik's thoughtfulness was truly grateful, but it was said that money management should be entrusted to a reliable person.

Moreover, if he entrusted it to a punk who had been touched by the Lee family, would he be at ease?

"I will take care of it myself."

"Hoo, since you say so, I can't recommend anymore."

Lee Cheongik sighed at Cheonyeong's firm expression.

The Assembly of Elders.

It was a place where the warriors of Sichuan, no, the world, gathered.

Lee Cheongik really wanted to show him there.

Hadn't he rediscovered the importance of the basics thanks to Cheonyeong, and hadn't he grasped a clue to the thirteenth change?

He really wanted to show the completed form of the Clear Wind Red Haze Sword that he had been polishing relentlessly for less than a year.

"Family Head Tang."

"Yes."

"I know it is rude to say it again, but please consider participating in the Assembly of Elders at least once. For the sake of making the Tang Family's estate's name known, and for the sake of making your name, Family Head, known."

"...I will think about it."

The farewell ended with Cheonyeong's words.

In fact, Lee Cheongik was in a hurry to return.

Because he didn't want to lose the clue of enlightenment he had barely grasped.

He wanted to return to the Lee family and complete the thirteenth change he had realized by slowly reviewing the Clear Wind Red Haze Sword from the beginning.

But the reason he had repeatedly recommended and dragged on the time was solely his liking for Tang Cheonyeong.

It was a pity that such a great person, who could make his name known in Sichuan, was staying in Ganyang.

"Then I will be on my way."

"Please take care. If there is a chance, we will meet again."

"Yes, if you have any difficulties, please ask me anytime. I promise as the one who represents the Lee family head. The Lee family will always respond to the call of the Tang Family's estate with all its might."

Lee Cheongik, who had bowed his head to Cheonyeong with all his heart, gets on the horse prepared by the Tang Family's estate.

"Let's go back!"

"Yes!"

The horse, startled by the whip Lee Cheongik had cracked, powerfully lifted its front legs.

Dudududu!

The horses carrying Jinrip and the Lee family warriors powerfully followed him as he galloped away in an instant.

And then.

"Family Head Tang."

"...?"

Lee Wonik, for some reason, did not get on his horse and said to Cheonyeong.

"I will not try to take back the water that has already been spilled for my past mistakes."

"..."

"But, if you ever wish it, I will offer even my life."

With that one blunt word, Lee Wonik belatedly left for Misan.

Cheonyeong smiled as he watched his departing back.

The brat of the Lee family seems to really think the world of his brother.

Seeing him talk about his life after knowing that his brother had realized something thanks to Cheonyeong.

But it's a cheap life.

I wouldn't take it even if you gave it to me.

"The eldest young master of the Lee family, he'll be several times stronger next time."

Cheonyeong touched his side where his clothes had been cut the previous night at Nosanggae's words, who had been seeing him off with him.

He will be strong.

Although he didn't know the level of the warriors participating in the Assembly of Elders, he would at least be counted among the top.

Because the Lee Cheongik he had seen seemed to be that kind of person.

"By the way... what are you doing here?"

"Huh?"

"Why does the branch leader always leave the branch and keep wasting time at someone else's house?"

"Keep?"

Nosanggae wore a disappointed expression at Cheonyeong's words.

Keep?

It had been a while.

"This person, what are you saying between us?"

"My, you're speaking strangely. Are we in some kind of relationship?"

"Well... landlord and tenant?"

"It's been a long time since the contract ended. I already gave you the contract. You haven't paid a single penny of rent, but you've had alcohol, food... anyway, as expected of a beggar. Why do you like free things so much?"

"Wh-what did you say? Who do you think stood as a mediator for you!"

"Did I ask you to?"

"Ugh?"

"Why are you trying to blame me for what the Lee family asked for?"

"No, I..."

"Just go. It seems we'll be busy from now on."

Nosanggae stared in disbelief as Cheonyeong turned his body away.

But Cheonyeong, without giving Nosanggae a single glance, looked at Yongcheon and said.

"Yongcheon."

"Yes. Family Head."

"Pack your things."

"Pardon?"

"Let's go eat the ferry. If you leave expensive things for a long time, this punk and that punk will get their hands on them."

"Yes!"

At Cheonyeong's command, the Tang Family's estate began to move busily. And Nosanggae, who had been left alone outside the main gate because no one paid him any attention, pouted and grumbled.

"That... that, rude punk."

Of course, it was a small voice that Cheonyeong couldn't hear.

Because the memory of being beaten was still vivid...

"By the way, Ongjin Island. The Lee family has made a rather bold decision."

If the Tang Family's estate were to occupy the ferry of Ongjin Island, where numerous merchant ships came and went, they would get their hands on an enormous amount of wealth that could not be compared to now.

But. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"It will be difficult to manage with the current number of people... Well, a talented person will take care of it."

Nosanggae, who had been worried for a moment, shook his head as he thought of Cheonyeong.

He was a punk who could do anything.

He had crushed the Yin Hand Chamber with just six people, and had received the interest of the fearsome No Gwanyeong just by his name.

He had even kicked out the merchant association that had been dominating the Ganyang commercial district for a long time.

In name and reality, Ganyang had become the territory of the Tang Family's estate.

Nosanggae suddenly looked intently at the Tang Family's estate.

The highest point of the hill.

It was a place where the Mandeok Estate had collapsed and only the ruins remained.

But now it was a completely different sight.

In just one year...

Where the main pavilion of the Mandeok Estate had been, the Three Yang Hall, which was majestically built as if pressing down on the mountains and rivers with a roof like a crown and strong pillars, was looking at Ganyang.

And next to it, the towering Great Courage Pavilion and the Martial Music Hall.

Although it was this scale for now, in the distant, or near future, the Tang Family's estate would be filled with numerous pavilions, filling the hill.

The high surrounding wall would continue to the end of the line of sight.

Nosanggae smiled as he pictured the future appearance of the Tang Family's estate.

"The Tang Family's estate... perhaps, as the Tang Family Head boasted, it might really make Sichuan resound."

He didn't know why he was in a good mood.

"He's rude, but he's no ordinary punk. Keuk keuk."

* * *

One day, when the Tang Family's estate had returned to its usual routine.

"Huk, huk..."

The breathing is rough.

The leaders of the Tang Family's estate, who are climbing the cliff with only their finger strength, not even being able to set their feet, are pouring sweat like rain.

Below was a sheer cliff, and the only thing that would save their lives was a single rope tied to their waists.

"You punks! Can't you climb faster?!"

Cheonyeong's nagging poured down on the leaders of the Tang Family's estate from the top of the cliff.

Climbing up and down the cliff, one of the hellish trainings they had been doing.

The daily goal was a total of ten times.

Internal energy?

That was a later problem.

Whatever it was, the foundation had to be solid, so that even if internal energy was added, it would have a greater effect.

And when all the internal energy was exhausted, how would they fight?

If you want to have the skill to pierce a rock just by flicking it, finger strength is essential before internal energy.

It had been over a month of training, so it wouldn't be enough even if they did it with ease, but recently the speed had been halved.

The sun was already at its zenith, but they still hadn't completed the ten times.

"Ueek!"

The members of the Tang Family's estate, who had just finished their tenth climb, began to vomit.

And their fingers were trembling so much...

"You damn punks! What's wrong with you all today? A grub would be better than you!"

"..."

"What's the problem! Huh?! What did you all do all night to be in this state?"

The leaders of the Tang Family's estate looked at Cheonyeong's displeased expression with faces full of dissatisfaction.

What did he do?

What did he do!

He had been too busy lately.

He was at the point where he couldn't even defecate.

He had to eat properly to defecate.

He was barely eating because he was so busy with the flood of work.

"Family Head."

"What!"

"Save me... please."

"What?"

"I really feel like I'm going to die. Every day is hell."

As if Chunil's words had opened their mouths, the leaders of the Tang family began to pour out their complaints despite Cheonyeong's fierce gaze.

These guys again?

It had only been a month since he had heard from Yongcheon that it was hard.

These days, the words 'it's hard' were stuck to their mouths.

Was it easy to manage people?

He had to scold these weak punks sharply so that they would never complain again.

"Ganyang patrol, shop management... it's too hard to take care of the ferry's affairs. Ilseung and Myeongseok are taking turns being sick."

"..."

"The martial arts academy is the same. Not only the children of the merchants, but all the children of the common people have flocked. It's impossible for the three of us anymore."

"The Inner Hall is the same. I don't know how to manage that much money. Look at this. My hair... I've been so stressed lately that I've even become constipated... my skin has turned yellow, and I endured and endured until I went to see Doctor Jang, and he said it's jaundice."

"These days, I don't know if I'm the Hoyeon Brigade Master or a selection examiner. I've left the training to the kids, and it's overwhelming just to select the punks who come after hearing the recruitment news."

Cheonyeong, who was about to scold them for the words they were pouring out without distinction, became awkward.

Come to think of it, it must be... hard.

Excluding the Divine Work Pavilion Master, who was busy with construction, there were only five leaders with positions.

There was only one person to handle the work, but the number of people to manage and the commercial district were constantly increasing.

Moreover, after occupying the ferry, the heavy workload had been added.

Was there only one or two places to pay attention to?

He had to meet the ship owners who operated the ships, and he also had to meet the officials who guarded against illegal goods.

Cheonyeong, who was pondering, suddenly looked at Yongcheon.

Vice Family Head...

Come to think of it, doesn't that punk have nothing to do?

But why is he so tired?

He had just let it go last time, but he couldn't just watch anymore.

"Hey! Let's say these guys are like that, but why are you in that state? You should be the most exemplary... ugh?"

Cheonyeong, who was about to criticize Yongcheon, slurred his words at the leaders' glares.

Why are these guys glaring at me?

And Sanghui's venomous gaze... surely, you're not doing that because I said something to your beloved Yongcheon?

"Family Head."

"Huh?"

"The one who's having the hardest time these days is the Vice Family Head."

"The hardest? Him? Why?"

"Hah, I wasn't going to say this."

"...?"

Sanghui sighed and said.

"If we're short-handed, who do you think we'll look for?"

"...Me?"

"The Vice Family Head!"

"Ah..."

"Last night, he stayed up all night chasing the punks who were causing a disturbance at the ferry! The day before yesterday, he went to buy the Inner Hall's groceries alone! Do you think that's all?"

Sanghui's grumbling poured out in a torrent, as if she was very angry.

"...Instead of giving him restorative medicine! Who is scolding whom!"

"..."

Cheonyeong shut his mouth like a clam that had eaten honey.

So that's how it was.

After the conversation last time, he had been quick-witted and helping the kids.

He listens well.

"Aish! Since we're on the subject, I'm going on strike! I can't do this anymore!"

"Me too!"

"Same here! Strike!"

"..."

A-a strike?

Cheonyeong frowned as he looked at the leaders of the Tang Family's estate, starting with Sanghui, who were lying down.

These guys, after learning some characters, are using fancy words.

But the atmosphere is unusual.

In the end, it means that people are the problem...

According to Nosanggae, the Tang Family's estate is only ranked one hundred and thirty-second.

Although it had risen a little after occupying the Ongjin Ferry, it was a minimal amount.

With this kind of reputation, where could he go to invite talented people?

There were no such talented people among those who came.

Hah, if only there was a punk like Lee Cheongik...

He understands well, is knowledgeable about the affairs of the commercial world, and has outstanding martial arts.

If only there was another one like that...

I don't know about anything else, but he had an outstanding talent for calculation... too... oh?

At that moment, an old memory flashed through Cheonyeong's mind.

"Yongcheon!"

"Huh?"

"What's the date today?"

"Today?"

"Yes!"

"Uh... June, the fifth?"

"June... the fifth?"

"Yeah."

"Hmm... eighteen years old. June fifth."

A smile appeared on Cheonyeong's lips as he pondered, searching his memory.

He remembered.

A talent whose martial arts were poor, but who could solve the Tang Family's estate's talent shortage at once.