"Hey, have you heard the story of the Gongson family?"

"Of course! That's all anyone is talking about these days..."

The people gathered in small groups in the inn, eating, were all whispering to each other, but the topic of conversation was the same.

Honam Province, a family located about ten li south of Dongting Lake.

The Gongson family of Sublime Virtue, Vast Enterprise.

How high must their virtue be to be called Sublime Virtue, and how large must their enterprise be to be called Vast Enterprise?

Everyone knows the reason.

Although they were merchants who pursued profit, they were so full of compassion that they released relief rice during every famine, ensuring that no one within a hundred li starved. Thus, voices of praise filled the four seas and ten thousand directions.

Therefore, every appointed official came to pay their respects, and even the Green Forest bandits and water thieves, who considered others' money their own, did not dare to attack the Gongson family's goods.

Because the moment they attacked, they would be criticized from all sides and pursued by government soldiers who had the public sentiment on their side.

Thanks to that, the Gongson family, though slowly, operated their business stably and expanded their influence beyond Honam to the world.

But there are things that cannot be done with money and fame.

The first is the lifespan that a person is born with.

When the family head, Gongson Gang, lost his life in an unexpected accident, and even the old family head, Gongson Muryang, died from the shock, the entire family fell into destitution.

Naturally, the position of the next family head was passed on to the thirteen-year-old boy, Gongson Seung.

But what did it matter if the family head was young?

The prevailing opinion was that the power of the Gongson family, which had been hiring talented people based on their abilities for generations, would not be easily broken.

However, a second problem that could not be solved with money and fame caught the Gongson family by the ankle.

It was the children that the old family head, Gongson Muryang, had sired.

A tiger father begets a dog son.

Never mind the aunts who had left home early, the seven uncles were no ordinary problem.

Unlike Gongson Muryang and Gongson Gang, who had advocated for righteous management, they, who had divided a part of the family's business, were only focused on profit.

Their personalities were also arrogant and haughty, and their notoriety was widespread in Dongting Lake.

They would fight at the drop of a hat and tyrannize their subordinates.

How bad must it have been for people to say that the biggest stain on Gongson Muryang's life was his children?

The problem was that Gongson Muryang, who had blocked that stain, had died.

"Tsk tsk, it's obvious even without looking. Now that even the old family head has passed away, there will be a huge uproar in the Gongson family."

"Of course. There's no way there won't be a fight over the inheritance."

"It's quiet for now because they have to hold the funeral, but once it's over, a war will break out."

"I just hope the sparks don't fly our way."

"I'm worried about the young family head. I wonder if he can withstand the tyranny of his uncles."

"They say he's a child prodigy, so won't he be okay?"

"A child prodigy? He's only thirteen."

"Hmm... that's true. Then shouldn't we help him a little?"

The person sitting opposite him widens his eyes at the man's words.

"Who? Us?"

"Yeah."

"Nonsense. What power do you or I have to help the young family head in the Gongson family's fight?"

"..."

"Don't think about getting into trouble for no reason, and just be careful of the plague that's spreading in the southern village."

"Huh? A plague is spreading?"

"Aigoo, you're so out of the loop. It's been a few days already. The rain won't stop, so there's a flood... and it seems a plague is spreading from the vagrant village."

"Oh dear..."

"The heavens know. Now that two famous people have passed away, doesn't such a disaster come right away?"

The young man, who was sitting alone in a corner of the inn with a roasted duck and a bottle of alcohol, wore a bitter smile at the voice full of despondency.

"Anyway... the public sentiment."

It was Cheonyeong.

He had finally arrived at Dongting Lake twenty days after leaving the Tang Family's estate.

It would have been comfortable to get on a boat at the Ongjin Ferry and travel along the Yangtze River, which was said to lead to the world, but time was short.

If his memory was correct, the first day of the seventh month.

"...Gongson Seung."

Cheonyeong repeats the name that was the center of the people's conversation and remained in his memory.

It was the reason he had left the Tang Family's estate, given up the waterway, and run straight over the mountains to Dongting Lake without even riding a horse.

How fortunate it was that he could arrive before the seventh month, before the funeral of the old family head, Gongson Muryang.

The young family head of the Gongson family, Gongson Seung.

He was the person Cheonyeong had suddenly thought of while worrying about securing talented people.

In a way, Gongson Seung was a person who was in a similar situation to himself.

A genius who was born into a good family and received the expectations of the people.

But unlike himself, who had tenaciously survived and grown as an assassin, Gongson Seung had not even been able to bloom his flower bud.

Because he had ended his life at the age of thirteen on the first day of the seventh month.

At the same time, the Gongson family would be torn to shreds by the seven uncles who were eyeing the inheritance like ghouls.

How did he know?

Because one of the assassins who had killed Gongson Seung was Cheonyeong himself.

Eighteen years old, the same as now.

At that time, Cheonyeong had finished five years of training in the Jingagu and had become a second-class assassin.

His first dispatch was none other than Dongting Lake.

He had come as an assistant assassin to Jasu, who was a special-class assassin of the Jingagu at that time.

His role was to gather information on the Gongson family and secure an entry and exit route for Jasu.

So he had not seen Gongson Seung in person.

But while investigating the Gongson family, he had come to know very well about the rumors and talent of Gongson Seung.

A natural talent as a merchant.

To the extent that he had helped his father and been in charge of the Gongson family's finances since he was eight, it was truly a talent bestowed by the heavens.

And he remembered what the assistant assassin who had watched his death by Jasu's side had said.

That the death of the thirteen-year-old was very dignified... to the point of being respectable.

But a flower that could not bloom due to a damn twist of fate.

At that time, he had only felt that much emotion.

Because at that time, Cheonyeong was in a situation where it was not easy to even save his own life.

In a situation where he had to live a dog-like life of having to take others' lives to survive, who could feel sorry for whom?

But now he would correct it.

Although he had come out of necessity, he would protect Gongson Seung from the assassins of the Jingagu and change his fate.

From death to life.

He didn't know how history would change because of that.

What did it matter?

If fate was twisted and a problem arose, someone in the heavens would take care of it.

He was going to ask him after saving him.

Since he was going to die anyway, did he have any intention of entrusting himself to the Tang Family's estate and living a new life?

If he agreed, he would head to the Tang Family's estate with him, and even if he didn't, he would just let it be.

Because he was going to respect his choice, whether he took revenge or left to find his own life.

And this place, this inn, is the starting point.

The Jeonghwa-ru, located on the northern street of Honam Province.

The reason he had chosen that place among the many inns and was sitting there was.

Chareureuk!

"Welcome!"

The waiter rushed over and bowed deeply at the sight of the guest who had entered, parting the beaded curtain of the inn's door.

A very bright and friendly fellow.

He had been like that to him too...

Hadn't he given him three iron coins because he was in a good mood?

Cheonyeong, who had turned his head towards the door, wore a pleased smile.

Was it because the diligent waiter was admirable?

No way.

Kkadeuk.

Cheonyeong gritted his teeth at the sudden surge of anger.

The guest who had just entered the inn.

It was just as he remembered.

A middle-aged woman with her face covered by a long veil hanging from a bamboo hat.

The Jingagu's special-class assassin, Jasu.

Following her were the Jingagu's second-class assassins, Godon and Hwagye.

And... Sagyo.

At that time, he had been with them. Under his past name.

Was it because of that?

The moment he saw Jasu, he almost threw a flying needle at the sudden surge of emotion.

One of the punks who had chased him to take away the manual of the Samyang.

The wench who had left a long and deep scar on Cheonyeong's chest.

Of course, he had blown her head off...

Seeing her face, it felt as if his chest, which had no scar, was aching.

But, it wasn't time yet.

Cheonyeong barely suppressed his surging anger, hiding his eyes that were glittering with killing intent.

"I'm tired from the long journey. If there is a quiet room, please guide me."

"Ah! You are a lodging guest?"

"That's right."

The waiter smiled brightly and answered at Jasu's words.

"Of course, there is a quiet room. How many do you need?"

"One is enough."

"One? But there are four of you."

The waiter asked cautiously, as if he were even concerned about the shop's sales, and Jasu said bluntly.

"Do I have to explain to you why I only need one room?"

"Ah, no, I just... I'm sorry if I offended you."

Although her expression was not visible due to the veil, it was clear that she had frowned.

Because on the night they left, the waiter had lost his life for the reason that he had gotten on Jasu's nerves.

Damn bastards...

It was the rule not to take the life of someone who had not been commissioned.

He too had not been able to say anything at that time.

Fortunately, it seemed the waiter would live a little longer this time.

Because Jasu and her party would die at his hands.

If so, was Gongson Seung not the only one whose fate was changing?

"Kik!"

As if she had heard Cheonyeong's laugh, Jasu and her party turned their gazes and looked at him.

Jjoreureuk.

Cheonyeong, without showing any expression, filled his wine cup.

So what if they look?

They wouldn't even know who he was now.

Jasu, who had been scanning the inside of the inn, soon lost interest and headed to the guest room on the second floor, guided by the waiter.

Although he was angry for a moment, Jasu... you don't know how happy I am to see you like this.

Do you remember?

You made our lives miserable.

Just because you were in a bad mood.

I am the Sagyo, Cheonyeong, who was begging for his life at your feet then.

Seeing you, the hazy memories come back so clearly.

Excitement wells up.

It feels as if the smell of blood is already strong, and the tip of his nose twitches.

Jjoreureuk.

Cheonyeong emptied his cup in succession to calm his trembling heart.

And then.

"Hey, you."

Cheonyeong shouted and called the waiter who was returning after guiding them to the guest room.

"...Yes? Yes! Customer!"

The waiter, who had instinctively turned his head at the loud voice, spotted Cheonyeong holding up his hand and rushed over.

"Aigoo, what can I do for you, my generous customer? Just say the word. Whether it's alcohol or side dishes, I will prepare and bring them right away."

The waiter said with a good-natured manner.

The power of three iron coins. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

For a waiter who lived from day to day, it must have been quite a large sum of money, and a good deed.

"I'd like to stay the night. Are there any rooms?"

"Even if there aren't, I'll have to make one for you. By whose order, you ask."

"That's a relief... but I'd like the room next to the ones who just went up."

"Pardon? The room next door?"

"Yes."

At Cheonyeong's words, the waiter suddenly looks around and lowers his voice.

"I thought you were eyeing those people earlier..."

Cheonyeong flinched at the waiter's words.

He noticed that?

Even Jasu didn't seem to have noticed.

This punk... what's his identity?

"You have a peculiar hobby, don't you? I thought you were that kind of person from the moment I first saw you."

"..."

It was a completely different statement from what Cheonyeong had expected.

Excuse me? What kind of person do you think I am?

Seeing his sinister gaze, he seemed to know what he was thinking even if he didn't want to.

A young punk who's gone bad...

"Will you go up now?"

"Hah, for now, I'll finish what I was eating."

Cheonyeong, who had been about to smack the waiter on the head, sighed and shook his head.

There was no need to rush.

Because those punks would only move after nightfall.

"I see! That's right. After all, if you follow right after, you'll arouse suspicion. I'll guide you at a suitable time."

"..."

The waiter even looked around and whispered in his ear.

Hey! That's not it.

What kind of life have you been living?

(End of Chapter)