Pudeudeuk, pudeudeuk.

"...?"

Cheonyeong suddenly looks up at the sky.

A bird.

But it couldn't be an ordinary bird.

Since there was a small container tied to its ankle.

"Hmm, it seems there are a lot of carrier pigeons lately."

"It's probably because of the Assembly of Elders."

Gongson Seung answers in a casual tone at Cheonyeong's words.

"The Assembly of Elders?"

"Yes, there are about four months left, right? Because of that, all of Sicheon is in an uproar."

"Hmm, has it already been that long?"

Gongson Seung smirks as Cheonyeong tilts his head.

"You must have been so busy that you've forgotten the passing of time."

"..."

"It's already been five months since I came to the Tang Family's estate."

"Huh? Has it really been that long?"

"I've aged another year."

Well, it wasn't a short time.

Come to think of it, it had already been two years since he had returned to Ganyang.

When the fight with the merchant association had ended, he had first heard about the Assembly of Elders from Nosanggae.

After that, he had fought with the Lee family, and had even gone to Dongting Lake to get Gongson Seung, and this time he had even gone to Yunnan.

"Anyway, in the meantime, I stabilized the ferry, and solved most of the financial problems of the Tang Family's estate... it was a busy time. For me to handle it all by myself."

Cheonyeong wears a sour expression at Gongson Seung's glaring words.

Not only himself, but it must have been an incredibly busy time for Gongson Seung.

The Gongson family, a collateral branch of the Tang Family's estate.

In the short time of just five months, that punk had achieved a lot.

It was something that could be seen just by looking at the people who had been recruited into the Gongson family.

Starting with the Inner Hall, to the Divine Works Pavilion, general managers responsible for the household of each department were appointed, and managers who managed the external merchant groups and the ferry's merchant ships were created, and they all became family members of the Gongson family.

Thanks to that, the financial resources of the Tang Family's estate became richer day by day.

There were no more money shortages like before, and surplus funds were gradually accumulating.

The deficit had turned into a surplus.

Bringing in one person is so important.

Because things go smoothly.

Isn't this the role of a family head?

To discover talented people and place them in the right place.

Of course, he had briefly worried that he had given too much authority to one person, but Cheonyeong trusted Gongson Seung completely.

He always filled Cheonyeong's bookshelf with documents that transparently organized all the income, and he was depositing most of the funds into Cheonyeong's account established at the battlefield.

Who would care if he skimmed a little?

Anyway, if Gongson Seung was determined to deceive him, who wouldn't be deceived?

"A guy who handles rice cakes can get bean flour on his hands. Anyway, he's uselessly honest."

"Pardon?"

"Huh?"

"What's with the rice cakes, and why the bean flour?"

"Ah... I was just talking to myself."

"Why? Are you worried that I might secretly skim some of the income?"

"I said no."

"Your expression says you're lying. It's obvious you were thinking that in your head."

He's not just smart, he's also quick-witted.

A person has to be lacking in one or two things to be endearing.

"Tsk tsk, you should be like Yongcheon."

"Are you comparing me to that dull bear of a deputy family head?"

"Keu-heum."

Having no excuse, he coughs and avoids his gaze. Gongson Seung, who had been glaring at him, sighs and says.

"Anyway, look at this."

"Huh? What's this?"

"This is a summary of the budget for the construction cost of the Myriad Poisons Hall you ordered the other day, and the costs needed to handle various other things."

"Ah!"

Cheonyeong quickly takes the document at the words that conveniently change the subject.

The day he returned to the Tang Family's estate from Yunnan.

Baekta had been called by the Upper Faction and had left immediately. Since he had solved the problem of Yunnan, it must have been for the purpose of praising and rewarding him.

It would be good for now.

Both the Beggars' Sect and Baekta.

It would seem like he was giving them the entire achievement.

Since he had already received a promise from the Black Scorpion chief to put Baekta forward, there was no way the story about him would leak out.

But it was a miscalculation.

What's there to peck at a chick?

You have to raise it to be a chicken to have a lot to peck at.

The current debt will be... when he becomes a leader someday...

So-called long-term investment.

"What are you thinking?"

"Huh?"

"No, you've been wearing a sinister expression since a while ago..."

"Keu-heum, no."

A uselessly quick-witted punk.

"Anyway, the problem is the trade with the Black Scorpion Clan. Although we've formed a merchant group."

"Because of the escort service?"

"Yes, while you were in Yunnan, we took over the escort service that the Yin Hand Chamber had been running and put them on the ferry side. Although they are escorting the merchant ships, it's just a word, since the Gunsan Stronghold is helping out so well."

"I should go and greet the Gunsan Stronghold chief one of these days."

"Of course you should. They've been sending messages every day. Asking when you, Family Head, will visit Dongting Lake."

Cheonyeong wears a bitter smile at Gongson Seung's words.

He remembered promising to go again someday. But hadn't he not said when?

"Anyway, with the current escort service's strength, it's difficult to trade with the Black Scorpion Clan, let alone escorting merchant ships. Because there's no one reliable to entrust it to."

"Hmm..."

It meant that among the many escort warriors, there was no one reliable.

Well, is the recruitment of talent an important matter for nothing?

"So, since we have to form a trade delegation anyway, how about entrusting the escort service to the deputy family head?"

"To Yongcheon?"

"Yes."

"Hmm."

"Although he's a dull bear, he's suitable in many ways. He has the experience of having been to Yunnan with you, Family Head, and he has also met the Black Scorpion Clan."

"Well, that's true, but..."

"Why? Is there some problem you're worried about?"

"No, I'm just wondering if that punk can do it well. Since he's just a simple-minded punk. And he's not quick-witted."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"What do you mean?"

"Although he's simple-minded and not quick-witted, he achieved great things in Yunnan this time."

"Ugh? Yongcheon did?"

"Yes, they said the deputy family head did everything in Yunnan."

"...Everything? What?"

As Cheonyeong tilts his head, Gongson Seung relays what he had heard.

"I heard it was the deputy family head who saved the Inner Hall Master from the hands of the young chief of the Black Scorpion Clan. That was the beginning."

"...Huh?"

"Not only that, he also protected you, Family Head, while fighting the Black Scorpion Clan's branch. He said that if he hadn't been there, it would have been a big disaster."

"Who? Yongcheon said that?"

"Yes, he's been bragging about it at every drinking party."

Cheonyeong's expression turns strange at Gongson Seung's words.

That punk Yongcheon.

Although he couldn't say it was completely wrong, it was also ambiguous to say it was right.

"Huh? Isn't that right? The Inner Hall Master who was next to him didn't say anything."

Even Sanghui?

These two, as a pair...

Is it being a good wife to condone it?

But Cheonyeong soon sighs and smiles.

Let's just say it's to save the deputy family head's face this time. Unlike the other family members, he hadn't had a chance to make a name for himself because he was always following him around.

In fact, if Yongcheon and Sanghui hadn't caused a friction with Baihe, he wouldn't have gotten involved with the Black Scorpion Clan.

"That's right. It would have been a big disaster if the deputy family head hadn't been there. Thanks to that punk, the matter of Yunnan was handled well."

"Then that's settled. Let's send the deputy family head as the trade representative. I'll select the rest of the escort warriors and the accountants."

"But send Sanghui with him."

"The Inner Hall Master?"

"Yes, anyway, the Tang Family's estate runs well without Sanghui now."

He couldn't just send Yongcheon. Absolutely not.

If he had to go to the Black Scorpion Clan, Sanghui was the right person. Because she was the one who had saved the young chief.

Didn't he remember Uta looking at that punk as if he were a benefactor?

But at Cheonyeong's words, Gongson Seung looks at him with narrowed eyes.

"Then what about me?"

"Huh?"

"What about me, who has been handling all the family's affairs without the Inner Hall Master?"

"..."

"Do you know how hard it is? I was just thinking that the Inner Hall Master had come and we could divide the work."

"You're... a capable person."

Cheonyeong, who had no other words, mumbles and quickly changes the subject.

"More than that, shall we move on to the story of the Myriad Poisons Hall?"

"..."

"Since the finances are sufficient, there's no problem with the Divine Works Pavilion building it, right?"

"Tch. You're changing the subject. Well, fine. The decision is yours, Family Head. The Myriad Poisons Hall is already in progress. The Divine Works Pavilion Master said he had finished ordering the construction materials."

"That's good."

"More than that, what are you going to do with the people who came with you from Yunnan?"

Cheonyeong asks with a puzzled face at Gongson Seung's question.

"Yunnan?"

"Yes."

"Why them?"

"Shouldn't they be wearing something?"

"Huh?"

"They're always walking around shirtless. They have a lot of tattoos..."

"Ah!"

"They're attracting too much attention. Since they don't listen to me even if I tell them, please take care of it, Family Head."

"...I will."

"And the Nosanggae branch leader has contacted me to see you."

"Huh? Why that person?"

"I don't know. But from his expression, he seemed quite urgent. I said I would relay the message, but he wouldn't even tell me the purpose, saying that only you, Family Head, should hear it."

"Hmm..."

A matter that only he should hear?

Is it because of the matter of Yunnan?

Baekta should have explained it well so that he would understand. Well, he'll find out when he meets him.

"Oh, and the great blacksmith?"

"He seems to get along well with the Divine Works Pavilion Master. He's there."

"That's a relief."

A carpenter and a blacksmith.

It seems that those who have a talent for creating things get along well.

Thanks to that, Danya will adapt well, so it's a great relief.

"I'll go and see him for a moment and then go to the Beggars' Sect branch."

"Yes."

Cheonyeong, who had finished the discussion, leisurely heads to the Divine Works Pavilion.

Gongson Seung. He's a truly amazing punk.

Thanks to him, he doesn't have to worry about anything special now, does he?

From now on, he just had to preside over the vassal meetings and focus on his training.

Cheonyeong's eyes, as he leaves his residence in the Three Yang Hall, fall on the large training ground.

"Cha-ap!"

"Ha-ap!"

Training is in full swing.

Just as he had aged another year and turned nineteen, the Hoyeon Brigade had also grown up.

Starting with the punks who had entered puberty and had dark beards under their chins, to the new Hoyeon Brigade with fluffy down.

Since he couldn't just let the punks who had trained for a long time remain in the Hoyeon Brigade, he had created a new warrior unit in the meantime.

The Green Warrior Unit, belonging to the Outer Hall.

The Blue Warrior Unit, belonging to the Inner Hall.

Come to think of it, the Tang Family's estate had changed a lot.

It seemed like just yesterday that they were sleeping with the sky as their ceiling, laying out straw mats because there was no building with a wooden fence...

Now it looks quite decent.

Inside the high wall surrounding the hill, there are many buildings with roofs like the backs of whales.

It was truly a case of great changes.

"Huh? Family Head!"

"..."

"Hoyeon Brigade! Pay your respects to the Family Head!"

Baekgang, who had been engrossed in training, spots Cheonyeong and shouts forcefully.

"We greet the Family Head!"

The children of the Hoyeon Brigade stop their training, turn around, and shout with veins popping out on their necks.

Seeing the pillars that would lead the Tang Family's estate in the future, he felt quite reliable.

Some of them already had the air of a martial artist.

"That's enough, that's enough. Don't mind me and continue your training."

As Cheonyeong waves his hand, Baekgang approaches with a serious face, bows his head, and whispers.

"Why don't you say a word?"

"Huh?"

"You see the look in the kids' eyes, don't you?"

"..."

"Since you, Family Head, have been away from home a lot, they've only heard about you through rumors. Why don't you take this opportunity to say a word of encouragement?"

"...Sh-should I?"

"Of course you should."

Baekgang, who had nodded his head, turns back and shouts forcefully.

"Hoyeon Brigade, all assemble in front of the platform! From now on, the Family Head will give you a speech!"

"Yes!"

At Baekgang's words, the children rush to the platform prepared on one side of the training ground and form ranks.

Those punks are really reliable.

"Family Head, please ascend."

"Yeah."

At Baekgang's guidance, Cheonyeong ascends the platform and looks down at the Hoyeon Brigade.

A child stands in front of the children who have formed ranks, and as soon as Cheonyeong takes his place, he shouts.

"Tang Family Forever and Ever!"

"...Ugh?"

"Hooray!"

"..."

"Tang Family Undefeated!"

"Hooray, hooray!"

A lead chant and a following chant.

The sound is so thunderous that the shouts of the Hoyeon Brigade echo beyond the training ground and throughout the Tang Family's estate.

But... are you guys some kind of demonic cult?

Who on earth?

He seemed to know.

Seeing Baekgang's proud expression.

He didn't do the training he was supposed to do and taught them some useless things. Still, it felt quite good.

A speech as a family head. Since they had laid out the mat like this, he couldn't not do it.

Yes, let's say a word. Since he wouldn't be facing the Hoyeon Brigade like this very often.

"Hoyeon Brigade, listen!"

"Yes! Family Head!"

"You are the mainstay of the Tang Family's estate!"

The eyes of the Hoyean Brigade sparkle at Cheonyeong's words.

"There will be those who doubt the future of the Tang Family's estate, which will become even more prosperous in the future. But, our Tang Family's estate, which had nothing, has grown like this in just two years! It is the result of the family head and everyone else uniting as one! And..."

Cheonyeong's long speech continues.

It was worth doing.

Was it because the memories of the past came to mind one by one?

The history before the Tang Family's estate.

"My father... (omitted)... I decided that I would not become such a foolish frog... (omitted)... so I!"

Then the history after the founding of the Tang Family's estate continued like flowing water.

Teol-seok.

A child in the back row collapses under the scorching sun after a sichen. He could see the training instructors rushing to carry him away on a stretcher.

Such a weak punk!

Even if it's under the scorching sun, to be so weak!

It's because of a lack of training.

"Also... (omitted)... therefore... anyway! And then! Lastly!"

Cheonyeong continued his speech as if he had lived for decades with his mouth shut.

And Baekgang said with his eyes full of curses.

Please, stop it, you punk of a family head!

But the clueless Cheonyeong continues his speech excitedly, as if he were not tired.

"Lastly..."

On the eighteenth last declaration, another person collapsed.

That day, the Hoyeon Brigade of the Tang Family's estate learned that the family head's speech was scarier than training, and Baekgang vowed that he would never let Cheonyeong give a speech again.

(End of Chapter)