Ugh, ugh, chep-chep-chep.

He eats the food.

No, the expression 'shoving it in' was more accurate.

And Tang Cheonyeong's appearance now...

It was truly strange. Just a moment ago, he looked like he needed to be rushed to a doctor, but as soon as he ate, he was regaining his health.

As if a shriveled ball had been filled with air, his skin, which had been cracked like an old tree, became taut, and his dull eyes overflowed with intelligence.

Was that food... a miraculous elixir of youth, or a spiritual meal made by mixing spiritual herbs?

Lee Wonik, just in case, stealthily puts some food in his mouth.

It's just vegetables. That's just meat.

Although the taste was a little better, it was just a slightly more delicious level than what was sold at an inn.

"Keo-eok!"

"...?"

Only after the plates were completely empty did Cheonyeong make a sound of finishing his meal with a satisfied expression.

"Shall I... prepare more?"

As Sanghui cautiously asks his intention, Cheonyeong raises his hand.

"That's enough. This is enough."

"Yes, Family Head."

As Cheonyeong pats his stomach and laughs, Sanghui waves her hand and dismisses the workers who were waiting with the food-laden plates.

"Hoo, now I feel like I can live. You damn human. You should have written that it might take a long time to reach Body Exchange. I almost starved to death."

Cheonyeong grumbles, wiping his greasy mouth.

The first three stages of the Samyang Divine Art.

Cheonyeong had already passed Body Transformation and was close to Body Filling.

After entering seclusion and quickly reaching Body Filling, he had challenged Body Exchange on a whim, and had finally achieved it.

However, there was a restriction that he had to abstain from food and drink until he reached the state of Body Exchange.

It was a state that had to be achieved only with internal energy.

But who knew it would take so long? Perhaps because it was a matter of enlightenment, it seemed that the period was not written down.

And he couldn't stop in the middle of the process of enlightenment.

"Ah, Young Master Lee. I've made you wait a long time."

As Cheonyeong finally speaks, Lee Wonik shakes his head.

"No. I haven't waited long."

"Then that's a relief."

Lee Wonik thinks for a moment at the short conversation.

A very ordinary conversation that a guest and a host would usually have.

But anyone would worry about what to say next.

Since Cheonyeong had finished speaking, it was now his turn, but what should he say?

Should he congratulate him like others?

But what did he know about what he had realized...

Although he thought for a moment, Lee Wonik couldn't think of any other conversation.

Should he say congratulations on achieving great success?

But his expression as if he were dying after finishing his seclusion, that appearance like an old tree, was like a demon... hmm.

No matter how much he thought, there was nothing else to say.

Whatever it was, he should congratulate him. Even if it was just lip service.

"Congratulations on achieving great success."

"What congratulations? I've just gotten a little better than before."

"Is that so?"

The conversation was cut off again.

As the embarrassed Lee Wonik is looking for something to say, Cheonyeong speaks first.

"Oh, what brings you here? Weren't you busy because of the Assembly of Elders?"

"Ah!"

Lee Wonik, who had snapped to his senses at Cheonyeong's question that had come out of nowhere, takes out the letter he had in his bosom and holds it out.

"This is a letter that my brother asked me to deliver."

"The young master?"

"Yes."

Cheonyeong, who had received the letter held out with both hands, opens it and reads it.

"Hmm. He said let's go together?"

"Yes. My brother heard the news of your participation, Family Head, and sent me to bring you."

"Keuk keuk, the rumors are fast. Where on earth did you hear that I was participating?"

"The Blue Green Sect announced the information about the participants a long time ago."

"Really?"

"Since it's a public event."

"I see. Since it's being held on an unprecedentedly large scale."

"Yes."

"Hmm, by the way, the young master is inviting me."

Cheonyeong touches his chin and falls into thought for a moment.

Lee Cheongik's invitation.

It was a consideration.

Although he was called one of the Thirteen Dragons of Sicheon, he was a flood dragon. Although it was extremely unpleasant, the rumors of the common people were like that.

Also, the external position of the Tang Family's estate.

The expulsion of the Yin Hand Chamber and the merchant association was an internal affair of Ganyang, and the friction with the Lee family was nothing more than a small problem in the local community.

Wasn't it an incident that was only ranked one hundred and thirty-something in the Beggars' Sect's power manual?

Also, the matter of Yunnan was concluded as Baekta's sole achievement.

There was no way the common people would remember the name of the Tang Family's estate.

In other words, although many things had happened, the Tang Family's estate was still nothing more than a small family in the outskirts of Ganyang in Sicheon.

Who would care?

It was obvious that he would be ignored all the time.

Lee Cheongik must have considered such circumstances and was asking him to go with him. If he stayed in the shadow of the Lee family, at least he wouldn't receive looks of disdain from others, and he wouldn't get caught up in unnecessary disputes.

"Your brother is very thoughtful."

"Pardon?"

"I'm very grateful that he's trying to help the Tang Family's estate."

"...Ah!"

Lee Wonik's eyes widen at Cheonyeong's smile.

Don't tell me, he read his brother's intention in the letter?

"I'm envious."

"Huh? Of what?"

"That you can understand each other's intentions just by exchanging letters from afar."

Cheonyeong smiles brightly at Lee Wonik's words.

"Because we're connected by the sword."

"By the sword...?"

"We exchanged quite a lot. We had to read each other while clashing, and we had to feel the other's intention. So we're familiar and it's read naturally."

Lee Wonik nods his head without realizing it at those low words.

It felt as if he had received a teaching.

Family Head Tang, although he was younger than him, he didn't look young.

Did the position of family head make a person grow? Or did the person make the position seem more noble?

But either way, he seemed like a person who deserved to be respected by anyone.

So my brother was right.

He had repeatedly told him that he might one day place his name higher than Sicheon.

He had told him not to lose his manners when he went to the Tang Family's estate.

"More than that, you've changed a lot too."

"Pardon?"

"Our first time."

"..."

"What was it? A country bumpkin from Ganyang?"

"F-Family Head!"

As Cheonyeong brings up the old memory, Lee Wonik's face turns red with embarrassment.

"You have a good memory. Ha ha ha!"

"Well, how could I forget after so little time? You said that then, right?"

"Pl-please stop. I was very rude then."

"What rude, it's a memory. To be brought up at a drinking party and savored instead of snacks."

"Family Head... please."

As Lee Wonik begs, the members of the Tang family next to him giggle.

"It's okay, it's okay. Aren't the Tang family and the Lee family friends now?"

"Friends?"

"Yeah, I still cherish your brother's goodwill in my heart."

"Me too."

"Huh?"

"Thanks to you, my brother has achieved great success. Thank you. It's all thanks to you, Family Head."

"..."

"As I've said before, if you need my life later, I will give it without hesitation."

Before he knew it, Lee Wonik's face, which had been full of embarrassment, was filled with seriousness.

Lee Cheongik seems to have a very good younger brother.

Although his personality was flawed, his heart for his brother was second to none.

Well, it seems his personality has been fixed a bit now.

"Keuk keuk, what's so great about your life? I don't need it."

"..."

"By the way, it seems your brother has made quite an achievement. By any chance, has he achieved the thirteenth change he mentioned then?"

Lee Wonik shakes his head calmly at Cheonyeong's question.

But he looked full of pride.

Both his expression and his tone.

"There was no thirteenth change."

"Huh? What do you mean? At that time, you said that the sword that cut my waist seemed to be the thirteenth change."

"I did. But my brother, who had been repenting for a long time after returning to the Lee family, said that his thoughts were wrong."

"Wrong?"

"He said that the thirteenth change was an illusion created by greed."

"An illusion?"

"Yes."

"But he made a great achievement?"

"Yes."

As Cheonyeong tilts his head, Lee Wonik smiles and says.

"You'll see soon."

"..."

"Perhaps, you two might compete again in the finals of the Assembly of Elders."

"The finals?"

"Also, my brother said so. Since you, Family Head, have participated, you will surely go to the finals. He said he will also definitely go to the finals. So he hopes that your intentions will be conveyed through the sword once again."

Cheonyeong nods his head at Lee Wonik's words.

Lee Cheongik. Although that punk was amazing then, if Lee Wonik, who adores his brother, is this confident?

It's worth dreaming of winning.

Although there's Baekta, and there are still the other twelve dragon punks...

"Still, the victory is mine."

"Keuk keuk, my brother also said so. He said that in the end, you, Family Head, might win."

"Tch, what does that make me if you admit it so readily?"

"Because it's the truth. More than that, what are you going to do? I have to deliver the news to my brother."

"Hmm."

Cheonyeong thinks for a moment at Lee Wonik's question.

His consideration.

He doesn't have to accept it.

Why should he hide in the shadow of the Lee family to attend the Assembly of Elders?

Disdain? Friction?

He just has to mess up anyone he sees.

But the Jinkagu is on his mind.

If Baekta and the Beggars' Sect were watching them and had even made some predictions, it was clear that those punks' footsteps had reached the Assembly of Elders.

Then... it would be better not to stand out. Because it would be easier to act that way.

For now, he would hide in the darkness under the lamp of the Lee family. At least until he found something and revealed something.

"Let's leave together tomorrow morning. Tell your brother that I was very grateful."

"Yes! Family Head!"

Lee Wonik smiles brightly and answers at Cheonyeong's decision, and runs off in a hurry to send a carrier pigeon.

"Oh! Family Head. Who should be the attendant?"

"Attendant?"

"Yes, now that the Tang Family's estate has some prestige, you can't go alone, can you, Family Head?"

Cheonyeong nods his head at Gongson Seung's words.

That's true.

Since the Tang Family's estate has some face...

"Hmm, who would be good?"

Cheonyeong, who was looking at the leaders, stares intently at Yongcheon.

"Huh? Me?"

Of course, it's you. The Assembly of Elders will be full of martial artists with different identities and martial arts.

How could he miss such a good opportunity?

If it's Yongcheon's talent, he would remember all those martial arts and fill the secret library of the Tang Family's estate.

But.

"Why?"

"Huh?"

Yongcheon wears a clearly displeased expression.

"No, I just came back from Yunnan. And you said we have to form a trade delegation in advance! So wouldn't someone else be better? Family Head?"

He was so displeased that his speech was a mix of informal and formal language.

"No, you're the right person."

"..."

"Sanghui and Family Head Gongson are enough to prepare the trade delegation."

In the first place, she was the one needed for the trade with Yunnan.

But as Cheonyeong points him out, Yongcheon's face contorts.

"Ah, damn it! Why! Why are you so eager to work me to the bone!"

As Yongcheon flares up and shouts, Sanghui sighs and says.

"Yongcheon, the kids are here. Don't speak informally to the Family Head."

"What, you punk!?"

"You pu~unk?"

As Sanghui glares at him, Yongcheon clenches his fists and glares, then avoids her gaze.

"Hah, Yongcheon. Don't grumble. Any of us would want to go. But what can we do when the Family Head chooses you because he trusts you the most?"

"...Trust?"

"Of course. You're the closest family member to the Family Head, and you're the reliable deputy family head of our Tang Family's estate."

"I-is that so?"

"Of course."

Yongcheon's mouth splits into a wide grin, as if he had never grumbled.

"Ugh, it's so hard to be trusted. Well, what can I do? Since the Family Head is begging like this. I'll go."

As expected of Sanghui. She's now more skilled at handling Yongcheon than anyone.

Poor Yongcheon. His future is bright, so bright. That punk was sure to become a henpecked husband.

Just as Cheonyeong was feeling sorry for Yongcheon's future.

"Then I will make the deputy family head the escort captain, and send the Green Warrior Unit with him."

"Alright."

Cheonyeong nods his head at Baekgang's words.

The Green Warrior Unit.

They were the warriors who had finished their training in the Hoyeon Brigade and were assigned to the Outer Hall.

Since they had to carry out external missions, only the most outstanding punks in the current Tang Family's estate were selected and assigned.

In other words, they were the elite of the Tang Family's estate.

Although they were still far behind other families... if they used hidden weapons?

Well, they would do their part.

"Then please rest. You've just finished your training and you have to go on a long journey."

"Alright."

***

The next morning.

"Th-this is..."

Lee Wonik's eyes widen, as he had prepared a carriage that seemed the most comfortable by searching Ganyang for Cheonyeong's travel.

Cheonyeong's clothes.

A white robe with a golden collar on a black outer garment that shimmered like a gloss.

Unlike last night, he looked truly elegant.

Also, Cheonyeong was wearing a vest made of white leopard skin inside.

Although it was full of hidden weapons, at a glance it just looked like an inner armor.

The merchants of Ganyang had prepared it for Cheonyeong with all their heart and soul for three months.

But the real reason Lee Wonik was surprised was different.

Da-gak, da-gak, da-gak.

The horse that Cheonyeong rode out on.

The red fur, as if blood were dripping, shone with a gloss, and the long mane swayed gently in the small wind.

If what he knew was not wrong, one horse was said to be equivalent to the sale price of a large mansion.

"I-it's not a Ferghana horse, is it?"

"It is a Ferghana horse."

"Ugh!"

His breath catches at the calm answer.

A Ferghana horse?

He had only heard about it in stories, but this was the first time he had seen one in person.

It was a famous horse among famous horses that even a prestigious family could not easily obtain.

And he's riding such a horse?

A horse that he might have to serve and live with?

In the meantime.

"A Dawanma?"

It was the horse that Tang Yongcheon, who had become Cheonyeong's escort, was riding.

A horse that only the family head rode in the Lee family, and a mere deputy family head is riding it?

It couldn't be.

Even if he gave a hundred concessions and said that the Ferghana horse was a horse that the family head rode, the Dawanma couldn't be.

"Oh! You have a good eye. It's a Dawanma."

"Ugh!"

He was so surprised at Yongcheon's words that the breath he had been holding in came out with a gasp.

A Dawanma, really.

Did a god of wealth enter the Tang Family's estate in the meantime?

Lee Wonik glances at the carriage he had prepared.

He had gotten the most luxurious one for Tang Cheonyeong... but it looked so shabby.

"Shall we leave now? Since the Green Warrior Unit is walking, it seems we'll be tight on time to Misan if we take a few breaks."

"Pardon? Yes, let's do that."

Just as Lee Wonik, who had barely regained his composure, gets on his horse.

"Family Head! Family Head!"

Danya comes running out of the Tang Family's estate in a hurry.

"Great Blacksmith?"

"Huk, huk..."

His appearance was shabby.

His hair was disheveled and messy, and his clothes were shabby as if he hadn't changed them for a few days.

"Family Head, I've finally finished it."

"..."

"Please take it with you."

What Danya held out was an object wrapped in a white cotton cloth and a bundle.

A sword and hidden weapons.

Cheonyeong, who was staring intently, smiles and accepts it.

"Aren't you going to look at it?"

"Why should I?"

"Pardon?"

"You must have done your best. It must be a good item. I'll use it sparingly."

"Ah!"

A bright smile appears on Danya's face at Cheonyeong's words.

"Yes!"

What more words were needed when his words were already full of trust in him?

Danya just bows his head deeply and greets him.

"Divine Works Pavilion Master."

"Yes! Family Head."

"And everyone else, please take good care of the family while I'm gone."

"You mean this! Please have a safe trip! We all want to go and cheer for you, Family Head, but since there's a limit on the number of people, we'll cheer for your success from the Tang Family's estate."

"Keuk, what cheering."

As Cheonyeong grabs the reins, Yongcheon shouts forcefully.

"Green Warrior Unit, form an escort formation! We're leaving for Misan!"

"Yes!"

Cheonyeong slowly urges his horse and hastens his way.

Receiving the send-off from the Tang Family's estate, and the cheers of the people of Ganyang who had come out to see him off on every road.

You Jinkagu punks, I don't know what you're planning, but look forward to it.

I'll be there soon.

(End of Chapter)