****
Only after finishing his training did Cheon Muryang finally look at the Third Elder's letter.
『Cheon-hak-jeong.』
That was all.
Cheon-hak-jeong was an octagonal pavilion inside the Council of Elders (Jang-ro-won).
In other words, it was a message to come and meet.
“What do you intend to do?”
“I must go. Because I am curious how he will come out.”
“Shall I go with you?”
“Is there a need for a tiger to move just to beat up a fox cub? I alone am sufficient.”
Cheon Seon-hak chuckled.
Somehow the mangnani-like expression was now amusing.
“Then, go and come back.”
“Yes. I will go.”
Cheon Muryang looked up at the sky.
Clouds were thickly layered to the point of covering the moon.
‘It must be terribly dark.’
Where the lanterns did not shine, darkness like pitch-black ink settled.
The way to the Council of Elders was simple.
“The Council of Elders, huh…….”
Although it was part of the Cheon Family, the Council of Elders was in an independent position.
Originally, the concept was a place where people of the same generation would retire and come after the previous Gaju handed over his position.
Then, they became elders and took on the role of advising on the decision-making of the Cheon Family.
“However, the authority of the Council of Elders became powerful from a certain moment.”
Cheon Muryang also did not know the details accurately.
Because it was a matter of the very distant past, there were few who knew the proper reality except for the parties involved.
“However, from what I heard…… I heard there was discord from the time the current Gaju-nim was inaugurated.”
Only rumors were rampant.
That rumor was a problem related to Cheon Wi-gang's legitimacy.
Although Cheon Wi-gang was an excellent Gaju whom everyone acknowledged, he had been questioned about his legitimacy.
“Gaju…….”
Perhaps the family was split in two from that time.
Cheon Muryang shrugged his shoulders.
“Because it is a matter that can be properly corrected now.”
The past was just the past.
Cheon-hak-jeong was seen.
There, the Third Elder was tilting his liquor cup while sitting alone.
He, who discovered Cheon Muryang, got up from his seat and welcomed him.
“Ah, Eldest Gongja. You have come.”
“Yes, Third Elder-nim. I greet the Elder.”
Although the Cheon Family was united by blood ties, not everyone had the surname Cheon.
Among them, there were also a few chosen ones who entered as trainees but were promoted to the leadership after being noticed by the Gaju.
Therefore, the story of the Third Elder who did not have the surname Cheon was also living proof showing that the personnel of the Cheon Family was based solely on ability.
“I wonder if this old man in the back room called out the busy Eldest Gongja for nothing.”
Because of that, the reputation of the Council of Elders, including the Third Elder, could not help but be good.
In the end, the blood relatives of the Cheon Family were a minority even including the branch families, and as the scale of the family grew, those who did not have the surname Cheon would increase.
Wasn't it a positive factor that the path for them to rise was open?
“It is alright. Rather, I should have visited you often, so I am just sorry.”
The Third Elder replaced his answer with a hollow laugh.
“Here, please sit.”
“Yes.”
Cheon Muryang sat down.
Then the Third Elder offered a liquor cup.
“Would you like a drink?”
“Ah-ah, I have quit drinking.”
“O-ho-ra. I have heard the rumor that the Eldest Gongja has changed. It was true.”
“I will receive tea instead of liquor.”
“Please do so.”
Jjo-reu-reu.
The scent of tea rose on the steam.
“It is a tea with a good scent.”
“The taste will also be good.”
The Third Elder drank the liquor in one go.
Tak.
The Third Elder who put down the cup.
At this, Cheon Muryang also put down his cup.
Without drinking the tea.
A strange gleam appeared in the Third Elder's eyes.
“You said the scent was good, so why do you not drink it?”
“Because I need to sort things out.”
“If you say sorting out?”
“I mean sorting out whether I can trust and drink this tea.”
“…….”
The complexion of the Third Elder, who was wearing a hollow smile, changed.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well. I am sure you are not unaware.”
Go-o-o-o-o-o!
A subtle spirit rose.
A taut tension flowed to the point it would not be strange to attack at any moment.
Seu-euk.
The Third Elder held out the empty cup.
Then, he said while pouring liquor just like that.
“Eldest Gongja.”
“Please speak.”
“Continue living as a mangnani.”
“…….”
“Then, there will be no problem.”
The Third Elder’s atmosphere changed suddenly.
He was a person equipped with martial prowess worthy of an elder of the Cheon Family.
However, Cheon Muryang did not tremble.
The weakling who just trembled before the strong was nowhere to be found.
“Those words.”
“…….”
“Do they mean that the Third Elder-nim has the power to change the Gaju?”
The corners of the Third Elder’s mouth went up.
“If I say so, what will you do?”
“…….”
“Eldest Gongja, do you not want to become the Gaju? There should be no reason to refuse the penalty wine.”
Cheon Muryang’s two eyes sank.
However, his hand moved toward the liquor cup the Third Elder held out.
“That is wise.”
The Third Elder thought Cheon Muryang had submitted.
“…….”
However, Cheon Muryang took the liquor cup not to his mouth but to the side, extended his arm, and poured it on the ground.
Killing intent dwelled in the Third Elder’s two eyes.
Cheon Muryang said confidently without avoiding that gaze.
“No one.”
“…….”
“Can change the Gaju of the Cheon Family.”
“Eldest Gongja.”
“If anyone attempts to do so.”
“…….”
“I will cut them.”
“With what? Does the Eldest Gongja have such power? There is nothing more futile than a conviction without power. It seems the Eldest Gongja needs to be aware of reality.”
The Third Elder sneered.
The Eldest Gongja had nothing.
Neither martial arts, nor connections, nor even the power of a maternal family.
On what would he lean?
“My sword.”
“……!”
Heum-chit.
The Third Elder was startled.
Because he could not sense when Cheon Muryang had held his sword.
‘When……?’
A short question.
However, the answer to it would forever be unknown.
“Fortunately for me, I have a sword.”
“……Bravado is a law that must be used when it should be used.”
“Whether it is bravado or not, please judge for yourself, Third Elder.”
Cheon Muryang left the spot just like that.
The Third Elder, who was sitting in the same posture as at the beginning, said as if warning.
“Regrettably, the negotiation seems to have broken down. Eldest Gongja, the night path is dark. Please go carefully.”
“…….”
Cheon Muryang did not even retort.
Cheon Muryang, who left Cheon-hak-jeong like that, intended to go to the training hall.
U-ttuk!
In the middle of that path.
Cheon Muryang stopped in his tracks.
Although it was the same path as when coming, a sense of unease was felt somewhere.
‘It is time for them to come.’
Didn't the Third Elder kindly even give a warning?
Cheon Muryang held his sword.
Sa-sa-sak.
Something moved in the darkness.
However, it was only seen as a faint flicker to the naked eye.
Not any presence was felt.
‘Assassins?’
Cheon Muryang realized how strong the power of the Council of Elders was.
How could the Council of Elders operate assassins separately?
‘Truly a mess.’
The mangnani Cheon Muryang did not come out for no reason.
‘This damned Cheon Family itself was a mangnani?’
The mangnani was the Cheon Family itself.
Kka-deu-deuk.
Cheon Muryang, who was condemned as a mangnani, grasped his sword tightly as if to vent his past sorrows.
Sa-sak.
They did not rush in easily.
“Tasteless……. Do you intend to just threaten?”
Probably, he would not have ordered to kill.
The goal must be to plant fear.
The Third Elder still seemed to be under a delusion.
‘Did he think I would tremble?’
Even though he showed once that the Cheon Muryang of the past was gone, the Third Elder seemed unable to believe it.
‘Although I cannot force you to believe…….’
It seemed necessary to make it clear.
“I will show you bastards what happens if you touch me.”
In an instant, daggers flew in.
However, the daggers hidden in the darkness concealed even their shadows in the clouds.
Hoo-ung!
Moonlight emitted light.
The pitch-black darkness where even the moon was covered by clouds disappeared for a moment.
“……!”
People wearing black masks.
Their surprised appearance was seen.
“Tsk. If you are assassins worth the name, shouldn't you maintain composure in this situation?”
Cheon Muryang clicked his tongue and drew his sword from top to bottom.
The daggers flying toward Cheon Muryang were broken in half.
He cut the sky where they were standing.
Sa-sa-sak.
So, seeing those trying to disperse before it collapsed, Cheon Muryang laughed.
“Is this a pincer hunt? Something seems to have changed.”
Isn't a pincer hunt where the many drive the few into a corner?
However, the situation was the exact opposite.
They, who wanted to avoid the collapsing sky, were defenseless.
“Carelessness is forbidden in any situation.”
Seo-geok.
Cheon-gwang cut the moon in the sky.
Tuk.
De-gu-reu-reu.
The neck of the black-masked person who failed to avoid in time fell.
The corpse collapsed.
Ttuk.
Ttuk-ttuk.
Blood falling along the blade of Cheon-gwang.
The spirit of Cheon Muryang standing solely was completely different from the information conveyed to them.
『About the same level as a trainee.』
That evaluation was completely wrong.
Although the standard of that trainee was Lee Seok-gi, known as the head, they did not know.
The fact that Lee Seok-gi had already been surpassed from the position of head.
“Who is next?”
Jeo-beok, jeo-beok.
The appearance of Cheon Muryang walking through the bleak darkness was just like a grim reaper.
“Since you tried to kill the Eldest Gongja of the Cheon Family…….”
Was it a coincidence?
The moon that was hidden by the clouds came out.
The moonlight shone on Cheon Muryang.
Ssi-ik.
There was not a shred of hesitation in Cheon Muryang’s smile reflected in the moonlight.
“It wouldn't be unfair even if the price is death, right?”
“……!”
“Go, and tell the Third Elder.”
“…….”
“That I will come to collect this price soon.”
Cheon Muryang lowered his sword.
He proclaimed an order of expulsion toward them who could neither do this nor that.
“If you fail, get lost.”
Sa-reu-reu.
The moon was hidden by the clouds again.
Black shadows flickered and soon disappeared.
“You'll come out like this?”
Cheon Muryang saw that the traces of the corpse he cut had completely disappeared.
It meant they did not leave even any evidence while retreating.
“Tsk.”
Cheon Muryang shook off the blood on Cheon-gwang for no reason and put it in its sheath.
Then, he left this place.
Not a bit of unease was felt.
After Cheon Muryang disappeared like that, someone revealed his form smoothly.
“Have you been hiding your power until now?”
He stared at the place where Cheon Muryang disappeared and soon disappeared.
The moon was still covered by clouds.
<><><>
Cheon Muryang talked with Cheon Seon-hak.
“Mm. Such a thing happened.”
“Conciliation, then intimidation. Well, isn't it obvious?”
“So, what do you intend to do now?”
“I must move first. What happened to what I asked for?”
“You mean the Inspection Corp Leader?”
“Yes.”
“It was to the extent that I wanted to run and strike his neck right away.”
Tuk.
Cheon Seon-hak took out several letters.
Cheon Muryang, who received them, could not help but laugh in vain.
“Heo…….”
The densely written characters were the corruption the Inspection Corp Leader had committed so far.
It was to the extent that his mouth fell open at how much kickback he received under the name of the Inspection Corp.
“He really ate a lot. Since such laundered money was leaking……. It is strange that the family has not perished.”
However, Cheon Muryang discovered a strange point.
Because the majority of the funds the Inspection Corp Leader must have embezzled headed to one place.
“So-eung-bang, huh…….”
“You noticed.”
“Uncle, do you know where So-eung-bang is?”
“It is in Shaoxing (So-heung) below Hangzhou.”
“Yes. And…… it is also where the warehouse of the Cheon Family is.”
The letter received from Geum-san.
According to the contents of that letter, the warehouse of the Cheon Family should have been full of goods that Cheon-geum-gak would have executed.
“I must go to Shaoxing.”
“Will it be possible alone?”
Cheon Seon-hak could not move.
Because it was clear that his every move was probably being reported to the Council of Elders' side.
“Yes. It is sufficient.”
Cheon Muryang, at dawn on this day.
Headed outside the family.