Sang Gwan Jin-ho suddenly recalled seeing those two at the riverside tavern in Deokseon County.

At the time, the tavern boy had made a fuss about how they looked like a fine couple, so he had briefly turned his gaze toward them.

‘Why are those two here...?’

Sang Gwan Jin-ho found the calm, composed gaze of the tall young man unpleasant.

Judging by how he sat at the lowest seat without any introduction, he was clearly from a minor sect. Yet, he boldly met Sang Gwan Jin-ho’s eyes without hesitation.

‘I’ll have to correct that brat’s manners one of these days.’

Teaching proper etiquette to newcomers of the martial world was the rightful duty of a direct descendant of a prestigious martial family.

But with favorable matters ahead, there was no reason to waste nerves on trivialities, so Sang Gwan Jin-ho withdrew his gaze from the young martial artist.

Just then, Grand Scholar Seol Jung-hyu, who had remained silent, finally opened his mouth to speak.

“As you all know, our Sangjeon Village is a newly established settlement, made up mostly of displaced people.”

Grand Scholar Seol Jung-hyu’s voice pressed heavily over the banquet hall.

“They all left their homelands for unavoidable reasons. Most were driven out by the King of Flames Syndicate. But a few days ago, men from the King of Flames Sect barged in and intimidated the villagers.”

Danmok Seong flared up and spoke.

“I’ve heard those King of Flames Sect bastards aren’t even worth calling people. Grand Scholar, shouldn’t we just drive those scum away?”

“No, Elder Danmok.”

Grand Scholar Seol Jung-hyu shook his head.

“They’ve already left, and they swore they wouldn’t return. There’s no need for that.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“They forced the villagers to sign contracts, putting their land up as collateral. That’s the problem.”

Danmok Seong tilted his head and asked,

“If they were forced into those contracts, the authorities can just void them, can’t they? Besides, the King of Flames Syndicate’s usury is prohibited by national law. Isn’t that right, Magistrate?”

All eyes turned toward the Magistrate of Deokseon County.

The Magistrate spoke with a grim expression.

“Elder Danmok, I’m ashamed to say those contracts were approved by our county office.”

“You didn’t approve them without knowing they were with the King of Flames Syndicate, did you?”

Faced with the rebuke of a high-ranking martial master, the Magistrate wiped cold sweat from his brow and replied.

“...I knew. But they promised not to demand interest beyond the legal limit, and they swore they wouldn’t harass the commoners anymore...”

Grand Scholar Seol Jung-hyu quickly cut in.

“Elder Danmok, the Magistrate’s decision was fair, given the circumstances.”

Danmok Seong withdrew his anger and spoke.

“If the Grand Scholar says so, I’ll say no more. But then, what’s the concern? You said the contracts are lawful and approved by the authorities.”

Grand Scholar Seol Jung-hyu sighed lightly.

“The King of Flames Sect deposited those contracts, along with the collateral, at a merchant house, and now new debts have emerged.”

“......”

“The merchant house holding the collateral is Cheongwu Merchant House, operated by the Sang Gwan Family. That’s why, shameless as it may be, I intended to appeal to the generosity of the Family Head Sang Gwan. But now that I’ve brought it up, I realize how shameful this request truly is.”

After a short pause, Grand Scholar Seol Jung-hyu turned toward Sang Gwan Eung, Family Head of the Sang Gwan Family.

“Family Head Sang Gwan, this old man selfishly considered only his own position. Please, pretend you never heard my request.”

Even Danmok Seong, who had been leading the discussion as the eldest in the hall, could not speak at this moment.

No matter how renowned one is in the martial world, no one has the right to meddle in another family’s internal affairs.

Moreover, Cheongwu Merchant House was a legitimate business operated by the Sang Gwan Family.

Everyone thought the conversation would end there.

At that moment, Family Head Sang Gwan Eung spoke.

“Seeing how the Grand Scholar has used his own fortune to care for displaced people, I’ve long intended to assist in any way I could.”

The eyes of everyone in the hall turned toward Sang Gwan Eung.

“Besides, I came to this seventieth birthday celebration empty-handed. Let me relieve the Grand Scholar’s worries as a gift.”

Danmok Seong clapped loudly.

“As expected of the Sang Gwan Family, known as Honam’s foremost virtue! No—by now, we should say you possess the greatest virtue under Heaven!”

Cheers and applause erupted throughout the hall.

—“Waaah!”

—Clap! Clap! Clap!

Once the applause subsided, Sang Gwan Eung looked to his son-in-law, Cheongwu Merchant Lord Sang Gwan Jin-ho.

“Merchant Lord, Cheongwu Merchant House is your responsibility, correct?”

“Yes, Father.”

“Did those contracts truly exist?”

Faced with the Family Head’s composed question, Sang Gwan Jin-ho once again felt like he was peering into the shameless heart of a prestigious martial family.

“They did. The contracts were drawn up by the county office, and considering the hardships the commoners faced, I believed they were justified.”

“It may seem justified now, but in the long run, it will burden the people.”

“My apologies.”

“Return the land deeds and annul the contracts.”

“Father, if we do that, Cheongwu Merchant House will face immediate bankruptcy.”

“How much capital is involved?”

“Over five hundred thousand silver nyang.”

The staggering amount caused murmurs to ripple through the hall, with quiet sighs escaping here and there.

Even for the Sang Gwan Family, this wasn’t an amount they could easily overlook.

“Hmph, what to do...”

Family Head Sang Gwan Eung spoke with a troubled expression.

“Merchant Lord, still, find a way. Considering the Grand Scholar’s efforts to establish Sangjeon Village, our family cannot simply stand by.”

Sang Gwan Jin-ho silently admired the Family Head’s ability to cloak wolfish schemes in noble words.

“I will never forgive anything that tarnishes our family plaque, Sang Gwan Grand Office.”

That phrase, frequently uttered by the Family Head, clearly meant: keep everything discreet.

After pretending to contemplate, Sang Gwan Jin-ho spoke.

“Father, there is one way.”

“Speak.”

“If the Grand Scholar entrusts management rights of Sangjeon Farmland to Cheongwu Merchant House, though it will cost us, we may mitigate some of the losses.”

At his son-in-law’s words, Sang Gwan Eung looked to Grand Scholar Seol Jung-hyu.

“What does the Grand Scholar think?”

Grand Scholar Seol Jung-hyu replied with a conflicted expression.

“Family Head, I appreciate your efforts to find a solution, but Sangjeon Farmland is managed collectively by the village. It’s difficult to transfer that.”

Sang Gwan Jin-ho seized the opportunity.

“Still, aren’t the management rights in the Grand Scholar’s hands?”

“......”

Grand Scholar Seol Jung-hyu instantly understood Cheongwu Merchant Lord’s true intent.

The land near Sangjeon was state-owned in name only. The one holding management rights was, in truth, the de facto owner.

Given the Sang Gwan Family’s influence, bribing officials to convert those rights into full ownership would be effortless.

“I apologize for the blunt words, but even after the Grand Scholar passes, someone must manage the land. Otherwise, Sangjeon will deteriorate, and conflicts will arise.”

“Merchant Lord, even so...”

“Grand Scholar, Cheongwu Merchant House is enduring immense losses to make this offer. If not for the Family Head’s orders, such a proposal wouldn’t even be possible.”

The Grand Scholar’s face darkened.

Sangjeon was the foundation and future of Sangjeon Village.

Seol Jung-hyu knew the Sang Gwan Family sought to monopolize all enterprises stemming from Sangjeon.

But how else could he save the villagers, now living worse than tenant farmers?

While Seol Jung-hyu remained silent in deep thought, Sang Gwan Eung spoke.

“Grand Scholar, the Merchant Lord’s proposal is reasonable. It benefits Sangjeon Village in the long run.”

Sang Gwan Eung glanced toward the Zhang Bureau Branch Administrator and asked casually.

“What does the Branch Administrator think?”

The Branch Administrator nodded.

“It seems like a good proposal for both parties.”

Sang Gwan Eung smiled with satisfaction.

“Since the Branch Administrator came all this way, let’s finalize this immediately.”

“Of course.”

“Also, why not present the Grand Scholar with a birthday gift? A promise to establish a fifty-man defense post in Sangjeon Village seems fitting.”

“If the Sang Gwan Family is making such generous concessions, I will do so.”

Their exchange flowed smoothly, as if rehearsed.

Sang Gwan Eung turned to Grand Scholar Seol Jung-hyu and spoke softly.

“All your worries are over, Grand Scholar. Let’s finalize the contract and enjoy your birthday celebration.”

“Family Head, ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) no matter what, Sangjeon Farmland... I hesitate.”

Grand Scholar Seol Jung-hyu couldn’t easily abandon his lifelong dream of enlightened governance.

His hope was for Sangjeon’s prosperity to inspire similar villages across the land.

Thus, he earnestly pleaded.

“Please, Family Head, find another way.”

Sang Gwan Eung furrowed his brow.

“Hmph, Grand Scholar. Even for us, fifty thousand silver nyang is a massive loss. We can’t simply give that away.”

The Grand Scholar could only sigh heavily.

Just as Sang Gwan Eung turned to the Branch Administrator to finalize the matter—

“Is it true the Sang Gwan Family invested fifty thousand silver nyang?”

An unexpected voice rang out, causing Sang Gwan Eung to turn his head.

‘Who dares interrupt when the rice is nearly cooked...?’

Seeing the young man rise from the lowest seat, Sang Gwan Eung frowned deeply.

“Who are you, young hero?”

Kwak Yeon stood, offering the martial salute.

“Kwak Yeon, Lay Daoist of Samnyeonggung under the Wudang Sect, greets the Family Head Sang Gwan.”

“Lay Daoist of Samnyeonggung?”

Sang Gwan Eung’s expression shifted.

“Oh, so you’re Kwak Yeon of Wudang, the one making a name for himself around Aknyang these days.”

“I’m honored the Family Head recognizes a humble lay Daoist.”

“I’m pleased to meet Wudang’s lineage unexpectedly. But even as a disciple of Wudang, shouldn’t you mind your words?”

“I sincerely apologize for speaking out of turn among martial elders. But there is something I cannot overlook, so I speak, despite the discourtesy.”

Just as Sang Gwan Eung was about to rebuke the so-called Cave Daoist, Danmok Seong interjected.

“Family Head, the older we get, the more we should heed the younger generation, or resentment follows.”

“Hmph...”

Danmok Seong smiled at Kwak Yeon.

“Daoist Kwak, tell us your reason for stepping forward.”

“With the Grand Elder’s permission, I shall speak.”

With the eldest granting permission, no one would interrupt him.