“Failure.”
Murong Family. Deputy Head’s Office.
Recently, at a place called Changryongjeon, the head of the Murong Family’s guards reported to the Deputy Head, Murong Bi, with a dark expression.
“What do you mean? Didn’t you say you were confident?”
Murong Bi frowned as he asked the guard head. Planning to manipulate the spirit of a Joseon merchant using martial arts to mess up the deal seemed like a surefire operation, yet it failed?
“I succeeded in provoking the Joseon merchant’s greed, but things didn’t go as planned.”
“Was it really that difficult to enrage a crazy woman who goes mad hearing insults about her dead husband?”
Murong Bi had heard the stories about how Murong Sang-A had brutally split a person in half upon hearing disrespect towards her deceased husband. Throwing humiliating words at a younger sibling, getting them to utter her husband’s insults—it should have been an easy path to disaster. The guard head had confidently declared it, and Murong Bi had nodded in agreement.
“I heard she resorted to burning ginseng for threats instead of splitting anyone in half this time.”
“What a vicious woman. Money is rotting away.”
Ginseng traded for silver or gold weighs heavily. To burn elixirs meant to leave profit behind was madness that no one in their right mind would do.
Murong Bi could only shake his head in disbelief at such a fruitcake of a plan.
“Even though the deal fell through, it’s not a complete failure. The Joseon merchants will harbor resentment over the death of their representative and the burning of ginseng, and their notoriety will increase.”
“That’s actually good news. Yes, let the notoriety spread. That woman’s struggles are trivial; the justification lies with me, doesn’t it?”
Murong Bi had never encountered wealth like what Murong Sang-A now possessed.
With her wealth, she had turned her crumbling faction into a pillar of the Murong Family. She had even won back the decision-making power as a direct descendant by alluring the Elders’ Council.
But that was as far as it went.
No matter how much wealth Murong Sang-A accumulated, the upper hand belonged not to her, but to the Deputy Head, Murong Bi.
Even if she threatened with money, the rights of the firstborn, the rights of the Deputy Head, could never vanish.
“The rumor of a hidden scorpion spreading through the Martial Arts World was a scheme even Zhuge Liang would admire.”
“Hahaha! As her notoriety grows, her supporters will shrink! Silly woman! To become the head, one should use clever strategies like I do, not bully people with money. Am I wrong?”
The one who had spread word of Murong Sang-A’s notorious reputation in the Martial Arts World was none other than her brother, Murong Bi.
Thanks to him, the perception of the Murong Family was that of a brother under the influence of a Demonic Cult and a sister opposing him, even if the reality was different.
Murong Sang-A had no guilt regarding the treason incident of the Kang family, instead seizing their wealth, but to society, it was a scandal worthy of finger-pointing.
Even if a righteous person stayed as a retainer for a family and accidentally overheard plans for treason, it was deemed virtuous to leave quietly in debt.
Let alone, Murong Sang-A reported her husband’s family and even killed her husband herself.
Evil woman, hidden scorpion, seductress. Murong Sang-A.
Even if she was rewarded in Joseon for her testimony, in a world where women were expected to become model wives, her actions as a woman and a wife were the absolute worst.
The Deputy Head with rightful claims, Murong Bi.
Immense wealth surpassing justification, Murong Sang-A.
Such was the current evaluation of the Murong Family by the world.
“Indeed, you are worthy to become the head of the Murong Family.”
“Yes. As for the ginseng matter, let’s put an end to it here. I predicted that the deal wouldn’t go through anyway.”
Murong Bi, satisfied with the guard head’s flattery, casually dismissed the previous teasing, as if extending grace.
“Yes, thank you. Also, word is coming that we will be bringing a doctor from Changbong Hall for you.”
“A doctor?”
“They say he was once a royal physician.”
“…Is there any chance father will wake up?”
Murong Bi asked the guard head, his face anxious. He had personally poisoned his father, causing him to lapse into a coma. What if his father wakes up? It was a thought he didn’t even want to entertain.
“The poison used by the Deputy Head was concocted by an expert over a decade. Even if a grand immortal comes, it’s absolutely impossible.”
Understanding the Deputy Head’s anxiety, the guard head confidently assured him.
“Really?”
“Should you wish, I can make arrangements to ensure the Deputy Head’s eternal rest.”
“Guard head. Are you telling me to become the parricide right now?”
Murong Bi’s complexion darkened immediately at the guard head’s words.
“No, that’s not it.”
“Who do you think will bear the brunt if my father dies in the current state of the Murong Family? If there’s a fallout, it’ll lead to a war within our own faction, and I’ll end up inheriting a ruined family! Do you truly think that’s what the Demonic Cult wants? Do you want me to be on the same level as that hidden scorpion?”
Murong Bi yelled at the guard head, unable to hide his fury.
The guards of Changbong Hall were always protecting his father in layers. If any underhanded methods were attempted and even a tiny shred of evidence left behind, the position he had fought hard to secure would be endangered.
Murong Bi absolutely did not want to give up what he had.
“Ah, no, it’s not that.”
“Still, about father… If he intends to pass the family head position to the firstborn, I wouldn’t have to step in. Or if he could relinquish his attachment to this world when I made my decision. What is this even about?”
Murong Bi lamented as if everything was his father’s fault, muttering to himself.
“Shall we allow the doctor in, then?”
“How could a son prevent a doctor from attending to his father? However…”
“However?”
“The doctor coming as a guest from Changbong Hall may just happen to run into bandit attacks.”
“……. I will prepare.”
“Yes. Like I always say, the justification lies with me. We let that woman struggle until she has no place in the family.”
Murong Bi glared at the guard head, who had made a thoughtless comment.
“I’ll do my best.”
The guard head bowed his head, trying to soothe Murong Bi’s anger.
Wishing not to become a parricide. The guard head reflected on Murong Bi, who had flatly poisoned his father, following through with no hesitation.
At that time, it seemed he could easily seize the Murong Family for himself. But people have a knack for revealing their true colors in times of crisis.
Murong Bi had become increasingly averse to losses in order to retain his position as Deputy Head.
‘Did I make a wrong choice?’
Using the experts from the Demonic Cult that he had brought in the beginning to seize the Murong Family would have been a better choice.
The guard head regretted it, but it was too late. Murong Sang-A’s schemes had already led to the deaths of those within the Murong Family allied to the Demonic Cult.
To hope for further active support from the Demonic Cult, the distant Shibwan Mountains were far too far away.
Even if he managed to bring people over, they would be gradually worn down by the schemes. But doing nothing was not an option given the vast resources of Changbong Hall.
‘The position of head is not for strategists, but for decision-makers.’
One must also be willing to take risks, prepared to face losses, and sometimes act while knowing they will be scorned.
The younger sister never hesitated to bear the notoriety but with such an attitude, when would he earn the head’s position?
“I’ll go in.”
The guard head left with a bitter smile, sensing that a tough battle lay ahead.
—–
The Changbong Hall’s reconnaissance squad spotted the cart carrying the doctor under attack by bandits.
“Lady! The cart with the doctor is being attacked by mysterious men!”
The Great Lord of Spear Peak urgently relayed the situation discovered by the reconnaissance squad to Murong Sang-A.
Bandits seeing the Murong Family’s banner and not retreating? Something was suspiciously off. The Great Lord recalled what his lord had said before heading to meet the doctor.
Though he allowed the doctor’s entry into Changryongjeon, it could be a trap to induce carelessness.
Since they had interfered with the ginseng trade, they could also disrupt the invitation of the doctor. Everyone would be a nuisance, but he would lead the Spear Peak Band to meet the doctor.
The Great Lord silently admired Murong Sang-A’s intuition.
“Follow me.”
Murong Sang-A grasped the reins, drew her sword, and shouted toward the Spear Peak Band.
“Stay here! We’ll take the lead.”
“It’s my guest.”
“Lady! If something goes wrong with our lord, we lose everything.”
“If I don’t risk threats now, when I’m in danger, who will take the lead? Follow me!”
With not an ounce of hesitation, the Spear Peak Band sprinted forward, chasing after their lord.
———-
The enemies stubbornly targeted the doctor in the cart, but it was only a moment of crisis.
Murong Sang-A leading the charge into the enemy lines quickly turned the tide.
Despite some notably strong individuals in the group or the bandits with green hair resembling the rogue forest, they could not maintain their onslaught.
The Spear Peak Band pressed the bandits inside and out with their lord, and there was no power in Yodong Province that could rival the Spear Peak Band.
“Is it all over? Hmm? A woman?”
After concluding the battle, Murong Sang-A turned her head and looked with a leisurely demeanor at the middle-aged man stepping out from the cart.
He had graying hair.
“I am Murong Sang-A. I apologize for the trouble in escorting you, esteemed doctor.”
Murong Sang-A bowed respectfully to the doctor who had endured a life-threatening moment due to her.
“Aha. I wondered who it was, but you truly are a person of renown. I thought it was exaggerated, but it seems it’s even more astonishing than the rumors.”
“…….”
What kind of rumors could he be referencing?
The hidden scorpion who devoured everything of her husband, the evil woman who reported her husband’s family—Murong Sang-A swallowed her questions as the notoriety grew.
Seeing Murong Sang-A’s expression turn hard, the doctor awkwardly smiled and continued.
“I caused a misunderstanding. I was referring to your appearance. I was told you were so beautiful that it dazzles the mind, but I must say the rumors were an understatement.”
The man tried to compliment the young woman who saved him but seemed to incite a misunderstanding, elevating her esteem even more.
“You flatter me.”
“Flattery? I merely expressed my impressions. I’ve worked in the imperial court surrounded by beauties my entire life, yet I’ve only ever considered one person the world’s top beauty. Or rather, now, it seems it’s two.”
“Thank you.”
“Aha. I mustered the courage to give compliments, but you seem immune to flattery given you’ve likely received countless such praises. Let’s not dally here; we should quickly check on the patient.”
“Please follow me, esteemed doctor!”
After tidying up the surroundings, Murong Sang-A and the Spear Peak Band successfully brought the doctor back to the Murong Family.
———
“What’s the condition of my father?”
Murong Sang-A asked the doctor anxiously after he came out from examining her father.
If her father woke up and was treated, everything would end. She only had to inform him of the truth about the Demonic Cult. The justification would then return to her.
Of course, this might cause a small uproar. Murong Bi would kick and scream. The Demonic Cult would reveal its true colors. But it wouldn’t matter.
Because she would be the first to raise her sword.
“I’m sorry, but treating the patient is beyond my skills.”
The doctor’s words were similar to those of other doctors and did not align with Murong Sang-A’s hopes.
“…… Is that so.”
Murong Sang-A spoke, trying to hide her disappointment. So, treatment was impossible. Would her father remain forever unconscious?
As small despair began to engulf her, the doctor spoke unexpectedly.
“But I did discover what the illness is.”
“What illness?”
“The Deputy Head is not suffering from an illness, but is rather under the effects of a subtle poison that could mislead any physician.”
“You said poison?”
“Yes. And I know where to find those skilled in treating this poison.”
“If there are experts in poisons…?”
“How about inviting someone from the Sichuan Tang Family to the Murong Family?”
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