Someone was moving quietly through the darkened Zhuge Clan estate.
They soon reached a secluded area and opened a door.
Inside, a man was waiting.
The person approached and lowered their head slightly.
“I’m late.”
“No, I just got here myself.”
The one who raised her head again was Zhuge Yu-ah.
And the man standing before her was her father, Zhuge Yul.
Though they were father and daughter, they still had to meet in secret, out of sight.
Because they couldn’t trust anyone.
When the signs of unrest began to stir within the clan, it was his daughter who first came to him.
She had always been a sharp child, but the fact that she noticed something was amiss still surprised him.
It meant she was far more perceptive than he’d realized.
What shocked him even more was her willingness to put on an act to draw their enemies into complacency.
Now, father and daughter each worked from their positions to uncover the sinister force moving in the shadows.
Zhuge Yul glanced at her left arm, set in a splint and wrapped in bandages, and wore a pained expression.
“I’m sorry. Because of your foolish father, you had to go so far as to break your arm…”
Zhuge Yu-ah had deliberately injured herself to avoid watchful eyes.
By confining herself under the pretense of healing, it naturally reduced surveillance.
“But still, that boy went too far. How could he actually break your arm?”
Zhuge Yu-ah let out a quiet laugh.
“It’s fine. It’s not really broken. Young Master Eun turned out to be a truly good person.”
“What? Then…”
Zhuge Yul’s eyes widened in surprise.
“You mean this Eun Seo-ho helped you?”
“Yes.”
“But even so, to go so far as to offer an apology himself…”
“Eun Seo-ho already knew. That I was acting. And why I was acting.”
“How could he have known? Even I couldn’t tell you were pretending…”
“I don’t know either. Maybe there’s something that only an outsider’s eyes can see… but I have no idea what that might be.”
Zhuge Yul fell silent for a moment, then asked,
“He won’t interfere with our plans, will he?”
“He won’t. He figured everything out and still played along, even apologizing just to help me.”
“But that means he must want something…”
“He said he just hates getting involved in troublesome things.”
“He helped you just for that?”
Zhuge Yul’s eyes narrowed.
It made no sense according to his understanding of people.
A letter had arrived today from the Murim Alliance.
The content was simple.
[We request you follow the will of the Murim Alliance.]
But its implications were anything but simple.
And the consequences of complying with the Alliance’s will were even more complex.
‘How can someone wearing a human face do something like that?’
Like his father, he too had rejected the demand.
Those currently working in secret within the clan were surely aligned with the Murim Alliance.
The messenger who had delivered the letter was waiting for a reply.
Though he knew his father had guests, he had been desperate to send the reply without delay.
He didn’t want the messenger lingering in the clan for even a moment longer.
So he delivered the message to his father, who erupted with killing intent.
The problem was that their guests weren’t martial artists.
He had quickly erected a Qi membrane to protect Yu So-ak, but had been slightly too late to shield Eun Seo-ho.
Yet that young man hadn’t flinched in the slightest.
He stood before the Grand Elder’s overwhelming killing intent as if nothing had happened.
That’s why Zhuge Yul was curious about Eun Seo-ho’s true intentions.
“In any case, Father, based on what I’ve seen so far, Uncle Dong-u is suspicious.”
“Gyeong’s behavior has also raised suspicions.”
The two of them exchanged opinions.
The shape of the dark force lurking in the clan was gradually coming into focus.
“The problem is… there’s no proof.”
“That’s the real issue.”
.
.
.
On her way back from the nighttime meeting, Zhuge Yu-ah let out a long sigh.
She had sensed something ominous moving within the clan since she was nine.
What they likely wanted was the clan itself.
To do that, the bloodline of the current clan head had to be removed.
To be honest, she had no attachment to becoming the next clan head or anything like that.
But she didn’t want to see her father sacrificed. Even more, she couldn’t stand to see the clan ruined by those people.
She loved the Zhuge Clan deeply.
Ever since she’d been five years old, listening to her grandfather recount the feats of their ancestors in the Ancestral Hall, she had fallen in love with her family’s legacy.
She couldn’t just stand by and watch them destroy it.
So she played the role of a ridiculous, brainless, cheerful madwoman.
Her act had been perfect. No one had ever seen through it.
Except…
‘He saw through it.’
She’d been utterly flustered when it happened.
Even a side of herself she didn’t know had come out in that moment.
‘He’s a truly strange young man…’
Just then—
“So you did take this path.”
“Eek!”
She jumped, startled by the sudden voice.
“Don’t be scared. It’s me, Eun Seo-ho.”
Realizing who it was, she exhaled in relief and pressed her hand to her chest.
“I had something important to tell you, but it didn’t feel right to visit your room.”
“What is it you wanted to say?”
At her question, I grinned and said,
“Cause a scene at the Institute of Tranquility for me.”
Zhuge Yu-ah looked dazed at my request, but quickly recovered and asked,
“You want me to cause a scene at the Institute of Tranquility? Why? I need a reason if I’m going to do something like that.”
“I hope you won’t be too shocked by what I’m about to say. Please cover your mouth with your hand, just in case. If you scream, it’ll cause problems.”
She gave me a puzzled look.
When I kept gazing at her intently, she finally did as I asked and placed her hand over her mouth.
“While I was spending time with the Grand Elder, I found evidence that someone is trying to poison him.”
“Wh—mmph!”
Just as I expected, she was completely shocked.
Good thing she already had her hand over her mouth. If she hadn’t, she probably would’ve screamed.
She took several deep breaths, then slowly lowered her hand and asked,
“Please explain everything in detail.”
“Of course.”
I explained to her everything I knew about the Fourfold Compound Poison.
After listening quietly, she asked me,
“But, how do you know about that poison, Young Master?”
As expected.
“Running a merchant group means you meet more dirty schemers than you’d think. I learned for the sake of survival.”
I continued.
“I’d rather not answer beyond that, so please don’t ask. But…”
I gave her a faint smile.
“I couldn’t just sit back and watch someone die in front of me. That’s why I’m asking for your help.”
“I heard merchants only act for profit. Then what profit are you gaining by doing this?”
“My profit…”
There was a lot.
There would be, surely.
But I didn’t want to think about that now.
“Peace of mind, I suppose.”
“Is that really all?”
I didn’t answer, and she let out a sigh.
“Fine. Tell me exactly what I need to do.”
I gave her detailed instructions on what she needed to do.
She was still only fourteen, but thanks to the trust I’d built with my actions, she believed what I said about the Fourfold Compound Poison.
But others wouldn’t.
Which is why I needed someone else who could reveal and prove the existence of the poison in my place.
.
.
.
The next day,
Chief Administrator Yu and I once again headed to the Grand Elder’s residence, and shared another day of poetic exchange.
Though he’d been startled by the Grand Elder’s killing intent yesterday, he composed himself faster than I’d expected.
He’d worked with both merchant groups and government officials before, so it wasn’t like he was unfamiliar with martial artists.
I recalled what he said to me that morning.
“I’m fine. It just reminded me that the Grand Elder is a martial artist too. Yesterday must’ve been a momentary slip.”
“That’s a relief to hear.”
“Between true kindred spirits, minor slip-ups should be overlooked. Hahaha.”
They really had become kindred spirits.
Anyway, the Grand Elder and Chief Administrator Yu looked delighted again today.
Even now, documents must be piling up at the Finance Pavilion for him to handle.
If he wasn’t worrying about that, then he really must be enjoying himself.
“To be honest, when I first saw your poetry collection, I thought it would be mediocre. But I collect such works as a hobby, so I bought and read it—and was shocked.”
The Grand Elder looked at Chief Administrator Yu with repeated admiration.
“To think someone in this world could write such beautiful verse. I do have a few younger brothers myself, but not one of them has any talent for poetry. It’s truly a shame.”
He continued,
“So, if you would become my brother, this old man would be most pleased.”
“How could someone as lacking as I possibly dare to call myself your brother, Grand Elder?”
“No, no! I absolutely want you as my brother!”
Watching them, I smiled quietly to myself.
He’s completely smitten.
After thinking for a moment, Chief Administrator Yu nodded.
“It’d be impolite to refuse further, so I’ll accept.”
“Excellent, excellent.”
Just like that, the two of them hit it off and became sworn brothers.
That was my cue.
“I have one request.”
“A request? What is it?”
“This occasion would be a great honor for our merchant group. I’d like to preserve this moment in a painting.”
I bowed deeply.
“Please don’t think me greedy for asking.”
“A painting, huh… A fine idea. I too would like to commemorate the day I gained such a good brother.”
“Then, may I recommend a suitable painter?”
“Who do you have in mind?”
“There’s a man named Heo Cheong (墟晴) who lives near the Zhuge Clan. He’s known for capturing scenes with great vitality.”
“Ah, yes, I’ve heard of him. He’s quite talented.”
Good. My memory wasn’t wrong.
The Grand Elder immediately summoned someone to bring him here.
Please come.
We need him to confirm the truth about the poison we’re drinking right now.
After lunch, as we were about to resume our poetry session, an attendant arrived to inform us.
“Grand Elder, the painter Heo Cheong you requested has arrived.”
“Oh! Let him in.”
The door opened and a man entered.
He looked to be in his late forties, with a striking head of white hair.
“I greet the Grand Elder of the Zhuge Clan. I came as summoned.”
“Welcome. I’d like you to paint a portrait of the three of us.”
“Please describe it in detail.”
“Today, Chief Administrator Yu and I became brothers through poetry. To commemorate this joyful day, you may paint one scene and produce three copies.”
“I understand.”
He raised his head and added,
“You don’t need to remain still. Please talk naturally, and I’ll capture the scene.”
“Then we’ll leave it to you.”
He unpacked his tools, spread out paper, and began sketching.
The stage was set.
I turned to the Grand Elder.
“The teas we drank yesterday were delightful. I found myself thinking of them even in my sleep. Would it be possible to have them again today?”
“You liked them too, I see. Chief Administrator Yu, how about you?”
“I enjoyed them very much.”
The maid brought the same teas, in the same order as yesterday.
–TL Notes–
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