“Did you really want the position of Head of the Family so badly?”
Murong Sang-a had her suspicions about why her father had collapsed, but hearing about her brother’s outrageous actions directly left her speechless.
“Is it impossible to detoxify it yourself?”
Great Lord of Spear Peak glanced at the stunned lord, then asked the physician instead.
“I have some knowledge about poisons myself. However, in this case, attempting to detoxify it recklessly could worsen the patient’s condition. Therefore, it would be better to have a physician who knows more about poisons treat him.”
“If a former physician has said so, it must be true.”
The physician, noticing that Murong Sang-a was regaining her composure, continued with an apologetic expression.
“In the Martial Arts World, if there’s a place that would resent being second in poison research, it’s the Sichuan Tang Family. I may not know much about the martial arts world, but I understand that the Murong Family is also considered a prominent family like the Sichuan Tang Family. If there’s a connection, it wouldn’t be a problem to invite someone who can detoxify.”
“Sichuan Tang Family…”
Contrary to the physician’s expectations, hesitation tinged Murong Sang-a’s voice.
“How about sending someone to the Sichuan Tang Family, just as the physician said?”
“For that, we need to reveal that father is poisoned…”
Murong Sang-a cut off her words and carefully glanced at the physician.
It’s an internal family matter. If an outsider like the physician hears it, it could leak to others. There was concern in her gaze.
“Those who’ve served as royal physicians for a long time have a way of forgetting what they heard or saw once they leave the room.”
In a world rife with cunning schemes, could it be worse than the royal family?
Murong Sang-a decided to trust the physician, who seemed disinterested in the affairs of the Murong Family, claiming to only come to see the patient.
“We need to reveal that father has been poisoned to the Sichuan Tang Family. Moreover, it would be difficult to respond if they were to ask why. There’s also the uncertainty about whether they would help.”
There’s a possibility the story of the Demonic Cult could leak to the Sichuan Tang Family. Murong Sang-a didn’t want the current situation within the family to become public knowledge.
The issue of the Murong Family’s cooperation with the Demonic Cult was not merely an isolated incident.
The Deputy Head of the Family had joined the Demonic Cult, figures from the cult were infiltrating, and members of the Murong Family were unknowingly entangled in the cult’s activities.
Moreover, the Murong Family wasn’t the Sichuan Tang Family.
They weren’t a prominent family like the Sichuan Tang Family in Sichuan Province; they were a clan in the peripheral Yodong Province, only barely managing to survive.
If it became known in the martial arts world that the Murong Family collaborated with the Demonic Cult, the fate of the Murong Family she would face in the future would be annihilation.
Murong Bi, who didn’t want to see the Murong Family eliminated while waging an all-out war against Murong Sang-a.
Murong Sang-a, who didn’t want to expose her brother’s situation to the outside world and risk the family being destroyed.
The peculiar power struggle between the two siblings was occurring for these reasons.
“The current Head of the Sichuan Tang Family, Tang Baek-ho, is famous across the Central Plains for his righteousness beyond the Sichuan Province. While I’ll need to moderate my explanation, he will certainly help.”
“……”
Would he really help without uncovering the reason? Murong Sang-a had heard of Tang Baek-ho’s reputation, but it wasn’t easy to believe he would easily agree to help.
“Even if we send someone to the Sichuan Tang Family right away, it will take over a year and a half to bring the guest back. It would be best to make a quick decision for the Head of the Family.”
The location of the Murong Family was right above the Joseon Peninsula. On the other hand, the Sichuan Tang Family was on the far western edge of the Central Plains.
Even if they made a forced march, it would take more than a year for a round trip. Requesting someone who could save the Head of the Family wasn’t like borrowing a tool from the neighbor.
To send a formal invitation party and bring them over politely, even a year and a half may have been a short estimate.
Should they take the risk and send someone to the Sichuan Tang Family? Murong Sang-a couldn’t easily make a decision.
“Live and reclaim the Murong Family.”
It was the words of her lord that had eternally settled like a spell in her heart that led her to finalize her thoughts.
That person had risked his life for her. How could she hesitate at such a level of danger?
“Can father hold out for a year and a half?”
After pondering for a while, Murong Sang-a asked the physician.
“Do not worry. While I can’t detoxify the poison, I can maintain the current condition through symptomatic treatment. Moreover, precious Joseon ginseng can be used like licorice, so he should be able to endure quite well.”
“I understand. Then let’s prepare an invitation party at Changbong Hall and send it to the Sichuan Tang Family.”
“You’ve made a wise decision, Miss!”
——————–
A few days since they secretly decided to arrange the invitation party to the Sichuan Tang Family.
Great Lord of Spear Peak came to visit Murong Sang-a to convey important news.
“The Elders’ Council has been convened. The lady who called for the Elders’ Council asks for your attendance.”
“That was fast. How is the invitation party coming along?”
“The preparations are nearly complete. We’ve gathered reliable people from Changbong Hall for the invitation party, and we will send the finest ginseng and gifts along with it, so there should be good news.”
“Thank you for your hard work. Let’s go to the Elders’ Council together.”
Murong Sang-a hurried to where the Elders’ Council was gathered.
‘Repugnant old fools.’
Murong Sang-a looked around the Elders’ Council with a blank expression, trying to suppress the rising disgust.
The members of the Elders’ Council were all present, along with her brother, who had a discontented look while staring at her.
Murong Bi couldn’t help but be displeased with this situation. Murong Sang-a had significantly empowered the Elders’ Council to weaken Murong Bi’s influence.
Originally, major and minor matters of the Murong Family had been decided by the Deputy Head of the Family, Murong Bi, who would consult the Elders’ Council for advice.
Murong Sang-a had managed to bribe the Elders’ Council with money and incite their greed.
The current Elders’ Council had turned into gluttonous piglets wanting to eat the leftovers from the fight between the two siblings.
“Murong Sang-a. What was your reason for convening the Elders’ Council?”
The chairperson of the Elders’ Council asked Murong Sang-a why she had called the meeting.
Murong Sang-a looked around once more and, confirming that all eyes were on her, opened her mouth to explain the reason for the meeting.
“It’s to seek permission to explore the Sacred Martial Library.”
“The Sacred Martial Library?”
“Are you talking about the lost martial arts library, the Sacred Martial Library?”
“What kind of nonsense are you speaking?”
The mention of the Sacred Martial Library caused an immediate uproar among the Elders’ Council.
The Murong Family had a history of over a thousand years, starting from the Yan dynasty. Long ago, its prestige was so great that it was called the number one family in the world.
There were rumors that the Murong Family had a repository of all martial arts in the Central Plains, a place that could counter all martial arts, known as the Sacred Martial Library.
Regardless of truth, during the time they were heralded as the number one family, the repository of martial arts that contained the essence of the Murong Family was the Sacred Martial Library.
However, it was also the place that signaled the beginning of the Murong Family’s decline.
“Do you not know that previous Heads of the Family searched for the Sacred Martial Library but found no leads?”
The Murong Family had once lost both the Head and Deputy Head due to an unfortunate accident long ago. At that time, the location of the secretly hidden Sacred Martial Library was lost forever.
“It wasn’t that they couldn’t find leads; rather, the area was too vast.”
Murong Sang-a corrected the chairperson of the Elders’ Council.
“They searched for the Sacred Martial Library over many generations, but no one was able to find it. Thanks to that, has the Murong Family not had its wealth and manpower squandered, falling to a path of decline from a position of dominance in the martial arts world?”
Losing the location of the Sacred Martial Library wasn’t just about losing one martial arts library.
Many of the rising skills prized by the Murong Family were lost, and their family dwindled as they sought the Sacred Martial Library.
“I know it.”
“Moreover, five years ago, the building housing the clues and research materials about the Sacred Martial Library burned down.”
“I know that too.”
“If you were to search for the Sacred Martial Library from the start, you would need funds that seem endless.”
“I have funds that never run out.”
“……”
Murong Sang-a’s bold statement left the entire Elders’ Council momentarily speechless.
“Even if you claim you can discover the Sacred Martial Library, only the Heads of the Murong Family and Deputy Heads of the Family have access.”
Murong Sang-a was not qualified. The Elders’ Council made her aware of this crucial fact.
“To be precise, only those who have reached a small attainments in the martial arts of the direct line of the Murong Family can access it.”
She, unperturbed, shot back at the chairperson of the Elders’ Council.
“Are you suggesting that a 20-year-old girl has already achieved that level?”
“……”
Murong Sang-a calmly nodded her head.
“What nonsense.”
“Don’t lie! There has never been anyone who achieved that level at such an age before!”
“None of the previous Heads of the Family managed to do so.”
“If you wish, I can show you.”
She casually released the energy she had hidden away.
In an instant, the entire Elders’ Council was filled with shock.
“Is that really true?”
“What kind of ridiculous talent is that?!”
Clap clap clap.
The uproar was quelled by Murong Bi’s clapping.
“My sister is clever. She intends to find the Sacred Martial Library, learn the martial arts once mastered by the previous Heads, and thus gain legitimacy as the Deputy Head of the Family. Is that not so?”
The Deputy Head of the Family is originally supposed to be appointed by the Head of the Family. However, Murong Bi took the opportunity when the Head lapsed into a coma and became Deputy Head.
If Murong Sang-a were allowed to enter the Sacred Martial Library, she would gain overwhelming justification for becoming the Deputy Head of the Family. Everyone present understood that.
“That is my intention.”
She would find the Sacred Martial Library and gain legitimacy. Even if her intentions were rejected, she would still find it.
Murong Sang-a’s voice was filled with determination.
“Very well. Do as you wish.”
“Deputy Head!”
“And the Sacred Martial Library. It has been the wish of the previous Heads but was ultimately never found, and the materials have also been lost. If my sister claims that she will find the library with endless funds, how can I stop her as the Deputy Head?”
“But Deputy Head!”
“The search for the Sacred Martial Library is the Murong Family’s task. If we do not find the lost martial arts, we cannot regain our former glory. If my sister dedicates her life to finding it, who knows, maybe my children or grandchildren will be able to find the Sacred Martial Library in the future. Let her do it.”
Murong Bi could not hold back a sneer as she looked at Murong Sang-a.
Foolish girl. You’re throwing yourself into chaos after a careful plan.
Murong Bi knew the truth: that the building containing the clues had been burned down five years ago at the hands of their father. She wished for the family’s assets not to be wasted on the Sacred Martial Library.
Searching for the Sacred Martial Library was not like finding a needle dropped in a sandy beach.
To start all over would inevitably lead to squandering the family’s assets again. How could she not be pleased about her sister’s reckless move?
“Very well. I will allow the search for the Sacred Martial Library.”
Since the largest opposing force, the Deputy Head, had consented, the Elders’ Council had no reason to refuse.
“My sister.”
Murong Bi called her expressionless sister.
“Yes, Deputy Head.”
“From now on, the search for the Sacred Martial Library is your task. Once you begin, there will be no stopping. If you were to halt it recklessly, I will cast you out of the family.”
Continue pouring your assets endlessly. Ultimately, the end will be destruction.
Murong Bi delighted in envisioning her sister disappearing into a corner of the Murong Family’s history.
“Do as you wish.”
Murong Sang-a turned her body after achieving her goal.
—————-
“Miss. Why did you make such a decision?!”
Great Lord of Spear Peak asked with a surprised voice as they returned.
“It was all as I expected.”
“What?”
“Brother must already know that father set the building on fire. He likely thought that if I searched for the Sacred Martial Library, my wealth would be squandered and thus permitted it.”
“Then you should have refrained from it even more!”
“My brother doesn’t know one fact. While the building burned, the materials did not.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have everything in my head. All the documents about the Sacred Martial Library that father showed me as a child, every single one.”
Murong Sang-a tapped her forehead, recalling her childhood. The tales of the lost martial arts repository of the Murong Family, the stories of their ancestors who sought it.
To young Murong Sang-a, they were fascinating stories.
“Huh.”
“It is the price for the life given to me by my lord. I don’t plan to waste a single penny.”
While the funds would continuously be necessary, they wouldn’t be infinite.
The moment she discovered the Sacred Martial Library and entered it.
No one would deny her legitimacy.
Finally, Murong Sang-a relaxed her blank expression and quietly smiled in victory.
