Yodong Province is a peculiar area even within the influence of the Central Plains.
It used to be called Manchu since times of yore.
The people of the Central Plains built an impregnable fortress known as Shanhaiguan, erecting the Great Wall to create an insurmountable boundary.
Though Yodong Province is under the influence of the Central Plains, it wasn’t entirely under complete control.
A place where foreign tribes aiming for the Central Plains lurk like predators. A buffer zone against these foreign tribes. An area where civilization meets barbarism. This was the general perception of Yodong Province among the people of the Central Plains.
Appointed by the imperial court, the officials who flew into Yodong had to find a family to help them survive among the foreign tribes, and in exchange for their support, this family began to grow in power.
Ultimately, this family became a clan in the Martial Arts World, seizing the most fertile land of Shenyang along the lifeline of the Liao River in the land of Manchu, where many foreign tribes clashed.
The name of that family is…
The tyrants of Yodong Province. The Murong Family.
Currently, the rulers of Yodong Province were split into two factions.
“Miss. Wow…”
The young maid who found her master suddenly lost her words, wondering how to call her.
She was utterly mesmerized by the sight of her master in deep meditation.
Is that what a breath-catching beauty looks like?
It was not a situation where a beautifully adorned woman showed off her looks. Her hair was flowing, and sweat was flowing down her forehead.
She didn’t bother to conceal her shortcomings with expensive accessories or makeup. However, the beads of sweat glistened like the most beautiful jewels.
Her bare, unadorned face appeared smoother than any skin painted with cosmetics.
They say a flower blooming under the moonlight looks beautiful even when scattered by the wind, but the beauty of this woman was more like the moon itself.
“What is it?”
Below the heavens, a fragrance and color that cannot be rivaled belonged to Murong Sang-a.
She was the woman who had lost her other half.
“Oh! I’m so sorry! Uh, the Great Lord of Spear Peak has arrived!”
Why does the moon speak? Only then did the maid shake off her stupor and reveal her purpose.
“Lord, I’ve returned.”
Though she was already a step too late, the Great Lord of Spear Peak was behind the maid.
“You’ve worked hard. How did the investigation team at the Sacred Martial Library fare?”
The Sacred Martial Library.
A repository of martial arts of the Murong Family, as well as a lost legacy of the Murong Family.
To seize control of the stagnant clan power struggle, Murong Sang-a ordered an investigation into the Sacred Martial Library, which had been permitted only to previous heads of the family.
“We have dispatched investigation teams to the three locations you commanded. The teams seem to have found some promising leads, as you suggested.”
“You’ve done well.”
“However, there’s a minor issue.”
Murong Sang-a grasped the situation from the worried expression on the Great Lord’s face.
“Looks like the Jurchens are causing trouble.”
“Yes, someone from the Jurchens has come to confront us.”
—————
Murong Sang-a was not caught off guard by the Jurchens’ backlash.
The exploration of the Sacred Martial Library was a task of the clan, and whenever the Murong Family initiated a new search, it was natural for the nearby Jurchens to respond.
She, along with the higher-ups, waited for the representative sent by the Jurchen chieftain to read the letter.
“I, Turushan! I send this for a critical matter! The land where your Murong clan resides is our tribe’s! I never permitted you to settle on our land! How dare you dig into our territory! Are you not afraid of our wrath?”
“Arrogant barbarian!”
“What did you say just now?”
As provocative words were uttered, the fury of the Spear Peak Band erupted.
“Ugh…”
“Continue reading.”
Murong Sang-a spoke to the representative with an expressionless face, and the representative continued with trembling hands.
“However! I, Turushan, have heard that the leader of your Murong clan is a woman. A woman with insufficient experience leading a clan may make mistakes!”
Fury blazed within Changbong Hall. The representative could no longer speak, merely glancing nervously around.
“No further need to listen!”
“How dare these insults be thrown at our lord?!”
“…”
As Murong Sang-a’s cold gaze fell upon her subordinates, they shrank back as if drenched in cold water.
“I will keep quiet for now.”
“If you conduct yourselves with the proper respect, I might allow you to temporarily reside on our land! This is a statement made in the name of I, the chieftain Turushan! Remember that the spearheads of our tribe are directed at you! Furthermore…”
If you don’t want to be harmed, submit and offer us tributes. There was not a single member of the Spear Peak Band who failed to grasp the meaning.
The representative could no longer speak under the murderous intent directed at him.
“Those beasts act so arrogantly!”
“Lord! Just give the command! I’ll bring back this mutt’s head, and take Turushan’s head too!”
The members of the Spear Peak Band, who had been glancing at their lord’s reaction, could no longer contain themselves against the proud provocation towards the Murong Family.
“Eek! P-Please spare me! I-I’m just a representative!”
Realizing the future that awaited him, the representative lay prostrate before the master of Changbong Hall.
Murong Sang-a observed the situation, where it seemed she might tear the representative to shreds, and then, with a cold expression, gestured towards the Jurchen representative.
“Please provide this man with a place to stay and a meal.”
“Lord?!”
“Th-Thank you!”
The representative, like a rabbit spared by a tiger’s whim, followed the maid’s guidance and quickly disappeared.
The Spear Peak Band members, surprised by their lord’s unexpected reaction, exchanged glances as one high-ranking officer cautiously spoke up.
“My lord… Are you perhaps considering negotiation?”
“We need to see what the other party desires.”
Murong Sang-a nodded slightly. Unlike her enraged subordinates, she was grasping the situation faster than anyone.
The chieftain’s confidence was not unfounded.
Even though the Murong Family claims to be the tyrants of Yodong Province, they do not hold the same prestige as before. On top of that, their power was split in half.
The Jurchen tribes are primarily composed of cavalry. If they could gather, they could greatly inconvenience the Murong Family.
“It’s true that the Jurchens, when united, are a force to be reckoned with. However, their claim of the land being theirs is laughable. That land already belongs to our lord.”
The areas the investigation teams began exploring were lands that Murong Sang-a had purchased in advance. But whether the Jurchens would acknowledge it as sanctioned by the laws of the Central Plains was an entirely different matter.
“My lord! They are beasts that should be tamed not with gifts, but with a whip!”
Murong Sang-a shook her head at the words of the Spear Peak Band.
“If we can live peacefully, there’s no reason not to buy it.”
“Have you forgotten? One of the reasons the Murong Family’s influence faltered while exploring the Sacred Martial Library was because they were swayed by those barbaric beasts.”
“How much do they demand?”
“My lord!”
Murong Sang-a turned as if uninterested and asked about the documents left behind by the Jurchen representative.
“The chieftain has sent his demands. An amount that would allow the entire tribe to live comfortably for years.”
Absurd. How can they demand such an amount? Gasps of disbelief filled the room at the figure the Great Lord mentioned.
“See that? It’s ridiculous! We should exact punishment on them…”
“Penny change.”
But that was merely the kind of thinking a few martial artists might have.
“…”
The Spear Peak members suddenly recalled once again who the woman in front of them truly was.
The one who dominated the ginseng trade routes between Joseon and the Central Plains. The one who extracted silver from Joseon’s fields and traded it for gold value in the Central Plains.
The master of Changbong Hall. Murong Sang-a.
The woman holding wealth that not a single member of the Murong Family had ever possessed.
“B-But still, we cannot bow to mere barbarians…”
The officer bowed his head again, somewhat bending his attitude.
“We are not bowing, we are taming them.”
“We cannot negotiate with arrogant beasts!”
“Can we really call it negotiation if we just toss them the leftover scraps?”
“…”
Murong Sang-a subtly nodded at the suddenly hushed voices.
As the master of Changbong Hall, she did not wish for unnecessary bloodshed. The amount of money given to the Jurchens represented but a small fraction of earnings.
It weighed heavily on her chest for a moment when she referred to the money from her superiors as “pocket change,” but emphasizing the insignificance of the cost, no further dissent followed.
“I will proceed with your proposal, my lord. However, there is a small issue.”
The Great Lord smiled slightly at the poised figure of their lord, and then organized his thoughts.
“What is it?”
“The chieftain of the area where the excavation is being conducted requests to meet.”
The Great Lord read the part that the Jurchen representative had not yet finished.
“Very well. It’ll be good to inspect the area as well.”
As Murong Sang-a stood up, the Great Lord ordered the resting team members who had returned from their mission and announced the wave of the meeting.
—-
“Today, we will spend the night at the pioneer village that is in charge of supplying the investigation team, and tomorrow we plan to meet with the chieftain named Turushan.”
Inside the carriage heading toward the investigation site, the Great Lord informed their lord of the remaining schedule.
“…”
What is she thinking? The Great Lord gazed at his master, who was silently staring out the carriage window.
Two years had passed since the blood-stained wedding. The once naive young lady had become the master of Changbong Hall, now often shutting her heart off from him.
Perhaps it’s because she carries the weight of the Murong Family alone.
Or could it be because of a certain man?
“You made a wise decision. Very well done. The word is that the Jurchens are somewhat relieved.”
The Great Lord knew the reason but chose not to think too hard. Instead, he decided to praise his lord.
“There is no reason to cause petty strife to achieve our goals.”
The money given by their superiors was meant to fulfill the mission. If using such a small amount could avoid unnecessary conflicts, it was worth it.
Murong Sang-a, unresponsive to the Great Lord’s praise, nodded absentmindedly.
“Yes, that’s right. We must quickly find the Sacred Martial Library and reclaim the Murong Family!”
If they could find the Sacred Martial Library, no matter what justification is offered, the Murong Family would return to their lord. The Great Lord responded robustly with a smile.
“I hope we can find something that leads us to the Sacred Martial Library on-site.”
Perhaps it was because the Great Lord spoke energetically, but Murong Sang-a opened up a bit about her inner thoughts.
“I’m sure we will.”
Finding the Sacred Martial Library, reclaiming the Murong Family, and restoring her lord’s smile would be wonderful. However, the Great Lord’s hopeful thoughts didn’t last long.
“Lord!”
One member of the Spear Peak Band rushed toward the carriage with an anxious expression.
“What’s going on?”
“The pioneer village that supplied our investigation team…”
“The pioneer village?”
“Is under attack by the Jurchens!”
———-
“What the…?!”
It’s burning.
The once-supporting pioneer village for the Murong Family’s investigation team was engulfed in flames. The Spear Peak Band members had to witness the horror with faces of disbelief.
“It doesn’t seem like it was the regular troops. Who are you punks?!”
A man from the Jurchens rode over, casually bloodied at the tip of his spear, and confronted the people of the Murong Family.
“We are the Spear Peak Band of the Murong Family! What is the meaning of this?!”
“What do you mean? Huh?! This village was built without our chieftain’s permission! You can’t argue against a raid!”
The man from the Jurchens chuckled as if the word was a joke.
“This is where our Murong Family’s investigation team received their supplies!”
“That’s not our concern. This is our tribe’s land! The folks of the Central Plains should not be plowing these fields recklessly!”
Some members of the Spear Peak Band were momentarily silenced by the Jurchen man’s words.
It sounded right at first glance.
The pioneer village was built by swidden farmers. Being an unauthorized village, it had no protection from anyone – neither from the officials of the Central Plains nor from the Jurchens.
Except for one person.
“Turushan, you say?”
Through the chaotic atmosphere, a calm yet unmistakable voice filled with intent of prayer rang out.
“A woman?”
“Did you not know that this pioneer village is under my protection?”
“…If you intervene, we will not just sit idle.”
The man was barely able to withstand the suffocating pressure of the intent in her voice as he backed away.
“Lord! You can’t just stand by and let this happen!”
“Lord, as unfortunate as it is, they’re mere swidden farmers.”
As the Jurchen man retreated, contrasting reactions erupted among the Spear Peak Band.
“Are you telling us to ignore this?!”
Murong Sang-a gaze trembled as she looked towards what used to be the pioneer village.
The situation was spiraling out of control. Male corpses lay scattered, houses were ablaze, and the Jurchens greedily plundered the spoils.
“At times, it’s necessary to turn a blind eye for the greater good.”
The only thing left to pursue now was revenge, and the Great Lord stepped in to prevent her master’s futile vengeance.
“Lord! They are those living on your land and beneficiaries of the great Murong Family’s protection!”
“We’re on our way to meet the chieftain.”
“…”
Murong Sang-a bit her lips tightly as she watched the beams of the flaming houses collapse.
It was a tough choice.
To freely continue the search for the Sacred Martial Library, one must pretend not to see. There was no reason to waste manpower on the likes of the Jurchens.
She had promised protection to the pioneer village, but that was only a promise made in exchange for assistance to the investigation team, not a guarantee of safety.
A weak justification and significant benefits. Therefore, the choice was laid before her now – a choice so difficult to make for a young woman who had just turned twenty.
“To reclaim the Murong Family, I must just shut my eyes.”
I must retrieve the Murong Family. I must take it back from my brother and the Demonic Cult. There’s no need to waste time. If I simply throw them the food they desire, we will do our part.
It would only take one closing of the eyes. Murong Sang-a found herself deep in thought amidst the smell of burning corpses and the distant cries of despair.
It is such a hard choice. Thus, Murong Sang-a recalled the person who had to make the hardest decision in the world.
“Live, reclaim the Murong Family.”
Even in moments of death, the one who chose her. Murong Sang-a recalled her love that she engraved to her heart every night.
“Mom! Wake up! Mom. Why are you lying down? Mommaaaah!”
In the distance, the cries of a little girl echoed from the pioneer village.
What choice would her mother have made? Would she have told her to close her eyes for the sake of reclaiming the Murong Family?
“Would my mother…?”
“I’m sorry for turning you into a monster that killed your husband. But if I could save you with my life, that is enough for me.”
She ran to extend her hand to save the woman in distress.
To turn a blind eye for the woman’s sake, she willingly offered her neck with a smile.
If one day, she were to tell the supreme being who came to greet her about the child who could extend her hand to reclaim the Murong Family, would her mother smile?
“What kind of expression would she make?”
There was no need for a prolonged deliberation.
“Draw the sword.”
“Ching!”
I’m not afraid of being called a villain by the world. I am only scared that I may never see your smile once again on the final burning judgment.
Murong Sang-a raised her sword, hoping for a reunion like the time her supreme being had extended her hand toward her.
“Those who laid hands on what is mine will see no tomorrow.”
