Spear Peak Band’s Office.
There were various items strewn about carelessly. If the personal attendants were around, someone would have tidied up, but currently, there were no dedicated attendants at Spear Peak.
The disarray of items, the empty training courtyard visible from the office, and the dust piling on the furniture made it clear that Spear Peak was on the verge of disbandment.
In the office, Murong Sang-a, the owner of Spear Peak, swept some dust off the furniture with her finger and spoke to the Great Lord of Spear Peak.
“Still no news?”
The man she never wanted to see again had arrived.
Ultimately, she came here seeking news that she hoped wouldn’t come.
“There’s still no contact from the high official in Joseon, who was our only source of information.”
“Is there no other way to get news?”
“I’ve inquired everywhere, but Joseon is suspicious of foreigners, making it difficult to gather news from within.”
“Could it be that the evidence was too flimsy?”
The fake evidence of treason sent to the high official in Joseon by the Kang Family was indeed scarce. Because of this, even if they had seen the evidence, it was quite possible that the Joseon court would remain inactive.
“They contained at least conclusive-looking pieces of evidence. They will surely act.”
“If it’s too late, that evidence will strangle me.”
Once the wedding night after the ceremony came, everything would be over. If the Kang Family became embroiled in treason afterward, Murong Sang-a would not be safe either.
The hidden knife thrown to harm others could turn back toward her. A shadow momentarily crossed Murong Sang-a’s face.
“I heard there is indeed movement, so you will soon be receiving news. Although it’s late, don’t worry.”
“I was confident in being better than anyone at waiting for an opening during a duel, but waiting for news is far too tormenting.”
“It’s a ridiculous marriage to begin with. Sending off a daughter to a foreign tribe. Is the Deputy Head of Family and the elders utterly lacking in shame?”
In ancient times, the Murong Family had been called a powerhouse in the Martial Arts World. However, now, their military prowess, wealth, and influence were all a shadow of what they once were.
They were now regarded as a couple of notches below others like the Namgung Family, the Zhuge Family, the Sichuan Tang Family, and the Hebei Peng Family in every respect.
Gossip mongers publicly speculated that the gap was only going to widen from here on out. However, amid such adversity, the Murong Family stumbled upon an unexpected opportunity.
“I, Kang Mo, have received a life-saving grace from the head of the Murong Family!”
Coincidentally, the head of the Murong Family, Murong Cheon, happened to rescue Kang Yoon-ho’s father from a band of bandits.
Given his life-saving grace, Kang Yoon-ho’s father became close friends with Murong Cheon, who was then the Deputy Head of Family.
Numerous challenges waited in the ginseng smuggling business, from Jurchen bandits to corrupt officials.
It was inevitable that the Kang Family of Joseon, rich but weak, would cooperate with the Murong Family, which had only lost its former glory but still had military prowess.
Murong Cheon laid the groundwork for the rejuvenation of the fading Murong Family through a protective contract with the Kang Family. Yet, there was still a significant deficiency compared to other families.
Suddenly, however, Murong Cheon fell into a state of unconsciousness.
The contract with the Kang Family had formed solely due to the relationship between Murong Cheon and Kang Yoon-ho’s father. What if Murong Cheon died just like that?
They had barely laid the foundation for resurgence, but they could end up losing it all. Unease lingered among the Murong clan.
At that time, the one who proposed a solution to the situation was Deputy Head of Family, Murong Bi.
“If the bond formed by the life-saving grace is about to end, then shouldn’t we take it a step further and become family?”
That’s how the engagement between Murong Sang-a and Kang Yoon-ho was arranged.
Of course, it was an open secret that this also allowed Murong Bi to remove her own sister, who was her political rival, and solidify her position as the Deputy Head of Family.
“The Demonic Cult is watching over your brother. Their plan is to eliminate me from power and seize the wealth of the Kang Family.”
“Miss. It’s not too late even now. I’ll rush to the Martial Arts Alliance and inform them that the Murong Family has fallen into the clutches of the Demonic Cult.”
“Absolutely not.”
If the Demonic Cult rampaged, the Martial Arts Alliance would confront them. This was something even the children of the Central Plains were well aware of.
However, the reality was different.
In truth, the Martial Arts Alliance was not an organization united for lofty ideals. They were merely a self-interested group gathered for their own benefit. Even the Demonic Cult opposed the Martial Arts Alliance because it harmed their interests.
What would happen if news of Murong Bi becoming a lackey of the Demonic Cult reached the Martial Arts Alliance?
Contrary to Murong Sang-a’s intention to excise the rotten part of the Murong Family by gathering forces and evidence, the Murong Family would be disbanded. All benefits coming to Yodong Province would be distributed to other factions under the jurisdiction of the Martial Arts Alliance.
The issues of the families would be resolved by the families themselves. This was an absolute axiom regarding this incident.
“What should we do…?”
“Miss, you’re here!”
One of Murong Sang-a’s personal attendants rushed in urgently.
“What is it?”
Murong Sang-a responded.
“The Deputy Head of Family has sent for you to meet your fiancé.”
“I told you I wouldn’t go.”
“Um… If you don’t come to the office right now, the remaining members of Spear Peak will be prepared to face dismissal on the streets.”
“How could the Deputy Head of Family say such a thing?!”
The Great Lord of Spear Peak’s eyes widened in shock. Was this an open threat? Murong Sang-a swallowed her anger and spoke to her attendant.
“…I need to prepare myself. Tell him I’ll be there soon.”
“If you come with me, I can help you get ready quickly!”
“Sorry.”
The Great Lord of Spear Peak said with a face full of grief. They were supposed to be of help, yet they had become hostages instead. Overwhelmed with guilt, the Great Lord had no further words to offer.
“…If there’s any new developments, let me know.”
Thus, Murong Sang-a returned to get ready.
—–
It was a meeting more discomforting than before.
After returning to her room from meeting her fiancé for the first time in a while, Murong Sang-a thought to herself.
A man who made a wrong choice due to deep-seated inferiority complex, looking down on her with wealth she hadn’t built. Somehow, she found herself calling him brother-in-law and older brother—it was certainly a fitting connection between in-laws.
Surely, there would come a day when she would marry too. Although Murong Sang-a, known as the martial arts genius in the Murong Family, was not without girlhood dreams.
What kind of man would she marry?
Love with a young swordsman she met while traveling through the world of martial arts could be so wonderful. A young master from another family would surely be decent too. Marrying a scholar who has passed the civil service exam wouldn’t be bad either. She should also earnestly support him.
What if it were a chivalrous hero who saved her from a great crisis?
Surely, she would fall in love.
She hadn’t thought about such matters often while immersing herself in martial arts training, but she could definitively state that there was no way she imagined marrying a person like him.
“Was I trying to take petty revenge for a joke made back then?”
Despite treating the woman from the Murong Family like a mere courtesan, he turned the blame onto her. Remembering the earlier events made Murong Sang-a bite her lip in rage.
“Why? If not to take down the sidekick, would you even draw a knife?”
She wanted to slash at him. That slimy grin, those conceited eyes filled with arrogance over nothing, and his tongue that coolly inflicted wounds. She wished to chop off the head that housed all of that.
But she couldn’t.
In that moment of slashing, Murong Bi would take everything from her. As the Demonic Cult intended, her father would die, and all her people would either perish or end up on the streets.
Yet it was impossible to maintain her composure, as Kang Yoon-ho’s provocation was far too powerful. Consequently, Murong Sang-a decided to compromise her emotions by lightly threatening her fiancé.
Thus was born the bright red handprint on her face. Murong Bi’s martial arts had instantly neutralized Murong Sang-a’s internal energy, leaving a mark on her cheek.
Looking at her reddened cheek in the mirror, Murong Sang-a gently touched it.
“Ugh!”
The pain began to spread from where her finger had grazed. It was shallow but definitely the mark of demonic energy. A wound like this would usually heal quickly for a martial artist like Murong Sang-a, but with demonic energy involved, it was a different story. It would likely remain until the wedding ceremony.
She wanted vengeance on the two men.
As she gazed at her cheek in the mirror, Murong Sang-a thought thus. But right now, there was nothing she could do.
All she could do was wait for good news to fly in from Joseon while studying the books that man had handed her.
The books, which were said to contain the customs of Joseon, numbered two.
On the cover titles were written:
‘Joseon Women’s Conduct’
‘Joseon Folklore Collection’
‘Joseon Folklore Collection’ seemed to be a book compiling folktales—it was hard to see how it related to studying Joseon’s customs. It seemed wiser to read the more significant ‘Joseon Women’s Conduct’ first.
Murong Sang-a opened ‘Joseon Women’s Conduct’ and began to read.
[In Joseon, when a woman wants to seduce a man, she says, “Would you like to have some noodles?” This arises from the rarity of flour in Joseon, offering the valuable wheat flour as an invitation to enjoy the pleasures of romance with her.]
[Alternatively, she might say, “Would you like to eat the most precious dish in my house?” and invite the man in, casually noting, “That’s actually me.” Or she might invite him over with, “Would you like to see my cutest cat?” and, upon arrival, add a “Meow.”]
[Secretly provocative. When walking arm in arm with her husband, she intentionally rubs her chest against him. This serves to make her husband feel good while simultaneously seducing him. However, it’s best for those with ample size to perform this act, as very few women can.]
[When comforting a sorrowful husband, it’s acceptable to act cute or hug him. However, the most comforting line for a melancholic husband is “Do you want to touch my chest?”]
“What on earth…?”
Murong Sang-a felt dizzy after only reading the initial parts.
