Chapter 42 :

Chapter 42. Zhuge Family (4)

Soon, a voice was heard outside the door.

“Father, it is I, Yul.”

“Come in.”

The door opened and a middle-aged man with a handsome appearance entered and bowed his head.

“I did not realize there were guests.”

The elder lord introduced us to him.

“Ah, greet them. These are the guests I invited to exchange poems, Lord Yoo So-Ak and Young Lord Eun Seoho.”

“I am Zhuge Yul. Though lacking, I am currently the head of this family.”

At his self-introduction, I and Chief of Internal Affairs Yoo quickly rose from our seats.

Then we cupped our fists in salute.

“I am Yoo So-Ak, Chief of Internal Affairs of the Eunhae Merchant Group.”

“I am Eun Seoho, third son of the Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group.”

The reason we had not been introduced to the Family Head on the first day was clear. It was because we were the elder lord’s guests.

Normally, introducing guests deliberately is done when a superior is present.

It was not done before subordinates, for it carried the meaning of respect for the guest.

That the guest should be regarded as equal in status to the one who invited them.

We were the elder lord’s guests, and there was no one above the elder lord.

“Welcome to the Zhuge Family. I hope nothing is lacking during your stay.”

Though he was much older and of far higher status, he treated us with courtesy because we were the elder lord’s guests.

“We are grateful for the Head’s kindness.”

“Thank you.”

The head of the Zhuge Family appeared quite dignified and polite.

Not frivolous, yet with a gentle expression as well.

Seeing him, I felt I understood where young lady Zhuge Yua’s true demeanor came from.

They say children are the mirror of their parents…

Though he was called an uninvited guest, the elder lord’s gaze upon him was filled with pride.

It was hard to believe that this man, a few years later, while in secluded cultivation would fall into qi deviation and bring a bloodbath upon his family.

Usually, when one falls into qi deviation, their meridians twist and they die on the spot.

But in the Zhuge Family’s case, because much of their martial arts related to the head, it was said that when they fell into qi deviation, they either became fools or went mad.

If they merely became fools, or went mad harmlessly, it would have been fortunate.

The problem was when they went mad in the worst way.

Like becoming a murderer who unleashed indiscriminate slaughter.

The Zhuge Family Head before me was such a case.

As the Family Head, his martial arts must have been immense, and with the elder lord already dead, there would have been no one left to restrain him.

Wait.

Something feels strange.

If the elder lord had been alive when the Family Head had such a problem, would the Zhuge Family have suffered such devastation?

No.

Even if it were his own son, for the sake of the family, he would have made a decisive choice.

In that case, the damage would not have been so fatal. Which means, the elder lord was killed first.

Which means, the Family Head’s qi deviation was also part of a scheme?

At that moment, I realized something.

The man before me was the father of Zhuge Yua, whose arm I had broken last night during the spar.

Ah…

Though there had been the elder lord’s words, it was best to bow low when needed.

I deeply lowered my head and apologized.

“I am truly sorry, regarding Young Lady Zhuge Yua last night…”

“If it is about that matter, it is fine. It was Yua’s own doing, who could be blamed?”

“I truly apologize.”

I apologized again, letting out a sigh inwardly.

Why is everything so entangled like this…

Meanwhile, the elder lord asked the Family Head.

“So, for what reason have you come?”

“Yes, Father. A letter has arrived.”

“A letter?”

“I must urgently send a reply to the messenger, so even knowing you had guests, I had no choice but to intrude.”

Then, taking a letter from his breast, the Family Head unfolded it and read.

Where could that letter have come from, to make him act so?

At that moment, I glimpsed the seal upon the envelope, and froze instantly.

A mark shaped like clouds.

It was the emblem of the Murim Alliance. That letter had come from the Murim Alliance.

Yet,

The elder lord’s reaction upon seeing it was strange.

From his body spread an increasingly fierce killing intent.

A killing aura sharp enough to slice flesh.

Then, glaring at the Family Head, his lips moved, and the Family Head nodded.

So, because we were present, he had spoken through sound transmission.

“Father, the guests are struggling.”

At the Family Head’s words, the elder lord looked at us with a startled expression.

“Ah! Forgive me. Without realizing it…”

“It is, quite all right.”

Unlike me, Chief Yoo’s face had gone pale.

Was killing intent so hard to endure?

I felt fine.

“It seems we must end this meeting here. Let us speak again this evening. This place has marvelous ambiance at night.”

“Yes, we shall do so.”

Then the elder lord cast a peculiar look at me.

“Young Lord… did you not say earlier you wished to observe the tea-brewing?”

“Yes. That is correct.”

At my words, the elder lord handed me something from his sleeve. A plaque made of white jade.

“Present this, and you may go anywhere. Use it to observe.”

“Thank you.”

.

.

.

While Chief Yoo rested in the room, I left the quarters with Palgap.

It was to go see the tea-brewing.

The elder lord’s reaction upon hearing Murim Alliance was unexpected.

Clearly, it was negative.

And the Family Head had nodded in agreement.

If that were so, then the Zhuge Family’s collapse, and the Murim Alliance’s indifference, made sense.

They had been discarded after use.

It is said, the enemy of my enemy is my ally.

If the Zhuge Family were to vanish, it would be no different from losing an ally.

Then I should choose to protect them.

“This must be the place where they brew the tea.”

At Palgap’s words, I came out of my thoughts and looked ahead. At that moment, I encountered a man.

And in that instant, I felt revulsion.

A strange revulsion I had never felt before.

The man before me asked,

“Judging from your attire, you seem to be outsiders. Who are you?”

“……”

Though he asked my identity, the sudden revulsion left me unable to answer.

“Why no reply?”

“……”

Seeing me thus, Palgap hurriedly stepped forward and bowed.

“Forgive our delayed answer. This here is Young Lord Eun Seoho, third son of the Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group, and I am his servant. We came by the invitation of the elder lord.”

“Ah, I heard my uncle had invited guests to exchange poems. So it is you?”

“Yes.”

“I see. However, this is not a place where outsiders should intrude.”

“We are aware. That is why we came with the elder lord’s permission…”

Palgap continued.

“Yet it seems my Young Lord suddenly feels unwell. We should return…”

I raised my hand, stopping Palgap.

“I am fine.”

I barely calmed the unease within.

I could return another time, but no, that would not do.

The one who plotted the elder lord’s poisoning was a meticulous man, who had waited years to see the plan succeed.

At this very moment, when no one expected an outsider to come to the tea-brewing place, if not now, the black rat would surely hide its tail.

I cupped my fists to him and paid respect.

“Forgive me. My health was slightly unwell, so my introduction was delayed. As my servant said, I am Eun Seoho, third son of the Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group, here by invitation of the elder lord.”

At my introduction, he too cupped his fists in return.

“So it is. I am Zhuge Myeong’s son, Zhuge Gyeong, the Master of the Black Tortoise Pavilion. You say you were permitted by the elder lord, may I see the token of proof?”

At his question, I took out the jade plaque given by the elder lord.

After checking it, Zhuge Gyeong nodded.

“It is indeed the elder lord’s jade plaque. You may enter.”

He returned the plaque, then strode off somewhere.

At that moment, the revulsion that had weighed on me vanished.

What was that?

Had I really felt disgust?

It was as if I had been feigning illness.

Palgap looked at me and asked,

“Are you all right, young lord?”

“Yes.”

“Your complexion suddenly looks fine again.”

“Hmm… it is nothing. Let us go in.”

I brushed it off, but cast a glance at the retreating figure of that Zhuge Gyeong.

Could it be that man was the cause of my revulsion?

But to feel disgust just by looking at someone!

Absurd, I thought, as I stepped inside the building marked Hall of Peaceful Brewing.

The place of making peace…

From the name, I felt I understood what tea meant to the Zhuge Family.

“First meeting. I am Zhuge Hyang, Pavilion Master of Hall of Peaceful Brewing.”

The one who greeted me was a neat-looking man. Seeing my jade plaque, he said since I was the elder lord’s guest, he would personally guide me.

“This is the place where delivered tea is selected once more. You know, even the same tea can have different grades?”

“Of course.”

“And the teas are thoroughly separated and stored. That place over there is where they are kept.”

I nodded.

His explanation continued, and at last we reached the tea-brewing place.

“This is where the teas needed are brewed and served.”

“But aren’t there many who enjoy the process of brewing the tea themselves?”

“As young lord says, the process of brewing is also part of cultivation. But the main family truly loves tea. They empty at least five kettles a day.”

“At that rate, the time taken for brewing must be quite significant.”

“Indeed. So, when they wish to brew themselves, they give word, but otherwise, the tea is usually prepared here and taken.”

As expected, people’s ways are similar everywhere.

In our Merchant Group as well, we do not usually brew tea ourselves but receive it from the place in charge.

I asked what I had truly been curious about.

“In truth, what intrigued me about this place was that the tea served by the elder lord was so delicious.”

“I see.”

“So, whose hand brews the elder lord’s tea?”

At this, Pavilion Master Zhuge Hyang pointed to a small prepared space.

“Over there… ah, the one in charge has stepped away.”

There, alongside tea-brewing utensils, several types of tea were sealed in containers.

Just then, someone called for the Pavilion Master.

“Sir, Pavilion Master. I need you to look at this.”

“Very well.”

He excused himself.

“Please forgive me. Feel free to look around.”

“Yes. Do not worry, attend your work.”

It was my chance.

I went straight to the elder lord’s tea-brewing spot. Though set apart, it was no closed chamber.

It was wide open on all sides.

To bring something suspicious here and mix it in the tea?

Impossible.

Not just once, but to poison tea for over a year, never getting caught?

And the poison had to be placed only into Flowers and Birds Clear Harmony, Cup of Bright Moon, Green Beauty, and jujube tea.

If placed in other teas, it would cause physical reactions.

It was a poison troublesome to use.

Then the simplest and safest method remained.

Use what was already there.

For instance, the container of tea leaves.

When I reached toward the container labeled Flowers and Birds Clear Harmony, Palgap subtly shifted his body to shield me.

Ah, clever.

I quickly opened the tea container. But nothing suspicious was visible.

I could not just overturn it.

Still, I was certain the poison was inside.

I swiftly took a small handful of tea leaves and slipped them into my sleeve.

If the container was tainted, then so too were the leaves.

Then I replaced the lid.

“Palgap, let us return.”

“Have you seen enough, young lord?”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

***

Back at the lodging, I asked Palgap to fetch a little vinegar.

I brewed the stolen leaves, then added vinegar.

The sour smell made me grimace slightly as I pricked my finger with the needle I had prepared.

Ah, damn…

Why must I suffer like this?

I hate pain.

I squeezed a drop of blood from the cut and let it fall into the teacup where leaves, water, and vinegar mingled.

Plop.

The moment it fell, I exhaled.

My suspicion was correct.

The tea’s color turned violet. Which meant, the poison was indeed present.

The method I had just used had become widely known after the Empress was poisoned.

But now, no one else knew how to detect this poison.

Only the culprit would know.

In such circumstances, if I rashly spoke of it, I could be suspected myself.

Especially since the culprit was likely an insider, they could try to frame me.

That must not happen.

Was there anyone else who knew about this poison?

At that moment, a name flashed in my mind.

Ah!

Yes, there is!

There is someone perfectly suited for this matter.

And that person is not far, in western Hubei Province.

But first, I must secure the evidence.