Chapter 43 :

Chapter 43. Zhuge Family (5)

The darkness of night veiled the Zhuge Family estate, and someone was secretly wandering about.

Before long, they arrived at a secluded place, and opened the door.

Inside, a man was waiting for them.

The figure approached him, and slightly bowed their head.

“You are late.”

“No, I have just arrived as well.”

When the figure raised their head again, it was revealed to be Zhuge Yua.

And the man standing before her, was Zhuge Yul, her father.

Though it was merely a meeting between father and daughter, they had to avoid the eyes of others.

For the truth was, this was a time when no one could be trusted.

When he first sensed the ominous undercurrent flowing within the family, his daughter came to him.

She was always a clever child, but the fact that she too had sensed it was surprising.

It meant she was far sharper than he had anticipated.

What astonished him even more, was that she volunteered to act in order to draw out their enemies’ carelessness.

Thus, the father and daughter were, from their respective positions, grasping the identity of the suspicious forces.

Zhuge Yul gazed at Zhuge Yua’s left arm, bound with splints and wrapped in bandages, and a pained expression crossed his face.

“I am sorry. Because of this useless father, you even had to break your arm on purpose…”

Zhuge Yua had injured herself intentionally, in order to divert the eyes of those watching her.

If she were resting outwardly due to her wound, naturally the scrutiny would lessen.

“But still, was that fellow not far too much? To go so far as to break your arm!”

Zhuge Yua faintly laughed.

“It’s fine. It’s not actually broken. Young Lord Eun is truly a good person.”

“What? Then…”

Zhuge Yul asked, eyes widening.

“You mean to say it was Eun Seoho who helped you?”

“Yes.”

“But even so, to go as far as to apologize in your stead… there was no need for that.”

“Young Lord Eun Seoho already knew. That I was acting. And why I was acting.”

“How in the world did he notice? Even I, your father, did not realize it was an act…”

“I don’t know either. Perhaps, because he is an outsider, he could see something that we ourselves could not. But I have no idea what that something might be.”

Zhuge Yul thought for a moment, then asked.

“He will not become an obstacle to our work, will he?”

“He will not. Considering how he noticed everything, played along, and even volunteered to apologize just to help me, I am certain of it.”

“But that must mean, he desires something in return…”

“Young Lord Eun said this himself, he dislikes troublesome things.”

“You mean to tell me, that is the only reason he helped?”

Zhuge Yul’s eyes narrowed.

From his perspective, it made no sense.

Today, a letter had arrived from the Murim Alliance.

Its contents were simple.

[We ask that you follow the will of the Murim Alliance]

But what lay behind it was anything but simple.

And the consequences of yielding to the Murim Alliance’s will, were far from simple as well.

‘How can they wear human faces, and yet commit such deeds?’

Thus, like his father the family lord, he too was against it.

Those moving in secret within the family, were surely in league with the Murim Alliance’s will.

The messenger who had delivered the letter, awaited a reply.

He knew his father had guests, but he wanted to send the messenger away as quickly as possible.

He did not wish to let the messenger linger within the family, not for a moment.

So he relayed this to his father, and in that moment, his father released killing intent.

The problem, however, was that the guests were not martial artists.

He had quickly spread a protective barrier of qi to shield Yoo So-Ak, but was a little too late to protect Young Lord Eun Seoho.

Yet that young lord, had shown no sign of unease.

Even when facing the killing intent of his father, a supreme master, he looked as though nothing had happened.

It was this, that made Zhuge Yul curious about Eun Seoho’s true intentions.

“In any case, Father, based on what I have observed, Uncle Myeong seems suspicious.”

“Indeed, Gyeong has also shown suspicious signs.”

The two exchanged their opinions.

Gradually, the identity of the black rats hiding within their family was taking shape.

“The problem is, we have no proof.”

“That is the problem.”

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.

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After finishing her midnight walk, Zhuge Yua let out a sigh.

She had first sensed the ominous movements within the family when she was nine years old.

What they wanted, was likely the family itself.

And to achieve that, the bloodline of the family lord must first be erased.

Truthfully, she had little attachment to the position of young successor, or to becoming the family lord.

But what she could not accept, was her father becoming a sacrifice. Even more so, her family being ruined by them.

She loved the Zhuge Family too dearly.

When she was five, and held in her grandfather’s arms, listening in the ancestral hall to the achievements of their forebears, she had fallen in love with the Zhuge Family.

Thus, she could not stand by while those people sought to ruin it.

And so, she played the role of a foolish, brainless, bright lunatic.

Her performance was flawless, and no one had ever seen through it.

No one, except him.

‘But he did.’

That moment, how startled and flustered she had been!

She had even revealed sides of herself she never knew existed.

‘In many ways, he is a truly strange young lord.’

It was then.

“As I thought, you would be taking this road.”

“Ah!”

She was startled out of her thoughts by the sudden voice.

“Please, do not be alarmed. It is I, Eun Seoho.”

Hearing his identity, she let out a breath of relief.

“There is something important I must say, but it seemed improper to visit your quarters.”

“What is it you wish to say?”

At her question, Eun Seoho smiled faintly.

“Please, cause a disturbance in the Proposal Hall.”

***

At my words, Zhuge Yua looked dazed for a moment, but soon regained her composure and asked me.

“You want me to cause a disturbance in the Proposal Hall? For what reason? I cannot act without knowing why.”

“Please, do not be startled when you hear this. Cover your mouth with your hand, if you would. It will be troublesome if you cry out.”

She looked at me in puzzlement.

When I continued to fix my gaze on her, at last she covered her mouth with her hand.

“The truth is, while spending time with the Elder Lord, I discovered evidence of an attempted poisoning against him.”

“Uh… mmph!”

As I expected, she was utterly shocked.

It was fortunate that she had already covered her mouth with her hand. Otherwise, she surely would have cried out.

She took several deep breaths, then cautiously lowered her hand and asked.

“I would like you to explain in detail.”

“Very well.”

I explained to her what I knew about the Marsh of Unconsciousness.

After listening to my explanation, she asked me.

“But how does Young Lord know of such a poison?”

It was the reaction I had anticipated.

“Running a merchant group, means one often encounters people who resort to foul tricks. In the struggle to survive, I came to learn of it.”

I continued speaking.

“I would rather not answer further than this, so please do not ask more. However.”

I smiled faintly.

“I could not simply watch, as a man died before my eyes. That is why I ask this of you, my lady.”

“I have heard, merchants act only for profit. Then, Young Lord, what profit do you gain from this?”

“The profit I gain…”

There were many.

Certainly, there must be.

But right now, I did not wish to think of them.

“It would be that my heart is at ease.”

“Is that truly all?”

I did not answer, and she let out a sigh.

“Very well. Tell me exactly what I must do.”

I told her, in precise detail, the actions she needed to take.

She was still only fourteen years old, and, having witnessed my behavior, she showed trust in my words regarding the Marsh of Unconsciousness.

But the others would not.

Thus, I needed someone to speak of it, and to prove it, in my stead.

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The next day,

As always, Chief of Internal Affairs Yoo and I made our way to the Elder Lord’s quarters, and spent time exchanging poems.

Though Chief Yoo had been greatly unsettled by the Elder Lord’s killing intent yesterday, he regained his composure more quickly than I had expected.

After all, having worked in both the merchant group and the court, it was not as though he had never encountered martial artists before.

I recalled what Chief Yoo had said this morning.

“I am fine. It simply reminded me that Elder Lord too is a martial artist. Yesterday’s incident was likely just a mistake.”

“That is a relief to hear.”

“Among true friends, small mistakes must be overlooked. Hahaha.”

So, he truly had become a confidant.

In any case, even now the Elder Lord and Chief Yoo seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Though, I was sure that even at this very moment, documents were piling up on the desk at the Finance Pavilion, awaiting Chief Yoo’s attention.

Seeing that he did not care, it must mean he was truly enjoying himself.

“When your poetry collection was first published, I thought it would be nothing special. But as collecting such books is my hobby, I bought it and read it. And I was astonished.”

The Elder Lord looked at Chief Yoo, brimming with admiration.

“To think, there was someone in this world capable of composing such beautiful poetry. In truth, I have several younger brothers, but none of them have any talent for poetry. It is truly a pity.”

He continued.

“Thus, if you would become my younger brother, it would bring this old man great joy.”

“How could someone as lacking as I, dare call myself Elder Lord’s younger brother?”

“No, no! I absolutely wish to take you as my brother!”

Looking into the Elder Lord’s eyes, I inwardly smirked.

He had completely fallen for him.

At those words, Chief Yoo hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

“To refuse any longer, would be discourteous. So I will not refuse.”

“Good, good.”

The two quickly bonded, and before long had sworn brotherhood.

At that moment, I realized this was my chance.

“I have one request.”

“A request? What is it?”

“This occasion, is one of great pride for our merchant group. Thus, I wish to preserve this moment in a painting.”

I bowed my head.

“Please, do not scold me for my greed.”

“A painting… that is a fine idea. I too would like to commemorate the day I gained such a fine younger brother.”

“In that case, may I recommend a suitable painter?”

“And who would that be?”

“There is a man named Heo Cheong, who lives near the Zhuge Family estate. It is said he paints with remarkable liveliness.”

“Ah, I have heard of him. His skill is indeed quite excellent.”

It was fortunate that my memory had not failed me.

Soon, the Elder Lord summoned a servant, and ordered that Heo Cheong be brought here.

Please come.

For only if he came, could the truth of the poison in our tea be revealed.

After lunch, just as we were about to resume our poetry exchange, a servant announced.

“Elder Lord, the painter Heo Cheong, whom you mentioned, has arrived.”

“Oh! Quickly, let him in.”

The door opened, and a man entered.

He appeared to be in his late forties, and peculiarly, his hair was entirely white.

“I greet the Elder Lord of the Zhuge Family. I came at your summons.”

“Well met. What I wish to ask of you, is to paint a picture of the three of us.”

“Please, explain in detail.”

“Today, Chief Yoo and I have become sworn brothers through poetry. To commemorate this joyous occasion, paint three copies of the same picture.”

“I shall do so.”

He lifted his head and added.

“There is no need for you to remain still. Please continue conversing naturally, I will capture it in my painting.”

“Then I leave it to you.”

Soon, he laid out his tools, spread the paper, and began painting.

The stage was set.

I spoke to the Elder Lord.

“The tea we drank yesterday was most delightful. It lingered in my mind even as I slept. Might we have it again today?”

“So you enjoyed it as well. Chief Yoo, how about you?”

“I too liked it.”

Thus, the maid brought in the tea, in the exact same order as yesterday.