Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: High-Handed (5)
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"Sister!"
Murong Suhyang's face was filled with urgency.
"What's going on? Calling the Flower Sword Squad out of nowhere?"
"Go back to your quarters and wait there."
"Don't tell me that lunatic caused another mess?!"
A fierce sternness flashed across Murong Sujing's face in an instant.
"Suhyang!"
It was a shout unlike her usual self.
Her voice was so loud that it made even the Flower Sword Squad members who had rushed down from the mountain—and Seok Ung and Old Man Gwak—flinch.
"How many times have I told you? Never speak of your brother so carelessly!"
No matter how angry she got, she had never scolded her sister in front of others. It showed just how furious Murong Sujing was.
Murong Suhyang bit her lip and lowered her head.
"I'm sorry. I messed up."
"Don't ever use curses about your brother that are too vile to even mention. Got it?"
"......Got it."
As she regulated her breathing and calmed her anger, an unavoidable guilt surfaced on Murong Sujing's face.
But it was only for a moment.
"From this moment, the Flower Sword Squad will search every tavern district around Wuhuan! Find Bi-a, no matter what it takes!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
"And Chief Steward, I leave the clan in your hands."
Seok Ung was startled.
"Is the Acting Patriarch going out as well?"
"Of course."
He wanted to say no, but the resolve on Murong Sujing's face seemed unshakeable, even by a bolt of lightning.
"Understood. But please take the young miss with you."
"Chief Steward?!"
"It's family business, after all. The young miss's martial arts could be of help too."
Murong Sujing looked at her sister and asked in a calm voice.
"Will you come?"
Murong Suhyang nodded immediately.
"If you're going, sister, then I have to go too."
It was for her sister, not her brother. Even though there was no room for argument, Murong Sujing felt a pang of regret.
"All right. We'll go together."
"Got it."
"For now...... cough!"
Sudden coughing erupted violently, forcing Murong Sujing to her knees.
"Acting Patriarch!"
"Sister!"
She coughed relentlessly without even saying she was okay, until she finally spat up blood.
Seok Ung bellowed.
"Flower Sword Captain! Contact Physician Yang right away! Wake him if he's sleeping and bring him here!"
"Yes, sir!"
At that moment, Murong Sujing raised her hand.
She took a deep breath and stood back up, her face unusually pale. She was suppressing the coughing with all her might.
"I'm fine."
"Acting Patriarch!"
"What are you Flower Sword Squad members doing? Move out now!"
"Acting Patriarch! Leave the rest to us and return to your quarters!"
"Are you defying the Acting Patriarch's orders?"
It was the very definition of high-handed.
Seok Ung gritted his teeth and turned to the Flower Sword Captain.
"You lead the inspectors and......"
That was when it happened.
Swish.
Someone was coming over the wall—not a particularly high one.
Flower Sword Captain Jin Gwang shouted.
"Who goes there!"
Clang!
The ten Flower Sword Squad members drew their swords and rushed to the wall.
"Huh?"
The intruder's face came into view under the moonlight.
Murong Sujing cried out.
"Bi-a!"
Murong Cheon said with an awkward expression.
"Why is everyone here......?"
* * *
Thud.
The sound of setting down the bundle was unusually loud.
In the process, the knot came loose, and a silver ingot slipped out, rolling across the floor.
Murong Cheon casually picked up the ingot and placed it on the table.
"This is......?"
Murong Sujing was so shocked she couldn't even continue.
"I made some money."
Murong Cheon tried to act as nonchalant as possible.
It was a new start in life, after all. And the people he'd have to deal with most were his cousins.
'Feels awkward, though.'
Still, they were pretty.
Though her complexion wasn't great, Murong Sujing had grown up beautifully. He felt like stroking her hair and praising how stunningly she'd turned out.
And that wasn't all.
'Suhyang, was it?'
There was a girl in the corner glaring at him with cold eyes.
No, she was too grown to call a girl, but too young for a lady. Maybe sixteen or seventeen?
Her fair skin and resolute gaze made her quite striking. If Murong Sujing's face blended Daeho and her mother well, Murong Suhyang's eyes evoked Daeho even more strongly.
Whatever the case, Murong Suhyang had grown up nicely too.
But the biggest surprise was the Chief Steward.
'Seok Ung!'
When Ga Hang had visited, Murong Sujing's presence had overshadowed him, so he hadn't noticed.
Now he knew. This was Seok Ung.
'You stuck around too.'
He was the scholar slated to lead the next generation of the clan's Chief Steward Department.
'That young, spirited guy ended up like this.'
He remembered Seok Ung being in his mid-twenties the last time he'd visited the clan.
Yet his brother had designated this non-blood-related man to head the future Chief Steward Department. It spoke volumes about his talent.
Seok Ung's loyalty was immense, and his brother's judgment had been impeccable.
'Thank you.'
Seok Ung was inwardly flustered. The young master's gaze toward him was too affectionate.
But he had something to say.
"Young master."
"Yes?"
His instinctive, joyful response made Murong Suhyang shout.
"Mind your manners toward the Chief Steward!"
It was a reminder to be respectful. Though sharp, for her who despised her brother, it was her holding back her anger.
Seok Ung raised his hand.
"It's fine, young miss."
"But Chief Steward."
"Don't we have more important matters right now?"
Murong Suhyang turned her head away sharply, as if she couldn't bear to watch.
Murong Cheon, who had been quietly watching Seok Ung, bowed his head.
"My rudeness. Please forgive me."
Murong Cheon thought to himself: Bowing his head like this? He could do it a hundred or a thousand times.
Old Man Gwak and Seok Ung had stayed until the end despite the clan's ruin. They weren't the type to be treated differently based on status or age.
'I don't know what happened to the clan, but your staying is a rare sacrifice.'
He was truly grateful. He wanted to hug them tight.
On the other hand, Murong Sujing and Seok Ung were flustered by Murong Cheon's attitude. Even Murong Suhyang, pretending otherwise, was startled.
His voice was too low and calm to brush off.
Sometimes, a single word can change how people see you—depending on tone, inflection, or aura.
And that's what Murong Cheon was doing now. It wasn't the voice of the immature young master they remembered.
Seok Ung cleared his throat awkwardly and asked.
"No need. But given the gravity of the situation, may we get to the point?"
"Please do."
"Where did this money come from?"
"I took it."
Seok Ung was dumbfounded by his unabashed declaration.
"Wh-what do you mean, took it from where?"
Please, no more incidents!
"From those guys who came earlier."
"From the Black Tiger Gang?"
"That's right."
Murong Suhyang's mouth fell open unwittingly.
She knew the Black Tiger Gang well. No one around Wuhuan didn't.
Infamous as the King Yama Debt Gang, they were actually a black path sect that controlled the filthy back-alley businesses. Few practiced martial arts, but their influence among the common folk was immense.
"Don't tell me you borrowed money from the Black Tiger Gang?!"
Murong Cheon didn't answer. He knew smooth conversation with Murong Suhyang here was impossible.
Fortunately, Murong Sujing raised her hand to silence her.
"Suhyang, be quiet."
"Sister! How can I stay quiet about this?!"
"Please."
When her sister pleaded like this, she couldn't intervene.
Murong Suhyang glared at Murong Cheon murderously, her eyes saying he'd finally resolved to ruin the clan.
'You fool, you're such a disgrace.'
Murong Cheon inwardly cursed Murong Bi.
'How pathetically did you live that your sister looks at you like this?'
He believed there were circumstances, given Daeho's blood, but...... this was too much, you idiot!
Seok Ung sighed and said.
"How was that possible? No, why did you borrow from them in the first place? Explain that first."
Was it because he'd begun the Brain Gate Heart Technique? Or long experience?
Murong Cheon's response was unflinching.
"I'm sorry, but I can't go into details."
Murong Suhyang glared daggers.
"But I had my reasons. And today, you've seen some of the results."
Seok Ung examined Murong Cheon's complexion carefully and asked again.
"Were you targeting the Black Tiger Gang?"
Murong Cheon smiled faintly.
"Would I turn the clan upside down just to rob a den of back-alley thugs?"
This was sincere.
Now that he had returned to this land, he had no intention of leaving the clan like this.
He'd correct every wrong. For those who shared even a drop of his blood, he'd do anything.
That was clan, family, bloodline, and natural bond.
"I can't even imagine what you're thinking, young master."
"......"
"But as you know, the main house is in dire straits. Not just internally, but the external threats are no small matter."
"......"
"Please be cautious."
He said to be cautious, but the subtext was: Don't cause trouble.
Murong Cheon bowed his head once more.
"I won't cause any trouble."
Seok Ung's mouth shut automatically.
He had so many questions. Even if details were off-limits, he wanted to press about why borrow from the Black Tiger Gang.
Why target them? How did he get this money?
But his mouth wouldn't open easily.
'He's different.'
Utterly different from the usual young master.
Even his appearance seemed slightly changed. Still skinny, but his face had color, and especially his eyes were worlds apart.
As Seok Ung hesitated, Murong Cheon spoke.
"If I may be so bold, could I speak with my sister alone?"
Seok Ung looked at Murong Sujing.
She nodded silently. Even then, her face watching Murong Cheon was filled with turmoil.
"Understood."
Seok Ung bowed to Murong Sujing and said to Murong Suhyang.
"We'll step out so the two of you can talk, miss."
Murong Suhyang bit her lip and spat.
"I'll never trust you."
She flung the door open and stormed out.
Seok Ung followed and closed the door, leaving only two in the office.
Only then did Murong Sujing's face relax.
"Bi-a."
Murong Cheon, who had been about to speak first, flinched for a moment.
'......I see.'
Another decision to make.
'This won't do.'
His great-uncle from twenty years ago in his younger brother's body?
He'd have to abandon his plan to reveal the truth honestly.
'You look at me with such affection; I can't turn you into a sister without a brother.'
Murong Cheon closed his eyes.
'Daeho, and you troublesome great-grandson. Bear with me until I rise again.'
Murong Sujing continued.
"Are you all right?"
Murong Cheon—no, Murong Bi—opened his eyes.
"My body's not the issue."
"Huh?"
"Let me check your pulse first. Give me your hand."