Chapter 105
Chapter 105
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: Because He Was Drunk... It's Fine (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
While Kang Yun was doing his best to leave a favorable impression on Yang Ha-jeong, a special guest arrived at the Peng Family.
The Jehyang Provincial Inspectorate—the judicial authority overseeing an entire province and a deputy director of the surveillance agency—had come to visit.
"They say the Peng Family is one of the pillars upholding the peace of the Jianghu, and it's no exaggeration. With a family head like you standing guard, how could any fiends dare commit their wicked deeds?"
"You flatter me. But aren't you the one playing a major role in maintaining the welfare of the people in Hebei? We're deeply honored that our family can assist in such an important duty."
The position of deputy director in the Jehyang Provincial Inspectorate—often shortened to the Inspectorate—was no small post.
Right below the chief inspector, it oversaw an entire division, a rank that could not be ignored.
Peng Mu-do conversed amiably with the deputy throughout.
'The talks with the Inspectorate are already concluded...'
All he had to do was chat moderately with the deputy and dispatch the selected warriors.
Peng Wol had already picked out the warriors and had them standing by. It was as good as done.
'The day when the Peng Family surpasses the Huangbo Family isn't far off...!'
The Peng Family was the only orthodox sect of the current era to have produced two absolute masters.
Though his father's mistake had sent his younger sister, Peng Yeon-hwa, off in marriage to the head of the Tang Family, she was still Peng blood.
But the wall known as the Sword Saint was too high.
Even after the Sword Saint stepped down as family head to become the Martial Alliance Leader, the mere halo around the Huangbo Family kept them regarded as the world's foremost clan.
But things would be different from now on.
So what if the people pointed fingers because the Peng Family had forged ties with the government as a martial clan?
Once they expanded their power and then severed ties with the authorities at the right moment, would anyone still dare whisper when they witnessed the Peng Family's might?
Convinced they wouldn't, Peng Mu-do led the deputy toward the grand training ground at the heart of the Peng Family compound.
The tea time with Yang Ha-jeong had ended on a reasonably successful note.
It was a bit surprising that Peng Wol and Yang Ha-jeong weren't blood mother and son, but from my position serving foster parents, it wasn't all that strange.
Given how she'd chatted amiably and even come out to see me off at the end, her impression of me must have improved... I wanted to believe that, at least.
"Stormwind Swordsmanship, First Form!"
As I pondered how to win her over next time, a loud voice suddenly rang out. Turning around, I saw a crowd of Peng Family disciples gathered at the training ground.
They were demonstrating their sword forms in perfectly synchronized movements, like military drills.
I'd heard it was taboo in the Jianghu to watch others train, but was this okay or not?
When in doubt, better steer clear. Awkwardly turning my head away from the training ground as I walked, I sensed footsteps approaching from the opposite direction.
"Family Head, I hope you've been well."
"Oh, if it isn't Young Master Kang."
Coming my way was Peng Mu-do, accompanied by a middle-aged man.
When I greeted them, Peng Mu-do returned it with a pleased expression and introduced me to the man beside him.
"Deputy, this is Kang Yun of the Go Escort Agency. In the Jianghu, they call this young man the Hand Dragon."
In the Jianghu, my foot. It'd only been about ten days since I got that nickname.
But regardless of what was in my head, since Peng Mu-do was speaking deferentially to him, I offered a formal cupped-fist salute.
"A pleasure to meet you, Deputy Sir. I'm Kang Yun."
"Likewise."
I didn't know exactly what position the deputy held, but the way he nodded curtly after that single word suggested he was someone of considerable rank.
Peng Mu-do gave me a slight nod in return greeting, then led the deputy past me.
But something felt off. Why was the back of my neck prickling like this?
Glancing back just in case, neither of them seemed to be looking my way, yet the sensation persisted.
It felt oddly unsettling, but with no other suspicious signs, I quietly made my way back to my quarters in the guesthouse.
Eh, what's the worst that could happen?
"Ah... so you saw that, did you."
Two days after my arrival—following a night of heavy drinking—Peng Wol showed up again with drinks and liquor. Midway through our merry session, my question made him grimace awkwardly.
"If it's something difficult to share, no need to say."
"Hm..."
Peng Wol paused, then downed the last of the wine in his cup.
"It's nothing much. Probably most places have caught wind of it by now anyway, so no harm in telling."
Peng Wol's explanation went like this.
Hebei housed the capital, Beijing, so no matter what the Peng Family did, they had to watch the government's mood.
For Peng Mu-do, who was deeply invested in reviving the Peng Family, that must have been quite stifling.
But recently, through Yang Ha-jeong's natal family, the Shandong Yang Family, a certain proposal had come in.
"Lately, public security has been deteriorating, they said. If the Peng Family dispatches warriors to help, they'll grant priority participation in national projects for any merchant groups operated by the Peng Family."
The more patrons a merchant group had, the better—and the ultimate patron was the state.
The state never vanished and was larger than any other entity.
"With money, we can expand the clan, hire masters, and never have to skimp on training disciples."
Peng Wol raised his arms in cheer.
"Isn't this exactly the time to cry 'Long live the Emperor'? Long live the state..."
Was it really nothing? His face was smiling, but it looked strangely twisted.
"The Family Head commanded it, so as Young Lord, how could I not obey gladly? That's why I selected disciples and had them practice the demonstration you saw. The deputy must have witnessed it today."
"..."
"Hey now, why that face? It's exactly, precisely that and nothing more. Drink up, come on..."
My expression must have been something. Feeling like I'd pried into something he didn't want to share, I felt bad and tossed back the contents of my cup to commiserate with more drinks.
Late at night, Yang Ha-jeong read through documents by lamplight.
With people leaving the Peng Family, it was impossible to perfectly maintain security with the remaining manpower.
No matter how much internal energy one cultivated, martial artists were still human and needed sleep.
'Hiring ronin warriors would be the way...'
[Madam, are you available for a moment?]
Yang Ha-jeong, thinking it more efficient to man internal security with disciples and external with ronin, summoned her maid.
"What is it?"
"The Young Lord..."
Yang Ha-jeong pinched her brow. Once again, Peng Wol had gotten Kang Yun drunk. Paralyzed from the booze and unable to rise was par for the course.
Peng Wol was an only son. The sole direct descendant qualified to inherit the Peng Family.
With no other siblings, servants or maids couldn't touch him on their own judgment.
'He had no choice but to come to me...'
She understood that much. The problem was...
'You're hopeless, Yang Ha-jeong. Truly hopeless!'
The curiosity surging in her heart once more.
Kang Yun clearly seemed fond of her.
Not romantic fondness between man and woman, surely, but enough to deliberately visit and suggest tea.
Getting a bit closer once more, using that fondness as an excuse...
"Madam...?"
Realizing her maid was staring puzzled at her holding the brush, Yang Ha-jeong hastily set it down and stood.
Just seeing his face once wasn't a big deal. As long as she didn't think weird thoughts.
This time, she gathered servants in advance, had them carry him from the guesthouse, and instructed them to transfer him identically.
No chance of touching his chest; she had the servants place him on the bed, and once they left, the room held only the two of them.
Seemingly even more plastered than two days ago, his unconscious state fueled Yang Ha-jeong's naughty thoughts.
'Ju, just a little bit, then...'
It was merely to sate a slight curiosity.
Given her special circumstances, she couldn't help being interested in men—and if Kang Yun knew her situation, he'd surely understand.
'He, he touched first... so it should be fine? Right?'
Come to think of it, even if she'd thrust out her breasts, it was Kang Yun's choice to grope them.
Yang Ha-jeong leaned over Kang Yun on the bed, peering here and there. Not touching, just looking.
Broad shoulders, sturdy arms, rough fingers...
Places she could see anytime if she wanted, but scrutinizing them in his defenseless, sleeping state felt entirely different.
Her gaze gradually drifted downward, and as it reached his pants, Yang Ha-jeong snapped it back up.
"Th, that's too indecent... Ah?!"
Yang Ha-jeong suddenly tumbled, pulled by a strong force.
Kang Yun's arm had moved again, yanking her waist and drawing her down beside him.
Like hugging a blanket, he clung to her prone form and murmured.
"You smell good..."
Yang Ha-jeong panicked at Kang Yun's whisper. She whipped her head to check his face—still eyes closed.
'S, sleep-talking?'
She briefly considered acupuncture points to knock him out but decided against it. What would that make her different from a Yin practitioner?
This was purely out of curiosity, nothing more.
"Eek...!"
Her rationalizations didn't last; the hard sensation pressing against her belly made her freak out.
'Wha, manhood? This has to be his manhood!'
Larger and hotter than she'd imagined, but positionally, it was unmistakably that.
Reacting naturally to the soft feel and scent of a woman's body, it had erected.
Yang Ha-jeong swiftly pried off his arm and separated their bodies.
Escaping that unfamiliar sensation, she glanced at his pants—something massive bulging as if to tear through.
'Insane, insane!'
Though not consummating her marriage, she had a husband—and now, feeling the manhood's touch in a much younger man's embrace—this simple fact filled her with utter shame.
Unable to face the still-thrusting bulge, Yang Ha-jeong pulled the blanket over him and fled the room.
But while the blanket covered his eyes from her, it couldn't erase her memory.
Flustered, Yang Ha-jeong hurriedly slipped out of the guesthouse.