All Things Return to Right (5)
Of course, Jeong Hwiji wasn't the only one taken aback.
It was unthinkable for a mere servant to toy with a power player of the Henan Jeong Family like this.
The guests and warriors alike stared at the servant with wide eyes.
But with Jeong Hwiji staying silent, no one dared step forward.
Then the servant spoke again.
"Let me ask once more. What do you think should happen to the family head?"
This was blatant provocation.
Infusing his voice with inner power, Jeong Hwiji bellowed,
"Do you truly wish to die, you cur? No matter how foolish a slave you are, this is unforgivable! I'll deal with you according to the family laws."
Jeong Hwiji placed his hand on his sword hilt and advanced toward the servant.
As he approached, the servant thrust out his hand and shouted,
"You could just answer the question! What's with all the murder talk?"
Jeong Hwiji halted at the sight of the servant backpedaling and yelling at the top of his lungs.
Ever since this servant appeared, the atmosphere had grown strangely murky.
The mere phrase "murder and clan extermination" sent massive ripples through the room.
People murmured, gazing at the servant as if he were some key witness.
"Does that servant know something?"
"What's going on here?"
"Murder and clan wipeout? What are they trying to hide?"
As everyone stared in shock at the sudden turn, the eldest son, Jeong Inji, hurriedly interjected.
"What do you mean, something happened to my father? Speak!"
Even in a situation where he might die at any moment, Jeong Inji worried first for his father, the family head.
The servant replied nonchalantly,
"He woke up."
"He woke up? You mean he opened his eyes?"
"Yes, to be precise, it's more accurate to say he shook off his illness and rose. Well, from the perspective of the Jiangnan martial world—or rather, the Henan Jeong Family—that's good news, isn't it?"
The servant shrugged as if it were no big deal, glancing back and forth between Jeong Inji and Jeong Hwiji.
Of course, the servant was none other than Han Bin.
With Sim Miho's help, he had disguised himself not as a physician, but as a servant.
Han Bin alternated his gaze between the first and second sons of the Henan Jeong Family.
The eldest, Jeong Inji, let out a relieved sigh, unconcerned for his own plight and grateful for the news.
In stark contrast, Jeong Hwiji glared murderously, his eyes bulging as if the servant's words were utter lies.
"That's impossible. You're lying!"
Han Bin responded to the outburst,
"This young master of the Henan Jeong Family seems quite flustered."
"W-what? Flustered about what?"
As Jeong Hwiji's face hardened, Han Bin tilted his head.
"If your father woke up, shouldn't a son be overjoyed by duty?"
"Father's condition worsened due to poisoning. For him to suddenly awaken is impossible."
Han Bin smirked openly.
"How can you be so sure it was poisoning so quickly?"
"He took the Qingming Pill and ended up like that. Obviously."
"After the Paeng family young master delivered the Qingming Pill, he was poisoned in the blink of an eye. Right?"
"Yes."
"Then, shouldn't the first suspect be the physician who administered it?"
"What nonsense is that?"
"Couldn't the physician have swapped the Qingming Pill?"
"Impossible."
"Did anyone see the physician take it out of the Cold Iron Box?"
"Of course the physician took it out for treatment."
"If it were me, I'd have chopped off the physician's hands before stirring up this mess. Honestly, young master Jeong, trusting the physician is just your own bias, isn't it?"
Han Bin glanced sidelong at the physician.
The man recoiled, eyes wide.
"See? He's fleeing because he has a guilty conscience. You trust the physician but not the Paeng family fourth young master?"
"……."
Jeong Inji twitched his eyebrows but offered no reply.
Han Bin chuckled softly and pressed on.
"You trust the physician but not your brother?"
Han Bin's point was valid.
He turned to the assembly and continued loudly,
"The only evidence of poisoning is the physician's word and Jeong Hwiji's testimony."
Jeong Hwiji responded desperately,
"There is other evidence……."
Han Bin cut him off.
"Is that 'other evidence' ironclad?"
Jeong Hwiji narrowed his eyes at Han Bin.
The man's attire was clearly that of a servant.
Yet he wasn't cowed by Jeong Hwiji's presence and was skillfully needling him, steering the conversation. No ordinary man.
Jeong Hwiji glanced at Jeong Inji.
It seemed he wasn't the only one who'd laid a trap.
This mysterious servant was surely Jeong Inji's spy.
But the family head, Jeong Muryong—Jeong Hwiji's father—would never rise from his bed.
Jeong Hwiji himself had ensured that.
Months ago, he had given his father an "immortal herb" supposedly gathered from the Baekdok Valley.
Known to the world as a spiritual herb, it turned toxic when mixed with certain others.
No physician could cure it.
Even the supreme elixir, the Qingming Pill, offered only a slim chance of recovery.
But the one Jeong Muryong took was fake.
It had been fake from the moment the Hebei Paeng Family sent it.
This was prearranged with Lady Jeonghwa.
Even if the Hebei Paeng fourth young master arrived by some stroke of luck, he'd fall into the trap.
In any case, the Paeng fourth young master and the Jeong eldest son had to die here.
But now, a variable?
The variable was Jeong Muryong rising from his seat.
An impossibility that must not happen.
This servant-clad man was lying, no doubt.
Jeong Hwiji was convinced he was a spy planted by the eldest son.
He decided to contain the situation first.
Jeong Hwiji glanced at Jeong Changmyeong of the Jeomcheong Sect.
Time to borrow a major sect's power.
Jeong Changmyeong nodded, and Jeong Hwiji continued,
"Two peak masters from the Jeomcheong and Kunlun Sects have verified the evidence. Who dares deny it?"
As Jeong Hwiji's words ended, Jeong Changmyeong bellowed with inner power,
"How dare a mere servant insult our mighty Jeomcheong Sect!"
He was trying to pressure with the Jeomcheong name.
Jeong Hwiji smirked faintly.
The others froze solid.
Tension gripped the room from his resounding shout—those unaligned with Jeong Hwiji tensed up.
Someone murmured softly,
"It's a miracle that servant's head is still attached."
"Not for long. Tsk."
As tongues clicked, Han Bin spoke again.
"Then allow me to consult another of the Nine Great Sects about the letter's authenticity."
Hollow laughs erupted here and there.
Someone said,
"I hoped it was a bluff, but the guy's insane."
"Yeah."
"So the eldest son and Paeng young master are in cahoots?"
"That's separate. But this servant's definitely mad. Who does he think he is, questioning the Nine Great Sects?"
"Haha, right?"
As murmurs rose, everyone aligned with Jeong Hwiji smirked in unison.
Jeong Changmyeong laughed incredulously and added,
"Hah, a servant discussing the Nine Great Sects?"
He eyed Han Bin after speaking.
But he didn't recognize the real Han Bin.
With Yi Muming—thought to be the Paeng fourth young master—sitting captured in a red martial robe, no one suspected the servant.
Under all eyes, Han Bin chuckled and snapped his fingers.
Snap!
Everyone tilted their heads at the sudden gesture.
As curious gazes fixed on him, the door to the family head's hall creaked open from the rear.
Creak!
The door flew open violently, sunlight from behind casting a long shadow.
Gazes followed the shadow.
A lone warrior approached slowly.
A splendid sword at his waist, he walked leisurely, sleeves fluttering dramatically for show.
Plum blossom patterns gleamed on the sleeves.
Someone whispered urgently,
"Volcanic Sect!"
"The Volcanic Sect's Plum Blossom Sword Scholar?"
At their cries, Yi Jinmyeong of Kunlun narrowed his eyes.
He recognized the face entering the family head's hall.
Without seeking permission, the man stood before Yi Jinmyeong.
He cupped his fists politely.
"Hero Yi Jinmyeong, it's been a while."
"Well, what brings Hero Se Jaeo here?"
Yi Jinmyeong returned the gesture in surprise.
The Volcanic Sect swordsman who appeared was none other than their Plum Blossom Sword Scholar, Se Jaeo.
Yi Jinmyeong narrowed his eyes, pondering.
Ally or foe?
He figured Se Jaeo leaned toward ally.
The man bore a grudge against the Hebei Paeng fourth young master, after all.
Se Jaeo would surely side with them.
But Yi Jinmyeong's hopes crumbled at Se Jaeo's next words.
"This handwriting looks forged. And since when do the Nine Great Sects meddle in another clan's affairs? Even our Volcanic Sect has never done so."
The sharp rebuke made Yi Jinmyeong's lips quiver.
Could Kunlun and Jeomcheong stand tall before Volcanic?
The Nine Great Sects had no strict hierarchy, but Jeomcheong and Kunlun lacked the might to overpower Volcanic.
Moreover, Se Jaeo's invocation of murim principles rang true.
Yi Jinmyeong had no logic or power to counter.
Se Jaeo didn't relish this either.
But to reclaim his sword and plum blossom badge, he had to follow Han Bin's lead.
What did Yi Jinmyeong know of the handwriting anyway?
All that mattered was getting his badge back if this ended well.
House affairs meant nothing to him.
Just thinking of reclaiming the badge brought a smile.
Yi Jinmyeong muttered darkly,
"Mad. Utterly mad."
Sensing something amiss in the chaos, Jeong Hwiji drew the family head's token from his bosom.
Holding it high, he shouted,
"Warriors of the Henan Jeong Family, heed the family head's command!"
Before the token's absolute authority, the Jeong warriors slammed their swords on the floor and knelt on one knee.
Thud! Thud!
The lead warrior declared crisply,
"Issue your command!"
Jeong Hwiji bellowed,
"Slay all traitors of the Henan Jeong Family!"
Swords rasped free.
Shing! Shing!
The warriors divided into groups with perfect discipline, advancing on their assigned targets.
One group toward Yi Muming, disguised as Han Bin.
Another toward the eldest son, Jeong Inji.
Tension choked the hall—blood could spill at any moment.
Jeong Hwiji eyed Se Jaeo, Yi Jinmyeong, and Jeong Changmyeong.
"Outsiders, please leave now. We'll handle our family matters ourselves."
Se Jaeo narrowed his eyes.
"Hm."
His task from Han Bin ended here.
Live or die—it was no longer his concern.
Se Jaeo turned to Yi Jinmyeong and Jeong Changmyeong.
"We should withdraw."
"You're right."
Jeong Changmyeong nodded and followed.
Now, all external witnesses were gone.
Jeong Hwiji turned to his brother, the eldest son Jeong Inji.
"I cannot bring myself to do it personally."
With that, he gave a subtle chin flick.
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