Karmic Retribution (9)
Soon, Squad Four of the Eunpungdae arrived at my summons.
“You called for us?”
The leader of Eunpungdae Squad Four, Myeong Bu-seong.
A native of Yunnan Province, he wielded a massive curved sword with ease.
But his face was an even bigger trademark.
It was so grotesquely fierce that it could stop a crying child in its tracks—or even trigger a seizure. Paired with that freakish blade, the effect was devastating.
Yet for all that, he was a diligent man with a soft heart.
His looks alone made him perfect for intimidation duty, and we put him to good use in those roles.
One might call it cruel to a sensitive soul, but Squad Leader Myeong never shied away from the job.
In my past life, when I'd asked him about it, he'd laughed and said:
“Isn't intimidation the whole point? It means swinging your sword to kill no one.”
“True enough. It's just a threat, after all.”
“That's why I love it. I even practice my scary face on purpose. Haha!”
That was the kind of man Squad Leader Myeong was.
“I've got an intimidation job for you.”
“That's my specialty. Leave it to me, Young Branch Leader.”
He cupped his fists in salute and grinned, which somehow looked even scarier.
We headed for the Ma Clan Manor.
“Ahem. So, what brings you here unannounced?”
The Ma Clan Lord was still putting on his haughty airs.
But that was about to end.
“Ma Clan Lord, you'll need to vacate the manor.”
“What? Vacate the manor? What nonsense is this?”
“Because I need to use it.”
“Didn't you say last time you'd only take ownership on paper?”
“I did. But Clan Lord, owning it means I'm the master here. And the master has the right to evict anyone living on the premises.”
“……”
“Am I wrong?”
“……”
He had no comeback. It was airtight.
“W-wait just a moment! Once I get the returns from my investment in the Murim Alliance's venture…”
“Haven't you heard the news?”
“News? What news?”
“The Baengnoe Squad escorts carrying your investment funds have gone missing.”
“What?”
“The Murim Alliance hasn't received the money yet, so they can't even start the project.”
“……”
“That's how it stands. So, Clan Lord, please clear out.”
“I can't do that! I'll borrow money from somewhere else!”
“Can you? Do you have any assets to put up as collateral?”
His face flushed red at my mocking tone.
“How dare you speak so insolently!”
“Why? Isn't it the truth?”
Fury filled his eyes, then shifted to a sly glint.
“Guards! Seize them now!”
“Yes, sir!”
His plan was obvious without asking. Detain me, steal the contracts I held.
Bad guys always think alike.
Truth be told, I'd baited him on purpose, hoping he'd show his true colors…
Wow, he's that predictable.
The guards charged me, but my escorts weren't your average muscle.
Thwack!
Crash!
“Urk!”
“Kgh!”
The tide turned in seconds.
The Ma Clan Lord's remaining guards were third-rate at best.
All his first-rate warriors were suffering in Hyeoncheong.
They were no match for my escorts.
“This was just a warning—we didn't even draw our swords. Next time? Who knows. My guards are very loyal.”
“S-summon more warriors now! Cut these bastards down! They're only six strong!”
Still clueless.
I glanced outside and bellowed:
“Squad Leader Myeong!”
The gates flew open. In strode Squad Leader Myeong with his squad.
“Eek!”
“Hiiik!”
The guards recoiled at his terrifying mug, instinctively backing away.
The Ma Clan Lord was no different.
“You really underestimated me, Clan Lord. Do I look like some Young Branch Leader who travels with just a handful of escorts?”
“……”
I approached him.
“What's it gonna be? Leave quietly now, and I'll overlook what you just tried.”
“……”
He squeezed his eyes shut.
“F-fine. I'll go.”
“Smart choice.”
“But still! This is too sudden! Where am I supposed to live?”
“That's why I prepared a little house for you.”
“A house?”
“I'm not that heartless.”
He sighed heavily.
“Very well. I'll tell the servants to pack.”
“No need. You and your retainers just need to leave with the clothes on your backs.”
“What?”
“Forgot? Every pebble in this manor is mine. Even the clothes you're wearing. But you can keep what you've got on.”
I continued:
“When I reviewed your investment contracts before, I happened to see the employment agreements. They state that if regular salaries can't be paid, the contracts terminate automatically.”
He whipped his head toward the steward.
The steward had emerged during the commotion and nodded.
“Yes. Correct.”
“And the conditions for that are three,” I went on. “First…”
The steward picked up:
“Salaries overdue for three months. Second, no heir to inherit the Ma Clan Manor. Third, a change in the manor's ownership.”
I grinned.
“Steward, does our current situation match those three?”
“It does.”
The steward knelt before me.
“My name is An Suk. I've served the Ma Clan Manor for forty years.”
That meant he'd started under the previous lord.
“Give this old body a chance, and I'll serve you faithfully. Contract me, please.”
Sticking with a sinking ship was folly; jumping to a new one was wisdom.
I approached him.
“It's cold out. Please, stand.”
“This humble servant won't rise until the new Clan Lord grants my request.”
“All right, then. You're hired. Looking forward to working with you.”
“Thank you.”
An Suk finally stood. I addressed everyone now gathered in the courtyard.
“That's settled. Those who want to recontract with me, line up with Steward An. If not, leave with the old Clan Lord.”
I let out a dry chuckle.
Every servant had sided with An Suk. The ex-Clan Lord and his kin glared at them with betrayal in their eyes, but that was it.
He had no money to honor contracts, and they had no reason to stick with him.
“Clan Lord and retainers, follow me.”
His followers were a sparse bunch—his nephews, the ones who'd run the shops I'd bought out. I remembered them.
Birds of a feather: if the uncle was rotten, so were they.
Divorcees, runaway wives—the lot.
After I took the shops, they'd holed up in the manor.
They shot bitter looks at their ex-Clan Lord—no, just Ma Jeong now.
I stifled a laugh inside. They'd leeched off him, lived high, and now complained? Greedy to the end.
During the shop acquisitions, I'd learned of their own abuses against Taegyeong County folk.
We soon reached the house Palgap had prepped.
“Here we are.”
“Huh?”
“H-here? This place?”
I feigned ignorance.
“What's wrong?”
“N-no… Is that rundown shack up ahead the house you prepared?”
“Yes.”
A decrepit thatched hut loomed before us.
I'd planned a mere dugout, but none were nearby, so this collapsing straw hut it was.
“Were you expecting a grand tiled roof? Am I crazy? Why would I waste money on you? I've already taken enough losses dealing with you.”
“……”
“If it's not to your liking, find your own place. I'm out.”
I turned and left without another word.
.
.
.
Back at the Ma Clan Manor, I sought out Steward An right away.
“Steward An.”
“Yes.”
“Take down the Ma Clan Manor plaque out front. No need for it anymore.”
“You're right.”
“By the way… does Ma Jeong have any siblings?”
An Suk's face soured.
“He had two older brothers, but they died in unfortunate accidents. The shock killed the previous Clan Lord too.”
“I see.”
“Ma Jeong was nearby when both young masters died.”
“Suspicion, but no proof?”
He nodded silently.
Forty years on the job, and he said that? It was as good as confirmed—just no hard evidence.
One more thing to investigate.
* * *
Evening brought sharper cold.
Ma Jeong yelled at his nephews:
“What are you doing? Light a fire!”
“How? We don't know how!”
“And dinner?”
They had firewood and rice, but no clue how to use them.
Fumbling ensued…
“Damn it!”
Ma Jeong spat:
“That insolent punk said if we don't like it, find our own place.”
“Yeah, he did.”
“Who are we? Kings of Taegyeong! Why grovel like this?”
“Right.”
“The Min house is the best around here.”
Taegyeong had other notables besides the Ma Clan—like the Mins.
To Ma Jeong, mere toadies. He declared boldly:
“We'll stay there from tonight. Tell the maids and manservant to stay and serve us.”
“Yes.”
They marched to the Min residence.
“Ahem! Min! You there?”
“Who is it?”
A servant opened the door.
“Fetch Min.”
Recognizing him, the servant rushed inside. Min came scrambling out.
Ma Jeong puffed up:
“Get out.”
“Pardon?”
“We're moving in tonight. Oh, and the help stays to wait on us.”
“……”
“What are you waiting for? Scram!”
He nearly bowed by instinct.
Then he saw Ma Jeong's soot-streaked, filthy clothes.
The man who'd always been immaculate.
It's real!
Words from that handsome young merchant echoed:
“The Ma Clan Lord will show up today and demand you leave. Says he lives here now.”
“What?”
“Just do it. He's not the lord anymore. I own the entire Ma Clan—lock, stock, and barrel. No guards left. He's broke.”
“Then what do I do?”
“Douse him with a bucket and beat him off. What're you worried about?”
“B-but…”
“Don't sweat it. I'll leave one of my escorts here to protect you.”
If true, no more enduring Ma Jeong's tyranny.
All those years of abuse?
Did Ma Jeong think bottled rage just vanished?
Min steeled himself and headed for the water jar.
Frost rimmed the icy contents in the chill.
He scooped a basin and hurled it at Ma Jeong and his nephews.
“Gah!”
“Blurgh!”
Blinded by the shock, they blinked.
“You damn thugs! Get lost!”
“How dare you—gurk!”
Smack!
Ma Jeong couldn't finish. The basin nailed him square in the face.