Brother Jin-ho's Wedding Banquet (4)
I continued, looking at Young Master Bang-jin.
"Just tell him to use a drug that causes stomach upset."
"What do you mean? You're saying not to stop him from using a stomach-upset drug?"
"Because that's the surefire way to drag down Sub-branch Leader Bang-u."
I grinned.
"So, why don't you leave this to me?"
"Sub-branch Leader Eun, you're saying I should entrust this to you?"
"Yes. Our goals align anyway. And I have some confidence in handling things like this."
Someone of Young Master Bang-jin's stature wouldn't be ignorant of me.
"I've heard of your reputation, Sub-branch Leader Eun... but then why tell me?"
"Obviously, so you can prepare knowing the situation."
"I see... So you'll handle this, and I should prepare to pull that Bang fool from his sub-branch leader position and take it over myself."
I nodded.
"Exactly. Otherwise, some unrelated fool might end up as sub-branch leader."
Word was he had several half-brothers.
"That can't happen."
His face hardened with resolve as he clasped his hands in a formal salute.
"Then I'll leave it to you. I'll entrust this matter to you, Sub-branch Leader, and make my preparations. If you'll excuse me..."
With that, he and his entourage departed, leaving just our group and Heukwa.
I turned to Heukwa with a proposal.
"How about doing me a favor?"
"......"
"Refuse, and I'll lock you in a room surrounded by mirrors for life."
A threat disguised as a proposal.
But I felt no hesitation threatening him like this.
He deserved it.
The first drug he'd ever made had ruined someone's appearance.
Probably out of rage at his own ugliness—if I'm ugly, you should be too kind of twisted psychology.
He was the type who deserved such treatment.
Besides, in my previous life, our family had nearly suffered greatly from one of his drugs.
Even without this chance, he was someone I would've caught and dealt with eventually.
"What'll it be?"
"......"
Heukwa still showed no sign of speaking, as if weighing whether I meant it.
"No answer? Guess I have no choice."
"So that's why you ordered the young master to prepare a room full of mirrors. Now I get it."
Palgap was quick on the uptake, as always.
"We just toss him in there?"
"Tie him to the pillar in the center."
Even Yi-pil warrior and Yeo Eung-am warrior had grown sharper from years at my side.
"Wanna bet how many corners he lasts?"
"Those mirrors lining the room are all top-quality, crystal clear..."
"I'll do it! I said I'll do it! Just please don't lock me in that room!"
Heukwa finally surrendered with a deep sigh.
Resigned, he asked, "What do I have to do?"
"Nothing hard. Just pass the fake drug to Sub-branch Leader Bang-u."
"That's all?"
"And tell him to prepare as much antidote for the stomach upset as possible."
"......Understood."
But I knew Heukwa's nature.
If I just let him go, he'd likely warn Bang-u that the plot was exposed.
And he probably wouldn't follow through obediently.
Why think that?
Because Heukwa was twisted with rebellious spite against the world.
And he'd figure he could just run and hide again.
So I planned to put a leash on him to prevent that.
"Jin-yu warrior."
"Yes."
"Watch him. If he tries anything funny, stab him deep with your sword."
"Understood."
"......"
"So let's play nice, yeah?"
"A-alright."
Heukwa replied with a miserable face.
I wanted to hand him over to the authorities right then, but not yet.
A few days later.
Brother Jin-ho's wedding day had finally arrived.
Guests from all over had been arriving for days, and today they were all here.
Soon, Brother Jin-ho would go to Miss Ha's home, fetch her, and bring her back to the Eunhae Merchant Group.
Traditionally, the ceremony was at the bride's home, but the space was too cramped for all the guests.
And holding the banquet at the Chang-in Escort Agency would've been burdensome.
It was founded by survivors of the destroyed Seol-pung Palace, and revealing that wouldn't do anyone good.
Clang clang clang clang!
From morning, raucous music echoed through the Eunhae Merchant Group grounds to drive away evil spirits.
As expected, quite a few martial artists attended Brother Jin-ho's wedding banquet.
Some came via High External Corps Leader Go's connections, but Brother Jin-ho had built ties after earning his Tham-ho Chang-ung title.
All of them were here.
The guests ate, drank, and enjoyed the feast.
Heukwa had faithfully carried out my proposal.
As I'd predicted, he'd first tried to flee.
But after Jin-yu warrior's thrown dagger pierced his thigh, he gave up.
Curious what Jin-yu said to make him abandon escape.
Anyway, what mattered was he'd followed through.
Then I spotted Sub-branch Leader Bang-u talking with Father.
He must be here representing the ailing Jin-se Merchant Group Leader.
On the surface, he was all courtesy and politeness—infuriating, knowing his true colors.
Keep up the act. You're done soon anyway.
After greeting Eun-gil-sang, the Eunhae Merchant Group Leader, Bang-u smiled at the packed hall of guests.
Worth preparing all those antidotes as Heukwa said.
If they all flooded Jin-se Pharmacy for medicine, the profits would be immense.
And his shaky sub-branch leader position would solidify.
Then he spotted familiar faces among those in Eun-pung Corps uniforms.
Baek-cheol warrior and Go Ju-sang warrior.
They were his personal plants. And the ones who'd executed the stomach drug in the food this time.
They only bring useless info, but at least that's why I planted them.
Irritated by their worthless reports, he'd eventually planted one more spy.
In the most vital division: the Finance Division.
Still an apprentice, but if he rises to full member and gets promoted, he'll bring real intel.
Thinking of striking the Eunhae Merchant Group that way made him chuckle unwittingly.
Two birds with one stone.
Succeed with Jin-se Pharmacy to secure his position, and deflate the Eunhae Merchant Group's momentum—perfect.
To him, dreaming of inheriting Hubei's top merchant group, the rapidly rising Eunhae was a thorn in his side.
But... something was off.
It was time for the stomach upset to hit, yet no one showed symptoms.
How? It should've kicked in by now...
Even as Eun Jin-ho fetched the bride, even as night fell and the ceremony proceeded, no one showed signs.
His face paled.
He'd invested heavily in antidotes stockpiled at Jin-se Pharmacy.
Using his own funds to promote himself...
Especially since he'd made cheap, short-shelf-life batches— if no upset today, they'd all spoil.
My... my money...
Realizing his massive personal funds were wasted, he collapsed on the spot.
I smiled contentedly at Sub-branch Leader Bang-u, pale and leaning on others for support.
Hah!
Mess with the Eunhae Merchant Group, and you're screwed. Why even try?
Targeting guests at our place, no less.
Bang-u had clearly plotted this to tarnish our reputation.
After all my hard work building it up, I couldn't let that slide.
Unlike the merry revelers, his face was deathly.
Anyone would think he was the tragic hero who'd loved Miss Ha only to lose her to Brother Jin-ho.
I hadn't told Young Master Bang-jin every detail to gauge his capabilities.
Of course, from my previous life, I knew them to some extent.
But not at this point in time— he'd become sub-branch leader much later.
And whether those skills were the group's or his own—this was a chance to find out.
To make Eunhae Hubei's top group, we'd surpass Jin-se eventually.
With those thoughts, I looked at Brother Jin-ho.
In his wedding attire, he beamed ear to ear.
Thrilled, huh, Brother Jin-ho?
Miss Ha, the bride, smiled back at him.
A perfect match.
"Is that the Tham-ho Chang-ung?"
"What a fine, handsome young man!"
"The Eunhae Leader must be thrilled."
The surrounding murmurs filled me with pride.
Worth giving him the spirit medicine Cheonhyang-roju and staging the spirit beast drama with Hyeoljo-ho.
Everyone cares about face, but martial artists especially.
They commit good or evil deeds to spread their fame and titles.
In the martial world, personal skill mattered most, but achievements and reputation were close seconds.
Hm?
Suddenly, a familiar yet slightly different aura.
This was like the North Sea Ice Palace disciples at that inn...
Turning toward it, I saw someone in white robes and a bamboo hat.
Luckily, they lifted it slightly, revealing a woman.
She gazed at Miss Ha with deep affection.
No ordinary emotion could produce that look...
"......!"
Something flashed in my mind.
No way?
Miss Ha's mother?
A child born to yin arts practitioners had low odds of Three Yin Vein Blockage.
But higher if only one parent had yin arts.
Come to think of it, I'd never heard Miss Ha's mother had passed...
Now it made sense.
Seeing her daughter's joy, she smiled happily too. Then quietly vanished.
North Sea Ice Palace arts were potent.
I recalled they'd keep distance to shield children from trouble.
But heavenly bonds don't sever easily. Even beasts cherish their young.
Though some are worse than beasts.
As a mother, she'd come all this way to see her daughter's wedding.
And check her future son-in-law's face, no doubt.
Ha Pyodu must've sent a letter.
I scratched under my ear, looking at Brother Jin-ho.
Ah, Brother Jin-ho. Treat Miss Ha right.
Or scary mother-in-law might come for you.
The ceremony ended.
For the newlyweds, guests gave gifts and blessings.
Then Seo-u warrior's sound transmission reached my ear.
- Sub-branch Leader Bang is meeting two warriors now.
Hoo, better check it out.
- Where?
Bang-u was in a dim corner away from the banquet hall.
Baek-cheol warrior and Go Ju-sang warrior stood before him.
"What the hell happened?"
"Why are you so upset?"
"Didn't you drug the food?"
"Yes, we did exactly as ordered."
"Then why no reaction?"
The two looked aggrieved.
"We don't know either."
"Maybe the drug was bad?"
"Damn it!"
Bang-u snapped, berating them.
"Do you know how much I've sunk into you bastards? Produce results! Useless worms—even earthworms would be more useful!"
Stung by the humiliation, they ground their teeth. He'd scolded them before, but never this harshly.
Rebellion stirred unwittingly.
But they couldn't defy openly yet, so they held back.
"What's going on here?"
"......!"
The sudden voice startled Bang-u.
Turning to the clear, resonant tone, he saw an exceedingly handsome young man.
Bang-u tensed unwittingly.
Did he... find out?