Bold Investments (2)
We entered the Hubei Peng Clan manor.
The Peng Clan was in utter chaos.
And for good reason—the clan's young lord had led a group of armed men in ambushing the Gold Guards during their group dinner.
With such an unprecedented incident, the entire clan was on high alert.
That was why the only one to greet the returning Young Peng Master was his father.
"Father, your son has returned."
"It's truly a relief that you came back safely. I was so worried, but you returned right on time."
His name was Peng Mok.
He was the current clan lord's fourth child and third son.
His eldest sister stood just ahead of him in the line of succession.
Of course, she had already married and no longer lived in the Peng Clan manor.
Like all who bore the Peng blood, he had a massive build, yet there was something slender about him.
From what he'd just said to the Young Peng Master, it seemed he knew his own brother—the young lord—was out for the young master's life.
"And who's this with you?"
"Ah, this is the man who helped me return to the clan safely."
I offered a respectful clasped-hands salute and bowed my head.
"I'm Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"I'm Peng Mok, father of Kang-un."
"It's an honor to meet one of the Peng Clan's great pillars."
"No need for such flattery. Aren't you the famous Seonhyeopmirang everyone's talking about?"
He knew who I was, as expected.
His face turned apologetic as he continued.
"We should hold a proper banquet to welcome you, but with the clan's current troubles, I must ask for your understanding."
"Think nothing of it."
This mess is my doing, after all.
I felt a bit guilty, but once I made his father the clan lord, it'd all work out for both of us.
At that moment, the Young Peng Master asked,
"And Mother...?"
"She's probably gathered all the wives right now. Go see her later."
"Yes, Father."
The Peng matriarch had likely issued a "Everyone under me, assemble!"
With the household in turmoil, the wives' conduct was crucial, so she was probably giving them instructions.
The Young Peng Master's father turned to me.
"Stay as long as you like. As for your quarters..."
"We'll stay in my pavilion," the Young Peng Master said.
"Very well, then."
"Thank you."
"We appreciate your permission to stay."
With simple greetings exchanged, we headed to the Young Peng Master's pavilion.
"I'm grateful you'd stay in my pavilion, but honestly, the facilities aren't great."
"It doesn't matter. By the way, do you not keep personal guards?"
He nodded at my question.
"Yes. After nearly getting killed by my own guard, I just... can't bring myself to."
"I see. But you need guards. Unless you're a Transcendent Realm master, you can't fend off every threat alone."
"Sigh, you're right, Branch Leader."
"And you need to build your own faction. Even if the clan lord and elders support you for young lord, without forces of your own, it could all flip in an instant."
"But... isn't it already too late?"
I nodded.
"To be honest, yes, it's late, as you say. But I have a way."
I called over Palgap, who had been standing quietly.
"Palgap."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Starting today, scout the Peng Clan for people matching the conditions I describe."
"Got it. So, what are the conditions?"
"Loyal ones who are desperately short on money."
Palgap grinned.
"I get the picture."
The Hubei Peng Clan consisted of those bearing the Peng surname, but no clan could fill its ranks solely with them.
From lowly servants and maids to over half the warriors, most weren't Pengs.
Some came from vassal families devoted to the Peng Clan, others simply sought shelter and sustenance.
They would be our first targets.
And among those with the Peng name, there'd be poor ones too.
The Young Peng Master had told me that upon reaching adulthood, clan support halved.
And after thirty, it mostly vanished.
That sparked the idea.
Pengs in financial straits would be our second targets.
.
.
.
Palgap carried out my orders faithfully.
"Here's the list."
I looked over the list Palgap handed me. As expected of him.
In just two days, he'd compiled quite a few names.
I took it to the Young Peng Master.
There had been no threats against him in the meantime.
The young lord Peng Mun and his men were still detained in the imperial palace.
His faction wouldn't dare act rashly, and the others were too busy worrying about their own skins.
"I'm coming in."
"Yes."
I entered and sat before him.
"Here's the list of people you need to turn into your faction."
I handed it over.
"Now comes the important part."
I glanced aside, and the Im Pil warrior and Yeo Eung-am warrior opened the chest they'd brought together.
"...!"
The Young Peng Master and his attendant's eyes widened, mouths agape.
And why not? The chest brimmed with silver taels.
Heavy enough that two first-rate warriors had to carry it.
"Use this to win their hearts."
He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them.
Bright determination shone in his gaze.
"I appreciate the advice, but I'm worried. If we buy loyalty with money, won't they betray me for a bigger sum from someone else?"
A righteous man, indeed.
"You're right. Loyalty should be about hearts, not coin. But how do you see a person's heart at first glance?"
"..."
"People are drawn to what they can see."
I nudged the chest with my foot.
Clink.
"Use this money to earn their goodwill first. My help in building your faction ends here."
"Then?"
"Yes. Turning bought goodwill into true loyalty—that's your job."
Even ties forged by money could become genuine under his upright heart.
He nodded firmly.
"Understood. I'll make it happen."
It was time to leave soon. But first, one more thing for him.
"I'd like to meet the clan lord."
.
.
.
Two days after I asked the Young Peng Master to arrange the meeting.
He'd done better than expected—already winning over a third of the list.
"They pledged their support."
"Well done."
"And Grandfather sent word. Come to the Biseong Hall after dinner tonight."
The Biseong Hall was where the clan lord resided.
That evening.
As I headed to the meeting place, I pictured the Hubei Peng Clan lord.
I recalled our brief talk during the meal at the Yongbong Martial Tournament, where I'd unwittingly become a hero.
His imposing frame and fierce visage had made him seem like a tiger.
Clack!
The guards at the Biseong Hall crossed their spears.
"State your business."
"Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group. Here to see the clan lord."
"Wait a moment."
The rear guard went inside, returned, and said,
"You're to enter."
Click!
The guards raised their spears and bowed.
"Our apologies."
Their sharp aura spoke of rigorous training.
As I entered, an attendant approached.
"Follow me."
The Biseong Hall was less a hall and more a fortress in scale.
But this was Beijing, with the Emperor nearby.
They had to stay discreet—hence the modest name "Hall" instead of "Palace."
"Branch Leader Eun Seo-ho has arrived."
"Let him in."
The doors opened, and I entered. The clan lord sat ahead.
About ten paces away, I clasped my hands and bowed.
"Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Merchant Group pays respects to the Peng Clan lord."
"...You've done quite the audacious deed."
Ah, so he knew what I'd done.
Of course—if he couldn't uncover that much, he wouldn't lead a great clan like this.
I raised my head.
"I'm not sure what you mean."
"Don't play dumb! Didn't you deliberately lure the Gold Guards into a dinner? And that was all part of your scheme."
"Ah... is that what you mean?"
I countered.
"Clan Lord, if the young lord hadn't shown up—if he hadn't crashed the dinner—would any scheme of mine have succeeded?"
"..."
"And I had no choice but to protect my precious guest. When an uncle charges to kill his nephew, do you just stand there and take the blade?"
He stared at my defiant stance.
"Hahahahaha!"
Then he burst into roaring laughter.
Why was this old man suddenly like this?
"Of course! Exactly right!"
His reaction was odd, hearing his son had tried to kill his grandson.
It meant he already knew.
How could a father not know his own son?
Besides, the man before me led the Peng Clan.
When he'd promised his grandson the young lord position, he'd surely anticipated his son might harm him.
Time to test the waters.
"By the way, shouldn't you protect your grandson now that he's survived such peril?"
The clan lord smiled faintly.
"If he can't overcome that much, how could he push aside his uncle and claim young lord?"
My guess was spot on.
The clan lord had deliberately stoked the young lord's rivalry.
He wanted to see the Young Peng Master overcome the trial and seize the position through his own strength.
But Clan Lord.
Without me, the Young Peng Master would be dead. And the Peng Clan would decline as is.
You seem to have underestimated the young lord Peng Mun's vile plot and obsession with the seat.
I wondered what he'd thought in my past life when the Young Peng Master died.
Did he click his tongue, deeming him unworthy? Or did he blame and regret himself?
"So, what did you get in return for helping that boy?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're called Seonhyeopmirang, but I see your true nature. You're a merchant, and merchants never take losses."
He continued.
"So I need to know what deal you struck."
I clasped my hands and replied.
"My apologies, Clan Lord. Deals are secret between parties, aren't they?"
"So you won't say?"
Of course not.
I'd spoken of trust—revealing it myself would violate merchant ethics.
"No, I can't."
"Is that so?"
Suddenly, his aura surged.
It crushed me like a boulder. As a Super First-rate, I felt it vividly.
Drip, plop.
Despite the winter chill, sweat beaded on my forehead and hit the floor.
A colossal pressure threatening to devour me.
But I couldn't yield. This was his test.
Failing meant all the money I'd spent was wasted.
I gritted my teeth.
Then—
"...!"
A energy stirred within me. I felt it clearly.
The Hyeonryong's energy.
The Hyeonryong's maw devoured the crushing pressure whole.
Thanks to it, I faced the clan lord calmly.
It seemed to impress him.
"Hahahahaha!"
His roaring laughter confirmed it.
The pressure vanished soon after.
"Kang-un found himself a capable ally. As expected of my chosen successor."
His eyes gleamed as he looked at me.
"And one the Emperor might take note of."
"..."
He sighed.
"So, what do you want from me? Or rather, what must I do for you to help get that bastard out?"
From "you bastard" to "you"—I'd passed the test.
I clasped my hands and addressed the clan lord.