Bold Investments (4)
I bit my lip.
This repulsive energy was unmistakably from the unorthodox paths.
This was the Hubei Peng Clan, one of the renowned orthodox sects, so all the energy here should have been pure and righteous.
So why was I sensing this vile unorthodox aura?
I began searching for the source of that energy.
“……”
My gaze settled on one man.
“Is something wrong?”
I shook my head with a smile at the question from Young Master Peng—no, now Young Clan Lord Peng.
“It's nothing. But... do you know who that man is? He seems acquainted with Young Master Peng Mun.”
“Ah...”
He nodded.
“Young Division Leader Eun is right. He's one of Uncle's men. I didn't see him when we returned to the main estate, so I figured he'd been out somewhere.”
In that instant, everything I'd found suspicious clicked into place.
The eldest son, who had been the young clan lord, was only at the first-rate level. Given his talent, reaching peak realm or beyond was out of the question.
In my memory of my previous life, Young Master Peng Mun had only climbed as far as the peak realm. For a prestigious house like the Hubei Peng Clan, the clan lord needed to be at least super first-rate to hold face.
And it wasn't just his martial prowess; he was also utterly inept at grasping situations.
No matter how plausible a plan I devised and executed, anyone with a functioning brain wouldn't have barged into the inn so recklessly.
Even his actions after becoming clan lord in my previous life defied understanding.
Even if the Peng Clan weren't known for sharp minds, his level of incompetence was extreme.
So how had such a man driven out his own younger brother?
How had he hired assassins to target his nephew's life, succeeded, and claimed the clan lord position?
The most likely explanation: he had an advisor pulling the strings by his side, and when that advisor left, everything crumbled rapidly.
That advisor had to be this man.
Which raised one burning question.
Why had this advisor done it?
Was his goal to weaken or destroy the Peng Clan?
That would be no small feat unless he bore some deep grudge against them.
But I quickly shook my head.
Why overthink it? Just grab him and ask.
.
.
.
The sentence on Young Master Peng Mun was carried out, and two days passed.
He'd fainted repeatedly from the pain of the lashes only to be revived with buckets of water, enduring all two hundred in the end.
Then they severed his right hand.
Crippling his dantian in that state would scatter his inner energy and risk his life from the shock, so that was scheduled for a fortnight later.
Young Master Peng Mun was now confined to a small annex hall.
That would be his home from now on.
Meanwhile, the quarters he'd formerly occupied were undergoing major renovations to erase every trace of him, per the clan lord's orders.
Once complete, Young Clan Lord Peng Gang-un would move in.
Peng Mun had plummeted from young clan lord in an instant, but I felt no pity.
He had sins to answer for.
His ugly jealousy and obsession had driven his younger brother from the clan, leading to his disappearance.
His nephew had nearly died, surviving countless perils and brushes with death.
In my previous life, the boy hadn't made it.
Considering their suffering, two hundred lashes and a severed hand weren't cause for sympathy.
Besides, in that past life, countless people from various clans had died pointlessly because of Peng Mun.
Now that I thought about it, even the clan lord's death back then felt suspicious.
As these thoughts swirled, Warrior Yeo Eung-am burst into my room in a panic.
“My lord!”
“What happened with him?”
Warriors Jin Yu and Yeo Eung-am had been watching the man whose unorthodox aura I'd sensed earlier, on my orders.
He was Chwi Seon, who had joined the Peng Clan over twenty years ago as a servant before catching Peng Mun's eye and being promoted to personal attendant—a meteoric rise.
I'd had them surveil him, expecting suspicious moves soon, and it seemed my hunch was spot on.
“It's an emergency!”
“An emergency? What do you mean?”
“He slipped out of the annex hall.”
That alone wouldn't cause such urgency.
“And... before leaving, he offered tea to the warriors guarding the annex perimeter.”
Warrior Yeo Eung-am continued.
“We secretly obtained a sample and tested it. It was laced with a strong sedative.”
“What?”
***
Chwi Seon hurried along, cursing Peng Mun inwardly.
‘You fucking idiot! Can't even eat when it's spoon-fed! You worthless piece of shit! Useless bastard with nothing but bloodline to his name!’
His curses grew filthier by the second.
And small wonder—he'd endured twenty years for this moment.
Only for that fool to ruin it all in one night.
His orders from above had been simple: “Make Peng Mun the clan lord.”
In exchange: a spirit elixir.
A legendary pill that could catapult him straight to super first-rate.
He'd once leaped from third-rate to first-rate with a single dose, so he trusted it implicitly.
That's why he'd infiltrated the Peng Clan, attached himself to Peng Mun, ousted the biggest rival—the second son—and elevated Peng Mun to young clan lord.
But then another obstacle: the clan lord discovered martial talent in Peng Mun's nephew, Peng Gang-un, and declared at the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Assembly that victory would earn him the young clan lord position.
So he'd hired assassins, but they suddenly dropped dead.
He'd left to investigate, and that was his fatal mistake.
In his absence, Peng Mun led his men into that idiotic blunder.
Still, he'd thought it salvageable.
Peng Gang-un becoming young clan lord? He could reclaim the seat later.
But what madness had seized the clan lord? He ordered two hundred lashes, the right hand severed, and the dantian crippled.
‘The man who sat idle when his second son was exiled—what the hell is he thinking now?’
It even made him wonder if the second son was truly the clan lord's blood.
Anyway, his current frenzy stemmed from new orders from above: rescue Peng Mun before the dantian crippling.
As the clan lord's eldest and former young clan lord, Peng Mun had intimate knowledge of clan affairs—still useful.
But a crippled dantian would ruin that. Hence, extract him first.
Seizing the moment when vigilance slackened, he'd acted.
The guards initially refused his tea.
But they were human, and this second brutal winter had worn them down, so they eventually accepted.
He hadn't drugged it from the start—only once their suspicions eased.
Over twenty years, he'd secretly prepared a hidden exit through the walls. He slipped out of the Hubei Peng Clan that way.
‘Good thing I made this hole.’
He rendezvoused with nearby reinforcements.
“The time has come.”
“We've been waiting.”
Five warriors dispatched from above.
Few in number, but all elite first-rates. They followed Chwi Seon back into the clan through the hole, stealthily approaching the small annex where Peng Mun was confined.
He needed them because Peng Mun's bulk wouldn't fit the hole—he'd have to scale the wall.
Peng Mun was a martial artist, but the Peng walls were towering.
Plus, no right hand and lingering lash wounds meant he needed help.
And if spotted fleeing, they'd buy time.
The annex guards were fast asleep.
“You sure this'll hold?”
“Strong dose—they'll sleep half a day at least.”
Chwi Seon unlocked the door and entered.
Peng Mun, who'd been drowning his pain in liquor moments ago, now sat calmly at the low table.
“My lord, time to get you out.”
“Have they arrived, as you said?”
“Yes. They're here.”
“Good. Let's go.”
Peng Mun grabbed his pre-packed bundle and strode out without hesitation.
The clan had abandoned him.
So he would abandon the clan.
‘Just you wait! I won't forget this, Father.’
They reached a suitable wall section.
“Where might you be off to in such haste?”
The sudden voice startled them.
“Gasp! You?”
“Uncle, as far as I know, you're forbidden from leaving the annex grounds.”
The one blocking them was Peng Gang-un—the new young clan lord and Peng Mun's nephew.
“And these strangers around you... not Peng Clan warriors, I take it? Return to the annex at once.”
Peng Mun's face twisted; he spat venomously.
“Shut your mouth! This is all your fault!”
“My fault? You brought this on yourself, Uncle.”
“No! You should've never been born!”
Murderous intent filled his eyes.
“Perfect timing. Today, I'll finally kill you!”
He turned to his warriors.
“Kill him, and I'll reveal where I've hidden my wealth.”
They glanced at Chwi Seon.
Chwi Seon assessed: Peng Gang-un had only one guard.
But that calm demeanor nagged at him.
‘Relying on that single guard?’
Then he spotted Peng Gang-un's trembling hands.
Chwi Seon smirked.
Just the two of them, for sure. The boy was faking composure.
And killing Peng Gang-un here would solve multiple problems.
He nodded.
With permission granted, the five warriors advanced.
That was when it happened.
“Well now... Didn't I make it clear? Anyone who harms Gang-un will not be forgiven.”
“……!”
Peng Mun and Chwi Seon froze stiff.
Because that voice...
Belonged to Clan Lord Peng Jin-song.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
They gulped nervously as he approached slowly.
His expression complex, he asked Peng Mun,
“Mun-ah. These men reeking of unorthodox paths by your side—did you summon them?”
“……”
“Answer me.”
The tone was almost affectionate. But not a shred of warmth laced the voice.
Trembling, Peng Mun collapsed to his knees.
“F-Father. That is...”
“Answer me.”
Peng Mun ground his teeth, steeling himself before shouting,
“Yes! I was leaving this house! You abandoned me, so I abandon this clan...”
But he couldn't finish.
Something whistled past his face.
Turning slowly, he saw a dagger embedded in the wall.
Blood trickled from the gash on his cheek.
“When! Just how long! Must I endure you?!”
Peng Jin-song bellowed.
“Even when you ruthlessly exiled your brother, I turned a blind eye. You're my son, and so is he. I thought you'd regret it. But no.”
“……”
“Now even your nephew... No beast would stoop so low.”
Peng Jin-song sighed deeply, then laughed hollowly.
“Hahaha! Fine. Enough.”
He commanded the air.
“Throw them in the underground thunder prison.”
Warriors surged from the shadows, prostrating themselves.
“Understood!”
Peng Jin-song glanced at Peng Mun.
“Drag that one to the thunder prison too. No exceptions.”
***
Today, I was leaving the Peng Clan.
Last night, Young Master Peng Mun made a foolish choice.
Spotting his suspicious movements while surveilling him, I'd swiftly informed Young Clan Lord Peng Gang-un.
It was a chance to bolster his standing.
I'd also alerted the clan lord. The final judgment was his to make.
He'd rushed over posthaste.
The result: Peng Mun was thrown not into the annex, but the underground thunder prison.
All those with him met the same fate, and interrogations were underway.
The clan lord had grown wary upon learning Peng Mun consorted with unorthodox warriors.
The full truth would emerge soon.
Having done all I could, it was time to depart.
I had a mountain of backlog waiting.
Resuming the Eunhae Merchant Group's Beijing branch construction, reporting sales figures for the folding fans to the Emperor, and more.
And...
Whew, my head was spinning just thinking about it.
Then Palgap entered the room.
“Young master, someone's here to see you.”
Hm? Who?