Risk Factors (2)
In the end, I dragged my weary body outside.
As a guest, how could I refuse when the host's son called for me?
The moment I opened the door and stepped out, a servant clasped his hands in greeting.
"I'll escort you."
"Sure."
But the place the servant led me to wasn't the reception hall.
"Where's this?"
"It's one of the Moyong Clan's gardens, called Immilwon."
Immilwon (林密園).
True to its name meaning "dense forest garden," the trees were planted thick and close together.
"I've never seen a garden with so many trees."
The Sachon Tang Clan's Poisonous Forest had plenty of trees too, but honestly, that place hardly qualified as a garden.
The servant nodded at my admiration.
"That's to be expected. This garden has a specific purpose."
"For secretive conversations?"
He nodded at my question.
"Exactly. They planted all these trees to keep sound from escaping outward."
"But with trees this dense, couldn't someone hide and eavesdrop?"
"Of course, that's a concern. But do you think anyone who overheard could leave alive?"
"Pardon?"
"Just in case you didn't know—this isn't a place you can enter casually. Formations are set up everywhere, trapping intruders in an eternal maze."
"Sounds ominous."
We continued chatting as we headed deeper into Immilwon.
When we arrived, Young Lord Moyong Tae-geol rose from his seat to greet me.
"Welcome."
"Thank you for inviting me to such a splendid spot."
"Please, have a seat."
He gestured to a spot, and I sat down.
Facing each other like this stirred memories of my past life.
I'd grumbled a bit from exhaustion, sure…
But seeing his face still felt good.
"I imagine you already know why I brought you here."
Thanks to what the servant had told me on the way, I was certain.
No one else needed to know about our encounter at the Ghostly Burial Grounds.
"I was shocked to see you in the reception hall today."
"You recognized my voice?"
"Yes. And hearing you say that confirms it—you're the one I met back then!"
I nodded.
He'd pieced it together this far; denying it would be pointless.
"Ah…"
He shot up from his seat, clasped his hands, and bowed deeply to me.
"Thank you again. If you hadn't helped me then, I would've…"
"Lost your position as young lord."
"Yes, exactly."
"So, have you figured out how that sword ended up in such a perilous place?"
"…"
He bit his lip at my words.
That meant he'd uncovered the reason the sword vanished.
Since I'd helped him recover it, the incident would only benefit him now.
It had given him a much-needed wake-up call.
A successor without vigilance could fall to even the smallest threats unnoticed.
"Hard to say who was behind it, I take it."
"Yes."
"Tsk tsk."
He tilted his head at my tongue-clicking.
"Why do you say that?"
"You're still far from ready. If you can't even hide your reactions properly, how will you lead this great clan? You'll lose your seat before that, even."
"What do you mean?"
"I just asked if you'd figured out how the sword got to that hellish place. You didn't answer."
"Yes. So?"
"Silence implies affirmation. And when I asked if it was hard to name the culprit, you confirmed it."
"So what's the problem with that?"
"Reacting like that is as good as confessing the culprit is family."
"…!"
His eyes widened at my words.
"And if I'd had ill intentions, I could've used that to manipulate you."
"…"
"Martial artists value boldness and uprightness, that's true. But leading a clan requires more than thoughtless bravado—it could destroy the family."
I continued.
"The world is full of serpents. To see through their schemes and avoid their fangs, you must become a serpent yourself."
"Hah!"
Enlightenment dawned on his face.
Having nearly been ousted by his brother, my advice would hit home now.
I offered it because of memories from my past life.
"Looking back, there's something I truly regret."
"Regret… Isn't life a chain of them?"
"True. But some regrets cut deeper. For me, it's how foolishly naive I was in my youth."
"You strike me as quite sharp, young master."
"Not that. I mean I was too innocent. I tried fighting hyenas who’d stop at nothing to tear me down with nothing but honor and fairness. That's what I regret. You can't rise above others that way."
This time, I wanted to spare him that regret.
And my advice wasn't just from past ties—it was also to stop the third son, Moyong Seong-geol, from seizing the Moyong Clan.
My goal was revenge against the Murim Alliance and the Baekcheon Merchant Group.
Of course, I had to curb the Alliance's growing power.
He looked at me earnestly.
"Then how should I act?"
"From now on, it's not free."
"Pardon?"
"Lessons aren't worth much if they're gratis."
He pulled a pouch from his robe and placed it on the table.
"Is this enough? It's all the money I have on me."
I opened the pouch, took out three silver taels, and returned the rest.
He looked puzzled.
"Really, just that?"
"Of course not."
I shook my head.
"This is just a down payment. If what I teach proves useful, repay me as you see fit later."
"That won't be hard."
"Don't take it lightly. This could become a heavy chain. Still want to learn?"
"Please, teach me."
His resolute gaze earned my nod.
Good, he's got the right attitude.
Still… I'm stirring up trouble again.
I'd volunteered to advise and teach Young Lord Moyong Tae-geol.
Talk about shooting myself in the foot.
I was exhausted enough to drop dead.
"Why are you tearing up?"
"Ah, something got in my eye."
…
…
…
By the time I returned to my assigned pavilion, it was already breakfast time.
"You just got back now, sir?"
I nodded at Palgap's words.
"Must've been a deep conversation."
"If it was deep, then yeah, it was deep."
I stated firmly.
"Today, I'm just meditating, washing up, and sleeping. Skip breakfast—no waking me."
"Understood, sir."
I slept like the dead and woke to find the sun dipping low.
"Ah, refreshing."
Palgap grinned at me.
"That good, sir?"
"You bet! I rarely sleep this soundly."
Come to think of it, that was odd.
I hadn't slept this deeply in years.
My heightened realm meant even faint presences woke me.
"Now that you're up, time to prepare for the banquet, sir."
"Banquet? Oh!"
Only then did I remember.
We were supposed to have a welcome banquet yesterday, but the family head's schedule pushed it to today.
"Get up and wash quickly, sir."
"Got it. Heading there now."
I rose, washed up, and admired my reflection.
The power of sleep is truly great!
My face gleamed with a healthy sheen.
…
…
…
Evening came.
Bok Yun, the small group leader, his wife, and I followed a maid to the banquet hall.
The Moyong Clan members at the table rose to greet us.
Standing was a sign of welcome and respect.
"Come on in."
Bok Yun clasped his hands in thanks.
"Thank you for inviting us."
"No trouble at all. I wanted to prepare something grander, but I apologize for this modest spread."
"Not at all. In times like these, this is more than enough."
"Thanks for understanding. Let me introduce my family."
The family head introduced his sons and daughters, starting with the young lord.
First son and young lord: Moyong Tae-geol.
Second child and eldest daughter: Moyong Yeon-geol.
Third child and second son: Moyong Jun-geol.
Fourth child and third son: Moyong Seong-geol.
Four children in total. Two wives, with the second and fourth sons from the second wife, it seemed.
I eyed them one by one.
The third son, Moyong Jun-geol, was the man who'd married Lady Injeong in my past life.
He was watching Moyong Seong-geol's cues.
Moyong Seong-geol stared at us with sharp eyes.
No doubt scheming how to use us or the situation.
Eldest daughter Moyong Yeon-geol blushed while looking at me.
We introduced ourselves in turn.
"Take your seats."
"Yes."
We sat and began the meal.
I didn't know their inner thoughts, but the banquet was pleasantly lively.
With so much attention on me, "lively" meant lots of people talking to me.
Especially Moyong Seong-geol, who kept pestering me with questions.
What was he so curious about?
But people have only one mouth.
That meant chatting left little time to eat.
Having skipped breakfast and lunch, my stomach growled, yet he kept at me—how could I eat properly?
Talk was fine, but it was a banquet; shouldn't I get to eat and drink?
Irritation was building when…
"Hearing of Seonhyeopmirang's exploits made me dream of becoming a hero like that. So, I'd like to learn the Hero's Sword from Seonhyeopmirang himself."
Fancy words, but Moyong Jun-geol basically wanted a spar with me.
The family head, catching the intent, gently scolded him.
"Hah, what kind of talk is that?"
"Father, isn't it natural for a Moyong warrior to be curious about the Hero's Sword? You're curious too, aren't you?"
"Ahem, ahem."
Sigh, this was Moyong Seong-geol's doing.
I'd seen him whispering to Moyong Jun-geol moments ago.
They thought I hadn't heard, but it came through clear.
"Spar with him—beat him, and you'll be a hero."
Falling for such nonsense proved how dim the guy was.
Even this roundabout challenge request came from Moyong Seong-geol.
I sighed softly and glanced at the family head.
His eyes gleamed.
He was curious too, apparently.
Already annoyed from not eating, this worked out perfectly.
I stood.
"How could I refuse? I'll be your opponent."
The family head spoke apologetically.
"To indulge my foolish son's request—truly grateful."
At least manage your eyes.
They screamed excitement.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The family head struck the table three times.
"Open the training grounds."
"Yes!"
Instantly, a door on one side of the banquet hall swung wide, revealing a sparring platform.
Whoa…
A sparring stage right next to the banquet hall!
True martial clans were something else.
Moyong Jun-geol and I climbed onto the platform, facing each other.
Wow, the floor's ebony wood?
A clan serious about martial arts.
The family head announced.
"I'll explain the rules. See the white line on the floor? Crossing it means defeat."
Ah, out-of-bounds rule.
"Otherwise, same as Murim Alliance sparring."
"Understood."
"Begin."
I told Moyong Jun-geol.
"I'll yield the first move."
He shook his head.
"No need."
I couldn't help blinking.
What nerve.
His realm was barely second-rate.
For a prestigious clan's heir at his age, that was true mediocrity.
He should've reached first-rate at least.
I sighed.
"Seems you're mistaken. Yielding first strike is just so you can swing your sword in this spar."
"Don't insult me! Do I look like some fool who can't even wield a blade?"
I glanced at the family head.
He rubbed his temple, shook his head, then nodded at me.
Handle it yourself, basically.
"Fine."
I circulated my inner energy and fixed him with a cold stare.
"Gasp!"
He couldn't even withstand my killing intent; his hands trembled.
His sword clattered to the ground.
Clang.
I advanced toward him step by step.
Terror-stricken, he backed away and crossed the white line.
Knew it.
"Whew."
I withdrew my energy.
"Refine yourself further."
"D-Damn it!"
That was when.
Scrape.
I turned at the sound of someone rising.
"Spar with me."
Ah, no. Family head! Why are you jumping in too?