Jegal Clan (5)
Night's darkness cloaked the Jegal Clan estate as someone slipped through the shadows, moving stealthily.
They soon reached a secluded spot devoid of people and opened a door.
Inside, a man awaited them.
The intruder approached and bowed slightly.
"I'm late."
"No, I just arrived myself."
The one who raised their head was Jegal Yu-a.
And the man before her was Jegal Yeol, her father.
Even though it was just a father and daughter meeting, they had to avoid drawing attention from others.
That was because the situation was one where no one could be trusted.
When he'd sensed the ominous undercurrents stirring within the clan, his daughter had come to him.
She'd always been sharp-minded, but he'd been astonished that she'd noticed it too.
It meant she was far more perceptive than even he'd anticipated.
Even more shocking was her proposal to feign ignorance and play along to lure out their complacency.
And so, the father and daughter were each investigating the suspicious faction from their respective positions.
Jegal Yeol gazed pityingly at Jegal Yu-a's left arm, bound with splints and bandages.
"I'm sorry, my child. To think you'd deliberately break your arm because of your worthless father..."
Jegal Yu-a had faked the injury to evade watchful eyes.
By making it seem like she was confined to her quarters recovering, the surveillance would naturally thin out.
"That guy went too far, didn't he? Breaking your arm, of all things!"
Jegal Yu-a chuckled softly.
"It's fine. It's not really broken. Young Master Eun is a truly good person."
"What? You mean..."
Jegal Yeol asked with wide-eyed surprise.
"Young Master Eun Seo-ho helped you?"
"Yes."
"But why would he volunteer to apologize like that just to..."
"Young Master Eun Seo-ho already knew. He saw through my act. And he understood why I was doing it."
"How on earth did he figure it out? Even I, your father, didn't notice your pretense..."
"I don't know either. Maybe it's because he's an outsider—something visible to his eyes that I can't see. But I have no idea what it could be."
Jegal Yeol pondered for a moment before asking,
"It won't interfere with our plans, will it?"
"No, it won't. If he saw through everything, matched my rhythm, and even took the blame to help me, then surely not."
"But that implies he wants something in return..."
"Young Master Eun said he's just averse to needless complications."
"He helped for that simple reason?"
Jegal Yeol's eyes narrowed.
It made no sense by the standards of his common sense.
A letter had arrived from the Murim Alliance that day.
We request that you comply with the will of the Murim Alliance.
Its content was simple on the surface.
But the implications behind it were anything but.
And the consequences of complying would be far from simple.
How can someone in human skin commit such atrocities?
Like his own father, the Patriarch, he too rejected it outright.
The shadowy figures lurking in the clan were undoubtedly aligned with the Murim Alliance's will.
The messenger bearing the letter awaited a reply.
He knew his father had guests, but he wanted the envoy gone as swiftly as possible.
He didn't want them lingering in the clan even a moment longer.
So he'd reported it to his father, who had exuded killing intent in response.
The problem was that the guests weren't martial artists.
He'd quickly unfurled his qi membrane to shield Yu So-ak, but he'd been a beat too slow for Young Master Eun Seo-ho.
Yet the young master had remained utterly composed.
Facing the killing intent of a peak Super First-rate expert like his father, as if nothing had happened...
That was why Jegal Yeol was so curious about Eun Seo-ho's intentions.
"Anyway, Father. From what I've observed so far, Uncle Myeong seems suspicious."
"I noticed suspicious signs from him too."
They exchanged their insights.
The true nature of the black rats skulking in the shadows was gradually taking shape.
"The problem is, we have no proof."
"That's the issue."
.
.
.
On her way back from the midnight stroll, Jegal Yu-a let out a sigh.
She had first sensed the sinister movements within the clan when she was nine.
What they sought was likely the clan itself.
And to achieve that, they would need to eliminate the Patriarch's bloodline.
Truth be told, she had little attachment to positions like young lady of the house or even Patriarch.
But she couldn't bear the thought of her father being sacrificed in the process—or the clan crumbling under their schemes.
She loved the Jegal Clan too deeply for that.
It had started when she was five, nestled in her grandfather's arms, listening to tales of their ancestors' achievements in the ancestral hall. From that moment, she had fallen in love with the Jegal Clan.
She couldn't just stand by and watch those who sought to destroy it.
Hence her ridiculous act as a brainless, scatterbrained fool.
Her performance was flawless; no one had seen through it.
Except...
He saw through it.
How flustered and shocked she'd been!
Her true self had nearly burst out unbidden.
He's a strangely peculiar young master in so many ways.
It was then.
"You take this path, as expected."
"Eek!"
She jumped in fright at the sudden voice.
"Don't be startled. It's Eun Seo-ho."
Recognizing the voice, she clutched her chest in relief.
"I had something urgent to discuss, but going to your quarters felt inappropriate."
"What is it?"
To her question, Eun Seo-ho grinned.
"Make a scene at the Proposal Hall."
* * *
At my words, Lady Jegal Yu-a stared blankly for a moment before snapping back and asking,
"Make a scene at the Proposal Hall? Why? I need a reason to know whether to cause one or not."
"Please don't be shocked by what I tell you. Cover your mouth with your hand first. If you scream in surprise, it'll be trouble."
She gave me a puzzled look.
As I continued to gaze steadily at her, she finally covered her mouth with her own hand.
"Truth is, while spending time with the Jegal Supreme Patriarch, I discovered evidence of his poisoning."
"Mm... mph!"
As expected, she was stunned.
Good thing she'd covered her mouth beforehand. Otherwise, she definitely would've cried out.
After a few deep breaths, she cautiously removed her hand and asked,
"Please explain in detail."
"Of course."
I explained the four-layered poison to her as best I knew.
After hearing me out, she asked,
"But how do you know about this poison?"
It was the reaction I'd anticipated.
"Running a merchant group means encountering far more underhanded types than you'd think. Survival demands knowledge like this."
I continued,
"I can't say more, so please don't press. Only this—"
I smiled faintly.
"I couldn't just stand by and watch a man die before my eyes. That's why I'm asking you."
"I've heard merchants move for profit. So what profit do you gain from this?"
"The profit I gain..."
There were many.
Plenty, no doubt.
But right now, I didn't want to dwell on it.
"Is peace of mind."
"Is that really all?"
I didn't answer, and she sighed.
"Fine. Tell me exactly what I need to do."
I detailed her role step by step.
She was still just fourteen, and given what I'd already shown her, she trusted my words about the poison.
But others wouldn't.
That's why I needed someone to expose and prove the four-layered poison on my behalf.
.
.
.
The next day,
Yu Chief Steward and I headed to the Jegal Supreme Patriarch's quarters again, spending time exchanging poems.
Yu Chief Steward had been badly rattled by the Supreme Patriarch's killing intent yesterday, but he'd calmed down quicker than expected.
He wasn't a stranger to martial artists from his work with the merchant group and the court.
I recalled what he'd said that morning.
"I'm fine. It just reminded me that you're a martial artist too, Supreme Patriarch. Yesterday was merely a slip-up."
"That's a relief, then."
"Trivial mistakes between friends should be overlooked. Haha."
We're truly friends now.
Anyway, the Supreme Patriarch and Yu Chief Steward looked thoroughly enjoying themselves even now.
Meanwhile, paperwork was piling up back at the merchant group's finance office for Yu Chief Steward to handle.
The fact he wasn't worrying about it meant he was genuinely having fun.
"Truth be told, when your poetry collection came out, I thought it was just another run-of-the-mill book. But since collecting them is my hobby, I acquired and read it. And I was astonished."
The Supreme Patriarch kept praising Yu Chief Steward.
"To think someone could compose such beautiful poetry! I have a few younger brothers myself, but not one of them has any talent for it. Truly regrettable."
He went on,
"So if you become my sworn younger brother, it'll be this old man's joy."
"How could an unworthy soul like me dare claim to be the Supreme Patriarch's brother?"
"Nonsense! I insist—you must be my brother!"
Looking into the Supreme Patriarch's eyes, I chuckled inwardly.
He's completely smitten.
After a moment's thought, Yu Chief Steward nodded.
"Refusing further would be impolite, so I accept."
"Excellent, excellent."
They hit it off and became sworn brothers on the spot.
This was my chance.
"If I may make one request."
"A request? What is it?"
"This occasion is especially proud for our merchant group. I'd like to commemorate it with a painting."
I bowed my head.
"Please don't scold me for my greed."
"A painting... splendid idea. I want to mark having such a fine brother today too."
"Then, may I recommend a suitable painter?"
"Who?"
"There's a man named Heo Cheong living nearby who paints with remarkable lifelike quality."
"Ah, I've heard of him. Quite the skilled artist."
Good—my memory hadn't failed me.
The Supreme Patriarch soon summoned a servant to fetch him.
Please come.
He had to come. Only then could we expose the poison in the tea we were drinking right now.
After lunch, as we prepared to resume our poetry exchange, a servant announced,
"Supreme Patriarch, the painter Heo Cheong you requested has arrived."
"Oh! Send him in."
The door opened, and a man entered.
Appearing in his late forties, he had the unusual feature of white hair.
"I greet the Supreme Patriarch of the Jegal Clan. I've come at your call."
"Well come. What I ask of you is to paint us three."
"Please elaborate."
"Today, Yu Chief Steward and I became poetry-sharing brothers. To commemorate this joy, three identical paintings will do."
"As you wish."
He looked up and continued,
"No need to pose. Carry on naturally, and I'll capture it."
"Then we leave it to you."
He soon arranged his tools, unrolled paper, and began painting.
The stage was set.
I said to the Supreme Patriarch,
"Yesterday's tea was exquisite. It lingered in my dreams. Might we have some more today?"
"You liked it too, eh? What about you, Yu Chief Steward?"
"I'd enjoy it."
And so the maid brought the tea in the same order as before.