Risk Factor (7)
The family head let out a sigh.
"Seong-geol. Just admit it already."
"It's fabricated! They forged my handwriting!"
Mo-yong Seong-geol refusing to admit it to the bitter end.
Now it was time for me to step in.
"If I may say a word."
"What is it?"
All eyes turned to me.
"The money in that pouch seems to be what Young Master Mo-yong Seong-geol gave to that warrior as payment, correct?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Quite a hefty sum."
Only then did people notice the money that had spilled out along with the pouch.
Ten gold wonbos.
For ordinary folk who rarely even glimpsed such wealth, it was a fortune.
"The Mo-yong Clan must be quite wealthy. Even for a direct descendant, handing over that much as hush money."
"No, that's not true."
Mo-yong Tae-geol, the sub-family head, stepped forward to deny it.
"The hush money we receive is fixed. It's never that much."
"Then where did that money come from?"
At my question, Mo-yong Seong-geol panicked and shouted.
"I-I saved it up myself!"
But no one believed him.
And for good reason—considering his spending habits, he could never have saved that much.
"A bribe?"
"……."
"More than that, if it's money he saved... that means it confirms Young Master Mo-yong Seong-geol gave him the money."
"!"
Watching Mo-yong Seong-geol at a loss for words, the family head sighed again.
"Seong-geol. Enough now."
"Father……."
"Did you really think I knew nothing about those friends you hang around with?"
"……."
"You've done something you shouldn't have, and as an adult, you must bear the responsibility."
At those words, Mo-yong Seong-geol glared fiercely and protested.
"Yes, Father. I'll take responsibility. But what exactly did I do wrong? Is striving to become sub-family head such a grave sin?"
The family head clicked his tongue and shook his head at the sight.
"You're wrong. I'm not criticizing your efforts to become sub-family head. I'm condemning the forbidden means you used to achieve them."
"So what exactly did I do……."
The family head approached him and whispered softly.
"Didn't you bring in the Black Dao?"
"W-What are you……."
"The friends you were close to, the ones who funded you—they're Black Dao people."
"……!"
Mo-yong Seong-geol's face stiffened.
"So stay quiet while I protect your honor. If you cause any more trouble, you'll lose even that flimsy reputation."
"……."
I stifled a hollow laugh inside as I overheard their conversation.
As expected, the family head knew everything.
Mo-yong Seong-geol collapsed into his seat with a look of utter devastation, as if the sky had fallen.
"I will render judgment!"
All eyes focused on the family head at his declaration.
"First, Warrior Yeonjung!"
"Yes."
"We've taken into account the circumstances that forced you into this. Moreover, the sub-family head and the victim, Great Hero Eun Seo-ho, have no desire for punishment. If there's any guilt, it's only being used."
That's right.
He was merely used.
Some might criticize him for getting involved in harming others, no matter the reason.
But what father, watching his son die, would refuse to commit a crime if it meant saving him?
And Mo-yong Seong-geol, who exploited that father's desperation to target me—that's the real villain here.
"Thus, I order you to work in the Mo-yong Clan for ten years at twenty percent of your original monthly stipend."
"Thank you! Truly, thank you!"
A massive pay cut.
It seemed harsh, but compared to his crimes, it was remarkably merciful.
"And Mo-yong Seong-geol."
The family head glanced at Sub-leader Bokyun before continuing.
"This incident strikes at the honor of our Mo-yong Clan! And drawing in external forces is an even graver sin! Therefore, all rights as a direct descendant are stripped from Mo-yong Seong-geol."
It's over now.
I've eliminated the greatest risk factor, preventing the same tragedy from my previous life.
The sentences were carried out immediately.
For Warrior Yeonjung, they first allowed him to visit his son—under supervision, of course.
As for Mo-yong Seong-geol, he was evicted from his inner quarters and relegated to the outer residences.
He'd only stayed in the inner quarters because of his direct descendant status.
Numerous other privileges were revoked as well.
Considering all the schemes he'd pulled while eyeing the family head's seat, he didn't deserve pity.
……
……
……
"So you're heading back tomorrow?"
I was conversing with the family head in my quarters.
"Yes. I planned to leave today, but it got delayed."
The family head apologized with a pained expression.
"I'm sorry. This is largely my fault."
"No, please don't blame yourself."
"Still, aren't you fully recovered yet? Is it safe to travel so soon?"
"Of course it's not ideal, but work has piled up. If it backs up any more, it'll be a real headache."
"That does sound troubling."
"Yes. So I ask for your understanding."
"Understanding? It's only natural."
The family head nodded and pulled a pouch from his bosom, offering it to me.
"This is my apology for the incident."
"What's this?"
"A spirit elixir from the main family. It's well-suited for those with yin constitutions, so it should help you."
I considered refusing since my illness was feigned, but his expression made it clear I shouldn't.
Besides, this elixir carried a request: keep the matter secret.
I'd planned to anyway. It was all a ruse on my part, and I had no desire to draw the Martial Alliance's attention.
"I'll gratefully accept it."
"By the way, I heard from Tae-geol. About the marriage with my daughter... you're truly not interested?"
"I'm sorry. My heart already belongs to another."
Experience had taught me that a flat refusal doesn't work with people like him.
Better to give a plausible excuse.
"Taking multiple concubines isn't taboo, but I'm afraid I'd neglect her if my heart isn't in it. Lady Yeon-geol deserves someone who truly cherishes her."
"I'm grateful for your consideration."
For some reason, thoughts of Lady Seo-hyang in Beijing crossed my mind...
Must be the backlog of work.
After the family head left my room, Sub-family Head Mo-yong Tae-geol came to see me.
We talked at length.
And finally, he brought it up.
"Excluding the thirty silver taels contract fee you mentioned before, I'll repay the full remainder."
"I look forward to it. And never let your guard down."
"Yes. I won't."
Now Yoneung is one less worry.
The next day, I returned to the Gwangjun Merchant Group with Sub-leader Bokyun and his wife.
And as promised, the day after, my group prepared to depart.
"Will you be riding the Azure River horses on the way back?"
I nodded at Sub-leader Bokyun's question.
"Yes. They're coming under my command now—riding other horses would make them jealous."
"Fair point. What about the horses you rode here?"
"That's what I'm pondering."
Sub-leader Bokyun thought for a moment before offering a solution.
"If you're still deciding, how about this: leave them here, and when we deliver horses to the imperial palace, we'll take your sub-leader's mounts to the Eunhae Merchant Group's Beijing branch."
"That would be a huge help. Thank you."
"No need for thanks. You're my benefactor, Sub-leader Eun."
……
……
……
We packed our belongings and headed to the Gwangjun Merchant Group's ranch.
"By the way, young master."
"Yes?"
"You're taking the Azure River horses with us?"
Palgap's question was natural—I hadn't explained in detail yet.
"That's right."
"The master will be shocked when we show up with them."
"Probably. Hmm, just imagining it makes me smile."
We soon arrived at the ranch.
"Welcome."
The ranch foreman and workers greeted us warmly.
"Please guide us to the Azure River horses."
The foreman replied promptly to Sub-leader Bokyun.
"Yes. This way."
The Azure River horses were kept in the ranch's most comfortable and prime spot.
The workers treated them like sacred beings.
In this region, it was said seeing an Azure River horse granted your wishes.
They neighed softly as we approached.
"Good to see you too."
"Neigh!"
"Alright, time to head home."
I turned to Palgap and the guards.
"Pick one each."
"Pardon?"
"Palgap, you too."
"Huh? What do you mean, young master?"
I grinned.
"A gift."
They were stunned and waved their hands in refusal.
"N-No! We can't accept such a grand gift."
"Azure River horses as presents? We could make a fortune reselling them..."
"We're fine without."
I shook my head at their protests.
"First off, you can't just sell them off. You've seen their temperaments—no one else could ride them safely."
"True."
"And if I'm on an Azure River horse while you're on ordinary ones, can you keep up?"
"……."
Azure River horses could cover three thousand li in a day—legendary steeds even famed warhorses couldn't match.
They nodded at my practical reasoning.
Now for the emotional part.
"Truth be told, from the moment they submitted to me, I decided to give them to you all. This is the least I can do for those who work so hard for me. Please accept."
The warriors bowed deeply in unison, fists clasped.
"We will serve our lord with utmost loyalty henceforth."
The six guards and Palgap each selected an Azure River horse.
Their sparkling eyes and flushed cheeks said it all—they loved them.
Good, I'm glad.
With their speed and stamina, Beijing to Hubei would take just days now.
Suddenly, the horses whinnied, and Palgap and the guards shivered.
"Whoa, what's wrong all of a sudden?"
"It... feels like a chill wind."
"Got goosebumps out of nowhere."
How did they know what I was thinking?
Hmm. Anyway, I'd already given one to Sub-leader Bokyun as a wedding gift.
I'd threatened that Gold Spirit would make them pay if they let him get hurt while riding it.
That left nine.
One each for the six guards, Palgap, and me—still one spare.
That one was for Lady Seo-hyang.
I considered giving it to Father, but he rarely rode.
Azure River horses needed to run hundreds of li monthly or they'd sicken.
My brothers? Only one horse, and Jeong-ho rarely rode anyway... Jin-ho would run wild with it.
So, Lady Seo-hyang it was.
She'd travel with me often—carrying her in front every time would be awkward.
"Horses selected?"
"Yes."
"Then let's depart."
I mounted. Palgap and the guards followed suit.
The view felt higher somehow.
"We'll be off then."
"Safe travels. And thank you again."
We exchanged farewells and galloped toward Beijing.
But.
"Whoa? Wh-whoa!"
"Eek! Why is it so fast?!"
"Ugh!"
The horses were faster than expected—like flying on lightness skill.
Adapting to this speed would take time.
And so,
We arrived in Beijing in a mere two days—a remarkable feat.
Remarkable... right?
We rested at night, or it'd have been one day nonstop.
"Sub-leader! You're back?"
"Yes."
"Your face looks pale."
"I'm fine."
Moving at lightness skill speed on foot versus horseback made a bigger difference than I'd thought.
Unlike our weary group, the Azure River horses looked refreshed.
"These aren't the horses from before. New ones."
"Freshly acquired. Stable them in the warmest spot. Feed them properly every meal, and give them sweets. Otherwise, they'll chew your hair."
"Understood."
After issuing instructions, I headed to my quarters.
"A bath, young master?"
"Yeah. You okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"The horses were insanely fast."
Palgap tilted his head.
While we suffered, he was not just fine—he was energetic.
The talent of a beast slayer?
What a peculiar guy.
After bathing, I reached my office.
Creak.
The moment I opened the door.
"Eek! Watch out!"
Lady Seo-hyang's scream accompanied an avalanche of documents crashing toward me.
"A-Are all these things I have to handle?"
She nodded gravely.
"……."
Ah... why are my eyes tearing up?