-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: The Murong Family's Scoundrel Fiancé - 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The office of the Leader of the Changbong Guard.
Various household items were scattered haphazardly there. If the assigned maids had seen it, someone would have cleaned up, but currently, the Changbong Guard had no dedicated maids.
The carelessly strewn items, the empty training ground visible from the office, and the dust piled on the furniture made it clear that the Changbong Guard was slated for disbandment.
In the office, Murong Sang-ah, the master of the Changbong Guard, brushed off a bit of dust piled on a furniture with her finger and spoke to the Leader of the Changbong Guard.
"Still no news?"
That man she never wanted to see again had arrived.
In the end, hoping the situation would not come to this, Murong Sang-ah had come here seeking new information.
"There's still no contact from the Joseon official who was our only source of information."
"Is there no other way to get news?"
"We've inquired everywhere, but Joseon is wary of foreigners, making it difficult to obtain news from within Joseon."
"Was the evidence too weak, perhaps?"
The fake evidence of treason sent to the Joseon official regarding the Kang Family was, in truth, rather scant in quantity. Because of that, there was a definite possibility that even if the evidence was seen, the Joseon court might not act.
"Though the quantity was small, we included evidence that looked decisive. They will surely act."
"If it's too late, that evidence will tighten around my own neck."
Once the first night after the wedding ceremony was consummated, everything would be over. After that, if the Kang Family was implicated in treason, Murong Sang-ah would not be safe either.
The throwing dagger cast to harm another could turn back towards oneself. A shadow momentarily crossed Murong Sang-ah's face.
"I heard there definitely was movement, so you should hear news soon. Though it's late, please do not worry."
"I was more confident than anyone in waiting for an opponent's opening during a spar… but waiting for news is truly agonizing."
"It was an absurd marriage from the start. Sending a daughter off to marry a foreigner? Doesn't the Young Master, and even the Council of Elders, know what shame is?"
In the old days, when one spoke of martial arts families, the Murong Family was one whose prestige was so great it could be called the Murong Family. However, now, its martial power, wealth, influence—everything was not what it used to be.
Nowadays, it was treated as one or two steps below other martial arts families like the Namgung Family, the Zhuge Family, the Sichuan Dang Family, and the Hebei Peng Family in every aspect.
Gossips often openly chattered that the gap would only widen with each passing day. Yet, amidst this, a chance for a turnaround had coincidentally come to the Murong Family.
'I, Kang So-and-so, have received a life-saving favor from the Family Head of the Murong Family!'
Family Head Murong Cheon had coincidentally saved Kang Yun-ho's father, who was on a business trip, from a band of horse thieves.
Having received this life-saving favor, Kang Yun-ho's father became close friends with Murong Cheon, who was then the Young Master of the Murong Family.
Jurchen horse thieves, Greenwood Bandits, corrupt officials… The ginseng smuggling trade had to pass through numerous hurdles.
The cooperation between the Joseon Kang Family, which had wealth but no martial power, and the Murong Family, which had lost its former glory and retained only martial power, was perhaps inevitable.
Through a protection contract with the Kang Family, Murong Cheon laid the foundation to revive the declining Murong Family. However, it was still far lacking compared to other families.
Then, suddenly, Murong Cheon fell into unconsciousness.
The contract with the Kang Family existed purely due to the relationship between Murong Cheon and Kang Yun-ho's father. What if Murong Cheon were to die just like that?
Having barely laid the foundation for revival, they could lose it all just like that. A sense of unease swirled among the bloodline members of the Murong Family.
It was then that Young Master Murong Bi presented a solution to the situation.
'If the bond formed by a life-saving favor is in danger of ending, then wouldn't becoming an even greater bond—family—be the answer?'
Thus, the marriage alliance between Murong Sang-ah and Kang Yun-ho came to be.
Of course, it was an open secret that this allowed Murong Bi to eliminate his sister and political rival, Murong Sang-ah, and solidify his position as Young Master.
"The Demonic Cult is backing my brother. Removing me from power and obtaining the Kang Family's wealth must be the Demonic Cult's plan."
"Young Lady. It's not too late even now. I will rush to the Martial Alliance and inform them that the Murong Family has fallen for the Demonic Cult's temptation."
"Absolutely not."
When the Demonic Cult runs rampant, the Martial Alliance confronts it. This was a fact even the children of the Central Plains clearly knew.
But the reality was different.
In truth, the Martial Alliance was not an organization united for some grand justice. It was merely an interest group gathered for their own benefit. They only opposed the Demonic Cult because it harmed their interests.
What would happen if news that Murong Bi had become a lackey of the Demonic Cult was reported to such a Martial Alliance?
Contrary to Murong Sang-ah's intention to gather forces and evidence to excise only the rotten parts of the Murong Family, the Murong Family would be disbanded. And all the profits coming to Liaodong Fortress would be distributed among other sects under the Martial Alliance.
A family's problems are solved by the family. This was the absolute principle in this matter.
"Then what should we do…"
"Young Lady, you were here!"
One of Murong Sang-ah's personal maids hurriedly came looking for her at the Changbong Guard.
"What is it?" Murong Sang-ah responded.
"The Young Master sent me to fetch you to meet your fiancé."
"I told them I wouldn't go."
"That… He said if you don't come to the office now, the remaining members of the Changbong Guard should be prepared to end up on the streets."
"How could the Young Master say such a thing!!"
The Leader of the Changbong Guard was shocked, his eyes widening. Was he now openly threatening them? Swallowing her anger, Murong Sang-ah spoke to the maid.
".... I need to freshen up. Tell him I'll be there soon."
"If you come with me, I can help you quickly!"
"I'm sorry."
The Leader of the Changbong Guard spoke with a pained expression. They, who should be helping, had instead become hostages. Burdened by guilt, the Leader could not continue.
".... Let me know if any new news arrives."
With that, Murong Sang-ah returned to freshen up.
-----
It was an even more unpleasant meeting than before.
After meeting her fiancé for the first time in a while and returning to her room, Murong Sang-ah thought so.
A man drowning in inferiority who made the wrong choice, and a man who looked down on others with wealth he hadn't built himself. Calling each other brother-in-law and elder brother already—they truly were a well-matched pair of in-laws.
Someday, the day would surely come when she herself would marry. Although she was called a martial maniac in the Murong Family, Murong Sang-ah was not without a maiden's heart.
What kind of man would she marry?
A love with a young swordsman met during her travels would also be wonderful. A noble son from another family would surely be fine too. Marriage to a scholar in white who attained an official position wouldn't be bad either. She'd have to work hard to be a supportive wife.
What about a chivalrous person who would save her from a great crisis?
She would surely fall in love.
Though she hadn't thought about it often due to being engrossed in martial arts training, she could confidently assert that marriage to a man like that was not among those imaginings.
'Are you saying you held onto that one joke and are now pettily seeking revenge?'
He had treated a woman of the Murong Family like a mere courtesan, yet shifted the responsibility for it onto her. Recalling the recent events, Murong Sang-ah bit her lip in anger.
'Why? If it wasn't a joke, were you going to draw the sword at your side?'
She wanted to cut him down. That despicable smile, the eyes full of nothing but arrogance on a subject of no importance, the tongue that calmly wounded people. She wanted to cut off the very head that contained all of that.
But she couldn't cut him down.
The moment she cut, Murong Bi would take everything from her. As the Demonic Cult wished, her father would pass away, and all her people would die or end up on the streets.
But maintaining composure was too difficult in the face of Kang Yun-ho's powerful provocation. Therefore, Murong Sang-ah decided to compromise her emotions by slightly threatening her fiancé.
The resulting bright red cheek mark. Murong Bi's demonic arts instantly neutralized Murong Sang-ah's internal energy and left a mark on her cheek.
Murong Sang-ah looked in the mirror and lightly touched her reddened cheek.
"Ow!"
Pain spreading from where her finger touched. It was shallow but clearly inflicted by demonic energy. Normally, a wound of this degree would heal quickly for a martial artist like Murong Sang-ah, but demonic energy was a different story. It would probably remain until just before the wedding.
She wanted revenge on the two men.
Looking at her own cheek reflected in the mirror, Murong Sang-ah thought so. But there was nothing Murong Sang-ah could do now.
Only waiting for good news to fly in from Joseon and studying the books that man had handed over.
There were two books said to contain Joseon customs.
Written on the cover titles were:
'Joseon Women's Conduct Guide'
'Joseon Folktale Collection'
The 'Joseon Folktale Collection' seemed to be a book compiling folktales, but what did that have to do with studying Joseon customs? It seemed better to first read the seemingly more important 'Joseon Women's Conduct Guide.'
Murong Sang-ah first opened the Joseon Women's Conduct Guide.
[When a woman in Joseon seduces a man, she says, 'Won't you have some noodles before you go?' This originates from the reality of Joseon where wheat flour is precious, seducing him to enjoy the pleasure of clouds and rain with her after eating the precious wheat flour.]
[Another method is to say, 'Won't you come to my house and have the most precious thing?' then invite the man and say, 'That's actually me,' or 'Won't you come see the cutest cat in my house?' then invite him home and say, 'Meow.']
[Subtle Chest Press. The act of intentionally pressing one's chest against the husband while walking arm-in-arm. It can improve the husband's mood while walking together and simultaneously seduce him. However, since there aren't many married women with enough volume to perform this act, it's best done only by those who can.]
[How should one comfort a distressed husband? It's fine to act cute for him or hug him. However, the most comforting words for a depressed husband are, 'Want to touch my breasts?']
"What in the world is this...."
Murong Sang-ah had only just seen the beginning, yet she already felt dizzy.