NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4
The item found in the dowry list was a metal that appeared in the game.
Zhangbai Silver
Just hearing the name makes you want to drink a bowl of national pride soup. The description of this fundamentally baseless metal was vague at best.
Zhangbai Mountain. That’s the name given to Baekdu Mountain in China. Zhangbai Silver is silver mined from Zhangbai Mountain and has properties that react to demonic energy.
If you craft a sword plated with this silver, it deals extra damage to cultists. If made into accessories, it becomes a detection item for identifying those tainted by evil.
In a nutshell, it’s a fantasy elemental metal from Baekdu Mountain.
Indeed, it’s Zhangbai Mountain. A symbol of national pride in martial arts!
In a place where the Great Immortal of Joseon and the Ghost Dog Warrior frolic, and the monsters of Zhangbai Mountain debate the world’s strongest. What could possibly be missing? Eventually, the heavens and earth will split, and Chiwoo will emerge here.
To think it would be here.
Is it because it’s a Joseon metal?
If I have this, I can secure the ‘plausibility’ in my plan.
“Dolsoi,”
“Yes, young master.”
“Go get some Zhangbai Silver from the dowry.”
The moment he heard that, Dolsoi, who was holding the reins below, had an expression that seemed to say, “Is this guy even human?”
“Young master, if we steal that, both of us will die.”
“No, I’m not using it.”
“Right. There’s no way you’d use that. Some high-class courtesan in some brothel will probably use it.”
Seriously, does this guy think I look like the type to do that?
Hmm… As I rummaged through my memories, I realized I had indeed snuck out plenty of precious items from the storage.
Handing over silver coins, peeling off layers in the chest, handing over gold coins, peeling off layers below.
“Courtesans sell dreams, not their bodies.” For the noble courtesan, I’d first put rings on all ten fingers and then say again, “You’ll be spending the night in my chamber.”
“…”
Her finely-featured face trembled slightly at the corners of her eyes. How could a courtesan so rare get such exquisite rings?
“Hmmm, are you hesitant?”
Then, I would slip one of the rings off her finger.
“Since you hesitated, now it’s down to nine. You’ll be spending the night in my chamber.”
But if she hesitated again, I’d take one more off, making it eight.
“sigh…”
Capture complete.
Wow, the more I sift through my memories, the more impressive I realize I was. My life was basically one big flex.
Just recollecting memories with women would put some adult videos to shame. I was the master of seduction.
“Oppa, don’t joke! Do you really like me? Ah… damn it, really.”
Suddenly, painful memories rushed back. But what’s the point of digging up old wounds?
With so many sins weighing on me, I couldn’t offer an explanation to Dolsoi and stated my purpose directly.
“I’m not stealing it; I want to give it to my fiancée.”
“Zhangbai Silver? It’s supposed to be sent to the in-laws anyway, right?”
Dolsoi seemed to question my odd explanation.
“No. I want to gift a ring made of that silver. The dowry is from the family, not something I’m giving.”
“If you steal it and give it to her, isn’t it basically the same as giving it from the family?”
“It’s different because my sincerity is involved, you idiot. Enough chit-chat; ask my name and retrieve the Zhangbai Silver. Then, go to the most famous artisan in Yodong Province and ask him to craft a ring for me.”
“Getting it out isn’t the problem, but I don’t really know this area.”
“There are plenty of people who came here as attendants with my father, so they’ll know. Make it happen as my order.”
“Understood. Please hold the reins again.”
With that, Dolsoi handed over the reins.
“It needs to be made before entering Murong Family. I’m counting on you.”
If this goes well, it can add substantial plausibility to my plan. I earnestly asked.
“Wow! You’re really asking me because you’re getting married! I’ll make sure to do it!”
Dolsoi smiled and headed toward the dowry carriage.
It better go smoothly.
—————————————
At Murong Family’s heart.
There was a woman looking at the sky through a window imbued with moonlight.
The full moon was beautiful, but it couldn’t compare to her appearance.
Even if she washed her hair daily in wormwood water, it wouldn’t look as soft as her chestnut tresses.
As the gentle breeze brushed her hair, her fragrance spread faintly, like flowers.
Despite her incredible beauty, reflected in the moonlight, her face seemed to have a touch of sorrow.
Her name was
Murong Sang-a.
She was Kang Yoon-ho’s fiancée.
“Miss.”
The Great Lord of Spear Peak, leading Murong Sang-a’s guard unit, knelt as he called to her.
“Has he arrived?”
Murong Sang-a continued to gaze at the sky as she spoke.
“Yes. He’s said to have arrived within a day’s distance.”
“Is there no response to the letter sent to the high officials of Joseon?”
“I’ve heard there were movements from Joseon’s court. However…”
“It’s impossible before the wedding.”
“… Yes.”
The Great Lord’s sorrowful voice poured forth.
“In the end… we cannot stop it. Yes, the night is deep. Please go inside.”
“Miss, I have one more thing to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“Half of the Spear Peak Band was disbanded today, and the remaining half is scheduled to disband a few days after your wedding.”
Azure Dragon and Spear Peak. The name of the guard unit created by Murong Bi and Murong Sang-a’s father to protect their children, who are candidates for the head of the family.
With the head of the family now in a coma, the disbandment of one of the units meant that one side’s power was completely over.
“How could that be possible without my permission?”
“It was decided with the proposal of the Acting Head of Family, the Deputy Head, and the approval of the council of direct blood relatives.”
“Brother, you’ve made a firm resolution. Alright, I’ll keep that in mind for now.”
Murong Sang-a calmly replied without once turning her head toward the Great Lord.
“Okay. I shall take my leave now.”
Even in such a situation, the young miss remained composed. The Great Lord thought as he withdrew.
However, had the Great Lord seen Murong Sang-a’s face, he would not have thought so. Her countenance trembled with fury, rippling like the calm surface of a moonlit pond disturbed.
The problem began with the successor competition within the Murong Family.
Murong Cheon was the head of the Murong Family who had led its revival and was a person firmly supported by the council and the family members. He also received praise from the people for not remarrying while grieving for his deceased wife.
When this head decided to give both his son and daughter a chance to lead the family, few opposed it.
Thus began the competition for the successor.
They say there’s no tiger without its cub. Indeed, both siblings began to absorb Murong Family’s martial arts and evolved in both civil and martial aspects.
However, if Murong Bi was the one who had the tiger’s ambition, then Murong Sang-a was the dragon. Even with a five-year age gap, she stood shoulder to shoulder with her older brother, who had just reached adulthood at 15.
At 16, she first defeated Murong Bi after a half-day match and, at 17, won again after a half-day test. By 18, she only needed an hour! And that too was in an overt display of concession from Murong Sang-a.
At 19, Murong Bi no longer dared to compete with Murong Sang-a.
And to become the successor, Murong Bi chose a path other than training.
“My father collapsed.”
No healer could revive his father’s consciousness. And since his younger sister was still young, he decided to take the role of Acting Head until his father regained consciousness.
Immediately, he dismissed Bun, his father’s long-time friend and Head of Guards. Then, he began to invite strong warriors from the outside.
There was some opposition, but as he started inviting talented fighters that were unquestionable in strength, such objections began to fade away.
Moreover, relatives who had supported him began to suspiciously vanish or turn against him one by one. But even then, he never suspected it was connected to his older brother.
As unfortunate events occurred steadily around him, he focused diligently on martial arts training to forget the misfortunes.
Eventually, it wasn’t until he could no longer train mindlessly that he realized. This incident must involve his brother.
He demanded a public duel with his older brother.
To beat him senseless and force the truth out.
Before the council, blood relatives, family members, and retainers—everyone from the Murong Family stood witness as he faced his brother.
His brother couldn’t be publicly criticized, but…
He was overwhelmingly defeated.
“Hahahahahaha! Truly a sorry sight!! Just admit your defeat!!”
Laughter burst from deep within his chest, feeling the exhilarating release. No matter how much he poured out his abilities, he could not triumph over his brother. That day, he accepted defeat.
With that defeat, the factions that relied on his talent sustained devastating blows.
But instead, he found clues.
On that day, he sensed the energy his brother wielded.
It was demonic energy from the Demonic Cult.
He focused on gathering evidence through the Great Lord and a few trusted allies. But it was already too late. His brother had sold himself to a barbarian family.
“How much did you resent me, brother?”
The man his brother arranged for him was human trash. He treated even his fiancée like a courtesan, pure garbage.
Later, the rumors confirmed that calling him human trash was almost a compliment.
He indulged in alcohol and women, even striking his teachers who pressured him to study. He caused scandals everywhere, always trying to cover them up with money, never once apologizing.
He couldn’t marry such a man.
So, to implicate that family in rebellion, she sent false evidence to Joseon.
Though flimsy, they were a family that amassed wealth through smuggling. If they were investigated, they were bound to have skeletons in their closet.
This way, she could call off the engagement and buy herself some time. That was her plan.
“There’s not enough time.”
If the wedding takes place as it is, she would become an outsider.
The family would belong to her older brother, and her father might pass away, placing them under the influence of the Demonic Cult.
She had to find a way to delay things.
—-
“Young master, we’re almost a day away now.”
“Just a day to the underworld.”
As the Murong Family drew closer, a sense of despair continued to rise. Could this really succeed?
“Pardon?”
“There’s a saint who said marriage is the grave of life, you idiot. By that measure, I’m heading to the underworld.”
I quickly babbled.
“What grave? The person you’re marrying is so stunning that her beauty echoes from Yodong Province to Joseon. It’s not a grave; it’s a flower garden.”
“I don’t need such a flower garden. I’d rather eat ‘Matdongsan’ chips.”
The snack the father brought home, nestled inside a bag. “Dad, please bring home something other than Matdongsan.” He chuckled, but without fail, Matdongsan was always returned.
Those chips I never wanted to eat were still better.
“Pardon?”
“Never mind. But there’s a procession ahead approaching us; shouldn’t we stop them?”
In the distance, a procession of mounted warriors was approaching, raising clouds of dust.
“Stop! Stop!”
The head of the guard rushed ahead to halt the procession. As the dust settled, armed warriors appeared.
What’s this? A band of robbers? I have no idea how to wield a sword.
“We are the Gang family from Joseon. We were traveling for the marriage with Murong Family. State your identity!”
The head of the guard, along with a few members, boisterously revealed their identity to the opposing group.
Isn’t this a bit trivial? What are we saying?
Are you planning something bad against us? We’re from the well-known Gang family on Joseon—ever heard of us? No? Then how about the Murong Family? You better step aside if you can’t handle the backlash. Otherwise, we’ll make you meet the gates of the underworld. Something like that.
At that moment, a person appearing to be the representative of the opposing group spoke.
“Welcome. We are the direct royal guards of the head of the Murong Family. The Azure Dragon Terrace Guard. We have come to escort Master Kang Yoon-ho and his party.”
Ah.
So my entrance to the underworld has finally arrived.