Episode 85

A punishment for one serves as a warning to a hundred.

Moyong Sang-ah demonstrated her rightful authority and the martial prowess to back it up, setting a precedent.

Since the Moyong Family aligned with the righteous factions, they refrained from shedding blood. The basis for any opposition vanished with a single incident.

The businesses of the Kang family, which had been resisting Moyong Sang-ah, ceased their opposition and began to capitulate.

The acquisition of the remaining businesses of the Kang family was swiftly finalized without further violence, thanks to that pivotal example.

“Chief steward! Pay extra attention to the budget for Sang-ah.”

“Yes, young family head. I will ensure it gradually weakens her.”

The challenge Moyong Sang-ah faced was ultimately rooted in financial power.

Moyong Bi, the young family head, wielded the true power within the family and appointed someone from the Demonic Sect as the chief steward.

All financial flows within the Moyong Family were redirected towards Moyong Bi, leaving only a nominal budget for Moyong Sang-ah.

A budget that seemed designed to make her slowly wither away. However, the situation had now changed.

“We will expand our forces using the funds from the businesses.”

Moyong Sang-ah began to actively support those who had stood by her during her times of hardship.

She offered new positions, increased salaries, provided nourishing medicines, and even took care of the families that her subordinates were responsible for.

“I will serve you with unwavering loyalty!”

Naturally, the loyalty that was already present was further solidified by the improved conditions.

“There are two suns in the Moyong Family. I will ensure everyone recognizes this.”

The existing facilities were adequate for operating Changbongdae, but insufficient to support a new sun.

Moyong Sang-ah expanded her living quarters as well as the space for Changbongdae and her forces, to match that of the young family head’s residence.

“Damn woman. She’s really rotten with money.”

Moyong Bi approached her and threw venom-filled words, but she did not respond.

The expansion project costs a tremendous amount of money, but in the end, it’s an expansion for the Moyong Family.

Behind the scenes, members of the Moyong Family murmured that Moyong Sang-ah was stepping forward to confront Moyong Bi, but they couldn’t openly stop her.

“Miss, the reinforcement of Changbongdae has been completed.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Moyong Sang-ah spent money not only on buildings.

She generously scattered money, inviting numerous martial artists as guests, and some were incorporated into her Changbongdae.

This included masters of the martial arts world whom she had secretly sought help from.

一 The reason some things can’t be bought is merely because sufficient money hasn’t been offered.

Even the masters of the martial world, who wouldn’t budge at earnest requests under the guise of martial ethics or cooperation, showed greedy eyes in front of gold and came under her.

Moyong Sang-ah bitterly laughed as she mulled over this fact.

‘Husband, I’ve come this far with your help.’

Moyong Sang-ah recalled the face of her husband engraved in her heart.

Now she can finally start making steps toward seeking his forgiveness.

Preparations to counterattack the despicable minions of the Demonic Sect were underway.

Moyong Sang-ah thought so.

“Miss, I have something to tell you.”

The leader of Changbongdae had a look that seemed to say a very dismal story was waiting before he even spoke.

“What is it?”

“The barbarians in the northeast have caused an uprising, and the royal family has requested support from the Moyong Family to suppress it.”

“And?”

“It’s that… the Council of Elders has decided to draft most of the personnel from Changbongdae.”

“What did you say?”

People often said that the martial world was immune to official interference.

It meant the government refrained from interfering in the martial world’s affairs. However, this only extended to allowing sects and families to cause minor disturbances within their territories, not to defy the emperor outright.

The troops were being mobilized to quell the barbarian uprising in the northeast.

No martial family can disregard the royal command. Given the royal family’s tendency to exploit martial artists at their whim, it’s difficult for the conscripted troops to return unscathed.

After considerable deliberation, the Moyong Family’s Council of Elders reached a conclusion.

If returning unscathed was unlikely, then it’s acceptable to send troops whose return was not expected.

Even elite troops who were beyond reproach.

“I came because they’re drafting Changbongdae.”

The Council of Elders of the Moyong Family.

Upon hearing the news, Moyong Sang-ah immediately sought out the Council of Elders alongside the leader of Changbongdae.

“The decision has been made. It cannot be reversed.”

“It’s not the Council’s decision, but my brother’s, right?”

The Family Head required the Council’s approval for major family decisions. However, the current Council fully supported the Family Head.

“Ha! How audacious!”

“What sort of behavior is this towards the family elders!”

“Do you think we merely allowed your Changbongdae to be strengthened?”

“Was that permission? I thought I was replenishing your storerooms at my own expense.”

Moyong Sang-ah sneered, ridiculing the Council.

“……”

The elders, taken aback by Moyong Sang-ah’s bold statement, silently exchanged glances, questioning if the others had also received benefits.

‘Despicable, incompetent snakes.’

Moyong Sang-ah regarded the bribe-accepting elders with a cold gaze that made them squirm.

She found it hard to believe her father had trusted such individuals to lay the foundation for the family’s resurgence.

“Cough. Regardless, the decision stands. It cannot be altered.”

“I didn’t come to change it.”

She knew she couldn’t refuse the royal family’s request, no matter what she said.

“So?”

Moyong Sang-ah looked at the Council of Elders, waiting for an answer.

Old fools blinded by greed, not realizing the family was rotting away.

She wanted to tear them apart right then and there. However, doing so would only lead to self-destruction without achieving revenge against the cunning Demonic Sect.

To oppose Moyong Bi, she had to throw bait to these despicable, greedy vipers and make them her allies.

‘I must do as my husband did.’

Her husband came to her, risking his life, entering the tiger’s mouth for her sake.

Although he did not learn martial arts and had no power, he deceived Moyong Bi, the lackey of the detestable Demonic Sect, and obtained what he wanted.

What was in his heart when he came here? She still dared not presume to understand his intentions.

In contrast, she had the power to obtain what she wanted from these despicable beings.

The overwhelming power left by him.

After a brief pause, Moyong Sang-ah spoke up.

“Give me back the right to participate in the family’s decision-making.”

What Moyong Sang-ah aimed for was the right to participate in the family’s decision-making in the absence of the family head.

“Ha! Are you trying to vie for the position of Family Head again?”

“I’m not asking for the Family Head position. Just give back what the Council took without my father’s decision.”

“Ha! To give that back, we’d have to consult with the Family Head.”

Why should they go through such trouble? Moyong Sang-ah could read such thoughts on the faces of the Council of Elders.

Now was the time to wield the power she had received from him.

“This month, I’ll fill the storerooms of the elders twice as much.”

“It might be worth discussing with the Family Head…”

“Cough. It’s a bit… to set ourselves against the Family Head.”

Her bold announcement started a buzz among the elders.

“It seems greed increases with age.”

She quietly scorned the family’s greedy old men.

“What is this now!”

“How rude!”

“Four times.”

“What?”

“I’ll take care of you so much you’ll have trouble. If you dislike that, from the next day on, consider it as managing your weight.”

Four times the amount or none at all.

The Council of Elders, greedy as they might be, were not so foolish as to miss her point.

No one could criticize her brazen attitude at the mention of four times the amount of bribery.

She was no longer the girl who meekly begged them; she had become the feeder controlling them.

The Council of Elders eventually accepted Moyong Sang-ah’s proposal, along with an additional one.

“Miss, you’ve worked hard.”

In Moyong Sang-ah’s office, the leader of Changbongdae looked at her with a moved expression.

“Organize the expedition with the vice-commander and the elites.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to form it with the new recruits from outside?”

The leader of Changbongdae was puzzled by her words, thinking it better to use those lured by money into Changbongdae as expendable troops.

“We’re going with Changryongdae’s 5th team, so we need loyal ones.”

“Isn’t the 5th team of Changryongdae composed of Demonic Sect followers secretly brought in by the Family Head? May I know why you made an additional proposal to the Council of Elders to draft them?”

The 5th team of Changryongdae was officially a new unit formed by the Family Head, but in reality, most were from the Demonic Sect.

There weren’t any masters conspicuous enough in the Demonic Sect’s martial arts to infiltrate the Moyong Family, but in an emergency, they could be a significant force for Moyong Bi.

However, as they were formally considered expendable by the Moyong Family, the Council of Elders, unaware of their true identity, agreed to their drafting.

“When you go on the expedition, find a suitable time to drive them all to death.”

In the battlefield, there will be plenty of opportunities to kill them.

For example, deliberately ignoring their calls for help when surrounded by barbarians or ambushing the injured Changryongdae on their way back.

If Moyong Bi attempted to reduce her own forces, she would prefer to eliminate the secret forces that Moyong Bi has prepared.

“Miss, I agree that the 5th team needs to be dealt with. However, if you kill all of Changryongdae, people will point fingers at you.”

If one of the two forces that set off together is annihilated, especially when both forces were hostile to each other, rumors of a conspiracy will arise.

“Finger-pointing. I’m not afraid of that at all.”

If she can achieve her goal, it doesn’t matter what people say. Moyong Sang-ah brushed it off as if it were nothing significant.

“Miss, trust is important if you wish to reclaim the family. You have more than enough wealth now. You can slowly build your power. You should think about the future.”

There’s no need to shed blood unnecessarily; opportunities will come when the time is right.

“Trust. Morality. The future. Could I reclaim this family with such things? I laid the foundation to rise again through conspiracy, bribery, and murder.”

For the person she loved. For the family of the person she loved.

Moyong Sang-ah unconsciously fiddled with the ring on her left finger, pierced by a sense of guilt.

“Miss…”

Why proceed as if everything would end once the family was reclaimed? The leader of Changbongdae couldn’t bring himself to voice the thought that came to his throat.

“I will only trust you, leader of Changbongdae.”

“I will go now and start organizing the troops.”

In the end, the leader of Changbongdae had no choice but to respond with faith in his sovereign.

Moyong Sang-ah watched the departing leader of Changbongdae until the very end.

Having someone who can speak the truth was always necessary.

Not to follow the right path, but to look at it once and then, despite the criticism, seek a better one.

After half of Changbongdae, along with the 5th team of Changryongdae, was drafted and left,

The leader of Changbongdae approached Moyong Sang-ah.

“Miss, I have news to share with you.”

“What is it?”

“……”

Should he really say this?

The leader of Changbongdae hesitated for a moment as he looked at Moyong Sang-ah, who was now emerging not just as a warrior but as a potential family head.

“There’s a lot to be done. Speak quickly if you have something to say.”

“It’s about… News has arrived regarding Kang Yun-ho.”