Peng Yuwol
Case No. Gapshin07-9025 (Gapshin = Jia-Shen, the 21st year in the sexagenary cycle)
Category: Fire
Cause: Arson
Fatalities: Chu Sogwang (age 38) 1
Estimated time of death: Unknown
Incident of the Chu Border State fire
Chu Sogwang—betrothed to Peng Yuwol (21)—was found dead in his own quarters days before their wedding. The origin of the fire is presumed to be his room; investigators initially classified it as an accidental fire.
After the incident, his father Chu Sogyeong discovered two stab wounds on the body, and Peng Yuwol was presumed the primary suspect. However, a clear testimony from a Border State servant—stating that Chu Sogwang himself had kept Peng Yuwol in the room—led to her removal from the suspect list.
It is now believed he was killed by an assassin hired amid disputes over the Border State’s expansion.
Note: Case Gapshin08-1295, Chu Sogyeong’s suicide by poison—presumed voluntary out of grief over his son’s death.
“Every time I come here, it’s magnificent.”
“It is, isn’t it? Heh, little knight. You know how to appreciate scenery.”
The young man in a bamboo hat leaned back in a small skiff, trusting the boatman as he admired the river. The Yangtze (the Yangtze River) stretched so wide its banks were invisible, its surface calm as warm sunlight.
“Little knight, you said you’re from Anhui Province (Anhui)? Then you must know about the justice incident that shook the province.”
“Justice incident?”
“You know, that massive fire three months ago. The whole Chu Border State burned down.”
“…Ah, I’ve heard of it. But they call it the justice incident?”
The boatman cleared his throat before explaining with a grin.
“Wherever Chu set foot, he bled people dry. The Border State’s thugs extorted protection money from merchants, bullies posing as soldiers. On the day Chu Sogwang died, the street vendors raised silent toasts.”
“I know of it, but I didn’t know that was called the justice incident.”
“Of course not. Threatening and marrying off a girl barely half his age, then dying—served him right. Who marries a daughter’s age?”
“Tsk tsk.”
The youth chuckled at the ripples on the water like any young man his age.
“The Peng daughter fared better. With both the Border State’s lord and young lord dead, who inherits? Surely Peng Yuwol.”
“All the estate goes to Peng Yuwol? Hah. Lucky her.”
The youth’s sneer widened. The boatman wagged a finger.
“Little knight, even if he’s a guest, that’s no way to speak.”
“They never wed. Yet he got the Cheonhwan Pill and all the Border State’s wealth in exchange for a one-sided contract. If she never marries, she’ll go down in history as the virtuous widow who honored her betrothed to the grave.”
“You truly don’t know how the inheritance passed to her?”
The youth stiffened, lips tightening. The boatman laughed and patted his belly.
“I’ve heard she’s with child by Chu Sogwang.”
“Thank you for your hospitality, Great Knight.”
“We cannot mistreat officials from the capital. I am Peng Iwang.”
As patriarch of the Peng Clan, Peng Iwang welcomed two envoys from the central government—one a stern inspector, the other a martial officer of the Gold Guard, his arm trimmed with gold braid.
“I ask plainly: did you hire an assassin to kill Chu Sogwang?”
“Sir!”
The Gold Guard officer scolded the inspector for speaking so bluntly, yet Peng Iwang shook his head and pounded his breast in oath.
“I, Peng Iwang—known as Crimson Cleaver—swear it did not happen.”
“Even if not the patriarch, could a clan member have done it?”
“Inspector!”
“No, Senior Shin. The inspector speaks truly.”
Peng Iwang fell silent as Shin Chang, one of the Gold Guard’s top three masters, cautioned the inspector. The inspector, unbowed, continued:
“You must admit some of your retainers ran wild. To save you, they married a 21-year-old girl to a 38-year-old man. Fortunately the contract wasn’t consummated, but…”
“What are you implying, inspector?”
“Either another ordered the hit, or Peng Yuwol herself did.”
Bang!
Struck by rage, Peng Iwang slammed his fist on the table.
“Even so, there are limits! Do you think the Peng Clan would stoop to assassination? Better a riot than such base treachery!”
Shocked, the inspector winced, then abruptly knelt, head bowed.
“Forgive my insolence.”
“Eh?”
“Please sit, Patriarch. I will apologize. This man has a special gift.”
The inspector covered his eyes. In the darkness of his iris, a pattern like a Taiji symbol (Taiji, the Supreme Ultimate principle) glowed faintly.
“I sought to see both black and white. Patriarch, you are the white, Senior Shin the black.”
“Black… white? What do you mean?”
“That is confidential. I will explain after this concludes. Now, please summon Lady Peng Yuwol.”
Though bewildered, Peng Iwang complied. He called for his niece.
“Yuwol.”
“…”
Peng Yuwol, clad in white silk, entered and seated herself beside her uncle. The inspector shot Peng Iwang a glance of dismissal, but Peng Iwang crossed his arms and held his ground.
“Take a deep breath. Lady Peng, you must answer truthfully.”
“Of course.”
Peng Yuwol did not lower her gaze. Watching her niece stand tall before those two—her uncle’s heart clenched.
“On the day of the incident, where were you?”
“I was in my room, asleep. To be precise, I was unconscious.”
“Unconscious? Who struck you?”
“I fainted from exhaustion, after making love with the late young lord.”
Cough!
Shin Chang spit out his tea. Peng Iwang fretted at Peng Yuwol’s honesty; the inspector pressed on.
“Witnesses were your servants. Understood. Next question: is there proof the child you bear is Chu Sogwang’s?”
“You scoundrel!”
Peng Iwang drew his sword and aimed it at the inspector’s throat. Even Shin Chang could not protest, wiping sweat from his brow.
“So eager for death?”
“Patriarch, please restrain yourself.”
“Yuwol! That is an insult to you and to the Peng Clan!”
“That is his job. He is only doing it.”
Peng Yuwol smiled and clasped her uncle’s sleeve. Peng Iwang sank back, overcome.
“…Thank you, niece.”
“Not to say his question was polite. It insulted me, the Peng Clan, and the deceased young lord.”
From her bosom she withdrew a sealed letter. The inspector and Shin Chang read it, faces turning ashen.
“Huh… how…”
“The Border State was under Demonic Sect extortion. The late young lord sought to escape their shadow by forging ties with us—hence this alliance and marriage plan to outwit them…”
Peng Yuwol faltered. Silence fell over the room as truth unfurled from the letter.
It told of unjust threats from the Demonic Sect, a man awakened to righteousness by love, whose life, though brief, deserved respect.
“But this letter alone isn’t proof,” the inspector said. Peng Yuwol nodded gravely.
“True. A woman bearing a stranger’s child who inherits a vast estate—one could imagine other scenarios.”
“What proof do you offer?”
“Evidence that the Border State’s hidden vault accepted me as its mistress.”
“S…show us.”
Peng Iwang beat his breast in anguish. The inspector’s words had crossed every line; Shin Chang looked torn between duty and loyalty.
“This may suffice.” Peng Yuwol placed a hand on her lower abdomen and spoke with quiet authority.
“I know the vault’s formation. The young lord took me there once. He said I need only recall the vault and walk straight to enter.”
“Hmm.”
The inspector and Shin Chang exchanged glances. Their doubt dissolved into certainty.
“That is enough. All Border State assets will pass to Lady Peng Yuwol and her heir. Forgive our earlier accusations.”
“Ahem. Yuwol, are you all right? Accepting this means…”
“Yes. I will bear and raise the child.”
At her firm words, the three men went pale. No matter the clan’s power, raising a child alone is no small task.
“Though brief, I believe our bond will be renewed in time.”
In her eyes gleamed unwavering conviction.
“And so, thanks to Lady Peng Yuwol, the patriarch lives, and the Border State’s wealth all became hers!”
“Is that so? So they call it the justice incident?”
“They do, little knight. Do you think his misdeeds were few? He even summoned a courtesan resembling Peng Yuwol.”
“Hoho. What became of that courtesan?”
“They say with the Border State’s fall, patrons vanished. But where there were warriors, there were customers—only the business changed.”
The youth smirked; the boatman shivered at the uncanny laughter.
“Ahem. So why are you heading there?”
“You wonder?”
Their skiff approached the harbor. The youth produced a silver coin and laid it on the deck.
“I’ve come to see the flowers. The Flower of the Ten Thousand Sects.”
“…Flowers? Is there such a flower among the Demonic Sect?”
“Why, isn’t there someone said to inherit Zhang Sanfeng’s Taiji Enlightenment Sword?”
“Kup—hah hah! Little knight, your jest goes too far. If such a person existed, wouldn’t I know? Heh, just teasing.”
The youth tilted his head, then masked his face and chuckled softly.
“Heh heh, no. I jest. Actually, I follow my master’s orders. He told me to go farm.”
“Farm?”
“Indeed.”
He spread his arms toward the broad Yangtze and laughed.
“I shall sow my seed across the world.”