Chapter 162: Time to Remove the Rose-Tinted Glasses
Chapter 162: Time to Remove the Rose-Tinted Glasses
The second round of the finals was underway.
As the field of thirty-two was whittled down to sixteen, the fervor surrounding the Young Dragon Tournament reached a fever pitch. Now, only the rising stars who had made names for themselves not just in their own provinces but across the neighboring regions remained.
"Well then, I’ll secure this victory for the Murim Alliance Leader!"
Seo Dae-ryong spoke as if joking, but his words carried the weight of his resolve.
His opponent this time was Lee Hyu of the Shandong Li Family. It was a clash of blade against blade. In fact, Seo Dae-ryong felt more confident about this duel than his previous one.
"It’s strange, but I feel more at ease facing a blade technique than any other martial art. I wonder why that is?"
Since he was currently being tutored in the blade techniques of the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, his understanding of the weapon was exceptionally high. Naturally, facing a blade felt more comfortable by comparison.
"It’s because you’re getting complacent, Young Master," I remarked.
"No, absolutely not!"
Seo Dae-ryong waved his hands in frantic denial. He had every right to feel wronged by the word 'complacent.' He was working as hard as a man born solely for the purpose of this tournament.
"You saw Lee Hyu fight, didn't you? He’s no pushover. Don't let your guard down."
"I understand."
Despite my warning, I expected Seo Dae-ryong to win this match. His opponent’s blade style was fundamentally disadvantaged against the techniques Dae-ryong had mastered.
Sure enough, just as I predicted, Seo Dae-ryong won without much difficulty. He descended from the sparring arena, waving to the cheering crowd of martial artists.
"I finally made it to the top eight!"
Now, Seo Dae-ryong would surely be selected for the Murim Alliance’s elite units.
"What a shame. You finally have a chance to live a new life."
"Do you want me to stay? If you remain as a spy, the Tongcheon Pavilion would welcome you with open arms."
"A spy?"
"Operating deep within enemy lines while concealing your identity. The brilliant mind who took top honors at Huangquan Pavilion! A top-tier spy who even possesses martial arts mastery! How about it?"
"Didn't you say the Murim Alliance Leader already knows the identity of both you and me, Pavilion Master?"
"You remembered that?"
"Don't even dream of leaving me behind! Being your right-hand man is better than any victory. Even if I won the World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament instead of the Young Dragon Tournament, I’d still prefer being your right hand."
"Is that really true?"
"Of course."
"Fine, then imagine this! You’ve become the greatest under heaven. Every martial artist in the Murim respects you. Would you still want to be my right hand?"
"Yes."
"Even the Demon Lords you fear so much smile when they see you. You accidentally step on the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon’s foot, and he says, 'It happens, would you like to step on the other one too?' Even then?"
"Yes! I’d still rather be your right hand."
"The beauties of the Jianghu are lining up just to meet you once. Even then?"
"Pavilion Master, you would still be dashing even if you were a one-armed martial artist."
I burst into laughter, and Seo Dae-ryong laughed along. Since he was currently more obsessed with martial arts than women, the joke landed well. Where could I possibly send someone as endearing as him?
"You’d better stay! If you ever leave, I’ll put Commander Jang in that right-hand spot immediately."
"Ah! Now that you mention giving it to someone else, I’m starting to have second thoughts."
With the grand achievement of Seo Dae-ryong reaching the quarterfinals, we left the arena.
* * *
The next day, as Jin Ha-ryeong was about to step onto the arena, her guard Chu Ho asked her a question.
"Are you perhaps feeling unwell anywhere?"
At his concerned tone, Jin Ha-ryeong turned her head.
"No. Why?"
"You seem to be in low spirits."
"Don't worry. It's nothing."
In truth, her mood was quite somber. Since the banquet hosted by her grandfather, she hadn't met with either Geom Yeon or Jo Sin.
For a man like Jo Sin, killing someone out of spite was trivial. If he killed without leaving evidence, he couldn't be held accountable even if suspected. And in this world, no one would care about the death of a mere servant.
She truly wanted to break Jo Sin until he begged for mercy. The only reason she couldn't was her grandfather. As long as he remained the Alliance Leader, he would be the one forced to clean up any mess she made. Right, endure it. Just endure.
She could tolerate Jo Sin, but there was something else she found harder to suppress. Human emotions were strange; she hadn't thought much of it when they could see each other freely, but now that they couldn't, she found herself missing him. What was there to like about an arrogant servant who constantly caught her off guard?
As she stepped onto the arena, cheers erupted from all sides.
"Beauty of Hubei! Jin Ha-ryeong! Beauty of Hubei! Jin Ha-ryeong!"
"Good luck, Miss Jin!"
"I adore you, Miss Jin!"
"You must win!"
"Let's eat noodles!"
"Take the championship, Miss Jin!"
She heard it clearly—that strange yet welcome phrase buried among the cheers. Her gaze swept across the crowd. Cheers erupted wherever her eyes landed. Those moved by the fact that the Beauty of Hubei was looking their way shouted her name until their throats were raw.
She found Geom Mu-geuk among them. Looking at him, she gave a single nod. It was the signal to eat noodles together.
That day, contrary to Chu Ho’s worries, she displayed more brilliant skill than ever before. Her sword was swift and precise, and her footwork was nothing short of elegant. With a flamboyant victory that drove the spectators wild, she too advanced to the quarterfinals.
* * *
Geom Mu-geuk was already waiting at the inn.
"Congratulations on your victory."
Instead of accepting the congratulations, Jin Ha-ryeong spoke firmly.
"We shouldn't meet."
"And why is that?"
"Do you really have to ask? It's because you'll be in danger."
"Then why did you come?"
"That’s..." After a moment of hesitation, she spoke unexpectedly. "Because of a promise."
"What promise?"
"You'll see when we get there."
She led Geom Mu-geuk out of the inn.
"Do you know how to use Lightness Skills?"
Do I know how to use Lightness Skills? Geom Mu-geuk replied with a smile. "I do."
"No, never mind. Let's get horses."
As if regretting the question, she went to procure horses. Geom Mu-geuk followed her lead.
"You know how to ride, right?"
"Usually, a servant is the one leading the horse, but the servant you're looking at is special, isn't he? I ride well."
And so, they galloped off on two rented horses. The place she took him to was Dongho Lake, located to the east of the Murim Alliance.
"You asked me to show you around here before, didn't you?"
"You remembered that?"
"It's not like we've had so many conversations that I'd forget."
Even as she said it, Jin Ha-ryeong thought to herself: That's true. Why am I making such a fuss over someone I've barely talked to? Making a scene in front of Grandfather, making a scene in front of Jo Sin... and even coming all the way to Dongho Lake.
She looked at Geom Mu-geuk. With his hair still a tangled mess and a beard covering his face, his features were barely visible, and his clothes were old and dirty. What on earth did she like about this man?
Just then, Geom Mu-geuk spoke to her.
"Shall we go over there?"
"Huh? Why?"
"I think the view will be better from that hill over there."
At the spot Geom Mu-geuk led her to, Jin Ha-ryeong gasped in genuine admiration.
"It's truly beautiful!"
It was a magnificent vantage point that offered a panoramic view of Dongho Lake's beauty.
"How did you know about this spot?"
"Servants are naturally good at finding the best seats."
Jin Ha-ryeong found herself thinking that she really couldn't figure this man out. For a while, the two stood in silence, losing themselves in the beauty of the lake. It was Jin Ha-ryeong who broke the silence.
"Your young master will likely join the Murim Alliance. Normally, you would have stayed with him, wouldn't you?"
"Why do you keep trying to send me away? I intend to stay with the Young Master."
Jin Ha-ryeong looked at him. Geom Mu-geuk spoke as if his mind was already made up.
"By telling everyone that day that I was the person you were seeing, you did everything you needed to do, Miss Jin. What happens next is my choice."
"It will be dangerous."
"How did you feel when your grandfather tried to force you into marriage?"
"I hated it."
"I feel the same way. I hate it when anyone interferes with my life."
"I might hate it, but I won't die from it."
"A hateful marriage might be more agonizing than death."
"!"
After a brief pause, Jin Ha-ryeong spoke. "As if you've ever been married."
"I've watched someone suffer through it up close. Don't worry about me."
"I don't understand why you're a servant."
"Then what do I seem like to you?"
After another short silence, she reached out her hand.
"A friend of the Alliance Leader's granddaughter. Let's be friends."
She didn't fully understand her own heart—why she was forming such a deep bond with a mere servant.
"Aren't you the one losing out in this deal, Miss?"
"Why weigh gains and losses between friends? If you do that, you're not friends."
Geom Mu-geuk firmly grasped the hand she offered.
"Friends with the Alliance Leader's granddaughter!"
"Friends with a servant!"
After a vigorous handshake, she spoke.
"If anyone bullies you, tell them! Tell them your friend is the granddaughter of the Murim Alliance Leader! Got it?"
"I will."
"I'll brag about it too. That the most special servant in the world is my friend."
"If you ever need that servant friend, call for me. Perhaps that special friend will do something you never imagined possible."
Jin Ha-ryeong stared at Geom Mu-geuk. "You... are strange."
She felt as though this man would never die. She felt as though he would never fall into true despair. She worried that she might regret this later if he were killed by Jo Sin. What would she do then...?
Returning from Dongho Lake, the two parted ways at the entrance of Wuhan to avoid prying eyes. As Geom Mu-geuk was returning alone, someone blocked his path.
It was a venomous snake of a man—Jo Sin.
"Did you enjoy your little outing?"
Geom Mu-geuk faced him with a terrified expression. He intended to see how the man would act before determining if he was here solely for the marriage or if he had some connection to the Heavenly Mandate Society.
"You were so bold when you were with her, so why are you trembling now that you're alone?"
"If you touch me, Miss Jin won't let it slide."
When Geom Mu-geuk acted frightened, Jo Sin’s face twisted into a sneer. "Hiding behind a woman, are we?"
Jo Sin strode forward and grabbed Geom Mu-geuk by the collar as he backed away.
"Miss Jin has been tainted because of a worthless wretch like you."
Jo Sin raised his hand to deliver a palm strike. Geom Mu-geuk squeezed his eyes shut, deliberately feigning terror.
"If you thought I couldn't kill you just because of what happened in front of the Alliance Leader, you've gravely misjudged me."
"Please, spare me!"
Jo Sin lowered his hand.
"I won't kill you. Killing you now would be no fun. I need to see Miss Jin filled with regret. I need to rip those rose-tinted glasses off her face and watch her become disillusioned with you. I'll make her crawl back to me when it's too late."
Geom Mu-geuk knew that wasn't the only reason. If he were to die or disappear, Jin Ha-ryeong would never agree to the marriage. Seeing as Jo Sin still intended to marry her while using words like 'tainted,' it wasn't hard to imagine what that married life would be like.
"From now on, if you don't do exactly as I say, I'll flay your skin and throw you into a vat of salt. Do you understand?"
"Yes!"
"This evening, I'm hosting a banquet for the rising stars. I've invited Miss Jin, so you come as well. And clean yourself up—cut your hair and shave your beard. Use this money to buy the most expensive clothes you can find."
Jo Sin believed that Geom Mu-geuk’s unkempt appearance had played a part in why Jin Ha-ryeong liked this servant. It was a sort of fantasy young women had—that an unrefined man seemed more confident. In reality, there was nothing beneath the surface. He intended to shatter that today.
If this servant showed up in ill-fitting, expensive clothes, trying his best to look presentable, it would have the opposite effect. She would realize he was no different from anyone else trying to curry favor. Today, he would utterly destroy the girl's fantasy.
"As long as you cooperate, I'll let you live. I'll even give you a large sum of money later."
"How much will you give me?"
"One hundred thousand taels."
At the unexpected amount, Geom Mu-geuk’s eyes widened with feigned greed.
"You must keep your word."
"I always keep my promises. So, do exactly as you're told."
Jo Sin felt a surge of inner satisfaction. What a pathetic wretch! That would make him all the easier to use.
As Jo Sin walked away with a light step, Geom Mu-geuk, who had been playing the coward, returned to his original self.
"Given that he's offering a hundred thousand taels, he clearly intends to kill me once the job is done."
He spoke as if to himself, but his words were meant for the martial artist hiding in the shadows.
"Report every single word of this conversation to the Alliance Leader without omission. This is a very important matter for both Miss Jin and the Leader."
The Murim Alliance Leader would be able to see right through Jo Sin’s intentions from this report alone.
"And tell him this as well: when it's time to wrap this up, I am willing to handle Jo Sin for him. He’s a man who will be a constant blight on Miss Jin’s life. The Murim Alliance probably can't just dispose of the successor of a prestigious Orthodox sect. Eventually, conflicting interests will lead to him being forgiven. Tell the Leader not to bother with that and just leave him to me."
The hidden martial artist remained silent.
* * *
That night, Jin Ha-ryeong entered the manor.
The invited rising stars had already gathered. She hadn't wanted to come at all, but Jo Sin had said this when he invited her:
"I've invited that servant as well, so you must come, Miss Jin."
If Geom Yeon was coming, she had to be there. He wasn't just a servant anymore; he was her friend. She couldn't send him into a viper's nest alone.
Jo Sin greeted her with a pleasant face.
"The reason I called you both here today is to apologize."
"Apologize?"
"Indeed. My petty pride got the better of me that day, and I unintentionally offended you both. I am sorry."
Jin Ha-ryeong eyed him suspiciously, but Jo Sin maintained a soft expression. Today, he didn't remind her of a snake at all.
Well, I suppose it's better to settle things amicably if possible.
For Geom Yeon’s sake, there was no need to provoke this man further.
It was at that moment. A stir broke out near the entrance, and the gazes of both Jin Ha-ryeong and Jo Sin naturally turned toward it.