Chapter 172: No Time, Get on My Back.
Chapter 172: No Time, Get on My Back.
“Where the hell have you been?”
Jo Sin greeted Geom Mu-geuk with a look of pure fury. He had been pacing the inn for hours, waiting for the man to finally show his face.
“I was just out getting some fresh air,” Mu-geuk replied nonchalantly.
Jo Sin couldn't have imagined in his wildest dreams that Mu-geuk was returning from a secret meeting with his own father and the Murim Alliance Leader. Nor did he realize that he was the one being hunted. He was walking straight into the tiger’s den of his own volition.
“You’re quite leisurely for a mere servant.”
Jo Sin pulled a dagger from his robes. It was the same one he had intended to give Jin Ha-ryeong to celebrate her victory—engraved with well-wishes he never got the chance to deliver.
“Should I just use this to stab your master to death? It seems like a fitting end to this whole farce.”
“The best ending to this affair, Young Master, would be for you to marry Miss Jin while I walk away with a hundred thousand taels.”
“Then you’d better start earning that money.”
“I have to actually receive the money before I can earn it, don't I?”
“How much do you think it’s worth for me not to drive this blade into your throat?”
Jo Sin was growing desperate. He was terrified the marriage might fall through, especially after talking big to Cheol-gon, who had personally come to pressure him. This was why a man who had never waited for anyone in his life had spent two hours lingering in a common inn for a servant.
Geom Mu-geuk looked down at the dagger on the table.
“What you need right now is a single, decisive move.”
“A decisive move? What kind?”
“Think about it. As the granddaughter of the Murim Alliance Leader, how many young masters from prestigious families has she seen? They all brag about their lineage, their wealth, and their martial arts. To her, how pathetic and boring must that be?”
Since Jo Sin had recently done exactly that—flaunting his money and family—he had no retort.
“You need to show her something different from those other high-born brats.”
“So, what is it?”
“There is one move that works on every woman, whether she’s beautiful or plain, kind or wicked, young or old. It’s this.”
Geom Mu-geuk picked up the dagger and made a sudden motion as if to stab Jo Sin. Jo Sin instinctively caught Mu-geuk’s wrist.
“Are you trying to kill me? Do you want to die?”
“It’s this,” Mu-geuk repeated.
“What?”
“Saving her from a crisis. A man who saves her life—what more could she possibly need?”
Jo Sin’s eyes widened. This is it. Why hadn't he thought of this before? He felt a pang of self-reproach for overlooking such an obvious tactic.
“It’s an old-fashioned method that’s been around for centuries, but it’s the best because it always works. What bond is stronger than a life-debt? However, the plan must be crafted perfectly. Miss Jin is very sharp-witted.”
Mu-geuk could see it in his eyes; Jo Sin was already hooked.
“Oh, and one more very important thing! You must entrust this to someone reliable. If something goes wrong and Miss Jin gets hurt or—heaven forbid—dies, your life will be forfeit as well, Young Master Jo.”
Mu-geuk anticipated that if Jo Sin was connected to the Heavenly Mandate Society, he would turn to them for help. He wouldn't entrust such a critical task to just anyone.
“You absolutely cannot use anyone from your own family. It would be a disaster if it were ever discovered. Do you know any masters who have no connection to you? They must be strong enough to suppress Miss Jin, and they must be completely trustworthy.”
The moment he heard those words, one person came to Jo Sin’s mind.
Cheol-gon.
That terrifying man was certainly suited for this task. Whether he would accept was another matter, but there was hope. His mission was to see Jo Sin and Jin Ha-ryeong married as soon as possible. He was desperate enough to have pressured Jo Sin personally.
Mu-geuk noticed the shift in Jo Sin’s expression.
As I thought. There is someone nearby.
Mu-geuk spoke as if he wanted no part of it. “Just don’t involve me in such dangerous business! I’ve done my part.”
Of course, his words were intended to make Jo Sin do the exact opposite. It was human nature to want what was forbidden, and Jo Sin now had a specific reason to involve the "servant."
“You’re going to help me until the very end.”
“I absolutely loathe dangerous work, Young Master.”
Jo Sin began to imagine it: the scene where this servant and Jin Ha-ryeong were in mortal peril, and he appeared to save them. He would show her a stark contrast between himself and this incompetent fool. Yes, there was no need to overthink it. This would settle everything.
“Besides, you’re the one who has to bring Miss Jin out. If I take her and a villain appears, anyone would see that I staged it.”
“Fine. I’ll help. I need to get paid, after all. But if you’re going to do this, you must hurry. If this happens after Miss Jin officially joins the Alliance, they will launch a formal investigation.”
Even without that warning, Jo Sin was in a hurry.
“Don’t leave the inn. Wait until I contact you.”
“Understood.”
Jo Sin hurried away. Geom Mu-geuk quietly followed him from the shadows.
*
Jo Sin and Cheol-gon met in a dilapidated warehouse on the outskirts of the Murim Alliance.
“I believe I told you not to contact me unless it was a matter of life and death,” Cheol-gon said, his voice cold.
“It is that important. I need you to help me just this once.”
“What is it?”
“If you help, I can marry Jin Ha-ryeong.”
Cheol-gon looked at him as if he were speaking gibberish.
“I want you to kidnap her. Then I will appear and save her.”
Cheol-gon was so flabbergasted he almost let out a curse. “Look here, Young Master Jo. Are you drunk?”
“I’ll be honest with you. I talked big before, but right now, Miss Jin has no intention of marrying me.”
Jo Sin laid it all out. He had decided that with this cold, terrifying man, begging would be more effective than trying to play tricks.
“If I pressure her to marry me now, how on earth am I supposed to make it happen? If it were any other woman, I’d threaten her into it, but she’s the granddaughter of the Murim Alliance Leader. Do you think I’d resort to this if I weren't desperate?”
“Do you really think such a shallow trick will work?”
“That’s why I need you. Someone with the skill to actually fool Jin Ha-ryeong. Someone who can suppress her without hurting her.”
“So, I suppress her, and then you appear to save her. Given your skill level, do you think she’ll believe you could drive me away?”
Cheol-gon clearly considered Jo Sin to be a level below Jin Ha-ryeong.
“Why do you think I’m weaker than her?”
Jo Sin released his aura. It was a sharp, biting momentum, uncharacteristic of a typical rising star, and it didn't fall short of Jin Ha-ryeong’s at all. Jo Sin had a hidden card of his own.
“Isn't your mission to get me married to her? If you miss this chance, you’ll never fulfill your assignment. Honestly, I don’t care. I’m only doing this because you people are forcing the marriage. What do I have to worry about?”
Cheol-gon pondered. It was an absurd proposal, but if this method worked and the two got married, his mission would be complete.
“You said you wanted me to grow into a great tree? Well, even a sapling needs fertilizer once in a while to grow well, doesn't it?”
After a moment of thought, Cheol-gon nodded. “Fine. Let’s do it.”
As Cheol-gon agreed, Jo Sin’s face brightened.
“Oh, and while you’re suppressing her, make that servant a cripple. Cut off an arm, maybe a leg too.”
Cheol-gon looked at him with blatant annoyance. “If you hate him that much, why not just kill him?”
“I want to see how she reacts when he’s in a miserable state.”
Jo Sin smiled coldly, imagining the servant as a broken cripple. Would Jin Ha-ryeong take pity on him and keep him by her side for the rest of her life? He was certain she never would.
“If she shows that kind of sacrificial spirit, then I’ll acknowledge her.”
He simply wanted to prove that Jin Ha-ryeong was a shallow, worthless woman. To Jo Sin, she was still a tainted woman who had shown interest in a servant over him. Even if they married, he would never love her.
Cheol-gon secretly found Jo Sin pathetic. He wasn't sure if the boy was stupid or just young, but it was a level of pettiness he couldn't fathom.
“Let me know when the time and place are set.”
Cheol-gon left first, and Jo Sin followed shortly after.
As they disappeared, two other figures emerged from the shadows: Geom Mu-geuk and the Murim Alliance Leader, Jin Pae-cheon. Jin Pae-cheon had announced he would enter closed-door training for a few days, but had instead been moving secretly with Mu-geuk.
Jin Pae-cheon was appalled after seeing Jo Sin’s true colors. He had to force himself to hold back the urge to rush out and crush the boy right then and there.
“Why aren't we catching that Heavenly Mandate Society bastard now?”
“Our target isn't him,” Mu-geuk replied. “Even if he’s a master, he’s ultimately just a disposable pawn. No matter how much we interrogate him, it won't lead us to the Leader of the Heavenly Mandate Society.”
Based on what they had seen so far, the Leader of the Heavenly Mandate Society was not someone who could be caught just by breaking one subordinate.
“Then what do you plan to do?”
“Our target is Jo Sin.”
“What are you going to do with him?”
“I’m going to take him to the gates of hell. We’ll see how Jo Yi-baek reacts when his son is pushed to the edge of a cliff. The one who will lead us to the Leader of the Heavenly Mandate Society is Jo Yi-baek.”
Jin Pae-cheon was inwardly marvelling at Mu-geuk’s brilliance and relentless drive. If he weren't the Second Young Master of the Demonic Cult, he would have made him his grandson-in-law by any means necessary.
What a waste.
But far from being a grandson-in-law, Geom Mu-geuk was a potential enemy of the Orthodox Murim—and a very dangerous one at that.
Hiding his inner thoughts, Jin Pae-cheon spoke gruffly. “Four days left.”
*
The next day, Jin Ha-ryeong left her quarters wearing her favorite martial robes. Geom Mu-geuk had suggested they go for an outing to Dongho Lake.
She was in a good mood throughout the horse ride. At times like this, she realized how hypocritical she could be. The better she felt, the greater her regret.
If only he weren't a servant.
Behind this feeling was the underlying thought that she could not, or would not, marry a servant. She knew she could never cross that line of social status.
I’ll regret this later. You pathetic, shallow girl! Just live alone. Live alone.
Lost in thought, the two arrived at Dongho Lake. After staring at the water in silence for a long time, Geom Mu-geuk spoke first.
“Someone once said that saying goodbye is more important than the meeting itself.”
“Why are you saying that all of a sudden?”
“I’m leaving in a few days.”
“What?”
“Thanks for everything.”
Jin Ha-ryeong was startled. “Where are you going?”
“Home.”
She felt a sudden pang of loss. She liked being alone and had few friends, but no one had ever given her such a sense of closeness as he had. The words "don't go" rose to her throat.
But it wasn't as if she could take responsibility for his life. Once she joined the Alliance, she would be too busy to see him often anyway.
“You should become the Murim Alliance Leader later,” Mu-geuk added.
“What?”
It was at that moment, as she stared at him with wide, surprised eyes, that someone ambushed her from behind. Distracted by Mu-geuk, she hadn't noticed the approach.
The moment she turned around—
Tap! Tap!
A masked Cheol-gon instantly struck her demonic acupoints. Because of the gap in skill and the element of surprise, she was rendered completely helpless.
Of course, Mu-geuk had sensed him approaching from a distance. He was prepared for any eventuality.
After suppressing her, Cheol-gon’s gaze turned toward Geom Mu-geuk. Jin Ha-ryeong screamed, her voice muffled.
“Not him! Don’t kill him!”
She thought the masked man would kill Mu-geuk. If she was the target, there was no reason to leave the accompanying servant alive.
“No! Please! Let him go!”
Despite her desperate cries, Cheol-gon strode forward, intending to sever Mu-geuk’s arm with a single stroke.
At that very moment!
Cheol-gon’s sword stopped in mid-air. A massive presence loomed behind him. Suddenly, every hair on his body stood on end, and his survival instinct screamed at him to run. At any other time, he would have leaped away without looking back.
But his body wouldn't move. He felt as if he were drowning in a vast ocean. He was in the middle of a boundless sea with no boat or island in sight.
Cheol-gon desperately circulated his internal energy and turned around. A tidal wave of unfathomable height was surging before him. The Murim Alliance Leader, Jin Pae-cheon, was standing right behind him.
“...Damn it!”
He tried desperately to flee, but he couldn't even take a single step before his acupoints were sealed in an instant. No matter how much of a master Cheol-gon was, he was nothing more than a child before Jin Pae-cheon.
Cheol-gon couldn't understand the situation. Why is the Murim Alliance Leader here?
According to the plan, after he maimed the servant, Jo Sin was supposed to appear and save her. So why? If things had gone wrong, Jo Sin should appear now. He should come out laughing and try to smooth things over, saying he played a prank to impress Jin Ha-ryeong. He should say, "This man is my subordinate."
But Jo Sin didn't appear.
Then, a chilling thought crossed his mind. A trap?
Had Jo Sin sold him out to the Murim Alliance? Otherwise, there was no reason for him not to show up.
Meanwhile, Geom Mu-geuk noticed Jo Sin hiding in the forest far away.
Don’t come out!
A rift between Cheol-gon and Jo Sin was exactly what Mu-geuk wanted.
Jo Sin was watching the situation from the woods, utterly panicked by the Alliance Leader’s appearance.
I’m screwed.
What could he possibly say to the Leader if he went out? That he tried to stage a kidnapping to save her? The moment he said that, the marriage would be gone forever. Moreover, how would he explain who Cheol-gon was?
Yet he couldn't just stay there. He couldn't let Cheol-gon be captured like that. He tried to step forward, but his feet wouldn't move. He thought it was because he was afraid of the Leader, but in reality, the aura Mu-geuk was emitting was secretly pinning him down. In his panic and fear, he didn't notice at all.
Damn it!
In the end, Jo Sin decided to retreat and try to handle the fallout later. When he backed away and turned, his body moved as he wished. He fled the scene without looking back.
Jin Pae-cheon released his granddaughter’s acupoints.
“Grandfather! How did you get here?”
“I’ll explain everything later.”
For now, it was important to proceed with the plan. Jin Pae-cheon and Geom Mu-geuk shared a brief nod.
Jin Pae-cheon tucked the paralyzed Cheol-gon under his arm, leaped into the air, and vanished in an instant. It was a display of supreme lightness skill that commanded pure admiration.
Jin Ha-ryeong turned to Mu-geuk. “What is all this?”
She sensed that something she didn't understand was unfolding.
“We should head back too. We don’t have time to linger here. Can you handle dizziness well during lightness skill?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I asked if you can handle it.”
“I’ve never felt dizzy during lightness skill in my life.”
“If you get dizzy, just keep your eyes shut. And don’t vomit on my back.”
Geom Mu-geuk turned around and lowered his stance.
“Get on. There’s no time, hurry.”
Since the situation was clearly serious, she climbed onto Mu-geuk’s back. He’s going to run with me on his back? Why? I’m not even hurt. She decided to just see what he was up to.
“Did you really worry I’d get dizzy just from you running with me on your baaaaaaaa-aaaaaaa-aaaaaaa-aaaaaaa!”