Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Just Reach Out and Take It
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Great Righteous Alliance. Great Righteous Alliance.
It had to be the Great Righteous Alliance getting involved. That must be why the White Sword Sect was trying to cover it up. Maybe even that bastard Do Cheon had joined the Great Righteous Alliance. That would explain why he showed up side by side with the Secret Shadow Pavilion Leader.
"I need to look into it!"
Clear Dawn Escort Leader Yeo Mun-rak headed back to the White Sword Sect.
Meeting with the White Sword Sect elders, Yeo Mun-rak laid out his reasoning and explained what he planned to do.
"I'm thinking of sending Su-a. She's sharp enough to uncover that guy's connection to the Great Righteous Alliance. We can find out if they're really involved in this, and if so, whether it's just about the money."
"Suppose the Great Righteous Alliance is involved. Then what? What are you going to do about it?"
"We make them back off."
"...?"
"Does it make sense for the alliance of the righteous factions under heaven to steal the vested interests of its subordinate sects? If we threaten to spread that around the world, they'll have no choice but to give up."
It was a statement that made their eyes widen.
Above all else, the Great Righteous Alliance had to uphold justice and righteousness. They might do dirty deeds behind closed doors, but they could never admit to it openly. If they did, they'd face finger-pointing and condemnation from the righteous factions of the world, and in the worst case, collapse under their own weight. Justice and righteousness were the great power that united the righteous folk—and at the same time, their fatal weakness.
The White Sword Sect elders exchanged glances and nodded.
Do Cheon had made their sect's future uncertain, but if he truly belonged to the Great Righteous Alliance, they might be able to push both him and the alliance out of Burial Ground territory.
"What do you want us to do?"
"I can't send Su-a alone, so I'd like Young Master Baek to go with her. It would clarify their betrothal and give him a chance to meet the Secret Shadow Pavilion Leader. She's sure to recognize his talent, and who knows—he might even secure a position within the Great Righteous Alliance."
Those last words made the elders' eyes grow even wider.
"Escort Leader Yeo, that's brilliant. Turning crisis into opportunity."
"This concerns the future of the Clear Dawn Escort Agency and the White Sword Sect. Su-a and Young Master Baek are both clever—they'll uncover what's needed and seize any opportunities that arise."
"Indeed. They will."
"I'll go get the sect leader's permission right away."
"Hurry back."
Laughter bloomed on the faces of Yeo Mun-rak and the White Sword Sect elders for the first time in ages.
"Merchant Elder handed over the ships at half price."
Yoo Geon merely nodded at his father Yoo Jang-hae's words. Yoo Jang-hae couldn't bring himself to praise the boy blindly.
"Do you realize you've made an enemy of Merchant Elder?"
Yoo Geon looked up at the question.
"Merchant Elder is twice as frightening as you think."
"How many people like Merchant Elder are there in each city?"
"...!"
"From what I've roughly gathered, there are over ten in each city."
"So you're going to ignore them?"
"Can't I?"
"No! If you want to do business in Burial Ground, you can't afford to get on Merchant Elder's bad side!"
"Sounds like you're telling me to go see him."
"Do it. Go to him and say we'll pay full price for the ships."
"Have you grown weak with age?"
"What?"
"I told you before. He doesn't care about small things. Not just me—Do Cheon doesn't either. The Dongting Lake waterways are just the first step in what we're planning."
"So that friend of yours is great enough to ignore Merchant Elder?"
"A few years ago, I told him: once he has the power to stand against the world, come find me. Then we'll seize the Yangtze waterways and monopolize transport across the land."
"...!"
"And now he's come. Great enough to ignore Merchant Elder? If I don't even consider Merchant Elder, why would he? What's there to fear from an old man with a pile of money?"
Yoo Jang-hae saw Yoo Geon as bigger somehow.
Suddenly so grown-up it sent a chill of fear through him.
"Father, if you want to grow the Yoo Merchant Group bigger, just stay by my side quietly. Don't start anything new—just keep doing what you're doing, and it'll grow on its own."
With that, Yoo Geon turned his gaze back to the documents on the table.
Yoo Jang-hae stared for a long while before quietly withdrawing.
Iron Mountain burst into the guest hall like an enraged wild boar, flinging the doors wide. His eyes fell on a handsome pair that looked like a painting.
"Son of a bitch! They really came!"
As Iron Mountain glared and bellowed, the graceful beauty smiled and greeted him.
"Brother Iron Mountain, it's been a while."
"Shut your mouth, you slut!"
The moment Iron Mountain spat his double curse, a sword slipped from its sheath and pointed straight at him. The handsome youth beside the woman had drawn it. But Iron Mountain didn't even blink. He was that furious.
"You filthy bitch! If you betrayed your old flame for some hotshot, go live happily ever after with him! What the hell are you doing here?!"
At Iron Mountain's blatant hostility, the man thrust his sword forward, pressing it to Iron Mountain's chest.
"One more word, and I won't hold back!"
"Go ahead, stab me, you bastard! I know I'm such a fuck-up I can't even handle trash like you and I'll definitely die for it—but you know you'll die too. Stab me, you dog!"
Iron Mountain pressed forward, leaning into the blade.
Baek Mu-gi, sword at the ready, couldn't bring himself to thrust and just grimaced. Then a delicate hand reached out, grasping Baek Mu-gi's and sheathing the blade.
"Draw your sword only when it must taste blood."
"You heard him!"
"Brother Iron Mountain has every reason to be angry."
"But..."
"I'm fine."
Yeo Su-a smiled at Baek Mu-gi.
That beaming smile made Iron Mountain's eyes spin.
"These fucking pieces of shit, both of them...!"
As Iron Mountain cocked his fist, a hand shot out and yanked his sideburns.
"Ow! What the—Second Brother?!"
Iron Mountain twisted his head in pain and saw Yi Yeol.
"Yeah, I figured you'd be throwing a fit."
"You want me to just sit there? Look at the bullshit these trash are pulling here!"
"Shut up! They're guests here to see Eldest Brother."
"What kind of guests are these trash?!"
Iron Mountain's feelings weren't incomprehensible. Even Yi Yeol was pissed. But it wasn't their place to step in. It was Eldest Brother's business. They just had to watch.
Yi Yeol stared silently at Iron Mountain.
Yi Yeol's silence.
What Iron Mountain feared most wasn't Master's roar or Eldest Brother's beatings. It was Second Brother Yi Yeol's silence, fragile-looking as he was. Strangely, from childhood, whenever Second Brother stared wordlessly like this, it sent chills down his spine.
"Goddamn it."
Iron Mountain swallowed his anger.
Yi Yeol patted Iron Mountain's shoulder, then bowed politely to Baek Mu-gi and Yeo Su-a.
"We've been rude to guests visiting our humble sect. Please wait a bit longer—Eldest Brother will be here soon."
"Brother Yi Yeol..."
Yeo Su-a called softly. But Yi Yeol didn't even glance her way as he dragged Iron Mountain out and shut the door.
"Goddamn it, what kind of fine weather bullshit is this! Pour some rain already! Soak those trash on their way back, pants legs and all!"
Iron Mountain grumbled as he walked. Yi Yeol walked silently.
Iron Mountain glared at the sky and muttered; Yi Yeol stared at the ground in silence. Soon, they ran into two people coming the other way.
Stoic-faced Do Cheon and the veiled Byeon Ryeo-gun.
"Huh?"
Iron Mountain's eyes went wide.
He now knew Byeon Ryeo-gun's identity. But what widened his eyes was something else. Despite the veil, her figure seemed even more beautiful than Yeo Su-a's.
"Miss Byeon!"
"Yes?"
"I have a favor to ask."
"From me?"
"Yes."
"Tell me. If I can, I will."
"It's not much—just when you go in there, stick right by Eldest Brother's side."
"...!"
"Show that wicked bitch inside that there's someone even finer and more beautiful by Eldest Brother's side!"
It was an absurd request.
Even Do Cheon was stunned, and Yi Yeol, fed up, grabbed Iron Mountain's ear and dragged him off.
"Eldest Brother, don't do anything stupid! If you do, brother or not, I won't let it slide!"
Iron Mountain yelled even as he was pulled away.
Byeon Ryeo-gun watched with a laughing voice.
"Your brothers have quite the bond."
It was teasing, but half sincere. Do Cheon sensed her genuine feeling.
"People raised without parents usually end up one way or the other. Either they can't wait to devour each other, or they can't stand not looking out for one another."
"I see."
"Let's go."
Do Cheon walked ahead. Byeon Ryeo-gun drew close enough for their shoulders to brush. When Do Cheon turned, she smiled through her veil.
"I can't refuse an earnest request."
Do Cheon stared for a moment, then turned away. His mind wasn't light enough to play along with every little joke.
Su-a...
Do Cheon's face, heading to the guest hall, was truly hardened.
It was the first expression Byeon Ryeo-gun had seen on him. The man always so relaxed and confident now looked like he faced a million foes. Curiosity stirred naturally.
He must have really loved her. What kind of woman could do that?
Yeo Su-a.
She was truly beautiful.
She matched so perfectly with the handsome Baek Mu-gi—like a painting come to life—that she had to be an exceptional beauty.
Anyone would fall for her.
Even Byeon Ryeo-gun had to admit it.
"It's been a while."
Do Cheon spoke first.
"Brother hasn't changed a bit. Still that ugly mug. I heard you've become some great master—thought maybe you'd shed your mortal form and turned handsome, but nope, same as ever."
Yeo Su-a laughed, greeting him after three years.
All she'd heard was that Do Cheon had brought Sky-Spanning Gang to its knees. Do Cheon, unaware of that, nodded vaguely and turned to Baek Mu-gi.
At that moment, Baek Mu-gi was deeply shaken.
Should he bow? Just clasp hands? How to address Do Cheon? He was flustered. Without Yeo Su-a beside him, he'd have knelt—but male pride held him back.
"Who is this?"
Yeo Su-a asked, looking at Byeon Ryeo-gun.
Do Cheon shifted his gaze from Baek Mu-gi.
"No reason for you to come see me, so I figured you were here for some high-up from the Great Righteous Alliance. Brought her along."
"Brother's instincts are as sharp as ever."
"Talk. I'll step out."
As Do Cheon turned,
Byeon Ryeo-gun reached out and grabbed his arm. When he looked, she smiled with her eyes above the veil.
"Do Young Master said to come along, so here I am."
"...!"
"Forgot? I'm not someone you can meet just because you want to."
Do Cheon looked slapped by her words. She wasn't wrong. Even the White Sword Sect's young leader couldn't easily meet the Secret Shadow Pavilion Leader of the Great Righteous Alliance.
"Looks like I misspoke."
"Yes. Do Young Master's mistake."
"Sorry."
Do Cheon nodded in apology.
Because of Yeo Su-a, he'd overlooked simple courtesy and been rude to Byeon Ryeo-gun.
"Since it's Do Young Master, I'll accept it."
Byeon Ryeo-gun smiled with her eyes and turned—not toward Yeo Su-a and Baek Mu-gi, but the guest hall door. She meant to leave.
"You're looking down on people too much."
Yeo Su-a spoke quickly.
Byeon Ryeo-gun paused.
"I know the Secret Shadow Pavilion Leader is like the heavens themselves. But ignoring people who've come this far without even talking? Isn't that too much?"
"You want to talk?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun turned.
"The White Sword Sect belongs to the Great Righteous Alliance. Even if it's too small to catch your eye, shouldn't you treat a subordinate sect with respect?"
Byeon Ryeo-gun nodded.
"Of course. You're right. The White Sword Sect is a proud member. No one should look down on it. But you see, they ignored me first. Or rather, whoever sent them did."
"What did we do wrong?"
"What does the Secret Shadow Pavilion Leader do? Surely you didn't think people like you wouldn't anticipate that?"
At Byeon Ryeo-gun's question, Yeo Su-a frowned, pondered briefly, then glared.
"We broke secrecy?"
"Exactly. The Pavilion Leader's identity is always secret. If you're part of the Great Righteous Alliance, pretend you don't know even if you do, look away even if you see. But the White Sword Sect sent you two openly?"
Yeo Su-a was speechless.
Do Cheon interjected.
"Enough. My mistake. You two, head back. Whoever sent you was probably curious about my ties to the Great Righteous Alliance. Tell them there's nothing. That's the truth. And the reason the Secret Shadow Pavilion Leader is staying here is because something big is brewing—tell them not to act rashly and stay put. Baek Mu-gi, right? That's all I said because of Su-a—keep it in mind, go home, hold your wedding, and live well."
With that lengthy dismissal, Do Cheon flung open the guest hall doors.
It was his order for them to leave.
Baek Mu-gi took a deep breath at Do Cheon's demeanor, then bowed deeply.
"Next time we meet, I'll show some improvement. Thank you."
Baek Mu-gi felt ashamed.
He couldn't even look Do Cheon in the eye—felt infinitely small.
Do Cheon nodded at him. Baek Mu-gi silently took Yeo Su-a's arm and led her to the door. Yeo Su-a paused before Do Cheon, stared wordlessly for a long time, forced a smile, then headed out.
As the two departed, Do Cheon watched from the doorway until they were out of sight.
"You can just reach out and take her."
Byeon Ryeo-gun said.
"She doesn't want that."
"...?"
"Su-a's smart and kind. She came here today to say goodbye."
"Didn't look like she was stepping up for Young Master Baek."
"Probably wanted to talk to you."
"To me?"
"She was curious."
"Curious about me?"
"About your relationship with you, Miss Byeon. And what kind of person you are."
"Doesn't make sense."
"I told you. You have this delusion that you know everyone's way of thinking."
"Maybe. Still doesn't make sense. Looks like I meddled for nothing."
"You did it on purpose?"
"I hate people who give up on love."
Do Cheon turned to Byeon Ryeo-gun.
She has some story of her own?
The thought flickered briefly.
Byeon Ryeo-gun read the doubt on his face.
"In this world we live in, if there's anything pure left, I think it's the heart. The hearts of untainted children, parents who cherish their kids, lovers who cherish each other. I want those hearts protected. No matter the hardship."
"Must be a lot of hardships."
"What?"
"For the Secret Shadow Pavilion Leader's position. Can't be sentimental."
"Right. Can't be. That's why I don't plan to do it long. Just until I find one person."
"Haven't you already?"
"Not found—he called me. Felt like I lost somehow. So I'm checking out his game."
"You know what?"
"What?"
"Best way to peer into someone's heart is liquor."
"...?"
"Come on. I'll buy a round as apology. I get chatty when I drink, so ask away. Might get the story you're after."
"Gonna trick me again? Last time you acted like you'd spill everything, but said nothing."
Muttering, Byeon Ryeo-gun stepped ahead. Do Cheon smiled and walked shoulder-to-shoulder with her.
Baek Mu-gi was silent the whole way leaving the Iron Lion Sect.
It was Yeo Su-a who kept speaking.
"I loved Brother Do Cheon. A lot. He had nothing, but never seemed shabby. His life couldn't be smooth, but he knew how to enjoy it. That's why I loved him. Being with him was always fun. Even with nothing, it felt like we could be happy."
"..."
"When we were young, Brother Do Cheon always told Brothers Iron Mountain and Yi Yeol: if you screw up, Master and the Iron Lion Sect pay the price. So only do it if you're ready to bear that cost. If the Great Righteous Alliance's Secret Shadow Pavilion Leader is stepping in... how strong has Brother Do Cheon become?"
"...!"
Baek Mu-gi looked slapped. He turned to Yeo Su-a in shock.
"You knew?"
"I know Brother's personality, so I guessed. He must be the one who stopped the White Sword Sect from moving."
"Yes. Then why stay by my side, knowing that?"
"I don't want to betray a man's heart twice. If you'll allow it, I'd like to stay by Young Master Baek's side."
"...!"
Baek Mu-gi had no reply.
Instead, he took her hand. Yeo Su-a smiled and offered it.
Brother, they say first love doesn't come true—that's why it's called first love. I won't forget you. Goodbye.
Long after Yeo Su-a and Baek Mu-gi left the Iron Lion Sect, they ran into a group of people.
"That over there the Iron Lion Sect?"
The woman spoke bluntly, half-casual.
Her revealing outfit showed off her cleavage and curves boldly, but the dozens of warriors behind her were no pushovers either.
"Yes."
Baek Mu-gi answered.
"Those coming out—disciples of the Iron Lion Sect?"
"No."
"Ah. Makes sense. Never heard the Iron Lion Sect disciples called cute like you two. Hey, girlie, your man's pretty, but don't look so scared. I've eaten plenty of men, but milky boys like him don't interest me."
At the woman's—White Rakshasa's—words, Yeo Su-a just clung tightly to Baek Mu-gi's hand. White Rakshasa smirked and spurred her horse toward the Iron Lion Sect.
"Let's hurry. They say the eldest disciple's quite the tasty morsel."