The Madwoman's Perfect Bluff
Namgoong Sihoon's eyes grew misty. It was because he'd wildly misread Namgoong Juhee's intentions.
'Young lady... To throw yourself into the fire for the Namgoong family's honor...'
It was utterly unthinkable in common sense for a junior to challenge a senior of the martial world to a duel. Especially while sticking to that lunatic-like tone.
What's more, Juhee had stayed silent at first during the initial standoff, only stepping in once the atmosphere turned sour. That screamed calculation.
So why had she gone out of her way to do it like that? To make a fool of herself on purpose. That's what Sihoon figured.
'She plans to sweep the whole thing under the rug.'
Hwangbo Gang had built some fame in the martial world and earned recognition for his skills. When a greenhorn—especially one spouting crazy talk—challenged someone like him to a duel, there were only two possible reactions: show the martial world's ruthlessness or brush it off as youthful hot-bloodedness.
But for the righteous sects, the choice was almost always forced to the latter. Win, and you'd get flak for bullying a junior; lose, and your reputation hits rock bottom.
Pulling back now would be a problem too. Earlier, it might've looked like mercy since the Namgoong side was clearly on the back foot. But now, with Namgoong Juhee ramping up the pressure, backing down was flat-out defeat.
'I was worried she'd pick a fight with the Hwangbo side on a whim...'
Unnecessary concern. Juhee was a schemer beyond his imaginings—no need for nagging. If she'd really wanted to fight, she wouldn't have scratched at their nerves like that.
Sihoon turned his misty eyes toward Namgoong Juhee as he thought that.
Her pale, slender finger still pointed straight at Hwangbo Gang. The arrogant eyes peeking from her mask added convincing smoke to the act. She looked every bit the raving maniac dying for a brawl.
Truly impressive acting, Sihoon marveled—
"Hahaha! This is fun!"
A hearty laugh boomed from the opposite side. Hwangbo Gang.
"Wearing a mask before a senior is rude. Show your face."
"Make me—with your skills."
"Cheeky. At least give me your name?"
"Namgoong Juhee."
Namgoong Juhee? No such name in Hwangbo Gang's memory. And if she was ugly enough to wear a mask, he'd never forget.
The kid in front of him was 1st Rate at best—a total newbie. Clearing his throat a few times with newfound confidence, Hwangbo Gang spoke again.
"Ahem! Namgoong young hero? As a senior in the martial world, let me give you some advice."
"Shoot."
"It's not good to flap your mouth without knowing your place. Consider this a debt for your life and let it go."
A tone like a magnanimous elder scolding a child. Any ordinary martial world newbie would've deflated instantly.
"Huh?"
"Something wrong?"
"Nah, just thought you phrased 'backing off 'cause you're scared' real elegantly."
"I clearly said not to flap your mouth carelessly—"
"That too, but what's with that lady over there? Does that mean she owes a life debt too? Why act all gracious?"
"You...!"
"I hate dragging this out. Fight or not? Say it clearly."
But the opponent was no pushover. Her weird speech aside, she nailed the core points—like facing off against those Zhuge clan schemers. That was why the leisure faded from Hwangbo Gang's face.
Meanwhile, Namgoong Sihoon's composure vanished too. Thanks to Namgoong Juhee's possessed acting. No, at this point, wasn't she too immersed in the role? Sihoon whispered a hint.
"Young lady. That's enough. Let's end it here."
"Huh? What?"
"The... acting..."
"What acting?"
"I mean... that..."
"Whatever, I'll hear the rest later. Things are about to get fun."
"Young lady? Young lady! No, right?"
Namgoong Juhee ignored Sihoon's pleas. Just as she'd said—things were getting fun. Hwangbo Rin's face was perfectly ripe, red as could be. Prime epilogue material.
"Come on out. Hm? You first, miss?"
"How dare a mere Namgoong insult the Grand Commander! I won't forgive you!"
Hwangbo Rin's sword blazed with hot energy. Clearly more useful than some third-rate guard's basics.
"Yes! This is it. Ugh, can't hold back anymore."
A gamer's instinct: blood boiling at a strong foe. Ink-scented qi wafted from Namgoong Juhee's feet.
"Wh-what speed!"
No need for a sword. Juhee was certain. She raised her hand.
Thwack!
A fist slammed into Hwangbo Rin's smooth face.
"Guhk!"
Getting hit looks ugly regardless of gender. Faces scrunch up the same way. So it wasn't her fault Hwangbo Rin's face turned hideous. The sharp-tongued beauty had crumbled in an instant—a sight to sour a thousand years of love.
"Guhk! Stop... kuhk!"
Fist smacks echoed through the street center. Less a martial duel, more one-sided violence. Everyone was stunned.
"I hit girls too. Equal opportunity beater."
Juhee's refreshed voice snapped the crowd back. The scene was brutal.
Juhee's left hand gripped Hwangbo Rin's collar, right hand bloodied. Eyes went to the left—where the venomous beauty had become a bloody mess.
"Ri... Rin!"
Hwangbo Gang rushed over. Each step oozed martial depth.
But in his haste, no vigilance for surroundings. Carelessness is death in PVP. Juhee muttered.
Swish.
"Urk...!"
"Can't get careless."
Cold steel at Hwangbo Gang's throat. Juhee's sword.
"That's one life debt now?"
"You... insane bitch...!"
Whoosh!
A Peak realm fist rocketed at Juhee's face—to smash it like Hwangbo Rin's.
But whoosh.
It sliced empty air.
Strange. The strong fist had aimed dead center, even adjusting for her slight leftward shift. A sure hit.
Yet his hand clutched only mask fragments. Juhee grinned fresh ahead...
"Hahk!"
Hwangbo Gang's heart nearly stopped. How could a smile be that beautiful? The mask hadn't hidden ugliness—it concealed beauty. Enough to understand fools ripping silk to make women smile.
"Aw, it broke. Real Peak is different, huh."
"......"
"Why so quiet? Oh, the thing in my hand? I'll drop her—wanna go again?"
Juhee shook Hwangbo Rin's hair. Even a stranger's head yanked like that would piss you off. Let alone a subordinate's.
Beauty be damned—Hwangbo Gang was properly pissed.
"That in your hand...! You've crossed the line!"
Fierce qi wrapped his fist. The Hwangbo style followed the river's principle: victory through overwhelming force. That punch flew at Juhee—
"Hm... Isn't the Hwangbo side being a bit unreasonable here?"
A commoner's voice jolted Hwangbo Gang. Followed by more opinions.
"True. Ganging up on one young-looking hero is weird..."
"Fight's already over. If Hwangbo insists, someone else should step up."
"Ashamed of losing to a young girl?"
"Heard they came from the south—thought why, but tsk, just expanding influence."
"Knew from the forced provocation. Careful what you say, mm."
"Right. Won't say the Hwangbo martial commander lost to a Namgoong girl."
Public opinion turned ugly. Win now, gain nothing—lose honor instead.
Hwangbo Gang eyed Juhee, feeling a chill. Like prey facing a beast.
Time to back off. He decided.
"My apologies. Got heated."
"No, no. Not rude—fight it out. Isn't that how martial grudges settle?"
"Th-that's..."
"All bold when starting shit. Now it's bad, so bail? What a petty midget. Fist up—that looked decent earlier."
Even baited, properly hooked by a maniac. Spot-on judgment. Didn't help, though.
"......Damrak Sword."
Hwangbo Gang shot Sihoon a desperate look. A wordless "end it here" between leaders.
Sihoon nodded, cheering inwardly. Namgoong victory sealed.
"Young lady."
"Yeah, speak."
"Enough bullying the weak. Lots of eyes."
"Eh? Quit when I gained nothing? That's lame."
"Hm, fair point."
"Right? Mugakju gets it."
Chattering like that, Juhee stared at Hwangbo Gang.
A wordless "cough up something or else." Classic bandit, beggar, evil sect tactic. Proof Juhee was on their level.
"Hwangbo... whatever. Anyway, your thoughts? By my math: two life debts, bet winnings, mental damages included."
"......Hoo!"
Hwangbo Gang sighed deeply, signaling a subordinate. One pulled a sword from Hwangbo Rin's belt. The blue rice stalk on the hilt screamed premium.
"Noksu. A famed sword known by name alone."
"Now we're talking."
"Our exchange ends here."
"Cool. That's it for today. Fun?"
"......Then."
Hwangbo Gang glared bitterly, signaling his men. They vanished, him last. Juhee alone had routed the Hwangbo force.
A monumental feat. But Juhee patted her belly like it was nothing. Then muttered casually.
"Getting hungry. Let's grab food. Oh, booze too?"