Chapter 401: I’ll... do... anything... anything...
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 401: I’ll... do... anything... anything...
Wuuuuuuuuuung—
Crackle, crackle.
The two women glared at each other with furious eyes, neither ceasing to pour out their overwhelming pressure. It was as if they were facing a sworn enemy they could not live under the same sky with.
Thud.
Clack.
Soon, both women placed their hands on the hilts of the swords strapped to their waists. It was a clear declaration of intent: the moment an opening appeared, they would strike.
'She’s strong.'
Seeing Ok-ryeong’s hand on her sword, Joo So-yang felt a surge of tension. The woman she had initially dismissed as merely rude possessed a level of power far beyond her expectations—enough to make even her, the one hailed as the Best Among Women, feel on edge.
It was impossible not to be tense. Joo So-yang’s gaze sharpened even further.
'As expected of the Best Among Women.'
Ok-ryeong felt a flicker of admiration as she sensed Joo So-yang’s massive aura. The momentum Joo So-yang displayed once she fully released her energy was formidable. Usually, a martial artist's reputation was seventy percent exaggeration, and Ok-ryeong had assumed the same applied to Joo So-yang.
However, the woman standing before her possessed an aura that held not a shred of hyperbole. She truly lived up to the title of the Best Among Women.
But...
'I don’t think I’ll lose.'
The thought of defeat didn't even cross her mind.
Wuuuuuuuuuung—
The energy swirling around Ok-ryeong began to grow even more immense.
Grip.
Then, both women tightened their hold on their swords simultaneously. They were prepared to swing then and there.
"Stop."
A voice suddenly cut through the tension.
Flash!
In an instant, the heavy pressure filling the room dissipated. Both women had withdrawn their energy at the same time.
"Sun-woo!"
Ok-ryeong called out his name, her voice bright with relief.
"Ok-ryeong, I told you to host our guest. Who told you to start a fight?"
Sun-woo spoke with a tone of rebuke.
"........."
Ok-ryeong pressed her lips together. It was true that she had been more hostile toward Joo So-yang than necessary.
"We’ll talk later."
Sun-woo continued in a calm tone. Hearing this, Ok-ryeong hung her head low. It seemed she was in for a lecture afterward.
Meanwhile, Joo So-yang was reeling from Sun-woo’s sudden appearance.
'How on earth...?'
She hadn't sensed his approach at all. She always kept her ki-sensing sharp, ensuring she was prepared for any sudden situation. Yet, her senses hadn't picked him up.
It was impossible. Any living creature possessed at least a small amount of Nature Qi. This was even truer for someone like Sun-woo, who had reached a transcendent realm. And yet, she hadn't detected him in the slightest.
Shiver.
A chill ran down Joo So-yang’s spine. She realized he had reached such a magnificent realm that he could kill her without anyone being the wiser if he truly intended to.
"Hey."
A blunt voice reached her ears.
".......Ye-yes."
Joo So-yang responded with uncharacteristic meekness.
"Do you want to die? Who told you to go around spraying your aura in someone else's house?"
".....I’m sorry."
Joo So-yang apologized, shrinking back. Hearing his voice instinctively brought back memories of when she had been afflicted by the Scorching Poison. Overwhelmed by that lingering fear, she became incredibly submissive.
"Fine. Sit down for now."
"....Yes."
At Sun-woo’s command, Joo So-yang immediately took a seat.
'Hah.'
Ok-ryeong let out a hollow laugh at the sight. Just moments ago, this woman had been radiating a massive aura and murderous intent. Seeing her turn so docile so quickly was absurd.
That wasn't all. If one looked closely, her entire body was trembling slightly, as if she were terrified.
Ok-ryeong was puzzled. Just what had he done to make that arrogant woman tremble like a mouse before a cat?
Ok-ryeong turned her gaze toward Sun-woo.
'Just what did you do to her?'
Her eyes were filled with suspicion.
*
After sending Ok-ryeong out, Sun-woo glared at Joo So-yang with cold eyes. He was annoyed that she had ignored his warning not to come.
"Why are you here?" Sun-woo asked flatly. "I’m sure I told you not to come unless you had a valid justification."
".......Well... that is..." Joo So-yang stammered. "I... I have... a justification..."
"And what is it?"
"The... Succession Competition is being held soon... and... I intend to take Seol-ah with me."
"No."
"What!?"
"Why should I trust you enough to let her go?"
"...But... if... if Seol-ah doesn't go, it will arouse a lot of suspicion." Joo So-yang spoke with a pleading expression. "Moreover, this is an opportunity that both Seol-ah and I have dreamed of... Please... show us some consideration..."
Joo So-yang began to beg, looking at Sun-woo with sorrowful eyes.
"Why should I?"
"Please... I’ll... do... anything... anything..."
Joo So-yang spoke while gazing at Sun-woo with burning eyes.
"Anything?"
"......Yes.."
"Even if I tell you to do what I demanded back at the Heavenly Moon Palace?"
Sun-woo asked back with a mischievous smirk.
"............."
Joo So-yang’s face turned bright red. The events of that day played out vividly in her mind.
The memory of being taken right next to her unconscious daughter.
The memory of trying the cowgirl position for the first time in her life.
The memory of her womb being filled with his semen.
A flood of erotic memories filled her head. She was embarrassed. But she didn't hate it. In fact, she found herself wanting to do it again.
"........Yes."
Joo So-yang nodded slightly, her face flushed with shame. A faint glimmer of expectation began to flicker in her eyes.
"I’m joking."
Sun-woo’s voice, now laced with playfulness, broke the spell.
"What!?"
Joo So-yang asked back, looking bewildered. What was he talking about now?
"I’ve already discussed the Succession Competition with your daughter." Sun-woo spoke with a wry smile. "I even heard an interesting proposal."
"An interesting proposal?" Joo So-yang asked, confused.
"She made a suggestion. If I stand behind her during this Succession Competition, she’ll forget all our past grievances."
"............."
"I thought it wasn't a bad deal. Our relationship is quite twisted, but for that price, I figured we could set things back to the way they were."
Sun-woo continued, his white teeth flashing in a grin. "What do you think?"
".......But," Joo So-yang began, her expression dazed. "Aren't you the representative of the Tang Clan? How can someone like you stand behind Seol-ah?"
She continued, unable to understand. Publicly, Jang Sun-woo was the disciple of the Poison King and the fiancé of Dok Seo-si. He was a martial artist representing the Sichuan Tang Clan. How could such a man choose Lee Ye-seol over Lee Hyun-kyung, the child of Tang Jin-seol? It made no sense.
"Because supporting Lee Ye-seol is more profitable than supporting Lee Hyun-kyung." Sun-woo replied calmly. "Lee Ye-seol promised to settle our grievances and even pledged support for the Tang Clan—support no less than what Tang Jin-seol offers. Isn't it obvious which side is more beneficial?"
"Then... then does that mean the Tang Clan will abandon Tang Jin-seol and support Seol-ah?"
"No. I’m the only one supporting Lee Ye-seol. The Tang Clan will support Tang Jin-seol as originally planned."
"What!?"
Joo So-yang asked, her face full of confusion. It didn't make sense. If the martial artist representing the Tang Clan chose Lee Ye-seol, how could the Tang Clan still support Tang Jin-seol?
".....Are you planning to play both sides?"
"You never know how things will turn out in this world." Sun-woo’s lips curled into a smirk.
"Do you think Tang Jin-seol will tolerate that? She’s a viper of a woman. If you pull something like that, she won't just sit idly by." Joo So-yang spoke with utmost seriousness.
She knew Tang Jin-seol’s venomous personality; there was no way she would allow someone to double-deal like that.
"It’s fine. I have a way to convince her." Sun-woo spoke with a confident expression.
"What is it?" Joo So-yang asked, looking at him with doubt.
"I just have to break my engagement with Tang Seo-yoon and get expelled from the Tang Clan."
"What?!"
Joo So-yang gasped in horror. It was a completely unexpected statement.
'Breaking the engagement?! Expulsion?!'
How could he make such an extreme choice?
"If I do that, even Tang Jin-seol will be satisfied. Of course, her resentment toward me will pile up mountain-high." Sun-woo said with a slight smile.
".......Just... why... why would you..."
A horrified Joo So-yang managed to stammer out the words. She couldn't understand why he would make such a radical decision.
"Because this is the best way for the Tang Clan." Sun-woo continued calmly. "They get to settle their grievances with the Heavenly Moon Palace and even play both sides behind Tang Jin-seol’s back. Isn't it a win-win for everyone?"
Sun-woo grinned.
"..........."
Joo So-yang fell silent, her mouth shut tight. It was certainly a brilliant method, just as he said. Even while playing both sides, the Tang Clan wouldn't have to bear the dishonor of betraying their own blood, and they could settle a grudge so deep it might have led to their destruction.
However, there was one problem.
"But..... what about your honor, Sun-woo?"
Specifically, the honor of Sun-woo, who would be seen as having betrayed his master and his fiancé. Sun-woo was currently a celebrity whose stock was rising rapidly. He had emerged as a rising star who had easily suppressed even the Dragon and Phoenix. He was currently the center of attention, with many pointing to him as the future World's Greatest Martial Artist.
If such a man betrayed his master, the Poison King, and broke his engagement with Tang Seo-yoon, he would be swept up in an immense wave of dishonor. Countless martial artists in the Central Plains would point their fingers and condemn him as an immoral wretch.
People were always more interested in the fall of a hero than the birth of one. He would be ruined, branded as a man with a foul inner nature hidden behind brilliant martial arts.
"Does honor put food on the table?"
Hearing her words, Sun-woo chuckled. He realized once again how much the people of the Central Plains valued honor. Whenever he mentioned this decision, everyone asked the same question: what about his honor?
And every time, Sun-woo gave the same answer. Does honor put food on the table? To someone living a life on the edge every single day, what did honor matter? He could throw it away as many times as needed if it gained him even a fingernail's worth of profit.
Blank.
Joo So-yang stared at Sun-woo with a dazed expression. His statement was a fresh shock to her. He was a man who didn't care if his honor was dragged through the mud for the sake of practical gain. He was the complete opposite of her husband, Lee Jae-won, who would sacrifice practical gain for the sake of honor.
Thump.
Suddenly, her heart began to race.
'Why... why is it doing this!?'
Thump, thump, thump.
Startled by the sudden pounding, Joo So-yang tried her best to calm herself.
Thump, thump, thump.
But her heart refused to listen. As time passed, it only beat faster.
'I’m being so ridiculous!'
She scolded herself. This was the height of absurdity. Who was Jang Sun-woo? Wasn't he the criminal who had kidnapped her daughter and raped her under the pretext of keeping her quiet?
So how could her heart start fluttering for such a man? Like some adolescent girl? It was nonsensical and preposterous. She clutched her left breast, pleading with her heart to calm down.
"Are you okay?"
Sun-woo’s concerned voice reached her ears. He seemed to be asking because her complexion looked unusual.
'How kind of him.'
Hearing that voice, Joo So-yang thought dreamily. He was so very kind.
Shake, shake.
Then, Joo So-yang began to shake her head violently from side to side.
'Get a grip! Joo So-yang!'
She realized she had been momentarily captivated by him.
"I... I’m fine."
Joo So-yang finally managed to stammer out a response.
"Anyway, I’m positively considering Lee Ye-seol’s proposal. What do you think?" Sun-woo asked her again.
"I... I..." Joo So-yang faltered at his question. "I think it’s impossible."
"Why?"
Sun-woo looked puzzled. He thought it was a pretty good deal. Wasn't putting Lee Ye-seol on the succession throne her lifelong wish? So how could she reject it so firmly?
'Is the grudge too deep?'
Sun-woo suddenly realized he might have underestimated the depth of her resentment.