Chapter 544: Defending Her
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 544: Defending Her
"How... how dare you say such a thing!"
Lee So-ran flared up, her voice rising in indignation.
She could expect such behavior from Lee Hwa-young, who had always been an ill-mannered brat, but Moyong Sang was a renowned master of the Murim.
How could a man of his standing defend such rude and senseless remarks?
"Nonsense? From what I’ve heard, she hasn't said a single thing that's incorrect."
Moyong Sang continued in a calm, level tone.
"What makes your mother so much better than the other wives?"
"Wha... what did you just say?!"
"Well, I won't deny her beauty. But isn't that a basic requirement for all the other wives as well? Aside from her looks, what does she actually have? Is her martial arts exceptional? Is her family background solid? Has she contributed anything of note to the Cheonmu Alliance? She has nothing to boast of, does she?"
Moyong Sang began to criticize her with a scathing tongue.
His words were just as rude and insulting as Lee Hwa-young’s.
"How... how can someone called a renowned master of the Murim... say such things..."
"I am merely stating the facts."
"My mother is the mistress of the Cheonmu Alliance! How can you disregard her like this? This is no different from insulting the Alliance Leader himself!"
"Insulting him? Whatever do you mean? Why would I ever insult the great Alliance Leader?"
Moyong Sang tilted his head as if genuinely confused before continuing.
"It is your mother I am insulting. Not the esteemed Alliance Leader."
He spoke with chilling composure.
"Are you not afraid of the consequences?"
Lee So-ran glared at Moyong Sang with cold eyes.
"What is there to fear? Is there anyone in the Cheonmu Alliance who doesn't know that Madam Hwangbo is currently like a kite with its string cut? The once-mighty Hwangbo Clan is in Sect Seclusion. Far from supporting her, she is the one sending them money. The faction members who once backed her are deserting by the day, and on top of that, she has lost the Alliance Leader's trust. What is there to fear from such a woman?"
Moyong Sang continued with a sneer.
Currently, Hwangbo Yu-yeon’s political standing was at its absolute nadir.
Her daughter and successor candidate, Lee So-ran, was hardly an overwhelming talent; the Hwangbo Clan, which should have been her pillar of support, was sealed away; and her faction members were defecting one by one.
They had all concluded that there was no hope for Lee So-ran.
Furthermore, the fact that she had been severely reprimanded by the Alliance Leader had already spread throughout the palace via the maidservants working in the Clan Head's Hall.
In short, she had become a kite with a severed string.
Why would anyone fear her now?
"That... that can't be... It can't be true."
Lee So-ran shook her head slightly, denying his words.
Her mother had told her.
She said that even though they were in Sect Seclusion, the Hwangbo Clan’s support would not stop, and that many faction members were still standing by her.
But her mother was the one supporting the Hwangbo Clan?
And her supporters were leaving?
"Lies! That's impossible! Mother told me herself that we have more than enough!"
It had to be a lie. It definitely was.
"Pfft!"
Beside Moyong Sang, Lee Hwa-young burst into laughter.
"Puhahahaha!"
She began to laugh immoderately, as if she had cast aside all sense of dignity.
"Hahaha... Lee So-ran, at this point, I’m actually starting to feel sorry for Madam Hwangbo."
She spoke slowly, her laughter still trailing off.
"The daughter she cherished like a precious jewel was, in reality, the person most indifferent to her mother's plight."
Lee Hwa-young continued with a smirk.
"Madam Hwangbo has always lived under financial strain. Why do you think that is? She should have had her dignity maintenance funds and the support sent from the faction."
".........."
"It was all because of you. To ensure that you, at least, could live without wanting for anything, she lived a grueling life, even discarding her dignity as a noble lady. And yet, you probably spent your days squandering money and idling away, completely oblivious to the truth."
Lee Hwa-young pointed a finger straight at Lee So-ran.
".....That... can't..."
Tear.
Tears began to well in Lee So-ran’s eyes as she looked on with a shell-shocked expression.
A tidal wave of guilt and apology toward her mother surged within her.
"You are the lowliest among all the succession candidates. You have no martial prowess, no intellect, no wealth, no family backing, and no public favor. You have nothing."
She tilted her chin up arrogantly.
"And you’re even lacking in situational awareness. A fool living like a greenhouse flower, ignorant of how the world works. That is your true essence."
Lee Hwa-young glared at her with eyes full of contempt.
"So please, know your place. Stop disgracing your sisters with your pathetic antics. Just go back to your room and live quietly on the scraps your mother begs for. While you're at it, keep sucking the life out of her."
"..............."
"That's what suits your station. You 'Bear Woman' of the Hwangbo Clan."
Lee Hwa-young spoke with an overbearing attitude, as if handing down a sentence.
Drip.
Tears began to stream down Lee So-ran’s face.
The vitriol that pierced to her very bones stirred an indescribable mix of emotions.
Rage flared.
Against these two who insulted her, her beloved mother, and her family.
Regret consumed her.
For her past self, who had never truly looked at her struggling mother.
For her past actions, rebelling and shouting at her mother.
For her past immaturity, spending money recklessly without knowing the circumstances.
And pity surged.
For her mother’s life, having to sacrifice herself and live a humiliating existence for her daughter's sake.
"Sob... hic... ugh... uwaaaah."
Finally, Lee So-ran broke down in tears.
The complex emotions rising from deep within her heart had completely overwhelmed her.
"Oh my... I made her cry. Hehe."
Seeing her cry, Lee Hwa-young spoke with a refreshed expression.
Watching the stupid Lee So-ran weep uncontrollably made her feel vindicated.
"Our Bear Woman... even has a thunderous cry. I bet she’s the best in the Cheonmu Alliance at that, at least."
Lee Hwa-young began to mock her as she listened to the sobbing.
She didn't intend to stop at making her cry; she wanted to heap on more insults.
"Hic... ugh... uwaaaaaaanh!"
Lee So-ran cried and cried.
She wanted to stop the tears, but they wouldn't stop.
The guilt and apology toward Hwangbo Yu-yeon, and the insult and shame she felt from Lee Hwa-young and Moyong Sang, were simply beyond her control.
"Waaaaaaaah!"
She wailed like a three-year-old child.
"Ah... what a shame. To think I'm the only one seeing this... I wish there was something that could record this scene exactly as it is..."
Lee Hwa-young shook her head with a look of mock regret.
She felt it was a waste to be the only witness.
If only I could record this and show it to Madam Hwangbo, how fun would that be?
She soon looked dejected, realizing it was an impossible task.
Oh well, I'll just have to enjoy it myself...
She let out a long sigh and stared at the weeping Lee So-ran. The sight of her covered in tears, snot, and even cold sweat was quite hilarious.
Cry more~ Cry more~
She fanned the flames in her mind, wishing for her to keep wailing.
So that the many people passing by this residence could see her.
Step. Step.
Just then, the sound of very rhythmic footsteps began to echo clearly in her ears.
Coming from the residence where Jang Sun-woo was staying.
'Huh?'
Lee Hwa-young, who had been enjoying the spectacle of the crying Lee So-ran, quickly turned her head.
Soon, someone entered her field of vision.
A quite handsome face.
A tall stature, about six feet.
Well-developed muscles visible through his clothes.
A balanced gait that was evident at a glance.
And eyes that seemed to draw one in, radiating an arrogance that surpassed even her own.
Lee Hwa-young knew instantly.
That this man was Jang Sun-woo, the one called the greatest Rising Star in the Murim.
She curved her eyes into crescents and let a soft smile play on her lips.
It was a charming smile that would make anyone feel favorable toward her.
She waited.
Waited for Jang Sun-woo, the greatest Rising Star, to acknowledge her.
Step. Step.
His footsteps drew closer and closer.
Thump. Thump.
With every step he took, Lee Hwa-young’s heart beat faster.
Step. Step.
After a few more moments, he arrived right in front of her.
'Whew.'
She took a deep breath inwardly.
She expected him to stop in front of her, introduce himself, and offer a greeting.
Every man she had ever met had done so.
Step. Step.
But contrary to her expectations, he did not stop.
He walked right past her and headed straight for Lee So-ran.
Twitch.
Lee Hwa-young’s face instantly contorted.
How could he ignore her and go to Lee So-ran first—a girl who had nothing going for her except a decent face?
"Why are you crying, Young Lady?"
Stop.
Sun-woo, standing before the slumped Lee So-ran, looked down at her and spoke.
"Hic... I'm just... hic... so sorry..."
"What are you so sorry for?"
"Everything... everything... ugh... hic..."
She continued through her tears.
"I'm sorry to my mother... hic... and I'm sorry to you, Young Master... and to the faction members who believed in me... I'm sorry to everyone... hic... ugh..."
"Why are you sorry?"
"Because I... hic... acted so... hic... thoughtlessly and stupidly... I'm a bad girl... ugh..."
"You are a fool, certainly... but I cannot agree that you are a bad girl."
Sun-woo spoke in a calm tone.
"Hic... what?"
"If you were truly a bad girl, you wouldn't be crying out of apology."
Sun-woo continued evenly.
"The intensity of one's guilt is usually proportional to the goodness of their heart. To feel enough guilt to wail in the middle of the street... isn't that proof of how kind your heart is?"
"............"
Hearing Sun-woo’s words, Lee So-ran stopped crying and stared blankly.
She realized that Sun-woo was saying the exact same thing her mother had once told her.
"So, you can stop crying now. You aren't a bad girl; you're just a fool."
"...What kind of comfort is that?"
Lee So-ran looked at him with an absurd expression.
Her eyes held a hint of reproach, as if asking what kind of consolation this was supposed to be.
"Isn't it unsightly to cry in a place like this? Crying should be done alone in your room. Right now, I think recovering your composure is the priority."
"..........."
Lee So-ran fell silent.
She recognized that his words were not wrong.
"..........You're right, Young Master... I've already made a fool of myself... I can't make it any worse..."
She slowly spoke up.
Then, she raised her hands and roughly wiped the moisture from her eyes.
Sun-woo’s blunt comfort had pulled her out of her emotional spiral and back to her senses.
"Quick to understand. That is your strength."
Sun-woo slowly reached out his hand.
Grasp.
Lee So-ran gently took his hand.
Then, she slowly began to pull herself up.
"Am I forgiven?"
Once on her feet, Lee So-ran looked at Sun-woo and asked.
"Well. I'm still thinking about that."
"Then why did you even come out?"
Lee So-ran puffed out her cheeks slightly in dissatisfaction.
"How could I not come out when I heard a grown woman wailing like that?"
"............"
Lee So-ran’s face began to turn a soft red.
Shame washed over her at the thought of the unsightly scene she had shown him.
"Are you embarrassed?"
Sun-woo asked mischievously, looking at her reddened face.
"......I don't know."
She turned her head away as if sulking.
"It's a bit late for that, considering I've seen you in even more embarrassing states."
".............."
Flush.
Lee So-ran’s face turned even redder.
Sun-woo’s teasing words brought back memories of the night they had spent together.
"Young Master."
Just then, a very cold voice came from behind them.
Hearing it, Sun-woo slowly turned his head.
A woman who looked incredibly dignified was glaring at him with a frigid gaze.
"You are quite lacking in manners, Young Master."
She spoke with a pleasant smile, but her tone was ice-cold.
"Ah, my apologies. I was busy comforting a crying friend."
Sun-woo replied calmly.
"A friend?"
"That's right. Lady So-ran is my friend."
Sun-woo looked at Lee Hwa-young with a certain gaze and spoke.
"Hehe... It seems you lack an eye for people, Young Master. To take such a half-wit as a friend."
Lee Hwa-young let out a refined laugh.
Her words were dripping with contempt for Lee So-ran.
"I don't know about that. She seems a lot better than a piece of trash who insults her own sister by bringing up their parents."
Chill.
In an instant, a terrifying chill began to circulate between them.
A coldness so biting that even the Bitter Cold Northern Wind couldn't compare.
".............Young Master."
Lee Hwa-young, her smile completely gone and her expression frozen, called out to him.
"Was that remark aimed at me?"
Her eyes were filled with a freezing rage.