Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Translator: Penny
Chapter 41
How to Avoid the Wind (1)
As Hwang Cheong, the Western Blade Association Leader, entered the corridor leading to the guest rooms, he felt more tense than ever before.
The person he was scheduled to meet today in the Yang Association's guest room was none other than Ma Jeongsu. Ma Jeongsu had sent a messenger requesting a secret meeting.
The Western Blade Association ranked sixth in Shandong. Naturally, Hwang Cheong had attended the recent gathering. He was among the leaders deeply displeased with Ma Jeongsu's recent actions.
In Hwang Cheong's eyes, Ma Jeongsu was nothing more than a man who used his father's authority to bully others, a fox masquerading as a tiger.
That green-eared brat!
But he couldn't show his true feelings. The Heavenly Blade Gate alone was an opponent they couldn't afford to antagonize, and now Ma Jeongsu had become the heir of the Martial Arts Alliance Leader.
Guided by a maidservant, Hwang Cheong entered the agreed-upon guest room.
Ma Jeongsu was waiting alone, drinking wine. He rose to greet Hwang Cheong.
"Ah! Welcome, Association Leader Hwang."
"Great Hero Ma, it's an honor to be addressed as such."
Hwang Cheong was still far too young and lacked the reputation to truly warrant the title of "Great Hero," but there was nothing he could do about it.
Unexpectedly, Ma Jeongsu waved his hand dismissively.
"Great Hero? That's far too flattering. Please, treat me as your younger brother."
"Heh, I couldn't possibly do that."
"Nonsense. When Association Leader Hwang slew the Red-Haired Ghost, I hadn't even been born yet. You can treat me casually."
Hwang Cheong was startled by the remark.
"You knew I killed the Red-Haired Ghost?"
It had happened thirty years ago, when he was still young. Back then, a red-haired master from the Unorthodox Factions had terrorized the Shandong region. Fueled by youthful fervor, Hwang Cheong had challenged him to a thousand exchanges and ultimately slain him.
"Yes, I knew."
Ma Jeongsu was intimately familiar with the details.
"I heard the story from my uncle long ago and have always held you in high regard."
"Your uncle?"
"In the Martial Arts World, he's known as Thunder Hand."
"Ah! You mean Great Hero Ma Chunghyeon, Thunder Hand? I'm well aware of Great Hero Ma's illustrious reputation."
Thunder Hand Ma Chunghyeon was a renowned martial arts master within the Heavenly Blade Gate, widely acknowledged as one of its five most formidable practitioners.
"You mean he knew about me?"
"Yes, he definitely knew about you. He even gave me teachings, urging me to become as great as Association Leader Hwang."
"Ah!"
Hwang Cheong felt a surge of inner joy. Though he couldn't verify the truth of Ma Jeongsu's words, the fact that Ma Jeongsu knew about events that had occurred before Hwang Cheong's birth, and even mentioned Thunder Hand, made it seem more than just a fabrication. He remained skeptical, yet desperately wanted to believe.
"Association Leader Hwang is the person I most wanted to meet personally during my trip to Shandong."
"Ah, is that so?"
Although I suspected his words were calculated, they were too sweet to resist. Wouldn't such gentle words be preferable to his usual stiff and arrogant demeanor?
It didn't seem like he was just trying to flatter me. There was no reason for him to do so, and could a man barely twenty-five years old really pull off such a natural performance?
"Now, please accept my drink," Ma Jeongsu said, pouring the wine with respectful grace. The poor first impression he had made on our first meeting had already transformed into a favorable one.
"Thank you for the money you sent last time."
"It was only right to help. I was the one who received the precious gift you sent."
"Of course I had to return it. My father would have been furious if he found out."
After Ma Chunghyeon, Ma Bonggi's name was mentioned. Though the words came naturally, Hwang Cheong couldn't help but feel inwardly intimidated, affected by their weight.
"I plan to undertake several projects in the future. I hope you'll lend me your support."
"The Main Association will assist you wholeheartedly."
"To be frank, I only intend to collaborate with a few sects in Shandong. Involving too many would only invite unnecessary gossip."
Hwang Cheong understood that his sect was among those chosen.
"Thank you for going to such lengths to include me."
Given their initially poor first impression, this unexpected kindness felt all the more significant.
"Please remember, Association Leader Hwang, that you are the person I respect most."
"You flatter me," Ma Jeongsu replied.
The two men clinked glasses.
After an hour-long drinking session, Hwang Cheong departed. His mood had shifted dramatically from when he first arrived.
Left alone to finish his drink, Ma Jeongsu had also changed. The cold, calculating expression on his face was a stark contrast to the demeanor he had shown Hwang Cheong.
The door opened, and Elder Flower Fan and Si Gon entered.
Elder Flower Fan smiled. "Well done."
Ma Jeongsu twisted his lips into a sneer. "Dealing with these country bumpkins is child's play."
"Still, you mustn't let your guard down."
"Don't worry. I never let my guard down."
Elder Flower Fan started to say something but stopped. A truly vigilant person would never use the phrase 'let my guard down,' he thought.
However, he saw no need to nag when things were going so smoothly.
"Since everything is progressing so well, it's time to move on to the next phase."
Ma Jeongsu's eyes lit up.
"Finally, I'll get to see her. They say she's Shandong's Fairest Maiden."
Elder Flower Fan wore a slightly troubled expression.
"Don't let a mere woman ruin our plans."
Blood runs true. Like his father, Ma Jeongsu was a man of intense lust.
"She's not just a mere woman—she's the most beautiful woman in Shandong, isn't she?"
"Please don't take my words lightly."
Elder Flower Fan glanced at Si Gon, signaling for him to chime in. But Si Gon stood silently, pretending not to hear or see.
"Leave the women's affairs to me. Just distribute the invitations to each faction."
"Understood."
"Oh, where's our Mysterious Woman?"
"I saw her outside earlier."
Ma Jeongsu walked to the window. In the distance, he spotted her—the same woman who had entered the Main Hall with him during the previous gathering.
She stood in the Rear Garden, gazing down at the pond.
"Have you learned anything about that woman?"
"Not yet."
"Damn it."
She was the woman his father had sent along when he came down here. He hadn't even told Ma Jeongsu whether she was meant to monitor him or assist him.
He had tried to investigate her secretly, but it proved difficult.
Staring at her, Ma Jeongsu muttered under his breath, "Where the hell did you crawl out of, you bitch?"
I returned home for the time being.
Wandering around the Yang Association without a plan would only risk unnecessary encounters with them.
Moreover, I was wearing a Human Skin Mask. Though it was a High-Grade Mask and unlikely to be recognized under normal circumstances, it was best to remain cautious.
I joined the Sword Guard members in their training and devoted myself to my own cultivation. The more troubled my mind, the more I needed to focus and work harder.
After all, what any impending situation demanded was not worry, but a solution.
I acted as usual, and no one noticed anything amiss—except for one person.
"Young Master, are you troubled by something?"
Gwangdu sensed my mental state with uncanny accuracy, like a ghost.
"There's someone I want to kill."
"Huk!"
Startled, Gwangdu asked cautiously,
"Who exactly is this poor bastard?"
"He's about twenty-five years old and surrounded by formidable martial artists."
Gwangdu flinched in surprise.
"Could it... be me?"
I chuckled, and Gwangdu followed suit. His earnest efforts to lighten my mood, even for a moment, were commendable.
"How are things going with Do Sun?"
"Well..." Gwangdu sighed. Something clearly wasn't going smoothly.
"I finally mustered the courage to ask her to the Teahouse for a cup of tea on her day off."
"And?"
"She said she's been too busy and stressed lately."
"I see."
"But honestly, no matter how busy she is, if she really liked me, she'd find time for a cup of tea, right? Right?"
I nodded firmly, and Gwangdu pouted.
"Don't you think you're admitting defeat too easily? You should at least say you might be genuinely busy, or that you were too embarrassed to accept."
"No. Men and women alike will always make time for someone they like. Wouldn't you see me if you were busy?"
Gwangdu's face crumpled into a pout.
"So that's how it is?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Hmph! I'll get my revenge. I'll become stronger in martial arts, make tons of money, and become so successful that you'll kneel before me, begging for forgiveness. Then I'll scoff and say, 'Too late. Get lost!'"
When I didn't react, Gwangdu asked, "Why aren't you saying anything? Aren't you satisfied?"
After a moment's pause, I replied, "Satisfied? I suppose I would be... seeing the woman I truly loved crying and regretting everything."
Gwangdu quietly imagined the scene, then lowered his head. "Hmph! Just thinking about it makes me feel sad and pitiful."
"Exactly. Revenge isn't for everyone, Gwangdu. They say first love never works out, right? Hang in there."
I patted Gwangdu on the shoulder and turned to leave.
Belatedly, Gwangdu shouted after me, "Ah, I told you, it wasn't my first love! Really! I'm a seasoned player, you know!"
The next day, unexpected news arrived.
"Ma Jeongsu is hosting a banquet, inviting all the rising talents. An invitation has come for you too."
That bastard is really pushing things to the limit.
I immediately understood his intentions.
What was the greatest weakness of the sect leaders in Shandong, and indeed, of people everywhere? Their children.
Ma Jeongsu was of a similar age. By mingling naturally with the rising talents and winning them over, he could more easily control Shandong in the future.
Now I was certain. He hadn't come down here just to extort a few coins.
He had come to thoroughly dominate Shandong.
In that instant, a face flashed through my mind.
"Ah!"
Song Hwarin.
Could he really have missed the rumors of Song Hwarin's return and her title as Shandong's Fairest Maiden?
Even if he hadn't heard, would he simply stand by if he saw her?
Blood runs true, and there was a chance he might be as lustful as his father. If he had grown up emulating his father, he would certainly be capable of such behavior.
Even if that weren't the case, he might still harbor the audacious idea of offering Song Hwarin to his father.
As a contender marginalized in the succession struggle, he would likely resort to any means necessary to secure his position as heir.
Based on what I saw that day, both possibilities seemed equally plausible.
Considering my bond with Song Ugyeong and his daughter, I absolutely couldn't allow Song Hwarin to fall into such a vile situation.
How do I handle this?
Song Hwarin was reliving the nightmare of that day.
The day Byeok Ridan, drunk and belligerent, had come to cause trouble.
"Hmph! You think that pretty face will last forever? You'll wrinkle up when you get old too. So stop acting so high and mighty."
"Just go home!"
"No way. I'm not leaving like this."
Byeok Ridan lunged at her, trying to force an embrace. Song Hwarin shoved him back, sending him staggering backward and falling to the ground in his drunken stupor.
"Go home already! Come back when you're sober!"
"You pushed me? You fucking pushed me?"
Byeok Ridan scrambled to his feet and charged again. This time, Song Hwarin didn't push him away; instead, she grabbed him by the collar. The stench of alcohol was overwhelming, and his bloodshot eyes burned with a drunken madness.
"Do you want to see those bastards lurking outside, waiting to get their hands on you? Is that why you're trying to get rid of me?"
"Nonsense! What do you take me for?"
The hand gripping her collar tightened.
Byeok Ridan sneered. "You think learning some martial arts makes you better than me?"
She sighed and released his collar.
Byeok Ridan shouted again, "You're mine! You've been mine since you were in my belly!"
"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not yours!"
Byeok Ridan's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Is there someone else? Is that it? You bitch..."
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
Song Hwarin's fists flew in rapid succession, unable to restrain herself any longer.
Though the punch carried no Internal Force, the drunken Byeok Ridan lost his balance and stumbled backward.
That was how the day had ended.
Normally, Gwangdu would have rushed over, hoisted Byeok Ridan onto his back, and carried him home.
But tonight's dream unfolded differently.
Lying on the ground, Byeok Ridan spoke.
"You think people never change?"
His voice was utterly calm.
As Byeok Ridan slowly rose to his feet, he was no longer the same man. His eyes were serene, his tone composed—the Byeok Ridan of recent days.
"No, there's nothing that changes as easily as people."
The moment Song Hwarin's gaze met Byeok Ridan's tranquil eyes...
"Gasp!"
With a sharp cry, Song Hwarin jolted awake.
Her body was drenched in sweat.
Outside, Suran, her guard, called out, "Young Lady! Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she replied.
She rose from the bed and walked to a side table, pouring herself a cup of cold tea from the teapot.
"Sigh."
She sighed and gazed out the window. Dawn had already broken.
"May I come in?" Suran asked, entering without waiting for a response.
"Young Lady," Suran said with a worried expression, "was it the same dream again tonight?"
Ever since returning, Song Hwarin had been plagued by recurring nightmares.
"No, it was a different dream tonight."
"What was it about?"
Just like with the previous nightmares, Song Hwarin refused to tell her.
"Don't worry too much. It's just because I've finally relaxed after being home for so long."
Song Hwarin always said the same thing.
Suran looked at her with concern. It made no sense that relaxing would cause nightmares. Besides, it had already been almost six months since they returned home.
"Young Lady, perhaps you should see a physician."
"I'm fine, I told you."
Just then, a maidservant arrived with a report.
"Young Master Byeok has come to visit."
Song Hwarin was startled.
"Young Master Byeok at this early hour? Has he come to see Father?"
The maidservant delivered an unexpected message.
"No. He wishes to see you quietly, Young Lady."