Chapter 53. You've Been Caught, Haven't You?
That evening.
Won Seung crossed the inner courtyard and headed to the barn.
Yong Jo-un sat cross-legged in front of it, eyes closed. He might not be watching with his eyes, but he'd sense every movement around him through his energy.
"Yong Daehyeop, I've got something to say."
Yong Jo-un just nodded his eyelids.
What kind of arrogant hero is this? Not even a proper nod—just his eyelids...
But the desperate have to hold it in.
"After getting revenge on Cheongsu Gate and Gwancheonbang, you'll rebuild the Yong family manor, right?"
At Won Seung's words, Yong Jo-un opened his eyes.
But... his gaze was blank.
Won Seung gaped in shock at the sight.
"No way...? You haven't even thought about what comes after revenge?"
Damn! Arrogant and dumb?
"Hmm. You're not some clichéd hero who's gonna wander the jianghu all carefree and then retire to the mountains after settling your grudge, right? You're too young for that. Life's long."
"......"
In truth, Yong Jo-un was flustered. He'd trained solely for revenge and never considered what came next.
"Rebuild the Yong manor. I'll front the capital."
After a moment's thought, Yong Jo-un flatly refused.
"No intention of that."
"Why? It's good for both of us. I'll cover all the money. We split the profits fifty-fifty."
"I... intend to achieve a blade intent unique in the world."
"What's that got to do with rebuilding the Yong manor? You can do both."
"I'll roam the world... challenging the strong."
Won Seung's eyes narrowed at the response.
Musanggok... you've ruined this man. No different from Jeokhyeolsan.
Won Seung eyed him slyly and probed.
"You just came up with that now, didn't you?"
"No."
Yong Jo-un subtly closed his eyes.
Won Seung clicked his tongue inwardly.
Yeah, right, you did. Just now. He coaxed gently.
"Wandering duels... sounds good. Not a bad hero's life. But you need money for that. Can't fight on an empty stomach. Let's make some cash first..."
"There are so many experts in the world... What if you die in your first match? All that training wasted. Why not train another ten years, reach a solid realm, then go for it?"
He even threw in a threat.
"You know the Poison King? Even his disciple was a top expert. But he got killed pathetically in an inn, bitching about his food."
Of course, my master poisoned him on the spot for being annoying. Didn't know he was the Poison King's disciple...
If that guy hadn't whined about the food, the Poison King wouldn't be after me.
No matter how he persuaded, Yong Jo-un wouldn't budge.
He just shut his eyes tight and played dumb.
"Fine. I get it."
Won Seung gave up with a deep sigh.
"Open your eyes."
Arrogant, dumb hero.
Cursing inwardly, he held out the paper he'd brought.
"You need to sign this."
Yong Jo-un opened his eyes.
"What's that?"
"A pledge to follow the three-way duel rules."
Yong Jo-un took it and read.
It mentioned the Taesu overseeing for fairness and such, but the core was the duel format.
The format was simple.
- Each writes their opponent's name and reveals it publicly. Fights start with mutual nominations.
- If all three nominate differently, roll dice to decide.
Yong Jo-un frowned. Too sloppy.
"Sloppy? You don't know human psychology, Daehyeop. It won't even need dice. It'll be decided right away."
Yong Jo-un countered.
"I'll write Hwa Cheon-gang. Cheon Il-hae wants him dead but won't fight first, so he'll write me. Hwa Cheon-gang... prioritizes Cheongsu Gate's interests. He knows I'll write him, so he'll write Cheon Il-hae. Ends up with dice. He won't leave Cheongsu Gate's fate to chance."
"See? The jianghu newbie doesn't get people's hearts."
Yong Jo-un's gaze turned fierce, but Won Seung ignored it, pulled a fan from his belt, snapped it open, and fanned himself lazily.
"Listen up. It's simple, but actually high-level psychological warfare."
"......"
"Right. Cheon Il-hae will write you. Hwa Cheon-gang will write Cheon Il-hae. So you write Cheon Il-hae."
Yong Jo-un's brow furrowed deeply.
Pick someone else over his sworn enemy?
Won Seung snapped the fan shut and smacked his palm.
"That's the beauty of this simple setup! Daehyeop! Take out Cheon Il-hae first. You're gonna settle it all anyway, right? Order doesn't matter. At least you'll know who you face first. Know yourself and your enemy, and you need not fear a hundred battles! You're one step ahead."
"Hmm..."
Yong Jo-un groaned. Nominating Cheon Il-hae would confirm the duel. But then he'd face Hwa Cheon-gang after, both top hundred experts.
Know yourself and enemy sounded nice, but...
Drained after Cheon Il-hae, he might fail to kill Hwa Cheon-gang—and die instead.
Knowing his worries, Won Seung pointed to a line.
"Don't worry. Look here."
- The Taesu may control the situation for a fair duel.
An obvious formal clause. But Won Seung smiled meaningfully.
"After beating Cheon Il-hae, the Taesu will delay your fight with Hwa Cheon-gang. Not long... two hours?"
If you can't even beat Cheon Il-hae and die, oh well.
He swallowed that.
"The Taesu will?"
Yong Jo-un stared in disbelief, and Won Seung said confidently.
"Bribed him with a painting worth hundreds of thousands of nyang."
"......?"
Yong Jo-un looked puzzled, then his face turned icy.
"What are you really after? Spill it—why spend hundreds of thousands on this duel!"
Won Seung flinched at the sharp killing intent.
Yeah, he's the real deal.
He gave his prepared answer.
"Told you. Rebuild the Yong manor and seize control of the Sang River trade routes together."
"Said no."
"Then I'll do it alone... Just clear out Cheongsu Gate and Gwancheonbang for me."
"You? How?"
Yong Jo-un scoffed, as if it were absurd.
As a Yong heir, he knew the massive stakes around the Sang River—and how much blood had flowed for it.
His parents died to the Hwa brothers' greed for it.
And this young scholar thought he'd dominate it?
Even he couldn't guarantee it.
Won Seung grumbled curtly.
"You said no. No need to know. Just sign."
"Tch."
Yong Jo-un glared, then signed the pledge.
The firmly shut gates of Cheongsu Gate.
"What the hell is this?"
Bricks littered the ground before the gates. The stone lions flanking the steps were damaged too—one had a broken nose.
After rumors spread that Cheongsu Gate sent assassins after Yong Jo-un, people came at night to hurl stones. Not just one or two.
They could catch culprits if they tried, but it wouldn't calm public outrage.
"Sangyang folks are brave. Treating murim folk like suckers."
Won Seung muttered and climbed the steps to knock.
Bam! Bam!
A side window opened, and a pair of eyes peered out.
"Young Master Seung?"
The warrior whose boil he'd lanced before.
"Miss Yeo-wol's at the western pavilion."
"Here for the Second Lord today."
"Second Lord?"
Then a voice from behind the boil warrior.
"Who dares demand to see the Second Elder?"
Jo Bang-un's voice.
That bastard's still alive?
Jo Bang-un was wracked with anxiety.
Lately... Hwa Cheon-gang hadn't summoned him. The guy who'd demand a toothpick from his desk now kept his distance.
The other Hwa clansmen too. As the chief steward for the Hwa family, he could barely see their faces.
Did they figure it out? No way. I was so careful.
If caught, Hwa Cheon-gang's temper would've ended him. But silence.
Still, his gut screamed to flee Cheongsu Gate now.
But where to? No place outside.
Even Gwancheonbang wouldn't welcome him now.
Worrying about his future kept him awake.
That old fart... hanging on forever.
Jo Bang-un had betrayed Cheongsu Gate partly expecting to succeed Gu Ja-ang as Gwancheonbang's strategist, given the old man's age.
Gu Ja-ang had said as much when first recruiting him.
- How much longer can I last?
He'd imagined thriving there.
Cheon Il-hae was just brute force. Easy to handle.
Controlling Gwancheonbang's Sang River dominance... he'd rival an emperor.
But narrow-minded Gu Ja-ang eyed him coldly instead of retiring.
Of course. He wouldn't want talent like me. Need something big to win Cheon Il-hae's trust.
Growing unease made him busier, meddling everywhere.
Today, he'd wandered the inner courtyard near the Hwa family but gained nothing. Dejected, passing the main gate, he heard a familiar voice.
This cocky voice?
Jo Bang-un rushed over and asked the gate guard.
"Who dares demand the Second Elder?"
"Uh, Young Master Seung, who stayed a few days, wants to see the Second Gate Lord."
"Really? Open the gate."
At the chief steward's order, the guard complied.
A slickly dressed pretty boy entered with a bright smile.
"Haha. Been well? Whoa, you look rough. Been sick?"
"Young Master Seung, long time no see. I trust you've been well."
Jo Bang-un bowed.
An annoying punk, but welcome today.
Perfect excuse to scout Hwa Cheon-gang's mood.
Why's he so glad to see me?
Won Seung was puzzled but smiled.
"Here to speak with the Second Master."
"Ah, yes? I'll guide you."
"Appreciate it."
As Jo Bang-un led him to Hwa Cheon-un's quarters, a guard blocked the inner gate.
"No visitors—the honored guest is here."
"Honored guest?"
Jo Bang-un frowned.
An honored guest he, the Hwa family steward, didn't know?
Chills ran down his spine.
If the tail's long, it gets stepped on. While Gwancheonbang dawdles, they've uncovered me.
His trembling hands betrayed it.
Hiding them in his sleeve, he demanded of the guard.
"Should've informed me first, the chief steward."
Blaming the guard, he tried to enter, but the man didn't budge.
"No one allowed in."
"Me! Me! The chief steward!"
Jo Bang-un bellowed, but the guard shook his head.
"'No one!' he said."
Jo Bang-un was dumbfounded, but Won Seung grasped it instantly.
You've been caught, huh?