Chapter 55. I'm a Shameless Man
Jo Bang-un racked his brains.
'The Taesu has sided with Gwancheonbang. He can't go against Seongwangbu's will. That's why this guy brought the tripartite duel writ... But he's smitten with Hwa Yeo-wol's beauty and plans to give Hwa Cheon-gang an escape route... That's a problem.'
As someone who needed Cheongsu Gate to fall, Jo Bang-un quietly backed away.
"Even without me saying it, Second Lord won't accept the tripartite duel."
Won Seung shook his head.
"It's a poisoned chalice, but Hwa Cheon-gang can't refuse. If the Taesu digs up the Yong family massacre from twenty years ago... all three Hwa brothers will be in hot water."
"Ah...!"
At that moment, the warrior who had handed over the document earlier came running.
"Young Master Seung, the Gate Lord says to come in."
"Oh, really?"
As Won Seung stood, Jo Bang-un tried to follow. The warrior blocked him.
"Only Young Master Seung."
"Perfect. Now I can speak for myself, so Jo Chief Steward, get back to your duties."
Won Seung gave Jo Bang-un a knowing glance and followed the warrior. Jo Bang-un fumed at being dismissed by a mere underling but had no choice.
And he accurately assessed his own position.
'Staying in Cheongsu Gate is dangerous. Time to slip out.'
Jo Bang-un grabbed the money he'd stashed away and snuck out of Cheongsu Gate unnoticed.
Hwa Cheon-gang's office.
Won Seung entered with a bright smile.
"Haha, long time no see, Second Lord."
He said it so warmly it sounded like he was greeting his father-in-law.
Hwa Cheon-gang, already in a foul mood, glared at Won Seung with bulging eyes.
'Whoa, that's Hwa Cheon-gang. Don't glare like that. I took you off my hit list.'
That night, after meeting Yong Jo-un and realizing he'd been brainwashed by Jeokhyeolsan, Won Seung had decided not to kill Hwa Cheon-gang.
He only planned to take out the vile Yi Eon-pae.
Won Seung smiled and bowed to Hwa Cheon-gang.
"First time meeting you, Second Lord."
Hwa Cheon-gang furrowed his brow and waved dismissively.
"No need for bows. What's your angle with this tripartite duel proposal?"
"Allow me a quick explanation first."
Won Seung outlined the purpose and format of the tripartite duel.
"So, settle grudges and river hegemony in one go?"
Hwa Cheon-gang scowled. Cheon Il-hae was one of the Central Plains' top hundred experts, just like him.
He'd never seen the man fight firsthand, but he wouldn't be pushover. And this Yong descendant must have something up his sleeve to challenge them.
Could he take on both at once? As Hwa Cheon-gang pondered, Hwa Cheon-un, listening from the side, spoke up.
"Why are you sticking your neck out like this?"
"You know I opened Baekhwa Pavilion in the painting district. What else could it be? Sangyang needs peace for me to make a living."
Hwa Cheon-gang leaned forward, growling like he wanted to devour Won Seung.
"You mocking me? Think that crap will fly?"
Won Seung feigned surprise and stepped back.
"Actually, as a condition for making this duel happen, Gwancheonbang promised me a small stake in the Northern Sangyang Wharf Consortium."
"What?"
Hwa Cheon-gang bellowed. A ferocious killing intent exploded outward.
Won Seung gasped and stumbled back two steps. Seeing this, Hwa Cheon-un hurriedly dispersed his energy to neutralize his brother's aura.
Hwa Cheon-gang glared at Won Seung.
"So... you're doing this on Gwancheonbang's orders?"
"Ugh. Calm down and hear me out. This is all for Cheongsu Gate."
Hwa Cheon-un chimed in.
"Brother, hear him out first."
Won Seung turned serious.
"It's the opposite. I proposed it to Gwancheonbang. We made a bet. In two days, their bangju will propose the tripartite duel to Second Lord. I bet with their strategist Gu Ja-ang on whether you'd accept."
"Cheon Il-hae proposing to me? Him and the Yong kid teaming up against me?"
"No way. That'd be unfair. That's why we set the matchup rules. The Taesu will oversee it fairly."
He glanced at Hwa Cheon-un.
Sure enough, Hwa Cheon-un looked intrigued. He probably figured his ties to the Taesu would tilt things in their favor.
"No reason for me to do a tripartite duel. I'll accept the Yong kid's challenge tomorrow and settle it life-or-death. Then deal with Cheon Il-hae."
With reinforcements from Geom Yak Jong, Hwa Cheon-gang felt confident facing Yong Jo-un without worry.
'Almost lost that bet by a hair.'
Won Seung inwardly sighed in relief.
"Why take the hard road when there's an easy one?"
"What're you on about?"
"The Yong descendant's from Musanggok. You know? That crazy bunch chasing the world's only true path. Not to be underestimated. And he holds grudges against not just you, Second Lord, but Cheon Il-hae too."
"...?"
"When the Yong family was wiped out, Cheon Il-hae siphoned their wealth, right? Used it to seize the north bank. So he wants to settle with Second Lord... no, kill you... and then go after Cheon Il-hae."
Hwa Cheon-un cut in.
"How do you know the Yong kid's mind so well?"
"Well, the pumpkin came rolling right in on the vine."
Won Seung explained how Hyeol Hwa had tried to assassinate Yong Jo-un, got countered, fled to his place, and how he'd persuaded the pursuing Yong Jo-un to agree to the tripartite duel.
"Those bastards... Hiring assassins using Cheongsu Gate's name? I'll announce this to the world!"
Cheongsu Gate was already suffering false accusations of plotting to assassinate Yong Jo-un. Bricks might fly through their windows at night.
Hwa Cheon-gang wanted to clear their name and accept the duel publicly in their front plaza, where Gwancheonbang couldn't interfere.
But Hwa Cheon-un had talked him out of it so far. In the meantime, his nickname had shifted from Sang River's One Sword to Sang River's One Turtle.
"I'll clear Cheongsu Gate's name. So settle the grudge and river hegemony right there in the tripartite duel. It's the way to avoid needless deaths."
Hwa Cheon-un murmured, reading the duel format clause.
"If it works that way, great... But designated foes fight first? Seems simple, but it's devilishly tricky..."
"As expected, Third Lord sees the subtlety in simplicity."
Hwa Cheon-gang eyed his brother curiously.
"Looks simple to me. Yong kid'll pick me. But I don't care about some brat. Just need to kill Cheon Il-hae."
Yeah, that'd let him swallow the whole Sang River.
"Then it'd come down to dice for the order. If luck's bad, I'd fight both back-to-back... My life doesn't matter, but no need for Cheongsu Gate to take that risk."
"No, the order'll be this: Cheon Il-hae and Yong descendant first. Two hours recovery after. Winner fights Second Lord."
"How so?"
"Yong descendant'll name Cheon Il-hae first."
Hwa Cheon-gang's face lit up. That'd be ideal.
"You expect me to buy that?"
"Already cleared it with the Yong descendant."
Hwa Cheon-un interjected.
"Could you step out a moment?"
"Of course."
As Won Seung left the office and strolled the garden, a familiar voice called.
"Un-saeng?"
It was Hwa Yeo-wol, dressed as a scholar with a bundle of books.
Won Seung rushed over, but she stepped back.
"Ah!"
Won Seung grinned sheepishly. Hwa Yeo-wol chuckled softly.
Their eyes met briefly, then parted.
"What brings you to the main hall?"
"Yeah, about Second Lord's duel."
Won Seung explained the tripartite duel to her.
"Think it'll happen?"
"Best resolution. All three have grudges and ambitions—they'll risk it."
"Haa..."
Hwa Yeo-wol sighed.
Won Seung pulled a jade vial from his bosom. He'd given some to So Sansan and Yang Yeon-seo; now Hwa Yeo-wol too.
"Here, take this."
"What's that?"
"Dip a finger and dab behind your ear."
Hwa Yeo-wol did so lightly. A refined plum blossom scent wafted.
Won Seung leaned in, sniffing proudly.
"Suits you perfect."
As he pressed closer, Hwa Yeo-wol averted her gaze—then startled. Some man strolling the garden was watching them.
The man met her eyes, tilted his head, and approached slowly.
Sensing footsteps, Won Seung turned.
A slick-looking guy was walking over.
'Who's this prick?'
The man glanced between Hwa Yeo-wol and Won Seung, then cupped his fists.
"I'm Byeok Gyo-un of Geom Yak Jong. Was admiring the garden when I seem to have interrupted your chat."
You're interrupting now.
Won Seung glared.
But Hwa Yeo-wol greeted him warmly, returning the salute.
"Ah...! I'm Hwa Yeo-wol."
Her father had been awaiting Geom Yak Jong's arrival; she smiled naturally.
Won Seung felt miffed.
"Geom Yak Jong? Some sect?"
His curt tone treated the famed sword sect like a third-rate gang. Byeok Gyo-un frowned.
As the third disciple of Geom Yak Jong's sect leader, his status in the martial world was supreme. Even minor sect leaders bowed to him.
Before Byeok Gyo-un could retort, Hwa Yeo-wol spoke.
"Un-saeng, watch your words. Geom Yak Jong is our Cheongsu Gate's parent sect."
Her cautious tone irked Won Seung more.
"Oh yeah? Must be impressive then. Produced a big sect like Cheongsu Gate. Bet they're great at fighting."
Byeok Gyo-un puzzled at the barbed words.
'Why's he picking a fight on sight?'
Then he recalled the scene. He'd dismissed the kid as young, but now it clicked—there'd been a subtle vibe between them.
Byeok Gyo-un had come to Cheongsu Gate and heard from Third Lord Hwa Cheon-un about his only daughter, famed beauty of Sangyang. Curiosity piqued.
'No betrothals or even talks of marriage...?'
Byeok Gyo-un replied to Won Seung.
"Little brother, Geom Yak Jong isn't about fighting. We pursue righteousness with the sword. Different from other sects."
Subtly hyping his sect.
"You look young. What's your name?"
Pressing with age.
Won Seung saw through the ploy and snorted.
"Oh, righteousness by sword, huh. Me? I'm a shameless bastard chasing fame and fortune. Our paths don't cross, no need for names."
He grabbed Hwa Yeo-wol's sleeve and left the garden.
Byeok Gyo-un stared, dumbfounded.
'That little punk...'
Outrage bubbled beneath the absurdity.
"Why so prickly? Bad blood with Geom Yak Jong?"
Hwa Yeo-wol knew Won Seung's prickly side but was curious why he'd been rude to a stranger.
"That guy's like Jong Wonbo. Saw it in his eyes."