Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: You've Gone Too Far
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You've gone too far.
Byeok Taesan and Yu Seoyeon sat facing each other across a table.
Yu Seoyeon glanced at the serving girl who brought simple refreshments and frowned again.
It seemed that serving girl was one of the subjects of the recent rumors.
Despite being completely unadorned, she was truly beautiful.
‘Still, she can't compare to my lady,’ Yu Seoyeon thought.
With that thought, Yu Seoyeon looked directly at Byeok Taesan.
“Were we ever on speaking terms?”
Byeok Taesan genuinely didn't know, but to Yu Seoyeon, it sounded as if he were asking if she was worthy of speaking to him.
“Is there a reason we shouldn't be?”
Byeok Taesan shook his head.
“Of course not.”
This brief exchange was enough. It seemed his relationship with Yu Seoyeon hadn't been significant.
“So, why did you come looking for me?”
At Byeok Taesan's question, Yu Seoyeon looked at him.
With his chin slightly raised, he looked somewhat arrogant, yet also overflowing with confidence.
One thing was certain: the Byeok Taesan of the past was never like this.
“You've gone too far.”
Byeok Taesan scoffed at Yu Seoyeon's abrupt accusation.
“You're lucky.”
Yu Seoyeon looked bewildered for a moment. Lucky? Why on earth would he say that now?
But from Byeok Taesan's perspective, it was true. In his days as the Heavenly Demon, anyone who spoke to him like that would have had their head explode on the spot.
In the Heavenly Demonic Cult, the Heavenly Demon's word was law. Furthermore, the Heavenly Demon's actions were inherently just.
The Heavenly Demonic Cult was a place where no one would ever dare say he had ‘gone too far’.
“Well, I suppose things should be different now. Go on, tell me what's so excessive. You'd better think carefully before you speak.”
As he spoke, a glint appeared in Byeok Taesan's eyes.
For a moment, Yu Seoyeon's heart sank. She was taken aback.
‘It's like... facing my family's patriarch.’
She always felt intimidated when facing the Yeon family patriarch. But strictly speaking, this feeling was a little different.
Unconsciously, Yu Seoyeon's gaze shifted to Cheon Gyeongwan, who stood behind Byeok Taesan.
She wondered if the pressure she felt was coming from Cheon Gyeongwan.
Cheon Gyeongwan was watching Yu Seoyeon with a calm expression.
Yu Seoyeon met his gaze without looking away.
‘No.’
She could tell Cheon Gyeongwan's presence was formidable.
When she saw him enter the reception room earlier, she had already confirmed that his skills had risen by a level.
That's why she was surprised.
Honestly, she had thought she would progress faster.
In any case, Cheon Gyeongwan was currently just standing still, doing nothing.
Yu Seoyeon turned her gaze back to Byeok Taesan, seeing him in a new light.
“Do I have to wait any longer?”
At Byeok Taesan's question, Yu Seoyeon shook her head, clearing her thoughts.
“No. My apologies.”
Yu Seoyeon calmed herself and then slowly began to speak.
“A while ago, my lady received a marriage proposal.”
“Well... I can see why.”
Considering Yeon Harin's beauty, there were probably countless suitors.
Moreover, though he had only met her briefly and exchanged a few words, she seemed to have a good heart. No, it was quite good.
She had a bold side to her, too.
“My lady... asked you to trust her, no matter what happens.”
“Is she finally trying to break off the engagement?”
Byeok Taesan's casual tone made Yu Seoyeon flare up for a moment.
“Not yet. My lady is strongly against it. But...”
Yu Seoyeon sighed deeply and continued.
“But it's highly likely the patriarch will act on his own. He might even ignore my lady's opinion and formally notify the Golden Jade Trading Company.”
Byeok Taesan nodded nonchalantly.
“I suppose so. So, why have I gone too far?”
Yu Seoyeon hesitated, then ultimately swallowed her words.
She was displeased that while Yeon Harin was trying so hard, Byeok Taesan was frequenting courtesan houses every night.
But when it came time to actually say it, the words wouldn't come out.
Honestly, it wasn't as if she couldn't understand Byeok Taesan's feelings at all.
“For the time being, I will also stay by your side, Young Master.”
Byeok Taesan frowned.
“Isn't that a strange reason for why I've 'gone too far'?”
Yu Seoyeon pretended not to hear Byeok Taesan and continued with what she had to say.
“My lady ordered me to protect you, Young Master.”
Byeok Taesan scoffed.
“You're going to protect me?”
He really didn't know why so many youngsters wanted to protect him these days.
Despite Byeok Taesan's reaction, Yu Seoyeon calmly continued.
“I know that Warrior Cheon's skills are exceptional. But this time, the opponent is too much to handle.”
Byeok Taesan looked at Yu Seoyeon as if to ask what she was talking about.
“The family involved in the marriage proposal with my lady is the Jongli Family.”
“The Jongli Family?”
Byeok Taesan tilted his head. After searching his memory for a moment, the name finally came to him.
“Ah, that Jongli Family.”
The corners of Byeok Taesan's mouth lifted slightly.
They were among the bastards he had encountered while sweeping through the Martial Alliance.
There was a time when the main forces of the so-called Five Great Families, along with about ten other martial families, had gathered to attack him all at once.
It was a trap they had set. At that time, the Heavenly Demon and his personal guard, the Sky-Revering Brigade, were separated from the main force and confronted them.
They were truly tenacious bastards.
Because they charged relentlessly, defying death, he had to sacrifice half of the Sky-Revering Brigade.
But the one there was the Heavenly Demon.
It was impossible to kill the Heavenly Demon with just them.
Most of the ones who attacked that day died, but a few managed to escape with their lives.
When defeat seemed imminent, they had pulled out early.
And those were the men of the Jongli Family.
“So, you're worried those bastards might try to harm me?”
“Yes. The Jongli Family is...”
Byeok Taesan finished her sentence.
“A bunch of cowards.”
Startled, Yu Seoyeon snapped her head up and stared at Byeok Taesan. Her gaze furtively flicked to Cheon Gyeongwan before returning.
One should never say such things carelessly.
Because that was the one thing the Jongli Family hated to hear the most.
“So, if the Jongli Family tries something, do you have the strength to stop them?”
Yu Seoyeon lowered her head slightly.
“I can only do my utmost.”
“Well... do as you wish.”
With permission granted, Yu Seoyeon stood up.
“I will ask Soso for help with my lodging.”
“Go ahead.”
As Yu Seoyeon bowed and left, Byeok Taesan turned to Cheon Gyeongwan.
“Don't fool around while you're supposed to be working. If you're going to do something, follow her and do it now.”
Cheon Gyeongwan was horrified by the words.
“I won't do anything of the sort. More importantly... we are not in that kind of relationship yet.”
Byeok Taesan scoffed.
“Coward.”
Cheon Gyeongwan's face turned beet red. But he soon hung his head low.
In front of Yu Seoyeon, he truly was a coward.
***
“You can train here.”
At Cheon Gyeongwan's words, Yu Seoyeon glanced around.
“It's a fine place.”
“This is the Golden Jade Trading Company, after all.”
This was the training ground attached to the pavilion Byeok Taesan used.
Since Byeok Taesan had no use for it, the training ground had been sitting idle, but after Cheon Gyeongwan moved his quarters here, he had been using it as his personal training ground.
Until now, Cheon Gyeongwan had used it alone, but it was far too spacious for just one person.
They would have to give each other space when practicing core martial arts, but for basic training, they could practice together without issue.
In fact, it was large enough for ten people.
Yu Seoyeon stared quietly at Cheon Gyeongwan.
Feeling her gaze, Cheon Gyeongwan just looked away.
“Congratulations.”
“Pardon?”
Surprised by the sudden congratulations, Cheon Gyeongwan looked at her with wide eyes.
“It seems I've fallen a step behind. I'll catch up soon, so don't let your guard down.”
The two of them were at a similar level.
That was, until Cheon Gyeongwan met Byeok Taesan.
In truth, for Yu Seoyeon to be at a similar level as Cheon Gyeongwan meant she was no ordinary martial artist either.
“You must have trained very hard.”
Cheon Gyeongwan gave a bitter smile at her words.
“If hard work was all it took, the world would be overflowing with peak masters.”
A curious light entered Yu Seoyeon's eyes as she looked at Cheon Gyeongwan.
His words implied that his growth wasn't just the result of effort.
‘What is it? Did the Golden Jade Trading Company procure some kind of elixir for him?’
Even with elixirs, there were limits. Especially for elixirs that could be bought with money.
Most martial families and clans would never let their secret elixirs leak out.
So, any elixir the Golden Jade Trading Company could obtain would be mediocre at best.
Cheon Gyeongwan hesitated for a moment, then looked at Yu Seoyeon with a resolute gaze.
“Warrior Yu, do you believe in geniuses?”
“Of course. Every martial family has one or two geniuses, don't they?”
And she herself had grown up being called a genius. Cheon Gyeongwan was probably the same, wasn't he?
But Cheon Gyeongwan shook his head.
“I'm not talking about those ordinary geniuses. I mean a true genius. The kind who can shatter a wall you've been unable to break through for years with just a single word.”
Yu Seoyeon couldn't answer rashly. It was hard to believe. But from the way he spoke, it seemed he had encountered such a genius.
Or perhaps he was mistaking someone for such a genius.
“That is hard to believe. Shattering a wall with a single word...”
Yu Seoyeon smiled faintly as she looked at Cheon Gyeongwan.
“If such a person exists, I'd like to hear a word or two from them myself.”
Cheon Gyeongwan stared blankly at Yu Seoyeon's smile as if mesmerized. Then he quickly snapped out of it.
Yu Seoyeon was looking at Cheon Gyeongwan with a meaningful expression.
Cheon Gyeongwan hesitated, wondering whether to tell her to get on Byeok Taesan's good side. But he quickly swallowed the words.
“There isn't much time, so I'll begin my training.”
Yu Seoyeon nodded at his words.
“I'm going to train too. Is it alright if we do it together?”
“Of course.”
“By the way... when you said there isn't much time, does that mean he's going to the courtesan house again today?”
Cheon Gyeongwan's face returned to its usual expressionless state as he replied.
“It seems likely.”
Cheon Gyeongwan turned away, leaving Yu Seoyeon's displeased expression behind him.
He then created some distance and drew his sword.
Yu Seoyeon was watching, but it didn't matter. Today's training was to pour out all his internal energy and physical strength to experience his limits.
He had to escort Byeok Taesan later, but that didn't matter either. He would collapse long before then.
After pouring everything out, he would probably take a deep nap, and by the time he woke, the sun would have set.
***
Byeok Taesan looked back and forth between Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon, who stood before him.
“Are you both coming?”
At the question, Cheon Gyeongwan looked at Yu Seoyeon with a troubled expression.
“Warrior Yu, I don't think it's necessary for you to come along...”
“You're going out, and you want me to stay here? It doesn't seem like there's any need to protect Young Master Byeok inside these walls, so am I just supposed to sit around and do nothing?”
Hearing her out, he realized she wasn't wrong.
Besides, Byeok Taesan wasn't the type to care whether there were men or women around him.
“Well, fine then.”
Byeok Taesan strode forward, taking the lead.
Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon followed closely behind him.
After walking in silence for a while, Yu Seoyeon quietly asked Cheon Gyeongwan.
“Are you alright?”
“Of course.”
Concern was evident in Yu Seoyeon's gaze.
Anyone who had seen Cheon Gyeongwan training earlier would have had the same reaction.
Cheon Gyeongwan's training was that brutal.
How could his body be fine after pouring everything out like that? Even if he had slept for about four hours.
“Are you really alright?”
“Yes.”
He had been training like this for over a fortnight now.
And it had yielded significant results.
It might have seemed like he was simply exhausting himself, but that wasn't the case.
Cheon Gyeongwan's gaze fell on Byeok Taesan, who was walking ahead.
The first day he poured everything out, Cheon Gyeongwan received a few more words of advice from Byeok Taesan.
And that advice was the real deal.
It was a secret method for recovering a fatigued body.
Since then, he had been able to train to exhaustion every day.
And now, after a fortnight, Cheon Gyeongwan had broken through the true wall Byeok Taesan had spoken of and ascended to the next level.
“I can't believe it. Aren't you the real genius, Warrior Cheon?”
“Not at all.”
“No. From what I can see...”
Yu Seoyeon couldn't finish her sentence. Byeok Taesan had suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Byeok Taesan slowly turned and swept his gaze over the two of them.
That alone was enough to create a palpable pressure.
The two of them shut their mouths and quietly followed Byeok Taesan.