Chapter 14
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Do You Know What a Playboy Is?
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"Lost again..."
The sight of my despondent little sister stirred pity in my heart.
"You won again."
Seo Mun Young-ryeong had suffered defeat after defeat in quick succession.
I stroked her sighing head, tousling her hair like one might pat a pony's mane.
"I'll spar with you anytime you want next time."
Even during this rare leisurely moment, as the elder brother, I'd set aside the virtue of yielding.
"You can even bring a new game."
A match was a match. I'd been taught that half-hearted effort against anyone was rude, no matter how trivial the contest. I had no intention of conceding even a single victory.
"You're so annoying! I could just die from it!"
She gnawed at her clothes, her hips bucking in frustration.
The one nyang of silver had been paid off long ago.
We'd played baduk, shogi, gomoku, and even wagered pieces, competing in dozens more rounds.
"Anyway, that settles our deal."
I rolled my stiff shoulders. Oddly enough, it had tired me out more than my trip to the Plum Sword Gang.
"You cheated!"
"It's skill."
"We played dozens of times—how could I not win even once?"
"You're too straightforward and aggressive. Sometimes you need to know when to retreat. Rigidity leads to breaking."
Young-ryeong's thoughts were plain as day. Without even trying, the bold girl's mind didn't exceed expectations in most areas, certain parts aside.
"...Couldn't you let your one and only little sister win just once?"
Still, considering her usual self, this was a significant change. The process of enduring thick and long defeats until bending her pride hadn't been simple.
"You knew all that, so why'd you keep losing at gambling? Were you throwing it on purpose?"
"Think what you will."
"You're really hopeless."
Pouting her lips, Young-ryeong threw a tantrum.
"And our deal was for a spar, wasn't it?"
"What can be done with the situation like this?"
Strictly speaking, the change in terms was due to Young-ryeong's circumstances.
We couldn't exactly swing swords in this cramped space. A sword debate would've meant using only clan techniques we both knew, so we'd reverted to childlike games for once.
"But we did it dozens of times instead. If you insist on calling it a duel, it'd come to exactly forty-two nyang of gold. If the Black Wind Unit's vice commander is amenable, I could settle the balance..."
"Argh, fine! This counts as our spar. Happy now?"
Young-ryeong acquiesced easily.
Even as the clan's precious jewel, mentioning a hefty sum broke her spirit quick enough, especially while she was grounded.
"By the way, it's a relief to see you looking okay now."
"What?"
Her current predicament, of course.
"Did you think I'd be crying, big brother?"
"I expected gloominess at worst."
Seeing her relatively spirited now made the worry seem pointless.
"At first, a little? But really, this is all your fault."
"Is it now."
"Take responsibility."
Responsibility. Duty or obligation to bear—she emphasized it once more.
"How?"
"Spar with me one more time later."
There it was. With her head full of martial arts, she'd slipped through the tiniest gap.
"Sure, later."
"For real? Promise?"
Her face lit up, but she'd skipped the most crucial detail right then.
For me, fulfilling the prior promise had shaken off any lingering reluctance.
I'd felt some guilt, if not full responsibility, but now I wouldn't need to worry about my no-longer-childish sister anymore.
"Where are you off to this time?"
"Off to?"
"Your vibe just feels like it. I wanted to go to the weapon shop too... They got a good sword in."
"Next chance I get, I'll buy you a fine sword."
Quite the unexpected words, judging by how Seo Mun Young-ryeong blinked her big eyes.
With her before me, I rose quietly.
Not the armory, but the time had come.
Time to cross Shandong and step into the vast world beyond.
Smoothly—
The door closed without a sound, gliding effortlessly.
Nothing compared to my quarters; the interior of Hwayeong Hall was impeccably neat.
Straightening up.
Passing through the pristine, luxurious hall, I spotted one person and bowed my head.
"Greetings, Mother."
The lady of the Seo Mun Clan, Jo Young-mi.
"Who said I'm your mother?"
Thorns bristled from her furrowed brow.
Jo Young-mi was dubbed second in the clan, but strictly third. Yet she stood closest to real power.
Unlike the first wife, Im So-young, her position was ironclad, exuding arrogance and confidence in every word.
"Is there reason I can't call Mother 'Mother'?"
"You... ha..."
Her forehead creased deeper.
"Your face has gotten thicker. After that brush with death, do you see nothing before your eyes now?"
"Not quite, but I've decided not to care what others prattle."
"..."
"As long as I'm upright with myself. So now, I'll live upright."
I glanced back the way I'd come, toward Young-ryeong's quarters. Jo Young-mi had a daughter scarred by public eyes and rumors—once the apple of her eye.
"...How's Young-ryeong faring?"
She couldn't feel at ease after such harsh punishment.
"Doing well. As you saw."
A faint ripple stirred in her cold eyes, but no particular resentment toward me, the cause.
"She seems bored, though."
Her grudge against me ran deeper, more fundamental.
"Though she'd decline. How about assigning a companion?"
"A person?"
"I know just the right talent."
"That girl you brought from the brothel?"
"Good character, similar age. She'll care for her meticulously. Just look at Grandfather's handicrafts."
"...I'll consider it."
I bowed and passed her slowly.
For a moment, I considered mentioning my own mother.
'Not just today.'
Deferring to next time, I left Hwayeong Hall under her gaze from behind.
"A guest has arrived, Young Master!"
As usual, the boisterous A-so greeted me.
"A guest?"
This was my second visit.
First time stepping into the patriarch's quarters since the elders' meeting.
"It's been a while, Young Master."
I scanned the room, taking in each person.
My upright father, flanked by his constant retainers and warriors.
Steward U Chong-gwan, Eight Flame Unit Leader and Vice Leader. And one man who'd chased my tail relentlessly.
'Ma Hwi, was it?'
Passing his dissatisfied expression, my gaze returned to the first speaker.
"It's been a while."
I grasped the situation instantly.
"You're late. How can you keep a friend who traveled far waiting?"
Like me, the Seo Mun Clan patriarch eyed one woman.
"My apologies."
"You should greet her properly, Young Master,"
Even Steward U Chong-gwan sided with this sudden "friend," and Ma Hwi seized the chance to vent his long-held grudge.
"I never knew the Third Young Master had friends in the Murim Alliance. The Vermilion Bird Unit Leader Ha Eun-ye, no less. Granddaughter of Sword King Namgung Hwi, the current alliance leader. When did our Young Master forge such ties...?"
I brushed off the sarcasm, like retribution for past failures.
"It's fine. My fault for coming unannounced."
If anything, I owed him thanks. Without knowing the full story, the barbs held valuable info.
"So, what business does such a renowned leader have with me?"
I asked indirectly, mimicking Ma Hwi's obvious presence.
Ha Ye from the brothel. Seok Un-ye who'd approached at the inn before. Now Ha Eun-ye, the leader's granddaughter. Fun imagining her next guise.
"The Murim Alliance's four great units hunt down defeated demon heads. Seems your friend didn't mention it."
Steward U Chong-gwan answered.
"Junior warriors handle surveillance, espionage, infiltration. They often capture or eliminate too. Perilous work—impressive folk."
Impressive indeed.
The Demon Cult War fifteen years back. White Path's victory left demon heads and cultists hiding everywhere; these warriors risked all against them.
"I heard there was a great war."
White Path versus Black Path, righteous sects versus unorthodox, upended by a bizarre cult sweeping the Black Path and clashing with the White.
The Sun-Moon Cult banner fell, but its shockwaves lingered like vengeful spirits amid White Path dominance.
"Some suspect ties to the Ming imperial court, but nothing confirmed."
"..."
"In any case, Third Young Master, stay cautious."
I knew exactly what to beware.
"A demon head hiding in Shandong?"
"That's our hunch. No, certainty. So..."
The Vermilion Bird Unit Leader exchanged glances with the clan patriarch.
"She needs your help. To cut to the chase, neither alliance headquarters nor the main clan can act openly—too much attention. Her visit as a subordinate leader was already arduous."
"Calling it top secret might overstate, but it mustn't leak. Demon heads have keen noses. Sharp ears too."
"Pardon the interruption, but you skipped the point. What exactly do you want from me?"
She paused, then smiled genuinely.
"Guide. I'll buy your day for twenty nyang of silver."
That twenty nyang silver was once the price for a courtesan versed in martial arts.
En route to the new location, I laid down my terms.
"Not for sale."
"Whoa, dropping the honorifics right away?"
"Not selling."
"Now you say that—what—fine."
Eun-ye's request was unofficial cooperation, with a skill check underway.
No ties to public reputation or clan obligations, so she'd framed it before the patriarch as leveraging the playboy face and freedom.
"Why not sell?"
What she wanted: intel gathering, provision, and guiding.
"You asking 'cause you don't know?"
Her flimsy excuses were riddled with flaws.
"I really don't."
But if she truly wanted, I could spell it out.
First off, her real aim wasn't cooperation itself, but a side branch.
"One: my day's not that cheap."
"...So my day's cheap?"
Ignoring her sour glare, I continued.
"Two: I'm busy now."
"I heard. Don't know 'who,' but Plum Sword Gang Leader got hit with Delayed Poison Palm. You've bought plenty of time, no?"
Rumors spread fast.
"Playboy who slew warriors versus the beast who nearly killed the leader. No contest on priorities. Seo Mun Young Master got lucky."
Few leads, mere suspicion, but her acuity was familiar.
"I'm a bit lucky."
"Three?"
"You. A woman ruthless and meticulous enough to disguise as a courtesan."
"..."
"Guiding's obvious, but why need someone like me for intel? Father and others see it as connection-extending, but..."
Cooperating on alliance missions as entry to formal enlistment. Singing friendship, she offered enlistment chance; even without, boosting my value fit their picture.
"Truth is, no real bond between us."
Whether for my future or purely the clan.
"Cooperation wasn't the goal from the start. So what's the real purpose?"
In the training ground, I tapped the floor and swung my real sword.
"This, right?"
Skill check was the goal.
"...You knew, so why agree?"
"Curious about Murim Alliance techniques. Personally."
Her vixen reactions too. I'd never shied from fights thrown at my face, past or present.
"Before we start, a few questions?"
"A few?"
I circled the quiet training ground with her.
"How'd you figure it at the inn?"
Not many onlookers for an informal duel, but all clan core members.
"Process of elimination. Few suspects approach. Male disguise? Not certain, but seventy percent."
"Hid my gait too..."
"Same build."
"Should've learned Bone Shrinking Skill or Body Transformation Art."
"Wipe your scent first next time."
"How do I know my own scent?"
Setting banter aside, I clasped hands formally, facing her.
"Wait, really no intent to cooperate? Join the alliance, and I'll—I mean, treat you well."
Her stance was Five Inscriptions Twelve Divine Arts.
"No. Not now."
Unfamiliar yet familiar Seo Mun Clan technique.
"Besides cooperating, wanna bet?"
The renowned woman cocked her head at the sudden proposal.
Time was gold for warriors and all; curbing curiosity and gain, I demanded compensation for time spent.
"Sure."
I asked for money.
"If I win."
She, whose composure seemed twisted before, demanded something absurd.
"No more casual speech!"
Ha Eun-ye's eyes blazed as she unleashed her sword stance.