Chapter 164: Once You Step Onto That Path

TL: FoodieMonster007

That night, Jin Haryong lay awake in her chambers. An unexpected visitor arrived. It was her grandfather, Jin Paecheon.

"Are you still awake?"

Jin Haryong remained silent.

"How about a walk with your old grandfather? It's been a while."

"I'd like that."

Jin Haryong walked with Jin Paecheon through the inner garden. The martial artists guarding various posts discreetly vacated their positions and vanished.

"You've been worried because of me lately, haven't you? I'm sorry, Grandfather."

Jin Paecheon did not mention it, nor did he seem angry.

"You attended the banquet today?"

"Yes. It was a banquet hosted by Young Lord Cho of the True Dragon Manor."

"How was it?"

Her grandfather had never asked such a question before. If Jin Paecheon knew she had attended, he must also know that Geom Yeon was there.

"Grandfather, have you ever looked at someone and had an image come to mind? Like an animal, or something else."

"I have. It happened recently, in fact."

Jin Paecheon recalled Geom Mugeuk. The image that surfaced amidst his shock when the boy blocked his momentum was still unforgettable.

"This was the first time I've experienced it. When I looked at someone, a snake came to mind."

Even without Jin Haryong saying the name Cho Sin, her grandfather would know who she meant.

Indeed, Jin Paecheon did not ask who it was.

Jin Haryong had expected him to defend Cho Sin, but her grandfather showed no particular reaction.

Since they had this moment alone, she revealed her honest feelings about Cho Sin.

"Even if I have to enter a political marriage, it won't be with Young Lord Cho."

At that, Jin Paecheon said something unexpected.

"I have no intention of arranging a political marriage between you and Young Lord Cho."

"Really?"

"I am a man who already has everything. What would I lack to resort to such a thing?"

Jin Haryong smiled brightly at Jin Paecheon's firm words. He was truly a wonderful grandfather.

"I knew it."

Jin Haryong linked her arm with her grandfather's.

"What are you doing? You're all grown up."

"Let's just walk like this for a little while."

Jin Paecheon gazed at his granddaughter with a benevolent smile. She was the child who had brought the only joy to his arduous life as Chairman. It felt like just yesterday that she was toddling around, and now she was already so grown.

"Were you disappointed in this old grandfather of yours?"

"No. I understand, Grandfather. What grandfather would like his granddaughter associating with a servant?"

"It is not because that boy is a servant."

"Then why?"

Jin Paecheon did not explain the reason. He felt there was no need to speak of Geom Mugeuk's true identity.

Jin Paecheon changed the subject.

"How is the Young Dragon Tournament going?"

"I'm doing my best."

"Are you confident you can win?"

"As you know, I've worked really hard for this tournament. I will definitely win!"

Knowing that well, Jin Paecheon hesitated. He honestly wanted to advise her to withdraw. Even though he knew the Heavenly Enlightenment Society was involved, he hoped Jin Haryong would not get entangled in it from the start.

However, knowing the effort she had put in for this tournament, he could not bring himself to tell his granddaughter to give up.

"Do your best."

"Yes, Grandfather."

The two of them walked for a long time under the moonlight. With every moment of their stroll, Jin Paecheon noticed that his granddaughter was thinking of someone.

Because he could guess who it was, he could only hope it would be a passing fever of her youth.

Seo Daeryong returned from training, thoroughly flushed with excitement.

"Do you know how many people recognized me on the way back?"

"To be precise, you mean how many women pretended to know you, right?"

"You're so quick-witted. How many do you think?"

"That would depend on how slowly you walked."

On crowded streets, especially if he thought there were many women, Seo Daeryong would exhibit his Turtle Divine Art. Then, if someone happened to recognize him, he would come running back like an excited rabbit.

"Five?"

Seo Daeryong flinched for a moment.

"How did you know?"

"I analyzed it based on your current state of excitement."

"No way. Were you perhaps watching over me? In case I was in danger?"

"Ah! Now that I think about it, that's a possibility. I've never once considered the possibility of our young master being in danger."

"…Because I'm so reliable, right?"

"…Of course."

"That's not it! You just forgot, didn't you? What were you going to do if I got into danger? You just left me alone!"

"Well, you fall into danger, become a hostage, get injured, and that's how you become a real martial artist. What's with you? You know this well."

"I'll pass! I'm going to live quietly, without getting hurt or swept up in conspiracies, just as an investigator of the Sanzu River Hall who diligently practices martial arts. I'll treat my martial arts training as something for my health!"

"Are you upset? Because I wasn't paying attention to you?"

"No."

"Actually, not paying attention might be helping you."

"What do you mean?"

"Let's say someone did figure us out. If I pay you no mind at all, would they think you have any value? They'd probably think that messing with you would only risk revealing their own identities."

"Ah! You thought that far ahead."

"Of course. It's better to act like strangers."

Just then, Seo Daeryong looked far outside the inn.

"Here comes our Director's sponsor," Seo Daeryong said.

The person walking over was Cho Sin. Seo Daeryong had teased him relentlessly for having his beard shaved and being bought new clothes.

"Alright, then let's scatter like strangers."

Seo Daeryong scurried up to the second floor.

A moment later, Cho Sin entered the inn and sat across from me.

"The noodles here are delicious. Would you like some?"

Cho Sin scoffed at my words with an expression that said, Is this really the time to be eating noodles?

A thought occurred to me as I looked at Cho Sin. Even a villain needs a process to ripen. The difference between Cho Sin, the former Patriarch of the Rising Dragon Family, and the Cho Sin of today was as great as the difference between having a beard and not.

"Should you have won that duel yesterday? Or should you have gotten beaten up?"

"It happened before I knew it. I apologize."

"An apology won't end this. Because Miss Jin has fallen for you even more."

Cho Sin took out a throwing knife.

"Now there's no choice but to turn that handsome face of yours into a checkerboard."

If this were the middle-aged Cho Sin, he would have taken me to the finest restaurant and treated me with a bright smile instead of pulling out a knife. He would have fed the one he disliked even more delicious food, praising them all the while. He would have been subtle and persistent, never revealing his true feelings. Had that been the case, he would have been as difficult to handle as the Demon Supremes, but the Cho Sin of today was in the palm of my hand.

"On the contrary, if you use me, you'll be able to win Miss Jin's heart. I know a woman's heart well. If I help, you will be able to marry Miss Jin."

I knew that Cho Sin was determined to marry Jin Haryong. Therefore, it would be difficult for him to refuse this offer.

"What does a punk like you know?"

"If I knew nothing, how could I have made Miss Jin fall for me?"

"It was all intentional?"

"Of course. Every word, every action must be planned. Matters between men and women can't be rushed."

Back in my mercenary days, there was a playboy mercenary. During breaks, he would tell everyone about his experiences. Just sharing those stories would be enough to entice Cho Sin.

"What's your ulterior motive for helping me?"

"What ulterior motive could there be? It's for money."

"I see now, this bastard is quite something."

Until a winner is decided, I have to keep this Cho Sin from running wild. When the Heavenly Enlightenment Society makes its move on the winner, I'll be able to tell from Cho Sin's actions. I will know whether he is connected to the Heavenly Enlightenment Society or not.

Until then, I have to become the type of person who swindles women for money. That way, I can make Cho Sin tell me his secrets. He will not tell me because he trusts me, but because he sees me as someone to be killed once the job is done.

"Do you know why Miss Jin is avoiding Young Lord Cho right now?"

"What is it?"

"Miss Jin has a personality that seeks freedom. Since you're trying to force a political marriage, she's bound to rebel. Her rejection of Young Lord Cho and her interest in me are also because of that rebellious spirit."

Cho Sin's expression softened slightly. It meant the reason she disliked him was not because of him personally.

"Did she say that?"

"Do I have to be told to know? You can tell by observing."

"So?"

"Right now, she is focused on the Young Dragon Tournament. If you push for marriage at a time like this, will it work? In times like these, you should be cheering for her to win the Young Dragon Tournament."

As if he had not thought of that, Cho Sin nodded. People like Cho Sin were originally like that. They only think of themselves rather than others, so they have no understanding or consideration for their counterpart.

"Go and congratulate Miss Jin on the day of her duel."

"Congratulate her? Should I buy her flowers or a gift then?"

"If she wins the whole thing, maybe, but receiving a gift for winning in the quarterfinals would be burdensome. Just go and congratulate her with words."

"Then I should prepare a gift in case she wins."

"As expected, you're brilliant! Your martial arts, family, and even your face. Young Lord Cho, you are perfect in every way. If you just choose the right method, there's no reason for Miss Jin to refuse."

Pleased by my praise, Cho Sin smiled at me. However, his eyes still held an unconcealable killing intent. He was probably imagining the moment he would kill me after using me to his heart's content.

"You cunning bastard! If she saw your true self, she'd be horrified and run away."

As he rose from his seat, I said, "Be sure to prepare one hundred thousand taels!"

When I disappear from the Murim Alliance like smoke, this little villain who will become a future hypocrite will also disappear from this world.

The moment Jin Haryong extended her hand to a servant and asked to be friends, she was not just taking my hand. She was taking hold of her new life.

Two days later, Seo Daeryong was victorious in his quarter-final duel.

However, in the process, he suffered a major injury. His opponent's sword stabbed him in the shoulder.

The tournament martial artists rushed over, carried him on their backs, and ran to the tent where a physician waited.

I ran after them.

While being carried, Seo Daeryong sent me a telepathic message.

[If I die, please tell our drinking buddies! That this Seo Daeryong fought valiantly and passed on with no regrets!]

[If you have any last words, leave them now. I guess I can give your right-hand man position to Jang Ho?]

[No!]

[Then who should I give it to? Lee Ahn?]

[No!]

[Then who?]

[Even if I become a ghost, I won't give up that position.]

The physician finished his treatment.

Fortunately, his life was not in danger, but the wound was quite deep.

The Murim Alliance physician applied an ointment for sword wounds, prescribed oral medicine, and recommended he rest for a while.

We returned to the inn, and I had Seo Daeryong sit down.

"……"

"……"

I infused a stream of qi into Seo Daeryong's back. My true qi slowly circulated through his blood vessels and soothed the injured area. Whether this process was performed or not made a huge difference in the speed of recovery from an injury.

"Thank you, it feels much better."

"Don't worry. I checked, and fortunately, it missed any major blood vessels, and the bone wasn't damaged."

Originally, the quarterfinals were the limit of Seo Daeryong's skill. That he had barely won this time was the result of pouring out all his luck, talent, and effort.

However, it seemed Seo Daeryong wanted to see it through to the end.

"Can I compete in the semi-final duel with this body?"

Knowing well that he wanted to compete, I deliberately did not stop him.

"You have to. You have to wrap it tightly with bandages, go out there, and win. Even if you lose the use of an arm, you have to go. That's how important this is."

But Seo Daeryong's reaction was unexpected.

"……"

I was the one who jumped in surprise at his obedient answer.

"Yes? You're supposed to say you can't go. Why would you risk your arm for a mere duel? You should argue!"

"But there's something too important at stake, isn't there?"

"What thing? What's so important about the Murim Alliance duel tournament?"

"Not that, the test to be the Director's successor. I have to win so we can chase those bastards."

I stared intently at Seo Daeryong's face. His eyes, filled with loyalty and passion, eventually avoided mine. Case closed.

"Trying to get out of it by moving me like this?"

"Was it obvious?"

"Of course. It was a passion very unlike you. You're the type who wouldn't give up his arm even if the sky fell."

"That's right. Even if the murim perishes, I can't give up my arm. Well done, Seo Daeryong! Awesome, Seo Daeryong! Just reaching the semi-finals is enough! I praise you!"

I laughed at his banter, and Seo Daeryong laughed along before screaming in pain.

"AAH! It hurts. Don't make me laugh."

"You're the one being funny. Rest."

As I was about to leave the room, Seo Daeryong asked from behind me.

"Is it really impossible?"

Unlike before, his tone was serious. I could feel his desire to continue in the tournament.

"No."

"The test to be the Director's successor is one thing, but this is also for me. I've learned a lot during this duel tournament. I want to see it through to the end."

A moment of silence passed.

"Detective Seo, once you step onto that path, it is difficult to leave."

"What kind of path is it?"

"It is the path of climbing onto the duel stage with an injured arm wrapped in bandages. A path where you keep walking even as blood flows from your whole body, while you limp, while you can't see out of one eye."

That was what I was like when I was searching for the final ingredient for the Great Method.

Because I had lived such a life, I wanted to stop him, and because I knew better than anyone how much that life makes a martial artist grow, I could not stop him.

However, once you cross that line and taste that world, you will no longer be able to live as an investigator of the Sanzu River Hall who practices martial arts for health.

"At least for this one time, I want to try."

"Your next opponent will be difficult to beat even without an injury."

"Please show me the way."

"If you push yourself too hard, you might lose the use of your injured arm forever."

"Then I'll just get a right arm too. Ah, for me it would be a left arm, I guess."

"You could suffer an even greater injury."

"I'll take that as a chance to rest a bit."

The determination in Seo Daeryong's eyes was no different from my own in the past.

"Then you shouldn't be sitting there like that."

Seo Daeryong shot up from his seat.

"Your destiny always seems to change in an inn."

"And the Director is always there."

How could it be because of me, or the place? It must be because of the unwavering decisions made by that small, stubborn man.

I took him and left the inn.

Burning with fervor, Seo Daeryong shouted, "Alright, from now on, it's hellish training!"

As Seo Daeryong strode towards the mountain where we used to train, I said, "Not there, this way."

I started walking in the opposite direction.

"There's a place we need to stop by first."

The place I stopped by with him was the Central Plains Bank. I withdrew five hundred thousand taels there.

"Why are you withdrawing so much money?"

"We're not going to hell. With an injured body, hellish training will only break it further."

"Then where are we going?"

"To paradise."

I gave the startled Seo Daeryong a meaningful smile.

"We're going to paradise. A paradise with a very expensive entrance fee."