Chapter 280: I Must See for Myself

TL: FoodieMonster007

Jin Haryong's body was at the President's banquet, but her mind was elsewhere.

Even while greeting and speaking with the prodigies, her thoughts drifted to Geom Mugeuk and Lee Ahn. She recalled Lee Ahn's beautiful image and felt her prayer. Then, she pictured Geom Mugeuk standing beside Lee Ahn.

Is Orabeoni doing well?

In her distracted state, the prodigies trying to win her favor went completely unnoticed.

They included handsome men and skilled martial artists, but compared to Geom Mugeuk, they all seemed like children. It was a side effect of knowing him.

The meeting felt especially long. When it finally ended, she returned to her residence and found Jin Hagun waiting.

"Orabeoni!"

Jin Haryong never thought she would be so happy to see him.

"I was just about to go see you. What happened?"

Judging by Jin Hagun's expression, their talk had ended well.

Instead of answering, Jin Hagun asked a question.

"How was the meeting?"

"It's the same old boring stuff. Memorizing names and faces, listening to bragging, and pretending to be friendly. Then it's 'Let's overthrow the Demonic Cult! Let's defeat the Evil Alliance!'"

"That boring work will one day protect the orthodox sects of the murim."

"You can protect the murim, Orabeoni. My role ends here."

"Do you think there'll be anywhere to hide if the Demonic Cult takes over the murim?"

Her Orabeoni also suffered from a side effect, one that came from living as the Chairman's grandson. The fear that the Demonic Cult and the Evil Alliance could invade had been rooted in his heart since childhood.

"Orabeoni, do you really think Geom Mugeuk is the kind of person who dreams of unifying the murim by slaughtering us all?"

She couldn't picture it, no matter how hard she tried. The image of Geom Mugeuk standing on a mountain of corpses just didn't fit.

"I don't know. I don't know what kind of person he is, but one thing is certain. If he dreams of unifying the murim, stopping him won't be easy."

This was not a problem for their grandfather to solve. It was a matter for Jin Hagun and Jin Haryong's generation.

"You can never know if you can trust someone during the process. That trust is only proven by the result. We're still in the process."

This applied to his relationship with his master and with Geom Mugeuk. Doing well a hundred times meant nothing. If they showed their true colors at the last moment, it would be a catastrophe.

"Oh, you know how to say things like that now. How impressive, Orabeoni!"

After a short pause, Jin Hagun spoke.

"Geom Mugeuk said that."

"Ah!"

Jin Haryong grew solemn for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"My successful Orabeoni has finally met his match."

Even after hearing this, Jin Hagun didn't feel angry or displeased.

She was the only person he could open his heart to. The only one with whom he could comfortably have such sensitive conversations.

"Orabeoni, what do you think of him?"

Jin Haryong was curious about her Orabeoni's opinion of Geom Mugeuk.

Like her, Jin Hagun had much to say about Geom Mugeuk. He was clearly a trustworthy person, but Jin Hagun didn't know how far that trust should extend.

Nevertheless, Jin Hagun acknowledged his counterpart.

"He is a person on a different scale than me."

Jin Hagun held out one hand, cupping it as if holding a ball.

"If I am a person of this size."

He then used both hands to mime holding a large ball in front of his chest.

"Geom Mugeuk is a person of this size. To face him and win, I'll have to start by acknowledging this."

Her Orabeoni had certainly changed after meeting Geom Mugeuk. The fact that her prideful Orabeoni would admit such a thing proved he was different.

Jin Haryong liked the change, but she was also worried. She worried he might fall too deeply for Geom Mugeuk.

"You can handle it, right?"

"I have to try. If I can't do it now, I won't be able to do it later either."

Jin Hagun's gaze was resolute. Though he was receiving help, she could feel his determination not to be swayed by Geom Mugeuk.

"Watch how I overcome this."

Jin Haryong clenched her fist, her expression full of belief.

This time, Jin Hagun asked a question.

"How about you? You saw Geom Mugeuk for the first time in a while, didn't you?"

Her clenched fist went limp.

"It's even more repetitive for me. I'm always surprised and flustered, but today, he wasn't the problem."

Jin Haryong imitated Jin Hagun.

"If I am this beautiful, then this time I met someone who is this beautiful."

Seeing her brother's confused look, Jin Haryong smiled.

"I realized that Hubei was just a vast well."

Jin Hagun arrived at Baek Cheongeong's workshop.

At the door, he remembered Geom Mugeuk's advice.

'Don't be self-conscious, just act as you normally would. Rather than trying to look good, subtly reveal that you are dissatisfied with this recent matter. That way, he won't suspect you.'

However, Baek Cheongeong was not in the workshop.

Jin Hagun was about to leave when his eyes fell on the display shelf. A black cloth covered the shelf where the dolls were kept. It was sometimes covered, but this cloth looked different.

As Jin Hagun slowly approached and reached for the cloth, he sensed a presence behind him.

When Jin Hagun turned, Baek Cheongeong stood in the doorway.

"Master."

"You've come?"

Though curious about what was under the cloth, Jin Hagun left it alone and walked toward his master.

Baek Cheongeong walked past him, sat in his usual seat, and began to carve.

SAGAK SAGAK.

Lately, his master spent much more time carving. It used to seem like just a hobby.

He even covered the display case. What could he be carving?

"So, have you thought about how to reclaim the Heavenly Peace Sect?"

His Master's gaze remained fixed on the doll he was carving.

"I'm thinking of persuading the masters within the Heavenly Peace Sect who support the orthodox sects. Since the Heavenly Peace Sect has long remained neutral, their loyalty to the Demonic Cult isn't strong. Of course, the same goes for our main alliance or the Evil Alliance. The sect's atmosphere changes with the Sect Leader and high command, so it will take time, but if we can win over the orthodox-leaning masters…"

As Jin Hagun spoke, he carefully watched Baek Cheongeong's every move. He could tell his master was not listening attentively.

Is my Master really waiting for me to find a solution?

As if to confirm his suspicion, Baek Cheongeong cut him off.

"Isn't your pride wounded?"

He provoked Jin Hagun in a calm tone.

"The three heirs of the orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions gathered in one place. Two returned with lavish gifts, but you alone came back empty-handed."

Mentioning his pride and comparing him to the other heirs angered Jin Hagun, but he forced himself to answer calmly.

"I don't believe this is a matter of pride. Hunan was originally their territory. The Heavenly Peace Sect Leader's son was a monster in human skin. My gift was never there in the first place."

Jin Hagun faithfully followed Geom Mugeuk's advice. He didn't simply admit fault or follow his master's opinion.

"Why is the Heavenly Peace Sect so important to you, Master?"

"Do you think I'm doing this because of the Heavenly Peace Sect?"

"You're not?"

"I am not."

"Then what is it for?"

A surprising answer came from Baek Cheongeong's lips.

"To prevent a war."

Jin Hagun froze at the word 'war'.

"What do you mean?"

"Hunan borders Hubei, where the Murim Alliance Headquarters is located, and has historically been a strategic key point. However, the Big Bro sects that maintained neutrality there have fallen into the hands of the Demonic Cult. This means the balance has been broken."

"Isn't it a bit of a leap to say a war will break out?"

"Why do you think this alliance exists? It exists to eliminate even that slim probability. Wars can start from the smallest, most trivial incidents. This time, you've greatly increased the probability of a war breaking out. All because of your greed to become the Chairman."

For a moment, Jin Hagun was speechless. Before meeting Geom Mugeuk, he would have completely accepted his master's words. He would have even blamed himself for being greedy.

But not anymore. No matter how plausible it sounded, he would judge it later.

Hiding his inner thoughts, Jin Hagun asked with a deliberately flustered expression.

"Then what should I do now?"

The Master's reply was cold.

"Why are you asking me that? You're the one who caused this, so you should be the one to find the answer."

SCRAPE, SCRAPE.

Baek Cheongeong began carving again. Recognizing the silent dismissal, Jin Hagun bowed his head and left, thinking that he still didn't understand his master at all.

"Lower your arm a little more, and put more strength into your left leg."

Geom Mugeuk observed and corrected Lee Ahn's technique.

Lee Ahn's Soaring Sky Sword Art had improved even further since he last saw it. Of course, she still needed much more time and effort to reach complete mastery. She had to train relentlessly, letting the art mature within her until it was ready to burst open like a flower bud.

"Put more power into your waist. If your center collapses, your entire stance will collapse."

The two were training at the safehouse Jin Hagun had arranged.

"Focus! Why can't you focus today?"

"I'm sorry."

For some reason, she couldn't focus on her training today. She didn't know why.

This isn't an opportunity that comes often. I have to focus!

Lee Ahn swung her sword with all her might. After the training session ended, she apologized again.

"I'm sorry, Young Master."

She expected a scolding, but Geom Mugeuk's reaction was unexpected.

"It was actually good. Sometimes you don't seem human. People have moments where they can't focus, and they make mistakes. This is how it should be."

"I appreciate you saying that, but I'm still disappointed. It's been a while since you personally taught me, Young Master."

"I'll teach you often until you achieve complete mastery, so don't worry."

Pleased, Lee Ahn swayed her body as if dancing. She seemed much more liberated compared to the rigid girl she was when he first regressed.

Yes, she's changing little by little. These changes will accumulate and one day become a different life. Lee Ahn, in this life, you won't die in a pool of blood. I'll make sure you can live your life dancing just like this.

Lee Ahn moved around him like a child and asked.

"By the way, Young Master. Did you really bring me here to introduce me to Miss Jin?"

"No."

"Then why did you bring me?"

"Why else? I just made an excuse because I wanted to come out and have fun with you for a change."

Lee Ahn glanced back over her shoulder.

"A few of my tails are missing. You took them, didn't you, Young Master?"

Knowing she meant it was an excellent answer, Geom Mugeuk pretended to stroke his own tail.

"Actually, I had more tails to begin with."

As they laughed together, Jin Hagun arrived.

He expected to find only Geom Mugeuk, so seeing a woman with him, Jin Hagun waited from a distance.

"Come on over."

Only when Geom Mugeuk called out did Jin Hagun approach.

In that time, Lee Ahn had put on a mask. Of course, the mask couldn't hide her beauty.

"I am Lee Ahn, who serves the Young Cult Leader."

"I am Jin Hagun of the Demon Slaying Brigade."

"Well then, I'll let you two talk."

"We'll see each other next time."

Lee Ahn bowed politely and went into her quarters.

Jin Hagun knew at a glance. He knew who his sister meant when she mentioned a great beauty.

Geom Mugeuk came up beside him and asked suggestively.

"Are you smitten?"

Jin Hagun gave Geom Mugeuk a look that said, 'What are you talking about?'

"There's no need to be shy. Isn't it natural for a man to fall for a beautiful woman? I understand completely."

"Do you fall for women you've just met so easily?"

He couldn't let that comment slide. It was like drawing a sword in front of Geom Mugeuk.

"One can fall in love at first sight."

"Not me. I don't give my heart to someone I don't even know."

Since he was obviously being sincere, Geom Mugeuk attacked from another angle.

"Ah, Lee Ahn. You'll have to try harder. It seems you weren't beautiful enough to move the heart of this iron wall of a man. I'll pass on the message to her. That she wasn't beautiful enough to move your heart."

Jin Hagun became flustered.

"What are you talking about! Don't you dare tell her something like that!"

"But it's true, isn't it? 'How dare she try to move me with mere beauty! Her beauty is not enough to move me!'"

"No! She is beautiful enough."

"Then are you smitten?"

Finally, Jin Hagun shook his head with a look of defeat.

"Think whatever you want."

Geom Mugeuk smiled victoriously.

After their banter, Jin Hagun recounted his visit to his master.

"I went to see my Master."

Jin Hagun relayed the conversation verbatim.

Geom Mugeuk contemplated for a moment. Watching him, Jin Hagun felt a strange tension. Geom Mugeuk's expression was completely different from when he had been joking moments ago.

In a moment, the words that come from Geom Mugeuk's mouth must also be able to come from my own. I must be able to think like that. Only then will I be able to face Geom Mugeuk.

"Did your heart waver after hearing his words?"

"Isn't it possible that my Master did it for the true peace of the murim?"

"Nonsense. If he was truly for the peace of the murim, he shouldn't have tried to rescue the Heavenly Peace Sect Leader's son in the first place. Think about it. The Murim Alliance pressured us to release someone the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult had captured for punishment. Father let it slide, saying it was a test for me, but what would have happened if we had reacted harshly? That would have brought us one step closer to war."

Jin Hagun nodded. He regretted that he couldn't say these words to his master on the spot.

"I need to see your Master in person."

"Are you serious?"

Geom Mugeuk nodded. He judged that drawing out the Master's true nature through Jin Hagun would be too difficult. The opponent was moving too cautiously.

"How? My Master will never agree to meet you."

He had lived a secretive life. Jin Hagun thought that no matter how capable Geom Mugeuk was, he couldn't possibly find a way to see his master.

Just then, another person entered the area. It was Jin Haryong.

"Orabeoni, you're here too."

"What are you doing here?"

"I have no business with you two. I came to see this martial artist."

Geom Mugeuk spoke to her.

"Lee Ahn is in her room. The room at the end of the hall. Oh, and go tell Lee Ahn that she's still not enough to move your Orabeoni's heart…"

"Stop!"

Jin Hagun urgently cut him off. Guessing the situation, Jin Haryong said to Geom Mugeuk.

"Even if you're going to play with him, make sure you put him back where he belongs."

"Of course. He's the most dangerous toy in the murim."

Jin Hagun gestured for the confused Jin Haryong to go inside and not bother with them.

After she left, Jin Hagun said with a serious expression.

"Are you going to keep joking around at a time like this?"

"I've thought of a way to meet your Master."

Geom Mugeuk spoke meaningfully to the surprised Jin Hagun.

"I thought of it thanks to your sister."