Translator: FenrirTL
Editor/Quality Checker: Saphartlantis
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Chapter 378: We Live in the Same Martial World
"Lady Jin, please accept my sincere heart."
The young man confessed with a pleading tone and eyes full of sincerity.
Compared to the young man who had fallen in love, Jin Haryeong's response was indifferent. This was a common side effect that arose every time the Posthumous Will Gathering was led by the Beauty of Hubei.
"Young Master Im."
"Lady Jin."
How well do you know me to confess like this? We have things to do. For me, work comes before love. I’ve tried various methods, and this one was the fastest and most certain.
"I already like someone." 1
The young man was startled. When said like this, people’s reactions generally fall into two categories: those who give up and turn away, and those who, like this man, just can’t let go until the end. 2
"Who is it?"
"What if you find out? Will you go to that person and try to stop him?"
Even in this case, there are two types. Some realize they’ve gone too far and step back, while others, like this man, still try to push through to the end.
"If I can, I will. Even if that’s the only way, I want to show you how deeply I care about you, Lady Jin." 3
Perhaps someone once advised him that to win over a woman, he had to be bold. Maybe that method had succeeded once or twice in his life. But at least with her, it wouldn't work.
"What if someone came now and tried to stop you from liking Lady Jin?"
"I wouldn't just sit back."
"I feel the same way."
Jin Haryeong's gaze turned cold. If he still didn’t back down here, she would have to emit her internal energy.
Fortunately, this was his limit. He bowed his head and apologized.
"Please forgive my rudeness. I'm not usually like this."
Only then did Jin Haryeong soften her gaze as well.
"I’ll see you at the next gathering."
After bowing respectfully, the young man left.
Then Choo Ho, Jin Haryeong’s bodyguard who had been standing off in the distance, stepped forward and spoke.
"Shall I make sure he doesn’t attend the gatherings anymore?"
After acting so rudely, he says he's not that kind of person? While Choo Ho wanted to deal with him strictly, Jin Haryeong was more generous.
"Leave him be. If we do that, his life will only get more gloomy and dark."
She had received confessions so often that she had learned how to handle such people.
"Is it so easy to stop liking someone just because you want to? He needs time too. Whether he shows up again or not—that should be his choice." 4
At some point, Choo Ho had begun to feel that Jin Haryeong had matured a lot. And he knew exactly when that change had started.
"By the way, is there really someone you like?"
Jin Haryeong looked at Choo Ho with a face that said, ‘Why are you asking that?’
"Because you always use that line to turn people down. I was wondering if it's just an excuse, or maybe…?"
"There is."
Feigning surprise, Choo Ho was asked by her in return.
"You asked even though you already knew, didn’t you? Why pretend like you don’t? We’re just between us."
"My apologies. I just thought you might want to talk to someone about him."
Choo Ho knew. He knew that Geom Mugeuk had taken root in Jin Haryeong’s heart.
She never revealed such feelings to anyone. If she could just blurt it out in a confession like that guy earlier, maybe she’d feel a bit more at ease.
Choo Ho worried. What if this ends up causing her a stress illness? That’s why he hoped she would at least open up to him.
"Are you worried about me?"
"No, I’m not."
"It’s not something worth worrying about. I just miss him sometimes. On days like this, I miss him a little more. Very occasionally, he shows up in my dreams. That’s about it."
And on a day like today, when there’s not a single cloud in the sky—
—See that sky color over there? That’s the color of my sword aura.
She remembered his words.
Jin Haryeong recalled what Geom Mugeuk had said before he left.
—Near the main division of the cult, there’s a tavern with good drinks and a nice owner. I’ll invite you sometime.
Liar.
Though, it’s not that Geom Mugeuk is a liar. It’s probably just the place where he was born that’s the problem.
Jin Haryeong said it wasn’t serious enough to worry about.
‘She likes him as a man. That’s what this is.’
But Choo Ho didn’t say that out loud. Because the two of them were people who could never be together. And Jin Haryeong probably knew that very well. 5
"Someday he’ll just suddenly show up and shock us."
It was at that very moment.
Someone spoke from behind.
"Maybe that day is today."
The two of them turned around in surprise, and there stood Geom Mugeuk, some distance away.
"How have you been?"
Jin Haryeong asked with a surprised face.
"How long have you been here?"
"Just now."
Thankfully, it didn’t seem like he had overheard her conversation with Choo Ho. 6
She turned to Choo Ho and said,
"Find out where my brother is right now."
"Understood."
Choo Ho immediately followed the order. He knew it was not only a command but also a subtle request to give them some space. Normally, he wasn’t supposed to leave her side, but Geom Mugeuk was the exception. After all, if Geom Mugeuk ever had ill intentions, his presence wouldn’t make any difference anyway. The fact that he hadn’t even noticed Geom Mugeuk standing behind them before he talked proved it well enough.
"Shall we have a drink?"
"Sounds good."
Jin Haryeong felt cheerful. There was a certain thrill she only felt when she met Geom Mugeuk.
The two went to the same inn where they had first met long ago and ordered noodles and liquor.
Geom Mugeuk didn’t rush. Persuading the Alliance Leader of the orthodox martial world was an important task, but so was his relationship with Jin Haryeong.
Eating with her, drinking with her, joking around—this was his life. It was just as important as killing enemies. 7
"How have you been?"
At Jin Haryeong’s question, Geom Mugeuk put on an exaggerated act.
"Don’t even get me started. You wouldn’t believe the kind of huge things that happened."
"Tell me. Everything."
Geom Mugeuk looked at her. He thought she’d scoff and say, “Braggart!”—but she truly looked like she meant to hear it all.
"I heard from my brother. That you went to the Unorthodox Alliance with the Young Leader of the Unorthodox Alliance. You’ve no idea how alert our Alliance has been, do you?"
This was why he had to come. The Martial Alliance was keeping a keen watch on every moves of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Unorthodox Alliance.
"You didn’t know? When you move, now the entire martial world starts moving too?"
"They’re just worried a loach might muddy the waters."
Jin Haryeong now understood.
What her grandfather and the Martial Alliance were really concerned about wasn’t just this dragon flying to the sky—but whether the wish-granting orb it seized in its claws would be that sky-blue orb, or one soaked in blood. *
"Is everything alright on the Unorthodox Alliance’s side?"
Geom Mugeuk gave a single nod.
At that moment, a thought came to her.
‘Well, you went there yourself.’
That was the kind of person Geom Mugeuk was to her.
"I’m the granddaughter of the Alliance Leader, and here I am relieved to hear the Unorthodox Alliance is fine!"
At her self-deprecating jest, Geom Mugeuk smiled and replied.
"It’s also a friend’s concern at the same time."
"Friend?"
"A friend of a friend is a friend."
"If Grandpa heard that, he’d faint. You alone are already more than enough. And now you’re friends with the Unorthodox Alliance’s Young Leader?"
She could talk about anything with Geom Mugeuk. Whether it was the fate of the martial world, or how the noodles were too salty today—it didn’t matter. He was someone who’d understand and accept whatever she said. Someone who could offer her a new perspective. 8
"By the way, how’s Lee Ahn?"
"She’s been busy lately. She’s out handling some work."
Lee Ahn had left to try to recruit Seo Jin, younger sister of the Spirit Master Seo Gong, as squad leader of the Haunted Shade Corps. For the first time in her life, she was forging her own path alone in the Central Plains.
"I miss her, Lee Ahn." 9
"Then go see her."
"Easier said than done."
"What’s so hard about it? If you want to see her, go anytime. Or we can go."
"That’s how it works in your martial world. Not in mine."
"We live in the same martial world though."
Jin Haryeong silently looked at Geom Mugeuk.
Was it really the same martial world? To her, Geom Mugeuk was still like a dream—suddenly appearing, then vanishing like smoke.
"Actually, I came to ask a favor from you and Commander Jin."
"What kind of favor?"
"There’s something I absolutely have to persuade the Alliance Leader about. If I fail to convince him myself, I need a second and third fallback plan."
"I’m the second fallback?"
"Commander Jin is the third."
"What in the world is this favor?"
"Let’s talk about it all at once when we meet your brother."
Jin Haryeong met dozens of Posthumous Will candidates every month, but it was always frustrating and tiresome. Yet, it hadn’t even been a full quarter-hour since she met Geom Mugeuk, and already her heart had begun to race.
Just then, as she spotted Choo Ho entering the inn, Geom Mugeuk stood up first from his seat.
"Alright, shall we go meet the third contingency plan?"
* * *
Jin Hagun was training at the sparring grounds.
His fiery energy had heated the entire space.
Lately, he had been pushing himself to his absolute limits.
There was an urgency—a sense that he wouldn’t stand a chance against Geom Mugeuk if he stayed the way he was. And it wasn’t just Geom Mugeuk. Even in the eyes of Bih Sa-in, his practical rival, he could clearly feel the intensity.
It wasn’t just his training that had changed.
As he had once told Geom Mugeuk, he had started paying more attention to how he treated people. Things he would have just brushed off in the past now gave him pause. Instead of judging by his own standards, he tried to consider the other person’s point of view. 10
It had happened not long ago.
A martial artist from the Demon-Slaying Brigade had requested time off. Though it overlapped with a mission, Jin Hagun approved it without hesitation. In the past, that would’ve been the end of it.
But Jin Hagun called him in personally to ask the reason for the leave. It turned out there was a conflict in his family regarding the selection of the heir. Given that most members of the Demon-Slaying Brigade were from prestigious households, such matters weren’t uncommon.
Jin Hagun went one step beyond asking the reason.
—If you ever need my help, just say the word. Anytime.
The man declined the offer, but he was deeply moved by the gesture.
Because no one had ever said something like that to him before.
Of course, Jin Hagun had always felt it in his heart. They had shared the battlefield together—how could he not care? But he had never said it out loud.
Through this opportunity, Jin Hagun realized anew just how powerful words could be between people.
—I thought you already knew how I felt.
Saying this after everything’s over was just an excuse.
—Why would we need words between us?
No. You have to say it directly, or the other person won’t know.
And once he tried, he understood. Because of his nature to always follow through on what he says, it wasn’t easy to say things lightly.
What if the subordinate really did ask for help? What if they asked him to pressure someone in the family to step down?
You had to be prepared to go that far in order to even say those words in the first place. Only then could you respond calmly, saying, Alright, leave it to me.
Suddenly, Geom Mugeuk came to mind.
He was someone who said all kinds of things—was he prepared to take responsibility for every word he uttered?
But since no image of Geom Mugeuk making ridiculous excuses or dodging responsibility came to mind—
‘You sure live a burdensome life too, don’t you.’
After trying it himself, he now truly realized how difficult it was. He even began to wonder whether his own stoicism had been a form of escapism. 11
Just then, word came that guests had arrived—and two people entered. It was Geom Mugeuk and Jin Haryeong.
"Been a while."
Considering he had just been thinking about Geom Mugeuk, how could he not be surprised?
"It’s only been a little while, but you already feel awkward again? It’s me, your friend."
He was so glad to see him that it actually made it harder to express his joy. 12
"Why are you here?"
"So cold! Why else? I came to see you, of course."
Then Jin Haryeong, standing beside him, shamelessly tattled.
"That’s a lie. He came because he needs our help."
Jin Hagun already worried about his sister, who was clearly excited—but truth be told, he felt just as thrilled.
"What’s this about?"
"I invited the Unorthodox Alliance Leader to our usual tavern near the cult’s main division."
For a moment, Jin Hagun thought the one invited was Bih Sa-in. He assumed they had come to say, ‘We’ve invited Bih Sa-in, so you should come too’.
"I’m not going."
Geom Mugeuk and Jin Haryeong stared at him, realizing he had misunderstood. Startled by their gaze, Jin Hagun asked again.
"Who did you say you invited?"
"The Unorthodox Alliance Leader."
At last, Jin Hagun’s eyes widened.
He had a clear sense of his own limits. Just as he had misheard a moment ago, the idea of inviting the Unorthodox Alliance Leader to a tavern in front of the Martial Alliance’s main division had never even crossed his mind.
But Geom Mugeuk always leapt past such boundaries. He crossed them easily and offered reasons that Jin Hagun himself could never bring up.
"I just wanted to treat him to a drink."
If it had been anyone else, it would have sounded like an absurd lie. But by now, he knew well what kind of person Geom Mugeuk truly was. When he visited the Unorthodox Alliance recently, he must have left that strong of an impression to warrant inviting their leader.
It wasn’t like Jin Haryeong hadn’t been surprised either.
"What kind of joke is that after meeting again for the first time in so long?"
"It’s not a joke."
Right, she knew it wasn’t a joke. Because it was so unmistakably him. 13
Jin Hagun asked again.
"Did the Unorthodox Alliance Leader accept the invitation?"
"He said he would, if the Martial Alliance Leader accepts the meeting cleanly."
"Cleanly? How is one supposed to take a secret meeting between the Cult and the Unorthodox Alliance as clean?"
"A secret meeting? What kind of secret meeting is done so openly?"
"Whatever it is! The Alliance Leader will never permit it."
He knew better than anyone how much his grandfather feared and despised the Cult and the Unorthodox Alliance. The only reason Geom Mugeuk had managed to build some rapport with them was because of the deep relationship he had with his grandchildren—and because he had even saved their lives. It was truly an exceptional case.
"So that’s why I came—to ask for your help. I want you two to persuade him with me."
"You could’ve just invited him without telling us in the first place, no?"
At Jin Hagun’s probing question, Jin Haryeong looked at Geom Mugeuk with the same suspicion.
"That wouldn’t do."
"Why not?"
"Because you two are my friends, aren’t you?" 14
The real reason for inviting Baek Jagang was to prevent a possible war. But if the Martial Alliance were to perceive this invitation as the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Unorthodox Alliance forming a secret pact behind their backs, the invitation would cause more harm than good.
"Even if it hadn’t been a condition set by the Unorthodox Alliance Leader, I still would’ve come to ask for your permission."
Jin Hagun suddenly wondered—if it had been him, what would he have done? Even if he didn’t fully understand the other party’s intention, if it were something that had to be done no matter what…
Wouldn’t he have just gone ahead with it to avoid unnecessary complications, then later brushed it off with, ‘My apologies, things just happened that way’?
The thought made his face flush slightly. While Geom Mugeuk was swimming through the depths of friendship, it felt like he himself was only half heartedly dipping his toes.
"Help me persuade the Alliance Leader."
Jin Hagun shook his head firmly.
"Absolutely not!"
Jin Haryeong was the same. She shook her head as well.
"I can’t either. You really don’t know our grandfather. If we even bring it up, we’ll get kicked out of the Alliance."
"If you get kicked out, our cult will gladly take you in!"
"My brother wouldn’t even be allowed to become heir anymore."
"How about taking this opportunity to free yourself from all those pesky ambitions?"
"A fine suggestion, heir of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!"
At that, Geom Mugeuk gave a mock sigh as he held his heart in fake pain.
"Ah! I didn’t expect to be abandoned by my friends!"
The moment he said that, a flicker of doubt rose in Jin Hagun’s heart.
‘Did he really not expect it? That smart guy?’
A sudden thought struck him: maybe Geom Mugeuk hadn’t just come to ask for permission from their grandfather.
‘No way—’
The one to say aloud what had just crossed his mind wasn’t him, but his younger sister, who always picked up on things faster.
"You’re not thinking of inviting our grandfather too, are you?" 15
1 : Funny that it’s actually the truth XDXDXD
2 : There’s also the third option of congratulating her and asking if she needs assistance in confessing. You know, help the person you love be happy even if it’s not with you. Then again, I’m surely reading way too much into this and most are just after the power.
3 : Now that’s just toxic. She said she had feelings for another and so you’re gonna ignore her heart to satisfy your own ego instead ? That’s scum level, what will you do after that when she still refuses you ? Use violence ? ‘Good’ guy syndromes are such a pain to deal with.
4 : Doesn't she know it. After meeting Mugeuk, it’s impossible not to compare him to the other kids of his age.
5 : Oh I wouldn’t count that as an immutable truth. Everything changes with time, especially with the coming storm on the horizon. The most important thing is the feelings of all those concerned. Still, the author alone will make the decision in the end, so I will be praying for all of you three to reach a happy conclusion.
6 : He could also be playing dumb. He’s already turning a blind eye to Lee Ahn’s feelings after all.
7 : I swear when he’ll have saved the world, he’s gonna publish self-help/philosophical books about his life thoughts. They’ll call it the Chronicles of the Heavenly Demon XDXDXD At least it’s another goal to add to the list, along with holding a stall in front of the Martial Alliance XDXDXD
8 : And remind her to pay for her noodles XDXDXD
9 : Us too. It’s been what, 50 chapters since we’ve seen her ? It seems so long ago….. Well, it’s the truth after all, 50 chapters is around 2 months ago XDXDXD
10 : Once your life changes, your martial arts change too. It shouldn’t be the reverse in order to maintain a balanced mindset and healthy lifestyle.
11 : It’s always when you take the time to stop and reflect that the harshness of others' lives become more evident. It’s a natural thing, though quite certainly unwanted.
12 : Both siblings are tsundere XDXDXD
13 : He has such a troublemaker reputation *smh* Not that it’s undeserved, far from it XDXDXD
14 : *Blinding halo of honesty and innocence*
15 : Well of course. It wouldn’t be funny otherwise, riiiight~~?? XDXDXD
* : Chinese Dragons are often represented holding a pearl in one of their claws. Their use often varies along the tales, sometimes used as a crystal ball or a tool for controlling the rain, others as a powerful wish granter. I suggest reading The Dragon Pearl and The Olive Lake, two classic tales to get an idea. Try The Carp who Jumped Through the Dragon Gate and The Legend of the Four Dragons for more dragons related tales.