Episode 55. I’m a Shameless Man
Jo Bang-un was deep in thought.
‘So the magistrate has made up his mind to side with the Heavenly Observation Pavilion. There’s no way he can go against Seongwang House’s wishes. That’s why this guy brought the Three-way Martial Arts Duel Agreement… But he’s also fallen for Hua Yeo-wol’s beauty and is trying to give Hwa Cheon-gang a way out… That won’t do.’
Jo Bang-un was in a position where the Clear Water Sect had to fall. He quietly withdrew.
“I don’t think the Second Elder will accept the three-way duel, even if I don’t say anything.”
Won Seung shook his head.
“It’s a poisoned chalice, but Hwa Cheon-gang can’t refuse. If the magistrate brings up the Yong Family Disaster from twenty years ago… all three Hua brothers will be in trouble.”
“Ah…!”
Just then, the martial artist who had delivered the document earlier came running.
“Master Seung, Sect Leader I is asking for you.”
“Oh, really?”
As Won Seung stood up, Jo Bang-un tried to follow, but the martial artist blocked him.
“Only Master Seung was asked to come in.”
“Perfect. Now I can speak for myself. Chief Jo, you can go back to your work.”
Won Seung gave Jo Bang-un a meaningful look and followed the martial artist. Jo Bang-un was frustrated at being dismissed by a mere guard, but there was nothing he could do.
He quickly assessed his situation.
‘Staying at the Clear Water Sect is dangerous. I’d better get out while I can.’
Jo Bang-un gathered the money he’d saved and slipped out of the Clear Water Sect in secret.
*
Hwa Cheon-gang’s office.
Won Seung entered with a bright smile.
“Haha. It’s been a while, Third Elder.”
He sounded so familiar, it was as if he were greeting his father-in-law.
Already in a foul mood, Hwa Cheon-gang glared at Won Seung with wide, piercing eyes.
‘Whoa, so this is Hwa Cheon-gang. Don’t look at me like that. I’ve already crossed you off my assassination list.’
That night, after meeting Yong Jo-woon and realizing he’d been brainwashed by Red Blood Mountain, Won Seung decided not to kill Hwa Cheon-gang.
He only planned to kill the truly vile Lee Eon-pae.
With a smile, Won Seung bowed politely to Hwa Cheon-gang.
“It’s my first time meeting you, Second Elder.”
Hwa Cheon-gang frowned and waved his hand.
“No need for formalities. What’s your real reason for proposing this three-way duel?”
“Let me explain the background first.”
Won Seung explained the purpose and rules of the three-way martial arts duel.
“So you’re saying we should settle old grudges and the struggle for supremacy all at once?”
Hwa Cheon-gang frowned. Cheon Il-hae, like himself, was considered one of the Hundred Great Experts of the Central Plains.
He’d never seen Cheon Il-hae’s skills firsthand, but he knew he wouldn’t be an easy opponent. And the descendant of the Yong Clan must have something up his sleeve to challenge him as well.
Could he handle both at once? As Hwa Cheon-gang pondered, Hua Cheon Woon, who’d been listening, asked,
“What’s your reason for getting involved in all this?”
“You know I opened the Hundred Flowers Pavilion on Seohwa Street. What other reason could I have? I just want Xiangyang to be peaceful so I can make a living.”
Hwa Cheon-gang leaned forward, practically growling as if he might devour Won Seung.
“Are you mocking me? Do you really think that excuse will work?”
Feigning surprise, Won Seung took a step back and replied,
“To be honest, I’m getting a small share in the North County Service Association from the Heavenly Observation Pavilion in exchange for making this duel happen.”
“What?!”
Hwa Cheon-gang exploded. A wave of murderous intent swept through the room.
Won Seung grimaced and took two more steps back. Seeing this, Hua Cheon Woon quickly released his energy to neutralize his brother’s killing intent.
Hwa Cheon-gang glared at Won Seung.
“So… you’re saying you’re doing this on behalf of the Heavenly Observation Pavilion?”
“Ugh. Please calm down and hear me out. I’m doing all this for the Clear Water Sect.”
Hua Cheon Woon intervened.
“Brother, let’s hear him out before we judge.”
Won Seung put on a serious face.
“It’s not a commission from the Heavenly Observation Pavilion. In fact, I was the one who made the proposal. I made a bet. In two days, the Heavenly Observation Pavilion Master will propose the three-way duel to you, Second Elder. I bet the Heavenly Observation Pavilion Strategist, Gu Ja-ang, on whether you’d accept or not.”
“You’re saying Cheon Il-hae will make the proposal to me? That Cheon Il-hae and the descendant of the Yong Clan are teaming up to take me down?”
“That can’t happen. That wouldn’t be fair, would it? That’s why we created the three-way duel rules. The magistrate will ensure everything is fair.”
He glanced at Hua Cheon Woon.
As expected, Hua Cheon Woon looked intrigued. Since he was on good terms with the magistrate, he probably thought things would turn in their favor.
“I have no reason to agree to a three-way duel. Tomorrow, I’ll accept the descendant of the Yong Clan’s challenge and fight a life-and-death duel. After that, I’ll take on Cheon Il-hae. That’s a better plan.”
With support from the Sword Pact Sect, Hwa Cheon-gang could now face the descendant of the Yong Clan in a life-and-death duel without worry.
‘I almost lost that bet by a hair’s breadth.’
Won Seung breathed a sigh of relief inside.
“Why take the hard road when there’s an easier one?”
“What do you mean?”
“The descendant of the Yong Clan is from Peerless Valley. You know what that means, right? That’s a crazy group that pursues the world’s only Blade Intent. He won’t be easy. And he has a grudge not just against you, Second Elder, but also against Cheon Il-hae.”
“……?”
“When the Yong Family was wiped out, wasn’t it Cheon Il-hae who siphoned off their assets? He used that to take control of the north side of the Xiang River. So, after settling his grudge with you, he plans to deal with Cheon Il-hae as well.”
Hua Cheon Woon cut in.
“How do you know so much about the descendant of the Yong Clan’s intentions?”
“Well, let’s just say a pumpkin rolled right into my lap.”
Won Seung explained how Blood Flower had tried to kill Yong Jo-woon, only to be beaten and flee to his own house, and how he’d then persuaded Yong Jo-woon to accept the three-way duel.
“Those bastards… hiring assassins using the Clear Water Sect’s name? I’ll make this public for the whole world to see!”
The Clear Water Sect was already suffering under false accusations of trying to assassinate Yong Jo-woon. It was so bad that people were throwing rocks at night.
Hwa Cheon-gang wanted to clear their name and accept the duel. He figured that if the duel was held in front of the Clear Water Sect, even the Heavenly Observation Pavilion couldn’t interfere.
But Hua Cheon Woon had strongly advised against it, so he’d hesitated until now. In the meantime, Hwa Cheon-gang’s nickname had changed from “First Sword of the Xiang River” to “First Turtle of the Xiang River.”
“I’ll clear the Clear Water Sect’s name. So let’s resolve the grudges and the struggle for supremacy in Xiang River with the three-way duel. That way, fewer people will die.”
Hua Cheon Woon muttered as he read over the duel’s rules.
“If it really works out that way, it’d be great… But having everyone pick their own opponent first—it sounds simple, but it’s actually a tough decision…”
“As expected, Third Elder, you see the subtlety hidden in the simplicity.”
Hwa Cheon-gang looked at his brother in confusion.
“It seems simple to me. The descendant of the Yong Clan will pick me, right? But I don’t care about that brat. I just need to kill Cheon Il-hae.”
Of course. That way, he could take all of Xiang River for himself.
“So in the end, the order will be decided by drawing lots. If I’m unlucky, I might have to fight both of them in a row… My own life isn’t the issue, but there’s no need for the Clear Water Sect to take such a risk.”
“No, the order will go like this: Cheon Il-hae and the descendant of the Yong Clan will fight first. After a two-hour rest, the winner will face you, Second Elder.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“The descendant of the Yong Clan will pick Cheon Il-hae first.”
Hwa Cheon-gang frowned. If that really happened, it would be perfect.
“And I’m supposed to just believe that?”
“I’ve already discussed it with the descendant of the Yong Clan.”
Hua Cheon Woon interjected.
“Would you mind stepping out for a moment?”
“Of course.”
Won Seung left Hwa Cheon-gang’s office and strolled through the garden when a familiar voice called out.
“Unsaeng?”
He turned to see Hua Yeo-wol, dressed as a scholar and carrying a bundle of books.
Won Seung hurried over, but Hua Yeo-wol took a step back.
“Oh!”
Feeling awkward, Won Seung grinned. Hua Yeo-wol also let out a small laugh.
Their eyes met for a moment, then drifted apart.
“What brings you to the main sect?”
“I’m here because of the Second Elder’s duel.”
Won Seung told Hua Yeo-wol about the three-way duel.
“Do you think it’ll really happen?”
“It’s the best solution. All three have grudges and ambitions, so they have to accept the risks.”
“Haa…”
Hua Yeo-wol sighed.
Won Seung took out a jade bottle from his pocket. He’d already given some to So San-san and Yang Yeon-seo, so he had to give some to Hua Yeo-wol as well.
“Here, take this.”
“What is it?”
“Just dab a little behind your ear.”
Hua Yeo-wol did as instructed, and a refined plum blossom fragrance wafted through the air.
Won Seung leaned in, sniffed appreciatively, and looked pleased.
“It suits you.”
As Won Seung leaned in, Hua Yeo-wol turned her gaze away, startled. A man strolling through the garden was watching them.
When the man met Hua Yeo-wol’s eyes, he tilted his head and slowly approached.
Sensing someone coming, Won Seung turned around.
A handsome young man was walking toward them.
‘Who’s this guy?’
The man glanced between Hua Yeo-wol and Won Seung, then cupped his fist in greeting.
“I am Byeok Gyo-woon of the Sword Pact Sect. I was just admiring the garden and seem to have interrupted your conversation.”
You’re interrupting right now.
Won Seung glared at him.
But Hua Yeo-wol greeted him warmly, returning the gesture.
“Oh! I’m Hua Yeo-wol.”
Seeing the people from the Sword Pact Sect her father had been waiting for, Hua Yeo-wol couldn’t help but smile.
Won Seung felt a pang of jealousy.
“Sword Pact Sect? Is that a sect?”
He replied curtly, sizing up Byeok Gyo-woon. His tone made it sound like he considered the Sword Pact Sect, one of the Four Great Sword Sects, to be some third-rate group he’d never heard of, which made Byeok Gyo-woon frown.
He was the Third Disciple of the Sword Pact Sect Leader, a truly prestigious position in Murim. In fact, he’d been taught to treat even the leaders of mid-sized sects as equals.
Before Byeok Gyo-woon could respond, Hua Yeo-wol spoke up.
“Unsaeng, watch your words. The Sword Pact Sect is the main sect of our Clear Water Sect.”
Hua Yeo-wol spoke very carefully, which only made Won Seung more annoyed.
“Really? Then it must be quite a place. If it produced a great sect like the Clear Water Sect, I bet they’re amazing fighters.”
There was a subtle barb in his words, which made Byeok Gyo-woon look puzzled.
‘Why is this guy picking a fight the moment we meet?’
Then he remembered what he’d just seen. Won Seung looked young, so he hadn’t paid much attention, but now he realized there was definitely something going on between the two.
Byeok Gyo-woon had come to the Clear Water Sect after hearing that Third Sect Master Hua Cheon Woon had a daughter renowned for her beauty in Xiangyang.
‘I heard there were no marriage talks or suitors yet…?’
Byeok Gyo-woon responded to Won Seung.
“Young brother, the Sword Pact Sect isn’t a place for fighting. We pursue chivalry through the sword. We’re a bit different from other sects in Murim.”
He subtly praised the Sword Pact Sect.
“You look quite young. What’s your name?”
He tried to assert his seniority by age.
Won Seung saw right through Byeok Gyo-woon’s tactics and snorted.
“Oh, so you pursue chivalry with the sword? I’m just a shameless man who chases fame and fortune. Since our paths are so different, I don’t see any need for introductions.”
With that, he grabbed Hua Yeo-wol’s sleeve and left the garden.
Byeok Gyo-woon stared after them, dumbfounded.
‘That brat…’
He was both shocked and a little irritated.
“Why are you being so prickly? Do you have something against the Sword Pact Sect?”
Hua Yeo-wol knew Won Seung had a twisted side to his personality. Still, she was curious why he was being so rude to someone he’d just met.
“That guy’s just like Jong Won-bo. Didn’t you see his eyes?”