Chapter 20 : Woobin, Seeks a Way

Chapter 20: Woobin, Seeks a Way

Dan Woobin was sitting at his desk, looking over documents.

Though he was participating in the martial arts tournament alongside Lee Jaseung, he still had many tasks he needed to take care of.

Every day, the Three-Eyed Pavilion reported to him about the current state of the world.

Of course, routine matters were handled and analyzed by themselves, but there were still many issues that had to be reported directly to Dan Woobin.

An example of that, was the latest report about the Dark Heaven Army.

It was the secret organization being created under Lee Jaseung’s special order, funded by the resources brought in from the outer regions.

The organization was composed mainly of vile and heinous criminals who were deserving of death. They were currently undergoing hellish training at a secret facility, under the control of the Black Way Alliance.

To ensure their loyalty, they were subjected to Soul Suppression Technique, a powerful mental technique that forced absolute obedience to the upper command.

Additionally, they were implanted with Self-Destruction Technique which would cause their blood vessels to burst and kill them instantly if captured and tortured by enemies. It was a terrifying organization being built.

It also required enormous funding, so it wouldn’t have been possible to attempt without the money coming in from the outer regions.

“At this rate, the first unit will soon be completed.”

Dan Woobin wore a satisfied expression.

Sitting nearby, Mujin yawned and quickly spoke up.

“Now, since everything is going well, let’s stop working and have some fun. I heard there’s a top-class brothel in the streets.”

“No!”

“You’re too emotionally dry for someone in your position.”

“And you’re too emotionally rich for someone who’s a martial artist.”

“Exactly. That’s why we need to blend together. Come on, let’s go.”

“Don’t even talk.”

Dan Woobin smirked and let out a sigh.

“I still haven’t found a solution.”

“For what?”

“The son of the Righteous Chivalrous Sword Clan.”

“There’s an easy solution, isn’t there?”

Dan Woobin lifted his head from the documents and asked.

“How?’

“Just make sure that Hae Ryang guy can’t participate in the tournament.”

“And how exactly?”

“Well, he could get injured, for instance…”

Dan Woobin added coldly, understanding what he meant.

“Or die?”

Mujin pretended to be shocked at his words.

“Woah, why are you being so scary? Our strategist has become so cruel.”

Dan Woobin turned back to his documents and spoke.

“It’s impossible.”

“Why? Just leave it to me. I’ll just go break one of his legs.”

“How? Attacking him with a mask on? A blood relative of the Righteous Chivalrous Sword Clan? In the heart of the Orthodox Faction territory at that?”

“In that case… maybe get him drunk and fight him impulsively."

“That bastard, he doesn’t drink. Hae Ryang isn’t even the problem. He’s guarded by a master martial artist.”

“Who?”

Mujin’s eyes sharpened. He had been joking up until now, but the mention of a skilled fighter caught his attention.

Hae Ryang was beloved by Hae Cheon-in, the Lord of their clan. It was obvious that he would have an exceptional guard around him.

“We don’t know who exactly yet. Just that they’re extremely capable, with good judgement and high skill.”

In any organization, the ones whose identities were hardest to uncover were the bodyguard martial artists. Due to the nature of their work, all information about them was handled with the utmost secrecy.

With such protection around him, it was no easy task to make a move on Hae Ryang. The guard attached to him was far stronger than expected.

“Anyway, we absolutely cannot make a move on Hae Ryang until we find a solution.”

“If there’s no way there, then we should approach Baek Seolyoung instead.”

Dan Woobin sighed and replied with self-mockery at Mujin’s suggestion.

“That’s even harder. We don’t even know her face.”

Just then, Lee Jaseung entered the guest room and spoke.

“No, we’ve seen her before.”

* * *

Lee Jaseung called Ma Young-gi as well from the next room and explained what he had seen at the tournament arena. He felt it was something everyone needed to know.

“She’s the head of the Northern Sky Clan? Good heavens, how can this be?”

Dan Woobin was so shocked that he repeated himself several times.

Mujin nodded and spoke.

“No wonder she seemed beautiful!”

Dan Woobin had seen her lying in bed, while Mujin had only seen her veiled. Both had suspected she was beautiful, and it turned out they were right.

In contrast, Ma Young-gi just sat there blank-faced like a doll. He was always like this, but Dan Woobin was irritated by his indifferent attitude.

It almost felt as if Ma Young-gi was trying to act cool alone.

‘You think I’m acting like this because I can’t be serious and cool all the time?’

“Are you not surprised, disciple?”

Ma Young-gi nodded after hearing Dan Woobin’s question.

“No.”

Dan Woobin asked with suspecting eyes.

“Are you sure? Disciple, were you daydreaming or something?”

“I’ve been listening the whole time.”

“And you are still not surprised?”

“No, not really.”

Dan Woobin turned to Mujin, baffled, and Mujin spoke with a chuckle.

“I’m shocked. Incredibly.”

After seeing a ‘normal’ reaction, Dan Woobin nodded.

Then, Ma Young-gi suddenly spoke.

“I believe all encounters are fate. You can meet someone a hundred times and still become enemies, or meet once and fall into love worth dying for.”

He was implying that such meetings weren’t surprising, as they were simply fate.

Was he embarrassed about saying such a thing? Ma Young-gi looked at Lee Jaseung and asked.

“May I take my leave now?”

Lee Jaseung nodded, and Ma Young-gi bowed to both and exited the room.

Mujin spoke with a grin.

“What a special personality he has.”

Dan Woobin pouted and spoke.

“Special my ass!”

‘More like annoying! Acting all aloof just because the Lord recruited him three times!’

Though he couldn’t say that aloud. If he had, Mujin would have teased him mercilessly for being ‘as sensitive as he is forgetful.’

Mujin brought a bottle of liquor.

“Let’s have a drink.”

Lee Jaseung accepted quietly. Mujin understood his mood well. It was the perfect time for a drink.

“This is fate.”

After downing the drink in one gulp, Lee Jaseung set the cup down and spoke.

“It’s just ill-fated.”

Mujin refilled his cup and asked.

“Why is it ill-fated?”

“Nothing good will come from being entangled with me.”

Mujin smiled faintly.

Lee Jaseung had always lived his life believing that fate wasn’t set in stone. One’s life was determined by effort and will.

Though he had crossed paths with Baek Seolyoung in ways one might call fate, that belief didn’t change.

Then, Dan Woobin spoke up.

“Use this opportunity to approach her.”

Mujin asked on his behalf.

“And then what?”

“Get closer with her.”

“Is that really necessary? All he needs to do is win the tournament.”

“Yes, but having multiple ways to succeed is always good, right? We’ll be the ones to choose our paths anyway.”

It was a thought of a strategist.

But Dan Woobin had another motive deep down.

‘If our Lord is going to marry her anyway, wouldn’t it be better if they truly liked each other?’

Dan Woobin wanted Lee Jaseung to be happy.

As it stood, their marriage wouldn’t be a real one. It was going to be no different from a political marriage, or perhaps even worse.

But what if they truly loved each other?
Of course, emotions could complicate things and add risk in their future paths.

But if it meant Lee Jaseung could be happy, then Dan Woobin was more than willing to take the risk.

Dan Woobin didn’t voice his true feelings. He knew that if he mentioned the word ‘happiness’, Lee Jaseung would distance himself even more than before.

He would never let personal feelings interfere with their great cause.

“There are many variables in this matter. Just look at Hae Ryang’s case for instance. Many more variables will arise in the future. Building a connection with her is by no means a bad idea.”

Lee Jaseung admitted that was good reasoning. The world was full of variables, and having more options was a good way to deal with them.

But still, he had no plan to befriend her intentionally.

Reading his thoughts, Mujin spoke to Dan Woobin.

“Don’t waste your energy. Don’t you know our Lord?”

“It’ll be close to impossible, right?”

“Even if he tried, it wouldn’t be easy. He’s never even been with a woman.”

“That is true huh?”

“Honestly, it’d be easier for you to beat him in martial arts by starting training today.”

Lee Jaseung let out a small laugh at the ridiculous analogy.

But he couldn’t completely dismiss the idea. Like Mujin said, would he be able to get closer to her even if he tried?

Even during the brief moments they had together, he said nothing and most of it was spent with silence. It would have been easier for him to fight a hundred masters.

He felt sorry for her, but he only planned to take advantage of her and had no intention of developing personal feelings for her.

‘She’s just a tool to help me achieve my dream.’

* * *

The tournament continued the next day.

A few cheers erupted when Lee Jaseung stepped onto the stage. He won his morning match cleanly in about twenty exchanges.

It was still early rounds, but he already had fans cheering for him.

But martial arts duels in Jianghu weren't always clean.

Some dragged on, some were interrupted, and others were ended by the judge's decisions because the time ran out.

Of course, Lee Jaseung’s matches were nice and short. Despite him not using any flashy techniques, his moves left a strangely satisfying impression on the spectators.

Today’s opponent was Hwang Pyo, an unknown swordsman from Jiangsu. He seemed to be a well-trained fighter in Lee Jaseung’s eyes.

“You use daggers? Draw your weapon!”

Lee Jaseung calmly replied.

“Make me.”

“You arrogant…!”

Hwang Pyo carefully circled around Lee Jaseung. Lee Jaseung didn’t follow, and Hwang Pyo’s expression stiffened more.

‘How dare he show his back…’

It was the next moment. Lee Jaseing whirled and charged like lightning. Hwang Pyo swung his sword in panic, but Lee Jaseung’s fist was faster.

Pow!
With a single blow, Hwang Pyo fell flat on the ground. He hadn’t expected an attack from such a disadvantaged stance.

Lee Jaseung intended to toy with him for twenty exchanges like his last matches, but he changed his mind.

It occurred to him that winning in similar ways every time was going to draw attention to him. There had to be an easy, lucky victory every now and then.

As he left the stage to cheers, a familiar face awaited below. It was surprisingly Hae Ryang.

Hae Ryang had seen Lee Jaseung and Baek Seolyoung exchange glances yesterday. Even in that brief moment, he sensed they knew each other.

A surge of jealousy welled up.

He didn’t know what kind of relationship they had, but he knew she’d be angry if she found out he came to see Lee Jaseung like this.

But he couldn’t help himself. He was only able to think about Lee Jaseung. What relationship did they have? Did she perhaps reject him because of this man?

Hae Ryang appeared without even covering his face, so people around him started to whisper.

He stared at Lee Jaseung with a sharp gaze and declared boldly.

“I ask you as a man. What is your relationship with Lady Baek?”

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