Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Hwa-Ryun chose to explain the situation rather than provide an answer to her question.

“They’ve been pressuring us through the Palm Heart Clan.”

“What?”

This was news to her. She had been entirely engrossed in her martial arts training every day, so she was not aware of the sect’s affairs.

“Last year, we made a modest investment in the Great Merchant Association. The Palm Heart Clan invested in the Hubei Merchant Association, which was in direct competition with the Great Merchant Association. This led to a misunderstanding with the Palm Heart Clan.”

“Were you unaware that the Palm Heart Clan was involved in that investment?”

“Of course not. Had I known, I would never have invested in the Great Merchant Association.”

“How could such a thing happen?”

“It can happen, that’s how business works.”

Cha-Ryun’s eyes fixed onto Hwa-Ryun with a gaze that demanded accountability.

Her father was purely a martial artist. He lacked business acumen and was not inclined to make such investments. It must have been her sister who persuaded him.

Her sister had assumed the role of the sect’s chief strategist three years ago. Initially, her sister had a preference for scholarly pursuits over martial arts. She had stopped training after reaching the fourth level of the Red Silk Sword Technique. There was a specific reason her sister took on the role of chief strategist.

The previous chief strategist was Lim Cha-Bok, her father’s sworn brother. Trusting the bond they had shared since childhood, her father accepted anything he said.

But to Lim Cha-Bok, the friendship they had maintained was taken with a grain of salt. Seizing the opportunity, he embezzled a substantial sum of money and fled.

This betrayal was a tremendous shock to her father. Naturally kind-hearted and gentle, he couldn’t recover from the treachery for a long time. It wasn’t a topic he could confide in anyone about.

After the incident, Hwa-Ryun, who had departed to establish her own household, made her way back to the sect. She volunteered herself for the position of chief strategist.

Cha-Ryun was well aware of her sister’s deep affection for the sect and their family.

However, the role of a chief strategist inherently bred ambition. Without broadening their ventures, the significance of a chief strategist would remain unrecognized. Inevitably, she had to push herself beyond her limits at times.

Hwa-Ryun admitted frankly.

“Since then, they have been pressuring us at every opportunity.”

If she mentioned it in this manner, it must have been a serious issue.

Cha-Ryun sighed inwardly.

“So what now? Do you expect me to sell my body to rectify the mess you made?”

“If I could sell my body, I wouldn’t be asking you.”

Seo Baek, who had been listening, interjected.

“Hey, wife. The man standing next to you is called a husband.”

He chuckled, but neither woman paid him any heed.

“No. I’m not going.”

“This is your problem too.”

Cha-Ryun shouted in agitation.

“Why? If I don’t go, will they fight us? Will they devour us alive?”

Hwa-Ryun remained silent. Her silence spoke volumes on her stance.

Cha-Ryun was taken aback by her reaction.

“What on earth have you been doing all this time?”

“Nothing.”

In reality, there have been significant changes over the past few years. Hwa-Ryun had concentrated on expanding the sect’s influence. The number of martial artists within the sect had increased, and they had invested in various businesses to generate funds. Compared to before, the sect had undeniably grown stronger.

However, the Palm Heart Clan must have been closely scrutinizing these activities. And certainly not with a favorable view.

Seo Baek smiled and made his remark.

“Why don’t you consider it as gaining some experience, sister-in-law?”

It was an absurd suggestion. Especially with that bastard Jang In-Gyeol.

“It might become a cherished memory for you, sister-in-law. So...”

She felt a deeper annoyance towards her sister and their absent father, who failed to stop Seo Baek from making such comments, than towards Seo Baek himself. The unspoken pressure created a tense atmosphere.

She wished her sister possessed a more ruthless nature so she could lash out at her, but Hwa-Ryun had always been caring towards her younger siblings.

Although she was forcing her into this situation, that wouldn’t alter her sister’s inherent kindness or love. This realization only added to her frustration.

With a mix of emotions, Cha-Ryun coldly declared.

“I will never go! You can lie about your age and go yourself!”

Cha-Ryun slammed the door and stormed out.

“Our sister-in-law has quite a personality. She’s unmistakably your sister!”

Seo Baek said, making a pointless comment as he massaged Hwa-Ryun’s shoulders in an attempt to lift her spirits. Hwa-Ryun sighed, her gaze resting on his good-natured face.

The streets of Wuhan were already teeming with people.

Although fifteen days remained until the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament and the Heavenly Dragon Tournament, many had arrived early to experience the celebrations.

Those who had attended martial arts tournaments before knew from experience that they had to arrive early to secure accommodations.

Especially for a grand festival like this year, where both the Heavenly Dragon Tournament and the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament were held together, fifteen days was not too early.

Of course, the innkeepers’ price gouging and unfriendly attitudes were irritating, but it was better than watching the spectacle while camping out.

As a result, Wuhan merchants were experiencing an early surge in business. Merchants from Hubei and other provinces flocked to Wuhan, and various events were held daily.

Cha-Ryun moved slowly through the crowd.

Wearing a bamboo hat with a veil, she remained unrecognized. Even without the hat, the crowd was so dense that it was unlikely anyone would notice her.

As she wandered around without purpose, her gloomy mood followed her around. The more she dwelled on it, the more she felt hurt by her father and sister. Of course, she understood their intentions.

Yet, she never anticipated they would ask her to participate in the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament alongside someone like Jang In-Gyeol, whom she considered trash.

Did they really see me as someone willing to accept such a proposition?

The voices of the merchants bellowed from all directions as they used all their efforts to attract customers.

“New goods have arrived! West Lake Dragon Well Tea, special half-price sale today only!”

In these days when counterfeits were rampant, selling the expensive Dragon Well Tea at half price was like advertising, ‘This tea is fake! Only fools would buy it!’ Yet, people swarmed to it, enticed by the ‘sale’.

“A mysterious sword hilt decoration crafted from luminous stone, glowing even at night, for just two nyang.”

Luminous stones weren’t that chea[, and even if a cheap light-emitting material was used, a glowing sword hilt at night seemed like a perfect way to get killed.

The world she saw as an adult was full of incomprehensible things.

Deceiving and being deceived, inflicting pain and enduring it as well.

She wanted to retort, ‘You talk too much,’ but his mouth didn’t seem to know how to stop.

“It’s my first time in Wuhan. You’re a local, right? Show me a place with good drinks and snacks and I’ll treat you to a drink.”

She regretted wearing the bamboo hat.

If he saw her face, he wouldn’t dare act so casually.

She decided to ignore him and turned away. He trailed her for a few steps.

She halted abruptly and spoke with a cold tone.

“Do you know me?”

“No.”

“Then why are you hitting on me?”

“What else should I do when I meet a woman for the first time?”

“What?”

His blunt words left her speechless.

“Do you want to get beaten up?”

“Don’t do that. I don’t fight with women.”

He said the one thing she despised most in the world. She hated men that looked down on women.

“With women?”

“Yes, with women.”

Fine, if that’s how you want to play it.

“Are you that strong? Strong enough to go easy on women?”

She grasped her sword menacingly. She wasn’t angry enough to actually harm him, but he was so annoying that she wanted to intimidate him a little.

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not because I look down on women. It’s just that my mother, who gave birth to me, is a woman, so I won’t fight them.”

What? What kind of absurd statement is that? Cha-Ryun was at a loss for words.

“Women... sometimes they are hard to understand, but basically, I respect them. And if you met my mother, you would understand why I respect women.”

His earnest expression indicated that he wasn’t fabricating this to use as an excuse.

Fine, let’s not argue. I’m already feeling down.

Cha-Ryun loosened her grip on the sword handle.

The man flashed a grin and said.

“You possess a surprisingly straightforward personality.”

“What?”

He then grabbed Cha-Ryun’s arm and tugged her along.

“Come on, let’s go. I’m starving and dying of thirst.”

Cha-Ryun was startled by the awkward turn of events. It had been ages since anyone had grabbed her arm like this.

Cha-Ryun asked in an icy tone.

“Are you a martial artist?”

“So what if I am?”

“Then you should follow the rules of the martial world.”

For a moment, the man’s eyes deepened. He responded cynically.

“Do you believe this martial world is worth following the rules for?”

“...!”

Clang!

Why did she draw her sword?

It was instinctive. Even as she did so, Cha-Ryun regretted it. There was no reason for her to take her sword out.

But hearing those words ignited her anger. It felt as though something she both cherished and feared had been trampled upon in an instant. That must have been the reason.

Swish–

Her reflexive draw was remarkably swift. Of course, she had no intention of cutting him. She was just angry, but it was still a threatening and dangerous moment.

“Whoa!”

The man quickly dodged the sword and ran away.

The seriousness had already disappeared from his face, now replaced by a pout.

“Why so scary?”

Despite his words, his face was adorned with a relaxed smile.

Clink.

She sheathed her sword and turned away.

Her face turned red as it burned with embarrassment.

She felt like a novice who couldn’t control her emotions in a moment of anger.

But at the same time, she was furious.

Cha-Ryun stopped walking after a few steps.

Don’t be ridiculous. This martial world isn’t so bad that it deserves to be looked down upon.

She turned around.

The man was still standing there, looking at her.

Cha-Ryun addressed him with a composed tone.

“But you continue to live within this martial world.”

Why am I doing this when we won’t cross paths again after today?

The man smiled brightly. It was a kind smile, difficult to get angry at...

Even though his appearance seemed to be kind.

Cha-Ryun paid no attention to that, and turned around and walked away.

She left because of the market, the roadside... yes, it was because it was noisy.

She didn’t hear the whisper of fate in her ear.

‘...This is just the beginning.’