Chapter 31

◈ Absolute Dominion

Chapter- 31

Cha-Ryun felt the energy drain from her.

What in the world is this guy doing, sitting so comfortably next to a woman he just met? This is nothing new for that bastard, but what about that Young Lady Sama? Huh, Young Lady Sama... she’s even giggling now?

The sight of the two of them was irritating her.

Cha-Ryun, get a grip. If people notice, they’ll think you’re jealous. And that’s not what’s happening here... right?

However, after seeing that scene, Lim Ha-Gi’s words barely registered in her ears.

She was so bothered by the situation, that her mind was fixated on Jeok Lee-Gun.

What could be so amusing for them to be talking so cheerfully?

“Young Lady Jeong?”

“......”

“Young Lady Jeong!”

“Huh?”

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

“Oh, sorry. I got distracted for a moment. What were you saying?”

Noticing that Cha-Ryun’s attention was fixated on Jeok Lee-Gun, Lim Ha-Gi raised his voice, a touch of irritation slipping through.

“Young Master Jeok is truly a fortunate man. To be able to participate in the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament with the stunning Young Lady Jeong! Hahaha!”

Sama Young, who had been talking to Jeok Lee-Gun, glanced over at Lim Ha-Gi and smiled.

Jeok Lee-Gun turned toward Sama Young.

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s complimenting another woman for her beauty. That doesn’t really seem like something to laugh about.”

Of course, he made sure he said this loudly enough for everyone to hear.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward the two of them. Especially Lim Ha-Gi, whose face visibly scrunched in displeasure. If not for Cha-Ryun’s presence, he would have already punched the guy.

Sama Young laughed again, as if that was the only way she could express herself.

“When was the last time you got angry?”

Sama Young faltered, momentarily caught off guard. She couldn’t remember. Ever since she started being known as the genius of the Sama Clan, she had never shown anger. After all, what she had learned growing up was that a wise woman should not easily reveal her emotions.

“Why are you asking me that?”

“Because if you keep living that way, it’s going to make you sick inside.”

As he said that, Jeok Lee-Gun tore into his meat again.

Strangely, Sama Young found his words resonating with her, and she laughed once more.

“Do you let out your anger when you get upset, Young Master Jeok?”

“Of course.”

“How do you usually deal with it?”

“Well, there are many ways. The most effective one is to kill the guy I want to kill, and the worst way is to chew on meat like this.”

Sama Young stared at him blankly for a moment before bursting out laughing. She thought he was joking again.

Seeing Sama Young getting so close with Jeok Lee-Gun made Lim Ha-Gi feel uneasy. He couldn’t deny it—something about the situation bothered him deeply.

Jeok Lee-Gun, as perceptive as ever, didn’t miss even that subtle change in his demeanor.

“You look upset. By any chance... are you jealous?”

“Of course not.”

“Be honest. You’d rather be going with Cha-Ryun, wouldn’t you? She’s prettier, right?”

“That’s not true!”

“You’re probably thinking, ‘If she weren’t from the Sama Clan, I’d definitely cancel and go with Cha-Ryun instead,’ isn’t that so?”

“I said that’s not true!”

Lim Ha-Gi’s voice rose along with his frustration.

“Are you angry?”

“I’m not angry!”

“Your eyes are bloodshot though.”

It was clear to everyone present—he was about to blow up. Still, Lim Ha-Gi tried to prove his great, generous personality with a hearty laugh.

“Hahaha! It seems that Young Master Jeok lacks a bit of consideration for other people’s feelings.”

Jeok Lee-Gun tilted his head slightly, watching him closely.

“Your cheeks are twitching.”

“Damn it! I told you I’m not angry!”

Lim Ha-Gi abruptly stood up, his face flushed with fury. He seemed ready to flip the table at any moment.

Cha-Ryun quickly intervened. Regardless of whether Jeok Lee-Gun was a master or not, it wasn’t good for him to get into an argument with Lim Ha-Gi.

“Young Master Lim, please calm down. It’s said that ignorance is bliss! You’re magnanimous enough to let this go, right?”

Jang In-Gyeol’s gaze drifted toward Cha-Ryun.

He would claim not just Cha-Ryun, but every beautiful woman in the martial world!

It was at that moment.

“Woooaaahhh!”

A loud cheer erupted from outside the window.

“It’s the Jade Dragon!”

At the mention of the Jade Dragon, Lim Ha-Gi’s expression immediately stiffened.

The Jade Dragon—Yang Su-Chang.

He was the successor to the Southern Peak Alliance and a man whose handsome face had made him famous in the Hunan region.

“Is that guy pretty famous too?”

Jeok Lee-Gun asked, and Sama Young smiled as she answered.

“There’s a famous saying in the martial world: ‘To the north, there is the Divine Dragon, and to the south, there is the Jade Dragon.’”

This time, Jang In-Gyeol tried to flatter Lim Ha-Gi.

“The Jade Dragon is all reputation and no substance. Comparing him to Young Master Lim is ridiculous.’

Jeok Lee-Gun pretended to put on a serious expression.

“So then what’s so special about him that people are causing such a fuss?”

Then it happened again.

“Wooaaahhhh!”

“The woman with him is the Most Beautiful Flower of Chongqing, Young Lady Seol!”

Whoosh—

Like a gust of wind, Jeok Lee-Gun ran to the window and hung onto the ledge.

“Ah! I can’t see anything clearly, there are too many people in the way!”

‘Why don’t you just jump out the window?’

Cha-Ryun thought as she shook her head in disbelief.

Jeok Lee-Gun turned back toward Sama Young and asked.

“If she’s really the Most Beautiful Flower of Chongqing, she must be pretty, right?”

Sama Young smiled.

“Of course, she’s beautiful. I heard that Young Master Yang and Young Lady Seol are paired up for this year’s Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament.”

As soon as those words left her lips, Jeok Lee-Gun shouted.

“The Northern Divine Dragon is here! Jade Dragon! If you’ve got the guts, come up here!”

The ruckus outside immediately quieted down.

“Waaahhhh! The Northern Divine Dragon has challenged the Southern Jade Dragon!”

The cheers erupted once more.

Jeok Lee-Gun, who had just shouted out, was now hiding under the window.

Lim Ha-Gi jumped up in shock.

“What the hell are you doing!?”

The growing commotion outside suggested that the Jade Dragon was now heading their way.

Jeok Lee-Gun, hiding slyly against the wall, grinned and spoke.

“Don’t you want to see the Most Beautiful Flower of Chongqing?”

This guy definitely has a screw loose...

The relationship between the Northern Divine Dragon and the Southern Jade Dragon seemed to be one where even a single provocation could not be ignored.

Jeok Lee-Gun’s shout had drawn the Jade Dragon, Yang Su-Chang, up to the second floor of the Tranquility Inn. Of course, Jeok Lee-Gun’s true focus wasn’t on Yang Su-Chang—it was on Seol Byeok-Hwa, who trailed gracefully behind.

Seol Byeok-Hwa was indeed worthy of her title as the Most Beautiful Woman of Chongqing.

She was elegant yet aloof, the kind of beauty that captivates a man’s gaze at first sight. Her slender, tall frame and fair skin were similar to Cha-Ryun’s, but the aura she exuded was different. How could one describe it? She seemed very proud and untouchable.

Seol Byeok-Hwa was also one of the Eight Beauties of the martial world.

Cha-Ryun watched Jeok Lee-Gun closely.

Not only Cha-Ryun, but Sama Young and Jang In-Hwa, who had both received underwhelming evaluations from Jeok Lee-Gun, subtly observed his reaction as well. There was a strange sense of rivalry in the air.

To their surprise, Jeok Lee-Gun seemed unimpressed, as if she hadn’t quite lived up to the hype.

Well, a man should have principles.

Cha-Ryun couldn’t help but feel a bit of relief, but at the same time...

‘...This guy really has high standards!’

Yang Su-Chang, who had arrived first, greeted everyone with a fist salute.

“I am Yang Su-Chang.”

True to his reputation as the Jade Dragon, he was a strikingly handsome man. His chiseled features practically gleamed, but his perfection gave him an almost inhuman air, which made him seem distant. Though known for his stunning looks, he was equally infamous for his fiery temper. If he had been ugly, people would have said his personality was just as bad, but because of his looks, he was considered a powerful and charismatic man.

“I am Lim Ha-Gi.”

Tension filled the air between the two men.