Love Ballad of the Tyrant King

Chapter 15: Jaseung, He Arrives

Baek Seolyoung’s announcement of the martial arts marriage tournament spread through the Central Plains faster than any rumor ever could.

The entire Central Plains was in an uproar.

The thought of gaining not only the most beautiful woman under heaven, but also the immense power of the Northern Sky Clan made their hearts race.

It was certain that skilled martial artists were going to participate, making it impossible for anyone to guarantee victory. But the temptation of this tournament was simply too great.

Young rising martial artists lost sleep over it, and even seasoned masters seriously considered entering.

Those who made up their minds all set out to Heaven's Gate, the location of the tournament.

Among them was a shaggy-haired young master dreaming of winning the most beautiful woman in the world, as well as ambitious men seeking power.

Some came merely to test the limits of their martial arts.

The Heaven’s Gate was also the home of the Northern Sky Clan. Hundreds of temporary arenas were being constructed all over the Heaven’s Gate, and a massive stage especially for the finals was being built as well.

Thanks to their enormous wealth and manpower, the Northern Sky Clan used their resources and made rapid progress.

Even the Righteous Chivalrous Sword Clan and the Guanghai Blade Sect lent their full support, making everything proceed smoothly.

Of course, their cooperation was not without ulterior motives. They hoped the tournament would deepen the conflict between Baek Seolyoung and Yang Sebang.

Either way, martial artists from all over the Central Plains applied to participate and were assigned locations for the preliminary rounds.

It was a tournament that would take over a month just to determine a winner.

“Finally, it’s tomorrow.”

Baek Seolyoung’s eyes were filled with complex emotions as she looked out the window.

The preliminaries of the tournament would begin the next day.

“It’s not all bad. At least until the tournament ends, they won’t be able to do anything to me.”

Chu Sang-gi remained silent at her bitter joke. He still didn’t feel comfortable about this idea.

“Sang-gi.”

“Yes.”

Baek Seolyoung spoke without turning around.

“Smile. Sadness only attracts more sorrow.”

At her words, Chu Sang-gi forced a smile. It only made him feel worse, but he kept smiling nonetheless.

She didn’t lose hope even in this situation. To him, she seemed far more mature than himself despite being younger.

Becoming an adult wasn’t just about age. Baek Seolyoung was more grown-up than anyone he knew.

‘Yes, my lady. The day will come when you can truly smile again.”

At that moment, a servant entered and reported that Yang Sebang had visited.

Baek Seolyoung’s expression became stiff at the news.

She walked over to a standing mirror. Her stiff face was reflected. Just hearing Yang Sebang’s name was enough to make her like that.

She smiled, and it was awkward. She smiled again. It looked like she was practicing her expression, but in truth, she was calming her mind.

After preparing herself, she returned to her seat and nodded. Only then, Chu Sang-gi opened the door and let Yang Sebang in.

“My Lord, have you been well?”

“Thanks to you, I have.”

Baek Seolyoung greeted him with a bright smile. It was a completely different expression from earlier.

Tea was served once both were seated. After brief pleasantries, Yang Sebang finally brought up the tournament of her marriage.

It was the reason for his visit. He wanted to see if there was something more behind this tournament.

People prone to suspicion usually fell into two categories. Those too kind and easily deceived, and those who are deceitful themselves and therefore have no trust in others.

In the end, suspicion was a shield to protect oneself. Even so, those who are always deceived are bound to get tricked again.

Yang Sebang wasn’t the naive type though.

He was the one to deceive others and therefore had distrust in others. He naturally suspected others of being equally cunning.

“Seriously, I never imagined you would hold a marriage tournament.”

“I’m sure it was unexpected. Were you very shocked?”

Baek Seolyoung knew that he was very angry. A marriage tournament to welcome a new master into the clan’s power structure wasn't very welcoming news for him.

But Yang Sebang didn’t want to show this emotion.

“I just had a sudden thought. My father must have longed to see me married. I felt I had failed him so my heart grew heavy. So I acted impulsively. I honestly regret it now. If I could, I would take it all back.”

Her act was flawless. It was enough to trick even a fox like Yang Sebang. Still, he wasn’t going to reveal his thoughts so easily.

“In truth, it’s not that bad of an idea. If you marry, I’m sure your father would be very happy, my Lord.”

“I hope so.”

Baek Seolyoung smiled brightly, but her emotion was the complete opposite on the inside.

‘Father is probably weeping blood by now, huh?’

Even so, she didn’t let her emotions show. At the very least, she had great talent to mask her emotions in front of others.

After more small talk, Yang Sebang left her room.

A man was waiting outside.

It was Nam So-pyeong, Yang Sebang’s right-hand man.

It was him who committed all the unspeakable acts under Yang Sebang’s orders. He was primarily responsible for assassinations of key figures.

Yang Sebang’s expression was changed. His true expression was revealed, a fierce, cold Elder of the Northern Sky Clan who secretly ordered assassinations.

He seemed like a completely different person outside, but this cold face was his true face, clear that he would stop at nothing for his own gain.

“I tried to end this nicely, but you want to struggle like this? Fine. We’ll win this tournament, and…”

The rest of his sentence was too foul to utter in front of his minion.

* * *

At the same time, a carriage entered the street market of Heaven’s Gate. It looked ordinary outside, but it was in fact the safest carriage in all of Jianghu.

Inside the carriage were Lee Jaseung, Dan Woobin, Mujin, and Ma Young-gi. For once, Ma Young-gi had his armor and helmet off, wearing simple martial attire.

Having always seen him in armor, his current appearance felt unfamiliar.

“From this moment, you will be Seop Mu-pyeong, the senior disciple of Flying Dagger Sect in Guizhou.”

The Flying Dagger Sect was a small sect in Guizhou known for its dagger techniques and other miscellaneous martial arts.

It was only a Third-rate sect, but it fell into obscurity after its Leader passed away over a decade ago. Now it was a forgotten name.

“The Captain of the Divine Sword is second, I’m third, and the Captain of the Iron Cavalry is the fourth and youngest disciple.”

“Wait, why is Captain Ma the youngest?”

“What do you mean why? I’m a year older than him.”

Lee Jaseung was shocked after hearing Dan Woobin.

“I thought you were the youngest.”

“I do look young.”

“I didn’t know that.”

At that moment, Ma Young-gi interjected.

“It’s because you care too much for him.”

“Does that have to do anything with seeing him as younger?”

“Yes.”

Ma Young-gi answered without hesitation.

Dan Woobin made a puzzled look on his face, but Lee Jaseung understood what he meant.

Lee Jaseung saw Dan Woobin as younger because he favored him the most.

Was he being jealous?

It seemed unlikely, coming from someone usually stoic like Ma Young-gi.

Jealousy or not, one thing was clear. Even though they all acted indifferent, they all cared.

Because of that, every word and gesture needed caution.

It may sound cold, but the success of the great cause ahead depended on how well Lee Jaseung could manage these men.

Mujin chuckled and teased Ma Young-gi.

“Haha, youngest, go fetch some water.”

Ma Young-gi turned his head away, pretending not to hear him.

The tension lifted with his playful banter.

Dan Woobin resumed his report.

“Everything regarding the Flying Dagger Sect has been handled. Even if the Orthodox Faction investigates later, there will be nothing to worry about.”

Lee Jaseung was able to trust Dan Woobin who was thorough with his work.

From this point, he was Seop Mu-pyeong of the Flying Dagger Sect, and the other three were his juniors.

From the horse seat, Mook Young’s voice called out.

“We’ve arrived at your lodging.”

The carriage stopped in front of the White Ram Inn, where they would stay during the tournament.

Before getting off, Dan Woobin whispered.

“Actually, this place is a branch of the Heaven’s Gate that’s under our Alliance.”

Most factions ran their own businesses in Jianghu. Money was essential to sustain power.

The Murim Alliance gathered funds through donations, but the Black Way Alliance funded itself through private operations.

Most people had no idea they were connected to the Black Way Alliance. However, there were directly controlled branches like this one, the White Ram Inn, under the Heaven’s Gate.

“Please wait here for a moment.”

Lee Jaseung and Ma Young-gi waited outside for a moment while Dan Woobin and Mujin stepped inside.

The innkeeper Jong Sam, had been running this place for twenty years. It was hard to tell if he was a martial artist of the Black Way Alliance, or just an ordinary innkeeper.

“Welcome.”

He received orders from above a few days ago. Important people from the main branch would arrive, and to cooperate fully.

‘They must be coming to investigate the tournament.’

That’s what Jong Sam naturally assumed. He had hoped to gain favor by giving great treatment to the masters that visited.

‘Huh, they are just kids? At best, they are squad leaders.’

They seemed way too young. Dan Woobin and Mujin especially seemed so, always smiling.

‘They send these little brats for an important matter like this? How pathetic.’

His thoughts were written right on his face. Dan Woobin only smiled faintly, thinking it worked out in their favor.

Lee Jaseung’s presence must remain an absolute secret after all.

“Reserve an entire floor for us.”

“The top floor is empty, head on up.”

In truth, Dan Woobin considered staying in a normal inn. But they needed a whole floor to guard Lee Jaseung, which would surely draw attention.

Moreover, disciples of the Flying Dagger Sect weren't going to have such money. Dan Woobin paid attention to even the smallest details like that.

He placed Lee Jaseung’s room in the center, with Mujin and Ma Young-gi on either side, and his own room across the hall.

It created a protective formation.

Other rooms would house guards like Mook Young posing as guests. It was a near-impenetrable defense.

Before settling in, the guards thoroughly searched each room for any threats.

While this went on, Lee Jaseung walked the courtyard.

A butterfly flew by. After flitting in the air, it sat on a flower.

Lee Jaseung crouched down and extended his hand.

The butterfly lifted off and moved to another flower.

His gaze sharpened for an instant. He noticed the butterfly’s reaction was different.

Butterflies usually landed on his hand before. He was in perfect harmony with nature through his cultivation, at least that’s what he thought.

But after seeing this butterfly’s reaction, he started to think that he’d been wrong.

He slowly extended his hand out again.