Love Ballad of the Tyrant King

Chapter 39: Seolyoung, Asks Jaseung

After the final match ended, Lee Jaseung and Dan Woobin were invited to the Northern Sky Clan.

That evening, a celebratory banquet was scheduled for all participants. Before that, there was a private meeting between Baek Seolyoung and the winner.

While sipping tea in the guest hall as they waited for Baek Seolyoung, Dan Woobin beamed with delight. It was not simply because Lee Jaseung had won.

Victory had been expected. What pleased him was that Lee Jaseung could now proceed with the wedding to Baek Seolyoung.

Was it because Lee Jaseung sometimes seemed lonely? Dan Woobin sincerely hoped he would soon have a happy home.

"How do you feel?"

"I’m not sure."

Lee Jaseung gave a vague expression, then added,

"Don’t worry. I will not postpone the wedding."

Since it was a wedding that had to happen anyway, he had no intention of unnecessarily delaying it. That was just the kind of person Lee Jaseung was and how he lived his life.

Dan Woobin smiled warmly.

‘Of course, that is what you should do.’

Just then, Baek Seolyoung entered with Godang. As the head of one of the seven pillars in the clan, he was in charge of this wedding.

They exchanged greetings.

Because Godang was present, Lee Jaseung and Baek Seolyoung did not reveal that they knew each other personally. The only people who knew about their relationship were the guards, including Chu Sang-gi.

Once the formal greetings were over, Godang asked Lee Jaseung,

"Now that we will set a date and hold the wedding, I would like to ask one thing before we proceed. Is there any issue with carrying out this wedding?"

Lee Jaseung answered calmly,

"There is no issue at all."

Godang nodded as if that was the only answer he should hear. No matter how skilled Lee Jaseung was, he was marrying the head of the Northern Sky Clan. He considered it the greatest stroke of luck imaginable.

"Why don’t the two of you step outside for a bit and get some fresh air? I will discuss the finer details with Expert Dan here."

Now that the match was settled and the marriage arranged, there was no reason for the couple to remain in the room.

As if waiting for the moment, Lee Jaseung stood from his seat. Of course, he made sure to tell Mook Young to keep watch over Dan Woobin. Although there were guards assigned to protect Dan Woobin, none of them could compare to Mook Young’s skills.

As soon as he stepped out of the guest hall, Baek Seolyoung followed.

The two walked through the rear garden in silence.

Baek Seolyoung found herself thinking about the final match. Lee Jaseung’s skills had been dazzling and brilliant.

She had kept repeating how she never expected him to win. That had been untrue from the start. She just hadn’t known he was this strong.

There were people saying he had won by luck.

They had gathered the best martial artists in the Central Plains for this tournament, and someone won by luck? That was nonsense. He had the skills to defeat the greatest swordsman, Jin Yang.

Baek Seolyoung was seeing a ray of hope.

Of course, the situation was still difficult. Those who had turned to her would now turn away again.

In the world of power, there were fewer things that could be accomplished with martial skill alone than one might expect. No matter how skilled a person was in martial arts, they needed influence and allies.

That was why Jin Yang, the Greatest Swordsman of Central Plains, had been a fitting candidate for this tournament. He had connections with many prominent clans.

Of course, things might have been different for the Demonic Cult and Unorthodox Faction. With his strength, he might have been able to sweep through them. But in the Orthodox world, a martial artist could not simply use strength to oppress others.

She glanced sideways at Lee Jaseung walking beside her.

If she had to describe her impression of him in one phrase, it would be: “I’m not sure.”

What kind of person was he, really?

She had read the report on the Flying Dagger Sect several times, but there was nothing special in it. One sentence was enough to sum him up.

Senior Brother of a fallen clan, rising in the martial world.

But could that one sentence truly explain him? Of course not. He was someone who possessed more than what was seen on the surface.

Yes, there was no need to rush. Since they were to be married anyway, she would get to know him in time.

Eventually, the two stopped walking at the garden pond. Carps were swimming leisurely in the water. As they watched the fish for a while, she suddenly asked,

"Are you okay with… marrying me?"

"If I say no, then are you going to cancel it?”

Baek Seolyoung smirked at his response.

It was a rude answer as always, but not wrong. It wasn’t something that could be undone at this point.

"We’ll run into many difficulties in the future.”

"Such as?"

Baek Seolyoung squatted down by the pond. Golden carps gathered in front of her.

"Your life may be in danger."

"So that’s why you held the tournament, to put me in that position."

She snapped.

"Can’t you tell I’m saying this because I’m worried?"

She had said it with the sincere intention of doing well with him, but she was hurt that he didn’t understand that.

Part of her also felt guilty. She did feel sorry.

But when Lee Jaseung spoke so bluntly, the frustration always came rushing in. It wasn’t the first time, but every time it happened, it was hard to stay calm.

Suddenly, she recalled what the old woman from the One Fleeting Dream had said.

"Is it not honesty disguised as rudeness? Has anyone ever been this rude to you?"

Yes, the old woman may have been right. No one else spoke to her that way. If she looked at it positively, it could be a good thing.

"All right, I’ll be honest. I don’t know if you’re aware, but my clan is divided into two powers. I belong to the weaker one, and the stronger side is..."

Just then, Chu Sang-gi walked over.

"I have something to report."

He sounded calm, but Lee Jaseung sensed urgency in his face. Something serious had come up. Lee Jaseung guessed what the report was about. It had to do with the powerful side she had just mentioned.

And Lee Jaseung’s guess was right.

Chu Sang-gi quickly sent a sound transmission to her.

— Elder Yang is dead!

Baek Seolyoung was incredibly shocked by the unexpected news. She quickly asked.

— Say that again. Who died?

She was so surprised she could barely form words.

— Elder Yang is dead.

— Who?

— Yang Sebang, my Lord.

Even Chu Sang-gi sounded like he could not believe it.

As Baek Seolyoung rushed after Chu Sang-gi, she turned to Lee Jaseung.

"You come too. From now on, my affairs are yours too."

Moments later, the three stood in a tightly guarded secret chamber, looking down at a corpse.

It was truly Yang Sebang.

"This isn’t a mask, is it?"

Still in disbelief, she asked. Chu Sang-gi answered quickly,

"We confirmed it several times. It is definitely Elder Yang."

"My goodness!"

She could hardly believe it even while looking with her own eyes. She did not know how to process it.

"Who could have done this?"

Chu Sang-gi brought over a hidden weapon that had been laid to the side.

"This is the weapon that killed him."

It had a very unique shape.

"What about Baekno?"

"He is waiting outside."

"Tell him to come in immediately."

Soon, Baekno entered. He was an expert on weapons and martial arts used by top martial artists from all factions.

Chu Sang-gi handed him the weapon and asked,

"Do you know who this weapon belongs to?"

Baekno examined it and grew tense. After checking the wounds on the corpse, he answered cautiously,

"This is Yoma’s signature poison weapon."

Baek Seolyoung and Chu Sang-gi gasped.

"Yoma? You mean from the Asura Demon Sect?"

"Yes. That very Yoma."

Baek Seolyoung’s eyes widened. She was confused. Why would the prominent Yang Sebang die like this? Killed by a high Elder of the Asura Demon Sect?

"Are you sure?"

She asked again. Baekno nodded firmly.

"I am certain."

"Understood. You may go rest now. Please keep this matter confidential."

"I will keep it in mind."

After Baekno left, she quickly turned to Chu Sang-gi.

"Who else knows Elder Yang is dead?"

"Since he was found on the street, rumors have already begun to spread. But the involvement of the Asura Demon Sect has not been revealed yet."

Baek Seolyoung’s eyes sparkled.

"Maybe it’s better if the rumor spreads."

"What?"

Unlike the surprised Chu Sang-gi, Baek Seolyoung’s instincts told her it would be better to publicize the involvement of the Asura Demon Sect.

Most people, when they feel weak, try to hide it to avoid revealing vulnerability.

But she thought the opposite.

When weak, one must have nothing to hide.

Lee Jaseung, who had been listening, smiled faintly. It was sound judgment. After all, one of the biggest reasons problems worsen is when the truth is hidden. He agreed with her.

Chu Sang-gi looked down at the body and tilted his head.

"But why would they kill Elder Yang?"

"Could it be related to the Phantom Demon’s death?"

To that, Chu Sang-gi replied,

"But wasn't the Phantom Demon killed by Young Master Hae of the Righteous Chivalrous Sword Clan?"

"What if Elder Yang actually killed him, and the Demon Cult only found out later and took revenge?"

Chu Sang-gi admired her insight. It made sense. It had always been odd that Hae Ryang had killed the Phantom Demon alone.

"In any case, if the Demonic Cult’s rage is aimed at our clan, we’ll be in trouble."

"Send out someone trustworthy and look into the background of this incident."

"Understood."

She then looked at Lee Jaseung and spoke.

"What do you think?"

Though he had a talent for saying things that annoyed people, he often had sharp insight. She was curious about what he thought about this situation.

But his response was not what she expected.

"A political rival is dead. That’s a good thing."

"What?"

"Is it not?"

Baek Seolyoung twitched. It was true that Yang Sebang’s death was a relief. But she was not the kind of person to smile in front of a corpse. Out of defiance, she said something she did not truly feel.

"Yes, I’m very happy."

Of course, her face said otherwise.

‘What did I even expect from him? I’m starting to regret that I brought him here in the first place.’

Just then, Lee Jaseung spoke again.

"One thing is certain. The Demonic Cult intended to participate in this tournament."

"What? You mean, directly?"

She had not believed that Phantom Demon’s and Yoma’s appearances were coincidences. She thought there must have been some conspiracy.

But she had not imagined that one of them might have been a contestant either.

"One of the two tried to participate? You think that would have been possible?"

"Or maybe one of their spies was involved."

A chill ran through Baek Seolyoung’s body. When she heard that the Phantom Demon had died at Hae Ryang’s hands, it felt like watching a fire across the river.

Oh? How did Hae Ryang kill him? That was all she had in mind.

But the fire had crossed the river. No, maybe it had started here all along, and she had just been unaware.

Baek Seolyoung looked at Lee Jaseung with a calm gaze and spoke.

"That spy could be you.”