Love Ballad of the Tyrant King

Chapter 51: Jaseung, Sets a Trap

Five days after Baek Seolyoung began her training, the Righteous Chivalrous Sword Clan announced the death of Hae Cheon-in.

Hae Gwang had handled matters as if his father were still alive, worrying that revealing his death suddenly would create various problems.

He was completely different from his younger brother, Hae Ryang. He had a rational and meticulous personality.

Since it was too far to return to his clan, Hae Gwang held the funeral for Hae Cheon-in here in Heaven's Gate.

Because of the martial arts tournament, many renowned figures of the martial world were already gathered in Heaven's Gate, and the stream of mourners did not cease.

Lee Jaseung and Baek Seolyoung also attended the funeral.

When the two entered the hall, they drew everyone’s attention.

After offering incense and paying their respects, they exchanged brief greetings with Hae Gwang.

Hae Gwang did not appear particularly sorrowful. Lee Jaseung could tell that it was not rationality but coldness that defined his character.

Hae Gwang, in turn, observed Lee Jaseung.

‘I never imagined this man would win the tournament.’

Whether from their first meeting or even now, he could not believe this person was the winner of the tournament.

‘He must either be extremely lucky or he’s hiding something.’

While they were quietly assessing each other, Baek Seolyoung offered formal condolences.

“I sincerely pray for the soul of the deceased.”

“Thank you for taking the time to come despite your busy schedule.”

After a short pause, Baek Seolyoung carefully asked,

“What happened?”

“It was the work of the Demonic Cult.”

When Hae Gwang identified the Demonic Cult, Baek Seolyoung was visibly startled.

“The Demonic Cult?”

Hae Gwang closely observed her reaction. Hae Ryang had gone to the place where the Phantom Demon was after receiving a letter from Baek Seolyoung. Of course, that letter had actually come from Lee Jaseung’s side.

Naturally, Hae Gwang had considered the possibility that Baek Seolyoung was involved in the incident. But seeing her genuine surprise, he became convinced she had no part in it.

He also found it suspicious that she had sent a letter so openly if this were truly a plot. Moreover, with the internal strife within the Northern Sky Clan at its peak, she had neither the motive nor the freedom to scheme like this.

‘That fool!. He must have been taken in by someone else.’

Hae Gwang concluded that someone else had orchestrated the whole affair.

“Our clan will offer full support in resolving this matter.”

“Your words bring me great comfort.”

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

“Have a safe trip back.”

Baek Seolyoung and Lee Jaseung walked out of the hall. At that moment, Hae Ryang approached from the opposite side. When he saw the two standing side by side, his eyes narrowed. Just the sight of them together made his anger boil over.

Lee Jaseung looked at him and grinned. It was a deliberate provocation. Hae Ryang nearly shouted in rage.

But with everyone blaming him for his father’s death, he could not afford to cause another scene.

Thus, Baek Seolyoung and Lee Jaseung brushed past him.

Hae Ryang clenched his teeth and glared at their retreating figures.

Just then, Hae Gwang stepped up beside him.

“It doesn’t seem like she was involved.”

“Of course not! She likes me. She’s only marrying that guy because she has no choice.”

“You idiot! Falling for some woman like that.”

Hae Ryang’s expression darkened at his brother’s words.

“Watch your mouth! Even if you’re my brother, I won’t let that slide.”

Then, Hae Gwang gave him a terrifying glare. Hae Ryang flinched instinctively. Even as a child, when his brother snapped, he would beat him like a madman.

“If you cause trouble one more time, I really won’t forgive you.”

Hae Ryang didn’t dare say anything back. He just sneered.

As he watched Hae Gwang walk off to greet more guests, Hae Ryang grinded his teeth. He hated everything. Something inside him was boiling with fury.

Frustrated, he left the place.

Ever since his father’s death, people in the clan had started treating him with cold eyes. Everyone was watching his brother’s reaction before deciding how to act.

‘Damn it! Do they not know how ruthless that bastard is!? No matter how much you beg, if he thinks you’re useless, he’ll devour you.’

He had grown up with his brother. He knew better than anyone how merciless he could be.

Just then, a woman with a modest face and a voluptuous figure wrapped her arm around his.

“Handsome Young Master, have a drink with me.”

His rage turned into lust, and Hae Ryang committed an act he shouldn’t have. Even though he was in mourning, he went into a brothel.

The courtesan led him to a room where a table was already set with drinks.

Hae Ryang drank straight from the bottle. Of course, drinking like a madman wasn’t going to ease his fury.

“Young Master, drink slowly.”

“Forget it. Come here.”

As he buried his face in the woman’s chest, a sharp, tingling scent hit his nose.

Thud.

Hae Ryang collapsed onto the table.

The woman quickly opened the door and stepped out. Someone standing outside entered the room. It was Mujin.

Mujin stroked Hae Ryang’s head and laughed.

“What a cute bastard.”

Two more people entered. Ma Young-gi brought in another unconscious man.

That man was Hae Ryang’s bodyguard, Ham Muhong. Ham Muhong had dismissed all the other subordinates while Hae Ryang wandered the streets.

He had sensed trouble. Something told him this situation needed to be kept quiet. And sure enough, Hae Ryang had gone into a pleasure house while in mourning.

While guarding alone, he had been ambushed by Ma Young-gi and lost consciousness. Ma Young-gi’s skills were superior, and with a surprise attack, Ham Muhong stood no chance.

Mujin looked at Ma Young-gi and grinned.

“Alright, let’s quickly get it over with.”

* * *

When Hae Ryang came to, he realized he was lying on a cold floor.

His pressure points had been struck. He couldn’t move a muscle, and his head throbbed with pain.

‘That damned courtesan!’

It wasn’t the alcohol. It was the scent from the woman’s body that knocked him out.

Either way, fear hit him like a wave. If they knew who he was, they wouldn’t dare treat him this way.

He slowly opened his eyes.

He was in a rundown warehouse he didn’t recognize.

Voices murmured at the door. He perked up his ears to listen.

“If we get rid of him, Young Lord Hae will become the true heir.”

“Right.”

“He really can be cruel. That’s his real brother.”

“It’s about succession. Getting rid of one reckless brat isn’t a big deal.”

“But if his brother disappears now, won’t Young Lord Hae be suspected?”

“He wouldn’t do it that sloppily. He’ll say the kid left the family to avenge their father and went missing.”

“So that’s why they’re not killing him yet. Just locking him up.”

“Exactly. They’ll make him write a letter first, then dispose of him.”

“A letter?”

“You know, something like a will. Saying not to look for him because he’s going to get revenge on the Demonic Cult. That way, they can pin his death on the cult.”

“Will he really write it?”

“They brought in a torture specialist. That fool doesn’t have the will to resist. You think he can endure having his fingernails and toenails pulled for days?”

“I guess not.”

“I heard they did this once when he was little too. Locked him up, and within half a day, he was bawling and begging for forgiveness. He’s finished now.”

Listening to this, Hae Ryang clenched his teeth. At first, he thought he had misheard. No matter how bad their relationship was, he had never imagined his brother would try to kill him.

But when he heard the mention of his childhood imprisonment, everything changed.

It was true. Dan Woobin had uncovered that secret through the Golden Ants.

The moment he heard that, Hae Ryang’s mind shut down. He was impulsive and hot-tempered to begin with. His rage exploded.

He believed only he and his brother knew that fact.

‘You bastard! I’ll tear you in pieces!’

His eyes turned bloodshot with fury.

How much time had passed?

He heard people being knocked out outside the door. Then the door swung open, and someone rushed in.

“Young Master!”

It was his bodyguard, Ham Muhong. Seeing him, Hae Ryang looked like he had seen a savior in hell.

“Muhong!”

“Shh! We must leave.”

Ham Muhong looked terrible. He hadn’t recovered from his internal injuries and looked pale.

He helped Hae Ryang up and out of the room. The guards in the hallway were unconscious.

They made their way out of the building. Ham Muhong had been cautious enough to avoid the sentries.

They quickly crossed the garden and climbed over the wall.

As they entered the forest, Hae Ryang said,

“That bastard is no longer my brother.”

His eyes burned with vengeance.

On a rooftop in the distance, Mujin and Ma Young-gi were watching.

“You think he’ll fall for this?”

Ma Young-gi still had doubts. He believed he would never be tricked so easily. But Mujin was extremely confident in the success of their plan.

“He’ll fall for it.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“If he weren’t that type, we wouldn’t have planned this in the first place.”

It was a statement filled with faith in Dan Woobin. The target’s personality had already been thoroughly analyzed.

“All we had to do was light a fire under years of resentment toward his brother.”

Mujin smiled and added,

“That’s what strategist Dan said.”

Ma Young-gi smirked. Moments like this made him slightly envious of the bond between Mujin and Dan Woobin.

He was old enough to know how extremely hard it was to find someone who trusted you that completely.

* * *

Baek Seolyoung’s training became harder by the day.

She had to run faster and longer. She no longer balanced on her hands, but on her fingers. The amount of time she had to hold her position increased, and the rocks she had to lift got heavier.

But the mouth that once cursed nonstop only let out rhythmic breaths now.  

Ten days into her training, she had adapted.

The more exhausted her body became, the clearer her mind grew.

It was a whole new experience for her.

She was busier than ever, but she prioritized her martial arts training above all else. She ordered that no messages be delivered to her unless the clan was facing destruction.

In truth, she wanted to cancel everything and train all day, but she couldn’t.

When she trained, Lee Jaseung sat nearby and meditated.

Over the past ten days, he had grown used to circulating two types of internal energy simultaneously. The awkwardness of wearing an ill-fitting suit had vanished.

His inner Qi now moved at will. He could switch between Yin and Yang now. He could even move both at once.

Lee Jaseung now knew the time had come.

It was time to learn the martial art that was hidden within the iron case.