Love Ballad of the Tyrant King

Chapter 62: Jaseung, Yells

Yool stepped into a manor on the outskirts of Heaven's Gate.

He had received orders to stop the marriage and he knew exactly how to do it.

There were many others whose goals were different but whose intentions were similar. Those who came carrying gifts that were nothing more than bribes, knew well the power of the man staying here.

Unlike those who waited for days in the guest hall for their turn, Yool was immediately guided to the rear garden upon arrival. That alone showed the close relationship between the man and Guanghai Blade Sect.

A man was waiting in the garden. He had a unique atmosphere.

From him radiated the cunning of one who had been through countless battles, yet at the same time the vigor of someone in his thirties despite being in his fifties. If one were to define that feeling in a single word, it was confidence.

“It has been a long time, elder.”

Yool treated him with the utmost respect, and for good reason. The man’s name was Ban Yeo, known as the right-hand man of the current Leader of the Murim Alliance.

To the outside world, it looked like the elders, including Yeo Beom, ran Alliance affairs, but it was known that the truly important matters passed through his hands.

Second only to one man, above all others.

Ban Yeo was precisely that man.

“What is the reason you wished to see this old man?”

The expression “old man” sounded oddly out of place from someone who looked so young.

“I heard you had come down here, so I came to pay my respects.”

At Yool’s words, Ban Yeo smirked.

“There is no need for such formalities between you and me. We are both busy men, so get to the point.”

Yool smiled faintly.

“In truth, I came to ask you a favor.”

“What is it?”

“I heard the Alliance Leader is on his way here to attend the wedding.”

The moment the Alliance Leader was mentioned, Ban Yeo’s gaze sharpened.

He said nothing to confirm it. The Alliance Leader’s actions were a matter of secrecy and could not be spoken of lightly.

“I would like to ask that the Alliance Leader not attend this wedding.”

A flicker of curiosity passed through Ban Yeo’s eyes. It was a simple request in words, but it was anything but simple.

He wondered why such a request would be made.

“May I ask why?”

“I wish for the wedding to be delayed.”

“Hmm, you wish for the wedding to be delayed?”

Ban Yeo’s mind began working quickly. There could be many reasons why Guanghai Blade Sect would want the marriage of the Northern Sky Clan’s Lord postponed.

Whatever the reason, what he needed to do now was use it to extract the maximum benefit.

“That will not be easy…”

Ban Yeo shook his head slightly and continued.

“Think about it logically. What reason could be given to stop the Alliance Leader from attending a wedding?”

“Because that’s difficult to answer, I came to see you, elder.”

With that, Yool set a small box on a nearby rock. When he opened it, a brilliant light spilled out.

Inside were ten luminous pearls, all of the highest quality. Their value was enormous.

Ban Yeo looked at the pearls and gave an admiring nod.

“Magnificent.”

He showed no shame in accepting bribes. He never had. If he felt the bribe was insufficient, he said so plainly. He openly acknowledged his corruption.

In fact, Yool preferred dealing with him. There were those who pretended to be noble, hid their displeasure, and then ruined matters later. Yool detested such people. Outwardly righteous but rotten inside.

But even the ten finest luminous pearls did not yet open Ban Yeo’s mouth.

Yool quickly produced another box.

“You seem to have been in poor health lately.”

When he opened it, inside lay a single root of Ten Thousand Year Snow Ginseng.

Only then did a satisfied smile appear on Ban Yeo’s face. Ten luminous pearls and a root of snow ginseng were more than enough sincerity.

At this point, Ban Yeo was genuinely curious. Why spend so much to stop a wedding? If it were merely a power struggle between two clans, they would not move so suddenly. This urgency meant something had recently happened.

Still, Ban Yeo did not ask why. When someone paid this high a price, you did not question it. He had his own philosophy about accepting bribes.

“Hahaha, as always, you are the only one who cares for my health. I shall take it well.”

He knew it was sent by the Lord of the clan, but he did not so much as make a token remark about it. Such political deftness was why so many lined up to connect themselves to him.

“Please stay healthy and continue to serve this world for a long time.”

“Hahaha, there is no need to gild my face with such words.”

Despite his words, he looked quite pleased.

“Then I shall see you next time. Until then, please take care.”

Yool departed.

The smile left Ban Yeo’s face. Every smile he showed to others was an act. He could not remember the last time he had truly laughed. He smiled out of habit and with intent.

At that moment, a man entered.

It was the same middle-aged man who had once met Lee Jaseung in One Fleeting Dream and had encountered Yim Sayeon in the marketplace. His name was Yang Jo, Ban Yeo’s most trusted subordinate.

“Still no word from the elder?”

“No, not yet.”

The ‘elder’ Ban Yeo spoke of was Yim Sayeon of One Fleeting Dream. The ‘elder’ Yang Jo had mentioned to her the old woman was Ban Yeo.

“And you are certain you passed along word that I am here?”

“Yes.”

A complex emotion that did not suit him flickered across Ban Yeo’s face.

“I see. You may withdraw.”

Just as Yang Jo was about to turn away, he spoke cautiously.

“That man from earlier, was he from Guanghai Blade Sect?”

“Yes.”

“What did he come for?”

“He asked me to stop the wedding.”

“And what will you do?”

“I am considering it.”

Ban Yeo had already made up his mind, but he did not show it.

“I believe you should accept the request.”

“Why?”

“That man Seop Mu-pyeong seems to have some connection to the elder of One Fleeting Dream.”

“Really?”

“I am not certain, but I got that impression. If there is some connection, we can use it for future matters.”

Ban Yeo’s eyes gleamed strangely.

“So delaying the wedding would be to our advantage?”

“Yes. If he ends up tied to the Northern Sky Clan, it will be hard for us to shake him.”

“I see. I will trust your instinct.”

It was something he had intended to accept anyway.

But he dressed it up as trusting Yang Jo’s advice. Yang Jo, too, was not naïve enough to think it was entirely because of him.

Still, being told so was pleasing. Ban Yeo knew small stones like this piled up to form the tower called loyalty.

“I wonder if the Alliance Leader is already on his way?”

* * *

Splash.

Baek Seolyoung’s bare body lay submerged in a wooden tub. Her slender figure was flawless. Firm breasts, a narrow waist, and her smooth long legs drew the eyes irresistibly.

The two servants attending her could not help but voice their admiration over and over.

“My Lord, you are so beautiful!”

“Truly, you must be the most beautiful woman in Jianghu.”

Even as compliments poured forth, Baek Seolyoung only gave a faint smile.

With the wedding only a day away, her heart was unsettled.

She had thought she could take it in stride, but it was not so easy.

She had trained today as well. She thought she might be the only person in the entire world to train on the day before her wedding.

It was symbolic in a way, choosing to live a different life from this point forward.

Lee Jaseung was no different from usual. But they both saved their words, speaking only when necessary.

Splash, splash.

She swirled her hand, sending the petals floating on the water drifting to the tub’s edge.

“My Lord, how do you feel right now?”

Baek Seolyoung answered honestly to the servant’s question.

“I am not sure. I still do not know much about him…”

“Young Master Seop is the most popular among us.”

“Is that so? Why?”

“Why? Because he is handsome!”

Another servant chimed in with exaggerated agreement.

She wanted to say, “That is because you do not know his awful temper,” but Baek Seolyoung only smiled faintly.

Well, it was true he looked good on the surface.

When day broke, she would become his woman…

“My Lord! Something has happened!”

Outside, Chu Sang-gi’s urgent voice called out.

* * *

Baek Seolyoung walked quickly with a grave expression.

The urgent summons had brought her to the quarters of Yeo Beom, elder of the Murim Alliance. There, other elders and the Guanghai Blade Sect’s Head, Sa Cheongwang, were waiting.

“What do you mean the Alliance Leader has lost contact?”

“He was on his way here, but word has stopped.”

It was not as if he was traveling alone. He had his bodyguards with him. For word to cease meant something had happened.

Yeo Beom spoke carefully.

“I am sorry, but we must postpone the wedding.”

Baek Seolyoung was shocked. When she had first heard the Alliance Leader had gone missing, she had suspected this might happen. But hearing it said directly left her at a loss.

“In a situation where we do not know if the Alliance Leader is alive or dead, can we really hold a wedding?”

Put that way, she could not argue. It was even harder to speak up because it was a wedding.

A wedding was an intensely personal matter. In other words, it could look selfish.

Also, the Alliance Leader had been coming here to attend her wedding. He was the most honored guest. How could she proceed as if nothing had happened?

She was torn. A wedding could not be prepared in just a day or two. So much had gone into it, and what about the guests who had come from all over?

It was then, as she didn’t know how to act in this situation.

Lee Jaseung spoke loud and clear.

“The wedding will proceed as planned,”

Everyone stared in surprise. All eyes went to him as Yeo Beom demanded with a grim face,

“How can you say that in the current situation?”

“What about the current situation?”

“What?”

“It’s not mine or Lord Baek’s fault that contact was lost with the Alliance Leader, is it?”

“What did you say?”

Faces hardened all around.

But Lee Jaseung looked unconcerned as he asked,

“Where was the last place he was known to be in?”

“Why do you ask? That is the Alliance business, I cannot tell you.”

A corner of Lee Jaseung’s mouth curled up.

“You were so imposing when trying to stop someone’s most important day, yet you are stingy with answers you should naturally give.”

An elder behind Yeo Beom barked,

“Watch your tongue, man!”

Lee Jaseung shot back immediately.

“You watch yours!”

“What?”

“Do you realize you are insulting the Lord of the Northern Sky Clan?”

His forceful tone made him flinch.

Lee Jaseung had targeted him deliberately. When pressing someone, it was wise not to directly press the highest-ranking person present, especially not when their subordinates were there.

Pride could make them dig in stubbornly, creating the worst situation.

“How can you know only one thing and not two?”

“What do you mean?”

“If the wedding is postponed, the people of Jianghu will know why. If the Leader of the Alliance that represents the Orthodox Faction cannot even attend a wedding and suffers misfortune, they will laugh at him.”

Normally, one would say that if it became known the Alliance Leader had been harmed, the martial world would be thrown into chaos.

But Lee Jaseung deliberately used extreme words to mock.

It was not entirely baseless. To martial artists, the Alliance Leader was a pillar and a symbol of strength.

If he were harmed or kidnapped, disappointment would indeed come before concern for many.

The elders could no longer argue against his words. But Yeo Beom did not give up easily.

“If we do not attend, how many guests will you have?”

It was a threat to pressure guests into not attending.

It was petty and cowardly, but Lee Jaseung was resolute.

“Even if there is not a single guest, it does not matter.”

He looked at Baek Seolyoung. From his words, it was clear that having only her was enough, and faint color rose in her cheeks.

He spoke loudly to the Elders again.

“The wedding will proceed tomorrow as scheduled. I will understand if you cannot attend.”

He gave them a polite salute, then took Baek Seolyoung’s hand.

She was caught off guard but could not pull away with everyone watching, so she stood still.

“Let us go.”

The two of them left.

Sa Cheongwang watched with a troubled expression. He had stayed quiet because he was behind the matter and did not want to draw attention.

But he had not expected Lee Jaseung to be so unyielding.

In a situation where the Alliance Leader might be in danger, with pressure that no one would attend, he had never dreamed Lee Jaseung would still insist on going through with it.

He had thought of him as an ignorant country bumpkin who only swung a sword, but what he had just seen was anything but simple.

At this rate, the ten luminous pearls and the snow ginseng sent through Yool would be wasted. Ban Yeo would have done his part, but…

Sa Cheongwang gave a cold smile.

‘I will have to apply more pressure. Can you truly hold a wedding with no guests?’