Love Ballad of the Tyrant King

Chapter 9: Seolyoung, She Thinks About Him

You lose if you get emotional first.

That’s a phrase Baek Seolyoung always kept in her heart. But no matter how much you embrace yourself, there are moments when you simply can’t help it.

Like this very moment.

“I think it would be best to appoint Peng So as the new leader of the Four Dragons of the Northern Sky.”

The Four Dragons of the Northern Sky were four rising martial artists representing the Northern Sky Clan.

They were young, strong, and known for their chivalrous spirit which made them admired and respected by many in the martial world.

And now, the old man suggesting replacing their leader was Yang Se-bang, an Elder of the Northern Sky Clan.

Among the nine Elders of the clan, he was one of the people her father trusted the most. But after her father passed away, he was the first to change as well.

He began acting as if the Northern Sky Clan belonged to him.

Someone once said that there’s no loyalty to the dead.

It was a sad but harsh truth. She honestly wanted to slap him and ask, where is the trust and faith father gave you? Are those deep wrinkles filled with nothing but greed?

“There has been much talk in the clan due to the recent incident.”

Not long ago, it was revealed that Bok Cheon-man, the current leader of the Four Dragons, was discovered to have accepted bribes behind the scenes. Because of that, Yang Se-bang was proposing Peng So take his place.

Peng So was his man, someone very close to him.

Baek Seolyoung couldn’t believe that Bok Cheon-man had taken bribes. It was probably fabricated.

It was understandable. Was it really only that old man who changed like that?

Around her swarmed a pack of dogs, drooling and scrambling forward, afraid they’d miss out and not even get a bone if they fell behind.

Baek Seolyoung spoke with a smile.

“Do as you wish.”

“Don’t worry. This old man will serve our clan until my body breaks and my bones turn to dust.”

“I believe in you and you only, Elder.”

She smiled with pure innocence, free of any suspicion.

“I’ll take my leave now. Take care of yourself.”

After he left, Baek Seolyoung walked toward the window.

It was difficult to put on a mask.

But acting clever only made opponents wary of her. It was better to show a weakness to make them let their guard down.

Her personal escort, Chu Sang-gi, came in.

“Should we just leave him be?”

“Why? Are you worried that the old man will have the biggest power in the clan?”

“Yes, to be honest. As you know, Peng So is the person Elder Yang raised himself.”

Unlike Chu Sang-gi’s look of concern, Baek Seolyoung looked relaxed.

“Do you have a plan perhaps?”

“No.”

“Huh? Then how can you be so calm?”

“Because there is no need to worry. That man may be greedy, but he won’t go as far as ruining the clan just so he could fill his own stomach. It’s better to let him hold power for now than have some incompetent fool mess things up. I’ll be able to take it all back later, so I’m just letting him borrow it.”

Chu Sang-gi was impressed by her foresight.

“What’s next on the schedule?”

“You must meet the Lord of the Heavenly Sword in half an hour.”

Becoming a Lord of a clan meant endless meetings. Several a day, with key figures from the Northern Sky Clan, as well as outsiders.

Baek Seolyoung couldn’t help but frown. She was reminded of the way the Lord of the Heavenly Sword stared at her during her ceremony.

It was as if he was saying ‘If you give me your body, I’ll lend you my power.’

Seriously, these lustful men never change no matter how much they age.

“Do you have the same thought when you look at me?”

“What kind of thought are you referring to?”

“I’m asking if you want to sleep with me.”

Startled, Chu Sang-gi shouted in response.

“That’s nonsense, how could I dare imagine such a thing!?”

Chu Sang-gi’s red face was filled with confusion and frustration.

“How could you say such a thing to me? Why would I dare have such impure thoughts about you, my lady?”

“I was just kidding.”

“Don’t make such an awful joke like that, you were even smiling.”

“I did it because it’s you. There isn’t anyone else I could talk so casually with.”

“...!”

Then, Baek Seolyoung thought of someone. It was Lee Jaseung, the man she briefly met at the inn.

She had forgotten about him, but why did his image suddenly pop up?

Yes, it was likely because of those eyes of his. His calm gaze showed no lust when he looked at her.

He wasn’t even shocked when he had a blade pointed at his neck, though that was probably because of him not being able to react at all.

Anyway, it was a surprise that he suddenly popped up in her mind.

Baek Seolyoung turned back to Chu Sang-gi and gave a warm smile. She knew him more than anyone.

“Sang-gi.”

“Yes, my la- No, my Lord.”

“I’ve lived each day like it was the first.”

“First?”

“There is a first to everything, you know? The first time wearing new clothes, learning martial arts, starting a new job, meeting a new person… It was exciting, fun, and I enjoyed life.”

It was because her father had been alive. The strongest man in Jianghu was her father.

However, things are different now. She had to live each day like it was the last.

She couldn’t afford to let her guard down for even a moment. Her enemies were too strong and she was too weak compared to them.

One slip, and it could truly be her last day.”

Her enemies weren’t only within the Northern Sky Clan either.

The other two guardian clans of the Orthodox Faction, Righteous Chivalrous Sword Clan and Guanghai Blade Sect were always looking for a chance to take over the Northern Sky Clan.

But she wasn’t going to give up. She was determined to protect the clan her father built up.

“Yeah, it’d be selfish of me to live an easy life in Jianghu without putting any work in.”

At that moment, a subordinate entered with a letter. Chu Sang-gi spoke with a tense look after reading it.

“He’s on the move.”

Baek Seolyoung’s eyes lit up for an instant. A new hope like the metal box. She couldn’t afford to miss the opportunity this time.

“Where is it?”

“Shaanxi.”

She spoke without hesitation.

“Cancel all schedules. We are leaving immediately.”

* * *

Lee Jaseung focused intensely on his training the entire journey to Shaanxi.

Whether he was at an inn, a camp outside, he didn’t skip his night training sessions.

It was the same here at the Yi-hwa Inn, just three days away from Shaanxi.

“Our Lord is really relentless huh.”

Mujin muttered in awe, and Dan Woobin spoke while searching through documents.

“How about you go join him instead of admiring him?”

“It wasn’t admiration, but more criticism. Training only after half an hour after dinner? That’s just inhuman.”

“By that standard, you are way too human.”

“That’s why the ladies love me.”

“Is that so? Lucky you.”

Dan Woobin went back to his paperwork.

“Come on, let’s have a drink.”

“I’m busy.”

“I heard there’s a brothel in town with the most beautiful women. Let’s go.”

Dan Woobin continued to search the documents as if he didn’t hear him. Mujin squinted at him.

“There are ladies with big breasts. Just your type.”

Dan Woobin almost snapped, but he took a deep breath and calmed himself. This wasn’t the first time Mujin teased him, and he knew that getting angry meant defeat.

“If you’re that bored, go train with the Lord and learn things from him.”

“No, watching him train just gives me a sense of inferiority. It’s painful.”

 “That’s just a lazy man’s excuse!”

Despite his words, Dan Woobin knew that Mujin put a ton of work into his training.

If that wasn’t the case, he wouldn’t have been able to achieve the second highest rank in the Black Way Alliance. Of course, he was still lazy compared to Lee Jaseung.

Mujin got up from the spot.

“I’m leaving now.”

“Are you really going to drink alone?”

Then, Mujin held up his thumb and forefinger.

“Only this much.”

“What?”

“It only takes this much piercing to the heart to kill a person.”

Mujin walked out while shaking his hand.

Dan Woobin had an idea why Mujin said such a thing. Life in the world was fragile and short-lived.

He spread his fingers apart and stared at them for a long time, feeling truth in that gesture.

Moreover, Mujin headed to a forest behind the inn where Lee Jaseung was training, instead of the brothel like he suggested.

Mujin didn’t hide his Qi. Normally, watching someone else train in Jianghu was a taboo.

However, Lee Jaseung didn’t care if others watched him.

Even knowing Mujin arrived, Lee Jaseung silently focused on his training.

The six forms of Yama’s Dagger Art each had unique characteristics.

The forms he used the most were the Dagger of Unshakable Stillness and the Great Circle. Just these two alone was enough to take care of his enemies.

The Dagger of the Dancing Peacock, Night Demon, and the Enlightened One was used when fighting against true masters. The last form, Dagger of the Radiant King, had never been revealed to anyone yet.

It was his trump card.

Lee Jaseung was devoting himself to adapting the Yama’s Dagger Art techniques. His newly changed Qi had definitely increased its strength.

The problem was to eliminate the sense of discomfort. It was like wearing new clothes that fit him, but unfamiliar.

New clothes felt refreshing, but comfort mattered more when it came to real combat.

He hadn’t practiced the new techniques he learned from the doll. Lee Jaseung wasn’t in a rush.

Those techniques may have been stronger than Yama's Dagger Art, but he believed mastering his current techniques was a bigger priority.

And if any part of the new technique conflicted with the Yama’s Dagger Art, he planned to abandon it without hesitation.

Greed only brought disaster. Lee Jaseung believed that befriending greed was the most foolish thing one could do.

It must be effort, not greed. Ambition, not desire.

After waiting for Lee Jaseung to finish the fifth form, Dagger of the Enlightened One, Mujin asked him a question.

“There is something I’ve always been curious about.”

“What is it?”

“Most people don’t let others watch them train, you know?”

It was an unspoken rule of Jianghu.

“You are asking why I’m letting you watch?”

“Yes, exactly. Though of course, I’m sure you feel a bond stronger than blood flowing through your veins when you see me.”

Lee Jaseung ignored the joke and answered in a serious tone.

“My martial art isn’t something that could be stolen so easily. Even if someone discovers a weakness, I’d actually be grateful. I’ll be able to learn what to improve then.”

It was a terrifyingly confident response.

He continued.

“If all you want is a flashy martial art that won’t get you killed, then sure, hide it. But if you want to be the best, then don’t hide it. Fill your insecurities with hard work. The best in any field are open, and I’m trying to be like that.”

“But you are already the greatest. What more is there for you to work on?”

“Do you honestly believe that?”

Mujin lowered his head without being able to hold eye contact. Lee Jaseung’s gaze was truly terrifying in times like these.

It was a gaze that pierced through his soul and read his inner thoughts.

At that moment, Mujin had a thought.

‘Defeating the Lord is really no easy task huh.’

Mujin thought to himself when he watched Lee Jaseung’s techniques earlier.

How could he block that? How should he counter?

However, he realized after hearing Lee Jaseung’s response.

That wasn’t the important part.

Even if he watched and studied Lee Jaseung’s every move, could he really win against him in real combat?

No.

It wasn’t possible to win against his relentless drive to improve.

Lee Jaseung was open to let others watch.

Mujin knew just how hard it was to do that, and how powerful one needed to be.

‘It stings… but I still have ways to go compared to my Lord.’

Mujin admitted defeat to himself.

“I may not beat you in martial arts, but I’ve got you beat with women and drinks.”

“I admit that.”

“Hahaha!”

Mujin laughed cheerfully after hearing Lee Jaseung’s quick defeat. Lee Jaseung smiled lightly as well.

If Dan Woobin was like a little brother, Mujin felt like a close friend. Mujin definitely had an ability to make people comfortable around him, even though he was the second highest rank in the Black Way Alliance, someone he should be most wary of.

“Shall we have a drink?”

“Sounds good.”

Mujin grinned.

“My treat. I had a great realization just now.”

“Then I’ll pay.”

“Huh, why?”

“Because the more you are enlightened, the stronger I’ll become.”

“The sorrow of a fish caught in a net, huh.”

Lee Jaseung strode forward and spoke.

“Well then, I’ll let that fish have everything he wants tonight. Close the inn and bring out all the drinks they have.”