Absolute Warrior V2C6: The Third Young Lady
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TL: FoodieMonster007 If you see this, you are at the wrong site!
CLACK!
The Lord of Sword Heaven, Sin Paegeuk, placed a Go stone on the board with a crisp movement.
His robust physique, piercing gaze, burning vitality and incredible energy and intensity surpassed that of most younger men, making his sixty years seem insignificant.
In terms of swordsmanship, only the Martial God Cheon Ahseong stood above him. No, if Cheon Ahseong had never been born, he would have likely ruled the jianghu.
Still, he was second to only one man. He wielded a great deal of power, and with that power came an equally strong sense of pride.
Compared to Sin Paegeuk's ferocity, his opponent, the First Young Lord Baek Museong, moved with calm and measured precision.
Currently, their Go match was even.
"There's a saying that a weak player cherishes their stones, while a strong player discards them," Sin Paegeuk remarked.
Baek Museong replied indifferently, "Are you talking about the power of sacrifice?"
"That's right. One must make a clear distinction between key stones and dead stones," Sin Paegeuk advised.
Baek Museong's wedding with his daughter, Sin Yeongyeong, was fast approaching.
Long before the succession war began, he had already recognized Baek Museong's potential, predicting that the unassuming First Young Lord would surpass his extraordinary-seeming rivals and be the one to survive to the end. As such, he had invested significant effort into this union.
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His gamble paid off. Baek Museong had indeed endured until the very end. He was more than worthy of being his son-in-law.
He continued, "We must decisively abandon stones that should be discarded and do whatever it takes to save the ones that must be preserved."
"How does one tell the difference?" Baek Museong asked quietly.
"It's very simple." Sin Paegeuk's eyes gleamed. "Stones that have served their purpose are dead stones, no matter how many there are. On the other hand, even a single stone with the potential to turn the tides is a key stone. That stone must be saved at all costs."
Baek Museong gazed at the Go board in silence before answering respectfully, "I will keep that in mind."
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Sin Paegeuk smiled in satisfaction. This marriage was certain to further elevate the prestige of his Sword Heaven.
Currently, Sword Heaven, Blade Heaven, and Fist Heaven were the three greatest pillars supporting the New Righteous Association.
Among them, Sword Heaven was so immense and powerful that Sin Paegeuk felt it was a shame for it to only serve as the chairman's wings. As such, he had once set his sights on Cheon Ahseong's position.
After witnessing a single casual technique from the Martial God, however, he completely abandoned that thought.
That was a realm he could never surpass. He could only be content with being second.
Just then, Sin Yeongyeong stepped into the garden. "You called for me, Father?" she asked.
Sin Paegeuk nodded. "Yes, come here."
Striding gracefully through the newly blooming spring flowers, Sin Yeongyeong entered the pavilion where the two men were playing Go and sat down quietly between them.
Despite their impending marriage, neither she nor Baek Museong could bear to look each other in the eye.
Sin Paegeuk burst out laughing at the sight, "To think you'd both be such stiff logs. Hohoho!"
Sin Yeongyeong's face flushed red.
"This is why I called you here. The two of you need to spend some time alone together. I'm not such a boring old man after all, am I? Hahaha!" Sin Paegeuk chuckled playfully.
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"Father!" Sin Yeongyeong protested, her face blushing even redder.
Sin Paegeuk rose to his feet, and the other two stood up as well.
"We'll finish this match later," he said firmly, then left without looking back.
"Father!" Flustered, Sin Yeongyeong called out to her father again, but Sin Paegeuk was gone.
For a while, an awkward silence hung between the spouses-to-be.
"…Let's sit down," Baek Museong suggested.
"Yes."
The young couple sat down nervously. This was their first time being alone together like this.
"Have you been well?" Baek Museong asked.
"Yes."
"I heard that Chohui was in danger recently."
Sin Yeongyeong lowered her head. For a fleeting moment, her eyes hardened, then softened.
Though things were awkward between them now, Baek Museong and Sin Chohui used to be quite close. Since childhood, Sin Chohui had affectionately called Baek Museong "Orabeoni" and followed him around. Naturally, the two of them had grown up like siblings.
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Sin Yeongyeong, on the other hand, had never developed such a relationship with him.
"She is safe, fortunately," Sin Yeongyeong whispered.
"That's a relief."
"Hmph!"
Suddenly, the sound of someone sneering came from behind them. Turning around, they saw Sin Chohui leaning against a tree in the distance, arms folded, watching them.
Baek Museong called out to her, "Since you're here, why not come over?"
"I don't want to interrupt your date," Sin Chohui replied sarcastically.
"Stop saying nonsense and come here."
Sighing, Sin Chohui reluctantly made her way over, but her gaze as she looked at her sister was anything but warm.
In contrast, Sin Yeongyeong greeted her affectionately, "Should you really be walking around like this already?"
"You say that like I was seriously injured," Sin Chohui replied curtly.
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"Sometimes, emotional wounds are deeper than physical ones."
"Hmph! So what, are you planning to lock me in my room? Should I not even come out on the day of your wedding?"
"Watch your words," Baek Museong scolded.
Sin Chohui narrowed her eyes. "Don't butt in, Orabeoni. You don't understand a thing."
"Chohui, mind your manners!" Sin Yeongyeong reprimanded.
Sin Chohui bristled with rage, as if a fuse had been lit inside her. "Quit acting like some pure, innocent maiden! You're anything but benevolent!"
"Chohui, what's wrong?" Baek Museong asked, confused.
Sin Chohui screamed, "You think I don't know? That you, my own sister, tried to kill me?"
Sin Yeongyeong's face turned pale with shock. "…What?"
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"Go ahead! Kill me! Kill me so you can live happily with Orabeoni! I know your secret, Unnie…"
SLAP!
Baek Museong struck Sin Chohui's cheek.
Sin Chohui touched her stinging face in shock. This was the first time she had ever been slapped by Baek Museong. No matter how much trouble she caused, not even her father had ever hit her.
Unfortunately, that was precisely why she had grown so unruly.
Tears streamed from Sin Chohui's eyes. "…Too much! This is too much!" she cried.
Baek Museong said sternly, "Don't you know who called the Association's martial artists to save you that day?"
"Wasn't it you, Orabeoni?"
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"No, it was your sister."
Sin Chohui's eyes widened. "No. That can't be. Is that really true?"
"Yes, it's an undeniable fact."
"No! That's impossible!" Sin Chohui shrieked, her face twisted in confusion.
Dazed and panicked, she abruptly spun around and ran away.
Baek Museong let out a quiet sigh. "She's just a foolish child who spoke without thinking. Please forget about it."
"……" Sin Yeongyeong lowered her head, trying her best to hide the tears silently falling from her eyes.
"I'll take my leave for today. See you soon."
With that, Baek Museong left.
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Sin Yeongyeong wiped her tears as she watched her betrothed's retreating figure. Her face was still wet with tear stains, but the moment Baek Museong vanished from sight, her gaze turned cold, as if she had never cried at all.
As soon as Baek Museong stepped out of Sword Heaven, his aide, Jin Chung, appeared and followed quietly behind his master.
"Was it truly Lady Sin who summoned the Twelve Phantoms?" Jin Chung asked.
Baek Museong replied, "Yes, she was the one who called them."
"Then Chohui misunderstood. Still… wasn't slapping her a bit too harsh?"
Having served Baek Museong for a long time, Jin Chung was well aware of how much Sin Chohui adored and depended on Baek Museong. From her point of view, it was only natural to be jealous of her sister.
Baek Museong froze in his tracks. "That slap saved her life," he sighed.
"…Pardon?"
"If those words had left Chohui's mouth…"
Jin Chung suddenly flinched in realization. "Wait. Are you saying…?"
"Yes. Sin Yeongyeong is also the one who hired the assassin. She orchestrated the entire act from start to end. Originally, she probably wanted both the Phantom and Chohui killed, but things didn't quite go as she planned."
"Lady Sin really tried to kill her own sister? Why?"
"Because Chohui knows her secret."
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"Ah…!" Jin Chung sighed heavily. Publicly, Sin Yeongyeong was the most virtuous woman of them all. Only her younger sister Sin Chohui knew her true nature.
Baek Museong shook his head. "That's the kind of woman she is."
"Are you really fine with this?"
"What do you mean?"
"The marriage."
Baek Museong smiled bitterly. "Don't you think we're a perfect match? A cold-blooded man who sent an assassin after his own child and a wicked woman who attempted to murder her own sister."
"Young Lord!"
"Haha, fine. I take that back."
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"Should we really leave Chohui alone?"
"For now, she'll be fine. When I slapped her earlier, she must have realized that I've already figured out the truth."
"……" Jin Chung shook his head. He had to admit that there were things in this world beyond his understanding. Without an explanation, he would never have figured out the hidden meaning behind his master's cryptic actions.
Baek Museong changed the subject. "By the way, how are things on Crimson Tiger's end?"
"He has successfully infiltrated the Ironblood Nines."
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Baek Museong looked at the sky. Two birds flew across the clear, cloudless blue, chasing each other.
Jin Chung's lips parted slightly. The words "It's not too late even now" hovered on the tip of his tongue.
He could tell. His master was desperately hoping that someone would stop him. After his earlier insolence, however, he no longer had the right to intervene.
He looked up at the sky, following his master's gaze.
At the same time, he prayed fervently that some unforeseen turn of events would avert the impending tragedy.
Unknown to Jin Chung, his long-awaited twist of fate was currently taking place ten kilometers away.
As Yagong stepped into an ornate manor, he carefully observed the woman guiding him.
She looks young, but she's incredible. That martial arts uniform she's wearing isn't just for show, she really is a peak-level master. Compare to the woman I'm about to meet, however… she's nothing.
"Welcome, Pavilion Master Yagong," a beautiful woman greeted.
The sight of her beauty was a breath of fresh air to Yagong. "It's been a while, Third Young Lady," he greeted back politely.
As Yagong stated, the woman was none other than Ju Hwayin, the Third Young Lady of the New Righteous Association.
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She was also the same lady who often slept with Crimson Tiger in the Autumn Moon Palace, but of course, she wasn't disguised as Gahwa right now. No, she was in her true, breathtaking form.
"I apologize for asking a busy man like yourself to come all the way here," she said. "There are too many watchful eyes at headquarters."
Yagong shook his head. "It's no trouble. I quite enjoyed the chance to get some fresh air."
"Please, have a seat."
The two sat facing each other. A lavish spread of food and drinks had been prepared.
"Shall we have a drink first?"
They emptied their wine cups.
"I should have contacted you earlier, but I was delayed," Yagong began.
Ju Hwayin smiled pleasantly. "Not to worry. I'm the one who should have reached out first."
Although Ju Hwayin was smiling, her smile was completely different from the one she showed Crimson Tiger. Gone was the pure and innocent demeanor, replaced by an aura so commanding that even Yagong found it difficult to meet her gaze.
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"How have things been for you lately?" she asked.
"Nothing much has changed, though as I age, I find myself relying more on wit than anything else."
"If a brilliant man like you adds wit to his already impressive repertoire, then I'm afraid no one will be able to match your intellect."
"Haha, is that so?"
The two shared a casual laugh.
Yagong steeled himself to move on to his main agenda. Although he had met Ju Hwayin several times before, he had never done so with a clear purpose in mind. Still, she must have known. She must have realized that he favored her over the First Young Lord. She must have understood exactly why he had come today.
"How have you been lately, My Lady?" he asked.
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"As always, I'm just struggling to survive under Senior Brother's tyranny."
Yagong chuckled at her joke.
Ju Hwayin's tone grew serious. "There are those who say I cannot succeed because I am a woman."
"Those are the words of foolish men. You needn't pay them any mind," Yagong replied firmly.
"Are you different from them, Pavilion Master?"
"I may be a man, but I see something the rest do not."
"And what is that?"
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"An ambition greater and grander than any man's."
Their gazes met. From the moment Baek Museong joined hands with the Radiant Hall Director, their fates were intertwined. After all, in this struggle for power, the enemy of an enemy was a friend.
Ju Hwayin giggled, "Hoho, so that's what you see? You notice things even I don't."
"This old man's eyes are better than they seem."
"Whatever the reason, I am pleased. Women have a taste for sweet words, even if they are lies."
"Haha, then invite me often. This old man will prepare new things for you each time."
The two smiled at each other once more.
"How much do you know about Senior Brother?" Ju Hwayin asked.
Yagong furrowed his brows. "Not much."
"That's a relief. If you did, you would abandon me and follow him instead," she teased.
Yagong shuddered. This was the reason why he had chosen the Third Young Lady. Her sheer composure, the quiet confidence she exuded… even though she was a woman, he was certain that Ju Hwayin's vessel surpassed that of the First Young Lord.
"By the way, I heard that one of the Phantoms has been standing out lately," Ju Hwayin added casually, smoothly moving on to a different topic.
"Are you referring to Crimson Tiger?"
"Yes. They say he completes every mission flawlessly."
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"Well, he's quite skilled, but you hardly need concern yourself with a mere swordsman, my Lady."
Ju Hwayin smiled meaningfully. "Isn't the Association a place built by gathering these mere swordsmen?"
This time, Yagong couldn't help but let out a small chuckle, "Indeed, it is."
Ju Hwayin smile's vanished. The time for small talk was over. Now was the time for reckoning.
"Pavilion Master, how much do you trust me?" she asked solemnly.
Yagong hesitated. His answer would determine the foundation of their alliance. The moment he took the Third Young Lady's hand, his future would be tied to hers.
Before he could open his mouth, however, a woman's voice echoed from outside.
"There is someone here to see you, Pavilion Master."
Yagong's eyes widened in surprise. His meeting with Ju Hwayin was an absolute secret.
"Let them in," Ju Hwayin commanded.
The doors opened, and Milyeong, one of Yagong's most trusted subordinates, entered the manor.
Some time ago, Milyeong had asked for fifteen days to investigate the First Young Lord, but even after the promised time had passed, he did not return.
Despite his concerns, Yagong had deliberately refrained from searching for Milyeong. The man's continued absence could only mean one thing—he had stumbled upon a breakthrough in his investigation.
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As it turned out, he was right to wait. Since Milyeong was even interrupting his meeting with Ju Hwayin, it could only mean that he was bringing information so urgent that he couldn't afford to wait until the meeting was over.
"I have something to report," Milyeong said gravely.
Sensing the tension in the air, Ju Hwayin offered, "Shall I step aside for a moment?"
Yagong shook his head. "Didn't you just ask how much I trusted you?"
"Yes."
Yagong turned to Milyeong. "Report here and now."
Ju Hwayin smiled graciously.
Milyeong said in a low voice, "The First Young Lord has a child."
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Ju Hwayin sprang to her feet. The fact that her Senior Brother had sought an audience with the Radiant Hall Director and then deployed Crimson Tiger, the Association's most capable secret agent, on a special mission spoke volumes about the gravity of the situation.
Nevertheless, not even in her wildest dreams had she imagined that the reason would be something so shocking.
"Moreover, that child has joined the Ironblood Nines," Milyeong added.
Yagong's jaw dropped. "Ah! Then Crimson Tiger must have gone to rescue him!"
Finally, he understood why Gu Yangseo had gone to such lengths just to send out Crimson Tiger.
Ju Hwayin stared at Milyeong suspiciously. "The order wasn't to bring him back, was it?" she asked pointedly.
Milyeong lowered his head. "No. The order was to kill him."
"What…?" Yagong gasped in disbelief.
"Senior Brother is just that kind of person," Ju Hwayin said coldly, not at all surprised.
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"…We must send a new Phantom to the Evil Coalition immediately," Yagong said anxiously.
"What for?"
"We need to bring that child back alive. Once we secure him, you will gain the upper hand in this war, my Lady."
Ju Hwayin snorted. "You're absolutely right. Hurry up and send someone better than Crimson Tiger right this instant."
Yagong fell silent. He could sense the sarcasm in Ju Hwayin's words. She wasn't actually suggesting that he send someone else. She was berating him for even thinking that Crimson Tiger could be outdone by any other Phantom, or that he would simply stand idly by as someone interfered with his mission.
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"Leave this matter to me," Ju Hwayin offered, smiling calmly and confidently.
Yagong nodded. "Understood."
"And remember, nothing we talked about here must ever be leaked."
"Absolutely."
Their business done, Yagong and Milyeong left the manor.
As soon as they left, the woman who had previously guided Yagong and assisted Ju Hwayin in changing her clothes at the Autumn Moon Palace entered.
Her name was Lee Dansim, and she was Ju Hwayin's most trusted confidante and personal bodyguard.
"That bas-… person will not fail," Lee Dansim remarked disdainfully.
Ju Hwayin laughed, "Feel free to just call him 'that bastard.' You don't even like him, anyway."
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Flustered, Lee Dansim stuttered, "I-I just think that he isn't worthy of my Lady's love."
"Because of the difference in our statuses?"
"That is an undeniable reality."
"Then what about you and me?"
"…What?"
"I think of you as a friend."
Lee Dansim immediately fell to her knees, horrified. "Please, take those words back!" she begged.
"Alright, alright. Just get up already," Ju Hwayin sighed.
Lee Dansim stood up. Her mistress had a way of startling her like that from time to time, but whether she meant it or not, Lee Dansim was deeply grateful for those words.
"What do you intend to do now?" she asked.
"I must stop him," Ju Hwayin replied firmly.
"How?"
"I'll have to go see him myself."
Lee Dansim blinked, stunned. "You mean… personally?"
Ju Hwayin nodded. "Yes. Make preparations to leave as soon as possible."
"…Understood," Lee Dansim replied dismally, biting back her worries. She knew Ju Hwayin too well. Once her mistress made up her mind, nothing would deter her.
Sighing, Ju Hwayin muttered to herself, "Senior Brother abandoned his own child to defeat me. What must I abandon to defeat him now?"
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