AR Chapter 158

Jin Haryeong ascended the arena.

Today was her first finals match. The crowd’s cheers were tremendous. They all adored her as the Alliance Leader’s granddaughter, respecting and loving her grandfather as they did. Add to that her reputation as the greatest beauty of Hubei – her popularity was only natural.

“You must win!”

“Jin Haryeong is the best!”

“Beautiful Haryeong!”

“Buy me noodles!”

“Victory to Haryeong!”

She flinched on the arena platform.

Among the cheers, she’d heard something that didn’t belong.

She scanned the crowd. The cheers intensified as she looked around – something she’d never done before when mounting the arena. Among the countless faces, she found the one she was looking for. Geum Yeon, seated among the crowd, shouted:

“You left without paying again!”

His words pierced through the crowd’s roar, lodging firmly in her ear. That moment, she realized – she’d left again without paying that day.

Even after he’d specifically asked her to pay, she’d stormed out without doing so.

Ah! How could I be so scattered!

That day too, she’d gotten worked up arguing with him and just left.

Well, that’s one thing. But really? Coming to the tournament grounds to demand noodle money?

It was so absurd she couldn’t help but smile.

Seeing this, her opponent’s expression hardened, misunderstanding her smile as mockery.

While this misunderstanding strengthened his resolve to win, it unfortunately couldn’t narrow their skill gap. Even with her mind on noodles throughout the fight.

As she descended the arena to applause, she glanced at where Geum Yeon had been sitting. But he was gone.

Not staying to watch the whole match? This bastard! Did he really come just to collect payment?

Just then, her guard Chu Ho came to report:

“The Alliance Leader requests your presence in his quarters.”

“Grandfather?”

Half an hour later, after passing countless strict security checkpoints, Jin Haryeong entered the Alliance Leader’s residence.

Deep within the Alliance compound, the place resembled an immortal’s dwelling, with elegantly carved rocks and thousand-year-old trees harmoniously arranged. A man stood there lost in thought, hands clasped behind his back. Against the beautiful backdrop, he seemed like part of a painting.

“Grandfather, I’m here!”

“So you are.”

The robust man turned to face her.

Looking twenty years younger than his age, he possessed a perfectly muscled physique that even young men couldn’t match.

But more than his physique, his eyes dominated his presence. Those large, intense eyes could make even tigers wet themselves – he looked like a divine general descended from heaven.

Rather than this immortal’s dwelling, the arena she’d just left would suit him better.

Jin Paecheon^[1], Leader of the Martial Righteous Alliance.

As the greatest righteous master, he was the pillar of the orthodox martial world and commanded universal respect. It was said that the demonic cult couldn’t act recklessly because Jin Paecheon still lived – he was that much of a symbol for the righteous path.

Even Jin Haryeong had to admit her grandfather was impressive.

He had a kind heart, strong will, and above all, a strong sense of justice. He deserved everyone’s respect.

However, that was Warrior Jin Haryeong’s assessment. Granddaughter Jin Haryeong saw him differently – as an old-fashioned, stifling grandfather, nothing more, nothing less.

Honestly, that made her angrier. Perfect and good to others, yet lacking with family. Failed to treat those he should care for most while dedicating himself body and soul to strangers.

“I met the True Dragon Manor^[2] Lord recently.”

On the day she won her match, here was Grandfather, starting with something else.

What’s the rush? Talk about your granddaughter’s victory first. At least comment on today’s weather.

Of course, she couldn’t voice such complaints. While not exactly scary, he wasn’t exactly comfortable company either.

“How is the Manor Lord?”

“Still stubborn as ever, even while complaining about lacking strength, that old bastard.”

Someone she’d never think about if not for Grandfather.

But Grandfather had another reason for bringing up the True Dragon Manor Lord.

“He says his grandson has returned from martial arts training. He subtly suggested matching you two. What do you think?”

Ah! Here we go again.

“Why is our grandfather so desperate to marry off his adorable granddaughter? It’s not like you need an alliance with a prestigious family?”

She tried acting cute, but Jin Paecheon wasn’t having it.

“I’m asking your thoughts.”

“I don’t want to. Grandfather, I refuse.”

His expression slightly creased at her firm response.

“Why not?”

“Would you want to marry someone you’ve never even seen?”

“He’s trustworthy.”

“Who is? You haven’t even met him.”

“I can tell by looking at the True Dragon Manor Lord.”

“How exactly? Look at me – your granddaughter who everyone respects. Am I the same as how others see me? Refined, proud, and proper? I’m not, right? I rebel like this. So how can you know his grandson just by looking at the Manor Lord?”

Though Jin Paecheon’s expression hardened, Jin Haryeong didn’t back down.

“As I’ve said before, when it comes to marriage, I’ll marry someone I love when the time comes.”

“Foolish talk! Do you know how treacherous this martial world is? All sorts of strange and dangerous people roam about.”

At “strange people,” she suddenly thought of that presumptuous servant. That’s true, but…

“The True Dragon Manor has produced excellent warriors for generations. It’s trustworthy.”

“That trust only applies to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“No one would dare betray your trust, Grandfather. That’s why your judgment of people has always been accurate. But I’m different. Just as people treat you differently from how they treat me.”

It was disrespectful talk. The air grew cold with his angry qi.

Still, Jin Haryeong didn’t back down. If she yielded to this anger, she might really end up in an unwanted marriage.

“If you keep forcing this, I’ll marry just anyone.”

“Anyone? Who exactly would you marry?”

“Anyone off the street. Even if they’re a servant, I don’t care.”

She inwardly flinched at her own words. A servant?

“Do it if you can.”

“Grandfather!”

“You absolutely cannot do that. Don’t I know you? Your pride won’t let you. Go ahead – bring me a servant or street vendor, anyone. I’ll hold a grand wedding.”

She couldn’t deny it. That was who she really was.

“I know better than anyone how admirable you are, Grandfather. I know you’d gladly give your life for the martial world – such a noble person. I respect you most of all. But I don’t want to turn this wonderful grandfather into some graceless Alliance Leader who forces his granddaughter into marriage.”

She knew why he was so actively involved in her marriage. It was because of her late father.

He believed her father died because he married wrong. That he met the wrong wife and ruined his life.

Her father got caught up in her mother’s family’s grudges and ultimately died in an ambush. Her mother died with him.

Though all revenge was completed, regret remained in Grandfather’s heart.

Grandfather, how can you blame Mother? It was Father’s chosen life. He loved Mother until his dying moment.

Knowing he wanted to send her to a family he’d chosen for these reasons made her hate it even more.

“You don’t know the world yet. You don’t know how treacherous and dangerous this martial world is.”

“I’ll learn firsthand.”

“You’ll regret it later.”

“Then I’ll regret it.”

But no matter how stubborn she was, Jin Paecheon wouldn’t budge. Though known for his generous and broad-minded nature, that mindset didn’t apply to his granddaughter’s marriage.

“The True Dragon Manor Lord’s grandson will attend tomorrow evening’s banquet. You must attend.”

She suddenly remembered what Geum Yeon had told her. Whether that consideration was for herself or others. Perhaps Grandfather was making the same mistake?

“Do you want to marry me off for my sake? Or to ease your own mind?”

Unlike her, Grandfather didn’t hesitate.

“Both.”

Faced with Jin Paecheon’s absolute refusal to back down, Jin Haryeong retreated for now.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I understand your feelings, Grandfather, but they’re absolutely not for my sake.

***

“Huff, huff.”

Catching his breath after training, Seo Daeryong was clearly a different person from before.

While training under the Blood Heavens Saber Demon had been blindly diligent practice, his current training was different. He had an opponent to face and trained specifically to defeat them. Through this practical training, Seo Daeryong was entering the true path of a warrior.

“Pavilion Master, I want to become stronger!”

This moment comes. Not vaguely wanting to become stronger while playing around, but truly wanting more even when you’re dying from effort and can barely breathe. This is real determination.

“Good, become stronger. I’ll watch over you.”

“You must watch.”

“Yes, I’ll definitely watch.”

Right now, Seo Daeryong was a small giant. You might be grateful to me, but I’m the grateful one. Because you were there in that moment, saying the main sect wouldn’t change, my regression found its direction.

After finishing martial arts training with Seo Daeryong and returning, Jin Haryeong was at the inn.

“That sight’s not unfamiliar anymore. What brings you here today?”

Her expression was darker than usual.

“Looks like you need someone to confide in.”

“The Alliance Leader’s granddaughter getting advice from the Demon Cult Leader’s son. You’ll figure it all out eventually, right? Where are the Alliance’s forbidden grounds? How to open the secret vault…”

“That’s enough!”

“Yes!”

Seo Daeryong went up to our room while I walked to her table.

Seeing me, Jin Haryeong asked straight out:

“You shouted for noodles during the cheering, didn’t you?”

“You heard?”

“Your words just pierced right into my ear.”

“I’ve always had a loud voice.”

“Sit.”

I sat across from her.

She filled my cup with wine.

“Are you good at drinking?”

“Depends on the occasion.”

“When are you good at it? With good company?”

“No, I actually get drunk quickly with good company.”

“Then?”

“I drink well when I’m angry. The excitement makes me talk a lot, so the alcohol wears off quickly. When emotions run high, wine feels like water. Though I regret it the next day with a hangover.”

“Swearing ‘I’m a dog if I drink again!'”

“Exactly. You know well.”

We emptied our cups together. Setting down her empty cup, Jin Haryeong said:

“The wine’s going down well for me today too.”

“Angry today as well?”

“As well?”

“You usually come here angry.”

“I don’t come angry, I leave angry. Thanks to someone.”

I smiled at her words.

“Will you drink wine served by a servant?”

“Depends on which servant.”

I poured wine in her cup. After staring at me intently, she suddenly asked:

“Would you consider cutting that beard?”

“No, I wouldn’t.”

“Then would you consider letting me use you? Just for one day.”

“I would.”

She looked at me with surprise.

“Won’t cut the beard but will let yourself be used?”

“It’s just one day, right? Beards take long to grow.”

“Aren’t you going to ask what for?”

“Must be something very troublesome for you.”

“It could be trouble for you too. Someone might hold a grudge. You might face humiliation.”

“Grudges and humiliation – that’s a servant’s life. What could be more troublesome?”

“Then please attend tomorrow’s Alliance banquet with me. You’ll meet my grandfather too. Can you do it?”

I blinked for a moment before answering:

“That would be a bit troublesome.”

“Coward.”

“Well, that’s how servants are.”

Jin Haryeong smiled at me.

“I wasn’t really going to ask for help. Nothing good comes from getting caught up in my affairs. But thanks for saying you would.”

She stood up.

“Well, that’s one payment out of three.”

Just then, a young man approached our table.

“Young Lady Jin.”

I was inwardly shocked when I saw him. I knew him. He had direct ties to me before my regression.

“I am Jo Shin^[3] of the True Dragon Manor. We’ve met before. You’ve grown even more beautiful.”

Jo Shin.

The Jo Shin I knew wasn’t from the True Dragon Manor.

After Hwa Mu-gi went into seclusion, he became the head of the True Dragon Clan, an emerging power in the orthodox martial world. The current True Dragon Manor would become the True Dragon Clan under his leadership and flourish. After the Alliance’s fall, it would grow into a representative sect of the orthodox path.

The very same sect I’d visited to obtain the Divine Profound Brazier, the second ingredient for the Regression Technique.

So in your youth at this time, you approached Jin Haryeong.

I know well what kind of person Jo Shin is.

He was a quintessential hypocrite. He lived the life of a great hero while deeply hiding his cruel and ruthless nature. He would stop at nothing for his success and felt no guilt about it.

If the current Jo Shin had the same character as the one I knew?

My gaze turned to Jin Haryeong.

This woman is in danger now.

Could it be that her life turned out that way not because of the Heaven’s Mandate Society, but because of this man?

Jo Shin looked at me and asked:

“Who might this person be?”

Our eyes met. She smiled faintly and said:

“Don’t mind him, he’s just a servant.”