AR Chapter 163

Geum Yeon stepped into the main hall.

Clean-shaven and neatly groomed, he wore handsome new martial robes and a long coat. Each step drew everyone’s attention.

It wasn’t just his good looks. He had a strange magnetism that pulled people in. He exuded the composure of one approaching martial arts mastery and an inimitable mysterious, noble air that no one could fake.

Jin Haryeong didn’t recognize Geum Yeon. Pure admiration struck her at first sight.

He’s gorgeous!

He truly was. If someone asked what kind of man she liked, she could just point and say: That man right there.

She wasn’t alone in this thought. Women stared at Geum Yeon, entranced. Not just women – men couldn’t help but stare too.

“Who is he?”

“I don’t know. Who could he be?”

“Never seen this young master before.”

“He’s so handsome!”

Such comments openly flowed from everywhere.

Drawing all eyes, Geum Yeon walked toward where Jin Haryeong and Jo Shin stood.

Why is he coming to us? Ah, does Jo Shin know him?

While she thought this, Geum Yeon greeted her first:

“Young Lady Jin is here too.”

Jin Haryeong startled.

He knows me? Who is he to act familiar?

The voice was familiar. But even hearing his voice, she didn’t recognize him. The difference between the Geum Yeon she’d known and this Geum Yeon was too vast.

“Don’t tell me you don’t recognize me?”

Even now, she truly didn’t recognize him. Though the voice was similar, she couldn’t imagine it was the same person.

“Who are you?”

“Didn’t you say to tell people if someone bullies me? How can you help when you’d join in bullying me, not even recognizing me?”

Jin Haryeong’s eyes went wide. Those were her exact words. Tell them your friend is the Alliance Leader’s granddaughter if anyone bullies you.

“No way? You!”

“Yes, it’s me.”

Jin Haryeong unconsciously let out a shriek.

“I’m not sure that deserves a shriek, but yes, I’m Geum Yeon.”

Those clear, deep eyes unsuited to a servant – looking again, it really was Geum Yeon.

A shiver ran through her body. Every hair stood on end.

Having such a handsome man nearby was thrilling enough, but this was that servant Geum Yeon?

She asked in a trembling voice:

“How did this happen?”

“I shaved, fixed my hair. Bought new clothes too.”

Jo Shin was equally shocked.

He was so surprised and flustered he couldn’t react at all. He just blinked, standing there blankly.

He hadn’t recognized Geum Yeon at first either. Proud of his own looks, he instinctively resented men more handsome than himself.

So he’d disliked Geum Yeon from the moment he appeared.

Bad enough that someone better looking than him attended the banquet, but when that man walked toward him and Jin Haryeong, his nerves stood on end. What the hell? Why’s this bastard coming here?

But what? This guy is that guy? That filthy servant is this guy? No way? Really no fucking way!

Jo Shin nearly screamed out curses.

That piece of shit was this handsome?

This completely derailed his plan. He’d meant to erase the mystery and reveal ordinariness, but real mystery emerged instead. What angered him more was that he’d paid to make it happen.

Geum Yeon greeted Jo Shin standing behind:

“Young Master Jo gave me money to buy clothes.”

Jin Haryeong looked at Jo Shin in surprise.

“Really?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right.”

Jin Haryeong misunderstood the situation.

“Oh, you really meant to apologize. I honestly didn’t believe you. I’m sorry.”

“No.”

Jo Shin truly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He sent Geum Yeon a voice transmission:

―You bastard! Get out! Get out of here now!

He meant leave the banquet, but Geum Yeon took it as leave this spot and walked toward the finalists.

“Oh! So many expensive, precious dishes. May I eat freely? Ah, wine too. The aroma is excellent.”

Everyone watched his every move. Geum Yeon showed no discomfort at their attention. He ate with enjoyment and drank wine. His actions were natural, as if he were the protagonist here.

Jin Haryeong approached him as if entranced. Jo Shin followed, cursing internally.

“You’re like a completely different person.”

“That’s because I usually go around so messy.”

“Why didn’t you dress like this before?”

“What reason does a servant have to dress up?”

Seeing Jin Haryeong’s eyes sparkle at Geum Yeon, Jo Shin grew desperate.

This isn’t right. This can’t be happening!

He had to change this situation somehow. Instead of removing love-blinders, stronger ones were about to form.

Jo Shin sent Geum Yeon an irritated transmission:

―You bastard! Why did you dress up so damn well!

Geum Yeon looked at him. His eyes said Weren’t you the one who told me to dress up like this? Jo Shin couldn’t argue.

Besides, he hadn’t dressed up particularly – just shaved, fixed his hair, and put on new clothes. Yet Geum Yeon still shone.

Jo Shin had to drag him down somehow.

“You really dressed up to impress our Young Lady Jin.”

“Yes, I deliberately tried to look good.”

Perhaps hearing it as if he’d dressed up for her, Jin Haryeong’s cheeks slightly reddened.

Seeing this, Jo Shin grew anxious.

Damn it! This isn’t right either.

He should look awkward, like he’s trying too hard. But that servant looked like someone naturally suited to such fine clothes.

Yet his behavior openly admitted ‘I dressed up to come to this banquet’ without shame. That only made him seem more confident.

“Your martial robes even match Young Lady Jin’s color, as if coordinated.”

“So they do.”

Unable to watch anymore, Jo Shin sent a transmission telling one of his men to greet Jin Haryeong.

While Jin Haryeong briefly received the greeting, Jo Shin pulled Geum Yeon to a corner.

“You crazy bastard! Want to die?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Want to remove Young Lady Jin’s love-blinders and get a hundred thousand taels? Or lose the money and die by my hand? Your choice.”

“What should I do?”

“Do things that make women completely lose interest. Act arrogant, pick fights with others, make a drunken scene! Got it?”

Jo Shin never imagined such words would come from his mouth. Had he ever tried to degrade someone so basely? Usually he’d just kill them.

But now he was desperate. He had to somehow disgrace him before new love-blinders stuck. He was truly irritated to his core.

“Pay me first then.”

“What?”

“Give me fifty thousand taels and I’ll do it. Another fifty thousand after.”

“You bastard! Want to die?”

Jo Shin raised his hand to strike, but Geum Yeon showed no fear.

“That’s how deals work. I need to eat too.”

“You worn-out piece of trash!”

Just then, Jin Haryeong walked over from the other side. Jo Shin lowered his raised hand and adjusted Geum Yeon’s clothes.

“Our servant young master really looks like a different person.”

Then Geum Yeon said:

“As I said earlier, it’s all thanks to Young Master.”

“Honestly, I gave the money for our Young Lady Jin.”

“You’re truly generous and admirable.”

Geum Yeon lavished praise on Jo Shin.

Jo Shin felt an uneasy sense of having opened something that should have stayed closed.

But he couldn’t back down now.

Jo Shin changed the subject:

“Our manor plans to make a major investment in the Alliance.”

When Jo Shin brought up business, Geum Yeon excused himself.

Though Jo Shin bragged about his family and wealth, Jin Haryeong’s gaze kept drifting to Geum Yeon chatting with other finalists. Especially when a female warrior giggled at something Geum Yeon said, Jin Haryeong clenched her fist.

How could Jo Shin not understand her heart?

Even when he stopped talking, Jin Haryeong only watched Geum Yeon.

Jo Shin’s expression hardened.

Jin Haryeong suddenly felt a chill and turned her head. Jo Shin silently stared at Geum Yeon. The image of a snake returned to her mind.

“What a waste for someone like that to be a servant. Don’t you think?”

“What can one do about fate from birth?”

Regret tinged her answer. Jo Shin was truly angry.

Damn bitch! You dare disrespect me this much?

Needless rage surged up.

He sent another transmission to the finalist he’d earlier told to greet Jin Haryeong.

―Provoke a fight with that bastard. When you hit him, show no mercy.

The finalist receiving the transmission was Hu Ying^[1].

Hu Ying was ambitious to grow his family by impressing Jo Shin. So he accepted the order without hesitation.

Hu Ying asked Geum Yeon:

“I see you carry a sword – learned martial arts?”

“Yes.”

“How does a servant learn martial arts?”

“Because I have an excellent master.”

“Mind showing me a move from those excellent teachings?”

Everyone looked interested.

When Jin Haryeong tried to stop it, Jo Shin said to her:

“Aren’t you curious, Young Lady Jin? What martial arts that servant learned, and how much?”

Of course Jin Haryeong was curious, but worry came first.

“Surely not enough to match finalists?”

“Master Hu is from a prestigious family – he won’t hurt a servant.”

Just then, Geum Yeon said to Hu Ying:

“Weapons might cause injury – let’s use bare hands.”

“Good.”

Hu Ying was inwardly dumbfounded. He truly hadn’t expected such ready agreement to fight.

I’ll snap something good and proper.

Breaking an arm or leg “by accident” would surely satisfy Jo Shin.

“Please go easy on me.”

“Sure. Fighting a servant in my lifetime – what a wonderful day.”

Hu Ying was careless. Even showing tension would be embarrassing.

Geum Yeon dodged Hu Ying’s fist. Not a smooth dodge – he nearly fell while barely avoiding it. Laughter erupted from around them.

Hu Ying’s fist flew again, and again Geum Yeon rolled on the ground to dodge. Hunting Geum Yeon down, Hu Ying looked around and laughed.

“This is too easy…”

“Look out!”

The moment he turned at someone’s shout.

WHAM!

Hu Ying flew from Geum Yeon’s fist. He’d let his guard down and took one solid hit. Moreover, as he fell he crashed through a table, and unfortunately the food there splattered all over Jo Shin’s clothes.

Already furious, Jo Shin couldn’t hold back and exploded:

“You son of a bitch!”

Meanwhile, Geum Yeon rushed to check fallen Hu Ying.

“Fortunately no serious injury.”

The contrast between Geum Yeon checking his opponent’s wounds and himself cursing over stained clothes made Jo Shin sheepish. Though no one said anything, their gazes held contempt.

But what angered him more was Jin Haryeong not even noticing him, only watching Geum Yeon.

“I’m sorry, I got too excited.”

Geum Yeon apologized to the watching finalists.

Speaking for them, Jin Haryeong said:

“No need to apologize. The one not focusing on the fight was wrong.”

Everyone nodded at her words. At least in this match, Hu Ying had been caught off guard, so they couldn’t blame Geum Yeon’s surprise attack.

Jin Haryeong bid Jo Shin farewell.

“Well, I’ll go now. Come on, you too.”

Jin Haryeong left the banquet hall with Geum Yeon. They heard something crash behind them. Though they didn’t know what broke, they knew who broke it.

Geum Yeon walked back with Jin Haryeong along the moonlit path.

She worried about Geum Yeon again.

“You’re in more danger after this.”

Then Geum Yeon suddenly said:

“Friend.”

Jin Haryeong startled.

“Why so surprised? Didn’t we agree to be friends?”

“No, you’re right.”

“Friend. You’re the Alliance Leader’s granddaughter, Hubei’s beauty, and tournament favorite. You’re most yourself and most beautiful when proud and elegant. Always worrying about someone doesn’t suit you.”

After a moment, Jin Haryeong said:

“Then can I trust you? Can you promise not to die miserably to someone like him and leave me with lifelong guilt?”

“I can.”

“Really? How can I believe that?”

“Because we’re friends. Trust your friend.”

“You said proud and elegant suits me, but I’m not that kind of woman. I think too much, worry too much, regret too much – I’m timid. I don’t like meeting people, so I don’t know how to shake off hurts. So don’t surprise me later.”

“Alright, I won’t.”

Though impossible, she believed his words. Without basis for belief, she believed.

This time Geum Yeon said:

“Make me one promise too.”

“What promise?”

“If something strange and incomprehensible happens in your life, promise you’ll come find me and tell me.”

This wasn’t just about the current Heaven’s Mandate Society matter. It was also about when she might sense signs of that event eventually coming to the Alliance.

“Such moments in my life…”

No matter how much she thought.

“Are right now?”

Then Geum Yeon smiled faintly and said:

“Yes, just like now – when strange, incomprehensible things happen, definitely. Now, let’s head back.”

Jin Haryeong silently watched Geum Yeon’s back as he walked ahead. Suddenly she thought – as he said, perhaps it was time to show the proud, elegant Hubei beauty rather than needless worry.

As Geum Yeon waited ahead asking if she was coming, she began walking toward him.