How to Avoid Trouble (1)
As Hwang Cheong, the leader of the Western Blade Clan, walked down the corridor leading to the guest room, he felt more tense than ever. Today, he was to meet Ma Jeong-su in this very room. It was Ma Jeong-su who had sent a message, requesting a secret meeting.
In the hierarchy of Shandong, the Western Blade Clan ranked sixth. Hwang had attended the recent gathering, and like many other leaders, he was displeased with Ma Jeong-su’s recent actions.
To Hwang, Ma Jeong-su was nothing more than a brat riding on his father’s coattails, trying to wield power he hadn’t earned.
“Such a young pup!”
But he couldn’t let any of this show. The Cheondo Sect was already a formidable force, and now Ma Jeong-su was the son of the Martial Alliance Leader.
Guided by an attendant, Hwang entered the agreed-upon guest room.
Ma Jeong-su was waiting, drinking alone. He stood up to greet Hwang warmly.
“Oh! Welcome, Leader Hwang.”
“Ma Daehyeop, it’s a pleasure to be invited.”
Though Ma Jeong-su was far too young and unknown to be called a “great hero,” Hwang had no choice but to use the title.
Unexpectedly, Ma Jeong-su waved off the formality.
“Great hero? That’s too much. Please, treat me as a younger brother.”
“Haha, that’s not possible.”
“No, really. When you defeated the Red-Haired Demon, I wasn’t even born yet. You can be at ease.”
Hwang was taken aback.
“You know about my fight with the Red-Haired Demon?”
It was an event from thirty years ago, in his youth. A red-haired rogue had terrorized Shandong, and Hwang, in a fit of youthful vigor, had fought and killed him after a hundred exchanges.
“Yes, I know.”
Ma Jeong-su seemed well-informed.
“I heard the story from my uncle long ago and have admired you ever since.”
“Your uncle?”
“He’s known in the martial world as the Thunder Hand.”
“Oh! You mean the great Ma Choong-hyeon? I’m well aware of his reputation.”
Thunder Hand Ma Choong-hyeon was a renowned master within the Cheondo Sect, one of its top five experts.
“He knew of me?”
“Yes, he did. He often told me to become someone as admirable as you.”
“Ah!”
Hwang was secretly pleased. Whether true or not, Ma Jeong-su knew of events before his own birth, and mentioning Thunder Hand lent credibility. Hwang wanted to believe it.
“When I came to Shandong, you were the person I most wanted to meet.”
“Really?”
Though he suspected flattery, the words were sweet. Better this than arrogance and conceit.
It didn’t seem like mere lip service. Why would a 25-year-old Ma Jeong-su need to act so naturally?
“Please, have a drink.”
Ma Jeong-su poured the drink with respect. The initial bad impression was quickly fading.
“Thank you for the money you sent last time.”
“It was only right to help. I received your generous gift well.”
“I had to return the favor. My father would scold me otherwise.”
Mentioning Ma Choong-hyeon and now Ma Bong-gi, Hwang felt a bit intimidated.
“I plan to undertake several ventures. I hope you’ll assist me.”
“My clan will do its utmost to help.”
“To be honest, I only plan to ally with a few sects in Shandong. Too many would only lead to gossip.”
Hwang realized his clan was among those chosen.
“Thank you for considering us.”
The initial impression had been so poor that this kindness felt even greater.
“Please remember, Leader Hwang, you are someone I deeply respect.”
“You’re too kind.”
They clinked their glasses.
After a half-hour of drinking, Hwang left, feeling very different from when he arrived.
Ma Jeong-su, left alone, was also different. His expression, now cold and calculating, was nothing like when Hwang was present.
The door opened, and Hwasun Nodae and Sigon entered.
Hwasun Nodae smiled.
“Well done.”
Ma Jeong-su smirked.
“Dealing with these country bumpkins is child’s play.”
“Still, don’t get complacent.”
“Don’t worry. I never let my guard down.”
Hwasun Nodae almost commented that truly cautious people never say they don’t let their guard down. But with things going well, he decided against it.
“Everything is proceeding smoothly. It’s time for the next step.”
Ma Jeong-su’s eyes gleamed.
“I’ll finally get to see her. They say she’s the most beautiful in Shandong.”
Hwasun Nodae looked slightly troubled.
“Don’t let a mere woman ruin things.”
Ma Jeong-su, like his father, had a notorious weakness for women.
“Not just any woman, but the most beautiful in Shandong, right?”
“Please, take my words seriously.”
Hwasun Nodae glanced at Sigon, hoping for support, but Sigon pretended not to notice.
“Leave the women to me. Just send out the invitations to the sects.”
“Understood.”
“By the way, where’s our mysterious lady?”
“I saw her outside earlier.”
Ma Jeong-su walked to the window. The woman he saw was the same one who had entered the hall with him during the previous gathering.
She stood in the garden, gazing at the pond.
“Have you found out anything about her?”
“Not yet.”
“Damn.”
She was a woman his father had sent with him. Whether to watch over him or assist him, he hadn’t been told.
He had tried to investigate her discreetly, but it wasn’t easy.
Ma Jeong-su muttered as he watched her.
“Where on earth did you come from?”
I returned home for now.
Wandering around Yangsobang without a plan would only lead to unnecessary encounters.
Especially since I was wearing a high-grade mask. It was unlikely anyone would recognize me, but caution was wise.
I joined the sword unit’s training and focused on my own practice. The more unsettled I felt, the more I needed to concentrate and work hard.
What any situation demands is not worry, but a plan.
No one noticed anything unusual, except for one person.
“Young master, is something troubling you?”
Gwangdu, like a ghost, sensed my mood.
“There’s someone I want to kill.”
“What?”
Gwangdu asked cautiously, surprised.
“Who is this unfortunate person?”
“Around twenty-five, with skilled protectors.”
Gwangdu flinched.
“Surely… not me?”
I chuckled, and Gwangdu laughed along, trying to lighten my mood.
“How are things with Dosun?”
“Well…”
Gwangdu sighed, indicating things weren’t going well.
“I mustered the courage to ask her out for tea on our day off.”
“And?”
“She said she’s too busy these days.”
“I see.”
“No matter how busy, if she liked me, she’d find time for tea, right?”
I nodded firmly, and Gwangdu pouted.
“You’re agreeing too easily! You’re supposed to say she might really be busy or too shy to accept.”
“No. If someone likes you, they’ll make time. Would you not see her because you’re busy?”
Gwangdu looked crestfallen.
“Is that so?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Hmph! I’ll get my revenge. I’ll become strong, earn lots of money, and make her kneel and beg for forgiveness. Then I’ll scoff and say, ‘Too late, get lost!’”
When I didn’t respond, Gwangdu asked.
“Why aren’t you saying anything? Isn’t it satisfying?”
After a pause, I replied.
“It would be… if you saw the woman you truly liked crying with regret.”
Gwangdu imagined the scene and then hung his head.
“Ugh! Just thinking about it is sad and pitiful.”
“See, revenge isn’t for everyone. Gwangdu, they say first loves never work out. Hang in there.”
I patted his shoulder and turned away.
Gwangdu shouted after me.
“I’m telling you, she’s not my first love! Really, she’s not! I’m a seasoned guy!”
The next day, unexpected news arrived.
“Ma Jeong-su is hosting a banquet for the younger generation. You’ve been invited.”
This guy, he’s relentless.
I immediately understood his intent.
What is the greatest weakness of the leaders of Shandong’s sects and the world? Their children.
Ma Jeong-su, being of similar age, could easily mingle with the younger generation and win them over, making it easier to control Shandong in the future.
Now I was certain. He wasn’t here just to extort some money.
He had come down to Shandong with a clear purpose.
In the next moment, a face flashed in his mind.
“Ah!”
Song Hwarin.
Could it be that he hadn’t heard the rumors about Song Hwarin’s return and her reputation as the finest in Shandong?
Even if he hadn’t, would he just stand by if he saw her?
Blood doesn’t lie, and there was a chance he was as lecherous as his father. If he grew up watching him, it wouldn’t be surprising.
Even if that wasn’t the case, he might have the audacity to offer Song Hwarin to his father.
Being sidelined in the succession line, he might do anything to become the heir.
Given what he saw that day, both possibilities seemed likely.
Considering the bond with Song Wugyeong and his daughter, he couldn’t let Song Hwarin fall into such a sordid situation.
How should he handle this?
Song Hwarin was dreaming of that day.
The day Byeok Lidan came drunk and caused a scene.
“Hmph! Do you think that pretty face of yours will last forever? You’ll wrinkle up when you get old, so stop acting so high and mighty.”
“Just go home!”
“No, I won’t leave like this.”
Byeok Lidan lunged at her. Song Hwarin pushed him back as he tried to embrace her. Stumbling from the alcohol, he fell backward.
“Just go! Come back when you’re sober!”
“Push me? Damn it! Did you just push me?”
Byeok Lidan got up and charged at her again. This time, Song Hwarin grabbed him by the collar. The stench of alcohol was overwhelming, and his bloodshot eyes were filled with drunken madness.
“Do you want those guys lurking outside to see you? Is that why you’re trying to get rid of me?”
“You’re talking nonsense! What do you take me for?”
Her grip on his collar tightened.
Byeok Lidan sneered.
“Just because you learned a bit of martial arts, you think you can look down on me?”
She sighed and released his collar.
Byeok Lidan shouted again.
“You’re mine, from the moment you were born!”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not yours!”
Byeok Lidan’s eyes were filled with suspicion.
“Is there someone else? Is that it, you…?”
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Unable to hold back, Song Hwarin’s fists flew at him repeatedly.
Though her punches lacked inner strength, the drunken Byeok Lidan lost his balance and fell backward.
That was how it happened that day.
Normally, Gwangdu would have rushed in to carry Byeok Lidan home.
But in today’s dream, things unfolded differently.
Byeok Lidan, lying on the floor, spoke.
“People never change, do they?”
His voice was eerily calm.
As he slowly got up, he was no longer the Byeok Lidan from moments ago. His eyes were steady, his tone composed. He was the Byeok Lidan of recent days.
“No, nothing changes as easily as people do.”
The moment their eyes met, his calm gaze pierced through her.
“Gasp!”
With a sharp intake of breath, Song Hwarin awoke from her sleep.
Her body was drenched in sweat.
From outside, her guard, Suran, called out.
“Miss! Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
She got up from her bed and walked over to a side table. Pouring herself some cold tea, she took a sip.
“Sigh.”
She let out a deep breath and looked out the window. The sky was already brightening.
“I’m coming in.”
Without waiting for a response, Suran entered.
“Miss.”
Suran asked with a worried expression.
“Was it the same dream again?”
Since her return, Song Hwarin had been plagued by recurring nightmares.
“No, it was a different dream today.”
“What kind of dream?”
Just like with her previous nightmares, Song Hwarin didn’t share the details with her.
“Don’t worry too much. It’s just that I’m finally relaxing after being home for so long.”
It was always the same reassurance.
Suran looked at her with concern. It didn’t make sense to have nightmares from relaxing. Besides, it had been nearly six months since she returned home.
“Miss, perhaps you should see a doctor.”
“I told you, I’m fine.”
Just then, a servant came to report.
“Master Byeok is here to see you.”
Song Hwarin was taken aback.
“Master Byeok? At this hour? Is he here to see my father?”
The servant delivered an unexpected message.
“No, he wishes to see you quietly.”