Don’t Look Back (2)
Yacheon was a man who had seen it all.
Having encountered every type of person imaginable, Yacheon immediately recognized upon meeting Hoyunnam that he was someone who valued reputation and relished praise.
“If you step in, Master, you could turn that butcher into nothing more than a slab of meat.”
“Well, you never know until you try.”
Hoyunnam disliked people like Yacheon. Despite his mysterious airs as a merchant of the night, he was ultimately just a scoundrel who amassed wealth by collecting interest through shady dealings.
Yet, when Yacheon prostrated himself and showered him with flattery, Hoyunnam found himself feeling unexpectedly generous.
“Aren’t we dealing with the Cheondo Clan? If you succeed, your fame will spread across the martial world.”
Hoyunnam nodded slightly. Especially since Mabonggi became the leader, the Cheondo Clan’s influence had been overwhelming.
In these times when everyone was treading carefully, standing up to them and achieving a good result would indeed be a chance to gain great renown. The desire to eliminate the butcher Yeomhwa was driven by that ambition.
At that moment, Yacheon discreetly pushed a pouch towards him.
“I heard you brought many disciples with you. How about a drink together?”
It wasn’t just money for a drink. The pouch contained a hefty sum of ten thousand nyang.
“Why are you doing something so unnecessary!”
Hoyunnam barked, but he didn’t return the pouch.
Yacheon quickly bowed his head.
“It’s just a small token of my respect. Please don’t embarrass me by refusing it.”
“Ahem.”
Hoyunnam cleared his throat loudly.
Yacheon swiftly changed the subject. He was adept at reading the room and handling people.
“I heard the Cheondo Clan is committing all sorts of atrocities under the leader’s influence.”
Yacheon broached the topic of the Cheondo Clan, watching Hoyunnam’s reaction. Having already greased the wheels with money, it was time to see some results.
“I’ve heard the same.”
“Especially the butcher Yeomhwa, who came down this time, is said to be particularly vicious.”
Just then, a voice came from outside.
“It’s disciple Tak. May I come in?”
“Enter.”
Hoyuntak stepped inside. He had guided Yacheon here and exchanged greetings.
“I’ll speak on behalf of my master regarding this matter. He can’t be involved in every little detail.”
“Of course, you should.”
Hoyuntak glanced at his master. Entering the room without prior permission and taking the lead in discussing the matter could anger his master.
But he was worried his master might rashly promise to kill Yeomhwa, so he stepped in.
Fortunately, Hoyunnam kept his eyes closed, showing no reaction.
“If my master steps in, Yeomhwa is nothing more than a ten-second distraction. Taking his head won’t be difficult.”
“I believe so too.”
“But we must approach this matter cautiously. After all, the martial alliance leader is behind Yeomhwa. I plan to negotiate with them to see what they want.”
“Of course, you should.”
Yacheon had anticipated this much. The Hoyun family and the Cheondo Clan wouldn’t engage in a life-and-death battle over him. He hoped they would mediate properly on his behalf.
The problem was Hoyuntak’s next words.
“For that, we’ll need your help, Yacheon.”
“Of course, if there’s anything I can do, I’ll gladly help.”
“They’ll demand money. It’s best to be prepared.”
Yacheon fumed internally.
‘So they’re asking for more money!’
The amount promised to the Hoyun family was a staggering two hundred thousand nyang.
Whether they negotiate or fight, shouldn’t they handle it with that money? Why else would he have involved the Hoyun family?
‘This isn’t how it should go.’
Yacheon sighed and spoke.
“But I’ve already made a significant expenditure on this matter, and funds are tight.”
“You’ll need to discuss that directly with the main family.”
Yacheon bit his lip slightly.
‘What shameless people.’
This is how powerful organizations operate. They pass the buck, telling you to talk to the higher-ups, who then tell you to deal with the field staff, running you in circles until you give up in exhaustion.
The conversation continued for a while longer.
Yacheon tried to persuade him, but Hoyuntak wouldn’t budge. They claimed they were just following orders, leaving him with no options. Hoyunnam kept his eyes closed, pretending not to hear.
In the end, Yacheon left, grinding his teeth in frustration.
He could refuse to pay the Hoyun family the two hundred thousand nyang, but that wasn’t an easy choice either.
It would mean making another enemy besides the Cheondo Clan, and there was the matter of the Jiangxi Night Merchant who had acted as a mediator.
‘Should I just take the money and disappear?’
But that would mean giving up the lucrative Shandong Night Merchant and living a life on the run.
After Yacheon left, Hoyunnam took the pouch and went outside.
“Where are you going? Let me accompany you.”
“No need. You don’t have to follow.”
Hoyunnam vanished into the darkness with the pouch.
I trailed Hoyunnam. I had overheard their entire conversation.
Because of Hoyunnam’s exceptional martial skills, I couldn’t get too close, but thanks to my heightened senses after mastering the Indokyangmaek, I could eavesdrop on their conversation from a suitable distance.
I was curious where he was going with the money at night, and to my surprise, Hoyunnam entered a brothel.
A renowned master from the Hoyun family visiting a brothel alone? It was unexpected.
He summoned the top courtesans and began to indulge, intent on spending the entire ten thousand nyang.
An hour later, I stood outside a room in the brothel, concealing my presence.
Inside, Hoyunnam was engaged in intimate activities with a courtesan.
“Ah, Master, Master! Please, more! More, more.”
It seemed he had instructed her to speak that way.
Listening to it made my heart grow cold.
Three days later, I stood in a field with Song Hwarin.
We had summoned Hoyunnam here. Since Song Hwarin had personally sent the letter, he would likely come.
After witnessing his true nature at the brothel, I couldn’t delay this any longer.
I had observed Song Hwarin’s training over the past three days. I felt she was ready, so I had her send the letter.
The main reason I got involved in this matter was because of her. The most important thing was to heal the deep wounds in her heart.
In the distance, a figure approached. It was Hoyunnam.
Seeing him, Song Hwarin tensed up. No matter how much she tried to stay calm, it was inevitable. After all, he had been her master for five years.
“Are you ready?”
She answered my question.
“I’m not sure. But I’ve practiced the counter-technique for the duel enough.”
As we spoke, Hoyunnam drew closer.
Song Hwarin muttered to herself like a mantra.
“Don’t think of him as my master. He’s just an opponent I have to fight today. Not my master.”
I gave her one last piece of advice as she steeled herself.
“You don’t have to deny he’s your master.”
“What?”
“Accept it as it is. He’s your master. A pathetic man who lusted after his disciple. A fool who needed alcohol to act on his impulses. That’s your master, no more, no less.”
There was a reason I said this. When people consciously reject something, their bodies can react negatively. Denying he’s her master might prevent her from moving naturally. I thought it would be better for her to accept it naturally.
“Your master is just a pitiful old man.”
With those words, I stepped back.
From now on, it was her fight.
Song Hwarin’s gaze returned to Hoyunnam.
When she first saw her master again, she didn’t show it, but she was terrified to the point of freezing. Memories of that day flooded back, making her tremble.
How could she not deny him when she was shaking like this?
She glanced at Byeokridan.
Byeokridan, understanding her turmoil, nodded once.
Song Hwarin accepted Byeokridan’s advice.
“Yes, he’s my master. Damn it, he’s my master.”
Hoyunnam walked to within ten paces.
Song Hwarin took a deep breath and stepped forward.
“Master.”
“Have you been well?”
“Yes.”
Hoyunnam’s gaze shifted to Byeokridan standing behind her.
He had heard from Hoyuntak that she was with someone she had a special bond with. So he recognized him at once as the one bound by the pact. He had secretly hoped she would come alone, but his mood soured.
Despite the unfriendly gaze, Byeokridan showed no reaction. He was determined to leave this matter entirely to Song Hwarin.
“Why did you want to see me?”
Though he spoke calmly, Hoyunnam’s eyes trembled. In contrast, Song Hwarin was composed.
“I want to duel.”
Hoyunnam was taken aback by the unexpected request.
“A duel?”
“Yes. I want to duel using the martial arts you taught me. Both you and I, with those techniques.”
Hoyunnam looked puzzled, but Song Hwarin didn’t offer an explanation.
After a moment of staring at her, Hoyunnam accepted the challenge.
“Alright, let’s do this.”
“Thank you, Master.”
As Ho Yeonnam drew his sword, Song Hwarin followed suit, maintaining her composure as if nothing had ever happened between them.
“Here I come.”
With those words, Song Hwarin launched herself forward, initiating the attack.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Ho Yeonnam parried her strikes with the very techniques he had taught her.
As the duel began, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. She was so tense she barely knew what she was doing. Yet, her movements were precise.
Only now did she fully grasp what Byeok Lidan had told her: that the body must remember, that today she could rely only on the body honed through training.
For the past three days, she had practiced these moves relentlessly. So when the counterattack came, it felt natural, without any special sensation.
Now’s the time!
Without even realizing it, her technique flowed seamlessly. She only knew she had broken through her master’s defense when she heard Ho Yeonnam’s cry.
“Aaah!”
Ho Yeonnam twisted his body to the left with a scream.
It was the second scenario Byeok Lidan had warned her about: when the opponent knows the critical flaw in the technique.
While teaching her the two scenarios, Byeok Lidan had said, “It’s worse if they know the fatal flaw. It means they taught you despite knowing it.”
Swish!
Her body surged forward, thrusting her sword toward Ho Yeonnam.
A more urgent and louder scream erupted than before.
“Ugh!”
Simultaneously, her sword slashed Ho Yeonnam’s shoulder.
Splat!
Blood spurted from his shoulder.
Song Hwarin withdrew her sword and stepped back. She realized she had defeated her master. Of course, if he had used the secret techniques of the Ho Yeon clan, she wouldn’t have stood a chance, but at least she had won with the skills she had learned.
Ho Yeonnam stared at her in disbelief.
“How could this happen?”
Song Hwarin spoke calmly.
“The techniques you taught me, I return them to you today. I will never use them again.”
“What?”
“And I won’t try to forget what happened that day. I’ll remember meeting a master who couldn’t control his desires when I was twenty. That’s how I’ll record it in my life.”
Ho Yeonnam’s face twisted with anger.
If she had cursed or blamed him, it wouldn’t have felt this bitter.
Song Hwarin bowed respectfully and turned away. In that moment, she felt a weight lift from her chest, something that had been lodged there for a long time.
Behind her, Byeok Lidan stood smiling.
“Well done.”
At those words, she beamed as if she could fly. She had fought her battle admirably. This fight would make her grow and become stronger.
“Let’s go.”
She nodded and walked with me.
From behind, Ho Yeonnam’s shout echoed.
“Aaaah!”
It was a cry of frustration, unable to contain his own anger.
Feeling the threat of him charging at any moment, she hesitated.
I told her, “Don’t look back. In life, don’t look back at things that aren’t worth it. The world is hard enough just moving forward.”
I took the first step, and she followed with a smile.
Together, we left that place.
Is this the end?
Of course not. This was her revenge.
My retribution begins now.
And it had already started a little while ago.