episode_0003

Looking back, we really didn’t know anything back then.

Our initial thought was that we needed protection.

Jangil’s skills were not effective against men.

As insignificant martial artists with third-rate skills, we knew that if we were to provoke any male martial arts experts passing by, regardless of their affiliation with major sects or clans, we could easily lose our lives.

Therefore, we agreed that we needed bodyguards with powerful martial arts skills.

***

And so, the first choice for our protection was the Heavenly Mountain Swordswoman, Bong Yeonbi.

Known as the lone swordswoman of the Heavenly Mountain, she was one of the top ten martial artists in the martial world.

She was chosen because she was the only woman with the Hwagyeong martial arts without any affiliation to a sect, living alone as an orphan in the Heavenly Mountain.

It seemed like a convenient choice.

But that notion was shattered within a few days.

On our way to the Heavenly Mountain, we happened to encounter Sagong Hyemi, a martial artist who was considered one of the top martial artists in the martial world.

Looking back now, meeting Sagong Hyemi was truly fortunate.

If it weren’t for that encounter, Jangil and I would have been easily defeated by the Heavenly Mountain Swordswoman’s single sword strike.

Indeed, Jangil’s skills were completely ineffective against her.

In reality, when Jangil’s skills were used against an opponent, the opponent’s internal energy would reflexively move to protect the owner’s mind. If Jangil had the ability to disperse the opponent’s internal energy, then perhaps he could have stood a chance. But if not, there was no way he could win.

Unaware of this, muttering “You are falling into the trap of the abyss,” Jangil was almost cut down by Sagong Hyemi’s fierce personality and her single sword strike, known as the “Starving Blade.”

If I hadn’t hurriedly intervened, Jangil would have died.

Thanks to that, I almost died too.

Even now, my side still aches from the cuts of her sword.

In any case, we finally realized the seriousness of the situation.

The martial arts technique passed down in my family, the Chupungsim technique, was truly a third-rate technique that couldn’t even be mentioned in the world.

But that didn’t mean we were lacking in supreme internal energy techniques like the Reverse Muscle Classic.

We pondered.

What if we were to join a prestigious sect now?

That idea was rejected.

Even if a prestigious sect were to accept ordinary people like us with mediocre skills and advanced age, there was no guarantee that we could elevate our martial arts skills to an elite level.

So we thought in the opposite direction.

If Jangil couldn’t build up his internal energy, what if we were to deplete the opponent’s internal energy instead?

This seemed like a reasonable idea.

For example, if we were to use a dispersing poison that scattered internal energy on a martial artist from the Tang family, even if they were a top martial artist, wouldn’t Jangil’s skills be sufficient to overpower them?

But we weren’t from the Tang family, and even if we were, using a dispersing poison on a martial artist above the supreme level would be as foolish as adding fuel to the fire.

What about subduing the opponent’s internal energy through acupuncture?

For instance, using the Fire Red Hand technique of Chen Hongshou, the right arm of Lin Zhu, the leader of the Cloud Wind Forest.

But even that was a difficult task.

Among the ten masters of the martial world, even renowned masters like gods find it difficult to face the mysterious figures known as the Ilrim (一林), who are acknowledged in the martial world as the mystics of the Unpung Forest. How we, mere nobodies, managed to infiltrate the Unpung Forest is a simple matter.

However… there are always loopholes in any situation.

***

My gaze was caught by the announcement hanging in the distance.

Even at a glance, it was made of an extremely luxurious material.

It seemed like an effort to display dignity from the side that posted it.

Hwangbo Pyeong, known as the God of Wealth.

The only worry for the man who made the Golden Dragon Battlefield the greatest battlefield in the world was to witness the marriage of his daughter, Kang Namjae, also known as the talented woman Hwangbo Seol.

However, Hwangbo Seol, who is not only the sole heir of the Golden Dragon Battlefield but also evaluated as someone who can further expand its wealth, postponed the marriage day by day because she had no interest in any man, and Hwangbo Pyeong, despite his love for his daughter, could not force her.

But the situation changed.

Hwangbo Pyeong fell seriously ill.

He was in a state where he could leave this world at any moment due to his failing strength.

Even Hwangbo Seol could no longer delay the marriage in such a situation.

Thus, the brilliant mind of Kang Namjae, who was called the genius of the South, came up with this announcement.

– I will marry the person who gives the most satisfactory answer to my three questions. Of course, everyone already knows that being the son-in-law of our Golden Dragon Battlefield is no easy task.

Finally, one more thing, to have the right to answer my question, you need a hundred gold coins.

Although it was written in grandiose language, summarizing it, this was the content.

The condition of a hundred gold coins can be considered truly wise.

Faced with this enormous sum, only those who are willing to sacrifice a hundred gold coins to win her love will apply, while the indecisive will be filtered out in advance.

“Young master, why are you so focused on this announcement?”

I chuckled at Jangil’s question.

“Jangil, if I become the son-in-law of the Golden Dragon Battlefield, that’s not an ordinary son-in-law. With your abilities, I can hide behind Hwangbo Seol and control the wealth as I please. And money can make even ghosts dance.”

“Oh, is that what you’re thinking?”

“Yes, we need power. We need money and reputation. I… will step into the world.”

“Then, do I have to step into the world too?”

“You must stay firmly in the dark world. The moment someone catches on to your abilities, we’re done. You must disguise yourself as my bodyguard and thoroughly conceal your true abilities.”

“It’s not an easy task. But this woman, Hwangbo Seol, does she really have no martial arts skills?”

“Yes, there may be many skilled fighters invited with money to the Golden Dragon Battlefield, but the next heir, Hwangbo Seol, is known to have no martial arts skills at all. What can we do? We have to believe.”

My gaze returned to the announcement.

Kang Namjae, Hwangbo Seol.

You are our first prey.

***

Heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below.

Such is the saying, indicating that Hangzhou is a beautiful city.

If the West Lake, compared to the poetry immortal Li Bai, represents the beauty of nature, and the women of Jiangbei generally have slender and delicate hands and feet with fair skin, the women of Hangzhou and Suzhou, in particular, truly embody the beauty of grace.

In the bustling town of Hangju, where arrogant young nobles from wealthy families come to squander their money in the company of beautiful women, there was a particularly special flower among the many flowers of Hangju.

This flower was none other than Hwang Bo-seol.

Known as the “Gangnam Beauty” and the successor to the Golden Dragon Pavilion, she was a woman who captivated the hearts of all who laid eyes on her, leaving a lasting impression that lingered in their minds for days.

But even this delicate flower, so unattainable and pure, was soon to be plucked by someone.

All eyes were on Hangju, wondering who the lucky man would be to win her affections, causing jealousy to run rampant among the onlookers.

***

On the most vibrant street in Hangju, Tianxiang Road.

Lined with extravagant inns and courtesans, this place was alive with excitement and anticipation.

Though the price was steep, the men vying for the title of Gangnam’s most beautiful woman were numerous and eager.

Sons of local officials, nephews of influential figures, even the sons of high-ranking officials from the capital were among those who joined the procession.

In such a position, the officials were never alone. Accompanied by their attendants and curious spectators, the inns along Tianxiang Road were overflowing with guests, with even the slightly worn-down Maryong Inn on the outskirts bustling with activity.

Two men sat in a corner on the first floor of the Maryong Inn, sipping on Sohongju, a famous drink from Jeokgang.

Both appeared to be in their early thirties.

One was a handsome man in clean white attire, while the other was a burly man in a worn black robe.

The man in white, Fang Shaoyun, spoke up.

“This is beyond imagination.”

“Incredible, is it the power of the Golden Dragon Pavilion?”

The man in black, Jang Il, was cautious.

Even as he engaged in conversation, his eyes darted around, taking note of the various individuals present. While many appeared to be from wealthy families, there were also some rough-looking individuals among them.

When his eyes met those of the rough-looking men, Jang Il couldn’t help but flinch, feeling out of place with his large stature.

“Pull yourself together, Jang Il. If our plan succeeds, we’ll be able to brush off those third-rate ruffians with ease.”

“Still, it doesn’t hurt to be cautious. If anything were to happen here and we had to intervene… Ugh, just the thought is dreadful.”

Jang Il wiped his forehead as if wiping away sweat that wasn’t there.

The burly man’s actions seemed somewhat exaggerated to Fang Shaoyun.

Unable to contain himself, Fang Shaoyun chuckled.

“Why are you acting so timidly? Isn’t that unlike you, Jang Il?”

“It’s all because of that crazy woman…”

Before Jang Il could finish his sentence, he looked around nervously, as if worried that the woman he mentioned might suddenly appear.

His voice lowered.

“…Anyway, thanks to that crazy woman, I almost died. If it weren’t for the young master… Phew, she was really out for blood. The young master truly saved my life, my benefactor.”

The crazy woman Jang Il referred to was none other than Sagong Hyemi.

They had a close call with her in the past, testing her abilities and nearly losing their lives in the process. Since then, Jang Il trembled at the mere mention of Sagong Hyemi’s name.

After that incident, Jang Il was grateful for the young master’s intervention.

“Anyway, isn’t she a grateful woman when you think about it? It’s more dreadful to think about what would have happened if I hadn’t met her.”

“No, what are you talking about! If I gain power, I will definitely turn her into the laughingstock of the world.”

As Jang Il’s excited voice grew louder, Bang So Woon waved his hand up and down to calm him down.

“Come on, the important thing now is Hwang Bo Seol.”

He took out a paper with numbers written on it.

The number written there was three hundred ninety-five.

The number indicated the order in which Hwang Bo Seol’s questions would be received.

Due to the unexpectedly large number of people, the original plan to hold the competition in the Golden Dragon Arena in one day had to be modified, and it was announced that it would be held for five days with a hundred people each day.

Officially, the total number of applicants was said to be five hundred thirteen, so the count was roughly correct.

If in order, Bang So Woon’s turn would be on the fourth day.

“I’ve already thought about the plan to some extent.”

Jang Il showed his paper with the number three hundred ninety-four, reassuring him not to worry.

Since they stood side by side in line, it was a natural number.

“The time to confront her will be a very short time, less than a cup of tea. Will time be an issue?”

“Less than a cup of tea… Indeed… It may take some time. It may not be possible to deeply implant suggestions, but it might be possible to lightly influence her psyche. For example, saying something like making the young master feel attracted at first sight.”

“Is that all? Are you saying you can’t turn her into a [good girl] like you did with Mother?”

Bang So Woon’s expression darkened slightly at Jang Il’s answer, which was far below his expectations.

He had expected some difficulty, but he thought it would be as easy as pie. His expectations were shattered.

“That’s impossible, impossible. It’s only possible in a deep hypnotic state where the defense barrier of consciousness completely collapses. It’s impossible to deepen it in such a short time. Inserting such suggestions in a shallow hypnotic state will simply be shattered by resistance.”

Jang Il shook his head and extended his hand.

Human consciousness is very sophisticated and delicate.

To completely destroy it and turn it into something less than human, it must be gradually deepened several times. Even in this world where such a thorough destruction of human consciousness is possible, only Jang Il could do it.

Bang So Woon had been thoroughly [educated] by Jang Il to the point of being persistent, completely breaking down his mental defenses and becoming a good child who obeyed any command.

But now, such a situation was not possible.

“…Then what should we do?”

“In my opinion… the young master’s role is also very important. If the young master gives a ridiculous answer to Hwang Bo Seol’s question, all my efforts may go to waste.”

“What?”

Bang So Woon’s expression became blank as if he had been hit on the back of the head.

He had never seriously thought about Hwang Bo Seol’s question before. He had thought that no matter what answer he gave, it would be resolved regardless of Jang Il’s abilities.

But he shouldn’t give a ridiculous answer?

“Why are you making that face? Aren’t you the young master who has been reading difficult books since you were young?”

“That’s… only in the neighborhood where I lived, isn’t it? Is there anyone here who is less educated than me? Oh dear…”

Bang So Woon sighed and gulped down his drink in one go.

Even though he had experienced the bitter taste of failure at first, he seemed to be thinking too lightly about this matter.

He should have prepared more thoroughly, taking his past experiences as a mirror, but he was still immature.

Now, there is only a short ten days left.

It was too short of a time to do anything.

“Do not worry too much, Sir. Even if we fail this time, it’s not like we’ll lose our lives, right?”

“If things go awry because of me, I feel sorry for making you see that on your face. Anyway, as you say, since this isn’t a matter of life and death, let’s approach it calmly, calmly.”

Whether they would be able to approach this matter with a calm mind as they thought was something that no one knew at the moment.