Jin Haryeong was being chased by someone.
Unable to shake off her pursuer no matter what she did, she finally used her lightness skill to climb up into a tree. Hidden among the branches, she did not so much as let out a breath.
The pursuer who had been chasing her ran past the tree, then suddenly came to a stop.
Like a beast scenting its prey, the pursuer slowly turned around, then lifted his head and looked up into the tree. The man’s face was empty, like that of a monster.
Aagh! She screamed, but no sound came out of her mouth. She launched herself away again and fled.
Just as the distance between them was growing narrower and narrower, someone came running from ahead and kicked the face of the man pursuing her without mercy.
With a thud, the faceless pursuer rolled over and over, then vanished.
The person who had helped her had hair hanging down in a tangled mass and a face full of beard. Where had she seen this man before?
The next moment, she cried out.
“Are you that servant?”
The instant she realized he was the man she had met at the inn, Jin Haryeong’s eyes flew open and she woke from the dream. The last words had actually left her lips as she woke.
She was not someone who usually dreamed. This was the first time she had ever had such a strange dream.
Perhaps because she had spent the whole night being chased, she was drenched in sweat.
Leaving aside the dream of being pursued, why had that man, of all people, appeared and saved her? Was it because she had mistaken the servant for the master that day, and it had lingered in her mind?
She recalled the face of the bearded servant. She had only seen it once, yet she remembered it clearly. It was the face she had seen in her dream. Since she was normally poor at remembering people’s faces, the vividness with which his face came to mind was a novel experience.
“Are you all right?”
From outside came the voice of her guard, Chuho.
“I’m fine. I had a nightmare.”
“It must be because your nerves are on edge due to the Little Dragon Tournament.”
“I suppose so.”
“Please do not worry too much. There is no one who can defeat you, my lady.”
“I’m going to rest more, so don’t disturb me today.”
“Yes.”
But a short while later, having slipped out of her quarters without Chuho knowing, she was entering the inn where she had eaten noodles.
When she stepped inside, the place was packed with customers. Because of this tournament, everywhere was crowded no matter where one went.
Her eyes caught sight of a man drinking in a corner. It was the servant from her dream. She had come thinking he might possibly be here, and he really was.
Today, she had not come for the noodles. She wanted to meet that servant once. She wanted to confirm whether he really was the sort of person who would appear in her dreams or not.
But soon, she shook her head and let out a wry laugh.
How ridiculous was it to come meet a servant from some rural sect just because he had appeared in her dream? She was about to turn and leave when someone called to her from behind.
“Have you come to eat noodles?”
When she turned around, the servant had risen and was looking at her.
Because of that, the gazes of the people around them focused on her. A few who recognized her were startled. Thinking people would find it strange if she simply turned and walked out now, she calmly walked over to the servant’s table and sat across from him.
After sitting opposite the servant, she ordered noodles and wine.
“I did not think you would share a table with me.”
“Why not?”
“Because last time, you learned that my status was that of a servant.”
“Because I’m of noble birth, I wouldn’t eat at the same table as a servant? Is that what you mean?”
“Is that not the case?”
At the sight of him asking so bluntly, the corners of Jin Haryeong’s lips lifted slightly.
“That’s right.”
Annoyed by the man’s expression, which seemed to say he had known as much, she added,
“But the reason isn’t because the other person is a servant. It’s because the other person feels uncomfortable. When I’m in front of them, they can’t eat properly.”
“Ah, then that is a relief. I will not feel uncomfortable at all.”
A servant this unabashed before the granddaughter of the Martial Alliance Leader?
‘By now, he should know who I am.’
He was a type she had never once encountered before. He truly knew nothing to an absurd degree. Even the heirs of prestigious orthodox sects acted with the utmost caution before her. They could not even conceive of asking such sensitive questions.
“You always go around alone.”
In truth, regardless of whether the other party was a servant or not, she did not mingle well with people.
She liked being alone, so she did not even enjoy having conversations like this with someone. That was why even the fact that she had come all the way here felt unfamiliar to her.
Perhaps she had come because she thought there might be something special about this man that her unconscious mind had sensed, causing her to have such a dream.
She glanced at the man. His hair was unkempt, his beard had grown scraggly, and there was truly nothing worth looking at.
‘It was just a nonsense dream. A nonsense dream.’
Whether he knew her thoughts or not, the man treated her comfortably.
“Ah, our young master has also advanced to the main round.”
She had heard the rumors about him as well. Her guard, Chuho, had told her that he had caused an upset and advanced to the main round. It must have been a sect from the countryside that knew nothing of the world and had only trained in martial arts. That was probably why they had been able to advance to the main round. Just by looking at this man, who seemed almost guileless in his ignorance of worldly affairs, she could guess the atmosphere of that sect.
“Your young master may end up facing you, miss. Ah, do you know? They say there have been people who died in the main round. Please, take good care of our young master!”
“For a martial artist to die on the dueling stage would be an honorable death.”
“Would it not be an unjust death, rather than an honorable one?”
“What do you mean?”
“For a martial artist, isn’t there no place safer than a dueling stage? There are fixed rules, judges, and people watching, so no one can launch a sneak attack. And yet someone dies on that dueling stage? Would that not be far too unjust a death?”
She felt that it was some kind of sophistry, but at the same time, no particular rebuttal came to mind. She had never once thought about it in that way.
“You speak as though you are a martial artist.”
“I have learned swordsmanship too.”
“You met a good master, then. Teaching swordsmanship even to a servant.”
“Yes, I learned from a truly frightening person. He is probably the most frightening person in the world.”
Jin Haryeong inwardly snorted. How many people had he even met, to say such a thing? Had he ever even met someone truly frightening? Then again, in the village he came from, perhaps his own master really had been the most frightening.
Her gaze went to the sword at the servant’s waist.
“Why did you wrap the scabbard in cloth?”
It was tightly wrapped in common cotton cloth that could be found anywhere. Usually, there were two reasons for something like this. Either wandering swordsmen who traveled through rough places wrapped their scabbards to keep them from being damaged, or someone was trying to conceal a precious sword.
“I did it to look stylish.”
“Then shouldn’t you have wrapped it in fine silk?”
“It’s stylish because it isn’t silk. The key is to look dressed up without looking dressed up.”
Seeing her look at him in disbelief, the man went one step further.
“They say East Lake here in Wuhan is very beautiful. Would you show it to me sometime?”
Unless he was insane, he could not possibly say something like this to her. This was the point where she should shout at him, asking who a mere servant thought he was speaking to in such a way.
Why was she staying silent?
Because he had appeared in her dream? No. It must be because she did not want to become some ill-bred woman who treated those of low status carelessly. Her grandfather detested it when his children or grandchildren became the subject of such gossip. Yes, that had to be it.
“Then I will be sure to show you another magnificent view I know.”
Did this person truly believe such a moment would come between them? They had shared a table twice, and he seemed ready to go sightseeing together.
A sigh escaped her on its own. Coming here had been her mistake.
“What is your name?”
She was asking because she was angry. The question carried the feeling of, You bastard, what’s your name?
“Just call me ‘Servant.’”
This man, really, to the very end!
“That would make me look far too ill-mannered, wouldn’t it?”
“It is Geomyeon. Not the yeon of ‘fate,’ but the yeon of ‘smoke.’ I will remain like this for a while, then disappear like smoke.”
As he said that, the man grinned. Jin Haryeong thought that for a mere servant, he truly did all sorts of things.
Just then, someone approached while calling her name.
“Haryeong.”
The man around her age was Song Taegun, the son of the Blue Dragon Corps Commander. He was the only friend who had grown up with her since childhood. The moment Jin Haryeong saw him, she was inwardly flustered.
“You came to eat noodles.”
Song Taegun knew very well that she liked the noodles here.
“How did you know I was here?”
“I was passing by in front, and some customers coming out were talking about how you were here. You ran away after avoiding Warrior Chu again, didn’t you?”
Song Taegun looked at the man with her and asked,
“But who is this?”
Not knowing how to introduce him, Jin Haryeong was flustered.
At that moment, the man cupped his fist toward him and greeted him.
“I am Geomyeon of the Seodo Sect in Gansu. My senior brother has advanced to the main round this time.”
“Ah! If it is the Seodo Sect, is your senior brother’s name not Seoryong?”
“That is correct.”
“I heard he has been causing quite a stir in this tournament. It is an honor to meet a disciple of such an impressive sect.”
“My senior brother is the impressive one. As for me, I merely cheer from outside the dueling stage.”
“You seem far more impressive than your senior brother, Young Hero Geom.”
“What do you mean?”
“Are you not sitting here together with this friend? Do you know how difficult that is? Even for me, an old friend, it is difficult.”
At that, Jin Haryeong said to him,
“Stop saying useless things and go. I’ll see you later.”
He looked as if he wanted to stay longer, but because Jin Haryeong was exuding an icy air, Song Taegun smiled and bid them farewell.
“Let us have a drink together next time.”
“By all means.”
After Song Taegun left, Jin Haryeong questioned him coldly.
“Why did you lie and say you were a junior disciple? Why? Did you think I would be ashamed if it was revealed that I was sitting with a servant?”
To be honest, she had felt that way. When Song Taegun asked who he was, she had been flustered for a moment. She had hesitated to introduce him as a servant. He had struck a nerve, and she felt ashamed.
“Strictly speaking, it was not a lie. I am a servant, but I also learned martial arts in the same sect, so I am also a junior disciple, am I not?”
“Once is enough for sophistry.”
Jin Haryeong sprang up from her seat and left the place.
And that night, she had another nightmare.
This time, she was hanging from a cliff, and once again that servant appeared, reached out his hand, and saved her.
Jin Haryeong, who woke at dawn, looked down at her hand. She vividly remembered the sensation of holding Geomyeon’s hand. It was as vivid as a prophetic dream.
“You crazy woman, why do you keep acting like this?”
She knew the answer herself. Why else? Because she was doing things she had never done in her life.
She pulled the blanket back over herself and lay down again. But sleep did not come easily.
* * *
Seo Daeryong’s first opponent in the main round was the heir of the renowned Zhangping Sword Family of Fujian.
“Shall we practice together?”
“With you, Pavilion Master?”
When I suggested practicing for the first time, Seo Daeryong was startled.
“It would be an honor for me.”
“Follow me.”
Taking Seo Daeryong with me, I brought him to the mountain forest where I had been training.
“Even when it comes to finding a place to practice, you are certainly different from me, Pavilion Master. How did you manage to find a place like this?”
There was a broad open space, blocked on all sides, with only one path by which one could enter. Since one only needed to pay attention to a single direction, it was an ideal place for martial arts training.
“Come here to train from now on.”
“No. You should be the one training here, Pavilion Master. The quality of our training is as different as heaven and earth.”
“Is that really so?”
“Pardon?”
“I think your training, challenging this martial arts tournament with your life and future on the line, is far more valuable. If you are heaven and I am earth, then I will acknowledge it.”
“Thank you for saying that, but that does not mean heaven and earth will change places. Even if they were overturned, it would not feel all that good either.”
Yes, this was the sort of person one should have as a right-hand man. It was not a matter of whether his martial arts were stronger or weaker. Someone with whom even exchanging a single line felt pleasant, someone who spoke the thoughts he held just as they were—this was the sort of person who ought to become a right-hand man. At least, for the position of right-hand man.
“Did you see the heir of the Zhangping Sword Family fight?”
“Yes. He fought really well.”
“Objectively speaking, you are at a disadvantage.”
“Since you put it that way, Pavilion Master, I suppose I will definitely lose.”
I honestly nodded. He could not overcome the difference in the amount of time spent properly training in martial arts. Moreover, he had not fully inherited the Blood Heaven Blade Demon’s martial arts, and he could not openly reveal his demonic energy as he pleased. In many ways, it would be a difficult fight.
“Now, I will imitate the Zhangping Sword Family’s martial arts, so think of me as your opponent in the duel!”
“Yes!”
I imitated the swordsmanship of the Zhangping Sword Family’s heir and faced Seo Daeryong as though that man were fighting him.
Seo Daeryong lost again and again. I did not go easy on him, and each time a bout ended, another bruise was added to Seo Daeryong’s body. There were moments when his life was in danger, but he did not give up.
“Please, just one more time.”
Seo Daeryong tried various methods he could think of. This way and that way. He tried every possible method.
I silently repeated the duels, waiting for him to find the answer on his own. I did not tell him the solution that would let him win.
Even if it meant losing the duel, he had to find it himself. The mission was important, but this moment, which would become a turning point in the life of “Seo Daeryong the martial artist,” was even more important.
We practiced dueling through the night. Seo Daeryong was utterly exhausted, but his eyes held a look I had never seen from him before.
And four hours before the main round duel.
I forced Seo Daeryong, who insisted on training until the end, to sleep.
Seo Daeryong, who had said his nerves were too sharp for him to sleep, began snoring as soon as he lay down.
I woke him half an hour before the duel.
“Feel refreshed?”
“Yes. I feel like I can live again. But what should I do?”
“Why?”
“I dreamed that I lost the duel.”
Looking at Seo Daeryong’s tearful face, I smiled and said,
“Now then, shall we go find out whether that dream was nonsense or prophetic?”