Jin Ha-ryeong was climbing onto the fighting stage.

Today was the day of her first main round match. The cheers from the assembled heroes were tremendous. They respected and liked the Martial Alliance leader, so everyone also liked his granddaughter, Jin Ha-ryeong. Besides, she was a beauty known as the “Hubei’s Finest,” so her popularity was natural.

“Win for sure!”

“Jin Ha-ryeong, the best!”

“Beautiful Jin Ha-ryeong!”

“Buy us noodles!”

“Victory for Jin Ha-ryeong!”

Jin Ha-ryeong flinched on the stage.

Among the cheers, she heard something that shouldn’t have been said.

She looked around. She had never before stood on the stage facing the heroes, and cheers erupted from all directions. Among these countless people, she found the one she was looking for. Geom Mugeuk, sitting among the heroes, shouted out.

“She left again without paying!”

His words pierced clearly through the crowd’s cheers, lodging in her ears. At that moment, she realized that she had left again without settling the bill.

She had even been asked to pay but left again without doing so.

“Ah! How careless!”

That day, she had gotten angry because of that man and had simply walked out.

Putting that aside — so what? He shouted for noodles even up on the fighting stage?

It was so ridiculous she snorted with laughter.

Seeing this, her opponent frowned, mistakenly thinking she was mocking him.

This misunderstanding only strengthened his determination to win, but unfortunately, it didn’t close the skill gap between them. Even throughout the fight, she kept thinking about noodles.

As she came down from the stage to applause, she glanced at the spot where Geom Mugeuk had been. But he was gone.

Leaving without watching her fight till the end — that guy! Did he really come just to collect noodle money?

At that moment, bodyguard warrior Choo-ho came to report.

“The Alliance Leader requests your presence at the residence.”

“Grandfather?”

After the ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) fourth bout, Jin Ha-ryeong passed through strict security to enter the Martial Alliance leader’s residence.

Deep inside the alliance headquarters, the place was surrounded by finely cut rocks and ancient thousand-year-old trees, harmonizing elegantly as if inhabited by immortals. There, a man stood with his hands behind his back, lost in thought. Blending with the beautiful scenery, he looked like part of a painting.

“Grandfather, I’m here!”

“Have you come?”

The man, with a strong physique, turned toward her.

He looked twenty years younger than his age and possessed perfectly muscular body few young men had.

More than his physique, his eyes dominated his impression. His large, intense eyes were so fierce that even a tiger might wet itself when meeting his gaze. He looked like a divine general descended from heaven.

Unlike this place suited for immortals, the fighting stage she had just been on was better suited to him.

The Martial Alliance Leader, Jin Pae-cheon (秦覇天).

The strongest orthodox martial artist, he was the pillar of orthodox martial arts and respected by all. It was said the demonic cult dared not run rampant because Jin Pae-cheon remained powerful — he was the symbol of orthodox martial arts.

Even to Jin Ha-ryeong, her grandfather was impressive.

He had a good heart, strong will, and above all, high chivalry. He was someone worthy of everyone’s respect.

But that was the opinion of the martial artist Jin Ha-ryeong; the granddaughter Jin Ha-ryeong had a different view. To her, he was a rigid, frustrating grandfather who oppressed her — nothing more, nothing less.

Honestly, that made her angrier. He was so perfect to others, but worse to his own family. Worse to those who should matter most, while sacrificing himself for strangers.

“I met Jinryong Manor’s master recently.”

Though it was the day she won her fight, her grandfather started with another topic.

“Why so urgent? Let’s talk about your victory first, or at least the weather today.”

Of course, she dared not voice such complaints. He wasn’t scary, but not exactly comfortable either.

“How is the master of Jinryong Manor?”

“He complains of weakness, but that old man is still stubborn as ever.”

Truly a person she would never have thought of in her life if not for her grandfather.

But her grandfather had a reason for bringing up Jinryong Manor.

“I heard the grandson who went to train has returned. The master subtly asked if you would consider pairing with him. What do you think?”

Ah! Here we go again.

“Why is my grandfather so desperate to marry off his cute granddaughter? It’s not like he needs an alliance with a prestigious family.”

She tried to be playful, but Jin Pae-cheon did not accept it.

“I’m asking your opinion.”

“No. Grandfather, no.”

Her firm refusal caused his face to slightly darken.

“Why not?”

“Would you want to marry someone you haven’t even met?”

“He is trustworthy.”

“Who? You haven’t even seen him either.”

“You’ll know when you see the master of Jinryong Manor.”

“How? You want me, the granddaughter respected by the entire world, to meet him? Am I really the graceful, proud, and polite person I seem? No, I’m rebellious like this. So how can you say you know the grandson by just seeing the master?”

Jin Pae-cheon’s expression hardened, but Jin Ha-ryeong stood her ground.

“As I said before, when the time comes to marry, I will meet someone I like.”

“Nonsense! Do you know how harsh and dangerous this martial world is? All sorts of weird and strange people roam it.”

Hearing “weird people,” she suddenly thought of the arrogant servant. That’s right, but still...

“Jinryong Manor has produced excellent martial artists for generations. It’s a place you can trust.”

“That trust only applies to you, grandfather.”

“What do you mean?”

“No one dares betray your trust. That’s why your eye for people has always been accurate. But I’m different. Just as people treat you and me differently.”

Her disrespectful words cooled the air around, imbued with her grandfather’s anger.

Still, Jin Ha-ryeong didn’t back down. If she yielded to that anger, she might be forced into a marriage she did not want.

“If you keep forcing me, I’ll marry anyone.”

“Anyone? Who exactly?”

“Anyone on the street. Even if he’s a servant, it doesn’t matter.”

Having said that, she flinched inwardly. A servant?

“Do it if you can.”

“Grandfather!”

“You absolutely can’t do that. Don’t I know you? You wouldn’t do it because of your pride. Bring me a servant or a street merchant, whoever. I’ll hold a grand wedding.”

Jin Ha-ryeong could not deny it. That was who she really was.

“I know best that you are a wonderful man. I know you would gladly sacrifice your life for this martial world. I respect you most. But I don’t want to make such a great grandfather into a martial alliance leader who forcibly marries off his granddaughter for my sake.”

She understood why her grandfather was so actively involved in arranging her marriage — it was because of her late father.

He thought her father died because of a bad marriage, ruined by choosing the wrong wife.

Her father was caught in a feud on her mother’s side and was assassinated by enemies. Her mother died too.

Though the revenge ended, her grandfather’s heart remained heavy.

“Grandfather, how can you blame mom? Father chose his life. He loved mom until the moment he died.”

Knowing this was why her grandfather wanted to send her to the family he chose made her hate it even more.

“You still don’t understand the world. You don’t know how harsh and dangerous this martial world is.”

“I will learn it myself.”

“You’ll regret it.”

“I’ll regret it.”

No matter how stubborn she was, Jin Pae-cheon didn’t yield. Though he was known for a generous, open heart, when it came to his granddaughter’s marriage, that kindness didn’t apply.

“Tomorrow evening, the grandson of Jinryong Manor will come. Make sure you attend.”

Suddenly, Geom-yeon’s words came to her mind — whether the consideration was for her or the other party. Perhaps her grandfather was making the same mistake.

“Do you want to marry me off for my sake, or because it puts your mind at ease?”

Her grandfather didn’t hesitate.

“Both.”

Faced with Jin Pae-cheon’s unwavering will, Jin Ha-ryeong relented.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She understood his heart but knew it was not truly for her.

“Phew, phew.”

After training, Seo Daeryong was clearly a changed man.

When he learned from Blood Heaven Butcher, his training had been blindly diligent. Now it was different — he had an enemy to fight and was training to defeat that enemy. Through this real training, Seo Daeryong was entering the true path of a martial artist.

“Sect Leader, I want to be stronger!”

Such moments come — not when idly wishing for strength, but when you work so hard that breathing is difficult and yet want to try even more. That’s true determination.

“Good. Get stronger. I’ll watch over you.”

“You must watch.”

“Yes, I will.”

Seo Daeryong was a small giant now. He might be grateful to me, but I was even more thankful. The moment when you said the school would never change was what let my regression find its direction.

After finishing martial training with Seo Daeryong and returning, I found Jin Ha-ryeong at the inn.

“You’re no longer unfamiliar like that. What brings you here today?”

She looked somewhat gloomy compared to usual.

“You look like someone who needs to talk over worries.”

“A consultation between the Martial Alliance leader’s granddaughter and the demonic cult leader’s son. Eventually, everything gets uncovered. Where is the Martial Alliance’s forbidden ground? To open the secret vault……”

“Enough!”

“Yes!”

Seo Daeryong went upstairs to his room, and I walked to where she was seated.

Seeing me, Jin Ha-ryeong immediately asked,

“You shouted for noodles during the cheer, didn’t you?”

“You heard that?”

“Your words just stuck in my ear.”

“I have a loud voice naturally.”

“Sit.”

I sat facing her.

She poured wine into my cup generously.

“Do you drink well?”

“It depends on the occasion.”

“When do you drink well? When with good people?”

“No, when with good people, I actually get drunk quickly.”

“Really?”

“When angry, I drink well. I talk a lot excitedly, so I sober up fast. When emotions run high, alcohol feels like water. Though I regret the hangover the next day.”

“I say, if I drink again, I’m a dog!”

“That’s right. You know me well.”

We drank together. After she put down the empty cup, she said,

“I also drink well today.”

“Angry again today?”

“Again?”

“You mostly come here angry.”

“Not coming angry, leaving angry. Because of someone.”

Her words made me smile.

“Do you drink the servant’s poured drinks?”

“Depends on which servant.”

I poured more wine into her cup. She looked at me intently and suddenly asked,

“Do you plan to shave that beard?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then will you let yourself be used for me? Just for one day.”

“I will.”

She looked surprised.

“You won’t shave your beard but will let yourself be used?”

“It’s just one day. It takes a long time to grow a beard.”

“Won’t you ask what it’s about?”

“It must be a very troublesome matter for So-jeo.”

“You might be troubled. Someone could hold a grudge. You could be insulted.”

“Grudges, insults. That’s the life of servants. What’s more troublesome than that?”

“Then please attend the Martial Alliance banquet tomorrow. You’ll meet my grandfather. Can you do that?”

I blinked for a moment and answered.

“That’s a bit difficult.”

“Coward.”

“Servants are like that.”

Jin Ha-ryeong smiled at me.

“I never thought to ask for help from the start. I don’t get good outcomes when caught up in my affairs. Still, thank you for the words.”

She stood.

“I’ve cracked once out of three times.”

Just then, a young man approached us.

“Miss Jin.”

I was inwardly surprised. I knew him. Someone I had a direct connection with before regression.

“I’m Jo-shin of Jinryong Manor. We met before. You’ve become even more beautiful.”

Jo-shin.

The Jo-shin I knew wasn’t from Jinryong Manor.

After Hwamugi’s retirement, Jo-shin became head of the Shinryong family, newly rising in orthodox martial arts. Jinryong Manor changed its name to Shinryong family under his leadership and rose rapidly. After opening the Martial Alliance’s gates, it became a representative orthodox sect.

The very family from which I went to get the Shin Ohyangro — the second ingredient for regression.

‘So, in your youth around this time, you approached Jin Ha-ryeong.’

I knew what kind of person Jo-shin was.

He was a typical hypocrite. He lived a life of chivalry while deeply hiding his cruel and ruthless nature. He used any means to achieve success without remorse.

If Jo-shin then and Jo-shin now shared the same nature?

My gaze shifted to Jin Ha-ryeong.

This woman is in danger now.

Could it be that her life turned out that way not because of the Cheonmyeong Society but because of this man?

Jo-shin looked at me and asked.

“Who is this lady?”

Our eyes met. She smiled faintly and said,

“Don’t mind him. He’s just a servant.”