Chapter 57

When Dan Woo-seong returned to the Eunha Trading Company, people rushed out in droves to greet the young master.

These were the very people who had worried about Dan Woo-seong throughout his absence. After Gu Yang-se delivered the news that the head of the family had been imprisoned in the Martial Alliance’s Brain Prison, and after greetings were exchanged with the Martial Alliance warriors who had guarded the trading company in Dan Woo-seong’s stead, Chief Officer Yi Hwa-eon delivered unexpected news.

“Brother, just yesterday, a certain beauty arrived leading her followers.”

“A beauty? Who?”

“They say her name is Baekyak. She’s the winner of the Martial Arts Alliance’s Phoenix Grand Tournament.”

Dan Woo-sung, who had been moving to greet his father upon his return, stopped in his tracks.

“Baekyak? She came here?”

“Yes. She seemed puzzled about how she got here first? Looks like she came straight from the Martial Alliance to our merchant guild.”

“Ah, I’m on my way back after stopping by Gu Huashan. Just went to see the youngest. Anyway, got it.”

“How is the youngest?”

“He’s better than before. I’ll go pay my respects to Father first.”

Li Huayan chuckled softly in response.

“Have a safe trip.”

“Why are you grinning like that?”

“Nothing.”

Lee Hwa-eon stared at her brother’s back and said teasingly.

“She was a stunning beauty, wasn’t she?”

Danwooseong had no reply, so he let out a small sigh and went to meet Lee Seongmin.

‘Why the hell did he come? I told him to meet me later.’

Dan Woo-sung couldn’t help but recall Baek Yak’s face and figure.

‘This is awkward. So awkward.’

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Dan Woo-sung and Baek Yak reunited in the reception room.

While Danwooseong stared at Baekyak, Baekyak, her already large eyes widening, looked around the reception room. She seemed fascinated, as if even the ordinary decorations were mostly new to her. After looking around, Baekyak set down her teacup and spoke.

“You’re quite wealthy. By the way, were you surprised?”

“Your attire is more surprising than your arrival here.”

“My outfit?”

When they first met, Baekyak wasn’t wearing this outfit; he was clad in a pure white dobok. It was a type of martial arts uniform Baekyak had never seen before. Judging by how well it fit Baekyak’s body, it seemed like something he carried with him at all times.

Danwooseong clearly expressed his intention to fight another time. But Baekyak’s attire signaled an attitude ready to fight right now.

Baekyak smiled and said.

“It’s just what I usually wear, so no need to worry about it.”

“I can’t help but notice. It’s not your everyday clothes.”

“Clothes should be comfortable. What does the style matter?”

When Danwooseong couldn’t think of what to say and took a sip of tea, Baekyak asked.

“Your Highness, let’s spar later. First, shall we try an arm-wrestling match?”

Dan Wooseong nearly choked on his tea but managed to swallow it down.

“Suddenly? Arm wrestling?”

Baekyak placed his arms firmly on the table.

“We’ll use only external strength. Internal strength is meaningless in an arm-wrestling match.”

Dan Woo-sung nodded with an exasperated look.

‘Alright. Have your arm wrestling match and then leave.’

I thought her an immature young lady, yet that ambition didn’t seem so hateful. Moreover, her physique was too well-developed to be considered immature.

Danwooseong extended his hand and said.

“Then, let’s do it.”

Dan Wooseong grasped Baekyak’s hand. As Baekyak pulled down her right sleeve with her left hand, a pale, almost translucent forearm was revealed.

Dan Wooseong rolled up his sleeve too, revealing a sun-tanned, bronze forearm.

Baekyak said.

“I’ll go first.”

Thinking she meant she would apply force first, Dan Wooseong nodded. Immediately after Baekyak’s lips pressed tightly together, she strained to pull Dan Wooseong’s arm over.

Danwooseong’s eyes widened in shock.

It was powerful.

But Dan Wooseong’s arm wouldn’t budge. He was the very man obsessed with external martial arts. Only, the veins on his forearm and the back of his hand, which he was holding firm, were bulging.

Baekyak’s expression grew increasingly serious, then her pale face began to flush crimson as if she’d drunk alcohol. She was a woman with an immense competitive spirit. Danwooseong couldn’t take it easy because of Baekyak’s fierce desire to win. Watching Baekyak’s face transform into a crimson flower petal, he instantly swept past her arm

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Snap!

Baekyak grimaced, yanked her hand free, twisted her shoulder, and massaged her wrist.

Danwooseong asked.

“Are you okay?”

Baek Yak replied gloomily.

“Yes.”

It sounded like anything but okay. Dan Wooseong crossed his arms and looked at Baekyak. He thought to himself that it was fortunate he had faced him himself; purely in terms of strength, there probably wasn’t a man in the entire Eunha Trading Company who could beat him in an arm-wrestling match.

Baekyak, who had been staring at the ceiling for a moment, spoke to Dan Wooseong.

“No striking techniques. I want to try using only the Golden Water Technique and body combat. Let’s make it a loss if both shoulders touch the ground.”

After boldly declaring his challenge, Dan Woosung stared silently at Baekyak’s face for a long moment.

While it’s not about determining martial prowess, physical combat is Danwooseong’s specialty. It was welcome news, as he couldn’t find a worthy opponent for a physical combat duel in the martial world. However, he couldn’t readily accept the challenge because his opponent was a woman. Physical combat involves movements that are exceptionally violent. Lying Baekyak on the mat

on the ground, physical contact was inevitable.

Yet, judging by Baekyak’s expression, it seemed unavoidable.

“Are you sure you’re okay? Even just sparring with martial arts will involve rough movements.”

Baekyak tapped her own shoulder lightly with her left hand as she spoke.

“This outfit is the martial arts uniform worn for hand-to-hand combat training.”

“Alright, let’s go. There’s a separate place for training. This is the reception room.”

“Let’s go.”

Dan Woosung led the young lady in her dobok to the place where he trained with the Ssangbo brothers.

The two stood facing each other.

Baekyak placed his hands on his own shoulders and said.

“Both shoulders must touch the ground to lose. Of course, internal energy is forbidden.”

Baekyak remained serious throughout, so Dan Wooseong nodded impassively.

“Let’s try it.”

“I’m going.”

Baekyak charged forward.

Dan Wooseong’s right hand, which had been aiming for Baekyak’s collar, changed direction. It grabbed Baekyak’s forearm and kicked out with his right foot. Instantly grasping the situation, Dan Wooseong kicked Baekyak’s hand away. He immediately seized Baekyak’s collar with his right hand and pulled him in.

Dan Wooseong and Baekyak’s faces drew close.

Dan Wooseong stared into Baekyak’s large eyes and asked.

“Is this how it’s done?”

“Yes.”

A soft fragrance wafted from somewhere on Baekyak’s body—or perhaps his dobok—causing Dan Wooseong to narrow his brows.

Baekyak grabbed Danwooseong’s collar and struck the inside of his forearm, freeing himself and widening the distance again. Baekyak charged once more, striking Danwooseong’s arm with the Golden Water Technique before seizing his wrist and twisting it skillfully.

Dan Wooseong’s body spun in midair.

Releasing the twist on his wrist mid-air, Dan Wooseong returned the exact same technique he had just received.

This time, Baekyak’s body shot upward, wrapping one leg around Dan Wooseong’s neck.

Dan Woosung naturally lowered his head, grabbed Baekyak’s calf, and then lifted Baekyak up with both hands.

Baekyak spoke.

“Huh?”

Dan Wooseong asked Baekyak, who was above him.

“Is this it? Just smash it to the floor like this, right?”

Baekyak retorted.

“Just give it a try.”

“Alright.”

Danwooseong carefully set Baekyak down.

Baekyak asked.

“Do you understand? The offensive-defensive battle…”

“I understand. An offensive-defensive battle focused on disrupting the opponent’s balance.”

“Correct.”

Their coordination still wasn’t quite in sync.

Danwooseong’s movements weren’t aimed at subduing his opponent, but solely focused on striking to kill. It was less about technique and more about combat. On the other hand, Baekyak’s movements leaned more toward technique than the intent to kill.

The two faced each other, then closed the distance once more.

After failing to land a hit seven times in a row, Baekyak suddenly lunged at Danwooseong as if embracing him, then grabbed his collar and spun around to attempt a takedown.

The posture was far from ideal.

Baekyak had thrust his hips forward.

“Ah!”

Danwooseong also pulled his hips back.

Danwooseong wasn’t startled by the technique, but by his own posture, causing him to spin once in midair. Even then, not wanting both shoulders to hit the ground, he pushed off with one foot, leaping back up to twist while still holding Baekyak’s hands.

Baekyak calmly pushed Danwooseong’s hand away, stepped back, and pointed at him.

“That evasive maneuver just now contained my inner strength.”

Dan Woo-sung was startled.

“Huh? That’s right.”

Baekyak pointed at Danwooseong with his finger as he spoke.

“Since I let you off earlier, I’ll let it slide this time. Fairness and all…”

“Fine.”

The rare pair of foolish man and woman clung to each other again, fighting for their lives. Dan Wooseong began to focus a little more on his technique, and Baekyak moved more and more actively.

Strangely enough, their movements were gradually syncing up.

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The Ssangbo brothers listened with stony expressions to the sounds coming from behind the screen, their brows furrowing. An entire hour had already passed. The rustling of garments, the thudding of bodies hitting the ground, and occasional shouts of pain erupted from within.

When the sounds briefly subsided, Yuk Jinbo cautiously asked.

“Brother, shall we eat alone? Or would you like to join us?”

Danwooseong replied.

“We’ll eat separately.”

“Understood.”

Baekyak casually joined the conversation.

“I’m pretty hungry right now.”

Dan Woo-sung corrected himself.

“Let’s eat together.”

The Ssangbo brothers replied in unison.

“Understood.”

After a moment, Baekyak, who had been staring at the lavish spread, swallowed hard once, then bowed his head slightly and said.

“I’ll enjoy this meal.”

As Danwooseong, the Ssangbo brothers, and Baekyak sat down and began eating, the lavish feast prepared for the long-awaited return of the Crown Prince continued to arrive. Having deliberately eaten only at the communal dining hall during their absence, the Ssangbo brothers found the meat-heavy side dishes they were finally able to eat after so long incredibly welcome.

Dan Woo-seong felt the same.

He had eaten lightly to return quickly, and his stomach was empty from sparring with Baekyak.

They ate like there was no tomorrow.

But Baekyak’s appetite was no ordinary thing. With three big eaters before her, she feared the side dishes would vanish, so she stuffed her mouth full of rice and food and ate as if waging war.

Seeing Baekyak, a rare beauty, eat with her cheeks puffed out, even the usually unflappable Ssangbo brothers stared at her in surprise. Yukmyeongbo remarked, as if in admiration,

“You really eat with such relish.”

Baekyak, unable to respond due to the food, only nodded repeatedly and extended her hand as if urging them to eat.

Danwooseong spoke.

“Miss Baek, take your time. We have many family members, so we can prepare more food. There’s no need to eat so quickly—just take your time…”

Baek Yak nodded silently while chewing her food.

It meant she understood.

It was clear that non-Central Plains blood ran in her veins. She seemed like someone who had never been taught traditional etiquette. After all, it was rare for a guest to eat so comfortably in someone else’s home.

After the meal, which had felt like a battle, only Danwooseong and Baekyak remained seated facing each other. Danwooseong poured a drink into Baekyak’s cup and spoke.

“Miss Baek, the dried persimmon crystal candy.”

Baekyak stared at the dried persimmon and crystal sugar, then tasted it and downed it in one gulp.

Baekyak silently gave a thumbs-up. His actions alone were so masculine that one could easily mistake him for a man, a stark contrast to his beautiful face.

Danwooseong, who had been watching all along, asked.

“Is Baek your surname? Or did you only reveal the name Baekyak?”

“My surname is Baek.”

Danwooseong crossed his arms. Even someone as composed as Danwooseong felt his heart pounding.

“Surely… you don’t have an ancestor known as the Heavenly Demon?”

Baekyak held up one finger as he spoke.

“Not just any demon, but the First Heavenly Demon. It was a very long time ago, but I heard that’s what you were called. Since you asked, I can’t help but answer. I’ve heard there are people in the Central Plains with preconceived notions, so I’m cautious about this.”

Dan Woosung sat up straight and stared at Baekyak with genuine astonishment.

Baekyak was the descendant of Baek Moo-jin, the Origin Demon, who was said to be the most formidable master among the world’s greatest martial artists born in every era of upheaval.

ⓒ Yoo Jin-seong