Chapter 23: If you were going to lie, you shouldn’t have gotten caught.

“Haa…”

Song Hwa let out a long sigh, as if pouring cold water on our conversation.

‘Oh, I forgot.’

If Baek Yeon is here, Song Hwa is never far behind (and, of course, I’m included).

I’d gotten so heated I forgot, but the biggest obstacle was still present.

Even Baek Yeon, with her (debatable) conscience, couldn’t just bulldoze past Song Hwa, who’d kept quiet for our sake.

In other words, no matter how grandly I declared I’d show my skills, it was all pointless if Song Hwa, my teacher and accomplice, didn’t approve.

“You sure about this?”

Thankfully, she didn’t seem too upset, asking with concern instead.

“It’s going to get really annoying and dangerous afterward.”

“Psh, I’ll just stick by the Young Lady’s side.”

I laughed, buttering her up.

“Then you’ll protect me, right? What’s there to worry about?”

“…Yeah, you’re right. Guess you’ll have to stay glued to me then? Sounds good.”

…I ignored Baek Yeon’s ominous muttering.

Song Hwa furrowed her brow and groaned.

But soon—

“Fine, I was thinking it was about time anyway… It should be okay to tell the Young Master now.”

She shook her head, as if she had no choice.

“I’ve been feeling my teachings aren’t enough for you anymore.”

“Hm… really? I still feel lacking.”

“With your talent, I should’ve been out of my depth long ago.”

She shrugged.

“But since you insisted on mastering the basics like Wolbaek Swordsmanship and Baekhon Heart Method, I could keep teaching you. For your future, though, you’ll need a better teacher.”

“Come on, you’re a great teacher, Song Hwa.”

“Flatterer.”

She smirked, reaching to ruffle my hair but stopped, clearing her throat and pulling back.

What was that? Was she being cautious?

I glanced at Baek Yeon, but she just smiled innocently.

…Must’ve been my imagination.

The uneasy feeling lingered briefly.

“Ugh… I’m gonna get an earful from the Young Master for keeping this secret.”

Song Hwa’s face darkened as she sighed, thinking of the future.

Fair enough—she’d kept a secret from her master because of me.

“Sorry…”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. It was my choice.”

She laughed and nodded toward the center of the banquet hall.

“Let’s go to the Young Master.”

—

The banquet hall was buzzing with people, but thankfully, the Young Master’s imposing figure (looking more like a bandit chief than a righteous sect leader, as always) made him easy to spot.

“Greetings, Clan Leader.”

…The real problem was the man beside him.

‘Of all times, he’s with the Clan Leader.’

I bowed, biting my lip.

Baek Uncheon, the current Baek Clan Leader and Baek Yeon’s grandfather.

Known as the Heart Sword Emperor, he’s a supreme master whose name always comes up when discussing the greatest swordsmen in the martial world.

…And the person I find most unsettling in the Baek Clan.

Well, except for that brother and his wife—they don’t even count as human.

Anyway.

“Oh! It’s Yeon! It’s been a while. Don’t call me Clan Leader—call me Grandfather.”

“…Ah! Yes, Grandfather.”

“Good, good. That sounds much better.”

Baek Uncheon laughed heartily, nodding. Baek Yeon blushed, a bit embarrassed.

‘…What an actor.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly.

Everyone (even that Baek Yeon) says he’s a great person, but my gut tells me he’s terrifying.

And honestly, the situation proves it.

He’s just watching as his children wage a bloody feud for his seat.

It feels like… he’s treating his kids as tools to revive the Baek Clan.

But I can’t voice these baseless thoughts.

I’m just stewing in frustration alone.

After the greetings with Yeon, the Young Master spoke.

“What’s the matter, Yeon? Feeling unwell and want to leave early?”

“No, it’s not that…”

Song Hwa stepped forward, gesturing to me.

“Ran says she wants to join today’s sparring competition. We came to ask if it’s possible to participate now.”

“Hm…”

The Young Master and Clan Leader’s gazes swept over me.

Feeling like I was being scanned, I straightened up.

Then—

The Young Master stroked his beard, speaking seriously.

“It’s not exactly welcome news.”

…Oh.

“Even if the participants are all children under fifteen, they’re martial artists who’ve trained since they were young.”

“…”

“You’ve been training for a while, so I understand your youthful urge to test yourself, but I’m worried you’ll get hurt.”

He put it nicely, but he meant, Don’t step up and embarrass yourself—stay quiet.

Ugh, I didn’t expect resistance here…

Still, the Young Master (despite his bandit-like looks) is soft-hearted. Push a bit, and he’ll cave.

As I searched for the right words to persuade him—

“It should be fine, shouldn’t it?”

…?

The Clan Leader suddenly cut in.

I looked up, startled.

Meeting my gaze, he stroked his white beard and continued in a gentle tone.

“I heard this child took down some thugs in the market today and saved a woman.”

“…What, that happened?”

Song Hwa asked in surprise, but I didn’t have time to answer.

‘How does he know that?’

As if reading my mind, the Clan Leader stared into my eyes with a faint smile.

“I’m curious about her true skills. Let her participate.”

“…Understood, Clan Leader.”

It went my way, but I was more shocked than pleased.

It happened just a few hours ago.

During the busy banquet preparations, how did he know about some trivial market incident?

…Wait.

‘Trivial… it wasn’t, was it?’

The woman surrounded by those thugs was Baek Tae-rin.

A chill ran down my spine as I realized it.

The Clan Leader, still watching me, smiled softly.

That moment, I was certain.

He knows Baek Tae-rin is a woman.

Gulp.

I swallowed hard instinctively.

‘…My gut was right.’

He’s the final boss watching this entire game unfold.

—

After the conversation, we bowed to the Young Master and Clan Leader and fled.

‘Phew.’

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

‘Scary, so scary.’

His granddaughter is forced to live as a man due to her parents’ greed, and he’s just watching.

I could guess why.

A woman can’t inherit the clan in the Central Plains and becomes an outsider upon marriage.

Sure, they could bring in a son-in-law, but… he must think a talented granddaughter is better off as a man.

It’s unimaginable for a normal person.

As I reflected on the Baek Clan’s terrifying nature—

“Why did you smell like another woman? So that’s why.”

“!”

…Oh, right.

She was still here.

I cautiously turned to Baek Yeon.

Her lips were curved up, but…

‘Her eyes… they’re dead.’

She wasn’t smiling.

She was on the verge of exploding.

I hurriedly opened my mouth.

“Y-Young Lady, it’s—”

“Seoran.”

“…Yes.”

I shut up, and her eyes curved into crescents.

“If you’re going to lie, you shouldn’t get caught.”

“…”

Her hand slowly brushed my cheek.

Unlike before, it felt chillingly menacing.

I stiffened, my throat bobbing.

“Win the sparring competition tonight, and I’ll let it slide.”

“…”

“But if you lose… you’ll pay for lying with that little mouth.”

Her finger tapped my lips.

‘…I’m screwed.’

That moment, I resolved.

I’d give my all in this competition.

If I don’t… I’m in serious trouble.