Martial Arts Masochist

I was methodically planting bombs as I went along, but the fuse hadn't been lit yet.

The ten days that Dang Soran's husband candidates had decided to stay in Chengdu.

Over those ten days, Dang Soran had to divide her schedule and meet the men in turn.

Sometimes it felt like they were spending time inside the Tang Clan grounds, and other times they strolled through Chengdu's streets like with Jegal Yong.

Today was the latter.

Since yesterday had been with Namgung Yeon, today it was Wi Cheonsang.

And I, who still had unfinished business with Wi Cheonsang, trailed doggedly after them.

The uncles were with me too.

Glance. “...”

Dang Soran glanced at me repeatedly as she walked with Wi Cheonsang. I gestured with my chin for her to look ahead.

Wi Cheonsang was busy trying to repair his recently tarnished reputation.

Even now, he was making excuses to Dang Soran about it.

“...So, just trust in me alone, and my heart will be at ease. Women and such. I don't enjoy that. I only want pure encounters with the woman I love.”

Hearing this, Dang Soran responded with absurd words, perhaps to push Wi Cheonsang away.

“When you're working, a bit of fooling around with women is inevitable. I have no intention of saying anything about it.”

“Haha, even if you probe like that, I truly have no interest. But it's strange that you're okay with it. No woman welcomes that. Even thinking about the others, do you feel the same?”

“The others...? Ah, yes. Young Master Wi, Young Master Jegal, Young Master Namgung... I've given it some thought, and even if they fool around with women, it doesn't stir any feelings. It's not a matter of fidelity. It's a matter of emotional connection.”

Cool.

Was that just talk to make him lose interest, or was she really that nonchalant?

Honestly, since Dang Soran was far from nonchalant, it felt like she was trying to make him back off.

Glance. At that moment, Dang Soran looked at me again.

Then she blinked thoughtfully, furrowing her brow sharply.

She suddenly seemed angry.

She was so scatterbrained that I had no idea why.

If I didn't know Dang Soran's real personality, even I might have been flustered.

Whether knowing this was a blessing or a curse.

Then, perhaps because she kept looking back so much, Wi Cheonsang turned to look this way too.

He met our eyes.

He seemed to recognize our faces.

“...Haa.”

Wi Cheonsang let out a deep sigh and slowly approached us.

“Brother. That guy's coming over, uh, Seojin...!”

Look at this bastard.

Was it because the uncles were with me?

I widened my eyes too, tensed up, and strode toward him.

I couldn't back down!

To this guy who treated the uncles like thieves and soured the mood.

Uncles, stay put. I'll handle this punk.

“Why are you following us?”

Wi Cheonsang asked.

I answered.

“Acting like you own Chengdu already? I can walk wherever I want. Who are you to question me?”

“It's uncomfortable having you trail us everywhere.”

“I'm not uncomfortable at all.”

“...My future wife is uncomfortable, so could you disappear?”

“Future wife...”

I looked around.

“Hmm. No courtesans in sight.”

Gu Yeong Uncle said from behind.

‘Hey, Seojin, well done.’

Machildeuk Uncle laughed loudly, practically taunting.

I turned back, high-fiving the air like a third-rate villain.

Ah, now I get why Dang Soran was acting childish and playful.

This was fun?

“You must be the one who spread those ridiculous rumors.”

Wi Cheonsang frowned and spoke in a hostile tone.

“What ridiculous rumors.”

“That I enjoy women...”

“Or that you enjoy men? That one?”

The uncles reacted again.

It felt like a rap battle with them hyping it up perfectly. Fun.

Wi Cheonsang's face flushed even more red as he now glared at me outright.

“Yeah. It was you. Even if I'm no martial artist, I've achieved some social success. You wouldn't want to incur my grudge, so how about stopping here?”

“Don't frame innocent people. Why do you think I spread it?”

“Beggars' Sect beggars carry rumors, so who else?”

I clicked my tongue.

“And again... Beggars' Sect beggars do carry rumors, but they don't spread falsehoods. This is the second time. Framing us for things we didn't do. Last time it was stealing our silver, now spreading rumors?”

But honestly, I didn't ask for it. Big Bro Wi Chang threw in that slander about you as a freebie. I didn't even want it.

“It's not baseless conjecture; it's the truth. As a merchant, I've met countless people. You get a sense of someone from talking to them.”

...Well, Wi Cheonsang did have that talent.

He'd tricked people left and right with it. Lived as a spy because of it.

Even his closest ally at Mount Hua Sect, Baekdam, had been used because he knew the guy was kind-hearted.

I replied.

“This time your sense is wrong. To be honest, I didn't like the previous insult much. Beggars' Sect beggars may have nothing else, but they hold onto their conscience.”

“Ridiculous. Who doesn't know Beggars' Sect beggars have sticky fingers? I've seen plenty as a merchant. You really want to claim there are no thieves in the Beggars' Sect?”