Absolute Dominion

◈ Absolute Dominion

Chapter- 31

Cha-Ryun felt the energy drain from her.

What in the world is this guy doing, sitting so comfortably next to a woman he just met? This is nothing new for that bastard, but what about that Young Lady Sama? Huh, Young Lady Sama… she’s even giggling now?

The sight of the two of them was irritating her.

Cha-Ryun, get a grip. If people notice, they’ll think you’re jealous. And that’s not what’s happening here… right?

However, after seeing that scene, Lim Ha-Gi’s words barely registered in her ears.

She was so bothered by the situation, that her mind was fixated on Jeok Lee-Gun.

What could be so amusing for them to be talking so cheerfully?

“Young Lady Jeong?”

“……”

“Young Lady Jeong!”

“Huh?”

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

“Oh, sorry. I got distracted for a moment. What were you saying?”

Noticing that Cha-Ryun’s attention was fixated on Jeok Lee-Gun, Lim Ha-Gi raised his voice, a touch of irritation slipping through.

“Young Master Jeok is truly a fortunate man. To be able to participate in the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament with the stunning Young Lady Jeong! Hahaha!”

Sama Young, who had been talking to Jeok Lee-Gun, glanced over at Lim Ha-Gi and smiled.

Jeok Lee-Gun turned toward Sama Young.

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s complimenting another woman for her beauty. That doesn’t really seem like something to laugh about.”

Of course, he made sure he said this loudly enough for everyone to hear.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward the two of them. Especially Lim Ha-Gi, whose face visibly scrunched in displeasure. If not for Cha-Ryun’s presence, he would have already punched the guy.

Sama Young laughed again, as if that was the only way she could express herself.

“When was the last time you got angry?”

Sama Young faltered, momentarily caught off guard. She couldn’t remember. Ever since she started being known as the genius of the Sama Clan, she had never shown anger. After all, what she had learned growing up was that a wise woman should not easily reveal her emotions.

“Why are you asking me that?”

“Because if you keep living that way, it’s going to make you sick inside.”

As he said that, Jeok Lee-Gun tore into his meat again.

Strangely, Sama Young found his words resonating with her, and she laughed once more.

“Do you let out your anger when you get upset, Young Master Jeok?”

“Of course.”

“How do you usually deal with it?”

“Well, there are many ways. The most effective one is to kill the guy I want to kill, and the worst way is to chew on meat like this.”

Sama Young stared at him blankly for a moment before bursting out laughing. She thought he was joking again.

Seeing Sama Young getting so close with Jeok Lee-Gun made Lim Ha-Gi feel uneasy. He couldn’t deny it—something about the situation bothered him deeply.

Jeok Lee-Gun, as perceptive as ever, didn’t miss even that subtle change in his demeanor.

“You look upset. By any chance… are you jealous?”

“Of course not.”

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“Be honest. You’d rather be going with Cha-Ryun, wouldn’t you? She’s prettier, right?”

“That’s not true!”

“You’re probably thinking, ‘If she weren’t from the Sama Clan, I’d definitely cancel and go with Cha-Ryun instead,’ isn’t that so?”

“I said that’s not true!”

Lim Ha-Gi’s voice rose along with his frustration.

“Are you angry?”

“I’m not angry!”

“Your eyes are bloodshot though.”

It was clear to everyone present—he was about to blow up. Still, Lim Ha-Gi tried to prove his great, generous personality with a hearty laugh.

“Hahaha! It seems that Young Master Jeok lacks a bit of consideration for other people’s feelings.”

Jeok Lee-Gun tilted his head slightly, watching him closely.

“Your cheeks are twitching.”

“Damn it! I told you I’m not angry!”

Lim Ha-Gi abruptly stood up, his face flushed with fury. He seemed ready to flip the table at any moment.

Cha-Ryun quickly intervened. Regardless of whether Jeok Lee-Gun was a master or not, it wasn’t good for him to get into an argument with Lim Ha-Gi.

“Young Master Lim, please calm down. It’s said that ignorance is bliss! You’re magnanimous enough to let this go, right?”

The kind expression she showed while saying those words worked like magic, and Lim Ha-Gi’s anger melted away.

To Lim Ha-Gi, Cha-Ryun seemed the very embodiment of purity and innocence.

Was it love at first sight?

To be honest, just as Jeok Lee-Gun had suggested earlier, Lim Ha-Gi secretly wished he could go to the tournament with Cha-Ryun instead.

‘If only we had met earlier. Damn it.’

If that had been the case, it would be Cha-Ryun sitting beside him now instead of Sama Young, who always wore a smile like an old person. He didn’t even consider the possibility that Cha-Ryun might reject him. After all, he was Lim Ha-Gi of the prestigious Northern Sky Clan.

Sama Young quietly observed Lim Ha-Gi.

She was a smart woman.

She could easily guess what he was feeling right now. She knew that the affection he usually showed her was not genuine. Now that Cha-Ryun was here, she could clearly see his true feelings.

Honestly, she felt offended and angry, but she didn’t have the courage to storm off. This wasn’t just a matter between them; it was a matter between their clans. Whether she liked it or not, she had to attend the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament with him. That’s how she had been raised.

Jeok Lee-Gun moved back to sit next to Cha-Ryun.

“You must have been bored without me, right?”

“Wipe that grease off your face first.”

Jeok Lee-Gun wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

“Ugh, that’s disgusting.”

Cha-Ryun cringed and scooted away from him.

Sama Young silently watched the two of them with interest. She found herself a little envious of their carefree dynamic.

Jang In-Gyeol broke the silence and asked Lim Ha-Gi a question.

“By the way, when is the Little Tiger going to arrive?”

Little Tiger was the nickname for Lim Ha-Gi’s younger brother, Lim Yang-Gu. He was supposed to attend the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament with Jang In-Hwa but had yet to arrive.

“Yang-Gu will be here by tomorrow morning. He had some personal matters to attend to, so he’s running a bit late. You needn’t worry too much.”

Jang In-Hwa nodded lightly in acknowledgment.

Her gaze was enchanting. She had eyes that could captivate a man. Naturally, Lim Ha-Gi, being a man himself, immediately reacted to her gaze.

Lim Ha-Gi’s gaze shifted back and forth between Cha-Ryun, Jang In-Hwa, and Sama Young.

As they say—other people’s food always looks better. Out of the three women, Sama Young seemed the most plain. Cha-Ryun was the most beautiful, followed by Jang In-Hwa. Jang In-Hwa’s seductive gaze gave the impression that if he reached out, her clothes would come undone.

‘I want her.’

Lim Ha-Gi cast a suggestive look toward Jang In-Hwa.

She responded with a seductive smile.

The sight of this exchange made Jang In-Gyeol’s stomach churn.

He was infamously known as a womanizer—a man with experience when it came to women.

Jang In-Gyeol could see exactly what Lim Ha-Gi was thinking. But he had no choice but to endure and yield. Even though Lim Ha-Gi was practically drooling over his sister, he had to tolerate it.

This was power—this is the way of the world.

In a world where, without power, you have to do what others say.

‘You fucking bastard, just wait. One day, I’ll definitely get rid of you with my own hands!’

At that moment, his anger toward Lim Ha-Gi far surpassed his anger toward Jeok Lee-Gun.

Did he let his killing intent leak out without realizing it?

Lim Ha-Gi suddenly turned to look at him. Jang In-Gyeol quickly masked his expression and smiled as he asked.

” By the way, have you heard any information about the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament?”

The moment the topic of the Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament came up, everyone focused their attention.

Lim Ha-Gi shook his head.

“As you know, the specifics of the tournament’s challenges remain undisclosed until the day of the event.”

“So, does that mean the challenges change each tournament?”

“Exactly. Unexpected tests may come up.”

Lim Ha-Gi spoke with a stern expression.

“As you know, I participated in the last tournament as well. Unfortunately, I was eliminated at the Second Gate.”

“That was truly unfortunate.”

“The Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament isn’t something you can win on your own. You need to be in perfect sync with your partner.”

“So, are there tasks where you need to cooperate with your partner?”

Lim Ha-Gi nodded.

“Indeed. For example, in the last tournament, the Second Gate’s challenge was quite difficult. The man and woman within each pair had to enter a formation from different entrances. In order to pass the test, both participants had to dismantle the formation and meet at a designated spot to escape together. Even if one person found the proper path, if the other couldn’t escape, their efforts would be in vain. There were countless young talents who collapsed in exhaustion without ever making it out.”

Jang In-Gyeol nodded in understanding. This time, his partner for the tournament was Wan Ah-Young, the only daughter of Wan Pil, also known as Ghost Axe. Wan Pil was a famous master in the Hubei region, wielding a strange-shaped axe as his weapon. He was the greatest of the guest masters in the Palm Heart Clan, and that was why Jang In-Gyeol was participating with his daughter in this tournament.

However, Wan Ah-Young wasn’t very attractive. That was why Jang In-Gyeol hadn’t brought her here today.

‘Damn it.’

Jang In-Gyeol grimaced as he recalled Wan Ah-Young’s plain face.

‘Just wait and see.’

Jang In-Gyeol gritted his teeth inwardly. When the day came that he gained power…

Jang In-Gyeol’s gaze drifted toward Cha-Ryun.

He would claim not just Cha-Ryun, but every beautiful woman in the martial world!

It was at that moment.

“Woooaaahhh!”

A loud cheer erupted from outside the window.

“It’s the Jade Dragon!”

At the mention of the Jade Dragon, Lim Ha-Gi’s expression immediately stiffened.

The Jade Dragon—Yang Su-Chang.

He was the successor to the Southern Peak Alliance and a man whose handsome face had made him famous in the Hunan region.

“Is that guy pretty famous too?”

Jeok Lee-Gun asked, and Sama Young smiled as she answered.

“There’s a famous saying in the martial world: ‘To the north, there is the Divine Dragon, and to the south, there is the Jade Dragon.’”

This time, Jang In-Gyeol tried to flatter Lim Ha-Gi.

“The Jade Dragon is all reputation and no substance. Comparing him to Young Master Lim is ridiculous.’

Jeok Lee-Gun pretended to put on a serious expression.

“So then what’s so special about him that people are causing such a fuss?”

Then it happened again.

“Wooaaahhhh!”

“The woman with him is the Most Beautiful Flower of Chongqing, Young Lady Seol!”

Whoosh—

Like a gust of wind, Jeok Lee-Gun ran to the window and hung onto the ledge.

“Ah! I can’t see anything clearly, there are too many people in the way!”

‘Why don’t you just jump out the window?’

Cha-Ryun thought as she shook her head in disbelief.

Jeok Lee-Gun turned back toward Sama Young and asked.

“If she’s really the Most Beautiful Flower of Chongqing, she must be pretty, right?”

Sama Young smiled.

“Of course, she’s beautiful. I heard that Young Master Yang and Young Lady Seol are paired up for this year’s Young Dragon and Phoenix Tournament.”

As soon as those words left her lips, Jeok Lee-Gun shouted.

“The Northern Divine Dragon is here! Jade Dragon! If you’ve got the guts, come up here!”

The ruckus outside immediately quieted down.

“Waaahhhh! The Northern Divine Dragon has challenged the Southern Jade Dragon!”

The cheers erupted once more.

Jeok Lee-Gun, who had just shouted out, was now hiding under the window.

Lim Ha-Gi jumped up in shock.

“What the hell are you doing!?”

The growing commotion outside suggested that the Jade Dragon was now heading their way.

Jeok Lee-Gun, hiding slyly against the wall, grinned and spoke.

“Don’t you want to see the Most Beautiful Flower of Chongqing?”

This guy definitely has a screw loose…

The relationship between the Northern Divine Dragon and the Southern Jade Dragon seemed to be one where even a single provocation could not be ignored.

Jeok Lee-Gun’s shout had drawn the Jade Dragon, Yang Su-Chang, up to the second floor of the Tranquility Inn. Of course, Jeok Lee-Gun’s true focus wasn’t on Yang Su-Chang—it was on Seol Byeok-Hwa, who trailed gracefully behind.

Seol Byeok-Hwa was indeed worthy of her title as the Most Beautiful Woman of Chongqing.

She was elegant yet aloof, the kind of beauty that captivates a man’s gaze at first sight. Her slender, tall frame and fair skin were similar to Cha-Ryun’s, but the aura she exuded was different. How could one describe it? She seemed very proud and untouchable.

Seol Byeok-Hwa was also one of the Eight Beauties of the martial world.

Cha-Ryun watched Jeok Lee-Gun closely.

Not only Cha-Ryun, but Sama Young and Jang In-Hwa, who had both received underwhelming evaluations from Jeok Lee-Gun, subtly observed his reaction as well. There was a strange sense of rivalry in the air.

To their surprise, Jeok Lee-Gun seemed unimpressed, as if she hadn’t quite lived up to the hype.

Well, a man should have principles.

Cha-Ryun couldn’t help but feel a bit of relief, but at the same time…

‘…This guy really has high standards!’

Yang Su-Chang, who had arrived first, greeted everyone with a fist salute.

“I am Yang Su-Chang.”

True to his reputation as the Jade Dragon, he was a strikingly handsome man. His chiseled features practically gleamed, but his perfection gave him an almost inhuman air, which made him seem distant. Though known for his stunning looks, he was equally infamous for his fiery temper. If he had been ugly, people would have said his personality was just as bad, but because of his looks, he was considered a powerful and charismatic man.

“I am Lim Ha-Gi.”

Tension filled the air between the two men.