The Most Beautiful Woman in Shandong (1)

Another two days passed.

Still, there was no news of my death, and I was gradually adjusting to life as Byeok Ridan.

Through Gwangdu, I began to learn more and more about the people in the household—

who was who, and what kind of personality each of them had.

Thanks to my remarkably improved memory, I could remember everything after hearing it just once.

Ironically, the one thing I couldn't seem to adapt to…

was myself.

Or more precisely—this body.

Living as the greatest martial artist under the heavens, only to end up as Byeok Ridan—

was incredibly frustrating.

Like a thousand-li horse...

It felt like I had gone from being a general riding a thousand-li steed across the open plains…

to a sloth clinging to the back of a turtle.

Determined to at least do what I could in the meantime, I headed into the mountain near the estate.

The path was covered in snow and completely deserted.

Even with a fur-lined coat on, the cold made my body tremble, and I nearly slipped several times while climbing.

Honestly, if this had happened in my past life, it would've been unimaginable.

And I hated to think how often I'd end up saying that from now on.

Near the summit, I found a small cave—just big enough to fit two or three adults sitting down.

I entered and sat cross-legged inside.

The internal energy in my dantian amounted to five years' worth.

And even that was murky, impure garbage.

Thankfully, the internal energy method I had mastered—Heavenly Warrior Heart Technique (Cheonmu Hosimgyeol)—was one of the most supreme cultivation arts, considered the best in all the martial world.

If it were someone else's body, it might've been a different story.

But with my skills, I could purify the internal energy in my dantian.

Following the incantation of the Cheonmu Hosimgyeol, I began to circulate my energy.

As I did, I found that Byeok Ridan's meridians were sturdier than expected.

That, at least, was a relief.

Wuuuuuuuuuung—

The vast ocean that was the Heavenly Warrior Heart Technique (Cheonmu Hosimgyeol) began to purify Byeok Ridan's stagnant and filthy inner energy, which had been sitting like dirty wastewater.

One cycle of energy circulation… then two… then three…

By the time I completed seven full cycles, the previously impure five years' worth of internal energy had been transformed into pure, refined energy.

In the end, it was accomplished in a short amount of time, but it was by no means easy.

It was the result of the Heavenly Warrior Heart Technique—an incomparably pure cultivation art—combined with the insight of Cheon Hajin, once the greatest martial artist under heaven.

Now, I had five full years of refined internal energy.

In my previous life, I had reached the Fourth Tier of inner energy.

That meant I had cultivated 240 years' worth of internal power.

So seeing only five years' worth now… made me sigh without thinking.

Still, now that my energy was purified, I could at least circulate my true qi, albeit weakly.

The next task was to increase that internal energy.

Fortunately, there was one bright side—

In my past life, I had fully mastered the Heavenly Warrior Heart Technique.

As a result, I could perform energy breathing (un-gi jo-sik) anytime I was conscious—

while walking, even while eating.

And the amount of internal energy produced over time couldn't even be compared to that of ordinary techniques.

At minimum, I could achieve three times the effectiveness.

If I could unblock the Ren and Du meridians (im-dok yangmaek), that would rise to fivefold.

And if I achieved rebirth through marrow and bone transformation (hwan-gol-dal-tae), it could go beyond tenfold.

From now on, my task is clear:

continuously increase my internal energy—without rest.

Even during sleep.

I plan to circulate the Heavenly Warrior Heart Technique without pause.

The next step was to begin seriously building my physical strength.

While internal energy is the foundation of martial arts, basic physical fitness is even more important at the start.

A strong body amplifies the power of both internal and external techniques.

When I came down from the mountain and returned home, Gwangdu came rushing toward me in a panic.

"Something big has happened!"

At that moment, I thought, So it's finally here.

Surely, this was news of my death.

But instead, what came out of his mouth was completely unexpected.

"Lord Song has arrived!"

"Who's that?"

"The father of Miss Song—

The great swordsman Song Woo-gyeong!"

"So what if he came? Why are you making such a fuss?"

"Because Miss Song came with him!"

Song Hwarin—my fiancée by prenatal betrothal, the most beautiful woman in Shandong, and the woman who had beaten me senseless.

She was definitely someone worth Gwangdu fussing over…

but I felt strangely calm.

"They've been waiting for you since earlier! Where on earth were you?"

"And why are they looking for me?"

"What do you mean 'why'? You need to go apologize to Miss Song, of course!"

"She's the one who beat me up. Shouldn't she be the one apologizing?"

"Well, you were the one who started the fight in the first place. This isn't the time for that—come on!"

Practically being shoved by Gwangdu, I made my way to the guest hall.

The room, which had been filled with conversation just moments ago, fell silent the moment I stepped in.

Among those staring at me… was her.

My eyes naturally turned toward her.

It felt as though some invisible force had pulled my gaze to her—

And the moment I saw her, I knew exactly what that force was.

The power of beauty.

Not just any beauty—absolute beauty.

Clear, deep eyes.

Perfectly balanced facial features.

Flawless skin without a single blemish.

A delicate yet full chest, a slender waist, and long, graceful legs.

If that were all, I wouldn't have used the word "absolute."

She was elegant yet sensual,

pure yet intellectually radiant.

All these opposing qualities, somehow, existed harmoniously in one person.

And there was something that ruled over all that beauty.

An air of nobility—

the kind that made it clear she was not someone to be approached lightly.

A quiet gasp escaped me before I realized it.

Gwangdu was wrong.

She wasn't just the most beautiful woman in Shandong—

she was stunning enough to be called the most beautiful woman in all of the Central Plains.

And I say that with confidence—

because I had seen the women who held that title.

But none of the beauties I had seen were as violently beautiful as she was.

Song Hwarin turned everything around her into a backdrop that served only to highlight her presence.

My gaze, which had been firmly locked onto her, slowly shifted toward the man standing beside her—Song Woo-gyeong.

With a daughter that beautiful, he ought to have been incredibly handsome.

But instead, he had a rough, intimidating face.

Still, I gave him a polite greeting.

"It's been a while, sir. I hope you've been well?"

"Yes, I've been doing well."

Despite his fierce appearance, his tone was warm and courteous.

After the greeting, I looked back at Song Hwarin.

Unfortunately, those beautiful eyes of hers were filled with nothing but disdain as she looked at me.

Byeok Ridan might have been trash,

but at least for this one mistake… I could understand him.

If a woman like that stood before you,

it wouldn't be strange to lose your mind trying to see her again—

to show her off proudly in front of every other man lined up to win her.

This woman is my fiancée! So all of you—back off!

At twenty years old, with all the fire and pride of youth, that must've been what he felt.

"I apologize for what happened that day."

At my apology, Song Hwarin gave a small nod.

But the faint sneer still lingered at the corner of her lips.

I understood her attitude, too.

She must have heard the rumors about me after I returned from five years of so-called "training."

Learning that all the scandalous things I'd done were true must have been a huge disappointment to her.

And on top of that, I had been drunk and caused a disgraceful scene.

Any lingering affection she had probably vanished right then.

We might have been close when we were kids, but that was—quite literally—childhood.

I didn't bother making any excuses and simply turned to leave.

But then, a clear, graceful voice called out from behind me.

"Wait a moment."

It was her.

After stopping me, she addressed everyone in the room.

"Since we're all gathered here, there's something I'd like to say."

"What is it?" someone asked.

She paused briefly to consider her words, then spoke calmly.

Her tone was composed, but what she said—

was nothing short of a bombshell.

"Please annul our prenatal engagement."

In that instant, it felt like a bolt of lightning had struck the room—

a heavy silence fell over everyone.

The one to break it was her father, Song Woo-gyeong.

"What are you saying?"

"I know it's rude," she replied calmly,

"but I believe I have the right to choose my own husband."

At those words, my father and mother looked visibly troubled.

They hadn't expected Song Hwarin to so directly demand the annulment of the engagement.

But even so, they couldn't say anything to oppose her.

Considering my past behavior, she had every right to make such a request.

Song Woo-gyeong scowled, his expression darkening as he scolded his daughter.

"Apologize to them at once!"

But she stood firm.

"To both of you… I truly am sorry. I know you've treated me like your own daughter since I was little, and I'm grateful for that.

But I have no desire whatsoever to marry Lord Byeok. I truly apologize."

She bowed her head again.

My father and mother could do nothing but sit there, clearly distressed and at a loss for what to say.

Song Woo-gyeong's face turned red as he shouted in fury:

"You insolent girl! How dare you speak so rudely!"

That was when I stepped forward.

"I'd like to say something as well."

Now, all eyes were on me.

"I also wish to break off the engagement."

Everyone was visibly shocked.

While Song Hwarin's request for an annulment was something people might have understood,

my agreement had caught everyone completely off guard.

It was my mother—who had been silent until now—who finally spoke.

"What are you saying?"

I could feel her dismay.

Though she may have felt sorry toward Song Hwarin,

she likely still held onto the hope that I would marry her in the end.

"I will only marry the woman I choose for myself."

At that moment, Song Hwarin's expression froze—

as if my words implied she wasn't the woman I wanted.

If she and her father hadn't been present,

my mother probably would've yelled something like,

"You idiot! Have you completely lost your mind?"

—followed by a swift punch to the head.

But now, all she could do was stare at me with a dumbfounded, exasperated look.

She probably thought I was flaunting the most pathetic pride in the world.

Eventually, my father—who had been silently observing—spoke up.

"If that's what both of you want… then so be it."

At that, Song Woo-gyeong waved his hand furiously and raised his voice.

"Absolutely not. There's no way I can accept this annulment!"

"Hwarin is right," my father replied calmly.

"We can't be the ones to decide her future."

"I said no! I won't allow it! We're leaving. Come along!"

Song Woo-gyeong stormed off, making no effort to hide his anger toward his daughter.

"What are you standing there for? Let's go!"

Song Hwarin gave a polite bow to both my parents, then turned to follow her father.

As she passed by me, she suddenly stopped and asked in a quiet voice:

"Why did you change your mind?"

Up close, her face was breathtakingly beautiful.

And from her… came a scent I'd never experienced before—

delicate, elegant… intoxicating.

"Let's just say… your punch hurt too much."

She stared at me for a moment, then turned toward the door again.

"Well… thank you anyway."

Her graceful figure disappeared out the door.

Then my mother turned to me and said softly,

"It seems… you and I need to have a talk."

***

My mother tried her best to persuade me.

"I really wish you would marry Hwarin. Your father may have agreed to the annulment, but I don't believe that was truly how he felt."

As if to confirm her words, my father gave a small nod.

"She's not someone you should let slip away so easily."

"I'm sorry, but I have no intention of marrying anyone. At least, not for the time being. There are things I need to focus on."

"If that's the case, why did you go looking for Hwarin and cause that whole scene?"

"I'm sorry."

I had no defense for that.

But there was something else I needed to say.

"They say you should keep your eyes wide open before marriage— and closed after."

In truth, I'd once said those very words to Baekpyo, back when I was the leader of the Alliance and he was preparing for marriage.

"Right now, I'm keeping my eyes as wide open as I possibly can."

Seeing how determined I was, both my parents could only let out sighs, their expressions full of helplessness.

Then my mother asked quietly,

"And what exactly is this thing you need to focus on?"

"Martial arts training."

"Were you being serious?"

"I was."

My mother stared at me in a daze for a moment, then suddenly walked over and cupped my face in both hands.

"You're not planning to do anything strange, are you?"

The warmth of her palms carried her concern straight into me.

"No, I'm not."

That was when my father, who had been silently listening, spoke to her.

"Let's go."

"Go where?"

"Let's have a quiet drink together. It's been a while."

Sensing that this meant he'd heard enough for now, my mother slowly lowered her hands from my face.

"I still can't approve of this. We'll talk about it again."

"Yes, Mother."

The two of them left the room.

Looking out the window, I saw them walking side by side in the distance.

A small part of me carried a lingering fear—

that family could make a martial artist weak.

Worried they might become hostages?

No, that's not what I meant.

What I feared… was that once I came to understand the feeling of love,

my heart would become weak.

That when the time came to be truly ruthless—

I might not be able to do it.

Because every instance of true love I'd ever witnessed... had been that way.

Still, the sight of the two of them walking side by side

was so warm, so full of affection and happiness.

Even if their steps were heavy with worry for their son—

they looked genuinely content.