IBMMA 1

chapter  1

I Won’t Let Him Go

At just twenty-two years old, Baek Mu-wol had already earned the title “Sword Dragon.”
Among the rising stars of the martial world, he was considered the one closest to becoming the next greatest warrior under heaven.

“Miss Han, please marry me.”

A perfect man with wealth, looks, and fame.

“Okay.”

“Of course, we haven’t known each other long, so you may need time to think—what?”

“Let’s get married.”

He chose someone like me, who was average in every way…!
Heaven had finally thrown down a rope for me—there was no way I would let it slip.

I immediately grabbed both of Baek Mu-wol’s hands and shouted,

“Let’s live happily together for a hundred years!”

You can’t escape from me now, my dear husband.
I laughed wickedly in my heart as I remembered that day—

The day I never imagined I would meet this man.

“Is he really a good man?”

“Of course! I’ve told you several times—he’s really nice.”

That day, I was meeting the son of a prestigious family through a friend’s introduction.
At my age, which in this world was considered well past the ideal time for marriage, I felt both hopeful and suspicious.

“Did he really say he wanted to meet me first?”

“Yes! The moment he heard about you, he kept pestering me.”

My friend sitting beside me, Ja Nan-hyang, shook her head.

“Just thinking about it is exhausting. Anyway, try your best this time. Didn’t you say you really want to get married to a good man now?”

“Yeah! I’ll do my best!”

Just as I nodded firmly, we heard someone approaching.
The door opened, and a young nobleman dressed in white walked in gracefully. Nan-hyang greeted him warmly.

“Oh, Brother Kyung-hwan! You’re here!”

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Nan-hyang.”

“No, we came early!”

“Ah, then the lady beside you must be…”

He had the confident air of someone who had grown up rich and comfortable.
Even in front of someone he had just met, he looked relaxed and composed.
And he was handsome. My first impression was good.

He bowed politely.

“My name is Ji Kyung-hwan. As you may know, my father leads the Poongwol Merchant Group. I heard your father leads the Hanrim Merchant Group. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

I nodded.

“My name is Han So-jin. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine. I’m glad to meet the famous Miss Han, known in Anhui as a fine marriage candidate.”

“Well then, I’ll excuse myself. Have a nice time!” Nan-hyang said, leaving quickly.

After clearing his throat awkwardly, Ji Kyung-hwan invited me to sit. We sat facing each other.

“Miss Han.”

“Yes, Young Master Ji.”

“It may be rude to say this upon our first meeting, but…”

As I listened, I studied his face more closely. Wow, up close he looks even bett—

“Please bear my children. Preferably many of them.”

—not better. I was speechless.

“As you know, I am the eldest son. My mother is very anxious. She hopes a daughter-in-law will join our family soon and give her at least five grandchildren. I also believe the more children, the better. Meeting a woman like you at this time must be fate.”

“……”

“Oh, and I heard you wish to help with business matters. After marriage, I’d prefer you focus only on household duties. It doesn’t look good for a woman to concern herself with outside affairs. And although I hear you’re close with your family, once married, you’ll belong to the Ji family, so it would be best to limit contact with your parents.”

Even in a time when people married strangers and had children without love, this was too much.

Not just bad—he was the worst man I had ever met.

My whole body began trembling with anger.

But to others, I probably looked frightened or heartbroken.
I slowly opened my mouth.

“…It’s a miracle.”

Because—

“I felt fate too, the moment I saw you.”

I would make it look that way.
To describe myself, my current appearance could be summed up in one word: innocent.
Soft brown hair that fluttered gently in the wind. Large, round green eyes that looked pure and clear.

Outwardly, I looked like a naive young lady who couldn’t even tell a small lie.

Tears welled up and fell down my cheeks at the perfect moment.

“It’s a fate that cannot be.”

I could almost hear his heart shatter.

I covered my face with my sleeve, pretending to wipe tears. If I kept looking at him, I might truly explode from anger.

My voice trembled with rage—but to him, it must have sounded like sorrow.

“The moment I saw you, I realized how lacking I am.”

“What do you mean? There’s no woman more proper than you—”

He tried to grab my arm, but I turned away quickly.

“No. Compared to you, I am inadequate…!”

“Miss Han! Why belittle yourself so!”

He struck his chest dramatically.

“Please at least tell me the reason! If you explain, I will step back like a true man!”

“How cruel of you. You insist on tearing my heart apart.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand. Don’t you like me?”

“But we truly cannot be together!”

“Why not?!”

I still needed to find a marriage partner, so I had to end this meeting politely. No matter how terrible he was, offending him could hurt my family.

I cried out, covering my face.

“I cannot handle a man as perfect as you—so noble! So cheerful! So kind!”

Silence fell.

“What do you mean you reject me because I’m perfect?” he asked.

“I’ve heard countless times that many beautiful women secretly adore you. I thought it was exaggerated, but after seeing you, I realize the rumors were understated.”

I sniffled.

“Even after marriage, their feelings won’t change. They’ll watch you from afar. I’ll lie awake every night, tormented by jealousy. Just imagining it breaks my heart.”

“Ahem. I know I’m handsome, but not that much.”

“You still don’t know yourself!”

I collapsed onto the floor dramatically.

“Please don’t come closer!”

“Miss Han…”

“If you truly pity me, please just leave.”

“But—!”

“Don’t even look at me with such gentle eyes!”

I begged desperately.

“If you wish for me to overcome this sorrow and find true happiness, please go.”

“….”

“And find a woman broad-minded enough to embrace all of you. Someone like that will surely appear someday.”

After staring at me for a long time, he clenched his fist and turned away.

“I understand your feelings.”

“Sniff…”

“As a man, I cannot make a woman cry. I will withdraw.”

“Sniff, sniff…”

“Let us forget today’s meeting. Goodbye, Miss Han!”

He ran out, deeply saddened. Nan-hyang, waiting outside, stared at him in shock.

“Please be happy…!” he called before disappearing.

Whew. Another disaster successfully avoided.

Nan-hyang rushed to me.

“What happened? Why did he run out crying?”

“Nan-hyang.”

I beckoned her closer—then suddenly lifted her up by the waist. She struggled.

“You said he was a good man, you liar!”

Her eyes widened.

“What happened?”

“He demanded five children right away and told me to cut ties with my parents! How is that a good man?”

“What?! Is he crazy?”

Seeing her genuine shock, my anger softened.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know he was like that. Next time I’ll bring someone truly good.”

“…No. That’s not necessary.”

“Why?”

I set her down.

“I can’t keep relying on blind dates arranged by others.”

Every “good man” so far had serious flaws.

“In fact, this is better.”

“Better?”

I nodded.

“There’s going to be a martial arts tournament here in Anhui soon.”

Normally, warriors scattered across the Central Plains would gather here.

Nan-hyang gasped. “You’re not planning to marry a martial artist, are you? Forget it! They’re always training and rarely come home!”

“Nan-hyang,” I said with a small smile.

“The tournament won’t attract only martial artists. There will be countless spectators too.”

“Ah…!”

“Maybe my destined partner will be among them.”

She tilted her head.

“So you don’t want to marry a martial artist either?”

“Not necessarily. If he’s a good man, I don’t care if he’s a warrior. But they’ll be too busy sizing each other up to pay attention to me.”