Chapter 226: The Kind of Man Who Comes to Rescue a Courtesan
Chapter 226: The Kind of Man Who Comes to Rescue a Courtesan
In the eyes of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion Master, the rest of the world had ceased to exist. Everything around her seemed to vanish into a stark white void, leaving only the image of the Extreme Evil Smiling Demon walking toward her.
“You’ve come, Brother?”
The warriors of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion erupted in cheers of joy. Though they did not know the Smiling Demon’s true identity, they knew he was the only person their mistress ever addressed as "Brother."
At that moment, White Blade moved like a flash of lightning, ducking behind the Pavilion Master. He swiftly drew his blade and pressed the cold steel against her throat.
“Halt! One more step and this bitch dies!”
The Smiling Demon stopped in his tracks.
Using the Pavilion Master as a shield, White Blade peeked out cautiously, glaring at the Smiling Demon. Behind his mask, his eyes were trembling.
The blade held to the Pavilion Master’s throat quivered. Under Yeo Bul-gae’s orders, White Blade had committed countless kidnappings and murders, yet he had never once felt a flicker of hesitation. He had been raised as a killing machine that knew no dread, yet now, he was terrified. It was a sensation utterly foreign to him—a primal fear of the man standing before him.
“Who are you?” White Blade hissed.
Instead of answering, the Smiling Demon looked at the Pavilion Master. Seeing the concern in his eyes, she gave him an even more radiant smile.
“What kind of man comes to rescue a courtesan? My dear paramour, of course.”
Despite being called a kept man, a hint of a smile touched the Smiling Demon’s eyes.
White Blade, on the other hand, couldn't wrap his head around it. A member of the Black Path killed by a mere paramour? He himself forced to take a hostage? Feeling terror for the first time in his life? It was preposterous.
The Smiling Demon spoke softly.
“Close your eyes.”
The Pavilion Master obeyed instantly. The moment her eyelids fluttered shut—
Whiz!
White Blade’s exposed ear was suddenly torn away with a sickening thwack.
Just as White Blade tried to slash her throat in a desperate reflex—
Thud!
His elbow was pierced. A bolt of Finger Wind had flown with unerring precision, striking a path that transfixed his joint without grazing a single hair on the woman’s head.
He gritted his teeth, trying to follow through with the kill.
Crack!
This time, the back of the hand holding the blade was punctured. The Finger Wind tore through his flesh and struck the hilt of the sword, knocking the weapon away to ensure she remained unscathed.
He had never imagined someone could launch such precise, sophisticated attacks. In the split second White Blade tried to catch the falling sword with his other hand, his body was momentarily exposed.
Whiz! Thwack!
His left eye was pierced. As he staggered back, his right eye followed.
“Aaaagh!”
With a wretched scream, he stumbled backward, blinded and broken.
Whiz! Thud!
This time, his mouth was pierced.
Everyone present could feel the cold intent behind the strikes. He was being punished—the hand that held the blade to her throat, the mouth that had threatened her life—each was being systematically destroyed.
Even in his dying moments, White Blade couldn't believe it. How could someone attack so boldly with a hostage in the way? How could those strikes be so perfectly calibrated? And how could a human fire Finger Wind in such rapid, effortless succession?
Whiz! Thud!
White Blade’s forehead was blown through, and he collapsed. He drew his final breath consumed by a single, doubting thought: A paramour? Really?
A look of deep emotion crossed the Pavilion Master’s face. The taciturn Smiling Demon had expressed his fury not through words, but through his actions. It was always thus. He was a man who showed his heart through what he did, rather than what he said.
Looking down at the corpses of the Black and White Twin Blades and the blood pooling on the floor, she spoke with a hint of regret.
“I cleaned the place up so nicely because I thought you might visit.”
“It’s fine,” he replied. “I like the smell of blood.”
The Pavilion Master strode forward and threw herself into the Smiling Demon’s arms. Though he didn't hug her back and simply stood there like a statue, she wasn't the least bit disappointed. Knowing his personality and remembering their first meeting, the fact that he stood still and let her hold him was no different from him embracing her with all his might.
The warriors of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion standing behind them bowed in unison, expressing their gratitude to the man who had saved their mistress.
The Smiling Demon spoke to her.
“I’ve brought guests.”
Understanding the implication, the Pavilion Master immediately began to clear the area. The wounded warriors were sent to the physician, and the bodies of the Twin Blades were removed. The remaining warriors were stationed at the Outer Court to ensure no one else could enter.
Soon, Geom Mu-geuk and the rest of the party entered the clearing. The Pavilion Master greeted Geom Mu-geuk first.
“Second Young Master, have you been well?”
“I have.”
“I see that little martial artist didn't come with you?”
“I was afraid someone might steal our pretty Heart, so I have her tucked away safely at the Main Cult.”
The Pavilion Master smiled. “She is destined for greatness. She will fare well even when she finally faces the world.”
Geom Mu-geuk knew well that this woman was extraordinary. Her ability to see through to Lee An’s inner beauty even when the girl was overweight proved she was no ordinary madam.
“Even if you don't believe me, believe in that martial artist,” Mu-geuk said.
“No, I shall believe your words and send her out when the time comes.”
She would have to face the world eventually, if only because of the Ghost Shadow Squad. Since her Flying Heaven Sword Technique had reached the Nine-Star Stage, he wasn't particularly worried. Besides, Blue Face was with her now.
Geom Mu-geuk then introduced the Poison King.
“This is the Poison King of our Cult.”
Introducing himself to a mere brothel owner? Normally, such a thing would be unthinkable for a master of his stature, but the Poison King didn't find it uncomfortable at all. A woman who called the Smiling Demon "Brother" was clearly no simple madam.
The Pavilion Master offered a respectful greeting. As she moved to perform a full bow, the Poison King stopped her by gently emitting a wave of internal energy.
“There is no need for such excessive formality.”
Instead, the Poison King clasped his hands in a polite fist salute.
“It is a pleasure to meet you.”
It was a gesture of genuine consideration for the Smiling Demon’s sake.
“It is an honor to meet such an esteemed guest. I am Yeo-jeong, the owner of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion.”
She didn't seem surprised at all by the Poison King’s youthful appearance. Just as she had seen the true self hidden within Lee An, it felt as though she were seeing the ancient essence hidden behind the Poison King’s young face.
Seeing how he treated her, the Smiling Demon’s gaze toward the Poison King softened. Though their relationship was still awkward, they hadn't even made eye contact for days when they first left the Cult. Compared to then, they were practically childhood friends now.
Next, Mu-geuk introduced Seo Dae-ryong.
“This is my right hand.”
“It’s an honor to meet you. I am Seo Dae-ryong.”
The Pavilion Master stared intently at Seo Dae-ryong before smiling. “It has been a long time since I’ve met someone with such a pure soul.”
It seemed she had recognized Seo Dae-ryong’s goodness at a glance. Seo Dae-ryong was visibly moved; it was likely the first time in his life he had been told he had a pure soul.
With an expression that said this is the kind of man I am, Seo Dae-ryong shrugged his shoulders at Geom Mu-geuk.
“When you introduce me from now on, please make sure to include 'pure soul'! You can leave everything else out.”
“I think she might have meant you look like someone who’s easy to take advantage of, easy to deceive, and a prime target for scams,” Mu-geuk countered.
Seo Dae-ryong looked at the Pavilion Master with a look of surely not. He sent her a desperate gaze, pleading for her to deny it, but she simply maintained her enigmatic smile.
Next was Go Wol.
“If he is my right hand, this man is my brain.”
The look the Pavilion Master gave Go Wol was similar to the one she had given Lee An—a gaze of awe and support for someone destined for great things, though she didn't voice it aloud.
The Pungcheon Cult Leader’s eyes sparkled, wondering how Geom Mu-geuk would introduce him.
“And this is my reliable benefactor.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader grumbled. “You have to have something left to take for me to be a benefactor.”
“There’s still plenty left to take.”
“There is?”
“It hasn't been three years since the rich man went bankrupt, has it?”
When Geom Mu-geuk gave him a look that suggested he knew about all his hidden reserves, the Pungcheon Cult Leader snapped at Go Wol for no reason.
“Don't go around talking about me!”
Despite the talk of being squeezed for more, the Pungcheon Cult Leader wasn't genuinely upset. He knew Mu-geuk was joking, and besides, the only thing sadder than being used was the moment one became useless.
With that, Geom Mu-geuk finished the introductions. The Pavilion Master watched with a mysterious glint in her eyes as the Smiling Demon, the Poison King, Seo Dae-ryong, Go Wol, and the Pungcheon Cult Leader stood flanking Geom Mu-geuk. What exactly she saw in that moment, no one knew.
She bowed respectfully. “Welcome to the Heavenly Flower Pavilion.”
Geom Mu-geuk’s party all returned the bow with courtesy. The Pavilion Master led them inside.
“I will prepare rooms for you to stay in first.”
The Smiling Demon spoke to her. “Give me the room next to yours.”
“Yes.”
From those words, the Pavilion Master likely realized that this visit was related to the safety of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion. Nevertheless, she didn't ask a single question until they were ready to speak. She was calm and prudent.
While everyone was unpacking, Mu-geuk met with the Pavilion Master alongside the Smiling Demon to explain the situation.
“The reason we’ve come is that we received information that the enemy the Smiling Demon and I are facing is a man who runs brothels and has set his sights on Guizhou.”
“Would that man happen to be Yeo Bul-gae?”
As expected, she already knew of him. Since the Heavenly Flower Pavilion also served as an information-gathering hub for the Smiling Demon, she had already identified the man known as the King of the Night.
“That is correct.”
“I am aware that Yeo Bul-gae is expanding his brothels throughout the Central Plains. His reputation is quite foul.”
“It seems the time has come for him to pay the price for that reputation.”
A flash of joy crossed the Pavilion Master’s eyes. As someone in the same business, she had heard of many atrocities committed by Yeo Bul-gae.
“You have no idea what kind of look was in the Smiling Demon’s eyes the moment he heard Yeo Bul-gae was moving into Guizhou,” Mu-geuk added.
The Pavilion Master looked at the Smiling Demon. “I think I can imagine.”
She looked at him with a gaze that could only come from deep, unwavering trust.
Meanwhile, although the Smiling Demon had killed the Twin Blades, his mood remained dark. What if he had arrived late? The thought only deepened his rage toward Yeo Bul-gae. A fury radiated from him, as if he wanted to charge at the man this very instant.
In contrast, the Pavilion Master was remarkably bright and composed despite having just faced a life-threatening crisis. Geom Mu-geuk sensed something from this composure. He felt that she was a woman who knew how her own destiny would flow; had they not arrived in time, she likely would have made a different choice entirely.
“I’m jealous!” Mu-geuk said, teasing the Smiling Demon, but the man merely continued to watch over the Pavilion Master in silence.
A short while later, everyone gathered. Go Wol revealed the plan for what came next.
“Today’s incident was unexpected,” Go Wol began. They had intended to deal with the enemy slowly after arriving, but Yeo Bul-gae had struck the Heavenly Flower Pavilion sooner than anticipated.
“Once it’s discovered that the Black and White Twin Blades are dead, he might launch a full-scale attack on the Pavilion. If we don't evacuate this place, there will be casualties. Even if we fend them off, problems will arise. The Unorthodox Path Alliance will find out for certain that Yeo Bul-gae was defeated while attacking the Heavenly Flower Pavilion.”
This place could no longer serve as the Smiling Demon’s sanctuary.
“What are your thoughts?” Mu-geuk asked.
Go Wol glanced at the Smiling Demon and the Pavilion Master. “The plan I’ve devised requires the permission of both the Smiling Demon and the Pavilion Master.”
Having said that, Go Wol laid out his strategy.
“Since the target wants the Pavilion Master, she must go to him. The Young Master and the Smiling Demon will take on the roles of the Black and White Twin Blades and escort her to the enemy’s lair. Since those two always wear distinctive clothing, if the two of you wear black and white and pull your bamboo hats down low, you should be able to infiltrate deep into their base.”
It was a bold and unconventional plan. The core of this operation was secrecy.
“The news of the Twin Blades' deaths must be delayed as long as possible.”
The plan was to strike Ya Yul-han before the news of Yeo Bul-gae’s failure could spread. Of course, Go Wol added a final note regarding the most sensitive part of the plan.
“If the ones accompanying her weren't the Young Master and the Smiling Demon, I would never have proposed a plan that sends the Pavilion Master into such a dangerous place.”
Geom Mu-geuk looked at the Smiling Demon. Since the Pavilion Master had to go along, he intended to follow the Smiling Demon’s decision.
The Pavilion Master spoke up first, her voice steady. “I’ll go.”
The Smiling Demon didn't hesitate for long. He nodded, giving his consent. Go Wol bowed, expressing his gratitude to the two of them for accepting the risk.
Then, he turned to the Poison King.
“I have a favor to ask of you as well, Poison King. After Yeo Bul-gae is eliminated, please protect the Pavilion Master until this entire affair is concluded.”
It could have been an unwelcome request, but the Poison King answered readily. “I shall do so.”
Snap!
The Poison King unfurled his fan and began to fan himself gently. With his protection, who in the world could possibly harm the Pavilion Master?
The gazes of the Smiling Demon and the Poison King met in mid-air. Neither said the words one might expect—I'm counting on you or don't worry. Neither was the type to boast, nor the type to repay a debt with mere words.
Finally, Go Wol spoke to Geom Mu-geuk. “I will go ahead and prepare to deal with Ya Yul-han.”
His words were laced with the absolute certainty that the two would succeed.
The Pavilion Master looked back and forth between the Smiling Demon and Geom Mu-geuk. “If such handsome Black and White Twin Blades had come for me, I would have followed them willingly from the start.”
Everyone laughed at her joke. Geom Mu-geuk asked the Smiling Demon, “Will you be White Blade or Black Blade?”
The Smiling Demon gave a short reply. “I’ll take white. It suits me better.”