Chapter 133
Chapter 133
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: Bright Moon Tower Rendezvous
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At the heart of the Demonic Martial God Tournament stood the Battle God Arena.
In its vicinity, new commercial districts had sprung up, giving rise to all sorts of streets.
The grandest boulevard leading to the arena had been christened Full Moon Battle God Road.
That street teemed with vibrant crowds around the clock, crammed with street stalls, inns, traders, clothiers, smithies—every shop imaginable.
At the street's center rose a jade-hued, angular tavern.
Bright Moon Tower.
It was hands-down the hottest spot in the outer fortress—not to mention the entire New Frontier.
The place had a peculiar layout: every seat partitioned off for privacy.
Yet the central thoroughfare remained open, with bamboo curtains draped over each entrance to shield guests' faces from view.
This created a unique vibe—a boisterous, rowdy tavern atmosphere coexisting with intimate seclusion.
And right now, Bright Moon Tower's owner was Yagul Okryeon.
With the tavern business now rock-solid.
When the Yagul Clan, hand-in-hand with Hyeok Mulin, branched into new ventures in the outer fortress, she'd stepped up as manager once more and entered the city.
Her handling of the Bright Moon Tower went without saying.
Prime views.
Top-shelf liquor.
Delectable food.
Electric ambiance.
Plus that one-of-a-kind allure nowhere else.
From day one, it was a smash hit, rumors flying so thick that lines snaked out the entrance.
And now, Yagul Okryeon gazed fondly at the bustling interior.
'Glad I took the Patriarch's suggestion.'
Truth be told, she'd toyed with this concept before, but it was so unconventional.
Risking it straightaway in her core business felt dicey, so she'd hesitated—until the outer fortress opportunity hit, and she went all-in.
The payoff: massive triumph.
The multi-tiered inn packed to the rafters.
'Not technically sold out, though.'
She'd posted that all seats were taken, expect long waits.
But one spot sat empty.
The far room on the top floor.
The most secluded, with killer views.
She'd reserved it vacant.
Which naturally begged questions.
Moments later, a rookie steward approached her.
"Why leave that seat open, ma'am?"
The premium spot, prime pricing.
To his query tinged with regret and bewilderment, she replied.
"That one's claimed."
"Claimed...?"
A seat with an owner?
The steward cocked his head in confusion when she spotted someone at the entrance and brightened.
"There you are. The owner himself."
A woman veiling her lower face with muslin brushed past the entryway and met Yagul Okryeon's eyes.
The two exchanged warm greetings before climbing the stairs together.
'Who's that?'
The steward eyed her intently, puzzling out her identity.
'No way...!'
Her nose stayed hidden, but those deep, piercing eyes gave it away.
A confidante of Yagul Okryeon.
Someone veiling up because her face was too infamous.
She was Yagul Sohwa, arguably the most buzzed-about woman in the New Frontier.
With that, she trailed Yagul Okryeon to the top floor.
Settling into the empty room, Yagul Sohwa glanced around.
"Prime seat."
"Reserved it the second I got word."
Her drop-in caught Yagul Okryeon off guard.
As clan Young Lady in the tournament, she ought to be swamped.
Yet carving out time for a tavern visit?
"Who'd you set this meet with? Lady Mong? Or Miss Jin?"
No escorts meant sneaking out.
Not clan, then.
A girlfriend?
Yagul Okryeon probed, but she shook her head.
Yagul Okryeon's eyes went wide; she clapped.
Seriously...
"A guy?"
Yagul Sohwa gazed into the distance without replying, prompting Yagul Okryeon to squeal with delight.
"About damn time."
Sohwa's genius had shone since girlhood—no boys, just sound arts grind.
Yagul Okryeon cheered her on.
"Who's the lucky man? Know him?"
Yagul Sohwa nodded slowly.
Yagul Okryeon propped her chin, running through great houses' heirs and successors.
Long deliberation yielded one verdict.
'Nobody deserves Sohwa.'
Not a single guy measured up, in her book.
And Sohwa's tournament heroics had skyrocketed her rep.
Scarce few fit her league.
"Who the hell is it?"
"...Nameless Wanderer."
"...Come again?"
"Nameless Wanderer."
Yagul Okryeon blanked briefly, then deflated with a sigh.
"Him? Out of everyone?!"
The Nameless Wanderer rubbed her wrong.
Decent musician, sure—but bad juju overall.
And that time at the main house? Ghosted without a word, left Sohwa in tears—total scumbag.
'Damn, should've salted his face.'
Regretting no run-ins since, she vented.
"You're slumming it."
"Nah, chill. Just talking."
"Sohwa. You don't know dudes."
"Huh?"
"Men are wolves. Untrustworthy pack. Booze makes 'em deadlier."
Yagul Okryeon wolfed her hands, face fierce to spook her.
Her conviction hardened.
'Mm. Sohwa's way too good for trash.'
Clan Young Lady, future head.
Pedigree, prowess.
Beauty for the Demonic Path's Three Flowers—who wouldn't crave her?
Meeting someone? Fine.
Yagul Okryeon recalled standouts she'd met.
One popped up.
'...Cult Leader. Perfect match.'
That sudden encounter.
Fleeting, but aura crushed.
Wished Sohwa met Cult Leader over wanderer—divorce be damned.
Then the steward neared from behind.
"Ma'am, Spear Immortal Tower's begging help—a drunk's wrecking shop."
"On it. I'll head over."
As Yagul Okryeon made to leave, Yagul Sohwa farewelled.
"Aunt Okryeon. Catch you later."
"Yeah. Take it easy. And keep distance from that creep."
"Auntie!"
With her cry, Yagul Okryeon departed Bright Moon Tower.
Alone now, Yagul Sohwa sipped tea, steadying nerves.
'Any minute.'
Honestly shocked.
Post-bout, Cult Leader's missive: meet up.
Initiating contact? Tough for her.
He's Cult Leader.
Confidante or not, status loomed—casual outreach impossible.
'Brooded forever.'
Post-meet, hectic lives diverged.
Feared lifetime apart; resolved to join tournament.
Thus stamped clan sound arts, flexed Seven Great Demon Clans might—Patriarch oblivious to true goal: shine before Cult Leader anew.
On stage, jitters hit—not defeat fear, his eyes.
Thankfully, jackpot ending.
Slurp—
Mulling her opener for his arrival, tea in hand.
"Long time no see."
*Cough!*
Nearly choked.
Curtain breach: when?
Hastily clocked him in bamboo hat, bowed.
"Honored to behold the exalted Cult Lea—"
Shh.
Hat off, Hyeok Mulin hushed with finger to lips; she nodded, voice low.
"...Long time."
"Feels even better now."
Hyeok Mulin bantered easy, summoned steward, ordered booze and grub.
Soon: piping soup, aroma-packed stir-fry, premium osmanthus wine.
Cups filled mutually, chat flowed slow.
Hyeok Mulin broke ice.
"Caught your bout. Congrats on the win."
Inevitable: Demonic Martial God Tournament opener.
She owned New Frontier buzz.
"Yours lingered most of all so far."
"Lingered... in memory..."
Cheeks aflame, she glanced aside.
Steadied face and tone, spoke measured.
"Glad it entertained. I wrestled hard before entering."
"Wise move."
Nodding, he proffered cup.
"Round one."
"Cheers."
Sipped osmanthus nectar, pressed on.
"Yagul Clan's hit arena two days running; sticking around?"
"Likely. We're heaviest in local trade; Patriarch's hands-on."
"Ho."
"Clan retainers' digs secured through tournament."
Yagul Clan through and through.
Patriarch spearheaded airtight plans.
"Local pulse then? Residents' mood?"
"Peak, no contest."
Launch buzz met doubt.
Lifelong homes uprooted—anxiety natural.
Now? Total flip.
Streets reborn, shops thriving; boundless thanks and faith for Cult Leader.
"Splendid. Arena turns tourist trap post-event; no backsliding."
"We'll evolve it further."
No flash-in-pan.
Merely launchpad for outer fortress boom.
"Tournament verdict thus far?"
"Demonic Martial God Tourney? Er..."
As Yagul Sohwa teed up, Hyeok Mulin hand-raised, paused her.
Tavern chatter swelled from drunks.
"Who saw Lion Fang Pavilion clashing Demonic Beast Sect round one?"
"Hot start fired up entrants."
"Daily thrill ride."
Crowd tales veered to Divine Demon Blood Death Squad.
"Cult Leader's elite? Blindside."
"Gutsy pick."
"Loss scripted. Danri Vice Captain outdid hype."
"Fight birthed squad wannabes galore."
"Next draft? Bloodbath."
Yagul Sohwa eavesdropped keenly, eyes to Hyeok Mulin.
Blank mask, but subtle pleased smirk—she caught it.
Then.
"Yagul Young Lady's feats? Must-mention."
"Spot-on. Tournament pinnacle."
"Figured her beauty-veiled type."
"Yagul battlefield hiatus fueled that. Hence her spotlight martial display."
"Visionary."
"Aye. Seven Great Demon Clans Young Lady insight supreme."
Ahem.
Hardly.
Yagul Sohwa squirmed at praise, scratched her cheek.
Hyeok Mulin eyed her.
"You're everywhere."
"Sound arts landed, looks like."
Bold claim; Hyeok Mulin murmured low.
"Huh. Forgot my Little Wild Goose Gold, eh?"
"No!!"
Fussing, she launched defense.
"Little Wild Goose Gold's got fixed scale—mobility cramp for bouts. One-on-one suboptimal; shines versus mobs..."
Stammering, peeking cues; his smirk pinged odd.
Stopped, head tilt; he clarified.
"Teasing."
"...Twice more, heart attack."
Whew.
Deep relief sigh.
Gazing steady, Hyeok Mulin queried.
"So, what next?"
"Um..."
She mumbled meek.
"Little Wild Goose Gold debut... saved for your ears first."
Hah hah ha!
Hyeok Mulin boomed rare guffaw.
Nodding.
"Got it. Eagerly awaiting."
Yagul Sohwa grinned wide, bobbed head.
Thence topics wandered, yarning till dawn.
Yet Yagul Sohwa harbored one more Little Wild Goose Gold dream.
'Someday, with your gift.'
Duet day with Cult Leader.