Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Nameless Guest's Return
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“Ah, come to think of it, I haven't paid for the drinks yet.”
Stiffen.
Sima Jin froze at Hyeok Mulin's sudden remark.
He had been poring over documents in the Pure Heaven Pavilion, his eyes nearly falling out from the strain. Slowly, he turned his head to look at Hyeok Mulin.
“The drinks, you say...?”
“Nothing major. I stopped by a pleasure house yesterday and seem to have left without settling the bill.”
At the mention of a pleasure house, Sima Jin's pupils trembled.
After all, weren't there countless heroic figures who had tumbled head over heels for women, blinded by lust?
The Hyeok Mulin he had known until now was a man far removed from such indulgences, which only amplified his shock.
Thus, he worried for a moment, but soon realized he was making a foolish fuss over nothing.
'What a needless thought.'
As the leader of the Great Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, a mere gesture could bring hundreds or thousands of women into his arms.
There was no reason to make a scene over a single visit to a pleasure house.
Besides, hadn't his lord recently parted ways with his wife?
Even if it was a marriage of convenience, it must have left some hidden scars.
This was likely his way of filling that void, of forgetting.
'Yes. These are matters for my lord to handle himself.'
He wasn't neglecting his training or duties over some woman.
So all Sima Jin needed to do was trust and follow his leader as always...
“Kkh.”
Suddenly, a soft chuckle escaped Hyeok Mulin's lips, leaving Sima Jin staring at him in bewilderment.
Hyeok Mulin curled the corner of his mouth into a grin.
“Don't worry. It was just a visit to the Melody Pavilion.”
Hyeok Mulin could tell exactly what ridiculous notions were running through Sima Jin's head just by looking at his face.
How could he not laugh?
“Ah, the Melody Pavilion...?”
“The one managed by the Yagul Clan.”
At those words, Sima Jin's face flushed red as a ripe persimmon.
He instantly realized the purpose behind his leader's visit to the pleasure house.
Bowing his head in embarrassment, he muttered,
“Then you'll be heading back there again soon.”
“Yeah. I'm thinking of going today or tomorrow.”
“You can't.”
Sima Jin lifted his head.
His eyes now gleamed with sharp clarity.
“Wait at least three days—no, four.”
“Four days? Isn't that too long?”
Was there really any need to drag it out that much?
As Hyeok Mulin tilted his head in puzzlement, Sima Jin turned his gaze with cold indifference.
His eyes reflected the mountain of piled-up documents.
“Don't you have things to handle first?”
“Hm? Didn't I tell you to approve the documents in my stead?”
“I've handled most of them, but I've set aside the ones that require your personal review.”
So many that must be seen personally.
Hyeok Mulin glanced at the towering stacks and soon smiled slyly.
“I trust you, so no need for me to check them one by one...”
“My lord.”
As Hyeok Mulin tried to slither away like an eel over a dam, Sima Jin stated firmly in a low voice.
“You must review them.”
His tone was colder and more resolute than ever since they had met.
“Absolutely.”
“......Alright. I'll do it.”
Under that piercing gaze, Hyeok Mulin had no choice but to nod.
The Melody Pavilion's sole male manager, Geum Ansul.
He had recently developed a new habit.
“Welcome. I am Geum Ansul, manager of the Melody Pavilion.”
Glance.
Whenever a guest entered, he would sneak a peek at the upper floor faster than anyone, checking if they wore a bamboo hat.
'Not this one either.'
It was inevitable.
A few days ago, a guest calling himself the Nameless Guest had turned the Melody Pavilion upside down before leaving.
The guests who had enjoyed the performance then, and even the courtesans, were all anticipating his return.
Geum Ansul himself couldn't forget that music; a poignant, soul-stirring emotion still lingered in his heart.
'Never in my life have I heard such playing.'
It was just music, yet scenes of the player's anguish unfolded vividly in his mind, as if he were lost in hallucination.
That ecstatic, mystical sensation was a first, so Geum Ansul eagerly awaited the Nameless Guest's return to play again.
Creak—
Two footsteps.
That meant one guest.
Geum Ansul looked up with anticipation, but it was a young man with his face fully exposed.
Though disappointment flooded him inside, he smiled outwardly and guided the guest.
And then.
“Welcome...?!”
Soon after, another guest entered alone.
Wearing a bamboo hat, no less—Geum Ansul's eyes widened.
“A spot with a good view, please.”
But the voice was completely different, and he wore red robes unlike before.
Geum Ansul sagged again and led him to a seat.
'Sigh. Time to give up.'
His mood swung up and down with every guest for four days now.
No return visit since meant disappointment in the Melody Pavilion's standards.
His heart ached, but it was time to forget.
Geum Ansul closed his eyes and sighed.
At the sound of the door, he reflexively opened his mouth.
Creak—
“Welcome. I am Geum Ansul, manager of the Melody...”
Then, as he opened his eyes and looked straight ahead, they widened beyond limit.
The Nameless Guest!
He had returned!
The attire matched perfectly, without a single discrepancy.
Such premium silk robes couldn't be replicated easily, confirming it was the same man from days ago.
Geum Ansul cheered inwardly dozens of times, hiding his excitement as he hurried to greet him.
“This way, please! I'll guide you to the same seat as before!”
Geum Ansul led the Nameless Guest to the previous spot.
Courtesans and some guests turned their gazes toward them.
He ordered simple appetizers and Hundred Flower Wine, as before.
“Ah, I forgot to pay last time. I'll settle it now.”
At those words, Geum Ansul waved his hands frantically in refusal.
“No need. That masterful performance more than covered the bill.”
“Good to hear.”
“Please wait a moment. I'll bring it right away.”
“Hold on.”
Just as Geum Ansul bowed and turned, Hyeok Mulin stopped him.
“Any additional orders?”
He asked quizzically, and Hyeok Mulin replied,
“No courtesans this time.”
“Pardon? Ah, yes, understood.”
A guest dismissing the women was a first, puzzling Geum Ansul, but he nodded.
Time passed. Appetizers and Hundred Flower Wine arrived, and soon the Moonlit Melody Night began.
The Melody Pavilion heated up, and for some reason, the courtesans seemed to pour even more passion into their playing than usual.
Slurp.
Hyeok Mulin sipped his wine, quietly enjoying the performance.
As the Moonlit Melody Night neared its end, the courtesans cleared the stage and descended one by one.
The empty stage looked as if prepared for a single performer.
As the music stopped and the stage was tidied, Geum Ansul sidled up to Hyeok Mulin.
“Nameless Guest, we've reserved the final slot—the most spotlighted time—for your performance. Please showcase your talents freely.”
Geum Ansul politely conveyed that time and space were set aside.
But the response utterly defied expectations.
“Did I say I was performing today?”
“......Pardon?”
Geum Ansul blurted in confusion.
“Not in the mood right now.”
Was that just a whim last time?
Assuming a master musician would seize the prime spot, Geum Ansul hadn't anticipated refusal. Panic showed on his face.
“Just one tune, please...”
“Sorry, not feeling it today.”
Despite Geum Ansul's pleading tone, Hyeok Mulin rejected him outright.
As time dragged, the courtesans' gazes turned toward him, sensing something amiss.
After much deliberation, Geum Ansul proposed,
“If you perform, we'll pay you from the Melody Pavilion.”
Ho.
Paying for the musician's time, eh?
“How much?”
“One silver tael...”
“Too low.”
“Three silver taels, then...”
“Still short.”
“......Ten silver taels...”
“How about we end the joking here?”
Sighing deeply at the ironclad refusal, Geum Ansul threw up his hands in surrender.
Doubting if this was right, he relented and said,
“A gold tael it is.”
One gold tael.
Paltry for Cult Leader Hyeok Mulin's performance, but decent for the Nameless Guest.
“Accepted.”
“Whew.”
Geum Ansul exhaled in relief, fearing even this might be rejected.
Step, step.
As Hyeok Mulin ascended the stage, the watching courtesans' eyes changed.
Last time held doubt; now, brimming with expectation.
Some guests who had heard him before set down their drinks, awaiting the start.
On stage, Hyeok Mulin gazed at the rack of instruments.
This time, he chose the pipa over the flute.
Ting— ting ting ting— ding—
As the notes spread, those anticipating gasped in surprise.
Unlike the sorrowful melody before, this was lively and upbeat.
Different scenes now painted in listeners' minds.
A martial tournament victory, proclaiming one's name and title.
A middle-aged silk vendor expanding his stall into a grand drapery shop.
A merchant caravan crossing wilds and deserts, clinching a miraculous deal at journey's end.
A smith hammering eternal cold iron into a gleaming master sword, presented to the Heavenly Demon.
“Ahhh...”
Admiration leaked from lips ensnared by the enchanting tune.
What they shared: dreams of triumph in their true passions.
Visions of advancing toward bright futures.
“Right, my dream was to become a wandering merchant lord.”
“I aim to be the realm's finest swordsman, earning the moniker Sword Demon.”
“I wanted to forge a weapon for the ages.”
At the end, fervent hope and aspiration painted their hearts.
The soaring melody swept them away, and soon it concluded.
Hyeok Mulin set down the pipa and returned to his seat amid scattered praises.
Moments later, Geum Ansul approached, offering a gold tael reverently with both hands.
“Thank you for the masterful performance. As such, the Melody Pavilion won't charge you for today's drinks.”
Hyeok Mulin nodded, accepting the gold.
As he reached for more Hundred Flower Wine, Geum Ansul, still lingering, spoke up.
“Nameless Guest, one more thing.”
Swallowing hard, he continued tensely,
“Our pavilion mistress wishes to meet you.”
“Lead the way.”
“P-Pardon? Ah, yes, this way.”
Unlike his earlier refusal, the bold acceptance flustered Geum Ansul briefly before he moved.
He guided Hyeok Mulin to the VIP room on the top floor, the fourth level.
After announcing their arrival, he cautiously opened the door.
Click.
As Hyeok Mulin entered, the door closed.
A woman sat waiting in the room. Hyeok Mulin already knew who she was.
She was breathtakingly beautiful, the kind to steal any man's soul.
Yet heavy makeup concealed faint wrinkles; she appeared a striking mature beauty, past thirty, perhaps nearing forty.
Pointing ahead with her palm, she said,
“I've prepared a private feast. I hope it suits you.”
Hyeok Mulin surveyed the lavish spread.
There sat Baekhwaro, a grade above Hundred Flower Wine—a clear sign of her meticulous hospitality.
Plopping down, she spoke again as he settled.
“I am Yagul Okryeon, mistress of the Melody Pavilion. It's an honor to host the renowned hero lately on everyone's lips.”
Yagul Okryeon.
A collateral branch of the Yagul Clan, she was the true owner of the Melody Pavilion.
'Her talents are indeed impressive.'
Clans rarely entrusted major ventures to collaterals. The Yagul Clan hadn't handed her the reins initially either.
Yet Yagul Okryeon rose on her own.
Taking over the rundown Melody Pavilion, she gathered skilled courtesan musicians, launching Moonlit Melody Night and elevating its fame.
Through her efforts, the modest venue grew, earning the clan's full backing.
Now, as its mistress, she held firm status and influence among collaterals.
“Any discomforts at our Melody Pavilion?”
“The hospitality was far from lacking.”
“I'm glad. If there's a favorite tune, we'll prepare it for your next visit...”
She opened lightly with small talk and music.
As Hyeok Mulin poured Baekhwaro, she eased into the main topic.
“I fancied myself knowledgeable in music, but I've never heard anyone like you.”
Smiling softly, eyes curving, she fixed him with a gleam.
“A mere curiosity of mine, but might I ask where you learned such melodies and how you infuse them with such profound meaning?”
“......”
Hyeok Mulin sipped his Baekhwaro, reminiscing his past life briefly.
Yes, it was the Yagul Clan back then too.
Training in sound arts to win their favor.
But their standards were sky-high; by the time his skill bloomed enough, he was too old to even perform.
'It ceased to matter later.'
The more he delved, the more it intrigued him, becoming one of his rare hobbies.
Chuckling, Hyeok Mulin countered instead of answering.
“Why'd you summon me?”
“Straight to business, I see. Very well, no beating around the bush.”
Yagul Okryeon opened her eyes wide and said plainly,
“Join the Yagul Clan as our musician.”
The unparalleled house of sound arts, risen solely on music to stand among the Seven Great Demon Clans, matchless in the world.
“The Yagul Clan.”
“Such an opportunity won't come again. This is my first such offer to anyone, and I see great potential in you...”
“I refuse.”
“......!”
The curt rejection froze Yagul Okryeon.
Tossing away such a golden chance—was he mad?
Incomprehensible, she pressed,
“Why?”
Hyeok Mulin savored the last of his Baekhwaro before replying slowly,
“The Yagul Clan hasn't moved me with its melodies yet.”
“W-What?!”
“I think we're done here.”
As Yagul Okryeon gaped like a startled rabbit, Hyeok Mulin rose and strode out.
He left the Melody Pavilion without a hint of hesitation.
“......!”
Watching his retreating figure, Yagul Okryeon's shoulders trembled.
It was her first time making such an offer—or being rejected—humiliation surged.
“Then... I'll make you regret that choice.”
Staring at the empty seat the Nameless Guest had occupied, she gritted her teeth and murmured.
Afterward, rumors of the Nameless Guest spread through the inner city.
Guests flooded the Melody Pavilion, some coming solely for his performance.
Yet Hyeok Mulin hadn't returned since his meeting with the mistress.
'Is he really never coming back?'
Geum Ansul gazed wistfully at the entrance.
Considerable time had passed since the last visit.
And he'd rejected the mistress's offer, too.
Hard to hope for a return now...
“W-Welcome!”
Shaking off inner regret, Geum Ansul's eyes widened at the man before him and greeted joyfully.
The Nameless Guest had returned after a full seven days and nights.
“This way, please!”
Geum Ansul beamed, leading him to a seat.
Hyeok Mulin followed slowly...
Glance.
Scanning the interior briefly, he noted the change.
The front seat on the second floor—best view of the stage, always empty—was occupied today.
Two women sat there: one the mistress, Yagul Okryeon.
Hyeok Mulin knew the other as well.
'She's finally here.'
Yagul Sohwa, young lady of the Yagul Clan.
The day to conclude his Melody Pavilion saga had arrived.