Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Unexpected Reinforcement
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"Phew. That's a relief."
Hyeok Gongun set down the document and let out a sigh of relief in his office.
It was a mission report from the Soul Pacifying Captain, filled with one nail-biting detail after another.
When he read how Hyeok Gyojin had faced the Tyrant Sword Demon single-handedly and nearly claimed victory, Hyeok Gongun unconsciously clenched his fist.
Then, at the mention of Iron Head Twin Reds and Blood Hand Death Ghost, he jolted in surprise and shot to his feet.
Blood Hand Death Ghost wasn't on the martial world's most-wanted list, but even with the Nine Great Sects led by Mount Amita hot on his trail, the man had slipped away unscathed.
And with Iron Head Twin Reds showing up too, it was clear the Soul Pacifying Captain and young master alone wouldn't have stood a chance.
As Hyeok Gongun puzzled over how they'd turned the tide, the next line revealed the answer.
'The Cult Leader eliminated Blood Hand Death Ghost.'
They'd received his aid once more.
This incident had brought immense gains to the Hyeok Clan.
They'd rooted out the spies infiltrating the main house, stemmed the flow of leaking funds, and rallied their key retainers even tighter.
Plus, a single unit had wiped out the Tyrant Sword Sect, restoring the clan's reputation while securing several years' worth of finances.
Hyeok Gongun felt a surge of gratitude deep in his chest.
"...Still, it's not easy."
The immediate fires were out, but the future remained pitch black.
Even with funds incoming to cover essentials, they'd burn through them in no time patching holes.
What they truly needed was a long-term venture with real vision.
"...Hmmm."
Hyeok Gongun sighed deeply, no ideas coming to mind.
Just then, a guard knocked from outside.
With his permission, the guard entered and spoke right away.
"Patriarch, a message has arrived from Heavenly Demon Palace."
Heavenly Demon Palace?
Wasn't the spy and Tyrant Sword Sect business wrapped up?
Anything left for cleanup?
Puzzled, Hyeok Gongun took the sealed missive.
As soon as the guard left, he unfurled it on the spot.
"...!"
His eyes widened the instant he read it.
The message detailed the unity among the Seven Great Demon Clans that Hyeok Mulin had mentioned before.
Hyeok Mulin was arranging a summit for the Hyeok Clan and Yagul Clan leaders.
Hyeok Gongun quickly scanned the details.
'Date: three days from now.'
Plenty of time.
Even prior commitments would have to be postponed—this was that crucial.
But as he read on, his expression darkened sharply.
'Only the patriarch and chief steward may attend.'
Hyeok Gongun's mood plummeted, his face soon etched with worry.
How to fill the now-vacant chief steward position?
He mentally reviewed the main house's personnel again but found no one fit for such a pivotal role.
He couldn't drag some halfwit to a meeting with another clan's patriarch. Better to go alone.
'Tricky. So tricky.'
It was ostensibly for an alliance, but the talks would surely revolve around business—their true expertise.
Yagul Hyeon was a renowned shrewd businessman, and facing him solo without a chief steward already felt overwhelming.
As worries clouded his mind like storm clouds.
"Hm?"
There was another page?
He'd thought he'd read it all, but the back sheet remained.
Hyeok Gongun flipped it open casually.
His eyes bulged, shock flooding his face as he took in the contents.
Today, Yin Hua Lou had completely sealed its entrance.
But inside, the chefs bustled in the kitchens, and the courtesans hurried to prepare for guests.
The busiest among them was the pavilion's madam, Yagul Okryeon, darting about like lightning with instructions.
Preparations could never be too thorough.
At last, catching her breath at the railing, she paused as it reached her throat.
'Two patriarchs of the Seven Great Demon Clans meeting here.'
The heads of Yagul Clan and Hyeok Clan would convene at Yin Hua Lou.
With security and every detail on high alert, she'd closed the doors entirely to focus on readiness.
'Lately, fortune's been gathering at Yin Hua Lou.'
Business booming in music houses, the young master performing onstage himself, patriarchs of the Seven Great Demon Clans visiting, even the Cult Leader gracing them.
No luck like this luck.
But thinking back, it all started when...
"...that man first visited."
Yagul Okryeon recalled the mysterious nameless guest who'd come to Yin Hua Lou.
She shook her head with a wry chuckle, dismissing it as overthinking.
'Sure, coincidence. But if he returns, a bottle of Hundred Flower Brew on the house.'
Regaining her composure, she headed to the courtesans' waiting room to meticulously check the instruments once more.
As she prepared and waited, a carriage rolled into the courtyard.
Spotting the familiar vehicle, she hurried to the entrance and stood ready.
Moments later, Yagul Clan Patriarch Yagul Hyeon and Chief Steward Bu Yulgyeong entered Yin Hua Lou.
"Patriarch, welcome."
"It's been a while."
Yagul Hyeon arrived half a shichen early for the summit.
After brief greetings, he inspected the pavilion—courtesans' attire, chefs' setups, instruments, everything.
As the lead venue for their music house expansion, he checked it all personally.
Having surveyed comprehensively, he nodded silently.
Then he ascended to the private room upstairs.
'Whew.'
As he moved, Yagul Okryeon patted her chest in relief.
Unsure if he'd approved, at least he hadn't seemed displeased.
But it wasn't over yet.
Midway up the stairs, Yagul Hyeon paused, glanced back, and asked Yagul Okryeon,
"By chance, are you acquainted with the Cult Leader?"
"...Pardon?"
Stunned by the abrupt nonsense, she snapped to and denied it.
"The Cult Leader visited Yin Hua Lou once before, but he formed no special ties with us."
"I see. Odd."
"...?"
"The Cult Leader himself designated this place—Yin Hua Lou—for the summit."
"...!"
Yagul Okryeon's pupils dilated at the unforeseen revelation.
"No matter, if you didn't know."
Yagul Hyeon resumed climbing to the upper floor.
Even after he vanished from sight, Yagul Okryeon stared blankly at the spot.
She'd assumed the patriarch had chosen it.
But the Cult Leader personally?
'...No reason for that, no matter how I think.'
Yin Hua Lou's drinks and food ranked high among taverns, but nothing extraordinary.
Its edge was fine liquor paired with top-tier performances, yet last time, the Cult Leader had dismissed the courtesans for just drinks and dishes.
'He couldn't have experienced our true strengths...'
Puzzled by the Cult Leader's intent, Yagul Okryeon slapped her cheeks to refocus.
No time for distractions.
Stay sharp on the now.
She strode purposefully back to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Yagul Hyeon and Bu Yulgyeong settled into the top-floor private room first.
Arriving early, the opposite side remained empty.
Yet the spacious table already brimmed with steaming hot dishes and fine liquor.
They chatted leisurely while awaiting their counterparts.
"Never dreamed we'd negotiate an alliance with them so soon."
"Me neither."
When Hyeok Mulin offered to bridge them, neither clan had considered meeting.
"But with Tyrant Sword Sect wiped out by a single unit, we had to reconsider."
Yagul Hyeon had agonized over Hyeok Mulin's proposal endlessly.
The breaking point? News of Tyrant Sword Sect's annihilation.
Led by Tyrant Sword Demon, it was a rising power that recruited proper disciples—not street thugs.
Yet crushed effortlessly by one unit. Yagul Hyeon was truly impressed.
The Hyeok Clan has changed.
Convinced, he'd requested Hyeok Mulin arrange a patriarchs-and-stewards summit.
"Fortuitous for us. Our paths diverge—music houses versus sword clans—yet our strengths match evenly..."
Distinct specialties, no clear superiority, made alliance feasible.
Their ready acceptance all but sealed it.
Now, the key was terms favoring them.
"In business and negotiations, at least, they won't match us."
Bu Yulgyeong, former chief steward of Golden Fragrance Escort—top of the Three Great Escorts in the Divine Realm—had been recruited for his prowess.
The summit's core: Hyeok Clan dispatching warriors for Yin Hua Lou's expansion guards and escorts.
All familiar territory from his escort days.
Their counterpart, raised within the clan, lacked such worldly experience.
With his dossiers and negotiation savvy, Bu Yulgyeong brimmed with confidence.
As he voiced his assurance, the sliding door rattled open.
"You've arrived."
Yagul Hyeon and Bu Yulgyeong looked up.
Leading the way: Hyeok Clan Patriarch Hyeok Gongun.
"It's been ages."
After greetings with Hyeok Gongun, they finally noticed the figure behind him.
Their faces stiffened in shock at the utterly unexpected man.
'That guy's...!'
Following Hyeok Gongun was none other than the Divine Cult's Deputy Military Strategist, Sima Jin.
"Greetings. I am Sima Jin, chief steward of the Hyeok Clan."
Their eyes blinked furiously at his calm introduction.