I Didn't Expect to See That Man, Part 1
Han Cheong-un, a man who was terribly dense, spoke up.
"First, I want to make one thing clear. Lady Baek, you joined us with your master's permission, correct?"
"Yes. I received formal permission."
"Is it the same for you, Lady Tang?"
"Yes. Of course."
"Really?"
"...Yes."
Something felt suspicious.
But there was no way to verify it here.
Well, since her own brother is here, it should be fine. It's not like the Tang Family will demand I take responsibility for her just because of this, right?
Concluding his thoughts, Han Cheong-un spoke.
"Very well. Since you've joined, I will accept you both as members of the Extreme Dao Sect and act as your Sect Leader."
"Do as you wish."
"Please do so."
Having settled their titles, Han Cheong-un continued.
"Now that our numbers have grown to four, I think it's time to establish a proper framework for our sect. Anyone have any good ideas?"
Tang Jin was the first to respond to Han Cheong-un's question.
"First, we need to establish a base."
"A base..."
"Yes. Shouldn't we have a headquarters first?"
"That's true."
"It's not like we're short on money anymore. Buying a decent manor and hanging our plaque should be simple enough, shouldn't it?"
"Indeed."
Han Cheong-un had already been thinking about it.
It was just that other urgent matters had taken priority until now.
I had to stop the Tang Family's bloodbath. And once I learned of Gwiryeongdosa's existence, I had to secure Baek Su-ah as well.
But now that those two issues were resolved, he thought, Well, things have quieted down a bit.
It wasn't that he had absolutely nothing to do.
He still had to resolve the issue with the Paeng Family, and he needed to visit the North at least once.
However, he had no idea how to solve the former even if he went, and the latter wasn't something that required immediate attention.
Consequently, he finally had the breathing room to solidify his foundation.
"Alright. Then where would be the best place to establish the sect?"
The moment the words left Han Cheong-un's mouth—
"Shaanxi!"
"Sichuan!"
The two women blurted out different answers simultaneously.
They glared at each other before quickly pitching their arguments to Han Cheong-un.
"My Lord, if you establish the sect in Sichuan, my father will surely support us. It will be of immense help."
"I object. The Sichuan Tang Family is already established in Chengdu."
"What of it? Isn't it better to be close by?"
"Lady Tang, think about it. Are there any other Wulin sects in Chengdu where the Tang Family resides?"
"Of course there are."
"Other than the branch sects created by the Tang Family's offshoots?"
"..."
"There are none. Naturally. Two tigers cannot share the same mountain. Establishing a sect in Chengdu means carving out a piece of the Tang Family's territory. Do you really think they would tolerate that? The great Sichuan Tang Family?"
Tang Seo-yeon had no retort.
Even she knew the Tang Family was not generous enough to share their power and choose coexistence. But...
"Then Shaanxi is no different, is it? The Mount Hua Sect is in Shaanxi."
"We are a Daoist sword sect. Our home is high up on the peaks of Mount Hua."
"And?"
"Even if a sect is established in Shaanxi, our territories won't directly overlap. Furthermore, as Daoists, we do not engage in blatant power struggles over worldly matters, unlike certain places."
"And where exactly are you referring to?"
"I believe you already know."
"Ha..."
The corners of Tang Seo-yeon's mouth curled up in a strange, cold smile.
Baek Su-ah did not back down, returning the gaze with a freezing glare. However—
Clap!
Han Cheong-un clapped his hands, breaking the tense atmosphere.
"Now, now, both of you calm down. It's fine to debate constructively, but let's not bring personal feelings into this. Alright?"
And whose fault do you think this is?
And whose fault do you think this is?
Both Tang Seo-yeon and Baek Su-ah bristled.
Han Cheong-un then turned his head toward Tang Jin.
"What does the Vice Sect Leader think?"
"I'd rather not get involved in this."
"Tell me anyway."
"Haaah..."
Tang Jin let out a deep sigh, crossing his arms as he fell into deep thought.
Tang Seo-yeon and Baek Su-ah both stared at him intently.
Though we grew up distant because of my Myriad Poisons Body, surely he'll take my side?
We have the loyalty of fighting together since before the regression.
Of course, Tang Jin had no memory of the past life.
Feeling the heavy weight of their gazes, Tang Jin finally spoke.
"In my opinion, both options are impossible."
"Brother!"
"Vice... Vice Sect Leader!"
Ignoring the looks of utter betrayal from both women, Tang Jin calmly continued.
"To be more precise, it is impossible to establish ourselves within the territory of the Orthodox faction."
"And why is that?"
At Han Cheong-un's question, Tang Jin shrugged.
"There is no unclaimed land left in the world. No matter where we go, we will be treated as intruders rolling in to steal their territory."
"That's true."
"Which means friction with the established local powers is inevitable. And given the backgrounds of our members, causing direct conflict with prestigious orthodox sects would be... problematic."
"Mmm..."
Han Cheong-un was an orphan raised in the Wulin Alliance's training facilities, so he was fine, but the others were different.
Two from the Sichuan Tang Family and one from the Mount Hua Sect.
Even if they currently belonged to the Extreme Dao Sect, their origins lay in prestigious orthodox factions. Any clash with the Orthodox faction would inevitably bring trouble to their families and sects.
"Ultimately, we have to establish ourselves knowing there will be friction. If that's the case, doing so within orthodox territory is out of the question."
"Are you saying we should just march straight into Unorthodox territory then?"
Tang Jin shook his head at Baek Su-ah's question.
"Why must you be so extreme, Lady Baek?"
"..."
Oh, look at him talk.
I'll remember this.
Baek Su-ah pouted slightly.
Ignoring her reaction, Tang Jin continued.
"If we set up camp right in the middle of Unorthodox territory, we'll be attacked from all sides. The Unorthodox faction behaves like a pack of wolves. They might snarl at each other, but the moment a bear appears...?"
"They'll join forces to drive the bear out first."
"Exactly."
Han Cheong-un sighed at Tang Jin's words.
"Then what should we do? Should we go to the Outer Realms to establish ourselves?"
"If we do that, it will be difficult to operate within the Central Plains. The place we must settle is neither orthodox white nor unorthodox black—it must be a so-called gray zone."
"...The border region near the Yangtze River?"
"Yes."
Currently, the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions were divided north and south, confronting each other across the massive Yangtze River.
However, the territories of the Wulin were not clearly demarcated like national borders. It was a vague understanding that a certain region fell under their sphere of influence. Therefore...
"A relatively bustling area near the southern bank of the Yangtze River, yet somewhat distant from the giant sects, would be ideal."
Several candidates popped into Han Cheong-un's mind at Tang Jin's suggestion. Then...
"Yueyang would be good."
"Pardon? But there..."
"Doesn't it fit the criteria?"
Yueyang.
A bustling city in northern Hunan, famous for the scenic beauty of Dongting Lake, which naturally drew countless entertainment houses and pleasure quarters.
It was a place where crowds gathered, money flowed, and incidents occurred frequently.
Although technically Unorthodox territory, Orthodox sects occasionally ran businesses there on the down-low, making it a perfect fit for the gray zone Tang Jin had described. However...
"Sect Leader. Strictly speaking, Yueyang is the territory of the Wugeuk Sect."
The Wugeuk Sect.
They were powerful enough to be ranked among the upper tier of the Sado-palmun. Believing only in order maintained by raw power, they were a notoriously bellicose martial faction even among the Unorthodox.
And he wanted to establish a base in their territory? Honestly, Tang Jin wanted to object. But...
"No matter where we settle south of the Yangtze River, we can't completely avoid friction with the Sado-palmun. Isn't that right?"
"Well, yes..."
"In that sense, if we're going to clash anyway, the Wugeuk Sect is a better opponent."
"In what way?"
"Unlike sects like the Amya Sect or the Doksu Sect, who plot in the shadows, those simple-minded brutes will ultimately challenge us head-on, strength against strength."
Was that really better? Honestly, Tang Jin didn't quite understand. Even so...
"If that is your decision, Sect Leader, very well. We shall follow."
The Sect Leader of the Extreme Dao Sect was Han Cheong-un.
There is a saying in the Central Plains: "To die without ever witnessing the breathtaking beauty of Dongting Lake is a tragedy indeed."
Thus, countless people traveled from far and wide just to visit Dongting Lake in Yueyang, marveling at its magnificent scenery.
They would go boating on the lake...
And if the mood struck them, they would compose a poem...
If they felt even merrier, they would share a drink...
And if their spirits soared higher still, they would call for courtesans to indulge in full-blown drinking and dancing.
In other words, the area around Dongting Lake in Yueyang was teeming with people from all over the Central Plains looking to spend money.
Naturally, the number of entertainment houses catering to them was staggering.
"My lord, please come to our establishment! We serve the finest wine in Dongting!"
"Have you seen Choyol, the top courtesan of the Heavenly Pavilion? Her beauty would make even Wang Zhaojun weep! Just one look will leave you with a memory to last a lifetime!"
"We've just opened a jar of Nu'er Hong aged for twenty years! It's a rare vintage you won't find anywhere else!"
Just walking along the night streets of Dongting Lake, one would be bombarded by countless waiters trying to lure them in.
From the perspective of tavern owners, tourists visiting such scenic spots were the easiest targets to fleece.
After all, they had arrived with their wallets already open. Even if they were overcharged to some extent, they were willing to tolerate it as long as the price wasn't completely outrageous.
In such an environment, the competition between entertainment houses was naturally fierce. Yet, amidst this rivalry, a certain establishment had recently begun to stand out.
The Jinju Pavilion.
When this establishment first opened, its competitors sneered in secret.
The location where the Jinju Pavilion had set up shop was notorious for hosting a succession of failed businesses. It was a proven fact that opening an entertainment house there was a surefire way to go bankrupt.
The reason was clear.
Anyone visiting the entertainment houses of Dongting Lake wanted to drink while gazing at the majestic scenery.
Enjoying luxurious food and wine while looking out over the grand nature, accompanied by the music and dance of beautiful courtesans—that was the standard.
However, the location of the Jinju Pavilion was terrible.
Several other buildings stood between the pavilion and the lake, and most of them were taller than the pavilion itself. Consequently, the lake was completely hidden from view.
Ignorant of this fatal flaw, naive amateurs had repeatedly wasted their fortunes opening and closing shops there, thinking they could make easy money just by opening an entertainment house in Yueyang.
But the Jinju Pavilion was different.
The very first thing they did upon opening was thoroughly renovate the building, converting it into a lodging facility.
"Are they opening an inn?"
"Hmm... Not a bad idea. Since they can't offer a view anyway, focusing solely on lodging is smart."
"But isn't the revenue much lower than an entertainment house?"
"Better than going bankrupt."
So thought the competitors.
However, when the renovations were complete and a plaque reading "Jinju Pavilion"—clearly advertising it as an entertainment house—was hung, they sneered once more. They're doomed to fail after all, they thought.
Yet, the Jinju Pavilion's next business move defied all expectations.
They purchased a massive ship—the kind typically used for large-scale water transport—and renovated it completely.
They adorned it with countless bright lanterns, illuminating the vessel brilliantly, and constructed a stage in the center for courtesans to sing and dance.
Inside the cabin, they built a large kitchen to prepare hot meals on the spot, while the deck was arranged with seating for guests to enjoy food and drinks.
It was not a mere pleasure boat, but a full-fledged floating entertainment house.
Would that actually work? Was it even possible to run an entertainment house in such a bizarre manner?
The surrounding businesses watched the Jinju Pavilion's moves with a mixture of skepticism and curiosity.
Then came the maiden voyage of the Jinju Pavilion's ship, the Jinju.
On its very first day of business on Dongting Lake, the pavilion boldly sent out invitations to the wealthy merchants and influential figures of Yueyang.
We cordially invite the esteemed and virtuous dignitaries of Yueyang to join us for a precious evening. Please grace us with your presence and honor our gathering.
Though it was a simple invitation, many came out of sheer curiosity. And what they witnessed that day was nothing short of fantastical.
The experience of feasting aboard a massive multi-decked vessel was entirely novel, and the quality of the cuisine and the skills of the courtesans were outstanding.
But the true highlight came during the latter half of the banquet. As the sun dipped below the horizon and darkness blanketed the lake...
"Everyone, please look over there."
The master of the Jinju Pavilion appeared and pointed toward the shore.
He was gesturing toward the bustling district where Yueyang's most luxurious and brightly lit entertainment houses were clustered.
Looking at the bustling streets from a boat floating on the dark waters of Dongting Lake, the sight was...
"Oh..."
"Beautiful. It is truly a magnificent sight."
"Mmm... Indeed. So this is why..."
The sleepless city of Yueyang, created by the densely packed, brightly lit entertainment houses, was a sight to behold.
When standing inside it, one could never appreciate it, but viewed from afar, it resembled a heap of dazzling, glittering jewels.
Just as someone standing on a mountain peak cannot see the peak itself, those within the city could not witness this view.
It was a beauty that could only be appreciated by sailing out onto Dongting Lake.
Seeing the guests marvel in awe, the master of the Jinju Pavilion smiled warmly and spoke.
"We hope you will continue to patronize our Jinju Pavilion in the future."
The response to the banquet was explosive.
Those who attended boasted of the beautiful sights and the unique experience they had enjoyed.
Most of the attendees were wealthy men with money to burn, and the people they spread the word to were equally affluent.
And the wealthy never hesitated to spend money for a truly unique experience.
When the Jinju Pavilion launched the ship for its second voyage, they set an outrageous boarding fee of one hundred gold taels. Yet, people willingly paid the price and boarded.
Thirty people boarded that night.
The Jinju Pavilion raked in a staggering three thousand gold taels in a single evening, cementing its place as a legend in Yueyang.
From that day forward, the title of Yueyang's premier entertainment house had officially changed hands.