Chapter 318
Chapter 318
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 318
Chapter Title: Muhyeol's Vibrant Night
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In the easternmost part of Hobuk, people gathered in Muhyeol, all eager to cross the Yangtze River.
It wasn't just one or two.
Merchant caravans and escort agencies transporting goods, ronin warming their bodies in dark alleys hoping for employment.
And merchants setting up street stalls to do business with them, storytellers peddling tales...
As the saying goes, people draw more people.
With crowds gathering like that, Muhyeol's streets brimmed with unparalleled vitality.
It didn't distinguish between day and night.
No, in fact, Muhyeol's true nature shone brightest at night, more than during the day.
The sun set, and the moon rose.
Night had arrived.
Yet Muhyeol's streets refused the night, shining brilliantly as if in defiance.
The streets were filled with lanterns.
Red and yellow lights scattered, blurring the vision.
The stimulating spectacle of lights fully illuminated the streets.
It felt like a street where night never fell.
Such splendor was more than enough to captivate the eyes of visitors to Muhyeol.
And as if not missing that, boys appeared out of nowhere and approached them with words.
"Why not visit our inn? On a night like this, our Hongaju wine is perfect!"
"Guest! Our inn's five-scented braised meat is truly exceptional. You won't regret trying it."
It was touting.
"Come on, this way!"
"Right here!"
Drawn in by their skilled pitches, everyone entered the brightest street.
And at that moment.
"Whoa!"
"Incredible!"
They fell into another world.
Savory food aromas and the scent of alcohol wafted from all sides, stimulating their noses, while courtesans in the brothels that appeared every few steps beckoned seductively.
"Gulp... Is this paradise?"
"Who knew Muhyeol was such a glamorous place."
The visitors' eyes lit up with excitement.
The thrill hadn't faded.
It was only natural, perhaps.
Most of those flocking to Muhyeol had endured long journeys.
To them, this dazzling street was a temptation too hard to ignore.
The ronin especially.
Living day to day, they had no reason to resist their desires.
In an instant, the streets filled with people, and the clamor of voices rose everywhere.
This was true even for Huacheon Tower, the most famous brothel on the street.
The top floor of Huacheon Tower.
Ding— Ding—
A man seated in a room filled with beautiful melodies raised his cup and downed it in one gulp.
"Kuh, good. Excellent."
The man's attire was shabby as he emptied his cup and exclaimed in admiration.
His worn martial robes showed patches upon patches, with dark bloodstains here and there, making him look like a beggar.
It was a truly bizarre sight.
Those who came to the top floor of Huacheon Tower were usually wealthy merchants or young masters from prestigious families.
The man in attire mismatched to the luxurious room extended his cup.
Then, the woman kneeling demurely before him, Madam Juwolhyang, carefully poured from the bottle.
Pour—
A subtle aroma of alcohol spread everywhere.
"Fine liquor indeed."
"It's the Hongaju I brewed myself."
"Haha! No wonder it tastes so good."
The man burst into laughter.
Madam Juwolhyang's eyebrow twitched slightly.
It was an oddly dissonant laugh.
As if scraping at the nerves.
And it wasn't just her who felt it.
Ding—
The music twisted for a moment.
The woman in splendid robes, elegantly plucking the strings, had slipped.
Confirming her mistake, her face paled, and she bowed deeply.
"S-sorry! My lord!"
She clasped her hands and trembled, head bowed.
"Haha, it's fine. People make mistakes, don't they?"
The man looked at her and chuckled.
Then he casually turned his head.
Toward Madam Juwolhyang.
"Isn't that right, Madam?"
"I'll discipline her later."
Madam Juwolhyang bowed her head in response.
Sweat beaded on her back.
When the woman erred, Juwolhyang's heart had skipped a beat.
The man was a cold-blooded killer who could end lives on a whim if displeased.
The man averted his gaze from Juwolhyang and stared intently at the musician.
Her trembling hands wouldn't stop.
"Hmm, you can't play like that."
"Th-that..."
The woman stammered.
Terror-stricken.
The man withdrew his gaze and waved her off as if to dismiss her.
"Enough music. Leave."
At his words, she flinched and looked to Juwolhyang.
Juwolhyang scowled at her uncertain eyes and snapped.
"What are you dawdling for? His lordship told you to leave at once!"
"Y-yes!"
The trembling woman hastily gathered her instrument and backed out of the room.
As the door closed, Juwolhyang bowed to the man once more.
"Thank you for your understanding."
"Haha. Right now, I'm not just a customer—we have a business relationship, don't we?"
Chills ran down Juwolhyang's spine.
It implied he'd have killed her otherwise.
"So, what of the information?"
The man sipped his cup and asked.
At that, Juwolhyang rummaged in her ample sleeve and pulled out a piece of paper.
"Here it is."
The man took the paper.
And as he scanned it carefully.
"Ma-madam!"
A shout suddenly came from outside.
"What is it? I told you we have an important guest!"
Juwolhyang yelled urgently.
Yet she stole a glance at the man.
His eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Showing displeasure.
'Dangerous!'
Sweat poured from Juwolhyang's forehead.
Enough to streak the powder on her face.
"It's just that..."
The man outside, who had shouted, didn't leave and seemed troubled as he tried to continue.
Bang!
The door shattered, and a bear-like man stormed in, huffing with irritation.
"Are you the bastard who's monopolized the top floor for ten days?"
"Poison Ghost Hand Great Hero?!"
Juwolhyang exclaimed in shock.
The newcomer was one of Muhyeol's top ronin and a regular at Huacheon Tower.
"What do you think you're doing? Can't you see we're with a guest?"
Juwolhyang desperately tried to stop him.
To save him.
But Poison Ghost Hand's anger flared even more at her attitude.
He was originally a wandering ronin who never stayed in one place.
He had settled in Muhyeol only because he fell for this woman, Juwolhyang.
Now she was scolding him and protecting this wretched man—naturally, he was furious.
"You bastard!"
Poison Ghost Hand's robes fluttered.
The fury-infused Poison Qi Iron Gong power seized the room in an instant.
"Your... Gahk!"
His shout cut off abruptly.
Figures in gray martial robes had suddenly appeared, clamping his mouth shut.
'Wh-when?!'
His heart sank in panic.
He hadn't sensed their presence at all, not even until his mouth was covered.
That meant one thing.
The gap in martial prowess between him and his captors was immeasurable.
"You're wasting my time."
A chilling voice emanated.
From the half-lidded man.
His expressionless eyes fixed on Poison Ghost Hand.
Soon, his lips parted.
"Who is this fool?"
"He's called Poison Ghost Hand. They say he's one of the ronin dominating Muhyeol now."
"This guy?"
The man furrowed his brow.
"Tch. Back when this seat was active, trash like this wouldn't even have a name."
And at that moment.
Crack—
Fine cracks appeared on the cup in his hand, turning to powder in an instant.
The hazy lantern-lit powder scattered with a sudden breeze.
"...!"
Poison Ghost Hand's eyes bulged.
His face drained of color.
Killing intent pierced him.
Death loomed before his eyes.
"Mmph! Mmph!"
He cried out with bloodshot eyes.
But the hands over his mouth firmly silenced him.
As Poison Ghost Hand sweated coldly with his mouth sealed.
"My lord. He's a valued customer of our brothel. Could you spare him?"
Juwolhyang pleaded demurely.
He was a major source of income; ignoring him wasn't easy.
But.
"I've already spared him once."
Only a chilling voice replied.
"Or do you intend to make an enemy of this seat?"
Juwolhyang shut her mouth and retreated.
The man glanced at her briefly, then rose from his seat.
He approached the teary-eyed Poison Ghost Hand with hands behind his back and spoke.
"Let's hear what nonsense you have to say."
The two warriors immediately released his mouth.
Thud!
Poison Ghost Hand dropped to his knees.
"Forgive me! My eyes were blind, and I failed to recognize your lordship..."
"Strange. From what this seat saw, your eyes looked perfectly fine when you entered."
The man stared straight at him.
Poison Ghost Hand was speechless.
The man sneered at the flustered ronin.
His sleeve fluttered.
Puk!
Blood sprayed everywhere.
"Arghhh!"
Poison Ghost Hand screamed.
His eyes gushed blood, hollow and horrific.
The man smiled at the sight.
A murderous smile.
"Now that you're blind, you should understand."
"Gaaahhh!"
The man watched Poison Ghost Hand writhe, spewing agonized cries and bloody tears, then lost interest and said.
"Deal with him."
"Understood."
"Yes, sir."
The two warriors dragged him away.
It happened in a flash.
"The wine's lost its taste."
The man clasped his hands behind his back and turned away.
Juwolhyang swallowed dryly.
Bathed in soft moonlight and hazy lantern glow, his figure seemed beautiful yet horrifying.
The man looked at her and said.
"Then, until next time. Branch Chief."
Juwolhyang bowed deeply.
"Understood, my lord."
By the time she raised her head.
"..."
The man had already vanished.
Only then did Juwolhyang exhale in relief.
"Seven Desires Immortal Pungri..."
Muttering his moniker, she shook her head and stood.
She staggered for a moment.
"Madam!"
The man waiting trembling by the door rushed to support her.
But she steadied herself first and said.
"I'm fine."
Forcing strength into her shaking legs, she looked at him still awkwardly by the door and rasped.
"More importantly, first gather rumors on the Plum Blossom Divine Hero and Thunderbolt Sword."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Winter passed, and spring arrived.
Cold winds like winter's still blew in places, but the sunlight felt warmer than before.
And under that sunlight.
Dust billowed thickly.
It was caused by hundreds of horses galloping down the official road.
"Tch, I prefer carriages."
Cheonhwi grumbled as he gripped the reins.
Was it because of the urgent mission?
Or because so many were joining this mission?
Either way, no carriages—they all rode horses.
'At least it's close, so that's something.'
"Junior Brother."
As Cheonhwi calculated the distance to Muhyeol, Cheonhyang approached.
Having ridden before, she handled her horse smoothly and drew close to Cheonhwi, whispering.
"So, does that mean we're part of the Annihilation Corps from now on?"
"Well, yeah."
Cheonhwi said nonchalantly.
He couldn't just leave the Flower Spirit Unit that came to help him unattended.
So, as a temporary measure, he incorporated the Flower Spirit Unit and Cheonhyang into the Annihilation Corps.
Following First Unit under Hogwanggae and Second Unit under Danri Gwancheon, they became Third Unit.
Meanwhile, hearing Cheonhwi's reply, Cheonhyang scratched her head awkwardly.
It was unexpected.
Originally, she planned to assist Cheonhwi separately.
Somehow, she and the Flower Spirit Unit ended up as part of the Annihilation Corps.
"Won't the others complain?"
She glanced back and asked.
She'd heard the Annihilation Corps was an elite unit selected through trials.
If she and the Flower Spirit Unit joined without that process, those who failed the trials wouldn't take it lightly.
Even now, some behind glared at them sharply.
Cheonhwi followed her gaze back, then said offhandedly.
"Who cares what they yap about? It's my unit anyway."
He ignored their reactions.
The Annihilation Corps was his to command as he pleased.
"Why? Bothered? You can quit if you want—want to head back now?"
Cheonhwi said irritably.
He was already annoyed at having to babysit; if she agreed, he'd send her off immediately.
Cheonhyang chuckled.
She read his expression.
"Nah, it's fine."
She wiped her smile and said.
"Backing out over that would feel like surrendering, and I hate that."
Seeing her competitive spirit ignite, Cheonhwi grinned.
"Then shine in this mission. Build a reputation, and they'll shut up."
The jianghu was a world of the strong devouring the weak.
Show strength, and it was settled.
"Guess so."
As Cheonhyang nodded slightly.
Clop, clop.
One of the lead horses suddenly slowed and drew close.
It was Jade Kirin.
With a gentle smile, he alternated glances between Cheonhwi and Cheonhyang before speaking.
"Amitabha. If it's alright, may this monk join the conversation?"
He asked amiably.
Cheonhwi smiled back.
Then replied firmly.
"No."