Chapter 323
Chapter 323
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 323
Chapter Title: Encounter at Hwacheon Pavilion
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The top floor of Hwacheon Pavilion.
Standing by the wide-open window, Ju Wolhyang gazed down below with half-lidded eyes.
The Bloodless Street sprawled out beneath her at a glance.
The street was packed with people.
Those hawking their wares, customers following them into inns and brothels, and even those already drunk and staggering about.
All sorts of characters had gathered there.
Though the early spring evening still carried a chill in the wind, the heat from the crowds passing through made the entire Bloodless Street feel sweltering.
This street must not fall into danger.
At the sudden thought, Ju Wolhyang's long eyelashes trembled.
It was because she recalled those who had abruptly appeared and forced a deal upon her.
"Black Ghost Group and Pungri..."
Murmuring their identities in a soft voice, she unconsciously bit down on her reddened lower lip.
They had bought information briefly and seemed like they would leave right away, yet they lingered in Bloodless Street without departing.
This was deeply unsettling.
The current martial world was plunged into a vortex of chaos from the war between the Murim Alliance and the Evil-Black Alliance.
For elites known as the Evil-Black Alliance's best to hide themselves and remain stationed in Bloodless Street...
What on earth are they plotting...
As her worries grew impossible to conceal,
"Pavilion Mistress."
A voice came from beyond the papered door.
It was a thick, firm voice.
"Blue Flower and Red Flower have returned."
At the man's following words, Ju Wolhyang's darkened expression brightened considerably.
Bloodless Street was a lawless zone.
With all sorts of ronin and hot-blooded drunks roaming about, incidents were inevitable.
Yet amid all that, Hwacheon Pavilion had safely passed each day without major incidents.
It was all thanks to the Venom Ghost Master.
With Bloodless Street's top expert visiting daily, even the most hot-blooded dared not cause a stir.
But now the situation had changed.
After the Venom Ghost Master was dragged away by them and vanished, troublemakers in Hwacheon Pavilion had begun increasing one by one.
Thus, Ju Wolhyang had sent Blue Flower and Red Flower to recruit the Seductive Immortal, who had taken the top spot in Bloodless Street.
"Did you bring the Seductive Immortal?"
She asked immediately.
Her voice carried expectation.
But the response from beyond the door betrayed her hopes.
"No Seductive Immortal."
A furrow formed between Ju Wolhyang's brows.
Returning without the Seductive Immortal meant Blue Flower and Red Flower had failed to sway him.
"...Unexpected."
Ju Wolhyang bit her nails anxiously.
Her eyes wavered faintly as she gnawed on the tips of her long nails.
"To think that lecherous old man wouldn't fall for Blue Flower and Red Flower's charms."
The Seductive Immortal was a notorious old fiend for his fondness for women.
His moniker included "Seduction" for good reason.
Thus, she had never imagined he would resist their temptations.
Did another brothel beat us to it?
As she narrowed her brows,
"Instead, we brought someone else."
The man's voice cut in abruptly.
Carrying words she hadn't anticipated.
"Someone else...?"
At that moment.
"Pavilion Mistress."
"We've returned."
Shadows of two women stretched long beyond the door, accompanied by their voices.
Familiar voices.
Blue Flower and Red Flower.
"I heard you brought another guest instead of the Seductive Immortal."
"Yes."
A calm reply came.
Ju Wolhyang's eyes narrowed.
For a failed mission, their voices were oddly composed.
"Who is he?"
"We don't know."
Ju Wolhyang's eyebrow twitched.
You brought someone unknown?
Her gaze deepened.
Blue Flower and Red Flower were girls she had taken in young and raised personally.
They were used for important tasks, so they wouldn't bring just anyone.
And her guess was correct.
"The one who felled the Seductive Immortal in a single strike."
"...!"
Ju Wolhyang's eyes widened slightly.
But that wasn't the end.
"And he wishes to speak with you, Pavilion Mistress—no, Branch Chief."
At Blue Flower's sudden change in address, Ju Wolhyang whipped around.
Calling her Branch Chief instead of Pavilion Mistress meant the man already knew about the Hao Clan.
Her long skirt fluttered, reflecting the lantern light dangling from the eaves.
She strode to the door and flung it open in one motion.
Creak—
Kneeling Blue Flower and Red Flower came into view.
"Where is he?"
"Outside..."
Blue Flower, with a blue earring in her left ear, looked up but suddenly froze, eyes wide.
As if she had seen something she shouldn't.
"What is—"
As Ju Wolhyang opened her mouth,
"Oh, this liquor tastes quite good."
A voice came from right behind her.
What...
Cold sweat trickled down Ju Wolhyang's back.
The voice came from the very spot she had just been standing.
When did he...?
Her eyes flickered wildly.
It was utterly unbelievable.
She hadn't sensed his approach at all, and even now, with him speaking behind her, she felt nothing.
Gulp.
She swallowed dryly.
She smoothed her disheveled skirt and turned with graceful poise.
A calm, refined motion.
Turning, she saw a young man seated on the silk cushions, tilting a liquor bottle to his lips.
Not quite a peerless beauty, but a sharp-featured youth who could draw many women's gazes.
Yet she didn't act rashly despite his youthful appearance.
She proceeded even more cautiously.
His looks might belie his true age...
Among the world's experts, those with deep inner energy often appeared younger.
This youth before her might rank among such masters.
Thus, she showed excessive courtesy, greeting demurely.
"Pleased to meet you. This humble one is Ju Wolhyang, Pavilion Mistress of Hwacheon Pavilion."
The youth, Cheonhwi, lowered the bottle from his lips and met her eyes.
"And the Hao Clan's Branch Chief, right?"
"Yes."
Ju Wolhyang admitted coolly.
Normally, such information was reserved for those who had already traded with the Hao Clan.
But this youth clearly knew everything already.
"What brings you here?"
"What else comes to the Hao Clan but one thing?"
Cheonhwi smiled faintly and added,
"To buy some information."
Ju Wolhyang glanced back with a look.
Blue Flower and Red Flower immediately withdrew, the door clicked shut, and footsteps faded.
Instantly, only the two remained on the top floor.
"What information do you seek?"
Ju Wolhyang cut straight to it.
Born of experience.
Someone who reaches here without hindrance won't waste time on chit-chat.
Her assumption was spot on.
"I like the directness."
Cheonhwi grinned and quickly added,
"I want to know why the Black Ghost Group and Pungri came to Bloodless Street."
"...!"
Ju Wolhyang's body jolted.
Their presence in Bloodless Street hadn't spread through the martial world yet.
Highly secretive information.
Yet this youth expert mentioned it outright.
This was no good sign.
"Who might you be, young hero?"
She asked tensely.
"Does the Hao Clan ask that too?"
His sharp retort came.
Ju Wolhyang frowned.
Someone who's dealt with the Hao Clan before.
First-timers often answered such questions naturally.
Not him.
"My apologies for the rudeness."
Ju Wolhyang bowed deeply.
Her voice trembled slightly.
No wonder—Blue Flower said this youth had downed Bloodless Street's ruler in one strike.
Probing such a man could invite disaster.
But Cheonhwi paid her apology no mind.
No need to press since she dropped it.
"So, how much for the info?"
"Forgive me. We can't sell that information."
Ju Wolhyang bowed even deeper.
Cheonhwi's eyes narrowed.
"Strange. I heard the Hao Clan sells any info for the right price."
"True."
She nodded.
"But how can we sell what our clan hasn't grasped?"
"Hm, you don't know..."
Cheonhwi stroked his chin.
Unexpected.
I thought the Hao Clan would have their purpose figured out.
He shrugged.
They're moving very covertly.
His lips twisted as he thought.
Their secrecy meant their Bloodless Street operation was crucial.
"Do you at least know where they are?"
She shook her head side to side.
"That too, we don't know."
"Tch, nothing at all."
Cheonhwi smacked his lips and stood.
He had come for info, but gained zilch.
Just wait until they make a move?
Then.
"But I do know a place they appear every few days."
Ju Wolhyang smiled and said.
Cheonhwi's eyes lowered sharply.
"Where?"
"Pay the price first."
Meeting her raised gaze, Cheonhwi smirked.
"Fine. How much?"
"No money."
Her eyes settled as she spoke.
"I want to trade information."
"Oh ho."
Cheonhwi's lip curled high.
"Sounds fun. Deal."
"I'll answer first then."
Relief washed over her tense face as she spoke.
"The place they appear every few days is right here—Hwacheon Pavilion."
Cheonhwi's eyes half-closed.
They bought info from the Hao Clan here?
He grasped it immediately.
No other reason for them to visit.
Then Ju Wolhyang spoke again.
"My turn to ask."
She took a deep breath, tension evident.
She met Cheonhwi's eyes squarely and asked cautiously.
"Why do you want that information?"
A question after much deliberation.
First, know his intent.
His identity intrigued most, but she was confident she could uncover it from his features anytime.
She stared piercingly at the youth's lips as she awaited.
Moments later, they parted, shocking words spilling out.
"To kill them."
"Gasp!"
Stunned, Ju Wolhyang inhaled sharply.
Kill Pungri of the Seven Essentials and the Evil-Black Alliance elites, Black Ghost Group?
Absurd.
But perhaps...
If this youth came from a force matching theirs?
She clenched her fist.
Long nails dug into her palm, but she felt no pain.
The sudden idea dominated her mind.
Composing herself, she looked up at Cheonhwi—
"Well, that's it then."
Unexpected words.
"Wh-what do you...?"
Flustered, she stammered.
Suddenly over?
Meanwhile, Cheonhwi watched her dismay and slowly twisted his lips.
"That was the only info I wanted."
As he finished and moved—
"Young hero!"
Ju Wolhyang called loudly.
He paused; she spoke urgently.
"Stay at Hwacheon Pavilion until they come? We'll serve you well. If you're targeting them, staying here seems best..."
Cheonhwi halted and looked at her.
"What's in it for you?"
"I heard you felled the Seductive Immortal in one strike."
Recounting Blue Flower's intel, she spoke deliberately.
"Rumors are likely spreading through Bloodless Street even now."
Cheonhwi smirked.
He understood.
"So, my stay keeps trouble away from Hwacheon Pavilion."
"Yes."
"Hm, works for me."
Cheonhwi nodded.
Actually preferable, as they were surely coming here.
"Thank you."
Ju Wolhyang bowed demurely, then called toward the door.
"Someone outside!"
Footsteps hurried over at her shout.
"You called?"
"You called?"
Blue Flower and Red Flower.
Ju Wolhyang smiled softly at them and instructed.
"Escort the young hero to the VIP room."
Moments after Cheonhwi left, only Ju Wolhyang remained on the top floor.
"Is it safe to let him stay at Hwacheon Pavilion?"
A voice suddenly from the side.
Deputy Branch Chief Wi Jeokyang.
"If Pungri and Black Ghost Group find out, who knows what trouble..."
Wi Jeokyang trailed off worriedly.
Pungri was eccentric and ruthless.
If he learned of the youth targeting him, fallout was possible.
"No, it's fine."
Ju Wolhyang dismissed the concern indifferently.
"No harm will come to us."
A confident smile curved her lips.
"If Pungri wins, we hand over the youth as the one who harbored him. If the youth wins, we just shared info—no issue."
"Ah!"
Wi Jeokyang exclaimed softly.
Deviously clever.
Perfectly suited to Hao Clan folk.
"Whoever wins, we just wait for the result."
Her smile deepened.
"Of course, since we don't know who'll win, better build favor with both."
She calculated thoroughly.
But even she hadn't foreseen one thing.
Someone hearing every word.
Turning tricks, huh.
Descending the stairs behind Blue Flower and Red Flower, Cheonhwi twisted his lips.
His transcendent senses enveloped Hwacheon Pavilion, her words ringing crystal clear.
As if spoken right beside him.
I'll play along for now, but after it's all over...
A winter's chill smile graced Cheonhwi's lips.
Fleetingly, he resumed following expressionlessly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Beneath Hwacheon Pavilion, several shadows cloaked a wall.
"That's the Hao Clan branch?"
A refined scholar-dressed man looked up at the pavilion's peak and said.
"Well, if the Captain went in, probably."
A neatly attired warrior beside him nodded, scratching his head.
These two were Danri Gwancheon and Ho Gwanggae, disguised for the mission.
Between them, a woman in elegant robes impatiently yanked off her veil.
"Ugh, stifling. Why this outfit..."
Cheonhyang grumbled.
Disliking the robes, she rolled up her sleeves crudely—quite unladylike.
"Aigoo, miss. Calm down."
Ho Gwanggae startled at her actions, fussing playfully.
"You must keep the attire until the mission ends. Aren't you a noble house's young lady?"
Cheonhyang gave the shameless Ho Gwanggae an exasperated look, then smirked.
She lowered the veil and spoke.
In a very demure voice and manner.
"Understood. Young Master Biyeon."
Ho Gwanggae grinned back at Cheonhyang calling his mission alias.
"Time to prepare, no?"
Danri Gwancheon said lowly.
"Lingering draws suspicion."
Cheonhyang and Ho Gwanggae sobered and replied.
"I'll head east."
"I'll go west."
"Then I'll take south."
Danri Gwancheon looked at them.
"Contact if you spot anything suspicious."
"Got it."
"Obviously."
The three nodded to each other.
Moments later.
Whoosh!
They scattered instantly.
Figures swiftly pursued, vanishing in a blink.