Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Do You Desire Power? (1)
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That wasn't just any Tang Clan warrior.
He was arguably the most famous figure in Sacheon as of late.
Dang Yu-wol himself.
"The Tang Clan... Why the Tang Clan? If they're interested in trade with the Western Regions..."
"Who knows...? Do you think the Tang Clan is in any position to do that right now?"
The chief steward racked his brains before shaking his head.
"I've heard they're focused on suppressing the Sacheon Merchant Alliance and reclaiming their position as Sacheon's overlords."
It was true that the Tang Clan was growing stronger.
But trade with the Western Regions was out of the question.
He shared his thoughts.
"Yes, I agree."
What the Tang Clan needed to do now wasn't trade.
It was to address the issues left in the wake of the Sacheon Merchant Alliance's collapse.
And to eliminate those eyeing that empty throne.
'But why is Dang Yu-wol here...?'
"...He's heading this way."
His footsteps were leading toward the Dream Pavilion.
Perhaps he could uncover the reason.
"Shall I assign someone to tail him?"
The Dream Pavilion Master nodded at her steward's concerned words.
"...Yes. Send Moonflower."
"Understood."
The chief steward bowed politely and left.
Once he was gone, the Dream Pavilion Master bit her lower lip slightly.
'No... It couldn't be, could it?'
-What a grand place.
'Not quite on par with Taeseong Pavilion, though.'
Dang Yu-wol approached the Dream Pavilion and entered calmly.
He saw people excitedly downing drinks ahead of the perilous journey to the Western Regions.
"Might you be Young Clan Head Dang Yu-wol?"
-You're quite the celebrity now.
They recognized him at a place he'd never visited before.
It meant his face and name were spreading.
'If it wasn't after all that, it'd be a problem.'
"That's me."
"It's an honor to serve you. We've prepared a room on this floor."
"Lead on."
A Dream Pavilion attendant guided Dang Yu-wol up to the second floor.
As promised, a lavish spread awaited him in one of the rooms.
"Welcome, Young Master Tang. I'm Moonflower, and I'll be attending to you today."
The courtesan bowed politely.
Dang Yu-wol gazed at her intently, a smile curling his lips.
'Jackpot right from the start.'
To strangers, she was just a pretty courtesan.
But both Dang Yu-wol and Ye-ui could tell.
This woman had mastered martial arts to a considerable level.
"Care for a drink?"
"No. Skip the drinks. I'd like to see the Pavilion Master."
"...The Pavilion Master is quite busy at the moment..."
"Tell her this: I wish to aid the sacred endeavor to reclaim the flame."
Moonflower's eyes changed as she paused mid-pour.
'The sacred endeavor to reclaim the flame...'
Why had the Radiant Flame Citadel left the Demonic Cult?
Because they had lost their flame.
And now, this man offered to help reclaim it.
This was beyond her authority to decide.
"Please wait a moment."
She left, and soon after, a stunning beauty of indeterminable age entered.
"I am the Dream Pavilion Master. May I know what you told Moonflower?"
"I know where the flame lost by the Radiant Flame Citadel is."
"What do you mean...?"
Dang Yu-wol snorted dismissively at her probing tone, as if testing him.
"Should I call you the Lesser Shrine Maiden?"
The Dream Pavilion Master's expression hardened.
"Lesser Shrine Maiden" was a title used only within the Radiant Flame Citadel.
Middle Kingdom folk called her the Lesser Witch.
"Who are you?"
Her expression shifted.
If this man was from the Orthodox Faction's murim, she needed to pack up and flee to the Western Regions immediately.
'We can't face the Middle Kingdom's murim yet.'
"Don't misunderstand. I only want to help you."
Such sweet words.
But if he truly held the clue to the flame the Radiant Flame Citadel so desperately sought?
The Lesser Shrine Maiden, who led the Radiant Flame Citadel, bit her lips repeatedly.
"Do you know what flame we're seeking?"
"The primordial flame, isn't it?"
"That's not..."
"The flame revered and protected by the Ming Cult. Lost to a betrayer."
The Dream Pavilion Master's eyes widened.
"Where... Where is it?!"
Dang Yu-wol grinned at her trembling voice.
"I can't just give it away for free."
"So you intend to use us after all."
"Isn't that obvious?"
Dang Yu-wol was as bold as ever.
"Just as you'll use me to find the flame, I'll use you to achieve my goals."
The Dream Pavilion Master clenched her fist slightly.
'Maybe I should just interrogate him here?'
"Don't even think about it. The poison I carry could end my life in an instant."
"I'm at the Profound Realm. I'm not so weak as to fall to a single dose of poison."
"You're misunderstanding. That life is mine."
"...!!"
If she tried anything foolish, he'd simply die right here.
And they'd lose their lifelong pursuit's clue for nothing.
He didn't hesitate to place his own life on the scale.
'He's no ordinary man...'
She couldn't utter a word against Dang Yu-wol, who seemed to mock her.
No, he was mocking her.
'This man... He looks barely in his twenties...'
She had lived over a hundred years, protecting the Radiant Flame Citadel's followers amid the Demonic Cult's perils.
Yet here she was, being toyed with by someone half her age.
"...What must we do?"
"First, share the Dream Pavilion's intelligence with the Tang Clan."
The brothels run by the Dream Pavilion were mere fronts.
Its true nature was a secretive intelligence network.
'He even knows that...!!'
Regardless of the Lesser Shrine Maiden's shock, Dang Yu-wol stated the second condition.
"Second, keep an eye on the Blood Cult."
"The Blood Cult...!!"
She knew of the Blood Cult too.
A shadowy group whose true nature no one knew.
Yet more brutal than even the Demonic Cult.
"What grudge do you have with them?"
"None of your business."
"...Very well. But I doubt the Young Clan Head speaks the truth."
The Lesser Shrine Maiden asked cautiously.
She feared offending Dang Yu-wol.
But she had to ask.
"I lead many people. To care for them, I need proof that your words are true..."
"The flame you seek is a single gemstone."
She flinched.
The Lesser Shrine Maiden's body trembled.
"Just gazing into the flame within calms the mind and body."
Yes.
That was it.
"And its shape resembles a tree."
'Only the Radiant Flame Citadel's Shrine Maiden knows of our sacred flame's details. For him to know...'
It proved he truly knew of their flame.
Desperation filled her voice.
"Where... Where is it?!"
Dang Yu-wol rose from his seat.
"That's all I'll say for now. We'll talk more later."
She watched him leave leisurely, hope igniting within her.
Ye-ui spoke up the moment Dang Yu-wol exited the Dream Pavilion.
-Isn't that the one on the Blood Cult Leader's jade throne?
'Exactly. How'd you know?'
-I remember people gossiping about entering the Leader's chamber after his enthronement ceremony.
'Spot on. According to Blood Cult records, a Radiant Flame Citadel betrayer stole it and offered it to the Blood Cult long ago.'
-Who would've thought that was the Radiant Flame Citadel's sacred relic. Anyway, one goal down. What's next?
Amusement filled Ye-ui's voice, and Dang Yu-wol replied leisurely.
'Now, time to build strength.'
Compared to the realm he'd reached before his regression, his current power was laughably weak.
With this level, his options were limited.
He needed to raise his realm.
-True enough. At your current level, you couldn't even put up a proper fight if the Blood Cult's main force arrived.
Both Ye-ui and Dang Yu-wol knew they couldn't stop the Blood Cult at their present strength.
'It's not just their knowledge and weapons.'
He knew the might of Blood Arts better than anyone.
That's why preparations were essential.
-It's not just the Blood Cult experts heading to the Middle Kingdom now that you need to face.
'Gotta think about the ones above them too.'
Not just the Leader, but the Vice Leader who assisted him.
And the External Law Elders handling outside affairs.
Plus the Council of Elders.
They were filled with experts who'd reached the Profound Realm, and many more just a wall away.
-So, what's your plan? Going into closed-door training?
'Proper methods are too slow. I'll have to use shortcuts like before...'
-That'll strain you and be dangerous.
'No time to worry about that.'
Like before, he'd destroy a Reverse Heaven Artifact to forcibly draw out power.
-Know of any?
'Let's grab the nearest one first.'
-Lucky. Where is it?
'Emei Sect.'
Dang Yu-wol recalled a Blood Cult record he'd seen before.
'When the Blood Cult attacked Sacheon, the Emei Sect naturally resisted. And they were wiped out.'
Among the Emei Sect's artifacts obtained then was one that amplified Reverse Heaven power.
-But how? The Emei Sect is a sect of nuns. Hard to move freely there, right?
Would he threaten them with martial arts like at Cheongsung Sect?
Dang Yu-wol smiled at Ye-ui's question.
'No need for that.'
There was a far better way.
Upon returning to the Tang Clan, Dang Yu-wol received a stack of documents.
Reports on factions and forces vying for dominance across Sacheon in his absence.
"The Beggars' Sect disciples were a great help."
"And we received aid from Taeseong Pavilion as well."
Ji Gong and No Sak answered politely.
Jin-seong stood behind them, assisting the pair.
"I see."
"We successfully suppressed them in collaboration with Cheongsung Sect."
"Cheongsung Sect?"
"Yes."
"Neater than expected."
They'd properly handled his prior request.
"And... it seems they quietly have their own hopes."
-Slaves with so many desires.
'You have to feed slaves well to make them work properly.'