Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Hunan Akyang Imperial Jade Pavilion (4)
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The time transitioning from night to dawn.
With her hair down and all makeup removed, Chorin slept quietly in my arms.
A somewhat plain appearance. Yet still a woman who boasted striking beauty.
Just last night, Chorin had panted beneath me time and again.
Now, utterly exhausted after taking me in, the woman slept peacefully by my side.
At this moment, more than anything, she wasn't a courtesan. She was simply a woman.
The Imperial Jade Pavilion, said to be the finest pleasure house even among those around Dongjeong Lake.
And within that Imperial Jade Pavilion, Chorin was the top courtesan.
Even if you searched the entire Central Plains, there probably wouldn't be many women on her level.
Of course, the only one I could compare her to was Maewol from Chang'an's Fragrant Flower Pavilion, so I couldn't say for sure.
Still, seeing how she stood out even compared to Maewol, my hunch was probably right.
Honestly, if there was a courtesan even more impressive than her, that would be the real surprise.
Anyway, she was an extraordinary woman.
Sharp-eyed and bold.
She didn't seem reckless, yet she'd made outrageous requests of me, a mere guest.
How had she been so certain I wasn't from the Black Path?
If I had been an acquaintance of the Crimson Foe Sect Leader, she could've died right there on the spot without a word of complaint.
So she must have had some conviction to say such things.
She knew there'd be no repercussions.
And how had she known I was connected to the Crimson Foe Sect Leader?
From my eyes? That Minghui girl had said I looked at her like a chick?
It didn't make sense to gauge inaction and realm from that alone.
What was it? What exactly had she seen to judge my martial prowess? I was genuinely curious.
Perhaps that's part of why I accepted her request.
Her exceptional nature. Admiration for something she possessed that I didn't know. That sort of thing.
Of course, the biggest reason was that she was incredibly good in bed.
Anyway, a unique woman.
I'd gained immense inner energy, possessed absurd martial skill, and lived a long time, but strip away the martial arts, and I was utterly ordinary.
So a woman like her couldn't help but intrigue me.
In terms of survival instinct, she was several times sharper than me.
And beautiful, too.
I didn't feel much desire to bring her into Ink Sword Grove.
In other words... no possessiveness.
Seolha had been different. Though that was largely because I was her first man.
Anyway, there was no need to pluck a pretty wildflower and plant it at home.
Sometimes wildflowers looked best swaying in the field breeze.
Anyway, I'd said I'd stay a fortnight, and not even a day had passed yet.
So there'd be plenty of time to get to know her.
At the very least, I needed to figure out why she'd rated me so highly. Even if I lacked confidence in doing so.
As I pondered leisurely what to do next.
I hadn't come here to sightsee Dongjeong Lake with a woman in tow.
Much as I'd like to lounge idly in the Imperial Jade Pavilion, that wasn't an option. Duties called.
The Crimson Foe Sect. Uncovering their situation.
The problem was, I'd already tried something similar at Mount Tai Sect, so I knew all too well how fruitless it was.
I'd hidden in the Mount Tai Sect Leader's residence without drawing a single eye, expecting to uncover something.
Like mysterious figures slipping in and out secretly, or a hidden chamber the leader kept under wraps.
Or perhaps the leader sneaking out at night to some unknown place. Something like that.
But nothing. Just mundane days.
The Mount Tai Sect Leader's routine was peaceful, and disappointingly, I found nothing of value.
Maybe there was nothing to find, and I'd built up expectations on my own.
I'd only been there a few days, but it was clear my approach was wrong.
I couldn't do everything myself.
No matter how fast I moved or how strong I was, I only had one body.
And there's a good saying: Why use a cattle butcher's knife to kill a chicken?
Using people was the way. Yes. That made sense.
But no need to scale up. I didn't want to expose Ink Sword Grove to the world.
I wasn't aiming to be some shadow puppet master. Just avoiding hassle.
The more exposure, the more proportional the annoyances.
And once exposed, it'd snowball uncontrollably.
That sounded tedious. No thanks. No need to show off.
Reputation wasn't that important. Fame didn't make things better.
So let's take it slow.
Gather more of my own people, create those who'll assist me.
People I can trust with tasks. The more of them, the fewer things I'd have to handle myself.
With my thoughts sorted, I quietly closed my eyes.
Then I heard the steady breathing of Chorin lying beside me.
A bit cold? Let me pull the blanket up more.
I buried myself deeper and tugged the covers to my neck. Then I drew Chorin closer.
The woman clung tightly to me.
Feels good. Women's bodies are the best. I could get addicted.
Before dawn broke, I felt Chorin slip from my arms.
A courtesan couldn't rise later than her guest, so she got up early. So diligent.
"Don't go. Come here."
At my words, Chorin hesitated, then turned and bowed gracefully to me.
"Did you cough, my lord?"
"I'm still asleep. So come back in."
I lifted the blanket, and Chorin slipped back inside.
The softness and warmth returned.
"Where are you off to at this early hour?"
"I must prepare myself. I can't attend you like this."
The woman smiled sweetly, her words coaxing.
Morning made her seem cuter than seductive.
The bare face? Or was it the morning?
"Forget it. No need."
I climbed atop her.
Looking up at me with a strange smile, Chorin slowly rubbed her thigh against my growing hardness.
"Gently... please, my lord. You're too big... If you're too rough, this servant won't be able to move properly today."
Her strange smile turned alluring, soon joined by gestures tempting a man.
Is that so? Then I'll go slow. Gently. Steadily.
Like that, I held Chorin twice more and watched the sun rise outside the window.
A little later, Chorin returned, transformed back from woman to courtesan, and lightly approached to sit delicately by my side.
"Shall I bring breakfast?"
"Yeah. Keep it simple. No need for extravagance."
"Yes, my lord."
"Have it prepared and come back. I have questions."
Chorin left briefly and returned, sitting by my side unlike before and leaning softly against me.
I slipped my hand into her robe's front and fondled her breast; she gazed at me with a smile.
"Doesn't seem likely, but any ties to the Shadowless Gate?"
"No, my lord. We have no connection to them."
Figured as much.
If the Shadowless Gate were involved, Chorin wouldn't have made that request of me.
The Shadowless Gate served the Evil Factions; they wouldn't mistreat courtesans under their wing like this.
And they'd supply women to that bastard Crimson Foe Sect Leader far more discreetly. Without all this noise.
"Good. Then... even without Shadowless Gate ties, you must hear plenty about Dongjeong Lake."
"What piques your interest, my lord?"
"Tell me about the Righteous Factions near here wiped out or badly hit by the Crimson Foe Sect. Preferably ones with good reputations."
At my question, Chorin's eyes deepened.
She'd have guessed why I was asking with just that.
She wasn't the type whose mind turned slowly.
"Two places come to mind... but could you give me a bit more time?"
"Sure. Tell me those two first. And when I return, give more answers."
"As you wish, my lord. Shall I tell you now?"
"Yeah."
"One is..."
I listened to Chorin's tales, and by the time she'd covered both, breakfast arrived.
"I said keep it simple. How is this simple?"
Breakfast was lavish. Less so than last night's dinner, but still extravagant.
I couldn't exactly fault her for it. There'd surely be picky types if it were too plain.
So overdoing it like this might actually suit them better.
After breakfast, I left the Imperial Jade Pavilion.
Wearing clothes prepared by them instead of my martial robe, my aura was distinctly different from when I'd arrived.
No sword, expensive-looking attire, and Chorin had even oiled and styled my hair, so now I looked like a young master from a wealthy house out for some cultured fun.
Of the sects Chorin mentioned, one was right here in Akyang.
Blue Lake Sect.
Until the Righteous-Demonic-Evil Great War, it had been a mid-sized sect on par with the Crimson Foe Sect.
And after the Crimson Foe Sect rapidly expanded, Blue Lake Sect was the first they annihilated.
Over six years since its destruction.
The site of Blue Lake Sect had all its halls demolished, not a trace left.
So no disciples would remain. It lived on only in people's memories.
Yet Chorin had mentioned Blue Lake Sect for a simple reason.
Its leader was still alive.
Working as a horse handler in the Crimson Foe Sect's stables.
I headed to the Crimson Foe Sect. Near there, I found the tallest building and climbed to its roof, avoiding notice.
A fairly high rooftop. It gave a decent view of the Crimson Foe Sect interior.
Impressively large.
Mount Tai Sect was scattered on the mountain, but this was different.
A vast estate. Several times larger than even Ink Sword Grove.
I scanned one corner: the stables.
Let's see. Who was the Blue Lake Sect Leader? Wonder if I'd find him quickly.
But such worries were unfounded.
I spotted the Blue Lake Sect Leader faster than expected.
He hadn't made any obvious mistakes, yet an old man tumbled from a Crimson Foe Sect disciple's kick.
Ah, not quite old. Middle-aged, around fifties?
His white hair probably made him look older. Didn't seem that age.
Anyway, former Blue Lake Sect Leader Ma Wonpyeong toiled on, enduring such abuse.
They'd kept him alive to torment him indefinitely.
p>His dantian destroyed, ankles shackled.
They hadn't severed his tendons so he could still do labor.
Lucky break.
If only the dantian was gone, I could fix that.
I'm the expert on that, after all. Perfect fit.
Good call asking Chorin.