A Matter of Power

Yagwi City was indeed a massive metropolis, home to a diverse ecosystem of monsters, demons, and other strange creatures. Here is a quick piece of trivia. When building a city or establishing a settlement in this world, what is the very first factor to consider? Fertile land where crops grow well? A wide, deep river with an abundant water source nearby? Or perhaps rugged, precipitous terrain that makes it easy to defend against foreign invasions? All wrong.

To begin with, monsters only establish the bare minimum of self-sufficiency. They secure almost all the resources and luxuries needed to sustain life through warfare. A pillage economy pushed to its absolute limit. It reminded me of the nomadic tribes of ancient history. To someone from modern Earth, a plunder-based economy inevitably looked incredibly primitive. To a Korean who had enjoyed the benefits of an economic engine guaranteed to make stable progress, such a policy would look like something straight out of North Korea.

A predatory war-debt economy, where income fluctuates wildly and a single defeat can lead to total ruin, is a recipe for disaster. That Austrian corporal, Mr. Hitler, personally proved how it ends when he collapsed after conquering even France but failing to sustain the momentum. And there were several Chinese emperors who ruined their dynasties by throwing everything they had against Goguryeo.

But is a predatory war-debt economy truly a failed concept? Not necessarily. Did anyone call Great Britain's flag-planting in Africa during the colonial era a reckless gamble? In this world, cultivation realms are the equivalent of technological prowess. A single realm of difference allows one to overwhelm an opponent as if they were a nation a century ahead in technology. Therefore, the best condition for monsters to build a city and settle down is simple: how many easy targets are nearby to plunder? How many weak races are situated close enough to be safely and deliciously exploited? Thus, the technology and economy of monsters are a history of exploitation and plunder. Rather than engaging in tedious, pedantic trade and diplomacy, any race with a bit of muscle would rather just tell others to "drop dead." Of course, even so, a bare minimum of trade and exchange is necessary, making merchant groups an inevitability. At the same time, running a lucrative merchant group in a monster society operating under such a culture and environment is not something just anyone can pull off.

It is rare for a powerhouse of the Qi Circulation realm to run a tedious merchant group, so merchants have no choice but to bow their heads and grovel before the strong. Just like this old man before me.

"Aigoo, Warrior, is the wine to your liking? This Red Crystal Wine has aged beautifully. I set it aside months ago specifically to offer to you."

*Slid.* A crimson liquid was pushed toward me, scraping softly against the table. It had a charming aroma, slightly deeper and tarter than raspberries. Across the table sat ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠an old Dokkaebi with a thick head of white hair, a bushy beard, and a broken horn. When I didn't empty my glass and simply stared at him, he bowed and scraped with a good-natured, albeit slightly awkward and flustered, smile.

"If fruit wine is not to your taste, shall I bring out some grain wine instead? Just say the word. Hoho, the chief administrator will soon report that the preparations to receive you are complete."

The wrinkles etched into his forehead like tree rings spoke of the trials and tribulations of a lifetime at least twice as long as mine. In truth, I was lacking in many ways compared to this elder. First, money. Even if my entire net worth multiplied by several hundred times, it would be hard to compare to this old man's merchant group. Age and experience? Needless to say. The network of connections he had built over his life, and the classified secrets he had gathered from both the light and dark corners of the world, must be vast. In terms of life's total accumulation, I was inferior in almost every category. But the old man lacked one crucial thing.

"Hey, there! Is anyone ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠out there? The warrior sent by that great personage has graced our headquarters, so why is there a shortage of women and wine? I even paid extra to have them on standby because I didn't know when he would arrive!"

He lacked the power to protect all of it. The tangible and intangible assets he had accumulated could be ruthlessly torn away by a superior powerhouse. The fortress walls he had proudly built with great difficulty over a lifetime would feel like a mere sandcastle to someone else. I shivered with a pleasant thrill, once again realizing the true value of power—a force that could utterly negate a lifetime of effort. Ah, so this is why everyone in martial arts novels is so obsessed with cultivation realms. Would all the certificates and career experience I amassed back on Earth combined be worth more than this single phrase: Qi Circulation? *Damn, this is what it means to be a master!* I had to admit, I felt absolutely ecstatic right now. I found myself putting on a solemn, dignified front, lowering my voice, and feeling as though my shoulders were as broad as a great mountain even without circulating the Great Mountain Demonic Wisdom Art. It made me want to chew on a piece of foxtail grass and adjust the brim of a bamboo hat I wasn't even wearing.

To stop my lips from curling into a massive grin, I twisted my mouth into an odd grimace. Heaven knows how the old man interpreted this gesture, but his heartbeat quickened slightly, and he reached into his robes to pull something out.

"Hoho... Please forgive this humble one's inadequate hospitality. I didn't intend to bring this out just yet, but I suppose now is as good a time as any. I present this to you, Warrior."

A black wooden box, slightly smaller than a palm, was slid toward me.

"Hmm?"

Was it a bribe, or some kind of *guanxi*? Rather than feeling pleased, I was mostly curious. My realm was Qi Circulation. His merchant group shouldn't be large enough to casually throw around items that could actually benefit me. With the fluttering excitement of opening a gacha box, I slid open the wooden lid. Inside lay...

"A gem?"

"It is a Willow Amber Stone. A highly refined amber formed from the hardened resin of willow trees. Does it please you?"

"Well. It's not bad."

Few people in the world dislike pretty things. Of course, it wasn't quite my taste. After rolling the yellow amber in my hand for a moment, I downed the wine in my cup. The alcohol content was a bit high, but it tasted quite good. Personally, I would have preferred a jar of this wine over some useless gem when I left.

'For you to say that?' If Ryeo-ah, whose realm was at least Samgeuk or higher, called it decent... For a split second, I seriously contemplated interrogating the old man about where he got the stone and then beating him half to death to silence him. However, my interest died instantly upon hearing what she said next.

'Ah. Right.'

'But this isn't one of those, is it?'

I held up the amber and stared at it for a moment. I wasn't a gemologist, but I had at least a basic sense of aesthetics.

"Hmm." Looking at it from different angles, it did seem rather pretty. It was unpolished, but carving such a piece might actually ruin its natural beauty. Still, it wasn't my cup of tea.

"Here, So-wol. You take it."

"This concubine shall not refuse your kindness."

"Then, shopkeeper. Have a piece of jewelry made out of this."

"Of course, as you wish."

"...."

"What? Do you want one too, Jeongha?"

"No thanks. I'd rather buy a dagger than wear jewelry."

With the gem dealt with, the table where the old man and I sat began to fill up with food and wine in earnest.

"I am Ji-hyang of the pleasure house, here to serve the esteemed warrior."

"I am Ok-mae."

"I am Jeong-i."

"Right."

And women to boot. It was a shame none of them were as beautiful as Jeongha or So-wol, but having several options at least gave me a wide selection. But damn, the makeup was the problem. It was much rougher and heavier than modern, sophisticated makeup. It wasn't just bad makeup; it actually made these already used women look even cheaper. Honestly, I'd rather sleep with the two beside me than touch these girls.

"Ah~" Of course, my hands were honest. I squeezed a pair of voluptuous breasts as if to say I wouldn't turn down any woman who came my way.

"Tsk."

"...."

The women sitting next to me looked quite displeased, but I was only going to touch. Seriously.

"Just in case, I have also prepared some men. If the two ladies next to you are interested..."

"Shopkeeper."

"Yes?"

"Let's not ruin the mood."

"My apologies."

The shopkeeper almost had his skull caved in for suggesting we pair my women up with other men, but I decided to let it slide as him just being overly thorough. Jeongha shot me a look that clearly asked, 'Then are those girls you're holding onto just bamboo wives?' but seriously, I was only touching!

After the music changed a few times, cups were emptied and refilled, and our stomachs—famished from the long journey—were sufficiently stuffed, it was time to get down to business.

"So, shopkeeper."

"Yes."

"My sister told me to deal with the cult. Do you know anything about them?"

"Ah. Those bastards." The old man's eyes narrowed as he took a sip of his wine, looking thoroughly annoyed just at the mention of them.

"The faction itself is just a run-of-the-mill, trashy crowd led by a cult leader at the Core Condensation realm."

"And?"

"They operate in decentralized cells, gathering and dispersing like clouds, but there is a meeting tomorrow where only the executives and the cult leader gather."

"A meeting of only the leadership? Sounds like the perfect opportunity for an ambush."

"Indeed it is."

Then it didn't matter. I could just go and wipe them all out. No matter how tricky or vast a decentralized network was, if you crushed the head, the body below would collapse on its own. It was a stroke of luck, pure and simple.

"Please enjoy the banquet for today, and I shall provide you with the details tomorrow."

"Sure."

After that, we exchanged wine and light pleasantries. It was mostly just flattery, but rather than enjoying the compliments themselves, I found it amusing to watch the old man work his mouth so hard. It satisfied my dark, inner craving for recognition, so I was pleased.

. . . . . . .

"Mmm... This young girl wishes to serve you tonight, Master..."

The women clung to me, acting coquettishly. I was about to embrace them when I saw Jeongha looking disgusted and trying to slip out of the room. I called out to stop her.

"Come here."

"Why should I?!"

"Just come."

"....."

Looking at me with such contempt only made me harder. I dragged her over, gave her butt a few playful slaps, and gestured for the courtesans to come closer.

"What is it, Master?"

"Teach her and So-wol some techniques. They don't know a thing, so they need to watch and learn firsthand."

"Why on earth do I have to learn that..."

"Stop grumbling."

And so, a sex education class complete with live demonstrations began.

"There are many ways to serve a gentleman, but when there are several of us, the division of labor is key. For instance, while one of us lies down like this to please him, the two on either side can rub their breasts against his arms and act cute..."

"....."

"Like this, *slurp*. As you move your hips enthusiastically, you can lick his collarbones, the nape of his neck, and his sweat. Tracing his back with your fingers or whispering dirty words in his ear can help him release."

"I-I mean, why would anyone do that..."

Does sex need a reason? You do it because it makes things hotter.

"Kneeling like this and wrapping your breasts around his leg to rub them is also highly effective."

"And if you gently stroke his sack like this, he will love it. It is a very sensitive area, so you must handle it with extreme care."

Watching their expressions gradually melt into pure lust as they absorbed this new knowledge was quite a sight. And since I was receiving all of these acts on my own body as a "demonstration," I was getting close to my limit.

"Ah! Ahh!"

I pressed down firmly on the lower belly of the courtesan beneath me, who was letting out sweet, breathless moans, and spoke.

"Tighten up. I'm going to cum."

"Yes, Master!"

*Spurt, squirt!*

"Ahhh..."

I shot my load deep inside her.

"Yes, Master. Just let it all out inside like that. Only think about how good it feels. My, how manly of you."

*Pat, pat.* I received the comforting service of the courtesans, who patted my lower back with just the right amount of pressure as if reassuring me that it was perfectly fine to breed her. Yet, as I pulled my dick out of her, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I felt a strange sense of dissatisfaction.

"Phew."

It wasn't bad, but something was missing. Maybe because I had only taken virgins so far, but their tightness was lacking, and their looks were subpar. I probably would have enjoyed cumming a lot more if I had laid down the girls next to me who were getting a front-row seat to this sex ed. It turned out I was more of a virgin-obsessed bastard than I thought. Tightness aside, there was no satisfaction of holding my woman. Of course, these courtesans weren't mine. Honestly, comparing them to Jeongha or So-wol, who had been virgins until recently, was unfair to the courtesans. I guess the answer isn't importing; it's domestic consumption.

"....."

"...How scandalous."

Perhaps because they had watched the entire act from start to finish, both So-wol and Jeongha's faces were flushed with desire. So-wol was even subtly rubbing her thighs together. While Jeongha was holding back, So-wol was clearly hoping for something.

'Not happening.'

Leaving them hanging without touching them seemed like it would be entertaining in its own way. For today, I left them alone and focused entirely on having wild sex with the courtesans.

"Ngh..."

"Mmm."

I watched the two of them look on as I repeatedly came inside the other women. I had worried they might get jealous or lose feelings for me, but surprisingly, neither showed any such reaction. As expected, they really must love me—

'I guess you're right.'

So they didn't care because they didn't expect anything. Should I be happy about that or not? After I had finished with everyone, I washed up and sprawled out on the bed with the two of them. Jeongha tried to slip away, but not on my watch.

""......""

I feigned ignorance as the two of them subtly rubbed their thighs against me. And so, the next morning arrived.

"What shall we do, esteemed Warrior? Their meeting has been postponed by seven days."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes. So if you could just wait exactly seven days..."

"My time isn't exactly cheap. What's the reason?"

"We do ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠not know either. Only that it has been postponed... We have prepared a small token of our sincerity, so please..."

A reason... they don't know the reason?

"You don't know the reason?"

"Yes."

"Ah. I suppose that can happen."

You claim to know where a secret meeting of only executives—completely off-limits to ordinary believers—is being held, yet you don't know why it was postponed? That would mean your spy is an executive-level figure, in which case there is no way they wouldn't know the reason.

'This bastard...'

Did he throw out a perfect bait, claiming it was a meeting of only the executives and the cult leader? But for that to be the case, his excuse was incredibly sloppy. Just to be sure, let's do one final check.

"My sister told me that if the spy she sent to the cult is dead and we can't track their cells, I should return immediately without wasting time. Has the spy been compromised?"

"..."

The old man hesitated for a moment. Of course, being as experienced as he was, his hesitation lasted only a split second. One might have easily mistaken it for him simply swallowing to gather his thoughts.

"No, not at all. He is perfectly fine. He will soon guide you, esteemed Warrior, to where the leadership is gathered."

"Then there's no problem, right?"

"Indeed, none at all."