Chapter 581: The Disappearance Case
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 581: The Disappearance Case
I pondered Yeon Sohyang’s words for a moment before tilting my head in confusion.
“But didn’t you say it wasn’t a serious matter?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
Yeon Sohyang nodded with a graceful smile. It was the eye-smile of a top-tier gisaeng, one who knew exactly how to captivate and toy with a man’s heart.
But that lasted only a moment—
As she stared intently at me, her eyes sparkled with a strange light.
“Because there is no way mere assassins could ever hope to leave a single scratch on you, Young Master Kang.”
Her point was clear.
How could mere assassins possibly harm an absolute master who had reached the mature stage of the Flower Realm?
I let out a small chuckle at her words.
As a member of the Hao Clan—and one capable of acting as a proxy for Danri Sohwa, the Hubei Branch Manager—it was only natural that Yeon Sohyang’s martial arts level was high.
However, seeing through my realm at a single glance was a different matter entirely.
Although I hadn't reached the state of Returning to Simplicity, my control over my Ki had become much more fluid since reaching the Flower Realm. The energy currently radiating from me was not much different from that of an ordinary commoner.
“You have good intuition. Is that a martial art of the Hao Clan?”
“The Hao Clan is merely a collection of third-rate lives; we do not have secret martial arts like other sects. Most of our members are commoners rather than martial artists. This is nothing more than a meager talent of my own.”
Yeon Sohyang acted humble, but I didn't see it that way.
Since ancient times, if one had to pick the most important ability in the Murim, it wasn't external arts, internal energy, or even innate talent or constitution.
It was the sixth sense used to gauge an opponent’s level.
There was a reason for the saying in the martial world to be wary of the elderly, women, and children.
“By the way, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Why are you telling me this? To begin with, the Hao Clan is a power belonging to the Twelve Demonic Sects. If your relationship with me—the man who killed the Black Crow Sect Leader—is discovered, it’s obvious that both Lady Geum and you will be in danger. I don’t think my relationship with Lady Geum is special enough to warrant taking such a risk.”
In fact, it wouldn't have been strange at all if Danri Sohwa harbored hostility toward me.
To get information out of her, I had practically blackmailed her by bringing up her real name.
Of course, after learning she was a survivor of a family annihilated by the Imperial Family, I had formally apologized and even gifted her a ring as a sign of atonement.
“I apologize, but I know nothing regarding that matter. The Branch Manager prefers to refrain from speaking about anything outside of work.”
“Hmm...”
“...Ah! Come to think of it, I once heard the Branch Manager muttering to herself about the 'price of a ring.'”
“The price of a ring?”
I fell into thought at Yeon Sohyang’s words, then clapped my hands together.
I think I understood why Danri Sohwa had sent me a letter despite the risk.
The ring I gave her was an item that would cost billions of won back on Earth.
Furthermore, in the Central Plains, where jewelry-making techniques were less advanced, it would easily be worth several gold ingots.
‘Warning me about the Evil Alliance was probably her way of giving me the change.’
Given Danri Sohwa’s personality, she wouldn't enjoy being in my debt.
“Can you tell Lady Geum thank you for me? I’d prefer to tell her in person, but I don’t think I’ll be able to for a while.”
“Yes, I will make sure to deliver the message.”
To be honest, while I appreciated her taking the risk to warn me, it wasn't particularly helpful.
Unless the Evil Alliance Leader himself showed up, there wouldn't be any problems.
“Well, I’ll be going now. I’d love to stay for a drink since I’m already here, but the situation doesn't really allow for it.”
“Ah, Young Master Kang.”
Yeon Sohyang stopped me as I was about to stand up.
“Are you also heading to Kaifeng for the World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament?”
“Huh? Yes, well, I suppose so.”
“...In that case, would it be alright if I asked a shameless favor of you?”
“...A favor?”
I already had a strong feeling this was going to be a hassle, but looking at Yeon Sohyang’s sorrowful eyes as she held my hand, my heart started to soften.
Of course, if she had been ugly, I would have left without looking back, but unfortunately, Yeon Sohyang was a beauty.
Without a hint of exaggeration, she had the visuals to be the face of a girl group.
“Whew... I’ll listen for now, but I can’t promise that I’ll definitely be able to help.”
“Ah...! Thank you!”
Yeon Sohyang let out a sigh of relief with a bright smile. Seeing that it wasn't her professional "business smile," I began to think this might be even more troublesome than I expected.
“So, what exactly is the matter?”
“The thing is... they say that in the past year, the number of people who have gone missing in Kaifeng has reached the hundreds. And only pregnant women and newborn babies.”
“...?”
“The Murim Alliance and the local authorities found this suspicious and conducted a large-scale investigation, but they still haven't found a single clue about the culprit.”
“Hmm... Aren't pregnant women and newborns usually excluded from human trafficking?”
In the uncivilized lands of the Central Plains, a disappearance usually meant human trafficking.
If not that, then an accidental death.
There were even grades for human trafficking targets: young women were the first priority, children second, and young men third.
On the other hand, the elderly, pregnant women (unless they were exceptionally beautiful), and newborns were avoided even by the slave traders.
The reason was simple.
Maintenance costs were high, but the actual selling price was dirt cheap.
“It’s likely not human trafficking. The number of slaves entering the Black Market over the past year hasn't increased significantly compared to last year. Furthermore, Kaifeng isn't the only place where people are disappearing.”
Yeon Sohyang’s expression was quite serious.
“Missing person reports have reportedly surged in Gansu, Shaanxi, and Shanxi. If you include those not reported to the authorities... at least tens of thousands must have vanished.”
Tens of thousands.
In the Central Plains, that wasn't a massive number.
But if the targets were limited to pregnant women and newborns, the story changed.
“If you happen to find any clues about the culprit, could you visit the Red Moon Pavilion in Kaifeng and tell the Pavilion Lord there?”
“Is there a Hao Clan branch in Kaifeng too?”
“Yes. Of course, it’s not an official branch, so they don't buy or sell information. They only collect information within Kaifeng and send it to other branches.”
“Ah...”
I suppose even the Hao Clan wouldn't have the guts to operate openly in a place where the Murim Alliance headquarters was situated.
“Well, that’s not a particularly difficult request.”
“Then...?”
“Yes, I’ll help. But don't expect too much.”
“Ah...! Thank you, thank you so much...!”
Yeon Sohyang leaned in as if she were about to fall into my arms.
Normally, I wouldn't have refused, but for Yeo-hwa’s sake, I needed to restrain myself, especially in a gisaeng house.
“Then, can I ask one last thing?”
“Yes, anything.”
“The Hao Clan isn't the Murim Alliance or the government, so why are you so obsessed with this case? Besides, isn't the Hao Clan’s own network enough to collect information?”
“...It’s because this case is connected to the members of the Hao Clan.”
“...?”
At my question, Yeon Sohyang gave a bitter smile and slowly continued.
“The Hao Clan was originally created for the powerless to protect one another. Because of that, only a tiny minority have learned martial arts, and the vast majority of our members are commoners. The problem is that there are quite a few Hao Clan members whose families were kidnapped in this incident.”
The reason the Hao Clan was an information organization comparable to the Beggar's Sect was simple.
They were as numerous as beggars, and they held jobs that made it easier to eavesdrop on others.
Having grown rapidly thanks to that, the Hao Clan had an obligation to protect its members.
“...But we haven't found a single decent clue for months. Internal dissatisfaction is growing. We are at a point where we desperately need outside help. Not to mention an absolute master like you, Young Master Kang.”
“No, then why not ask the Evil Alliance for help... hmm...”
I trailed off and shut my mouth.
Most of the Evil Faction was a collection of vermin.
And the place formed by those people was the Evil Alliance.
Naturally, they wouldn't cooperate in solving the case.
It would be a miracle if they didn't actively interfere.
“Well... I understand the situation for the most part, so if I see any clues, I’ll stop by the Red Moon Pavilion.”
“As the Acting Branch Manager, I thank you again. If you bring a clue that helps solve the case, I will reward you handsomely.”
“We’re just helping each other out. I’ll visit again when I have the chance.”
As I set down my teacup, Yeon Sohyang stood up with me.
Then, she naturally hugged my arm.
Her ample chest pressed firmly against my arm.
“I shall be anxiously awaiting the day you visit as a guest. And when that time comes, would you please lift my hair?”
“...”
For a moment, I nodded reflexively without even realizing it.
Yeon Sohyang saw me off with a shy smile, and I walked boldly out the front door, using both invisibility magic and the Ghost Divine Art.
For the record, "lifting a gisaeng’s hair" or "pinning her hairpin" meant becoming her first customer and taking her virginity.
*
It had been three days since Yeo-hwa entered closed-door training.
Creeeeak—
As soon as dawn broke, the door to the training room opened, and Yeo-hwa walked out, her silky hair fluttering behind her.
I had been waiting since early morning because I had a feeling she would come out today; sometimes I felt like I had divine foresight.
Patter, patter! Thud—!
As soon as Yeo-hwa made eye contact with me, she dashed over and threw herself into my arms.
My lower body reacted on its own to the soft touch of her body and her stimulating scent.
“Have you been well?”
“I was so lonely without you that I soaked my pillow with tears every night.”
“Fufu, my husband’s flattery has certainly improved while I wasn't looking.”
Yeo-hwa buried her face in my chest with a satisfied smile.
I stroked her hair and checked her condition.
Her aura was completely different from three days ago.
“Congratulations. You’ve reached the peak of the Ultra-First-Class Realm, haven't you?”
“It is all thanks to you.”
Originally, Yeo-hwa’s realm was a mature Ultra-First-Class.
Even then, her control over internal energy was unnatural due to the aftereffects of poison, and her minor meridians were full of inflammation.
But now, not only had she fully recovered, she had even achieved a breakthrough in her realm.
Of course, the effectiveness of the elixir played a part, but there was a reason for the saying about pearls before swine.
‘...Fortunately, I don't feel the presence of the demon.’
Relieved that my fears hadn't come to pass, I returned to the annex with Yeo-hwa.
And around noon that day, we departed for Kaifeng.