Chapter 132: Old Ties and New Ties Arrive (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 132: Old Ties and New Ties Arrive (3)
"Tavern Owner, Young Hero Eo has arrived."
Wol Hwa spoke as she stood before a small pavilion, having led me across a modest garden and through a moon gate.
"Tell him to enter."
A pleasant voice drifted out from inside the room.
"Please, go in, Young Hero Eo."
Seeing Wol Hwa treat me with such formal courtesy stirred a strange mix of emotions. We had shared a passionate night long ago, so meeting her again like this felt a bit jarring.
I opened the door and stepped inside.
However, I was immediately met with disappointment.
A bead curtain hung between the Tavern Owner and me, obscuring the face of the woman rumored to be so extraordinary.
"If the Tavern Owner invited me here, it would only be proper to show her true self. What is the meaning of summoning someone only to hide your face?"
When I spoke with a dignified air, the Tavern Owner let out a soft laugh.
"Hohoho, I didn't think of that. I was only mindful of my own shyness and failed to consider the etiquette due to a guest. My apologies."
The Tavern Owner stood up and drew back the bead curtain.
As I watched her, I felt the air catch in my throat.
She’s truly beautiful.
She was the most beautiful woman I had ever met.
Until now, I never believed in the title of 'The World's Greatest Beauty' because every woman has her own unique charm. Since the standards of beauty vary from person to person, how could there be one single beauty that everyone agreed upon?
But looking at her, I realized I was wrong.
Unconsciously, I stood up and clasped my hands in a polite greeting.
"I am Eo Ja-seo."
I greeted her with the same respect I would show a supreme master.
"I am Seol A-young."
For a moment, my hands and feet felt numb. I had never been particularly interested in beauties, thinking that no matter how pretty a human made of flesh and bone was, there was a limit.
Furthermore, as dictated by the Eight Iron Rules of a Small Fry, masters always follow beauties, so I had a habit of viewing beautiful women as nothing more than paintings—pleasant to look at, but dangerous to touch.
I almost reached out to touch Seol A-young's face without thinking.
However, I was better trained than anyone when it came to dealing with beauties.
Snapping back to my senses, I kept my eyes on Seol A-young while forcing myself to recall the sad memories of nearly starving to death as a child, trying to calm my racing heart.
Seol A-young watched me intently.
"So, what business did you wish to discuss?" I asked in a businesslike tone.
As if finding my reaction amusing, Seol A-young smiled and spoke.
"The greatest hero and man of justice in Sichuan, Young Hero Eo, has visited my humble tavern. It was quite regrettable that I could not greet you at the entrance myself. Thus, knowing it was rude, I took the liberty of asking you to come here in person. Please forgive my discourtesy."
When she bowed her head, I waved my hand dismissively.
"Think nothing of it. I stopped by this tavern to drink with my acquaintances, not to receive the hospitality of the Tavern Owner. Do not trouble yourself."
I responded bluntly to her flattering words.
Seol A-young smiled softly at my reply and lowered her head.
Good heavens. She looks so fresh and pure that she wouldn't have a hint of fishiness even if eaten raw.
It was the first time I felt my carnal desires stir just by looking at a beauty.
"That aside, did you really ask to see me just to look at my face?"
When I asked in a somewhat stiff tone, Seol A-young continued to smile. It seemed she found my persistent questioning funny.
"How could that be? How could I dare summon a hero just to satisfy my own curiosity? I have heard some rumors recently and wished to provide you with information that might be of help."
I felt a sense of doubt.
"Why did you think the rumors you heard would help me? Are they rumors about me?"
When I asked, Seol A-young shook her head.
"No. However, the current state of the Murim is flowing in a peculiar direction, and I felt that the New Dragon of Sichuan should be aware of it."
Though I found it strange, I asked anyway.
"And what are these rumors?"
"I heard that internal strife recently broke out within the White Hero Sect, leading to a great battle. The Murim Alliance attempted to step in and mediate, but the conflict is apparently more severe than expected, so the Alliance has washed its hands of the matter."
My expression didn't change, but I was so shocked I nearly jumped out of my seat.
Regardless of anything else, the White Hero Sect was now essentially my home sect, so I couldn't help but be concerned.
Ever since the Demon of Chaos and the Sword Demon had declared that my father was the eldest disciple of the White Hero Sect and that I was his son, the sect was no longer a place that had nothing to do with me.
I briefly considered the White Hero Sect and my own situation before becoming curious about Seol A-young's intentions for sharing this information.
"Why are you giving me this information, Tavern Owner?"
Seol A-young gave me a beaming smile.
It was impossible to bark at a woman with such a smile to reveal her hidden agenda, so I simply kept my mouth shut.
"Since I invited you here, I couldn't very well just engage in idle chatter. I simply shared the most valuable information I had heard. There is no need to overthink it."
That made it even more suspicious.
However, she didn't look like the type of woman who would give a straight answer even if I pressed her.
The Tavern Owner of the Night Candle's Radiance, who wouldn't budge even if powerful men or masters requested her presence, had summoned me of her own accord and was now telling me something so out of the blue.
What was strange was how closely that information related to me.
I couldn't shake the feeling that she knew my circumstances perfectly.
Could it be? Is she a spy for the Divine Light Sect?
The thought crossed my mind.
"Are you affiliated with the Divine Light Sect?"
At my words, the smile vanished from Seol A-young's face.
In its place, a murderous glint flickered in her eyes.
"The Divine Light Sect is my mortal enemy."
I could infer a lot from that statement.
For a lone woman in this world to even know of the Divine Light Sect meant she was no ordinary person. And for such a woman to have a grudge against them meant she was deeply entangled with them.
"Are you a member of the Candlelit Guards?"
Seol A-young flinched in surprise. Her expression suggested she hadn't expected me to hit the mark so accurately.
"As expected, Young Hero Eo is quite brilliant."
It was even stranger that she admitted it so readily.
The Candlelit Guards were a sect that passed down its teachings in secret and never revealed its power to the world. I was suspicious of how easily she answered me.
"I see the Candlelit Guards have set up a tavern to gather information."
Seol A-young simply nodded.
It was a good idea. The places where one could gather the most information in the world were taverns or brothels.
"Then, is Wol Hwa also a member of the Candlelit Guards?"
Seol A-young smiled again.
"She is."
I nodded and then asked directly.
"But why are you telling me all this? Isn't it dangerous if your secrets leak out?"
Seol A-young looked at me intently and said, "I don't believe that Candlelit Shadow Agent No. 4 would ever betray the Candlelit Guards."
"What?"
I felt goosebumps at the mention of a name I hadn't heard in a long time.
To think I would hear the name 'Candlelit Shadow Agent No. 4' here.
"Are you the Candlelit Shadows?"
Seol A-young tilted her head in a slight nod.
"Hahahaha."
I had vowed to punish that Candlelit Shadow if I ever met them again, but I never imagined we would cross paths like this. A hollow laugh escaped my lips.
"Then, is the Candlelit Shadow who met me before here?"
When I asked, Seol A-young let out a deep sigh.
"Yes. They certainly wished to seek your forgiveness."
"Hmph!"
Thinking back to that time, a snort escaped me involuntarily.
"Will you forgive them?"
"When I think about how I was used as a decoy to let them escape, my blood boils."
"Perhaps they did that because they believed in you, Young Hero Eo?"
Seol A-young continued.
"If you can find it in your heart to forgive, the drinks for you and your companions will be free for as long as the Night Candle's Radiance exists."
"Hmm."
Hearing that, my past resentment suddenly felt a bit petty. It wasn't as if the Candlelit Shadows were an evil group.
Still, it wouldn't look right to back down too easily, so I added one more thing.
"I might consider it if the person themselves comes to me and begs for forgiveness."
At my words, Seol A-young stood up and, to my surprise, bowed deeply to me.
"At that time, I was in a dire and urgent situation, and I ended up owing you a great debt. In a way, you could even be called my life-saver. I offer this bow in place of my past rudeness and as a token of my gratitude."
While Seol A-young was bowing, I instinctively reached for the back of my neck, feeling like I'd been struck from behind.
"Hahahaha."
Only a laugh like an old man's flowed out.
"The Candlelit Shadow from back then was you, Tavern Owner?"
"Yes. I had been discovered by the Ghost Pursuit Squad and was trapped in a Heaven-Earth Dragnet. If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't have been able to escape."
I couldn't help but laugh. They say life is a series of coincidences.
"But why are you telling me all this now?"
"In the Murim, the New Dragon of Sichuan is already synonymous with a hero of justice. If I cannot trust such a person, who can I trust? Furthermore, I already know that you have crossed paths with the Divine Light Sect. I know you thwarted their plans at the Nine Demons Chamber, killed Butterfly Killing Fan Wi Se-gun—one of their Six Villains—and nearly annihilated the Heavenly Wind Squad. Now, whether you like it or not, you have become a target for elimination by the Divine Light Sect. From now on, they will constantly attempt to kill you. Since that is the case, you will need our strength and information, which is why I am telling you this."
I had nothing to say to that. In truth, Seol A-young was right. This was exactly what I had been worrying about lately.
I realized that Seol A-young, who had approached me after anticipating all of this, was no ordinary woman.
"But why did you build a tavern here? If you want to monitor the Divine Light Sect, shouldn't you be near their headquarters?"
At my question, Seol A-young looked at me with cat-like eyes.
"Recently, the forces of the Divine Light Sect have been flowing into Sichuan. They seem to be plotting something, but since we don't know what it is yet, we built this tavern here for large-scale information gathering."
"I'm asking why it had to be here, specifically. Near Ten Thousand Dragons Fortress. There's always Chengdu."
"Would you believe me if I said it was to maintain a close relationship with Candlelit Shadow Agent No. 4?"
I let out a smirk.
"Let me guess. You probably thought that being in the outskirts would allow you to deceive the eyes of the Divine Light Sect or the Ghost Pursuit Squad. They wouldn't expect the Candlelit Shadows to be in the rural area of Junggang instead of Chengdu."
Seol A-young smiled brightly.
"Conversing with you is truly delightful."
She had indirectly confirmed my guess.
Having nothing more to say, I stood up.
"I shall return to my companions now."
Seol A-young stood up as well.
"I look forward to seeing you again."
I snorted inwardly at her words.
Hmph, there's no way I'm coming back.
Now that I knew she was a member of the Candlelit Shadows, her beauty was no longer of interest to me.
As I walked toward the door, Seol A-young spoke.
"If there is any important information, I will make sure to inform you immediately."
Whatever.
I didn't answer, simply clasped my hands in a parting gesture, and turned away.
No matter how you looked at it, nothing good would come from associating with people like them.
Didn't Confucius say it?
One must be selective in love, and one must be selective in friendship.