Chapter 184
Chapter 184
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Peace
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Rumors spread in an instant.
He had been one of the heroes who fought against the Blood Cult that once threatened the Central Plains, but even before that, the infamous thief Shin Tu was already notorious. The moment the war ended, he had slipped into the chaos like he was waiting for it, stealing treasures from all sorts of sects and factions before vanishing.
Back then, it would have been faster to find someone among the notable figures who hadn't lost something to him.
So, the discovery of that thief Shin Tu's secret base naturally meant his stolen goods were likely there too. It was only natural that all the major powers of the Central Plains turned their eyes toward it.
Those directly robbed by him, their associates, and countless others coveting the secret manuals, spirit medicines, and treasures that might be hidden there—all flocked to the site in an instant.
And that news quickly reached even the foreigners from another world.
"...So you're saying they've found something like a dungeon belonging to a legendary master thief?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Ha. No matter how different this world is, places where people live are all the same. Seems like those kinds of bastards exist in every world."
Barshutain leaned back on his throne, chuckling incredulously at his subordinate's report.
"Treasures here are just this world's standards anyway. Spirit medicines might be useful for energy replenishment or research, but everything else would be worthless to us. It doesn't make sense to divert manpower for that, right?"
"I agree, my lord."
"We've been hiding well and waging guerrilla warfare this far. Revealing ourselves just for some herbs would be a bad move. Of course... for a normal commander... Argh! I said shut up! I'm still talking!"
Barshutain, who had been lounging with a relaxed expression, suddenly grew irritated and waved his hand over his head as if swatting away an invisible annoyance.
"Whew... damn it... To think the great Barshutain would be forced to move because of some low-level contract like this."
The Blood Cult's lingering wish that had interfered with his summoning across dimensions.
Retrieve the stolen divine relic and ignite another blood catastrophe to drown the world in blood.
Drowning the world in blood was his plan anyway, so no issue there. Getting the relic back? He'd figure it out eventually while turning the world upside down—no big deal.
But...
Throb throb.
Now that he knew its location firsthand, he couldn't just ignore it.
That was the condition of the contract binding his existence in this world.
Grind.
Being manipulated by someone else's will grated on his nature, but even he couldn't defy this contract.
In the end, he had no choice but to yield this time.
"...Looks like I can't ignore this either."
"Shall I recall the troops preparing to deploy to Shaanxi?"
"No, proceed with that plan as is. With this much commotion, master-level experts and above will head there, so your forces alone should suffice."
"...You mean?"
When the subordinate kneeling before the throne looked up, Barshutain wore a more relaxed expression, grinning mischievously.
Though his appearance had changed from the previous world, that signature smile remained.
Third Legion Commander of the Undying Legion. Vampire Lord Barshutain.
The near-only strategist among the undead legions of low intellect, his nightmare was the commanders of fallen foes under his command—enough to fill a demon realm.
How many had charged at him with half-baked schemes only to become part of the undead legion?
"I'll go to Shin Tu's secret base alone."
And he didn't think this was mere coincidence or natural occurrence.
A competent commander always considered every possibility and variable.
A treasure trove undiscovered for twenty years conveniently appearing right when they needed to check on those who hadn't shown themselves?
The timing was too perfect for coincidence.
'Probably connected to this world's saintess.'
That woman would easily infer his situation with the relic.
An obvious but irresistible bait—worthy of praise.
She probably thought he'd lead his subordinates there...
"A wench who only knows brawling as 'war' wouldn't understand what real war is."
This body had lived for centuries on the battlefield, playing chess with living humans born for war.
The saintess from the previous world might be different, but for this barbaric world's saintess to challenge him?
He'd acknowledge the power that single-handedly blocked his First and Second Legions near the dimensional barrier, weakened as he was.
But war wasn't just about strength.
'Time to teach the whelp the true terror of the undead.'
That madwoman who ruined his strategies by vanishing unpredictably still made his blood boil at the thought—but this green saintess? He could toy with her like a plaything in his palm.
"What about Flora, then?"
"Didn't I say I'm going alone? Send her to Mount Hua as originally planned. Don't let her act solo, like I said before."
"Understood. I'll assign someone as per your orders."
"I planned to watch her potential up close myself... but with things like this, no choice."
He'd been intrigued enough to keep her nearby for a while, but if she fell short of expectations, that was that.
Toys were for times of leisure.
When things got serious, you set them aside.
"Oh, right. Almost forgot. Make it a woman. A man would just set her off again."
It felt like raising a finicky cat.
Shiver.
"What's wrong?"
"...Just got chills all over."
"Heard there's a flu going around these days. Be careful—you're not in the best shape anyway."
Lick.
I was strolling through the market with Dang Ayoung, licking a tanghulu.
The fuss over Shin Tu's secret base had turned the martial world upside down, but that only affected martial artists and merchants dipping into that scene. To ordinary folk, it was like a tale from another world.
Farmers too busy tilling their fields for the day barely noticed.
With martial artists—who eat a ton—packing up and leaving, inns and restaurants were just grumbling a bit.
"If all the merchants head there, prices might rise."
"If they do, we just pay more."
Lick.
"...This kind of life isn't half bad."
So this is what it's like being a rich family's live-in son-in-law.
I thought again how lucky I was to have met Dang Ayoung after coming to the Central Plains.
What would I be doing now if not for her?
Thanks to her, I set up a fortune-telling stall, made money, traveled—and after becoming her lover, she covered room, board, and pocket money. Without her, my life would look very different.
'Maybe even selling my body.'
Not a pleasant thought, but possibly the most likely.
If my face ever got exposed by mistake, depending on who saw it, I might've ended up sold to a brothel.
Even trying to divine my future with heavenly secrets, I can't read my own—so preparing would be tough.
Lick.
'Being this handsome is nice, but...'
Cute more than handsome, but since women go crazy for it, handsome it is.
Good is good, but isn't this a bit much?
Every woman who's seen my bare face has ended up in bed with me 100% of the time...
'Except Master.'
Close call there.
Minus Master, every woman who's seen my face fell for me, and half of them jumped me. That's practically enchantment.
One I can't control.
That's why Master warned me my face would bring calamity and to always cover it.
'...Was that prophecy about the Heavenly Demon?'
Already worrying how to talk my way out safely next time I visit the Demonic Cult.
Hope my barely overcome PTSD doesn't relapse.
"..."
"Why are you staring like that?"
"Nothing. Just thinking you're pretty."
"You, complimenting me out of the blue? Something happen?"
"...Forget I said it."
I turned from Dang Ayoung, who was about to tease me, and popped the nearly finished fruit in my mouth.
"Tease me like that, and I might just pounce."
"You were the one saying we should hold off for a while since who knows what might happen."
"That meant you shouldn't excite me while we're abstaining."
"Can't you just hold back a little?!"
She was in her prime, sure, but what woman has this much libido?
I relieved her buildup just days ago, and she's already like this.
She insisted on abstaining to stay in top condition, and it's only been days—yet here we are.
"How about just three times, moderately, without overdoing it?"
"Is Three some dog's name?"
My stamina's freakish; for a normal guy, three times takes everything he's got.
"It's because you're too fas—"
"My fault, so don't say it!"
"So, three times then?"
"..."
Felt like she was reeling me in, but I was helpless.
Still, I had to say this.
"Fine, if you can stop after exactly three."
"..."
"You sure you won't complain later?"
" ...Fine. I'll hold back."
As if I'd fall for Dang Ayoung's tricks after one or two days.
Agree to "just a few times" and she never stops there.
"Hmph."
Watching her walk on looking glum, I thought.
No clue what the future holds,
but I hoped this peaceful daily life would continue forever.
