Chapter 54
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: How to Handle a Scoundrel
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Cheon Taesan spoke up.
"If I summon butterflies, promise me that for one month, the Young Master won't lay a hand on me."
"What?"
Hwang Gok was so stunned that he felt like his own guts might twist just from watching. He'd never seen anyone handle a mad scoundrel like this before.
'First time in my life seeing someone treat the mad scoundrel that way. He's acting like a mayfly with no fear of tomorrow—it's making my heart race. But damn, isn't he impressive? Who else would dare act so boldly in front of the mad scoundrel?'
Hwang Gok was originally the kind of man who could strut anywhere with his shoulders back, speaking proudly like a true hero.
But in front of the mad scoundrel, he tucked his tail like a dog with ten of them.
He knew the guy had the power and authority to kill him on a whim if he got offended.
"Fine. I promise. I won't touch the scholar for a month."
"Swear it."
"A mere oath? I swear it by heaven and earth and all the gods. What else do you want me to swear on?"
Cheon Taesan tossed a comment at the flippant mad scoundrel.
"Swear on your mother's name."
The mad scoundrel glared at Cheon Taesan.
Cheon Taesan knew the scoundrel cherished his mother above all else.
She had been bedridden for a long time, but his filial piety toward her was genuine.
It might sound odd coming from a utter scoundrel, but even a rabid stray dog wags its tail for the one master who cares for it.
"Fine. I swear on my mother, Lady Deung Jo-ryeong."
The mad scoundrel definitely sensed this scholar wasn't one to take lightly.
'He doesn't flinch in front of Father or me—that's bold enough. And he pinpointed my weakness perfectly. How did he know I'm soft on Mother? Because he's from the Murim Alliance's Inspection Unit?'
The Present Heaven Gate Inspection Unit warriors didn't have half the scholar's skill.
All they knew was extorting money over others' scandals.
Cheon Taesan picked up a geum from the pavilion's furnishings and began to play.
"Oh ho, Spring River Blooms Under the Moonlit Night!"
Spring River Blooms Under the Moonlit Night was renowned as the most technically and emotionally demanding piece.
How many pleasure houses had he frequented to recognize it from the opening notes alone?
The melody flowed grandly like a river current, then bloomed brilliantly like spring flowers.
It soared to high notes before settling into a soft, moonlit hush.
Midway through the piece, two butterflies fluttered in from somewhere.
These were nocturnal butterflies that didn't fly at night, which was surprising enough—but they circled right above the scholar's head.
"Th-this is just coincidence! It can't be real! How could music summon butterflies? That's impossible!"
The mad scoundrel shouted in denial. But the two butterflies landed on the scholar's shoulders.
"Heavens!"
Hwang Gok turned to his sister.
"Little Sister. What do you make of that scholar's musical mastery?"
Hwang So-ye shook her head.
"Brother. I always thought I was decent with the geum and bipa, but hearing that piece... I'm still a long way off. My own musical refinement isn't enough to judge the scholar's. Honestly, I never imagined anyone could reach that level."
"That good?"
"It might be the pinnacle of music in the world today. Brother, do you really think those butterflies just happened by? At this hour?"
It was then.
"Whoa! What the hell is that?!"
Hwang Gok cried out in shock.
A long, yellow giant hornet flew in and hovered around the scholar.
Bzzz! Bzzz! Bzzz!
"That's a hornet!"
Hornet—hubong—the aggressive wasp known for its ferocity.
"Did he summon the hornet too?"
Cheon Taesan spun his three strands of spiritual energy, infusing them with intent.
As the music swelled to a crescendo, the hornet's buzzing harmonized perfectly.
Hwang Gok let out a gasp of horror.
"No way!"
Hundreds of hornets that had gathered around the scholar suddenly swarmed toward the mad scoundrel.
"You filthy bugs dare attack me?!"
He unleashed his protective aura, incinerating the hornets.
Pzzt! Pzzt!
They dropped like stones amid the sizzling burn of flames.
But like moths to a flame, the hornets kept charging at the mad scoundrel.
Pzzt! Pzzt!
What infuriated the mad scoundrel wasn't the hornets attacking him.
It was that they targeted only him.
Hwang Gok, Hwang So-ye, and the scholar were all around, yet hundreds of hornets went straight for him alone.
'That scholar bastard's controlling the hornets.'
Even as the thought crossed his mind, he bit his lip.
'But is that even possible?'
He couldn't even scold him over it.
Twang! Twang!
As the performance ended, the surviving hornets scattered into the air.
The mad scoundrel's wine cup and snacks were piled high with yellow hornet corpses.
"So, what did you think of my playing? Was it entertaining enough?"
Losing his temper now would make him a fool.
He'd demanded the geum himself and declared no one could summon butterflies.
"How did the hornets go after only me?"
He asked Cheon Taesan, his voice laced with suspicion and killing intent.
"Beats me. Even I'm amazed. Must be coincidence. You said it yourself—stuff like that's just chance."
"Heh heh heh... Huhuhuhu."
The mad scoundrel let out a hollow laugh.
"First time in my life I've felt like such a dog."
"I'll trust you to keep your promise."
Cheon Taesan leisurely poured himself a drink and savored it slowly.
"Fine liquor, well enjoyed. Thanks for the invitation. Young Hero Hwang, Lady Hwang. I'll take my leave now. Regret not sharing more drinks properly amid the chaos. Next time, I'd love to hear Lady Hwang's music."
Cheon Taesan bowed politely and exited the pavilion.
As he passed through the Moonlit East Gate, a sudden bellow echoed. The mad scoundrel, unable to contain his rage, was roaring.
"Who the hell's howling like a kicked pup under the bright moon?!"
A low chuckle came from somewhere near the Moonlit East Gate in response to Cheon Taesan's words.
Cheon Taesan's senses picked up four people hiding nearby.
"Uahaha!"
Mak Yeoheun laughed so hard the grand hall seemed to shake, then spoke to the air.
"Is that for real?"
"Yes, my lord."
"The scholar summoned hornets with music and attacked him?"
"Yes. The guards who saw it reported as much."
"Shadow Lord, is that even possible? Calling butterflies and wasps with music? Wait, from what I heard, it's not calling—it's commanding them. Directing them to target one specific person? Come on."
"To reach that level with musical mastery, one would need at least the realm of Sound Bullet Hundred Falls, Able to Bloom Silver."
"So you're saying he's a grandmaster of sonic arts like Sound Bullet Hundred Falls?"
"That's the level of attainment it implies."
"From what I saw, the scholar doesn't even have a dantian. Did I miss something?"
"My lord, if he could fool your eyes, he'd be a peak Flower Realm expert. Impossible."
"True."
"Likely some other method. Whatever it is, he might be worth watching this time."
"Yeah. He even got a promise from the scoundrel not to act for a month. Said if nothing changes, he doesn't mind being killed?"
Mak Yeoheun himself thought this scholar far exceeded expectations.
"I've been so bored lately, but now watching those two is entertaining. So, what's the scoundrel up to?"
"Screaming and cursing, they say."
"Kuhahaha! Normally, he'd have beaten the scholar to death."
"But he swore on the matriarch's name—he can't break it."
"Uhahaha! Listen, Shadow Lord. Deliver the land deed right away. And some money too. Enough to keep him from running off."
"He might survive this time."
"I have a feeling he's not just surviving—he might actually reform the scoundrel."
"Too early to say, but I admit I'm a bit hopeful. Which land should we give?"
"You know the place. The haunted spot near Poyang Lake where ghosts show up so often even the locals fled—Guiryeok Village. We're giving a lot of land, but it doesn't have to be good land."
"Of course, my lord."
Mak Yeoheun's sly grin filled the hall.
"If he survives there, he's a scholar worth my recognition. Oh, right—the scoundrel ate the scholar's spirit pill?"
"Yes. He said it contained five years' worth of inner energy."
"Hmm, a precious pill like that must be the Nangong Family's Vault of Heaven Pill. The one that boosts five years of cultivation?"
"Yes."
"Give the scholar another Dragon Blood Pill."
"You've already bestowed much, my lord. What we gave before should suffice."
"The scoundrel took it. We owe him that much. The Nangong Family treasures their Vault of Heaven Pills—yet they gave one to the scholar?"
"Reports say Nangong Hak cherishes Scholar Cheon more than his own children."
"For a tightfisted man like Nangong Hak to treat him that way means the scholar's got something special. He wouldn't lavish favors without gain."
Mak Yeoheun continued.
"Have we finally found a scholar who can reform our scoundrel?"
"Too soon to jump to conclusions, but I share the hope a little."
"When you tell the Present Heaven Asura Unit leader to deliver the deed, have him take a Dragon Blood Pill too."
"Does the scholar even need it?"
"He can eat it or give it away—that's his business. No need to meddle. He's doing this to avoid owing debts even as a righteous sect powerhouse."
"Understood."
Yu Yeongrip finally made her decision.
"We'll buy a manor near Poyang Lake and stay there."
No disciple or subordinate dared argue with Elder Yu's words.
But she had to ask.
"Scholar Cheon's group entered Present Heaven Gate, so wouldn't it be better to withdraw and wait for their return to the Nangong Family? Lingering here seems inefficient."
That was said out of ignorance of the Ice Sacred Body.
But Yu Yeongrip saw no need to explain fully.
"No. Who knows when they'll return? Better to wait here and watch for chances. No more chatter—find us a manor."
They replied in unison to Yu Yeongrip's command.
"As you order."
She gazed toward Present Heaven Gate and murmured.
"The day the Ice Sacred Body finds her true consciousness, she'll have no choice but to seek me. The Ice Sacred Body is drawn to places with pure ice energy."
That's why she couldn't leave.
The issue was not knowing when the self would awaken.
'But the Ice Sacred Body's consciousness expands and develops faster the more it grows. With the scholar teaching her and activating her mind, it'll speed up. It won't be long.'
Yu Yeongrip anticipated that waiting here wouldn't be so dull.
To monopolize the Ice Sacred Body, one more step was needed.
"And tell the subordinates left in Hefei to keep spying on the Little Palace Lord's surroundings—blatantly enough for the Blood Cult or Demonic Cult to notice."
"Understood."
As the subordinate left, Yu Yeongrip smiled faintly.
"Those bastards need to think the Little Palace Lord still has the Ice Sacred Body by her side."
The moment the Blood Cult or Demonic Cult learned the real Ice Sacred Body was with the scholar, securing her would become far harder.