Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: King of the Night
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Something had changed.
Byeok Taesan broke into a cold sweat as he refined the spiritual energy he had drawn from the soul.
He had pushed himself too hard today, and his body was in a terrible state.
“Red Dragon, snake, whatever it was, it's damn annoying.”
When he killed Wi Jeoksim, he had drawn upon a power he had stored away but never used.
It was the power extracted from the soul of the man he had captured at the Scented Flower Pavilion.
Simply releasing it shouldn't have been too taxing on his body.
And yet, this garbage body couldn't even handle that.
It was a good thing he had been steadily refining it with the Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts; otherwise, the qi channels he had painstakingly reconnected might have torn apart.
The thought made him break out in a cold sweat.
Half the energy he had gathered was gone. Of course, he didn't regret it. It was energy he could gather whenever he put his mind to it.
In fact, when he had extracted that power from the man at the Scented Flower Pavilion, he had considered using it in such a way.
He just hadn't expected to use it so soon.
In any case, now that he knew it strained his body, he planned to restrain himself as much as possible in the future.
“Hoo. Well, it's over now.”
Byeok Taesan muttered, glancing down at the naked courtesan sleeping beside him.
It wasn't that the sight of her didn't stir any lust in him.
But for now, he had to endure.
If he gave in to the urge, his body wouldn't be able to take it.
With the spiritual energy he gained from this courtesan, he had reconnected another minor channel.
The thought was both pleasing and sigh-inducing.
At this rate, how long would it take to reconnect all his severed channels?
Byeok Taesan gently closed his eyes and reinforced the newly connected channel.
Since it was currently held together by spiritual energy, he had to constantly tend to it.
Only with continuous attention would the channel truly heal.
Byeok Taesan continued this process until the sun was high in the sky.
* * *
“What are you doing over there?”
Byeok Taesan wore a peculiar expression as he saw Cheon Gyeongwan right after leaving his room.
Cheon Gyeongwan, who had been flailing about, straightened his posture upon seeing Byeok Taesan.
“Young Master, you’re awake.”
“Don't tell me you've been at it all night?”
Cheon Gyeongwan didn't answer. The only thing he had confirmed after a whole night of this was his own incompetence.
Byeok Taesan clicked his tongue.
“Tsk, tsk. Just stick to what you’re good at.”
Hearing this, Cheon Gyeongwan hung his head.
“But don't get all droopy. It wasn't a complete waste.”
Cheon Gyeongwan's head snapped up, his eyes wide with surprise.
“It helped, even if just by an ant's tear. In one way or another. Now let's go. I need some rest.”
As Byeok Taesan strode ahead, Cheon Gyeongwan stared blankly at his back for a moment before scurrying to catch up.
A faint smile touched Cheon Gyeongwan's lips before vanishing.
* * *
The Golden Jade Trading Company was comprised of countless divisions, each with its own designated duties.
Tasks were assigned according to the nature of each division, and each faithfully carried out its mission.
Most of these tasks were aimed at making money.
Among them, the division most valued by the Golden Jade Trading Company's leadership was the Information Pavilion, which managed intelligence.
From the company's inception, information had been deemed paramount, so the position of the Information Pavilion's master had always been held by a close family member of the patriarch.
The current master of the Information Pavilion was Byeok Uhaeng, the younger brother of the previous company head and the uncle of the current one.
From a young age, Byeok Uhaeng's goal had been to become the master of the Information Pavilion. Not only did he have a talent for it, but he also understood the importance of information better than anyone.
He believed that as long as he controlled the flow of information, no one could touch him.
And he had long instilled this belief, almost like brainwashing, into his son, Byeok Sang-il.
Byeok Sang-il was the leading candidate to be the next master of the Information Pavilion. In fact, his succession was all but confirmed.
To ensure this, Byeok Uhaeng had gone to great lengths to foster a close relationship between Byeok Sang-il and the company head, Byeok Taesu.
Byeok Uhaeng was sitting across from his son, Byeok Sang-il.
In their hands, both men held documents with the same content.
After finishing the document, Byeok Uhaeng asked his son,
“What are your thoughts?”
“I don't think the Black Blood Alliance will make a move because of this.”
“Your reasoning?”
“There's little to be gained.”
Byeok Uhaeng nodded with a satisfied expression.
“Be that as it may... I don't understand why a boy who's just waiting to die is suddenly acting like this.”
“Still, it was a case of a blind squirrel finding a nut, wasn't it?”
Byeok Uhaeng chuckled.
“That's true.”
They already knew the Scented Flower Pavilion was an intelligence organization disguised as a brothel.
They just hadn't yet figured out where its connections led.
But thanks to Byeok Taesan's recent actions, they now had a pretext to put serious pressure on the Scented Flower Pavilion.
The Scented Flower Pavilion had not only violated business ethics by trying to spy on Byeok Taesan's private affairs, but had also used one of its courtesans to manipulate the leader of the Red Dragon Gang.
Although they were still denying it, they would soon be brought to their knees. Byeok Uhaeng and Byeok Sang-il would make sure of it.
Byeok Uhaeng was confident they would soon uncover the Scented Flower Pavilion's backer.
If they kept shaking things up, a crack was bound to appear, and exploiting such openings was what they did best.
“I hope they don't have any powerful backing.”
“There's a high probability of that.”
In that case, the Information Pavilion could simply devour them.
In any case, Byeok Taesan was the one who had started all of this.
Though he had likely done it without any real thought.
“Setting the Black Blood Alliance aside... do you know what's happening with the Red Dragon Gang?”
Byeok Sang-il knew his father wasn't asking because he didn't know.
Every conversation with his father was a test.
“With their center of power gone, the organization is unstable. But even in the midst of that, they're busy with power struggles.”
Byeok Uhaeng nodded with a subtle smile.
“You have a good grasp of the situation.”
But Byeok Sang-il knew those weren't words of praise. It was a question: *Is that all?*
“The Black Snake Clan and the Great Bear Gang are watching them like hawks. It seems... the Red Dragon Gang will likely split in two.”
Only then did the smile on Byeok Uhaeng's face deepen.
“That is the nature of the underworld. They devour so as not to be devoured.”
“The problem is that this incident has increased the number of people wary of us.”
“Yes, you've understood that much.”
“Perhaps even the sects we have cooperative relationships with will begin to keep us in check.”
“It's not a matter of 'perhaps.' They most certainly will.”
Byeok Sang-il bowed his head and said,
“I will make preparations in advance.”
Byeok Uhaeng nodded, pleased.
The thought occurred to him that it might soon be time to pass on this position and simply watch from the sidelines.
“By the way... I hear that boy is being called the ‘King of the Night’ these days. Have you heard?”
Byeok Sang-il felt a hint of envy in his father's words.
Of course, he didn't voice this thought. He kept his expression neutral.
“He's just hastening his own death. He could drop dead at any moment even if he did nothing, yet he's expending his vitality like that. It's rather unsettling these days.”
As Byeok Uhaeng frowned and shook his head, Byeok Sang-il added slyly,
“Still, I honestly think it's a relief.”
Anger flared on Byeok Uhaeng's face at those words. Naturally, Byeok Sang-il, having anticipated this, quickly added,
“You need not worry. I would never even entertain such a thought outside of this room.”
Byeok Uhaeng's expression shifted before finally settling.
“See that you keep your word. Remember, the walls have ears.”
“Of course. I am one of those listening ears, so how could I not be careful?”
“A careful man says such things?”
Byeok Sang-il smiled faintly.
“Only because I am before you, Father.”
Byeok Uhaeng shook his head firmly.
“You shouldn't trust me either. Don't trust your son. I certainly don't.”
To that, Byeok Sang-il remained silent.
After all, what he had said wasn't wrong.
The age gap between the company head, Byeok Taesu, and his younger brother, Byeok Taesan, was too large.
Byeok Taesu's son and Byeok Taesan were only two years apart.
If Byeok Taesan had been healthy and talented, he would have been a seed of discord.
Neither Byeok Taesu's wife nor his son would have remained so docile.
In any case, it was a fortunate turn of events for the Golden Jade Trading Company.
Though unfortunate for Byeok Taesan.
“By the way…”
Byeok Uhaeng began, a suggestive look on his face.
“Have you perhaps heard anything about special medicines or foods that boy might be taking?”
“I have not.”
Byeok Sang-il answered immediately. He, too, had tried desperately to find that out.
After extensive investigation, he had come to the conclusion that Byeok Taesan was simply born that way.
Of course, Byeok Uhaeng had only asked just in case. He had conducted the same investigation and reached the same conclusion.
“Well... I'm envious.”
“It's stamina that came at the cost of his health.”
Though he said that, Byeok Sang-il was just as envious.
That was why he had investigated so diligently.
“Keep a close watch on the Thousand Gold Federation.”
“I already have them under surveillance.”
“Be thorough. They are dangerous.”
The Thousand Gold Federation was an alliance formed by several trading companies.
Ostensibly, they had gathered for fellowship and mutual prosperity, but in reality, it was an alliance to oppose the Golden Jade Trading Company.
“They're the kind of people who could stir up the Black Blood Alliance or the Red Dragon Gang.”
“I know. But no matter how much they stir the pot, it won't be easy to get the Black Blood Alliance to move.”
If the Black Blood Alliance made a move, the orthodox sects in Wuhan wouldn't stand idly by.
“And if it's just the remnants of the Red Dragon Gang... they'll have a hard time getting past Cheon Gyeongwan.”
“I've told you time and again, you must be wary of variables.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
Byeok Uhaeng nodded at his son's confident yet cautious demeanor.
‘He's perfect... so why do I feel so uneasy?’
* * *
It had been some time since Byeok Taesan had started being called the King of the Night.
It was a nickname mixed with sarcasm, envy, and jealousy. And Byeok Taesan couldn't care less what people called him.
The people around him, however, cared a great deal.
Every night, Byeok Taesan went out as if he were determined to conquer every brothel in Wuhan.
It was no wonder the people around him were worried sick.
Byeok Taesan never slept with the same courtesan twice.
It was only natural, as there was nothing left to extract from them, but that's not how others saw it.
And every courtesan who had spent a night with Byeok Taesan sighed nightly, unable to forget him.
The real problem was that among the courtesans who had been with him, some, like Danyeong, would come to him and beg to be taken in.
There weren't many.
For them to react that way, their souls had to have been considerably tainted.
Still, including Danyeong, three courtesans had already come to the Golden Jade Manor.
And those three served Byeok Taesan with true devotion.
In any case, the three women who had come would have normally faced considerable hardship.
They were too beautiful to be mere handmaidens. Naturally, some men would covet them, and given their origins in a brothel, others would look down on them and treat them poorly.
But before that could happen, Soso stepped in.
Soso removed herself and the other three women from the Servants' Hall.
All handmaidens and servants of the Golden Jade Trading Company were managed by the Servants' Hall. But using Byeok Taesan as an excuse, she had them transferred.
It wasn't easy, of course.
But by using Byeok Taesan's name and with Cheon Gyeongwan's help, she barely managed to pull it off.
The incident caused quite a stir within the Golden Jade Trading Company.
Frankly, from an outsider's perspective, it was no different than taking the courtesans as concubines.
Though Byeok Taesan had no such intention.
If they were only to attend to Byeok Taesan, four handmaidens were hardly necessary.
So it was only natural for people to question his motives.
In reality, however, there was a great deal of work for the four of them to do.
Most of the tasks the Servants' Hall had implicitly taken care of were now cut off.
Soso had to handle every single one of those things herself.
Managing the pavilion where Byeok Taesan stayed was no small feat for just four women.
Today, too, Soso was so busy managing the pavilion she barely had time to breathe.
As a result, dark circles formed under her eyes, and her face grew gaunt.
She was taking a short break after a bout of intense work when someone approached.
“Oh? Warrior Yu!”
Soso greeted the approaching person with a happy expression.
It was Yeon Harin's personal guard, Yu Seoyeon.
Since she was a familiar guest, it seemed the main gate hadn't stopped her or even sent word of her arrival.
“What brings you here? Did Lady Yeon send you?”
It had never happened before, but she asked just in case.
Yu Seoyeon nodded.
“That, and other things. I also have something to say to Young Master Byeok.”
“To our Young Master?”
Soso's eyes widened.
“He's not back yet... but he should be soon. Please, come this way.”
Soso led Yu Seoyeon to the reception room.
Yu Seoyeon frowned as she followed Soso.
“Not back yet... Does that mean he went to a brothel last night too?”
Soso gave a bitter smile.
“Yes.”
Then she added, as if making an excuse,
“But strangely, our Young Master's health has improved since he started visiting the brothels. He doesn't suddenly collapse like he used to.”
But those words did nothing to change Yu Seoyeon's expression.
Soso showed Yu Seoyeon into the reception room, then went back outside to finish her work.
And there, Yu Seoyeon gently closed her eyes and began a training exercise to control her senses while she waited for Byeok Taesan.
She trained in one way or another whenever she had a spare moment. Naturally, her martial prowess was considerable, and she took great pride in it.
In the middle of refining her senses, Yu Seoyeon's eyes snapped open.
“This presence... Who is it? It can't be Cheon Gyeongwan, can it?”
With a look of disbelief, Yu Seoyeon stared blankly at the door.
Soon, the reception room door opened, and Byeok Taesan appeared.
And following behind him, Cheon Gyeongwan entered.
Yu Seoyeon's gaze wavered slightly.
He had grown so much stronger, it was hard to believe he was the same person she had seen just a short while ago.