Chapter 125
Chapter 125
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: The Golden Wall
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After returning to the Golden Jade Villa, Byeok Taesan's group quickly settled back into their routine.
Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon secluded themselves in the training grounds, dedicating themselves to their practice.
The two were genuinely astonished by Yeon Harin's transformation.
A sense of anxiety washed over them, a feeling that they would fall far behind Yeon Harin if things continued as they were.
So, Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon trained more fiercely than ever before.
Thanks to them, the atmosphere in the training grounds became much more intense.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages, the One-Needle Eccentric, and Cho Seoran focused on concocting medicines.
Using the ingredients diligently prepared by the Heavenly Medicine Hall's physicians, they created Divine Pills of the Ages and a large supply of internal injury and wound salves.
They decided to systematically produce the Heavenly Medicine Hall's elixirs according to plan after the move to Wuhan was complete.
In any case, now that they were companions on the same path, the exchange of secret techniques became much more active.
Byeok Taesan's handmaidens concentrated on serving him. Of course, they didn't neglect their martial arts training.
They knew that Byeok Taesan was no ordinary man.
And such people often find themselves at the center of great currents. The repercussions on those around them would be immense.
To survive in that environment, they couldn't afford to be weak.
Everyone dove back into their daily lives without even properly recovering from their journey.
Two days passed like that.
Byeok Taesan began his day as usual, attended by his handmaidens, and then went to check on his subordinates, who were living their lives with fierce dedication.
He visited the ronin market, the underworld gangs, and even the Hundred Flowers Pavilion to see how everyone was faring.
Before he knew it, evening had arrived.
As promised, Byeok Taesan headed to Byeok Taesu's office.
The chief steward was pacing in front of the office. It seemed he had been waiting for Byeok Taesan.
"Young Master, you've arrived."
The chief steward quickly approached Byeok Taesan and bowed his head deeply.
Byeok Taesan stared at the steward in silence.
"Young Master, I will show you the way."
Byeok Taesu's office was just a few steps away, so the offer to guide him suggested something was afoot.
Of course, Byeok Taesan paid it no mind.
He was already preoccupied with hunting down those bastards from Nameless or whatever they were called; he had no intention of getting involved in the internal affairs of the Golden Jade Trading Company.
"This way, please."
The place the chief steward led him to was a reception room right next to Byeok Taesu's office.
He had been inside once before.
And seeing it brought back memories from that time.
He had felt a strange sense of familiarity.
"The Young Lord is also inside, waiting for the Company Master."
Byeok Taesan nodded. Whether he was waiting or not, what did it matter?
"He is still quite immature. Even if he offends you, I ask for your generous understanding."
Byeok Taesan let out a smirk.
"No."
"What? Y-Young Master!"
The chief steward stopped in his tracks, flustered, clearly not expecting such a blunt refusal.
"Well, I won't kill him."
The chief steward's face turned pale.
"Y-Young Master!"
Byeok Taesan didn't reply, striding forward to open the reception room door and step inside.
Inside, Byeok Jehyeok stared at Byeok Taesan with wide eyes.
The chief steward scurried in after Byeok Taesan.
"Young Lord, how can you just sit there!"
At the steward's urgent words, Byeok Jehyeok's expression twisted. However, he soon rose from his seat and bowed his head to Byeok Taesan.
"Greetings, Uncle."
Although there was only a one-year age difference, an uncle was still an uncle.
And he couldn't act disrespectfully toward Byeok Taesan in front of the chief steward.
After all, the person Byeok Taesu trusted most in the Golden Jade Trading Company was the chief steward, Ga Mujin.
For Byeok Jehyeok to inherit the Golden Jade Trading Company smoothly later on, the chief steward's help was essential.
Byeok Taesan gave a single nod to acknowledge Byeok Jehyeok's greeting and then took a seat.
Byeok Jehyeok watched him, dazed.
How could he be so confident? He suddenly recalled what the old Byeok Taesan had been like.
They hadn't crossed paths often, but whenever he saw him, he had looked so sickly that he seemed on the verge of death.
But seeing him today, he was too healthy, if anything.
A subtle anxiety began to grow.
Byeok Jehyeok knew how much his father, Byeok Taesu, cherished Byeok Taesan.
Back when it was uncertain when he would die, Byeok Jehyeok's position as the Young Lord was secure. But with Byeok Taesan this healthy, the story could change.
Of course, that was merely the thinking of Byeok Jehyeok and his mother, Chae Miryeong.
No one else thought that way. Not even Byeok Taesu.
Byeok Taesu often expressed his thoughts.
It was to prevent Byeok Jehyeok and Chae Miryeong from having any unnecessary ideas.
But that alone couldn't erase all their anxieties.
Byeok Jehyeok stared at Byeok Taesan with a grim expression, his lips tightly sealed.
Byeok Taesan paid him no mind. What currently occupied Byeok Taesan's attention was that familiar feeling he had experienced before.
Unlike last time, his body was now healed, and his Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts had advanced through several enlightenments.
Naturally, his senses had become sharper and broader.
So he focused, believing he could uncover something more.
Today, just like that time, he felt that familiar sensation.
And he could roughly pinpoint where the feeling was coming from.
'Seems like there's something in the basement.'
Not the basement of this reception room, but the one beneath Byeok Taesu's office.
However, there was an opening connected to this side, which was why the feeling was stronger in the reception room.
Byeok Taesan also figured out why this feeling was so familiar.
He tilted his head in confusion.
'It's the Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts?'
This was an aura that could only be created through the Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts.
And it was deep in the basement of the Company Master's office.
The corners of Byeok Taesan's mouth lifted slightly.
'Well, well.'
Suddenly, his thoughts became complicated.
Why was there a trace of the Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts here?
It must be because one of the past Heavenly Demons had formed a connection with this Golden Jade Trading Company.
'Does this mean it wasn't just a coincidence that I obtained this body here?'
As Byeok Taesan was lost in thought, the reception room door opened and Byeok Taesu entered.
"Have you been waiting long? I had something that had to be finished today, so I'm a bit late. My apologies."
Byeok Taesu spoke as he looked back and forth between his son, Byeok Jehyeok, and his younger brother, Byeok Taesan. A pleased smile graced his lips.
As he entered, the chief steward bowed his head and retreated.
Before the steward left, Byeok Taesu met his eyes meaningfully, then turned to Byeok Taesan and Byeok Jehyeok with a bright smile.
"Well now, let's eat first. I've been so busy today that I haven't eaten at all, and I'm quite hungry."
A moment later, various dishes were brought in.
The three of them ate comfortably, engaging in light conversation.
The food was delicious, and the conversation was very ordinary.
They mostly talked about recent events, occasionally bringing up rumors circulating in Wuhan.
The meal, neither too long nor too short, came to an end.
After servants came in to clear the reception room, the three continued their conversation over a cup of tea.
Byeok Taesu led the conversation from start to finish, all the while observing the atmosphere between Byeok Taesan and Byeok Jehyeok.
He had a very strange feeling.
In his eyes, Byeok Jehyeok was still very lacking. It was likely due to his young age, but he was clumsy at hiding his emotions.
His feelings and emotions were plainly visible in his expression and tone.
Less than two hours had passed from the start of the meal to tea, but in that time, he was able to grasp everything Byeok Jehyeok was thinking.
Byeok Taesan, on the other hand, was completely different from Byeok Jehyeok.
To be honest, he couldn't read him at all. He could only see what Byeok Taesan deliberately chose to show.
He had subtly revealed that he had no interest in the Golden Jade Trading Company and planned to leave soon.
Byeok Taesu found that point deeply regrettable.
Honestly, he had hoped that Byeok Taesan and Byeok Jehyeok would lead the family together.
But seeing them now, he realized it was nearly impossible.
Byeok Taesu said abruptly.
"Taesan, it seems you're planning to leave the Golden Jade Villa."
As Byeok Taesan nodded, Byeok Jehyeok looked back and forth between Byeok Taesan and Byeok Taesu with surprised eyes.
Byeok Jehyeok looked at Byeok Taesu with anxious eyes.
'Don't tell me... he's not planning to split the company in half, is he?'
Byeok Taesu looked at Byeok Taesan and said.
"I intend to hand over all the entertainment pavilions owned by the Golden Jade Trading Company."
At Byeok Taesu's words, Byeok Jehyeok's eyes widened. The Golden Jade Trading Company owned so many pavilions, and he was giving them all away?
Still, considering the financial power of the Golden Jade Trading Company, the pavilions were nothing.
But Byeok Jehyeok was uneasy. He had a feeling that wasn't the end of it.
Sure enough, Byeok Taesu continued speaking.
"Honestly, I'd like to give you the escort agency as well, but I should hear your thoughts on that. If you don't want it, I'll give you the equivalent in money."
Byeok Taesan looked at Byeok Taesu with a calm gaze.
"As I understand it, it was decided to be one thousand taels of gold, one manor, and a few pavilions and taverns."
Byeok Taesu smiled brightly.
"That was what Father left for you. I don't want to be a cold-hearted brother who gives his younger sibling nothing as he leaves the family."
Byeok Taesan nodded. He had no intention of refusing what was offered. The hassle of arguing back and forth over it was tiresome.
"Very well. The pavilions, too. I don't need the escort agency."
"Then, in money..."
"Save it. You might have use for it later."
Byeok Taesu fell silent and looked at Byeok Taesan. He felt a strange nuance in Byeok Taesan's words.
"If you say so, then I will."
Having said that, Byeok Taesu turned his head to look at Byeok Jehyeok.
"What are your thoughts? If you have any complaints, speak now."
Byeok Jehyeok shook his head firmly.
"I have none."
If Byeok Taesan would leave the Golden Jade Trading Company with just the pavilions, it was more than a fair trade.
"Good. Then it is settled... Now, I will tell you the real reason I called you here."
At the words "real reason," Byeok Jehyeok's eyes widened.
And Byeok Taesan's gaze deepened. He had a premonition that this reason was related to the aura of the Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts in the basement.
"The reason I insisted on meeting you in the reception room is because the key to open the entrance is here."
With those words, Byeok Taesu rose from his seat.
He walked to a corner of the reception room.
When he pressed his foot firmly on the floor in the corner, a faint vibration occurred.
Of course, Byeok Taesan was the only one in the room who felt that vibration.
Byeok Taesan glanced toward Byeok Taesu's office.
The vibration had just come from that direction.
"Follow me."
Byeok Taesu led the two to his office.
Upon entering the office, Byeok Taesu first locked the door. Then he moved a desk to the side.
Byeok Taesu pressed his palm firmly on a spot on the floor. The spot indented inward.
He gripped a handle inside and pulled, and a door built into the floor slowly opened upward.
***
It was incredibly deep. A spiral staircase wound its way down, and no matter how far they descended, it seemed to have no end.
How long did they descend? Soon, a spacious room appeared.
Amazingly, the room wasn't dark, as the ceiling and walls were studded with luminous pearls.
But the truly astonishing thing was not the luminous pearls.
At the far end of the room stood a colossal wall.
A wall made of gold.
Seeing that wall, Byeok Taesan understood why the company was named the Golden Jade Trading Company.
It was clear that this company had been created in the first place to possess and protect that wall.
Byeok Taesan slowly approached the golden wall.
As expected, the golden wall was what contained the aura of the Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts.
Standing before the golden wall, Byeok Taesan examined it carefully.
On the surface, it appeared perfectly smooth. But that was only how it looked.
The Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts flowed within this golden wall.
The interior of the wall must have a special structure. The Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts flowed along that structure, preventing any loss of energy, and even if there was any loss, it was continuously replenished to maintain a constant density of energy.
It was truly magnificent.
The reason it was made this way was obvious.
This was a wall made for the Heavenly Demon.
"What do you think? Isn't it magnificent? This is the very beginning of our family."
At Byeok Taesu's words, Byeok Taesan gave a light nod.
Meanwhile, Byeok Jehyeok stared blankly at the golden wall as if entranced.
"Our family's role is to protect this wall and to show it to the guest who comes seeking it."
Byeok Jehyeok looked at Byeok Taesu and asked.
"How do we know who the guest seeking the wall is?"
"Check the back of that wall."
There was a space behind the golden wall. Byeok Jehyeok quickly went around to check the back of the wall.
Byeok Taesan also went to the back.
A massive symbol was engraved there.
"The person who bears that symbol is the guest. But even if they have the symbol, there is no need to show them this wall unless the guest speaks of it first."
This was a directive that had been passed down through the generations since the Golden Jade Trading Company was first established.
Seeing the symbol, Byeok Taesan smirked.
He then turned his head to look at Byeok Taesu.
Byeok Taesu's expression was extremely grave. It was only natural. There was no way he wouldn't know about that symbol.
An ordinary person might not know, but Byeok Taesu was the master of a massive enterprise like the Golden Jade Trading Company.
Sure enough, Byeok Jehyeok's face turned pale as he, too, recognized it.
"F-Father! That, that symbol... is it what I think it is?"
"I believe so."
Byeok Jehyeok's pupils trembled uncontrollably.
And for good reason. The symbol engraved on the back of the golden wall was the symbol of the Heavenly Demon.
It was different from the symbol of the Heavenly Demonic Cult.
It was a symbol that only the Heavenly Demon could use.
It was a symbol that looked like the character for 'Heaven' (天) superimposed with the character for 'Profound' (玄).
Byeok Jehyeok trembled. This terrible truth was too much to bear.
What would happen if this fact became known to the world?
The Golden Jade Trading Company would be finished. Moreover, the Heavenly Demonic Cult was currently surrounded by a strange formation and wasn't involved in worldly affairs at all.
It was a situation where they couldn't receive help even if they wanted it. Of course, it was doubtful the Heavenly Demonic Cult would help even if asked.
"I trust you will keep this a secret."
At those words, Byeok Jehyeok nodded his head frantically.
Byeok Taesu stared at Byeok Jehyeok with piercing eyes.
"You must not tell your mother either. I trust you are not unaware of the consequences that would bring."
"O-Of course."
If Byeok Jehyeok's mother, Chae Miryeong, were to learn of this, she would try to use this information somehow.
And that would ultimately lead to ruin.
Byeok Jehyeok looked at Byeok Taesan with an anxious gaze.
Byeok Taesan looked at Byeok Taesu and Byeok Jehyeok.
Then he strode up to the golden wall and placed his palm on it.
The other two watched Byeok Taesan with puzzled expressions.
Byeok Taesan grinned and applied pressure with his hand.
Krrrrack!
The golden wall crumbled.
The jaws of the other two dropped open.
< The Golden Wall > End