Chapter 185
Chapter 185
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 185
Chapter Title: I Will Now Begin the Operation
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< I will now begin the operation >
Carrying Hwaok, Byeok Taesan arrived at the Crescent Moon Inn and headed straight for the annex.
It was so late at night that the inn was empty.
Everyone was either asleep or preparing for bed in their respective rooms.
A few staff members remained on the first floor for any potential late-night guests, but they were all nodding off.
Byeok Taesan passed them and entered the rear garden of the annex.
The garden was deserted.
Most of the lights in the pavilion at the far end of the garden were also out.
Byeok Taesan entered the pavilion and went to his room on the top floor.
Once inside, Byeok Taesan gently laid Hwaok down on the bed.
Hwaok swallowed dryly, her eyes a mixture of nervousness and anticipation as she looked at him.
"How much trouble do you think the Golden Moon Trading Company is in after today?"
At Byeok Taesan’s question, Hwaok quickly collected herself and answered.
"The flow of funds centered around the main branch was already poor. It seems to be due to the money spent instigating the Hyeoncheon Sword incident."
As she spoke, Hwaok gradually shook off—no, suppressed—the emotions and atmosphere that had been building while in Byeok Taesan’s arms. This wasn't something that could be simply shaken off.
"To recover from the blow they took today, they'll have no choice but to cut ties with their affiliated trading companies."
Though called affiliated companies, they were likely owned by the Golden Moon Trading Company in all but name.
There had to be a reason for structuring them separately, and now they would have to bear the full burden of that decision.
Hwaok explained this part in detail.
Byeok Taesan nodded and said.
"Then what's the best way to land a major blow on them in their current state?"
Hwaok answered without hesitation.
"We need to destabilize the main branch further and incite a majority of the trading companies to turn against the Golden Moon Trading Company."
"More details."
"I will return the captured men to the Golden Moon Trading Company without treating them."
Their internal injuries were extremely severe. For a martial artist, if not treated properly, they could find it difficult to use their skills ever again.
Given the considerable number of men, the Golden Moon Trading Company would have a massive headache trying to heal them all.
"If the Golden Moon Trading Company fails to treat them properly, it could sow internal dissent."
Byeok Taesan nodded.
By shaking them from within while simultaneously mobilizing other trading companies to keep them in check, they would be completely overwhelmed.
"In the midst of that chaos, we can step in and gradually take over their market share."
It meant they would seize what the Golden Moon Trading Company possessed.
"Good. Proceed with that."
"Yes."
Hwaok bowed her head in response.
Having said all that needed to be said, she suddenly realized she was still sitting on the bed.
Byeok Taesan stood right in front of her, looking down.
She had delivered her report in this state.
Hwaok fidgeted, unsure of what to do next.
Byeok Taesan took another step toward her, closing the already small gap between them.
The suppressed emotions, the atmosphere, the sensations—all came rushing back.
Having been held down, they now threatened to explode.
This was all because of what had happened today.
The foreign sensation that pierced through her whenever Byeok Taesan intervened with the energy enveloping the ship had a strange, tantalizing quality.
Especially when they were breaking the other ships, Byeok Taesan’s deeper intervention was even more peculiar.
That sensation had slowly stirred Hwaok’s desire.
She was probably not the only one.
When they had disembarked earlier, she noticed that Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon were in a similar state.
Those two might not even return to the Crescent Moon Inn tonight.
Looking at Byeok Taesan, a thought suddenly crossed Hwaok's mind.
*Perhaps… the Young Master felt it too?*
At that thought, her face flushed, and her desire for Byeok Taesan deepened.
Watching her, Byeok Taesan said calmly.
"You don't need to go back tonight."
Expectation and desire once again mingled in Hwaok's eyes.
She lifted her head, her gaze moist as she looked at Byeok Taesan.
The corners of Byeok Taesan’s mouth lifted slightly.
* * *
Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon were walking side by side.
The street they were on was bustling with people.
The two had stayed out all night. As if that wasn't enough, they were only now heading back, with the sun past its zenith.
Of course, no one would reprimand them for it.
After all, the only thing to do at the Crescent Moon Inn was train.
Still, the two couldn't hide their anxious expressions.
Even if no one would say anything, they couldn't know what might happen if Byeok Taesan was displeased because of it.
And they wouldn't be able to complain about it to anyone.
Despite this, a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness resided in their eyes.
An undeniable confidence radiated from them.
Yesterday's experience had given them more than just fulfilled desires.
The experience of pouring out all their increased internal energy, and the sensations engraved on their bodies by Byeok Taesan's intervention, had allowed them a glimpse of a completely different level of mastery.
They had grown to match their increased internal energy, all from steering a ship for just one day.
Of course, the realm they had briefly glimpsed still felt impossibly far away.
Confidence brings composure, and composure broadens one's perspective.
"Huh? Aren't those the doctors over there?"
At Yu Seoyeon's words, Cheon Gyeongwan turned his gaze and saw the Divine Doctor of the Ages and the One-Needle Eccentric striding along.
Embarrassed yet somewhat mischievous smiles appeared on their faces.
"Looks like we weren't the only ones last night, huh?"
As he said that, he thought of Byeok Taesan and Hwaok.
Yu Seoyeon looked at Cheon Gyeongwan and asked.
"What do you think happened?"
She didn't specify who, but Cheon Gyeongwan understood perfectly.
"It's obvious."
"You think so?"
Yu Seoyeon's eyes sparkled again, much like they had the previous night.
Cheon Gyeongwan, startled, quickly looked away.
He quickened his pace slightly.
"We're going to be late. We should hurry."
Yu Seoyeon quickly caught up, her gaze still fixed on him.
Feeling a cold sweat on his back, Cheon Gyeongwan walked faster and faster.
Soon enough, they had caught up to the Divine Doctor of the Ages and the One-Needle Eccentric.
"Huh? What, you two didn't come back last night either?"
"Well… something like that."
Cheon Gyeongwan wore an embarrassed expression. But at that moment, he spotted something, and his eyes glinted.
"What is it?"
The Divine Doctor of the Ages, noticing the change in him, asked. Cheon Gyeongwan gestured with his chin.
"That guy over there seems to be following that person."
The Divine Doctor of the Ages glanced over, thinking he was being overly concerned.
"Huh? It's not just one guy."
There were more of them scattered about.
The four of them tried to identify the commonalities among those being followed and those doing the following.
"The pursuers are all from the same organization, or at least similar groups."
"Those being followed are all different."
The eyes of the four glinted.
"If we follow those guys, I think we can get away with being late today without any trouble. What do you think?"
At the Divine Doctor’s question, Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon nodded in unison.
Each of the four chose a target, split up, and began to follow them.
* * *
Hwaok slowly opened her eyes. She shot up with a start.
Looking around, she saw that it was far too bright.
She instinctively glanced out the window and saw the sun was past its zenith.
She had overslept, something she hadn't expected.
She quickly got up and grabbed her clothes.
Seeing the marks left on her body, she briefly blushed at the memory of last night, but she quickly shook her head to clear her thoughts.
Hwaok's expression returned to its usual composure.
Byeok Taesan wasn't in the room; he had likely gone to train as usual.
She needed to go out, wash up at least a little, and get ready.
Opening the door, Hwaok froze.
Standing before her were very familiar faces.
Soso, Danyeong, and Chaewol were there.
As Hwaok stood frozen in the doorway, the three of them smiled slyly and entered the room.
They were carrying buckets of water.
They had come to prepare a bath, just as they did for Byeok Taesan in the morning.
Of course, this time it wasn't for Byeok Taesan, but for Hwaok.
In no time, the large bathtub was filled with warm water.
The three women gave Hwaok a meaningful look, then quietly exited and closed the door.
Hwaok, who had been standing frozen the whole time, dazedly turned her head to look at the bathtub.
Her face turned beet red.
She quickly undressed and submerged herself in the tub.
She repeatedly splashed water on her flushed face.
Even so, for some reason, her heart felt a little more at ease.
* * *
The Sword Fiend was going through hell.
Byeok Taesan was currently helping him with his training, and it was so difficult and painful that he felt his teeth would grind down to nothing.
He was suddenly reminded of a time long ago when the Heavenly Demon had offered to help the Sword Demon with his training.
His current state was probably identical to the Sword Demon's back then.
At that time, after training with the Heavenly Demon, the Sword Demon had always insisted on helping with his training.
He could now keenly feel what the Sword Demon must have felt then.
The thought of finding someone to teach—and take his frustrations out on—after this training was over was growing stronger by the moment.
Still, what the Sword Demon had done to him back then was child's play compared to what Byeok Taesan was doing to him now.
*He endured this?*
The Sword Fiend thought, then let out a hollow laugh. Wasn't he, too, somehow enduring it right now?
"Seeing you smile, it must be bearable."
At Byeok Taesan's words, the Sword Fiend's face hardened. That wasn't it, but he couldn't say so. It would only lead to a worse fate.
"Then let's start with your death."
"Pardon?"
The Sword Fiend looked at Byeok Taesan with a puzzled expression. In that instant, his consciousness vanished.
It was his first death.
Not long after the Sword Fiend collapsed, Hwaok appeared.
She approached Byeok Taesan and bowed her head slightly in greeting.
She looked at him with sparkling eyes and said.
"I will now begin the operation."
Byeok Taesan nodded.
"Do so. Oh, and find someone for me."
"Who should I look for?"
Byeok Taesan paused for a moment in thought.
Would that man really use his own name? Unlikely.
"First, his age… is unknown."
Come to think of it, he didn't know much about the man. He certainly didn't know his age. He lived without knowing his own age, so how could he know anyone else's?
"He should be over forty, though."
He seemed to recall hearing that the man was in his twenties when he fled.
"He has long sword scars on his cheek. Two of them."
The man had fled in fear because of them. The problem was his master who taught him. Then again, how many masters in the Heavenly Demonic Cult back then raised their disciples with any sanity?
"He might have intentionally added other scars to hide the sword wounds."
The man's master hadn't cared much that he had run away, so he never bothered to have him brought back.
But the man wouldn't believe that. So he would have tried to erase his distinguishing features.
"His original name is Jewiryong. But he won't be using that name."
Hwaok listened intently to Byeok Taesan's words.
Without the facial scars, the information was almost impossible to trace.
But now that she had her orders, she would accomplish the task, no matter what.
"I will be sure to find him."
Hwaok bowed her head in response and withdrew.
Byeok Taesan watched her retreating back for a moment, then nudged the still-prone Sword Fiend with the tip of his foot.
"Stop sleeping and get up."
He would let others wake up on their own, but there was no need for that with the Sword Fiend. He was strong.
Even the shock of being woken up midway would ultimately become part of his training.
"Ughhhh."
The Sword Fiend groaned as he came to. He pushed himself up and shook his head.
He couldn't get his bearings. A pain, as if his entire body was being finely diced, washed over him.
Remembering the situation, he looked at Byeok Taesan. Fear flickered in his eyes.
"Your gaze is rotten."
The experience had been so painful and terrifying that it had instilled fear in his eyes.
Perhaps because he was woken up mid-process, the Sword Fiend had experienced it far more intensely.
Still, at Byeok Taesan's single comment, his mind snapped back into focus, and his gaze returned to normal.
"Can you do more?"
At Byeok Taesan’s question, the Sword Fiend's pride was deeply wounded.
"Of course. I can endure even more."
Hearing the Sword Fiend's words, the corners of Byeok Taesan's mouth lifted slightly.
Seeing that, the Sword Fiend's face turned pale.
It seemed that, in a fit of pride and caught up in the atmosphere, he had said something he shouldn't have.
"Then let's start by dying one more time."
This time, too, the Sword Fiend couldn't even utter a response. He simply lost consciousness.
Staring down at the collapsed Sword Fiend, Byeok Taesan nodded.
"Not bad."
If nothing else, his ability to endure was quite useful.
It seemed they could now begin the training in earnest.
Even as he lay "dead," the Sword Fiend's body twitched, as if sensing the fate that was about to befall him.