Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Easy Pickings
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For a while, ordinary days continued.
Byeok Taesan still went to the brothel every night, gradually healing his severed meridians through the Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts.
Outwardly, his life seemed completely unchanged.
However, Byeok Taesan was still paying attention to certain things.
He planned to soon clean up all the elements scattered about that could disrupt his peaceful and quiet life.
For now, there were two places entangled with Byeok Taesan.
One was the Jongli Family, and the other was the Fragrant Flower Pavilion.
The Jongli Family had yet to make a move, but he needed to confirm if they were truly inactive.
And the Fragrant Flower Pavilion was one of the masterminds behind the men who had directly attacked him.
No, to be more precise, it was a link to the mastermind.
That part was also under diligent investigation.
By the Divine Doctor of the Ages' subordinates.
And Byeok Taesan was currently skimming through the findings of that investigation.
After checking all the documents, Byeok Taesan tossed them onto the table and looked at the Divine Doctor of the Ages.
“Is this all?”
Sensing the displeasure in Byeok Taesan's tone, the Divine Doctor of the Ages put on an aggrieved expression.
“Honestly, we haven't had much time to investigate. Information isn't something you can just pick up like a stone on the road. Do you have any idea how much work there is, starting with the preliminary tasks?”
Byeok Taesan scoffed.
“Do I need to know that?”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages had nothing to say and shut his mouth.
He was right. Why would a superior giving orders need to know such things? The ones actually doing the work should handle it.
Every time the Divine Doctor of the Ages sat across from Byeok Taesan like this, he felt an unsettlingly familiar sensation.
He was just a young master of a wealthy trading company, yet sitting here felt like conversing with a superior of incredibly high rank.
“It seems you've grown accustomed to this life.”
“Pardon? W-what do you mean...?”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages' eyes wavered anxiously.
“I'm saying you've gotten too comfortable.”
“Goodness, comfortable? Absolutely not. Do you know how much work I have? Just treating those two who train every day is enough to break my back. On top of that, making healing salves is no easy task. Even with two bodies, it wouldn't be enough.”
“So, should I split your body in two for you?”
“Aigoo, why must you joke so brutally? Please don't. Every time you do... it reminds me of the old days, and it's hard to bear.”
“Oh? Did you cause some trouble back in the day?”
“Hey, trouble? Despite how I may seem, I was a recognized genius. Everyone gave me a thumbs-up, saying no one could match me in the medical arts. It's just... back then, whether you were good or bad, it was a difficult and terrifying time for everyone...”
Byeok Taesan scoffed.
He knew exactly what the Divine Doctor of the Ages was talking about.
In the Heavenly Demonic Cult, no matter the division, they trained newcomers so harshly you'd wonder if it was even allowed.
Everyone was so haunted by those memories they'd jolt awake in their sleep.
“Anyway, I hope you'll understand my situation.”
Byeok Taesan smiled faintly at the Divine Doctor of the Ages' confident expression.
Seeing that smile, the Divine Doctor of the Ages grew extremely anxious. Such smiles had always coexisted with bad memories.
“Why do you need four subordinates to treat those two? You're more than enough on your own.”
“Pardon?”
“If you'd put those four on intelligence gathering, I think we would have had the results we wanted by now. Am I wrong?”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages' eyes widened, and he swallowed dryly.
He wanted to say he was wrong. But he had a feeling he absolutely shouldn't.
And honestly, it wasn't wrong.
His subordinates always produced optimal results when all twelve of them worked together.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages, pondering an excuse, cautiously glanced at Byeok Taesan.
But one look at Byeok Taesan's eyes made any thought of trying to weasel his way out vanish completely.
‘Shit, he knows everything. Those are the eyes of someone who knows everything he's saying.’
The Divine Doctor of the Ages lowered his head deeply and said.
“I will do as you say.”
“Are you the only ones gathering intelligence?”
“Pardon?”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages' eyes widened as he looked at Byeok Taesan, unable to hide his tense expression.
“I'm asking if there are others like you, cut loose like a kite with a broken string.”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages' pupils shook uncontrollably.
Honestly, he couldn't make sense of it.
He clearly knew a lot about the Cult, but in conversation, he seemed ignorant of the detailed information any member should know.
‘No, that's impossible.’
For a moment, one person who fit that description came to mind, but he quickly erased the thought.
It was a truly ridiculous idea.
“As far as I know, there are none. No, frankly, I'm not sure.”
Byeok Taesan nodded.
‘Right, they said all these groups were managed separately, didn't they?’
Normally, he should have only half-listened and barely remembered, but at times like this, surprisingly detailed memories would surface.
The Heavenly Demonic Cult had dispatched intelligence-gathering organizations all over the world.
Each organization lived under the guise of various professions, and the Divine Doctor of the Ages was one of them.
He had heard there were a few other physicians besides the Divine Doctor of the Ages. Though he didn't know who they were.
Besides them, there were also escort agencies and trading companies established and run by the Heavenly Demonic Cult.
They were probably all on pins and needles right now.
In truth, if nothing happened, it wouldn't be bad for them.
Since they never revealed their affiliation with the Heavenly Demonic Cult, they could just continue living lavishly as they always had.
But the current situation was far from normal.
So, there was no telling when something might happen. If a major conflict were to break out, they could be swept up in it at any moment.
How could they not be anxious?
‘I'll have to jog my memory a bit more about that part...’
He hadn't received detailed reports, only summaries, so he knew almost none of the specifics.
As the Heavenly Demon, he'd had no need to know such trivial things.
“Then I'll be watching.”
Byeok Taesan said this and waved his hand dismissively.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages bowed cautiously and withdrew.
Left alone, Byeok Taesan quietly checked his body's condition.
It was quite good. Of course, his body was still trash, but compared to the beginning, it was like heaven and earth.
‘Still, it's a long way to go.’
At the very least, he had to reconnect all his qi meridians.
To do that, he had to visit the brothel more diligently. And he had to devote himself more diligently to the Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts.
He was making such plans for the day and about to calmly practice the Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts when he felt a presence approaching from a distance.
The presence was heading directly this way. It meant someone was coming to see him.
The Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts weren't ineffective or dangerous if interrupted, but stopping in the middle of training was still unpleasant, so he decided to meet this person first and then train.
The person who approached was the general manager, bearing news.
***
“They want to meet at the Yeon estate?”
“Yes, Young Master.”
The general manager replied, cautiously observing Byeok Taesan's expression.
He didn't know why, but recently, he found Byeok Taesan incredibly difficult to deal with.
Honestly, even meeting the family head, Byeok Taesu, wasn't this uncomfortable.
“So they're not coming here, but telling me to go to them?”
“Yes, Young Master. That is correct.”
“You know who's at the Yeon estate right now, don't you?”
“Yes. I understand the Jongli Family has sent people there.”
“The guy from the Jongli Family isn't likely to see me and say, 'Oh, nice to meet you,' is he? Don't you think?”
“That is why we are trying to hire someone to protect you, Young Master.”
“It's nice to have so many people offering to protect me.”
Byeok Taesan scoffed.
“So, who is it?”
“It is not yet confirmed. However, we are doing everything we can to persuade him, so I believe there will be a good outcome.”
The general manager paused for a moment before continuing.
“It is the Flash Sword, Gyeong Chuhwang.”
“Flash Sword?”
Byeok Taesan tilted his head. He didn't know the name at all.
In fact, for Byeok Taesan to remember a name meant that person possessed incredible ability.
How many people in the world were there whose names the Heavenly Demon remembered?
“He is quite famous. With someone of his caliber, the Jongli Family probably won't dare to cause trouble recklessly.”
The reason they were specifically trying to recruit Flash Sword Gyeong Chuhwang was that he was someone who could be moved by money.
“And we are also trying to recruit the Giant Spirit Blade, Gal Jinhyeop.”
The Giant Spirit Blade was also a man with a reputation comparable to the Flash Sword.
“Frankly, I would like to hire both of them, but I will ensure we secure at least one.”
Byeok Taesan frowned.
“I don't need them.”
But the general manager's attitude was firm.
“You do. You must not take the Jongli Family lightly.”
“I know they're despicable, but I still don't need them.”
At the word "despicable," the general manager's face turned pale.
“Y-you must not speak so carelessly. If those words were to reach their ears, it would be a huge problem.”
“Anyway, I already have two bodyguards, so I don't need some guys whose names I don't even know.”
“It is only that you do not know them, Young Master. Their names are quite famous.”
Seeing that the general manager wouldn't back down, Byeok Taesan nodded.
“Then do as you wish. But know this, if they act all high and mighty in front of me, I can't promise I'll tolerate it.”
“They will not. Think of how much they are being paid. They are men who always live up to their price, so the only issue is whether they accept the offer. After that, there should be no problem.”
The general manager spoke confidently, then carefully added.
“As long as you do not provoke them first, Young Master.”
Byeok Taesan scoffed.
“Why would I provoke them? I have no hobby of messing with run-of-the-mill guys. Unless it's an elder of the Martial Alliance, perhaps.”
“Hahahaha! Your spirit is truly grand. Thanks to you, Young Master, I've had a good laugh for the first time in a while. Hahahaha!”
The general manager took Byeok Taesan's words as a greatly exaggerated joke.
“Speaking of which, this reminds me of something you used to say often when you were very young, Young Master.”
“When I was young?”
“Yes. Do you not remember?”
“Of course I don't remember.”
*Because it wasn't me back then.* Byeok Taesan looked at the general manager with a curious expression.
“Back then, you used to say it. That when you grew up, you would catch the Heavenly Demon. Hahaha. You were so adorable back then.”
Byeok Taesan's expression instantly hardened.
“Who... was going to catch who?”
“It seems you really don't remember. Well, you were only four years old at the time.”
“A four-year-old brat dared?”
“Hahahaha. You were young. Well... after that, your health declined, so we couldn't hear such spirited words anymore... but I believe you will soon return to your former self. You've already improved so much.”
“Well...”
“You will definitely get better. You've experienced the Divine Doctor of the Ages' skills firsthand, so you know them well, and we are diligently searching for even greater physicians, so please do not lose hope.”
“I know. I know, so stop repeating the obvious.”
“Hahahaha. Very well. Then I shall take my leave.”
After the general manager bowed and left, Byeok Taesan made a strange expression and tapped his fingers on the table.
“A cheeky brat dared to say he'd catch me?”
Byeok Taesan scoffed.
For some reason, he felt very strange.
“Well, it's all in the past. What does it matter now?”
The other matter at hand is more important now.
There were a total of twenty people from the Jongli Family staying at the Yeon estate.
Among them, twelve had learned martial arts.
Byeok Taesan already knew more detailed information than the general manager.
It was in the report the Divine Doctor of the Ages had brought today.
The corners of Byeok Taesan's mouth lifted slightly.
“The Jongli Family... they're easy pickings.”