Chapter 3
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: An Earnest Plea
A truly beautiful person.
When Soso had passionately described Yeon Harin's beauty, Byeok Taesan hadn't believed a word of it.
And now, in this moment, he silently apologized to Soso.
He had once again confirmed the truth that a truly beautiful person was beautiful no matter who was looking.
“Young Master...”
A hint of pity colored Yeon Harin's eyes.
It seemed she had heard the rumors about him frequenting the pleasure houses every day.
“Soso must have told you.”
At Byeok Taesan's murmur, Yeon Harin shook her head.
“No. Soso isn't the type to do that.”
How would she know what kind of person Soso was? He had only known her for ten days.
Of course, he wasn't foolish enough to say that out loud.
“There are many rumors about you lately, Young Master.”
Byeok Taesan wore an awkward expression.
Come to think of it, with the courtesans' screams shaking the Fragrant Flower Pavilion every day for ten days straight, it would be stranger if rumors *didn't* spread.
This was something even Byeok Taesan couldn't help for the time being.
It was a minor side effect of the new Soul-Devouring Demonic Arts.
Byeok Taesan looked straight at Yeon Harin.
She was even more beautiful up close. From a distance, he'd considered her among the top ten beauties. Up close, she was in the top three.
Yeon Harin took a bold step closer.
Then, with a sorrowful expression, she shook her head.
“Please, don't do this.”
Byeok Taesan stared blankly at her. Even if she told him not to, he couldn't stop.
He couldn't just lie down and die, could he?
When Byeok Taesan didn't answer and just stared at her, Yeon Harin continued.
“Don't abuse yourself because of me, Young Master. Even if you do, I will never give up.”
He wasn't abusing himself, he was trying to survive, but he didn't bother explaining the long and complicated story.
Besides, telling her he was originally the Heavenly Demon wouldn't be believed for a second, and even if she did accept it, that would create its own problems.
“Instead of going to the pleasure houses, just come to me.”
At Yeon Harin's words, Byeok Taesan unconsciously licked his lips.
But he couldn't fall for those words right now.
Now was the time to conserve his body. If he was reckless, the tower he had so carefully built could come crashing down.
‘So, she thinks I'm doing this to push her away.’
Byeok Taesan gathered his thoughts for a moment. Then, scratching his cheek, he spoke.
“Um... I don't know if you're aware... but the fortune given to me by the Golden Jade Trading Company is...”
“A thousand taels of gold, a single manor, and a few pleasure houses and taverns. Is there anyone in Wuhan who doesn't know that?”
Even though his words were tantamount to asking if she was after his fortune, Yeon Harin didn't lose her spirited demeanor.
“You remember this is the third time you've said that, don't you? I can only give you the same answer again. Just bring yourself. I'm more than capable of supporting one person.”
Yeon Harin said, taking another step closer.
They were now so close their bodies were almost touching. From that position, she tilted her head up to look at Byeok Taesan.
“I will never give up. So... please don't you give up either, Young Master.”
Byeok Taesan took a step back, scratching his cheek.
“I never gave up.”
Yeon Harin's eyes widened. It was the first time she had heard such words from Byeok Taesan.
“Young Master...!”
Overcome with emotion, Yeon Harin clasped her hands together and gazed at Byeok Taesan.
The thought that her sincerity and effort had finally gotten through to him made her emotions surge.
And for Byeok Taesan, who was completely unaccustomed to this kind of emotional exchange—no, who had never experienced anything like it—it was incredibly awkward to watch.
“Well, that's all for today.”
Byeok Taesan practically fled the scene.
Yeon Harin watched his retreating back, her expression still filled with emotion.
“He's so shy.”
A gentle smile formed on Yeon Harin's lips. It was a smile so beautiful that no one could see it and not be captivated.
Thinking her efforts were finally bearing fruit, she felt an even greater sense of satisfaction.
A slender woman, brimming with healthy beauty, approached Yeon Harin.
A sword at her waist, she was Yeon Harin's bodyguard.
“My lady. It is time to return.”
“Already?”
“The Master was very clear that you are not to be late this time.”
They had deliberately come this way to meet Byeok Taesan, so they might be a little late if they didn't hurry.
Yeon Harin let out a soft sigh.
“Hah. Alright. Let's go.”
As she followed her bodyguard, she kept turning her head to glance in the direction Byeok Taesan had gone.
***
“I just can't get used to this.”
When people looked at him as the Heavenly Demon, their eyes held only two emotions.
Awe and fear.
Faced with the Heavenly Demon's bottomless power, they could only feel awe. Or fear.
But since becoming Byeok Taesan, the only emotion in the gazes directed at him was pity.
If he had received such looks as the Heavenly Demon, the area would likely have been drenched in a sea of blood that day.
As Byeok Taesan shook his head at the thought, Cheon Gyeongwan's voice reached his ears.
“Are you going to the pleasure house again today?”
Byeok Taesan stopped and slowly turned to look at Cheon Gyeongwan.
His tone was usually flat and emotionless, but for some reason, it felt colder today.
“Why? You don't want to follow?”
“That is not it, but I was suggesting that you should rest for at least a day.”
Byeok Taesan looked at Cheon Gyeongwan with a peculiar gaze.
“Somehow, I don't think you're saying that out of concern for me.”
“You misunderstand.”
Byeok Taesan scoffed and spun back around.
“A person's feelings aren't always under their control, I suppose. Well, do as you please.”
“I said you misunderstand.”
Emotion colored Cheon Gyeongwan's voice. It was a mixture of bewilderment and displeasure.
Byeok Taesan slowly turned around again.
Cheon Gyeongwan was startled by the look on Byeok Taesan's face and in his eyes.
This was a man so weak he could snap his neck with a single finger, yet at this moment, it felt like standing before an absolute master.
Cheon Gyeongwan himself couldn't understand why he was reacting this way.
Not once since he'd first held a sword had he ever felt so intimidated.
And by a sick man who wasn't even a pale scholar, at that.
Watching Cheon Gyeongwan, Byeok Taesan's eyes glinted slightly.
“Not bad.”
Normally, such a remark should have made him more displeased. But Cheon Gyeongwan didn't even have that thought.
Byeok Taesan tapped his temple with a finger and said.
“From now on, think carefully about who you're talking to and what you're saying.”
Byeok Taesan spun around again and strode away.
For a long while, Cheon Gyeongwan stood rooted to the spot, staring blankly at Byeok Taesan's back.
***
The Formation Masters of the Fragrant Flower Pavilion had to check the formations for abnormalities every day.
But there was nothing wrong with the formations.
Abnormalities only occurred when Byeok Taesan stayed in that room.
The Master of the Fragrant Flower Pavilion took this situation quite seriously.
“Well, what's the conclusion?”
At her question, the pavilion's Formation Masters broke into a cold sweat, exchanging nervous glances.
The master's cold gaze fell upon one of them.
“Er... according to my inspection... there were no signs of the formations being tampered with.”
“Are you saying he manipulated their effects without even touching them? I had no idea the second young master of the Golden Jade Trading Company was so capable.”
“No, that's...”
One of the Formation Masters who had been nervously glancing around quickly spoke up.
“There is one way to distort a formation's effects without touching the formation itself.”
The master's eyes lit up as she looked at him.
“There was such a method? Why was I unaware of it?”
“Because the only person who can use it is the Celestial Eccentric.”
“The Celestial Eccentric?”
The master's expression twisted strangely.
Who was the Celestial Eccentric? He was a man whose skill with formations and mechanisms was said to reach the heavens.
The Formation Master quickly added an explanation.
“There are stories that the Celestial Eccentric created a few special items.”
“Special items?”
“Devices that distort the flow of qi to temporarily neutralize or disrupt a formation's effectiveness.”
“So you're saying the second young master of the Golden Jade Trading Company has one?”
“That is the only conclusion my mind can reach.”
The master sighed.
It was unlikely the Celestial Eccentric was involved in this.
But she had to confirm it one way or another. Otherwise, it could hinder the Fragrant Flower Pavilion's future operations.
“You may leave for now. Re-examine the formations.”
The Formation Masters hastily withdrew.
The master stared at the empty floor and muttered.
“He'll come again today, won't he?”
A reply came from the ceiling.
“I expect so.”
The master bit her lip lightly.
“Keep an eye on him.”
“The mission to monitor the Master of the Falling Flower Pavilion is not yet complete.”
“Put that on hold and prioritize this.”
“Understood.”
The master's eyes shone fiercely.
“There's no chance the Celestial Eccentric is involved, right?”
“None.”
“And the item the Celestial Eccentric is said to have made?”
“The Golden Jade Trading Company could have acquired it by chance. Shall I investigate?”
The master shook her head.
“We can find out everything just by watching him properly tonight anyway. Don't stir things up needlessly. You can't underestimate the Golden Jade Trading Company.”
“Understood.”
Lost in thought, the master tapped her fingers on the armrest.
“It's surprising enough that a man said to be on his deathbed suddenly starts frequenting pleasure houses, but for him to start with our Fragrant Flower Pavilion? I can't believe this is a coincidence.”
The master's eyes flashed with a cold, blue light.
***
Upon returning home, Byeok Taesan was greeted enthusiastically by Soso.
“Young Master! I heard you met Lady Yeon today!”
Byeok Taesan stared at Soso, dumbfounded.
“How did you know that already?”
And in the short time it took him to meet Yeon Harin and return home, no less.
Soso lifted her chin high, placed her hands on her hips in an arrogant pose, and declared.
“Nothing in all of Wuhan can escape my eyes. Ahem.”
Seeing this, Byeok Taesan chuckled.
At first, he'd almost snapped her neck, but seeing it repeatedly, he'd grown used to it and found it tolerable.
‘Come to think of it, I seem to be adapting quite well.’
Everything except for the looks of pity was more or less bearable.
“By the way, why does Sir Cheon look like that?”
At Soso's words, Byeok Taesan glanced behind him. Cheon Gyeongwan hadn't left yet and was standing some distance away.
But no matter how he looked, his expression was no different from usual.
“Did something happen? He looks terribly wronged.”
Byeok Taesan looked back and forth between Soso and Cheon Gyeongwan with a new sense of wonder.
“You can see all that?”
“Come on, how could I not tell when his expression has changed so drastically?”
Thinking that too was a talent, Byeok Taesan headed inside.
“If you're so curious, go ask him yourself.”
***
A short while later, Byeok Taesan's expression became peculiar as he listened to Soso.
“So... that guy is in love with Yeon Harin's bodyguard?”
“You didn't know? He's been devoted to her for a very long time.”
Byeok Taesan let out an incredulous scoff.
So that's why he got so worked up. He had essentially been accused of liking another woman.
In any case, the man had been rude, and he had given him a fitting warning, so he considered the matter settled.
“But whether I go to the pleasure houses or not, why does he care so much?”
“Because if Lady Yeon worries about you, Young Master, then Sir Yu will worry.”
Sir Yu was Yu Seoyeon, Yeon Harin's bodyguard, whom Cheon Gyeongwan was in love with.
Byeok Taesan let out a disbelieving laugh.
“Hah. Well, now. I've seen it all.”
This was certainly a sight one rarely saw in the Heavenly Demonic Cult.
It was strangely irritating, yet there was also something about it that sparked his interest and curiosity.
“Interesting.”
Byeok Taesan muttered, an unconscious smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Ah, Young Master.”
Byeok Taesan broke from his thoughts and looked at Soso.
“They say the Divine Doctor of the Ages will arrive sometime this month.”
Byeok Taesan frowned.
“I know my own body best. Tell them I don't need some quack doctor.”
“But that would be a waste of money, wouldn't it? As I understand it, they spent about a hundred taels of gold to summon the Divine Doctor of the Ages.”
Byeok Taesan scoffed in disbelief.
“Spending a hundred taels to examine a thousand-tael body? And I'm sure it won't end there.”
Soso's eyes widened. And in those large eyes, tears began to well up.
“I told you not to say such things. I'm sure your body can be healed.”
“Yes, yes. I get it, so don't cry. It's starting to get on my nerves.”
Byeok Taesan turned his head away as if he couldn't bear to look.
In any case, it seemed he would have to meet this quack doctor, the so-called Divine Doctor of the Ages.