Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Give Them What They Want
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“Ung, we'll be leaving the Yeon Manor sometime today. Be ready.”
At Won Mungwang's words, Jongli Ung looked at him with a somewhat dazed expression. As he stared, his eyes slowly regained their focus.
“Already? We haven't accomplished anything yet.”
Jongli Ung's condition had improved significantly. But even so, he was a far cry from his former self.
Still, he hadn't forgotten his purpose here. The desires that filled his mind also remained unchanged.
“We haven't even established a proper connection with the Golden Jade Trading Company yet.”
Nor had he managed to take Yeon Harin for himself.
“The family is in a difficult situation.”
“What? What do you mean? What's wrong with our situation?”
“I didn't mention it because of your condition, but there's been trouble since before I even arrived.”
Won Mungwang briefly explained what had happened to the Jongli Family. After hearing the full story, Jongli Ung erupted in fury.
“Those vermin dared to turn against our family?”
“There's definitely someone backing them. But it seems we haven't identified who yet.”
“So...”
“We're going to the Thousand Gold Alliance.”
“The Thousand Gold Alliance? But aren't we supposed to avoid them at all costs?”
Won Mungwang nodded, slightly relieved.
It seemed Jongli Ung's mind was finally starting to work properly, and his memories were returning.
“Not anymore. We still need to be cautious, but the family is on the brink of collapse. We have to do everything we can.”
“Is it that dire?”
“Yes. The situation is extremely difficult.”
Won Mungwang replied, then continued.
“We'll go to the Thousand Gold Alliance to secure funds and ask them to investigate who is backing the Underworld scum that turned against our family.”
Jongli Ung's expression tightened.
“If that happens... our family's share will be significantly reduced.”
“It can't be helped. We'll have to fight to secure as much of our share as possible.”
Jongli Ung lowered his head, his face filled with resentment.
Looking at him, Won Mungwang asked cautiously.
“Do you... remember anything?”
Seeing how much better Jongli Ung seemed today, he thought that perhaps his lost memories might return.
But the moment he finished speaking, cold sweat began to stream down Jongli Ung's body.
“Uh... what's, what's happening? S-suddenly, my body feels strange.”
Jongli Ung's face turned pale.
His legs trembled, and his whole body felt as if it were turning to jelly. He slumped in his chair, his breathing growing increasingly ragged.
“Enough!”
Won Mungwang shouted, his voice laced with internal energy.
Jongli Ung flinched and looked at Won Mungwang. His condition improved slightly.
“*Gasp. Gasp.*”
Jongli Ung gasped for air, looking at Won Mungwang with bewildered eyes.
“I... I don't know. I don't know why this is suddenly happening...”
Won Mungwang looked at Jongli Ung with pity.
*The fear is etched deep into his instincts. Can he ever escape it?*
He felt as if he were looking at the future of the Jongli Family and shook his head vigorously.
That could never be allowed to happen.
* * *
Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon stared at Byeok Taesan, dumbfounded. Beside them, the Divine Doctor of the Ages cackled.
“You want to go to a brothel before going home?”
Byeok Taesan scowled slightly.
“I seem to be repeating myself quite often these days.”
Yu Seoyeon flinched and shrank back slightly. But she still had to speak her mind.
Hadn't Byeok Taesan just come from the Yeon Manor?
After meeting his fiancée, Yeon Harin, no less. How could he possibly say he was going to a brothel before even heading home?
“That's because you say things an ordinary person wouldn't even dream of.”
Byeok Taesan nodded.
“Well, I'm not an ordinary person.”
That wasn't what she meant. Yu Seoyeon turned to look at Cheon Gyeongwan, urging him to say something.
But what could Cheon Gyeongwan say? He had the lowest standing here, even lower than Yu Seoyeon.
Seeing the hint of disappointment in Yu Seoyeon's eyes, Cheon Gyeongwan quickly spoke up.
“Young Master, shouldn't you at least go home first?”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages laughed beside them, clearly amused.
“Heheheh. When has our Young Master ever taken back something he's said? Just accept it. And what's so wrong with visiting a brothel before going home?”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages led the way, guiding Byeok Taesan.
“Come, Young Master, this way. I've scouted out an excellent establishment.”
Byeok Taesan narrowed his eyes at that.
“You use your talents for the strangest things.”
“Hey, what's so strange about it? This is necessary. Isn't the brothel the most important thing for you right now, Young Master? Am I wrong?”
“Well, you're not wrong.”
“I have meticulously studied your preferences, Young Master, and handpicked this establishment. You can look forward to it.”
Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon stared at the Divine Doctor of the Ages in disbelief.
Was the man speaking really a physician, or a procurer?
Listening to the Divine Doctor of the Ages's enthusiastic, spittle-flying explanation, they arrived at the brothel before they knew it.
“I haven't seen this place before.”
Byeok Taesan had made his rounds of the local brothels, so he had a general idea of what was where.
But the place the Divine Doctor had brought him to was one he'd never seen before.
“The Hundred Flowers Pavilion?”
“They have exactly one hundred courtesans, not including the master. She's quite a beauty herself. I heard she came to Wuhan from another region.”
In other words, it was a newly opened establishment.
*He investigated so thoroughly in such a short time,* he thought, stepping inside.
It was still a bit early, but as they were open for business, everything was perfectly prepared.
One of the courtesans spotted the Divine Doctor of the Ages and scurried off, while others nearby flocked over to greet them.
“Our master has been waiting for you.”
“Yes, yes. You were disappointed I only showed my face and left, weren't you?”
“Oh, we're quite used to waiting. We know the joy of anticipation all too well.”
The Divine Doctor of the Ages grinned, looking at Byeok Taesan as if to ask, *Well?*
Byeok Taesan nodded.
“Well... not bad.”
In fact, it was more than just "not bad." It was excellent.
He had no idea how the Divine Doctor of the Ages had managed to grasp his preferences, but he truly had.
The souls of the courtesans here were all appropriately tainted.
Not too much, not too little, and the taint hadn't completely corrupted their original souls.
Every courtesan he saw here was like that.
In other brothels, he would occasionally find girls he shouldn't touch, like the one he'd dealt with at the Scented Flower Pavilion.
He used to wonder what it was, but now he knew for certain.
It was the influence of a vengeful spirit.
When someone dies with a strong grudge against another, a vengeful spirit—or its lingering resentment—clings to them. Over time, it seeps into their original soul.
That was why one should never carelessly consume the soul of a murderer. Vengeful spirits were often attached to them.
However, killing didn't guarantee a vengeful spirit would latch on. Nor did a lack of killing mean one was free from them.
There were countless possibilities.
After all, life is full of varied and complex stories.
In any case, it was a satisfying establishment. He could probably frequent this place for quite some time.
One per day would keep him coming for a hundred days. If the courtesans changed in the meantime, he could simply feed on the souls of the new ones.
As he was observing the courtesans, the master appeared.
She appeared to be around thirty, a woman of considerable beauty and poise, her lovely features enhanced by a mature grace.
The master bypassed the Divine Doctor of the Ages and bowed respectfully to Byeok Taesan first.
“I was just wondering when you would arrive. Please, come in.”
As Byeok Taesan nodded, the master glanced at Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon and asked.
“And these two...”
“Give them what they want.”
With that, Byeok Taesan strode inside.
The master flashed a captivating smile at Cheon Gyeongwan and Yu Seoyeon.
“Shall I prepare a private room for the two of you? We have quite a few discrete rooms available.”
At her words, Cheon Gyeongwan's face flushed crimson.
“We will be guarding the Young Master's room.”
As Cheon Gyeongwan spoke firmly, the master looked at Yu Seoyeon. She covered her mouth with her hand and laughed knowingly.
“You have your hands full.”
The master said no more and went inside.
Yu Seoyeon followed swiftly behind her, an icy aura emanating from her.
Cheon Gyeongwan was puzzled by the sudden shift in Yu Seoyeon's demeanor. A chilling sensation washed over him, leaving him inexplicably anxious.
The Divine Doctor of the Ages patted Cheon Gyeongwan on the shoulder as if to say, *Hang in there.*
* * *
Chu Jogwang, leader of the Blood Axe Gang, couldn't hide his tension.
It was because of the man standing behind him like an honor guard.
He was the man who had been brought here by those terrifying masked figures who had visited not long ago.
The terrifying memory of that day made him fear this man as well. No, this man *was* frightening. His martial prowess was so immense that it felt as if the entire Blood Axe Gang couldn't defeat him even if they attacked together.
Frankly, if not for this man, the Jongli Family would have already wiped the Blood Axe Gang from existence.
*That's that, but... isn't it about time we started making some real money?*
They were already reaping huge profits simply by no longer paying tribute to the Jongli Family, but true to their Underworld nature, a greater greed began to creep in.
But he couldn't carelessly reveal that desire.
It was because of the watchdog standing behind him.
Not that he could get rid of the man.
He lacked the ability, and besides, if the man disappeared, how would they fend off the Jongli Family?
In fact, if the man were to leave now, Chu Jogwang would have to cling to his leg and beg him to stay.
*First, I need to handle this without him finding out...*
What Chu Jogwang intended to do was sell the weaknesses of the Jongli Family's martial arts.
To be honest, the Jongli Family was no ordinary opponent.
If those bastards got serious and played for keeps, the Underworld factions here would be completely wiped out.
When that time came, the man behind him would likely vanish without a trace.
Chu Jogwang knew full well that they were merely pawns. He had lived his whole life that way.
Therefore, spreading this weakness was a matter of survival.
But if he tried to sell it recklessly, the man behind him would surely not stand idly by.
“Uh... I need to step out for a moment. What will you be doing, Great Warrior?”
Chu Jogwang asked cautiously, turning to look behind him.
The escort leader from the East Lake Escort Agency—no, the warrior from the Heavenly Demonic Cult—stared silently at Chu Jogwang. His chilling gaze swept over him.
Chu Jogwang furtively averted his eyes.
The warrior from the Heavenly Demonic Cult spoke in a calm voice that made him all the more terrifying.
“How many of your men are worth a damn?”
“What? Worth... worth a damn?”
The cult warrior's impassive gaze bored into Chu Jogwang's eyes.
Chu Jogwang answered quickly.
“If I choose carefully, maybe ten. No, I could probably find fifteen.”
“Pick five. Including yourself.”
“What?”
The cult warrior said nothing more, simply standing in silence.
Chu Jogwang realized his life had reached a critical juncture.
*That's one thing, but I still need to make my money.*
If only five were going to survive anyway, he figured he might as well keep the money for himself.
Chu Jogwang cautiously watched the cult warrior as he slipped out of the room.
Thankfully, the man didn't follow.