Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: What It Meant
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I didn't know what it meant.
The Yeon Family Estate was bustling for the first time in a long while.
Several famous martial families from Hubei had come to visit.
Their purpose was obvious.
Rumors about Yeon Harin had been spreading far and wide recently.
One reason for her fame was the near-ruin of the Jongli Family after one of their own had made a pass at her.
Although the Jongli Family’s downfall was due to other reasons, not the Yeon Family, a rumor had formed, painting her as a beauty capable of bringing down a noble house.
Yeon Harin was far more beautiful now than when Jongli Ung had harassed her. Even now, her beauty blossomed with each passing day.
Thus, anyone who saw her once became desperate to win her heart.
It was amidst this that the Hubei Martial Alliance decided to host a gathering for the rising stars of the younger generation.
Everyone used it as an excuse to come to the Yeon Family Estate.
They all wanted to accompany Yeon Harin on the journey to the Hubei Martial Alliance, where the gathering was to be held.
Of course, sons from families of lesser repute weren't even considered.
The families currently gathered at the Yeon Estate were the Seomun Family, the Ouyang Family, and the Chu Family Estate.
All three were renowned families in Hubei, and each had sent their third son.
“I was thinking we might depart tomorrow. What do you think?”
Seomun Jehak asked Yeon Harin with a subtle smile.
Ouyang Su and Chu Yeonghak, who were with them, shot Seomun Jehak a look of slight displeasure.
Seomun Jehak was the most handsome of the three. Perhaps because of this, the other two harbored a slight inferiority complex.
They felt annoyed every time Seomun Jehak spoke to Yeon Harin.
Just like now. Why bother asking such an obvious question? The schedule was already set. Yeon Harin also knew they were leaving tomorrow.
“We were leaving tomorrow, weren't we? It’s quite a long way to Yichang where the Hubei Martial Alliance is, so I’d like to rest early today.”
Yeon Harin’s tone and expression were as cold as ice.
She had maintained a consistently cold demeanor in their presence.
It was completely different from how she had been with Byeok Taesan.
If it had been anyone else, they would have been called arrogant, but such an attitude suited Yeon Harin perfectly.
Contrary to her intentions, the expressions and gazes of the three men with her would soften ever so slightly each time.
They wanted to remain composed, but they couldn't.
Seomun Jehak was flustered by Yeon Harin’s words. He felt like he'd made a fool of himself for nothing.
“Uh… but isn’t it too early now? The sun hasn’t even set. How about we go out for dinner and a light drink?”
Yeon Harin’s attitude remained unchanged.
“I don’t particularly enjoy alcohol. I’m sorry. I’m quite tired and need to rest.”
At Yeon Harin’s words, Seomun Jehak had nothing more to say.
‘I’m sure I heard she loves to drink…’
He hadn't heard it from just anyone, but from the maids of the Yeon Estate.
Of course, he hadn't seen it himself, so he couldn't be certain.
“I understand. Then please, go and rest comfortably for today. If you happen to change your mind later, please feel free to seek us out.”
Yeon Harin gave a slight nod and departed.
The three men stared blankly at her retreating figure until she was out of sight.
“Difficult, so difficult. How can she be such an iron wall…?”
Chu Yeonghak muttered, shaking his head. Still, he wasn't displeased. Thanks to her, that Seomun Jehak was at a complete loss.
Thinking of all the women he’d lost to Seomun Jehak over the years, he felt a certain sense of satisfaction.
Of course, that didn't mean he had given up.
“Don’t you think it’s because of her fiancé?”
As Ouyang Su said this, Seomun Jehak shook his head.
“I heard they already broke off the engagement.”
“Still, she might have lingering feelings. Don’t you think?”
Seomun Jehak's expression turned frigid.
“What are you trying to say?”
“I’m saying you should read the room instead of acting like a dog in heat.”
“What did you say?”
“Don’t ruin the mood and blow our chances too. Today’s outcome was because of you, Brother Seomun. Honestly, until a moment ago, we could have at least had dinner together, even if we couldn't drink. Isn't that right?”
Seomun Jehak gritted his teeth and glared at him.
These three families were fierce rivals, all vying for the title of Hubei’s number one family.
So, it was only natural that their sons wouldn't be friendly with one another.
However, they maintained a certain line. No matter what, it never came to drawing swords.
Furthermore, if a lesser family started to rise through the ranks, the three would join forces to crush it.
“Now, now, there’s no need for us to be at each other’s throats, is there? Honestly, it’s not like Miss Yeon is the only woman in the world. For now, let’s just go have a drink.”
“Should I take that as a declaration of surrender?”
“Surrender? I’m just saying we should cool our heads.”
The three men went off to drink, the tense atmosphere still lingering.
Strangely, it didn't come to blows, though sharp words were constantly exchanged.
In any case, there was still plenty of time.
It was a long journey from here to Yichang, and they would have plenty of time together even after arriving at the Hubei Martial Alliance.
* * *
I didn't know what it meant to wager one's soul.
Had I known, I never would have done it. No, I probably still would have. I never even considered the possibility of losing the bet.
And now, I was regretting it immensely.
The One-Needle Eccentric tore at his hair with an agonized expression.
“That devilish bastard.”
He was caught, and caught good.
“How can one’s life be so wretched?”
To be honest, he had lived as he pleased for a few years. But that was a kind of compensation for his past suffering.
“Wait, has it been that long?”
It had been quite some time since he had earned the name One-Needle Eccentric. Long enough that there was no one in the world who didn't know of him.
Before gaining that fame, he had endured all sorts of hardships.
He had escaped death countless times and suffered many humiliations.
But just when he was about to enjoy the fruits of his labor, he found himself in this miserable state.
“There you are.”
The One-Needle Eccentric flinched at the voice from behind him. He slowly turned around.
“Uh… I was just, just resting for a bit.”
His attitude was markedly different from before.
It couldn't be helped. Anyone would be the same after going through what he had.
This wasn't some cowardly, pathetic excuse. It was the truth.
“Should we get started for today?”
The color drained from the One-Needle Eccentric’s face.
“A-Already? It seems a bit early…”
“It’s fine. We’ll be going for a while today.”
The One-Needle Eccentric swallowed dryly. For a while, he said. Just how long was he planning to go on for, to have come looking for him this early?
“Let’s head inside first.”
With a face like death, the One-Needle Eccentric hung his head and followed Byeok Taesan into the pavilion.
A moment later, a scream erupted from within.
* * *
What Byeok Taesan was doing to the One-Needle Eccentric was a kind of experiment, and a form of training.
He was in the midst of a training exercise where he would very carefully extract a sliver of the soul and burn away only the pure parts, untouched by any impurities.
He would then closely observe what changes occurred when he lightly burned just the surface like that.
The conclusion he'd drawn from his attempts so far was that to keep the tainted parts of the soul safe, he had to burn the pure parts precariously, just barely grazing the soul.
However, doing so imprinted the pain of the one whose soul was being extracted much more clearly in their memory.
When the soul was completely extracted, only a dreamlike sensation remained. The less he extracted, the more real it felt.
Byeok Taesan had only just confirmed this for himself.
It was all thanks to the One-Needle Eccentric.
The One-Needle Eccentric possessed a soul that was perfect for Byeok Taesan’s training. It seemed the very act of wagering one's soul had a special effect.
He hadn't thought much of it when he'd first made the bet, but seeing the result, he felt it was a very good thing he had.
On the other hand, the One-Needle Eccentric, the one on the receiving end, was on the verge of losing his mind.
He had no idea what was being done to him. He couldn't remember.
But he clearly remembered a pain like needles pricking his entire body.
So that's what he thought it was. He thought needles were being stuck all over him.
But when he checked his body, there wasn't a single mark.
He had really been put through the wringer again today.
But not knowing what had been done to him was driving him crazy with frustration.
“Uh… Young Master, I have something to tell you.”
Byeok Taesan looked at the One-Needle Eccentric, as if telling him to speak. He was in a decent mood, having made good progress today.
He felt that soon, he might be able to treat his body without having to go to the brothel.
In truth, even Byeok Taesan didn't enjoy visiting the brothel every day.
Going to a brothel was fine once or twice. Besides, he didn't even embrace the courtesans; he just absorbed their souls and left, so it wasn't even enjoyable.
But thanks to the One-Needle Eccentric, he was about to find a way to avoid it altogether.
“Actually, the reason I came here was because I have an engagement in Hubei.”
“An engagement?”
“I received an invitation from the Hubei Martial Alliance. I’ve already accepted.”
“The Hubei Martial Alliance?”
The name made Byeok Taesan recall something Yu Seoyeon had said recently.
“Because of that rising stars gathering or whatever?”
The One-Needle Eccentric quickly nodded.
“That’s right. So, I was hoping I could go attend…”
It wasn't a difficult request. But he needed the One-Needle Eccentric for a while longer.
“When do you have to be there?”
“I think I’ll have to leave soon if I’m to make it.”
Byeok Taesan nodded readily.
“Sure, go ahead.”
The One-Needle Eccentric’s eyes widened.
“Really? I can really go?”
“Of course. What’s the big deal? I can just go with you, can’t I?”
The One-Needle Eccentric’s expression soured for a moment. But he quickly composed himself.
If he upset Byeok Taesan, he might suffer an even more cruel fate.
“Shall we leave tomorrow then? It works out well, since there’s someone else who wants to go.”
The One-Needle Eccentric couldn't say a word.
It seemed he wouldn't be escaping this hell for some time.
* * *
When word got out that Byeok Taesan was going to the Hubei Martial Alliance, the Golden Jade Trading Company was in an uproar.
Of all places, why there?
Not only was it far, but the gathering of rising stars at the Hubei Martial Alliance this time was exclusively for the scions of Hubei's most distinguished martial families.
It was not a place for the second young master of the Golden Jade Trading Company.
But the mood changed a little when they heard he was going as part of the One-Needle Eccentric's entourage.
After that, they became desperate to squeeze other people into the group somehow.
The Hubei Martial Alliance was a massive organization.
The alliance itself was considerable, but all the prominent martial families in Hubei were entangled with it.
For a merchant company based in Hubei, maintaining a good relationship with the alliance would be immensely helpful in the future.
Moreover, with the recent faltering of the Thousand Gold Alliance, the Golden Jade Trading Company had some breathing room. Enough to turn its eyes elsewhere.
But all their attempts were blocked by the One-Needle Eccentric’s staunch opposition.
To be more precise, they were blocked by the opposition of the One-Needle Eccentric, who was following Byeok Taesan's orders.
In the end, the Golden Jade Trading Company had no choice but to entrust everything to Byeok Taesan, who was part of the One-Needle Eccentric’s party.
The second problem was Byeok Taesan’s health.
Byeok Taesu was extremely anxious about Byeok Taesan undertaking such a long journey.
But his concerns were silenced when two of the greatest physicians of the age, the Divine Doctor of the Ages and the One-Needle Eccentric, insisted in unison that staying cooped up at home was actually worse for him.
Of course, this too was the result of them faithfully following Byeok Taesan’s instructions.
After all that, the day of departure for Byeok Taesan’s party finally arrived.
For Byeok Taesan’s sake, Byeok Taesu had prepared the best carriage he could find.
He also provided ample travel funds to ensure his comfort throughout the journey.
Byeok Taesu watched from a distance as Byeok Taesan left.
He couldn't see him off up close.
Even such a small act could become a seed of future conflict.
So, he watched Byeok Taesan’s party at the main gate from a high vantage point.
But the composition of the group was a bit strange.
“There seem to be… quite a few women?”