Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: I Will Serve You
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“He’s a tough one.”
Cheon Gyeongwan said as he led the way to the dungeon.
When we first locked him up, we interrogated him briefly, but he didn't even blink at the usual levels of pain.
Cheon Gyeongwan cautiously watched Byeok Taesan's expression.
But for some reason, Byeok Taesan looked pleased.
“Um…”
When Cheon Gyeongwan hesitated, Byeok Taesan turned to look at him.
“If you have something to say, spit it out. I’m in a very generous mood today.”
Anyone overhearing this conversation would have likely made a strange face.
But Cheon Gyeongwan couldn't. It was a bit odd, but somehow, it suited Byeok Taesan.
“Thank you for your help.”
To be honest, he was a little confused. Had Byeok Taesan known what he was saying?
Probably not. It was likely a fluke, like a cow kicking a rat by accident. It was more rational to assume it was a coincidence.
But still, Byeok Taesan's words had been the catalyst for him to break through his own wall, so he felt he should express his gratitude.
That was how Cheon Gyeongwan rationalized it.
“Help? For something so trivial?”
“No, sir. It was a great help to me.”
Byeok Taesan stopped walking and looked Cheon Gyeongwan up and down, examining him more closely.
“And here I thought I’d seen wrong. What exactly are you thanking me for?”
Byeok Taesan waved his hand dismissively, gesturing for him to keep walking.
Confusion clouded Cheon Gyeongwan’s face.
But he couldn't ignore Byeok Taesan's gesture and started walking again.
Neither of them spoke until they reached the dungeon.
But as they say, the thirsty one digs the well. In the end, it was Cheon Gyeongwan who couldn't hold back and spoke first.
“Young Master, what did you see wrong?”
“Hmm? Did I say that?”
“Yes. A moment ago, you clearly…”
“I said I *thought* I’d seen wrong. I never said I *was* wrong.”
Cheon Gyeongwan bowed his head to Byeok Taesan.
“Please, show me the way.”
Even as he said and did this, he couldn't understand why he was acting this way.
If he had to find an excuse, it was that Byeok Taesan's aura had changed so drastically. It made him feel that this person could show him the right path as he struggled to climb a cliff.
As if looking down from a mountain peak.
Byeok Taesan looked at Cheon Gyeongwan with a peculiar expression.
“Well, this is unexpected. You have surprisingly good instincts, don't you?”
The moment he heard those words, Cheon Gyeongwan felt as if he'd been doused in cold water, his mind snapping to attention.
He slowly raised his head and looked straight at Byeok Taesan.
The second young master of the Golden Jade Trading Company, the same one he had always seen, was standing there.
But his expression and the look in his eyes were completely different.
“Have you decided… not to hide it anymore?”
It was a statement that could be interpreted in many ways, depending on who was listening.
For Byeok Taesan, this was especially true.
“Ha, how should I handle this…”
Byeok Taesan muttered, pondering for a moment.
He had no intention of hiding his abilities or feelings. He had never done so before.
In all the world, there was no one who could stand above the Heavenly Demon. As someone who had been at the very pinnacle of the world, he had no need to watch his words or be cautious of anything.
However, he had not the slightest intention of revealing that he was the Heavenly Demon.
Besides, he was still in a frail state, not knowing when he might die.
And what good would come from people finding out he was the Heavenly Demon? It would only be a nuisance.
Hadn't he decided when he died? That if he were reborn, he would live a quiet, peaceful life.
The moment he revealed he was the Heavenly Demon, that dream would be over.
This guy probably hadn't figured out he was the Heavenly Demon. But it seemed he had noticed that he wasn't the real Byeok Taesan.
Therefore, the best course of action was to kill him now and silence him.
“So, being born with severed meridians really does make one a genius.”
“Huh?”
“Honestly… I've had that thought before, but I was always doubtful. Because of the way you've acted, Young Master…”
Cheon Gyeongwan stared at Byeok Taesan, his eyes burning with intensity.
Considering his usually expressionless face, this was truly astonishing.
“I have resolved to live as if I were dead until I achieve my goal.”
“Uh… I see. Well, keep doing that then.”
Realizing what a misunderstanding Cheon Gyeongwan was having, Byeok Taesan melted away the blade he had been forming in his mind.
When he thought about it, how could anyone know that someone else had taken over Byeok Taesan's body?
‘I almost jumped the gun and made things more complicated.’
Byeok Taesan gestured to Cheon Gyeongwan again.
“Alright, let's go. We need to see that guy.”
But Cheon Gyeongwan wasn't finished.
He suddenly dropped to his knees and bowed his head low.
“Please help me, Young Master!”
“Huh?”
Byeok Taesan looked down at Cheon Gyeongwan with a 'what now?' expression.
***
The Master of the Fragrant Flower Pavilion gazed silently at Danyeong.
‘Was she always this beautiful?’
She already knew Danyeong was exceptionally beautiful. If she weren't, she would never have recruited her as a courtesan.
But honestly, she hadn't realized to what extent.
Now that her characteristic gloomy aura was gone, she seemed ten times more beautiful.
“Did anything unusual happen?”
“No.”
“You don't remember much either?”
“No. It felt like my soul was being drawn out.”
Every courtesan who had slept with Byeok Taesan said the same thing. Each time, the pavilion master felt a desire to spend a night with him herself.
Just how good could it be for them to say such things?
“And… he made me feel reborn.”
They all said that, too.
“Alright. I'm glad nothing happened. Did… did the second young master say anything else about our Fragrant Flower Pavilion?”
Danyeong shook her head.
“He said nothing at all.”
He really hadn't said a word. When she came to her senses, she was already standing outside the estate.
It was honestly a shock. She never thought her memory would be wiped so clean.
All that remained was the feeling of immense happiness.
And the thought that she no longer had to die.
“Then that's fine. Go get some rest. You'll be tired when you have to work again later.”
Danyeong didn't move, despite the pavilion master's words.
“Madam.”
“What is it?”
The pavilion master looked at Danyeong with a curious expression. Danyeong's face was somehow resolute.
“I want to leave the pavilion.”
The pavilion master's face twisted slightly.
“What are you talking about? Do you think this is a playground for children? Did you think you could just leave whenever you wanted?”
Above all, every courtesan here was in debt.
The surest way to bind a courtesan has always been to saddle her with debt.
The Fragrant Flower Pavilion followed that method faithfully.
“I will find a way to pay back my debt, no matter what it takes. So please, grant me permission.”
“Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”
Just when her beauty was in full bloom and she could finally be put to proper use, this sudden demand was making her anxious.
“I want to serve Young Master Byeok.”
The pavilion master scoffed.
“Ha! So Byeok Taesan put you up to this after all? What, did he promise to pay off your debt if you came to him? Get a grip, girl. Do you think men like that will cherish people like us forever? We're just toys to them. Nothing good will come of it!”
Danyeong shook her head.
“He didn't say anything. I'm doing this simply because I want to.”
The pavilion master's expression grew even stranger.
“You're doing this all on your own? That makes even less sense.”
But Danyeong's expression was utterly serious and profound.
After a few more exchanges, the pavilion master decided she wasn't getting anywhere.
“Hmph. Anyway, let's give it some more time. You think it over again, too. Think carefully about what's best for you. And also consider whether you leaving is really a good thing for Byeok Taesan. You know who his fiancée is, don't you?”
“Yes. I know.”
Byeok Taesan's fiancée was the daughter of the Yeon family.
Also the most beautiful woman in Wuhan.
“If you know, then think it over carefully.”
As Danyeong bowed politely and left, the pavilion master bit her lip.
“One sick chicken has completely wrecked our Fragrant Flower Pavilion.”
Recalling the events of last night, the pavilion master pressed her temples.
Her most capable subordinate had been captured.
He probably wouldn't return. And even if he did, she would have to deny any connection.
The pavilion master had already claimed that the man had no connection whatsoever to the Fragrant Flower Pavilion.
It was necessary if she wanted to avoid seeing her establishment ruined.
But would the Golden Jade Trading Company believe her?
“Of course not.”
So she needed to come up with a plan, but she had no good options.
“For now, all I can do is grovel.”
That's what made it even more frustrating.
If Byeok Taesan used this incident as leverage to demand Danyeong, the pavilion master would have no choice but to comply.
“If I'm going to lose her anyway…”
The pavilion master's eyes glinted sharply.
***
Byeok Taesan entered the dungeon.
The musty smell of dampness and mold assaulted his nose.
Although the Golden Jade Estate had a dungeon, it was rarely used and had been left neglected.
As a result, it was in terrible condition.
Couldn't anyone escape if they really put their mind to it?
Which was probably why they had sealed his acupuncture points.
The captured man was in a cell about halfway down.
Behind Byeok Taesan stood Cheon Gyeongwan, his posture far more deferential than usual.
He looked somewhat relieved, and for good reason—how liberating it must have been to pour out everything he had been bottling up.
Byeok Taesan had only half-listened, but Cheon Gyeongwan, undeterred by his attitude, had spilled out every last word.
The content was nothing special.
He wanted to grow stronger and get revenge.
After listening to the entire story, Byeok Taesan had offered just one comment.
“Not interested.”
However Cheon Gyeongwan had interpreted that response, from that moment on, he began to treat Byeok Taesan with the utmost respect.
Byeok Taesan, for his part, didn't care what Cheon Gyeongwan did.
“Look at you, living the easy life.”
The captured man was sprawled on the dungeon floor, sleeping.
Of course, he didn't look to be in good shape.
“He's so tough that he didn't even flinch when we stimulated his pressure points to inflict severe pain.”
“Oh? That's great.”
“There's no need for you to dirty your hands, Young Master. I will do it.”
“That's enough. It's a hassle, so just wait outside.”
“I cannot do that. Even with his pressure points sealed, he is fundamentally a martial artist. If something unfortunate were to happen, what would become of me?”
“What would become of you? And something unfortunate? Ha! Are you suggesting this guy can do something to me?”
Byeok Taesan was dumbfounded. Even if his body was as weak as a beggar's rag, how could anyone imagine that the Heavenly Demon could be harmed by such a worthless scrap?
Of course, this guy didn't know he was the Heavenly Demon.
“No, sir. But… how could I stand by and watch a noble person such as yourself dirty your hands with such filth?”
“That's why I'm telling you to go outside so you don't have to watch.”
Byeok Taesan flicked his hand toward the dungeon entrance, shooing him away.
Eventually, Cheon Gyeongwan hesitated before leaving the dungeon with a pained expression.
Byeok Taesan turned his head again to look at the man inside the cell, who was pretending to be asleep.
“You're just covered in filth. My, there's so much of it. You've lived a very messy life, haven't you?”
Looking at the man's soul was like gazing upon a grand feast.
If he hadn't connected one of his great meridians through Danyeong yesterday, he wouldn't have dared to touch this man.
But now, it was fine.
Thanks to connecting the meridian, he could now store turbid spiritual energy.
“Ha, look at this guy rolling his eyes.”
He had known the man was pretending to be asleep from the moment he entered the dungeon. He had sensed it when the man was hiding as well; this guy was quite skilled.
Not that he was amazing, just... decent enough?
His acting was top-notch, too. He had fooled Cheon Gyeongwan, after all.
Byeok Taesan stepped into the cell and tapped the man's side with the tip of his foot.
“Hey, stop pretending to be asleep and get up.”
Only then did the man slowly open his eyes.
“I won't say anything.”
Byeok Taesan nodded.
“Make sure you don't.”
In truth, he had no intention of asking anything. Considering the circumstances, the situation was clear enough.
The Master of the Fragrant Flower Pavilion would obviously deny everything.
The man on the floor stubbornly clamped his mouth shut.
“They didn't even seal your pressure points properly. So clumsy… tsk tsk.”
His skill wasn't exceptionally high, but it was clear this man had a technique for twisting his own pressure points.
That's why his pressure points had been sealed so clumsily.
While pretending to be asleep, the man had been trying to clear his improperly blocked points.
But that attempt was now over.
Byeok Taesan hadn't approached and tapped his side for no reason.
It was an act to correct the twisted pressure points with minimal impact.
With incredible naturalness, his pressure points were now properly sealed.
This was possible because the energy Cheon Gyeongwan had injected was quite powerful.
The man's eyes filled with panic.
Seeing this, Byeok Taesan grinned.
“What's wrong? Feeling a little panicked now?”