Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: The Way to Gain Trust - 1
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Nightless City.
No word captured the essence of Nightless City quite as effortlessly as this one, which literally meant a city where night did not exist.
In the first chapter of Celestial Moon, after the villagers of Island Flower Village were massacred and the town burned to the ground, it was this very Nightless City that Sayoon visited for the first time.
Her description of it back then was "a sea of people." And it truly was.
As the main backdrop for Sayoon's storyline in chapter one, it was packed with system facilities offering all sorts of assistance.
With so many people around, there were countless shops catering to them, turning the entire city into one massive marketplace. It was no surprise.
Just as the famous American artist Frank Sinatra once said, "Humanity's greatest enemy is alcohol, but Jesus said to love your enemies," people always seek out booze.
In places teeming with people, liquor was an indispensable form of entertainment. Proving this point, Nightless City was home to innumerable taverns.
Among them, the most renowned was Azure Pavilion.
As if to prove its status as the preeminent grand pleasure house amid all those taverns, Azure Pavilion kept its lanterns lit around the clock.
Day or night.
Red and blue lanterns hung side by side, errand boys greeted guests with impeccable courtesy, and from the second floor upward, elegantly dressed beauties sold their smiles to draw in patrons.
Beyond that, there were fire-breathers, women who chewed iron, and all manner of curiosities and novelties to captivate visitors.
Thanks to such spectacles, Azure Pavilion was always packed, solidifying its place as Nightless City's top tavern.
In Celestial Moon, it was just a spot you popped into briefly for events, but now that it was real, the Pavilion's grandeur was nothing to take lightly.
And so, I stepped inside Azure Pavilion.
"Azure Pavilion, huh. I've been here before, but isn't this place pretty pricey?"
"It is."
"Making a meetup here, though? Impressive."
Chaejin had come with me to Nightless City as my escort, but she didn't have anything pressing to do right now.
That was only natural. Sure, the city was crowded, but that didn't mean law and order were bad.
On the contrary, security was quite solid everywhere except a few shady spots.
A ton of people meant a ton of money flowing in, and that attracted all sorts of vultures circling for a piece.
If they couldn't keep those types in check, Nightless City would turn into a demon realm overnight.
Of course, the city lord enforced strict control to prevent any funny business, ensuring top-notch public safety.
Still, the reason I'd brought Chaejin along as my guard boiled down to one thing.
The potential commission from the person I was meeting today.
There was no way he'd summon me just for a casual meal.
"It's an invitation, after all. What power do I have to dictate a meeting spot like this?"
"Fair enough. So, which floor?"
"Fifth."
Chaejin's eyes went wide. Brushing it off casually with a wave, I addressed her evident shock.
"It's an invitation—don't overthink it."
"Uh... but Azure Pavilion requires you to prove yourself starting from the second floor, right?"
Azure Pavilion's fame in Nightless City wasn't just due to its rare multi-story height, delicious drinks and food, or abundance of eccentrics and stunning courtesans.
To ascend beyond the second floor, you had to demonstrate your worth—be it martial prowess, scholarly knowledge, music, or what have you.
Even Sayoon had to clear a slew of events just to meet the Pavilion's owner, who doubled as the head of Azure Merchant Guild.
That process ate up most of chapter one, involving a hefty number of events, so reaching the fourth floor or higher was no small feat.
Thus, Chaejin's reaction was hardly surprising.
"The highest I ever got was the third floor."
"How about using this chance to pass the test for the fourth? You'd manage it, I'm sure."
"Why bother? Their food isn't as good as back home... er, at the inn. The innkeeper's cooking is way tastier anyway."
"That's an illusion. I just season boldly."
Strong flavors stimulate the tongue, making things seem tastier. I wasn't a bad cook myself, but I couldn't match professionally trained chefs.
"Welcome, Master Yu."
At the stairs to the fifth floor, a burly man spotted me and spoke up. But his sharp gaze locked onto Chaejin.
Sensing it, a predatory smile curled her lips.
"She's with me."
"Didn't expect you'd bring Full Moon Pavilion's Moonlight Sword. Please, come in. The Guild Leader awaits."
He stepped aside easily. As we climbed, Chaejin eyed me curiously.
"What're you staring at?"
"That guy from earlier. He was a real expert—about my little sister's level..."
"Dunno about that, but yeah, he's the real deal."
Azure Merchant Guild served as a front for the Imperial Conscription Bureau. Naturally, their security—drawn from the military's elite—wasn't to be trifled with.
"...Guess I need to stay sharp."
Chaejin drew a steady breath, her lithe frame tensing up.
Her hand drifted to her sword hilt, ready to draw at a moment's notice. Only then did I chuckle and shake my head.
"No need to tense up that much. Unless... feeling unsure?"
"As if."
Brimming with confidence, she flashed her usual arrogant grin and patted my shoulder.
"I'm Chaejin, Senior Disciple of the prestigious upright sect Full Moon Pavilion and wielder of the Moonlight Sword, more renowned in the martial world than even Falling Sun Sword, you know?"
Winking one eye, sticking out her tongue playfully, she teased. I couldn't help but smirk.
Reaching the fifth floor, the atmosphere shifted dramatically from the floors below.
Serene.
We had entered a world utterly divorced from the clamor of drinks, songs, courtesans' laughter, and drunken shouts.
True enough, the moment we arrived, every grating noise from before vanished completely.
Probably some kind of formation at work.
In Celestial Moon, the BGM changed upon reaching the fifth floor, too.
Was it the shift? A thick smile spread across Chaejin's face.
Or maybe it was the two figures standing before the grand doors—a middle-aged man and an elder.
"...Island Flower Spear Wi Yeol. Thousand-Li Poison Walker Ki Cha-jo."
Both were masters who had vanished from the martial world years ago.
Realizing we'd encountered not just the earlier expert but these two as well, I placed a hand on her shoulder.
The fabric of her Full Moon Pavilion disciple robes clung to my palm—reserved exclusively for inner disciples.
"No need to tense. They're not enemies."
"Why are these guys who've been gone for years here?"
"They've always been part of Azure Merchant Guild. They didn't disappear—they just returned to where they belong."
I approached them. The two masters, eyeing me sternly, gave slight nods.
I returned the courtesy with a cupped-fist salute.
The middle-aged man—Island Flower Spear Wi Yeol—spoke to me in a gravely serious yet polite tone.
"The Guild Leader awaits."
"Sorry for being late."
"You're right on time."
"It pains me that I couldn't hurry even a moment sooner to meet General Cheonilhwa of the Imperial Conscription Bureau, who toils ceaselessly day and night for the Empire."
"Heh. Master Yu, you always did have a silver tongue."
Thousand-Li Poison Walker Ki Cha-jo, the elder with snow-white hair, grinned toothily. I smiled back.
"How could I speak lightly of those sacrificing themselves for the Empire's peace and security?"
"Haha. Couldn't have said it better myself."
Chuckling, he opened the door.
The room was spacious but sparsely furnished with luxuries.
At the far end, behind a massive desk buried in paperwork, sat a middle-aged man wrestling with documents.
His unremarkable face lit up with a grin at the sight of me. He rose and approached.
"Welcome, Master Yu."
"It's been too long."
"Come, have a seat."
The relaxed middle-aged man—head of Azure Merchant Guild and a high-ranking official in the Imperial Conscription Bureau, General Cheonilhwa—personally poured me tea.
Chaejin stared in surprise, but I'd half-expected that, so I just accepted it.
"I appreciated your help last time."
"Not at all. As an imperial subject, aiding the Empire is my duty."
"Still, thanks to you, we recovered the Conscription Token."
The Conscription Token.
A seal used by the Bureau to issue orders.
Serving as proof of authority to conscript for the Emperor and Empire—without it, no legitimate commands could be given.
Honestly, it seemed silly that one plaque could halt operations, but rules were rules.
Anyway, its loss had General Cheonilhwa seriously stressed.
He'd come to Azure Merchant Guild for goods when I tracked it down for him.
Wasn't hard.
It was one of the side events in Celestial Moon's first arc—a trust-building one.
Boosting ties with Azure Merchant Guild let you score imperial spirit pills, cavalry, or elite guards on loan. No reason not to help.
The event was straightforward, with a fixed location—no randomization like some others.
The only wrinkle was suspicion I might've stolen and tampered with it, but swaying the crowd toward the "right" answer wasn't tough.
Especially with my experience selling Sayoon Faction membership based on her being the true protagonist.
I hadn't fully dispelled doubts, but after handling a few jobs for them and corresponding via letters, I'd earned a decent level of trust.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have called me here.
Settling my racing thoughts, I bowed to him.
"It was nothing."
"Haha, ever the humble one. Ah, have you eaten?"
"Yes, something light. But... may I ask why you've summoned me?"
"Well... I need to borrow your wisdom for a certain matter..."
Trailing off, he glanced at Chaejin.
"Miss Chae of Full Moon Pavilion. My men are outside—why not join them for a drink? I'll reserve a fine spot."
I shook my head at his polite way of asking her to leave.
Chaejin was my escort, and though not in Sayoon Faction, she was trustworthy enough.
I didn't know what task General Cheonilhwa had in mind, but I'd likely need her help for it, so better she hear it too.
"Er... Innkeeper? You sure it's okay?"
"I hardly think Chaejin, Senior Disciple and hero of the famed upright sect Full Moon Pavilion's Moonlight Sword, would blab about discussions here."
Even if she couldn't count straight.
"...Y-yeah, you're right. Hehe. On my sect and skills, I swear not to leak a word."
"Very well. If Master Yu insists, I'll allow it. Now then, Master Yu, what I wish to ask of you is this."
Only then did General Cheonilhwa hand me a document.
Atop it was written:
'Nightless City Missing Persons Case'
Another achievement point event, just like last time—one I knew well.
So.
"Might this humble one lend a hand?"
If it boosted trust, I had to do it.
Adding this to my prior assists for Cheonilhwa could net me military elite support. How could I resist?
Heh heh heh.
I'll suck it dry and have them back me against Iron Blood Clan.