Chapter 102
Translator: penny
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Unexpected Guest at Silver Flower Pavilion
Even in Beijing, where prices were notoriously steep, Silver Flower Pavilion stood out as one of the finest high-class brothels.
Today, as usual, I had rented out an entire annex there for some leisure.
Ting-ting-ting-ding— ting-ding—
The beautiful tones of a zither resonated through the room.
Somwol's slender fingers danced across the seven strings, coaxing out a melody as sweet as honey.
'Her skill has improved even more.'
Somwol had always been exceptional on the zither, but lately, her playing seemed even more refined.
There was a good reason for that.
No drinking party is complete without music.
And with the famed zither virtuoso Somwol at my beck and call, I made sure to summon her every time we gathered in the annex.
Even a paying customer like me might wear out their welcome if I called her daily, but Somwol always obliged with a smile.
In gratitude, I decided to join in.
Seizing a brief pause in her performance, I picked up the zither in front of me and strummed.
Ting-ting-ding— ting-ding—
The same instrument, yet the timbre was entirely different.
Of course—different players, different hearts behind the music.
Caught off guard as I hijacked her tune, she smiled softly.
Then, as if she'd been waiting, her fingers resumed their dance on the strings.
An impromptu duet, launched without a word of rehearsal.
Perhaps because we knew each other's hearts so well.
It turned into a harmony satisfying even to me.
"Wow..."
As the piece ended, a gasp of admiration came from the onlooker nearby.
She was the courtesan attending me today—serving drinks by day, sharing my bed by night.
Hearing me play for the first time, she continued in astonishment.
"I knew Somwol was a master zitherist, but Young Master Mok, you're no slouch yourself—an incredible talent!"
I was about to bask in the praise when—
Rrrumble—
The firmly shut door suddenly slid open.
A door that had never once opened during all our revelries.
And through that open door.
Walked in the most unexpected person.
"Indeed. I myself just learned today that you possessed such masterful zither skills."
It was Moyong Hui, whom I hadn't seen in days.
Seeing her here, of all places, caught me completely off guard.
"...Uh, huh? Hui, what brings you here...?"
"Is this a place I shouldn't come?"
Moyong Hui slowly scanned us with cold eyes.
Her gaze lingered on Somwol.
"So you're her. The one called Somwol."
Only then did a shocking realization hit me belatedly.
'...Wait. I can't sense Hui's energy at all?!'
Her presence was utterly undetectable.
This could only mean one of two things.
Either she'd lost her internal energy,
Or she'd ascended to the Transformation Realm.
And knowing why she'd secluded herself, I sprang to my feet in shock.
"Hui, you finally..."
Before I could offer congratulations, she held up her palm.
A silent gesture to stay put.
Then she turned her attention back to Somwol.
"Or am I wrong?"
A follow-up to her earlier question.
Finally, Somwol spoke slowly.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Somwol. And you must be... the Sword Phoenix?"
"..."
Moyong Hui stared at her without a word.
Somwol met her gaze steadily, without losing her poise...
'Somwol, enough. Hui's a Transformation Realm master.'
I silently urged her to back down in my mind.
Somwol was a peak expert in her own right as heir to Brothel Hall, but Moyong Hui was on another level.
Considering that Moyong Hwan, patriarch of the Moyong family, had reached the Transformation Realm, Moyong Hui—with her woman's body—had undoubtedly...
'Wait, Transformation Realm? Then she must have sensed all of Somwol's energy too.'
Shadow Gate Sect techniques hid one's cultivation from others, but that only worked against those below the Transformation Realm.
Moyong Hwan had seen right through it at Yi Yeon Pavilion before.
Meaning Moyong Hui already knew Somwol was no ordinary woman—a formidable martial artist.
'Is that why she recognized her on sight?'
Either way, I couldn't let this tension drag on. I clapped my hands and spoke up.
"Alright, that's enough for today. You two, out. I need to talk to Hui alone."
At my dismissal, the courtesan—who'd been watching nervously—bolted up.
But Somwol remained seated, still eyeing Moyong Hui.
Only when I stepped between them did Somwol rise.
"Then I'll take my leave. Call if you need anything, Young Master."
She emphasized "Young Master" pointedly, gave Moyong Hui one last glance, and exited.
I quickly checked Moyong Hui's expression—her lips were curved in a slight smirk.
Once the door closed, leaving just us two, she finally looked at me.
"Somwol, huh. She's an interesting one."
"Yeah...? Haha... Anyway, Hui! You really ascended to the Transformation Realm?!"
I tried to lighten the mood with an excited tone.
But she just snorted.
"Yes. I rushed here to boast to you first... and found you having quite the fun time."
Her eyes fell on the lavish spread of drinks and dishes.
The very spot where I'd been carousing with the courtesan moments ago.
"Haha... Hui, sit down first. Let's have a drink together after so long. Should I order fresh appetizers?"
"No need. This looks plenty sufficient."
Fortunately, she didn't seem angry.
If anything, she looked pleased.
'Makes sense. She just succeeded in reaching the Transformation Realm.'
This was an absurd achievement.
Setting aside my regression, had there ever been anyone in martial history who'd reached it at 24?
'Even the revered Martial Emperor, that genius, didn't ascend until 30.'
Sure, he'd started late without a master, self-taught, but still—the Transformation Realm had eluded him before thirty.
It was all thanks to the Blissful Creation Art.
'My energy from her is immense.'
More than from all the women I'd met in this life combined.
Over double, even.
Of course, her innate talent made it possible.
In my past life, even ten times that amount hadn't pushed me there.
"Here, Hui. Have a drink."
I poured for her first.
She beamed, pleased.
"Fine liquor. Great aroma too."
"It's Golden Pure Clarity, Silver Flower Pavilion's pride."
Not quite as good as Yeo-ahong from before, but top-shelf nonetheless.
She took the bottle from me and spoke.
"Young Master. Is this place Shadow Gate Sect territory?"
Casual tone, heavy implications.
No dodging now—I admitted it straight.
"...Yeah."
"What's Somwol's position here? She's quite skilled."
Not surprising she'd ask.
That level of prowess in her age group qualified for Five Dragons and Five Phoenixes.
'When I first met Hui, she was around that strength.'
Somwol hadn't started there, but our unions had elevated her.
After a moment's thought, I decided on honesty.
But "Brothel Hall candidate" alone might confuse, so some context was needed.
"First, let me explain Shadow Gate Sect. It's divided into five halls..."
I relayed what Somwol had once told me.
Moyong Hui sipped the drink I'd poured, listening quietly.
When I finished, she asked one thing.
"So all the candidates are around her level?"
As if.
Five Dragons and Phoenixes-level juniors? Shadow Gate Sect would already be the world's top sect.
Still, I could guess why she asked.
*You slept with her, didn't you?*
She didn't say it outright, but her eyes screamed it.
I dodged her gaze instead of answering.
"I get it without you saying. Fine."
"H-Hui...?"
Her cold tone made me think to soothe her, but when I looked, she was smirking—mismatching her voice.
The inexplicable expression threw me...
"Even after doing it with you, she's only that strong?"
She looked triumphant.
'In a way, yeah, Hui wins.'
The Blissful Creation Art's efficiency depended on my feelings.
Opponent's cultivation only stirred desire—it didn't directly convert.
Extremely, even a commoner ignorant of martial arts could yield more than Moyong Hui if I felt strongly enough.
Somwol's gains looked impressive generally, but ample for Moyong Hui—who'd reached Transformation Realm—to feel victorious.
'Not that my desire for Somwol was lacking...'
She'd been my crush for over three years in my past life.
Reason I'd even picked up the zither? To woo her.
Plus, learning post-regression she was Shadow Gate Sect only intensified it.
My desire back then was anything but small.
Yet her efficiency was low for another reason...
It was practically forced—her first time.
I hadn't known then, but Blissful Creation Art required opening one's heart from the start.
Somwol had yielded under threat, her heart forced open via pleasure—yielding far less than my desire warranted.
'...Should I mention this?'
She seemed in high spirits. Better not stir trouble.