Chapter 29
Translator: penny
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Red Serpent's Scheme
Having indulged in lust after so long, I felt refreshed from the morning.
Stretching once, I glanced beside me and saw Aeng-i—the girl I'd been with last night—sleeping naked.
'She's still asleep.'
It was a stark contrast to Somwol, who had risen early to play her zither.
I considered waking her but stayed quiet instead, sensing presences outside.
I threw on some clothes haphazardly and stepped out of the room. The old woman bowed as if she'd been waiting.
"Did you enjoy yourself, young master?"
Seeing her face first thing in the morning wasn't ideal, but I understood her feelings.
She must be dying to know how much her disciple's internal energy had grown.
'She was that curious, huh.'
Even with me standing right there, she kept stealing glances toward the door, clearly itching to check Aeng-i's internal energy.
But I didn't have time to spare either.
'I've got a meeting with Eun Garyeon soon.'
She could check her disciple's condition anytime.
My business came first.
"What about the thing I asked you to look into yesterday?"
"Please follow me."
Suppressing her curiosity, the old woman led me to a secret chamber.
Inside Shadow Gate Sect's hidden room, a single book lay on the desk.
The cover of the nearly one chi-thick volume read 'Eun Merchant Group.'
"What's this? All of it about the Eun Merchant Group?"
It was thicker than I'd expected.
Flipping it open casually, I saw it was packed with dense text.
This was practically the length of a full martial arts manual.
'I could read it if I had to...'
Honestly, it was too much hassle.
Besides, I didn't need information this detailed.
"Does it have the entire family tree of the Eun clan or something?"
What did I care about who they traded with 200 years ago or who Eun Garyeon's great-great-grandfather was?
The old woman smiled faintly at my words.
"I didn't know exactly what you wanted on the Eun Merchant Group, young master, so I prepared everything. Is there something specific you'd like?"
Specific information?
I pondered briefly before speaking.
"Their current status. And info on the current leader. That should do it."
"By current leader, do you mean the woman who visited yesterday?"
She'd even noticed that.
I hadn't hidden it, but Shadow Gate Sect lived up to its reputation.
I nodded, and the old woman spoke cautiously.
"Could it be... you're planning to make the Eun Merchant Group your second force, Young Master Mok?"
"That's what I'm trying to figure out."
Nothing was set in stone yet.
Eun Garyeon was beautiful, sure... but
'She doesn't stir my heart wildly.'
Looks weren't everything.
If the Blissful Creation Art—or my desires—were determined solely by appearance, life would be so much simpler.
But the heart doesn't work that way.
Whether she's a courtesan, a noble lady, a merchant leader, or a martial artist.
If a merchant leader, how big is her operation? If a martial artist, how skilled is she?
It's a comprehensive mix: occupation, abilities, relationships, reputation, personality—all of it.
Just like how Aeng-i opening her heart to me yesterday amplified my desire, even the smallest details can shift it.
That's desire for you.
'Besides, the chances of bedding her right away seem slim.'
I couldn't force it like before, so pouring time into Eun Garyeon blindly would be a waste.
Better to hurry and meet the Sword Phoenix instead.
That's why this intel was crucial.
The old woman nodded, grasping my intent.
"I understand. I'll give you a rough summary first, then you can check the book for details later."
"Oh, can I take it with me?"
"Of course."
Making a book this thick must have taken time...
'Whatever, their business.'
Suits me fine.
I tucked the book into my robe, and the old woman began.
"Three years ago, the Eun Merchant Group lost its leader, Eun Taeho, and his daughter Eun Garyeon took over."
I knew that much.
"Eun Garyeon, who was 18 at the time, turned to her uncle Eun Taehyeok for help. He was an ordinary innkeeper running a small establishment... or so the common view goes."
"And?"
"Shadow Gate Sect suspects he's connected to the Red Serpent Sect."
"What? Red Serpent Sect?"
Why bring them up out of nowhere?
Red Serpent Sect.
A cesspool of murderers, arsonists, rapists—the dregs even among the unorthodox, and the sect I'd sheltered in for over a decade in my past life.
The old woman continued.
"The Red Serpent Sect is a gathering of irredeemable criminals rooted in the northern Hebei region. Unlike our Shadow Gate Sect members who hold legitimate jobs..."
"Skip it. I know about the Red Serpent Sect."
Probably better than Shadow Gate Sect did.
Surprised by my words, the old woman gave a puzzled look before resuming on Eun Taehyeok.
"The inn he ran was at a key pass from Beijing to northern Hebei..."
Even after meeting Eun Garyeon and setting off on the journey, my mind kept replaying the old woman's words.
'Red Serpent Sect. Red Serpent Sect, huh...'
Over a decade there, but no good memories.
A den of irredeemable trash, just as she said.
I'd been one of them as the Lecherous Demon, so I hadn't planned to dwell on it this life...
'But this changes things.'
Her words echoed.
—Shadow Gate Sect estimates Eun Taehyeok kidnapped people from his inn for human trafficking, brokered by the Red Serpent Sect. Evidence also points to them causing Leader Eun Taeho's fatal accident...
Human trafficking? Assassination contracts?
Red Serpent Sect scum were capable of it.
Fine, say we gloss over that,
—Their target appears to be Eun Garyeon. Her beauty stood out even as a child, drawing many eyes. The Eun Merchant Group was substantial enough to deter direct moves, so they're estimated to be ruining it via Eun Taehyeok.
If it's Eun Garyeon they're after, that shifts things a bit.
—The Eun Merchant Group has lost most clients, shrunk dramatically. Employee salaries are over three months late, and they blame it all on Eun Garyeon.
Red Serpent Sect was methodically laying traps to seize her.
I asked why go to such lengths to bankrupt the group,
—Not confirmed, but a Four Black Alliance elder wants her. Red Serpent Sect is likely acting to gain their recognition.
That completed the picture.
Back in my low-rank Red Serpent Sect days, I'd heard the tales.
Until four years before I joined, they were a fringe sect without Four Black Alliance approval.
Then one elder took a liking, and they grew...
'Because of Eun Garyeon?'
Deeply tangled.
And that Four Black Alliance elder? I knew the bastard.
'Chu Munrak.'
A filthy lecher who lusted after beauties—women and men alike.
The one who scarred my face.
I died before grasping the Blissful Creation Art's true essence, so no revenge then.
Now he's after Eun Garyeon?
No way in hell.
No special grudge against Red Serpent Sect.
It was home for over a decade, after all.
But tied to Chu Munrak? Different story.
'Those Red Serpent bastards are shameless too.'
Handing a beauty like Eun Garyeon to that scum?
And such a vile method.
—Not kidnapping. The Eun Merchant Group has history and government ties... Likely financial pressure.
Financial pressure.
Forcing debt, then repayment in flesh...
'I'm a creditor too.'
Daring to sideline me, Mok Jimyeong, for her?
Insane.
Unforgivable.
As I ground my teeth, Jang beside me noticed and asked,
"What's wrong? Something up?"
"Mind your own business, punk."
Some bodyguard, clueless about threats.
If you're guarding, anticipate dangers.
'He just follows orders.'
Even now, he backed off at my words, admiring the scenery.
Such straightforward guys have their uses,
'Sigh, things are about to get busy.'
Looks like I'll have work when we reach the Eun Merchant Group.
This trip to Beijing started to save on guards for free.
Jang handled everything; it was easy. Now it's worth the pay.
'Little Eun, I'll collect several times over this time. Look forward to it.'
No interest? Last time covered it.
A few days passed like that.
We arrived in Beijing.