Chapter 65
Translator: penny
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: The Patriarch's Wager
"So, what is the reason you associate with the Shadow Gate Sect?"
This was a crucial moment that would determine whether I stayed as a promising talent of the orthodox factions or turned into the Lecherous Demon.
What should I say?
Time seemed to slow as my mind raced.
'The fact that the Elegant Pavilion is a Shadow Gate Sect branch has already been exposed. Denying it wouldn't make sense... Wait, hold on? Why am I only thinking of excuses?'
The situation had unfolded so rapidly that I'd instinctively assumed the worst. But upon reflection, it wasn't as grave as I'd thought.
'Who have I killed? Or kidnapped anyone?'
Sure, I'd just been planning to kidnap someone moments ago, but that was only in my head.
All I'd actually done was team up with the Shadow Gate Sect for a little playacting.
'In other words, my only crime is associating with the Shadow Gate Sect.'
There was no need to tremble like this from the start.
I'd grown too accustomed to my Lecherous Demon days and had been thinking too negatively.
Finally sorting my thoughts, I shrugged and answered confidently.
"Is associating with the Shadow Gate Sect a crime?"
"Hm?"
"The other day, I talked with a courtesan named Eunha. She said she'd been sold off to pay her parents' debts. I felt sorry for her and decided to stir things up."
"Oh? So it was an act of compassion?"
"Yes. Honestly, how can human trafficking still exist in this day and age? Especially when one of the Five Great Families, the Moyong Family—pillars of the orthodox factions—is involved. I decided to make a big fuss over it."
The Sa Gal Sect had indeed engaged in human trafficking, and Eunha was one of their victims. The Moyong Family's involvement was true as well.
'This time, my persona is a chivalrous hero brimming with righteous fervor and youthful vigor.'
After all, I was only in my early twenties. Plenty young enough to be full of hot blood.
"Hmm. Then why were you trying to flee right away?"
"I wasn't fleeing. I was buying time for the Shadow Gate Sect courtesans to escape."
"You were helping the Shadow Gate Sect escape, not yourself? Why?"
"What crime have they committed? Is it wrong that they were forced into becoming courtesans to pay off their parents' debts? The real culprits are the Sa Gal Sect and the Moyong Family. I couldn't just stand by and watch innocent people get punished simply because they're unorthodox."
I surprised even myself with my words.
'Kuh, that sounds pretty convincing.'
As I inwardly patted myself on the back, Moyong Hwan continued.
"So you're claiming that you arrived in Shenyang, happened to stop by the Elegant Pavilion, and impulsively caused a scene out of compassion and chivalry?"
"That's right."
What could he do about it?
But Moyong Hwan curled his lips into a meaningful smile.
"And the reason you came to Shenyang was to duel my daughter, Moyong Hui?"
"Yes...?"
"You think you can beat me one-on-one?"
'Ah, shit...'
It did sound ridiculous that a peak Flower Realm expert had come all the way to Shenyang just to spar with some promising Sword Phoenix talent.
But no matter how hard I racked my brain, no good excuse came to mind.
With no choice, I squeezed my eyes shut and shouted.
"Argh! Fine! I came to seduce your daughter! The Sword Phoenix is so famous, I wanted to give it a shot. Then I learned about Eunha, and I figured I'd make a scene to leave an impression on your daughter while I was at it! Happy now?"
Spilling it all felt strangely refreshing.
Was it such a great sin for a vigorous young man to stir up trouble while trying to woo a pretty girl?
I couldn't fathom why I'd even considered running.
"Hmm, that seems sincere..."
"It's not just sincere—it's the gospel truth. I just wanted to woo your daughter."
"Fine. I'll believe that. But there's still one thing I don't understand."
"What now?"
I had nothing left to hide.
I was ready to answer anything honestly.
But his next question made me freeze.
"So why did you kill Chu Munrak on your way here?"
'He knows about that too?'
I hadn't thought I could hide it forever.
But this was too soon.
"...Word of that already reached the Beggars' Sect?"
It had been less than two full months.
'Then the Four Black Alliance must know too.'
Even if the Shadow Gate Sect was blocking information, if it had spread to the Beggars' Sect and reached the Murim Alliance, the Four Black Alliance knowing was inevitable.
I'd hoped to keep it under wraps until the great righteous-demonic war...
"Not the Beggars' Sect. It was information from the imperial court."
That made sense. It was an incident in Beijing, and officials had shown up after the bloodshed.
It was somewhat fortunate for me.
Information from the court meant it probably hadn't reached the Four Black Alliance yet.
'More importantly, the Moyong Family's intelligence comes from the court, not the Beggars' Sect.'
I was used to the notion that officials and martial artists didn't mix, so this was surprising.
The Moyong Family was indeed closer to the court than the martial world.
"Eh, I just did it to save the Eun Merchant Group."
"You suddenly killed an elder of the Four Black Alliance—a Flower Realm expert—to save the Eun Merchant Group?"
"Yeah. He was a bad guy anyway. Rotten to the core. That bastard killed over a hundred people there."
I tried playing the chivalrous hero again, but he didn't buy it one bit.
"Hmm. From what I heard, the head of the Eun Merchant Group is quite the beauty..."
"...Damn. You know everything. Yeah, the head of the Eun Merchant Group is a stunning beauty, so I saved her. Satisfied?"
Now I'd truly said it all.
The only thing still hidden was my full ties to the Shadow Gate Sect, but he probably had a good guess already.
"So, to sum up: You left Shanxi to seduce my daughter. But on the way, you ran into a beauty, helped her, and killed Chu Munrak, an elder of the Four Black Alliance and a Flower Realm expert. Right?"
"Yes. You got it exactly."
"This is... It doesn't sound like a lie."
Moyong Hwan furrowed his brow, clearly baffled.
But what could he do?
It was all true.
"So, are we done? Can I go?"
"Hmm. If I let you leave like this, what will you do next?"
"What else? Go woo the other Phoenixes."
I'd have to give up on the Sword Phoenix for now, regrettably.
'She's onto me now.'
Still, there would be chances.
She'd probably join the fray once the great war started. I could try again then.
"You're consistent, I'll give you that."
Moyong Hwan looked at me pityingly.
I shrugged and replied.
"What can you do? There's a reason they say heroes love beauties."
"Hmm, heroes..."
He pondered my words, then flashed a sly smile.
"By the way, if you leave like this, what about the Shadow Gate Sect folks?"
"Oh, right. Could you maybe let the Shadow Gate Sect kids off the hook? They're poor things. And your family started it."
"What if I say no?"
My safety was assured now.
But what about the Brothel Hall members?
'Tch, what to do?'
The thought of abandoning them didn't even cross my mind.
They were my people, after all.
Some had even shared my bed.
Pretend I didn't know them and save myself alone?
I might as well cut it off then.
'Should I charge in now?'
Subdue Moyong Hwan and take him hostage.
Negotiate from there, and I could save them.
It might put me in a tricky spot, but I could spin it as chivalry.
With Shadow Gate Sect rumors and commoner support, I could stay in the orthodox side.
'The Moyong Family isn't close to the Murim Alliance anyway.'
The Alliance disliked the Shadow Gate Sect plenty, but these guys were the victims.
They couldn't openly condemn me.
My calculations were done.
As I drew my sword, resolve firm, Moyong Hwan chuckled.
"Are you confident?"
"Like I said, one-on-one."
Conveniently, he'd dismissed his men.
No reinforcements to worry about now.
"Pretending not to see the Shadow Gate Sect isn't hard. They haven't actually harmed our family."
He flipped his stance after my outburst.
I hesitated.
'What's this? He's not scared of me.'
No matter what, he had pride. He wouldn't say that out of fear.
As I eyed him questioningly, he slowly drew his sword.
"You called yourself a hero. Drawing your blade for midday courtesans? You qualify."
Why was his tongue so sharp?
I wanted to swing at him, but held back.
'Just in case.'
Something good might come of it.
And my patience bore sweet fruit.
"But a hero needs strength. Beat me, and I won't touch the Shadow Gate Sect, as you say."
"For real?"
Relief washed over me.
The worst was averted.
"And I'll give you my daughter too."
"Huh...?"
An unexpected bonus.
Of course, Moyong Hui wasn't an object to be handed over, but...
'No interference? That's plenty.'
Things were already going well with her.
One word from him would help immensely.
It was a tempting offer.
"But if you lose, I need something in return."
There it was.
He had demands.
"What do you want?"
"Become a son-in-law of the Moyong Family."
Win or lose, I get Moyong Hui?
I couldn't claim all the world's beauties, but...
'I'll just win.'
Thank you, father-in-law.
I'll take good care of your daughter.