Chapter 124
Chapter 124
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: The Price of a Song
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Even wrapped in fury, the Master of Moon Pavilion was desperately trying to come up with some plausible excuse.
Watching him, Little Moon Fragrance revealed her shock and sense of betrayal in the rawest terms.
Yang-hui stood there with his arms crossed, glancing back and forth between the two.
'Little sis... Big Sis Wol-hyang really is sharp as ever.'
They had crossed paths unexpectedly at first, and today's second meeting was also disguised as coincidence.
So Yang-hui couldn't openly speak of what the pavilion master had done to Little Moon Fragrance's family.
'Truth be told, I planned to just toss out some bait today, gauge his reaction, plant a seed of doubt, and call it done.'
Little Moon Fragrance's reaction was fiercer than expected.
She knew the pavilion master better than anyone, so she must have caught on that his attitude wasn't normal.
"Master. Please answer."
"......"
"If you remain silent, I'll continue speaking with the young master. First, young master. Why, of all things, did you choose to investigate Su Dong-po's bloodline?"
If he said he knew the past secrets, they'd think he'd done background checks.
That would be trouble.
"Sis. This little brother came all the way to Hangzhou for two reasons. First, to procure courtesans from One Faction for our family's business. Second, to investigate the bloodline of Su Dong-po, whom I've always admired."
To avoid misunderstanding and suspicion, he just needed to shift the frame.
It wasn't that he'd learned the truth about the So family while looking into her. Rather, he'd started with interest in Su Dong-po's bloodline, investigated, and ended up at Little Moon Fragrance.
"Over the past few days, I mobilized our family members and found out that a clan with the So surname had plummeted dramatically in the last decade."
"Please continue."
"And wouldn't you know it—the young lady of that house happened to be the sis I connected with just days ago. That's why I mentioned looking into it more."
He winked and added,
"Looks like we really do have a fated connection, sis."
Fortunately, Little Moon Fragrance didn't press for details.
She seemed to find it credible.
"I wondered who benefited most from the misfortune that struck your family. It pointed to the Moon Pavilion Master, right? So I prodded, but I didn't expect such a heated reaction."
He finished with a satisfied smile.
'This should deepen her suspicions about the pavilion master even more.'
Just planting that seed of doubt in Little Moon Fragrance was profit enough for today's talk.
In his previous life, the guilt and betrayal of being used to fatten her enemy's belly had been a massive wound for her.
'At least this time, sis won't wake up screaming from nightmares.'
"Master. Your answer?"
"Wol-hyang. Don't be swayed by baseless lies. It's me—your family's benefactor and your guardian!"
"......"
Little Moon Fragrance fixed him with her signature gaze before turning back to Yang-hui.
"Young master. You said my value exceeds ten percent of profits. But I want the signing bonus. Five hundred gold taels."
"As much as sis wants."
She took the bundle of bills and extended her hand toward the pavilion master.
"Master. My heart is confused and muddled, lost. So today, let's settle all remaining debts and favors. Tell me—I'm a free woman now."
"Wol-hyang! How can you treat me like this?!"
"If that's the case, I'll repay the five hundred gold taels and return to Hangzhou to spend my life with you, Master."
Yang-hui frowned slightly at her words.
Why say something like that?
Her overly faithful nature, as always.
She seemed willing to give the pavilion master one last chance.
But.
'That mongrel bastard won't let go of the reins he holds.'
"What's the difference? Wol-hyang, even if you do that, nothing changes. Why act like this?"
"Why? As you say, no difference at all—then why won't you utter the promised freedom?"
Instead of the silently grinding pavilion master, Yang-hui answered.
"Because it makes you anxious. A priceless treasure sure to earn the world's greatest fame and be hailed through generations—what if she learns the truth and runs away?"
The pavilion master was the one who ruined Little Moon Fragrance's family.
He'd originally been close with her father but stumbled upon the So family's secret bloodline.
Su Dong-po's handwritten will. His diary.
And even the family registry passed down generations.
What caught his eye was young Little Moon Fragrance—already deeply versed in poetry and painting, with exceptional talent in music, song, and dance.
'Greed blinded him. He wanted to acquire and raise her, claim the priceless treasure.'
From stories heard in his previous life, every misfortune that struck her family in sequence had been orchestrated by the pavilion master.
From the financial crisis that started the fall, to all the subsequent hardships.
"......I can't listen anymore. Guards!"
The pavilion master ordered the warriors waiting outside the room.
"Call all the guards in the pavilion and throw these bastards out!"
"Master! Answer first!"
"Wol-hyang. You're too agitated. Let's sort this out and talk later."
"Master!"
Nearly twenty warriors swarmed in.
Familiar. This feels just like what happened earlier.
"Master. We're paying guests. Where in the world do you mistreat customers like this?"
"Shut up. You'll pay for flapping your mouth."
Yang-hui just shrugged and smiled.
Guards from a mere brothel? Ten or twenty made no difference.
He didn't even need to step in himself.
"Adu, earn your keep."
"Huh?"
"Those guys are harassing Big Sis Wol-hyang. Chase 'em out."
Adu nodded and stood.
His massive frame nearly brushed the room's ceiling.
Clasping his hands, he bellowed,
"Amitabha!"
The majestic aura unique to Shaolin filled the room.
A heavy pressure, devoid of intent to harm.
The warriors realized one fact and paled.
"Righteous energy!"
"Peak realm?!"
"How, with that young face?!"
Only then did they notice Adu's robes.
In all the world, only Shaolin monks wore sackcloth dyed with mud.
"N-No way?"
"Master. That monk seems to be from Shaolin."
Veins bulging on his neck, the pavilion master roared.
"Shaolin just because of some robes?! Move, now! Earn your pay!"
Clang! Clang! Clang!
As the guards drew swords, Adu furrowed his brow.
"Swords hurt. Wanna get scolded?"
That moment.
"Fighting in front of big sis feels off."
Stepping forward, Zhuge Seol-ha held her already-drawn pipa.
Heavenly Sound Pipa. The Zhuge clan's signature secret weapon.
She tapped the drum-like back of the Heavenly Sound Pipa.
Thoom!
"Gah!"
"Urk...!"
The drum-like sound wave spread, sending guards collapsing, retching or clutching heads in agony.
The vibrations seeped through eardrums, shaking brains.
'Even amid that, the pavilion master holds steady. Not bad control of his energy.'
Though the strongest was merely second-rate, there were twenty of them.
She subdued a crowd in one strike.
A unique strength of sound arts that infused qi into sound.
"Moon Pavilion Master. I can't stand by anymore. Answer big sis's question. Will the day come when she gains her freedom?"
Zhuge Seol-ha, with the Zhuge clan's sharp intellect plus her Peach Blossom Physique's ability to read hearts.
In her eyes,
Beneath the benevolent facade, mud the color of rotten leaves.
The pavilion master was no upright man in her sight.
'I don't get why senior brother set this up, but I can guess.'
"Big sis. One fact I must tell you. I can read people's inner thoughts. Unlike what you think, this man can't do good deeds from pure kindness."
"......Little sis Zhuge."
The pavilion master's eyes twitched. Only now realizing Zhuge Seol-ha was from the famed Zhuge clan.
A Shaolin monk and a Zhuge clan beauty.
Finally grasping the situation fully.
"......I won't give up."
Eyes bloodshot, he bit his lip and continued.
"I spent a fortune saving your family! And the money to raise you till now wasn't cheap! What's my greed a crime?!"
"......You're right on that, Master. But."
"Tell me. Was any of the misfortunes that struck my family caused by you?"
"......"
Yang-hui tossed in a word at the silent pavilion master.
"No matter how deep you bury it in darkness, dawn comes. As with past wrongs and secrets. This young master is ready to be your dawn anytime."
Meaning lies were pointless now.
Especially with a member of the Zhuge clan—one of the world's five great clans, famed for strategy and schemes—revealed among them.
The pavilion master probably thought everything was exposed.
And sure enough, he showed his true colors.
"Wol-hyang, your parents' incompetence isn't my fault."
Greasy, filthy greed filled the once-benevolent face.
"I just helped late. As a merchant with businesses, I moved for profit."
Little Moon Fragrance collapsed, unable to bear the shock.
"You, father's friend—how could you! How can you call yourself human?!"
"Wol-hyang. Opening the outhouse door just shows filth. Nothing changes. You just suffer the stench."
His gaze turned to Yang-hui.
"The blindfold's off, so Wol-hyang will live in hell now. Your fault. Because of you, she'll endure hellish days forever."
Yang-hui didn't reply. Taking his silence as defeat, the pavilion master sneered.
"My contract with Wol-hyang is legitimate. She can't leave Moon Pavilion till debts are paid. I've waived interest so far, but no more. Thanks to you, she'll pay thirty percent interest monthly from now."
"Ho. Not afraid of repercussions?"
"As you see, my group includes a Shaolin monk and Zhuge clan lady."
"Think I lack connections?! This is Hangzhou! Money buys anything!"
In his previous life, after the truth emerged and her rage boiled, the pavilion master had pinned her down with force and power.
Considering what he'd done then, his confidence made sense.
But.
"Try it."
"What?"
"Hire assassins, beg black path gangs you bribe, pull strings for power. Do it all."
Without waiting,
"For now, get out, old man. You stink."
They say fury peaks into cold calm.
The pavilion master sneered coldly.
"Fine. Expect it. Wol-hyang, remember—you're my property. Mine alone!"
Bang!
As the door slammed, tears streamed from Little Moon Fragrance's eyes.
The talent of nangjungjichu brings misfortune that shatters life's peace.
Her ancestor's words made sense now.
'If only I hadn't been given this talent.'
Father, mother, all the household.
They wouldn't have suffered.
Wouldn't have endured hellish days.
"Hic... Hic-sob."
What good was her beauty?
Her honed talents?
Flowers are plucked for their beauty.
Her gaze fell to the calluses on her fingertips.
"......"
In utter despair, she drew her silver short sword as if entranced.
Without hesitation, she swung at her hand's back.
That moment.
Clack!
A man's hand seized her wrist. Her eyes turned to its owner.
"Sis. Thinking of playing ronin for you. Promise to pay, and I'll help."
"......Right. You're one of those who wants this girl's talent."
Her reply dripped resentment and emptiness.
Considering their future bond, he had to deny it.
But.
"Yeah."
As she flinched,
He smiled softly.
"My fee... one verse of your song."
The promised price from his previous life.