Chapter 140 < Is It Over Now? >
The Manager looked at Byeok Taesan with a tense expression.
At some point, interacting with Byeok Taesan had become difficult. It felt like dealing with a vastly superior figure.
‘No, when I think about it, he is technically a superior…’
Byeok Taesan was the younger brother of the Leader. Strictly speaking, that made him the Manager’s superior within the Golden Wall Manor.
Of course, the Manager had never thought of it that way before, which made things comfortable.
In reality, Byeok Taesan had been practically uninvolved in the affairs of the Golden Wall Merchants, so there was little reason to worry.
But at some point, things started to change.
‘Was it around the time he began visiting the courtesan house?’
That seemed to be the case. Things had started to feel a bit odd since then.
And when the Heavenly Divine Healer had come to visit, the change had become crystal clear.
Sitting across from Byeok Taesan now, the Manager found his muscles stiffening with tension, making it extremely uncomfortable.
"Explain in detail."
At Byeok Taesan's command, the Secretary promptly responded.
"Recently, there have been some changes in our trading partners at the Golden Wall Merchants."
The Manager explained in detail what the Golden Moon Merchants had been doing to interfere with their business, who might be involved, and how the Golden Wall Merchants had been responding to defend themselves.
Although Byeok Taesan had already heard everything from Hwaryeong earlier, he merely nodded a few times, listening quietly as the Manager spoke.
When the explanation ended, the Manager cautiously added the conclusion he and Leader Byeok Taesoo had reached.
"So… we believe that the Golden Moon Merchants are after something."
"That seems likely."
"The Leader has decided to find out what that is personally."
"Where are they now?"
"The Golden Moon Merchants' main branch is in Jiangsu."
"So, he plans to go there?"
Jiangsu wasn’t exactly near Wuhan, but it wasn’t terribly far either. About a thousand li in a straight line, with a water route that made the journey convenient.
"Yes, for now."
Byeok Taesan frowned.
"Tell them to come here."
"Excuse me?"
"They’re the ones who need something, aren’t they? If they want it, they can come here and say so."
"But…"
The Manager looked troubled.
The Golden Moon Merchants were on a completely different level from the Golden Wall Merchants. They were often regarded as the closest to being the best trading group in the world.
How could they possibly send a message demanding the Golden Moon Merchants come to them?
"You're such a coward. Even Cheon Kyungwan wouldn’t be this timid."
Byeok Taesan’s comment made the Manager’s eyes widen slightly. It wasn’t even a particularly harsh statement, but it stung deeply.
Ignoring the Manager’s reaction, Byeok Taesan turned his gaze to Hwaryeong.
"You deliver the message."
Hwaryeong bowed politely.
"I will carry it out immediately."
The Manager was startled.
"No, Young Master! This will cause trouble!"
"Trouble for whom? Me?"
"No, no, the Leader! Won’t this put the Leader in a difficult position?"
"It doesn’t matter."
"Excuse me?"
The Manager blinked, looking back and forth between Byeok Taesan and Hwaryeong.
The one who would face trouble was Byeok Taesoo. Why was Byeok Taesan so unconcerned, as though it was his decision to make?
"They’ll actually appreciate it," Byeok Taesan said.
"What…?"
He waved his hand dismissively, cutting off the Manager’s words.
"Just report back as I said. Can you do that?"
The Manager closed his mouth, staring at Byeok Taesan in confusion.
Of course, he could do it. All he had to do was report that this was what had happened.
But how was he supposed to deliver such a message?
"It’s already too late."
"Excuse me?"
The Manager looked at Byeok Taesan, unable to comprehend his words.
Hwaryeong provided the explanation.
"I’ve already sent someone."
"What? When did that happen?"
"I just signaled them a moment ago. By now, they should have already left Wuhan."
The Manager was at a loss, unable to grasp what was happening. He simply stared blankly at Byeok Taesan and Hwaryeong.
A faint smile played on Byeok Taesan's lips.
"I’m looking forward to it. I wonder what they’re really after."
Hwaryeong gave a slight nod.
She, too, was curious and excited.
Only the Manager sat there clutching his head, unable to understand the two of them.
"Did he say that?"
"Yes, Leader. Shouldn’t you go and stop him yourself?"
At the Manager’s worried words, Byeok Taesoo smiled faintly.
“It’s fine. My younger brother will handle it all. This actually puts my mind at ease.”
"Leader······."
The Manager couldn’t comprehend Byeok Taesoo’s response.
It was true that Byeok Taesan had changed significantly as of late. It was also true that some incredibly talented individuals had gathered under his command, seemingly out of nowhere.
But no matter how remarkable a person may be, everyone has their limits.
The opponent this time was the Golden Moon Merchants.
A faction that controlled three entire martial sects.
And these sects weren’t minor or unremarkable organizations.
The Golden Moon Merchants had trained a considerable number of warriors under their own command, leveraging the strength of these sects. The level of these warriors was extraordinary.
The Manager stared at Byeok Taesoo in renewed awe.
To show such composure against the Golden Moon Merchants was truly astounding.
‘Well······, that’s our Leader for you.’
Byeok Taesoo’s greatest strength, and most intimidating trait, was his ability to remain composed and unflustered under any circumstances.
With his thoughts organized, the Manager asked calmly, "What preparations should we make, then?"
"Just proceed as usual. I’ll personally meet the guests from the Golden Moon Merchants. I’ll handle the preparations and anticipate what they might want."
"I will assist with the planning."
Byeok Taesoo shook his head.
"Your role is to maintain the manor and oversee the merchants as always. That’s the best way you can support me."
The Manager bowed respectfully.
"Your words are wise, Leader. I will do as you say."
After discussing a few matters related to the merchants, the Manager politely excused himself and left.
Once the Manager had departed, Byeok Taesoo rubbed his temples and sank into thought.
The scene of Byeok Taesan proclaiming himself as the Heavenly Demon after breaking the golden wall was still vivid in his mind.
Lately, whenever he closed his eyes, it was the first thing he remembered.
Surely, Byeok Jehyeok felt the same way.
It was a moment of immense shock.
‘With such a great Heavenly Demon on our side, what could there possibly be to fear?’
The martial world had been turbulent lately.
Signs of conflict were evident everywhere, with all sects and alliances actively making their moves.
And though it had not yet surfaced, there was an undercurrent of something strange and unsettling.
The timing of these events was unmistakable.
It all began when the Demonic Cult fractured due to the Heaven-Sealing Array.
When the Demonic Cult was intact, the world remained relatively peaceful.
Because should a conflict shake the world, none could withstand the might of the Demonic Cult.
The Demonic Cult was both everyone’s enemy and the force that ensured peace.
At its peak stood the Heavenly Demon.
The countless legendary tales about the Heavenly Demon were too numerous to recount.
In short, the Heavenly Demon was unrivaled.
With such a figure alongside them, what could possibly cause fear?
"Still······It's intriguing."
What exactly had happened to the Demonic Cult and the Heavenly Demon?
How had Byeok Taesan and the Heavenly Demon become intertwined?
Byeok Taesoo pondered these questions for a long time as the night wore on.
Of course, his expression and heart were utterly at peace throughout the night.
•••••
Night had fallen.
Hwaryeong and the Owner of White Flower House were still with Byeok Taesan.
They had concluded most of their discussions and delivered all necessary reports.
From now on, they would need to see how the Golden Moon Merchants responded before determining their next steps.
Thus, it was a time when training was far more important than discussions.
Both Hwaryeong and the Owner of White Flower House understood this well.
Despite finishing their tasks, the two lingered awkwardly without leaving.
Byeok Taesan gazed at them with calm eyes.
"What are you doing?"
The meaning was clear, if they had nothing more to say, they should leave.
At this unmistakable dismissal, Hwaryeong glanced at the Owner of White Flower House. She wouldn’t leave until the other woman left first.
After all, the only reason Hwaryeong remained was because of her.
Yet, the Owner of White Flower House showed no signs of moving.
Feeling Byeok Taesan’s questioning gaze on her, she returned it with a careful yet intensely alluring look.
"Young Master, are you perhaps······ sleeping alone tonight?"
Hwaryeong glanced nervously between the Owner of White Flower House and Byeok Taesan.
In her heart, she wanted to yell for the woman to leave immediately. But the decision rested entirely with Byeok Taesan.
She couldn’t interfere or try to sway his choice.
Hwaryeong looked at Byeok Taesan with a wavering gaze.
Before Byeok Taesan could answer, the Owner of the White Flower House quickly interjected.
“I wish to serve the Young Master for the night. May I have your permission?”
Hwaryeong's eyes widened like lanterns. She glanced nervously between Byeok Taesan and the Owner of the White Flower House.
If Byeok Taesan agreed, she felt she would truly regret it.
"If I had known this would happen, I would have spoken up first,"
The Owner of the White Flower House’s gaze became even more alluring. Her eyes brimmed with a mixture of seduction and earnestness as she looked at Byeok Taesan.
She was confident that no man could resist such a gaze.
Even Hwaryeong, observing from the side, thought the same.
The Owner of the White Flower House had already been glowing with beauty since Byeok Taesan had extracted her spirit.
Moreover, she was highly aware of how to best showcase her beauty.
She was determined to secure a night with Byeok Taesan, pouring everything into it.
The last time was too faint in her memory. She remembered it being wonderful, but the details were frustratingly unclear.
This time, she vowed to etch everything into her memory.
Byeok Taesan quietly stared at the Owner of the White Flower House before opening his mouth to speak.
Just as he was about to respond, the door swung open abruptly.
“You’re not spending the night alone tonight, Young Master!”
The one who had opened the door was Yeon Harin.
Her face was flushed, and she was breathing heavily.
The Owner of the White Flower House and Hwaryeong turned to look at Yeon Harin.
Neither of their expressions wavered. The experiences they had endured were far too significant for such a minor interruption to faze them.
Receiving their gazes, Yeon Harin averted her eyes slightly.
The situation had turned strange, prompting her to intervene, but now that she had, embarrassment washed over her.
The Owner of the White Flower House calmly spoke.
“It seems the Young Master had a prior arrangement with you for tonight.”
At those words, Yeon Harin sharply turned her head to glare at the Owner of the White Flower House. She then shifted her gaze slowly to Byeok Taesan.
Even Yeon Harin’s eyes conveyed desperation.
Seeing this, Byeok Taesan nodded.
“Yes, I did tell you to come see me at night.”
Though that was a few days ago, not today.
Yeon Harin’s face lit up with joy.
Seeing her expression, gentle smiles appeared on the lips of both the Owner of the White Flower House and Hwaryeong.
“It seems we’ve taken too much of the Young Master’s time tonight. Then, we shall take our leave. Have a pleasant evening.”
The two women swiftly exited the room, leaving Yeon Harin flustered.
Byeok Taesan chuckled softly as he watched her.
“Are you planning to just stand there?”
“No. I’m coming in!”
Yeon Harin quickly entered the room, nervously approaching Byeok Taesan.
Byeok Taesan gestured with his chin toward the adjacent bedroom.
“Follow me.”
Yeon Harin swallowed hard and followed Byeok Taesan into the bedroom.
“Tonight, I have to stay alert. I won’t fall asleep,” she resolved with a determined expression as she climbed onto the bed.
Byeok Taesan, seeing this, grinned.
The night grew deeper.
Yeon Harin, her face flushed, peeked out from under the covers, staring at Byeok Taesan.
Byeok Taesan, with his top off, was seated on the bed.
A tempestuous moment had already passed.
“Young Master, is it over now?”
Yeon Harin asked cautiously.
Byeok Taesan turned his head slowly to look at her.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well... it’s just different from what I heard...”
Byeok Taesan’s expression hardened slightly.
It was too obvious who might have told her such things. After all, he had spent considerable time visiting courtesans in the past.
“They said it was so exhilarating that you’d lose yourself all night... Oh! Is it because it’s my first time?”
Byeok Taesan tilted his head side to side, cracking his neck.
“Ha... this is troublesome.”
Then, fixing his gaze on Yeon Harin, he stood.
“Brace yourself.”