Chapter 97

“It seems I’ve been had.”

“What do you mean?”

At Hong Yushin’s murmur, the madam looked at him with a puzzled expression.

The position of Surveillance Chief of the Hao Clan was truly a fearsome one. It came with the immense authority to surveil and punish all members of the Hao Clan.

It was not a position one could attain simply by being strong in Martial Arts.

Only one who possessed both a brilliant mind and the broad insight to see through to the truth could become the Surveillance Chief.

The one who handled the most vast and profound information in all of Jianghu was none other than the Surveillance Chief of the Hao Clan. It was only natural that she found it hard to believe that such a man, Hong Yushin, had been bested by someone.

A dark shadow fell over Hong Yushin’s eyes.

He recalled the moment he first met Pyo Wol.

At the time, no negotiation had worked on Pyo Wol.

The moment this side revealed its killing intent, he had reacted instantly, as if he had been waiting for it.

That brutal martial prowess, that decisive hand, and that chilling killing intent that seemed to pierce one’s very soul.

Hong Yushin had been so overwhelmed by Pyo Wol that he couldn’t resist at all.

Furthermore, Pyo Wol had even threatened to cut down anyone from the Hao Clan who approached him.

So, Hong Yushin had labeled Pyo Wol as someone with whom dialogue was impossible and had been extremely wary of him.

Pyo Wol’s arrival at the Water Lotus Pavilion came when Hong Yushin’s preconceptions were at their peak.

The unexpected visit from Pyo Wol completely shattered his fixed ideas.

He was especially thrilled when Pyo Wol readily agreed to the deal he proposed.

He had been under the illusion that a part of an impregnable fortress had crumbled. That was why he had hastily accepted Pyo Wol’s proposal.

Until then, he hadn’t thought anything was strange. After all, he was satisfied just to have opened a channel of communication with an opponent who seemed impervious to any negotiation.

But once the excitement subsided, he realized that he had gained nothing in the end.

‘A deal? That bastard only took from me and gave nothing in return. He put me at ease by saying he had no ambition, but he kept his true intentions tightly hidden. This was all a picture he painted.’

It was more than just chilling; it was terrifying.

Perhaps Pyo Wol had been painting this picture from the very moment he first saw him.

In that brief moment, he had grasped his character and found a way to use him.

‘And as a bonus, he even took the courtesans of the Water Lotus Pavilion.’

Even now, it was said that courtesans were lining up to enter the Plum Blossom Room where Pyo Wol was staying.

Pyo Wol had extracted information from Hong Yushin without paying a single coin and was even having a wonderful time at the Water Lotus Pavilion.

He had been completely cleaned out, down to his last penny.

‘That bastard isn’t just a cunning fox. He’s a bear with both strength and brains. But has there ever been such a handsome bear? Then he can’t be a bear? What is this? This stream of consciousness…’

Hong Yushin shook his head, clearing away the useless thoughts.

Beside him, the madam was watching with a puzzled expression. In her eyes, Hong Yushin must have looked like a madman muttering to himself.

Hong Yushin opened his mouth.

“Tell all the Hao Clan members in Chengdu to monitor the movements of the Seven Stars Hall.”

“Understood.”

The madam replied, bowing her head deeply.

Hong Yushin’s gaze deepened.

‘The Seven Stars Hall. The mudfish of Jianghu.’

＊＊＊

The seven martial artists of the Seven Stars Hall were all gathered in one place.

They had rented out the entire VIP room on the second floor of an inn. On the round table they were gathered at, various dishes were piled up like a mountain.

The seven martial artists of the Seven Stars Hall silently and ravenously devoured the food on the table.

The fourth, Ja Ung-pyeong, and the youngest, Jo Samcheok, ate with terrifying speed. A large chicken leg was reduced to bone in an instant, and the remnants of the food piled up around them.

Even the woman, Yo Seol-yeong, ate more than most men.

In this way, they cleared all the food that had been on the table.

Sa Hyokyung spoke, sucking the grease from his fingers.

“We don’t have much time left. We must find that bastard within three days.”

“Don’t worry. We’ve confirmed that he has entered Chengdu. It seems he’s scared out of his wits and hiding somewhere, but we should be able to find him without much difficulty.”

The one who answered was Jeung San-wi, the Second-in-Command of the Seven Stars Hall.

Jeung San-wi’s alias was Hidden Venom Sword.

Just as his alias, which meant he hid a sword in his belly, suggested, he boasted a sinister mind and a brilliant intellect.

Sa Hyokyung’s gaze turned to Yo Seol-yeong.

“What about him?”

“He’s quiet.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes! I went with the dwarf to sound him out, and it seems he’s not interested in what we’re doing.”

“Keep a close watch on his movements. The rumors about him don’t seem to be false.”

At Sa Hyokyung’s words, Gam Il-Hae was aghast.

“Then are you saying those rumors are true? That Qingcheng and Emei suffered great losses because of him.”

“I cross-checked with the martial artists from the Hundred Flowers Room and Geumcheon Gate. It’s certain!”

“Hmph!”

“It’s hard to believe, I know. I was the same. But the rumors are true. I don’t know how such a being came to exist, but a monster that defies common sense has made its nest in Chengdu.”

“Then what should we do? Do we just keep avoiding him like this? No matter how strong he is, if all of us in the Seven Stars Hall combine our strength, we should be able to deal with him easily.”

“It’s a matter of efficiency. There’s no reason to clash with him if we can solve the problem without provoking him.”

“I understand. If that’s the reason…”

Gam Il-Hae conceded.

Sa Hyokyung’s gaze turned to Yo Seol-yeong.

“You keep him tied down so he can’t pay attention to our business.”

“Hoho! If it’s something like that, please leave it to little me.”

As Yo Seol-yeong gave a seductive smile, the Iron Hunchback became restless.

“Th-there’s no need for Sister Yo to go that far…”

“Distinguish between public and private matters. Didn’t we almost clash with him before because of you?”

“I apologize, Hall Leader!”

“This commission came from none other than the hegemon of the east. If we can successfully complete this commission, we can rise beyond Hunan and become the hegemon of this region.”

Sa Hyokyung’s eyes were filled with ambition.

Compared to its fame, the Seven Stars Hall’s power was pathetic.

This was because it was composed of only seven members.

Though their individual martial prowess was strong, they lacked financial backing and influence, so they were only active on the stage of Hunan province.

If they could just complete this commission successfully, the client would fill in what they lacked.

“So we must capture him and return, no matter what. If that’s impossible, we must kill him and completely destroy the evidence. Mark my words! This is a golden opportunity, but if it goes wrong, it’s a shortcut to our complete ruin.”

“Yes!”

“Understood.”

The six sworn siblings answered in unison.

Only then did Sa Hyokyung show a satisfied smile.

He believed in his sworn siblings.

Though they were born on different days, they trusted and relied on each other enough to have sworn to die on the same day.

‘No one will be able to stop us.’

With the seven sworn siblings united, there was nothing to fear.

＊＊＊

Pyo Wol used the Plum Blossom Room as if it were his own.

Even if he holed up in the room and didn’t come out, not a single person said a word.

During that time, Cho-hyang, the top courtesan of the Water Lotus Pavilion, practically lived in the Plum Blossom Room, attending to Pyo Wol’s needs.

Many courtesans coveted Pyo Wol, but most were blocked by Cho-hyang’s physical deterrence and failed to achieve their goal.

Pyo Wol was leaning back against a soft cushion, reading a book. Beside him, Cho-hyang sat demurely, half-naked.

When Pyo Wol slightly opened his mouth, Cho-hyang quickly placed a piece of fruit she had peeled earlier into it.

“How does it taste?”

“Good!”

“I specially requested it from a merchant and had it brought in this morning. It’s fresh and delicious.”

Cho-hyang rubbed her chest against Pyo Wol’s arm, acting coquettishly.

Anyone could see she was completely smitten with Pyo Wol.

And indeed, Cho-hyang had fallen deeply for Pyo Wol.

Just looking at him felt as if her soul was being fulfilled.

His appearance, more beautiful than a woman’s, his skin, and the faint red glow in his deep eyes that seemed to see through everything had bewitched her.

The stern warnings from the madam and the Surveillance Chief were no longer in her mind. Her head was filled only with thoughts of Pyo Wol.

How can I look good for this man and make him happy?

That was all she thought about all day.

It felt as if she could sell her soul if Pyo Wol would just show her a smile. But Pyo Wol, indifferent, had never once shown a smile.

Of course, that was fine too.

She liked him so much it was almost frightening.

After entering the Plum Blossom Room, Pyo Wol had been living with his nose in a book.

It began when he happened to read a music score that had been tucked away in a corner of the Plum Blossom Room. Courtesans had to be skilled in Music, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting, so they always kept related books by their side.

The music score Pyo Wol read was one such book.

The melodies frequently played by the courtesans were written in the score.

As if by fate, Pyo Wol became engrossed in the music score.

He devoured books with a frightening intensity, as if filling a void of knowledge that had existed until now.

Pyo Wol was a Hungry Ghost.

He was starved for everything he had been unable to do until now.

He devoured knowledge and women’s bodies indiscriminately.

The world’s morals and gazes had no effect on him.

What he needed was to satisfy his immediate hunger.

Thud!

Finally, Pyo Wol closed the book.

He had read it all.

A subtle look of anticipation appeared on Cho-hyang’s face.

Her body knew that since Pyo Wol had finished his book, it was now her turn.

But her wish was not to be granted.

Pfft!

With a soft sound, Cho-hyang’s eyes suddenly lost their focus.

Pyo Wol frowned and gently caught Cho-hyang’s soft, falling body, laying her down carefully.

At that moment, an old Taoist priest appeared in the room like an illusion.

He was an old Taoist priest with a jujube-red face and a bright, childlike smile.

The old Taoist priest looked around the courtesan’s room with a curious expression.

“This room is properly steeped in the scent of flesh. How can you spend all day in a place like this?”

“It’s better than living in the mountains with nothing, eating only grass and roots.”

“Puhaha! Well, that’s true. What is a paradise-like life to some may seem endlessly boring to others. By the way, do you know who I am?”

“No!”

“And yet you remain so calm?”

“If I had felt any hostility, I would have reacted first.”

“You are a truly arrogant child. I can somewhat understand how Mujeong was defeated so futilely.”

“So you are from Qingcheng.”

“This old Taoist is called Goyeop. I am Mujeong’s Martial Uncle.”

“You don’t seem to have come for revenge, so what is your business?”

Pyo Wol asked indifferently, without a single expression of surprise. Goyeop Jin-in couldn’t help but inwardly admire Pyo Wol’s attitude.

Goyeop Jin-in was the highest-ranking expert in the Qingcheng Sect.

Although Mujeong Jin-in was rumored to be Qingcheng’s greatest expert, in reality, Goyeop Jin-in was the Qingcheng First Sword. He was just not well-known because he had gone into seclusion long ago.

Even though his name was not widely known, people would usually freeze up in front of him just for being the Martial Uncle of the current Sect Master of the Qingcheng Sect.

Goyeop Jin-in was the spiritual pillar of the Qingcheng Sect.

Yet, even with such a being before him, Pyo Wol’s expression did not waver.

“Because of you, Qingcheng has been turned upside down. Are you aware of that?”

“Should I be?”

Pyo Wol retorted.

For a moment, Goyeop Jin-in was at a loss for words.

No one had ever spoken to him so informally, nor had anyone ever given him a proper retort.

It was such an unfamiliar experience that it felt rather refreshing.

“Still, your actions have turned it into a house of mourning. Shouldn’t you at least be somewhat aware?”

“Why is that my fault?”

“Are you denying what you have done?”

“No! I have no intention of denying what I did in the slightest. But the fact that the Qingcheng Sect was disgraced and became a house of mourning is something they brought upon themselves. It’s not my fault that Mujeong practiced demonic art.”

“Umm!”

Goyeop Jin-in let out a groan.

An expression of deep sorrow automatically appeared on his face.

If they had lost after fighting Pyo Wol fair and square, they would at least have a justification to challenge him again.

Even if the world called them cowards, they were confident they could handle it with the strength of the Qingcheng Sect.

The problem was that Mujeong Jin-in’s practice of demonic art had been exposed.

An Elder of the prestigious Qingcheng Sect, renowned in Jianghu, had practiced demonic art, fallen into a demonic state, and run rampant.

Naturally, the reputation of the Qingcheng Sect plummeted, and they lost even the minimum justification to punish Pyo Wol.

Far from revenge, they were now in a position where they had to worry about the very survival of the Qingcheng Sect.

All of this was because of Pyo Wol.

In a way, the Qingcheng Sect was the victim.

Due to the Emei Sect’s commission and Pyo Wol’s execution of it, they had lost Woo Gun-sang, a talent who would have led Qingcheng, and their prestige had suffered a fatal blow.

“Virtue is swept away by the desire for fame, and wisdom is born from conflict.”

Virtue is swept away by the desire for fame, and wisdom is born from conflict.

The virtue of the Qingcheng Sect was swept away by Mujeong Jin-in’s ambition, and Pyo Wol, through repeated battles, had even gained wisdom.

Before coming here, Goyeop Jin-in had thought Pyo Wol was simply a born fighter. But the moment he saw Pyo Wol’s eyes, his thoughts changed.

Pyo Wol was not just a martial artist with strong Martial Arts.

His eyes were so deep that he could not fathom his inner thoughts.

He didn’t know if he had been like that from the beginning, but it was clear that through repeated battles, he had come to possess an intellect stronger than that of an ordinary person.

Goyeop Jin-in let out a soft sigh.

“Hah! I originally intended to kill you to restore Qingcheng’s honor.”