The next morning, before departure, I went to see Geom Mugeuk.

“What’s the matter?”

“Only Soma and I will go to Cheonhwa Pavilion.”

Geom Mugeuk’s personal relationship with Cheonhwaju was a strictly private matter, so I thought it was a secret to be protected.

Then Geom Mugeuk gave an unexpected answer.

“No need for that. Everyone should go together and proceed with the original plan.”

“There’s no need for you to do something you’re reluctant to. Gowol and the others can cooperate from outside.”

“That’s not the reason.”

There was an unexpected reason behind his invitation.

“I want to introduce you to Cheonhwaju.”

Including Duke Dok, Seodaeryong, Gowol, and Pungcheon Gyoju.

“Cheonhwaju is very ambitious. But because of me, she has been holding back on many things she wanted to do. Meeting and interacting with these people will be a great help to her.”

I could tell Geom Mugeuk truly cared for Cheonhwaju. And it was clear he looked at her with more than simple affection — with a big heart.

“Besides, these are the people the disciple trusts. So it’s fine.”

I thought Geom Mugeuk’s decision was wise. Sometimes it’s better to stay hidden, sometimes better to go out into the world. This was the latter. At least, I believed there was no one who could harm Cheonhwaju. We smiled at each other, confirming the decision.

After leaving Geom Mugeuk’s residence and going to the yard, Gowol was preparing for departure, loading the carriage with luggage. His face showed signs of worry.

“Gowol, don’t worry too much and enjoy yourself. As a soldier, you’ll plan countless missions in your life, but occasions when Soma, Duke Dok, and I carry out those plans together won’t come often. So enjoy this moment.”

Gowol bowed with gratitude. Pungcheon Gyoju standing nearby couldn’t resist a jealous remark.

“For every hundred words I say, you respond with just one.”

“Trust Gowol. I give myself one point and Gyoju a hundred.”

After comforting both my only soldier and the Gyoju, I raised my voice.

“All right, let’s depart!”

The room was lavishly decorated.

The specially made bed was large enough for ten people to lie down, and the furniture filling the large room was expensive and rare, crafted by master artisans. Porcelain and paintings were everywhere, and even the doorknob was astonishingly valuable.

About a dozen women knelt in the grand room. They wore thin clothes revealing their skin; their ages and beauty varied. But their ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) expressions were the same.

Despair.

With eyes full of the world’s despair, they stared at the floor.

Sitting in the center of the rows of women was Yeobulgye. Her hair was white and wrinkled, but her eyes emitted passion as strong as a young woman’s.

Yeobulgye was reading a letter.

Not long after Jisaeng’s death came news of Aecha’s death.

She clenched the wrinkled letter tightly in her gnarled hand and threw it at one of the women. The woman caught it and burned it in an oil lamp.

“What do you think?”

To her question, Hwangyeom, sitting opposite, replied respectfully.

“They didn’t show it openly, but they subtly looked down on us because we are women in business.”

In other words, they were glad to be rid of them. Hwangyeom was Yeobulgye’s right hand and knew the mistress better than anyone.

Indeed, Yeobulgye’s feelings were no different.

Jisaeng and Aecha were just arrogant fools who often disrespected others. She never saw either greet her first. So more than their deaths, this was what troubled her.

“Could it have been an outside attack?”

“It’s best to rule that out.”

“Why?”

“The investigation concluded the deaths were due to internal conflict. The higher-ups must have been alert and investigated thoroughly. If they had the skill to deceive them, would we survive?”

Yeobulgye’s forehead wrinkles deepened.

“Nervous?”

“Because I could be next.”

He didn’t know that the women with bowed heads beside him held one wish in their eyes: that he would be next!

“To prepare for all possibilities, we’ll summon all the experts we can.”

Yeobulgye nodded. Usually, he joked,

“Not even the Hell Flame King would accept me. Hell would get dirty.”

But that was a joke told only when he was confident he wouldn’t die. Now that danger loomed, he reacted more sensitively than anyone.

“Just in case... contact the Yin-Yang Ghosts.”

At the mention of Yin-Yang Ghosts, Hwangyeom flinched but quickly complied.

This would have been a matter for heated discussion before. Hiring them cost a fortune, and releasing them into the martial world risked accidents, upsetting the higher-ups. But now such steps could be skipped.

Hwangyeom knew himself so well now it felt like having a second body. He could pick out the woman he chose among dozens just by their eyes.

“I’m not afraid to die, but I haven’t fulfilled my dream.”

Yeobulgye’s dream was to establish brothels across all Central Plains.

He had expanded by all means — building some himself, stealing others.

He used all sorts of methods: sending ruffians to cause chaos, spreading rumors, poisoning guests through food, even setting brothels on fire.

Though brutal, these methods were surprisingly effective. He ruined reputations, eliminated competition, and bought properties cheaply. Seeing brothel owners commit suicide gave Yeobulgye pleasure.

“You must live desperately to achieve your dreams. Here is the new dream the pavilion mistress has.”

Hwangyeom presented documents containing information on Cheonhwa Pavilion. Since it was the most famous brothel in Guizhou, where they planned to expand, they decided to take it first.

Reading the documents, Yeobulgye’s eyes gleamed with greed.

“The expected profit is enormous.”

“It makes more money than anywhere else in Central Plains.”

“Are the courtesans beautiful?”

“Yes, and Cheonhwaju is known for her skill. She manages the courtesans well and treats customers well. The warriors under her command respect her.”

“Still just a worthless woman.”

Disdain for women was his nature. Hwangyeom suspected Yeobulgye must have suffered severe abuse from his mother or another woman in childhood. His pathological lust stemmed from hatred, not affection.

“How about her looks?”

“Heard she’s quite beautiful.”

Yeobulgye opened his eyes lazily, revealing lust. His gaze rested on the women — all former pavilion mistresses, now rumored missing or dead.

Women who had suddenly handed over their pavilions to Yeobulgye and vanished overnight. No family or friend could find them.

Yeobulgye had kidnapped and collected the most beautiful among these former mistresses. It was a heinous crime, but unknown outside, and even if discovered, no one dared oppose Yeobulgye.

“Now the balance will be right.”

There were nine women, but with Cheonhwaju coming, there would be ten.

Hwangyeom nodded reassuringly. When this was over, Cheonhwaju would be welcomed into Yeobulgye’s chambers.

“The Black and White Twin Blades have already gone.”

The Black and White Twin Blades were Yeobulgye’s enforcers — little known figures in the martial world. Not just skilled, they were ruthless killers raised from childhood to obey orders without emotion.

Since Cheonhwa Pavilion wouldn’t fall for clumsy tricks, the Black and White Twin Blades were sent directly.

They would forcibly kidnap the pavilion mistress and make her sign a contract. The nine women here had suffered the same fate.

“Don’t touch a hair on them — bring them back safe!”

The ever-constant worry of the lecherous old man.

“Today, we will receive important guests.”

Cheonhwaju Yeojung had her quarters and clinic cleaned from morning. She was more carefully made up and dressed than usual.

Servants and attendants busied themselves.

They had always known that when Cheonhwaju expected special guests, those guests would surely come that day. At first, they relied on word from her, but after many unexpected visits, all acknowledged her as someone special.

But today, even she was mistaken.

The people who entered the clinic were not honored guests but unwelcome visitors.

The Black and White Twin Blades, dressed in white and black robes, stormed in.

Cheonhwaju sent the servants and attendants inside, and at the same time, the warriors protecting her appeared.

Though they outnumbered them, the Black and White Twin Blades showed no fear. Their momentum overwhelmed the Cheonhwa warriors, and tension darkened their faces.

Cheonhwaju calmly asked,

“Who are you, and where are you from?”

One of the Black Twin Blades, clad in black, answered coldly.

“Our master wishes to see you. Let’s go.”

The tone was cold and blunt — childlike yet like a speaking stone.

“Who is your master?”

“You’ll know when you come.”

“Sorry, but today is a day for special guests, so you’ll have to come another time.”

Of course, the Black and White Twin Blades were unmoved.

“No one more precious than our master exists.”

With that, the two strode forward. Four of the eight warriors standing before Cheonhwaju leapt simultaneously. The other four protected her.

Swords and blades clashed swiftly.

Though they were the experts guarding Cheonhwa, the Twin Blades’ skill was superior.

Within moments, two of the four who charged out were cut down, arms and waists sliced deeply.

Just as the Black Twin Blade raised his blade to finish them off, Cheonhwaju leapt to block.

“To kill these people, you’ll have to kill me too.”

As their mission was to take her, the Twin Blades withdrew their blades.

She pressed the wounds of the injured to stop bleeding.

“Treat them and wait. I’ll be back soon.”

“No, Lady Pavilion!”

Other warriors tried to stop her, but she firmly forbade them.

“Everyone, stop!”

At her command, they ceased. Everyone knew if they fought, all would die. Since Cheonhwa’s founding, no expert like this had ever invaded.

“If you die here in vain, I’ll live with regret for life. Fall back and protect the main pavilion. When the important guests arrive, tell them about this.”

She forced the warriors back and approached the Twin Blades without fear.

The Twin Blades exchanged confused looks. They had kidnapped many women before but never seen such calm.

Cheonhwaju stared at them coldly.

“I can read a person’s future well. But yours is pitch-black, so I see nothing.”

The Black Twin Blade smiled coldly and stepped forward.

Just as he reached to subdue her pressure points—

A gust of wind sliced in like light.

Fzzzt! Bang!

The Black Twin Blade’s hand was pierced, making a hole.

With a short scream, as he tried to stop bleeding—

Fzzzt! Bang!

His other elbow was pierced.

“Ugh!”

Instinctively, he ducked.

Fzzzt! Thud!

His shoulder was pierced. The strikes came so fast he couldn’t dodge.

Turning to the source, more strikes flew.

His abdomen, waist, and knees were pierced repeatedly. The wind strikes tore his body to shreds.

“Aaaaah!”

The Black Twin Blade screamed like never before in agony.

Fzzzt! Bang!

Finally, his forehead was pierced, and he collapsed.

The strikes were so fast everyone only saw his death. Even Baekdo watched in disbelief.

Only then did everyone turn their gaze to the source of the wind strikes. A bright smile spread across Cheonhwaju’s lips.

Behind a white mask, Geom Mugeuk strode toward them with steady steps.