Chapter 8: Chapter: The Seductress and the World Beyond (2)

༺ Second Chapter – The Seductress and the World Beyond (2) ༻

The Jade Flower Pavilion, considered the finest courtesan house in Suyang County.

On the highest floor, a woman sat with eyes closed in lotus position.

She was a beautiful woman.

Her cascading black hair shone like silk, her red lips parted slightly with each breath, and a red jade dress draped her body.

Every aspect of her exuded such elegance that it provoked a tingling sensation in any onlooker.

–My lady.

A voice emanated from somewhere.

At that, the woman’s eyelids fluttered open.

Sharp, dignified eyes gazed straight ahead, fierce yet retaining their elegance.

“What is it?”

–There is someone investigating you, my lady.

“...Who?”

–A martial artist that has never been seen before in this area.

“Is it the Sun Society?”

–It doesn’t seem so. Compared to them, this one’s skills are far too crude, and his attire and weapons likewise are shabby.

The woman’s eyebrows narrowed.

“Have you discerned his objective?”

–It is unclear.

“His martial arts?”

–...He has at minimum reached the First Rate Realm. His qi flow seems very well cultivated.

“At least first rate...”

The woman muttered and let out a hollow laugh.

“Which mutt caught a whiff of me this time and came running over?”

–Shall I take care of him?

“Hyang, I appreciate your loyalty, however, I would prefer you not to rush into an uncertain situation without due consideration. I have no wish to send you on a fool’s errand.”

The woman arose from her seat, straightening her back and gazing out the window.

It offered a sweeping view of Suyang County.

A bitter expression crossed the woman’s face.

When exactly did it all start?

From the moment she abandoned her clan name and fled, she had been forever surrounded by enemies looking for her head.

Just when she would find some semblance of peace, the wearisome shadows would emerge again if she tried to settle down or slip away.

Alas, the woman uttered resentfully.

“They do not tire, baring their fangs yet again.”

–...I cannot yet confirm it is them.

“If not them, then where did such a master suddenly appear from?”

The voice fell silent, likely perplexed by how to respond.

The thought of her flustered on the ceiling brought a smirk to the woman’s lips as she asked.

“Where is our guest?”

–Ah, on the second floor of the pavilion.

“I see. And how did he make an entrance this time? Did he cause chaos and call for me? Or yell the clan’s name and frighten the children?”

A silence enveloped the two for a moment after she asked this.

The woman tilted her head, pressing for an answer.

“Hyang?”

–Er...

The one called Hyang hesitated.

As the woman’s puzzlement only deepened...

–...He is being entertained, albeit... visibly frightened.

Upon hearing those words, the woman made an odd expression.

* * *

“Aww, you’re too cute baby, aren’t you? Come here, let me see a bit more...”

“S-Stop that...!”

“Kyaaa~! He said stop that! Such a cutieeeeeee!!!”

The guest room on the second floor of the Jade Flower Pavilion was in a frenzy.

Although it was only expected for a courtesan house to be lively, with all things considered, there was something slightly peculiar about this commotion.

Was there not?

Typically, wasn’t it the patron who giggled in delight while the courtesans offered honeyed words with a feigned smile?

Yet here, the roles were strikingly reversed – with the courtesan laughing heartily while the patron’s face flushed red in embarrassment.

As for who this patron might be...

It was none other than Mok Riwon.

“W-Why are you ladies walking around wearing almost nothing...?! I-It’s improper, I d-don’t think you should be doing this!”

Mok Riwon’s voice shook as he spoke, his eyes squeezed shut. His hands were hastily trying to pull up the clothes of the courtesan next to him, whose bare shoulders were exposed.

Needless to say, the courtesans all laughed again at that sight.

“Oh my, and so considerate too!”

Aewol, the courtesan seated right next to him had a big smile as she patted Mok Riwon’s shoulder.

One might say, ‘How is treating a guest like this acceptable?’, but that too was merely an argument made in ignorance of the situation.

All of them seemed to be early first rate martial artists.

Indeed, the security seemed excessive for merely a Pavilion Lord.

With those thoughts, Mok Riwon opened the door.

Creak–

And, tremblingly came to a halt.

“Welcome.”

The room was spacious.

It was vast enough to easily accommodate dozens, yet appeared desolate with its sparse furnishing.

However, the moment Mok Riwon opened the door, he was struck by the thought that the room was far, far too small.

‘Beautiful...’

A beauty so breathtaking that she eclipsed his vision, making all else fade away.

Because of her, everything was far, far too small.

Thump–

Mok Riwon felt his heart skip a beat.

* * *

The very first emotion the woman, Hwa-seo, felt upon seeing Mok Riwon was none other than–

‘Isn’t he young?’

Shock.

That was it.

‘I heard he was at least first rate.’

Yet the youth before her looked to be in his early twenties at best.

Not once did a Body Rebirth or the like cross her mind.

After all, supposing he was a martial arts master who had reached such a realm, he would have completely hidden his internal cultivation that not even Soyang would have noticed.

‘Is he from a Noble Clan?’

The possibility stood out vividly.

If he had been nurtured in a Noble Clan, consuming all manners of spiritual medicines, it would explain how he reached this realm. Moreover, didn’t his appearance bear a distinct refinement that retained an air of nobility?

‘If he is from a Noble Clan, then he must be killed here no matter the cost.’

As soon as that thought surfaced, Hwa-seo collected herself.

‘...No, no. It’s too soon to tell.’

Forcefully suppressing the urge to gulp amidst the tension, Hwa-seo composed herself and respectfully bowed her head.

“I am Yeonhwa, the Lord of Jade Flower Pavilion. May I have the honor of your name, Esteemed Master?”

Information took first priority.

She had to identify the origin of this individual and determine whether they posed a threat, or if not, whether they could be recruited as an ally.

Hwa-seo swiftly sorted her thoughts and awaited his answer.

Several seconds passed by in silence.

Hwa-seo, confused by the lack of response, raised her head.

The scene that caught her eyes was.

“Oh, uhh...”

With a foolish-looking bright red face, he stuttered incoherently, his eyes wandering all over the place.

Hwa-seo sneered cynically inside.

‘Is he trying to catch me off guard?’

His foolish appearance must be an act to lower her guard.

That had to be the case. Wasn’t it natural for any martial artist of first rate or higher to have developed a certain degree of control, exerting sheer willpower over their mind, thus achieving an unshakable will?

“Great Master?”

The words were delivered as a warning to stop any foolish behavior.

At that, Mok Riwon trembled in shock.

‘G-Great Master...?’

Great Master.

That single title made his heart pound harder than when he first laid eyes on her.

For Mok Riwon, to be addressed in such a way was something he had only dreamed of, leaving him unable to maintain his composure.

Mok Riwon, feeling his heart pounding and the heat rising rapidly, became startled by the heat rushing to his head and quickly grabbed hold of himself.

Schwiing–!

Then, drew his sword.

“W-What kind of evil sorcery is this?!”

A loud shout echoed across the entire room.

As Hwa-seo’s body bolted upright and her guards on the ceiling unsheathed their blades, Mok Riwon continued shouting.

“You’re trying to bewitch me with your seduction arts! However, I, Mok Riwon, will not fall so easily! Wicked seductress, reveal your true nature at once!”

Mok Riwon thought.

‘This is surely malevolent seduction arts.’

‘It has to be, there’s no other way to possibly explain why my heart keeps beating so fast.’

‘There’s no other reason my mind stops whenever I look at her.’

In the room echoing loudly with his voice, Hwa-seo, upon finally grasping his absurd rambling, wore a blank expression as she thought...

‘What the fuck is this crazy bastard doing?’

...where the hell did this lunatic come from?

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