novelraw Chapter 206 : Idol of the Central Plains
Chapter 206 : Idol of the Central Plains
Chapter 206: Idol of the Central Plains
A pungent medicinal scent mixed with the stench of pus weighed heavily in the room.
A woman lit incense in the burner, trying to dispel the foul odor of the sick.
“Leave.”
At the command of Empress Gahwiryeong, the imperial physicians quietly bowed their heads and withdrew.
Inside the room remained only the Empress, the First Prince suffering from illness, and Second Prince Ju Gachi, who had just entered.
The Empress sat beside her once dearly cherished eldest son.
His breathing was shallow and irregular. His face was ghastly pale, and patches of his skin had peeled away, revealing a grotesque sight.
As she gently brushed what little hair remained on the First Prince’s head, the Empress spoke toward the Second Prince, who stood stiffly nearby.
“My son, Ju Gachi.”
At her call, the Second Prince stepped closer.
Unlike the gentle hand stroking the First Prince’s head, the Empress’s voice calling him was stiff and utterly devoid of warmth.
“On my way back today, I met Mudong… no, that one called Dan Mujin.”
Her tone was calm, yet the faint tremble at the corners of her eyes betrayed suppressed anger.
“……”
Dan Mujin—the mad troubleshooter who roamed the Imperial Palace as if it were his own home and ultimately ruined their plans.
At the mention of encountering him, the Second Prince remained silent, trying to read his mother’s intent.
“He carried the treasure artifact granted by the Son of Heaven on his back and held the reward bestowed by the Imperial Concubine in his hand, striding boldly out of the palace gates.”
Recalling the moment, her voice turned cold as frost.
The Second Prince, too, refrained from acting now for fear of suspicion—but someday, he intended to make that man pay for interfering with them.
“Ju Gachi, that man must die.”
However, unlike the Second Prince’s delayed plans, the Empress demanded immediate retaliation.
He spoke with difficulty.
“However, Mother… he is someone acknowledged by the Son of Heaven and protected by the Imperial Concubine. With the palace already under investigation, killing someone who played a role in resolving this incident may draw unnecessary attention…”
Even though he presented a perfectly rational argument—that now was the time to lie low as suspicion loomed over the Empress’s faction—Empress Gahwiryeong merely stared at him in silence.
Under that wordless gaze, the Second Prince felt an overwhelming pressure he could not resist.
Like a child lowering his eyes under his mother’s scolding, he nodded.
“…I will act immediately if an opportunity arises.”
“Very well.”
Only then did the Empress nod slowly, satisfied.
The Second Prince, who had obediently answered, felt his heart grow heavy as he watched his mother sink deeper into obsession with revenge.
Yet lacking the courage to oppose her directly, he remained silent.
“And Ju Gachi… contact ‘them.’ I would like to witness that ‘Great Technique’ they boast of.”
“……!”
Even the Second Prince was shocked by her next words.
To use that forbidden evil art—not anywhere else, but within the Imperial Palace itself.
Ju Gachi sprang to his feet, his face pale.
“B-But Mother! They are enemies not only of the Murim but also of the court! If even a hint of our connection leaks out, then that very day—!”
As he raised his voice in panic, the Empress placed a fan against his lips, silencing him.
Then, in a rare moment of softness, she whispered to her defiant second son.
“Ju Gachi, my one and only beloved son.”
His eyes trembled violently.
He had expected cold command—but instead, she called his name with warmth, leaving him at a loss.
Just as she had done with the First Prince, the Empress gently stroked his hair.
Though such affection was awkward for a grown son, her face was filled with tender emotion—though for what purpose, it was unclear.
“Won’t you do this for your mother?”
“……”
A maternal address she had never once used before.
Not a command, but a plea filled with motherly affection—like any ordinary mother.
The Second Prince wavered deeply.
His mind knew the reasons to refuse, but like someone shivering in the cold instinctively seeking warmth, he found himself drawn in.
And so, wishing to please this gentle mother, he spoke without realizing it.
“…Yes, I will send someone.”
The corners of the Empress’s lips curved upward brightly.
“Hehe, what a good child.”
She embraced him, patting his back as if he were finally her proper son.
But where his gaze could not reach, her expression was chillingly cold.
In ancient China, the standard of peerless beauty was described as the Three Whites, Three Blacks, and Three Reds.
The Three Whites referred to skin as pale as snow, white teeth, and delicate jade-like hands.
The Three Blacks referred to glossy black hair like ebony, dark eyes, and eyebrows.
And the Three Reds referred to cherry-red lips, rosy cheeks, and pink nails.
Such standards were rare even in modern times.
Yet a peerless beauty who fulfilled all those criteria stood before me now.
“…Joo Wolah? Why are you here?”
Her crimson silk robes fluttered, wrapping her slender figure, while her lustrous black hair flowed elegantly.
Her pale and delicate features had, over time, gained a seductive charm—reaching the level of beauty that could make the moon hide and flowers blush.
The idol of Beijing—Joo Wolah—whom even high officials lined up just to glimpse.
I had heard rumors that a special beauty painting capturing her looks had become a massive hit, skyrocketing her value. But what brought her here?
“Oh my, little brother. Since when did you start speaking casually to the number one courtesan of Beijing?”
Eun Hwaran narrowed her eyes, clearly intrigued by our relationship.
Though Joo Wolah was a few years older, she always addressed me respectfully as “Master” ever since I had saved her life.
“Master, it’s been such a long time. You haven’t visited the Heavenly Flower Pavilion lately, so this humble one has been quite lonely.”
She greeted me gracefully—then suddenly paused.
“…But what happened to your face?”
Seeing the swollen bump on my head, the bruises, and even specks of blood, her expression filled with concern.
“I’ve been getting beaten up lately.”
I replied casually while rubbing the still throbbing spots.
At that, her face filled with pity.
“How could this happen…”
She trailed off, pulling out a silk handkerchief and stepping closer to gently wipe the blood from my face.
Her touch was soft and careful, as if handling precious porcelain. A pleasant fragrance drifted from her, and the room fell into a brief silence.
Watching this unusual scene, Eun Hwaran raised her brows in slight surprise.
“Our little brother is popular…?”
Unable to tell whether the courtesan was working or sincere, she glanced back and forth between us.
Even I hadn’t expected this much, so I stood stiffly—while one person remained perfectly composed.
“Excuse me, if you came for a request, could you stop doing strange things and… state your business first?”
That person was my loyal subordinate, Ilhong.
Joo Wolah tilted her head.
“Strange things? I only wiped Master’s face…”
Her eyes were clear and innocent, as if she truly didn’t understand.
At that ambiguous reaction, Ilhong’s brow twitched.
“…That’s exactly what’s strange… sigh.”
Deciding further explanation was pointless, she took a deep breath to calm herself.
She always went into full alert mode like a meerkat whenever she saw Joo Wolah.
Good thing Jo Harang wasn’t here. She was probably still with Hwang Geolgae, recounting what happened at the Imperial Palace.
“Boss, say something too. Stop grinning like an idiot.”
Ilong jabbed my side.
Well, being cared for by a beautiful woman had unconsciously lifted my lips.
“Ahem. Wolah, if something’s wrong, could you tell me in detail?”
I spoke confidently, as if I could solve anything.
After a moment’s hesitation, she leaned close and whispered.
“It’s something very personal… is there somewhere we can talk privately?”
A beauty whispering in my ear—it definitely stirred something.
“There’s a good place on the outskirts.”
Since it seemed like a formal request—and Jo Harang should hear it too—we decided to move to the office.
Around this time of year, the smell of burning wood drifted through the outskirts of Beijing.
Charcoal was being made in preparation for winter, and the smoky scent constantly irritated the nose.
“Excuse me, Master.”
Joo Wolah stepped inside, carefully looking around the room. Her crimson skirt contrasted vividly with the shabby space.
“Sit here.”
I pointed to the guest seat across from me.
Clink.
She took a sip of the tea Ilhong had prepared.
“The tea leaves are bitter.”
“…Ilong, stop messing around and serve proper tea.”
I suggested using the Western Regions tea leaves I got earlier.
“Tch.”
With a pout, Ilhong finally brought proper tea.
Watching her disappear after setting it down, I chuckled. She really was like a jealous younger sister.
“Thank you.”
Joo Wolah smiled as she accepted the new cup.
Behind her, Ilhong and Jo Harang—who had now joined—whispered to each other, occasionally glancing at me with distrust.
Come on, I wasn’t some fool who’d lose everything over a courtesan.
I had years of experience in this line of work—I could tell when someone was being sly.
At least, the Joo Wolah I knew wasn’t that kind of person.
“Master, if you don’t mind, could you hold this…”
“Sure.”
I naturally took her outer robe and veil, hanging them neatly.
“Grr…!”
Behind me, the staff glared as if they had misunderstood something.
I was just being polite!
“Alright, let’s get to the point. What’s the issue?”
Leaning on the table, I asked.
She sighed deeply and began.
“Recently… someone has become obsessively fixated on me. It feels like I’m being followed everywhere, and when I return home, strange gifts and letters are waiting.”
I immediately understood.
‘A stalker.’
With her popularity skyrocketing due to the Beast Painting, it was no surprise.
“What do the letters say?”
Since she didn’t seem to know the culprit’s face, I focused on the letters—the only clue.
“Neither.”
She shook her head and took out a small letter and a white cloth bundle.
Unwrapping it revealed animal ears and tails.
“They keep forcing these things onto me…”
“……”
What the hell—a furry stalker?
I covered my face in disbelief.