novelraw Chapter 210 : I Struck the Bush, and Something Strange Came Out
Chapter 210 : I Struck the Bush, and Something Strange Came Out
Chapter 210: I Struck the Bush, and Something Strange Came Out
Inside a room covered in lavish decorations, a middle-aged man sat alone, drinking tea with an uncomfortable expression.
The place he occupied was the Board of Censors. Even within the Imperial Palace, it was the very heart of political power where only the most ambitious gathered.
And the man drinking tea was the Chief Censor, Yang Gun-jwa.
He was a figure rumored to have power so absolute that even birds flying overhead would fall—an authority who made the officials of the Imperial Capital tremble in fear.
At present, the gaze of Yang Gun-jwa, the head of the Board of Censors, was directed far beyond the window—toward the Heavenly Flower Pavilion.
“We have thoroughly searched Sichuan Province, but we were unable to uncover the identity of the one called Young Master Gold who claimed he would redeem Joo Wolah.”
The Left Deputy Chief Censor entered through the door and delivered his report. It was an unbelievable sight—an official of the third rank, responsible for corruption and major cases within the Imperial Capital, reporting on the matter of a mere courtesan.
Yet no one within the Board of Censors dared to object. If one were to provoke Yang Gun-jwa in his current foul mood, it would cost them their head.
“And what are those gold-whatever bastards doing now?”
At Yang Gun-jwa’s question, the Left Deputy Chief Censor hesitated before answering.
“It appears… they are spending quite an intimate time with Joo Wolah in the VIP chamber….”
The hand holding the teacup trembled ever so slightly. His expression remained indifferent, but the subtle fury in his eyes could not be concealed. Seeing this, the subordinates each took a step back.
Fortunately, Yang Gun-jwa calmed his rising anger by gazing at a peculiar Beauty Painting.
With one hand, he gently traced the painting of Joo Wolah adorably biting her own cat’s tail, then continued.
“And the carriage convoy sent for her redemption? You revealed that its owner was the Chief Censor of the Board of Censors to the Pavilion Master, didn’t you?”
At that question, the Left Deputy Chief Censor cleared his throat.
He already knew the report he was about to give would disturb his superior.
“Yes, it was clearly stated. We also informed them that if they refused, misfortune could befall the Heavenly Flower Pavilion.”
He prefaced his report by emphasizing that he had done everything as instructed.
“So? The result?”
“Though it may be presumptuous… they have expressed their refusal of your redemption offer, Lord Yang….”
Even as he spoke, he carefully watched his superior’s reaction.
Yang Gun-jwa’s eyes flashed wide at the unexpected report as he slowly rose from his seat.
“Then what about that Young Master Gold…? Has his attempt at redemption also come to nothing?”
“N-no, it has not. That matter is currently proceeding as a normal negotiation….”
Crash!
Yang Gun-jwa kicked over the table. The high-quality porcelain teacup shattered into pieces and scattered across the floor. Every official in the room trembled and lowered their heads.
“What is this nonsense! Why is it that those worthless wretches are accepted, yet I am not!”
At last, his fury exploded. The expensive ornaments and furnishings around him were smashed apart by his hands.
Despite offering a higher price and wielding terrifying authority, Joo Wolah had rejected him.
And above all, what infuriated him most was that negotiations continued with those young nobles who had offered less.
“What difference is there between those loafers and me!”
Hearing that resentful outburst, the Left Deputy Chief Censor momentarily thought of countless differences—their handsome appearances, youthful vitality, and agreeable personalities.
But he did not commit the foolish act of voicing them aloud.
Instead, he remained silent and bowed his head even lower.
“Hoo… very well. If money and power do not work, then I have no choice but to use another method.”
Breaking a flower of integrity could also be a form of amusement.
Until now, as Chief Censor, he had wielded absolute authority and obtained everything he desired.
Yet after experiencing such an unexpected and firm rejection, Yang Gun-jwa now considered a far more forceful method.
“What can they possibly do in the face of an official operation? Move those with skill.”
He had clearly warned them through a letter—if his offer were rejected, the Heavenly Flower Pavilion might suffer unavoidable calamity.
“If money and power fail, then force is the only way.”
Fortunately for him, he did not possess only wealth. He possessed both power and strength.
Of course, this would likely be disastrous news for Joo Wolah.
“Let us see if you can maintain that haughty attitude after being dragged here, Flower Shadow Falling Star.”
He muttered her alias with a low chuckle.
When you strike the bush, sometimes something unexpected jumps out.
As matters grew larger than anticipated, Joo Wolah and the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Flower Pavilion spent the day and night in anxiety after rejecting the offer.
Meanwhile, as they worried about possible retaliation, I was busy soothing a certain woman whose mood had soured because of this request.
Like a nervous hostess or courtesan, no less.
“Ilhong, that’s not it. Joo Wolah just said she’d repay a favor I gave her before, that’s all.”
I had to endure Ilhong’s interrogation, which had been interrupted earlier by the Pavilion Master’s sudden intrusion.
In the end, I ended up confessing that I had briefly rested my head on Joo Wolah’s lap.
At that, Ilhong crossed her arms, clearly sulking, and kept snorting no matter how much I tried to soothe her.
“So it was that good? Being in that sly fox’s arms?”
“…Well, it wasn’t bad.”
At my unintentional remark, Ilhong’s eyes narrowed like needles.
Realizing my slip of the tongue, I quickly shut my mouth, but Ilhong wore a deeply hurt expression.
“…You fool.”
This time, I had no way to refute the Killing Star’s words. I had unconsciously recalled that warm moment.
That was probably why my mouth betrayed me.
“I could… do that for you too.”
If I liked such things, why didn’t I ask her instead? Why go into the arms of some suspicious outsider?
With eyes brimming with hurt, she questioned me.
“…Uh.”
At her words, I glanced down at her thin legs. Even for her age, her body was so frail it seemed hard for her to support herself.
“No, I think I’d be a terrible person if I accepted that, so I’ll pass.”
Thinking of her, I waved my hand and declined.
“Ugh…!”
At that, Ilhong began hopping in frustration.
It seemed my well-meaning words had only provoked her further.
To calm her down, I lightly patted her back.
“Oh dear, that’s not what I meant. Calm down, Ilhong.”
“…Don’t do that! I’m not a child anymore!”
She reacted even more strongly to my tone and manner, as if soothing a child.
“Alright, alright. I know you’re an adult by the standards here. So let’s stop sulking, okay?”
“I’m not sulking!”
Anyone could see she was, yet she stubbornly denied it.
Knowing full well, I hugged her like an orphanage director and gently patted her back.
“…I said stop! We’re only a year apart!”
At first, she struggled in resistance, but after a few minutes of being held and comforted, she gradually calmed down, her ears flushed red.
“Feeling better now?”
Ever since learning this request involved Joo Wolah, Ilhong had been slightly sensitive.
I could roughly guess her complicated feelings.
Abandoned at a young age after being betrayed, she had resolved never to trust anyone again.
Yet somehow, I had become the only person to break through her walls.
I had saved her from being beaten in the back alleys, lived with her as a beggar, and even risked my life to save her again.
We had lived under one roof, shared meals, and now even built a proper business together.
Perhaps she harbored feelings beyond that of a mere superior.
“I’m calm now… so let go….”
Perhaps she feared losing the only person she had let into her heart to a courtesan she barely knew.
“Doesn’t seem like it. I’ll stay like this a bit longer.”
“……”
That fresh, budding feeling made me happy, but at the same time, a certain worry rose within me.
“…That’s right… it would be troublesome… if she forgot me.”
Right now, I didn’t have the capacity to accept someone’s deep and serious feelings.
Ever since I, as a being, interfered with Murong Cheongjin, the Evil Star had fallen into a dormant state for some unknown reason.
But it kept attempting to revive, steadily accumulating power.
Fortunately, I had learned the Starfall Heart Cultivation Method, and by accumulating Good Karma, I was able to suppress that power and prevent its revival.
However—
‘I still don’t know why the Evil Star fell dormant. That means I don’t know when or how things might change.’
And perhaps, for some reason, I might accumulate Killing Karma.
This was the ruthless Jianghu, where lives were wagered on the edge of a blade. A place where killing was as common as eating, and heads were severed like stalks of grain.
So far, I had managed to avoid killing as much as possible, but who knew what would happen later?
I might have to kill to survive. Or I might have to kill to protect those dear to me.
If it were just a few people, I might suppress it with the Good Karma I had accumulated.
But what if I had to kill many?
What if I were surrounded with no way out?
If the Heaven-Slaying Star awakened—
‘The ones who would suffer the most… would be those closest to me.’
Those who cared for me, those precious to me, would likely be harmed by my own hands.
Even if they weren’t physically harmed, it would still be a problem.
Just look at my sister, Murong Cheonghye—she suffered in guilt after stabbing me, living like a wreck until she met me again.
Meanwhile, Murong Cheon and Murong Hui, who didn’t love me much, lived just fine.
‘…Now that I think about it, that pisses me off.’
Murong Cheon and Murong Hui.
I had already thrown mud at their paths several times, but if given the chance, I might as well do it once more.
“I’m really fine now… let go….”
Ilhong spoke as if staying like this any longer might make her flustered rather than calm.
Anyway, this was why I always tried to treat such situations lightly.
“Don’t hate Joo Wolah too much. She’s actually kind if you get to know her.”
I told her she didn’t need to worry.
That only stirred her emotions again.
“That’s just because you don’t understand women. I can see it clearly. She’s completely calculating inside.”
She scoffed, speaking with complete certainty.
“I don’t think she’s that calculating….”
As I scratched my cheek and spoke, she narrowed her eyes.
“I investigated through the Hao Sect after yesterday. It’s true she has many people obsessed with her, but those animal ears? That was probably staged.”
She informed me that someone had commissioned a craftsman to make them—and that the client was Joo Wolah herself.
“…What?”
I asked back, slightly surprised.
What was she, the boy who cried wolf? Why lie about something like that?
I couldn’t understand it.
“To provoke your emotions and lure you into the Heavenly Flower Pavilion.”
She added her plausible reasoning and concluded by warning me to be careful of Joo Wolah.
“Now you understand, right? Be careful. Honestly, you’re too weak when it comes to women.”
To think I, Dan Mujin, would hear that I was weak to women.
Never thought I’d see the day.
Still, it was true I had failed to see through that lie.
“…Huh.”
Just as I was reacting in surprise—
From afar, the Pavilion Master Oknyeong, whose face had been filled with worry since morning, came running toward us and shouted.
“Master Dan Mujin, this is terrible! Joo Wolah—our Wolah has been kidnapped!”
It seemed that this time, the boy who cried wolf had truly been caught in real trouble.