novelraw Chapter 130
Chapter 130
Chapter 130 Prince Yeomseong (8)
Upon entering the pavilion, Jaun immediately set up an energy barrier around them to block out the sound.
"Hm?"
The two people who were in the middle of a conversation turned their heads at the same time.
Their expressions hardened as they confirmed that Jaun, with his face covered by a black cloth and his body wrapped in the Demon Dragon Robe, had entered the pavilion.
“Who goes there?”
“Stop!”
Energy surged dramatically from the bodies of the two.
“Who are you?”
At Squad Leader Jo's question, Jaun took out a wooden plaque from his bosom.
“...Is that?”
Squad Leader Jo and Thousand Households Commander Ma, who were staring intently at the wooden plaque Jaun was holding, looked at each other and frowned.
“I have not heard anything about this. Today is not the scheduled day, is it?”
“Do you still need to ask such a question after seeing this token?”
When Jaun spoke with a lowered voice, the two tilted their heads and conversed via telepathic message. After talking for a moment, the two stepped slightly to the side.
“This is not the person who usually comes. Why did they send someone else today without any notice?”
Jaun looked at Thousand Households Commander Ma with a sharp gaze.
“Do I have to tell you everything? I have come to deliver an urgent message to Prince Yeomseong, so just guide me.”
At Jaun's words, the corner of Squad Leader Jo's eye, who was standing next to him, twitched.
“Hmph. This is the first time I have seen a Blood Cult member in person. There was a reason why Prince Yeomseong made such a request. If I had not heard about it in advance, I would have beaten you to death long ago. You arrogant martial artists.”
“Squad Leader Jo.”
When Thousand Households Commander Ma looked at him with a stern expression, Squad Leader Jo turned his head toward the wall as if annoyed.
Thousand Households Commander Ma stepped aside and lifted a wooden board on the floor, revealing a staircase underneath.
Jaun, after glancing at Squad Leader Jo who had turned his head as if he did not want to pay any more attention to him, slowly descended the stairs to the basement.
***
The next morning, at breakfast, Jaun briefly summarized the previous day's events to the group. However, he concealed the fact that he had entered the manor himself, embellishing the story to say that he had been lucky enough to overhear them while scouting the manor's vicinity.
It was something only Jaun, who knew the Blood Demon's martial arts, could do, and although he had infiltrated alone and gained some results, it was, in retrospect, an incredibly reckless act. It was obvious that if the Ice Rakshasa and Eun-wol knew the full circumstances, they would be furious.
‘It was reckless, but it was necessary. It is enough for me to handle such dangerous things alone.’
Jaun looked at the faces of the two and then told them the rest of the story.
After hearing Jaun's story, the group sighed and fell into deep thought.
“So, in the end, Prince Yeomseong is directly involved with the Blood Cult?”
“Yes.”
Jaun nodded at Eun-wol's question.
“Young Master. After hearing everything, I feel like this is also related to the rebellion I mentioned half-jokingly yesterday, am I right?”
“...I think so. Otherwise, there would be no reason for Prince Yeomseong to move both the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”
A dark shadow fell over the group's faces.
The fact that the one with ties to the Blood Cult was a big shot like Prince Yeomseong was already a burden, and on top of that, rebellion.
The situation was much more serious than they had thought. The Ice Rakshasa, who had been contemplating in silence, slowly opened her mouth.
“Let’s back off.”
“...What?”
“If our suspicions are correct, this is not a matter we can touch lightly.”
“But we cannot just stand by and watch. If the master of the Imperial Palace changes, it means the Blood Cult will have gained a powerful backer in the Imperial Court.”
At Jaun's words, the Ice Rakshasa put a hand to her forehead.
“...I understand the situation, but this is not something we can solve on our own.”
“That is right. In the end, the only way is to bring in a greater power. We must report this to the Emperor.”
At the word “Emperor,” everyone's face turned pale.
Breaking the long silence, Eun-wol cautiously opened her mouth.
“Um… Un-a. That is beyond the power of our merchant group. No matter how much of a connection our Moyong Family has with the Imperial Court, it is not to the extent that we can influence the Emperor.”
“Of course, I think so too. But, if you give up, that is the end. So, even if it is difficult, please do your best to find a way.”
At Jaun's words, Eun-wol fell into thought for a moment, then nodded with a determined expression.
“First, I will look for a way by any means necessary. If we can just get the current situation to the Emperor, things will definitely become much easier.”
After Jaun nodded, he turned his head toward the bearded man who was sitting blankly.
“While Eun-wol is looking for a way, we also have something to do. We are going to the Plum Blossom Pavilion tonight, so please make time.”
“Eh? Plum Blossom Pavilion?”
A light returned to the bearded man's eyes.
Looking at Jaun with sparkling eyes, he cautiously glanced at the Ice Rakshasa and Eun-wol and whispered to Jaun.
“...Hey, little brother. Do you know what kind of place the Plum Blossom Pavilion is before you say that?”
“Yes, I know.”
“Well, since you say you know, I will not say anything more…”
The bearded man scratched his head as if he was puzzled and tilted his head.
Next, Jaun turned his head toward the Ice Rakshasa.
“In the meantime, Miss Pan, please look for Sado Alliance martial artists who have connections with the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard. I would like you to try as many different methods as possible.”
“...I will. I can certainly do that, but are you two going to the Plum Blossom Pavilion alone?”
“Yes. Since the place is what it is, would it not be better for us to go alone?”
The Ice Rakshasa, who was looking at Jaun with narrowed eyes, let out a small sigh.
“...I understand. Do not come back too late.”
The Ice Rakshasa got up from her seat first and walked outside.
***
“Heheheheung.”
Late in the evening.
The bearded man's steps were light as he headed to the Plum Blossom Pavilion.
The Plum Blossom Pavilion was one of the most famous gisaeng houses in Beijing. Therefore, it was mainly used by the sons of prestigious families and wealthy merchants, and it was a place that one could not even see without an opportunity like this.
The two, who had even bought and worn silk clothes to avoid creating a sense of incongruity, passed through the splendid night streets of Beijing and headed for the Plum Blossom Pavilion.
“I do not know what is going on, but since we are going to the Plum Blossom Pavilion, we can have a drink, right?”
Looking at the bearded man's sparkling eyes, Jaun chuckled and nodded his head.
“Yes. Have a drink while you are there. You have been through a lot too, brother, so you should have a day like this.”
A wide smile spread across the bearded man's mouth at Jaun's words.
“Hehehe! See, there is no one like you, little brother. Do you know how frustrated I was being stuck in the mountains all that time?”
The bearded man began to tell the story of the hardships he had endured under the Green Forest King. And before the bearded man's story was even half over, the two had reached the Plum Blossom Pavilion.
The bearded man's mouth finally stopped after he confirmed the magnificent appearance of the Plum Blossom Pavilion.
He, who was fidgeting with his clothes, which were the first silk clothes he had ever worn and felt very awkward, scratched his cheek with a nervous expression.
“...So this is the Plum Blossom Pavilion. It is much more magnificent than I thought.”
Looking at the towering pavilion and the lanterns hanging on each floor, emitting a brilliant light, the bearded man licked his dry lips.
“Little brother, have you ever been to a place like this?”
“Of course not. This is my first time too. Let’s go.”
Jaun shrugged his shoulders once and walked ahead.
Dressed in neat silk clothes and with his hair neatly swept back, Jaun's outstanding appearance, which had been hidden until now, shone. Anyone would think he was a handsome scion of a prestigious family, and the eyes of the gatekeepers guarding the Plum Blossom Pavilion all turned to Jaun.
Jaun, who had slowly walked to the entrance of the Plum Blossom Pavilion, paused for a moment and then opened his mouth.
“I have come to see So-hyang.”
One of the gatekeepers looked at the bearded man, Jaun's companion, with a suspicious eye, and then turned his gaze back to Jaun.
“...Hero. It is difficult to get a seat with Miss So-hyang unless you are an acquaintance. How about the other girls? We have many girls with rich experience in poetry, calligraphy, and zither.”
“Please call So-hyang. It is a night when a blood-red crescent moon has risen in the sky.”
At Jaun's words, the bearded man looked up at the full moon shining brightly and tilted his head as if he did not understand.
The gatekeeper who heard Jaun's words stepped back with a stern expression. And not long after, a woman who had adorned herself splendidly opened the main gate of the Plum Blossom Pavilion and walked toward Jaun.
“You said you were looking for So-hyang?”
When Jaun nodded, the woman scanned Jaun up and down with a sharp eye.
‘...She is a woman who has learned martial arts.’
Jaun could feel the concealed energy in the woman's body, but the woman could not feel the energy that Jaun possessed.
The woman, who had been looking at Jaun and the bearded man alternately with a puzzled eye, turned her body, entered the Plum Blossom Pavilion, and answered.
“Please come in for now. Girls, prepare a seat on the eighth floor and call So-hyang and Chun-wol.”
At the woman's words, the men standing inside began to move busily around the pavilion.
The eyes of the two who stepped into the pavilion following the woman widened.
“Wow…”
The bearded man let out an exclamation without realizing it.
The exterior was also splendid, but the interior of the pavilion was decorated so lavishly that it was beyond comparison. The decorations shining here and there were so dazzling that they were blinding.
As the two followed the woman up the stairs, the sound of laughter and singing reached their ears.
When they reached the eighth floor, the woman led the two to a large room in the far corner.
Inside the room, there were several low tables, and on them, appetizing side dishes were neatly prepared.
The bearded man, who had taken off his shoes and entered the room, gulped.
“...This place looks a bit expensive. Is it okay to eat without any consequences?”
When Jaun smiled and nodded, the bearded man hurriedly went in, took a seat at a table, and picked up his chopsticks first.
“Hehe. I skipped dinner because I was coming here.”
The bearded man, who had picked up a piece of spicy seasoned chicken and put it in his mouth, smiled in satisfaction and patted the seat next to him.
“Little brother, come and sit down quickly. The food is very delicious. This place is not famous for nothing.”
The woman, who had burst out laughing at the bearded man's appearance, led Jaun to his seat, stepped back a little, and bowed deeply.
“Greetings to those who have visited the Plum Blossom Pavilion. I am Chwi-hwa, and I manage the upper floors of the Plum Blossom Pavilion. What kind of liquor shall I prepare for you?”
Jaun, who had confirmed that the eyes of the woman who had raised her head were shining sharply, opened his mouth as if nothing was wrong.
“Please prepare twelve bottles of Gojeong's red wine. Four bottles cold, four bottles warm, and four bottles lukewarm.”
The woman, whose expression had slightly hardened upon hearing Jaun's order, bowed deeply and stepped back from her seat.
As the woman closed the door, the bearded man looked at Jaun with surprised eyes.
“Twelve bottles? The two of us in this expensive place?”
“Not just the two of us. I think two more people will be coming.”
Jaun shrugged his shoulders once and then closed his eyes. Jaun, who had scanned the interior of the pavilion by extending his senses, nodded his head.
‘They said this is the place Hao Gate is putting the most effort into, and it is worthy of that. It is a dragon's den and a tiger's lair.’
From the servants carrying liquor to the dancers dancing in the rooms.
All of them were people with outstanding martial skills, to the extent that they could conceal their energy.
When Jaun, who had roughly grasped the interior of the pavilion, opened his eyes, the bearded man pushed a plate in front of him.
“I have no idea what is going on. But I am going to eat and enjoy myself as much as possible since I cannot miss this opportunity. So, you do whatever you need to do, little brother. By the way, you have to try this. It is a real delicacy.”
Jaun also put a piece of the dish on the plate the bearded man had offered into his mouth. It was certainly not a food that one could easily eat.
While the two were enjoying their food, the door opened quietly, and three women entered, carrying liquor on trays.