AR Chapter 103

The carriage we were riding in arrived at Myriad Flowers Tower^[1], the most famous pleasure house in Guizhou.

It wasn’t famous for actually having a thousand courtesans, but for being notoriously expensive.

Indeed, dozens of luxurious carriages were parked in Myriad Flowers Tower’s vast courtyard.

It seems the joke that you can meet all the wealthy people of Guizhou at Myriad Flowers Tower isn’t just a joke.

We continued into the inner area by carriage. Befitting a large pleasure house, martial artists with considerable skills were stationed throughout, and those guarding the innermost courtyard were experts of high caliber.

“Are we here for fun? Or for work?”

To my question, Extremely Evil Laughing Demon answered as if it were obvious.

“Don’t we come to pleasure houses for fun?”

“Is it okay to have fun at an important base of the Evil Path?”

Extremely Evil Laughing Demon was startled by my words.

“What do you mean?”

“The skills of the martial artists lying in ambush are not ordinary.”

A peculiar light flashed in Extremely Evil Laughing Demon’s eyes visible through the mask’s eye holes. He thought he couldn’t be surprised anymore, but the surprises kept piling up.

Finally, Extremely Evil Laughing Demon admitted the truth.

“People’s tongues tend to loosen over drinks, don’t they?”

Through this Myriad Flowers Tower, Extremely Evil Laughing Demon was gathering various information about the Central Plains. This place was no different from an external branch of the Evil Path.

“Doesn’t the quality of information vary with the amount of money spent?”

At my words, Extremely Evil Laughing Demon laughed out of habit, but didn’t give any detailed explanation about it.

Since wealthy individuals and those in important positions in the martial arts world frequently visit this place, a lot of crucial information must be collected here. That’s how important this place is to Extremely Evil Laughing Demon. Instead, he told me this:

“Shall I tell you one surprising fact? The income from this place is higher than what we saw from the Daeho Trading Company.”

“I didn’t know it was to that extent.”

While we were talking, the carriage stopped in front of the innermost building.

Judging by the absence of carriages, this didn’t seem to be a place for regular customers.

Extremely Evil Laughing Demon got off, and I followed, wearing my mask.

After waiting for a while in a lavishly decorated room, a woman with a slender figure entered. Her heavy makeup made it difficult to determine her exact age, but she had a peculiar aura about her.

“Welcome, big brother.”

The moment I heard those words, I burst into laughter.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because I’m witnessing the historic moment of Extremely Evil Laughing Demon being called ‘big brother’.”

The woman carefully looked at me and asked.

“I haven’t seen you before.”

Sharp as she was, she must have guessed from my casual attitude towards Extremely Evil Laughing Demon that my status was not ordinary. This might be the first time, wouldn’t it? Someone mentioning Extremely Evil Laughing Demon casually in front of her.

She politely introduced herself first.

“I’m Yeo Jeong^[2], in charge of Myriad Flowers Tower.”

Yeo Jeong, the madam of Myriad Flowers Tower.

I knew a lot about her.

She was secretly operating dozens of pleasure houses not just in Myriad Flowers Tower, but all over the Central Plains. Her dream was to become the Empress of the Night, ruling over all the men in the Central Plains.

Just by seeing her deal with a dangerously unpredictable man like Extremely Evil Laughing Demon, one could tell how great her ambition was.

I lifted my mask over my head and greeted her.

“I am Geom Mu-geuk.”

The madam of Myriad Flowers Tower was startled. She recognized who I was just by hearing my name. The presence of Extremely Evil Laughing Demon beside me must have made her even more certain.

“Such an honorable guest has arrived.”

She bowed deeply on the spot. While it’s understandable that she recognized me, bowing so deeply the moment she did was an exceptionally shrewd social move.

“I might be a person you see today and never again.”

In response to my joke about potentially disappearing if I lose the succession battle, she smiled and said,

“Conversely, you might rule this martial arts world for a hundred years.”

Extremely Evil Laughing Demon said in a good mood,

“Now, prepare a good table for us. And today, I’m going to show our Young Master here what true beauty is, so bring them in accordingly.”

“Yes, please talk for a moment while I prepare.”

After she left, Extremely Evil Laughing Demon laughed and asked,

“Just seeing the madam, aren’t you excited about how many beauties there must be here?”

“I’m really looking forward to it.”

“Really? I thought the Young Master wouldn’t be interested in women.”

“No, I like women too. What man doesn’t like women?”

“Well, let’s see.”

As he said this, Extremely Evil Laughing Demon looked at Lee Ahn, who was standing at the door with Blue Face.

I could feel his intention. That nasty intention of wanting to hear me say that Lee Ahn is not pretty.

‘It won’t be easy.’

The table was set first.

As it was a table for the highest guests at the most high-end pleasure house, it was full of expensive and rare dishes.

I said to Extremely Evil Laughing Demon,

“Can we let our heart come and eat a bit? You two won’t be eating anyway.”

“Go ahead.”

Lee Ahn, standing at the door, made a face as if to say it wasn’t necessary, but I was already gesturing for her to come.

As Lee Ahn came and sat next to me, she sent a sound transmission.

—Young Master! How can I eat at the same table as Extremely Evil Laughing Demon!

—But there are too many things you like to give up.

—That’s true, but…

—Even if you die, die after eating.

I picked up my chopsticks and said to Extremely Evil Laughing Demon,

“Well then, we’ll eat first.”

Lee Ahn, too, began to eat with an “oh well, since it’s come to this” attitude.

Lee Ahn didn’t regret this choice.

“It’s delicious. How can everything be so tasty?”

“Let’s kidnap the chef here. Our Chef Im seems to be losing his touch with age, his seasoning isn’t quite right these days.”

“Chef Im would be hurt if he heard that.”

“My tongue is hurt too.”

“Bear with it! Besides, you’ve been eating at that fancy tavern lately. When are you going to give up on that owner?”

“When the food starts getting too salty?”

“Young Master!”

Extremely Evil Laughing Demon and Blue Face silently watched our casual conversation.

Though we’re both leaders and subordinates, we must look very different from them. Not that I think our relationship is better than theirs. Some people might prefer a relationship where trust is exchanged silently.

I paused my chopsticks for a moment and looked at Extremely Evil Laughing Demon.

Before I could speak, Extremely Evil Laughing Demon spoke first.

“I’m fine, please eat.”

“It’s a shame. If we shared delicious food together, we might become closer.”

“Sharing delicious food makes me angry. We’ll probably end up on worse terms.”

I laughed, and Extremely Evil Laughing Demon didn’t laugh, as if it wasn’t a joke.

At that moment, the madam of Myriad Flowers Tower entered. Four courtesans followed her in.

The women were truly beautiful. These four women must be the Four Great Beauties of Myriad Flowers Tower, I supposed.

“Take your time and choose the woman you like.”

In response to the madam’s words, I immediately answered.

“They’re all beautiful, so tell them all to sit. Is there any need to choose?”

The madam looked at Extremely Evil Laughing Demon. When Extremely Evil Laughing Demon nodded, she had all the women sit down.

“You’ve made a good choice.”

“It’s a way for everyone to win.”

The madam smiled at my answer.

The woman sitting next to me poured me a drink.

“With such beautiful ladies pouring drinks, I think I’ll have to drink a bit too much today.”

I received and drank a cup from each of the women.

“Lee Ahn, you have a drink too.”

“I’m fine, thank you.”

“No, you should. The chance to receive a drink from the beauties of Myriad Flowers Tower won’t come again in your lifetime.”

“Alright, I’ll have just one cup then.”

The courtesan closest to her poured her a drink. Lee Ahn took just a small sip and put the cup back down.

As Lee Ahn and I treated the women with courtesy, naturally, the women’s gazes towards us softened.

Extremely Evil Laughing Demon was leaning on the madam of Myriad Flowers Tower, watching me.

He was displeased with the situation because he had hoped I would indulge wildly with the courtesans.

“I thought you said you knew how to have fun?”

“I am having fun. This lady here is named Juhwa, and she’s good at singing. I’m thinking of listening to a song from her later.”

“What’s the point of acting like a gentleman at a drinking party? Should I make you eat dog food?”

As I acted like a prude, Extremely Evil Laughing Demon unnecessarily dragged in Lee Ahn, who was behaving well. He said to the madam of Myriad Flowers Tower,

“The Young Master said that guard over there is the most beautiful woman, what does our madam think?”

The answer came immediately, as if there was no need to think about it.

“I think he’s right.”

“You think he’s right?”

Extremely Evil Laughing Demon, who had been leaning on her, suddenly sat up straight.

“Yes. I thought so from the moment I first saw her.”

The madam of Myriad Flowers Tower stared intently at Lee Ahn.

“She’s truly a beautiful woman. If only she lost some weight.”

Indeed, having seen countless women throughout her life, she immediately recognized Lee Ahn’s beauty hidden beneath the fat and puffiness.

On the other hand, Extremely Evil Laughing Demon was shocked.

He had been trying to prove that Lee Ahn was not pretty, based on my statement that I could see things he couldn’t.

But when the madam of Myriad Flowers Tower responded like this, he was momentarily at a loss for words.

The madam of Myriad Flowers Tower asked Lee Ahn with a genuinely regretful expression.

“You’re such a beautiful person, why did you gain so much weight?”

Lee Ahn replied to her,

“I’m a glutton and lazy by nature, so it couldn’t be helped.”

But the madam of Myriad Flowers Tower clearly felt that wasn’t the case.

“Everyone has a story or two they can’t talk about, don’t they?”

As she said this, the madam of Myriad Flowers Tower smiled. Lee Ahn smiled faintly at that smile. Somehow, Lee Ahn seemed comforted by words that seemed to understand her pain.

“Thank you for seeing me in a good light.”

“Not at all.”

The madam of Myriad Flowers Tower is definitely no ordinary woman.

Well, I suppose that’s why she’s become close enough to call Extremely Evil Laughing Demon “big brother,” and is nurturing her ambition to become the Empress of the Night.

“Come on, let’s have a drink together!”

I raised my cup high, and Lee Ahn and the courtesans toasted together.

After drinking and having fun for a while, I went out to the inner courtyard to get some fresh air.

I definitely can’t become a great hero, it seems. If even the smell of powder gives me a headache, that is.

At that moment, someone called me from behind.

“Young Master.”

I turned around to see it was the madam of Myriad Flowers Tower.

“If you’re not satisfied with the courtesans, please let me know. We have many more in our house.”

“It’s fine.”

“You’re quite proper, Young Master.”

“I have to be proper in Extremely Evil Laughing Demon’s presence. When I go out to play alone, I’m quite wild. It’s almost unbearable to watch.”

The madam of Myriad Flowers Tower smiled meaningfully.

“It’s not because of your guard, is it?”

“Does it seem like it’s because of my guard?”

“You seem to care for her a lot.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Yes, very much so.”

“When you go back in, please make sure to tell my guard.”

We looked at each other and smiled.

“Honestly, I was surprised. You recognized at a glance that my guard was originally beautiful.”

“I’ve been good at reading people since I was young. You could say I have good intuition? Especially when looking at women, I would get feelings. This woman would look beautiful if she did her makeup like this. She would look pretty if she dressed like that. That woman probably has a terrible personality. That woman probably likes men. Strangely, I was often right. People said I was possessed by a ghost, I was so accurate.”

“What about my guard?”

“She’s beautiful, of course, but more than that, she seemed like someone destined for great things. Someone who would become noble.”

As expected, she has an accurate eye for people.

“What about me?”

“I only know how to read women.”

She smiled slightly. Perhaps her intuition applies to men as well.

But knowing that carelessly flaunting such a talent could endanger her life, maybe she’s carving out a new destiny by limiting that skill to women?

“Shall we go back in then?”

“Let’s go.”

Just as she started walking ahead—

Swoosh.

A masked person appeared, dispelling their concealment, and lunged at the madam of Myriad Flowers Tower with a dagger.

She didn’t even have time to scream.

In that critical moment.

The fastest move I could execute unfolded.

As I deployed the Netherworld King Stride, my hand flashed out, drawing the Dark Demonic Sword.

It was the fifth form of the Soaring Heaven Sword Arts at the Eleven Stars level, the Fifth Sword Form, Azure Heavens Form.

Slash!

Blood splattered across her face.

When the madam of Myriad Flowers Tower opened her eyes, the masked person who had tried to kill her was lying on the ground with their face pierced.

When she turned around in shock, covered in the masked person’s blood, my sword was floating in the air. Her eyes widened.

The sword was splitting before her eyes.

Crack!

Four swords.

They weren’t actual swords, but sword energy I had created. Because they took the shape of the Dark Demonic Sword, it looked as if the sword had split into four.

The seventh form of the Soaring Heaven Sword Arts, the Secluded Heavens Form^[3].

The madam of Myriad Flowers Tower’s mouth gaped at this amazing spectacle.

The moment my energy, spreading out like a spider web in all directions from my body, detected all the hidden enemies!

Whoosh!

The four sword energies shot out like light in different directions.

The madam of Myriad Flowers Tower let out an exclamation at this brilliant sight. Her exclamation was followed by the sound of flesh being torn and dying screams.

Then, silence.

Soon after, blood spurted from the seemingly empty spaces where the swords had pierced.

Splash!

Four masked individuals who had been in concealment revealed themselves. They all collapsed simultaneously, spurting blood from the holes where the sword energy had penetrated.

Bang!

The next moment, there was a person who landed there as if plunging down.

It was Extremely Evil Laughing Demon.

“What happened?”

“It was an assassination attempt targeting the madam.”

At my words, Extremely Evil Laughing Demon looked at the madam of Myriad Flowers Tower standing there covered in blood.

Realizing that they had targeted the madam and not himself, Extremely Evil Laughing Demon laughed coldly.

A low laugh that sounded like a predator growling.

I could feel his anger. Because he had been laughing at the drinking party just moments ago, his anger felt even more intense.

It’s always like this. The most cowardly and base methods often have the greatest effect.

Extremely Evil Laughing Demon spoke to me in a rather calm, subdued tone.

“Young Master, since we couldn’t prove that the heart is ugly, shall we now see my real world?”

Yes, this is why bloodbaths happen.