Chapter 103: Everyone Has a Story

TL: FoodieMonster007

Our carriage arrived at the Thousand Flower Palace, Guizhou's most famous brothel.

The brothel was not famous for having a thousand courtesans, but for its notorious expense.

Dozens of luxurious carriages already filled the vast courtyard of the Thousand Flower Palace.

A common joke claimed you could meet every wealthy person in Guizhou here, and it seemed to be true.

Our carriage continued deeper inside. As expected of a large brothel, skilled martial artists stood guard everywhere. The ones protecting the innermost courtyard were clearly experts.

"Are we here to play? Or to work?"

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon answered my question as if it were obvious.

"Isn't a brothel a place for playing?"

"Is it alright to play around in an important base of the Valley of Evil?"

My words startled the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

"What do you mean?"

"The martial artists lying in ambush have extraordinary skills."

A peculiar light flickered in the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon's eyes behind his mask. He seemed beyond surprise, yet the surprises kept coming.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon finally admitted the truth.

"People's lips tend to loosen at a drinking table."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon acquired information from the Central Plains through the Thousand Flower Palace. This place was essentially an external branch of the Valley of Evil.

"Doesn't the quality of information change depending on the money?"

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon just laughed at my words and offered no explanation.

Magnates and key figures in the murim frequented this place, so a great deal of important information was surely gathered here. The place was that important to the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. Instead of explaining, he told me something else.

"Shall I tell you a surprising fact? The income here is greater than the revenue of the Big Tiger Trading Company you saw earlier."

"I never imagined it would be that much."

While we talked, the carriage stopped before the innermost building.

Not a single carriage was parked here. This clearly was not a place for regular customers.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon stepped out. I followed and put on my mask.

We waited briefly in a lavishly decorated room before a slender woman entered. Her makeup was thick, hiding her age, but she had a mysterious aura.

"Welcome, big brother."

I laughed out loud the moment I heard her.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Because I'm witnessing the historic moment the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon is called 'big brother'."

The woman looked at me cautiously.

"I don't believe we've met."

She was quick-witted. My casual attitude toward the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon must have told her my status was not ordinary. It was probably the first time she had seen someone speak so casually about him.

She bowed politely and introduced herself.

"I am Yeo Jong, the one in charge of the Thousand Flower Palace."

Yeo Jong, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman.

I know her well.

She secretly operated dozens of brothels across the Central Plains, not just the Thousand Flower Palace. Her dream was to become the empress of the night and rule over all men.

Her ambition was clear just from how she dealt with a man as dangerous as the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

I pushed my mask up onto my head and greeted her.

"I am Geom Mugeuk."

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman startled. She recognized my name instantly. The presence of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon must have confirmed her suspicion.

"A truly distinguished guest has arrived."

She bowed deeply. Recognizing me was one thing, but bowing so quickly showed incredible shrewdness.

"I might be someone you see today and then never again."

She smiled at my joke about losing the succession battle.

"Conversely, you might rule this murim for the next hundred years."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon said cheerfully.

"Now, prepare a fine table of drinks. Today, I intend to show our Second Young Lord true beauty, so bring in whomever you see fit."

"Yes, please talk amongst yourselves for a moment."

After she left, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon laughed and asked.

"Seeing the Chairwoman must make you excited for the beauties here, right?"

"I'm very much looking forward to it."

"Really? I didn't think you indulged in the company of women, Second Young Lord."

"Not at all. I like women too. What man doesn't like women?"

"Let's see about that."

As he spoke, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon glanced at Lee Ahn, who stood by the door with Green Mask.

I can feel his intent. He has a wicked desire to make me admit Lee Ahn isn't pretty.

It won't be easy.

First, the dining table was set.

It was a table for the most distinguished guests at a top-class brothel, filled with expensive and rare dishes.

I spoke to the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

"May I have my Heart come and eat? Since you two won't be eating anyway."

"Go ahead."

Lee Ahn, standing at the door, looked reluctant, but I already beckoned her over.

When Lee Ahn came and sat beside me, she sent a telepathic message.

[Young Master! How can I possibly eat at the same table as the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon!]

[But there are too many things you like here to just give up.]

[That's true, but still.]

[Even in death, it's better to be a well-fed ghost.]

I picked up my chopsticks and spoke to the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

"Well, we'll start eating first."

Lee Ahn seemed to figure she might as well eat, and she started with a 'what the hell' attitude.

Lee Ahn did not regret this choice.

"It's delicious. How can everything be this good?"

"Let's kidnap the chef from here. Chef Im's seasoning has been off lately, maybe because he's getting old."

"Chef Im will be upset if he hears you."

"My tongue is upset too."

"Endure it! Besides, you've been eating at the Alluring Inn every day lately. When are you going to abandon its owner?"

"When the food starts getting salty?"

"Young Master!"

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon and Green Mask watched our informal conversation in silence.

We were a leader and subordinate, just like them, but our dynamic must have looked very different. That did not mean our relationship was better. Some people might prefer one where trust is exchanged without words.

I paused my chopsticks and looked at the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

Before I could speak, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon spoke first.

"I'm fine, so please eat."

"It's just a shame. We could become closer if we ate delicious food together."

"Sharing delicious food makes me angry. Our relationship would probably get worse."

I laughed, but the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon did not. He was not joking.

Just then, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman entered with four courtesans following behind her.

The women were truly beautiful. Are these the so-called Four Great Beauties of the Thousand Flower Palace?

"Take your time and choose a woman to your liking."

I replied immediately to the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman.

"They are all beautiful, so please have them all sit. Is there really a need to choose?"

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman glanced at the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. He nodded, so she had all the women sit down.

"An excellent choice."

"It's the way everyone wins."

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman smiled at my answer.

The woman who sat beside me poured me a drink.

"With such beautiful women pouring me drinks, I'll have to drink a little too much today."

I accepted and drank a cup of wine from each of the women.

"Lee Ahn, you have a drink too."

"I'm fine."

"No. You'll never get another chance in your life to have a drink poured by the beauties of the Thousand Flower Palace."

"Yes, then I'll have just one cup."

A courtesan near her poured her a drink. Lee Ahn took a small sip and put the cup back down.

Lee Ahn and I treated the courtesans with courtesy, and their gazes toward us softened.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon watched me, leaning against the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman.

He had hoped I would carouse wildly with the courtesans and was quite displeased with the situation.

"I thought you said you knew how to have fun?"

"I am having fun. This woman here is named Juhwa, and she's a good singer. I was thinking of hearing a song from her later."

"What's the use of acting like a gentleman at a drinking party? Should I have her grind some ink for you?"

Since I acted like a prude, the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon needlessly dragged Lee Ahn into the conversation. He turned to the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman.

"The Second Young Lord said that bodyguard over there is the greatest beauty. What do you think, Chairwoman?"

She answered immediately, without hesitation.

"I think he's right."

"Right?"

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, who had been leaning on her, shot up.

"Yes. I thought so too, from the moment I first saw her."

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman stared intently at Lee Ahn.

"She's a truly beautiful woman. If only she lost some weight."

Having seen countless women in her life, she had recognized Lee Ahn's hidden beauty at a single glance.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, on the other hand, was stunned.

He had been trying to prove Lee Ahn was not pretty, but this implied he could not see what I could.

When the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman said this, he was momentarily speechless.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman asked Lee Ahn with a genuinely regretful expression.

"You are so beautiful, why did you gain so much weight?"

Lee Ahn told her.

"I have a big appetite and a lazy nature, so it couldn't be helped."

However, the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman clearly sensed that was not the case.

"Everyone has a story they can't tell, don't they?"

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman smiled as she spoke. Lee Ahn returned a faint smile, seeming to find comfort in words that understood her pain.

"Thank you for seeing me in a good light."

"Don't mention it."

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman was certainly no ordinary woman.

That must be why she could call the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon 'big brother' and nurtured an ambition to become the empress of the night.

"Now, let's have a drink together!"

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

After some drinking and amusement, I stepped into the inner garden's courtyard for fresh air.

I'm definitely not cut out to be a great hero. The mere smell of powder gives me a headache.

Just then, someone called me from behind.

"Young Lord."

I turned and saw the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman.

"If the courtesans are not to your liking, please let me know. There are many more in the main building."

"It's fine."

"You are very gentlemanly, Young Lord."

"I have to be a gentleman in the presence of the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon. If I were out having fun alone, I'd be a total wreck. You wouldn't be able to watch with your eyes open."

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman gave a meaningful smile.

"It's not because of your bodyguard, is it?"

"Does it seem like it's because of my bodyguard?"

"It's just that you seem to care for her a lot."

"Is it that obvious?"

"Yes, very."

"When you go back inside, please be sure to tell my bodyguard that."

We looked at each other and laughed.

"Honestly, I was surprised. You recognized at a glance that my bodyguard was originally beautiful."

"I've been good at reading people since I was young. Call it good intuition. I especially get a feeling when looking at women. That one would be beautiful with this makeup, or that one would be pretty in these clothes."

"I could also tell if a woman had a terrible personality or if she liked men. Strangely, I was always right. People even said I was possessed."

"What about my bodyguard?"

"Her beauty is one thing, but more than that, she seemed like someone who would accomplish great things. Like someone destined for nobility."

As expected, her judgment of people is accurate.

"What about me?"

"I only know how to read women."

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

But maybe she knows that using her intuition carelessly could endanger her life, so she forges a new destiny by limiting that talent to women?

"Shall we go back inside then?"

"Let's go."

The moment she took the lead and began to walk.

SHWIIK.

A masked man materialized from the shadows and lunged at the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman with a throwing knife.

She did not even have time to scream.

In that urgent moment.

I unleashed the fastest move I could execute.

I surged forward with the Hell Step, drawing the Black Demon Sword.

I unleashed the Blue Sky Strike, the swift fifth technique of the Soaring Sky Sword Art, which had reached the Eleventh Star.

CHWAAAAAK.

Blood splattered across her face.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman opened her eyes. The masked man who tried to kill her lay on the ground, his face pierced through.

Covered in the man's blood, she turned in surprise. My sword floated in mid-air. Her eyes widened.

The sword was splitting before her eyes.

CHWARARARAK!

Four swords.

They were not real swords, but sword qi I had created. They took the shape of the Black Demon Sword, making it look as if the sword had split into four.

The Soaring Sky Sword Art's Seventh Technique, the Ominous Sky Strike.

The Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman's mouth fell open at this incredible sight.

The energy extending from my body like a spiderweb detected all the hidden enemies.

SWAAAAAAA!

The four streams of sword qi shot out like light in different directions.

A gasp of awe escaped the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman's lips. The brilliant display was followed by the sound of tearing flesh and dying screams.

Silence followed.

Then, blood erupted from the empty spaces the swords had pierced.

PWAAAAAK!

Four masked men appeared out of stealth. They spewed blood from the holes pierced by the sword qi and collapsed simultaneously.

"……"

The next moment, someone crashed down beside us.

It was the Extremely Evil Smiling Demon.

"What happened?"

"An ambush targeting the Chairwoman."

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon looked at the blood-covered Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon laughed coldly. They had targeted the Thousand Flower Palace Chairwoman instead of him.

A low laugh, like the growl of a wild beast.

I could feel his rage. His anger felt even greater because he had been laughing just moments before.

It's always like this. The most cowardly and despicable methods are always so effective.

The Extremely Evil Smiling Demon, however, spoke to me in a calm, subdued tone.

"Second Young Lord, since I failed to prove that your Heart is ugly, would you now like to see my true world?"

Yes, this is how a bloodbath begins.