NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 30 - Do as You Please
Chapter 30: Do as You Please
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“Woong, we’ll leave Yeon Manor today. Prepare in advance.”
At Won Mungwang’s words, Zhongli Woong stared at him with a slightly dazed expression.
After a brief moment of staring, focus gradually returned to his eyes.
“Already? I haven’t achieved anything yet.”
Zhongli Woong’s condition had improved considerably. However, even with the improvement, it was difficult to compare him to his former self.
Still, he hadn’t forgotten what he needed to do here.
The desires that filled his mind remained as intense as ever.
“We haven’t even established proper contact with the Golden Wall Merchants yet.”
And he hadn’t succeeded in winning over Yeon Harin either.
“The family’s situation is not good.”
“What do you mean? The situation isn’t good?”
“Your condition wasn’t great, so I didn’t tell you before. But there were issues even when I first came here.”
Won Mungwang briefly explained what had happened within the Zhongli Clan.
After hearing the full story, Zhongli Woong burst out in anger.
“Those vermin dared to raise their hands against our clan?”
“There’s undoubtedly someone pulling the strings. But they’ve yet to uncover who it is.”
“Then…”
“We’re going to the Golden Heavenly Alliance.”
“The Golden Heavenly Alliance? But shouldn’t we avoid getting too involved with them?”
Won Mungwang nodded slightly, relieved.
It seemed Zhongli Woong’s mind was gradually becoming clearer, and his memory was returning.
“That’s no longer an option. Caution is necessary, but this is a matter of whether the clan will stand or fall. We must do everything we can.”
“Is it that dire?”
“Yes. The situation is very difficult.”
Won Mungwang responded firmly and continued.
“We’ll go to the Golden Heavenly Alliance to secure funds and request their assistance in investigating who’s backing the Unorthodox Path scum that rebelled against our clan.”
Zhongli Woong’s expression hardened.
“Then… our family’s share will be greatly reduced.”
“It can’t be helped. We must still strive to secure as much as we can.”
With a resentful expression, Zhongli Woong lowered his head.
Seeing this, Won Mungwang cautiously asked, “Is there… nothing you can remember?”
Zhongli Woong’s appearance today seemed markedly better, leading Won Mungwang to hope that the lost memories might return.
However, as soon as the question left his lips, Zhongli Woong’s body began to break out in a cold sweat.
“Huh… Why… Why is this happening? My body suddenly feels strange.”
Zhongli Woong’s face turned pale. His legs shook, and his entire body felt weak and limp.
He slumped into his chair, his breathing growing increasingly labored.
“Enough!”
Won Mungwang shouted, infusing his voice with inner energy.
Startled, Zhongli Woong looked at Won Mungwang, and his condition improved slightly.
“Huff… Huff…”
Zhongli Woong panted heavily, looking at Won Mungwang in confusion.
“I… I don’t know. I have no idea why this is happening…”
Won Mungwang gazed at Zhongli Woong with a look of pity.
“Fear is deeply imprinted into his instincts. Can he ever overcome it?”
For some reason, it felt as though he was seeing the future of the Zhongli Clan itself, and he shook his head vigorously.
That could never happen.
* * *
Elsewhere
Cheon Kyungwan and Yoo Seoyeon stared at Byeok Taesan with incredulous expressions.
Next to them, the Heavenly Divine Healer was chuckling.
“You want to visit a brothel before going home?”
Byeok Taesan frowned slightly.
“It seems I’ve been repeating myself more often lately.”
Yoo Seoyeon flinched and shrank back slightly but still mustered the courage to speak.
After all, wasn’t Byeok Taesan coming back from Yeon Manor just now?
He had just met his fiancée, Yeon Harin.
How could he declare he wanted to visit a brothel before even returning home?
“You say things no normal person would ever think of.”
Byeok Taesan nodded in agreement.
“Indeed, I am not a normal person.”
‘That wasn’t the point!’
Yoo Seoyeon turned her head to Cheon Kyungwan, signaling him to say something.
But what could Cheon Kyungwan possibly say? He was the lowest-ranking individual here, even below Yoo Seoyeon.
Seeing the faint disappointment in Yoo Seoyeon’s gaze, Cheon Kyungwan hurriedly spoke.
“Young Master, wouldn’t it be better to go home first?”
The Heavenly Divine Healer laughed in amusement.
“Heh heh. When has our Young Master ever taken back his words? Just accept it. Besides, what’s the harm in visiting a courtesan house before going home?”
The Heavenly Divine Healer took the lead, guiding Byeok Taesan.
“Young Master, this way, please. I’ve scouted out a very suitable place for you.”
At this, Byeok Taesan frowned.
“You waste your efforts on pointless things.”
“How is this pointless? It’s a necessary matter. Isn’t the courtesan house the most important thing for you right now, Young Master? Am I wrong?”
“Well… I suppose not.”
“I’ve carefully considered your tastes and picked out the best place. You won’t be disappointed.”
Cheon Kyungwan and Yoo Seoyeon exchanged bewildered looks at the Heavenly Divine Healer.
Was he truly a physician, or was he a courtesan procurer?
Listening to the Heavenly Divine Healer’s enthusiastic explanation, they soon arrived at their destination.
“This place is unfamiliar.”
Byeok Taesan, who had already visited most courtesan houses in the area, generally knew their locations.
However, the place the Heavenly Divine Healer brought him to was new.
“White Flower House?”
“It’s a house with exactly 100 courtesans, excluding the owner. The owner herself is said to be a stunning beauty who moved here from another region.”
So it was a newly opened establishment.
Marveling at the Heavenly Divine Healer’s meticulous research, Byeok Taesan stepped inside.
Though it was still early, everything seemed well-prepared.
As soon as the courtesans spotted the Heavenly Divine Healer, one of them scurried off, and a group of them quickly gathered to greet him.
“The owner has been waiting for you.”
“Ah, yes. You must’ve been upset when I only showed my face and left last time.”
“Not at all. We’re used to waiting. We even find joy in the anticipation.”
The Heavenly Divine Healer smirked and looked at Byeok Taesan, as if seeking approval.
Byeok Taesan nodded.
“Well… It’s decent.”
It was no exaggeration to say it was truly satisfying.
Although he didn’t know how the Heavenly Divine Healer had grasped his preferences, it was undeniable that he had.
The courtesans here all had just the right amount of stains on their spirits.
Neither too much nor too little, and the stains hadn’t completely merged with their original spirits.
All the courtesans he saw here were like that.
In other brothels, there were occasionally those one shouldn’t touch—like the one caught at the Fragrant Flower House.
In the past, he had been curious about what that was, but now he knew for certain.
It was the influence of vengeful spirits.
When someone died harboring deep resentment toward another, a vengeful spirit or its remnant could cling to them.
Over time, it would blend into their original spirit.
That’s why it wasn’t wise to absorb the spirit of someone who had committed many murders—such individuals often carried vengeful spirits.
However, committing murder didn’t always mean one would attract a vengeful spirit. Conversely, not committing murder didn’t guarantee freedom from them either.
There were countless variables.
After all, life always came with its unique stories.
In any case, this brothel was quite satisfying. He could see himself frequenting this place for a while.
If he spent a day with each courtesan, he could visit for a hundred days.
By the time he was done, new courtesans would have arrived, and he could enjoy their spirits as well.
While he was observing the courtesans, the Owner of the White Flower House appeared.
She seemed to be around thirty years old, and her naturally beautiful appearance had matured into an air of refined elegance. She was an impressive beauty.
The owner bowed respectfully to Byeok Taesan before greeting the Heavenly Divine Healer.
“I’ve been waiting for your arrival. Please, come inside.”
When Byeok Taesan nodded, the owner looked at Cheon Kyungwan and Yoo Seoyeon, asking,
“And these two…?”
“Give them whatever they want.”
With that, Byeok Taesan strode inside.
The owner turned her alluring gaze toward Cheon Kyungwan and Yoo Seoyeon, flashing a charming smile.
“Would you like a private room to stay together? We have quite a few hidden rooms that no one knows about.”
At her suggestion, Cheon Kyungwan’s face turned beet red.
“We’re here to guard the Young Master’s room.”
He declared firmly, prompting the owner to glance at Yoo Seoyeon. Covering her mouth, she laughed meaningfully.
“You must be working very hard.”
She left it at that and went inside.
Yoo Seoyeon followed closely behind her, her demeanor suddenly icy.
Cheon Kyungwan felt uneasy, as if something had shifted in Yoo Seoyeon’s aura. For reasons he couldn’t explain, he grew increasingly nervous.
The Heavenly Divine Healer patted Cheon Kyungwan’s shoulder lightly, as if to encourage him.
* * *
The leader of the Blood Axe Gang, Chu Jun+wang, couldn’t hide his nervousness.
It was because of the person standing behind him, as if acting as a bodyguard.
This was someone the terrifying masked men who had visited him recently had left behind.
That harrowing memory made this person seem even more fearsome.
No, he was terrifying. His martial arts were so extraordinary that Chu Jun-wang doubted his entire gang could defeat him.
Honestly, if not for this person, the Zhongli Clan would have annihilated the Blood Axe Gang long ago.
“But still… shouldn’t we start making some real money by now?”
Although they had already reaped great benefits by no longer paying tribute to the Zhongli Clan, greed—true to the nature of the underworld—was beginning to seep in.
Yet, he couldn’t openly express that greed.
The watcher standing behind him was the reason.
And he couldn’t drive this person away, either.
Not that he had the ability to do so, but if the watcher left, how would they fend off the Zhongli Clan?
In fact, if the watcher announced their departure, Chu Jun-wang would likely cling to their legs and beg them to stay.
“For now, I just need to carry out my plans without that person noticing…”
Chu Jun+wang’s intention was to sell the weaknesses of the Zhongli Clan’s martial arts.
Frankly, the Zhongli Clan was no ordinary foe.
If they resolved to take ruthless action, all the gangs in the underworld would be wiped out.
And when that time came, the watcher standing behind him would vanish without a trace.
Chu Jun-wang was well aware that they were mere disposable pawns. It was a reality he had lived with until now.
Thus, spreading this information wasn’t just about profit—it was a matter of survival.
However, if he openly tried to sell this knowledge, the watcher wouldn’t stand idly by.
“Um… I was thinking of stepping out for a bit. What will you do, sir?”
Chu Jun-wang cautiously turned to the watcher and asked.
The Demonic Cult warrior, disguised as an Escort Captain from the Eastern Tiger Escort Agency, stared silently at Chu Jogwang. His piercing gaze swept over him.
Chu Jun-wang quickly averted his eyes.
The warrior spoke in a calm yet chilling tone.
“How many of your subordinates are worth anything?”
“Excuse me? Worth anything?”
The warrior’s indifferent gaze locked onto Chu Junwang’s eyes.
Hurriedly, Chu Junwang answered,
“If I choose carefully, there are ten. No, maybe fifteen!”
“Pick five. Including yourself.”
“Five…?”
The warrior said no more and remained still.
Chu Junwang realized he had reached a critical juncture in his life.
“Still… I have to make money somehow.”
If only five people would remain while the rest were eliminated, he figured he might as well keep the money for himself.
Watching the warrior’s reactions, Chu Junwang quietly left the room.
Fortunately, the man didn’t follow.