The Heavenly Demon Wants a Quiet Life

Chapter 8: You Think Too Much

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“Young Master, there is a guest here to see you.”

“A guest?”

Byeok Taesan glanced at Soso, who had just informed him of the visitor.

Her expression was less than cheerful.

“She’s very beautiful, though…”

“Beautiful? Someone even you don’t know?”

Soso nodded.

“Yes, it’s someone I’ve never seen before.”

Soso’s gloomy expression likely stemmed from her concern that Byeok Taesan might be seeking another woman, leaving Yeon Harin behind.

She was someone who genuinely hoped Byeok Taesan and Yeon Harin would end up together.

Since even Soso didn’t know the visitor, Byeok Taesan thought it was likely that he wouldn’t either.

“Or perhaps it’s a courtesan from the Fragrant Flower House… Or could it be the Owner of the Fragrant Flower House?”

It wouldn’t be unusual if the Owner of the Fragrant Flower House decided to visit. After all, he had let that man go earlier.

Although he hadn’t instructed him to, Cheon Kyungwan had followed the man and confirmed that he returned to the Fragrant Flower House.

He had also mentioned the chaos that ensued inside.

“They must be frozen with fear.”

The Owner of the Fragrant Flower House had initially feigned ignorance about last night’s events, but that likely lingered on her mind.

Byeok Taesan had predicted that the Owner of the Fragrant Flower House would react somehow.

After all, the Fragrant Flower House was clearly not an ordinary pleasure house.

“Bring her in.”

“Here? To this room?”

When Byeok Taesan silently stared at Soso, she flinched and quickly bowed her head.

“I’ll bring her in right away.”

As Soso left the room, Byeok Taesan quietly resumed practicing the Soul Augmenting Demonic Art.

This martial art was not something that could typically be practiced anywhere, anytime. Its energy was incredibly violent and difficult to control.

However, Byeok Taesan had mastered it to its peak.

His control over power had reached a godlike level, to the point where it was no exaggeration to call it divine.

Moreover, his realization at the moment of death had resolved the inherent instability of the Soul Augmenting Demonic Art.

As a result, he could now practice it in any situation, at any time.

He could even start and stop his training at will, which allowed him to use spare moments for cultivation.

What he was doing now was purifying the energy he had absorbed earlier through the Soul Augmenting Demonic Art.

Once he completely purified it and made it his own, his plan was to reconnect his severed meridians one by one.

“How many more people will I have to consume…”

There were so many severed meridians that he couldn’t estimate how much longer this process would take.

While he was deep in cultivation, Soso returned, bringing the guest with her.

The moment the guest entered the room, Byeok Taesan’s expression turned peculiar.

“Dan Yeong?”

The guest was none other than Dan Yeong. However, she looked astonishingly different.

It was natural for her to look different from yesterday, but even compared to the last time they had parted, the change was drastic.

Though other courtesans from the Fragrant Flower House who had spent nights with Byeok Taesan had also changed, Dan Yeong’s transformation was unparalleled.

Dan Yeong knelt respectfully before Byeok Taesan and bowed her head.

“I wish to serve you from now on, Young Master. Please grant me your permission.”

“Why?”

“The life you have given me—I wish to dedicate it to you, Young Master.”

Byeok Taesan silently looked down at the kneeling Dan Yeong. Then he turned to Soso, who was standing beside him, fidgeting nervously.

Seeing her reaction, he couldn’t help but laugh.

“Just a few days, and I’ve really changed, haven’t I?”

The thought crossed his mind, and he decided to be generous.

“Prepare a room.”

“Pardon?”

Soso’s eyes widened as she stared at him in shock.

Ignoring her reaction, Byeok Taesan asked another question.

“Where do you currently stay?”

“Me? Uh, me?”

“You have a talent for making me ask twice.”

“I stay in the pavilion assigned to the attendants.”

“Really?”

Byeok Taesan looked at her with mild surprise.

He had assumed she would be staying somewhere more suitable, given that she was his personal attendant.

“In that case, you move as well.”

“Pardon?”

“You don’t have much to do besides serving me, do you?”

“N-no, I do! I have lots of work!”

Byeok Taesan frowned.

“Drop all of it. Move near my quarters and prepare a room for her next to yours.”

Though flustered, Soso replied immediately.

“Y-yes, understood.”

Her mind was in turmoil.

The living arrangements for attendants were overseen by the Management Hall , and any changes required their approval.

However, Byeok Taesan didn’t seem like someone who would concern himself with such details.

Soso began mentally organizing the tasks she would need to complete.

“While you’re at it, prepare one for Cheon Kyungwan as well.”

“Pardon? Is Master Cheon moving here too?”

“If I tell him to, he will. If he wants to stay where he is, so be it.”

“Understood. I’ll convey the message.”

Byeok Taesan waved his hand dismissively.

“Both of you may leave. Soso, make sure you guide her properly.”

Soso hesitated before asking cautiously.

“Um… will she be working as an attendant?”

Byeok Taesan gave her a blank look.

“What else would she do?”

Soso alternated her gaze between Byeok Taesan and Dan Yeong.

Despite Byeok Taesan’s words, Dan Yeong’s demeanor remained unwavering.

“She doesn’t seem like someone who’s ever done that kind of work…”

That wasn’t the only problem.

Dan Yeong was far too beautiful to be a mere attendant.

Though not as stunning as Yeon Harin, she was beautiful enough that one would have to search far and wide in Wuhan to find someone comparable.

“She’s bound to stir up some trouble.”

If Byeok Taesan’s position was firmly established, it might not matter. However, there would undoubtedly be those who would try to approach or outright harass her.

“Ah… I give up.”

With a resigned expression, Soso shook her head and led Dan Yeong out of the room.

As Soso was about to close the door, Byeok Taesan gave her a final instruction.

“Tell Cheon Kyungwan to get ready. We’ll leave as soon as the sun sets.”

Soso barely stopped herself from blurting out, “Again?”

Instead, she bit her tongue and nodded.

“I’ll pass it along while delivering the message about the living arrangements.”

Once Soso and Dan Yeong exited, Byeok Taesan chuckled quietly.

“She still can’t hide her expressions.”

Without needing to say a word, Soso conveyed everything through her expressions alone.

“That’s a talent in itself.”

Even if it wasn’t intentional.

* * *

Cheon Kyungwan had a mutually beneficial relationship with the Golden Wall Merchants.

In exchange for teaching martial arts to the Sword Dragon Corps, he received rare medicinal herbs and a place to train.

Because of this arrangement, even the leader of the Sword Dragon Corps couldn’t treat him carelessly.

Cheon Kyungwan had exclusive use of a private training hall within the corps’ complex, a privilege granted only to him.

Additionally, he was allowed access to study any secret martial arts manuals the Golden Wall Merchants acquired for the Sword Dragon Corps.

It was an offer he could not refuse.

Cheon Kyungwan taught the Sword Dragon Corps with utmost sincerity.

While he didn’t share his true, core martial arts, he faithfully taught them a substantial portion of his skills.

He also pledged to aid the Golden Wall Merchants with all his might in the event of a crisis.

That was as far as his commitment went.

Once he completed his martial training, he intended to leave the Golden Wall Merchants behind.

However, an unforeseen variable had appeared.

Byeok Taesan.

Cheon Kyungwan swung his sword relentlessly in the training hall, his body drenched in sweat.

He was trying to internalize the enlightenment he had recently gained.

But with every swing of his sword, Byeok Taesan’s words echoed in his mind.

“I thought I was mistaken.”

Those words lingered, preventing him from fully concentrating on his practice.

After reflecting deeply, he came to one conclusion.

He had yet to truly break through his limits.

The more he trained, the more certain he became of this realization.

Had he achieved nothing at all, he wouldn’t even feel this frustration.

But now, every time he swung his sword, the sensation of being stuck made it difficult to continue. His swordplay felt clumsy, incomplete.

“I thought I had freed myself from the constraints of weapons… but I was wrong.”

His thoughts spiraled endlessly, chasing the elusive clarity that always seemed just out of reach.

And each time, Byeok Taesan’s face surfaced in his mind.

While he was lost in thought, with his sword hanging limply by his side, he sensed someone lingering near the training hall.

Turning his head, he saw who it was.

“Soso?”

“The leader of the Sword Dragon Corps asked me to come here. The Young Master says he plans to leave as soon as the sun sets.”

Soso was about to add more, concerned by the unusually dark and intimidating expression on Cheon Kyungwan’s face.

She worried that he might harbor resentment toward Byeok Taesan.

But there was no need for her concern. She watched as Cheon Kyungwan’s face lit up in an instant.

“Really? Then I should hurry. Let’s go.”

He left the training hall so quickly that Soso hadn’t even taken a step before he disappeared.

She muttered to herself in confusion.

“But… he said when the sun sets, not now…”

Of course, Cheon Kyungwan didn’t hear her.

He was already rushing toward Byeok Taesan’s quarters at near breakneck speed.

“Strange… Was his face always that expressive?”

Soso tilted her head as she murmured, puzzled.

* * *

Byeok Taesan left the Golden Wall Merchants with Cheon Kyungwan following closely behind.

“Are we heading to the Fragrant Flower House again today?”

At Cheon Kyungwan’s question, Byeok Taesan glanced back at him.

Somehow, Cheon Kyungwan seemed different today. His tone, his expression, even his demeanor—it had all changed.

“What’s with you? Did you eat something bad?”

Cheon Kyungwan hesitated before speaking cautiously.

“About what you mentioned earlier…”

Byeok Taesan raised a hand to cut him off.

“Forget it. Instead, suggest another brothel to visit today.”

Cheon Kyungwan’s face twisted into a pained expression, like a puppy desperate to relieve itself. But he couldn’t disobey Byeok Taesan’s command.

“Then… how about the Fallen Flower House?”

“I wouldn’t know. Let’s go there, then.”

With that, Byeok Taesan gestured for Cheon Kyungwan to lead the way.

If this had been ten days ago, such behavior from Byeok Taesan would have provoked a murderous aura from Cheon Kyungwan. But now, everything about it felt natural.

Cheon Kyungwan began walking toward the Fallen Flower House, all the while sneaking glances at Byeok Taesan.

He was consumed by an overwhelming urge to glean even a single insight from him.

Suddenly, Byeok Taesan stopped walking, scratched the back of his head, and looked at Cheon Kyungwan.

“If you’re going to rely on me every time you hit a wall, you might as well quit everything.”

Cheon Kyungwan flinched, startled. His shoulders drooped like a scolded puppy.

That one sentence dissipated the suffocating pressure in his chest. But in its place, self-loathing took root.

“Why don’t you relax and have some fun tonight?”

Cheon Kyungwan managed a strained smile and shook his head.

“I must remain vigilant and protect you, Young Master. Nothing will happen, of course, but I cannot afford to let my guard down.”

Byeok Taesan chuckled softly.

“Who’s protecting who here? Still, I like your attitude. But you think too much. Back in my day, when I picked up a sword, I swung it until I drained all my strength and energy. Do you know what happens then?”

Cheon Kyungwan stared at him with wide eyes.

“I… I don’t know.”

“Of course you don’t. You’ve never done it.”

“Then… what should I do?”

“What else? Try it yourself.”

Cheon Kyungwan swallowed nervously.

Byeok Taesan surely hadn’t done anything like that himself. It must be a joke.

But it didn’t sound like one.

“Come on, let’s go. A place called Fallen Flower sounds promising.”

The name itself, evoking “fallen blossoms,” suggested something that had been through much.

How much chaotic energy might cling to the souls in such a place?

Byeok Taesan walked forward with eyes brimming with anticipation.

Cheon Kyungwan followed closely, guarding him as if his life depended on it.