The Heavenly Demon Wants a Quiet Life - Chapter 48
Chapter 48: A Wager is Necessary
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The next day, Seomun Jehak, Gu Yangsoo, and Chu Yeonghak boarded the ship to return to their respective clans.
Yeon Harin stood watching them depart, reflecting on the bond they had formed during their journey.
Standing next to her was Byeok Taesan, wearing an expression that could only be described as deeply meaningful.
The three men stood on the deck, gazing silently in Yeon Harin’s direction.
Their faces displayed a mixture of regret, fear, and desolation.
At some point, their gazes shifted toward Byeok Taesan.
At that moment, Byeok Taesan raised two fingers to point at his eyes before directing them toward the trio.
It was a silent gesture that clearly conveyed, ‘I’m always watching you’.
The three men shuddered violently.
It was obvious, even at a glance, that they were clenching their buttocks tightly—a reflexive reaction after experiencing his wrath twice before.
“Truly pitiful,” Yeon Harin murmured.
Byeok Taesan smirked.
She could only make such a statement because she didn’t know what they had intended to do to him.
If she had known, she would have been the first to cause an uproar.
“The rumors will spread regardless, won’t they?” she asked.
Byeok Taesan nodded.
“Of course.”
Even if he didn’t lift a finger, the Heavenly Divine Healer would see to it that the rumors spread—it was one of his hobbies.
“It’s time for us to go as well,” Byeok Taesan said.
Yeon Harin looked at him with undisguised joy.
The journey to this point had felt like hell, but now she couldn’t hide her anticipation that the remaining trip might be like paradise.
The group boarded a significantly large ship waiting at the dock.
It was a vessel procured through the combined efforts of the Heavenly Divine Healer and Cheon Kyungwan.
Although rented, the cost of renting it was equivalent to buying a smaller boat.
From the outside, it looked simple, but its interior was luxurious.
Moreover, it boasted incredible speed for its size, with smooth and stable handling.
In short, it was worth every coin spent.
The ship carried both Byeok Taesan’s group and Seomun Deok’s group, who were also returning to Hubei Martial Alliance.
This arrangement had been made in advance, with Seomun Deok requesting Byeok Taesan’s permission, which he readily granted.
Soon, the ship set sail.
The journey to Yichang, where Hubei Martial Alliance was located, was uneventful.
The ship was so fast that it only took two days to reach their destination.
What could possibly happen in such a short time unless they encountered river bandits? But no bandit was bold enough to attack a ship flying Hubei Martial Alliance’s flag.
Seomun Deok and the others from Hubei Martial Alliance stayed in their quarters throughout the trip.
The ship had been rented along with a full crew, so sailors and workers handled all the chores, including steering, cooking, cleaning, and even minor errands.
This arrangement allowed everyone to travel in comfort—well, almost everyone.
Only one person, Soso, seemed to be in discomfort.
On the night Byeok Taesan had instructed her to come to him, Soso ultimately couldn’t bring herself to go.
Instead, she spent nearly the entire night in Yeon Harin’s room.
Yeon Harin, curious about Byeok Taesan, bombarded Soso with countless questions.
Since Soso had served him the longest, she was naturally the most knowledgeable about him.
However, recently, Soso wasn’t so confident in claiming she truly understood Byeok Taesan.
After providing all the answers she could, Soso found herself unable to look directly at Byeok Taesan starting the next day.
Unfortunately, being on the same ship meant she kept running into him.
Now was one such moment.
While heading to relay a request for meal preparations, she bumped into Byeok Taesan on the deck.
Flustered, she averted her gaze, struggling not to meet his eyes.
“Feeling guilty about something?”
Byeok Taesan clicked his tongue.
“N-No, that’s not it!”
Her eyes remained glued to the side as she stammered her response.
“If that’s not it, then why are you stuttering?” he teased.
Soso’s cheeks puffed slightly in frustration. Considering her current mental strain caused by him, how could he tease her like this?
Byeok Taesan found the situation intriguing.
He wasn’t usually like this.
Teasing, bantering, or engaging in playful exchanges were far from his typical behavior.
In the past, such actions would have been unthinkable.
Yet now, it felt entirely natural—and entertaining.
Was it because he possessed Byeok Taesan’s body, or was it a side effect of his soul being cleansed, allowing a new facet of his personality to emerge?
He wasn’t sure.
“Why? Are you upset I didn’t come looking for you after you didn’t show up that night?”
Soso jumped in shock, her reaction almost comical.
“Wh-What are you talking about? Of course not!”
Byeok Taesan chuckled and walked past her.
“It’s difficult to talk on the ship, so come see me the night we arrive.”
Leaving those words behind, he disappeared.
Soso stood there, staring blankly at his retreating figure.
A moment later, she clutched her head in despair, ruffling her hair wildly.
“What am I going to do?”
It seemed this time, she wouldn’t be able to avoid him.
“Hmm. So this is Hubei Martial Alliance,” Byeok Taesan murmured, observing the view of the organization’s grounds.
To be honest, he had underestimated the Hubei Martial Alliance, dismissing it as a minor union of martial families from Hubei.
The Demonic Cult had faced organizations like the Martial Alliance and the Black Lotus, vast networks dominating the entire world.
Competing with them meant vying for control of the martial world itself.
How could an organization quarreling within a single province possibly catch his attention?
But now, seeing it firsthand, he realized the Hubei Martial Alliance’s scale was far greater than he had imagined.
“This is impressive. Not quite the Murim Alliance, but easily half its size.”
Hearing his comment, the Heavenly Divine Healer, standing beside him, replied.
“Indeed, this is the Hubei Martial Alliance. While it’s nominally an alliance of Hubei martial families, its influence extends to nearby regions like Hunan, Jiangxi, and Anhui. By scale alone, it’s comparable to half the Murim Alliance.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Furthermore, it maintains active relations with the Murim Alliance, to the point of being called a ‘mini Martial Alliance.’”
“I’d heard rumors, but I didn’t expect this.”
Byeok Taesan’s words were genuine.
As the Heavenly Demon, he had no reason to pay attention to the Hubei Martial Alliance.
Yet, the fact that reports about it had reached him a few times back then was proof it wasn’t an ordinary organization.
Recalling those past reports, he pondered their significance.
As expected, the memory etched itself vividly into his mind.
“So, you can think of it as a separate alliance formed by martial families that find it difficult to directly influence the Murim Alliance.”
The contents of the report that had just surfaced in his mind were exactly that.
Of course, there were more detailed aspects to it, but the main point aligned perfectly with what the Heavenly Divine Healer had said.
Byeok Taesan looked at the Heavenly Divine Healer with a newfound expression.
“Why are you looking at me with such a burdensome gaze?”
The Heavenly Divine Healer made a sour face.
“Don’t tell me… are you planning to call for me again tonight? How about going with that old Needle Master over there for a change?”
“Phew. I want to sew that mouth shut.”
In the distance, the Needle Master muttered while clenching his fist tightly.
“Ah, Young Master. Please, have mercy on me. That old man keeps threatening me, and I can’t take it anymore. Maybe if you call him repeatedly for, say, five days, I’d get some peace.”
“Hey!”
The Needle Master yelled at the Heavenly Divine Healer.
Just as he felt like he could finally catch a break, the prospect of being dragged back into that hellish pit ignited his fury.
“Settle this between the two of you. I don’t plan on calling either of you tonight.”
Both of their faces brightened.
Seeing that, Byeok Taesan asked,
“And have you looked into a physician?”
In an instant, their faces stiffened.
“Well… a subpar physician won’t do, will it?”
Byeok Taesan chuckled and began walking toward the main gate of Hubei Martial Alliance.
The Heavenly Divine Healer and the Needle Master smacked their lips as they watched his back.
“Start looking from today.”
“You want me to do it alone?”
“Physicians run away just by looking at me, so I can’t.”
“And you’re proud of that?”
“Proud? No way. I’m furious at myself for how my past has turned out. Damn it, how is it that I don’t know a single physician?”
“Instead of griping, let’s sweep through all the medical clinics nearby. I’ll find their locations, and we can split the work evenly.”
“So you’re suggesting we kidnap them?”
“Why is it that nonsense spills out of your mouth every time? This is Hubei Martial Alliance territory. Do you think they’d let that slide?”
“Then what do you suggest?”
“We have plenty of money, don’t we? Let’s hire them.”
“Hire them?”
“It’s just a matter of having them make daily visits. What’s so difficult about that?”
The Needle Master’s eyes widened.
He looked at the Heavenly Divine Healer with newfound admiration.
“You’re no ordinary fellow, are you?”
“Well, I do have my talents. Life as a nail is exhausting, always getting hammered down.”
“Fine. Let’s start right away. First, we’ll scout out usable physicians, and then we can call on them one by one.”
“Remember, no subpar ones.”
“When it comes to judging physicians, I’m leagues ahead of you. Worry about yourself.”
The Heavenly Divine Healer grinned.
“This could turn into a competition to see who can find the best physician.”
The Needle Master smirked dismissively.
“I’ve been in the field for years. Fine, let’s bet. But we must share the clinic locations. If someone cheats, they’ll face retribution. Don’t make me sew your mouth shut.”
“What’s the wager?”
“What about you? Got anything in mind?”
“Do you want something in particular?”
The Needle Master glared intensely at the Heavenly Divine Healer.
“Your secret.”
“You already know that. I’m the Heavenly Divine Healer, the one above the Needle Master.”
The Needle Master’s face twisted in frustration.
Whenever things got serious, this man had a way of infuriating him.
“Not that. I mean your true identity, the one you’re hiding. Judging by the Young Master’s reaction, he seems to know. Since we’re bound to stick together for life, isn’t it fair to share at least that much?”
The Heavenly Divine Healer chuckled.
“Can you handle it?”
“That’s for me to worry about. What’s your answer?”
“Fine. Then I should set a wager of equal weight… Ah, that’ll do.”
“What is it?”
“Your Needle Art.”
The Needle Master’s face contorted beyond belief.
“Are you insane? That’s practically my entire being.”
The Needle Art was the very reason the Needle Master was known as the Needle Master.
It wasn’t just acupuncture but also a lethal martial art, a cultivation method in itself.
“I’m not asking for all of it. Just the essentials on the acupuncture techniques. Is that too much?”
The Needle Master’s face flushed red, but eventually, he nodded.
The Heavenly Divine Healer grinned slyly.
“For fairness, we’ll need a judge.”
“Let’s go with the Young Master.”
“You mean the Young Master?”
The Heavenly Divine Healer widened his eyes at the Needle Master but soon nodded.
Perhaps the Young Master was indeed the most impartial judge.
‘Still, I’m genuinely curious.’
Byeok Taesan’s search for a physician was likely tied to the same reason he frequented the courtesan houses.
This meant he was doing something to treat Severed Meridians Syndrome through physicians, but how, no one could figure out.
Even those who experienced it directly couldn’t comprehend it.
And spying on him wasn’t an option; the consequences were unimaginable.
In any case, the bet was set.
The two glared at each other with fiery determination.
Their standoff was soon broken.
“What are you doing? Hurry up!”
Byeok Taesan’s voice rang out from a distance.
“Oh no, coming, Young Master!”
The Heavenly Divine Healer scurried off, and the Needle Master quickly followed suit.
Byeok Taesan’s group finally arrived at Hubei Martial Alliance.
“Wow, this place is huge!”
As soon as they reached the accommodations assigned by Hubei Martial Alliance, Soso exclaimed excitedly.
She seemed oddly exhilarated. Beneath her excitement, however, was an undercurrent of tension that few could detect.
A Hubei Martial Alliance martial artist, who had been watching her with a pleased expression, explained to the group,
“This space is available because the Seomun Clan, Gu Clan, and the Additional Pavilion members couldn’t make it. We also have an important guest over there.”
Although the accommodations had been adjusted, the sudden cancellations left them unable to reallocate everything perfectly.
As a result, Byeok Taesan’s group received a spacious and luxurious accommodation.
This was partly because the Needle Master was among them.
Everyone found suitable rooms.
As Byeok Taesan passed the excited Soso, he casually said,
“Tonight. Don’t forget.”
Soso flinched and trembled.
Unconsciously, she glanced toward Yeon Harin.
Yeon Harin was looking at her with a curious expression.
Soso’s face fell into a distressed pout.