The Heavenly Demon Wants a Quiet Life - Chapter 49
Chapter 49: There Are Side Effects
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Seomun Deok stepped into the office of the Hubei Martial Alliance Lord.
The Hubei Martial Alliance Lord cleared a stack of documents from his desk to one side and looked at Seomun Deok.
“Ah, the Patrol Commander is here? I heard it wasn’t an easy task?”
Seomun Deok slightly bowed his head in greeting, then brought a chair to sit in front of the Lord.
“There were no major issues.”
“No major issues, you say. I heard you had some trouble cleaning up after the rookies?”
Seomun Deok chuckled softly.
“Still, I sent the troublemakers packing. Didn’t want them stirring up trouble here.”
“Well done. No point keeping useless people around—they only waste resources.”
After speaking up to that point, the Hubei Martial Alliance Lord shifted the atmosphere and asked, “So, what did you observe?”
Seomun Deok shook his head.
“I didn’t find anything unusual.”
“Really?”
Seomun Deok’s trip to meet Seomun Jehak and his party at the warehouse had another purpose. His actual target was the Golden Moon Inn.
Or, more precisely, the Golden Moon Merchants.
There were rumors of a dangerous force operating behind the Golden Moon Merchants, and this needed to be investigated.
If that force turned out to be the Black Lotus or the Demonic Cult, it would spell serious trouble.
Thus, not only Seomun Deok but also the capable members of Hubei Martial Alliance were working diligently on this matter.
This wasn’t solely an operation of Hubei Martial Alliance; it was being conducted in response to a request from the Murim Alliance.
In case of an emergency, they could receive support from local branches of the Murim Alliance or its affiliated factions.
That’s why twenty elite warriors from Hubei Martial Alliance had accompanied Seomun Deok on what should have been a simple escort mission for Seomun Jehak.
While staying at the Golden Moon Inn, they each employed their own methods to gather information.
“The proportion of martial artists at the inn was higher than that of a typical inn, but that’s expected since they belong to the Golden Moon Merchants. Other than that, there was truly nothing unusual.”
The Hubei Martial Alliance Lord stroked his chin, lost in thought.
“The reports from investigations in other regions are arriving, and they all say the same thing.”
“Does that mean no evidence has been found at all?”
“At this point, it seems safe to conclude there’s no wrongdoing, but…”
“Does something bother you, sir?”
The Hubei Martial Alliance Lord nodded gravely.
“The fact that there’s absolutely nothing bothers me.”
“Indeed…”
“There’s an artificial quality to it. I can’t pinpoint it exactly, but it feels orchestrated.”
“Then I will investigate further.”
“Please do.”
“Of course. It’s my duty.”
“Oh, by the way, I heard you traveled here with the Needle Master?”
“Yes. Circumstances aligned that way.”
“But I’ve heard some curious things.”
When Seomun Deok looked at him, the Hubei Martial Alliance Lord continued.
“They say the Needle Master joined the Golden Wall Merchants, and not only that, but the Heavenly Divine Healer too. Is that correct?”
Seomun Deok answered calmly.
“It is true that the two were together.”
The Hubei Martial Alliance Lord’s eyes gleamed.
“That’s impressive. Is the Golden Wall Merchants’ influence truly that significant?”
“So far, nothing has been confirmed. On the way here, I deliberately kept my distance. There will be plenty of opportunities to investigate.”
The Hubei Martial Alliance Lord nodded.
“Good. Since they’ve accepted our invitation, they’ll stay until the Gathering of Promising Disciples concludes. We can arrange something during that time.”
“Yes, sir. However…”
“What is it? Do you also find something troubling?”
“The second young master of the Golden Wall Merchants accompanied them… and he gave off a peculiar impression.”
Curiosity sparkled in the Hubei Martial Alliance Lord’s eyes. It was rare for Seomun Deok to offer such an assessment of someone.
“In what way was he peculiar?”
“We only exchanged words briefly when he asked to board the same ship, but… he didn’t seem like someone of his age.”
“There are plenty of old souls in young bodies.”
“It’s not that. Honestly, this might sound ridiculous, but he gave off the air of a master.”
The Hubei Martial Alliance Lord’s eyes widened.
“A master? Are you saying he’s strong enough to deserve that title?”
Seomun Deok quickly shook his head.
“It’s certain that he has no internal energy. Unless he’s so vastly superior to me that he’s perfectly concealing his energy—but even the Martial Alliance Leader couldn’t achieve that.”
“True. Your sensory perception is unmatched in the world.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. It’s just a little sharpness. Regardless, he had no internal energy. I also heard he’s suffering from an illness.”
“An illness? And yet he came all the way here from Wuhan?”
“It seems he’s engaged to the daughter of the Yeon Manor Master, who accompanied him.”
“You’ve looked into him quite a bit. Haven’t you investigated anything else about him?”
When the Hubei Martial Alliance Lord asked playfully, Seomun Deok shook his head.
“That’s all I found out. Oh, I did hear that his illness is called Severed Meridians Syndrome.”
“Severed Meridians Syndrome?”
The Hubei Martial Alliance Lord’s eyes grew wide.
“That’s a very serious condition. Shouldn’t he be resting rather than traveling?”
“The Heavenly Divine Healer and the Needle Master seem to be treating him.”
“This is… quite a notable figure.”
Though half-joking, both Seomun Deok and the Hubei Martial Alliance Lord knew they couldn’t dismiss this lightly.
“It seems the Golden Wall Merchants aren’t exactly as we knew them, does it?”
“Indeed. I will investigate.”
“Also, look into the relationship between the Golden Wall Merchants and the Golden Moon Merchants.”
“Yes, sir.”
He had intended to begin with that anyway.
Perhaps the Needle Master and the Heavenly Divine Healer were connected to the Golden Moon Merchants.
And the Golden Moon Merchants could have offered those two physicians to the Golden Wall Merchants.
It wasn’t an entirely implausible theory.
“Then I’ll take my leave. Oh, would you like to meet the Needle Master and the Heavenly Divine Healer yourself?”
“I should. It’s only proper to extend proper hospitality to our guests.”
Seomun Deok bowed his head and withdrew.
The Hubei Martial Alliance Lord kept a faint smile until the door closed, then erased it in an instant.
“Something… feels like a complex scheme is unfolding in the shadows.”
He shook his head to clear his thoughts and returned to the mountain of paperwork.
The first day at the Hubei Martial Alliance had no scheduled activities.
Even though they arrived relatively early, there was no need to greet anyone.
They simply rested in their assigned accommodations.
However, it wasn’t necessary to stay confined to the room.
If one wished, they could step out, meet other guests, and exchange pleasantries.
People with such intentions also visited Byeok Taesan’s lodgings.
Of course, they didn’t come to see Byeok Taesan.
They came to see Yeon Harin.
Rumors of Yeon Harin’s beauty had now spread beyond Wuhan and were reaching the entirety of Hubei.
Though it hadn’t yet shaken all of Hubei, word was spreading quickly from those who had seen her even once.
There were a few who came to verify those rumors, but their numbers weren’t substantial.
That might change as time passes.
However, no one came yet to see the Needle Master or the Heavenly Divine Healer.
It seemed that news of their presence hadn’t spread properly.
If everyone knew about them, wouldn’t this place become overwhelmed with people?
“Hmm, should I just lock the door so no one can enter?”
When Byeok Taesan mumbled to himself, everyone in the room turned to look at him.
Currently, there were three attendants and Cheon Kyungwan in the room.
The Heavenly Divine Healer and the Needle Master had gone to meet the Hubei Martial Alliance Leader.
Yeon Harin and Yoo Seoyeon were in another room entertaining guests.
“Young Master, are you bored?”
Soso asked Byeok Taesan cautiously, but quickly turned her gaze away in surprise.
Ever since hearing what was said earlier, she had been trying her best not to speak to Byeok Taesan, but the words slipped out instinctively.
Habits, after all, were frighteningly persistent.
“Why are you turning your head after asking a question? Are you ignoring me?”
“No, no, it’s not like that! How could I possibly ignore you, Young Master? It’s just…”
“Just what?”
Soso’s face turned crimson.
How could she possibly say such a thing here and now?
At this point, everyone in the room could tell there was something going on between the two of them.
Even the oblivious Cheon Kyungwan noticed.
Meanwhile, Dan Yeong and Chae Wol seemed to have realized what that “something” was.
The two women looked at Soso with eyes filled with a mix of envy and surprise.
“And you, what’s with that face?”
Byeok Taesan asked Cheon Kyungwan.
Cheon Kyungwan flinched and then responded stiffly.
“It’s nothing, nothing at all.”
Everyone turned to look at Cheon Kyungwan.
His tone was so rigid, it sounded as if he was reading a script.
Moreover, he repeated the words “nothing” twice, seemingly unaware. His expression was also oddly strained.
“You should never try lying anywhere.”
“I’m not, not lying.”
Byeok Taesan chuckled.
“True, you couldn’t even stand still without showing it back then. It’s a good thing I didn’t give you any lines.”
“I’m different, different from back then.”
“Different? In what way? Do you even realize you’re showing a completely unnatural expression right now?”
“I’ve always, always had expressions.”
Byeok Taesan snickered.
“Looking at you now… seems like you have something to say to Yoo Seoyeon, doesn’t it?”
“Yoo Seoyeon has nothing to do with it!”
At that, Dan Yeong and Chae Wol slightly turned their heads and covered their mouths.
Judging by their shaking shoulders, they found it quite amusing.
When the two began laughing, Soso, who had been holding it in, moved closer to them and also shook with suppressed laughter.
Still, she barely made a sound, likely worried about embarrassing Cheon Kyungwan.
Byeok Taesan teased Cheon Kyungwan for a while longer.
Cheon Kyungwan, for his part, never realized that he always repeated the first word when lying.
While Byeok Taesan was having fun teasing Cheon Kyungwan, Yeon Harin had just finished entertaining some guests and was taking a brief rest.
“Only three visits, and I’m already this tired. What will I do later?”
At her words, Yoo Seoyeon smiled softly.
“You seem confident that more guests will come.”
Yeon Harin blinked and propped her chin up with her hand as she looked at Yoo Seoyeon.
“With a face like this, how could they not come?”
It was a side of her she never showed to anyone but Yoo Seoyeon.
“They’ll come. The people who saw you today will spread plenty of rumors on their own. Many will be drawn to you, admiring and even revering you.”
Yeon Harin’s expression turned slightly gloomy.
“But what’s the point? The one person I wish would do so doesn’t react at all.”
“Young Lady…”
“We’ve traveled all this way, yet he hasn’t even taken my hand once. How does that make any sense? How can he act so indifferent toward someone like me, his fiancée?”
Yeon Harin pursed her lips in a pout, a gesture so captivating it could make anyone’s heart skip a beat.
Even Yoo Seoyeon, found herself momentarily captivated.
“And yet, he spends so much effort visiting courtesan houses.”
“I told you, that’s most likely to cure his illness.”
“But why does he have to go there to treat it? He has a fiancée like me right here. I even told him not to go and come to me instead!”
Yoo Seoyeon looked at Yeon Harin with a pitying expression.
This wasn’t something she could resolve for her.
It was an issue that Yeon Harin and Byeok Taesan would have to work out themselves.
As Yoo Seoyeon pondered, Yeon Harin continued.
“By the way, something feels off about Soso lately.”
“Pardon? Soso?”
“She seems to have something going on with the Young Master. Or maybe something’s about to happen.”
“That’s impossible. Soso and the Young Master are like family. There’s no room for any other feelings.”
“There’s no such thing as absolute certainty in this world.”
Yoo Seoyeon’s expression grew resolute.
She couldn’t interfere with Yeon Harin and Byeok Taesan’s relationship.
But perhaps she could lend a little help.
Something like this, for instance.
“Young Lady, would you try using this?”
Yeon Harin looked at Yoo Seoyeon with a puzzled expression.
Yoo Seoyeon pulled out a long needle from her pocket and snapped it in half.
“W-what is that?”
Even broken, the needle was remarkably long.
“It’s a needle hardened with poison that temporarily numbs the senses.”
“P-poison?”
“It paralyzes the sensation for a while. When I asked for details, I learned it amplifies minor desires into something far stronger, causing people to act impulsively. For instance, Cheon Kyungwan once tried to assault me after being pricked by this. Though, of course, he failed.”
Yoo Seoyeon’s expression held a trace of regret as she spoke.
Yeon Harin swallowed nervously.
“I was planning to keep it in case of emergencies, but you could use it now, Young Lady.”
Yoo Seoyeon’s eyes gleamed as she said this.
For some reason, Yeon Harin found Yoo Seoyeon intimidating today. Yet, her hand instinctively reached out for the needle.
“Make sure to use it when you’re alone with him.”
“I-I know that much!”
Yeon Harin’s face turned bright red, and she stammered in protest.
“I’m just keeping it because it looks dangerous. I’m not going to use it!”
Yoo Seoyeon gave a sly smile.
“Of course. As you say.”
Yeon Harin’s face reddened further.