I Will Become a Phoenix More Noble Than the Emperor - Chapter 14
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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14.
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On the tenth night since the Phoenix Competition had begun.
An elegant blue ghost carriage crossed the large northwestern mountain and entered a secret forest.
The carriage moved quietly and swiftly toward the depths. Then, at some point, an artificial fake tree forest spread out, and the trees grew so thick they blocked even the moonlight.
The carriage eventually rolled along a hard stone path where even the dirt ground had disappeared. The place where everything around was composed of artificial things was like being inside a giant toy box.
After making their way through that strange and eerie darkness, the destination was finally revealed.
In a place filled with nothing but darkness, a pavilion that existed while emitting artificial light was the carriage’s destination.
The ghost carriage that arrived in front of it came to a gentle stop.
The name of the pavilion, which seemed to be a high-class pleasure house with dreamlike lighting and soft musical sounds echoing from within, was ‘Maehwagak.’
As if they already knew the carriage would come, two men were standing outside the door.
When one of them, who seemed to be a servant, approached the carriage and personally opened its door, the woman sitting inside slowly turned her head.
The two men exchanged glances, surprised by her unexpected beauty.
The woman who was gorgeously adorned from head to toe, with nobility flowing from her very being, was none other than Seon-o.
Seon-o unfolded her fan with a snap to cover her face, maintaining a somewhat arrogant expression as she stepped down from the carriage, and at the same time, the man who had been standing with his hands behind his back came forward and offered a greeting.
“You must have had a difficult journey coming such a long way.”
Seon-o stared intently at the man for a moment.
Seon-o knew this middle-aged man with his cunning appearance and beard. This was Byeon Jang-chun, the owner of this disorderly and sinister Maehwagak.
And what this Maehwagak was selling was…
Swallowing her disgust toward the man, Seon-o smiled with narrowed eyes and replied.
“If one wants to enjoy interesting entertainment, one must endure this much.”
It was a voice so brazenly confident that even Seon-o herself was surprised.
Seon-o’s appearance in her light pink silk clothes had changed so much from her previously shabby days that she looked like a completely different person. Even those who had seen Seon-o at the Great Temple wouldn’t recognize her.
Her hair was beautifully combed and half-tied up, and the ornate white jade hairpin stuck in her hair harmonized perfectly with her silk clothes, creating a radiant glow.
“Miss, you are radiant.”
When the servant grinned flatteringly, Seon-o smiled in response.
‘Well, it is white jade infused with Light Power after all.’
There were several reasons why she had come to this distant place dressed up so elaborately to carry out her plan.
First, after reclaiming their fortune with the documents and token that Ji-woon had hidden, Seon-o’s father had been ordering piles of clothes and accessories for Seon-o as if venting his frustrations.
After Seon-o tried on about twenty outfits and finally shouted at him to stop, her father’s little fashion show came to an end.
It was a secret between just the two of them that when her father had become dejected because of this, he wiped away tears and smiled when Seon-o chose to wear this particular outfit.
But most importantly, the main reason Seon-o had come to this place in such gorgeous attire was…
“You must be Miss Min who sent the letter.”
This was exactly it.
“That’s correct.”
Seon-o answered calmly and smiled.
Today, Seon-o intended to act as someone other than Kang Seon-o.
A wealthy person from the distant south.
An immature young lady who squandered the inheritance left by her wealthy grandfather and sought out anything interesting.
A scoundrel who committed all sorts of evil deeds and played around until she finally made connections with this Maehwagak – Min Cho-hee.
That was Seon-o’s name for today.
Also, there was one more reason why she had changed her appearance and disguised herself so thoroughly that even someone who had seen her once at the Great Hall in the past wouldn’t recognize her.
It was because there was something she absolutely had to find at this Maehwagak without anyone knowing.
“I was truly surprised to receive your letter. Finding our Maehwagak is not an easy task. And to think you came all the way from that distant south! Ah, please come inside first!”
Byeon Jang-chun, who had no way of knowing Seon-o’s true intentions, guided her. Seon-o leisurely followed him into Maehwagak.
Upon entering, the dreamlike melody and strange fragrance became even more intense. It seemed like business was in full swing, as the smell of alcohol and occasional laughter could also be heard.
‘They also deal in aphrodisiacs, I heard.’
Seon-o examined the structure while recalling the information she knew about Maehwagak.
“You said you were introduced to our Maehwagak.”
“Yes.”
“May I ask… who introduced you to us…?”
At that secretive question, Seon-o’s steps came to an abrupt halt. When Byeon Jang-chun, who had stopped along with him, turned around with a rather tense expression, he saw Seon-o’s face had turned somewhat cold.
“The reason I came to this place is because I heard that Maehwagak values customer information security above all else.”
“Ah…”
“But now you’re asking me to reveal that customer’s information. If I’ve misunderstood something about this place, I’d appreciate it if you could tell me now.”
Byeon Jang-chun’s face became troubled at Seon-o’s attitude, which suggested he would leave without regret if that were the case.
“No, you understand correctly. It’s true that our establishment operates on a referral system.”
Byeon Jang-chun had received Min Cho-hee’s appointment reservation and naturally obtained information about her. However, he had yet to find out who exactly had recommended Maehwagak to her. This was a very important matter.
Maehwagak was a place that welcomed anyone who was corrupt enough to seek dangerous things and wealthy enough to afford them, but what they sold varied depending on the information their clients possessed.
However…
His gaze quickly swept over Seon-o’s bracelet, ring, and earrings.
‘If I add all that up, it would be enough to buy several houses at least. I can’t let this slip away!’
Having finished his calculations, Byeon Jang-chun quickly changed his approach.
“I made a mistake. Please forgive my rudeness. Since this is our first meeting, I was just being cautious… Of course, if you hadn’t been introduced by someone we trust, you never would have been able to find our Maehwagak. I was foolish.”
Despite that admirable effort, Seon-o continued to look at him with a cold expression before eventually relaxing his face and smiling gently.
“Of course, since such interesting things happen in this place, I can understand taking every possible precaution.”
At those words, Byeon Jang-chun’s face brightened. Seon-o added in a merciful voice.
“Don’t worry. I’m going to purchase items here and participate in those interesting activities, so why would I reveal that to the wrong people?”
“Yes, yes, you’re absolutely right. Of course. Please, let me escort you this way!”
As Byeon Jang-chun hurriedly took the lead, his attitude completely changed from moments before, and Seon-o began walking again. He deliberately moved his hands busily, making the bracelet laden with gold and jade jingle with mouth-watering sounds.
These accessories were purchased with the money he had retrieved that Ji-woon had entrusted to him. The fortune Ji-woon had left was much larger than expected, and thanks to that, Seon-o was able to execute this plan.
‘Otherwise, I would have had no choice but to get captured and brought in like in the original story.’
This Maehwagak was, of course, a place On Gang had passed through in the original work. However, unlike Seon-o, On Gang had not visited this place as a customer.
‘He was searching for a Superhuman who knew the Sound Stone Breaking Method and ended up getting captured by these bastards.’
So Seon-o decided to twist the situation.
Instead of being captured and imprisoned by them…
“You will never regret visiting our Maehwagak.”
He would rather visit as a customer.
To execute that plan, Min Cho-hee, who had visited Maehwagak that day intending to kill On Gang for simple amusement, was perfect.
This Maehwagak was a place that sold very secretive and precious things.
“Of course, since you came with a referral, you must know well what kinds of things we sell, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then, may I ask what kind of item you’re looking for…?”
When Byeon Jang-chun probed Seon-o once again, Seon-o turned to look at him and smiled calmly.
“Since I’ve come all the way here…”
Byeon Jang-chun’s unpleasant breathing suddenly became quiet. Seon-o whispered secretively.
“Naturally, it’s a Superhuman.”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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