I Will Become a Phoenix More Noble Than the Emperor - Chapter 30

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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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30.

‘This is…’

Recalling the blue blood vessels that had appeared on Cheong-eum’s neck, Seon-o hurriedly reached out and pulled back the blanket. However, that faint light had already disappeared without a trace.

‘Was it my imagination?’

Just as Seon-o was doubting even his own eyes, someone’s call came from outside.

“Miss.”

At the heavy call, Seon-o’s frozen eyes awakened again. After calmly arranging the blanket again, Seon-o left Ji-woon’s room and saw a man with a reliable appearance.

This was Un-muk, the person recorded in the letter Ji-woon had left along with the land documents, whom Seon-o had hired as a butler according to Ji-woon’s wishes. Ji-woon had advised that this man was trustworthy and should be kept close.

Un-muk was a superhuman who had been severely injured in a fight with demons, resulting in damaged Yin Power. Seon-o had asked her parents to hire Un-muk, who had been struggling with manual labor jobs.

“What’s the matter?”

“A guest has come to see you.”

“A guest? Who would come at this hour…”

“It seems to be someone sent by the master of Yawolbang.”

At those words, Seon-o’s eyes widened. When she hurriedly went to the front door, she saw an ordinary-looking carriage waiting, with a Yawolbang Superhuman standing before it. It was one of Hwan’s subordinates she had seen at Yawol Pavilion.

Seon-o climbed into the carriage without hesitation.

* * *

The carriage, which she thought would head to Yaweol Palace, stopped after traveling only a short distance.

It was in front of a massive inn that was bustling with customers despite being the middle of the night. The location of the five-story inn was still within Myeonggyeong, the capital, on the most glamorous street in Myeonggyeong.

[Mongru Pavilion]

‘This is a famous inn that appeared several times in the original work, isn’t it? Don’t tell me this place is also owned by Yawolbang?’

Seon-o’s guess was correct.

The Yawolbang Superhuman guided Seon-o to the top through the inn’s secret passage. As soon as she stepped forward, the stairs moved on their own, leading Seon-o to a place completely separated from the inn’s space. Soon the noisy sounds were perfectly blocked, revealing a luxurious space that one could never imagine existing above such an inn.

“Then I hope you have a comfortable time.”

After the Yawolbang Superhuman who had escorted Seon-o bowed politely and turned around, the stairs moved again and his figure disappeared in an instant. Seon-o slowly moved her steps toward the inner door.

As the large black door stepped aside as if recognizing Seon-o, Hwan’s figure hidden inside was revealed.

Hwan was standing still, looking at something. Surprisingly, it was a small tree growing through the indoor floor.

While Seon-o was looking at him with curiosity, the chair in front of the central table was pulled out by itself.

Only then did Seon-o notice that the room was dimly lit. It seemed Hwan had just used Dark Power to prepare a seat for Seon-o. Superhumans who had reached a high level could freely manipulate Yin Power and use it like magic.

When Seon-o took her seat, Hwan also turned around and slowly moved his steps.

Coming to sit in front of Seon-o, he picked up the teapot placed on the table and poured alcohol into two cups. A clear, pleasant sound rang out.

When Hwan offered the cup, Seon-o looked up at Hwan with apparent bewilderment.

“I would like to offer a toast.”

At his polite words, Seon-o understood the meaning of the cup. He had naturally heard the news that she had passed the first trial.

Since it was something to be grateful for, Seon-o also gladly picked up the cup. For a moment she hesitated, remembering the strong alcohol from the Imperial Palace, but Seon-o forgot about that and drank the alcohol refreshingly.

Then she felt a sweet and delicate taste different from what she expected. It felt like the fatigue accumulated throughout the day melted away instantly.

‘No, it’s not just a feeling, this is…’

When Seon-o looked at Hwan in surprise, Hwan smiled leisurely and drank his share of the toast. The smooth movement of his long neck’s Adam’s apple was like a painting.

Seon-o waited for Hwan to put down his cup before carefully asking.

“It doesn’t seem to be ordinary alcohol…”

Hwan answered as if it were nothing significant.

“You should be able to go without eating or drinking for a full month from now on.”

At those words, Seon-o’s eyes widened.

She knew that alcohol. It was Hunger-Eliminating Wine, as rare as Dangpabaek Mushroom. It was said to be made from Immortals’ Peaches. Whether that was true or not, it was certainly difficult to obtain alcohol.

Seon-o realized why Hwan had given her this alcohol. Hwan naturally knew that the candidates would travel far to break through the second trial.

But even so…

“Is that what I should do?”

When Seon-o asked sharply, Hwan looked at Seon-o leisurely.

A strange current flowed between the two for a moment. Soon he opened his mouth.

“How did you know about the matter at Maehwagak?”

At the calm question that came instead of an answer, Seon-o held her breath for a moment. What was bound to come had finally come.

“Last time you said you would accept something else as payment. I’d like to use the answer to this question as that.”

This question was something he had naturally prepared for since he began thinking of drawing Hwan in.

Seon-o had continuously pondered the answer to this question.

However, he still couldn’t confess everything truthfully.

“Actually, before the incident happened, I happened to see Min Cho-hee. I overheard the things she was babbling about. She said one of her close friends had someone from Maehwagak who used Superhumans as slaves.”

Seon-o decided to use Min Cho-hee once again. Of course, he had never actually met someone like Min Cho-hee.

“She said they planned to visit on the full moon of the eighth month, so I judged it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss.”

It was a simple explanation. Hwan tilted his head slightly.

“Even though you were in the middle of the competition?”

Seon-o, who had been looking at Hwan for a moment, soon answered calmly.

“It’s something I’ll have to do anyway once I become the Phoenix.”

At his matter-of-fact answer, Hwan’s eyes gleamed coldly.

The voice that held not a shred of doubt that he would become the Phoenix wasn’t arrogant at all. Rather, it was simply plain and steadfast, as if shouldering responsibility. Hwan swallowed the quite satisfied smile that was about to form and opened his mouth again.

“I’ve heard what the second trial is. Do you need my help again this time?”

His voice was generous, as if he would gladly comply if Seon-o said yes. However, Seon-o immediately shook his head.

“The Maehwagak matter was already more than enough. It must have been difficult to follow me based on my word alone, but I won’t forget your kindness.”

Hwan’s gaze grew increasingly gentle.

“On the contrary, it’s all the Superhumans who owe you a debt. Thanks to you, it was revealed that there’s a force suppressing Yin Power.”

At those words, Seon-o looked up at Hwan sharply.

“Will you track down that force?”

“I’d like to, but that matter is now under the Imperial Palace’s jurisdiction.”

Hwan answered thus while gazing at Seon-o as if measuring him.

‘Ah, the Emperor absolutely cannot find it first.’

Seon-o, who had become serious and fallen into thought for a moment, soon looked directly at Hwan as if he had made a decision.

A firm light dwelled in his black eyes.

“Sect Leader. The Emperor must not find that force.”

“…Why is that?”

“If that happens, he’ll use that force instead. The current Emperor is not a vessel capable of handling that power.”

It was a statement bordering on treason.

But if it was Sa Hwan, he might already be aware of the current Emperor’s limitations. Moreover, for the events that would unfold later, continuous exchange with Hwan was necessary. Seon-o threw the risky dice and met Hwan’s gaze squarely.

“…”

Hwan also quietly gazed at Seon-o’s eyes looking back at him.

Feeling his quiet heart gently tighten, Hwan reached out his hand. His long fingers touched the mysterious ornament on the table, changing its direction.

“…?”

Seon-o looked at the ornament Hwan had touched with somewhat puzzled and anxious eyes.

‘What is that?’

As if answering that question, a presence was soon heard from behind Seon-o. When he turned around, he could see two Yawolbang Superhumans dragging someone along.

The Superhumans presented the man before the wide-eyed Seon-o. It was a man with clear traces of torture all over his body.

“A Maehwagak member.”

When Hwan briefly explained, Seon-o’s eyes grew even wider.

“Weren’t all those captured from Maehwagak transferred to the Imperial Palace?”

Matters related to demons and Superhumans were supposed to be transferred to the Imperial Palace as procedure. Especially since the current Emperor wanted to know anything that occurred due to Yin Power, not following this would be tantamount to giving him unnecessary justification.

Though it wasn’t explained in detail in the original work, the Emperor was certainly keeping an eye on the renowned Yawolbang as well.

However, Hwan showed a leisurely smile as if he didn’t care about such things at all.

“The Emperor mustn’t find that force, mustn’t he?”

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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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