I Will Become a Phoenix More Noble Than the Emperor - Chapter 61
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
61.
“Both of your proposals are quite interesting.”
At Seon-o’s reaction, Wang Ho-bang’s lips twitched with relief. However, Seon-o immediately looked at Hwan and murmured worriedly.
“But I haven’t seen the demon fighting matches yet, so I’m not confident whether this investment is appropriate. It’s such a large investment, isn’t it?”
Wang Ho-bang became urgent and quickly opened his mouth.
“Ah, that’s a valid point. As expected, you are wise, Madam! We’ve been preparing thoroughly to show you three the true value of our business. It won’t be too late to decide after watching the match tomorrow evening.”
Hwan, who had been watching him, asked something unexpected.
“Young Master Baek will also be staying here tonight, I assume?”
At the unexpected question, a cold silence descended over the dining table again. Hwan’s gaze had somehow turned toward Sa-baek, and instead of answering, Sa-baek wore a faint smile and glanced at Wang Ho-bang. His look seemed to ask him to answer the question.
Wang Ho-bang, who had been puzzled by that look for a moment, hastily answered.
“Yes, of course. Our house has plenty of space for guests. You won’t be uncomfortable at all.”
Wang Ho-bang smiled awkwardly while thinking he should place Sa-baek and Hwan’s quarters far apart.
Nevertheless, Hwan’s gaze did not leave Sa-baek.
“I understand that all members of the Baek Family of Dobukcheon are superhumans. Are you also a superhuman, Young Master?”
Even at this continued question unrelated to business, Sa-baek smiled without showing any sign of confusion. This time he didn’t pass the answer to Wang Ho-bang.
“Fortunately, yes.”
“If it’s not rude to ask, may I know what abilities you handle?”
“Cloud Power.”
As Sa-baek smoothly provided answers, Seon-o’s expression became strange. The fact that his ability was Cloud Power was true.
‘Is he really an illegitimate son of that family?’
Then, did he really come to invest in this demon fighting business?
‘Could it be that his infiltration of Maehwagak was also to obtain the Superhuman Control Ability…?’
As Seon-o’s suspicions deepened, Sa-baek asked in return.
“I’m curious about what abilities you handle, Sir.”
“Unfortunately, I’m not a superhuman.”
Hwan delivered the lie without batting an eye. It was because Dark Power was a rare ability that couldn’t be exposed. It was also a lie to ease Wang Ho-bang’s wariness.
“Ah.”
Sa-baek let out a small exclamation as if surprised by Hwan’s answer, and this time his gaze smoothly turned toward Seon-o. When he stared intently at Seon-o as if wanting to ask something, Seon-o’s throat tightened with tension.
If the man before them was really an illegitimate son of a demon hunter family and a scoundrel who might be interested in the demon fighting business…
‘I can’t give him a chance to ask questions in front of Wang Ho-bang.’
Having finished her quick calculation, Seon-o suddenly grabbed Hwan’s arm.
“Hwan…!”
Hwan, who had been quietly assessing Sa-baek until then, hesitated at the sudden contact but soon skillfully turned to look at Seon-o.
“Speak, Mother.”
“I don’t feel well from the long journey… I’d like to return to our room and rest now.”
Hwan immediately understood Seon-o’s signal. He nodded and looked at Wang Ho-bang.
“My wife seems tired, so we should excuse ourselves first. Could you have the North Sea delicacies we couldn’t taste sent to our room?”
Even at the couple’s sudden decision, Sa-baek remained unperturbed, with a faint smile still lingering at the corners of his mouth.
“Ah? Oh, yes! Of course. Our servants will guide you. You there, escort Master Jin and his wife!”
When the servants entered, Hwan stood up and supported Seon-o as if she were fragile glass. Seon-o, who was suddenly embraced in his arms, glanced at Sa-baek, but Sa-baek was no longer interested in Seon-o. He was simply looking at the cooling foods while leisurely fiddling with his water glass.
Seon-o swallowed a sigh and began walking.
* * *
The two entered a room so cozy and comfortable it was hard to believe they were in the middle of the North Sea.
After a servant who promised to bring food soon left the room, Hwan briefly assessed the presence outside the door. Only after confirming that no one was watching the room did he turn to look at Seon-o. Seon-o, who had been listlessly drooping throughout the walk to the room, instantly became fine but was now deeply absorbed in thought with a serious expression.
Hwan had noticed from the beginning that Seon-o was disturbed by the man’s appearance.
“Do you know him?”
When Hwan asked quietly, Seon-o looked at him with troubled eyes.
It wouldn’t do to lie after coming this far, but the bigger problem was whether she could say that she knew him.
“Rather than knowing him…”
After pondering for a moment, Seon-o looked at Hwan with sparkling eyes as if something had occurred to her.
“By any chance, what does Young Master Baek look like?”
Hwan’s expression became strange at the odd question.
“I’ll just describe what I see as it is.”
Seon-o waited tensely for Hwan’s answer. Byeon Jang-chun, the owner of Maehwagak, had spouted nonsense about Sa-baek looking plain. He was certain that Sa-baek must have used some trick to hide his true face. If he was using that method again, then he would be infiltrating in disguise today as well.
Hwan, who had been quietly observing Seon-o’s strangely earnest eyes, soon opened his mouth.
“He’s handsome.”
At that answer, Seon-o’s face became as despairing as if struck by lightning.
‘What! Handsome!’
“Even in your eyes…! No…, even in Hwan’s eyes he’s good-looking? You’re certain he’s handsome? With a smiling face, and somehow enchanting appearance?”
As the excited Seon-o poured out confirmations, Hwan’s expression became subtly cold.
“…”
Only then did Seon-o realize that she had unintentionally poured out praise for Sa-baek’s beauty, and her mouth closed.
“That’s not what I meant…”
Then Hwan leaned his head close to Seon-o and mischievously repeated her words.
“As Mother said, he’s definitely handsome. Somewhat enchanting with a smiling face.”
Looking at the handsome man who was no less beautiful than the one described, Seon-o smiled awkwardly. The Prime Gods all possessed beauty capable of bewitching people.
‘Wait. Could it be that I’m also bewitched? That guy, could he be a nine-tailed fox?’
Seeing Seon-o’s complicated expression, Hwan asked in a whisper.
“It seems you know who he is after all.”
Seon-o hesitated, unable to answer readily. Baek-ryu’s appearance was not something that existed in her plans. But she couldn’t just remain flustered about it. Time was pressing.
Seon-o looked at Hwan as if she had made a decision.
“I need to confirm whether I know him or not.”
Then Hwan looked at Seon-o steadily, as if he didn’t want to agree to that plan. However, without Hwan’s help, she couldn’t buy time. To gain Hwan’s assistance, she needed to provide a reason he could accept. So, in the end, she had to tell some degree of truth.
After pondering for a moment, Seon-o soon reached a conclusion. Since Hwan had willingly become ‘her ally,’ shouldn’t she also respond to that trust? If it were someone else, perhaps not, but with Hwan, it seemed it would be alright.
Having decided, Seon-o revealed Sa-baek’s information.
“He’s a Superhuman I saw at Maehwagak. At that time, he was captured as a slave at Maehwagak. He helped me defeat Those Guys and assisted in the Superhumans’ escape.”
“…A bastard son of the Baek Family was captured at Maehwagak?”
The quiet question contained certainty that such a thing wouldn’t happen without other intentions. Seon-o agreed with his opinion.
“So I need to confirm. Whether that person is really…”
Seon-o’s eyes blazed with fighting spirit again.
“A bastard son of the Baek Family or not.”
“…”
“And whether he’ll interfere with us or help us.”
Hwan could have bet Yawol Sect that the person wasn’t from the Baek Family, but seeing Seon-o’s will seemed so firm, he decided not to add unnecessary words. Filtering out fraudsters was also something a candidate to become Phoenix should rightfully accomplish.
Also, from that recent answer, Hwan confirmed that Seon-o was keeping him within her boundaries of caution.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————