The Introverted Heavenly Demon - Chapter 92

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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The Introverted Heavenly Demon Episode 092
Return to Chengdu
【After visiting Chengdu for the first time in a while, I found myself curious about your whereabouts and have sent this letter. I wonder if all is well with the Young Ho brothers at Gwangmyeong Hall. If you have a moment, would you visit the Cheong Nan Guest House? Unfortunately, it seems the tangsuli is no longer available.】
There was no sender’s name written, and it was an oddly abrupt letter asking me to visit a place called the Cheong Nan Guest House.
Yet somehow, I felt I could discern who had written this letter.
“Hmm. Was the Martial Artist who gave this to me wearing a headwrap? Lean build, somewhat tall?”
“How did you know? So it really was from someone you know?”
The memory remained vivid—the last time I visited Chengdu, I had used a false name as if I were Young Ho Bin’s brother and ordered tangsuli at the inn.
Only one person knew of that incident.
“No. It seems this letter was sent by mistake.”
“…?”
I doubted that person would send me such a letter without reason, yet nothing came to mind at the moment.
I placed the letter inside my garment for now.
“I’ll also look into matters concerning the Ho Rim Escort Agency.”
“Really, Gang Leader?”
“Don’t expect too much.”
“Your words alone are enough, Gang Leader!”
Hyeon Yi brightened as if meeting a savior, then soon departed, saying he needed to visit his mother.
With just the two of us remaining, Baek So Cheong spoke as if she had been waiting for this moment.
“Minor Sect Leader. You did well.”
“What do you mean?”
“Setting a stern example for Hyeon Yi.”
“As an older brother, or rather, as Minor Sect Leader, I merely did what was necessary.”
Seeing me nod with a solemn expression, Baek So Cheong smiled softly and added her words.
“Still, don’t overexert yourself.”
“What do you mean?”
“About Hyeon Yi’s matter. It’s good to help your younger brother, but I worry you might strain yourself by involving yourself in the Merchant Guild’s affairs.”
Compassion emanated from Baek So Cheong’s gaze toward me.
I deliberately responded with composure and coldness.
“Am I really so idle in your eyes, Sister? Or rather, do I seem like such a person to you?”
Baek So Cheong fell silent for a moment, meeting my eyes, then answered with a bright, playful tone.
“No, I was speaking carelessly. I know well that the Minor Sect Leader is not the sort to perform such kind-hearted acts. You’re a cold-blooded person without blood or tears when it comes to the greater cause.”
“….”
I couldn’t tell if that was praise or insult.
Conversing with Baek So Cheong often left me confused about where the act ended and sincerity began.
“So, more than Hyeon Yi’s matter or the Merchant Guild’s affairs, establishing authority as Minor Sect Leader before the disciples takes priority. Understood?”
“You speak the obvious.”
Enough of this.
In any case, I confirmed that I was finally alone with Baek So Cheong and retrieved the object I had concealed at my waist.
“Take this, Sister.”
“What is this?”
“Today is the first day of the ninth month, is it not?”
“…And?”
“Sister. No matter how busy you are, surely you haven’t forgotten your own birthday?”
“…What?”
I recalled my previous conversation with Dongbang Cheon, the Family Head.
Perhaps it was because the Sect Leader never spoke of Baek So Cheong?
After asking around among those who would know, I discovered that no one at the Sect Headquarters was aware of Baek So Cheong’s birthday.
At that moment, I ventured to ask Dongbang Cheon if he knew when my sister’s birthday was.
‘Your birthday?’
‘Ah, no. Please forget I asked. It’s not something your uncle would necessarily know….’
‘Come to think of it…, your father did mention it once.’
‘Oh.’
‘The first day of the ninth month, if I recall correctly?’
‘Master…! I’m amazed you remember that.’
‘It stuck with me because it’s the day before my son’s birthday. But why do you ask?’
‘As her younger brother, shouldn’t I at least know how old my sister has become?’
Recalling that conversation, I watched Baek So Cheong’s reaction with curiosity.
She blinked with a vacant expression before gazing down at the silver ring in her hand.
Then she looked into empty space and blinked again, before examining the silver ring once more.
“Is this… perhaps… a gift for me?”
“Your reaction is rather lukewarm. If it displeases you, you may return it.”
“Ah! No, no. It’s not that!”
Baek So Cheong stared at the silver ring with shock, murmuring softly.
“I see. The first day of the ninth month….”
Could it be? Had she truly forgotten her own birthday?
It was hard to believe, yet knowing the Sect Leader, it seemed entirely plausible.
Even with a beloved daughter, he was not the type to make a fuss over birthdays.
“I simply purchased whatever caught my eye at Market Street, so if it doesn’t suit your taste, I understand. My discernment is hardly….”
“So what you’re saying is….”
“…particularly refined….”
“So the Minor Sect Leader went to Market Street to find this for me?”
“Well, yes, that’s true, but….”
Before I could finish speaking, Baek So Cheong moved at blinding speed and suddenly embraced me.
Then, as something warm touched my cheek, I heard a soft sound before she pressed her lips to my left cheek.
Before I could even react, she had already moved toward the entrance, her hands tightly clutching the ring.
“Thank you, Minor Sect Leader.”
And with that, she left without even turning to look back at me.
‘I never knew my sister’s movement technique was this fast.’
I smiled softly and gently touched my left cheek.
Her reaction was ambiguous, but she seemed quite pleased with the gift.
Today’s schedule doesn’t permit it, but next time I should arrange a birthday celebration and invite Young Ho Bin and Namgung Eon as well.
‘Speaking of which, the Ho Rim Escort Agency….’

* * *
“I see. The Ho Rim Escort Agency….”
“Miss Jin, or rather, Vice Palace Master Jin. Does something come to mind?”
Jin Seol furrowed her brow upon hearing that the Ho Rim Escort Agency intended to sever ties with the Cheong Yun Merchant Group, and remained silent for a moment.
“The Ho Rim Escort Agency’s Director Yun Tae Baek is, how should I put it… more akin to a Sect Master of a martial faction than a merchant. He places great value on loyalty and principle. He frequently clashes with the Heuk-do Bang-pa in Sichuan, and above all, he shared a particularly close relationship with Jang Yeon Hwi, the former Merchant Guild Master and the Minor Sect Leader’s maternal grandfather.”
“Do you believe your maternal grandfather is involved?”
“Beyond the Ho Rim Escort Agency, have you not heard that merchants who were close to the former Guild Master are now reluctant to trade with the Cheong Yun Merchant Group? At present, this seems the most likely possibility.”
“As I suspected.”
I had anticipated this to some degree, but it was certainly not pleasant news to hear.
Jang Yeon Hwi was currently under house arrest by the Sun and Moon Divine Sect in a small manor estate on the outskirts of Chengdu.
While he could not freely meet with people, given the influence he once wielded, it would be no difficult matter for him to mobilize his former connections and obstruct the Cheong Yun Merchant Group.
Even if Jang Yeon Hwi were a toothless tiger, it was entirely plausible that his former associates would heed his words and sever their dealings with the Cheong Yun Merchant Group.
‘But even so, would he go that far?’
It was something I found difficult to comprehend.
The current Guild Master was, after all, his own grandson.
I could understand him harboring resentment toward me and the Sect Leader, but did he truly have reason to destroy the Cheong Yun Merchant Group to such an extent?
“It’s difficult to make hasty conclusions, so I’ll instruct the disciples to investigate further.”
“Please do. And if you discover anything….”
“Yes. I will inform the Minor Sect Leader first before reporting to the Palace Master.”
“I’m grateful.”
“Think nothing of it.”
Jin Seol lowered her voice and winked at me.
Even after her promotion to Vice Palace Master, or rather more so than before, she had been cooperative with me.
For me, having capable eyes and ears within the Sect Headquarters was not an unwelcome thing.
“Are you considering a trip to Chengdu?”
“I’m uncertain. It doesn’t seem like a matter I should personally involve myself in. And I’m not sure if Father would permit it.”
“The Sect Leader seems as though he would welcome it.”
“Hmm? Why would that be?”
“It concerns Baek Hyeon Prince, does it not? What father would disapprove of his sons displaying such brotherly affection?”
“Ha. That’s something you’d say only because you don’t know the Sect Leader well.”
Jin Seol smiled faintly upon seeing me laugh, following suit.
I had laughed at the mere thought of imagining the Sect Leader being pleased to witness the deep affection between Hyeon Yi and me, but why was she laughing?
“Is there anything else you wish to instruct?”
“Ah, that’s right.”
I recalled the letter that had been conveyed to me through Baek Hyeon, which I had nearly forgotten, and asked.
“Do you know of a place called the Cheong Nan Guest House in Chengdu?”
“Cheong Nan Guest House?”
The Cheong Nan Guest House mentioned in the letter.
I had asked a few people from the Cheong Yun Merchant Group who had come from Chengdu about it, curious since someone had praised the tang cu li chi there, but none of them had ever heard of such an inn.
“I’m not well-versed in the inns of Chengdu, but Cheong Nan… I’ve heard that name before. Ah.”
Jin Seol tilted her head, murmuring softly as she pondered for a moment.
But what came from her lips was something I had never anticipated.
“I heard that Shaolin Temple established branches under the name Cheong Nan Guest House Branch throughout Kangho.”
“Shaolin? You mean that Shaolin?”
“Yes. Under the direction of Myeong Ryul Abbot, the disciples are said to expand their knowledge and experience while operating in the Martial World.”
“What are monks doing out in Kangho?”
“Of course, the pretext about broadening their horizons is merely that—a cover. I heard it’s actually a measure for Shaolin to expand its influence over the Martial World. They gather intelligence as well.”
“…!?”
“As you know, with the Cold War between the Martial Alliance and the Sun and Moon Divine Sect intensifying recently, major sects like Shaolin are keeping a keen eye on both sides’ movements… Minor Sect Leader?”
“Ah… I see.”
“Is the inn you mentioned related to the Cheong Nan Guest House Branch?”
….
“Minor Sect Leader?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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