The Heaven-Slaying Sword

༺ Second Chapter – The Seductress and the World Beyond (4) ༻

 The first thing Mok Riwon did upon realizing the gravity of his unforgivable act was…

 “I’m sorry!”

 A sincere apology.

 Mok Riwon knelt down on both knees with his head bowed deeply, shouting loudly towards Hwa-seo.

 He was filled with bitter remorse inside.

 ‘This isn’t chivalry!’

 Due to his rash judgment, he had wrongly accused her as a seductress. Furthermore, he had committed the heinous sin of kidnapping an innocent woman. At the thought of being unable to face his master after this disgrace, his body shook uncontrollably.

 Hwa-seo blinked blankly at Mok Riwon.

 ‘…What is he doing?’

 She couldn’t figure out what the hell this man was doing.

* * *

 A while later, Hwa-swo inspected her body’s condition by moving her body around after her pressure points had been unsealed. Then she turned her gaze towards Mok Riwon, still kneeling down.

 ‘How should I handle this…’

 Aside from the incomprehensibility of his conduct, the situation had taken a favorable turn for herself. While his nonsensical logic for abducting her was distasteful, she could not deny that she desired his strength.

 Hwa-seo pondered.

 How to best utilize Mok Riwon. And what would be the optimal response in this situation.

 ‘Judging by what he was spouting earlier, he’s a mountain boy in the outside martial arts world for the first time.’

 Seeing him talk about chivalry, common folk, and the seductress, he seemed to be a man with a laughably earnest passion for standing against unrighteousness.

 Moreover, his peculiar obsession with seduction arts only reinforced the belief that he was truly a young man, and his current apologetic behavior revealed that this man prioritized his conscience over pride.

 Hwa-seo thought of a rather useful way to make use of his traits that were being revealed one by one.

 ‘There’s one thing in common among such country bumpkins.’

 She smiled slyly, but quickly composed herself and adopted a neutral expression before speaking.

 “Please rise. Now that we both understand this was a mistake, I will not admonish you further.”

 Upon hearing her shift to a more polite tone, his head quickly shot up.

 “Really?!”

 “Yes. However…”

 “However?”

 “Because of you, I have been placed in a difficult position.”

 As she spoke, Hwa-seo intentionally made an annoyed expression. Meanwhile, a heavy look of guilt was visibly etched on Mok Riwon’s face.

 At the sight of his pitiful face, seemingly on the verge of tears, Hwa-seo momentarily thought, ‘I want to bully him a bit’, startling herself.

 ‘What am I…’

 She composed herself.

 “As I mentioned earlier, I have a strained relationship with the Unorthodox Path and Sun Society here in Suyang County as they have set their sights on my courtesan house. Therefore, I always keep elite guards around me for protection and to maintain my standing at the Pavilion.”

 “I-I see.”

 “Yet because of your mistake, I ended up here. With such a disturbance, word that I was abducted by a mysterious man has certainly reached the ears of the Sun Society by now. They will not let this chance slip by.”

 Mok Riwon gulped.

 ‘B-Because of me…!’

 An innocent woman would lose her livelihood because of him.

 Mok Riwon felt something eating him up inside.

 Observing his transparent display of emotions, Hwa-seo felt reassured that her scheme was unfolding as planned.

 “Please take responsibility,” Hwa-seo said.

 “While I am also a first rate master, from our brief battle, I could tell that your realm is in a much later stage than my own. If you want to be a hero, use that strength of yours to take responsibility for your mistake and please help me be rid of the Sun Society.”

 There it was, her true objective.

 Of course, Hwa-seo’s objectives extended beyond just that.

 In truth, she was capable of dealing with the Sun Society with her own skill had she so wished.

 However, she had chosen to avoid creating a disturbance, knowing that it would draw the attention of the clan that was on her trail.

 ‘But…’

 Up until now, things may not have been ideal, but wasn’t this an interesting turn of events?

 The kidnapped Lord of the Jade Flower Pavilion has returned unharmed and by her side is the very martial artist who abducted her.

 That man, declaring himself as her servant, then takes the lead in the eradication of the Sun Society.

 The seductress has bewitched yet another man.

 While it could be seen that way, Hwa-seo was unconcerned.

 To her, personal safety was more important than others’ opinions.

 Even more crucial were the lives of her subordinates who had fled with her.

 In other words, it was a much better option for rumors to circulate that the seductress had bewitched and was using Mok Riwon, rather than have it known that she was skilled in martial arts.

 Mok Riwon blinked rapidly, mulling over Hwa-seo’s words. Then, understanding their underlying intentions, his face brightened as he exclaimed aloud.

 “Thank you for your generosity! I’ll protect the Young Lady’s courtesan house!”

 Feeling relieved at Mok Riwon’s shout, Hwa-seo thought how truly fortunate she was and responded.

 “There’s no need. It is I who should be thanking you.”

 She couldn’t be happier that he had fallen for this so easily.

 With that in mind, Hwa-seo bowed her head, her hair flowing down like silk.

 Upon seeing this, Mok Riwon’s heart skipped a beat.

 “Let me introduce myself again. I am Yeonhwa, Lord of Jade Flower Pavilion.”

 She uttered a fake name.

 Mok Riwon kept repeating the name ‘Yunhwa’ in his mind as he quickly stood up and responded with a traditional palm fist salute.

 “I’m Mok Riwon! I don’t have a title yet!”

 With a bright smile and a faint flush on his face, Hwa-seo thought.

 ‘What a fool.’

 This man likely wouldn’t survive long in the martial world.

* * *

 The man and woman, each harboring their own motives, returned to Suyang County.

 Passing along the main road into the pleasure district, then into the Jade Flower Pavilion.

  –The seductress!

  –And that man beside her? Isn’t he the rumored kidnapper?

  –He’s been bewitched! Can’t you tell by the way he sticks to her side smiling like a fool? Even the greatest of men become helpless before the seductress…!

 Hearing all of the slander targeting Hwa-seo, Mok Riwon turned and looked at her.

 ‘She must hear everything.’

 As first rate master, she was undoubtedly capable of using qi detection and would be aware of their words. Nonetheless, Hwa-seo was walking indifferently with her gaze fixed straight ahead.

 ‘Is she not angry?’

 Even though he hadn’t known her for that long, the Hwa-seo that Mok Riwon knew was far from their rumors.

 She was no sinner, but someone who cherished her people and possessed a heart of gold.

 “Young Lady…”

 “Just follow me. We’ll talk once we’re back at the Pavilion.”

 She responded as if she already knew what Mok Riwon was going to say.

 He groaned with a troubled expression on his face before sighing and following her.

* * *

 On the highest floor of the Jade Flower Pavilion, Mok Riwon was bowing his head uneasily.

 There wasn’t any other reason.

 The piercing stares of the bodyguards, fixating immediately on him upon their return, were simply too oppressive.

 “I-I’m sorry about all this…”

 He apologized for the misunderstanding that had caused her harm. However, the one who responded was not the bodyguards, but Hwa-seo.

 “It’s fine. The misunderstanding has been resolved, and now that we find ourselves in a situation where we will be working together, it would be best not to harbor any unnecessary personal feelings toward each other. Do not worry.”

 As she spoke with a forced smile, it was evident to anyone that her expression was feigned. However, Mok Riwon saw it in a different light.

 “Young Lady…!”

 He was touched by her words, and became filled with admiration towards her.

 ‘How can she have such a big heart!’

 It felt like his heart wasn’t listening to him.

 Mok Riwon barely suppressed the urge to absentmindedly open his mouth and fawn over her before standing up suddenly and continuing in an energetic voice.

 “I understand! What should I do now? Should I go enforce righteousness and justice on those Sun Society villains right away?!”

 “Have a seat.”

 “Understood!”

 As Mok Riwon sat back down, Hwa-seo looked at him indifferently and said.

 “We will not make the first move. They will come to us first.”

 “Huh? Why? With the Young Lady returning after being kidnapped, won’t they lose all justification to take over this place?”

 “Justification can easily be fabricated. How can they recognize me as the rightful owner of the Jade Flower Pavilion when even under utmost protection, a kidnapping occurs? Pushing that claim will suffice, no?”

  Thud!

 Mok Riwon, slamming the floor with his fist, yelled loudly.

 “Ridiculous! How can they use such twisted justification?!”

 To Mok Riwon, there needed to be a just cause.

 Justification, to him, meant weighing each side’s grievances and conflicts fairly, under the principles of moral duty and interests.

 So, how could they twist it in such an absurd way?

 “The martial world operates in such a way.”

 Her words only served to further enrage him.

 “No it doesn’t! I guarantee! This shameless misuse of justification is only because they are the Unorthodox Path!”

 A martial artist must always value chivalry and righteousness above all else.

 Those who violated these principles were the Unorthodox Path.

 Mok Riwon, who firmly held and expressed this belief, had concluded that they must be eradicated, causing Hwa-seo to experience a throbbing sense of frustration.

 ‘Honestly, these country bumpkins…!’

 To explain in a way that made sense to someone living in a fantasy world required far too much effort, so she gave up.

 “I see, we will do as you say then.”

 Who had time to enlighten this fool?

 He just needed to properly carry out his role.

 “In any case, that is why we will remain silent. Making any preemptive attacks now will only lead to terrible rumors.”

 “I understand! Then what should we do until then?!”

 Mok Riwon asked with his fists clenched tightly.

 As she gazed at his eager expression, Hwa-seo pondered for some time before responding.

 “For now, just wait. If you’re bored, you could help out with some affairs at the courtesan house.”

 Mok Riwon tilted his head.

* * *

 It didn’t take Mok Riwon long to understand what taking care of the courtesan house’s affairs meant.

 “…What’s this?”

 “Clothes, of course.”

 On the highest floor of the Jade Flower Pavilion, Mok Riwon stared blankly at the pile of clothes laid out before him.

 They were blue clothes woven from fine silk, adorned with extravagant embroidery and shining gold decorations.

 Right, clothes.

 But why were they so luxurious?

 And why did he have to wear them?

 Utterly confused, Mok Riwon looked to Hwa-seo for answers.

 She just shrugged, responding casually.

 “Didn’t I tell you to help with the courtesan house affairs? I’m saying to entertain the guests.”

 “Entertain?”

 “A courtesan house doesn’t strictly need courtesans, no? If we aim to be the best, we must cater to all manner of clients. In fact, we do have a fair number of female patrons.”

 Hwa-seo thought.

 ‘Use everything you can to milk them dry.’

 His value as a martial artist went without saying.

 But ignoring that, from a manager’s view, that delicate, pretty-boy face was mouthwatering.

 He would surely prove a hit with the young ladies of distinguished families in Suyang County.

 ‘Modesty be damned.’

 Hwa-seo was well aware.

 None indulged in debauchery and spent as much money as those pampered ladies.

 A male pretty boy like him would surely run their pockets dry.

 “It won’t be difficult. Just pour a few drinks for the guests, then nod and smile when they speak.”

 Mok Riwon felt a surge of shame, his face flushing bright red.

 He desperately wanted to protest, but he couldn’t for one sole reason.

 The debt of gratitude he owed this woman, or rather… his pounding heart that kept robbing him of the courage to refuse whenever he so much as glimpsed at her.

 For whatever reason, he felt compelled to oblige to her every request.

 ‘What’s… happening to me?!’

 A righteous hero.

 The martial artist who strikes fear in the heart of evil.

  Shiverrr–

 His body trembled.

 Burying the sadness sinking deep in his mind, he nodded up and down.

 However, those who are forced to endure are bound to reach their limit eventually.

 “I said take it off, kyaaah–!”

 “Waaaah–!”

 The moment with his very first guest.

 Drunk out of his mind, Mok Riwon fled from the woman trying to ravish him, shrieking like a maiden as he went.

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