The Heavenly Demon Wants a Quiet Life

Chapter 122 < I Will Observe For Now >

"Uh? It's the Young Master!"

Soso's eyes sparkled as she spotted Byeok Taesan passing by in the distance.

Though she saw him every day, seeing him always lifted her spirits.

However, today, Byeok Taesan's expression seemed slightly different from usual.

"He seems unusually excited, doesn't he?"

At Soso's muttering, Dan Yeong, who was standing beside her, asked,

"Excited?"

"Yes. What do you think, Sister?"

Dan Yeong observed Byeok Taesan closely and tilted her head in slight confusion.

"Well, maybe. He kind of does seem like it······."

"And he also seems a bit impatient."

"That's true······."

That much was evident to Dan Yeong as well.

Lately, Byeok Taesan had exuded a restless air.

"Well, it makes sense. He's already been staying here for ten days now."

"I heard he'll have to stay at least another five days······ It must be tough for him."

Dan Yeong glanced at Soso with a playful smile.

"Then why don't you go comfort him, Soso?"

"M-me? H-how could I?"

"I don't know. How would you comfort him?"

Soso's face flushed red. Dan Yeong found her adorable and suddenly pulled her into a hug.

She pinched Soso's cheeks playfully.

"Ah, Sister. Stop it. My face will get squished!"

"Oh? It’s Young Lady Cho."

While teasing Soso, Dan Yeong spotted Cho Seoran walking by and brightened up.

Cho Seoran's gaze was fixed firmly on Byeok Taesan.

Meanwhile, Soso gently grabbed Dan Yeong's hands, which were still holding her cheeks, and pulled them away.

"Something definitely happened. Right?"

At those words, Soso's eyes widened as she glanced back and forth between Dan Yeong and Cho Seoran.

"W-well······."

"Doesn't Young Lady Cho seem to have become prettier lately?"

"T-that’s true, but······."

That was the clearest evidence of something happening.

Everyone who spent the night with Byeok Taesan ended up looking noticeably more beautiful. Soso couldn’t deny it, as she herself had experienced it firsthand.

Dan Yeong nodded as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

"That’s just what happens when you spend time with our Young Master."

Soso looked at Dan Yeong with an awkward expression.

‘That’s because Sister always sees things from the Young Master’s perspective.’

She liked Byeok Taesan too, but she couldn’t be entirely like Dan Yeong, who thought only of him.

Sometimes, watching Dan Yeong or Chae Wol, or even the other attendants who centered their lives around Byeok Taesan, felt a bit unnerving.

‘Well, I guess it’s because they all like our Young Master so much······.’

Soso turned her gaze back to Cho Seoran, who was watching Byeok Taesan from a distance.

‘Will she become like that too?’

After staring at Byeok Taesan for a while, Cho Seoran sighed deeply and turned away.

Seeing this, Dan Yeong grabbed Soso's hand.

"Let’s go now. It’s about time to prepare the meal."

"Yes, Sister."

As Dan Yeong led her away, Soso kept glancing back at Cho Seoran.

The Heavenly Divine Healer and the Needle Master watched as Cho Seoran skillfully treated her patients, nodding in approval.

Recently, Cho Seoran’s skills have improved dramatically.

"As expected of our Young Master," the Heavenly Divine Healer remarked with a broad nod.

Cho Seoran was currently treating Cheon Kyungwan and Yoo Seoyeon.

Lately, their training sessions had grown incredibly intense, often leaving them with severe injuries by the end.

Initially, the Heavenly Divine Healer and the Needle Master had treated the two, but Cho Seoran had gradually taken over their care.

Her skills, which had previously leaned toward pharmaceuticals, were now expanding into other areas.

At this rate, with a few years of consistent progress, she might one day rival the Heavenly Divine Healer or the Needle Master.

After finishing their treatment, Cheon Kyungwan and Yoo Seoyeon left, and the Needle Master approached Cho Seoran.

"Do you have something weighing on your mind these days?"

Cho Seoran weakly shook her head.

"No, it’s just······."

"Just what?"

"I’m just a bit worried."

"About what?"

"About the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion. I feel like I’ve been neglecting it too much while I’ve been here."

Hearing this, the Needle Master exchanged a glance with the Heavenly Divine Healer.

"Why are you looking at me? What do you want to talk about this time?"

"Did you hear anything?"

The Heavenly Divine Healer asked because it was well-known that he often handled information collection as part of his responsibilities.

Even recently, the Heavenly Divine Healer frequently visited Hwaryeong to exchange opinions and analyze information regarding events unfolding in Yichang or Wuhan.

While the Needle Master dedicated himself solely to medicine and martial arts, the Heavenly Divine Healer focused on both medicine and intelligence.

"Well... it's not like I haven't heard anything at all..."

The Needle Master and Cho Seoran both fixed their sparkling eyes on the Heavenly Divine Healer.

"I heard that the situation at the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion has become more difficult."

"What? Is that true?"

Cho Seoran’s eyes grew wide as lanterns.

"That can’t be true..."

She had left the Heavenly Medicine Pavillion only a few months ago.

How could such problems arise in that short time?

Moreover, they were supposed to receive support from the Murim Alliance.

"Where did you hear that?"

"Where else? The Hao Clan has been diligently gathering information about them, so that’s how I know."

"Why is the Hao Clan collecting information on the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion?"

"Why else? Because the Young Master ordered it."

"Why would the Young Master do that?"

She had heard that the Hao Clan was under Byeok Taesan’s command, so it made sense to believe they were following his orders.

But why would he specifically gather information about the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion?

"Because it seemed strange."

"Strange?"

"The cooperation structure between the Murim Alliance and the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion seems inherently disadvantageous to the latter. Is that correct?"

Cho Seoran nodded.

"Yes, for now, we’re in a position where we’re receiving their help. But the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion has the capability to recover quickly. Once we overcome the initial difficulties..."

The Heavenly Divine Healer shook his head.

"I heard that the financial situation is continuing to deteriorate."

"How could that be...!"

The Heavenly Divine Healer stared intently at Cho Seoran and asked,

"Is there any particular reason why the Heavenly Medicine Pavillion must remain in Kaifeng?"

"Pardon? What do you mean by that?"

"How about relocating the Heavenly Medicine Pavillion to Wuhan?"

Cho Seoran’s expression hardened.

"I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that."

The Heavenly Divine Healer nodded.

"I was only suggesting it as a possible solution. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make."

Cho Seoran suddenly wondered why the Heavenly Divine Healer was going to such lengths.

As if reading her thoughts, he said,

"Are you aware that there are those targeting the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion?"

"I wasn’t certain, but I did feel something was off."

It wasn’t common for a place like the Heavenly Medicine Pavillion to have its financial flow disrupted. If it persisted, there was a high likelihood that someone was meddling deliberately.

"It seems the Hao Clan investigated that aspect. They found many artificial traces."

Cho Seoran’s eyes sparked with intensity.

"So, someone has been intentionally trying to bring down the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion?"

As she spoke, a realization seemed to dawn on her, and her eyes widened.

"If that’s the case, aligning ourselves with the Murim Alliance may have been a fatal mistake!"

"As time goes on, your debt to the Murim Alliance will only increase. The financial flow will remain disrupted."

"So that’s..."

"Exactly. In situations like this, sometimes it’s better to cut your losses and start over."

"But to do that, the financial situation..."

The Heavenly Divine Healer spoke in a calm voice.

"Our Young Master is a wealthy man."

Even without utilizing the Golden Wall Merchants’ resources, that was true.

Byeok Taesan had amassed considerable wealth from various incidents, and the Hao Clan had also secured a substantial amount of funds.

If he wished, he could access the Hao Clan’s resources at any time.

Additionally, the partnership between the Golden Wall Merchants and the Hubei Martial Alliance guaranteed him a share of their profits.

In such circumstances, resolving the Heavenly Medicine Pavillion’s debts and assisting in its relocation was a trivial matter.

"I’ll consider it more carefully."

"Don’t just think about it. Discuss it with others. You could even call key decision-makers from the Heavenly Medicine Pavillion to Wuhan to aid the decision-making process."

Cho Seoran nodded with a heavy expression.

Initially, she had come here simply to track the Poison Demon’s traces and assess Byeok Taesan’s condition.

But now, the situation had grown more complicated.

Not that she regretted it. Had she not come here, the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion might have faced real disaster.

In any case, having advanced information and a potential solution in hand was reassuring.

Cho Seoran bowed deeply.

"I’ll take my leave early today to rest. My apologies."

The Heavenly Divine Healer and Needle Master both waved her off dismissively.

"Go inside and get some rest."

"Think it over carefully."

•••••••

Late at night, in Byeok Taesan's room, the Heavenly Divine Healer and Hwaryeong were seated together. Naturally, Byeok Taesan was there as well.

Hwaryeong was the first to speak.

"Bang Durip, the Captain of the Heaven Sword Corps under the Murim Alliance, was at the center of it."

"The Heaven Sword Corps Captain? Heaven Sword Corps is just a bunch of swordsmen. Why are they interested in the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion?"

The Heavenly Divine Healer tilted his head in confusion as he asked. Hwaryeong calmly replied.

"Bang Durip isn’t the one targeting the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion. He’s only playing the role of creating the situation."

"Then someone else plans to take over the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion? Who?"

"The Golden Moon Merchants."

The Heavenly Divine Healer nodded. It made sense.

The Golden Moon Merchants had the capability to disrupt the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion's financial flow and recruit allies within the Murim Alliance.

Byeok Taesan, who had been listening quietly, asked,

"This Bang Durip—was he simply recruited, or is he affiliated with the Golden Moon Merchants from the start?"

"We’re still investigating that. However, considering the circumstances, it seems their relationship runs deeper than mere recruitment."

"And the measures taken?"

In response to Byeok Taesan’s question, Hwaryeong bowed her head slightly as she answered.

"We’ve shifted the debts of the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion to the Hao Clan. Additionally, we’re gradually guiding them to sever ties with the Murim Alliance."

Throughout this process, the Hao Clan's involvement remained entirely concealed.

It was during these maneuvers that the involvement of the Golden Moon Merchants was uncovered.

They obstructed the operations so persistently that the Hao Clan’s presence was nearly exposed.

"So, will the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion now owe debts solely to the Hao Clan?"

"Yes. All losses incurred from dealings between the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion and the Murim Alliance will now accumulate as debts to the Hao Clan."

This was why they were steering the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion to disengage from the Murim Alliance.

Even for the Hao Clan, the snowballing losses from such an arrangement could become unsustainable.

Byeok Taesan turned his gaze to the Heavenly Divine Healer, who spoke confidently.

"Who am I, if not the unrivaled master of persuasion? I had a good talk with them today, so they’ll make a favorable decision soon."

Having said this, the Heavenly Divine Healer cautiously asked,

"But, Young Master, is there a particular reason you wish to relocate the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion to Wuhan? Kaifeng isn’t a bad location either. With the Murim Alliance nearby in Zhengzhou, there could be opportunities to use it strategically in the future."

"The physicians of the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion are exceptionally skilled."

"Pardon? Physicians? Young Master, why do you say such things to sadden me? When it comes to physicians, isn’t it the Heavenly Divine Healer who reigns supreme?"

Byeok Taesan stared at him silently before speaking.

"Then why don’t you come to my room tonight? I could use an excellent physician right now."

The Heavenly Divine Healer immediately adjusted his expression.

"The physicians of the Heavenly Medicine Pavilion are reputed to be exceptional! Of course, to serve by the Young Master’s side, such skills and renown are only natural. Absolutely."

Grinning awkwardly, he continued.

"If that’s the case, you should have told me earlier. I’ll be much more proactive in persuading Seoran from now on. Should I go speak with her before she sleeps?"

Byeok Taesan smirked.

"Never mind. Just pull up the list of Heaven Guard Corps members near Yichang. I’ll need to meet them soon."

The Heavenly Divine Healer's eyes sparkled.

"I’ll have it ready immediately!"

It took a total of 25 days to analyze and dismantle the formation within the estate.

As time dragged on, Seung Doheung became increasingly anxious and unstable, to the point where it seemed he might lose his sanity.

Nevertheless, he completed the task excellently and reported to Byeok Taesan without delay.

"Young Master, it’s finished."

Byeok Taesan observed him quietly before asking,

"Have your skills improved?"

"Yes, they have."

Seung Doheung responded confidently. Byeok Taesan then asked another question.

"Have you surpassed the Phantom Demon?"

Seung Doheung froze, speechless.

Why was the Phantom Demon being mentioned here? How could he possibly surpass someone like that?

But he couldn’t easily deny it outright.

Byeok Taesan stared at Seung Doheung for a moment before turning away.

"I will observe for now."

Leaving those words behind, Byeok Taesan walked off, his figure growing distant.

Seung Doheung stared blankly at his retreating back, his thoughts tangled.

"‘Observe’? Does that mean he’s letting me off for now? Planning to kill me later? Or expecting better performance in the future?"

Countless thoughts swirled in his mind.

Regardless, that marked the final day in Yichang.

Byeok Taesan’s group, having completed a longer-than-expected schedule, began their journey back to Wuhan.

•••|•

Zhengzhou- Capital of Henan Province.

Kaifeng - Historical City.