11 - The Heaven-Slaying Sword

## Chapter 11: The Village Chief - Emerging in the Martial World, and the Enchantress (5) * * * The top floor of the Gyeonghwaru Pavilion. Tang Hwaseo gazed at Mok Liwon, who was kneeling meekly before her. His appearance was indeed in disarray. The blue silk robe she had given him was half-off, stained with something resembling condiments, and his hair was sticking out everywhere, reminiscent of a bird's nest. Moreover, there was a scratch on his neck, as if clawed by nails. Yet, despite all this, the thought that his somewhat pretty and pitiful looks were amusing was the first to come to mind. Tang Hwaseo sighed deeply and began to speak, feeling a headache loom. "Let me ask you this first. Why did you run away?" "...The young lady attempted to ravish me." "With your martial prowess, surely you could have fended her off." "How could I use martial arts on an ordinary citizen? Besides, seeing as she was drunk, I thought it inappropriate to lay hands on her." He spoke his mind despite casting furtive glances. Tang Hwaseo found the sincerity amusing and continued her questioning. "If you were so considerate of the ordinary, why not simply let it be?" "W-what are you saying...? How could I possibly share intimacy with someone I do not love! I'm not such a scoundrel!" Tang Hwaseo shut her mouth firmly. 'Then is being caught by a temptress alright?' How absurd that he smiles at the thought of falling victim to a temptress, yet refuses to engage with a woman who openly shows interest in him. Tang Hwaseo struggled to suppress the sudden question that popped into her mind. "Fine, let's leave it at that." She decided not to waste words, knowing that continuing the conversation would be fruitless, and having not expected such matters in the first place. Mok Liwon flinched at Tang Hwaseo's cutting off of words, then replied. "I'm sorry... I troubled you with the task you entrusted to me." "It's fine. It couldn't be helped." "But will it not harm the business...?" "Absolutely not. Would the rumors of a noble daughter attempting to ravish a man at a pleasure house while inebriated be left unchecked? They'll handle the rumors on their end before we even make a move." This was the main reason Tang Hwaseo had no worries about today's events. The person Mok Liwon was entertaining was the daughter of a prestigious family in Su Yang-hyun. In other words, she's a commodity to be married into the right kind of market. Families of such stature wouldn't wish for unnecessary blemishes on their commodities, so Tang Hwaseo was assured that they would ensure discretion without her needing to worry. "Still, it would be unfitting to leave such an affair without any consequence." "P-punishment, you say?" "While the safety of the house remains intact, one might say we have lost a significant patron. Think about it. Would you want to return to a place where you were embarrassed?" Mok Liwon's mouth hung open in realization. "Ah...!" "That guest will probably avoid returning out of shame, you see. To think they were practically responsible for over 80% of our daily revenue on each visit." Cold sweat trickled down Mok Liwon's entire body. Tang Hwaseo, noticing this reaction, was confident her intentions were being well received. 'It's best to keep the debt large.' Such innocence made exploiting him exceedingly easy. "So, are you prepared?" "Th-that is...." Tang Hwaseo gave a sly smile. Mok Liwon's pupils trembled as if struck by an earthquake. Even while realizing just how serious the situation had turned, Mok Liwon thought. ‘Ah, she's beautiful...!’ He found Tang Hwaseo beautiful, even with her sly smile. * Despite the intimidation with talk of punishment, what Mok Liwon actually had to do turned out to be something he found not difficult at all. "Will this suffice?" "Yes, it will." The top floor of the Gyeonghwaru Pavilion. Mok Liwon, now wearing his original gray martial arts uniform, was no longer in the tattered silk robes. Tang Hwaseo glanced at Mok Liwon, now back to his martial self, then returned her gaze to the book she was reading. "We have guards positioned, but having more measures is always good. In case the Ilyun Society seeks aid from external experts, stay by my side." "But...." "What is it?" Mok Liwon hesitated, chewing over his words. 'This feels more like a reward than punishment....' Being instructed to stay close to someone of her stature felt more like a privilege than a penalty, leaving him with a pricking sense of guilt. Caught between discomfort and his conscience, Mok Liwon fidgeted. Tang Hwaseo, observing his unease, sighed deeply. "The task of guarding won't be easy." "Uh?" "Those who create disturbances to see me will come directly. If the Ilyun Society brought in experts, they'd surely mingle among them and come here. It's your task to discern the martial artists amidst the chaos, so you must be alert." "Who are these troublemakers...?" "There are plenty. Outsiders curious to see the 'Enchantress,' merchants from the streets, or guests dissatisfied with the hospitality of the house." Mok Liwon examined Tang Hwaseo’s face once more and murmured. "...I suppose that's true." Though new to the world, Mok Liwon was certain she was an unparalleled beauty not easily encountered. After all, if the world was populated with people who made minds go blank simply by looking at them, wouldn't it be filled with fools instead of heroic warriors? In Mok Liwon's world, there were far more heroes than fools, supporting the fact that Tang Hwaseo was indeed a beauty. "I understand." With a resolute expression, Mok Liwon nodded. And then he asked. "Should I start now?" "Once the unruly guests arrive. Isn't that what I said?" Mok Liwon settled into his seat. "Understood." With the air of an obedient puppy, he watched her with sparkling eyes, stirring a growing sense of unease in Tang Hwaseo. '...Will this be alright?' Maybe it would have been better to train him further and send him out as an attendant. Regret began to set in belatedly. * Three more days passed. During this time, Mok Liwon dedicated every moment, save for when he was sleeping or training, to staying close to Tang Hwaseo, observing her. --- **Notes on Translation:** 1. **Gyeonghwaru (경화루)**: This is transliterated as "Gyeonghwaru Pavilion". "Gyeonghwaru" is a proper noun, likely a symbolic building or pavilion in the story, maintaining its original flavor. 2. **Su Yang-hyun (수양현)**: "Su Yang-hyun" refers to a specific location or administrative region within the story's world. This is left in its original form as it represents a fictional location without a real-world equivalent. 3. **Ilyun Society (일륜회)**: Translated as "Ilyun Society", keeping it as a name for an organization, reflecting its likely intent and identity in the storyline. 4. **Pun Joke**: The original text contains a joke around “색공 (temptress)” and “정 (intimacy)”, which are both related to concepts of sexuality or relationships. The humor arises from the contrast in Liwon’s reaction to being taken by the "temptress" and his moral stance against sharing intimacy. In his time spent with her, Mok Liwon had come to a conclusion about Tang Hwaseo: she was so remarkable that it wouldn’t be out of place to call her a great person, even among the general populace. ‘Miss Yeonhwa is truly kind-hearted!’ Her days were filled with activity. Operating the pavilion from late afternoon until just before dawn, she never ceased working until her employees completed their tasks. She efficiently handled various letters filled with confusing characters, issuing commands precisely when needed. Concerned about her subordinates' struggles, she would undertake the difficult tasks herself. Even her meals were taken only in snatched moments amidst her work, yet she generously allowed her staff ample time for their meals. Thus, Mok Liwon couldn't think of a more fitting word than "great person" to describe her. Mok Liwon's eyes shone with admiration. While immersed in her administrative duties, Tang Hwaseo noticed the penetrating gaze and turned toward Mok Liwon. "What is it?" "I was thinking that Miss Yeonhwa is an extraordinary person indeed!" "Suddenly?” She furrowed her brows, prompting Mok Liwon to continue speaking, mostly offering praises for her. Despite feeling that he was putting on a bold face, just seeing Mok Liwon smiling there made Tang Hwaseo feel unexpectedly embarrassed. She couldn’t perceive it as mere flattery. After spending several days with him, Tang Hwaseo realized that Mok Liwon wasn’t someone who could lie. “Enough…!” When a flushed Tang Hwaseo told him so, Mok Liwon finally ceased his words. Tang Hwaseo exhaled deeply, trying to dispel the warmth from her body. ‘What kind of person is this…?’ Though she wanted to vent out loud, it wasn’t easy. Of course, it was because of his face. Despite his actions being utterly frustrating, his handsome appearance prevented any harsh words from escaping her mouth. For nearly three days, Tang Hwaseo came to understand how significant a well-groomed face was in cooling one's temper. "If you have nothing to do, perhaps meditate or read a book." Her remark was a result of being too distracted by his gaze to concentrate on her work. Mok Liwon let out an “Ah!” and then asked, “May I read a book?” “As long as nothing urgent comes up, do what you wish. Just remain at your post.” Could it be he enjoys books? With those thoughts, Tang Hwaseo observed Mok Liwon. As soon as he received permission, he pulled out a book from his clothes. “…The Chronicles of Great Heroes?” “Oh! You know of it, Miss?” Tang Hwaseo nodded. After all, ‘The Chronicles of Great Heroes’ was quite famous in the world of Murim. “It’s pretty popular among the children of prominent families.” Though, once they begin to mature, they start seeing the book as fanciful and distance themselves from it. She withheld this last part. Mok Liwon beamed and responded, “Indeed! I think it’s a book worthy of its popularity! Even after rereading it for over ten years, it continues to amaze me!” “…That book, you say?” “It’s the one and only book in my life!” A book that’s one of a kind would surely mean exactly what it implies. Tang Hwaseo felt a late realization dawning upon her. ‘They say one who reads just a single book is more dangerous than one who doesn’t read at all—it seems ancient words of wisdom are never wrong.’ It was instant clarity on why Mok Liwon’s ignorant and slightly frustrating character was as it was. Observing Mok Liwon as he eagerly delved into The Chronicles of Great Heroes, Tang Hwaseo shook her head. ‘He surely won’t live long.’ Being so naive, she worried he might die prematurely somewhere. Subconsciously, such concerns began surfacing. Tang Hwaseo was unaware of the exact moment she started worrying about his ignorance instead of mocking it. * Two more days passed, and finally, the moment for Mok Liwon to act arrived. “Bring the pavilion owner hereeee!” The shout of a drunken man resounded across the entire five-story building. Tang Hwaseo looked up at the sound. “It seems what we’ve been waiting for has arrived.” “Shall I go out?” "Wait a bit longer." Tang Hwaseo closed the book she’d been reading and stood up. At her side, So Hyang, a close aide who had appeared unnoticed, knelt before her. “They’ve come in a group. Seven-tenths are drunkards, and the remaining three-tenths are made up of street vendors caught in the uproar.” “They must see me as a local pushover. What makes them think I’d simply comply?” She had already discerned the Ilyun Society’s methods. Their first step was doubling protection fees, fanning merchants' resentment, and turning it toward her to narrow her standing. And if she wouldn’t back down, the second step would be resorting to force for submission. ‘As long as they don’t involve the clan.’ That was the reason she had restrained herself until now. She needed to appear as just a greedy pavilion owner unaware of martial arts, an inconsequential drifter. But that ends now. For she now had a remarkably satisfying sword at her side. Tang Hwaseo turned her gaze to Mok Liwon. “Find the martial artist. The expert they’ve hired is probably just at the edge of a first-rate level. Someone of your caliber and a few of my guards should be able to handle them.” Once the Ilyun Society was dealt with, her identity could be completely cleansed. With such thoughts, she gave her instructions, to which Mok Liwon, having been meditating with his eyes closed, replied. “It’s a Peak realm.” Stiffened silence. Tang Hwaseo’s body froze. Her eyes widened significantly. “…What?” A bewildered question. Mok Liwon, exuding an unprecedented eerie aura, repeated, “There’s a martial artist in the Peak realm down there.” --- **Notes on Translation:** 1. **Yeonhwa (연화)**: Translated as "Yeonhwa", akin to a nickname or informal address for Tang Hwaseo. It preserves her familiarity and provides a personalized touch in dialogue. 2. **Small Villain (소악)**: "소악" used as "small or insignificant drifter" in the context, indicating someone who seems unimportant or minor, possibly underestimated. This translation captures the concept of someone seen as inconsequential or beneath notice. 3. **Ilyun Society (일륜회)**: Retained, as before, as a group name integral to the plot. 4. **The Chronicles of Great Heroes (강호협객전)**: Translated as a fictional book within the story, indicating legendary tales and concepts within the martial world, suggesting Mok Liwon’s attachment to idealized notions of heroism. 5. **Peak realm in Han character (절정)**: Indicates the level of martial proficiency mentioned, providing emphasis on the unexpectedly high level Mok Liwon detected.