NOVEL WEB Chapter 21 - A Piece of Cake
Chapter 21: A Piece of Cake
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For a while, days of tranquility continued.
Byeok Taesan still visited the brothel every night, gradually healing his Severed Meridians Syndrome through the Soul Augmenting Demonic Art.
On the surface, his life appeared unchanged.
However, Byeok Taesan was quietly paying attention in his own way.
He planned to clean up all the factors scattered here and there that could disrupt his peaceful and quiet life.
Currently, there are two places connected to Byeok Taesan.
One was the Zhongli Clan, and the other was the Fragrant Flower House.
The Zhongli Clan had yet to make any visible moves, but it remained to be seen if they were truly staying still.
Meanwhile, the Fragrant Flower House was one of the entities tied to those who had directly attacked Byeok Taesan.
No, to be more precise, it was a link to those behind the attack.
That part was currently under thorough investigation.
The investigation was being carried out by the subordinates of the Heavenly Divine Healer.
And Byeok Taesan was reviewing the compiled information one by one.
After going through all the documents, Byeok Taesan casually tossed them onto the table and turned his gaze toward the Heavenly Divine Healer.
“Is this all?”
The tone of Byeok Taesan’s voice seemed displeased, causing the Heavenly Divine Healer to wear an aggrieved expression.
“Honestly, we didn’t have much time for the investigation. Information isn’t something you can just pick up off the ground like pebbles. Do you have any idea how much groundwork is involved in obtaining it?”
Byeok Taesan let out a faint chuckle.
“Do I need to know that?”
The Heavenly Divine Healer shut his mouth, at a loss for words.
He had a point.
Why would a superior need to concern themselves with such matters?
That was the responsibility of the subordinates doing the actual work.
Every time the Heavenly Divine Healer sat down to talk with Byeok Taesan like this, he felt an odd sense of unease due to the familiarity of the interaction.
Honestly, Byeok Taesan was just a young master of a wealthy merchant group, yet talking to him felt like engaging with an overwhelmingly superior figure.
“It seems you’ve gotten a bit too comfortable with this lifestyle.”
“Pardon? Wh-what do you mean by that…?”
The Heavenly Divine Healer’s eyes wavered with unease.
“I’m saying you’re acting like this because it’s too easy for you.”
“Easy? Absolutely not! Do you have any idea how much work I have to handle? Just treating those two people every day has my back on the verge of breaking. And creating the Golden Wound Medicine isn’t an easy task either. It feels like I’d need two bodies to keep up.”
“So, should I split your body in two for you?”
“Please, no! Don’t joke around so harshly. Whenever you say things like that… it brings back old memories that are hard to endure.”
“Really? Did you cause some trouble back in the day?”
“Trouble? Oh no, not at all! I may not look it, but I was recognized as a genius by everyone. When it came to medicine, no one could surpass me. People used to give me a thumbs up all the time. It’s just… Well, back then, it was a difficult and scary time for everyone, no matter how well or poorly you did.”
Byeok Taesan chuckled faintly.
He understood what the Heavenly Divine Healer meant all too well.
In the Demonic Cult, any new recruits were subjected to harsh training during their induction, to the point where it made one question if it was even permissible.
The memories of such training left people waking up in cold sweats in the middle of the night.
“Anyway, I hope you can understand my circumstances.”
Byeok Taesan smiled faintly at the Heavenly Divine Healer’s bold expression.
That smile made the Heavenly Divine Healer deeply uneasy. Smiles like that were always paired with unpleasant memories.
“Why do you need four subordinates just to treat those two? Wouldn’t you be able to handle it on your own?”
“…Excuse me?”
“If you reassigned those four to information gathering, I bet we’d already have the results I wanted. Am I wrong?”
The Heavenly Divine Healer’s eyes widened as he swallowed nervously.
He wanted to say that was incorrect, but he instinctively knew that he absolutely shouldn’t.
And, frankly, it wasn’t entirely wrong.
His subordinates always achieved optimal results when all twelve of them were mobilized at once.
As he pondered how to justify himself, the Heavenly Divine Healer glanced at Byeok Taesan.
But upon seeing the look in Byeok Taesan’s eyes, he abandoned any thoughts of arguing.
‘Damn it. He knows everything. He’s saying this knowing full well.’
The Heavenly Divine Healer hung his head and spoke in a defeated tone.
“I’ll do as you say.”
“Are your group the only ones gathering information?”
“…What?”
The Heavenly Divine Healer looked at Byeok Taesan with wide eyes, unable to hide his tension.
“I’m asking if there are others like you—those who’ve been cut off from the main organization.”
The Heavenly Divine Healer’s eyes wavered intensely.
Honestly, he couldn’t tell.
Byeok Taesan clearly knew a lot about the Demonic Cult, but during their conversations, it became apparent that he was unfamiliar with certain details that any member of the cult would naturally know.
‘No, that’s impossible.’
For a fleeting moment, someone came to mind, but he quickly dismissed the thought.
It was far too absurd to even consider.
“As far as I know, no. Or rather, to be honest, I’m not sure.”
Byeok Taesan nodded.
‘Well, they did say each group was managed separately, didn’t they?’
Normally, he wouldn’t have remembered such details, but during moments like this, surprisingly vivid memories resurfaced.
The Demonic Cult had dispatched numerous information-gathering groups throughout the land.
Each group operated under the guise of different professions, and the Heavenly Divine Healer was one such operative.
In addition to the Heavenly Divine Healer, he’d heard there were several other physicians operating similarly, though he didn’t know their identities.
Beyond that, the Demonic Cult also managed security bureaus and merchant groups.
By now, those individuals must have been quite on edge.
If nothing happened, they wouldn’t be at a disadvantage.
Since their affiliation with the Demonic Cult wasn’t exposed, they could continue living comfortably in their assumed identities.
But the current situation was far from normal.
Anything could happen at any time. If a large conflict arose, they wouldn’t know when or how they’d be dragged into it.
How could they not be anxious?
‘I should dig deeper into this memory.’
He hadn’t received detailed reports in the past, only vague summaries, so he lacked specific knowledge.
When he was the Heavenly Demon, such trivial matters weren’t necessary for him to know.
“Let’s wait and see for now.”
With that, Byeok Taesan waved dismissively.
The Heavenly Divine Healer cautiously bowed and left the room.
Left alone, Byeok Taesan quietly assessed his body.
It was in considerably better shape.
While it was still a pathetic body overall, the difference from when he first started was like night and day.
‘But there’s still a long way to go.’
At the very least, he needed to fully reconnect all his meridians.
To achieve that, he’d have to frequent the courtesan house even more and devote himself further to the Soul Augmenting Demonic Art.
With those plans in mind, he was about to calmly resume his cultivation when he sensed a presence approaching from a distance.
The approaching presence was unmistakably heading straight for him.
This meant it was someone seeking Byeok Taesan.
Although halting the Soul Augmenting Demonic Art mid-training neither nullified its effects nor posed any danger, it still left him feeling displeased.
Deciding it would be better to meet this person first, he postponed his training for now.
The person who approached was the general manager, bringing a piece of news.
“Did they say they wanted to meet me at Yeon Manor?”
“Yes, Young Master.”
The general manager answered carefully, all the while gauging Byeok Taesan’s mood.
For some reason, interacting with Byeok Taesan recently has become increasingly difficult.
Even when meeting the family head, Byeok Taesoo, it hadn’t been this uncomfortable.
“So they’re not coming here. They want me to go there instead?”
“Yes, Young Master. That is correct.”
“Do you know who’s currently at Yeon Manor?”
“Yes. I’ve heard someone from the Zhongli Clan is there.”
“I doubt anyone from the Zhongli Clan would greet me with, ‘Oh, what a pleasure to meet you.’ Am I wrong?”
“Which is why we’re considering inviting someone to protect you.”
“You’re quite eager to protect me, huh.”
Byeok Taesan smirked faintly.
“And who is it this time?”
“We haven’t finalized anyone yet, but we’re doing our utmost to persuade a good candidate. I believe the results will be promising.”
The general manager hesitated briefly before continuing.
“We’re attempting to secure the services of Gyeong Chuhwang, the Lightning Blade.”
“The Lightning Blade?”
Byeok Taesan tilted his head slightly.
The name didn’t ring a bell.
For Byeok Taesan to remember a name, the individual in question would have to be exceptionally remarkable.
After all, how many people in the martial world could the Heavenly Demon deem worth remembering?
“He’s quite well-known. With someone of his caliber, even the Zhongli Clan would think twice before making a move.”
The reason they were seeking Gyeong Chuhwang, the Lightning Blade, was simple—he was a man who could be swayed by money.
“We’re also in negotiations with Gyo Ryeongdo.”
Gyo Ryeongdo, too, was someone of similar renown to the Lightning Blade.
“Honestly, I’d like to hire both of them. But at the very least, we’ll ensure that one of them is brought on board.”
Byeok Taesan frowned slightly.
“There’s no need.”
However, the general manager remained adamant.
“There is a need. You must not underestimate the Zhongli Clan.”
“I know they’re a bunch of underhanded cowards, but even so, I don’t need them.”
The mention of “underhanded cowards” made the steward’s face turn pale.
“P-please, you shouldn’t say such things lightly. If those words were to reach their ears, it could spell disaster.”
“Anyway, I already have two bodyguards, so I don’t need some strangers whose names I don’t even know.”
“Their names might be unfamiliar to you, but they’re quite renowned.”
Seeing that the general manager had no intention of backing down, Byeok Taesan eventually nodded.
“Fine, do as you please. But keep in mind—I won’t tolerate them acting arrogant in front of me.”
“They wouldn’t dare. Considering how much they’re being paid, they always deliver their worth. The real challenge is whether they’ll accept the offer or not; everything afterward should be fine.”
After confidently asserting this, the steward cautiously added,
“That is, as long as the Young Master doesn’t provoke them first.”
Byeok Taesan smirked.
“What reason would I have to provoke anyone? I don’t make it a habit to pick fights with insignificant people. Unless, of course, they’re a Murim Alliance elder or something.”
“Hahaha! You’ve got quite the bold spirit, Young Master. It’s been a while since I’ve had such a good laugh. Hahaha!”
The general manager interpreted Byeok Taesan’s words as an exaggerated joke.
“Come to think of it, this reminds me of something you used to say when you were much younger, Young Master.”
“When I was younger?”
“Yes. Don’t you remember?”
“Of course not.”
How could he?
That wasn’t even him back then.
Byeok Taesan looked at the steward with a curious expression.
“Back then, you used to say you’d capture the Heavenly Demon when you grew up. Hahaha. You were so adorable back then.”
Byeok Taesan’s expression instantly hardened.
“Who… said they’d capture who?”
“It seems you truly don’t remember. Well, it’s no surprise—you were only four years old at the time.”
“A four-year-old dared to say that?”
“Hahaha. Well, you were just a child. After that, your health declined, so I didn’t hear such bold words from you again. But I believe you’ll soon regain the vigor you had back then. Just look at how much better you’ve gotten already.”
“Well…”
“I’m certain you’ll continue to improve. You’ve experienced the Heavenly Divine Healer’s skills firsthand, and we’re actively searching for even more exceptional physicians. So don’t lose hope.”
“Alright, alright. Stop repeating the obvious.”
“Hahaha. Understood. I’ll take my leave now.”
After the steward bowed and left, Byeok Taesan sat alone, tapping the table with his fingers, a strange expression on his face.
‘A cheeky little brat dared to say they’d capture me?’
He let out a faint chuckle.
For some reason, it felt oddly amusing.
‘Well, what does it matter now? That’s all in the past.’
What mattered now was dealing with the challenges ahead.
The Zhongli Clan had stationed a total of twenty people at Yeon Manor.
Of those, twelve were martial artists.
Byeok Taesan already knew more detailed information than the steward did.
It had been part of the report the Heavenly Divine Healer had delivered earlier that day.
A faint smile crept onto Byeok Taesan’s lips.
“The Zhongli Clan… they’re just a piece of cake.”