“Ha, you’re going to the Hahomun Association, huh?”
Early morning. Im Ha-yeon informed Miss Zhuge of her long absence.
“It’ll take years. Before I go, I’ll monopolize him for just a few more days. I’m really sorry.”
Ha-yeon bent at the waist and pleaded with Miss Zhuge, feeling guilty for monopolizing me even after the affairs with the sect.
“Okay. I don’t mind that. Ah, um, then….”
Miss Zhuge approached Ha-yeon and whispered something.
“No, no! That’s not it! Anyway, that’s not what I meant!”
Why the panic? As soon as she heard Miss Zhuge, Ha-yeon jumped up and shot me a sidelong glance with a bright red face.
“What’s going on?”
“Sis, we have that thing, right? Don’t we?”
Miss Zhuge asked Ha-yeon, who was flustered, as if confirming something.
“Oh, I know.”
Ha-yeon lowered her head with a look like a guilty sinner.
“Ugh. It doesn’t seem like that, though.”
Miss Zhuge looked at us with a very uneasy expression, alternating her gaze.
“Don’t worry! I’ll be back!”
What’s going on? Before I could ask, Ha-yeon grabbed my hand and led me outside.
“What did you say?”
“Uh! You don’t need to know!”
Suspicious.
—-
“They say this place is delicious. You have to wait in line.”
“Do we really need to queue?”
“It’s not boring if I’m standing with you!”
“…….”
That expression is unfair.
Throwing all worries away, we went restaurant-hopping, visiting scenic spots, joyfully holding hands in crowded areas.
Not hiding or worrying about each other’s true feelings, strolling around as lovers was unexpectedly much more fun than I imagined.
“Ugh.”
“Are you hurt?”
While I was clutching my stomach as we headed toward the next destination in a carriage, Ha-yeon looked at me with concern.
“It’s nothing. I just overdid it a bit drinking with my father-in-law last night.”
I asked for an honest confession, and when she confessed, I thought I was going to be assassinated by alcohol.
“Then let’s call it a day.”
“Are you okay?”
Time was running out. I asked Ha-yeon, surprised.
“I’m fine. Just drop me off at the Wuhan Courtesan House on the way.”
“To the Courtesan House? What’s going on?”
“I have some business there. I also want to learn something. Anyway, it might take some time. You go ahead.”
“I also have something to see Master of Arcane Fragrance, so let’s go together.”
——
“You want to take a few sharp kids to train in the Nine Black Qi Hands?”
“Yes. Even if I’m away, he still needs to run his food delivery business.”
Ha-yeon met with Master of Arcane Fragrance and brought up an unexpected topic.
Originally, Nine Black Qi Hands was a skill used by The Shadowless Thief to smuggle information or transport items of manageable size. If Ha-yeon disappears, the business is bound to face great trouble.
“Were you mainly concerned because of the Nine Black Qi Hands? Can’t we use the people from the sect or the Joseon Personal Association?”
“I think so too.”
Master of Arcane Fragrance nodded.
Maybe it’s difficult to divulge The Shadowless Thief’s secrets to thieves or outsiders. Ha-yeon glanced at us two, as though choosing her words carefully, and finally spoke.
“I heard that besides the courtesans who died in the attack, there are those who were severely injured.”
“Some of those injured will either limp for life or suffer significant injuries that prevent them from performing their duties.”
“Courtesans who can no longer fulfill their duties don’t end up well. I will save their miracles.”
“Those kids?”
Master of Arcane Fragrance looked at Ha-yeon with a surprised expression.
Courtesans mainly fall into two categories: the elegant courtesans selling skills and the red-light courtesans selling their bodies. If a courtesan can no longer work in her original role, she might become a mistress of a wealthy family if lucky, or end up in the red-light district or discarded.
“If I select sharp-minded kids, it will not only benefit the Nine Black Qi Hands but also help his business when I’m gone. When I return, I can have them as my close aides.”
Is she planning to clean up the aftermath of the sect incident as a master? If she uses courtesans who would have normally been discarded, their loyalty would likely be high. It indeed seems like a good idea.
“Phew.”
Master of Arcane Fragrance exhaled deeply, appearing contemplative regarding Ha-yeon’s words.
“I can provide money. I have some assets as your master after all. Is it impossible…?”
Ha-yeon trailed off, posing her question.
The elegant courtesans are like carefully selected idols from the sect since childhood.
Even if they are injured, they are still idols of your agency. They can no longer work as idols, so they’ll be brought in as employees of our company. That’s not a decision an agency president can easily make.
“I don’t need any money. Master.”
Master of Arcane Fragrance set down her pipe and knelt before Ha-yeon.
“Master of Arcane Fragrance?”
“Thank you for your kindness as your master. Your thoughtfulness in considering even the courtesans who lost their way will be a great asset for Hahomun in the future.”
“I’m just doing my part. Please rise.”
“I will call the person in charge, so you may choose whichever child catches your eye.”
As Master of Arcane Fragrance gestured towards the door, a figure who looked like an executive appeared.
“You can leave once your business is done. I’ll take my time and leave later.”
Ha-yeon greeted me and then went off with the executive to visit the injured courtesans.
—–
“Good child.”
Master of Arcane Fragrance gazed happily in the direction Ha-yeon had disappeared.
“I know.”
“She will make a great wife and a splendid mother. She has achieved mastery as a martial artist and would have succeeded me had she become a courtesan.”
“She will surely be a prominent focal point for Hahomun as both master and disciple of the sect.”
“Looks like you’ve exchanged all the necessary talks.”
With a sympathetic expression, Master of Arcane Fragrance spoke to me.
“You couldn’t hide your expression.”
“You must be heartbroken.”
“I’m merely stepping away for a bit to solve a troublesome issue. She’ll be coming back to sit by me, so how could I be heartbroken?”
I shrugged my shoulders as if nothing were wrong.
“……You’re quite the man.”
Master of Arcane Fragrance smiled slyly, looking pleased as she brought the pipe to her lips.
“To be honest, I’m feeling quite burnt out.”
I held my stomach as if I had just been acting, squinting one eye to feign weakness.
“Hohoho. Don’t worry too much. The Lord of Hahomun wouldn’t treat your master without care, a master who was birthed with the agreement of the sect leader. He will surely try to win you over somehow.”
“I hope she comes back without any trouble.”
After all, Ha-yeon represents the entirety of Hubei’s Hahomun. If she were to be treated poorly, it would mean the same treatment would extend to the future masters to be born.
Master of Arcane Fragrance eased the tension from the recent rebellion with some contracts, so there’s no need to worry too much, she reassured me.
The Lord of Hahomun is a powerful figure. There’s a lot to learn by working with him. Idealy, I’d wish to pledge my allegiance with the rituals of a disciple and return right away.
As I took a sip of tea, stifling emotions of missing my lover, Master of Arcane Fragrance was watching me.
“Have you bedded her yet?”
“Pfft! What?”
I hastily wiped the spilled tea from my clothes.
“Not yet, huh.”
Master of Arcane Fragrance chuckled unexpectedly.
“W-well…”
“You don’t need to feel embarrassed. Right now, if you dressed her up and placed her in a brothel, she would be the top courtesan of Hubei. It would be more strange for a man not to feel lust.”
“……I won’t deny that.”
I had refrained from showing affection for her until she shed her courtesan status, but now, she has discarded that identity entirely.
The alluring curves and an almost intoxicating scent. In fact, yesterday, when I had her sit on my lap, I couldn’t help but feel a rush.
Seeing my face, Master of Arcane Fragrance paused before finally uttering an unexpected statement.
“While a man usually desires to pluck the flower, you should hold back this time.”
“Excuse me?”
“She’s the one going away on a long journey. Should you only think of your desires?”
“Ah….”
“Don’t mistake me for saying it’s fine. Even couples who’ve been married long-term can still produce children. Do you really think a spark between a pair who have just ignited feelings can be expected to be calm? If you’ve already crossed a line, it should not matter if it’s once or thrice.”
“Ahaha.”
I feel like once wouldn’t be enough.
“She’s leaving for another region. While it’s not an enemy territory, anything could happen, you know? If you truly love her, don’t let momentary desire take control.”
“Understood.”
I nodded slightly.
“Whew. A woman may feel anxious; it’s not enough just to simply understand her.”
Master of Arcane Fragrance exhaled smoke with disbelief-filled eyes.
“Ha-yeon is anxious?”
I reassured her so much yesterday, how could she feel anxious still?
“Of course, she would be. Her partner is none other than the youngest daughter of the Sichuan Tang Family and the Zhuge Clan. She probably wants to leave with another set of assurances.”
“Ah.”
So that’s what she was worried about.
“Did you not talk to her regarding that other girl from the Tang family?”
“I couldn’t share too much detail, since I didn’t want to worry her.”
When Master of Arcane Fragrance inquired, I suddenly shrank back.
“You’re just avoiding the issue then.”
“Hahaha.”
That really hit home there.
“If you’ve decided to take responsibility, why not gather the ladies you intend to marry and introduce them to her, or at least provide her reassurance?”
“I shall keep that in mind.”
I couldn’t help but nod in agreement with Master of Arcane Fragrance’s wise advice.
“Alright. We’ve said all that needs to be said. What business brings you here?”
“That….”
I began to lay out my purpose for visiting Master of Arcane Fragrance today.
“You want that?”
Yes. I need it.
——–
“Miss Zhuge?”
When I returned home first and opened my door, all I saw was Miss Zhuge’s behind.
“Puhaha! M-Master Kang?!”
What was she doing curled up under my bed? She looked very flustered as she met my gaze.
“Is there something you need in my room?”
“Ah, um, I was looking for something.”
Could she have been searching for the indispensable steamy books at her age? Digging under the bed like a rookie. My secret arsenal is in the third drawer of the bookshelf.
There’s even a double-floor structure within the house, and to see them, you’d have to lift them up with a brush from under the drawer.
“Are you looking for the ‘Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes’ scroll from before?”
That might not be it, but I mentioned something she would search for.
“Yes? Yes! I was looking for that scroll!”
Miss Zhuge nodded vigorously up and down.
Look at that, she’s searching for a steamy book. It must be quite challenging for her to obtain a book primarily intended for men given her personality.
“Next time, I placed it at the Tea Bookstore for the lucky draw event, but is there something wrong with the illustration?”
“Oh, um, it’s not that serious. I just have something to verify.”
“Since it’s not on exhibition yet, I’ll have someone bring it tomorrow.”
Sometimes you have to pretend not to realize the other party’s true intentions, even if you know them well. I answered without revealing that I saw through Miss Zhuge’s transparent lies.
“Ah, um, okay… then….”
Miss Zhuge glanced around my room.
“Are you looking for anything else?”
“Ah, no. That’s it. I’ll take my leave now.”
Miss Zhuge nodded, seemingly satisfied, and headed back to her room.
Should I create a secret wardrobe for personal taste protection?
——-
“I have to tell him. But how should I say it?”
I need to inform Ha-yeon about Miss Zhuge.
With my father-in-law and Master of Arcane Fragrance’s advice, I took up the brush, but couldn’t fill the paper.
Cheon So-hee is on hold. If I make a mistake, the Heavenly Killing Star might be born because of me. I need to think of a way to avoid shocking her.
The problem is Hwa-rin.
“How can I mention that I got a lover in less than a year?”
Clutching my head, I banged it on the desk.
When I close my eyes, I can already imagine myself groveling in front of Hwa-rin.
一 When did you meet?
一 On the way back to Yichang.
一 It’s not like you had other thoughts while returning from Yichang, is it?
It seems like it won’t take long for the news of the furious protagonist escaping from the Sichuan Tang Family to reach me.
In despair, I tossed the brush I was holding.
Thud!
“What’s that?”
That sound is too loud just for tossing a brush?
“Uh? Why won’t it open?”
“Huh?”
A familiar voice came from outside the window. I quickly got up and went to the window.
“It shouldn’t be locked……”
As I placed my hand on the window, I felt a thick fog brushing against it. I usually keep it open, so why is it locked? When I opened the window…
“Im Ha-yeon?”
“Ah, you weren’t asleep, were you?”
Ha-yeon looked at me with a startled expression from outside the window.
“What’s going on in the middle of the night?”
“Uhm… that is….”
Why is she bowing her head?
“What is…?”
Ha-yeon had a face that appeared to be contemplating something deeply before finally seeming to make up her mind and nodded.
“Meow.”
“Meow?”
Ha-yeon, with a face all flushed, made a paw gesture with both hands like a cat and leaned back slightly.
“I’ve come to steal your heart! The Shadowless Thief… meow.”
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