Chapter 106: Don’t Be Shocked No Matter What

"Why have we lost contact with the cultists who went to Nanman?"

Turning his head, the Left Blood Law Gwang Hyeolso (狂血燒) spoke, his bloodshot eyes gleaming ominously.

At that, the Blood Cultists slammed their foreheads to the floor in panic.

"It seems... we can't even establish contact with them..."

"It appears they’ve been annihilated by someone."

The Blood Cult currently had many enemies.

No—saying the entire world was their enemy wouldn't be an exaggeration.

"By whom?"

"We’re still trying to identify that..."

Thwack!

A head burst like a crushed insect.

"Useless."

As one liaison died in vain, the Blood Cultists beside him began trembling all over.

"Use the corpse for the Blood Arts we're preparing."

The fresh corpse was dragged away into a strange space filled with a mound of other dead bodies.

Once the chaos settled, the Right Blood Law Narak Gang (羅刹鋼) opened his mouth.

"I heard we lost contact with those hiding in Hubei as well."

The Blood Cult’s liaisons, careful not to stare too long at the splattered brain matter beside them, cautiously continued.

"There’s someone causing a stir recently."

"Someone causing a stir?"

"......Yes. A monster wielding a Nangabong. Since the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament, he’s been relentlessly hunting down members of our Blood Cult."

Thus, following Shaanxi, the Blood Cult lost their hideouts and bases in Hubei too—a significant blow, especially when they were preparing their next stage of grand rituals.

"Hmph."

"A Nangabong, huh."

From what the liaisons said, the individual seemed to be at least a peak-level martial artist, a difficult opponent for the local cultists.

The Left and Right Blood Laws exchanged glances.

"Figure out his location and lay a trap."

"If you do, we’ll step in and eliminate him ourselves."

"The enemies of the Blood Cult shall be crushed and become ingredients for our Blood Arts."

The chilling murmurs of the two Blood Cult elites.

The Blood Cultists once again prostrated, faces filled with fervor.

"Blood Asura Soul! Descent of the Heavenly Blood God!"

✦✦✦

“It started around a few months ago. That’s when he began acting strangely.”

A refined woman in her late thirties finally opened her mouth.

She brushed the moisture from the corner of her eye with a silk sleeve as she held her teacup—looking quite pitiful.

“Every night, he’d sneak off somewhere… and whenever he returned, his clothes always... smelled strange.”

Her face was noticeably gaunter, and she began explaining her situation as though venting.

“Smelled strange?”

“Yes. Very pungent and strong… that kind of odor.”

Wondering if it might be a clue, I told Ilhong to jot it down on a sheet of paper.

Sniff sniff... “He swore he’d only ever look at me.”

Overwhelmed by betrayal, her emotions seemed to be hitting a fever pitch.

This was something I had often witnessed in my younger days—after all, a troubleshooter’s office often doubled as a place where people came to test their trust in others.

“I just need to know... whether he really betrayed me and took another woman into his arms… it’s driving me crazy, Troubleshooter.”

“Ah-ha…”

She said it’s been keeping her up at night.

“Could you… take the case?”

I rested my chin on my hand and considered her request for a moment.

I mean, if I got involved and things went sideways again, I might end up with a blade in my belly like last time.

Absentmindedly, I rubbed my abdomen.

‘But now… wouldn’t even leave a scratch, would it?’

Thinking back, it was true. I had already been stabbed and pierced over a hundred times by swords, blunt weapons, and hidden tools.

Being afraid of a little knife wound at this point would be laughable.

Besides, my throat was under the axe. I had bought land in the Imperial Capital, so I had to pay taxes to the court—and half my debts were still unpaid.

“I’ll take the case. We’ll get you a definitive answer on whether your husband is cheating.”

I thumped my chest confidently, as if to say, "Leave it to me."

At that, she let out a long, relieved sigh.

“Thank goodness. The Wanderers’ Guild wouldn’t even listen to my story…”

Times were like this, after all. No one wanted to get involved in another household’s problems. It was taboo—something people whispered about or ignored.

But I didn’t give a damn about any of that. My motto was: Customers First. That was the principle of the Dan Mujin Troubleshooter Office.

“Whew. I’m glad I came here like Eun Hwaran recommended.”

“Eun Hwaran, the Trading Lord... referred you here?”

“Yes. I asked at Chwibonghoe if there was anyone trustworthy for... this sort of sensitive and uncomfortable issue, and she gave me your name.”

Chwibonghoe (翠鳳會). A social gathering of influential women in Beijing, known for their strong networking.

Apparently, Eun Hwaran was attending for social reasons and, upon hearing this woman’s story, mentioned my name.

Really, there’s no one who looks out for me like Eun Hwaran noona.

“But... can you keep this confidential? If word spreads to the clan...”

“My lips are sealed like ten-thousand gold ingots, madam.”

If word got out, no one would hire me again. I reassured her that I was a trustworthy and discreet troubleshooter.

Still, if she attended Chwibonghoe where Eun Hwaran is a regular, then this commission was bigger than I thought.

“By the way, madam—who is your husband, and which clan is he from?”

Now that I thought about it, that should’ve been the first thing I asked. I was too excited about getting a case after so long.

“I’m the second wife of the Seomok Clan, and my husband is... Clan Head Seomok Won.”

Seomok Clan. Sounded vaguely familiar.

I quickly pulled Ilhong closer and whispered.

“Is that a big clan?”

“Oh, absolutely. They’ve produced multiple government officials and Royal Guards. Very old and prestigious.”

“......Hmm.”

The scale of this request was far bigger than I’d thought.

Eun Hwaran noona, what kind of landmine did you bring me?

“Then I’ll leave it to you, Troubleshooter. Please uncover the truth.”

She came with a direct referral from Eun Hwaran, so I couldn’t just back out now.

“Since it’s something everyone else is avoiding... if you see this through, I’ll make sure you’re well-compensated.”

“You can count on me, Madam Yang. I’ll get to the bottom of this.”

She left the office, finally at ease after hearing my assurance.

Well, what could I do? It wasn’t like I was in a position to be picky. In the early days of a business, you had to be thankful for any client.

“Ilhong, do you know anything in detail about the Seomok Clan or their Clan Head Seomok Jinwon?”

“No…? I know a bit about the clan itself, but as for the clan head personally…”

I see. Then before we proceed with the request, it’s time to update our intel and gather anything personal we can.

“I’ll have to borrow the Hao Sect’s power.”

It’s been a while—I guess it’s time I brought out Gudok and visited the Pavilion Master of the Mysterious Pavilion.

A troubleshooter’s work was a battle of information. I stood up suddenly, dragging Ilhong along with me.

✦✦✦

Il Hyehyang, Floor Manager of Honghwa Brothel and Pavilion Master of the Hao Sect’s Mysterious Pavilion, twitched her brow at our unexpected visit.

“Why, why here of all places…”

She was in the basement of the Honghwa Brothel, a place no one ever came to.

It was the grim site of interrogations and forced confessions of kidnapped targets.

“Have you been well?”

She shot me a glare.

“…I was doing just fine until you showed up.”

“Eh? I was asking our little boy Gudok, not you. Why’re you answering?”

“…”

Anyone watching would think we’re the ones in the wrong.

She was the one who betrayed the Hao Sect and dug her own grave—and now this.

“Anyway, it’s nothing serious. I’m just here to ask about the Seomok Clan, Miss Il.”

Ilhong, standing next to me, added that she must be well-informed in this area, seeing as she entertained high-profile figures at the brothel.

Il Hyehyang’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Of all people, Seomok Jinwon of the Seomok Clan? …Don’t tell me you’ve caught on?”

“Caught on to what?”

I tilted my head and asked.

Something was clearly up, judging by her reaction.

“Wait—you’re asking without even knowing? That clan’s been getting a lot of mentions in the Imperial Palace these days.”

They had produced generations of Royal Guards and generals, giving them considerable influence.

Among the three major factions rooted in the palace, they held a significant position.

“So why are you digging into him?”

I gave her a short and simple reply.

“His wife thinks he’s having an affair. So how about sharing some info?”

Her expression immediately went cold.

“What? What’s with that face?”

“You came all the way here to seek out me, the Pavilion Master of the Mysterious Pavilion, asking for palace-level intel… over something like that?”

She looked at us like she couldn’t believe it.

“Excuse me? ‘Something like that’? An adultery investigation is sacred work, okay? It’s about protecting someone’s trust and dignity…”

“She’s right. Intel is intel, no matter what it’s for. So cough up anything about the clan head’s personal life. Or else, you know what’ll happen.”

Ilhong backed me up and quietly revealed her female Gudok.

How did things end up like this… Maybe I really shouldn’t have betrayed the Hao Sect back then?

With an expression that screamed regret, Il Hyehyang silently closed and opened her eyes.

“The Clan Head of the Seomok Clan is categorized as Second-Rank by the Hao Sect. You’d better not approach him carelessly.”

In the end, someone who had spent her life manipulating others began spilling her intel once more—now at the mercy of two young “kids” who looked barely past schooling age.

✦✦✦

“Thanks for the info.”

The young man raised a hand and took off like a ghost with uncanny footwork.

Watching him go, Ilhong shrugged and also turned to leave.

“Your goal is to reclaim the position of Hao Sect Leader, isn’t it?”

Now alone, Il Hyehyang suddenly brought up the topic.

“Yes. Of course. I have to take it back. I need to get my revenge too.”

Ilhong spoke, holding Gudok as though she might crush it any second.

With frustration welling up, Il Hyehyang kept talking.

“You really think you can pull it off? Find the Upper and Lower Spirits with some hidden seal? The ones who knew their location all died during the last operation.”

“Oh, that? I don’t even need to find them.”

“…?”

She gave a serene smile, as if she had something else in mind.

“Why not?”

“Because now, I have Dan Mujin Orabeoni.”

Il Hyehyang looked genuinely puzzled.

Reaching the Peak Realm was impressive, sure—but it wasn’t enough to overthrow the entire Hao Sect.

“Did you know? Our boss—he’s only been learning martial arts for a few years.”

“…”

“He started from nothing, and in just that short time, he reached that level. Have you ever seen anyone like that before?”

Only now did Il Hyehyang begin to grasp Ilhong’s real plan, and a chill ran through her.

It wasn’t just that Dan Mujin was at the Peak level—it was that he had only been learning for a few years.

At that rate, in a few more years...

“He’s someone I found in the beggar’s den… truly extraordinary. Don’t you wonder what he’ll become in a few more years?”

Ilhong smiled—not just out of expectation. There was admiration, and maybe even… something more.

With growth like his, maybe she really could reclaim the Hao Sect someday.

“And if that happens… what’ll happen to me?”

To that, Ilhong gave a faint smile.

“That’s why I’m telling you to behave. If you put in the effort, maybe we’ll even lessen your punishment.”

Her father, the former Hao Sect Leader, once said—humans are most effective not when threatened, but when they act of their own will.

And Il Hyehyang, who had once betrayed them and was now clashing with the Black Diagnosis Bird...

“…I understand what you mean.”

She began nodding with a strange, unreadable look in her eyes.

✦✦✦

Late at night.

Behind the Seomok Clan’s rear exit, as told by the client.

Dan Mujin and Ilhong were in beggar disguises, taking turns watching the alley.

“Why beggars, though?”

“It’s inconspicuous. You can be anywhere and not stand out.”

She grumbled that this felt like going back to the old days and she didn’t like it.

“Are we going to stay like this, on stakeout?”

“Already complaining after just two days? Haven’t done a stakeout before?”

“Of course not.”

She tapped her sore legs and sat down.

But naturally, she sat right next to me.

“Do you really think he’s cheating? I mean, to do that after promising a lifetime of love…”

“Why are you so shocked? Love between men and women is dirty business. Once you get older, you’ll be even more surprised.”

“Ugh, you sound like you know everything. We’re only a year apart.”

Dan Mujin chuckled and shrugged.

“Hey, you and I are different. I’ve reached enlightenment—I don’t flinch no matter what happens.”

“Really? Not even surprised?”

He nodded with a confident look.

And just then—the door at the exit creaked open, and someone stepped out cautiously.

“It’s the clan head. That Seomok guy.”

“His name is Seomok Won, at least remember it.”

“Whatever.”

The two quietly tailed him.

To be sneaking around at this hour, without guards—where the hell was he going?

He moved toward a shadowy location, where a woman veiled in black was waiting for him.

“Ohohohoho.”

A bizarre laugh echoed from behind the veil.

Facing her lover, the veiled woman slowly pulled off the cloth.

What was revealed: a face caked in pale powder and dripping with sleaze.

“Wait—Wang Jinggong?!”

That moment, I couldn’t help but be shocked by the utterly unexpected face.

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