“Welcome.”
Hong Wi-moon’s greeting was quite courteous.
Given his position, he didn’t bow at the waist, but it was rare for a Cult Leader’s disciple to show such respect.
His counterpart didn’t take the greeting lightly.
“Joyous Pavilion Master greets the Fourth Young Master.”
“Please come up. I’ve prepared the most expensive items, though I’m not sure if they’ll suit your taste.”
So Yeon-shim smiled.
“The Flower Abyss Tower[1] is under our management. I know best how good the food here is.”
“Ah, I see.”
Hong Wi-moon scratched his head. So Yeon-shim chuckled at this gesture expressing his mild embarrassment.
The two ascended to the pavilion in a cordial atmosphere.
The Flower Abyss Tower was one of five main taverns in the cult’s inner court and was favored by the leadership. Hong Wi-moon had secured seats at the Heavenly Placement Pavilion[2], said to have the best view in the establishment.
The appropriately darkened sky, fragrant food, and cool breeze added to the ambiance.
So Yeon-shim asked with a smile.
“By the way, why has the busy Fourth Young Master invited me?”
Quite direct from the start. But her smile and voice were so gentle that it caused no discomfort to her companion.
Hong Wi-moon shook his head.
“There’s no particular reason. It’s not difficult to treat someone who works so hard for our cult to dinner.”
“Hoho, you flatter me.”
Though she knew it was just pleasantries, So Yeon-shim covered her mouth and laughed as if truly grateful.
Hong Wi-moon smiled.
“This is Gold Honor Clear Wine[3], obtained with some difficulty. Please have a cup.”
“Thank you.”
They filled each other’s cups.
Hong Wi-moon asked casually.
“How did it go, did you submit the approval documents well?”
So Yeon-shim answered leisurely.
“Yes. I had already prepared most of it, so making changes wasn’t difficult.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“It’s nothing much. I just review and get upper approval, the subordinates do all the actual work.”
“Creating a good environment for subordinates to work well isn’t easy. Everyone knows how much effort the Pavilion Master puts in.”
“You praise me so much, I don’t know where to put myself.”
“I merely spoke what I felt.”
The two laughed and drank.
The question about approval documents could be considered quite weighty from So Yeon-shim’s perspective. Though not unpleasant, it wasn’t particularly pleasant to have it brought up again.
Yet her expression showed no wavering.
Indeed, not easy.
Well, she was a heroine who had endured for decades in the battleground that was the Divine Cult and secured the Joyous Pavilion Master position. She wouldn’t be shaken by such words.
“How is the wine?”
“It’s a bit sharp for my taste.”
“Ah, is that so?”
“I don’t particularly like heavy fragrances. Though the aftertaste isn’t bad.”
Hong Wi-moon’s eyes deepened.
Though just a personal opinion, it wasn’t something easily said to someone who had prepared the wine and food. Moreover, her companion was the Cult Leader’s disciple.
Is she hurt? Over just that?
After examining her carefully, Hong Wi-moon revised his thoughts.
It wasn’t about being hurt or trying to gauge his intentions. So Yeon-shim had simply stated her honest impression.
Impressive.
It’s not easy to respond this way in the Divine Cult where status differences are clear. It means she knows her own worth well, and has strong self-esteem.
She’s not one for roundabout talk. She’s an opponent to approach directly. A rare type to find in our cult.
At the same time, she was very much a demonic practitioner. She didn’t try to hide power that made roundabout speech unnecessary.
“Would you like another cup?”
“Ah, I’ll drink slowly.”
Indeed, my thoughts were correct.
Hong Wi-moon smiled and handed her the bottle.
“Then please pour me one.”
A strange light flickered in So Yeon-shim’s eyes.
She found his reaction interesting.
“Of course.”
She politely filled his cup.
As the cup was nearly full, Hong Wi-moon spoke.
“I need help.”
Trickle.
So Yeon-shim lowered the bottle without showing any surprise. She gave no answer.
Hong Wi-moon also set down his cup. Though the wine rippled as if about to spill, not a drop was lost.
“Please lend me your hand.”
So Yeon-shim, who had been staring at Hong Wi-moon, drained her cup in one go.
“That was good.”
So Yeon-shim rose slowly.
Looking up at her, laughter gathered in Hong Wi-moon’s eyes.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
“Before discomfort, I oppose lending strength to any particular candidate.”
“Why do you think so?”
So Yeon-shim’s eyes deepened.
“Other organizations might, but our pavilion must not. When our pavilion moves, the cult shakes.”
Though it might sound arrogant, Hong Wi-moon agreed with her words.
Among those who casually mention household management, few understand how important it truly is.
Let alone managing the household of a massive force like the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. The Joyous Pavilion oversaw everything from small matters like food ingredients to large matters like finances.
Unlike combat organizations, when the Joyous Pavilion throws its weight behind someone, the landscape of the succession battle changes. As So Yeon-shim said, it could potentially shake the entire cult.
“I thought the Fourth Young Master would naturally know this much, but how unexpected.”
She pulled out a small money pouch from her chest.
“I ate well. I’ll pay for what I ate.”
Hong Wi-moon shook his head.
“Since I invited you, I’ll pay for dinner.”
“It’s fine.”
“And Pavilion Master So seems to have some misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding?”
“I asked to borrow your hand, not to become my ally.”
The corner of So Yeon-shim’s mouth curved up.
Still a beautiful smile, but bone-chilling coldness permeated it.
“I don’t see any difference beyond word choice.”
“It’s completely different. As you said, I’m not unaware of the Joyous Pavilion’s characteristics.”
“Even if it’s different, it doesn’t matter. Our pavilion does not provide any support to candidates without proper cause.”
“That’s not specifically stated in cult law, is it?”
“It’s my way of showing loyalty, beyond cult law.”
“I’m suggesting you reconsider that way of showing loyalty.”
“I ate well.”
So Yeon-shim turned her back.
After quietly watching her back, Hong Wi-moon spoke.
“I hear you need Blue Turtle Four-Leaf Grass[4]?”
So Yeon-shim stopped in her tracks.
Still with her back turned, her expression couldn’t be seen.
Hong Wi-moon spoke in a relaxed voice.
“It’s a precious herb. Can’t get it even in Yunnan, where most of our cult’s herbs are grown. They say it’s rarely found even near the far eastern seas?”
“…”
“I’ll provide it if you need it. I have no particular use for it anyway.”
Hong Wi-moon deliberately didn’t explain further. He knew that saying more would only provoke her at this point.
How much time passed like that?
Swoosh.
So Yeon-shim turned around.
Her face was still beautiful, but the smile that had never left her lips was gone.
Hong Wi-moon smiled and picked up the wine bottle.
“Would you like another cup?”
So Yeon-shim, who had been glaring at him, sat down and picked up her cup.
Hong Wi-moon never acted arrogantly. He filled her cup with consistently courteous attitude.
So Yeon-shim emptied the cup in one go.
Hong Wi-moon filled her cup again.
Only after emptying her cup three times in succession did So Yeon-shim speak.
“How did you know?”
“Is how I knew important?”
“It is. At least to me.”
Hong Wi-moon shook his head.
“If you want to hear that, you’ll need to bring trade goods worthy of it. I don’t do business that doesn’t balance on the abacus.”
So Yeon-shim laughed coldly.
“It seems that abacus includes beads for forced sales.”
“Please understand, circumstances leave me no choice.”
Hong Wi-moon smiled.
“For a smooth transaction, one must offer what the other party wants. I think the Blue Turtle Four-Leaf Grass is at least worthy trade goods for the Pavilion Master. What do you think?”
So Yeon-shim just stared at him without answering.
How much time passed like that?
“Let’s hear it first. What the Fourth Young Master wants.”
Hong Wi-moon’s smile deepened.
Any matter is difficult to get rolling at first, but once it starts rolling, it becomes easier.
Since she had bent principles she had never bent before, if there were future dealings, they would be easier than now.
“It’s nothing much. If we had a close relationship, it could be solved with just a request.”
“…”
“You mean get to the point. Very well. I’ll tell you.”
After draining his cup cleanly, Hong Wi-moon casually threw out his words.
“The Joyous Pavilion manages court ladies too, right?”
“…”
“I’d like you to give a secret order to one court lady.”
“Which court lady do you mean? And what secret order?”
“Do you know a court lady named Aenghwa?”
So Yeon-shim shook her head.
As if he had expected this, Hong Wi-moon smiled.
“She’s a court lady who works at the Third Young Master’s residence.”
“…!”
“Please request her to send letters recording the Third Young Master’s movements for three months. Daily if possible.”
So Yeon-shim’s eyes wavered for a moment.
“Are you thinking of moving against the Third Young Master?”
“I thought you weren’t one to ask unreasonable questions.”
“I also didn’t think you were one to make unreasonable requests.”
“Is this request unreasonable?”
“Quite unreasonable. Do you know what would happen to me, who instigated this, if that girl were caught reporting the Third Young Master’s daily life?”
“Handle it so she won’t get caught.”
“It’s dangerous.”
Not impossible, but dangerous. At least meaning it could be done if attempted.
“It’s not particularly dangerous. Just live as usual. Just send a simple letter when finishing daily duties.”
“Though it sounds simple, how much…”
“Even if problems arise, the solution is easy.”
“Easy?”
Hong Wi-moon spoke while filling his cup.
“Truth is as empty as pipe smoke.”
“…”
“When the pipe disappears, who can tell who smoked the tobacco?”
“…!”
So Yeon-shim’s face was now visibly hardened to anyone who looked.
“Are you saying to kill and destroy?”
“I merely spoke of the worst case. There won’t actually be need to take action. You know that?”
“…”
“If you grant this request, I’ll hand over the Blue Turtle Four-Leaf Grass. Just in case I need to say it, it’s genuine.”
A moment of silence.
So Yeon-shim broke that silence.
“Even so, it’s a difficult request.”
“Pavilion Master.”
“It’s not a matter of my position but of uncertainty. I can’t assign work to a girl named Aenghwa when I don’t even know what kind of person she is.”
“Then it would be fine to change the court lady. To someone you trust and can assign tasks to.”
“…”
“I’m not unaware that you can do anything if you set your mind to it.”
Hong Wi-moon moved to close the deal.
“Will you do it? Or give up?”
So Yeon-shim’s lips trembled.
Hong Wi-moon smiled with satisfaction. He realized she had almost crossed over.
He filled So Yeon-shim’s cup.
“Well then, shall we consider the deal made…”
That’s when it happened.
“My, how long are you going to sip from cups with such dirty dregs?”
The two people suddenly turned their heads in surprise.
A clear voice rang out from beyond the door leading to the private room.
“They say drink the first round lightly, the second round deeply. Isn’t it time to wrap up the first round?”
“Who goes there!”
The guard on standby threw open the door.
“…!”
So Yeon-shim and Hong Wi-moon’s eyes wavered.
Beyond the open door stood Seo Ryang, holding a wine bottle with a baby fox on his shoulder.
“Though it’s cheap rice wine, at least the cups are clean. What will you do? Will you come over, or keep enjoying that seat?”