One-Saber Asura’s matter was handled well.
That was only possible because he was far more compliant after losing than I expected.
It did bother me slightly that he insisted—loudly—that he hadn’t joined under the Black Lotus Sect Lord but under me, and that following the Black Lotus Sect’s policies was only because I ordered it, not because of the Sect Lord…
But ultimately, everything wrapped up smoothly.
“Luck was on my side.”
“Was there room for luck in Brother Cheon’s methods?”
“One-Saber Asura was more compliant than expected, so resolving things without killing him was lucky.”
If One-Saber Asura had possessed a more extreme personality—one that would bite his own tongue to avoid bowing his head—
Then things would have been far more complicated.
“In short, the first start was a good one.”
“Hearing you say that… it isn’t wrong, but why bring it up so suddenly???”
“Obviously to prepare myself mentally so I won’t be too disappointed if something fails later. If I frame it like this ahead of time, I won’t be too disappointed should the next attempt fail.”
“…Didn’t you say you were confident you’d win?”
“I am confident. I’ll probably make the next one swallow poison too.”
“Isn’t that enough, then?”
“I’m thinking—they might not join the Demonic Cult’s side in the coming war, but they could drag their feet and not fight properly.”
Seeing One-Saber Asura’s unexpectedly enthusiastic attitude taught me something:
Being forced to follow and choosing to follow were very different.
“If possible, I’d prefer Brahma Heavenly Lust Demon to join voluntarily as well.”
“Meaning… you have no good method in mind?”
“More accurately, I do have a method, but I don’t think it’s realistically achievable.”
To handle Brahma Heavenly Lust Demon completely, the best approach would be to give him what he wanted and earn his indebtedness.
But what he wanted was the complete revival of his Yang root.
Unfortunately, I didn’t know any method that would allow a eunuch to regain his “equipment” through rebirth and restore its function.
Even after recalling every Yang-type elixir I knew, nothing promising came to mind.
And if it were something that easy, he would have solved it the moment he joined the Black Lotus Sect.
“Well, it can’t be helped.”
Voluntary obedience was best, but reluctant obedience wasn’t bad either.
At least my minimum goal would still be reached.
I sorted out my thoughts as Twin-Ghost Killing Sword guided us to Hangzhou.
The most entertainment-heavy city in Zhejiang Province.
Brahma Heavenly Lust Demon was there.
***
Since ancient times, Hangzhou and Suzhou had always been listed among the most enjoyable places in the Central Plains.
But martial artists tended to prefer Hangzhou.
Suzhou catered mostly to imperial officials and wealthy merchants—people without martial training.
Hangzhou, however, overflowed with martial artists, scholars gifted in calligraphy and painting, and the entertainers who catered to them—making it a lively, vibrant place.
Naturally, the two cities differed greatly in atmosphere.
Suzhou was calm and elegant, even when people indulged themselves.
Hangzhou was freer—too free. If one went too deep, it became crude and debauched.
Although both cities were once equally beautiful and enjoyable, the reason they diverged so sharply was simple.
“It’s because of the Black Lotus Sect.”
“The Black Lotus Sect? The Sect Lord didn’t particularly strike me as someone who loved entertainment…”
“More accurately, it’s because the Black Lotus Sect took control of Zhejiang.”
Though Hangzhou and Suzhou were close, Hangzhou belonged to Zhejiang, Suzhou to Jiangsu.
When the Black Lotus Sect was formed, unorthodox warriors flocked to Zhejiang and rarely left.
As a result…
“Hangzhou became the den of indulgence we imagine, while Suzhou became the clean refuge for those who disliked Hangzhou’s atmosphere.”
“Heeeh. You know a lot, Brother Cheon. For what reason exactly?”
Tang Sowol narrowed her eyes at me suspiciously.
I deflected her gaze and answered calmly:
“You know… pleasure districts always circulate unimaginable amounts of money and hard-to-obtain goods.”
“…Pardon?”
“A place where even a thirteen-year-old who hasn’t reached Ji-learning could earn enough to buy several vials of decent Poison-Blood Wine.”
“Ah.”
Why hide it?
Before abducting Tang Sowol after regression, I passed through Hangzhou.
Right after realizing I had regressed, I destroyed the Red Sand Gang—my first enemy.
Then I targeted several small, evil unorthodox sects—those I bore grudges against, those whose extermination wouldn’t cause political issues, and, frankly, those weak enough for a newly-cultivating me to handle.
I slaughtered the ones who needed killing, spared those few who deserved sparing, and wiped out five or six sects.
“I emptied their storehouses, but not much came out. Or rather—I hadn’t realized Poison-Blood Wine was that expensive.”
As a minor unorthodox faction outside the Black Lotus Sect, they weren’t wealthy.
Even so, Poison-Blood Wine was too costly.
Now, at the Tang Clan, it was practically lying around.
Even before regression, if I acted pitiful in front of the Sect Lord or Sama Yuryeon, they’d eventually hand me one.
But each was tested and proven effective.
And to resist Tang Sowol’s poison, especially with her innate Poison Spirit Constitution, low-grade elixirs were useless.
I needed at least a mid-grade poison-resistant tonic.
Rumor said more would appear soon in Hubei’s Black Market, but uncertain of my funds, I stopped in Hangzhou for one last job.
“I had to empty my entire fortune… but thanks to that, I could abduct you safely.”
“…Where do I even begin pointing out the problems? That you slaughtered adult martial artists at thirteen? That your familiarity with this duel journey comes from having done the same thing before? Or that you speak of abducting me as if it were an achievement?”
Tang Sowol looked speechless.
Twin-Ghost Killing Sword, however, clapped enthusiastically like hearing a mythic origin story.
Clap! Clap-clap!
“Magnificent! Truly magnificent! No wonder the Sect Lord praised you endlessly… You were exceptional from the sprout!”
“Be honest. Did the Sect Lord give you orders to follow me around praising me? Even I’d notice if it were this blatant.”
“What? No! Absolutely not! Everything I do is of my own will!”
“If you don’t start talking honestly, I’ll make you spar with Brahma Heavenly Lust Demon before I do.”
“I’m being honest! Truly!…Truly, I only want to be in good standing with the most promising candidate for the next Sect Lord!”
“Hmm. In that case, fine.”
If you weren’t going to duel to the death, you stayed by power’s side.
One of the core survival rules of the unorthodox world.
Despite the many eccentric personalities, martial society was still society—and one needed minimum social sense to survive.
I myself had bowed and hidden plenty before I grew strong enough.
Had I lacked even that, I’d have died the moment my mother passed, charging the Red Sand Gang with nothing but a stick.
However—
“I should tell you now—I don’t intend to join the Black Lotus Sect.”
“Yes, I know. The Sect Lord often laments that, you know.”
“There’s nothing for you to gain by pleasing me.”
“Better to leave a good impression than face trouble from being disliked. Besides, Brother Cheon is beloved by the Sect Lord. That alone is reason enough for me to treat you with utmost respect.”
“…I see.”
In this life, unlike before regression, the Sect Lord made no effort to hide his fondness for me.
Perhaps because I caused larger disturbances this time.
Or because I didn’t commit the massacre known as the Ironblood Hall revenge.
Or simply because I was more emotionally closed off in my previous life.
Whatever the reason, one thing was certain:
His attitude had changed.
And honest, simple-minded Twin-Ghost Killing Sword naturally adjusted his own.
Thanks to that, I could understand something I hadn’t considered before.
“Wait. If I travel around defeating the Black Lotus Sect’s Flowering-stage experts… won’t this cause issues?”
“It will look like the Black Lotus Sect’s ‘taming.’”
“That’s exactly the purpose of this duel journey, but… the effect may be stronger than expected.”
In extreme cases, people might start treating me as the Sect’s unofficial successor.
“Well, I can just refuse.”
Even if everyone brought a cow to water, if it refused to drink, it refused.
Smirking, I urged Twin-Ghost Killing Sword onward.
“Anyway, we’re almost in central Hangzhou. Where is Brahma Heavenly Lust Demon staying?”
“We’re almost there. My report said he’s staying in Hangzhou’s largest pleasure house.”
“The largest pleasure house? Don’t tell me it’s that one?”
A single pavilion stood out even at a glance—far taller and larger than the surrounding buildings, its upper floors towering visibly even from afar.
“Yes. It’s called Silver Flower Pavilion.”
“Silver Flower Pavilion… Well, someone like him would stay in a place like that.”
“Brother Cheon seems to know it well.”
“There isn’t a person in Hangzhou who doesn’t.”
A red pavilion whose courtesans surpassed those of normal green houses in quality.
Customers weren’t merely wealthy—they were carefully selected.
A strange, exclusive establishment with a reputation so high it justified its arrogance.
“It’s said that even entering the first floor for drinks and food requires strict identity and financial checks.”
“And the higher the floor, the stricter it gets, I assume?”
“Correct. The third floor allows in only famous masters or high-ranking officials, and the fourth—the top floor—is reserved solely for the Pavilion Master’s own guests.”
“Heeh. Interesting. But wouldn’t they make less money that way?”
“Some people lose their minds at the idea of ‘not just anyone is allowed.’ Silver Flower Pavilion profits off that type. That’s why they chose the name ‘Silver Flower (Hidden Flower).’”
“Aha.”
Tang Sowol nodded thoughtfully.
Even I, who only worked in Hangzhou briefly, knew how strict Silver Flower Pavilion was.
Naturally, someone like Brahma Heavenly Lust Demon would easily qualify to stay there.
Aside from ruining countless households, he had no violent reputation.
And he was a Flowering Stage expert—just his presence would ward off trouble.
As Tang Sowol and I nodded, Twin-Ghost Killing Sword spoke awkwardly:
“Um… White Moon Sword Lord.”
“Hmm?”
“In truth… Brahma Heavenly Lust Demon is the master of Silver Flower Pavilion.”
“…Huh??”
“He’s just staying in his own house.”
“Oh—and by the way, ‘Silver Flower’ doesn’t mean hidden flower. It refers to another name for figs.”
“…Figs?”
“W-Well… Brahma Heavenly Lust Demon may be more alluring than most women, but he is a man.”
Figs had inward-facing blossoms—flowers you couldn’t see, hidden inside the fruit.
Thus: Silver Flower.
The pavilion was named after that.
“Wait. So going to meet Brahma Heavenly Lust Demon means—”
“You’ll be meeting the Pavilion Master.”
“As one of his personal guests…?”
“As long as he doesn’t reject you first, yes.”
“And Pavilion Masters usually live at the very top floor, right?”
“They do indeed.”
“So I’m going to ascend to the top floor of Hangzhou’s most elite pleasure house, with my betrothed on one side and a giant male subordinate on the other.”
“…If you state it plainly like that—it isn’t incorrect.”
Not going to be easy.
