NABC Book 2: Chapter 1
Book 2: Chapter 1
Book 2: Chapter 1
In the dusk of the day, the world seemed to hold its breath for a brief, sacred moment.
This was the zenith of her daily rituals, none other than her treasured bath.
Today, she reclined in a bath carved from unique granite, an indulgence reserved exclusively for her.
Given the significance of the day, when she had finally obtained the token of the Sword House, her bath, signifying the close of the day, had to be the pinnacle of bliss.
Not to mention, she’d shown her might to the ever-annoying Crescent Moon Pavilion’s owner, adding to her satisfaction.
Still, an unsettling thought tugged at a corner of her heart.
‘That Swordless man...’
The eldest heir of Luoyang Sword House, Yeon So-Hyeon.
Meeting him today was something she had not predicted at all.
Thanks to him, she was only able to accomplish half of her planned warning to the owner of the Crescent Moon Pavilion.
If that were all, there would be no reason for her to feel bothered.
As a person who does ‘business’, she knew very well that plans tend to go awry from the moment they are made.
Yet, there was something that bothered her.
It was due to the fact that there was absolutely no mention of the Grand young master’s outing in the information she received from Luoyang Sword House this morning.
Indeed, there was no rationale for the Sword House to share specifics about Yeon So-Hyeon, the esteemed Grand young master, with her.
However,
The person who had entrusted her with the information and the Sword House Bronze Token was well aware that she would be gracing the Crescent Moon Pavilion this very day.
Wasn’t that what they were aiming for?
And yet, why hadn’t they told her about the Grand young master’s outing?
Geumju bit her nails.
Could it be, that even the second prince’s side also did not have access to the information about the Grand young master’s outing plans?
However, the likelihood of that was slim.Nnêw n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com
Then,
“...did no one anticipate the Grand young master’s movements from the start?”
“Beg your pardon?”
The general with a goat beard, who had been waiting by her side asked, but she did not answer.
Come to think of it, the Grand young master she met today was very different from the Swordless man she had heard of through rumors.
– “What’s up? Let me see that.”
She recalled how he calmly extended his palm towards her, asking for the Sword House Bronze Token.
‘His demeanor was strangely confident.’
Even if the man had a master escorting him, how could he be so nonchalant in a room full of armed men?
Something was telling her that the Grand young master had a secret that she didn’t know.......
‘No, that’s too far-fetched.’
Geumju shook her head as her imagination ran wild.
That calm demeanor was surely because he was the Grand heir of the Sword House. Knowing full well that nobody in Luoyang would dare cross him, why would he be afraid?
And rumors tend to be exaggerated, so it was right to assume that the rumors about the Swordless One were somewhat embellished.
‘And even after I insulted him so much in front of everyone, he didn’t do anything because he was powerless, right?’
Feeling much lighter after sorting out her thoughts, she said, “...General, the water’s cold.”
The general’s face tensed up for a moment. The maids waiting around the bathtub to serve Geumju struggled to maintain their composure.
Swallowing his frustration, the general yelled outside, “The lady says the water has gone cold!”
The door opened, and members of Geumju’s direct subordinates entered, carrying young girls bound from head to toe.
All of the girls, who appeared to be no older than twelve or thirteen, had gags in their mouths, and their eyes were filled with fear.
“Eek eek!”
The subordinates laid the girls’ upper bodies over the bathtub.
Then, at that moment, Geumju’s escort guard, who was seated to the side, murmured, “An evil ghost...?”
Hearing this, Geumju asked, “What? Do you know something?”
“Uh, well...”
Seeing her escort guard hesitating, she grew annoyed, “What are you dawdling about?! Speak!”
Then the escort guard quickly said to the general, “General, didn’t those contractors we had for the gambling den job go missing a few days ago?”
The general nodded in acknowledgment. “They suddenly disappeared. But there were so many cases of contractors disappearing like that, didn’t we always brush it off?”
“That’s right, but...”
When the escort guard hesitated, the impatient businesswoman, Geumju, urged him to continue. “But what?!”
“Oh, no, it’s just that I’m a regular at that gambling den. I remembered a rumor I heard there...”
“Rumor?”
“Yes, yes. According to the rumor, many people saw ghosts that day. Many even claimed to see evil spirits.” Then, as the escort guard scratched his chin, he continued, “To be honest, I don’t believe in such things, but there were too many people claiming to have seen it to completely dismiss it...”
Geumju became furious. “What does that have to do with our current discussion? Because those dying bast*rds are spouting nonsense, are you also starting with such tales?!”
“I’m, I’m sorry.”
“People in business should have productive discussions! Productive!”
The embarrassed escort guard immediately retreated to his position.
‘Could it be...?’
Yet, despite her anger, anxiety grew in Geumju’s heart.
‘... Could there be another master-like figure?’
Chills ran down Geumju’s spine thinking of her own master.
Wasn’t the bizarre old man who taught her an inscrutable martial art was also truly an enigmatic entity?
“Big trouble!”
Just then, a subordinate who had left earlier rushed in.
“What now?!”
“Another branch has been destroyed!”
Geumju’s face darkened.
“The same guy again?”
“Yes, the one with the white mask.”
Geumju held her forehead.
“Whew...”
She rubbed her throbbing temples and muttered,“... I did expect some losses before reining him in.”
“That’s true, but...”
Geumju waved the subordinate away. “Considering how fast we are getting robbed even with martial artists placed in every establishment, that white-masked person must definitely be an expert.”
“That’s right.” The general then continued, “So, as we initially thought, it might be best to just let him alone. The kids, they’ll get replenished quickly even if they die, right?”
Behind the increasingly luxurious streets of Luoyang, there was an explosively growing impoverished population. Most of the children growing up there ended up living in the back alleys. And these children inevitably joined the underworld.
“......Hiring wandering master or one from black path is expensive, that’s why.”
“True.”
Even as he spoke, the bearded man looked pale. Although he knew this world too well, at times he thought it might actually be hell.
Having collected her thoughts, Geumju dismissed them, “That’s enough, all of you leave. And prepare a masseuse. I need a massage.”
“Yes, then...”
As the general was about to leave.
“Big trouble!”
A door swung open, and an urgent cry was heard.
“No way, again...?”
The situation was much worse than they had anticipated.
Geumju: