Chapter 129

Chapter 129
Chapter 129

Yin Hou harbored no tolerance for wrongdoers.

The silencing of the Moon Fragrance Tower Master and the total eradication of the Blood Night Gang stood as undeniable proof. Yet, to that exact same standard, his empathy for innocent victims shattered by cruelty burned with intense fervor.

“To attain such profound mastery of inner arts within a mere month… Until recently, Little Moon Fragrance was nothing more than an ordinary girl entirely ignorant of martial techniques. But now…”

Her crystal-clear voice projected powerful ripples of qi outward in every direction.

‘Even if sound-based martial arts facilitate qi projection more readily than other disciplines, this feat remains extraordinary.’

On the final evening before they parted ways, Yin Hou had posed a question to Little Moon Fragrance:

“Child who walks the path of melody and song, state a single wish. As a fellow traveler upon this road, I desire to aid you.”

It was an unprecedented opportunity to request anything from none other than one of the Heavenly Martial Ten Lords, the Sky-Splitting Sound Demon. And yet, Little Moon Fragrance possessed only one dream.

“Make this humble girl’s songs reach even further.”

Her wish was granted. While she still remained untutored in any traditional forms, inner energy now flowed directly through her dantian.

Energy existing solely to amplify melodies so that they soared farther and with greater beauty.

Yes, Sister Moon Fragrance. No—Little Sister So. Sing on. Let your voice carry further, reaching an even greater multitude of ears.

As though answering Yang-hui’s silent, heartfelt desire, Little Moon Fragrance’s song swelled with renewed resonance.

“The wanderer’s grace runs deep as the sea, A drop of kindness repaid by a spring’s endless flow.”

“I have never heard those lyrics before. Is that a sijo?”

“It is hardly surprising. It is an original composition penned by the courtesan Moon Fragrance herself.”

“Good heavens, such brilliant verse and melody springing from her own hands? She is a true songstress and artist.”

“That is not all. Have you not heard the latest news?”

“Heard what?”

“Word of the righteous actions taken by the young master of Baek Clan Manor!”

Yang-hui had deliberately spread tales concerning Moon Fragrance and the performances at Hundred White Pavilion throughout Hangzhou, weaving them skillfully into captivating folklore.

He had omitted Yin Hou entirely from the narratives, focusing the spotlight strictly upon himself and Little Moon Fragrance.

The once ill-fated Hangju Three Great Courtesans were blessed with extraordinary talent. Alongside them stood the young heir of the Baek Clan martial family, roaming in disguise as a wanderer willing to trade his verse for a song.

Such romantic tales were more than enough to captivate ordinary hearts—and where hearts were moved, wealth naturally followed.

‘And fame trails closely behind.’

“Look over there! That is the young hero belonging to Baek Clan Manor!”

“Good heavens! What a strikingly dashing figure!”

“I hear his prodigious talent has shone since childhood, and he was recently bestowed the moniker Ascending Heaven Sword Dragon!”

“A dragon! That is a title reserved strictly for the peerless elite among the younger generation!”

“He is Gangseo’s foremost junior expert! The very dragon that our land of Gangseo has produced!”

This was precisely the outcome Yang-hui had envisioned when seeding his rumors.

Unlike Muju, where his fearsome reputation as the “Sword Demon” still lingered darkly, he had cultivated a far more heroic image in Namchang.

“They say the patriarch of Baek Clan Manor is known as the Twin Festival Sword Hero. A man peerless in both swordsmanship and unyielding righteousness.”

“And the son of such a man descends to save a destitute courtesan for the price of a single song.”

“A tale worthy of a true epic hero, haha!”

When expanding one’s sphere of influence, cultivating fame is every bit as critical as amassing capital. It draws common folk and righteous citizens naturally to one’s banner.

“Compared to the White Clothes Gate… tch.”

“Hush! Speak such words too loudly and you will invite their immediate wrath!”

“Still, they have certainly altered their behavior of late, have they not?”

“Keep your voice down. Just listen to the song.”

“Today my heart knows no way to repay, Save to sing forever till white hair crowns my days.”

The melody grew increasingly plaintive, tapering off into a delicate, lingering thread. As the final notes dissolved into the air, the song drew to a close.

In that exact moment, thunderous applause erupted across the pavilion.

“Waaaaah!”

“What magnificent artistry in song and dance!”

“Moon Fragrance! Moon Fragrance! Moon Fragrance! Moon Fragrance!”

“Hey there, lad! What are you dawdling for? Come collect my coin!”

“Right away, sir!”

The errand boy darted swiftly through the scattered patrons, holding out a heavy money basket. With every pass, silver and copper coins jingled merrily into the basket from eager hands.

“I came hearing tales of the Hangju Three Great Courtesans—every single coin was worth it!”

“You fool! Speak of her no longer as from Hangju—she is Namchang’s premier courtesan from this day forward!”

“You speak the truth! Lady Moon Fragrance shall be the supreme pride of Namchang!”

Overhearing the surrounding chatter, Yang-hui smiled with quiet satisfaction.

‘I have reaped every seed I planted. Now, we simply wait for the response of the White Clothes Gate.’

◇◇◇◇◇◇

Within the Hall of a Hundred Men—the sanctuary where the elders of the White Clothes Gate convened for council—tension hung thick in the air.

“What on earth are we supposed to do, Gate Master?!”

White Clothes Gate Elder Iron Gusu raised his voice in open frustration, committing a severe breach of decorum with the gate master seated directly before him.

Yet Gate Master Gong Ya-hyeok found himself powerless to issue a rebuke.

Unlike most traditional sects, the White Clothes Gate vested remarkably little absolute power in its master—particularly one who had recently blundered with such frequency.

“Elder Iron. I have matters well in hand.”

“That precise reassurance is why we have gathered here today—to hear your plans and formulate countermeasures, Gate Master.”

Cutting cleanly through the gate master’s defense was the Grand Elder and head of the Elder Council, Iron Seongha. He was the patriarch of the Iron family, Gusu’s distant uncle, and the most formidable voice upon the council.

“Speak, Gate Master Gong. How do we propose to weather this unfolding crisis? The Baek Clan scurries off to Hangzhou merely to secure a courtesan.”

“Do not remind us that they brought back one of the legendary Hangju Three—those luxuries cost a fortune.”

“Despite our repeated warnings, the notables of Namchang continue to flock to the shows at Hundred White Pavilion.”

“Our adversaries are wielding a weapon forged of irresistible charm and public allure!”

The barbs from the assembled elders poured down like a sudden squall. The gate master trembled silently under the weight of their scrutiny.

“We explicitly vowed to keep the Baek Clan Manor in check.”

“Instead, they humiliate us on our home turf while stirring up tempests within our Namchang stronghold!”

“And to make matters worse, the Changil Escort Agency has now been swallowed by Heaven-Covering Escort—it is utter madness!”

One misstep followed another, shrinking their territorial footing with each passing day. For a gate master harboring fierce ambitions to pass his seat down to his own son, the situation was nothing short of catastrophic.

“Enough. Enough of this!”

The Hall of a Hundred fell into abrupt silence as the gate master surged to his feet.

Was it out of newfound respect for his authority? Not in the slightest. They merely eyed him like spectators awaiting a predictable tragedy. Grinding his teeth until his jaw ached, the gate master spoke:

“I shall handle this crisis personally.”

“And if you fail in your endeavor, Gate Master?”

“It will not come to that!”

He would spare no method, whether honorable or foul.

◇◇◇◇◇◇

“Young hero! Disaster has struck!”

“Young master!”

Yang-hui raised a single eyebrow as the pair burst unceremoniously into his top-floor chambers at the Hundred White Pavilion.

They were Chu Yong-wol, sub-leader of the Baek Book Merchant Group, and Yeo Gu-wi, Namchang Branch Chief of the Heaven-Covering Escort. Both served as the core pillars of the Baek Clan Manor’s operational network in Namchang.

“What urgent troubles bring you both here in such a state?”

“Every single major client within our merchant group has abruptly cut ties with us.”

“The situation is identical at the escort agency. Our regular patrons have turned their backs overnight.”

Put simply…

“The White Clothes Gate has finally initiated their direct moves.”

The White Clothes Gate had historically maintained dominance over Namchang. While masking themselves as a righteous sect, they had traditionally stayed within acceptable bounds—until recently growing increasingly bold and aggressive in their expansion.

When they chose to squeeze local merchants and independent escorts, it was child’s play for them.

“Plans for our upcoming product lines are collapsing across the board.”

“Our escorts have been forced to sit idle for a fortnight now.”

“And worse still—even our existing clients are uncertain. Who knows what will happen once current contracts expire?”

Both the Baek Book Merchant Group and the Namchang branch of Heaven-Covering Escort faced imminent financial ruin.

“Could the escort side not offset some of these losses using the guards along Yeongnak Road?”

“That route is still under development. We only have six operational stations—far from sufficient to cover all our transport needs.”

“I see.”

Indeed, the former Changil Escort agency—previously Namchang’s finest—boasted vast hordes of personnel who currently sat without assignments.

“In short, the White Clothes Gate has targeted both our merchant operations and our escort services.”

“If they had simply swung brute force like a common dark path gang, our countermeasures would be straightforward.”

“Indeed. But they are attacking us through indirect influence rather than physical fists, making them exceedingly difficult to counter.”

This was a classic symptom of clashes between rival “righteous” sects vying for territorial supremacy. Until one side constructed an ironclad justification for open violence, the conflict remained confined to economic sabotage.

‘The White Clothes Gate is deliberately waiting for us to provide them with that exact justification.’

Even the buzzing of a fly near one’s ear is an annoyance; having your financial lifeline systematically choked, however, is maddening.

In his past life, the war between the Baekui and the White Moon Gate had begun through such petty friction, ultimately culminating in the total annihilation of the White Moon Gate.

‘Call in heavier allies, and the matter is resolved.’

The Tangs were already present in the region; one could also pester Jeonmyeong Segal or leverage family marriage ties to compel them into motion. Through Adul, Shaolin… no, disregard that option here.

Regardless.

“The core problem remains: within Namchang, the influence wielded by the White Clothes Gate is simply insurmountable for us right now.”

“Precisely as you say, young master.”

“Had Yeongnak Road been fully completed, or had we years more of established business, things might be different. But it cannot salvage this immediate crisis.”

The crux of the matter was clear: they had to surpass the reach and appeal that the White Clothes Gate held over the populace.

For the current Baek Clan Manor, such a feat seemed impossible.

Yet…

“It is quite simple.”

Chu Yong-wol and Yeo Gu-wi blinked in absolute unison.

“Simple?”

“Young master, do you already possess a solution?”

“Naturally.”

He had anticipated this exact scenario from the moment the White Clothes Gate had first begun harassing the Baek Book Merchants through Changil Escort.

“We simply offer those individuals currently swayed by the White Clothes Gate’s pressure and promises far greater benefits than our rivals can ever provide.”

“That logic is sound, but…”

“We lack the immediate bait required for such a maneuver.”

“Then we shall simply manufacture some.”

Yang-hui produced several stacks of blank bound books, picking up a writing brush dipped in rich ink.

“Miss Chu.”

“Yes, young hero?”

“Starting from today, what level of influence does the One Stroke Writer command across Gangseo—no, across Namchang as a whole?”

Chu Yong-wol replied without a single second of hesitation.

“It will not yield to Lady Moon Fragrance’s burgeoning fame, not even by the slimmest margin.”

Little Moon Fragrance was already celebrated as Namchang’s—and indeed Gangseo’s—foremost courtesan after a single performance. Yet the One Stroke Writer already commanded an equivalent, if not superior, level of renown throughout the region.

“Our primary market is rooted firmly right here. Every notable figure in Namchang currently possesses copies of the One Stroke Writer’s works.”

“I have witnessed it myself. People boast of their admiration, reciting passages aloud in the streets—it is an absolute cultural craze.”

Yeo Gu-wi furrowed his brow, looking perplexed.

“But why bring up the One Stroke Writer now…? I am well aware they are contracted exclusively with your merchant group, but how does that help us face this siege?”

“Hehe. Branch Chief Yeo is unaware of the full picture.”

“Unaware of what?”

“You shall see in due time.”

Chu Yong-wol’s face suddenly brightened with profound relief and eager anticipation. Yang-hui chuckled softly and set his brush to paper.

A single book was filled within the time it took for an incense stick to burn. Several complete volumes were finished in little more than an hour.

“Here. Brand new works.”

He inscribed four distinct characters upon the covers, then gazed down at them with deep affection.

‘I scarcely imagined I would debut this creation quite so soon.’

‘The White Clothes Gate’s influence seeks to crush us, inflicting heavy financial losses?’

‘Then we shall simply leapfrog past their reach in a single bound.’

‘This novel possesses the power to accomplish precisely that.’

‘The One Stroke Writer, hailed across the world as its greatest novelist—his absolute masterpiece.’

‘Even within my past life, it was universally acclaimed as the finest novel through all the ages.’

The four characters inscribed upon the cover read:

RETURN TO MOUNT HUA