Chapter 289. The Reason I Don't Fall for Honey Traps.
The Mukga’s consideration ran so deep that the alcohol was not particularly plentiful. Perhaps it was a consideration born of not wishing to see us collapse in a drunken stupor. After cleanly emptying the jug alongside the Sadae Aegin, I gazed at the sun slowly sinking.
“……The sun is setting.”
It was a sight as beautiful as ever.
Though the sun was sinking,
perhaps because it was a street that never slept even in ordinary times, it was not dark despite how few people were coming and going.
Of course, it was the hearts of us four that were dark.
From the Sado Jeil-in’s perspective, he likely expected us to storm Dongho, tear the place upside down, kill people indiscriminately, threaten boatmen, and wander around the various islands of Dongho, but I had no desire for that.
It was a hassle.
After all, one can only meet a rat hiding deep in its hole when the time is right.
A short while later, some ordinary folk cautiously approached and specifically asked me if they could clear away the corpses. Since I had intended to allow even those out of the ordinary to do it, I told them to go ahead.
Thanks to that, I spoke while looking at the cleaned street.
“Well, well. Now that it’s clean, it’s nice to look at.”
On the night street, deserted due to the fight, a woman with her face veiled seemed to pass by, but before I knew it, she approached the shop I had unlawfully seized and abruptly bowed her head.
“My lord, I am called Mok A-eon (木娥嫣).”
The Lust Demon beside me spoke in a surprised tone.
“Huh?”
I looked back and forth between the woman and the Lust Demon. As we all stared, the Lust Demon let out a fake cough and looked at Mok A-eon.
“I’ve heard of you. So you are Lady Mok of Dongho.”
Mok A-eon slightly bowed her head toward the Lust Demon.
“Young Master Mong, thank you for recognizing me.”
I asked.
“Who is she?”
The Lust Demon seemed to read the room before speaking in a composed tone.
“The greatest beauty of Dongho.”
“You sure know everything.”
The Sword Demon let out a sigh beside us.
“How impressive, my disciple.”
The Lust Demon scratched the back of his head.
“Well, it’s just something I heard, so I wasn’t sure, but I suddenly remembered.”
“I suppose so.”
I looked at Mok A-eon, the greatest beauty of Dongho. I couldn’t guess her age because of the veil, but she appeared to have learned martial arts.
“Lady Mok, what business brings you to our newly opened inn?”
Mok A-eon spoke to me.
“My lord, the Sado Jeil-in is hiding on Saryangdo (思量島). I will provide a boat and guide you there.”
It was such a sudden proposal that all of the Sadae Aegin looked at me.
“…….”
I asked Mok A-eon.
“You say a boat is prepared?”
“Yes.”
“Your attitude is ambiguous. Do you mean for us to go and kill him? Or have you come as that Sado bastard’s messenger?”
Mok A-eon spoke.
“My family has suffered oppression from that person for years.”
“Why?”
“Because of me. I refused him, saying I had a betrothed, and even hid in a relative’s house. He arbitrarily called my family his in-laws. I do not know if he truly thinks of them as in-laws, but he has not killed anyone or done such things. However, we have suffered plenty of hardship. In Dongho, people treat me as someone they must not even speak to. Besides me, several women of outstanding looks from Dongho have already entered Saryangdo. I do not wish to live like that.”
I clicked my tongue.
“So there was a bastard like Mong-rang in Dongho too.”
“Yes.”
I answered while ignoring the glare in the Lust Demon’s eyes.
“If you’re asking a favor, lift your veil first. I have no way of knowing whether you are the greatest beauty of Dongho or stir-fried squid legs.”
“Yes.”
Mok A-eon approached right before the inn and lifted her veil.
None of us said anything for a moment.
Because the woman before our eyes was indeed the greatest beauty of Dongho. Of course, had she been in Seoho, she would have been the greatest beauty of Seoho as well.
The Lust Demon suddenly jumped up as if in heat and placed a chair before us.
Mok A-eon sat in the chair and bowed her head to the Lust Demon.
“Young Master Mong, thank you.”
The Lust Demon answered as he returned to his seat.
“Not at all.”
A laugh escaped me naturally.
“Lady Mok.”
“Yes.”
“You are fearless. To come so close to men like us. If we board the boat and head to Saryangdo with you, does that mean we can meet the Sado Jeil-in?”
“The island is not very large.”
“Does that mean we should kill him or not as we see fit? Will you be coming along too?”
“A trustworthy servant will guide you. I do not wish to meet him.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk.”
Mok A-eon gazed at me with clear eyes.
“Why do you do that?”
“Perhaps because you’re confident in your looks, your words are far too sloppy. In wartime (戰時), one cannot trust the words of a beauty. It is because throughout history, there have been many honey traps. But we have the Lust Demon with us. What do you think?”
I looked at the Lust Demon.
The Lust Demon was too busy admiring Mok A-eon’s face to hear a word I said.
“……What? I didn’t hear.”
I said to the Lust Demon.
“You bastard.”
The Lust Demon’s eyes widened, and only then did he look at me.
“Hey, why are you suddenly cursing at me?”
“What did I just say?”
“You called me a bastard.”
“…….”
I let out a sigh along with the others beside me.
That’s right.
The Lust Demon had already fallen for a honey trap even before coming to Dongho. The reason was beyond me. It was my fault for forgetting that wherever he followed without complaint, there was a high probability of an outstanding beauty appearing.
However, he was the first to fall for a honey trap so sloppily, so inwardly I was bewildered.
I asked Mok A-eon.
“Lady Mok, are you famous in this place?”
Mok A-eon answered with a bold expression.
“It was not something I wanted.”
“Do all the men of Dongho know of you?”
“Most of them, I would think.”
I stared into Mok A-eon’s eyes.
“Then if I were to hit you, I’d earn heaps of resentment from all the men in Dongho.”
“Huh?”
I spoke with a grave expression.
“If I board that boat trusting your words, I’ll sink to the bottom of Dongho. If I so much as lay a hand on you, it means becoming the enemy of every man in Dongho. That’s what they call popularity. Being a beauty is no different. It unconditionally becomes my fault. Such is the nature of men, the psychology of the masses.”
Mok Ayeon answered.
“Are you saying I am a subordinate of Sadojeil-in? It is well known in Dongho that Sadojeil-in tormented me.”
I shook my head.
“Lies are not made of falsehood alone. They are mixed with truth. Why do you believe the four of us can kill Sadojeil-in? To place an assassination contract without even knowing our capabilities—are there truly clients this foolish? Did you perhaps receive a promise that if you did this favor for Sadojeil-in, he would torment you no longer? That promise is likely a lie as well.”
Saekma answered my words.
“Why are you so distrustful?”
Geoma replied in a displeased tone.
“Mongrang, hold your tongue.”
“Ah, yes. Master, forgive me.”
I spoke while looking at Mok Ayeon.
“I have no intention of boarding a boat for a shoddy request like this. As we venture into the depths of Dongho, a hole will be bored into the hull, and the oarsmen will leap into the water. Boats commanded by Sadojeil-in will appear on all sides, shooting fire arrows and hurling concealed weapons at us. After the boat sinks, I’ll realize it. Ah, so it was a honey trap. But if I swim through the water and survive, then track you down and slap your cheek with my soaked body, won’t I once again become the public enemy of Dongho’s men? That won’t do. Wretched creature.”
“…….”
“That’s how it is, isn’t it? Isn’t it?”
Mok Ayeon rose from her seat.
“Forgive me. It seems I came to the wrong place.”
“Lady Mok, I never said I would let you leave. If you wish to race to see who’s faster, run first. Once you’ve taken ten steps, I’ll start. I can afford to grant you that much.”
Mok Ayeon sat back down.
“Are you treating me as a prisoner now?”
As grievance settled over Mok Ayeon’s expression, I could feel Saekma pitying her beside me. The second bout had begun, yet Saekma was already taken down.
I glared at Mok Ayeon.
“Soften your gaze. I am a man who will slap your cheek even if it makes me the enemy of every man in Dongho. Look at this atmosphere. The moment I threaten a beauty, it feels as though I’ve become a petty man. What am I to do with this damned atmosphere?”
As if to say something more, I opened my mouth, then reached out and sealed Mok Ayeon’s acupoint.
Thwack!
Though Mok Ayeon had learned martial arts, she stiffened rigidly while reflexively raising her hand.
I pulled her chair, placed it beside me, then turned it toward the direction we were facing.
The sunset was spreading across the sky.
“I’ve captured a prisoner. How fortunate. I suppose this isn’t a prisoner of love?”
Saekma looked at me.
“What kind of dogshit is that, you crazy bastard.”
Ignoring Saekma’s words, I went inside and took out jerky from the relief supplies. I distributed the jerky to the Four Great Evil Ones, then sat back in my seat and chewed.
“Wow, it’s gotten dark already.”
Gwima replied while chewing jerky.
“Right? The sun sets fast.”
Saekma sniffed beside me and spoke toward Mok Ayeon.
“Lady Mok, you smell nice? Did you take a bath?”
Mok Ayeon let out a shriek that was difficult to interpret.
Geoma opened his mouth in a grave tone.
“Disciple.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Go buy some alcohol. Since the situation is special, have the one who guarantees it is poison-free drink a sip first.”
“Ah, understood.”
“While you’re at it, find out about Lady Mok as well.”
“Yes.”
Saekma set out to find an inn while chewing jerky noisily. The sight of him looking around here and there seemed especially pathetic today.
I spoke while chewing jerky as well.
“The saltiness really makes me crave alcohol.”
Just then, a woman’s voice rang out.
“My Lord.”
“Ugh, you startled me.”
I looked at Mok Ayeon and realized.
“I didn’t seal your mute acupoint. Wow, goosebumps. I thought a maiden ghost was calling out to me. Why? Why call me? Why call someone who’s chewing jerky? Why, why, why, why? Did you summon me for something grave?”
Mok Ayeon spoke.
“The latrine, please.”
“You must learn to hold it. Now is not the time for the latrine. There is no one to escort you either.”
Shortly after, Saekma returned mumbling.
“Why are so many shops closed? I barely managed to get it.”
I answered.
“The poison?”
“The waiter drank a cup with an annoyed expression, asking if I suspected him.”
“Really? Give it here.”
I received the alcohol from Saekma and poured a bit into a bamboo flask.
“Lady Mok first. Alcohol goes to the beauty first.”
I gently lifted the chin of Mok Ayeon beside me, pressed both cheeks to open her mouth, then poured in the alcohol from the bamboo flask. As the spirits went down with a glug-glug-glug, Mok Ayeon’s complexion turned pale.
I asked Mok Ayeon in a polite tone.
“My lady, is there poison? Is there not? Please answer.”
“There is not.”
“How is the taste?”
“Not bad.”
“Good.”
Only then did I pour alcohol for the Four Great Evil Ones, saying,
“When will we ever sit side by side drinking with such a beautiful woman again? It’s Second Brother’s first time too, isn’t it? We’re in luck.”
Gwima looked at me.
“How did you know?”
“You can tell just by looking. What’s wrong?”
I started to crack a joke at Geoma too, but gave up after seeing his expression. Finally, I poured alcohol into Saekma’s cup and said,
“Bastard, why are your eyes darting around so much? Drink.”
I made a point of introducing the friend beside me to Mok Ayeon, whose eyes had met mine.
“The nickname of the friend beside me is Saekma.”
When I laughed, Mok Ayeon’s expression hardened.
“…….”
Watching Mok Ayeon’s expression change, I spoke.
“You mustn’t cry. If you cry here, I’ll make you drink more, and then I won’t send you to the latrine. Got it? Answer me…….”
“Yes.”
Gwima, who had drunk a cup, asked me with a strange expression.
“But why does it seem the Third is completely immune to the honey trap? Even I can see that Miss Mok is exceptionally beautiful. I nearly fell for it myself.”
There was nothing new about the beauty trap failing; it hadn’t worked on me in my previous life either. But since the Four Great Villains were finding it strange, I needed to offer a rough explanation.
I looked at Mok A-eon and spoke.
“She’s not my woman, so whether she’s beautiful or not, what does it have to do with me?”
I sat down, raised my cup toward the night sky of Dongho, and recited an impromptu poem as it came to mind.
At an inn in Dongho.
There are men drinking beneath the night sky with Dongho’s greatest beauty.
That is us.
With us here, who dares claim to be the Dongho Greatest Sword?
That is impossible.
A title of Greatest Sword is earned by defeating opponents.
Whom, pray tell, has that man defeated?
It may well be a nickname earned by lopping off the heads of many fish.
The Hao Sect Leader came to Dongho requesting a one-on-one duel, yet no word was heard from the so-called greatest.
Contrary to rampant rumors.
He drove his subordinates to their deaths, and from windows threw hidden weapons.
He put poison in the dumplings and smeared poison on the kitchen knives.
In the martial world, such a despicable Greatest Sword is utterly unheard of.
If the day ends like this, the despicable rumors of the Dongho Greatest Sword will spread far and wide through the martial world.
The disgrace of Dongho’s men proves that the Dongho Greatest Sword is truly number one.
At a gloomy dusk.
Dongho’s greatest beauty came with difficulty to find the Hao Sect Leader and requested:
To kill the Dongho Greatest Sword.
When the Hao Sect Leader asked curiously for the reason.
He heard the answer that an ugly wretch had had the audacity to fancy her.
She said she would have accepted his confession if he were only the second ugliest in Dongho.
How pitiful a tale is this?
There is a man who torments a maiden’s heart by confessing on a whim.
That man is none other than the Dongho Greatest Sword.
The Sword Demon and the Ghost Demon looked at me, then slowly clapped their hands a few times and stopped.
I nodded, then looked at Mok A-eon. She seemed deeply moved, for tears were streaming down her face.
Mok A-eon spoke, her tears falling thick and fast.
“My Lord, I never said such things.”
“Don’t cry. You can’t cry. If you cry, my popularity will drop. Stop. Ah, damn it.”
Because of what I had blurted out earlier, I grabbed Mok A-eon’s cheeks, forced her mouth open, and poured the alcohol. The liquor gurgled as it poured into the mouth of Dongho’s greatest beauty.
“Anyway, this is truly a meaningful day. To share a drink with such a beauty.”
I handed the bottle to the Ghost Demon and nodded.
“Satisfying indeed.”