Book 22 Chapter 7

"Do not touch my body.

—The Comprehensive Entertainment Promotion Complex"

"To put it in a single word…"

Information Officer Bi Yeon-tae, who presented himself as a capable advisor, concisely described the place they were heading towards.

"It's the Comprehensive Entertainment Promotion Complex."

Namgung Sang, Baek Mu-young, Yong Cheon-myeong, and Mah-ryeong's eyes widened at the unfamiliar concept. They couldn't quite understand it.

"What did you say?"

It wasn't strange for a question to pop out. They could hear the words, but the meaning was entirely incomprehensible. What did it mean to comprehensively combine entertainment? They even doubted if it was the same language.

"Please explain it more simply, senior."

Hearing Baek Mu-young's question directed at Bi Yeon-tae, Namgung Sang secretly sighed in relief. Fortunately, he wasn't the only one who didn't understand. Even Baek Mu-young, who served as a strategist, couldn't grasp it.

"Hmm…"

Bi Yeon-tae seemed quite perplexed about how to explain it. He had hoped these friends would intuitively understand. However, it seemed that would be difficult. He concluded it was likely due to a lack of experience.

'Was this that difficult to ponder?'

Baek Mu-young had merely asked what 'Comprehensive Entertainment Promotion Complex,' a single phrase to describe 'Gangho Rand,' actually was.

"Hmm… to put it simply, it's a good place to have fun."

Considering the deliberation, the answer was rather disappointing.

"A good place to have fun?"

"That's right. A good place to have fun. Everything you need for fun is provided there. Alcohol, tobacco, gambling, flowers, jewels, accessories, food, women, men – anything. Of course, you have to pay for it."

Only after hearing the explanation did they finally understand. But what about the end?

"Oh my, there are men too?"

Mah-ryeong exclaimed in shock.

"That's right. If it were only women, it would be anywhere. But a place that also has men is not that common in this vast Jianghu. I heard they are quite beautiful young men. I'm only interested in beautiful young ladies, though. One can't criticize others' tastes."

Of course, even if such things were uncommon, it was enough. Or rather, it wouldn't matter if they didn't exist at all. However, it seemed there were people who weren't necessarily like that.

"Oh, really?"

It was clearly just the men's imagination that Mah-ryeong's eyes seemed to be shining brightly.

'Let's not think about it, let's not think about it…'

It was definitely a trick of the mind, a trick of the mind. Except for Bi Yeon-tae, the men calmed their hearts. It seemed Mah-ryeong was asking for details about the exact location of the place, but they decided to pretend not to hear.

Well, perhaps to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, well, that is, our young men—though I'm not sure what the standard is—might be suddenly kidnapped there. If I don't think of it that way, I can't feel at ease. It felt subtly different from just having different cultures.

"Of course, it's not free…"

It seemed like they could hear such a thing. What wasn't free? The usage fees there? Or the information fees?

"Everything."

'Of course, it would be.'

They had long given up any expectation of anything being free. Fortunately, perhaps due to the training they received from their senior brother, Namgung Sang could quickly accept such things.

"Then did you also find out what this is?"

Namgung Sang presented the box he received with the invitation to Bi Yeon-tae. Bi Yeon-tae's eyes widened as he looked inside.

"Ho! So it was this. Hmm, hmm…"

His face looked as if he had seen a lump of gold.

"Judging by that expression, it seems to be quite valuable."

"Hmm, was it written on my face?"

Only then did Bi Yeon-tae realize that all his thoughts had been revealed on his face and he quickly smoothed his loosened facial muscles. Well, it was already too late.

"Shall we hear the explanation then?"

Namgung Sang asked, looking directly into his eyes.

* * *

"Is the King of the North Sea absent today?"

The King of the West Sea asked, looking at the empty seat to the north.

"A message came saying he couldn't attend the meeting due to urgent business."

Click! Click! Clack! Clack!

The King of the South Sea replied without stopping his fingers from counting on the abacus while looking at the documents. The King of the West Sea wondered if he ever stopped working.

"There are rumors lately that he's dating a woman?"

For a moment, the King of the South Sea's fingers on the abacus stopped.

"The King of the North Sea, him? Impossible."

The King of the South Sea dismissed the rumor in one word. Then he resumed his finger movements, counting on the abacus.

"They say she's quite beautiful. They say she's a newly recruited woman?"

"Well, it's hard to imagine."

"Is that young lady beautiful?"

As soon as talk of women came up, Ja-geun, the King of the East Sea, who had been doing something else without much interest, suddenly leaned in. His interests never changed.

"There are also rumors that you proposed to someone?"

"Ah, that's true."

Ja-geun simply admitted the fact.

"They say she's from the Cheonmu Academy?"

"That's also true."

"Are you out of your mind?"

"Of course, I'm out of my mind. Right after she slapped me, I felt my entire soul shake beneath her slap. That was, you know, 'destiny'!"

Ja-geun said with a wistful look.

"Destiny? You're really out of your mind."

The King of the West Sea uttered with a look of disbelief. He felt deep sorrow and anger at having to be called the Four Kings with such a person.

"Even so, are you that curious about the beauty of other women?"

"That's one thing, and this is another."

"Really? I think I understand why your proposal was rejected."

The King of the South Sea said, as if his doubt was resolved.

"It wasn't rejected!"

Ja-geun shouted sharply with a hurt expression.

"Then what was it?"

"Young Lady Yeon-bi, you see, you see… Yes! She was just shy!"

The moment he uttered those words, they became the truth in his heart. Regardless of what anyone else said, that was the truth for him. Yes, Young Lady Yeon-bi didn't hate him. She was simply shy. It was a common occurrence. In such cases, the man should take the initiative. Young Lady Yeon-bi would be hoping for that too. Ja-geun, who possessed a convenient mental structure, truly believed so.

"Was she really shy? I don't think a woman who was that shy would have slapped you… You're not listening."

Ja-geun was already lost in his own world.

"Well, I need to finish this trivial meeting quickly and fly to the side of Young Lady Yeon-bi, who is waiting for me eagerly. Ah, time is short, time. Young Lady Yeon-bi, please don't be too lonely and wait for me. Just a little longer, and I will fly to your side like a bird!"

The King of the South Sea knew from experience that when he was lost in his own world like that, he couldn't hear anything said beside him. It was best to ignore him at times like this.

"Can I cut that off?"

The King of the West Sea asked with a voice tinged with annoyance.

"If you can cut it off with one blow."

"Tsk!"

The King of the West Sea removed his hand from the hilt of his sword, which was as long as a fishing rod, and sat down on the chair with a thud.

"By the way, they should be arriving around now."

The King of the West Sea was a tall, burly man with a long sword slung over his shoulder.

"That's right. They are probably docking at the southern port right now."

"Who did you send to greet them?"

The King of the South Sea, concentrating on reviewing his documents again, mentioned a name.

"Baek Gyeol."

Then the King of the West Sea's eyes widened.

"Baek Gyeol? Why did you send him of all people?"

His words had a strangely accusatory tone.

"What's wrong with that friend?"

The King of the South Sea asked nonchalantly.

"I find that pale friend uncomfortable. Just looking at him standing makes me feel suffocated."

The King of the West Sea frowned, as if even recalling it was unpleasant.

"That friend simply prefers things a little cleaner than us."

"Ha! A little? That's outrageous. Is that 'a little'? That's a disease, a disease."

He really seemed to dislike that person named Baek Gyeol.

"Perhaps it is. But what if it's a disease? His skills are certainly undeniable. I believe in using everything I can, especially if it's useful."

"It's amazing that you can use such a friend as a deputy commander."

Come to think of it, the fact that this one always felt anxious if he wasn't working was also a disease. Chronic workaholism.

"That Baek Gyeol, he thinks this whole world is dirty. It bothers me that he seems to see even me as dirty. If he wasn't your deputy commander, I wouldn't leave him alone. An unpleasant fellow."

"So that's the reason you dislike that friend. But that's precisely why that friend is stronger. He has to protect his own purity from this dirty world. That's a truly difficult task."

"I agree with that. It's pitiful that the people from Cheonmu Academy have to be welcomed by him."

He genuinely pitied the invited guests. He wouldn't want to be in the same place as that guy for even a quarter of a degree.

* * *

In the shadow of Dongting Lake, where night had descended upon the water. In the midst of the deepest darkness, there was an island that formed a dazzling, brilliant, sleepless city. That island, Gangho Rand, was located a mere half-hour boat ride from Macheon Pavilion. A world of gambling, alcohol, and women in a dazzling night. There were rumors that Macheon Pavilion operated it, but the truth remained unknown. In any case, it was certain that they paid a certain amount to Macheon Pavilion.

According to what Bi Yeon-tae had learned through various inquiries, Macheon Pavilion allowed its members to go on a two-night, three-day leave starting from the evening of the fifth class day. During that time, they were free to go anywhere. However, they had to return by the evening of the second holiday. Of course, it didn't matter if they didn't return. They would be immediately branded as fugitives or cowards, and their rank would drop. So, unless they were backstabbed by someone they had a grudge against on the road, everyone tended to return.

And the day the delegation was suddenly invited was, in fact, Macheon Pavilion's regular holiday. In other words, while it was presented as a polite invitation, it ultimately took away the delegation's voluntary holiday.

Namgung Sang and his group had to quickly spread a brief explanation about Gangho Rand to their Cheonmu Academy colleagues gathered on the boat that arrived at the pier. Although it was insufficient, it was much better than entering in a completely unprepared state.

"This place is like a completely different world."

There was more bewilderment than admiration in Na Ye-rin's voice. Although it was a mysterious island they had to visit because everyone participated, they seemed to be able to have plenty of unique experiences. The island, which glittered brilliantly everywhere, seemed to be exulting in its achievement of driving away the night with human power.

"Rather, isn't it a melting pot where human desires boil over?"

Yeonbi said, with a slight smile, making a chilling remark.

As Yeonbi said, the people coming and going on the island seemed eager to shout, creating a boisterous and ruthless noise. The sounds of music, laughter, moans, curses, and touting mixed together, creating a duet of chaos and confusion.

"It's a place where desires eat away at reason and even steal money. A paradise for carnivorous plants that swallow humans who have become prisoners of their desires?"

Na Ye-rin's usually expressionless forehead creased slightly. A place with so many different kinds of people, while it might be a unique experience, was the type of place she disliked the most.

As the Cheonmu Academy delegation began to disembark from the boat, a man waiting for them approached them.

"I am Baek Gyeol."

His greeting as the one who came to greet them was the end of it.

"Nice to meet you. I am Namgung Sang."

As Namgung Sang approached to perform a formal bow, the man stepped back a couple of steps without accepting the greeting. It was a very rude act.

"You came to greet us, but you're wearing a mask, and you step back when I greet you. Don't you think that's quite rude?"

Namgung Sang questioned.

"This white cloth is not to cover my face."

Baek Gyeol said, pointing to the white cloth covering his mouth.

"Then what is it for?"

"It is merely a measure to prevent dirty dust from entering me."

Namgung Sang looked the guest up and down with bewilderment at the absurd answer. Indeed, his attire was 병적으로 peculiar.

Starting with the white cloth covering his mouth, his robe, pants, and even his shoes were all white. Furthermore, he wore white gloves. It seemed he couldn't stand any other color encroaching on the white.

'Truly a friend obsessed with white.'

The only things on his entire body that were not white were the long black staff he held and his hair.

"You seem to really like white?"

"White is the cleanest color of all colors. I simply dislike dirty things. Therefore, I dislike people coming near me. Because the air that has entered and exited their bodies bothers me. It is unbearably disgusting."

His white clothes, white boots, and white gloves were, without exaggeration, spotless. It seemed impossible to maintain that state without having mastered the ultimate Dust-Avoiding Divine Skill. He clearly suffered from severe mysophobia.

"Whoa~ That's truly amazing! How about it, Hwi? Since you like clean things, it seems like you'd make a good match!"

"Even I, who likes cleanliness, am not to that extent, Brother Jang."

Mo Yong-hwi politely declined Jang Hong's comparison. Jang Hong seemed to have regained his spirit as soon as they left Macheon Pavilion.

'As if!'

Gongsun Jeol-hwi, who heard that from the side, couldn't help but feel his insides twist. He recalled the days he had spent cleaning the room under Mo Yong-hwi's nagging over the past few days. And Gongsun Jeol-hwi wasn't the only one who was unhappy with Baek Gyeol's behavior. Among the group was someone who hated cleaning even more than Gongsun Jeol-hwi, and that was the promising beggar, No Hak, from the Beggars' Sect.

"Hmph, acting clean! What's the point of being clean on the outside? Your inside is dirty! The stench is rising all the way here. Ah, it stinks~"

No Hak, who had disliked Baek Gyeol from the moment he first saw him, complained loudly as if he wanted to be heard.

"What is that filthy beggar?"

After glaring at No Hak for a moment, Baek Gyeol asked.

"He is No Hak, the senior disciple of the Beggars' Sect leader, the Great Elder Go-eol Wang, and his direct disciple."

So-gol Wang was the title No Hak had recently earned after his exploits(?) at Huashan. Of course, after receiving this title, he had to endure being teased by his senior brother Bi Ryu-yeon for a long time, but he seemed to be quite happy about it. However, he was still called Mae-ta-ja (매타자) by his colleagues. It meant 'one who earns beatings.'

"Heh, 'King,' that's too grand a title for a filthy beggar."

"W-what! You son of a bitch! Are you done talking! Done!"

On the boat, No Hak flailed wildly.

"It is unacceptable for such a filthy creature to set foot on this Gangho Rand without any measures."

"Measures? What kind of measures?"

The smile had disappeared from Namgung Sang's face as he asked. Instead, an invisible energy emanated, beginning to press upon Baek Gyeol's mind and body.

"…Disinfection."

Baek Gyeol opened his mouth, responding to Namgung Sang's aura. It was not an easy task.

'Perhaps this person has been underestimated too much.'

However, he was also a deputy commander. He was not so weak as to back down this much.

"Disinfection?"

"Well, it will be harmless to the human body. It's just removing dirty energies and fleas with a kind of medicine. If you stay still, it will be over quickly."

The last sentence, in particular, irked Namgung Sang.

"What if I don't stay still?"

"Then…"

Baek Gyeol's words did not continue further.

"Who are you calling trash, you damn bastard!"

No Hak roared. It was as if he felt he was being called dirty trash and couldn't stand it.

"I never said you were trash. But you know your own disgusting nature well."

Baek Gyeol said in a flat voice.

"What!"

'Annoying guy!'

No Hak's anger, which he had been suppressing, exploded in an instant.

"Disgusting? Are you done talking?!"

No Hak's figure, standing behind him, shot out in a single motion. He felt he wouldn't be satisfied unless he landed a punch on that annoying face that saw everything in the world as dirty filth.

"Stop it, No Hak! Don't attack first!"

This was a clear provocation. Baek Mu-young, realizing that falling for it would give the enemy justification, hurriedly tried to stop him, but it was too late. However, it wasn't Baek Gyeol who rolled on the ground, but No Hak.

No Hak's fist split the empty air, and after spinning in the air, he was thrown onto the ground on his back.

Crash!

He fell. He rolled.

"Kuk!"

A short groan escaped.

No Hak was left looking up at the sky without having touched a single hair of Baek Gyeol. Even if he hadn't used his upward martial arts, the shock was immense.

Clack!

A black ebony staff was pointed before the fallen No Hak's eyes. Using that ebony staff, he had deflected his attack and flipped his body. It was a movement like sweeping away dirt with a broom. In fact, its original purpose was not a staff but a broom. It just didn't have bristles attached at the moment.

"I warned you. Do not touch my body."

Baek Gyeol said in a low voice, laced with displeasure.

"You, c-…"

However, No Hak couldn't finish his words. It was due to the killing intent that erupted with the force of piercing his mouth for a moment.

"Do not curse. It dirties my ears."

The black staff in Baek Gyeol's hand was very long. That black staff was an object to exclude all contaminated things approaching him. The reason it didn't have a blade was because blood was also dirty. The mere thought of other people's dirty blood splashing on his body made him so disgusted that he got goosebumps.

"I warn you one more time. Do not touch my body. Then there will be no problem."

Baek Gyeol, it seemed he wanted nothing else.

'Who is it? Who is the inconsiderate person who made someone like that greet people?'

It was no wonder that such resentment and anger began to sprout among the Cheonmu Academy delegation.

At that moment, the King of the South Sea felt his ears strangely itchy, as if someone was cursing him, but he didn't stop counting on his abacus to scratch it.

He was that kind of person.