The Return of the Crazy Demon-Chapter 280: Don’t Live Like Me

I looked at the tavern owner, then at the three men grinning like fools. Two of them reached for their swords, and one pulled something from his robe.

But I had already released cold energy through my lower dantian.

To shut down any unexpected developments, I unleashed the full force of a Full Moon Cold Pressure.

In an instant, the ones grabbing their swords—and the bastard pulling a medicine bottle from his chest—froze solid. The way they were frozen confirmed once more that my mastery of Moonlight Cold Heart Technique had deepened.

I turned to lock eyes with the tavern owner.

His right hand was still raised, frozen in place as our eyes met.

Even in that moment, his gaze was fierce.

The kind of eyes only someone who’s killed many people could have.

I glanced at the trash food on the table, then waited for the tavern owner to say something.

“I’ll spare your life. But you’re going to eat this garbage.”

“......”

“Don’t want to?”

I struck the tip of my chopstick with Wooden Puppet Pressure Technique and lodged it into the owner’s forehead. Thunk— As he collapsed backward, peace finally returned to the shabby tavern.

“......”

I didn’t want to stain my sword killing people like this. Skill has nothing to do with it—truly evil people are the ones like these.

I drew the flash dagger and tapped the medicine bottle the man had tried to throw. It didn’t shatter due to the frost.

I channeled flame qi into the flash dagger, heated the bottle, then shattered it. A dark liquid dripped out and melted the frozen man’s foot.

The stench was overwhelming, and I had to hold my breath.

He must’ve already died from the frost, as there wasn’t even a scream. Still, I’d never seen anyone walk around carrying something as deadly as Firebone Acid in a bottle.

It felt... off. Poor-looking bastards walking around with something so expensive.

With flash dagger still in hand, I walked into the kitchen and headed out the back. At the incineration pit, I found a messy pile of clothes. Either the original owner of this inn’s clothes... or those of customers who came to eat and never left.

A birdcall caught my attention, and I looked up to see a birdcage hanging under the right eave of the inn. Unlike the filthy inn and kitchen, two birds inside the cage looked perfectly healthy—trained message hawks.

I sliced through the cage’s lock with my dagger and opened the door. One of the birds poked its head out and looked around.

They probably needed feed or a note tied to their leg before they’d fly off.

I didn’t know why message hawks were kept at a place like this, but I had no letter to send. So I knocked the cage with the dagger.

“You’re free. Go wherever.”

Just how much had they been trained?

Even as I shook the cage, the hawks refused to leave. This time, I smacked it loud enough to make a clang—.

Finally startled, the two hawks burst into the sky.

I’d released them for their freedom, but they flew off in the same direction. It looked like they were trained to follow a specific route, even without food.

That would make them slave-hawks.

When humans are shit, animals become slaves too. Once those hawks arrive somewhere, whoever owns this slave operation will know something happened at this shithole inn.

It felt more and more like this place was a temporary communication base that had been seized.

Since it was isolated enough that the flames wouldn’t spread, I set the entire tavern on fire.

Thinking about it, the frozen corpses would leave unusual traces—but I left them there. Some clever bastard will eventually inspect the wreckage and realize they were taken out by a master of frost qi.

There aren’t many in Jianghu who use frost qi.

Maybe me, the Lecher, or some senior members of the Demonic Cult.

Maybe even the White-Robed Scholar or a few from that library sect—but you’d barely find ten in the entire martial world.

Truth is, learning frost qi isn’t the hard part—deepening it is. Rare elixirs are already hard to find, and those that help frost qi are even scarcer.

I stared at the burning tavern as my eyes grew stiff, then resumed walking.

The sun had risen, but I needed sleep. In the end, I turned toward the nearest base rather than heading straight for Ilyang County.

***

Why did it feel like I’d been gone so long?

With dry, stiff eyes, I walked into the training grounds and looked around at those practicing. Some I recognized. Others were unfamiliar.

The moment they spotted me, voices rang out across the yard.

“Lord of the Pavilion!”

For a second, I wondered who they were calling—then realized it was me.

I had returned as the Lord of the Black Cat Pavilion. I scanned the training monkeys as I entered the grounds.

“You all been well?”

I couldn’t believe I was still the Pavilion Lord...

The feeling was strangely fresh. When I reached the inner courtyard, So Gunpyeong, Chief Byeok, Ho Yeoncheong, and Lady Son came out to greet me. They were all smiling brightly—it felt odd.

Chief Byeok immediately made a fuss.

“Good heavens, Lord of the Pavilion. What took you so long to return?”

So Gunpyeong walked up with a smile.

“You’re back.”

“Something like that.”

I looked into the eyes of people I hadn’t seen in a while, even greeting the plum tree.

Then, I noticed Ho Yeoncheong and Lady Son standing side by side. Now that I looked closer, they were about the same age.

The change in their energy was obvious. I asked right away,

“...Are you two seeing each other?”

Chief Byeok’s eyes widened as he answered first.

“No, but... how did you know?”

“I don’t know. I just saw it and knew. You’re not married yet, are you?”

Ho Yeoncheong responded with a flustered face.

“Ah, no, not yet.”

“Let’s head inside first.”

Strangely, every time I returned, there seemed to be one more couple. Maybe it was because I was alone—I could sense the vibe more easily. Who knows.

I entered the main hall of the Black Cat Pavilion and sat down at my usual seat, the head of the room. Couldn’t sleep just yet.

If Ho Yeoncheong and Lady Son had been casually dating, then clearly nothing urgent had happened in the pavilion. So I didn’t bother asking.

Seeing me after a while, So Gunpyeong spoke.

“Lord of the Pavilion, your aura’s changed a lot. You’re almost unrecognizable.”

“Really? How so?”

He tilted his head thoughtfully before replying.

“You seem much stronger than before.”

“Well, I am. Everything quiet here?”

“Yes.”

“Nothing much happened on my end either. Killed a few public enemies, a few lunatics, a couple of poison-wielding bastards at an inn. Picked up a disciple, took some elixirs. Learned a few new techniques. But otherwise, not much. Can’t even remember who else I killed.”

Chief Byeok nodded.

“I see.”

“Oh, and I met Cheonak, one of the Three Calamities, and the Beggars’ Sect Leader too. Nothing serious.”

Chief Byeok’s face twisted in surprise.

“Ah, yes... not serious at all, I see.”

“Exactly. And Cheonak’s comrade—should I call him that?—Scholar Chu Myeong, I’m still in a dispute with him. Hasn’t been settled yet. He’s targeting me, so just keep that in mind.”

“Yes, sir.”

“The group Chu Myeong belongs to... the so-called Scholars—the survivors of the Hundred Schools of Thought—are powerful. I’ve allied with the Mohists, but the Legalists are now sworn enemies. Just a heads-up.”

“Understood.”

I looked at Chief Byeok, So Gunpyeong, Lady Son, and Ho Yeoncheong and said,

“I’d love to sit down and hear everything, but I haven’t slept in about three days.”

“Oh dear...”

“I’ll sleep first. We’ll talk later.”

“Of course.”

“If anyone shows up who might be tracking me—especially if they look like a scholar—wake me immediately. They’re all insane.”

So Gunpyeong nodded.

“Got it. Please rest easy. We’ll broaden the patrols.”

“There aren’t many places in this world where I can sleep in peace. I’m glad I came back to the Black Cat Pavilion. For now—I’m sleeping.”

I got up and headed to my room but ran into a group of maids I hadn’t seen before. They looked startled, so I reassured them.

“Don’t be alarmed. I’m the Pavilion Lord here.”

“Ah, yes, sir! Your room has been kept clean and ready.”

I paused and looked them up and down.

“Any of you trained in martial arts?”

The maids looked at each other and shook their heads. One of them stood out—strikingly pretty—so I asked directly,

“Where are you from?”

“Me? I came because they were hiring.”

“Who hired you?”

“I was brought in through Chief Son.”

“Lady Son?”

I stared directly at the pretty one.

“Got it. If anyone suspicious approaches you, tell So Gunpyeong immediately. Don’t let things get out of hand later.”

“Understood.”

I entered my room, unpacked my bundle, and lay down, eyes closed.

The moment I shut them, the black sky spun in my head.

If nothing had happened in the Black Cat Pavilion, maybe it was time to hand the title over to So Gunpyeong. I just hoped the Scholar faction and the dark path would leave me alone today.

This wasn’t just sleep.

The energy of the elixirs was merging with the Heavenly Pearl—like dealing with a familiar, recurring illness, I drifted into unconsciousness.

***

It felt like I had fallen asleep during the day, yet when I opened my eyes, the sky was still bright. I was a little disoriented—I couldn’t tell if I was at the Purple Mist Inn or the Black Cat Pavilion.

If only I could circulate my internal energy while asleep.

I finally managed to sit up and wake up properly after washing.

I changed into clean clothes in the room, threw on the black scholar’s robe of Mansangmun, then stepped out into the main hall and called for So Gunpyeong. While he was on his way, I remembered something I’d forgotten, so I returned to my room and came back with my travel bundle.

I said to So Gunpyeong,

“So, Vice Master.”

“Yes, sir.”

“When I’m not here, consider yourself the acting Lord of the Black Cat Pavilion.”

“Understood.”

“What’s the latest on the Four Death Generals?”

“After we last parted near White Hawk Ridge, I haven’t seen them. But we’ve already established a message network through messenger birds, so it’s no trouble to call them. Shall I summon them, since you’ve returned?”

“No need.”

I pulled out the smallest hundred-year fo-ti root from my bundle and handed it to So Gunpyeong.

“Eat it.”

“What is this?”

“An elixir. Hundred-year fo-ti. Though whether it’s really a hundred years old is anyone’s guess.”

So Gunpyeong stared at the root in his hand and asked,

“Feels like I shouldn’t be the one eating this...”

“Then who should?”

“You, Master. You should take it.”

“I’ve eaten enough fo-ti to be sick of it. Just eat it.”

“How do I take it?”

“Just chew it. Right here.”

“Yes, sir.”

I waited while So Gunpyeong chewed the entire root. Once he finished, I said,

“Rest today. Go inside and spend the day circulating your qi. Call Chief Byeok first, though.”

“Yes, sir.”

As soon as So Gunpyeong left, I checked my bundle again. Now I had three large fo-ti roots left, and about four smaller ones.

A little while later, Chief Byeok appeared with a few books tucked under his arm and sat next to me.

“You called?”

I nodded, and he laid the books down one by one as he explained.

“This is the financial ledger. This one includes maps of some land we acquired. And this one is a registry of new hires.”

“You bought land?”

“More like acquired a few failing businesses. As you know, the Black Cat Pavilion has too much idle capital. We didn’t send staff right away, but contacted Lord Yeon Ja-seong to handle some repairs. The expenses for that are included—mostly materials and food, so it’s cheaper than usual construction costs. Oh, and some of the purchases were recommended by Officer Sama-bi.”

I gave a dry cough and looked at him.

“Well... how splendid.”

“Thank you.”

Turns out Chief Byeok had been running the Hao Clan’s intel branch. That was a surprise.

I had only intended to reward So Gunpyeong, but now I had no choice. I pulled another small fo-ti root from the bundle and handed it to Chief Byeok.

“Try some hundred-year fo-ti.”

His eyes widened.

“Goodness, you didn’t have to. I don’t even practice martial arts...”

“There’s no rule saying only martial artists can eat elixirs. It’s for your health.”

“Are you sure I can take it?”

When I gestured at him, he smacked his lips and started chewing.

Suddenly, I realized we needed an herbalist in the Hao Clan.

“...Ridiculous.”

Chief Byeok, perhaps due to his age, started pounding his chest mid-chew.

“Good grief...”

I stood up, brought over a teapot, and poured him a glass of water.

He made a loud gulping sound, downed the water, and wiped his mouth.

“Thank you, Lord.”

“No need for thanks. Just don’t die eating an elixir.”

“Of course.”

I looked out through the wide-open doors of the hall and watched plum blossoms drifting on the wind.

I had left to gather elixirs for my disciple, but it seemed they’d be gone before he ever got any. I simply had nothing else to give to the people who’d held things together in my absence.

Chief Byeok, having finished the fo-ti, kept drinking water before letting out a loud belch.

“Buurp... ah, excuse me.”

“Chief Byeok, instead of running around yourself, pick a couple of messengers from the inside and delegate.”

“Yes, sir.”

“How are the new maids?”

“We posted recruitment notices, and a lot of applicants came after one of the large tea houses nearby collapsed. Lady Son personally interviewed the youngest girls and selected from among them. All locals. I verified their backgrounds myself.”

“Diligent as always.”

If not for Chief Byeok, the Hao Clan might have collapsed again. I probably felt like King Wen finding Jiang Taigong. With nothing else to say, I asked something pointless.

“So how’d Ho Yeoncheong and Lady Son end up together?”

Chief Byeok suddenly sighed.

“...Actually, I confessed first. Got rejected. Turns out Lady Son had liked Master Ho Yeon from the start. That’s how it went.”

I took a sip of water.

“Oh. You never married, Chief Byeok?”

His expression fell.

“My wife passed away ten years ago.”

I held his gaze for a moment, then looked elsewhere. He muttered,

“Painting brings me peace.”

“I see. You’re better than me—I don’t even have a hobby.” 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

“Would you like to learn painting?”

“Not interested.”

“Yes, sir.”

“In any case, you’ve worked hard. So Gunpyeong is doing internal cultivation today, so I’ll stand watch instead. If there’s anyone unruly or in need of a talk, send them to me. Take it easy.”

“Understood, Clan Master.”

He walked to the hall entrance and stared at the falling plum petals.

Then suddenly, he ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) turned around and said something unnecessary.

“Clan Master... don’t live like me. You’ll end up alone.”

I didn’t bother cursing. I just gave him a vague reply.

“Got it.”