Hae-Hyuk was led into a moving box that was called an elevator. It worked like a flying disk but only went up and down. Just like the flying disk, it was powered up on spiritual cores found inside deceased spiritual beasts. It didn't consume much and was a true fancy equipment for one's building. If it had been up to him, he would have only left platforms at each step. Cultivators could jump, why waste money on such a contraption?

But it wasn't up to him. And this was an establishment reknown for being fancy and lavish. That woman had always been like that, enjoying the delicacies... As the elevator moved upwards, he remembered the old days, when he was a youth of only a few hundred years. It was around then that he met her.

As the doors opened, the man who accompanied him told him that only he could go further and the 'mistress' was waiting ahead. He thanked the man and moved on. The hallway was impressive. Covered in red tapestries, multiple portraits depicting a beautiful woman made from reknown painters...and even a bust, uh. She really was a narcissist to the bones.

As he reached the golden doors at the end of the hallway, he couldn't help but wonder if he made the right choice to come here. What kind of deal could she have for him? Her 'sect', or rather, her 'organization' wasn't quite lacking in techniques... Some of her customers did pay with those. It had a worth like anything else.

He pushed open the door to find her lazily stretched on a luxurious red couch, playing around with an ivory ring inlaid with a dozen diamonds. She looked gorgeous. She was a true perfect beauty. Not many men wouldn't turn their heads if she passed them by. Perfect figure hugged in a tight blue and gold dress, flawless face with expert-level make-up, deep blue eyes, long and curly blond hair... Her beauty was devilish.

If you didn't know she was more than two thousand years old, of course...Though some probably wouldn't mind.

As the doors opened and she looked over, she gave Hae-Hyuk a smile so bright it could have broken the heart of a weaker man. Hae-Hyuk, of course, didn't even care. He was used to this woman. They knew each other since way back, close to two thousand years of friendship...And so, he wasn't polite: "What's the deal you wrote about?"

She pouted, acting cute, as she answered: "Ro~oh~ Do you have to be so serious every single time? Can't we have some foreplay from time to time instead of business, business and business?"

Hae-Hyuk sighed. To think she kept acting this way even after so long... She was truly a shameless old hag. But he was shameless as well. The benefit of living long. He told her with a deadpanned face: "Business first. I don't have much time these days"

She nodded as she grinned: "Right, it's coming soon. Heard you got two great apprentices this time? Think you got a chance?"

Hae-Hyuk grinned at the thought of victory. He didn't answer but his facial expression let it all out, making the woman chuckle: "Right, of course you are confident. You did poach some incredible ones this time"

Hae-Hyuk looked at her thoughtfully. She has already learnt about them. Is it a deal related to them? This could be more complex than expected. However, she knew what he was thinking. She rolled over the couch once before sitting, one leg over the other, and facing forward with a fox-like smile. Then, she reassured him: "Don't worry, I have no interest in Min-Su and Jin. Though it was quite interesting to uncover their past"

"So you do know of it"

"Of course, I do. Who do you take me for? One is an abandonned son from a powerful clan and the other is a deserter from the most powerful sect of the Empire. I probably know even more than you do. Especially about Jin"

"I didn't try to uncover more than necessary"

"Yeah. Well, I plan to bet on you this time so don't disappoint me"

"Riii~iiiight. So, the deal?"

"Before that~ Let's catch up~ We haven't met in so many years~"

Hae-Hyuk planned to reject her but he was too late to do so as she had already gotten up and grabbed his arm within her own. She began to lead him further in as she said: "Let me show you around~" He knew that there was nothing he could do about it when she was in such a state so it let her do as she wished. After some time, she would naturally talk.

They went through floors after floors until they reached the highest place: A mansion held between the jaws of the two giant dragons. It was her personal mansion where no one was allowed but her. As she introduced it, he asked her: "What about your harem?"

She laughed as she told him: "I meet them down there. This place is solely mine. You're actually the first man to come in~ Exciting much~?"

He sighed. He was used of her teasing to the point it was boring. After centuries of it, anyone can get tired. She wasn't though. She was enjoying herself greatly. As for her harem, it was simply to spend the time. At first, it was to satisfy an old dream. Then, it developed into the twin towers of today. It was no longer pleasure she was after though. After so many years, she wanted something else, with deeper feelings.

She led Hae-Hyuk to the very last room of her mansion and excitedly said: "That's my bed~" He looked at her. She looked at him. They looked at each other. Then, they hugged.

...And they closed the doors.