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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Red Blossom Pavilion
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#005 Red Blossom Pavilion
After a grueling shift, I entered the final labor negotiations with my squad.
"Misan Inn!"
"Red Blossom Pavilion!"
The squad members were refusing to go to our usual spot, Misan Inn, insisting on the newly opened Red Blossom Pavilion.
As a reward for a sudden quest that had popped up, I had ten bottles of white liquor stashed at Misan Inn. To save even a single coin, I tried to persuade my men.
"What's not to love about Misan Inn? Tender pork paired with white liquor is a taste of heaven. Ahh. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water."
"Hmph! Boiled pork is fine once or twice. We've probably eaten over two whole pigs at Misan Inn by now."
"Come on, Brother Gwak Sam would be hurt to hear you say that."
"And since we're on the topic, isn't Brother Gwak Sam being a bit unreasonable? It's been half a year since he opened, and he's still only selling noodles and pork. Forget it. If the squad leader insists on Misan Inn, we have no choice but to go on strike."
Yang Gang, acting as the union representative, pressured me with an uncharacteristically eloquent speech.
Faced with the ultimatum of a strike, I had no choice but to tearfully declare my surrender.
"Ugh, fine. But it's two bottles per person, that's it."
"You know what?"
"What?"
"Squad Leader, you are the stingiest person I have ever met in the Nine Dragons Fortress."
In the end, having secured a minimal gain, I led the Seventeenth Squad to the Red Blossom Pavilion.
Red lanterns, a vividly colored edifice—this was the Red Blossom Pavilion, a recently opened, high-end tavern.
As we reached the entrance, a beautiful woman who looked to be in her early thirties approached us familiarly.
"I am the general manager, Yuk Jin-hwa. It is an honor to meet the heroes of the Outer Hall."
"Ahem, you know of us?"
"Are you not Master Yang Gang of the Outer Hall's Seventeenth Squad? And the one at the very back must be the Squad Leader, the great hero Jin Mujeon."
It had only been two years since I graduated from the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion and entered the world.
To think my fame was already echoing throughout the outer fortress, the phrase 'a crane among chickens' naturally came to mind.
'Well, I am rather exceptional.'
Am I not, after all, the rising ace of the Nine Dragons Fortress and the valedictorian of the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion?
However, I needed to remain discreet for the time being, so I accepted the greeting with the utmost humility.
"Haha, 'great hero' is too much. I understand your respect for me, but as I am still young, please call me 'young hero'."
Was she impressed by my humble demeanor?
Yuk Jin-hwa frowned for a moment before leading us inside with a blank expression.
"Please, come this way. The owner has instructed us to give special treatment to guests from the Outer Hall."
"Oh! This will not do. Special treatment? How can one who lives off the Nine Dragons Fortress's stipend expect special favors?"
"She meant a discount on your drinks..."
"However! I cannot simply disregard such a show of respect. I shall accept it, just for today. What are you all doing?! Get in here, quickly."
Can't say no to a discount.
A moment later, following Yuk Jin-hwa's lead, we entered a lavish room.
"If you will wait a moment, I will bring a table of drinks."
"Wait!"
"Is there something wrong...?"
"We are merely here to discuss the future of the Nine Dragons Fortress. We have no need for courtesans."
At my words, Yang Gang and the other squad members looked at me as if I were a madman and whispered quietly.
"Are you crazy? If we're not going to call for courtesans at a pleasure house, why did we even come here?"
Hah, how frustrating.
Everything has a set budget.
However, unable to ignore the burning gazes of my squad, I finally agreed to call for the courtesans.
And less than five minutes later, I was forced to regret that decision.
"My name is Hwa-ran."
*Pfft!*
The moment I saw the courtesan who sat beside me, I spat out the liquor I was drinking.
'What is she doing here?'
The courtesan who had introduced herself was none other than Jeok Hwa-ran, the Red Blossom Sword—granddaughter of the Red Dragon Hall Master and my junior from the Heaven-Ascending Pavilion.
Suddenly doused in liquor, she glared at me as if she wanted to kill me, wiped her face with a handkerchief, and then filled an empty cup with liquor.
"The great hero seems quite flustered. Or perhaps this maiden is not to your liking."
"N-No..."
"If you would tell me what displeases you, I will correct it immediately."
The atmosphere froze in an instant.
The courtesans fell silent, and my squad members looked on, bewildered, not understanding what was happening.
I couldn't let this ruin a team dinner I had splurged on, so I quickly cleared my throat.
"Not at all. I was simply startled because your beauty is truly world-toppling. I have been very rude."
At my face-saving comment, Hwa-ran's eyes widened and a blush rose to her cheeks. Only then did the other courtesans giggle and fill my squad members' cups.
Regardless, I hurriedly sent her a telepathic message.
[What are you doing here?]
[What are *you* doing here, senior?]
[I'm here for a team dinner with my squad.]
[The man who wouldn't even buy someone a bowl of noodles is suddenly treating his team to dinner?]
Her words, like a 100-mph fastball aimed right at me, reminded me of the huge expense I was about to incur, and my chest ached.
[Didn't you guess from the name, Red Blossom Pavilion? This is my business. I heard you were here, senior, so I disguised myself as a courtesan to surprise you, and you just spit liquor in my face. You're so mean. Really.]
At her words, my eyes widened.
Due to the Nine Dragons Fortress's failed real estate policies, land prices in the outer fortress were skyrocketing.
And in such a climate, the entire four-story Red Blossom Pavilion belonged to Jeok Hwa-ran.
In Korean terms, wasn't she what they called a Gangnam landlord?
Faced with her unimaginable wealth, a sense of respect welled up within me.
[A-As expected of the youngest granddaughter of a chaebol family.]
[What nonsense are you talking about? Stop talking and come out for a moment.]
[I've ordered drinks, where would I go? I need to eat my share before those guys devour everything.]
"Kuhuh! Good stuff. *Slurp, slurp.* Kahap. *Gulp!*"
Yang Gang was making strange noises as he rapidly devoured the food and drinks.
All the while, oblivious to the horrified expressions on the faces of the courtesans sitting with them.
[...Anyway, it looks like you've lost your appetite. I'll have a separate table prepared for you, so just follow me.]
[Alright.]
As I left with Jeok Hwa-ran, the squad members sent lecherous gazes my way.
Yang Gang, in particular, caused a disaster by cracking a vulgar joke.
"I thought you were a prude, but you're something else, Squad Leader. You've barely sat down and you're already leaving to do *that*. Or is the lady the one who's all hot and bothered? Eheheheh."
My god, sexually harassing the youngest granddaughter of the Red Dragon Hall.
It seems he wants to have his limbs cut off and scattered in Nine Dragons Lake.
Sure enough, one of the courtesans radiated killing intent and reached into her robes.
There was surely a dagger in her hand.
However, when Jeok Hwa-ran gave a slight shake of her head, the killing intent vanished.
Praying that idiot Yang Gang wouldn't cause any more trouble, I followed Jeok Hwa-ran to her room.
"Wait just a moment. I've asked the general manager to bring a new table of drinks."
"If you have any Kung Pao Chicken, I'll have that too."
"Just eat what you're given."
"Don't you know the customer is king?"
"That's a dangerous thing to say. Don't you know that impersonating the king is a crime punishable by the extermination of three generations of your family?"
Ah, right. This country is run by Confucian fundamentalists.
"That's not what I meant, it's... The one who pays is treated like a king... No, not a king, but treated lavishly..."
"Stop talking nonsense and just sit down."
"Yes, ma'am."
After a short wait, I heard the voice of the general manager from before.
"Young Lady, I have brought the table of drinks."
"Come in."
*Screech.*
The sliding door opened, and Yuk Jin-hwa entered with several maids, carrying a large table.
Not only was it covered with all sorts of delicacies from land and sea, but a clear, fragrant aroma wafted in, suggesting an expensive liquor was on it.
"Good work. You may leave."
*Glare.*
Yuk Jin-hwa, was it?
The general manager of the Red Blossom Pavilion glared at me as she left.
'Oh dear, is it happening [again]?'
It seemed my presence had lit a fire in her heart.
Well, I am quite handsome in this life. And I have a great body, too.
Sure enough, Yuk Jin-hwa's lips moved slightly as she looked at Jeok Hwa-ran, as if sending a telepathic message.
She was clearly trying to use her connection with Jeok Hwa-ran to get closer to me.
Jeok Hwa-ran, flustered, replied out loud.
"What are you talking about?! We're not like that, so don't worry."
"Then I will take my leave."
Yuk Jin-hwa left with a frosty air.
It was obvious she had asked for an introduction to me, and was now sulking because Jeok Hwa-ran refused to act as a go-between.
"Drink."
"Alright."
Jeok Hwa-ran excitedly filled my cup.
Following her lead, I took a sip and couldn't help but be amazed.
"Whoa!"
I had never experienced such an aroma and taste before.
"Hehehe. It's Red Blossom Liquor, made with a secret recipe passed down through my family."
"Do you sell it?"
"Are you willing to pay for it?"
"For something this good, I think I would."
"Even at ten nyang per bottle?"
"Damn it."
A smile played on Jeok Hwa-ran's lips at my reaction.
"Instead, I can treat you to as much as you want on my authority. Come find me anytime you feel like drinking it."
"Really?"
"Of course. This is my business, after all. And you, senior... you're an acquaintance of mine, aren't you?"
'Kyah. As expected... of the youngest granddaughter of a chaebol family.'
Barely suppressing my admiration, I asked her something I was curious about.
"By the way, why a pleasure house all of a sudden? It doesn't seem like a good business for a woman to run."
"It's a family tradition to run a business before turning twenty, but there weren't many options for me. Starting a merchant guild is too risky, and the initial investment for other ventures is too high."
"Right, playing it safe is always the best bet."
"Huh? Playing it safe?"
"It's a thing."
Taking advantage of Jeok Hwa-ran's confusion, I filled my cup to the brim.
In truth, while Jeok Hwa-ran was talking, I had already poured and downed five cups of the Red Blossom Liquor.
Of course, she had said she would treat me anytime, but that was nothing more than a verbal agreement, not a written contract.
We could have a falling out, or unavoidable circumstances could prevent me from getting more, so I planned to drink as much as I could while I had the chance.
Just as I was about to down my eighth cup.
"Senior."
"Hm?"
A sense of tension rose.
Did she catch me secretly opening another bottle? What if she tells me to stop drinking and leave?
However, my worries were unfounded.
"Would you like to work with me on something?"
"Work? What kind of work?"
Jeok Hwa-ran gave a bright smile, opened the window, and pointed to a place.
"Do you know what that is over there?"
If you live in the Nine Dragons Fortress and don't know that place, you must be a spy.
"The Gold Blossom Pavilion?"
It's the most famous pleasure house and tavern in the outer fortress.
Business is so good, it's said their daily revenue is close to a hundred gold nyang.
And yet, no one dares to touch the place, because its backer is none other than the Gold Dragon Hall.
"Right, since you work in the Outer Hall, there's no way you wouldn't know."
Jeok Hwa-ran tossed back her drink and continued.
"I'm planning to attack the Gold Blossom Pavilion soon. I want you to lend me a hand."
The moment I heard her request, I immediately stood up.
"Thank you for the drinks. Miss Jeok, no, Young Lady Jeok Hwa-ran. Until we meet again, I wish you a long and prosperous life."
Just as I opened the door and was about to step out.
*Shing.*
A jet-black sword was pointed at my neck. Its owner was Yuk Jin-hwa, who had just left.
"The Young Lady has not finished speaking. You will hear her out before you leave."
At this sudden turn of events, I looked back at Jeok Hwa-ran.
"What is this?"
"That's right. Please stay and listen, senior. It won't be too late to decide after you've heard everything, will it?"
"First, why don't you tell her to put this away?"
*Ting...*
I said, flicking the center of the black sword with my finger.
"Manager Yuk, put the sword away."
"Yes."
Yuk Jin-hwa sheathed her sword, and I sat down again in front of Jeok Hwa-ran.
"Let me make one thing clear. If you're thinking of using me, I can't say what will happen to you, but your subordinates will end up with broken bones."