Chapter 5 Honghwaru

Chapter 5 Honghwaru

After the grueling shift ended, I entered final labor negotiations with the team members.

“Misan Guesthouse!”

“Honghwaru!”

This was because the team members had refused the usual Misan Guesthouse and insisted on the newly opened Honghwaru.

Having stashed ten bottles of baijiu at Misan Guesthouse as compensation for a previous unexpected quest, I tried to persuade them to save every penny.

” “How much is Misan Inn? It’s great. Tender pork paired with baijiu is the ultimate delicacy. Mmm. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.”

“Hmph! Boiled pork is only good for a day or two. We’ve eaten over two whole pigs at Misan Inn by now.”

“Oh dear, Brother Gwak Sam would be upset if he heard you talking like that. ”

“And since we’re on the subject, isn’t Brother Gwak Sam being a bit unreasonable? It’s been half a year since we opened, and we’re still only selling noodles and pork. Enough. If the team leader insists on sticking with Misan Inn, we’ll have no choice but to go on strike.”

Yang Gang, who took on the role of union chairman, pressed me with his unusually smooth rhetoric, unlike his usual self.

Faced with this ultimatum of a strike, I could only shed tears and declare my surrender.

“Ugh, fine. But two bottles per person.”

“You know what?”

“What?”

“The boss is the most stingy person I’ve ever seen in Nine Dragon City.”

In the end, having secured the bare minimum, I led the Seventeen Group towards Honghua Pavilion.

Red lanterns and vibrantly colored pavilions—this was the newly opened, top-tier tavern, Honghua Pavilion.

Upon reaching the entrance, a beautiful woman who looked to be in her early thirties greeted us.

“I am Chief Manager Liu Jinhua. It is an honor to meet the heroes of the Outer Hall.”

“Heh heh, you know us?”

“Are you not Yang Gang, the master of the Outer Sect’s Seventeenth Division? And the gentleman at the very back is the division leader, the great hero Jin Muzhen.”

It had been barely two years since I graduated from the Ascension Pavilion and ventured into the world.

Seeing my fame already echoing throughout the Outer City, the phrase ‘a crane among chickens’ came to mind.

‘Well, I suppose I am rather exceptional.’

After all, I was the rising ace of Guryongseong and the top graduate of Dengtiangaku.

However, since I needed to tread carefully for the time being, I responded with the utmost humility.

“Heh heh, what do you mean, ‘great hero’? I understand your respect, but I’m still young. Please call me ‘young hero’.”

Was he impressed by my humility?

Yuk Jin-hwa frowned, then led us in with a blank expression.

“Please come inside. Lord Lu Zhu instructed that special treatment be given when guests from the Outer Hall arrive.”

“Oh! This is not good. Special treatment? How could one who lives off Nine Dragon City’s salary expect such favors?”

“Meaning they’ll discount the drinks…”

“But! I cannot disregard such a gesture of respect. I shall accept it just this once. What are you all waiting for?! Come on in already.”

I couldn’t resist the discount.

Shortly after, guided by Liu Jinhua, we entered a lavishly decorated room.

“Please wait a moment while we bring in the drinks.”

“Hold on!”

“What is the matter…?”

“We came only to discuss the future of Guryongseong. We have no need for courtesans.”

At my words, Yang Gang and the other members looked at me as if I were mad, then whispered low.

“Are you crazy? If you came all the way to a brothel and won’t call for courtesans, why did you come here at all?”

Ugh, how utterly frustrating.

There’s a set budget for everything, after all.

But I couldn’t ignore the burning glare in my team members’ eyes, so I finally decided to bring in the courtesans.

And within five minutes, I couldn’t help but regret that decision.

“My name is Hwaran.”

Pfft!

The moment I saw the courtesan seated beside me, I spit out the wine I was drinking.

‘Why is she here?’

Because the courtesan who greeted me was Hong Hwa-ran, the granddaughter of the Red Dragon Sect leader and my junior at the Ascension Pavilion.

Suddenly drenched in wine, she glared at me as if she wanted to kill me. After wiping her face with a handkerchief, she filled my empty cup with more wine.

“It seems the great hero is quite flustered. Or perhaps you find this girl displeasing?”

“Ah, no…”

“If you tell me what displeases you, I’ll fix it promptly.”

The atmosphere froze instantly.

The courtesans fell silent, and the team members looked bewildered, unsure what was happening.

I couldn’t pour cold water on this hard-earned banquet, so I quickly composed my voice.

“No. I was merely startled by your truly breathtaking beauty. I’ve committed a great faux pas.”

At this face-saving remark, Hwaran’s eyes widened and a blush rose to her cheeks. Only then did the courtesans giggle and refill the party members’ cups.

Regardless, I hurriedly sent her a telepathic message.

[Why are you here?]

[Why are you here, senior?]

[I came to host a dinner with my team members.]

[You, who won’t even buy someone a bowl of noodles, suddenly throwing a dinner?]

Her words hit me like a 160km fastball right to the body. The thought of the huge expense I’d incur made my chest ache.

[You don’t recognize the name Honghwaru? This is my business establishment. I came disguised as a courtesan to surprise you when I heard you were here, but you just spit liquor in my face. That was awful. Really.]

Her words made me open my eyes wide in shock.

Due to failed real estate policies, land prices in the outer city of Guryongseong are skyrocketing.

Amidst this, Honghwaru occupies an entire four-story building, and it belongs to Jeong Hwa-ran?

In Korea, she’d be like a building owner in Gangnam.

Her wealth, beyond my imagination, made me feel a surge of respect I couldn’t help.

[Hey, you really are the youngest granddaughter of a chaebol family.]

[What the hell are you talking about? Stop your nonsense and come outside for a moment.]

[You ordered drinks and now you want to leave? I need to eat before those bastards devour everything.]

“Kheh! Good. Mmm. Mmm. Mmm. Gulp!”

Yanggang was making strange noises as he devoured the drinks and food at a rapid pace.

Completely oblivious to the horrified expressions on the faces of the courtesans sitting with him.

[…Anyway, I doubt you’ll even be able to eat with your appetite gone. I’ll just have something prepared separately for you. Follow me.]

[Alright.]

As he stepped outside with Jeokhwaran, the squad members shot him sinister glances.

Especially Yanggang, who made a major blunder by cracking a vulgar joke.

“I thought you were a prude, but even the squad leader is something else. How long have you been seated before heading out for that? Or did the lady get all worked up? Hehehehe.”

Good heavens, making sexual remarks about the youngest granddaughter of the Red Dragon Sect.

Seems he wants his limbs chopped off and scattered across the Nine Dragons Lake.

Sure enough, one of the courtesans flashed a murderous glint and slipped her hand into her robe.

No doubt a dagger was hidden there.

But when Jik Hwaran gave a slight shake of her head, the threat vanished.

Praying that Yang Gang wouldn’t cause trouble, I followed Jie Huaran to her room.

“Just wait a moment. I’ve asked the steward to bring a new tray of drinks.”

“If they have Gongbao Chicken, I’d like some of that too.”

“Just eat whatever they bring.”

“Don’t you know the guest is the king?”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Don’t you know impersonating the king means having your entire family executed?”

Ah, right. This is a Confucian Taliban state.

“No, that’s not it… Well… The one paying should be treated like a king… No, not like a king, but treated with great hospitality…”

“Cut the nonsense and sit down first.”

“Yes.”

After a moment, the voice of the steward we saw earlier came from outside.

“Princess, the banquet table is ready.”

“Come in.”

Squeak.

The sliding door opened, and the maids, including Yukjinhwa, entered carrying a large table.

Not only were all manner of delicacies laid out, but the clear, fragrant aroma wafting in suggested expensive wine had been poured.

“Good work. You may go.”

Zing.

Was it Yuk Jin-hwa?

Honghwaru’s chief steward glared at me as she turned away.

‘Oh dear, [again]?’

It seemed my very presence had set her heart aflame.

Well, I suppose I should have been a bit more handsome in this life. And my physique is excellent too.

Sure enough, Yook Jin-hwa was mouthing something to Jeok Hwa-ran, likely sending a telepathic message.

Clearly, she intended to use Jeok Hwa-ran, who was acquainted with me, to approach me.

Jeok Hwa-ran answered in a flustered voice.

“What are you talking about?! We’re not that kind of relationship, so don’t worry.”

“Then I’ll take your word for it and leave.”

Yuk Jin-hwa turned away with a cold expression.

It was clear he was sulking because I’d asked him to introduce me, but Jik Hwa-ran hadn’t acted as a bridge.

“Drink up.”

“Alright.”

Jik Hwa-ran filled the cup with wine, looking excited.

Following her lead, I downed the wine and couldn’t help but marvel.

“Whoa!”

Because it possessed an aroma and taste unlike anything I’d ever tasted before.

“Hehehe. It’s Honghua liquor, made with a secret recipe passed down through my family for generations.”

“Do you sell it?”

“Are you willing to buy some?”

“At this quality, I’d definitely buy it.”

“Even at ten liang per bottle?”

“Damn it.”

A smile touched Jihwa-ran’s lips at my reaction.

“Instead, I can treat you to as much as you like under my authority. Come find me anytime you want some.”

“Really?”

“Of course. It’s my business. And you’re… my acquaintance, right?”

‘Kyaa. Just as I thought… the youngest granddaughter of a chaebol family.’

Barely suppressing my rising admiration, I asked her what I was curious about.

“By the way, why suddenly a brothel? It doesn’t seem like a good business for a woman to run, does it?”

“According to family tradition, I had to run a business before turning twenty, but there weren’t many things I could do, you see? Starting a trading company was too risky, and other ventures required too much initial capital.”

“Well, playing it safe is always best, I suppose.”

“Huh? Playing it safe?”

“Yeah. That’s a thing.”

Taking advantage of Jeok Hwa-ran’s bewilderment, he filled her cup to the brim.

Truth be told, while Jeok Hwa-ran was chattering away, I downed five cups of Honghwa wine.

Of course, she’d offered to treat me anytime, but it was just a verbal agreement without a contract.

Our relationship could sour, or unforeseen circumstances might prevent me from getting free drinks later, so I figured I’d drink as much as I could while I could.

Just as I was about to down my eighth glass.

“Senior.”

“Hm?”

Tension rose.

Had she caught me secretly taking another bottle? What if she told me to stop drinking and leave?

But my worries were unfounded.

“Would you like to try working with me on a job?”

“A job? What kind of job?”

Jik Hwa-ran smiled brightly, opened the window, and pointed to a spot.

“Do you know what that is over there?”

If you lived in Guryongseong and didn’t know that place, you’d be a spy.

“Geumhwaru?”

It’s the most famous brothel and tavern in the outer city.

They say its daily revenue is close to a hundred gold pieces, it’s that profitable.

Yet, no one dares touch it because Geumhwaru is backed by the Geumryongdang.

“Well, working in the Outer Hall, you wouldn’t be unaware.”

Zhi Hualan continued, downing her drink.

“We plan to attack Golden Flower Pavilion soon. Lend us your hand.”

Hearing her request, I immediately stood up.

“I’ve had enough to drink. Miss Jie, no, Princess Jie Huaran, until we meet again, I wish you eternal health and longevity.“

Just as I opened the door and was about to step out.

Thwack.

A jet-black sword was thrust against my throat. Its owner was none other than Liu Jinhua, who had just left.

”The princess hasn’t finished speaking. You’ll listen to everything before you go.”

Startled by the sudden turn of events, I turned to look at Jihwa-ran.

“What the hell is this?”

“Yes. Please listen to the rest before leaving, Senior. It’s not too late to decide after hearing everything, is it?”

“How about you put this thing away first?”

Thwack···.

I flicked the center of the black sword with my finger.

“Chief Yook, put the sword away.”

“Yes.”

Yuk Jinhwa sheathed the sword, and I sat back down before Jik Hwaran.

“Just one promise. If you plan to use me, I don’t know about you, but your men will each break somewhere.”