Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Tell the Boss to Come Out
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Blue Moon Pavilion.
This was the most dazzling brothel in Sichuan, but I'd never set foot inside once because I was broke.
That's why, after scoring a fat wad of cash from the Hao Sect, I headed straight there with the kid, no questions asked.
And now...
"Handsome hero~, why don't you try the wine I'm pouring for you~."
"Huh? What was your name again? Whatever, go ahead and pour me one!"
I was venting all the bitterness of my poor days without restraint.
No matter how upscale and pricey it was, a brothel's still a brothel.
The moment I flashed my money, I became VIP treatment.
So now I had two courtesans on each side, sipping expensive poison wine.
"Man...! This booze hits the spot!"
"Hehe! Hero! How can even your drinking be so bold? Have some snacks too!"
"Yeah, yeah."
The courtesans pouring my drinks and feeding me snacks were all the top aces of Blue Moon Pavilion—their beauty was off the charts.
Not quite divine-level, but damn close.
I'm not usually one for ogling beauties, but wine poured by a pretty girl tastes extra special.
And since it's top-shelf stuff, it goes down smooth. The snacks are killer too.
*This is the life.*
Yeah, this is the life.
Finally, I felt like I was on track for the ordinary existence I'd always wanted. With money to spare now, I could enjoy this lifestyle whenever I pleased.
Imagining my carefree days ahead filled me with joy, so I raised my cup.
"Come on! Let's drink more! Pour the pricey stuff! The pricey stuff!"
"Yes, hero."
As the courtesan filled my cup, something caught my eye.
Right next to me, at the kid's table, he sat with a suspicious look on his face.
*Hm?*
I'd assigned him two courtesans just like me and told him to drink his fill, but the punk wasn't touching his booze or enjoying himself.
Curious, I asked,
"Hey, kid. Why aren't you drinking? Booze no good? Want different girls?"
"No, it's not that..."
The kid stared holes into his cup as he replied.
"They say there's poison in this wine, so it feels off... What if something goes wrong after I drink it...?"
"Oh, that's why?"
He was skipping drinks for such an adorable reason, so I scooted over to his side and poured him from my own cup.
"Hey, kid. You think your big bro would feed you something sketchy? Trust me and take a sip."
"B-But..."
"Tsk—! Just try it, come on?"
Sure, the idea of poison at first makes you hesitate. I pushed him to get over that hurdle.
"Ugh..."
When the boss commands, the kid can't refuse. So finally...
*Glug-*
"Oh! That's it! Down the hatch!"
He knocked back the poison wine in one go.
Grinning expectantly, I asked,
"How's it? Good, right?"
*Gulp, ugh...*
The wine must've been bitter, 'cause the kid clutched his throat and grimaced at first.
But then...
"Ugh..., huh?"
His face relaxed, and...
"Whoa..., what is this...?"
Just like when I'd first tried Sichuan poison wine, a smile crept onto his face.
*I just created another poison wine fanatic.*
Proud as hell, I asked for his review.
"So, how was your first taste of poison wine?"
"F-First, it burned like my throat was on fire. But it slid down smooth, then this warm rush spread through my whole body.... Whoa.... I-I don't know, but this stuff's insane?"
"Tastes good, right? Then get another round."
"Yes, big bro! More, more!"
The kid liked booze to begin with. Now that he'd discovered poison wine, he'd guzzle the expensive stuff like crazy.
But no big deal.
I'm loaded now.
"What're you waiting for? My little bro wants more! Bring the priciest ones! The priciest!"
"Eek—! So cool, hero!"
"Where're all the entertainers? Call every last one in Blue Moon Pavilion! Let's make some noise!"
"Eeeee—!"
And so the wild night began.
**
"Phew..., ah..., I'm buzzed."
The best part of poison wine? Even battle-hardened martial artists can get a proper buzz.
Feeling my cheeks flush, I downed another cup.
"Ah..., haha..., ladies..., pour me more! My cup's empty—!"
The kid had been plastered for ages. No surprise there.
Once he got a taste for poison wine, he'd gone berserk, chugging like a madman.
Even with my face beet red, I tried to stop him from drinking more.
"Hey, hey kid. Pace yourself, pace yourself."
"Ehh...? Whyyy...? It's so good, why hold back...?"
"Doesn't matter—it's still poison wine. Stick to your limit, or something might happen."
No matter how safely it's blended, what we're drinking is poison.
Stack too much in your system, and it won't do you any favors. Especially since the kid was way past his usual intake—it didn't look good.
But...
"No way.... More, more—!!"
"Sigh, do what you want."
He always listened to me sober, but drunk, he couldn't tell up from down.
Keep going like that, and he'd suffer a hangover tomorrow morning....
Still, I decided to let him be. He's twenty now—he needs to own his choices.
"Another bottle here—!"
"Right away!"
My bottle was empty too, so I had a courtesan fetch one more.
At my order, one hurried over with a fresh bottle.
"Hero, let me pour you a cup."
"Sure."
I held out my cup naturally.
*Pour-*
As the wine filled it, a sweet aroma hit my nose. Another perk of poison wine—killer fragrance.
That pleasing scent makes you crave more of the already delicious stuff.
"Here you go, hero."
"......"
Smells amazing.
This one's probably Red Flower Poison Wine.
Top-grade brew mixed with just the right amount of red flower toxin. What the kid and I had been pounding all night.
But this time, instead of drinking it myself, I handed the full cup straight to the kid.
"Here, kid."
"Eh...?"
"You drink it."
"...Huh? You just said not to..."
"'Cause there's poison in it."
At my words, the kid laughed like it was the dumbest thing.
"No, big bro. What're you talking about? It's poison wine—'course there's poison. You must be wasted, haha."
He happily took the cup from me and downed it in one gulp.
I watched him intently and asked,
"You okay, kid?"
"Yeah? Just tastes good...? Same as what we had before...?"
"Same wine, but different poison. Won't kill you—just sleep it off, and you'll be fine."
"...Huh? What do you mean..., ack—!"
*Thud.*
He didn't finish his sentence before collapsing.
"Hm..., yeah, different poison alright."
His breathing's steady, face relaxed—no harm done. Just out cold.
As I poured myself from the bottle that knocked him out, I said to the nearby courtesans,
"I've heard some brothels serve sneaky poison wine blends to get customers blackout drunk, then hit 'em with the bill."
The courtesans were already trembling, knowing they'd been caught.
"H-Hero..., what do you...?"
"Planned to knock us out cold and stick us with the tab tomorrow morning, right?"
"W-We didn't know anyth—"
*Clink.*
I poured and drank from the same bottle the kid had just sipped.
"...!"
Their eyes went wide. They'd seen what it did—why drink it yourself?
But...
"This poison wine's tasty too."
I was fine. Tasted great, even.
To the courtesans staring in shock, I said,
"Hey, call the madam."
Sorry, but I'm the one who squeezes, not gets squeezed. Time to etch that into this brothel today.
**
After that, I pulled a bit of a scene. Nothing major—just yelled a lot.
"Ah, I said I don't wanna talk to you lot? Call the madam—!"
"S-Sorry! B-But we're not qualified to...?"
"Oh, so who takes responsibility for poison in a customer's wine? Huh? You? What if I croak from this? Answer me!"
"W-Well, you drank it and were fine...?"
One courtesan pointed out I was unscathed—unlike the kid—so I grabbed the tainted bottle and shoved it in her face.
"Huh? I'm fine? Ow, my head. Head hurts like hell. Wanna try it? Open wide. I'll stuff your mouth full."
I grabbed her cheek for real, and she stammered in fear,
"S-Sorry! Forgive us...?"
"Sorry? Then call the madam now—! Won't pay the tab, obviously, and I want compensation for emotional distress, so get her out here!"
The art of making a scene is yelling relentlessly to wear them down till they cave.
"Or should I report this to the authorities? Wanna see Blue Moon Pavilion shut down? If not, call the madam now—!"
And finally...
*Creak-*
"Sir, the madam's here."
The door I'd been dying to see open swung wide.
A clear voice introduced herself as the madam, and I turned, ready to bellow.
But...
"Why'd you take so long—! Do you have any idea what I've been through...?"
The moment I saw Blue Moon Pavilion's madam step in...
"......"
I froze, words failing me.
"Was there a problem at our Blue Moon Pavilion?"
She was beautiful. So stunning, my breath caught for a second.
"If there's trouble, I'll help."
And as she smiled softly...
"......"
I flinched, wondering if I was actually drunk.