Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Plundering the Untouchable Pearls of Famous Clans
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Even in my previous life, I didn't think my face was ugly.
I'd had women ask for my number while passing by on the street, and even gotten confessions from girls I thought of as just friends.
Yeah, objectively speaking, I was definitely handsome.
But the face I was born with in this martial world this time around...
"Gisaeng's pretty boy. A face like yours isn't easy to come by."
"Ah, shit... Uncle Mun-seok. What's with calling the guy you're trying to help a gisaeng's pretty boy?"
Even as I said that, Uncle Mun-seok wasn't entirely wrong.
My skin was pale, my features were sharply defined, and my build was slender.
I didn't love the term "gisaeng's pretty boy," but this new face of mine—if I'd been born in the modern era instead of the martial world—would've made me a superstar idol or actor.
At first, I was thrilled to be born with such a handsome face in the martial world...
'Um, could you help me out...?'
A handsome face was great for honey traps during our bandit raids.
But now they wanted me to straight-up play host. Even doing makeup, which I never bothered with in my previous life.
I stared incredulously at Uncle Mun-seok as he applied powder to my face and asked,
"Hey, Uncle Mun-seok. Why are you so good at this stuff when you don't look the type?"
"To make a living in a pleasure house, even men have to know how to do makeup. And me... well, back in my younger days, I dabbled in this world too..."
"Huh? For real?"
"...What's with that reaction? What are you thinking right now?"
What did I think? Obviously, that time was a cruel bastard.
No matter how I looked at him, Uncle Mun-seok was just a plain old uncle now, but he'd done this stuff in his youth? Guess people really change as the years pile on.
"Wow... I really don't wanna get old."
"......"
"Did I just accidentally say my thoughts out loud?"
"Heh heh... Your rudeness is something I'm plenty used to by now, so it's fine..."
Even as he said that, Uncle Mun-seok's hands were shaking noticeably.
Oh no. I must've accidentally hurt the old man's feelings.
Maybe it was my imagination, but he finished my makeup way quicker than expected, then turned his body toward the maknae sitting next to me.
"Uncle Mun-seok. You done with me? Why'd you finish so fast? You're not sulking, are you?"
"...Sulking? What are you talking about? Your skin's already so pale, no need for heavy layers. Just a light base to highlight your best features."
"Hmm... Really?"
I nodded in agreement, and Uncle Mun-seok grabbed his tools and seized the maknae's face.
The maknae, on the verge of getting his makeup done, shot me a reluctant look and said,
"B-Bro. Can't we just stick to what we were doing? Why do I have to do makeup too...?"
"Well... I felt the same at first, but entertaining's basically just drinking and hanging out with girls. Way more fun than boring bodyguard gigs, right?"
As I spoke, Uncle Mun-seok nodded and chimed in toward the maknae.
"And you're not on his level, but you've got a face women won't hate. I guarantee it—I've worked in pleasure houses for decades. He's got that sly fox vibe that sweeps women off their feet clean, while you've got that cute, heart-melting puppy thing going on."
Aw, such detail.
And yeah, I fully agreed with Uncle Mun-seok this time too.
The maknae's eyes were big and doe-like, crystal clear, and his face had that innocent charm.
Women loved cute guys, so he definitely had his market.
After giving the maknae just basic makeup, Uncle Mun-seok handed us our outfits—flowy, shimmering silk robes that were pretty flashy.
As we took them and started changing, he hurriedly continued.
"We don't have much time, so listen while you change."
"What else you got to say?"
"You need basic info on the guests you'll be handling tonight, right?"
"Got it. Lay it on me—I'm all ears."
I nodded while slipping into the clothes, and Uncle Mun-seok began explaining.
"Tonight's guests are young heirs from famous clans in Sichuan. Really young, just entering adulthood. No experience in places like this... Probably came to try it out now that they're officially grown-ups."
"So, basically, rich young ladies from wealthy families wanting to experience a pleasure house?"
"Exactly. They're clueless about this stuff and from prestigious backgrounds, so they won't make outrageous demands. Just smile, listen to their stories, drink together, and you're done."
"Huh... Sounds straightforward. We're all dressed now."
"Damn, those clothes make you look like you've grown wings. That's a compliment—let's go."
And so, transformed into perfect wuxia hosts, the maknae and I followed behind Uncle Mun-seok.
The guests were upstairs, so we walked down this wide-open hallway, drawing stares from plenty of people.
Some were other drinking guests, some were gisaengs passing by.
'A bit embarrassing.'
It was embarrassing, and yeah, I was kinda nervous too.
I'd used honey traps occasionally in raids, but I'd never straight-up hosted at a drinking party like this.
Maybe sensing my nerves, Uncle Mun-seok called back without turning.
"Don't be too tense, you two. You're in top form right now."
Of course, telling someone not to be nervous just makes them more nervous. I could feel my face stiffening—a rare occurrence.
But my tension didn't last long.
We finally reached the luxury room upstairs where the guests were staying. Uncle Mun-seok opened the door...
"Guests, sorry for the wait. I've brought the attendants to serve you. These two will take good care of you."
"...Ah, got it."
...Two girls inside were waiting awkwardly, looking about two hundred million times more nervous than me.
I couldn't help but feel baffled.
'Why are you the nervous ones...?'
From what Uncle Mun-seok had said earlier, it all checked out—the girls were both in fancy clothes, young, with that innocent rich-girl vibe on their faces.
Pretty faces too, kinda reminding me of someone I knew.
"I'm rich."
"I'm innocent."
"Who am I?
Right answer: Yu So-myung.
"Pfft—!"
Yeah, So-myung.
These two pure, first-time-at-a-place-like-this girls totally reminded me of So-myung.
That thought suddenly sparked this wicked urge to claim these innocent young ladies and toy with them however I wanted.
'Wait, do I actually like this stuff?'
Before I knew it, not a shred of tension remained in me, and I stepped inside.
**
So-hyang and Hee-ya were sisters, twenty and nineteen years old, just a year apart. And right now...
"Sis... What if Dad finds out..."
"...Shh! That's why we have to be careful—!"
...they were at Blue Moon Pavilion, Sichuan's most famous pleasure house, sneaking out while their local magnate father was away on a trip.
It wasn't like they craved booze or sex. Just...
"We're adults now...! We can have a little rebellion like this sometimes...!"
Curiosity about the pleasure houses they'd only heard of, the taboo thrill of clan heirs visiting one, the excitement of pulling it off behind Dad's back—all those feelings had drawn them here.
Everything was brand new and awkward, but the Blue Moon Pavilion staff acted like they'd been expecting them, handling everything smoothly.
No money worries either, so they ordered a massive spread and attendants to serve them.
But as the moment approached and the attendants arrived...
"Sis... I'm nervous..."
"W-What are you nervous about! We're the customers here!"
They could barely contain their own hearts.
She talked big, but So-hyang was shaking just as much.
What if the attendants weren't to their liking? What if they messed up?
Especially after hearing stories of pleasure houses that swindled customers out of fortunes, So-hyang was extra tense.
'I'll set an example as the big sister.'
Just as So-hyang steeled herself, the door opened, and the pavilion's chief steward who'd guided them earlier entered.
"Guests, sorry for the wait. I've brought the attendants to serve you. These two will take good care of you."
"...Ah, got it."
And the moment the people behind him stepped into view...
......
Whoa...
So-hyang and Hee-ya were utterly dumbfounded by their looks.
All their prior worries and pep talks? Long gone.
**
"Miss So-hyang, your hands are so pretty. I know a bit about palm reading—mind if I take a look?"
"Ah... Y-Yes...!"
Raised as a precious clan heir, she naturally would've recoiled from physical contact with strange men. But not now—zero hesitation in her heart.
She extended her hand naturally, and Mu-yeon leaned in close, bowing his head.
'Hn...'
His scent washed over her from the proximity, and the soft touch on her hand made it hard for So-hyang to think straight.
"Oh... Interesting..."
"W-What does it say...?"
She didn't care about palm reading—his face was all she could see—but she asked politely anyway. Then...
"You've got a lot of love lines."
"Love lines...?"
"Yeah, you're fated to meet a really good man."
"Is that you...?"
"Huh? What'd you say?"
"N-No, nothing...!"
Mu-yeon's voice, smooth as white jade, continued, and So-hyang nearly blurted out a slip.
"You're a fun one, miss. Shall we have a drink?"
Even after her slip-up, he just smiled kindly and naturally poured her a cup.
'This is that super strong stuff from before...'
Remembering the taste, So-hyang's face twisted ever so slightly...
"Ah."
Catching it, Mu-yeon immediately poured a different drink into another cup.
"Young master, why the other one...?"
Somewhere along the way, he'd become "Young Master" in her speech, but he simply replied,
"That last one was nasty. This is sweeter—easier to drink."
"Oh..."
This man wasn't just stunningly handsome; his thoughtful actions revealed a character pure as white jade.
That crushed what was already a fallen heart, capturing it completely.
Maybe that's why.
"Miss, pour me one too?"
"Ah, yes...! R-Right away."
She'd clearly started as the one being served... but she didn't notice the roles reversing.