The Lecher's Banquet
"What? You were on your way back after finishing a bandit subjugation mission?"
I'd been wondering why the kids looked off from the moment we arrived. Turns out they got dragged into this mess while heading back from their actual duties.
So what the hell are the local guards doing right now? That obvious question pops into my head, and the whole situation just doesn't make any goddamn sense.
"Capture those pirate bastards!"
"Waaah!"
Speak of the devil—even tigers come when you mention them. Finally, another army appears in the distance, slowly approaching the village like they're late to the party.
What a clusterfuck.
In the game, this kind of crap was brushed off with lines about the military's incompetence. You'd just roll with it.
But facing it in real life? My brain's just screaming ??? non-stop.
"Hmmm."
"...It's not a sight I'd want to show you. As a soldier, I feel ashamed."
Not a single intact house left standing. The village has lost all function—just weeping civilians scattered around.
Couldn't tell if those tears were from relief at surviving, despair over the future, or raw injustice. No way to know.
I never gave much of a shit about good deeds or bad. As long as I could secure my own safety and get my petty revenge, that was enough.
But this pisses me the fuck off?
And it wasn't just game knowledge anymore. In reality, Jo Unhyeon's crew had already pissed me off twice over.
A memory flashes up. One day, Hendrick was ripping into some imperial faction bureaucrat mid-work. I'd wondered what the hell that was about, but now I get it.
Ahh, Hendrick—now I understand. How the hell did you put up with it?
"If we'd just pushed a little harder—a tiny bit harder—this wouldn't have happened. ...I have no face to show."
Beside me, a man blames himself. His hands tremble with rage, tiny tears glistening at the corners of his eyes—clear as day.
His backstory hits me. All this struggle to prevent his lover Yurin from reliving her past misfortunes.
"No. Someone surely got saved because you fought like this."
Frustration, powerlessness—but still clinging to hope, searching for possibilities.
I could've dismissed it as game lore, but in reality, the guy's personality alone made him likable.
Not as some "victim's ally" from the game, but just as a person.
But shamelessly, as I'm chatting with Bijong, Jo Unhyeon's lackey Yugu Su wedges right between us.
"Everyone, you've worked so hard. Seeing you all strive for Jiangsu's security fills me with admiration!"
No matter how you slice it, spouting insincere bullshit so slickly takes real talent.
"I'll make sure to report this to the Governor. Maybe we can hold a feast to commend your efforts!"
"Haha, much appreciated."
Hot damn—the reactions were a mixed bag. Jo Unhyeon's cronies grinning behind him, Bijong with a bitter smile, and me laughing big.
My eyes weren't laughing, though.
—Feast, huh. Feast.
These assholes just step on every landmine.
'Feast' was the keyword defining Jo Unhyeon.
He used his overwhelming wealth to pull talent to his side.
But those he disliked? He'd invite them to a "feast hall," then use money, drugs, or force to seize their wives however he pleased.
—Even if they were his own subordinates' women.
In the game scenario, that's what happened to Bijong and a few soldiers and officials who'd caught his bad eye.
At least this gives me an excuse to speed things up. In the original plot, the feast wasn't supposed to happen yet.
But maybe it'll get pushed forward because of me? High chance Bijong's household gets dragged in too.
Won't feel bad about that, though. I'll take full responsibility for what I stir up.
You fuckers? I'll smash you in a month—no, two weeks. Guaranteed.
*
"Welcome to Nanjing, young master."
After parting ways with Bijong heading back to camp, we finally reach Nanjing after a boring wait.
A massive city befitting a provincial capital, teeming with crowds.
I couldn't care less about the details, but Yugu Su yapped on endlessly by himself.
I've just been giving soulless responses till now.
"Those who catch the Governor's eye all climb the ranks and build fortunes. A real golden spoon."
"Oh, really?"
"See this ring? Fresh gift—looks like plain iron, but it's pricey. Gyosan Iron from Gyosan Mountain, repels evil energies. Doesn't even rust."
"Impressive."
Guy's all about flashing cash. Wi Eokgi had hinted they'd try recruiting me—probably part of that.
Explains why pirate-hunting gets props. Gotta leverage this in my next payday talk with Hendrick.
"You're so promising, it's tough getting into the Governor's circle. But a 'young master' like you? Might just pull it off, haha."
"...Heh."
I stick to stiff, formal replies—enough to make anyone quit—but he doesn't back off.
You're persistent, huh.
Yeah, orders from above, right? Like me right now. I get it.
Doesn't mean I respect you. I'm only holding back 'cause I'm under a cute girl exterior. Work for a married-woman-NTR-obsessed creep?
Saying it out loud sounds pretty violent.
My verdict?
I'd rather die.
Yujin, evolving into a pure-love fanatic, nods to himself in satisfaction.
Meanwhile, a massive mansion looms ahead amid Nanjing's flashy streets—the standout feature.
"From here to the mansion, all this belongs to the Governor—no, the administration. Impressive, right?"
Blah blah if you'd join us too.
Yugu Su launches into explanations. First useful stuff I'd heard in a while.
Oh ho, really? Good intel.
Like a mini castle inside the walls, the wooden palisade looks like one giant stable from afar.
Noticing my suddenly keen eyes, Yugu Su thinks he's hooked me.
Emboldened, he brags about real estate and offices, but I didn't need more.
My brain wasn't sharp enough to price out the full demolition anyway.
I just close my eyes and wait quietly till the carriage stops.
*
"Hahaha, welcome! Yujin, young master—I've heard all about you. Great to meet you!"
"Governor, pleasure. I'm Yujin."
Not really pleased, but we exchange formalities. Come on, don't disappoint—give me something.
Pirates come from the sea, so frontline's gotta be Suzhou by the coast.
Should've just gone straight there and handled it. So why drag me here? Skip the formalities and procedures bullshit.
"Come in! We've prepared plenty for you!"
His exaggerated gestures make his gut jiggle—eyes drawn right to it.
Assessment: Jo Unhyeon, this Governor, hunkered down in inland Nanjing like he never plans to step out.
Doesn't give a damn about anything outside. Yeah, never expected much anyway.
Thanks to him, I'm stuck detouring to pointless Nanjing. What a waste.
"Pisses me off?"
"Hm? What was that?"
"Oh, the food's heat is wafting over—must be fresh off the fire."
"Haha, of course. Gotta treat a guest from afar lavishly, right?"
Following his lead inside, a lavish welcome feast awaits.
Silks in every color, walls dripping gold and silver ornaments, rooms decked with fine china.
Servant girls guide me to my seat, and out come dishes of quality I'd never seen before possession or after.
Separate from my opinions on them, they looked damn appetizing—mouth-watering colors and all.
"Thanks for coming all this way. Huge help. Eat, drink, play, rest to your heart's content today."
"Yes, thank you."
But my hands stay put, unlike my words.
Just zoning out, thinking when does this end, wanna go home.
Wanna flip the table and bail right now, but as discussed with Hendrick, I gotta handle the pirates first.
Just killing time till then.
Can't sit idle with eyes on me, so I pour a bit of booze and sip slowly.
Before I know it, a lean, sharp-faced guy in a blue robe stands right next to me.
"Hello, young master. First time meeting."
Eye contact confirms it. This guy's the one.
"Heard a lot about you. Name's Heuk Ung. Just idling under the Governor for now."
A mere mid-boss minion, but memorable from the game for his impact. Unorthodox master Heuk Ung.
He's the muscle and enforcer for Jo Unhyeon's crew—main fight target, basically.
Why a skilled guy like him sticks with the Governor? Nobody knows publicly.
But with game knowledge, I know the truth.
If Jo Unhyeon's obsessed with married women, Heuk Ung's the ultimate voyeur who gets off watching.
Perfect supply-demand match. Partners in crime.
Disgusting fucks.
Suppressing the revulsion for now. Still got shit to do.
"...Pleased. I'm Yujin."
"Yujin, huh? Rings a bell. Sturdy build reminds me of some spoiled sect brat, but thinking of that loser'd be rude given your rep."
Sorry if so, then laughs hot haha.
Asshole. Even brief chat, his needling pisses me off.
If true, he's scratched right; if not, whatever.
Why approach me? Given his twisted tastes, one reason: spar to prove superiority, bask in cheap ego boost.
If I didn't know him from the game, I'd puzzle over motives. But instant read on his shallow intent.
Knowing it makes me hate playing along.
"Even top martial artists don't survive cannon fire unscathed, right?"
"Hmph, unless you're swarming like army grunts spraying wild—not hitting me once'd make you the idiot. Sorry if too harsh. My words suck."
Oh yeah? Fun.
"Wanna liven up the feast. How 'bout a friendly spar?"
"Spar?"
But no letting anger cloud judgment.
Martial artists live arrogant but always suspicious.
No need to show all my cards yet. Haven't restocked here either.
Pre-button play matters. Win or lose now, tilt final odds my way.
"...Sure."
So focus on intel and experience over instant win.
—For a sure victory in the long game.