From Pauper's Scraps to King's Feast
Namgung Ji, the assassin, the man, and the bear. This was the perfect moment to invoke that old saying. His treatment had flipped in an instant from beggar's scraps to a king's banquet.
It was a private room even Namgung Ji, strapped for cash, had never entered. The tableware was solid gold, and the dishes were exquisite celadon porcelain that spoke of master craftsmanship at a glance.
And the food? Baekse Ru's cuisine was already superb to begin with, but this felt somehow even more extraordinary.
As Namgung Ji racked his brains wondering what made it different, the man spoke casually.
The Eight Treasures.
P-Pardon? Eight Treasures?
Namgung Ji's jaw dropped.
What were the Eight Treasures? Bear paws, monkey lips, leopard placenta, carp tails—the eight rarest delicacies in the world. Needless to say, they were outrageously expensive, beyond the reach of most who could only dream of tasting them.
Yet here they were, served as appetizers. Even for Namgung Ji, this was a first.
And finally, the liquor. This, Namgung Ji knew well. Gujing Gongjiu, Anhui's famed brew and one of the Ten Great Wines of the Central Plains. A precious vintage even offered to the emperor himself. As befitted the young master of Anhui's Namgung family, he'd drunk his fair share.
But never with such rare and exquisite pairings. The same wine would surely taste all the more divine now.
He itched to shove it all down his throat, but even the great Namgung Ji hesitated. Naturally. It wasn't his money.
Swallowing hard against the saliva pooling in his mouth, Namgung Ji addressed the man.
Uh... excuse me, brother.
Calling a peer hyungjang and using semiformal speech? Rare for Namgung Ji. Especially in Anhui, where people groveled upon recognizing his status.
This felt awkward to him. But it wasn't just awkwardness. The man exuded an aura that made it hard to treat him lightly.
Whether it stemmed from that staggering display of wealth earlier, he couldn't say. Either way, the young master of the mighty Namgung family was proceeding with caution.
What is it? the man replied calmly.
That confirmed it for Namgung Ji—the man had no idea who he was. An outsider, perhaps? Should he reveal his identity? The thought crossed his mind, but flashing his background at someone who'd shown unprompted kindness felt like pointless boasting. It just wouldn't sit right.
W-Well, first off... thanks.
Words rarely heard from Namgung Ji's lips. When did the Namgung heir ever need to thank anyone? Owing a debt wasn't something that came easily.
And here it was, right from the start.
No need to make a fuss. I just did it because you were an eyesore.
The man remained nonchalant, leaving Namgung Ji embarrassed for even bringing it up.
As Namgung Ji pondered how to continue, the man spoke again.
Well, you do seem like my kind of people, so that caught my eye.
Same kind? A question flickered in Namgung Ji's eyes.
What do you mean by that?
You seem like someone who knows how to enjoy himself.
Knows how to enjoy himself. A fancy way of saying he knew how to party—downing booze and rolling in the sheets with women. The sort of term playboys and wastrels tossed around.
Namgung Ji looked surprised. The man didn't strike him as that type.
Well, I'll be off then.
With that, the man turned to leave, as if their chat was over.
Namgung Ji called out in a panic.
W-Wait! You can't just order all this and leave!
I didn't order it.
What?
I just told them to treat the guest properly. That's your brotherly hospitality. Enjoy it however you like.
No, that's not—
Leaving the flustered Namgung Ji behind, the man simply walked out.
Namgung Ji stared blankly in the direction he'd gone, dumbfounded.
Ha... what kind of weirdo...
It felt like he'd been possessed by a ghost. The man had vanished without even giving his name.
Screw it. Food's food.
Shrugging off the past, Namgung Ji sat and devoured the feast like a storm.
Belly full, buzz pleasantly drunk. A satisfying state.
But in such a mood, one thing naturally came to mind next: women.
The supple, voluptuous curves of a woman's body danced in his thoughts. No wonder wine, women always went together.
But...
...no money.
That was the problem.
Fuckin' hell.
Thwack! Namgung Ji irritably kicked a stray pebble.
Logically, he should head back home. But he couldn't. His body was already aflame with lust.
...Might as well try.
And so, Namgung Ji made for the brothel.
Cheon-sang Ru. Anhui's premier pleasure house. Famous for its fine waters—beautiful women.
Naturally, Namgung Ji's regular haunt.
Normally, he'd swagger up money or no, barking Over here! But not today. He'd just been humiliated at Baekse Ru. Humans learn from that shit.
Plus, he already owed Cheon-sang Ru a mountain of tabs.
Goddamn it.
He'd reached the entrance, but his feet wouldn't move. Luck had turned last time, but no guarantee here. Getting the cold shoulder at a brothel? He'd want to die.
Eh, what are the odds it'll happen again?
Lust won out. Visions of soft flesh made retreat impossible. Clenching his fists, Namgung Ji charged the grand doors.
Over here!
The doorman scurried out, bowing low.
Aigoo, young master! Welcome.
Identical to before. Anxiety spiked. Even this greeting felt soulless.
M-Must be my imagination.
Forcing down the dread, Namgung Ji said,
Ahem. Yeah. Lead the way.
That instant.
Uh, about that...
The doorman scratched his head awkwardly. Same words, same gesture.
W-What?
Namgung Ji's unease peaked.
...Did you bring money this time?
Fuck. Namgung Ji squeezed his eyes shut.
...
Curses bubbled up, but he held them. A woman sat before him. No, a courtesan.
Namgung Ji felt like he'd glimpsed the abyss. Polluted waters. In water-renowned Cheon-sang Ru? Unthinkable.
Face like bean paste, skin like a rice cake tray, figure utterly unappealing. A courtesan like that...? The world had flipped.
But he got it soon enough.
...She wasn't a courtesan. She was an assassin. Sent to punk unsatisfactory patrons—patron pests.
The problem? She'd come for him. Sure, he owed a ton, but this was excessive. Where was basic human decency?
Yet he couldn't storm out in rage.
...Truth was, the assassin intimidated him.
Hee hee hee! What an honor to serve the young master. Come, relax and loosen your robes. I'll give you a thorough massage, hee hee hee.
U-Ughhh!
A death rattle. Anyone grabbed by those rough, meaty hands would wail the same.
Namgung Ji seriously contemplated the afterlife.
That moment.
Hey, what is this? A slaughterhouse? Why the screams?
A voice in his ear.
...Hallucination? Had to be. No way that man's voice again.
As he resigned to death once more.
Creak.
The door flew open.
My my? Another guest? This is a grave discourtesy! Out, now!
The assassin protested fiercely. Enough to make anyone flinch.
But the man tilted his head toward the shadows.
Jang Il, looks like we wandered into the wrong spot. Haul her to the kitchens.
Yes, young master.
This time, the bear lumbered in from behind.
The bear's entrance widened even the assassin's eyes. Bears weren't easy prey, apparently.
Then.
The bear hoisted the assassin over his shoulder like a sack.
E-Excuse me?! What is this? P-Put me down! Right now!
She flailed in panic. But the bear's shoulder didn't budge.
Courtesans to the brothel, pigs to the sty, scullery maids to the kitchen.
S-Scullery maid? What the fuck is this bear saying?!
Go.
Yes, young master.
The bear strode out like a triumphant hero.
Yes, a hero. To Namgung Ji, he looked every inch the legend.
And the hero who'd summoned him—another hero. Namgung Ji clearly saw a glow behind the man from Baekse Ru. No illusion. A true halo.
Unbidden, words escaped Namgung Ji's lips.
B-Brother... your name, if I may...
Name? Let's head to the room.
The room...?
Bang So-un.
Those three syllables rang clear in Namgung Ji's ears.