Heavily Armed for a Night at Cheong-un-gak
I thought he was a friendly guy, but damn, he's a scary bastard.
Convincing Jeong Hyeon-beom and So Ji-hu to hit the gisaeng house together was easier than I'd expected. Jeong Hyeon-beom was thrilled, saying he'd tag along since he had such a great excuse with his "fellow exam buddy." So Ji-hu pretended not to care but slyly asked if Cheong-wol, the top gisaeng at Cheong-un-gak, would be there.
Now there was just one last hurdle: getting past Kim Hui-un to sneak out the main gate.
"I have some important business to attend to, so I'll be stepping out for a bit."
"Yes, young master. Have a safe trip to the outhouse."
"That's not the business I mean, you fool! How did a guy like you even pass the exam...!"
But then the bastard just up and left through the main gate on his own, wiping away my last worry completely. Nothing could stop me now.
Just like my first time at Cheong-un-gak, I threw on my armor and hid knives all over my body. As I was grabbing a few more things, the guy who'd come to escort me arrived.
"Huh? Gwang-chili ajusshi?"
"G-Greetings, my lord."
He was the same guy from before, even carrying a lantern this time.
"How've you been?"
"Y-Yes, well, thanks to you."
"How's it been since that day? No injuries? What about the guy whose finger got broken last time?"
"N-No problems, sir."
Maybe because I'd roughed him up once before, he couldn't meet my eyes.
"L-Let me take your luggage."
"Thanks. Where to?"
"Y-Yes, th-this way, sir."
He shuffled ahead timidly to lead the way, glancing back over his shoulder every few seconds, clearly worried I'd jump him from behind.
As if I'd do that. You're not one of them.
I followed the anxious Gwang-chili toward the gisaeng district.
Just as we were almost there, some familiar voices rang out.
"Hey now! How can invited guests arrive before their host?!"
"I was ordered to escort the two of you."
"Just wait a bit longer. Captain Kim should be here soon."
It was dark evening, even with the moon up, so it took a moment to make them out.
"Huh? Haha! Captain Kim!"
"There you are."
It was Jeong Hyeon-beom and So Ji-hu, the ones I'd invited. They spotted me at the same time and came over with friendly grins.
"You invite us and then show up late? What gives!"
"Hey, it wasn't that long. Come on, let's go. Hyeon-beom, looks like our boy's eager."
"My apologies, sirs."
"Hey!"
"Heh heh!"
They waved off my bowed apology with furrowed brows.
"Don't call us that! We're all comrades from the same military academy now!"
"Just call us 'hyungnim' like a little brother would. We'll call you dongsaeng."
"No, how could I? I'm just a commoner."
"How what? Just do it like me!"
"Don't overthink it—call us hyungnim."
"Yes! Hyungnims! This way!"
The first refusal was politeness; the second was the real deal. I shouted energetically and headed toward Cheong-un-gak.
"Puhaha! Got it, dongsaeng!"
"That guy's no normal one either."
Jeong Hyeon-beom and So Ji-hu stared at me blankly before bursting into laughter and following along. The gisaeng house guards who'd come to escort us tagged behind too.
"I-I'll lead the way!"
"L-Let's go together!"
We were almost there anyway, so it didn't take long to reach the gisaeng district.
The place I'd visited just days ago felt quieter now. Maybe because the exam-takers had all headed home. Still, the red lanterns hung neatly along the walls, and the tinkling laughter like rolling beads, lively music, and sweet incense filled the air just as before.
"This way."
Gwang-chili led us to the gate of Cheong-un-gak and stopped. Like last time, he called out toward the door.
"Hey! Is no one there? VIP guests have arrived!"
"Coming!"
A reply came immediately, and the gate swung open. Three gorgeously made-up gisaengs came out, wafting thick perfume as they greeted us.
"Oh, you're finally here?"
"I've been waiting so eagerly for you."
"Please, come in."
They matched our steps, skirts swirling red, and each latched onto one of us, linking arms with warm smiles for these strangers.
"My lord, I'm Cheong-hyang. Come on, this way."
"Y-Yes?"
"Hee hee hee. So cute. Over here."
"Uh, uh, w-wait..."
Her snow-white face and red lips smiling up at me—impossible not to blush.
No matter how I muttered to myself about having Eori, my heart pounded fiercely.
"Ah, ah, right. Wait a sec."
As we passed the gate, something suddenly hit me.
"W-Weapons. Can't bring weapons in, right?"
"Oh my, so honest."
Cheong-hyang, who'd been smiling softly, turned imperiously to the guard.
"You heard—my lord's handing over his weapons."
Seeing that snapped some sense back into me. I unlinked my arm from hers and checked on my hyungnims.
"What a manly gentleman."
"Uhahaha! I do have that vibe!"
"I was thinking Yi Kyubo might be the manliest, though."
"Ho ho! Exactly! You get it!"
Jeong Hyeon-beom and So Ji-hu were already lost in the gisaengs' charms. I pulled out my hidden blades one by one and told them,
"Hyungnims, no weapons allowed here. Hand 'em over."
"Uhaha! Si-jin dongsaeng! Who brings knives to a gisaeng house..."
Jeong Hyeon-beom trailed off mid-boast.
"S-Si-jin dongsaeng? You a weapons dealer or something?"
So Ji-hu came to his senses too, frowning at me.
"Huh? Oh, this? Last time their guys jumped me. Just in case."
I kept pulling knives even as they gawked. Two irum swords from my chest, one long one from my back, one each at my waist front-back-left-right, plus from wrists and ankles—all handed to the guards.
Meanwhile, Jeong Hyeon-beom and So Ji-hu muttered in disbelief.
"Haha, first guy crazier than me I've seen."
"Thought he was friendly, but he's a scary bastard."
"What about a jangdo?"
I paused pulling out the jangdo—not the long jang (長), but the dressed jang (裝) sword—and asked.
"Y-Yes, jangdo's fine to keep."
The guard, who'd brought a box, nodded. At least I wasn't totally defenseless.
"Ho ho, my lord."
Cheong-hyang sidled up while I was disarming, linking arms again and coquettishly tugging.
"My lord, this way."
"Not the annex?"
"Hee hee hee. Taking you somewhere even better."
"..."
"No naughty thoughts, so relax."
Having been burned once, I couldn't let my guard down.
"Hee hee, my lord. Even more handsome than I heard."
"Th-Thank you...!"
So this pounding heart? Not excitement. Just nerves making it race, face heat up, sweat break out.
I had Eori— no way I'd fall for another woman. Ha! Ridiculous.
"This is our pride at Cheong-un-gak, Cheong-un-ru."
Not content with a pond inside the gisaeng house, they'd built a pavilion smack in the middle. Spotting it first through the side door, with the night sky reflected and the pavilion floating like clouds, I almost gasped.
"Whoa haha! Si-jin dongsaeng! Thanks a ton!"
"Passing the exam feels luckier than meeting you."
Jeong Hyeon-beom and So Ji-hu marveled at Cheong-un-ru, thanking me profusely. Funny how they'd freaked at my arsenal earlier.
Didn't bother me. I quietly crossed the bridge to Cheong-un-ru with Cheong-hyang.
The pavilion already had a lavish banquet spread, other gisaengs waiting with bright smiles.
"Hee hee hee, sir. Our steamed carp suits your taste, right?"
Cheong-hyang led me to a table with mouthwatering steamed carp.
"Sit here."
I sat obediently at the table; she plopped down beside me. Jeong Hyeon-beom and So Ji-hu followed suit at other tables.
"Sir, have a bite."
Cheong-hyang picked up some carp with chopsticks and held it out.
"Sir, ahh~"
"No."
I blocked the chopsticks with my hand, meeting her eyes.
"Where's the old man?"
Gisaengs and feast were here, but no sign of the star—the proprietor.
"You mean the proprietor? He'll be here soon."
"Soon?"
"Yes."
"Got it. I'll wait."
"Have a bite first, ahh~"
"No. I'll wait."
Cheong-un-ru looked great. But only one entrance worried me.
What if they planned payback for touching their grandson...!
"Aigoo! Captain! My apologies! The kid kept refusing to come!"
"...!"
Just my paranoia, apparently. The old man personally dragged in Baek Do-yun.
"Old man's here?"
I eased up a bit and stood.
"No need! Sit! Sit! You too!"
The proprietor gestured for the rising Jeong Hyeon-beom and So Ji-hu to sit, then grabbed a bottle from the table toward me.
"Here! Captain! Drink up!"
"How could I drink first? You first, sir."
"Hey! What's this? You're embarrassing me!"
"No. I won't drink till you do. Here, your cup!"
I thrust out a cup amid the tussle.
"What, you think I poisoned it or something?"
How'd he know? Is it obvious?
"Nah, just Confucian manners. Drink up."
"Heh heh! Fine! Let me taste a mugwa grad's pour!"
He finally relented and took the cup. I poured awkwardly standing, watching him drain it clean.
"Ha! Bold one."
Grinning, of course.
"Kuh! Satisfied now?"
"Much better."
"Now drink mine?"
"Yep."
I held out my cup with both hands; he poured. I sipped carefully avoiding the lipstick mark.
"Tasty."
Like the stuff the crown prince drank incognito. Wonder what he's up to? Sleeping? Busy with coronation prep?
"Sir, ahh~"
"No thanks."
I waved off Cheong-wol's snack and eyed Baek Do-yun, kneeling behind the old man.
"Young master."
I held out my cup to him.
"Pour me one?"
"!"
"Ho ho ho! Of course!"
Baek Do-yun's eyes bulged in shock; the proprietor beamed wrinkles and nodded.
Kuh! This is the taste of power!
"Hey! Do-yun! Pour the captain a drink already!"
...Still felt kinda gross. Forcing his grandson into this with a big smile? Uncomfortable.
"H-Here's your drink...! Y-Y-Young m-master...!"
Whatever. Free booze.
Baek Do-yun stood, took the bottle from grandpa, and I held out my cup—one-handed, naturally.
His pouring hand shook like crazy, but the liquor in my cup? Sweeter than candy. No side dish needed.