Chapter 766
Chapter 766
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 766
Chapter Title: Radiant Ascension Path
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Hwamwolru (Flower Moon Tower).
The largest, most lavish, and renowned brothel in Anhwisung. It had everything for indulgence: exquisite food, fine liquor, beautiful women.
The nine-story building put most modern hotels to shame. The only downside was the price. Even the food cost five times what you'd pay elsewhere. The drinks were pricier still.
And I was a regular.
Hwamwolru was bustling. The first and second floors were dining areas.
It was expensive, sure, but the quality was guaranteed, so whenever the people of Anhwisung had something to celebrate, they'd splurge here on food and drinks.
Courtesans? Sleeping with one from Hwamwolru—even the lowest Bamboo-grade among the famed Plum-Orchid-Chrysanthemum-Bamboo beauties—would cost a commoner five straight years of nonstop labor.
Of course, I'd sampled every courtesan in the place. They were all delectable beauties, but the higher the rank, the better they felt down there.
"Gasp! Young Master Sung! You're here!"
The errand boy working nearby spotted me and rushed over, bowing deeply. I nodded in acknowledgment, hands clasped behind my back.
"Working hard as always, eh? Looks good on you."
"I'm just doing my job, sir!"
"Good lad."
I flicked a silver tael from my hand. He caught it carefully with both palms and bowed even lower.
"Thank you! Young Master Sung! I'll serve you with all my heart!"
"Is the madam around?"
The boy broke into a cold sweat, glancing at me nervously.
"She is, but..."
I'd tasted every courtesan in Hwamwolru, but the madam? Untouched. Because she wasn't one of them.
"I know she's not a courtesan. Just want to say hello."
"I-I'll ask her. Shall I guide you to your usual spot on the eighth floor?"
"Yeah."
"Any courtesans available tonight...?"
"Not now. I'll call after talking with the madam."
"Understood! This way!"
I followed the boy. All eyes turned to me. Nothing new—happened every visit to a brothel. And I wasn't the type to shrink under stares.
On the way up, courtesans peeked at me coyly. Their outfits were revealing: shoulders and collarbones bared as standard, sleek legs on full display. Chrysanthemum- and Bamboo-rank girls. They tempted me openly.
"Young master, won't you play with us tonight? We're free."
"Sorry. Got prior plans."
"Aw, what a shame~."
When I didn't budge, they amped it up: flashing their breasts, shaking them, or spreading their legs wide to show off their pussies. I wavered for a second but held firm. My top priority was bedding the madam. Couldn't forget that.
The errand boy kept his head down, eyes on the floor. Unlike guests, he couldn't ogle the girls. House rules—and he knew getting tangled with them never ended well. From Hwamwolru's perspective, errand boys were disposable.
"Young master, have you been well?"
"Of course. You too?"
"Not really. Thinking of you sets my heart ablaze... I want to be in your arms tonight."
"Me too. But plans."
"Sigh... Too bad."
Plum- and Orchid-rank courtesans dressed more conservatively, minimizing exposure. But their decadent aura and refined elegance—rare in other women—made them even more alluring.
We reached the eighth floor. Hwamwolru had nine stories, but guests only got up to eight. The ninth was reserved solely for the madam.
"Young Master Sung, please wait a moment. I'll inform the madam."
"Food and drinks?"
"The girls will bring them shortly."
I leaned against the window, settling in to wait. Truth be told, odds of seeing her weren't great. As owner, she had a sky-high ego. Not someone I could summon at will.
I gazed out the window. No match for Seoul's skyline, but the lanterns twinkling across the city made for a decent night view. Charming in its own way.
The courtesans arrived, filling the table with dishes and bottles. They cast subtle glances my way, hoping I'd call them over.
Heh. Once they've tasted my cock, it's only natural.
Who to fuck tonight?
"Young Master Sung."
The boy returned. I expected an apology bow, but he stood straight, meeting my eyes.
"The madam will come down in about an hourglass."
She'd agreed. I nodded. Not a bad sign. The boy slipped out quietly; the girls left with disappointed looks.
An hourglass: time for a cup of tea. About fifteen minutes later, the madam entered.
A woman in resplendent red robes. Hair black as ebony, pinned with a jade hairpin; brows like crescent moons; lips red as cherries. Skin snow-white, breasts full and bountiful. E-cup, easy, by my estimate.
This was Hwamwolru's madam, Gongbi.
"It's been ages since we last exchanged greetings, Young Master Sung."
Gongbi smiled with her eyes.
"Indeed. You've only grown more beautiful."
"Hehe. I know it's flattery, but it still feels nice. Mind if I sit?"
"Isn't this building yours, madam? Sit wherever."
"Right now, you're the master of this room."
A courtesan would've sat beside me, pouring drinks. But I couldn't demand that of Gongbi. She wasn't one. Socially, she outranked me besides.
"May I ask why you summoned me?"
"Straight to the point: how do I sleep with you?"
Rude, but her expression didn't flicker.
"Young Master Sung, I'm not a courtesan. I don't sell dances, songs, or smiles. My job is running Hwamwolru. That's it."
"Exceptions exist, don't they? I'm confident, even if I don't look it."
"I know. The girls here gave you the nickname 'Lecherous Young Master.' Did you know? Not one badmouths you. Some even beg me to let them serve you."
"Don't you want to see for yourself why? I'm confident."
"No matter what you say, no."
"I've got money to burn."
"Shall I tell you—you alone—how much Hwamwolru makes in a day?"
Direct approach was a bust. Ironclad.
I sensed she was a virgin. Living among courtesans yet rejecting me? Proof enough.
"What would it take to bed you?"
"You're blunt to a fault, Young Master Sung."
"Beating around the bush isn't my style."
"I find that charming. Young master, do you love me?"
"......"
I hesitated. Say yes, and we'd fuck? Nah, I wasn't that naive.
"Does your heart race every time you see me?"
"......"
It did. If it didn't, I'd be a zombie.
"Do you think of me while sleeping, eating, walking the streets?"
"......"
"You don't love me. You just want my body. I only want my beloved."
"I love you, madam."
"......I don't love you."
"Shot down. Shame."
"You understand my stance? I'll be going, then. Young master."
Gongbi rose. Her resolve seemed to draw a firm line.
"Madam."
"Yes, young master."
"What must I do to win your love?"
"......Hmm. Never thought deeply about it. A strong man, maybe?"
Rape the answer?
???
I opened my eyes.
Slowly sitting up in bed. Four naked courtesans sprawled around me, asleep. Their pussies bore the thick evidence of last night's frenzy.
I opened the window. Stale air rushed out; fresh air flowed in. The sun hung high. I dressed and headed to the second floor. Eating in-room looked too messy.
"Young Master Sung!"
Yesterday's errand boy bolted over.
"Here for lunch? This way!"
"Usual order. Ice water too."
In this world, plain "water" got you lukewarm stuff. Had to specify cold.
"Right away!"
While he was gone, I sat blankly at the table, overlooking the first floor. No window view, so people-watching it was.
Huh?
A group entered Hwamwolru. Guests weren't unusual. Even daytime, it doubled as a restaurant. Lunch crowds made sense.
What startled me was their attire.
Why's that guy in gym clothes?
Modern black tracksuit. I'd sold plenty of Earth goods here, but never workout gear.
Flash!
Something clicked.
Gwangcheon a playground world blending five creations.
One was Otherworld Heavenly Demon. Modern guy finds the Heavenly Demon Divine Art in an old warehouse, gets isekai'd, becomes the Heavenly Demon.
The protagonist wore gym clothes early on. Name was... Shin Jong-woo.
An old man and a woman followed Shin Jong-woo inside. The elder was short and scrawny, with a goatee.
Dunmokjeong.
A side character from Otherworld Heavenly Demon. Powerless after some incident, the Shadowless Divine Thrower. Early on, he plans to use the strong-yet-clumsy protagonist.
Then the woman behind...
Face veiled under a conical hat and cloth mask. Black martial robes, sword at her side.
Namgung Rin, one of the heroines. Direct line of Namgung family, hiding her identity while traveling with the protag. Beauty guaranteed.
They chatted with an errand boy and started up the stairs. Looked like they were booking a private room on the third floor or higher for a comfy meal.
I blocked their path just before the third-floor landing.
"......Do you need something from us?"
Shin Jong-woo asked calmly. Dunmokjeong eyed me with annoyance; Namgung Rin's face was hidden.
"Looks like you came from far away. Join me for a meal? I can tell you about the place."
"No thanks. We've got someone who knows it well. No need to worry. Step aside."
Shin Jong-woo was firm. He looked tired—freshly arrived in Anhwisung, probably. Skipping the Namgung family made sense; Rin was still incognito.
"You sure? Really sure you want me to move?"
I probed his cultivation. Matched mine.
"Sigh. No interest or energy for a scuffle. Please move."
"Really?"
"Yes, really......"
Shin Jong-woo's eyes went wide. He couldn't hide his shock. I'd just spoken Korean—a language that didn't exist here.
"W-What?! You're from Korea too? Like me?!"
He grabbed my shoulders, words tumbling out in Korean. Over his shoulder, Dunmokjeong's stunned face.
Guy grabbing my shoulders pisses me off... Damn. Hold it in for now.
Far off, a startled errand boy sweated bullets, racing over. Tray shaking so bad, the ice water was spilling everywhere.
"Sir! Sir! No fighting in Hwamwolru! Please, calm down!"