Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Golden Orchid Tavern
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Guided by the women, I simply couldn't bring myself to look up.
"Ah, even if it's a tavern, how can they wear such scandalous outfits..."
The clothes barely covered the essentials, and being so thin, they only accentuated their figures—in fact, the way the fabric clung and compressed certain areas made them stand out even more.
Even if they'd put them on unknowingly, it'd be enough to make anyone recoil, yet these women seemed fully aware, swaying their bodies provocatively as if on purpose...
"H-how can women..."
My face flushed red of its own accord.
Was this what they meant by the finest tavern in the Central Plains?
A place where women pour your drinks and engage in lewd acts...
*Sizzle*
"Ugh..."
I'd heard rumors, but never imagined I'd end up in one myself.
It was embarrassing enough for me, someone with no connection to them, yet their treating it as commonplace only made me more flustered.
And I was more worried about him than myself.
As a woman, their temptations had no effect on me, but he was a young man in the prime of his vigor.
Their seduction wasn't aimed at me anyway—it was for him.
Even if it was just a habit from working here, they surely harbored intentions to tempt him.
*Grind*
"How dare they..."
I ground my teeth at the audacity.
Tempting him right in front of me?
I and he...
He and...
"...what are we, exactly?"
Have we shared our affections?
Given each other our first times?
But...
"...we agreed to pretend it never happened."
It was his request first.
It had been for healing purposes anyway, and no matter how precious a first experience might be, binding ourselves to it without true feelings would only hurt us both. So let's call it a night that never was.
He'd proposed it, and I'd accepted.
So... what were we to each other?
Friends? Comrades? Protector?
No single word perfectly captured our relationship.
Pretending it never happened didn't erase the memory of that day.
Come to think of it, what did he make of that day's memories?
I had no idea what the Blood Cult had done to him, but he'd yielded his body to me willingly—and even seemed to crave pleasure himself.
The very next day, I'd shot down his suggestion to forget it all, but just knowing my identity hadn't driven him away was enough to satisfy me.
But that was separate from this.
I was curious what he thought of that day.
As a woman, it touched on my pride.
"...Maybe this is my chance."
No matter how slowly things progressed, after stopping at this tavern, we'd head to Shaanxi—and I wouldn't be able to stay with him forever.
Since we were already here, what if I got him thoroughly drunk?
I could ask about that day's memories—and if things went well...
*Sizzle*
"G-get a grip! You're a Daoist!"
Even if ascension seemed hopeless, was I ready to abandon my teachings entirely?
I swung my sword through my mind, scattering the memories of that day.
"Hee-hee. We've arrived. Please, step inside."
'Ah.'
Lost in thought, I'd barely noticed the women finishing their guidance.
As they'd said, the spot they led us to was perfect for two people to relax privately.
Enclosed on all sides, no one could peep or interrupt, and with soft lighting and a strange incense that mysteriously lifted the mood...
...Hold on.
"That incense..."
"Ah... It helps maintain the guests' 'mood.' It's good for your 'health' too, they say?"
"..."
She hadn't said it outright, but its effects were obvious.
Of course, I could neutralize such tricks with my internal energy without issue, but the problem was him.
If he fell under the incense's influence...
"If the incense doesn't suit you, shall we remove it?"
"...No. Leave it."
"Hee-hee. Understood."
Thinking it might actually be a decent tavern after all, I glanced at the other woman with him.
She was still pressed close to his body, but...
"For now, this one... and this one... Sides like dumplings are fine... Oh, and some veggies too."
"Yes, got it."
She was breaking a sweat helping him with the order as he pored seriously over the menu.
...Now that I thought about it, he was the type who only cared about the alcohol.
'He said he drank to forget what Soyeon did to him...'
Even with his amnesia, did the pain linger?
I was curious, but prying might jog his memories...
"...Never mind."
Just the fleeting vision of him looking at me with disgust made my heart feel like it was tearing apart.
"Y-your ordered drinks have arrived."
"Is that all?"
"W-we're preparing more, so if you could just wait a moment, we'd be grateful."
"...Fine, we'll start with these."
"Thank you so much for understanding..."
The woman, looking somewhat disheveled compared to her earlier sultriness, set the table and retreated.
I'd expected more from the Central Plains' finest tavern, but the staff seemed subpar.
Ordering some liquor from just twelve years ago, and they didn't even know the lineup?
Not that extensive a selection—shouldn't they memorize their own stock?
"The staff here aren't in great shape. I had higher hopes for the top spot in the Central Plains."
"...They probably haven't dealt with a customer like you before."
"Ha, even if absolute beauties serve me, if the liquor tastes bad, I'm out the door."
My eyes were jaded from Master—few beauties could move me now—but anyway, I never trusted taverns that relied solely on looks over flavor.
Once, a gambling buddy recommended a place, and two women clung to me, blocking my drinks and chattering nonstop.
...Come to think of it, did Master like drinking?
I'd never seen her imbibe, but her vibe suggested she might.
Maybe invite her for a round when we got back.
"Anyway, let's see how the liquor tastes. The menu looked decent enough..."
*Slurp*
The moment I poured it into my mouth—
*Gulp gulp gulp*
"Kaaah!"
The taste was unexpectedly superb.
I take back what I said earlier.
This wasn't some looks-only joint—it was truly the Central Plains' best.
"...That good?"
"Yeah... I figured only the servers were pretty, but the liquor's top-notch too..."
"...Are those women your type?"
Lady Shin's aura suddenly felt oddly chilly, but I didn't notice.
"Nah... I'm not into that. I prefer pure, devoted love. The kind where you only have eyes for each other."
"...Hm?"
"Sure, heroes have three wives and four concubines or whatever... I've heard that somewhere, but I'm no hero. Love's something you pour entirely into one person, and it's still not enough."
"...I see."
Lady Shin nodded at my words.
Maybe she had a straitlaced side too—seemed to agree.
"...By the way, I don't think I've seen you drunk since we met. Do you know your limit?"
"My limit..."
My capacity was weirdly high—weak stuff wouldn't faze me even if I drank till my belly burst.
Never really gotten smashed, now that I thought about it. Curious.
'How much can I handle?'
Good to find out.
I'd keep drinking ahead, and passing out alone would suck.
Perfect—reliable company here now...
"Not sure, but testing tonight sounds fun."
"Oh, tonight?"
"Yeah... Not alone, and if I pass out, someone's trustworthy to look after me."
"...Trustworthy someone..."
Lady Shin pondered briefly.
"Am I wrong? I trust you plenty."
"...No. Thanks for the trust. I'll... try to live up to it."
It was a half-joking remark, but the mood turned serious—she seemed to misunderstand more.
'...Eh, it'll be fine.'
Assuming no issues, I topped off my glass.
The night was still young.
"Haa..."
Atop the Golden Orchid Tavern.
A seductively alluring beauty sighed, tilting a glass of crimson liquid to her lips.
The way it trickled down toward her mouth was strangely bewitching.
"No decent men around these days..."
Lamenting the recent lack of appealing catches, she heard the door open behind her as other women entered.
"Manager, today's report..."
"Ah, skip it. Same old daily grind—take a break. I'm already frustrated and pent-up."
"...Understood."
Her speech was far too casual for the manager of such a grand establishment.
"Any tasty-looking customers today?"
"Ah... The man getting VIP treatment on the third floor had striking looks. Peak realm martial prowess too..."
"What's realm matter if he just drools over you girls? Think that'll satisfy me?"
"..."
The staff women were beauties anywhere they went, but none matched the one before them.
She was on another level entirely.
"Haa... If only the Lord would summon me... Guess I'll endure tonight too."
"Ah... Well... We didn't see his face, but there was an intriguing guest."
"Hm?"
Strange phrasing.
Didn't see his face? Wearing a mask?
Even masked, they'd have to remove it to drink.
"What do you mean?"
"We didn't serve him directly—he came with a female companion... Wearing a Bloodstained Cloak. Couldn't see inside."
"Hmm..."
A cloak hiding the face within.
Reminded her of a finicky hero from her old world, but he couldn't be here—probably mistaken.
Some clever angle adjustment or mystical beast hide.
"So what? No face is a gamble. You think I'd roll dice even starved?"
"Face unseen, but... how to say... A woman's instinct? Felt familiar, like he smelled delicious..."
"What're you on about."
"Just getting close stirred something... Affinity, appetizing scent?"
"...Hmm."
One of her kind using charm arts?
In her old world, it'd scream incubus—but impossible here. More likely a fellow seductress.
Intriguing tale, especially with the woman in tow.
*Slurp*
What face would she make seeing her beloved stolen away?
Finally, some decent entertainment after so long.