Secrets of the Ivory Pavilion
In Jiangsu Province, two great lakes dominated the landscape. One was Hongze Lake, where the waters of the Yangtze first gathered strength. The other was Taihu, the province’s most celebrated scenic wonder.
Second only to Dongting Lake in Hunan, Taihu’s vast expanse had inspired countless poets and scholars to sing its praises in verse. Its shores were equally famous for their ever-changing beauty. The trees and flowers cycled through four distinct seasonal garments, drawing throngs of tourists every year who never tired of praising its splendor.
Around the lake, multistoried restaurants and inns stood shoulder to shoulder. Behind them sprawled shops selling silk, cosmetics, ornaments, and trinkets aimed at the courtesans who worked in those establishments. Souvenir stalls and food vendors catering to visitors had also sprung up, creating a lively market district perfectly suited to Taihu’s character.
Cheonhwa reached Taihu during the hour of the Monkey, right when the courtesan houses and inns were busily preparing for the evening rush. Wandering alone, he drank in every new sight with open delight, a broad smile never leaving his lips.
“Oh my, just look at him. How can anyone be that handsome?”
Passersby kept stealing glances, only to notice the sword at his waist and quickly turn away. Even if he had no ill intentions, a sword at the hip was enough to mark any man as someone ordinary citizens should treat with caution.
Cheonhwa heard the murmurs about his appearance but paid them no mind whatsoever.
“I’ve looked around enough. This seems to be the largest one.”
A grand three-story pavilion stood at the center, flanked by a two-story pentagonal building. The upper floor of the annex was open on all sides, offering unobstructed views of Taihu from any angle. A closer look revealed it was seamlessly connected to the main three-story structure. There were no visible entrances on the annex itself; movement between the buildings was only possible through the main pavilion.
Cheonhwa stopped before the three-story building and looked up at the signboard. The elegant characters read Sang-a-ru.
“So this is the place Elder Yong-deok mentioned.”
He stepped inside. Despite the early hour, the hall was already packed with guests.
“Wang-ho, escort our two guests to Plum Blossom Room Three.”
The manager stood at the entrance checking the ledger and assigning empty rooms while waiters hurried about. Cheonhwa nodded in approval. Compared to the quiet isolation of the island, the vibrant energy here felt refreshing.
“Such a lively world existed, yet they kept me locked away on that island. Why?”
His mother, Hwarin, had always enjoyed atmospheres like this.
“Coming alone, sir?”
The head manager of the courtesan house addressed him politely.
“Yes, I’m by myself. It’s my first time at a place like this, so I’d like the full experience.”
“Is that so?”
“It is. Before coming, I heard all sorts of stories, you know? As a man yourself, Manager, I’m sure you understand.”
The corners of the manager’s mouth twitched upward.
“Of course I do. Very well. I’ll personally call for a skilled and beautiful courtesan for you.”
“Ah, not the pretty young ones. I mean the ones who really know how to play. You understand what I mean—must I really say it out loud?”
Seeing Cheonhwa’s mischievous grin, the manager nodded in understanding.
“I know exactly what you’re after. Dusang-ah, escort this guest to Room One in the Orchid Annex.”
A waiter approached and led Cheonhwa to the designated room.
The Orchid Annex was a two-story building situated behind and to the right of the main pavilion. Room One was on the first floor. The moment he stepped inside, the open window offered a breathtaking, unobstructed view of Taihu.
Numerous boats were moored at the docks, all operated by the various courtesan houses lining the shore.
“Not bad at all,” Cheonhwa murmured.
A short while later the door opened again. Two young courtesans entered carrying trays laden with appetizing dishes.
“Please enjoy your time with us.”
“Just a moment.”
Cheonhwa stopped the girls before they could leave and pressed a silver coin into each of their hands, thanking them for their service.
“Thank you, young master.”
After they departed, some time passed before a more mature woman entered carrying a zither.
“My name is Ga-wol.”
“I’m Cheonhwa. A pleasure to meet you.”
Ga-wol offered a bright smile.
“You look quite young.”
“I’m sixteen. Sixteen is fully grown, isn’t it?”
“In some ways, I suppose it is.”
Ga-wol assumed he was the son of some wealthy official.
“Have a drink with me.”
Cheonhwa lifted the cup in front of him and offered it. She poured for him gracefully.
He emptied it in one swallow, set the cup down, and said, “That’s quite good. What kind of wine is this? The only thing I’ve ever drunk before is fruit wine.”
“It’s pear wine.”
“Pear wine… I like it. Pour me another.”
When he held out the cup again, she filled it. This time he drank only half before setting it down and sampling the food arranged on the table.
“The food is excellent too… Fine wine, delicious dishes, and Taihu’s view that feels like it blows every worry straight out of your chest. There’s nothing lacking here.”
Ga-wol tilted her head in confusion.
Most men would have praised the beautiful woman sitting before them, yet he had left her out entirely and spoken of the lake instead. It stung her pride just a little.
“By any chance, do you recognize this pattern?”
Cheonhwa grinned playfully and moved his chopsticks across the tabletop, sketching something.
At first Ga-wol let out a small laugh, thinking it was merely a joke. But something about the way his hand moved made her look again. Her smile froze.
This is…!
It was unmistakably the symbol she knew.
“You recognize it, then?”
Ga-wol straightened her posture and bowed deeply.
“Taihu Branch of Haomun. Branch Leader Ga-wol greets the honored friend of our Sect Leader.”
Seeing her reaction, Cheonhwa knew he had come to the right place.
“So you are the branch leader. I’d heard rumors that this was a Haomun outpost, so I came looking. It seems my information was correct.”
Ga-wol offered an awkward smile.
“I have a few questions.”
Without wasting time, Cheonhwa asked what he wanted to know.
“Please speak freely.”
“I want to know everything about the businesses operated by the Haedong Merchant Group.”
“Regarding the Haedong Merchant Group’s operations…”
“That includes their known businesses, the ones they run in secret, and even the illegal ones. All of them.”
“Understood. Would you like to hear the information now?”
“No. Compile it into a book for me. Make it extremely detailed and easy to understand.”
Ga-wol agreed to prepare a comprehensive written report on the Haedong Merchant Group according to his wishes.
“Ah, and one more thing. On my way over Untae Mountain, I noticed a strong smell of blood around the mid-slope. It looked like a major fight had taken place. I suggest you send someone to investigate.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m simply advising that it would be wise to check.”
“I understand. I’ll dispatch men immediately. Please wait a moment.”
When Cheonhwa nodded, Ga-wol left the room. Once alone, he sipped his wine and enjoyed the scenery outside the window.
Voices drifted in from outside.
“So why aren’t you paying the protection fee?”
“Business has been bad. Can’t you give me a little more time? Haven’t I always paid on time until now?”
“Old man, that’s exactly why we overlooked it last month.”
Listening to the exchange, Cheonhwa fell into thought.
“The law of the strong applies not only in the martial world but everywhere, it seems.”
“Fine. I’ll give you three days, old man. Make sure you have the fee ready by then.”
“I will.”
“This must be under the Black Path’s influence, yet they allow these street gangs to collect protection money.”
“They have to make a living too,” Ga-wol said as she re-entered the room, having overheard him.
“Even the Black Path cannot directly manage every single low-level operation.”
“Is that so?”
“Usually they place such gangs beneath them and entrust the management of the lowest rungs to those groups. These men see the Black Path as their path to success. They’ll offer blind loyalty, giving everything they have—until they betray them, of course.”
“So in exchange for entrusting them with management, you receive tribute.”
“Exactly. By controlling only the gang leaders, they can indirectly control everyone beneath them. Most Black Path factions use this method.”
Cheonhwa nodded deeply, showing he understood.
“An easy way to make money. Then whose territory is this? Haomun’s? Or does it belong to the Hongze Lake Fortress?”
“The fortress master of Hongze Lake Fortress extends his control all the way to Taihu.”
“If the Hongze Lake Fortress manages everything, wouldn’t they be short on manpower?”
“Normally the vice-master of the fortress oversees Taihu’s businesses, but recently there have been changes at Hongze Lake. Because of that, the fortress master, Falling Horse Sword Lee Il-do’s younger brother, Lee Sam-do, has taken charge of Taihu.”
“Really?”
“Lee Il-do’s brother used to be an official. He has close ties with the provincial governor and other administrators. He’s using those connections to gradually expand their operations.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“For now it hasn’t greatly affected our own businesses, so we’ve left it alone. But it will start causing problems soon, and when that happens, we’ll likely have to take action.”
“In other words, if they touch what’s in my bowl, you won’t stand by quietly.”
“Correct. Reputation is important, so we usually wait for the other side to move first in order to create proper justification.”
“They must at least suspect that Haomun has a branch here in Taihu, right?”
“We assume they do. However, even among the Black Path, while they may be strong on water, bandits cannot compete with us on land.”
Cheonhwa found parts of the explanation both understandable and puzzling at the same time.
“Nothing in this world is easy, is it?”
“For people like us, simply surviving is already difficult work, isn’t it?”
“My mother used to say the same thing. Life doesn’t always roll along smoothly.”
“That seems to be the way of the world. By the way, young master, may I now ask you a few questions?”
Having recognized the Sect Leader’s symbol, she asked with respectful politeness.
“Of course. I’ll answer everything within the scope of what I know. However—”
Suddenly Cheonhwa’s entire demeanor changed.
It was different from the playful attitude he had shown the bandits at Untae Mountain Fortress. This aura was heavy and overwhelmingly powerful.
“I don’t want the words that leave my mouth to circulate among others.”
Ga-wol swallowed dryly under the pressure of his gaze.
“You understand what I’m saying, yes?”
How can a boy who looks no more than fifteen or sixteen emit such presence…?
“I will keep it in mind. Young master…”
“Call me Cheonhwa. Just Cheonhwa.”
“Ah, then… Cheonhwa, how is it that you know our Sect Leader’s symbol?”
“My mother taught me. She told me that when I entered the martial world, I must learn and master Haomun’s Left Path techniques.”
At the word “mother,” Ga-wol’s eyes narrowed slightly. She tried to think which woman among those who knew the Sect Leader’s symbol would say such a thing. Her gaze returned to Cheonhwa, and her eyes suddenly widened.
“N-no way…”
Seeing that she had realized who he was, Cheonhwa simply smiled instead of answering.
“Are you truly the son of the Great Princess?”
“If I weren’t, why else would I be in Jiangsu?”
The Great Princess Hwarin’s maternal family resided in Jiangsu. They had once operated a merchant group so powerful it ranked among the Ten Great Merchant Groups. Realizing this, Ga-wol finally understood why Cheonhwa had asked for information about the Haedong Merchant Group.
“This servant greets Young Master Cheonhwa.”
Learning he was Hwarin’s son, her voice changed once again. Earlier it had been strictly businesslike, but now it carried genuine warmth.
“Is the Great Princess doing well?”
“She’s in excellent health. She’ll probably live another hundred years.”
“I heard she and the Great Prince Cheonwoo fought to mutual destruction…”
“Refrain from asking questions I cannot answer. That is the shortcut to a long life and the wise path to obtaining both wealth and honor.”
“My apologies.”
“It’s fine. We’ll be seeing each other often from now on. Once we become closer, we can share such stories then.”
“As you wish. Then I will step out for a moment and return shortly.”
“Take your time.”
Ga-wol no longer asked any further questions. She bowed respectfully and left the room.