Chapter 169
Translator: penny
Chapter: 169
Chapter Title: Tearful Plea at the Pavilion
Wanyuan Pavilion was one of the most glamorous brothels in Jenam City, run by the Shadow Gate Sect's Brothel Hall.
As such, it always kept plenty of courtesans on hand, enough to handle the usual crowds with room to spare. But strangely, today they were short-staffed for customers.
"What do you mean, no courtesans? What kind of nonsense is that?"
"We're terribly sorry. If you come back next time, we'll throw in some extra appetizers."
"You think I'm complaining because I can't afford snacks? I've been a regular here forever—how dare you treat me like this!"
"We're sorry."
The customer clicked his tongue and stormed off, bowing employee in tow.
Even as he left, a similar scene unfolded right away.
"Do you know who this is? Lord Seongdae cleared his busy schedule to come all the way here!"
"We're sorry. If it's not too much trouble, perhaps just the drinks without a courtesan...?"
"Are you insane? Why would we come here for that?"
"...We're sorry."
The employees were dying inside, forced to apologize nonstop to irate customers.
It wasn't even their fault, but they took the full brunt of the abuse.
'Just who the hell is that guy...?'
The reason Wanyuan Pavilion had no courtesans left for other guests was simple.
All the spares had been rounded up in one annex.
The annex on the west side of Wanyuan Pavilion was massive enough to host dozens at once.
And one man had rented the whole thing out—Mok Jimyeong, who'd parted ways with the Shadow Gate Sect leader and headed straight here.
"You're that famous Divine Dragon, young master?"
"Let this girl pour you a drink too."
Mok Jimyeong was surrounded by over thirty courtesans.
He looked utterly pleased.
Whatever the pavilion mistress had told them, dozens of courtesans were fawning over him alone.
Not one pulled away when he groped their hips or breasts—in fact, they competed to catch his eye with coquettish charm.
'Man, this place is heaven.'
The liquor flowed freely.
He'd visited brothels hundreds of times, but this was a first.
"Is there a song you like, young master? Tell me, and I'll play it for you."
And these weren't just ordinary courtesans.
Even the haughty entertainers were vying to impress him.
The air filled with perfume and feminine scents.
It felt like the epitome of wine, women, and song straight out of a legend.
'And I have to pick just a few from this lot...'
He wanted to strip and sample them all right then, but reality wouldn't allow it.
A quick romp might be one thing, but the Blissful Creation Art took serious time per partner.
'Can't skip the technique, though... Four? Nah, maybe five in one night? This one's bust is a bit lacking, and that one's face isn't quite my type.'
Mok Jimyeong sipped the drinks they poured him, mentally scoring them.
Visuals were just the start.
"Ahh, young master..."
"Hng...!"
He slipped hands into their clothes to test texture and sounds too.
Most women would balk, but not a single one here did.
'The pavilion mistress must've laid down the law hard.'
Mok Jimyeong was all for it.
No need to hold back—he could indulge freely.
As time passed, the annex's mood grew increasingly lascivious.
Some courtesans had loosened their robes, baring their breasts.
"I've prepared some valley brew for you."
"Oh, valley brew sounds perfect."
Mok Jimyeong had his face buried deep in cleavage, drinking straight from the source.
Knock knock—
"Young Master Mok, you have a visitor."
"Urgh, a visitor?"
Mok Jimyeong briefly thought of Pang Deokjo, then dismissed it.
No way that virgin would show up alone.
He pondered for a second but drew a blank.
"Let 'em in."
Mok Jimyeong grabbed two courtesans by the arms, who were hastily covering up in surprise.
He didn't care who it was—he wanted to show off.
The door opened to reveal someone utterly unexpected.
Baek Eunjeong, second daughter of the Baek family.
She peeked inside the annex and covered her mouth in shock.
"Huh? What brings you here, Lady Baek?"
Mok Jimyeong's tone was polite, but his hands kept toying with the courtesans' breasts.
Baek Eunjeong flushed crimson and bowed her head.
"Could we... talk for a moment?"
"Talk?"
Mok Jimyeong seemed to mull it over, then nodded.
"Come in."
"Come in."
At my permission, Baek Eunjeong hesitated before stepping inside the annex.
I kept kneading two courtesans' breasts with my hands while I thought.
'What's Baek Eunjeong doing here?'
I'd planned to visit her tomorrow anyway, but I hadn't expected her to show up today.
'Did the Shadow Gate Sect leader send her?'
That was my first guess, but I shook it off.
Last time he'd sent her with the envoys, we'd had our fun—but he wouldn't send her again so soon.
'Whatever, I'll just ask.'
Baek Eunjeong, now inside, looked lost, glancing around awkwardly.
She was clearly unsure where to sit.
To spare her the dilemma, I nudged aside the courtesan I'd been fondling with my left hand.
"Over here."
She hesitated, then cautiously knelt beside me.
I almost told her to relax, but held back.
My feelings right now were complicated.
Her showing up unannounced was a pleasant surprise—I'd had my eye on her—but the timing sucked.
'Right in the middle of the fun...'
The mood was ruined.
The coquettish courtesans had gone stiff around me, and the half-naked ones were hurriedly dressing.
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
"Um... could you maybe send the courtesans away first?"
She glanced at me nervously as she asked.
I had to wrestle with the decision.
This felt like it would drag on forever.
'Damn, should I call it quits?'
I'd already scored most of them mentally—sending them off felt like a waste.
But making her wait through the whole conversation wasn't ideal either.
I smacked my lips, then gave in to her request.
"Everyone out."
Courtesans were great, but Baek Eunjeong stirred my interest more.
She was the Baek family's second daughter (even if their great family status was from my past life) and half-sister to that Baek Rihyeon punk.
Plus, I could always grab more courtesans later.
Even after they all left, Baek Eunjeong kept her head bowed, silent.
I poured her a drink, but she didn't touch it.
The quiet grew heavy.
In the end, I broke the ice.
"Lady Baek, what is it you wanted to say?"
"Well..."
She still hesitated.
I gave her time, and finally a tiny voice emerged.
"...Help me."
It was so out of left field for someone who'd barged in like this.
'Help her?'
All sorts of possibilities raced through my mind.
Nothing clicked.
I recalled the dossier on the Baek family the Shadow Gate Sect leader had given me.
I'd planned to read it tomorrow morning...
'Should've skimmed it earlier.'
But cracking it open now would be rude.
I decided to hear it straight from her.
"Help with what?"
"...Help me."
Baek Eunjeong repeated herself.
But her voice cracked, like she was on the verge of tears.
'What, is she crying?'
Head down, I couldn't see her face, but her shoulders trembled faintly.
Before I could guess the situation, her voice came again.
"I did wrong. Please help me."
Definitely crying.
The sudden turn left me reeling.
What wrong? Help with what?
"What are you talking about?"
"I... I messed up. Forgive me."
She lifted her head slightly—tears streamed down her cheeks.
The sight reminded me of our last meeting.
She'd shown up with the envoys, got turned down, and stormed off red-faced and fuming.
That proud woman was now sobbing.
"Sob... I won't do it again. Please, help me."
How could I help without knowing what?
Temptation rose to pull out the dossier right there.
But with a beauty like her in front of me, I couldn't.
I opted to soothe her first.
"Calm down and tell me slowly. What do you need help with?"
Once the tears started, they poured out like a dam burst—she sobbed for quite a while.
I patiently coaxed her down.
If it were a guy, I'd have smacked him silly, but Baek Eunjeong was worth indulging.
'Only 'cause she's a real knockout.'
After much coaxing, she finally calmed enough to talk.
"What happened?"
Her voice still quivered, but she began unraveling the story bit by bit.
"Ever since I met you before..."