Chapter 24
Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Scouting the Brothels
"Where are you headed?"
Upon arriving at the promised city, Eun Garyeon asked me that question.
But since this was my first time here too, I had no idea which brothel in the area might be decent.
Not that I could just barge into any old place either.
"Wait for me at that tavern over there. I'll scout around a bit."
"Why not just wander together?"
Eun Garyeon tilted her head at my words.
The Jang bastard next to her nodded in agreement.
"No real need for you to go alone, right?"
To be honest, it was a hassle.
I wanted to pop into a brothel, check if they had any pretty courtesans, and move on if not—but dragging these two along would make that a pain.
So I decided to convince them roughly.
"No need for all three of us to traipse around. You two have never even been to a brothel before, have you? Better for me to scout quick and save us the time wasted haggling."
They looked reluctant, but eventually nodded, convinced by my words.
"Should we wait over there then?"
"Yeah. If I find a good spot, I'll send someone to fetch you. Grab a bite at the tavern in the meantime."
With those two out of the way, I started strolling the streets lightheartedly.
Eun Garyeon had my money pouch, but I didn't suspect her of running off—not even a speck.
'If she does, all the better.'
I was almost hoping she would.
It'd give me a legal claim on her body.
'Debt dodged? Pay with your flesh—that's common sense, right?'
At least according to the laws and common sense I knew.
Before stepping into a brothel, I casually hung a metal token from my waist.
The Shadow Gate Sect hid among ordinary folk, making their members hard to spot.
Hell, I'd been a regular at Blue Moon Tower and never realized it was Shadow Gate territory.
That was why Somwol had given me this.
A token with (courtesan) on the front and (filth) on the back.
'Wear this, and Brothel Hall will approach first, she said.'
I wondered how effective it'd be, but the very first brothel reacted.
As I gathered the courtesans to appraise their looks, a matronly old woman approached me.
"Might you be the third young master of the Mok Family Clan, by chance?"
"Brothel Hall...?"
I asked half in doubt, since I'd never seen a courtesan her age before.
'Beyond impossible—this woman's beyond anyone's tastes.'
Blue Moon Tower's madam might cater to all preferences, but no man would pick this granny...
The old woman nodded and lowered her voice.
"Please follow me first."
I trailed her dubiously to a familiar spot.
It was identical to the secret room I'd visited once at Blue Moon Tower.
A metal-walled chamber with nothing but a table and chairs in the center.
'Do all Brothel Hall brothels have these secret rooms?'
I pulled out a chair and plopped down. The old woman sat opposite and spoke.
"Do you need any particular information, young master?"
Sharp as expected from Shadow Gate.
Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered wearing the token.
"The Eun Merchant Group—no, actually, something personal I'm curious about."
As I scratched my chin, the old woman smiled kindly.
"The Hall Leader's orders are to withhold nothing from you, young master. Ask away freely."
No need to hold back then.
"You a courtesan too?"
I'd tried to soften it, but her brow twitched.
"Th-that's what you wanted to know?"
"Yeah. Tastes vary, sure... but... hmm."
This was pushing it.
She looked at least seventy.
The old woman cleared her throat loudly.
"Ahem. I retired from courtesanship long ago. Now I teach the young ones. Nothing like what you're imagining."
No wonder I heard Brothel Hall was all courtesans.
'Retired courtesan, huh.'
Made sense.
No reason to excommunicate them upon retirement—this was natural.
I nodded in understanding, and her expression hardened slightly.
"...Has your curiosity been sated?"
Her voice gave nothing away—years not wasted.
The shift was so subtle, most wouldn't notice.
Playtime over; time for business.
"Information on the Eun Merchant Group in the capital. And detailed intel on their leader, Eun Garyeon."
"The Eun Merchant Group...? It'll take about one shichen to gather. Is that alright?"
One shichen?
Fine by me.
"I'll have a drink here meanwhile. Call me when it's ready."
"Need a courtesan as well?"
"Obviously."
"Please wait here a moment. I'll prepare the drinks and girl."
"You'll fetch the courtesan yourself?"
"...Is that a problem?"
The old woman hesitated, gauging my reaction.
She knew about my Blissful Creation Art.
'Did the Brothel Hall Leader mention that too?'
Didn't matter much.
I wasn't expecting top-tier from a brothel girl anyway.
I nodded, and she added,
"I'll summon an exceptional artiste. I won't mention your... talents. And she'll obey your every whim."
Impressive.
She knew exactly how to stoke my desires.
'Hoping to drain my inner energy dry, eh?'
Intriguing offer, but it meant recalculating a bit.
"That's all?"
"...Is there more you desire?"
"I mean, come on. I'm a customer here."
I pressed thumb and forefinger into a circle.
Like a coin.
'My Blissful Creation Art ain't free.'
The old woman finally gasped in realization.
"Oh, no worries there. Brothel Hall brothels won't charge you a dime."
"For real?"
Free forever?
'Brothel Hall—you sweethearts!'
Brothels for life, on the house.
***
I was alone in the private drinking room, sipping liquor, when Eun Garyeon and the Jang bastard finally showed up.
"Wow, so this is a brothel?"
"Sit comfortably."
The courtesan the old woman promised still hadn't arrived, which puzzled Eun Garyeon.
"You haven't called a girl yet?"
"Nah, she'll be here soon."
Something must've held things up; she was late.
'Busy?'
Thanks to that, the room held just us three.
Eun Garyeon settled on a cushion and glanced around.
"I expected brothels to be kinda sleazy, but this one's surprisingly clean."
"Indeed... quieter than most taverns. Not bad."
I tossed a question at the Jang bastard chiming in.
"Hey. This your first brothel too?"
"Obviously. If the Leader hadn't come, I'd never set foot here in my life."
He answered boldly.
Pitiful sight.
'Tsk tsk. Prime age to enjoy life.'
Couldn't let that stand.
He was an ugly mug, but today I'd show him a new world.
"Hang on. I'll call you a top courtesan."
"Wha—no thanks! You enjoy yourself..."
"It's fine, it's fine. Want a companion for the Eun miss too?"
Eun Garyeon perked up at my offer but hesitated.
"The... cost..."
"With all the money I lent you? Don't sweat it. I'll cover tonight—special since it's your firsts."
I'd heard it was free from the old woman, so I played the generous host.
Eun Garyeon nodded shyly.
"Then... I'd like to meet a courtesan too."
"Wait, I—"
The Jang bastard tried saving face again, but he had no say.
'Guys like him lose their minds once hooked on brothels.'
Exhibit A: my past self. Exhibit B: my buddy Jeong Mutae.
Ignoring the Jang bastard, I headed out to summon a girl.
Just past the door, about to call someone—
-Even so, to give my body too...!
A woman's small voice drifted from somewhere.
Sounded off, so I perked my ears.
-Ayoung, it's the Brothel Hall Leader's command.
The old woman's voice followed.
Seemed she was persuading the promised artiste.
'Poor old lady's working hard.'
Obviously lying to uphold her promise to me.
Couldn't reveal my abilities either.
-If that's the issue, send another girl instead...!
-Heavens! The young master specified you—how could we?
-How does he even know me...?
Right—how did I know her?
...Maybe peek at her face?
I crept closer, minimizing noise.
Peered through the slightly ajar door.
'Oh, not bad.'
Exceptional artiste indeed—stunning looks.
None of the girls gathered earlier matched her.
-Master, please reconsider just once more...
The courtesan named Ayoung clasped the old woman's hands.
But the old woman shook her head firmly.
-Ayoung. When have I ever steered you wrong? Obey me this time.
Overhearing, I caught something new.
'Master? Mentor-disciple?'
Come to think of it, she said she taught young courtesans.
No wonder she offered personally—sending her pupil.
Fine by me.
Pretty was all that mattered.
'But she's out. Defying her master like that.'
Clueless to her mentor's intent to boost her inner energy—ungrateful wretch.
'Guess I'll have to discipline her.'
'Tonight, of course.'