Chapter 97
Translator: penny
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Settling into the Eun Residence
"Then I'll be going now."
Eun Garyeon quickly rose from her seat.
It was supposed to be the middle of the workday, but she'd carved out this much time for me, so there were no issues.
She'd even said she'd send servants to clean the building after handing it over.
The only problem lay with someone else.
"Young master."
Moyong Hui called out to me right away, as if she'd been waiting.
She probably wanted to ask about Eun Garyeon and Somwol.
I pretended not to know a thing, flashing a smile and gazing at her with the warmest eyes I could muster.
"Yes, Huiya?"
"Well..."
She started to say something but faltered upon seeing my face.
Then she let out a small sigh.
"...It's nothing."
"Really?"
Her reaction stung a little at heart, but I couldn't exactly bring it up myself.
I didn't have any good excuse handy, either.
A brief silence settled in.
Seizing the moment, Cheon Woojin—who'd been watching quietly—finally spoke up.
"My lord, so we're staying here for a month?"
"That's right. Or what, do you have somewhere else to go?"
"Where would I find a place like that? More importantly, what are we supposed to do for a whole month?"
"What else does a martial artist do on break? Cultivate your arts, obviously."
Of course, I had zero intention of training.
I'd be too busy chasing skirts to bother with training.
'I'll rent a private annex at Silver Flower Pavilion and have some fun.'
Time to relive my days as the Flowery Playboy.
I briefly considered bringing Cheon Woojin along...
'But who would teach Baek Rihyeon if this guy's gone?'
Looks like I'd have to enjoy the pleasures solo.
Honestly, I wanted to head straight to Silver Flower Pavilion, but leaving now felt awkward.
These folks didn't know anyone at the Eun Merchant Group, so it'd be embarrassing for them if I bailed too.
As we chatted back and forth, the person Eun Garyeon had sent arrived in the reception hall.
A middle-aged man with flecks of white in his hair.
He looked familiar—probably one of the survivors from the bloodbath Chu Munrak had caused.
He glanced at my face and gave a slight bow.
"I'll show you to your accommodations. This way, please."
No exchange of greetings or anything.
We'd never even spoken before.
Following behind him, we arrived at the familiar building.
'It's been a while here too.'
The place where I'd stayed for about twenty days in the past.
Back then, with Chu Munrak supposedly coming soon, I hadn't been able to relax in the garden at all—I'd trained like a maniac.
It had only been about three months since I'd lived here, but it looked unchanged on the outside.
No signs of anyone staying there, either.
'Even the silk carp are still in the pond.'
No traces of use inside the building, yet it seemed to be maintained regularly.
I pondered why for a moment, then decided to just ask the middle-aged man guiding us.
"Why leave this building empty? You could use it for plenty of other things."
It was spacious and quite lavishly built.
Factor in the well-manicured garden, and even Eun Garyeon staying here wouldn't seem out of place.
'It really was the best spot, after all.'
I hadn't snatched Eun Taehyeok's room for nothing.
In response to my question, the middle-aged man smiled.
"I can't speak to the proprietor's exact intentions, but... perhaps she kept it vacant in case Young Master Mok ever returned?"
How would she know when I'd come back? And keep it empty all this time?
"So it's been like this the whole time?"
"Indeed. Since you left, Young Master, it hasn't been used for anything else—just maintained."
The man paused mid-sentence, as if suddenly remembering something, and looked at me.
"Oh, right, Young Master Mok. I heard from the proprietress earlier that someone from our merchant group will be working here..."
I cut him off with a frown.
"What's Lady Yang got to do with it? Don't tell me she has to stay somewhere else?"
Truth be told, it was only natural for Yang Hwajeong to stay elsewhere.
The others were guests, but she was about to become an employee of the Eun Merchant Group.
Still, the idea of the woman I'd shared a bed with staying in separate quarters rubbed me the wrong way.
Sensing my mood, the middle-aged man hurriedly shook his head.
"No, no! She can absolutely stay here. In fact, the proprietress suggested Lady Yang could continue staying here and managing the building going forward. Of course, she'd need some training for other duties, but she'll be accommodated as much as possible."
"Lady Yang here?"
"Yes. And wouldn't it be more convenient for you if you needed anything? You could just tell her."
It didn't sound half bad upon a moment's thought.
We needed someone to tend to us anyway, and the building would need ongoing care after we left.
Normally, managing this place wouldn't be a full-time gig—it'd be handled alongside other tasks...
'Eun Garyeon must have pulled some strings.'
Nothing bad about it from my or Yang Hwajeong's perspective.
Being allowed to stay here was a huge courtesy to begin with.
Compared to the modest room she'd had back in Seungdeok, this was like a palace.
"Sounds good."
"Thank you. Then, may I borrow Lady Yang for a bit?"
Before I could nod, Yang Hwajeong stepped forward.
"I'll do my best!"
She'd said she'd been a servant in the Baek family.
Her eyes were already burning with enthusiasm.
"Then, first..."
I listened to their brief exchange, then led the others inside.
It had been maintained, alright—the interior was spotless.
"We're staying here from now on?"
Baek Rihyeon looked around with sparkling eyes.
Cheon Woojin seemed thrilled too about spending a month here.
"My lord, this place looks amazing. The garden's plenty big for training."
"Yeah. Train hard."
I replied offhandedly and glanced at Moyong Hui.
Even if this was the best spot in the Eun Merchant Group, it might not suit someone from the direct line of the Moyong family.
But Moyong Hui smiled contentedly too.
"It's quite nice. So Sister Hwajeong will be staying here from now on?"
"Probably."
"I should thank the proprietress personally."
It was something she could easily do, but the thought of them meeting alone made me uneasy.
Especially since the face she'd shown Eun Garyeon was completely different from what Moyong Hui knew—I couldn't help worrying what they'd talk about.
"Nah, forget it. I'll pass on your thanks."
"Still, I should..."
"Hehey, it's fine, really. Anyway, Huiya, which room do you like? Where do you want to stay?"
I unpacked my things in my old room and headed to Silver Flower Pavilion alone.
Silver Flower Pavilion was fairly famous among the capital's pleasure houses, but since it was still early—before dinner even—no other customers were around.
Striding confidently inside, I spotted a familiar courtesan.
"Young Master Mok!"
The courtesan I'd shared a bed with before—and a Shadow Gate Sect member from Brothel Hall.
I still mixed up that guy Jang's name, but I never forgot a woman's I'd slept with.
"Okhwa, long time no see. Where's Somwol?"
She beamed, delighted that I'd recognized her after so long.
Then she grabbed my wrist and pulled me along.
"Somwol's been waiting for you all this time, wondering when you'd come."
By Shadow Gate hierarchy, Okhwa should defer to Somwol, but given the sect's nature and their courtesan cover, she addressed her casually.
No insubordination, of course.
Wondering where we were headed, she led me to a very familiar spot.
A hidden chamber inside Silver Flower Pavilion, known only to Shadow Gate members.
I'd hoped for the private annex I'd used before, but Somwol must have something specific to discuss.
Okhwa opened the door and released my wrist.
"Just go on in."
She wasn't coming inside, apparently.
"Alright. See you later."
I gave her a casual wave and stepped forward.
Inside the chamber.
A lone figure sat at the solitary table.
"Benefactor, you've come?"
"Wait long?"
It had been about two months since I'd last seen Somwol, but our greeting felt as natural as if we'd met yesterday.
My reunion with Okhwa just moments ago had felt more dramatic, come to think of it.
But Somwol seemed pleased, smiling broadly.
I returned a slight smile and took the seat across from her.
She promptly poured me some tea, as if she'd been waiting.
'Liquor would've been better.'
Oh well, plenty of time.
I'd have drinks later at my leisure. For now, I lifted the teacup.
"Nothing special happen?"
"Mm, plenty of work stuff. But it seems you have something more important...?"
More important?
Her upturned inflection felt ominous.
As I sipped my tea, waiting for her to continue, she flashed a mischievous grin.
"Sword Phoenix didn't come? I heard from Beomseok that you two are pretty serious..."
"Cough, cough."
I choked hard.