The Head Chef of the Golden Rooster Pavilion (1)
My words drew a glance from Young Master Ho Kyung.
"The guy who pulled that stunt earlier. He looked familiar, and it just clicked for me a moment ago."
"Where from?"
"After arriving in Jeonam, I was wandering the market when I stopped at a place famous for its spicy braised chicken. The Golden Rooster Pavilion."
Young Master Ho Kyung nodded.
"I know the Golden Rooster Pavilion. Their head chef has real talent with chicken dishes. That's where you ran into that blacksmith?"
"Not exactly."
I continued.
"The first time I went to the Golden Rooster Pavilion, the server said the third floor had been reserved entirely, so I ate on the second. But I snuck up to the third floor for a peek."
"……."
"I was curious who had rented out the whole top floor. And there he was—the guy from earlier."
"……."
"As you know, renting out an entire floor—especially the best one—costs a fortune. Does he make that kind of monthly wage?"
"No."
He shook his head.
"We pay our blacksmiths well, but not that well."
"Then maybe whoever he was meeting rented the third floor."
"That makes sense."
I deliberately left out the other party's identity.
Letting him investigate and uncover it himself would be far more effective than me spelling it out.
The Baek Yeom Merchant Group has the resources for it, after all.
I can't wait to see Nangong Kang squirm.
But I wasn't done yet.
"Oh, and the next day—or maybe the day after?—I saw him at the teahouse, chatting with someone over tea."
"Pardon?"
"The guy had a mole on his right cheek... Just thought you should know, in case."
"My thanks for all the information."
"Then I'll be off."
I gave him a polite bow and headed back to the Cheongsan Inn where I was staying.
"Back already?"
As I entered the inn, Father greeted me.
"Yes."
"How was the Iron Forge Hall?"
"Intensely competitive."
Father nodded at my answer.
"Just as you said—fiercely so. Learn anything?"
"Of course. The Baek Yeom Merchant Group didn't become the world's top merchant guild for nothing."
I'd closely observed every corner of the Iron Forge Hall earlier, and it struck me differently from my previous life.
Probably because my current self had far more experience than back then.
As I shared what I'd seen and realized there, Father nodded with a pleased expression.
"You must be tired. Go rest."
"Yes."
Oh!
I almost forgot to mention it.
"Father, there was a small incident at the Iron Forge Hall."
"Incident?"
"Yes. One of their blacksmiths tried to harm Young Master Ho Kyung, so I intervened and saved him."
I went on.
"To avoid revealing my skills, I used an artifact in front of the others and claimed its lifespan had run out."
The plain truth.
This should suffice, right?
It had been a hair-raising moment with the furnace nearly toppling... but sometimes ignorance is bliss.
"I see. Is Young Master Ho Kyung unharmed?"
"Yes, not a scratch."
"Thank goodness. You did well. Help others when you can—that's how to live."
"I agree. I'll head up now."
Eun Gil-sang watched his son Eun Seo-ho's retreating figure as he climbed the stairs.
Hmm, something feels off...
He narrowed his eyes.
Eun Seo-ho's account of saving someone had been too concise.
As if deliberately minimizing it.
Of course, his son wasn't one to boast, so it could be that.
But he was Eun Seo-ho's father.
It wasn't just his wife with sharp intuition. He had his own father's instincts.
I should ask Chun-il to look into it.
In the end, though, he didn't need to.
The next morning, after breakfast, a server approached.
"Excuse me, sir. The leader of the Baek Yeom Merchant Group is here to see you."
"What?"
Eun Gil-sang was startled.
The head of the world's top merchant guild visiting at dawn?
"Show him in at once."
"Right away."
He turned, but Eun Seo-ho avoided his gaze.
Definitely suspicious.
Soon, Ho Ju-sin, leader of the Baek Yeom Merchant Group, entered the inn.
"What brings you so early?"
"I owe your son a great debt and apologize for coming late."
"Ah, yes—Seo-ho mentioned saving Young Master Ho yesterday. Is he alright?"
"He's fine. Back at work already."
"Relieved to hear it."
"All thanks to your son. Molten iron from the furnace nearly engulfed my grandson, but he risked his life to save him—sacrificing an artifact in the process."
"……."
Eun Gil-sang was floored.
Molten iron? He never mentioned that...
Of course, he knew Eun Seo-ho wouldn't act recklessly. The boy guarded his own safety impeccably.
Still, a father's heart didn't work that way.
I'll have to scold him later... or maybe not...
He flinched.
A chill emanated from right beside him—his wife.
"M-my son... did that?"
"……."
He muttered inwardly.
Seo-ho, even I can't save you from this.
Back in my room, I flopped onto the bed.
"You alright, young master?"
Palgap eyed me.
"Not even close."
I'd just come from a thorough scolding by Mother.
This morning, the Baek Yeom leader had visited to express gratitude—and detailed my exploits on the spot.
Couldn't you have kept that quiet?
Mother was shocked, of course, and the moment he left, she summoned me for a lecture.
"I don't know what words of comfort to offer."
Palgap said to me.
"But be grateful you even have a mother to scold you."
"……."
Palgap was an orphan.
His mother had passed when he was very young.
I sat up on the bed.
"I know that. But saying it right after I complain about getting scolded makes me sound like trash."
"Huh, you're right."
He did that on purpose.
The main reason Mother chewed me out was why I'd risked myself like that.
But Mother...
Sorry, but I can't achieve my goals living that safely.
Forgive this unfilial son for worrying you now and in the future.
By now, word of the failed plot must have reached Nangong Kang.
Bet he's fuming.
Thinking of him reminded me of something.
The Golden Rooster Pavilion's spicy braised chicken.
Time to apologize to my shocked parents with dinner there tonight.
"Palgap."
"Yes?"
"Tonight, we're reserving the entire third floor of the Golden Rooster Pavilion."
.
.
.
Evening came.
I headed to the Golden Rooster Pavilion with my parents right on time.
"A rare treat—dinner on our son tonight?"
"Yes."
I scratched the back of my neck.
"I messed up... and their spicy braised chicken made me think of you two."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. Been meaning to bring you sometime."
Mother looked touched. Father smiled warmly.
I felt a bit embarrassed.
We soon arrived at the Golden Rooster Pavilion.
"Welcome. You're the ones reserving the third floor?"
"Yes."
"This way, please."
The server led us up to the third floor.
"Oh my..."
Mother gasped at the view from the third floor.
I was captivated too—it was more stunning than expected.
The pavilion sat slightly on the outskirts.
Meaning a perfect vantage over Jeonam's bustling streets.
And now was when the lanterns lit up.
Gazing down from this height was a spectacular sight.
"Beautiful view, isn't it?"
A woman approached with a smile.
Her refined air marked her no server.
The pavilion mistress?
"We built this pavilion enchanted by the scenery."
"Makes sense. Prime location."
"Thank you. I'm Jang Eun-ok, mistress of the Golden Rooster Pavilion."
"Eun Gil-sang of the Eunhae Merchant Group. This is my wife."
Mother gave a slight bow at Father's introduction.
"Eun Seo-ho, branch leader."
I bowed too.
"Heard esteemed guests reserved the third floor, so I came to greet you. Food will be out shortly."
"Honored by your personal welcome."
We sat at the table, and servers soon brought the dishes.
Our escorts—Palgap and my guards, Father's aides, the Silver Wind Squad deputy—filled the other tables around us, along with our guild staff and retainers.
"Enjoy your meal and have a wonderful evening."
"Thank you."
Mistress Jang Eun-ok bowed once the food was served and descended.
"Father, Mother—dig in."
"Will do."
"Looks great."
We reached for the dishes, scooping spicy braised chicken onto our plates.
"Hm?"
"Oh!"
As expected, my parents marveled at the exquisite flavor.
"Delicious!"
"Never had chicken like this."
Seeing them enjoy it made bringing them worthwhile.
After eating our fill, I set down my chopsticks and bowed my head.
"Father, Mother."
"……?"
"Sorry again. I didn't mean to worry you."
Mother shook her head.
"No, I'm sorry. Saving a life is noble... yet I scolded you instead of praising."
"No, I know you spoke out of worry."
"Thank you for understanding."
The mood warmed.
Nothing breaks the ice like good food.
"Ahem."
Father, perhaps embarrassed by the sentiment, tugged the bell cord for a server.
"Yes, sir?"
"Might I meet the head chef?"
"Pardon? The chef?"
"The food's so exceptional—I'd like to thank him personally."
"I'll ask."
The server went down, soon returning with a man.
He looked younger than expected—mid-thirties at most.
"This is our head chef."
Father rose and introduced himself.
"I'm Eun Gil-sang, leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Hwang Seok, head chef of the Golden Rooster Pavilion."
"Your cooking moved me deeply today. I asked you here to express my gratitude for such a feast."
Father continued.
"I know kitchens aren't for outsiders, so I apologize for summoning you."
"Quite alright."
Hwang Seok replied smoothly.
"Such high praise for my food leaves me flustered."
He smiled sheepishly and excused himself.
"Forgive me, but orders are piling up—I can't stay long."
"Of course, my oversight. Thanks again. You're dismissed."
"Then."
Hwang Seok descended, and we resumed eating.
Meanwhile, my mind raced for another reason entirely.
The man calling himself Hwang Seok was unmistakably a martial artist.
In my previous life, when I'd visited, the Golden Rooster Pavilion was gone.
This very building—vanished.
Meaning it had burned to the ground?
What happened?
Wooden structure or not, fires usually don't consume everything.
They burn and die out.
Total destruction like that? Only one way: someone deliberately torched it.
That raised another question.
Who burned the Golden Rooster Pavilion?
The owners themselves? Or someone else?
Tricky. No clues at all...