The Awaited Harvest (4)
I asked Palgap.
"What's going on?"
"This letter was pinned to the front gate of Yangyang Martial Hall with a bundled arrow!"
"A letter?"
I quickly took the letter and unfolded it.
We cannot yield Cheongpa Pavilion and Cheongpa to the likes of you.
Withdraw obediently.
If you do not heed our words, you will come to regret it.
A letter laced with threats against me.
Who the hell sent this?
As I pondered for a moment, my eyes caught on the fact that the targets they refused to hand over included not just the pavilion, but also its madam, Cheongpa.
Why? Because she's Hangju's top beauty?
But the threat was too curt for that to be the sole reason.
Which meant... the ones who sent this might know the madam personally.
Perhaps they'd been acquainted for a long time and had their eyes on both the pavilion and her, using this to pressure me.
But that raised a question.
If so, why hadn't they seized it yet?
Ah... it must be because of Cheongpa Pavilion's situation.
They'd said it was one of the best-off taverns in Hangju.
That explained how they'd been able to refuse these demands until now.
But the poor harvest and alcohol ban had strained its finances.
To the point where the courtesans were snatching scraps from customers' tables.
So... that must be why Cheongpa Pavilion survived in my previous life.
The alcohol ban ended quickly, but the famine dragged on for three years.
It wasn't just the madam's fame, the courtesans' high skills, and the delicious food that kept it afloat.
Another faction had been backing it.
No wonder I'd thought its straits seemed worse than expected.
"What will you do, young master?"
At Palgap's question, I tucked the letter into my sleeve and replied.
"What else? It's a tavern I bought with a fortune—why hand it over?"
I continued.
"Let's go."
"Where to, young master?"
"Cheongpa Pavilion."
The madam might know who sent this letter.
With that thought, I stepped out of my room—only for Yi Pil the warrior to approach.
"A guest has arrived."
A guest at this hour?
"He's an errand boy from Cheongpa Pavilion."
I glanced down at my sleeve.
More precisely, at the letter inside it.
I had a feeling this boy's visit was connected to the letter.
"Tell him to come in."
A short while later, I met the errand boy in Yangyang Martial Hall's reception room.
"Greetings, Branch Leader—or should I say Master now?"
"Just call me Branch Leader. Cheongpa Pavilion's madam is still Cheongpa."
"Understood."
His expression remained grim throughout the exchange.
This was definitely related to the threat.
"So, what brings you here?"
"Please help our madam!"
"I need details."
"Yes."
The errand boy explained everything from the beginning.
"Our madam was quite renowned in the Haomen. She was famous by the alias 'Cheongu'—Blue Feather."
Blue wings.
And I'd heard that name before, too.
When receiving info from Haomen, they'd say things like, "This intel comes straight from Cheongu—it's highly reliable."
It was used to emphasize credibility.
And the info from Cheongu was indeed trustworthy, so we had to pay extra for it.
But Cheongpa the madam was Cheongu?
"However, ten years ago, she left Haomen and founded this pavilion."
"Meaning she built it without Haomen's support?"
"Exactly."
"I'm curious. With Haomen's backing, it would've been far easier—why go it alone?"
"Our madam didn't want any faction meddling in the pavilion. In her previous tavern, clashes between factions killed many of the staff, leaving her with deep scars."
"I see."
"And Haomen kept reaching out, urging her to return."
In my memory, the name Cheongu was still circulating right up to my death in that previous life.
So, as I'd guessed, during this famine, Cheongpa Pavilion and its madam fell to Haomen.
Exactly as I'd thought.
Haomen was the one that kept it alive back then.
But things were different this time.
Because I'd acquired it.
"Actually, I just received this letter."
I pulled out the letter Palgap had brought and showed it to him. The boy bit his lip upon seeing it.
"Did Haomen send this?"
"Yes."
The errand boy nodded, then asked anxiously,
"So... may I ask what you plan to do?"
Palgap answered for me.
"Our young master never lets go of what's already in his grasp once he claims it."
True.
I give away what I want to give—but I never let it be taken.
"Anyway, for daring to threaten our young master and make an enemy of him, they'll suffer massive losses. Our young master is terrifying. Oh! But he's no hothead."
Hey, Palgap?
You always have to tack on that weird last bit?
Well, not the time to nitpick...
"So, where's the madam now?"
"Haomen dragged her off by force."
My brow furrowed involuntarily.
"Is Haomen the type to act so aggressively?"
"It's because they value our madam so highly."
Fair enough. Cheongpa was Hangju's famed top beauty, and exceptionally capable to boot.
Plus, Cheongpa Pavilion ranked among Hangju's top five taverns.
Hearing it had gone to me must've made them panic.
Enough to send this threat and forcibly abduct the madam.
"What about her guards?"
"They tried to stop it... and now one's critically injured, hovering between life and death."
"I see. Then where's the Haomen branch they took her to?"
"My apologies. I know a few branches, but not exactly where she was taken."
If this worried errand boy didn't know, he truly didn't.
But that was fine.
I had Gold령.
"May I ask a favor?"
"Of course."
"Bring me something of the madam's—anything. Time's short, so hurry. Actually, come with me."
I soon set off for Cheongpa Pavilion with my escort warriors in tow.
Upon arrival, I was left speechless.
They'd trashed the place thoroughly—furniture scattered everywhere.
The errand boys were frantically cleaning up.
Spotting me, they bowed deeply. Then Baekwol the lady rushed over.
"Branch Leader, you've come?"
"How's your body holding up?"
"Yes, thanks to you, I'm fine now. But our madam..."
"I know. That's why I'm here in person."
Just then, a familiar woman descended from the upper floor.
Jami the physician, who'd treated Baekwol last time.
"Ah, Physician. How's the warrior?"
"He passed the crisis, fortunately."
Everyone sighed in relief.
"I'll cover the treatment costs, so focus on his care."
"Got it."
"And you errand boys—appraise the damaged furniture. Double the price, no exceptions."
"Pardon?"
I declared it confidently to their startled faces.
"We have to collect that much, at least."
The errand boys nodded vigorously.
"Understood."
They sprang into action. I headed to the third floor with the errand boy who'd come to me.
"Oh, what's your name, by the way?"
"Dong-a."
Dong-a (Winter Child)?
"Born in winter, hence the name. My mother was a courtesan—Baekjang, fairly famous."
"I see. Then I'll call you Dong-a the lad."
"Yes."
I kept a calm facade, but my heart raced inside.
I was that shocked.
Dong-a, son of the courtesan Baekjang.
I knew who his father was. And Dong-a himself was still in the dark.
But that wasn't important now.
"Bring me something of the madam's."
"Right away."
Dong-a soon fetched one of the madam's garments. I secretly summoned Gold령.
"Gold령. Here's some silver. Track down the owner of this garment."
"Kkwi!"
Gold령 sniffed the garment, then shot off like an arrow.
Hangju's Haomen Third Branch.
Cheongpa was imprisoned in its underground prison.
She hadn't expected Haomen to go this far.
Haomen wasn't strict about initiation or withdrawal.
Most members were courtesans, errand boys, and other low ranks in the info network.
They could quit anytime for other jobs, so restrictions were minimal.
Thus, Haomen's unwritten rule: don't block entrants, don't detain leavers.
So she couldn't fathom their using force to drag her back.
I haven't heard of that rule changing...
Cheongpa sighed.
She worried for her future, but more for the critically injured guard who'd fought for her, and the terrified staff.
And I've troubled Branch Leader Eun Seo-ho. If I'd known, I never would've gotten involved with Haomen from the start.
She let out a self-mocking laugh.
She'd learned later that the courtesan who'd introduced her to Haomen had been acting on their orders.
Haomen had targeted her from the beginning. Even she could see her own value.
That's why they were so shocked when I quit.
Many wanted her, but none appealed to her.
They only desired her to sate their lusts.
But Eun Seo-ho, to whom she'd handed the pavilion, was different.
His eyes held no desire for her.
Clear and serene.
He saw her purely as a business partner, not an object for gratification.
That's why her current plight felt so apologetic.
By now, Uncle Dong-a must've informed Branch Leader Eun Seo-ho.
She had no idea how he'd react.
Then—
Thud.
A body hit the floor. Startled, Cheongpa looked up.
"Urk!"
"Who—gah!"
Grunts and thuds continued.
Moments later, bright light flooded the dim cell.
"There you are."
"...!"
Cheongpa jolted. The face in the light was Eun Seo-ho's.
"How did you...?"
"I forgot to mention. I'm quite greedy. Once something's in my hands, I never let it go. That includes you, Madam Cheongpa."
No sooner had he spoken than the bars sliced away like butter.
Shwick!
Shwick!
Crash!
Two strokes, and the bars were gone.
Eun Seo-ho extended his hand.
"So I came to retrieve what's mine. Let's go."
A reassuring smile.
Cheongpa reached out and took his hand.
I returned to Cheongpa Pavilion with the madam.
The staff welcomed her back with tears.
"Are you alright?"
"We were so worried."
"I'm fine. What about Daechul?"
"Jami the physician treated him. He pulled through the worst—rest up, and he'll wield a sword again."
"Ahh, thank goodness."
As I watched the heartwarming scene, Dong-a the lad approached.
"Thank you so much for helping our madam."
"Don't mention it. This is the least for a tavern I own."
"Many say that, but few act on it."
I just smiled in response.
"Truth be told, we worried when she handed the pavilion to you. But now it seems like the perfect choice."
"Glad to hear it."
I told him,
"Please continue looking after the madam."
"That's what I should say."
"By the way, I won't interfere in operations. But if anything like this happens again, inform me immediately."
"Where should we contact you?"
"I'll let you know soon. Anyway, one thing I want to ask."
He bowed his head.
"Please, go ahead."
"Tell me about this Haomen Hangju branch and its branch leader."
"Pardon? Why...?"
"Not content with threatening me, they touched my property. Time to demand compensation."
I grinned fiercely.
"I'm going to strip them bare."