The Awaited Harvest (9)
Hong Mae, the pavilion mistress of Hong Eun-ru, continued with the introductions.
"This is the artisan who crafts our tea."
"They call me Yu-cheon."
"A pleasure."
The words tea artisan made my eyes light up.
He was the very talent I'd coveted while sipping that tea earlier.
A man who looked utterly ordinary.
"Might you be the craftsman behind the Moon Tea?"
"Yes, that's me."
"It was truly exquisite. I thought only the Moon Wine here had that refreshing chill, but to find it in the Moon Tea as well... I never imagined."
"You're too kind."
"But what gives the Moon Tea that cool sensation?"
"That's a trade secret..."
"I understand. Then, could you prepare some for me? I'd love to take some back with me."
"Of course."
After introductions with the rest, I wrapped things up and returned to Cheongpa Juru.
Since I'd acquired it first, I was using the place like my personal office.
It didn't have as many guest rooms as an inn, but a pavilion still had its share.
Now that I'd successfully taken over Moon Wine Pavilion too, where should I aim for tomorrow...
Haomen's Hangzhou branch.
Branch Chief Yeon-yeon gnawed at her nails as she asked, "So, you sent the report?"
"Yes, off to headquarters."
The one answering was the new internal steward.
After Internal Steward Hwang-an resigned, they'd picked someone who seemed likely to heed her words.
In the end, Yeon-yeon had falsified parts of the report.
But since things were still quiet, it seemed headquarters hadn't caught on yet.
Honestly, she knew they wouldn't miss it forever.
The Haomen Lord's hidden eyes and ears spanned the entire empire—Hangzhou surely had its share.
But she had her own plan.
If headquarters came down on her, she'd shift the blame to the internal steward.
She moved on to the next document, then crumpled it in her fist.
It was about Eun Seo-ho recently acquiring Moon Wine Pavilion.
"Damn it!"
That was when it happened.
"Branch Chief! Branch Chief! An elder from headquarters has arrived!"
"What?"
She shot up from her seat.
Already?
Her face drained of color as she rushed out.
There stood a wizened old woman, stern and unyielding.
"Ah, Elder. You've arrived?"
The elder merely nodded at her greeting, offering no further response.
She headed straight for the branch chief's office, issuing a command. "Bring every document drafted in the past month."
"Pardon?"
"Are you deaf? Every single document from the past month."
At her sharp bark, the internal steward hastily gathered them all.
"Hm..."
The old woman scanned the papers with piercing eyes, then stood.
"Let's check the vault."
"...!"
Yeon-yeon's pupils trembled violently.
"Pardon?"
"You're making me repeat myself."
"I-I'm sorry."
They arrived at the vault.
"Open it."
"..."
Yeon-yeon squeezed her eyes shut and unlocked it.
Moments later, the elder stared silently at the empty vault.
"Why did you falsify the reports?"
"Well..."
"Let me say this upfront: don't try blaming the internal steward. Falsifying reports requires some know-how, and this one's barely been in the role. What could he possibly know?"
Her scheme exposed, Yeon-yeon bit her lip.
"..."
"This is your final warning. Don't make me repeat myself."
"It's because of Vice Unit Leader Eun Seo-ho."
She explained everything to the elder.
How Eun Seo-ho had looted the branch vault, tanking their performance.
How fear of reprimand had driven her to this.
"From what I know, that man's no thief who steals recklessly. He's called Seonhyeopmirang for good reason."
"..."
"Tell me the truth. What did you do wrong?"
"Well..."
She hesitated again.
The elder sighed deeply and drew a dagger from her sleeve, hurling it without pause.
Thuk!
"Kyaak!"
Yeon-yeon screamed as it plunged into her leg.
"My warning must not have sunk in."
"N-no, it did! I'm sorry!"
"I have plenty more daggers."
In the end, Yeon-yeon confessed everything.
The elder glared at her after hearing it all.
"Then why haven't you gone to apologize in person yet?"
"How could a Haomen branch chief humble herself to apologize to some mere merchant?"
"Who committed the wrong?"
"I... did."
"Yet you spout excuses like a fool with a loose tongue! For someone like you to be branch chief!"
The elder bellowed in a grave tone.
"Listen well. A branch chief's role is to ensure the branch runs smoothly. Even if it means getting your hands dirty, if the branch thrives, you're hailed as exemplary. But an arrogant, self-serving wretch like you? The worst kind."
"..."
"Regardless, you've committed the grave sin of falsifying reports and ruined this branch. Headquarters has decided to relieve you of your post."
"What? No, you can't! Please, just this once!"
The elder irritably extended her hand.
"Enough chatter. Hand over the branch chief's token."
"I won't! This is mine! I'm the branch chief of Hangzhou!"
At her protest, the elder slapped her across the face.
"Kyak!"
"Falsifying reports for headquarters merits death! We're sparing you out of consideration for your past service—do you not grasp that?"
"..."
By now, the branch chief's token was in the elder's hand. She'd snatched it mid-slap.
That alone revealed the elder's martial prowess.
"Get out."
Yeon-yeon realized pleading further was futile.
She limped out of the Hangzhou branch. The elder turned to those behind her.
"Is Hong-ram here?"
A man stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"That's me."
"You're the new Hangzhou branch chief."
"Pardon?"
"This is headquarters' decision. Don't refuse."
The elder handed Hong-ram the token.
That night.
Cast out from the Hangzhou branch, Yeon-yeon headed for Cheongpa Juru. She knew Eun Seo-ho was staying there.
It's all that bastard Eun Seo-ho's fault! If he'd just come when I offered to apologize, we could've both been happy.
Blinded by hatred for Eun Seo-ho, she plotted to kill him herself.
As she glared at Cheongpa Juru, pondering how to lure him out—
"Branch Chief Yeon-yeon?"
Startled by the voice, she turned to see a man watching her.
More precisely, a masked figure.
"What do you— Guk!"
She couldn't finish. The masked man's sword pierced her gut.
"I've taken a commission. To kill you."
"Wh-who..."
"Remember the courtesan colleague whose face you ruined?"
"...!"
"Apologize to my sister in the afterlife."
Slice—!
Her head hit the ground and rolled.
An upside-down world.
That was the last sight Yeon-yeon beheld.
After breakfast, as I stood on the pavilion gazing at West Lake's scenery, Internal Steward Hwang-an approached.
"Had your meal, sir?"
"Yes, delicious as always."
"I heard from one of my old subordinates. As of yesterday, Branch Chief Yeon-yeon was ousted, and a man named Hong-ram took over."
Just as in my previous life, then.
Perfectly driven out, as I'd intended.
That woman probably wasn't reflecting at all—instead, gnashing her teeth for revenge. I wondered what method she'd try.
Then the errand boy from Dong-a came running.
"Vice Unit Leader! Urgent news!"
"Take your time."
"Hoo, Branch Chief Yeon-yeon is dead."
"What? Yeon-yeon is dead?"
"Yes. Found dead nearby. Seems like last night, but in such a remote spot, it took until now to discover."
"..."
Earlier than in my previous life.
Last time, her subordinate killed her. Who did it this time?
Either way, her fate of murder hadn't changed.
She should've lived better.
I felt no pity for her death— she was that kind of woman.
Gathering intel this time around had taught me all about her.
Greedy to a fault, caring for no one but herself.
So, ousted from her post, she came to Cheongpa Juru to harm me and got killed en route?
Circumstantially, nothing else fit.
Speaking of which...
"You said Yeon-yeon was removed yesterday? She wouldn't have gone quietly... Did someone from Haomen headquarters come?"
"As expected, you knew. The Third Elder came in person."
"..."
I was momentarily taken aback.
The Third Elder herself? Why would that old lady come personally?
Haomen had five elders, all peak masters.
The Third Elder—I'd met her in my previous life.
She'd probably seek me out soon.
.
.
.
Less than an hour later, the Third Elder visited Cheongpa Juru.
"Welcome. I'm Eun Seo-ho, vice unit leader of the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"You know me, it seems."
"Of course. You're Haomen's Third Elder, aren't you?"
"Indeed, the Eunhae vice unit leader!"
"Flattery."
"Then you know why I'm here."
"Yes."
She eyed me briefly, then bowed her head in a fist salute.
"I sincerely apologize for our headquarters branch threatening and attempting to harm you."
As expected.
That's what made the Third Elder so formidable.
"Not as recompense, exactly, but please accept this token."
She offered me a round medallion.
"What's this?"
"Proof of a promise: one piece of information, any you wish, free of charge."
She's serious.
"So, will you forgive us now?"
"How could I refuse when the Elder herself asks?"
"Then, will you help ensure the Hangzhou branch runs properly?"
"Gladly."
"My thanks."
"I heard the branch vault was cleaned out by you. No direct proof, but all signs point your way. What method did you use?"
I just smiled, saying nothing.
Any answer would amount to admitting guilt.
"...Not falling for it."
I changed the subject.
"Have the new branch chief stop by here. I can offer some help."
.
.
.
That evening, another guest arrived at Cheongpa Juru.
The familiar face brought an involuntary smile to mine.
Hong-ram, the new Hangzhou branch chief.
We exchanged introductions and chatted briefly.
"I invited you here for a reason. Look down there?"
I pointed to carts brimming with contents.
Hong-ram tilted his head.
"What's all that...?"
"Information."
"Pardon?"
"Information bought in Cheongpa Juru's name. Enough to fill your recent gaps."
"You're just giving it away?"
"Yes."
"Why...?"
"Because the money used to buy it came from Haomen's Hangzhou branch."
"Cough!"
"We merely handled what Haomen should have."
I smiled.
"No need to thank us."
.
.
.
With help from Cheongpa Juru's errand boys, Hong-ram carted it back to the branch.
As I watched from the railing, Gold Bell scampered up.
"Kui!"
As requested, it'd returned Haomen's money from my secret stash.
"Did a good job?"
"Kui!"
"Here's your reward."
I gave Gold Bell a silver piece, which it snapped up eagerly.
Thus, matters with Haomen concluded.
Half of June was already gone.
Time to wrap up in Hangzhou and head to Yonyeong.
Vice Unit Leader Bok-yun's wedding was approaching.
She'd given me the invitation personally—skipping it would disappoint her.
Even without that, she was a dear friend.
Of course I'll go and celebrate.
The next morning.
I faced an unexpected situation. A dozen or so people had come to Cheongpa Juru.
All well-dressed, yet their faces betrayed anxiety.
"What brings you here?"
They exchanged glances at my question, then bowed deeply and cried out.
"A favor! Please take over my pavilion!"
"Acquire my brothel!"
"I've got a three-story inn here too!"
"..."
I was speechless.
So... they'd come begging me to buy their businesses?
I'd expected them to accept sales readily, but not to seek me out and plead like this.
"We can trust you with our pavilions."
"Only someone who loves Hangzhou like you!"
I'd been building goodwill, but apparently more than I'd thought.