Chapter 128
Chapter 128
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: Yeongnak-ro's Debut Performance
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“What the hell are you saying right now, Senior Brother!!”
Baek Yang-hui chuckled as he watched Je-gal Seol-ha's face flush red.
“Why? I already told you about it beforehand, Junior Sister. What if we have you pose as a musician on Yeongnak-ro and play the Full Harmony Chart?”
“Ah? Ah?”
A calm voice reached the flustered Je-gal Seol-ha's ears—Yin-hu's, laced with gentle reproach.
“Honestly, Young Hero, you have way too much of a playful streak. Is it that fun to make people misunderstand you?”
It had already been nearly a decade since they'd spent months together in the annex.
Unlike Je-gal Seol-ha, who had lost her composure because it was about her, Yin-hu was long accustomed to Yang-hui's manner of speaking and had picked up on the true meaning right away.
“Before Master arrived, Junior Sister said something to me. I can't just let a debt slide like that, can I?”
Je-gal Seol-ha had teased Yang-hui for showing off in front of So Wol-hyang, only to get paid back in kind with words.
“Senior Brother... I'll definitely pay you back for this debt, you hear...?”
“Your math's off, though? That was payback for you teasing me earlier.”
He smirked pointedly at Yin-hu.
From Yang-hui's perspective, since she was the one making the request anyway, it was better to bloom a flower of laughter with a joke.
'Even if it's doubling as the Full Harmony Chart, it still looks like using a disciple of the Sacred Sound Jade Spirit Sect for the family business.'
It was just good sense to get permission from the sect leader, Yin-hu, all around.
“Master. Would it be alright if I took Seol-ha with me?”
“I heard you're building a street called Yeongnak-ro, and she wants to stay there?”
“That's right! She'll be staying with Sister Wol-hyang, so I think sharing music together will help us both grow.”
Yin-hu's answer was straightforward.
“If Seol-ha agrees, then it's fine.”
Hm? He hadn't expected her to approve so easily.
He'd prepared all sorts of excuses to persuade her if she seemed reluctant, but they went to waste.
“Hmph! Who said I'm going with you?”
Je-gal Seol-ha seemed a bit sulky, but it wasn't enough to call a real problem.
“You're coming anyway, so let's not drag this out, Junior Sister.”
“No, I'm not? I'm not coming, okay? Unless Senior Brother begs me earnestly.”
“Then Sister Wol-hyang will be all alone in a strange land with no one to lean on.”
“......Eek! That's cheating!”
If it bugs you that much, Seol-ha, you should've set up the board ahead of time yourself.
“Oh, right. Head Chef So. I have something to say to you.”
So Suk-su, who had been standing in the kitchen listening to the conversation, looked startled.
“Yes? What is it...?”
“How about coming to Namchang with us? It's a waste to keep someone of your skill in a dump like this.”
He continued without waiting for a reply.
“Just follow me, and I'll set you up with a proper shop. No need to share profits. It'll be right in the heart of Namchang's busiest district—your inn standing tall. What do you say?”
......It was too good an offer to refuse.
“To give a humble man like me such an opportunity—I'm nothing but grateful.”
This way, he'd secured the head chef known as Hangzhou's top culinary master.
Should he push his luck a bit more?
“Master.”
“Yes, Young Hero?”
“If it's alright with you, why not stay in Namchang too? Your disciple will take good care of you.”
Yin-hu had settled in Gokyeol Mountain to raise her disciple.
There was no need for her to stay there while Je-gal Seol-ha wandered the secular world playing the Full Harmony Chart.
But Yin-hu refused without hesitation.
“I hate bustle. Besides, from what you've said, it seems I have my own work to do.”
“Work?”
“Those wicked demonic scum. I need to look into them.”
He'd mentioned the Sword King's Hall and naturally explained about the Blood Cult as well.
Yin-hu apparently had no intention of letting it slide.
'Hm. Gathering info on those cult bastards is important too.
Especially since their movements are diverging from my past life.
“But, Young Hero. I have something to say.”
“I'm listening, Master.”
“How much are you planning to pay Seol-ha?”
“Pardon?”
“From the look on your face, you were just going to use her for free? The sounds and melodies of our sect aren't for sale at bargain prices.”
She finished and looked at Je-gal Seol-ha, who nodded emphatically and raised her chin proudly.
Honestly, he'd only planned to cover room and board, but that wouldn't fly.
“Did you think I'd put my lovely Junior Sister to work for nothing? I've got it all figured out.”
He declared confidently while racking his brains internally.
He needed to bring more courtesans besides Sister Wol-hyang.
And there were tons of other things to fill Yeongnak-ro with.
'This is going to cost more than expected.'
......One chief steward might hate it?
He'd already blown five thousand taels of gold.
Looked like he couldn't head back to the clan manor for a while.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In the Baek Clan Manor's council chamber for senior members.
Chief Steward Han Seok-eon slammed his hand down.
Bam!
“We need to support him with everything we've got—even if it means taking out loans!”
Everyone at the meeting stared at Chief Steward Han in stunned silence.
His attitude was the complete opposite of what they'd expected.
Yeo Un-hyeok spoke up as the representative.
“Chief Steward Han. According to the Young Master's letter, he needs even more funds on top of the five thousand gold taels he took. That's what we've been discussing. Are you really okay with that?”
Honestly, Yeo Un-hyeok couldn't fathom why Han was so enthusiastic from the start.
Five thousand gold taels—no small change, pure gold.
Even for conquering Namchang, spending that much?
The chief steward he knew should already be writhing in agony with a wet towel on his head.
But.
Bam!
Han slammed his hand down again and bellowed.
“It's the Young Master's doing!”
“......”
“......”
As everyone fell silent, Han closed his eyes and gazed off into the distance.
As if seeing the unseen.
It was like an enlightened monk surveying the mortal world with his divine insight.
“Aaaah! Aaaah! My intuition is firing!”
“......What intuition?”
“The God of Wealth has descended!”
Chief Steward Han. We'd call that a divine possession, not just intuition.
“No matter how much it costs, he'll bring back even more—why hold back? Clan Lord! We must send money to the Young Master—even if we borrow it!”
......It was terrifying.
How could someone believe in another person so blindly?
Clan Lord Baek Mu-ryang let out a groan.
Perhaps he was witnessing the birth of a fanatical cult right before his eyes.
“Chief Steward Han. Even so, borrowing money is a bit much, isn't it?”
“It's all money the Young Master earned anyway!”
True enough. He couldn't deny that.
“Why hesitate! Scrape it all together and send it! By the authority of the steward's office, I'll halve all family members' stipends for the time being—including yours, Clan Lord!”
“Chief Steward Han!”
“Steward!”
“That's too much!”
“This old fox Rang-rang and bunny Hwa-hwa... I have a family to feed...”
“Baek Ik-gakju, just prepare to haul the money to Namchang!”
“......”
This was the farce unfolding at Baek Clan Manor while Yang-hui's group returned from Hangzhou to Namchang.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [Send a thousand gold taels in pure gold—the full extent of what Baek Ik-gakju can gather immediately.]
[Please use it well for the Young Master, and may he return it as three thousand.]
After reading the letters, Yang-hui made a wry face.
“......Did the chief steward really cut stipends?”
Gu-ak, who had handed over the letters, wore the most aggrieved expression in the world.
“He really did! Really! Little Brother, does this make any sense? With two mouths to feed at home, my income's halved! What peak master endures treatment like this?!”
......Gu-ak did get shortchanged for a peak master.
Yang-hui silently pulled out a pouch and offered him a gold ingot.
“Your daily allowance, Brother Gu.”
“Thank you, Young Master!”
Watching Gu-ak bow deeply, Yang-hui briefly pondered what a steward's life was like.
“Ahem. If things go according to plan, revenue starts today. Your cut stipend will double next month—no worries, Brother Gu.”
It had been a full month since parting with Yin-hu and returning to Namchang.
In other words, Yeongnak-ro was finally taking proper shape.
And tonight, the first completed venue, Baekbaekru, had its debut performance scheduled.
“I'm counting on you, Little Brother! Really counting! Please make it happen!”
“......”
Reflecting once more on a steward's desperation, he stepped out of the guest room with Gu-ak.
“Alright, let's go. Tonight's the monumental debut of Sister Wol-hyang on Yeongnak-ro.”
He paused mid-step.
He'd run into a middle-aged man fidgeting anxiously with an expression as desperate as Gu-ak's.
Yeo Gu-wi, former head of Changil Escort Agency and now branch manager of Heaven-Covering Escort in Namchang.
Come to think of it, he had more reason to be desperate than anyone.
“Branch Head.”
“Young Master! Is it really alright? So much is riding on tonight! And it's all of Ye Clan’s assets!”
“......Rest easy. You won't regret it.”
Obviously, but Yeo Gu-wi couldn't shake his anxiety even after Yang-hui's bold assurance.
Seeing is believing, so Yang-hui hurried along without further reassurance.
“Hmm. Little Brother, didn't you say it's only been a bit over a month since starting Yeongnak-ro?”
“Yes.”
Yet halls had sprung up everywhere around.
It looked like construction had been underway for half a year.
“Manohbang's crew really are skilled. Building so elegantly and at such speed.”
“Cost a fortune, thanks to that.”
Of course, it was worth the investment.
Time was always more precious than money, anytime, anywhere.
As they chatted, they arrived at Baekbaekru, the first pleasure house completed on Yeongnak-ro.
“It looks nothing like a typical brothel.”
“By special request.”
Ordinary brothels catered to a few guests in private rooms with drinks and entertainment.
But Baekbaekru had thrown open its entire first floor to the public, with a stage like an arena in the center.
“A layout where crowds surround the stage to enjoy drinks and food.”
“Exactly. So more people can watch Sister Wol-hyang's performance at once.”
People bustled on stage, preparing for the show.
Yang-hui glanced at Je-gal Seol-ha in the corner, tuning various instruments.
Her figure was concealed in modest robes, topped with a wide-brimmed hat draped in thick gauze, so no one paid her any mind.
“Quite the crowd already.”
“We spread money around advertising tonight's show.”
“Hope it pays off.”
“It will. Definitely.”
It was then.
Ding, diring, diriring!
A huge crowd had gathered, waiting for the performance.
The place buzzed with chatter.
But the moment Je-gal Seol-ha's melody began, it fell silent—like a forest when the wind stops.
Ding, diring, diriring!
“Heavens! Such profound music!”
The man who gasped unwittingly drew glares and shut his mouth.
Je-gal Seol-ha's melody held a depth that demanded one's full attention.
'Peach Blossom aura.'
Not mere playing.
The melody carried the power of her innate constitution.
A special quality that drew people in, binding them with fascination.
'It might overshadow Sister Wol-hyang's performance.'
But moments later, Yang-hui realized he was wrong.
Ding, diring, diriring!
A woman emerged, swaying to the soft, seductive tune.
“Gasp...!”
“How can she be so beautiful...!”
“Is a celestial fairy descending...?”
Gasps erupted everywhere, but no glares this time.
Everyone shared the same feeling.
Soon, So Wol-hyang unleashed her exquisite jade voice.
"Your kindness weighs like mountains, your deep affection stretches like the sea." "When years pass and ambition's achieved, I'll repay your virtue just like this." ⟨ Answer to the Old Monk's Poem ⟩
Yang-hui smiled unwittingly.
Answer to the Old Monk's Poem. So Wol-hyang was paying the promised verse today.
'She's going to show them properly.'
Tonight's performance was sure to shake Namchang.
Because she was no longer just an ordinary courtesan.
The aura filling the hall—not inferior to Je-gal Seol-ha's—was proof.