Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 138

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 138

 

 

 

 

 

Ting~!

 

In harmony with the seven-stringed guqin music, a dancer in flowing robes enhanced the atmosphere with splendid dance moves.

 

The desk was filled with delicacies from land and sea, and the wine bottles had the characters “Jiannan Chun” protruding in relief.

 

It wasn’t written on afterward, but fired that way when the bottle was made.

 

Solely to contain that wine.

 

Truly luxurious.

 

After all, isn’t it said that packaging is as important as the contents?

 

Glug.

 

As the clear, crystalline wine filled the cup and spread its brilliant fragrance, the martial artist Gwak Tae’s throat bobbed.

 

Being a Patrol Squad martial artist was this good.

 

He had come to Unjang Pavilion on the Family Head’s orders, but in truth, there wasn’t much for him to do.

 

The talking was already finished.

 

When they learned that Zhuge Mungi intended to host Il Bangju Tang Yung at the tavern, the Family Head had decided to support Unjang Pavilion in exchange for a large sum of money.

 

Though the bribes would be considerable, it was an incomparably good thing for Unjang Pavilion.

 

Bribery?

 

Was that really the issue now?

 

Tang Yung was one of the most famous people in Sichuan.

 

Just the fact that he had stayed there would bring them fame, and all the disparaging remarks about Unjang Pavilion having no tradition or being money-crazy would disappear.

 

“How wonderful. Il Bangju stays in a luxurious place like Unjang Pavilion instead of a shabby inn like Chukhyang Pavilion, so he’s comfortable and happy, the Family Head is happy receiving bribes, and I’m happy being treated like this. Anyway, that Advisor fellow knows nothing, right? This is why scholars who can read a few lines are a problem, a problem. Going on about tradition.”

 

Gwak Tae reached for the shimmering cup with expectant eyes.

 

It was none other than Jiannan Chun.

 

Wine so expensive that a mere Patrol Squad martial artist couldn’t even dream of affording it.

 

Even though he maintained a secretly intimate relationship with Unjang Pavilion, being treated to such premium liquor wasn’t easy.

 

How grateful he was that the Family Head had sent him.

 

Since that Advisor fellow and the Family Head wouldn’t come right away, it wouldn’t be bad to enjoy some luxury for a while.

 

But just as he grabbed the wine cup and was bringing it to his mouth, entranced by its fragrance.

 

Thump thump thump thump!

 

Suddenly, hurried and rough footsteps could be heard.

 

The music that had been adding to the festive mood abruptly stopped.

 

“Squad Leader Gwak! Squad Leader Gwak!”

 

“…Hm?”

 

At the sound of someone calling his name, Gwak Tae, who had been about to drink, turned his head with a regretful expression.

 

He had no choice.

 

He already knew who the voice belonged to.

 

It was Go Byeoksu, the General Manager of Unjang Pavilion.

 

Seeing him running over so frantically and breathlessly, there must have been a problem during the guest reception preparations.

 

What a problem this was.

 

It was probably nothing serious, but since they were receiving an important person, even small issues would be worrying.

 

“Sigh.”

 

Gwak Tae, who couldn’t bring himself to drink, carefully set down his cup.

 

He didn’t want to spill even a drop.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“There’s chaos, chaos!”

 

“Hm? What chaos?”

 

“Follow me first. I’ll explain on the way.”

 

Go Byeoksu grabbed Gwak Tae’s sleeve and pulled.

 

“Good grief, what problem has arisen now? I understand, so let go of my sleeve first. No matter how urgent it is, let me finish the wine I’ve poured.”

 

“Damn it! Wine isn’t the problem right now! The back garden has become a complete mess! At this rate, forget preparing to receive guests, the entire back garden might be destroyed!”

 

“…?”

 

At the shouting, Gwak Tae tilted his head.

 

The back garden being destroyed?

 

“Some fellow rented the back garden, and when we told him to leave, he’s resisting.”

 

“What do you mean? You rented out the back garden? I’m sure I told you not to receive guests?”

 

“You did. But we couldn’t just let it sit idle. In case things went wrong because of that Advisor… We didn’t know how the decision would turn out, so we accepted guests for now.”

 

“How… how could you do such a thing.”

 

“Then what should we do? We have to make a living too.”

 

In other words, they had accepted guests because Il Bangju might not come after all.

 

It meant they didn’t trust the deal even after paying bribes.

 

“Tsk tsk, you should have just trusted and waited. You’ve created unnecessary trouble. With such greed, problems are bound to arise.”

 

At his tongue-clicking remark, Go Byeoksu urged Gwak Tae with a deeply furrowed face.

 

“Let’s assign blame later, let’s go first. Hurry.”

 

“Just one cup first…”

 

“Damn it! I’ll set aside the Jiannan Chun and food separately for you! I’ll show my sincerity too.”

 

“Good grief…”

 

Gwak Tae looked at the shimmering wine cup and smacked his lips regretfully before finally lifting his heavy bottom.

 

Since he said he’d give it again and show sincerity, he’d set aside his regret for now.

 

Jiannan Chun, see you later.

 

“What kind of fellows are they? A high official’s son? Or a famous merchant group? Or perhaps… descendants of a martial family?”

 

“I don’t know that either.”

 

“You don’t know?”

 

“They didn’t fill out the guest register.”

 

“What?”

 

“You know what kind of place the back garden is.”

 

“Mm…”

 

The tavern’s back garden.

 

That place prioritized secrecy.

 

Secret meetings, or for the purpose of enjoying wine, women, and gambling.

 

It was mainly used as a place where high-ranking people indulged in debauchery away from others’ eyes.

 

Therefore, the servant girls and courtesans coming and going had to keep their mouths shut, and the walls were built high so that whatever happened inside couldn’t be seen from outside.

 

Usually, those staying overnight wrote their names in the guest register, but in the case of the back garden, it was just a formality.

 

If they recorded the personal details of those coming for debauchery, the back garden’s sales might drop immediately.

 

“Tsk tsk, so this is how Hogu’s premier tavern handles business.”

 

“Let’s discuss that later too. That’s not what’s important right now.”

 

Despite frowning at Gwak Tae’s mockery, Go Byeoksu pulled his sleeve again.

 

He must be burning with anxiety.

 

If he was calling for help to this extent, then whoever rented the back garden, regardless of their status, must have considerable physical strength.

 

It meant they had tried to handle it themselves by mobilizing rough men but failed.

 

So they needed his name, or rather, the name of the Tang Family he belonged to.

 

If he stepped forward, even someone of considerable status wouldn’t be able to persist stubbornly.

 

Even if they were a Castle Lord’s son, they wouldn’t want to get entangled in an unpleasant relationship with the Tang Family, which claimed to be the owner of Sichuan.

 

However.

 

“How many courtesans did you bring in?”

 

Gwak Tae asked.

 

If the opponent’s status is too high, it’s better to assess them in advance.

 

No matter how much you have the Tang Family’s name backing you, it’s advantageous to know the opponent’s weaknesses before going in.

 

“What courtesan! Do they have no vigor at all? Two young men came and told us not to let anyone in. They even paid extra!”

 

“Extra payment?”

 

“That’s right. Not only that, they paid for two weeks upfront in a lump sum.”

 

“Ha! Two whole weeks? The cost must have been enormous?”

 

“So we accepted it for now. You know how it is. The back garden isn’t always rented out.”

 

It’s not just expensive, but there aren’t customers who come looking for indulgence every single day.

 

“Hmm… At that level, they must be from a wealthy merchant family. It would be hard for a high official’s son to pay that much money.”

 

If it were them, they would have used their name instead.

 

Why spend money when you have power?

 

Even if they revealed their identity, the tight-lipped people of the tavern wouldn’t go around talking about it.

 

“But why didn’t they call for courtesans? Do those young men enjoy male companionship or something?”

 

Sometimes there are such cases.

 

Male companionship.

 

While respecting personal preferences, it becomes a target of social criticism.

 

“Damn it, whether it’s male or female companionship, what do I care? Whatever they do inside, they said they’d pay the fee all at once, so we rented it to them… I never thought it would turn out like this.”

 

“Hmm, wealthy merchant’s sons who enjoy male companionship and possess martial arts skills that the workers couldn’t stop… Well, it shouldn’t be too difficult.”

 

Gwak Tae, who had made his own deductions, spoke with a sly smile.

 

“Don’t forget to show your appreciation later. Keep it secret from the Family Head.”

 

“Of course, don’t worry about that. If the Building Lord found out right now, there would be chaos.”

 

At Go Byeoksu’s words promising future cooperation, Gwak Tae’s mood greatly improved as he strode forward.

 

Now just past one more door…

 

“Huh? Why is the door like that?”

 

Gwak Tae couldn’t help but tilt his head in confusion.

 

The door leading to the back garden, no, even the wall next to the door was grotesquely collapsed.

 

“Look at that. That’s what I’m talking about. These bastards completely destroyed the door and even the wall! Several workers rushed at them but nearly got beaten senseless.”

 

“Hmm… Damn bastards. To cause such trouble in an area managed by the Tang Family.”

 

“So please get them out quickly.”

 

“Don’t worry. Some wealthy merchant’s son is nothing to me.”

 

Gwak Tae, who had briefly slowed his pace, boldly beat his chest and approached the collapsed wall.

 

The interior of the back garden was completely exposed.

 

A crowd of onlookers had gathered like a replacement for the wall, and beyond them, the figure of a young man could be seen.

 

There were many injured.

 

Whether their arms and legs were broken, they couldn’t even stand properly and were sprawled on the dirt ground.

 

‘Hmm, quite skilled. I shouldn’t fight recklessly.’

 

The large men.

 

They weren’t ordinary workers, but mostly strongmen who knew how to fight.

 

Some were from escort agencies, some were former wandering warriors, and some had even graduated from renowned military academies.

 

They could be considered to have one foot in the martial world.

 

Since many such men were injured, it meant the opponent’s skills were not to be taken lightly.

 

Descendants of wealthy merchants who might enjoy male companionship and had learned quite excellent martial arts.

 

Gwak Tae roughly guessed their identities as he approached the gathered crowd.

 

“Move aside?”

 

When he spoke while glancing at them, Go Byeoksu immediately understood and shouted loudly.

 

“Everyone step back! Someone from the Tang Family Branch Office patrol has arrived!”

 

At the voice that rang throughout the back garden, the men who turned around quickly stepped aside to the left and right.

 

Some already knew Gwak Tae’s face and bowed in greeting.

 

Gwak Tae chuckled and walked between them.

 

Go Byeoksu was doing this on purpose right now.

 

The Tang Family.

 

So they would hear that name.

 

Gwak Tae, having passed through the crowd, wrapped himself in the dignity of a Tang Family martial artist and confidently approached the men.

 

“Greetings, you two. I am Gwak Tae from the patrol unit of the Tang Family branch office.”

 

Was it because they heard that name?

 

The men looked at each other and frowned.

 

Indeed, where in Sichuan would there be someone bold enough to not care upon hearing the Tang Family’s name?

 

Gwak Tae, thinking they were nothing special, spoke with a smile on his lips.

 

“I heard there was an unpleasant incident at Unjang Pavilion? Since I’m in charge of managing public order, I inevitably had to get involved.”

 

At his politeness, the man in white robes, Zhuge Munhyeon, nodded.

 

He understood.

 

That was the patrol unit’s job.

 

This was actually good timing.

 

He would tell them about Unjang Pavilion’s behavior of trying to kick out guests without reason, and let them handle it.

 

First, he should properly reveal his identity…

 

“Hmm, I’m not sure how to handle this. Even though Unjang Pavilion made a polite request, you’re causing such a disturbance… This isn’t something we can just overlook… What will you do? You seem like distinguished people, so rather than unnecessarily damaging your reputation, how about paying a small compensation and moving to another place?”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

“I’m sure you guests have your circumstances, but we can’t turn a blind eye to causing such a disturbance. If it’s alright with you, I’ll recommend a good place.”

 

His tone was polite.

 

But the meaning contained within…

 

“Hmm.”

 

Zhuge Munhyeon’s eyes, who had intended to reveal his identity, narrowed.

 

This man called Gwak Tae.

 

His gaze contained subtle threats.

 

Looking carefully, he seemed well acquainted with the high-ranking person from Unjang Pavilion and the other workers.

 

Judging by his talk of “small compensation,” he already knew the situation but wouldn’t handle it objectively.

 

A martial artist of the Tang Family…

 

Then the inside story was obvious.

 

“Now, would you please leave?”

 

At Gwak Tae’s words as he stepped aside to clear the path, Zhuge Munhyeon smiled wryly and said.

 

“How much did you take from behind?”

 

“…What?”

 

“Just how much did you take to side with those who committed wrongs?”

 

“You, you bastard! I’m giving you a chance to resolve this amicably right now!”

 

Gwak Tae’s face immediately turned bright red as his voice rose.

 

When a thief’s feet tingle, it refers to your face and that reaction.

 

You bastard who takes bribes from taverns.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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