I Became a Hotelier at the Goryeo National Hotel - Chapter 48

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

Episode 48

 

[Do you happen to be looking for something specific? It might help if we search together…]

 

Seo Rin hesitated for a moment before answering honestly.

 

[Ah, yes. I was looking for ingredients to make facial cleanser.]

 

[Facial cleanser? Isn’t there already some at Hyeeumwon?]

 

Nasim said, recalling the mung bean powder that was stocked at Jejintang.

 

But the facial cleanser Seo Rin wanted wasn’t that kind.

 

‘Since it’s powder, when you use it with wet hands, the remaining powder gets soggy and it’s not hygienic.’

 

So what she thought of was a solid form of cleanser – ‘soap.’

 

[The ones we use now are in powder form, so they’re a bit inconvenient. I was wondering if there might be something that could be hardened into a solid form that you could hold in your hand and use comfortably.]

 

At Seo Rin’s words, a pleased expression clearly appeared on Nasim’s face.

 

[Ah! You mean ‘Sabun.’ We have such things in our empire too.]

 

‘I heard that soap has been made and used in the Middle East Region since ancient times, so that must be sabun?’

 

[Our Trading Company workshop also makes sabun. If you’re interested, I could help you make some.]

 

His voice carried subtle confidence.

 

[Besides, we’ve also run out of miswak, so we need to stop by a place that sells washing supplies.]

 

[Huh? What’s that?]

 

Seo Rin’s eyes sparkled with curiosity at hearing the unfamiliar item name. Nasim smiled and explained.

 

[It’s a branch from a special tree. You chew the end to make it soft, then use that part to clean your teeth.]

 

‘Ah, I think I’ve heard of that somewhere. A wooden toothbrush.’

 

Listening to Nasim’s explanation, Seo Rin naturally thought of modern toothbrushes. It would be nice to have even those tree branches he mentioned, but she knew that tree doesn’t grow naturally on the Korean Peninsula.

 

Since there were no toothbrushes, she had been cleaning her teeth by putting salt on her finger, but it didn’t feel very refreshing. Due to her unnecessarily detailed dream, she desperately needed a toothbrush and toothpaste.

 

‘And if possible, it would be much more refreshing if a cool taste like mint leaves could be added…’

 

Cool taste… Huh?

 

Suddenly, she remembered the fragrant and refreshing tea Nasim had served her a few days ago. That unique and cool aroma and taste.

 

[Nasim, what was the name of that tea you gave me last time?]

 

[It’s ‘Na’ana.’ Why do you ask about that tea…?]

 

[Do you happen to have a lot of those tea leaves left?]

 

Nasim was pleased that she showed interest in his tea.

 

[Of course! I can give you as much as you need.]

 

Seo Rin’s eyes sparkled.

 

‘Right, with that…!’

 

Just then, a shop with ‘Herb Shop’ written on it appeared. She led Nasim toward the herb shop.

 

As they entered, the scent of dried grass and something like bitter earthy smell hit them.

 

The medicinal herb drawers filling the walls and the bundles hanging from the ceiling were full of herbs she had never seen before.

 

‘Wow…’

 

Seo Rin, whose eyes widened at the unfamiliar herbs, began to carefully examine the herbs.

 

‘The names are written in Chinese characters, but I don’t understand the meaning even when I read them.’

 

She had no choice but to put her nose directly to them and search by smelling.

 

The herb shop owner with a fierce expression who spotted Seo Rin like that glared at her sharply and spoke roughly.

 

“Hey, you there! Stop touching everything and get out if you’re not buying anything!”

 

“Ah? I’m, I’m sorry.”

 

Seeing Seo Rin get scolded by the herb shop owner, Nasim stood behind her and scowled fiercely at the herb shop owner.

 

At that sight, the herb shop owner flinched in surprise, then asked in a completely different, kind voice from before.

 

“Are, are you perhaps looking for any medicinal herbs? Just tell me anything you need!”

 

Though Seo Rin was puzzled by the owner’s suddenly changed attitude, she asked about what she was looking for.

 

“Do you have something for cleaning teeth and herbs to use as facial cleanser?”

 

“Hmm, for cleaning teeth, cloves or Sichuan pepper powder are good, and for facial cleansing, nothing beats mung bean and mugwort powder.”

 

He said while holding up herb pouches to show her.

 

“Especially these cloves are effective for eliminating bad breath and when teeth are sensitive or gums are swollen.”

 

After purchasing what the owner recommended, Seo Rin pondered for a moment, then picked up a few more items before leaving the herb shop.

 

‘The money pouch I received as reward money is really reliable at times like this.’

 

The owner even followed them outside the shop to see them off.

 

Seo Rin purchased the vegetables listed on Jeong Yeon Hwa’s list at a nearby vegetable shop. As Seo Rin received the bundle containing the vegetables, she momentarily staggered from the weight of the vegetables.

 

“Oh?”

 

Nasim quickly took the load and tossed the bundle to the guards.

 

[Please give us all the luggage. There are plenty of people here to carry things.]

 

The guards who received the luggage instead of Nasim made displeased expressions.

 

After purchasing everything on the list, Seo Rin confirmed she had time remaining and asked the shop owner.

 

“Is there a carpentry workshop around here?”

 

“If you follow this road and turn around the corner where the fabric shop is, you’ll see it right away.”

 

Following the owner’s directions, they saw a shop piled high with lumber. In a workshop in one corner of the shop, a young man was sweating as he worked with a wood plane.

 

“Welcome… Huh!”

 

The carpenter who was about to give a casual greeting dropped his wood plane when he saw Nasim’s group in exotic attire following behind Seo Rin in a line.

 

“Could you possibly make several small, thin wooden sticks for me?”

 

“Wo, wooden sticks?”

 

The woodworker answered while glancing at the Daesik Kingdom people.

 

“Yes, the length should be a bit shorter than a brush handle, and the thickness about half of that? And I’d like the whole thing to be smooth without any rough parts.”

 

“It seems possible… but what are you planning to use them for?”

 

“I’m trying to make brushes for cleaning teeth!”

 

“A, a tool to put in the mouth… Then bamboo would probably be good.”

 

The woodworker who was about to sketch the toothbrush after hearing the explanation started trembling when he saw Nasim’s group approaching, so Seo Rin temporarily sent them outside.

 

After finishing the toothbrush order, Seo Rin also purchased several small wooden boxes.

 

“When they’re completed, I’ll bring them directly to Hyeeumwon. Please pay then.”

 

‘Hmm? How did he know I’m from Hyeeumwon?’

 

“But have you found the brushes?”

 

“Pardon? Brushes? Oh, not yet.”

 

“Then let me recommend a shop. It’s a place that handles quality horsehair.”

 

Following the carpenter’s guidance toward the horsehair shop, Seo Rin spotted a blacksmith shop and immediately changed direction.

 

―Clang! Clang!

 

The blacksmith shop was filled with scorching heat, resounding with the loud noise of hammering metal. The display racks were packed with everything from farm tools like sickles and hand hoes to sharply forged weapons.

 

A fierce-looking blacksmith stopped his descending hammer and looked bluntly at Seo Rin who had entered.

 

“Do you happen to take custom orders here?”

 

“Custom work? Of course we do. What are you looking to make?”

 

“Ah, what I want to make is…”

 

While Seo Rin was talking with the blacksmith, Nasim and the guards became captivated by the weapons hanging on the walls.

 

[Oh, the craftsmanship here is extraordinary!]

 

[Oh, the balance of this sword is perfectly centered!]

 

As they admired and examined the displayed weapons, the blacksmiths in the shop also gradually approached and looked at the curved swords hanging at their waists with burning eyes.

 

“Huh, I’ve never seen swords like these before. The shape of the blade is extraordinary.”

 

“They’re different from our Goryeo swords. May I touch one?”

 

Soon the blacksmiths and Nasim’s guards began communicating through glances, comparing each other’s weapons and showing off their swords.

 

Meanwhile, the blacksmith drew a picture for Seo Rin to confirm if he understood correctly.

 

“Yes, that’s right! That’s exactly it! How did you get inside my head?!”

 

As Seo Rin showered him with praise, the blacksmith crossed his arms and lifted his chin.

 

“Do you think I’ve only done this once or twice, ahem! Don’t you have anything else you want to make?!”

 

“Of course! I certainly do!”

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