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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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A spy and assassin within the Martial Alliance.
How could I reveal their existence to the Alliance Leader?
I needed evidence to make him believe me.
That was why I found myself at a brothel in Wuhan late at night.
“This is the place.”
Thousand Fragrance Pavilion.
One of the most famous brothels in Wuhan, frequented by wealthy patrons.
I hadn’t initially intended to visit, but after much deliberation, I had no choice.
According to the original story, this was where the Hao Clan operated.
“…No one would suspect the Hao Clan of operating in a place like this.”
The best place to hide a tree was in a forest. Thanks to this clever choice of location, the Hao Clan had maintained their secret branch in Wuhan for over a century without being discovered by the righteous factions.
Or rather, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
The Hao Clan possessed valuable information that the righteous factions found useful. In exchange for providing this information, they were allowed to operate within Wuhan.
…Though the Beggar Sect seemed less than pleased with the arrangement.
Of course, the Thousand Fragrance Pavilion was adept at avoiding trouble. They appeased the Beggar Sect by providing food and other necessities, ensuring a peaceful coexistence.
…The problem was, the Hao Clan eventually sided with the Heavenly Demon in the original story.
The exact timing was unclear.
The Hao Clan only appeared briefly in the story, and their betrayal occurred over a year from now.
But one thing was certain.
The leader of the Hao Clan would be assassinated by his own subordinates, who had secretly pledged allegiance to the Demonic Cult.
If I could save him, he would become a valuable source of information.
I needed another source besides Zhuge Xian-shang, especially since I couldn’t completely trust his motives.
“Excuse me, this is…”
“The Thousand Fragrance Pavilion. Are you going to tell me you don’t accept Westerners?”
I tilted my bamboo hat slightly, looking at the guard.
I hadn’t made any threatening gestures or exuded any killing intent, but the imposing presence of a large Westerner was enough to intimidate an ordinary guard.
The two guards exchanged glances, then stepped aside.
“A-are you…the Lion Sword Hero?”
“That’s me.”
Were there any other Westerners in the Central Plains? I chuckled at the obvious question and patted the guard’s shoulder.
“Why are you so nervous? Do I look like I’m here to cause trouble?”
“N-no, sir.”
“Then let me in. I’m curious to see what a brothel in the Central Plains is like.”
The Thousand Fragrance Pavilion had no reason to refuse me entry.
I wasn’t affiliated with the Demonic Cult, I was a member of the righteous factions, and despite my worn clothing, I had plenty of money.
I had accumulated quite a bit from various endeavors.
“This is my first time here, so I’ll need a guide. Find someone suitable.”
“Understood. Follow me.”
The guard led me inside. As I entered the main hall, I felt numerous gazes upon me.
Mostly surprise and curiosity.
I tried to avoid making eye contact as I scanned the room.
It was less extravagant than the Moon Fragrance Pavilion I had visited before, but it was still quite lavish.
Expensive-looking decorations adorned the walls, and courtesans in revealing attire greeted the guests.
…However, perhaps because I was used to…more substantial figures, I wasn’t particularly impressed.
While the courtesans were certainly attractive, after experiencing the sensation of having my face pressed against Hye-ryeong’s…abundance, they seemed…less so.
“…Hye-ryeong might be upset if she finds out about this.”
Knowing her personality, she would be jealous if she discovered I had visited a brothel. Though, if I explained myself, she would probably just be slightly annoyed.
…It wasn’t like I was here for pleasure.
I needed to contact the Hao Clan quickly.
“Welcome to the Thousand Fragrance Pavilion, Hero Wi.”
Was this the manager?
I looked at the goateed man dressed in fine clothing.
He was likely the head of the Hao Clan’s Wuhan branch. But asking him directly about the Hao Clan would be pointless. He would feign ignorance.
To contact them, I had to enter a private room and give a specific signal to a courtesan.
“Skip the introductions…just get me a room. I’m just here for a drink.”
“Understood. Mae-hyang, escort this gentleman to the VIP room.”
“Yes, Madam. Hero Wi, please follow me.”
I followed Mae-hyang, a courtesan with elaborately styled brown hair, to the VIP room.
After a short walk, we arrived at a lavishly decorated room, befitting its name.
It was small, likely intended for a small group, but that wasn’t important.
I sat down and looked at Mae-hyang, who sat across from me.
She looked back at me.
…This was awkward.
I wasn’t used to interacting with women other than Hye-ryeong.
“…When will the food arrive?”
“The servants are preparing it now. It should be here shortly.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the door opened, and a table laden with food was placed between us. It was far too much for one person.
“Allow me to pour you some wine.”
“…Alright.”
I offered her a small cup, even smaller than a typical wine cup, and watched as she filled it.
An ordinary gesture. I picked up the precariously full cup and stared at it.
“It smells nice.”
“This is Jiannanchun. A very rare wine.”
I took a sip, about half a mouthful. A slightly sweet taste spread across my tongue, followed by a warm sensation in my throat.
It was quite strong.
Having sampled the unfamiliar wine, I picked up my chopsticks and began to eat.
“Um…Hero?”
“Don’t bother me while I’m eating.”
“…Yes.”
Even Mount Kumgang could wait until after a meal.
I wasn’t going to let anything interrupt my dinner, and I sampled each dish one by one.
From savory meat dishes to stir-fried vegetables. I glanced at Mae-hyang after each dish, and she offered a strained smile.
Her eyes seemed to be saying, ‘What kind of person are you?’
…It was understandable, considering I was just eating in a brothel.
But I wasn’t fond of drinking or courtesans.
That was too much of a hurdle for a soldier like me.
Finally, after I had nearly finished everything, I placed my chopsticks on the table.
On top of my wine cup.
Arranged in a cross shape.
It looked like the eccentric behavior of a drunkard, but it was the signal to summon the Hao Clan.
According to the original story.
I removed my hand and observed Mae-hyang’s reaction. Her practiced smile faltered as she looked at my cup, then she turned and knocked on the door five times.
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.
The specific rhythm suggested it was a code.
It felt like a secret society. Quite romantic.
Well, it was a secret society.
“I didn’t realize you were interested in…that.”
“I prefer information to wine and women.”
“Hehe…”
Footsteps approached, and the goateed man I had seen earlier entered the room.
“Hero Wi. I wasn’t aware you knew about the Hao Clan.”
“Everyone keeps quiet, but I have my sources.”
“Mae-hyang, you may leave.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Mae-hyang left, and the goateed man took her place.
His smile, unlike the polite one he had worn in the hallway, was now tinged with a hint of slyness. He rubbed his hands together.
“I didn’t expect you to come to us with a request, Hero Wi.”
“I figured you would be more knowledgeable than the Beggar Sect.”
“More knowledgeable about…?”
“The Demonic Cult.”
“…I-is that so?”
“So, sell me any information you have on Demonic Cult branches. This should be enough, right?”
I placed a heavy pouch on the table.
Money I had earned during my travels.
It would deplete my funds, but if this worked, I could easily replenish them.
“…May I…examine it?”
“Of course.”
The goateed man carefully opened the pouch and counted the contents. After a while, he looked up at me.
“This is…a bit…”
“Too little?”
“…Y-yes…”
A servile expression appeared on his face.
An expression he wouldn’t have shown if I were weaker. I looked at him for a moment, then spoke.
“Then I’ll give you another piece of information.”
If it proved true, it would be worth far more than the money I had offered.
“…If it’s about the Demonic Cult, it has to be something valuable.”
“I heard the Hao Clan has been having some internal problems lately.”
I had just signaled the true beginning of our negotiations.
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