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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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Some time had passed since my argument with Ha-seol.
The elders, having heard the whole story, were lingering around us.
“…Do you really have to go?”
“…”
Myeong-ryong-geom asked, with his voice laced with concern.
I paused, then replied,
“If I don’t go now, I’ll have to return to the family estate.”
“Hmm… then there’s no other way.”
“Besides, my sister seems quite angry. If I don’t appease her soon, things could get difficult.”
“…”
Myeong-ryong-geom nodded in agreement.
It was practically tacit permission.
I chuckled dryly.
‘I honestly didn’t realize the Silver River Trading Company was this influential.’
The original novel had only mentioned that they were one of the wealthiest trading companies in Shaanxi.
But seeing the deference shown by the Mount Hua elders, and even the Sect Leader himself, I was starting to grasp the true extent of their power.
A group of people, ready to depart, called out to me,
“Second Young Master! It’s time to go!”
“…Alright, alright. No need to rush.”
“If you don’t hurry, the young miss will have our heads…”
“…”
These were the people Ha-seol had brought with her from the trading company.
Their fear of my sister was palpable.
I wondered what she’d done to inspire such dread.
Then,
“Oppa, let’s go to the capital.”
“…Why Xi’an?”
“You said you needed to go to Mount Yunhaeng, right? I plan to pick up a delivery job along the way.”
“…”
I was taken aback by her resourcefulness.
I was simply supposed to take care of a small matter at Mount Yunhaeng.
But Ha-seol, ever the pragmatist, wanted to take care of some trading company business as well.
The look in her eyes told me that if I refused, she’d drag me back to the family estate.
I couldn’t simply refuse.
“…Oppa?”
“…Hmm.”
“Let’s go.”
“…Fine.”
I nodded silently.
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Reaching Xi’an, the capital, wasn’t difficult.
It wasn’t far from Mount Hua.
I looked around at the bustling city, reminiscent of the stories I’d read.
‘I’ve never been to a place like this.’
It was a new experience.
I’d never visited such a densely populated city since my transmigration.
The crowds felt unfamiliar.
I stood there, momentarily dazed.
“Oppa? What are you looking at?”
“…Huh?”
“Come on. What if you get lost?”
“…I think I’ll be fine.”
She sighed and started leading the way.
I realized why she treated me like a lost child.
‘Come to think of it, the original Eun Ha-seong was a bit of a wastrel. Destined to be crushed by the protagonist, he was probably a troublemaker from a young age.’
I grimaced.
The original Eun Ha-seong was likely a spoiled brat.
“Hmm… where are we going?”
“…To the Jade Pavilion.”
“The Jade Pavilion? What’s that?”
“You don’t remember the Jade Pavilion? It’s only been a year!”
“…”
“It’s the brothel you frequented!”
She said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
I remained silent.
It was better to say nothing than to be interrogated.
We walked for about an hour.
“We’re here.”
“…”
I looked at the massive building in front of me.
It was indeed a brothel, as she’d said, but its size dwarfed the surrounding buildings.
It was opulent and palatial, almost like a royal residence.
I stared at it, dumbfounded.
Ha-seol, seeing my reaction, walked towards the entrance.
“…Who are you?”
“Is the manager in?”
“What?”
“Tell him the Silver River Trading Company is here.”
“…!”
The guard, who had been staring at her, snapped to attention and bowed deeply.
He looked as if he were in the presence of royalty.
His voice trembled.
“Y-Young Miss…!”
“Is the manager in?”
“I-I’ll go check! Please wait here!”
“…”
He scurried inside.
I was puzzled.
Even for the daughter of a powerful trading company, this seemed excessive.
Ha-seol sighed.
“I think I’ll have to get rid of the Jade Pavilion.”
“…What?”
“Oppa bought it because he liked it, but it’s becoming too much of a hassle to manage.”
“…”
“It’s… cumbersome.”
I nodded slowly with an unreadable. expression.
Inwardly, I was speechless.
‘What kind of kid buys a building just because he likes it…?’
And the fact that the Silver River Trading Company could casually purchase such a lavish establishment was even more astonishing.
I hadn’t fully grasped the extent of their wealth until now, being whisked away to Mount Hua so soon after my transmigration.
It felt surreal.
‘This is what they mean by ‘throwing money around,’ isn’t it?’
Dazed, I stood staring at the Jade Pavilion, lost in thought.
A middle-aged man, sweating profusely, hurried towards us.
He looked like a typical wealthy merchant, complete with a mustache.
His frantic pace drew the attention of the other patrons.
“Y-Young Miss! You’ve arrived!”
“Yes, Manager. I’m here.”
“W-What brings you here? Surely not…?”
“…Nothing serious. I just wanted to have a chat with my brother, who’s been away for a while.”
“…!”
The manager finally noticed me and his eyes widened.
His face paled.
He stammered,
“Y-Your brother…?”
“Who else would I be talking about? Elder Brother has been bedridden for years.”
“…!”
“Anyway, I need to have a serious talk with Oppa…”
Ha-seol paused, then said to the manager, with her voice firm,
“Clear the building.”
“…!”
“I’ll cover any losses, of course.”
“U-Understood…!”
“Quickly and discreetly. Got it?”
“Certainly.”
He nodded vigorously and barked orders at the staff who had gathered nearby.
“Tell the customers we’re closed for the day! Offer double the price for their food and drinks as compensation!”
`”””Yes!”””` `”””Right away!”””`
The building emptied with remarkable speed.
I felt a twinge of sympathy for the patrons being kicked out, but no one seemed to mind, given the generous compensation.
Most seemed quite pleased.
“I wonder why they’re clearing the entire building?”
“Hmm… must be an important guest.”
“Well, whatever. Free drinks!”
I stood there, listening to their chatter, when Ha-seol, who had been observing the scene from a nearby table, called out to me,
“Oppa, what are you doing?”
“…Huh?”
“Come upstairs.”
“…”
“I’ve had a meal prepared. You must be starving.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
I looked at the empty building, then sighed.
“…Alright, let’s go.”
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