Chapter 24

Kwon Hyuk-gi guided Jeong I-chu and Jeong Charyeon to a high-end establishment called "Spring Breeze."

The place, designed like a regular residence, didn't even have a signboard. The name Spring Breeze came about because the person who greeted them inside thanked them for finding Spring Breeze. It was truly a secret establishment that only those in the know could visit.

Jeong I-chu, not wanting to appear intimidated, didn't show it, but he had lived his entire life in the martial world without ever knowing such a place existed.

Kwon Hyuk-gi introduced the place like this:

"It's a special place I always visit when hosting special guests."

It was indeed a special place. Jeong I-chu had never experienced such a strong sense of intimidation in his life.

He had never thought of himself as special, nor had he ever considered Kwon Hyuk-gi to be particularly special. He had simply agreed to come along, hoping to be of some help, but being in such a secretive place made him feel burdened.

'It must be quite expensive.'

However, he brushed it off, thinking, 'How strong can a mere Spring Breeze be?'

A neatly dressed woman in her thirties greeted them.

"It's been a while."

"Hahaha! It has. I've brought some precious guests with me today, so please take good care of them."

"Of course."

The woman then gave Jeong I-chu a seductive look.

"My name is Ihwa."

"Pleased to meet you. Ahem."

Jeong I-chu, not wanting to reveal his identity, gave a simple greeting. He usually disliked gatherings with courtesans, and with Jeong Charyeon by his side, he felt extremely awkward.

Ihwa smiled brightly, as if finding his discomfort amusing.

Jeong Charyeon was inwardly dumbfounded.

'Who is this woman? And what's with that guy bringing me to a place like this?'

The signs weren't good from the start.

"Let's go this way."

She led them to a small, neatly decorated room.

However, everything from the wallpaper to the smallest ornaments was very expensive.

As they settled in, a young woman brought in fragrant tea. The courtesans were exceptionally beautiful, so much so that it seemed a waste for them to be working in such a place.

Ihwa said with a smile,

"Please, refresh yourselves first."

Jeong I-chu, conscious of Jeong Charyeon, quickly said,

"You may dismiss the women. We have some important matters to discuss."

Kwon Hyuk-gi chuckled and said,

"This place is different from ordinary Houses of courtesans. The women here only pour drinks; they don't sell their bodies or their talents."

"I see."

Jeong I-chu's expression eased somewhat, but he was still uncomfortable.

"I brought you here specifically with your daughter in mind."

"Thank you for being so considerate."

Jeong I-chu chuckled, trying to match his mood.

But Jeong Charyeon thought it was a load of bull. If he was thinking of her, he could have just gone to a regular tea house or tavern. Why did he have to drink with courtesans? If he came to a place like this with her present, where and how did he play when she wasn't around?

And she wondered what his intentions were in bringing her along when he was going to come to a place like this anyway.

Jeong Charyeon wanted to storm out of there immediately, but she held back for her father's sake.

Kwon Hyuk-gi ordered from Ihwa.

"Well, for drinks, let's have the usual... and let's see, what would be good for appetizers?"

He ordered a large number of dishes at once, as if the opportunity to get a free meal had finally arrived. He ordered over a dozen dishes without hesitation, most of which Jeong I-chu had never heard of.

When Jeong I-chu didn't say anything, Jeong Charyeon spoke up.

"Isn't that too much food for the three of us?"

Kwon Hyuk-gi's expression visibly hardened at Jeong Charyeon's interruption.

"I was just trying to introduce you to some good food."

Jeong I-chu quickly intervened.

"She's still young and lacks manners. Please, order whatever you like."

"It's not that I wanted to eat it all myself."

"Of course not. I understand that you were trying to open the eyes of this junior with a cheap palate to new tastes. Hahaha! Please forgive her just this once. She's still wet behind the ears, isn't she?"

Jeong I-chu gestured to Ihwa to bring the food quickly, without explicitly telling Jeong Charyeon to apologize. Even he thought Kwon Hyuk-gi's behavior was distasteful.

Ihwa smiled brightly and left the room.

As the women served them, they exchanged pleasantries.

Soon, Kwon Hyuk-gi got to the point.

"By the way, I happened to hear that you've had some trouble with Young Master Jang?"

Jeong I-chu tensed up. Finally, the topic that would make today's drinking expenses worthwhile had arrived.

"It's not trouble, but a misunderstanding. That's why I came to see him personally today, but unfortunately, I couldn't meet Clan Lord Jang."

"Well, considering my relationship with Sect Leader Jeong, I'll tell you something special. Clan Lord Jang probably intentionally avoided seeing Sect Leader Jeong."

Jeong I-chu's premonition was correct.

"Is Clan Lord Jang very angry?"

"I heard he was furious about this matter. Isn't he an only son? He's great in every way, but his affection for Young Master Jang is a weakness."

"Oh dear, what should I do?"

Jeong I-chu looked troubled.

Jeong Charyeon, looking ashamed, couldn't lift her head.

At that moment, Ihwa entered, followed by a large table of food.

"This wine is our establishment's pride, Bear Bile Liquor."

"Bear bile, as in bear gallbladder?"

"That's right. It's a medicinal wine made with various precious herbs. It's very good for men."

"Haha! It's one of my favorite drinks. Here, have a glass."

Kwon Hyuk-gi seemed to be in a very good mood.

Jeong I-chu took a sip and grimaced. The wine was bitter enough to make him frown, but he thought it was worth it since it was good for his health.

The food was also incredibly delicious.

'This is going to cost a fortune.'

Jeong I-chu was inwardly anxious. He was usually frugal, and even though the Jeong Sword Sect wasn't exactly impoverished, their finances weren't very abundant either. Fortunately, he had brought about fifty nyang with him, not knowing how things would turn out today. That should be enough.

It would be worth it if Kwon Hyuk-gi could mediate this matter.

"Lord Kwon, please put in a good word for me. This whole thing started from a simple misunderstanding."

"Hahaha! Don't worry. I'll give Clan Lord Jang a firm talking-to."

Kwon Hyuk-gi was now treating him like a younger brother. Kwon Hyuk-gi was a few years older than him, but they weren't close enough for him to act so casually. However, Jeong I-chu didn't show it.

"Haha, if you do that, I couldn't ask for anything more."

The glasses were quickly emptied and refilled. As he repeatedly promised to speak well of him to the Palm Heart Clan Lord, Jeong I-chu's heart lightened. He felt like a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Drunk, Kwon Hyuk-gi began to ramble about aiming to win the upcoming Heavenly Dragon Battle. Jeong I-chu inwardly scoffed but humored him. The Heavenly Dragon Battle was a competition where even figures like himself and Kwon Hyuk-gi would have a hard time even getting their names mentioned.

Jeong Charyeon, who had been silently listening to the conversation, was dissatisfied.

'Why did he even bring me here?'

After exchanging a few words at the beginning, Kwon Hyuk-gi had been talking about himself the whole time.

He was one of the types she hated most at gatherings: someone who only talked about themselves without listening to others. After laughing and enjoying himself for a long time, Kwon Hyuk-gi left the room after emptying four bottles of Bear Bile Liquor.

At the counter near the entrance, Kwon Hyuk-gi grinned with a flushed face.

"Well, I enjoyed the meal."

"We hope to serve you again next time."

"I'll be back. Then, I'll be going first."

He staggered out.

Ihwa, who was sitting at the counter, said with her usual bright smile,

"I hope you enjoyed the food and drinks."

"We did very much."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"Please give me the bill. How much is it?"

"It's eight hundred and ninety nyang."

"What?"

Jeong I-chu was so shocked that he doubted his ears. Even eighty-nine nyang would be an outrageous amount, but eight hundred and ninety nyang? But he hadn't misheard, because Jeong Charyeon asked in disbelief,

"How much did you say it was just now?"

"I said it's eight hundred and ninety nyang."

Jeong I-chu, hiding his surprise, tried to act calm and asked,

"Haha, there must be a mistake in the calculation?"

"There's no way. I've checked it twice."

With a composed smile, Ihwa handed over the bill.

"Please, check it yourself."

Jeong I-chu and Jeong Charyeon quickly examined it.

"What is this?"

Jeong Charyeon widened her eyes in shock. The prices were truly outrageous.

One bottle of Bear Bile Liquor was a whopping one hundred and twenty nyang. And they had drunk four bottles of it. Moreover, the prices of the dishes were also exorbitant. The cheapest wild vegetable dish was nineteen nyang, and the most expensive seafood dish was ninety nyang.

Although they were more delicious than those at other taverns, they weren't worth such astronomical prices.

"This is ridiculous!"

Jeong Charyeon exclaimed.

Ten nyang was enough to taste all the dishes at a decent tavern, even if there were several high-end dishes.

But eight hundred and ninety nyang? These people!

Jeong Charyeon frowned.

"These prices are absurd."

Ihwa tilted her head in response.