At my words, Young Master Ho Gyeong looked at me.
“I’m talking about the man who pulled that little stunt earlier. I felt like I’d seen him somewhere before, and I just remembered where.”
“Where was it?”
“When I first arrived in Jinan and was looking around the street market, I went to a place known for its spicy braised chicken. It was called Golden Rooster Pavilion.”
Young Master Ho Gyeong nodded.
“I know Golden Rooster Pavilion. The Head Cook there really knows his way around chicken dishes. Did you run into the smith there?”
“I didn’t exactly run into him.”
I went on.
“When I first walked into Golden Rooster Pavilion, the server said the third floor was fully reserved, so I ate on this floor. And then I quietly slipped up to the third floor.”
“…”
“Honestly, I was curious who’d rented out the whole third floor. And to my surprise, that man from earlier was there.”
“…”
“As you know, renting out an entire floor, especially the top floor, costs a lot of money. Is his monthly pay really that high?”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“We do pay him well, but not that well.”
“Then I figured whoever he was meeting must have been the one who booked the whole third floor.”
“That makes sense.”
I deliberately didn’t say who that person was.
It would work much better if they dug it up themselves instead of hearing it from my mouth.
It’s not like the White Flame Merchant Group lacks the ability to find out.
Just imagining Merchant Lord Namgoong Gang’s expression when he gets cornered makes me want to laugh.
But I wasn’t done talking yet.
“Oh, that reminds me. Was it the next day? Or the day after? I saw him at a tea house, drinking tea and talking with someone.”
“Yes?”
“It was a man with a mole on the right side of his jaw… I’m telling you just in case.”
“You’ve helped me a lot. Thank you.”
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
I offered him a polite bow, then headed back to Green Mountain Inn where I was staying.
“You’re back?”
As soon as I stepped into the inn, my father greeted me.
“Yes.”
“So, how was the Iron Workshop?”
“It was a brutally intense place.”
My answer made Father nod.
“Just like you said, it’s a fierce place. So, did you learn anything?”
“Of course. The White Flame Merchant Group isn’t called the greatest merchant group under heaven for nothing.”
I had carefully examined every corner of the Iron Workshop earlier, and it all felt so different from in my previous life.
Probably because I’ve gone through so much more now than the me from back then.
When I told him what I’d seen and realized there, Father nodded with a pleased expression.
“You must be tired, go get some rest.”
“Yes.”
Ah!
I almost forgot to tell him about that.
“Father, actually… a bit of a problem came up at the Iron Workshop.”
“A problem?”
“Yes. One of the smiths at the Iron Workshop tried to harm Young Master Ho Gyeong, so I stepped in and saved him.”
I continued.
“And so I wouldn’t reveal my realm, I told everyone I’d used an artifact, and that the artifact’s lifespan had simply run out.”
That’s the truth, more or less.
Hmm, that should be enough, right?
It had been a hair’s breadth from flipping the entire furnace over… but sometimes, not knowing is a blessing.
“I see. And Young Master Ho Gyeong is unharmed?”
“Yes. Not a scratch.”
“That’s an enormous relief. You did well. You should help whenever you can.”
“I think so too. Then, I’ll head upstairs.”
Eun Gil-sang watched Eun Seo-ho’s back as he went upstairs.
‘Hmm, something feels off…’
He narrowed his eyes.
It was because Seo-ho’s explanation about saving someone had been far too concise.
Almost like he was shrinking it down to the bare minimum.
Of course, Seo-ho’s not the type to brag about things like that, so it wasn’t impossible.
But he was still Eun Seo-ho’s father.
Mothers aren’t the only ones with instincts. Fathers have their own kind too.
‘I should ask Chun-il to look into this.’
But in the end, there was no need.
The next morning.
Just as they finished eating, a server came over.
“Excuse me, sir. The Merchant Lord of the White Flame Merchant Group has come to see you.”
“What?”
Eun Gil-sang was taken aback.
After all, the Merchant Lord of the greatest merchant group under heaven had come looking for him first thing in the morning.
“Please, show him in right away.”
“Yes, sir.”
Then he turned his head, only to see Seo-ho pointedly avoiding his gaze.
‘Definitely suspicious.’
Soon, Merchant Lord Ho Ju-shin of the White Flame Merchant Group stepped into the inn.
“What brings you here at such an early hour?”
“I owed your son a great debt and I feel bad for coming to thank him so late.”
“Come to think of it, Seo-ho did say he’d saved Young Master Ho yesterday. Is he all right?”
“He’s fine. He’s working hard even now.”
“That’s a relief.”
“It’s all thanks to your son. The molten iron from the furnace nearly poured right over my grandson, and your boy risked his own life to save him. He even sacrificed an artifact to do it.”
“…”
Those words left Eun Gil-sang dumbfounded.
‘Molten iron? He never said anything like that…’
Of course, he knew Seo-ho wasn’t the type to act recklessly. His kid was uncanny when it came to protecting his own hide.
But a father’s heart doesn’t work like that.
‘Should I give him a scolding later… or not…’
He suddenly flinched.
A chill had washed over him from right beside him. That chill was coming from none other than his wife.
“So, my son… did that, you say?”
“…”
He muttered inwardly.
‘Seo-ho, even I can’t save you from this one.’
Back in my room, I flopped down on the bed.
“Are you all right, young master?”
Palgap asked as he looked at me.
“Not all right at all.”
I’d just finished getting thoroughly chewed out by my mother.
This morning, the Merchant Lord of the White Flame Merchant Group had come by to express his thanks. The problem was that he went into great detail about what I’d done right in front of her.
Ah, couldn’t he have kept that part to himself?
Naturally, Mother had been shocked, and the moment the Merchant Lord of the White Flame Merchant Group left, she called me in and scolded me up and down.
“I don’t really know what to say to comfort you, to be honest.”
Palgap said to me.
“Still, you should be grateful you have a mother who cares enough to scold you.”
“…”
Palgap had already lost his mother.
She’d passed away when he was very young.
I pushed myself up from the bed and spoke.
“I know that too. But when I’ve just said I’m not all right because my mother scolded me, saying that makes me sound like trash, doesn’t it?”
“Hmm, now that you mention it, that’s true.”
He did that on purpose.
Honestly, the main reason Mother scolded me was for doing something so dangerous.
But Mother.
I’m sorry, but if I live that safely, I’ll never reach my goal.
So please forgive this unfilial son who only makes you worry and will keep making you worry in the future.
Anyway, by now Merchant Lord Namgoong Gang must have already heard that their attempt failed.
He must be furious.
Thinking of him suddenly reminded me of something.
The spicy braised chicken at Golden Rooster Pavilion.
I should take my parents there for dinner tonight to apologize for giving them such a scare.
“Palgap.”
“Yes?”
“Tell them we’re renting out the entire third floor of Golden Rooster Pavilion tonight.”
.
.
.
Evening came.
Right on time, I headed to Golden Rooster Pavilion with my parents.
“So we’re finally getting a rare treat, with our son buying us dinner?”
“Yes.”
I scratched the back of my neck as I spoke.
“I did mess up… and when I ate the spicy braised chicken there, I kept thinking of you two.”
“Oh my.”
“Yes. So I thought I should bring you here sometime.”
My words left Mother looking touched, and Father was smiling contentedly as well.
Seeing that made me feel a bit embarrassed.
Soon, we arrived at Golden Rooster Pavilion.
“Welcome. You’re the guests who rented the third floor, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I’ll show you the way.”
We followed the server and went up to the third floor.
“Oh my…”
Mother let out a sigh of admiration at the view from the third floor.
I also found my heart quietly stolen by the scenery, which was even more beautiful than I’d expected.
Golden Rooster Pavilion sat a bit on the outskirts.
Which meant you could see Jinan’s busiest streets from here.
And right now was just when the lanterns on those streets were being lit.
Looking down on that from up high was truly a spectacular sight.
“Beautiful view, isn’t it?”
When I turned around, a woman was walking toward us with a smile.
The refined air about her made it clear she wasn’t a mere server.
Could she be the proprietress here?
“I fell in love with this view, so I had this pavilion built here.”
“Is that so. You chose a wonderful spot.”
“Thank you. I’m Jang Eun-ok, proprietress of Golden Rooster Pavilion.”
“I’m Eun Gil-sang, Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group. And this is my wife.”
At Father’s introduction, Mother dipped her head politely.
“I’m Eun Seo-ho, the Deputy Merchant Lord.”
I offered my greeting as well.
“I heard distinguished guests had rented out the entire third floor today, so I came to greet you in person. We’ll be serving the dishes shortly.”
“Thank you for welcoming us yourself.”
We took our seats at the table, and soon the servers began bringing in the dishes.
Around the table where we sat, our companions took their places at the other tables.
Palgap, my guards, Father’s deputy, the vice commander of the Eunpoong Division, and the various hired hands and household members of our merchant group.
“Then please enjoy your meal and have a pleasant time.”
“Thank you.”
Once the dishes were all set, Proprietress Jang Eun-ok gave us a final bow and went back downstairs.
“Father, Mother, please enjoy.”
“All right, we’ll eat well.”
“I’ll enjoy it.”
We reached for our chopsticks, serving ourselves portions of the spicy braised chicken and starting to eat.
“Mmm?”
“Oh my!”
Just as I’d expected, my parents were amazed by how incredible the spicy braised chicken tasted.
“This is really delicious!”
“I’ve never had braised chicken this good.”
Seeing how much they liked it made bringing them here feel completely worth it.
After we’d eaten for a while, I set my chopsticks down and lowered my head.
“Father, Mother.”
“…?”
“I’m sorry once again. I never meant to make you worry.”
Mother shook her head.
“No, I’m the one who’s sorry. Saving someone’s life is the most righteous thing you can do… and yet instead of praising you, all I did was scold you.”
“That’s not true. I know you only said those things because you were worried about me.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
With that, the mood around the table grew warm and cheerful again.
In the end, nothing eases the mood quite like good food.
“Ahem.”
Father must have felt awkward about the atmosphere, because he pulled the call cord and summoned a server.
“Yes, did you call for me?”
“Could I perhaps meet the Head Cook of Golden Rooster Pavilion?”
“Sir? The Head Cook?”
“The dishes were so delicious today that I’d like to thank the chef personally.”
“I’ll go and ask.”
The server went downstairs, and shortly afterward came back up with a man.
The man looked younger than I’d expected, maybe around thirty at most.
“This is our pavilion’s Head Cook.”
At the server’s words, Father rose to his feet and introduced himself.
“I’m Eun Gil-sang, Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group.”
“I’m Hwang Seok, Head Cook of Golden Rooster Pavilion.”
“Your cooking truly moved me today, Master Hwang. I called you up here to personally thank you for serving us such incredible food.”
Father continued.
“Of course, it would be proper for me to go and thank you myself, but I know outsiders aren’t supposed to barge into the kitchen.”
“That’s right.”
“So I had no choice but to ask you to come.”
“I see.”
Chef Hwang replied gently.
“With such high praise for my cooking, I’m the one who doesn’t know what to do with myself.”
He scratched his cheek with an embarrassed smile and then asked for our understanding.
“I’m sorry, but more orders keep coming in, so I can’t stay and chat for long.”
“Ah, I didn’t even think of that. Thank you again. You may go.”
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
Chef Hwang went back downstairs, and we resumed our meal.
At that moment, my head grew a bit muddled for an entirely different reason.
Because the chef who’d introduced himself as Hwang Seok was unmistakably a martial artist.
In my previous life, by the time I came to this area, Golden Rooster Pavilion was already gone.
No, more than that – the building itself was gone.
Which meant this place had burned to the ground back then.
So what in the world had happened?
Even if it’s made of wood, a fire doesn’t usually burn a building completely to ash.
Most of the time, it burns partway and then dies out.
There’s only one way it burns down completely – when someone deliberately sets it on fire, intending to raze it to the ground.
That raises another question.
Who was it that burned Golden Rooster Pavilion?
Did the owners burn it themselves? Or was it someone else?
This is tricky. Well, it’s not like I have any leads to go on…
–TL Notes–
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