SHMBM 04

Chapter 04

If you asked anyone in Luoyang to name the finest pleasure house in the city, they would all point to Cheonwolru (Heavenly Moon Pavilion).

Despite being a pleasure house, it hung no red lanterns. It was a place that sold neither bodies nor nights—only talent and skill. Even so, its fame spread far across the central plains.

The master of Cheonwolru was well-known for never revealing his face. All people knew was that he was a man who always wore a white fox mask.

That very master, surrounded by countless rumors, strode confidently into the building.

And in his arms, nestled quietly, was a tiger cub with striking yellow fur and black stripes.

“Welcome back, Master.”

Someone approached him, bowing deeply.

Even the sight of her glossy black hair swept up elegantly and adorned with hairpins was enough to draw every eye.
The woman, dressed in pale blue silk, wearing a scented pouch, bracelet, and various ornaments, possessed exceptional beauty.

“Ah, Sehwa. Have you been well?”

“Thanks to your concern, yes, Master.”

Sehwa replied in a gentle, elegant voice. Her gaze drifted to the tiger cub cradled in his arms.

“That little one is…?”

“Oh, this fellow? He was chirping sadly all alone in the forest after losing his mother, so I brought him with me. Poor thing.”

Laughing, the master roughly ruffled the tiger cub’s head, the corner of his lips quirking upward.

“So, I’ll be raising him here.”

“A… tiger cub, Master?”

“Wouldn’t he make another fine attraction for Cheonwolru? There aren’t many places that tame tigers to show off, you know.”

With a playful motion, he wiggled his finger in front of the cub.

The cub followed the movement, then abruptly clamped down on his finger.

“Ah!”

“Master! Are you alright?”

“Aah, yeah. I’m fine. How hard can the little brat bite, really?”

“…You’re bleeding, Master.”

“A tiger should have a bit of spirit—ow! H-Hey, let go, will you…? I-I’ll apologize for teasing you!”

Only then did the cub release his finger.

Does he understand speech…?

Before he could ponder further, Sehwa quickly produced a handkerchief and offered it.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

With delicate care, she wrapped his finger.

When she finished, the master smiled broadly.

“Thanks, Sehwa. As skilled as ever.”

“I’m honored by your praise.”

“By the way… anything interesting come in?”

“This isn’t the place to speak of such matters. Allow me to guide you.”

“Tea instead of alcohol today.”

“We recently acquired some Huangshan Maofeng. Shall I serve that?”

“Please do.”

I nestled in the fox bastard’s arms while he and the human woman, Sehwa, chatted.

Because my blue fur would attract too much attention, the fox had turned it into ordinary yellow like a regular tiger. It was odd how he changed it with just a few gestures. Later, I planned to make him tell me how he did it.

Jjimjo was watching us from afar. He despised humans—nearly to the level of hatred—so I didn’t want to force him to mingle with them.

But leaving him alone risked him running into the Blood Sect, so this arrangement was the best compromise.

So he really is the leader of the Hao Clan, huh? A clan that deals in information…

I hadn’t expected this to be how they gathered information. The fox bragged that he had built Cheonwolru himself—and I supposed there was a reason for his pride.

Nothing Sehwa reported was interesting, so I let out a small yawn.

The smell is unbearable.

Even before coming to the human realm, it had been bad, but the more humans gathered, the stronger it became.

Especially here—perhaps to mask human odor—the place was filled with fragrances.

The fox had dulled my sense of smell beforehand so I wouldn’t get overwhelmed, yet the stench was still this strong.

If I had come in without preparation, would I have thrown up?

How on earth did humans live in this flood of smells? Truly baffling.

Thinking this, I poked my head out of the fox’s arms and looked around.

A fragrant scent drifted from something called “tea,” and beside it sat some fruit-like items that drew my eye.

I was bored anyway—might as well take a look.

I wriggled out of the fox’s arms and jumped onto the table. …Ahem. Let’s erase the memory of how my short legs flailed mid-jump.

Forgetting that embarrassing moment, I wandered around the table.

First, the most intriguing thing: that fragrant water made by steeping leaves in hot water.

I wasn’t without manners—I sniffed the cup the fox, not Sehwa, had been drinking from.

Not bad.

Let’s taste it.

I stuck out my tongue and lapped it up. Immediately, my brows furrowed.

What kind of flavor is this?

Hot water that tastes refreshing?! Absurd!

I swatted the cup with my paw. The fox quickly caught it midair.

“Hey now, don’t cause trouble.”

“Kyawng!”

You bastard! Why are you grabbing the back of my neck?!

Kicking all four legs, I spotted the fox trying not to laugh. My eyes narrowed.

So. I’m funny to you now because I’m small? Is that it?!

“Grrrrrr…”

Startled, the fox quickly released me.

As repayment for his “kindness,” I smacked the back of his hand with my claws.

“Owowow, that hurts!”

I know you’re faking it, you rascal. If only I could freely use my energy here.

But with the human woman watching, I couldn’t reveal myself. The fox had warned me dozens of times—it would attract far too much attention.

I had sworn on my inner core, so he wouldn’t lie about something like that.

Annoyed, I snorted and approached the woman named Sehwa.

No way I was going back to the fox’s arms—so I chose the human.

She doesn’t smell bad, at least.

Which means: Pick me up, human woman!

I sat on the table and stared at her. She fidgeted nervously.

“Um… M-Master? Why is the tiger staring at me…?”

“…I think he wants you to hold him.”

The fox glanced at me, then spoke with fake calm. Sehwa’s eyes widened.

“M-Me?”

“Look at him. He’s looking at you, not me.”

“But…”

Her trembling gaze held fear.

Ah. Because I bit the fox earlier?

Well, then I had no choice—I had to be shameless.

I stood up. She reacted like a startled fawn, flinching at every movement.

But come on—I’m a tiger before anything else. A predator. No need to act timid in front of a deer.

Thinking that, I hopped straight onto her lap.

“Oh my…!”

Her white, slender fingers fluttered helplessly.

Not bad at all.

Far softer and more comfortable than the fox’s disguised human body. Warm, too. Time to lie down.

She kept flinching but didn’t push me off, so I sprawled freely. Warmth seeped into my belly and chest, making me drowsy.

“Kiuuuu…”

This was pretty nice. The fox always smelled strongly of fox musk, but Sehwa’s scent—mixed with orchid—was pleasant.

When I glanced up, Sehwa was chewing her lip, conflicted.

Very well. I was once worshipped as a mountain spirit—a Mountain Lord, even. Out of generosity, I would permit her to pet me.

I nudged my head into her hesitating hand. Her small, soft palm rested on my head.

“M-Master, um…!”

[Mountain Lord, are you about to ascend to immortality? Or return to the earth?]

The fox sent a telepathic whisper.

[Do you want me to bite your tail?]

[No, I’m just watching something impossible happen and I need an explanation.]

[Shut up. Tell her she can pet me.]

He blinked at my reply.

“He seems to be giving permission. He won’t bite, so don’t be too scared.”

“Y-Yes…”

“I know how important your hands are. Even if he attacks, I’ll protect you.”

Can you really? You talk big in front of your subordinate, don’t you, fox?

His ridiculous posturing made me want to snort, but it seemed to reassure Sehwa. She began stroking my head and back with gentle, careful movements.

Oh…

I finally understood why he said her hands were important. Soft, delicate—pleasant.

A low purring rumble slipped out of me.

…Being the fox’s pet tiger was unbearable, but this wasn’t bad at all.