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Chapter 24
“Meals can be had on the first floor! For the sake of the child, don’t even think about setting foot any higher than that!”
“I have no interest in doing so.”
Ha Do-un let out a weary sigh after another. Miss, did you really have to go this far?
Despite the resentful look directed at her, Geum Seol-ha merely bounced her feet while nestled in his arms like an innocent child.
“Tsk, tsk. So young, yet living such a pathetic life.”
Only after the gatekeeper had finished piling on criticism and reproach did he finally let them pass.
“Now I understand why you wore something other than your usual martial outfit.”
At Geum Seol-ha’s whispered remark, Ha Do-un gave a bitter smile.
“You noticed?”
“Even if I hadn’t called you Father, if your clothes looked shabby, I don’t think they would’ve let us in. Am I wrong?”
“You’re exactly right.”
The corners of Ha Do-un’s mouth curved gently beneath his bamboo hat.
“This is Hwayeongru, the largest pleasure house in Jiangxi, after all.”
“It’s a miracle we got in.”
At Geum Seol-ha’s grumble, Ha Do-un answered calmly.
“Because we were dressed in a way that was worth letting in.”
True enough.
Geum Seol-ha ran her fingers over the smooth fabric of his robe again. Though it was shaped like martial attire and lacked any elaborate embroidery, it carried an unmistakable elegance.
The silk shimmered differently depending on the angle of the light. Anyone with a discerning eye would immediately recognize it as something extraordinary.
“I didn’t know clothes like this existed.”
“Your mother gave it to me a long time ago.”
“Mother did?”
“She said that the attire and manners of one’s subordinates often reflect the dignity of their master. It was a gift from her.”
“…”
“The ability to completely cut off every possible escape route is something you may have inherited from your mother.”
The look he gave her was that of someone watching an incorrigible troublemaker.
Geum Seol-ha puffed out her cheeks.
“Still, thanks to me we got in easily.”
A sturdy man who clearly looked like a martial artist and a young boy.
If they weren’t father and son, it was the sort of combination that would naturally arouse suspicion.
“There are other methods, like slipping a few coins to the man at the entrance.”
“That would have attracted attention.”
Geum Seol-ha shook her head.
They would eventually have to meet the people from the Hao Clan, but it was better if they had some time to investigate beforehand.
Finding an empty seat amidst the bustling crowd, Ha Do-un made sure Geum Seol-ha was settled first.
“What would you like to ea—”
“Noodles! I want noodles, Father!”
Geum Seol-ha pinched his side sharply.
After all that effort pretending to be father and son, he was still speaking to her formally.
Understanding the signal a beat too late, Ha Do-un answered awkwardly.
“R-right.”
The hand pinching his side tightened further.
Come on, do it properly.
Even though her face was hidden behind the long veil, her intent came across perfectly.
Ha Do-un responded with a troubled expression.
He had never imagined he would become a father before even finding a sweetheart.
“I’ll order them.”
Stopping a passing attendant, he ordered noodles and bamboo-leaf liquor before cautiously continuing.
“After we finish eating…”
“We’ll prepare to go see Mother.”
Her voice was bright and childish, but Ha Do-un immediately understood what she meant.
“And do you know how we’re supposed to meet your mother?”
“I’m just a child. I don’t know things like that. Father knows, though.”
Geum Seol-ha beamed innocently.
Ha Do-un sighed.
He truly had no idea what was going on inside his young mistress’s head.
The first floor of the pleasure house, which also served meals, was noisy and crowded.
Yet neither Geum Seol-ha nor Ha Do-un paid much attention to the atmosphere.
“This place is really interesting, Father.”
Geum Seol-ha looked around curiously.
Having never really gone out before, everything fascinated her.
Courtesans dressed in extravagant clothing mingled with people of every imaginable appearance.
The one thing they all seemed to have in common was—
‘They look rich.’
Was that why there was a gatekeeper at the entrance?
A faint sneer crossed Geum Seol-ha’s lips as her gaze drifted upward.
‘I thought the Geum Estate was extravagant.’
This place surpassed it by several levels.
Red drapes hung everywhere despite the title of Jiangxi’s finest pleasure house, a place that embodied luxury and indulgence.
Lavish lanterns.
Music that never ceased.
Constant laughter.
“Any fool who wanders in here would squander his entire fortune and still not come to his senses.”
It was even more extravagant and decadent than it had been described in the novel.
At least the gatekeeper had allowed her inside, which meant the atmosphere on the first floor wasn’t too extreme.
That was some comfort.
“Oh ho, quite knowledgeable for such a young one.”
The hearty voice was clearly directed at her.
Realizing that, Geum Seol-ha flinched.
“Uh-huh. The man next door, Uncle Woo, said something like that while smacking Brother Woo on the back.”
“Oh-ho?”
“Brother Woo spends all his money at pleasure houses whenever he gets some. That’s why I was curious about them.”
“Haha. Sounds like that fellow showed a child far more than he should have. Well then, little one. Now that you’ve seen it yourself, what do you think?”
Geum Seol-ha slowly turned around.
She had thought acting like a clueless child would make him lose interest, but for some reason he kept talking.
Her eyes quickly swept over the man.
A thick build.
Large hands covered in scars.
And most importantly, the saber strapped to his back and the scar running across one eye.
He was clearly no ordinary person.
Geum Seol-ha swallowed quietly.
‘Getting involved with martial artists is troublesome.’
Few people were as unpredictable as martial artists.
More variables meant more problems.
Making a decision, Geum Seol-ha clapped her hands.
“Wow! Mister, are you a martial artist?”
She would act like a curious child and steer his attention elsewhere.
“Hahaha! Bold little thing. Not scared at all.”
The martial artist joked that if not for the bamboo hat covering her head, he would have ruffled her hair.
“It’s not much to brag about, but I’m fairly skilled with a saber.”
“That’s so cool! It’s my first time seeing someone who uses a saber! It looks really heavy. Do you actually fight with that?”
“Indeed I do. It’s quite heavy. To use it properly, you need an extremely solid foundation.”
“Why?”
Thus began Geum Seol-ha’s endless chain of questions—a privilege reserved for children.
“To handle something heavy, you need the strength to match it. There are no shortcuts. You have to train your body.”
“What’s a shortcut?”
“A shortcut means relying on tricks instead of proper effort.”
“Ah, I see! Then what’s a trick?”
As the questions continued one after another, the man who had been enthusiastically explaining things started looking troubled and glanced at Ha Do-un.
The look clearly asked for help.
Ha Do-un opened his mouth.
“My la—ugh!”
The word slipped out unconsciously.
Geum Seol-ha immediately jabbed him hard in the side.
“I told you not to call me that outside!”
Calming her pounding heart, Geum Seol-ha glared at him.
To any observer, it looked exactly like a child who hated being treated like a baby by their father.
“I’m not a little kid!”
Watching her throw a fit, the martial artist burst into booming laughter.
“Hahaha! This little rascal acts exactly like my own son.”
“You have a son too, Mister?”
“Of course. The kind of disaster that turns the entire house upside down the moment you take your eyes off him.”
As he spoke, the corners of his eyes grew slightly moist.
Geum Seol-ha revised her assessment of him.
‘Was he really just making conversation by chance?’
Still, letting her guard down would be dangerous.
She remained cautious.
“I heard coming to places like this is bad. Then why are you here, Mister?”
“Hm? Listen to this little brat. It’s not like I’m the only one here. Didn’t your father come too?”
“My father only came because I said I was hungry. The inns said they don’t serve food at this hour.”
“I came here to eat too, you little rascal.”
Somehow, that didn’t sound convincing.
Noticing the suspicion in her eyes, the man let out a dry laugh.
“Fine, fine. I came because I arranged to have a meal here with someone.”
“A friend? But I don’t see anyone.”
Geum Seol-ha tilted her head at the otherwise empty table.
“Good point. He’s late. Hmmm.”
The man muttered irritably about the inconvenience.
At that moment, the food arrived.
Lifting her veil slightly, Geum Seol-ha eagerly ate her noodles.
The meal had originally been ordered to support their disguise, but after spending the entire day without a proper meal, it tasted especially good.
“Well now, did your father starve you? Looks like you’re about to lick the bowl clean.”
After finishing not only the noodles but every last drop of broth, Geum Seol-ha felt slightly embarrassed.
Only then did Ha Do-un realize she had barely eaten all day.
His eyes began to darken dangerously.
And then—
“Hey! You bump into someone and think you can just walk away? Do you have any idea how expensive these clothes are?”
A flushed man, clearly drunk, grabbed the robe of a bamboo-hatted figure and started shouting.
“Get down on your knees and apologize right now! Do you even know who I am to act so arrogantly?”
