A spy and assassin within the Martial Alliance.
How should I inform the Martial Alliance Leader about this person’s existence?
To make the Alliance Leader believe me, I need evidence, don’t I?
I arrived at a certain pleasure house in Wuhan during the late night to solve this problem.
“Is this the place?”
Thousand Fragrance Tower.
One of the famous pleasure houses in Wuhan, reportedly visited by every wealthy man at least once – a very renowned pleasure house indeed.
Initially, I had no intention of visiting this place, but after much deliberation, I had no choice but to come here.
Because the original story states that the Black Demon Sect was located here.
“…No one would ever think that the Black Demon Sect would be in a place like this.”
To hide a tree, one must hide it in a forest. Thanks to this wise choice of location, the Black Demon Sect has been here for over a hundred years without the righteous sects uncovering the true nature of the Thousand Fragrance Tower.
Or, rather, it’s more like both sides are conveniently ignoring each other.
After all, the information that can be obtained from the Black Demon Sect is quite useful even from the righteous sects’ standpoint. In exchange for providing such information, the Black Demon Sect has been able to set up a branch within Wuhan under the tacit agreement.
…Although the Beggar Sect doesn’t seem too happy about it.
Still, thanks to the quick wit of the Thousand Fragrance Tower, which strikes deals such as providing food to the beggars to ensure no lines are crossed and no major incidents occur, both sides have agreed to not bother each other, eliminating the chances of conflict.
…The issue is that in the original story, the Black Demon Sect allied with the Heavenly Demon.
It’s difficult to gauge exactly when that happens.
Since the Black Demon Sect appears and then disappears within a few episodes and, considering the time frame, it’s an event that takes place nearly a year from now.
However, one thing is certain.
The head of the Black Demon Sect falls into a trap set by the branch leaders under the influence of the Demonic Sect and is assassinated.
So, if I can save the Black Demon Sect’s leader, he could become a valuable source of information.
Given that I don’t have an extensive network of connections, aside from Zhuge Hyeon-sang, it would be quite a useful situation to have an alternative source of information.
Though I can’t definitively say that the intentions behind his schemes are completely pure.
“Hey. Is this place…”
“Thousand Fragrance Tower. Do you intend to say that people with colored eyes are not welcome?”
I slightly lifted my wide-brimmed hat to look at the guard at the door. Without any particular threat or menacing aura, the imposing presence of the towering person with colored eyes was something that the ordinary guard couldn’t handle.
The two guards exchanged a quick glance, then slightly moved aside and spoke.
“Ah, could you be the Lion Sword Hero?”
“That’s right.”
Is there another colored-eyed person in the Central Plains besides me? I chuckled and lightly patted the guard on the shoulder at such an obvious question.
“Why are you so afraid? Do I look like someone who would cause a disturbance?”
“N-no…”
“In that case, I would appreciate it if you could let me in. I want to experience how a pleasure house in the Central Plains feels.”
There’s no reason for Thousand Fragrance Tower to turn me away.
I’m not a martial artist from the evil or Demonic Sects; rather, I’m affiliated with the righteous sect, and although my clothing is a bit worn, I have more than enough money.
After all, I’ve earned a decent amount through various means.
“Since it’s your first time here at Thousand Fragrance Tower, you’ll need a guide. Please fetch an appropriate person.”
“Ah, understood. Please follow me.”
The guard led me inside the Thousand Fragrance Tower. As we entered the reception area of the grand Thousand Fragrance Tower, various gazes fixed on me.
Mostly glances of surprise and interest.
I tried not to look around too much as I subtly rolled my eyes.
Compared to Moon Fragrance Tower where I had been before, this place was less opulent, but it wasn’t like Thousand Fragrance Tower lacked extravagance.
With wall paintings, all sorts of expensive-looking ornaments, and the courtesans dressed in relatively revealing attire greeting the guests.
…Still, perhaps because I’m used to seeing much grander things, this doesn’t feel lewd to me.
Of course, the courtesans are no pushovers, but if you’ve experienced having your face squished by an enormous chest, you can’t help but view others as relatively smaller.
“…Thinking about it, if Hye-ryeong finds out, it might be a bit troublesome.”
She might feel a little hurt if she finds out I came to a pleasure house, given her personality. Although if I’m honest, she’ll probably just get a little upset.
…Anyway, I’m only here for work, so what’s there to worry about?
I just need to make contact with the Black Demon Sect as soon as possible.
“Welcome to our Thousand Fragrance Tower, Great Hero Wi.”
Is this person the manager or something?
I looked at the neatly dressed person with a goatee.
This person must be the overall manager here and the branch leader of the Black Demon Sect in Wuhan, right? But if I ask directly about the Black Demon Sect, they’ll just deny knowing anything.
To summon the Black Demon Sect, I have to enter a room and send a specific signal in front of a courtesan.
“I understand the explanation… could you please arrange an appropriate room? I plan to drink a little and then leave.”
“Understood. Makhwang, please guide our esteemed guest to the VIP room.”
“Yes, Tower Master. Great Hero Wi, please follow me.”
I followed the elegantly dressed Makhwang towards the VIP room. After a few minutes of walking, we arrived at a space befitting the title “VIP room,” luxuriously decorated.
The room, designed for a small number of people, is a bit small, but that’s not important.
After taking my seat, I glanced at Makhwang, who sat across from me.
Then Makhwang also returned my gaze.
…This feels a little awkward.
I’m not very experienced in conversing with people other than Hye-ryeong, so it feels a bit cumbersome.
“…When is the food coming?”
“The servants are preparing the table, so they’ll be back soon.”
Just as she finished speaking, the door opened, and a dining table loaded with food was placed between Makhwang and me. It was clearly more than I could eat alone.
“I’ll pour you some wine.”
“…Ah, thank you.”
I extended the small cup smaller than a soju glass and watched her pour the wine. A pretty ordinary action. I carefully brought the glass, filled almost to the brim, to my side and stared at it absent-mindedly.
“It smells good.”
“This wine is called ‘Jiannanchun.’ It’s quite a rare delicacy.”
I took a sip to try it, roughly half a glass at once. A slightly sweet taste passed over my tongue, warming my throat.
This alcohol must be quite strong.
Having formed my impression of the wine I’ve never seen before, I picked up the chopsticks and began tasting the food laid out before me.
“…Great Hero?”
“Do not disturb me while I eat.”
“…Yes.”
Regardless of what it is, a thousand mountains are best savored after a meal.
I had no intention of being interrupted during this meal, so I steadily worked my way through each dish on the table.
From the meat dishes with a thick, delightful marinade to the stir-fried vegetables. Every time a dish disappeared into my stomach, Makhwang’s face seemed to display an awkward smile.
Just by her gaze alone, it seemed like she wanted to say, “What kind of person eats in a pleasure house like this?”
…If you come to a pleasure house just to eat, it’s reasonable to think this way.
However, I’m not someone who enjoys excessive drinking or consorting with courtesans.
For a soldier, that kind of lifestyle poses too many hurdles.
Finally, when nearly all the bowls and plates on the table were empty, I set down my chopsticks.
Not on the table, but across the wine cup.
Crossed in an X-shape on top of the wine cup.
From the outside, it might look like a strange action of someone drunk, but this was the way to call the Black Demon Sect.
According to the original story.
I removed my hand and watched Makhwang’s reaction.
Smiling as if drawn by her presence, Makhwang gazed at my glass and then carefully turned her body to gently knock on the door five times.
Knock, knock, knock, knock.
Seeing the rhythm, it seemed that knocking without maintaining this pattern wouldn’t work.
It feels romantic, like some secret organization.
It is indeed a secret organization.
“I didn’t know you had this kind of interest.”
“I’m more interested in this sort of thing than alcohol and women.”
“Ho ho…”
Not long after, I heard footsteps approaching, and soon the door opened to reveal the goateed man I saw earlier.
“Great Hero Wi. I didn’t know you were aware of our Black Demon Sect.”
“People may keep secrets, but so do we, as we have ears.”
“Makhwang, please leave us.”
“Yes, Tower Master.”
Makhwang left the room, and in her place, the goateed man sat down.
The goateed man’s demeanor was different from earlier in the hallway; now he displayed a sly smile, rubbing his hands together.
“I didn’t expect Great Hero Wi to come to us with an errand.”
“You seem more informed than the Beggar Sect on certain matters.”
“You mean…?”
” The Demonic Sect.”
“…”
“…Y-yes?”
“To put it simply, if you have any information regarding the Demonic Sect branches, I’d like to buy it. Is this amount of money sufficient?”
I placed a heavy pouch on the table.
Money accumulated during my travels.
It’ll surely lighten my purse for a while, but if the current task goes smoothly, replenishing it should be no problem.
“…May I verify the contents?”
“Of course.”
The goateed man cautiously opened the pouch and began counting the contents carefully. After counting for a while, he looked up and said:
“Compared to the information you seek, the sum… is… ”
“Insufficient?”
“…Yes, yes… that is correct…”
A tone of base flattery emerged on the goateed man’s face.
A face that would likely never have appeared if I were someone mediocre. I looked at his face for a moment before speaking.
“Then layer on one more piece of information.”
If it proves true, this could be information that will sweep everything clean.
“…For information about the Demonic Sect, we require something truly rare.”
“I’ve heard that lately, the Black Demon Sect’s been in quite a bind.”
I slowly initiated the true start of negotiations.
