Tales Of The Nine Dragons [EN]: Chapter 25

Nine Dragons Chronicle (25)

“Branch Leader’s idea isn’t bad. If we combine the inn, brothel, and gambling den into one building, more customers will come and go, and the more people gather, the more information will circulate.”

Branch Leader Mi-ok of the Hao Clan’s Sanyang County branch spoke to Branch Manager Nam Seon-yeong about the conditions Hwa-rin had proposed, seeking his advice.

“Since they’re offering a good price, sell it and distribute a certain amount to the disciples who have suffered. The Branch Leader can keep the rest for emergencies.”

“So, do we accept the Nine Dragons Chief’s proposal?”

“Accept it for now. The problem is getting our people hired there. Since the Branch Leader is in charge of training the courtesans, contact the courtesan division to supply them. Then, at your discretion, hire them to carry out our work while we find other ways to insert people and increase our numbers.”

The Hao Clan was a sect created by the lower classes, making it one of the oldest in the Murim [martial arts world] world.

Those with disabilities in their arms and legs gathered to form the Cripple Division, and the outcasts who butchered livestock like cows, pigs, dogs, and goats created the Butchering Division.

The Moonlight Scholars who climbed over other people’s walls gathered under the name of the Moonlight Division, and wandering peddlers and clowns organized the Clown Division.

Courtesans gathered under the name of the Courtesan Division to protect their rights.

Those from marginalized sections of society naturally gathered to form a single sect, which was the Hao Clan.

The Hao Clan was a unique sect composed of five independent divisions, a natural structure that arose as they accepted members who did not belong to the five aforementioned divisions.

“Understood. Then I will meet with the Nine Dragons Chief and state the extent of my authority.”

“Do so. And it seems the Jeongcheon Alliance’s Shanxi branch is dispatching experts to Sangnam County.”

“From the Jeongcheon Alliance branch?”

“They seem to be searching for those who annihilated the Red Tiger Clan.”

“Those who annihilated the Red Tiger Clan…?”

“They are unknown individuals. Without accurate clues, they are deemed dangerous, so experts are being sent. Be careful not to get caught in their investigation.”

Nam Seon-yeong said this because Murim people also need to eat and sleep, so these trackers often frequent inns and brothels.

In particular, brothels are visited by men of all ages, making them a must-visit for trackers.

“I will be careful.”

“Also, tell the courtesans not to mention the Red Tiger Clan for the time being.”

“Understood.”

After finishing the conversation with Nam Seon-yeong, Mi-ok left the hot spring resort in Lishan, Shanxi, which was the Hao Clan’s Shanxi branch.

Lishan in Shanxi has been famous for its hot springs since ancient times, attracting many people from all over the Central Plains, leading to many inns around the hot springs.

The Hao Clan’s branch, the hot spring resort, also operated using the hot springs and boasted the largest scale in the vicinity.

After Mi-ok left the hot spring resort, a man appeared in front of it—Hwa-rin.

“So, this is the Hao Clan’s Shanxi branch.”

Hwa-rin knew that Mi-ok was the branch leader of the Hao Clan, and when she said she needed to discuss the sale of Osong House with people, he thought she would seek out someone with higher decision-making power.

As Hwa-rin expected, Mi-ok visited the Shanxi branch, and Hwa-rin was able to follow her and find out the Hao Clan’s branch.

The Hao Clan was a place where information was bought and sold, so knowing it would be more beneficial than harmful for Hwa-rin.

“They’re having interesting thoughts. The idea of pushing in Hao Clan members to gain practical control is good, but they underestimate me too much.”

Hwa-rin had overheard all the conversations between Nam Seon-yeong and Mi-ok. From Hwa-rin’s perspective, who had experienced everything in the Fierce Tiger Death Squad, their plans were simply laughable.

“I don’t have to worry about the supply of courtesans, so I can leave that to Branch Leader Mi-ok and focus on other things.”

Hwa-rin had thought about staying at the hot spring for a day since he had come all the way, but he stopped.

“They said Hwasan and Jongnam are dispatching experts. Surely no one from Jongnam would recognize me.”

The Jongnam Sect, along with the Beggars’ Sect, represents the secular sects among the Nine Great Sects. It once had a Taoist character due to the influence of the Complete Perfection School. However, disciples from the Jongnam Sect joined the military and incorporated group combat and military-style killing techniques into Jongnam martial arts, transforming it into a sect with a strong secular tendency.

Jongnam disciples were obligated to serve in the military for a short period, from two to five years, to master their martial arts, gain practical experience, and learn group tactics. While martial artists from other sects gained and learned something through secluded training or wandering the Murim world, Jongnam Sect disciples served in the military, which was a difference from other sects.

After completing their military service, they returned to the Jongnam Sect and contributed to enhancing Jongnam’s reputation by actively participating in the Murim world as members of the Jongnam Sect.

Even though the Fierce Tiger Death Squad was an independent army and everything about it was kept secret, rumors had spread within the military.

In particular, Hwa-rin, who had achieved countless achievements in five years, was a mythical figure in the military, known as a war demon or a dark king in the border regions, foreign lands, and among the Semu people [a group of people from Central Asia]. However, only a handful of people knew the name and face of this mythical figure.

Therefore, the Fierce Tiger Death Squad still reigned as an object of terror in the border regions and foreign lands.

“Ah, now that I think about it, there was someone who was discharged from the Fierce Tiger Death Squad in Jongnam.”

* * *

After receiving confirmation from the branch manager that Osong House could be sold, Mi-ok spent a few days before finding Hwa-rin.

“You made a good decision. I will buy it at a better price than the current market price.”

“Thank you. And Chief.”

“Speak.”

“I have something to say about training the courtesans.”

“What is it?”

“There is a saying that a family prospers if they bring in good people, but they are ruined if they bring in the wrong people.”

“I know.”

“Unlike women in other professions, courtesans often have stories.”

“That’s probably true.”

“Among those stories are sick parents, young siblings…”

Mi-ok explained to Hwa-rin for a long time, but in the end, she was saying that since she was training the courtesans, she wanted her opinion to be reflected in the selection of the courtesans.

“Since we can’t accept everyone who comes when we recruit, if you leave it to me, I will select and train the courtesans myself.”

“Hmm…”

He knew their intentions, but he wore a slightly troubled expression.

“Is it not possible?”

“It’s not that it’s not possible, but Mi-ok’s authority would become too great. The head of the estate wants to teach the courtesans their duties and talents, but he can’t entrust them with hiring the courtesans.”

“I’m not trying to get involved in hiring, but when I recruit courtesans, I’d like to talk to them and tell you about their tendencies…”

“I see. If Mi-ok were to do such a thing in hiring people, many would try to look good to Mi-ok.”

“Hmm…”

“Hiring should be based on fairness, and as it has been, the head manager of this estate will select the employees.”

“That’s a shame.”

“This is the policy of this estate, so I hope Mi-ok understands. If you really want to, meet the head manager of this estate and talk to him. Hiring people is his responsibility.”

Hwa-rin said this and stepped back. It was to create a basis for pointing out their unfairness and kicking them out at any time in the future.

“I will do that.”

“I hope the two of you can talk and move forward in a good direction.”

Hwa-rin left Mi-ok to the head manager, Seo Dae-yeong. He thought that even if Mi-ok had experienced everything in the Murim world, she would not be able to beat Seo Dae-yeong, who had lived in the imperial palace for a long time, where all sorts of schemes prevailed.

‘Seo Dae-yeong is not someone to be completely trusted, but the way he handles things is perfect, so he will handle this problem well too.’

Most of the people Hwa-rin had with him now were people the emperor had given to Hwa-rin.

He didn’t fully trust them, thinking that some of them might be reporting about him to someone in the imperial palace.

He was just working with them out of necessity, nothing more and nothing less.

After receiving confirmation from Hwa-rin, Mi-ok handed over the building and land documents of Osong House.

“Here are the building and land documents of Osong House.”

“It will be a good deal. I will issue a check so you can find money on the continental battlefield.”

Hwa-rin issued a check for five thousand gold coins.

Since the monthly living expenses of an ordinary commoner were about five gold coins, five thousand gold coins was by no means a small amount of money.

“Are you giving this much?”

“It also contains the nature of a bribe, hoping you will take good care of me in the future.”

Mi-ok smiled brightly.

“Now that we are one family, if you have any difficulties, tell me or the members of the estate, and we will solve them.”

“Thank you, Chief. Then I will be on my way.”

“Do so.”

After Mi-ok left, Hwa-rin looked at the building and land documents of Osong House.

“Instead of having people sit and drink for a long time like in the Semu countries, if we just have simple snacks and do what needs to be done quickly, the workers won’t be tired either.”

The red-light districts of the Central Plains involve entering in the early evening, drinking, talking with the courtesans, spending a long time together, and then returning home with a woman late at night, which was too unproductive.

“If I go and convey my intentions to the courtesans and wait for their choice, it will be fine. Even if they refuse, there will be many courtesans who will enter the red-light district as time passes.”

Hwa-rin was not a saint or a fair person. He was the kind of person who could use the people around him, as well as the situation and environment, for his own purposes.

Hwa-rin grew up spending time alone in the imperial palace, reading and learning from books.

Although he had things he had seen and learned from books, the place where he had interacted with people and experienced life was the special forces unit called the Fierce Tiger Death Squad, which carried out missions while crossing the boundaries of life and death.

His values were formed by what he saw, learned, and mastered in the Fierce Tiger Death Squad in order to survive, so they did not change easily. No, it would be right to say that they did not change.

Hwa-rin made a decision and immediately put it into action.

Hwa-rin, who visited Osong House, gathered all the courtesans.

“The owner, Mi-ok, sold Osong House to me, and I will be working with you.”

The courtesans buzzed.

“I’m thinking of demolishing this Osong House and building a new building.”

“A new building? Then are you saying you’re closing this place, Chief?”

The courtesans all knew that Hwa-rin was the chief of the Nine Dragons Clan.

“I will close it while the building is being built, but I plan to continue operating it as a red-light district after the new building is built.”

The courtesans were relieved to hear that it would be operated as a red-light district.

“However, you will have to rest without work for three months while the construction is in progress.”

No one could say anything about this. Many of the courtesans were members of the Hao Clan, and they had heard some stories from Mi-ok. And it had been conveyed to the other courtesans through them, so they were prepared to rest for a few months.

“When the new building is completed, I plan to operate the red-light district in a different way.”

“What do you mean by a different way?”

“I will receive a deposit from you and rent out the rooms, and you can receive guests in those rooms.”

“Are you saying you’ll receive a deposit…?”

“Listen to the end. Ask questions after you’ve heard all my stories.”

When Hwa-rin spoke in a loud voice, the courtesans closed their mouths.

“Since you have rented a room, rent will be charged. I plan to receive ten silver coins per month for rent. If there is anyone who cannot pay the rent, the rent for that month will be deducted from the deposit.”

The courtesans buzzed for a moment and continued to listen to Hwa-rin’s words.

“The contract will be maintained for three years, and if you have paid the rent without fail for three years, the deposit can be returned after the contract expires.”

They looked at Hwa-rin with suspicious eyes at the words that it could be returned, but judging from his actions so far, it didn’t seem like he was lying.

“Therefore, the deposit is three hundred and sixty silver coins, as you have to pay ten silver coins every month for three years.”

Three hundred and sixty silver coins meant three gold coins and sixty silver coins.

It was about the monthly living expenses of an ordinary household, so it was not a very burdensome amount of money for the courtesans.

“I think you understand what I mean. Questions!”

When he said to ask questions, they chattered from all directions, so Hwa-rin said that if they had any questions, they should raise their hands and only the person he designated should ask questions.

A woman raised her hand and asked Hwa-rin a question.

“Then what about our monthly salary?”

“There is no monthly salary.”

The courtesans buzzed at the words that there was no monthly salary.

“All the profits you get from the guests you receive are yours. Therefore, the brothel does not give you a separate monthly salary.”

“Are you saying that all the profits from the guests we receive are ours?”

“That’s right.”

“Then are you saying that you will only receive the monthly rent?”

“No. I will sell you alcohol and simple snacks.”

The courtesans found Hwa-rin’s words too difficult and complicated.

“Quiet, I’ll explain this.”

The courtesans widened their eyes and perked up their ears to listen to Hwa-rin’s explanation.

“In the past, you would sit around aimlessly without a sense of time, spending time doing business that didn’t make money and only tired you out. That method is not very helpful to me, the owner, or to you, the workers.”

The courtesans agreed with Hwa-rin’s words.

“Therefore, I want to reduce such tiring time for each other.”

It also meant that he would provide simple alcohol and snacks, but he would make people clearly recognize that the red-light district was a place to embrace women, not a place for alcohol and snacks.

“Then you can receive guests by setting a time, such as half an hour or an hour. For example, one silver coin for half an hour, two silver coins for an hour. Of course, the price includes the price of the snacks.”

“Are you saying we should set the price like that?”

“No, you can figure it out later and set a reasonable price.”

“Will customers come if we do that?”

“At first, it may be unfamiliar and they may look for other places. But I am confident that you can earn more profits if you work hard.”