Chapter 17

17. The Threat of Duju Balsa (2)

I intended to torment them with alcohol.

"By the way, do you two have plenty of time to drink today? We have a lot to talk about today, and you also need to speak well of me to the Black Cat Hall."

Hangoak smiled.

"You're not as tight-lipped as I thought. I have plenty of time. I usually get treated at Ewharoo, but this place isn't bad either."

I took the initiative.

"Enjoy the flowers after you've had a bit to drink."

"Alright."

When I say "flowers," I mean courtesans. I only intended to get these people drunk. My plan was to make them drink until they were on the verge of death.

I am Duju Balsa.

I have always been the best drinker in the world, even without using my inner energy to dispel the alcohol.

* * *

It turned out that Jeonbong and Hangoak were quite heavy drinkers.

However, after about half an hour of poor conversation and continuous drinking, the two were gradually struggling. The fact that it was a third-grade Dujiang wine, not a first-grade, also contributed to their discomfort. Additionally, I kept the atmosphere heavy, making it hard for them to digest the food.

Jeonbong shook his head and said,

"The Dujiang wine seems particularly potent today."

It couldn't be otherwise.

Because the quality of the wine was poor.

I looked at Jeonbong and smiled.

"Stop whining."

Hangoak, whose face had turned bright red, also laughed and said,

"It's not whining. Call in some girls now. I heard that Chaehyang and Sook are very beautiful, sing well, and dance well. Bring them in."

I waved my hand and said,

"Don't ruin the taste of the wine. Here, take this."

I poured Dujiang wine into their cups.

Only then did their expressions turn sour. They were already quite drunk, and their responses were attempts to avoid more alcohol.

"We've had too much already."

"I'll take a break and then drink some more."

I laughed and said,

"Do you want to die, or do you want to drink? Choose. There's no other option."

Jeonbong glared and said,

"You little brat, you're drunk. Jaha, you should stop drinking too. You're quite drunk. Anyway, you're a rude one. You have a bright future, but your drinking habits are bad."

Hangoak also pounded the table with his hand and said,

"You're right. Your tone is the problem. If you use that tone with the Black Cat Hall's leaders, you'll end up dead at a drinking party. Remember that."

I picked up some food and replied,

"Is the Black Cat Hall leader that great?"

"What!"

"You're crossing the line."

I looked at the two with a calm expression.

"Are you two drunk?"

"..."

"Obviously, I'm not drunk. If the Black Cat Hall leader is so great, he might be able to save us two here. To be precise, I've never thought about the future. You two will either die by my hand here or drink this wine. Choose one. Madam Son!"

I raised my voice to call Madam Son. The door opened, and Madam Son looked at me as if waiting for an order.

I gave the order.

"Bring me my long sword."

Madam Son nodded and disappeared.

Before the two could say anything, I pointed and said,

"I'll give you time until Madam Son brings the sword. If you don't drink, I'll consider it a one-on-one life-or-death duel here. I expect you two to be better than the Jo brothers. After all, you're experts of the Black Cat Hall, so you should be stronger than the Jo brothers."

The two turned pale as I spoke. They were already unsure of their ability to beat me, and now, being drunk, they were even more intimidated.

I glared at them with clear eyes.

"Decide quickly. I can hear footsteps. Thump, thump, thump. They must be here."

Soon, Madam Son's footsteps were heard. The door opened again, and the two hastily drank the Dujiang wine.

"Ugh..."

"Ugh..."

Their expressions twisted. It was understandable, given that they had been drinking third-grade Dujiang wine non-stop.

I placed the long sword Madam Son handed me on the table and poured more wine.

"Good. Madam Son."

Madam Son looked at me with her hands politely clasped in front of her.

I pointed at Jeonbong and Hangoak and said,

"These esteemed guests are subtly ignoring me. After all, being a former waiter means being ignored everywhere. Madam Son, was it the same for you?"

Madam Son nodded.

"Because you trusted the backing of the Black Cat Hall? But if I had been afraid of the Black Cat Hall, I wouldn't have killed the Jo brothers. Right?"

Madam Son nodded vigorously.

'Right.'

I pointed at their cups again.

"Drink up. Tell Chae Seongtae to gather all the martial artists attached to the three brothels and have them wait downstairs. If these two, Jeon and Han, try to escape, kill them on the spot or bring them back to me. I'll give them a punishment drink then."

Madam Son nodded as if understanding my intent and left.

Jeonbong and Hangoak were so drunk they could barely stand. Even in this state, they knew that attacking me would mean immediate death.

Jeonbong said,

"I need to use the restroom."

I looked at his expression and said,

"Are you going to vomit?"

"It's just to urinate."

"Seeing that you still have the will to go to the bathroom, you're not that drunk. You're not that drunk. You two don't know your limits. Madam Son, order more drinks and then pass on the message."

Madam Son, who had returned from the hallway, nodded and closed the door without saying a word.

Jeonbong and Hangoak, whether from the alcohol or the fear of Madam Son, who hadn't spoken, were intimidated. Perhaps they were afraid that I might really tear Madam Son's mouth apart.

The two were in a daze.

A moment later, Madam Son entered with the third-grade Dujiang wine. She frowned slightly and gestured to the two,

[Don't vomit here.]

Madam Son left, and I poured them more wine.

"Drink up."

At this, the two quickly clamped their mouths shut. They were almost on the verge of passing out.

I drank the same amount as them.

This time, I drank alone and said to them,

"Jeon, Han. Speak well of me to the Black Cat Hall."

It was unclear what exactly they should say, but the two nodded continuously.

"I'll make sure to speak well of you."

"Nothing will happen."

"Even if you say something bad, it won't matter much. The Black Cat Hall leader can afford to ignore me. However, if things go wrong and we end up fighting, I promise this: if you two are caught by me again, you'll drink until you die. I won't hit you or have my subordinates assassinate you. Just remember, if you're caught by me again, you'll drink more than today until you die. I need to pay attention to the Black Cat Hall leader, but not to you. Let's clearly understand this difference and part ways."

Jeonbong and Hangoak nodded vigorously.

I pointed at them with my finger and said,

"Now you two are showing a more reasonable expression. How about... one more round?"

"Ah, it's fine."

Hangoak pleaded,

"We've had enough. We've drunk a lot. What should we call you? Ah, I'll speak positively about you. Our brothel master will also stop drinking now... stop now."

I was pleased with their changed attitude and tone.

"Good. I'll make a good martial arts school in Ilyang. I've already chosen a name, and we're building a decent school building."

Of course, it's Jaha's guesthouse.

"Until then, I hope the Black Cat Hall doesn't demand tribute from us."

"What, will that happen immediately?"

I nodded.

"Before the school's gate is even built, demanding tribute? What kind of dog does that? Let's pass quietly. I'll visit the Black Cat Hall later and talk. Good is good. How about one more drink?"

"No, it's fine. As you say, it's better. Without a school gate, we can't demand tribute. That's not the way of the martial world."

I nodded with a satisfied expression.

"Well said. Let's live by the way of the martial world. One must live by the way of the martial world. Tell them this about killing the Jo brothers."

"Sure, what should I say?"

"Tell them that I, Jaha of Ilyang, killed the three brothel masters because they didn't follow the way of the martial world."

"I'll tell them that."

While the two were struggling to stay conscious, I drank more. Now, every time I drank, they frowned, apparently suffering from severe headaches.

I mumbled like a drunk,

"Thus, my path as a wandering knight begins again. You seem drunk, so go home. I need one more drink to clear my palate."

"Ah, thank you."

"Today was a pleasant drinking session."

"I agree."

As the two supported each other and stood up, I called out to the door,

"The guests are leaving."

At this, Madam Son appeared, looked at me, and made a gesture as if to cut her throat.

'Should I kill them?'

I shook my head.

"Why kill them? They're esteemed guests, so don't charge them for the drinks. Escort them to the entrance politely."

Madam Son nodded and extended her hand as if to guide them.

I suddenly thought that Madam Son might not be in her right mind.

Or perhaps the two had been tormenting the women in the brothel, but I didn't ask Madam Son.

* * *

Jeonbong and Hangoak staggered to the entrance of Maeheallu.

As they carefully descended the stairs, they both stopped.

Young men from Ilyang, dressed in various outfits and armed with different weapons, were gathered.

Some were squatting, and some were joking around, but when the two appeared, they all fell silent and glared with murderous intent.

Among them, Chae Seongtae, holding a straight sword, walked out and asked the entrance of Maeheallu,

"Did you say to kill them?"

Jeonbong and Hangoak turned around, wondering who this was directed at. Madam Son, who had followed them down, stood behind them like a scary old maid who had forgotten how to speak.