Chapter 5

# Chapter 005: Honghualou

After a tough day at work, I entered the final labor negotiation with my team members.

"Missankazan!"

"Honghualou!"

My team members refused to go to the usual Missankazan and insisted on the newly opened Honghualou.

As a reward for the sudden quest that occurred earlier, I had kept a hundred bottles of baijiu at Missankazan, trying to save every penny by persuading my team members.

"Missankazan is not bad, you know. The tender pork with baijiu is the best in the world. Wow, I can't help but drool."

"Hmph! Boiled pork is not a big deal. We must have eaten more than two pigs at Missankazan by now."

"Guo San, if he heard this, would be disappointed."

"And speaking of which, isn't Guo San being too much? He's been open for half a year and still only sells noodles and pork. Well, if the team leader insists on Missankazan, we have no choice but to go on strike."

Yang Gang, who had taken on the role of union chairman, pressured me with his unusually smooth talk.

Faced with the ultimatum of a strike, I had no choice but to surrender with tears in my eyes.

"Ugh, fine. But only two bottles per person."

"Do you know what that means?"

"What?"

"You are the most stingy person I've ever seen in Jiulong City."

In the end, I took the Seventeenth Team to Honghualou, securing the minimum benefit.

The red lanterns and the splendid pavilion, the recently opened top-class tavern, Honghualou.

As we arrived at the entrance, a beautiful woman, who looked to be in her early thirties, greeted us.

"I am the manager, Lu Jin Hua. It is an honor to meet the heroes of the outer faction."

"Hmm, do you know us?"

"Isn't that Yang Gang of the Seventeenth Team of the outer faction? And the person at the back is the team leader, Jin Wujin, the great hero."

It had only been two years since I graduated from Dian Tian Pavilion and entered the world.

Seeing my reputation spreading throughout the outer city, I couldn't help but think of the saying "a crane among chickens."

'Well, I do have to be good, don't I?'

After all, I am the rising ace of Jiulong City and the top graduate of Dian Tian Pavilion.

However, I need to be cautious for now, so I greeted them with the utmost humility.

"Hehe, great hero, no. I appreciate your respect, but I am still young, so please call me junior."

Impressed by my humility, Lu Jin Hua frowned and then led us in with a blank expression.

"Please come inside. The owner has instructed us to give special treatment to the members of the outer faction."

"Ah! That's not good. How can someone who lives off the salary of Jiulong City ask for special treatment?"

"Discount the bill, then..."

"However! I cannot ignore the respect. I will accept it today. What are you all doing?! Come in quickly."

I can't stand not getting a discount.

A moment later, following Lu Jin Hua's guidance, we entered a luxurious room.

"I will bring the drinks shortly."

"Wait!"

"What's the matter..."

"We are here to discuss the future of Jiulong City, so we don't need courtesans."

My team members, including Yang Gang, looked at me as if I were crazy and whispered.

"Are you crazy? If you're not going to call for courtesans, why did we come here?"

Oh, how frustrating.

There is always a budget for everything.

But, I couldn't ignore the burning eyes of my team members, so I decided to call for the courtesans.

And within five minutes, I regretted that decision.

"My name is Hualan."

Pfft!

I spat out the drink I was drinking when I saw the courtesan sitting next to me.

'Why is she here?'

The courtesan who greeted me was none other than Hong Huashou Jian, the granddaughter of the Red Dragon Sect leader and my junior from Dian Tian Pavilion.

With her face drenched in alcohol, she glared at me and then wiped her face with a handkerchief, filling her empty glass with more alcohol.

"Great hero, are you surprised? Or do you not like me?"

"No, no..."

"Please tell me what you are dissatisfied with, and I will correct it immediately."

The atmosphere froze instantly.

The courtesans were silent, and my team members were confused.

I couldn't ruin a well-planned gathering, so I quickly composed myself.

"No, your beauty is truly breathtaking. I was just surprised. I apologize for my rudeness."

At this, Hualan's eyes widened, and a blush rose to her cheeks. The courtesans then giggled and filled the glasses of my team members.

Regardless, I quickly sent her a private message.

Her words, like a 160 km/h fastball, made me think of the large sum of money I would have to spend, making my heart ache.

Her words made me open my eyes wide.

The land prices in the outer city of Jiulong City are skyrocketing due to the failure of the real estate policy.

And to think that Honghualou, which occupies an entire four-story pavilion, belongs to Hualan.

In Korean terms, she would be a so-called Gangnam building owner.

Her wealth, beyond my imagination, made me feel a sense of respect.

"Ahem! Good. Mmm. Cheers. Swallow!"

Yang Gang was making strange noises while quickly devouring the food and drinks.

Unaware of the horrified expressions of the courtesans sitting with us.

As we went outside with Hualan, my team members sent me lecherous looks.

Especially, Yang Gang caused a major disaster by making a low-quality joke.

"I thought you were impotent, but you're quite impressive, team leader. How long have you been sitting to do that? Or is the lady getting hot? Hehehe."

Oh my, to sexually harass the youngest granddaughter of the Red Dragon Sect.

It seems he wants his limbs to be cut off and scattered across Jiulong City.

Sure enough, one of the courtesans showed a murderous intent and reached into her sleeve, likely for a dagger.

But when Hualan slightly shook her head, the intent disappeared.

I hoped Yang Gang wouldn't cause any trouble and followed Hualan to her room.

"Wait a moment. I asked the manager to bring a new drink."

"Can you also bring Gongbao Chicken?"

"Just take what is given."

"Don't you know that the customer is king?"

"Are you asking for trouble? Impersonating a king can lead to the extermination of three generations, you know?"

Ah, right. This is a Confucian Taliban state.

"That's not what I meant, but... the person who pays should be treated like a king... no, not a king, but treated with respect..."

"Stop talking nonsense and sit down."

"Yes."

After a moment, the manager's voice came from outside.

"Princess, I have brought the drinks."

"Come in."

Creak.

The sliding door opened, and Lu Jin Hua and the maids carried in a large table.

The table was filled with all kinds of delicacies, and the fresh scent suggested that expensive alcohol was also served.

"Good job. You can go now."

Zing.

Was it Lu Jin Hua?

The manager of Honghualou glared at me as she left.

'Oh, [again]?'

It seems my presence has ignited a fire in her heart.

Well, I do look good in this life, and my body is excellent.

Sure enough, Lu Jin Hua was sending me a private message, moving her lips as she looked at Hualan.

Clearly, she was trying to use her connection with Hualan to get closer to me.

Hualan, flustered, replied in a loud voice.

"What are you talking about?! We're not that close, so don't worry."

"Then I'll take that as a no."

Lu Jin Hua left with a cold expression.

It seems she was upset because Hualan didn't act as a bridge to introduce me.

"Drink."

"Sure."

Hualan filled her glass with excitement.

Following her, I took a sip and couldn't help but exclaim.

"Wow!"

The aroma and taste were unlike anything I had ever experienced.

"Hehehe. This is Honghua wine, made with a secret recipe passed down in my family."

"Is it for sale?"

"Do you have the intention to buy?"

"Seems like I could buy it, doesn't it?"

"Even at ten taels per bottle?"

"Damn."

A smile appeared on Hualan's face at my reaction.

"In return, I will treat you to as much as you want. Come to me whenever you want to drink."

"Really?"

"Of course. This is my business, and you are... my senior, after all."

'Kya. Indeed... the youngest granddaughter of a tycoon.'

Suppressing my admiration, I asked her a question.

"By the way, why a brothel? It doesn't seem like a good business for a woman."

"According to our family tradition, I have to run a business before I turn twenty. There weren't many options for me. Starting a trade company is too risky, and other businesses require too much initial capital."

"Well, safety is always the best."

"What? Safety?"

"There is. Such a thing."

Taking advantage of her confusion, I filled my glass with more alcohol.

In fact, while she was talking, I had already drunk five glasses of Honghua wine.

Of course, she said she would treat me, but it's just a verbal agreement without a contract.

Our relationship could sour, or I might not be able to get the drinks due to unforeseen circumstances, so I wanted to drink as much as possible while I could.

Just as I was about to drink the eighth glass.

"Senior."

"Yes?"

Tension rose.

Did she catch me secretly taking an extra bottle? What if she tells me to stop drinking and leave?

But my worries were unfounded.

"Would you like to work with me on something?"

"Work? What kind of work?"

Hualan smiled brightly, opened the window, and pointed to a place.

"Do you know what that is?"

If you live in Jiulong City and don't know that place, you're a spy.

"Jinhualou?"

The most famous brothel and tavern in the outer city.

It's said to make nearly a hundred taels of gold in daily revenue, a very successful business.

However, no one dares to touch it because the backing of Jinhualou is the Golden Dragon Sect.

"Well, since you work in the outer faction, you must know."

Hualan continued, pouring more alcohol.

"I plan to attack Jinhualou soon. I need your help."

As soon as I heard her request, I immediately stood up.

"I've had enough. Miss Ji, or Princess Hualan, may you live a long and healthy life until we meet again."

Just as I was about to open the door and leave.

Swish.

A black sword was pointed at my neck. The owner of the sword was none other than Lu Jin Hua, who had just left.

"Princess hasn't finished speaking. Please listen to everything."

Caught off guard, I looked at Hualan.

"What's going on?"

"Yes. Finish listening, senior. You can make your decision after you hear everything."

"Can't you tell her to put the sword away first?"

Clang...

I flicked the center of the sword with my finger.

"Manager Lu, put the sword away."

"Yes."

Lu Jin Hua put the sword away, and I sat back down in front of Hualan.

"Make one promise. If you plan to use me, your subordinates will end up with broken bones somewhere."