novelraw Chapter 208 : Kept Man
Chapter 208 : Kept Man
Chapter 208: Kept Man
Requests like tracking down a stalker required a fair amount of caution.
If I tried to solve it recklessly, I could easily commit the mistake of “striking the grass only to startle the snake.”
A sloppy approach might provoke the criminal and only make the situation worse, so I had to make him fully reveal himself—then catch him in one swift move.
“So, what’s the plan to make that beast enthusiast pop out all at once?”
Ilhong, who had been listening to my explanation, suddenly asked with a curious expression.
Her eyes stared straight at me, filled with interest.
“We make the bastard watching from somewhere grow impatient. For example, if some guy from nowhere comes along and redeems her. Wouldn’t he rush out in a panic?”
In this era, brothels had a custom called redemption.
No matter how successful a courtesan was, she couldn’t do this forever. A wealthy patron would calculate her lifetime earnings, pay the redemption fee, and take her in as either a concubine or a proper wife.
From the courtesans’ perspective, it was beneficial to raise their value and catch a good man before aging, so redemption was always a major event in the red-light district that drew public attention.
“……Huh? You’re going to redeem Joo Wolah?”
It seemed Ilhong had been so distracted by the word “redemption” that she hadn’t heard the rest. Her eyes widened as she asked again in shock.
At the same time, the handle of the teacup Jo Harang was holding snapped with a ‘crack.’
That had been an expensive teacup I bought to match the kind of important guests visiting the office lately.
I’d have to dock that from her salary.
“For something as trivial as this request… you’re saying you’ll take Joo Wolah as your wife…?”
As Ilhong, usually sharp and composed, turned foolish, Jo Harang also started spouting absurd nonsense in disbelief.
“What are you even talking about? Of course it’s just a disguise. I’ve already secured cooperation from the pavilion master of Heavenly Flower Pavilion.”
With the help of Pavilion Master Okryeong, we’d pretend to spend money extravagantly in front of everyone.
I would monopolize Joo Wolah—someone who charged an enormous fee just to sit and chat—for several weeks.
Then, after making people whisper about where such a rich man came from, I’d publicly declare that I’d take her away with an outrageous redemption fee.
If it looked like some rich, handsome noble brat was taking her, that perverted stalker wouldn’t be able to sit still.
“Even if you meant that seriously, how could I possibly pay the redemption fee of the number one courtesan in Beijing? I can’t even imagine the price.”
I had gained considerable wealth from the previous Imperial Palace request, but the opponent was Joo Wolah—someone whom wealthy men flocked to with bundles of money just to see her face.
To pay her lifetime earnings in one go? Even if I gathered everything I had, it would barely make a dent.
On top of that, some insanely rich man would likely drive her price even higher soon, only to be rejected. Her value would rise even further.
“So you’ll disguise yourself as a pleasure-loving rich noble and bait him out, right?”
“Exactly.”
A stalker usually knew their target inside out. That meant he’d also be aware of her guards and any threatening individuals.
So if we used predictable people, we wouldn’t catch him easily.
Rather, we had to dismiss visible protection and lure him into lowering his guard.
“Which is why, Ilhong, you’ll play the role of a flirtatious nobleman by my side—like during that Namgung Clan case.”
I’d have to visit my dear older sister Eun Hwaran and borrow some expensive silk clothes and accessories like a headband.
“Captain, just buy a set…”
“Do you know how much that costs?”
Ilhong looked at me like I was a miser.
“What are you saving for?”
“I’ve got uses for it. Anyway, you just get ready.”
Last time, we pretended to be men interested in each other. This time, we’d indulge in women and revelry like true degenerates.
“Hey, what about me? Why aren’t you calling my name?”
Jo Harang complained, banging the table.
“You don’t suit disguises. It’d be awkward. Just protect Joo Wolah from the shadows.”
Even if we dressed her in loose clothes, her Western-like figure made disguise difficult.
Ilhong, on the other hand, had a slim build—stuff some padding in, and she could pass as a man.
Though she might not agree.
“Captain, your gaze is kind of irritating…”
“You’re imagining things.”
It seemed she caught me comparing them. I quickly withdrew my gaze and stepped outside.
“Then shall we cast the fishing rod?”
Thud, thud.
Dressed in flashy attire, we arrived at the bustling district and boldly knocked on the main gate of Heavenly Flower Pavilion.
“Attend us!”
We entered as carefree nobles with no worries about money.
The doors opened wide, revealing a garden of women.
When I was young, my dream was to be a rich bum.
A life free from labor, living in abundance—it thrilled me just imagining it.
But a bum, by definition, didn’t work. And if you didn’t work, you couldn’t have money. A structural contradiction.
So my second wish was to have rich parents. But as an orphan, that was nothing more than a luxury fantasy.
“Attend us! Heroes from Sichuan have arrived—bring tea and women!”
And yet today, as I strode into the pavilion in golden silk robes, those two impossible dreams were fulfilled at once—albeit in disguise.
“Hurry and attend Young Master Gold and me, Young Master Silver! What are you standing around for?!”
Ilhong chimed in arrogantly.
As people stared in confusion, Pavilion Master Okryeong welcomed us with great fanfare.
“Young Master Gold, Young Master Silver. We’ve been expecting you. Shall I escort you to the VIP room?”
Even the proud Okryeong personally attending us made everyone whisper.
“Who are they?”
“They look like they were raised in luxury.”
“They said they’re from Sichuan—there are plenty of rich men there.”
Waving a fan, we walked confidently.
“Shall I bring out all the finest silks in storage, Young Master Gold?”
“Hmm. I came to see a famed courtesan, not to dull my mind with alcohol.”
Thanks to Hwang Geolgae serving as a cautionary example, I’d been avoiding alcohol.
“And which courtesan would you like today?”
I pointed directly at Joo Wolah.
“Why do you think I came all this way? Of course—to see Flower Shadow Falling Star, Joo Wolah!”
Her nickname referred to beauty like falling flower shadows under starlight.
“But her price—”
“Hah! How expensive could a mere courtesan be?”
I tossed a stack of banknotes.
“I’ll pay for several weeks in advance. Bring me Beijing’s finest!”
Okryeong widened her eyes theatrically.
“Of course. Wolah, come attend our honored guests.”
Joo Wolah stepped forward.
Her crimson skirt swayed, her eyes shimmered like moonlight, and her smile was enchanting.
“Wow…”
“Indeed.”
Everyone gasped.
And jealousy followed.
Two unknown nobles monopolizing Joo Wolah for weeks.
“Nice to meet you. I am Joo Wolah.”
“Hmph. You’re decent. Come here and serve me!”
I grabbed her wrist and pulled her.
Though she acted reluctant, her lips twitched with amusement.
Apparently, being dragged by me was more entertaining than worrying about the stalker.
“Since I’ve paid a fortune for your time, you’d better satisfy me properly!”
She lowered her head—clearly trying not to laugh.
I smirked and led her to the prepared room.
The VIP room of Heavenly Flower Pavilion was extravagantly luxurious.
Gold and jewels glittered everywhere.
There, Joo Wolah sang.
Her voice—clear and flowing—captured both my ears and gaze.
Even the other guests must have been listening, filled with envy.
“Did you enjoy my song, Young Master?”
She boldly rested my head on her lap.
“…It was like a voice echoing through a valley. Truly impressive.”
She smiled warmly.
“Then… is my lap comfortable as well?”
“…You don’t have to go this far.”
“Oh my, I’m simply doing my duty.”
But I knew she usually refused physical contact.
“Did you dislike it…?”
“…No! I like it—it’s just… ahem.”
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
“A hero who saves a woman deserves a reward.”
She gently placed my head back.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for you to come.”
For years, even.
Unlike other men, I had never come just for her.
And that was new for her.
‘I was the one longing?’
She had watched me grow, solving problems across Beijing, rising to Transcendence.
Other women began to notice me too.
‘I saw him first…’
So she devised this request.
Even the “animal ears” stalker story—partly fabricated.
Just to draw me here.
“Try this—Heavenly Flower Pavilion’s sweets are delicious.”
“…I can feed myself.”
She smiled at my awkwardness.