The World's Greatest Troublemaker

Chapter 40

"It's truly splendid."

Dan Bulseok looked around and admired it repeatedly. Because he could see what the pinnacle of elegance and splendor was.

In fact, even on the way here, his eyes had widened at the splendid scenery. As it was a famous bustling street even in Chang'an, splendid buildings stood in a row. Not to mention that it was as bright as day even though it was night.

A brilliant landscape. Dan Bulseok felt as if he had come to another world. But the inside of Yesowon was on a different level from what he had seen so far.

"What are you so surprised about? You said you've been to Chang'an many times before."

"I've been to Chang'an often, but how could I come to a high-class brothel like this?"

A brothel, meaning a tavern with female entertainers. A brothel is not simply a place to drink recklessly. It was a place where various people interacted and strengthened their bonds.

"Especially, isn't Yesowon the best even in Chang'an? I can't come because it's expensive."

Yesowon, which was considered the best in Chang'an, had an enormous price. Yesowon was divided into an outer court and an inner court, and even for the outer court, one had to pay the price of one sack of rice per person. And that was the minimum amount.

One sack of rice was a month's earnings for an ordinary person. So even for a person with quite a bit of leeway, Yesowon was a burdensome place to frequent. But even such a Yesowon was crowded with people.

"Where did all these people get their money?"

"Don't they say that the more chaotic the world is, the better these places do?"

An anxious world where one doesn't know when they will die. People flocking to forget that anxiety. This was the reality now.

But the meeting place was not here. The inner court, where the essence of Yesowon was said to be gathered. He was supposed to meet Yi Jeonggi there.

"It seems to be over there, Young Master."

Looking at the place Captain Dan pointed to, a splendid gate could be seen. And also two sturdy warriors guarding it.

They say the real Yesowon is the inner court. You have to pay a price of at least twenty sacks to enter the inner court. Since one sack was about a month's earnings, it was almost two years' earnings.

Besides, you can't just enter by paying money. They are selective about their customers. If Yesowon judges that you are not qualified to enter the inner court, they refuse entry.

"How may I help you?"

When they arrived at the gate, a gatekeeper blocked their path and asked. At that, Dan Bulseok stepped forward and said.

"We have an appointment."

"Under what name is the appointment?"

"It is Young Master Mok Wigun of the Mok family."

The gatekeeper looked at Dan Bulseok as if it were strange.

"There is no one with that name on the reservation list."

Dan Bulseok was a little flustered at the unexpected answer. He had been told that there was an appointment here, but to say that he was not on the reservation list.

"We have an appointment with the great merchant Yi Jeonggi."

"Those who are not on the reservation list cannot enter."

The gatekeeper blocked their path. Dan Bulseok was troubled and looked at Mok Wigun.

"We have an appointment, but we're not on the reservation list?"

There's no way Yi Jeonggi's side would have given the wrong information. It's not like there's another Yesowon, and for such an important meeting, how could they make such a mistake?

In that case, it's right that they are meeting here, but there must be something they weren't told. But it's not Mok Wigun's way to call someone, ask, and figure out the reason.

"Move it."

At Mok Wigun's words, Dan Bulseok nodded. And he moved forward.

"Step back."

Two gatekeepers blocked Dan Bulseok. With their sturdy builds and sharp eyes, they looked quite skilled.

All sorts of people come to a place like this. Among them, there are also martial artists. Yesowon also hires considerable masters to prepare. Moreover, the inner court guards are carefully selected from among the most skilled. But.

"Heup!"

Dan Bulseok grabbed both of their hands, lightly pulled them, twisted, and then pushed them away. At that, both of them tumbled. Both of the fallen had flustered expressions. They didn't even know how they had been beaten. It was only natural for them to have such faces since they had just collapsed with an 'uh'.

Now the front of the gate was empty.

"Let's go in."

Mok Wigun leisurely put his hands behind his back and passed through the inner court gate. At that, a whistle sound was heard from behind. It seemed to be a signal that there was a problem.

As expected, a few people came out from inside right away. They all came running out, holding weapons and showing a murderous aura.

"What? Isn't that Light Wind Unit Captain Dan?"

A person who looked like the leader among them recognized him. Dan Bulseok also seemed to know him and greeted him warmly.

"Leader Han! It's been a really long time."

Dan Bulseok smiled and whispered to Mok Wigun.

"He's someone I've met a few times before. We've also done missions together."

He said that at that time, he was a leader in the Martial Alliance. The man called Leader Han told his people to wait for a moment and then approached.

"So. What brings you here?"

"I've come with the Young Master."

And he told him the situation. He said that there was definitely an appointment, but Young Master Mok Wigun's name was not on the list of reserved people. At that, Leader Han asked.

"Did you perhaps say his real name?"

Dan Bulseok blinked. An expression that said, 'if not his real name, what should I say?' At that, Leader Han chuckled and told him.

"In the inner court of Yesowon, we don't use real names. Because there are many people who don't want to reveal who they are."

He said that only a few people, including himself, the captain of the guards, knew the real names. The gatekeepers and most of the people working here only knew them by their pseudonyms.

"Well. Who would have known that?"

"Hehe. It seems the other party didn't tell you."

It probably wasn't a simple prank. They must have wanted to see how he would react when they blocked him from entering the inner court.

"Let's see."

Leader Han took something out from his bosom and looked at it.

"Oh. Here it is."

Leader Han told him Mok Wigun's pseudonym.

"The Young Master can be called Heukcheon while you are here."

Heukcheon. Black Sky. The clothes Mok Wigun was wearing were a black martial arts uniform, so it felt like it matched the pseudonym well.

"By the way, I heard you had a big fight as soon as you came today. With the Baek family."

Leader Han said as they walked towards the building.

"It happened during the day, has the rumor already spread?"

"The Baek family was beaten in Chang'an, it would be stranger if people didn't know."

Leader Han seemed very happy, as if he were not on good terms with the Baek family.

"I heard that the Iron Sword Unit leader Hwang Balgeuk couldn't even use his strength and tumbled to the floor, how did you do it?"

"I just got the better of him. It's an exaggeration."

"Nah. How many people saw it? It seems you've learned a new martial art in the meantime."

Leader Han said with a meaningful smile, and this time he looked at Mok Wigun and said.

"I also heard that you gave him a good scolding, Young Master. People are buzzing with stories about you."

The three brothers of the Baek family were very famous in Chang'an. All three of them were skilled in martial arts and had a reputation for having foul tempers. But since they had been so thoroughly disgraced, everyone was gloating.

"What are they saying?"

"I don't know if I should say this..."

"It's fine, so tell me."

Leader Han hesitated and then spoke. 'Madman' was the most polite expression. A real crazy bastard, the troublemaker of the Mok family, and there was one peculiar nickname.

"They call you the Ear-Grabbing Young Master. I heard you were famous for grabbing ears and scolding people when you were over there."

"They've attached all sorts of strange things."

Mok Wigun just spat out those words. Leader Han glanced at him and asked.

"I'm sorry if you were offended."

"What's there to be offended about? It's the truth. And I told you to say it, so why are you so concerned?"

Mok Wigun, who spoke as if it were no big deal. The party arrived in front of the building, and people came out and guided them inside. Before parting, Leader Han whispered to Dan Bulseok.

"You've met a good person. It seems your fortunes are about to turn."

He said that and then went outside. It was to sort out the situation at the gate. Dan Bulseok smiled faintly and quickened his pace to stick to Mok Wigun's side.

"Captain Dan. You seem to have been quite famous in the past."

"Wasn't the Light Wind Unit one of the most famous places in this region? And we were also very active."

Even though many people didn't know Dan Bulseok now, it wasn't like that until 10 years ago. At least in this region, he was one of the quite famous martial artists.

As they were talking like that, they arrived at the reserved room.

"This is the place."

As he was about to go inside, the person who had guided him said quietly.

"A separate room has been prepared for your escort next door."

Dan Bulseok was guided and headed to the next room, and the door opened. Inside, a man with a good physique was sitting. He stood up abruptly and approached Mok Wigun.

"I finally get to see you. I am Yi Jeonggi."

The giant of the Anhui merchant world. It was Yi Jeonggi, who was called the Golden Hand. He was in his mid-50s and had white hair, but a gentle impression. But a sharp energy could be felt in his eyes.

"I am Mok Wigun."

"I'm sorry. My subordinate made a mistake. To think he forgot to tell you that we use pseudonyms. Tsk."

He waved his hand and shook his head.

"Please understand. I will give him a good scolding."

"It's fine. It wasn't a problem. It wasn't very difficult to come inside."

At that, the woman who had guided Mok Wigun here said.

"That's because the Young Master's escort is that great. The security of Yesowon is not lax."

She introduced herself as the person who runs this place. An old woman who runs a brothel is called a 'nobo', but the nobo of Yesowon looked young. She looked to be in her early to mid-30s, so it wasn't normal.

'Did she learn the art of preserving youth?'

But his interest in the peculiar nobo ended there.

"Shall I call the children?"

"Do so."

Soon, female entertainers came in. 'Yegi', who dance, sing, recite poetry, and become conversation partners. There was a reason why they were not called 'gisaeng' but 'yegi', with the character for 'art'.

With excellent singing and dancing, delicious food, and a beautiful beauty to liven up the atmosphere, it really felt like being in heaven. It was understandable why people came here even after paying a lot of money.

"Here. Drink."

Yi Jeonggi kept offering him drinks. He drank a little quickly, and because of that, the liquor bottles were often emptied quickly.

Mok Wigun controlled his internal energy to manage his drunkenness. It was unknown whether Yi Jeonggi was originally a strong drinker or if he was also using his internal energy, but he didn't seem very drunk. Then, when the liquor bottle, of which he didn't even know how many it was, was emptied again, he said to the yegi.

"We need to talk, so you all can leave."

After the yegi said their goodbyes and went outside, Yi Jeonggi's expression changed completely. He placed his clasped hands on the table and said.

"So. You want to sell the merchant guild?"

His gaze was already different. And the aura he exuded was considerable. As expected of a great merchant and a big shot. But to Mok Wigun, such an aura was child's play.

"That's right."

As he said that, he calmly emptied the remaining liquor in his glass into his mouth. At that sight, Yi Jeonggi had an unexpected expression. But the look of interest was only for a very short moment. He continued to ask questions.

"Is there a reason?"

"You don't need to know the story when you're buying something."

"That's true. But I'm curious."

"I'll tell you after the deal is done."

Mok Wigun, who answered nonchalantly. At that sight, Yi Jeonggi unclasped his hands and placed them on the table. And he said with a smile.

"I'll tell you an interesting story. It's related to the Baek family, and I can guarantee it. It's something you would have never even dreamed of."

(End of Chapter)