Chapter 129 : House Specialty

The guest room of Seong-un Inn.Jin Seong-un and Won Gi-sang, the Branch Leader of Wuhanzhuang, sat facing each other across a low table.

For a moment, an awkward air flowed through the room.

Letting out a small sigh, Jin Seong-un asked Won Gi-sang, who was deliberately feigning nonchalance.

“Did a problem arise?”

“Haha, not exactly a problem……”

On the surface, Won Gi-sang forced a smile, even though inside he was burning with unease. Of course, the smile appeared rather awkward.

He suddenly lifted a small box that had been placed beneath the table.

“It’s nothing much……”

What he took out was a liquor bottle. Delicate pink flower petals were elegantly engraved on the porcelain.

Just taking the bottle out of the box filled the room with a faint floral fragrance.

Won Gi-sang continued speaking.

“A small gift. I am grateful that you have trusted our Wuhanzhuang Yichang Branch until

now.”

“……”

“It is called Ten-Year Aged Huadiao Wine. Brewed in Zhejiang Province and aged for ten full years……”

He went on at length describing the Huadiao Wine.

Contrary to his modest words, it was one of the finest liquors supplied directly to the imperial court—an even higher grade than Yangha Daegu, which was sold at Seong-un Inn.

After receiving the wine, Jin Seong-un gazed silently at the bottle for a while. Won Gi-sang went on.

“From now on, it will likely be difficult for our bank to manage Seong-un Inn’s funds. Naturally, I hold no dissatisfaction toward you, Jin Daehyeop. It is simply due to internal circumstances……”

“Is it because of Myriad Gold Manor?”

At the mention of Myriad Gold Manor’s name, Won Gi-sang held his breath. After gauging Jin Seong-un’s reaction for a moment, he sighed softly.

“I have heard about what occurred at the Merchant Festival. To speak frankly, what you did was truly admirable. But regardless of my personal thoughts, the higher-ups seem wary of Myriad Gold Manor’s influence.”

Won Gi-sang was being completely honest.

Normally, his personality would have led him to offer some excuse or diversion.

But now, he did not wish to do so.

‘What fault does Jin Daehyeop have in this?’

If anything, he felt resentment toward those higher-ups who issued such unjust orders.

Though Won Gi-sang belonged to Wuhanzhuang, he was still a man who had lived in Yichang for a long time.

He had closely observed and heard of Jin Seong-un’s character and deeds.

The same applied to the incident at the Merchant Festival. Chairman Oh was said to have declared in front of everyone, “That bastard deserved to die well.”

Won Gi-sang’s own thoughts were much the same. Those who schemed with unjust methods were the ones corrupting and defiling the merchant world.

“Haah, but I too have a family to protect, and things I have built up over a lifetime. Frankly…… when the higher-ups give an order, I have little choice but to follow.”

Jin Seong-un nodded.

He felt no hostility toward Won Gi-sang.

After all, Wuhanzhuang was not the only bank in existence.

He was simply curious.

“Was it the will of Myriad Gold Manor?”

“Unlikely. But given that they receive Myriad Gold Manor’s funds, they probably wished to anticipate matters. I expect the elders of Wuhanzhuang made this decision on their own.”

“I see.”

“Of course, I cannot say for certain. I am merely a branch leader. I cannot fully know what transpires at the main office.”

Jin Seong-un nodded slowly.

With a sighing voice, Won Gi-sang said,

“In any case, that is how it has come to be. Truly regrettable……”

The one who felt most pained at heart was Won Gi-sang himself.

After all, Jin Seong-un had been by far the largest client of his branch.

If Jin Seong-un’s funds were withdrawn completely, the scale of the branch itself would shrink drastically.

Swallowing his grief, Won Gi-sang rose to his feet.

“Thank you for the trust you have given me until now. In any case, since we live and work in the same town, I will be sure to drop by now and then.”

With that, Won Gi-sang departed.

Watching his retreating figure, Jin Seong-un smacked his lips.

‘I’ll have to find a new bank.’

He couldn’t very well bury all that money in his backyard.

As he thought this, Won Gi-sang suddenly stopped mid-step, turned back, and said,

“How about going independent? With the money Jin Daehyeop earns, founding a modest-sized bank of your own would be more than feasible……”

“……”

“Haha, no, that would be a bit too much, wouldn’t it?”

Smiling awkwardly, Won Gi-sang finally left for good.

Until he found a new bank, Jin Seong-un decided to entrust his funds to the Jingzhou Merchants’ Association.

He had heard that they too had recently severed ties with Wuhanzhuang.

That matter was set aside for now, and several days passed.

As always, the inn was full of guests, with Seomun Ak and Jang Gwang busily rushing about as if competing with each other.

While their peaceful yet bustling daily routine continued, a man entered the inn.

Jin Seong-un recognized him immediately and said,

“What brings the Escort Agency Master here?”

It was Bang Man-bok, the master of Red Cliff Escort Agency.

A man whose escort party had nearly been annihilated by Song Jae-mun’s schemes.

Bang Man-bok chuckled warmly.

“What else? Naturally, I came to thank the Innkeeper.”

By a twist of fate, thanks to Jin Seong-un killing the Chief Escort Captain, Bang Man-bok’s escort agency had survived.

Had Song Jae-mun’s plan succeeded and the escort failed, the grand upcoming escort to the Western Regions next month would have been ruined as well.

For Red Cliff Escort Agency, Jin Seong-un was nothing less than a benefactor of the highest order.

“Have you eaten yet?”

“I hear the cuisine of Seong-un Inn is truly excellent. Since I came all the way here, of course

I must try it.”

Nodding, Jin Seong-un guided Bang Man-bok to a seat before asking,

“What would you like prepared?”

“Well now, what is this inn’s house specialty?”

House Specialty.

In other words, the dish that represented the establishment.

Almost every notable inn or tavern had its own house specialty.

But Jin Seong-un faltered.

Come to think of it, his inn didn’t really have a dish that could be called such.

“Well, Yangha Daegu is quite renowned, and truthfully, whichever dish you order here could be called our specialty.”

He managed to respond smoothly, but Bang Man-bok had already noticed that the inn lacked an official house specialty.

Still, he had no wish to make Jin Seong-un uncomfortable, so he deftly changed the subject.

“Then I’ll have a bottle of Yangha Daegu and two of your finer dishes.”

Nodding, Jin Seong-un relayed the order to the kitchen.

As soon as the wine and food were served, Bang Man-bok suggested they drink together.

Jin Seong-un briefly glanced around the inn. Since Jang Gwang and Seomun Ak were working so diligently, he had little else to do.

Even so, he could not drink too much while managing the inn.

“I will only have one glass.”

“Haha, I’ve no intention of forcing you.”

Bang Man-bok found such behavior pleasing. A young man, despite early success, still sought to hold fast to his principles—it was a sight he found admirable.

Especially since that very man was the benefactor of Red Cliff Escort Agency.

Filling Jin Seong-un’s cup, Bang Man-bok continued lightly.

“Judging by Song Jae-mun’s methods, there must surely be spies within Red Cliff Escort Agency. We are searching thoroughly, so the truth should come to light soon.”

“Is that so.”

Jin Seong-un nodded.

The two of them raised their cups together.

As Bang Man-bok savored the sweet taste of Yangha Daegu, he spoke again.

“I too have two sons about your age. When the opportunity arises, I would like to introduce you. Especially the younger one—he is very intelligent and kind. He will inherit the escort agency one day.”

Jin Seong-un found it a little unusual. Typically, the eldest son inherited the family business.

Noticing his thoughts, Bang Man-bok gave a bitter smile.

“The eldest is…… well, he is a good-natured child.”

“Ah.”

Merely thinking of it, Bang Man-bok drank down two cups in succession, as if his heart grew heavy.

“He simply enjoys leisure too much. To put it kindly, he knows how to enjoy refined pleasures; to put it bluntly, he is a complete idler.”

“Raising children is always a difficult task.”

Saying so, Jin Seong-un simultaneously thought of Seomun Ak and Sima Hwi. Both the Head of the Seomun Clan and Chief Strategist Sima Baek were outstanding individuals.

And yet, no one could predict how their children would grow.

“Ahem!!”

Seomun Ak passed by with an exaggerated cough.

Bang Man-bok had already learned much about Seong-un Inn. Naturally, he also knew that the inn’s waiter was in fact the Seomun Clan’s wayward young master.

So he said,

“Of course, one never knows with people. The eldest might suddenly come to his senses and show great talent. Rare though it is, such things are not unheard of.”

At last, Seomun Ak showed a satisfied expression.

Jin Seong-un and Bang Man-bok exchanged nods.

Then Bang Man-bok spoke.

“Well then, enough talk of recent affairs. The true reason I traveled here was to repay you.”

Bang Man-bok grinned.

His smile brimmed with confidence.

Jin Seong-un, a little embarrassed, said,

“In truth, I hadn’t intended to aid Red Cliff Escort Agency. The outcome merely happened that way.”

“You saved Red Cliff Escort Agency. You prevented our escort party’s massacre, and eliminated the scheming Song Jae-mun. Regardless of the cause, the result is clear—how could I, as a merchant, remain silent?”

Bang Man-bok glanced subtly around the inn before continuing.

“I wrestled with the question for some time. Repayment should always be something the other desires……”

His gaze fixed on Jin Seong-un.

“And yet, what could you possibly want? Handsome, young, highly skilled in martial arts, prosperous in business—what more could you need?”

“Ahem.”

Jin Seong-un coughed awkwardly, embarrassed.

Bang Man-bok, regarding him with the eyes of a father teasing his son, went on.

“After much thought, I realized there is one gift only Red Cliff Escort Agency can give you. Now that I’ve come here in person, I am all the more certain.”

Bang Man-bok suddenly produced a small wooden case, sealed tight with wax.

“This.”

“An elixir?”

Precious elixirs were often stored this way to prevent their essence from leaking.

Bang Man-bok smiled.

“Almost on the level of an elixir.”

He peeled away the wax layer by layer. As soon as the case opened, a powerful fragrance filled the inn.

Considering the air was already heavy with the scents of alcohol and food, it was an extraordinarily strong aroma.

Peering inside, Jin Seong-un said,

“A mushroom?”

“Not just any mushroom. Have you ever heard of Bamboo-Shadow Mushroom?”

Bamboo-Shadow Mushroom, said to grow only in the shade of bamboo.

Jin Seong-un shook his head. He thought he knew every ingredient after years of running an inn, but this one he had never heard of.

Bang Man-bok grinned.

“No wonder. Only Red Cliff Escort Agency can harvest it, and it has always been supplied solely to the imperial palace.”

Bang Man-bok continued proudly.

“It surpasses pine mushrooms, lingzhi, or shiitake. No ingredient can compare to the Bamboo-Shadow Mushroom.”

Jin Seong-un gazed at it with fresh awe. Roughly finger-length and plump, it gleamed with a subtle luster like white jade.

Its fragrance was so enticing and strong that everyone in the inn stole glances toward it.

“From today, the house specialty of Seong-un Inn will be a dish made with Bamboo-Shadow Mushroom. Red Cliff Escort Agency will supply this mushroom exclusively to your inn.”

Lowering his voice, Bang Man-bok added,

“There are three ways to eat Bamboo-Shadow Mushroom. First, be born into the bloodline of Red Cliff Escort Agency. Second, be a guest at Seong-un Inn. Third, become the emperor.”

The last jest was whispered almost under his breath. He wished to boast of the mushroom’s prestige but dared not speak too boldly.

“Is this truly all right?”

“Who am I? Naturally, I have already made every arrangement.”

Originally, the mushroom was supplied only to the palace.

Delivering it to a mere inn could risk displeasure from the court.

So Bang Man-bok had devised a simple trick—grading the mushrooms, sending only the very best to the imperial household.

In truth, the difference was minimal, imperceptible even to connoisseurs.

But with that arrangement, the palace still held the pretext of receiving the rarest delicacies.

Jin Seong-un was quietly impressed.

Once again, Bang Man-bok proved himself a seasoned merchant who had managed a vast escort agency for a lifetime.

Then Bang Man-bok said,

“Each month, I’ll send Bamboo-Shadow Mushrooms to Seong-un Inn. Consider well how to prepare them. If your chef’s skills are exceptional, the name of Seong-un Inn will spread throughout the land.”

His tone brimmed with conviction. Truly, no ingredient could rival the Bamboo-Shadow Mushroom.

Jin Seong-un also nodded. He hadn’t even tasted it yet, but from the aroma alone, he understood Bang Man-bok’s confidence.

The question was the cooking method.

The rarer the ingredient, the more it required the most fitting preparation.

Especially when fragrance was key—even the slightest variation in method could yield completely different results.

Jin Seong-un turned his head.

Seo Yu-gyeom and Han Seong-chun, drawn by the aroma of the Bamboo-Shadow Mushroom, were already standing at the kitchen entrance, eyes shining toward him.

Seeing the similarity in their gazes, he thought to himself that Seo Yu-gyeom had truly become a chef in his own right.