***
After the raucous day had passed, I woke up in bed just the same. Yesterday was a day that was good if you called it good, and bad if you called it bad.
The money for the noodles was saved, and on top of that, I had even obtained a money pouch full of coins, so for a penniless household, it was a good day.
However, getting caught up in an incident made it a slightly bad day.
I rose from my spot and shook my head, trying hard to shake off the gloomy thoughts.
Rising up, the interior of the small hut greeted me. It had already been three months, yet it was still a sight I had yet to grow accustomed to.
I had only come to my senses in this place three months ago. Past life, reincarnation, possession.
I had expected such things, but what was revealed was that I had come to this world called the Central Plains in the very same body I had before.
Having fallen here with nothing but the clothes on my back and the belongings I carried, I had to go through the process of adapting from scratch.
To be honest, I still hadn't adapted. I had merely sold a few of my possessions to survive, and with that money, I had bought a hut and some clothes, nothing more.
And with the remaining money, I was barely getting by eating one meal of plain noodles a day, simply living like this.
So how could yesterday not have been a lucky day? I had saved on meal money and even obtained a money pouch full of coins.
Though it was a day when I saw someone dying. Well.
Of course, that person.
'They should have survived...'
Though I don't know what became of them.
What I had done right then was first aid. What happened after was anyone's guess. Still, it was true that I felt uneasy for some reason.
In the modern world I was from, methanol poisoning wasn't life-threatening if treated properly.
But isn't this place different?
"Ah. They probably survived."
Still, I decided to try thinking positively. This was also a place where people lived, and there were many things in the modern world that couldn't be explained.
From what I had heard while traveling here and there over three months, this was a world where martial arts existed—flying through the sky and shattering rocks with one's hands.
If that was the case, they could probably cure something like methanol poisoning. I decided to believe that.
"Should I have a drink or something. Then, the first drink?"
Looking at my plumpened pocket, I suddenly thought of alcohol. It had been a full three months of abstinence since coming here.
Because my circumstances made it impossible to even consider drinking.
Just as that happy imagination was reaching its peak, from outside the not-at-all-soundproofed hut came the sound of approaching footsteps.
Though there were houses nearby, I had no visitors, so I cautiously peered outside with a hint of wariness.
Because this was an era where barbarism and romance coexisted.
"Is Lord I Jeong-hwan present?"
However, contrary to such suspicions, a rather polite tone came from outside.
Reassured by the voice that sounded elderly, I opened the door.
- Clack!
At the scene visible beyond the opened door, I couldn't help but stand frozen in place.
"W-who might you be?"
Because outside the door stood an old man dressed in luxurious silk and more than ten martial artists led by him.
All of them were wearing swords.
"Lord I Jeong-hwan. No, the term 'young master' seems more fitting. Are you the person in question?"
"Y-yes, I am, but why...?"
The cold aura emanating from the martial artists washed over me even more strongly this time.
The old man slightly adjusted his expression.
"I am Gong Seok-yong, the steward of Seokga Manor. I have come bearing orders to escort Young Lord I Jeong-hwan to Seokga Manor."
He conveyed this in a heavy voice. It was a tone that made cold sweat flow naturally.
***
"It's vast."
Around a quiet afternoon.
The impression I felt while passing through the courtyard of the luxurious manor was that it was extremely large.
The manor's walls embraced the mountain as they curved greatly, and beyond the walls there was even a large lake.
The number of buildings filling the inside was countless, and their splendor was difficult to describe with words.
To think I'd feel the wealth gap even here. It seemed not so different from where I used to live.
At first, since they had come suddenly saying they would escort me to Seokga Manor with such momentum, I thought it was a kidnapping, confinement, assault, torture, or the like.
The typical scenario where Seokga Manor made fake liquor or whatever, I exposed it, and in the end, for the crime of knowing the truth, they'd quietly snap my neck!
Let me say it again—this is an era where romance and barbarism coexist. It's not an impossible story.
However, this misunderstanding could be quickly cleared up after boarding the carriage they had prepared.
The old man who had emitted a fearsome aura, seeing me dripping with cold sweat, quickly withdrew it, and even mentioned that he had come straight from work(?), so his energy was still sharp.
I didn't know what kind of work it was, but it was an incomparably savage thing to say.
Even after arriving at the manor, there was nothing restraining me. Just being told to wait, and being served some food and tea?
This was clearly not kindness shown to someone you were going to torture, kidnap, confine, or assault.
While circling the endless surroundings of the manor along the walls with such relief.
"Have you come out for a stroll?"
An unfamiliar voice made me stop in my tracks. It came from behind.
When I turned my head, there was a well-built man for whom a red long robe suited well, stroking his beard.
'His height...'
He was tall. Well-built with broad shoulders, an impressionable middle-aged man whose height alone exuded an air of nobility.
Inevitably, I could tell that this man was the highest-ranking person here.
"Are you... the Lord of the Manor?"
"Do you know me?"
"For some reason, I had a feeling you might be."
"Hehe. You have an eye for people. That's right. I am the Lord of this Seokga Manor, Seok Du-won."
As expected. My prediction wasn't wrong. A person walking freely around the manor and exuding luxury.
The Lord of a place called Seokga Manor was exactly as I had imagined.
Though it had only been three months since I came here, I didn't not know of Seokga Manor.
No, even someone who had been in Hangzhou for just a day couldn't not know of it.
The words by which the world referred to Seokga Manor.
Were none other than 'The First Family of Hangzhou.'
Such is the region of Hangzhou. A region where there are more people who come and go taking profits than forces that occupy and stay in one area.
Waterways through the river and sea routes toward the ocean. And also the merchant roads passing through the official roads. The place that firmly planted itself in Hangzhou, where all these pass through, and grew its power is Seokga Manor.
Seokga Manor handles many businesses besides brewing. From merchant companies to restaurants, escort agencies, workshops, and even fleets.
Truly, there is no place its feet haven't reached.
"I greet the Lord of the Manor. I am called I Jeong-hwan."
Not too humble, but moderately. And slightly differently from the Central Plains custom.
While I clasped my fists in salute, I bowed at the waist in my own manner, offering my greetings to Seok Du-won.
Seok Du-won, watching that, fortunately made a satisfied expression.
The method was different, but it seemed the etiquette was conveyed.
"So, was the manor worth looking around?"
"The scenery is very good. I am merely grateful for the invitation."
"Hehehe! An invitation! Was it clearly an invitation?"
Seok Du-won laughed heartily at the word 'invitation.' My impulsive words, spoken with a 'what if it wasn't' mindset, made him laugh.
"That's right. It is an invitation, yes. Nothing but an invitation."
"Has yesterday's matter been resolved well?"
"What do you mean by 'matter'? The collapsed man? Or the illegal liquor?"
Seok Du-won continued to make a playful expression. Having dealt with people for a long time, I knew the reason for making such an expression.
That was the expression of someone gauging their opponent.
"The person, of course."
I gave the answer with sincerity. This was not to deceive anyone, but my true heart.
At least, if it were another matter, who knows? But before alcohol, my belief is that people must not be hurt above all.
"Hehe. Indeed. People first. As for the one who collapsed, he is safe. The physician sent that day is our Seokga Manor's physician. I don't know about the whole Central Plains, but he is called the best in Hangzhou."
"Did you send him personally?"
"Indeed."
"How did you know so quickly? I only told them to call a physician..."
"Nothing happens on the streets of Hangzhou without Seokga Manor hearing of it. Of course, if one tries hard to hide it, we might not know."
It was a matter involving Seokga Manor's liquor, yet they immediately sent martial artists and a physician.
This meant they noticed it immediately after the commotion. While saying 'if one tries hard to hide it,' he looked at me meaningfully.
"So, is that all you're curious about?"
"I am also curious about the illegal liquor incident."
"Hmm. Yes. That incident. The reason I brought you here is precisely that."
Seok Du-won, changing the subject, opened his eyes slightly heavier and began to gaze into my eyes.
This was not gauging, but looking inside. A feeling as if my lips would completely dry up enveloped my whole body.
"I heard you recognized the illegal liquor at once. Is it true?"
It wasn't an interrogation. Just words flying heavily. He seemed to have already finished investigating, and looked like he knew I wasn't involved.
Still, an attitude wanting to confirm once more.
"Yes."
Once again, I chose a frontal breakthrough. I also lacked the talent to fabricate lies well.
"How?"
"I used to work in matters related to liquor. Therefore, I could recognize the faint scent that fake liquor gives off."
"Do you mean you worked at a brewery?"
"Of course, I had learned work at a brewery, but it wasn't my trade."
"Then did you work at a distillery that specialized in brewing hard liquor?"
"I learned that as well... but it wasn't my main occupation."
Questions came out several times, but I couldn't answer clearly. The reason was simple.
Because the profession I had been in was difficult to explain in the words of this place.
Related to liquor, and moreover, lived crazed for liquor. My profession in the modern world was none other than a bartender.
'How do I...'
explain this? Seok Du-won, tilting his head repeatedly, gave no room to evade the answer.
In the midst of brief contemplation, a word I had strived to recall barely escaped my mouth.
"It was a profession called Jojusa."
The word I recalled at this moment was the name Jojusa. This was taken from a kind of bartending certification, but it wasn't exactly a commonly used term.
A certification wasn't necessarily required either.
"A Jojusa?"
"It is a profession that makes alcohol more delicious and bestows a rich experience upon those who drink it."
"Hoo. You mean such an occupation exists? I have never heard of it in my life."
"It is probably a profession not yet present in the lands of the Central Plains here."
"Then, you must be saying you are from a place other than here."
"...Yes."
One mountain crossed, only to face the next. This time, talk of origins again.
The story I had prepared, brushing past all manner of people over three months, I rattled off smoothly.
"I accumulated experience while working in the Wa Kingdom and the Western Regions. In the Wa Kingdom as a Jojusa, and in the Western Regions, I learned about brewing and distillation."
Fortunately, the smooth talk worked. Because Seok Du-won's eyes immediately loosened upon hearing the answer.
Since it was still a time when traveling overseas was difficult, verification would be hard.
Of course, there were falsehoods mixed in, but it wasn't a complete lie.
I had actually started as a bartender in Japan, and while traveling through the West—that is, Europe—I had accumulated knowledge at distilleries and breweries as well.
It was false, but not a complete falsehood.
"Hehe. So that was it. No wonder things were resolved so remarkably. An expert who had worked in foreign lands. That's why even when we looked into your background, nothing came out. Yes. So that's why."
Seok Du-won now made a pleased expression, as if the last problem that had been tormenting his mind was solved.
An unknown fellow had appeared and solved the problem that had been plaguing Seokga Manor.
However, Seokga Manor knew nothing about him. Just that fact alone must have caused various thoughts to cross the mind of Seok Du-won, the Lord of the Manor.
I simply rode along with his words and nodded. He now completely relaxed his expression and began to look at me with amicable eyes.
As if this had been the attitude with which he had intended to treat me from the start.
"If you had not stepped forward and revealed it was illegal liquor, Seokga Manor would have ended up bearing the infamy of selling poisoned liquor. Moreover, thanks to you, we were even able to catch the tails of those making the illegal liquor."
"It wasn't something the innkeeper orchestrated alone."
"As you know, making liquor, even fake, is not an easy task. There was an organized movement, apparently. As it happens, they were all dealt with last night. This, too, is thanks to you."
Chilling words came out indifferently. If it was an organization, it meant quite a large scale.
Seokga Manor had swept them all away overnight. And this quickly, even though they had only caught one low-level member.
"Hehehe. Anyway, our Seokga Manor owes you a great debt. There were indeed some questionable points, but my true intention was to express my gratitude, which is why I brought you here. However, the questions are all resolved here as well. I, old man Seok, on behalf of Seokga Manor, express deep gratitude to Young Lord I Jeong-hwan."
Seok Du-won, now saying he understood everything, politely clasped his fists and bowed his head to me.
It was an appearance that seemed to contain sincerity itself, absolutely not a greeting made for show.
"It was a chance occurrence. Thank you for the excessive hospitality. I never imagined I would get to visit such a splendid manor."
"Is that so? Is it decent even compared to the Wa Kingdom or the Western Regions?"
"I have never seen a manor of this scale."
Just as I spat out another lie that wasn't quite a lie, Seok Du-won stroked his beard satisfactorily, making an expression as if he had been waiting for these words.
His appearance, even nodding, looked like he was coveting something. He observed my reaction for a moment, then spoke as if he had prepared it.
"If it looks so good to you, how about it? How about staying here at Seokga Manor?"