Chapter 19: Shadows in the Tavern
That night, the Crown Prince, Pung, Woon, and Chae-woo arrived at a river port tavern.
The air was thick with the scent of roasted meat and cheap alcohol.
Taking seats at a quiet corner table, they sipped rice wine while keeping their eyes on the room.
“Where is this person you spoke of?” the Crown Prince asked, leaning in.
“Calm down, Your Highness,” Woon reassured him, taking a long drink.
“Just wait. He will show up very soon.”
“How can you be so sure he’ll return?” Chae-woo asked, looking around the noisy tavern.
Woon smirked.
“Have you ever met a gambling addict? They always come snooping back.”
The Crown Prince frowned, glancing at the rough patrons nearby.
“Are you saying this tavern is a gambling den?”
“Yeah,” Woon replied nonchalantly.
“What’s wrong, Your Highness? Have you never been to one?”
Pung cleared his throat softly.
“A crown prince should not be found in such a place.”
Before the Prince could respond, the front doors swung open.
A man accompanied by two companions rushed in, heading straight for a side table.
The tavern keeper immediately brought out a set of Tujeon cards.
As the men began their game, the Crown Prince turned back to Woon.
“When is the—”
“Shh,” Woon interrupted, holding up a finger.
“It’s my turn.”
Woon pushed off his seat and strolled casually over to the card table.
“Aigo! Hello, Mr. Park! It is good to see you.”
The man looked up, and his face instantly twisted in irritation.
“Woon! What do you want from me this time?”
“Calm down,” Woon chuckled, clapping a hand on the man’s shoulder as the Prince, Pung, and Chae-woo approached.
“Are we not old friends?”
“Friends?!” Mr.
Park spat, pointing directly at his mouth.
“Look at my teeth! I lost this one when you punched me! And I lost this other one after helping you in Gaeseong against the Song-sang merchant network—only for you to abandon me to the border patrol!”
“It was all a misunderstanding,” Woon said breezily.
“Don’t hold a grudge.”
“Why, you little chestnut!” Mr.
Park barked, leaning forward.
“I was born in the year of the Water Tiger—that makes me far older than you! How dare you look down on your elders!”
The Crown Prince stepped forward, cutting through the noise.
“Spare us the petty banter. Tell me… are you involved in illegal smuggling?”
Mr.
Park glared at the Prince. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
“And who is this mountain rabbit?”
Woon burst into laughter as Mr.
Park yelled, “Who do you think you are?!”
“Do you know who I am?” the Crown Prince asked, narrowing his eyes.
“No, I don’t,” Mr.
Park scoffed, staring closely at the Prince’s face.
“Though you do look familiar… like a face I’ve seen floating in my dung!”
Mr.
Park’s companions erupted into laughter.
The Prince flushed with anger and opened his mouth to speak, but Woon quickly stepped in front of him.
“Mr.
Park,” Woon asked smoothly, “do you know any way I can get my hands on smuggled weapons?”
“Why? So I can get another tooth knocked out? I’m not interested,” Mr.
Park replied, turning back to his cards.
“Trust me,” Woon urged.
“It will be worth your trouble.”
“My trouble costs a lot these days,” Mr.
Park grumbled.
He looked Woon up and down.
“You know me well, Woon. Will you buy me a fine residence in Hanyang?”
“Is that what you want?” the Crown Prince interjected.
Mr.
Park sneered.
“What if it is?”
“Then I will get it for you,” the Prince said firmly.
“If your information is reliable.”
Mr.
Park scoffed, laughing off the offer—until the Crown Prince reached into his pouch, pulled out a thick ingot of ten taels of silver, and placed it on the table.
Mr.
Park’s jaw dropped.
The laughter died in his throat.
He immediately scrambled out of his seat and bowed deeply.
“Forgive me, Nari! Please pardon my rude words from earlier!”
“Do not ask questions,” the Crown Prince stated coolly, pulling his hand back.
“Understood, Nari,” Mr.
Park replied nervously, stashing the silver.
“How do we get what we need?” Woon pressed.
“I do not handle smuggling myself,” Mr.
Park whispered, leaning in close.
“But I know an official who oversees the port docks. He works with a ring of corrupt officers who handle smuggled gold, maps, and military equipment.” The source of this chapter is g.com.
“When can we meet this official?” Woon asked.
“At Myeong-wol-gwan—the House of the Bright Moon,” Mr.
Park answered.
“You mean a gisaeng house?” Chae-woo asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes, Nari,” Mr.
Park nodded.
“He frequents the establishment.”
“Can we go tonight?” the Crown Prince asked.
“No, Nari,” Mr.
Park warned softly.
“He is extremely cautious about strangers. If word leaks out, it will mean all our heads. Please keep this strictly between us.”
“Of course,” the Prince agreed.
“Meet me tomorrow at the gisaeng house during the Hour of the Dog,” Mr.
Park suggested.
“I will handle the introduction.”
“Very well,” Woon replied.
He patted Mr.
Park’s belly.
“By the way, you’re getting fat these days. What has your wife been feeding you?”
“Just vegetables, Nari,” Mr.
Park answered with a sudden, timid smile.
As they bade him goodnight and turned to leave, Mr.
Park pulled Woon aside by his sleeve.
“Tell the young master to come heavy tomorrow,” Mr.
Park whispered urgently.
“It will take a massive bribe to open that officer’s mouth.”
“I’ll let him know,” Woon nodded.
The four men left the tavern and began escorting the Crown Prince back toward the palace.
“What did he pull you aside to say?” the Prince asked, looking over at Woon.
“He said Your Highness should be prepared to spend heavily on bribes tomorrow,” Woon replied casually.
As they walked down the quiet, torchlit alleyways, Pung slowed his pace, falling into step beside Woon.
“How did you get that scar on your neck?” Pung asked quietly.
Woon glanced at him sideways.
“Why? Thinking of getting one yourself? I grew up as a mountain tiger hunter—scars and injuries come with the territory.”
Chae-woo leaned over from the other side.
“How do you even know a man like Mr. Park?”
Woon looked ahead into the dark street, a faint smirking expression on his face.
“I had a life before I met you guys, you know.”
Silence settled over them as they disappeared into the night.