episode_0043

“Indeed… impressive.”

Although Giryu hadn’t traveled as much as others, he had been to places like this before.

Of course, it was obvious that a third-rate country’s prince would frequent such places.

Despite the supposedly good water, the appearance and figures of the women here were not particularly impressive.

Back in his youth, when he was full of vigor and lacked much experience with women, he would happily indulge in pleasure without much concern for appearances.

But looking back now, he realized how shallow he had been, and a wry smile crept onto his face.

However, this place was different.

Very different indeed.

The quality of the water itself was on a different level.

Just by looking at the women around him, it was clear that they were of a caliber that would have a line of suitors waiting for them in other places.

“This place is completely different, completely.”

Jangil, who was standing beside him, remarked while looking around.

If the water was this good, they could easily make a fortune in just one night.

“I agree. This might be one of Haomun’s main sources of income.”

Bansooun nodded in agreement.

Haomun was a group that consisted of pickpockets, women of pleasure, gamblers, and swindlers.

While they could make decent money selling information, that alone wouldn’t sustain such a large organization.

So, how much could pickpockets make?

Women of pleasure? Swindlers?

Ridiculous.

Gamblers?

Running a gambling den could bring in a lot of money, so perhaps these two groups, along with the women of pleasure, were the ones keeping Haomun afloat.

Come to think of it, he had heard that the current leader of Haomun was a famous gambler.

In any case, Eun Hwayoung’s significant position within Haomun was likely due to the substantial income they generated.

“Lord Geumryongjang?”

At that moment, a stern-looking man approached Bansooun and addressed him.

“Yes.”

“It’s an honor to meet you, Lord Geumryongjang. I will be your guide from now on.”

He seemed to be a guide.

“Please lead the way.”

The guide led the way, followed by Bansooun and Jangil.

It seemed that someone overheard their conversation.

“That gentleman is Lord Geumryongjang?”

“What? Lord Geumryongjang?”

“Oh, right, right. I’ve seen him before, that’s his face.”

“Why would a man like him come to Jukhwaru? Isn’t his wife the most beautiful in Gangnam?”

“Well, I get that. No matter how pretty your wife is, it’s the instinct of horny bastards to want to see other women.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“Wow, I envy him. He’s going straight to the seventh floor.”

“Some can’t even make it to the fifth floor and are whining. Oh, what a world.”

“Huh? Huh?”

“What’s wrong?”

“He’s going to the seventh floor! The seventh floor!”

“What? The seventh floor?”

“Damn, is he going to meet Lady Jeokanyo right away? Have you ever seen such a bold bastard?”

Lady Jeokanyo.

Unlike most martial artists, her nickname was already well-known in the martial arts world.

Even now, when people heard Lady Jeokanyo, they would think of her as the top courtesan and the best woman in Hangu.

Because of her status in the martial arts world, only those in the know would be aware of her true identity.

“Well… even so, it means Lady Jeokanyo gave permission.”

“Ah, Lord Geumryongjang has a good position. This is why people strive for success.”

“Hey, let’s just enjoy ourselves. Instead of just looking, we’re better off indulging in what we desire, right?”

“Hahaha, that’s right!”

‘They sure like to gossip,’ Bansooun thought to himself.

It was the luxury of the privileged.

They would soon be shocked and envious to the point of madness.

It was not a relationship of Yin and Yang, but a relationship of Yang only.

That was the reason he chose this place.

“There’s no way I can stay in the Yin realm anyway.”

Instead, he boldly displays his relationships in the Yang realm.

It was a way to avoid suspicion.

Because the brightly shining lanterns are actually darker underneath.

It’s not just about Eun Hwayoung.

In the future, he will continue to make relationships with exceptional women. Should he hide and move around in the Yin realm like a mouse?

That’s not the path of a great leader.

He goes boldly.

In the Yang realm, all he needs to do is make connections with the faces and relationships of the Yang realm.

“Lord Lujoo, Lord Geumryongjang has arrived.”

“Lead the way.”

The usher opened the door.

Bang Sooun entered.

And at the moment when Jangil was about to follow.

“Oh, only Lord Geumryongjang should enter.”

Only Bang Sooun was allowed.

“Wait outside.”

“Yes, understood.”

They didn’t pay much attention.

Because they knew.

Eun Hwayoung would eventually have to allow Jangil to enter.

“Then, please have a good time.”

The usher closed the door.

***

“His face is quite handsome.”

Eun Hwayoung thought as she looked at his appearance.

He wasn’t so handsome that it would elicit admiration, but he was a man who wouldn’t kneel anywhere.

However, the atmosphere he exuded was ordinary.

It didn’t feel like the appropriate status he held in the martial world.

Coming from a third-rate country to marrying into a powerful family, perhaps it was only natural.

“Welcome, Lord Jang.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you. I am Bang Sooun, Lord Geumryongjang.”

“I am Eun Hwayoung, the Red Flower Lord. Please, have a seat.”

After exchanging formal greetings, Eun Hwayoung offered him a seat.

Bang Sooun sat down without hesitation.

A confident demeanor.

“Hmm.”

It seemed that being the Lord Geumryongjang gave him a lot of confidence.

A typical trait of successful men.

Whether his abilities could match that confidence remained to be seen.

“I’ve seen your skills in the courtyard, Lord Jang. You wanted to meet me?”

“That’s right.”

“Do you have any special business?”

Was he just here to chat after seeing her face, or did he have another intention behind it?

“Why else would a man come to meet a woman in a pavilion? That’s the only reason.”

A nonchalant reply.

But that reply.

At least, it was not a statement he could dare to utter in front of Eun Hwayoung.

Not all women were the same as the women he was used to.

Eun Hwayoung, the best courtesan in Hangu, respected even by the king.

Treating such Eun Hwayoung like any other cheap courtesan was a great insult.

“….”

Eun Hwayoung’s expression turned cold.

It seemed that this man had forgotten even the basic boundaries that were allowed in this position.

Such a man wouldn’t live long.

In the martial world, there was no mercy for fools like him.

“Is that your answer?”

That calm face that didn’t even realize he had crossed the line.

Now she understood.

That’s why, despite having a wife who had not been married for long, he sent a message to meet her.

The answer of mere curiosity was so trivial and insignificant.

“That’s enough.”

Eun Hwayoung replied shortly.

It was enough.

In many ways.

“Anymore….”

Just as Eun Hwayoung was about to dismiss him.

But that sentence was cut off.

“Let’s go. To the room.”

Bang Sooun stood up.

Eun Hwayoung was so surprised that she froze for a moment.

…What kind of person is this?

He had easily surpassed the level she had expected.

In a bad way.

“What are you doing? Let’s go to the room.”

Hesitation.

In the end, Eun Hwayoung exploded.

If she endured this, it might be refreshing.

“What are you doing right now?”

Her voice turned cold.

“You’ve heard everything so far, haven’t you? I said let’s go to the room.”

“Sigh.”

Eun Hwayoung covered her forehead with her hand.

The desire to beat him up was overwhelming.

He barely held back.

Because turning Gyeongryongjangju into that state would surely cause problems.

“Don’t talk too much.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just get lost right now.”

She shouted deliberately with force.

But the other person remained calm.

Seemingly a very dull man.

“Oh? If you want me to leave, try using force.”

Provoking even further, Bang Soo-woon.

Digging his own grave.

Thud!

Eun Hwa-yeong couldn’t resist and moved her body.

Trying to grab Bang Soo-woon’s collar and forcibly drag him out.

It wouldn’t hurt to be a bit stronger, as he had already spoken.

Eun Hwa-yeong’s right hand quickly moved towards Bang Soo-woon’s neck.

However.

‘What?!’

Her hand sliced through empty air.

Eun Hwa-yeong, with wide eyes in disbelief.

In that moment.

Thud!

Eun Hwa-yeong’s collar was turned by Bang Soo-woon’s right hand.

“Do it with force on this side too.”

Dragging the struggling Eun Hwa-yeong forcibly into the room, Bang Soo-woon.

Eun Hwa-yeong, who belatedly regained her senses from the shock, lost her composure.

“Can’t you let go of this right now?”

“Can’t I?”

“You… bastard!”

Eun Hwa-yeong tightly gripped the arm holding her collar with both hands.

Trying to break free with all her might.

But.

Bang Soo-woon continued to walk calmly and finally arrived at the room.

A clean and tidy room.

Eun Hwa-yeong’s bed.

A room where no man had ever entered.

And for the first time, a man’s foot forcibly entered.

“Yikes!”

Eun Hwa-yeong continued to try to break free, but it was futile.

It was as if it was made of iron, not budging an inch.

Then she realized.

‘Ah, he was hiding his martial arts!’

In the martial world, there is a saying that if you want to live long, always hide three-tenths of your martial arts.

But this was too much.

Was this man, known as a third-rate thug, really so formidable?

Eun Hwa-yeong’s heart turned cold in an instant.

Thwack!

Her hidden dagger was thrown forward from her bosom.

A surprise attack aimed at the vital point.

But.

Thud!

The dagger stuck in the floor.

‘He dodged it?!’

…It was unbelievable.

That was definitely not a distance that could be avoided.

But how on earth…?

“Wow, this woman really tried to kill me. This won’t do. I need to fix her stubbornness a bit.”

Bang Soo-woon let out a sneering laugh.

“Oh, let’s shut her mouth first.”

He forcefully shoved a piece of cloth into Eun Hwa-yeong’s mouth without hesitation.

It happened before she could even react.

“Mmmph!”

She tried to shout, but the sound didn’t come out properly.

“This is interesting. It will be especially fun.”

Thud.

Bang Soo-woon reached back and closed the door.

In the meantime, Eun Hwa-yeong also hurriedly reached out to remove the cloth from her mouth.

But.

In the blink of an eye, Bang Soo-woon swiftly moved his other hand and flicked her temples.

Thwack! Thwack!

A sloppy third-rate acupoint technique.

The explosion was the fact that she was helplessly struck by the weak acupoint technique.

The effect was clear.

Her arms lost strength and hung limply.

Almost defenseless, she was.

“From now on, you need a little beating.”

“Mmph!”

Eun Hwa-yeong glared at him with venomous eyes.

It would be interesting to see how far that venom would go.

With a smile on his face, Bang Soo-woon raised his hand.

Crack!

Finally, Eun Hwa-yeong’s cheek turned.