Time to Recruit Female Warriors
Time flew by unnoticed for those without worries. It had already been four months since Bang So-un became the head of the Golden Dragon Battlefield. During that time, he hadn't made any particular efforts to build up the organization's military strength. He had focused solely on stabilizing the internal affairs. But that had been the right choice. Only with a solid foundation inside could one look outward without mishaps. Knowing this well, Bang So-un had prioritized internal stability. The result of those efforts was that his grip on the organization was now rock-solid.
Of course, much of that was thanks to Jang Il's contributions—naturally, with the women. But solidifying his position as head among the male retainers in the outer courtyards had been Bang So-un's own achievement. Holding private drinking sessions with every single porter and listening to their grievances wasn't something just anyone could do. And he didn't stop there; he made visible efforts to resolve those issues as much as possible. Improvements naturally followed. For the head of an organization to go to such lengths for the troubles of lowly retainers? Their loyalty was bound to shift. In that way, he had successfully won their hearts.
Even though he came from a third-rate escort agency, Bang So-un clearly possessed a talent for managing people that even he himself hadn't realized. Of course, without such aptitude, he never could have boldly declared his absurd ambition to dominate the murim.
"In my view, it's about time we started rolling out our grand plans one by one. What do you think?"
Bang So-un asked from the head seat in the Crystal Pavilion, his office as head of the Battlefield.
"Naturally, I feel the same, young master. I've been bored out of my mind cooped up inside all this time."
Jang Il, standing beside him, replied. After perfectly enslaving every last woman in the inner courtyards—even the few who had remained—there was nothing left for him to do. His ability was useless against men, after all. So he'd just been idling away in the inner courtyards. Sure, he'd fucked the women there countless times, but even endless pussy grew tiresome eventually. He needed some fresh stimulation.
"Haha, I figured as much."
Bang So-un laughed. He felt the same way himself. Jang Il was a man who craved domination more than anyone—a hunger that the women he'd already conquered could no longer fully satisfy. He needed new prey to quench that thirst freshly.
"So, we're finally going fox hunting?"
Jang Il's face lit up with eager excitement at the prospect. The Red-Eyed Fox, Eun Hwa-yeong—Bang So-un's openly declared next target.
But Bang So-un shook his head.
"No, not yet. The time isn't right. First, let's bolster our female martial artists."
Recruiting female martial artists. This too was part of Bang So-un's plan. Hire them with money and transform them into loyal, hypnotized slaves. True Peak experts were mostly tied to sects and wouldn't move for cash alone, but first-rate ones were fair game. That alone would significantly boost the Golden Dragon Battlefield's forces.
"Ah, right. Reinforce our strength first? Yeah, that makes sense as the next step."
Jang Il nodded in agreement.
"Haha, good. Then go fetch the inner courtyard mistress."
I Hwa-rin, the Inner Court Mistress. A capable woman who had handled the inner courtyards' affairs since the previous head's time. She still held the position under the new head. Of course, she was already fully under Jang Il's hypnotic control.
"You mean in her normal state, right?"
"Of course. Wouldn't that be more fun?"
"Hahat, as expected, young master knows his stuff. I'll bring her right away. Have all the fun you want."
Jang Il grinned and vanished.
"You called for me, Head?"
I Hwa-rin entered the Crystal Pavilion. Her attire was plain and modest, true to her usual unassuming demeanor. Anyone might mistake her for a low-ranking staffer. But one look at her eyes would change that. Those sharp, intelligent eyes brimmed with keen insight—no ordinary person could possess such a gaze.
"Yes, Inner Court Mistress."
Bang So-un greeted her with a smile. She was a valuable asset, after all. He had to treat her gently.
"What is it?"
I Hwa-rin asked directly. That was her personality when it came to work.
"Nothing major. I called you for a task."
"Speak."
"Many of our retainers left against our will, didn't they?"
He meant those who had turned their backs when a mere son-in-law suddenly ascended to head.
"Yes."
"So, for the organization's safety, I'm planning to recruit some martial artists to fill the gaps."
"I see."
I Hwa-rin nodded. It made sense. With so many retainers gone, their martial forces had thinned too. For a merchant battlefield handling vast sums, armed strength was indispensable. If anything, bringing it up now was a bit late. Though given the recent instability and rumors, it was understandable.
"How many, then?"
"Around twenty."
A reasonable number. I Hwa-rin quickly calculated in her head. Given the current finances, it fit perfectly.
"And their salary?"
"A hundred silver taels."
"A hundred silver taels. Understood. I'll prepare accordingly..."
"Ah, wait. That's a bit low. Make it ten gold taels instead."
"...Ten gold taels?"
For the first time, surprise crossed I Hwa-rin's face. It was an unexpected fortune.
"Is the level of martial artist you're seeking...?"
"First-rate."
At that caliber, ten gold taels was necessary. And...
Hm, twenty of them...
After a moment's thought, I Hwa-rin nodded.
"Very well. As you command, ten gold taels it is."
They were a merchant battlefield, not a sect of warriors. There were lines they had to toe. Some force for self-defense was natural, but amassing excessive power would draw suspicion. Still, she judged this exact amount acceptable, so she obeyed without question.
"Ah, my apologies. I forgot one more condition."
"What is it?"
"Recruit only female martial artists."
Bang So-un said with a smile that betrayed his inner lewdness.
"...?!"
I Hwa-rin's eyes widened in shock, her expression hardening. This was... too much. Way too blatant. His filthy intentions were laid bare, sending chills down her spine.
...Is the Head really this kind of man?
It felt like a hammer blow to the back of her head. Even as Head, she couldn't follow such an order. That was the duty of a proper subordinate.
"That... will draw unfavorable eyes from the world. We'll face scandals. For the organization's reputation alone, you should reconsider..."
She phrased it as tactfully as possible. If he understood, it would be a relief.
"Ah, yes, that could happen."
Had it worked?
"Then just frame it as hiring them to guard the Madam. Protecting a woman with women is perfectly natural."
But Bang So-un's follow-up shattered her hopes and filled her with deep disappointment.
...Using the Madam's name just to hire women? That's despicable, the act of a petty villain.
I Hwa-rin bit her lip hard.
"I'm sorry. I cannot accept this order. It's not right."
"Oh? That's unfortunate. No intention of changing your mind?"
"None. I only ask that you withdraw it."
I Hwa-rin stated firmly. She was prepared to abandon her position and leave the Golden Dragon Battlefield.
Bang So-un clicked his tongue.
"Well, no choice then. I'll have to persuade you by force."
"..."
I Hwa-rin's face twisted in disgust. How low would this man sink?
She steeled her resolve. She could no longer serve under such a Head.
"In that case, I can no longer serve you as..."
"I Hwa-rin. For now, fall."
Bang So-un spat the words with a sinister smile.
At that instant.
"Ah..."
I Hwa-rin's eyes glazed over blankly. The keen intelligence vanished like mist. Her mouth slackened, her arms dropped limply.
"..."
She stood frozen, staring vacantly.
Bang So-un approached her slowly.
"Then let me ask again. Ah, before that."
He continued.
"Lift your skirt."
"...I obey... Great Master..."
I Hwa-rin, who had just gazed at him in disgust, unhesitatingly hiked up her skirt. There was no underwear beneath. Only her naked pussy was exposed. She had faithfully followed Jang Il's suggestion never to wear anything down there. Pathetically, she herself was utterly unaware of it.
"That's right. That's the proper look for a bitch."
Squelch.
Bang So-un stirred her pussy with his fingers, a satisfied expression on his face. In that state, he spoke again.
"Good. Let me ask once more. What do you think of my order to recruit only female martial artists?"
The very command she had defied with all her will moments ago.
"...This lowly woman thinks nothing... She obeys only the Great Master's commands..."
With her pussy being fingered, I Hwa-rin could only answer in a dazed voice. The humiliating sight, contrasted with her earlier dignity, heightened Bang So-un's pleasure in domination.
"Yes, that's how you should answer, you bitch. Got it?"
"...Yes... Great Master... This lowly woman will answer that way..."
"Even when you wake from hypnosis, you'll answer the same. Understood?"
"...Yes... Great Master... This lowly woman will answer that way even after waking from hypnosis..."
I Hwa-rin parroted mindlessly, just as Bang So-un instructed. She wasn't one of Jang Il's meticulously crafted masterpieces—there was no value in that. She was just a standard hypnotic slave. But due to her position as Inner Court Mistress, Jang Il had implanted especially numerous suggestions and controls. Her mental barriers had long crumbled away. Thus, in her fallen state, it was easy to overwrite her mind at will. For Bang So-un, who lacked hypnotic ability, it was delightful entertainment.
Bang So-un spoke again.
"Of course, you won't feel anything strange about it."
"...Yes... Great Master... This lowly woman feels nothing strange..."
"Good. And from now on, when we're alone, you'll always call me not 'Head' but 'Great Master.'"
"...Yes... This lowly woman... when alone with the Great Master... will call him not Head, but Great Master..."
"When we're alone, you must absolutely obey all my commands."
"...Yes... This lowly woman, when alone with the Great Master... absolutely obeys all commands..."
"You won't feel anything strange about it. No—you'll think it's absolute."
"...Yes... Great Master... This lowly woman feels nothing strange... She thinks it absolute..."
"Good. And..."
Bang So-un implanted a few more suggestions. Each time, she faithfully repeated them in her blank voice.
After a little time passed.
"Alright then."
Bang So-un withdrew his fingers from her pussy, smoothed her skirt back down, and returned to his seat.
"Wake up."