How to Tame a Fox (1)
“Guh… guhuk……”
The last remaining member of the Shadowless Squad—and its leader, Muyeong—had a massive hole punched through his gut. The blade had pierced clean through to his back. A fatal wound, no question. Yet Muyeong didn’t collapse right away. To the very end… to the very end… With superhuman willpower, his hand reached for his sword. And in that instant—
Splat!
Another blade sliced through Muyeong’s neck.
Thud!
The headless corpse toppled backward. That marked the end of the Shadowless Squad, the covert force that had lurked in the shadows.
“Ah… ahahaha… haha…”
Eun Hwa-yeong burst into mad laughter, her limbs bound tight. She didn’t seem truly insane. Rage, hatred, sorrow, despair… a whirlwind of emotions twisted her face into something unrecognizable, like a mask that couldn’t settle on any one expression.
“Why the laugh?” Bang So-un asked.
“Feeling good? Crushing a peak expert like me with two third-rates and knocking me out cold?”
“Yeah. Feels great.”
Great didn’t even cover it. This was the stuff of miracles—worthy of marking the date on the calendar and throwing an annual feast to celebrate.
“So? What do you want? Should I spread my legs right here? Hungry? Come and eat.”
True to her courtesan roots, her words were as filthy as they were unexpected, belying her stunning looks. And that’s exactly what stirred something different in Bang So-un—a raw sexual pull unlike his usual flings.
Picky eating was no good. That was Bang So-un’s creed. Devouring only sheltered flowers who knew nothing of men wasn’t the only flavor out there. Married women with kids had their charm. Fierce wildcats like her had theirs. Each had its own taste. He’d never dared sample a rejuvenated super-peak expert, but that had to be something exquisite.
And among them, Eun Hwa-yeong… With her looks and aura, she evoked the image of a wild snowfield fox—untamable, proud, defiant to the last. The thrill of breaking a snowfield fox like that, forcing it to kneel at his feet… Just imagining it sent shivers down his spine.
“Ah… no rush, no rush. We’ll take it slow. Let’s build up nice and steady.”
Bang So-un chuckled. Even at his leisurely grin, Eun Hwa-yeong didn’t flinch.
“Last chance, you sure?”
“What, think I’ll kill you?”
“I’d thank you if you did, but you won’t.”
“Then what makes it the last?”
“Tonight’s your last shot.”
“Huh?”
“Can you clean this up? By tomorrow.”
“Ah, got it.”
Bang So-un finally nodded in understanding. What they’d done here was no small matter. The Shadowless Squad wiped out. Jeolhwadae down two members. But that wasn’t a problem. They’d already confirmed the Shadowless Squad was Eun Hwa-yeong’s private shadow force—orphans she’d secretly gathered and trained. Not even Haomun knew. No one would come looking.
Jeolhwadae was fine too. A sudden clash in a fierce brawl—both dead. That’s all they’d announce. In the jianghu, where blades clashed daily, it wouldn’t raise an eyebrow.
The real issue? Eun Hwa-yeong herself.
She was the madam of Red Flower Pavilion. And a key figure in Haomun. If she vanished without a word—even for a few days—suspicions would fly. Hell, even a single day.
“I exchange messages with headquarters almost daily. Get the picture?”
Her veiled threat hung in the air. A single day’s absence, and Haomun would sniff something off. No bluff—she said it with utter conviction.
“Ho, bad news then. Means we gotta hurry.”
Bang So-un twisted his lips into a smirk. He’d never planned a multi-day hypnosis session anyway. She wasn’t Golden Dragon Battlefield stock, but a high-ranking player in another outfit. He’d prepared alternatives from the start.
“Feed her this first.”
“Haha, been waiting for you to say it.”
Jang Il strode over briskly, battered but unbowed, a jar of poison in hand.
The Jeolhwadae members by Eun Hwa-yeong’s side pried her jaws wide. She glared daggers at Jang Il, her killing intent palpable. That bastard. If not for him, I could’ve torn the squad leader apart. The thought boiled her blood.
“First up, San-gong Poison.”
Glug glug glug!
Premium-grade San-gong Poison poured down her throat. She wanted to retch, but couldn’t in her position—only glare.
“Now we wait for it to spread.”
Smack!
The Jeolhwadae girls clamped her mouth shut. No spitting it out. About an hour passed like that. Jang Il cracked his neck.
“Alright. Time to teach this rude fox bitch some manners.”
“You sure you can pull it off?”
Bang So-un eyed Eun Hwa-yeong, slumped limply with eyelids drooped—under a light hypnosis.
“Memory wipe and post-suggestion stage? Should be fine if we get that far.”
The critical step for cleanup. Tricky with the hypnosis depth required, plus the one-day deadline. But Jang Il brimmed with confidence, his skills honed on countless test subjects.
“Good. I’m counting on you. Big step.”
“Haha, no worries.”
“Oh, and about the training method…”
“Yes, young master?”
“Just thought of something. Feels perfect.”
Bang So-un glanced at Eun Hwa-yeong, inspiration striking.
“Hahat, got it. She’s gonna be your toy anyway—might as well tailor to your tastes. Gives me room to experiment too.”
Jang Il grinned.
“Alright then……”
And so Eun Hwa-yeong’s first hypnosis training began.
……Mmm.
Eun Hwa-yeong opened her eyes. She must’ve dozed off for a bit. Fatigue built up sometimes. Should cut back on work? Nah… she was fine. Sun still high outside. Red Flower Pavilion’s quietest hour—courtesans sleeping off the night.
She straightened up and checked today’s dispatch to headquarters.
Golden Dragon Battlefield. Investigated for months, no anomalies found. Deeming further probes pointless, will cease.
“No… issues.”
Eun Hwa-yeong finished reviewing. She’d even planted her friend I Yeon as a spy on a hunch, but nothing. Her instincts had been wrong. It happened. Still, felt bad dragging I Yeon through it.
“Oh yeah, meeting Yeon today.”
She rose right on time. To meet I Yeon.
***
Hangzhou’s outskirts were a far cry from the glittering bustle—peaceful, perfect for clearing the head. Especially with I Yeon’s family’s modest estate here. Prime spot for private chats—good location, discreet.
There it was, nestled in a quiet bamboo grove. Eun Hwa-yeong approached slowly. She’d told no one she was coming. No need.
Knock knock.
She rapped softly. Door opened. Someone emerged.
“Who’s—oh?”
The middle-aged woman’s eyes widened. So did Eun Hwa-yeong’s. Unexpected face.
Wang Yeon-jeong, I Yeon’s mother. The kind features matched her daughter’s. But where I Yeon’s face was pleasantly plain, her mother leaned toward beauty—looking far younger than her years.
“Hello, ma’am.”
Not their first meeting—several times through letters with I Yeon.
“Miss Eun. Here for Yeon?”
Wang Yeon-jeong beamed warmly.
“Yes, we had plans today…”
“Of course. Come in. She’s inside.”
Eun Hwa-yeong followed. Neat little garden, tidy and clean. I Yeon was on the veranda, rebandaging her left ankle with fresh cloth.
“Ah, you’re here?”
I Yeon started to descend. Eun Hwa-yeong waved her off.
“No, stay put.”
Sparring injury, she’d said. Lucky not to sever a meridian, but no minor wound. Long recovery ahead.
“Not life-threatening.”
Classic I Yeon nonchalance.
“Get worse, and it could cripple you for good.”
“……I’ll be careful.”
“Come inside, chat comfy. Tea’s quick.”
Wang Yeon-jeong smiled kindly.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Eun Hwa-yeong slipped off her shoes, climbed up, and helped I Yeon into the room. I Yeon’s quarters here—sparse, just essentials. Suited her.
“Special leave till the ankle heals, right?”
“Yeah. Can’t help, just baggage like this.”
“Fair……”
“Mom drops by often to help, since I’m laid up.”
“Ah, that explains it.”
Now it clicked why the mother was here—assisting her limping daughter.
But.
“Why not head home?”
“Don’t wanna show Dad the injury. Upsets him too much.”
“Ahh.”
Orphan like her, hard to fully grasp. But she could imagine parents’ pain staring at a mangled child. I Yeon’s choice made sense.
“Anyway……”
Eun Hwa-yeong started to continue when—
Thud thud!
Heavy knocks rattled the estate door. Eun Hwa-yeong frowned curiously.
“Anyone else coming?”
“No… shouldn’t be.”
I Yeon looked puzzled too.
Creeeak.
Door opened. Sounded like I Yeon’s mother went out. Muffled voices followed. Then—
Creeeak.
Door shut. Two new sets of footsteps approached.
Eun Hwa-yeong’s eyes sharpened instinctively. Guests the mother herself escorted—no issue, surely. Yet unease prickled. I Yeon tensed too.
Then.
“Dear, the Golden Dragon Battlefield leader’s here.”
Wang Yeon-jeong’s voice. Eun Hwa-yeong and I Yeon exchanged baffled looks.
Golden Dragon leader? Here, out of nowhere?
“I’ll go see.”
I Yeon rose. Her position demanded it. Eun Hwa-yeong’s spot was trickier.
“No need to strain. Stay here—I’ll be back.”
Reading her friend’s mind, I Yeon smiled and left. Eun Hwa-yeong alone in the room.
A squad leader checking on an injured guard like this?
She tilted her head, revising her intel on the new leader—when.
“Haaah…!”
A woman’s moan erupted outside. Eun Hwa-yeong froze, eyes wide in shock.