Women's Favor
Dang Hwa-rin led me straight to a high-end inn.
The three-story building looked luxurious and flashy even from the outside.
"Gonna be pricey."
"Hohoho! Don't worry about it. I'll cover it."
Rich girl perks, huh.
Dang Hwa-rin pushed open the curtains and strode inside with unabashed confidence.
"Welcome! Oh my! Miss!"
It wasn't some bushy-haired errand boy who greeted us.
A neatly dressed middle-aged woman welcomed us with a beaming smile, which was unusual for an inn.
"It's been a while."
"Sure has. Why don't you visit more often? We always keep your favorite palace-style chicken ready."
"Hohoho! Let's have that since it's been so long. Jang Warrior, come on in."
Two beautiful women turned to me with smiles.
The middle-aged woman even covered her mouth and whispered to Dang Hwa-rin.
"Oh my, who's this? He looks so manly. Could he be...?"
"Ho ho! No. What are you talking about?"
"Miss, you know I have a good eye for people. He seems like a fine catch. The age gap might be a bit much, but who cares? Give it a shot."
"Really? You think so too, sis?"
"Of course! Hohoho!"
I just stood there blinking innocently, pretending not to hear a thing.
I wonder what their faces would look like if they knew I'd heard it all.
"The third floor's empty right now. It's a bit early, so no other guests. Shall we head up?"
"Yes. Warrior! Let's go up."
The woman gave me a slight bow and vanished somewhere, while Dang Hwa-rin waved me over with a grin.
The inn already felt bright and lively, but her smile made it bloom like a flower garden, filling the air with a pleasant fragrance.
A few early patrons inside had paused their meals, staring blankly at Dang Hwa-rin—clearly sharing the same sentiment.
"Let's go."
I climbed the stairs with her.
"Welcome."
A neatly dressed female server awaited us on the third floor.
Dang Hwa-rin settled familiarly into a window seat.
I took the spot across from her.
"Ah! So refreshing!"
A lovely smile played on Dang Hwa-rin's lips as she gazed out the window.
"Great view, right?"
"It is."
The distant mountain range stretched like a folding screen, asserting the earth's majesty against the sky, while the bustling streets of Seongdo filled the view with vibrant energy.
The capital might outshine in splendor compared to the imperial city or Anhui, but Seongdo had its own unique charm where rugged nature blended seamlessly with civilization.
"Ready to order?"
"Already placed it downstairs."
"Yes, miss."
Everyone in Seongdo knew Dang Hwa-rin.
Born into wealth, she'd been treated with respect since childhood.
Yet she never lost her humility, always speaking politely to everyone—from lowly warriors like me to inn staff.
Maybe that's why she steals from the rich to give to the poor.
No, wait. The Dang family has plenty. No need for thieving.
Dang Hwa-rin turned from the window toward me.
A cool breeze through the panes had lightly flushed her cheeks pink.
"Why are you staring like that?"
"Ah. Just... you're beautiful, Miss Dang."
"......"
Dang Hwa-rin's eyes curved into crescent moons.
"Any other guy saying that to my face would've gotten a hidden weapon first. But hearing it from you, Jang Warrior... it feels nice."
"Oops. My bad, then. Sorry. I didn't mean anything by it—just spoke my mind without thinking."
"Hohoho! It's fine. I'm genuinely happy. No sarcasm."
"Good to hear."
I dipped my head slightly in apology to Dang Hwa-rin.
But it was odd.
This body's rugged, manly face wasn't the pretty-boy type most women fawned over—like the young masters from great clans.
Yet Dang Hwa-rin's affection seemed utterly sincere.
Come to think of it...
Nan-sim from the Sichuan branch had been the same, and so had the inn woman today. Monghwan Lou Owner made sense after spending so much time with me, but why were total strangers warming up to me like this?
Hold on. Could it be?
Kunlun Bedchamber Arts flashed in my mind.
The changes started after mastering it, so that had to be the culprit.
Strange.
But hey, extra goodwill from women? No complaints here.
I brushed it off.
"You come here often?"
"Since I was little. Their chicken dishes are the best, and I'm a sucker for chicken. Hohoho!"
"I see."
Creeeak. Creeeak. Creeeak.
Footsteps echoed from the stairs—three or four men, judging by the presence.
Letting them up knowing Dang Hwa-rin was here meant they weren't ordinary folk.
"Oh! Who do we have here? The flower of the Dang family! Miss Dang!"
"......"
Dang Hwa-rin's bright smile twisted into venomous glare in an instant.
The fresh spring bloom I'd seen since last night now radiated poison like a toxic flower.
Women's transformations are innocent, they say.
Hard to tell which was the real her.
"Long time no see, Young Master Song."
"Hahaha! I dreamed of you last night—guess it was fate to run into you here."
Turning, I saw a man in his early-to-mid twenties, clad in fine blue robes.
His flashy face and clothes screamed spoiled rich kid.
Hence the string of bodyguards trailing him.
"Miss Dang, since we've crossed paths like this, how about we move somewhere else?"
The one called Young Master Song pulled up a chair without invitation and sat right next to our table.
Dang Hwa-rin's face soured like she'd eaten shit.
"Why the hell should I?"
"Do we really need a reason between us?"
"Fuck. What 'us' are you talking about?"
"Huh? What'd you say?"
The sleazy prick probably missed her quick curse.
Makes sense—profanity from such pretty lips wasn't everyday stuff.
"Young Master Song. Can't you see I have company?"
"Hm? Company?"
Only then did his eyes shift to me.
With a what the fuck is this guy look, scanning me up and down. No wonder Dang Hwa-rin despised him.
"Jang Warrior, this is the spoiled brat from a minor trading house in Sichuan. Thinks strutting around as a Cheongsung secular disciple makes him hot shit—a total small-timer."
"W-what'd you say?"
Dang Hwa-rin fixed him with an icy stare.
"Young Master Song, this is Jang Warrior from the Murim Alliance. He's here on important Alliance business for Sichuan, and we're hosting him from the main house. So, is this harassment your personal stunt, or Cheongsung's official stance?"
"Uhmm..."
His smug face stiffened at "Murim Alliance."
Dang Hwa-rin wasn't treating this as mere flirtation—she was escalating, dragging sects into it.
Smart move. Time for him to back off.
And sure enough, he stood and retreated a few steps.
But his four guards circled us instead.
Dang Hwa-rin's eyebrow twitched.
"What's this supposed to mean?"
"Miss Dang. And unnamed Alliance warrior. We'll escort you politely, so come along. No need to spill blood on a fine day."
"......"
Our eyes met mid-air for a split second.
These guys weren't here by chance. They'd targeted Dang Hwa-rin specifically.
Cheongsung and Ami were pressuring the Dang family over the Jangbodao dispute.
This was likely an extension of that.
"How dare you! Can you take responsibility for this?!"
"Tch. Gave you special treatment 'cause you're pretty, but with that filthy temper, who the hell would want you?"
"You fuckin' bastard! What was that?!"
Dang Hwa-rin shot to her feet.
The four guards drew their swords in unison.
"Even a bitch like you can't take all of us—"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Four flashes streaked toward the guards.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Groans followed as they hit.
"Kugh!"
"Mmph!"
Each guard had a flying dagger embedded in their hand.
"W-what?!"
Song Baek-hwi recoiled in shock.
Dang Hwa-rin gaped at me, eyes wide.
"Jang Warrior?"
I held the last dagger in one hand, fixing Song Baek-hwi with a steady gaze.
Then hurled it.
"Young master!"
"Dodge!"
"Hiiik!"
The dagger grazed his cheek and slammed into the inn wall with a thud.
It quivered, power undiminished.
Thud!
Thoroughly spooked, Song Baek-hwi collapsed to the floor.
His guards lunged toward him.
"Better stay put. My hidden weapons are faster than you lot."
But when Dang Hwa-rin brandished hers, they gulped and froze.
Still seated, I looked down at the sprawled Song Baek-hwi with emotionless eyes.
Then drew my Murim Alliance badge and flung it like a dagger.
It flew true, embedding point-first right before his crotch.
"Hiiik!"
Song Baek-hwi couldn't even react.
Well, he pissed himself a little.
Fuck. Badge is gonna stink now.
"Young Master Song."
I spoke softly.
My calm tone belied the blood that had nearly boiled, leaving everyone puzzled.
"...Yes?"
"Go back and report this. The Alliance will chalk it up to your personal folly."
I didn't know how powerful his family was, but in Sichuan, none topped the Dang family.
Yet he'd made this reckless move—not him or his clan, but Cheongsung pulling strings.
Using a secular disciple minimized official fallout.
But the Alliance had caught on quick.
I was signaling Cheongsung through him: we'll overlook it if you back off.
"...Yes?"
The idiot missed my subtle mercy.
"Tell them. They'll handle it."
"Uh... um..."
Song Baek-hwi's eyes darted confusedly.
His guards, at least perceptive, exchanged glances, hoisted him, and slowly retreated.
As they reached the stairs, he bellowed.
"You'll regret this! I won't forget this humiliation!"
Dang Hwa-rin stared at the stairs with a dumbfounded look.
"Where does that retard get off."
Visibly pissed, she unleashed a torrent of vulgar curses in front of me.
I stood, retrieved my daggers, and pinched the badge's end with two fingers.
"No piss on it."
Lucky break.
"Thank you! You saved me from real trouble, Jang Warrior!"
Turning, I saw her face bloom back into spring flowers.
I smiled back and replied.
"Looks like Cheongsung's after you. Head back to the Dang family?"
"No way! After what you did, they won't dare move openly! I'm sticking with you to hunt the Thousand Face Fox!"
"Hahaha! That's the spirit of a Dang lady. Let's do it."
"Yes!"
But first, food.
I sat back down and glanced at my ring.
The band on my pinky gleamed as radiantly as Dang Hwa-rin's smile.