Chapter 26
Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: The Brothel Intruder
"Here you were, Ayoung."
Suddenly, a crazy bastard bursts into the room, calling for Ayoung.
In this ridiculous situation, I shot the guy a peeved look and asked,
"Hey, who the hell are you?"
Only then did he belatedly turn his head toward me.
"Ah, sorry about that. I was looking for my Ayoung..."
"No, that's not what I asked. Who are you?"
At my continued casual tone, the bastard frowned slightly.
"You look like a young junior who's barely hit twenty. How about showing some manners?"
"What the hell are you babbling about, you lunatic?"
Manners?
Bursting into the room out of nowhere and now lecturing me on manners?
There were a few absolute no-nos in a brothel.
And one of them was entering someone else's room without permission.
'What if I'd been in the middle of some pillow talk?'
Look at this now.
I'd been diligently playing music to build the mood, and this uninvited guest tanked it flat.
That's when Ayoung cut in.
"Young Master Son, what brings you all the way here?"
Young Master Son?
Huh? From the Son Clan?
'What? That guy's from the Son Family Clan?'
The Son Family Clan was one of the top martial families in Shanxi Province, just like our Mok Family Clan.
The clans were too far apart to be rivals—just distant acquaintances—and this was my first time running into one here.
'Man, the Son Family Clan's a mess too.'
A martial family scion, at an age when he should be grinding away at training, haunting brothels instead.
Tsk tsk. No prestige in the Son Family Clan's future.
Setting my own past aside as I clicked my tongue, the guy answered Ayoung.
"Didn't we set up an appointment to meet today? But when I got here, they said you had urgent business, so I was about to give up... Then I heard a familiar flute melody and tracked it down."
'Hmm, can't blame him for being pissed.'
Reserving a spot at the brothel in advance, only for the courtesan to be in another room?
Even I'd have a hard time holding back.
Well, didn't mean I was handing her over.
As I geared up to boot him out, Ayoung spoke up again.
"I'm truly sorry. Such a distinguished guest arrived that I had no choice but to break our appointment, Young Master Son. If you come back later..."
"Distinguished guest? More distinguished than me, Son Taeho?"
Hurt pride flashing in his eyes at Ayoung's words, Son bastard started scanning the room.
His gaze skimmed past me seated by the zither and locked onto the drinking table.
And off he strode.
"Greetings. I am Son Taeho of the Son Family Clan. Might I inquire as to your identity?"
Cupping his hands politely, the guy whose status he questioned was Jang Yunho, the Eun Merchant Group's escort warrior.
Made sense, really.
I'd been at the zither playing moments ago, while Jang bastard had been boozing it up with three women.
'Though Eun Garyeon isn't a courtesan.'
Still, any woman in a brothel room was naturally assumed to be one.
Especially a stunner like Eun Garyeon.
Which left Jang bastard—with zero credentials to flaunt—looking thoroughly awkward.
"You mean... me?"
"Indeed. Ayoung called you a distinguished guest, so I'm curious. If it wouldn't be rude, might you share your identity?"
I'd been set to toss him out on the spot, but this was turning entertaining.
'Fight! Fight!'
In a martial arts matchup, I'd bet on Jang bastard to win.
Similar ages, but the guy had surprisingly solid skills for his years.
"Young Master Son, enough. That gentleman is..."
Ayoung tried to intervene, but he waved her off.
"Never mind! I'll hear it straight from him. And if he's as distinguished as you say, I'll apologize right here and take my leave."
Frogs in a well—classic problem.
Cooped up in Shanxi Province, banking on Son Family Clan prestige like he was hot shit.
'Though even Jang bastard can't top that prestige.'
For a spectator like me, it was prime entertainment.
Jang bastard kept shooting me glances, but I just grinned and watched.
In the midst of it, I spotted Ayoung biting her lip hard.
'Come to think of it, she's got it rough too.'
Son bastard, Jang bastard.
Both martial artists, sure—but Ayoung was leagues above them.
She held back only due to her Shadow Gate Sect status; unleash proper sound arts, and those two would crumple in seconds.
As Jang Yunho failed to respond, Eun Garyeon jumped in.
"Young Master Son, was it? Seems there's a misunderstanding..."
"And who might you... hmm?"
Getting a good look at Eun Garyeon, the guy froze up.
Eyes working fine—he couldn't peel his gaze off her.
"Ahem. And your name? I come here often, but never laid eyes on a courtesan like you..."
At that, the till-now silent Jang bastard shot to his feet.
"You mad bastard! Do you even know who this lady is, comparing her to some common courtesan?!"
He'd meant to defend Eun Garyeon, but the room's stares turned icy.
Especially the courtesans who'd been with Jang bastard—their faces were gold.
'That guy's beyond hopeless.'
One of those brothel no-nos I'd mentioned earlier: insulting the courtesans.
Sure, no ill intent on his part—but that's how it landed for everyone else.
The mood was trashed.
Fun while it lasted, but time to shut it down.
In the end, I rose from my seat.
"Hey. Time to scram."
I grabbed Son bastard's shoulder and flung him backward.
Caught off-guard by my sudden move, he couldn't react,
Thud!
and flew out the open door, slamming into the wall.
The room went dead silent in an instant.
Jang bastard—who'd been on his feet—finally spoke up.
"Ahem. Thanks."
Thinking I'd done it for him, he looked sheepish.
I extended a hand toward him.
"Huh? A handshake...?"
He tilted his head, cautiously grasping my hand.
I clamped down tight and
"Handshake my ass. You scram too, punk."
hurled him backward as well.
Jang bastard's body sailed straight toward Son bastard.
Thud-
Son bastard—who'd just been hauling himself up—toppled right back down.
"Ptoo. Buncha weirdos killing the vibe."
Son bastard barging in to ruin things, Jang bastard insulting courtesans despite my rare generosity.
Neither belonged in a brothel.
I dusted off my hands and slammed the door shut.
Door closed, I surveyed the room.
With Eun Garyeon and Ayoung plus the other three women—and me the lone guy—the mood settled comfortably.
'Now that's the brothel vibe.'
I'd been an idiot, playing the big shot by calling courtesans for Jang bastard.
As I nodded to myself, guys' voices filtered through the door.
-Ugh, you crazy fuck...
-Crazy fuck or not, just fuck off!
Crashing sounds and chaos followed.
Ayoung must've heard, because she cautiously asked me,
"Young Master... it's fine to leave them like that?"
"What's the problem? Hey! Jang bastard! Anyone enters this room in the next half shichen, you're dead!"
My bellow must've carried—outside went quiet.
Then the guys' voices again.
-Move! Today I'll...
-Move? No way through!
Hm. Doesn't take my words lightly, good.
Moments later, curses and furious shouts.
-You really wanna see some blood, huh!
Followed by the ring of metal.
Shing-
'What? They're actually fighting?'
That familiar sound had me flinging the door open again.
Son bastard stood there, sword drawn for real.
Jang Yunho, meanwhile,
'Why's he playing showboat?'
was fending him off scabbard-first.
"You... you bastard!"
Eyes locking with mine, Son bastard lunged to leap.
But Jang Yunho blocked him cold.
"Said you can't pass!"
True to escort warrior form, his approach-blocking was top-notch.
"You bastard! Outta my way!"
Clash resumed.
'That the Son Family Clan's sword style?'
Heavy on power principles... but sloppy.
Yet even against that amateurish swordplay, Jang Yunho struggled.
'Serves you right for the scabbard, tsk tsk.'
"True craftsmen don't fuss over tools"—total nonsense.
Then why do martial artists bother with swords?
Not everyone fists or spears it.
Sword and scabbard? Worlds apart.
'Course, at my mastery level, doesn't matter.'
Jang bastard wasn't there yet.
Even with superior arts, they were neck-and-neck—that's why.
Still, made for a fine show.
Arms crossed enjoying the duel, Eun Garyeon approached.
"Mok Soha, shouldn't we stop them...?"
"Stop what? Just watch."
Such ringside seats weren't easy to come by.
Guests from other rooms even cracked their doors to peep.
"Still..."
As Eun Garyeon tried again,
"Ugh!"
Jang Yunho's scabbard smacked Son bastard's wrist.
Sword slipped from his grip.
"Hoo. Young Master Son, right? Decent skill—but not enough for me."
Barely scraping the win, Jang bastard struck a pose.
I strode up and smacked his head's nape.
Smack-
"Lame showboat. And why no draw?"
He shot me a wounded look.
"Didn't you say you'd hack my arm off if I drew again?!"
"What kinda bullshit is that?"
As I cocked my head, Eun Garyeon chimed in.
"Last time, Mok Soha said right in front of him—one more draw and off with the arm... right?"
Even she sounded unsure saying it.
But Jang bastard bobbed his head vigorously, all aggrieved.
'He a total moron?'
Obedient's nice... but this guy's obedience is overboard.