Chapter 116

Ximen Pyeong was in a very good mood.

This was because, after entering Chengdu, he had frequented numerous brothels and indulged in all sorts of pleasures.

Won Gayoung despised him for it, but Ximen Pyeong paid her no mind.

His philosophy was that since you only live once, there was no need to be conscious of others’ opinions.

Besides, he wasn’t forcing himself on women from ordinary households. He was paying for courtesans in brothels, so he felt no reason to have a guilty conscience.

He had already frequented a dozen of the finest brothels in Chengdu. He didn’t even consider visiting the rest.

According to Wi Sang-yeon, who had drawn him into Chengdu’s pleasure district, the remaining brothels weren’t worth visiting.

Whenever Ximen Pyeong had free time, he would visit a brothel and hold the finest courtesans in his arms.

A young, handsome man.

And a martial artist whose fame resounded throughout the Jianghu.

There was no reason for the courtesans to refuse Ximen Pyeong.

At every brothel, the courtesans clamored to be the one to enter Ximen Pyeong’s room.

All Ximen Pyeong had to do was choose from the courtesans who came to him of their own accord.

And so, Ximen Pyeong selected courtesans to his liking and enjoyed them all night. But even that was now starting to grow tiresome.

All the members of the Golden Sky Society who were supposed to gather in Chengdu had arrived, and it was time for him to distance himself from the revelry.

Ximen Pyeong decided he would enjoy himself for just one more day and then return to Jin Geum-woo’s side.

In a way, it was a shame.

Among those who had come to Chengdu this time, there was no one who enjoyed entertainment as he did.

Jin Geum-woo was rumored to be a complete block of wood, with no interest in women, and Neung Sowoon showed more interest in plotting and executing schemes than in carnal pleasures.

Needless to say, the same was true for Won Gayoung and Lee Soha. Lee Soha seemed to understand Ximen Pyeong to some extent, but Won Gayoung openly showed her displeasure.

In the end, it seemed he would have to enjoy himself alone today as well.

“Where should I go?”

After some thought, Ximen Pyeong decided on his destination.

The place he headed for was the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion.

Perhaps because it was the place he had visited with Wi Sang-yeon on his first day in Chengdu, it remained more memorable.

Ximen Pyeong strode into the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion without hesitation.

“Welcome, Young Hero Seo Mun.”

The Steward rushed out to greet Ximen Pyeong.

Ximen Pyeong was a distinguished guest.

He spent money lavishly, making him popular with the courtesans. The courtesans who had served Ximen Pyeong back then were still waiting for his return.

There was no reason to turn away a distinguished guest who was a great help to their sales.

“We have been eagerly awaiting your return, wondering when you would come.”

“Haha! You weren’t waiting for me, but for my money.”

“Not at all. The girls who served you that day have been spending sleepless nights. Shall I bring them back for you?”

“No! I’d like to see some new girls today.”

“Understood. I will bring in other girls, so please choose the one you like.”

“You’re the best, Steward.”

Ximen Pyeong smiled and patted the Steward on the shoulder.

The Steward led him to the most lavish room in the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion.

“Hm?”

Just before entering the room, Ximen Pyeong’s eyes widened.

He had happened to see a woman walking down the opposite end of the hallway.

Her hair was elegantly tied up, revealing the nape of her neck, her melancholic dark eyes contrasted with her red lips, and her skin was as white as snow.

She was a beautiful woman, incomparable to any of the courtesans Ximen Pyeong had seen in Chengdu.

Dressed in red silk, the woman walked calmly, not even sparing Ximen Pyeong a glance.

Ximen Pyeong quickly asked the Steward.

“Who is that woman?”

“That person is…”

“No, I’ll find out myself.”

Without waiting for the Steward’s answer, Ximen Pyeong strode toward the woman.

“Oh my! You mustn’t. That is the owner of the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion.”

“Then all the better. I’ve heard the owner of the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion is the number one courtesan in Chengdu.”

The Steward grabbed Ximen Pyeong’s arm. But a mere steward of a brothel could not stop one of the Jianghu’s top talents with physical force.

Ximen Pyeong dragged the Steward along, dangling from his arm.

The Steward, his face pale, said,

“The owner does not receive regular customers.”

“Hmph! What nonsense is that? If a customer desires it, she should naturally receive them.”

“But the owner… Oof!”

At that moment, Ximen Pyeong swung his arm wide. The Steward, who had been clinging to his arm, was sent flying and tumbled to the floor.

“If you grab me again, I’ll break your wrist.”

Ximen Pyeong said, glaring at the Steward sprawled on the floor.

Faced with his murderous aura, the Steward could only move his lips, unable to utter a word.

Having easily shaken off the Steward, Ximen Pyeong ran in the direction the woman had disappeared. Fortunately, she had not gone far.

“Excuse me.”

Ximen Pyeong abruptly grabbed the woman’s wrist.

“Ah!”

Instead of an answer, the woman let out a scream.

Her wrist hurt too much.

Ximen Pyeong paid it no mind and spoke.

“Are you the owner of this place?”

“I am.”

The woman answered cautiously.

She was Su-hyang, the owner of the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion.

Ximen Pyeong’s eyes scanned Su-hyang from head to toe.

“You are… on a different level. Beautiful!”

“I appreciate the compliment, but please let go of my hand.”

“I’d like to drink with you tonight.”

“I’m sorry, but I have retired from the front line.”

“Retired?”

“Yes! I only manage the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion now. It has been a long time since I’ve received customers. So please, choose one of the other courtesans. There are many beautiful girls at the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Pardon?”

“I insist on drinking with you.”

Ximen Pyeong’s eyes glistened with desire.

It was human nature to become more obsessed with things that were hard to obtain.

That was Ximen Pyeong’s state right now.

All the courtesans in Chengdu were desperate to meet him, but the refusal from the woman before him, Su-hyang, only made him want her more.

Su-hyang shook her head.

“Please don’t do this, Young Master Seo Mun.”

“You know me? Then you must know my personality as well. I treat my allies better than anyone, but I am merciless to those who oppose me.”

“Forcing the issue will not change my mind.”

Su-hyang said with an imploring expression.

After being saved by Pyo Wol, she had retired from the front line.

It might not be fitting for a courtesan to have a pure heart, but she wanted to serve only Pyo Wol.

Ximen Pyeong’s eyes sharpened.

He was not used to being rejected.

The reason he seemed like a good person was that he had rarely ever been rejected. With no reason to be rejected, he naturally had no reason to lose his temper. That was why people called him a good man.

But Ximen Pyeong was not a good man. He only appeared to be one.

Right now, Ximen Pyeong’s mind was filled with nothing but the thought of being with Su-hyang.

“If you keep refusing, the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion might not be able to do business ever again.”

“Pardon?”

“I will destroy the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion.”

“If a man of your reputation were to commit such an act, you would face the condemnation of the entire Jianghu. Would you be alright with that?”

“So what? People don’t criticize someone with my level of fame for causing a minor incident. They’d rather sympathize, saying I must have had a good reason.”

Su-hyang’s threat had no effect on Ximen Pyeong.

There was no one here who could control Ximen Pyeong.

Su-hyang squeezed her eyes shut.

‘Do I have to go in?’

If the Celestial Fragrance Pavilion was destroyed, it would cause that much damage to Pyo Wol.

She thought it might not be a bad idea to sacrifice her body if it meant she could obtain useful information for Pyo Wol.

She was a courtesan, after all.

She had no concept of chastity.

But her heart was not in it.

Her head and heart were at odds.

It seemed a rift had formed within her while serving Pyo Wol.

‘That’s right! I am a courtesan. I’ve been living in luxury and have forgotten my place.’

Su-hyang made her decision.

She would serve the customer before her.

“I will serve the customer…”

“Su-hyang!”

At that moment, an indifferent voice was heard.

Unlike Ximen Pyeong’s passionate voice, it was a cold voice, devoid of even a shred of emotion.

Su-hyang and Ximen Pyeong turned their heads to look in the direction the voice came from.

A man was standing there.

He wore a red robe.

He was not strikingly handsome, but he had above-average looks and impressively fair skin.

Su-hyang’s face lit up.

Just from the voice, she knew the man was Pyo Wol.

She knew that Pyo Wol often changed his face depending on the situation. Although he looked different from the face she knew, she confirmed it was Pyo Wol through his voice.

Su-hyang pulled her hand from Ximen Pyeong’s grasp and bowed her head.

“This servant, Su-hyang, greets her master.”

“Master?”

Ximen Pyeong’s eyebrow twitched.

He was displeased that the courtesan he had set his heart on had a man she called master.

Ximen Pyeong glared at Pyo Wol.

“Are you the owner of this wine house?”

“I am!”

“Then you should educate your courtesans properly. Should a courtesan refuse a customer?”

“I don’t force them. I leave it to their judgment.”

“The courtesans judge for themselves?”

“They are human, too.”

Ximen Pyeong’s eyebrow twitched.

Pyo Wol’s words somehow sounded like a jab at him.

Suppressing his anger, Ximen Pyeong asked,

“What’s your name?”

“You don’t need to know.”

“What?”

“Just because you ask doesn’t mean I’m obligated to answer meekly.”

“Ha! It’s been a while since I’ve gotten this heated.”

Ximen Pyeong ran a hand through his hair.

His face was indeed flushed red.

The thought of being mocked by a mere brothel owner made his anger boil over.

Su-hyang was now out of his interest.

His fury was directed at Pyo Wol.

Ximen Pyeong strode toward Pyo Wol. A domineering aura flowed from his entire body.

He was Ximen Pyeong, known as the Little Fist King.

His aura was truly powerful, and there were not many in his generation who could withstand it.

Ximen Pyeong had no intention of hurting Pyo Wol.

Instead, he planned to pressure him with his aura and make him repent for his mistake.

He was confident that a mere inn owner would piss his pants and kneel upon facing his aura. But contrary to Ximen Pyeong’s thoughts, Pyo Wol’s expression did not change one bit as he faced the aura head-on.

It was Ximen Pyeong whose complexion changed.

“It seems you’ve learned some martial arts.”

If his opponent knew martial arts, it was a different story.

It gave him an excuse if he ended up hurting him.

Ximen Pyeong raised his fist.

A powerful internal power stirred within his fist.

Although Ximen Pyeong had intended to hold back, this was a phenomenon that occurred because his internal energy was so profound.

Ximen Pyeong threw a punch.

Fwoong!

With his light punch, the wall of air in front of him burst.

Kwakwakwa!

The walls and fixtures of the hallway shattered.

“Aack!”

Seeing the sight, Su-hyang screamed unknowingly. In her eyes, it looked as if Pyo Wol would be gravely injured at any moment. However, it was the pupils of Ximen Pyeong, the one who threw the punch, that were shaking uncontrollably.

Pyo Wol had vanished from his sight.

Kwang!

His fist only shattered the innocent wall, leaving a large hole.

Ximen Pyeong shuddered.

He felt a cold breath on the back of his neck.

Pyo Wol had somehow moved behind him and was standing right there.

‘When?’

A look of disbelief appeared on Ximen Pyeong’s face.

He was an expert of the highest level in the Jianghu.

At least among those of a similar age, there were not many martial artists who could definitively overwhelm him. Even if someone had greater martial prowess, there was no one who could so completely deceive his senses and take a position behind him.

For a martial artist to expose his back was no different from placing his life in the enemy’s hands.

“You bastard!”

Ximen Pyeong roared and tried to turn his body.

Puk!

At that moment, something cold and hot pierced his waist. And he heard a whisper.

“If you want to covet what belongs to another by force, you should be ready to risk your life. Isn’t that right?”