“Little brother, how long are we going to be like this?”

“This is all because of you.”

“…”

Jin Sohyun let out a yawn.

In fact, he hadn't thought he would be this busy.

The Jahong Inn was a two-story inn, the smallest and shabbiest of all the inns Jin Sohyun had seen so far.

The only reason the Jahong Inn had survived until now was because it had its own tradition, having existed since before Honggang became the best entertainment city in Shanxi.

Such a Jahong Inn had become the most famous inn in Honggang overnight.

The most popular courtesans in Honggang flocked to the Jahong Inn to see Jin Sohyun.

And at the news that they could see the famous courtesans of Honggang for free, not only the residents of Honggang but also merchants and travelers flocked in.

Thanks to that, a long line formed at the Jahong Inn, with a waiting time of over two hours.

“Hehehe! This is a jackpot! A jackpot! There’s no time to rest! Move faster!”

Dongpyeong, who couldn't miss this opportunity, was busy welcoming customers, nagging the waiters and cooks.

Beomgang, who had returned to the inn after a short rest, said with a fed-up expression as he saw the long line at the entrance of the inn.

“Little brother. Let’s run away.”

“…”

Now, even Jin Sohyun couldn't stand it anymore.

It was a miracle that the laziest man in Shanxi had worked until now in the first place.

“Yeah, let’s run away tonight.”

The two agreed for the first time.

“Beomgang! Beomhyeon! Come back quickly! It’s time to work!”

“Yes!”

Jin Sohyun, who had used the alias Beomhyeon, Beomgang’s younger brother, entered the inn at Dongpyeong’s call and put on an apron.

At that sight, the women who had come to the inn let out pleasant screams.

And among them were Seolmae and Yuha.

“How is he? He’s incredibly handsome, right?”

“He is… handsome.”

Yuha swallowed dryly without realizing it.

She had come out of curiosity because the returned Seolmae was making all sorts of fuss.

But the waiter named Beomhyeon was beyond Yuha’s imagination.

‘To think he’d be that good-looking.’

Yuha forced her gaze, which was drawn to Jin Sohyun, and only looked at the table.

In the meantime, famous courtesans that even Seolmae and Yuha knew entered the Jahong Inn.

“Wow! It’s real!”

The woman who had entered with a clear voice stood face to face with Jin Sohyun with light steps.

“Hello. I’m Baekhwa from the Cheonhwagak.”

“I’m Beomhyeon. Shall I guide you to a seat?”

“I like it here.”

Baekhwa came right up to Jin Sohyun’s bosom.

At that, a fresh floral scent pricked her nose.

Most men would have blushed and been flustered at the approach of Baekhwa, who lacked nothing in face and body.

But Jin Sohyun was different.

“I can’t guide you here. I’ll guide you to an empty seat.”

At his calm appearance without any emotional turmoil, Baekhwa sat down in an empty seat in an awkward posture.

“Well… that kind of appearance is actually more charming.”

As Baekhwa sat down, trying to hide her embarrassment, some of the courtesans couldn't hold back their laughter and let out a light chuckle.

Seolmae, who was sitting next to Yuha, also couldn't hold back her chuckle.

“The great Baekhwa got a taste of her own medicine.”

“I know, right.”

Who was Baekhwa?

She was the representative courtesan of the Cheonhwagak, known as the most beautiful and luxurious brothel in Honggang.

Many men would spend tens of thousands of gold to have a conversation with her.

But such a Baekhwa had failed to seduce a single waiter and had been rejected.

“A flower that is hard to break is more valuable.”

Baekhwa said to the courtesans who had come with her, as if for everyone to hear.

At that, the atmosphere of the Jahong Inn instantly became chilly.

“Oh my, was I wrong?”

The reason the air in the inn had become cold was because of the one word Baekhwa had uttered.

A flower that is hard to break.

That referred to the courtesans of the Cheonhwagak.

They were not courtesans who could be met just because one had money.

One had to have not only wealth but also a reputation that everyone would have heard of at least once to be able to set foot in the Cheonhwagak.

And Baekhwa, the representative courtesan of the Cheonhwagak, was a flower of Honggang that so many people wanted that even if one made a reservation now, one could only see her face after half a year.

Because of that, the unbreakable flower that Baekhwa had mentioned meant herself.

And it meant that most of the courtesans gathered here were worthless.

Even knowing this, the courtesans did not dare to question her.

Because no one who went against the Cheonhwagak could be safe in Honggang.

“Waiter.”

“Yes.”

At the voice calling him, Jin Sohyun approached.

“Did you call?”

“What are you doing after work today?”

Jin Sohyun smiled faintly, hiding his intention to run away.

“I’m going to my room to sleep.”

“Your room… you mean here at the Jahong Inn?”

“Yes.”

“How about coming to the Cheonhwagak? I’ll let you in for free.”

“Gasp!”

Not only the courtesans gathered in the inn, but also the onlookers and men who had come to watch were greatly surprised.

That’s how groundbreaking Baekhwa’s proposal was.

But Jin Sohyun shook his head and refused.

“I want to rest comfortably today. I appreciate the offer, but I’ll just take the thought.”

Baekhwa’s gaze, who had been rejected twice, became cold.

“No one in Honggang has ever rejected me twice.”

“Is that so?”

“Haha! My little brother has no interest in such entertainment. How about this Beom Mo goes instead?”

As Beomgang, who was washing dishes in the kitchen, stealthily took a seat and said, Baekhwa shot up from her seat.

“Get lost.”

“…”

Beomgang returned to the kitchen with his shoulders slumped.

Baekhwa, who had shouted and chased Beomgang away, grabbed Jin Sohyun’s collar and said indifferently.

“You’ll regret today’s events for a long time… are you okay with that?”

“Why would I regret it?”

“…”

At Jin Sohyun’s innocent expression, Baekhwa’s anger flared up.

But at the same time, a desire arose.

‘I want him.’

He was different from the men who came to the Cheonhwagak, steeped in all sorts of desires.

His chiseled face and the shining eyes on it were very deep and clear.

Clear and clean eyes without a single flaw.

In them, not a single desire could be found.

Not even the dirty lust of men toward her.

Was that why?

Baekhwa wanted this waiter named Beomhyeon.

‘So this is also a flower that is hard to break.’

Baekhwa, who had made up her mind, said with a smile.

“I will have you. No matter what it takes.”

Baekhwa, who had finished her one-sided words, left the inn.

Jin Sohyun, who was watching the back of the departing Baekhwa, felt a chill.

“Ugh… I have to run away as soon as possible.”

It was Jin Sohyun, who was firmly determined to run away from Honggang.

***

“Hohoho! You saw Baekhwa’s expression too, right? How satisfying was that!”

“Yeah…”

Unlike the happy Seolmae, Yuha was worried.

‘Baekhwa won’t just stand by.’

Baekhwa, apart from her beautiful appearance, was famous for being quite venomous.

If there was something she wanted, she had to have it, and if she couldn't have it, she would break it.

Thus, there were more than one or two people who had disappeared due to Baekhwa’s influence.

‘That waiter won’t last long either.’

Yuha tried to erase the face of Jin Sohyun that came to her mind.

Now was not the time to be worrying about others’ well-being.

—Yuha. You too will start working in earnest from now on.

—In earnest…

—It means to take in men. What else could it be? I’ve let you off until now because you were young, but not anymore. You too have to do your part as a member of this establishment.

It was the call of the brothel master.

Yuha, who had originally come in as a young courtesan, had never taken in a man because she was young and inexperienced.

But not anymore.

From tonight, it was time for her to start working in earnest.

“…”

Yuha clutched her trembling chest.

‘I was prepared for this anyway.’

From the time her family’s fortunes declined and she was sold to a brothel due to her parents’ gambling debts.

Yuha had already given up on her own life.

She just planned to pay off her debt as quickly as possible and then live quietly with her one and only younger sibling in a place where no one knew her.

For this, Yuha took care of herself more diligently than usual.

“What’s wrong?”

Seolmae, who had felt Yuha’s breathing become rough, asked worriedly.

“It’s nothing. I’m just going to get some fresh air.”

“Okay. Go ahead.”

Yuha, who had come out, slowly walked around the outskirts of the brothel.

The back of the always-bustling brothel was a space where she would get some air whenever her head was complicated.

But today, the back of the brothel was noisy.

“That courtesan-looking bastard is also finished today!”

“He caught Baekhwa’s eye, didn’t he? Why is he finished?”

“That bastard rejected Baekhwa’s offer twice. So how do you think the humiliated Baekhwa came out?”

“Ha…! To get on the bad side of Baekhwa of all people… so what happened?”

“I heard from a reliable person that the Heungno Gang has moved.”

“The Heungno Gang… those ill-tempered ruffians?”

“Yeah! They say the leader of the Heungno Gang would die for Baekhwa’s one word. I don’t know for sure, but that waiter bastard is out of luck tonight.”

“Tsk, tsk! Poor bastard. He shouldn’t have rejected Baekhwa’s offer.”

Yuha, who was eavesdropping on the two men’s conversation, covered her mouth and contemplated.

‘What should I do?’

It would have been better if she hadn't heard.

Yuha, who had already learned that the waiter was in danger, ran out of the brothel without realizing it.

“What am I doing!”

Yuha, who had arrived at the Jahong Inn in a single stride, threw open the door of the inn without a moment’s hesitation.

“Huh?”

At the sight of the man who appeared as soon as the door opened, Yuha was startled and let out a short scream.

“Kyaak!”

“Are you okay? You’ve come again.”

As Jin Sohyun greeted her with a happy face, Yuha fumbled with a flushed face.

“Ah, yes, yes…”

“Did you come to eat? Or for a drink?”

“Th-that’s not it…”

Yuha, who had belatedly come to her senses, said urgently.

“This is not the time for this! The Heungno Gang people will be here soon!”

“The Heungno Gang?”

“Yes! So hurry up and run away!”

“Little brother, what’s going on?”

Beomgang appeared from behind Jin Sohyun and asked.

“She says the Heungno Gang is coming.”

“Who’s the Heungno Gang?”

“I don’t know either.”

At the sight of the two talking peacefully, Yuha was anxious.

She didn't know when they would raid this place, so they had to run away as soon as possible.

But these two were chatting leisurely, unaware of the urgency of the situation.

“Washing dishes is harder than training.”

“Don’t be a baby. Who do you think is responsible for this?”

“You wouldn’t know since you’re just guiding beautiful young ladies! Look at these swollen hands and then talk! See if you can still say I’m being a baby!”

Yuha, who couldn't stand it anymore, grabbed Jin Sohyun’s hand and said.

“The Heungno Gang are the worst people in Honggang! If you get caught by them, you’ll be seriously injured… or you’ll die!”

At Yuha’s shout, Jin Sohyun and Beomgang blinked their eyes.

Soon, the gazes of the two went past Yuha and to her back.

“What is this bewitching wench saying now?”

“She says we’re the worst bastards in Honggang.”

“Hahaha! I didn’t hear wrong.”

At the rough voices of the men coming from behind her, Yuha’s face turned white.

Her head creaked and turned back.

Where she had turned, ten martial artists of the Heungno Gang were standing, radiating a menacing aura with their whole bodies.

“Will you say that again, wench?”

“Ah… ah…”

As Yuha trembled, Jin Sohyun, who was watching, stepped forward.

At his appearance, the man who looked to be the leader of the Heungno Gang frowned.

The three scars that crossed his face wriggled like worms.

“Who are you?”

“A waiter. Are you coming in? Or are you going to keep standing there?”

“What?”

“We have to start the evening business soon.”

Jin Sohyun smiled brightly with his handsome face.

“If you’re not a customer, would you please leave?”

(End of Chapter)