Hot Spring Club, Lounge.
"Is the pressure alright, Lord Gurd?"
"A bit harder."
Gurd lay bare-chested on the bed, enjoying Ayachou's massage service. He squinted comfortably as he asked,
"How's business at the shop lately?"
"There are so many customers that bookings are scheduled two weeks in advance. The sisters are exhausted every day, their bodies sore all over."
Ayachou instinctively began to play up their hardships.
Massage was no easy job. Compared to the past, when all they had to do was spread their legs, they were now earning their keep through sheer physical effort.
It was grueling work.
But the rewards were absurdly high!
The shop operated on a performance-based system, where the technicians received a percentage of the customers' spending.
Since the clientele consisted of the wealthy and noble, who spent lavishly, their wages were several times—even dozens of times—higher than when they were prostitutes.
In just one month, they had earned what would have taken them a year of backbreaking work in the past.
"Though the sisters are exhausted, they all work very hard."
As she spoke, Ayachou's eyes reddened slightly: "We lowly women never imagined we'd have a dignified life one day. In our hearts, we're all grateful to you, my lord."
"Hmm."
Gurd gave a slight nod.
The fate of prostitutes was usually tragic. Most would be cast aside before they even turned thirty. The luckier ones might serve newcomers for a meager living, while the unlucky ones would die young from occupational diseases.
To encounter a benefactor like him was nothing short of a heaven-defying reversal of fate.
"Has Kyoshiro approached any of you?"
"This..."
Ayachou hesitated.
"I see."
Gurd waved his hand.
There were fewer than a thousand prostitutes in the entire Pleasure Quarter. With so many of them—especially the high-class ones—poached by him, it was no wonder Kyoshiro was anxious.
After all, on the surface, Gurd showed no intention of returning them.
"Tell the sisters in the shop that if they wish to stay, I can buy out their contracts. They can repay the money gradually. If they have other difficulties, they can bring them up as well."
"Ah—thank you, my lord!"
Ayachou trembled with excitement.
Buying out their contracts was no small sum.
With the lord's promise, the sisters could finally rest easy.
"My lord."
Ayachou's voice quivered, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She undid the buttons at her chest and leaned forward, pressing her softness against Gurd's back.
"Let this humble one serve you."
"..."
Gurd sighed helplessly.
People always said men were the ones chasing women, but why did these women keep scheming to seduce him? Did they really think he had no needs as a man?
Fine.
He was no saint anyway.
It seemed fate had destined him for this trial!
Two hours later
The hot spring shop welcomed four shabby-looking guests.
"Gang Wugong, are we really going in?"
Taking in the luxurious surroundings and the disdainful glances cast their way, the four gang leaders hesitated at the entrance.
As the hottest leisure spot in the Flower Capital, a single day's spending here could sustain them comfortably for half a year. How could they not feel intimidated?
"What's there to fear? Don't let the pirates look down on us!"
Gang Wugong's eyes flashed with ferocity.
Three days ago, they had received another invitation.
Unlike the last time, this one didn't specify the purpose—it merely mentioned catching up over a chat.
But the fewer the words, the graver the matter.
They couldn't help but feel uneasy, yet they had no choice but to brace themselves and attend. Who knew what the pirates might do otherwise?
At the very least, things were out in the open now. No matter what they were being summoned for, there was still some room for negotiation.
"Scratch~ Scratch~~"
Gang Wugong tilted his head to look at Dazheng, who was scraping his shoes against the gravel nearby. Adie from Linghou and Mitahei from Ximei also turned their gaze.
"Dazheng, what are you doing?"
"Cleaning my soles."
Among the four, Dazheng had the most imposing physique and was known for his brutal methods against enemies, earning him the moniker "Bloodscript" Dazheng.
Yet here he was, cleaning his shoes.
"If I dirty the carpet here, I can't afford to pay for it."
"..."
The other three exchanged glances.
That actually made perfect sense!
"Scratch~ Scratch~~"
With their soles now clean, the four gang leaders puffed out their chests and stepped through the shop's entrance. A hostess immediately approached to greet them.
The hostess smiled warmly. "You must be the gang leaders from various regions. Gurd-sama has already informed us. Please follow me."
"Uh, right."
The four followed behind the hostess.
The three men couldn't help but let their eyes wander to the curves accentuated by the qipao—the rounded, perky rear and the glimpses of snow-white thighs revealed by the high slit. They swallowed hard unconsciously.
Damn, this girl was irresistible!
The sole woman among them, Adie, was also captivated by the hostess's qipao, her eyes betraying a mix of longing and envy.
"That outfit is so beautiful. The fabric looks incredibly soft too. It must cost a fortune. I'd love to try it on."
Soon, they arrived at the reception room.
The hostess pushed the door open with a cheerful smile and turned to invite them in. "Please come in, leaders. Gurd-sama is waiting inside."
"Ah, ahem, yes!"
The four awkwardly avoided the hostess's amused gaze, pretending nonchalance as they entered the room.
Inside, by the window.
Gurd turned around and walked toward the sofa area.
"Have a seat."
"..."
The four exchanged subtle glances before sitting across from Gurd. As they faced the man, an uncontrollable surge of killing intent welled up inside them.
The last time they'd met, they had witnessed Gurd slaughter two hundred Kozuki Samurai, many of whom had been their friends.
Despite their seething rage, they were powerless.
The moment those Kozuki Samurai appeared, their fate had been sealed. Any attempt to help would only have added to the casualties.
Gurd crossed his legs leisurely, studying the four with a relaxed air.
"Hyougoro of Ebisu Town, Adie of Linghou, Mitahei of Ximei, and 'Bloodscript' Dazheng of Tuwan. That's correct, yes?"
"It's us."
The four responded in low voices.
Having come this far, they had to maintain the dignity befitting gang leaders. They couldn't afford to be looked down upon.
"Good."
Gurd placed four documents and a large bag of money on the table.
"Take a look. If there are no issues, press your seals."
"What is this...?"
The four picked up the documents and began reading, their expressions darkening by the second.
It was an employment contract.
And one tantamount to selling themselves into servitude!
"Bam!"
Dazheng slammed his fist onto the table, glaring furiously at Gurd. "Pirate! You want us to be your dogs?!"
"More or less."
Gurd nodded indifferently.
"Also, be gentle. This table is made of rare wood worth a hundred gold. You can't afford to break it."
"What?! A hundred gold?!"
Dazheng recoiled in shock, hastily retracting his fist.
He really couldn't afford that!
The other three were equally furious but restrained—or perhaps too afraid to act out, given they were on the enemy's turf.
Adie pushed both the contract and the money back across the table.
"Mr. Gurd, there's no way we're signing this employment contract. Don't think you can buy us with money!"
"Buy you? You've misunderstood."
Gurd pointed at the money on the table.
"This money is for you to get some decent outfits. Look at your patched-up, shabby appearances—it's embarrassing to be seen with you."
"..."
The four men flushed red with anger.
Humiliation! A blatant insult!
They were indeed poor, but they wouldn't accept charity from the likes of him!
The four stood up indignantly.
"Let's go!"
"Leaving?"
Gurd calmly watched the four men.
"Don't you want to hear my offer?"
"Mr. Gurd, no matter what conditions you propose, we'll never agree. We'll never be dogs for Pirates!"
Suppressing their rage, the four turned toward the door. But when they heard the words spoken behind them, they froze instantly.
Their faces filled with shock as they turned back to Gurd.
"What did you just say?"
"Didn't hear me clearly? Then I'll repeat it. Listen carefully—my offer is—"
Gurd lit a cigar and exhaled a puff of smoke.
"Hana no Hyogoro's life!"
(End of Chapter)