Mercenary Harem in Murim Novel

Morning in the Capital City always meant the start of a new day.

Many shops opened their doors and greeted their customers. The air was filled with the smell of delicious food, and the sound of people's footsteps could be heard from everywhere.

Today was no different.

With the banquet of Four Wind Merchant tonight, Leo and Jessica had much to do.

"First of all, let's get some gifts for the host. The normal gift would be rare items that came from a merchant's base city or something. But because we're a wandering merchant, we don't have anything like that."

"So, what should we bring?"

"Something interesting." Leo looked around and said, "There are plenty of strange things we can find in the Capital City. Maybe something like the suits we have. We will give them a good gift that would be useful for everyone."

"Are you talking about securing the item written in that one for them?" Jessica asked. "But isn't that originally theirs? Won't they get offended if we give it to them?"

"No, it's not like that. Just trust me."

"Okay, Leader. You always have the best plan."

"I have never said that myself, but I am thankful for your trust in me. But before that... Where is our escort?"

Before parting yesterday, he had made a promise with Deng Yue to meet at the inn. Guards were supposed to arrive before their breakfast.

But, there was no sign of them anywhere.

"Where is that idiot?" Leo was a bit annoyed.

At first, he planned to just use Deng Yue and his subordinates as a part of his plan to find Xue Rou. But now he thought twice about it. Was it worth it to work with them?

"Maybe I should look for someone else to use." He grumbled lowly, something that was rare for him to do.

Maybe he should use someone else who could help him find the girl. But, who?

Suddenly, the commotion near the door broke his thoughts. Three people entered the inn, and the one in the middle was Deng Yue.

"You! Where have you been?!"

Leo was angry. It was a mixture of an act and a real feeling he bottled up from choosing the wrong scum to use. This scum was way more... lazy than he had expected.

"Sorry, sorry. I had some business to attend to. But hey, here we are. Don't worry about your protection and all. We are here for you. Right, guys?"

"Yes, yes. We are here for you." His subordinates smiled.

They looked drunk and happy. Their eyes were red, and their cheeks were rosy.

Without a doubt, they drank until morning and didn't have time to sleep.

'What a bunch of idiots.'

Leo sighed and decided to put up with them. He had no choice but to keep his original plan.

"Let's go."

He and Jessica went outside, followed by Deng Yue and his subordinates. They acted as if they were big guys and tried their best to intimidate the other people.

'What a joke. These fools couldn't even scare a fly.'

As they walked through the streets, Leo talked with Jessica like a loving husband and a foolish merchant like usual. However, there was a hidden message that only both of them could know.

"Do you want more jewelry, dear wife?"

[We will go to the slum right away and secure the item.]

"Hehe, no, dear husband. I am content with what we have. But, maybe some clothes for our future daughter, hmm? Let's buy a lot of things for her." She smiled and giggled.

[What should we do to these pesky flies?]

"That's a great idea, honey. Maybe we should buy her a dress and a necklace. She would be so happy to receive it when she's born."

[These pests surely know people from the slum. If we go there, they will be happy to rob us. Let's keep them until we enter that lawless area.]

"Yes, yes. That's a great idea."

[Very well.]

While they were conversing, Deng Yue and his subordinates were giggling and laughing behind. They didn't even try to look professional.

'Just wait. You will soon regret your choices.'

Last night, Leo had already spread rumors about his guards among people in the rich area. Some rats probably heard about it too. Especially since he stood out a lot after buying a lot of jewelry and expensive clothes without batting eyelids.

As proof, he felt gazes on him.

And, they were not the friendly kind.

'I'm glad I chose the right bait. It's working better than I had expected.'

He and Jessica strolled leisurely while being followed by those rats.

At first, he only moved around without drawing much attention. Then, he changed his direction to go into the slum area. However, they didn't really look pretty confused or something. They clearly moved this way with a goal.

The place was dirty and filled with trash. The people living there were not like the ones in the city. They looked desperate and hungry, and some of them even tried to rob the people passing by.

Most people in this place looked desperate. They had no proper clothes or anything to eat. And, most of them were starving.

Leo and Jessica acted as if nothing was wrong.

Meanwhile, Deng Yue and his two subordinates began to feel uncomfortable. They had no idea what they were getting into.

'Perfect. The trap is set.'

"H-Hey, why are we here?" Deng Yue asked, looking around nervously. "This is not the right way."

However, Leo ignored him. He didn't want to converse with him.

Right now, they were just his guards and he was talking with his wife. It was normal not to answer a rude call from them.

"Dear husband, are you sure this is the right way? We might get lost."

"Don't worry, my love. I know the Capital City like the back of my hand. Trust me."

They continued to walk leisurely as if there was nothing wrong.

Soon, they entered an abandoned street. There were no people around, and the building looked old and decayed. With each second passed, Deng Yue's uneasiness grew.

"W-Wait, I think we should turn back. This place is not safe. You shouldn't not go to this direction."

"Dear husband, let's turn back. Our guard says that this place isn't safe." Jessica plead, pulling Leo's sleeve. Her face looked worried.

"It's fine. Don't worry, honey. Don't we have 6 Stars martial artists as guards? No one will attack us!" Leo laughed and continued walking, shrugging off the warning. "Also, my friend told me there is a treasure here. I want to give it to you, dear wife."

"Really? If that's the case, then I will follow you. I love treasure. Oh, but I love you more, dear Husband."

"Hahaha, I know. And you're my biggest treasure, my wife."

At this moment, they thought that the rich merchant they pretended to protect was crazy and too much of a pushover. The risk of continuing toward this path wasn't worth the money he was paying for or the money they would get from scamming him. Their lives would be in danger here.

But, before they could turn back, several people appeared from the alley and blocked their path, forcing them to stop. They were holding knives and wearing tattered clothes. They had a wild and dangerous look in their eyes.

One of them looked especially menacing with a large scar running across his chest. He had a large sword and a fierce expression on his face.

"Well, well... Isn't this Deng Yue? What are you trying to do in this place? Do you want to die?"

The man's voice was deep and threatening, and his tone was filled with malice. From his tone, he was clearly acquainted with Deng Yue and his companion.

"W-Wait, wait! It's not like that! We just took the wrong turn."

Deng Yue was sweating buckets. He didn't want to mess with these people. He knew how dangerous they were and what they could do.

"Hehehe, wrong turn? There is no way anyone can make a mistake and end up here. You're either very stupid or very brave. And, judging from the look of it, you're both stupid and coward."

"W-We just want to leave." Deng Yue said, "Y-Young Lord, let's get out of here. We can't fight against them."

"Hmm, why are you so afraid of them? Are you sure you're a martial artist? My wife is far stronger than you." Leo said without breaking his calm. Explore stories at empire

He observed the situation carefully and was sure that the man in front of him was someone who he had been searching for, someone who got the 'item' that would be perfect for the gift to gain Four Wind Merchant's favor in the banquet.

'Four Wind Merchant's former guard who stole a treasure and ran away with his gang, Gong Jin. That's him. And, his gang is here too.'

He smirked underneath his acting mask,

'Good. Now is the time to get rid of the pest.

"Hmm, I don't like these guys. Deng Yue, kill them." Leo commanded and stepped back as he pulled Jessica with him.

Now, his position and Deng Yue were reversed, with him behind them all. He even gave a slight push to help Deng Yue to step forward and face the enemies alone.

Gong Jin blinked and laughed.

"Huhuhu, so you're really planning on fighting us, Deng Yue? Are you serious?"

"N-No, no. I just want to talk. Please, give us a chance." Deng Yue moved his hands up and tried to negotiate.

But, Leo wasn't going to let him off the hook.

"You bastard, you're not even worthy against my guard. He's a 6 Stars martial artist from Deng Martial Arts School, the strongest in the Capital! You are dead with just a flick of his finger!" He shouted loudly, imitating the Young Master he often read in a Murim novel.

The effect was immediate.

"Pfft! Let's see whether your words are true or not, eh?" Gong Jin snorted and attacked Deng Yue with a powerful swing of his sword.

A sharp light flashed, and the sound of a blade slicing the air was heard.

With no chance to defend himself, Deng Yue was hit in the chest and was sent flying. Blood gushed from his wound as he rolled on the ground, screaming in pain.

"Leader!"

"Are you okay?!"

Deng Yue's subordinates rushed to help him.

But, before they could reach him, a loud bang sounded and they were sent flying back.

"Hahahahaha, did you think we would let you help him? You fools." Gong Jin laughed loudly. "Guys, beat them up! But don't kill them. We still need their bodies to sell."

The people around cheered and approached them, holding their weapons.

"Heh, a 6 Stars martial artist, you said? Is that all he can do? How disappointing."

Gong Jin sneered and raised his sword. Then, he looked at Leo and Jessica.

"And you two, come here. Don't try to run or else you'll end up like your guards. You don't want your wife to see you bleed, no? Oh, Rich Lord Yang Ji."

He waved his sword threateningly.

'It's time.'