Chaotic Nights

Chapter 9. Bloody Wind

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The door burst open.

Four servants entered the room and grabbed Eunha, who was sitting down while trying to calm herself.

“W… What’s wrong? Why are you doing this?”

“First of all, let’s go!”

“Um… Excuse me?!”

“Someone’s looking for you. We’ve received an order to bring you! So, there’s nothing we can do!”

“Why would a client look for me? I’m not a courtesan!”

“Ask that to them directly. We don’t know anything!”

The servants on duty were quite strong. Not only that, but the front door guards had joined the group to help forcefully drag Eunha away.

Eunha was very paranoid because of what Chunhee had just told her. This is why she struggled and screamed, but a normal woman couldn’t go against six people.

They threw Eunha into a tub of hot water and poured water on top of her head. Due to the water entering her eyes, nose, and mouth, she couldn’t get a grasp of herself. All her clothes and undergarments had been torn off.

“Why are you doing this to me… Why is everyone doing this to me?!”

“If we don’t take you, they will kill us. So please, just go. Do it for your sister… Please, listen to us.”

Chunhee tearfully pleaded. She had her sleeves rolled up and was rubbing Eunha’s back.

After seeing Chunhee’s tears, Eunha began to feel troubled. Just what kind of person was searching for her?

Chunhee brushed Eunha’s black wet hair and then used oil to replace the previous dirty scent.

Eunha wore the skirt that Chunhee brought her. The fabric was a pure white shade with a camellia embroidered into it. The coat they made her wear was as transparent as the wings of a dragonfly.

Eunha didn’t have any strength left in her body and couldn’t escape even if she wanted to. Chunhee tried to show Eunha her appearance in the mirror, but she struck it instead, breaking it into many pieces.

The sound of the expensive mirror breaking brought everyone back to their senses.

“Tell me. Who’s the client? How do they know about me? Please, speak.”

Trembling in fear, Chunhee swallowed hard and finally opened her mouth.

“It’s a blind man. T… That person ordered his knight to cut Simdeok’s tongue. After hearing a commotion, two guards entered the room, only to have their heads cut off. That is the person calling for you. He will have us killed if we don’t take you there.”

‘A client that’s unable to see?’

Suddenly, Eunha came to her senses and gave Chunhee a blank stare. Then she asked her,

“Was it really a blind client?”

“Yes. So, let’s go, he’s currently waiting for you.”

There were many things she wanted to ask, but she was scared of things getting worse if they took any longer.

Eunha walked through the courtesan house, her hands fisted in her skirt. The clients that caught a glimpse of Eunha as she walked accompanied by Chunhee went crazy. They were pointing at her while shouting,

“”Bring her to me!””

When she entered the building, the scent of blood suffocated her. Eunha and Chunhee could see blood seeping through the bottom of the secret room door.

‘This is wrong… Even if he’s a person of high social standing, one shouldn’t recklessly take the lives of others. What happened? Why did he do this?’

“I… I brought Eunha!”

Chunhee said while kneeling on the floor.

“C… Come in.”

Simdeok answered with a trembling voice.

Both Eunha and Chunhee felt a sense of relief after hearing her voice. It seemed like she still had her tongue.

Eunha opened the door in place of Chunhee. Her body stiffened after catching sight of the horrific scene.

Simdeok, with a pale expression, made a gesture with her hands. Eunha walked toward the man drinking alcohol. The man, dressed in a blue silk coat, put the cup down and raised his head.

The moment Eunha caught a glimpse of his black eyes, she froze in place.

“Closer.”

It was the same voice she had heard yesterday.

With each step, the hem of the white skirt was slowly dyed a red color.

“More.”

‘Is he doing this on purpose?’

Since he’s blind, there’s no way he could see how she’s dressed. He probably differentiated people by their tone of voice or smell.

Simdeok looked at her as if she was seeing a ghost. When she was only one step away, she kneeled.

“If I get any closer, my knees will touch yours.”

The man laughed out loud.

“If our knees touch, then our lips would touch as well. And our stomachs would meet… What a shame. I also came here to put your hair up.”

He touched Eunha’s chin with his rough hands, lifting it so their eyes would meet. His cheek and nose brushed against her face.

He closed his eyes and inhaled her scent.

Then he brushed his thumb against her lips.

Eunha let the man touch her face. He touched her wet eyes, her eyebrows, which curved like a crescent moon, and her round forehead. Once his hands reached the back of her head, he finally opened his eyes.

“You’re definitely my Eunha.”

Even though he was speaking softly, he wasn’t smiling.

“I heard a strange rumor.”

“What rumor?”

“That someone was trying to hurt you. That they grabbed and locked you up, preventing you from coming to me.”

“I… I couldn’t go out because there was a misunderstanding… I was planning to come and see you tomorrow.”

“Really? But you told me that you planned to make this kid a courtesan, right?”

Jihak touched Eunha’s cheeks, who, despite being afraid, met his gaze.

“Y… Yes… I was planning to do that.”

Simdeok answered with a trembling voice.

“So you did, hmm? I promised this kid 4000 tael coins, so you will need to pay her at least the double. But that’s impossible for you, so…”

“F… Four thousand coins?”

“I think that it’s a fair price for her.”

Jihak looked at Eunha, who was trying her best to endure the humiliation.

She had straight shoulders and an unusually thin neck. It looked so fragile that he would be able to break it with just one hand.

“Yuljae, come here.”

At Jihak’s orders Yuljae, drenched in blood, approached him, kneeled, and bowed his head.

“Yes, My Lord.”

“Check this girl’s face. Take note of any scratches on her face or bruises on her body. Remember her current state. And tomorrow, when she gets to my home, compare it with how she was today.”

Her eyes meet with Yuljae’s. He looked like a demon covered in blood. However, she was more fearful of the lord, who didn’t have a single drop of blood on his clothes.

Yuljae looked at Eunha carefully. And then turned his head around to Jihak.

“I’m done, my lord.”

“Good… Then, let’s get up. I thought the alcohol would taste sweet, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.”

Yuljae helped Jihak stand up. Eunha immediately noticed his height as it was her first time seeing him standing up. There was more pressure coming from him than when he was seated.

“Eunha, tell this to the woman there. If she dares touch either your face or body, the flowers in this place will never blossom again.”

“Y… Yes, my lord.”

Jihak seemed satisfied with the answer. He extended the hand he was using to grab a stick. Yuljae handed it to him and began walking.

That’s when she realized that he was indeed blind. Eunha watched as the guards outside saluted Jihak. She turned back around and saw Simdeok sigh in relief.

She stared at the bodies of the guards that had lost their lives. Then she stood up, her body trembling.

Simdeok looked at the ceiling and burst into laughter.

Eunha was glaring at Simdeok when she was suddenly slapped.

The loud sound echoed in the room and her mouth began to bleed.

Eunha was so stunned that her mind went blank.

‘Was it because she just got slapped?’

Simdeok got close to her face. Eunha could see the rage and anger boiling in her eyes.

“Rat me out if you dare. What a shameless girl… How dare you play with Young Master Yoon’s feelings…”

***

Shihoon suddenly closed the book he was reading.

A close associate had brought him surprising news.

“A bloody wind had blown inside the courtesan house. Two bodies were quietly taken out through the back door.”

His associate also described how people were having a hard time cleaning up all the blood.

“Get ready. I need to go see how my mother is doing.”

Shihoon hurriedly put on his coat and hat.

“Hurry up! I need to go see her, so get ready!”

He shouted at his servant.

“Young Master… His Excellency is coming here soon. So, if you go to the courtesan house so late at night…”

“He’s coming here?”

His assistant, Mr. Kim, looked outside with a troubled look on his face. He had many things to prepare before His Excellency arrived.

Shihoon told Mr. Kim that he could go out and do what he needed to do.

But he still took off his hat and sat on the floor. Even if his mind was already at the courtesan’s house, he had to stay here.

‘Is Eunha okay? A bloody wind has blown in? Just what happened…?’

No. Eunha isn’t a courtesan, so she wouldn’t be affected no matter what has happened inside.

Shihoon went down to great His Excellency while struggling to suppress his anxiety.

Then, the main door opened and the Minister of Defense entered, accompanied by his servants.

“Your Excellency, have you been well?”

Shihoon asked while bowing.

The minister approached him laughing, and patted him on his shoulders. After helping him stand upright, the minister hugged him.

“Yes. Shihoon, I’m happy to see you also seem to be doing well.”