Chapter 308- The Caressing Inn

The Caressing Inn

A striking blue carriage cut across the edge of the slum district as it headed to its destination of the broad and popular brothel boulevard. The horse turned and then trotted into the back lane connecting the stables of the nightly establishments. While this happened, word spread faster than a northern squall of the buyout of the mansion belonging to the Vice-guild master of the Merchant Guild.

Young Master Will disembarked from the carriage with his two enchanting escorts while Old Russ and the driver unhitched the horse. Leaving the two men to cover the eye-catching carriage, the plump young noble disappeared into the back entrance of the Silk Flower House.

A waiting servant girl with a raised torch guided the esteemed noble down the damp stone steps to the clammy cellar. Shuffling with familiarity with the surroundings, she pushed open a heavy door and lit the oil lamp on the table.

Hanging the burning torch on an iron ring on the rough stone wall, she then meekly positioned herself adjacent to the closed door. The fire reflecting in her eyes seemed to dance as she waited in expectation for the transformation. To outsiders and new staff of the Silk Flower House, she held the position of a simple serving girl. In secret, however, she occupied one of the few captain positions of the infamous Behemoth Gang retained by women.

During the sparse few months of combat training under the gang supervisors, Carol could comfortably exploit the weakness of her male opponents. Her 'ball breaker' as Chong called it, became feared due to its effectiveness as a hidden trump card. Chong repeatedly impressed upon the girl captains about using their gender towards their advantage. The thought of assaulting a defenseless female could earn an adversary a crippling strike.

"Ahh! This pillow strapped across my belly is making me sweat. Lucy, can you help me loosen my shirt? My fingers are still swollen under the effect of our moisturizing potion. Unbuttoning my shirt is impossible."

Chu said while removing his embroidered robe. He remained standing until the blue-haired girl removed the firm pillow tied to his stomach. With a smile that caused Lucy to look away, he then breathed out in freedom before dropping onto the dusty chair.

Miki patted his shoulder to smoothen his ruffled shirt. She then brushed her fingers through her dark red hair.

"I don't know how you think up these contraptions, Chu. I swear I would pass you without a second glance on the street."

"Oh, is it because I am pudgy and not a beauty? Shame on you Miki, I didn't think you judged a person based on their looks."

Chu replied to the blood-colored haired girl while pushing two fingers inside his mouth. With a groan, he removed one after the next, two stiff cheek pads. A short time later, a knock on the door sounded as Chong and Old Russ entered.

"By Heavens, Boss. If I didn't see you enter, I could have sworn you looked like someone else."

"Supervisor Chong speaks the truth. Only because you have that tuft of red-hair can I tell you're the same Young Master Will."

Old Russ added after Chong while wiping his brows.

Chu grinned to display a few stained teeth as he looked towards the eighteen-year-old girl standing next to the door. In the dim lighting, her clothes depicted her clean and tidy character.

"Carol, what do you think? If I wash my hair, fix my hands, and clean my teeth, would you recognize me?"

"N...no Boss. I would pass you by on the streets without a second thought."

The brown-haired girl stuttered while blushing. Glancing at the two girls in the room, the tips of her ears became hot. Yesterday, Chong summoned all the captains and lieutenants of the Behemoth Gang to a meeting. There, he introduced the true Boss of the gang which controlled the entire slum district from the shadows.

What really impressed Carol and the few female leaders were the girls who accompanied their young Boss. After the discussions by the Boss, the raven-haired girl immediately dropped a challenge to the participating leaders. Clearing out a ring for a good old fashioned brawl, she tossed out a pouch of fifty silvers to anyone capable of defeating the blue-eyed girl in combat.

That night, Carol and the leaders of the Behemoth Gang understood why Fole and Green never hesitated to promote both men and women to leadership positions. Besides these two impressive role models, Chong had also previously introduced a younger redhead. The reeking bloodlust from that young boss raised the neck hairs of even the more aggressive captains.

"Don't worry, Carol. If you think this guy is bullying you, just let this little sister know. I will seek justice for you."

Miki laughed as she dropped a chop onto the head of the sitting boy.

Chu held his head as if in pain before turning to Chong. Breathing out a long breath, he rested his hand on the table. The composed manner of a businessman returned.

"How goes it?"

"I ordered the driver to keep an eye on the hidden carriage in the event anyone comes snooping around. Singh sent word that except for the loss of a few silvers, most of the coins have been recovered. Your idea to use our own gang to act as collectors saved us from racking up a large loss."

"The idea is only as good as the ones implementing it. Old Russ, you did an excellent job, today. Your brisk movement caught the spectators beautifully off guard. Spotting and shoving most of the coins into the hands of the children so fast prevented you from being crowded. The way you picked out the gang member who acted the role as a mercenary fooled even me."

Chu said.

"You praise me too highly, Boss. I know the faces of the children today since they usually roam around as scouts in my district. As for the burly mercenary, he's my nephew on my wife's side of the family."

Old Russ bowed. He had once thought he reached the pinnacle in life when he ran a small gambling den in the slums. Now, working under the Behemoth Gang, he realized how little he achieved during his waning years.

"No need to be modest. Your act today proved Green certainly saw potential in you. The way you moved the chests so that the discarded horseshoes tinkled as if full of coins impressed me. The weight alone will have the guards whispering about the contents. Let's have a rest until this evening. Later, before the sun sets, we need to flaunt ourselves while settling into our mansion."

Chu replied as he leaned on the chair and tapped his fingers on the wooden table. He turned to Chong.

"What about tonight?"

"The Caressing Inn usually hosts a gambling night where most of the cultured and betting young masters gather. Tonight is their monthly ring brawl contest in the stables. Most of the fighters participating come from the hands of the young masters. Also, by tonight, the rumors of your riches and splurging will have spread throughout the city."

"So far so good. The event tonight is perfect. What a convenient place to begin acting like a compulsive gambler. Send word to Ming for us to meet up. Also, let the news of this event reach the ears of as many young masters as possible. Old Russ, how about tonight I win you some coins for retirement..."

***

The Caressing Inn occupied a fairly large area on the red-light district as Chu called it. Because of its close proximity to the noble quarters, it served to entertain mostly those from the higher levels of society. Many of its guests usually strolled across from the large mansions of their clans to enjoy a little hour of revelry after sunset. This plan, however, saw most of them greeting the sunrise from behind the inn's many curtains.

A carriage rumbled along the cobblestones before slowing and entering into the private semicircular driveway. There it paused under the massive stone pillars of the establishment. The Caressing Inn differed greatly from its competitors in knowing how to conduct its trade discreetly.

Two enchanting young ladies followed a well-groomed young man in greeting the arriving guests. Most of the time, one or all three of them would accompany the visitor inside depending on the circumstances. The inn prided itself on having sufficient of these appetizers.

"What grandeur! I admit I am no newcomer but this place has me thinking that Seastone City is located in the boonies. One can appreciate the ingenuity of the owner in converting this ancient building into a pleasure home for the souls."

A fat young man ogled from his plump face. A burly man assisted him while the carriage rolled away. The half-closed eyes above the raised cheeks leered at the smiling girls.

"Even the mere greeters appear exquisite, so one can anticipate the hidden gems inside just waiting to be exposed."

Young Master Will giggled as he walked between the two ladies. His hands roamed between their slim waists before sliding across their lower backs. Chu felt them stiffen momentarily and relax while keeping their smile.

"Pails, hand over three silvers to the usher. I believe I can't lose my way with these two beauties. Ladies, this young master from Seastone city is here for a good time. Come, night awaits!"

Young Master Will pushed two small pouches of ten silvers into the fine fingers of his newfound female companions. Chu praised their hearts as they walked into the main hall. Given his appearance and actions, he would have expected them to run screaming after delivering a pair of palm prints onto his sooty face. To maintain a constant smile while accompanying him required definite willpower.

The generous offerings and the slip of his tongue, however, initiated natural smiles and a slight chucked from the girls. The departing blue carriage reinforced their thoughts. By now, who didn't know of the spendthrift young master of Seastone City?