Mercenary Harem in Murim Novel

Just as he was thinking about that, a drunk man suddenly appeared and grabbed her wrist.

"Come, lil' lady. You're cute, and I can treat you well. Let's have some fun together. I won't hurt ya."

"No! P-Please release me."

"Come on, I will pay for your service. Hehehe, let's go to the second floor. Hey, bring me alcohol too! I am tired of drinking tea!"

He was loud and smelled of alcohol. The girl froze, and she shook her head, trying to break free. Her face became pale at the sudden force, and her eyes were filled with fear.

'What is this?'

Leo didn't like what he saw. He didn't have a problem with the prostitute selling their bodies. That was their job. However, when someone was forcing themselves on them when they refused, it was another story.

"Excuse me, mister."

He approached the man and smiled.

"Can you release the girl? She's not interested. And I have eyes on her first before you, so can you please let me have her?"

His words were polite, but his tone was cold. The drunk man glared at him and sneered.

"Huh? Who do you think you are? You're just a poor, dirty peasant. Don't pretend to be a hero. Just get lost, and leave us alone."

His words were arrogant, and he didn't listen to Leo's explanation. The girl looked up, her eyes still hidden by her messy bangs, but her expression was clear.

Noticing that Leo tried to protect her, she scooted over and hid behind him, holding his sleeve. He could feel her trembling in fear.

"I am not trying to be a hero, but I do want to have this girl. If you can't understand, then you can just leave. It's not like you're the only one who can have her. And the other girls here will not accept a drunkard as this is the teahouse. Did you not read the rules on the entrance?"

Leo was calm and didn't raise his voice. His tone was cold and polite, but the drunk man's face turned red in anger.

"Are you mocking me? Do you want to die? I am not someone you can mess with!"

"Oh? Who are you? A powerful official?"

"I am the leader of the Flying Dragon Gang! You should be honored to meet me! I can crush you in a single blow! So, get lost! Don't try to fight me."

"Wow, I am scared."

Of course, Leo didn't know what this Flying Dragon Gang was. It also didn't appear in the novel. Which means...

'He's just a small fry.'

The other guests laughed at the blatant sarcasm and booed at the drunk man, who was now embarrassed and angry. He clenched his fists and glared at Leo.

Then, unable to hold his anger, he threw a punch, one that belonged to a 1-star martial artist. It was weak and slow, and Leo could easily dodge it.

However, he didn't move. He stood there, not dodging and choosing to block with his hand.

Pak!

His palm stopped the punch, and the drunk man was stunned. He didn't expect his attack to be blocked, not by a civilian.

"How-?"

Before he could say anything, Leo raised his knee and slammed it into his stomach.

"Gah!"

The drunk man coughed, and his face turned pale. He had lost all his strength and couldn't move. Leo didn't use his Qi or any special technique. Stay tuned with empire

It was just a simple blow.

However, this was enough to show everyone who was the boss.

"Where is the troublemaker?!"

Two people dressed in dark blue clothes entered the establishment and approached the drunk man. They had the look of an experienced fighter and held their weapons tightly.

"Finally, the security arrived."

"That guy on the floor try to force the girl to go with him, ignoring the rules. Drag him away!"

"We're courtesans, not just some simple prostitutes. How could he force our youngest to go with him unwillingly? I hope I don't see his face anymore."

Hearing the courtesans' complaint, the security guards dragged the drunk man away. Leo didn't bother to ask what would happen to him. He was already beaten up, and the guards didn't seem to be a patient person. They probably would beat him up some more before throwing him in one of the alleyways.

"That was close." Leo said and turned to the girl, smiling softly. "You're safe now. That guy won't bother you anymore."

"Thank you, Mister."

She bowed her head and her voice was low and timid. Her robe was torn a bit from the drunk man's grab, but she seemed unharmed.

"Ah, I should introduce myself. My name is Leo. What's yours?"

"U-Umm... My name is Yue Yue. Pleasure to meet you, Mister Leo."

"You can call me Leo. No need to be formal."

"Okay, Mister Leo."

No matter how he tried to persuade her, Yue Yue kept calling him Mister, and she seemed like a shy and introverted girl. Leo couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head.

However, with this he had confirmed it.

'She's the Hidden Shadow, the one that helps the protagonist.'

She was not the same as the character he had imagined from the novel. But her presence and abilities matched the original story. So thin and fragile, forgettable, and unnoticed.

But, she was not just a side character.

Her ability to mask her presence and hide others was legendary, and that alone made her valuable.

Leo had never thought he would meet her here.

"Well, anyway. How about you take a seat, Yue Yue? Let's talk a little bit over tea, shall we?"

He sat down and patted the chair, inviting her to sit. The girl nodded and joined him, looking a bit more relaxed. She rubbed her hands, and her body no longer trembled in fear.

A perfect opportunity.

'I will get information from her. How can she ended up here and why? I had a lot of information I wanted to ask, but let's take it slow. Emperor Sheng also won't finish anytime soon.'

As he thought about this, a mischievous smile formed on his lips. That earned him a curious look from Yue Yue.

"Umm... Mister Leo."

"Yes?" He replied, and his face returned to normal. "What's wrong, Yue Yue?"

"You said you wanted to, umm... Sleep with me... So... A-Are you telling the truth?"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Huh?"

'Could it be...'

This girl hadn't realized that he said it to drive the drunk man away. It seemed like she misunderstood his intention.

"U-Um..." She blushed and her face was bright red. "If you're telling the truth, then I'll let you have me. B-But I am not as attractive as other elder sisters. I am short, my boobs are small, and I only have a... perky butt. S-Still, I am an adult already! I am turning 20 this year, so... Ugh... I will do it, okay!"

She spoke quickly, her cheeks turning redder and redder. Leo didn't know how to react.

He blinked a few times and looked down at his own lap, trying not to stare at her face.

'What should I do in this situation?'