Change Them Out!

After the three of them sat down in the hall, the girls of the establishment lined up one after another, every pair of eyes fixed eagerly on Lynn, hoping something might happen between them.

One plump woman stepped out from the crowd and plopped down beside Skinny Monkey. Her chubby hand seized his right ear and gave it a vicious twist.

"Ow... ow, ow—Miss, go easy! It's going to come off, it's going to come off!"

"You damn monkey, what did you say back then? How long has it been since you last came? Don't tell me you've found yourself a sweetheart outside?"

"How would I dare, Miss? The gang had assignments to handle..."

Watching Skinny Monkey get thoroughly cowed by the plump girl, Lynn secretly chuckled. It seemed there would be no soothing her without a fierce battle today.

He had no idea how Skinny Monkey's scrawny frame could withstand that big girl.

Lynn quickly scanned the remaining women. Every one of them wore heavy makeup, making it impossible to see what they originally looked like.

"Change them out."

The words that left Lynn's mouth stunned everyone present.

No one had expected this kid to have such a big appetite at his age. With so many gorgeous women before him, there was not a single one he liked.

The madam froze slightly, then waved her hand and dismissed them all.

The next group was noticeably younger, about the same age as Lynn. Their heavy makeup looked extremely out of place on them.

A girl dressed provocatively and wearing thick makeup entered with her head lowered. Yet even that could not conceal the immaturity and fear between her brows.

Lynn looked up at her and paused slightly.

Though her makeup had changed her appearance, he still recognized her. She was the girl who had answered his questions in the cage.

When the girl looked up and saw Lynn, surprise flashed through her eyes before they suddenly lit up. Her burning gaze fixed directly on him.

Lynn did not hesitate and chose her immediately.

She timidly sat beside Lynn, not knowing where to put her hands or feet.

Lynn picked up the wine cup before him and toyed with it as he casually asked,

"What's your name?"

"Mary. My name is Mary, sir..."

The girl seemed nervous, but she still answered quickly.

"Good. You'll follow me later."

Seeing that both men had made their choices, the old madam turned her gaze toward Hyena.

Hyena shook his head.

"Madam, just take good care of these two brothers today. Put all expenses on our boss's tab, and we'll settle it all together later."

With that, Hyena gave Lynn and Skinny Monkey a slight bow.

"You two brothers get some good rest. The casino can't do without someone watching it, so I'll head back and report first."

As he watched Hyena leave, Skinny Monkey only had time to toss out, "Wait for me after you're done," before the plump girl dragged him upstairs, half pulling and half hauling.

Lynn curled his lip. Who was he looking down on?

If I went all out, you'd be spending the night here today.

With the biggest obstacle occupied, Lynn no longer hesitated and instructed the old madam,

"Madam, I'm tired. Find me a room so I can rest for a while."

"Oh, and I like to enjoy the scenery while I work. Find me a private room facing the street."

The madam immediately looked at him in a new light.

"Oh my, Master Lynn has that kind of preference? Truly extraordinary."

"Mary, take Master Lynn to a street-facing room on the second floor. Make sure you serve him well."

Mary nodded without a word and led him into one of the rooms on the second floor.

The moment they entered the room, tears instantly welled up in the girl's eyes.

She clutched Lynn's sleeve as if it were a lifeline, her voice choked with sobs.

"Sir... please... save me... I'll do anything. This place... this place isn't fit for people to live in at all..."

Lynn looked at her tear-streaked face with pity on his own, but there was little ripple in his heart.

During this period, the "usury loans" he had designed had destroyed far too many families. He had seen too many wives and children torn apart from their husbands and fathers.

Mary's suffering could not stir his compassion.

But... he needed Mary to cover for him.

"Want to leave?" Lynn lowered his voice. "I can help you, but you must do as I say."

"I'll listen to anything you say!" The girl nodded desperately.

"I'll find a chance to leave later. Make some noise in the room and keep it up for at least an hour. Understand?"

The girl's body trembled, but her eyes quickly became resolute. "I... I understand!"

"You must not mention this to anyone. If you do it, I'll come back and buy your freedom. But if you tell anyone..."

Lynn's gaze turned cold.

"You know the consequences."

"I swear! Even if I die, I won't say a word!" The girl gripped Lynn's arm tightly, as though clutching her only chance at survival.

Lynn nodded and tried to pull his arm free, but Mary held on tightly, afraid of losing this lifeline.

Feeling helpless, Lynn took three coins from Wasase's money pouch at the back of his waist.

When he looked at them, they were indeed gold coins.

He slipped the three gold coins into Mary's arms and softly reassured her,

"Don't worry. As long as I get this done, I'll definitely come back and buy your freedom."

"Keep these three gold coins for now. Even if I don't come back, you can buy your own freedom."

With that, he abruptly pulled his arm free without waiting for Mary to respond.

He then quickly rose and went to the window to look down. The second floor was not far from the ground, and there was an awning below that he could use for support.

After confirming that no one below was paying attention, Lynn nimbly climbed through the window and landed lightly on the awning. He quickly ran along it, jumped onto a low wall, and then dropped to the ground.

The moment he landed, Lynn did not hesitate. He lowered his head and swiftly blended into the crowd on the street, striding toward the City Lord's Residence.

Wizard sir, here I come!

As soon as Mary saw Lynn jump out the window and leave, she began to cry out at the top of her lungs.

Her voice was sometimes soft and alluring, sometimes shrill and high-pitched...

Even Skinny Monkey next door felt somewhat ashamed when he heard it.

Young people really were vigorous.

As she cried out, Mary suddenly thought of the wizard taking apprentices that her sisters had been discussing these past few days...

Could Master Lynn be going to take the test?

Thinking of the mysterious and powerful wizard, Mary's heart suddenly trembled.

Could she... take part too?

Mary was around the same age as Lynn, and she had never before dared to hope that she could take the test and become a noble wizard.

But seeing Lynn go to such lengths to rush to the test, a flicker of yearning rose in her heart as well.

Should she take a chance too?

Relying on others for hope would never compare to taking control of her own fate.

If Lynn never came back, could these three gold coins really buy her freedom?

Those bone-eating bastards would probably not let her go so easily.

With that thought, Mary made up her mind.

The cries from her mouth gradually grew more intense before abruptly cutting off at their peak, and the room slowly fell quiet.

Then, tightly clutching the three gold coins, Mary jumped out the window just as Lynn had done. She only twisted her ankle by accident when she landed.

Mary endured the pain and did not dare make a sound. Limping, she made her way toward the City Lord's Residence.