Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Yuseon Taoist (4)
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...No way, has that old man lost his mind?
I could feel my pupils trembling faintly just from hearing those words. If I'd been any closer, those two probably would've noticed my shock too. I tried not to read too much into it, but no matter how I spun it, the meaning was crystal clear. Was this for real?
Was that geezer seriously suggesting he let me have a go with his disciple?
His face was etched with grim resolve.
The wrinkled eyes staring at me didn't waver a bit.
I shifted my gaze away, afraid that locking eyes with him would let Confucian ideals worm their way into my heart and shake me.
'Damn, she really is pretty.'
The moment I looked, that thought hit me. Yuseon Taoist had her long lashes cast downward, her face flushed beet red as she fidgeted with her hands in silence. It wasn't an unwelcome feeling.
These days, I'd gotten used to this world, and after falling to temptation once already, all my plans had gone to hell anyway. My mental defenses were paper-thin.
So, in that state, seeing her like this...
It's driving me crazy.
I must be an idiot.
My mouth opened on its own and spat out the words.
"Very well."
Someone, slap me. Hard. I'd resolved to stick with just one not long ago, and here I was, already waffling.
Fear gripped me at the same time. I knew how those who seized power and strength inevitably fell to corruption.
21st-century history was littered with such tales.
I'd just been an ordinary guy.
No special training, no real brush with beauties like these.
Then one day, bam—I gained this immense power that made anything possible.
And this world? Laws and morals were little more than whispers here.
My head cooled like ice water. As I drew closer to my goal and grew stronger, these temptations would only intensify. Could I hold on to the man I thought I was until the end? And what would that even mean?
That night, Seo Yul-hye sidled up and sat beside me.
It was a hillside thick with blooming flowers.
"Where's Miryeo?"
"She said she had a lot on her mind and went ahead. Mind if we chat a bit?"
"Of course."
"I can scoot a little closer, right? It's just us."
"As close as you like."
The moon seemed bright but was veiled by heavy clouds, hazy and dim. To make out each other's faces, we'd have to lean in close. And so we did, as Seo Yul-hye spoke up.
"You know I like you, right?"
She said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. I chuckled softly.
"I know."
"Do you know why?"
"Because I saved you that day."
"No."
Seo Yul-hye gently cupped my cheek and drew in close. Our noses nearly brushed. Closer than the moon, her eyes larger and more beautiful. For a moment, it felt like the crimson moon itself was whispering to me. Her voice was low and soft.
"That moment sparked excitement, but I fell for you a little later. I loved seeing your weak side."
Before I could ask what she meant, she continued.
"Stronger than anyone, yet flustered by my silly words. Gazing at me so earnestly. You call yourself the world's greatest, but being with you feels so... normal. Human. You fret over nothing, get nervous, worry if I've taken offense... Even knowing I'd never leave no matter what you did, you still care. That's what I love."
"...That obvious, huh?"
"Yeah. Impossible to miss."
Seo Yul-hye giggled, then brushed a light kiss against my lips before pulling back.
It had happened countless times, yet it still felt fresh every time.
"I've given you everything I have."
I nodded.
"Mm."
"My body as much as I could give, my heart as much as I could give. In our short time together, Seo Yul-hye poured it all out to you. Nothing left to give that's new anymore."
"Not true. Even now, this moment feels new."
She lowered her gaze and let out a quiet laugh at my words, then turned her head slightly.
"Sorry."
"...If I'd been more captivating, you wouldn't have to agonize like this."
Speechless, I lifted her chin to meet her eyes. Was heart demon possession striking again? But no—her eyes were just a little misty, clear as day.
She meant it. Stone-cold sober.
Now I was the one reeling. No clue what to say.
As I debated hasty comfort, her face brightened. She leaned into my neck, parted her lips slightly. A quick flash of heat, then coolness spread fast.
Her tongue grazed my teeth once before she spoke.
"I'm not immune to jealousy. Part of me wants to just... But you're truly strong, and that's a relief. So, I'll hold back a little."
Her long, pale arms wrapped around my neck and pulled. The pull of a planet's gravity.
My body pitched forward. She reclined against the grass, me blanketing her like a quilt. The crimson moon couldn't get any closer. It pushed away the blue moonlight, demanding my eyes only for her.
And once more, her voice flowed out.
"My love for you outweighs my jealousy."
"Jeongam. How's life treating you these days?"
"...Not smoothly. Too many headache-inducing kids."
"Heard the news. Two more left your side recently—must be weighing heavy."
Jeongam Matriarch let out a small sigh.
Not just Seo Yul-hye, whom she'd cherished like her own, but even Seo Miryeo had vanished after leaving a single note saying she'd return soon. Was the sect's discipline crumbling? Had she spoiled them rotten? Such thoughts plagued her.
But more than that, what filled her mind daily was worry—were they suffering out there?
If they just came back, petty rules wouldn't matter.
"I'm just worried if they're doing alright."
Geumseon Grandmaster grinned at that.
"Got news for you."
"What is it?"
"You know I go way back with the Beggar Clan Chief. Over drinks the other day, he mentioned something rare: the Three Phoenixes of the World gathered in one spot."
"...!"
Jeongam Matriarch's eyes flashed wide. She leaned in urgently.
"Is that true?!"
"It is. Though, as you might guess, she wasn't alone."
The mood plummeted.
"That bastard?"
Geumseon Grandmaster nodded.
"Yep. Wore a topknot, looked midthirties. Had two women with him."
Her gut boiled. Jeongam Matriarch exhaled long and slow. Stealing Yul-hye's heart wasn't enough—he had to reach for another? That scum deserved to be torn apart...
Old temper flaring, she took deep breaths. Surprisingly, the rage ebbed, replaced by relief.
Right. Look on the bright side. At least they're safe, aren't they?
Whatever that guy was, if he was just a lecher, Yul-hye wouldn't stick around. The thought cooled her volcanic fury back to calm.
Geumseon Grandmaster tossed in a playful jab as he watched.
"The other one sounded a lot like your disciple too. Guy's got specific tastes."
"...What're you saying?"
"Similar build, striking black hair, icy beauty like fresh snow. Ring any bells?"
BAM—!
Lightning-fast, Jeongam Matriarch shot to her feet. Her surging inner energy shredded her outer robe; a vortex swirled at her feet, scattering dirt and stones wildly.
Geumseon Grandmaster chuckled at the full-blown eruption. Felt like old times, nostalgic.
'Looks like I poked the wrong bear.'
Legend said Samantabhadra Bodhisattva retained her youthful form till death.
Naturally, Emei Sect techniques bordered on Fairy Technique. Higher mastery enhanced the body’s beauty with each use.
Hating her own allure, she'd suppressed it for decades. Now unleashed, time rewound: wrinkles smoothed, hair regained luster, stiff joints loosened, height even increased slightly.
A realm where Marrow Cleansing and Rejuvenation were child's play. The Transcendent Realm.
Then again, Huashan Sect's Cheongyeon Taoist was over two centuries old; for Jeongam, not yet a century, this was par for the course.
The statuesque woman, six feet tall, glared with violet eyes, voice thick with fury.
"...Where is that bastard right now?"
Still smirking, Geumseon Grandmaster replied softly.
"Hope this doesn't become your karma. Dialogue might be better than force. Anyway, that man is..."
I laid the dead-to-the-world Seo Yul-hye down gently, bantering with Seo Miryeo, when I glanced up at the night sky. The stars looked ominously fierce tonight. Wondering if something was up, I just chuckled it off.
Not like I'm an astrologer.
Instead of pointless worries, better think about the Martial Enlightenment Society later.
I'll meet him there ahead of time.
The Society Leader, that is...
'Finally, I'll see him.'
...the Demonic Cult's Grand Elder.