Episode 4
Episode 4
Translation: Godtl
Cheon Mu-jin drank the Superior Hundred Flowers Orchid Wine without hesitation. As the liquor slid down his throat, a refreshing sensation spread through him, accompanied by a peculiar trembling near his waist. There was no doubt—this was the growth of his Internal Energy. 'I must immediately circulate my Qi the moment I consume it.'
After thoroughly erasing any traces, Cheon Mu-jin promptly returned to his quarters. Fortunately, no one had arrived yet. It was as good as keeping a perfect secret.
Two days later, he headed straight for the first exam.
The first test was simple—demonstrating a certain level of Internal Energy. The method? Leaving a mark on the Azure Jade Stone housed within the Demon Path Pavilion. The stone could only bear shallow traces from martial artists who had reached the First-rate realm. 'I attained the First-rate realm just days ago. This won't be a problem at all.'
"Are you attempting the exam?"
"Yes."
Cheon Mu-jin nodded.
"Seventh challenger."
The first four made sense—undoubtedly fellow Young Cult Leader candidates like himself. But aside from him, he couldn't guess who the two before him were. 'I'll have to figure them out gradually.'
He placed his palm flat against the Azure Jade Stone. Moments later, a faint handprint remained.
"Pass. You may collect your martial arts manual exchange voucher."
Cheon Mu-jin acknowledged lightly and stepped outside. Normally, achieving such a feat would require at least a decade of cultivated Internal Energy. Until yesterday, Cheon Mu-jin had been practically devoid of any. But thanks to the miracle pill he ingested, he had risen to a comparable level. 'The Easter egg's performance is certainly reliable.'
The manuals could be retrieved from the Demon Path Pavilion's archives, but he decided against doing so immediately. He planned to review the guides later and choose whatever offered the best efficiency.
When he returned to his quarters, he noticed others had already arrived—Cheon Gi-baek, successor of the Fist Demon Clan, and Cheon Yeon-hwa, successor of the Poison Demon Clan. Their gazes were far from friendly. No doubt due to Cheon Mu-jin's origins.
"Seems you passed. Luck must've been on your side."
"Indeed."
The blatant disregard in their words didn't faze him. If anything, he found it amusing. 'They can't touch me right now anyway.'
The stage where candidates could openly harm each other wouldn't begin for at least another year. He had effectively secured a safe period for growth.
Cheon Gi-baek seemed slightly irritated by Cheon Mu-jin's dismissive attitude, but before he could escalate, guards intervened to calm the situation.
"You—I won't let this slide after this stage of the exam."
Unfazed, Cheon Mu-jin stepped outside, where he spotted Cheon Yu-rin of the Sword Demon Clan just returning to her quarters. She was the epitome of a pure and fragile heroine. Beside her stood a woman who appeared to be her attendant—clearly treating her with utmost devotion. No doubt a maid from the Sword Demon Clan who had followed her in. Likely trained in basic martial arts to serve her through the early stages before naturally exiting. 'Quite the looker, following her mistress around.'
One advantage over the actual game was that he could pursue even those not among the original choices however he pleased. 'I'll have to get my hands on that wench later.'
After all, to get to Cheon Yu-rin, dealing with her subordinate first was the natural order. 'Her tits look huge too. Do all Sword Demon Clan women have big ones?'
The next moment, the attendant stepped forward and twisted Cheon Mu-jin's arm.
"Your eyes were impure as you looked upon the Young Mistress."
"Hey—!"
Guards rushed in to restrain the attendant. Seizing the moment, Cheon Mu-jin immediately pressed the issue.
"Oww! My arm! Oww!"
"Did you just harm someone within the Demon Path Pavilion outside the established rules?"
The real scheming would begin from this stage of the exam. Until then, even this level of confrontation wasn't permitted. Only then did Cheon Yu-rin's attendant seem to grasp the gravity of the situation—her excessive loyalty had nearly endangered her mistress.
"Move him to the infirmary first."
Even as he was carried away on a stretcher, Cheon Mu-jin didn't hold back.
"I'll be filing a formal complaint, you hear?!"
Cheon Yu-rin and her attendant's expressions stiffened.
***
If the Righteous Faction had Divine Doctors, then the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had the Demonic Doctor. The Demonic Doctor's skills were undoubtedly formidable—his arm no longer hurt after just a simple treatment. 'Impressive.'
Cheon Mu-jin lay back comfortably, laughing to himself. This was far more relaxing than the quarters in the Demon Path Pavilion, where he was under constant scrutiny. He could bide his time here, steadily increasing his Internal Energy. There was still plenty of time.
"Young Master Cheon."
The Demonic Doctor's voice called out.
"Yes."
Cheon Mu-jin responded politely. "Ah, a guest has come to visit."
"A guest?"
He frowned slightly, as there was no one in particular he expected to see. But the moment he saw the face before him, he had no choice but to suppress a smirk. It was none other than the subordinate of Cheon Yu-rin—the very one who had injured his arm earlier. Did Cheon Yu-rin send her? She must be genuinely uneasy.
After all, it wasn't as if she had lost in a fair competition for the position of Young Cult Leader. If she were to be expelled from the Demon Path Pavilion for violating the rules, the disgrace would be unbearable. "······."
Despite having come to see him, the woman remained silent. "What's your name?"
"Ju-rin..."
"Right, Ju-rin. You barged in here and disrupted my rest—are you just going to stand there staring?"
Grind. The sound of teeth clenching reached his ears. It seemed Ju-rin still hadn't fully grasped the situation. "Let's just pretend what happened earlier never happened."
She even had the audacity to make such a demand. It was so absurd that he nearly burst out laughing. "How shameless."
"······."
"You don't seem to understand the gravity of the situation. If I formally protest, the mistress you serve will be kicked out of the Demon Path Pavilion."
Of course, Ju-rin was the one who had caused the trouble, but Cheon Yu-rin would undoubtedly suffer the consequences as well. There wasn't a soul here who didn't know that Ju-rin was her right hand. If they let this slide, others would surely try to pull similar stunts through their own subordinates in the future. To maintain discipline, they had to make an example out of her. "......I beg of you. Please, spare the Young Lady..."
"Heh heh, now that's more like it."
Ju-rin had unknowingly fallen to her knees. But kneeling held no value whatsoever. What he desired was something else entirely.
"Let's make a deal."
"...A deal?"
Ju-rin's gaze, thick with tension, turned toward Cheon Mu-jin.
Ordering her to strip right away would be amateurish. It might even backfire. So starting slow, with the small things first, was the wiser choice.
"First, you should show me your sincerity."
"What are you scheming?"
At the mention of "sincerity," Ju-rin's wariness deepened.
"Scheming? You still don't understand your position, do you? Or is it that those big breasts of yours come with an equally empty head?"
At the insult, Ju-rin's eyes sharpened like blades.
"Stop the insults."
"It's not an insult. If I'm granting your request, shouldn't I get something in return?"
"......"
Ju-rin immediately shut her mouth. She knew it too.
The world ran on give-and-take.
"Come closer and kneel before me. Ah, and I'd like you to lace your fingers behind your head."
"......?"
Unable to grasp his intentions, Ju-rin hesitated but ultimately obeyed.
As she raised her arms behind her, her voluptuous chest came into full view. The swaying curves were like a breathtaking painting.
"Beautiful breasts, indeed."
"You—!"
Ju-rin could no longer endure the humiliation. She shot up from her spot and struck Cheon Mu-jin across the face. His expression instantly turned icy.
"Striking my cheek? It seems the Sword Demon Clan has no intention of seeking forgiveness."
Only then did Ju-rin realize just how badly she had messed up.
"...M-my apologies. I was too overcome with emotion."
"Overcome with emotion? And you expect me to overlook this because of that?"
"......"
His hand subtly slid onto her shoulder. Even as he applied the slightest pressure, she couldn't muster any resistance.
"Striking someone just because you were 'overcome with emotion'—no decent person would do that. Unless, of course, they were an untrained beast."
Cheon Mu-jin pointed to his cheek, where the red mark of her slap still lingered.
"I'm sorr—"
"Does a 'sorry' person strike another's face? I suppose I should blame Cheon Yu-rin more than you."
"Do not insult my lady!"
"Then how do you plan to apologize?"
"...I'll compensate you financially."
"I don't need money."
"Then... what?"
Ju-rin's expression stiffened. It seemed she had never experienced anything like this before, shielded by the Sword Demon Clan's prestige.
"Five-Point Prostration. And of course, completely naked."
"What did you say?"
"I gave you multiple chances. You're the one who kicked them away. Isn't this only fair?"
"...Very well. But you will accept my apology."
"That depends on how you do it. Given your track record so far..."
Cheon Mu-jin shrugged. Ju-rin slowly rose to her feet and began undoing her outer garments. Her ample chest swayed with each movement.
"Quite the view."
Another insult. Ju-rin gritted her teeth and removed her top, revealing the tight undergarment binding her heavy breasts. But that wasn't all—she removed her lower garments as well.
Soon, only the bare essentials of her underclothes remained. Cheon Mu-jin couldn't help but admire the sight. Her lingerie was nothing short of seductive.