The Geisha
There once was a sect that had vanished long ago, known as the Blood Cult.
While it lacked the overwhelming martial might of the Demonic Cult as a single force, it caused chaos across the jianghu through the use of shambling corpses.
They manufactured these undead using a special method on the bodies of slain warriors, prompting the Orthodox Faction to send a large punitive force and eradicate the entire group in a bloody purge.
Yet now the shambling corpses have resurfaced.
The news reached the King of the Righteous. He flew into a rage.
“Do they plan to turn me into a shambling corpse?!” he roared.
The power level of a shambling corpse depended on the realm of the warrior whose corpse it was. The higher the realm, the stronger the resulting undead. It was possible to create a Peak Master-tier shambling corpse from a Peak Master’s remains, yet the corpse was still somewhat simple-minded despite its superior physical strength.
The Blood Cult’s return left the Murim Alliance on edge.
No one knew when a swarm of shambling corpses would finally appear.
However.
After the King of the Righteous was ambushed, the Blood Cult had gone completely silent. No traces remained.
“If we let them grow stronger, we’re in trouble. We must find their trail!”
The Murim Alliance dispatched investigation teams to suspicious locations.
***
The appearance of shambling corpses.
The news reached Yuseong as well.
When the Blood Cult had appeared, the jianghu had suffered great damage in a short time.
Everyone who knew the incident from records or hearsay was still talking about it.
At the Medical Pavilion clinic on a rest day, the three physicians gathered for lunch. Physician Cha spoke with a worried face.
“I fear we may be in real trouble.”
“The King of the Righteous was caught off guard, but if traces are found, the Murim Alliance can crush the Blood Cult in no time.”
“That’s true. I hope so. I’ve worked so hard to establish my position…”
Physician Cha fretted over job security.
Looking at him, Yuseong glanced at the other person at the table.
A deeper frown line than Physician Cha’s furrowed brow. Physician Yang hadn’t touched his food.
“Physician Yang, has there been any news from Physician Yeon?”
“Ah, right. No word at all, and the dreams were restless last night. I’m very worried.”
“We sent someone to watch. We just have to be patient a little longer.”
“There’s nothing else we can do.”
After the meal ended.
Yuseong suddenly recalled the past.
In his days as a missionary.
Yuseong’s combat ability was virtually nonexistent.
Except in one case.
‘If the opponent was a demon race being, a demonic beast, or undead, the situation was different.’
Because his healing skills acted as poison to those beings.
Yuseong had once confirmed that healing skills could not strike against Demonic Cult masters.
He felt a bit disappointed, yet now that shambling corpses had appeared.
He had heard there were shambling corpses that could be created alive, called Awakening Corpses, but most used dead bodies.
‘If shambling corpses are truly like the undead, I might be able to lend a hand…’
With so many Murim Alliance masters around, there was no need to fight personally.
But since it could raise holy power by its very nature, he would check if the opportunity arose.
***
Even in the chaotic situation, Yuseong had spent his time faithfully.
A rest day.
A day treating the poor and the geishas.
As he stepped onto the carriage prepared by the Hao Clan, a warrior with blue hair tied up followed him and boarded as well.
“Yuseong-ssi doesn’t rest even on rest days. You must be tired.”
“I do it because I like it. What can I say? If you’re following me outside, it’ll be tiring.”
“This is truly my duty.”
Namgung Yurin smiled brightly.
Normally another warrior would guard Yuseong on a rest day, but matters had arisen and Namgung Yurin had volunteered to support.
“…”
Yuseong felt nervous having Namgung Yurin along.
Surely she knew nothing…
The carriage carrying Yuseong headed toward the building prepared by the Hao Clan from the Hao Clan.
“Wow… Are there so many geishas in Luoyang? It’s not like everyone has come.”
Namgung Yurin looked surprised at the long line of geishas.
“Yeah, there are some who came from other places too.”
“From other places?”
“When their conditions are bad, they often come to Luoyang.”
At the Hao Clan, geishas with poor conditions were sent to work in Luoyang.
Since Yuseong had trouble going on distant visits, he switched the headquarters of the various geishas so they could all receive benefits.
“I see… There’s no other chance to meet Yuseong-ssi. Compared to that, I’m lucky. I can get treatment from Yuseong-ssi anytime. But why are the geishas in so much pain?”
“T-that’s…”
Namgung Yurin waited with an innocent expression, but her mouth wouldn’t move.
‘…I can’t say it myself. It’ll be fine once she knows anyway. I have to make her see.’
Yuseong changed the subject.
“Ah, let’s get inside first. We have to start the work quickly. There are people from the poor area too.”
“Yes!”
Yuseong fiddled with the acupuncture bed containing the Heavenly Meteorite Stone and took his seat in the treatment room.
Unlike at the Medical Pavilion, Namgung Yurin sat next to Yuseong.
“Ugh.”
Yuseong glanced that way and let out a groan.
If she hadn’t been there, the seat would have been taken by the female guard from the Hao Clan.
“Are you uncomfortable somewhere?”
“No, I’m fine. Um… don’t be shocked when you see me treating.”
“Of course. Don’t worry. I think it’s the most wonderful when Yuseong-ssi treats the patients.”
The way her eyes sparkled when she clasped both hands together was especially bright today.
Hmm.
He didn’t know if she would say that even after seeing today’s treatment. He was just glad she wasn’t shocked.
Soon the treatment began.
After all, it was time set aside by the Hao Clan for the geishas. They were spending time, money, and manpower for the geishas.
Naturally, the geishas came in first to seek treatment before the poor area people.
“Young Master, I’m here again!”
A cheerful voice.
Yuseong looked at the first geisha who came and smacked his forehead.
‘Of all people, her!’
The geisha, with a playful smile, always tried to flirt with him no matter how many times he pricked her acupoints painfully.
Thanks to experience, she had built up tolerance and Yuseong could treat her without worry.
If it had been the usual guard from the Hao Clan, that is.
‘Please just get the pricks and go quietly.’
Yuseong gestured toward Namgung Yurin while looking at the geisha and spoke.
“Today is busy, so quickly get the patient—”
“Oh my, our young master has an indecent spot! Lie down!”
The geisha, who hadn’t noticed Yuseong’s desperate gestures, grinned.
Yuseong and the female guard.
She lifted her skirt with vigor, thinking only that much.
‘Ah… today too…’
Yuseong covered his eyes at the sight of her completely undressed.
“Hah!”
Accompanied by a startled gasp from beside him.
Swoosh—
The sound of a sword being drawn from its sheath also rang out.
Yuseong and the geisha weren’t armed, so only one person had drawn the sword.
Namgung Yurin.
When he turned, she glared at the geisha with fierce eyes.
“What on earth are you doing right now!”
The geisha protested with trembling lips while sending out killing intent from Namgung Yurin.
“W-why are you, why are you drawing the sword?”
The geisha trembled, how much killing intent from a Peak Master had she experienced while alive?
“What are you doing right now? Get off the chair immediately if you don’t lower your skirt—”
“Wait, Yurin-ah.”
If it hadn’t been that woman, Yuseong could have explained calmly.
Most geishas listened well.
Thanks to experience, they knew Yuseong pricked them more painfully when they were mischievous.
Yuseong tried to calmly tell her to show her acupoints.
He had planned to explain how he would treat after she cautiously showed them.
But this geisha was the one who tried mischievous acts and met her match.
“That’s the acupoint, so calm down.”
“Y-yes…?”
“The place to treat is there, so that’s why you lifted your skirt. Calm down.”
“Ah…”
Finally, Namgung Yurin seemed to understand the situation.
Yuseong relaxed, but she asked her.
“But… geishas don’t normally wear underwear, do they…?”
Since they would keep seeing it anyway, he couldn’t lie. Yuseong shook his head.
Namgung Yurin sighed deeply.
She had only heard that Yuseong treated geishas, but she had no idea what illness he was treating.
No matter the same gender, she hadn’t expected to see a naked person.
Namgung Yurin set the drawn sword down beside her and watched the following treatment.
She also glared at the geisha not to do any nonsense.
“If you keep doing that, I’ll prick you painfully.”
“No… but that guard over there… isn’t it that person?”
The geishas were desperate to provide information useful to the Hao Clan and receive rewards.
Seeing Namgung Yurin’s hair, which was almost the only one available in the Central Plains, they seemed to realize something.
“Yes.”
“Ah… but why angry…, ouch!”
Yuseong stealthily pricked her. The geisha screamed.
Thanks to the following skill, she would be fine soon, but he had been more careful than usual, so the momentary pain couldn’t be ignored.
The geisha gave him a sidelong glance and grumbled.
“Gently, please. You always pick on me.”
“If your attitude doesn’t improve next time, I won’t treat you.”
“H-huh? But when do you come to our place? I’ll take good care of you!”
Snap.
A vein bulged on Namgung Yurin’s forehead.
“I won’t let you. Quickly get out and tell the next person to come in.”
“I-I’ll go!”
The geisha, feeling the killing intent again, dashed away.
“You’ve been doing this every rest day?”
Namgung Yurin’s question made his voice smaller as if he hadn’t committed any sin.
“U-um…”
“I’m working, aren’t I? I can understand everything.”
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