Qixi on a Knife's Edge
"Mother."
"Yes, what is it?"
Yi So-ok greeted her daughter Namgung Hwaran with a soft smile. It was an expression Namgung Ji could never see. After all, he wasn't her real child.
"The Qixi Festival is in a few days, right?"
"And?"
"For this Qixi, I really want to spend time with you, Mother. How about we go out somewhere?"
"Go out..."
Yi So-ok's face took on a thoughtful look. She rarely ventured outside. Whether it was her personality or some other reason, that was just how it was. Namgung Hwaran had always regretted that. Any daughter would want to share intimate mother-daughter time on a fine day at a lovely spot.
That was why this wasn't the first time Namgung Hwaran had made such a request of her mother. Most times, it ended in polite refusal. But this time, Namgung Hwaran seemed determined.
"Mother, I'm of age now, aren't I? Once I marry, it won't be easy to have time just the two of us. I don't want to leave any regrets."
Namgung Hwaran played the unbeatable card of marriage, tugging at her parents' heartstrings. It worked on Yi So-ok, too.
"Hmm."
Yi So-ok pondered seriously. Her resolve to refuse seemed to waver.
"Do you have a place in mind?"
"How about we offer incense at Seokpa Shrine? Oh, and then enjoy some Longevity Tea at Jangsaeng Pavilion while we chat happily?"
Seokpa Shrine was the shrine to the Weaver Maid. Offering incense there on Qixi and making wishes was a traditional custom. Jangsaeng Pavilion was a high-end teahouse in Anhui. It specialized in Longevity Tea of the same name, boasting ingredients from rare herbs that truly promoted long life. Of course, it was merchant hyperbole, but the tea's unique flavor and quality materials made it popular by word of mouth among the wealthy.
These were utterly innocuous places that raised no suspicions.
Surprisingly, this wasn't Bang So-un's directive from her mind. Namgung Hwaran had chosen the most natural spots herself. That was the terror of Jang Il's ability. It could turn victims from mindless puppets to thinking slaves—anything was possible.
"Very well. Let's do that."
Yi So-ok finally consented. Namgung Hwaran's face lit up.
"Thank you so much, Mother."
"No need. Thinking about it, I realize I've been ignoring your feelings too much."
"Not at all, Mother. I'll prepare accordingly."
"Heh, go ahead."
The harmonious mother-daughter exchange ended without a hint of anything amiss, no matter who saw it.
Swish.
Bang So-un unfolded the letter Black Letter had delivered and read it. He muttered to himself.
"Looks like it went well."
"Heh heh, fortunate indeed, Young Master."
Jang Il chuckled.
"So, what's the date and place?"
"Qixi day, Seokpa Shrine and Jangsaeng Pavilion."
"Hm, Seokpa Shrine and Jangsaeng Pavilion..."
"Simple explanation: both will be crowded. Especially on Qixi."
"Oh, perfect. Namgung Ji used his head for once."
"Namgung Ji's idea? It came from Namgung Hwaran's mind."
"Haha, is that so? That bitch has a decent brain after all."
"Of course she's better than her idiot brother in every way."
Bang So-un smirked and turned his gaze downward. Right below him, at his crotch.
A woman's head was there. Black Dream Butterfly Gal Sahyeon. Her head bobbed back and forth relentlessly.
Slurp. Suck. Slurrrp.
Vulgar sounds echoed. The relentless sucking of something.
Naturally, it was his cock. Bang So-un's cock.
"Hm, good. You're finally learning to use your mouth-pussy properly. That's how a pussy bitch should be. Alright, here it comes. Swallow every drop."
Bang So-un shuddered in pleasure as he shot his semen into Gal Sahyeon's mouth. He finally pulled out.
Gal Sahyeon kept her mouth wide open. White semen pooled inside untouched.
Bang So-un flashed a twisted smile and shook off the last drops into her gaping maw, like emptying piss into a toilet.
Only then did he redress his lower half. But Gal Sahyeon remained frozen, mouth agape, full of cum. She was a human toilet, plain and simple. Without orders, she couldn't close her mouth or swallow. She couldn't do anything on her own.
"Swallow."
"Ahhhyaa, ooee. (Thank you, Master.)"
With idiotic garble, Gal Sahyeon gulped down the semen like holy water.
Bang So-un grinned with satisfaction at the humiliating sight of Gal Sahyeon, now a peak expert.
Meanwhile, Jang Il blasted his load across another female expert's face. Shadowless Flying Knife. Once a cold recluse master, her face was now cum-drenched, dignity shattered. Forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, chin—all streamed with thick white fluid. No room for majesty. Just pathetic comedy.
"Puhahaha!"
Jang Il burst into laughter.
"Alright, enough fun."
Bang So-un refocused. Enjoy when enjoying, stay cold when needed.
"Yeon Mae."
"Yes, Young Master."
Yeon Su-rin, prostrated nearby, replied politely.
"What do you think? Feasible enough?"
"Yes, those seem perfectly viable locations."
"Good. What about you, sow bitch?"
The sow bitch was, naturally, Black Dream Butterfly Gal Sahyeon. The miserable slave name forced on her by Jang Il. Or rather, now practically her real name.
"This sow pussy slave agrees, Master."
Gal Sahyeon—Solitary Demon Wolf by day—smashed her forehead to the floor.
Thud.
"Urk!"
Bang So-un playfully stomped her head and eyed the cum-soaked Shadowless Flying Knife.
"You too, dog-pussy bitch?"
Dog-pussy bitch: Jang Il's humiliating slave name for Muyeong Bido. But to her, it was dearer than her birth name.
"Yes, this dog-pussy slave agrees, Grand Master."
Muyeong Bido slammed her forehead down too. Cum smeared the floor, of course. But no matter—she'd lick it spotless herself.
Thus, three peak experts of Golden Dragon Battlefield concurred. The fourth, Red-Eyed Fox Eun Hwa-yeong, was deliberately excluded. Her status drew too much scrutiny, especially from fellow underworld eyes. Bang So-un kept her at arm's length outside Red Flower Tower.
It worked fine anyway. Whether via Black Letter or visits, she delivered her prime value: intel.
Of course, there was one more peak expert: Jang Il.
"You'll play your part too, right?"
"Haha, naturally."
Jang Il nodded vigorously, his big head wobbling.
"Good. Let's prepare together then."
Bang So-un grinned. Only he knew what that preparation entailed.
Yi So-ok disliked revealing her status when going out. No ornate carriage, no grand entourage. Just her daughter Namgung Hwaran and Hyol Su Pappa.
At least, that's how it appeared. Only she knew the truth.
Both wore veils, matching her usual secretive nature.
They leisurely headed to Seokpa Shrine.
The streets bustled more than usual. Qixi festivities.
"So peaceful."
Yi So-ok murmured.
"The righteous sects keep the evil rabble in check."
Namgung Hwaran spoke with pride.
"Heh, true enough."
Yi So-ok smiled faintly, pleased. Their tranquil mother-daughter time flowed on.
Soon, they entered the mountain path. Seokpa Shrine sat atop a gentle hill, the trail crowded with incense pilgrims.
The pair arrived amid the throng. A sizable shrine, buzzing inside.
The moment Yi So-ok stepped through the gate, her expression shifted. Kind eyes turned serpentine. But the veil hid it from all—including Namgung Hwaran beside her.
Her sharp gaze fixed on two women. Ordinary pilgrims, at a glance.
"Oh, sis, you go first. I'll watch and copy."
The younger-looking one spoke like a novice.
"Alright, watch closely. First, light the incense like this..."
The kind-faced beauty demonstrated. Lit incense, knelt at the altar mat, gazed at the Weaver Maid statue, pinched incense with right hand supported by left on wrist. Then placed it in the censer and rose.
"Got it?"
"Yeah! I think I can do it."
The younger smiled brightly and followed suit.
"Mother, what's wrong?"
Only then did Namgung Hwaran notice Yi So-ok's pause, eyeing her curiously.
"Nothing. Let's go in."
Yi So-ok moved again. But inwardly, she sent a transmission.
—Blood Hand.
—Yes, Madam.
Hyol Su Pappa—the old woman called that by those who knew her true nature—replied via transmission.
—Your thoughts?
—Unclear, Madam. Can't confirm if they're martial artists.
Their auras were that faint. Yi So-ok's fixation baffled her.
—Anything specific bothering you...?
—No. Forget it.
Yi So-ok dismissed it curtly, deeming it unnecessary.
If Bang So-un knew, he'd clutch his chest in terror. All intel—from Namgung Ji, Namgung Hwaran, underworld sources—insisted the great madam had no martial arts. Yet she sensed even faint auras? A peak expert at least.
Enough to scrap the plan on the spot.
But Bang So-un's caution saved it. Ever prudent with uncertainties. That trait led to using Go-eui's special drug—only he could make it. It hid peak experts' auras like commoners'.
As Go-eui boasted, it worked wonders—even fooling Hyol Su Pappa.
Just barely, for Yi So-ok.
Meaning one thing: Yi So-ok surpassed Hyol Su Pappa.
Bang So-un's always-flawless plans faced true uncertainty here.
Time ticked on a knife's edge.