How the Prodigal Son Meets the Strange Doctor: Black Cat Mountain
Black Cat Mountain. Atop this peak stood a massive black boulder that resembled a cat, giving the mountain its name—and there, near the summit, was Cloud Middle Pavilion. It was a mountain tall enough to earn the title of high peak, one that demanded grueling effort just to climb. And yet, patients kept coming to the pavilion without end. Most were suffering from severe illnesses, having tried every doctor under the sun without seeing any improvement. Cloud Middle Pavilion was their last hope.
Even so, only a lucky few among them ever received treatment. The pavilion's master, Go-eui, saw patients on a whim—only a handful each day—so it was only natural.
"This mountain's rougher than I thought."
One group making the ascent stood out. What made them unusual was that they weren't here for treatment from Go-eui. They might well have been the only ones on this mountain with no such purpose.
That peculiar group was Bang So-un and his entourage.
"You're telling me."
Bang So-un's remark drew a nod from Jang Il.
"Must be tough."
"Sure is."
Bang So-un and Jang Il kept trading comments about how exhausting the climb must be. But their faces betrayed none of that strain—no sweat, no fatigue. How could that be?
The reason was obvious at a glance. Bang So-un lounged comfortably in a sturdy palanquin. Carrying it were two women: Ju Ok-yeong supporting the rear and I Yeon the front. The tall Ju Ok-yeong in back and the average-built I Yeon up front made for perfect balance on the steep incline. Even so, no matter how elite these first-rate female experts were, hauling a heavy palanquin with Bang So-un aboard up this treacherous slope wasn't easy. Sweat poured down their faces, their breaths coming in ragged gasps.
The only one utterly at ease was Bang So-un atop his ride.
The situation beside them was much the same. Jang Il rode piggyback on Yeon Su-rin. Even a super peak expert like her couldn't help struggling under the weight of such a large, hefty man on this uphill path. And with him kneading her massive breasts like dough the whole way, forcing her into a state of constant sexual arousal, it was even worse. Her moans escaped unbidden, throwing off her breathing; her lower body, slick with arousal fluid, lacked its usual strength.
Again, the only one relaxed and enjoying himself was the man on her back: Jang Il.
"How about it? Bringing three escorts was the right call, wasn't it?"
Bang So-un grinned from his comfy palanquin perch.
"Hah, Young Master's foresight is beyond words. Who'd have thought you'd prepare a palanquin for this? I can't match that wisdom."
Jang Il bobbed his head vigorously, thumbs up.
"Haha, why slog up the mountain ourselves when we have so many pussy slaves?"
"Exactly right. It's only proper for pussy slaves to bear their master's burdens."
With no other visitors save the steady stream of patients, the remote mountain made their antics all the easier. Eyes on them would have meant gossip for sure—especially for Jang Il.
But then—
"Nngh... M-Master. I sense presences nearby."
Yeon Su-rin choked back a moan to report it.
"Agh, why do humans have to show up now?"
Jang Il grumbled.
"Haha. Get down, even if it's a pain, Jang Il. We have to think of my reputation."
Bang So-un's face lit with sly amusement.
"B-But Young Master, aren't you in a pretty questionable spot too?"
"What's wrong with a gang leader getting palanquin service from his loyal escorts? They'll just mutter about how money's corrupted us warriors."
As Bang So-un said, they might whisper about pride sold for gold, but nothing more serious. Jang Il's display, though? A mere escort treating Golden Dragon's top expert like a pack mule? Utterly bizarre, incomprehensible. The gossip would pour like rain.
"Nngh."
Even Jang Il had no choice but to slide off Yeon Su-rin's back. Her expression brightened a touch at last. Piggybacking him in her aroused state must have been hell.
Moments later, a few people descended from higher up—likely from Cloud Middle Pavilion. They gawked at Bang So-un's group.
"A... palanquin?"
No one could have imagined someone climbing this mountain in one. Then, someone seemed to recognize Bang So-un's face.
"Ha... Hangzhou's prodi—!"
The man clapped a hand over his mouth mid-word. Not a nickname to blurt in front of the man himself.
"Haha, am I that famous?"
Bang So-un laughed good-naturedly. He rather liked the moniker, and even if he didn't, he wasn't one to scold commoners over it.
"...Of course, Golden Dragon Leader. You're renowned."
The man quickly corrected himself.
"Coming from Cloud Middle Pavilion?"
Bang So-un asked.
"Yes... that's right."
"How much farther to the pavilion from here?"
"Hm... about an hour more, roughly."
"Got it. Safe travels."
Bang So-un's group resumed the climb. The commoners watched blankly until they vanished from sight.
"Agh, my heart nearly stopped! What kind of slip-up was that?"
"S-Sorry. It slipped out."
"Come on, he didn't seem offended, so let it go."
"Yeah... true."
"He seemed more magnanimous than expected..."
"Pfft, what do you know from a quick glance."
"No, warriors of his stature usually see us as bugs. But not him."
"Now that you mention it..."
"And climbing a mountain in a palanquin? Are all nobles like that?"
"Nah, probably just Golden Dragon Leader's quirky."
"And the bearers were all women. Total beauties too. No wonder the prodigal son nickname sticks."
"One wasn't that pretty."
...
I Yeon sneezed from afar.
"You looked close, huh?"
"How could I not? Eyes just gravitate. Those asses... whew."
"Gulp..."
"Y-Yeah."
Women with figures they'd never encounter in a lifetime. The sight had them drooling from memory alone. But once the arousal faded, harsh reality hit bone-deep.
...They had to go home to their own frumpy wives again today.
"Isn't the prodigal son the most enviable guy alive...?"
"...Yeah. Any real man should get called that once."
"Snagging a divine beauty too."
"Can't forget being top whore's pillar man."
"Killer bodies waiting on him hand and foot."
"Sob sob."
"Don't cry. At least we got an eyeful."
"...Don't say that with your misty eyes."
And so, Black Cat Mountain gained a few more prodigal son admirers.
"Hah, you're back again today."
The maid sighed with clear annoyance. Few in the world could dare such a look at the Soul-Chasing Death Ghost. Only those stronger in martial arts or with extra lives, perhaps.
Yet this maid—lacking both—shook her head.
"I told you, no martial artists. You get in the way, so please don't come back."
"Just pass on the message," Ak Bul-beom said.
"Isn't that basic courtesy?"
"No, that's basic elsewhere. Not here. The doctor said no notifications even for martial artists, remember?"
The maid clicked her tongue. Annoyed glare, head shake, tongue click—the triple humiliation dealt to a death ghost. An epic feat.
Ak Bul-beom's eyes narrowed.
Sensing it, his wife Yang Yeon-hwi the Painter jumped in hastily.
"Excuse me, miss."
"Yes, ma'am?"
The maid's face brightened—unlike with Ak Bul-beom. Being called "miss" by such a beautiful noblewoman felt nice.
"Could you at least pass on a message?"
"I'd love to, but I can't defy the doctor's orders. You'll have to leave."
"Then... could I at least see the doctor myself?"
"You're no martial artist, ma'am, but you're not a patient either. Sorry, you don't qualify. Even if you did, only those he approves can enter. A mere maid like me has no authority."
"..."
Yang Yeon-hwi looked troubled. No progress no matter what. They needed to see Go-eui for even a straw to grasp, but that door was shut.
Her chest tightened with frustration.
Then, murmurs rose from behind.
"Wh-What's that...?"
"A p-palanquin?"
"Who the hell...?"
The palanquin broke through the crowd. Naturally, Bang So-un rode within.
"Hm."
Ak Bul-beom's expression shifted oddly. He'd instantly clocked the bearers as first-rate experts, not mere porters.
"Halt."
"Yes, Leader."
The palanquin touched down. Bang So-un stepped out and approached the maid at the door.
"Wh-What do you want, mister?"
The maid eyed him incredulously.
"Not 'bro' but 'mister'? Fair enough, though."
Bang So-un chuckled, then continued.
"I'm a martial artist."
"Hah? A martial artist?"
Declaring it boldly at Cloud Middle Pavilion. Two weirdos in a row?
"Why are freaks popping up so much lately? Ugh, headache."
She shook her head.
"Martial artists, just go home. Mister, you heard the rules."
"I did."
"Good, then leave."
"But I'm not here for treatment."
"Then why are you here?"
"Got something to pass to the owner."
"Sigh, can't even do that. Just go. No notifications for martial artists."
"Got it."
"Absolutely no—huh?"
"I said got it. So then..."
Bang So-un suddenly pulled something from his bosom and flung it inside the pavilion door. Mu Gam-ja's ancient tome.
"Wh-What are you doing?!"
The flustered maid.
Bang So-un ignored her and bellowed.
"Cloud Middle Strange Doctor! If you're curious about the secret elixir recipe left by your great master, come meet me! Details are in that book—read it and see! Consider this delivered!"