Man or Woman?
"That spot looks good."
"Yes, Young Master."
The palanquin moved again. It shifted to the shade of a large tree just outside Cloud Middle Pavilion. There, it was set down once more. But Bang So-un didn't dismount. Instead, he lounged atop it, savoring the cool breeze.
"We'll wait here."
"Yes, Young Master."
And so Bang So-un and Jang Il waited with the three female super peak experts for a message from inside Cloud Middle Pavilion.
But then.
"Follow me."
"Pardon?"
Thud, thud.
Ak Bul-beom started walking toward the tree where Bang So-un's group shaded themselves. Yang Yeon-hwi looked flustered but soon followed her husband with a resigned expression.
Ak Bul-beom soon arrived right in front of Bang So-un. The three female experts tensed, adopting guarded stances. At that moment.
"It's fine."
Bang So-un raised a hand. Only then did the three women relax their vigilance.
Ak Bul-beom leaned casually against the tree trunk beside Bang So-un and sat down.
"You're living the high life. Using women like that as palanquin bearers."
"I've got a knack for gathering talent."
"And a silver tongue to match."
"Sir, such rude words on a first meeting..."
"Ah, no offense taken. I don't mind."
Bang So-un waved it off.
But inwardly, his thoughts were entirely different.
Damn, those tits are huge.
Bang So-un marveled to himself. Even a quick glance revealed their immense size. He'd only seen tits like that two or three times in his life. And among them, Yang Yeon-hwi was the only one with a beauty to match her face.
...Fuck, it's hard as hell to keep my eyes off them.
A man's instincts kept pulling his gaze back, but he fought them with desperate restraint. He knew her husband was a killer right there, yet his eyes kept begging for a peek. Lust truly had no brain.
Hold on, what about Jang Il?
The embodiment of lust himself. A guy who could stare holes through those tits in front of her husband without batting an eye. Bang So-un shot a quick glance at Jang Il.
And there he was—staring blankly at the sky with an almost soulless expression. The face of a monk deep in detached meditation. He'd forcibly transcended for survival.
...Yeah, that's the way.
Bang So-un finally relaxed. The guy knew when to step up.
"You pulled off quite the stunt."
Ak Bul-beom tossed out casually.
"Haha, what choice did I have without even a notification? Had to try something else."
"No. Seeing that girl panic was refreshing."
It seemed he meant it in a different way. He'd built up a lot of frustration these past few days. That maid had a real talent for scratching at the Soul-Chasing Death Ghost's nerves.
"You don't look well, though."
"And you look plenty healthy yourself."
"I hear that a lot."
Bang So-un replied leisurely to the barbed words. The man was terrifying, sure, but they weren't enemies yet, so he could afford the nonchalance. Of course, no ordinary person could manage it. It meant Bang So-un's vessel was larger than expected. Or perhaps all the trials since becoming a son-in-law had forged his growth.
"What do you say? If I get in, should I pass along a word for you?"
"Hmph. You think that's possible?"
Ak Bul-beom scoffed. In these past few days, he'd learned the Cloud Middle Strange Doctor was even more stubborn than rumored. No words got through. Not even pleas from a dying commoner swayed her. He was starting to wonder if she was a doctor or an undertaker. And a martial artist who wasn't even a patient? Zero chance.
"Sir, what are you saying?"
But Yang Yeon-hwi thought differently and hurriedly intervened to stop her husband.
"Please, hero. I beg you."
Her voice brimmed with desperation. She knew the odds were slim. But she clung to even a thread of hope. It showed just how frantic she was.
"Since the lady asks so earnestly, I'll make sure to mention it."
Bang So-un nodded readily.
"Thank you, hero."
"But I can't handle 'hero.' I'm not the type."
"True. What kind of hero is a playboy?"
Ak Bul-beom seemed to have already figured out Bang So-un's identity. With his level of skill, he couldn't have missed the whispers from the onlookers.
Playboy's better than a mass murderer, you bastard.
Bang So-un cursed inwardly. The guy had killed over a thousand, yet he openly sneered at a man sleeping around. What, was he some pure-love fanatic?
"P-playboy? Sir, what do you mean...?"
"Hangzhou's infamous playboy, right there. Looks like he enjoyed himself all the way up here."
Yeon Su-rin's lower body, soaked in fluids and now dried stiff. He'd caught the faint lingering scent. And not just her—the other women screamed sexual relations to anyone but an idiot.
Ak Bul-beom despised lechers and philanderers. That's why he'd eagerly taken and executed those assassination requests. So naturally, a playboy like Bang So-un rubbed him the wrong way.
"What...?"
Yang Yeon-hwi looked shocked too. She'd never imagined the infamous man was standing right in front of her. And any woman would naturally recoil from a playboy.
"Haha, well now. Love comes in many forms. Pure love's just one flavor."
Bang So-un chuckled and clicked his tongue.
"Silver tongue indeed. Is that how you seduce women?"
"It helps, sure. But as a fellow martial artist, I tried to lend a hand, and your words cut deep."
"Ah... My husband can be blunt, but there's no malice. Please forgive him—it's embarrassing, but I ask your understanding."
Yang Yeon-hwi hurriedly smoothed things over. Playboy or lecher, none of it mattered now. Her husband's treatment came first. She'd cast aside pride and feelings for it.
"I see. Understood. And I've already promised, so no backing out. I'll pass the word to the doctor."
Face, tits, skills, personality—all perfect. Way too good for a murderer. He'd steal her for sure.
"Oh? They're coming out!"
Sudden murmurs rose from that side. The crowd tensed. Someone emerging meant a patient had been chosen. They all stared desperately at the maid who'd come out, praying it was them.
But.
The Cloud Middle Pavilion maid walked right past the gathered patients.
"Wh-what?"
"Huh? Where's she going?"
"H-hey! Over here! Here, I said!"
The flustered patients called out. But the maid ignored them and headed somewhere else—straight toward the tree where Bang So-un's group and the Ak couple waited.
She stopped right in front of them.
"You, old man."
The maid pointed straight at Bang So-un.
"Haha, look at her pointing. Where's the manners?"
"Ugh, it's not like that—just hurry up and follow. The doctor's calling."
At that instant, Ak Bul-beom and Yang Yeon-hwi's faces filled with shock. They'd hoped, but for it to actually happen...?
"Ho, is that so? Perfect."
Bang So-un rose gladly from the palanquin.
"But I'm bringing one guard."
"Huh?"
The maid looked troubled, as if she'd never heard that before.
"Not allowed? Then I won't go in."
"Ugh, seriously."
The maid yelled loudly toward Cloud Middle Pavilion, apparently too lazy to run back and forth.
"Can he bring one guard?!"
A moment later, a loud reply came from inside.
"It's fine!"
"Heard that? Let's go."
"Haha, got it."
Bang So-un and Jang Il followed the maid into Cloud Middle Pavilion.
Creeeak. Thud!
The door shut again. But the murmurs didn't die down.
"The doctor let in a martial artist?"
"Does that make sense? Does it?!"
"Fuck... Money? How much? How much did that bastard pay?!"
"Ugh, you think that crank lets in martial artists for cash? There's another reason."
"Like what?"
"...Beats me."
"Argh, pisses me off! Why special treatment for that playboy bastard—gasp!"
The man spewing curses clamped his mouth shut. A female super peak expert loomed before him, radiating chilling killing intent.
Yeon Su-rin.
"Watch your mouth if you want to live long."
Even a terminally ill patient would choke on words under that bone-rattling killing intent.
"Y-yes... Of course..."
"I remember your face."
"Guh...!"
The man paled and bowed his head low.
Bang So-un and Jang Il would have loved it. Yeon Su-rin acting to defend her master's honor even in their absence. A top-tier slave worthy of temporary vice-command.
The patients stayed deathly quiet for a good while after that.
Thud, thud.
Cloud Middle Pavilion was wider than expected. Not as vast as Golden Dragon Battlefield, but about the size of Red Flower Tower.
"Here."
The maid stopped abruptly before a door. This must be where the Strange Doctor waited.
"Doctor, I brought the guest as you asked."
"Let them in."
A voice came from inside. Androgynous, hard to pin as male or female. Maybe deliberate.
Bang So-un and Jang Il exchanged quick glances. Unreadable.
We'll know when we see them.
Bang So-un thought.
"Go in."
Bang So-un slowly opened the door and entered.
A spacious room. The air stung with medicinal scents. Various acupuncture tools lined the shelves. It screamed doctor's quarters.
Thud!
The maid shut the door from outside.
Should be alone.
If anyone else was with the Strange Doctor, things got messy. Might need forceful measures.
But.
Bang So-un was fairly certain it was just them. This involved his late master. Likely a secret here too. No sidekicks.
And he was right.
Only one figure ahead. Wearing a black cat mask. Loose robes hid any body lines—no telling male or female. Height could go either way.
No wonder the gender's a mystery.
Bang So-un got it instantly. Jang Il wore the same expression.
"This way."
The Strange Doctor gestured to a seat in that neutral voice.
"Thank you."
Bang So-un sat without hesitation.
"You've seen this, I trust. Not a forgery."
The Strange Doctor dropped Mu Gam-ja's ancient tome in front.
"No one's bold enough to forge something for the Strange Doctor."
"Where'd you hear about my master?"
"Word gets around when you have wide connections."
"I see."
Chatting, Bang So-un felt an overwhelming presence, like facing a master. If it was real martial prowess, they were screwed. But if it was just the natural aura of a peak specialist in her field, that was better. Seemed likely.
"The antidote my master left is here, as written?"
"Indeed. I prepared it."
"Can I see it?"
"Looking's fine."
Bang So-un nodded. Then to Jang Il.
"Show it."
"Yes, Young Master."
Jang Il pulled out a small wooden box. Inside: the Absolute Divine Doctor's antidote pill.
And right now.
Tap.
Bang So-un lightly tapped the floor with a finger. The signal to try hypnosis.
Jang Il approached the Strange Doctor to hand over the box.
Let's see...
His heart raced. What face hid behind that black cat mask? Man or woman?
The outcome of everything hinged on that.
"Here."
Jang Il slowly extended the box. Their eyes met naturally.
In that instant.
Jang Il's eyes darkened to black.