Morning Lust and the Strategist's Bald Doom
When I leisurely opened my eyes, what came into view was the opulent room of the Vice Military Officer within the Divine Cult headquarters—a space I'd grown quite familiar with by now. Though I'd dressed beforehand, I checked my appearance in the room's mirror, making sure there were no flaws anywhere.
Method acting smoke is the best, after all. In the mirror, I smirked with my lips curled up, clad in splendid martial robes. 'Handsome bastard...' A pleased smile crept onto my face unbidden.
"Hey, you there. No attendants around?"
At my call, a small noise sounded, and a maid slipped into the room, trembling like a leaf. She didn't even dare meet my eyes. To me, I'd just fucked her once, but the next day she got executed... Fucking vicious Demonic Cult bastards.
"You called for me, Vice Military Officer?"
"Yeah, what's on the schedule for today?"
Thankfully, since I was asking about mundane daily matters rather than demanding her body, she finally lifted her head to reply.
"Ah! There's nothing special on the agenda today, sir. The Military Officer said he'd report the detailed plans in full to the Sovereign tomorrow, and he earnestly instructed you to focus entirely on the upcoming wedding with the Little Cult Leader."
"Oh! So it's finally ready."
"Yes!"
Seeing the maid's beaming face, I grinned back just as widely. I'd nagged endlessly before leaving but never checked the progress—looks like they'd worked hard. I felt a swell of emotion.
It felt like just yesterday I was playing with corpses at the Wudang Sect, and now here I was, embedded in the Demonic Cult, on the verge of invading the Central Plains, even facing a wedding.
'Marriage, huh... Now I get why they have bachelor parties.' The word alone plunged me into sudden gloom and sentimentality.
"What's your name?"
"Yes! This humble girl is called Aeng-hwa."
With the Cult's grand event approaching, her smiling face made my lips twitch upward. You really have to stay sharp in a tiger's den. Those who don't end up as prey.
"You seem in high spirits."
"Yes! It's the Little Cult Leader's wedding, after all. And to a peerless beauty like you, Vice Military Officer—it's every girl's dream. Hehe."
"Is that so."
"Yes!"
"...Then why don't you tell me all about that dream in detail?"
"Pardon...?"
Only then did she sense the ominous atmosphere, with the door already shut tight. Her face drained of color.
Ah... The urge to defile that pure white snowfield made my lower body grow heavy. As the front of my robes tented massively, I grabbed her trembling shoulders and locked eyes with her intently.
"Dreams are meant to come true."
"P-please... Vice Military Officer."
Her teary eyes and the fine hairs standing on end made my breath quicken.
'Rawr.'
+++
Tap. Tap. Cheonma drummed his fingers on the armrest of his throne, silently listening to the Military Officer's report.
"Thus, if we execute the Vice Military Officer's stratagem as outlined, I daresay the possibility of unifying the martial world reaches a solid nine-tenths."
The odds of martial unification had climbed from seven or eight to a full nine. Even to Cheonma's ears, these were highly feasible and practical plans. The only minor issue? The framework itself was ruthlessly vicious.
Gauging the mood, the Military Officer cautiously spoke up, understanding Cheonma's demeanor.
"I myself grew uneasy devising such ruthless ideas... but the rank-and-file cultists are responding enthusiastically, Sovereign."
"What do you mean by that?"
"It's a plan for invading the Central Plains straight from the mouth of the Wudang Divine Sword's disciple... The fact that a righteous sect pup dared call us Demonic Cultists 'too kind' has everyone yearning to return to our old, fearsome days."
"...How long will you keep treating him like some righteous sect pup?"
Cheonma shot him a sharp glance, and the Military Officer, flustered at first, soon forced a wry smile.
"You're right... 'Pup' doesn't even begin to cover it."
"He's a monster."
"...?!"
Hearing such direct praise from Cheonma's lips made the Military Officer's eyes widen.
"Well, his martial talent is one thing, but that freakish constitution of his—had he not reached the Manifest Realm, I'd have gone mad with envy..."
"Truly..."
"Even granting he held back, for a mere peak realm pup to shrug off this seat's pressure? Ridiculous... The Divine Sword bastard raised one hell of a disciple."
"Doesn't the Sovereign have the Little Cult Leader?"
"Of course that's why I can afford to be so relaxed."
Only then did Cheonma's expression soften, and the Military Officer wiped away cold sweat in relief. Sucking up to your boss was no easy task.
"Honestly, what amazes me more is that guy's head."
"...?"
"Think about it. Kidnapped out of the blue by us so-called Demonic Cultists, and his first move? Banging three maids. Who in their right mind does that? And he's supposed to be a proper Taoist..."
"That... did surprise me too."
"And this plan we're cooking up—is that something a normal human dreams up? I reached the Manifest Realm thinking nothing would stir my emotions anymore, but that kid's pure human malice condensed into a demon. Human Centipede? The mad bastard."
Seeing Cheonma fuming and snorting, the Military Officer recalled his childhood friend—now boss—and his lips twitched into a smile. This relaxed side only emerged when he was truly delighted.
"Same as ever, Sovereign."
"What do you mean?"
"Just look in the mirror."
Cheonma glanced at the mirror by his throne, and sure enough, his lips were curved in an unbelievably wide grin.
"Tch, seems that weirdo's got me too riled up lately."
"Still, it's a nicer look than before, Sovereign."
"Kekeke, you think so? Well, you look more lively yourself, so I'm satisfied too."
The Military Officer's face soured like he'd eaten shit, and he hurriedly changed the subject.
"Then, we'll proceed with the plan as is."
"Do that. Notify the elders yourself. And hurry the wedding along first. After today's news, even I can't hold it back anymore. Don't dawdle and make excuses, got it?"
"...Understood."
Hardly any time after finishing one task, and another piled on. Swallowing a sigh, the Military Officer bowed politely and exited.
The wedding was one thing, but with the plans now fully fleshed out, he had to disseminate the revisions to the spies first. The Vice Military Officer was untouchable now, so it all fell on him. He sighed again at his pitiable lot.
Trudging back to his room, he wearily opened the door.
"You're back? I've been waiting."
A languid voice tickled his ear, and his hair stood on end. He'd just escaped a pleased tiger, only to find a hungry one lounging brazenly in his own den.
"Greetings, Little Cult Leader."
He bowed deeply, and Dokgo Hwaryeon nodded, lifting her teacup to her lips.
"So... all the plans are finalized?"
She'd reported to the Sovereign less than an hour ago, yet here she was, keeping the Cult firmly under her thumb. Cold sweat trickled down the Military Officer's neck.
"Y-yes. The odds are nine-tenths feasible, and the Sovereign commanded we proceed, so the unification of the martial world will begin shortly."
"I see."
"Yes..."
Dokgo Hwaryeon's eyes, idly rolling the teacup in her hand, suddenly sharpened.
"Then you know exactly what you need to do next, no need for me to spell it out."
The furnishings in the room began to rattle faintly. The Military Officer gulped.
"Of course. This officer has already scoured for betrothal gifts worthy of the Little Cult Leader and Vice Military Officer."
Though trembling, he'd swiftly shifted gears, patting himself on the back. But contrary to his thoughts, Dokgo Hwaryeon's were elsewhere. Her hand shot out, clamping his neck, slowly tightening.
"Gack! Khk! Gurk!"
"Vice Military Officer?"
Her gleaming eyes took on a demonic glint.
"By what right does a worm like you call my future husband so casually? I noticed it at the grand assembly—you're insufferably arrogant... Daring to disrespect my possession."
Suddenly right in his face like a ghost, her slender fingers advanced toward his eyeball. Realizing he'd lose it if he stayed still, he desperately gasped for air.
"Khk! Mar... Gkh. Hkewk!"
Understanding his choking words, her fingers finally halted—nails nearly piercing his pupil.
"Right... With the joyous occasion so near, harming the event overseer would invite bad omens."
Her killing intent vanished in an instant, leaving him gasping raggedly.
"Khk. Heuk. Hah."
"But punishment must be dealt, or my authority suffers."
With those words, her hand moved again. Strangely refreshed, he looked up.
"He said it's more effective to instill despair with permanent handicaps rather than mere pain. You're useful, so I went easy—no need for that much."
Uttering the emotionless words, Dokgo Hwaryeon left, saying she'd anticipate the ceremony. As the storm passed, the Military Officer snapped to his senses and rushed to the mirror.
Influenced by the Vice Military Officer's mad advice, the Little Cult Leader was gradually warping. Madman times madwoman. And sure enough, his reflection drew a horrific scream.
How could a human end up like that!
"You crazy bitch and bastard!!!"
From that day on, Cheonma and the elders' roaring laughter at the hairless Military Officer inevitably dragged out the grand assembly.
"Ahahaha! Goat gramps! Fuck, you look like an octopus. Kekeke!"
The loudest guffaws came from the Vice Military Officer, while Dokgo Hwaryeon smiled contentedly at his amusement. Witnessing it all, the Military Officer finally fainted from pent-up rage.