Miracle Potions and Bound Prodigies

Where the hell am I? Huhu. Those barbaric chinks. The potions I'd smuggled into the grand hall were ten mid-grade ones and thirty low-grade ones. I'd sold off some precious metals at a decent price to get them from the fantasy world. Potions were basically like everyday cold medicine there anyway, so it was a relief they weren't too expensive. I couldn't keep offloading sketchy precious metals every time, could I?

The guild master already seems to be eyeing me suspiciously... I shook my head to dismiss the dwarf's image that popped into my mind. No way was I wasting brain cells on some shitty dude like that... Anyway, in a martial world full of constant sword fights and fistfights, these potions I'd brought in were basically strategic assets with massive potential influence.

Huhu. I can turn all those so-called miracle herbs and pill kings into dogshit. The only thing bugging me was the alibi. No way did these drugs just pop out of thin air, so I'd have to bullshit that I made them. For that, I'd already swiped all sorts of herbs from the clan's pharmacy using Dokgo Hwaryeon's pull, and they were safely stashed in my Inventory. Some of the high-grade stuff could go toward health supplements for my women. And if they asked me to make more, I'd just say I was short on rare herbs.

While I was cackling to myself like that, the servant's arm was fully revealed, not even a scar left behind. I released her pressure points.

"Hah... huff..."

"You, go back now."

"Y-yes."

The servant bowed deeply, stepping backward politely. The moment she walked out that door, her life was probably over.

Too bad... she was kinda cute. I gazed at her wistfully, and sure enough, my side started to itch. Dokgo Hwaryeon was glaring at me with pursed lips.

"Ahem. What do you think, Your Supremacy?"

Turning my head, I saw the Cheonma—bloodline showed in his eyes—staring at the potion vial before speaking to me.

"A miracle elixir from ancient times."

"Yes. But it only works on external wounds. Internal injuries are harder to heal."

"Internal ones are healed through meditation anyway, so no real alternatives. This is a miracle elixir."

"In that case... you're right."

"So, you made this healing potion?"

"Yes. While living in the cave, experimenting to fix Master's leg, I stumbled on this secret formula."

"Master's leg..."

"Regrowing a lost leg is impossible, but Master always tossed and turned in pain. Pure coincidence."

"What do you want?"

I bullshitted smoothly, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and unlike my worries, there was no grilling—just the Cheonma's face softening as he asked.

Doesn't care since I'm one of his own? Fine by me. I straightened up quick and spoke.

"Well... any update on the late-stage prodigy escort plans?"

At my words, the Cheonma nodded to the military officer.

"Reports say most late-stage prodigies are already past Kunlun. Need any specific ones?"

There'd be Mudang folks among the captives. He probably expected me to ask for my martial brothers due to my origins. Fat chance.

"Hwaryeon's Seol Hwarin from Hwasan, Tang Xiaoxiao from Sichuan Tang, and finally Namgung Hyo from Namgung. Leave these three to me."

I listed the women calmly, and his knowing look turned puzzled at Namgung Hyo.

"I know you like women, but what's with the Namgung punk?"

This goat kid sure talks a lot. Even when the Cheonma himself asked what I wanted, he dragged it out. I oughta shave his beard and make it into eggs.

"Nothing much. He's the most promising late-stage prodigy besides me, so I wanna handle him personally."

I grinned casually, and since it was a trivial reward anyway, the Cheonma nodded.

"Hand them over to the Vice Military Officer as soon as they arrive at the cult."

"Thank you."

The grand hall meeting ended without a hitch as I bowed. Now it was just a waiting game. Or not... I needed to soothe Dokgo Hwaryeon first, with her lips pursed like that.

+++

What the hell was going on? My internal energy suppressed, body bound and jostled around as I was transported. I'd clearly been logged into the game, grinding quests non-stop.

The Dragon-Phoenix Tournament at the Murim Alliance. After that, the game's story really kicked off. The Demonic Cult's young lord kidnapping a Mudang NPC ramped up the volume and tension in every sect. As a gamer, it was thrilling. The clashes of sword duels and righteous-demonic wars felt straight out of a novel—pure dopamine.

The Mudang NPC? Probably minced meat by now, no big deal.

Anyway, post-incident, the Murim Alliance split into two camps. Pro-righteous war faction: Mudang, whose disciple was kidnapped, and minor sects who'd lost members to Demonic Cult spies at the tournament. The opposition: everyone else, arguing no chance against those Fire Realm experts who showed up, so let it slide.

While they bickered endlessly, late-stage prodigies started vanishing, throwing the Alliance into chaos again. Future pillars of sects gone, like the Mudang NPC—panic was inevitable.

Namgung Hyo, smelling main story, partied up with the heroines and set off. The plot had expanded beyond Namgung to the entire Central Plains; no more wasting time in the boonies. His family head approved, and the heroines followed eagerly.

Problem hit en route to Gongdong. One day, laughing and flirting with the heroines amid the grim martial world vibe—next thing he knew, this.

Ah, shit... Can't log out except at inns or Namgung Manor.

Nine Provinces Dragon-Phoenix Sword was hardcore mode. Die, and character plus game deleted. IP-tracked, no reinstalls. Hard to get, harder to play...

Where'd I even get it...? Vague thought dismissed as pointless. Focus: his situation.

Hope Seol Hwarin and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Tang Xiaoxiao are okay. No life threat in a kidnapping like this—main story for sure. Just worried about the heroines. Affection maxed; could've fucked them at any inn, but delayed for story progress. Regret city now.

Should've railed them sooner. Big sects made it risky, but post-story, he'd quench his thirst with them. Heroine pussies were for players. Imagining their slutty bodies, blood rushed south, crotch bulging.

Whatever—he was slung over someone's back. Sleep it off, story advances. Player like him? Safe. Exhausted from sealed qi, Namgung Hyo gave in.

+++

"Ow, fuck."

"What?"

"This crazy bastard's hard."

"...Isn't that Namgung's young master?"

"Pfft... Wanna switch with me?"

"Fuck off."

"Shit."

Shivering at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠his comrade's words, he felt the heroine's body on his back. Unlike his buddy carrying Namgung's young master, he had a Hwasan nun-lookalike. Overwhelming softness pressed against him, stirring lust. Hands naturally groped her ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠plump ass like dough, calming his excitement.

Glancing over, his comrade with the Tang girl did the same. For now, sneaky ass fondling was all.

"Samho, switch with me?"

"I'm not a pervert."

"Fuck."

The guy with Namgung's young master begged the one with Tang's girl, but got sneers. Expected—when else touch such beauties? Infuriating not to go all-in.

"You... groping too much?"

His fingers froze at the fourth squad member's sharp voice from behind.

"Ahem. Distance makes it tough. Hands hurt, can't help it. Forgive me."

"...That's for the Vice Military Officer to judge, not me."

"Just this once..."

"Eyes front."

Wiping cold sweat from the glaring eyes, he hurried on. The one sporting wood and demanding Namgung, Hwasan, Tang girls? The Vice Military Officer—Young Lord's father-in-law. Picturing him sent chills with sweat.

High Solitude took time and manpower. Vice Officer somehow hauled tons, purged Murim Alliance spies in the cult. "Purged"? Shoved larvae in their skulls. Cut off intel; Alliance now defenseless to squad raids.

Raids? Kidnapping late-stage prodigies. Using High Solitude shamelessly... Mudang successor? What righteous sect does that? Most cult squads dreaded facing the Vice Officer most. Eyes scanning people like pigs... legs shook involuntarily.

"Almost there."

"Uh... hands really hurt, that's why I flinched."

"...No big issue, so no demerit. Watch it next time."

"Of course! Drinks on me post-report, loosen up."

"Ahem."

First squad sighed at the comrade. One booze table for life-sparing? Bargain. Screeech!!!

Cult gates burst open; mission success, grins all around. Nah, mood. Booze and hazard pay. Ass's firm bounce lingered in his grip.

"Let's party hard tonight. Heh."

"Ahem... Ox Flower Pavilion's the best, they say."

"Kekeke. Sounds good!"