Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Date
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The Elder lowered his voice, as if conscious of the gazes around him, and continued his explanation.
"The miraculous medical skills you demonstrated yesterday left all the elders in awe. They concluded that further tests would be pointless and unanimously approved Physician Shadowless's final passing."
I was a little surprised. Skipping over the Healer Immortal Sect's notoriously rigorous testing process like this was unprecedented.
The Elder seemed to read my expression and added proudly,
"A decision this extraordinary hasn't happened since the current Sect Leader—the Healer Immortal himself—and Elder Im. It's proof that everyone recognizes Physician Shadowless's abilities. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart."
I stood there blankly amid the praise laced with flattery. I'd been charging toward my goal, only for it to vanish right before my eyes. Rather than joy, a hollow, floating sensation washed over my entire body. No more... things to do.
That was when it happened.
Grrrrumble—
An embarrassingly loud noise echoed through the quiet training hall. The source was Bang Soso's stomach, right beside me. Her face flushed bright red as she clutched it with both hands.
The sight made me burst out laughing without realizing it. Yesterday's tension and today's emptiness vanished in an instant.
Well, after expending so much energy last night, no wonder she was hungry.
I gently took the hand of Bang Soso, who was flustered with her reddened face. It was the perfect excuse to ground my aimless mind and fill the empty day ahead.
Maybe on a day like today, spending it on these simple everyday moments—instead of complicated medical arts or tests—would be for the best. My first date with her didn't sound half bad.
"Let's go. Time for something delicious."
Bang Soso's face lit up like a flower in bloom. She clung even tighter to my arm, as if she'd forgotten all about her stomach growling. Her steps were as light as if she were walking on clouds all the way to the market.
The market buzzed with life. The sizzle of oil, the earthy scent of herbs, and the clamor of voices blended into a vibrant symphony. Bang Soso's eyes sparkled like stars with curiosity. She tugged at my arm, eagerly peering at everything in sight.
"Senior Brother! Look at that! Rice cakes shaped like rabbits!"
"Wow! Check out that silk—it's so pretty!"
She was like a chick seeing the world for the first time, everything novel and wondrous. Finding her adorable, I chuckled and headed to a steamed bun stall. I bought two steaming buns and handed one to her.
"Ah, hot!"
Bang Soso blew on it furiously before taking a bite. Her white cheeks puffed out as she chewed, just like a squirrel.
"It's so good...!"
Red bean paste smeared the corner of her mouth as she exclaimed with wide eyes. I naturally reached out and wiped it away with my thumb. The soft touch of her lips sent memories of last night flooding back, a heavy warmth settling in my lower abdomen. Bang Soso's face turned peach-red.
We wandered the market like that, snacking on street food and browsing curiosities. She stuck close by my side, chattering nonstop, while I savored the peaceful time listening to her voice.
The trouble started when we turned into a quiet alley.
"Well now, check out that pretty little miss."
Three rough-looking men blocked our path. Street thugs, the kind who loitered around the market's underbelly. Their lecherous gazes raked over Bang Soso's face before locking onto her ample chest.
"Now those are a fine pair of tits. Something like that is best after a good squeeze. Right?"
"Heh heh, you got it, boss. Miss, why don't you come have a drink with us?"
Bang Soso shrank behind me in fear. I could feel her body trembling faintly.
I let out a sigh. Im Hyehyang's warning echoed in my mind. I couldn't reveal my abilities recklessly. I wanted to avoid a fight. But I couldn't stand these vermin ogling my lovely Soso with such filthy eyes.
I quietly prepared to cast hypnosis.
No need for complicated suggestions.
'You are women.'
I locked eyes with the apparent leader of the thugs. Invisible ripples stirred in his pupils. The suggestion took root deep in his consciousness in an instant, spreading to the others like a contagion.
"...Oh my?"
Suddenly, the leader spoke in a prim, ladylike voice. He seemed startled by his own tone and cleared his throat, but his next words were no different.
"Hey, look at that one. A man staring at a woman's body like that? What a disgrace, really."
He sharply scolded one of his cronies. The targeted thug panicked, equally flustered.
"Ah, no, that's not—oh my, why does my voice sound like this?"
The situation turned bizarre. They began whispering to each other.
"Oh dear, your skirt's all wrinkled."
"Hey, your makeup's smudged. Come here, I'll fix it for you."
The crude louts from moments ago were gone. Now they fussed over each other's clothes and faces like shy maidens. They shot wary, jealous glances at Bang Soso before linking arms and trotting off together.
"Um... why were they acting like that, Senior Brother?"
Bang Soso peeked out from behind me, tilting her head. She clearly didn't understand their eerie transformation.
Those fools would soon be overflowing with female hormones. If we ran into them again...
...Whatever.
I just shrugged.
"Who knows. Guess they lost their minds all of a sudden."
Bang Soso still looked puzzled, but with the bad guys gone, she quickly relaxed and latched onto my arm again. Her eyes shone with admiration for how effortlessly I'd handled the weird incident. Cute.
After that little commotion, our date continued in an even warmer atmosphere. Bang Soso stopped watching her surroundings, relying on me completely. We browsed a trinket shop for pretty hairpins and laughed together at a storyteller's tales.
Before long, the sun dipped toward the horizon, and lanterns began flickering to life in the market. The red sunset painted the sky like a masterpiece. We walked back to the Healer Immortal Sect hand in hand, without a word. The day's bustle had faded, replaced by a comfortable silence between us.
"Go on in and get some good rest."
At her quarters, I gently stroked her hair. She clung to my clothes reluctantly, not wanting to let go.
"Senior Brother... today was really fun."
"Same here."
I planted a light kiss on her forehead and turned away. Leaving her waving with a flushed face, I headed to my own room.
As soon as I entered, the tension drained away, and fatigue crashed over me. Yesterday's miracle and today's sweetness with Soso—it all felt like a dream. I shed my outer robes and sat on the bed. Blowing out the candle plunged the room into darkness.
What kind of day would tomorrow bring? Recalling Soso's smile, I slipped under the covers. Just as sleep began to claim me...
...Swish.
A faint sound. Like fabric rustling or someone holding their breath. Had the day's noise left me overly sensitive? I tried to dismiss it and roll over.
But the presence lingered. If anything, it grew sharper. Someone else was in my dark room besides me. My heart chilled.
I held my breath and heightened all my senses. I kept my muscles lax as if relaxed, my breathing steady like a sleeping man's. Squinting my eyes, now accustomed to the dark, the room's faint outlines emerged.
Moonlight filtered through the paper window, softly illuminating one corner. A black shadow stood there. It was human-shaped. A slender, elongated silhouette. The shadow stood utterly still, simply gazing down at me.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
My heart pounded like a drum. The sect's guards were ironclad. Only an extraordinary expert could infiltrate this deep. An assassin? But there was no killing intent. Then what was the purpose?
My mind cooled rapidly as countless thoughts raced through. The first that came to mind was self-hypnosis. Leg Power Enhancement, to maximize my leg strength. If the opponent was strong, running was the best option. Unnoticed, I focused my will and began implanting the subtle suggestion into my leg muscles.
That was when the shadow moved.
Silent footsteps carried it slowly into the moonlight. At last, seeing the intruder's revealed form, I froze, breath caught in my throat.