Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Peekaboo
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With my response, the discussion about the delegation wrapped up for the time being. Zhuge Jin tucked away his satisfied smile and once again addressed everyone in the Alliance Lord's Hall. The playfulness had vanished from his expression, replaced by the cool-headed demeanor of a strategist.
"Next item on the agenda."
His voice sliced through the heavy air in the hall.
"A few days ago, one of the Five Great Families, the Paeng Family, collapsed."
In that instant, a hush fell over the Alliance Lord's Hall.
What the hell did he just say?
Byeok Cheonwi glared at Zhuge Jin with furrowed brows, while even the ever-stoic Gangcheol narrowed his eyes in disbelief.
What the hell? The Paeng Family... collapsed?
Zhuge Jin's gaze paused on my face. As if reading my thoughts, he added,
"We've already informed that child of the Paeng Family."
Paeng Daesan.
His face came to mind.
The guy was so good at hiding it that I hadn't noticed a thing. If anything, he'd seemed even more cheerful than usual lately. Was that his way of coping?
My mind tangled into knots.
Those Paeng bastards I'd hypnotized and sent back home. At best, there were five first-rate warriors among them. No matter how they rampaged, they couldn't shake the Paeng Family's foundations. The most they could do was stir up some chaos and tarnish the family's reputation. There was no way they could bring down the Paeng Family.
So who the hell did?
As if to answer my question, Zhuge Jin continued his explanation.
"Contact was lost with the Vermilion Bird Squad informant embedded in the Paeng Family, and upon investigation, the Paeng Family's main estate was already reduced to rubble. The Vermilion Bird Squad has thoroughly examined the traces on site... and it appears to have been the work of a single absolute expert."
"One person? You expect us to believe that?"
Gangcheol couldn't hold back and shouted.
"Do you know what the Paeng Family was? One of the Five Great Families doesn't just crumble like that, and the Central Plains stays this quiet about it?!"
His outburst spoke for everyone's feelings.
"We don't know the details either."
Zhuge Jin replied calmly. His voice carried no emotion whatsoever.
"Every blood relative of the Paeng Family was slaughtered. Strangely enough, however, most of the servants, including the household staff, survived. Even stranger... none of them will speak a word about the Paeng Family or the events of that night. It's as if a powerful seal has been placed on them."
It was a chilling tale. There were surviving witnesses, but their mouths were sealed shut. A single absolute expert had wiped a massive family clan off the map in one night and made the incident itself vanish into thin air.
Byeok Cheonwi asked in a heavy voice,
"Any chance it's connected to the Orthodox Alliance?"
"That's unknown as well. As I mentioned earlier, we haven't even properly grasped the Orthodox Alliance's forces yet."
In the end, everything was shrouded in fog. The Orthodox Alliance, the death of the Blood Bandit Lord, the Paeng Family's annihilation. Whether these events were linked or just coincidental explosions, no one could tell.
Hmm. So now it's the Four Great Families instead of Five?
"So what happens to the vacant spot among the Five Great Families?"
Zhuge Jin looked at me for a moment at my question. A subtle emotion flickered in his eyes.
"You're exceptional in many ways... but don't you think you're a bit lacking in common sense?"
He cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Isn't it obvious? The Clan Leader Tournament will be held."
Clan Leader Tournament? What's that?
Reading the question mark on my face, Zhuge Jin sighed and began to explain.
"The Clan Leader Tournament is a martial arts competition held to fill the vacancy among the Five Great Families. Sects and clans with some standing in the Central Plains that are deemed qualified participate. There, the leaders of each family—sect masters or family heads—directly clash to determine the winner. The clan of the final victor is recognized as the new member of the Five Great Families."
Ah. So that's how it works.
Then the Dokgo Family head sitting there with that impassive look, or this Zhuge Family head smugly explaining it all... they must have claimed their spots in the Five Great Families through something that barbaric too.
Blah blah about family history and grand principles, but in the end, the strongest one takes it all. That was the essence of the jianghu.
What an utterly idiotic method.
But... I like it.
Zhuge Jin said the tournament would likely be held soon after a meeting with the remaining Four Great Families and major sects.
"And the Murim Alliance will host this Clan Leader Tournament. In chaotic times like these, we must show the Central Plains that the Alliance stands strong. It will greatly bolster the Alliance's prestige."
He concluded the meeting with a satisfied expression.
"That concludes today's announcements. Squad leaders, please return to your squads and ensure your members stay calm and composed, just in case."
His gaze swept the hall once more, finally settling on me.
"Deputy Squad Leader Moo. The delegation departs in three days."
Three days.
A blatant lie calling a procession of just two—maybe even me alone—a 'delegation.' I couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Questions burned in my throat, but I swallowed them silently.
Zhuge Jin stood and said,
"If there are any questions, feel free to ask."
No sooner had he finished than questions poured in from several deputy leaders. Details on the Orthodox Alliance's forces, additional info on the Paeng Family's fall, and so on. But Zhuge Jin's answers were always vague: 'Still under investigation' or 'We'll share later.' The brief Q&A ended, and the meeting fully adjourned.
People began filing out of the Alliance Lord's Hall one by one. I stood and headed for the exit as well. Then, on a whim, I turned and saw Zhuge Seo still dithering in her seat, unsure what to do.
I shot a short, intense hypnotic suggestion straight at her, infused with my will.
'Meet me for a sec.'
Her shoulders twitched violently.
"Eek!"
She let out a weird yelp, clearly startled, and hurriedly looked up at me. Her green eyes shook with anxiety. She mumbled at her lips, desperately trying to send me something.
—R-right... now?
A trembling transmission reached me. Without a word, I just nodded toward the outside.
'Follow me.'
She hesitated for a moment but soon rose with a resigned expression, carefully trailing behind me. I headed to an empty guest room set up in one corner of the Murim Alliance headquarters. Zhuge Seo followed like a criminal with her head bowed low.
I opened the door, entered, confirmed she'd followed, and shut it behind us. The creak cut off all outside noise. Quietly, I extended my qi sense to check for anyone lurking nearby. Fortunately, the area was clear.
Slowly, I turned to face her. She still couldn't lift her head, so I spoke softly.
"Titty peekaboo."
Zhuge Seo flinched and looked up. Her face was full of bewilderment.
"W-what? R-right now?!"
Without changing expression, I said it again.
"Titty peekaboo."
Her face flushed beet red in an instant. She floundered, averting her eyes and fidgeting, then finally muttered in a tiny voice, as if giving up.
"U-uh..."
Her trembling hand slowly moved to the top of her red martial robe. She glanced around once, then squeezed her eyes shut and slightly pulled open her top, exposing her breasts.
"H-here..."
Atop her snowy white breasts, pink nipples stood pert, quivering shyly. She knew full well she'd wronged me. She couldn't escape the responsibility.
Pretty nipples. Nice.
I didn't touch. Instead, I slowly brought my face close, inhaling deeply through my nose just a short distance from her breasts. Sniff sniff. A sweet scent like freshly bloomed flowers mixed with her unique musky body aroma, tickling my nostrils.
"Hnn... uh...!"
My breath brushed her, and her body spasmed. I quietly pulled back my nose and gave the next command.
"Pussy peekaboo."
"Y-yes..."
She reflexively answered, then realized what it meant and yelped in shock.
"Yes?!"
I silently dropped my gaze downward. To her lower body, hidden by her robe. I stared intently. Realizing my intent, her face turned the color of a ripe persimmon about to burst.
"Ah, uh... I-I..."
She stammered, unable to continue.
"Hurry up. I'm busy."
Hayaku hayaku.
"U-uwu..."
Finally, she whimpered as her trembling hands gripped the hem of her robe. With a swish, she hiked it up.
"Ahh... uuu..."
The sight was peculiar. Between her pale thighs nestled a shy forest of the same vivid green as her hair. Amid the somewhat neatly trimmed green pubic hair, her plump white pussy mound was visible. At its center gleamed a tight pink slit, seemingly untouched by anyone.
Slowly, I knelt before it and brought my face close.
A wave of sweet fragrance hit me. Toward the source—that tiny hidden nub at the top of the pink slit—I flicked out my tongue.
Lick.
The tip of my tongue poked her clit.
"Heeek!"
Zhuge Seo twisted her waist with a scream-like moan. A sweet-salty, pleasant taste spread on my tongue tip.
Slowly, I stood. She'd already gone weak in the legs, leaning against the wall and panting heavily. To that dazed, lovestruck face, I tossed my final words.
"Clean up nice. I'll use it next time."
With that, I left the room without a backward glance. The meeting and cleanup were done. Time to head back where I belonged.
On the way to the Azure Dragon Squad barracks, the sky had fully darkened.
I looked up. A silver platter of a moon hung in the black curtain of night sky.
The moon... it's pretty.