I Want to Devour Your Turbid Qi

"Mmmph..."

I was sound asleep, enjoying a sweet, peaceful slumber.

"Benefactor!!!"

"Lady Yeonhwa! Are you alright?!"

Startled gasp.

"Wh-what is it?!"

I bolted upright, startled awake by the shouting coming from both sides. Ah, damn it, I was sleeping so well...

Why are these bastards throwing a fit? I should just kill them—wait, what?

Why was I so angry?

Whirrrr.

Ugh!

I wondered why I was suddenly so pissed off, and it turned out the Blood Qi in my acupoints was throwing a wild party, racing frantically through my body! What was going on all of a sudden?

Guihua Preservation, activate!

Though I was a bit flustered, Blood Qi was something I could easily suppress using the Guihua Preservation.

Swoosh.

"Phew."

As I suppressed the Blood Qi, my anger quickly subsided. As expected, the Blood Qi was the culprit.

Shake, shake.

"Lady, are you truly alright?!"

"I think so. But first, could you let go of my shoulders..."

"Ah! M-my apologies."

Realizing his rudeness, Namgung Geon stammered and quickly stepped back.

...

"So, you're saying I was unconscious for two shijin?"

The explanation I heard from the finally calmed Namgung Geon was quite shocking. Apparently, right when Namgung Uk was absorbing the Turbid Qi, I had made contact with the mummy (formerly known as the Sword Emperor), and as a result, I had been knocked out cold for four hours.

"The Chief of the Medical Pavilion said there is no Turbid Qi left in your body... but how could that be possible? That is why we were all waiting in agonizing suspense."

"Hmm..."

It was indeed hard to believe. I had clearly felt that nasty stuff entering my body.

Glance.

Could it be because of my cultivation techniques?

Seeing how my Blood Qi had gone absolutely wild, it was probably due to the Myriads Heaven Asura Art... But there was no way in hell I could tell them the truth. If I said, "Oh, I practice the same cultivation technique as the Blood Demon, so it's probably because of that," they'd probably throw me a grand show of severing my four limbs and meridians.

So, in times like this, I just had to use those magic words.

Scratch.

"Maybe it's because I'm a genius?"

"???"

"???"

"Or maybe it was just a coincidence."

"Hmm..."

"Ahem..."

When you play dumb with such shameless confidence, the other party has nothing left to say. The physician said I was fine, and I, the victim, felt perfectly fine, so what more was there to explain?

Grit.

"Ha, haha... Lady. Are you truly alright?"

Namgung Jaeyeong, who had been silently watching from the back, finally spoke up. But why was this smiling man gritting his teeth so hard?

"Yes. I seem to be ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠perfectly fine."

"Really... Are you really alright? Hmm? Truly???"

Why is this bastard being so clingy? This won't do.

Slide.

"But I do feel a bit tired. I'd like to rest now..."

"Ah, we've held up someone who just woke up for far too long. Hyeok, Uncle, let us leave for now."

Grab.

"W-wait! Is she truly—"

Drag, drag, drag.

Creak—

Thud.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

"Hmm... they're gone, right?"

After confirming that all the Namgungs had left, I immediately crossed my legs and began circulating my Qi.

Whirrrr.

"First, the Guihua Preservation is the same..."

Flinch.

"Huh? Why has my Blood Qi increased so much?"

In absolute terms, it wasn't a massive amount, but relatively speaking, it was an enormous leap. It felt like a single grain of millet had suddenly transformed into a table tennis ball.

Tilt head.

"Does this mean I've reached the Second Stage...?"

Without the cultivation formulas, it was incredibly difficult to gauge my exact state. Formulas served as the most crucial guideposts in martial arts.

For instance, the formula for the 7th stage of the Guihua Preservation was Gangmaeng Iljeon, Mansang Gaebyeon.

I had reached the 7th stage through the former part of the process, and as a result of the latter part, my very gender had changed. Having the formulas made things so much easier... Well, even the Blood Demon himself didn't know them, so I guess there was nothing I could do.

More importantly, "My Blood Qi has increased..."

Honestly, it would be a lie to say I wasn't interested in the Myriads Heaven Asura Art. After all, it was the cultivation technique of the legendary Blood Demon. Though the truth behind the Blood Demon's identity was somewhat ambiguous, most gossips ranked him at least on par with the Heavenly Demon. Of course, you couldn't measure someone's true strength by mere rumors, but that was the general perception.

Grin.

I had put it aside because I thought I had to commit murder to cultivate it... but who knew it could grow like this?

Besides, there was still plenty of Turbid Qi left. It was practically being infinitely produced inside the Sword Emperor's body! It sounded a bit wrong to put it this way... but to me, the Sword Emperor was basically a human elixir.

"Hehehe... just you wait."

I would go find Namgung Geon first thing tomorrow morning.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

Drip, drip.

"Sob, sob... Great Hero Namgung. Please, I beg of you, allow me..."

Early morning, in Namgung Geon's office. I was currently utilizing a secret eunuch technique.

Restless fidgeting.

"Lady Yeonhwa. No matter how noble your intentions, it is far too dangerous. Where is the guarantee that you will remain safe?"

"Ugh... How can one fear danger when performing an act of righteousness?"

Namgung Geon looked deeply troubled. But I couldn't back down.

I need that Turbid Qi!

Scratch.

"I cannot permit it."

"Mencius said that one who lacks a heart of compassion ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠is not human. Is the Great Hero trying to turn me into a mere beast...?"

"Ah..."

I could see Namgung Geon's eyes wavering. This was the moment to drive the wedge home.

Thud.

Bow.

I dropped to my knees and pressed my forehead against the floor.

"How can righteousness and chivalry belong only to the strong? If I cannot aid the Namgung Clan today, it will be a lifelong shame. Please, consider it as helping me, and—"

Drip, drip.

Huh?

Is the ceiling leaking?

Glance.

I peeked upward to check.

That's...

Fortunately, it wasn't a leaky ceiling.

"Sob... sniff...!"

The falling droplets were none other than Namgung Geon's tears.

Slam!

"Thank you! Thank you, Lady!"

"Ack... I think ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you're hugging me a bit too tight..."

"How could I not have wanted to ask for help! This is about my father, of all people! I simply could not bring myself to speak of it, so I was suppressing my own ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠heart..."

"First, please let go..."

"From this day forth, you are not just Hyeok's benefactor! You are my benefactor, Namgung Geon's benefactor! The benefactor of our entire Namgung Clan!"

"Gack...!"

"Let us go! The Blue Sky Squad is currently participating in the purification process, so it would be perfect for you to join them!"

Slide.

"Pant... gasp..."

I almost died. If you're in the Transcendent Realm, learn to control your damn strength...

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

Stare—

Ugh... this is so awkward...

Inside the room, Namgung Geon, Namgung Uk, and four other members of the Blue Sky Squad were staring intently at me. I knew they were doing it to help me if anything went wrong, but... could they please just leave?

"Phew..."

Inhale.

After taking a deep breath, I placed my hand over the hand of the Sword Emperor, Namgung Seon.

Creep, crawl.

Immediately, the Turbid Qi began crawling in through the acupoints in my hand.

Myriads Heaven Asura Art.

Using the entry of the Turbid Qi as a signal, I circulated the Blood Qi of the Myriads Heaven Asura Art.

Then—

Twitch, twitch.

I knew it...!

My Blood Qi began happily devouring the Turbid Qi. I could feel my Blood Qi expanding, even if only by a minuscule amount.

But this is a bit too slow.

I felt like I could devour it much faster... Was there a better way?

Ah!

A brilliant idea struck me.

Shift.

I pulled my hand away from the Sword Emperor's hand and moved it toward his shoulder.

And then—

Knead, knead.

I began massaging his shoulders with both hands.

"L-Lady? What are you..."

"Since the Sword Emperor has been bedridden for so long, wouldn't his body be stiff, even if he is unconscious?"

"But his skin is in such poor condition... Is it not unpleasant for you?"

"Hehehe, I can always wash my hands afterward."

Murmurs.

"My word... what a beautiful heart."

"Young Master Hyeok was not exaggerating when he said she was like a heavenly maiden."

"It is precisely because of such a noble character that she has achieved such heights at her age."

Knead, knead.

Hehehehe!

This was it! The more I massaged him, the more the Turbid Qi gushed out! More! Is there anywhere else I can squeeze?

There!

His thighs, right near his dantian!

Slide.

Knead, knead.

"She does not even tire!"

"She treats him as if he were her own parent..."

Knead, knead.

Ahahaha!

"♫~♫"

"She is even humming a tune so we won't worry..."

"How could we not know how exhausting that work must be?"

"Such nobility... The Namgung Clan must never forget this."

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

After that first session of absorbing Turbid Qi in front of Namgung Geon and the Blue Sky Squad—

Step, step.

"Mmm-hmm-hmm~"

I was granted official permission to freely enter and leave the Patriarch's private chambers.

"Hello there, Lord Sword Emperor."

Perhaps because I was in such high spirits, my old eunuch-style etiquette slipped out naturally. I was even giving a sweet, sing-song greeting to an unconscious man.

Knead, knead.

But I couldn't help being excited. Just massaging the Sword Emperor was basically duplicating my inner force! While it wasn't as dramatic as the jump from the First to the Second Stage, my Blood Qi was steadily growing. If the Blood Sect distributed one Sword Emperor to every cultist, wouldn't they stop their slaughtering sprees? Ah, wait, they don't practice the Myriads Heaven Asura Art, so that wouldn't work.

Knead, knead.

"Hehe, did you know? The sun is so lovely today, and the flowers on the wall are in full bloom."

There was just one minor issue: because I was so focused on absorbing the Turbid Qi, my mouth kept spouting eunuch-style chatter as a spinal reflex. Babbling in front of an unconscious person made me feel exactly like a nurse in a nursing home.

Knead, knead.

"I don't know why your younger brother has such a bizarre personality, Lord Sword Emperor. He seems to absolutely loathe me coming here."

Knead, knead.

"Oh, did you know? Namgung Hyeok actually sobbed his eyes out in front of me once. He literally thought he had become a eunuch due to erectile dysfunction. Isn't that hilarious?"

Twitch.

"???"

Huh? Did he just twitch?

"..."

...

Hmm... I must have imagined it, right?

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

Crash! Clatter!

Inside Namgung Jaeyeong's office, which was adorned with all kinds of luxury items.

"P-Patriarch! Please, calm yourself!"

Smash!

Despite Steward Yi's desperate pleas, the furniture in the office was being relentlessly pulverized.

"How can I calm down?! When I have to watch that wench run around acting as she pleases!"

Bam!

"That arrogant bitch! Now she's acting like the benefactor of our entire clan! Just looking at her makes my blood boil!"

"Tsk, tsk. With such a narrow mind, how do you expect to achieve great things?"

"What?!"

Unlike the anxious Steward Yi, a man sat comfortably in a chair, leisurely sipping tea.

"Once you officially become the Patriarch, you can simply kick her out. Why get so worked up over it?"

"Shut up! How dare a filthy Demonic Cult bastard tell me what to do!"

Whoosh.

Shatter!

The man who lightly dodged the teacup thrown by Namgung Jaeyeong was Wi Jinha, known as the 'Shadowless Wind'. He was the Deputy Leader of the Black Wind Squad, the secret operations unit of the Heavenly Demon Sect.

"Is that any way to speak to the one who provided you with the Soul-Eating Turbid Qi, which our Sect spent so much effort to create?"

"Urgh...!"

Namgung Jaeyeong, consumed by jealousy, had been provided with this special toxic Qi by the Heavenly Demon Sect. That was how the Sword Emperor had ended up bedridden.

Pace, pace.

"That wench said the Sword Emperor twitched... Surely, he won't wake up, will he?"

"She must have misseen it. Do you know how many lives are sacrificed to create a single drop of Soul-Eating Turbid Qi? A thousand people."

"Even so—"

"You worry too much."

Thump.

Wi Jinha placed a glass vial, about the size of a finger, onto the table.

"A gift from our Holy Sect, tailored just for you."

"Th-this is Soul-Eating Turbid Qi...! You had another vial?"

Nod.

"Even if left alone, he would eventually die, but if this is administered, even the Sword Emperor won't be able to hold out any longer. And if that happens while the girl you mentioned is performing her purification..."

Flash.

"I can frame her for it and get rid of her too!"

A so-called medical accident. Not only would it eliminate Yeonhwa, but it would also ruin the standing of the Young Patriarch, who had recommended her.

Snatch.

Namgung Jaeyeong hurriedly grabbed the glass vial and shouted, "Steward Yi! Prepare everything immediately!"

"Yes, Patriarch!"

Step, step.

Creak—

After the two of them left in a hurry, only Wi Jinha remained in the room.

Chuckle, chuckle.

"Hehehe. A younger brother so desperate to kill his own older brother. Jealousy is truly a terrifying thing."

Even though the Soul-Eating Turbid Qi was precious, it was cheap compared to the life of the Sword Emperor. If he died, Wi Jinha would claim a massive achievement.

"Well, success is guaranteed... I suppose I should head back to the Heavenly Mountains as well."