Chapter 56: Obtaining the Hundred-Year Flower - 1
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 56: Obtaining the Hundred-Year Flower - 1
Having successfully stolen the Hundred-Year Flower, Sun-woo first returned to Tang Se-gi’s quarters.
He wanted to go straight to Tang Seo-yoon’s place, but the distinct, fishy scent lingering on his body bothered him. What if she noticed something? Even though they were in an alliance, there was no telling how she might react if she found out he had just slept with the Great Matriarch.
Sun-woo moved quickly toward his residence, employing the Wind-Dust Step. He wanted to wash away the lingering discomfort as soon as possible.
Upon arriving, Sun-woo stripped off his clothes to bathe, only to find vivid handprints left all over his body. They were likely from her gripping him tightly, unable to withstand the overwhelming pleasure.
Sun-woo let out a hollow laugh at the sight of the red marks. It finally felt real—he had actually had sex with the Great Matriarch. To think that a mission to steal the Hundred-Year Flower would end with him sleeping with the Tang Clan Head’s primary wife.
From the Clan Head’s perspective, this was enough to make his blood boil. His beloved wife had essentially been snatched away by another man. Though it had been an irresistible situation, Sun-woo had enjoyed himself, so he really didn't have a leg to stand on.
In truth, when she first started rubbing her vulva against him, Sun-woo had been looking for an opening to knock her unconscious. However, the moment the noble and virtuous Great Matriarch began screaming in pleasure and whispering lewd words, that plan went out the window, and he surrendered himself to instinct.
Men are such pathetic creatures, he thought. Succumbing to lust in the end.
Vowing never to repeat such a mistake, Sun-woo began to shed the rest of his clothes.
It was then.
Knock, knock.
The sound of someone tapping on the door tickled his ears.
'What the fuck?'
Sun-woo was startled. Who would visit Tang Se-gi’s quarters at this ungodly hour?
Creeak.
The door opened, and someone stepped into the room. Sun-woo’s eyes widened. It was someone he hadn't expected at all.
"Still playing around in such a vulgar manner, I see."
The man who entered was the second son, Tang Do-uk, the biological child of the primary wife, Un Ga-ryeo.
'Why the hell are you here?!'
Sun-woo was momentarily speechless. Why was Tang Do-uk showing up out of the blue?
*
Tang Do-uk frowned as he entered the room. A peculiar, erotic scent was wafting through the air.
"Have you been fooling around with some lowly wench again?" Do-uk rebuked him, his eyes sharp and judgmental.
'That "wench" was your mother,' Sun-woo thought, swallowing the words he desperately wanted to say. Fortunately, it didn't seem like Do-uk had realized what had transpired with Un Ga-ryeo.
"Hahaha! How can a butterfly simply pass by a flower?" Sun-woo replied, feigning a boisterous attitude. He had heard plenty about Tang Se-gi’s behavior from Tang Seo-yoon, so his response was seamless.
Tang Do-uk’s scowl deepened at the vulgarity. "I don't even need to see her to know the quality of the woman you've been rolling with."
'I’m telling you, it was your mom.'
Unaware that the woman in question was the Great Matriarch, Tang Do-uk continued to lash out at Tang Se-gi. It disgusted him that someone carrying the direct bloodline of the Tang Clan would associate with such lowly women.
"I thought you might have come to your senses, but you’re exactly the same."
"Does one's nature really change that easily?" Sun-woo countered smoothly.
"Fine. I didn't expect much anyway."
Thud.
Tang Do-uk pulled out a chair and sat down. "You sit, too."
"What is it?" Sun-woo asked bluntly. What could possibly bring him here so late at night?
"Sit."
In response to Sun-woo’s bluntness, Tang Do-uk silently released his internal energy, exerting pressure. It was clearly intended to intimidate Sun-woo, but to Sun-woo, it was laughable.
'Cute little brat.'
Since falling into the Murim, Sun-woo had encountered all sorts of top-tier masters. From Ok-ryeong of the Blood Sword Fragrance, who had reached the Transcendent Realm, to Sword Emperor Yang Tae-san, Poison Emperor Tang Jin-cheol, and even Lee Jae-won and the Yin-Yang Demon, who had reached the Profound Realm. Having faced the pressure of so many masters head-on, Tang Do-uk’s display felt like nothing more than a child’s tantrum.
Still, he couldn't let it show. Sun-woo used his internal energy to heat his body, causing beads of sweat to form on his forehead. Then, he slowly took a seat, looking for all the world like someone suppressed by the pressure.
Thud.
Seeing this, Tang Do-uk smiled with satisfaction. "I’ll keep it brief. Give up on entering the Godok Hall."
"No."
"Do you wish to die?"
"I thought we finished this conversation during the day?"
Tang Do-uk let out a deep sigh at Sun-woo’s answer. Why didn't this delinquent know his place? Or did he simply not understand what the Godok Hall was? It was obvious he would die if he went in there—especially with his pathetic skills that hadn't even reached the First-Class level.
"I’d honestly rather just leave you to your fate, but Mother asked me to stop you."
Tang Do-uk grimaced, thinking of his tearful mother. Why did she have to suffer because of this brat’s stubbornness? Hadn't she been so upset by Tang Se-gi’s rebellion today that she drank herself to sleep, even though she usually couldn't handle alcohol?
Fire flared in Tang Do-uk’s eyes. This delinquent was the root of all the problems.
'This son of a bitch... is he going to hit me?'
Sun-woo was getting irritated in his own right. Coming here in the middle of the night just to repeat what had been said during the day—how nosy could one person be? Even though he was currently in Tang Se-gi’s body, he was a master among masters who had reached the Upper Stage of the Super-Peak Realm. There were only a handful of people in the entire Tang Clan who could face him one-on-one. It was infuriating to have this nobody—someone who was barely at the Peak Realm—giving him grief.
"And if I refuse?" Sun-woo asked defiantly.
"Then I’ll have to make you give up by force."
With that, Tang Do-uk began to circulate his internal energy.
'Tsk.'
Sun-woo fell into a dilemma. He wasn't sure how to handle this. In reality, Tang Do-uk’s martial arts were no threat to him. If he wanted to, he could subdue him effortlessly without a single scratch.
The problem, however, was plausibility. Tang Se-gi—not Sun-woo—had no plausible way to defeat Tang Do-uk. If a delinquent who spent his days drinking and womanizing suddenly overwhelmed a Peak Realm master like Tang Do-uk, everyone would notice the discrepancy. All eyes would be on him, and his identity might be compromised.
But he also didn't want to just sit there and get hit by this guy.
'What do I do?'
While he was debating, Tang Do-uk’s hand flew forward. It looked incredibly slow to Sun-woo’s eyes, but he didn't dodge.
Slap!
The hand struck his cheek. It carried significant internal energy, and the pain was sharp.
'This motherfucker...?'
Sun-woo’s expression darkened. A murderous urge surged within him, but he barely managed to suppress it. He had to stay low until he could steal the Poison Essence.
"Give up."
"No."
Slap!
"A weakling like you won't survive that place! It's not that simple!"
"I said no, you bastard!"
Slap!
Tang Do-uk slapped him several more times, demanding he give up, but Sun-woo didn't budge. Enraged, Tang Do-uk knocked Sun-woo to the ground and began kicking him.
"Give up! I said give up!"
"Fuck you, you piece of shit!"
Sun-woo spat out curses as he took the kicks reinforced with internal energy, which only made Tang Do-uk more furious.
After some time had passed, Tang Do-uk looked down at his brother, who was lying on the floor covered in blood. Despite being a delinquent who was usually fragile in the face of violence, the boy refused to utter the words of surrender.
"Stubborn bastard."
Tang Do-uk turned and walked out.
Creeak.
As soon as the sound of the door closing reached his ears, Sun-woo lifted his head.
'You son of a bitch... just you wait.'
His eyes were filled with cold fury.
*
The next day.
Sun-woo rubbed his cheek as he headed toward Tang Seo-yoon’s residence. His cheek was swollen from the beating, and his body was covered in bruises. It was all Tang Do-uk’s handiwork.
Sun-woo was fuming. It galled him that he couldn't fight back properly for fear of exposing his identity—especially against someone who was barely at the beginning of the Peak Realm. If Tang Se-gi had even a basic level of skill, he could have tried something, but the man’s martial arts were only at the Second-Rate level. He’d had no choice but to take the beating. Even a simple Protective Qi would have left him unscathed, but that was impossible for the "Tang Se-gi" everyone knew.
'You bastard, just wait until we’re in the Godok Hall.'
Sun-woo vowed to crush Tang Do-uk once they were inside. He would be the first person he’d deal with.
Lost in these thoughts, Sun-woo soon arrived at Tang Seo-yoon’s quarters. As he passed the outer perimeter and stepped into the courtyard, he felt something.
Vrooooom.
A massive surge of poisonous Qi was undulating from the training ground behind the pavilion.
'She’s certainly diligent.'
It was undoubtedly Tang Seo-yoon. Sun-woo walked leisurely toward the training ground.
Whish! Whish! Whish!
As expected, Tang Seo-yoon was practicing her martial arts. Every time she swung her hands, poisonous Qi swirled around the training ground, moving freely according to her direction.
Sun-woo was impressed. Her control over the poison was remarkably similar to Sword Kinesis. She was mimicking—albeit imperfectly—the high-level technique of Sword Kinesis, which was said to be attainable only upon reaching the Transcendent Realm. If she perfected this, she would surely reach that realm.
She truly lived up to her reputation as a master at the Upper Stage of the Super-Peak Realm.
'Since she’s controlling poison, I guess it’s Poison Kinesis?'
Sun-woo had this idle thought as he made his presence known. It was his way of signaling his arrival. However, she remained focused on her training, not giving him so much as a glance.
It was only after an hour had passed that she finally stopped.
'What a tenacious woman...'
Sun-woo marveled at her obsession. Usually, when a guest arrived, wouldn't one stop what they were doing to greet them? But she had finished her entire routine as if Sun-woo didn't exist.
Having finished, she began walking slowly toward him. Drenched in sweat, she looked incredibly alluring. Her white robes clung to her body, beautifully highlighting her curves. Her firm breasts, shapely hips, and smooth legs—everything about her was perfect.
Sun-woo stared at her beautiful form with a dazed expression.
"What are you looking at?"
Her piercing voice snapped Sun-woo back to reality. He had unintentionally been captivated.
"You’re beautiful."
Sun-woo spoke with blunt honesty. He’d been staring because she was beautiful; what else was there to say?
"I know, brat."
With that, she walked straight into the pavilion.
'She’s like a bottomless well.'
Sun-woo shook his head and followed her swaying hips inside.
*
"What happened to your face?"
She let out a small chuckle upon seeing Sun-woo’s swollen face. The thought of this incredibly arrogant man getting beaten by someone was genuinely amusing to her.
"Don't worry about it," Sun-woo replied grumpily. There was no way in hell he was going to admit he’d been beaten like a dog by Tang Do-uk, who was only at the Peak Realm.
She quickly changed the subject, seemingly losing interest. "Why are you here?"
"Is this how you treat a guest? Not even offering tea?"
"If you want tea, piss off to a teahouse."
She dismissed his words indifferently.
"I brought the Hundred-Year Flower."
At her cold attitude, Sun-woo gave a bitter smile and got to the point.
Thud.
He pulled a pouch from his robe and placed it on the table.
"Already?"
"Strike while the iron is hot."
She picked up the pouch and opened it. Inside were petals glowing with a red light and a gracefully curved green stem. It was indeed the Hundred-Year Flower.
"I thought it would take some time, but you brought it faster than expected."
She was secretly impressed. The Great Matriarch’s residence was guarded by Peak Realm martial artists working in shifts. To infiltrate such a place without being caught was a feat difficult for anyone without specialized training. Yet, the man before her had done it.
"So, do I just eat it now?" Sun-woo reached for the pouch.
Smack!
Tang Seo-yoon slapped the back of his hand.
"Are you crazy? Do you want to cross the Sanzu River already?"
"Just use your words, woman!"
Sun-woo rubbed the back of his hand. She had clearly put some internal energy into that slap; it stung like crazy.
"The poison of the Hundred-Year Flower is instant death if consumed without having mastered Poison Arts."
"Then how am I supposed to take it?"
"I’ll dilute it for you. You can take it then."
"How long will that take?"
"The dilution itself doesn't take long. However, you’ll have to take small doses over a long period to build up immunity."
"What a pain in the ass."
Sun-woo frowned. He had thought obtaining the flower would give him poisonous Qi immediately, but apparently not.
"Then just die."
"I can't do that until I get the Poison Essence."
"Then just shut up."
"Yes, ma'am."
Tang Seo-yoon’s language was incredibly foul for a lady of a prestigious family. Was it because she was an old maid?
"Oh, right. There’s something we need to do before I dilute the poison."
"What?"
"What else? Massaging the belly of our Poison Flower, Tang Seo-yoon. Hehe."
Smack!
Sun-woo, who was wearing a lecherous grin, got slapped on the hand again.
"If you speak to me in that disgusting tone one more time, the next one is going to your cheek."
Sun-woo shut his mouth at her irritated rebuke. She was not a woman who took jokes well.
Having said her piece, Tang Seo-yoon stood up, moved to the bed, and lay down.
Flip.
She pulled up her top, exposing her stomach. "Hurry up and touch it."
Sun-woo brightened and moved to the bed. This time, rather than focusing on circulating the Yin-Yang Harmony Divine Art, he intended to focus more on the sensation of her skin.
That day, Sun-woo spent a significant amount of time blatantly kneading her belly, only to be slapped across the face before being kicked out.
*
Late at night.
The residence of the Second Madam, Lee So-ok.
"Ah... ahhh... ahhh..."
The feverish moans of a woman began to echo through the room.
"More... more... drive it in faster, please."
The woman pleaded desperately, and the thick phallus repeating its rhythmic motion inside her vulva accelerated.
"Aaaaaaaah!"
Finally reaching her peak, a massive amount of sexual fluid erupted from her.
"Huff... huff..."
The woman was Lee So-ok, the second wife of Tang Jin-cheol, the Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan.
"That was so good..."
"I enjoyed it too, my little Ok."
The man kissed the cheek of the exhausted Lee So-ok and began to put his clothes back on.
"Are you leaving already?" Lee So-ok asked, her voice dripping with sensuality.
"Of course. It wouldn't be good for me to stay here too long."
"Stay a bit longer..." She acted cute, trying to melt the man’s heart.
The man wavered for a moment but quickly regained his composure. "I can't. If I stay too long, our relationship might be suspected."
"I’ll miss you." She looked at him with watery eyes.
But the man was firm. "Don't worry. The day will come when we can be together openly."
"I believe you, Gaga."
Lee So-ok kissed the man’s lips. After saying his goodbyes, the man quietly slipped out of the residence.
"Tsk, what an insatiable woman."
Lee So-ok was certainly like a bottomless well. The moment she started acting cute, a seductive Qi would explode from her, wrapping around his entire body. If he had let his guard down for even a second, he would have surrendered to his instincts.
But he couldn't do that. Even if the Tang Clan Head never visited Lee So-ok’s quarters, there was always a chance. If their illicit affair were discovered, the man would surely die at the hands of the Clan Head.
And he couldn't die yet. Not before he achieved the Great Plan.
"Hehehehe."
Once he was completely clear of Lee So-ok’s residence, the man began to laugh. What a foolish woman—betraying her husband out of loneliness to sleep with him. Thanks to her, his task had become much easier.
If this Great Plan succeeded, the Sichuan Tang Clan, known as the greatest family in the Central Plains, would be shattered and set on a path to ruin. And the destruction of the Tang Clan would be the magnificent celebratory cannon fire announcing His resurrection.
The one who possessed the most formidable power in the history of the Demonic Cult, earning the title of Majungma.
The one who had surpassed the stage of Tarma—the Half-Immortal stage—to reach the realm of a Demonic Immortal.
The king of demons who had drenched the Central Plains Murim in blood twenty years ago.
The Heavenly Demon.