Chapter 14
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Iron Martial Workshop
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Iron Martial Workshop.
A middle-aged man whose entire body was packed with rippling muscles sat stroking his sword.
His massive build and bronzed skin exuded an intimidating presence all around him.
As he ran his hand along the blade, a low humming resonated from the sword.
The infused internal energy was vibrating the steel!
A feat impossible for all but the most skilled second-raters.
And it didn't stop there—faint wisps of heat haze began to shimmer along the edge.
Sword aura!
The exclusive domain of first-rate masters.
Knock knock.
A subordinate arrived for the impassive man still caressing his blade.
"Come in."
The underling eased the door open and reported cautiously.
"Boss, those guys left the city."
"...They left?"
The giant scowled, the scar on his cheek twitching. His subordinate ventured carefully.
"Yes. But..."
Just then, the door burst open, and Cheol Gwang-o—looking like a bloated toad—strode in boldly.
His eyes flashed as he bellowed at the boss.
"Boss! I heard those bastards just left?! What the hell are you doing? Chase them down now!!"
"Tch... Young master, calm down. Hey, what'd they leave on?"
The flustered subordinate stammered.
"Uh...? They just walked out."
The boss shot Cheol Gwang-o a pointed look.
"Hear that? They're on foot. No horse means we catch 'em easy. Nothing to worry about."
But Cheol Gwang-o just stomped his feet in frustration.
"Argh! What if we lose them?!"
"Haha! You think the Iron Martial Workshop's famed Sword Troop would let a bunch of third-rate nobodies slip away?"
The boss's confidence soothed Cheol Gwang-o a bit.
"Tch... Fine, but hurry up."
"Just wait, young master."
Having calmed Cheol Gwang-o, the boss nodded arrogantly at his subordinate.
"Go on."
The bowed underling continued his report.
"Yes! They passed through the gates around noon, just the two of them. But..."
"But...?"
"Um... one of them's a woman?"
"A woman...?"
The boss glanced at Cheol Gwang-o. That didn't match the story.
Meeting the gaze, Cheol Gwang-o scowled then nodded.
"No way... she really was a girl? Spoke like one, now that I think about it. Yeah, it's them."
"...Real third-raters?"
Offended by the doubt, Cheol Gwang-o raised his voice.
"I told you, yes! Saw 'em at the tournament."
"Tournament...? Don't tell me you gambled again..."
The boss eyed Cheol Gwang-o with pity, clicking his tongue inwardly. What a pathetic waste.
But thanks to him, it looked like he'd get to have some fun down below for once.
The dull mission suddenly got interesting.
Tormenting weak third-rate scrubs was fun enough—crushing the helpless gave such a thrill.
But a female warrior? Rare treat. Those types had spirit; breaking them hit different.
His groin stirred.
"You sure, young master?"
"Positive. Thinking back, she had that pretty-boy look. Must've been a disguise."
The boss swallowed hard and asked his subordinate.
"Hot?"
"Pardon? Uh... I didn't... I'll go check!"
He stopped the fleeing underling.
"Tch. Never mind. We'll unwrap her ourselves. Mystery adds to the fun... Heh heh. Been too long since I had a good time."
Cheol Gwang-o blurted at the boss.
"Hey, boss. You ain't planning to go first before me, right?"
The boss whipped around, face twisting in fury.
He was a famed first-rate from a renowned clan. Only this trash dared speak to him like that.
'Clueless punk. Lucky to be born to a good mother, that's all...!'
Regaining composure, he turned back with a smile.
"Of course not, young master. You first. Haha!"
"Hmph. At least you got manners. Heh heh."
The dumbstruck subordinate muttered inwardly.
'They comin' for me next...?'
Mountain path to the Blue Bee Honey Temple.
Si-woo and Hwa Mu-rin sat by their campfire.
Hwa Mu-rin hummed happily.
"Mmm...! What's this time?"
Si-woo couldn't help but grin. She licked her lips in anticipation.
"Bulgogi."
"Bulgogi?"
Suddenly, pristine white rice and sizzling bulgogi appeared.
Impossible, but Hwa Mu-rin didn't question it anymore.
Good was good.
She gingerly picked up a piece with chopsticks.
Munch munch.
"Mmm! So... so tasty!"
Her body shivered. Sweet-salty perfection for her palate.
Hwa Mu-rin devoured the bulgogi with a blissful smile.
Mid-bite, she stared intently at Si-woo.
"...?"
He knew what she wanted.
He gently wiped the corner of her mouth.
Hwa Mu-rin feigned sulkiness, but her neck flushed pink. Her lips curved faintly upward.
"Ahem! This is good too! Sweet and savory—love it."
"Eat up."
Si-woo chuckled watching her puff out her cheeks like a chipmunk.
Just seeing her eat filled him up.
Hwa Mu-rin's joyful face suddenly hardened mid-bulgogi.
"Hm?"
Gulp.
Her expression turned serious.
"Hold on..."
Si-woo tensed, sharpening his senses.
Thud thud thud thud.
Hoofbeats echoed from afar.
"Uahaha! You bitches!!! Found you at last!!"
Over a dozen warriors charged on horseback.
Neigh!
Clop clop clop!
They were upon them in seconds!
Iron Martial Workshop warriors.
Si-woo eyed the approaching Iron Martial Workshop thugs.
'Expected this... but what pathetic losers.'
The bloated toad, Cheol Gwang-o, leered with a nasty grin.
"Uahaha! You dog bitches! Been waiting for this day!"
Si-woo snorted in disbelief.
"You chased us all the way out here for that petty crap?"
Cheol Gwang-o glared daggers.
"Petty?! I haven't slept since you humiliated me! Boss! It's them!"
The boss raked his gaze over Hwa Mu-rin, appraising.
"Phew... village girl looks, disappointingly. But that body's a winner. You, the guy—kneel. Girl, crawl over and spread 'em. Might spare your lives."
Si-woo shot back at the boss.
"Fuck off and die. You're as low as the toad."
The boss's face contorted in rage.
"What...? Hoo... No manners. You'll die ugly—"
Cheol Gwang-o cut him off.
He loved mocking the weak most.
"Heh heh... Chop off an arm now, maybe mercy? Nah, pass her here. I'll crush her right in front of you. Heh heh!"
The boss stiffened briefly but smoothed his expression.
Si-woo smirked at the sight.
"Hahaha! Buncha retards. Who's the real boss here?"
"Y-You...!"
The furious boss was restrained by his deputy.
"Boss."
Oblivious Cheol Gwang-o snickered vilely.
"Me, obviously! Idiot. Hey, boss! Cripple their qi and tie 'em up. Time they learned respect."
Si-woo laughed at their antics.
"Hey, boss. Toad's calling you a retard. That right?"
Cheol Gwang-o exploded.
"Filthy mutt still looking down on me! Boss, make him kneel—now!"
Si-woo tsked pityingly.
"Tsk tsk."
Cheol Gwang-o glared. That smug ease grated.
"Think someone's coming to save you? Nobody around!"
Si-woo nodded.
"I know. That's why it's perfect."
*
Hwa Mu-rin paled.
'Two second-raters... and one's... first-rate?!'
Releasing her seal put her at second-rate peak.
But foes: two second-rates, one first-rate.
Six third-rates too.
Overwhelming odds.
Even unsealed, victory wasn't certain.
She might survive, but Si-woo would get hurt bad.
No time to hesitate.
She released the seal.
Body-Swap Secret Art.
A clan secret for altering form and concealing qi.
She reverted to her true self.
Crack crack.
Bones shifted audibly in her body.
All eyes snapped to her.
Her plain face transformed—features balancing into radiant beauty.
Eyes sparkled like starfields; red lips bewitched.
Beauty to silence any man.
Her slim waist narrowed further; flesh swelled her chest and hips.
Explosive curves!
Her loose martial robes stretched taut. The unbind upper cleavage revealed a pale valley.
Her qi surged; the illusion bracelet failed.
Her true appearance laid bare.
"Gasp...!"
Iron Martial warriors' eyes bulged.
All mesmerized by the unreal allure.
The boss's eyes bloodshot, drool spilling. He ached to pin her down now.
Cheol Gwang-o screeched.
"B-Boss!!! Br-Bring her to me!! Not a hair hurt!"
The boss glared murderously.
'Yield a beauty like that...? Fuck!'
Hwa Mu-rin recoiled at their leers. Filthy bugs daring to lust after her!
Curiously, she glanced at Si-woo.
His eyes wide, he muttered softly.
"Th-Three-tier tits...! Even bigger now...!"
"Eek...!"
Her face flushed at the crass words. She wanted to yell.
'Three-tier tits—what vulgarity...!'
Yet oddly, it didn't repulse. Heat bloomed deep inside!
Regaining focus, she glared at the thugs. Prime moment for ambush.
'Ah...!'
Too late.
All eyes locked on her.
Distracted by Si-woo's words, she missed the chance.
Swallowing regret, she gripped her darts.
No ambush—frontal clash only. Si-woo's skills were impressive; with luck, they might win.
Just... please don't let him get hurt.
Hwa Mu-rin steadied her breath, readying for battle. The fiercer she fought, the safer he'd be.
Then!
Bang! Bang!!
Thud thud thud—!!
Thunder roared; foes dropped.
Even a second-rater among them.
The drooling one eyeing her took a hole through the forehead.
Thud!
Others reeled from wounds great and small.
Ears rang from the blasts!
Hwa Mu-rin's head whipped around. The thunder came from Si-woo.
He held a bizarre staff, grinning.
Flames licked from its barrel.