Ruffian: Jongchil 29
Namgung Hyeok was hopeless when it came to romance. That's why he couldn't quite pin down what this subtle feeling toward Yeonmuk really meant.
Clearly, the woman he liked was Wisa Hu. He had no idea if this faint emotion stirring for Yeonmuk was right or some kind of betrayal.
Hoo. The Yongho Supremacy Tournament is right around the corner, and here I am, what the hell am I doing?
He shook his head, but still trailed after her. Luckily, she didn't seem to notice him shadowing her. The crowded streets made it easy to blend in.
Yeonmuk arrived at some inn with quick steps. She'd said it was a place with killer massages, but this was just a regular guest inn. Namgung Hyeok felt something off. The sign read Yeongwol Guest Inn.
Confirming she'd gone inside, Namgung Hyeok hesitated. Should he follow? Or bail?
What the fuck am I even doing?
The thought hit him suddenly. Chasing after Wisa Hu back in Anhui was pathetic enough, but now tailing Yeonmuk like a creep? If word got out, he'd be the laughingstock of the martial world. Finally snapping out of it, Namgung Hyeok came to his senses.
Quit this bullshit and get back to training. Wisa Hu's the only one for me.
Her face flashed clear in his mind, calming him a bit. He turned to leave—until that voice stopped him cold.
"Oh? Isn't that Young Master Hyeok?"
A familiar voice grabbed his ankle. Not exactly welcoming, but impossible to ignore. Hearing it dragged up that unsolved Twin Black Demonic Horses case from Anhui.
"What a coincidence."
He turned, opening his mouth. Jongchil grinned at him.
Come to think of it, I ran into the Twin Black Demonic Horses not long ago. This guy's in Henan too, and so are they. Pure coincidence...?
A clue to the mystery dangled right in front of him. But no hard proof. Not even strong suspicion.
"What brings you here? Heard you were staying at Mansu Guest Inn."
Jongchil's sudden question left Namgung Hyeok speechless. I followed Yeonmuk here... Yeah, no way he'd say that.
"Just taking a stroll."
He brushed it off. Jongchil didn't press, switching topics instead.
"Three days till the Yongho Supremacy Tournament kicks off. With the Thunder Spirit Pill on the line, I've gotta bring my A-game."
Bluntly admitting Namgung Clan was gunning for the pill too. A sly jab, rude but perfectly aimed to scratch Namgung Hyeok's pride.
"If you think you can win it, give it your best shot."
Namgung Hyeok fired back casually, confidence dripping.
"Heh. Good luck to you too, Young Master Hyeok. Oh, and there's this juicy rumor going around our inn lately."
What was this guy getting at? Namgung Hyeok stared at Jongchil's smirking face, trying to read him. Tough nut to crack.
"Got time for gossip, huh?"
"Not your average gossip. You hear about it? Some mystery creep harassing women around here."
"......Go on."
"Just rumors, mind you, but sounds like a lust demon's prowling nearby. Multiple women assaulted, they say. Funny coincidence, right? Something similar happened in Anhui..."
Namgung Hyeok barely held his tongue. You're the damn lust demon, aren't you? The words nearly spilled out.
That beaming smile made it impossible to tell if he was lying or dead serious.
"Anyway, interesting stuff. Gotta run—got a client waiting."
Namgung Hyeok eyed him. "A client?"
"Yeah. Doing massages on the side. Got all sorts of tricks up my sleeve. Spent a pretty penny getting here, and tournament entry's two silver taels just to register. Gotta hustle."
Was Jongchil the masseur Yeonmuk mentioned?
Namgung Hyeok's heart pounded. Imagining her getting rubbed down by a possible sex fiend filled him with a weird unease.
Jongchil's grin felt like a taunt. Was that lust demon talk aimed at this?
"You seem pretty relaxed despite all that talk. Confident about the tournament?"
Jongchil shrugged nonchalantly. "Training more at this point won't change shit. Time to polish what I've built. Got a little leisure for that."
He had a point.
"Alright, off to work. Take care, Young Master."
As Jongchil turned, Namgung Hyeok shot out a hand. "Hold up."
"Yeah? What?"
"If you're that good at massages, how about you do me too? Pushed training too hard—shoulder's killing me."
Jongchil nodded. "No problem. But even for you, Young Master, can't do it for free."
"Obviously."
"Lucky day. You'll be hooked after one go. Got plenty of regulars. C'mon in."
He gestured to Yeongwol Guest Inn.
I'd been watching Namgung Hyeok from the start. He's one of the toughest rivals I'll face for the Thunder Spirit Pill.
Namgung Clan won't hesitate to play dirty for it. Through this punk or their eldest, Namgung Ho, some bullshit scheme's coming.
Spotting his budding feelings for Yeonmuk was easy. But to me, it didn't look like real affection. Just a temporary thrill from her slutty makeover.
He wasn't the only one hooked. Some Kindred Peak punk even confessed outright. Yeonmuk shot him down coolly, of course.
Anyway, his little crush worked in my favor. Play it right, and I could control him easy.
Wisa Hu—his real crush—was already my slave, so reining him in was simple. But she wasn't here. Needed a substitute.
Stir his heart just right, and Yeonmuk could fill that role.
Time to play Cupid?
Namgung Hyeok and I headed to the room at the end of the second-floor hall. Yeonmuk was already there.
"Young Master Hyeok!?"
She yelped, eyes wide at his face. I swallowed a laugh. Her bulging eyes were straight out of a cartoon.
"Oh ho. Small world."
"How'd you...?"
"Heard this guy's massages are the best, so I came."
Namgung Hyeok glanced at me. I rubbed my hands with a grin.
"Two customers today. Lady Yeon got here first, so her first."
"Sure. I'll wait here?"
He pulled out a chair, planting himself. No intention of leaving. Fine by me.
"Um... a massage in front of Young Master Hyeok is kinda..."
Yeonmuk whispered, flustered. Adorable enough to go full nude right there, but easing in would hit harder.
"No worries. I'll keep it tame."
"Ugh... how'd it come to this..."
She grumbled but didn't refuse. Hooked hard on my touch. Resistance never crossed her mind. Item effects were cheat-level.
Pulled on gloves from inventory. Unlike usual, she stayed clothed and lay on the bed.
Namgung Hyeok's gaze locked on us openly. Like a horny teen peeking into the women's bath. Hilarious.
Heh heh! Feast your eyes. I'll show you every slutty inch of Yeonmuk.
Started the massage slow. Normally skipped to ass lately, but with an audience, began at shoulders like first time.
But Yeonmuk, tamed by my hands, moaned even from stiff shoulder work. Like a bitch in heat she couldn't control.
"Hnggg~♥"
She was trying to hold back for Namgung Hyeok, but damn, that moan was pure filth. After all that training, who could she fool?
Namgung Hyeok grimaced, standing up.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Just a regular massage."
"Regular? Her voice sounds off."
"Feels good. I'm a pro. Right, Lady Yeon?"
"Hnggg~♥ Yesss...! Feels so good~!"
Her sultry reply left him baffled, but he sat back down. Glanced around, checking for aphrodisiac incense like Chunhyang.
"Hnggg~♥"
Her moans filled the room. Air grew thick, humid. His anxiety deepened. But every time he twitched to react, her voice stopped him.
"Hnggg~♬ The massage...! So refreshing...!"