Mo Se-young's Crushing Victory

ZZZZING!

The ground tore open in the palm wind's path, carving out a furrow. It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was so powerful that it completely disrupted the surrounding air currents—Baek Muk-hwi's palm strike was fierce and heavy.

Even though it was just a single blow, it was more than enough to hold its own against the many late-stage disciples from the original story.

'Stronger than I expected.'

For an extra not mentioned in the original work, he was pretty damn good. Of course, not good enough to beat Mo Se-young.

"Heavy Form of the Dragon Girl Swordsmanship. Forced Maiden Slaughter."

Mo Se-young raised her sword straight over her head. It was a move full of openings. Against an opponent who relied on speed as their main weapon, it was an unsafe posture that would hand over control of the fight in an instant.

But high risk meant high reward. Just as her flashy motion suggested, the destructive power of her technique was obviously immense.

KUKUKUKUKUNG!

She slashed the sword raised to her head straight down perpendicular to the ground. The straight sword qi shot forward, scattering explosive booms and gusts of wind. Its destructive force was no less than Baek Muk-hwi's Thunderclap Divine Palm.

KUKUKUKUNG!

The divine palm and slashing sword collided. The two forces, forged from powerful inner energy, clashed head-on in opposite directions. Light and noise erupted everywhere, throwing the arena into chaos.

"Whoa! That's incredible! I thought it'd be some elegant technique exchange since she's from the Fairy Sect, but a straight power struggle? What insane force!"

"Isn't Baek Muk-hwi still at an advantage in a frontal inner energy clash!?"

"Idiot! Look if you have eyes! Baek Muk-hwi's getting pushed back!"

In the head-on clash of power against power, Baek Muk-hwi was the first to step back. His Thunderclap Divine Palm had been impressive enough. But it wasn't on Mo Se-young's level.

Since it was a no-retreat power struggle, the loser lost everything. The Thunderclap Divine Palm was completely shredded by Mo Se-young's Forced Maiden Slaughter.

The trailing edge of Mo Se-young's sword qi lingered, flying toward Baek Muk-hwi. Still carrying threatening destructive power, it left gashes on his body. Of course, not fatal ones.

"Cough!"

A spray of blood floated into the air. It wouldn't threaten his life. Mo Se-young's attack had already lost much of its power after the single clash.

Baek Muk-hwi could have continued the fight if he wanted. But he coldly declared surrender.

"I lose."

"Not bad. You were a worthy first opponent for me."

"It's an honor. If there's a chance next time, I'd love to cross swords again."

The match ended with Mo Se-young's victory. Thunderous cheers exploded across the arena. It was a brilliant fight that deserved a standing ovation.

"As expected, she's amazing! The Fairy Sect never runs out of talented late-stage disciples."

"Baek Muk-hwi was no slouch either. If his opponent hadn't been someone like Miss Mo, he could've gone further. What a shame."

It was the result everyone had predicted. Mo Se-young scanned the crowd with a proud expression before heading to the contestant lounge. She didn't seem to spot me.

'Should I at least get a look at Mo Se-young's face before I go?'

I'd come this far; leaving empty-handed felt wrong. I stealthily followed her to the lounge. Contestant lounges were naturally off-limits to non-staff, of course.

Slipping past the Murim Alliance small fries to reach the lounge wasn't hard. Fortunately, the guards were just grunts.

Knock knock!

I knocked on Mo Se-young's lounge door. A response came immediately.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Senior Disciple."

"Huh!? How'd you get here?"

"I missed you, so I came."

"If the Murim Alliance jerks catch you, it'll be a hassle. Tch! Just come in already."

Grumbling, Mo Se-young opened the door. I didn't have a lounge when it was my turn to fight. She was getting special treatment from the Murim Alliance. Not just her— all the famous late-stage disciples got perks like this.

'It's only natural, considering the ways of the martial world.'

Those with power and influence get treated well. Not just in the martial world, but in reality too. I was past the age where that pissed me off.

"This place is pretty nice. Snacks too."

"They said it's candy from a famous shop. Eat it if you want."

Her tone was curt, but it was packed with consideration for me.

That stubborn, willful Mo Se-young had changed like this. Even her parents would be thrilled.

'Thanks to steadily building intimacy with massages.'

Mo Se-young was addicted to my massages. The power of the item.

The Massage Gloves were a miracle drug for martial artists who pushed their bodies hard. Not just Mo Se-young— even Wi Sa-hu and Dan Yu-ha were hooked. Lately, Dan Yu-ha kept begging for massages, which was getting exhausting.

"Hey. Since you came all this way, don't just eat snacks— give me a rubdown. You watched my match, right?"

"Of course. Your overwhelming skill, dominating your opponent just like the Fairy Sect's senior disciple should, was spectacular."

"Heh! To gain recognition in the martial world, that's the bare minimum. You'll start facing opponents like me soon enough. So quit while you're ahead. With your skills, you won't get beat up wherever you go anyway."

She wanted me to withdraw from the tournament. Her goal was to return to the Fairy Sect with me.

'Sorry, but I can't spend my life as Mo Se-young's massage slave. Unless she becomes my slave, that is.'

I let her words go in one ear and out the other. She didn't push further, reading my resolve.

"Senior Disciple. I got these snacks from a Western Region merchant. Want to try one?"

I subtly pulled a chocolate from my inventory. Ferrero Rocher, shaped like hazelnut clusters stuffed with hazelnut cream.

"Huh? What's that? Looks weird. Don't tell me it's real gold?"

Mo Se-young eyed the gold-foil-wrapped chocolate curiously.

"No way. Just the packaging. Probably trendy in the West. If it was real gold, how could I afford it?"

"Man, those Western nosebleeds sure make fun stuff. Now I'm curious about the taste."

"I'll massage you while you eat."

"Yeah. Oh, hold on— lemme take off my clothes."

Now she stripped without me even asking. Mo Se-young was steadily falling under gaslighting.

Nude, she sat comfortably in the chair. I went behind her, slipped on the Massage Gloves, and kneaded her shoulders. Her muscles were tightly knotted from the intense fight moments ago.

'She really went all out. I can roughly gauge Mo Se-young's skill level now.'

At this level, winning the Yongho Contest was impossible. But making the top four seemed feasible.

'The one winning Yongho Contest has to be me.'

Crunch!

Mo Se-young bit into the chocolate. Her eyes went wide like a rabbit's. It'd been ages since I'd seen that expression on her. She'd made it the first time I massaged her too.

"Delish!!"

The chocolate's sweet-bitter flavor had no haters. Mo Se-young loved sweets. Actually, most in this wuxia world did.

'They don't get many chances to eat sweets. Honey's about the best they can do for sweetness.'

The Central Plains had snacks aplenty, but nothing mimicked chocolate's taste. Mo Se-young became Ferrero Rocher's prisoner in one bite.

"Hey! Who'd you buy this from?"

"A Western merchant I ran into on my travels. Don't know his name."

"Ughhh! I wanna march into the West right now and stock up!"

The time had come for the late-stage disciples to be properly tested. As expected, there were no upsets.

Starting with Mo Se-young's win, most late-stage disciples claimed victory. It was so predictable that the crowd wasn't surprised.

"I knew Young Lady Yeon was a prodigy from the bud, but her skills are insane. She must've sharpened her blade for today."

"As expected of Huashan. Senior ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Disciple Song is great too, but Young Lady Yeon exceeded expectations. Can't guess the Yongho Contest winner this time."

"The Namgung family’s grinding their teeth over the Brain Spirit Pill prize. Maybe Namgung takes it?"

"Eh. Eldest son Namgung Ho maybe, but second son Namgung Hyeok? Nah. Bad rumors are all over Hanam City."

"But that's separate from martial prowess. Didn't you see Young Master Hyeok's match? True ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠heir to Emperor Swordsmanship— no mercy, ended it without giving an inch. Sharper without compassion at the blade's edge."

"Has there ever been this many talented late-stage disciples at once? The righteous sects are truly blessed."

The bustling street talk was mostly about the Yongho Contest.

'As expected, following the original story. Yeon Muk's growth is impressive though. Probably thanks to my ability.'

My core ability, Power of Sex, boosted my sex partners' stats. Just sleeping with me gave the same effect as hardcore training.

I could toggle it, but I left it on during sex with Yeon Muk. She'd be my slave anyway. Her growth benefited me too.