Successor: Jongchil 29
The rendezvous point was the secluded hill where I'd first crossed paths with Maro—a spot with hardly a soul around. I arrived right on time. It was perfect for a discreet meeting, given how deserted it was.
Wolbi, Maro's attendant, was there to greet me. No sign of Maro himself. I scanned the surroundings with Darkness Control, but there wasn't even a hint of presence.
"Where's Maro?"
"He's drawing the Three Elders' attention away."
Dealing with a cunning fox like the Three Elders meant never showing your hand. Maro had cleverly made himself the bait to hide me, his ally. Smart move. Whether it'd work against the Three Elders was another question.
"So you're here with his message, then."
"Yes. The young master wants to maintain our ongoing alliance. He'll wrap up his business in Hanam soon and return to the main church, but he hopes to keep cooperating even after that."
"Same here. Tell him not to forget the promises he made me."
In exchange for helping Maro, I'd get a cut of the Demonic Cult's illicit business ventures once he became cult leader. An investment in him, on the surface at least.
What I really wanted wasn't some piddly share of their shady dealings. I wanted the whole damn Demonic Cult.
"He'll honor the promises, of course."
Wolbi's voice was calm and steady, but it didn't inspire much trust.
We exchanged intel on the Three Elders' movements. We had our own dirt on them too.
"That Three Elders bastard—think he's teamed up with the Namgung family?"
"The Namgung family? Why do you ask?"
"Picked up some juicy info. Rumors that the Namgung clan's in bed with some shady group to rig the Yongho Contest winner. Just whispers, so who knows if it's true."
A righteous sect allying with the Demonic Cult? Sounds insane, but was it impossible? Both were ultimately profit-driven machines. If their interests aligned, they'd shake hands in a heartbeat.
"The Three Elders could pull it off. He's one of the most pragmatic guys in the cult—would ally with anyone, righteous, unorthodox, or apostate, if it served his gain. Not sure how the Namgung side feels about it, though."
"There's a Brain Spirit Pill among the tournament prizes. For the Namgung family, they'd do anything to snag that elixir."
"If that's the case, we'd better take the rumors seriously."
Deals were all about give and take.
The Three Elders wasn't the charitable type who'd help a desperate Namgung family out of kindness. He was the vicious sort who took back more than he gave—way more.
"He's been quiet lately. Ever since the last Jangbo-do incident, he's watching us more covertly than usual."
"Plotting something new."
"Obviously, from the way he's acted so far."
We set the next meeting place and date. With Maro leaving Hanam, it wasn't easy.
"Heading back to Singang, where the Demonic Cult is?"
"For now. There's a small faction at the main church loyal to the young master. Managing them is his duty too."
Tending his own garden, huh. Maro had it rough.
"Hmm. Then we'll meet in Singang next time. Not gonna be simple."
We hammered out a time and date with some effort.
Our business was done. But Wolbi didn't leave. Her rabbit mask stared straight at me. She had more to say.
"Why you lingering like a dog desperate for a shit? Spit it out."
"If only you'd fix that filthy mouth of yours."
Her eyes—the only visible part through the mask—glared daggers.
"As you said, I do have something to say."
"Can't help it—it's my nature. Anyway, what is it?"
"I want the divine weapon you have."
She meant Bucephalos, no doubt.
Bucephalos was the mythical spear used by Achillea, a side character in Summoner Survival. Originally symbolizing the conqueror's famed steed, it became the name for a spear that pierced endless enemy hordes like a warhorse charging through battlefields, earning its title as the reaper of the field.
In the Extreme Sword Heavenly Immortal worldview, Bucephalos has to be top-tier among divine weapons.
Valuing items across worlds was tricky. But something like Bucephalos was surely a standout legendary weapon, even in a place overflowing with high-end gear like the Extreme Sword Heavenly Immortal world.
Plus, Maro had seen its power firsthand. Without Yeouibo's might, even I would've struggled against him wielding it. Strange he hadn't killed me and taken it.
"The divine weapon—you mean that spear?"
"Yes. With it, the young master could more than replace the opportunity the Three Elders stole from him."
"Maro's message too?"
Wolbi nodded at my question.
"This is my personal request."
"Well, damn. A servant's loyalty really tugs at my heartstrings."
Her aura was dead serious. Mask hid her face, but her upright stance and intense gaze screamed sincerity.
"You know how ridiculous a request this is, right?"
"Of course. I'm not asking for it free."
"Can't imagine you have anything to trade for Bucephalos."
Wolbi reached up and slowly removed her mask.
Beneath the rabbit mask was a pure, refined beauty. At around 150cm, her petite frame matched her pretty face perfectly. Pretty, not just beautiful—that word fit better.
Her neatly trimmed bangs framed two jet-black eyes sparkling like gems. Those eyes, the only glimpse through the mask, suited her face ideally. No one I'd met exuded that refined, well-bred vibe quite like her—like a proper lady from a noble house.
"I'll pay for the divine weapon with myself."
It was a bombshell. I wavered for a second but reined it in.
"Trading your body for Bucephalos? What, you got a gold rim on your pussy or something?"
"Sadly no, but I know techniques to please a man. Oh, don't misunderstand—I'm a virgin. Just basic bedroom arts from my assassination training."
Normally, she'd snap at my crude talk. But she was dead serious now, willing to offer her body for Bucephalos.
"Maro's idea?"
"I keep telling you, it's my will."
"Can't wrap my head around it. Even as his servant, selling yourself to help him? What's your deal with Maro?"
"Common in the jianghu. The young master saved me from being gang-raped and killed. Luckily, I had a talent for repaying debts. I joined the Demonic Cult, learned martial arts, and rose to serve him personally."
Her sincerity hit home. She was fully prepared to trade her body for the spear. But I didn't bite.
Objectively, Bucephalos outweighed her body in value—bad deal for me. Any smart person would walk. But my brain was in my dick.
If I get Wolbi, I could hand over Bucephalos. But just fucking her isn't enough. Buying her loyalty would be ideal... though that's a tall order.
Wolbi was the type to sell herself for her master. Melting that ironclad loyalty would take years of work, minimum.
"This deal's got issues."
"What issues?"
"Say I agree, hand over Bucephalos. What if you clam up after?"
"Fair concern. That's why I brought this."
From her bosom, she pulled a wooden box barely bigger than a finger.
Inside writhed a pair of worm-like bugs. One red, one blue.
Yin-Yang Gu.
I recognized it instantly but played dumb.
"What's that?"
"Yin-Yang Gu. A special gu from our cult. The red yang gu pairs with the blue yin gu. Eating the yin gu imposes a massive restriction: absolute obedience to whoever ate the yang gu."
The Yin-Yang Gu was a Demonic Cult parasite for enslaving others. Like Luna's Soul Oath in Solaris World, but inferior. Soul Oath allowed multiple contracts; Yin-Yang Gu only once per lifetime, one type only.
And it wasn't true mind control—just pain for disobedience, weak against strong-willed folks.
"Cult-made?"
"Yes."
"How effective? If I order you to kill Maro?"
"I'd kill myself. If you want my body, use your power wisely. Don't you want this woman's flesh?"
Her sincerity came through loud and clear.
"You know what selling yourself means? I'm a lust demon. My women need pussies tough enough to handle it."
Her brow twitched at the vulgarity. I wondered how far her patience went.
"I know. I'm prepared to handle your lust."
"My lust ain't average. Won't be easy."
"It has to be, to match the spear's worth."
"Fine. Let's test your resolve. Strip naked."
Bold order, even with no one around—this was still a public path. No normal woman could bare it all here.
We hadn't even sealed the deal yet. But she had to play along. The choice was mine.
"Here?"
Her confident face twisted. That mix of disgust and condemnation suited her best. My cock twitched.
"Your resolve is wobbly. Figures. All talk about giving your life, but can't follow a simple order. That Yin-Yang Gu crap's probably bullshit too."
"It's not a lie. Promise the spear, and I'll obey."
"With that weak resolve? No point continuing. See you next time."
"W-wait! Fine! Hoo... I knew it, but you're the worst. First time my choice has wavered this much."
Her condemnation only thrilled me more. The doll-like Wolbi suppressing emotions? Nah—the one hurling hate through her eyes was hotter.
"You gonna do it or not?"
"I will! I am! Do it! If you don't seal the deal, I'll kill you myself!"
"Ooh, scary~"
I teased as she bit her lip bloody, stripping layer by layer. Hesitation made it a full two gak before she was buck naked.