Tell Me Your Wish (2)
A thick medicinal herb scent. The clinking of porcelain. And... suspicious hands kneading my chest jolted my eyes wide open.
"Gah! You demoness!"
"Wh-who're you calling a demoness?!"
Flower-like pale pink hair. A high-pitched voice like a bird chirping. And from below, breasts so massive they blocked her face entirely.
Hong Yeonhwa had been vigorously kneading my chest before letting out a deep sigh.
"I thought you'd finally come to your senses, but the first words out of your mouth are calling this lady a demoness... It's Poking Blood Acupuncture."
"Ah, I know."
"...?"
This was the first time she'd done it from the front, but I'd been getting it daily anyway. I could tell just from the feel of those small hands on my skin.
Hong Yeonhwa tilted her head at my nonchalant reply.
"Then why say something like that?"
"'Cause it's fun watching you jump and deny it like that."
"What...?"
"Just teasing."
"...Grr! Grrr!"
Hong Yeonhwa stomped her feet, clearly dying to smack me but holding back because I was the patient. Sometimes when I teased her, she'd go, "How dare you treat this lady like this—I can't believe it!" without even forming proper words, just growling. It was adorably cute.
I was grinning and admiring her trembling when an old man approached from a bit away, chuckling heartily.
Heo the elder, the village's one and only physician. Not close, but we'd chatted a few times.
Judging by the herbs scattered around and his presence, this must be his clinic. Did they bring me here after I passed out?
"Don't tease her too much, lad. Do you know how diligently this young miss cared for you while you were out?"
"Pardon? What do you...?"
"She stuck to you every day because you wouldn't wake, even after she recovered..."
"Wah! Waah! We said not to tell! Don't listen to him! This lady never lost sleep from worry or anything like that!"
Hong Yeonhwa lunged at me like she was hugging, clamping my ears with both hands. Of course, it didn't fully block the sound... but the real issue was her massive breasts smothering my face.
Soft and squishy texture, heavy weight, her unique scent swirling through my head in a dizzying haze.
Huh? Not a problem—a reward!
Naturally, I was too distracted by Hong Yeonhwa's feel to catch what Heo the elder said. Mission accomplished for her, I suppose?
Anyway, I could guess what he'd said even without hearing. After pretending to pry her hands off—rubbing my face on her chest in the process—the warmth finally pulled away.
But no matter where I looked, Heo the elder was gone.
"The physician stepped out. He said it was something he couldn't share in front of others, and kindly agreed."
Damn. I got the gist: she'd nursed me like when I first fished her out of the river. Still, I wanted the details.
And something she couldn't tell others... probably tied to her origins or the Fengyu Merchant Group.
"For now, I'll briefly explain what happened while you were out."
According to Hong Yeonhwa, Murim Alliance warriors had carried us here to the clinic. She only had a minor arm injury and severe exhaustion—nothing like me. She'd stayed lucid, so while they treated my critical state first, they questioned her...
"And that's when you said you were the Fengyu Merchant Group's illegitimate daughter?"
"I-it couldn't be helped! In a world without the Divine Cult, saying this lady's name means nothing! Besides..."
"Besides?"
"Besides, we were short on treatment fees."
"Ah."
I'd been heading to buy rice, so I had my money pouch. But my injuries were so bad they needed pricey herbs. So she pretended to be the merchant group's bastard daughter, saying we'd get reimbursed from the Alliance later—treat me first.
The warriors wouldn't suspect much since I'd dashed off claiming to rescue a Fengyu survivor. After that, even after she recovered, she'd given me daily Poking Blood Acupuncture and such while I stayed down.
Hong Yeonhwa placed a hand on her massive chest and declared proudly.
"Ahem! This lady is quite perceptive."
"...The Alliance isn't stupid—they'll check if it's true. What're you gonna do about that lie later?"
Maybe trade it for catching Cheok An Geum Gwi instead...?
Seeing me roll my eyes, Hong Yeonhwa's smile deepened.
"Who do you think this lady is? No issues at all."
She lifted her chin, snorted, and pulled a ledger from her bosom. Then, with barely contained eagerness, she explained.
It was a simple diary, but written in exhaustive detail—for any cultists in the same boat, apparently. Enough for Hong Yeonhwa, who'd never met the merchant group head, to convincingly claim his bastard status.
She was that confident, so it was probably fine.
"Got it. Now keep going."
"With what?"
"The Poking Blood Acupuncture. I feel my condition improving every time."
"Of course. When this lady herself does it, it's better than any hack physician's needles."
Hong Yeonhwa giggled and started kneading my chest again. Maybe because my body was sensitive from pain, I could feel the faint internal energy flowing from her hands.
Come to think of it, this was real Poking Blood Acupuncture, not just a massage... No wonder it felt so warm.
Was it the qi stimulating my acupoints? Or her earnest care for me?
Either way, it was thanks to Hong Yeonhwa.
A few days later.
My wounds healed faster than expected. The sword gash on my chest scarred but closed properly. Broken bones had set, so at this rate, I'd recover soon.
In modern terms, it'd be months bedridden, but this wasn't the modern world. Circulating qi sped natural healing, plus Hong Yeonhwa's Poking Blood Acupuncture—I could move a bit now.
Lately, I'd been replaying the Cheok An Geum Gwi fight, running Martial Spirit Divine Art... but the sensation eluded me.
Still, my widened meridians and larger dantian made me smile every time. Even my qi flowed smoother than before.
I'd figured I'd peak at first-rate forever, but this felt like a clue to Peak realm. My heart raced a little.
Today, chatting idly while Hong Yeonhwa kneaded my shoulders as "Poking Blood Acupuncture," the clinic door opened. A stranger entered.
Nearly seven feet tall, stern face, massive burly middle-aged man with a huge saber on his back.
His aura was intense. Hong Yeonhwa eyed him warily, and he smirked.
"Hope I'm not interrupting. Nice to meet you. I'm Paeng Cheoljin, leader of the White Tiger Unit."
Ah. Right—they'd sent the White Tiger leader to catch Cheok An Geum Gwi. Must be him.
I hastily threw on my top and cupped my fists. Hong Yeonhwa glanced at me awkwardly imitating.
"First time meeting you, Unit Leader. Jin Sochan."
"I... am Hong Yeonhwa... er."
How stuck was that "this lady" habit?
Paeng Cheoljin ignored her awkwardness, chuckling and nodding.
"Heard from my men. You're not fully recovered, so I'll keep it short. This young lady's the Fengyu heir, and you're the hero who felled Cheok An Geum Gwi."
"Hero? I'm embarrassed."
"Nothing to be shy about. If not a hero for risking life for a defenseless woman, who is?"
Hong Yeonhwa flinched at "defenseless," pride stung, but said nothing.
True to his word, Paeng Cheoljin stuck to essentials post-greetings.
I worried about her lie getting exposed, but it went smoothly. She answered fluidly, and he noted an uncanny similarity in their speech—only from long shared environments. His laugh gave me chills; technically true since both were from demonic sects.
Passing that hurdle, the mood warmed. He pulled out a pouch.
"Your father's passing... regrettable. My condolences."
Probably held the gold the Fengyu Group sent the Alliance. Full or partial refund, enough to save face.
Hong Yeonhwa feigned grief accepting it. Then he handed me a small wooden box.
"And this, from the Alliance, thanks to the young hero for slaying that vile fiend."
"This is..."
Peeking inside, bitter-scented pills.
"Superior Wound Healing Pills. Heard you were badly hurt, so I brought good ones. No need to refuse out of politeness. If my White Tigers had gone, some would've died or been maimed. You prevented that—how could we skimp on your meds?"
"If you insist, I'll gratefully accept."
I'd politely demur once, but he preempted, so I took it.
Superior Wound Healing Pills were great for trauma. Bones would heal twice as fast.
Bed rest was getting old; I was thrilled inwardly. Then he reached into his bosom again, producing a metal badge.
"And this, a personal gift to a skilled junior."
"White Tiger" engraved front, dragon and phoenix back.
First time seeing one, but Master mentioned it: a qualifier pass for the Dragon-Phoenix Conference.
Unit leaders had that authority, apparently.
"Your reaction says you know it. Use freely, but I'd love if you joined."
"Uh..."
Ignoring my stammer, he stood, gave a quick bow, and left.
Hm, freely, so sell if needed. Surprisingly, these were tradable.
The Superior Wound Healing Pills from Paeng Cheoljin worked better than expected. All wounds gone in just three days.
Hong Yeonhwa paid my bill with the money from him, as promised to Heo the elder. Leftover bought rice, meat, and we packed dumplings from Hwang Daeung's inn before heading home.
Home at last. Battle damage everywhere, but only the door needed urgent fix—courtyard fight spared the rest.
We devoured dumplings and meat, venting days of bland patient food. But as time passed, our chatter dwindled.
Reason was clear: no reason for Hong Yeonhwa to stay.
Originally, she'd hidden here to recover from pursuers. But this wasn't her Murim—no hunters.
Even with righteous-evil tensions, this era was relatively peaceful. More recovered than against Cheok An Geum Gwi, she'd be safe anywhere.
Plus, her goal: return to her world.
Sharing meals and laughs with her? This was the last.
Tomorrow loomed, parting neared. Awkward silence as sunset came.
We sat wordless, gazing at the moon through the broken door.
Hong Yeonhwa, eyes on the moon, spoke.
"Come to think, you've saved this lady's life twice now."
"Just happened that way."
"This lady's life is no light thing. Twice over? Even more so."
She paused, steadying breath, then turned, meeting my eyes squarely. Moonlit smile soft.
"So, tell me your wish."