Training...? (8)
“I cannot tolerate this ni-ra!”
Hong Yeonhwa was stomping her feet, carrying my collapsed body to the room. Despite the height difference, my hands and feet dragged on the floor, but a silly laugh leaked from my lips.
“You know what kind of martial art mine is. This was the best I could do against you, right?”
“Eek…!”
Hong Yeonhwa's face flushed red as she made a strange expression that could be either anger or joy.
Martial Spirit Divine Art is a martial art that reinforces oneself through willpower. And according to Hong Yeonhwa, willpower isn't just concentration—it's something closer to the heart.
The moment I heard that, I realized it. Whether my attack landed or not, directing any attack at Hong Yeonhwa itself went against the foundation of Martial Spirit Divine Art.
I have to reveal my true intent to grow stronger, but she's someone I can't attack with true intent. So, I just won't attack. That simple thought led to an impromptu plan that worked perfectly, letting me pull off a shallow surrender.
The bet's condition wasn't knocking her down—it was just touching her. An undeniable victory for me.
Well, Hong Yeonhwa seemed full of complaints, still huffing and puffing roughly.
“You think this lady is like this because of the sneak attack?”
“Wasn't it?”
“That doesn't matter at all ni-ra. In fact, this lady wants to praise you for finding a way to catch her off guard no matter what.”
“Then why are you acting like that?”
We finally reached the room. Hong Yeonhwa laid my immobile body on the floor and let out a shrill screech.
“Didn't we say no petting for a week starting today! This lady cannot accept such unfair treatment ni-ra!”
Hong Yeonhwa's cheeks puffed up to an unprecedented size. That meant she was truly hurt.
No way—did she really think I'd keep my word?
“Of course it was a lie. You joked about no boobs before too.”
To give a more certain answer than words, I forced strength into my exhausted body and raised my arm. My hand trembled, but did the meaning get across?
“……”
Hong Yeonhwa slyly climbed on top of me and snatched my raised hand. Then she placed it on her head and started rubbing against it herself.
Rub rub
“Hng…”
After a long self-petting session, she seemed satisfied—her puffed cheeks softened back to their squishy state.
“All done? Then it's my turn now.”
“Hm? What are you planning to do in that state?”
“Not planning—I'm asking you to do it. …I'm seriously about to die here.”
Having her handle my body and perform Poking Blood Acupuncture was way more effective than me circulating qi myself.
Hearing my explanation, Hong Yeonhwa tilted her head while still straddling my stomach.
“This lady can do it anytime, but to maintain the training effects of Iron King Heart Protection Art… Hmm…”
Tilt tilt
Hong Yeonhwa shook her head side to side, her pink hair swaying. Her ample breasts jiggled along with it. Looking up from below, they seemed even bigger than usual.
Jiggle jiggle
Man, no matter how many times I see them, they're perfect. If my body wasn't wrecked, I'd grab them tight to stop all that shaking.
Jiggle jiggle
Watching them swing like a pendulum, my mind started to haze over for some reason.
Jiggle jiggle
Like someone hypnotized, I endlessly observed the pendulum motion until my senses suddenly snapped back.
What the? Hypnosis?
“Ha! As if I'd fall for some cheap hypnosis!”
“? Geudaeyeo, why are you suddenly mumbling nonsense with those dazed eyes? If it's sleep-talking, bear with it a moment. This lady just found a good method ni-ra.”
Gasp. Just tired and drowsy, huh.
As I swallowed the drool that nearly escaped, Hong Yeonhwa suddenly jumped up and started stripping my clothes with grunts.
She stripped my upper body naked in an instant, then flipped me over into a prone position on the floor.
“I can't move right now, so you'll have to do it alone… Can you handle it?”
“Handling you without resistance at this lady's whim is quite tempting, but not this time ni-ra. It's just stepping on your back, so don't get your hopes up.”
“With your feet? Isn't hands more comfortable?”
I worried since hands usually allow finer qi control than feet, but… it was unnecessary.
“For someone like this lady, hands or feet make no difference ni-ra. Besides, since you can't hold your own body steady, this seems better than awkwardly straddling and pressing with hands.”
“If you say so.”
Hong Yeonhwa would handle it well. As I obediently surrendered my body, soon a small foot stepped onto my back.
The firm heel pressing down with weight, the concave center fitting my curved muscles perfectly, the wiggling toes' texture… and the refreshing qi flowing in with each movement.
“Oh… No difference at all.”
“Hmph. See? What did this lady tell you?”
I couldn't see directly in this prone position, but I could picture her smug face clearly.
I chuckled inwardly and fully relaxed.
“That's a good spot.”
“Hm? Here?”
“Yeah. Press a bit harder.”
“Like this?”
“Perfect. Next, like tickling…”
I was enjoying the back massage when suddenly, a knock echoed from the hallway, followed by Paeng Soso's voice.
Knock knock knock.
“Benefactors? Is training over? I have something to discuss about our plans ahead—mind if I come in for a bit?”
What? Something important?
Should I change clothes and let her in, or since I can barely move and it's just my upper body, tell her to come in as is? While I pondered, the door creaked open slowly—hadn't we locked it properly?
“It's nothing much, just about what you mentioned before… Gasp!”
Paeng Soso froze, inhaling sharply and speechless. Hong Yeonhwa spoke up instead.
“Sorry. My husband is too exhausted right now, so we couldn't help it ni-ra. You said something about future plans? Tell us what it is.”
“Y-Yes? Y-Yeah… It's, it's fine. Um…”
Paeng Soso stammered incoherently. Roughly, she was suggesting that if we end up totally wiped out like today, maybe camp midway instead, and the spar with her could be anytime.
“Th-Then, excuse me…!”
She said her piece and bolted to the next room. Hong Yeonhwa stared blankly, then nudged my side with her foot.
“What?”
“Don't casually show your skin to women other than this lady.”
“…This isn't my fault, is it?”
“Your fault for being so weak you collapse from just this much ni-ra.”
Not the one who didn't lock the door properly? First-rates would die of injustice.
Thanks to Hong Yeonhwa's back-stepping Poking Blood Acupuncture, by morning my condition was mostly back to normal.
We had a slightly awkward breakfast with Paeng Soso and decided not to leave immediately but stay one more day.
So far, we'd been inside Hebei Province, so I had some info, and Paeng Soso had traveled around, so planning the route was no issue.
Yeah. Up to Hebei Province, that is.
Our final destination, the Murim Alliance HQ, is in Shaanxi Province. To get from Hebei to Shaanxi, we have to cross either Shanxi or Henan Province.
We chose to go via Henan.
…Shanxi wasn't even an option, so it hardly counted as a choice.
Shanxi is the frontline blocking the Mongol barbarians, and its rugged terrain attracts deserters and criminals. Bandits even rampage there, exploiting the chaos.
Fortunately, it's a key military spot, so the imperial court stations heavy troops. Without them, the whole province might be unorthodox territory.
We'd messed with one of its cities already—heading to Shanxi could drag us into real danger.
Anyway, that's why Henan.
The problem? I knew zilch about Henan's geography.
Since we were in a big city, we decided to stay one more day to stock up on maps, rations, camping gear, etc. That evening, Hong Yeonhwa was sprawled on the bed, kicking her feet while reading a thin booklet.
The shopkeeper had sweet-talked her into buying it with the map, insisting we were heading to Henan—a guide to Henan's food and sights. Basically, a Henan tourist catalog.
“This… Hoo… We have to try it.”
She kept muttering excitedly, clearly thrilled.
Makes sense. Henan was culturally and economically advanced. One of the Central Plains' historical centers.
In the murim where Hong Yeonhwa lived, it was all rubble with only traces of past glory left—so no wonder she was hyped.
I sat beside the Hong Yeonhwa buzzing like a kid the day before a picnic.
Then I slyly reached out, sliding my hand from her nape down her spine.
“Eek!”
Hong Yeonhwa's body stiffened in surprise.
“Wh-what's this suddenly? Do you want to look together? Then lie here. This lady picked some good ones—I'll share them specially with you.”
She wriggled against the wall and patted the spot beside her.
Normally, I'd happily lie down and plan our trip like lovers: what to do in Henan, what to eat, wanna check this out?
But now, I had other business.
I slid my fingers lower, grabbing a firm handful of Hong Yeonhwa's plump butt.
“Hng…?!”
I whispered in her ear as she alternated confused glances between me and the book.
“We have something to do first, right? You didn't forget? You said you'd do anything I want.”
After a moment's hesitation, Hong Yeonhwa squeezed her eyes shut and dropped the book under the bed.
“D-did you lock the door properly this time…?”