Heavenly Demon (2)
"This lady is the Heavenly Demon."
Hong Yeonhwa declared it in a calm voice, then slowly withdrew her Heavenly Demon Divine Art. The massive demonic visage that had blotted out the sun melted away into the air like mist, leaving only Hong Yeonhwa behind, fist raised toward the heavens. The scar etched into the sky remained unchanged, a stark reminder that what we'd just witnessed wasn't some illusion.
From this day forward, no one here would dare treat Hong Yeonhwa as an enemy just because she practiced demonic arts. There was no reason for it anyway—and even if there were, she'd proven with a single strike that it was utterly pointless.
Those on the sparring platform and the spectators in the stands alike stood speechless, utterly overwhelmed by one person. For some reason, Hong Yeonhwa hadn't moved from her spot, frozen in that same pose.
What the hell? Don't tell me she's half-dead from exhaustion like last time when her inner energy ran low and her Heavenly Demon Ruling Aura turned into a pathetic "Nyeonyeo Ruling Aura" or whatever. I'd heard she'd mostly recovered lately, though...
I shot her a worried glance, only to realize I'd been overthinking it. Right now, Hong Yeonhwa's pink eyes sparkled as she gazed at me with eager anticipation.
'Did you see that? Did you see it just now?'
'How was it? Were you shocked?'
'This lady was amazing, right? This lady did great, didn't she?'
If she had a tail, it'd be wagging like crazy. Checking my reaction first thing in this situation? The awe I'd felt moments ago vanished, replaced by some inexplicable urge pushing me forward. Without thinking, I crossed the sparring platform in a flash and pulled her into my arms.
"Eep!"
She pretended to be startled... but I'd caught that split-second when her lips twitched into a grin as I approached. I savored the sensation of her massive breasts squishing against my stomach for a moment before letting go.
"No, seriously, why are you this cool? Huh? Why is our Heavenly Demon this badass!"
"Hehe... This lady is on this level, after all!"
I lavished her with praise, and she puffed up proudly, thrusting out her ample chest and raising both arms high. With her eyes half-closed, it looked like she was demanding applause. Her every cute little gesture had me mesmerized for a second, until she cracked one eye open and peeked at me slyly.
Hurry up and clap already, what are you waiting for?
I raised my arms to give her the applause she wanted, and she snapped her eyes shut like nothing had happened. Her lips kept trying to curl into a smile, which she fought down, leaving her pursing them over and over.
...Then a better idea hit me.
I cupped her soft cheeks with both hands, forcing out those perfect duck lips.
"Poo?"
She blinked in confusion—what the hell was this?—and I kissed her right then.
"Mmph?!"
Soft texture, ticklish breath, warm heat, fragrant scent. All the things that always made me happy seeped into the darkness that had settled in my heart while facing that demonic illusion, without me even realizing it.
If just seeing it did this to me, how must Hong Yeonhwa have felt carrying that fiend herself? I hoped she was feeling the same healing warmth I was right now.
She flinched in surprise at the sudden attack but quickly caught on, rising on tiptoes to make it easier for me.
How long did we stay like that? I pulled back slightly to kiss her again—
WAAAAAAAAAAH—————!!
The roar from the entire grand sparring ground hit like a tidal wave.
"Wh-what?!"
I whipped my head around in panic, scanning the cheering crowds.
...Honestly, I'd completely forgotten about the audience—and everyone else.
I glanced sheepishly at Paeng Ojin, and the moment our eyes met, he sighed deeply and clutched his forehead. Well, yeah. All our efforts to keep Hong Yeonhwa's identity under wraps, or the engagement with Paeng Soso, or whatever prep we'd done—it was all for nothing now. Sorry, father-in-law.
As I bowed my head slightly toward him, Hong Yeonhwa poked my side with a grin.
"You there. You there. Stamping your lips on this lady in front of all these people... Now this lady truly can't get married anymore, can she?"
"Hey now, didn't you declare you were mine just a few days ago? Guess it wasn't enough. Prepare yourself for tonight."
No point holding back now. I'd been handling everything solo lately, building up some frustration, but more than that, I was just dying from not being able to flirt with her properly.
"Heheheng..."
Hong Yeonhwa rubbed her forehead against me in my arms, giggling happily. She must've felt the same.
"Oh yeah, speaking of which—why are the spectators all fine? That thing earlier should've been too much for regular folk just from the pressure."
"Of course this lady adjusted her aura for them. When blocking the Bi-geuk Heavenly Thunder with Void Grasping, I had to fish out the ones who'd been flung away, but Heavenly Demon Reincarnation was just a show for those idiots."
So that technique summoning the demonic fiend from qi was called Heavenly Demon Reincarnation. Fitting name.
"To them, it probably looked like this lady repelled the unorthodox invaders and teamed up with the others on the platform to show off our might."
"And as a Hollywood-style finale, I went in for a deep kiss with you, so that's why they're going wild."
Guess that ending works here too. As we chatted casually, the others started gathering, shaking off their daze.
"Hong unnie! That was insane! So cool!"
"Hueh?"
Paeng Soso arrived first, echoing my earlier words before snatching Hong Yeonhwa from me and hoisting her up high. She spun in circles, showering her with praise, but even Hong Yeonhwa found the treatment embarrassing and started flailing her limbs in protest.
"P-put me down! Too high! This lady's gonna get motion sick!"
...Or maybe just dizzy?
Paeng Soso's bizarre airplane ride continued until the Azure Dragon Unit leader arrived late and bowed at a perfect right angle.
Come to think of it, in this world without demonic cults, I'd wondered why they were so viscerally hostile to demonic arts... He'd lost family to fiends, right? Now realizing Hong Yeonhwa was the polar opposite of those fiends he knew, the Azure Dragon Unit leader spoke with his head still lowered.
"I... I made a grave mistake. I sincerely apologize."
"Mm. As long as you understand. This lady's seen plenty like you, so I get it."
"Even so, that doesn't erase my fault. Is there anything I can help with? Anything within my power, as long as it doesn't go against righteousness."
"Well, if you insist... Ah!"
Hong Yeonhwa extended her hand toward him like she'd just thought of something.
"Then give me money."
"H-how much?"
"Everything you've got right now."
Hong Yeonhwa extorted him so naturally. The Azure Dragon Unit leader looked a bit reluctant but handed over his entire money pouch anyway.
"Heeheeht."
She skipped back to me with a beaming smile and offered it up.
"You there! Look at this! This lady earned money!"
"Uh, yeah."
She's giving it to me here? A bit bittersweet, I took the pouch as she asked cautiously,
"You don't like it?"
"As if."
The hefty feel told me it was stuffed with silver taels. We weren't spending much living at the Paeng family estate, but we'd burned through most of our savings getting here. Emergency cash was always reassuring. And hey, if it was from Hong Yeonhwa, I'd love it regardless.
Just... the stares from around us stung a little. The kind you give a good-for-nothing husband who sends his wife out to earn while he lounges around.
I pocketed it with a slight pout, and Paeng Soso patted my back.
"Jin gaga? If you needed money, you should've told me. I've got tons now."
"Don't you start too. Father-in-law's glaring."
As I whispered with Paeng Soso,
"Ahem. So, does that mean things with the Azure Dragon Unit leader are settled nicely?"
The Murim Alliance Leader cleared his throat and asked Hong Yeonhwa.
"Of course. At least regarding what happened so far, this lady won't make an issue of it, so don't worry."
"That's a relief. Ah, I'm Hyeon Heo Jin-in, overqualified leader of the Murim Alliance."
Hyeon Heo Jin-in... A Taoist from the Wudang Sect, known for his mild demeanor usually but ruthless against the Sama Lian. After light introductions, they discussed future matters.
They wouldn't blindly antagonize her for practicing demonic arts. They were grateful she'd stopped what could've been a disaster and would discuss compensation later. To show the Alliance's strength, they'd proceed with the Yongbong Branch Meet unless the interrogations revealed major issues... More or less that.
Everything seemed to wrap up smoothly, but then,
"Finally, about disqualifications from the Yongbong Branch Meet..."
"Huh? Don't tell me one of the attackers was a participant?"
"No, it means the Heavenly Demon will be disqualified."
"Wh-why this lady?!"
Hong Yeonhwa stammered in shock, but Hyeon Heo Jin-in replied firmly, unflinching.
"Because you're not a later-generation disciple."
"......"
"Rules are rules."