Enlightenment Trials and Demon Pampering
As soon as my body fully recovered, I headed straight to the training grounds.
"Haa... this cool, heavy sensation. Just one week, huh."
"Young Master Jin? What's this all of a sudden?"
"I felt all stiff from not moving properly for a while."
"Pfft. You moved just fine at night."
"That's different from this..."
Above all, ever since I almost accidentally dropped Hong Yeonhwa while trying something adventurous, we hadn't tried any intense positions.
"I liked the gentle Young Master Jin too... So, how are we training today? Sparring like usual?"
"Hmm... no. For a while, I'm gonna swing alone. Once I get used to this new insight I gained, then we can spar."
"Sounds good."
But instead of keeping her distance so we wouldn't get in each other's way, Paeng Soso came right over and pressed up against me. And then...
Mwah.
"Uh...?"
Paeng Soso, who had sneaked a kiss on my cheek, whispered in my ear like she was sharing some top secret.
"Young Master Jin is the best~."
"Y-yeah... me too."
I nodded dumbly in surprise for a moment, and she grinned in satisfaction before sauntering off with a cheeky hip sway.
...Now that my body's better, is she saying we should do some intense exercise today? I struck a stance while pondering whether to pull out that secret play I'd only thought about until now.
Wrap it up quick and do something for her after.
This new insight I'd gained wasn't all that complicated to begin with. Since it wasn't fundamentally different from how I'd been using Muryeong Singong up till now, that made sense.
The difference was probably just in what kind of intent I established and how.
At least in theory. Yeah, in theory...
"Not easy."
But theory and practice are always different, as usual.
First off, breaking the habit of invoking Muryeong Singong by picturing Hong Yeonhwa was tough.
To use an analogy, it was like telling a right-hander to use a brand-new arm sprouting from their back—not even their left.
Still, with all the foundation I'd built up till now, I managed that much somehow.
...The real problem was elsewhere.
I overcame all those hurdles and successfully swung my sword in my mind's eye. The most ideal strike as I envisioned it. That intent became reality through Muryeong Singong.
"No, why is it like this?"
The result was just... meh.
Of course, it was stronger. By feel, maybe 1.2 times my usual? But after putting in at least three times the effort for a single swing, this was all I got?
I hadn't even considered that possibility...
I tried a few more times just in case, but the results didn't change. It was hard to use practically, and even when I barely managed it, the power was subtly underwhelming.
I let out deep sighs with a dazed expression when Hong Yeonhwa, fresh from finishing her instructional spar with Paeng Soso, spoke up from the veranda while sipping flower tea.
"Well, it's unavoidable at first."
"At first? It's been months since I started using Muryeong Singong's power in real combat."
"And in those months, didn't you use it the wrong way? This method is new to you, so it's no different from when you first learned it."
"Hmm... now that you mention it, that kinda makes sense..."
Excessive focus drain, slow prep time, results below expectations. These issues were almost identical to the ones I'd felt when first awakening Muryeong Singong's power and training to use it consciously.
"This is driving me nuts."
"It's more common than you think when your realm advances and you have to rebuild your martial arts from the ground up."
"Really?"
"Indeed. It may be tough now, but it'll serve as a stepping stone to higher realms, so don't be too impatient. Even I, back when my Heavenly Demon Divine Art deepened into the Fire Transformation stage..."
She started spinning her latte story while munching on pre-prepared snacks. I knew she meant to encourage me.
I knew, but... seeing her so nonchalant made me petty.
Come to think of it? Me going through this twice? Wasn't it all because of Hong Yeonhwa?
If I hadn't botched the first button because she was too cute!
Perfect timing since my focus was tapped out and I needed a break anyway. A little should be fine. I rationalized it internally and approached her.
"...So in the end, I had to rework all my existing martial arts to fit the Heavenly Demon Divine Art... Hm?"
She looked up at me curiously. I placed my hand on her small crown and stroked gently.
Her hair softer than silk, her warm body heat, the round feel of her head. Hong Yeonhwa blinked in confusion at first, like what's this? but soon narrowed her eyes, enjoying my touch like it was no big deal.
"Nngh~..."
And now. She leaned into me trustingly, her face melting in bliss.
Right before she could fully melt in satisfaction, I yanked my hand away without warning!
"...?"
She tilted her head, confused by the sudden disappearance. She glanced between my face and hand before nudging her head forward again, demanding more pets.
Of course I'd give her what she wanted.
Stroke stroke.
"Nngh...?"
Of course, I pulled away before she was satisfied.
Dissatisfied, she puffed her cheeks and grabbed my hand, plopping it back on her head. She even demonstrated by moving my hand herself a couple times in a self-pet before letting go.
Then she looked up at me with sparkling eyes, pleading.
Staring into those pink pupils made me want to grant any wish. No wonder kings ruin countries over women...
But it wasn't quite enough to bewitch me, who'd built some resistance to Hong Yeonhwa. I stroked wildly again before stopping midway, and on the third time, she exploded.
She flopped onto the ground spread-eagled and thrashed her limbs in a full tantrum.
"Waaahhh!! Pet this lady! Pet longer, I said!!"
Her ample breasts jiggled wildly with every flail, staging a fierce protest.
...Did I go too far? I approached to pet her as much as she wanted now, but.
Roll.
She tumbled away to evade. Then she glared at me warily and spoke.
"Hmph! You're gonna stop right at the good part again! This lady won't fall for it!"
"That's not it. I'll pet you till you're sick of it for real."
"...You've already betrayed this lady's trust three times. Words alone won't convince me."
"Wait, was this such a big deal?"
"It's a major matter to this lady! You like this lady's breasts that much, but you still don't get how much this lady loves your touch?!"
As much as her breasts...? I imagined swapping places. If Hong Yeonhwa let me grope her breasts but only for three seconds? And no nipples? I'd be throwing a fit on the floor too!
"I get it now. Then sign this."
"What's this?"
She pulled a crumpled sheet from her bosom and tossed it over. Unfolding the sweet-scented paper revealed oddly familiar contents.
Give massage, pet for at least a gak, piggyback ride, fart on belly, kiss, bathe her... Wait, no way?
"It's a kind of voucher. The moment you sign, each one activates."
"So if I show you one, I have to do exactly what's written, no choice?"
"You understand perfectly."
"......"
I barely calmed her anger by signing each one on these mystery vouchers—I had no idea when she'd prepared them.
Hong Yeonhwa, sitting on my lap getting real-time pets, mumbled around a snack.
"Nom nom... So, you're saying it's a shame now that you've engraved this lady in your mind's eye, but have no use for it?"
"Yeah. Any ideas on how to use it?"
I asked about my biggest worry during the break. The other issues could be solved with repeated practice, but not this one.
She licked crumbs off her fingers and replied casually.
"Why think so hard? Just use both."
"Huh?"
"It'll be tough right now, of course, but given Muryeong Singong's nature that you've mastered, it's not impossible."
Muryeong Singong turns intent into power. And intent is the mind, while mental image is a landscape engraved deep in the heart.
Thinking that way, it kinda seemed possible...?
"Truth be told, even this lady hasn't tried it, so I can't guarantee anything. But no need to give up on one already, right?"
"True. Yeah. Focus on the immediate goal first, and revisit that later."
"This lady will ponder it with you, so relax."
I fed her another snack for her sensible words, then scooped her up and set her aside. Break time over—back to training.
As I stood and rolled my shoulders, I spotted Paeng Ojin approaching from afar, arms loaded with stuff.
Oh right, today was when he said he'd teach me Tiger King Art.
It's fine once you're on track, but for initial training, you need drugs to help, he'd said.
That must be it.
External art training... from the Paeng family in Hebei, no less... This is gonna hurt, huh?
Did my worry show on my face? Paeng Soso, drenched in sweat, came over to switch with me and rest, offering comfort.
"It's okay, Young Master Jin. I learned Tiger King Art when I was little too... um... you won't die!"
Is that comfort?