Don't Pull Any Cheap Tricks (2)
Yugiyeon was a delusional maniac. Her father, Yugoein, had tried to talk some sense into his daughter but failed. As a father with a daughter, and one who had suffered from the same Jeolmok Jeong as her, Yugoein appealed to their sense of familial bonds.
"How pitiful and heartbreaking!"
In light of Jagimun's dire circumstances, Moyong Sega decided to show mercy by allowing Yugiyeon to continue her treatment within the family estate. This stemmed partly from sympathy for her, but it also served as a secrecy measure regarding the side effects of the Geukyang Jihwan's treatment for Jeolmok Jeong.
Yugiyeon was a woman, after all. Women needed care from other women, and they couldn't impose too much on Moyong Sega. Thus, if the family permitted it, Yugoein planned to bring in some women from Jagimun to tend to Yugiyeon, help her recover from her delusions, and look after her. Staying in the medical hall's wards would be ideal, but the outer courtyards for honored guests or the guest halls would do as well.
In this way, they would gradually infiltrate Moyong Sega with Jagimun forces. Of course, they'd be under constant watch, but once inside, opportunities would arise. Steal the formula for Geukyang Jihwan from Physician Seok Mu Wol. Or smuggle out some of the finished pills. Failing that, kidnap the physician himself and take him away.
It was a crude, low scheme, but their plan had one glaring blind spot in even attempting it.
They never imagined every conversation in the medical hall reached the Sword Saint's ears.
Sword Saint knew all about Yugoein and Yugiyeon's scheming—disguising it as her "delusions."
I understood their caution. They'd spoken carefully, conspiring quietly where no one else could hear. They couldn't have dreamed the Sword Saint might overhear from afar. Some preconception blinded them.
They never thought he'd hear even if his daughter was in the medical hall, sucking and biting at a man.
They'd felt safe while Seol and I made love there.
This place is beyond the Sword Saint's sight and hearing!
I got it. Anyone would think the same. No one could imagine we'd express our love—with words, actions, and bodies—right there, regardless of whether he saw or heard.
It's not like we had a choice.
Moyong Sega was Sword Saint's domain. The only places beyond his awareness were those he deliberately ignored. If he focused, he could sense even from over a hundred paces away with his Chilseong Geom remote sword technique.
While Seol and I creaked the bed on the third floor, they must have thought he couldn't hear their plotting below.
But what could they do? He was the world's greatest, not some ordinary man.
"Jagimun sincerely thanks Moyong Sega for its gracious decision."
The next day after Moyong Sega extended its mercy—today—people from Jagimun arrived.
[Morning, Medical Hall, Third Floor.]
"Those must be them."
Women in unusual attire stood demurely lined up outside the medical hall. Garments rarely seen in the Central Plains—or at least not favored in the orthodox martial world, which demanded relative modesty—clung tightly to their forms.
"That's a cheongsam, right?"
"It's all the rage in the capital."
Unlike the traditional training robes Seol wore, these accentuated ideal curves, blatantly designed to showcase a woman's allure. The beauties wore them to flaunt their sexual appeal without shame.
"Physician, do you like outfits like that?"
"It's not that I like them—it's just their blatant intent makes my eyes hurt."
"You're not squinting to get a better look, are you?"
"Maybe a little."
"...Physician?"
At my words, Seol sidled up behind me, wrapped her arms around my arm as I gazed out the window, and clung tight.
"You're not planning to bestow your yang energy on them, are you? Or maybe one caught your eye? Nothing like that, right?"
"The delusion isn't Yugiyeon's—it's this woman here who's got it."
I turned, pulled Seol into my arms, pressed our cheeks together, and pointed out the window.
"See the woman at the front?"
"Uh, yeah..."
When I matched our gazes and asked, Seol averted her eyes at first, then nodded toward the direction I indicated.
"That one?"
"That's Jamdok."
"...Huh?"
"She's from Magyo."
At "Magyo," Seol's expression hardened.
"No way..."
"Familiar face. More precisely, someone I know. One of the orphans I treated back in Magyo."
I pointed to the slit on the cheongsam beside Jamdok's thigh, exposing the inner flesh where I'd stitched a wound with needle and thread.
"It's not just anything—it's the scar I sewed up myself. Clear as day."
"...Nothing else catching your eye?"
"Again, really."
Smack.
"Kyaa?!"
"Keep up the jealousy like that, and I'll resort to my final measure."
"I've never even gotten spanked by Father...! Is that your final measure?"
"No."
I pointed to the woman in the shortest cheongsam among them.
"I'll somehow get one of those and make you wear it."
"......!!"
"It'd hug you so tight it'd burst at the seams."
"N-No way...!"
"You'll wear it only in my room, for my eyes alone."
"......Honestly."
Seol glanced between me and the cheongsams a few times, then smiled radiantly with half-lidded eyes.
"If it's like that, I don't need it to be a 'final measure'—I could do it anytime."
"...Is that so?"
"Of course. You're the physician, after all. Not like you're showing me off to others. ...But."
Seol's hand, extended behind my back, slowly stroked downward.
"Do you know Moyong Sega's family motto?"
"How could the family head's son-in-law not know? What is taken must be repaid. What is done to us, repaid fivefold."
"Spanking a woman's butt like that means you're prepared to get the same, right?"
"......Doesn't seem like spanking."
"Heh heh hum."
Seol licked her lips and pointed below.
"Once Uncle Moyong San's 'inspection' is done, let's watch together who gets let into the medical hall. Like this."
"...They'll notice."
"That's the point."
Clung tight by Seol, I couldn't resist. I'd get revenge later by grabbing something else tight.
A short while later.
"Pleased to meet you all. Welcome to Moyong Sega's medical hall."
Seol, plastered to my side as I sat in the consultation room chair, gave a low smile and greeting to the Jagimun women who entered.
"We pay respects to Lady Moyong Seol."
"Congratulations on your full recovery."
The women bowed to Seol, then began exchanging glances.
Probably thinking: Is it true? Maybe not? Impressive.
All martial artists, through and through.
The women who came to nurse Yugiyeon were all warriors. I'd already spotted Jamdok, but selecting ones sharp enough to catch Seol's subtle gestures and send them openly—it drew a sigh.
"So, who sent you?"
"Yugiyeon Lady's fiancé and grand disciple of Jagimun Leader Great Hero Yugoein."
"Fiancé, huh. The one who gave Yugiyeon that 'botched treatment,' you mean."
"Yes, Physician."
At "botched treatment," the Jagimun women's faces stiffened briefly. Not mere offense at a physician's sharp tongue.
Martial artists judge by martial prowess first.
The irritation and anger at a superior being insulted. Especially by someone who looked powerless—a decent physician at best, silently enduring a woman's groping right now, yet mocking their superior. Unavoidable displeasure.
"You've heard some before coming, but stay on the second floor, focus on tending Young Lady Yugiyeon."
"Understood, Physician."
"Remember: never come to the third floor. It's mine and Lady Moyong's space. Even if we're absent, you must never ascend."
"We'll remember, Physician."
"Then, before you go..."
I deliberately raked my gaze over the Jagimun women, sticky and lingering. Tracing their curves, avoiding eyes to scan bodies only, licking my lips.
Squeeze, squeeze, grip.
Seol signaled with her fingers. Our prearranged code meant one thing.
They're all smiling. At you showing male interest. Thinking their honey trap's working.
They'd never guess we were feigning a slight opening. Instead, they modestly crossed arms, legs, subtly flaunting busts and curves.
"You."
I pointed to the one who'd eyed me most fervently.
"You stay. The rest, go down."
A black-haired beauty with faint purple eyes. Her outfit showed curves, but styled like a noble lady, she'd rival Seol's elegance.
"Understood."
The others shot glares at the chosen one but descended silently at my gesture.
"......."
The woman kept silent, alternating glances between Seol and me, swallowing hard.
"Um..."
"Lady Moyong. You do it."
No sooner said than Seol lunged forward.
"!!"
The woman moved to dodge, but—
Clang!
Seol infused her hand with energy, smacked the woman's wrist, twisted it behind, and choked her neck with the other hand, subduing her.
"Urk, guh...?!"
In a flash. Silencing her utterly, I swiftly drew silver needles and jabbed her acupoints.
"!!"
She froze solid. Seol slipped her hands away, but with needles embedded, she couldn't resist.
"Blocked your energy flow. Don't try stirring your demonic arts needlessly—you can't move."
"......!!"
"Just want to talk. Curious why Poison Demon's disciple infiltrated this far."
"...Poison Demon?"
Seol pointed at the woman, face grim.
"His disciple...?"
"Relax. If anything, I'm relieved."
"W-Wait, what?"
"Allow me to introduce: among Jamdok, the one... I can actually trust."
I'd known at first sight. Any other Jamdok would've been an instant test subject right there.
"Uh..."
As confused Seol reached out—
"Stop."
I grabbed her wrist.
"Don't touch. Dangerous."
"B-Because she's Poison Demon's disciple?"
"No. This woman..."
Only I knew her name and inclinations.
"Likes women."
"......Pardon?"
"Long time no see, Dang Yuri."
"........"
Dang Yuri. Sacheon Dangga's abandoned orphan, taken in by one of Magyo's Ten Great Protectors, Poison Demon, and the sole survivor among his disciples.
"Moyong Seol is mine. Touch her, and you die."
"...Tch."
Maybe I pressed too lightly.
"......Isn't that unknown?"
Still rigid but self-releasing acupoints to speak—her realm had risen far since three years ago.
"I could love you more."
"You must be dying to die."
"Eh, uh, that...?"
Seol backed from Dang Yuri and hid behind me.
"...Me?"
"Kidding."
Dang Yuri closed her eyes.
"Of course."
Grin.
"I know a fun game for beauties like us. If Lady Moyong wants... Ah, aaah, s-stop...! Th-There...!"
I jabbed more needles deep. She could talk, but no energy stirring now.
"S-Sorry."
Seol bowed politely to Dang Yuri.
"Only the physician can enjoy me."
"......."
Dang Yuri wore the crestfallen look of a woman rejected right after confessing for the first time.