Chapter 16: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual (12)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 16: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual (12)
The Yin-Yang Manual had an effect during my relations with Seol-hee. However, it was more minimal than I had expected.
‘I should find a martial art for Seol-hee.’
Her pure essence was good, but I could ultimately feel the limits of an ordinary person. For the serious training described in the manual, I needed the essence of a woman who had mastered a martial art.
I looked at Seol-hee lying on the bed. She was still drenched in the afterglow of her climax, her breathing ragged. The semen flowing from between her legs soaked the sheets.
But a greater ambition was stirring within me. I now needed a partner beyond Seol-hee, someone with whom I could test the true secrets of the Yin-Yang Manual.
I straightened Seol-hee’s body on the bed, then quietly opened the door and slipped out.
"You piece of trash."
A voice came from the side. I saw Jin So-hee leaning against the wall in front of my room. She was looking at me as if I were filth.
Her eyes told me she knew what I had been doing with Seol-hee.
"Does it feel good, stealing the woman Myeong-woo likes?"
Her cold voice was laced with contempt. I could feel the protective affection of a sister for her younger brother, but there was a deeper animosity beneath it.
Her face, already flushed from her morning training, grew redder with anger. Her sweat-soaked martial arts uniform clung to her body, accentuating her full chest and slender waist.
‘This isn’t a bad look either.’
Even her expression, twisted with rage, had a certain allure. Her hair, tied back with black silk, was disheveled, and the beads of sweat trickling down her neck were strangely provocative.
Her gaze turned colder as I simply raked my eyes over her body without answering.
"Tsk. Get those filthy eyes off me before I gouge them out."
Jin So-hee's icy voice echoed in the hallway. Killing intent flickered in her eyes as she watched me like a dangerous beast.
Dressed in her uniform, she looked ready to draw her sword at any moment. This wasn't the usual aloof young lady, but a martial artist radiating bloodlust.
"So, what brings you here so early in the morning?"
"Hand over the bitch in your room… that girl, Seol-hee."
"And why should I do that?"
"Hand her over while I'm asking nicely."
Her hand moved to the sword at her waist. Her fingers, still warm from her morning training, gripped the hilt tightly. Her eyes, filled with killing intent, sharpened.
"I'm not in the habit of giving my things to others. What's the reason?"
My calm voice only made Jin So-hee's glare more intense. Her lips trembled slightly.
"Because that bitch dared to mock Myeong-woo."
"Getting so angry over something so trivial. Your devotion to your brother is truly something else."
At my sarcastic remark, Jin So-hee's hand tightened on her sword hilt. Her expression contorted for a moment.
"Shut up and give me that bitch. Otherwise, I'll go into your room right now and slit her throat."
Her voice was laced with killing intent. Tense muscles were visible through her uniform. She was on the verge of drawing her sword.
"Jin So-hee. Don't cross the line."
A chill entered my own voice. This was no longer a joke, but a sincere warning.
A taut tension filled the hallway. In the quiet space, illuminated by the morning sun, only the sound of our breathing could be heard. Our standoff continued for some time.
The silence felt as if time had stopped. Then, Jin So-hee was the first to back down.
She turned away sharply and spoke in a low voice.
"Keep that bitch on a tight leash… If I see her, I'll cut her head off on the spot."
"If you touch Seol-hee, Jin Myeong-woo won't be safe either."
"Hmph, you think you can?"
Jin So-hee let out a derisive laugh and left. I watched her retreating back for a moment before continuing on my way.
The training ground, where the morning sun was just beginning to rise, was quiet.
The cold dawn air seeped into my lungs. I slowly drew my sword from its sheath. The polished blade glinted coldly in the morning light.
I executed the first sword form. The blade cut through the air, making a whooshing sound.
As I swung the sword, I circulated the energy in my dantian. The faint energy I had cultivated through the Yin-Yang Manual began to flow through my meridians. It was sluggish at first, but as I continued through the forms, the flow became smoother.
With each step, I could hear the crunch of sand beneath my feet. With each swing, my sleeves fluttered. It was still imperfect, but it was a distinctly different feeling than before.
I swung the sword, lost in a state of selflessness. Perhaps because of the significant increase in my stats, I didn't feel tired at all. Again and again, the sword sliced through the air.
I was completely absorbed in the sensation of energy flowing through my meridians and the flash of my blade cutting through the void. I had lost all track of time when I heard footsteps. It was the steward who worked for the Jin family.
"Young Master, the Family Head has requested you join him for breakfast today."
"I understand."
I swung my sword a few more times before stopping. A summons from the Family Head so early in the morning meant something was up.
I slowly sheathed my sword and wiped the sweat from my brow. The morning air cooled my heated body.
I followed the steward. Before long, we arrived at the Family Head's quarters. I opened the door the steward held for me and went inside.
Besides the Family Head, others were gathered inside as well. Jang Seo-young, Jin So-hee, and Jin Myeong-woo were already seated. For the entire family to be gathered in the morning, something out of the ordinary was bound to happen.
"You're late."
"My apologies. I was delayed by my morning training."
"Hmph. Very well. Sit."
I took my seat. Jin So-hee watched me with a cold gaze.
And so, a very quiet meal began. The only sound that filled the room was the clinking of utensils against bowls.
‘I feel like I’m going to get indigestion.’
It was an uncomfortable meal. The sound of utensils was the only thing that echoed in the suffocating silence. Just then, the Family Head put down his chopsticks and finally spoke.
"In a fortnight, it will be the birthday of the Jangbaek Gate's Leader. So-hee, Myeong-woo, and I will be going to the Jangbaek Gate."
Jin Myeong-woo interjected at his father's words.
"Is Mother not going with you?"
"That's right. Someone needs to manage the family, so your mother has decided to stay behind."
For a moment, my eyes met Jang Seo-young's. In her cold gaze, I could feel her wariness toward me.
With the Family Head, Jin So-hee, and Jin Myeong-woo gone, only Jang Seo-young and I would remain in the Jin household.
‘Heh heh, what a great opportunity.’
A smile touched my lips.
"Then, when will you be departing?" Jin Myeong-woo asked about the departure date.
"We will leave in a week, so be prepared."
"Understood."
"And Seo-yun, take this."
The Family Head took something from his robes and handed it to me. A jade tablet, glowing with a faint blue light, shimmered in the sunlight.
"This is...?"
"It is the jade tablet that symbolizes the Family Head. While I am away, you will be the temporary head of the Jin family."
"Father! Giving the jade tablet to a pathetic fool like him… this is absurd!"
Jin So-hee slammed her hand on the table and shot to her feet, shouting. The dishes rattled.
Beside her, Jang Seo-young also added a word. Her cold voice was a mixture of disappointment and anger.
"Honey, to entrust the Family Head's tablet to that child… isn't it far too soon?"
The air in the room instantly froze. Jin Myeong-woo kept his head down, silent. I could see his hands trembling slightly.
I slowly accepted the jade tablet. The cold touch of the jade spread across my palm. It was only temporary, but the real power of the Jin family was now in my hands.
Bang!
The Family Head slammed his hand on the table, glaring fiercely at Jang Seo-young and Jin So-hee.
"How dare you question the decision of the Family Head!"
The Family Head's furious voice thundered through the room. Jang Seo-young's face instantly turned pale.
"But, honey…"
"Be quiet!"
Jin So-hee gritted her teeth and stood up from her seat.
"Father, to entrust the family to a scoundrel like him…"
"Jin So-hee!"
Jin So-hee's mouth snapped shut at the force of the Family Head's presence. Jang Seo-young shot a cold glare at me before lowering her head.
"For the next fortnight, Seo-yun's word is my word. Remember that."
A heavy silence descended upon the room. I toyed with the jade tablet in my hand, watching them.
‘Too bad there's no popcorn.’
Jang Seo-young glared at me with eyes like cold frost before rising from her seat. Jin So-hee also stormed out. Jin Myeong-woo stammered for a moment before following them.
The jade tablet in my hand glowed faintly.
The next day, I was still engrossed in training at the training ground. I'd been doing nothing but having sex lately, so it was about time I started training seriously.
Sweat dripped down as my sword cut through the air. I honed my swordsmanship while controlling the new energy from the Yin-Yang Manual.
Far off, Jin Myeong-woo was also training. He couldn't focus. His gaze was fixed on Seol-hee, who was watching me train.
As usual, Seol-hee approached me with tea. The white nape of her neck glistened in the morning sun. Seeing this, Jin Myeong-woo's fists trembled.
"Young Master, here is some warm tea."
"Thank you."
I drank the tea she offered. It wasn't to my taste.
I looked at Seol-hee after she handed me the tea. Since we started having sex using the Yin-Yang Manual, her beauty had begun to shine even more brightly.
Her faintly white hair shimmered in the morning sun. Her skin had become more translucent, glowing like jade. A subtle fragrance emanated from her body.
‘So this is the effect of the Yin-Yang Manual…’
Her beauty now outshone even Jin So-hee's and Jang Seo-young's. I could feel Jin Myeong-woo's stare from a distance.
Our eyes met. I gave him a sly smile and blatantly wrapped my arm around Seol-hee's waist. Her soft waist fit perfectly in my palm.
The day Jin So-hee had warned me, I had told Seol-hee to stop serving Jin Myeong-woo. She had happily accepted and became my exclusive attendant.
Jin Myeong-woo's face contorted. The sword in his hand trembled. His expression, a mixture of helplessness and rage, was quite amusing.
Seol-hee yielded compliantly in my arms. The white nape of her neck was exposed. Right in front of Jin Myeong-woo, I brought my lips to her neck.
"Hah…"
"Grit…"
Jin Myeong-woo gritted his teeth and approached. The hand holding his sword was shaking. His eyes, filled with rage, were fixed on me.
I pulled Seol-hee's waist even closer and looked at Jin Myeong-woo. A smile played on my lips as if I was enjoying his anger.
"What, you have something to say?"
At my provocative words, Jin Myeong-woo's face twisted further. Seol-hee trembled slightly in my arms.
"To forcibly take Seol-hee from me and then to toy with her like this… I cannot forgive you."
Jin Myeong-woo's voice trembled. It was a voice mixed with anger and humiliation.
The fool was under some huge misunderstanding. Even after seeing me with Seol-hee, he hadn't caught on.
‘Is he an idiot?’
Even after seeing me hold Seol-hee and caress her body, he didn't realize she was already my woman.
"Brother. I request a duel. If I win, you must let Seol-hee go."
I let out a smirk. Jin Myeong-woo's eyes were filled with determination, but he just looked pathetic.
At his words, Seol-hee pressed herself deeper into my embrace.
‘Does he not realize it's too late?’
To issue such a challenge now, over a Seol-hee who had already become mine. He looked pitiful, chasing an illusion without understanding the reality of the situation.
"Fine."
I accepted. I was looking forward to testing my skills against Jin Myeong-woo after so long. It seemed like a good opportunity to gauge how much my stats had risen.
I gently released Seol-hee and drew my sword again. The sharp blade glinted in the morning sun.
"But what will you do if you lose?"
"...If I lose…"
He mumbled, unable to answer. It seemed he hadn't even considered the possibility of losing.
Having grown up being called a genius, he couldn't even imagine losing a duel to his older brother. Had he forgotten his last defeat?
‘Does he still think he's stronger than me?’
I raised my sword. I could feel the energy gathered in my dantian flowing through my entire body. It was time to show Jin Myeong-woo reality.
The air in the training ground grew cold. Seol-hee's gaze was on us. Her eyes seemed to hold a light of conviction, as if she was certain of my victory.