Chapter 238: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual[R-18] (68)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 238: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual[R-18] (68)
At dawn, as a thick fog filled the mountain valley, figures clad in black robes swiftly cut through the forest. The face of the man in the lead was frozen cold, and a sharp killing intent glinted in his eyes.
“Commander, we've found the bodies of Tamhwaranggun's disciples nearby.”
A subordinate reported with a bow. Son Baek-cheon's sharp eyes narrowed further.
“Where were they found?”
His voice was low and dry, like desert sand that hadn't seen water in a long time.
“In the nearby forest.”
“And Wi Gwang?”
“He was nowhere to be seen. However, there were signs of a fierce battle.”
“Lead the way.”
At Son Baek-cheon's concise command, the subordinate bowed his head and led on. The group moved quickly through the fog toward their destination.
When they arrived, several bodies were strewn about the area. Son Baek-cheon calmly surveyed the scene. In his experience, this was no simple battle. It was closer to a massacre.
Son Baek-cheon looked at the surrounding corpses.
‘One in the Transformation Realm, one supreme master, and the rest are peak experts and first-rate warriors...’
He muttered as he walked through the forest. The Jet-Black Sword Unit followed silently behind him.
After walking for some time, he suddenly stopped.
“The trail ends here.”
He turned and commanded the Jet-Black Sword Unit.
“Search this area.”
The members of the Jet-Black Sword Unit moved as one. Like shadows in the night, they began to search the forest, swift and silent.
Before long, the entire unit had finished their search and returned.
“Commander, we found nothing.”
“Tsk, what a pain. What's the nearest city from here?”
“Cheonbongseong.”
“Head to Cheonbongseong and find any martial artists who have passed through this area recently.”
At Son Baek-cheon's command, the Jet-Black Sword Unit departed for Cheonbongseong. The remaining members began to dispose of the bodies.
Son Baek-cheon found a secluded spot and sat down. He closed his eyes and fell into a deep meditation.
‘A group that includes a master of the Transformation Realm... This is no ordinary prey.’
A day passed, and the Jet-Black Sword Unit returned. Son Baek-cheon, still sitting on a rock with his eyes closed, spoke.
“Did you find anything?”
The squad leader of the Jet-Black Sword Unit, Heuk-pung, stepped forward and knelt.
“Yes, Commander. We obtained some very useful information in Cheonbongseong.”
Son Baek-cheon slowly opened his eyes.
“Speak.”
“A week ago, a party of five passed through Cheonbongseong. Four women and one man stayed there before leaving. The strange thing is, there was reportedly another man with them, but he was not seen when they departed.”
Son Baek-cheon's gaze sharpened.
“Any information on the man who disappeared?”
“After asking around, we learned he appeared to be a man in his early twenties. And... these are portraits of the five who were seen. We had them drawn based on the testimony of inn workers and merchants.”
The man took several sheets of paper from his robes and handed them to Son Baek-cheon.
Son Baek-cheon calmly examined the portraits. The first was of a woman with sky-blue hair.
“Seo Ryeo-hwa.”
His voice was filled with certainty. He had never met Seo Ryeo-hwa in person, but he knew of her appearance through rumors.
The second portrait was of a young man. He had handsome features and appeared to be in his early twenties, but there was something cold about him.
“Is he Seo Ryeo-hwa's disciple?”
Heuk-pung nodded.
“According to the innkeeper, he was heard calling Seo Ryeo-hwa 'Master'.”
“A disciple...”
Son Baek-cheon looked over the portraits once more before handing them back to Heuk-pung.
“Where were they headed?”
“Toward Beijing.”
Son Baek-cheon rose to his feet.
“Prepare yourselves. We're going after them.”
*
Five days after leaving Beijing, we entered Hebei Province.
The journey with Namgung Hyeok's party wasn't as boring as I'd expected. Namgung So-ha, in particular, showed a lot of interest in me.
‘She's definitely up to something.’
She would come over to talk to me several times a day, and she always took a spot near me whenever we stopped to rest.
‘Hwa Yeon-seol, on the other hand, is not so easy to approach.’
It was difficult to even strike up a conversation with her, as she was always by Namgung Hyeok's side.
Up ahead, Namgung Hyeok raised a hand and spoke to the group.
“I see a village ahead. We should rest there for the night.”
Upon arriving in the village, we immediately looked for a place to stay. We found a suitable inn, and as we were heading to our respective rooms, I sensed a presence behind me.
“Young Master Jin.”
Namgung So-ha had approached me again. She half-hid her face with a fan, her eyes gazing at me alluringly.
“Miss Namgung?”
“Could you come to my room tonight? There's something I'd like to discuss.”
“At night... you say?”
“Yes...”
I paused to think. I didn't know what her intentions were, but I had a gut feeling I would find out tonight.
“Very well. I'll make time tonight.”
A satisfied smile spread across her lips.
“I'll be waiting, Young Master Jin.”
*
When the night grew deep, I quietly left my room and headed for Namgung So-ha's. I knocked lightly on the door.
“Come in.”
I opened the door and went inside. Namgung So-ha was standing by the window. The moonlight touched her golden hair, making it glow softly.
“Would you like some tea?”
“I would.”
I sat across from her and picked up my tea. In the quiet atmosphere, Namgung So-ha began to speak.
“Young Master Jin.”
“Yes, Miss Namgung.”
“You seem quite interested in Yeon-seol... Shall I arrange something for you?”
I stared at her quietly.
“That's rather sudden. I'm not so shameless as to covet another man's lover.”
She slowly covered her mouth with her fan and let out a small laugh.
“Oh, are you pretending not to know? I've seen you staring holes into Yeon-seol's... into that bitch's chest every day.”
I could feel the hostility toward Hwa Yeon-seol in her voice.
‘Does she have some history with Hwa Yeon-seol?’
I remained silent for a moment, then smiled nonchalantly.
“Miss Namgung, no matter how shallow I may be, I wouldn't direct such a rude gaze at a lady.”
“Hmph. Says the man who steals glances at my legs and that bitch's chest every day?”
She spoke as if she already knew everything, so I just smiled and admitted it.
“Well, it's the natural instinct of a creature called man.”
Namgung So-ha suddenly burst out laughing at my answer.
“You really are an interesting man, Young Master Jin. It's like...”
She set down her fan and sat in a more relaxed posture. Her gaze turned playful, yet alluring.
“You're like a male dog in heat, wouldn't you say?”
I slowly took a sip of tea, a relaxed smile on my face.
“You're quite bold, Miss Namgung. I didn't expect someone raised under the strict rules of a prestigious family to be so direct.”
“Rules?”
She scoffed.
“You'd faint if you knew how vulgarly the children of prestigious families amuse themselves.”
“That's interesting. In that case, have you ever amused yourself vulgarly, Miss Namgung?”
“Pfft. Why? You want to try something?”
“Hey, do you think I'm crazy?”
“Hmm... your eyes say otherwise.”
Namgung So-ha suddenly stood up and came closer to me. Her fragrance tickled my nose.
“Young Master Jin, did you know? The rules of prestigious families are all just for show. When night falls, you wouldn't believe how loose young ladies like us become...”
She whispered sweetly in my ear.
“Do you know how many of them secretly bring men into their rooms? Sometimes two or three at a time...”
I raised an eyebrow slightly and smiled.
“Have you had such experiences, Miss Namgung?”
“Are you curious? Would you like to find out for yourself?”
She suddenly grabbed her skirt and lifted it slightly. I was a little surprised by her boldness.
“So, what's the real reason you called me here tonight?”
“Hmm... I'm not fond of impatient men.”
Namgung So-ha let go of her skirt and sat down next to me. Then, she blew a breath of air near my ear and whispered.
“Young Master Jin, don't you want to fuck that bitch Hwa Yeon-seol?”
I looked into her eyes, trying to see if she was serious or just playing. It didn't seem like a simple joke.
“That's a rather direct proposal.”
Namgung So-ha lightly brushed her fingers against the nape of my neck, smiling playfully.
“How about it? Aren't you tempted?”
“What's your reason?”
“My reason...”
Her eyes gleamed. The playfulness from before vanished in an instant, replaced by a cold malice.
“Because it's fun, isn't it?”
I could feel the cruelty in her words. Her smile seemed light, but her eyes were filled with pure malice.
“I want to see that bitch completely ruined. The thought of that goody-two-shoes bitch falling into despair... haah...”
“So you chose me for that? As a tool to destroy her?”
Namgung So-ha smiled.
“That's right. The thought of Hwa Yeon-seol carrying the child of a man with no background like you... it gets me so excited I get wet down there.”
Her hand slowly traveled up my thigh. I grabbed her wrist.
“Miss Namgung, I'm not used to being used like that.”
Her expression hardened for a moment at my words.
“Are you refusing?”
“I didn't say that.”
Her eyes lit up with anticipation again.
“Then...?”
“I have a condition.”
“Name it.”
I gently took her chin and pulled her face closer. I could feel her breath on my skin.
“I assume you know how dangerous this will be.”
“I do.”
“Then there must be a suitable reward.”
She narrowed her eyes, the corners of her mouth lifting.
“Hmm... how much do you want?”
“I don't need money.”
I slowly caressed her thigh. Namgung So-ha's eyes widened for a second, but she quickly broke into a smile.
“You're a greedy one, Young Master Jin.”
“When you take on a dangerous job, you should naturally receive a fitting payment.”
“Fine. But Hwa Yeon-seol comes first. I want to see that woman fall.”
“But I'd like to receive my payment first.”
Namgung So-ha's gaze turned cold and narrow. The corner of her lip twitched upward.
“You'd be wise not to overstep, Young Master Jin. Just because you're the Sword Empress's disciple doesn't guarantee your safety.”