Chapter 482: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual[R-18] (117)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 482: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual[R-18] (117)
“Sexual arts?”
Cheong-un’s voice turned cold. His gaze fixed on me, glaring.
“Is that… true?”
I shrugged and replied, “Well, I’m not sure what basis Myeong-woo has for saying such a thing.”
“Basis?” Jin Myeong-woo exploded. “I saw it with my own eyes! You bastard…!”
Just then, Wi Dan-wol spoke quietly, “Myeong-woo, what exactly did you see?”
“That… That’s…”
Jin Myeong-woo froze. How could he possibly say that he’d seen his own mother and sister sleeping with me?
Watching him, I let out a smirk.
“See? He can’t say a thing.”
“You son of a bitch…!”
“Besides, if I were truly using sexual arts, there’s no way a master of the Transformation Realm like Sister Seo-rin wouldn't have noticed. Isn’t that right?”
When I turned to ask, Hong Seo-rin, who was already on my side, nodded firmly.
“That’s right. Your younger brother seems a bit strange. To make such baseless accusations is irresponsible.”
Jin Myeong-woo trembled, clenching his fists as tears of frustration welled in his eyes. But no one came to his defense.
It was then that Wi Dan-wol quietly stepped forward and stood before me.
“If you are using sexual arts, I can tell.”
Jin Myeong-woo’s face lit up as if he had seen a savior.
“Miss Wi! If you can reveal the truth, then surely…!”
But before he could finish, Ju Yeon-hwa narrowed her eyes and glared at Wi Dan-wol.
“…And who might you be, to speak with such confidence?”
A moment of silence fell. With a hardened expression, Wi Dan-wol answered, “I am Wi Dan-wol, the Young Heavenly Demon of the Heavenly Demon Cult.”
In that instant, the surroundings were plunged into silence.
“…The Heavenly Demon Cult?”
Cheong-un frowned. Hong Seo-rin’s eyebrows twitched, unable to hide her surprise.
“Wi Dan-wol… I’ve heard that name before.”
I smiled and looked at her.
“Would you like to check for yourself?”
Wi Dan-wol gave a silent nod and reached out her hand toward me. In that moment, her internal power began to trace the energy flowing through my meridians.
And then, her eyes trembled ever so slightly.
“…There are no traces of sexual arts. Practitioners of sexual arts, those lustful demons, are typically characterized by their turbid energy. But I don't sense anything like that from this man. On the contrary…”
She looked at me as if she found it fascinating.
“On the contrary, what?” Jin Myeong-woo asked sharply.
Wi Dan-wol hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“On the contrary, his energy is incredibly pure and refined. It’s the kind of energy you would only expect to see from a Taoist master.”
Jin Myeong-woo’s face was a mask of disbelief.
“Th-That can’t be! I’m sure of it…”
“Myeong-woo.”
Wi Dan-wol’s voice was cold.
“Do I have any reason to lie? I am the Young Heavenly Demon of the Heavenly Demon Cult. I know more about sexual arts than anyone.”
Her words completely broke his spirit. Cheong-un looked at me with a complicated expression.
“In that case… are you truly innocent?”
Wi Dan-wol nodded.
“At the very least, he isn’t using sexual arts. And…”
She paused for a moment before continuing.
“Strangely, there’s something special about this man’s energy. It’s as if the harmony of yin and yang has been perfectly achieved…”
“The harmony of yin and yang?”
“What does that mean?”
“Normally, a martial artist’s yin or yang energy develops more strongly than the other. But this man is perfectly balanced. Such a case is extremely rare.”
As everyone marveled, Jin Myeong-woo took a step back, muttering, “That’s impossible…”
“Myeong-woo.”
I put on a sad expression and said, “I understand why you hate me so much, but isn’t making baseless slander a bit too much?”
“Baseless?” Jin Myeong-woo’s voice trembled. “I know everything you’ve done! I saw it all!”
“Then be specific. Tell me who I did what to, and provide evidence.”
Jin Myeong-woo’s mouth opened and closed repeatedly. In the end, he couldn’t say a word.
Cheong-un looked back and forth between the two of them, lost in thought.
‘Judging by Young Master Myeong’s reaction, it seems something did happen… but there’s no concrete evidence…’
Just then, Ju Yeon-hwa came over and linked her arm with mine.
“Brother, I trust Seo-yun. There’s no way he would use something like sexual arts.”
“Yeon-hwa…”
Cheong-un’s expression grew more complicated. Seeing his sister’s unwavering conviction only confused him further.
In a single moment, Jin Myeong-woo’s reputation hit rock bottom. He looked like he wanted to storm off and run away that very instant. His eyes wavered, and his fingertips trembled. His pride, his face—it was all shattered.
Afterward, upon hearing why Wi Dan-wol and Ju Cheong-un had come, I provided them with some information about the Celestial Sphere assembly. The way they looked at me changed.
Especially when they learned I was the Sword Empress’s disciple and an inspector for the Murim Alliance, the look in Ju Cheong-un’s eyes softened considerably.
‘It’s true… the weight of Ryeo-hwa’s name works anywhere.’
But that wasn’t the real problem. I quietly watched Ju Cheong-un, thinking.
‘How should I deal with this one…?’
As long as Ju Cheong-un and the other princes were alive, I could never have the imperial family completely in my grasp. To put Ju Yeon-hwa on the throne, I had to eliminate all her competitors. Every last one.
But if I did it with my own hands, and it became known that I had stained them with imperial blood, the fallout would be anything but light.
‘If I get caught… I won’t just be an enemy of the Murim, I’ll be a traitor to the world.’
The goal was clear, but the means had to be chosen carefully.
Now was not the time.
‘At least, not yet.’
I shifted my gaze to Jin Myeong-woo. The most suitable pawn on the board, one who could shake the imperial family without me having to dirty my own hands.
*
A short while later, we took a break in a quiet spot on the mountainside.
Wi Dan-wol approached me and spoke softly.
“Can we talk alone for a moment?”
“Of course.”
I nodded and followed her to a spot a short distance away.
“When I examined your energy earlier… it was truly fascinating,” Wi Dan-wol said, her eyes filled with curiosity. “I’ve never seen such a perfect harmony of yin and yang.”
“You flatter me. I was just lucky.”
“Luck? That kind of energy isn’t obtained through luck.”
She took another step closer.
“You must have… a special training method. Could you… perhaps teach me?”
At her question, I raised my eyebrows slightly. Wi Dan-wol, the Young Heavenly Demon of the Heavenly Demon Cult who had reached the Transformation Realm. Her, asking to learn from me? It didn’t make sense.
It could be simple curiosity, or perhaps she had a deeper motive. Unable to read her intentions, I gave a meaningful smile and said, “What I know… is nothing so grand.”
“Stop being so modest. I examined your energy… it was a perfect harmony. I have never seen energy where yin and yang were so exquisitely intertwined.”
Wi Dan-wol’s gaze grew more and more serious. Her eyes held not just greed or desire, but also… desperation.
“If you’re willing… I’ll give you anything—gold, treasures, beautiful women. Just name your price.”
She was serious.
I looked into her eyes and thought to myself, ‘Is she obsessed with getting stronger? Or is she interested in the harmony of yin and yang itself?’
Whatever it was, it was clear she was interested in me. But I had no intention of teaching her the Daoist Yin-Yang Manual.
Besides, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jin Myeong-woo’s face peeking out from behind the shade of a tree. With an anxious expression, he was watching me and Wi Dan-wol intently.
I deliberately took another step closer to her. In a low, whispering voice, I said, “I’m sorry… but I can’t tell you that.”
Her eyebrows twitched slightly.
“I see… I suppose not. It was a rude request. I’m sorry.”
“Not at all. There’s no need for you to say that.”
Wi Dan-wol took a quiet breath and looked at me again.
“…Then, let me ask a different question. Could you perhaps give me more detailed information about the Celestial Sphere assembly?”
“Well, that’s…”
“Please. It’s information our cult desperately needs.”
Her gaze was pleading. However, I was currently acting as an inspector for the Murim Alliance. If I spoke too freely, I would only arouse suspicion.
“…That matter… is something I must be careful about.”
At my words, Wi Dan-wol pressed her lips together for a moment, then let out a soft sigh. She slowly turned and started to walk away.
“…I see. In the end, you’re just another man of the Central Plains.”
Leaving that one cold remark, she returned to the group. As soon as Wi Dan-wol was gone, Jin Myeong-woo emerged from his hiding spot behind the trees.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he dropped to his knees before me.
“Just… don’t touch Miss Wi.”
With those words, his forehead touched the ground. But his eyes were still filled with rage.
I looked down at him and asked, “Why should I? Why should I leave such a delicious-looking female alone?”
Jin Myeong-woo remained silent, unable to answer. I pressed him more explicitly.
“Hm? Tell me, Myeong-woo.”
After a long pause, Jin Myeong-woo finally gritted his teeth and spoke.
“B-Brother… I’m begging you.”
The word “Brother” escaped his lips once more.
“You must like Miss Wi a lot, huh?”
“…Yes.”
At his short reply, I smirked.
“But what can you do? It doesn’t seem like Miss Wi sees you as a man at all.”
Jin Myeong-woo’s shoulders flinched at my words.
“Seeing my dear little brother beg like this… makes me think I should let it go, just this once. But you know.”
I deliberately dragged out my words.
“Seeing the way you acted today, it kind of makes me want to do the opposite?”
Jin Myeong-woo clenched his jaw and bowed his head even lower.
“…What do I have to do… for you to not touch Miss Wi…”
Finally, the words I wanted to hear. As if I’d been waiting, I smirked and placed my foot on the back of his head.
Pressing down with the tip of my boot, I said leisurely, “My feelings were quite hurt thanks to my ill-mannered little brother. As payment for that—”
I added a little more pressure with my foot.
“Swear that you will be my slave for the rest of your life, faithfully following my orders. Do that… and I will never touch Miss Wi.”
Jin Myeong-woo’s shoulders trembled slightly. Then, after a painful swallow, humiliating words slowly spilled from his lips.
“…I swear.”
“Louder.”
I pressed his head down firmly with the tip of my boot. With his face crushed against the dirt, Jin Myeong-woo ground his teeth and shouted, “For the rest of my life… I will be Brother’s slave… and faithfully follow your orders!”
“Good.”
I removed my foot and slowly looked down at him. Jin Myeong-woo still hadn’t raised his head, his fists clenched tightly.
“Don’t worry, I won’t lay a single finger on Miss Wi. Instead—”
I leaned down and whispered in his ear, my voice low and cynical.
“If you ever disobey my command, even once, or dare to defy me… then the pussy of that bitch you’re trying to protect will become my semen toilet, just like your mother and sister’s. Got it?”
“…Yes.”