Chapter 610: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual[R-18] (155)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 610: Daoist Yin-Yang Manual[R-18] (155)
The Pursuit Squad.
They were a small, elite group, counted among the best in the Murim Alliance.
Their duty was to hunt down the public enemies of the martial world and punish the factions of the Black Path who committed evil deeds. Though they belonged to the Righteous Faction, their appearance struck fear not only into the hearts of the Unorthodox Faction but even into their own allies.
Their new orders were to hunt down three individuals: the Bewitching Lecher and the two women said to be his accomplices in villainy.
The Golden Thread Demoness and the Blue-Green Demoness. The mission was to eliminate all three.
However, their targets were presumed to be masters of the Transformation Realm. Judging that the existing Pursuit Squad would be outmatched, new members were added to their ranks.
The Mount Hua Sect and the Shaolin Temple.
Elders and disciples from both sects were dispatched directly.
“A pleasure to meet you. I am Jeong Do-gyeom of the Mount Hua Sect.”
A white-haired old man stepped forward and greeted them. Following him, a high-ranking monk with a neatly arranged robe came forward.
“This humble monk is Hyeongong of the Shaolin Temple’s Vajra Hall.”
The arrival of two masters from the Transformation Realm, representing Mount Hua and Shaolin respectively, was a testament to how seriously the Murim Alliance was taking this matter.
“It is an honor to meet you both, esteemed seniors. I am Dan Ri-hyeon, the Lightning Swordsman, and the commander leading this Pursuit Squad.”
The commander of the Pursuit Squad clasped his hands and bowed respectfully.
The last to appear was a nun from the Emei Sect.
“I am the nun Cheong-un Satae of the Emei Sect. The evil deeds of this lecher have so gravely defiled the martial world… The Emei Sect could not sit idly by.”
Cheong-un Satae’s presence required no further explanation.
She was a master who had already reached the Supreme level, an individual widely expected to one day become the sect leader.
But then, as another woman stepped forward, the atmosphere in the room shifted.
“I am Bang Na-yun, the Illusionary Heart Flying Sword of the Emei Sect.”
Her introduction was brief, delivered in a soft, calm voice, but it was enough to draw everyone’s gaze. Her beauty, famed throughout the martial world, was as exquisite as the rumors claimed. Her subtle allure and proud bearing captivated the young martial artists in the room.
*
According to information from the Beggars' Sect, the Three Lust Demons of the Yin Wind were openly violating women as they traveled toward Jiangsu Province. Their brazen and audacious actions were nothing short of a provocation, trampling upon the honor of the Righteous Faction.
As everyone sat with grim expressions, exchanging opinions, Yu Gwang, a top disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, subtly shifted his position to stand beside Bang Na-yun.
“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Bang. I am Yu Gwang of Mount Hua.”
His voice was overly cheerful, sounding strangely out of place in the tense atmosphere.
Bang Na-yun glanced at him, then offered a gentle but simple smile and spoke.
“A pleasure, Young Hero Yu.”
“Haha, I never imagined you would be joining the Pursuit Squad, Miss Bang.”
“I am here to uphold justice. Men like that lecher are heinous criminals who use their martial arts to trample upon weak women. Punishing such a group is the natural duty of anyone who walks the path of the righteous.”
Her voice was clear, but a hint of fatigue crossed her face.
Yu Gwang immediately beamed and chimed in.
“Just as I expected! The rumors are true. They say you possess the ‘Three Beauties,’ and after speaking with you today, I can see that it’s no exaggeration at all.”
Bang Na-yun turned her head slightly to look at him, a flicker of confusion in her eyes.
“The Three Beauties?”
“Your swordsmanship, your beauty, and your spirit. It is said that the martial world praises you with the title ‘Sammi’ because you excel in all three.”
At that moment, Bang Na-yun forced a smile, but the corner of her mouth twitched subtly. So, this man is just another one who brings up my looks to praise me. She sighed inwardly.
Ugh… what a pain. I wish he’d just back off a little.
She fixed her gaze forward again, turning her head as if to cut the conversation short. But Yu Gwang, completely oblivious, continued to bother her. His annoyingly bright laughter and constant stream of pointless chatter grated on her nerves.
And this man is a top disciple of the Mount Hua Sect…
She had expected someone from such a renowned sect to be different. But the man she met was, contrary to her expectations, utterly frivolous.
This is not going to be an easy journey.
Unconsciously, a deep frown formed between her brows.
*
In this world, there exist spiritual beings, born of nature itself, untouched by human hands.
Among plants, things like human-shaped snow ginseng or the Ten Thousand Year Fo-ti Root are prime examples.
Animals are no exception. There are tales of the legendary Human-Faced Spider, a giant arachnid with a face resembling a human’s, and the Ten Thousand Year Fire Carp, a fish said to contain an immense amount of Yang energy.
In the martial world, such spiritual creatures were considered peerless treasures. Their hides were used to craft weapons and armor, and their inner cores were made into elixirs. It was said that even an ordinary martial artist could leap to the level of a master in an instant, so there was no one who did not covet them.
“The Black-Scaled Blood Python is also a spiritual beast.”
“I’ve heard of it. A giant snake with black scales and red eyes…”
“That’s right. Its scales can serve as a shield that even a famed sword can’t pierce, and the Sichuan Tang Clan has been trying to get its hands on the inner core for generations.”
I chuckled and looked back and forth between the two women.
“By the way… do either of you like snake meat?”
Bi-yeon and Seo Ryeo-hwa grimaced at the same time.
“Ugh, no.”
“I… don’t like it either.”
“You should give it a try while you have the chance. Black-Scaled Blood Python meat is good for the skin, and it’s the best for anti-aging— Gak!”
Before I could finish, a hand shot out and grabbed me by the scruff of my neck.
“Really!?”
Seo Ryeo-hwa seized me by the collar and shook me. Despite having reached the Transformation Realm, she still maintained the beauty of a woman in her mid-twenties, but it seemed she was secretly conscious of her age.
“Hey, what are you spacing out for? Let’s get ready and go catch it now!”
Bi-yeon grabbed a handful of my hair and tried to drag me away.
“W-wait a minute. To catch that thing, we need to— Keuk!”
They had no intention of listening to my protests. The moment they heard the words “skin” and “anti-aging,” their eyes glazed over, and they wouldn’t have listened to any explanation I gave. In the end, I was dragged away by my hair in a pathetic state.
*
Late at night, we set a small boat afloat on Hongze Lake, located between Huai'an and Yangzhou, and moved slowly along the river's center. The water was calm, and the moonlight painted the surface a silvery hue.
“You’ve all heard of an Imugi, right?”
I started the conversation.
“Yeah. It’s a serpent that trains for a thousand years, passes through the Dragon Gate, and becomes a dragon, right?”
Bi-yeon nodded.
“Right. It’s difficult for any living creature to surpass its given lifespan. But a very small few break that limit, endure for a thousand years, and absorb the energy of nature to reach a new state. That’s called ascension.”
Seo Ryeo-hwa tilted her head, looking puzzled.
“But can spiritual beasts become immortals? I’ve never heard of that before.”
I shrugged.
“They don’t become immortals by cultivating the Dao like humans. However, I’ve heard that a spiritual beast that endures for a thousand years and builds up its power is called a ‘Divine Beast’ and can gain the ability to take human form.”
“Then… is the one we’re trying to catch an Imugi?”
“That, I don’t know. Since it’s a type of snake, it might become an Imugi someday.”
According to the original story, the creature was only about five hundred years old. Even I couldn’t be sure if it had become an Imugi or was just a spiritual snake.
As we talked, the surroundings suddenly began to blur. A fog started to rise from the river, and soon, our vision was completely obscured.
“We’re here.”
Bi-yeon looked around and tilted her head.
“Here? I can’t see anything.”
“You’re right. I don’t sense anything in particular,” Seo Ryeo-hwa added cautiously.
“Just wait. You’ll see soon enough.”
Suddenly, a vibration that felt like a giant heart beating underwater broke the silence. Then, a massive shape rose from the surface of the water.
“Is that… an island?”
A small, rocky island had abruptly emerged from the fog. Water cascaded down its sides like a waterfall, creating another layer of white mist on the river.
“Wow… that’s amazing.”
Seo Ryeo-hwa held her breath.
“It’s a form that only reveals itself on a night full of Yin energy. And the moment the island appears…”
Shhhhhh!
A cave in the center of the island seemed to split open, and black scales emerged one by one from beneath the ground. Soon, a colossal snake the size of a mountain range twisted its body and raised its head.
Its two flashing red eyes were like lanterns from hell. Judging by the short horns on its head, it didn’t seem to be a simple spiritual beast.
“Alright, is everyone ready to catch it…?”
Before I could finish, I heard the sound of someone gulping beside me.
“Slurp… Anti-aging…♡”
“Gulp… Skin care…♡”
A chill ran down my spine at the whispers of the two women, their eyes sparkling like hearts.
“Come here! Today, I’ll make a face mask out of your scales!”
Bi-yeon brandished her sword and charged forward first.
“Become one with me, Black-Scaled Blood Python!”
Seo Ryeo-hwa also flew up, her face flushed with excitement.
CRASH!
The look in the two women’s eyes was like that of middle-aged women scrambling for the last item in a special sale.
And in that moment, my eyes met the Black-Scaled Blood Python’s. As if reflecting my own feelings, a clear look of bewilderment flashed in its eyes.
…Well, I’ll just pray for its soul.
*
Back on land, we started a campfire and took out our cooking utensils. Bi-yeon was the chef.
Humming a tune, she was cutting chunks of meat from the massive Black-Scaled Blood Python, bone and all. With every flash of her blade, thick pieces of meat piled up.
“Wow, there’s more here than I thought.”
Bi-yeon gulped, slicing the meat with a joyful expression.
Meanwhile, Seo Ryeo-hwa, with a little help from Bi-yeon’s wind, was carefully washing the python’s hide and folding it neatly. She glanced cautiously in my direction and asked.
“Honey, are you going to have the inner core made into a spirit pill in the next city?”
I shook my head and held up the inner core. A dark blue light faintly shimmered from it, and a poisonous aura seeped out.
“If you eat this as is, you’ll die from the poison. Besides, it was never meant for me to begin with.”
“Then…?”
“I plan to use it to trade with the Tang Clan.”
“Aha.”
Seo Ryeo-hwa let out a sound of admiration and focused again on preparing the hide. A savory smell spread from the fire, and a short while later, the chunks of meat Bi-yeon brought over were cooked and placed before us.
We sat side-by-side in front of the campfire and tasted the meat of the Black-Scaled Blood Python. There was no fishy smell; instead, a subtle, savory flavor filled our mouths.
“So, where’s our next destination? Or are we just going to keep violating women along the way?”
“No. This time, our target isn’t a woman, but a man.”
“A man?”
Seo Ryeo-hwa looked up.
“That’s right. Ryeon, you’ve probably heard of him. The Baby Lecher, Mak Ri-chu.”
“Ah…”
Seo Ryeo-hwa pressed a hand to her forehead and let out a deep sigh, while Bi-yeon, curious, pestered her for details.
“What is it?! Tell me too!”
“He was, for a time, a notoriously infamous lecher.”
“Just from his title, he sounds like some kind of pervert who only targets little kids.”
“That’s not it.”
Seo Ryeo-hwa shook her head.
“Mak Ri-chu was a lecher, but rather than things like Plucking the Yin to Supplement the Yang, he took pleasure in taking a woman’s virginity or seducing other men’s women.”
I swallowed a piece of meat and continued.
“Right. And his name became known not because of the act itself, but because of the problems that followed.”
“The problems that followed?”
“The virgins violated by Mak Ri-chu were left to live in agony. Their bodies and minds were broken simultaneously, and they came to despise the very existence of men.”
I swirled the liquor in my cup and added.
“On the other hand, the women who weren’t virgins were even more pissed off.”
Bi-yeon’s eyes widened.
“Why?”
“Because the guy had a small penis.”
I let out a smirk.
“Even when he was deep inside, they couldn’t feel a thing. But he was notoriously quick to finish, so he’d usually just get his own rocks off and run. To make matters worse, their husbands would even abandon them, so the women he victimized were left seething with rage.”
“Wow, that must have been really frustrating. To not even feel anything and then get abandoned.”
“That’s why a group of women, enraged by the lecher, was formed. Its name—the Small Penis Annihilation Sect.”
“Wow, you can feel the rage just from the name.”
Unlike the laughing Bi-yeon, Seo Ryeo-hwa’s expression was grim.
“Haa… it’s no laughing matter. That sect was formed twenty years ago. After the founding leader, Oh Jin-nyeo, died… the problem became serious.”
“What kind of problem?”
“Originally, they were a group that hunted lechers. But over the years, they turned into a fanatical group that was hostile toward all men. They’ve been attacking innocent martial artists and causing friction everywhere they go.”
Seo Ryeo-hwa concluded, shaking her head.
Bi-yeon rested her chin on her hand and glanced at my face.
“But why are we targeting this Mak Ri-chu guy anyway?”
“There’s something he stole after violating the founding leader, Oh Jin-nyeo. I plan to retrieve it.”
“What is it?”
“I’ll tell you the details when we get there.”
“Tch, just making me more curious.”
“More importantly… we’ve eaten. And we have this wide-open space.”
I stood up and tapped the sword at my waist.
“How about a sparring session? It’s been a while.”