Chapter 200
Chapter 200
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 200
Chapter Title: Long Time No See (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Mother, are you really okay?"
"Yes, don't worry. Go on out."
Mae So-hyang gave a vague reply to Neung Hui-yeon's worried question and waved her off.
Knowing Neung Hui-yeon's personality, she would hole up somewhere hidden from everyone if her mother told her to go, but Mae So-hyang wasn't in a position to worry about that right now.
That man had shown up.
'No, why? Does he have ties to the Namgung family? I never got that impression.'
She hadn't seen him exchange even a single word with Namgung Chang, who had competed alongside her in the Nine Dragons Contest.
Thanks to the Namgung family's careful attention, which allowed her to stay without any discomfort, Mae So-hyang had been enjoying a relatively peaceful time. But now that was crumbling before her eyes.
'No, that's not it.'
Thinking it over, it was actually a good thing. Hadn't she originally planned to seek him out? He might know something she hadn't been able to uncover.
The problem was that seeing his face again made her stomach turn.
No, truthfully, she was even feeling fear.
The moment she saw the man's face, her body reacted. The memory of being utterly dominated by that mind-warping pleasure was nothing short of terrifying.
'Why, of all people, him!'
If she had to pin it down, she resented Gwak Cheong-ra for bringing along this man, who was friendly with the Five Great Families.
Mae So-hyang steadied her breathing and calmed her surging emotions.
"Hoo..."
But in the end, her choice was already set. After the Nine Dragons Contest ended, just as Kang Yun had said, there were no signs of her son's internal energy growing.
In his early twenties, when his skills should have been shooting up like crops under summer sun, nearly a year had passed, yet her son's martial arts remained stagnant.
If they wasted time without solving the issue soon, he could miss this precious window and end up as just another middling expert.
In the worst case, he might stay stuck at upper first-class for life.
'Yeah, what could that guy possibly know anyway?'
She hadn't been able to investigate him properly without drawing attention, but in a situation where even she hadn't uncovered anything...
A young punk with no real power beyond maybe getting help from his mother Zhuge Mi-ryeong or master Peng Yeon-hwa couldn't possibly have sniffed out Demonic Cult secrets so easily.
If he happened to have a useful clue, checking it out would be enough.
"...So in the end, that lazy ox gobbled up all the radishes."
"Hah, then the lazybones must've died, right?"
"But after eating the radishes, the ox's hide and iron horns peeled off, and the lazybones turned back into human form, didn't he?"
Gwak Cheong-ra clapped her hands in delight as she listened to the tale of the lazy man turned ox. Baek Ri-myo-yang was gripping her hands tightly beside her, completely absorbed in the story.
"The lazy man who returned to human form repented his past ways and became a diligent person."
"What a relief..."
Baek Ri-myo-yang patted her chest. It was just a story, after all—no need to get so tense.
I usually stuck to safe topics about myself when meeting new people, but truthfully, there wasn't much I could say.
Born and raised in Korea? Sect is Color Heaven Sect, master is Blood Demon. What was there to talk about?
When I said I'd grown up in the mountains since childhood, honed my martial arts alone after my nameless master died, and descended just last year, the conversation died flat.
In the end, I went with old folktales I half-remembered, and surprisingly, they went over well.
"Alright, what story next..."
"Since when did you become a storyteller?"
I turned at the voice behind me, then stood and bowed politely.
"Long time no see, Lady Namgung."
"...You're really here?"
Namgung Hye stared at me with a face like she'd bitten into a sour persimmon, her expression screaming, 'You were actually invited to come?'
"Didn't I send word that I'd visit?"
"You did. I just... didn't think you would."
As Namgung Hye primly emphasized her discomfort with my presence, a kindly-looking man beside her hesitated and spoke up.
"Hye-mei, this gentleman is...?"
"Oh, from the Huangbo family..."
This seemed to be Namgung Hye's fiancé.
"This is Young Hero Kang Yun of the Hand Dragon."
"Ah, I see. Pleased to meet you, Young Hero Kang. I'm Huangbo Jun."
"Kang Yun. Congratulations on your marriage."
Huangbo Jun was a gentle, handsome man. I'd heard from Eon So-young that his swordsmanship was quite skilled, nearing the peak realm.
A few years older than me, nearing peak was impressive. Me? Practicing the world's best martial art, this was par for the course.
"You seem quite close with Hye-mei. I don't think I've ever seen her treat anyone like this before."
"Lady Namgung and I just..."
"Y-yes! After getting to know each other before, our personalities clicked... right, Young Hero Kang?"
Namgung Hye apparently didn't want to show resentment toward another man in front of her fiancé-to-be, sending me an eye signal to play it off as friendship.
"Lady Namgung is right. We met by chance on the Jianghu road and became friends."
I enunciated "friends" clearly so Huangbo Jun wouldn't misunderstand.
"If you're a friend of Hye-mei's, you're a friend of mine. Please make yourself at home until the wedding."
But Huangbo Jun didn't seem to care at all, gripping my hand firmly with sincere words.
Holding hands with her man wasn't exactly thrilling, but his genuine tone made it feel okay.
"Once more, congratulations on the marriage, Young Hero Huangbo. I wish you both happiness."
"Thank you."
Huangbo Jun finally released my hand and hurried off with Namgung Hye.
[Thanks.]
As she left, Namgung Hye sent me a subtle transmission, her earlier icy demeanor softened a bit.
It had been a while since I'd seen Namgung Hye without her usual edge toward me.
Huangbo Jun's kindness showed that very evening.
I'd been assigned a regular guest room, but they'd prepared a special one just for me.
Her future husband's "guy friend"—he didn't have to go out of his way, but he did.
'Is he just that nice, or does he trust Namgung Hye that much?'
The original room wasn't bad, but with this era's poor building insulation and a martial artist's keen senses, the crowds made it uncomfortable.
I gratefully accepted Huangbo Jun's gesture, and it made one more thing easier.
On a night with the moon shining brightly, I greeted the woman sneaking into my room.
"We meet again. Feeling a bit better now?"
"..."
Mae So-hyang silently shut the window she'd entered through.
When I moved rooms, she'd sent a transmission saying she'd visit tonight.
I didn't know how she found my room, but her coming willingly was more than welcome.
"...You seem pretty chummy with the Namgung family. They even gave you private quarters."
"Who knows? I just took what was offered."
At my response, Mae So-hyang glared at my face for a while before letting out a heavy sigh.
"Enough pointless talk. Even you aren't stupid enough not to know I wouldn't come without reason."
"What do you mean...?"
"You really gonna play dumb? We had a deal! To help find a way for my son!"
Right, we did. The carrot I'd dangled to soothe this woman after she cried her eyes out from the creampie.
Had she forgotten?
"I don't recall promising to help for free."
"Ugh...!"
"Besides, your son's issue isn't solved yet. You think you can act all high and mighty with me?"
Mae So-hyang seemed to be under a delusion. As long as she couldn't let go of Neung Hui-yeon, she had a leash around her neck.
"Cancel the deal, get nothing, and go home after a thorough fuck? Or should I just spill everything now?"
With the Sex Blood Pill's effects lingering, I could brand Neung Hui-yeon's life with a scarlet letter anytime I wanted.
p>Having taken the Demon Pill, she'd face endless suspicion from the righteous sects. No matter how much she claimed she was tricked, the doubts would linger.
With my improved martial arts, even if she tried to kill me out of spite, it was impossible now. Her situation had only worsened.
At my sharp threat, Mae So-hyang bowed her head and mumbled something.
"...o..."
"Pardon?"
Not hearing her, I asked again, and she spoke louder.
"I was... wrong... Don't... sob..."
And then she finally burst into pathetic tears, hitting me with massive guilt.
Truthfully, I was the bastard here. Using the Sex Blood Pill Young Ho-kyeong fed her to blackmail a milf into sex.
I quickly approached Mae So-hyang and wiped her tears with my sleeve.
It might be an act, her figuring out my weakness for tears, but I couldn't just leave her like that.
"Stop crying. I'll tell you what I know for now..."
"Sob... hic..."
Mae So-hyang sniffled for a while longer before finally calming down.
Then she cautiously peeked at me, waiting eagerly for the info.
No chance. Even glossing over earlier, I had no intention of giving it for free.
"Did I say I'd help for nothing?"
"...No..."
"Then what did I say? Remember?"
"I don't..."
"Liar."
Mae So-hyang's teary rabbit eyes shook violently. She remembered.
"No honesty, no info."
She squeezed her eyes shut and hesitantly opened her mouth.
"Be... cooperative..."
"Yes, and?"
"Cooperate... by giving... your pussy... hic!"
The moment I placed a hand on her shoulder, she startled with a hiccup.
Sorry. Truly sorry for pushing her this far, but since she'd come on her own, I couldn't back down.
"Choose. Accept the terms for help, or leave."
I'd come for the wedding congrats, thinking no funny business, but her choosing the former showed what a hopeless bastard I was.