Chapter 178
Chapter 178
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 52
>Chapter Title: Jang Neung-ak (1)
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Yeo Su-rin's expression hardened.
For a moment, she doubted her own ears.
"Become my woman?"
What on earth was this?
With a faint hope that she had misheard, Yeo Su-rin asked,
"Um... just to make sure I didn't misunderstand... that thing you just said, it couldn't be...?"
"Yes. If you become my woman, wouldn't that allow at least some trust?"
'!?'
Yeo Su-rin stared at Mok Kyung-un with eyes full of disbelief.
She had wondered what other ways there might be to prove trust, but this was utterly unexpected.
She wasn't the only one dumbfounded by Mok Kyung-un's words.
-Hah! Mortal, are you in your right mind?
-What?
-If she's such a pain, just kill her. What's with all this nonsense?
-Is there a problem?
-Problem? Of course there is. Mortal, do you actually like that wench?
-No.
As if that could be the case.
Mok Kyung-un felt no emotions toward Yeo Su-rin whatsoever.
Cheong-ryeong knew Mok Kyung-un had no particular feelings about women, so the very idea of him making such a proposal was absurd.
-Hah! Then are you in heat or something?
"In heat?"
-Yes, in heat. If not, why would you make such a suggestion? Do you think that's a way to build trust? You're just looking to satisfy your lust...
"I don't particularly feel the need to satisfy anything, but forming a relationship could make us both feel good, and directing that thing called affection from her toward me—where's the harm in that?"
-......
Cheong-ryeong was so stunned by Mok Kyung-un's brazen words that she was left speechless.
She wanted to argue back, but his reasoning was delivered so confidently that she didn't know what to say.
-So you're saying you'll actually get together with that wench?
-If she wants it.
-If she wants it?
-Yes. Is there a better way to confirm trust?
-......Hah.
Had bedding Wi So-yeon filled this guy with overconfidence?
Or did he truly believe he could manipulate a woman's—no, anyone's—emotions just through physical relations?
Either way, it was impressive.
She needed to set him straight.
-Mortal, you're clearly misunderstanding something.
"Misunderstanding?"
-Yes. Though this seat is now a lingering spirit, as a woman, I'll tell you plainly. You're underestimating what a woman is.
"Underestimating?"
-Yes!
"Hmm. Your voice sounds agitated. Are you angry by any chance?"
-No!
"Even denying it has some force behind it."
-I said no!
-......Whatever. I don't underestimate women. I just think that having relations is one of the best ways to solidify emotions...
-Slap!
At that moment, a slap landed on Mok Kyung-un's cheek.
Of course, such force wouldn't even turn his head.
-See that?
Cheong-ryeong snickered mockingly.
She had expected exactly this outcome.
Mok Kyung-un looked puzzled at Yeo Su-rin, who had slapped him.
She was radiating cold fury unlike before.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Listen here, Young Master Mok. You talk about trust and all that, but do you think I'm some whore from the red-light district?"
"......Of course not."
"Yet you say things like that so easily?"
"What's wrong with it?"
"Hah! Why should I become your woman just to build trust? I didn't realize you were such a lecher. Or is it because you find my face pretty enough to want a taste?"
"A taste?"
"Yes. How else could you say such things?"
"Hmm."
"My looks aside, nothing about you is my type. And since you're not even twenty yet and destined to die with a snapped neck, I have no desire to get involved with someone like that."
"Is that so?"
"......"
Yeo Su-rin inwardly clicked her tongue at Mok Kyung-un's dry response.
This man was truly peculiar.
The way he looked at her didn't suggest he was smitten or driven by lust.
So why make such an absurd proposal?
Did he see her as easy?
"I'm truly disappointed."
"Disappointed? In what?"
"You preach about trust while spouting nonsense that only a rutting pig would say."
"Rutting...... What is a relationship between man and woman in the first place?"
"Pardon?"
"What is it?"
"What do you mean, what? It's when two people feel mutual attraction and develop feelings of love..."
"Aren't men and women divided by physical structure and as opposite sexes primarily for the propagation of the species?"
"......"
Yeo Su-rin's words caught in her throat for a moment.
He had asked what a relationship was, only to go straight to the most fundamental level.
Flustered and flushed, Yeo Su-rin shot back.
"No. Then what's the difference between us and beasts?"
"Humans aren't so different from beasts when it comes to relations between men and women or propagating the species."
"Ugh. This is ridiculous nonsense..."
"It's not nonsense."
"What?"
"Beasts don't just propagate; females seek stronger males for better offspring, and males seek better females for breeding."
Yeo Su-rin stuck out her tongue at Mok Kyung-un's words.
This man's worldview seemed utterly one-dimensional.
Reducing man-woman relations to something so simplistic.
"Hey. Do you even know what the feeling of love is?"
"Isn't it just finding each other attractive, whether by looks or something else?"
"That's......"
She tried to respond but couldn't deny it.
Pondering how to reply, Yeo Su-rin finally said,
"Fine. Let's use your logic then. Do you like me at all?"
"As a member of the opposite sex?"
"Yes!"
Mok Kyung-un answered her question without hesitation.
"Excluding everything else, there's no reason not to find you appealing as a woman."
Yeo Su-rin had cute yet beautiful looks with her short hair.
Full breasts, slim waist, pronounced hips—her figure was stunning.
It was only because Cheong-ryeong and Wi So-yeon were peerless beauties that she seemed lesser, but Yeo Su-rin was a beauty in her own right.
"......"
Her expression turned strange at Mok Kyung-un's reply.
At first, she thought he was toying with her.
But considering his words carefully, he was essentially saying he found her attractive as a woman.
'No way, does this guy actually like me?'
Yeo Su-rin met Mok Kyung-un's eyes.
Yet his gaze held no particular emotion.
How could he say such things so casually with that expression?
It was incomprehensible.
Then,
"I suppose that's the conclusion. In that case, let's part ways here."
"Pardon?"
"If neither option appeals, there's no reason to stick together. So, would you mind leaving?"
Yeo Su-rin's face puffed up in annoyance at Mok Kyung-un's firm words.
The choices were so extreme.
She had felt insulted, thinking he saw her lightly as a woman, and planned to lash out and end it.
But his quick surrender sparked an odd defiance in her.
How could he say he found her attractive as a woman and then give up so easily?
"Aren't you jumping to conclusions too fast?"
"I have other things to do besides this."
"You said you like me as a woman. Not that I'm saying this myself, but shouldn't you be more proactive?"
"Is there a need?"
"Pardon?"
"And you're the one who needs this more than I do."
"Eek!"
Yeo Su-rin's cheeks trembled at Mok Kyung-un's words.
He was definitely toying with her.
If she gave in now and did as he wanted, she'd be no different from selling her body just for help.
So,
"How about this instead?"
"No other proposals."
"Can't you at least hear me out first?"
"There are no such things."
Mok Kyung-un flatly refused.
Stomping her feet in frustration, she quickly composed herself and said,
"No. This is too much. How about we first swear a Non-Moving Qi Forfeiture Oath on each other?"
"Non-Moving Qi Forfeiture Oath?"
"You know it, right?"
"No idea."
"Ah... You don't know it?"
"What is it?"
"It's a technique where you pledge an oath using your internal energy as collateral."
"Internal energy as collateral?"
"Yes. Young Master Mok, you say you can't trust me. Well, I feel the same. How can I trust a man who demands I offer my body after less than a day?"
"So?"
"Exactly as I said. The Non-Moving Qi Forfeiture Oath is a spell based on a pledge and internal energy. Breaking it causes you to lose all your internal energy."
Mok Kyung-un's eyes narrowed at her words.
There was no reason for him to accept such a risky constraint.
However,
"It's not complicated. You just pledge your name and stake your internal energy."
Mok Kyung-un paused his immediate refusal.
It sounded similar to the Chains of True Words in principle.
Which meant,
-......Hmm. Not bad.
The corner of Mok Kyung-un's mouth twitched.
If it operated on principles like the Chains of True Words, he had nothing to lose.
It wasn't his true name, after all.
Unaware of his thoughts, Yeo Su-rin averted her slightly flushed gaze shyly and said,
"For a set period, we'll use the Non-Moving Qi Forfeiture Oath to prevent backstabbing each other. If some trust builds up during that time, I'll consider your proposal. Ahem. Is that acceptable?"
* * *
The residence of Jang Neung-ak, the second disciple of the Vice Leader.
In the guest hall of the residence, a woman with thick lips was propped up on the bed, speaking.
She was Seo Hye-in, the leader of the Choyeondan Unit of the Four Peaks under the Five Peaks Society, Jang Neung-ak's trusted subordinate.
Sitting beside Seo Hye-in and listening to her report was her lord, Jang Neung-ak.
His expression soured as he heard it.
And it wasn't just him—the great leader of the Paegwangdan Unit of the First Peak under the Five Peaks Society, Hang Pae-ma-gwon Go Yeon-hu, standing behind him, was also furrowing his brow.
The reason was simple.
"Are you certain of what you saw?"
"Yes, Young Master. Would I ever lie to you?"
"Hah!"
Jang Neung-ak looked incredulous at her words.
He then turned to Go Yeon-hu behind him.
"What's your take?"
-......I don't know.
"You don't know?"
"The first time I saw him was inside the Baekga estate. Back then, no matter how I looked, he was only at the early pinnacle stage."
"Early pinnacle...... No. Absolutely not."
Jang Neung-ak shook his head.
He had already witnessed Mok Kyung-un's true worth there.
Even before reaching the Poison Man's realm, he had endured Baek Sa-ha the Venom King's deadly poison.
That's why Baek Sa-ha had taken a liking to him and accepted him as a disciple.
But this was surprising.
"That punk beat Woo Ho-rang? Ha."
Who was Woo Ho-rang?
One of the Five Tigers, the Heaven and Earth Society's proud top late-stage experts.
He had bested in pure skill a man even Go Yeon-hu, Jang Neung-ak's right-hand man, couldn't predict the outcome against?
If true, it was astounding.
"Hahaha."
But the joy outweighed the surprise.
Seo Hye-in had fainted and been carried by Baekga warriors, making him suspect something was wrong.
But Mok Kyung-un had defeated Woo Ho-rang.
That meant he had fallen out with the youngest disciple, Wi So-yeon.
"A likable fellow. Proving his loyalty to this young master like this. Hahahahaha!"
He couldn't help but laugh.
Then, Seo Hye-in spoke cautiously.
"Um, Young Master, there's a bit of a problem."
"A problem?"
"Yes."
"Ah, right. Who knocked you out?"
He had asked the Baekga warrior who brought her here, but they said they couldn't disclose due to orders from family head Baek Sa-ha the Venom King.
He had considered roughing him up to find out, but since he needed Baek Sa-ha's support and could just ask her once she woke, he let it go.
"That is..."
"You do know, right?"
"No, I have a suspect."
"A suspect? You don't mean you don't even know who knocked you out?"
-......It seems to be the eldest young master."
"What?"
Jang Neung-ak's face, which had been beaming like he owned the world moments ago, instantly hardened.
"The senior brother?"
-......Yes.
"No way? The senior brother intervened?"
Jang Neung-ak denied it with trembling eyes.
The last time their eyes met, those words had been said.
[Struggle all you want. If you can, that is.]
He hadn't seen him as a rival at all.
He thought it was just talk, and even as he built his forces, there had been almost no interference, practically neglect.
For him to suddenly step in?
It was unbelievable.
Then,
"I was thinking of conceding one or two to my juniors so it doesn't end too blandly, but it seems too regrettable for that."
"What?"
"That's the last thing I heard before the acupoint strike."
Jang Neung-ak gritted his teeth, his face flushing with rage at Seo Hye-in's words.
If true, it meant the senior brother had taken notice of the punk.
-Bam!
Jang Neung-ak slammed the armrest and stood.
"No."
Anyone else was fine, but not Mok Kyung-un.
He was in the most crucial position right now.
Not just anyone—he was the joint disciple of the Shadow Sect Leader, head of intelligence and secrets, and Baek Sa-ha the Venom King, who had recently reached the Flower Realm.
Securing Mok Kyung-un would give him a force rivaling the senior brother's in one fell swoop.
For him to interfere abruptly at this critical moment?
-Crack!
He wasn't ignoring him as a rival after all.
He had been watching all along.
To crush him at the pivotal moment like this.
"Let's go."
"Pardon?"
"Leader Seo, rest. Everyone else, follow this young master."
At his command, Go Yeon-hu urgently spoke.
"My lord, are you planning to meet the eldest young master?"
-......Yes.
Go Yeon-hu couldn't hide his worry.
No matter how angry he was, Na Yul-ryang the eldest young master was truly dangerous.
Though his own lord Jang Neung-ak had a tendency to get emotional, Na Yul-ryang transcended that—he didn't even feel human.
Meeting such a man driven by emotion could be,
'Too dangerous. I must stop my lord.'
-Thud thud thud thud!
Just then, footsteps rushed from outside.
Someone knocked on the door.
"My lord. It's Jeo Mo-pal."
The one knocking was none other than Jeo Mo-pal of the Five Peaks' Great Rock Fist.
Jang Neung-ak, already heading out, flung the door open roughly.
-Bang!
"What's the matter?"
"That is..."
"What is it?"
"Mok Kyung-un is here."
'!?'