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130
For a lust demon, staying hidden was paramount. I had assaulted Eul So-mi, and to conceal my identity, I partially erased her memory with the Soul-Hooking Technique.
'The Illusion Demon's Soul-Hooking Technique is really useful.'
But every time I erased a woman's memory, it drained my internal energy. To commit the assault without depleting my energy, and to avoid losses in the Absorption of Yin to Nourish Yang, I needed another method.
For example, changing my body, assaulting a woman, then switching to a different body.
'Assault them in a form that doesn't exist, then never use that face again, and that's it.'
Changing my outward appearance.
I chose the Body Transformation Art as the best way to hide my identity.
Thanks to this technique from India, which allowed one to alter the body freely using only internal energy, I had been able to change my body easily even back when I was Chu So-gwang.
'Chu So-gwang was a test of the Body Transformation Art.'
The transformation I attempted, thinking, 'Can I really successfully change my appearance into someone else?' had succeeded, and I became Chu Dae-gwang.
I killed Chu So-gwang and took Paeng Yuwol. But because I had turned into a real person, a weakness quickly surfaced. So after covering up the fact that I had become Chu So-gwang, I made it a point to change into beings from the future or several generations in the past.
It was the same now.
To shed the appearance of a 'white-haired giant middle-aged man,' I transformed my original facial structure into a feminine one.
A master of musical martial arts, a peerless beauty, Yeon Bong (緣鳳).
In the future, a renowned martial artist in her early twenties, she looked so much like me that you'd think we were relatives. Thanks to that, I didn't need to twist my bone structure much.
'My original face is already pretty, so there's no need to change it much.'
Even Lee Si-a, the Demonic Cult's greatest beauty, acknowledged that my face was quite handsome. The kind of handsome that, with a little grooming, could easily be mistaken for a woman.
First, the blood inherited from my mother, the greatest beauty of Anhui.
Second, the massive yin energy I absorbed from women through Absorption of Yin to Nourish Yang.
Because I concentrated all my body's yang energy into my bone structure and member, the yin energy driven away from below concentrated in my facial features. As a result, I ended up with an appearance that suited women's clothing.
'So I decided to start accumulating yin energy from the point when my bone structure was fully set and my organ had grown enough.'
If I used the Body Transformation Art before my bone structure was set, my bones would easily deteriorate later on. So until I could protect my body with internal energy, I let my body grow naturally as a child.
So that my member wouldn't turn into a Chu So-gwang by doing Absorption of Yin to Nourish Yang too early.
If you practiced Absorption of Yin to Nourish Yang before the member was fully grown, it wouldn't develop properly. Absorbing a woman's essence increased internal energy, but the resulting intensified yin energy stunted the growth of the member.
That was why I didn't use the Body Transformation Art or seriously practice Absorption of Yin to Nourish Yang until I became an adult.
'But now it's different.'
Puberty.
Nocturnal emissions.
And ejaculation—the ability to release yang energy that could impregnate a woman.
The moment I reached the age where a boy could function as a man, I realized I could fully utilize the Body Transformation Art and Absorption of Yin to Nourish Yang without them impeding my physical growth.
I had firmly built a foundation so that even if I twisted my bone structure somewhat or absorbed yin from a woman's body, it wouldn't affect my growth.
In other words, even if I changed my appearance to that of a woman, there would be no problem with my original body!
'Transformation is perfect.'
I took out a bronze mirror I had picked up on the way.
The face beneath the face veil was exactly what I thought I'd look like if I had been born a woman.
As for the body shape, I just roughly adjusted the hips to match; my voice could be altered with internal energy. Acting feminine was a bit of a hassle, but I could endure it to achieve my goal.
Hair?
'Miyeom Divine Art!'
By using the Miyeom Divine Art, which was excellent for enhancing hair, I could produce hair more beautiful than any woman's. It consumed internal energy to grow it out, but I could quickly replenish it thanks to Eul So-mi.
Once I put on makeup, I'd probably be counted among the Four Great Beauties of Murim alongside Hee, Ah, and Yeon. Terms like 'a face that shames the moonlight and flowers, a beauty that makes fish sink and geese fall' would be fitting for us.
'So hold it in, baby lust demon.'
The only thing that retained its original form, the baby lust demon hidden beneath my skirt, kept trying to raise its head.
"The carriage isn't uncomfortable, is it? Hebei is a truly wonderful place."
"Indeed."
The moment I smelled the scent of a woman's flesh other than my own, the baby lust demon went wild and tried to assert its presence.
- Why are you dressed as a woman? Isn't it to deceive women and take them?!
The baby lust demon was shouting. It was true, but that didn't mean I should pounce right here and now and just ram it into a hole.
"Hebei is a place of stable public order. But it's dangerous for someone like you to travel alone."
Slashing Demon Sword Paeng Sin-hye.
To be precise, the Slashing Demon Sword of the 'present.' Among the Paeng Clan women, whoever killed a lust demon was granted the title Slashing Demon Sword for generations. Paeng Sin-hye was the predecessor to the Slashing Demon Sword I knew—Paeng Yuwol.
"Thank you for your consideration."
Clatter, clatter.
She had me ride in her carriage, assigned two Paeng Clan warriors as escorts, and invited me to the Hebei Paeng Clan. For me, this was a bit awkward since the plan had gone sideways right from the start.
In a good way.
'I originally meant to lure this bitch, and it worked out well.'
I knew the Paeng Clan to some extent. It was impossible not to know them, and I had gathered various information over time.
Including the knowledge from my previous life, there was no way I wouldn't know about Paeng Sin-hye.
The legitimate daughter who should have succeeded Paeng Iwang, the Akjeukcham, despite being a woman.
Her martial level, as I recalled, was first-rate. Still first-rate now.
Age, 25 this year.
Even though her marriageable age was well past, the reason no one asked her about marriage was simple.
The ultimate reason she refused all marriage proposals...
"Lady Hee, do you perhaps like flowers?"
"Yes, of course. Traveling the world and viewing flowers is my hobby."
"Hohoho, I see... I also really like them."
Paeng Sin-hye smacked her lips and looked me up and down. Fortunately, the baby lust demon hidden under my skirt didn't show.
"Then would you like to take a look at the Paeng Clan's flower garden?"
"The Paeng Clan? Are you formally inviting me?"
"Of course. The mood in Hebei is unsettled, and since it's fate, why not stay at the Paeng Clan? I'd like to hear Yeon Bong's pipa performance sometime. My father would be curious too."
Just hearing this, it seemed like she was pretending to be interested in a master of musical martial arts and wanted to introduce me to her father, Paeng Iwang.
"Oh my, really?"
But I knew. I knew the carnivorous plant hiding behind that blooming smile.
I knew the identity of the monster that, under the guise of the Paeng Clan's legitimate daughter, devoured countless innocent women.
'Blood Torture Witch (虐血魔女).'
Like Eul So-mi of the Eul Family Manor, a woman who ruled as a tyrant of Hebei and sacrificed countless women.
"Yes, of course. I'm also very interested in Yeon Bong."
And a madwoman who, before offering them as sacrifices, sexually tormented and tortured the women she fancied to satisfy her own lust.
Among Blood Cult members, she was one of the Twelve Lustful Women who followed the Blood Cult Leader.
...Probably?
'I'll know once I assault her.'
Just as I exposed Eul So-mi, I would assault Paeng Sin-hye.
* * *
A moment later.
I followed Paeng Sin-hye into the Paeng Clan residence.
"Hello, I'm Yeon Bong from Sichuan, Hee Yeon."
No one doubted me. Even if someone checked whether a real Yeon Bong existed in Sichuan, by then Yeon Bong would have finished her mission and left.
"Welcome. A guest of Sin-hye is a guest of the Paeng Clan. Welcome to the Hebei Paeng Clan."
"Greetings, Clan Head."
I bowed to the half-dead old man, Paeng Iwang.
"Indeed. I am Paeng Iwang, head of the Hebei Paeng Clan... cough."
A blade master who once shook the world was now a frail old man from whom not a trace of martial arts could be felt.
"Haha, I see you've heard my story. Yes, I fell into complete demonization and lost all my martial arts. But what of it? I must be content with being alive. Heh heh."
Losing martial arts and internal energy, more precious than life to a martial artist? Was that laugh genuine, or just a formality?
'Definitely the latter.'
It made me wonder if I'd end up like that if I lost my martial arts—he was pitiful in many ways.
"What brings you to Hebei?"
"I'm traveling the world in search of inspiration."
I gestured with my eyes to the pipa beside me. Paeng Iwang looked at me with great concern, seeing me as a woman traveling alone.
"Isn't it dangerous?"
"If a new musical inspiration arises through the divine power of the mountain spirit, then risk must be taken."
Artists are people who engage in eccentricities just as much as martial artists. Among them, those who had learned martial arts and musical martial arts were the most peculiar.
"As long as I have two feet, a pipa, and the wind, I can go anywhere."
"Hmm... I see. I understand what you mean."
And an eccentricity sometimes carried more persuasive power than a hundred logical arguments. Paeng Iwang accepted it with a look that said, 'If you say so.'
"But the timing is bad. The lust demon might appear, so would you stay at the Paeng Clan for a while? If by chance the lust demon is found in another region, then you can leave for another place at that time."
"Is the lust demon such a terrifying being?"
"Don't even mention it. He's the one who kidnapped one of the Six Phoenixes. Tsk tsk. Truly regrettable. I hear Dokgo Yeon has also recovered from her illness."
As two people who had suffered from incurable diseases and recovered, they felt a mutual sympathy. I felt strangely good that the Heavenly Rejuvenation Pill I had stolen—no, acquired—had been put to good use.
"What a pity, a pity. I thought that if the Paeng Clan's Five Tiger Door-Breaking Blade and the Dokgo Clan's Dugu Nine Swords were combined, they'd be invincible under heaven..."
I take it back. When is this old man going to die?
"Khhem, apologies. Nearing death, I've been talking to myself a lot lately. Sin-hye."
"Yes, Father."
Paeng Sin-hye, who had been silent beside him, rose.
"Since you brought this guest, you shall attend to her. Treat her with the utmost hospitality, so as not to shame the name of the Paeng Clan."
"Yes!"
It was a brisk, refreshing answer. After bowing to Paeng Iwang, I gently took the hand Paeng Sin-hye offered and followed behind her.
"This way, Yeon Bong."
'Her hands are pretty.'
They were the hands of a noble lady, not a blade user. Her blade technique was at best first-rate.
'She only trained the blade as a self-defense skill. She hardly learned martial arts.'
For someone born into a martial family, especially the Paeng Clan, she showed little ambition for martial arts.
"Lady Hee, your hands are truly lovely. Haah, I want to have them..."
Instead, she seemed greedy in other ways. I felt goosebumps from the sticky energy coming from her hand, but I forced a smile and spread my own energy in turn.
"They are hands that play instruments. Just a flick of my fingers like this produces a beautiful sound."
"Hyaat."
Just lightly rubbing my index and middle fingers, Paeng Sin-hye let out a moan.
"Ugh..."
Even after moaning, Paeng Sin-hye only glanced at me without letting go of my hand. Her look said 'Just you wait,' so I just sneered inwardly.
"I want to just take this hand."
"No. How important are a musician's hands?"
"Couldn't I just buy them?"
"Fufu, even the Hebei Paeng Clan would need quite a bit of money to hire me. At least five nyang of gold per day?"
At my words, Paeng Sin-hye raised her chin and boasted.
"Hmph, do you know how much money the Paeng Clan has?"
"Oh my, really?"
"Yes, of course. Isn't the Paeng Clan the greatest prestigious clan in all of Hebei? The income from the training halls alone is enough to buy a castle and then some."
"Tell the truth."
The voice behind me made all the hair on my body stand on end.
"Do you think the Paeng Clan really has that kind of money right now?"
It was a familiar voice, but the tone behind it was completely different. The voice, laced with contempt for Paeng Sin-hye, clearly held irritation.
"Don't lie. There's a limit to exaggeration."
"Hoho, are you picking a fight with me right now? Trying to embarrass me in front of a guest?"
Truly embarrassed, she couldn't help being angry. Paeng Sin-hye's expression twisted beyond recognition.
"Ha, you dare?"
Sssss.
But the woman's voice pressuring Paeng Sin-hye brimmed with killing intent. Paeng Sin-hye gulped and began to tremble, and I slowly turned my head.
"Ah..."
There, with her arms crossed, stood a woman I knew but who had completely changed.
"Hey, Paeng Sin-hye. Are you crazy?"
A heroine who started with insults, guest or no guest.
'As expected of the Hebei Paeng Clan!'
Paeng Yuwol was right in front of me.