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183
Ahead of the second round, I was assigned a room as a guest of the Hwangbo Clan.
The second round was scheduled for the following morning.
Sitting around waiting was making me restless, and being apart from Dokgo Yeon left me filled with regret in more ways than one.
In other words, now was the perfect opportunity.
I hung a sign on the door that read 'Cultivation in Progress,' then swiftly slipped out of the Hwangbo estate using the Void Step.
Thud, thud, thud!
My destination was north.
I ran north at full speed. I even used the Heavenly Demon's Great Eight Forms, racing like a streak of light.
The target was 'Hebei.'
Shandong and Hebei are directly adjacent, and Jinan in particular lies rather far north within Shandong.
In short, it was a perfect chance to visit the Hebei Paeng Clan!
Was I not exhausted after burning through my inner energy running from the sea to Jinan? Not at all.
Even if my inner energy dropped to zero, just seeing Paeng Yuwol and Wol-a would replenish it. I didn't care much if the Hwangbo Clan noticed I'd stepped out.
I just had to make sure Dokgo Yeon didn't catch me.
Whatever else happened, no one—especially Dokgo Yeon—could find out about my business in Hebei.
If they did, I'd end up with three babies a year from now.
'I can't handle that kind of future!'
At least, not until reliable nannies were permanently stationed at the Cheon Clan estate to help care for the children. Making babies with the three of them right now was out of the question.
I already had several nanny candidates lined up. For Sagong Hee, Jin Sa-wol was the prime example, and if things went well, Seon Ju-hee would also do an excellent job as a nursemaid.
For Lee Si-a, there were naturally Flame Demon and Ice Demon. If the Ten Demons didn't look after the Heavenly Demon's child, who would raise the Young Heavenly Demon?
The problem was Dokgo Yeon.
Having been abducted by the Sex Demon and then run away from home, she had no one to help raise a child if she gave birth.
Considering her temperament, once she had a child, she would pour immense love and attention into them, and martial arts training would become her second priority.
I was grateful she'd put my child first, but I'd prefer she do that only after she reached the Harmony Realm.
'I hope she reaches the Harmony Realm soon.'
If the Hebei Paeng Clan's situation was resolved quickly, Dokgo Yeon could also accelerate her training without worrying about external factors.
I had also come to Hebei to clear the dark clouds hanging over my own heart regarding this plan. I conserved my remaining inner energy and infiltrated the Hebei Paeng Clan estate from above.
'Looks like there are far more people here than last time.'
There were many unfamiliar faces. The number of warriors had significantly increased, and most notably, there were quite a few people whose features resembled Paeng Yuwol.
Especially among the women. I eavesdropped on the conversation of some relatively young women of the Paeng Clan as they passed by.
"...I'm anxious. What if the Sex Demon strikes again?"
"You fool. Didn't the Young Lady say so herself? Would the Sex Demon target you, or would he target the Young Lady?"
"But the Young Lady is a married woman."
"And a widow. In her twenties, at that."
It seemed the reason for the gathering at the Paeng estate had a somewhat snobbish element to it. I was irritated that Paeng Yuwol was being used as a lightning rod, but I didn't believe for a second that the Sex Demon would actually harm her.
Slink, slink.
I hid in the shadows and slipped into Paeng Yuwol's room.
"......."
Paeng Yuwol was lying in bed, deeply asleep. Perhaps feeling stuffy, she had pushed the blanket aside, her chest area left open and exposed, sleeping half-naked.
'It's hot enough to make you swelter.'
Squish.
I buried my face in Paeng Yuwol's soft mounds. She then used the Ice White Divine Art to cool her body, providing a refreshing chill.
"......My Lord?"
"I'm here."
Paeng Yuwol accepted me without any suspicion and stroked my hair.
"You're a bit late this time. Did something happen?"
"I visited my birth mother's grave."
I willingly told Paeng Yuwol about where I'd been. Since I told her everything except the regression, Paeng Yuwol was already aware of the past I had shared with Dokgo Yeon.
"I see... That must have been complicated in many ways."
"Not really. I don't even remember her face in the first place."
"Even so."
Paeng Yuwol patted my back and smiled.
"I'll be your mother for tonight, My Lord."
I stayed in Paeng Yuwol's arms for a while. I wanted to take her reddish nipple into my mouth and suckle like a child, but I held back, reminding myself that it belonged to Wol-a.
"Where's Wol-a?"
"Over there."
Paeng Yuwol pointed to the opposite side of the room with a sly face. There, the Blood Torture Witch... no, Paeng Sin-hye was holding Wol-a, her face rigid as she stared at me.
"What. Why."
"......Ice-Colored Demon?"
"Obviously. Wol-a recognized me the moment she touched my stuff. You're still slow, I see."
Using the Body Transformation Art, I transformed into the appearance I had when I violated Paeng Sin-hye. Only then did Paeng Sin-hye lower her head, watching my reaction.
"H-Hello..."
"Yeah, it's been a while. But why is she here?"
"I asked her to watch Wol-a so I could rest my eyes for a bit."
"Hmm..."
Even if the Forbidden Restraint was placed on Paeng Sin-hye, wasn't this a bit too trusting? The Demonic Cult was one thing, but the Blood Cult's existence couldn't be fully trusted either.
"Did anyone come by?"
"Th-This flew in through the window. Here..."
Paeng Sin-hye handed me a letter with trembling hands. The content of the blood-sealed message, written in crimson on white paper, was absurd.
- You cannot become a Moon Woman.
"Heh."
"I... I was expelled."
The Blood Cult had discarded the Blood Torture Witch. The reason was truly a sight to behold.
- A three-point woman cannot be kept as a Moon Woman.
"To think there's such a perverted dismissal notice in this world."
"You're the one who gave me that score, My Lord."
"Correction. You're not a virgin, so it's 2.5 points. I miscalculated the score."
"Ugh, that's cruel...!"
Paeng Sin-hye's eyes welled up with tears as she clutched Wol-a tighter.
"Oh Wol-a, your auntie is being mistreated like this, you see?"
"This is ridiculous."
"Auntie? Ahem... Hmm."
The door opened, and two women entered. The moment they saw me, they closed the door and bowed deeply.
"We greet our benefactor."
"Benefactor is going too far. But you two don't look too happy."
"Well, that's..."
The two sisters stared at Paeng Sin-hye with obvious disapproval, voicing their complaints.
"I feel the same way. I'm not particularly thrilled either. But look, Wol-a is being held so quietly."
I took Wol-a from Paeng Sin-hye and held her. Wol-a fell asleep more peacefully in my arms than she had in Paeng Sin-hye's.
"If Wol-a is okay with it, then I'm okay with it."
"Wh-What if Wol-a had cried or something?"
"Then Yuwol wouldn't have let you in here in the first place."
Paeng Yuwol nodded as if it were obvious. I sat beside Paeng Yuwol and laid Wol-a comfortably in my arms so she could sleep well.
"But, benefactor, may I ask one thing?"
"You remind me of the old you, Yuwol."
"...My apologies, My Lord. I'll educate them better."
Under Paeng Yuwol's sharp gaze, the two sisters began to look at each other, wondering what they had done wrong.
"It's fine. Next time, if you're curious about something, just ask. So, what are you so curious about?"
"What kind of face are you this time...?"
"Ah, this appearance?"
I pointed at my own face.
"This is my real face."
"......."
"F-For real?!"
Paeng Sin-hye was so surprised she stepped closer to us, causing Wol-a to frown and start tossing about.
Snap.
Paeng Yuwol flicked her fingers, and Paeng Sin-hye collapsed to the floor clutching her stomach. Her Qi and Blood twisted, accompanied by a churning, boiling pain in her gut, and simultaneously, a numb, cramping menstrual pain started to torment her.
"I'd finally gotten Wol-a to sleep..."
"It's fine. I'm here."
I pressed my lips to the crown of Wol-a's head. As I transferred the warmth of the Zhongli Divine Fire Well, Wol-a fell back into quiet slumber.
"She'll sleep soundly until morning. Would you put her to bed over there?"
"Yes..."
The sisters respectfully received Wol-a with both hands and laid her on the bed. I took off my outer coat and handed it to Paeng Sin-hye, then lightly loosened up my body.
"There's plenty of time before sunrise. I've put Wol-a into a deep sleep, so now I'll do the same for you."
"...Oh my?"
Paeng Yuwol's eyes began to sparkle at my unexpected words.
"My Lord. In that case."
She grabbed my hand as I started to undress and pointed with her eyes at the three women standing nearby.
"I'm not sure I can handle it alone. Would you mind if I ask them to assist?"
"......Are you three up for it?"
I asked out of courtesy, but the three of them all nodded heavily. I squeezed my eyes shut, wondering why I'd even asked.
For the past few days, I'd been on a forced march through day and night, had spent the entire previous night with Dokgo Yeon, and had passed through Jinan to reach Hebei. Physical fatigue must have built up without me even realizing it.
Softly, evenly.
I looked at Wol-a. She was sleeping so deeply there was no sign of waking, as if cheering me on.
'I can't refuse when I'm with four beautiful women.'
While I was here, I needed to put Paeng Yuwol into a deep sleep, stamp the Sex Demon certification score onto the two sisters, and infuse even Paeng Sin-hye—who was trying to turn over a new leaf—with some Immortal Qi.
Of course, coming just once per person meant finishing four times in total...
- Focus on lust right now, Sex Demon. Leave tomorrow to me.
- I'm counting on you to handle the aftermath, Bi-cheon.
I entrusted the future to my tomorrow self, threw off my pants, and fell into Paeng Yuwol's embrace.
Wrapped in four different, magnificent bosoms, savoring the full force of the Paeng Clan, I once again stayed up all through the night.
* * *
Morning came.
After the first round's filtering, not all the bridegroom candidates who passed could participate in the second round.
- We ate the lunch provided by the Hwangbo Clan and fell ill!
More than half of those who ate the Hwangbo Clan's food suffered stomach trouble. Why had breakfast been fine but lunch caused problems?
-This is food poisoning.
According to an investigation by a first-class expert renowned for his culinary knowledge, the meat in the food had not been properly cooked.
- Hah! Men who claim they will protect their wives from the Sex Demon couldn't even detect poisoned food! How can you possibly protect my daughters!
Hwangbo Yeom used this as a pretext and expelled everyone with stomach trouble.
The real cause was that while Hwangbo Hye-ji, who usually acted as the commander of the kitchen, was away, the 'other six daughters' had helped out with the kitchen work. Yet Hwangbo Yeom tried to cover up the Hwangbo Clan's mistake with absurd logic.
However, masters above the first-class level didn't care much.
Poison in food was a common occurrence, and in the first place, they hadn't taken more than a single bite if the taste was off.
- Those who ate it unknowingly are the fools.
- They didn't notice because they were drinking along with it.
- This, too, is a test!
The survivors were the strong, and until only seven men remained, everyone was a competitor.
The bridegroom candidates, having weeded out the riff-raff once more before the second round began, inwardly rejoiced. The eliminated ones could not attend the martial tournament even if they wanted to.
They had to leave for a place unseen by others the moment they were expelled from the clan.
As a result, even before the second round, the number of candidates eliminated after two screenings totaled a staggering one hundred!
100 men!
Moreover, they were all first-class experts, with as many as eight being peak experts.
Many were shocked to hear that 100 first-class experts—bridegrooms wanting to engage with women of the Hwangbo Clan—had gathered in Shandong.
As expected of the Hwangbo Clan! The future of the Hwangbo Clan is truly bright!
The 100 warriors burned with competitive spirit.
They already had a rough idea of the nature of the second round, having heard rumors. As long as they avoided the peak experts, they clearly had a chance to be among the final seven.
- Honestly, except for three of them, the so-called peak experts are just guys who barely scraped past the first-class level!
- I'm at the late first-class level, so I can definitely put up a fight against them!
- Just avoid those three!
Azure Heaven New Dragon Bang Do-rim.
Hyeoncheon Baek Clan's Baek Bo-jun.
And, the final group on the last day, the one who passed alone and prompted the clan head to descend to the arena floor just to ask which daughter he wanted to marry: the Soul-Seizing Crashing Fist, Mumyeong.
It was obvious to anyone that one of them was clearly hiding his true colors, but he hadn't hidden his skill. The first-rate experts anticipated the Soul-Seizing Crashing Fist's strength while simultaneously hoping to avoid fighting him.
"......Yawn."
Right now, however, the Soul-Seizing Crashing Fist looked ready to collapse from sheer exhaustion.
He looked so tired it was impossible to tell what he'd been doing all night, and he appeared to have so many openings that every first-class expert there thought, 'What if...?'
What if they could eliminate the most favored rival for Hwangbo Hye-ji?
While everyone was eyeing each other as enemies and swallowing nervously, the start time for the second round arrived.
"Everyone is gathered. For this second round, my second daughter, Hye-ji, will explain."
"...It is a pleasure to meet you all. The event for this second round is...."
Hwangbo Hye-ji clapped her hands, and a long scroll hanging on the pavilion unfurled downwards.
Me 亂
lee 鬪
Only two characters were written on the scroll.
"From this moment, you need only fight until exactly seven people remain on the martial arena. However, anyone who inflicts an incurable, severe injury or kills another competitor shall be disqualified."
"Then let the second round begin now!"
BOOOOOOM----!!
With a Lion's Roar that boomed like a thunderclap, the melee to determine the seven survivors out of a hundred erupted.
And the center of the melee was unmistakably Mumyeong.
"A duel it is!!"
Under the combined assault of martial artists all trying to eliminate the championship contender first, Mumyeong—the Sky-Soaring Lust Demon—sighed deeply.
"...I'm exhausted."
He looked genuinely dead on his feet.