043
043
"Oh, right. Woke up hungry, did you? Have you eaten breakfast yet? Wait right there. Today is a joyous day, so I'll handle the kitchen myself."
Now that Namgung Yurin was mine, my spirits were naturally sky-high. Fortunately, the clinic had a small kitchen, more than enough to cook in.
"This morning's breakfast is Namgung Yurin."
"You don't mean... because of her name...?"
"Heh heh."
I hummed a tune as I prepared breakfast, while Sagong Hee pouted her lips and shook her head back and forth.
A moment later.
Sagong Hee and I finished breakfast and sat facing each other. As I brewed tea with Kongqing Stone Milk brought from the foot of Wudang Mountain, Sagong Hee pulled something from her robes.
"Before we drink tea, I have something to tell you."
She held out a sheet of paper. The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering Application Form, its ink slightly blurred by some unknown liquid, bore the name Gyeon-hui (甄姬) and her martial art, Taiji Sword.
"I will enter the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering."
"Oh? What brought about this change of heart?"
"I thought deeply about you throughout the night, my lord. You are like the wind, and I realized I cannot hold you with my body alone."
Sagong Hee had seen straight through my nature.
For someone with a restless wanderer's fate like mine, staying rooted in one place doesn't suit me at all. I had spent nearly a year raising Sagong Hee, but I could no longer suppress the desire to pluck other flowers.
"At first, I tried to hold onto you. But once I understood how difficult that would be, I resolved to repay your kindness as your body servant in my own way."
"And that way is entering the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering?"
"Yes. I will become the Taiji Martial Phoenix (太極武鳳) and make the Wudang Sect mine."
"What?"
My jaw dropped at Sagong Hee's sudden declaration.
"The Wudang Sect?"
"Yes. Someday, my lord, you may find yourself branded a public enemy of Murim. Oddly, I have that feeling. When that day comes, I will ensure that at least the Wudang Sect does not pursue you. By becoming its Sect Leader."
"Hoo."
Even if I become a Sex Demon and a Murim public enemy, Sagong Hee would tear down one corner of the Heavenly Net. Her thinking was truly admirable and stirred my appetite.
"But Gyeon-hui, if you become the master of Wudang—its Sect Leader—the stairs you must climb are far too numerous. I've already taught you every path, but there may come a time when you must ascend on your own."
"I've already steeled myself. And I realized something while watching you. My lord takes the greatest pleasure in claiming a woman by force."
How the hell did she know that.
"...Ahem! Someone might hear and think I'm some kind of rape demon! I am a 'Health Demon,' I tell you! The one who fills women with Yang Energy and makes them healthy and strong!"
"Yes, hehe. So I have one request for you, my lord. When the day comes that I become the Taiji Sword Empress and lead the Wudang Sect, please come find Wudang. And then..."
Sagong Hee bowed toward me and smiled radiantly.
"Before everyone, let the Sex Demon ravish the Taiji Sword Empress, and proclaim to the world that the Taiji Sword Empress has become the Sex Demon's."
"...Wow, you're really something! You're going to keep me hooked like this?"
"If I cannot stop you from leaving, then I'll make you remember me this way."
Sagong Hee is a genius. I stepped outside and flipped the door sign to Closed.
"But Gyeon-hui, you've made a serious miscalculation. Did you think I was leaving right away?"
"Pardon?"
"I'm not leaving right now."
"...I thought you'd vanish somewhere any moment now..."
"The truth is, I was thinking of taking about a month to fetch a Ten-Thousand Year Ice Crystal to feed you, but you suffered all on your own agonizing over this. Forget the ice crystal and everything else, heh heh."
"......Pardon?"
Sagong Hee's expression twisted bizarrely.
"Did you think I was going away for over a year or something?"
Pssshhh.
Shame flared red across her solemn face, which a moment ago had looked on the verge of tears. I walked over to Sagong Hee, tousled her hair, and pulled her into my arms.
"I teased you too much! Haha, I'm sorry."
"B-but! Last time, there really were times when you left for faraway places...!!"
"Come now, would I leave right away? At the very least, I can't leave with peace of mind until you reach the Harmony Realm."
I'm fine with my body servant confidently declaring she's mine—but other men laying a hand on her is impossible, even if the heavens collapse.
"If some mad Sex Demon violated you while I was away, I would annihilate his entire bloodline. Even if it were the Alliance Leader, the Heavenly Demon, or the Emperor himself. That's how beautiful you are. So wouldn't I need you to reach at least the Harmony Realm before I can leave without worry?"
"Ha..."
Sagong Hee covered her face with her hands and turned away. Then, as if struck by a realization, she clapped her hands and laughed.
"Then if I never reach the Harmony Realm, my lord won't be able to leave!"
"This wench?"
Smack.
"Instead of thinking about not reaching the Harmony Realm—"
"Kyaak, I'm sorry, haang...!"
I lightly smacked Sagong Hee's breasts from both sides. I couldn't strike her cheeks or head, so instead I smacked the two Yang Energy pouches brimming with a woman's warmth.
"Shall I tell you the fundamental reason you must reach the Harmony Realm?"
"Hmph, what is it...?"
"When you reach the Harmony Realm, you'll be able to handle me for half a day! Every single day!"
"......Oh my."
Sagong Hee covered her mouth with her hand, startled.
"Really?"
"Of course! Right now, at your current level, you can barely endure my full power for one two-hour watch. But once you ascend to the Peak Realm, you'll last half a day. And when you reach the Harmony Realm, you'll handle a full half-day with ease! Without fainting!"
"Wow..."
Motivation is everything. Sagong Hee now understood exactly why she needed to grow stronger.
"Then, what about... the Profound Realm I've only heard of...?"
"Twelve hours of union, rest for one quarter-hour, then another twelve hours."
Not me holding back—both of us fully reveling in pleasure with all our might. Sagong Hee fiddled with her lip, then came right up to me and nuzzled her head against me like a puppy.
"......Truly, I have no choice. Then I simply have to become stronger."
"Naturally. Have you forgotten whose teaching you're under? Me, Mubung. Your master."
I scooped Sagong Hee up and carried her into the bedroom. I was in the mood to enjoy some pleasant lovemaking with her for the first time in a while, but the moment I saw the bed, my blood boiled.
"Unbelievable. That wench Namgung Yurin didn't even clean up the spot where she slept?"
The place Namgung Yurin left was an absolute mess. The entire bed was damp with the sweat she'd shed through the night, and she hadn't even folded the bedding—just slithered her body out and gone.
"Like I said, body servant or not, that girl was rotten from birth. Tsk. If she gets injured and ends up in bed again, I'll have to discipline her with the correction rod."
"...Ah, about that. I have a good idea."
Whisper whisper.
"...Are you a genius?"
Thus spoke Sagong Hee.
I'll go to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering and smash every single sparrow's legs.
"In exchange... if I win, you'll have to give me a reward."
"First place is already decided... but well."
I pushed Sagong Hee against the wall.
"I'll give you your reward in advance."
"Huh? W-wait! I haven't even washed yet, hyaat?!"
"Morning dew is always the clearest."
Sniff.
Pure morning dew, indeed.
* * *
Two weeks passed.
"The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering!! Shall now commeeeeeence!!"
The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, opening.
The Wudang Sect had focused on building the Martial Arts Arena for months before the Gathering, and the Hubei Province government office had actively cooperated.
— They call it a festival for martial artists, but in the end it's a gathering of people. A golden opportunity for merchants to make a fortune.
The governor of Hubei Province actively constructed buildings and supported Wudang's preparations in order to sell food and lodging to the martial clans entering the province.
Add to that Taoist Hyeoncheol's efforts to firmly establish his position as Sect Leader, and the Martial Arts Arena hosting the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering was expansive enough to rival the Murim Alliance headquarters.
Four arenas alone within the enormous stadium.
The four arenas, laid out in a 田 formation within the 口-shaped spectator stands, were positioned so that anyone with keen enough eyesight could watch all four matches simultaneously.
The spectator seating was also impressively constructed—arranged not only for martial artists but for commoners to watch as well.
And the martial artists who had gathered to become Dragon or Phoenix were busy sizing up the arenas where they would fight and the opponents who would become their enemies.
"Everyone's distracted, keeping each other in check."
"Indeed."
I donned the Human Skin Mask and came out with Jin Sa-wol, taking a seat in the spectator stands. The arena called the Ascension Gate was filled with women who had gathered to become the Phoenix.
"What a magnificent view!"
"There are so many women from the Flower Directory. Some weren't listed, and especially..."
Jin Sa-wol pointed at the woman whose presence eclipsed all the others—black hair and crimson eyes. The woman in black robes, the Little Princess of the Demonic Cult, flashed blood-red eyes and lips, utterly certain of her victory.
"The Little Princess of the Demonic Cult. She has truly astounding confidence."
"She trusts that the Orthodox Faction won't stoop to a cowardly ambush."
"Gaga, do you really think it'll be fine? They say the Flying Heaven Three Demons she brought with her are vicious in their methods."
"For now, it's fine. For now."
The Orthodox Faction masters kept their clan members well in check to avoid provoking the demons unnecessarily.
"Except for that one over there."
"Her personality is lacking, but as a fellow woman, I can respect that fighting spirit."
There had been one clan that uniquely stirred up trouble by going after the Heavenly Demon, but the demons retaliated against that clan only once and showed no further movement afterward.
I did put in some work over those two weeks.
Even when the Flying Heaven Three Demons showed signs of moving, I let them be. Since I turned a blind eye, they behaved themselves in moderation.
But the moment Blade Demon showed any sign of causing trouble, I launched my qi and pressed down on them. Pressuring Illusion Demon made Illusion Demon smack Bandit Demon, and Bandit Demon took out his temper on Blade Demon, suppressing Blade Demon's actions.
— When it comes to chewing people out, downward cascading is best.
The Blood Cult Leader's method of cascading pressure worked wonders. Even without moving personally, the Flying Heaven Three Demons exercised restraint on their own.
"They know too. If they cause trouble here, they won't leave alive."
Unless they feign madness and unleash a Killing Calamity, the Flying Heaven Three Demons will bolt from Hubei the instant the Little Princess's Dragon-Phoenix Gathering ends.
And I'm not the only expert here stronger than them.
With a hidden hermit like me lying low, and the Murim Alliance Leader himself having come to Hubei, they had no choice but to be cautious.
— I am pleased to welcome you all from afar. Some faces I see again after four years, some I see for the first time.
The middle-aged man standing in the center of the empty arena began to speak, his voice laced with qi. His deep, weighty voice resonated in all directions, imbued with the presence of a Profound Realm expert.
"Oh my, is that man...?"
"Yes. The Murim Alliance Leader, the 'Ancient Demonic Sword' Dokgo Ja-yeong."
"Demonic Sword (魔劍)?"
"Demonic Sword (磨劍). He's called that because he grinds down his opponent's blade."
The representative of the White Path Murim Alliance and currently the most favored candidate for the world's strongest. Watching him from afar, I breathed a sigh of relief.
Thank goodness. I'm stronger than the Alliance Leader by a hair.
I watched the Alliance Leader begin his opening address from the stands and inwardly relaxed. The qi presence I sensed from his voice was very slightly lower than mine. Just enough that victory or defeat would depend on which martial art I chose to use.
If I used a martial art at the Harmony Realm or below, my defeat.
If I used a martial art at the Profound Realm or above, my victory.
Unless I pull out something like the Dugu Nine Swords or the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, I'll definitely lose.
As long as my internal energy can't back it up, I can't defeat a Profound Realm martial artist's techniques with something like the Three Calamities Sword Art.
Good thing I have the internal energy to use it.
Fortunately, thanks to siphoning Sagong Hee's yin energy a few times, my internal energy accumulation speed had doubled, and I had managed to build slightly more than the Murim Alliance Leader.
Long live Absorption of Yin to Nourish Yang.
Since internal energy directly determines the level of my martial arts, I was sincerely grateful to Sagong Hee. Her internal energy accumulation rate was twice that of others, which meant I could build mine just as fast.
— ...And I also extend my thanks to the many senior masters who have graced us with their presence.
The Alliance Leader briefly glanced in my direction. Since I was radiating qi that clearly telegraphed I'm stronger than you and I don't want to be revealed, the Murim Alliance Leader pretended not to see me and looked away.
"I'll have to give Gyeon-hui another reward later."
"You're giving her another reward?"
"Gyeon-hui sets the table for me every night. Shouldn't I reward her in return?"
"Give me one nyang of silver and I'll smile for you. If you're not going to, please spare me those jokes."
I pulled out a silver coin and handed it to Jin Sa-wol. She grinned and clasped my hand tightly.
"This is why I love Gaga's jokes."
"Is that so? My richly ripened Yang Energy... ah, forget it. My jokes are worth only a single silver coin? My pride is wounded. No more."
While I exchanged banter with Jin Sa-wol, the names of participants were called out one by one, and at last it was the Wudang Sect's turn.
— Wudang Sect! Taiji Sword! Taoist Hyeongi's direct disciple, Gwang Talyeong!! And Taoist Hyeonja's female disciple, Gyeon-hui!!
The two representatives of Wudang stepped forward. The crowd began murmuring at Sagong Hee's grace, which even her long robes couldn't conceal.
"Even wearing a Human Skin Mask, she can't hide her beauty. Tsk... Should I have pounded her jaw flat with a mortar? It's just an ordinarily pretty face, yet... tsk."
I'd roughly modeled the Human Skin Mask after a random face from the Flower Directory, but her unique elegance and aura radiated a mysterious beauty regardless.
"It's startling, really. The young lady I taught the ways of the night to is now representing the Wudang Sect... hoho."
Jin Sa-wol brushed her hand across my chest with a suggestive look.
"As a Taoist, was she as adept at nighttime arts?"
"Tsk, you really are a perfect match for me. Your jokes have a wonderful bite!"
Jin Sa-wol. Her age this year was—
"My lord. By the way, why did that girl decide to enter?"
"......For me."
Seeing Sagong Hee standing proudly before everyone, I teared up at how admirable she was. It was absolutely not because Jin Sa-wol had suddenly grabbed my member in a vice grip.
"She said she'd personally create patients for me."
A true body servant, through and through.