Chapter 171
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 171
Chapter Title: You've Opened Your Eyes, Geum Sihyeon! (2)
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Swish──
Cheon Yuri's fingers delicately traced over Geum Sihyeon's chest.
At the same time, her gaze meticulously observed the wound.
The scar on his chest was undoubtedly similar to the one on Hong Sundok's corpse among the others.
But in her eyes, it was clear as day.
It was a mark that had merely grazed the surface, just deep enough to draw blood without ever threatening his life.
Even if it scarred, it would be so precise and clean that not a trace would remain. Unless he'd conspired with his opponent or inflicted it on himself, no wound would take this form.
Swish──
Next, Cheon Yuri's fingers and gaze moved to Geum Sihyeon's abdomen.
"Hoo..."
Even the abdomen, said to be the hardest part of the human body to train, was free of any excess fat, boasting rock-solid muscle that drew a quiet gasp of admiration from her.
"Four-Style Swordsmanship, was it."
As she peered at the slash left on Geum Sihyeon's stomach by Yi Jong-su's ultimate technique, she inferred its origin.
This, too, had gone just an inch.
An inch deeper, and his organs would have been ruined.
Did this man possess such battlefield instincts that he could gauge that tiny gap in the heat of combat?
She'd have to verify the full story of how he'd been wounded by a fellow orthodox swordsman's blade, but his animalistic senses were undeniable.
And then, as her hand spread open to cover Geum Sihyeon's dantian...
"Luri... just save me..."
A groan escaped from Geum Sihyeon, who had been pretending to sleep the whole time.
Why had he been calling her Luri since earlier?
A sudden playful impulse struck Cheon Yuri. She pulled away the plain cloth covering his face and placed her hand on his forehead.
Having sustained injuries, he couldn't possibly be fine. He felt feverish, burning hot.
Was the high fever making him overlay her image with Luri's?
If so, she'd have no choice but to live up to that expectation.
It would be more fun that way, after all.
"Hng."
She recreated, as closely as possible, the subtle smile her daughter often made in her memories.
The furrowed crease between Geum Sihyeon's brows softened noticeably.
For a fleeting moment, her gaze lingered on that face, handsome enough to be called the supreme beauty under heaven with just a touch of exaggeration.
But this wasn't the time to admire such things.
She replaced the cloth over his face, then laid her hand back on his dantian and slowly infused her energy.
She had originally planned to probe the origin of his internal energy while treating his qi deviations.
"Huh...?"
Without her guidance, why had control of the energy entering Geum Sihyeon's body shifted to him?
But.
As she began properly channeling her energy, the reversal of dominance vanished without a sound.
The Heavenly Demon Divine Art was, as its name implied, a divine technique that only the master of all demons under heaven could cultivate.
The energy dwelling in Geum Sihyeon's dantian had originally tried to devour her demonic qi and seize control, but it was no match for Cheon Yuri's exquisite control.
Through this process.
"A monster, indeed."
Cheon Yuri reached her conclusion.
Pure inner power overflowing like a vast sea, enough to make one wonder why he hadn't yet reached the Fusion Realm.
And atop that sea, like massive warships anchored here and there, asserting their presence...
"Demonic qi, poison qi, yang qi, yin qi."
Who could imagine five different energies writhing simultaneously within one person's body?
Even Cheon Yuri herself couldn't contain her overflowing demonic qi within a human frame, so she'd shared it with Cheon Luri.
Even so, this level of demonic qi must have been what Cheon Luri trusted enough to share with him.
Because she trusted Cheon Luri.
If even a hint of suspicion had arisen, she would have sealed his dantian immediately, but she tucked that intent back into her chest and focused on healing his internal injuries.
.
.
.
A moment later.
"Hoo."
Not only had she finished treating his internal injuries, but she'd also concluded the struggle with Geum Sihyeon's dantian, which had greedily devoured her demonic qi.
Cheon Yuri raised her head and wiped the sweat trickling down her cheek.
In that instant.
Something odd caught Cheon Yuri's eye.
Why was something like a short baton tucked into his pants?
Casually reaching into his waistband to pull out the object, her hand...
"..."
Suddenly.
Fl flinched and stopped.
What her hand had touched wasn't a baton.
No matter how inexperienced she was with men, leaving her knowledge limited, she wasn't ignorant enough not to know the difference in anatomy.
Cheon Yuri instantly understood the meaning and purpose of the object gripped in her hand.
"A monster, indeed..."
The honest impression slipped from her lips.
And Geum Sihyeon's closed eyes squeezed shut even tighter.
* * *
"Xi'an is just ahead."
"Thank you... for your help..."
A day had passed since I'd cut down those Justice Inspection Team brothers with my own hands.
Their corpses were carefully preserved, each occupying a spot in the cart at the rear of the procession.
And I...
"You're still uncomfortable around me."
"...Isn't that natural?"
Was riding alone in a carriage with none other than Cheon Yuri, the cult leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the very sky of the cult, heading toward Xi'an.
At first, I thought maybe I'd lost too much blood and was hallucinating from excessive bleeding, or perhaps the fever from my injuries was causing delusions...
But now, I had no choice but to accept it.
Bread Luri...
No, the Bread Heavenly Demon was real.
If I'd known possession was possible, I would've tried the Demonic Cult route ages ago.
At least from what I remembered, when I'd walked the path to becoming the supreme under heaven, the Heavenly Demon was a guy.
What was his name again...
Unfortunately, I don't remember the names of random dudes.
Well, I'd recognize him if I saw his face, so whatever.
I decided to finally vent the curiosity I'd been holding back.
"So, what's your real relationship with Luri?"
At my question.
The cult leader's lips twisted into a smirk just like the one Luri made.
"What do you think it is?"
"Close sister?"
My unfiltered flattery shot out like a spark.
"Ahahat!"
The effect was tremendous!
Women older than you usually respond favorably when you guess their age younger than it looks.
If it weren't for such political maneuvering, why would I call that wicked food adulterator, the Agricultural Alliance Leader, my big sis?
"I'm her daughter."
"..."
But my goodwill was betrayed.
Did she notice the disappointment flickering in my gaze?
"I don't know how much Luri's told you... but it's not something I can share with outsiders. Or well, since Luri seems to have feelings too, should we hold the ceremony right after arriving in Xi'an?"
"I'll just accept the sentiment, Cult Leader."
"Oh my."
This time, the cult leader cast a disappointed look up and down at me.
But only for a moment.
"Indeed... Luri must have it tough on her own."
Soon, as she stared fixedly at my lower body, the cult leader made a strange face and tossed out a joke.
A joke... right...?
.
.
.
"It's about time to get off."
"Yeah."
The awkward seat was finally coming to an end, but...
Even after dismounting, it didn't seem like a comfortable spot awaited.
The carriage owner couldn't exit first, so in that stiff, embarrassing atmosphere, I got out ahead and set foot on the ground.
"Geum Sihyeon."
"Alliance Leader."
Dan Yuwol, accompanied by just a small guard detail like the cult leader, wore a subtle expression I could clearly see.
Forcing down my complicated feelings, I approached her.
"I heard the circumstances. You did well. Rest up for now, and I'll come find you soon."
"...Yes."
Fortunately...
She didn't seem intent on interrogating me right then.
Manage expression, manage expression.
Maintaining the somber look of a barely surviving victim entangled in the Bloody Massacre, I stepped back.
And then.
"A pleasure to meet you, Alliance Leader."
"The pleasure is mine, Cult Leader."
By the vibe.
I became—
Probably the first witness in martial world history to—
The Martial Alliance Leader and the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult Leader shaking hands.
"There must've been... so many trials. You did well."
And at Teacher Seo Dohee's warm whisper—not Chicken Master, but my actual teacher.
"There were too many things... I'm exhausted for real..."
Estrogen suddenly exploded, turning me into a total softie Geum Sihyeon as I leaned into my teacher and whined.
Having someone truly on my side...
Feels this warm...
* * *
"We deeply regret failing to prevent this regrettable incident in Shaanxi, our orthodox faction's domain."
"Well... if we're just looking at the cause, it's partly our fault for not managing our wayward cultists properly."
Exchanging soulless pleasantries.
Cheon Yuri's gaze drifted past the Martial Alliance Leader—
To Geum Sihyeon, cozily nestled in some woman's arms.
'A bit irritating.'
Cheon Yuri's eyes narrowed like a cat's.