Plunder Fire Lotus: Wi Ha-young #2
"Kuk kuk... So, to sum it up, one of Murim's Four Beauties, Gyeop Hwa Bu Yong, showed up in your room?"
"That's what I've been saying."
"Bullshit..."
"It's true, damn it!"
I pounded my chest in frustration, but Jae Mi-son didn't believe a word I said. He just poured more booze into my cup and told me to drink up.
"She really came! But she wanted me to follow her, and I didn't know exactly who she was, so here I am! I figured you'd know all the rumors around these parts, so I came to pick your brain!"
"I'm sick of your nonsense... Anyway, Gyeop Hwa Bu Yong is... well, a famous female Taoist around here. The Maosan Sect's base is close to Anhui Province."
Is that right?
"Not just the sect. Any rumors about Gyeop Hwa Bu Yong herself?"
"Rumor has it her tits are as huge as Mount Tai... They call her Taesan Yubang in the shadows."
"Oh."
Taesan Yubang, huh. And it's true. Those overwhelming mounds were every bit deserving of the name—no, maybe even more. Mount Tai might be underselling it.
"Kuk kuk."
"Heh heh heh."
Jae Mi-son and I shared a lecherous chuckle as we clinked glasses.
"And she's supposed to be stunningly beautiful... Who knows. Anyway, she's a renowned Taoist. Master of spells and talismans, slaying all sorts of yokai."
So she has a solid reputation there.
"No bad rep? No one's calling her evil or anything?"
Jae Mi-son shook his head at that.
"No way... The Maosan Sect is a gathering of Taoists to begin with. They're basically good by default. Never heard any evil rumors about Gyeop Hwa Bu Yong. And if she were shady, she wouldn't make the Murim's Four Beauties list."
"Fair point."
To earn a title like one of Murim's Four Beauties, you need some real credentials. It's not handed out to just any pretty face. Otherwise, my aunt would be one too.
"Hmm."
Whatever the case, if Jae Mi-son's vouching for her like this, she's probably not dangerous. Safe enough to go negotiate with Wi Ha-young. She wants to study my constitution anyway—if it pans out, it's a win for me too.
"Alright, Jae Mi-son. I'm heading to the Maosan Sect with Gyeop Hwa Bu Yong for a bit. She says she needs to research my constitution, no helping it. I'll come straight back here when I'm done."
"Please stop with the crap..."
"Argh! It's true! Why would I even ask if it wasn't?!"
"I'm fed up with your endless bullshit..."
"I'm really going!"
"See you tomorrow..."
"Damn it!"
In the end, Jae Mi-son never bought it—I was a liar through and through to him. Come on, we're the Anhui Twin Heroes, bound by trust and friendship. How's this fair? Song-ssi would've believed me on the spot.
"Sigh."
I trudged back to my inn. What can you do when that bastard won't believe you? Guess I'll spill the details later.
Creak.
I pushed open the door and stepped inside. There was Wi Ha-young, fast asleep on my bed.
"..."
Taesan Yubang. Spread out in all its glory. And with every breath, her chest rose and fell. It was such a mesmerizing sight, I couldn't tear my eyes away.
But seriously, how does this woman just crash in some strange guy's bed like it's nothing?
"Ha-young, wake up. I'm back."
"Mmm... What? Didn't you hear me say not to be late?"
She rubbed her eyes and sat up, scolding me.
"Got held up chatting with a friend. But hey, you. Is it really okay to just sleep in a guy's bed like that? No sense of caution?"
"Hah. What do you care what I do? And I'm not some easy mark, you know."
With that, Wi Ha-young stretched languidly, arms high.
Streeetch.
Full-body stretch. Couldn't deny my eyes kept drifting to those overwhelming breasts. Guys are just wired to get floored by a rack like that. And she's half-exposing them without a care—that's the weird part.
"No, I didn't mean it bad. It's just... my eyes keep going there..."
"What can I do? This is how I dress."
She really doesn't give a shit?
"Ready to go, then?"
"Yeah. Let's. Right now?"
"What, crash here in this shoebox? I'm busy. Hurry up."
Wi Ha-young packed her stuff quick. A bulging travel satchel and her stone staff propped in the corner. That staff reminded me of the old wind-and-blood guy.
"I'm itching to study your constitution. Gotta get there ASAP."
Itching where, exactly?
As I thought that and packed my own gear, she nudged me with her toe.
"What?"
"Not grabbing that?"
"That's your satchel."
"Duh, you're supposed to carry it for me. I'm Gyeop Hwa Bu Yong. One of Murim's Four Beauties. Get it?"
She pressed a hand to her upper chest, looking all smug and entitled. Seems like every woman called one of Murim's Four Beauties in the Central Plains has terminal princess syndrome. Serin knew she was hot but wasn't this arrogant...
Wi Ha-young might be a bit much. But Taesan Yubang! It's fine!
"Hand it over! I'll carry it for you!"
"Kuk kuk. I like you obedient."
I like your tits too.
"Hmm, but I figured a yodan constitution meant some demonic arts vibe. You're surprisingly well-behaved."
"Of course I am. If you study me, it's good for me too."
She sold me out to her superiors, sure, but coming here straight means she trusts something about me. Jae Mi-son said no evil rep, so I'll play along and cooperate. Who knows? She might uncover my secrets.
Once you truly know your constitution, becoming a master is just a matter of time.
"Honestly, I'd love to get a clear read on my own state. A Maosan Sect Taoist should manage that, right?"
"Duh! Trust me! This Gyeop Hwa Bu Yong, Wi Ha-young, will crack your secrets wide open! It'll be great for you!"
"Ooh...!"
Damn, she sounds reliable.
"But I'm clueless—Ha-young, are you like, a super skilled Taoist?"
"Obviously!"
"I believe you!!!"
I dropped to my knees in worship, and she covered her mouth, bursting into loud laughter.
"Kyahaha! Yes! Stick with me, and nothing's impossible! Just do as I say!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Let's roll!"
Hell yeah!
I hoisted my stuff plus hers and stood. Wi Ha-young just grabbed her stone staff and strode ahead.
We stepped out of the inn. Whoa, but...
A female Taoist with a stone staff straight out of a fantasy novel. But that's not the point.
"Gasp."
"Whoa."
"G-Gyeop Hwa Bu Yong!"
People milling about spotted her and freaked, yelling her title.
Makes sense. Spotting a Taesan Yubang Taoist? You'd drop dead from shock.
Even...
Boing boing.
Her unsecured breasts bounced wildly with every step. Stealing everyone's gaze.
"Kuk kuk. I know I'm hot."
Wi Ha-young seemed to revel in the admiring stares. Admiring? Most looked straight lecherous.
She doesn't care about the jiggle at all? If Serin were here, she'd turn every onlooker into mincemeat. Me included.
Anyway, we stocked up on supplies and passed through the gates. Unlike Serin from a noble clan, no carriage or horse for us.
"Ha-young, we really walking all the way to the Maosan Sect?"
"Walking's part of training."
"True that."
The Cheong-han Sim-gong I learned works while strolling too. Reaching that level's tough, but with time on my hands, why not train?
"Hmm, getting dark soon."
Wi Ha-young licked her lips.
"Left a bit late. Sun's dipping fast. Ha-young, head back to the city and leave at dawn?"
"No need. Oh, do you get weird at night or anything?"
"At night?"
"You ate two yodan, right?"
Something connected?
"Night and yokai are tight-knit. Yokai get stronger at night. Absorbing yodan? You might feel something off then. Right?"
"Night, huh."
Makes sense. Night's more yokai time than human time. Maybe the yodan energy surges then?
"Dunno. Haven't noticed anything special so far."
"Really?"
"Oh, but since the yodan, my sleep's restless. Dreams with yokai and shit."
"Nightmares?"
"Bingo. Bad ones hit sometimes... Wake up soaked in sweat."
"Clear symptoms. We'll check that too. Nightmares, hmm."
She looked thrilled. Eager to dissect me.
She kept probing with minor questions, giving a light diagnosis. Nothing satisfying since even I don't know much. Details at the base, she said. Guess I'll wait.
The sun dipped low, then full dark fell.
"Now what?"
"Huh? Scared of the dark?"
"No one's scared! Just can't move in pitch black!"
Modern folks don't mind night, but here, no lights means hunkering down. World goes total black. Moonlight's your only bet.
"Gotta prep to camp now."
"Kuk kuk. Civilians."
"Don't call me civilian—let's set up camp, Ha-young."
"Camp? Forgot I'm a Taoist?"
Taoist trick up her sleeve? She grinned.
"Wanna see some spellwork?"
"Spellwork...?"
"Yap."
She formed hand seals and chanted something.
Whoosh!
Orange ghost fire flared before her eyes!
"Whoa! What the hell! Ghost fire!"
Torch-bright in the dark! Lit up everything!
Real ghost fire?!
"This real spellwork?! You summoned it?!"
I gawked, pointing. She chuckled, waving her hands more.
"Kuk kuk, that impressed? Want more? Yap yap."
Whoosh!
More ghost fires popped up!
"No way!!!"
Fire from thin air! And it followed her will!
I'm dying here!
"This can't be real! Taoists are stronger than murim warriors?!"
"Kyahaha! Finally get it? Warriors are a tier below Taoists!"
No shit! Warriors are commoners, mages are nobility!
"Incredible, Taoist master!"
"Let's go! No camping tonight! We march!"
"Yes!"
Tension's up! Hell yeah!
"Light's great, but aren't we targets now?"
"This fire repels yokai and riffraff. How d'you think I got here?"
Smug as hell.
"You walked alone?"
"What else?"
"Whoa!"
True master shit. Parading that killer body solo.
Wonder if she's stronger than Serin...
"Oh, you were at the Namgung Family, right? That Okhwa Geom from there?"
"Yeah. Gift from the family head herself."
"Hmm. So, what's your deal with that Okhwa Geom bitch?"
Bitch?