Chapter 61
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: The Cleaning Crew
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"Alright, now we'll distribute the work uniforms."
At Cheonwi's signal, the eunuchs dragged in another cart.
The warriors gazed at the cart with eyes full of anticipation. Since their master had given them black jade pills and fragrant spirit stones, they had no doubt the uniforms would be some incredible enchanted armor.
But the expression of the warrior captain twisted strangely as she took hold of the clothes handed out to her.
"This is... armor?"
In her hand fluttered a short black skirt, a white apron adorned with frills, and a white lace headband for her hair.
A modern 'maid outfit'.
One that had been boldly shortened under the excuse of mobility, complete with garter belts to emphasize the thighs.
"Isn't there... too little fabric? Defense seems like it'd be nonexistent."
"Heh heh, you couldn't be more wrong."
Cheonwi continued like a traveling salesman.
"These clothes are made from the Imperial Palace's special fibers. Light as feathers, they're optimized for dodging enemy attacks. Plus, the breathability is excellent—no sweat buildup. And above all..."
Cheonwi lowered his voice.
"Unlike armor that binds the legs, there's zero hindrance when kicking. It's a 'battle uniform' that maximizes mobility."
Tira was the first to change and step out.
A muscular frame wrapped in a maid outfit. Garter belts hugging thighs that looked ready to burst, abs exposed above them.
It was bizarre.
But at the same time... strangely alluring.
Tira jumped high in place and unleashed a kick.
Whoosh!
Her skirt fluttered as her leg shot straight up vertically.
"Oh? It's true! So light and good! My legs move way easier!"
At Tira's glowing review, the warriors' doubts melted away like snow.
"If the queen says it's good, it is!"
"Let's wear it! The magical battle uniforms!"
A moment later.
The training grounds were filled with 500 'muscular maids'.
They tied each other's apron strings, snapped garter belts, and marveled at them.
"Hey, check this out. Doesn't my bicep pop more?"
"Hmph, my traps go better with the lace."
In their maid outfits, they struck muscle poses like they were at a bodybuilding contest.
The watching eunuchs couldn't close their mouths.
"Y-Your Excellency... this is a bit..."
"Your tastes are... quite unique."
"Quiet. This is the latest trend."
Cheonwi feigned composure, but truth be told, even he was a little flustered.
'Way more... destructive than I imagined. Visually.'
With outfits sorted, it was time for practical training.
Cheonwi handed each warrior a 'broom' instead of a weapon.
"This is your new weapon, the 'Soso' broom."
"Isn't that just a broom?"
"Not just any broom. It's a holy weapon that exterminates filth on the ground."
The warriors gripped the brooms and swung them experimentally. They whistled through the air with sheer power.
Cheonwi stepped forward with a broom to demonstrate.
"Watch closely. Cleaning isn't just sweeping dust. It's the realm of martial arts that clears even the stains on your soul."
Cheonwi channeled internal energy from his dantian to the broom's tip.
Woooong—
Sword qi—no, sweeping qi—rose from the broom.
"Hup!"
Cheonwi swung the broom wide.
Kwaaaa!
A gust whipped up, sending piled leaves in the corner of the training grounds swirling into the air before gathering precisely at one spot and dropping. Not a speck of dust left behind—a perfect sweep.
"This is the 'Rotating Broom Divine Art'. It gathers trash... er, enemies... in one place for annihilation."
Admiration burst from the warriors' mouths.
"Ooh! Amazing technique!"
"Controlling the wind to subdue foes!"
The warrior captain's eyes sparkled as she shouted.
"We can do it too! All troops, brooms up!"
"Woooaaah!"
500 warriors roared in unison and began sweeping.
But they lacked Cheonwi's fine energy control. All they had was brute force and destructive instinct.
Kwajik! Peok! Kwaaang!
"Die, you dust!"
"Take my broom, you filthy leaves!"
This wasn't cleaning. It was earthworks.
Every brush of the broom gouged deep into the dirt, sending stones flying like shrapnel. The once-flat training grounds turned into furrowed fields in seconds.
Passing eunuchs screamed and fled.
"Eek! Help! Stones flying!"
"Is that cleaning or digging? The buildings will collapse!"
Amid the billowing dust, the maid-outfitted warriors swung their brooms with frenzied eyes.
"More! Harder! Kill every last speck of dust!"
Tira encouraged them, dual-wielding her broom like twin swords.
Cheonwi, mask on against the dust, nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. Very spirited. With that power, most assassins won't even leave bones."
He'd worry about the palace floor tile replacement costs later.
Drawn by the commotion, Emperor Hyeonjong stepped out for a rare stroll and froze.
Before his eyes unfolded a hellscape.
Muscular monsters in lace outfits bellowing as they smashed the ground with brooms.
"Ch-Cheonwi..."
Hyeonjong's voice trembled.
"Wh-what are those terrifying women? A dream? Am I seeing things?"
Cheonwi brushed off the dust and approached, bowing politely.
"Ah, Your Majesty. Out for a walk?"
"Answer the question! What is that?!"
"The new cleaning crew I hired. The palace is so vast, we were short on staff, so I specially recruited strong, diligent ones."
"Cl-cleaning crew? That?"
Hyeonjong pointed to where one warrior was splitting a boulder with her broom.
"Yes. Quite sturdy, right? Palace hygiene and security are no longer concerns."
"No... hygiene aside, my safety is the concern...?"
Just then, the sweeping warriors spotted the emperor and turned as one. 500 gleaming eyes fixed on Hyeonjong.
"Huh? The male leader."
"Grab him?"
"No, the food guy said don't touch."
Their savage whispers reached Hyeonjong's ears.
"Eek!"
His face drained white as he backed away.
"M-my stomach hurts... I'll head back! You handle them well... manage properly!"
Forgetting all dignity, the emperor bolted.
A chilling smile curled Cheonwi's lips as he watched him go.
"Of course, Your Majesty. I'll manage them 'very' well."
At Cheonwi's gesture, the 500 maid warriors halted their brooms and aligned perfectly toward him.
"Cleaning done! Time for food!"
"Got it, got it. I'll stuff you till you burst, so calm down."
Cheonwi surveyed the Imperial Palace.
Soon, these terrifying 'maid warriors' would be stationed everywhere. Outwardly simple broom-wielding cleaners, but at a single glance from Cheonwi, a supreme private force ready to take the emperor's head.
Cheonwi's chambers.
Tira, who had just climbed through the window, proudly unfurled a silk cloth. Inside lay a red root caked in dirt. It resembled a wild ginseng, but red veins like blood vessels twisted across its surface, giving the illusion of wriggling.
"This is our tribe's treasure, the 'Red Dragon Root'. I had the kids fetch it for you. One bite, and even a dying old man jumps up to punch a bear barehanded."
Tira snorted proudly.
At that moment, Cheolhyeol—the guard captain standing watch outside—sensed a presence and kicked the door open.
"Cheonwi! What hap— Urk?"
Cheolhyeol wrinkled her nose and pinched it upon entering.
"What smell is this? Rotten... Did an assassin burn poison smoke?"
Her eyes glared fiercely at Tira.
"You. This barbarian bitch dares bring poison grass into the palace?"
"Poison grass?! You ignorant wench. This is a spirit elixir condensed from jungle essence!"
Tira snapped back.
As the two women's energy clashed, Cheonwi raised a hand to stop them.
"Enough. Both of you, quiet."
Cheonwi's gaze was fixed on the red root.
A pungent aroma stung the nose.
Sweet yet fishy, it carried a lewd energy that stimulated deep in the brain the moment inhaled.
Instinct.
Not as a martial artist, but as a male—raw, primal instinct stirred. He had to eat it. He'd regret it forever if he didn't. Every cell in his body craved that red root.
"The scent alone is extraordinary. My inner dragon's reacting... seems real."
"Cheonwi? Don't eat it rashly. Call a senior maid to test for poison..."
Despite Cheolhyeol's warning, Cheonwi reached out as if entranced.
He brushed off the dirt roughly and popped the Red Dragon Root into his mouth.
Crunch.
A crisp bite released bitter-sweet juice flooding his mouth. As it slid down his throat.
Fwoosh!
It was like a furnace ignited in his gut.
The juice hit his stomach and exploded into blistering heat, surging through his meridians.
"Urgh...!"
Cheonwi clutched his chest and staggered. His heart pounded like it would burst, veins bulging under his skin.
"Cheonwi! Darling!"
Cheolhyeol paled and supported him. His body burned like a fireball.
"This crazy barbarian poisoned him! Physician! Call the imperial doctor! Guards!"
As Cheolhyeol shouted frantically, Cheonwi's hand clamped her mouth. No—gripped her shoulder with crushing force.
"Cheon... wi?"
Cheolhyeol jolted at the iron grip. She knew his martial prowess, but this was different—a bottomless, heavy power beyond mere internal energy.
Cheonwi raised his head.
His eyes were no longer those of a gentle eunuch. Sclera bloodshot red, pupils glowing crimson.
A beast.
The gaze of a starved predator.
"No need for physicians. What I need... is just you two."
Cheonwi's voice rumbled low like a beast's growl.
"Wh-what?"
As Cheolhyeol panicked, red haze rose from Cheonwi's body. The root's effect rampaged the faint energy in his dantian. Suppressed yang qi burst like a broken dam.
"Grrr..."
Cheonwi snatched Cheolhyeol's wrist.
She was the empire's general and guard captain. Her strength unmatched by any. Yet Cheonwi yanked, and she flew like a paper doll onto the bed.
Thud!
"Kyaa! Why so strong?!"
Cheolhyeol screamed, clutching the sheets. Twice—no, ten times his usual strength. Overwhelming, irresistible power.
Watching, Tira's eyes sparkled.
"Ooh! Perfect! The effect kicked in right!"
Far from scared, Tira cheered and tore her clothes.
Riiip!
Her maid bodice ripped, exposing bronzed heaving breasts.
"Come at me, Cheonwi! Let's test male vs. female tonight!"
Tira leaped onto the bed like a wild mare.
Cheonwi heaved ragged breaths, yanking his necktie loose. Reason numb, instinct reigned. His mind held only the conquest of the two females before him.
"No one leaves tonight... until my heat cools."
Bang!
He flicked his hand; the door slammed shut by unseen force and locked.
The room's air heated to a crimson glow.