Kissing and Blushing
"S-Sir. By any chance, did you take down all these people by yourself?"
The arrogant prick was trembling with fear, unable to say a word, his eyes darting away as he stammered. Behind me, the beggars were staring at me with eyes full of awe.
"No way! He’s someone I’ve never seen before. Unless he’s a rising star from a prestigious righteous sect, how could he possibly..."
"Maybe he has other companions? How could he handle this many people otherwise?"
"I can't even gauge his realm. Could he be... at the realm of Returning to Simplicity and Truth?"
Is Returning to Simplicity and Truth some neighborhood kid’s name? Of course, it wasn't that kind of realm; it was simply the effect of the Sun and Moon Yin-Yang Divine Art. I hadn't even taken down a famous demonic master, just a bunch of low-level thugs with nothing but numbers on their side.
"I was just lucky. I’ll leave these guys to you, so please take care of the cleanup."
I didn't want my time with Mei to be interrupted any further.
"Understood."
Just as I was about to carry Mei on my back and head down to the village, the man who seemed to be the leader of the beggars approached me.
"Sir—no, Great Hero! I am Jo Woong, a Branch Leader of the Beggars' Sect. If you don't have a faction you belong to yet, how about coming to the Beggars' Sect headquarters this time?"
Recruiting outsiders?
"Oh my..."
I heard Mei’s small exclamation. Since he was a Branch Leader of the Beggars' Sect, he must have heard about me from Juta, and he surely would have already figured out that I was from the Sa-geom Sect.
"I’m afraid I must decline. I still have things I need to do."
As if he hadn't expected a rejection, a flustered Jo Woong asked, "Great Hero, if it’s not too much trouble, may I ask what it is you need to do? Our Beggars' Sect is skilled in handling information, so we could certainly be of help."
"It’s a strictly personal matter, so I don't think I can tell you."
At my words, Jo Woong replied as if he were deeply regretful.
"If that is the case, please do come find me if you ever come to Tianjin later."
"Understood. If I ever have a reason to go there, I will be sure to look for you."
"And Son, if you ever need to use the Beggars' Sect in other branches, just mention my name; it will make things much easier."
I could see the effort Jo Woong was putting into building rapport with me. Certainly, if one were a typical martial artist not from a prestigious background, it would be hard to refuse an offer from the Beggars' Sect, one of the pillars of the Nine Schools and One Sect. Moreover, working at the Beggars' Sect headquarters in Tianjin would clearly mean growing into a core member of the sect, not just a low-level grunt like the 100,000 beggars spread across the Murim world.
A scout offer from a massive, well-funded corporation!
'But what do I lack that would make me want to join the Beggars' Sect?'
However, that was only for typical martial artists. Isn't Gihu the one and only disciple of the legendary hidden master of the Murim, the Sun and Moon Heavenly Venerable? ...And the Beggars' Sect just doesn't have any style. I wouldn't even go if the Wudang or Mount Hua Sects offered, so the Beggars' Sect is just a bit... no.
'If I ever need to infiltrate the Beggars' Sect later, I’ll make good use of it then.'
It was already evening by the time we arrived at the village.
"Ugh... I'm sorry, Gihu... I should be treating you to something, but I can't do anything, and I keep receiving help..."
"Hey, I told you not to say things like that. This whole thing happened because I forced you to go out."
While carrying Mei on my back on the way home, I stopped by a nearby tavern and bought a few side dishes for dinner. It was quite expensive, but... so what? I’m flexing.
When we arrived home, I set down Mei, who had been clinging to my back like a baby until now.
"Thank you, Gihu. You must have had a hard time carrying me around."
"Hard time? No. I actually really enjoyed going out with you, Mei."
It was a cliché thing to say, but such expressions are important. In fact, it wasn't even a lie. The sensation of her body against my back every time I moved was truly... you have to experience it to know.
When I glanced at her face, her lips were twitching, looking as if she were trying to hold back a smile.
"Let’s go on a date again next time."
"Next time, too?"
"Yes, is that okay?"
Mei’s hesitation was very brief.
"Th... uh... yes, y-yes..."
When I entered inside with Mei, the house was empty. As expected, the husband wasn't there. Since I couldn't feel his presence with my Qi sense, it was only natural.
"I guess the master of the house didn't come back."
"Don't even talk about that guy! He’s definitely going to spend all the money you gave him recklessly and not come anywhere near the house for days!"
Mei, who had seemed to be in a good mood until just a moment ago, scowled at the mention of her husband.
Oh, really? I had expected him to be back in at most a day... I guess he has quite a lot of free time. That’s great news for me.
"Mei, let's eat together. Do you have anything to drink?"
"No. Other than water..."
It’s a shame, but it can't be helped. Should I have bought some alcohol at the other tavern?
"Hehe, but I have some alcohol I brewed myself!"
"Really?"
Alcohol? And she made it herself?
"Yes, ta-da!" She appeared holding two ceramic bottles.
"It’s nothing special, I just made it with some herbs. It’s my special Medicinal Liquor!"
"Alcohol you brewed yourself! You must really like drinking."
At those words, I saw Mei shudder slightly.
"That’s not it... but there are times when I want to drink too."
Did I say something wrong? She might have been reminded of her husband. What an idiot I am... I should have just stayed quiet.
"I'll enjoy it, Mei."
I said quickly and put the bottle to my lips. It was a liquor with the scent of herbs and a sharp, stinging taste.
'Oh, it has a higher alcohol content than I thought?'
It felt at least like vodka, perhaps made with a gaoliang liquor base. I wonder how well Mei will hold up.
"It’s really delicious."
"Really? That’s a relief..."
Perhaps happy at the compliment, a smile bloomed on her face.
************
Like a tavern snack, it went well with the medicinal liquor, and I was able to drink without any trouble. When we had chatted about this and that and were feeling pleasantly tipsy, I quietly brought up the topic I had wanted to discuss.
"I'm just curious, but it seems there's a big age gap between you and your husband? At a glance, he looks about my age..."
At those words, Mei replied, her already flushed face turning even redder.
"Ah, no. That ba... no, he’s the same age as me... I’m thirty this year."
I was greatly surprised. I had guessed Mei’s age correctly, but her husband was much younger than I thought? I had thought he was in his late 40s...
"Is that so? To have such a young and beautiful woman as his wife... I’m truly envious of your husband."
At those words, Mei’s eyes sparkled, and she spoke in a subtle tone.
"...My husband only hits and mistreats me. I don't even remember the last time I was treated like a wife."
The daily violence and the insults her husband heaped upon her were enough to trample Mei’s heart. Mei felt the confidence of a woman that had settled deep within her heart revive a little under Gihu’s intense gaze.
'Even in such a miserable state, there is still someone who wants me...'
She wasn't a young maiden in her prime, but a withering flower; in the past, she would have ignored or gotten angry at a man’s behavior like this, but with her self-esteem lowered to the bottom and suffering from her husband’s violence, his persistent attempts to seduce her actually felt like affection.
One might think she’s an easy woman... but she had been lonely and mistreated for years, and after what happened during the day, not a shred of affection remained for that bastard. Gihu’s handsome appearance and kind heart were like medicinal herbs soothing my torn heart.
'If he truly wants me, then I...'
Was it the atmosphere? Gihu noticed that she was starting to get aroused little by little. A strange, fuzzy feeling. I had a hunch. This is going to work.
"He really is a man who doesn't deserve such a woman. A woman as beautiful as you..."
I finished my sentence and looked at Mei deeply. The light from the candle casting shadows on her face added to the poignancy.
"I... I have a husband. And rather than a woman like me, there are better..."
No. Mei’s heart was already quite moved; what she just said was merely a defensive reaction. I met her eyes and gently reached out my hand to her shoulder, pulling her toward me.
"Don't say things like that. To me, you are a truly wonderful woman..."
As expected, she didn't reject my touch. It seemed she had completely broken away from her husband. Of course, even if that weren't the case, my appearance and actions until now must have left a deep impression on her heart.
When I used my other hand to hold and pull the waist of the shy Mei, she rubbed her voluminous breasts against me. Feeling my crotch throbbing, I couldn't hold back anymore and kissed her.
Smack.
The first was a light bird kiss. I kissed her lightly, stroked the cheek of the blushing Mei once, and kissed her again.
Smack, smooch, smack.
When I pulled my face away, Mei’s dazed expression came into view. Her flushed face and heavy breathing captured my ears.
"Hnnngh..."
It didn't take long for the two of us to become a pair of beasts sharing a deep kiss. As the kissing started again, she wrapped her arms around Gihu’s neck and leaned into his embrace. I pushed my tongue into her parted lips and intertwined them.
"Mmm... slurp... slurrrp."
Our tongues tangled obscenely like snakes mating, and the sound seeped into my ears. Gihu’s hand, which had been stroking Mei’s back and waist, was already caressing her large breasts. Even while kissing frantically, Mei felt his touch and pressed her body against him so that her breasts would fit well into Gihu’s hands. While fondling her breasts, I pinched her protruding nipples hard.
You naughty nipples.
"Ahng, slurp... slurp... haaah♥"
When we finished the intense kiss and pulled away, a thin thread of white saliva connected us. My crotch had already reached its limit and was rising as if to pierce through my pants. There was no choice but to bury it inside her quickly to calm it down.