The Lust Demon's Promise (3)
The Shoot the Sun Sword Art.
It was the Diancang Sect’s most famous exclusive martial art, and among every sword technique in existence it carried the darkest reputation—a vicious style built almost entirely around the thrust.
The name of a martial art always pointed to the ultimate principle it sought. Just the words “Shoot the Sun” were enough to reveal how vast a dream its founder had once dared to chase.
“… Is it really okay to teach me that? Me?”
Dokgo Ryeong asked Baekri Sohyeon carefully.
Martial arts were a martial artist’s fortune. Why did the great sects become great? Because they monopolized their techniques and never let outsiders touch them. No art was perfect; the more widely it spread, the more counters appeared, and the weaker the sect grew. That was not the only thing troubling Dokgo Ryeong.
“… Yeah. It doesn’t matter.”
“… I’m asking if you are okay teaching it to me. You… don’t have bad memories tied to it, do you?”
“…”
Baekri Sohyeon clutched the hem of her skirt.
“… It’s fine.”
“…”
“… Ryeong Mae said she wants to become the Mad Demon again, right?”
“Huh?”
“… That she can’t just leave the bastards alone.”
Baekri Sohyeon released her skirt and took Dokgo Ryeong’s hand instead. The hand was slender and pale, yet covered in calluses—a martial artist’s hand. A strong hand.
“… So I’ll help you.”
“…”
Dokgo Ryeong looked at her and let out a short snort of laughter.
“Ha… Yeah, you really are a dullard.”
“… Huh?”
“What the hell are you trusting when you decide to teach martial arts to a woman who can’t even circulate energy and has no strength left?”
Baekri Sohyeon answered the self-mocking words without hesitation.
“… Once we fix the severed meridians, Ryeong Mae will get ridiculously strong too… and you promised, didn’t you?”
“Huh?”
“Promises are meant to be kept, right…?”
“…”
Dokgo Ryeong was certain in her heart. Yep—Baekri Sohyeon really was a dullard. Slow, simple, the kind of idiot who believed whatever people told her. But that kind of fool was exactly what the Mad Demon Dokgo Jin had always liked.
“… You’re right. Of course you keep promises. Only retards don’t get that.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. At least you’re more human than those retards.”
“… Then from now on call me Sohyeon Unnie.”
“…Fuck, why does every conversation end up like this?”
“… I’m becoming Ryeong Mae’s junior sister, right? So unnie.”
“I’m not learning it. Forget the whole thing.”
Dokgo Ryeong threw away the resolve she had just formed and let go of Baekri Sohyeon’s hand.
“… Just call me unnie once and I’ll teach you.”
“Ah, fuck off.”
“… I don’t have a dick to fuck off with….”
“Gyaaaaaah!!!”
“…”
When Dokgo Ryeong erupted into another screaming fit, Baekri Sohyeon shrank back.
“… You already sound exactly like the Mad Demon….”
“Shiiiiit!!!!”
“Miss Dokgo, please keep it a little quieter….”
“Kyaaaaaah!!!”
“…”
Watching the rampaging woman, Wi Ilcheong made a firm private decision.
… Next time I am definitely buying sleeping incense.
“Fuck….”
Once Dokgo Ryeong finally settled down after her long tantrum, Wi Ilcheong held out a water flask.
“… At least wet your throat a little.”
“Thanks….”
She drained it in one hearty gulp and tossed the flask back.
“… So. How are we getting to Noeum Temple?”
“…”
“What, you little shit?”
“… Nothing. I was simply surprised that the young lady who was just thrashing about could become so calm so quickly.”
“Want me to thrash around again?”
“… My apologies. That was a thoughtless remark.”
Wi Ilcheong took a moment to organize his thoughts.
“For now I intend to follow the official roads.”
“Makes sense. Better than mountain paths.”
“We’ll pass through Liaoning and Hebei, then stop briefly in Zhejiang.”
“… Why Zhejiang? Wouldn’t that just mean hugging the coast the whole way down?”
“I have business at Botamun. The child who needs the Nine Yang Divine Art I mentioned earlier is there.”
“…”
Dokgo Ryeong’s brow furrowed.
“Botamun—that’s where the Sword Queen is, right?”
“Correct. The South Sea Sword Queen resides there.”
“… And what the hell do you have to do with that place? It’s full of nothing but female monks….”
She stopped mid-sentence, mouth falling open.
“… You little bastard, don’t tell me….”
“It is not what you are thinking.”
“This son of a bitch even screws the nuns….”
“No—please! It truly is not. Do you take me for someone who goes into heat the moment he sees a woman?”
“… Isn’t that exactly why they call you the Lust Demon?”
“Haa….”
Wi Ilcheong covered his face with one hand and scrubbed it dry.
“… Whether Miss Dokgo believes me or not, I have never once been the first to suggest dual cultivation to a woman. Truly.”
“You asked me for my virginity, didn’t you?”
“… Normally the ladies come to my chambers long before I ever need to say anything.”
“Fucking bastard.”
Wi Ilcheong looked genuinely wronged.
“… You are a truly exceptional case, Miss Dokgo. And that ‘Lust Demon’ nickname was hung on me by jealous men.”
“You know what?”
“… What, exactly?”
“The Mad Demon was actually a very rational guy. But the bastards who were jealous of him slapped that vicious title ‘Blood-Seeking Mad Demon’ on him for no reason.”
“…”
Seeing that Dokgo Ryeong had zero intention of believing a word he said, Wi Ilcheong simply sighed.
“Haa… Anyway. There is a child at Botamun who desperately needs an extreme Yang divine art.”
“Why the hell?”
“That… I cannot tell you. In any case, it is already a matter I promised you, so could we simply move past it?”
“We still have to go to Noeum Temple if I want to learn the Nine Yang Divine Art properly.”
“You yourself said the madness does not appear immediately. In that case it is better to at least pass on the formulas. Botamun lies on the road to Tianzhu anyway.”
“… Wouldn’t cutting straight across the Central Plains be faster?”
“Taking the Yangtze is far faster.”
Wi Ilcheong raised a hand and sketched the route for her.
“Rather than crossing the entire Central Plains all the way to Sichuan, I need to stop at Botamun first. So we go as far as Zhejiang, then board a ship in Shanghai and ride the Yangtze upstream.”
“How far?”
“To Sichuan. After that we disembark and continue on foot.”
“… Hmm.”
In the days when she had been the Mad Demon Dokgo Jin she would have simply charged straight across the Central Plains day and night without rest. Now she was stuck in the frail body of a young woman whose stamina was pathetic. Using carriages and boats would actually be much faster than walking. The detour felt a little roundabout, yet in the end Dokgo Ryeong raised her hand in agreement.
“Fine. We’ll do it your way.”
“Understood.”
Once the rough route to Noeum Temple was settled, someone knocked on the driver’s seat.
Knock-knock.
The small window opened and the coachman leaned in.
“Young Master Wi, have you finished your discussion?”
“Yes, Coachman Heo.”
“The sun will set soon. There is an inn nearby. Shall we stop there for the night?”
Wi Ilcheong glanced at Baekri Sohyeon and Dokgo Ryeong.
“… Yeah. I’m hungry.”
“The dullard wants to rest, so we rest.”
Wi Ilcheong nodded to the coachman.
“Very well. Then….”
“Wait.”
Dokgo Ryeong stopped the coachman just as he was about to close the window.
“You’re Hao Sect too?”
“Yes. My apologies for the late introduction. I am Heo Gwanyeong.”
“I’ve got something I’m curious about. Mind if I ask?”
“… Please do.”
“Did that Lust Demon bastard really fuck your sect leade—”
“M-Miss Dokgo!!”
Wi Ilcheong shot up in pure panic and clamped a hand over her mouth.
“Hey, fuck! I’m just curious! Hey!! Is it true or not!!”
“I-I’m so sorry, Coachman Heo! Please depart at once! The young lady suffers from bouts of madness….”
“Fuck! Hey! I’m not a crazy bitch…!”
“… Departing now.”
“… Ryeong Mae, that was too much….”
For a while the carriage rocked and swayed violently. Feeling the motion, Heo Gwanyeong let out a long sigh.
… I will have to report that the Mad Demon’s daughter has a high probability of causing chaos.
When they entered the inn, a waiter came out to greet Dokgo Ryeong and her companions.
“Welcome. Will you be staying the night?”
“We will.”
“How many rooms?”
Wi Ilcheong glanced briefly at Dokgo Ryeong before answering.
“Two.”
“Understood. Is there anything else you need?”
“… Hungry.”
Baekri Sohyeon tugged at Wi Ilcheong’s sleeve and whined.
“… Please prepare some food.”
“I want booze!”
“… Give the red-haired young lady the weakest wine you have, and under no circumstances more than one bottle.”
“Ah, why you fucking bastard!!”
“I would rather endure the cursing than travel with a hung-over Miss Dokgo.”
“… Cheap little shit.”
“Heh-heh, of course. I’ll prepare everything as ordered. The two rooms at the top of the stairs are yours.”
The waiter smiled and disappeared into the kitchen. Dokgo Ryeong picked a suitable table and sat. Baekri Sohyeon immediately slid into the seat beside her, earning a scowl.
“Move.”
“… No.”
“Ah, why! Stop clinging so damn much.”
“… I’m barely even touching you. Let’s bathe together later, Ryeong Mae.”
“… Again?”
“Then should I go bathe with Big Brother Wi instead?”
“Do whatever the fuck you want. Waiter!! Bring the wine first!! Hurry!!”
“Yes!”
No matter how many times Dokgo Ryeong made disgusted faces and tried to push her away, Baekri Sohyeon just kept smiling happily and stuck to her side. Watching them, Wi Ilcheong smiled to himself.
… Miss Baekri seems to have taken quite a liking to Miss Dokgo.
There was nothing wrong with the women becoming close. He turned to Heo Gwanyeong.
“Hero Heo, do you know if there is an apothecary nearby?”
“An apothecary? Are you unwell?”
“… No. I simply… wish to prepare some sleeping incense.”
“Ah….”
Heo Gwanyeong glanced at Dokgo Ryeong, then gave a bitter smile.
“You have it rough, Young Master Wi.”
“Ha… haha…. Rough is a bit much….”
“As far as I know there is no apothecary in the immediate area, but halfway up the mountain there is a man who gathers and sells herbs. You should seek him out.”
“Thank you. Please sit and eat with us, Hero Heo.”
Heo Gwanyeong scratched his cheek awkwardly.
“I have a report I need to make….”
“Ah, I see. Understood. Will you head to the rooms first, then?”
“Yes, that seems best.”
“Very well. Please keep an eye out from time to time so that nothing untoward happens to Miss Baekri or Miss Dokgo.”
“… Yes.”
Heo Gwanyeong swallowed the question that had risen all the way to his throat—Shouldn’t I be stopping Miss Dokgo from causing the untoward events?—and simply nodded.
When Wi Ilcheong approached the table, Dokgo Ryeong spoke first.
“Where are you going? Looking for herbs?”
“Yes….”
“Instead of relying on sleeping incense, wouldn’t it be better to just sweat a little and sleep properly?”
“…”
Her sensory perception was terrifyingly sharp no matter how many times he saw it. A chill ran down Wi Ilcheong’s spine.
“… I will take that under advisement.”
“Good. More importantly, that Heo Gwanyeong? Is he any good?”
“… Pardon?”
“I mean, he doesn’t look like a martial artist at all, yet you asked him to look after me and the dullard.”
“Ah… heh-heh.”
Wi Ilcheong laughed, and Dokgo Ryeong’s face twisted.
“Why are you snickering?”
“There will be an opportunity to speak about Hero Heo later. For now, please eat first. I will go meet that herb gatherer. Miss Baekri.”
“… Yeah.”
“Please look after Miss Dokgo.”
“… Yeah. Come back safe.”
“Then.”
Watching Wi Ilcheong leave the inn and leap away, Dokgo Ryeong grumbled.
“Fuck, it’s not like I’m some damn kid….”
“… It’s because Ryeong Mae looks young.”
“Fuck….”
When Baekri Sohyeon stared at her steadily, Dokgo Ryeong stared back.
“What? Why?”
“… Call me unnie.”
“Ah, fuck! I said no!!”
“… Just once? Please?”
“Get lost already!”
“… Hiiing.”
“Waiter!!! Fuck, did you go brew the wine yourself?! Waiter!!”
“Yes!! Coming right now!!”
Unable to take her frustration out on Baekri Sohyeon, Dokgo Ryeong ended up glaring at the innocent waiter instead.
“Hey, hurry up already….”
“Aigoo, I’m so sorry…. We have a lot of guests today….”
“… What?”
Dokgo Ryeong swept a glance around the room. There were plenty of tables, yet almost all of them stood empty.
“… Waiter.”
“Yes?”
“You seeing ghosts or something?”
“Ah… a young master of the Moyong Clan will be arriving soon with his friends.”
“… What?”
The moment the words “Moyong Clan” reached her ears, Dokgo Ryeong’s eyebrows twisted sharply.
“Moyong Clan~? Why the hell are those bastards from Liaoning all the way out here?”
“They come here to play quite often.”
“… Ryeong Mae.”
“What?”
“… Do something about your face….”
“Huh?”
When Baekri Sohyeon reached out, Dokgo Ryeong slapped the hand away.
“What? Why? Use your words.”
“… You look exactly like a demonic cultivator right now.”
“Angh?”
“… Like you’re about to murder someone.”
“…”
Dokgo Ryeong scrubbed her face dry a few times and forced her expression back to normal.
“Why the hell would I pick a fight with Moyong Clan bastards.”
“… That’s a relief, then.”
“Let’s just drink. You want some too?”
“… Yeah yeah.”
She poured wine into Baekri Sohyeon’s cup, then held out her own empty cup so Baekri could pour for her in turn. They lightly clinked the cups together. Just as Dokgo Ryeong was about to toss the wine back, she caught sight of her own face reflected in the surface of the liquor.
… Right. I’m not the Mad Demon Dokgo Jin anymore. I’m Dokgo Ryeong now.
Old grudges belonged to the past. She drained the cup in one go.
“Kuuuh… delicious.”
“… You sound like an old man.”
“What are you on about. Hey, want to drink a little more behind the Lust Demon’s back?”
“… Yeah, heehee.”
Baekri Sohyeon answered with a bright smile.
At that moment a man strode into the inn and bellowed at the top of his lungs.
“Everyone present, I ask that you observe proper etiquette!! The Second Young Master of the great Moyong Clan will be entering shortly!!”
The sudden roar made Baekri Sohyeon scrunch up her face. Dokgo Ryeong, however, was not nearly so mild.
Clang.
“…Hm?”
The man turned toward the direction from which the wine cup had come flying. There stood a red-haired young woman with her arm still extended—Dokgo Ryeong.
“… Did the young lady throw that?”
“Yeah, fuck. We’re trying to drink here and you bastards are being so goddamn loud.”
“… Haa.”
Hearing the stream of curses, Baekri Sohyeon let out a long, weary sigh.
… Big Brother Wi, please come back soon….