Do You Know the Blade? (4)
“So then, would you go and put on a little lovey-dovey show with Dokgo Jin’s daughter? So my boy will give up on his own?”
“Very well.”
“You… you bastards! Who the hell gave you the right to decide that!!”
Dokgo Ryeong shrieked as if she were having a seizure, but Paeng Yudeok only snickered at the sight.
“Khahaha! My fault for not realizing how passionately the two of you love each other. I’d rather handle it myself, but the boy simply won’t listen to a word I say.”
“No, fuck! Managing your own kid is your job!!”
“Just do me this one favor, will you? Or… hmm. How about this?”
Paeng Yudeok pulled out a box he had set beside him.
“Originally I meant these as wedding gifts, but… Dokgo Jin’s daughter, put in a good word with your father for me.”
“About what?”
When Paeng Yudeok opened the box, a strange heat and cold poured out at the same time.
“…What the hell is that?”
“One is the spiritual pill of the Solar Fire Pear. The other is the Human-Form Snow Ginseng. Once I form an alliance with Dokgo Jin, I want him even stronger, so I prepared these. The man has always been short on internal energy.”
“…”
A spiritual treasure brimming with extreme Yang energy—the Solar Fire Pear.
A medicinal herb steeped in extreme Yin energy—the Human-Form Snow Ginseng.
Even looking at them was enough to feel an ominous power.
“I don’t know exactly what Dokgo Jin’s cultivation method is, but I could sense Yang energy from him. So just in case, I prepared two spiritual medicines of extreme Yang and extreme Yin.”
“Then those…”
“If you speak well to your father and persuade my son for me, I’ll give you one of them.”
“!!”
The one who looked shocked at those words was Eun Yakbyeok.
“…You’ll really give it?”
“Leaving them sitting around does me no good. It would take my son far too long to digest either of them, and every other clan head already has internal energy so abundant they wouldn’t need them.”
“But these are far too precious.”
“Khahaha! If you want to buy someone’s goodwill, you have to prepare at least this much. For some reason Dokgo Jin never seems to like me much.”
“…”
Hearing that, Dokgo Ryeong grumbled inwardly.
You must’ve been a real pain in the ass, you bastard.
Just then, Eun Yakbyeok, seated beside her, sent a sound transmission.
Guest, isn’t this an opportunity?
Dokgo Ryeong glared at her, but Eun Yakbyeok simply continued on her own.
You need Yang energy anyway, and you said you don’t want to take it from semen.
“!!”
At those words, Dokgo Ryeong clapped her hands.
“Oh…”
“Hm? Something the matter?”
“Nothing. More importantly… if I really just do those two things, you’ll give me one?”
“That’s right. Make my son give up on you, and put in a good word with Dokgo Jin…”
“I’ll do it! Absolutely!”
“…You’re agreeing so cheerfully it’s actually making me uneasy.”
“No no. I’ll definitely help! When are you planning to smash the Tang Clan?”
“I figure about three years, counting by the calendar. The Demonic Cult is having its internal strife, the Blood Sect has gone quiet, and the unorthodox factions are busy with succession fights. We should finish it as quickly as possible in that window.”
“So three years from now, my… father just has to smash the Tang Clan?”
“That’s right. I’m not asking him to wipe them out alone—just for his help.”
Dokgo Ryeong nodded as she listened.
Three years. That’ll be enough time to visit Noeum Temple and somehow get my strength back before then. And besides…
If luck was on her side, maybe the Yang energy of the Solar Fire Pear could even turn her back into a man?
Dokgo Ryeong pinned a faint hope on that possibility as well.
“I’ll talk to him properly. So give me one!”
“…Hao Sect Leader. Can I trust this deal?”
“My, you’re the one who offered to hand one over first, Blade Immortal.”
“Still feels fishy…”
When Paeng Yudeok hesitated slightly, it was Wi Ilcheong who stepped in to help.
“Blade Immortal, sir. Does a man intend to go back on his word?”
“…I’ve dug my own grave. Dokgo Jin’s daughter, pick one.”
“The Solar Fire Pear!”
“…Judging by that, it looks like you’re the one who’ll be taking it, not your father?”
“You said you were going to give it to me anyway.”
“Khahaha, true enough.”
Paeng Yudeok closed his fist around the spiritual pill of the Solar Fire Pear and looked at Dokgo Ryeong.
“You’ll keep the promise, no matter what?”
“No matter what.”
The moment Paeng Yudeok was about to hand the Solar Fire Pear to Dokgo Ryeong, his hand stopped.
“Before that, Dokgo Jin’s daughter—let me confirm just one thing.”
“…What now?”
“No matter how I look at it, this deal feels like I’m coming out a little short.”
“…”
“Where is Dokgo Jin right now?”
“Ah… that…”
While Dokgo Ryeong scrambled to invent a lie, Eun Yakbyeok opened her mouth.
“Blade Immortal.”
“Hm?”
“He is currently granting a request of mine.”
“…I’m already somewhat aware that you and Dokgo Jin share a certain relationship. Even so, I simply cannot accept that I lost track of him. After he visited the Ice Palace, his trail vanished completely… as if he were dead.”
Paeng Yudeok fixed Eun Yakbyeok with a hard stare. She smiled as she answered.
“Clan Head Paeng is quite the curious one, isn’t he? When exactly did you get your hands on such an outstanding information network?”
“Khahaha! Talk any more and you’ll strip me bare of my secrets.”
“In any case, if you’re still uneasy about handing over the spiritual pill, how about this?”
Eun Yakbyeok placed a hand over her chest.
“Even if the time for action arrives three years from now and Dokgo Jin is unable to join the fight, I will lend you my hand in his place. How does that sound?”
“Hoh…”
Paeng Yudeok’s short murmur of admiration carried several emotions at once.
“That would be welcome. But I still feel like I’m coming out behind.”
“Even if Great Hero Dokgo Jin does join the battle, I will make certain to take part as well.”
“Hrm…”
Paeng Yudeok began to deliberate.
“My, is that still not enough?”
“No, of course it’s good. I’m just wondering what our Hao Sect Leader’s real motive might be for doing this. Heh heh.”
“If you don’t like it, forget the whole thing.”
“No, no. This is more than enough.”
“Then the contract is sealed. Right, Young Lady Dokgo?”
When Eun Yakbyeok looked at her and spoke, Dokgo Ryeong hurriedly nodded.
“Right! Give me the Solar Fire Pear!”
“…Here it is. Don’t even think about swallowing it right away, will you?”
“I’ll handle that myself—just hand it over.”
“…Here. Don’t forget the promise.”
“I won’t forget!”
To the very end, Paeng Yudeok passed the spiritual pill of the Solar Fire Pear to Dokgo Ryeong with suspicious eyes.
Feeling the extreme Yang energy in her palm, Dokgo Ryeong began to snicker.
“Khheh…! With this…!”
“…Seeing you that happy does my heart good. The more I look at you, the more you resemble Dokgo Jin.”
“Indeed, Blade Immortal. One could almost believe she is Dokgo Jin himself rather than his daughter.”
“Khahaha, you said it.”
“…”
When the Sound Venerable and the Blade Immortal’s joking words struck so close to the truth, Dokgo Ryeong flinched for a moment.
Fortunately, neither of them seemed to notice anything amiss.
“Well then, Hao Sect Leader—now that the contract is sealed, how about bringing out more wine?”
“My, the wine at our establishment is rather expensive, you know?”
“Didn’t I already settle the bill?”
“That’s separate. The wine is extra.”
“…You’re a hard woman. Fine, just bring the wine—and call the courtesans back while you’re at it.”
“And your son?”
“He’ll come looking for me here tomorrow. He’ll have no choice but to wait.”
“Understood. Please take your time and enjoy yourself.”
As the Hao Sect Leader rose, Wi Ilcheong and Dokgo Ryeong stood as well.
“Young Master Wi. Young Lady Dokgo.”
Paeng Yudeok stopped the two of them just as they were about to leave.
“Yes.”
“What?”
“Don’t forget the promise.”
“Of course.”
“…Got it.”
“My boy takes after me a great deal. A very great deal.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Ugh…”
Wi Ilcheong answered obediently, but Dokgo Ryeong found even the thought of it horrifying.
If that bastard’s son is anything like him, I don’t even want to imagine how crazy he is…
But the warm energy of the Solar Fire Pear in her hand quickly made her forget the worry.
“In any case, I’ll be counting on you tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
“…We’re going. Enjoy your wine.”
“Heh. Give my regards to your father.”
Paeng Yudeok raised his cup toward the departing Dokgo Ryeong.
Regards, my ass… Still, I won’t take the goods and run.
Dokgo Ryeong accepted the greeting inwardly as she gazed at the Solar Fire Pear.
Once I get my strength back… I’ll help smash the Tang Clan anytime.
The moment they stepped out of the private room, Dokgo Ryeong grabbed the Hao Sect Leader.
“Help me.”
“…You mean to take it right now?”
“Yeah.”
“Will you be all right?”
“I wouldn’t be asking for help if I thought I’d be all right.”
“Is something the matter?”
When Wi Ilcheong turned back, Dokgo Ryeong gave an awkward laugh.
“Ah… it’s nothing, okay?”
“If the two of you have private business, please go take care of it first. I also have something I wish to discuss with Young Lady Dokgo alone.”
“W-with me?!”
“Yes. I told you earlier, didn’t I? That I love Young Lady Dokgo—”
“Aaaah!! Sh-shut up! You crazy bastard, that isn’t love!”
“…Why are you changing your story? You said that feeling of ‘I can’t live without this person’ is love.”
“Argh, are you a little kid?! Since when have you even thought of me that way…”
“From the very beginning.”
“Hwaat?!”
Dokgo Ryeong’s face flushed scarlet and her hair shifted to a soft pink.
“I told you from the start, didn’t I? That I wanted to receive the young lady’s first night—”
“Sh-sh-sh… shut uuup!!”
Dokgo Ryeong swung a fist as if trying to knock Wi Ilcheong out cold, but this time he did not simply take it.
Instead he caught her wrist, pulled her toward him, and spoke.
“At any rate… let’s save this conversation for later. I can wait.”
“L-let go of my hand…”
“Yes, I’ll let go. We still have to keep our promise to the Blade Immortal, so let’s talk afterward.”
When Wi Ilcheong released her hand, Dokgo Ryeong went limp and sank to the floor.
“Hao Sect Leader.”
“…Yes, Young Master Wi.”
“I apologize for having done something improper first. As I was leaving the inner chamber, I happened to overhear the monologue you spoke to yourself. You said I do not know what love is, correct?”
“…”
Eun Yakbyeok affirmed his words with silence.
“Tomorrow. Young Lady Dokgo and I will refute that claim together.”
“My.”
“I believe I know perfectly well what ‘love’ is.”
“My, my.”
“…So I shall see you again tomorrow.”
“My, my, my.”
Watching Wi Ilcheong and Dokgo Ryeong walk away, Eun Yakbyeok spoke.
“…Guest.”
“Don’t say a single word.”
“…Would you truly like to become my successor? Even when you do nothing at all, your talent for seducing men is extraordinar—”
“Kyaaaaak!!”
Dokgo Ryeong clutched her head and wailed.
“Nooo!! Fuck, that bastard just got the wrong idea all by himself and is throwing a goddamn fit!!”
“But watching from the side made even my heart race. Aah… seeing such fresh young love after so long, I feel as if I might go blind.”
“You crazy bitch! That’s not what this is! I fucking… you know, don’t you?!”
Afraid Wi Ilcheong might overhear, she could not bring herself to speak her true identity aloud—but Eun Yakbyeok understood perfectly well what she was trying to say.
“Yes, I know. But right now you are Young Lady Dokgo, aren’t you?”
“Th-that’s…”
Eun Yakbyeok stepped closer and brushed Dokgo Ryeong’s hair back behind her ear.
“Your ears… have turned bright red, you know?”
“Th-that’s…!”
“And your hair is such a lovely soft pink…”
“Kyaaaaak!!”
“Fufu, teasing you is truly rewarding. You’re so adorable, Guest.”
“Sh-shut up already!”
“All right, I’ll stop here. Any more and that look on your face says qi deviation might actually set in.”
“…Fuck, seriously…”
“Shall we go to the inner chamber? You can calm down a little as well.”
“…Lead the way.”
“Yes, of course.”
Eun Yakbyeok walked ahead with a quiet snicker.
Guest truly is adorable.
Did Dokgo Ryeong know?
That with her hair dyed soft pink, her face flushed scarlet, and her eyes lowered just slightly as she walked—to anyone else, she looked for all the world like a girl who had fallen in love.