The Lewd Sword (2)
The moment No Geukmyeong heard his father's words, he nearly jumped out of his skin.
"…You want me to bring the Divine Doctor?"
"That's right. Right now, there's no one else in the clan who can move."
"B-but you told me to live as a servant for three years…"
"The situation has changed. We need every hand we can get, so count yourself lucky."
"Th-thank you!"
"Go! Fail again this time and you won't get off with mere servitude!"
"Yes, Father!"
"Elder!"
"Y… yes, Elder!"
No Geukmyeong practically bounced out of the room. He sprinted to where the escort warriors had gathered, rounded up a handful of them, and set off at a dead run for Jiangsu.
"This is the Clan Head's order! From this moment, we change horses without rest and head for Jiangsu!"
"Understood!"
After days of relentless riding, No Geukmyeong finally arrived at the Divine Doctor's Valley in Jiangsu — only to receive an answer he had not expected.
"Um… what should we do? Father left for Shandong."
"Sh-Shandong?"
"Yes. An urgent patient came up yesterday… the Hao Sect Leader took him there."
"…I see."
No Geukmyeong sagged with hollow disappointment.
"Squad leader, what about the carriage?"
"…We'll have to procure another one. From now on, we change horses without rest and head for Shandong!"
"What if we miss them on the way?"
"…You've got a point."
"There's only so many roads they can take. Wouldn't it be better to wait along the route?"
"That would be wiser."
In the end, No Geukmyeong and the Moyong Clan martial artists scattered themselves along the road connecting Shandong to Jiangsu, lying in wait for the Divine Doctor.
"Squad leader! We've spotted the carriage carrying the Divine Doctor!"
"Where?!"
"W-well, about that…"
"Is there a problem?"
"…The Lust Demon, Wi Ilcheong, was driving it."
"What?!"
Wi Ilcheong had appeared out of nowhere.
"W-we can't handle this alone. Should we request reinforcements from the main house?"
"…"
No Geukmyeong wrestled with the problem. The thought of simply walking up, dropping to his knees, and begging them to hand over the Divine Doctor did cross his mind — but the memory of his back, still throbbing from the beating that vicious demon's daughter had given him, snuffed it out at once.
"…They're not people you can reason with."
"A-are they that dangerous?!"
"They are. And their martial arts are exceptional on top of it… they won't hand over the Divine Doctor easily."
"Then what do we do?!"
"Hmm…"
No Geukmyeong was certain that if he failed again, even being an elder's son would not save him.
I have to make this work somehow…
What he settled on, in the end, was kidnapping.
"…Go fetch a set of night-raid clothes. We're abducting the Divine Doctor."
"Will it work?"
"The Divine Doctor has no martial arts. Those people will surely stop the carriage somewhere along the way to rest the horses. We strike in that gap, snatch him, and flee at full speed. That should do it."
"A-as expected of the squad leader! Your insight is truly admirable!"
"Heh. This much is only natural for a martial artist of the Moyong Clan. If anything, it's a rather crude plan."
"I'll fetch the night-raid clothes at once!"
"Good."
Once he had changed into the clothes his subordinate brought, No Geukmyeong waited for his chance to snatch the Divine Doctor. And that chance arrived sooner than expected.
Wi Ilcheong and the women have gotten out… that vicious wench… is she still inside the carriage?
He had fretted that she might step down with the Divine Doctor, but fortunately Unyeong climbed out alone. No Geukmyeong burst from cover and clamped a hand over Unyeong's mouth.
"Divine Doctor, come quietly with us and we won't harm you. I give you my word you'll be treated with the utmost luxury."
"Mmph! Mmmph!"
"Please don't resist. Now then…"
Clack.
At that moment the carriage door flew open and Dokgo Ryeong came barreling out.
Panicked, No Geukmyeong drew his sword on pure instinct. But the realization hit him almost at once — he could not win a fight against Dokgo Ryeong.
That single strike last time… she was several levels above me.
Left with no choice, No Geukmyeong pressed his blade to Unyeong's throat and threatened her.
"If you don't stay put, this man's life is—"
"You. Fuck. You're No Geukmyeong, aren't you?"
"…"
No Geukmyeong's heart plummeted into his stomach.
H-how did she know?! Does she have another informant?!
But contrary to his frantic speculation, Dokgo Ryeong's answer was simple.
"You idiot. If you're gonna wear night-raid clothes, at least change your damn voice."
"…"
No Geukmyeong clamped his mouth shut, but it was already too late. Dokgo Ryeong unleashed a savage, far more powerful aura than before and spoke.
"Drop the sword. Fuck… you wanna die?"
"…Yes."
Clang.
The moment No Geukmyeong obediently set down his blade, Dokgo Ryeong advanced on him one step at a time, her face twisted with irritation.
"Y-young lady. I truly wasn't trying to harm the Divine Doctor…"
"Shut it. Wanna die?"
"…Yes."
"Unyeong. Get over here."
"Hahaha! Nearly gave me a heart attack. To think someone would try to kidnap an old man like me!"
"Haa…"
As Unyeong snickered and ducked behind Dokgo Ryeong, No Geukmyeong dropped to his knees.
"Divine Doctor, sir! Please, come with me!"
"This bastard's still pulling shit…"
"Our Clan Head is critically ill!"
"Hm? Who is that fellow, Dokgo… young lady?"
At Unyeong's question, Dokgo Ryeong's scowl deepened further. She sent a telepathic message to No Geukmyeong.
[I told you to shut your mouth.]
[B-but…!]
[Want me to cut your tongue out first?]
[I'm sorry.]
[Fuck, you really wanna die. From now on, every time you open your mouth, you lose a fingernail. Remember that.]
[…I'll keep it in mind.]
No Geukmyeong trembled and pressed his forehead to the ground under Dokgo Ryeong's threats. Unyeong pressed on.
"So who is that fellow? Sounds like there's a patient involved…"
"He's nobody. That bastard is just… uh… you know?"
"Someone you fought with?"
"…Yeah."
"Then shouldn't we treat him?"
"Ah, come on! You little shit, be a little more selective about your patients!"
"If I'd been selective, Dokgo young lady would have died long ago."
"…Fuck."
Dokgo Ryeong regretted it bitterly.
Ah, fuck. I should've just killed that bastard No Geukmyeong back then…
Unyeong did not pick and choose his patients. If someone was hurt, he treated them — no matter who they were. He was the kind of madman who would heal even the enemy who murdered his own parents. That was how he had treated both the Heavenly Demon and the Sword God who had fought the Heavenly Demon. And Dokgo Ryeong, who knew Unyeong's nature all too well, felt her irritation surge all the higher for it.
Because she already knew there was no way to stop him.
Ah, fuck. If that bastard Moyong Byeok is sick, I just want to leave him to rot…
While Dokgo Ryeong was still fretting over how to talk Unyeong out of it, the rest of the party returned.
"Dokgo young lady… who is that man?"
"Fuck, why are you talking like I caused some kind of accident?"
"…If you go get a drink of water and come back to find someone face-down with their head planted in the dirt in front of Dokgo young lady, wouldn't most people assume the young lady was the problem?"
"You fucking… this bastard is No Geukmyeong."
"Pardon? How is he here…"
"See for yourself."
Dokgo Ryeong kicked No Geukmyeong and sent him flying toward Wi Ilcheong.
"Guh!"
"…It really is No Geukmyeong. Why has he come all the way out here?"
"Came to fetch Unyeong. Which is exactly why I said we should've killed him last time, damn it."
"Dokgo young lady. Please do not talk about killing people in front of a physician."
"Fuck…"
Dokgo Ryeong's entire head was a storm of irritation.
Fuck… my lower belly hurts, Unyeong won't listen, and the bastard I left alive as a future problem is back again… seriously, fuck.
She was seriously considering just closing her eyes and cutting No Geukmyeong's throat when Eun Gwanyeong suddenly shouted.
"Do… Dokgo young lady! Come here, quick!"
"…Why?"
"H-hurry!"
"Huh?"
Eun Gwanyeong's face looked so urgent that Dokgo Ryeong approached — and received a telepathic message.
[Blood! Blood is seeping down your leg!]
[Ugh.]
Dokgo Ryeong's face contorted as she looked down. Just as Eun Gwanyeong said, blood was soaking through her trousers.
[L-let's go to the river. And bring a change of clothes.]
[Fuck, fine.]
Dokgo Ryeong shuffled off with a thoroughly irritated expression, half-crouched.
Ah, fuck. There's a disgusting amount of blood pooled up.
The clammy discomfort only made her more annoyed.
"Haa… fuck. I'm gonna head to the river for a bit, so just tie that bastard No Geukmyeong up or something. And Unyeong."
"Yes, Dokgo young lady."
"You fucking better not listen to a word that bastard says. Wait for me. Got it?"
"Well now, hahaha. You say that knowing my personality."
"Haa, fuck…"
"Are you two that badly at odds?"
"…That bastard's Clan Head is Moyong Byeok."
"Ahh… yes, I can see why Dokgo young lady would hate that."
"But you're still going to go treat him, aren't you?"
"Of course."
Hearing Unyeong answer without a shred of hesitation, Dokgo Ryeong squeezed her eyes shut.
"Ah, fuck it."
"Anyway, go take care of yourself. Judging by the bleeding, it seems you're on your monthly cycle — take good care. If it hurts, I can prepare some medicine…"
"Just shut up, you bastard!"
"…Yes."
"The Divine Doctor is a bit lacking in consideration, isn't heee…"
"Hahaha, having only two daughters must have left me short on consideration."
"Every single bastard around here is out of their damn mind, fuck."
"And the craziest one among them is Dokgo young lady, isn't she? Hahaha!!"
"…"
Dokgo Ryeong briefly considered punching him square in the solar plexus as hard as she could, then saw Eun Gwanyeong gesturing and held herself back.
Fuck…
Grumbling about how inconvenient this body was, Dokgo Ryeong headed for the river.
"No, fuck. It bleeds this much?"
"…Some days it just comes out a lot, you knooow. After that the amount gradually decreases."
"And my stomach hurts on top of it. Is it always like this?"
"Sometimes it hurts a little less, toooo."
"Fuck…"
Dokgo Ryeong rinsed between her legs several times, then took the spare clothes Eun Gwanyeong handed her.
"…Thanks."
"For my junior sister, I can do at least this much!"
"Bullshit, fuck. Just because we learned the same internal energy, that makes us junior sisters? Then am I a disciple of the Yama Blade Wanderer?"
"Hiiing… if you'd just speak a little more nicely, you'd be so cute, Dokgo young lady."
"Don't care about that."
Dokgo Ryeong pulled on fresh undergarments and stepped back out from the river. Having learned that Dokgo Ryeong knew absolutely nothing about menstruation, Eun Gwanyeong diligently passed on everything she knew.
"The bleeding will probably continue through today and tomorrow, or maybe the day after. After that you should be fine, so change the cloth padding under your undergarments often, okayyy. When you sleep, thrashing around can make it leak, so put extra cloth underneath or lay some on the bedding."
"…Okay."
"Once you've used a cloth, rinse it with water and don't reuse it until you've boiled it lateeer. It's bad for your body."
"…Got it."
Dokgo Ryeong simply listened quietly to everything Eun Gwanyeong said. Telling herself she would have to get used to this until she became a man again, she was absorbing the information when Eun Gwanyeong suddenly sighed.
"Haa… the Mad Demon's sins run deep indeed!"
"Why all of a sudden?"
"If there'd been even one woman nearby, someone would have taught you these things, you knooow…"
"…"
Dokgo Ryeong had nothing to say and simply kept her mouth shut. Eun Gwanyeong patted her comfortingly.
"Don't be too discouraged. Everyone goes through this, you knooow. At times like this, we have to help each other as fellow women!"
"…Alright."
"Ah, and during your cycle, you have to be careful when circulating the Moon Shadow Divine Art!"
"Why?"
"Your sexual desire gets stronger right before and after your period! The Yin energy boils up so easily that the side effects kick in right awayyy."
"No, fuck. It's called a Divine Art, so why does it have so many damn defects?"
"Defects?! On the contrary, you could use that as an excuse to go another round with Oppa Wi…"
"Kyaaaah!!"
Dokgo Ryeong snapped, and Eun Gwanyeong clamped her mouth shut.
"…If you're all cleaned up, shall we head back nooow?"
"Fine…"
"Want me to clear some space for you when you sleep later?"
"Huh? Why bother?"
"In case you need to touch yourself a little…"
"I'll fucking kill you!!"
"Kyaaak!!"
Dokgo Ryeong lunged at her in earnest, and Eun Gwanyeong scrambled away at top speed.
"Kyaaaah!!"
"Hieeeek!!"
Eun Gwanyeong made it back to the carriage in a flash and dove behind Baekri Sohyeon.
"Sohyeon Unnieee!"
"…Ryeong Mae, fighting with Gwanyeong again?"
"That… that filthy little—!"
"Hm? What did Gwanyeong say this time?"
"Ah… nooo… th-that…!"
"Sohyeon Unnie! Sometime today or tomorrow, I think we need to yield Oppa Wi to junior sister Dokgo."
"Who the hell is your junior sister, you crazy bitch!!"
"But it's trueee!"
Eun Gwanyeong and Dokgo Ryeong snarled at each other with Baekri Sohyeon caught in the middle.
"Oh my, Ryeong Mae. Still too embarrassed to do it together?"
"…Say one more word and I won't let it slide, you dullard…"
"Alright. Until Ryeong Mae gets used to it, I'll make sure the two of you can be alone."
"Kyaaaah! Th-that's not—! I'm not doing it!"
"Doing what, Dokgo young lady?"
"Hiiiek!!"
Hearing the commotion outside, Wi Ilcheong stepped out of the carriage — and Dokgo Ryeong's hair flushed a vivid pink. Seeing the change in color, Wi Ilcheong smiled.
"Ah, are the side effects acting up again? I spotted a secluded spot earlier — shall we head there now?"
"Y-you lunatic! Why would you even look for a place like that?!!"
"Doing it outdoors has its own unique thrills, you know. It may still be a bit early for Dokgo young lady, but given how exceptionally talented you are…"
"Kyaaaah!!"
"Come to think of it, even the first time was outdoors, wasn't—"
"Just die alreadyyyy!!!"
Dokgo Ryeong started swinging her saber. In the end, the carriage stayed put until the uproar finally settled down.