The Lewd Sword (7)
Dokgo Ryeong woke and pushed herself upright.
Huh…
She cast a dazed look around the room — and the last of the sleep fled her at once.
"Hiiik…!"
Wi Ilcheong, Baekri Sohyeon, and Eun Gwanyeong lay naked under a single blanket. The sight dragged last night's memories up in a rush.
What… what the hell did I…
She had held out and held out, swearing she would never do it — and somehow, last night, she had ended up doing it right in front of everyone. Her face went scarlet.
Hair flushed pink, she scrambled up and bolted for the next room.
Fuck… fuck fuck fuck!
She changed out of underclothes still sticky with her own fluids, thinking she ought to wash first — then stopped, struck by something wrong.
"…"
She looked around the empty room, and her heart dropped.
Unyeong?! No Geukmyeong?!
The worst possibility flared through her mind. She kicked the door open and tore downstairs to the first floor of the inn.
Fuck! Fuck, you stupid bastard!!
Even if she had put them under with sleeping powder, she should never have let her guard down…
She should have kept her head clear…!
She hit the ground floor and was about to rush outside when—
"Eu-ha-hat, lively first thing in the morning, aren't we, Mad Demon?"
"Indeed."
"Uwek?!"
Dokgo Ryeong spun around.
Unyeong and No Geukmyeong were sitting together, eating breakfast.
"…What the hell are you two doing?"
"Eating alone felt lonely, so we decided to share a meal."
"…"
She fixed No Geukmyeong with a glare. He waved his hands frantically.
"I—I only came because the Divine Doctor Elder woke me this morning and asked me to eat with him! I just followed!"
"Unyeong, you crazy bastard! That little shit tried to kidnap you!"
"He had no choice if he wanted to save his clan head, did he not? Isn't that right, Geukmyeong?"
"Y…yes! I truly committed a grave discourtesy toward the Divine Doctor Elder."
"Ah, for fuck's sake…!!"
Dokgo Ryeong raked her fingers through her hair.
Unyeong watched her snarl and snap to cover her embarrassment, and laughed.
"Were you worried about me? Eu-ha-hat. Live long enough and you even get fretted over by the likes of you."
"Sh…shut up!"
"Eu-ha-hat! Come, sit and eat with us."
"Haa…"
She sighed and stepped closer. No Geukmyeong leapt up at once and pulled out a chair.
"Please, sit here, Young Lady."
"…"
"Y…why are you looking at me like that?"
"Looking for a reason to hit you, you little shit."
"Wh…what did I do wrong?"
He blinked up at her. Dokgo Ryeong smacked his forehead with a sharp crack.
"Just because I don't like your face. Eat your damn food."
"…Yes."
"Eu-ha-hat. You've mellowed quite a bit, Mad Demon."
"Don't talk shit. If I pulp this bastard, your mouth won't stay shut either, will it?"
"All that earnest lecturing of mine seems to have paid off."
"E…excuse me, Divine Doctor Elder."
No Geukmyeong spoke up. Unyeong turned to him.
"Hm? What is it?"
"…Why do you call Miss Lewd Sword the Mad Demon— kugh!"
Dokgo Ryeong's fist drove deep into his solar plexus.
"You wanna… die?! Who the hell is Lewd Sword, you little shit!!"
"B…but calling you by name still feels—"
"Just use my name, bastard! Call me that again and I'll chop you into pieces!!"
"Yes… I'll keep that in mind…"
Rubbing his stomach, No Geukmyeong looked back at Unyeong.
"So, about that…"
"It's just because I'm the Mad Demon's daughter, you little shit. Want me to start calling you No Sunpyeong from now on?"
"Ah… one must not take a father's honored name lightly—"
"Shut it. Thinking about your old man makes me want to carve you up right now."
"…I apologize."
Pitying the shriveled No Geukmyeong, Unyeong stepped in to mediate.
"Please don't be too hard on him, Miss Dokgo."
"Fuck… Fine. I'll let it slide this once because of his face."
"…Perhaps a little more forgiveness than just once…"
"Shaaaaat!!"
"…"
Watching Dokgo Ryeong snarl, Unyeong gave up and went back to working his chopsticks with diligence.
"…So where did you go last night?"
"Ah… nothing happened at all?!"
"…You really are a terrible liar. Never mind. Even if I found out, I doubt it would be anything pleasant."
"E…Elder Divine Doctor. Come to think of it, I had a strange dream last night."
"Hm? What sort of dream?"
"Women moaning, begging to be thrust into deeper— keok!"
This time Dokgo Ryeong kicked him properly.
"Sh…sh-sh-shut up!! It was just a dog's dream!"
"…Mad Demon. Please, a little composure…"
"Kyaaaaak!!!"
"…"
Unyeong briefly considered calming her by grabbing her backside, then abandoned the idea.
He rather valued keeping his wrists attached.
After leaving the inn, Dokgo Ryeong and the party traveled by carriage for about half a day. Wi Ilcheong, who had volunteered as driver, opened the window from the coachman's seat.
"We are nearly there. I can see the Divine Doctor's Valley."
"…"
Dokgo Ryeong leaned out for a look. In the distance stood a familiar building.
The Divine Doctor's Valley.
Unyeong's haven, born naturally over the years as he took in women with nowhere else to go and began teaching them medicine.
…It's been a while.
It had been a long time since she had visited the Divine Doctor's Valley without being wounded. As she gazed at it, something struck her as odd.
"…Hey, Lust Demon."
"Yes, Miss Dokgo."
"You don't see anything weird?"
"…Pardon?"
"There's a lot of people, isn't there…?"
"Eu-ha-hat. There must have been a fight nearby. Patients tend to flood in at times like that."
"…That so?"
She let it go at Unyeong's word.
But the moment they arrived at the Divine Doctor's Valley, Dokgo Ryeong knew something was different.
"…"
Stepping down from the carriage, the first thing she saw were martial artists whose restrained qi still let a trained sharpness show through, faint but unmistakable.
…These bastards can actually fight.
They had dressed in ordinary commoners' clothes to look as harmless as possible, but that was not enough to fool Dokgo Ryeong's eyes.
Lust Demon.
…Yes. I feel it too.
If things go sideways Unyeong could get hurt, so keep Eun Gwanyeong close to him.
I already told her. More than that, I am concerned for the Divine Doctor's family.
Fuck…
Dokgo Ryeong could not begin to guess why so many martial artists, all concealing their identities, would come to the Divine Doctor's Valley.
Wondering if it might be the Moyong Clan, she shot a look at No Geukmyeong — but he shook his head hard from side to side.
…I can't stand not knowing.
Face twisted, she set a hand on the Yuseong-do at her waist and addressed one of the martial artists.
"Where the hell did you come from, you bastards?"
"…We have come to see the Divine Doctor."
"Looks to me like you lot can throw a punch. Feels damn fishy."
"…We have no wish to cause a disturbance. Kindly allow us to meet the Divine Doctor Elder."
"Don't feel like it."
Hearing Dokgo Ryeong pick a fight so openly, Wi Ilcheong slipped a hand into his sleeve and toyed with his soft sword, certain a brawl was about to break out — when Unyeong suddenly smacked his own forehead.
"Aigo! Is it that day already?!"
"…Yes, Divine Doctor Elder. Have you been well in the meantime?"
"Eu-ha-hat, nothing much with me. Has the Elder arrived?"
"He is in the inner courtyard, sharing conversation with your daughter."
"My apologies. Urgent business came up all of a sudden. I'll be right in."
"Yes."
"Everyone, it's fine. These are regular visitors."
"…For real?"
Dokgo Ryeong still had not dropped her guard. Unyeong laughed.
"Eu-ha-hat, truly. You all know this person as well, I should think?"
"Huh?"
"Come inside, quickly. You're all in luck today, eu-ha-hat."
"…"
Unyeong strode in. Dokgo Ryeong furrowed her brow deep in thought.
Who is it?
Throwing the main gate wide, Unyeong called as he went in.
"Elder~! I've arrived!"
"You are late, Unyeong."
"Eu-ha-hat, my apologies. Sohong treated you well, I trust?"
"Keul-keul. The tea was excellent."
"You flatter me, Elder."
Following Unyeong inside, they saw an old man and a young woman seated in the pavilion.
The woman with the hideous sword scar cutting across her face was someone Dokgo Ryeong recognized at once.
Unyeong's daughter, Un Sohong.
Then she looked at the old man beside her — and her whole body began to shake.
"Ah… uh… how… no… why are you here…"
"…Miss Dokgo?"
Dokgo Ryeong trembled like an aspen in pure terror. Wi Ilcheong turned his gaze to the old man.
Dressed in blue long robes, a jade hairpin set atop his head, the kindly smiling elder looked like someone you might meet anywhere.
But when Wi Ilcheong's eyes fell on the embroidery across the old man's chest, he too began to tremble.
"Azure Heaven…"
In all the jianghu, there was only one old man who walked about with the characters for Azure Heaven stitched over his heart and who shared ties with Unyeong.
The absolute power of the Orthodox Murim.
The man who had written legend with a single sword.
"Th…the Sword God…"
"Mm… has this old man frightened the young ones for no reason?"
"Eu-ha-hat, not at all. Anyone meeting the Elder for the first time would be startled. Ah…"
Unyeong laughed and pointed at Dokgo Ryeong.
"This friend here is Dokgo Jin's daughter."
"Hooh?"
Watching one of Namgung Woncheong's eyebrows climb, Dokgo Ryeong clenched her teeth.
Unyeong, you insane bastard!!
Dokgo Ryeong squeezed her eyes shut.
After leaving the Hao Sect's Shandong branch, Eun Yakbyeok sought out a shabby inn.
Two red banners. This should be the place.
Inside, the inn was empty save for three people.
The first to catch the eye was a woman whose hair was split evenly between black and white — a striking combination. To either side of her sat two men.
One was a man with his head shaved bare; the other wore a dark, grimy hood that hid his face, yet murderous intent rolled off him in waves. An odd pairing.
The moment Eun Yakbyeok stepped inside, a terrifying pressure clamped down around her.
She only smiled, unhurried, and spoke with playful ease.
"My, the hospitality here leaves rather something to be desired, doesn't it?"
"Watch your tongue. Whatever empty renown you once held, we care nothing for it."
"I called this meeting myself, and already it feels like the wrong choice. Shall I simply turn around and leave?"
"…"
As the bare-headed man gradually eased the crushing force he had been pouring out, Eun Yakbyeok smiled.
"So you left a little room for conversation after all. The Demonic Cult must be rather pressed for time?"
"Not the Demonic Cult. The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
"That is what your side calls it. To me, it is the Demonic Cult."
"Insolent bitch…!"
"Great Protector, enough."
The woman rose and blocked him. Eun Yakbyeok regarded her with interested eyes.
So that is the Young Cult Leader, Cheon Yu-ha… daughter of the previous Heavenly Demon…
Only then did the hooded man who had sat in silence finally open his mouth.
"Roll those eyes like that again and I will dig them out on the spot. Stop staring."
"Left Guardian of Light! We came here as guests!"
"Fufu, it's quite all right. After all, the purpose of today's gathering is an alliance, is it not? And an alliance only works when both sides are of matching caliber. I wonder — is the Demonic Cult worthy of allying with the Hao Sect?"
At Eun Yakbyeok's provocation, both the Great Protector and the Left Guardian of Light dropped all pretense and unleashed a terrifying demonic qi.
"Insolent bitch…!"
"I knew a whore's hips were loose, but I did not know her mouth was just as light!"
"My."
Eun Yakbyeok's eyes went cold.
"Still, my fists are rather heavy… Care to find out?"
"Young Cult Leader, give the order and I will cut out that bitch's tongue at once."
"Young Cult Leader, command us!"
Pressed from both sides by the Great Protector and the Left Guardian of Light, Cheon Yu-ha's shoulders shook — then she shot to her feet.
"…Enough!!!"
"Pardon?"
"This is exactly why people treat us no different from the Blood Sect every single time!!"
"…"
"The strong reign supreme — fine, I get it! But if you skip talking and jump straight to fists every time, you're just a pack of animals!!"
"Y…Young Cult Leader… your dignity…"
"What dignity! We've already made complete fools of ourselves, haven't we?!"
"…I apologize, Young Cult Leader. Please kill me!"
"Why would I kill you, old man!!"
Watching the Great Protector stretch his neck out long for the blade, Cheon Yu-ha's face crumpled.
"This is why I said I wanted to come alone…"
"…I apologize, Young Cult Leader."
"Get out!!"
"…Yes."
The Left Guardian of Light and the Great Protector rose and walked out of the inn.
"…Woman. Should you so much as touch a single hair on the Young Cult Leader's head…"
"Just get out already!!"
"…I will not let it pass."
Watching the two men leave with a final warning despite Cheon Yu-ha's scolding, Eun Yakbyeok smiled.
"Fufu. Their loyalty is quite something, isn't it?"
"…I apologize. At times that same loyalty drives them to the wrong actions, and it troubles me as well."
"Does it matter? It's rather pleasant to look at."
Eun Yakbyeok smiled and sat facing Cheon Yu-ha.
In an instant the clumsy figure from a moment ago was gone; Cheon Yu-ha straightened her posture and assumed the bearing of a true absolute. Eun Yakbyeok was impressed.
…Still, she does have the makings of someone contending for the seat of Cult Leader.
"So. What is the reason you asked to meet today, Leader of the Hao Sect?"
"As I informed you beforehand, I wish to propose an alliance."
"I consider it impossible."
Having rejected the offer at once, Cheon Yu-ha continued.
"Our Heavenly Demon Divine Cult has gathered as one under the single banner of Demonic Cult dominion and the unification of the Murim. Unless the Hao Sect shares our will and enters under our banner, such a thing cannot be."
"But Kunlun stands in your way, does it not?"
"…"
"For the Demonic Cult to advance into the Central Plains, even after a successor is chosen, you must first break the Kunlun Sect that sits there with its eyes wide open. And that means breaking Kunlun's War God as well."
"We will break him."
"Before that, the War God will enjoy a full natural lifespan and die first. You claim you can achieve what even your late father, the previous Heavenly Demon, could not?"
The moment those words landed, Cheon Yu-ha's qi erupted and crashed down over Eun Yakbyeok.
"Watch your words."
Radiating a murderous presence that seemed ready to take Eun Yakbyeok's head at any second, she went on.
"The Heavenly Demon does not make promises she cannot keep."
"But if you could pass Kunlun without fighting, it would be far more convenient. Which is why I make this offer."
"What offer?"
"I will hold the War God for you."
"What?"
Cheon Yu-ha's qi vanished without a trace.
"The moment you become Cult Leader and advance into the Central Plains, I will hold the War God at bay for you."
"…Arrogant. You do not seem quite that strong."
"My. That hardly sounds like the person who just said not to solve everything with force."
"…"
At Eun Yakbyeok's barb, Cheon Yu-ha looked briefly flustered.
"…Do you have a method to stop the War God? Proof?"
"Right here."
Receiving the book and reading it, Cheon Yu-ha looked up at Eun Yakbyeok with startled eyes.
"…I'm tempted."
"In what way?"
"By the thought that cutting you down right here and now might spare me future trouble."
"My."
"You truly are frightening, Leader of the Hao Sect."
"But it is a tempting proposal, is it not?"
Just as Eun Yakbyeok said, Cheon Yu-ha found the offer far too valuable to refuse outright.
Perhaps… with this as leverage, I could even claim the Cult Leader's seat.
After a long moment of thought, Cheon Yu-ha spoke.
"Before we form an alliance, there is something I wish to know."
"Please, ask."
"What is your goal, Leader of the Hao Sect? By allying with our Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, what do you seek to achieve?"
"Fufu. I already told you when I first sent the letter."
Eun Yakbyeok smiled as she answered.
"I wish to erase the Murim from the Central Plains."