How to Properly Thrash Someone

Watching Dokgo Ryeong tightly clasp Namgung Soso's hand, Un Sohong smiled and stepped into the treatment room.

"I've brought the decoction. Am I late?"

"I was so absorbed talking with the Mad Demon's daughter that I lost track of the time."

"Oh my. Then you must have heard Soso calling for you as well."

Un Sohong held out the medicine. Namgung Woncheong sat up, drained it in one long pull, and spoke.

"Before, you claimed that scar on your face was from childhood. You lied to this old man."

"After that day, Uncle Mad Demon spent the whole time avoiding me so we wouldn't cross paths. Even if other people found out, it wouldn't have been a pleasant story."

"So that's why every last unorthodox scoundrel vanished from the area around Jiangsu all of a sudden… Tsk. You should have said something, Unyeong. I would have sent Namgung martial artists to help."

"Eu-ha-hat! It's fine. These days no one picks fights with us, and you've been teaching Sohong all sorts of things yourself, haven't you, Elder?"

"Even so, fretting is what old men do. Sohong, any progress?"

"Mmm… just so-so?"

"Keuk-keuk. Fair enough. A physician who heals people getting too deep into martial arts meant for harming them isn't the prettiest sight either. More importantly…"

Namgung Woncheong stroked his beard and glanced toward the door.

"…Will Dokgo Jin's daughter get along all right with a little child?"

"Eu-ha-hat! Who knows. What if Soso picks ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠up some strange habits?"

"…I'd better finish treatment and get out there."

"Shall I help, Father?"

"I'd be grateful if you would."

Unfortunately, Namgung Woncheong's worries proved well-founded.

"…Unnie?"

"Uh…? Yeah."

"Where are we going?"

"…Beats me."

Holding the small hand of Namgung Soso clasped in her own, Dokgo Ryeong sank into thought.

…How the hell do you take care of a kid?

After fretting for a while, she finally settled on the method she knew best.

"Uh… wanna do some sword fighting?"

"Swords?"

"…You're the Alliance Leader's daughter, right?"

"Yes. My daddy is the Wulin Alliance Leader."

"Then you ought to know how to fight a little."

"Do I have to?"

"Uh… well…"

Kids were so damn curious. Watching Namgung Soso fire off question after question in her endless quest for answers, Dokgo Ryeong scratched her head hard.

"Um… so basically… uh…"

Just then, a voice arrived that would save her.

"Ah! Young Lady Dokgo, what are you doing over there~?"

"Hey, Hao Sect. Perfect timing."

"Huh?"

Dokgo Ryeong called Eun Gwanyeong over in a hurry.

"…What the hell are you supposed to do with a little kid?"

"…More importantly, who is that child?"

"Sword God's granddaughter."

"Hiiiik! Have you lost your mind, Young Lady Dokgo?!"

"Huh?"

"Why… why do you have her with you~? If something goes wrong, we're all…"

"It's not like that, you brat. I just took the kid for a bit."

Whatever misunderstanding Eun Gwanyeong had gotten into, Dokgo Ryeong explained the situation to calm her down, and only then did Eun Gwanyeong let out a breath of relief.

"Hweh… thank goodness. Knowing you, Young Lady Dokgo, I thought you'd kidnapped…"

"You wanna die?"

"Hiiing…"

At that moment, Namgung Soso, who had been quietly listening beside them, tugged on Dokgo Ryeong's hand.

"Unnie."

"Yeah?"

"What's 'wanna die' mean?"

"…"

Dokgo Ryeong flustered and looked away. Eun Gwanyeong scolded her.

"…Young Lady Dokgo, you just stay quiet for a moment. What's your name, little one?"

"I'm Namgung Soso. What's yours, Unnie?"

"I'm Eun Gwanyeong. Nice to meet you."

"Your name is pretty, Unnie."

"Yours too. Hee-heet."

Watching the two of them click instantly and chatter away about this and that, Dokgo Ryeong felt a strange sense of defeat.

…She was all shy with me…

Oblivious to Dokgo Ryeong's feelings, Namgung Soso kept smiling bashfully and chatting with Eun Gwanyeong.

"So, Soso, what do you like?"

"Swords… and tea?"

"…"

Hearing the answer, Eun Gwanyeong looked over at Dokgo Ryeong in dismay.

"Keu-ha-hat! Classic Namgung Clan. But earlier she said she wanted to sword-fight."

"I don't like fighting… but I like swinging a sword."

"Your grandpa teach you?"

"Yes! When I swing the sword better, Grandpa praises me!"

"Uegh…"

Eun Gwanyeong made a face of pure exhaustion.

"…This kid is probably going to get along way better with you, Young Lady Dokgo."

"Keu-ha-hat. I win."

"…I have no idea what you think you won. Play for a bit and come back. Big Brother Wi said he has something to tell you."

"…"

Thinking she ought to stay out as long as possible, Dokgo Ryeong watched Eun Gwanyeong's retreating back.

"Soso, was it?"

"Yes."

"Then… let's go that way. There's a decent courtyard over there. I'll teach you the sword."

"Really?!"

"Yeah. Keuk-keuk."

She was at least a little confident with a blade, so she figured it wouldn't be a problem. Excited, Dokgo Ryeong grabbed Namgung Soso's hand and pulled her along.

Once treatment was finished, Namgung Woncheong put his clothes back on.

"My thanks, Unyeong. I keep imposing on you."

"Imposing? Hardly. You pay us properly every single time."

"Keu-ha-hat. All this old man has left is strength and money."

"Elder Sword God, shall I leave the medicinal ingredients with the martial artists who came with you?"

"I'd be grateful if you would, Sohong."

"Yes."

Namgung Woncheong stepped outside and stood still for a moment, looking around.

Now then… where might Soso and Dokgo Jin's daughter be…

Just as he was about to extend his sensory awareness—

"Elder Sword God."

"Hm…?"

Wi Ilcheong approached Namgung Woncheong.

"I have been waiting for you."

"For this old man?"

"Yes."

"Hmm…"

Treatment was done, and he wanted to go fetch Soso—but he was also quite interested in the young man standing before him, so Namgung Woncheong nodded.

"Very well. For what reason have you been waiting for this old man?"

"…I know it is presumptuous of me, but is there any reason more natural than waiting upon the strongest martial artist in the jianghu? I was hoping I might receive even the slightest scrap of instruction."

"I see."

Namgung Woncheong stroked his beard for a moment, lost in thought, while Wi Ilcheong waited in silence.

"…This old man has many questions for you as well."

"If you ask them, I will answer freely."

"For what reason are you traveling with the Mad Demon's daughter?"

"I agreed to escort Young Lady Dokgo as far as Tianzhu, and in return she would give me something of equal value."

"And what is that something?"

"Uh…"

Wi Ilcheong hesitated, and Namgung Woncheong smiled.

"I shall not press you to speak."

"…I am to receive her first night."

"Keuk… keuk-keuk… keu-ha-ha-hat!!"

Namgung Woncheong threw his head back and roared with laughter. Wi Ilcheong bowed his head.

"That… Elder. The martial art I practice…"

"Ah, keuk-keuk… I know. Something akin to gathering yin to nourish yang, was it not?"

"…Yes. Taking a virgin is rather more effective, so…"

"Ah… truly delightful. To think such amusement would come to me in my twilight years. Keuk-keuk. If only I were younger, I would follow you lot around myself."

"…"

Wi Ilcheong waited without understanding, for Namgung Woncheong's laughter to subside.

Forgetting his age entirely, Namgung Woncheong ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠grinned like a child and pondered how to handle the situation.

The Mad Demon promising to offer up his virginity is surely a lie.

But living alongside Wi Ilcheong had clearly changed something.

The first time Namgung Woncheong laid eyes on Dokgo Jin, the image that came to mind was of an untamable wild horse.

In life, there exist wild horses that will never let anyone onto their backs.

Horses that would rather die than allow a person to force their way into the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠saddle.

Dokgo Jin had been exactly that—but Dokgo Ryeong was a little different.

That one is thrashing about right now, trying to shake off the rider on her back…

Namgung Woncheong hoped Dokgo Ryeong would be tamed.

Perhaps it was simply that age made one more sentimental, but every time he thought of Dokgo Jin, he felt pity for the man's life.

A person with no family, no one to love, who had forgotten how to love others.

Someone so deeply wounded that the only thing he knew was how to wound others—that was Dokgo Jin.

And yet he became a woman…

It was such an absurd coincidence that one could almost believe Heaven itself had pitied his life and granted him a second chance.

His thoughts settled, Namgung Woncheong opened his mouth.

"Wi Ilcheong."

"Yes, Elder."

"You said you wished to receive instruction from this old man, did you not?"

"…I did. If it is too presumptuous…"

"I will teach you."

"!!"

Wi Ilcheong's eyes went wide.

"You… you truly mean it?!"

"Of course. Naturally I cannot teach you the clan's martial arts. But as a senior who has walked the path ahead of you, I can freely pass down instruction for breaking through a wall."

"Thank you, Elder!"

"However, there is a condition."

"…What is it?"

Namgung Woncheong wore a smile full of childlike mischief.

"Tonight, take Dokgo Ryeong's virginity."

"…I am sorry. That is impossible."

"Hm?"

"I made a promise with Young Lady Dokgo. Until we reach Tianzhu, I will not lay a hand on her first."

"Heoeo…"

Namgung Woncheong let out a sigh of lament, and Wi Ilcheong flinched.

"Do you know who this old man is?"

"…You are the Elder Sword God."

"And you well understand what it means to receive instruction from such a person. Yet you refuse this proposal? You, who are called the Lust Demon?"

"…That I am called the Lust Demon is merely other people's assessment. I wish to place my own standards above the voices of others."

"You will not regret it?"

"Rather than break a promise I set myself and live with regret, I will live regretting a good opportunity lost."

"Huum…"

Namgung Woncheong looked into Wi Ilcheong's eyes.

He does not look away from this old man's gaze, and stands firm in his own convictions.

The more the Sword God looked at him, the more he liked Wi Ilcheong.

Even without anything to do with Dokgo Jin, this was someone he would have taught.

"May I ask a somewhat vulgar question?"

"…Are you asking how far I have gone with Young Lady Dokgo?"

"I am. Do you share a bed?"

"…We do."

"And yet you have still not taken her first night?"

"Yes."

"Heoeo… Could it be that being called the Lust Demon is an empty title?"

"That… is not the case. I am confident in matters of the night."

"And still Young Lady Dokgo has not fallen for you."

"…Elder Sword God. May I ask why you are so fixated on Young Lady Dokgo?"

Wi Ilcheong turned the question back on him, and Namgung Woncheong answered with a sly smile.

"When you get old, the only thing that grows is meddling. And I also have a personal sense of guilt toward the Mad Demon."

"…Pardon?"

"Ah, that's another story. I will give you the instruction—but first, let us find my granddaughter."

"You truly mean it?!"

"I do. Going on about a young woman's virginity at my age has left me thoroughly embarrassed. If fate wills it, it will happen on its own."

"Th-thank you!"

Wi Ilcheong bowed his head, and Namgung Woncheong spoke to him with a kindly smile.

"I entrust Dokgo Jin's daughter to you."

"Yes."

"Then first we must find my granddaughter quickly."

Namgung Woncheong drew up his sensory awareness and expanded it.

He found his granddaughter almost at once and pointed toward where she was.

"Will you come with me?"

"Yes, Elder."

Namgung Woncheong walked ahead, and Wi Ilcheong followed behind him.

The place they arrived at was a quiet, secluded courtyard.

There, Namgung Soso was swinging a sword, beads of sweat rolling down her face.

Namgung Woncheong pricked up his ears and eavesdropped on their conversation.

"That's it. Do it like that and the enemy will shit themselves."

"What's 'shit themselves'?"

"Uh… they get scared? The other guy freezes up. Then you thrash them somewhere else."

"Ahh~, I get it."

For a moment ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he stood blankly, wondering if he had misheard—then Dokgo Ryeong spotted Namgung Woncheong first.

Following Dokgo Ryeong's gaze, Namgung Soso turned her head and quickly found him as well.

"Grandpa!!"

Watching Namgung Soso come scampering over, Namgung Woncheong decided he must have misheard something and scooped her up with a face full of smiles.

"There, there, Soso. You weren't bored, were you?"

"Nope, it was fun!"

"I am in your debt."

"…It was nothing. I had fun too."

Dokgo Ryeong turned her head slightly in embarrassment, and Namgung Woncheong asked the granddaughter nestled in his arms,

"So, what did you learn from that unnie?"

"How to thrash people properly!"

"…Come again?"

Hearing Namgung Soso's answer, Namgung Woncheong's body went rigid.

But Namgung Soso, oblivious, excitedly rattled off everything she had learned.

"When you swing a sword, Unnie said you can't just use the sword! So I learned how to use my feet!"

"I… I see."

Thinking she had at least taught thoroughly practical methods, Namgung Woncheong was about to feel relieved when Namgung Soso continued.

"And how to tell who's a son of a bitch and who's worth leaving alive!"

"…"

Namgung Woncheong glared at Dokgo Ryeong. She turned her head and avoided his gaze.

"Th-then I'll just be going…"

"Wi Ilcheong. Seize that woman."

"Yes, Elder."

"D-don't you come near me, you Lust Demon bastard!!"

Dokgo Ryeong tried to leap away and escape, but unfortunately Wi Ilcheong had long since become far too accustomed to handling her.

"Heut…!"

"…I went easy, since a child and an elder are watching."

"Y-you pervert bastard!!"

"Shall I do more?"

"…"

Wi Ilcheong stimulated Dokgo Ryeong's erogenous points through the subtle principles of meridian infiltration, and she quickly went quiet.

Watching the scene, Namgung Woncheong marveled inwardly.

…So being called the Lust Demon was no empty boast.

Then a suitable form of punishment occurred to him.

The moment he heard Namgung Woncheong's words, Wi Ilcheong lifted his head and looked at him.

Hearing that, Wi Ilcheong cleared his throat and composed his expression.

Watching Namgung Woncheong turn his back and leave, Wi Ilcheong lowered his gaze to Dokgo Ryeong.

"Young Lady Dokgo."

"…What, you bastard."

"Tonight, please visit my quarters."