Chapter 181: Jang Neung-ak (5)
"This isn't a suggestion, I'm telling you to do it this way."
'!!!!!!'
In an instant, everyone's expression hardened.
Just a moment ago, the situation seemed to be progressing smoothly.
However, everything changed in a split second.
'What the hell is this guy doing?'
'What is he saying…?'
Not only Jang Neung-ak, the second disciple of the Society Leader, but also his loyal subordinates felt the same way.
For a moment, they thought they might have 'misheard him'.
But upon seeing the smile full of malice on Mok Gyeong-un's face, they realized their ears weren't mistaken.
Though it lasted only a split second, they had never felt a silence this long before.
If anyone else had said those words, someone would have drawn their sword or blade and sliced off their head right there and then.
But coincidentally, the opponent was a master who had crossed the wall into the Transformation Realm.
Realizing that,
Drip drip!
Some of them were so extremely tense that they broke out in a cold sweat.
How should they take this situation?
No, what should they say?
Amidst the confusing situation, the one to break the silence was Jeo Mo-pal, the Fifth Mountain of the Five Mountains Alliance.
"You bastard!!!!"
His voice and eyes were filled with rage.
While everyone was contemplating the situation itself, Jeo Mo-pal, who felt anger only at the fact that his lord had been insulted, was able to show a more straightforward attitude compared to the others.
'Ah!'
At the sound of his resounding voice, everyone came to their senses in an instant.
Paying no attention to them, Jeo Mo-pal shouted,
"Unless you're insane, how dare you threaten our lord like that?!"
His yell was so loud that it was deafening.
Mok Gyeong-un smiled and said in a low voice,
"I can see you're angry, but please lower your voice a bit. It's hurting my ears."
"What? Lower my voice? You bastard…"
"I'll warn you one last time for the young master's sake. Lower your voice."
"I'm going to ki…"
Gasp!
Suddenly, Jeo Mo-pal couldn't continue speaking.
'This… This is…'
His cheeks even trembled.
It was because of the killing intent he felt the moment his eyes met Mok Gyeong-un's.
Though it lasted only an instant, the image of Mok Gyeong-un slicing his neck flashed through Jeo Mo-pal's mind.
Swish!
'...'
Imagining this, he found it difficult to open his mouth.
Seeing Jeo Mo-pal like this, Ho Jong-hyeok, the First Mountain, clicked his tongue inwardly.
He had heard from his father that once one reaches the Transformation Realm and becomes a true grandmaster, they can control their energy more precisely and pressure a specific opponent with killing intent.
It seemed Mok Gyeong-un had pressured Jeo Mo-pal with his killing intent.
'This has gotten tricky.'
No matter how much one has reached the Transformation Realm, he didn't expect him to act this way.
Their own liege was the Society Leader of the Heaven and Earth Society and one of the Six Heavens, considered the pinnacle of the Central Plains martial world.
There were few within the organization who could do such a brazen thing to such a man.
Only those who had the status and qualifications were able do so.
However, Mok Gyeong-un was not one of them.
'Is he relying solely on his martial prowess to do this?'
If that's the case, it's a miscalculation.
It wasn't because his own lord feared his martial prowess that he showed courtesy to the guy.
His lord simply…
"Mok Gyeong-un… You really take this young master lightly."
At that moment, Jang Neung-ak spoke.
Seeing him like that, the expressions of his loyal subordinates grew serious.
His icy cold gaze.
His heavily subdued tone showed how furious their lord was at this moment.
When Jang Neung-ak is truly angry, he doesn't flare up like a fire.
Rather, he becomes even more cold-hearted.
And that cold-heartedness brings deep insight.
"Take you lightly? I'm merely presenting a condition that can benefit both the young master and the young lady."
"Benefiting both of us? Cut the bullshit."
"Bullshit, you say?"
"For two forces to merge into one, someone has to bow their head and enter below the other. But do you think that's possible with your pathetic threats?"
"It's possible, that's why I'm telling you to do it that way."
"Telling me? You're being quite presumptuous."
"How unexpected."
Interest flashed in Mok Gyeong-un's eyes.
He had considered Jang Neung-ak's capacity to be quite shallow and small, but he was saying everything he wanted to say even in this situation.
That meant he wasn't afraid of him.
Even though he should have already confirmed the gap in their power.
"Unexpected? That's what this young master wants to say. Are you not afraid?"
"Not afraid, you say?"
"Who do you think you're trying to threaten right now?"
"Threaten… You really don't feel like a threat to me…"
"I told you to cut the nonsense. Have you completely lost your mind, trying to interfere in the successor battle and arbitrarily shake things up?"
At these words, Mok Gyeong-un's eyes narrowed.
"You're being tougher than I expected."
"Tough? That's what this young master should be saying. Do you believe in your petty martial arts so much that you dare to interfere with the successor battle and arbitrarily stir things up?"
"Hmm. Why are you thinking so complexly about it?"
Mok Gyeong-un asked in an intrigued tone.
Then Jang Neung-ak opened his mouth while pouring wine into his cup.
"I can guess two possibilities."
"Two possibilities?"
"The first would be based on the premise that you've joined hands with Wi So-yeon."
"…Why do you think that?"
"It's simple. Even with the power of Shadow Clan and Baek Clan added to junior sister, it's still not enough; for both of you to face off against the eldest senior brother and this young master."
At Jang Neung-ak's words, Mok Gyeong-un smiled faintly.
He thought his vision would be quite clouded due to his arrogance, but that didn't seem to be entirely the case.
Mok Gyeong-un shrugged and said,
"There's some truth to that. But from my perspective, for the two of you to face the Eldest Young Master, I'd prefer if you and the Young Lady joined forces regardless of who comes out on top."
"Regardless of who comes out on top?"
"Yes. I don't really care which of you two becomes the successor, you see. As long as you unite your forces, that's all that matters to me."
"..."
At these words from Mok Gyeong-un, Jang Neung-ak's eyes grew even more vicious.
Then he soon parted his lips.
"I thought it was the first possibility, but it seems to be the second one."
"Hmm. And what might that second one be?"
"You don't care who becomes the successor? Ha! The answer is clear now."
"..."
"Your goal is to stir up internal strife, isn't it?"
"My lord?"
At Jang Neung-ak's words, his subordinates' eyes widened.
Seeing their reaction, Jang Neung-ak glared at Mok Gyeong-un and said,
"I nearly forgot because I was thinking about the Shadow Clan and the King of Poison. You were originally a hostage from the righteous faction."
'Ah!'
At this, everyone showed caution.
The orthodox martial world was eagerly waiting for an opportunity to dismantle the Heaven and Earth Society.
For them, there was nothing better than the successor battle to incite internal conflict.
If Mok Gyeong-un hadn't truly surrendered and still held a mission as a member of the righteous faction, there was a good possibility for this suspicion.
Gulp!
Jang Neung-ak downed his cup of alcohol and said,
"Tell me if my guess is wrong."
At his words, Mok Gyeong-un scratched his head and replied,
"Your mind is sharper than I expected."
"You're also…"
"But you're mistaken."
'!?'
At that, Jang Neung-ak furrowed his brows.
Then he retorted,
"Mistaken, you say?"
"Yes. Things can seem that way if you overthink it. But I'm sorry to disappoint you, I truly have no connection to the righteous faction."
"You expect me to believe that now?"
"Believe it or not, that's up to you. I simply wish for the two of you to join forces. That way, we can avoid the annoying business with the Eldest Young Master."
"..."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, suspicion flashed in Jang Neung-ak's eyes.
The guy was in an advantageous position, so he directly stated what he had guessed in order to gauge his true intentions.
But he's really saying it's not like that?
Well, who knows.
An agent trying to disrupt the sect on behalf of the righteous faction wouldn't admit to being a spy, after all.
As he was thinking that, Mok Gyeong-un said,
"It seems persuasion through words is meaningless."
Bam!
As soon as he finished speaking, Jang Neung-ak's subordinates – Ho Jong-hyeok, Seo Hye-in, and Jeo Mo-pal of the Five Mountains Alliance – drew upon their energy and took defensive stances.
Mok Gyeong-un chuckled and said,
"You should know that you can't stop me even if you do that."
"Are you really trying to threaten this young master?"
"Yes, I suppose it is a threat if you put it that way."
Bam!
"You fucking bastard…"
Bam!
Jeo Mo-pal tried to stand up from his seat, but ended up slamming his head on the table.
Mok Gyeong-un had appeared behind him in the blink of an eye and was pressing down on his head.
Seeing this happen in the flash of an eye, Ho Jong-hyeok judged that they absolutely could not stop Mok Gyeong-un within this distance.
"My lord…"
"I know."
Seeing them like that, Mok Gyeong-un said,
"Will you accept it?"
At those words, Jang Neung-ak snorted and replied,
"Do you have the confidence to handle the consequences of doing this?"
"That's not something you need to worry about."
"Right. I suppose so. But you'll have to deal with the consequences of that threat."
"Deal with the consequences?"
"Do you think this young master would let you get close without any preparations, even if I acknowledge your martial prowess?"
At those words, Mok Gyeong-un tilted his head and asked,
"It seems you have some hidden trump card?"
To that question, Jang Neung-ak smiled meaningfully and said,
"Do you really think there's absolutely no one among the forces supporting this young master who can deal with you?"
"Someone who can deal with me? Don't tell me?"
Mok Gyeong-un's expression hardened.
It was because he understood what Jang Neung-ak was implying.
Looking at Mok Gyeong-un like this, the corners of Jang Neung-ak's mouth curved up wickedly.
***
Just half a moment ago,
Jang Neung-ak had given an order to the martial artists on the terrace.
[You all withdraw for now.]
[But my lord?]
[I told you to withdraw.]
[Yes, sir!]
It looked like he simply made them withdraw.
However,
Right now, gather all the martial artists in the estate, and summon Axe King Ho Tae-gang, Water Clan Master Go Yeon-baek, and Valley Master of Summoning Sound Valley, Hang Yeo-ryang.
There was a secret known only to Jang Neung-ak's close confidants and subordinates.
It was the art of transmitting secret messages through sound, Secret Voice Transmission.
Jang Neung-ak, who had gained the support of the Summoning Sound Valley Master, learned Secret Voice Transmission from her as a gift.
And he found it useful from time to time.
This was one such situation.
***
Axe King (破斧王) Ho Tae-gang.
He was one of the Five Kings and a member of the Eight Stars, considered the top masters of the current martial world.
He was one of the few Transformation Realm experts in the Heaven and Earth Society and Jang Neung-ak's greatest force that he had recruited first.
'Did you think this young master would fully trust you?'
The opponent was a Transformation Realm expert.
If things went wrong, who knows what the outcome would be.
Judging by this guy's actions, he didn't seem to fear the Society Leader, his master, like others did.
In the first place, if he did, he wouldn't have done something like defeating Ko Yeon-hu, one of the Five Tigers, earlier.
That's why Jang Neung-ak called upon the best card he had.
The supreme master who had reached the Transformation Realm even longer ago than Mok Gyeong-un.
'Half a moment. That's enough.'
This much time was sufficient to summon the Axe King.
Axe King's estate was located closest among the other executives.
He would probably arrive here soon.
"Someone who can deal with me? Don't tell me?"
To Mok Gyeong-un, whose face had stiffened, Jang Neung-ak raised the corners of his mouth wickedly and said,
"Did you think this young master would let you get close without careful thought? You'll have to take responsibility for the consequences you brought upon yourself."
"…You're not an ordinary person, indeed."
"By the time you regret it now, it's already…"
"Would it make you feel better if I say that?"
"What?"
What?
This bastard, does he not understand the situation right now?
Puzzled by this, Mok Gyeong-un smiled and said,
"A suspicious person like you wouldn't casually dismiss the subordinates around you for a private conversation and have me sit close to you without hesitation… Did you think I would simply believe that?"
"You bastard…"
"Of course…"
Tap tap!
Mok Gyeong-un tapped his head with his finger and continued,
"Of course, I thought you would have prepared something."
"..."
"Am I right?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Jang Neung-ak glared at him and replied in a low voice,
"You're quite cunning indeed. But even if you realize it now, do you think it will change anything? Rather, even now…"
"Did you learn sound transmission from the Summoning Sound Valley Master?"
'!?'
At that question, Jang Neung-ak, who was trying to maintain a composed appearance, raised one eyebrow.
How the hell does this guy know that?
Seeing his reaction, Mok Gyeong-un chuckled and said,
"Seems like I'm right. Well, since you promised to gain the support of the Summoning Sound Valley Master, I thought it was possible."
"You bastard, how…"
Just as Jang Neung-ak was about to say something,
Step!
Jang Neung-ak, who sensed someone entering the garden, smiled with satisfaction.
No matter how Mok Gyeong-un knew about the sound transmission, once Axe King Ho Tae-gang arrived, the situation would be over.
However,
'!?'
Jang Neung-ak's expression stiffened as he turned his gaze towards the garden entrance.
Because the one who entered was not Axe King as he had expected.
The one who entered the garden was none other than,
'Jong-im?'
Jong-im, the subordinate of the deceased Wi Maeng-cheon, who was one of the martial artists sitting on the terrace.
Seeing him enter suddenly, Jang Neung-ak was at a loss.
That was because he had sent an urgent sound transmission to him with orders.
Instead of the Axe King he had summoned, why was that bastard here…?
'Blood?'
But something was strange.
Jong-im's clothes were stained with blood.
Why was that bastard in such a state…?
"Did you take care of it well?"
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un's voice rang in his ears.
'Did you take care of it well?'
What the hell was this…?
Bam!
Jong-im, the subordinate of the deceased Wi Maeng-cheon, knelt on one knee and clasped his hands together in a respectful salute toward Mok Gyeong-un as he replied,
"Master. I took care of everything as you ordered."
'!!!!!!!!'
As soon as he finished speaking, Jang Neung-ak's face twisted terribly.
What the hell was going on?
Why was that bastard calling Mok Gyeong-un master?
As he was feeling perplexed, he suddenly sensed a strange presence behind him and someone placing a hand on his shoulder.
Gasp!
The startled Jang Neung-ak tried to shake it off, but,
Grab!
'What?'
The pressing force was so strong that he couldn't even move his shoulder.
Then, a whisper came from behind him.
"What will you do now that news different from what you expected has arrived?"
It was Mok Gyeong-un's voice.
When did this bastard get behind him?
"You, you bastard!"
"Shh. Be quiet and relax your shoulders. If you keep moving like that, I might feel like breaking them with the strength in my hands."
Shudder!
At those words and the accompanying laughter, goosebumps instantly covered Jang Neung-ak's entire body.
Where did things go wrong?
183: Chapter 182: Submission (1)
'My lord… I'm sorry.'
Wi Maeng-cheon, who was possessing the body of his subordinate Jong-im, apologized inwardly.
He wanted to strike the back of that guy's head for the sake of his former lord, Jang Neung-ak, but after becoming a servant spirit and realizing the principle of karma, he couldn't do it.
The fate of the servant spirit and its master were one and the same.
But even if it weren't for that, the more he learned about Mok Gyeong-un, the more fearful he became.
'What the hell was that monstrous bird earlier?'
In fact, if it were his previous body, it would have been extremely difficult to deal with that many peak supreme masters alone.
However, thanks to that huge bird that suddenly appeared, he was able to subdue the martial artists.
This made Wi Maeng-cheon even more terrified of Mok Gyeong-un.
'What the hell is this guy's true identity?'
He didn't know that Mok Gyeong-un could command not only humans but also monsters.
How could such a monster exist within the Heaven and Earth Society without anyone knowing?
It made him curious about Mok Gyeong-un's true identity.
Meanwhile, Mok Gyeong-un disappeared in an instant using a tremendous light body technique and appeared behind Jang Neung-ak, grabbing his shoulder.
"You bastard!"
"Shh. Be quiet and relax your shoulders. If you keep moving like that, I might feel like breaking them with the strength in my hands."
Shudder!
In an instant, goosebumps covered Jang Neung-ak's entire body.
The guy's snickering voice was filled with nothing but malice.
He had experienced this feeling somewhere before.
'Eldest senior brother?'
Right.
It was quite similar to his eldest senior brother, Na Yul-ryang.
The eerie feeling of lacking humanity was alike.
Meanwhile, Ho Jong-hyeok grabbed the handle of his half-moon ax, Netherworld, with one of its blades broken, and opened his mouth.
"Mok Gyeong-un. Stop it."
"Stop what? Did I do anything wrong?"
"I don't know how you brought them in, but do you think you can handle all of this?"
"That's not for you to worry about."
"Worry? Even if you immediately get what you want by threatening the lord's life, do you think you can prevent all the forces supporting our lord, including my own master, from finding out about this?"
"..."
"Stop it now. No matter how strong your martial arts have become, this is a reckless act."
With these words, Ho Jong-hyeok's fingers, cunningly pointing backwards, moved.
He was sending hand signals.
The recipient of those hand signals was none other than his female bodyguard behind him.
[Keep this with you.]
[What is this?]
[It's a rescue signal flare.]
[A rescue signal flare?]
[It's something my master gave me.]
[You mean the Axe King?]
[Yes. He gave it to me in case of an emergency. We probably won't need to use it, but just in case, I think it's better for you, the bodyguard, to keep it.]
[Is it okay for me to have something like this…?]
[It's more effective for you to have it. If an urgent situation arises, the other members of the Five Mountains Alliance and I will be the targets of restraint anyway.]
It was a truly coincidental thing.
He had entrusted the rescue signal flare to her in case of an emergency.
The rescue signal flare was given by his master to deal with the Eldest Young Master's side, but he thought it would never be used as long as the Society Leader was alive.
However, he didn't expect things to unfold so quickly.
Swish! Swish!
Ho Jong-hyeok sent hand signals with his fingers so that only the female bodyguard could see them.
It was a pre-arranged signal.
Gulp!
Seo Hye-in, the Fourth Mountain who was at an angle to see this signal, swallowed her saliva.
She had heard about this from Ho Jong-hyeok, so she had left the female bodyguard in this spot in case of an emergency.
'Once the rescue signal flare goes off….'
Axe King Ho Tae-gang would immediately come here.
Then, even that bastard Mok Gyeong-un wouldn't be able to keep making rash threats.
To make that happen, they needed to draw his attention even more.
So Seo Hye-in intervened.
"Mok Gyeong-un! Ho Jong-hyeok is right. A threat is only valuable when you can maintain it in the first place, so how do you plan to keep it up?"
At her words, Mok Gyeong-un's gaze naturally shifted to her.
Seo Hye-in cheered inwardly but didn't show it outwardly.
She just hoped that Ho Jong-hyeok's female bodyguard would hurry and shoot the rescue signal flare.
To do that, she tried to keep Mok Gyeong-un's attention by continuing to talk.
However,
Crack!
At that moment, the sound of something breaking was heard.
Did she use the rescue signal flare?
'Huh?'
Something was strange.
If she had used the rescue signal flare, sparks should have shot upward because of the ammunition.
But there was only the sound of something breaking.
Unable to hide it any longer, Seo Hye-in eventually couldn't resist and turned her head towards the female bodyguard.
At that moment,
'No way?'
Seo Hye-in couldn't hide her perplexity.
That was because Ho Jong-hyeok's female bodyguard had broken the stick of the rescue signal flare.
Has this woman gone crazy?
If she understood Ho Jong-hyeok's hand signals, how could she do such a thing…?
That's when it happened.
"What's that?"
Mok Gyeong-un asked, looking at the female bodyguard.
Then,
"It's a rescue signal flare that can request help from Axe King."
'This wench, don't tell me—!'
Seeing her answer so readily, Seo Hye-in got angry and tried to rebuke her.
But before that, Ho Jong-hyeok spoke first.
"…Chae-rin. Were you also on that person's side?"
He had no choice but to suspect her from the moment she broke the rescue signal flare.
At his question, the spirit possessing the female bodyguard Ha Chae-rin's body, Go Chan, shuddered and said,
"Ugh. This is fucking disgusting."
"Chae-rin?"
"Enough! I'm done catering to your preferences."
At Go Chan's resolute words, Ho Jong-hyeok's expression hardened.
He had taken a liking to her due to her occasional blunt and somewhat different reactions and appearance compared to other women.
So he had kept her close and tried to make her his woman, not just a bodyguard.
But facing this result, he couldn't help but feel empty.
Ho Jong-hyeok spoke in a voice full of lingering attachment.
"Everything we've been through together was a lie…"
"Yeah! That's right. It was all a lie, so save that undeserved confidence for other wenches."
"..."
Shocked by Go Chan's scolding pouring out like a flood, Ho Jong-hyeok just stood there dumbfounded.
Seeing him like that, Go Chan snorted.
If it weren't for being a servant spirit, he would have escaped from this bastard long ago.
That guy must have a lot pent up.
Indeed.
At Go Chan's appearance, Mok Gyeong-un chuckled.
He thought Go Chan had gotten quite used to it and was enjoying being a woman, but it seemed that wasn't the case either.
Then Jang Neung-ak opened his mouth.
"…What the hell are you?"
"What am I?"
"When did you contact them?"
It was utterly incomprehensible to him.
Not only Jong-im, Wi Maeng-cheon's subordinate, but also that wench had no way to contact or connect with Mok Gyeong-un.
But how the hell did he make them his people?
No matter how much he thought about it, it was difficult to find a connection, but then Mok Gyeong-un asked, leaning close to his ear.
"Do you have any more hidden trump cards?"
"..."
At Mok Gyeong-un's question, Jang Neung-ak bit his lip hard.
Right now, there were no more moves that could turn the situation around.
So Jang Neung-ak spoke in a vicious voice,
"Even so, you won't gain anything."
"There's no point in being stubborn."
"Kill me."
'!?'
At his words, interest flashed in Mok Gyeong-un's eyes.
He was curious about how Jang Neung-ak would react after his hidden moves were thwarted and he reached a dead end.
Inwardly, he thought Jang Neung-ak would submit.
But unexpectedly, he was coming on strong.
"You're not the Society Leader's disciple for nothing, even if you're rotten."
"Shut up. You won't get anything anyway. Even if you threaten me with force, it will only be temporary."
"Hmm."
"You're not stupid, so you should know. Your threat is meaningless unless this young master submits."
"Well, that's true."
At Mok Gyeong-un's ready acknowledgment, Jang Neung-ak frowned.
He knew the guy wouldn't be unaware of that, so he couldn't understand why he was doing this.
Anyway, there were no more moves left, so the only way to dissuade this bastard was to remind him of the consequences.
However,
"But you will submit to me. Like a tail-wagging dog."
"How dare you!"
Crack!
"Aargh!"
At that moment, Jang Neung-ak screamed in pain as his bones broke.
"Ah. I clearly told you to relax your shoulders."
Mok Gyeong-un said, raising the corners of his mouth wickedly.
"Ugh. You, you bastard!"
"My lord!"
Seeing Jang Neung-ak in agony, Ho Jong-hyeok seemed to have come to his senses and shouted, aiming his half-bladed Netherworld.
"Stop right now!"
"I think it's better for you to stop. If you don't want to see your lord suffering."
"You're really crossing the line."
"Didn't I cross the line long ago?"
Mok Gyeong-un said with a smile.
At his malice-filled appearance, Ho Jong-hyeok was at a loss for words.
What the hell was this bastard's real goal?
If he provoked them like this, he would have an even harder time getting what he wanted, so why was he going this far?
That's when he wondered.
"I suppose you don't have the will to submit on your own?"
"Ugh… You bastard… This young master will…"
"I guess it's better to possess you than to control you."
"What?"
"First, go to sleep."
Bam bam bam!
At that moment, Jang Neung-ak, whose acupuncture points had been sealed, lost consciousness.
Thud!
"How dare you!"
As soon as Jang Neung-ak collapsed on the table, Ho Jong-hyeok swung Netherworld towards Mok Gyeong-un's head with an angry rebuke.
Whoosh!
However,
Bam!
The blade of Netherworld was caught by Mok Gyeong-un's hand.
"You have no learning ability."
Crackle crackle!
As black energy frosted over Mok Gyeong-un's hand, cracks formed even on the remaining blade.
Ho Jong-hyeok hurriedly tried to use his inner force to make him let go, but,
Swish!
Mok Gyeong-un's figure had already penetrated right in front of him.
Seeing Mok Gyeong-un's palm flying towards his chin, Ho Jong-hyeok gritted his teeth.
'Damn it!'
***
'…He's really become a monster.'
Go Chan, who was possessing Ha Chae-rin's body, sincerely clicked his tongue.
Ho Jong-hyeok, the First Mountain, and Seo Hye-in, the Fourth Mountain, were lying on the floor unconscious, covered in blood.
The two tried their best to resist, struggling and charging in, but the result was miserable.
They ended up like that in just a few exchanges.
Ho Jong-hyeok, who had reached the pinnacle-stage of Transcendent Realm, tried to turn the tide by unleashing his hidden ultimate technique, but it was useless.
It only bought a little more time.
'How can a guy who hasn't cultivated martial arts for long become so strong so quickly?'
It was hard to believe.
It felt so unfair that it made the world seem unjust.
Then, Mok Gyeong-un's voice was heard.
"You two, come over here."
'You two? Ah!'
Go Chan looked at the man who was presumed to be possessed like himself.
Was he called Jong-im, the subordinate of the deceased Wi Maeng-cheon?
He had a faint feeling of spiritual power, so he thought he might be a possessing spirit, and his guess was correct.
But when did he get possessed by this bastard?
As he was wondering, Jong-im, no, the possessed Wi Maeng-cheon climbed up to the pavilion, and Mok Gyeong-un said,
"You're seeing each other for the first time, right?"
"..."
"..."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Go Chan and Wi Maeng-cheon looked at each other with strange gazes.
It was close to asking, "You too?" with their eyes.
"Before introductions, shall we deal with this first?"
"By this, you mean?"
Then Mok Gyeong-un alternately pointed to Jang Neung-ak, the Society Leader's second disciple who had collapsed in front of him after having his acupuncture points sealed, and Ho Jong-hyeok, the First Mountain who had fainted covered in blood, and said,
"You need to possess these two, so which one of you wants to enter the second young master?"
As soon as he finished speaking,
Bam!
Both Go Chan and Wi Maeng-cheon raised their hands at the same time like lightning, without exception.
184: Chapter 183: Submission (2)
"Hmm?"
Mok Gyeong-un raised an eyebrow, seeing Go Chan, who possessed Ha Chae-rin's body, and Wi Maeng-cheon, who possessed Jong-im's body, raising their hands at the same time.
Realizing that they both raised their hands, the two looked at each other.
Both Go Chan and Wi Maeng-cheon had unpleasant expressions.
Mok Gyeong-un said to them,
"It seems you both want this body."
At those words, Wi Maeng-cheon hurriedly opened his mouth.
"I definitely want it. Please give me this body."
"Wait, that can't be. We may have skipped introductions, but there's a hierarchy even among water spirits. As a newcomer, how dare you covet this body?"
He had become a servant spirit before Mok Gyeong-un was brought to the Heaven and Earth Society.
How dare a newbie servant spirit try to take the body before a senior even picks up their chopsticks?
However,
"Stay out of this, wench."
Wi Maeng-cheon snapped at Go Chan in a sharp voice.
Seeing that, Go Chan was dumbfounded.
"What? Wench? Who are you calling a wench?"
"I'm talking about you. Who else would I be talking about? Don't be greedy and be satisfied with that body, you bi-"
"Hey!"
Go Chan shouted angrily.
Each day was already challenging and embarrassing for him as he possessed the body of a woman, Ha Chae-rin.
And now this guy was provoking him?
"Do you think I want to be in this body? How dare you thoughtlessly call me a wench when you know nothing? Do you want to die?"
"Hoo. Wench. Don't provoke me any further."
"Provoke? Are you blind? Fine. Let's do this, you bastard."
Swish!
A needle-like weapon appeared in Go Chan's fingers.
He had fully adapted to this body after possessing Ha Chae-rin's body for quite a long time.
Now he was confident he could utilize more than 100% of this body's peak martial prowess.
Shing!
Like Go Chan, Wi Maeng-cheon also half-drew his sword.
Although his martial prowess was much lower than his original body, he still had his original senses.
He was at least confident he could subdue the wench in front of him.
Then,
"Take it easy, you two."
Mok Gyeong-un's voice reached their ears.
Unconsciously glancing at Mok Gyeong-un, their expressions soon hardened.
Although he was smiling, the immense energy flowing from Mok Gyeong-un was pressuring them as if it would engulf them at any moment.
At this, Go Chan and Wi Maeng-cheon, who seemed like they would fight at any moment, soon withdrew their weapons.
Even if they wanted to maintain their pride, as servant spirits, they couldn't refuse their master's order.
"I was going to give you a choice, but I think it's better for me to decide."
Thud!
At those words, Wi Maeng-cheon hurriedly knelt on one knee and clasped his hands together, pleading.
"Master. Please give me Young Master Jang Neung-ak's body."
He looked very desperate.
So Mok Gyeong-un asked in puzzlement,
"You seem to want it badly. Is it because Young Master Jang Neung-ak is a higher-ranking person?"
"..."
At Mok Gyeong-un's question, Wi Maeng-cheon couldn't bring himself to reveal his true intentions.
At a glance, it seemed like he wanted it because Young Master Jang Neung-ak was of higher rank than Ho Jong-hyeok, a member of the Five Mountains Alliance, as Mok Gyeong-un said, but that didn't hold much meaning to him.
He just wanted to protect his former lord, even if it was in this way.
However,
'If I reveal this, that monster-like person will probably hate it.'
That's why he couldn't say his true intentions.
And he didn't want to see that wench possessing the body of his former lord.
Then,
"Master."
Go Chan clung to Mok Gyeong-un with teary eyes.
"Didn't you promise? You said you'd move me to a suitable body if there was one."
"Ah. I did say that."
"I can't stay in this body any longer. So please give me that body."
Seeing Go Chan holding onto his arm and pressing against his body while pleading, Wi Maeng-cheon was dumbfounded and shouted,
"Wench! How dare you act coquettishly?"
"Coquettishly? What nonsense are you spouting now? Acting coquettishly is…"
"Isn't what you're doing right now acting coquettishly?"
"What?"
In an instant, Go Chan realized what he was doing.
'Oh no….'
Perhaps because he had gotten too used to living as a woman, giving up on thinking rationally.
He did something he wouldn't have done normally.
'Damn it. I got too immersed.'
Feeling embarrassed, his face flushed red.
Seeing him like that, Cheong-ryeong, who was watching this inside the wooden puppet, burst out laughing.
– Puhahahaha! This guy has completely become a wench.
Mok Gyeong-un chuckled and shook his head.
It seemed that when a soul enters the body of the opposite sex, it gets considerably influenced even if one doesn't realize it.
"It doesn't seem bad for you to stay in that body."
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Go Chan lay flat on the floor and pleaded.
"Oh no. That won't do, Master… Didn't you promise? You said you'd move me to a man's body again."
'A man? Don't tell me?'
Wi Maeng-cheon frowned and looked at Go Chan.
He wondered why this wench was trying to possess a man's body beyond her means, but was she saying she wasn't a woman but a man?
Realizing this, Wi Maeng-cheon looked at Go Chan as if looking at a bug.
That was because he knew that even before becoming a spirit, Ho Jong-hyeok kept that wench by his side as if she were his woman.
'No, she said she's not a wench.'
So Wi Maeng-cheon's gaze was close to contempt.
Wi Maeng-cheon pleaded with Mok Gyeong-un again.
"Master. If this person's goal is to simply enter a man's body, Ho Jong-hyeok's body would be fine too, right? Then please give me Young Master Jang Neung-ak's body…"
"No! I'm going to enter that body."
"How dare a pervert like you…"
"A pervert?! Who are you calling a pervert? Master. Please ignore this guy's words."
Go Chan desperately defended himself.
Go Chan wanted to possess Young Master Jang Neung-ak's body no matter what.
If that bastard takes Jang Neung-ak's body from him and he ends up in the body of a subordinate,
Then he would have to do whatever that bastard tells him to do.
He had to prevent that at all costs.
"Master. Would you entrust Young Master Jang Neung-ak's body, which is in a crucial position, to a pervert like this? I, who have watched Young Master Jang Neung-ak closely for a long time, am more…"
Wi Maeng-cheon also tried desperately to secure Jang Neung-ak's body no matter what.
At the fervent arguments of these two, Mok Gyeong-un showed an annoyed expression.
Then Cheong-ryeong's voice rang in his head.
– You're not good at everything either.
– What?
– Well, you would have had to handle subordinates to be able to deal with this kind of situation.
– It seems you have something in mind.
– It's not just an idea, there are laws to handling subordinates.
– Laws?
– Yeah.
– What are they?
– Make the hierarchy clear.
– Hierarchy…
– Individually, they may obey your orders, but there needs to be a system in place for an organization to function. And in that system, there's something called a chain of command.
– Ah… You're indeed experienced. You must have handled many subordinates.
– …Ahem.
Mok Gyeong-un chuckled and opened his mouth.
"Wi Maeng-cheon."
"Yes!"
Wi Maeng-cheon, who had been passionately arguing to get Jang Neung-ak's body, stopped and replied.
At his answer, Go Chan's eyes widened.
'Wi Maeng-cheon? The Second Mountain Wi Maeng-cheon?'
He had been curious about this guy's true identity.
But he didn't expect him to be the deceased Wi Maeng-cheon.
Then,
'…He's really bold.'
It wasn't another disciple of the Society Leader who killed Wi Maeng-cheon, but Mok Gyeong-un.
Go Chan, who had only been by Ho Jong-hyeok's side, naturally assumed that Wi Maeng-cheon had been killed by either the Eldest Young Master Na Yul-ryang or the junior sister Wi So-yeon, as they had guessed.
But to think he died at Mok Gyeong-un's hands and became a servant spirit, it was surprising.
'Ah…'
This is making me uneasy.
If it's Wi Maeng-cheon, he would know more about Jang Neung-ak and this Five Mountains Alliance than anyone else.
In that position, it seemed like Mok Gyeong-un would give Jang Neung-ak's body to Wi Maeng-cheon, not him.
However,
"Since Go Chan here is like my right-hand man, treat him as a superior."
'!?'
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Go Chan looked at him in surprise.
Even though Wi Maeng-cheon was dead, he could be considered a tremendous talent in the current situation.
Wasn't he a master who had reached the pinnacle-stage of Transcendent Realm when he was alive?
Telling someone like that to treat him as a superior?
And also…
'Right-hand man?'
Gulp!
Go Chan unconsciously swallowed his saliva.
He had thought he was just a disposable card to this monster-like guy.
But hearing him say this, it felt like his past hardships were being slightly rewarded.
So Go Chan unknowingly puffed out his chest.
'…He's become quite elated.'
Seeing Go Chan like that, Wi Maeng-cheon gritted his teeth.
He was furious at the thought of treating someone like that, whose gender was unclear, as a superior.
However,
"Why aren't you answering? Do you perhaps want to be simply exterminated?"
"N-no way! How could that be?"
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Wi Maeng-cheon was startled and waved his hands.
Even if he rolled in a pile of dog shit, this world was better.
Moreover, since he was already a spirit, if he were exterminated in this state, it would be no different from returning to nothingness.
Thud!
"I will treat him as a superior."
Although he was resentful, Wi Maeng-cheon lowered his head as Mok Gyeong-un ordered.
Seeing this, Go Chan couldn't hide his satisfaction, his lips twitching.
To think that he, who retired as a low-ranking assassin despite being from the Flying Killing Sect, would be treated as a superior by a future top master like Wi Maeng-cheon of the Heaven and Earth Society.
'Hehehe.'
Life was truly unpredictable.
***
'Sniff.'
Jang Neung-ak, no, Go Chan who was currently possessing Jang Neung-ak's body, couldn't help but feel moved beyond joy.
Each day had been embarrassing and challenging for him to the point where he thought he might lose his gender identity as he possessed the body of a woman, Ha Chae-rin.
But it was worth enduring that.
Returning to a man's body made him feel confident.
"How's the body?"
Mok Gyeong-un asked him.
At that question, Go Chan barely suppressed his excitement and said,
"It's really… the best."
It was difficult to describe in words.
When he entered the body of Ha Chae-rin, a Peak Realm master, he, who was merely second-rate expert, experienced sensations he had never felt before and was only satisfied with that aspect.
But Jang Neung-ak's body was incomparable from the beginning.
'Amazing. How can such a body even exist?'
The body of Jang Neung-ak, who had reached the pinnacle-stage of Transcendent Realm, could truly be called a monster.
The internal energy Ha Chae-rin possessed was like a drop in the bucket.
This body was really strong, to the point where it felt like he could do anything if he wanted to.
'But….'
Seeing Mok Gyeong-un, who had easily subdued this tremendous body, his master felt even more like a monster.
Wasn't he someone who didn't even know the basics of martial arts just a month ago?
He was truly a monster itself.
"Is the other body okay?"
This time, Mok Gyeong-un asked Wi Maeng-cheon, who had entered Ho Jong-hyeok's body.
Wi Maeng-cheon nodded and replied,
"I think I can adapt quickly."
Wi Maeng-cheon was also inwardly unable to hide his surprise.
He was aware that the hidden First Mountain Ho Jong-hyeok was strong, but after taking over his body, that strength was hard to compare to his former body.
Even though they were both at the Transcendent Realm, the difference between the early-stage and the pinnacle-stage was truly stark.
'Ho Jong-hyeok… He's really amazing.'
If he wanted to, he could have taken the position of one of the Five Tigers at any time.
With this body, he was curious about the outcome if he fought against that person, who was undoubtedly the best among the Five Tigers.
Fortunately, the bodies seem to suit you two to some extent.
Indeed.
The stronger the body, the more it tends to reject the spirit.
So he had been worried, but fortunately, both Go Chan and Wi Maeng-cheon seemed to have settled well into their bodies.
Since they had taken over the bodies of Young Master Jang Neung-ak, the leader of this force, and Ho Jong-hyeok, the hidden second-in-command, there would be no problem controlling this place.
– But are you really okay? Taking over that woman's body…
– It's fine. I don't really like that woman.
Mok Gyeong-un had intended to give Cheong-ryeong the body of Seo Hye-in, the Fourth Mountain of the Five Mountains Alliance.
However, Cheong-ryeong refused.
The reason was that she didn't really like the body.
What could he do if she refused?
– Rather than that, how are you going to deal with that woman?
At Cheong-ryeong's words, Mok Gyeong-un's gaze naturally turned to Ha Chae-rin, who was lying unconscious.
As Go Chan left her body, the successor of the Flying Killing Sect assassins, her body became vacant.
'Hmm.'
Mok Gyeong-un stared at her intently.
Although he had conveniently used her as Go Chan's vessel, he no longer needed her.
There were many more useful cards within the Heaven and Earth Society.
So Mok Gyeong-un,
– Well, let's kill her then.
He smiled and casually approached Ha Chae-rin to kill her.
Then Go Chan, who had been satisfied with his new body, was startled and approached, saying,
"Are you going to kill her?"
"Yes. There's no immediate use for her, so…"
"Wouldn't it be a waste to just kill her?"
At Go Chan's words, Mok Gyeong-un looked at him in puzzlement.
Then he asked,
"Why do you say it's a waste?"
"Well, that's…"
"Did you perhaps develop feelings for this body after being in it for a long time?"
"No! How could that be?"
Despite saying this, Go Chan felt strangely attached to her as if she were himself, perhaps because he had been in Ha Chae-rin's body for a long time and read all her memories.
So although he strongly denied it, he felt uncomfortable about just killing her.
It felt like killing himself, in a way.
"Then is it okay to just kill her?"
"Well… What you say is true, but still, she's the successor of the Flying Killing Sect, a group of the Four Great Assassins. Wouldn't it be a waste to just kill her…?"
"Hmm."
At his words, Mok Gyeong-un stroked his chin.
Even if she was the successor of the Flying Killing Sect, she wasn't a card he could immediately use, so was there a need to keep her alive?
Then, after glancing at Go Chan, who was looking at him anxiously, he chuckled and said,
"Can you make her submit so we can use her?"
"I'll try."
"If it doesn't work, deal with her as you see fit."
"Alright…"
Just as Go Chan was about to reply,
Ha Chae-rin, whose soul had settled normally after Go Chan's possessing spirit left her body, seemed to regain consciousness and opened her eyes.
"Gasp!"
Ha Chae-rin looked around with a startled face.
"Wh-Where am I?"
The surroundings were unfamiliar.
She furrowed her brows.
Her last memory was of dozens of bloodstained hands suddenly popping out from the ground, grabbing and pulling at her.
She couldn't remember anything after that. What on earth happened?
"You seem to have woken up."
At the familiar voice, Ha Chae-rin turned her head.
"You!"
The owner of the voice was none other than Mok Gyeong-un.
The moment she spotted him, the final sacrifice for the Hundred Days of Killing to become the leader of the Flying Killing Sect, Ha Chae-rin instinctively shot the shadow needles hidden in her bracelet.
Swoosh swoosh swoosh!
However,
'Huh?'
Her eyes widened.
The flying shadow needles stopped mid-air.
What the hell is going on?
As she was perplexed, Mok Gyeong-un lightly nodded his head,
Clatter clatter clatter!
All the shadow needles suspended in the air fell to the ground.
'!!!!!!!!'
Ha Chae-rin was so shocked by the sight that her pupils trembled like crazy.
Just how profound was his internal energy that he blocked the needles she shot with his energy without even touching them?
As if not caring about her bewilderment at all, Mok Gyeong-un turned his head and said to Go Chan with a smile,
"Can you make her submit?"
"I'll try!"
"If she can't be controlled, let me know. On second thought, it might be okay to use her as Gyu Soha's body instead."
185: Chapter 184: Submission (3)
"Can you make her submit?"
"I'll try!"
"If she can't be controlled, let me know. On second thought, it might be okay to use her as Gyu Soha's body instead."
'Gyu Soha?'
Who is that?
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Go Chan, who possessed Jang Neung-ak's body, couldn't hide his puzzlement.
Thinking carefully about what was said, it sounded like there were more spirits like them that could be used as vessels.
As if confirming his guess, Mok Gyeong-un agreed with a smile.
"That's right. There are more."
Gyu Soha.
She was a spirit that was raised with gu poison under the cliff of Corpse Blood Valley.
She became a servant spirit by Mok Gyeong-un and was now possessing Yang Mu-won, the caretaker of Corpse Blood Valley, guarding that place under orders.
Originally, she was only at the Green Spirit level because the gu poison wasn't completed, but after receiving the leftover demonic energy from the Usurping Sea King that Mok Gyeong-un absorbed, her rank was finally elevated to a Blue Spirit.
– That guy, who insists he's a man, and this bastard would make quite an interesting pair if they met.
– Indeed.
Mok Gyeong-un also agreed with Cheong-ryeong's words.
No matter how you looked at her, Gyu Soha, who appeared female and was being bullied by Cheong-ryeong, still insisted she was a man.
– We should bring her over soon.
Gyu Soha had become a spirit that could even face pinnacle-stage Transcendent Realm supreme masters after her rank was elevated.
Such an existence couldn't be left as a mere caretaker.
– Do you have someone to replace her?
Cheong-ryeong asked in puzzlement.
Most of the servant spirits except her had their own assigned roles.
Demonic Monk was possessing escort Byeok, a loyal subordinate of the Shadow Clan Master, to monitor him and gather information, so there was no servant spirit to replace him.
The more loyal, determined, or vengeful someone is in life, the higher the probability of them being reborn as a spirit.
– …What are you thinking?
– Coincidentally, I sense spiritual energy over there.
The place Mok Gyeong-un was looking at.
It was the eastern direction of the garden where the martial artists from the terrace had withdrawn.
The martial artists from the terrace who had withdrawn were killed by the demon beast Heum-won and Wi Maeng-cheon.
– You're not thinking of…?
– Yes.
To Mok Gyeong-un, whose curse power had become even more outstanding after eating the three-eyed eyeball, the newly born spiritual energy was clearly felt.
A newly born spirit would at best not even reach the level of an earth-bound spirit, so its will would gradually weaken and eventually perish.
However,
'If we give it a little help, that will change.'
If it could at least reach the Red Spirit level to have a rank attached, it could possess someone.
Mok Gyeong-un was about to take a step.
Then Go Chan, who possessed Jang Neung-ak, asked,
"Master?"
Go Chan's eyes showed fear and a defensive stance at the same time, like a weasel with its fur standing on end, as he pointed at Ha Chae-rin.
To this, Mok Gyeong-un replied in a nonchalant tone,
"Ah. Deal with her as you see fit."
Now Ha Chae-rin was Go Chan's responsibility.
Mok Gyeong-un, who entrusted her to Go Chan, moved and headed towards the place where spiritual power was felt, passing the garden pavilion.
There, the shrunken demon beast Heum-won was flying around, and on the floor were the cold corpses of the martial artists from the terrace.
Among them, the existence that was born as a spirit was seen.
Found it.
The corners of Mok Gyeong-un's mouth curved up.
***
Go Chan approached the tense Ha Chae-rin.
Then Ha Chae-rin, startled, aimed her shadow needles at Go Chan.
"Don't come any closer!"
Originally, as an assassin, she was trained to maintain composure in any situation, so she wasn't easily agitated by such things.
But the situation was different now.
She felt strangely disconnected from moving her body, as if she had been asleep for a long time and woke up, and she couldn't even understand what was happening.
She was clearly aiming for Mok Gyeong-un's life at Yeon Mok Sword Manor, so what was going on?
To her, Go Chan said,
"Hey."
At Go Chan's call, Ha Chae-rin looked at Go Chan with tense eyes.
Seeing that reaction, Go Chan inwardly felt a strange thrill.
Until right before she died, she had considered him as a lowly inferior assassin.
But now she was properly wary of him.
'Heh.'
It was truly ironic.
After changing bodies, she looked infinitely weak to him.
Of course, that was because the body of the Society Leader's second disciple, Jang Neung-ak, was that strong.
The elated Go Chan warned her,
"You better behave."
"Damn it. Where the hell is this and who are you?"
At her rough way of speaking, Go Chan clicked his tongue.
He had forgotten for a while, but she was indeed a woman with an extremely crude way of speaking.
Her original personality hadn't gone anywhere.
"If you keep acting like that, your life will be in danger. That person has no mercy."
"That person? Are you talking about Mok Gyeong-un?"
"Yes."
At Go Chan's words, Ha Chae-rin furrowed her brows.
She was already extremely confused because of the existence called Mok Gyeong-un.
Mok Gyeong-un was the final sacrifice for the Hundred Days of Killing to be recognized as the leader of the Flying Killing Sect.
But she didn't know where things went wrong.
The Mok Gyeong-un she knew at Yeon Mok Sword Manor was just a cowardly man without any skills.
But when she closed her eyes and opened them again, his overwhelming presence and control over his energy were truly those of a supreme master and beyond.
'What the hell? What's going on?'
How did such a monster become the final sacrifice for the Hundred Days of Killing?
The Hundred Days of Killing selected someone who wouldn't be a big problem even if they died.
But wasn't he someone they couldn't kill?
Go Chan, who was staring intently at the perplexed her, had the corners of his mouth twitching.
[Deal with her as you see fit.]
Mok Gyeong-un had entrusted Ha Chae-rin to him.
Therefore, her life and death were now in his hands.
[Uncle, you killed the young master you served for Uncle Gam's revenge and committed suicide. Understood?]
[Fr-From the beginning…]
[Shh. Be quiet. Be grateful that I'm letting you preserve your honor as a retired member of the Flying Killing Sect.]
He vividly remembered when Ha Chae-rin had done that to him.
She had treated him like complete trash.
He had even died because of her.
But the chance to pay her back with his own hands had unexpectedly come?
The twitching corners of his mouth curved up wickedly.
Soon, Go Chan approached her.
Then,
Swish!
As soon as he got close, Ha Chae-rin shot her shadow needles at Go Chan.
However,
Bam!
'!?'
The shadow needles didn't pierce Go Chan and were caught between his index and middle fingers.
'I can see it. I can see everything!'
Go Chan inwardly cheered.
Even the notorious symbol of the Flying Killing Sect assassins, the shadow needles, were useless against him now.
He felt like he could catch them with his eyes closed just by the sound.
Surprised by Go Chan's appearance, Ha Chae-rin said,
"Wh-Who the hell are you?"
"Me? I am…"
[I didn't expect to see a retired person like this. Uncle Go Chan. Or should I call you Former Inferior Assassin No. 83?]
Suddenly, what she had said came to mind.
He wanted to rebuke her, saying, 'I'm Inferior Assassin No. 83!' but ever since possessing this body, he had to faithfully play that role.
Therefore,
"I… No, this young master is Jang Neung-ak."
"Jang Neung-ak?"
'Jang Neung-ak…? Jang Neung-ak, you say? I've heard that name somewhere… Jang Neung-ak… Jang…'
Suddenly, Ha Chae-rin's eyes widened.
That was because there was only one Jang Neung-ak she knew.
Jang Neung-ak, the second disciple of the leader of the Heaven and Earth Society, one of the three great organizations currently dividing the martial world.
Surprised, she was perplexed but soon denied reality.
"No way! You… Jang Neung-ak? How could that be? Why would the second disciple of the Heaven and Earth Society leader be at Yeon Mok Sword Manor…"
"Does this look like Yeon Mok Sword Manor to you?"
"What?"
"This is the inner city of the Heaven and Earth Society and this young master's estate."
'!?'
At those words, Ha Chae-rin's expression stiffened.
No. Does this make any sense?
Just before she opened her eyes, she was clearly at Yeon Mok Sword Manor, so why was she in the Heaven and Earth Society?
To the perplexed her, Go Chan said in a firm voice,
"Ha Chae-rin."
She raised her head and looked at Go Chan.
How did this person know her name?
Did he hear it from that bastard Mok Gyeong-un?
As she was puzzled, Go Chan continued,
"Age nineteen. The only granddaughter of an assassin who retired at the physical age of eighty and a successor of the Four Great Assassins group, the Flying Killing Sect."
'!?'
"Due to your impatient and hot-tempered personality that doesn't suit an assassin, you were forcibly confined in the Flying Killing Cave, and after coming out, in order to become the successor, you were in the midst of the Hundred Days of Killing… Ah! Since you failed to kill Mok Gyeong-un, your final target, it's hard to even consider you a successor now."
"Wh-Who are you?"
Ha Chae-rin's eyes trembled.
That's how the human mind worked.
You don't know much about the other person, but they know so much about you.
The anxiety and fear that came from that were hard to describe.
It felt like everything about her was being exposed.
To her, Go Chan approached right in front of her and said in a low voice,
"From earlier, hearing 'you, you' is grating on my nerves. You're quite impudent for a mere successor of an assassin group."
"That… That's…"
At Go Chan's words, Ha Chae-rin was momentarily at a loss.
If the other person was really Jang Neung-ak, the second disciple of the Heaven and Earth Society leader, he wasn't someone she could treat carelessly.
If the Heaven and Earth Society decided to, it would be a simple matter to wipe out the Flying Killing Sect overnight.
No matter how problematic her personality was, she knew that much.
"Young Master. There seems to be some misunderstanding. I don't know why I'm here, but…"
"Enough. Kneel."
"What?"
"I said kneel."
At Go Chan's words, Ha Chae-rin hesitated for a moment.
Even if he was the second disciple of the Heaven and Earth Society leader, wasn't this too much for a first meeting?
What did she do to deserve this…
Slap!
At that moment, Ha Chae-rin's head turned to the side.
Her cheek burned.
Go Chan, who had slapped her, said with a sneer,
"Kneel."
Normally, she would have submitted by now, but she had such stubbornness and temperament that even the calm assassins would be dumbfounded.
Ha Chae-rin bit her lip hard and said,
"Young Master. I don't know what you heard from that Mok Gyeong-un, but this is…"
Slap!
"Ack."
Ha Chae-rin's cheek turned the other way.
The force put into it this time was incomparable to before.
Because internal energy was infused, blood flowed from her mouth that was torn on the inside.
Her eyes were bloodshot.
"This is going too far."
"Impudent wench. Who are you carelessly slandering? That person is someone I serve."
"What?"
At Go Chan's words, Ha Chae-rin couldn't hide her perplexity.
What kind of nonsense was coming out of the mouth of a big shot like the second disciple of the Heaven and Earth Society leader?
Saying he serves him?
She had guessed they had some kind of relationship, but this was quite shocking.
Why was a disciple of the Heaven and Earth Society leader saying he served the son of an orthodox martial family?
It was utterly incomprehensible.
Then,
Bam!
Go Chan slapped her cheek again.
The force put into it this time was stronger than before, so her head turned even more.
And a bruise even formed on her face.
"You…"
Bam!
Before she could speak, Go Chan slapped the other cheek.
Ha Chae-rin's head turned the other way.
"Haa… Haa…"
Drip drip! Plop! Plop!
Blood flowed from her mouth as her head shook, dripping onto the floor.
It was painful and dizzying as the internal energy got stronger each time he hit her.
As Go Chan raised his hand again like that,
Thud!
Before that, Ha Chae-rin's knees hit the floor.
Even though she was the successor of an assassin group and revered as a Peak Realm master, she couldn't help but be powerless in this moment.
To her, who had finally knelt, Go Chan tapped her forehead with his finger and said,
"Yes. This is the eye level between you and me."
Clench!
Her eyes, biting her lips tightly, welled up with tears.
She had never felt such humiliation before.
Moreover, the reality that she couldn't even resist made her feel even more miserable.
Seeing her suffering, Go Chan sneered and was delighted.
'Hehehe.'
This was just the beginning.
He was so excited that he couldn't bear the thought of making her submit to the bottom.
Watching Go Chan, who was enjoying himself with a face full of madness, Wi Maeng-cheon, who possessed Ho Jong-hyeok's body, inwardly clicked his tongue.
'Is that why he let her live?'
He thought he was just a pervert, but he was extremely vicious beyond expectation.
***
The estate of Wi So-yeon, the junior sister of the Heaven and Earth Society leader.
The atmosphere in the main hall's meeting room was somewhat subdued.
That was because they, who had fainted and woken up after a long time, were too ashamed to face their lord, Wi So-yeon.
All of her loyal subordinates were beaten by a single person.
This was a major incident that no one had expected.
When everyone was keeping their mouths shut, a man stood up from his seat and soon knelt on the floor.
Thud!
"Grand Leader Woo?"
"Senior Brother Woo!"
At his attitude, Yang Il, the young leader of Transient Sword Group, and Gi Ok-ryeon, the eldest daughter of Sun Rock Valley Master, called out to him as if trying to dissuade him, perplexed.
Nevertheless, Woo Ho-rang lowered his head and apologized.
"…I'm sorry. Everything happened because of me."
Woo Ho-rang, who had come to his senses, thought all of this was his fault.
It seemed to have happened because he couldn't control his feelings of love and challenged Mok Gyeong-un to a duel.
'Who would have thought he would do this.'
He thought it would just end as a matter between the two of them.
But he never predicted that Mok Gyeong-un would enter the estate of Wi So-yeon, the Society Leader's junior sister, and beat up all her loyal subordinates.
Grit!
'Mok Gyeong-un…'
Thinking of that bastard made his teeth chatter.
However, he thought he had to take responsibility for what happened because of him right now.
Swish!
Woo Ho-rang took out a dagger from his bosom and placed it in front of him.
Then, holding out his left hand, he said,
"I have damaged the Young Lady's reputation, so I will first pay with my left hand."
"Big Brother! No!"
"Grand Leader!"
The other loyal subordinates tried to stop him.
However, as if trying to carry out his will, Woo Ho-rang drew the dagger and tried to cut his left wrist.
Right at that moment,
Clang!
Before it could touch his wrist, Woo Ho-rang's dagger was deflected and stuck into the wall.
Along with that, an ornamental bead fell right in front of Woo Ho-rang.
Woo Ho-rang raised his head and looked in the direction the ornamental bead had flown from.
"Young Lady…"
The one who threw it was none other than Wi So-yeon.
Wi So-yeon looked at Woo Ho-rang with a cold gaze and said,
"I won't forgive taking responsibility in this way."
"But…"
"Enough!"
At Wi So-yeon's small rebuke, Woo Ho-rang shut his mouth.
Perhaps feeling her anger, the other loyal subordinates also quietly closed their mouths.
This was the first time they had seen her get angry like this.
Naturally, they couldn't help but be cautious.
Then Wi So-yeon opened her mouth.
"I realized how poorly I managed the hierarchy through this incident."
"No. How could the Young Lady…"
"Shut up."
Gi Ok-ryeon shut her mouth in surprise.
Usually, she treated them well in front of everyone to boost the morale of her subordinates.
But this was the first time they saw her being so resolute.
"Now that I've realized an organization without a hierarchy has no future, I will fix the system from now on. Understand?"
"…"
"No answer."
Swooosh!
As soon as she finished speaking, a cold energy flowed out from Wi So-yeon.
The energy was so cold that in an instant, the entire room was filled with a chill, and steam flowed out of everyone's mouths.
At this, Yang Il, the young leader of Transient Sword Group, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands together, and shouted,
"We will keep that in mind!"
Then the others took the same posture and chanted,
"We will keep that in mind!"
"Hmph."
Looking down at them like that, Wi So-yeon snorted and withdrew her energy.
As she withdrew her energy, Woo Ho-rang looked at her with somewhat surprised eyes.
'To freely control yin energy to this extent?'
What?
He knew she had a special constitution and possessed vast true energy.
But her energy had become much more stable and stronger than before.
Could it be that she had gained some enlightenment in the meantime?
Looking closely, her face was also glowing and seemed much more beautiful than before.
As he was puzzled, Wi So-yeon said,
"And I declare two things here. No one can object to this decision."
"We will keep that in mind!"
Everyone answered simultaneously at her words.
It was definitely effective to draw a clear line properly.
As he said, it seemed she had been too lenient and spoiled her subordinates, not properly fulfilling her role as their lord.
Through this incident, she firmly resolved to change.
Wi So-yeon, who had hardened her heart, opened her mouth.
"The first is about Mok Gyeong-un."
'Ah…'
At her words, everyone's eyes lit up at the same time.
They already thought Mok Gyeong-un was the root of all this happening.
Naturally, they thought she wouldn't just let this incident pass.
That bastard was now no different from an enemy to Wi So-yeon's faction.
'I'll pay him back.'
Woo Ho-rang inwardly waited for her order.
If she just gave the order, he was prepared to challenge Mok Gyeong-un again at any time.
However,
"From now on, treat Mok Gyeong-un the same way you treat me."
'!?'
At the unexpected order that came out of Wi So-yeon's mouth, everyone looked at her with surprised expressions.
186: Chapter 185: Submission (4)
"From now on, treat Mok Gyeong-un the same way you treat me."
'!?'
At the unexpected order that came out of Wi So-yeon's mouth, everyone looked at her with surprised expressions.
Naturally, they thought she would say she wouldn't forgive Mok Gyeong-un for damaging the faction's reputation through this incident, but they couldn't understand what was going on.
Everyone was at a loss for words, and Woo Ho-rang, who could be considered the representative of the loyal subordinates and one of the Five Tigers, carefully opened his mouth.
"Young Lady. When you say to treat Mok Gyeong-un the same way as the Young Lady…"
"It's exactly as I said. Treat Mok Gyeong-un as a superior."
"But Young Lady, even though the subordinates' mistake is grave, if we just overlook this incident…"
"Are you objecting?"
At her sharp voice, Woo Ho-rang couldn't hide his perplexity.
Until before this incident, Wi So-yeon was someone who freely listened to her subordinates' opinions.
No, even if not, as he was the chief disciple of Bright Blade King Son Yun, one of the Five Kings, she had always respected his opinion in any situation.
But her attitude had changed.
'Is she disappointed in me?'
Is she showing this attitude because she's really angry about this incident?
When he thought that the woman he loved had become cold towards him, Woo Ho-rang's chest felt stuffy with bitterness.
However, if he had given up because of this, he wouldn't have loved her in the first place.
Woo Ho-rang knelt on one knee, clasped his hands together, and said,
"How could a subordinate object to the Young Lady's order? However, please allow me to at least ask the reason for making such a decision."
"…"
At his words, Wi So-yeon stared intently at Woo Ho-rang and then glanced at the other loyal subordinates.
They also had expressions of wanting to know the reason.
Judging that it wasn't like she wouldn't tell the reason even for an arbitrary decision, she said,
"I joined hands with Mok Gyeong-un."
"What? If you say you joined hands… Does that mean Mok Gyeong-un has agreed to come under the Young Lady's command?"
Woo Ho-rang asked in surprise.
It was Mok Gyeong-un who had accepted his challenge and openly insulted her, saying she wasn't qualified to be a leader.
So he thought they would never work together.
But the surprise didn't end there.
"Not under my command."
'!?'
At Wi So-yeon's following words, everyone's expressions stiffened.
What does she mean by not under her command?
As they were puzzled,
"Mok Gyeong-un and I joined hands as equals. So regarding the treatment of him…"
"Young Lady!"
Before she could finish speaking, Yeop Wi-seon, Son Yun's disciple, shouted as if he couldn't stand it anymore and got up from his seat.
Then he said,
"Even so, this is unacceptable. Young Lady, how could you treat that guy…"
Smack!
"Ugh!"
Yeop Wi-seon, hit by a flying inkstone, clutched his chest and groaned in pain.
To him, Wi So-yeon coldly said,
"I clearly said not to object, but you're disrespecting me to the end."
"Th-That's not it…"
"Get out."
"What?"
At her words, Yeop Wi-seon couldn't hide his perplexity.
"Young Lady… What do you mean…"
"A subordinate who pledged loyalty doesn't listen to the lord's orders at every turn and does as he pleases. I no longer need someone like that."
"…"
At her words, Yeop Wi-seon's face turned pale.
He had never seen Wi So-yeon take such a hard stance before.
The shock was brief, and Yeop Wi-seon bit his lip hard.
Then he soon opened his mouth with a wronged expression.
"How… How can you do this to me? For the Young Lady's sake all this time…"
"Shut that mouth."
"Young La-"
Thud!
"Ugh."
Before he could say something, someone slammed Yeop Wi-seon's head to the floor.
That person was none other than Woo Ho-rang, Yeop Wi-seon's eldest senior brother.
"E-Eldest Senior Brother?"
"Be quiet."
Woo Ho-rang, who had scolded him softly, soon lowered his head and said,
"Young Lady, please forgive him. I will strictly discipline my foolish junior."
"…"
"Thinking of all this time, please give him one more chance."
"…"
When Wi So-yeon didn't say anything, Woo Ho-rang gripped Yeop Wi-seon's head tightly and urged,
"Can't you hurry up and apologize to the Young Lady?!"
"Please forgive me."
Looking at them like that, Wi So-yeon let out a faint sigh and said,
"This is the last time. If something like this happens again, Yeop Wi-seon, you will no longer be my person."
"…I will keep that in mind."
Yeop Wi-seon's expression wasn't good as he answered while prostrating.
He knelt because of her sternness, but for him, this incident was like a humiliation.
Yeop Wi-seon also loved her no less than Woo Ho-rang and wanted to make her his woman.
When he thought that the woman he wanted so much had humiliated him in front of everyone, he was furious.
Grit!
'Me and Eldest Senior Brother… If Master doesn't help her, that wench will have no opportunity at all, so how can she act like this.'
He thought he would be able to control her as he wished with time.
But now it was hard to even expect that.
His feelings of love had already turned into resentment.
Then, Gi Ok-ryeon, the eldest daughter of Sun Rock Valley Master Gi Hae, carefully said to her,
"But Young Lady. Following orders is not that difficult, but if you want to clearly establish the hierarchy as you said, shouldn't Mok Gyeong-un also pledge loyalty to you as the next successor?"
'Right. No matter what, how can that guy be on equal footing with the Young Lady?'
'Gi Ok-ryeon is right.'
At this sharp point, everyone looked at Wi So-yeon with agreeing expressions.
Then she slightly turned her head to the side and answered in a small voice,
"…I will handle that myself."
'!?'
At her answer, everyone couldn't understand at all.
Why was Wi So-yeon trying to treat that arrogant bastard so well without even pledging loyalty?
However, unlike them, Gi Ok-ryeon's expression looking at Wi So-yeon became strange.
She had been close with Wi So-yeon since childhood.
Perhaps because of that, she could read Wi So-yeon's emotions better than anyone else.
'…Are you feeling shy right now?'
It might not be noticeable to the men's eyes, but Gi Ok-ryeon noticed.
Just now, Wi So-yeon had acted shy.
On the surface, it wasn't apparent, but that expression only appeared at times like this.
For a moment, Gi Ok-ryeon's eyes slightly widened.
'Could it be?'
Gi Ok-ryeon looked at Wi So-yeon.
Her face, which seemed to be sternly treating everyone as if trying to properly establish discipline, had the corners of her mouth slightly raised and looked unusually radiant and beautiful compared to usual.
Gi Ok-ryeon's mouth fell slightly open.
'Oh my…'
She was convinced.
Wi So-yeon's reaction.
It was definitely an appearance that could only come out when she liked someone.
And it didn't seem to end with just simple love.
They say a docile cat climbs the fireplace first.
'She acted as if she had no interest in men at all, but look at this…'
It was truly surprising.
She felt like asking about this and that, not as a relationship between a lord and subordinate, but as a friend.
What on earth happened while they were unconscious?
Then her expression soon changed.
'Ah!'
Thinking about it for a moment, wasn't this a good thing in a way?
Gi Ok-ryeon's gaze turned to Woo Ho-rang.
She loved Woo Ho-rang.
The only one who knew this fact was Wi So-yeon.
The reason she had told her was because she had developed a suspicion that Woo Ho-rang had feelings for Wi So-yeon that he shouldn't have as her lord.
So she deliberately revealed her feelings to Wi So-yeon.
She thought that even if Wi So-yeon, as a lord, knew about the affection of the man she loved, she wouldn't covet him.
'…Did it turn out well.'
Gi Ok-ryeon's eyes looking at Woo Ho-rang sparkled.
***
In the rear courtyard of the estate's guest hall.
There, Yeop Wi-seon said to his eldest senior brother Woo Ho-rang, as if he couldn't contain his anger, with a flushed face,
"Eldest Senior Brother. Does this make sense? Not only that Mok Gyeong-un bastard, but now she's even joining hands with Young Master Jang Neung-ak, what the…"
"Be quiet."
Woo Ho-rang scolded him softly as his voice got louder.
Woo Ho-rang's expression wasn't very bright either.
He was already troubled by the Young Lady's first declaration, but to make matters worse, his head became complicated because she said she would join hands with the Jang Neung-ak faction, the force they were competing with most fiercely.
'Why is she doing this?'
It was utterly incomprehensible.
Although her force was the most behind, it was still unknown.
He couldn't understand the reason, and it was unpleasant, but if she had joined hands with Mok Gyeong-un, it was practically the same as gaining the support of the Baek Clan led by Shadow Clan and the King of Poison.
In that case, she was rather in a superior position compared to the Jang Neung-ak faction.
'With just this, her approval rating reaches nearly 30 percent.'
If she could gain the support of either Corpse Blood Valley, which was still maintaining a neutral position, or the power of the last of the Five Kings, she might even be able to compete sufficiently with the Eldest Young Master's side, which had the support of the elder council.
But why?
Was there a reason to join hands with Young Master Jang Neung-ak?
Young Master Jang Neung-ak was never someone who would compromise.
Rather, he would hope for them to come under his command, but he would never join hands.
Wi So-yeon clearly knew that too, so he couldn't understand.
As his mind was complicated like that, an unexpected remark came out of Yeop Wi-seon's mouth.
"Eldest Senior Brother… I think our choice was wrong."
"…What?"
"This isn't right, is it?"
"What's not right? And what do you mean our choice was wrong?"
"I thought there was a possibility if we assisted her, given the Young Lady's lack of skills and her nature of valuing talented people. But the current Young Lady's vision has darkened as if someone is blocking her view."
At Yeop Wi-seon's words, Woo Ho-rang sighed.
This guy seemed to have taken what happened earlier quite personally.
Of course, from his perspective, it could be disappointing, but it wasn't right to criticize the lord he had pledged loyalty to because of today's incident alone.
So Woo Ho-rang scolded him softly,
"Don't speak recklessly. It's not right to blame the lord just because you don't agree with her order. And doing that is like belittling our own choice."
"Aren't you angry, Eldest Senior Brother?"
"Angry?"
"We are the Young Lady's loyal subordinates. But no matter how angry she is about this incident, using the hierarchy as an excuse to decide everything according to her will, and even treating Eldest Senior Brother and me, who have supported her for a long time, like this."
"Stop it. Don't…"
"If the Young Lady says she will come under Young Master Jang Neung-ak's command, will you follow that without question?"
"That's…"
"If she tells you to leave for opposing that, will you accept it?"
"…"
"If she draws a line every time like this, not allowing us to even offer advice as subordinates, isn't that just the conduct of a tyrant? I can't tolerate this situation."
"You!"
"I think I should report this matter to Master and consider whether to continue supporting her or not."
"You're going too far!"
This time, Woo Ho-rang's voice rose.
Then Yeop Wi-seon quickly took the lead, clasping his hands together in a salute.
"Let's leave the conversation here. Rather, Master told me to bring Eldest Senior Brother, but I forgot because of that Mok Gyeong-un bastard."
"What? Why are you telling me this only now?"
"Like Eldest Senior Brother, I was knocked out by that bastard, so when did I have a chance to tell you?"
At Yeop Wi-seon's words, Woo Ho-rang clicked his tongue.
And he was inwardly worried.
Although he felt that his relationship with Wi So-yeon had become somewhat awkward due to today's incident, he couldn't help but be concerned that he might cause trouble and drift further apart from her.
So Woo Ho-rang warned Yeop Wi-seon,
"I'm saying this just in case, but don't act rashly when you go to Master."
"…"
"You really…"
As he was about to scold Yeop Wi-seon, someone called out to them.
"You two haven't left yet?"
That someone was none other than Gi Ok-ryeon, the daughter of Sun Rock Valley Master Gi Hae.
When Gi Ok-ryeon came, Yeop Wi-seon shut his mouth.
There was no one among the loyal subordinates who didn't know that she was practically Wi So-yeon's right-hand woman.
So Yeop Wi-seon, worried that she might have overheard their conversation or seen through his true intentions, tried to move.
"I was about to go. Let's go, Eldest Senior Brother."
"Alright."
"Wait a moment, Brother Woo."
Woo Ho-rang, who was about to leave with Yeop Wi-seon, stopped.
When Yeop Wi-seon signaled for him to go, Gi Ok-ryeon smiled and said,
"It will only take a moment, so you can go slowly first."
"Sigh."
At this, Yeop Wi-seon shook his head and left the courtyard first.
Then Woo Ho-rang asked,
"Why are you doing this?"
"I just wanted to tell you not to be too heartbroken because of what happened today."
"Heartbroken?"
At Gi Ok-ryeon's words, Woo Ho-rang asked back in puzzlement.
Then Gi Ok-ryeon widened her eyes, tilted her head, and said,
"Aren't you okay with it?"
"…What do you mean by that?"
"It seems the Young Lady has marked Mok Gyeong-un as her partner, didn't you notice that too, Brother Woo?"
"What?"
At her words, Woo Ho-rang's eyes changed.
They became much fiercer than before, should I say?
Seeing his reaction, the corners of Gi Ok-ryeon's mouth twitched slightly, but she soon hid it.
Gi Ok-ryeon played dumb and covered her mouth with both hands, saying,
"Oh my… I didn't know. You didn't know."
"What the… That's…"
Woo Ho-rang's voice trembled.
In that voice, there was disappointment and a strange anger.
Seeing him like this, Gi Ok-ryeon said as if perplexed,
"I thought you and the others all knew. I guess I was wrong. It seems I made a thoughtless remark."
Even while saying that, her eyes didn't leave Woo Ho-rang.
She couldn't miss this opportunity.
To make him realize that his feelings for Wi So-yeon were futile and to have a single chance to get into his heart.
If she missed this, she wouldn't be able to make this man hers.
***
Clink clink!
A cold-looking girl wearing thin chains all over her body like clothes appeared. With her short hair and half of it dyed white, her strange appearance made both Go Chan, who possessed Jang Neung-ak, and Wi Maeng-cheon, who possessed Ho Jong-hyeok, unable to hide their inner tension.
That was because,
'Blue Spirit?'
They could instinctively tell that this girl spirit's rank had reached the Blue Spirit level. As spirits with lower ranks, they naturally couldn't help but feel a strange fear beyond wariness.
Go Chan carefully asked Mok Gyeong-un,
"Master. Who is this girl…?"
– Girl? Who are you calling a girl?
The girl suddenly glared at Go Chan and raised her voice.
Despite the simple action, the chilling and tremendous spiritual power made Go Chan unconsciously flinch and take a step back.
– This young master is a man.
"A man?"
Where does she look like a man?
Anyone would see her as a girl.
However,
"Take it easy."
As Mok Gyeong-un warned,
– Master!
The girl immediately clung to Mok Gyeong-un and rubbed her face against him like a cat.
Mok Gyeong-un pushed her away with an expressionless face.
Then the girl said with a disappointed expression,
– I've waited for a long time.
At this half-white-haired girl's remark, Mok Gyeong-un, as if not caring at all, pointed to the people lying on the floor and said,
"Gyu Soha."
– Yes.
The girl was none other than Gyu Soha, the spirit that was born from gu poison at the cliff of Corpse Blood Valley.
Mok Gyeong-un continued,
"Possess a useful body among them. That person over there seems good."
The person Mok Gyeong-un pointed to with his finger was a muscular man with his face buried in the ground. He was Ko Yeon-hu, one of the Five Tigers, the best rear disciples of the Heaven and Earth Society.
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, Gyu Soha, who had been carefully examining Ko Yeon-hu, soon made a disapproving expression and said,
– Master. Can't I have one of those two instead?
The two Gyu Soha pointed to were none other than Ha Chae-rin, who was kneeling and blinking with a puzzled expression, and Seo Hye-in, the leader of the Grass Smoke Group and the Fourth Mountain of the Five Mountains Alliance.
At Gyu Soha's words, Cheong-ryeong, who was watching inside the wooden puppet, clicked her tongue and said to Mok Gyeong-un,
– See that, you fool. I told you this wench is a girl.