Chapter 226: Lady Seo, the Imperial Noble Consort (3)
In the orthodox martial world, there are several renowned martial families.
Among them, the seven most prestigious martial arts clans are called the Seven Great Families.
Of these Seven Great Families, there was a renowned clan in Hebei that was famous for their saber techniques. The martial artists referred to this clan as the Hebei Peng Family.
The current head of the Hebei Peng Family, who held the real power, was Peng Il-hyeon, a genius of the saber art known as the Hegemon Saber of Hebei.
In Hebei Province, no one could match him in terms of saber techniques.
Peng Il-hyeon, the clan head, had two younger brothers with formidable martial prowess.
One of them, the second brother Peng Yi-mun, had set his sights on power early on and entered officialdom.
Thanks to Peng Yi-mun's government position, the Hebei Peng Family could enjoy various benefits.
And then there was the youngest brother, Peng Seok-im, whose character was the worst among the siblings.
He was so fond of wine and women that he had been the subject of gossip several times, and despite being born into a renowned saber clan, he insisted on using the sword, earning the ire of the clan elders.
However, despite this, the reason the Hebei Peng Family still valued him was because his martial talent was so outstanding that he was almost on par with the clan head, Peng Il-hyeon.
-Swish swish!
Peng Seok-im, the youngest brother of Clan Head Peng, looked at the wall of the restaurant illuminated by lanterns and diligently wiped his sword blade with a cloth.
Seeing this, a warrior beside him asked,
"Senior Brother, why are you paying so much attention to the sword blade?"
"I have to. I might have a chance to show off impressively in front of Her Majesty later."
"No. Do you really like the Imperial Noble Consort that much?"
"How can you call yourself a man if you don't feel stirred by such a peerless beauty?"
"Oh my. Watch your words. She is a woman who has an owner."
And that owner was none other than the Emperor who ruled this nation.
Despite the warrior's words, Peng Seok-im snorted.
"Hmph. You can curse even the king if he's not in front of you."
"Senior Brother!"
"Alright, alright. Why are you making such a fuss? Anyway, you're really peculiar. But no matter how I think about it, doesn't she seem wasted on that old man?"
The warrior clicked his tongue inwardly as he watched Peng Seok-im mutter to himself.
He was a man with unparalleled martial talent, but whenever wine and women were involved, he lost his senses.
After coming to the capital, he seemed to have regained his sanity by keeping his distance from such things, but now he was eyeing a tree he couldn't climb.
'…She is indeed that beautiful, though.'
The warrior also couldn't help but admire Lady Seo's face when he first saw her.
There were reasons why the aging Emperor couldn't let her go.
So he could understand Peng Seok-im's behavior.
However, no matter how much Peng Seok-im was fond of wine and women, he would never dare to lay a hand on the Emperor's woman.
Unless he had multiple lives to spare, that is.
Just then, Peng Seok-im suddenly shifted his gaze somewhere.
"Senior Brother?"
He was looking at a spot in front of the wall where several soldiers were stationed.
They were examining and admiring the weapons they had confiscated from the martial artists of the Heaven and Earth Society who had entered the restaurant earlier.
Among them, they were swinging a saber with an exceptionally thin blade that fluttered in the wind.
"That saber is magnificent."
"Magnificent, you say?"
"Yes. To have such a thin blade yet still maintain elasticity, it must have been crafted by a great master."
"Oh, is that so?"
"It seems the Heaven and Earth Society has sent some fairly capable individuals."
"Isn't that a bad thing then?"
"What's bad about it?"
"We might have to go and provide support, no?"
"Then that's a good thing. That way, I can show off in front of Her Majesty, right?"
"You're really something else."
The warrior shook his head from side to side.
Just then, Peng Seok-im furrowed his brows.
"Senior Brother? Are you perhaps angry? If so, I apologize…"
"That sword… What the hell is it?"
"Pardon?"
The warrior turned his head in the direction Peng Seok-im was looking and spotted a soldier holding a sword with a strange pattern engraved on it.
However, the soldier was staring at the sword with a dazed expression.
Something about the atmosphere felt off.
"Why is he acting like that?"
"..."
"Senior Brother?"
But Peng Seok-im was also transfixed on the sword, unable to take his eyes off it.
He had a gaze as if he had discovered a tremendous treasure.
***
At the same time.
-Clang!
'Impossible!'
The leader of Eastern Depot's eyes went wide.
That was because he never expected Peng Yi-mun's tyrannical slash, delivered with the momentum of the renowned expert of the Hebei Peng Family, to be blocked by mere chopsticks.
To be precise, it wasn't even blocked, but the saber blade was caught by the chopsticks.
'How can this be?'
The leader was inwardly baffled.
Based on what Eunuch Yoo, now Inspector Yoo, had said, he knew that among the late-stage disciples sent by the Heaven and Earth Society, the young man with exceptional appearance had the most outstanding martial prowess.
However, he had assumed that no matter how skilled he was, he would still only be at the level of a late-stage disciple.
But to think he was a master capable of catching the saber of an expert from the Hebei Peng Family, one of the renowned martial clans of the orthodox world, in such a manner…
-Swish!
The leader glanced at Yoo-bong.
Yoo-bong was equally perplexed by the situation.
No matter how strong Mok Gyeong-un was, he had predicted that he would be no match for Peng Yi-mun, an expert of the Hebei Peng Family, but that prediction had been shattered.
Amidst this, Mok Gyeong-un spoke with a sharp smile on his lips.
"It seems wrong to just sit still. Don't you agree?"
"..."
Gan-yang couldn't hide his awkwardness at Mok Gyeong-un's words
The original plan had already gone awry.
Lady Seo's side trying to suppress them like this was likely to cut ties with the Heaven and Earth Society or to steer the situation in her desired direction.
Gan-yang was about to nod his head as if he had no choice, but…
-Clang!
At that moment, the middle-aged man in gray official robes, Peng Yi-mun, tried to extract his saber by rotating it while it was caught by the chopsticks.
However, his willow leaf saber, grabbed by the chopsticks, didn't budge an inch.
-Tremble tremble tremble!
With this, Peng Yi-mun could clearly tell.
'This bastard's inner energy is stronger than mine.'
Even now, he was already using a force close to the 9th level, the highest inner energy, yet this meant he was inferior to this fellow even in terms of inner energy.
Peng Yi-mun's complexion darkened for a moment.
'…This is absurd.'
Peng Yi-mun was a master whose skills were not only perfected but also near the pinnacle-stage of Transcendent Realm.
To overwhelm someone like him in terms of inner energy, it was impossible with just reaching the pinnacle-stage of Transcendent Realm.
That meant this young lad had to have crossed the wall…
'Impossible. How can a lad not even in his prime have reached the Transformation Realm?'
Even in the orthodox martial world, there weren't many who had reached the Transformation Realm.
And among them, there was no one who had reached this realm in their teens.
It was a realm that required long years of cultivation and high enlightenment, so Peng Yi-mun found it hard to accept.
But the most certain thing was that he couldn't suppress this brat with his strength alone.
Thus,
'No choice. Then!'
-Smack! Thud!
Peng Yi-mun released the hilt of the willow leaf saber and forcefully struck the end of the saber handle with his palm.
This was one of the secret techniques of the Five Tiger Saber Style, the Saber Breaking Technique.
It was a technique that shattered the saber blade by striking the handle with internal energy, sending the fragments imbued with energy flying towards the opponent.
-Clang clang clang clang!
The saber fragments, shattered by the internal energy, rushed towards Mok Gyeong-un.
Given the close distance and the fact that he was seated, Peng Yi-mun thought it would be impossible for him to dodge.
But the moment the saber fragments touched Mok Gyeong-un's skin with the momentum to pierce through him,
-Poof poof poof poof poof!
Along with that, the saber fragments failed to penetrate Mok Gyeong-un's body and instead slid off their trajectory, embedding themselves in various other places.
'What the hell is this?'
Surprised by this, Peng Yi-mun hurriedly kicked the ground to create distance.
Mok Gyeong-un spoke to him as if intrigued.
"An interesting technique. To shatter your own saber and launch it like hidden weapons."
"What the hell are you?"
"My identity?"
"Even if the Heaven and Earth Society's executive, the Shadow Clan Master, personally made a move, he wouldn't be able to block this technique so easily."
If it were an executive of the Heaven and Earth Society at the level of the Five Kings, it would be somewhat understandable.
Among them, there were monsters who had received the title of Eight Stars.
But for a disciple of an executive at the Clan Master level of the Heaven and Earth Society to be this strong, not just them, was incomprehensible.
It was truly a case of the student surpassing the teacher, wasn't it?
"You underestimate my master too much."
"It's not that I'm underestimating him…"
"More importantly, since you aimed for my life, you'll have to pay the price accordingly."
"What?"
-Swish!
Mok Gyeong-un plucked one of the embedded saber fragments with his index and middle fingers.
Then he immediately launched it towards Peng Yi-mun like a hidden weapon.
Peng Yi-mun hurriedly twisted his body sideways to dodge the incoming saber fragment.
But that wasn't the end.
-Thud!
The moment he twisted his body, Mok Gyeong-un swiftly launched another saber fragment.
The saber fragment flew accurately towards Peng Yi-mun's neck.
It was a situation impossible to evade, but…
-Clang!
At that instant, someone deflected it with a flexible sword.
That someone was none other than the leader of Eastern Depot.
"Leader!"
Peng Yi-mun, who had narrowly avoided having his neck pierced, sent a grateful look towards him.
The leader then spoke urgently.
"Sir, it seems we'll have to collaborate in attacking this time."
"I agree."
-Wheeeeee!
With those words, Peng Yi-mun blew a whistle by sending inner energy through his mouth.
This was a signal requesting assistance.
Realizing that Mok Gyeong-un was no ordinary expert, he judged that unless his younger brother waiting outside joined forces with him, they might suffer a defeat.
The leader shouted at Yoo-bong.
"Inspector Yoo, lead the rest and deal with them."
"Y-Yes, sir."
Although Yoo-bong replied hastily, he was inwardly perplexed.
His original plan was to have Peng Yi-mun face Mok Gyeong-un while he and the leader joined forces to suppress the rest.
However, even with the support of first-rate warriors, Seop Chun and Mong Mu-yak, who had come with the rear party, were experts who had reached the transcendent realm.
Gan-yang and Ok-gi were also no ordinary individuals, so could they really hold them off?
'No. Don't show weakness. We just need to hold out until the Peng Family's reinforcements arrive.'
They were already waiting outside anyway, so they would arrive soon.
No matter how strong these people were, the tide of battle wouldn't turn in an instant.
"No choice."
"To think it would get complicated like this."
Seop Chun and Mong Mu-yak stood up from their seats and assumed the starting posture of their fist techniques, facing the warriors surrounding them.
It seemed it was already too late to turn the situation around.
Gan-yang and Ok-gi also seemed to think they had ruined the matter, as they took a fighting stance while glaring at Yoo-bong with resentful eyes.
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un, the only one still seated, opened his mouth.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Noble Consort."
'!?'
As the situation was on the brink of erupting, Mok Gyeong-un suddenly addressing Lady Seo drew everyone's attention to him.
Of course, Lady Seo herself was no exception.
She had been quite surprised by Mok Gyeong-un's martial prowess, which was more outstanding than expected.
Although she wasn't well-versed in martial arts, it was clear that his skills were no ordinary matter if the leader and Peng Yi-mun, experts highly regarded even in the imperial palace, were attempting to collaborate in attacking him.
"Why have you addressed me?"
Lady Seo asked, puzzled.
Mok Gyeong-un then replied with a smile.
"I want to briefly tell you what will happen from now on."
"What will happen?"
"Yes."
Lady Seo furrowed her brows.
What the hell was this bastard talking about?
At that moment, the leader, who had been about to collaborate with Peng Yi-mun, raised his voice and pressed.
"How impudent! How dare you to Her Majesty…"
"Hold on."
"Your Majesty?"
Lady Seo, who had stopped the leader, raised one eyebrow and spoke.
"You're quite a brazen one. So, what do you think will happen?"
"Everyone except you will die here."
'!?'
For a moment, she doubted her own ears.
She had wondered what he was going to say, but was this scoundrel daring to intimidate her?
However, Mok Gyeong-un's words didn't end there.
"I heard you have many enemies, right?"
"What?"
"Since you want to let go of our hand anyway, it seems you have no more use for us. So how about we negotiate with them, using your life as collateral? What do you think?"
'!!!!!!!'
228: Chapter 227: Lady Seo, the Imperial Noble Consort (4)
For a moment, the entire rear garden was dyed in hostility.
Mok Gyeong-un's words were shocking enough to stun not only Lady Seo but everyone present.
This was also true for the Heaven and Earth Society's advance party, who could be considered to be on the same side.
Gan-yang, the leader of the advance party, couldn't hide his bafflement, his eyes going wide.
'What the hell is he trying to do?'
He had thought Mok Gyeong-un had some sort of plan when he said he had something to say to Lady Seo.
But he never imagined that plan would be a threat that was beyond his own comprehension.
And to none other than Lady Seo, one of the Four Great Evils who held sway over the power in this nation and the mother of the Crown Prince.
'…He's lost his mind.'
A threat needs to have some degree of plausibility.
Only then can you induce the other party to act according to your intentions. But if you suddenly escalate the scale like this, the consequences will also become unmanageable.
How did he intend to handle the situation after making such a threat?
'In the past, it might have been different, but provoking the current Lady Seo like this is dangerous.'
She wasn't just called the center of power in name only.
If she set her mind to it, she could move the Emperor.
If that happened, the enraged Emperor could mobilize the imperial army or the orthodox faction to pressure the Heaven and Earth Society.
Thus, Gan-yang was concerned that the situation would take a turn for the worst.
As expected, Lady Seo seemed greatly angered, her beautiful brows twisting fiercely.
It would be strange not to be angry after being blatantly threatened.
At that moment, the leader of Eastern Depot shouted in anger.
"You bastard! How dare a lowly servant like you spout such nonsense? If you don't immediately kowtow and beg Her Majesty for forgiveness, I'll exterminate you and your entire clan…"
"Leader."
Lady Seo cut off his pressing.
"Your Majesty! But…"
"Leader!"
As her voice rose, the leader immediately shut his mouth.
'Oh?'
Interest flashed in Mok Gyeong-un's eyes.
He had naturally assumed she would find it hard to contain her anger or be thrown into confusion by his direct threat. But unexpectedly, despite her anger, she didn't lose her composure.
It seemed she hadn't risen to that position with just her beauty alone.
After stopping the leader, Lady Seo opened her mouth.
"What is your name?"
At her question, Mok Gyeong-un replied nonchalantly.
"It's Mok Gyeong-un."
"Mok Gyeong-un… I see, Mok Gyeong-un. Are you not afraid of the consequences after daring to threaten me like this?"
"Consequences?"
"I don't know how outstanding your martial arts are, but the leader here and Magistrate Peng are also formidable experts. And it's not just them. Outside, there are experts from the renowned martial clan of the orthodox faction, the Hebei Peng Family, along with hundreds of soldiers."
'Experts from the Hebei Peng Family have also come to provide support?'
At these words, it was Gan-yang who swallowed dryly instead.
It seemed Lady Seo was determined to sever ties with them today.
Judging by how thoroughly she had prepared.
If they made even a small misstep, this place could very well become their grave today.
Yet, Mok Gyeong-un replied indifferently.
"You've prepared quite diligently."
At this reaction, one of her eyebrows twitched.
"You're quite an arrogant and presumptuous fellow. I don't know if you have guts of steel or if you're that confident in your own abilities, but let me tell you what will happen from now on."
"And what would that be?"
"Make sure to keep your word about killing everyone."
"Pardon?"
"If you happen to fail at that, the consequences won't end with just your head."
"..."
"Not only you but all your related clan members will be exterminated. Furthermore, we will hold the Heaven and Earth Society, where you belong, responsible for this incident."
'Oh no!'
At Lady Seo's words, the expressions of Gan-yang and the others from the Heaven and Earth Society darkened.
They had thought she would at least waver a bit in the face of the threat, but instead, she launched a cold counterattack.
'Holding the Heaven and Earth Society responsible?'
If everything she said actually came to pass and they failed to kill everyone here, they would face the worst-case scenario.
This made all of them worried.
No matter how outstanding Mok Gyeong-un's martial prowess was, the forces Lady Seo had prepared also seemed formidable.
-Swish!
Watching their reactions, Lady Seo poured herself a cup of alcohol and spoke.
"Do you now grasp the reality before your eyes?"
"..."
"So, I shall bestow mercy and give you one last chance."
"A chance?"
"Yes. Whether you seize this chance or not will determine if my wrath extends to the Heaven and Earth Society or not."
"I'm quite curious about that."
"You're curious? Then I'll tell you. You dared to utter disrespectful words that should never be spoken to me, so I cannot overlook that sin. Thus, first cut out that presumptuous tongue of yours."
'!?'
"And then take your own life. If you do so, I will not hold your companions or your family and the Heaven and Earth Society responsible."
With those words, Lady Seo raised the corners of her mouth sharply and downed the cup in one go.
-Gulp!
A mere thug from the martial world dared to threaten her?
Since the time you started crawling, she had been surviving in this cruel and cold imperial palace, eliminating countless enemies and rivals.
Did they think someone like her would lose her reason and be swayed by such a threat?
If so, they were mistaken.
'I am the one who survived on the thin ice of the imperial palace, where I could lose my life at any moment, and reached this position. If you try to provoke me half-heartedly, I'll show you what price you'll pay.'
It was at that very moment.
"Heh."
Lady Seo's right eyebrow shot up.
'Laughing?'
It was absurd.
She had tried to make him realize how precariously he was walking on a tightrope, but he was laughing in this situation.
Moreover, that laughter was clearly closer to a sneer.
"You dare…"
"Ah, my apologies. Your Majesty's begging was so amusing."
"What? Begging?"
"It's quite interesting to see you go on and on, pleading with the very enemy you've turned against to take his own life."
With those words, Mok Gyeong-un's face split into a grin that seemed to reach his ears.
That expression, filled with malice, sent a chill down Lady Seo's spine for a moment.
She wasn't the only one who felt this sensation.
'…This bastard is dangerous.'
They had simply thought of him as an impudent fellow.
The leader of Eastern Depot instinctively felt an eerie sense of danger from Mok Gyeong-un.
So much so that he resolved not to simply subdue him, but to kill him no matter what through a collaborative attack.
Thus, the leader signaled Peng Yi-mun beside him with his eyes.
To attack immediately.
It was at that very moment.
-Swish!
Mok Gyeong-un, who had been sitting in his seat and sneering, vanished as if scattering.
'What?'
As he disappeared from their sight, everyone hurriedly scanned their surroundings.
This was true even for the leader and Peng Yi-mun, the most outstanding experts among Lady Seo's close associates.
They had already been fully prepared to fight Mok Gyeong-un from the start.
For him to disappear even from their view, just how fast was he?
It was at that instant.
-Startle!
Sensing a faint presence and unease behind him, the leader hurriedly launched a claw technique towards his back.
'Sunflower Hanging Claw, 5th Technique, Dancing Lotus Swift!'
-Smack!
It was a technique that struck the opponent targeting one's back with the elbow and launched a claw strike to the face.
But before he could even fully turn his body,
-Thud!
His elbow was blocked by something like a palm, making it impossible to turn his body.
He tried to launch his body forward to create distance, but…
-Thwack!
"Ugh!"
With the impact striking his waist, the leader let out a dying scream as he was sent flying forward, crashing into the rear garden's wall.
-Boom! Rumble!
The impact was so strong that the wall crumbled and the roof tiles above collapsed.
"Leader! You bastard!"
Having pinpointed Mok Gyeong-un's location thanks to the leader, Peng Yi-mun gathered inner energy in his hand and unleashed a saber technique.
It was the 4th technique of the Five Tiger Saber Style, the Saber Piercing Strongly.
The saber energy, split into five trajectories, targeted the top of the head, neck, both shoulders, and chest with unparalleled speed.
-Swish swish swish swish swish!
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un also responded with a saber technique.
It was the 7th technique of the Flying Phantom Saber Art, the Flashing Shadow Swift Saber.
Originally, the Flashing Shadow Swift Saber was literally a swift saber strike that made the saber energy appear like flashing shadows. But the way it was unleashed by the Shadow Clan Master was quite different.
That was because…
-Clang clang clang clang!
Mok Gyeong-un's hand seemed to be motionless, yet Peng Yi-mun's saber energy, which had been rushing in five split trajectories, was simultaneously deflected.
'W-What speed…'
The outcome of a swift saber duel depended on speed.
But Peng Yi-mun's saber technique couldn't even compare to Mok Gyeong-un's.
This went beyond the difference between walking and running.
Thanks to that, Peng Yi-mun's right hand was thrown upward. Mok Gyeong-un then penetrated the opening, grabbing his left arm with the Capturing Arhat Hand technique and twisting it behind his back while pressing down on his right shoulder.
-Thud!
"Aargh!"
-Thump!
As five fingers dug into the pressed right shoulder, Peng Yi-mun let out a groan of pain and fell to one knee.
Peng Yi-mun, who had been subdued with a single move after just one exchange, realized with certainty.
'…It's futile.'
If this bastard seriously unleashed his abilities, not only himself and the leader but even if everyone joined forces, they wouldn't be able to sweep him away. He was a monster to that extent.
And this monstrous fellow was just a disciple of an executive at the Sect Master level of the Heaven and Earth Society?
It was unbelievable.
With this level of martial prowess, he wasn't at the late-stage disciple level but comparable to an executive at the Five Kings level of the Heaven and Earth Society or an elder of the Nine Sects and One Clan, the major factions of the orthodox martial world.
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un said to Lady Seo,
"Your Majesty. It seems you had high expectations for them."
-Tremble tremble!
At Mok Gyeong-un's provocation, the hand holding the alcohol cup trembled.
Even though she wasn't well-versed in martial arts, she could tell that the leader and Peng Yi-mun, her close associates, were no match for that fellow.
Lady Seo bit her lip hard and glared at the eunuch Yoo-bong.
[Don't worry. Although he's stronger than me, Sir Peng will easily subdue him.]
'Easily subdue him?'
She hadn't completely trusted that eunuch's words.
But she had thought that since the people sent by the Heaven and Earth Society were just young late-stage disciples, they would be no match for an expert like Peng Yi-mun, who had years of experience and a reputation in the martial world.
However, her expectations had been completely overturned.
'…Can the reinforcements really subdue that fellow even if they come?'
There was a saying that even the strongest couldn't win against numbers.
She had also thought so.
But strangely enough, she had a bad feeling.
Would that proverb really apply to an overwhelmingly powerful being like him?
'It's still uncertain how things will turn out. But…'
Having fought and survived against numerous enemies in the imperial palace for a long time, her instincts had become much more sensitive than ordinary people's.
That sensitivity had given her deep insight, allowing her to survive and rise to the top.
'At this rate, the loss may be even greater.'
Her instincts were strongly telling her to stop right now.
Thus,
"Enough!"
She raised her voice loudly for everyone to hear.
Then she gestured to the warriors surrounding the Heaven and Earth Society to back off.
The warriors, who had been hesitating on what to do, simultaneously retreated.
Lady Seo then spoke in a calm voice.
"You said your name was Mok Gyeong-un?"
"Yes."
"Despite not even being in your prime, you have truly astonishing martial prowess."
-Clap clap clap!
Lady Seo clapped her hands and continued speaking in a somewhat softened voice, as if admiring him.
"For even the leader and Magistrate Peng to be no match for you… It seems I underestimated you due to my lack of discernment."
Her plan was simple.
After acknowledging him and praising him to a certain extent, she would naturally wrap up this escalated situation.
It was the only way to resolve the matter without losing face as the Imperial Noble Consort.
If she concluded things well here, regardless of the outcome, she could end it with an image of her conceding and showing magnanimity.
So, if she properly admonished him…
It was at that very moment.
-Crack!
"Aaaaargh!"
'!!!!!'
Lady Seo hurriedly turned her head away from the gruesome sight unfolding before her eyes.
That was because Mok Gyeong-un had torn off Peng Yi-mun's right arm from the shoulder he had been pressing down on.
'If this fellow isn't crazy…'
For a moment, she was at a loss for words, finding it absurd.
She had tried to resolve the situation by conceding, but what the hell was this?
As she was baffled, Mok Gyeong-un smiled and said,
"It would be troublesome if you brushed it off like that."
"What?"
"You didn't have the naive idea of thinking you could handle the situation by praising me a bit and appeasing me, did you?"
"…Are you really going to see this through to the end?"
"I clearly told you. The moment you tried to sever ties with us, your usefulness ended."
"You! You!"
"Come to think of it, I suddenly wonder. Will the young Crown Prince be able to survive safely after losing you?"
'!!!!!!'
At these words, Lady Seo's pupils trembled as if an earthquake had struck.
Although she had turned her head away, the smell of blood vibrating in all directions and the sound of blood drops falling were suffocating her.
She had simply thought they were being a bit forceful to get what they wanted.
But that wasn't the case.
This bastard was truly driving her into a corner.
-Thump! Thump! Thump!
Once engulfed by fear, even her heart was beating like crazy and wouldn't calm down.
As if enjoying her terror, Mok Gyeong-un grinned and said,
"All of this is of your own making."
"..."
"Then watch as they die one by one."
With those words, Mok Gyeong-un wrapped his arm around the neck of Peng Yi-mun, who was suffering from his torn-off arm.
-Grip!
"Ack!"
And he tried to twist his neck right then and there.
At that moment, Lady Seo screamed in a voice close to a shriek,
"Stoooop!"
229: Chapter 228: Desire (1)
Mok Gyeong-un wrapped his arm around the neck of Peng Yi-mun, a close associate of Lady Seo.
"Ack!"
And he tried to twist his neck right then and there.
At that moment, Lady Seo, who had been confused and unsure of what to do, screamed in a voice close to a shriek,
"Stoooop!"
At this, Mok Gyeong-un, who had been about to break his neck without hesitation, stopped at the last moment.
"Ah… Sir Peng."
Just then, the leader of Eastern Depot, who had crashed into the wall from Mok Gyeong-un's attack, staggered out, unable to hide his shock.
Although he had dramatically prevented Peng Yi-mun from losing his life, he knew better than anyone what this outcry meant.
'How could this happen…'
For Lady Seo to show weakness first.
At this rate, they would have no choice but to be dragged into the situation the bastard wanted.
As expected, Lady Seo, with tears welling up in her eyes, spoke to Mok Gyeong-un.
"I… I have lost. So please, stop."
'!!!!!'
At her words, the warriors were in an uproar.
It was unthinkable for Lady Seo, the mother of the Crown Prince and one of the Four Great Evils who held sway over the power in this nation, to admit defeat to a mere martial artist.
In the end, those with deep loyalty who couldn't just stand by and watch this tried to dissuade her weakened state.
"Your Majesty!"
"This cannot be!"
"Please take back your words!"
They cried out "Your Majesty" almost to the point of wailing.
How could she submit to such a thug-like fellow?
It was absolutely unacceptable.
Thus, despite not receiving any orders, several warriors launched themselves towards Mok Gyeong-un.
"How dare you threaten Her Majesty!"
"Die!"
At that moment, two people blocked the path of the charging warriors.
They were none other than Seop Chun, the Third Guard Captain of the Heaven and Earth Society's main sect, and Mong Mu-yak, the son of the Vice-Leader.
-Clang clang clang clang!
"Ah, what?"
"The weapons?"
Seop Chun instantly broke or deflected the weapons of the three attacking warriors with his inner energy-imbued hand blade.
Mong Mu-yak easily dodged the swords of two people with his excellent lightness skill, then sealed their acupoints, rendering them unable to move.
-Thud thud thud!
No matter how outstanding they were, they were only at the first-rate level.
There was no way they could handle two individuals who had reached the transcendent realm and were called the Five Tigers, the pinnacle of the Heaven and Earth Society's late-stage disciples.
Seop Chun raised his voice and issued a chilling warning to the warriors whose weapons he had broken.
"If you target my lord, next time I'll sever your necks, not your weapons!"
"D-Damn it!"
Overwhelmed by Seop Chun's aura, they took involuntary steps back, trembling.
Thanks to that, the observing warriors could tell.
Not only Mok Gyeong-un but each and every one of the late-stage disciples sent by the Heaven and Earth Society was an overwhelmingly powerful expert they couldn't handle.
'No. The warriors are losing morale.'
The leader of Eastern Depot, who had been regaining his strength through breath control, was in a difficult position.
Although he and Peng Yi-mun were no match for the fellow, the situation would change once the experts and soldiers from the Peng Family arrived.
It was too early to give up…
'…Wait. What's this?'
The leader frowned and looked outside the rear garden.
Suddenly, something felt off.
It seemed quite some time had passed since Peng Yi-mun blew the whistle to signal for help, so why hadn't the reinforcements arrived yet?
If the distance was far, it would be understandable, but at most, they should have been on standby right outside the restaurant.
But it was taking too long for that.
'Could it be?'
The leader glanced at the Heaven and Earth Society side with trembling eyes.
Just then, Lady Seo, whose trembling had somewhat subsided, pressed the warriors.
"Everyone, stop! No one is to act until I give the order!"
Having admonished them, Lady Seo spoke to Mok Gyeong-un.
"What they did just now stemmed from their loyalty. So please understand."
At her words, Mok Gyeong-un smiled and replied,
"I'm not so lacking in understanding."
-Grip!
Biting her lip hard, she suppressed her turbulent emotions to the point where her hands and feet trembled, and spoke again.
"I will grant all of your requests, so let's end this here."
"Y-Your Majesty! You mustn't!"
At her words, someone opposed vehemently.
It was Peng Yi-mun, whose neck was being held by Mok Gyeong-un's arm.
Despite being on the verge of death, he couldn't just stand by and watch this situation.
"Your Majesty! The Peng Family and the Righteous Alliance will protect you from this wicked Heaven and Earth Society no matter what! You must never give in to their demands…"
-Crack!
"Ack!"
Before he could even finish speaking, Peng Yi-mun's neck was twisted, and his body went limp with a dying scream.
Anyone could tell his breath had ceased.
'!!!!!!'
In an instant, the rear garden was engulfed in silence.
Everyone had thought that since Lady Seo had admitted defeat and submitted first, at least no one else would die.
But Peng Yi-mun, who could be considered Lady Seo's left arm, had absurdly lost his life.
This was a shock in itself.
'What?'
'Why? Lady Seo's close associate?'
Even the Heaven and Earth Society side, who could be considered to be on the same side, was surprised.
Although it was a somewhat extreme method, they thought there was no need for further sacrifices since Lady Seo's side had surrendered first.
But they couldn't understand why he was escalating the situation further.
At that moment, Lady Seo, who had been speechless with shock at Peng Yi-mun's death, screamed with bulging veins in her neck.
"Y-You, how dare you!"
"It's not about daring."
"What?"
-Grip!
At that instant, Lady Seo's eyes widened like crazy.
It was because of what was unfolding before her eyes.
-Crunch! Crack!
The sound of bones being crushed and flesh being torn tortured her eardrums, and her eyes witnessed Peng Yi-mun's head being ripped from his body.
The anger that had gripped her vanished without a trace at the sight of such a cruel scene.
'This… This fellow isn't in his right mind…'
-Crunch! Squish!
Mok Gyeong-un threw Peng Yi-mun's head, which he had completely separated from the body, onto the table in the pavilion where Lady Seo was.
-Thud! Roll roll!
'!!!!!!!'
"Aaaaaaaah!"
The palace maids beside Lady Seo screamed at the horrific sight.
Amidst the screaming and trembling maids, Lady Seo staggered and was about to collapse.
She had already lost her mind at the sight of Peng Yi-mun's head rolling on the table.
"Ugh…"
"Your Majesty!"
-Pat!
The eunuch Yoo-bong, who was right in front of the pavilion, hurriedly leaped up to support her as she was about to collapse
Along with that, Yoo-bong kicked Peng Yi-mun's head, which was on the table, into the pond near the pavilion with a bitter expression.
'Sir Peng. My apologies.'
-Splash!
Peng Yi-mun's head sank into the pond like that.
The eyes of all those watching were filled with shock and fear.
The warriors, who had been enraged when Peng Yi-mun died, were now gripped by fear and a sense of overwhelming pressure, not knowing what to do.
'He… He's crazy.'
To rip off the head of someone who was already dead.
It was unspeakably cruel.
Amidst this, Mok Gyeong-un licked the back of his blood-soaked hand with his tongue and raised the corners of his mouth sharply.
At that sight, everyone felt a chill run down their spine.
The sight of him tasting blood and laughing was truly like an evil demon.
-Step step!
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un took a step.
It was in the direction of the pavilion where Lady Seo was.
Seeing this, Lady Seo, who had been on the verge of losing consciousness from shock, cried out in disgust.
"S-Stop him! Stop him!"
There were four warriors near the pavilion.
But none of them moved at Lady Seo's command.
Already overcome by fear and terror, they couldn't control their trembling bodies.
However, not everyone was like that.
"Don't you dare touch Her Majesty!"
-Pat!
The leader of Eastern Depot, having somewhat recovered his strength through breath control, launched himself to block Mok Gyeong-un.
But Seop Chun intercepted him.
"Where do you think you're going!"
"Get out of the way!"
-Thud thud thud thud!
The two exchanged about two moves' worth of attacks and defenses on the spot in an instant.
Originally, if they were to properly fight, the leader would have the upper hand in terms of inner energy, but thanks to the injury he had suffered from Mok Gyeong-un, their exchange was neck and neck.
'Damn it. To this young lad.'
His mind growing impatient, the leader's hands became even more tangled, unable to break through.
Thus,
-Thud!
Lady Seo pushed away the eunuch Yoo-bong, who had been supporting her, and shouted,
"Stop him! I said stop him!"
Pushed forward as if by her command, Yoo-bong was at a loss inwardly.
He had already been defeated with a single move when he faced Mok Gyeong-un before, and he had witnessed with his own eyes that even Peng Yi-mun and the leader, who were better than him, were no match.
So how was he supposed to stop him?
'Damn it.'
Yoo-bong's eyes trembled like crazy as he looked at the approaching Mok Gyeong-un.
Just half an hour ago, it seemed like everything would go well.
But how could everything collapse like this?
-Step step!
Mok Gyeong-un approached right in front of him.
Yoo-bong repeated inwardly,
'I have to stop him. I have to stop him.'
Even if he knew the outcome, Lady Seo had given the order, so he had to carry it out.
But his hands and feet wouldn't listen.
The moment his eyes met Mok Gyeong-un's, he was gripped by a sense of overwhelming pressure, and he unknowingly lowered his head.
-Swish!
Mok Gyeong-un simply passed by him as if no one was there.
This was truly humiliating.
Nevertheless, Yoo-bong felt miserable at the sight of himself feeling relieved for a moment.
-Tap!
Mok Gyeong-un stood in front of Lady Seo, leaving about three steps between them.
-Tremble tremble!
As Mok Gyeong-un finally stood before her, she felt the strength drain from her legs, as if she would collapse at any moment.
Seeing him up close, his appearance was exceptionally handsome, but that didn't register in her mind.
Only the blood staining Mok Gyeong-un's hands caught her eye.
'Ugh.'
She felt like vomiting from the revulsion.
She felt like tears would come out, but she was barely holding them back.
To her, Mok Gyeong-un spoke,
"Those who are full tend to have their memories and emotions of hunger diluted."
"…What are you saying?"
"Of course, that can happen. Humans are simpler than you think, so they easily forget such memories."
"..."
"So, I simply reminded you of those lacking emotions through a suitable example."
As soon as he finished speaking, Mok Gyeong-un reached out his hand towards her.
"Eek!"
Lady Seo flinched and unknowingly closed her eyes tightly.
Was he going to harm her as well?
-Swish!
But Mok Gyeong-un brushed her disheveled hair to the side and spoke in a gentle voice,
"Your Majesty. Do you know what those lacking emotions are?"
"..."
At Mok Gyeong-un's question, she trembled and cautiously opened her eyes slightly.
As she opened her eyes, she saw Mok Gyeong-un's face filled with nothing but malice.
Seeing this, she couldn't control her trembling.
She had felt the emotions directed at her through the eyes of countless people.
But this was the first time she had experienced something like this.
How could a human being be filled with such malice?
Just looking at it was too frightening.
"P-Please spare me."
Unable to overcome this fear, a plea finally spilled from her lips.
To her, Mok Gyeong-un smiled and said,
"Fear, desperation, earnestness… Good. It seems those lacking things have been filled now."
'!?'
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, she realized.
The death of her close associate Peng Yi-mun, the cruelty of ripping off his head.
All these actions were to remind and imprint the emotion of fear in her, who had become arrogant after becoming the Imperial Noble Consort.
'Just… Just for that reason…'
But even if she realized this, nothing would change.
This fear, once imprinted, wasn't something that could be easily undone.
To be freed from this bondage, there were only two options.
Either kill this man who had imprinted this emotion on her, or die herself. It was one of the two.
'But how can I kill this man?'
At that moment, something came to her mind.
It was,
[Your Majesty! The Peng Family and the Righteous Alliance will protect you from this wicked Heaven and Earth Society no matter what!]
The words Peng Yi-mun had spoken before he died.
That's right.
Peng Yi-mun was a member of the Hebei Peng Family and belonged to the Righteous Alliance.
She knew that the Righteous Alliance, formed by the warriors of the orthodox martial world, had a grudge against the wicked Heaven and Earth Society.
If they found out about Peng Yi-mun's death, they would never let it slide.
-Grip!
She clenched her teeth.
Just endure a little.
Endure this moment of fear and humiliation, and surely reven…
-Boom!
At that moment, the closed door of the rear garden was shattered by something and toppled forward.
Everyone's attention simultaneously turned towards it.
'Perhaps?'
Had the long-awaited support from the Peng Family's experts and soldiers finally arrived?
But the complexion of the leader of Eastern Depot, who was looking towards the main gate of the rear garden, wasn't good.
That was because there was hardly any presence.
If hundreds of soldiers and experts from the Peng Family had arrived, many presences should have been felt, but something was off.
But someone revealed themselves through the toppled door.
It was none other than,
"Sir Peng!"
Peng Seok-im, Peng Yi-mun's younger brother and an expert of the Hebei Peng Family.
At his appearance, the warriors' expressions brightened, thinking that support had finally arrived.
But something was strange.
Peng Seok-im's clothes were stained red, and in his hand was a sword with a strange pattern they had never seen before, soaked in blood.
-Drip drip!
Could it be that there was an ambush set by the Heaven and Earth Society outside?
Otherwise, how could he appear alone in such a state?
As they were puzzled, Peng Seok-im scanned his surroundings with crazed eyes, then soon discovered Lady Seo in the pavilion and raised the corners of his mouth sharply.
At this, the leader shouted,
"Sir Peng. What on earth happened outside…"
"Shut up! You castrated bastard."
'!?'
At his shout, the leader's expression stiffened.
He had tried to ask what had happened outside, but he was suddenly cursed at.
As he was baffled, Peng Seok-im spat out unexpected words towards Lady Seo in the pavilion.
"Hehehe. Your Majesty. Are you prepared to moan in ecstasy in my arms tonight?"
'!!!!!!'
230: Chapter 229: Desire (2)
"Hehehe. Your Majesty. Are you prepared to moan in ecstasy in my arms tonight?"
'!!!!!!'
No one had anticipated this.
How could such brazen and vulgar words come out of Peng Seok-im, who could be considered Lady Seo's closest confidant as the younger brother of Magistrate Peng Yi-mun, unless he had gone mad?
"Ha!"
Even Lady Seo was utterly dumbfounded by the shock.
She had high expectations for the Hebei Peng Family.
They were the escape route that would sever her ties with the Heaven and Earth Society, who had supported her but ultimately wanted to control her as they wished.
But a situation had unfolded that shattered those expectations.
-Thud thud thud thud!
The leader of Eastern Depot, who had been exchanging blows with Seop Chun, created some distance and then pressed, unable to contain his anger.
"Peng Seok-im! Have you truly gone insane? How dare you speak so disrespectfully to Her Majesty…"
Before he could even finish speaking,
Peng Seok-im walked towards the pavilion, letting out a madness-filled laugh.
"Hehehe."
Just by looking at this, one could tell how out of his mind he was.
Thus, the warriors blocked him as he tried to approach the pavilion.
"Sir Peng. Stop right there!"
"If you try to come any closer, we'll have no choice but to take action."
-Shing!
Those who drew their weapons assumed a starting posture.
Seeing them like this, Peng Seok-im scoffed and spoke.
"Take action? Do you think the likes of you can stop me? Well, if you think you can, give it a try. But you'll have to stake your lives."
With those words, Peng Seok-im continued walking forward without stopping.
-Step!
He had only taken a single step, but the warriors flinched.
That was because the thick murderous intent and unknown ominous energy emanating from Peng Seok-im was pressuring them.
"S-Stop!"
"Make me stop."
"Tsk! Attack!"
-Thud thud thud!
In the end, although somewhat intimidated by his aura, the warriors simultaneously launched themselves to stop Peng Seok-im, who wasn't halting.
Skilled in collaborative attacks, the three warriors each aimed for Peng Seok-im's vital points.
But at that very moment,
-Swish!
The instant they entered his range, Peng Seok-im's sword widely slashed the surrounding space and brushed past the warriors.
The three people who had been thrusting their swords towards Peng Seok-im simultaneously stopped in their tracks.
The warriors' faces were filled with shock and horror.
"Ah… Ah…"
"H-How…"
-Slice!
Soon, their bodies split apart, dividing into upper and lower halves.
-Thud!
The sight of them squirming on the ground was truly gruesome.
Blood gushed like a fountain from their severed lower bodies.
-Spurt!
As three warriors were halved in an instant, the warriors on Lady Seo's side couldn't hide their shock.
Peng Seok-im was the younger brother of Peng Yi-mun, a close associate of Lady Seo, so he was a reliable ally to them.
But in the end, he had cut them down.
As everyone was in an uproar, the eyes of a few turned not to the dead warriors but to the strange patterned sword Peng Seok-im was holding.
'The Evil Commandment Sword?'
'How does he have the lord's sword?'
It was Mong Mu-yak and Seop Chun.
They realized that the sword Peng Seok-im was holding was the Evil Commandment Sword.
The Evil Commandment Sword was a legendary demonic sword crafted by the great swordsmith Ou Yezi.
'Ah!'
Come to think of it, before entering this rear garden, they had entrusted their weapons to the soldiers at the entrance of the restaurant.
It seemed he had touched the sword then.
'Has he been possessed by the sword's demonic energy?'
Otherwise, there was no way he would display such madness.
The Evil Commandment Sword was also a demonic sword, so they had expected it to be somewhat dangerous, but seeing even an expert near the pinnacle-stage of Transcendent Realm becoming possessed by its demonic energy, its evil nature seemed no ordinary matter.
'It wasn't a sword to be touched lightly.'
Mong Mu-yak, who had coveted the Evil Commandment Sword, inwardly recalled his time in the Heaven and Earth Society and felt relieved.
That sword wasn't something unqualified individuals could recklessly desire.
Right at that moment,
-Pat!
The leader of Eastern Depot blocked the path of Peng Seok-im, who continued walking towards the pavilion without stopping even after cutting down the warriors.
The leader assumed the starting posture of his claw technique and glanced at the sword Peng Seok-im was holding.
As an expert of the transcendent realm, he could tell with a single glance that the sword wasn't ordinary.
'I sense some demonic energy.'
It was detestable.
Thus, the leader spoke in a low voice.
"Sir Peng. Put down that sword at once and back away."
However, there was no way Peng Seok-im would retreat in the face of such a warning.
He scoffed and continued walking forward.
At this, the leader shouted,
"Peng Seok-im. I told you to back away at once!"
In response to his shout, Peng Seok-im sneered and spoke.
"A castrated bastard dares to run his mouth."
-Grit!
At those words, the leader's expression twisted fiercely.
The eunuchs who entered the palace were all castrated.
That was because the only men allowed inside the palace were members of the imperial family.
Thus, eunuchs became neither male nor female through castration.
However, it wasn't as if they simply liked or were satisfied with their reality.
Naturally, if mocked and provoked by being called a eunuch, they would get angry.
"You bastard!"
Unable to endure being called a eunuch twice, the leader launched himself first.
Knowing that Peng Seok-im's martial prowess was a step above his brother Peng Yi-mun, the leader unleashed his ultimate technique with full power from the start.
'Sunflower Hanging Claw, 8th Technique, Bloody Waves and Corpses!'
It was a technique of certain death, an ultimate move meant to surely kill the opponent.
-Thud thud thud thud!
The leader's claw technique, rippling with blue true energy, created numerous claw shadows with a momentum like waves, engulfing Peng Seok-im.
The force was so strong that wind pressure arose in the surroundings.
"Not bad for a castrated bastard. But as long as I have this sword, you can't defeat me."
-Grip!
Peng Seok-im tightly grasped the sword handle and concentrated his inner energy.
As energy gathered, a blue sword aura formed.
Along with this, Peng Seok-im unleashed his sword technique.
'Chaotic Thunder Sword! Thunder Harmony!'
-Rumble boom!
With a sound like a thunderbolt striking, the single slash Peng Seok-im unleashed bent like blue lightning, clashing with the leader's wave-like claw technique.
-Thud thud thud thud thud!
As the ultimate techniques of the two transcendent experts collided, the aftermath of the true energy scattered in all directions.
The ground where the true energy struck shattered, creating chaos.
-Crackle! Boom! Boom!
"Ugh!"
"B-Back away!"
Those nearby had to hurriedly create distance in a state of panic.
At a glance, they seemed evenly matched.
However, the leader's complexion wasn't good.
'Is this truly a technique with the same roots?'
Originally, the Chaotic Thunder Sword was the saber art called Chaotic Thunder Saber.
But it was Peng Seok-im who had adapted it into a sword technique, and its power and variations surpassed even the Chaotic Thunder Saber, which could be considered the original.
The leader, who had experienced the techniques of the Chaotic Thunder Saber through sparring with Peng Yi-mun, could clearly feel this.
Moreover,
'Even though I'm protecting myself with true energy, it feels like my hands will be torn off.'
He was enduring it with great effort, but the wounds on his hands were gradually increasing.
Although it was the same true energy, unlike him who unleashed the technique with bare hands, Peng Seok-im had the power of a famous sword added, further maximizing its sharpness.
-Swish swish swish!
The leader's figure was being pushed back more and more.
Seop Chun, who had been quietly observing this, had a glint in his eyes.
'Now's the chance.'
If he intervened now, it seemed he could retrieve the lord's Evil Commandment Sword without much effort.
Just as he was about to make a move, a voice reached his ears.
-Leave it be.
'Lord?'
Seop Chun glanced at Mok Gyeong-un with puzzled eyes.
The unique weapon had fallen into Peng Seok-im's hands, so why was he telling him to just leave it?
He couldn't understand, but his lord's orders were absolute.
Thus, Seop Chun didn't intervene.
In the meantime, the clash of techniques between Peng Seok-im and the leader reached a conclusion.
-Thud! Slash!
Unable to withstand the might of the sword technique, an opening appeared, and Peng Seok-im swiftly slashed the leader's side without missing the chance.
Fortunately, it didn't cut deep enough to reach his internal organs, but as the sharp sword energy penetrated, the leader, unable to endure the pain, fell to one knee.
-Thud!
"Argh!"
"Leader!"
Seeing him like this, Lady Seo cried out in a desperate voice.
The leader of Eastern Depot was the only close associate who could protect her.
But he had been defeated.
At this rate, there was no one among her subordinates who could stop that man.
"Hehehe. You castrated bastard. I'll let you live for a bit, so watch carefully from there. Today, I'll show you that bitch Seo Yang-hyo lying beneath me, panting and begging."
"Ugh… Y-You bastard."
The leader, clutching his side, endured the pain and tried to stop Peng Seok-im.
But with an injured body, there was no way that would happen.
Peng Seok-im kicked the chin of the leader who was trying to grab him.
-Thwack!
"Ack!"
The leader, who was hit in the jaw, let out a short scream and spat blood as he tumbled to the ground.
Peng Seok-im, who had knocked him down, advanced towards the pavilion without hesitation.
-Step step!
"What are you doing? Stop him at once!"
The eunuch Yoo-bong pressed the warriors, but to no avail.
None of the warriors stepped forward to stop him.
They were too afraid of death.
As it seemed hopeless, Yoo-bong finally shouted, looking at the advance and rear parties of the Heaven and Earth Society.
"Brother Gan. Brother Ok. Please help. If Her Majesty is violated, you won't be able to proceed with your mission either."
"..."
However, despite his request, no one stepped forward.
Gan-yang and Ok-gi, whom he had known for a long time, remained still as if they hadn't heard, and Seop Chun and Mong Mu-yak of the rear party also just watched with their arms crossed, as if it wasn't their business.
"Wise choices."
Peng Seok-im, consumed by desire and madness, also seemed to have no intention of going out of his way to fight them, so he just passed by.
His mind was filled with nothing but the thought of violating Lady Seo.
As he approached her, his desire had already swelled to its limit, and his lower body had also greatly bulged.
-Grip!
Seeing this, Lady Seo bit her lip hard as if it was humiliating.
She had trusted the Hebei Peng Family so much.
But how could such a man transform into a brazen lecher?
No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't understand.
Thus, she looked at Mok Gyeong-un standing beside her and asked,
"…What on earth did you do?"
At that question, Mok Gyeong-un shrugged his shoulders and replied,
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"The younger brother of Magistrate Peng may be somewhat frivolous in his behavior, but as a member of the orthodox martial world, he knows how to keep his word. And that's how he was when I first saw him."
But his current appearance was vastly different from usual.
Those filthy eyes were filled with nothing but madness and desire.
At these words, Mok Gyeong-un smiled and said,
"Do you think I did something to him?"
"Then are you saying you didn't?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Then why is Peng Seok-im…"
"You're mistaken. That is Peng Seok-im's true desire."
"What?"
"Those possessed by the demonic energy of the Evil Commandment Sword reveal their true desires, their hidden thoughts."
"Desire? What the hell are you talking about?"
"Coincidentally, shall we call it karma?"
"Karma?"
"When I entered this place, I warned the soldiers collecting the weapons. I told them my sword was a cursed demon sword, so it was dangerous and they should never draw it."
'What nonsense is this?'
Lady Seo couldn't easily believe Mok Gyeong-un's words.
How could a person reveal their desires or inner thoughts just by grasping a sword?
At that moment, Yoo-bong, who was in front of the pavilion, hurriedly turned his head and spoke.
"Y-Your Majesty! If that sword is truly the Evil Commandment Sword, it is indeed a legendary demonic sword."
"It's really a legendary demonic sword?"
She furrowed her brows in confusion.
There was no way Yoo-bong, her own eunuch, would lie about this.
Moreover, hadn't he even betrayed the Heaven and Earth Society?
-Step step!
Just then, Peng Seok-im, who had reached right in front of the pavilion, spoke with a madness-filled laugh.
"Hehehe. Seo Yang-hyo. I finally have you in my arms."
-Shudder!
At these words, goosebumps rose all over Lady Seo's body.
She had considered the orthodox martial artists to be honorable warriors, unlike the wicked Heaven and Earth Society.
That's why she had also wanted to cut ties with the Heaven and Earth Society and switch to them.
But if the hidden desire of a man who claimed to be righteous was to lust after her body, in the end, they weren't much different.
Overcome by disappointment more than fear, she said to Mok Gyeong-un,
"…Help me."
"You want me to help you?"
"I will never ask for help or join hands with the righteous faction or others again. So please, protect me from that man."
"Well…"
'!?'
At Mok Gyeong-un's words, she looked at him in disbelief.
Then what the hell was she supposed to do here?
As she was baffled, Mok Gyeong-un sneered.
"Ah, at this rate, Your Majesty's body will be violated by that man's filthy thing."
"You!"
How could she not know that?
In the end, desperate with fear, she spoke as if pleading.
"W-What do you want?"
At this, Mok Gyeong-un raised the corners of his mouth sharply, as if he had been waiting, and replied briefly.
"Submission."
231: Chapter 230: Desire (3)
'Su-submit?'
Imperial Consort Seo's eyes trembled like crazy.
She knew he wanted something, but she never expected him to demand it so blatantly.
'This bastard dares!'
No matter how cornered she was, she was the Imperial Concubine.
For a mere ruffian from the martial arts world to tell her, the mother of the Crown Prince of this nation, to submit to him?
How could he say such a thing unless he was truly insane?
If she had to die, she would rather die than submit to such a bastard just to save her life…
"You can't go to Her Majesty!"
At that moment, the eunuch Yoo-bong blocked Peng Seok-im, who was consumed by madness and desire.
However,
-Bam bam bam!
"Ugh!"
-Thud!
Yoo-bong was hit in the chest and abdomen by Peng Seok-im's lightning-fast punches and fell to his knees.
Yoo-bong, who couldn't even match Assistant Commander Jang from the Eastern Depot, had no chance of standing up to Peng Seok-im.
Even without using a sword, he was no match for him with his bare hands.
Peng Seok-im kicked the head of Yoo-bong, who was kneeling, and sneered.
-Thud!
"Ack."
"A eunuch brat dares to act up."
After easily knocking down Yoo-bong, Peng Seok-im looked at Imperial Consort Seo, licking his tongue, and said,
"Seo Yang-hyo. Let's see that beautiful flesh of yours."
With bloodshot eyes and heavy breathing, Peng Seok-im.
Seeing his appearance filled with desire, Imperial Consort Seo unknowingly took a step back.
Many men had coveted her over the years, but since it was inside the palace, they had maintained a minimum level of courtesy and didn't utter such vulgar words.
She felt extremely humiliated and frightened.
"P-Peng Seok-im, do you think you'll get away with this?"
"Get away? What does that matter? Seo Yang-hyo, once you taste this thing all night, you'll never be able to escape from it."
Peng Seok-im fondled his swollen manhood and said.
Seeing this, she turned her head away in disgust.
Was this the true desire and nature of that man?
It was too filthy.
If she were to be violated by such a man, she felt like biting her tongue and dying.
At this, she said to Mok Gyeong-un,
"Didn't you say you would grant all my wishes?"
"…"
"Mok Gyeong-un!"
Seeing Mok Gyeong-un ignore her, she bit her lower lip until it bled.
What kind of bastard was he?
Imperial Consort Seo shouted desperately,
"Are you even human? Do you intend to just leave a weak woman to be violated by that bastard?"
She appealed to his humanity.
She had no intention of giving Mok Gyeong-un what he wanted.
At this, Peng Seok-im, who was approaching, glanced at Mok Gyeong-un and burst into laughter, saying,
"Hahaha. Are you asking a mere gigolo-like twerp for help?"
Even though he was consumed by madness and desire, his perception was still sharp.
In his eyes, Mok Gyeong-un seemed like a young lad who was merely at the peak level.
It was ridiculous to see her seeking help from such a young lad.
-Swish!
Peng Seok-im aimed his Evil Commandment Sword at Mok Gyeong-un and said,
"Hey, kid. Want to try blocking it?"
In response to his threat, Mok Gyeong-un smiled brightly and stepped aside, replying,
-Swish!
"Of course not. Do as you wish."
"You! You bastard!"
Seeing this, Imperial Consort Seo was dumbfounded and at a loss.
Was he really going to just watch her, the mother of the Crown Prince and the noblest person in this country, be violated by such a lowly bastard?
To her, who was in distress, Mok Gyeong-un smirked and said,
"I wonder if His Majesty the Emperor would like a woman who has been violated by another man."
'!?'
The moment she heard these words, her expression stiffened.
She had only considered this moment to be humiliating, but upon hearing Mok Gyeong-un's words, various thoughts swirled in her mind.
If the Emperor found out that she had been taken by this bastard, he would be furious.
That fury might not just end with this bastard but extend to her and the Crown Prince, who had been defiled.
Then everything would end in catastrophe.
'No!'
Just thinking about it was utterly horrifying.
At this, Imperial Consort Seo wrapped her arms around her body and shouted at the approaching Peng Seok-im,
"D-Don't come! If you come, I'll bite my tongue and kill myself!"
"Kill yourself?"
-Paat!
At that moment, Peng Seok-im, who had been slowly walking and enjoying her frightened appearance, instantly closed the distance with a body movement technique and sealed her acupoints.
-Tap tap tap tap tap!
Her body instantly stiffened.
"Gasp!"
"That can't happen. I've been looking forward to this moment for so long."
"You! You!"
"Ah. Don't worry. I've made it so that only enough strength remains in your mouth to bite your tongue."
"What?"
"Since we're doing it anyway, wouldn't your wailing and screaming excite my thing even more?"
'!!!!!'
At his vulgar words, Imperial Consort Seo's face contorted in humiliation.
"Hehehe."
-Rip!
However, as if enjoying even this sight, Peng Seok-im laughed and tore her luxurious outer garment.
Revealing her white flesh and undergarments.
Unable to endure the shame as her clothes were torn, tears welled up in Imperial Consort Seo's eyes.
It was too humiliating.
Was she going to be violated by such a lowly bastard?
She looked at Mok Gyeong-un with trembling eyes.
'!?'
Imperial Consort Seo was at a loss for words when she saw Mok Gyeong-un looking at her with an expressionless face.
Was that bastard really human?
How could he have such an emotionless gaze even after seeing this?
-Grip!
"Aah!"
At that moment, Peng Seok-im grabbed her undergarment and the fabric covering her chest at the same time.
It seemed he was trying to tear them off at once and completely expose her upper body.
Even after seeing this, Mok Gyeong-un showed no particular reaction, standing with his arms crossed.
He was like an evil spirit with no humanity at all.
'How could the rain I encountered be from these bastards…'
It was truly a situation of being caught between a rock and a hard place.
Being violated by this filthy bastard and being cast out by the Emperor, or submitting and becoming subservient to that evil-like bastard, both were the worst-case scenarios.
-Rip!
At that moment, her upper undergarment and the fabric covering her chest were completely torn off.
Along with it, her voluptuous upper body was revealed.
Seeing her white and elastic appearance, unbelievable for a body that had given birth, Peng Seok-im licked his tongue and drooled.
Unable to move, she was fixed in place, her face flushed with shame as she shed tears.
Her appearance further excited Peng Seok-im.
"Hehehe."
-Grip!
"Aaah!"
Peng Seok-im roughly grabbed one of her breasts, and his other hand was already heading towards her lower body.
At this, Imperial Consort Seo finally shouted in desperation,
"I'll do it! I'll do as you say, so kill this bastard right now!"
At her outcry, Peng Seok-im sneered and said,
"No matter how desperate the great Imperial Consort Seo Yang-hyo is, to ask this lowly one to kill me, truly…"
"You heard her, right?"
At that moment, hearing the voice from behind, Peng Seok-im snorted.
Then, grasping the hilt of the Evil Commandment Sword with his right hand, he turned his head towards Mok Gyeong-un and said,
"Kid. This is your last chance. I'm in a great mood since I'm about to have a grand affair, so I'll let it slide just this once. Get lost right now."
"That might be difficult."
"Difficult? Ha!"
At this, Peng Seok-im got up.
Then, turning his body and aiming his sword at Mok Gyeong-un, he said in a low voice,
"You must be crazy, wanting to die. You gigolo-like bastard."
"You're out of luck."
"What?"
"If you hadn't coveted someone else's sword recklessly, none of this would have happened."
"What nonsense are you spouting!"
-Slash!
With a shout, Peng Seok-im swung the Evil Commandment Sword towards Mok Gyeong-un's neck.
It was so fast that it seemed to separate the head from the body in an instant.
However,
-Smack!
'!?'
Peng Seok-im's eyes widened.
That's because Mok Gyeong-un's palm had blocked the blade.
"What on earth…"
-Whoong!
At that moment, the blade of the Evil Commandment Sword, which had touched Mok Gyeong-un's palm, trembled and emitted a sword cry.
At this, Peng Seok-im, who was consumed by desire and madness, couldn't hide his surprise.
The sword was reacting to this young lad as if it were alive.
'The sword is resonating?'
What was happening?
"Now, please return my sword."
"Your sword?"
"Yes."
At those words, Peng Seok-im frowned fiercely and shouted,
"Don't spout nonsense! This sword is mine! It's not something a kid like you can covet!"
-Paat!
With that, Peng Seok-im removed the blade from Mok Gyeong-un's hand and tried to unleash a sword technique.
However,
-Crackle! Crackle!
At that moment, the blood vessels on the back of Peng Seok-im's hand holding the hilt of the Evil Commandment Sword bulged, and he couldn't control the inner energy of his hand as if he were possessed.
"Ugh!"
Unable to endure the pain, Peng Seok-im involuntarily released the hilt from his hand.
-Stab!
The Evil Commandment Sword, which had fallen from his hand, stuck into the ground and stood upright.
The blade trembled on its own, and Peng Seok-im had an expression of utter incomprehension at this sight.
"W-Why is it rejecting me?"
Although it was a demonic sword, he believed the sword had chosen him.
However, the sword was clearly rejecting him.
At that moment, Mok Gyeong-un grasped the hilt of the Evil Commandment Sword, which was standing upright on the ground, and pulled it out.
-Whoong!
The sword cry grew louder, and light flowed from the blade.
Seeing this, Peng Seok-im's eyes trembled.
Did this bastard really receive the choice of this demonic sword?
"Then, farewell."
"What?"
-Slash!
Before he could even finish his question,
Peng Seok-im, realizing that something sharp had brushed past his neck, was startled and grabbed his neck with both hands.
-Smack!
Then, Mok Gyeong-un lightly swung the blade of the Evil Commandment Sword to shake off the blood.
Seeing this, despair filled Peng Seok-im's eyes.
Ignoring him, Mok Gyeong-un approached Imperial Consort Seo, who was immobilized on the ground, and released the sealed acupoints.
-Tap tap tap tap tap!
With her acupoints released, she was startled and wrapped her arms around her chest.
It was humiliating, but her resentment towards Peng Seok-im was greater, so she glared at him and said,
"Why didn't you kill him?"
"I did kill him."
"You killed him?"
"Yes."
"What are you talking about? Isn't he still alive and well?"
Peng Seok-im, who was clutching his neck and looking anxious, was still alive.
At this, Mok Gyeong-un chuckled and approached him.
Peng Seok-im moved his eyes from side to side, showing signs of rejection.
However, Mok Gyeong-un ignored this and placed his finger on his forehead, flicking it.
-Tap!
Then,
-Slide!
Peng Seok-im's head, which he had been barely holding, slid back and fell.
-Thud!
-Splat!
As the head hit the ground, blood gushed out like a fountain from the cross-section of the severed neck.
Seeing this, Imperial Consort Seo's eyes became dazed.
Although he was a vile bastard who had tried to violate her, seeing his decapitated corpse right in front of her made her feel like she was going to lose her mind.
'A monster… This bastard is a real monster.'
The eunuch Yoo-bong, who had been holding his broken nose, clicked his tongue inwardly.
He hadn't even seen the sword cutting the neck properly.
Moreover, even the person himself only realized it after being cut, hastily grabbing his severed neck.
It was truly a ghostly swordsmanship.
Shocked inwardly like that, the eunuch Yoo-bong hurriedly ran to Imperial Consort Seo and covered her with his outer garment.
"Ugh…"
Imperial Consort Seo trembled and wrapped herself in Yoo-bong's clothes.
Although it was better than seeing the severed head of Peng Seok-im's older brother, Paeng Yi-mun, it was still equally disgusting.
At this, Yoo-bong carefully said to Mok Gyeong-un,
"Her Majesty is having a hard time, so can you give us some time by changing the location?"
"That's not difficult."
Hearing this, Yoo-bong inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
By naturally changing the location like this and entrusting Imperial Consort Seo to the palace maids, he should stay out of their sight for a while.
Having betrayed them, there seemed to be no benefit in lingering in front of them.
"Then, I'll escort Her Majesty for a moment…"
"Ah, I almost forgot."
"Pardon?"
To his questioning, Mok Gyeong-un shook his head.
"I'm not talking to you."
At this, Imperial Consort Seo, trembling, looked at him in confusion.
What did he almost forget?
Then, Mok Gyeong-un smiled brightly and said,
"Since you promised to submit, I thought I'd show you the end of a traitor."
'!!!!!'
As soon as those words were spoken, Yoo-bong was startled and tried to say something to Mok Gyeong-un.
"L-Lord Mok. I am also loyal to you…"
-Slash!
Before he could even finish his sentence,
In the blink of an eye, Mok Gyeong-un's sword was already above Yoo-bong's head.
Yoo-bong's eyes widened as if they would tear.
Then,
-Slide!
A vertical red line appeared in the middle of his face.
Imperial Consort Seo slowly turned her head to the side with trembling eyes.
As she turned her head, blood flowed from the red line, and Yoo-bong's body was split in half with a splat.
Blood spurting from the split body drenched her.
-Splat!
Stiffened by fear, she couldn't move a muscle.
Mok Gyeong-un gently stroked the blood-soaked cheek of Imperial Consort Seo and softly said,
"I believe you will conduct yourself well."