Chapter 49
“So, would you go and show my son how lovey-dovey you and Dokgo Jin’s daughter are? Get him to give up on his own?”
“I will.”
“Y-you bastards! Why are you deciding for me?!”
Dokgo Ryeong shrieked as if having a fit, but Peng Woo-deok only chuckled at the sight.
“Kwahaha! I suppose it’s my fault for not realizing how passionately these two are in love. I’d tell him myself if I could, but my son never listens to a word I say.”
“No, shit! You’re the one who’s supposed to manage your own kid!”
“Just do me this one little favor, will you? Or… Hmm. How about this?”
Peng Woo-deok picked up a box that had been sitting beside him.
“I’d originally planned to give these as wedding gifts… Daughter of Dokgo Jin, put in a good word with your father for me.”
“What?”
When Peng Woo-deok opened the box, a strange heat and chill poured out of it at the same time.
“…What is that?”
“One is the core of a Sunfire Carp, and the other is a Human-Shaped Snow Ginseng. I prepared them because, if I’m to form an alliance with Dokgo Jin, it would be good for him to grow stronger. He’s always been short on internal energy.”
“…”
The Sunfire Carp, a spiritual creature brimming with extreme yang energy.
The Human-Shaped Snow Ginseng, a medicinal herb brimming with extreme yin energy.
Even just looking at them, their auras felt extraordinary.
“I don’t know what kind of cultivation method Dokgo Jin uses, but I sensed yang energy in him. So, just in case, I prepared two spiritual medicines—one with extreme yang energy and one with extreme yin energy.”
“Then those…”
“If you put in a good word with your father and persuade my son to give up on you, I’ll give you one of them.”
“!!”
Eun Yak-byeok was the one who reacted with surprise.
“…You’ll really give it to her?”
“They’d be no use just sitting around. It would take my son a long time to absorb them, and the other clan heads already have impressive internal energy, so there’s no point in giving them to one of them.”
“But those are far too valuable…”
“Kwahaha! You have to bring something like this if you want to win someone’s favor. For some reason, Dokgo Jin doesn’t like me much, you know?”
“…”
Hearing that, Dokgo Ryeong grumbled to herself.
‘You should’ve been less of a pain in the ass, you bastard.’
Just then, Eun Yak-byeok, seated beside her, sent her a voice transmission.
[Guest, isn’t this an opportunity?]
When Dokgo Ryeong glared at her, Eun Yak-byeok went ahead and explained.
[You need yang energy, but you don’t want to take in semen, right?]
“!!”
Hearing that, Dokgo Ryeong clapped her hands.
“Oh…”
“Hmm? Is something the matter?”
“No. More importantly… you’ll really give me one if I do those two things?”
“That’s right. If you get my son to give up on you and put in a good word with Dokgo Jin…”
“I’ll do it! Absolutely!”
“…You agreed so eagerly that it’s actually making me uneasy.”
“No, no. I’ll help you, no matter what! When are we taking down the Tang Clan?”
“I’d say in about three years. The Demonic Cult is dealing with internal strife, the Blood Cult has quieted down, and the Unorthodox Faction is embroiled in a succession struggle. We’ll have to finish things as quickly as we can while we have the chance.”
“Then in three years, all my… my father has to do is help take down the Tang Clan, right?”
“That’s right. I’m not asking him to destroy them on his own. I’m asking him to help.”
After hearing him out, Dokgo Ryeong nodded.
‘Three years should be enough time to visit Thunderclap Temple and somehow regain my strength before then. Besides…’
If she was lucky, maybe the yang energy of the Sunfire Carp would even turn her back into a man.
Dokgo Ryeong pinned a little hope on that possibility too.
“I’ll put in a good word for you. So give me one!”
“…Hao Sect Leader, can I trust this deal?”
“Oh my, you were the one who offered to give her one first, Saber Immortal.”
“This all seems rather suspicious…”
When Peng Woo-deok hesitated, Wi Ilcheong came to his aid.
“Saber Immortal, are you going to break your word?”
“…I’ve trapped myself, haven’t I? Choose one, daughter of Dokgo Jin.”
“The Sunfire Carp!”
“…From the looks of it, you’re planning to take it for yourself, not your father.”
“You said you were going to give it to me anyway.”
“Kwahaha! That’s true.”
Peng Woo-deok closed his hand around the Sunfire Carp’s core and looked at Dokgo Ryeong.
“You’ll keep your promise, won’t you?”
“Absolutely.”
Just as Peng Woo-deok was about to hand the Sunfire Carp to Dokgo Ryeong,
his hand stopped.
“More importantly, daughter of Dokgo Jin, let me confirm one thing.”
“…What now?”
“The more I think about it, the more this deal feels like a bit of a loss for me.”
“…”
“Where is Dokgo Jin right now?”
“Ah… Well…”
While Dokgo Ryeong wondered what lie she could make up, Eun Yak-byeok spoke.
“Saber Immortal.”
“Hmm?”
“He’s currently doing me a favor.”
“…I knew there was some sort of connection between you and Dokgo Jin, but I couldn’t understand how I’d lost track of him. Ever since he went to the Ice Palace, his whereabouts have vanished completely… as if he were dead.”
When Peng Woo-deok glared at Eun Yak-byeok, she answered with a smile.
“The Peng Clan sure is curious, isn’t it? When did you get your hands on such an impressive intelligence network?”
“Kwahaha! If we keep talking, you’ll have me spilling all my secrets.”
“Anyway, if you’re uneasy about handing over the spiritual medicines, how about this?”
Eun Yak-byeok placed a hand on her chest.
“If the time to act comes in three years and Dokgo Jin can’t join you, how about I lend you a hand in his place?”
“Ho…”
The short exclamation from Peng Woo-deok carried a mix of emotions.
“That would be nice. But even so, I still feel like I’m getting the worse end of the deal.”
“Even if Great Hero Dokgo Jin does join you, I’ll make sure to participate as well.”
“Hmm…”
Peng Woo-deok fell into thought.
“Oh my, is that not enough?”
“No, of course it’s good. I’m just wondering what our Hao Sect Leader’s motive is, heh heh.”
“Then forget it.”
“No, it’s fine. This is enough.
“That settles our deal, then. Right, Miss Dokgo?”
As Eun Yak-byeok looked at her, Dokgo Ryeong hurriedly nodded.
“Right! Give me the Sunfire Carp!”
“…Here it is. Don’t tell me you’re planning to consume it right away?”
“I’ll figure that out myself, so just give it to me.”
“…Here you are. Don’t forget your promise, all right?”
“I won’t forget!”
Despite his misgivings, Peng Woo-deok handed the Sunfire Carp’s core to Dokgo Ryeong.
Feeling the extreme yang energy in her hand, Dokgo Ryeong began to grin.
“Heh heh…! With this…!”
“…It’s nice to see her so happy. The more I look at her, the more she reminds me of Dokgo Jin.”
“Indeed, Saber Immortal. She looks so much like Dokgo Jin that I’d believe she was Dokgo Jin himself, not his daughter.”
“Kwahaha! That’s true.”
“…”
The Saber Immortal and Fist Venerable had joked their way right to the truth, making Dokgo Ryeong flinch for a moment.
Fortunately, however, neither seemed to notice anything amiss.
“Well then, Hao Sect Leader, now that we’ve made a deal, bring out some more liquor.”
“Oh my, the liquor at our brothel is expensive.”
“Didn’t I already pay you?”
“That was a separate matter. You’ll have to pay for the liquor too.”
“…You’re stingy. Fine, bring out the liquor—and call the courtesans back in, too.”
“What about your son?”
“He’ll come here tomorrow. He can wait until then.”
“Understood. Then please enjoy yourselves.”
When the Hao Sect Leader stood, Wi Ilcheong and Dokgo Ryeong rose as well.
“Young Master Wi, Miss Dokgo.”
Peng Woo-deok stopped Wi Ilcheong and Dokgo Ryeong as they were about to leave.
“Yes?”
“What?”
“Don’t forget your promise.”
“Of course.”
“…I heard you.”
“My son takes after me a lot. A whole lot.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Ugh…”
Wi Ilcheong answered obediently, but the mere thought of it horrified Dokgo Ryeong.
‘I can’t even imagine how crazy that bastard’s son must be…’
But the warmth of the Sunfire Carp in her hand soon made her forget her worries.
“Anyway, I’m counting on you tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
“…I’m off. Enjoy the liquor.”
“Heh heh. Give your father my regards.”
Peng Woo-deok raised his cup toward Dokgo Ryeong as she left.
‘What regards… Still, I won’t eat and run.’
Dokgo Ryeong silently accepted his farewell and looked at the Sunfire Carp.
‘Once I get my strength back… I’ll gladly help take down the Tang Clan.’
*
As soon as she left the private room, Dokgo Ryeong grabbed the Hao Sect Leader.
“Help me.”
“…Are you planning to consume it right now?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you sure you’ll be all right?”
“I’m asking for help because I don’t think I’ll be all right.”
“Is something wrong?”
When Wi Ilcheong turned around, Dokgo Ryeong smiled awkwardly.
“Ah… It’s nothing.”
“If you two have something to discuss, go ahead. I also have something I’d like to talk about with Miss Dokgo alone.”
“W-with me?!”
“Yes. I told you earlier, didn’t I? That I love Miss Dokgo…”
“Aaaah!! S-shut up! You crazy bastard, that isn’t love!”
“…Why are you changing your mind? You said love was when you thought, ‘I can’t do without this person.’”
“Ugh, are you really a little kid? Since when have you thought of me that way…?”
“Since the beginning.”
“Huh?!”
Dokgo Ryeong’s face turned bright red, and her hair changed to pink.
“I told you, didn’t I? I want to take your maidenhead…”
“S-s-s… Shut uuuup!!”
Dokgo Ryeong swung her fist, trying to knock Wi Ilcheong out, but this time he didn’t let her hit him so easily.
Instead, he caught her wrist and pulled her toward him as he spoke.
“Anyway… let’s talk about this later. I can wait.”
“L-let go…”
“Yes, I’ll let go. I have to keep my promise to Saber Immortal anyway, so let’s talk later.”
When Wi Ilcheong released Dokgo Ryeong’s hand, she went limp and sank to the floor.
“Hao Sect Leader.”
“…Yes, Young Master Wi.”
“First, I’d like to apologize for what I did wrong. As I was leaving the inner chamber, I happened to overhear you talking to yourself. You said I didn’t know what love was, didn’t you?”
“…”
Eun Yak-byeok confirmed it with her silence.
“Tomorrow, I’ll prove you wrong—with Miss Dokgo by my side.”
“Oh my.”
“I believe I know exactly what ‘love’ is.”
“Oh my, oh my.”
“…Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Oh my, oh my, oh my.”
Watching Wi Ilcheong and Dokgo Ryeong walk away, Eun Yak-byeok spoke.
“…Guest.”
“Don’t say a word.”
“…Would you really like to become my successor? You have a remarkable knack for seducing men without even trying…”
“Kyaaaah!!”
Dokgo Ryeong clutched her head and wailed.
“Nooo!! Shit, that bastard’s suddenly getting the wrong idea and making a huge scene all by himself, I’m telling you!!”
“But watching from the side made my own heart flutter. Ah… Seeing such innocent young love after all this time almost makes me go blind.”
“You crazy woman! That’s not what it is! I’m, damn it… You know, right?!”
She couldn’t bring herself to reveal her true identity in case Wi Ilcheong heard, but Eun Yak-byeok could guess what she was trying to say.
“Yes, I know. But right now, you’re Miss Dokgo, aren’t you?”
“W-what does that mean…?”
Eun Yak-byeok stepped closer and brushed Dokgo Ryeong’s hair behind her ear.
“Your ears are red, you know?”
“Th-that’s…!”
“And your hair is a lovely pale pink…”
“Kyaaaah!!”
“Heh heh. You’re so much fun to tease. You’re adorable, Guest.”
“J-just shut up!”
“All right, I’ll stop here. You look like you’re about to suffer qi deviation if I tease you any more.”
“…Shit, seriously…”
“Let’s go to the inner chamber. You can calm down there.”
“…Show me the way.”
“Of course.”
Eun Yak-byeok walked ahead, chuckling to herself.
‘Our guest really is adorable.’
Did Dokgo Ryeong know?
That with her hair tinted pale pink, her face bright red, and her eyes lowered slightly as she walked, she looked to anyone else like a young girl who had fallen in love.