Song Wongyo stared blankly out the open window. He looked like a man who had lost his soul.
'Tsk!'
It still wouldn't leave his mind. The image of Henan's Number One Beauty, Baek Rihyang, half-undressed and flustered.
Just what in the world happened…
The image of Namgung Cheon, also lying there with his acupoints sealed and half-naked, came to mind.
'Why…!'
His mind hadn't been at ease all day. The changed Namgung Cheon bothered him.
"Dammit!"
He clenched his fist, and the energy that surged from his Danjeon erupted from his body.
Huuuung!
"Heot…!"
Yun Jongseung, who had been kneeling flat under Song Wongyo's backside, was startled and staggered. Because of this, Song Wongyo, who had briefly lost his balance, fiercely smacked the back of Yun Jongseung's head.
Ttaak!
"You can't even support one thing properly? You Hogu bastard. Did I ask you to perform your human duty? Or to recite the Buddhist scriptures? I'm just telling you to be a simple tool, is that so difficult?"
"S-Song Hyeong... please stop..."
Ttaak!
"Keuk!"
"Where does a Hogu bastard get the nerve to call my name? My mood is foul today, so shut your mouth."
"…"
Song Wongyo snorted coldly and turned his gaze back out the window.
Honestly, he didn't like this guy or that guy. Especially…
'That bastard Namgung Cheon…!'
Flames blazed in Song Wongyo's eyes.
'Why him! Of all people, why him!'
Grinding his teeth, Song Wongyo finally shot to his feet. Right, he couldn't just stand by and watch.
The person who must be most bewildered right now was Baek Rihyang. He had to go to her. He had to understand her heart.
"Yes, I've decided."
Song Wongyo spoke in a heavy voice, his expression full of resolve. This decision would be a momentous turning point in his life. For him, it was a truly great resolution.
He spun around and strode forward.
'Wait for me, Baekri Sojeo! I am coming!'
Shuuuuu…
Namgung Cheon, having finished his Ungihaenggong (energy circulation) training, rolled his shoulders with a much more refreshed expression. His body was definitely getting better by the day. It was because he had inherited Namgung Seon's constitution, giving him excellent natural physical condition.
After five hundred push-ups and sit-ups, followed by holding a horse stance for Banshijin (one hour), he felt the muscles in his entire body swell tautly.
Namgung Cheon closed his eyes for a moment, relaxed his muscles, and then slowly opened them.
'Well, I got through the instructor's office just fine…'
Gyepllyang had called him and Baek Rihyang to his office, but he hadn't said much, just giving them a simple warning. He must have realized that dragging out the conversation would only put Baek Rihyang in a more difficult position. No matter how much of an instructor he was, he couldn't just ignore one of the Seven Great Families of the Jianghu.
Hmph. Rotten bastards.
In any case, Namgung Cheon had returned to his room and focused on training his mind and body until now.
The problem was…
"Will that madwoman be able to fully escape the Bangjungsul?"
It'll be dangerous if she doesn't resolve that quickly.
By now, the excitement should have subsided, and her calm reasoning should be returning. The important part was from here on out. The Qi injected by the Bangjungsul would remain in her body for a full day, so she would have to completely remove that lewd energy to return to her daily life.
The method to remove the energy was simple. She just had to circulate her usual internal energy Simbeop (Mind-Heart Art) properly. However, if she failed to regulate her breathing in time and rashly tried to draw out her Gongnyeok (internal energy), or if she experienced an excessive emotional disturbance, she could easily fall into Juhwa-ipma (Qi Deviation).
This was the truly nasty part of the Saekjeong Gwangsa's Bangjungsul.
If ordinary women were hit by it, they'd enjoy it for a day, and that would be that. But women who trained in martial arts had strong dispositions to begin with, making them susceptible to the side effect of Juhwa-ipma. That Bangjungsul alone was why the Saekjeong Gwangsa had become a public enemy of the Murim.
What if Baek Rihyang failed to control her emotions before getting rid of the lewd energy and fell into Juhwa-ipma? She could become a woman mad with lust for the rest of her life.
'Well, that would be a sight to see.'
Moreover, the object that had served as the mental shock was the Gyobi Sinpyeon. The whip. If she wasn't careful, that perverted tendency could be seared into her mind as stimulation, creating a lifelong, incomprehensible fetish.
If that happened, it could get a little troublesome... but, well, even if it did, it would just be Ingwa-eungbo (cause and effect).
Not my problem. See how I don't hold a grudge?
Had there ever been a time in her life when she was this humiliated and angry?
Until now, her entire life had been smooth. She took whatever she wanted, thoroughly punished those she disliked, and lived a life that everyone looked up to and envied. Naturally, even the academy instructors couldn't treat her carelessly.
But today was the worst day of her life.
To have swung a whip while half-naked in front of everyone!
'Aaaak! I don't even want to think about it!'
Wasn't this the kind of thing that would make her kick off her blankets and shoot up from her sleep?
On top of that, she couldn't even make any excuses to the instructor, Gyepllyang. What if she said it was all because she was struck by Namgung Cheon's counter-attack? Would he believe her? Was there anyone who didn't know that Namgung Cheon was the official Hogu of Yongcheongwan?
Even if, giving a hundred concessions, he did believe her, it was still a problem. The fact that she had torn her own clothes to frame Namgung Cheon in the first place. And the fact that she was weaker than the Hogu and had been overpowered. If those facts got out, it would negatively affect not only her, but her family as well.
She might even be seen as a pervert making pathetic, unbelievable excuses!
In the end, Baek Rihyang decided to just be a simple pervert.
"Namgung Cheon! You bastard!"
As she ground her teeth, spitting out curses, a hot energy surged from her Danjeon and spread through her body. In that moment, Baek Rihyang let out a lewd moan without realizing it.
"Heut!"
Wh-what? Still, this lust...?
Flustered, Baek Rihyang's expression hardened. She quickly sat cross-legged. The more her anger boiled, the more she could feel the twisted lust surging uncontrollably.
'Namgung Cheon, what the hell did that Hogu bastard do to my body!'
If she didn't get rid of this tickling energy quickly, she felt like she would go insane.
The only fortunate thing was that it seemed she could completely drive out this disgusting energy just by performing Ungi Josik (energy circulation and breath regulation) properly.
'Just you wait, Namgung Cheon! I will never forgive you! Heup!'
As Baek Rihyang, who was circulating her energy, recalled Namgung Cheon's wicked smile again, the Qi that had been smoothly completing an Iljucheon (one cycle) wavered. At the same time, another hot surge of energy erupted from her lower abdomen.
'No! Stop! I hate this!'
"Haaa!"
Her lips parted on their own, and a hot breath escaped. This can't be happening! She had to get a grip. At this rate, Juhwa-ipma could occur.
Juhwa-ipma while suppressing lust. It was a story she could never tell anyone.
'Focus. Focus!'
Baek Rihyang struggled to empty her mind. As she tried her best not to think of Namgung Cheon and circulated her Qi, her head slowly began to clear.
But just as her Gongnyeok was finishing a Sojucheon (Small Heavenly Cycle) and about to enter the Daejucheon (Large Heavenly Cycle), someone knocked on her door.
Knock, knock, knock.
She tried to ignore it, but the visitor was surprisingly persistent.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Who is it!"
As Baek Rihyang shouted in irritation, her Gihyeol (Qi and Blood) stirred again. Still, because she had completed the Sojucheon, the crisis seemed to have passed.
A familiar voice came from beyond the door.
"Baekri Sojeo, it is I, Song Wongyo."
"Song Gongja…? What is it?"
"I have something urgent to tell you. May I come in for a moment?"
Baek Rihyang, who had been thinking for a moment, stopped her energy circulation and nodded. She needed to see someone, anyone, to change her mood.
"If it's just for a moment, come in."
"Then, excuse me."
The door opened, and Song Wongyo entered with a stiff expression. Baek Rihyang guided him to the table and asked, "What is it?"
"Sojeo. That is… I… do not mind what I saw today at all."
"If it's about that, I'd rather not talk about it."
"No, we must."
As Baek Rihyang frowned and looked at him, Song Wongyo took a deep breath and continued.
"Sojeo, from now on, do not bother with Namgung Cheon."
"It's as Yun Jongseung said, Namgung Cheon has certainly changed. Perhaps he's not the Namgung Cheon we knew…"
"No, do not even think about that bastard."
"Don't tell me you're afraid of him too, Song Gongja?"
"To be honest… rather than afraid, I'm just wary."
"As expected, he's that formidable…"
"I don't know how formidable he is. It's just…"
"...?"
"I will strive to become even more formidable. So please, do not engage with that bastard anymore."
"What… yes…"
"Besides, didn't that bastard say he's 'not into that kind of thing'?"
"What? What do you…?"
"I respect a wide variety of tastes. My Jeongjumun Sect has long been known for being open-minded. Therefore, I can perfectly respect your tastes, Sojeo. Not only that, I am prepared to enjoy them with you."
"What are you talking about right now…?"
"Please, do not refuse, Sojeo! I am truly fine with it, so please forget that bastard! I will prove it to you, right here and now!"
Song Wongyo suddenly tore his own clothes. It had been difficult to make the decision, but now that he had started, it didn't seem like a big deal.
Buuuuk!
"Ah! Song Gongja, what are you doing right now?"
"I will understand everything! Sojeo, strike me with that whip! If this will satisfy your desires, I can enjoy it as much as you want!"
Baek Rihyang stared at Song Wongyo, who was now kneeling in front of her, with a dumbstruck expression.
It was so absurd that her boiling anger was delayed.
What is this crazy bastard?
This man... he sees me as that kind of pervert, too?
As her rage soared, the lewd energy remaining in her body began to run wild.
"Heuk!"
As a dizzying moan escaped, Song Wongyo, once again, misunderstood.
'Ah, she's that satisfied just by this…!'
Right, let's understand. Let's think of it as this perfect woman's hidden charm.
But the situation was flowing in an unexpected direction.
"Keup! Please, just get out of my sight...!"
Baek Rihyang's face was turning pale. She staggered and then collapsed with a thud.
"B-Baekri Sojeo?"
Song Wongyo, startled, rushed to support her. Baek Rihyang was panting heavily.
"Haa, haa, heueup!"
"Baekri Sojeo! Get a hold of yourself!"
Song Wongyo urgently performed Jinmaek (pulse diagnosis). Her Naegi (internal qi) was rampaging uncontrollably.
"Th-this is…?"
It was a sign of Juhwa-ipma! Baek Rihyang's body was gradually becoming as hot as a ball of fire.
"Wh-what should I...!"
Peok! Kwadang!
In an instant, Baek Rihyang sent him flying with an Iljang (palm strike). Song Wongyo flew like a piece of paper and collapsed in a corner.
"I said, get out!"
"Ah, I understand! Sojeo, first, Ungong Josik (circulate your energy)...!"
"I'll do it myself! Get out! Now! Ha-euk!"
"Th-then…!"
Song Wongyo scrambled to his feet, opened the door, and fled.
Only then did Baek Rihyang calm her feverish heart and quickly sit cross-legged.
Huuuung.
The heat from her body rushed outward. She put herself in a trance, as if chanting a spell.
Empty the mind. Think of nothing.
But Namgung Cheon's face kept popping into her head. The more it did, the angrier she became, and a hot energy surged from below her navel.
"Haeueuung!"
A lewd moan burst out. She was so startled by it that she bit her lip until it bled.
'Dammit!'
She got angry, and the heat surged again.
'No! Stop thinking!'
"Heueuk!"
Every time a feverish moan leaked from beyond the door, Song Wongyo paced anxiously.
If he could, he wanted to throw open the door, rush in, kneel, and shout.
'Sojeo! I can enjoy anything, as long as it's with you! So… just not Namgung Cheon! Please, hit me instead!'
He was on the verge of tears from pity and jealousy.
How much time passed as he stood outside the door?
He must have dozed off. He opened his eyes to the sound of morning birds chirping, and just then, he heard a presence behind him.
The door opened, and Baek Rihyang appeared.
"S-Sojeo...!"
Baek Rihyang's face was gaunt, with dark shadows pooled under her eyes.
"A-are you alright?"
"I'm... fine..."
Baek Rihyang, who had started to speak, swayed and collapsed. Song Wongyo quickly caught her and shouted.
"Sojeo! Baekri Sojeo!"
But Baek Rihyang, completely Taljin (exhausted), didn't stir. The only silver lining was that her Gihyeol (Qi and Blood) had finally stabilized.
Song Wongyo's eyes turned red.
"Namgung Cheon! I will never forgive you!"
But that evening, Song Wongyo would realize, to his very bones, just how easily that resolve could be broken.
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