Chapter 25: Chapter 25
Cheon Woo-jin waited with his eyes closed.
Around the time he surpassed fifteen while living with his two masters, his senses had already departed from the ordinary category.
Even though his eyes were clearly closed, every single movement occurring within the room seemed vividly visible. Through hearing, smell, and touch more developed than ordinary spiritual beasts, he completely replaced vision.
As the four Martial Alliance members fell into deep sleep under the influence of the bewitching poison, the courtesans exchanged glances with one another.
Something moved back and forth over the liquor table.
Seeing that the tip of his nose tingled and a sharp aura was felt, it seemed to be a type of poison-coated dagger. Considering the courtesans’ attire, there was a high probability it was an ornamental hairpin.
Just how much time passed in the silence?
Whoosh!
One courtesan thrust an ornamental hairpin toward Cheon Woo-jin’s pupil. It was a momentum completely contrary to her appearance of bewitching people with slender smiles.
If he did not dodge, he would lose his eyesight in a single breath. However, Cheon Woo-jin did not make the slightest movement.
‘There is no killing intent.’
The level of the courtesans was not that high. Because of that, Cheon Woo-jin trusted his own senses.
Soon, the ornamental hairpin came to a halt before Cheon Woo-jin’s eyelid.
“…”
A brief silence.
As the other courtesans nodded, the ornamental hairpin was retrieved.
Cheon Woo-jin realized that their role ended at putting them to sleep. He immediately spread his qi sense widely to survey the surroundings.
Outside the tavern, roughly a dozen-odd martial artists were on standby altogether, and among them, a middle-aged man with an exceptionally fierce energy was coming up to the room where they were located.
‘His age is roughly around forty.’
With the passage of time, not only the body but energy also aged and became experienced. Of course, because it was an exceedingly minute difference, even ordinary masters could not distinguish it unless their qi sense was exceptionally sensitive.
However, Cheon Woo-jin was different. Even the Black and White Twin Elders had clicked their tongues in admiration at Cheon Woo-jin’s qi sense on more than one or two occasions.
‘To be at such a realm at the age of forty…’
He was definitely a master. A master worthy of making a name for himself across the whole of the Central Plains, at that. Moreover, while he was certainly not of the Righteous Path, his energy was somewhat confusing as to whether it belonged to the Unorthodox Path or the Demonic Path.
Such a person targeted Martial Alliance members. By all appearances, it seemed related to this mission.
By the way…
Cheon Woo-jin noticed that Song Yi-yeon’s energy was unusual. Unlike the two collapsed individuals, the flow of his energy was far too smooth.
In other words, it meant he was acting just like himself.
Song Yi-yeon’s realm was higher than Jang Woo-pyeong’s and lower than Do Seong-hwi’s. How could he not fall to the bewitching poison to which even Do Seong-hwi had succumbed helplessly?
Pondering for a moment, Cheon Woo-jin soon reached a conclusion.
‘He learned the Pure Yang Boy Art.’
The question that had arisen while watching Song Yi-yeon all this time was only then resolved. Even in decisive moments, Song Yi-yeon had continuously hidden his strength. He had thought it was simply because he was unskilled, but looking at it now, it was because of the weakness of the Pure Yang Boy Art.
The Pure Yang Boy Art was a martial art with clear advantages and disadvantages.
That its growth rate was as fast as demonic arts, while never harming the body, was an advantage.
However, if one shared energy with a woman, the internal energy accumulated over a lifetime would scatter, and upon operating it with full strength, the unique pure and clear internal energy would leak out, which was a major disadvantage.
In the world, there was no martial art as easy to break as the Pure Yang Boy Art. Because if a woman skilled in qi arts made up her mind and infused energy, it would be over.
For that reason, those who learned the Pure Yang Boy Art never showed their full strength in order to conceal the martial arts they learned.
Of course, he also knew that mockery followed in the world, calling a man who learned the Pure Yang Boy Art a eunuch.
‘If he learned the Pure Yang Boy Art, there is no way he could succumb to bewitching poison.’
Just how much time passed like that?
As the room door opened, a man revealed himself. At the same time, the courtesans’ breathing stopped. It meant he was a terrifying figure to the point where it was difficult even to breathe carelessly.
“Did you confirm?”
The middle-aged man’s voice was rough like his energy. As if speaking in a cave, a voice with great reverberation filled the room.
Flinching, the courtesans hurriedly bowed their heads and answered:
“Yes, we confirmed several times.”
“I see. Proceed.”
As the man’s words fell, one courtesan nodded and approached Jang Woo-pyeong. She gently caressed the back of Jang Woo-pyeong, who had collapsed with his forehead buried in the liquor table.
“Brother.”
“Mmm…”
Even amidst that, Jang Woo-pyeong beamed broadly.
“Brother, wake up. You said you would play with me all night.”
“Mmm, I did. I did.”
Surprisingly, the sleep-intoxicated Jang Woo-pyeong replied. Though his speech was mumbled like someone heavily drunk on liquor, a conversation was taking place.
Soon, the courtesan looked at the middle-aged man. As the middle-aged man nodded, the courtesan gradually lowered the hand that had been caressing Jang Woo-pyeong.
“Brother, aren’t you hot?”
“…Is that so.”
“Yes, I am very hot.”
“It seems that way too.”
Eventually, the courtesan’s hand touched Jang Woo-pyeong’s private parts. While furrowing his brows slightly, Jang Woo-pyeong did not shake off her hand.
Soon, the courtesan raised his body slightly.
Jang Woo-pyeong’s eyes opened gently, but strangely, his gaze was cloudy and unfocused.
Flashing a bright smile, the courtesan spoke:
“If you are hot, take off some clothes. That way, I can help you.”
Soon, Jang Woo-pyeong stripped off his upper garments completely. A muscular upper body covered in scars forged through training and missions was revealed.
Not stopping there, Jang Woo-pyeong stripped off layer after layer further, eventually becoming completely naked.
Even though the courtesans saw the man’s body, there was not the slightest sign of surprise. As if such a thing had happened more than once or twice.
Having stripped Jang Woo-pyeong, the courtesan looked at the middle-aged man.
“He certainly seems intoxicated. Proceed.”
While carrying out their work, there were bastards who pretended to be intoxicated by poison. To confirm this, they had contemplated various methods.
At first, they stabbed with knives or needles. However, the misfortune of waking up even bastards who were painstakingly intoxicated occurred.
Later, they asked secrets and checked their answers. However, extremely well-trained martial artists of the Martial Alliance or the Unorthodox Path tried to deceive them even in the midst of it.
The method they ultimately adopted was this.
Shame.
It was checking by inflicting shame that a man and a martial artist could never endure if in his right mind.
Because most martial artists had exceedingly strong pride, they preferred fighting to death rather than suffering such a sight while acting intoxicated.
Having confirmed that Jang Woo-pyeong was completely intoxicated by the poison, the courtesan seated him facing her and finally got down to business.
“Brother.”
“Mmm, what.”
“Why did the Martial Alliance members heading for Jiangxi Province suddenly stop in Anhui?”
Even while intoxicated, Jang Woo-pyeong answered with a stern expression:
“Mmm, I do not know. How could I dare know the intentions of the higher-ups?”
The courtesan looked at the man as if troubled. Shaking his head, the man spoke:
“Keep going.”
Caressing Jang Woo-pyeong’s cheek once more, the courtesan asked:
“Then what mission did you have in Jiangxi Province?”
“I do not know that either.”
“Could it be because of the secret cave of the Giant Stone Monster?”
“Who is that…”
The courtesan let out a deep sigh. To think that of all people, they picked such a foolish bastard who knew nothing.
“What about the Black Tortoise Squad’s mission?”
“Assisting the Heavenly Tiger Squad.”
“Hah, then what is the Heavenly Tiger Squad’s mission?”
As if she was frustrated, there was a somewhat sharp edge in the courtesan’s pupils. However, one could not speak of facts one did not know even if beaten to death. Naturally, all the more so when intoxicated by poison and speaking only the truth.
“I do not know. I said I do not know. What do I know? I do not know.”
“…Is this crazy bastard for real?”
The moment the courtesan raised her arm to strike Jang Woo-pyeong’s head.
The middle-aged man snatched her wrist.
“Do you intend to wake him up?”
“…I-I apologize, elder.”
The courtesan hurriedly bowed her head. Jang Woo-pyeong possessed such a charm. A charm that somehow made the onlooker feel anger surging, even while knowing better.
Composing her mind once more, the courtesan continued her questioning:
“Where exactly in Jiangxi Province is the region where you are conducting the mission?”
“Jiangxi is Jiangxi, what do you mean where…”
“…No, I mean. Hah.”
Another courtesan woke Do Seong-hwi beside him and questioned him, but there was no harvest. It was because the Heavenly Tiger Squad Leader had not told the contents of the mission even to Cheol Ji-ak.
The middle-aged man’s gaze turned toward Cheon Woo-jin and Song Yi-yeon. Even the two who appeared to be seniors knew nothing, so there was no probability that those two knew anything.
Letting out a sigh, the middle-aged man spoke:
“We picked trash. Kill them roughly and bury them, and you all leave this place for the time being.”
“Yes, elder.”
Soon, the courtesans each pulled out poison-coated ornamental hairpins. In particular, the courtesan who had shared an intimate conversation with Jang Woo-pyeong threw his clothes toward his lower body as if she did not even want to look at him.
“Brother, you drank too much. Hurry and get up. I will provide you with a room.”
At that, everyone stood up tottering. They intended to drag them away and kill them as they were.
It was right then.
“Hold on.”
The middle-aged man, who had been about to leave the room, suddenly turned around and glared at Song Yi-yeon.
“This bastard, he is acting.”
Speaking so, he approached Song Yi-yeon.
Song Yi-yeon felt as though his heart would burst. From the moment the middle-aged man appeared, he had been certain that he could never face him.
Therefore, his intention had been to kill the courtesans as soon as they left the room and request support from the Martial Alliance.
Suddenly, the middle-aged man irritably snatched the ornamental hairpin held in a courtesan’s hand and approached Song Yi-yeon.
Song Yi-yeon gulped without realizing it.
Apart from his heart beating rapidly, he had no intention of going down helplessly like that. Song Yi-yeon was also preparing to raise his internal energy to the maximum.
The weakness of the Pure Yang Boy Art would be exposed, but before death, how could such a thing matter?
Soon, the middle-aged man arrived before him.
“Hey.”
A heavy voice called Song Yi-yeon.
However, Song Yi-yeon did not answer. He merely lowered his head and waited for the man to swing the ornamental hairpin.
Truly, the greatest flaw was bound to arise when attacking. In a situation where the difference in realms with the man was exceedingly severe, it would be his first and last opportunity.
Soon, the moment the man, who smirked, raised the ornamental hairpin with a chilled expression.
Song Yi-yeon also extended his hand toward the chopsticks on the liquor table that he had been watching all along. His plan was to dodge the ornamental hairpin, then shove the chopsticks into the bastard’s flank in a single breath.
However, before the man’s ornamental hairpin could reach Song Yi-yeon.
Before Song Yi-yeon could even bend his waist.
There was a man who moved before anyone else in the room.
Everyone’s gaze turned toward Cheon Woo-jin, who had stood up leisurely from his seat.
It truly felt like a leisurely movement, yet a bizarre phenomenon occurred where he was faster than the two men intent on attacking and launching a surprise strike.
Cheon Woo-jin surveyed the situation inside the room with an indifferent expression. His original plan had been to be dragged away by the courtesans, torture them, and uncover the man’s identity first.
However, since Song Yi-yeon had been discovered, it could not be helped.
With leisurely movements, Cheon Woo-jin walked past the liquor table, gathered Jang Woo-pyeong’s clothes, and covered his body with them.
Soon, he showed an open palm toward the courtesan beside him.
“…?”
Not knowing what it meant, the courtesan tilted her head.
Then, Cheon Woo-jin spoke calmly:
“Hand over the ornamental hairpin. I do not have the intention to kill you yet.”
In other words, it meant that if she surrendered, he would spare her life.
At the obvious meaning contained in the words, the man and the courtesans burst into laughter simultaneously.
They were mocking Cheon Woo-jin. This absurd situation was bewildering and comical.
Just what could a youngest recruit who had only just been assigned to the Martial Alliance do?
Shaking his head, the middle-aged man casually twirled the ornamental hairpin over his fingers.
“This is why, the Martial Alliance bastards.”
“…”
“Those who have just entered the Alliance have far too much characteristic bluffing. Even if intoxicated, they are far too intoxicated. Hey, brat.”
Cheon Woo-jin looked at the man with a calm gaze.
Wearing a smile across his entire face, the man continued:
“Becoming a Martial Alliance member, do you feel like every villain in the world will fear you? Do you think we will grovel, begging for our lives?”
“…”
“If I were a bastard of merely that caliber, I would not have started this affair in the first place. Do you know what that means? It means I do not fear the likes of the Martial Alliance. It means I could tear your limbs apart and kill you on the spot right now.”
Cheon Woo-jin looked quietly at the man spitting out harsh words. He seemed to have encountered young Martial Alliance members before.
He was intimidating while clearly knowing what young rising stars who had just entered the Alliance commonly mistook, and the point where that mistake turned into fear.
Cheon Woo-jin nodded.
“Who are you?”
Since things had come to this, asking directly was enough.
Of course, the man merely let out a scoff.
Cheon Woo-jin watched that laughter as if observing it, then reached out his hand toward the courtesan once more.
“Give it to me.”
The courtesan’s expression crumpled furiously. The smile that had bewitched people was nowhere to be seen, leaving only explicit killing intent toward her opponent.
Soon, the moment the courtesan raised her hand to drive the ornamental hairpin held in her grasp into Cheon Woo-jin’s glabella.
Swoosh!
The courtesan’s pupils widened. A wind sound arose, and her fingers had opened on their own. Before she could even grasp what had happened.
Crunch!
The ornamental hairpin penetrated straight through her forehead. From the pierced forehead, sticky blood flowed down. Pulling out the ornamental hairpin, Cheon Woo-jin lightly struck her body, knocking her backward.
Crash!
Her body collapsed, overturning the liquor table. While all those spectacles unfolded, no one could open their mouth.
Soon, after lightly shaking off the blood on the ornamental hairpin, Cheon Woo-jin looked at the man once more.
“You would not be afraid, indeed. The disciple of the Dark Emperor, the Giant Stone Monster. Would those seeking his secret cave fear a mere rising star of the Martial Alliance?”