City of Mists, Chungking.
As the sun rose, a brutal scene unfolded across the vast plains northwest of Chungking.
Countless corpses lay scattered.
Righteous sects and Demonic Cult, without distinction—all lay fallen together in harmony.
Wanderers, heroes, good souls.
Disciples, students, swordsmen, spearmen from countless sects...
And the Demonic Cult followers clad in robes emblazoned with the crimson character for "demon."
They too lay in heaps, their breaths stilled.
From ordinary followers to elite devotees, protectors, elders—status and martial prowess meant nothing before this death.
The battle had already reached its end.
The silent plain of death.
Piercing that stillness rang out the praises of the Demonic Cult followers, mad as if driven insane.
‘Heavenly Ghost Supreme! Seven Heavens Immortal!’
With voices soaked in blood, they gathered their last breaths to shout.
‘All Gods... Exterminated, Seven Heavens... Sole Sovereign...’
Even as their staggering bodies crumbled, they wailed in感動 mingled with bloody tears.
‘Moon Lord Invincible... Moon... Lord... Invincible...’
One by one, their breaths gave out, and even those frenzied chants withered away.
A silent morning, without even the cry of a bird.
In its midst, only two people still stared at each other.
One of them was Namgung Yeon.
Just forcing out the poison filling his chest with every breath had his meridians burning like they were aflame.
After the long, fierce battle, his entire body trembled, and black blood laced with poison streamed from his mouth and nose.
He couldn't show weakness before the enemy... but the time for pretense had long passed.
Namgung Yeon, lacking even the strength to stand, finally dropped to one knee.
‘Haa... haa...’
Just what.
Just how was he supposed to defeat that monster.
Why was it still perfectly fine.
Namgung Yeon's gaze drifted around.
Where his eyes stopped, cold corpses lay in disarray.
Until moments ago, they were the Murim Alliance heroes who had rushed to reclaim Dang Soran's body.
From the start, the blood- and entrails-soaked earth of Chungking bore full witness to how fiercely they had fought.
Among them were many dear to Namgung Yeon.
Dang Soran, fallen long ago and now pathetically caked in dirt.
And her father, Poison King Dang Jeokcheon, whose life had ended not long before.
They lay side by side, collapsed at the feet of that demonic figure.
In this battle where the Tang Clan of Sichuan and the Murim Alliance had joined forces, all had been swept away.
The Demonic Cult had slaughtered the Tang Clan retainers, then extracted their poisons and scattered them across the battlefield.
Air mingled with blood and venom had turned the field into hell.
‘Cough.’
The standing demoness let out a small cough.
But that was the only crack in her.
In the Demonic Cult's tongue, Moon Lord.
...But to the righteous sects, the Emei Sect traitor... Life-Pursuing Ghost, Cheongwol.
The nightmare of the martial world stood there.
Namgung Yeon couldn't pinpoint exactly why his legs shook.
Was it this poisonous mist? Exhaustion?
...Or facing the wall that even the leaders of the Nine Great Righteous Sects and Five Great Families couldn't topple.
Gazing upon a transcendent being brought an abyss of terror and awe.
He could hardly believe he was standing in her presence.
He could see why the Demonic Cult followers revered the Seven Heavens so.
An existence ignorant of defeat, Cheongwol.
Though this was his second time meeting her in person, his body screamed like a small beast facing a predator to flee.
It was the instinctive cry betraying Namgung Yeon's long, arduous training.
He had surely striven not to lag behind anyone.
Cheongwol raised her head.
Blood streamed from her eyes and ears.
...For a moment, Namgung Yeon couldn't fathom why Cheongwol looked so sorrowful.
She wasn't a monster capable of emotion.
Shattering Namgung Yeon's sentiment, Cheongwol raised her sword.
She merely whispered calmly.
‘If you give up, I'll let you die painlessly.’
Give up?
That word had Namgung Yeon reflecting on the years past.
Times of suffering. Years of endurance.
...And within them, the warm moments felt.
The Hidden Dragon Society he could enter thanks to Dang Jeokcheon. The friendship shared with Dang Soran, and her heartfelt encouragement.
The debts owed to Dang Soran and Dang Jeokcheon were beyond measure.
And now, their corpses lay at Cheongwol's feet.
He couldn't accept their deaths, and dwelling on it threatened tears, but such emotions were a luxury now.
To give up here would profane their deaths in the name of the Demonic Cult.
...How could he ever return.
Even for the sake of the dying Tang Clan retainers, he couldn't yield.
Even if he died here, he wouldn't retreat.
Yet Namgung Yeon's resolve and his ability were separate matters.
It wasn't a question of heart anymore; he needed results now.
But... the poison... and his qi...
‘...Ah.’
Suddenly, Namgung Yeon recalled a treasure from the Tang Clan of Sichuan.
Rummaging through his robes produced a single herbal root.
The Tang Clan of Sichuan's treasure, granting resistance to miscellaneous poisons for ten years upon consumption.
Detoxification Immortal Root.
Namgung Yeon chewed the root and rose to his feet once more.
****
“Young sir, how can you do this! This is a gift personally bestowed by the Clan Leader! Refusing goes beyond rude—it's insolent!”
“I-I said I won't take it, so why are you doing this!!”
I raised both hands to dodge the gift as best I could.
But Mukyeol wouldn't relent and kept closing in.
We darted around the narrow Leather Room like we were playing tag.
“Young sir! This truly isn't a treasure you can casually refuse!”
I know.
I know it's ridiculously precious.
If you think about it, it's like a nation's president giving a state guest a priceless gift.
And here I was refusing it.
They could well take it as an insult.
“I know! I know, but I'm not taking it!”
“Please, at least for the sake of our sincerity... or could it be you refuse to look after our young miss?! Is that your intent, young sir?!”
“What do you mean look after her! I said no!”
“Th-then take this treasure, please!!”
I can't help it!
For this world to reach a happy ending, the original protagonist, Namgung Yeon, needs to grow stronger!
Honestly, I wanted to shout to trade it for money... but saying that might get Mukyeol to execute me personally.
They're martial artists in name, but these guys obsess over face.
One of the worst things to touch is a Central Plains man's pride.
“Argh!!”
In the end, I yelled loudly from atop the bed.
Mukyeol stared at me blankly, hands outstretched.
“Who doesn't know! That it's a precious treasure!”
“Th-then...”
“But have you considered it? What happens if a nobody like me takes the Tang Clan of Sichuan's treasure! What if word spreads!”
Mukyeol's eyes widened.
“My life would be targeted! You only think from the giver's side, not the receiver's— is that fair?!”
“Y-young sir...”
“Do you see it as an insult! Then just cut me down here and be done! Come on! Come on!! Kill me! Do it!”
As I spread my arms and thrust out my chest, Mukyeol stepped back.
“Taking that gift means death anyway! I'm not strong like you, Young Mukyeol, nor do I have the power to protect myself from martial artists! What am I supposed to do if evil sect scum raid my Leather Room! Don't wreck my daily life!”
“...”
Mukyeol blinked as if lost in thought, then spoke in an awkward tone.
“I... hadn't thought of that. My apologies. I was just... the Clan Leader insisted I deliver it personally... and absolutely no refusal...”
...No, Poison King sir, what would I even use this for. When would I ever get poisoned...
“...”
A certain giggling brat flashed through my mind.
...Might there be a chance I get poisoned?
Huh? Did Poison King give this to me for that reason?
Whatever the case, even if it meant shitting my guts out daily, I had to refuse.
“If you understand, take it back. I don't need it.”
“I understand. Keeping it causes problems... So just consume it.”
“...Pardon?”
Mukyeol's eyes turned to those of a madman.
They burned only with determination to fulfill the Poison King's command.
“If you eat it, no one will target you, right? That was the intent anyway. I'll stand witness. Here, eat up, young sir. And please, take good care of our young miss.”
Mukyeol suddenly grabbed my wrist.
“Come on, ahh~. Ahh~.”
“Why are you doing this!! W-wait!!”
He started shoving the herb toward my mouth.
I clamped my lips shut and threw my head back.
The fragrant root smeared against my lips.
“Stop it! I dwon't!!”
If I eat this, the Central Plains ends!!
Realizing I couldn't stop Mukyeol, I cried out.
“Pbbt...! Pfft! I... I'll take it!!”
Mukyeol paused.
“I... I'll take it. So... don't make me eat it.”
Mukyeol froze, then grinned.
“Wise choice.”
.
.
.
After Mukyeol left, Dang Soran came to my side.
“How is it? Feeling better, Young Master?”
“...”
She squatted beside my utterly drained self.
Looking up at me in the chair.
“Did the Clan Leader get very angry? Probably, I bet.”
“...”
“Don't worry. If you take good care of me, I'll shield you from the Clan Leader.”
I looked at Dang Soran.
“...”
...You.
...Who the hell are you, really.
Dang Soran, you overgrown rat who's eaten claws.
This can't be Dang Soran.
She'd run from a single cat.
“...”
“...?”
But one thing was clear: if this was Dang Soran's scheme, it was working perfectly.
I genuinely wanted to smack her.
Like when I spanked her ass before, I wanted to see her bawling.
...But that was just my wishful thinking. The more this went on, the more cautious I had to be.
Kid-like, but still a kid who could kill me—Dang Soran.
SM with such a fickle girl, who knows what mess it'd turn into.
Even if I did, I'd have to struggle to hold my inner line for dear life.
Or she might torment me for real.
“...Wow...”
Dang Soran's face flushed as she watched me.
“...Young Master, that expression just now—it was like the one you showed a bit in my room, you know?”
...Fuck. But now that I've accepted the Poison King's gift, I can't outright ignore her.
What the hell am I supposed to do?
Since Poison King said take good care, does that mean just spank Dang Soran's ass?
Huh? Would that satisfy you? Me spanking your daughter's ass?
“...”
...No way. Makes it even more burdensome.
“...Ouch...”
My stomach hurt. Poison King probably had no idea what he was asking. He'd faint clutching his neck if he knew.
...No clue how many guys Dang Soran has wrapped around her finger.
SM requires trust and affection to begin with.
It's not just any act.
SM without affection is mere violence, nothing more or less.
It's not something for lovers; it's no different from a one-night stand to sate urges.
At least a one-night stand relieves urges. SM without affection doesn't even arouse, so no relief there.
It's the crying of someone precious that turns you on, not a stranger's tears.
...If they're pretty, it kinda does. Honestly, Cheongwol and Dang Soran have a bit of that vibe...
Anyway, point is, not worth risking my life for.
And without affection, it's exhausting for the sadist... so why the hell do it with Dang Soran?
...Cheongwol's just a life threat, so that's different.
In the end, I ignored Dang Soran and stood.
“Take care. I have somewhere to be.”
Dang Soran scowled and rose.
“Why do you keep ignoring just me!!”
I walked past the raging Dang Soran.
The Detoxification Immortal Root nestled safely in my robes.
.
.
.
“...I have something to send to Brother Weichang.”
I leaned over the counter and whispered.
Ga Yeong also glanced around cautiously and leaned in.
“Deputy Leader Weichang of the Hao Gate? What is it?”
“...You don't need to know what. Just know it's extremely, extremely precious. Whether the escort bureau handles it or the Hao Gate moves it... it must reach its owner.”
I wanted the Detoxification Immortal Root out of my hands as soon as possible.
But this small village at the base of Mount Emei had no escort bureau, and even if it did, I lacked the funds to entrust valuables.
Better to borrow the Hao Gate's power now.
Ga Yeong looked worried.
“You really... what the heck is your deal? How have you hidden secrets like this all this time?”
“I don't know either. Anyway... can you do it?”
“What are you sending?”
“...”
I pulled out a silk-wrapped bundle from my robes.
Ga Yeong gasped at the luxurious fabric, glanced around, and snatched it hurriedly.
“Why act like this...! What the heck is it....! I'm scared, Seojin.”
“Just send it. I'm scared to death too.”
“Hey! If you're scared, what about me...!”
“...”
“So who're you sending it to?”
“Namgung Yeon of the Namgung Family.”
“No way... how do you even know that young master?”
“We're not close. Ga Yeong, just stop asking and send it. Keep it secret that it's from me.”
“A-alright.”
“Please... pretty please, got it?”
“Y-yeah.”
.
.
.
“I'm sorry, esteemed one! I'm sorry!! Waaah!!”
Days later, Weichang was kowtowing in my Leather Room.
“...Pardon?”
The leather knife slipped from my hand and clattered to the floor.
Tears streaming, Weichang cried out.
“The bandits... took it!!”