Chapter 321 : Lust Demon
At the sudden suggestion that she should become stronger.
Seo-wol looked back and forth between Jin Seong-un and Abbess Jeonghye with a bewildered expression. Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed the abbess already knew what was going on.
“Um, how exactly? Is Master Jin going to train with me or something?”
There was subtle anticipation in Seo-wol’s voice.
She too had heard countless rumors about the Guest Dragon, and she had even personally witnessed his astonishing martial prowess at the Moon Command Sect.
“That is not it. I intend to pass down a Heart Method.”
“A Heart Method?”
Seo-wol widened her eyes and looked toward Abbess Jeonghye. As a disciple of the Emei Sect, she was asking whether it was truly acceptable for her to receive another person’s cultivation method.
Abbess Jeonghye answered.
“It is an inner cultivation method left behind by one of our grand patriarchs.”
“What? Who?”
Abbess Jeonghye’s lips twitched slightly.
She needed to say the name “Noble Enchantress,” yet the words refused to come out easily.
Accepting it in one’s mind and erasing the deeply rooted notions accumulated over countless years were entirely different matters.
Thus, Jin Seong-un spoke instead.
“Noble Enchantress. The ones who founded Aewol Temple were her disciples.”
Seo-wol’s mouth slowly fell open.
The expression of shock on her face was almost identical to the one Abbess Jeonghye had worn before.
“W-wait a moment. Just wait……”
It was only natural.
Anyone would find the situation itself strange, but now the name Noble Enchantress had even entered the conversation.
Having finally organized her thoughts, Abbess Jeonghye spoke in her usual calm and gentle voice.
“For now, keep this known only to yourself. I intend to announce it to the entire Emei Sect soon, but the process will likely not be easy……”
Seo-wol gradually began accepting her words with a serious expression.
Abbess Jeonghye explained the truths related to Aewol Temple, the events that had occurred at the Moon Command Sect, and the entire process through which they had attempted to master the Women’s Moon Heart Method.
Seo-wol’s eyes spun in confusion.
The story was difficult to believe, yet her trust in Abbess Jeonghye outweighed even that.
After a brief period of confusion, she eventually accepted every word as truth.
“……So you’re saying I should try learning the Women’s Moon Heart Method.”
Abbess Jeonghye nodded.
Seo-wol then looked at Jin Seong-un with a solemn expression.
“What should I do?”
“I do not believe I can explain it properly through words alone. Therefore, I will directly demonstrate the circulation of qi through your body.”
“M-my body?”
Seo-wol immediately looked tense.
Any martial artist would naturally recoil from handing control of their inner qi over to another person.
“He is a man worthy of trust.”
Abbess Jeonghye’s words moved Seo-wol at once.
In the end, she sat down cross-legged.
Jin Seong-un carefully placed his hand against her back.
“I will begin.”
Jin Seong-un slowly pushed in the Women’s Moon Qi. A faint trace of energy gradually approached the area near her dantian.
At once, the internal energy within her body began twitching little by little in response to the Women’s Moon Qi.
Ever since mastering the Original True Face Art, Jin Seong-un had become far more adept at processes such as this.
“Turn your palms upward.”
Seo-wol followed his instructions and flipped her palms toward the sky.
Her internal energy delicately moved through her meridians in accordance with the incantations of the Women’s Moon Heart Method.
‘……It moves like this?’
Seo-wol sensed that this was somehow different from ordinary cultivation methods.
Normally, qi circulated from top to bottom and from left to right. That was the natural flow.
But this movement was different.
At times, it moved from right to left. It even traveled upward from below without hesitation.
She could not fully grasp the meaning behind every movement.
However, she could clearly feel that this Heart Method did not belong within the framework of conventional orthodox martial arts.
At that moment, Seo-wol felt as if every meridian throughout her body had opened wide.
She suddenly realized that impurities she had never sensed before had been lodged within her meridians, and that they were now being expelled in an instant.
“Ah……”
Seo-wol unconsciously let out a sound.
She knew it was dangerous to lose concentration, but she was simply too shocked.
A tiny stream of pure white and precious energy blossomed above her palm.
It was incomparably pure and clear, like the very first spring water ever to emerge in the world.
Even the Tiger Subjugation Qi of the Emei Sect, which she had once considered pure and majestic, now felt murky in comparison.
Jin Seong-un removed his hand from her back.
At the same time, the Women’s Moon Qi lingering above Seo-wol’s palm scattered away as though washed clean.
Looking regretful, Seo-wol repeatedly clenched and unclenched her hand before speaking.
“Wh-what in the world was that?”
“It is the qi of Noble Enchantress, one of the four roots of the Emei Sect.”
Abbess Jeonghye’s voice carried faint excitement.
Having directly seen and felt that energy herself, Seo-wol would surely realize the same truth she had.
“Was history distorted?”
As expected.
Just as Abbess Jeonghye once had, Seo-wol concluded that the creator of the Women’s Moon Heart Method could never have been an evil woman.
Jin Seong-un nodded.
“I intend to correct that history.”
“The Emei Sect shall also take part. And naturally, Seo-wol, you too will stand at the forefront.”
Seo-wol fiddled with her fingers for a moment, as if savoring the lingering sensation of the Women’s Moon Qi. Then she sat cross-legged once more with a determined expression.
“I’ll try it myself.”
There were many things she wished to ask.
There were still countless explanations she needed to hear.
Yet she understood that before the sensation etched into her hands and body faded away, reproducing the Heart Method again took priority.
Seo-wol closed her eyes and focused.
Just as Jin Seong-un had guided her, she slowly moved her qi along the same pathway.
Once. Twice.
Yet no Women’s Moon Qi bloomed forth.
A Heart Method gained meaning only after one comprehended the principles contained within it, not by merely mimicking the movements.
Three times. Four times……
Before long, she had already repeated it more than ten times.
Her concentration was so intense that sweat formed upon her forehead, and even the surrounding air grew lukewarm.
Jin Seong-un and Abbess Jeonghye remained completely motionless, waiting endlessly as they watched her.
How much time passed like that?
Flash.
For a brief instant, Women’s Moon Qi formed atop her palm before vanishing again.
It lasted for no more than a fleeting moment—so brief that it would have been embarrassing to even call it proper execution of the Heart Method.
Even so, both Seo-wol and Abbess Jeonghye felt overwhelming exhilaration. If the first step had been taken, then at the very least, it meant the direction was correct.
Only then did Jin Seong-un finally relax and speak.
“With this, the purpose of my visit to the Emei Sect has been fulfilled.”
Abbess Jeonghye quietly gazed at him.
The Guest Dragon had bestowed grace upon the Emei Sect, and when asked what he desired in return, he had merely said that he wished to visit the Emei Sect, a forbidden zone for men.
Yet now it seemed even that visit had been for the sake of restoring the Emei Sect’s true Heart Method.
A strange emotion appeared within Abbess Jeonghye’s eyes.
Jin Seong-un knew that look very well.
Hyeon-un of the Wudang Sect, Sima Baek of the Murim Alliance, Tang Tae-san of the Tang Clan, Shin Mok, the Emperor……
In any case, it was the sort of gaze elders often showed him.
And dangerous words usually followed such looks.
Jin Seong-un subtly shifted his footing. Since his goal had already been accomplished, he was prepared to flee at any moment.
“Guest Dragon.”
“……Yes.”
“Are there any vacant rooms left at the inn?”
She was clearly referring to Seo-wol.
If she wished to learn the Women’s Moon Heart Method, it would be better for her to remain near the Guest Dragon. Moreover, no one understood better than Abbess Jeonghye how greatly youngsters like Seomun Ak and Moyong Hyeon had grown while staying at that inn.
Jin Seong-un relaxed his guard for a moment.
No matter what, he still considered himself an innkeeper rather than a martial artist.
For an instant, the calculations of a merchant crossed his mind.
Additional labor was always welcome.
“Yes, actually soon……”
As Jin Seong-un answered, his eyes suddenly met Seo-wol’s. He recalled the sight of her pretending to stop Seomun Ak while secretly kicking Paeng An-cheol.
One Seomun Ak was already more than enough.
If another troublemaker were added, it would merely provide Young Master Seo with even more entertainment.
“Ah, there are none.”
“Really?”
Abbess Jeonghye fixed him with a steady gaze.
The profound eyes of a nun who had cultivated herself for an entire lifetime.
Jin Seong-un thought it extremely difficult to lie while looking directly into those eyes.
“……There are some.”
“Seo-wol.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
“Go to Yichang Inn. The Guest Dragon is, after all, a benefactor of the Emei Sect. We naturally ought to repay him, yet he is a man who desires so little in return. At the very least, go and help with the work there.”
Seo-wol’s eyes sparkled brightly.
Due to the secluded nature of the Emei Sect, she had rarely ever participated in exchanges among the later-generation prodigies.
Whenever the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes were mentioned, she had always believed she possessed the skill to stand among them.
“Really?”
As long as she could see the outside world, she did not care in what manner.
A place bustling with people at all times, and one where cheerful men like Seomun Ak existed, sounded even better.
“Of course, if the Guest Dragon permits it.”
The two women turned to look at Jin Seong-un.
He fell into brief contemplation.
If he refused, the two women before him would be disappointed.
Furthermore, if this matter reached Young Master Seo’s ears, Jin Seong-un would likely have to endure a long stretch of rebellious laziness from him.
“……Very well.”
“Kyaaah!”
Seo-wol jumped into the air.
Abbess Jeonghye, who had also been secretly delighted, hurriedly regained her composure and scolded her to maintain her dignity.
Whether she listened or not, Seo-wol excitedly asked,
“We’re leaving right after the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering ends, right?”
“That is correct.”
“What should I prepare?”
Though Seo-wol was nearing thirty, she looked as excited as a young girl departing on her first journey.
Jin Seong-un let out a small sigh before answering.
“Nothing in particular. A spare set of clothes should suffice.”
“Clothes, huh. Very nice.”
For some reason, Seo-wol wore a rather suspicious smile.
Now that she would finally enjoy some freedom, she wondered if she should prepare a few ordinary outfits instead of only the garments of a nun.
“Ah, I wish it would end quickly!”
Seo-wol had originally been eagerly anticipating the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering because she intended to officially beat up Paeng An-cheol.
Now she no longer cared about that at all. She simply wanted the event to end quickly so she could head to Yichang.
Abbess Jeonghye inwardly worried at the sight, yet at the same time, seeing the girl she regarded almost like a granddaughter so happy filled her with affection and satisfaction.
After quietly watching Seo-wol for a moment, she suddenly transmitted her voice to Jin Seong-un.
* Though you’ve likely already realized it, she is still inexperienced. She may occasionally make absurd mistakes, so when that happens, I ask that you discipline her firmly.
* How could I possibly do that to a lady older than myself……?
* What does age matter? You are, in a sense, her teacher.
After all, he was the one teaching her the Women’s Moon Heart Method.
Jin Seong-un nodded, feeling his already heavy shoulders grow even heavier.
Only then did Abbess Jeonghye finally smile in relief.
---
The excitement surrounding the upcoming Dragon-Phoenix Gathering burned intensely.
Seo-wol, who wished to leave quickly; Seomun Ak, driven by his vulgar desire to show off; Moyong Hyeon, filled with tension; and all the other later-generation prodigies continued waiting for their own reasons.
As the invited prodigies and female heroes gradually arrived from across the land, the night before the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering finally arrived.
A man approached the mountain gate of the Emei Sect.
He was clearly far beyond the age expected of an invited prodigy.
The young disciples guarding the gate spoke sternly to him.
“Beyond this mountain gate lies the Emei Sect. This is clearly a Forbidden Zone for Men, so we ask that you come no closer.”
Yet the man in the darkness continued approaching.
His body swayed unsteadily from side to side, looking extremely unstable.
The two nuns exchanged glances before placing their hands on the wooden swords at their waists.
As the man drew closer to the mountain gate, his appearance finally became visible.
“A-are you alright?”
“What in the world……!”
His entire body was drenched in blood.
One of his ankles already appeared broken, making the fact that he had climbed all the way here seem miraculous.
When the man staggered violently, the two nuns hurried forward and caught him.
Then he spoke in a cracking voice.
“……The Dokgo Clan group heading toward the Emei Sect was massacred. Even the Clan Head and the elders were all killed.”
“What?”
One of the nuns cried out in shock.
The Dokgo Clan’s eldest daughter, Dokgo Seol, had been scheduled to participate in this Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. Since she was a rather talented later-generation prodigy, the nuns were already familiar with her.
Moreover, the Dokgo Clan was a massive power comparable to the Five Great Clans. How could someone possibly slaughter them even with the Clan Head and elders present?
“W-who did it? No, where did it happen? No, that’s not what I mean…….”
The young nuns became completely flustered.
They needed to report the situation immediately, but they were unsure whether it was even safe to bring this man inside.
The man continued speaking in a faint voice.
“Yongxian of Yunnan. A Lust Demon with the face of a fox suddenly appeared and slaughtered everyone regardless of man or woman…… Hurry and inform the Sect Leader……”
As soon as he finished speaking, the man’s hand fell limply to the ground.