Chapter 10: The Conspirators (1)

The Heavenly Demon’s daughters have the severed meridian syndrome.

Though the Martial Alliance Leader’s declaration was shocking, it was information I already knew.

But ‘daughters’? Plural?

The Great Princess.
Officially, the Heavenly Demon has only one daughter.
And she has the syndrome, which is what I knew.

Are there unofficial, illegitimate daughters I’m unaware of?

“What does that mean? The Heavenly Demon has three daughters… and all have the syndrome?”
The Divine Monk, unaware of this, looks at the Alliance Leader with a face full of betrayal, but the Alliance Leader merely shrugs in response.

“Intelligence from Kunlun, Divine Monk. He fathered three daughters with a master of ice techniques, but only the youngest, the current Great Princess, remains, while the others ‘died.’”

Died.
A figure of speech, not literal.

“Officially, yes. But it’s only due to the Heavenly Demon’s cruelty. In truth, they’re very much alive. He kept only the current Great Princess and abandoned the others, but they’re definitely alive.”

Ah.
Abandoned.
Two women’s faces flash through my mind.

“And those two women seek revenge. While suffering from the syndrome, they harbor vengeance against the Heavenly Demon who cast them aside.”

He kept only the most talented daughter, denying the parent-child bond with the others—

Thrown into the cave, were they?

The Heavenly Demon was serious about raising latent poisons.
Among those meant to destroy factions, two orphans were his own discarded daughters.

They survived tenaciously and secured their places.
Just as I established myself in the Moyong Clan, others have done the same.

Latent poisons know each other.
They know who’s hiding where.

Especially someone like me, whose past is barely laundered and who stands exposed. The core courtesans of the ‘Demon Enchantresses’ in various pleasure houses likely know I’m a disciple of the Demonic Healer.

But I’m not worried.
My actions as a physician outweigh any accusations of my Demonic Cult origins.

And it’s not an era where being from the cult means you’re hunted down.

Since the Sword Saint decisively defeated the Heavenly Demon, the cult is a shadow of its former self, languishing and barely more than a fading sect forced to close its gates.

But still.

The Heavenly Demon sent his own daughters as latent poisons?

Revulsion surges within me at the thought of that man.

“In fact, I’m not unrelated to the syndrome either.”
“What do you mean?”
“My head disciple, Kunlun’s Jin Hyeon, is the eldest of the Heavenly Demon’s three daughters.”

The Divine Monk’s jaw drops, while the Sword Empress and the imperial representative openly grimace.

Those unaware react with shock; those who knew think, ‘Why reveal it?’

My heart sinks.

Even the solitude nestled in my heart must be perking up, listening intently to this revelation.

“Practicing extreme yang martial arts, typically for men, can suppress the syndrome’s pain to some extent. So, I won’t ask Physician Seok to kiss or sleep with my disciple for her relief. I—”

Is it my imagination, or does Moyong Seol’s hostility toward the Alliance Leader lessen slightly at his firm statement?

“I’m revealing this not as Kunlun’s sect leader, closest to the Demonic Cult and first to suffer if they act, but as the Martial Alliance Leader, concerned for the peace of the entire martial world.”
“Even while taking the Heavenly Demon’s abandoned daughter as your head disciple?”
“Divine Monk, see the bigger picture. Born of the demonic, one can still walk the path of the Dao or Buddhism, can they not?”

Despite the Divine Monk’s overt disgust, the Alliance Leader suppresses him with reason.

“Frankly, even if the cult rampages, can they overcome Shaolin, where you reside? Or breach Huashan in Shaanxi?”
“…No.”

The Divine Monk answers in a pained voice.

“My concern transcends the orthodox-demonic divide. It’s the countless pleas from syndrome patients reaching for Physician Seok, like the Purple Sword Sect leader.”

The Alliance Leader turns to me.

“Physician Seok, will you kiss not only the Heavenly Demon’s daughters but all women with the syndrome?”
“Absolutely not.”

My answer is sharp.

“Kissing is for Miss Moyong alone. The ‘medicinal fluid’ from me can be shared indirectly in countless ways.”
“Exactly. That’s the point. In that vein, I, Supreme True Lord, have a proposal…”

He points to the ceiling.

“Let’s deceive the world for now. Claim we’ve developed a new medicine.”
“Alliance Leader.”
“It’s not a bad deal for the Moyong Clan. Miss Moyong, what do you think? Shall we stuff medicine into patients’ mouths under the guise of a new drug, or let other women—”
“Sticking tongues in is absolutely unacceptable.”

Moyong Seol grips my hand tightly as she answers.

“Better to deceive the world with a lie.”

We’re already deceiving, so it’s no burden.
Better than having women come to me demanding to be ‘penetrated.’

Don’t forget. I’ll repay this debt… with my body.

Several latent poisons flash through my mind, but I suppress the thought.

In this hell, you were the only one who saw me as a person.

Even if they’re the Heavenly Demon’s daughters.

Late evening.
In a bustling inn, conversations inevitably turn to the latest martial world rumors.

Yet the inn is silent.
Despite every seat being filled, so packed that ordinary patrons turn back at the door with an “Oh my,” it’s as quiet as if a single sound could kill.

“Well.”

Someone cautiously speaks.

“Is the syndrome really curable?”

That sparks the explosion.

“Do you believe that? The Moyong Clan must be hiding some incredible medicine with that excuse.”
“No way. Could they really say they slept together like that?”
“With so many suitors vying for the Moyong Clan’s precious daughter, it’s the Sword Saint’s strategy to block them all.”

The inn’s patrons discuss the ‘syndrome cure’ in their own ways.

Upstairs, in a space off-limits to commoners, a black-haired woman occupies a table, delicately eating xiaolongbao with chopsticks.

Wearing Kunlun robes, she’s Jin Hyeon, head disciple of the Alliance Leader and Kunlun Sect Leader, Supreme True Lord.

With xiaolongbao in her mouth, she glances down with faintly reddened eyes before looking away.

Step, step.
Another woman approaches Jin Hyeon.
Despite her staring, Jin Hyeon keeps eating, eyes fixed downward.

“Sister.”
“…How close does the head disciple of the Jeomchang Sect think she is with me?”

Jin Hyeon’s face hardens at the word ‘sister,’ answering without looking.

“I’m eating. Even dogs aren’t disturbed.”
“Woof woof.”
“I heard you defied the Sword Saint. You’ve gone completely mad.”
“If I’m a madwoman, so are you, sister.”

At So Yeonjeok’s blunt words, Jin Hyeon frowns.
To an onlooker, the two women might seem eerily similar.

Like sisters.

“So, why are you here?”
“What’s your plan? Will you let Muwol be devoured by Moyong Seol?”
“Devoured… too proud to use another term?”

Jin Hyeon picks up another xiaolongbao.

“What? Your hands and feet trembling because Muwol was taken by a woman you thought would die soon? Hmm?”
“Sister.”
“You planned to take Muwol from the Moyong Clan, bring him to Jeomchang, keep him by your side, and have that kind of relationship, but now your plans are ruined, and you’re burning inside, right?”
“Who are you talking about? Me or you?”

At So Yeonjeok’s taunting, Jin Hyeon sets down the xiaolongbao she was about to eat.

“Someone might think I’m as obsessed with Muwol as you are.”
“Not true? Your lifesaver. You’ve been trying to steal Muwol even before he joined the Moyong Clan. The Great Princess, going so far as to become Kunlun’s head disciple.”
“Hah.”

Jin Hyeon grimaces, tearing the xiaolongbao with her chopsticks.

“Don’t talk carelessly. This is the heart of the orthodox world, with countless listening ears.”
“How many latent poisons are scattered across martial sects? Those who don’t know, don’t, but those who do, know.”
“If they pick a fight, they’ll fall. Jeomchang took in the Second Princess, So Yeonjeok, because it benefits them, right?”
“…”
“By harnessing the yin energy from the syndrome, you can forge a supreme master of yin techniques in just a few years.”

Jin Hyeon points between herself and So Yeonjeok.

“Kunlun took the Heavenly Demon’s eldest daughter as a hostage, but Jeomchang aims to build the greatest sect with the Second Princess’s bloodline, raising a swordsman surpassing the one killed by Sword Saint Moyong Cheon.”

Jin Hyeon smirks, wielding her chopsticks.

“You plan to take Physician Seok as your lover, have him contribute to Jeomchang’s medicine, and bear his child to raise as a Jeomchang master. Am I wrong?”
“And you, hiding in Kunlun playing hostage, why come all the way to Liaodong? Got a hunch?”
“No, none. Honestly, all my plans fell apart.”

Jin Hyeon sighs deeply.

“I thought I could get an elixir from Physician Seok to nurture yang energy, but it’s not an elixir—it’s bodily fluids.”

She rolls up her sleeve.
Her fingers, her arm—devoid of any vitality.

“You’re the same. Extreme yang techniques… inner energy methods to nurture yang are the only way we survive. And only through ‘demonic techniques.’”
“…”
“Kunlun aims to perfect a method to wield both energies as Taiji through me, while Jeomchang bets on your talent and spirit. Either way, we’ll die before thirty… no, forty.”
“You…”
“But now things have changed. What now, my rival? Is Jeomchang’s leader telling you to head to the bedroom?”
“Don’t cross the line, you madwoman.”

So Yeonjeok grips her teacup, but Jin Hyeon, with a cold face, picks up another xiaolongbao.

“Sister—”
“Little sister, splash that on me, and you’re dead.”

As Jin Hyeon’s eyes flash gold, So Yeonjeok sets the teacup down.

“…”
“I’m talking reality. Things have changed. You think they’ll stay quiet? The weakened cult took the Heavenly Demon’s daughters for their ‘Transcendent Realm’ bloodline, but now that woman, ungrateful for their protection, is ready to risk her life for a Moyong Clan man?”
“My life…”
“Don’t forget. Even if the cult is a toothless tiger, even if that bipolar coward won’t come down from Tian Shan, a Transcendent Realm master is still a Transcendent Realm master.”
“No shame talking about our father like that.”
“Shut up.”

Jin Hyeon shoves a xiaolongbao in her mouth.

“So, what’s your plan? Climb the Moyong Clan’s walls and pounce?”
“That’s…”
“Extra, extra!”

A man bursts through the inn’s door.

“Official declaration from the Martial Alliance Leader!”

Everyone in the inn perks up, including the two Heavenly Demon’s daughters in orthodox sect attire.

“The cure for the syndrome lies in the ‘Extreme Yang Preservation Pill,’ refined with Physician Seok Muwol’s vital energy!”
“…Huh?”
“…”

So Yeonjeok tilts her head, and Jin Hyeon raises an eyebrow.

“What… They said sleeping was the cure, now it’s a pill? So the sleeping thing…!”
“They could’ve told the truth, but they’re covering it up. The master’s intent, perhaps.”
“What do you mean?”
“A disguise.”

Jin Hyeon makes a circle with her fingers, stabbing her chopsticks through it.

“This is the real deal, but they’re too embarrassed to say it publicly, so they’re sugarcoating it.”
“But… that puts Muwol…”
“Muwol was always going to draw attention. Listen, my rival, since we’re from the same boat.”

Jin Hyeon stabs the last xiaolongbao.

“You think the syndrome, spread across the Central Plains, is just a martial artist’s disease, and Muwol being the only cure is pure coincidence?”
“Sister.”
“I…”
“Acting all knowing, but aren’t you just trying to claim Muwol too?”
“No. I don’t care if Muwol loves Moyong Seol or anyone else… except one person.”
“Who, me?”
“No way.”

Jin Hyeon shrugs.

“Anyone but the youngest… no, the cult’s ‘Great Princess’ taking Muwol.”

The news spreads, reaching the Demonic Cult in Tian Shan.

“Oh my.”

A white-haired girl, childlike in appearance, giggles at the message from a carrier pigeon.

“Big brother slept with a woman named Moyong Seol.”
“Great Princess, that’s not the issue! This concerns the cult’s survival…”

Crunch.

“…Hehe.”
“G-Great Princess…! Retract the Heavenly Demon Divine Art…!”

The girl crumples the paper, her red eyes gleaming.

“An old hag four years older than me… stole big brother’s first time…?”