SWNOVELXO Chapter 172
Chapter 172: Warning
Upon hearing Yeon Sowol’s words, Yujinhwi flinched. Her hands trembled slightly.
‘As expected…’
A fleeting change of expression. But that split second was enough for Jeoksawol’s narrowed gaze to capture it.
There’s no doubt.
She recalled when she had faced Jin Soso in her original identity as Jeoksawol. Not only did she easily deflect the qi of the Hyeongyeong’s Mastery, but she also had the insane talent to improve martial arts in real time through him.
There couldn’t be two people in the world with such talent.
The Gongdong Alliance’s Yujinhwi is Jin Soso of the One Sword Play.
‘So Yujin Gongja… is actually a cross-dresser.’
Jin Soso is a woman; Yujinhwi is a man.
One of these appearances must be false, but Jeoksawol was convinced that Yujinhwi was the one deceiving them.
There was no way to ignore Jin Soso, who had provocatively kissed Lee Cheol-soo while barely clad.
Moreover, Yujinhwi was notoriously known for his obsessive attachment to Lee Cheol-soo that exceeded that of typical brotherhood.
The paradox in Yujinhwi’s actions could only be resolved by assuming that Yujinhwi was indeed a woman and had feelings for Lee Cheol-soo.
Yujinhwi was originally a woman but had clearly disguised herself as a man to become the future leader of the Gongdong Sect and rebuild her faction.
It wasn’t uncommon for talented women to cross-dress in the martial world. After all, in the turbulent martial arts society, a man’s body held a slight advantage over a woman’s.
“It’s useless to make excuses, Yujin Gongja. The young lady knows. I know that you are not a man, but in fact a woman.”
Jeoksawol was ten, no, a hundred percent certain.
A deeper smile crept onto her lips.
Upon seeing this, Yujinhwi closed and opened her eyes.
‘I’ve been found out.’
Her heart sank heavily. But she wasn’t too shocked.
She had anticipated this day would come. Though she had maintained a disguise, information factions like the Beggar Sect or Hao Mun could unveil her identity as Jin Soso through various intelligence reports.
The Yeon Sowol before her was the Post-Stimulation Indicator of the Hao Mun.
‘If Yeon Sojeo speaks like that, she must have her reasons.’
Yujinhwi’s gaze turned icy.
She bit her lip slightly.
Seeing this, Jeoksawol chuckled.
“Hmph. Your method of seducing by approaching the Leader while in disguise is no different from mine.”
Exactly.
There was no difference; they were alike.
Yujinhwi had also approached Lee Cheol-soo while concealing her identity. She must be deceiving the Leader.
She wouldn’t want her true self to be uncovered.
Just like Jeoksawol herself.
Jeoksawol thought this way as she spoke to Yujinhwi.
“If the Gongdong Alliance’s Yujin Gongja’s true identity as Jin Soso gets revealed, and if it becomes known that you have been hiding your love for the Leader all this time while deceiving him, I wonder what he’ll say to you…”
She had unraveled all the secrets.
Now, the initiative was in her hands.
Just at that moment when Jeoksawol spoke confidently to Yujinhwi.
“No.”
Yujinhwi sharply interrupted Jeoksawol’s words.
Swish.
Yujinhwi dispelled the Reverse Transformation Technique and Bone-Wasting Technique. Swoosh. Bandages fell from beneath her attire. Her baggy outfit inflated.
A breathtaking beauty with snow-white skin, sharp features, and flowing jet-black hair that shimmered with a deep hue emerged.
Yujinhwi, having completely shed her disguise, returned to her stunning form and smiled.
“As for the fact that I’m a woman, my Master already knows, Yeon Sojeo. He accepted me after realizing my identity.”
Yujinhwi recalled the events of that day.
Having lost her rationality under the influence of the Spring Drug, when she had assaulted her Master, she had made up her mind.
She had deceived her Master thus far. She had even tried to violate him in a lustful manner.
She would be hated. It wouldn’t be surprising if her Master distanced himself from her. Yujinhwi had no words to defend herself against any blame for being deceived until now.
Yet her Master had not done so.
He had accepted her for who she was. He had told her it was fine. It didn’t matter to him if she was a woman rather than a man.
Remembering that day, a shy blush crept onto Yujinhwi’s cheeks.
Her heart raced.
Her Master was everything to Yujinhwi. The reason for her existence. She couldn’t imagine a world without him.
She vowed to protect him until the very end.
Yujinhwi’s gaze turned towards Jeoksawol.
“So, no matter my identity, that is not what’s important right now. I don’t care what others say. My Master sees me as his disciple, and that is enough for me.”
The person who mattered most to Yujinhwi was her Master.
Her Master and Senior were the next most important.
However, to her, anyone outside the Gongdong Sect held no significance or value.
It was true that being found out about her gender would be somewhat troublesome. But it wasn’t a critical weakness for her.
Yujinhwi was well aware of her abilities.
The greatest talent in a millennium.
A genius among geniuses, Yujinhwi. There was no way that a mere gender revelation would prevent her from claiming the title of the world’s best.
In response to Yujinhwi’s unwavering stance, it was Jeoksawol who was taken aback. She bit her lip slightly.
‘Did she really overlook it even when she knew?’
Unbelievable.
How?
No, could it be that because she was family, she took it lightly? Jeoksawol’s mind became chaotic.
Jeoksawol said.
“B-but if the world finds out your identity… then still…”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Yujinhwi interrupted Jeoksawol again.
“I believe in my Master. Even if my identity is revealed to the world, my Master will see me as his disciple and trust me. After all, we are bound as siblings. It’s natural.”
Yujinhwi was indifferent.
Even if her true identity was exposed, it didn’t concern her anymore. Of course, some annoying issues might arise, but if it meant protecting her Master, she was prepared to reveal her identity at any time.
Jeoksawol’s cheeks twitched upon hearing Yujinhwi’s words.
‘H-how can she do that?’
Jeoksawol couldn’t understand.
But the emotions she observed in Yujinhwi using her techniques were genuine. Even without employing her techniques, it was clear that Yujinhwi was not skilled at hiding her feelings.
Yujinhwi was the type whose face would easily betray her if she told a lie.
Thus, Jeoksawol became even more flustered.
Their thought processes were fundamentally different.
‘Is she just being cocky because she’s young?’
If it wasn’t that, it couldn’t be explained. But whether it was cockiness or not, at this moment, Yujinhwi was unfazed by any threats or temptations.
As Jeoksawol was feeling flustered, Yujinhwi’s voice reached her ears.
“So, whatever words Yeon Sojeo may say, my heart will not waver. Yeon Sojeo, I ask again. Who are you? Why did you approach my Master?”
With Yujinhwi’s bold question, Jeoksawol feigned calmness as she replied.
“I told you earlier. I am Yeon Sowol, the second disciple of Baek Myeon-am-gun, and I approached the Leader purely because I admire him.”
Yujinhwi’s cold voice responded to Jeoksawol’s brazen act with her face covered in a mask.
“You still refuse to tell the truth. As a disciple and a top disciple of the Gongdong Sect, I can no longer overlook a suspicious woman, especially one from the Sahmaweido approaching my Master.”
Yujinhwi’s sharp gaze focused on Yeon Sowol.
“No matter what you spread, I will not waver. If you have no intention to reveal the truth, please do not approach my Master any longer.”
With swift motions,
Yujinhwi wrapped her chest with bandages and activated the Reverse Transformation Technique and Bone-Wasting Technique to return to her masculine form.
“W-wait…”
“I have said all I needed to say. That’s enough.”
Jeoksawol tried to catch Yujinhwi, but she didn’t listen and vanished instantaneously.
Seeing this, Jeoksawol’s hands trembled.
‘…This arrogant brat!’
Flames ignited in Jeoksawol’s eyes.
It was shocking that she had kept her identity hidden, but now she was being warned not to approach any longer without even hearing her response.
Incredible.
‘Did she think I’d just back down if she told me not to?’
There was no way she could retreat.
Until she completely possessed Lee Cheol-soo’s heart, she would continue to linger by his side.
Though Jeoksawol resolved to do so, she felt a tinge of envy.
Lee Cheol-soo accepted Yujinhwi even knowing her identity.
But why didn’t he… accept her?
“Ugh…”
Jeoksawol let out a groan as she stood up.
The more she thought about it, the more it gave her a headache.
Yujinhwi and Jeoksawol were different. Then, she would have to devise her own method to capture Lee Cheol-soo’s heart.
With this thought, Jeoksawol moved towards the banquet hall.
*
At the same time.
In a dark secret chamber set up inside a certain royal chamber of the New Religion Headquarters, far from the bustling Heavenly Horse Hall where the banquet was in full swing.
In the completely darkened room, a middle-aged man clad in black robes stood alone.
He was none other than Changma, one of the five masters that supported the Demon Sect and a member of the Five Demons.
On the table in the secret chamber lay a snuffed yellow candle.
Fssst.
As Changma lit the candle with a lighter,
Wooshhhhh…
The flame swelled, illuminating the room brightly. The strange fire grew nearer to that of a torch and released demonic energy.
Soon after, the flame took on a human form.
“Long time no see, Changma.”
A devilish voice emanated from the flame.
“Gangsimajon. I have secretly repaired the mechanisms of the Heavenly Demon Mound you ordered in the Demon Realm. With the Post-Stimulation Indicators of those kids, they won’t be able to discover it or break through.”
“Well done, Changma. The body of the ancient Heavenly Demon sleeping in the Heavenly Demon Mound will soon be fully matured. The Heavenly Demon Zombie is finally being born. The strongest zombie that even contemporary Heavenly Demons would be hard-pressed to handle. Ha ha ha ha ha.”
Changma smiled at the words of the Heavenly Demon.
“You promised me that you would turn me into a Heavenly Demon; you’ll keep that promise, right?”
“Of course. I, Gangsimajon, vice leader of the Blood Sect, swear. If you keep your promise to join our sect, I too will aid you in becoming a Heavenly Demon. Only help me until the Heavenly Demon Zombie is born.”
The candle imbued with Gangsimajon’s will trembled ominously.
Seeing this, sparks of purple lightning fizzed from Changma’s body.
The aura of the Purple Lightning Demon Technique of the Purple Lightning Gate enveloped the secret chamber.
As one of the strongest among the Five Demons, Changma held the position of a prominent figure in the ancient top demon sect and was also the loyalist of the legendary Heavenly Demon; however, he could not grant recognition to the contemporary Heavenly Demon.
But his strength was lacking. His experience from the Arch-Demon War where he had been active since then was meaningless compared to the overwhelming talent of the contemporary Heavenly Demon.
Thus, he had no choice but to yield. But the New Religion revered the strong. Therefore, he made a decision.
He would surpass the contemporary Heavenly Demon by any means necessary. That’s when the Blood Sect approached him.
He had partnered with the Blood Sect to drive out the contemporary Heavenly Demon in order to become stronger.
Scheming was not a major issue within the demon sect. Apostasy was a crime, but as long as one isn’t caught, it’s just fine.
That was how they practiced the Dark Arts.
“Be sure to keep that promise.”
“Heh heh heh heh heh. You better keep yours too. I will be watching. The main sect is everywhere, and nowhere at the same time.”
With eerie laughter, the candle extinguished abruptly.
In the dimmed secret chamber, Changma gritted his teeth.
The grand plan was nearing its end.
All that remained was to wait.
Soon.
Soon, the seat of the Heavenly Demon will be mine.
Changma smiled as he thought so.
It was just before the Ceremony of Martial Arts to the Heavenly Horse was about to take place.