Chapter 499

Qing perceives the world through her skin.

If we’re talking about creatures with similar abilities, it wouldn’t be wrong to compare them to insects.

In any case, the ability to read space through the flow of atmosphere expands the more the area of skin touches the air.

Understanding the movement of fluids isn’t conscious; rather, it’s a collection of experiences built unconsciously, so the more familiar a space is, and the more intense the experiences, the clearer it becomes.

What if someone suddenly appears and whispers in your ear?

Something that seems to have skipped the whole process of approach and has crept up behind you out of nowhere.

Naturally, that brings a fair amount of fear.

That was why Qing froze in terror.

“How? What kind of ghost…?”

“Oh my, why are you so stiff?”

“Uh, um, there’s been some misunderstanding. I may have impersonated someone. So, um, this was mutually agreed upon, right? Yu-Nyeong would probably understand too…”

“Oh? You know me? Hmm, who might you be?”

“Uh.”

Only then did Qing realize whose softly alluring voice it was, one she found quite familiar.

Oh no, the ultimate lady has appeared.

What’s up? Why did you suddenly show up like this?

Suddenly, the starlight blades that had filled her mind flicked like countless swords across the air.

If this hits, I’m done for!

With a swift movement, Qing transformed into a defensive stance.

“Um, I-I’m sorry…”

“Oh my, look at you shrinking back like that. It’s adorable! If you keep this up, I might just go easy on you. Now, did you do something wrong or not?”

“I did something wrong…”

At that, a sweet giggle chimed in.

That was the moment Qing felt a flicker of hope.

“But….”

A voice dripping with malice almost felt sculpted to be that way.

“Why did you do it when you knew it was wrong?”

“Wha…?”

“That’s not something you should be doing, is it?”

“Um, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

“If you’re sorry, you shouldn’t have done it in the first place, right? Tell me, why did you do it?”

“Um, I’m sorry, ugh…”

The sharp sensation at her nape made Qing gasp in disbelief.

“I’ve already heard your apologies. I’m just curious, why would you do something like that?”

“Um, it just slipped out in my haste. I don’t have any ill feelings towards you. It just, um… came out naturally…”

“Hmmm….”

The warm breath continued to brush against her ear.

Qing, unable to turn her head, could only roll her eyes in a daze.

“About earlier? That technique you mentioned, the Divine Skill… what was it called…?”

Once again, Qing caught a glimmer of hope.

So, she’s interested in the Heart Consumption Technique too!

“Hehe, if you want, I can tell you all about it. I’ll call on it right away, heh.”

Another surge of pressure gripped her nape.

Qing immediately shut her mouth.

“Such a mischievous skill, what was it called? Ah, yes. The Mystic Skill. Do you happen to know what that adorable power is?”

Qing’s vision darkened.

She’s onto me!

“Hehe, there’s a technique called ‘Burning Shadow Disguise’.”

“Oh my. How exquisite! It’s quite sophisticated.”

“Well, if you’d like—”

“Alright, here’s the deal.”

“What do you mean?”

Then came that cheeky, playful laughter again.

“Let’s showcase that splendid technique to everyone here who’s fighting. They’ll surely enjoy it. And you’ll let all the Great Heroes here in on the fun, right? What do you say?”

Just hearing it sent shivers down my spine.

“Um, is there any other way…?”

“Of course, there is another way. I mean, there are some familiar faces in there, right? Like Joo-Hee and Brother Sword Fang? A few unfamiliar ones, but still?”

Qing’s heart sank.

In a flash, her legs weakened, and she stumbled, drenched in a sticky sweat all over.

No way. This can’t be happening.

“Not, not at all. You’re making it boring if you touch it too soon, right?”

Is this how it feels to be dragged from the depths of hell?

Qing felt a moment of relief.

Only the sound of her racing heart remained, pounding in her chest.

“So, Supreme Brain-slaying Young Lady, heh, you get to decide. You can hand over four friends, and I might let you go. Or, you could entertain everyone here with that lovely body of yours? Come on now, I’ll count to three, and you need to decide. Otherwise, you’ll be doing both! One.”

“I’ll do it! I’ll do it, just please…”

“Oh my, it’s already entertaining! But remember? I said everyone here. If there are any uncooperative folks, you’ll have to force the fun on them, okay?”

Qing nodded like a dazed person, not entirely grasping what was happening.

“Now, since you could die here, it’ll hurt a little. Just a little sting.”

And then, a sharp pain struck at her nape.

That brought Qing back to reality.

No, no! Get a grip!

Even if the sky falls, there’s gotta be a way to survive, right? How, though?

Surely there’s a way out.

Qing desperately sought a way.

She could follow orders.

She could, but it seemed unlikely this horrifying girl would let her go so easily.

Didn’t she mention something about a brutal explosion technique earlier?

Her instincts began screaming.

While Qing’s mind spun like a whirlwind—

Spun?

Suddenly, a breath of relief wafted by her ear, and a cautious hand wrapped around her waist.

“Oh my. The Seomun Young Lady. You surprised me. I knew you were alive, but I didn’t expect you to appear like this, how mischievous of you.”

“Huh.”

“Well, your frightened little pose is just too cute. Doesn’t it remind you of the Seomun Young Lady? So, I thought of giving you a light punishment.”

Qing realized how one voice could feel so different when heard in varying contexts.

Unlike before, filled with sheer malice, the soft and gentle tone was certainly filled with affection.

As she felt Unyeonjeong bury her face into her nape, Qing sighed in enormous relief.

Is this? Could she be generous enough to let it slide?

“Uh, Un-Sister?”

“Oh my, Un-Sister? Just a moment ago, you called me Yu-Nyeong, didn’t you? Hehe, yes, Seomun Young Lady it is. Oh dear, how could I blame you? Supreme Brain-slaying Young Lady, you charming little thing. But I do like it.”

“Uh, Yu-Nyeong? Can you let go now—”

“Not a chance!”

The firm refusal rang out.

“Uh, so you’re saying I should stay like this?”

“No, you need to be punished.”

“But you just said I wouldn’t be blamed?”

“Just look at you, speaking out so audaciously. My, my, if you are Seomun Young Lady, is there any need to barter my name so casually? But…”

But? Qing gulped.

“You’ve been hiding your identity while acting so brazenly. If that identity got revealed, wouldn’t you feel embarrassed enough to want to die? Oh, just thinking about it makes me laugh. How could I possibly hold that in?”

“Can’t you just let it slide…?”

“No way. I like the Seomun Young Lady, who acts confidently and sometimes like a cowardly dog, while sharpening her blades in her heart. Don’t hide who you are. You must be the proud Seomun Young Lady, even when you’re being cowardly. I simply can’t stand a cowardly Seomun Young Lady.”

“Well, I won’t do it anymore—”

“Oh? Is that something you truly feel? You’ll still do it, won’t you?”

Oh no. This is going nowhere.

She is a real ghost, a ghost indeed.

Qing silently cursed.

“And Seomun Young Lady, I too have kids to protect, you see? Just like you’re trying to save your friends. So, I can’t let this go easily.”

“Then what?”

“Thus, I, unfortunately, must make the Seomun Young Lady go through a bit of hardship.”

“What kind of hardship?”

“Like this?”

Suddenly, there came an uproar from the ground as she stomped her feet.

Before Qing knew it, she was lifted off the ground and found herself soaring high, overlooking everyone below.

Glancing down, she saw a peculiar coffin set up and stood upon it.

“Everyone? Could you stop fighting for just a moment? You need to listen to me, okay?”

A soft voice rang out.

But for some reason, everyone became still, glancing up in unison.

A chill ran down Qing’s spine.

Thinking back, had she truly been held captive for such a long time?

With her being embraced from behind and all this time gone by, how could no one have come to her aid?

As if no one had seen her, as if she existed in a different space.

“YOU! Supreme Brain-slaying Young Lady!”

Suddenly, Qing’s name erupted from the mouth of Jun Gi-chung as he set eyes on her and the woman backing her up.

The people within the coffin were oblivious to anything odd.

But the warriors outside shot suspicious looks at Jun Gi-chung.

Supreme Brain-slaying Young Lady? Is that a nickname? Is it truly a preference of Jeolnak-seong?

Jun Gi-chung’s face flared with embarrassment, gritting his teeth as he glared at Qing.

“You, Yu-Nyeong, I will not forgive you…”

Qing felt unjustly accused.

Why am I being blamed here?

Just then, the sound of a finger snapping cut through the chaotic atmosphere like a knife.

“Now, everyone? I am Unyeonjeong, a former Martial Alliance patrol, the head of Jinju clan, and currently affiliated with the Blood Sect.”

“Flesh Starlet!” “Flesh Light!”

At that, Unyeonjeong tilted her head.

“Oh? Seems we’ve got another impersonator among us? Who could that person be?”

“Hahaha. That’s how it is. I’m not a cheap impersonation.”

Qing awkwardly chimed in.

Unyeonjeong, humming, soon decided she wouldn’t care much.

“And the person held captive here has dared impersonate my name, so I want to let you all know you’re harboring a big misunderstanding.”

Immediately, everyone in the cave nodded in understanding.

What kind of lunatic would call herself Supreme Brain-slaying Young Lady or the strongest Yu-Nyeong?

They all looked up at Qing with chilling gazes, making her feel like they were looking down at her regardless.

Their eyes filled with deep irritation.

It felt like she wanted to scream for them to stop looking at her like that.

“And this person is also the owner of the Heart Consumption Technique! Her desire was to incite your fights and slip away, wasn’t it?”

The warriors outside shot equally cold glares at Qing.

Once again, they were looking down at her, this time filled with contempt.

“Now, everyone? Aren’t you curious about her true identity? Who is this girl cloaked in an adamantine mask?”

“Indeed!” “Remove that mask at once!” “Who is this vile girl?!” “Reveal her! Reveal her!”

And so the clamoring chorus of demands arose.

Qing was drenched in cold sweat.

“Uh, Yu-Nyeong? Didn’t you say it’d be a bit of hardship? I didn’t think it’d turn into a public execution—”

“Shh.”

As Unyeonjeong’s hand caressed her nape, Qing sealed her lips again.

For a while, the gentle fingers glided down her smooth nape, and suddenly, they slipped down her body, teasingly traversing the tightly bound fabric atop her skin.

“Uh, Yu-Nyeong? This isn’t really appropriate. Wait, there—! That’s crossing the line—”

Then her fingers began to trace circles on a particularly solid part.

In that instant, Qing jumped in shock, squirming and flailing.

“Shh. You’ll hurt yourself?”

“Yup.”

Her fingers pressed down below her solar plexus.

And then quietly, they began sliding up, the pressure that once clung to her breasts simply vanishing.

“Hey, wait, wait a second!”

“It’d be a shame to keep something this wonderful hidden away, wouldn’t it?”

With a jolt, everyone gathered could hardly believe their ears.

The once flat chest suddenly swelled with a miraculous weight, filling the space before their eyes.

As the pressure on her chest eased, a liberating sensation flooded over her, but simultaneously, Qing was soaked in cold sweat.

That’s because the fingers that had cut through her garment were now tracing the bottom of her adamantine mask nestled between her collarbone.

“Hey? Yu-Nyeong? This really isn’t right. Didn’t you say it’d be just a bit of hardship? A bit means slightly, or just a tiny bit. Come on! No! Stop! Please!”

Qing’s voice hastened in urgency.

It felt like there was a blade attached to her finger, slicing into her garment and sending cool bursts of relief coursing up her throat.

Wherever air flowed in now, her sweat-drenched skin gasped for life, but this wasn’t the moment to relish in it.

“Can’t you spare me just once? If this keeps up, I’ll really be done for! I could die from shame! I’ll die! I, Seomun Qing, will die!”

In truth, she’d been the one to act shamefully from the beginning.

Disregarding another’s name so boldly, how disgraceful was that?

The thought of Unyeonjeong’s unmasking grazed her mind. If the news spread throughout the martial world, her master, the other disciples of the Divine Maiden Sect, the elders of the clan, and everyone from the guild would know…

Qing’s vision turned dark.

No way! Unthinkable! How could she even show her face after that?

This is karma—what goes around comes around, right?

You reap what you sow, they say.

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