Chapter 544

The True Energies huddled together inside the Dantian, like tiny Inner Strengths taking on the shape of their Master.

They were whispering softly, dividing into groups—one side frolicking wildly while the other was in a heated, yet orderly, debate.

The True Energies of Jeongjong had firmly settled in a sunlit spot, engaging in a serious and solemn discussion.

In a shadowy corner near the Dantian’s wall, the more cautious ones were casting wary glances, checking if Hwanhee Jin-gi was coming to bother them again.

It was another peaceful day in Qing’s Dantian realm.

The True Energies of Qing were recently breathing a little easier.

The Jeongjong True Energies were starting to pick up some skills too.

Since they were essentially lower than humans, it was fine to let their lethal instincts run wild.

Recently, they even started to provoke a bit.

After all, the True Energies that originated from the Dao of Sorrow were inherently dangerous to human life; if they were going to overflow and burst regardless, it was better to channel it towards the bad guys.

Once they’ve had their taste of blood, there wouldn’t be much to worry about for a while.

They handled the lingering malice by turning it into lust, and unlike before, there was no need for a full-blown operation to extinguish fires in the Dantian.

Thanks to that, the Demonic Arts were in trouble.

With the Jeongjong True Energies sitting squarely in the center of the Dantian, they were nervously holding their breath.

Recently, it was the right time for the awakening of abilities, as it would’ve been a perfect moment for them to whisper sweet nothings to their Master, but they were keeping quiet, too cautious to act.

To be specific, they were looking out for Moon Lady Jin-gi.

If it weren’t for the tiny Moon Lady Jin-gi, with her expressionless face in a blue outfit, the Demonic Arts would have long been blended into the joy of the girl, Hwanhee Gong, and vanished.

However, the Moon Lady Jin-gi didn’t hide her discontent towards the Demonic Arts, even while strictly preventing the absorption of the girl Hwanhee Gong.

Nevertheless, sneaking in a bit of demonic energy would be tricky.

If she got caught, it seemed unlikely that Moon Lady Jin-gi would keep her status quo.

Thus, the Demonic Arts were feeling pretty down.

The shopkeeper was just hopeless.

If born as a warrior, should he not impose his natural skills to make everyone kneel and challenge the world?

What if the land turned red with blood and sorrow flooded everywhere? What’s the big deal?

I’d rather have a world on fire and in hell than a peaceful existence that doesn’t belong to me!

Wrapped in fancy words, I wouldn’t let the world abandon me even if I had to abandon it!

Not unlike those Sapa fellows and Blood Sect scum, who can’t see people as anything but tools—real human scum!

But that’s exactly why they’re Demonic Arts.

Anyway, that just makes the Demonic Arts truly sad.

So, there’s only one hope.

If only a legendary master of Demonic Arts would burst through the door and reset the hierarchy of the Dantian!

So the Demonic Arts were pushed into a damp, chilly corner, staring at the Dantian’s door all day.

Suddenly, finally! Bang!

The Demonic Arts sprang up.

Oh! Is a legendary master of Demonic Arts coming!?

The Jeongjong True Energies also perked up, excited.

Did a friend come to lighten the load!?

And then, a new friend entered.

Wearing a skirt with adorable heart patterns—

The Jeongjong True Energies slumped their shoulders.

If it were decent Dao skills, it wouldn’t have patterns that look so vile and wicked.

The Demonic Arts were already in a festive mood.

Heart! That’s clearly on our side, right?

However, just as the boldly entering Heart Consumption Demon paused.

Both hands stuck behind it were struggling with a gigantic bundle stuck at the Dantian door.

The Heart Consumption Demon was tugging, panting, desperately trying to pull the bundle free.

That ever-growing package writhed suspiciously, like some nighttime abduction had just happened.

Finally, with a pop!!

The massive bundle broke free, sending the Heart Consumption Demon rolling.

Then, scanning the surroundings, its glare sparked!

Within the Heart Consumption Technique, eating hearts was just a means to an end; the essence was forcefully hijacking other types of True Energies.

Walking into a new home, what was this? A plethora of delectable True Energies swarming—am I celebrating my birthday?

Thus, the Heart Consumption Demon’s mouth gaped open.

Its round mouth stretched wide, revealing sharp shark teeth.

Whoa, with such formidable gravitational pull swirling around the Dantian, like a vacuum cleaner no one would dare confront—

Bam!

The Heart Consumption Demon tumbled over twice, wrapping its head with both arms.

Large teardrops shining in its eyes and many question marks floating above its head—Shadows loomed ominously over the Heart Consumption Demon.

It looked up.

There it was, a tiny figure standing, arms akimbo, dressed in mere strings with no shame whatsoever.

The legendary Hwanhee Jin-gi, flaunting her unrestrained nature, was now a tyrant of the Dantian, embodying both mischief and brutal discipline.

The Heart Consumption Demon shivered.

Hwanhee Jin-gi tilted her head.

The Heart Consumption Demon flinched.

Hwanhee Jin-gi smirked.

In that moment, Hwanhee Jin-gi shoved her hand right into the Heart Consumption Demon’s bundle.

Soon, the unrefined True Energy found itself clutched in her hand, struggling and unable to take on the form of its Master.

Hwanhee Jin-gi gazed sadly at the flickering spirit flame she cradled, embracing it tightly.

As the flickering spirit gradually calmed, it gently melted into her, disappearing completely.

The Heart Consumption Demon was sweating buckets.

Well, even in the Inner Strength Meditation Technique with an absorptive capacity, there’s a hierarchy between upper and lower.

Pushing a heart inside and compressing it takes at least ten years to digest, while the girl Hwanhee Gong swiftly merges their energies in joy, love, and ecstasy.

Who really holds the upper hand needn’t be measured.

Hwanhee Jin-gi pointed towards a corner.

The Heart Consumption Demon, sniffing, slumped towards it, casting long, longing glances back at the bundle it left behind.

And the Demonic Arts hurriedly gathered around the sorrowful Heart Consumption Demon, enveloping her in hugs.

Then, a soft murmur began to fill the air.

Wiping her tears, the Heart Consumption Demon stood up and started walking steadily.

In a corner, a tiny Pachen Magi, dressed in a robe with little eyes sewn on, lifted its head at a suspicious rustle.

Unprovoked violence struck the Pachen Magi!

A slap in Gangnam, venting anger in the Tianshan!

The Pachen Magi curled up, cradling its head and letting out a pitiful chuckle.

After a brief commotion, the peaceful realm of the Dantian continued.

Today, the Pachen Magi was still smiling…

—-

“Uah, uh, uuuh…”

The sounds of a beast echoed continuously.

The source of that sound was none other than the Heart Consumption Demon, Yu Yang, sprawled in a strange position on the bathroom floor.

With her forehead, both knees, and toes touching the ground, it was neither a pose of decorum nor submission.

Her wounds were so agonizing that she found herself instinctively placing her body in a position that minimized contact with the ground.

The position with the least surface area against the floor.

Qing looked down at her in disinterest, his gaze shifting to the boiling medicinal stew.

A hint of blood was swirling in it, and, ah, this won’t work.

Now that I think about it, I really should feel bad for the tavern staff, filling the pot is no easy task.

“Alright then. What now? Don’t tell me you plan to strip me in this state. The skin is almost melting into my clothes, so I’d practically be peeling off my own flesh.”

“No. This is the end. If you’re lucky, you might get to live; if not, well, it is what it is.”

Though the words were spoken so lightly, as a physician, Qing recognized that, essentially, Yu Yang was as good as dead.

Still, to think that she could withstand such agony before finally passing out was quite impressive—or maybe it’s just karma for a skill level that involved consuming hearts.

“Ah, are you not showing any mercy?”

“What mercy? Dying peacefully is a luxury for someone like her.”

You too, Qing swallowed his follow-up words.

Whether she knew Qing’s dark intentions or not, Unyeonjeong was just giggling away.

“Isn’t pity extended because you yourself need it? Isn’t that rather good for you, Young Lady Seomun?”

“Enough, that’s enough! I’m leaving.”

It stung immensely to let this malignant being go, but what could be done?

There was nothing to do but rise through the ranks.

Ugh, that damned Realm… so close, yet so far.

“Hmm. You’re quite the heartless one. Is there anything you’re curious about? I’d be happy to answer if you ask now?”

At that, Qing furrowed his brow.

It was clearly a ploy.

“Oh? Really? The bath you gave me was indeed a unique experience. How do I put it? It was ticklish, yet somehow different? What in the world was it?”

Qing narrowed his eyes.

This girl, what the hell?

He shot back indifferently.

“Speak. Say it. How am I supposed to know if you just say that?”

“Hmmm… Well, there was a rising warmth and, unexpectedly, my breath quickened, and it felt like my heart was racing, in a way that I hadn’t felt in a long time. There was this… kind of tingle following the meridians at Huaiyin. I’m not sure what it was… I just, uh, don’t really know.”

Just for context, the Huaiyin point is located at the center of the lower pelvis, and the Du meridian runs along the spine.

Unyeonjeong rambled inexplicably, looking genuinely perplexed.

Oh? This girl has lost it, hasn’t she?

Qing had snagged a lead in tackling this tough nut.

He maintained his poker face but continued to be curt.

“Then let’s try again later.”

“Oh my! That’s such a delightful thing to say, but I have my own schedule, so unfortunately, shall we leave this for next time? You want to go back quickly, don’t you?”

How unfortunate. I could have sent her off altogether while wrapping up my business with death.

Qing held in his disappointment.

Could that be the reason for her unusually good mood?

“Alright. Then, why exactly do you have it out for me? Is being a Blood Poison Body really that important?”

“Oh? Is that cheating? That’s something I cannot tell you!”

“No, you said you would answer!”

“Alright. Then, on to the next?”

“What exactly is this Blood Poison Body?”

“Oh my! Are you asking me to spill the beans? That won’t do!”

“No, what. Then what’s your real goal? Why are you pretending to help at the Blood Sect?”

“Personal matters. Even if you’re my dearest friend, it’s only natural to want to hide certain things, isn’t it?”

“Do you have any weaknesses?”

“Perhaps my feelings towards Young Lady Seomun?”

“Have you acquired some miraculous skill? Care to teach me a little?”

“All I have are the Kung Fu and Heart Vitality Technique I learned for self-defense. But even calling it a skill would be stretching it too thin, wouldn’t it? There’s a secret manual hidden in the Martial Alliance library titled ‘Theoretical Development of Human Anatomy Based on Historical Records of the Sword and Knife Era’ that you are free to study as you wish.”

“No, that title is just terrible. So, what’s your exact skill level? Life and Death Realm? Or beyond?”

“I cannot answer that. It’s not that I’m hiding it; there truly isn’t an answer, it just doesn’t exist.”

At that, a vein popped out on Qing’s forehead!

“Then why ask me questions when you don’t even answer any yourself? Ugh, I knew this would happen. Fine! I knew it.”

I knew this would be the case.

But I asked just in case.

Aside from reminding me that she’s an annoying brat, I didn’t lose anything in this exchange.

“Heh. Well, I think that’s enough now.”

Suddenly, she threw herself down on the floor.

At that moment, women burst into the bathroom, crowding around Unyeonjeong, and shortly after, the body of Yulno bobbed to the surface above them—

With an odd sound, the corpse of Yulno fell apart in mid-air, raining blood, bits of flesh, and entrails all over Unyeonjeong and the three women beneath.

“What the hell are you doing now—”

“Graaah!!” “Mama!?” “Mahee!!”

In an instant, a cacophony of voices echoed in the lower floor.

Some distorted beyond recognition while others distinctly called for the Heart Consumption Demon, Yu Yang.

At this, Qing realized with horror.

This girl wasn’t trying to answer me at all; she was just stalling until the Blood Sect people showed up!

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