764 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

For the maidens of the palace's Hall of Recuperation, the continuous influx of new personal maids was far from a welcome affair. This was because the future Crown Princess would eventually take her place in the Hall of Recuperation, naturally increasing the number of personal maids. And according to the strict laws of the palace, personal maids had a significantly higher status than those in charge of maintaining an empty residence. If she's destined to be the personal maid of the Crown Princess, one can only imagine her future standing. Thus, this glory rightfully belongs to the maidens originally belonging to the Hall of Recuperation. These maidens were not lucky beneficiaries but had entered through fortune or high-stakes political maneuvering, harboring grand dreams of serving the Crown Princess. Compromise may be inevitable, but it’s hard to resist when you’ve poured effort into charming Her Grace and clinching a victory through a fair competition. The Lady of Virtue wasn’t even in the same league. Their stature and weight classes differed entirely. After all, she wasn’t a living legend in the maidens' realm simply by being a palace maiden who rose to own an entire palace building. But this time was different. Who? Haeryu? She's someone who grew up alongside the Princess as her equal and playmate but recently became quite neglected, right? Just supposedly a bit daunting? Hmph, how terrifying could she possibly be? Additionally, even if a personal maid has long been favored, she inevitably faces being sold off to a distant land with her mistress, so they're not ranked all that high. So as a veteran maiden of the Hall of Recuperation who had been taking care of things for so long, she decided to instill some discipline. Even if it might seem rough and lacking consideration, since these were Her Grace’s personal maids, they naturally depended significantly on the building’s maidens for competition in favor. Thus, naturally, factions formed, alliances were built, and if fortune smiled, one might become a personal maid… Such trivial politicking it might be, but for the maidens living alone in the palace for life, it provided a rare sense of ambition, without which it was even harder to endure. Thus, the new personal maid emerged: Haeryu! “Ladies! Please take good care of me!” “Oh? Yes, yes.” ZGVPdDc2cnQxMFU0bVlrbnZITXlVaWI3WjFUYnRwemlpQWZSbmlQOFVodzBEQ1dMSkhjd2tFV2EvSHJjalVKVA The maidens in the Hall of Recuperation exchanged furtive glances. Hey, what's going on, weren't you going to put her in her place? You were the one who said you’d take a firm stand from the start? No, but standing firm might get you killed. Ah, Cho-hwa, Cho-hwa is stepping up! Hang in there, Cho-hwa! Give her a sharp word— “Speak comfortably. You're a personal maid. Ah, would you need guidance?” Wrong. That tigress-like glare... Though a maiden, she seemed more like a tiger! Sometimes, fists are closer than laws. The highly developed muscles exuded an intimidating aura that was hard to even make eye contact with. What now? Change of plans. At this point, instead of following that wretch over Haeryu, it's better to secure a chance to make an impression before Her Grace by following the steady Haeryu...! However, Haeryu’s return, after cheerfully leaving to pay respects to Her Grace, was nothing short of shocking. Her eyes were so swollen one might think they would pop out, and their color was as red as a ripe apple. “Are—Are you okay? Did Her Grace perhaps scold you?” “No, no. It wasn’t anything like that.” Her voice was entirely hoarse and dry, not just the typical crying. Clearly, she was beyond tears, thoroughly drained and exhausted from crying. The maidens of the Hall of Recuperation exchanged looks. Would it be better to resign as a personal maid? If someone as seemingly dependable as General Haeryu ended up in tears, how fearsome and daunting could Her Grace be? Is she akin to the villains in the dark tales? The ominous reputation of the Heavenly Sword Flower(天華) was budding at this moment. --- Qing was taken aback. According to Haeryu's words, wasn’t it that palace maidens from the Temple of Heavenly Maidens were using some aphrodisiac to alleviate the loneliness of palace women? Suddenly, it all seemed too close to home. Wasn't it strange how restless her heart felt, even after a good night’s rest, as if she’d had some lewd dream? Even upon waking, she couldn't stop thinking about her chest. The Cold Heart Art didn’t fully quell the heat simmering under her skin, making it difficult to stay still this morning. Did Gabiyah use an aphrodisiac on me? I trusted her! Though a suspicious woman from the Tianshu, she pondered it as a potential means to interact with the notorious enchantresses of Tianshu whom Her Majesty had passionately condemned, but still! Even if her evil deeds didn't make her a devil outright! Hmm. Now that I think about it, what if— Even if she didn’t incur one hundred points of evil deeds to qualify as a beast, she might still pull strange tricks. True, it was peculiar from the start. The gentle caresses were hardly massages. In particular, she asked why the body felt hot during a massage, whether it was enjoyable, or if a certain spot felt good, encouraging vocal expressions without shame. How could she do this to me! I believed in her! All those years together, the entire three days of fond memories—what are they worth! Hmm, we didn't see each other for a while. Well, no surprise. So the betrayal doesn't hit as hard given that Gabiyah remained out of the picture for days. The more shocking aspect was: I’m susceptible to drugs? Wasn’t the Venom-Blooded Constitution divine and invincible? However, come to think of it, during her indulgence with poppy seeds once before, there was a similar experience. Sucking on poppy seeds left her dazed as if intoxicated, her weightless body felt buoyant, her mood lifted, induced euphoria. Hmm, reminiscing makes her long for poppy seeds again... The mechanism of the Venom-Blooded Constitution is the counteraction of poison. Poisons entering the body don't take effect. And this poison includes all harmful substances; even when shards of metal lodged inside, her body neither got infected nor suffered swelling. The specific aspect of the Venom-Blooded Constitution doesn't fall in the realm of science but liberal arts. It's not a formula that classifies poisons from non-poisons through definitive calculus. It’s a sentimental definition: harmful equals poison. Qing was now able to clearly sort things out. Having conversed with the Taoist enthusiast Single Wheel True Person about spells, Qing understood the characteristics of these enchantments. Why then did this drug affect me in such a way, triggering, well, arousal, oh? It’s likely because it's deemed non-harmful. Considering this, it seems rather vague. This aphrodisiac—calling it that feels strange—it might be a completely harmless substance to the body. Or perhaps it is indeed harmful, but since the Venom-Blooded Constitution negates poison anyway, only the non-harmful effects manifested. This was quite an important matter. If it was a harmful substance, leaving it unchecked was not an option. The fact that they dared to use poison, and with chaos already rampant in Tengyu Palace as well, indicated a significant issue. But what if it wasn’t? It could have been an act of pure goodwill. According to Aekyung's teachings, the second wheel-blood grows through sexual pleasure, subsequently leading to the development of all seven wheel-blood channels. Even if not leading to the completion of the One Wheel and enlightenment, the growth of the wheel-bloods is said to clear the mind and promote health and longevity. Hmm. Should I just ask directly? However, as with all such conspiracies(?), asking might result in predictable answers. "I am innocent. I did nothing wrong." Even if they genuinely are innocent, they would claim innocence, and if guilty, they would deny it while claiming innocence. So, what to do……. -"Hehe, my lady. It's the celestial maiden, Gabiyah. Today the Celestial Maiden Temple event ran long, hence my late return. May I come in?" "Mm. Come on in." Gabiyah swayed her hips seductively, but Qing's eyebrows knitted slightly. The number above Gabiyah’s head read forty-four points. When she entered last evening with incense, it was definitely around the forty, no, the late forties. It decreased? Where did she earn merit? Suddenly, she seems endearing? "My lady? Is there another bug?" Gabiyah looked around the air quizzically. This was why Qing described Gabiyah's seductive gestures as merely pretending to be fatal. She pretended to be very seductive, but then these silly actions came out, looking forced to be fatal at any cost. It softened Qing's heart. Hmm. Even earning merit and the clumsy attempts at fatal allure. "You mentioned an event at the Celestial Maiden Temple? What sort of event was it?" "Oh, that. Yes! Are you interested? If it’s okay with you, my lady, ah, you’re unable to leave the palace now. Would you like to go after greeting the emperor?" "Yes. Let’s visit once. I'm curious." "Oh my, how delightful. Our Celestial Maiden Temple worships the Supreme Sky and Earth, the world itself, as well as Aditi, the mother of all celestial gods." People had a tendency to talk quickly, eyes shining and joyful when a subject they liked came up. "So, as per the oldest scripture Vedas... although the Xuanzhu priests deny this, we surely are the true..." Thus, Qing reluctantly had to listen to the teachings of Xuanzhu religion, a topic of no interest to her. Qing stifled a yawn, covering her mouth just in time. Yawning in front of an enthusiastic speaker was not polite, after all. However, the aftereffects of the yawn brought tears to her eyes. "Oh! You got too excited, celestial maiden. Sorry for that. I didn’t burn the incense first. Hehe, don’t worry, I’ll always manage it so no bugs get near my lady. Would you like to lie down on the bed for a belated aroma therapy today?" "Ah." Qing hesitated, trying to stop her. Come to think of it, there was no guarantee that this incense was the aphrodisiac Haeryu mentioned. Was my condition this morning at a level to call being hit with arousal? It’s also normal for a man to find it hard to control when a thought becomes deeply ingrained. I needed clear certainty that Gabiyah used drugs on me; whether it’s harmful or not is something to ponder after. Her unusually low wrongdoing points made certain suspicions hard to entertain when they were near fifty or seventy points with confidence. Thus the method to find out was simple. Experience it one more time today. Thus, Celestial Massage, this round. With direction applied to her hands, Gabiyah’s palms diligently warmed up as she rubbed them across Qing’s entire body. Initially, it felt like a genuine massage with thorough kneading. Then, not surprisingly, her fingertips deftly traced over. Hmm. Uh-huh. Something. Something something. “Haa…” “Hehe, my lady. It feels good, doesn’t it? Just relax.” Hmm, the sensations, somewhat... What’s the term... Ticklingly intimate. Something. Breathing seemed to involuntarily quicken... “Hehe, my lady. It’s fine here. Allow it naturally, is this your weak spot?” “Wow!” “Eek!” Qing jolted upright. Oh, damn. It is an aphrodisiac! “This is not right!” “L-Lady? Why are you…?” “Haeryu! Now!” -“Lady! I’m cominggg!” Almost crashing in like a force of calamity, the muscular woman stormed into the room. Clad in nothing but a loosely-worn undergarment reaching her chest, in her nightwear, her sculpted shoulders and arms were strikingly bared. “L-Lady? What is—” “Haeryu, seize her!” “Yes, my lady!” Gabiyah, caught in the act. Charged with illegal use of unlicensed drug therapy. I experienced its effects firsthand. It is indeed an aphrodisiac. Next is to find out if it’s harmful or not, isn’t it? That’s simple. Qing picked up a flask infused with the scent. “Thinking about it, I shouldn’t keep this good thing to myself. Why not learn about this six-thousand-year massage for skin therapy and bodily improvement, and health and longevity?” “T-that, the celestial maiden can teach that to you…” "The best way to learn is through hands-on practice, right? It seemed like Gabiyah was having too much trouble, anyway. Come on, why don't you lie down?" "My lady..." "Or, what's wrong, don't want to? Is it because this is some strange drug and you don't want it on your body?" "*Gasp.*" Gabiyah took a deep breath. "W-What do you mean strange drug! It's just incense, made from genuine Xuanzhu secret techniques!" "So, it's not a strange drug?" "Of course not! Absolutely!" "Then there’s no problem, is there? Come on. Lie down. Haeryu, can you help Gabiyah get comfortable?" “Eek, I can’t possibly—” Haeryu held Gabiyah's arms and firmly pressed her onto the bedding. Qing sat on Gabiyah’s thighs, unwinding the ties, opening her jacket, and with a sly grin, she brandished the jade bottle. "Alright, I'm really going to apply it, okay? Is it okay if I do?" "W-Wait a moment." "What? Is there a problem? Is it a strange drug, then?" "It's too precious a substance to waste on me..." “Oh, come on, between us. Don't be polite.” Qing slowly tilted the jade bottle. Gabiyah looked at Qing with a distressed expression. And with a quick pour, Qing filled her hand with the substance as if drawing a full cup. This prompted Gabiyah to cry out urgently. "My lady! Not that much...!" "Why? Why not use a lot?" "Well, it’s just that..." "Alright, I’m going to apply it." Qing wavered her hand threateningly over her palm, poised to flip it and pour. Yet Gabiyah simply shut her eyes tightly, clearly resigned. Did she mean to say, ‘Go ahead, apply it if you must’? Qing’s smile was dreadfully wicked and menacing. So what else is there to do? Do they think I won't go through with it?