---

Chapter 7: The Daring Disguise

Thud.

The torn fabric of the enchanting outfit fell to the ground.

After glancing at it, I turned my gaze to the man in front of me.

The alluring beauty that had been there moments ago had vanished, leaving only a strikingly handsome young lord.

His hair, slightly shimmering white, was quite a sight.

I couldn’t help but marvel at it.

“No matter how many times I see it, it’s impressive.”

How is this even possible?

So much had changed in an instant.

Disguises are usually just an overlay on the physical body; there must be unmistakable signs of the transformation.

Especially when a male disguises himself as a female, it’s typically more challenging.

The physical characteristics often give it away, as while cross-dressing as a man may be possible, the opposite is often much harder.

“Can it really be this intricate?”

The King of Demons had solved that problem.

His arms and legs had slimmed down, and his body curves flowed naturally, even the ample chest was utterly convincing.

How could that be possible?

“At first, I thought maybe it’s some sort of Body Transformation Technique.”

But it seemed like that wasn’t the case. If there was a method, it was probably…

“That martial robe he’s wearing.”

The black martial robe. Could that be the reason?

The tightly fitted outfit accentuated the body’s lines perfectly.

It felt as though it was forcibly reshaping the physical form…

“Doesn’t that restrict movement?”

For pressure to change the body’s form like that, it should logically hinder movement, yet the King of Demons looked completely at ease, as if such issues were nonexistent.

He even projected a feminine grace that made it impossible not to be deceived.

“That stoic man… Can he really pull off something like that?”

I remembered how stunned I was the first time I saw him.

The quiet, seemingly emotionless King of Demons, flouncing around pretending to be a woman.

“And he even changed his voice.”

Using some principle, the King of Demons had adopted a seductive, feminine tone.

The entity of the King of Demons had disappeared, replaced by a captivating woman named Yeonhong.

Only then did it hit me.

“Now I understand why no one knew the King of Demons’ true identity until now.”

I thought the witnesses had all been silenced, but looking at this, my perspective shifted.

It seemed he simply had extraordinary disguise skills.

“Transforming genders flawlessly is a whole new level.”

Even if he did use specific treasures, it was still astonishing.

Not to mention…

“He even recreated an arm that vanished and grew taller…”

That torn arm from the last time he explained things to me.

The King of Demons had conjured that with his disguise, and even adjusted his height.

He was not particularly short for an assassin.

This meant that when disguised as a woman, he had grown considerably taller.

Though everything else could be altered, height is the one thing that could easily look odd.

“Strangely, it doesn’t seem off at all.”

Even with his tall stature, there was no sense of discomfort.

How is that possible?

“It’s not as if he actually changed his height.”

He just wandered around with his height unchanged, yet no one seemed to notice. It was as if people overlooked his tall figure.

“Could he have used energy for that?”

He might have applied a technique to suppress his presence. Is that the method he used?

If applied this way, how could something like that even work?

How fascinating.

“I don’t need it given that I have the Body Transformation Technique, but I’m intrigued since it’s a method I haven’t seen before.”

“Every time I see it, I’m amazed.”

I expressed my admiration sincerely. The King of Demons replied nonchalantly.

“If you wish, I can teach you.”

He spoke as if it was no big deal, suggesting it’s not a profound secret.

“No, I’m not really looking to learn it.”

As I mentioned before, it’s something I don’t need. Learning from the King of Demons now would take way too long.

“I already have a mountain of things to learn. That’s overshooting it.”

There’s no need to learn things I don’t absolutely need to know. I don’t have time for that.

“I’ll ask next time if I’m curious.”

“Understood.”

“But, King of Demons…”

“Yes?”

“Was there really a need to disguise yourself as a woman?”

It’s all fine and dandy to disguise, but why go through the trouble of becoming a woman named Yeonhong?

That was my curiosity.

Wouldn’t it be easier to transform into a man and maintain a higher level of completion?

I posed the question with that intent.

“This is more comfortable for me.”

The King of Demons explained in his characteristic indifferent tone.

“From a gender ratio perspective, it’s easier to manage others when disguised as a woman.”

“Hmm…”

Manage.

Was he referring to keeping them captivated in a fish tank, as I mentioned earlier?

If that’s the case, according to the King of Demons, he had indeed managed things.

“With just a word from the King of Demons, everyone would jump into action.”

They’d swarm like a hive at his command. It was clear he had them under control.

“How pitiable it would be otherwise.”

Not knowing the true identity of the man trapped in his feminine facade, they’d cling to him. What would happen if the truth came out later?

While I wasn’t sure, it seemed it wouldn’t end well.

Of course…

“I don’t think the King of Demons would be exposed, though.”

Being who he is, he’ll manage just fine. That’s what I believe.

“Yes. Well… As long as you handle things on your end, I have no complaints… but…”

I skipped that section and got straight to the main topic.

“I just met with the Gyecheon Sect Leader. I might need to visit the Tang Clan soon, could you send a letter?”

“Oh… The Tang Clan?”

“Yeah, since you’re in Sichuan, you should visit your family. I need to deliver some news, so let them know.”

“Hmm, got it. But, didn’t the Great Lord have contact with my father?”

“…That was a while ago.”

A past tense situation.

As the King of the Poison Heavenly Pill, he previously engaged with the Tang Clan frequently for restoration efforts.

Initially, I had been in direct contact with the Poison King, but recently, I had been exchanging letters with the Lesser Clan Leader.

The sudden shift in who I was corresponding with is none other than the angered Lesser Clan Leader himself.

“Huh…? My father? Why suddenly does that…”

“It’s complicated… So, I’d greatly appreciate your help.”

“Oh… alright.”

I couldn’t explain the reason why.

Especially not to Tang Soyeol.

It was not about me; it was about the Poison King.

If I revealed that I was disliked due to the situations revolving around the Poison King to Tang Soyeol…

“That old man. He won’t let this blow over easily.”

Who knew how the Poison King would respond?

He could go from being merely upset to harboring resentment.

This reason made it essential to ask Tang Soyeol for the reminder about my visit to the Tang Clan.

It was clear that mentioning my arrival would entail preparations, and I couldn’t have that.

“Should I just tell them you’re coming?”

“Yes, mention that you’re coming along.”

“Oh, got it… When should I say you’ll be coming?”

“Hmm. Probably a few days after the Gyecheon Sect Leader arrives… So, about five days should be good.”

Three to five days. Perfectly timed.

That way…

“I can lay out some bait and gather intel on the Gyecheon Sect Leader.”

At the same time, I could also maneuver the Branch Leader.

This time frame was crucial for that.

Of course, this would only work if the King of Demons acted according to plan and if the Branch Leader follows my lead…

“No issues.”

I wasn’t worried about that.

I knew the King of Demons’ abilities, and the Branch Leader was predictable in my eyes.

Plus, Cheol Jiseon had already begun making moves, so things shouldn’t be a problem.

“Now the only question remains, how do I proceed?”

My choices would significantly impact everything.

But regardless of that, my ultimate goal would remain unchanged.

That’s the situation I set up.

“Now, I’ll count on you.”

“Yes.”

After giving my request to Tang Soyeol, I glanced outside.

The moon was casting its glow on the night.

Seeing that made me feel like things might just unfold as intended.

“Well then, in the remaining days… should I throw out some bait in key spots?”

“Bait?”

Tang Soyeol responded with a puzzled look at my whisper.

“I have some things I need to catch.”

I replied with a smile.

“Oh, are you going fishing?”

“Something like that.”

Fishing is indeed fishing.

The difference is, instead of catching regular fish…

“I’m planning to fish for the Great Lord.”

I aimed to polish up the Gyecheon Sect while also fishing for the Martial Alliance’s Great Lord.

I was thinking of reeling him in and serving him sushi-style.

As time passed, four days later.

Just as I had predicted, the Great Lord, Il Cheonggeom, stormed into the Sichuan branch with his members.

“Holy Being–!!”

But not just any entrance.

“Where are you–! I’ll kill you where you stand–!!”

He shouted, brandishing his sword, clearly furious.

 

---