I Decided to Give the Contract to the Male Vassal - Chapter 44

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 44

 

‘As expected, the Third Prince seems to be interested in Riri.’

 

Yeonjo also watched the procession heading to Cheonyanggung and came to a conclusion.

 

That he should arrange a marriage between the two.

 

“Shouldn’t the Third Prince also find a marriage partner?”

 

Yeonjo asked casually. This was to test Wicheonso’s feelings.

 

“It seems a good match will come along at the right time.”

 

When Wicheonso answered indifferently, Yeonjo inwardly nodded.

 

He had known when the Evergreen Magnolia was used as an excuse. In fact, Yeonriri, the noble daughter of the Yeomhwa Family, would not be a bad choice for Wicheonso either.

 

Whether it was personal interest in Riri or a desire for the backing of the Yeomhwa Family was unclear, but for Yeonjo, either option was not bad.

 

“Hmm…, it seems we could discuss marriage matters slowly.”

 

Yeonjo cleared his throat and made a comment.

 

“Indeed.”

 

Wicheonso answered while still not taking his eyes away.

 

However, in reality, what he was watching was neither Chung-rin nor Yeonriri.

 

He was closely observing Yeonhopyeong’s movements.

 

After visiting Chung-rin’s residence yesterday, Yeonhopyeong had spent all his time in his own quarters.

 

From early morning, he had entered the inner residence’s treasury under the pretext of trying on wedding clothes and checking accessories.

 

For a groom before his wedding, this was not strange behavior, but to Wicheonso’s eyes, it was clear that Yeonhopyeong had set out to find the Bloodstone Flower.

 

‘He had hidden the Bloodstone Flower among the accessories. He must have planned to move it to Cheonyanggung.’

 

Just then, Yeonhopyeong appeared.

 

Without even meeting his bride Chung-rin, he quietly headed to his own quarters.

 

Though he only saw him from afar, Wicheonso didn’t sense any special energy from Yeonhopyeong.

 

If Yeonhopyeong had succeeded in absorbing the Bloodstone Flower, its essence would have been assimilated into his body.

 

Even with Wicheonso’s excellent ki perception, he couldn’t confirm this with the naked eye unless he directly infused his internal energy to check.

 

Should he search for the Bloodstone Flower in the accessories right now?

 

He pondered for a brief moment and came to a conclusion.

 

If the accessories were moved to Cheonyanggung, it would become difficult to prove that the Bloodstone Flower had been in the Yeomhwa Family.

 

Only by finding the Bloodstone Flower here and now could he confirm the connection between the Bloodstone Flower and Yeonhopyeong.

 

Just as he was about to order his subordinates to examine the accessories to find the Bloodstone Flower.

 

He felt a familiar presence seeping into his shadow. It was Hyeonjyo, the subordinate he had assigned to Chung-rin.

 

– My lord, there is a message from Miss Chung.

 

Wicheonso stopped walking at Hyeonjyo’s telepathic message.

 

– She says the accessories are only flashy on the outside, but the real flower will bloom in the Yeomhwa Family. She asked you to remember this fact.

 

This meant that the Bloodstone Flower in the accessories was just an empty crystal, and its essence had been absorbed by Yeonhopyeong.

 

‘So Yeonhopyeong absorbed the Bloodstone Flower’s energy, and will eventually reveal it outwardly?’

 

The corner of Wicheonso’s mouth curved up, and anticipation filled his red eyes.

 

Indeed, with the Bloodstone Flower essentially empty, capturing Yeonhopyeong wouldn’t prove he was a traitor.

 

But if he had absorbed the Bloodstone Flower and relied on that power to run wild…

 

The situation would change.

 

The Bloodstone Flower was a sacred object of Cheonsan that only those chosen by the Sect Leader could obtain.

 

If Yeonhopyeong displayed that power, it would be proof that he had absorbed it without permission.

 

This would be a clear act of apostasy.

 

It meant he could exercise the authority for immediate execution granted by the Sect Leader.

 

His gaze, which had been directed at Yeonhopyeong, once again settled on Chung-rin.

 

The sight of Chung-rin greeting Yeonriri and boarding the carriage was captured in his red eyes.

 

‘Miss Chung…’

 

Watching the carriage gradually moving away, Wicheonso gently pulled up the corner of his mouth.

 

‘Is she using me for her own revenge?’

 

He didn’t think Yeonhopyeong had moved based solely on Wicheonso’s provocation.

 

Probably last night, Chung-rin had provoked Yeonhopyeong and made it so he couldn’t endure the three days until the wedding.

 

He knew that Chung-rin was using him, but to think she would reveal her intentions so blatantly.

 

‘Miss Chung has created a situation where I have no choice but to strike down Yeonhopyeong.’

 

Executing Yeonhopyeong when he revealed the Bloodstone Flower’s energy was indeed the cleanest way to resolve this incident.

 

Since it was an order from the Sect Leader, it was also a situation Wicheonso couldn’t back down from.

 

“Head of the Yeon Family.”

 

“Yes, Third Prince.”

 

“If we find nothing by the wedding ceremony, my subordinates and I plan to quietly withdraw. However, we intend to thoroughly investigate until then.”

 

There were three days left until the wedding.

 

He was saying he would stay at the Yeomhwa Family only until then.

 

Wicheonso’s tone was polite and he even wore a smile, but beneath it lay blade-like tension.

 

Yeonjo pretended to be fine but inwardly clutched his chest.

 

If traces of the Bloodstone Flower were found here, it was clear the entire family would be in danger.

 

Fortunately, if they could just endure three more days, there would be no such worry.

 

“If there’s anything you need, please let us know. Our Yeon family will do our best to uphold the doctrine.”

 

Though he had secured a promise, he couldn’t let his guard down.

 

The fact that his eldest son Yeonhopyeong had emerged from a long period of martial stagnation was particularly concerning.

 

An ominous feeling crossed his mind, but after calculating various factors, he shook his head.

 

‘Pyeong is in no position to know about the existence of the Bloodstone Flower. He must have just come to his senses before the wedding.’

 

Yeonjo pondered while recalling Yeonhopyeong, who said he would continue secluded training until just before the wedding.

 

He had to make the first move to prevent Wicheonso from unreasonably branding the Yeon family as apostates.

 

He would have his subordinates secretly release information about apostates known to the Yeon family’s informants.

 

Whether that information was real or fake didn’t matter. The purpose was to direct Wicheonso’s attention outward for the remaining three days.

 

Just then, a servant approached and whispered that a physician had arrived from Maryeonghwaga.

 

Thinking of his second son Yeon Ho-ryeong, who must be writhing in pain, he had to receive the guest immediately.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

It took a full hour to travel from the Yeomhwa Family to Cheonyanggung.

 

The black-robed disciples surrounding the procession were all guards personally assigned by the Sect Leader.

 

‘If Eokmu tried to extract me from such an ironclad escort procession, he must have made considerable preparations.’

 

Since he had decided to receive help from Baekansega, perhaps he could spirit me away. Baekansega was one of the two intelligence organizations supporting Mageyo.

 

When I emerged from these thoughts, my eyes fell on Sawol and Okxiang, who showed clear signs of tension.

 

“Have you two ever been to Gyojeon?”

 

A place any disciple of Cheonmugyo would know.

 

Gyojeon was the main hall where worship and ceremonies took place, and was like the center of faith for the people of Cheonsan.

 

“Yes. I’ve been to Hyeonmajeon.”

 

Sawol smiled awkwardly while clenching her hands. Since Hyeonmajeon was an outer hall that ordinary disciples could enter, she would be familiar with it.

 

“I heard Cheonjeon will personally officiate the wedding. I feel nervous myself.”

 

Sawol added while still clasping her hands together.

 

As they said, Cheonmugyo was not simply a martial force, but a massive organization deeply rooted in Cheonsan as a religion.

 

The founding Sect Leader had cultivated the barren land of Cheonsan to save the disciples from starvation and punished bandits who engaged in plunder. Thanks to this, people began to worship not only the Sect Leader but even his disciples like gods.

 

Gyojeon was a sanctuary symbolizing such authority of the Sect Leader.

 

Inside Gyojeon, there were not only public areas like Hyeonmajeon, but also places like Cheonyanggung and Cheonmugung where outsiders were strictly forbidden to enter.

 

Going to Cheonyanggung also meant that besides Sawol and Okxiang, there would be no one I could trust.

 

“Sawol.”

 

I took out a scroll from my bosom and handed it to her.

 

“This is the deed to the house where your family moved.”

 

“Moved?”

 

“You were worried about your father and siblings. I sent someone separately to move them yesterday, and I plan to provide living expenses for the next few years.”

 

Sawol’s eyes gradually widened. She seemed to find it hard to believe what I was saying.

 

Sawol’s family was in the outskirts, not in Cheonsan. After her mother passed away, they became so poor that her youngest sibling nearly starved to death, and only Sawol’s work and monthly wages could keep them alive.

 

So I decided to cut off the source that allowed Yeonjo to threaten Sawol.

 

“You did that for me, Miss? Why would you go so far…?”

 

“Because you treated me like family. I wanted to help you, so when my brother came, I quietly asked him for a favor.”

 

Actually, it wasn’t Eokmu but Hyeonjyo, whom Wicheonso had assigned to me, that I asked to do a few things.

 

I sent him to a certain jeonjang (a bank). There were funds I had secretly deposited there under the name of operational expenses during my Sangteon-dang days.

 

Hyeonjyo withdrew money from the jeonjang and had Sawol’s family move to a hideout that my past self had prepared.

 

This was possible thanks to Hyeonjyo moving quickly.

 

With the money provided monthly, at least Sawol’s family wouldn’t starve to death.

 

“Thank you, Miss…”

 

Sawol looked at me with a bewildered expression.

 

“Sawol. I want you to become one of my people.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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