I Decided to Give the Contract to the Male Vassal - Chapter 52

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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 52

 

“Cheongheon .”

 

With the elder’s cry, the first ceremony of the wedding began.

 

The Sect Leader confirmed the marriage certificate with both their names written on it, and declared that their union did not violate the sect’s laws.

 

The Sect Leader lifted his gaze from the marriage certificate and slowly looked over the two people.

 

“Today’s union is bound by blood, and their souls are united by the will of Cheonmu .”

 

As the Sect Leader recited this, flames blazed up in unison on the torches placed on the pillars of Cheonyanggung.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

From the moment I entered Cheonyanggung, the real war had begun.

 

This wedding ceremony was no different.

 

As I entered Cheonyanggung, I confirmed the faces of those attending the wedding ceremony through my veil.

 

Even though it was a wedding ceremony presided over by the Sect Leader, not all of Mageyo’s important figures had gathered.

 

‘The First Prince and Second Prince are not present.’

 

Since the Heavenly Sect was currently a massive force that divided the martial world in half, the Sect Leader would have assigned them important duties.

 

Perhaps the Sect Leader had deliberately decided to hold this wedding while they were away.

 

“Perform the Gyeolhyeollye .”

 

The second ceremony, also called the blood oath, began.

 

Wicheonso and I stood on the platform and each cut our fingertips to drop blood into wine cups. They were the cups that would hold the union wine.

 

This was the Heavenly Sect’s life-sharing ritual, and a ceremony symbolizing the sect’s law of binding by blood and severing by blood.

 

Perhaps finally realizing that this wedding ceremony was truly taking place, someone’s low swallowing sound could be faintly heard.

 

The bell rang again.

 

“Bow once to Cheonmu.”

 

We paid respects to the divine seat , the foundation of the Heavenly Sect.

 

“Bow twice to Cheonjon.”

 

This time we bowed toward Sect Leader Gwon Museong at the altar.

 

The Sect Leader, seen through my veil, was looking at Wicheonso and me with a satisfied expression.

 

‘What was the Sect Leader thinking when he permitted this marriage?’

 

On the surface, it would appear that the Sect Leader had given Wicheonso a portion of his power, but I think differently.

 

Sect Leader Gwon Museong… he is not someone who would share power.

 

Permitting the marriage with Wicheonso was only to bind me, who carries the bloodline of the Chungga, and establish a political marriage alliance, not to acknowledge Wicheonso as a candidate for successor.

 

Rather, it would be correct to say he was using him as a check against the First Prince and Second Prince.

 

“Bow to each other as husband and wife.”

 

We faced each other and exchanged bows.

 

Immediately after, Wicheonso wrapped a red cord that an attendant had given him around my wrist.

 

I received golden thread from my maid and tied the cord.

 

It was a ceremony binding the couple’s fates as one.

 

Now it was time for the union wine .

 

Wicheonso and I lifted the cups used during the blood ceremony and each drank from them.

 

As if announcing the end of the wedding ceremony, the flames on the torches blazed fiercely.

 

“Groom, remove the veil.”

 

At the elder’s cry, Wicheonso reached toward me.

 

The red veil draped over my face was gathered by his hand. As my face was revealed, Wicheonso’s breath reached me at close range.

 

At the same time, the sounds of drums and gongs could be heard.

 

It was the sound proclaiming that Wicheonso and I had become husband and wife.

 

My heart pounded.

 

This was only taking the first step.

 

The Sect Leader unfolded the marriage certificate stamped with a red seal and read aloud Wicheonso’s and my names once more.

 

“From today, under the laws of the Heavenly Sect, two people bound by blood have become one.”

 

As the wedding ceremony ended, the flames that had been blazing brightly on the torches diminished and died down.

 

I glanced at Wicheonso standing before me.

 

He looked beautiful as a painting, wearing wedding robes over white clothes stained with blood.

 

A man who drew people’s gazes, harboring poison within.

 

Conscious of me, he looked at me with a smile.

 

“Miss Chung.”

 

Then a low voice followed, penetrating my ear like a tickle.

 

“Did you complete your revenge well?”

 

Within that sweetly spoken phrase was hidden subtle pressure.

 

As if saying that since I had used him for revenge, I should pay an appropriate price.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

The bloody stench of the apostate had not left his body.

 

Though the incense burned in advance in Cheonyanggung was strong, it still seemed to linger at the tip of Wicheonso’s nose.

 

The fingertips that had gripped the sword still trembled faintly.

 

Though he had only cut down one apostate, it felt as if something deeper had been severed along with it.

 

‘I had to spill blood again to end it.’

 

It was the aftermath of the Phantom Demon Art.

 

This demonic art that showed opponents their greatest fears was powerful, but its aftereffects were severe.

 

After using the Phantom Demon Art, the craving for blood would surge for several days.

 

To overcome this, one had to see much blood, and refusing this could lead to qi deviation.

 

Since the 5th Sect Leader, no one had properly mastered the Phantom Demon Art. Most died young, unable to overcome the side effects.

 

This weakness was known only to a few core members of the Heavenly Sect, including the Sect Leader.

 

Wicheonso’s use of the Phantom Demon Art in the main hall before the wedding was partly to extract a confession from Yeonhopyeong, but there was a bigger reason.

 

The Sect Leader was a suspicious person.

 

After losing his son who had been the successor, he hadn’t placed anyone in the successor position for the same reason.

 

So Wicheonso had to clearly show that he could never challenge the Sect Leader’s authority.

 

The Sect Leader had taught him the Phantom Demon Art along with Cheonwolgong from the beginning to keep Wicheonso in check.

 

Wicheonso’s use of the Phantom Demon Art in that place today was also to remind the Sect Leader of this fact.

 

Because he had killed Yeonhopyeong, his heart had calmed, but as time passed, he would crave blood again.

 

Suppressing this desire was no easy task either.

 

After enduring today, he would definitely need to kill people for several days before the aftermath would subside, which made him quite uncomfortable.

 

Ten years ago, the sword he first learned was not like this.

 

In the past, his master had said:

 

“The sword should be used to prove one’s existence rather than to kill people.”

 

A teaching he could no longer keep.

 

Since coming to Cheonsan, his sword had been nothing more than a tool for killing people.

 

But today, when he killed Yeonhopyeong, he felt something strange.

 

Chung-rin’s eyes behind the veil had widened. He couldn’t tell if she was happy that Yeonhopyeong had died as intended, or shocked at seeing blood.

 

Nevertheless, Wicheonso felt a strange satisfaction at the fact that Yeonhopyeong, who had tormented Chung-rin, had disappeared from this world.

 

This was quite a novel experience.

 

He composed his expression so this emotion wouldn’t show on the surface.

 

The bell rang, announcing the end of the wedding ceremony.

 

When Chung-rin took the hand he extended, Wicheonso felt warmth for the first time in a while.

 

He smiled with the corners of his eyes curved and whispered toward her.

 

It was a voice like spring-laden wind, as if addressing a woman who had made him fall in love.

 

But the content was not so.

 

“Did you complete your revenge well?”

 

Chung-rin’s clear eyes wavered slightly.

 

Though briefly, a pale aura spread across her face as if she had been struck by the cold air of Seolsan.

 

But soon even that expression disappeared.

 

“Thanks to the Third Prince, I was able to settle the past well.”

 

She readily admitted it and said no more. It was probably to avoid arousing unnecessary suspicion.

 

‘How interesting.’

 

She unfolds her schemes while revealing as little emotion as possible. Even if he sees through her intentions, she remains unfazed.

 

As if even that is part of her plan.

 

But why doesn’t Chung-rin look satisfied?

 

Though he felt a bit disappointed, he maintained his gentle smile as a mask until the end.

 

“No need for thanks. We are husband and wife now, aren’t we?”

 

Though it was a marriage formed through contract, there was some sincerity in Wicheonso’s words.

 

Wicheonso took Chung-rin’s hand and stepped outside together.

 

The two waiting maids supported Chung-rin.

 

Unlike the groom who had to greet the wedding guests, it was customary for the bride to enter the bridal chamber and wait for the final ceremony.

 

As Wicheonso entrusted Chung-rin to the maids, he whispered:

 

“Then, I’ll see you tonight. We must complete the final ritual of the wedding.”

 

At that, he felt Chung-rin tightly grip the collar of her red wedding dress.

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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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