I Decided to Give the Contract to the Male Vassal - Chapter 53

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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 53

 

Wicheonso’s last words bothered me a little.

 

When night falls, the groom enters the bridal chamber and performs the ritual of sharing wine with the waiting bride.

 

It was a ceremony announcing that the couple had become one.

 

After that, they would lie on the same bed and perform the ritual of union.

 

I had been so focused on thinking about the current situation between the Yeomhwa Family and the Heavenly Sect that I had overlooked this aspect.

 

A little later, Okxiang came with tea and simple refreshments.

 

Since there was still a long time before the final ceremony, I needed to fill my stomach a bit.

 

“I’ll wait outside the door, so call me if you need anything.”

 

Sawol and Okxiang left me in the bridal chamber and went outside to guard the door.

 

I sat on the bed with the veil drawn.

 

Sangteon-dang spies often had fake marriages, so I had learned about this too.

 

However, since I had never had occasion to marry anyone, this was my first time with marriage itself.

 

The marriage with Wicheonso was due to a contract, but it was true that we had to act like a real couple while the contract was maintained. This meant we also had to perform the ritual of union.

 

Strangely, my throat felt dry.

 

Cheonyanggung was a place within the Sect Leader’s sight. I had to avoid any actions that might arouse suspicion.

 

So I had to spend the night here with Wicheonso today.

 

My heart, which had been calm even right before the wedding, began to stir.

 

My worry about sleeping with him was for a different reason.

 

The Phantom Demon Art that Wicheonso used.

 

Though it was an ultimate technique created by the 5th Sect Leader who reached the realm of the Heavenly Demon, its side effects were severe, causing one to cut people down indiscriminately right after using it.

 

During the wedding ceremony, Wicheonso had maintained his composure.

 

But two years ago, Wicheonso was said to have cut down his bride during the wedding.

 

If that was also because he couldn’t overcome the side effects of the Phantom Demon Art… then today, the blood that Yeonhopyeong spilled might not be enough either.

 

If I had to spend the night alone with such a Wicheonso…

 

He might point his sword at me tonight.

 

If he lost his reason and cut me down, my plan could come to nothing.

 

So I carefully examined the decorative sword mounted on the wall.

 

Even if I couldn’t defeat him, there was surely a way to survive.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

“Third Prince, congratulations on your marriage.”

 

In the banquet hall of Cheonyanggung, a feast was prepared for the guests.

 

Wicheonso had to use all the social skills he possessed to deal with the guests.

 

Normally, he would have ignored such procedures and left the banquet hall, but today he couldn’t do that.

 

The elders attending the banquet, representatives of each family, and the heads of the Cheonryeong Isippal-dang each offered congratulations to Wicheonso.

 

“Thank you for your kind words.”

 

Wicheonso received and drank the wine offered by an elder.

 

Right after the wedding ceremony, he had taken off his clothes soaked with Yeonhopyeong’s blood, washed lightly, and changed into new clothes.

 

Only then did the smell of blood that even incense couldn’t mask completely disappear.

 

However, whenever Wicheonso picked up a wine cup, his thumb joint trembled slightly.

 

Very few in the banquet hall noticed this fact, but those who did sent uncomfortable glances toward Wicheonso.

 

They seemed wary that blood might be spilled in the solemn hall due to side effects.

 

Wicheonso ignored this and casually approached a man with light hair sitting at the back, Eokmu.

 

“Young Master Eok.”

 

Wicheonso bowed respectfully toward Eokmu, the bride’s older brother.

 

“You must have been surprised at the wedding ceremony.”

 

Since the groom had suddenly changed, he must have been flustered.

 

However, the gaze that returned from Eokmu was dry.

 

“As long as you keep the agreement, it doesn’t matter who my sister’s marriage partner is.”

 

Eokmu hid his feelings with a cold expression, but his added words contained his emotions.

 

“Still, please take good care that my sister doesn’t get hurt.”

 

“Is that something that will work if I try hard?”

 

When Wicheonso asked with a smile, Eokmu just lowered his head.

 

“Well then, I’ll take my leave now. Please give my regards to my sister.”

 

Eokmu seemed to bite his lip slightly, then quietly withdrew.

 

He looked as if he was afraid that saying more wrong words might break their relationship.

 

Wicheonso tried to gauge his true intentions but gave up.

 

It seemed like Chung-rin would have already taken care of matters regarding Seolsan Jeokga.

 

When dinner time came, all kinds of luxurious food were placed on the table, and the Sect Leader in splendid black robes entered the banquet hall.

 

When he sat on the throne with his robes fluttering, everyone in the banquet hall knelt before him and bowed their heads.

 

“Cheonmu Musang!”

 

“Angcheon Mubok!”

 

It was a slogan meaning that the authority of the Heavenly Sect lies in heaven, and all people look up to that blessing.

 

They all raised both hands to chest height and fixed them toward the Sect Leader.

 

The Sect Leader raised his hand to permit them to rise.

 

“Sect Leader, congratulations on this joyous occasion.”

 

The eldest elder congratulated the marriage of the Third Prince, the Sect Leader’s last disciple.

 

Others were about to add their words, but the Sect Leader just nodded once and silenced their greetings.

 

“Third Prince.”

 

When the Sect Leader called Wicheonso, the surroundings became quiet.

 

Since the Sect Leader’s words were the law of the Heavenly Sect, the guest elders and representatives of the Seven Great Families also showed visible tension.

 

“Tell me what you saw and heard at the Yeomhwa Family.”

 

As if the wedding ceremony didn’t matter at all, the Sect Leader wanted Wicheonso’s report.

 

This was familiar work for Wicheonso, so it wasn’t surprising.

 

He knew that the Sect Leader had recently been obsessed with rooting out apostates.

 

“The apostate Yeonhopyeong seems to have received the Bloodstone Flower from someone, but circumstantially, the Head of the Yeon Family appears unrelated to this. A thorough investigation seems necessary regarding this matter.”

 

“Then Cheopyeongdang would be suitable for this matter.”

 

Among the Cheonryeong Isippal-dang, Cheopyeongdang was responsible for gathering information inside and outside the sect.

 

“Cheopyeongdang’s Simjung, I command you. Find and report the one who seduced the apostate Yeonhopyeong, his contacts and backers. I grant you the authority to execute those who refuse investigation and flee.”

 

Simjung slowly rose from his seat and bowed. His expression was calm as if he had been waiting for the Sect Leader’s command for a long time.

 

“However, until evidence emerges, you must not commit harsh acts against the Head of the Yeon Family and his household. Confirm the truth and take corresponding measures.”

 

“I obey your command.”

 

“All decisions regarding this matter are authorized to Third Prince Wicheonso.”

 

“Then I will report to the Third Prince.”

 

Simjung quietly bowed his head and greeted Wicheonso.

 

“Third Prince. Work with the head of Cheopyeongdang to uncover and eliminate the backers.”

 

“I will obey Cheonjon’s command.”

 

Wicheonso knelt and bowed.

 

The Sect Leader looked at him with a satisfied expression.

 

Subtle ripples arose among the elders.

 

Some read the Sect Leader’s caution, others read his calculations.

 

The Sect Leader gave the execution mission as if he knew about the side effects of the Phantom Demon Art that Wicheonso possessed, and had Simjung monitor Wicheonso.

 

No matter how much of a disciple he was, he wouldn’t entrust his back to him.

 

The Sect Leader was the living doctrine of Heavenly Martial Arts.

 

Even though Wicheonso clearly understood the Sect Leader’s intentions, he felt strangely bitter.

 

The Sect Leader was the master who taught him Heavenly Martial Arts, but he only kept him by his side to maintain his authority as Sect Leader.

 

He was fundamentally different from his first master who had truly cared for him.

 

When Wicheonso finished all his duties as the groom who held the wedding ceremony and as the Third Prince, it was already the middle of the night.

 

Thinking of Chung-rin who would be waiting in the bridal chamber prepared at Cheonyanggung made him feel strange.

 

The hand that had cut down Yeonhopyeong trembled. Due to the aftermath of the Phantom Demon Art, his body seemed to crave blood.

 

He headed toward the bridal chamber decorated with red and black cloth, his fists clenched tight.

 

The maid waiting in front of the door announced to the bride that the groom had arrived.

 

The maid lit incense in the room and immediately withdrew.

 

He could see Chung-rin sitting on the bed, wearing a red silk veil.

 

“You must have waited long.”

 

When he reached out and lifted the veil, a beautiful face adorned with bridal makeup was revealed.

 

Her vivid eyes shone brilliantly, holding a gentle light.

 

“You can relax now.”

 

Chung-rin’s face clearly showed signs of tension.

 

Just as he was about to set down his sword, which he carried like a part of his body, placing it beside the table.

 

Chung-rin quickly lowered her body and grabbed the decorative sword that had been standing beside the bed.

 

Chung-rin’s eyes directed at him were shining with clear light.

 

From her trembling eyelashes and wavering pupils, he knew.

 

Chung-rin was being wary of him.

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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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