I Decided to Give the Contract to the Male Vassal - Chapter 63

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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 63

 

Mealtime was quiet.

 

Only the clinking sounds of chopsticks and dishes touching could be heard.

 

Wicheonso naturally placed fried eggplant and fried tofu mixed with spicy seasoning onto my plate.

 

Watching his matter-of-fact behavior made me feel as if I had become his person.

 

Suddenly, I remembered the times when I used to share snacks with Baekah.

 

Perhaps because of that, it felt strange that the warmth Wicheonso had given me seemed to linger on my plate.

 

“I heard you went to pay your respects to Mahu.”

 

“I wanted to. But I couldn’t even enter Eunyangung.”

 

“If it’s you, madam, I think you already expected that outcome and moved accordingly.”

 

Hearing the title “madam” made my fingertips cringe anew.

 

It was when I took a deep breath, once again recalling the fact that I had taken employment as the Third Prince’s wife.

 

“Do you think you can move Mahu?”

 

Though a smile hung on Wicheonso’s lips, his eyes weren’t laughing at all.

 

He was clearly suspicious of me.

 

“Plans always have variables. The same goes for Mahu’s case. People’s hearts are complex, but sometimes they’re simpler than expected, so I have to try.”

 

I answered with a bitter smile.

 

“Gyojeon will send Hwaumgungju Nosoggun as the person to teach about the Cheonmu Festival.”

 

“She’s the Second Prince’s wife.”

 

“Unlike Hyeoncheonggungju, who is the First Prince’s wife, she could be called someone who points a blade while smiling.”

 

Wicheonso stood up first as soon as he finished his meal.

 

Looking closely, even though he seemed to eat leisurely, he always finished his meal faster than me.

 

“Madam, my return home will be late today, so please don’t wait for me.”

 

“Ah…, yes.”

 

‘Speaking like that really makes us seem like a married couple.’

 

I hurriedly came to my senses, then stood up and paid my respects to him.

 

“Please take care of yourself as well, husband.”

 

Wicheonso slightly narrowed his eyes, smiled, and then left.

 

Perhaps because we looked like a perfect couple on the surface, Sawol whispered carefully.

 

“It seems the Third Prince cherishes you, madam.”

 

“Did you forget how the Third Prince acted at the Yeomhwa Family? You said he was scary back then.”

 

As soon as I countered like this, Sawol shrank her shoulders.

 

“He was back then. I thought I’d have to cater to the Third Prince’s moods forever. But it’s not like that now.”

 

At the time, Sawol had been surprised by Wicheonso’s fickle food preferences and told me about the situation several times.

 

Seeing Sawol forget about that incident and defend Wicheonso was somewhat amusing.

 

“It’s because he needs me.”

 

Wicheonso was famous for his free-spirited and capricious nature, but this was a mask for surviving as the Third Prince.

 

Since he had decided to become the Vice Sect Leader of Mageyo, he would have had to show a different side after the wedding.

 

‘Just looking good to the Sect Leader alone won’t make you the Vice Sect Leader.’

 

Sect Leader Gwon Museong had left the Vice Sect Leader position vacant for a long time after losing his son.

 

The Sect Leader habitually said, ‘The Vice Sect Leader of Cheonmugyo must be recognized through the Three Examinations.’

 

The first was the Martial Examination.

 

One’s martial prowess to inherit and carry on Cheonmugyo’s essence must be verified.

 

Not only the other princes, but Wicheonso also didn’t fall behind in this area.

 

The second was the Doctrinal Examination.

 

This part meant understanding of Cheonmugyo doctrine and religious loyalty.

 

Since Wicheonso was in charge of punishing apostates, his evaluation in this area was quite good.

 

The third was the Popular Examination.

 

This was the part that required support from the elders, general followers, and families like the Seven Great Families.

 

To be reborn as a leader of Cheonmugyo, one must capture the hearts of the followers.

 

However, Wicheonso had many disadvantages because he wasn’t from one of the prestigious Seven Great Families.

 

At least he had become somewhat more advantageous by marrying someone from Seolsan Jeokga, called descendants of sages.

 

Therefore, Wicheonso wouldn’t treat me carelessly and would maintain proper etiquette.

 

‘Wicheonso is said to be the son of Wi Hanjin, one of Cheonjon’s Four Great Dharma Protectors.’

 

Wi Hanjin was someone who came to stand beside Cheonjon not as Cheonsan bloodline, but purely through martial prowess.

 

He brought his son Wicheonso to Cheonsan only after he turned sixteen, and had him enter Cheonmugyo while keeping his origins secret.

 

“Come to think of it, the Third Prince’s father didn’t come to the wedding?”

 

“I heard he went on a long-term mission.”

 

Well, the wedding was held too suddenly.

 

Seeing that Wicheonso didn’t mention his father either, I thought they probably wouldn’t see each other for a while.

 

Around the hour of the Dragon, a servant came from the Hall of Laws in Gyojeon.

 

“Hwaumgungju has personally come to explain about the Cheonmu Festival events.”

 

“Guide her in.”

 

I prepared to receive her.

 

‘Since Hwaumgungju is from the Nohwase family, she’ll be more knowledgeable about etiquette than anyone.’

 

The Nohwase family was a household that had maintained its position alongside Cheonsan’s history. Hwaumgungju was the eldest daughter of that place.

 

The door opened, and a woman neatly dressed in purple clothing entered the residence.

 

Her hair, neatly pinned up, showed no dishevelment, and her purple clothing felt like Cheonmugyo’s laws themselves.

 

Hwaumgungju Nosoggun.

 

This was the first moment I faced her, the Second Prince’s wife.

 

I had no choice anyway.

 

I had to accept Hwaumgungju and receive her teachings.

 

“I greet Hwaumgungju.”

 

Since the Second Prince’s wife ranked higher than me, I paid my respects first.

 

Nosoggun’s brow slightly wavered upon receiving my greeting.

 

“Third Prince’s wife, this is our first meeting. Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling well that day, so I couldn’t attend the wedding ceremony.”

 

As far as I knew, Nosoggun was in her late twenties. But befitting someone from the tradition-respecting Nohwase family, her behavior felt more seasoned than even Hyeoncheonggungju, who was in her thirties.

 

Even when Okxiang set down the prepared tea, she didn’t spare it a single glance.

 

She showed truly perfect etiquette, only fixing her gaze as if pressuring me.

 

“Third Prince’s wife. Three days remain until the Cheonmu Festival. Those who ascend the first altar must perfectly master the ‘ritual ceremony.’ This altar is the heart of the religious order and the sacred fire itself.”

 

Her voice was quiet, but blade-like discipline lingered at the end of every word.

 

I set down my teacup and met her gaze.

 

“So that’s why Hwaumgungju personally came to teach.”

 

“Yes. I heard you lost your past memories. I also heard it’s difficult for you to use martial arts. So I couldn’t feel at ease. The religious order’s prestige hangs on your every fingertip and step, so it would be troublesome if you made any mistakes.”

 

It seemed she had gathered information about me in the meantime.

 

Nosoggun raised her hand toward her maid.

 

“What the Third Prince’s wife must do at the Cheonmu Festival isn’t simple. You must perform the heavenly dance offered to the sky and light the sacred fire. This sacred fire is very important.”

 

When her maid lit the incense she brought, white smoke rose through the air.

 

She took out a handkerchief embroidered with black thread. Then she took out a needle, pricked her fingertip, and let a drop of blood fall.

 

When her blood touched it, the incense flame flickered red.

 

“This is the first spark of the sacred fire. Only by dropping pure blood can it burn for a long time.”

 

Until now, during every Cheonmu Festival, the sacred fire had been lit with the blood of the religious order’s noble women.

 

Since Hwaumgungju Nosoggun had alternated this role with Hyeoncheonggungju, I understood her exceptional pride.

 

“The Cheonmu Festival continues for three days. To maintain the sacred fire during that time, much of your blood might be needed.”

 

She gazed at me without any emotion.

 

According to the doctrine that only noble bloodlines recognized by Cheonmu could continue the sacred fire, the Cheonmu Festival was a place to test my abilities.

 

Though not known to general followers, the sacred fire ignites using the internal energy mixed in one’s blood.

 

If one’s internal energy is insignificant, the sacred fire will quickly extinguish.

 

Nosoggun was confident that I wouldn’t be able to keep the sacred fire burning for long.

 

In fact, Yeo Gyeong-o had also told me.

 

“Looking at your internal energy, I can tell. The sacred flame must burn for three full days during the Cheonmu Festival… but your blood won’t last even half a day.”

 

He meant that blood would need to be continuously shed to maintain the sacred flame for three days.

 

He probably thought I might wither away and die like dried tofu.

 

Until recently, I was a martial arts cripple, and even now I’m close to that level.

 

Nosoggun must think of me as a complete martial arts cripple, so he’s probably viewing my condition even more seriously than Yeo Gyeong-o.

 

This was also what I had expected.

 

Making opponents let their guard down like this was one of the strategies I learned at Sangteon-dang.

 

The problem actually lay elsewhere.

 

The reason the Leader specifically told me to participate in the Cheonmu Festival.

 

‘He might have wanted to see with his own eyes how special the bloodline of Seolsan is. If not that…’

 

From our brief encounter, he might have noticed that I absorbed the energy of the Bloodstone Flower and wanted to confirm this.

 

Either way, it was certain that the Leader was testing me.

 

The Bloodstone Flower I absorbed seems to have melted away completely without leaving a trace, but blood doesn’t lie.

 

A single drop of my blood would be more than enough to maintain the sacred flame throughout the entire Cheonmu Festival.

 

Perhaps the sacred flame itself might blaze while bearing the color of the Bloodstone Flower.

 

Rather than becoming a criminal who stole the Bloodstone Flower, it would be better to become dried tofu instead.

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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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