I Decided to Give the Contract to the Male Vassal - Chapter 65

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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 65

 

“Reason?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Jinwongyeom’s eyes were serious.

 

If I didn’t give him a convincing answer now, it would only increase his suspicions.

 

So I attached a suitable reason.

 

“After the Third Prince saved me, I asked him. I said I didn’t want to marry Yeonhopyeong, so please marry me instead.”

 

“The Third Prince accepted that proposal?”

 

“He did.”

 

“Until now, there have been many beautiful women who wanted to hold a wedding ceremony with the Third Prince, but he refused most of them.”

 

“I know he doesn’t choose just anyone. But I’m not just anyone, am I? Perhaps he also benefited from it?”

 

When I answered like this, confusion appeared on Jinwongyeom’s face. Taking advantage of that moment, I quickly added.

 

“And I heard that my husband also held a wedding ceremony two years ago.”

 

“…That’s true. But that bride died without even having the wedding night.”

 

“So, are you surprised that I didn’t die?”

 

Jinwongyeom shut his mouth tightly. I felt like he was hiding something.

 

He seemed to know why Wicheonso had killed the bride.

 

“You are different from your first impression, Madam.”

 

Jinwongyeom, like Hyeoncheonggungju and Hwaumgungju, seemed to have thought of me only as a woman who had lived in confinement.

 

‘Still, since I didn’t back down at all in front of him, he must have reserved judgment about me.’

 

Probably Jinwongyeom judged that Wicheonso married me because of the bloodline of Seolsan Jeokga.

 

Perhaps he even noticed that my marriage with him was nothing more than a temporary alliance.

 

“Now I’m ready to learn about the doctrines and teachings of Cheonmugyo, and about the Cheonmu Festival. Start the lesson.”

 

When I declared this, Jinwongyeom also stopped asking questions.

 

“How much have you learned about the doctrines of Cheonmugyo?”

 

“I’ve been learning from a priest every day since the day I came to Cheonyanggung.”

 

At that time, I wasn’t a believer, so I needed someone to teach me about the etiquette for the wedding ceremony. The priest from Gyojeon played that role then.

 

“Then do you know why Cheonmugyo took root in Cheonsan?”

 

“I heard it started because the first sect leader protected the weak of Cheonsan.”

 

At that time, the first sect leader was someone who had reached the level of Chomashin (about Hyeongyeong level).

 

“That’s right. At first, they pursued strength to protect the weak. But as time passed and the 5th sect leader reached the realm of Cheonma, the doctrine gradually changed to worshipping strength.”

 

The 5th sect leader was the first supreme being to be called Cheonma (Heavenly Demon).

 

“Even the people of the Central Plains who call us Mageyo and ostracize us were like fallen leaves in autumn wind before the power of Cheonma.”

 

The 5th sect leader was an unparalleled genius in the world, and he mastered all five demon arts of Cheonmugong.

 

He vowed not just to pursue strength alone, but to create an environment where believers wouldn’t remain weak and could continuously pursue strength.

 

From that time on, Cheonmugyo became a religion that worshipped the sect leader.

 

Until the 5th sect leader, the young sect leader was selected from the sect leader’s bloodline, but after the 5th sect leader, it became customary to make the strongest person the young sect leader.

 

Eventually, Cheonmugyo, which made this barren Cheonsan a place for people to live, reached the 14th sect leader Gwon Museong and established itself as a force that divided the martial world with its influence.

 

Jinwongyeom handed me a book with the doctrines written in it and told me to memorize it.

 

“I’ll explain the procedures of the Cheonmu Festival for the remaining time. I’ve received permission, so let’s go to the altar first.”

 

‘Finally, I’ve been allowed to go out.’

 

Except for when I went to Eunyangung, I had to stay only in Cheonyanggung.

 

So this was my first official outing.

 

‘I’ll be able to confirm with my own eyes the information I encountered during my Sangteon-dang days.’

 

The Cheonmu Festival is a solemn event that only elders, guardians, and representatives from demon families can attend.

 

There were many things that couldn’t be known from Sangteon-dang’s information alone, so I was looking forward to it in many ways.

 

I quickly put on the blood-red robe that Sawol brought and went outside.

 

“Please follow me.”

 

Jinwongyeom still suspected me, but he definitely maintained proper courtesy toward me.

 

The altar wasn’t far from Cheonyanggung.

 

“This is the altar.”

 

In the wide clearing below the altar, places for believers to line up were prepared.

 

On the black stone of the central Bongsungdae, old burn marks remained scattered like constellations.

 

“Various ceremonies are held before lighting the sacred fire. As you’ve probably heard, you’ll need to learn Cheonmu (Heavenly Dance) as well, Madam.”

 

Cheonmu was a dance offered to heaven and also a symbol of the religious order.

 

Since swordsmanship and dance have similar basics, I should be able to learn it quickly.

 

“But I heard there was an attack during a Cheonmu Festival before? I heard it from the general manager.”

 

“That was twelve years ago. On the third night, the sacred fire went out, and the Grand Elder’s wife collapsed after being hit by a poisoned arrow while trying to relight it.”

 

Jinwongyeom looked up at Bongsungdae for a moment.

 

“Did you catch the culprit?”

 

“It was the work of heretics outside Cheonsan. They tried to ruin the Cheonmu Festival to undermine Cheonsan’s authority.”

 

He paused for a moment and looked into my eyes.

 

“If Cheonjeon hadn’t rooted out the heretics at that time, our sect’s power would have been broken.”

 

Jinwongyeom looked at Bongsungdae where the sacred fire would blaze with an indecipherable expression. That expression seemed like he was both smiling and crying.

 

It seemed like he had some story related to that incident.

 

“Young Master Jin, this Cheonmu Festival must be important for the Third Prince, right?”

 

Jinwongyeom looked at me as I climbed onto the altar.

 

“Of course. It’s the first ritual since the Third Prince got married.”

 

“What would happen if something unfortunate happened to me at the Cheonmu Festival?”

 

“The believers would feel that the Third Prince’s marriage is ominous.”

 

Ripples appeared in Jinwongyeom’s calm eyes.

 

“Do you think you might be attacked during the ritual, Madam?”

 

“Hwaumgungju entrusted me with the ceremonial robes. I don’t know much about strange arts, but it felt a bit odd. I usually have good instincts about these things.”

 

Jinwongyeom’s expression became thoughtful.

 

He probably expected that there would be people who would think unfavorably of me, but he probably didn’t know they would move this quickly.

 

“The ceremonial robes for the Cheonmu Festival originally contain protective formations. They detect killing intent to warn, and when lighting the sacred fire, they hold onto internal energy to stabilize the flame.”

 

“What if the formations were changed?”

 

“The warning wouldn’t sound, and the sacred fire would be easily extinguished.”

 

“Then would that be Hwaumgungju’s doing?”

 

“That’s impossible. She’s not the type to leave such traces. The Nohwase Family also values tradition.”

 

I actually agreed with that.

 

When I held Hwaumgungju’s hand, I felt internal energy as refined as Evergreen Magnolia.

 

Judging from the energy flow that Hwaumgungju’s internal energy drew at that time, her martial prowess was similar to Hyeoncheonggungju, the First Prince’s wife.

 

But her martial arts were far from strange arts or formations, so it didn’t seem like she would have tampered with the ceremonial robes.

 

So I suspected the Yeonhyeonseoga.

 

“If someone tampered with it, Hyeoncheonggungju Yuhwa would be more likely.”

 

The children of Yeonhyeonseoga learn language, talismans, formations, as well as Eonmunjingong, which layers mental seals. Yuhwa also learned the same things.

 

Perhaps Nosoggun and Yuhwa, those two people might have joined hands.

 

Still, since there was no evidence, I couldn’t make definitive statements.

 

“I’ll secretly investigate the ceremonial robes. Your safety is important for the Third Prince as well, Madam.”

 

“No, I’ll handle that part myself. Instead, there’s something I’d like to ask Young Master Jin to do…”

 

Jinwongyeom, while still suspicious of me, came closer and spoke quietly as if whispering.

 

“Please tell me.”

 

“Don’t touch the ceremonial robes, but check the condition of the burn marks under Bongsungdae. If there are records about the sacred fire, let me know. And…”

 

As I whispered quietly, his eyes grew wider and wider.

 

“…I understand. I’ll do that.”

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

Wicheonso shook off his sword blade dripping with blood.

 

The side effects of Hwanmagong usually lasted for seven days and nights, but the side effects decreased after mastering Cheonwolgong.

 

Now on the third day, he was hardly affected by it.

 

Still, he acted as if he was dominated by the Phantom Demon Art, conscious of Simjung, the leader of Cheop-yeong Hall.

 

Just then, an Elder’s Disciple who had come to investigate attacked Wicheonso.

 

In an instant, Cheonwolgong’s blade pierced through him.

 

As Wicheonso’s sword drew an arc, blood flowers bloomed on the wall.

 

The aura of the Phantom Demon Art faded from Wicheonso’s eyes that had been glowing red.

 

“Strangely easy.”

 

Wicheonso examined the body of the Elder’s Disciple who had just died. The underside of the corpse’s fingernails was dark red. It meant he had been handling poison all along.

 

Seeing this, Wicheonso wiped his sword and sheathed it.

 

The whole story of this incident was that the Elder’s Disciple had leaked the Bloodstone Flower to the outside while caring for it in place of the Elder.

 

The Elder voluntarily appeared before Cheop-yeong Hall, and everything seemed to end like this.

 

‘There are some parts that don’t add up.’

 

The Bloodstone Flower was a crystallization created by mixing the blood of the fifth Sect Leader with the blood of the first Sect Leader.

 

There was no way the reason for leaking something that could be called the essence of demonic arts was simply for money.

 

As he expected, the real culprit seemed to want to experiment with the Bloodstone Flower through Yeonhopyeong.

 

There might be those with different intentions deep within the Heavenly Sect.

 

– My lord, let’s return now. It’s been three days since you left Cheonyanggung.

 

Chungbeom sent him a telepathic message.

 

“Chungbeom, how is my wife doing?”

 

– According to Hyeonjyo’s report, preparations for the Cheonmu Festival are in full swing. The lady pays her respects to Mahu every day, but she hasn’t been able to enter Eunyangung.

 

“I see.”

 

Tomorrow is the day of the Cheonmu Festival.

 

The Bloodstone Flower leak incident was resolved, but there were unsettling aspects.

 

This wasn’t the only source of anxiety.

 

If Chung-rin lights the sacred fire, the aura of the Bloodstone Flower mixed in her blood might be revealed.

 

If the Sect Leader sees that, would he punish Chung-rin, or would he forgive her?

 

Either way, it wouldn’t be what the Sect Leader desires.

 

In that case, it might be better to block her from lighting the sacred fire at all.

 

“I’m returning to Gyojeon immediately. I must see Cheonjon.”

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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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