I Decided to Give the Contract to the Male Vassal - Chapter 66

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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 66

 

That dawn.

 

The Leader granted Wicheonso’s request for a private audience.

 

As the doors of Cheonmugung opened, cool air seeped into his lungs.

p>In the incense burner, spiritual herbs were burning with a subtle fragrance, making his lungs tingle just from breathing.

The Leader sat on the Taesa chair atop the Jeseokdan.

 

With red Bloodstone Flower patterns intertwined over his black ceremonial robes, the Leader looked less like a living person and more like a god in human form.

 

Wicheonso entered the space as if accustomed to it, calmly approaching and kneeling before the Leader.

 

“Third Prince. I’ve already heard the report that you found the mastermind behind the Bloodstone Flower leak.”

 

It seemed Simjung from Cheopyeongdang had also reported to the Leader.

 

The Leader probably knew in detail which elder Wicheonso had investigated and which suspect he had identified.

 

“Thanks to the swift action of the Cheopyeongdang Leader, we were able to resolve it well. Currently, Cheopyeongdang is gathering all evidence and interrogating Elder Ju, the master of the criminal who stole the Bloodstone Flower.”

 

As Leader Gwon Museong slowly raised his fingertips, red light illuminated his profile.

 

“So it was an act of apostasy to satisfy personal greed.”

 

His voice was low and dry, but each word was sharp as a honed blade.

 

“On the surface, it appears so.”

 

“Meaning there’s something hidden beneath.”

 

“It’s only speculation, but there are contradictions in that person’s claim about wanting to steal and sell our sect’s secret treasure.”

 

The Leader’s gaze fixed on Wicheonso’s red eyes.

 

His cold, calculating gaze, unswayed by emotion, was striking.

 

“Third Prince, do you believe there are those within our sect who harbor different intentions?”

 

“We cannot overlook even a single possibility. Apostates must not exist under Cheonjon’s heaven.”

 

Though Wicheonso’s tone was respectful, that single statement made the air in Cheonmugung even colder.

 

Gwon Museong’s internal energy had weakened from his battle with the previous Heavenly Alliance Leader, forcing him into repeated secluded training, making the order of the Heavenly Sect more important than ever.

 

That’s why he placed Wicheonso in the Third Prince position and granted him the authority to eliminate apostates.

 

Wicheonso’s drive was the Leader’s power, and Wicheonso was an excellent hunting dog that elevated the Leader’s authority.

 

That’s why Gwon Museong favored him.

 

“If you command it, I will investigate more thoroughly.”

 

“That’s enough. I have another task for you.”

 

Wicheonso raised his head.

 

“Please give your command.”

 

“Signs of betrayal are stirring in the Jungwon Murim, where the order of Cheonmu had been established. The First Prince and Second Prince have tasks I’ve assigned them, so this time you will go. I’ll inform you of the timing separately.”

 

“I will obey Cheonjon’s command.”

 

Wicheonso prostrated himself and bowed his head.

 

“Rise.”

 

The Leader gestured and fell into thought for a moment.

 

Accordingly, Wicheonso quietly stood up.

 

“Before the Cheonmu Festival, there’s something I’d like to request of Cheonjon.”

 

“Speak.”

 

“I would like you to place this disciple on the festival altar instead of my wife.”

 

Gwon Museong’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

 

“The Cheonmu Festival has been a place for women who have trained in martial arts for decades. There’s no law preventing a man from standing there, but the disciples will object.”

 

“She came to Cheonsan with her martial arts sealed. If her blood fails to ignite the sacred flame, Cheonjon’s authority might be diminished.”

 

The Leader’s eyes darkened slightly.

 

“She is a woman Cheonjon values highly. Wouldn’t it be better not to do anything that might harm her?”

 

Since Chung-rin’s internal energy was insufficient, she would have to keep bleeding to ignite the sacred flame. Wicheonso was pointing this out.

 

“Are you truly saying this for my sake?”

 

The Leader lowered his eyelashes and glared at Wicheonso.

 

Wicheonso had never shown interest in any woman before. There was a high possibility he had no particular interest in Chung-rin either.

 

“You haven’t performed the consummation ceremony, have you? Is this to keep your promise with me?”

 

“…”

 

Wicheonso expressed his affirmation through silence.

 

Only five days had passed since the wedding ceremony. Since they had only spent some of that time together, it was hard to call them true husband and wife.

 

Moreover, Wicheonso seemed to only care about the Leader’s and his own reputation, not about Chung-rin’s safety.

 

Gwon Museong withdrew his suspicious gaze.

 

The demonic arts of the Heavenly Sect fade human emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure.

 

Since Wicheonso had learned the Phantom Demon Art, he couldn’t avoid this process.

 

Having decided to ascend to the position of Young Sect Leader, he too would have to move more calculatingly than anyone else.

 

Rather than having Chung-rin ascend the altar as the festival’s officiant and make mistakes, choosing to ascend the altar himself wasn’t strange.

 

The Leader, sensing his intentions, sank deeper into the Taesa chair.

 

“I permit it.”

 

A murky red energy appeared in the Leader’s eyes.

 

“However, only if she agrees.”

 

Wicheonso bowed his head deeply.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

The day of the Cheonmu Festival dawned.

 

Five days had passed since I joined the Heavenly Sect, and it was time for me to ascend the altar.

 

Hyeoncheonggungju Yuhwa and Hwaumgungju Nosoggun came to Cheonyanggung at dawn.

 

They came to check if the ceremonial robes were intact and to teach me how to wear them.

 

Thanks to Sawol and Okxiang taking turns guarding them, the ceremonial robes were intact. The magical formations inscribed on the robes were also unchanged.

 

“Right now, these ceremonial robes have protective magical formations that are twisted. You could fix the formations, but you insist on wearing them as they are?”

 

Though Yeo Gyeong-o expressed concern, I insisted firmly.

 

“Hyeoncheonggungju and Hwaumgungju will come to Cheonyanggung to check the ceremonial robes anyway. I can’t make them suspicious of me.”

 

The two ladies still hadn’t set aside their prejudices about me.

 

So showing them what they wanted to see would be better for finding a way to drive a wedge between these two.

 

Keeping these thoughts to myself, I put on the ceremonial robes with their help.

 

“Oh my, Third Prince’s wife. You look even more beautiful today. Are the clothes uncomfortable?”

 

Yuhwa smiled as she examined the ceremonial robes. Her fingertips brushed the edge of the robes’ lining.

 

It seemed Hyeoncheonggungju Yuhwa was indeed the one who had inscribed those magical formations.

 

Nosoggun saw this but said nothing, lowering her eyes. This meant Nosoggun felt the same way.

 

Yuhwa and Nosoggun seemed to have joined hands and decided to suppress me.

 

They didn’t want the Third Prince to distinguish himself. So they were probably hoping I would make mistakes at the Cheonmu Festival.

 

“Third Prince’s wife, have you learned the Cheonmu dance well?”

 

“Yes. Thanks to Hyeoncheonggungju showing me a demonstration, I was able to learn it accurately.”

 

“I only showed you once, but Miss Chung followed along completely. That’s why I was less worried.”

 

Yuhwa clasped her hands together and laughed as if delighted.

 

Nosoggun silently watched me and Yuhwa as if gauging our reactions.

 

Today’s Cheonmu Festival must have felt like an opportunity to bring me down to her.

 

A clear bell rang.

 

It was the sound announcing the start of Cheonmu Festival preparations.

 

“Then I pray everything goes according to Cheonmu’s will.”

 

Nosoggun bowed and withdrew.

 

I felt nervous thinking that the Cheonmu Festival was starting now.

 

After taking a deep breath, I went outside the garden to board the carriage.

 

“My lady.”

 

It was Wicheonso.

 

He had returned after finishing his business.

 

“The ceremonial robes suit you well.”

 

He too was dressed in ceremonial robes of a similar color to mine.

 

Wicheonso had neatly arranged his jet-black hair and red eyes, creating a strange contrast with his dark red ceremonial robes. There was even something decadent about his appearance.

 

A red light tinged with the lingering traces of the Phantom Demon Art briefly flickered in his eyes.

 

“I shall escort you to the altar.”

 

The most dangerous man in Cheonmugyo extended his hand to me.

 

It was a hand that had spilled much blood in recent days.

 

I took that hand and headed toward the carriage.

 

“But are you truly certain you’ll be alright? Your body hasn’t seemed well since falling into the water.”

 

Wicheonso didn’t seem to expect me to properly kindle the sacred flame. He appeared worried that his reputation might suffer if I failed.

 

In truth, my concern was rather the opposite, but there was no way to explain the reality right now.

 

“Even if the sacred flame goes out, we can just relight it several times. Spilling a little blood won’t be a flaw.”

 

When I spoke in a whisper, Wicheonso shook his head.

 

“Wouldn’t it be better to eliminate risk factors entirely? Let me ascend the altar instead.”

 

“Wait a moment. Aren’t men other than the Leader forbidden from ascending the altar?”

 

“It’s merely a custom originating from when the previous Leader’s wife performed the heavenly dance toward the sky in his honor. There’s no rule that it must be performed by a woman. This is even more true for the sacred flame.”

 

I briefly imagined Wicheonso performing the heavenly dance. Being such a splendid man, it would suit him very well.

 

“But we cannot go against Cheonjon’s will…”

 

At that moment, I realized he must have already obtained the Leader’s permission.

 

He hadn’t returned to Cheonyanggung for days, so he must have met with the Leader during that time.

 

“Cheonjon has given permission.”

 

“He said it would be fine if you wished it.”

 

Wicheonso seemed surprisingly good at obtaining what he wanted from the Leader.

 

This likely meant he was doing the work the Leader desired.

 

“No. I’m against it. If you step forward directly, both our reputations will only suffer.”

 

To gain the trust needed for the position of Soggyoju in Cheonmugyo, one must achieve results in such external activities.

 

For matters like this, it was better for me, as his wife, to take the lead.

 

“Trust me.”

 

Wicheonso blinked his red eyes.

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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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