I Decided to Give the Contract to the Male Vassal - Chapter 67

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 67

 

As I took Wicheonso’s hand to board the carriage, he looked up at me and said something unexpected.

 

“I heard from Jinwongyeom. He said you might be in danger, but can I still trust you?”

 

I had only asked Jinwongyeom about the attack incident at the Cheonmu Festival 12 years ago.

 

But it seemed he had already informed Wicheonso that I might be in danger.

 

Wicheonso’s red eyes gazing at me seemed to waver strangely.

 

Even though I couldn’t find even a trace of affection in his voice, I suddenly had this thought.

 

‘Is he worried about me?’

 

Wicheonso is just a connection I happened to make after living as Chung-rin.

 

Even though I became his wife according to plan, there was no emotional exchange between us.

 

We must maintain a relationship of mutual exploitation. Wicheonso knows this fact better than anyone.

 

I shouldn’t misunderstand his intentions.

 

So I also put aside my emotions and maintained a strategic attitude.

 

“Since I’ve become your wife, anywhere is dangerous. If it’s going to be dangerous anyway, I should use whatever I can.”

 

Then his raised eyebrows lost their strength and lowered.

 

The corners of Wicheonso’s mouth lifted faintly.

 

“You’re trying hard to keep our agreement. I’m somewhat relieved.”

 

The fact that he looked slightly disappointed must be my imagination.

 

I boarded the carriage without answering.

 

I naturally expected him to board with me, but he walked right beside the carriage.

 

It seems for the Cheonmu Festival, I must ride the carriage alone.

 

“Husband, may I ask if the Bloodstone Flower matter was resolved well?”

 

“It’s still under investigation, but it seems to have been settled for now.”

 

He closed his mouth as if he should be careful about speaking on this matter.

 

I also wanted to ask in detail, but thinking there might be listening ears, I didn’t ask any more questions.

 

“Anyway, it’s fortunate that matter was resolved before the Cheonmu Festival.”

 

There was no conversation after that.

 

Half an hour later, we arrived in front of Jecheon.

 

As I came out of the carriage, Wicheonso, who had been beside it, embraced my waist so my ceremonial robes wouldn’t drag and helped me down to the ground.

 

There was a red carpet laid out leading to Jecheon.

 

Before stepping onto it, I approached Wicheonso.

 

“Husband, there’s something I’d like to ask of you…”

 

When I whispered in Wicheonso’s ear, his eyes that had widened slightly soon curved into half-moon shapes.

 

“Will that be alright?”

 

“For the time being, that would seem advantageous for you, husband. So it’s fine.”

 

Wicheonso’s eyes became even colder.

 

An atmosphere cold as moonlight settled in. It felt as if a curtain had been drawn between us.

 

“Let’s do that then. Well, I’ll see you after the Cheonmu Festival ends.”

 

A golden light flashed across his red eyes. It was somehow reminiscent of demonic energy, making my spine tingle.

 

I wondered if I had said something wrong, but it was already spilled water.

 

Since I couldn’t take it back, I had to move forward.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

The bell of Cheonmugung rang three times.

 

When the ringing stopped, the air above the altar became quiet as if frozen.

 

The altar was divided by status according to different levels.

 

At the highest place sat Sect Leader Gwon Museong, and directly below him sat Hyeoncheonggungju Yuhwa and Hwaumgungju Nosoggun side by side.

 

Below them, twelve elders were lined up, and various hall masters of Cheonryeong Isippal-dang including Yeo Gyeong-o and representatives of each demon family were arranged left and right wearing red ceremonial robes.

 

On the outskirts, warriors of Hobeopdang surrounded the altar in three layers to protect it.

 

White smoke rose from numerous incense burners placed near the altar. The altar submerged in it looked like a space for the gods.

 

When the prayer to heaven ended, the Sect Leader slowly rose from his seat.

 

“Today, the Third Prince’s wife, Chung-rin, will receive the will of Cheonmu.”

 

A solemn voice filled with internal energy echoed over the altar.

 

Chung-rin walked out to the center of Bongsungdae.

 

Flags honoring the previous sect leaders were hung, and black and red flags symbolizing the Heavenly Sect were decorated alongside them.

 

The obsidian floor laid on the altar was cool.

 

The priests of the Heavenly Sect shook chains with incense burners to spread smoke. It was an act done hoping prayers would rise and reach heaven.

 

From now on, no one except Chung-rin could ascend the altar.

 

It was the rule that those present here would not ascend the altar no matter what happened.

 

The only one who could break that custom was the Sect Leader, who was Cheonjeon.

 

People’s gazes were all focused on Chung-rin at once.

 

In her hands was a ceremonial sword with a black blade.

 

It was time for the Cheonmu ritual dedicated to the previous sect leaders to begin.

 

The Cheonmu ritual created by the 5th Sect Leader proceeded as sword dance reminiscent of flowing water.

 

Chung-rin steadied her breathing and stepped the footwork of Cheonmu.

 

Smoke chaotically enveloped her body.

 

Every time the sword swept across the sky, silver energy flowed along with it.

 

Seeing this, Hyeoncheonggungju clicked her tongue.

 

‘Her movements are completely different from during practice.’

 

Chung-rin, from whom no internal energy could be felt at all during that time, was now stepping footwork as if defying gravity.

 

Silver energy flowed from the parts her toes touched.

 

‘That is…’

 

Hwaumgungju narrowed her eyes. Internal energy that couldn’t be felt from Chung-rin at all was faintly leaking out.

 

Chung-rin’s fingertips were flexible like willow branches, and her toes lightly stepped the footwork of Cheonmu like a butterfly landing.

 

It wasn’t just them who were surprised by this. Everyone there looked at Chung-rin anew.

 

Cheonmu was not a simple dance.

 

It was drawing with the body the moment when heaven and earth, fire and water, yin and yang intersect.

 

While drawing the balance of heaven and earth, Chung-rin was shaking that balance.

 

Every time her sword tip swept through the air, the air cried out.

 

From within the flames of the religious order, the energy of ice bloomed, and silver stillness spread like mist.

 

A dance of cold energy that bloomed on the altar of fire.

 

Chung-rin, the subject of that dance, drew people’s gazes just by existing.

 

Wicheonso, who was below the platform, was the same.

 

‘Did she decide to reveal her internal energy without hiding it at the Cheonmu Festival?’

 

Chung-rin generously released her internal energy so as not to be caught having absorbed the Bloodstone Flower.

 

The internal energy containing Seolsan’s cold energy had become completely different energy from when he had directly detoxified it for her.

 

‘Did she take a spiritual medicine for today?’

 

Even within the smoke surrounding the altar, a clear and pure energy was spreading.

 

Chung-rin seemed to be in a trance like someone who had gained enlightenment.

 

In the end, she perfectly recreated Cheonmu from fingertips to toes.

 

It was when her sword tip pointed to the sky.

 

Swoosh!

 

With the sound of cutting through wind, a sharp arrow shot through the smoke of the incense burner.

 

Just like the incident that happened 12 years ago, the arrow flew toward her body in an instant.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

“From now on, no matter what happens, you must stay still and guard your position.”

 

This was what I had said to Wicheonso just before ascending the altar.

 

When the arrow flew through the altar.

 

Originally, the protective formation placed on the ritual would have warned of danger and blocked it, but this time it couldn’t.

 

I naturally expected this would happen and was perfectly prepared for the danger.

 

The direction the hidden weapon came from was behind the altar.

 

The priest who was assisting with the ritual slipped a hidden weapon into his sleeve and shot a small arrow at me.

 

Since it was at close range, it was an absolutely unavoidable attack.

 

However, I possessed a special power.

 

‘Stop!’

 

The supernatural ability to stop time.

 

In an instant, my heart seized hold of the world.

 

The vibrations in the air disappeared and the wind froze as if trapped in a transparent barrier.

 

The swirling incense smoke stopped in midair, and the flags below the altar came to a halt without a breath of wind.

 

It wasn’t that everything had slowed down, but rather that I alone had become too fast.

 

It felt like walking against the current of time’s river.

 

People’s gazes, the rising smoke, even the arrow’s trajectory—everything merely swayed slowly as if underwater.

 

Only the sound of my breathing could be heard.

 

Cold energy spread to my fingertips.

 

The arrowhead was suspended right before my eyes.

 

I slightly twisted my wrist and pushed the arrowhead away with the tip of my scabbard.

 

As the scabbard brushed against it, the arrow changed direction.

 

The air distorted and the arrow seemed to rewind, traveling back in the exact direction it had come from.

 

Along with that, the wind began to move again.

 

Thunk!

 

The sound of the arrowhead striking echoed from atop the altar.

 

As time resumed its flow, blood spurted from the priest’s wrist.

 

His eyes widened. The arrow he had shot had returned to pierce through the back of his hand.

 

“Ah…!”

 

Someone let out an exclamation.

 

Everyone looked at me in surprise.

 

However, I maintained the Cheonmu stance with my sword raised, as if nothing had happened from the beginning.

 

As I finished the Cheonmu, silence returned once more.

 

Even the Leader seemed to have momentarily lost his words.

 

Wicheonso’s red eyes sparkled.

 

The faces of Hyeoncheonggungju and Hwaumgungju had turned pale.

 

Murmuring sounds could be heard due to the sudden assassination attempt.

 

If the Leader had not extended his hand, the commotion would not have been quelled.

 

“Third Prince.”

 

The Leader quietly called to Wicheonso.

 

Then Wicheonso launched his body forward and subdued the bleeding priest.

 

Only after confirming there were no other dangers in the vicinity did he send a signal to the Leader that all was well.

 

“Proceed with the ignition ceremony.”

 

The Leader’s voice filled the altar.

 

It was a light mixed with wariness, awe, and something inexplicable.

 

I raised my sword blade again and lifted my arm up high.

 

The sleeve of my left arm flowed down, fully revealing Sugungsa.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————