I Decided to Give the Contract to the Male Vassal - Chapter 71

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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 71

 

Though I am the Third Prince’s wife, in their eyes I am merely a believer.

 

For someone like me to make a proposal to the Leader—how ridiculous it must have seemed to them.

 

“Chung-rin, what makes you think you can make such a proposal?”

 

The Leader’s voice carried a portion of his internal energy.

 

It was enough killing intent to make me kneel immediately, but I endured it steadfastly.

 

“I will personally search for that tomb myself.”

 

Gwon Museong’s eyebrows shot up. Mahu also widened her eyes and set down the teacup she had been holding.

 

They had lost their son long ago.

 

That day when they received his cold corpse and wailed in grief.

 

They must be recalling that day when Mahu’s time had stopped.

 

“Can you truly find it?”

 

Life flickered in Mahu’s eyes that had contained only death.

 

Depending on my answer, the surrounding air would change from killing intent to vitality.

 

“Yes, I heard something from my master. If I go there personally, I should be able to find where the remains are buried.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

The Leader let out a contemplative sound.

 

He too must have tried every means possible to uncover the truth about his son’s death.

 

So he seemed to already know that his son had been with a woman.

 

However, he had only heard that the woman also died when his son died, and seemed to be hearing about descendants for the first time.

 

“A grandchild… is there no possibility they might be alive?”

 

When I learned of that secret during my Sangteon-dang days, aside from knowing there was a wife and newborn, I couldn’t confirm whether the child lived or died.

 

Moreover, it had already been 33 years ago.

 

“…There is almost no possibility they are alive.”

 

I couldn’t give false hope.

 

For Mahu, who had just now escaped from the past, empty hope would be nothing but poison.

 

Rather, accepting the truth that her son, his wife, and even their grandchild all died because of the Heavenly Tiger Alliance, and strengthening her desire for revenge against them, might be her way to live on.

 

“I see…”

 

The Leader glanced toward Mahu.

 

I expected her to scream at any moment, but surprisingly she remained quietly in her place.

 

Perhaps she saw a small hope in my words.

 

“The Third Prince…”

 

“I haven’t told my husband, and only I know this fact.”

 

The Leader nodded.

 

“Who is your master?”

 

“My master was… someone who had lost his martial arts and was wandering, but he said he once belonged to the Heavenly Tiger Alliance’s Sangteon-dang.”

 

“Sangteon-dang?”

 

Killing intent flashed in the Leader’s eyes.

 

He would know better than anyone what kind of organization the Heavenly Tiger Alliance’s Sangteon-dang was.

 

A place that could be called the essence of the Heavenly Tiger Alliance’s power, planting spies throughout the martial world and using information as strength.

 

Sangteon-dang’s spies received thorough training before being dispatched, and he knew they were deeply hidden even within Cheonmugyo.

 

“My master was betrayed by the Heavenly Tiger Alliance and met me just before his death. This is what I heard directly from him before coming to Cheonsan.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

The Leader looked at me with suspicion.

 

“My master harbored deep resentment toward the Heavenly Tiger Alliance. He said that when I went to Cheonsan and faced Cheonjon, this information might be helpful.”

 

As I bowed my head, the Leader let out a deep breath.

 

“What was your master’s name?”

 

“He said he was called Chung-rin during his Sangteon-dang days. He has already passed away.”

 

It was a name I couldn’t tell Wicheonso.

 

But before the Leader, I had to reveal it.

 

“Could it be… are you speaking of Chung-rin, the Sangteon Jaerin?”

 

The Leader knew my name.

 

Displeasure rose on his face.

 

Though it was over ten years ago, the schemes I devised often dealt blows to Mageyo and Sadopae, so I could understand his dislike of me.

 

“Do you know my master?”

 

“Know him indeed. He was a strategist who showed off his talents with various information despite being barely more than a child. He disappeared at some point. I thought he might be scheming in the shadows, but to think he died in the meantime…”

 

The Leader stroked his beard.

 

Paradoxically, my past name seemed to have succeeded in drawing out the Leader’s trust.

 

“If that person taught you, then you might indeed be able to find our son’s family.”

 

“I will do my best. However…”

 

I raised my bowed head.

 

“The place I intend to go is currently under the Heavenly Tiger Alliance’s control.”

 

It meant it was a place I couldn’t go to alone.

 

“Where is this place?”

 

“Near the Taixiang Mountain Range in Shanxi.”

 

The moment he heard my words, the Leader frowned.

 

Three years ago, the current alliance leader had established a branch nearby to keep Mageyo in check.

 

“When the right time comes, I will go and search for it myself.”

 

“We’ll have to drive those Heavenly Tiger Alliance bastards out of that land.”

 

In truth, I had other methods available, but the Leader’s thoughts seemed different.

 

Perhaps because they thought they could find traces of the son and grandchild they had given up on long ago, a fierce aura had settled over the couple’s faces.

 

“Once we erase the Heavenly Tiger Alliance’s shadow from the Taixiang Mountain Range, I’ll call for you again.”

 

“I will follow Cheonjon’s command.”

 

“Don’t tell the Third Prince, and keep this known only to yourself from now on.”

 

“Understood.”

 

The Leader commanded sternly since this was something that must not leak out.

 

If I failed to keep my promise, he was someone who could lead the Mageyo followers and turn Seolsan Jeokga into ruins.

 

“But…”

 

Mahu, who had kept her mouth shut the entire time, spoke up.

 

“What is it that Chung-rin wants from me?”

 

“I… want our sect to become strong, even if it means opposing the hypocritical Heavenly Tiger Alliance.”

 

Like people who had heard an unexpected answer, both gazes fixed on me.

 

“If I find the tomb I mentioned, please promise to fill the position of successor to follow Cheonjon.”

 

Until now, the successor had been Gwon Yun, the son of these two people.

 

Though the First Prince and Second Prince were fiercely competing, the Leader too had not escaped from the shadows of the past.

 

If finding the tomb would free them from past shackles, I meant they should place a new person in that position for the continuation of Cheonmugyo.

 

Waiting for their answer, I gripped my sleeve tightly.

 

I worried that it might seem like an outsider like me was presumptuously lecturing them about Cheonmugyo’s major affairs.

 

“If Chung-rin keeps her promise, Cheonjon will also keep his promise.”

 

Mahu answered with an expressionless face.

 

Since the Leader also said nothing in particular, he seemed to agree.

 

❖ ❖ ❖

 

The Cheonmu Festival had ended.

 

The sacred fire I had lit seemed unlikely to go out anytime soon. Sawol told me that the disciples were betting on when the sacred fire would extinguish.

 

It seemed Chung-rin’s reputation had unintentionally grown.

 

“Please take my hand.”

 

As I came out of Cheonyanggung, Wicheonso extended his hand to me. He meant to help me board the carriage.

 

I grasped his hand and climbed onto the carriage. This time, Wicheonso also boarded the carriage and sat beside me.

 

Today, I was going with him to Cheongwolgung, his residence.

 

Cheongwolgung was said to be located at the northeastern edge of Cheonsan, above Binghondae Gorge. It felt like an isolated place even within Cheonsan.

 

“What did you discuss with Cheonjon?”

 

“Do you remember clauses 2 and 3 of the contract?”

 

“I remember. They were the clauses about not interfering with each other.”

 

“This falls under those clauses. If telling you were necessary for our plan, I would, but it’s not.”

 

Since the Leader told me not to inform Wicheonso, it seemed it should remain secret for now.

 

“You don’t need to tell me everything either, husband.”

 

Though our paths may differ, our destination is the same. That’s what I meant by those words.

 

“Is it dangerous?”

 

I expected him to say he understood, but unexpectedly, a strange question came back.

 

“Well, I’m not sure yet. But isn’t Young Master Jinwongyeom coming to Cheongwolgung with us?”

 

“He belongs to Gyojeon, not Cheongwolgung.”

 

“Still, he seemed to serve as your strategist. His insight is considerable, so he must have been helpful to you.”

 

Wicheonso didn’t deny this.

 

Besides the warriors at Cheongwolgung, he likely had his people scattered throughout Mageyo like Jinwongyeom.

 

In the end, it seemed Wicheonso had also been building his strength all this time to survive and rise to the position of Sect Leader.

 

While we conversed on this rather weighty topic, the scenery outside the carriage changed.

 

Snow-covered ridges and cool mist.

 

Above them, blue flags hung faintly visible. The moon pattern carved on the flags was particularly striking.

 

We had arrived at Cheongwolgung.

 

“This is where I reside.”

 

Binghondae Gorge seemed quite fitting as a residence for Wicheonso, who had mastered Cheonwolgong.

 

“It will be colder than where you lived before. This place is cool even in summer.”

 

The carriage had already entered through an iron gate attached to a stone wall.

 

Perhaps because of this, it felt more like a fortress or military camp than the Third Prince’s residence.

 

As it was around sunset, the shadows of torches stretched long along the path leading into Cheongwolgung.

 

“Everyone here is my person. Some are from Geukryeondang, others came from elsewhere. They all obey only my commands.”

 

There were dozens just within sight.

 

This meant the number of those following him inside and outside Cheongwolgung was much greater.

 

The subordinates greeted Wicheonso with expressionless faces.

 

No warm energy or laughter came from them.

 

It was a space where even one’s breath seemed to freeze.

 

“Before I guide you to your wife’s quarters, there’s something I need to test.”

 

When Wicheonso gestured, one of his subordinates handed me a sword.

 

“Now. Please show me your skills to your heart’s content, wife.”

 

Wicheonso gestured to me with his bare hands.

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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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