I Decided to Give the Contract to the Male Vassal - Chapter 73

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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 73

 

It wasn’t surprising that Sawol found it strange.

 

Among those who had learned the Heavenly Martial Arts, many kept women close by.

 

It was because of the unique yin energy that women possessed.

 

The demonic arts of the Heavenly Sect had strong yang energy. Even Sect Leader Gwon Museong wouldn’t have achieved such greatness if Mahu hadn’t balanced him by providing yin energy.

 

Mahu was his only legitimate wife, but I heard that after she went into seclusion, he had attempted to take concubines several times. This too was because of his martial arts.

 

Perhaps that’s why the First Prince and Second Prince of the Heavenly Sect always kept women by their sides.

 

The Second Prince in particular was famous for fathering children throughout the martial world.

 

‘But to think there were no women at all in Cheongwolgung, that is rather strange.’

 

Perhaps he only kept subordinates nearby out of concern that spies might infiltrate.

 

According to information I received from Yeo Gyeong-o, most of Wicheonso’s subordinates were from Geukryeondang. I heard that the others were also people the Third Prince had personally selected.

 

‘Was his careful management of those around him due to Jinwongyeom’s advice, or was it Wicheonso’s own judgment?’

 

I wasn’t sure which it was, but Wicheonso didn’t easily keep people close.

 

Instead, I heard he trained those he considered his people even more harshly.

 

Suddenly I remembered him calling me to the training hall.

 

‘Surely he didn’t think of me as one of his people…’

 

He and I were a fake couple bound by contract. To him, I was like a stranger.

 

Even if he didn’t say it directly, everyone in Cheongwolgung would know this fact.

 

So when I entered Cheongwolgung, they all must have given me cold and chilly looks.

 

Even if they distanced themselves from me or disliked me, it would be understandable.

 

By the time I finished changing clothes, the sun had completely set.

 

Okxiang came to prepare dinner with the servants.

 

“My lord, these are dishes prepared by Cheongwolgung’s cook.”

 

Perhaps because it was my first day at Cheongwolgung, the dining table was more splendid than expected.

 

There were carefully prepared dishes that could receive the earth’s energy, and elaborately decorated fish dishes were served.

 

“The Third Prince has business today and cannot join you for dinner.”

 

This wasn’t Cheonyanggung, so there was no need to pretend to be a married couple. We could freely eat separately and no one would say anything.

 

“Then shall the three of us eat together?”

 

Sawol and Okxiang answered that they understood.

 

The only people I could trust in Cheongwolgung were Sawol and Okxiang, so relying on each other wouldn’t be bad.

 

Sawol put stir-fried vegetables in her mouth and her eyes widened.

 

“I’ve never eaten such delicious food before!”

 

Okxiang also silently moved her chopsticks.

 

I heard rumors that Wicheonso was a gourmet, and perhaps that’s why the seasoning was exquisitely balanced.

 

Moreover, they were delicious dishes that didn’t burden digestion.

 

“It seems they took special care in preparing this.”

 

Okxiang whispered.

 

Since this was my first meal here, they seemed to have made an effort to take care of me.

 

After finishing the meal, Sawol said to me.

 

“You must be tired from coming all this way, how about soaking in the hot spring? I heard there’s a medicinal bath that’s good for relieving fatigue.”

 

“Really?”

 

Soaking in warm water would indeed be good for blood circulation.

 

I had no problem with stamina since I had taken the Red Snow Pill, but I needed to prepare to extract the third needle.

 

To leave Cheonsan, I would need to raise my martial arts higher than now.

 

Since Cheongwolgung would have tighter security than other places, it seemed not bad to prepare in earnest beforehand.

 

“Then prepare it for me.”

 

Since it was already late at night, no one else would come to my residence.

 

Steam rose from the hot spring behind the residence.

 

Moonlight flowed silver across the water’s surface.

 

After telling Sawol to return in two hours and sending her back to the residence, I slowly immersed myself in the water wearing thin undergarments.

 

As the hot water enveloped my skin, the tension seemed to melt away.

 

As I soaked alone, I suddenly remembered the conversation I had with Yeo Gyeong-o just before leaving Cheonyanggung.

 

“You really pushed yourself hard during the Cheonmu Festival. Is your body alright now?”

 

Since Yeo Gyeong-o knew I had learned Sangteon-dang’s martial arts, he didn’t seem too surprised.

 

“This is the information you wanted.”

 

Yeo Gyeong-o handed me everything he had investigated about Wicheonso.

 

Information about the Yohyeonseoga and Nohwase families was also included.

 

I absorbed all the information I received from Yeo Gyeong-o right there on the spot.

 

Then I returned it to Yeo Gyeong-o.

 

“Can you memorize everything just by seeing it once?”

 

In the past, even during my time as the Heavenly Sect Leader, my memory was exceptional.

 

But since awakening in this body, I had surpassed even that previous level. Now I could recall most things I had seen once.

 

These eyes seemed special.

 

“You’d better be careful of the Third Prince even when you go to Cheongwolgung. Since the 5th Sect Leader, no one has properly mastered the Hwanmagong.”

 

It wouldn’t be strange if Wicheonso fell into qi deviation at any time.

 

He probably said that meaning I could also be in danger if I got caught up in it.

 

Perhaps Wicheonso’s not keeping women close was also because he didn’t want to put them in danger.

 

‘Even so, I didn’t know Wicheonso would push that hard.’

 

Thinking of today’s sparring, Wicheonso’s gaze kept coming to mind.

 

A look that seemed emotionless yet penetrating.

 

Rather than simply not trusting me, it seemed like he was checking how far I could endure.

 

He was a man whose thoughts were impossible to read.

 

I buried myself in the hot spring water, feeling the heat completely.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

The water rippled and the moonlight wavered.

 

A metallic sound rang out—clang.

 

I reflexively turned my head.

 

At the far end of the rear garden, through the mist, I could see the faint trajectory of a sword.

 

It was Wicheonso.

 

He was alone, wielding a sword while wearing elegant black martial robes.

 

He too seemed to have just bathed, as moisture clung to his hair.

 

Quiet and refined movements.

 

Each technique felt more like a ritual than training.

 

But it was strange.

 

‘That swordsmanship…’

 

Such basic sword forms were only learned when first studying the sword.

 

When I taught Baekah, I taught the basics in that way, so I was familiar with the method.

 

But there wasn’t a single imperfect part—the breathing intervals, the angle of his toes, even the twist of his elbows.

 

I couldn’t understand why Wicheonso was training with such basic swordsmanship, but it was incomparably more perfect than my disciple’s.

 

Though the two were completely different, watching him strangely reminded me of Baekah.

 

Suddenly the moonlight touched my heart, and my longing for Baekah turned to tears that fell down my cheeks onto the water’s surface.

 

At that small sound of teardrops hitting the water, Wicheonso looked up.

 

His gaze was directed precisely at me.

 

The moment I was caught secretly watching him.

 

Whoosh!

 

With a sound, something shot toward me.

 

It was… a wolf with grayish-blue fur. The wolf’s eyes were so clear like ice that it felt more like a spirit beast than an ordinary wolf.

 

It ran toward me and bared its teeth.

 

Just as I stepped back in the water and immersed myself deeper in the hot spring.

 

“Sorang.”

 

At Wicheonso’s low voice, the wolf stopped in its tracks.

 

“Stand down.”

 

The gray wolf retreated and Wicheonso approached me.

 

As his toes touched the water’s edge, shallow ripples spread.

 

“Wife.”

 

His low voice came through, cutting through the steam.

 

Wicheonso’s shadow approached right to the edge of the hot spring.

 

“Were you watching me in the middle of the night?”

 

“I was just relieving fatigue. I didn’t mean to spy. I’m sorry.”

 

Since stealing glances at someone else’s training was quite rude, I hastily apologized.

 

My gaze remained on the wolf that had nearly attacked me.

 

“You must have been startled by Sorang.”

 

“So that’s the wolf’s name…”

 

“Sorang is a wolf-dog that guards Cheongwolgung.”

 

Wicheonso raised his eyebrows slightly and took another step toward me.

 

As the steam cleared, moonlight revealed Wicheonso’s face.

 

His wet hair held the moonlight. Below it was not the face that had been pressing me, but a languid and serene expression.

 

It was a sight that brought to mind a single painting.

 

He casually extended his hand over the water.

 

“The hot spring water of Binghondae Gorge is actually harmful if you soak in it too long. Especially if your internal energy is unstable like yours, Wife.”

 

I was somewhat flustered, so without even thinking to call for Sawol, I reflexively stood up.

 

“Then I’ll head inside now.”

 

It was when I stood up. Wicheonso immediately caught my body.

 

“The night wind is cold.”

 

My wet undergarments touched his martial robes and dampened them.

 

Before I could refuse, he lifted me in his arms and carried me out of the hot spring.

 

Whether it was due to the steam created by the hot spring water, my face grew flushed.

 

As my wet clothes touched the firm chest muscles visible between Wicheonso’s martial robes, I felt somewhat dizzy.

 

Wicheonso’s fingertips gently lifted my hair.

 

A subtle warmth was transmitted from his fingertips.

 

He had drawn up his internal energy.

 

I realized this from being so close and in contact.

 

I hadn’t known because it held a reddish tint, but it was surprisingly pure internal energy.

 

As he slid his hand down, not only my wet hair but even the clothes I wore quickly dried.

 

It was as warm as if I had just warmed myself in front of a brazier.

 

Wicheonso’s face looking at me was full of questions.

 

“Wife.”

 

His breath reached my ear. Wicheonso finally opened his mouth as if he could no longer hold back.

 

“Who is Baekah?”

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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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