Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Let's Go to My House
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"Don't worry, I'll devote my entire life to you from now on since you've given me a new one. So I'll give you everything. My body..., my heart..., my virginity..., my chastity...."
"......"
"If you want, even the depths of my soul."
Uh..., so you're saying...?
Hmm....
You're going to give yourself... to me...?
Swish-.
While I was momentarily dumbfounded, she had already closed the distance right up to my nose.
"...Young Hero."
As Dang Wol-hwa uttered those words, the sweet scent from her mouth brushed against my nose.
Along with that, her figure was revealed through the thin fabric.
Ah.
I thought the Hao Gate Leader had a slender build, but she just looks skinny with clothes on.
Since it was practically like seeing her naked, her unexpectedly heavy breasts caught my eye first.
It was unavoidable.
I tried my best to look away, but being a man, I couldn't help but lock eyes with her pink pupils for a long while.
In the meantime....
Swish-.
Her soft hand touched my cheek.
Thump-.
The sound of her heartbeat, even louder than mine, pierced my ears.
She must be really nervous.... Come to think of it, I recalled what the Hao Gate Leader had said earlier.
'My heart..., my virginity..., my chastity....'
She's offering her virginity and chastity to me...?
Does that mean..., she's a virgin?
No way, the Hao Gate Leader who runs a brothel, and she's twenty-five years old—how could she be a virgin?
It didn't make sense by my common standards, so I wanted to ask her, but the atmosphere made it impossible.
Because her face had come right up to mine, just an inch away.
Dang Wol-hwa closed her eyes and leaned in toward me.
Her soft lips came into view first. If she's really a virgin, this kiss would probably be her first too.
Leaving my mark on untouched white snow is truly delightful. I like that too.
Throb.
I could feel my lower body reacting to the excitement. In just a few seconds, her lips would touch mine.
It would surely be pleasurable. My tongue was already eager to greet her.
But....
Swish-.
"......"
"......"
"...Young Hero."
"...Stop."
...Right before her lips touched, I reached out my hand to block her.
I saw her flustered pupils above my palm. She wore an expression as if she never expected me to refuse.
Swish-.
Anyway, since I'd clearly shown my refusal, she pulled back. An awkward silence followed for a moment.
"......"
"......"
Dang Wol-hwa was the first to break the silence.
"I...."
"......"
"...Was I that unappealing to you?"
She looked a bit dejected.
Well..., she had every right to. A woman takes the lead like that, and the man bluntly rejects her—her pride would naturally be hurt.
But..., I had my reasons too.
"...It's not that you lack appeal as a woman...."
"...Then?"
"It's just...."
I continued with difficulty.
"I have no feelings for you at all.... You're a first for me too, just like you are.... But the first time should be with someone I like, so that it has... meaning...."
"......"
"...So it means something.... Yeah.... No matter how I think about it, this doesn't feel right...."
"......"
...Dang Wol-hwa didn't respond right away.
...Did I just sound like a total fucking loser?
No, shit, what can I do? This is how I am!
No matter how much I think about it, doing my first time with someone I have no feelings for just isn't right!
Ah..., if I'd known, I should've done it with my girlfriend before dying in my previous life....
We planned it for our 100th day, but I died around day 96, so I became a virgin ghost in my past life.
Maybe that's why I'm so hung up on this.
If it's not someone I like..., I don't want to do it.
Even I think it's pathetic, so I couldn't lift my head. If I did, she'd probably be looking at me like, 'What the hell is this idiot?'
But....
"Pfft-!"
"...?"
Contrary to my expectation, what I heard above my head was laughter.
When I looked up, the Hao Gate Leader was bursting into pure, hearty laughter with a spotless smile.
"Ahahaha-!! Young Hero, what was that? It doesn't suit you at all. Hahaha-!"
"No, that's...."
Fuck.... So embarrassing....
I couldn't see it, but my face was probably redder than when the Hao Gate Leader first saw me.
Taking advantage of my momentary fluster, she suddenly moved right in front of my face.
"...!"
Swish-.
She placed her hand on my flushed, hot cheek and continued. Our faces were so close that her breath moistened my skin.
"It's a shame to waste such a handsome face, Young Hero. You act like a playboy with tons of experience to charm women, but inside hides such a cute pure-hearted guy."
"......"
Was she talking about my hustling at Cheongwol House? I was good at it because I treated it like a job.
But things are different now.
While I was thinking that, she brought her face to my ear and slowly continued.
"I guess I was trying to take advantage of you too much, Young Hero. I understand your intentions well."
"What do you mean...?"
"I'll... become a woman who can win your heart."
"What...?"
At that moment, she pulled her face back and met my eyes.
"I'm already yours, but you're not mine yet. I almost forgot that."
From the moment I first met her, there had been a gloom behind her face, but not now.
Is it because the poison is gone? Her face was definitely different from before.
"I've never failed to get what I wanted until now. And..., you're the thing I want most in my life."
How can she say something so embarrassing so boldly? But....
"I'll definitely make you mine, Young Hero. And when that day comes..., you can savor and swallow every part of me."
Her bold face held determination and delight.
That face looked so beautiful in that instant....
"...Yeah, give it your best shot."
I ended up giving her a small word of encouragement.
**
And so the restless night passed, and morning came.
What happened after that?
Well..., I grabbed some drunkard's brew, went back to my room, drank it, and just crashed.
......
That was it.
"Bro, why do you look so pale?"
"...Something happened that a punk like you doesn't need to know."
"Huh?"
Ignoring the curious maknae, I packed my bags.
Morning had come—it was time to head home.
I came to Sichuan originally to sell Shaanxi Yu Family goods to the Hao Gate.
I'd stayed longer than planned. If I left the house empty too long, who knows what those accident-prone subordinates would do, so I needed to get back quick.
'Still, I told them to train in martial arts and behave, so it should be fine.'
Thinking that, as I picked up my bags to head out, someone was there to see me off.
The Hao Gate Leader and Uncle Mun-seok.
"Young Hero."
"......"
After declaring she'd seduce me, the Hao Gate Leader looked at me with honey-dripping eyes. I snapped at her curtly....
"Hey, you keep looking at me like that and think I'll like it? It's just burdensome."
"I'm looking at you the same as always? Am I getting to you?"
...She decided to play it bold and gave a cheeky response.
"Sigh.... Fine, think whatever you want."
If we talked more, I might get sucked in, so I waved her off dismissively. Then Uncle Mun-seok asked me.
"You're heading back now? Mind if I ask... where you live?"
I pondered briefly before speaking. After this incident, I'd built some trust and goodwill with the Hao Gate, so it seemed okay to tell them.
So I said it without thinking....
"Mt. Wuyak. That's where my bandit stronghold is."
"Mt. Wuyak... you say?"
"You're the chief of the Mt. Wuyak bandit stronghold?"
"...What's with that reaction?"
Contrary to my expectation, Mun-seok and Dang Wol-hwa reacted strongly.
What? Our bandits are nobodies—why do they seem to know?
"You must feel secure with such reliable subordinates."
"Me, reliable subordinates? What bullshit is that...?"
Something felt ominous about what Dang Wol-hwa said, but I let it slide.
'She's just saying it to flatter me....'
Dismissing her words as coincidence, I asked the two.
"What about you two? Staying here?"
"Ah..., we...."
She hesitated briefly but answered soon.
"To avoid tangling with the Sichuan Tang Family as much as possible after the Grand Elder's death..., we're thinking of withdrawing the Sichuan branch temporarily."
"What?"
"I move my residence often anyway, so it doesn't matter. It's about time for Branch Head Mun-seok to transfer elsewhere too, so perfect timing."
Next, Uncle Mun-seok followed up.
"If you're staying on Mt. Wuyak, I should stay at the nearby Hunan branch. If you ever need anything, come find me right away."
"Uncle Mun-seok, you don't have to go that far...."
"Hey now, don't refuse. Can't I do this much for my benefactor? And this is...."
Uncle Mun-seok glanced sideways as he replied.
"...the Gate Leader's will too."
Dang Wol-hwa nodded as if it were true.
"As long as I'm Gate Leader, the Hao Gate will never forget your grace, Young Hero. Please treat our Hao Gate like your subordinates and use us freely."
"...Alright, then."
They were offering themselves as servants—no reason to refuse. I'd surely need their help someday, so I nodded.
"Well then, it's really time to part. Once we're settled, I'll come visit to pay respects."
"...Bullshit. A big shot like you shows up and it'll draw all eyes? Don't come."
"I'll come carefully so no one knows."
With that, Dang Wol-hwa bowed her head deeply.
"Then until we meet again, please stay well."
Seeing that, it finally felt real that I was leaving.
About half a month at most. I'd only been in Sichuan that long, but it felt like ages.
But now it was truly time to go.
"Yeah, you're not poisoned anymore, so you're off the hook—take care of yourself."
"Thanks again for turning me into off-the-hook bait."
Seeing us mix in some vulgar banter, it felt like we'd gotten a bit closer.
"Yeah, you off-the-hook baits. Take care."
"We'll be off!"
And so the maknae and I gave our final goodbyes to Dang Wol-hwa and Mun-seok before hitting the road.
My pocket held banknotes worth 400 nyang of gold, and I'd forged a new connection with the Hao Gate.
Not a bad outing.
**
After seeing Mu Yeon off, the Hao Gate Leader went up to her room for final cleanup before leaving.
Soon after, Mun-seok entered.
"Gate Leader."
"What is it?"
"Well...."
Mun-seok hesitated before speaking.
"Those... two daughters of the Sichuan merchant Lee family are downstairs throwing a fit, asking where Mu Yeon and his maknae friend went...."
"Ah.... The Lee family...."
It was definitely So-hyang and Hee-ya. Those two had come to Cheongwol House every day, specifically requesting Mu Yeon and the maknae as attendants.
And they'd drink together, caress Young Hero Mu Yeon's body, hug him....
"...Fucking bitches."
"...Pardon?"
"...Nothing. Explain roughly and send them away."
"Yes, understood."
After sending Mun-seok down, she sighed and sat.
'Regrettable.'
The emotion she felt now was regret.
Last night, she had clearly seen Mu Yeon's expression waver. She should have pressed that chance, but letting him go like this was too regrettable.
Just now, women had even come looking for Mu Yeon.
Well..., with his face, this would happen a lot from now on.
'I'll have to crush countless rivals to claim Young Hero for myself.'
She'd boldly declared she'd make him hers, but worry was inevitable.
Then.
Knock knock-.
"Gate Leader? Another issue came up."
"Are those bitches refusing to leave? If so, grab them by the hair and...."
"Ah, no.... It's not that...."
Hiding his utmost fluster, Mun-seok reported the new fact.
"A guest from the Shaanxi Yu Family has arrived."
"Shaanxi... Yu Family?"
"Yes, specifically, Young Lady Yu herself came in person."
The Shaanxi Yu Family's precious golden child came all this way personally?
Dang Wol-hwa couldn't help but tilt her head.