Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Turbulent Ak Muyoo
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"Like it?"
"No way."
"Don't men like having multiple wives? Especially when there's money involved."
"I don't know about others, but I don't like rich women. No, it's not that I dislike rich women—it's that I don't like imbalance."
"Why?"
"When things tilt too far one way, they might feel good at first, but problems are bound to arise."
"What kind of problems?"
"Even trivial things wound pride. The issue is the other person never realizes they've hurt you with their words. So you can't resolve it through talk. Over time, the wounds pile up, fester, rot, and everything falls apart."
"Isn't it unfair that people without means should only marry among themselves?"
"It's not a hard rule—just better that way if possible."
"Tilted or balanced, you need to take the queen consort as your wife."
"Why?"
"It'll save us and the World Subduing Heaven Rak Clan."
"We might understand, but are they even prepared?"
"That man and I stepped out to buy time."
"I see."
Ak Muyoo nodded.
Cha Sawoong had seemed odd, calling him a sworn brother he'd just met and entrusting him with the clan. It was all because of this situation.
"He was originally supposed to receive the proposal."
"Was what happened to him related to that proposal?"
"The proposal might be the main reason."
"What do you mean 'supposed to'?"
"We agree on this side, inform the queen, and only then does she make the proposal."
"What happens if a man rejects the queen's proposal?"
"The queen steps down."
"That's a scary proposal."
"It's due to Chacha Kingdom law."
"Is there a law that kings or queens must have a spouse?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Why make such a law?"
"First, to prevent regents or maternal clans from seizing power. Second, from the concern that one who can't manage family can't govern the realm."
"The intent seems fine, but it's too extreme."
"With a small kingdom, child kings on the throne led to regent abuses or relatives holding power often. That's why the law exists."
"But I'm the head of the Heavenly Citadel High Fortress Clan. I already have a wife. Can I still marry?"
"Chacha Kingdom allows multiple wives. But a second wife must be a widow or divorced."
"Would that make her happy?"
"At least she won't starve or sell her body. And since women choose, it mitigates some issues, if imperfectly."
"Hmm. Sounds right and wrong—I can't tell. But what do you mean he was supposed to receive the proposal?"
"If I hadn't opposed, he would've taken the queen consort as his wife."
"So you opposed before but support it now?"
"You decide."
"What if I refuse?"
"The queen consort abdicates, and the Heavenly Citadel High Fortress Clan falls with us."
"If you're leaving it to me, shouldn't you skip saying that?"
"You need to know our situation."
"This is insane. Not once, but twice for a bachelor... Ridiculous."
"Just go through the motions."
"A sham marriage?"
"Yes."
"The phrase 'turbulent life' fits me perfectly. I prayed for it at the Heavenly Fortune Cult."
"Prayed for what?"
"For heavenly fortune."
"Maybe that's why the queen consort came."
"Enough."
"You'll do it?"
'It's just formality, and it saves two clans. No reason not to.'
"Fine, I'll do it."
Ak Muyoo nodded.
"Hohoho! Good thinking."
"The problem is the aftermath."
"You think they won't stay quiet?"
"You saw Hyeonul Cheolryeong moving. They're definitely plotting something."
"Then what do we do?"
"Send Ageukta's group, Cheol No, and Mok Woo's group into the palace."
"Mok Woo's group..."
"They've probably arrived by now."
"Na-da."
Muk Buseong's voice came from outside.
"I'm heading out."
Ak Muyoo went outside.
"Did Mok Dong arrive?"
"Yes."
"Then go with them to the palace."
"The palace?"
"Rebellion seems likely."
"Really?"
"Hope not, but signs are bad."
"If you say so."
"Let's go for now."
Ak Muyoo descended to the first floor with Muk Buseong. Mok Woo's group waited there.
He briefly explained the situation.
Half a shichen later, Muk Buseong's group headed to the palace with a guide. Ageukta would enter with Ak Muyoo the next day.
The next day.
Early morning, Ak Muyoo went to the forge.
"How's the Jangpo?"
"All done."
"Let me see..."
Ak Muyoo lifted the Solar Guard Robe.
Heavier than before, but the seventy-four layers and Heavenly God Solar Bow were barely visible.
"Nice."
He grinned.
"And the Geopma like this."
Cheol Mok handed over the Geopma.
"The belly's slimmer."
The half-moon Geopma was now a gentle crescent. The back was straight as before, but now edged like a blade. It was more sword than knife now.
Slightly longer, one side two inches more.
"The demon face changed too?"
"A bit of the Zabujong face shows."
"Yeah."
Ak Muyoo beamed.
"Even with Mad Demon Armor and Jangpo over it, it won't show much."
"How?"
"Added blade covers to the Solar Guard Robe sleeves."
"Let's see."
Ak Muyoo chained the Geopma to the ring, attached to Mad Demon Armor. It protruded slightly, but gone was the crab claw look.
He donned the Solar Guard Robe.
As Cheol Mok said, sleeve covers protected the blade. Pressing the guard fixed it. Shaking arms didn't dislodge it. Only forceful swings freed the Geopma.
"What about the faceguard?"
"Yes?"
"Yeah."
"Made it."
"Let's go now."
"Where to?"
"They're about to cause trouble."
"After all..."
"Anyway, with this cool outfit ready, let's move."
"Bring weapons?"
"Better to have them."
"Wait a moment."
Cheol Mok fetched two weapons from a leather case inside.
"That looks like a Geopma kin?"
"Mad Blood Calamity Demon Flow is obsolete, but other arts remain."
"Teach you Mad Blood Calamity Demon Flow?"
"Without Mad Thousand Blood Steps, it's useless. And that needs chained Geopma."
"True."
"Shall we go?"
"Yeah."
They left the forge.
Back at the Heavenly Citadel High Fortress Clan, Ak Muyoo prepared at once. First, bath in the open-air tub.
Luha followed, shaved his beard, trimmed his hair neatly.
"Looks good?"
Post-trim, Luha admired his face like an antique.
"What?"
"Your face."
"Good thing."
Cleaned up, loosely dressed, he went to the bedroom. Bed held travel clothes.
Jangpo over Solar Guard Robe, so only inner garments: light purple pants and top.
Pants, top, Solar Heaven Sword Armor, then Solar Guard Robe.
"Last: this and that."
Luha brought the hero's fillet for forehead and topknot-like cap. Fillet front had a large black gem.
Ak Muyoo sat before Luha.
She calmly tied the fillet, then the small topknot cap.
"Now wait outside."
"Yes."
Ak Muyoo took the Secret Heaven Ruyi Ink.
"Taking that?"
Luha asked.
"It's hefty—feels good."
"Fine."
Luha nodded. Maids entered soon. Ak Muyoo went to the parlor.
Sipped tea waiting for Luha.
Half shichen later, on his fourth cup, Luha emerged.
Light makeup transformed her. Wide skirt, tight top exposing shoulders and cleavage, emphasizing slim waist and bust. Red cloth draped shoulders.
"Nice?"
"Like someone else."
"Good way?"
"Yes."
"Thanks. Here."
Luha offered a sword, ornate as her outfit.
"The queen gave it to that man."
Ak Muyoo belted it beside Secret Heaven Ruyi Ink.
"That too."
Luha pointed to a large box.
"What's in it?"
"Top: gift for queen. Bottom: Great Heaven Demon Bow and Dark Current Arrow."
"What gift?"
"Clothes."
"Clothes?"
"Just know that."
Luha smiled.
They descended.
Outside, carriage with Ageukta and Cheol Mok on driver's seat. Ageukta's face changed: left scar side masked, courtesy of Cheol Mok.
"Faceguard comfortable?"
Ak Muyoo asked.
"Yes."
"Good."
Ak Muyoo and Luha boarded; they departed at once.
"Memorized the arts on the Jangpo?"
He asked Luha.
"No."
"Didn't see?"
"Saw, but not mine."
"Showed it to learn..."
"It's fine."
"Figured, so made a manual in the drawer."
"I can learn it?"
"Yes."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Ak Muyoo opened the window. Dusk settled. Western purple sunset dyed the sky violet.
"Beautiful."
He murmured low.
The carriage raced through the sunset.
That hour.
From Chacha Kingdom's east, west, south, north, groups headed for the palace. First: New Wind Thousand Li Revolution Clan warriors. Four divisions: East Wind Division, West Poison Division, South Command Division, North Command Division—three hundred each.
"Don masks!"
East Wind Division leader Guik Haram shouted. Three hundred donned masks at once.
"Don masks!"
"Don masks!"
"Don masks!"
West Poison, South Command, North Command followed.
"Depart!"
"Depart!"
At orders, New Wind Thousand Li Revolution Clan forces leaped forth.
Following: Cloud Center Lone Hazy Clan warriors, Yellow Dragon Great Heaven Mujak Clan warriors, and Hyeonwo Storm Myriad Clan warriors pierced the dark toward the palace.