Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: First Night
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The first night was...
Ak Muyoo's shout to "prove your own innocence" was both an order for them to sort it out themselves and a threat that he would step in personally if they didn't. Ak Muyoo's group stood atop the walls, gazing toward the enemy camp.
If they retreated now, it would end in victory for their side. But if they didn't disband, a bloody war was inevitable. And if that happened, they would have to see it through to the bitter end.
"We must advance."
"We can't do that. We don't want war."
"Have you forgotten that the clan head is dead?"
"We never should have been greedy in the first place! What wrong has Her Majesty committed? Aren't you marching to dethrone her just because she's a woman?"
"We're turning back!"
"Back home!"
"It's over."
Ak Muyoo's group finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Clan head."
Ak Muyoo called for Arak Cheonjang.
"Yes."
"Lower the drawbridge, free those trapped underground, and clean up the bodies."
"Understood."
Arak Cheonjang left immediately.
At that moment, Arak Siru approached Ak Muyoo.
"It looks like it's finished."
Ak Muyoo said.
"Thank you. You saved our lives."
"Even without me, you would have repelled them."
"But not with such minimal losses."
"Let's head down."
"Yes, let's."
The group descended.
From then on, the royal palace was a flurry of activity. They lowered the drawbridge and cleared the corpses. Everyone who had attended the banquet returned to their homes.
Before long, morning broke.
The group ate breakfast in the now-empty banquet hall.
"What are your plans now?"
After the meal, as they sipped tea, Ak Muyoo looked at Arak Siru and asked.
"What do you mean?"
Arak Siru asked back.
"If you maintain the current system, incidents like this will keep happening."
"You're saying I should change it?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"By abolishing the clans."
"Abolish the clans?"
"Convert each clan into a ministry, and place the three clans that led the rebellion directly under the royal family. The Queen appoints the heads of each ministry."
"That's..."
"You must do it. Otherwise, rebellions will continue, and more blood will be shed."
"His words are correct, Your Majesty. We should use this opportunity to reorganize the Chacha Kingdom's structure."
Arak Jangha chimed in agreement.
"You and the prime minister handle it."
"Understood."
Ak Muyoo nodded.
Ak Muyoo and Arak Jangha moved to another location.
"Bring what you've prepared."
"Pardon?"
Arak Jangha looked at Ak Muyoo with a puzzled expression.
"You haven't prepared anything?"
"I have. But how did you..."
"No one would agree that quickly unless they'd been thinking about it for a long time."
"Heh!"
Arak Jangha chuckled.
"Go fetch it."
"Right away. And please lower your speech."
"Why?"
"You're the father-in-law."
"Father-in-law? What nonsense..."
"What do you mean by that?"
Arak Jangha asked with a serious face. At the tone of his voice, everyone nearby turned to look at Ak Muyoo.
"Pardon?"
"Marriage is a sacred vow made before all to live together until hair turns white. You mustn't take it lightly."
"I know. Who's taking it lightly? I might just smack you."
"Even adults need a whack on the shin if they act childish. I'll be back."
Arak Jangha strode out.
"Heh!"
A giggle came from the side.
Ak Muyoo turned his head.
Luha was snickering.
"Was he always that scary?"
Ak Muyoo asked.
"He's not just from the royal family—he's the drillmaster of the World Subduing Heaven Rak Clan."
Luha said with a laugh.
"I should head back soon."
"We still need to monitor the situation until tomorrow."
"True."
"Wash up first. You're covered in blood and a mess."
"Is there a place to bathe?"
"The queen will show you."
"The queen?"
"Even though I permitted the wedding, it's odd for you to be with me."
"So today I should be with the queen?"
"That way, the staff won't think it's strange."
"Ugh!"
Ak Muyoo shook his head and stood, approaching Arak Siru.
Arak Siru looked at Ak Muyoo.
"I need to wash off the blood."
"Alright. This way."
Arak Siru stood and led the way.
Arak Siru took Ak Muyoo to her room on the third floor. She entered the bathroom first and lit the lamps.
The bathroom was larger than most rooms. There was a marble bathtub about ten feet square, and even a sauna for sweating out impurities.
"I'll wash myself."
It was a request for her to leave.
"Take off your clothes first."
Arak Siru came behind Ak Muyoo and helped him with his robe. He removed the robe and then his top.
"..."
Arak Siru flinched. She'd never seen so many scars on anyone in her life. Ak Muyoo's upper body was a map of scars.
"You have... a lot of scars."
"I rolled around battlefields for ten years, and this is what happened."
"I see."
She nodded.
Ak Muyoo removed his Mad Demon Armor and set it aside. Then he poured water.
"Shall I wash the robe?"
"Yes."
"I'll do it."
"Have you ever done laundry?"
"No."
"Those who haven't can't do it right. Let me."
Ak Muyoo smiled brightly, poured water on the robe, shook it out a few times, and handed it to Arak Siru. She looked at him quizzically.
"Dry it with Samadhi True Fire."
"That's laundry done?"
"Yes."
"It's nothing much..."
Arak Siru pouted and dried the robe with Samadhi True Fire.
"Pfft!"
Ak Muyoo chuckled. Then he said.
"I'm taking off my pants now."
"Go ahead."
"Uh...?"
"Did you forget we're husband and wife?"
"We haven't even farted in front of each other yet."
"Husbands and wives bare their bodies before their farts. Shall I undress too?"
"Didn't you bathe already?"
"I did."
"I can handle bathing alone."
"Are you embarrassed?"
"About what?"
"You know... being small..."
"Auntie!"
Ak Muyoo yelled and hurriedly stripped, jumping into the tub.
"Nothing to be ashamed of."
Arak Siru stuck out her lips.
"You saw it, didn't you?"
"My eyes are sharp."
"Ugh!"
"I'll scrub your back."
Arak Siru hiked up her skirt, tucked it into her waistband, and stepped into the tub. Her thighs were fully exposed, but she didn't care. She lathered up some cleanser and scrubbed Ak Muyoo's back vigorously.
"I may not do laundry, but I can handle this."
Arak Siru smiled and scrubbed hard.
"Feels refreshing."
"That's what old folks say."
"I've aged too."
"Thirty-three isn't old."
"You know my age?"
"We're husband and wife!"
Splash!
Arak Siru, mid-yell, slipped and fell on her butt.
"Are you okay?"
Ak Muyoo quickly stood and helped Arak Siru up.
"It's a body I've already discarded anyway..."
Arak Siru stripped off her clothes in one go.
"..."
Ak Muyoo stared blankly at Arak Siru. Even as he tried not to look, his eyes had already scanned her body.
"Was that natural?"
"Huh?"
"Did it look like I really slipped?"
"..."
"People only understand hunger when they're starving themselves, huh?"
"Why?"
"I didn't realize the water was this cold."
Arak Siru submerged her arms and unleashed Samadhi True Fire. The water soon warmed, and steam rose.
"Sit."
"Yes."
The two sank into the water.
"Do you have any other lovers? Besides Luha and that fishy one."
"...No."
"Isn't it tough for men?"
"When all your focus is on survival, there's no room for stray thoughts."
"I see. Can I borrow your arm?"
Arak Siru took Ak Muyoo's left arm, rested her head on his shoulder, and pressed her body close.
"This is a dangerous position."
"We're husband and wife."
"I'd appreciate it if you remembered I'm still a bachelor."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Those who killed my husband... they were their people too."
"I see."
Ak Muyoo tightly embraced Arak Siru's shoulders. They trembled.
*Damn! How do you handle a crying woman...?*
Ak Muyoo was at a loss.
Having never dated, he didn't know how to comfort a crying woman.
*I don't know. A tight hug should do.*
Ak Muyoo squeezed harder. Suddenly, Arak Siru twisted around and climbed on top of him. This time, she buried her face in his left shoulder and sobbed.
*This is beyond dangerous...*
It wasn't just dangerous.
His body reacted sharply to the sudden stimulation.
*Better sleep it off.*
Ak Muyoo recited the Myriad Phenomena Great Heaven Force incantation.
*Damn it.*
Ak Muyoo's face twisted. Lately, even reciting the incantation wouldn't put him to sleep.
*Whatever. Let it be.*
Ak Muyoo gave up.
Right then.
Arak Siru's lips approached. Her eyes were still closed.
Ak Muyoo leaned in.
Knock knock knock!
A sudden knock at the door.
The two startled apart.
"Who is it?"
Arak Siru asked.
"It's me."
It was Luha knocking.
"What's wrong?"
Arak Siru asked as she climbed out of the tub.
"Yunzhong Solitary Mysterious Weep Clan's eldest son, Hyeonul Daerang, is leading troops this way."
"I'll be right down."
The two hurriedly dressed. Moments later, they descended to the first floor.
"Have all three clans united?"
"Someone went to check."
Ara said.
"With the clan head and his two brothers dead, does it make sense for the defeated to attack?"
"An outside force is backing them."
Ageukta said as he entered.
"Where from?"
"Hell Myriad Evils."
"They're done for!"
Ak Muyoo scowled.
"It's our wedding night—they're going too far."
Arak Jangha grumbled irritably.
"Why's the elder complaining when I'm the groom?"
"Exactly. I'm not the new groom, yet here I am irritated."
"Ugh! Ironwood!"
Ak Muyoo called for Cheol Mok.
"Yes."
"Give me one of the Seventy-Four Divisions with a fake Dark Current Arrow stuck in it."
"Here."
Cheol Mok handed over one immediately.
"Bring the rest and follow."
Ak Muyoo launched himself into the air.
"We fight outside?"
Ageukta asked, running alongside Ak Muyoo.
"Yeah."
Soon, they reached a low hill.
Thud thud thud! Thud thud thud!
Hundreds of horses kicked up dust as they charged toward them.
"It's going to be a long night."
Ak Muyoo murmured, gazing at the sky.