Etiquette Towards Husbands (1)
Who on earth was Bang So-un, the eldest son of the Chase Wind Escort Agency? His name had become the talk of the town. A man who had never been known before had succeeded in marrying Hwang Bo-seol, the foremost beauty of Jiangnan.
Where was the Golden Dragon Battlefield? It was the world's greatest escort agency, wielding influence in both the martial world and the government. He had seized the position of husband to its next leader.
The Beggar Clan and Haomun, ever sensitive to information, had already classified Bang So-un as a top-tier figure and were scrambling to gather intel on him.
However, people's surprise was nothing compared to the shock his father and stepmother had endured. Bang Seok-cheon and Kang So-bin, who first heard the astonishing news through rumors, firmly believed the man in question was merely a namesake until a formal envoy from the Golden Dragon Battlefield arrived. Bang Seok-cheon sang songs proclaiming, "My boy has made it big!" and boasted to every acquaintance in the martial world. He treated so many to drinks that he squandered a third of the family fortune. Kang So-bin shed tears of joy. For a third-rate escort agency like theirs, gaining the Golden Dragon Battlefield as a backer was monumental. Escort commissions would surge, and they could hire better escorts than ever before.
Being a live-in son-in-law didn't bother them at all. It was only natural—no one would expect the heir to the mighty Golden Dragon Battlefield to come live with a lowly escort agency as a daughter-in-law.
Traditionally, weddings began at the bride's home and ended at the groom's. After all, the groom was coming to claim his bride. But this time, as a live-in son-in-law, it was reversed: starting at the groom's home and ending at the bride's.
The bride and groom, clad in red wedding attire, visited the groom's home to bow to the parents and ancestors. By wedding custom, the bride's face was veiled, so onlookers regretfully couldn't glimpse the famed foremost beauty of Jiangnan unveiled. Then, they boarded the lavish palanquin prepared by the Golden Dragon Battlefield and headed back to Hangzhou.
On the Yangtze River, a massive passenger ship awaited them. The power and prestige of the Golden Dragon Battlefield shone even in such ceremonies. These displays subtly instilled awe in the people toward the organization.
Yet Bang So-un, the star of this wedding that everyone envied and sincerely blessed, felt like he was dying inside. Hwang Bo-seol acted like she'd resolved to be a statue, not uttering a single word. Of course, in front of his father and stepmother, she had no choice but to force a visible smile and exchange a few brief words. But in private, she said absolutely nothing.
It was boring. Excruciatingly boring. But it was too embarrassing to complain about anywhere, so he could only stew in silence.
'Just you wait, Hwang Bo-seol. We'll see tonight during the bedding ceremony...' Bang So-un ground his teeth.
He'd originally planned to gently teach her proper etiquette as his formal wife, regardless of her feelings. But now, he felt like demanding a harsh education instead.
Bang So-un's foul mood flipped when they arrived at the Golden Dragon Battlefield. Tonight was finally the night. A thrilling shiver of anticipation raced up his spine. His heart soared, and a smile never left his face throughout the ceremony. He felt a twinge of guilt bowing and chatting before his ailing father-in-law Hwang Bo-pyeong, who attended dragging his frail body and seemed genuinely delighted. But he reminded himself that in such matters, innocents inevitably suffered.
With all rites complete save the awaited bedding ceremony, Bang So-un slipped Jang Il into the venue as planned. Some guards and maids had glimpsed Jang Il's face amid the throng of applicants, but no one remembered him clearly. To be safe from sharp-eyed Hwang Bo-seol, he kept Jang Il out of her sight and introduced him to others as his bodyguard. Then, he sneaked Jang Il into the room while avoiding prying eyes.
The bedding chamber was lavish beyond words. The priceless blackwood bed was draped in a resplendent mandarin duck quilt crafted by master artisans, adorned with exotic flowers in artful arrangements. Though night had fallen outside, countless candles bathed the room in brilliant light.
A fine room. Perfect for teaching his wife etiquette.
Jang Il had crawled under the spacious blackwood bed, his bulk hidden even crouched.
Leaning against the bed frame, Bang So-un spoke. "You've worked hard as always. I'm truly grateful."
"What are you saying, young master? Aren't you my lifesaver?"
"No, that debt's as good as repaid. Now it's my turn to owe you."
"What do you mean?"
"That's why I have a great plan for what's next." Bang So-un's voice brimmed with excitement.
"A great plan? Now I'm curious."
"Haha, in my view, your father-in-law won't last as long as the rumors suggest. So I've changed plans. No need to watch his back anymore. Instead of puppeteering Hwang Bo-seol from the shadows, I'll openly take the leader's seat. Once I control the Golden Dragon Battlefield's wealth, first thing, I'll invite the martial world's female experts here. Offer good terms, and I can even recruit first-rate masters or close. And at that contract meeting, alone with the Golden Dragon leader—would she ever suspect San-gong Poison in her tea? That's when you... No need to spell out the rest, right?"
"Oh... that's brilliant! Once their inner energy scatters, even first-rate masters are helpless before me."
Jang Il spoke in admiration. So that's why the young master targeted Golden Dragon's Hwang Bo-seol first. Turn first-rate masters into loyal slaves, and bigger things await.
"Exactly. I'll make them your personal strike force. You name it... Anyway, you'll be the shadow captain, unseen by the world. That force becomes the Golden Dragon's mainstay. Exciting, right? First-rate female experts at your command."
"Whoa... my own toys? This anticipation... words can't describe it. I can train them however I want?"
"Hahaha, do as you please. Honestly, I like your tastes. Even for educating my wife this time, go wild. Be rough if you want."
"Thank you, young master. I'll make that woman, who upset you throughout the wedding, learn her wifely duties painfully."
Jang Il's voice hardened with resolve. Bang So-un smirked. He could already imagine what 'wife' she'd become.
"Oh, by the way. That Good Child thing you made—is it only in hypnosis? Can they recognize themselves as Good Children even after snapping out? Wouldn't that be easier than hypnotizing with suggestions every time?"
"Possible, young master. It'll take time, though... A day won't cut it. Rewiring consciousness completely. But I'll work hard and deliver a finished product before the leader passes. Consider it thanks for the captain post."
"Thanks... Shh!"
Warning Jang Il to silence, Bang So-un casually sat before the bed's liquor table. The door slid open, and Hwang Bo-seol entered. Still in red wedding robes, veil removed. She approached reluctantly and sat opposite him.
"Hmph. I only came because of Father. Don't dream of doing that with me. Until you prove your words, you're no husband of mine."
"Ah... I'm touched, wife. You finally speak to me."
Bang So-un feigned deep emotion. Hwang Bo-seol glared furiously.
"Didn't you hear? I don't see you as husband, so I'm no wife of yours!"
"Ah... Of course, I respect your thoughts. But as your husband, I have a duty to teach you proper etiquette."
"What nonsense is that?"
He seemed to deliberately provoke her rage with every word. No matter how she looked, he had a talent for infuriating people. Hwang Bo-seol's anger boiled over; she glared with fierce intensity.
But Bang So-un met her gaze with a calm smile. "What nonsense? This kind. Come out!"
In an instant, someone burst from under the bed with bear-like ferocity. The moment their eyes met, Hwang Bo-seol recognized Jang Il. In that desperate moment, she moved to counter—but Jang Il was faster.
"Anyone out— Mmph...!"
Though third-rate in martial arts, it sufficed against an unarmed foe. Jang Il clamped her mouth shut and brought his eyes close to her face. "Second time's easier, miss... no, Lady Hwang Bo. Now, look into my eyes."
"Mmph...!"
Black waves rippled in Jang Il's pupils. Unable to resist, her eyes followed the eerie illusion—left, right. Amidst it, a fleeting sense of déjà vu struck.
"Follow it. Follow the illusion. Yes, you're doing great. Easier since you've done it once. Just like before. The more you follow, the heavier your body grows, drowsiness flooding in."
Ah... No...! Despite her thoughts, she couldn't muster strength to resist. Her limbs went limp. Her body weighed a thousand tons. Drowsiness blurred her mind.
"Almost there. Close your eyes and sleep—you'll be completely at ease. So relaxed. Just... a bit more."
Hwang Bo-seol's eyelids nearly shut, fluttering in faint resistance. Then they closed fully. Her arms dropped limply.
"Whew, second time takes less effort." Jang Il wiped sweat from his brow.
"I think your sudden appearance startled her—that helped. Anyway, education time?" Bang So-un eyed Jang Il eagerly.
"Not yet. Needs deep hypnosis over time. It'll be boring, no sights. Rest your eyes."
"No, I'm not bored. Proceed."
He spoke boldly, but Jang Il's process was dull: counting to ten thousand, massaging her hands and feet for over an hour while murmuring in her ear. Watching grew tedious; exhausted from travel, Bang So-un dozed off.
"Huh...?"
How much time had passed? Jang Il hadn't woken him. Yawning hugely, rubbing sleep from his eyes, Bang So-un sought Jang Il—then spotted Hwang Bo-seol's back. But it was... nude.
Her lustrous bluish-black hair cascaded to her waist, her porcelain skin gleaming ethereally in the candlelight. Below her swan-like waistline, contrasting her slender frame, rose voluptuously plump hips. Her beauty rivaled fine art in form as well.
Enraptured by her nakedness, Jang Il spoke—casually, unlike usual. True to orders, harshly. "If I command 'lick,' what do you do?"
"...If Master commands 'lick'... this lowly concubine must lick Husband's noble feet clean... with her filthy tongue..."
A voice devoid of emotion, utterly unlike her usual self, flowed from Hwang Bo-seol.