Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Chang'an Ink Sword Grove Bathhouse (1)
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Chang'an had returned to peace.
The Demonic Cult bastards had retreated, and the Shadowless Gate was out of my interest now, so things had settled down safely.
There were still plenty of debts I owed those guys, but whatever. Stripping their executives was enough.
Unless I'd gone after Shadowless Gate branches in other regions, that is.
Anyway, calling Chang'an my territory was a bit ambiguous, but with Ink Sword Grove here, I had to manage it somewhat.
That didn't mean I needed to show myself openly and lord over everyone.
This was plenty.
So, no major incidents happened in Chang'an anymore.
Sure, there were minor squabbles, but those weren't my concern.
That's why I spent my days like a cat patrolling its turf—taking casual strolls around my area and coming back, day after day.
Seolha and Yeonhwa's skills were steadily improving.
Their dantians grew day by day, and their swordsmanship became more natural.
Lately, Seolha and Yeonhwa had been focusing on sparring without using internal energy.
Seven times a day. Sparring to see who could win more.
Without internal energy, their wins were evenly split. Almost fifty-fifty?
Whoever was in better shape that day took it.
But it wasn't just about win records or competitive spirit.
Sure, being in the martial world played a part. But that wasn't the root reason.
The biggest motivation for those two women was that the winner got to sleep in my chambers at night.
In a way, you could say they'd found a compromise.
It was strong motivation for them, and I didn't have to agonize over who to invite.
So their matches were fiercely intense. Fun to watch, even.
That's why their sparring continued today as well.
Today's score was 2 to 1. Seolha in the lead.
But her face showed no trace of ease.
Seolha looked eager to snag two more wins and secure the day.
The fourth bout began. Seolha with a determined glare, Yeonhwa no less formidable.
As the spar started, Seolha lunged first, practice sword in hand.
A sword like drifting clouds. Slow, yet fast.
Seolha's blade was long and whipped about so flexibly that even if you thought you'd dodged, it suddenly slashed at your vitals.
And Yeonhwa, now adept at evading such strikes.
Always watching for a counterattack chance.
Yeonhwa's style was one-shot kills.
She waited for an opening, closed the gap in a flash, and thrust.
That's why their spars usually looked like Seolha attacking while Yeonhwa dodged.
Seolha attacked four times for every one counter from Yeonhwa?
Watching their bout, my mind wandered to other thoughts.
Living life. The journey to find reasons to keep going.
Right now, the two women before me were reason enough.
I still had plenty of Night-Luminescent Pearls and spirit herbs left.
Even if we did nothing for the rest of our lives, we could live comfortably here with just the two of them.
But there were unresolved issues too.
The impurities extracted from Yeonhwa's body. Whatever that was that scattered her energy and wrecked her dantian.
I needed to identify what was in that jar.
Where it came from, who used it—that too.
It might even explain why the righteous sects got crushed so badly in the Righteous-Demonic-Evil Great War.
Sichuan, huh. Going there wouldn't be an issue.
Me alone? No problem at all.
But going solo might not get the Tang Clan to cooperate right away.
"I win!"
In the meantime, the match ended, and Yeonhwa's bright voice rang out.
Yeonhwa beaming with joy. Seolha with a disappointed look.
"Done? If you're done, come here!"
At my call, the two approached.
Drenched in sweat, they kept a slight distance from me.
"Let's take a break and talk. Yeonhwa."
"Yes, Great Hero."
"Have you been to the Tang Clan in Sichuan?"
"Uh... no."
"But you've had dealings with them, right? You must know some people. It's one of the Five Great Families."
"Yes, that's true."
"Then you won't get turned away at the gate. Right?"
"That's true, but... I don't really know the Tang Clan's current situation."
"The Tang Clan's circumstances?"
As I asked, Seolha spoke up from the side.
"Great Hero, the Tang Clan has become quite reclusive these past few years. Even if Yeonhwa goes with you, we might not get past Tang Village."
Tang Village was the massive clan settlement where not just the main Tang Clan but all those with the Tang surname lived.
So if the Tang Clan had closed off, the village likely had too.
"I see..."
"Great Hero, are you planning to go to Sichuan?"
"Yeah. Gotta take that jar and get it checked. But not right now. We go after your dantian stabilizes more."
"Ah..."
Going alone was fine, but with Yeonhwa? Not yet.
Once she reached Seolha's level, it'd be okay... At least a month more to watch, even if not.
"Anyway, keep that in mind. Once you're ready to move, Yeonhwa, we head straight to Sichuan. Seolha comes too."
"Yes, Great Hero."
"Got it, Great Hero."
Seolha, who'd looked a bit anxious at the thought of being left behind, brightened up.
Man, these girls were so easy to read. Fun to watch.
"Oh, and tonight, both of you come to my chambers. We're sleeping together."
At my words, Seolha and Yeonhwa's eyes widened.
They glanced at each other awkwardly, faces turning awkward.
"Go on. Finish your sparring."
"Ah, yes!"
Yeonhwa stammered her reply, while Seolha quietly turned back toward the center of the training ground.
They resumed, but without the earlier intensity.
Just going through the motions?
Oh. My bad? I just ruined their biggest motivator.
Can't have that.
"If you don't go all out, neither of you is joining me tonight!"
At my shout, their drive returned.
Sheesh, weren't they too simple? Was it really that great?
Even at dinner after the sparring, their vibe was similar.
Quieter than usual. Yeonhwa practically burying her face in her bowl.
Hilarious. Was sharing a bed such a big deal to get embarrassed about?
Well, yeah, it probably was. Feeling shy was normal.
After dinner and tea, a stroll in the garden, and the sun had set.
As darkness fell, the two tensed up a bit.
No, Seolha stayed calm. Just Yeonhwa was nervous.
Maybe this was a sight I'd never see again after tonight. Felt a little precious.
So I had to savor it now. Take it all in.
"Seolha, have them prepare the bath. I want to soak in warm water."
"Yes, Great Hero."
Back when Yeonhwa was bedridden, Seolha had acted as lady of the house, so she handled these things.
Yeonhwa was healthier now, but she hadn't challenged Seolha's position.
Seolha had it locked down tight and had no intention of yielding.
Soon, Seolha reported the bath was ready, and I told the two,
"Let's go."
They blushed and followed me.
Ah, this was already fun.
Ink Sword Grove's bathhouse was the part I'd put the most care into.
Honestly, I had to bathe once a day. And Seolha and Yeonhwa were no exceptions.
For people of this era, bathing wasn't a daily habit.
I got that fetching water was a hassle.
But if you had the means and still skipped it? Criminal.
That's why Ink Sword Grove's bathhouse was lavish. Some parts even had a modern flair.
Polished stone tubs, aqueducts from the nearby valley, easy-to-heat cauldrons... that sort of thing.
Even in this sweltering summer, we could enjoy warm baths.
Entering the bathhouse, Seolha undressed me.
Yeonhwa tried to help a step behind, but Seolha was already handling it deftly.
"You two undress and come in too. Or should I do it for you?"
"I-I'll do it myself."
"Yes. Please undress me."
Yeonhwa stammered at my words, then whipped her head toward Seolha's reply.
Seolha with her usual faint smile.
She'd definitely grown a bit bolder than Yeonhwa.
I went straight to Seolha and stripped her.
Her clothes slipped off with a soft rustle. Her bare body revealed.
Yeonhwa froze like she was broken.
"What's with her? It's not that big a deal, right?"
"Exactly. Hehe. But she'll like you doing it yourself, Great Hero."
"In this situation?"
"She's just shy."
"Didn't you bathe together as kids?"
"We did when we were little. But after growing up, we didn't bare ourselves like this. I saw all of her while caring for her, though."
"Right."
Listening to Seolha, I approached Yeonhwa.
She gulped and stared blankly at me.
"What's with the extreme shyness? Overkill."
I undressed her, and she huddled up tight.
Soon naked, her face beet red as she shyly covered herself.
"Hilarious. We've both seen your body plenty. What's to be embarrassed about?"
"S-still!"
Her reaction made Seolha and me laugh. I sauntered into the bath.
"Hurry up and come in."
I spread my arms in the water, and Seolha stepped in lightly, snuggling to my side.
Yeonhwa dithered before entering and awkwardly settled on my other side.
"Ah. Perfect."
Arms around both their shoulders, the sigh came naturally.
Yeah. What could be better?
Two women known only to me, soaking in the bath together.
This life might be all about moments like this.
Definitely one of the top reasons to keep living.
Honestly, what could top this? Almost nothing.