Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Chang'an Ink Sword Grove Appointment Ceremony
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Tang Sohye. Granddaughter of the Sichuan Tang family head, Poison King Tang Munjeong.
But now, she's just Sohye. My woman. The woman I'll take responsibility for.
The ties with the Tang family haven't been severed. It's just that Sohye is no longer Tang Sohye of the Sichuan Tang—she's Sohye of Ink Sword Grove.
I took such a Sohye to the bathhouse.
The air outside was chilly, so she followed me wearing just a single outer robe. We arrived at the bathhouse like that.
It was the place I'd put the most effort into back in Ink Sword Grove, and it showed—it was exceptionally well-made.
Water could be drawn anytime, and hot water could be boiled up in a flash to top it off.
"I'll do it."
"Just stay put. You can handle it next time."
"Yes... Great Hero."
I hung the cauldron over the bathhouse fire and set the water boiling. There was a lot of it, but it heated up fast.
I had knowledge of modern tech in my head, and adapting some of it to this world wasn't hard.
Of course, I didn't overdo it—too flashy, and it'd smack of overtechnology.
Warm water trickled down from the cauldron, and soon steam rose lazily from the bath.
I scattered in flower petals—now a familiar ritual—and only then approached Sohye to loosen the ties of her outer robe.
The fabric slipped away smoothly. Her bare skin emerged once more.
I shed my own clothes and stepped into the bath with her.
Ink Sword Grove's bathhouse. She was the third woman allowed inside.
Sohye was a bit hesitant at first, awkward about bathing naked with a man, but that didn't last long.
They called it Mutual Essence Exchange. A merging of hearts and minds.
I'd joined my body with Sohye's, connecting our hearts through that union.
So now, she looked at me differently than before.
Any lingering awkwardness or embarrassment was just that—lingering for now.
I pulled Sohye close with one arm and sank halfway into the hot water.
The woman clung tight to me, eyes closed in stillness. Her body burned hotter than the bath itself.
I caressed her breast, and her eyes fluttered open just a touch.
She whispered softly, a hint of bashfulness in her voice.
"...They're small, aren't they?"
Short words, but I knew exactly what she meant.
Probably comparing herself to Seolha or Yeonhwa. She'd been quietly bothered by it.
"Beautiful. More than enough. Hell, overflowing."
Fortunately, my answer satisfied her, and a faint smile curved her lips.
A gentle time. Infinitely leisurely.
"I never imagined a day like this would come."
Sohye spoke up quietly. I didn't reply, just listened.
"Brother Myeongun... he had a strong spirit. But spirit alone couldn't restore his body fully. The longer he lay there, the longer I had to play the young heir—the more anxious I got. How long would I have to keep this up? Would I ever have a woman's life? That's what I kept wondering."
She lifted a hand, scooping warm water and letting it trickle down my chest.
Her fingers brushed lightly over my chest before she continued.
"So I'm happy. Thanks to you, Great Hero... the Tang family can rise again. Brother Myeongun can stand. And... you've given me my life back."
"If you felt that way, why say you didn't want to?"
"You know how it is. I'm a daughter of the Tang. If it could help like that, I was ready to sacrifice my life without a second thought."
Well, I got that. Everyone's different.
Sometimes "us" matters more than "me."
Unless it's forced, anyway.
If that's how she saw it, no one had the right to judge.
"I'm happy. Sohye of Ink Sword Grove. Woman of the Great Hero. I'm happy."
Ever since leaving the Tang for Ink Sword Grove, Sohye had been straightforward about her feelings.
But she'd kept a certain blunt distance. Until I'd consummated things with the Seven Absolutes, it was mostly curt expressions and actions.
A clear emotional wall. Probably because I hadn't pushed closer.
But that distance was gone now. The blunt, businesslike demeanor had vanished.
She was a whole woman now. Not a stand-in for anyone.
And this Sohye didn't hide her joy as she pressed close to me.
I rose from the water and sat on the bath's edge.
Sohye gave me a puzzled look. I caught her body and lifted her lightly.
"Oh my..."
Oh my? First time hearing such a feminine sound from her lips.
She'd spent so long as Tang Myeongun's proxy that she'd picked up a stiff, manly way of speaking.
Now? Pure woman. With a lithe, slender figure at that.
I settled such a Sohye onto my lap.
She caught on quick enough, her face flushing red.
But she still looked thrilled. Eager, even.
I'd planned to introduce her to a woman's joys a bit more gradually.
Guess I'd give her a fuller taste. No helping it.
And so, I held Sohye in the bath.
Not rushed. Just a deep, lingering introduction.
To how good it felt in a man's arms. The heights of joy a woman could reach.
What it meant to live here in Ink Sword Grove with me.
The sun rose, morning light breaking, and still I held her through it all.
This is why being a martial artist rocks. One all-nighter wouldn't wear you out physically.
Sohye was no different.
She'd lost control last night to a runaway poison even she couldn't handle, but now? Not a trace of it.
"Time to get out."
"Yes... Great Hero."
As she stood, Sohye wobbled once.
Ah. Maybe I went a bit hard? Legs giving out like that?
Makes sense. My stamina and theirs aren't even in the same league. This body's undergone Rejuvenation to Youth and Bone Transformation and Marrow Shedding.
Optimized for martial arts, and even without inner energy factored in, the physical gap was heaven and earth.
Plus, I'd honed this body for decades. No contest.
Still, Sohye wasn't fragile.
One wobble, then she was steady.
A little wobbly gait, sure.
We headed back to the Tang Medicine Hall, where I told her to dress properly.
Sohye complied without a word.
Once dressed, I took her to the bedchambers.
"Um... may I ask where we're going?"
"Bedchambers."
She looked mildly puzzled.
"Don't worry. You'll see when we get there."
I patted her shoulder reassuringly.
Back at the bedchambers, Seolha and Yeonhwa rushed out, bowing deeply before blurting out.
"Great Hero! You slept well, right? We just woke up a bit ago."
"Yes. We did exactly as you instructed."
Watching them desperately make excuses, I couldn't help but chuckle.
So frantic about it. This was hilarious.
"Got it. I can tell that much. Anyway, all three of you, sit. I have something to say."
We gathered around the table.
Seolha and Yeonhwa at my sides. Sohye across from me.
Seolha and Yeonhwa seemed to have a guess what this was about.
They weren't that dense. Especially sensitive to this sort of thing.
"Let me make it clear, using this moment. You are Seolha of Ink Sword Grove. Yeonhwa of Ink Sword Grove. Sohye of Ink Sword Grove. Understand?"
Seolha and Yeonhwa both turned to look at Sohye.
Sohye bowed her head politely to them. They were a touch surprised but returned the gesture.
"The three of you will establish the Inner Hall. Your private quarters. Seolha and Yeonhwa can't keep staying in the bedchambers like this—build your own rooms. Same for Sohye. Tang Medicine Hall is for work; your quarters go in the Inner Hall. And Seolha, as of today, you're the Inner Hall Master."
Seolha's eyes widened.
The Inner Hall—for women. Its master was the highest position there.
She knew full well what that meant. Gratitude lit her face.
Yeonhwa eyed Seolha with naked envy.
"Yeonhwa, you're the Outer Hall Master. It's just you for now, but Ink Sword Grove will grow someday. The Outer Hall handles all external military operations. Got it?"
"Yes! Great Hero!"
The envy faded from Yeonhwa's face.
Yeah, that's her. Born to a martial clan, she's got a big appetite for martial matters.
If I'd asked her to pick between Inner or Outer Hall Master, she'd probably choose Inner.
But for her, Outer Hall Master was plenty satisfying. That expression said it all.
"Sohye, you stay as Tang Medicine Hall Master. Duties unchanged. Though later, I'll split medicine and intel. For now, you can handle both. Clear?"
"Yes, Great Hero."
"Good. Ink Sword Grove's got just the four of us, and these are empty titles for now, but we do what we must. So cherish each other and get along. You're my women."
Thankfully, no regret or resentment on Seolha or Yeonhwa's faces.
Sohye seemed content too.
Yeah. They're not the type for petty jealousy.
A blessing. A relief.
"Then get to your duties. You three prioritize the Inner Hall. It's where you'll live, after all."
They answered affirmatively and headed out.
Smoother than expected. They seemed to get along fine.
I'll keep watching, but no issue. I know I can make it work.
If I couldn't manage that much, what good am I? It's all under my control anyway.
With those thoughts, I finally flopped onto the bed.
Not really tired, but my mind was so relaxed it dragged my body down too.
Eh, whatever. Sleepy? Sleep. No one's gonna complain if I laze around all day.