Chapter 354: Preparing to Share Affection
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 354: Preparing to Share Affection
"Are you feeling better now?"
As Bukgung Yeon’s sobbing subsided, Sun-woo lowered his gaze and spoke.
Nod, nod.
Bukgung Yeon nodded in affirmation.
"You big crybaby."
Sun-woo teased her, playfully stroking her hair.
"……"
Bukgung Yeon lowered her head, her face flushing red as if embarrassed by the fact that she had cried like a child. She simply remained still, accepting Sun-woo’s touch.
"I’m never going to abandon you. Don't go making assumptions."
"……Okay," Bukgung Yeon replied in a small, cautious voice.
"For now, let’s try to find a compromise."
"A compromise?"
"Yeah. A middle ground where we can both give a little."
"…Alright."
"Then I’ll ask first. Do you have any intention of following me to the Central Plains?"
At those words, Bukgung Yeon shook her head.
Rebuilding the North Sea Ice Palace was her lifelong ambition. How could she abandon such a dream and move to the Central Plains? Moreover, she had to look after the villagers. They were people who had suffered cruel hardships at the hands of the Evil Demon and the Demon Troops. How could she leave them behind to seek only her own happiness?
It was unthinkable.
"I can't… Sun-woo… I like you so much… more than anyone in the world… but I… I can't give up on the North Sea Ice Palace. If I don't protect them… they won't be able to hold on."
Bukgung Yeon poured out her heart in a sorrowful tone.
"……"
Hearing her inner thoughts, Sun-woo’s expression clouded with worry. He had hit a wall with the very first question.
The distance between the North Sea and Sichuan was so great that it would take four months of non-stop travel to cover. Maintaining an affectionate relationship with Bukgung Yeon across a distance that made visiting nearly impossible was practically unfeasible.
The two of them had only just begun to feel mutual attraction and affection. If they were to part in this state, there was no ignoring the high probability that their feelings would grow cold.
"Sun-woo… do you… absolutely have to stay in the Central Plains?" Bukgung Yeon asked in a tentative voice.
"All of my foundations are already in Sichuan. Besides, the other women are based there too. It’s impossible for me to abandon all that and move to the North Sea," Sun-woo confessed honestly.
To be frank, if he were alone, it wouldn't have mattered. In fact, staying in the North Sea might have been better. Here, there was no Lee Jae-won hunting him down, nor was there the Heavenly Demon revealing his ambitions to rule the Central Plains.
But the problem was the women.
While Ok-ryeong or Yorang might not mind, the others were a different story. They all had their roots in the Central Plains. If he told them to leave for the North Sea, they would surely look troubled.
In the case of Neung So-hwa, she might even set the North Sea Ice Palace on fire.
Wait, Neung So-hwa?
A sudden realization flashed through Sun-woo’s mind. His face instantly began to turn pale. He had completely forgotten about Neung So-hwa’s existence.
I’m fucked.
Sun-woo’s complexion went from pale to a dark, sickly hue.
Bukgung Yeon was Neung So-hwa’s arch-rival. They were the type to set aside a specific time and place just to have a massive showdown. If So-hwa found out he had slept with Bukgung Yeon, she would undoubtedly be beyond shocked.
Sun-woo fell into deep thought with a grim expression. His mind was a whirlwind of conflicting ideas. Finding a compromise with Bukgung Yeon was one thing, but he was at a total loss as to how he would explain this to Neung So-hwa.
I should just cut this damn cock of mine off!
Sun-woo cursed his own phallus for succumbing to desire. His lack of self-control had caused the situation to spiral out of control. He felt a massive headache coming on.
"Um… Sun-woo…"
Just then, Bukgung Yeon’s soft voice reached his ears.
"Yeah?"
"I have… a proposal."
"What kind of proposal?"
"I want you… to… get me pregnant."
"What!?"
Sun-woo asked back, startled by her words. How could she say something so embarrassing so casually?
"I need a token—something to prove that you won't abandon me even if you're far away."
Bukgung Yeon continued, her face turning a deep shade of crimson from embarrassment.
"And I believe that token should be a child, the fruit of our love."
Bukgung Yeon looked at Sun-woo with an incredibly serious gaze.
"So, please get me pregnant… with your child. If I have that, I think I can wait for you peacefully even if I don't see you for months. I can just think of you while looking at my growing belly."
"……"
Sun-woo fell into contemplation, his expression turning grave.
Though he had preferred internal ejaculation at every opportunity until now, he had never once worried about pregnancy. Since he could control the flow of his semen using the Yin-Yang Harmony Divine Art, he could intentionally prevent pregnancy by expelling it all before the sperm could fertilize an egg.
Even when Ok-ryeong or Madam Tang clung to him, begging to be impregnated, Sun-woo had always ensured contraception. He wanted to avoid an unintended pregnancy in an unfavorable situation.
To him, Bukgung Yeon’s request for pregnancy felt like a heavy burden. Taking responsibility for someone was a terrifying thing—even more so if it was a blood relative carrying his own genes.
Thus, he agonized over it. He wondered if it was truly right to get Bukgung Yeon pregnant with his child.
"……Is it a no?"
When Sun-woo didn't answer, Bukgung Yeon asked while staring at him with tearful eyes. She was currently overwhelmed by anxiety—the fear that Sun-woo might completely abandon her.
The only link between her and Sun-woo was the single night they had spent together. If they were separated for a long time in this state, that link would surely shatter. And the moment it broke, she would become nothing more than a memory, eventually to be forgotten forever.
She hated that. She hated the idea of being just a one-night memory. She hated the thought of being forgotten for good.
That was why she needed a token. A solid link that would never break, no matter how far apart they were. The fruit of their love.
If she could carry his child, she could feel at ease. It would be the evidence that gave her the certainty that he would not abandon her.
"Yeon-ah."
Sun-woo spoke in a calm tone.
"…To be honest, I don't know. I’ve never once thought about it until now. Pregnancy… Me, a father…"
Sun-woo confessed his honest feelings as he looked at her. He lacked confidence. Doubts filled his mind.
Was he really a big enough person to take responsibility for someone else? Did he have the right to be a father? Was it right to bring a child into the world when his own life was being targeted?
It was difficult. He couldn't find any certainty.
"I’m sorry… it was too sudden, wasn't it?"
Hearing Sun-woo’s words, Bukgung Yeon spoke with a dejected expression.
"I’m sorry for only thinking about myself…"
"No… if anything… I’m the one who’s sorry."
Sun-woo shook his head as he spoke. He felt like a fool. A fool who couldn't give her a definitive answer, and a fool who could do nothing but apologize.
Sun-woo gazed at Bukgung Yeon. Her eyes were brimming with tears. She was clearly struggling to hold them back.
Seeing her like that filled Sun-woo with guilt. He felt like a heinous criminal. Soon, he began to empathize with her emotions.
She must be terrified. Unlike the other women who could stay by his side, she would have to wait for him endlessly in the distant North Sea. Without any promise of when he might return, or if he would even remember her.
He realized then that he had done something terrible to her. He had taken advantage of her fragile heart and acted as he pleased, all while expecting unconditional understanding. How could that not be considered a terrible thing?
Sun-woo’s expression hardened.
"…Yeon-ah."
Sun-woo called her name.
"…Yes?"
"I might be a man who’s lacking when it comes to being a father."
"……"
"I’m too emotional, I’m not that smart, and my martial arts are weak."
Sun-woo began to voice his own self-reflections.
"On top of that, I’m a philanderer with more than one or two women to take responsibility for."
Sun-woo continued in a serious tone.
"Even so, can you still bear my child?"
"Huh?"
"My child, I mean."
Sun-woo spoke with an awkward expression.
"I can raise them! I’ll raise them well! I’ll raise them so well they won't even have to touch a single piece of ice!"
Fearing he might change his mind, Bukgung Yeon answered several times over.
"Thank you. For saying you’ll bear my child."
Sun-woo nodded as he spoke. It was a conclusion reached after much deliberation. He had already made up his mind to take responsibility for her. Therefore, he intended to grant her wish.
"Sun-woo… I love you so much… so, so much."
Hearing his words, Bukgung Yeon threw herself into his arms. She expressed her affection over and over again, shedding tears of joy.
*
"…Sigh…"
Thud.
Returning to his room in a state of total exhaustion, Sun-woo collapsed onto the bed. An immense fatigue washed over his entire body.
After promising to get her pregnant, he had swung his hips relentlessly from dawn until lunch. He had been driven by the single-minded determination to impregnate her, all while pushing his Yin-Yang Harmony Divine Art to its absolute limit.
The result was this overwhelming exhaustion.
I overdid it.
Indeed, he had pushed himself too hard. Sun-woo slowly closed his eyes. He intended to catch up on his missed sleep and drift off just like that.
Thump, thump.
Unfortunately, Sun-woo’s plan was not to be. The sound of someone knocking on the door rang out.
Dammit.
Sun-woo cursed inwardly. The sudden interruption was incredibly annoying.
I’ll just pretend I’m not here.
Sun-woo activated his Yin-Yang Harmony Divine Art. He spread a qi barrier around his body to block out external sounds. The room instantly became silent. Only then did Sun-woo look satisfied.
Soon, Sun-woo began to fall into a deep sleep. A very, very deep sleep.
Touch.
Suddenly, he felt something being placed on his chest. That wasn't all. He began to feel a warm body heat enveloping him.
A sudden sense of unease washed over Sun-woo. A very strong sense of unease.
Gulp.
Sun-woo swallowed hard. Then, he slowly began to open his closed eyes. And there she was.
"Are you awake?"
It was Neung So-hwa, looking down at him from his arms with a bright smile.
"Sun-woo. The sun is already high in the sky. Aren't you being a bit too lazy?"
Neung So-hwa spoke with a mischievous expression.
"Hurry up and get out of bed."
"……"
Sun-woo kept his mouth shut. He was so tired that even responding felt like a chore.
Let’s just sleep more.
Sun-woo opened his arms and pulled Neung So-hwa into a hug. Then, he tried to go back to sleep.
"Ugh!"
It was then. Suddenly, he felt a strange sensation in his lower body.
Squeeze, squeeze.
It was a bizarre, ticklish sensation, as if someone were kneading dough.
"Hmm… it seems you wish to stay in bed longer."
Neung So-hwa’s suggestive voice whispered in his ear.
Snap!
Startled, Sun-woo snapped his eyes open and looked down. He saw Neung So-hwa’s hand inside his pants.
Squeeze, squeeze.
"Ah… ah…"
He began to feel his cock being kneaded directly.
"What… what are you doing?"
"What does it look like? I’m preparing to share some affection."
Neung So-hwa spoke as if he were asking something incredibly obvious.
"All of a sudden!?"
"Weren't you the one who refused to get out of bed? I’ve already been as patient as I can be. I can't hold back any longer."
Neung So-hwa looked at Sun-woo with a gaze that was nothing short of burning. Her face was filled with intense passion.
Seeing that, Sun-woo began to feel a sense of terror. He had already been squeezed dry by Bukgung Yeon. To him, Neung So-hwa’s temptation felt incredibly frightening.
Squeeze, squeeze.
"It’s so fascinating. How can something so small and soft become so huge when it’s angry? It truly is a marvel."
Neung So-hwa spoke with an amused expression.
"Now… hurry up and get big… I want to get pregnant soon."
Having said her piece, Neung So-hwa began to stroke his cock even faster.
Stroke, stroke.
Throb, throb.
Soon, Sun-woo felt the blood rushing to his cock. He had become aroused by Neung So-hwa’s incredibly provocative touch.
Sun-woo thought to himself: this was extremely dangerous.
"It’s finally gotten big!"
Neung So-hwa’s joyful voice rang in his ears. She seemed satisfied that Sun-woo’s cock had grown.