Chapter 388: Drawing Lots
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 388: Drawing Lots
"How can we trust her word?"
Tang Seo-yoon spoke, her expression clouded with suspicion.
It was undeniable that Lee Ye-seol’s proposal offered excellent terms. It would settle a grudge that threatened the very existence of the clan while allowing them to enjoy the same, if not better, benefits than before.
However, these conditions could only be accepted under the premise that Lee Ye-seol was trustworthy.
Traditionally, a hunting dog was slaughtered once the hunt was over. There was no guarantee that Lee Ye-seol wouldn't do the same.
"I'm worried about that too," Sun-woo replied in a calm tone. "If we could trust her, it would be an irresistible offer, but unfortunately, we can't put our full faith in her."
"Then we can't just blindly accept her proposal!"
"But we don't have any other choice."
"Why not? We can just order her not to participate in the succession competition."
"No." Sun-woo’s voice was firm. "Those who support her would revolt. In the worst-case scenario, they might even come to the Tang Clan. Someone might realize she’s being held hostage."
"But..."
"Furthermore, she and her mother have spent their entire lives striving for that succession position. If we order her to withdraw, they’ll disregard their own lives and find a way to tell Lee Jae-won the truth."
"............"
Tang Seo-yoon fell silent. She realized his words were highly plausible.
As the daughter of the primary wife, Joo So-yang, Lee Ye-seol had a solid foundation of support, ranging from elderly members of the leadership to the youngest martial artists. If she suddenly announced her withdrawal, many would find it unacceptable. They would seek her out and pry into the Tang Clan to find the truth.
In the worst case, the fact that she was a hostage would be exposed. It was a situation they couldn't handle.
Moreover, if they ordered her to withdraw, the chance of Lee Ye-seol and Joo So-yang rebelling was high. They were being suppressed by force for now, but if the worst card—withdrawal—was played, they might explode.
In the absolute worst-case scenario, Lee Jae-won might personally visit the Tang Clan and wipe everyone out. Tang Seo-yoon felt a headache coming on.
"If there’s no better solution, I think we have to accept her terms. We don't have many options."
"But... the Tang Clan has already sent a letter saying we would support Sister Jin-seol."
"It’s fine." Sun-woo nodded and continued. "The one helping Lee Ye-seol won't be the Tang Clan, but me alone."
"Huh?!"
She looked confused as he went on.
"We just need to set the stage. A stage where I help Lee Ye-seol, but the Tang Clan doesn't end up at odds with Tang Jin-seol."
"How?"
"By kicking me out."
"What!?"
"Expel me from the Tang Clan. The pretext will be that I was unfaithful."
".........."
"And through that, we can naturally proceed with breaking the engagement as well."
Sun-woo gave a sly grin.
"Does that mean... you're going to play both sides?"
"In a way, yes. Publicly, we'll spread the rumor that I've been kicked out, but I intend to keep staying at the Tang Clan."
"............"
Tang Seo-yoon remained speechless. She never imagined he would come up with such an idea.
"Sun-woo, if rumors like that spread, your reputation will be ruined."
Tang Seo-yoon spoke with a worried expression. Sun-woo was currently making a name for himself among the Rising Stars as the Divine Dragon and the future Greatest Martial Artist Under Heaven. If rumors spread that he was kicked out of the Tang Clan for cheating, his honor would be severely tarnished.
"Honor doesn't put food on the table, so I don't care. And if I can trade something like honor for the safety of the Tang Clan, I'll do it any day."
".......Sun-woo."
Tang Seo-yoon looked at him, her face filled with emotion.
To a martial artist, honor was something so precious they were expected to protect it even at the cost of their lives. There was no greater glory than raising one's name. Yet, Sun-woo said he would give up that glory without hesitation for the sake of the Tang Clan's safety.
Tang Seo-yoon felt her heart swell.
The reputation of the Divine Dragon. The glory of being the next Greatest Martial Artist Under Heaven. Who could give that up so easily? Even she might not have been able to abandon it so readily. That was how glorious it was.
Yet Sun-woo was doing it as if it were nothing.
Thump, thump.
Tang Seo-yoon felt her heart racing. The affection she had built for Sun-woo had approached her gently, like a light drizzle soaking her clothes. It hadn't been an intense, flame-like feeling. But today, something felt different. She felt a powerful tug at her heart.
Her eyes began to grow hazy and unfocused.
'Honor doesn't put food on the table.'
After speaking, Sun-woo chuckled inwardly. To someone like him, who had lived in the modern world, practical benefits were far more important than inedible honor. So what if his reputation took a hit? If it ensured the Tang Clan's safety, everything would be fine.
Sun-woo thought things were falling into place better than expected. He hadn't imagined he could handle the alliance with Lee Ye-seol and the breakup with Tang Seo-yoon all at once. It was fitting together like puzzle pieces.
As if someone were tuning the world.
'Wait.'
For a moment, a thought flashed through his mind.
'Is this Plot Armor?'
He felt a sense of doubt at how naturally the situation was unfolding. But he soon shook his head vigorously. He decided it was just a coincidence. Why would Plot Armor trigger for something so trivial? It had to be a simple overlap of circumstances.
"Anyway, I think this is the best way. We can focus Tang Jin-seol's resentment solely on me, not the clan, while I play both sides with Lee Ye-seol. Does anyone have any objections or other ideas?"
Sun-woo looked around at the women. If there was a better way, he was fully prepared to accept it.
"Um..."
At that moment, Geum Jeok-hwa slowly raised her hand.
"Please speak, Third Madam."
"What if Tang Jin-seol tries to take revenge on you, Sun-woo?"
"Tang Jin-seol?"
Sun-woo asked with a surprised expression. He hadn't considered that at all.
"You might not know, but you are currently the most watched person among the Rising Stars. The story of how you suppressed the Dragon and Phoenix in one go has spread far and wide."
Geum Jeok-hwa continued with a worried look.
"If she hears rumors that you've sided with Lee Ye-seol, Tang Jin-seol will surely harbor a grudge against you. Moreover, she might try to eliminate you to gain a more advantageous position."
"That certainly might be the case."
Sun-woo nodded, finding her point reasonable. From Tang Jin-seol's perspective, she would inevitably feel resentful. She would realize that the card she thought she held wasn't actually hers.
"But well, it should be fine."
"Pardon?!"
"I don't find her particularly threatening."
Sun-woo grinned. Having reached the Profound Realm through enlightenment during his trip to the North Sea, the only person in the current Central Plains who could threaten him was Lee Jae-won. How could he be intimidated by someone like Tang Jin-seol?
"B-but..."
Geum Jeok-hwa continued to look worried.
"You don't need to worry. Currently, the only one in the Central Plains who can threaten me is Lee Jae-won. Unless he comes personally, there is no one who can do anything to me."
Sun-woo looked at Geum Jeok-hwa with eyes full of confidence.
".....I see."
Meeting his confident gaze, Geum Jeok-hwa eventually bowed her head in acceptance. Her anxiety hadn't vanished completely, but she couldn't help but be swayed by his certainty. She felt that, at the very least, the man before her wouldn't make a foolish choice.
"Does anyone else have another opinion?"
When Geum Jeok-hwa conceded, Sun-woo looked around again. No one raised their hand. It seemed everyone agreed with his plan.
"Then we will proceed with accepting Lee Ye-seol's proposal. Acting Clan Head and Third Madam, I ask that you spread the rumors about me."
"Understood."
"I will do so."
Tang Seo-yoon and Geum Jeok-hwa nodded in response.
"That's all I have to say. Is there anything else anyone would like to discuss?"
Sun-woo looked around at the women.
Slowly.
Then, Neung So-hwa tentatively raised her hand.
"Sohwa, what is it?"
"Today... may I sleep with thee?"
Neung So-hwa spoke, her face flushing red.
"...Uh... well..."
Sun-woo stammered, looking flustered. It was a completely unexpected question.
"Ahem... 'Tis embarrassing... but I felt I must ask."
As Sun-woo stammered, Neung So-hwa's face turned even redder.
"No, Sohwa."
Ok-ryeong, who was sitting nearby, cut in.
"There is such a thing as an order. You've had Sun-woo all to yourself lately. It's time for the other women to have their turn, don't you think?"
"...I did not have him all to myself! I am saying we could not do it many times during the carriage ride!"
Neung So-hwa argued back. Because they had rushed to the Tang Clan, they had rarely stopped at inns. Naturally, opportunities to share the pleasures of the bed were scarce.
"Sohwa, we've waited at least seven months."
Ok-ryeong spoke with a smile that felt strangely chilling. Her smile was refreshing, but the aura radiating from her was incredibly fierce.
"When was the last time you did it, Sohwa?"
".....A week ago."
Neung So-hwa replied, her face turning slightly redder.
"Then wait your turn."
".......Uuuugh."
Hearing Ok-ryeong's firm words, Neung So-hwa looked aggrieved. She thought she would be able to receive Sun-woo's seed to her heart's content once they arrived at the Tang Clan, but it seemed there were too many people waiting.
"Then what should we do, Ga-ryeo?"
Ok-ryeong turned to Madam Un.
"......I'm not sure."
Madam Un replied with a troubled expression.
"What do you think, Young Lady?"
Madam Un looked at Tang Seo-yoon.
"Me?!... You mean me?"
Tang Seo-yoon asked back in surprise. She didn't understand why they were asking her about the sleeping order.
"You've officially become one of Sun-woo's women too, Young Lady. I believe you have the right to help decide the order."
Madam Un spoke calmly.
"B-but..."
Tang Seo-yoon stammered, touching her burning cheeks. She had said she would become Sun-woo's woman, but being asked to actually share a bed with him brought on an indescribable shyness. She was someone who had never even been touched by a stranger's finger. To her, the pleasures of the bed were a complete mystery.
"Ga-ryeo is right. I also think Seo-yoon has the right to be in the rotation."
Ok-ryeong also agreed with Madam Un's opinion.
Fwooooosh.
"..........."
Hearing Ok-ryeong's words, steam practically started rising from Tang Seo-yoon's head. Facing such an unthinkable situation seemed to have overloaded her brain.
"As expected, Sister should go first..."
"No... Seo-yoon should... go first."
"I... I'm fine..."
Soon, the three women began to huddle together and discuss the sleeping order.
'Good grief.'
Watching them, Sun-woo couldn't help but let out a silent, hollow laugh. He never imagined the final topic of the meeting would be deciding the sleeping order.
'Well, I guess it's fine.'
Still, seeing them get along so well made him feel it wasn't a bad thing. Sun-woo remained silent and waited patiently for them to decide. He intended to respect the exchange of opinions between the women.
*
Sun-woo was waiting politely, kneeling on the bed.
Thump, thump, thump.
Though he sat calmly, his heart was pounding wildly inside. He didn't know who would walk through the door.
A heated discussion about the sleeping order had taken place in the Inner Guest Room, but they hadn't reached a conclusion by the time night fell. In the end, they agreed to draw lots and send one person to Sun-woo's quarters. They realized that the longer the meeting lasted, the less time they would have to spend the night with him.
Sun-woo had agreed to their decision and entered his room first—after hearing Ok-ryeong’s alluring remark to wait with anticipation for whoever might come.
'I wonder who it'll be?'
Sun-woo was curious. Who would be the woman to spend this first night with him?
Would it be Ok-ryeong, his primary wife with perfect physical balance? Or would it be Un Ga-ryeo, his second wife who, along with Joo So-yang, boasted the ultimate voluptuousness and a terrifyingly exquisite vessel? Or would it be Tang Seo-yoon, his friend and lover with whom he had just confirmed his feelings?
Thump, thump, thump.
Sun-woo felt his heart racing. The uncertainty only doubled his anticipation.
'Who is it... who is it... who is it...'
While he was waiting with bated breath—
Knock, knock, knock.
Suddenly, the sound of someone knocking on the door echoed through the room.
"C-come in."
Sun-woo spoke, his heart trembling.
Creeeeeak.
The door opened, and a beautiful woman revealed herself.
Hair as black and fine as ebony. Eyes slightly upturned and sharp. A nose as straight and keen as a blade. And lips as red as could be.
She was a woman who naturally brought the term 'Nation-Toppling Beauty' to mind.
"Tang... Seo-yoon."
Sun-woo spoke her name as he looked at her.
"Please... take care of me..."
Tang Seo-yoon replied, her voice trembling.
Soon, an inexplicable heat began to fill the room.