Chapter 462: Becoming a Dog
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 462: Becoming a Dog
"The assassins from the Sea of Blood suddenly lunged at me, aiming for my life. Of course, they were no match for me. I snapped all their necks. Then, worried about Ha-yoon, I rushed into the forest. When I found her, she was being pushed back by Salhon, so I jumped in and beat him to a pulp. But get this—Salhon had this bizarre ability to swap bodies! So, with the intent to keep killing him until he stayed dead..."
Sun-woo began to explain the full details of what had happened a few days ago, gesturing wildly with his hands and feet.
He even threw in some exaggerated vocal imitations of the strange noises to help them understand.
"In the end, while looking for a place to treat her injuries, I found an abandoned cabin. It looked like a hunter’s old shack. We stayed there for three days, and well, one thing led to another, and that’s how we ended up like this."
Sun-woo finished his story in a calm tone.
"What do you mean by 'one thing led to another'?"
As soon as Sun-woo finished, Ok-ryeong spoke up, her voice laced with suspicion.
"...You mean... you two became intimate...?"
"The introduction was quite long, but it feels like you've condensed the main point a bit too much, don't you think?"
Ok-ryeong continued with a beautiful smile.
However, it was a smile that felt strangely unsettling. The kind of smile that sent a chill running down one's spine.
".....Is that so?"
"Yes, absolutely. Please, tell us more. Tell us exactly how 'one thing led to another.'"
"Well... we were drinking together... and she just looked so beautiful that day..."
"Does that mean you made an unintended mistake under the influence of alcohol?" Ok-ryeong asked flatly.
"No, it wasn't like that... I... I've liked her for a long time... But after I found out she had a husband... I tried my best not to look at her or harbor vain feelings... But... well... that sturdy mental barrier was brought down by the alcohol..."
"So you admit you were swept away by the drink in the end."
"The alcohol played a part, but I don't think it was a mistake at all! I'm not the kind of trash who sleeps with someone I don't even like!"
Sun-woo continued, his eyes filled with conviction.
"Really?" Ok-ryeong asked, looking at him with doubt.
"......Of course it's true!"
Sun-woo felt a slight prick of conscience, but he answered confidently nonetheless.
"Then what about Joo So-yang and Lee Ye-seol?"
"............"
Sun-woo shut his mouth tight.
He had nothing to say once she brought up those counterexamples.
In the cases of Joo So-yang and Lee Ye-seol, it was more accurate to say their relationships were formed to keep them quiet rather than out of love.
Of course, affection had grown through their physical intimacy, but it was fundamentally different from the relationships he had with his other wives, whom he had married out of love.
"Then let me ask again."
When Sun-woo remained silent, Ok-ryeong spoke with a clear smile.
"How do you feel about Miss Kang? Was it just a one-night stand? Or do you truly love her?"
".....I love her... I mean it... I never said it, but Kang Ha-yoon was a woman I'd admired for a long time... When a woman like that showed interest in me, I just couldn't hold back."
Sun-woo looked at Ok-ryeong and poured out his true feelings.
His feelings for Kang Ha-yoon were different from the affection born in bed with Joo So-yang and Lee Ye-seol.
He genuinely liked her. Calling it a one-night stand was out of the question.
"Hmm.... Hearing you say that makes me feel a bit jealous..."
After hearing Sun-woo's words, Ok-ryeong continued with a mock-pouty expression.
"No, I didn't mean... that's not what I meant..."
Sun-woo looked flustered. He was panicked by the thought that he might have hurt her feelings.
Squeeze.
Suddenly, Ok-ryeong reached out.
She began to gently tug on Sun-woo's cheek.
"I know. I know that's not what you meant."
Ok-ryeong continued with a soft smile.
" I was just teasing. You're cute when you're flustered, Sun-woo."
She gave him a bright, beaming smile.
".........."
Facing her smile head-on, Sun-woo’s face turned red.
A wave of embarrassment washed over him at the realization that he had been played.
"As I've always said, I only want two things from you: equal love and a clear hierarchy. As long as you maintain those, I have no complaints."
"...Yeah.... I've already explained everything about everyone to Ha-yoon..."
"Then that's a relief. I'm satisfied. And as for that 'equal love,' I'll have to verify it tonight."
Ok-ryeong continued with a seductive smile.
"Ok-ryeong, are you really okay with this?"
"With what?"
"Kang Ha-yoon... she was Lee Jae-won's woman..."
Sun-woo spoke with a voice full of concern.
If anyone could be called Lee Jae-won's sworn enemy, it was Ok-ryeong. He wondered if she could truly accept Kang Ha-yoon, who had been Lee Jae-won's second wife.
"It's fine. That was the past, but it's not the present."
Ok-ryeong replied calmly.
"Besides, I can't stay tied to the past forever, can I? Especially when I have a husband before me whom I love so much that he can't even be compared to that piece of trash."
Ok-ryeong looked into Sun-woo's eyes with a loving gaze.
"......Ok-ryeong."
Sun-woo looked moved. He could feel the full weight of her deep affection for him.
"In exchange, don't forget your promise to be my dog."
"Huh?"
Sun-woo asked back, puzzled.
Ok-ryeong slowly leaned in and whispered into his ear.
"For the time being, we're only doing it from behind."
Her voice was thick with raw sensuality.
"Uh... okay... don't worry.... I'll give it my all and pounce on you like a dog."
Sun-woo nodded rapidly in response.
"Oh my, I'm looking forward to it."
Ok-ryeong gave a satisfied smile and returned to her original seat.
"I have nothing more to say."
She declared firmly.
As long as he prioritized endless love and hierarchy, she had no issues. There was no reason for her to be unhappy about Kang Ha-yoon joining them.
"Husband."
Then, Madam Un Ga-ryeo spoke up.
"Yes, go ahead, Ga-ryeo."
Sun-woo looked at her.
"My position is much the same as Sister Ryeong's. However, the fact that I have to wait nearly two weeks to receive your love makes my heart ache... Waiting for my turn is such an ordeal. Moreover, it's not as if your stamina is infinite, is it?"
Madam Un confessed her honest thoughts.
She didn't mind him adding more women. To her, who held fairly traditional views, the idea of a great hero having many wives was perfectly natural.
What bothered her was the practical downside.
Currently, Sun-woo was rotating through his women every night. It was his effort to provide the most equal love possible.
But once the number exceeded seven, it became a problem. Even after waiting a full week, one might not receive his love.
For Madam Un, whose desires were currently at their peak, this was nothing short of torture.
"................"
Sun-woo fell into deep thought after hearing her complaint.
He couldn't think of a proper solution. This was a problem that arose because he was one man with many wives.
If things continued like this, a situation would occur where one would have to wait over a week after a single night together. With Kang Ha-yoon being added to the mix, complaints were bound to surface.
".....I'm sorry."
Sun-woo apologized as he looked at her.
Intimacy between a husband and wife was incredibly important. Especially for his women, who were in the prime of their sexual desires. It seemed he had been lacking in consideration for them.
"......I'll... try to find a solution as best as I can."
Sun-woo continued with a grim expression.
".......I'll trust you, Husband."
Madam Un nodded slightly. She was skeptical, but these were the words of her husband, who was like the heavens to her. She had no choice but to believe him.
Sun-woo nodded back with a serious face, then slowly turned his gaze toward Yorang.
"What are you looking at?" Yorang asked, her eyes full of curiosity.
"Don't you have anything to say?"
"Nope."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Yorang nodded her cute face.
"Aren't you even jealous? I've brought in a new woman."
"Why would I be jealous? It's only natural for females to be attracted to a strong and capable male, isn't it?"
Yorang asked as if she truly didn't understand.
Even though she currently took a human form, she was fundamentally a spiritual being. Specifically, a spiritual being that had evolved from a massive beast, a Human-Faced Spider, after gaining enlightenment.
To her, a new woman was nothing to worry about. It was only natural for females to be drawn to an attractive male. Why would anyone blame him for that? She couldn't possibly understand the fuss.
"Thanks."
Sun-woo expressed his gratitude to Yorang. He was thankful for her cool-headed acceptance.
"In exchange, I want to do it from behind too!"
"Be quiet."
Sun-woo turned red with embarrassment and put a finger to his lips. It seemed she had overheard Ok-ryeong's whisper.
"Whhyyyyy! Why does only Ok-ryeong get the good—mph!"
Thud.
"Shut it, you!"
Sun-woo immediately clamped his hand over Yorang's mouth. What on earth was she saying so shamelessly?
Keeping her mouth shut, Sun-woo slowly shifted his gaze. The next person in his sight was Neung So-hwa.
"I am disappointed!" she shouted, glaring at Sun-woo.
"Am I not enough for you? How could you bring in another woman when you have someone as charming as me by your side!"
".......I have no excuse.."
"Of course, I have little room to talk since I also just rolled into this position! But the speed at which you attract women is far too fast! I fear that eventually, every woman in the Central Plains will become yours!"
Neung So-hwa spoke with a look of disbelief.
It had only been about a month since Sun-woo entered the Tang Clan. In that short time, he had brought in four women: Yorang, Joo So-yang, Lee Ye-seol, and now Kang Ha-yoon.
How could he collect women so quickly?
She was well aware of the term 'great hero.' She also knew that high-ranking officials often kept many wives and concubines. But even so, four in one month was too fast. At this rate, his actions wouldn't be called heroic; he'd be labeled a lecherous demon.
"You are a dog! A dog in heat! From now on, I shall call you Gae Sun-woo! Don't even speak to me anymore! Just bark like the dog you are!"
"...........Woof woof."
"How can you actually bark like a dog! Have you no dignity as a human being!"
Neung So-hwa's face flushed with embarrassment. She hadn't expected him to actually bark, and more importantly, it was so unexpectedly cute that her heart skipped a beat.
"I mean...... you told me to bark.." Sun-woo said, looking dejected.
"I said that because I was angry! How can you take such a thing so seriously!"
".....I'm sorry."
Sun-woo lowered his head slightly.
"Fine...... How can one control the heart's affections.... Suppressing emotions is... an absurdity in itself."
Neung So-hwa spoke with a tone of resignation.
She had lashed out at Sun-woo in anger, but she reminded herself that her own situation was no different from Kang Ha-yoon's. If Sun-woo had controlled his feelings of love, she wouldn't even be here right now.
"I only... wish for you... to show a little... restraint.......... Do you not have enough women to share your love with? What could possibly be lacking that you must increase their number so relentlessly....."
Neung So-hwa looked at Sun-woo with sad eyes, pleading for him to show some restraint.
They say it's the instinct of a superior male to spread his seed among many women, but Sun-woo's drive was far too intense. If he just went around spreading his seed to every woman without thought, he would be no different from a beast.
"........I'm sorry."
Sun-woo apologized, looking completely deflated. Since everything she said was absolutely right, he had nothing else to say.
".............."
Neung So-hwa looked at Sun-woo with a complicated gaze.
"Sigh."
She eventually let out a long sigh.
No matter what, this was the husband she had chosen. It was resentful that he had broken his promise and added another woman, but seeing him so discouraged made her heart soften.
"Lift your head, Sun-woo. A manly man does not bow his head so easily."
"......But."
"Have you not already apologized? That is enough. Put the rest of those feelings aside."
"......Sohwa."
"Instead, I shall also look forward to you becoming a dog. Do not forget that tomorrow is my turn."
Neung So-hwa made a joke, her face flushing as if she found Sun-woo's gaze embarrassing.
"I got it! I'll do my best to be the best dog ever!"
Sun-woo replied with a determined expression.
Pfft. Chuckle. Giggle.
Laughter began to bloom softly in the room. His nonsense had finally broken the tension.
After cracking the joke, Sun-woo slowly turned his head. He looked at the last remaining woman, Tang Seo-yoon. He felt that if he could just convince her, everything would be settled.
"Very well. Then there are no objections to the decision to accept Senior Kang Ha-yoon, correct?"
Unexpected words flowed from her lips. She spoke as if the decision to accept her had already been made.
"........"
"......."
At her question, the other women remained silent, as if they had already said everything they needed to say.
"Then it's decided. Senior Kang Ha-yoon will henceforth be treated as Sun-woo's wife."
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
Applause began to echo through the inner guest room. It was the sound of everyone welcoming Kang Ha-yoon.
"Thank you... everyone... truly, thank you.."
Now officially recognized as a wife, Kang Ha-yoon spoke through tears of emotion.
She had been worried sick that she might be kicked out, but since everyone welcomed her without a single objection, a wave of gratitude washed over her.
As Kang Ha-yoon wept uncontrollably, the other women gathered around to comfort her warmly.
Meanwhile, Sun-woo looked at Tang Seo-yoon with a questioning gaze.