Chapter 722: Does a Husband Need a Reason to Visit His Wife?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 722: Does a Husband Need a Reason to Visit His Wife?
"I shall take my leave now."
Zhuge Chan bowed politely toward Lee Jae-won. Then, without a hint of lingering attachment, he turned and began to walk out.
Creeeeeak.
Thud.
Once he had fully stepped outside, Zhuge Chan closed the door behind him.
Step. Step. Step.
He began to walk away with hurried strides. After covering some distance—
"Ugh..."
A heavy groan escaped Zhuge Chan’s lips. Intense pain was crushing his entire body.
‘...Damn it...’
Zhuge Chan cursed inwardly. It seemed his mental image had sustained a direct hit from Lee Jae-won’s massive murderous aura.
‘I must perform Internal Energy Circulation as quickly as possible...’
He knew that if he didn't regulate his energy immediately, this could leave a permanent scar on his cultivation.
‘Where... where should I go?’
Zhuge Chan hesitated. He couldn't decide on a destination. His heart screamed at him to collapse right where he stood and begin his meditation, but there were too many eyes watching. If word got out that he had to perform Internal Energy Circulation immediately after leaving the Alliance Leader’s office, rumors of discord between him and the Leader would spread like wildfire.
He had to move. He needed a place where he could meditate freely without drawing attention.
After a moment of frantic thought, Zhuge Chan quickened his pace. A suitable location had finally come to mind. Before long, his figure vanished completely from the Alliance Leader’s Hall.
*
Flip.
A noblewoman of elegant beauty turned a page of her book. Her profound eyes remained fixed on the text, reading slowly as if determined not to miss a single character.
After some time, a small smile played on her lips. The contents of the book seemed quite intriguing.
Shhh.
She turned to the next page.
"...Ah."
Her eyes fell upon a blank page. She realized then that she had finished the entire book.
"...How regrettable."
A look of disappointment crossed her face. She felt a deep sense of sorrow that her time spent acquiring knowledge and perceiving the truths of the world had come to an end.
She glanced around her desk. It was cluttered with a messy pile of books—all of which she had already read.
"Sigh."
She let out a long breath. The realization that her time to feast on knowledge was over weighed heavily on her.
"Regrettable... so very... regrettable..."
The woman’s expression turned sullen as a wave of longing washed over her.
‘Should I stop by the Great Library for a moment?’
The temptation to return to the archives rose within her.
Shake, shake.
However, she quickly shook her head. The library’s operating hours had already passed. While she could certainly use her status and rank to force her way in, she didn't want to do that. Such an act might bring trouble to her beloved husband.
‘I’ll just review what I’ve learned.’
The elegant noblewoman slowly closed her eyes. She began to mentally retrace the vast amount of information she had read today. The knowledge she had acquired surged through her mind like a tide, occupying her thoughts.
Hehe.
Soon, a soft smile graced her lips. It was while she was in the middle of this mental review, savoring the knowledge once more, that—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Suddenly, someone began to knock on her door.
Snap.
The noblewoman’s eyes flew open at the sound.
"...Ah."
A lament escaped her. The sudden knocking had completely shattered her concentration.
"Who is it?" she asked, her voice tinged with irritation as she looked toward the door. She was annoyed at the interloper who had interrupted her pleasant time.
"...It... it is I... Kyung-ah."
A familiar voice drifted in from outside the room.
"Brother?"
The noblewoman looked puzzled. She was bewildered by her brother’s sudden appearance. What could possibly bring him here at this late hour?
"Please, come in."
Creeeeeak.
The moment her permission was granted, the door swung open. A man with a deathly pale complexion revealed himself.
"Brother, what on earth is—"
The noblewoman started to speak, her face filled with concern. She intended to ask what had happened.
Thud.
But she couldn't finish her sentence. The man collapsed straight onto the floor.
"Brother!"
She rushed to the middle-aged man’s side.
Tap. Tap.
"Wake up... Brother..."
She patted his cheeks lightly, trying to rouse him.
"...Give me... a Hyewon Pill..."
The man finally opened his mouth, looking up at her.
"Wait... just a moment."
Hearing his request, the woman stood up immediately and hurried to her desk. She opened a drawer and pulled out a small jade box. Opening it, she took out a single small pill.
"Here it is, Brother."
She returned to the fallen man and placed the pill in his mouth.
Crunch.
The man chewed the pill without hesitation. A clear, refreshing energy began to spread through his body, soothing his unstable mind and spirit.
"Please... stand guard for me."
Once his internal state had stabilized somewhat, he asked her to protect him while he meditated.
"I will," she replied with a firm nod.
Woooooom.
Soon, a clear aura began to shimmer around the man. He had begun his Internal Energy Circulation. The woman stood guard beside him, her expression taut with tension.
After a significant amount of time had passed—
"...Thank you, Kyung-ah," the man said in a calm tone, having finished his meditation.
"No... I only did what was natural," she replied, shaking her head. "More importantly... what happened?"
Her face was full of questions. She was desperate to understand the situation.
"My mental image took a hit... I had no choice but to meditate immediately."
"Who on earth would do such a thing to you!?"
Her voice rose, her face flushed with anger. Fury boiled within her at the thought of someone harming her own flesh and blood.
"............"
The man remained silent, his expression grim. He seemed to be agonizing over what to say.
"Tell me who it was, Brother. I’ll tell the Alliance Leader and—"
"Kyung-ah."
The man cut her off mid-sentence.
"Yes!?"
"I simply suffered Qi Deviation while training."
The man lied. It was a white lie, told to spare her from the painful truth.
"Qi Deviation?" she asked, sounding skeptical.
"Hahaha... I suppose I overdid it, trying to do something I haven't done in a long time."
The man forced a boisterous laugh.
"...Is that true?"
The noblewoman asked again, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. She didn't seem entirely convinced.
"Of course it is. Otherwise, how could I, the Chief Strategist, suffer such an injury within the Cheonmu Alliance?"
The man—Chief Strategist Zhuge Chan—continued to speak with a forced smile.
"...I suppose so."
The noblewoman, Zhuge Ju-kyung, finally nodded in agreement. Her brother was effectively the second-in-command of the Cheonmu Alliance. Aside from the Alliance Leader, Lee Jae-won, there was no one in the organization who could touch him. Therefore, she had to accept his explanation. It was unthinkable that Lee Jae-won would harm his own brother-in-law.
"I was... really worried."
Zhuge Ju-kyung looked at Zhuge Chan with a reproachful gaze, scolding him.
"Hahahaha! Is not Qi Deviation the destiny of every martial artist?" Zhuge Chan replied, maintaining his hearty facade.
"Goodness... I can't with you."
Zhuge Ju-kyung shook her head. She couldn't understand how he could laugh so loudly after nearly dying.
"By the way, have you been well?" Zhuge Chan asked calmly.
"Yes, I've been doing fine," she replied with a soft smile.
"Tsk, tsk. I'm sure you've been buried in your books as usual."
"...That's not true..."
"Clean up those books scattered behind you before you try to lie to me."
Zhuge Chan gestured toward the mess on her desk.
"...Hehe."
Zhuge Ju-kyung let out an awkward laugh. She had no rebuttal.
"If you spend all your time buried in books... isn't your relationship with the Alliance Leader becoming distant?" Zhuge Chan asked with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Distant? He treats me so well!" Zhuge Ju-kyung snapped back, her voice rising.
"Is that so?"
"Of course it is... He always gives me his attention and love."
Zhuge Ju-kyung smiled brightly as she spoke.
"............"
Zhuge Chan simply stared at her in silence.
"...It has been over twenty years since you married. Do you still love the Alliance Leader that much?"
"I married him intending to love him for a lifetime, didn't I?"
Zhuge Chan fell into a heavy silence.
"Kyung-ah."
He finally called her name.
"Yes, Brother?"
"Are you happy?"
"I am very, very happy."
Zhuge Ju-kyung answered immediately with a nod.
"................I see."
Zhuge Chan nodded as if accepting her answer. "If you say so, then that is enough."
"Pardon?"
Zhuge Ju-kyung asked, confused. What was he talking about all of a sudden?
"It's nothing. I should be going now."
"What!? You can stay a little longer..."
"Even if we are siblings, there must be a proper distance between a man and a woman. How can I stay with you late into the night?" Zhuge Chan said with a mock-stern expression.
"You're so old-fashioned, Brother..."
Zhuge Ju-kyung shook her head.
"It's not being old-fashioned; it's only proper."
With those words, Zhuge Chan turned around. He began to walk slowly toward the door.
"Are you... really leaving?"
Zhuge Ju-kyung asked, watching his retreating back. Her voice was thick with loneliness.
"I will come again."
Zhuge Chan ignored her loneliness and kept walking.
Creeeeeak.
Thud.
The door closed, and Zhuge Chan vanished from her sight.
"Sigh."
Once he was gone, Zhuge Ju-kyung let out a deep sigh. Guilt gnawed at her for lying. In truth, most of what she had said was a lie. Lee Jae-won hadn't visited her quarters in over fifteen years. And ever since she learned he was the culprit behind the serial rape and murder case, her unconditional affection had begun to wither.
Most importantly, she was not happy. Melancholy far outweighed any joy. But she couldn't show her true feelings. She didn't want to burden her brother, who was already overwhelmed with work.
"........Sigh."
She let out another long, heavy breath.
*
Steam rose in white clouds from the tea.
Joo So-yang slowly lifted her cup.
Inhale.
She breathed in the aroma. The deep, characteristic scent of the tea leaves instantly filled her senses.
Sip.
Savoring the fragrance, she began to drink. A sharp yet unique flavor filled her mouth.
Clack.
After enjoying the tea for a moment, Joo So-yang set the cup down. She closed her eyes, letting the aftertaste linger. She was beginning to sink into the profound world of the tea ceremony.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Suddenly, a sound interrupted her thoughts.
"Who is it?"
Joo So-yang spoke, her brow furrowing slightly. She was irritated that her peaceful moment had been broken.
"It is I."
A familiar male voice reached her ears.
Flinch.
Joo So-yang’s body shuddered at the sound. Just hearing it caused a surge of revulsion and discomfort to boil within her.
"..........."
She was lost for words for a long time, unsure of how to respond.
".............What is it?" she finally asked slowly.
"Does a husband need a reason to visit his wife?"
A sly, oily voice drifted in from outside the door.
Grimace.
Joo So-yang’s face contorted. The mere fact that the dog-like bastard referred to her as his wife made her feel physically sick.
"May I come in?" the man asked when she didn't respond.
"........Come in."
Joo So-yang gave her permission reluctantly.
Creeeeeak.
The sound of old hinges groaning followed, and a man stepped inside.
"It feels like it's been a long time."
It was the Leader of the Cheonmu Alliance, Lee Jae-won.