The Great Yin
The Four Divine Halls each have their own unique methods for selecting a successor.
And with the exception of the Vermillion Bird Hall, the successors of the other halls are expected to marry a blood relative of the same generation to continue the lineage.
That is, unless a generational transition of the Taewonsu occurs, which is an extremely rare case, much like the one involving Hwan Hyun.
Even the previous Taewonsu held that position for a very long time, so until now, things had proceeded almost exclusively in that manner.
However, the Black Tortoise Hall had been suffering from a chronic problem due to its unique constitution.
The time goes back several centuries, to when the current Black Tortoise Hall Master, Moo Jeongwoon, was designated as the successor.
"You will be the one to take on the role of the next Hall Master, Jeongwoon."
"Yes, Mother."
"...Do you understand what it means to ascend to this position?"
"It means becoming the person who governs the Black Tortoise's domain, the sanctuary north of the Divine Sandalwood Tree, and standing at the very forefront to protect it, does it not?"
"No. I am asking if you understand what it means to receive the 7th Northern Constellation while possessing a male body."
"...I am aware."
The Black Tortoise Hall guards the North among the four directions and governs the element of Water. And because it presides over the Great Yin—the massive erotic energy represented by that water—receiving the 7th Constellation, which only the Hall Master can wield, results in the complete castration of one's masculinity due to that Yin energy.
This was the reason why there had only ever been one male Hall Master in the history of the Black Tortoise Hall. No matter how high the position, it is nearly impossible to abandon one's basic sexual desires and reproductive instincts.
"I am prepared. Besides, if not for me, is there anyone else who could ascend to the position of Hall Master?"
"There is Harin. While you are the most suitable because you have opened the 6th Constellation, she, too, has opened the 5th."
"That will not do. According to the prophecy made by the Taewonsu, a massive calamity will occur in my generation, and I cannot pass such a dangerous position to my elder sister."
"Are you... perhaps blinded by power? No, you are not that kind of child."
"...Thank you for seeing me that way."
Even though his resolve was firm, deep anguish could be felt in the Hall Master's words.
"How do you intend to continue the next generation?"
"I will prepare the Method of Extracorporeal Fertilization before I am castrated."
"And your partner? Do you have someone in mind?"
"I desire elder sister Harin."
His stubborn words and his well-thought-out plan managed to alleviate the Hall Master's concerns, at least a little.
"...I see. I understand your will. Do not regret this later."
"Yes! Thank you, Mother!"
"Should you not still be calling me Hall Master?"
That was how Moo Jeongwoon ascended to the position of Hall Master. The sense of exaltation he felt upon opening the 7th Northern Constellation was indeed magnificent, but there was something more important.
"Elder sister Harin, please marry me!"
"...Little brat? Are you saying you want to marry me right now?"
He skipped over the formal procedures quickly and sought out Moo Harin.
"I will protect you, sister!"
"I don't have the right to refuse, do I?"
"Yes! You do not!"
A Hall Master can marry any person of the opposite sex among their blood relatives of the same generation. That privilege was the very reason he had aimed for the Hall Master position by any means necessary. To take her, who did not see him as a man, he had to become the Hall Master, no matter what.
Because even if she were to become the Hall Master, she would never have chosen him.
"Until our black hair turns to ash... through death and rebirth... until our bones turn to dust... will my single-hearted devotion... remain?"
"I will make you happy."
"Do your best. My husband."
Their love was realized. Although there was no physical relationship and their successor would have to be created through extracorporeal fertilization, he tried his best to connect with her mentally.
Nevertheless.
The problem popped up from a place he hadn't anticipated. It was because he hadn't considered not only the effect of the Yin energy on men but also its effect on women.
"I can't stand it. You can get that thing up, right?"
"...Huh?"
Moo Harin stayed by his side and was slowly encroached upon by the Great Yin. However, even when she pressed her aroused body against him, his body no longer reacted.
"What is this. Is this as big as it gets?"
"..."
"How is it smaller than a pinky finger?"
"It's because of the Yin energy. There's nothing I can do about it..."
"...I see."
Even though he had tried his best to make it stand, it was only 2 chon (approx. 6.06cm) long and 0.3 chon in diameter. His pride was thoroughly trampled. Even though he had become impotent due to the massive energy, his mind had not yet lost its masculinity, so the despair was even more intense.
"I love you, honey."
"...Yeah. Me too."
After that day, she changed. They maintained the relationship of a married couple outwardly, but that was all.
They slept in separate rooms. She stayed by his side in public, but whenever the eyes of others disappeared, she kept avoiding him.
There were no signs of infidelity. However, the Spring Pictures (erotic collections) that gradually increased in her room bothered him.
"Haaah... Hnnng..."
Even the sounds of moaning that rang out from her room every night.
The only thing he could do for her was to periodically seal her Yin energy. No matter how much she was in a state of heat, he couldn't just bring in random people and encourage her to have an affair.
If rumors spread that the Vice Hall Master of the Black Tortoise Hall was playing around with her body, he would have no face to show his predecessors later.
In the midst of that, a crisis occurred.
When countless people died and even the position of Taewonsu became vacant.
A boy who barely inherited the precious blood was born.
"We must send Jinyul to form a contract."
Because that was the custom. If the daughter were to become his legal wife, deep Sacred Blood would flow through the next generation of the Black Tortoise Hall.
However, his wife's reaction was somewhat different.
"That contract, can't I be the one to do it?"
"...Honey, what are you talking about? Do you even know what that is?"
"I'm tired. The crisis is over, and once Jinyul leaves, there's no reason for me to stay here, is there?"
"You are the Vice Hall Master. You should be by my side."
It was the path to becoming a surrogate. It was a contract where she had to spread her legs whenever the master told her to, and take it whenever he told her to. Of course, there would be various purposes for using the power of the Command, but Moo Harin's body was too vulgar. If she were bound by a contract, it was obvious what kind of state she would end up in.
"...Later. If that person visits the Black Tortoise Hall later... I will allow it once then."
If it were the most noble person in this land, it wouldn't be a downgrade. Since it was to the extent that she wouldn't even care if her own daughter were bound by a humiliating contract.
If it were such a man, he could turn a blind eye to his wife's infidelity just once.
"Once... Yeah. I understand."
He could feel expectation and regret crossing in her eyes.
"Oh, right. I love you, honey?"
"..."
How long had it been since he heard those words? However, to him, his wife's words felt completely hollow.
"Wow, holy shit, it's sex, it's sex!!!"
"Master... I think your words and thoughts are coming out in reverse?"
Oh my.
I clearly should have said, "I'm flustered. Give me some time to think," but words I couldn't suppress burst out from deep within my heart.
"...Excuse me."
"Fufu... It's fine. Rather, I like that you are honest."
"But may I ask what meaning there is in the Vice Hall Master having... a sleepover with me?"
"Let me ask you one thing first. How do you feel about Jinyul?"
A counter-question came in. How do I feel about Jinyul?
"Well, she's pretty... kind... and even if she's a bit shy, she follows me well..."
"I'm asking if you could accept this child as your partner."
"...M, Mother...!"
"..."
A partner.
I'm not used to things like this.
Last night, I even heard Aunt Yeryung ask me to take her as a partner.
I didn't dislike it. On the contrary, isn't it something to be thankful for that such beautiful people want me?
Even so, the fact that every single word feels incredibly heavy must mean it's too early for me to face them sincerely.
"I haven't lived long, so I don't know well yet... but I do have the thought that I want to make Jinyul my partner."
"Hoe-eee..."
"Are you saying you will choose Jinyul, not a successor from another Divine Hall?"
"No. If possible, I want to embrace everyone."
"...You are a person with a large capacity."
That goes without saying. At the very least, I won't be releasing or giving away the women I've slept with so far. That is something that could never happen, even if the world were to perish.
"Then I would like you to grant my request even more. From experience, even if one is equipped with both martial prowess and character, there are cases where one cannot properly fulfill the role of a husband."
The corners of Vice Hall Master Moo Harin's eyes grew misty as she said that.
This woman, she's speaking from experience, isn't she?
"Will you grant my request?"
The answer was already decided. From the moment I first saw those breasts, there were no other options for me.
"Screw it, let's do it once."
"M, Master? Are you planning to corrupt even Mother...?!?"
"Ahem. It's not like that, you walking HitoMi."
"HitoMi? What is that?"
"Jinyul will teach you."
"Wait... Master!"
She also needs to know what Jinyul has been watching in her daily life. Honestly, since she didn't give her proper sex education, isn't it right to leave the follow-up to her?
"Then I will prepare. You can come to Jinyul's room in 15 minutes."
I don't really know what she's preparing, but... she'll handle it well on her own, right?
Like that, Vice Hall Master Moo Harin took Jinyul away.
"Mother, are you really going to do it with Master?"
"Stay still. It's all for you."
"...Run away even now... Master is dangerous...!"
A little while later, I went to Jinyul's room according to her words.
-Knock, knock.
"I'm here."
As I opened the door and entered, the first thing I saw was a camcorder mounted on a tripod.
"Uh... why did you set this up...?!?"
"You've arrived. Then now... shall we begin?"
......