Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 108
Chapter Title: Must Have (1)
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"So I told you! That bastard must've secretly popped some kind of spirit pill! If it weren't for that, I would've..."
"Not-quite-Nine-Dragons Chang hyung, your excuses are pathetic. Bottom line, you lost, didn't you? Was there a rule saying no spirit pills?"
"You little...!"
Just as the squabbling from the Namgung family's youngest twins was about to escalate, a woman's stern voice cut in and halted them cold.
"Chang-ah, Hong-ah. Let's keep it quiet at the dinner table."
"But sis... this guy... mmph!"
"Hyung, quiet down. Sorry, sis."
[Hyung, you can't read the room since we're away from home, but don't climb all over sis like that these days. You might actually get smacked.]
Namgung Chang caught his brother's transmitted voice and realized Namgung Hye's demeanor had a sharper edge than before.
"I'll be careful, sis."
"...Then let's finish eating."
"Yes."
Even family head Namgung Hak was struck by his little sister's change, though he had no idea what caused it.
Honestly, it felt a bit awkward bringing it up with her in this state, but as family head, he had to tell her what needed saying.
"Hye-ah."
"Yes, big brother."
Namgung Hak paused for a moment. Meanwhile, his wife Jongri Soso—who already knew the story—sparkled with anticipation, waiting for him to speak.
"A marriage proposal came from the Huangbo family."
"...Yes."
"It's Huangbo Jun, second son of the current family head's eldest. Ever heard of him?"
"Yes, big brother."
Huangbo Gang, a top contender for the next Greatest Sword Under Heaven, was the current head's eldest grandson. Huangbo Jun was his younger brother.
'Normally, she'd at least look surprised...'
Namgung Hak inwardly sighed as he watched Namgung Hye force her furrowed brow to smooth out.
"From the family head's perspective, the Huangbo family is a great ally to build ties with. But as your brother, I don't think you need to rush into choosing..."
"I'll meet him once first and decide."
"...Alright, do that."
Namgung Hak nodded at the bland response. Then a sudden thought struck him.
"By the way, you visited Mother recently? How's she doing?"
"That's right, miss. I really should pay my respects to Madam..."
"It's fine, she's doing well."
Namgung Hye hurriedly cut off Jongri Soso's words.
It was to keep the family from prying into her mother's life for at least the next three months.
She'd promised Kang Yun not to let anyone in the family see Eon So-young, but truthfully, she also worried her brother would be heartbroken if he learned the truth.
"I was worried she might've left because she didn't want to inconvenience you... Miss, if that's the case, please tell her not to worry at all."
"...Don't worry, it's not like that, new sister-in-law."
Namgung Hye sighed inwardly as she replied to Jongri Soso's concerned tone.
Why was she the one suffering like this? The fault lay entirely with that shadowy bastard who'd impregnated her mother and then vanished.
One day, when Kang Yun returned to see her mother, she wouldn't let him off easy.
"Achoo!"
A sneeze burst out of nowhere. No way someone was cursing me...
'No, there are people who could curse me.'
"The weather's gotten chilly. Don't get complacent just because you're young, Kang gongzi."
"Thank you for your concern."
I'd come to see Yang Ha-jeong again. Gone was her earlier avoidance; we were chatting casually now. But I remembered clearly.
That yesterday, this woman got me drunk, sucked my dick, and left.
'Why'd you suck my dick?'
I wanted to ask straight up.
Or yell, 'You got caught red-handed sucking my dick? Eat this!' and fuck her brains out.
Unfortunately, no smartphone here to leave evidence. Unlike with Mae So-hyang.
In her case, Neung Hui-yeon's demonic qi was perfect proof, impossible to hide—a prime setup.
'But this is different.'
If I exposed it to Peng Mu-do or Peng Wol? Even if caught in the act?
Even if exposed, I'd have no cards left the moment I did, and fucking Yang Ha-jeong would be a pipe dream.
'From the second I bring it up, they won't believe me and might chop me into Kang/Yun pieces for insulting her.'
Plus, even if I caught her in the act with eyes wide open, she'd subdue me easily and slip away like nothing happened.
'In the end, it all hinges on pinning down a transcendent expert...'
My body was already a full-fledged transcendent. Mid-transcendent level, even. The only issue was mastering control at that level.
But no matter how I pictured it, I couldn't see catching Yang Ha-jeong in the act, subduing her without getting overpowered, and having sex.
So there was only one thing to do right now.
"That liquor from last night... it was delicious. What was it called...?"
"Oh, that? I heard it's called Hundred Leaf Immortal Brew. I don't know much, but folks who do say it's top-notch."
Yang Ha-jeong hesitated, then spoke again.
"Truth is, there's a bit left... Interested?"
Bingo.
"Really? I'd love some if you've got it."
I smiled as innocently as possible. Truthfully, it didn't matter if there was any left or not.
What mattered was signaling I was up for getting drunk again—and that she had a chance to strip me.
'If I can't fuck her, getting fucked works too.'
If her interest had waned, tough luck. But I knew better. Once a woman knew my dick, it wasn't easy to quit.
"Then, how about tonight?"
"Tonight...?"
She looked puzzled, but when I mentioned leaving in a day or two, understanding dawned.
I could only pray the tight deadline made Yang Ha-jeong snap.
"...Hyung?"
"What's up, dongsaeng?"
No, you said you were busy.
Showing up every other day like clockwork—what am I supposed to do?
"Your face looks off, dongsaeng. Tired today?"
I wanted to say yes, but this wasn't genuine concern.
Having laid out drinks and food, he was protesting: you really gonna send me away?
"No, hyung. Come in."
"Good. With your iron stamina, how could a little drinking faze you?"
Peng Wol's iron stamina outclassed mine by far... But just as we geared up for heavy drinking, a servant arrived from outside.
"Mother...?"
"Wol-ah...?"
Peng Wol and Yang Ha-jeong exchanged startled looks, then both turned to me.
"Hyung, that's how it is. Madam Peng said she had good liquor, so I was gonna share..."
"Oh, I wasn't planning to drink anyway! I'll leave the booze and food—have fun."
Come on, at least drink with us. Yang Ha-jeong fled like the liquor was poison, and the maid left only non-duplicate dishes.
Damn it... Peng Wol...
"...Looks like you've gotten close to Mother."
"Yes."
Peng Wol's expression darkened. Too dark for mere worry about a scolding later.
But soon, as if nothing happened, he brightened, uncorked Yang Ha-jeong's bottle, and dove back into pour-and-drink mode.
"Hundred Leaf Immortal Brew, eh? Mother's taste is impeccable."
"No way you sniffed it out?"
"Of course not. Isn't it written right here?"
As if I'd recognize that sloppy handwriting.
"Drink up! Ah, didn't I tell you no internal energy?"
This guy's done for. Unlike Yang Ha-jeong, he sniffed out any attempt to expel drunkenness and warned me like a ghost.
'She might come back later—no way I can be drunk...'
I pushed my mental limits, but alcohol has hard human tolerances.
By the time we'd downed Yang Ha-jeong's booze plus Peng Wol's into our guts repeatedly, my consciousness blacked out.
Whatever.
Yang Ha-jeong returned at the maid's request, to the scene of two sprawled drunks.
The servants, now pros, lifted Kang Yun to the bed, then carted off Peng Wol.
The third repeat performance had their moves crisp and efficient.
And once more, only Yang Ha-jeong remained in the guest quarters.
'N-No need to tuck him in...'
She bore zero blame for his drunken sleep. He'd begged for the booze; Peng Wol fed it.
Not even a drop transfused—she was spotless.
Yang Ha-jeong gazed at Kang Yun, asleep on the bed, exhaling liquor-tinged breaths.
She'd seen it all already. Touched it...
'Even... sucked it...'
She had to admit: the curiosity excuse she'd clung to had utterly lost its shine.
That recalling the cum-stained cloth made her crotch itch.
"Hoo..."
The man's breath from the bed boomed like thunder.
As if rebuking her for lusting after a man half her age.
"G-Gongzi, I-I'm sorry. Forgive this wretch who can only apologize while you sleep."
No one knew what she'd done.
Apologizing to his face? No forgiveness, just disgust at the revelation.
But Yang Ha-jeong couldn't not confess her sin. It was her bare-minimum conscience.
"S-Surely, if a day comes when I can aid gongzi, I'll lend my strength... Ack!"
Again.
The sleeping man's arm snaked out, yanked her waist, and pulled her onto the bed.
As she was laid down, Yang Ha-jeong realized.
She'd known this possibility existed. And deliberately ignored it.
'Apologize my ass...!'
She felt pathetic. Yang Ha-jeong smiled self-mockingly, reaching to shove off the arm on her.
"Yang... Ha-jeong..."
Her name.
Her spine crawled.
Few held position to call her by name directly. No one actually did.
Even this man always politely said "Madam Peng."
As her gaze shifted to his face, the man had his eyes half-open, hazy but awake.
"Ah!"
The instant their eyes met, startling her, he grabbed her rising shoulder, pinned her back down, and mounted her torso.
Then he spoke.
"I will definitely... have you..."
Unreal words. But unmistakable, simple ones.
Only one conclusion.
Yang Ha-jeong began doubting which part of her memories had been a dream.