Chapter 146
Chapter 146
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: Become My Toy (1)
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"Ma'am, the master..."
The head chef's question was met with a shake of the head from Chae Su-ran, wife of Gyeong Hyeon-dong.
"He didn't touch even a single spoonful. His heart must be truly broken."
"Oh no... Even just for your sincerity, he should have at least..."
Handing the chef a bowl of food, Chae Su-ran spoke carefully, making sure her voice sounded casual.
"He'll be hungry once he recovers a bit. It might be a hassle, but prepare this in advance and offer it to him with every meal starting around lunchtime tomorrow."
"Yes... And what about you, ma'am?"
"...I have somewhere I need to go."
The chef tilted his head curiously but knew better than to pry into the details, so he simply nodded in understanding.
Chae Su-ran rarely ventured outside, but tomorrow she had no choice—she absolutely had to go somewhere.
'Young Lord... How could he do such a thing...'
A subordinate of Elder Il had told her. Her husband had lost a duel but refused to accept the result and attempted a sneak attack.
And to atone for that sin, the Cult Leader had decreed that the winner of the duel would decide his punishment.
'If the Cult Leader has commanded it, there's no argument even if that man takes his life.'
Moreover, the justification lay with the opponent. There was nothing to do but beg for mercy.
She had to cling to his trouser leg if necessary, but could her husband really bring himself to do that?
To save her husband's life at least, Chae Su-ran resolved to seek out the guest currently at the Cult Leader's hall.
If she brought ample sincerity, he surely wouldn't refuse.
With no family to rely on and her in-laws nowhere to turn, at least the fact that money wasn't an issue was a small mercy.
Huangbo Hyo-seon wandered the Demonic Cult's main headquarters, meticulously committing every detail to memory.
She wasn't sure if she'd ever clash with them, but knowing your enemy made all the difference.
But she was startled by the grave tone of the warrior escorting her.
"The Cult Leader awaits you."
"The, the Cult Leader...?"
She had expected to meet at most with an elder or some mid-level administrator, so her heart pounded fiercely.
The absolute ruler of the demons, one of the Three Venerables. A supreme expert said to rival her grandfather, the Sword Saint— the Supreme Demonic Sword.
The thought that the great demonic overlord of the world was waiting for her sent shivers of both terror and excitement through her chest.
"Enter."
Passing through the door guarded by the warrior, she entered a grand hall that rivaled an emperor's throne room. There, a man gazed down at her with leisurely poise.
'This man... the Demonic Cult Leader...!'
His sharp, handsome features softened into a smile that seemed utterly unlike a Cult Leader's, but she knew better than to judge by appearances.
He had already turned the Tang Family upside down once, and was suspected of meddling with the Peng Family this time.
"Come in, you've had a long journey—must have been tough."
"It was necessary. And it wasn't particularly hard."
"Is that so? Even our locals dread crossing the desert. You've got some real grit."
That was enough for the formal greetings. Huangbo Hyo-seon cut straight to the point.
"Is the Cult Leader aware of the recent incident at the Peng Family?"
"Ah, I've heard. As I said there, let me repeat: some of our lower organizations acted on their own."
She had indeed heard that the Young Cult Leader said as much at the scene.
"But there are reports that someone claiming to be your Young Cult Leader attacked the Peng Family head. How do you explain that?"
"The Young Cult Leader was merely there by coincidence. Naturally, he knew nothing of the circumstances beforehand. He only learned that our followers were under attack in that moment. What would you have him do?"
Coincidence?
Could it really be coincidence that demonic cultists disguised as officials appeared precisely when a major sect was being attacked?
"Cult Leader, are you saying your cult bears no responsibility for the incident?"
"I didn't say that. But whether it was negligence in managing subordinates or a deliberate plot—doesn't that make all the difference in severity?"
That was true enough. But the Cult Leader's ready admission only fueled Huangbo Hyo-seon's unease.
"Their punishment is already done. For drawing swords without my permission and scheming conflict with the righteous martial world, I had them all beheaded."
His response flowed smoothly, as if rehearsed for any Martial Alliance envoy.
Unless she'd seen the executions herself, believing claims of unnamed executions was foolish.
"Is there any way to prove that?"
"It's been over four months. The bodies have long rotted away into the earth. How do you expect me to prove it?"
The Cult Leader then nodded lightly.
"Still, it happened due to negligence in managing our headquarters. I'll apologize properly, of course. I'll write letters to that effect for the Alliance Leader and the victims' Peng Family—mind delivering them on your way?"
"Y-Yes...?"
This was nothing like what she'd imagined. She'd pictured a sly, three-tongued demonic Cult Leader endlessly denying everything before revealing his true colors.
There was no overt remorse in his demeanor, but there was undeniable propriety.
Huangbo Hyo-seon thought she needed to uncover what this man was really after.
1. Her husband proposes to another woman.
2. He gets soundly rejected, putting his life in jeopardy one way or another.
3. No matter how much of a bastard he is, she can't just let her husband die.
How many people in the world could follow those three steps in order?
I was looking at one such person right in front of me.
"I'm so relieved the young hero isn't injured."
"Yes, thanks to the Young Cult Leader's protection in every way..."
In truth, none of this would have happened if her husband hadn't tried that sneak attack, but I'm not cruel enough to point that out.
The woman, Chae Su-ran, was a beauty radiating healthy allure from her dark skin. She looked to be in her late thirties.
If Young Ho-kyeong had accepted the marriage proposal, did he plan to divorce this woman? I couldn't fathom why he'd obsess over her when he had someone like this.
Chae Su-ran cautiously steered the conversation, then, sensing the moment, placed the bundle she'd brought on the table and offered it to me.
"I've come to apologize on behalf of my husband for the misfortune he caused the young lord this time."
It felt heavy—probably packed with precious metals or jewels. But I returned it.
"I see. But I've already made my decision."
Killing or sparing one extra uncle changes nothing, and I'd rather avoid the lingering guilt of needless murder—just accept a proper apology and call it even.
Besides, while I was always short on cash, accepting this could come back to bite me later.
"Y-Young hero... Please wait a moment. Don't do this..."
Oh, come on.
Mistaking my words for refusal, Chae Su-ran grabbed my hand as I tried to return the bundle, pushing it back toward me.
"You may have done that, young lord, but surely without any real malice. Please, calm your anger just a little..."
Her desperate defense of her husband was admirable, but I was too distracted by the soft palm pressing against the back of my hand.
The lust Young Ho-kyeong had awakened in me ignited like dry tinder at the slightest spark.
"Mr. Gyeong has the means to repay your kindness even more generously. I'm alone now, but... couldn't we hope for a merciful decision?"
Seeing Chae Su-ran clutching my hand with pleading eyes, begging for leniency, struck me like lightning.
Yes. I held the power of life and death over Gyeong Hyeon-dong.
And this milf in front of me wanted to save him.
And finally, my lust had long surpassed its limits.
"Madam, I have a proposal."
I lowered my voice and gripped the hand that held mine. Chae Su-ran looked at me with confusion and a hint of anxiety.
Good. On our first meeting, I realized I had all the ingredients for blackmail sex.
"Wh-what...!"
Chae Su-ran was stunned by what the man said.
"Are you insane? How could anyone...?"
"Don't tell a soul. Then your husband lives."
He looked like nothing but a handsome late twenties youth, yet his words were utter nonsense—the kind only a lecherous old rake would utter.
"Just ten times. Ten nights, and it settles the price for his life. No courtesan commands such a fee."
"I'm not a courtesan...!"
The proposal—spend ten nights with him, and he'd spare her husband—left her dumbfounded.
It wasn't something a young man who looked younger than her own daughter should say.
"Refuse if you want. Whatever happens next is on you..."
Her hands trembled at the blatant threat. The hand she'd held without hesitation now felt filthy; she wanted to let go.
"Why are you doing this? Just buy a courtesan...!"
Selling just the jewels she'd brought could buy the priciest courtesan in any high-end brothel several times over.
Yet he wanted her—a married woman—which could only mean he intended to humiliate her.
"Obviously because..."
As the man rose, he yanked her arm.
'Wh-what... what's this? His thing?'
When the grotesquely swollen manhood brushed her hand, Chae Su-ran recoiled in horror.
"This is your answer. A woman who gets a man hard just by holding his hand."
"Wh-what are you talking about...!"
Even as she yanked her arm free, the man spewed vulgarities without shame.
And even after she'd put distance between them, trembling, his final ultimatum filled her with despair.
"Lady Gyeong, let me say it once more. Become my toy. Let me play with you ten times, and I'll spare your husband."
Mistake. If she'd known he was this madman, she'd never have come.
His skillful taunting of women suggested plenty of practice.
"You'll accept, right?"
She'd been foolish to think sincere apologies and gifts would suffice. His eyes, realizing she had no choice, burned with lust.
Must she sacrifice her chastity to save her husband?
Chae Su-ran realized she had only one choice left.