Chapter 215
Chapter 215
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 215
Chapter Title: Hit a Very Bad Spot (2)
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The surroundings were a complete mess, but there was at least one silver lining. I could have a heartfelt conversation with Eon So-young without worrying about prying eyes, even if just for a short while.
Even that required using sound transmission, though.
[Are you hurt anywhere?]
[I'm fine. The Young Master came and protected me.]
Eon So-young smiled brightly as if to reassure me, but her slightly pale complexion worried me.
It was clear she'd taken some internal damage fighting that bandit leader.
[Thank you. If it weren't for the Young Master, I don't know what would've happened to Hyea...]
[She's your daughter, So-young.]
Eon So-young smiled sweetly again at my words, but then her expression suddenly hardened. I sensed someone's presence pushing through the crowd from behind me.
Namgung Hak, who'd first checked on Namgung Hye, approached and repeatedly expressed his gratitude to me.
The intruders who ruined the wedding were despicable, but thanks to them, I'd scored points with Namgung Hak.
'If I play this right, I might actually earn his full recognition...!'
Apparently, the bandit leader had gone for Namgung Hye, and Huangbo Jun had been injured protecting her. Fortunately, it wasn't a life-threatening wound.
Cleaning up the aftermath was for the Namgung Family and their physicians. The real issue now was just one thing.
Who were those guys, and why were they circling around me?
'Let's rule out the Demonic Cult for now.'
I could confidently say their actions had nothing to do with the Demonic Cult Leader's intentions.
The Demonic Cult was too busy setting up logistics like recruiting couriers and building manual pumps to pull off something like this.
"Demonic Cult bastards..."
But some people were already suspecting the Demonic Cult.
Since they'd openly advertised their Demonic Cult affiliation, misleading people might have been their goal.
Under Namgung Hak and some other righteous faction leaders' directions, people returned to their quarters for now.
The older experts from the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families all stayed behind, seemingly heading somewhere else together.
Not everyone represented their sects, but they wanted to draw their own conclusions about the situation.
I just hoped they wouldn't start a pointless war with the Demonic Cult...
I wasn't in a position to get involved anyway, so I returned to my quarters and rested alone.
I later heard they'd put off deciding whether it was a Demonic Cult attack.
No one was foolish enough to fall for it completely.
But surprisingly, Zhuge Myeong—the Zhuge Family head I'd expected to lead the rational voices—was insisting it was definitely the Demonic Cult.
Many whispered it was because Zhuge Ryong's body had been found. Even a worthless son coming back as a corpse would sadden any father.
'Maybe Zhuge Ryong brought them in himself...'
Those who knew, like me, that Zhuge Ryong had left midway through the wedding might suspect the same, but no one would voice it.
No one wanted to antagonize a grieving father shedding bloody tears inside.
Anyway, that was fine. As long as they didn't conclude it was the Demonic Cult right away, it was a relief for me.
'But why is my master coming up here?'
Because the bandit leader had tried to kidnap Namgung Hye at the end, many suspected the Blood Demon's involvement.
It was a false accusation, but he couldn't defend himself anyway.
I just waited quietly for Huangbo Jun to recover enough to leave without awkwardness.
Huangbo Jun fully recovered from his injuries in just a few days.
Thanks to the Namgung Family's dedicated physicians and lavish use of precious medicines.
Many guests didn't want to leave callously while the groom was injured, but they were eager to return to their sects and discuss countermeasures, leaving the Namgung Family no choice.
"Young Master, please be careful. Even if you're better, overexerting yourself right after recovery can reopen wounds."
"Thank you, Hye... Lady. I'll be careful."
This eased Namgung Hye's worries. She was grateful Huangbo Jun had thrown himself in harm's way for her, but she'd been anxious every day that his injury might worsen.
Once Huangbo Jun could move about, the couple bid farewell to guests amid everyone's well-wishes.
Despite the unpleasant incident at the wedding, they felt like the whole world was full of happiness, unconcerned by such trifles.
Of course, there were exceptions. Like when they ran into a certain rogue trying to steal her mother.
"Oh, Young Hero Kang. Still staying?"
"Ah, Young Hero Huangbo."
Kang Yun smiled smoothly under Namgung Hye's sharp glare and returned Huangbo Jun's greeting.
"I have business nearby, but it can wait, so I'm imposing a bit longer."
"Stay as long as you like. I'm not in a position to control my in-laws, but who in the Namgung Family would complain about you staying longer?"
"Much appreciated."
The man nodded, then glanced at Namgung Hye.
It felt like he was whispering, 'See? Even your husband says it's fine,' so she whipped her head away and marched off briskly.
"Hye... no, Lady. Let's go together."
Huangbo Jun gave a slight bow and hurried after Namgung Hye.
For the gentle-natured man, life had always been peaceful and serene, but this calm happiness was a first.
He could see why the elders kept urging his still-unmarried brother Huangbo Gang to wed—the joy of eternally binding with one's soulmate was special.
That held true right up until the night they were to consummate their marriage.
'Why, why...!'
Huangbo Jun had normal male desires and, though he couldn't say it openly, had experience with self-relief.
During recovery, the lack of response down there had concerned him slightly, but not overly so.
But just before entering the chamber where Namgung Hye awaited, facing his unresponsive member felt like plummeting into an endless abyss.
"You were struck in a very bad spot."
"What... do you mean?"
The Namgung Family physician's grim answer, which he'd secretly visited with Namgung Hye because he couldn't tell anyone, was devastating.
He'd never erect again.
What difference was there from a eunuch?
"Is there... no treatment?"
"Nothing for now... but if you achieve bone refinement and shedding mortality..."
It was as good as no. To Huangbo Jun, already in the pit, it felt like a sturdy lid slamming shut atop him.
Honestly, Huangbo Jun could endure it. Even without heirs, as long as Namgung Hye stayed by his side, it was fine.
But what about Namgung Hye? Did she have to spend her life with a man who couldn't even give her children?
Huangbo Jun loved Namgung Hye. Though it was an arranged marriage, he'd come to believe he'd be happy with her.
Beautiful and kind, she embodied his ideal wife.
He wanted to spend his life with her if possible, but if it led to her unhappiness, better they part.
"No."
But Namgung Hye was resolute.
"Isn't marriage for enduring all hardships together? It's not right for me to escape while you're suffering."
Namgung Hye wasn't just soft. Like Eon So-young, she had gentle strength and backbone.
"But, Lady..."
"We'll find a way to fix it. They said bone refinement might make it possible."
Namgung Hye gripped Huangbo Jun's hands encouragingly, but achieving bone refinement was for the rarest few.
Regrettably, Huangbo Jun's martial talent was solid but not at the level to boldly claim he'd reach absolute realms.
"Even if it can't be fixed, it's okay. We don't need children."
Huangbo Jun felt like collapsing in agony.
He vividly remembered Namgung Hye blushing after absentmindedly saying she wanted cute kids post-wedding.
Seeing her flushed peach-blossom cheeks, he'd imagined a child resembling her.
Beautiful her, kind her, resolute her, even the pouting angry her...
"Young Master?"
Namgung Hye, still clasping his hands and encouraging him, called worriedly at his ashen face.
"Ah, it's nothing."
"You seem too distressed. Rest first."
"...Alright."
Under her concerned gaze, Huangbo Jun quickly turned away.
He fidgeted, fearing she might guess his thoughts.
Now that Huangbo Jun was fully healed, I was sorting out how to take Eon So-young and leave without issue.
"Young Hero Huangbo?"
"Yes, he said it's important, so bring Young Hero Kang."
This wasn't like Huangbo Jun. We'd interacted enough to know his character, though not closely.
Calling at this ambiguous twilight hour was odd, and for important matters, he'd come himself, not send someone.
Moreover, the maid he'd sent said, 'I don't know the details, but he told me to relay the message and return to my quarters right away,' before leaving elsewhere.
I didn't want to intrude on the newlyweds' space at this hour, but he emphasized it was important, so I couldn't refuse.
I checked my clothes were neat enough and headed to their shared quarters.
"Come in, Young Hero Kang."
"Young Hero Kang...? Why are you here?"
Huangbo Jun welcomed me casually, but Namgung Hye looked baffled as to why I was there.
"Young Hero Huangbo, you didn't tell the Lady... anything?"
"I'll explain now."
Namgung Hye and I shared a rare moment of unity, glaring at Huangbo Jun.
Huangbo Jun looked between us before slowly speaking.
"Young Hero Kang."
"Yes."
"This is an absolute secret. You mustn't tell a soul. Can you promise that?"
"Without knowing the content, promising is a bit..."
"Gasp...!"
At that moment, Namgung Hye gasped and widened her eyes. As Huangbo Jun turned to her, she frantically grabbed his hand.
"No, Young Master... whatever you're thinking..."
"This is my only choice. Lady, are you asking me to torment you for life?"
"...No, but this isn't right."
Namgung Hye seemed to guess what he meant and held him back, starting a private exchange only they understood.
"Young Hero Kang, please just go for now. Please..."
"Young Hero Kang!"
Unlike his usual gentle demeanor, Huangbo Jun called me with a resolute face.
"Shameless as it is, I have a request."
"...Yes, I'll hear it first and decide."
Namgung Hye dropped her head in resignation. Huangbo Jun fixed me with a burning gaze and ground out the words.
"Please... consummate with my... Lady... and give us a child?"