Chapter 155
Chapter 155
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 155
Chapter Title: Preview
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Ugh..."
"A-Are you alright? I-I'm sorry. I suddenly lost all self-control halfway through..."
"No, I'm not alright..."
After staying in that uncomfortable position for so long, my legs were stiff and sore. As I massaged them to get the blood flowing again, the Sword Empress was already kneeling properly before me once more.
"Ow, my legs... Ow, my back..."
"W-Would you like me to massage them for you...?"
"...No thanks. Just stay still."
It'd probably hurt even more.
I didn't think the Sword Empress would mess up the pressure, but from experience, massages from others tended to hurt more often than not.
They said it was necessary to loosen the muscles, but pain was pain, and I hated it.
"..."
Tremble tremble tremble
She must have taken my reaction as anger, because the Sword Empress started shaking while still lying prone.
"...Haa."
Flinch!
Just one sigh, and look at her trembling like that.
"...I'm not mad, so stop shaking."
"H-How could you not be? I-I let my lust consume me and pushed you too far..."
"I said I'm really not mad, so don't worry about it."
"B-But..."
"Argh, enough!"
Jump!
"...I'm really not mad. For now, get out of that position and just sit normally."
"A-Alright."
I pinched the bridge of my nose as I watched her cautiously adjust her posture, still glancing at me nervously.
It was just a bit of whining from exhaustion, but her overreaction was starting to annoy me instead.
As I'd told the Sword Empress, I really wasn't angry.
Sure, it had gotten pretty intense midway, but it was something I'd initiated in the first place...
'If it felt good, that's all that matters.'
Wasn't sex just about both parties feeling good?
If it left lasting aftereffects, that'd be one thing, but a little rest would fix this. It was a perfectly reasonable level.
Having gone through it multiple times already, I'd gotten used to it anyway.
'Adapting to being a cum dispenser—what's the point?'
I sighed inwardly at the harsh reality I didn't want to accept, then looked back at the Sword Empress.
Even after I'd reassured her several times, she still wore that guilty expression, peeking at me anxiously.
'No helping it, huh.'
I didn't really want to out of embarrassment, but I couldn't just leave her like that.
I got up from the bed and approached her.
Flinch!
Grabbing the shoulders of the overly sensitive Sword Empress, I brought my mouth close to her ear and spoke softly.
"...I enjoyed it too, so don't worry."
Blush!
I could see her cheeks flush bright red in an instant.
I fanned my face with my hand and stepped back, sitting on the edge of the bed again.
She was so sorry that she wouldn't let it go—no way I could stay still when even my slightest movement made her flinch.
Anyway, she was my wife now, someone I'd be living with for decades to come.
"Ah, th-th-then, um, ah...?"
"...Don't overdo it next time."
"Eh? Wh-What?"
'Was it that shocking?'
The Sword Empress seemed utterly flustered, unable to form a proper response and just making weird noises.
Best not to poke at her in this state.
"Well, I'll be going then. My companions are waiting, so... uh..."
Wait a second.
"...Huh?"
Come to think of it, hadn't I just popped in to say a quick hello and goodbye before leaving?
Chill!
A cold sensation washed over my entire body in an instant.
"A-Anyway, I'm off! See you next time!"
"Huh?"
"If you need anything, come to Dang Ayoung's place! I might stop by before then! Anyway, take care!"
I hastily threw on my clothes and bolted out of the room, leaving the Sword Empress behind.
I heard her voice calling goodbye as the door closed, but that wasn't important right now.
Whoosh...
...Dang Ayoung and Yeo Sochen were gone.
The worst-case scenario I'd feared.
"...Ah, you've come out."
"Wh-Where are my companions?"
I urgently asked the receptionist woman, who looked like she was folding laundry.
"Rushing to find the women first thing... Impressive. Or maybe it just shows you treasure them all."
"Th-That's not the point!"
"They left first. Said they'd wait at the house."
Thud.
My last shred of hope—that maybe they'd just stepped out to the bathroom—shattered.
Tremble tremble tremble
'I'm screwed.'
I was angry.
100% angry.
It'd be weirder if I wasn't in this situation. I'd told them to wait while I said goodbye, then went and had a full-on romp—what the hell was that from their perspective?
'Aaaah...'
No excuse—this was entirely my fault.
I should've at least said something beforehand, but the thrill of possibly taking the lead for the first time made me forget about Dang Ayoung and Yeo Sochen, and I just dove into bed.
My bad.
'What do I do...'
Honestly, Yeo Sochen wasn't much worry. Dang Ayoung was the problem.
She was usually pretty gentle, but when angry? Terrifying.
If it was just some snide remarks, I'd suffer mentally a bit and move on, but trying to work off that anger in bed...
Shudder shudder
'I'm really screwed.'
My body was already exhausted from the intense session with the Sword Empress, and facing an angry Dang Ayoung like this? Impossible.
The fact that she was Dang Ayoung meant no drug or aid would make it feasible—that was the issue.
"Aaaah..."
"...Looks like having many women isn't all good for a man."
"Please, just don't say you're jealous..."
"Well, as an outsider, I have no right to meddle in your life... But if I may say one thing: since it's come to this, don't neglect any of them. A man should take responsibility, right?"
The receptionist spoke with a strangely enlightened expression.
From what I'd heard, she'd served the Sword Empress for a long time. Suddenly hearing not just marriage, but to three women? She'd have every right to freak out, yet here she was, seemingly resigned and offering blessings for the future.
Her advice was appreciated, but...
"...You're misunderstanding something. I'm not the one taking responsibility—I'm the one suffering."
"...Ah."
Who was responsible for whom here?
A lifetime running a fortune-telling shop wouldn't even match one of their assets, let alone all three.
"...If it's not too rude, may I ask one question?"
"What?"
"How did you end up with not one, but three such remarkable women?"
"...Beats me."
Yeah, really. How did it come to this?
When I first left the mountains, romance wasn't even on my radar. Life just... happened.
"...What can I do? I'll figure it out somehow."
Like the woman said, what's done is done.
Still, a man had to take responsibility.
I'd squeeze out love where there was some, make do where there wasn't—three should be manageable. Probably.
...Not like I could run away if it didn't work.
"Anyway, I'll be off. My companions are waiting. Thanks for the guidance today."
"Wait."
"Yes?"
The woman stopped me as I headed for the door, then took a deep breath.
And then...
"Please take good care of the Sword Empress."
"..."
"She's devoted her life to the sword, so she may lack a woman's mindset... Before the wedding, I'll teach her at least the basics that ordinary women know, so please don't neglect her just because you have many wives..."
"No, it's fine."
Creek
I placed my hand on the door, lifting my still-lowered hat as I replied.
"She's already plenty charming. Don't worry."
Meaning: everything's okay.
I gave a slight smile with that intent, closed the door, and stepped outside.
Bang!
"...Maybe I should get married too."
I think she said something before the door shut, but it closed too hard—I didn't catch it properly.
Night had fully fallen, and the chilly outdoor breeze cooled my still-flushed face...
Thump
"Guess who~?"
My vision suddenly went dark with a familiar voice.
"...Yeo Sochen."
I gruffly answered and swatted away the hands covering my eyes.
"...Tch. No fun."
"Don't do that creepy stuff. That's not your character."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"...Never mind."
Look at that innocent act, pretending not to know.
She knew exactly what I meant and was playing dumb.
I brushed off her hands and walked ahead, speaking curtly.
"Didn't you go ahead with Dang Ayoung? I figured she went straight home."
"Why would I go to Poison Phoenix's place? It's not like we're using it as our marital home."
"...We're not?"
I'd assumed we'd all live together at Dang Ayoung's.
"I agreed to living together, but we never decided it'd be her place."
"...But does she even have a house?"
"I have one too, you know! Inside Kunlun, just for me..."
"That's not a house, that's quarters."
"..."
Yeo Sochen seemed at a loss for words.
"And even if you did, you'd do newlywed life in Kunlun? Sure, it's the highest, but with all those Taoists around?"
"...Let's live at Poison Phoenix's place then. Good markets nearby, great access..."
"Why not decide that sooner?"
"..."
I could see Yeo Sochen's cheeks redden as she avoided my eyes and stared at the ground.
We walked like that for a while before Dang Ayoung crossed my mind, so I asked ahead of time.
"You were with Dang Ayoung until just now, right?"
"...Yes."
"Uh... Do you remember her mood before you parted? Like if she seemed annoyed or anything..."
"...She looked like she could kill someone today."
Hm. Definitely screwed.
I'd expected it, but the confirmation oddly brought relief.
Just accept death today and repeat it like a mantra.
"..."
Glance
Thinking of Dang Ayoung made me suddenly aware of the woman right beside me.
Honestly, I'd half-expected her and Dang Ayoung waiting at home, maybe even leading to a threesome squeeze-out. But she'd been waiting out front, so no such intentions.
"But are you okay?"
"...With what?"
"You know... pent-up lust or anything?"
"..."
"Ah, d-don't misunderstand! I'm not saying I want to—I'm just curious!"
I crossed my arms over my chest and stepped back from Yeo Sochen.
"Pfft."
"Wh-Why are you laughing!"
"It's fine. I'm not at an age where my boiling blood is out of control like Poison Phoenix..."
"You're not?"
"...I already got it all out last time."
Yeo Sochen said something cryptic, gazing at the sky with a dreamy expression.
I had no idea what she meant, but good was good.
If she didn't need it, that made things easier for me.
Anyway, time to head to Dang Ayoung's.
"...I don't wanna go."
"If you're that scared of Poison Phoenix, want to crash at an inn tonight?"
"That'd be dodging the fox only to enter the tiger's den..."
"True enough."
Couldn't dodge forever—bailing now would make it worse.
Better to go home obediently.
Still, walking in empty-handed felt too scary...
"Let's hit the market first then."
"...Can't we go straight? You said she's scary."
"It's already late—a bit later won't change much..."
Gurgle
"...I need to replenish nutrients."
At this point, my conclusion was to stock up on protein and fluids before the final battle.