Chapter 243
Chapter 243
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Determination
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The ominous aura I sensed from the Sword Empress's disciple was quickly brushed aside.
Since we had to part ways anyway, I exchanged farewells with her and moved on without much thought.
Now, the last person I needed to see...
'Master...'
She was collapsed and couldn't converse, but I could at least pay my respects.
-Swish
I gently brushed the hair from Master's head as she lay there, breathing shallowly.
Who knew when I'd see her again.
There was a chance the Heavenly Demon might take her along to live with us, but I'd pass on that.
Having to watch me endure that woman's whims right beside her...
'...No, I couldn't bear that.'
I lacked the confidence to live like that with Master by my side.
Truth be told, our current relationship would cause an uproar in any normal situation.
Yeo Sochen already knew, the Sword Empress felt indebted to me, and Dang Ayoung had been overwhelmingly defeated by Master, leaving no one to complain.
But there was no guarantee it'd work on the Heavenly Demon.
If she saw us and called it filthy, deciding to tear us apart, we couldn't even argue.
So, if I had to bide my time, it made sense to build more favor with the Heavenly Demon first.
Or, like Yeo Sochen suggested, make her utterly smitten with me—turn her into an obedient wife who grants my every wish—then ask to see Master.
That might be safer...
'...But that's the problem; it's not easy.'
She was the type to imprison and force unwanted children on someone.
The odds of success were impossible to gauge.
My original plan had been to concede control in bed—something I couldn't seize anyway—and claim dominance in the relationship instead.
But what good is control when you're imprisoned?
You need at least the freedom to move or resist for it to mean anything.
Eating what's given and spreading your legs on command? Control's worthless there. "What I want to eat today" or "Go easy on me" is the limit.
Alternatively, make her lose all affection for me, get her to discard me entirely.
'...Tricky, really.'
The first has low success odds; the second, if it fails, leaves no escape.
I'd need to erode her favor just enough for her to kick me out, but fall short and I become the beaten husband; overshoot, and my life’s at risk.
Low-risk, low-return versus high-risk, high-return.
And given my nature, I'd pick the former.
I prefer safe.
'...As long as I survive, we might meet again someday.'
In the end, my path was to maximize the Heavenly Demon's favor while striving for some control.
If things went well, opportunities would arise.
After ten years of pleading, she might tire and let me see Master once.
Not sure if I'd still be in this world by then.
So...
'...See you later, Master.'
-Mwah
That was my farewell to Master.
Now, only the Heavenly Demon remained.
I might regret this choice someday, but I resolved not to look back.
Better a 1% chance of reunion than eternal goodbye.
Even if it meant hardship ahead.
But hey, for a woman like the Heavenly Demon, a little suffering's worth it.
Her looks matched my ideal, our hobbies aligned—let's think positive.
Who knows? She might be surprisingly caring as a wife.
"All set? No luggage or anything?"
"I carry what I need on me, mostly."
"Still, you're settling in for life—shouldn't you bring a dowry? A ring, maybe."
"A ring, huh..."
...That jogged a forgotten memory.
-Swish
"..."
"...What's with that ring?"
"...The Heavenly Demon gave it to me."
"..."
Yeo Sochen stared at the ring in disbelief, sighed, and clutched his head.
"...No preparations needed, then. Let's just go."
"...Yeah."
Seemed the Heavenly Demon's affection had left him speechless.
"...Oh, right. She asked me to pass on a message."
"Who?"
"That white witch. While you were out cold, she begged me to relay it. Said you'd drop dead if she spoke to you directly."
"..."
Not someone I cared to hear about.
Of course, if questioned whether I'd been saintly—taking plenty from the Saintess and seeking her only when needed—I couldn't claim innocence.
But she'd approached me with her own agenda from the start.
My entire life, in fact.
Her favors were bribes to help me survive this perilous world and end up in hers as a stud horse.
Neither of us offered pure goodwill.
And now, bound by contract, I'd be dragged there eventually.
Anyway, with 10-20 years ahead turning into an eternity of servitude, how could I stay composed hearing the Saintess caused Master's state?
I'd endured all that to live peacefully until then.
'Yeah, well... she probably didn't mean it.'
Still unforgivable.
"What'd she say?"
I braced for an apology or plea through Yeo Sochen, ready to vent again.
"...She said treat her however—even use her whenever needed."
"...Pardon?"
His unexpected reply made me tilt my head.
"Fine as a disposable girl you call only when convenient... or when bored... or angry, as an emotional punching bag. Just summon her anytime."
"..."
It didn't instantly soothe my anger, but it didn't stoke it either.
...Who knows what'll happen in the Demonic Cult.
Depending on my life there, the Saintess might prove useful.
Stuck solely with the Heavenly Demon, and the contract made lifelong silence impossible anyway...
"...I'll think about it."
For now, I'd leave the door cracked.
Master's state remained unforgiven.
The trip to the Demonic Cult didn't take as long as before.
We didn't need to bring Master herself for treatment—just the Fox Bead for purification, which would sync to her body.
Possible because the Fox Bead was essentially her avatar now.
Bringing her would've been far tougher.
Doubling Yeo Sochen's workload.
No need to halt before Kunlun anymore, either.
Meeting the Heavenly Demon was the goal, so he'd escort me right to the gates, slashing travel time.
Previously, we'd stopped at Kunlun for a carriage to avoid her detecting him—but now, no reason for him to fear her.
We flew straight there, eager to face the inevitable quickly.
-Thud thud thud thud
'...Ughhh...'
Arriving too fast left me unprepared.
I'd been unconscious during the flight, so it felt like closing my eyes at home and opening them at the Demonic Cult.
Like psyching up for a shot versus the needle in your face.
Until moments ago, I was resolved to face her—but now, heart racing, breaths ragged.
Live here? Rub elbows daily with that erratic woman?
For an unknown stretch of time?
Even marry her here, unconsummated or not...
-Thud thud thud thud thud thud
'Ahhh...'
I'd acted tough before, but facing it head-on crushed that facade.
Honestly? Terrified.
No happy thoughts erased that Heavenly Secret vision—like a living dildo.
And the dream of my daughter—born of me—raping me overlapped relentlessly.
If my sacrifice saved Master, fine—but if not?
If the Heavenly Demon failed to heal her, and I was trapped anyway?
I'd have thrown my life away for nothing.
No backing out now, but it froze my feet.
Did she notice?
-Pat pat
"Why the stiff face? It'll be fine—don't worry. By her side's one of the safest spots in the world."
"...No one could invade, sure."
"Even if we can't stop the bloodsuckers, you'd be safe. Think of it as retreating to a secure villa."
Seeing Yeo Sochen comfort me despite his own anxiety steadied my breathing bit by bit.
"...Hoo..."
"Feeling calmer?"
"...You'll come rescue me someday, right?"
"Fighting her's impossible, but I'll try persuading."
"...That's enough."
His words settled my heart; I stepped forward.
Guards at the entrance spotted us approaching slowly, shouting to halt and brandishing weapons.
I raised my hands and declared,
"The Faceless Golden Ghost has come to meet the Heavenly Demon of the Divine Cult."