Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: What on Earth Is This Thing?
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Swish.
Emperor Hyeonjong's finger trailed along the calf of the palace maid clad in stockings.
"Eek!"
The maid jolted in surprise, her body trembling, but she didn't pull away. Just as Dokgo Cheonwi had trained her, she even crossed her legs slightly and lowered her posture a bit.
The sensation transmitted to Hyeonjong's fingertip was otherworldly. The silky smoothness of the spider demon's transparent silk, combined with the warm, elastic body heat hidden beneath it.
"Ooh... so smooth. Like the scales of a freshly caught silverfish, slick and plump like newly steamed white rice cake."
Hyeonjong murmured in rapture, his eyes already half-lidded. He'd long forgotten the sweltering heat. No, a different kind of heat was boiling up inside him now.
"Your Majesty, how is the tea?"
Dokgo Cheonwi asked with a straight face.
Only then did Hyeonjong snap back to reality, clearing his throat awkwardly. But his hand was still groping at empty air instead of the teacup.
"Ahem, ahem! Very... splendid indeed. The tea is excellent, but above all, this 'Cool-Biz' attire is just what I needed. Just looking at it chases away the heat."
Hyeonjong gazed at Dokgo Cheonwi with utter satisfaction, his eyes shining like those of a devotee beholding their savior.
"Cheonwi, you truly understand my heart. Who else could pierce through this stifling torment of mine but you?"
"Your praise humbles me, Your Majesty."
"From now on, you are in charge of managing the palace maids' attire. I hereby designate this outfit as the official 'summer uniform' of the Imperial Palace! I'll have the Internal Affairs Bureau provide unlimited funds, so equip every single maid with it!"
It was a bold decree from Hyeonjong.
Dokgo Cheonwi bowed deeply, a grin tugging at his lips so wide it nearly reached his ears.
"I shall honor Your Majesty's profound will and turn the Imperial Palace into a cool, beautiful paradise. Ah, and..."
Dokgo Cheonwi paused dramatically.
"Next time, to prepare for the autumn season, how about I bring the 'Bunny Ears Special Attire'? It's an outfit with long-eared headbands and tails—perfect for soothing both body and mind."
"Bunny Ears Special Attire? With tails?"
Hyeonjong's eyes sparkled once more. Just the thought had dopamine surging through him.
"I look forward to it. Very much so!"
In his good mood, Hyeonjong immediately bestowed a golden stipend. As Dokgo Cheonwi received the thick envelope and withdrew, the maids bowed in thanks and followed suit.
Once out of the office, Dokgo Cheonwi checked the stipend in a quiet corner of the corridor. Its hefty weight was satisfying, the coins jingling merrily.
He pulled out a few gold coins from the envelope and handed them to the maids.
"Here, your share. Good work."
"Kyaa! Thank you, my lord!"
The maids, who had been shy and hesitant at first, did a complete one-eighty. Clutching the coins, they winked at Dokgo Cheonwi.
"Thanks to you, my lord, we got praised by His Majesty and pocket money too—best day ever!"
"Call us again next time. I can go even bolder!"
Having tasted the sweetness of capitalism, they were already Dokgo Cheonwi's loyal soldiers.
As the maids departed, Dokgo Cheonwi leaned against the wall, flashing a wicked smile.
'Perfect. Everything's going according to plan.'
He tossed the heavy stipend pouch into the air and caught it deftly.
"The Imperial Palace is basically my massive 'room salon' now. The Emperor's my VIP client, and the national treasury's my wallet."
Dokgo Cheonwi's eyes gleamed with ambition. The sheer hanbok was just the beginning.
"Next up... something more stimulating. Soon enough, just looking won't cut it anymore."
His mind was already sketching out the next phase: groundbreaking inventions mimicking motors.
The morning in Low Pavilion, where the palace maids' dormitories clustered, was a whirlwind of activity.
The moment the dawn bell tolled, the maids rose, washing their faces, braiding their hair, and adjusting their attire in a frenzy. Especially with Dokgo Cheonwi's recent 'Cool-Biz' look, new routines like leg shaving and donning stockings had turned mornings into a battlefield.
Yet amid the chaos, one figure sat poised like a swan, gazing solely into her mirror.
The new recruit, Sohee.
Born the illegitimate daughter of a fallen noble house, she held her nose higher than Everest. Sold into the palace to pay off debts, she clung to her fragile pride in her lineage.
"Oh my, Sohee. You haven't put on your stockings yet? Roll call's almost here."
Her bunkmate asked worriedly, but Sohee just scoffed.
"Hmph. Wrap my legs in that vulgar fishnet? Perish the thought. I'll put it on as late as possible."
Sohee clicked her tongue and turned away. In her eyes, her colleagues were mere puppets dancing to an eunuch's tune, spineless.
Moments later, as the group headed to roll call and passed the Eunuch Bureau warehouse.
There, in the distance, Dokgo Cheonwi approached with hands clasped behind his back, trailed by junior eunuchs laden with supplies.
"It's Lord Cheonwi!"
"Hello, my lord!"
The maids brightened, bowing deeply. Some, eager to catch his eye, hiked their skirts just a tad, coquettishly. Dokgo Cheonwi waved leisurely, flashing his signature sly grin.
"Well now, everyone's legs look stunning today too. Swords protect the nation, but your leg lines guard the palace. Indeed."
Giggles erupted from the maids.
But in that cheerful atmosphere, one person alone—Sohee—held her head high, glaring daggers at Dokgo Cheonwi.
'So that's Cheonwi.'
Sohee's eyes narrowed.
The notorious sycophant of rumors, blinding the Emperor and forcing bizarre outfits on the maids. Loud enough to be overheard, she whispered to her bunkmate.
"An eunuch strutting around like that. If my family hadn't fallen, scum like him couldn't even sweep the courtyard. And he dares mimic a nobleman without even being a real man?"
Her voice was soft but clear. The air chilled instantly. Her bunkmate poked her side in panic, but Sohee just snorted and turned away.
But she didn't know. Dokgo Cheonwi was a martial arts master.
His ears perked up.
'Oh ho?'
Dokgo Cheonwi's step faltered for a split second. He sidelong-glanced Sohee in the group: haughty chin, eyes full of contempt, and a beauty still budding but quite promising.
Dokgo Cheonwi's lips curled slyly.
'A promising one to tame has arrived. Breaking a wild mare is exquisite.'
He sauntered off as if nothing happened, but in his mind, 'Sohee' was added to his list of new toys.
That afternoon.
On her way back from an errand, Sohee passed near Dokgo Cheonwi's personal workshop—the Eunuch Bureau warehouse. Normally, she'd hurry through the deserted area, but something sparkling in the sunlight on the ground caught her eye, and she stopped.
"Huh? What's that?"
Amid the weeds lay a smooth, white object.
Sohee glanced around cautiously before picking it up.
"Jade?"
It was a jade rod about a handspan long, carved from top-grade white jade—flawless, smooth, with a subtle luster. It felt heavy and cool in her palm.
The surface bore intricate, mysterious engravings of masterful craftsmanship.
Sohee's eyes gleamed.
'This... must be worth a fortune.'
She might fuss over noble decorum, but debts trumped all. Instinct told her it was an expensive ornament or hairpin accessory.
"Sell this, and I can pay off some debt. Smuggle it to a merchant caravan outside..."
Sohee swiftly tucked the jade rod deep into her skirt pocket. Her heart raced. Feeling lucky, her steps lightened.
She had no idea. It was Dokgo Cheonwi's sleepless-nights creation—a high-tech invention fusing mana stones and internal energy tech.
Night deepened.
The maids' dormitory fell silent, her colleagues fast asleep.
Sohee huddled under her blanket to the chin, pulling out the jade rod she'd found.
Moonlight filtering through the paper window screen illuminated the white jade. Even now, it shimmered ethereally, beautifully.
"Hee hee, so exquisite. Once I clear my debts with this, I'll bribe my way to an easier post."
Sohee admired the rod, twirling it. Stroking its smooth surface felt like caressing silk.
Then.
Her finger pressed firmly on a unique engraving at the base. Not mere decoration—a precisely engineered 'switch.'
Vrrr—!
"Gasp?!"
Sohee nearly screamed.
The lifeless jade rod suddenly thrummed to life, vibrating subtly.
'Wh-what is this?! Cursed object?!'
She almost dropped it in fright but gripped tighter instinctively. The bizarre vibration spreading through her palm was too intriguing.
Not ordinary trembling. A deep, luxurious resonance from mana stone waves harmonizing with internal energy, rumbling to the bone.
Vrrr, vrrr.
Sohee stared blankly, hands shaking. She should be terrified, but the ticklish sensation in her palm felt... oddly good.
'It's warming up...'
The cold white jade began emitting faint heat with the vibrations—human body temperature, or a touch hotter.
Mesmerized, Sohee pressed it to her shoulder. The tense trapezius from standing all day met the vibrating jade.
"Hnn..."
A low moan escaped unwittingly.
"So... refreshing..."
Her stiff muscles melted like tofu. As a massager, its performance was unmatched. Sohee slid it slowly from shoulder to nape, along her collarbone.
Vrrr.
Each bone-conducted vibration sent electric shivers.
Soon, her face flushed red.
Curiosity was a runaway tram with busted brakes. It started as massage, but the purpose shifted.
The rod glided from collarbone to cleavage, down her flat belly.
"Ah..."
As vibrations circled her navel and teased her lower abdomen, Sohee's thighs rubbed together instinctively. An inexplicable thirst scorched her throat.
'What on earth is this thing...'
Reason screamed to stop, but her hands disobeyed. Under the blanket, she fumbled with her undergarment ties.
And finally.
The vibrating white jade's tip touched her most private, untouched valley.
"Hik...!"
Sohee clamped her mouth shut.
A jolt like electricity shot up her spine straight to her brain.
"Haaah, nnngh...!"
Just contact alone arched her back like a bow. Cool yet hot, hard yet soft jade texture. Relentless vibrations ravaged her sensitive folds mercilessly.
'No, I can't... I'm a nobleman's daughter...'
But pride was lighter than tissue paper before pleasure.
Sohee bit the blanket to stifle her moans. Tears welled in her eyes. Shame, taboo thrill, and overwhelming ecstasy blanked her mind.
Her hand moved on its own. The rod tormenting her clit slid slowly, slick with her arousal as lubricant, inching inside.
"Mmph! Nnngh!"
Fullness. Explosive inner vibrations.
Sohee convulsed, eyes rolling back. The haughty maid scorning eunuchs was gone—only a female lost to ecstasy writhed under the moonlight.
That night, Sohee saw stars for the first time. Not once, but dozens of times.