Chapter 52
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Would You Like to Confirm?
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"D-don't look! It's hideous!"
Her face flushed crimson with humiliation. It was a shame she'd never felt even when slicing through enemies on the battlefield.
But Cheonwi turned toward her with perfect composure. His gaze wasn't lecherous—it was strangely earnest.
"To me, it looks beautiful, like a medal of honor."
"Don't lie! A woman's body with scars like this..."
"Isn't it proof that you survived? Proof that you protected what mattered."
Cheonwi had closed the distance to stand right before her. Cheolhyeol tried to back away, but the edge of the tub blocked any further retreat.
Cheonwi's fingers gently traced the long burn scar on her back.
"Eek...!"
Cheolhyeol's body jerked as if electrocuted. She'd thought the scar had gone numb, but the moment his touch met it, a sharp tingle raced up her spine to her brain.
"It's beautiful, General. Without this wound, the empire would have fallen long ago."
His low, gentle voice seeped into her ear. Cheolhyeol opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out. No man had ever caressed her complex like this—with such reverence.
"The water's cooling. You should get in."
Cheonwi stepped back naturally, gesturing to the tub.
Cheolhyeol plunged into the bath like she was diving for cover, her face burning fit to explode.
Splash—
Warm water enveloped her body.
"Haa..."
A sigh escaped her unbidden. The perfect heat, the soft bubbles, and the jets massaging her knotted muscles—it was bliss. Relaxation washed over her in waves.
She leaned her head against the tub's edge and closed her eyes. Tension melted away, her mind drifting into a haze.
She even forgot Cheonwi was there, for a sweet moment of pure rest.
Rustle.
The soft sound shattered the silence.
Cheolhyeol's eyes snapped open.
Cheonwi was untying his robe, perching on the tub's edge. His collarbone gleamed, firm chest muscles peeking through.
"Wh-what are you doing?!"
Cheolhyeol curled up in the water, shouting.
Cheonwi casually rolled up his sleeves.
"I'll scrub your back. You can't reach it alone."
"I don't need it! Get out! Out, now!"
"Come on, don't be so stiff. Easing your superior's fatigue is a deputy's duty."
"I don't need that kind of duty! Get lost!"
Cheolhyeol splashed water in protest, but Cheonwi didn't budge. Instead, he pulled a small glass vial from his robe. Purple liquid sloshed inside.
"You sure? This 'special bath additive' of mine... it's too good to waste on solo use."
"What's that?!"
"Rose oil, musk, and herbs from a secret family recipe back home. Perfect for loosening muscles and boosting circulation. Side effect? It makes you feel really good."
Cheonwi grinned, uncorked it, and poured it into the tub.
The purple liquid dissolved, filling the bath with a dizzyingly sweet, seductive aroma.
"And since we're at it..."
Cheonwi swung his leg over the tub's edge.
"What?!"
Before Cheolhyeol could react, he slid into the water.
Slosh—!
The water level surged with his bulk. It overflowed, lapping past her collarbone to her chin. Ripples teased her cleavage and sensitive spots.
"You madman...!"
"Shh. The guards outside will hear."
Cheonwi pressed a finger to his lips, whispering.
"It's cramped, so scoot closer."
He brazenly settled behind her. His firm chest hovered just shy of her back.
Cheolhyeol's breath caught. The water was warm, yet her back burned like fresh burns. Was it the bath oil's scent? Or the dangerous man behind her? Her head spun.
"Stay still. Service time."
Cheonwi's hands gripped her shoulders.
"Let go... Ngh!"
Cheolhyeol's resistance dissolved into a stifled moan.
It wasn't ordinary massage. Fine vibrations and hot energy flowed from his fingertips—internal energy.
Her trapezius melted like putty. The qi seeped between vertebrae, sending spine-chilling pleasure downward.
"Nngh... Not there..."
Her head lolled back limply.
"Your body's too honest, General."
Cheonwi whispered in her ear. His breath tickled her wet earlobe.
"Your mouth says no, but your muscles welcome my touch. This spot was rock-hard."
His thumb pressed the nape acupoint.
"Hnnngh...!"
Her back arched like a bow. Powerless. She couldn't twitch a finger—her body liquefied in languor. Bath oil? Qi massage? Reason numbed.
Unthinkingly, she tilted back onto his shoulder. Wet red hair draped his collarbone.
Her hazy eyes looked up at his face.
What was this man?
Strange weapons, magic carriages, skilled hands with women. No way was he a mere eunuch. Was he even one?
Cheolhyeol clung to her fading wits.
"You... really a eunuch...?"
Suspicion mingled with pleasure in her voice.
Cheonwi's hands paused.
Silence fell. Only water lapped loudly.
He met her gaze from above. His lips curved elegantly.
"Who knows."
Instead of answering, he moved his submerged hand slowly.
It slid past her smooth abdomen, deeper, more intimate.
Splash.
Underwater, it delved between her thighs.
"Want to check for yourself?"
He whispered with wet lips.
Cheolhyeol's eyes quivered.
Cheonwi's provocation was blatant. Check it herself? Who else would dare such insolence to the empire's general?
But instinct outpaced reason. Liquor? Dizzying bath oil? Judgment blurred. Above all, his exotic allure piqued her curiosity.
'Fine. I'll confirm. Just to expose this smooth-tongued eunuch faker.'
She bit her lip, resolved. Her submerged hand shook off his wrist, lunging boldly for the source.
Splash.
Her fingers met not soft flesh.
Cheolhyeol gripped something firm.
Silence crashed down.
Her eyes widened to saucers. What she held defied every eunuch anatomy she knew. It wasn't just presence—it was heavy, hot... massive.
Like clutching a battlefield flail's handle. Overwhelming.
"......?!"
Reflexively, she glanced downward. Through rippling waves, a huge shadow loomed.
Trembling, she spoke.
"Wh-what is this...?"
Her gaze whipped to his face.
"You're... not a eunuch?"
Her pupils shook violently. A registered palace eunuch—emperor's confidant—with this, this monstrous weapon? Impossible.
But Cheonwi was calm. Amused, even—eyes narrowing in delight.
He leaned close, hot breath in her ear.
"Shh, General."
His whisper tickled her eardrum, racing down her spine.
"Top-secret military intel. Our ultimate weapon, revealed only to allies."
"Wha—top-secret... what?"
Cheolhyeol was floored. Struggling to process, she instinctively tried to rise.
"Th-this is treason! Mocking the imperial court, deceiving me...!"
Splash!
As she kicked to stand—
"Eh...?"
Her legs buckled like jelly. Head spun, vision swam. The 'special bath additive's' hidden aphrodisiac had melted her muscles.
Splash!
She collapsed back into the water. Splashes drenched her face.
Flailing off-balance, Cheonwi's strong arm caught her waist.
Snap.
Their wet bodies pressed seamless. Thin fabric barely separated them—body heat raw and vivid. His firm pecs crushed her ample breasts.
"Let go! You dare...!"
Cheolhyeol thrashed and yelled, but Cheonwi only hugged tighter.
"I've never deceived you."
His voice was steady, eyes deep.
"Just never had the chance to show. And... you sure?"
"Sure about what!"
"If you leave now, you'll live ignorant of this 'heat' forever. Don't you have a curious streak, General?"
"Shut up! Bring my sword, and I'll have your head... Hnng!"
His hand trailed down her wet back. Along her spine, pausing at the tailbone—then gripping her soft rear.
"Ah...!"
A stifled moan escaped.
She who'd never cried out from broken bones on the field. But this was no pain. Electric thrill hammered her brain.
"Body's honest, but your mouth won't quit."
Cheonwi was expert. His past-life Gangnam host skills turned caresses to art.
He knew instinctively where to relax, where to ignite ecstasy. His cultivated qi amplified every touch tenfold.
Cheolhyeol knew only swords, never men. To her, they were foes to fell, subordinates to shield, orders to issue.
No man had treated her so blatantly as a woman.
"Nngh... Not there... scars..."