Chapter 41
Translator - Zofu
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Ayaka accepted my proposal.
"I admit I need your help. But that's not all, Geum Tae-yang."
She continued calmly, not avoiding my gaze. I waited patiently for her words. I anticipated there was something more important.
"The Yamaguro clan moved Japan's senior politicians. And they're trying to use Korean politicians to keep me in check."
I smiled faintly. It was an expected story, information I already knew. I had received multiple reports recently that politicians were showing suspicious movements again and trying to keep me in check.
"That's something I already know."
My answer was matter-of-fact, but I could tell she hadn't finished speaking. Ayaka spoke in a calm voice, her brow slightly furrowed.
"Hear me out. I have other important information."
She tapped her fingers on the table, seeming to think for a moment.
"What information do you have?"
At my words, she fell silent for a moment, then slowly answered.
"There's a condition first."
I laughed lightly at her words. It wasn't unexpected.
"What condition do you want?"
I asked indifferently. Ayaka looked at me with a slightly nervous expression, then spoke as if steeling her resolve.
"I need your power so our clan can regain its strength in Japan. I need you to suppress the Yamaguro clan."
I looked at her for a while. I slowly nodded.
"Fine. I accept that condition. But I have conditions too."
She looked at me with suspicious eyes and asked.
"What are your conditions?"
I answered with a smile on my lips.
"You know there's a traitor in your clan, right? Finding him is my first condition."
At those words, Ayaka's expression instantly hardened. It must have been something she already knew, but as I mentioned it directly, her eyes began to shine coldly.
"The second condition is..."
I slowly approached her and whispered softly.
"Your body."
Hearing those words, Ayaka stared at me for a while without speaking. Then she let out a deep sigh and nodded as if making a decision.
"...Fine. I accept it."
"I'm surprised you accepted so easily."
I asked, puzzled. I hadn't anticipated she would accept this proposal so simply. I thought she would refuse given her personality, so I had thrown it out as a test, but I didn't expect her to agree so readily.
Ayaka spoke, looking at me with an expressionless face.
"Marriage alliances are a time-honored tradition and method. If it's for the good of the clan, there's no reason to refuse."
Her tone was stiff, and no emotion could be felt in it. I shrugged and accepted her decision.
"Alright then. I'll take a kiss as an advance payment."
At my words, she quietly let out a sigh. Her eyes were mixed with contempt and indifference.
"I heard rumors that you were very fond of women, but it wasn't an exaggeration. It's pathetic to say such a thing in this situation."
I snickered.
"So you don't like it? If you don't, find another alliance."
I provoked her with a playful tone. But Ayaka seemed to think for a moment, then soon nodded.
"I don't dislike it. There's a reason I chose you."
Ayaka's eyes were still cold, but a subtle tension flowing within them was transmitted to me.
I saw through the fragility hidden behind her strong facade.
It was clear she was struggling to appear strong, but even that appearance was more attractive to me.
As I slowly approached her, Ayaka flinched for a moment but soon composed her expression.
When I reached out and gently lifted her chin, her pupils turned toward me. Within them, complex emotions mixed with caution and anticipation could be seen.
"You don't dislike it?"
I whispered low. And without hesitation, I pressed my lips to hers.
At first, her body awkwardly stiffened, but as time passed, the tension in her body gradually eased.
Her soft lips began to respond to me, and I brought my hand to the nape of her neck, pulling her even closer.
Ayaka initially tried to push me away, but soon lost her strength and followed my lead.
The moment her chest touched mine, I felt their weight. As our bodies pressed together, I could feel her heartbeat, and her breath gradually grew hotter.
"Surprisingly large breasts, unlike her appearance,"
My hand slowly moved down from her waist. Momentarily, she tried to shake off my hand, but I held her even more tightly and deepened the kiss.
Her resistance soon disappeared, and instead, her hand grabbed my collar, coming even closer to me.
Without parting our lips, I gently cupped her buttocks. Ayaka flinched for a moment, but soon her breathing grew even rougher as she accepted me more deeply.
The kiss grew deeper and deeper, and she now began to respond naturally to my rhythm.
Ayaka, who had been reacting awkwardly just moments ago, now moved her tongue skillfully. As if trying to take the lead, her tongue entwined with mine, and we exchanged our feelings even more intensely.
When I slowly parted our lips, Ayaka's pupils were slightly hazy, and her face was flushed red.
She caught her ragged breath and looked at me. Her previously cold composure was already disheveled, and confused emotions were fully revealed on her face.
"How was it? Your thoughts on your first kiss?"
I playfully asked her.
Ayaka silently nodded. Her breath was still hot, and her eyes hazily gazed at me.
"...It wasn't bad."
She answered briefly, but her voice already held a hint of affection.
I smiled as I looked at her face. It was impressive to see her tension gradually easing.
She seemed to be accepting herself standing before me, as if she had made a big decision.
"I have one more piece of information."
I fixed my gaze at her words.
"Kim Chang-soo, a Korean politician, is trying to interfere with your plans. From what I've confirmed, Japanese senior officials connected to the Yamaguro clan are joining hands to keep you in check."
"Kim Chang-soo..."
That name wasn't unfamiliar. He was a famous figure in Korean politics.
He was also a lawmaker I hadn't bothered to touch during my previous clash with politicians.
He was a heavyweight who had marriage ties with major corporations, so I hadn't bothered with him, but if they're moving first, that was a different story.
"So he's receiving political support from Japan to keep me in check. And behind that, the Yamaguro clan."
I accepted her words and quickly finished my calculations in my head.
The fact that Kim Chang-soo was receiving support from Japan was information I didn't even know before my regression. But I needed to confirm what else was hidden behind it.
"I'll gratefully accept that information."
I said, nodding to her. Ayaka stared at me for a moment, then turned her head away again.
"I'll give you all the information you need, so you must help me as promised."
I smiled.
"Of course. You're my woman now."
Ayaka was still expressionless at those words, but a hint of affection was contained in her gaze.
When Ayaka left the room, I slowly leaned back and fell into thought.
Kim Chang-soo and the Japanese senior officials—the unexpected picture seemed to be gradually revealing itself.
Their movements were progressing faster than I had anticipated, and they were more deeply entangled in politics.
"Kim Chang-soo, that bastard was definitely biding his time for an opportunity."
His position in Korean political circles was at a level that could never be ignored. Powerful financial strength connected to major corporations, and political forces backing him from behind. I knew well that a clash with him was unavoidable.
"But if they want to face me in my domain, they too must be prepared to lose a lot."
I slowly rose from my seat. I picked up the phone on the desk and called Park Wan-yong. His calm voice soon came through.
"Chairman, what is it?"
"Remember the name Kim Chang-soo. I've received news that he's joining hands with Japanese officials to keep us in check."
Park Wan-yong fell silent for a moment. He had the ability to quickly assess situations.
"Understood. How should we handle it?"
I thought for a moment. Removing Kim Chang-soo right now wouldn't be easy.
His political position and the forces surrounding him aren't so simple. Rather than that, it would be wiser to steadily dig into his plans and pull out those moving behind him one by one.
"Don't rush. Let's watch what methods he uses a bit more and move accordingly."
"Yes, Chairman."
After hanging up, I slowly looked out the window. The night view of Seoul under darkness was spread out before me. I controlled this city.
"Japanese officials... and Kim Chang-soo."
It was time to figure out what methods they would use to attack me.
If Ayaka returns to Japan and tracks their movements, I will dig into their collusion from here.
We must move quietly. If we act hastily, we'll end up dancing in their hands.
"Now is the time to wait."
I smiled coldly.