Shattered Loyalties and the Merchant's Shock
“...”
With heavy footsteps, Yoo Cheon-hyang dragged herself onward. Her legs trembled uncontrollably, her mind fogged to the breaking point, yet she forced her way into the room.
“...Uuuh...”
What she saw next was her young daughter, sleeping peacefully, oblivious to the world. Gazing down at the child, Yoo Cheon-hyang could no longer hold herself up. She collapsed to the floor with a thud.
Everything was over. Her promise to her late husband, her duties as a mother. Those treasures more precious than her own life—yet in a moment of utter folly, she had tossed them away like roadside trash, worthless for anything.
All for the sake of removing chains that had never existed in the first place. To cling to that hollow, pathetic notion of “loyalty,” something utterly unbecoming of a slave like her.
“Hic... Uuuh... Uuugh... Hic...!”
With the values she had cherished her entire life reduced to scraps of paper, all Yoo Cheon-hyang could do was bow her head and sob. Tormented by the sin she had committed... and by the vague dread of the hellish future awaiting her.
*
“Hoo...”
The moment the ordeal ended and I sent Yoo Cheon-hyang and Lee So-young away, a heavy sigh escaped my lips unbidden.
'Fortunately, it wrapped up well. I was a little tense, honestly...'
Though she was a MILF, Yoo Cheon-hyang hadn't been a major focus in the original story. Truth be told, if Lee So-young's “dog” antics hadn't been exposed, I wouldn't have even considered laying a hand on her.
But the body I'd tasted today far exceeded my expectations. Even to my gym-honed eyes, her figure was taut and perfectly toned. Balanced muscles, solid stamina. And above all, her expert technique in bed—she knew exactly how to wield her body. Among all the married women I'd bedded so far, her pure skill was undoubtedly top-tier.
In this latest contest, only someone like me could have overpowered her. Against anyone else, she'd have crushed them mercilessly with that insane grip of hers, milking them dry in defeat.
That level of proficiency meant plenty of experience. Especially her specialized pussy clenching—it suggested her ex-husband's cock was no slouch either.
'Come to think of it... in the original, her husband was Dolsoe, right? Must've been a beast like that.'
Though it had been a bit risky, she'd lost to me in the end. Physically and mentally, a total rout. Truth be told, a slave like her never had much chance of beating me from the start.
No matter how things twisted, in this Joseon era, the class divide could easily override any outcome. And more importantly—contrary to what she believed—the premise of our bet was flawed from the outset. I'd already conquered Lee So-young, turning her into my dog.
She'd been doomed the moment she accepted the wager.
Thrilled at acquiring this unexpected fun new toy, a thick smile crept across my lips. I was already brimming with anticipation for the games we'd play with her from here on out...
*
Several days after Han Taeyang had secretly claimed yet another woman.
The Han Family Estate buzzed with frantic activity, piles of goods stacked everywhere.
“Is this the sea cucumber from Hamheung?”
“Yes, ma'am. They say it's selling better than most medicines in the Central Plains these days.”
“Dried and stored properly, it'll hold up for quite a while.”
“Ma'am, where should we put ours?”
“Stack them over there. Long-shelf-life items go deep in the warehouse, shorter ones near the front—make sure they're clearly separated.”
“Understood, ma'am.”
The vast Han estate brimmed with rare local products shipped from every province of Joseon's eight circuits. Overseeing it all, Lee So-young wiped the sweat from her brow.
'I expected it, but... he's truly staking everything on this, our Master...'
This was a far cry from the vulgar dog she became nightly before her Master. Here, she embodied the perfect, capable mistress of the house. Yet her gaze lingered on the ledger entries that stole her breath every time—immense quantities demanding meticulous accounting.
To secure this volume, the Han family had essentially ripped out one of its supporting pillars. If these goods reached the Central Plains safely and fetched their price, they'd not only rebuild it stronger but reap massive profits besides.
But profit aside, long-distance trade always carried risks. A storm could capsize the ships, bandits could strip the caravans— this venture to the Central Plains was far from safe.
Still, Lee So-young knew exactly why he'd made this reckless gamble.
'It's Master's first major external move as family head... For the future of the house, he must make this succeed...'
Though Han Sook-beon still drew breath, Han Taeyang had already taken full control of the family's affairs. The household slaves, elders, key retainers—even the countless souls under the Han banner—had accepted him as the new patriarch.
Yet whispers of doubt persisted outside these walls. He held no high office from the exams, no standout talents elsewhere. His past scandals were the only real testament to his character.
In Confucian Joseon, blood mattered, but true loyalty in this climate was hard-won. Han Taeyang had to nail this deal. Beyond filling the coffers, it would silence skeptics, quash discontent, and lock down his grip on the family.
Lee So-young had rolled up her sleeves not just from orders, but because she knew the family's fate hung in the balance. Absolutely not because of the promised “walk” if it succeeded. Absolutely not.
'That aside... he must resolve it well. The final settlement with the Baek Man Merchant Group...'
With most goods secured, all that remained was timely transport and trade. Ahead of that, Han Taeyang had gone personally to iron out the last details with the Baek Man Merchant Group. Praying from her heart that it all went smoothly as he wished, Lee So-young offered a fervent wish...
*
Baek Man-hwan, lord of the Baek Man Merchant Group, stared at the scene unfolding before him with a mix of bewilderment... and suspicion.
“The allotment of pumpkins and gold ornaments seems too low. We'll need at least 400 geun minimum.”
“Umm... y-yes... of course.”
Han Taeyang laid out each demand methodically, his voice calm and precise. Unlike past dealings via letters and proxies, this was his first direct involvement—but until it began, Baek Man-hwan hadn't given him much thought.
No matter his backing as heir to the mighty Han family, Baek knew the man's dirt well enough. A pig with a fine sword at its belt was still a pig—useless in the end.
Flatter him enough, and it'd all slide by smoothly. Or so he'd thought...
But now, Baek Man-hwan reeled as if clubbed from behind.
“Glassware breaks easily if mishandled. I'd like the quantity bumped up by about thirty percent for spares.”
“...”
“Not keen? Then we'll have to cut back on the ceramics we're providing...”
“N-no... not at all. We'll do it.”
Han Taeyang pressed on steadily, methodically. He was no longer the wastrel Baek remembered. He shoved terms maximizing their gains, pinpointing Baek's weak spots with uncanny precision—pressing with expert leverage.
As the man rose to leave once the haggling ended, Baek Man-hwan sat frozen, shock lingering. Unaware of Aero's complex expression watching from right beside him...