Chapter 71
Translator: penny
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: First Kiss with Moyong Hui
"Father gave his permission?"
"Yes. He graciously agreed and even entrusted Moyong Sojeo to my care."
In truth, it hadn't been quite so gracious.
He'd frowned deeply when I mentioned staying out for the night.
'But once we set off on our journey through the martial world, every night will be like this anyway.'
Moyong Hwan knew that too, so despite his displeasure, he'd nodded in the end.
"So, when do you plan to depart?"
"We're leaving today."
"Today?"
"To be precise, we'll leave Shenyang tomorrow, but we'll stay at an inn tonight and head out early in the morning. So please say your goodbyes now. Pack anything you need."
We planned to skip visiting the Moyong family tomorrow.
After tonight, Moyong Hui's internal energy would surge dramatically, and we'd need to keep it hidden as much as possible.
'It's just one day of holding back, really...'
We could've avoided this worry by leaving Shenyang first and consummating our relationship afterward.
But my desires had already reached their limit.
"I'll be right back, then."
Moyong Hui stepped away to prepare for the trip.
Left alone in the room, anticipation finally washed over me.
'Finally, Moyong Hui will be mine.'
The current Sword Phoenix... and in the future, the mother of the World's Greatest Beauty, Cheon Suyeon.
Of course, that future would never come now, but it was still vivid in my memories.
'The World's Greatest Beauty truly tasted like the World's Greatest Delicacy.'
Among the countless women I'd taken, Cheon Suyeon had been unparalleled.
So what would the body of the woman who bore her—Moyong Hui—feel like?
'I'll find out today.'
To that end, I'd already sent that nuisance Cheon Woojin back to Yi Yeon Lou.
He'd grumbled on his way out about why I'd even brought him along if this was how it was going to be, but I could forgive that much.
'Besides, thanks to Cheon Woojin, I saved a ton of time.'
It had only been four days since we arrived in Shenyang.
If I'd come alone, I might not have even met Moyong Hui yet, but thanks to him, everything was wrapped up already.
And Moyong Hui was originally fated to be Cheon Woojin's wife.
Offering him such a woman more than made up for his rudeness today.
As I mulled over these thoughts, Moyong Hui returned quickly.
She came back beaming, waving a small bundle in one hand.
"Young Master Mok, I'm all set."
"You already said your goodbyes?"
Packing was one thing, but saying farewells in such a short time seemed rushed.
We had no idea when we'd return to Shenyang after today.
At my concerned look, Moyong Hui smiled warmly.
"Come on, I'm not some little kid. Does it matter? Last time I left, it was basically running aw—"
She caught herself mid-sentence, startled.
She must've meant to keep her previous martial world excursion—her elopement—a secret.
'As if I don't already know.'
Moyong Hui glanced at me slyly, then cleared her throat cutely.
"Ahem. Anyway, Young Master Mok, where's Master Cheon?"
"I sent Cheon Woojin back to Yi Yeon Lou. Remember that time he went with the Kunlun Pill?"
"Of course. Speaking of which, how's that courtesan Eunha doing? I should pay her a visit..."
"She's fine. We talked plenty after Father-in-law and you left yesterday."
"That's a relief. What about the other courtesans?"
Moyong Hui kept bringing up Yi Yeon Lou.
It was so like her, but since I had to hide that it was the Shadow Gate Sect's Brothel Hall, I deftly changed the subject.
Spilling those details now could only hurt her favor toward me.
Of course, with Father-in-law's permission, I could take her by force if needed...
'But when I was with Ayoung last time, I saw that the Blissful Creation Art works best when the partner's heart is fully open.'
Ayoung had been pretty, but just a courtesan at heart.
So I hadn't been truly moved.
Yet the internal energy I gained from her via the Blissful Creation Art had been substantial.
All because she'd opened her heart to me.
So now, it wasn't enough to just take a woman's body.
'Not that this way isn't more fun for me.'
Forcing a resisting woman had its appeal, but I'd done that plenty in the past.
Seduction by a woman truly smitten with me? That was something fresh.
As we chatted amiably on our way out of the Moyong estate, Moyong Hui asked,
"Young Master Mok, are we heading straight to the inn?"
She must've remembered my earlier mention of staying there tonight and leaving at dawn.
Going straight to the inn wasn't a bad idea, but it was still too early.
'Lunchtime hasn't even come yet.'
Heading to an inn in broad daylight wouldn't set the mood.
We could order drinks and ease into it, but I had a better plan.
"Moyong Sojeo, could you show me around Shenyang's famous spots we missed yesterday?"
"Famous spots?"
"Yes. That's actually why I suggested leaving tomorrow. We've come this far—might as well sightsee properly."
Yesterday, before Yi Yeon Lou, strolling with her had been nice enough.
Now, with Father-in-law's blessing? Even better.
"Sounds great!"
Our intimate time alone together.
No contrived incidents like yesterday, so I could savor it fully.
As the sun began to set, I decided to start building the mood.
"What do you think, Young Master Mok? Isn't the view here stunning?"
"In my eyes, Moyong Sojeo is even more beautiful."
At my honeyed words, as if laced with perfume, she shyly turned her head.
But her lips curved up—she clearly didn't mind.
"Ahem. Don't say things like that. I'm asking about the view."
"I said you're more beautiful than the view."
I gently took her hand as she blushed, stoking the atmosphere again.
Only then did she glance back at me.
"Pfft. How many women have you lured with sweet talk like that?"
To be honest? A lot.
'All courtesans, though.'
Courtesans were women too.
Especially the top courtesans—their noses were sky-high. Back in my Flowery Playboy days, I'd tried every trick to win them over.
'I even learned the qin.'
So I knew exactly how to advance in a moment like this.
I gazed straight into Moyong Hui's eyes and spoke.
"Sweet talk? I was just sharing my honest feelings."
The key was sincerity.
And that was easy.
'She really is far more beautiful than this scenery.'
Under my persistent gaze, she finally looked down again.
She fidgeted with the hand I held.
"...Really?"
"Moyong Sojeo, I'm not the type to spout empty flattery."
Feeling my sincerity, she broke into a beaming smile.
I softly cradled her head and whispered in her ear.
"By the way, how long are you going to call me Young Master Mok?"
Startled by the sudden whisper, she flinched.
Her cheeks flushed bright red.
"Eek... So what should I call you?"
"Father-in-law already approved. Call me big brother."
"Big... brother?"
The red flush spread across her entire face.
She was adorably flustered.
I simply watched her quietly.
After a long moment, she seemed ready and slowly parted her cherry lips.
"Mok... big brother...?"
"Yes, Hui-ya."
Hearing the pet name her family used from my lips, she squeezed her eyes shut in embarrassment.
Seeing that sparked my playfulness.
"Hui-ya, what's wrong? Open your eyes and look at me."
I dropped the formal speech I'd used until now.
She peeked at me with one eye.
"Young Master Mok, I'm four years older than you..."
"Not Young Master. Big brother."
"...Mok big brother."
Then she squeezed her eyes shut again.
Her cuteness was becoming too much to bear.
'The mood's set now.'
My left hand, stroking her hair, slid down slowly to grip the nape of her neck.
"Eek, big brother...?"
Her neck was sensitive; she opened her eyes wide in surprise.
I met her gaze tenderly and leaned in slowly.
She gripped my right hand tightly.
But no sign of refusal.
And so.
Our lips met.
"Mm."
Moyong Hui, experiencing her first kiss, breathed heavily through her nose, unsure what to do.
Her clumsy response only fueled my desire.
'I'll teach her, step by step.'
I tapped her tightly closed lips with my tongue.
After a while, they parted softly.
My tongue slipped inside, exploring her mouth.
*Smack—*
As the heated kiss continued, her breathing grew ragged.
Her tongue, once stiff as stone, now tentatively matched mine.
About fifteen minutes passed before our lips slowly parted.
A translucent thread of saliva stretched between them before snapping.
Finally free, Moyong Hui panted heavily.
"Haa, haa..."
She gazed at me with sticky, longing eyes.
Preliminaries complete.
"Hui-ya. Shall we head to the inn now?"
It was time to claim the Sword Phoenix.