episode_0009

As Hwangbo Seol’s education progressed for a little over a month, Hwangbo Pyeong’s condition suddenly became critical.

The healer in charge of Hwangbo Pyeong, known as the Divine Healer, somberly declared that he wouldn’t make it through the night, and Hwangbo Pyeong quietly passed away before midnight.

Perhaps it was a peaceful death.

He didn’t have to worry about what would happen to his cherished business and beloved daughter, Hwangbo Seol, in the future.

***

The funeral procedures began immediately.

In Confucian tradition, it was customary for scholars and officials to observe a three-day mourning period for their fathers and then wear mourning clothes for three years, abstaining from official duties while tending to their father’s grave.

This was known as the three-year mourning period.

However, such elaborate customs were openly rejected in the martial world.

In a world where lives were often lost without hesitation, was it practical to observe a three-year mourning period every time?

Technically, as part of the martial world, the Golden Dragon Sect only held a three-day funeral for Hwangbo Pyeong. However, considering the influx of mourners from all over the country due to the deceased’s status, it was decided to wait for seven days before starting the three-day funeral to accommodate them.

Many respected figures from the martial world and officials attended to pay their respects, showing that the consideration was well-received.

Bang So-un also wore mourning clothes and greeted the mourners beside Hwangbo Seol.

Although there were curious mourners who were intrigued by the rumors surrounding the son-in-law of the Golden Dragon Sect, the atmosphere remained solemn, and they exchanged formal greetings.

Bang So-un silently wished Hwangbo Pyeong peace.

“Father-in-law, even if you come to know everything from heaven, please don’t be too disappointed. Your daughter will become the wife of a martial world hero, a position that the Golden Dragon Sect cannot provide.”

***

After the funeral period ended, Hwangbo Pyeong was buried in a prominent location where yellow soil and tall pine trees mingled.

The tombstone prominently displayed the words “Hwangbo Pyeong, the 3rd Head of the Golden Dragon Sect.”

With a heavy heart, Hwangbo Seol prepared to ascend to the position of the next Head.

Her father wouldn’t want her to spend time immersed in sorrow.

Quickly rising to the position of Head and revitalizing the Golden Dragon Sect would bring joy to her deceased father.

It would happen tomorrow.

Tomorrow, at the meeting hall, she would gather the spirits of the ancestors and officially declare herself as the 4th Head.

***

Hwangbo Seol’s steps now led to the empty meeting hall.

When faced with difficult decisions that the Head alone couldn’t make, she would gather her trusted officials and key spirits here to hold meetings and make decisions.

It was also tradition for the Head to be declared in this hall.

Chairs for the officials were neatly arranged on either side of the long table.

At the center of the table, the Head’s seal was placed.

Suddenly, she thought of her father sitting here, giving commands with authority, and Hwangbo Seol felt melancholic.

Her trembling fingers gently caressed the seal.

Thud.

The sound of the door opening and closing behind her echoed.

Footsteps approached, and a familiar presence drew near.

“Thinking of your father?”

It was Bang So-un’s voice.

“Yes.”

Still not letting go of the seal, Hwangbo Seol replied.

They remained silent for a moment before Hwangbo Seol broke the silence.

“······In the end, you couldn’t prove anything until your father passed away. Honestly, when I first saw you, I thought you were different from other men. I don’t know exactly what it was, but that’s how I felt. So when you provoked me with vulgar words while boasting about your sexual prowess, I don’t know if I was more angry or amused. Still, deep down, I trusted my initial judgment. That’s why I chose you. Even if you showed only half the ability of your arrogant words, I thought you would be better than other men. If that really happened, I was willing to support your abilities. But it seems like you’re determined to disappoint me until the end.”

“Ah, I see.”

In the end, Jang Il’s actions were not in vain.

Hwang Bo-seol’s words implied that if it weren’t for Jang Il’s actions, she wouldn’t have been chosen as the bride.

Bae So-woon’s expression, which had turned cold at Hwang Bo-seol’s confession, became solemn.

He realized he had misunderstood her all this time.

Hwang Bo-seol didn’t choose him to humble her arrogant words. She chose him because she believed her abilities were better than other men’s.

Looking back, even though their engagement ended poorly and there were moments of silence during the wedding period, she never showed genuine malice towards him. It was just a childish attitude.

Yes, he must have felt it when they first met. That she was as good a woman as her beauty.

Living together only strengthened his conviction.

She showed respect even to those of lower status, was more diligent than anyone else, and led the battlefield responsibly even during her father’s illness.

This exceptional woman was now completely [his].

A shiver ran down his spine.

“Thank you for evaluating me like that. And I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for? For disappointing me?”

Hwang Bo-seol turned her back and met Bae So-woon’s gaze.

“I would have said it back then. When the time comes, I will reveal everything about my life’s goal. I will keep that promise here. I intend to rule the martial world. And the reason for my apology is that I need the position of the Golden Dragon General’s wife to achieve my goal. Taking over a position that originally belonged to a wife is no different, so as a human, how can I not feel sorry?”

“Now… what on earth… are you saying?”

As if struck dumb, Hwang Bo-seol couldn’t even speak properly.

Ruling the martial world…?

The position of the Golden Dragon General’s wife…?

She was starting to doubt if her ears were working properly.

“Remember. A wife is [someone who has learned proper respect for her husband].”

As Bae So-woon finished speaking, a severe headache hit Hwang Bo-seol.

In pain, she instinctively furrowed her delicate eyebrows and bit her lip tightly.

If the pain had lasted a little longer, she might have shed tears uncontrollably.

However, the pain disappeared in a very short time, and at the same time, her mind felt incredibly clear.

It was as if a cool, fragrant mountain breeze had gently swept through her mind, leaving it refreshed.

She felt clearer in her mind than ever before.

“······Are you okay, my lady?”

“Oh, Sang-gong. I’m fine. Just a slight headache. I’m fine now. Sorry for the interruption due to a momentary headache. I apologize.”

Hwang Bo-seol smiled brightly.

It was a smile that no one had seen except when she was truly happy, excluding her deceased father.

“The pursuit of supremacy in the martial world by His Excellency was truly unimaginable. He must have truly embraced a noble and lofty purpose. And now, he needs the position of the head of the Golden Dragon Army to fulfill that purpose. I am truly happy that I can be of help…”

Hwang Bo-seol, who had been speaking in a gentle tone completely different from usual, suddenly let out a sigh as if realizing something she had forgotten.

Right now, there are only His Excellency and herself here.

Why did she only realize that now?

Her shameful body belongs solely to His Excellency, so it should not be shown in the presence of others. But in a place where only the two of them are present, she must naturally show the utmost respect to His Excellency as his wife.

“I’m sorry. I’m just a stupid woman who can’t help it.”

Realizing her mistake, Hwang Bo-seol removed her white robe. Blushing slightly with embarrassment, she also removed her undergarments and placed them in a corner. It was something she had to do. Her breasts, nipples, anus, vagina, and even her pubic hair were all His Excellency’s possessions. She knelt down and respectfully bowed her head. Kneeling was only natural. She belonged to His Excellency. She couldn’t dare to meet his eyes in a disrespectful manner. Suppressing her embarrassment, she widened her knees to the width of her shoulders, exposing her vagina to His Excellency’s gaze. Her vagina was the most cherished part of her body that belonged to His Excellency. She had to make sure it was visible no matter what position she was in.

“It’s okay. People make mistakes all the time. Relax and lift your head.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

A poignant emotion surged up and choked her throat.

It was an excessive consideration for a lowly being like herself, who was nothing more than a human bound to His Excellency. She tried to calm her emotions by wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. She had to calm down quickly. She couldn’t do anything to upset His Excellency.

His Excellency took a few steps towards her and then knelt down on the floor just like her, reaching out to embrace her tightly, pressing her breasts so hard that they deformed.

“Ah…”

She could only let out a startled groan. His Excellency’s soft voice sounded in her ear.

“You are truly my beloved wife.”

The emotional wave she had managed to calm down burst out violently, breaking down the dam. In the end, Hwang Bo-seol couldn’t hold back and burst into tears, wailing loudly.

His Excellency patted her back soothingly.

“Don’t cry, don’t cry. It’s okay not to be so moved by my words. As my owned wife, you naturally have a duty to cherish and take care of me, right?”

“But… But…”

Such words were new to her. Even if a wife is treated harshly and cruelly as her husband’s possession, she should not only avoid resentment but also embrace such feelings. But His Excellency was saying that she should cherish and take care of herself.

Hwang Bo-seol didn’t know what to do, so she reached out her arms and embraced him, putting all her strength into it.

Serving such a wonderful person as her husband might be the greatest blessing in her life.

To repay the blessing bestowed upon her by heaven, she felt the need to serve her husband even more diligently and obediently.

Yes… now she would suppress the tears of emotion as her husband had instructed.

She would keep the gratitude and emotion in her heart.

For her husband, she needed a wife who was quick-witted and attentive, not a crybaby.

Slowly, Hwang Bo-seol’s tears stopped.

She sniffled, her cheeks flushed.

“Are you feeling better now?”

“Yes… I got carried away with emotion all of a sudden and made a shameful display. I’m sorry, husband. I will make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

“Now, now, don’t worry about it. Get dressed again. This place is not meant for a couple to spend affectionate time together. Let’s go to our cozy room for just the two of us. It’s a bright day, but I want to enjoy some leisure time with my wife.”

At the mention of enjoying leisure time, Hwang Bo-seol’s cheeks turned even redder.

“Oh… time doesn’t matter at all. Whenever and wherever, I am ready to accept the noble presence of my husband. In fact, I have been worried and anxious. I’m sorry, but I also felt a bit… hurt. Why haven’t you deflowered the virginity of my humble self after so long since our marriage? Perhaps my body is not normal like other women, is that why you hesitated? I have been thinking about such things and worrying. But… now there is no need to worry about such things. The day has finally come for me to receive the noble presence of my husband into my humble self. It feels like a dream, hehe.”

Even in her embarrassed expression, Hwang Bo-seol couldn’t help but let out a joyful smile at the realization of her heartfelt wish.

She looked adorable and cute at the same time.

“Hmm, while my wife is getting dressed, I will stand outside the door in case someone comes in. Take your time getting dressed and come out slowly.”

“Yes, husband.”

Hwang Bo-seol replied with a fresh, dewy smile.