episode_0011

“Sigh…”

Bang So-woon packed gunpowder tightly into a rosewood pipe and lit it, inhaling deeply.

The gunpowder brought from the Western Regions emitted a deep and pleasant scent, although he didn’t know what it was made of.

Absently, he gazed at the sky where the faint sunlight was spreading, taking a few more puffs of the gunpowder smoke before exhaling.

“It’s tough…”

He muttered to himself as if lamenting.

It wasn’t an exaggeration.

His complexion was heavily tinged with fatigue, his eyes had a glint of exhaustion, and his limbs were weak and unsteady.

After barely sending Hwang Bo-seol off to the peak, he collapsed like a lifeless body after a fierce battle.

When he heard that one of the reasons for the Emperor’s short lifespan was excessive indulgence, he wanted to slap his past self who boldly shouted that women were all the same.

Not all women were the same.

To those who claimed to have restrained vigor while spending the night with a woman given by the government, he could only scoff.

Even the palace maids chosen to serve the Emperor were carefully selected beauties from all over.

Furthermore, they were formally trained in the art of pleasing the Emperor in the bedroom.

And since it was difficult to spend a night with the Emperor, if one was lucky enough to get such an opportunity, they would do everything to please him for that one night.

How quickly would their vitality be drained.

Oh… Emperor, I understand your feelings completely.

After mustering some energy, he pondered why he had become a man who was on the verge of ejaculation unlike his usual self.

Firstly, Hwang Bo-seol was visually stimulating to perfection.

With her slender face, fair skin, large eyes, straight nose, red lips, white teeth, small chin, slender neck, petite shoulders, thin arms and hands, plump yet firm breasts with pink nipples, small back and slim waist, large and elastic buttocks, curvaceous legs, and slender feet, she was a sight to behold.

The stimulation from being intimate with an ordinary woman was on a completely different level from what he had experienced visually.

And what about auditory stimulation.

The vulgar words that he wouldn’t even dare to utter in his lifetime flowing from the mouth of a noblewoman known as a Gagnam lady, along with her beautiful voice reminiscent of a court singer, were already stimulating.

This was top-notch as well.

Lastly, the statement that many powerful figures desired her as a concubine.

Thinking back to the rich secretions and tight passage, it was a basic requirement, and the way her vaginal walls danced and squeezed as if sucking in liquid freely, along with the fantastic genitalia of Hwang Bo-seol, brought back the pleasure he had felt at that time.

There’s no need to elaborate on this.

Yes, yes.

Moreover, his body felt truly wretched today.

As soon as he woke up in the morning, he felt feverish and his limbs were stiff…

While comforting himself, Jang Il approached from the other side.

“Oh, why does your complexion look so off when you’ve had a good time?”

He took a sip of the gunpowder.

“I can’t imagine how Hwang Bo-seol managed to live so modestly all these years. She’s a woman who could ruin a country with her beauty alone.”

“To compare her to a rose is quite the compliment. It seems like you’ve depleted your vitality quite a bit.”

“It was just overwhelming because it was the first time. Usually, one becomes desensitized to any intense stimulation over time. It will be different next time.”

“Of course, of course. Are you struggling at the mere starting point of Hwangboseol, who will dominate all the women in the martial world? Hahaha.”

Somehow, Jangil’s laughter sounded mocking, but it was just a simple misunderstanding.

But why is he being so arrogant?

With a grunt, Bang So-un furrowed his brow and set down his wine cup next to him.

He turned the topic around.

“Tomorrow is finally here. There will probably be strong opposition. Hwangbo has firmly established herself as a rock, pushing aside the aimless stones rolling along the roadside and declaring herself the owner. However, even so, as long as Hwangboseol’s will remains strong, things will go as planned.”

“What about those who oppose?”

“What can we do? We just have to send them on their way. Should we resort to coercion? If we do such a thing, we’ll be branded as cruel and our reputation will hit rock bottom in an instant, right? We must handle this peacefully, peacefully. Those who absolutely can’t work under me will be sent off with extra money as a thank you for their hard work. Then at least the gossip will decrease. But… we should try to persuade the women as much as possible, right?”

“Hehe, of course. I will persuade them kindly.”

Jangil chuckled and played along.

“And there’s no need to turn every argument into a finished product. Just hint at hypnosis or suggestion to avoid any trouble. We’re not aiming for such lowly things, right?”

“Haha, of course. I can’t waste my precious energy on women who aren’t pretty, have flat chests, and unimpressive figures. Good materials produce good works. Do you not see the masterpiece that is Hwangboseol, which I pride as my finest work? She can be likened to steel that has been tempered for years. Materials like her are rare, but I plan to select the best from the rest. My artistic soul is quietly nurturing the spark for that moment.”

“As expected, when you act, you act.”

Bang So-un’s eyes sparkled.

The bitter feeling softened.

Discussing future plans with Jangil was always enjoyable.

And carrying out those plans one by one was much more pleasant.

Wasn’t true conversation about sharing hearts rather than words?

The two men looked at each other and chuckled.

***

The selection of the four head daughters of the Golden Dragon Battlefield, which everyone expected to be quietly conducted, turned out to be the loudest selection in history.

The successor, Hwangboseol, declared that her husband, Bang So-un, should take on the role of head daughter for the Golden Dragon Battlefield, citing the reason that the person with the most exceptional abilities should succeed as head daughter. Naturally, all the gods opposed this, but Hwangboseol was adamant.

This is not Hwangbosega, but the Golden Dragon Battlefield. It is my wish to revive the Golden Dragon Battlefield, and for that to happen, the person with the most exceptional abilities should succeed as head daughter. The husband belongs to one family, so he naturally has the right to succeed.

Continuing to persuade the gods in this manner, she eventually exploded in the face of continued opposition.

Shouting loudly, she even told those who continued to oppose that they were not family of the Golden Dragon Battlefield and to pack their bags and leave.

The gods, who were always gentle in handling matters, were taken aback by her seriousness and anger.

Moreover, since the position of head daughter is not determined by a majority vote of the gods, there was no special way to oppose her even if they wanted to.

Thus, with much controversy, Bang So-un ascended as one of the four head daughters of the Golden Dragon Battlefield, and the first thing he faced was the departure of many disciples.

People began to leave with expressions that they could no longer work under him, and Bang So-un did not stop them.

Instead, he sent them off with money, expressing gratitude for their hard work for the Golden Dragon Battlefield.

Such a method was effective in suppressing some complaints along with the evaluation that at least the basics were known.

When all the roughly departing people had left, Bang So-un’s first action was to send the men to the outer courtyard and the women to the inner courtyard.

Although the appointment of a new leader was somewhat strange at first, just as the men and women had separate living quarters at the Murim Academy, it was not a big deal to have separate living quarters for men and women, so there was no problem with the decision.

In the first place, most of the people who remained here until the end were mostly those who stayed due to their livelihood, so there was no reason to refuse the leader’s appointment.

***

The study of the head of the inner courtyard, located deep within.

Bang So-un entrusted the position of head of the inner courtyard to Hwang Bo-seol and put her in charge of most of the affairs of the Golden Dragon Hall.

It was only natural.

He knew what she knew about managing the hall, and even if she did know, there was no reason for her to take on such a troublesome task.

It was better for her to focus only on her own plans and leave the management of the hall to Hwang Bo-seol.

Hwang Bo-seol’s busy hands momentarily stopped.

Because a special guest had arrived.

A woman with a tall stature for her gender and sharp eyes, dressed in a blue court dress.

She appeared to be in her early thirties.

A black jade sword was tied to her waist.

It seemed unusual for a woman of such a high status to carry a weapon in a meeting with the head of the inner courtyard.

“Su-rin unni…”

Hwang Bo-seol called out the woman’s name with a complex expression on her face.

Yeon Su-rin.

She was known as a top martial artist representing the Golden Dragon Hall.

Ten years ago, her husband was killed by the Three Murim Assassins.

The Three Murim Assassins were not top martial artists individually, but they were notorious for killing many top martial artists with their cunning joint techniques.

Even these Three Murim Assassins, who were a headache for the Murim Alliance, had chosen their final opponent poorly.

In order to avenge her husband, Yeon Su-rin had her limbs and organs cut out, including her heart, liver, and lungs.

It was as gruesome a death as the crime she had committed.

Yeon Su-rin dedicated their organs and severed limbs, head to her husband’s spirit.

She gained the title of the “Heartless Heroine” and became a respected female martial artist.

The connection between Yeon Su-rin and the Golden Dragon Hall was very deep.

In the past, Hwang Bo-pyeong had taken pity on a girl who was crying alone on the streets without parents.

That girl was Yeon Su-rin.

Yeon Su-rin had received favor from Hwang Bo-pyeong for her talent in martial arts, and had grown up almost like siblings with Hwang Bo-seol.

After gaining the title of the “Heartless Heroine,” she had taken on the role of the head of the Left Guardian Law, symbolizing the martial arts of the Golden Dragon Hall.

Therefore, her heart ached too much at Hwang Bo-seol’s choice this time.

Although she thought she should respect Hwang Bo-seol’s choice, her heart did not agree.

In the end, she had come to see Hwang Bo-seol in frustration.

“Please sit first. I will call for tea to be brought.”

Yeon Su-rin silently sat in front of Hwang Bo-seol.

As time passed, she seemed to be lost in thought, not meeting Hwang Bo-seol’s gaze and looking into the distance.

In the meantime, Hwang Bo-seol had tea brought for her.

Yeon Su-rin drank the tea in one gulp, as if drinking water.

Then, as if she had made up her mind to speak, she turned her gaze towards Hwang Bo-seol.

“Sister Seol.”

“Yes, unni.”

“You have always been very clever since the old days.”

“Really?”

“I am seeing something that I cannot see in that person?”

Hwang Bo-seol nodded.

“Yes, you are truly remarkable, unlike someone like me.”

Upon hearing Hwang Bo-seol’s response, Yeon Su-rin’s expression stiffened.

“Weird.”

“What do you mean by that…”

“You’re really weird. The Hwang Bo-seol I know was not like this. Always confident, capable, and exuding an aura that captivates those around her. But to degrade yourself with words like ‘someone like me,’ I really don’t know how to deal with the changed you.”

Hwang Bo-seol shook her head in denial.

“I haven’t changed. I just realized something after learning about the Upper Realm. Maybe when you understand the true nature of the Upper Realm, Su-rin, you’ll…”

“Enough.”

Yeon Su-rin interrupted Hwang Bo-seol and stood up.

“If I continue listening, I don’t think I can bear it anymore. The intelligent girl I used to admire, where has she gone… Maybe it’s time for me to leave the Golden Dragon Battlefield. I’ve been here for too long.”

“Sister!”

Yeon Su-rin silently turned her back and left.

Hwang Bo-seol became infinitely despondent.

She was closest to and fond of Yeon Su-rin in the Golden Dragon Battlefield.

Leaving this place was something she had never imagined, and it would be a heartbreaking event.

What should she do?

She could only trust the Upper Realm.

Following the Upper Realm’s orders, she boarded Yeon Su-rin’s chariot without a word.

And Yeon Su-rin drove off without any suspicion.

Now, she had nothing to do.

Just wait.

The Upper Realm would convince her.

If Yeon Su-rin also listened to the Upper Realm, she would understand and dispel any misunderstandings.

Upper Realm…

Hwang Bo-seol prayed.