episode_0022

Time flowed like a river.

It had been several months since Bang So-un had become the head of the Golden Dragon Battlefield.

During that time, he had made no special effort to cultivate the power of the battlefield.

He had focused solely on internal stability.

But that was the right choice.

You had to stabilize the inside first in order to look to the future without any mishaps.

Knowing this well, Bang So-un had prioritized internal stability.

As a result of his efforts, Bang So-un’s internal control could now be described as solid.

Of course, there were many contributions from the female members.

However, establishing his position as the head among the male Gasols of the Outer Circle was solely due to Bang So-un’s skill.

Listening to the personal grievances of each and every laborer at a private drinking session was not something anyone could do.

And it didn’t stop there; he made efforts to resolve those grievances as much as possible.

Naturally, there were improvements as a result of his efforts.

For a person becoming the head to make efforts to improve the grievances of a mere Gasol?

The Gasols couldn’t help but be moved.

In that sense, although he was a third-rate successor to the throne, Bang So-un definitely had an unexpected talent for managing people.

If he hadn’t had such a talent, he wouldn’t have dared to utter the ridiculous ambition of dominating the martial world.

***

“I think it’s about time we start unfolding our grand plans one by one. What do you think?”

Bang So-un asked in his study at the Sujeong Pavilion.

“Of course, I have the same thoughts, my lord. I’ve been itching to get out of the house for a while now, being cooped up inside.”

Jang-il, who was standing next to him, replied.

After completely subduing all the remaining female members of the Inner Circle, he had nothing left to do.

His abilities were useless against men.

So he had just been idling away his time at the Inner Circle.

Of course, he had slept with countless female members of the Inner Circle, but even that got boring after a while.

He needed something new to stimulate him.

“Haha, I knew you’d say that.”

Bang So-un laughed.

He was just like him, always craving dominance more than anyone else.

It was an insatiable desire that couldn’t be completely fulfilled by the conquered women.

So he needed new prey to freshen up that desire.

“So are we finally going fox hunting?”

Jang-il’s face was already filled with fresh excitement and anticipation.

Eun Hwayoung, the target Bang So-un had declared for their next hunt.

But Bang So-un shook his head.

“No, not yet. Let’s first replenish our Gasols.”

Replenishing the Gasols.

This was also a goal in Bang So-un’s plan.

Recruit Gasols with money and transform them into loyal hypnotized slaves.

Of course, true top-tier experts were mostly already affiliated with martial sects and couldn’t be swayed by money alone, but it was certainly possible for first-class experts.

Just that alone would significantly enhance the power of the Golden Dragon Battlefield.

“Ah, I see. So you’re focusing on strengthening your forces first? It sounds like the right move, from what I’ve heard.”

Jang-il also agreed, nodding his head.

“Haha, good. Then go and summon the Inner Circle Head.”

Ehwa Rin, the Inner Circle Head.

A capable woman who had been in charge of the Inner Circle affairs of the Golden Dragon Battlefield since the previous generation.

She was still working under the new head, Bang So-un.

Of course, she was already completely inferior to Jang-il in terms of ability.

“You mean in her normal state?”

“Of course. Wouldn’t that be more fun?”

“Haha, as expected, my lord knows everything. I will call her right away. Please enjoy yourself to the fullest.”

With a smile, Jang Il disappeared.

***

“You called for me, Lady Jang?”

Eehwarin entered the room.

Her attire was modest.

She maintained her usual simple demeanor.

To an outsider, she might seem like someone of low rank.

But anyone who looked into her eyes would think differently.

A sharp, gun-like glint of wisdom in her eyes.

Such a look was not something an ordinary person could possess.

“Yes, my lady.”

Bang Sooun greeted Eehwarin with a smile.

She was a valuable subordinate.

Therefore, she had to treat her gently.

“What is the matter?”

Eehwarin asked straightforwardly.

When it came to work, that was her nature.

“It’s nothing but a task I have for you.”

“Please go on.”

“Recently, many of our soldiers have left unexpectedly, due to the sudden rise of Deryilsawi to the position of head. I want to replenish the depleted manpower for the sake of our lord’s well-being.”

“I see.”

Eehwarin nodded in understanding.

It was a reasonable request.

With the departure of many soldiers, the number of manpower had decreased.

As someone who dealt with large sums of money, the strength of the soldiers was essential.

It could be said that the request for replenishment was a bit late, considering the previous disturbances and instability in the battlefield, but it was understandable.

“In that case, how many are you thinking of?”

“About twenty.”

That was appropriate.

Eehwarin quickly calculated in her mind.

Considering the current financial situation of the battlefield, twenty soldiers were indeed an appropriate number.

“Then, how much are you thinking for the recruitment?”

“One hundred nyang.”

“Silver hundred nyang. I see. Then I will prepare accordingly.”

“Wait, a moment. I forgot to mention one more condition.”

“What is it?”

“We will only recruit female soldiers.”

“…?!”

Eehwarin’s eyes widened in shock.

And her expression quickly hardened.

This… this was too…

It was so blatantly revealing of his sinister intentions that it sent shivers down her spine.

Was this what the lord was like?

It felt like a strong blow to the back of her head.

No matter how high-ranking the lord was, he should not demand such things.

It was the proper attitude of a loyal subordinate.

“That… will be viewed unfavorably by the public. It will create gossip. For the sake of our lord’s reputation, it would be best to reconsider…”

She tried to speak as tactfully as possible.

If the lord understood that, it would be the best outcome.

“Well, that could certainly happen.”

Was he being understanding?

“Then why not frame it as recruiting guards for the head lady? It wouldn’t be strange to recruit women to guard a woman.”

But Bang Sooun’s following words shattered Eehwarin’s hopes mercilessly.

No, that only added to the disappointment.

…Selling the wife’s name just to save the nobles?

This is truly a dismal and despicable act of a lowly person.

Ehwa Rin bit her lip hard.

“I’m sorry. I cannot accept this name. I think it’s not right.”

“Huh, that’s not a good thing to say. You have no intention of changing your mind?”

“Of course not. I only ask for the withdrawal.”

Ehwa Rin said firmly.

She threw away her loyalty and prepared to leave the Golden Dragon Field.

Bang Soo-woon clicked his tongue.

“Well, then, I have no choice. I have to persuade you by force.”

“….”

Ehwa Rin’s expression darkened.

How far is this man willing to go to expose his true nature?

In the end, she hardened her heart.

She could no longer work under such a lord.

“I think I can no longer serve under Lord…”

“Ehwa Rin. [Step back].”

Bang Soo-woon sneered as he spoke.

At that moment.

“Ah….”

Ehwa Rin’s eyes glazed over.

The gunshots from earlier seemed to have vanished without a trace.

Her mouth lost its strength and hung open, her arms dropped to her sides.

“….”

She stood there stiffly in that state.

Bang Soo-woon slowly approached her.

“Then let me ask again. Oh, before that.”

He said.

“Lift your skirt.”

“…I obey the command… my lord….”

Ehwa Rin did not hesitate to lift her skirt for the person she had just looked at with disgust.

There was no intention behind it.

Only her exposed lower body was visible.

She always kept her lower body exposed, faithfully following Jang Il’s warning to never intentionally expose herself.

Ironically, she was completely unaware of it herself.

“That’s right. That’s a good look for a woman.”

Squelch.

Bang Soo-woon ran his fingers through her lower body with a satisfied expression.

Then he spoke again.

“Good. Let me ask again. What do you think of my order to recruit only nobles?”

The command that she had tried to resist with determination.

“…The celestial maiden does not think anything… she only obeys the command of her lord….”

Ehwa Rin had no choice but to answer in a numb voice as her lower body was touched by his fingers.

Her humiliating appearance contrasted with her confident demeanor from earlier, further stimulating Bang Soo-woon’s pleasure in domination.

“Yes, you should answer like that. Understand?”

“…Yes… my lord… the celestial maiden answers like that….”

“Even if you wake up from hypnosis, you will still answer like that. Got it?”

“…Yes… my lord… the celestial maiden answers like that even when she wakes up from hypnosis….”

Ehwa Rin mindlessly repeated what Bang Soo-woon said.

She was not a finished product that Jang Il had invested in.

She was not worth it.

She was just an ordinary hypnotized slave.

However, due to her position as a court lady, she had been subjected to many implications and domination by Jang Il’s hypnosis.

Her mental barriers had already completely collapsed, leaving her defenseless.

That’s why even in her current dazed state, it was so easy for him to manipulate her as he pleased.

For Bang Soo-woon, who was not a hypnotist, it was a very amusing pastime.

Bang Soo-woon spoke again.

“Of course, you do not feel any strangeness.”

“…Yes… my lord… the celestial maiden does not feel any strangeness….”

“Good, from now on, when we are alone, you will address me not as Lord Jang Il, but always as my lord.”

“…Yes… when the celestial maiden is alone with you… she will address you not as Lord Jang Il, but as my lord….”

“When we are alone, you must obey all my commands without question.”

“…Yes… when the celestial maiden is alone with my lord… she must obey all commands without question….”

“You, of course, do not feel any strangeness. No, you think it is absolute.”

“…Yes… Master… The heavenly maiden does not sense anything strange… She believes it to be absolute….”

“Good, and….”

After that, Bang So-un asked a few more questions with implications.

Each time, she faithfully recited the implications in a dull voice.

As time passed a little.

“Well then.”

Bang So-un withdrew her finger from the underworld, turned her skirt back to its original state, and returned to her seat.

“Awaken.”