Chapter 439 : One Loss, Two Gains (1)

Chapter 439: One Loss, Two Gains (1)

“Ahhk!”

Hyang Uun twisted her body this way and that, moaning as she trembled.

Thud!

Only after lowering her back onto the bedding did she manage to breathe.

“Tell me. Just who is behind the Main Division?”

Demonic Master spoke softly, brushing down Hyang Uun’s chest.

Her body reacted again to his touch.

“I don’t know.”

“That doesn’t make sense. You’re the Vice-Manager of Unmil Pavilion.”

“My father knows.”

“I know. He would, since he handles the Main Division’s intelligence. But I thought you would know too, Hyang Mae. We’re in the same boat now, so there’s no need to hide anything.”

From Hyang Uun’s perspective, it was possible she’d become the wife of the Heavenly Demon Sect’s Supreme Leader. Falling out of favor with Eum Sajeok was not something she desired.

“This is a secret. Don’t tell my father either.”

“He’ll find out anyway.”

“No. My father planned not to reveal the backers so he could keep Lord Sang in check.”

“That so? Well, I get it.”

Demonic Master replied casually, but inwardly, he had already added Hyang Byeok to the list of people to eliminate later.

He couldn’t remove Hyang Byeok just yet.

Aside from the Three Taegongs, Hyang Byeok had the widest network within the Heavenly Demon Sect.

The plan was to become the sect’s Supreme Leader with Hyang Byeok’s support, then eliminate him afterward.

“The ones backing the Three Taegongs from the shadows are none other than the Rogues’ Guild.”

“The Rogues’ Guild?”

Demonic Master’s head jerked up at the unexpected answer.

It was truly shocking.

The Rogues’ Guild was a sect of society’s lowest dregs.

They were only known for selling information, pickpocketing, and thievery—barely even regarded as a sect in Murim.

The orthodox or demonic factions only pretended to acknowledge them when information was needed.

“It’s not the entire Rogues’ Guild, but the Guild Master and his close aides who are the true backers of the Heavenly Demon Sect’s Main Division.”

“Now that is truly astonishing.”

“That’s why even the Orthodox Murim couldn’t uncover the true backers despite knowing about the Main Division. Who would suspect the Rogues’ Guild?”

“That’s true. It’s unimaginable. But how could the Rogues’ Guild Master command people like the Three Taegongs?”

Hyang Uun paused to scan the surroundings before continuing.

“The Three Taegongs were originally raised by high-level experts of the Heavenly Demon Sect. They weren’t born into the sect. In truth, they are retainers of the Eung Family within the Rogues’ Guild.”

“Retainers of the Eung Family?”

Demonic Master repeated, prompting Hyang Uun to explain the Four Vassal Families in detail.

Demonic Master was secretly impressed by how much Hyang Uun knew about Mamaseong, the Four Great Divine Items, and the Four Vassal Families.

‘Well, she is the Vice-Manager in charge of information. She must’ve come across a lot.’

As he fell into thought, Hyang Uun spoke up again.

“They might be planning to take over the Heavenly Demon Sect now that all Three Taegongs are dead.”

That statement revealed the real reason she shared these secrets.

If they succeeded in taking over the Heavenly Demon Sect, she would no longer become the Supreme Leader’s wife.

“I can’t let that happen. When the time comes, Hyang Mae, help me out. I finally got my chance. I can’t let someone else reap the rewards.”

“Of course.”

Demonic Master smacked Hyang Uun’s bottom with a grin.

Not long after, Demonic Master summoned the Azure Messenger Rat.

Inside the Guan Yu Shrine, where a warm heat and strange floral scent lingered, Yong Hwarin was guiding his True Qi through Namgung Yoo’s meridians.

It had taken several rounds of intercourse before the two women managed to recover their senses. Now, they were circulating their Qi to dispel the drug’s effects.

Without doing so, even three days and nights of intercourse wouldn’t have purged the drug.

‘What a vicious drug.’

In his past life, Cheong Geonmin used this very same drug to seduce Jegal Cheongyeong and marry her.

He had paid unorthodox sect members to release it near her. Afterward, he swooped in like a savior, pretending to rescue her from the madness, ultimately making her his wife.

But now, with his limbs all severed, Cheong Geonmin would never have that opportunity again.

Only after another half a shichen (two hours) did the drug’s effects fully fade, and Yong Hwarin settled into Qi circulation.

Namgung Yoo and Hoi Unkyung had barely enough fabric scraps to cover their vital parts.

They had torn their clothes in the throes of drug-induced arousal.

As they watched Yong Hwarin engage in his breathing techniques, conflicting emotions churned within them.

They knew he had saved them through intercourse while they were poisoned by Cheong Geonmin’s aphrodisiac. But fully accepting that reality would take time.

Though both women were grateful that Yong Hwarin had saved them, unease lingered in their hearts.

‘It wasn’t out of desire... so we can’t hold him responsible.’

Neither Namgung Yoo nor Hoi Unkyung could demand accountability from someone who had done it only to save them.

Soon, Yong Hwarin completed his Qi circulation and opened his eyes. The two women still sat silently.

He made no excuses.

He figured they understood just how desperate and dangerous the situation had been.

“Even if it was unavoidable... I stole the innocence of two women. I have no excuse.”

Yong Hwarin finally broke the silence.

Hoi Unkyung replied calmly.

“Compared to having my purity stolen by that bastard, this is a blessing. I don’t resent you, Young Master Yong. So please, don’t hold onto it.”

Hoi Unkyung clenched her teeth to speak in a composed tone.

Namgung Yoo echoed her words.

“She’s right. In fact, this might be a relief for us. If we’d been defiled by that scum, we would’ve just died. And Hwarin, don’t dwell on it. You saved our lives.”

Namgung Yoo spoke with a smile as if nothing was wrong, but her hands were trembling.

Her chest ached as if torn apart.

Though she had shared her body with the man she loved, even having intercourse several times, it wasn’t out of desire but for treatment. And despite that closeness, she couldn’t have his heart—that reality broke her.

Hoi Unkyung and Namgung Yoo stood, covering only their important parts.

“We’ll go outside and find something to wear.”

Just as the two turned to leave the shrine, Yong Hwarin spoke.

“I already have three women.”

Namgung Yoo smiled bitterly.

“I know. That’s why you’re conflicted. Don’t worry. We’ll keep this between us.”

She assumed he was asking them to keep the matter from his three women.

As her hand reached the door handle of the Guan Yu Shrine, Yong Hwarin continued.

“That’s not what I meant.”

The two women halted in place.

“Because I already have three women, it feels shameless to accept the two of you too. If I said I wanted to live with both of you for the rest of my life, I’d be a scoundrel. But... I still want to be with you. So if you feel the same, don’t leave. Stay here.”

At his words, Namgung Yoo and Hoi Unkyung let go of the door handle.

“I... I’m your friend.”

Namgung Yoo finally spoke.

“You are my friend, but I like you. So I’m fine with you becoming my wife. I may lose a friend, but I gain a lover—and a wife.”

Namgung Yoo couldn’t bring herself to turn around and asked without facing him.

“Are you being serious? You’re not saying this just because you feel guilty?”

Yong Hwarin chuckled.

“I’m not the kind of guy who acts out of guilt. I’m saying it because I like you.”

Hoi Unkyung spoke.

“Please don’t take responsibility for me just because of Namgung Sojeo. That would make me uncomfortable.”

She thought he had mentioned her only because he didn’t want to abandon Namgung Yoo.

“Lady Hoi, haven’t we already lived like one person, dancing on the edge of life and death? As long as you don’t reject me, I want to hold you in my heart.”

“Is that really true?”

“It is.”

Tears began to fall from Hoi Unkyung’s eyes, regardless of her will.

She had lived her life controlling everything with her will, yet these tears escaped that control.

She had once vowed she’d never cry over a man.

Yet the hot tears wouldn’t stop falling.

‘I’m a woman after all.’

Reality had made her live as a strong woman, but the innate nature of a woman could not be denied.

No woman could remain unmoved hearing such a confession from the man she loved.

“If I hadn’t had feelings for the two of you, I wouldn’t have used intercourse to neutralize the poison. There were other ways. They just required time... and a long period of recovery for you both.”

Namgung Yoo asked, voice trembling.

“Then... can I stop calling you Hwarin and start calling you gaga?”

“You should. You’re not a friend anymore. You’re my woman.”

“Can I... hold you? That’s what I wanted most.”

Yong Hwarin spread his arms wide.

“I’m your man now. This chest will always be open for you.”

At those words, Namgung Yoo turned and embraced him.

Seeing the once-strong Namgung Yoo tremble in his arms like a drenched kitten made Yong Hwarin feel both pity and affection.

Then he turned to Hoi Unkyung and opened his arms again.

As if drawn by a magnet, Hoi Unkyung plastered herself to his right chest.

“If the men of the world saw me embracing two beauties at once, they’d kill me with just their eyes. How many ever get to enjoy such luxury? I’m truly a lucky man.”

Yong Hwarin gently caressed their backs.

He had never imagined he would take both women as his own.

Hoi Unkyung had been his wife in his past life, and their bond carried deep sorrow. Namgung Yoo had been a dear comrade, closer than anyone.

‘Maybe marrying Hoi Unkyung isn’t even changing history. I’ve been living so differently from my past life, but maybe this part isn’t so different after all.’

Now, Hoi Unkyung was very different from the one he had known.

She was lovable and intelligent. After so many hardships, she seemed more mature than other women.

That made her all the more endearing.

As for Namgung Yoo, she had been by his side through life and death, sharing his joys and sorrows. While there had never been much romantic emotion between them, in hindsight, she had always remained near him.

Seeing that, he finally understood how Namgung Yoo felt about him.

And he didn’t dislike her either.

As time passed, she bloomed with even more beauty, and it felt like a waste to let her go to someone else.

Still, the three women he had already taken weighed on his mind.

‘What excuse do I even have for them?’

As he ran his hand down the backs of the two women, Yong Hwarin wrestled with that thought.

He let out a self-deprecating laugh.

‘I guess I am just a scumbag.’

Even so, he kept caressing their backs with a bitter smile.

The survivors of Muhuomun carried Cheong Geonmin on their backs.

“I will never forget this grudge.”

His tongue was half missing, making his speech slurred like a mentally impaired man.

Yong Hwarin responded, looking down at Cheong Geonmin.

“This isn’t the end. Soon, I’ll visit Muhuomun with the elites of my main family. There won’t be a single roof tile left. Not just Muhuomun, but every clan that attacked my main family will be wiped out. Go and wait. See for yourself the consequences of what you did.”

He spoke in a calm voice, yet Cheong Geonmin’s body broke out in goosebumps.

Rather, Yong Hwarin’s increased martial strength made his aura feel even more oppressive.

Though he lacked arms and legs, his internal energy had grown stronger, and even his internal injuries had healed. He was in better condition than before.

That fact drove Cheong Geonmin mad.

Unless he took his own life, just as Yong Hwarin said—this world would become his hell.

Still, his desire for revenge kept him alive—for now.

“I’ll be waiting.”

“Go prepare. That day, feel your powerlessness with every fiber of your being. Now get lost!”