Chapter 457: Connected Heart of Love

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The atmosphere of the hall rapidly cooled.

Naturally so, for it was a cold voice let out by none other than a nation’s revered King.

Cho-hui, who had earlier halted her steps and stood there, was also frozen with a tense complexion like everyone else in the hall, her gaze fixed on Huan Hou at the place of honor.

While inwardly reproaching herself for her hasty behavior.

Because in her eagerness to see Bai Chu, she had made even the king’s mood uncomfortable.

‘Ah……! What do I do? That wasn’t my intention……’

The hall, which had been noisy until just moments ago, became so frighteningly quiet that each person’s breathing could be clearly heard.

That heightened her tension even more.

In an instant.

TAK!

Huan Hou set his right hand’s wine cup down hard on the luxurious table and let out another cold voice.

“How dare you act rashly in this place.”

Cho-hui, whose heart dropped, hurriedly bowed her head.

“I’m sorry!”

But unexpected words struck her ears.

“What do you mean? You are without any fault.”

Huan Hou’s face, having said so, suddenly took on a warm light.

“Rather, I’m grateful. I declare that it was the most beautiful dancing I’ve seen in my life. Thanks to you, the mood of this night with beautiful moonlight comes through even more deeply.”

“Ah…… Thank you. You praise me so highly, I don’t know what to do with myself.”

When Cho-hui showed extreme courtesy, Huan Hou answered with a wordless nod in place of reply, then once again displayed an expression as cold as ice.

The target where his gaze rested was the general who had earlier grumbled with a displeased expression.

He in his thirties with a sturdy body was Choi Oh-eop, who held the position of Military Guard General in charge of palace security.

‘Oh no!’

Choi Oh-eop, who met that cold gaze, realized it was his error and felt like his drunkenness had completely sobered.

After a moment of silence passed, Huan Hou’s mouth opened.

“Oh-eop. What did you say? That she should be grateful just to be allowed to live in the Palace?”

“Th-this subordinate……”

“Was it your decision that arranged for her to live and stay at the Palace? That means the one to be thanked is not this Sovereign But you, and also that Because she’s of lowly origin, she must unconditionally follow any unreasonable request?”

Choi Oh-eop, his face instantly gone pale, hurriedly left the banquet seat and prostrated himself on the stone floor below the steps.

“Please forgive me! I absolutely did not say that with such intention! I was so excited at this gathering that I overindulged, and then couldn’t overcome the intoxication and acted rashly! I repeatedly apologize to your majesty!”

Simultaneously, everyone present wore solemn expressions, straightened their postures, and bowed their heads.

In that midst, Huan Hou spoke as he filled his own wine cup.

“I and Bai Chu also spent our childhood receiving all manner of contempt and discrimination because we were of lowly origin. Let me ask, who decides that high or low status? Who created this world that is so unfair from the moment of birth?”

Though his voice was very heavy and low, it rang out thunderously in the ears of all people.

“It’s always been so. The countless nations that have been established on this land proclaimed peaceful prosperous eras while neglecting the lives of such unfortunate common people, only pursuing power and typically waging political and military wars where sacrifice of lives was inevitable. I…… Being sick of that, resolutely raised a volunteer army together with my childhood friend Bai Chu, and thereby came to sit in this high position. To liberate all people from this damned world stained with bad customs and abuses throughout its long history…… That is what I dream of, yet you dare to flaunt your position and status in this palace? Since most of the people here deviate from the standard of ‘good origin’ that the world has set. If this is how things are, even if we establish a new country, how can we properly win the hearts of the people? It would be fortunate if we’re not cursed and pelted with stones for being no different from countries established before. Don’t you know that the hearts of people are not won by force, Military Guard General Choi Oh-eop, answer me!”

The moment Huan Hou roared at the end of his speech and shook the hall, Choi Oh-eop struck his forehead on the ground and pleaded.

“I-i have committed a mortal sin!”

Then he immediately conveyed words of apology to Cho-hui.

“I am sincerely sorry. I will never make such a mistake again. I swear on my position.”

The moment Cho-hui, with a forgiving heart, gave a wordless nod indicating he need not concern himself further, Huan Hou’s grave voice leaked out.

“Let everyone open both ears wide and listen. The one who first requested that Cho-hui be allowed to stay in the palace was none other than my close friend Bai Chu, and I specially permitted the matter by royal order. Furthermore, know that her status is absolutely not below that of civil and military officials. Though she doesn’t hold an appointed position……”

Thereupon everyone in the hall, including Choi Oh-eop, answered in unison.

“We shall keep it in mind!”

Their collective voice echoed like a brief reverberation and then faded.

KKOLKKAK.

Huan Hou, having quietly drained his wine, set down the cup and once more looked at Choi Oh-eop and solemnly told him.

“Oh-eop. If such words come from your mouth again, not only this sovereign but that Bai Chu will not forgive you. Do you understand clearly?”

“Yes, Yes! I shall deeply engrave those words into my bones and become a better person!”

As the hall’s atmosphere had subsided considerably due to the series of events, Huan Hou soon relaxed his cold expression and spoke.

“Now, rise.”

“But……”

“Do you defy my command?”

“No!”

When Choi Oh-eop, having answered as if shouting, raised his body, Huan Hou wore a faint smile and said.

“Hut. The mood was ruined because of you…… You must take responsibility, yes? Now, go up on the stage and show me a sword dance. Then I’ll be lenient just this once.”

At those words, Choi Oh-eop’s face lit up and he immediately grabbed a dance sword and HUDUDAK! Leapt up onto the stage.

“I dedicate my Sword dance to your majesty! My skill has improved all this time, so Please watch with enjoyment! Ahahat!”

“Indeed. I look forward to it.”

Thus Choi Oh-eop’s disciplined yet splendid sword dance began, and the people who had resumed comfortable seating positions all inwardly marveled, thinking he truly was a king who knew how to handle people.

Right then.

Huan Hou, displaying an affectionate gaze toward the hesitating Cho-hui, sent a light hand gesture.

“What are you doing? Hurry and go see him. Flowers and Bees should be together.”

Hearing those words, Cho-hui reddened in both cheeks.

“Ah……”

“It’s a night with beautiful moonlight. Now is the opportunity to confess. How long will you keep just burning each other up?”

“Yes!”

Cho-hui, having answered with a bright smile, sped away as if flying and disappeared in the distance.

* * *

The bed in the inner chamber.

Bai Chu, as if by old habit, was wearing only undergarments while lying down to try getting an early sleep.

But suddenly.

TAKTAKTAK…… BEOLKEOK!

Along with fast footsteps, the lattice door swung open and Cho-hui stepped inside.

TAK!

She who closed the door again fixed her gaze with a mysterious look at Bai Chu lying on the bed in front of her.

“Miss……?”

“Why didn’t you attend the banquet?”

“Hmmm…… That is…… I just didn’t feel like it.”

No sooner had Bai Chu’s reply ended than Cho-hui hastily removed the clothes she was wearing.

“Wh-what are you doing?”

“You don’t know even looking at me?”

Cho-hui, having asked back coolly, became naked without a thread in an instant.

Soon she slowly approached the bed visible in front and let out a seductive voice.

“Now let’s no longer…… hide our hearts.”

“Miss……”

Bai Chu, having trailed off, involuntarily gulped dryly.

From that appearance, the dignity of a fierce general traversing battlefields couldn’t be found.

Instead, a bashfulness like a child’s and a light of subtle excitement filled his entire face.

When Bai Chu soon raised his upper body awkwardly, Cho-hui approached, meeting his gaze squarely, mounted the bed, and seated herself.

“I love you. Madly.”

It was a confession that was simple yet plain.

Above the jade countenance of Cho-hui who had thus revealed her heart of love, a radiant smile settled as if flowers were in full bloom.

Seeing that silent smile, Bai Chu felt like his mind was going blank.

Something pure and noble in atmosphere was laden with lustful temptation, and while giving off a bewitching aura like a seductress, also seemed to carry a pure beauty like white chrysanthemums… That kind of smile.

His breath was choked.

A woman who had gathered the beauty of this world was here.

Even the expression ‘heavenly fairy’ was insufficient.

For Bai Chu, who faced her naked body with even her shy parts all exposed, it was simply impossible to come to his senses.

“Miss…… Do you mean those words?”

“Were you waiting for me to confess? No, do you feel the same as me? I want to confirm it here.”

Bai Chu’s hot gaze tangled with Cho-hui’s two eyes.

“I love you. Miss. From the first moment I saw you……”

Thereupon Cho-hui smiled with her eyes and gently extended her slender jade hands.

Truly a feather-like touch lightly traced and caressed Bai Chu’s firm body.

UMJJIL, UMJJIL……

Bai Chu trembled his body at that sensation and showed an intense reaction.

Soon Cho-hui took off his undergarments with both hands and rolled her pair of eyes while admiring his muscular naked body.

“How many battles have you fought all this time?”

Bai Chu, befitting a brave general who had been active at the frontlines, had a body full of scars everywhere.

Yet…… Among them, there were some that particularly stood out.

Those were the dozen or so scars that formed in the process of protecting Cho-hui herself and her group in the past.

Bai Chu, seeming embarrassed, slightly turned his body and said.

“Hmmm…… Unlike ordinary men, my body is somewhat unsightly to look at.”

Simultaneously, Cho-hui stretched out both hands, forcefully pushed his upper body down to lie flat, and shook her head.

“No. I’ve never seen scars more beautiful than these. So don’t hide them. In my eyes…… They look like nothing But the most Noble and glorious marks that only a true Hero of this age can have.”

She swept her long hair back and pressed her lips to each and every one of Bai Chu’s scars.

JJOK…… JJOK…… JJOK……

That further stimulated Bai Chu’s desire, and the excitement built higher each time warm lips touched his skin.

Soon Cho-hui moved her voluptuous naked body and assumed a posture as if straddling his lower abdomen.

Bai Chu’s breathing became rougher, and she lowered her upper body to exchange a deep kiss.

Each other’s saliva mixed together as if connecting hearts of love, and the air in the room gradually heated from the breath that continuously leaked out.

Cho-hui, having ended the kiss, lifted her upper body and gripped her pert breasts with both hands.

Fair flesh poking out between her slender fingers further tempted Bai Chu.

“Lord Bai. You didn’t see my dance, did you? Now here…… I’ll show you a beautiful dance only for you. Hot and soft…… Sometimes rough……”

“Miss!”

“Please speak casually. Call me just by my name. So that this heart burns hotter……”

“Yes…… Hui. If that’s what you want.”

“Ah…… It’s nice to hear.”

From that time, the man and woman, drawn by primal instinct, began to indulge in each other’s naked bodies.

The night with beautiful moonlight only grew deeper.

* * *

About five years later.

Huan Hou’s empire had meanwhile swallowed the other four countries one by one, and now only one remained.

It literally meant the great achievement of unifying the realm was close at hand.

And it was from around that time.

That the fame of Bai Chu, who had been appointed Grand Marshal, surpassed Huan Hou who had ascended to emperor……