Chapter 116

"A red garment..."

It was a fabric Cheong-ra had never worn in his life. Not only was it not a color he particularly preferred, but red fabric was also expensive, and naturally, having never held a wedding ceremony in his life so far, it was understandable. But seeing it like this, the red garment didn't look bad. No, in fact, it looked quite good.

He felt the urge to try it on, but Cheong-ra just stroked the garment once and passed it by, choosing the outfit he had his eye on. He looked around but couldn't find any lower garment ties, so he had no choice but to wear it as it was.

Having been naked for days, putting on clothes like this finally made him feel like he had regained some human dignity.

Cheong-ra returned to the bedroom and sat cross-legged. After reciting the Moonlight on Snow, Mind and Heart Formula, he performed the Great Circulation technique, which greatly improved his physical condition. After finishing the Great Circulation, he took a long, deep breath, "Huu," and opened his eyes to find Dang Ran-yeong leaning against the wall, watching him. Cheong-ra was inwardly startled. How long had he been watching him?

"From now on, wear the clothes placed on the table as they are."

As expected, Dang Ran-yeong ordered, nodding towards the clothes Cheong-ra was wearing. Instead of agreeing, Cheong-ra shook his head.

"I'll decide what clothes I wear. Besides, that outfit is too flashy for me to wear..."

"If you don't wear the clothes placed on the table, I will tear one piece of clothing in that room."

Cheong-ra couldn't believe his ears when Dang Ran-yeong interrupted him. He knew well how much Dang Ran-yeong had paid for the clothes in that room.

"If you don't wear it the next day, two pieces, then four the day after, and eight the following day. Soon enough, you'll have to walk around naked."

"What? Those are clothes made from precious Shu brocade!"

"Shu brocade or whatever, it's just fabric. If you've understood, go change now. If not, I'll tear the clothes you're wearing right here."

Because he was a man who would do as he said, Cheong-ra reluctantly got up. He didn't want to waste the clothes and was afraid of having to live naked. If that happened, he wouldn't even dream of escaping from this place.

Cheong-ra returned to the dressing room and slowly took off the clothes he was wearing. He was disappointed because he had secretly liked its mysterious color, like a peacock's feathers. But when Dang Ran-yeong followed him in to watch him change clothes, Cheong-ra glanced at him. After hesitating, he finally opened his mouth to ask.

"Where are my... ties?"

"Why? Afraid you'll look aroused all day?"

"Who's the one to talk!"

Cheong-ra flared up as he remembered being violated by the constantly aroused other for a whole day. It was uncomfortable not having what he always wore, but since there was no one to see him here except Dang Ran-yeong, he had no choice but to give up. Then he heard Dang Ran-yeong muttering behind him.

"Being a martial artist, he woke up faster than expected. I thought he'd be bedridden for days, but he's surprisingly fine. I could have done more."

As soon as he heard those words, Cheong-ra got goosebumps and replied in shock.

"What are you saying? How am I fine at all... Do you know how hard this is even now?"

His waist still hurt, and he had embarrassing muscle pain inside his thighs. The three days and nights of lovemaking were still exhaustingly painful to think about. Cheong-ra strongly asserted his pain while hurriedly putting on his clothes.

Dressed in the red silk garment, Cheong-ra briefly admired his appearance in the mirror. Unlike his usual attire, he seemed to suit this luxurious outfit well, and he was secretly pleased. As he was admiring himself, Dang Ran-yeong suddenly reached out from behind.

"Come to think of it, you're not wearing earrings. Shall we pierce your ears..."

Muttering this, he firmly grasped Cheong-ra's earlobe with his strong hand. Cheong-ra exclaimed in shock, swatting away the hand as he turned around.

"Who said you could pierce my ears!"

"Beauty, do you really think this is your body? It's mine now since I'm taking responsibility for it."

Dang Ran-yeong smirked as he slowly caressed Cheong-ra's cheek. The look in his eyes was so arrogant and sinister that it sent chills down Cheong-ra's spine. Meeting Cheong-ra's very wary gaze, Dang Ran-yeong's eyes curved into long crescents.

"If I decide to pierce them, they'll be pierced."

"Don't act like you own me just because you had me for a few days."

Cheong-ra pushed away Dang Ran-yeong's hand again and stepped back. However, instead of getting angry, Dang Ran-yeong just smiled, raising the corners of his mouth.

"Don't worry. Someday, you'll say with your own mouth that you'll do anything... Now, if you're done dressing, let's have a meal."

Cheong-ra glared at Dang Ran-yeong's back as he reluctantly followed. Somehow, he felt uneasy, as if he might really end up saying he'd do anything, just as Dang Ran-yeong had said.

Passing through the tea room into the inner chamber, a full meal was laid out on the table. Cheong-ra was surprised to see the food steaming as if freshly cooked. When he had explored the annex earlier, there hadn't been any space for cooking.

"Don't tell me Young Master Dang brought and prepared this himself?"

"With no one else here, I have to do the work."

Dang Ran-yeong, who always seemed to have grown up privileged and used to ordering people around, answered nonchalantly. His words seemed to be true, as there was a small cart outside the inner chamber that appeared to have been used to transport the food. Even the water in the wooden tub yesterday must have been prepared by Dang Ran-yeong.

'Is this how Dang Ran-yeong takes responsibility for me?'

Cheong-ra tilted his head. Trapped in the formation, he had no choice but to rely on Dang Ran-yeong for all his basic needs. If he didn't bring food, Cheong-ra would have no choice but to starve. Seeing that he had personally brought food to feed him like this, Cheong-ra felt strange.

Seated at the table, Cheong-ra picked up his chopsticks. He first sipped the broth of the noodle soup filled with fresh vegetables and meat. Having eaten nothing but water and a little fruit for days, he felt his constricted stomach slowly relaxing. As he started eating the noodles too, the hunger he had forgotten began to return.

Young martial artists usually have hearty appetites, and having barely eaten for days while also being drained from lovemaking, Cheong-ra was so focused on eating that he momentarily forgot about Dang Ran-yeong. When he suddenly came to his senses and looked up while eating deliciously, his eyes met Dang Ran-yeong's, who was watching him with a pleased expression.

"It's good to see you eating well."

It felt strange to receive such praise-like words just for eating. Cheong-ra didn't know how to react and his lips quivered. Even so, wasn't he being too undignified in a situation where he had been confined and violated? Didn't he look shabby, eating so hastily? As he glared fiercely at the empty bowl, Dang Ran-yeong personally poured him some tea.

"Drink."

"I won't drink the tea."

Although the aroma was enticing, Cheong-ra finally tried to assert some pride. In truth, he didn't want to drink it at all, as every tea he had received from Dang Ran-yeong had contained poison... As Dang Ran-yeong narrowed his eyes, Cheong-ra spoke.

"And isn't this enough? Let me out of here now. No matter what, we can't just let those Blood Cult bastards harm innocent people. Even if you say the plan can work without me, wouldn't it be better to have me to help stop the Blood Cult?"

Dang Ran-yeong indifferently shook the steaming teapot, making an annoyingly sloshing sound, and spoke.

"Is acting like a righteous faction member to the bone something you're born with?"

Cheong-ra didn't understand how he had acted like a righteous faction member when he had only stated the obvious.

The Blood Cult was indeed an enemy of the righteous martial arts world. However, Cheong-ra wasn't doing this because he was from the righteous faction. In his heart, the events at the Hengshan Sect were deeply engraved, and he was firmly resolved not to leave things be, even for Moon Lake Sect's sake.

"I don't understand what you mean. I just said what's obvious."

"Yes, and that's exactly the point."

Dang Ran-yeong chuckled, then touched the back of his hand to the teapot before grasping it and saying calmly.

"Anyway, I won't allow you to leave here."

"I didn't lose. I endured for a quarter-hour. So you should let me go."

Dang Ran-yeong's condition had been the base one of letting him go if he protected his chastity, and if not, to spread his legs for him here. When Cheong-ra demanded that he keep that promise, Dang Ran-yeong retorted.

"I'm treating you so nicely because you endured for a quarter-hour. And originally, the condition was half an hour."

Cheong-ra's expression became complex. Treating him nicely...

"Well, I'm not saying I'll keep you confined forever. I'll let you out someday."

"When is that someday?"

When Cheong-ra asked anxiously, Dang Ran-yeong replied half-heartedly.

"Well, roughly in ten or twenty years?"

Not even a year later, but ten or twenty years? Isn't this as good as saying he won't let him out? Cheong-ra clenched his fists and glared at the other.

"If you don't like being trapped here, try defeating me."

Dang Ran-yeong smiled faintly after saying something impossible as if it were possible. Only then did Cheong-ra sense a strangely ominous aura. Surely not...

"And today, shall we correct some of your habits?"

Cheong-ra, who hadn't thought he would do anything more after such intense lovemaking, hurriedly stood up. However, Dang Ran-yeong moved even faster. In an instant, there was a loud crash of breaking dishes.