Chapter 94 – Returning to the Palace (1)

Having completely annihilated the Black Fortress, Yu-jin finally returned to Beijing.

“Alright, everyone get some rest. I don’t think I’ll be able to come out for a while. Seol-rin, I need you to stay with Bukri Eun.”

“Don’t worry, Master.”

Eun Seol-rin replied with a smile, and Yu-jin nodded.

Unlike Han So-un or Na Ye-jin, who had lived somewhat like celestial maidens, she was pragmatic and enjoyed worldly pleasures, so she had been to many places. She would be able to show Bukri Eun a good time. Trusting her, Yu-jin headed for the Imperial Palace.

“Halt!”

When Yu-jin showed his token, the imperial guards opened the way. He entered the palace with ease and immediately vanished from the spot. He had no desire to announce his arrival to the court officials.

He quietly made his way to the Emperor’s bedchambers. Just as the warriors of the Phantom Shadow Brigade guarding the chambers stepped aside for him, a figure with an immense presence appeared before Yu-jin. It was the Lord of Phantoms.

“You’ve returned? I heard just a moment ago that you had arrived, but I didn’t expect you to handle things and be back so soon.”

His voice was tinged with admiration. It had been less than two months since Yu-jin had received his orders, yet he had already concluded negotiations with the Northern Sea Ice Palace and returned. It was nothing short of astonishing.

“It was an easier task than I thought.”

At Yu-jin’s words, the Lord of Phantoms let out a rare, bright smile and nodded. He then walked with Yu-jin to the main hall where the Emperor resided.

The Lord of Phantoms moved to stand behind the Emperor once more, while Yu-jin knelt on one knee at a distance, bowing his head.

“Your humble servant, Kang Yu-jin, has returned upon completing Your Imperial Majesty’s command.”

“I did not expect you to return so quickly.”

The Emperor’s eyes, fixed on Yu-jin, were filled with delight.

Gaining a competent subordinate was always a joyous occasion for an emperor. Moreover, Yu-jin was not merely a capable subordinate but a martial artist possessing absolute power.

Having him on their side meant the Imperial family no longer needed to fear anyone. Given the circumstances, the Emperor’s gaze toward Yu-jin was naturally filled with favor.

“They, too, wished to foster friendly relations with the Central Plains, which allowed the discussions to proceed smoothly. The Northern Sea Ice Palace will never again threaten the Central Plains and the Empire.”

“Is that so! Haha, that is delightful news, the first I’ve heard in a long time. Now that you have handled the matter so well, the officials will no longer be able to object.”

The Emperor deliberately refrained from asking how Yu-jin had conducted the negotiations. Having already heard from the Lord of Phantoms that Yu-jin might use a certain degree of force, he did not wish to leave a record of coercion and thus avoided asking for details.

However, the officials, who had never imagined Yu-jin could persuade (?) the Northern Sea Ice Palace so easily, were now in for a rude awakening.

“The officials have been busy trying to select a Prince Consort. Now they will have no choice but to acknowledge you.”

“Is that so?”

Yu-jin’s eyes glinted as he asked. He hadn’t imagined they would try such a thing in his absence. Unaware of Yu-jin’s inner thoughts, the Emperor frowned and nodded.

“They were already treating you as a dead man. Then again, none of the envoys who journeyed to the outer regions have ever survived, so it’s understandable they would think that way.”

The officials, ignorant of Yu-jin’s true power, could only assume that he would fail and die.

As Yu-jin pondered how to deal with them, the Emperor suddenly spoke.

“On another note, I looked into you a bit more and found you’ve lived quite an enviable life. In all my years, I’ve never known a man to have been with so many women. Not only Yun-hui, but daughters from renowned martial families are also betrothed to you, are they not?”

Hearing this, Yu-jin’s expression darkened. The greatest restriction for a Prince Consort was not the ban on political involvement; for Yu-jin, that was no great constraint.

For him, the greatest restriction was the inability to take concubines. A Prince Consort could never remarry, even if his wife died.

‘And after all the trouble I went through to have them!’

But as if reading Yu-jin’s mind, the Emperor spoke with a smile.

“Do not worry. Although you will become the Prince Consort, I will permit you to marry other women.”

Though it went against imperial law, this was a concession the Emperor felt compelled to make.

From what he had learned, Yu-jin’s history with women was staggering. If he were to impose such a restriction on Yu-jin, the man might very well abandon his position as the Imperial Prince Consort and leave.

Having reached this conclusion, the Emperor decided to lift the restriction for Yu-jin alone.

“However, I would like you to marry them discreetly. If you do it too openly, the officials will surely rise up in protest. And those women will not be able to live in the Imperial Palace.”

Even with these conditions, it was more than a favorable arrangement for Yu-jin.

“I will keep that in mind, Your Majesty.”

Yu-jin smiled faintly and bowed his head even deeper.

“Yun-hui is waiting for you. Go and see her.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

With those words, Yu-jin exited the main hall.

***

“Wait a moment.”

A voice called out suddenly. But Yu-jin had already sensed the presence, so he turned without surprise. The Lord of Phantoms stood there. He seemed to recall something as he spoke.

“All martial artists are proud, but the warriors of the North are especially so. They practice ice arts and rarely show their emotions, but they will never tolerate having their pride trampled. They are the warriors of the North. It must have been difficult for you to fight against them.”

At the Lord of Phantoms’ words, Yu-jin shook his head.

“I had excellent companions with me, so it was not so difficult. They took care of all the small fry.”

“Is that so? But the absolute ruler of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, the Ice Dragon Emperor, is a formidable master. Especially in the North, it’s no exaggeration to say he is truly invincible. I remember in my youth, after pioneering the Profound Realm, I set out to conquer the outer martial world and was soundly defeated by him. Well, seeing as you are unharmed, it seems the Ice Dragon Emperor has also been bested by your hand. How did you do it?”

Although he might be an ordinary (?) absolute master elsewhere, in the North, the Ice Dragon Emperor was a being nearly on par with the Heavenly Demon. Yet, Yu-jin had defeated him there.

“Doesn’t everyone have a hidden card up their sleeve? I simply used mine.”

He had suspected as much, but hearing the truth from Yu-jin’s own lips, the Lord of Phantoms felt a sense of disbelief.

Yu-jin was now twenty-five years old. To have defeated the absolute ruler of the North at such a young age… considering he was still so young, his potential for growth was limitless.

‘I suppose I no longer need to worry about the future of the Imperial family. And I might even be able to retire in peace.’

Retirement was something the Lord of Phantoms had never even dreamed of, but for some reason, he felt he could entrust everything to Yu-jin, retire, and live out the rest of his life at ease.

‘What was that?’

Unaware of the Lord of Phantoms’ inner thoughts, Yu-jin simply shivered from a sudden chill.

***

“My Lord!”

The moment Yu-jin entered, Ju Yun-hui rushed to him and threw herself into his arms. Having already heard of his arrival, she was wearing only a thin nightgown. Yu-jin wrapped his left arm around her waist and cupped her breast with his right hand.

“Haah…”

Ju Yun-hui let out a startled moan as he touched her, but it was only for a moment before she surrendered her body to him. Yu-jin pulled down the top of her nightgown, exposing her chest, and began to suckle her fiercely.

“Ha… ah…”

Ju Yun-hui felt as if her entire body was being drawn out through the tip of her nipple. While suckling her breast, Yu-jin pushed her forward onto the bed.

He climbed on top of her, ravenously devouring her chest. Unable to bear the intense pleasure, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

But after a moment, she gently pushed him away.

“…?”

Yu-jin looked at Ju Yun-hui with a questioning gaze, waiting to see what she would do.

She lifted her skirt to her waist, planted her feet on the edge of the bed, and spread her knees wide.

Before Yu-jin’s eyes was a fragrant grove slick with her essence, and the spring water that trickled from within.

“You’ve learned how to please a man, Yun-hui.”

Though she had taken the position to please him, she was trembling heavily, likely from shyness. Yu-jin blew a hot breath onto the nape of her trembling, white neck.

“Haahng!”

Ju Yun-hui felt a thrilling shiver run through her entire body from the stimulation on her neck. A tingling sensation spread from her trembling neck down to the secret place between her legs, causing her whole body to tingle.

Her sensitive female body began to react. Yu-jin smiled, moving his hand downward to part and rub her petals, while taking one of her full breasts into his mouth.

“Hyaang! My… My Lord!”

Pressing close, Yu-jin caressed Yun-hui’s breast. She could feel his erection pressing against her already moist petals.

Ju Yun-hui let out ragged breaths of excitement, entrusting her everything to him. Soon, her entire flower garden was soaked like a swamp with the essence flowing from her petals.

‘That’s enough.’

Thinking so, Yu-jin removed the hand that had been persistently stimulating her. This time, he pulled her by the waist, wrapping his arm around her, and lifted her sleek, limp leg with his right hand.

Her petals were starkly revealed between her legs, and Yu-jin aimed his member at them before thrusting powerfully inside.

“Haaaaaahng!”

Although she was already thoroughly wet with her essence, the sudden and deep penetration made her round eyes fly wide open. Her cries of pleasure echoed through the room.

Ju Yun-hui’s alluring body moved in time with Yu-jin’s hips. Her appearance, drenched in sweat and essence with a lustful expression on her face, was truly bewitching and captivating. Soon, unable to hold back, Yu-jin cried out.

“I’m… coming!”

“My Lord! Give me all of you!”

Ju Yun-hui cried out, wanting to please him.

Now lying on their sides, he entered her from behind. Yu-jin moved his hips with greater force, and in an instant, his member rushed into her petals with ferocious intensity.

Then, hot, white seed erupted violently inside Ju Yun-hui’s body.

“Hah, hah. You were quite hot, maybe because it’s been so long?”

“I… I really missed you, My Lord.”

Ju Yun-hui spoke, then grasped Yu-jin’s limp member and began to lick it. The way she moved her hips was the very picture of lewdness.

It took only an instant for Yu-jin’s member to swell again, and he became a beast once more, pouncing on Ju Yun-hui.