Bachelor [EN]: Chapter 44

The Beautiful Madams

Madam Eom had regained her composure, her face now a mask of neutrality as she idly turned the dragon-shaped ring Han Li had given her.

Behind her, Moon Chae-hwan’s dark eyes sparkled with curiosity as she observed Han Li. Her expression was unreadable, yet she exuded a subtle intelligence.

Han Li bowed calmly before Madam Eom.

“Greetings, Madam.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Madam Eom’s eyes. Han Li’s ordinary appearance was unexpected.

She didn’t immediately respond to his greeting, instead quietly raising her left hand to examine both the ring she possessed and the one Han Li had brought.

When Madam Eom removed her ring and placed it next to the other, the dragon patterns on the two rings merged perfectly, leaving no room for doubt.

“Very well, it’s genuine. Do you have a handwritten letter from my husband?”

Only then did a smile grace Madam Eom’s face as she asked gently. In response, Han Li handed over the prepared letter instead of answering verbally.

He then stepped aside, silently observing Madam Eom’s expression without uttering a word.

* * *

The letter’s contents were straightforward, as Han Li had reviewed them multiple times.

It stated that Han Li, the bearer of the letter, was a disciple of Master Moon and could be fully trusted. It also mentioned that he would resolve any difficulties the Moon family was facing.

Furthermore, after restoring peace to the Moon family, he was to choose one of the three daughters to marry, and as a dowry, he would receive the Nanyang Jade [a valuable jade].

Finally, it explained that Master Moon couldn’t return to the Moon family yet due to pressing matters, and they shouldn’t worry.

Even though Han Li had reviewed the letter’s contents several times, he knew there was a possibility that Master Moon had hidden a secret meaning through other means.

Nevertheless, he had brought the letter because he needed to gain the Moon family’s trust as quickly as possible.

He was now carefully observing Madam Eom’s every move, wary that she might suddenly change her mind while reading the letter and seek revenge on Master Moon.

Fortunately, after reading the entire letter, Madam Eom merely frowned and appeared worried, as if facing a difficult decision.

“Hwan-ah, go and bring the second, fourth, and fifth madams. Just tell them that news from the master has arrived!”

Madam Eom, turning her head slightly, ordered Moon Chae-hwan in a clear tone.

“Yes, Mother! I’ll go right away.”

Chae-hwan seemed to understand the seriousness of the matter and obediently accepted the order. However, just before leaving the room, she smiled faintly at Han Li, as if she had become intrigued by him.

“Han Li, is it?”

Madam Eom turned her head, her expression returning to one of dignified elegance.

“Yes, Madam.”

“Can you tell me how you became my husband’s disciple?”

Han Li answered obediently, and Madam Eom asked with a smile.

Han Li hesitated for a moment, but there was no reason to hide how Master Moon had taken him as a disciple, so he slowly began to recount the story of his selection.

“Eight years ago, my master was in seclusion on Noeul Mountain, where the Seven Hyun Sect of Wolju is located, as he hadn’t fully recovered from an old injury. It was then that I, who had just entered the sect, happened to meet my master…”

Han Li naturally explained how he became Master Moon’s disciple, mixing 70% truth with 30% lies. He omitted or altered information that Madam Eom shouldn’t know.

Madam Eom was engrossed in his story, listening intently.

“Thus, three months ago, my master was unable to leave due to an urgent matter. However, since he had been away from the Moon family for too long, he was worried that the madams would suffer under the pressure of other forces, so he sent me down the mountain first to come to the Moon family.”

“What happened to my husband that he couldn’t come to the Moon family?”

A sigh mixed with resentment escaped Madam Eom’s lips after hearing Han Li’s long story.

‘How could he come! It’s already been two years since Master Moon died,’ she thought inwardly, while outwardly answering Madam Eom’s question with a respectful expression.

“He didn’t tell me, a young disciple, but it must be a very important matter.”

“Hmph! Did your master order you to keep secrets from us?”

Madam Eom expressed her dissatisfaction with a subtle expression at Han Li’s ambiguous answer.

“Absolutely not!”

She was truly a suspicious woman. Just as she was about to speak again with a displeased expression, a commotion of footsteps sounded outside, and before the door could even open, a coquettish voice was heard.

“Fourth Madam, is it true that there’s news from my husband? That damned man, once he leaves, he makes us sisters live like widows for ten years!”

Han Li was momentarily stunned by the seductive voice and then startled.

“Third Madam, watch your words. There are other people in the room.”

Another person quietly scolded.

“I know, but the one who brought the letter is also my husband’s disciple! Surely he’s not another swindler. What do you think, Fifth Madam?”

“That’s unlikely. Just the fact that we were called here makes it almost certain.”

Another voice was heard as the coquettish voice asked with a laugh.

“That’s right! I also acknowledge Fourth Madam’s keen eye!”

The voice was also filled with laughter, making it unclear whether it was sarcastic or genuine praise.

Han Li glanced at Madam Eom while listening to the women’s conversation. She was holding her hand to her forehead, looking helpless. It was clear that the owner of that seductive voice was giving Madam Eom a headache.

The door opened, and finally, Master Moon’s various madams entered. Moon Chae-hwan followed closely behind, her red lips pouting as if she was angry.

The first to enter was the most handsome, with a scholarly aura in her eyes.

Han Li quietly nodded and shifted his gaze to the next young madam. The moment he saw her face, Han Li was shocked. She was so dazzlingly beautiful that nothing else could catch his eye. She was even comparable to Moon Ok-ju, whom he had seen during the day. She possessed a sensuality that Moon Ok-ju lacked.

While Han Li was in a daze, a cold energy unknowingly escaped from his dantian [energy center], swirling through his head and awakening him.

Startled, Han Li quickly regained his senses and lowered his head, avoiding the young madam’s eyes, never looking at her again.

‘That young madam’s beauty is truly enough to plunge a nation and its people into chaos. Just looking at her makes one become infatuated. But whether it’s because of her beauty or if she has mastered the art of seduction, I’ll have to wait and see,’ Han Li analyzed calmly even in his surprise.

The young madam was surprised to see Han Li, who had initially been dazed by her, immediately regain his senses and clear his mind.

* * *

Han Li was able to calm his mind and raise his head only after subtly activating the Everlasting Spring Art [a cultivation technique]. Then, he shifted his gaze to the other young madam who was entering.

This time, she was beautiful but had an icy expression, making it impossible for others to approach her carelessly. Moreover, the cold gaze she cast at Han Li as soon as she entered the room revealed a high level of inner strength.

Madam Eom, seeing them enter, immediately stood up and paid her respects.

“Second Madam, Third Madam, you have arrived. Fifth Madam, you’ve come too.”

“Fourth Madam, you’re being too formal. We’re all family, there’s no need for that.”

Before the eldest madam could speak, the owner of the fox-like voice covered her red lips and laughed. Han Li almost faltered again at the sight.

“How could I be negligent? Please, take the seat of honor first.”

Madam Eom smiled and offered her seat to the first woman who had entered, then stepped back and sat next to the other madams. The woman called Fifth Madam quietly took her seat opposite Madam Eom.

Moon Chae-hwan, who had entered the room following the madams, quietly stood behind her mother, her eyes rolling as if she was thinking about something.

“Is this young man the one who delivered the letter?”

“Yes. According to the letter, he is my husband’s disciple.”

When the madam sitting in the seat of honor asked, Madam Eom solemnly ordered Han Li.

“This is your Second Madam. Pay your respects.”

“Greetings, Second Madam!”

Han Li quickly obeyed the order and bowed to the madam in front of him.

“Rise. Since you are my husband’s beloved disciple, there is no need to be so formal in the future.”

The madam smiled, showing goodwill.

“These are your Third Madam and Fifth Madam.”

“Greetings, Third Madam, Fifth Madam!”

When Madam Eom pointed out the remaining madams, Han Li greeted them and then hesitated for a moment. Although they seemed only a few years older than him, he still bowed respectfully. Madam Eom, who had read the question in Han Li’s face, explained gently.

“Your Third Madam has a secret technique that makes her look young, but in fact, she is about the same age as Second Madam.”

Han Li secretly nodded at Madam Eom’s words, which were not different from his expectations. That seductive madam must have mastered a special secret art that not only made her look young but also allowed her to manipulate the hearts of others.

“Second Madam, this is my husband’s handwritten letter. Please take a look.”

Madam Eom showed the letter that Han Li had brought to all the other madams. Finally, after Madam Wang, the Fifth Madam, had read the letter, a moment of silence fell. Even Madam Ryu, the Third Madam, who had always been lighthearted, had a serious expression, hiding her usual lively and coquettish demeanor.

Han Li felt uneasy at the sight of the madams. He couldn’t figure out which part of the letter had caused them to make such expressions. However, on the surface, Han Li maintained a consistent demeanor, making him appear serious and trustworthy to the madams.

“Han Li, my madams and I are in a state of confusion due to your master’s sudden news, so we need to talk for a while. You must be very tired after coming from a long journey. Rest well in the Moon residence for now. I will call you again tomorrow.”

Madam Eom’s words were filled with an indescribable authority.

“Yes, I understand!”

Han Li obediently accepted her order. He appeared to be completely submissive to a senior of the sect. The other madams didn’t stop Madam Eom, as if they all had similar thoughts.

“Hwan-ah, give Han disciple a room in the back quarters of the mansion and help him rest.”

“Okay! I understand, Senior Han! Follow me.”

Moon Chae-hwan blinked and wrinkled her nose, initially seeming slightly displeased, but then smiled again, as if she had thought of something.

“Don’t bother your senior! If you do, you will be punished according to the family rules.”

“Yes. I understand!”

Madam Eom, who had already seen through her daughter’s thoughts, warned her in advance, and the girl pouted again and reluctantly answered. Moon Chae-hwan sulked and left the room first, and Han Li followed her without any change in expression. After Han Li and Moon Chae-hwan left the room, Madam Eom spoke first after a while.

“Fifth Madam, I’m sorry, but please keep an eye on the surroundings. That fellow might secretly return.”

Madam Wang, with a cold expression, immediately left the room silently and disappeared into the darkness.

“Fourth Madam, aren’t you being too wary of that fellow? Does he even have the ability to do that?”

A question arose on the beautiful face of the Third Madam.

“Third Madam, haven’t you noticed? It seems that my husband has taken an extraordinary child as his disciple. The security of the Moon family is already strict, and this place is especially where I handle important family matters, so the security here is even more thorough. For him to sneak in here without a sound and not be discovered, where there are at least twenty guards, he must be no ordinary master.”

Madam Eom explained calmly.

# 46