Kofi thanks to: Aeru
Just like the time when he came on his own after putting up posters all over Cheonghwa Town after Muwon was not even able to find a single hair, Cheongyeon came first again this time.
Back then, Muwon had been the one looking for him, but even after letting him go this time, it was as if this damn crucian carp had jumped onto the ship of his own accord. Cheongyeon, unable to believe he had encountered Muwon in the middle of the ocean, didn’t even think to pull away his cheek that was being grabbed.
“…I passed as a cabin cleaner… so.”
His plump lips moved as he spoke.
“A cleaner?”
This time, Cheongyeon introduced himself as a cleaner. Of course, it wasn’t likely to be a lie. Apart from Peira members, the only others who could board the ship were invited guests or service contractors. Since no one would have invited Cheongyeon, it made sense that he boarded as a contractor, assuming he hadn’t snuck in and hid like a rat.
Muwon let go of Cheongyeon’s soft cheek that was tickling his fingers. Then, he grabbed Cheongyeon by the ankle as he sat awkwardly. As Muwon stood up, Cheongyeon’s body lost balance and fell backward.
Wondering if he was about to be chopped at the wrist or ankle, or if he was about to be thrown out of the ship, Cheongyeon struggled to free his foot but couldn’t against the other’s strong grip.
Muwon suddenly took off Cheongyeon’s shoe. The worn-out sneaker fell to the ground and rolled away. Cheongyeon, terrified, looked up at Muwon. The latter then shoved his hand inside the sock.
His rough hand stimulated the soft skin as if scraping with sandpaper. He pulled out a roll of bills hidden inside the sock. Cheongyeon, who was robbed of his secret treasury, reached out to take it back, but Muwon raised his arm higher with the money in hand.
“Why would someone with money board the ship?”
Fearing he might be thrown into the dark sea to become fish food if he didn’t answer properly, Cheongyeon hurriedly responded while one leg was still caught and his waist lifted.
“I- It’s inconvenient…!”
At that moment, a group came up from the cabin, chattering. Nevertheless, Muwon did not take his gaze off Cheongyeon. Cheongyeon locked eyes with the newcomers and they seemed about to draw their swords when,
“If you don’t want to die, go back up and be on the lookout.”
Without even turning around, Muwon let out a threatening voice. The Peira lower deck crew recognized his identity upon hearing his voice. They all knew Muwon was not supposed to be onboard the Peira ship. However, his sudden appearance raised no questions. His presence here simply was what it was.
Cheongyeon shivered in the cold sea breeze. Though he expected no rescue from the crew, he was surprised they left as if nothing had happened.
Once Muwon finally released his grip, Cheongyeon quickly picked up his shoe that had rolled away and kneeled. Despite the hard deck pressing against his knees, he didn’t feel the pain, his body moving instinctively.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Fuck, are you going to confess or something?”
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The white sock that had been exposed from the removed sneaker pressed down on Tae Muwon’s shoe. Tae Muwon exhaled sharply.
“Sorry…”
Cheongyeon quickly withdrew his foot, while his gaze lingered on the bundle of bills. Worried it might fly away or be thrown by Tae Muwon, his eyes were filled with anxiety.
“Little flea, am I eating your liver?”
Muwon, speaking softly, shoved the bills into the shoe Cheongyeon was holding. Then, he grabbed his arm and began striding somewhere. Cheongyeon stumbled along until he was pushed against a railing.
As soon as the cold iron pillar touched his back, he was startled. To the side of the line of sight was the anchor that Tae Muwon had gotten onto the ship with. The hook-shaped anchor seemed like it would leave a big scar if it was handled incorrectly.
Tae Muwon, who pushed him against the railing, removed the anchor and wrapped the attached rope around his body a couple of times. Then he placed the anchor again on the railing. Cheongyeon reflexively looked around. Knowing no one would help him, it was just an instinctual action.
“Why… why are you doing this…”
Tightly bound, Cheongyeon looked almost tearful. Muwon, with a villainous expression, said,
“A confessing guy shouldn’t be too comfortable, right?”
Cheongyeon shook his head fervently, implying he had no guilt. Splashed by the sea, drops of water dotted his cheek. The waves, foaming like an enraged beast, continuously crashed against the ship and raised white foam. Cheongyeon, who had been too scared to even approach the railing, trembled in fear with the pitch-black sea behind him and the man with bright yellow eyes in front of him. The tip of his nose turned red from the cold, and he shivered, holding onto his shoe desperately.
“I’m telling the truth, I truly applied as a cabin cleaner, and the interviewer selected me.”
Cheongyeon raised his quivering voice, which was akin to a goat’s bleat. Muwon glanced down at his shoe, dismissive of his excuse as if it were trifling.
“Money… the more, the better.”
Tae Muwon let out a laugh more ferocious than the harshly crashing waves of the night. Then, he seemed like he was about to leave Cheongyeon on the railing as if he had nothing more to see.
“With Hwang Ran!”
Cheongyeon shouted at Muwon’s back. Only then did Muwon turn around. Perhaps due to his large strides, he had already created a significant distance after just a few steps.
“I wanted to trade with Hwang Ran, that merchant from Nok!”
Cheongyeon hadn’t boarded the Peira ship without any thought, just because he knew Muwon would not be aboard. Before boarding, he had endlessly contemplated possible scenarios. Although these might have been as futile as when he was abducted to the Marine Building, he had still prepared as best as he could for every situation, including encountering Muwon. If he claimed he boarded to earn money, Muwon would surely be suspicious, considering the large sum he had given Cheongyeon.
However, it was not possible to hide that money somewhere in the apothecary, given he would be away for nearly a month. He needed to keep it securely with him for peace of mind. Otherwise, he would have been anxious about the safety of the 20,000 hwan every hour.
“Previously, you saved my life at the waterway… I didn’t do the deal with Hwang Ran because you told me not to.”
Despite adding excuses upon excuses, Muwon neither approached nor receded.
“But when I thought about it, I felt so regretful… I missed the opportunity to make a lot of money…!”
Cheongyeon raised his voice again, fearing Muwon wouldn’t hear him.
“Should I listen to such bullshit excuses?”
Muwon suspected Cheongyeon of sneaking and hiding in Nok leaving behind Cheonghwa Town. Or he might even be harboring unknown ulterior motives. He must have boarded it after knowing the rumor that he wasn’t onboard.
A guy who wanted to be away from him applied to be a cabin cleaner? There was no way. However, the excuse of regretting a failed contract was plausible. Yet, Muwon felt a nagging sensation as if he’d been hit on the back of his head. His instincts told him to doubt Cheongyeon, but was his intuition even reliable with this guy?
“It’s not an excuse! It’s true…”
Bound by ropes and pleading to be believed, Cheongyeon’s face was pitiful. It seemed like he was determined to protect the shoe with the money in it even if he were to drown, his grip on the shoe was deathly white.
Given his greed for money, he probably did regret not dealing with Hwang Ran for a long time. Realizing he had tried to empathize with Cheongyeon again, Muwon was appalled.
He made up his mind to leave Cheongyeon tied up on the deck to shiver in the cold all night and then bake under the noon sun. Then, he would ask him again what his true motives are. Until he confessed, he was not letting him get even a sip of water or anything to eat.
With that, Muwon turned away. The voice calling out “Muwon-nim…” was annoying. As he headed to the cabin, he thought of putting a gag in Cheongyeon’s mouth if he called his name once more. However, soon, no further sound came. He probably gave up.
As Muwon descended the stairs, he abruptly stopped, hearing what seemed like sobbing cutting through the sound of the rough waves.
Rushing back up faster than he had come down, Muwon found Cheongyeon looking more fragile than a snapped flower, tied to the railing. The anchor that secured Cheongyeon’s body felt like a more shitty thing than anything else in the world.
Muwon approached him, swallowing curses.
He thought he was crying, but he found Cheongyeon merely sniffling from the cold. His pale face, already white, looked up at Muwon, evidently relieved to see him return.
Muwon internally harrumphed, what did this guy take him for? It was clear Cheongyeon thought of him lenient despite saying he was scary.
Plopping down in front of the railing-bound Cheongyeon, Muwon called out:
“Bring me some liquor!”
Startled at the roar, Cheongyeon jolted. With the news of Muwon’s boarding spreading rapidly across the Peira, his crew were all awake and were on high alert, ready at a moment’s notice. Shortly after his command, a bottle of liquor was presented to him.
The crew, sensing Muwon’s irritable mood, withdrew quietly without a word. They might have wondered why Cheongyeon was tied up but dared not ask, speculating perhaps Muwon had abnormal sexual tastes.
He opened the bottle roughly and half-heartedly drank it while sitting down, making his throat ring.
“Must’ve been thrilled boarding thinking I wasn’t here, but it sucks to see me, isn’t it?”
He laughed as he spoke, making Cheongyeon shake his head again.
“…I didn’t know.”
“Oh, you thought I’d be here?”
“No, I didn’t know whether you’d be boarding or not. I just…, for the trade… I applied.”
Muwon felt played by the innocent-looking apothecary. Despite his desire to deal with Hwang Ran, he claimed to have spared no thought for Muwon.
“So you’re scared upon seeing me?”
“I thought… it was a pirate and I was going to be killed…”
“Since I am a pirate, should I fulfill your expectations and kill you?”
“…D- don’t kill me! I won’t deal with Hwang Ran.”
Muwon took another gulp of alcohol.
“Do it.”
Cheongyeon flinched as if struck by lightning. Muwon said, wiping his alcohol-stained lips with the back of his hand.
“With me, instead.”
‘Do it. With me.’ Waaaaa OMG <3
Am I the only one who thought dirty?
Seremos dos las que pensaron sucio? Jaja
Excuse me… “Do what?” Exactly?
I couldn’t lie any further Cheongyeon huge huge respect 🫡 thank you for the update ❤️
Muwon is insane. I truly look forward to the groveling arc 😂😂😂
How will he undo this damage?
Wow 😳 naughty Muwon don’t torture my bb Cheongyeon like that!