Chapter 40 Likes (2) - Martial Arts Masochist

“...Go over there, kneel, and face the wall.” First, let's set Cheongwol aside. She's a distraction. It's already hard enough to handle just Dang Solan in this situation, and having Cheongwol nearby makes focusing impossible. It's already overwhelming to manage one, but you're suggesting going two at it? Moreover, I believe SM isn't something to be done under many eyes. While exhibitionism and outdoor scenes are major themes in SM, the essence lies in concealment rather than exposure. The thrill is in keeping it a secret, unobserved and undetected—activities that are intimate and forbidden, never meant to be displayed. Yet, having Cheongwol watch the whole time...? No, I don't want that. Maybe that's why I prefer SM play strictly between two people. Whenever Cheongwol's gaze falls upon me, it makes me uneasy. It's almost as if her eyes are saying, "You were told to humiliate and cast her out, right? I'm watching how much you'll do. Remember what you did to me?" If you look at them, the two seem like mere adversaries. Had she lost the duel, Cheongwol would have been shaken, and vice versa, since Dang Solan lost, now Dang Solan is the one trembling. In the original narrative, Cheongwol even goes as far as to kill Dang Solan. Furthermore, she is ordered to torment and drive her out. However, I can't bring myself to go that far with Dang Solan. I don’t have a death wish. The Tang Clan of Sichuan is renowned for not forgetting grudges. I definitely don't want to be on their bad side. I have to carefully manage the balance. So, to keep anyone from having grievances, it seems best if Cheongwol doesn't witness any of this play. As long as her gaze exists, I won't be able to concentrate on Dang Solan. "…What?" "I said, go kneel over there and face the wall." Part of me feels honest about wanting to punish her a little. She's caused no end of trouble—I've been stressed out for days because of her. Just go stare at a wall. I can't afford to spare any attention for you. And today, please, just behave. "…Why does Dang-ssi get to sit on the chair, while I have to kneel—" "—Have you forgotten the rules?" The implication was clear: leave if you don't like it. "…" For a moment, something like betrayal flashed in Cheongwol's eyes, as if she couldn't believe I would tell her this. ...She is a masochist, isn't she? Given the chance to escape the shame and humiliation, and yet...? Scary, very scary... "…Fine." Apparently not wanting to leave, Cheongwol reluctantly turned her body, looking displeased. There was something forlorn about her footsteps as she headed to the wall. Even though they were brisk, her shoulders seemed to slump, and her movements slow. Both Dang Solan and I watched as Cheongwol walked away. After standing still for a moment before the wall, Cheongwol finally lowered herself to her knees in the corner, facing the wall alone. Even though I couldn't see her expression past her dark hair, I could sense the emotion weighing down her back. I had to ignore it, however. ...But she actually followed through. "…I don't understand." Dang Solan whispered quietly, seemingly unable to comprehend either my command or Cheongwol's compliance. "...Just what exactly were you doing here, sir?" Facing Dang Solan, I met her eyes and responded as if asking back. "Why, is there something you don't want to do?" Dang Solan opened her mouth to speak but then stopped, as if realizing something, with her lips slightly closed. "…Fine." "If that's the case, why express discontent?" "…" With a silent sigh, I pulled out the prepared rope, feeling my heart pounding. I discreetly wiped a trail of sweat off my forehead. Dang Solan's eyes sharpened at the sight of the rope in my hands. Until just now, she had been somewhat relaxed, but now she was clearly wary. I spoke as calmly as I could. "First, I'm going to tie your arm to the chair. Is that okay?" "Why would you tie my arm...!" I expected that kind of reaction. But there was no need for a deep explanation. "...Don't like it?" "Ugh...!" Dang Solan briefly bit her lip before glancing at Cheongwol, who remained facing the wall, and then replied. "...Fine." Following my words like Cheongwol, it seemed there was something to gain from this. The desperation to resolve her internal turmoil was evident in those few words. But the thing is, the rope barely withstands any pressure. Any martial artist of high caliber could easily break free if needed, so why the sensitivity to this? Perhaps the very notion of physical restraint elicits an instinctive aversion? Yet, strangely, I find myself tickled by all this as well. Despite feigning disapproval outwardly, Dang Solan's words of acceptance suggest otherwise. Not that her assertion of liking it holds any truth, but it does seem to touch upon something primal. That duplicity stirs something within me. I began tying Dang Solan's arm to the chair armrest. Slowly, take it slowly. I reminded myself. If I tied it too tightly, it could leave marks like hickeys on her body the next day. Let’s not go that far. Just bind her to prevent sudden movements. After securing her left arm, I moved to her right. As I moved, I noticed Cheongwol spying on me from the corner of her eye, clearly discontent with the situation. I was suddenly anxious, but I couldn't back down. “Didn’t I tell you to face the wall?” “…” “You’re really being difficult today, aren’t you?” -Whip. At that, Cheongwol returned her attention to the wall. Dang Solan glanced at both me and Cheongwol. In that fleeting moment, Dang Solan’s lips curled slightly upward. "..." "..." Both of us simultaneously realized it. ...Look at that? There’s undeniably something different about her. This isn’t a side I saw in the original story. But strangely enough, I like it. Maybe my approach is fitting. Dang Solan not being entirely composed makes doling out punishment more bearable. With a chuckle, I asked her. "Still think this is just a joke?" It is a game. But if I laugh, it will ruin the mood... "Should I tie it a bit tighter for her to take it seriously?" Dang Solan suppressed her laughter as she flexed her neck, her arms now fully bound to the chair. I stood over her, gazing down. To meet my eyes, she had to tilt her head back a fair bit. "...Is this all, sir?" Dang Solan asked. "I still don't really get it, and I don't feel anything." I fetched a small wooden footstool and placed it in front of her legs. "Put your legs up." "Alright." This time, her response was quicker. Dang Solan's legs were hoisted up onto the stool, and I began tying them together as well. Now her body instinctively twitched whenever my fingers brushed against her thighs or calves as if the touch stirred some innate aversion. Once tied up, I took a breath. Tying her had gone more smoothly than expected. It was what came next that was the issue... "..." "...Sir?" I had a plan, but should I really go through with it? I really don't want to. This frightens me. Will this prediction turn out right or completely misguided? Like with Cheongwol before, it's a leap of faith. This time, I need to take the plunge again. If Dang Solan utterly hates it, that's the end. But if she endures, even a little, there's hope. I threw a figurative coin into the air and looked at Dang Solan's feet, adorned with a pair of silk shoes, finely embroidered with a delicate green thread. Unlike the straw shoes a commoner like me would wear, these were items from an entirely different world. Their refined and pristine curves seemed to warn me, "Someone like you should not touch this." Could I ever afford such an item no matter how many years I slaved away in a leather workshop? ...But there's no time to dwell on that now. I extended my hand, pressing against her ankle, and grasped the shoe. Dang Solan gasped in surprise, exclaiming, "Wait—" -Swoosh! Without giving her a chance to stop me, I slipped off the shoe. "What, what are you doing!" In that instant, her bound legs revealed a soft, pale foot. Unlike the civilized Korea, where we often see each other's feet indoors, I hadn't had many chances here in Zhongyuan. Perhaps I've only ever seen the twisted, filthy feet of old men. This was the first young woman's foot I'd seen. Small and adorable, the foot was. Even the toes weren't very large. Delicate was the arch, and the skin... it was a hidden part, pale and untouched by exposure, as expected. Maybe from embarrassment, she curled her toes tightly. But with her arms and legs tied, she couldn't hide anything more. Though that shy sight was what I wanted to capture, I had no time to relish it now. I must proceed. I have to do this! For a sweeter reward later, now is the time to wield the stick. I needed to set up a fall, to humiliate her. A typically good person faces heaps of criticism for one mistake, yet when a bad one does a single kind act, they're praised. For now, I decided to play the villain. Slowly, I raised her silk shoe in the air. Observing me, Dang Solan's cheeks began to blush, as if foreseeing what was about to happen. "Wh-what are you..." Cheongwol, too, was now watching me, eyes wide open. But I didn't stop. Slowly, very slowly, I brought the shoe to my nose. "Sssssip..." I sniffed loudly, making an exaggerated sound. "Are you crazy!!" Dang Solan shouted, a look of genuine shock on her face. ...But why did it smell like herbs? Of course, I couldn't mention that. "...For all the pretense of hygiene," I sneered with a mocking smile. Her face contorted with shame. "…It smells a bit foul, doesn’t it?"