Ah-shin glared at the man bowing deeply before him. His name was Jung Do-yoon, once a minor official at the Gangseo provincial office. Now, he was known for wasting his days in idleness, with no honorable work to his name.

“Well, state your request.”

Ah-shin said coldly, his gaze sharp and dismissive, as if Jung Do-yoon were nothing more than an insect.

To Ah-shin, however, Jung Do-yoon was worse than a mere bug – a despicable man who had stooped so low as to offer his own bride as tribute in exchange for a government post.

Ah-shin thought to himself, A man like him would likely offer not just his bride but even his own liver and gallbladder if it meant getting what he wanted.

Jung Do-yoon, lacking in skill but overflowing with greed, had shamelessly sold his bride and now had the nerve to demand a reward.

The woman from last night had been far beyond what a man like Jung Do-yoon deserved.

“I-I only wish for a government position.”

“A government position, you say?”

Ah-shin repeated, his tone calm but probing.

“Would even a low-ranking post suffice?”

The reaction was instant. Jung Do-yoon faltered.

“T-that is…”

“So, a low-ranking position wouldn’t satisfy you. Is that what you’re saying?”

“T-that is correct.”

Jung Do-yoon admitted, his head still bowed.

“And does it matter if the position isn’t within Gangseo’s provincial office?”

Ah-shin continued, his sharp eyes fixed on the man’s every movement.

“Pardon?”

Jung Do-yoon jumped at the question, his entire body shaking. He didn’t even dare to raise his head, his shoulders visibly shaking under the weight of Ah-shin’s gaze.

“I’m asking if you’re willing to work in the imperial palace if I recommend you for a position in the capital.”

“H-how… how could I ever be so honored? It would be an immeasurable honor!”

‘Honor, my foot.’

Ah-shin smirked subtly, the amusement visible in his eyes.

He only called it an honor because he had no idea what a position in the imperial palace truly entailed. For someone like Jung Do-yoon, surviving in such a place would be nothing short of a miracle. The imperial court was no place for a small-minded provincial nobody.

Recommending him was one thing; whether he could withstand the challenges there was quite another. It was painfully obvious that this foolish man had no idea what he was getting himself into.

‘He’s thrilled, completely unaware that he’s being sent to the slaughter.’

Ah-shin thought, a flicker of amusement playing in his eyes.

For Jung Do-yoon, the idea of working in the imperial palace must have seemed like a dream come true. But Ah-shin could already picture the man’s terrified face, begging for mercy as he encountered the harsh realities of palace life. The thought was so vivid and ridiculous that Ah-shin had to fight not to laugh out loud.

“I will write a letter of recommendation. Take it to the capital and present it to the Hyeonwangbu. Once they see my letter, the Hyeonwangbu will arrange a position for you in the imperial palace. Out of respect for me, it won’t be a lowly position, but something reasonably respectable. Make the best of it.”

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Jung Do-yoon exclaimed, pressing his forehead to the ground in repeated bows of gratitude.

“And the wedding—it’s in two days, right?”

“Y-yes, that is correct.”

“Did your bride return home safely this morning?”

“Y-yes, she is resting now.”

“Your bride is quite something.”

Ah-shin remarked casually, his tone carrying a subtle edge.

“A delectable body, I must say.”

Any ordinary man would have been furious at such a remark, his blood boiling at the insult. But Jung Do-yoon remained silent, his head still bowed, his pride apparently non-existent.

In just two days, Yul-hye who was to be his wife had been thoroughly used by another man, yet Jung Do-yoon listened without the slightest flicker of discomfort. A man like that, Ah-shin thought, might as well not have the p*nis he was born with.

“It is an honor that she pleased you, my lord.”

Jung Do-yoon replied, bowing deeply, his voice devoid of shame.

Ah-shin smirked, leaning back slightly.

“She was tight at first, unaccustomed to a man’s touch. It took some effort to open her up. But once I broke her in, she responded quite eagerly. I couldn’t help but feel a little pity for you, though.”

His words dripped with cruel amusement.

“I’ve stretched her so much that on your wedding night, she’ll likely feel loose to you.”

The air between them hung heavy with the weight of the words, Ah-shin’s cruel dominance evident in every syllable, while Jung Do-yoon remained bowed, swallowing his pride like a man with nothing left to lose.

“I-it is more than enough that my lord was satisfied.”

“Is that so? I thought you’d say that,” Ah-shin replied, a faint smirk on his lips. “You strike me as a man full of loyalty and devotion.”

“Y-yes, my lord.”

Do-yoon replied quickly, bowing his head.

“Since your wedding is in two days, I’ll be generous and ensure she is with you on your wedding night. But for tonight, send her to my chambers again.”

“I-I will see to it, my lord.”

Unable to refuse, he groveled before Ah-shin, his submissive behaviour so pathetic that Ah-shin couldn’t help but feel a mocking laugh welling up inside him.

Ah-shin had dealt with countless spineless individuals like Jung Do-yoon before – people without shame or honour, always ready to betray at the slightest opportunity.

If a man could sacrifice his own wife for ambition, what wouldn’t he be willing to abandon?

It was for this very reason that Ah-shin never trusted such people. He used them to serve his purposes and discarded them the moment they lost their utility.

“I’ll also provide you with some gold to cover your travel expenses to the capital. Actually, you’ll need more than that to secure a house or settle properly. Consider this additional amount for that purpose.”

“I-I am deeply honored!”

Jung Do-yoon didn’t stop bowing when Ah-shin left the room. He remained on his knees, continuing his submissive gestures until Ah-shin was long gone.

***

“Do you think it’s wise not to increase your escort?”

Woo-gong asked cautiously as Ah-shin mounted his horse.

Woo-gong, the administrator responsible for overseeing the administration of Gangseo Province, was one of the few trusted aides Ah-shin brought with him from the capital. With a mind as cunning as a snake, quick action and keen instincts, Woo-gong’s exceptional usefulness was the reason Ah-shin kept him close.

“If assassins come, they’d be most welcome.”

Ah-shin replied casually, a hint of amusement in his tone.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to stretch my muscles.”

Fear of assassins had never crossed Ah-shin’s mind, nor would it. The nickname human butcher hadn’t been given to him without cause.

Ah-shin had earned the nickname human butcher for his unparalleled skill in killing with a single, devastating blow.