"No need."

Cheon So-hee answered Yukiko’s offer to teach her the art of seduction without hesitation.

"Yukiko is hurt! I offered this out of kindness, and you reject me right away. Why is that?!"

With her hand to her chest, Yukiko exaggeratedly bent her waist like a bow, making a show of being deeply wounded.

"Yun-ho oppa wouldn’t like it."

Cheon So-hee shook her head with a blank expression, unaffected by Number 6’s claim of being hurt.

She didn’t know exactly what Dongyeong ninja seduction techniques involved, but she was familiar with the methods of female assassins.

Casting lewd glances to lure a man into the bedroom, then severing his lifeline. There might be no rules in assassination, but that wasn’t to the Heavenly Killing Star’s taste.

Moreover, Cheon So-hee had another reason for avoiding seduction techniques.

‘I don’t want oppa to see me as a vulgar woman. If that’s the case...’

Cheon So-hee recalled the figure of a mature woman in her faint memories. A virtuous wife and wise mother, always kind and full of love—her mother. The precious memory of her childhood, now nearly faded.

If she had to become something, she wanted to become a woman like her mother.

Even if she were to change, she wanted to be a refined and noble wife, dressed gracefully in hanbok, waiting in the inner quarters for her husband busy with affairs outside—not a vulgar woman.

"Hehehe. Yukiko! I knew Number 5 would say that. But there’s a reason why Number 5 must learn the seduction techniques of Dongyeong kunoichi!"

Cheon So-hee’s refusal was within expectations. Number 6 laughed confidently at the Heavenly Killing Star.

"A reason?"

"Even when your whole body was tied up with black rope! Even when you shared the same bed! He didn’t lay a single finger on you, he said! Isn’t that right?"

"Yes. That’s right."

Cheon So-hee nodded without resistance.

"That’s just, just too strange! Any man in that situation would normally have indecent thoughts! He didn’t even touch a single hair on you without knowing you were the Heavenly Killing Star! Could it be he doesn’t see you as a woman at all?"

Number 6 coolly stabbed a dagger right into the heart of the Heavenly Killing Star.

"Oppa doesn’t see me as a woman?"

It hit. Yukiko watched as the Heavenly Killing Star’s face contorted like she had been struck by lightning in her mind.

"Huhuhu. Number 5’s expression is too funny."

A truly rare sight.

As her comrade, Number 6 could say with certainty that she had seen more expressions on Cheon So-hee’s face recently than in the past ten years combined.

That one man of fate could make the Heavenly Killing Star’s expressions so colorful—it was fascinating no matter how many times she saw it.

"Oppa... doesn’t?"

Cheon So-hee didn’t hear Yukiko’s mischievous laughter.

Oppa doesn’t see me as a woman?

No. That can’t be. How tenderly he looked at her. How lovingly his eyes watched her.

Even when she was bound by Seven Nights Restraint, even when they shared a bed, Cheon So-hee had never once felt disappointed or dissatisfied with Kang Yun-ho.

Rather, she always felt warmth in her heart from the way he stayed close, supported her, embraced her helplessness, and protected her. But indecent thoughts?

Would an ordinary man not have such thoughts in that situation? Why hadn’t oppa felt any desire toward her?

Was it because they were childhood friends? Because she was like a younger sister?

As Cheon So-hee began to question, an uneasy thought pushed through the tangle of her mind.

‘Then what about that woman?’

Cheon So-hee pictured the woman from the bookstore who was said to live and eat with Kang Yun-ho.

If he didn’t feel desire toward her because he saw her as a childhood friend or little sister, would he feel desire in a normal man-woman relationship?

No. That can’t be. Oppa wouldn’t harbor lust for another woman when he had her.

Cheon So-hee immediately denied it, but the unease that sprouted in a corner of her chest slowly dragged out the murky emotions hidden deep inside her.

"Cheon of Heavenly Killing Star is showing again! Calm yourself and listen to me! I’ve heard it’s possible for a man who truly cherishes a woman to treat her with such care!"

"Treat me with care?"

Among the murky emotions within her, a green sprout timidly raised its head.

"No matter how lustful he may feel, some men love a woman so much that they treat her like a treasure! Rare, but they exist!"

Number 6 seized the chance and fenced the sprout, giving it sunlight and water.

"Yes. That must be it. He said he thought of me for ten years."

Cheon So-hee nodded.

Oppa, who had kept her buried in his heart for ten years. At just a glance, he had remembered her name, even recalled the food she used to like as a child.

And didn’t he say it? That he became a storyteller because of his memories of her. That they were the only ones who knew the other was alive.

Just as Yun-ho oppa was the most precious person to her, she must be the most precious person to him.

The murky emotions in Cheon So-hee’s heart began to fade.

"Amazing! Truly the best man! A fated bond from heaven. He’s worthy of the Heavenly Killing Star."

Number 6 flattered her like a desperate clerk sweet-talking a hesitant female customer.

"Yes."

"But the love of that man may be more about loving you as a childhood friend or little sister than as a woman."

Number 6 didn’t want Cheon of Heavenly Killing Star to come out, but the unease was necessary. She grabbed hold of the unease trying to flee.

"What?"

"Of course, since you’ve even kissed, he must think of you as a woman, but it’s serious for a woman not to know any seduction techniques! If he keeps seeing you only as a little sister or childhood friend, his gaze might wander to another woman!"

"Oppa isn’t that kind of man."

"But the Heavenly Killing Star is that kind of woman, isn’t she?"

Your oppa may be a righteous man. But if you can’t show even a shred of charm as a woman, even a righteous man can be swayed.

Number 6 attacked her weakness, and the Heavenly Killing Star also saw the true intent in her words.

"......."

Cheon So-hee couldn’t argue. No, rather, too many things weighed on her.

The days with Yun-ho oppa. It wasn’t like there were no vulgar women who flirted around him.

Even when she was by his side. Though at the time, they weren’t in that kind of relationship. Oppa made a different expression when he looked at those women.

As Cheon So-hee recalled the way Kang Yun-ho giggled in front of other women, she unknowingly furrowed her brows, her lips pouting slightly.

If she didn’t learn seduction techniques and had no charm as a woman, would oppa’s eyes wander?

For a brief moment, Cheon So-hee closed her eyes and imagined a future where oppa giggled at another woman while she stood by his side.

No.

She hated it.

She hated it so much.

Cheon So-hee tightly shut her eyes.

"Yukiko! I’m not trying to teach you how to seduce a man, but how to protect your beloved from other women!"

If she didn’t learn seduction techniques, would she have to witness such scenes even while standing beside him?

If she learned seduction techniques, could she protect oppa?

Cheon So-hee imagined oppa giggling at her with a face full of affection because of her seduction.

Not bad.

No, it seemed alright.

Yes. If she could see a new side of oppa thanks to her effort, maybe it was worth learning.

"......Just a little."

"Hm?"

"I’ll just learn a little."

Cheon So-hee finally agreed to Yukiko’s persistent urging.

"Huhuhu. That’s the right attitude. First, I’ll show you the ultimate seduction stance of the kunoichi that I learned from Dongyeong."

"Alright."

"This is a stance that can captivate a man with an indifferent expression. Try it! Yukiko-style Ninja Art: Stance of Bewitchment! Nin-nin!"

Number 6 began to demonstrate a few postures that weren’t overt but could steal a man’s gaze in an instant, as long as he was aware of her.

The problem was, perhaps due to her eagerness, she looked less like a mature woman and more like a cheerful puppy enthusiastically responding to her master’s training.

Yukiko naturally had a face full of smiles and puppy-like features, which only made it more so.

"Like this?"

Cheon So-hee closely observed Yukiko’s puppy-like act of craving affection, then awkwardly mimicked the same stance.

But the effect was completely different.

The femininity radiating from her overwhelming physical grace was powerful enough to make any man’s brain tingle.

"Tsk... An assassin has no business being this well-developed."

"What?"

"N-no, nothing! I mean you’re a worthwhile talent to teach! Try it once more."

Yukiko quickly corrected her expression and resumed teaching with renewed enthusiasm. Yet, with every realization of the vast difference in effect from the same stance, her face could only be tinged with envy.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

-----------

"Do I really have to keep doing this?"

Cheon So-hee spoke in a doubtful tone, still unaware of how powerful her own body was, as she continued to strike strange poses.

"Eiiit! Do you know how hard it is for a childhood friend to become the main wife?! A rich noble lady suddenly appears, pretty-faced but black-hearted! A cross-dressing woman who looks amazing when she undresses! A scatterbrain who pretends to be clumsy but skillfully breaks through «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» the protagonist’s defenses! The position of a childhood friend is one where you must fend off these thieving cats coming at you one after another to win love! Nin-nin!"

Just where had Number 6 heard so many stories of childhood friends failing? Cheon So-hee couldn’t help but wonder as Number 6 passionately explained just how dangerous the position of a childhood friend was.

"The first seduction technique of the ninja arts. We’ll begin with the 'bread-in-mouth collision'! Nin-nin!"

I will definitely see a childhood friend win love for once. Number 6 burned with determination as she continued.

"Bread?"

"The first meeting needs to leave a strong impression! Even simple physical contact is powerful, but you’re not just healthy—you’re a bundle of seduction. It’ll be even easier! Now! Start by holding the bread in your mouth and being late!"

"First meeting? But I already met oppa."

"Urgh! To think my technique has already been countered without me knowing!"

"...I really don’t want to do this anymore."

"We’re not done yet! The next technique is Ninja Art Lucky Pervert! It’s a technique that naturally makes a man fall for the Heavenly Killing Star’s charm!"

"How does that work?"

"I’ll teach you how to bump into him and fall down naturally!"

"Bump into him and fall down?"

If someone runs at you, you avoid or cut them. Why would you bump into them?

And if you do bump into them, you should stand your ground. Why would you fall?

As Cheon So-hee gave her a puzzled look, Yukiko crossed her arms and declared confidently.

"Strict master Yukiko! I do not tolerate doubts! True Lucky Pervert technique is about creating the perfect falling position so the man doesn’t even notice! I’ll demonstrate! Follow me!"

Number 6 brought out a wooden jointed doll. Then, she naturally tripped and performed a breakfall to the floor.

She had clearly pushed it, yet somehow managed to claim the floor naturally. Even more, as she fell, she entwined her legs with the opponent’s so they would always land tangled together.

It was an advanced technique. Cheon So-hee admired Yukiko’s ninja arts.

"The important thing is that we must be the ones who are fallen upon! You have to make the man feel sorry while also imprinting the softness of a woman! Nin-nin!"

"Do I really have to do this?"

"Do you not want oppa’s love?! Do you want him to look at another woman?!"

"No."

"Then follow me!"

Cheon So-hee finally gave in and stood in front of the wooden dummy.

"Again!"

"Aren’t you going to make a shy face?"

"Again!"

"Actually, I think the blank expression works better! Look into the dummy’s eyes and let go indifferently. Just say one line!"

Yukiko’s seduction training was just as merciless as Salmak’s assassination training.

---------

While the two top assassins of Salmak exchanged their insights on seduction—

"He was captured by the Sichuan Tang Clan?"

News of Kang Yun-ho reached Cheon So-hee’s master, Dan Seowol.