Master of Masters 34

Chapter 34: Choker [Koeyle, 59%]…

He Yue froze slightly, watching as the candle flame burned a red mark on Koeyle’s chin, the skin blistering slightly.

He lifted his hand, the back of his fingers brushing against Koeyle’s tense cheek, a fleeting touch.

It must have been painful, but the colonel, in order to please him, didn’t utter a single word of complaint. The hand gripping his wrist trembled with force, oblivious to the fact that he was hurting He Yue.

Like a drifting duckweed finally finding a sturdy pillar rooted in the riverbed, he clung to it desperately, no longer adrift on the surface.

He used all his strength, trying to dispel all traces of panic and worry.

He Yue moved the almost burned-out rose candle away, placing it on the table.

The candlelight flickered, and He Yue’s shadow on the wall swayed. His palm, warmed by the bottom of the candle, felt hot against the back of Koeyle’s hand.

“Koeyle, let go.”

“…No.” Koeyle lowered his head slightly, his forehead resting on the back of He Yue’s fingers, his soft refusal laced with guilt.

“You’re hurting me.”

Koeyle, covered in burns, immediately released his grip, as if He Yue’s reddened wrist was more painful than the wax dripping on his own body. Even though his eyes were covered, he apologized profusely, his concern seemingly able to penetrate the black cloth.

His hands flailed forward, touching He Yue several times.

“How bold, you dare to touch me now.”

Koeyle flinched, apologizing as he grabbed He Yue’s ankles with both hands. The fear of the unknown had overcome his almost instinctive obedience to commands, and he just clung to something.

“Want to take off that bothersome blindfold?” He Yue asked.

Koeyle nodded without hesitation. “As long as Master is willing to remove it, I’ll do anything.”

“Are you that scared?”

Koeyle, his thoughts exposed, lowered his head and remained silent.

His fear was childish. He Yue, who could read his prey’s mind, and Koeyle himself, both understood this clearly.

He was simply afraid of He Yue’s detachment, and the resulting insecurity. He was afraid of the prolonged silence in the studio, afraid that it meant he was the only one there, afraid of other insects entering, afraid…

That the pain inflicted on him wasn’t from He Yue.

Koeyle swallowed, the movement of his Adam’s apple tugging at the burn on his chin. He carefully held onto He Yue’s ankle and nodded earnestly.

His honesty surprised He Yue.

He Yue thought for a moment, then, instead of shaking off his hand, he covered Koeyle’s eyes with his palm.

The heavy weight and warmth of his palm could be felt through the cloth. Koeyle closed his eyes. Even though it was just as dark as before, the presence of He Yue’s hand was incredibly reassuring.

He Yue leaned closer, his cheek almost touching Koeyle’s ear. “I’m going to remove the solidified wax from your body.”

“Yes,” the warning triggered a thrill of excitement, and Koeyle asked softly, “Master, can you… remove the blindfold? I… can… whip, or precepts, anything… any number of times.”

He wasn’t in a position to make demands. Besides pleading, He Yue didn’t seem to like him setting conditions. He was slightly apprehensive, unable to see He Yue’s expression, unsure if he was truly angry.

He Yue’s hand remained on his eyes, the silence making Koeyle hold his breath.

“Master, please…” The colonel’s softened voice contrasted sharply with his physique, almost a childish plea.

He Yue was amused. “I can remove it, but…” He paused, drawing out the anticipation. “If you choose not to have it removed, I’ll give you a gift of security.”

“What, what gift?”

A gift of security was incredibly appealing to Koeyle; that was what he truly feared losing.

“Of course, you have to earn it first.” He Yue’s voice softened, now coaxing and gentle. “Want to try, Colonel Koeyle?”

Koeyle was momentarily dazed, unable to process the words.

“It’s a reward for good behavior, you’ll definitely like it, I promise.” He Yue’s fingertips touched his face, peeling off a piece of solidified wax and tossing it to the ground. “I’ll give you three seconds to consider.”

Before He Yue could even start counting, Koeyle quickly agreed.

This offer was incredibly tempting, and he wanted to know what could make him feel He Yue’s presence without having to cling to his hand or foot.

“Then, let go first.”

Koeyle hesitated, then released his grip on He Yue’s ankle, a reluctant look on his face.

“Good,” He Yue said, soothingly rubbing his head. “Good doggy, behave yourself, think about who you should be pleasing right now.”

He Yue’s footsteps faded away, each step echoing in Koeyle’s heart like a drumbeat. He walked to the bone whip hanging on the wall, gripped the handle, then put it down.

The atmosphere was just right; there was no need for such a brutal tool.

He Yue considered it. Koeyle’s skin was blistered from the hundred-degree wax, and using the bone whip, with its sharp spikes on each segment, would likely be fatal.

Whether it was fatal or not wasn’t the point; He Yue wanted to achieve his goal.

A woven rattan whip was more to his liking. Several thin strands of rattan were woven together, not too thick or too thin, the perfect feel in his hand. He Yue flexed his wrist, gripping the handle tightly, and raised the whip high.

The whip seemed to cut through the air, producing a sharp whistling sound. As usual, the thin layer of muscle on his arm tensed, full of power. He didn’t use his full strength, striking haphazardly, but controlled the direction and force, making the whip obediently follow his will, landing precisely where he intended.

His beautiful eyes flickered, dangerous yet alluring.

Every strike was calculated, landing on Koeyle’s chest, abdomen, or arms. This was both his obsessive-compulsive nature, which his trainer friends at Castle had teased him about countless times, and his near-fanatical perfectionism.

“Ugh… ah!”

The female insect at his feet cried out under the whip, each strike landing on his most sensitive areas. The wax shattered, falling to the ground in pieces. The blistered skin quickly broke, the force that had previously only left bright red marks now easily tearing through flesh.

Blood stained the wounds from the whip, and other areas as well.

Koeyle’s cries were louder than usual, filled with sobs. Moreover, the blindfold amplified his other senses, preventing him from distracting himself, forcing him to focus on the whip landing on his unseen body.

His most sensitive areas, repeatedly struck by the whip, quickly aroused him.

“Master… ah…!”

He cried out, but not in plea.

The whip continued to fall. Even in the darkness, he was certain that the insect wielding the whip with such skill and ruthlessness was He Yue.

His Master was watching him.

Just this thought intensified his already burning arousal.

He leaned back slightly, his hands, previously behind his back, now pressed against the floor. Everything was exposed to He Yue, no secrets hidden: his arousal, his pain, his burning excitement…

The colonel’s face was flushed to his ears, his innermost thoughts laid bare before He Yue, a source of unexpected shyness.

“Ahh…”

He didn’t suppress his moans, whether from pain or pleasure, everything presented to He Yue without reservation. Even if this gift was a sugar-coated poison, Koeyle welcomed it.

There wasn’t a single unblemished spot on his body, all the wax shattered, his skin bloody and raw. The exposed wounds stung, showing signs of inflammation.

Pain and pleasure surged through him, making him even dizzier. The moment the wax seal was broken, a sharp pain mixed with the long-suppressed orgasm erupted, forming a beautiful arc.

Koeyle lowered his head slightly, his body trembling in the afterglow. His consciousness gradually returned, and he knelt quietly, feeling the warm blood flowing over his skin.

He was like a child anxiously awaiting his grades, too nervous to ask.

He Yue, standing before him, let out a breath, tossing the blood-stained whip aside, and massaging his arm, feeling refreshed. He had enjoyed an almost perfect performance. The obedient little dog let him do as he pleased, not pleading for mercy even with the most severe wounds, only allowing him to admire his surrender to pain and pleasure.

He was in a very good mood.

This level of performance was top-notch, even by Castle’s standards. Even if the submission value calculated by the system wasn’t as high as a perfect 100%, this half-finished product would fetch an astounding price at a Castle auction.

He was extremely satisfied with his masterpiece.

“Are you satisfied with yourself, Colonel?” He Yue untied the knot behind Koeyle’s head, finally allowing him to see again.

His eyes, long accustomed to darkness, couldn’t adapt to the candlelight immediately. Koeyle blinked, first nodding, then shaking his head in a daze.

His body was covered in broken skin and burns, the force of the whip tearing through the wax and flesh. His condition could only be described as horrific. However, being a female insect had its advantages. While an ordinary human would be bedridden for ten days to half a month, Koeyle, with sufficient mental strength, could return to the training ground in two or three days.

It was just a flesh wound, and both of them prioritized immediate pleasure over safety, which wasn’t a concern.

Seeing He Yue’s prolonged silence, Koeyle felt uneasy. He looked away, ashamed, and said, “Perhaps, it wasn’t my best performance…”

“I’m very satisfied, Koeyle.”

Koeyle, about to continue wallowing in self-pity, was stopped by He Yue’s unreserved praise. He suppressed the upturn of his lips, unable to hide his happiness.

If he had a tail, it would be wagging like a propeller.

For the first time, Koeyle felt that the threshold for his happiness was so low.

“Then… Master,” Koeyle’s tear-stained face and the red marks from the removed wax looked pitiful. He opened his hands, his palms still stained with his own blood. “May I have my reward?”

Acting cute at the right moment was very effective in pleasing He Yue; this was another rule Colonel Koeyle had learned.

He Yue smiled and picked up the metal accessories from the damp cardboard box.

“You said this morning that you feel safer with something restraining your body. I have five in total. This is the largest one, and it won’t affect your training.”

Several small metal rings were linked together, forming a larger collar. Each small ring was about two knuckles wide, and when linked together, they formed a rather intricate large circle. Its size could be adjusted by adding or removing rings, and a leash could be attached to the buckle at the front.

He Yue had personally drawn the design, even detailing the engravings and patterns on each small ring. The craftsman from Castle, for some reason, had gone above and beyond in creating this exquisite piece.

“It has my name engraved on it. However, this also means that you can’t take it off without my permission.” The metallic sheen reflected on He Yue’s fingers. “Even when you leave this studio, you have to wear it.”

“It will become a part of your life, a constant reminder of whose dog you are.”

He Yue’s words still left some room for interpretation. He gazed gently at Koeyle, the sea of tolerance seemingly pulling the female insect into a new abyss.

He was waiting for an answer, waiting to verify the results of over a month, the fruits of 51%.

Koeyle pursed his lips, strange emotions stirring within him. He understood what He Yue meant by a gift of security.

The collar before him, gleaming under the candlelight, was a blatant trap.

It was the security he craved.

“I am your dog, not just in the studio, but outside as well.” His voice trembled, as if reciting a sacred, grand contract.

[Koeyle, 55%.]

He Yue leaned down, placing the collar around his neck, and fastened it with a click. He held Koeyle close, yet maintained a slight distance.

Koeyle’s heart calmed down along with the sound of the lock clicking shut. He reached out, wanting to embrace the person before him, but stopped, seeing the bloodstains on his hands and arms.

He Yue’s clothes were clean, without a single stain. In stark contrast, he himself looked dirty and disheveled.

“I commissioned five different accessories in total. This is the first one, and the one that will least affect your training.”

The specially made necklace was somewhat loose, not as tight against his skin as a choker. The slight pressure didn’t cause Koeyle any discomfort. On the contrary, its unobtrusive presence, not hindering his daily life or training, perfectly anchored his restless heart.

“Besides this, I have four more.”

He Yue fiddled with the collar around his neck.

His fingers moved to Koeyle’s chest, his eyes softening with a smile. “If we follow the order, here are the second and third.” Then, he flicked Koeyle’s now-flaccid penis, making it twitch slightly. “This is the fourth.”

He Yue chuckled, the candlelight flickering in his eyes. He took Koeyle’s blood-stained left ring finger and traced the base of it with his finger.

“Five.”

Koeyle’s breath hitched, his heart pounding.

“Want to work harder, Colonel Koeyle?”

“I will.”

Koeyle hadn’t yet recovered from his racing heart.

He repeated softly, cautiously:

“I will.”

[Koeyle, 59%.]

The studio lights came on, and He Yue blew out the candles, tossing the almost burned-out stubs into the trash can. The floor was stained with blood. Koeyle, covered in blood, got up from the floor and reached for the nearby mop.

“It’s very late, clean it up tomorrow.” He Yue opened the window, trying to air out the scent of aromatherapy and blood from the studio. Seeing the still-wet blood on Koeyle’s body, he said with a hint of concern, “Do your wounds need to be treated?”

Koeyle shook his head. “They’ll heal soon, it’s just flesh wounds.”

He Yue still retrieved the first-aid kit from the cabinet and tossed him some ointment from Castle. “Even if it’s just for pain relief, it will make you feel better.”

“Thank you, Master.”

He Yue felt tired and wanted to rest quickly. Seeing Koeyle still standing there, seemingly lost in thought, he asked, “Is there anything else?”

“This…”

Koeyle walked up to He Yue and squeezed a bit of the ointment he had just received onto He Yue’s wrist. It was the red mark he had left earlier, clearly visible against He Yue’s pale skin.

Even in the candlelight, Koeyle had constantly noticed the redness on He Yue’s wrist, and now, with the lights on, he couldn’t look away. As he got up from the floor, he carefully wiped his fingers clean on an unstained part of the floor, removing the bloodstains.

He carefully applied the ointment, taking the opportunity to massage He Yue’s wrist in circular motions.

This female colonel’s attentiveness surprised even He Yue.

“Does it still hurt?” Koeyle asked, covered in his own injuries, as he applied the ointment to He Yue.

He Yue sighed helplessly. “If you wait any longer, the redness will be completely gone.”

“I’m sorry, Master, I didn’t mean to.”

“I’m really fine, and I don’t mind, don’t overthink it.” He Yue fiddled with the collar around Koeyle’s neck, his tone gentle.

Koeyle closed the ointment and asked, “Are Master’s shoulders tired? Your arms?”

He Yue chuckled. “What are you trying to say?”

“Can I stay with Master a little longer?”

Koeyle, driven by an unknown anxiety, tried every possible way to prolong their time together. Yet, all his ideas were just trivial little tricks.

A drop of blood from his arm dripped onto the floor.

He Yue’s teasing words had left him in a daze. He felt it was a pity to part ways like this, wanting to stay a little longer.

He Yue stared at him for a moment, his scrutinizing gaze seemingly able to see through his thoughts.

“Clean yourself up and come to my room.” He Yue didn’t react to his surprised expression, instead squatting down and taking a few rolls of bandages from the first-aid kit, placing them in Koeyle’s hands. “Don’t miss a single spot. Come and let me inspect it.”

“Yes.” Koeyle nodded, satisfied.

He Yue was truly tired, and after washing up, he felt even drowsier. This kind of strenuous activity, coupled with the time it took, was a bit much for his male insect body.

Just consider it exercise…

When Koeyle entered, he was almost completely wrapped in bandages, from hands to feet. He was about to kneel by the bed when He Yue stopped him.

“Just sit beside me, keep me company for a bit, then go back.”

Prey would develop a certain degree of dependence on the hunter after such activities; He Yue knew this well. The ointment on his wrist had long been absorbed, leaving a cool sensation.

He lay on the bed and extended his right hand.

“Massage my hand.”

Koeyle immediately moved closer, skillfully massaging the muscles in his arm.

His relaxed arm was soft, the muscles not particularly developed, but not thin either, perfectly complementing his physique. Koeyle kneaded carefully, afraid of leaving lasting marks like those on He Yue’s wrist.

His massage technique was excellent. Even as a military female, he had learned many first-aid and treatment methods for emergencies.

He saw He Yue let out a comfortable moan and turn to lie on his side, facing him. He Yue’s head was close to the edge of the bed, and if he turned over again, he would probably fall off. This brought him very close to Koeyle, who was sitting at the edge of the bed.

Exhaustion and the comfortable massage quickly lulled He Yue to sleep, without even exchanging any words.

Koeyle stopped, gazing at the sleeping He Yue. He was still not used to the collar he had just been given. His fingers unconsciously traced the small rings, his gaze softening.

He gently caressed He Yue’s cheek, the back of his fingers lightly brushing against the delicate skin.

Even now, his left ring finger still felt warm. He hadn’t recovered yet, or perhaps, he wouldn’t recover for a long, long time.

Just a sliver of hope and fantasy was enough to make him yearn.

Hopeless, Koeyle.

He chuckled self-deprecatingly, got up, turned off the lights, and lay down on the floor beside the bed.

There was a carpet on the floor, but it definitely wasn’t as comfortable as the bed. However, it felt like he was sleeping beside He Yue, being able to hear his soft, steady breathing, and that was enough to make him feel incredibly content.

As for sharing a bed, Koeyle hadn’t even considered it. Sleeping beside He Yue’s bed was already a violation of his orders, and he could only hope that his biological clock was accurate enough to wake him up early tomorrow morning.

He heard He Yue turn over in bed, wrapping himself more tightly in the quilt.

Koeyle, on the floor, smiled and moved closer to the bed, his bandaged arm almost touching the edge.

When would he receive the metal ring for his ring finger?

Koeyle fell asleep with this thought in mind.