“Chief of the Medical Department? Is it really you?”
I can’t believe the sudden turn of events.
The Chief of the Medical Department? Why is the Tang Family’s Chief of the Medical Department showing up in the Zhuge Family?
“Yeah. It’s me. Kang Yoon-ho.”
The Chief of the Medical Department nodded at me as if he wasn’t seeing ghosts.
“Do you know each other?”
Yes, Father-in-law. I do know him. He’s the one who would’ve been my right-hand man if things had gone differently. Ultimately, he had to impersonate the Tang Family’s son to survive.
Later on, during a critical moment, he supported me, treated Hwa-rin, and it was revealed that the hatred towards Joseon people stemmed from a painful past. We eventually parted ways with smiles, though.
“Protect Master Kang!”
My nod to Father-in-law and the martial artists from the Tang Family bursting into the Head Family’s Hall almost happened simultaneously.
“Charge!”
“Are the Tang people crazy? Do they even know where this is?”
“Get out of the way!”
“Protect Master Kang!”
What on earth is happening here?
The martial artists from the Tang Family rushed in, surrounding me tightly.
“Chief of the Medical Department. What’s going on with the Zhuge Family?”
In response to my question, the Chief of the Medical Department approached me with an expression that said to just trust him.
“I rushed over upon hearing the news. You can relax now.”
Relax? Not a chance; I’m about to lose my mind.
——
“Hey, Tang Family! What the hell do you think you’re doing here?”
“What are you doing? Can’t you subdue them?”
“Head of the Family! I need to take care of them right now…!”
“Tang Mu-ki.”
The Head Family’s Hall had become chaotic in an instant. At just a single word from Father-in-law, everyone fell silent and looked at him.
“The Chief of the Medical Department from the Sichuan Tang Family has come to meet the Head of the Zhuge Family.”
“What on earth is this nonsense?”
A raid on the Zhuge Family’s Head Family’s Hall? Father-in-law couldn’t hide the simmering rage and questioned the Chief of the Medical Department, who was politely greeting him.
“What nonsense? What in the world do you mean by that?”
The Chief of the Medical Department’s demeanor shifted instantly in response to the Head’s fury.
“Do you think this is some remote corner of Sichuan? How dare you disrespect the Head!”
“Ha!”
“Tang Mu-ki, you have unlawfully invaded the Head Family’s Hall of the Zhuge Family.”
At last, the Head’s fury erupted.
“Guh!”
“Ugh!”
Father-in-law simply sat there, but in a moment, a force that bewildered the Tang Family’s martial artists erupted from him.
“Protect Master Kang!”
“Ah, Dad!”
“You!”
As shocked voices erupted, Father-in-law finally retracted his aura.
Father-in-law, you really are a master. A few of the Tang’s martial artists, who felt Father-in-law’s energy instead of mine, turned pale.
Seeing the Zhuge Family Head’s dignity displayed by Father-in-law, he glared once more at the Chief of the Medical Department.
“Then you’d better explain yourself clearly.”
Is the Chief of the Medical Department okay? When I turned my head, he was glaring at the Head with an intense gaze that did not waver.
Chief of the Medical Department. What on earth is going on?
Why did you suddenly appear in the Zhuge Family? Why are you protecting me?
“…You dragged our nobleman away.”
“Hmm…?”
“Our nobleman from Sichuan Tang Family! You used armed forces to forcibly take him away! Are you now trying to brazenly show up here?”
“Ah.”
So that’s what happened.
“Kang Yoon-ho is officially treated as a nobleman in the Tang Family! The Zhuge Family should have known that! How could you use armed forces to drag a person away like a dog? Are you challenging the Tang Family?”
“…”
A silence fell over the Head Family’s Hall, which had been thriving with noise just moments ago.
“Cough, cough.”
“It seems there has been some misunderstanding between us.”
Father-in-law attempted to ease the situation, but by now, the Chief of the Medical Department’s wrath was unstoppable.
“Misunderstanding? Are you trying to deny that you didn’t know?!”
“…I knew.”
“You took our nobleman away! Used martial artists to intimidate him! Just a misunderstanding?! I never thought the Zhuge Family would be this dismissive of the Tang Family!!!”
“…”
Even Father-in-law, who had been spewing fury until just now, couldn’t retort against the Chief of the Medical Department’s words.
The Tang Family’s anger is legitimate.
No matter how the situation unfolded, from an outsider’s perspective, they had forcibly dragged me away using martial artists.
The followers may not think much of it, but touching the nobleman of the same faction, especially one with ties in the martial arts world, would certainly provoke the Tang Family.
It’s only natural they’d come rushing.
“Chief of the Medical Department. Please calm down. I think there’s been a misunderstanding here.”
I must calm him down too. As I tried to approach the Chief of the Medical Department, I was immediately blocked by other martial artists from the Tang Family.
“Stay out of this. This is not something that can be overlooked! It’s a matter of the pride of the Tang Family!”
I understand, we have someone special we’re watching over. If you suddenly drag them away after proclaiming it publicly, it’s a matter of face and pride.
But really, Chief of the Medical Department,
You see, I’m in a situation where I was captured while cohabitating with the Zhuge Family’s treasure without my Father-in-law’s permission.
“Tang Mu-ki. I understand the situation. So please withdraw now.”
My father-in-law, perhaps having assessed the situation, spoke calmly to the angry Chief of the Medical Department.
“Withdraw?!”
The Chief of the Medical Department’s brows furrowed.
“This is an internal family matter. Considering the relationship between the Tang Family and Zhuge Family, we will let you know later, so withdraw now and forgive the rudeness of today.”
“Forgive? Who exactly is forgiving whom? Just because this is a family matter, can you ignore our Sichuan Tang Family?”
“Those stubborn fools!”
Even as the Chief of the Medical Department stepped back a foot from Father-in-law’s stance, the Elders’ Council’s expressions turned grave.
Is this about to blow up?
“Tang Mu-ki.”
“This isn’t just any casual matter.”
The Chief of the Medical Department seemed determined not to leave until this was resolved, declaring to everyone.
“This is a delicate family matter. As it poses no harm to Kang Yoon-ho, if you withdraw now, we will arrange a place to clear any misunderstandings later.”
“Keep saying it’s a family matter. If it’s a family matter, the Sichuan Tang Family has no choice but to act as a family against a family.”
“Chief of the Medical Department!!!”
I quickly realized what the Chief of the Medical Department was trying to say and blocked him.
——
“Kang Yoon-ho….”
I’m going to lose my mind.
He says to withdraw because it’s an internal family matter. More important than the nobleman. So, if that’s the case, we will step in as families facing off against each other.
I didn’t even need to ask what the Chief of the Medical Department was going to say in front of everyone.
“That’s enough. I’ll handle this myself.”
Kang Yoon-ho is the son of the Tang Family Head.
To reveal my true identity, or rather, what I’m believed to be, I have no choice but to stop it myself.
“Your father sent me to look after you personally.”
What?!
Is that why you act as if you can’t back down at all? It was an order from the Tang Family Head?
“What? The Tang Family Head?”
“The Tang Family Head ordered you to look after Kang Yoon-ho?”
“Even if he’s treated as a nobleman, why would the Tang Family Head?”
This is bad. This is really bad.
The Chief of the Medical Department received orders from the Head. If it means not backing down, he’ll say anything.
I have no choice. I can only try to persuade him first.
Putting on a serious face, I spoke as if I were the sentimental son I portrayed in the Tang Family. As the head of the Tang Family’s first son, I addressed the Chief of the Medical Department.
“Since the day I left the Tang Family, I’ve let go of everything.”
Chief of the Medical Department, I appreciate your support, but this is something I need to resolve. We drew the line that day. So why are we suddenly back here?
“I know. Everyone saw it.”
You came knowing you crossed the line. The Chief of the Medical Department’s will was resolute.
“I am Kang Yoon-ho. The Black-haired Kang Yoon-ho. The Joseon person Kang Yoon-ho. So please, stop where you are.”
I won’t be treated as the son of the Tang Family.
Don’t treat me with reverence due to being the Head’s son; treat me like a regular Joseon person instead. Of course, I appreciate your anger on my behalf. It’s just that it’s a bit late now.
“Are you telling us to sit quietly after seeing this situation?!”
Unfortunately, it seems that the Chief of the Medical Department is getting irritated by my words.
“Master Kang!”
“We’re fine!”
I’m not fine. Why does everyone put on faces like they understand without a clue?
This is about to blow up. I have to make it clear that I am not the son of the Tang Family.
Let’s make it clear.
“I truly appreciate the effort of the Chief of the Medical Department from Sichuan Tang Family in personally coming here for the nobleman. However, further disturbance is…”
“Don’t worry. The discussion has already concluded in our family.”
The Chief of the Medical Department crossed the line far too easily.
“What do you mean? You’ve concluded your discussion?”
“Though your hair color may be black, how could we ignore the purple blood flowing within you?”
I don’t have purple blood!
“Purple blood?!”
“What’s that?!”
Elders, are your ears too sharp? No way? I subtly shifted my gaze toward Father-in-law.
I’m doomed.
You heard that? Father-in-law asked the Chief of the Medical Department with a stern face.
“Tang Mu-ki. Purple blood in Kang Yoon-ho? What do you mean by that?”
“Kang Yoon-ho. Master Kang Yoon-ho is the biological son of the Sichuan Tang Family Head.”
I’m really doomed.
——
“Kang Yoon-ho is the son of the Tang Family Head…?”
“What on earth is this?”
“Kang Yoon-ho?!”
“Are you saying this nonsense to protect him as a nobleman?”
The Head Family’s Hall erupted in even more chaos.
Father-in-law raised his hand to calm everyone down and then asked the Chief of the Medical Department again.
“Tang Mu-ki. As far as I know, Tang Baek-ho has only one son.”
“Correct! Isn’t he the one who came to the Zhuge Family last year to save his only son?”
“Suddenly claiming there’s another son!”
“Not a legitimate child. However, Master Yoon-ho is acknowledged by everyone in the Tang Family as truly the son of the Tang Family Head.”
The Chief of the Medical Department boldly revealed my identity.
Even though it’s fake.
“An illegitimate child?”
“No.”
“Not so?”
“Recently, his name was duly entered into the family register of the Tang Family.”
“What, what?!”
I’m hearing this for the first time. I asked the Chief of the Medical Department in surprise.
“Recently, the Head pushed for it on the anniversary of your mother’s passing. In the end, the Elders’ Council agreed as well.”
“…”
I can hear the situation getting complicated.
An illegitimate child.
Strictly speaking, I am neither a son of a concubine nor an illegitimate child. It’s just that the Tang Family Head and Hyang-a were not officially married.
An illegitimate child with no rights. But depending on the Head’s decision, I could gain the status of the firstborn.
I leveraged my position to give up all rights to save Hwa-rin and returned to Hubei Province.
And suddenly getting registered in the family register.
Of course, they wouldn’t make me the firstborn. That would threaten the political standing of the Deputy Head. Perhaps it means I’m registered in the family like other illegitimate children.
This is getting serious. The situation is entangling.
‘This means they’ve officially acknowledged me as the son of the Tang Family Head.’
What’s said verbally and what’s written in the family register have different meanings.
“Tang Mu-ki. I am Kang Yoon-ho. My name, which I have never once doubted. How could this happen?”
“You are still Kang Yoon-ho. But despite this unreasonable situation, some people are worried about you not even thinking of informing the family.”
“…”
Chief of the Medical Department, while I appreciate your consideration, I feel like I’m drowning in it right now.
“You’ve held on well until now. Now our Sichuan Tang Family will protect you.”
The Chief of the Medical Department patted my shoulder as if proud.
“Chief of the Medical Department…”
“Protect the son of the Tang Family Head!”
“Charge!”
I’m really going to lose my mind.
——
“I, the Chief of the Medical Department of the Tang Family, Tang Mu-ki, hereby raise an issue against the Zhuge Family, who forcibly took one of the only two sons of the Head, Tang Baek-ho!”
“Kang Yoon-ho…”
“It’s not my intention.”
Father-in-law, please save me. This is truly an unexpected situation. I shook my head at Father-in-law with all my might.
“I’ll arrange a separate meeting with the Tang Family in the future.”
How did it come to this? Father-in-law, in need of organizing his thoughts, rubbed his forehead before again speaking to the Chief of the Medical Department.
“In the future? Master Kang will be safely returned under our protection.”
“Kang Yoon-ho was brought here to be married to my daughter, Zhuge Hyang. Will that do?”
“…”
Ah.
That’s right.
In that moment, I suddenly recalled that there’s still a more complicated bomb left in this situation.
“We should contact the Tang Family separately. When a child gets married, the father should be present. It’s been a while since we last saw Tang Baek-ho, so I should see his face. Will that do?”
“No. It’s rather why I rushed over.”
“What?”
Three seconds before the explosion.
I locked eyes with my mother-in-law, who, like me, realized the future.
Three.
Two.
One.
“Master Kang Yoon-ho already has a fiancée! How could the Zhuge Family forcibly try to marry him?!”
Finally, the bomb has dropped.
