It had been a while since I made a girl cry with my writing.
When I was young and full of literary sensitivity, I confessed my love through words, only to witness her furious tears, saying, “Why would someone like you like me?”
For heaven’s sake, what was I supposed to do if she cried in front of a bunch of kids? Thanks to that, I became a laughing stock in the girls’ group and a target for ridicule among my friends.
Damn it, do you know how much PTSD I went through because of that?
Later on, I managed to cure my PTSD by humiliating a character based on you in a smut novel.
“Author, this female character is so lively. Is there a real model?”
“No, there isn’t. But when you imagine the character, think of short hair and upturned eyes, with smoky makeup too.”
Anyway, it was unexpected that Murong Sang-a burst into tears.
Why was she crying? All I needed was for her to say, “I will not kill Kang Yoon-ho.” That was it.
I was a bit flustered, but since I had decided to keep playing the sweet male lead, I casually wiped her tears with my sleeve.
Should I hug her and comfort her? Nah, we’re not that close yet. If I touched her and she pushed my hand away, I would be heartbroken too. So, I just wiped her tears with my sleeve.
Seriously, what kind of girl cries and looks this beautifully heart-trembling?
Ha. What kind of guy would make a girl like this fall for him? It has to be the protagonist who will show up in the future.
Having used up all my prepared tricks, it was time for the little skills and then to part ways. I took out a small vial from my pocket.
[What’s this?]
I pondered for a moment if I should write again, but since the important situation was over, I decided to speak instead.
“Congratulations on passing the test. Now, only the wedding remains. Here’s some tiger ointment for your bruises. It wouldn’t do for someone you’ll soon marry to have scars.”
I carefully applied the ointment on Murong Sang-a’s cheek. She looked a bit surprised at my active skinship, but thankfully, she didn’t reject my hand.
How about that? A man who can’t stand to see his woman get hurt. Sweet, right? Just to touch her heartstrings.
—
Even though there was an unexpected situation, I managed to calm Murong Sang-a’s emotions and could leave the room.
I didn’t know that Murong Family’s route was different, but she had a bit of an unexpected personality. Normally, she seemed to show little emotional change and didn’t express much. Who would have thought a few words would make her eyes well up with tears? No way could I have been that dazzling.
No, that can’t be it.
I laughed at the ridiculous thought. It was probably just that someone appeared who could lend a hand in her time of isolation.
Still, elevating her from calling me “that jerk” to “master” is a good thing. At least she’s starting to see me as an ally.
I had crossed the most important threshold of my goals.
It was like passing through the locust-infested border of Holo Pass in the Three Kingdoms. Now, all that’s left is to strike Dong Zhuo’s head, but I was the one whose head was on the chopping block, so it was time to run.
“The news of the rebellion won’t change by the wedding day.”
Only two days remained until the wedding. It would be sensible to assume Kang Yoon-ho’s family had already been taken for treason. The riders must be on their way to Yodong Province to convey the news of the rebellion.
Even if Murong Sang-a claimed all evidence against me was false and sent the news to Joseon, it would be too late. The fact that they had been dragged into the court was already a foregone conclusion.
The Kang family would face extinction. That grand premise would ultimately not change.
I had to recognize that while I could create variables, there were also things I could not.
“I must run right after hearing the news of the rebellion.”
Where am I now? The Murong Family, where the Demonic Cult is scheming. If the news of the rebellion spreads within the family, neither Murong Family members nor those involved with the Demonic Cult will wish me well.
“Brother-in-law, the betrothal gift was received well, but is there anything else? You have funds stashed away in the Central Plains, don’t you? Hand some over.”
“Hey, why is that all you’ve got? Do you want to follow me up to the rooftop?”
“Thinking about it, to improve relations with the merchants of Joseon’s ginseng trade, we need to send another gift.”
Then, I suppose he’d ask what it is.
“Your neck.”
Ugh… just thinking about it is horrifying.
I had never believed I could live safely as the good-for-nothing husband of the Murong Family. Given that this was a marriage between two clans, if one side faces extermination, there’s no way the marriage could endure.
To survive, my best option was ultimately to avoid death on the first night and escape.
As I walked, lost in thought, I reached near Murong Bi’s office.
“Master Kang Yoon-ho has arrived.”
Since I needed to tell him the results of the test, I had to show the good-for-nothing Kang Yoon-ho’s persona again.
“Welcome my brother-in-law. How did that girl, Sang-a, do? Should I gather people for tomorrow?”
Murong Bi welcomed me with wide-open arms, his face slightly expectant.
“She barely scraped by with a passing score.”
“Hm, you didn’t let her pass just because of her beauty, did you?”
“I thought of it as an opportunity to educate her foolishness, but it was disappointing. I worried a bit since there were rumors that she was a genius or a prodigy. But she kept getting answers wrong and barely managed to pass.”
When someone displeases you, it’s best to throw in some shade at someone you dislike.
“Yes, you noticed that well! You’ve keenly recognized that girl. She’s been vastly overrated! Without knowing that, her pride is skyrocketing.”
If Murong Sang-a is overrated, then you’re just a bunch of hot air. It’s this inferiority complex and resentment that makes people foolishly collaborate with the Demonic Cult and eventually lead to extermination.
“I do worry that she might return to her family thinking too highly of herself and act out.”
“Hm. Don’t worry too much about that. After practicing often, one can learn the nature of their opponent. That girl tends to endure and wait in a defensive position no matter the circumstance. Then, she looks for an opportunity. But brother-in-law, will you give her a chance to stand out in the family?”
“Haha. Of course not. I will make sure she keeps waiting.”
Indeed. Her problem is how observant she is in waiting for opportunities.
I was also worried about what one decisive move from Murong Sang-a could lead to.
“I’ve heard the news of the rebellion. Please just die for my sake.”
Upon hearing the news of extermination, she might reconsider her options.
Murong Sang-a could come to think about what the best choice is and consider killing me to seize Kang Yoon-ho’s wealth.
Therefore, I must remain vigilant until the moment of escape.
“It’s amazing that such things can be known through martial arts.”
“When you reach a higher level, the lower aspects become visible. Like the temperament of that girl Murong Sang-a.”
How could someone like that not see that they’re ruining their own family?
“Reaching a higher martial skill sounds like a dazzling prospect.”
“Now that I think about it, you haven’t trained in martial arts, right? Have you ever seen martial arts in practice?”
“I’ve seen the martial prowess of the Head of Guards, but only in a way that seems low-level; it’s designed for dealing with bandits.”
In this martial arts simulation world or whatever, I would think I could at least witness martial skills, yet I had never seen martial arts here.
Even digging through Kang Yoon-ho’s memories, the Head of Guards was the one with the highest martial skills around. Yet, even he didn’t seem to have that high a level.
“Hm… Well then, since I have free time today, would you like to see some martial arts?”
“Martial arts?”
“Could it be that the one who marries the daughter of the Murong Family has never seen martial arts? I can’t demonstrate it myself, but I will ensure you can witness the martial arts of the Murong Family.”
“Thanks to you, I have a chance to broaden my horizons. Thank you.”
Yeah, I want to see the orthodox martial arts of the Murong Family, not the demonic arts you use. I want to see the martial arts of a world I’ve watched countless times but never experienced.
“Okay. Is anyone outside?”
Murong Bi called someone over and ordered them to show me the martial arts of the Murong Family. I greeted Murong Bi, then headed to the training hall with the members of the Murong Family.
Am I finally going to see martial arts in this world?
—
“Head of Guards.”
After Kang Yoon-ho vanished, Murong Bi quietly called for the Head of Guards.
“Deputy Head of Family, is something wrong?”
The Head of Guards, appointed by the Deputy Head of Family after dismissing his father’s friend, was faithfully assisting Murong Bi as a member of the Demonic Cult.
“Did the guards watching the door report anything?”
Murong Bi trusted the reckless Kang Yoon-ho, but also recognized the power of his sister’s beauty, thus requesting confirmation from the Head of Guards.
“I couldn’t hear everything since the room is soundproof, but maybe because they’re on bad terms, they only exchanged a few words before continuing with the tests. I also heard that the young lady Murong Sang-a barely passed and that she burst into tears at the end.”
The Head of Guards briefly conveyed what he had heard from the guards in front of him.
“The girl cried? The one who didn’t shed a tear when she lost to me is crying? She really must have hated to lose. I missed a good show.”
Murong Bi sighed in genuine regret.
“I can’t even imagine that the world’s Murong Sang-a could be made to cry.”
“I was the one who brought them together! How can a couple be so at odds before even getting married? Ha ha. Isn’t it just a lovely development, Head of Guards?”
“Ha ha. I can already picture the unfortunate marriage of Murong Sang-a.”
“I chose that man myself, and he should at least meet those expectations.”
“Is there a man in the Central Plains who wouldn’t be shaken by the beauty of Lady Murong? A man who can make scathing remarks without caring about her looks, and who’s not swayed by women. Who would’ve thought he’d come from a foreign barbarian clan? Truly remarkable!”
The Head of Guards gazed at Murong Bi with admiration.
“Ha ha. Barbarian? He’s the precious brother-in-law who’ll take care of that girl and bring wealth to the family. Watch your words.”
Murong Sang-a was a rival to Murong Bi. The man who can give her trouble would even bring more wealth to the Murong Family.
Before long, in Murong Bi’s heart, Kang Yoon-ho had become his brother-in-law.
“I misspoke. My apologies.”
“Just know to be careful next time. Is the wedding preparation going well?”
“Yes, renowned figures from the martial world made various excuses not to attend, and it will be a small ceremony mainly among local elites and relatives.”
“Right. Why make a big deal out of that wedding? It doesn’t reflect well when a sister is married off to another country. To prevent rumors from spreading, we need to minimize external guests.”
“Yes, that’s a good decision.”
“Soon the tiresome rivalry with that woman will come to an end.”
“Congratulations in advance.”
“As always, I say you work hard, Head of Guards. The same goes for you. Once I become the Head of the family, I promise to repay you.”
“Is there anything to consider?”
From Murong Bi’s office, the sound of two men’s scheming laughter echoed.
