“The Elders’ Council is coming? What does that mean?”
The deputy head of the family glanced at me and continued his report in response to the head’s question.
“It seems the information about Master Kang not being in the palace has leaked.”
“Did the Elders’ Council learn about the meeting today?”
“They seemed a bit skeptical, but it appears they have some knowledge.”
As the report concluded, my father-in-law’s brow furrowed in distress.
‘This is becoming a headache.’
I had hoped to gain his recognition and the council’s acceptance first, but I never expected them to come before I even had a chance to! I had already set up small schemes in advance, but one day wouldn’t be enough for it to work! I’d need at least a week… there’s no way I could run into problems this quickly.
‘Can I withstand the opposition from my father-in-law and the Elders’ Council at the same time?’
Was this fleeting opportunity slipping away like water? Just as a twinge of dismay started creeping in, I caught a grimace on my father-in-law’s face.
He finally spoke. “I have an engagement today, so ask them to schedule a different meeting.”
This was an unexpected rejection.
——
My father-in-law declining to meet with the Elders’ Council was confusing. Why would someone who opposes my marriage to Miss Zhuge do this?
“They claim they will wait until late.”
“Let them!”
Before I could even be curious, my father-in-law brusquely commanded the warrior who had come to deliver the message.
“He says he’ll wait without eating until you meet…”
“Are they skipping meals altogether?”
Skipping meals? While many these days often skip meals for diets or intermittent fasting, if the Elders’ Council says they won’t eat, it means something different. They are worried about me enough not to care for their own health. They are furious about the current situation.
Head of the Family, your authority is effective, but we will also show our protest. This is a warning shot.
It was only natural for a hint of alarm to flash across my father-in-law’s face.
“The Council has another message to pass on.”
“What is it?”
The warrior from the Zhuge family glanced around nervously before speaking in a hushed tone.
“They say they will not let this matter go unpunished.”
“…That’s a bit excessive.”
My father-in-law seemed baffled by the provocative statement, chuckling wryly.
“I’m so sorry! The Elders’ Council insisted I relay this!”
The warrior fumbled, seemingly unsure of how to respond to the head’s indignation.
‘If I mention bringing in a black-haired son-in-law, any clan would respond the same way.’
It wasn’t entirely incomprehensible. Something about bloodlines… barbarians… a family with over a thousand years of history… If the head of family were to marry a barbarian, all the elders would certainly revolt.
But the problem is… it’s really me!
What a daunting situation.
“Father…!”
The only person I could trust right now was my father-in-law. I had to somehow earn his favor. He stopped me with one hand as I was about to say something.
Was he about to say something? He looked at me thoughtfully without voicing any further remarks.
“Let’s go together.”
Damn. So I really have to face the Elders’ Council. There’s no avoiding it. I steeled myself and headed out the door.
‘Why are we going outside?’
Silently following my father-in-law, we soon stood before another door of the head family’s hall. Didn’t they say the Elders’ Council was inside the hall?
“Aren’t we meeting the Elders?”
“Just follow quietly.”
Exiting the hall and walking down the main road, we took a narrow alley. If I wasn’t careful, I could easily lose the person in front of me. Walking straight through the main road again and turning down yet another narrow path felt disorienting.
Maybe it’s because Zhuge’s clan is built according to the Eight Gates of Concealment; there were so many hidden alleys that it felt like roaming an endless FPS map. The buildings all looked similar, intensifying the feeling of being in a maze.
As I pondered whether I should ask a passerby for help if my father-in-law suddenly vanished, we arrived at a large gate.
“Head of the Family! What brings you here?”
The guards standing by the gate rushed toward us like soldiers meeting a commanding officer.
“Open the gate.”
“Uh?”
“Are you unable to comprehend?”
“Head of the Family, please hold on! It seems there has been a misunderstanding; I’ve yet to receive word from the Elders’ Council. I’ll send someone right away! Please wait a moment.”
“Open the gate.”
“…Yes!”
Who in the Zhuge family would dare ignore the head’s command? As my father-in-law impatiently ordered, the guards had no choice but to open the gate without hesitation.
“Follow me.”
My father-in-law indicated to me with a nod and resumed his pace.
‘Is this the foothills of Yung Jung Mountain?’
The path steepened as we walked uphill. Where on earth could we be going? If this is a place that needs the Elders’ Council’s approval, it must be important. Since I’ve been to the palace once, it can’t be there.
I wanted to ask where we were headed, but keeping up with my father-in-law’s quick steps was all I could manage.
“A pit?”
Ultimately, we halted at… a pit.
What kind of pit is this, big enough to be a small sports field? Cautiously approaching the edge, I looked down.
‘Can’t see the bottom.’
It looked black at the bottom. If I threw a rock, I’d only hear the sound of it falling; it wouldn’t land anytime soon.
So why are we here?
“Did you want to prove yourself to me?” my father-in-law asked, gazing down the pit for a moment before turning to me.
“Excuse me? Yes! Of course!”
“Jump down.”
“…Pardon?”
——————
An endless abyss. A bottomless pit. No matter how you describe it, it fits the scene before me perfectly. And now he wants me to jump?
“Are you trying to say this is Zhuge’s family tradition? To shout while kicking me down?”
If I fall, I doubt there’d be any bones left to recover.
I understand that I’m an unsuitable son-in-law in terms of Zhuge clan’s tradition. But still, this is a bit much.
I can’t jump down like this. To confront Zhuge’s tradition, should I channel my inner noblewoman from Joseon?
“What do you mean by that?”
As I pondered, my father-in-law looked at me as if asking what I was talking about.
“Are you trying to stick me down this pit because you absolutely won’t accept me as your son-in-law…?”
“Who am I, Zhang Mengde? Just because I don’t like someone doesn’t mean I’d bury them alive.”
What a misunderstanding. Of course, genocide is bad. I had firmly believed my father-in-law was different from historical tyrants.
“So what exactly is this…?”
Why did you tell me to jump?
“There’s a formation down there, created with great care by our ancestors.”
My father-in-law soon explained why I needed to jump.
“The Zhuge family’s formation?”
“A formation made for those who would be turning sides.”
“Are you talking about the martial artists or followers from the opposing faction?”
The Zhuge clan is a righteous faction. Those who would be considered “traitors” are from opposing sides.
“Indeed. It’s a measure to see if they’re truly worthy as individuals once they declare their allegiance to the righteous faction.”
“No wonder it looks so ominous.”
Of course, it seemed endless. Even the final boss, who specializes in escape, wouldn’t have it easy down there.
“I entered the formation over twenty years ago.”
My father-in-law gazed longingly down the pit, reminiscent of old times.
“Could it be that’s why you have such an explosive temperament?!”
I’ve heard rumors that he would rage if his daughter cohabited with a black-haired man without his permission.
He wasn’t angry over cohabitation; it was the side effects of the energy arts!
“Should I kick you down instead?”
“…That was a joke.”
Disappointingly, my father-in-law! Why can’t you appreciate humor just once?
Stepping back, I said, “Tsk. It was designed for those turning sides, but further renovations have turned it into a measure for the family’s direct bloodline.”
“It’s been modified as an evaluation of candidates for the Deputy Head of Family, I see.”
“…You’re quick on the uptake.”
My father-in-law looked at me with unexpected surprise.
That’s common sense. Repurposing facilities that are no longer needed into something useful is perfectly normal. Our old apartment memed a playground into parking lots.
If only we had something like this in Yodong Province, we might not have had these issues in the first place. I looked one more time at the pit that made me dizzy.
“Am I supposed to jump in there?”
But I’m not a Deputy Head of Family candidate! My father-in-law watched me for a moment in silence before heaved a sigh, wearing a wry expression.
“I still don’t recognize you as my son-in-law. However…”
“However?”
I met my father-in-law’s gaze.
While he seemed to be looking at me with dissatisfaction, there was a glint in his eyes suggesting he was thinking of someone else.
With a scoff, my father-in-law said, “I don’t want the Elders’ Council recklessly judging someone my family recognizes.”
If this keeps going, I’d only be kicked out after facing the council. He’s giving me a chance! Pass the character evaluation first.
Perhaps my father-in-law’s thoughts had been swayed more than I realized after our conversation.
“Of course, it will be quite difficult. If you don’t want to…”
“I’ll go in!”
This was a hard-earned opportunity. I had no reason to refuse.
———
“It’s not a life-threatening formation; it evaluates character, not martial prowess, so you can relax.”
As I agreed readily, my father-in-law looked slightly surprised before explaining.
“Fortunately.”
“Five rooms are inside. A resting area is available as you pass through each. If you feel like you cannot continue, ring the bell in there. That’s the way out.”
“Not crucial information, I suppose.”
That guy. My father-in-law’s eyes flickered but seemingly ignored it, continuing.
“The time limit is ten days. After that, the formation will cease, and you’ll remain.”
“Ten days means two days in each room then.”
“Do not stress too much. Even if you are of the direct line, it’s not guaranteed that everyone will complete every room. In fact, there are cases in a generation where everyone can manage to pass.”
“…”
A ten-day escape room? It seems like they’ll evaluate how many rooms I can clear based on my score.
“Do you have any questions?”
I raised my hand to ask the most critical one.
“Will meals be provided?”
My father-in-law sighed heavily. Why are you so displeased? If you’re going to force me into a hiking trip, you should have at least brought food.
“Food will be available in the resting areas.”
“If I accomplish this, will you recognize me in front of my father?”
Just like how my father-in-law was acknowledged in the past, would he recognize me as well?
Caught off guard by my unexpected question, my father-in-law stared at me for a moment before finally giving a slight nod.
“…While I can’t recognize you as a son-in-law, I’ll at least acknowledge you as a candidate.”
Good. There’s no need to hesitate anymore.
Now, I only have to show off as a trustworthy son-in-law. Standing in front of the pit, I confidently declared, taking a stance.
“I’ll see you in seven days.”
——
“Are we really jumping in?”
“…Bring a rope.”
