“Are you all really okay with that?”
The Head Family’s Hall of the Zhuge Family. Zhuge Geuk hastily closed the book he was reading and had to welcome the suddenly assembled Elders’ Council.
“If the Head of the Family agrees to the Elders’ proposal, we would like to proceed accordingly.”
“Hmm.”
“Is it too much of a demand?”
“No, not at all. I just need some time to think about this unexpected proposal.”
Zhuge Geuk calmly surveyed the faces of the gathered Elders. Even if he pretended to ponder for a moment, no other stories would spill out.
Indeed, it’s Elder Councilman after all.
To gather the Elders’ opinions in such a turmoil over bringing a black-haired son-in-law was impressive.
“Isn’t this a good proposal for the Head of the Family as well? If you want to be the son-in-law of the Zhuge family, this much should be expected.”
The Head of the Family didn’t particularly refute. Surely the story brought up by the Elders was a proposal that highlighted their insight.
The only problem was how the person receiving the proposal would react.
“Very well. Let’s call Kang Yoon-ho and discuss it.”
It was just a matter of seeing if the thief who stole his daughter’s heart could also steal the Elders’ hearts.
*
If the biggest topic of the Zhuge family right now was to be decided, it would undoubtedly involve Ho Pil and the black-haired son-in-law.
The Ho Pil of the Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes. The black-haired man who came to marry the youngest daughter of the Head of the Family. Naturally, the two were the same person, so the current biggest interest of the Zhuge family was me, Kang Yoon-ho.
“The Head of the Family canceled the morning schedule. Did something happen?”
“Did you not hear the news?”
“What news?”
“Didn’t the Head of the Family have a meeting with the Elders yesterday? Because of that black-haired guy.”
“I came back yesterday and only heard bits and pieces. What on earth is Zhuge Hyang thinking? A black-haired son-in-law! Is that even appropriate for the Zhuge family?”
“That black-haired fellow passed through the Hongcheonmirijin in just seven days.”
“What?! The Hongcheonmirijin?! Seven days?! Isn’t this the first time since the Head of the Family passed through?”
“Because of that, they couldn’t just kick him out right away, and they had that meeting yesterday. The Head of the Family must have a headache over this.”
“Seems like things are getting complicated. The Head of the Family must hardly have slept and be filled with worries.”
I could hear every possible topic just by walking around a bit.
— That black-haired guy, huh?
— That guy is with that innocent girl… tsk tsk.
— The Head of the Family must be having a tough time.
It’s nice to be concerned about the Head of the Family, discussing the Elders’ matters, and thinking about Zhuge Soja’s future, but—
“Who’s looking after my feelings?”
I sighed deeply.
The meeting itself was successful. I had guided the sharks in the desired direction and caught the big fish. However, no matter how skilled a fisherman you are, you’d still be tired after a day’s work.
Let alone, through the meeting, I had to endure a barrage of angry concentrated fire from the Elders.
I felt like a punching bag.
I was mentally exhausted. I tried to sleep right after the meeting ended, but perhaps because the tension from yesterday wouldn’t fade, it felt like I was in the middle of the enemy territory, and I couldn’t relax easily.
This is bad. I’m lacking sleep even though a conclusion hasn’t been reached yet. I should be getting some rest.
It was truly a situation that called for extraordinary measures.
“Um…”
Of course, there were methods available.
“Is this Master Kang?”
Being completely on my side, just having her next to me filled me with a sense of security.
“Is this Master Kang indeed?”
I could just hug the gentle and warm Miss Zhuge.
“Yes, Miss Zhuge.”
I wrapped my arms around Miss Zhuge from behind and rested my chin on her shoulder, asking,
“W-what’s going on?”
Was my sudden embrace unexpected? Her tensed-up shoulders felt stiff against my chin, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I think I can recover if I stay like this.”
“Y-yes…?”
——
With my eyes closed, leaning my chin on her shoulder, the chill in the air contrasted with her warmth, warmer than any heater. The delicate scent of hydrangeas brushed past my nose. It was the calming fragrance of Miss Zhuge.
I leaned my heart against her. Unknowingly, my tension eased, and a pleasant sense of relaxation wrapped around my body.
Oops. As my body relaxed, my weight leaned onto Miss Zhuge. She must be a martial artist; she held me up gently even with her tensed body, as if not to worry me.
“Um… Did it get resolved well?”
I could feel her tightly wound shoulders loosening beneath my chin. Her cautious voice tickled my ears.
“I don’t know about rabbit ears, but I think I’ve put the stockings on.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“I believe it’s almost achieved, so I’m saying I need some mental stability.”
I had been refraining from physical contact, not wanting to cross the line. But after the sleeping incident and the time during Hongcheonmirijin, knowing the warmth from someone who cared about me made it hard to hold back.
I wanted to lie down on the bed like this. But if I did, I felt like I’d really cause an accident.
“Ahhh… Ahhh! So, is that how it was?!”
“Miss Zhuge, do you dislike this position?”
“N-no, it’s not that I dislike it!”
Miss Zhuge must have turned her head toward me. A strangely heated breath brushed against my cheek.
“I’m really not sure what the grandpas don’t like. I thought I would really fall apart!”
Misunderstanding a Joseon person as a Goryeo person was cute level. When they compared a black-haired guy to some northern barbarian, it was honestly hard to bear.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m not okay.”
Unknowingly, a slightly pouting response slipped out in my voice filled with concern.
“W-what?!”
“Because of Miss Zhuge. I need to recover through Miss Zhuge.”
Unsatisfied with the slender shoulders, my hands looked for other targets. Where should I touch? As my fingers brushed against a certain area, a surprised voice burst out.
“Ahh! P-please, not the sides!”
“Oh dear! I’ve committed a faux pas.”
“It’s not a faux pas. It’s just that it’s been a while since I came home. Home-cooked meals are delicious. Hah! I don’t mean to say that I ate a lot while you were away! The food just wasn’t going down, so I had a snack!”
Her voice became flustered as if she didn’t know what to do. Unable to hold back, I couldn’t help but smile at her cuteness.
“In that case, please tell me where else to touch.”
I asked Miss Zhuge with a teasing voice.
“Is this Master Kang? Your voice suddenly sounds strange.”
“Where can I touch? Soja.”
Belly button. A strategic hub that could go either up or down, I lightly grazed the area with my fingertip.
“Eep!”
“Do you prefer above?”
I slightly moved up along the centerline.
“Eeep!”
A ridiculously cute shriek escaped.
“Or maybe…”
As my fingertip slowly, very slowly, moved downwards.
“W-w-wait!”
Miss Zhuge’s panicked voice tickled my heart.
“Phew.”
I blew hot breath into her blushing ear.
“Ahhh… Ahhhh…!”
“I may have gone too far with the teasing… Miss Zhuge? Hello, Miss Zhuge?”
Miss Zhuge had completely broken down.
Did I go too far with my fun?
“What are you all doing?”
Gilsan entered through the door and saw me poking the frozen Miss Zhuge’s cheeks like a statue.
“I’m guessing getting to the white rabbit’s path is going to be very difficult.”
“What are you talking about? Hey! Someone from the Head Family’s Hall has come. Go out and see!”
“From the Head Family’s Hall?”
——
I thought it would take a few more days. I never expected to be summoned just a day later. Thankfully, I had recovered my mindset through Miss Zhuge; had I not, it could have been problematic.
“Come in.”
At the sound of my father-in-law’s voice, I took a deep breath and opened the door.
“I hear you were looking for me.”
What conclusion had been reached? I walked confidently, standing in front of my father-in-law and the Elders’ Council.
“Elder Councilman is here to speak on behalf of the Elders, so listen carefully.”
Following my father-in-law’s gaze, I found the Elder Councilman, resembling a wise strategist you’d easily acquire at the beginning of a Three Kingdoms game, staring at me.
He hadn’t spoken much during yesterday’s meeting, merely stroking his beard. What was he going to say?
“Kang Yoon-ho.”
“Yes, Elder Councilman.”
I bowed my waist to show respect.
“I’ll ask once again. Are you truly Ho Pil?”
“Yes, I am Ho Pil. Not for a single moment have I not been Ho Pil from the beginning until now.”
In response to a question that needed confirmation, I answered without hesitation.
“Is it true that you have enjoyed the tales of the Three Kingdoms since childhood?”
“Yes? Yes, I have loved it since before I could grow facial hair.”
Why are we talking about the Three Kingdoms all of a sudden?
“I guess you’ve talked about the Three Kingdoms quite a lot.”
“We’ve had all kinds of discussions.”
Back when I was a child, the Three Kingdoms were quite the popular genre. Many friends liked to play games based on it.
What if Sun Quan had not betrayed? What if Ma Su had done it correctly? What if Zhuge Liang had succeeded in the longevity technique? Friends often spent time discussing the Three Kingdoms.
What’s the connection between Ho Pil and the Three Kingdoms? Just because I liked the Three Kingdoms, does that mean they want to verify the facts?
As I nodded in confusion, a few members of the Elders’ Council looked at me with beaming smiles.
“Sure enough…!”
“Was Elder Jang’s word the truth?”
“Indeed!”
“Quiet!”
“Ahem!”
Could it be the Korean pride TV strategy worked?!
A foreigner with dark skin. The truth is, I’ve admired General Yi Sun-sin since childhood. I’ve found success in Korea by taking General Yi Sun-sin’s War Diary as my golden rule for business?!
Regardless of whether it’s true or not, it would be a great story for the elders. It seemed the strategy to appeal to the elderly was paying off.
“The Elders’ Council has come to the conclusion that what you say has merit after extensive discussions.”
This was great news.
“If so—”
“However, despite how much time is given, we concluded that we still cannot accurately determine the facts.”
“……”
While they acknowledged the plausibility of my statements, it meant there was no clear evidence.
“A black-haired man becoming the son-in-law of the Zhuge Family. Even if what you say has merit and circumstantial evidence, it’s not something that can be easily agreed upon. Therefore, we concluded there is a need for verification regarding you.”
“What do you mean verification? What kind of confirmation do you mean?”
They want to verify me.
To begin with, there are not many people who know I am Ho Pil. How exactly do they plan to verify me?
As I awaited their answer, an unexpected suggestion popped up.
“Write a book.”
“Are you suggesting I write the Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes from the Zhuge Family?”
Are they asking me to write the next volume of the Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes?
That’s definitely a good method. If I write the next volume of the Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes, they will surely acknowledge that I am Ho Pil.
The Elders love the Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes, and they would be able to read the next volume right away.
However, Elder Councilman shook his head against my question.
“No. I’m not talking about the Chronicles of the Wind and Cloud Heroes.”
“You are not referring to The Rise of the Tang Family, then. So which book are you referring to?”
The Rise of the Tang Family is a novel where characters from the Sichuan Tang Family are the protagonists.
Because of the errant words and scandalous content from a warrior of the Zhuge Family, it became a forbidden book in the Zhuge Family. Surely, the Elders wouldn’t dare advise me to write the next volume of a forbidden book.
What in the world are they suggesting I write?
“A novel where the Zhuge Family is the protagonist.”
“…Excuse me?”
“If you want to be a son-in-law of the Zhuge Family, write a novel where the Zhuge Family is the protagonist and bring it to us.”
