Chapter 105

At the engagement meeting, stepping on the table and suddenly hugging.

A behavior unbecoming of a young lady from a prestigious family in the Central Plains, beyond the Martial Arts Families.

“Guhae, Miss! Your dignity…!!”

The maids of the Jiegal Family blush and approach the awkward scene of Mantian and Guhae embracing each other.

“Guhae, let’s go.”

“Okay!”

The two no longer hear anything else.

Holding hands like when they were children, they escape the suffocating pavilion and head to the garden.

If they love each other and promise a future together, that’s an engagement. Permission can be asked for later.

…But as the thoughts of children and parents don’t always align.

“What is this rude behavior? Come back at once.”

The unusually stern voice of Sima Family Head stops Mantian in his tracks.

“…Wait a moment.”

He could have just left, but it was time to make things clear. After asking for Guhae’s understanding, he turns to face his father.

Between the garden and the pavilion, their similar yet different amber eyes meet.

“I was worried about you. I apologize if my words were harsh.”

Sima Family Head, who didn’t want to hurt family ties while refusing the engagement, tries to cleverly persuade.

Unfortunately, Mantian was no longer the child who followed his father around, begging for snacks.

Unlike wolves that live in packs, tigers are creatures that quickly become independent.

“Father, thank you for your concern. But I’ll be fine.”

“…What?”

His amber eyes, like a tiger ruling the mountains, shine with determination.

“I will choose my own woman.”

“……!!”

It’s an issue where neither can persuade the other. Then, I’ll just say what I need to say.

With those words, he turns and leaves the garden with Guhae.

Sima Family Head is left speechless.

He blankly stares at the retreating figure of his grown son.

‘He was small enough to lift with both hands… When did he grow so big…?’

Memories of holding him in his arms and playing with him suddenly come to mind.

“Giggle~ Giggle~ Papa! Higher~ higher~!”

“Haha~ You rascal! Is it that fun? Higher~! Higher~!”

Mantian’s face, laughing brightly as he swings his arms, flickers in his memory.

“Man-ki-yah-hoo-! People look like bugs from up here~!”

Even now, he was a peculiar child. A child who required a lot of attention.

A bittersweet sigh escapes as vivid, hazy memories surface.

“Hoo…”

Sima Family Head quietly turns back and returns to the pavilion. With a somewhat cheerful expression, he apologizes to Jiegal Yang, who was watching the direction Mantian had disappeared.

“I’m sorry for the trouble. I spoiled him too much, and now he’s unruly. It’s my fault as a parent.”

“It’s fine. A man of the martial world should have that kind of boldness. More importantly…”

Jiegal Yang’s eyes gleam sharply, like a hawk eyeing its prey.

“What about the engagement? They clearly like each other. Shouldn’t you allow it?”

A bitter smile forms on Sima Family Head’s lips.

Even after causing a scene, he still speaks like this. It seems he really took a liking to Mantian.

Regardless of personality, it’s a pleasant feeling as a parent to have a renowned top martial artist think highly of your child…

“Engagement is a significant family matter that determines the child’s future.”

Marriage is a different story.

“I’m sorry, but this isn’t something I can decide alone. I’ll discuss it with my wife and decide.”

Jiegal Yang looks surprised at Sima Family Head’s polite deferral.

“Hoho~ Consulting with the family~ That’s unexpected.”

“…What do you mean?”

Jiegal Yang points to the Go board.

“Your Go style hides much and is self-centered. I thought you were the type to decide important matters alone and not reveal your true feelings.”

Sima Family Head’s face stiffens momentarily under the penetrating gaze.

“Haha… That’s an interesting interpretation.”

He forces a smile to hide his expression and sips the cold tea.

Just like Jiegal Biyoung, who carries a portrait of himself dressed as a woman from his childhood to hide his identity.

It seems I really don’t get along with the Jiegal family.

***

Namgung Family’s main house, Namgung Cheon’s personal study.

Sososo’s aunt and the current puppet head of the Namgung Family.

“Father, regarding the recent deal with the Ilwol God Sect… the Demon Sect elder who killed my brother as a bodyguard…”

Namgung Rin, with an unusually stern face, confronts Namgung Cheon. Her nails dig into her clenched palms.

“The villain… Wujiwuji (Nameless and Invincible) appeared, I heard. Is it true?”

At his daughter’s question, Namgung Cheon reluctantly puts down the book he was reading.

“Hoo… Yes, it’s true, Rin.”

He tries to squeeze out a sad expression, acting like a grieving father who hasn’t forgotten the sorrow of losing his son.

Even though he was the one who hired Wujiwuji to kill Namgung Seon.

“Then-! Why-!!”

“I wanted to kill him immediately. But it wasn’t a strategically good decision, so I stopped.”

At his daughter’s question of why he didn’t kill the enemy on the spot, he turns his back and sets the mood.

“Rin, when Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, took control of the Central Plains, there were four figures representing the nations that made their mark on the world.”

Wei Zheng of Tang, Yeon Gaesomun of Goguryeo, Seong Chung of Baekje, and Kim Yushin of Silla.

“They were called the Four Heroes of the World.”

Namgung Rin’s delicate brow furrows.

“…What are you trying to say?”

“I hold Kim Yushin in the highest regard among them.”

A natural question, but Namgung Cheon continues his story.

“He fell in love with a courtesan named Cheongwan when he was young. Every night, he would visit her and share his body.”

“Enraged, Kim Yushin’s mother scolded him with tears, and Kim Yushin vowed never to visit Cheongwan again.”

A glint appears in Namgung Cheon’s eyes. It’s the part he likes.

“…One day, drunk on his way home, Kim Yushin’s beloved horse remembered the way to Cheongwan’s house.”

“It went to Cheongwan’s house as usual. What do you think Kim Yushin did in that situation?”

A twisted smile forms on his lips.

“Kim Yushin cut off his own feelings and beheaded his beloved horse in front of Cheongwan, bidding her farewell.”

For a warrior, an excellent horse is more than a treasure—it’s a comrade in life and death on the battlefield. Thus, Kim Yushin beheaded his beloved horse to show his resolve.

Understanding the implication, Namgung Rin’s face hardens further. Blood drips from her clenched fist.

“You’re telling me to cut off my brother… to give up on revenge…”

“It’s not giving up. Just to endure for a while.”

Namgung Cheon turns and approaches Namgung Rin, placing a hand on her shoulder and speaking in a dignified yet gentle voice.

“For the sake of Sososo, Seon’s daughter, endure. Cooperation with Wujiwuji and the Ilwol God Sect is necessary for our Namgung Family.”

“……….”

At the mention of Sososo, Namgung Rin bites her lip and lowers her eyes.

“Thank you for understanding.”

Satisfied with her obedient demeanor, Namgung Cheon smiles imperceptibly and pats her shoulder.

“…Then I’ll go to the Martial Alliance for a while.”

“What happened?”

“Nothing, just… it’s time to end the fake engagement with the Tang Family.”

Namgung Cheon’s gaze drifts to the documents on his desk containing information about Sima Mantian.

“It’s time to find a suitable match for our dear Emperor and Sososo.”

Namgung’s Daughter as King – A Namgung girl becomes king.

Though she hides her identity as a girl now, to become king, she must eventually reveal her true gender.

As one of the Four Pillars of the Evil Faction, Mang, Zhuo, Cao, and Yi.

The Sima Family, with royal blood, is a suitable marriage alliance partner.

“Then I’ll be back.”

Finishing his thoughts, Namgung Cheon approaches the window, focuses his internal energy, and leaps out. Simultaneously…

Azure Sky Flying Swallow Sword

…One of the swords decorating the study’s wall bursts with energy and flies to Namgung Cheon’s feet.

Like a magnet, Namgung Cheon steps onto the sword, his eyes gleaming with energy.

He accelerates once more.

Kwa-wang-!!

A blue streak cuts through the sky like lightning.

Kwagagagagaga-!!

Thunder echoes across the clear sky.

***

Mantian blankly gazes at the red sunset.

Escaping the suffocating engagement meeting and having fun with Guhae was nice, but…

As the sun begins to set, he wonders where he’ll sleep tonight.

Going home like this is awkward, maybe an inn? Or ask Sososo for a favor?

‘Hehe~ Namgung noona~ Mantian has no home! Let me stay!’

As he entertains such foolish thoughts, Guhae cutely tugs at his sleeve.

“…What are you thinking?”

“Ah~ Just wondering where to sleep tonight.”

“…….”

Suddenly, Guhae stops and mutters something.

“…Mine.”

“Huh? What?”

As if trying to hide her embarrassment, Guhae’s toes tap the ground.

“…Mine.”

Slurp…

She wraps her arm around his to prevent him from escaping, her blushing face whispering sadly.

“…You’re my man, so I’ll take you to my room.”

Her beautiful blue eyes, filled with anticipation, reflect only me.

“…No?”

***

Hehe… As some may have already noticed from the notice, it seems to fit well with this Fsod.

Posting it! Today’s short martial arts comic!!

Increasing heroines… Jiegal Guhae, XX years old.