Chapter 104

Sima Yi and Zhuge Liang.


Strangely enough, these two lived similar yet different lives.


Sima Yi had to wander as a refugee after his hometown was ruined by the war between Dong Zhuo and the Anti-Dong Zhuo Coalition.


Zhuge Liang had to flee to Jingzhou due to Cao Cao’s invasion of Xuzhou and the Xuzhou Massacre.


When Sima Yi became an adult, many praised him as “intelligent, resolute, and extraordinary.”


But his brother Sima Lang disagreed, calling him “scheming and narrow-minded.”


Sima Yi was humble, polite, and often spoke of worrying about the chaos in the world.


In contrast, Zhuge Liang compared himself to Guan Zhong and E Yi, flaunting his talents without hiding.


But people at the time didn’t agree with him.


“Hey, Mr. Zhuge! Stop talking nonsense and go farm!”


They saw Zhuge Liang as a weirdo. Though he farmed to survive, he never stopped studying or gave up on his ambitions.


Only his master Sima Hui, friend Xu Shu, and family truly admired him.


He also opposed rising to official positions.


Cao Cao, the Minister of Works, wanted to recruit Sima Yi, but Sima Yi declined, feigning illness.


Cao Cao sent people to watch him, but Sima Yi continued to feign illness to avoid recruitment.


At the time, Cao Cao was facing the powerful Yuan Shao, so he hesitated.


After Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao and became Chancellor, he tried to recruit Sima Yi again, threatening imprisonment if he refused.


Sima Yi, terrified, finally joined Cao Cao’s side.


He joined when Cao Cao’s power was at its peak.


In contrast, Zhuge Liang joined Liu Bei when his power was still weak.


After the famous “Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage,” Liu Bei personally sought him out.


Zhuge Liang shared his strategies and had deep discussions with Liu Bei.


Heroes recognize heroes.


Liu Bei, though a mere guest general, never gave up on his dream of restoring the Han dynasty.


Zhuge Liang, despite being ignored by others, proudly compared himself to Guan Zhong and E Yi.


The two heroes deeply connected, forming a lord-vassal relationship.


At just 27, Zhuge Liang was exceptionally appointed as a military strategist.


He enjoyed a close relationship with Liu Bei, even making Guan Yu and Zhang Fei jealous.


Later, their lives intersected again during Zhuge Liang’s Northern Expeditions, leading to a fierce rivalry.


They fought a battle of wits and endurance, worthy of the title “worthy opponents.”


In the end, Sima Yi won.


But did he really defeat Zhuge Liang? Not quite.


“Dead Kongming drives away living Zhongda” — Sima Yi, chasing the retreating Shu army, was scared off by a wooden figure resembling Zhuge Liang.


The greatest humiliation of Sima Yi’s life.


If Zhuge Liang had been alive, Sima Yi could have sought revenge later, but he couldn’t retaliate against the dead.


Legends say Sima Yi wept bitterly out of shame.


“This will be laughed at for over a hundred years!”


And indeed, it’s still laughed at to this day.


Their unforgettable rivalry continues to be told.


***


Near the Martial Alliance, at the Jiegal Family estate.


On a pavilion built for hosting guests and banquets.


The daughter of the North Sea Dragon King, the young lady of the Jiegal Family.


“……”


Guhae’s beautiful eyes focus as she gazes at a pure white scroll.


Her slender fingers hold a brush, dipping it in black ink, writing characters with both delicacy and boldness.


Mantian Guohai (Deceiving Heaven to Cross the Sea) — Deceive the heavens and cross the sea.


The balance of dots, lines, and strokes is harmonious, worthy of being called masterful calligraphy.


Pleased with the result, Guhae nods lightly and sets the brush down.


“Chirp, chirp!”


At her command, plump sparrows cheerfully chirp and fly up, carrying the completed scroll with their tiny feet.


They hang it neatly on the wall near the table, where the families will gather, proudly displaying it as a decoration.


It proclaims that Mantian belongs to Guhae.


“Yes… I am the rightful wife.”


Guhae’s eyes sparkle with determination as she gazes at the scroll.


Today is the engagement ceremony of Mantian and Guhae, arbitrarily hosted by the Jiegal Family’s elder, one of the Ten Great Masters, Jiegal Yang.


It’s also the formal meeting between the Sima and Jiegal Families.


***


People must take responsibility for their words and actions.


I, a genius who deceives even the heavens.


This is what my second master, Mukgang, always told me, and it’s something I constantly remind myself of.


Who would have thought that a kiss driven by desire would lead to this?


I woke up this morning only to be dragged out for an engagement ceremony with Guhae.


I had planned to take responsibility and marry her after declaring my intentions, but…


This is moving faster than expected.


I haven’t even saved up enough personal wealth yet… Marriage is too soon…


“I heard you took care of my child when they were injured. I should have thanked you in person sooner, but I was busy.”


“Don’t worry about it. We’re both busy people. And since you’re going to be the son-in-law of the Jiegal Family, we’ll take good care of you.”


I glance over and see my father, with his kind face, chatting happily with the eccentric old man Jiegal Yang.


“Hahaha! For our humble family to marry into the Jiegal Family? You must be joking.”


“Hahaha! Don’t worry! It’s no joke!”


Watching this makes my stomach churn. I don’t want to see more, so I turn my head.


Naturally, my eyes meet Guhae’s across the table.


She’s dressed in elegant attire, looking like a proper young lady of a noble family, unlike her usual active martial arts attire.


To lighten the stiff atmosphere, I smile and wave lightly.


“……?!”


Perhaps remembering yesterday’s events, Guhae’s face flushes red.


She shyly lowers her head and fidgets with her fingers on her lap.


‘Damn it… She’s so cute!’


Calm Guhae is nice, but shy Guhae is the best.


I just want to pick her up and cuddle her endlessly.


Meanwhile, the conversation between my father and Jiegal Yang continues, leaning more toward Jiegal Yang’s preferences.


At Jiegal Yang’s signal, servants place a Go board on the table.


“What is this…?”


“Sometimes, a single game of Go can tell you more about each other than dozens of words.”


He calmly flips the Go stones.


“I’ll let you take the first move.”


I don’t know what he’s plotting, but my father’s stance remains unchanged.


“Though I appreciate your kindness toward my unworthy son…”


My father’s black stones firmly build territory, rejecting the opponent.


“He still has much to learn.”


But Jiegal Yang’s white stones aggressively press forward.


“Good. The newlyweds can stay at the Jiegal Family estate. I’ll teach him well.”


For a moment, my father’s brow twitches. He calmly sips tea to hide his expression.


“……”


Of course, my father doesn’t actually think I’m unworthy.


I’m his precious and proud child. He’s just humbling himself to politely decline the offer. It’s modesty.


But taking his words at face value… It’s ridiculous.


‘I expected some eccentricity, but the rumors about his personality were true.’


When the other side is direct, we’ll be direct too.


“Since you say so, I’ll be honest. I oppose this engagement.”


Thud—!


The Go board resonates as my father’s moves become aggressive.


“When Tian was young, he almost died. It happened during his studies at the Jiegal Family.”


“……!!”


At these words, Guhae’s face turns pale, her eyes widening.


“That was an accident.”


“Yes, as a non-martial artist, I don’t know the details, but I heard he went berserk due to Qi deviation.”


Jiegal Yang responds casually, but it’s no use. My father isn’t talking to him.


“…But can you be sure he won’t go berserk again?”


On the Go board, my father’s black stones penetrate the territory Jiegal Yang has built.


“To others, he may seem like a cripple spouting nonsense, but to me and my wife, he’s a precious child.”


Each of my father’s words strikes Guhae like an arrow.


“He’s a dangerous existence that could go berserk at any moment—”


“Father—!!”


I can’t stand it anymore and try to interrupt, but it’s no use.


“I can’t allow my son to live under the same roof with such a dangerous being.”


Jiegal Yang, one of the Ten Great Masters renowned in the martial world, is now twice surprised.


First, by the fact that Mantian, if he’s anything like his father, dares to speak so boldly in front of him.


Second, by the fact that Guhae, who was looking forward to the engagement and appears calm but is as fiery as him, is silently enduring these words.


Yes, Guhae is enduring it.


She says nothing, bearing the brunt of my father’s harsh words that indirectly label her a monster.


Because it’s true that she hurt the one she loves.


…She has no right to speak.


At that moment, I stand up with a stern face.


“Get up.”


I grab Guhae’s wrist and pull her up. A small tear forms in her sad blue eyes.


Seeing this only fuels my anger.


“I clearly told you back then that nothing happened. You never hurt me. So why can’t you speak? You idiot?”


“You even wrote ‘Mantian Guohai’ on that scroll! Why can’t you say it?”


I hold Guhae’s wrist and press her palm to my chest, letting her feel my heartbeat.


Under everyone’s gaze, I deliver my iconic line.


“Why! This man is my man! Can’t you say it—!!”


“……!!”


Guhae’s blue eyes widen. Light returns to them.


Unable to hold back any longer, she leaps over the table in one swift motion.


She hugs me tightly and speaks her heart.


“Yes… You’re mine.”


We feel each other’s warmth.


Mantian and Guhae.


For them, the family’s story is no longer necessary.